Automotive locks, especially car door locks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, equipped with an electric drive (7, 8) and an emergency power source (9) for activating the drive (7, 8) in case of an emergency. The emergency power source 9 is arranged inside the housing (5, 6) of the motor vehicle lock. According to the invention, the emergency power source (9) is located in the area of ​​the disengagement part (4) of the lock mechanism (2, 3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automotive lock equipped with an electric drive device and an electrical emergency energy source for the electrical emergency operation of the drive device, particularly to a lock for an automotive door, and the emergency energy source is arranged inside the housing for the automotive lock.

[0002]

[0002] An automotive lock equipped with an electric drive device, particularly a lock for an automotive door, is configured and designed, for example, as an electric lock for electrically releasing a lock mechanism substantially consisting of a catch part and a claw part, which is realized inside the automotive lock. However, in principle, the electric drive device is not (not only) used to electrically release the lock mechanism, but alternatively or additionally, it may be used to operate a so-called opener. In principle, the electric lock may be of the type described in DE 101 64 829 B4. For example, when using an electric drive device to supply power to the opener, it can be designed in the same way as described in DE 10 2011 015 669 A1.

[0003]

[0003] However, in principle, an electric drive device can also be used as a component of an automotive lock to operate an operating lever chain inside the automotive lock, for example, to shift it from a "locked" functional position to an "unlocked" functional position. All of these functions can be regularly mapped and converted only when sufficient electrical energy is supplied to the electric drive device. This electrical energy is usually obtained from the main energy source or the accumulator of the vehicle.

[0004]

[0004] For example, if there is a voltage drop in this main energy source, or if it is damaged, the above functions cannot be converted in terms of "electrically opening," "turning off," or "unlocking," and at least they can no longer be converted by an electric motor. For this reason, prior art already has approaches to realize emergency energy storage and emergency energy sources.

[0005]

[0005] For example, the applicant’s International Publication No. 2021 / 023341 describes an automobile lock equipped with an electric drive for an operating lever chain, in particular a locking chain, and further an emergency energy storage device for supplying power to the drive during emergency operation, in particular emergency unlocking. In this example, the emergency energy storage device ensures that, after an authentication check of an operator intending to access, the locking lever chain positioned in this location moves from its “locked” position to its “unlocked” position.

[0006]

[0006] The general prior art by DE 10 2014 105 875 A1 relates to an automotive lock with an additional emergency supply device for supplying voltage to the automotive lock in the event of emergency operation. For this purpose, a known emergency supply device is located inside the automotive lock housing. Furthermore, a so-called auxiliary release drive device is implemented for electrically lifting the claw portion.

[0007]

[0007] The prior art has been largely proven regarding the basic possibility of electrical emergency operation of electric drive systems as part of an automobile lock. However, the electrical emergency energy sources used in this location are not without their shortcomings. Electrical emergency energy sources can actually be capacitors, batteries, etc. Such emergency energy sources, like the vehicle battery as the main energy source, are susceptible to aging and can discharge, especially over long periods of time. In practice, this aspect is addressed by periodically or permanently charging each electrical emergency energy source. However, this does not eliminate the effects of aging and, in the worst case, may mean that if the main energy source or vehicle battery fails, the emergency energy source may also be unavailable to supply electrical energy to the electric drive system. The present invention seeks to improve this as a whole.

[0008] overview

[0009]

[0008] The present invention is based on a technical problem of providing an automobile lock in this manner, and in particular on a technical problem relating to an automobile door lock that enables the simple and routine replacement of an emergency energy source.

[0010]

[0009] In order to solve this technical problem, a general automobile lock within the scope of the present invention, in particular an automobile door lock, is characterized in that an emergency energy source is located in the area of ​​the entrance mouse for the locking mechanism.

