Car lock

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle lock, in particular a vehicle door lock, having a locking mechanism (11), a rotatable trigger lever (15) and an electric drive unit (16) for actuating the trigger lever (15), the locking mechanism (11) including a rotating latch (12) and a pawl (13), in particular a single pawl, the rotating latch (12) being latchable into at least one latched position (I) by the pawl (13) and the locking mechanism (11) being movable from the at least one latched position (I) to an open position (II) by the trigger lever (15). The electric drive (16) is formed by at least an electric motor (17) and a transmission stage (18), the transmission stage (18) having an actuating lever (19), the claw part (13), the trigger lever (15) and the actuating lever (19) are accommodated in the vehicle lock (10) so as to be pivotable about a same rotation axis (R), and at least the actuating lever (19) and the trigger lever (15) engage with each other via a complementary designed connection geometry (20) so that the movement of the actuating lever (19) can be transmitted to the trigger lever (15).

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicle locking systems, and in particular to a vehicle lock having a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and a single pawl, a rotatable trigger lever, and an electric drive device for actuating the trigger lever, especially a vehicle door lock. The rotary latch can be latched in at least one latch position by a pawl, and the locking mechanism can be moved from at least the latch position to an open position by the trigger lever. The electric drive unit is formed at least by an electric motor and a transmission stage, and the transmission stage has an actuating lever for actuating the trigger lever.

[0002]

[0002] The problem in the field of vehicle locks is to further reduce the installation space requirements of vehicle locks in a vehicle. In addition, the weight of the vehicle lock should be further reduced. [[ID=ll]]

[0003]

[0003] Electric vehicle locks are known from the prior art in which the pawl of the locking mechanism of the electric vehicle lock can be actuated out of the latch position by an electric release mechanism so that the lock can be electrically released / unlatched. The release kinematics required for this purpose usually require an installation space in the vehicle lock that cannot be ignored for this purpose, using an electric drive device made from an electric motor and a trigger lever, so that the required actuating force can be transmitted from the electric motor to the trigger lever and from the trigger lever to the pawl. The trigger lever and the remaining actuating kinematics often have large levers, so that sufficient actuating force can be achieved by the lever arms. Furthermore, the components for the pawl, trigger lever, and remaining actuating kinematics must be operatively connected to each other within the lock, which is realized via a number of lever assemblies or cable drive devices.

[0004]

[0004] DE 10 2015 110 639 A1 discloses an automotive lock comprising a locking mechanism having a rotary latch and at least one claw portion, and an electrically operated release drive. In this case, the drive unit comprises an electric motor and a trigger lever acting on the claw portion via lever kinematics, thereby allowing the claw portion to be moved from the latched position via the trigger lever and lever kinematics. In the arrangement disclosed herein, there is a drawback that the arrangement of the entire release kinematics, and consequently the trigger lever and drive unit, occupies a large installation space within the automotive lock. For this purpose, the electric drive is designed to comprise an electric motor and a transmission stage, in which the operating lever is arranged around a first rotation axis in a first plane, the trigger lever is arranged around a second axis, and the claw portion is further rotatably arranged around a third axis. This arrangement via multiple axes requires corresponding installation space and is complex to assemble.

[0005] overview

[0006]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to eliminate, at least partially, the drawbacks known from the prior art. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide an automotive locking device having a particularly compact design that can provide sufficient actuation force to enable the simple and quiet release of the locking mechanism.

[0007]

[0006] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by the automobile door lock described in claim 1, in particular by the automobile door lock.

[0008]

[0007] Further advantageous embodiments are specified in particular in the dependent claims and specification. It should be noted that the features enumerated in the claims can be combined with each other in any technically reasonable manner to illustrate further embodiments of the invention.

[0009]

[0008] The automobile lock according to claim 1 has a rotary latch, in particular a locking mechanism having a single claw portion, the rotary latch being latchable by the claw portion to at least one latched position. In addition, the automobile lock has a trigger lever, which can move the locking mechanism from at least one latched position to an open position. It also includes an electric drive unit for operating the trigger lever, the drive unit comprising at least an electric motor and a transmission stage, the transmission stage having an operating lever.