[0011]

[0010] Firstly, the present invention is based on an automobile lock equipped with an emergency electric energy source to ensure emergency operation of an electric drive unit in the event of a failure of the main energy source or vehicle battery, for example. In this regard, the electric drive unit can be used as one embodiment, and not limited to, to electrically release a locking mechanism consisting of a catch and a claw. In addition, the electric drive unit can also be used to supply the necessary electrical energy to the opener as a component or associated assembly. Furthermore, as described above, the electric drive unit can be used to actuate an operating lever chain, for example, to transition it from a "locked" state to an "unlocked" functional state.

[0012]

[0011] In order to ensure safe operation and functionality even in the event of a vehicle battery or main energy source failure, an emergency energy source within the automobile lock housing can be periodically replaced or its functionality can be easily checked according to the present invention. According to the present invention, the emergency energy source is located in the area of ​​the entrance mouse for a locking mechanism consisting substantially of a catch and a claw. The present invention is based on the recognition that when an automobile door belonging to an automobile lock is open, the entrance mouse in question is directly accessible to the locking mechanism. This means that the emergency energy source can also be easily checked and replaced as needed. The emergency energy source usually has a removable cover for this purpose.

[0013]

[0012] In fact, the cover interacts with the lock mechanism. for It can be advantageously positioned within the recess for the holder's receptacle. As soon as the car door is opened and the lock holder exposes the recess in question, the emergency power supply can be accessed via a removable cover. This means that the emergency power supply can be removed and replaced as needed, but can also be checked and repaired as needed.

[0014]

[0013] For this purpose, the cover is usually equipped with guide tongues on both sides. This allows the cover to be fully fitted over the entrance mouse area. Furthermore, the cover is usually designed as a sliding bar and can therefore be opened and closed by a sliding motion.

[0015]

[0014] Furthermore, the cover typically closes off a compartment for the head-side emergency power receptacle. This means that the emergency energy source is housed within the compartment, the top of the compartment is closed off by the cover, and the cover is removable. At this point, yet another design has proven particularly advantageous, in which the compartment for the emergency energy source receptacle extends primarily perpendicular to the level of the locking mechanism. This means that the locking mechanism, which consists substantially of a catch and a claw, opens up the level of the locking mechanism. The compartment for the emergency energy source receptacle extends perpendicularly to this locking mechanism level. The present invention is based on the recognition that there is usually sufficient space in the locking housing in a direction perpendicular to the level of the locking mechanism and in the extension of the inlet mouth to set up an emergency energy source there.

[0016]

[0015] Compartments for the receptacle of the note energy source are generally components of the housing body. In fact, lock housings typically consist of at least two components: the housing body and an additional housing cover. Of course, this is only applicable in advantageous design situations and is never mandatory. Compartments are components of the housing body. The housing body generally defines the wetroom housing component of the lock housing. Compartments are part of the housing body and are therefore wetroom housing components, but are generally designed to be closed in order to protect the emergency power supply within the compartment from environmental influences, especially moisture, so that it can continue to function for as long as possible.

[0017]

[0016] As already described, the housing body is generally closed off by a housing cover. The housing body defines the wet room housing component of the lock housing, while the housing cover typically defines the dry room housing component as a further component of the lock housing of the automobile. The dry room housing component typically includes an electric drive unit and an electronic control unit including an associated circuit board. Of course, this is merely advantageous and not essential.

[0018]

[0017] As a result, an automotive lock, particularly an automotive door lock, is obtained in which the emergency power supply is functionally designed to be located in the area of ​​the entrance mouse of the locking mechanism. The emergency power supply is housed in a compartment equipped with a removable cover and can therefore be easily removed from the compartment for inspection, replacement or repair as needed. At the very least, all of the above is possible if the automotive door equipped with the automotive lock in question is open and there is access to the entrance mouse to operate the emergency power supply. This minimizes the need for maintenance and allows the emergency energy source to be checked or replaced periodically during maintenance. These are the main advantages.

[0019]

[0018] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to drawings showing only exemplary embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the automotive lock according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the car lock according to Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the compartment for the emergency energy source receptacle. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a cross-section passing through Figure 3.

[0021] [Detailed explanation]

[0019] The drawing shows an automobile lock, which is a lock for an automobile door. This automobile lock is a lock that carries a locking mechanism 2,3 consisting of a catch part 2 and a claw part 3, which are shown only in Figure 1. for It can be seen that it has case 1. In Figure 1, the catch part 2 interacts with the locking mechanisms 2 and 3 in this way, and the main body side lock (not shown) for The holder is partially visible in the area of ​​the retractable entrance mouse 4. Meanwhile, the automotive lock shown in Figure 1 is located on or inside the automotive door (not shown).

[0022]

[0020] The entrance mouth 4 is accessible when the car door is open. It is located, for example, on the face side of the car door and connects the outer and inner panels of the car door. In addition to the lock case 1, another substantial structural element of the car lock shown is the car lock housing 5, 6. In this embodiment, the car lock housing 5, 6 consists of one housing body 5 and a housing cover 6 that seals the other housing body 5. This means that as soon as the housing body 5 is closed using the housing cover 6, moisture or environmental influences can only enter the interior of the car lock housing through the entrance mouth 4.

[0023]

[0021] The basic structure of the shown automobile lock also includes an electric drive unit 7,8 equipped with an electric motor 7 and a driven pulley 8, according to an exemplary embodiment. With the help of the driven pulley 8, the claw portion 3 can be lifted from the locking engagement with the catch portion 2 in the closed position of the locking mechanism 2,3. As a result, the catch portion 2 is released by a spring, releasing a locking bolt (not shown) that had previously been inserted into the locking mechanism 2,3 via the entrance mouth 4. This allows the automobile door to be opened as a whole.

[0024]

[0022] What is substantially important for the present invention is another emergency energy source 9 that can be best seen in the section of FIG. 4. In an exemplary embodiment, but not limited thereto, the emergency energy source 9 is a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. Of course, the emergency energy source 9 can also be designed differently, for example, as a capacitor or others. In any case, when the main energy source or the vehicle battery not explicitly shown fails, it is guaranteed that the emergency electric energy source 9 can be used to energize the alternative electric drive devices 7, 8 so that the locking mechanisms 2, 3 according to the exemplary embodiment can be actuated, especially released, in an emergency.

[0025]

[0023] Of course, as described at the beginning, the electric drive devices 7, 8 can also be used to shift an operation lever chain not explicitly shown from its "locked" state to its "unlocked" functional state. Further, as described at the beginning of the description, the case where the electric drive devices 7, 8 are operated by an opener not explicitly shown is also within the scope of the present invention.

[0026]

[0024] According to the present invention, the emergency energy source 9 is arranged to be in the region of the inlet mouth 4 for the above-described locking mechanisms 2, 3. For this purpose, a detachable cover 10 is assigned to the emergency power source 9.

[0027]

[0025] It can be seen that the emergency energy source 9 is adapted within a compartment 11 whose head end is closed by the detachable cover 10. Here, the detachable cover 10 is entirely placed within a recess 12, and this recess 12 is adapted to a lock holder that retreats into the inlet mouth 4 but is not explicitly shown. In this embodiment, the cover 10 is a sliding bar (i.e., a latch), and as shown in FIG. 3, by sliding in the longitudinal direction of the inlet mouth 4, it shifts between the illustrated closed state and the open state to remove and, if necessary, replace the emergency energy source 9 within the compartment 11. for holder, but is not explicitly shown. In this embodiment, the cover 10 is a sliding bar (i.e., a latch), and as shown in FIG. 3, by sliding in the longitudinal direction of the inlet mouth 4, it shifts between the illustrated closed state and the open state to remove and, if necessary, replace the emergency energy source

[0028]

[0026] For this purpose, the removable cover 10 or sliding bar realized in this respect has a latching cam 13 on its lower side which engages with the corresponding recess 14 in the compartment 11 as soon as the cover 10 or sliding bar reaches the correct position for closing the compartment 11 and thereby the compartment 11 is closed as a whole. In fact, this ensures that no contamination or moisture can enter the compartment 11 through the inlet mouth 4 via the removable cover 10 and possibly disrupt the functionality of the emergency power supply 9.