[0010]

[0009] According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above objective, the pawl and trigger lever, as well as the actuating lever, are housed within the automotive lock so as to be rotatable about the same single axis of rotation, and at least the actuating lever and trigger lever are arranged in conjunction by complementaryly designed connection geometry so as to transmit the motion of the actuating lever to the trigger lever. Accordingly, according to the present invention, the pawl, trigger lever and actuating lever have the same axis of rotation and are housed within the automotive lock so as to be rotatable about this axis of rotation. In particular, the pawl, trigger lever and / or actuating lever are fastened to at least one lock body. The actuating lever and at least the trigger lever have complementaryly designed connection geometry, which enables forward and / or non-forward mating of at least two of the aforementioned components. These complementaryly designed connection geometries can engage with each other and, in particular, can transmit rotational motion transmitted from the drive unit to the actuating lever from the actuating lever to the trigger lever, so that the trigger lever can move the pawl from at least one latch position, in particular the main latch position and / or pre-latch position. The connection geometry according to the present invention can also be understood as a plug connection (e.g., a plug-in shaft connection). This allows at least the actuating lever and the trigger lever to be assembled and plugged together. This enables a compact design and ensures the transmission of force, in particular, for releasing the locking mechanism.

[0011]

[0010] The complementary connection geometries designed according to the present invention are preferably designed as teething parts that may have one or more teeth or tooth-like geometries. Thus, the actuating lever or trigger lever may preferably have external teething parts, and the corresponding other components may have internal teething parts, or vice versa. According to the present invention, the negative shape of the first connection geometry of the actuating lever or trigger lever corresponds to a geometry designed to complement it. Visually, the negative shape of the flanks of the external teething part of one connection geometry can, in principle, correspond to the shape of the flanks of an internally toothed component, and thus can be designed to correspond to the connection geometry of another component. Thus, it is conceivable that the trigger lever has external teething parts and the actuating lever has internal teething parts, or vice versa, and these teething parts are connected to each other in particular.

[0012]

[0011] The advantage of this complementaryly designed connection and shared mounting geometry of the claw, trigger lever and actuator lever around the same axis of rotation is that at least three components (claw, trigger lever and actuator lever) can be arranged particularly compactly within the automotive lock. Thus, according to the present invention, the claw, trigger lever and actuator lever engage with each other at least in the shared area of ​​the axis of rotation, and in particular in the shared area of ​​the axis of rotation, the three components are arranged to nest with each other in a specific manner. This significantly reduces the depth of the mounting space required for the automotive lock. Thus, an actuator mechanism positioned at an angle to itself to release the claw from the rotary latch is not necessarily required. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is also possible to omit cable structures that would negatively affect the mounting space. Rather, the actuator mechanism, consisting of the drive unit and the actuator lever, trigger lever and locking mechanism, particularly the connection to the claw, can be designed to be particularly compact.

[0013]

[0012] Advantageously, at least one connection geometry can have a full / circumferential meshing portion within the axial region, which has 1 to 10 teeth, preferably 14 to 18 teeth, and particularly preferably 16 teeth, and these teeth interact with correspondingly substantially complementary recesses. In this way, an internal or external meshing portion is provided on the actuating lever and / or trigger lever. It is particularly advantageous that a so-called poka yoke connection can be provided, which allows for particularly easy and reliable assembly. Thus, at least one meshing geometry / one tooth can be designed differently from the remaining teeth / measuring geometry, and the recesses formed complementary to the corresponding teeth / geometry are similarly designed differently in the connected components. Thus, in particular, one connection geometry / one tooth can be designed differently from the remaining teeth, and the corresponding recesses on the connected components are similarly designed differently and complementary to one different tooth / geometry.

[0014]

[0013] For example, the trigger lever may have teeth with a wider tooth surface, and the actuating lever may be larger than a single one and have a wider recess, within which one wider meshing portion can be placed on the actuating lever. Thus, inaccurate assembly is virtually impossible.