[0029]

[0027] The cover 10 is equipped with guide tongues 10a on both sides, and when the cover 10 is assembled, it engages with the corresponding slots 10b located within the wall 15 surrounding the entrance mouse 4. The wall 15 of the entrance mouse 4 forms a component of the housing body 5.

[0030]

[0028] Furthermore, the design is such that, as can be seen mainly from the cross-sectional view in Figure 4, the compartment 11 for the receptacle of the emergency energy source 9 extends mainly perpendicular to the locking mechanism level E. In fact, the locking mechanism level E spans the locking mechanisms 2, 3, which consist of the catch portion 2 and the claw portion 3. This means that the compartment 11 and the emergency energy source 9 located within it can be positioned in the area perpendicular to the locking mechanism level E and then in the area protruding below the entrance mouth 4 or its vertical projection, taking advantage of the fact that there are generally no further assemblies inside the automotive locking housing 5, 6 in the area perpendicular to the locking mechanism level E and then in the area protruding below the entrance mouth 4. The compartment 11, as well as the wall 15 of the entrance mouth 4, is a component of the housing body 5.

[0031]

[0029] The housing body 5 defines the wet room housing component of the lock housings 5,6, and the housing cover 6 that closes the housing body 5 defines the associated dry room housing component of the automotive lock housings 5,6. This is best illustrated by Figure 2. This means that the part of the housing body 5 closed by the housing cover 6, in which the electric drive units 7,8 and additionally the control unit 16 shown here are located, is the dry room housing component of the automotive lock housings 5,6 sealed by the housing cover 6. In contrast, the part of the housing body 5 that refers to the lock case 1 and forms the entrance mouth 4 and the wall 15 is designed as the wet chamber housing component. Finally, a seal 17 is provided that seals the automotive lock housings 5,6 to the automotive door, which is not shown but can be designed as, for example, an injection-molded foam seal.

[0032] [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] Lock case 1, Locking mechanism 2,3, Catch part 2, Nail part 3, Entrance mouse 4, Automotive lock housings 5, 6, Housing body 5, Housing cover 6, Electric drive unit 7,8, Electric motor 7, Driven pulley 8, emergency power supply 9, Cover 10, Guide tongue portion 10a, Slot 10b, Plot 11, Recess 12, Latch cam 13, Recess 14, Wall 15, Control unit 16, Sticker 17, Locking mechanism level E.

Claims

1. An automobile lock, particularly an automobile door lock, having an electric drive unit (7, 8) and an emergency electrical energy source (9) for emergency operation of the electric drive unit (7, 8), The emergency electrical energy source (9) is located inside the automobile lock housing (5, 6), which consists of a housing body (5) and a housing cover (6), and the emergency electrical energy source (9) is located in the area of ​​the entrance mouse (4) of the lock mechanism (2, 3). The housing body (5) is closed by the housing cover (6), and the locking bolts, which are pre-inserted into the locking mechanism (2, 3) via the entrance mouth (4), are characterized in that they can be released.

2. The automobile lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the emergency electrical energy source (9) has a removable cover (10).

3. The automobile lock according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking holder is retractable into the entrance mouth (4), and the cover (10) is positioned in a recess (12) that fits the locking holder.

4. The car lock according to claim 3, characterized in that the cover (10) is equipped with guide tongues (10a) on both sides.

5. The automobile lock according to claim 4, characterized in that the cover (10) is configured as a sliding bar.

6. The car lock according to claim 5, characterized in that the cover (10) closes off the compartment (11) for the receptacle of the emergency electrical energy source (9) on the head side.

7. The automobile lock according to claim 6, characterized in that the compartment (11) extends substantially perpendicular to the lock mechanism level (E).

8. The automobile lock according to claim 7, characterized in that the compartment (11) is a component of the housing body (5).

9. The automobile lock according to claim 8, characterized in that the housing body (5) defines the wet room housing component of the automobile lock housing (5, 6).

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