[0015]

[0014] Furthermore, it can be provided that the actuating lever or trigger lever within the area of ​​the rotating shaft has a collar that extends at least partially in the circumferential direction. Particularly preferably, the collar is designed so that the connection geometry, in particular, the meshing portion covers at least partially, at least the actuating lever and trigger lever that are engaged with each other. This circumferential collar allows for further optimization of the compact design, and furthermore, the collar can form a mounting point for a spring, so that the actuating lever and / or trigger lever can be preloaded by the spring. Thus, the spring can also be compactly positioned on the trigger lever and / or actuating lever, without requiring any unnecessary additional mounting space.

[0016]

[0015] Furthermore, the collar can cover the connection geometry, particularly the meshing portion, so as to reduce the penetration of dirt and / or moisture. The trigger lever may also have an external meshing portion extending in a first direction from a first side of a substantially plate-shaped connection portion, with a mounting point for the bearing pin of the claw portion formed on the other (opposite) side of the connection portion, and in particular the mounting point may be designed as a receptacle for the trigger lever.

[0017]

[0016] Advantageously, the trigger lever has an external meshing portion that interacts with the internal meshing portion of the actuating lever. However, according to the present invention, it is also conceivable that the trigger lever has an internal meshing portion and the actuating lever has a correspondingly complementary external meshing portion. Therefore, the trigger lever can also be designed with respect to the actuating lever as described above.

[0018]

[0017] The trigger lever is advantageous in that it has a substantially plate-shaped connecting portion, particularly the mounting area, from which the meshing portion, particularly the outer meshing portion, extends. On the opposite side of the meshing portion, particularly the outer meshing portion, a connecting / mounting point for the bearing pin of the claw is formed on the trigger lever. This bearing pin serves to mount the claw into the locking housing of the automotive lock. The mounting point is also designed in particular as a receptacle within the trigger lever. Thus, the claw and the trigger lever can be placed together on the bearing pin of the claw. This further improves the compact design.

[0019]

[0018] Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, as in the present invention, the bearing pin houses the claw portion and the trigger lever, and the trigger lever and the drive lever engage with each other. In this way, a compact mounting of these three components can be achieved.

[0020]

[0019] Furthermore, the trigger lever preferably has a single trigger arm that can engage with the claw. This trigger arm extends particularly from a substantially plate-shaped connecting portion and forms a lever arm for actinguating the claw. As a result, advantageously, the single trigger arm can extend radially from the connecting portion.

[0021]

[0020] The terms axial and radial are particularly related to the axis of rotation of the claw, trigger lever, and actuating lever. Therefore, the expression axial refers specifically to a direction extending parallel or coaxially with the axis of rotation. Furthermore, the expression radial specifically refers to a direction continuing perpendicular to the axis of rotation. A radial extension should be particularly understood as an extension along or parallel to the radial direction, and an axial extension should be particularly understood as an extension along or parallel to the axial direction.

[0022]

[0021] Furthermore, it can be advantageously provided that the trigger lever has a claw holder. The claw holder may be a recess in which at least a portion of the claw can be placed. It is particularly preferable that the claw holder be located in the area of ​​the trigger arm of the trigger lever. The claw holder can be designed, for example, as a pocket in which at least a portion of the claw can be placed. This allows force to be transmitted from the trigger lever to the claw particularly reliably. Furthermore, this further optimizes the compact shape and therefore allows the claw to be located within the trigger lever, or at least partially located.

[0023]

[0022] Particularly advantageous, the claw holder can be designed such that the claw portion is positioned within the claw holder in at least partially positive and / or non-positive engagement.

[0024]

[0023] Particularly advantageous, the claw holder may have a clip, latch, crimp, or snap connection for the claw portion, in particular for the claw arm. Thus, not only is assembly simplified, but secure reception of the claw portion in the trigger lever is possible, and the compact structure is not adversely affected.

[0025]

[0024] Particularly preferably, the claw portion has at least two claw arms, at least one first claw arm having a latch surface for engaging with a rotary latch, and a second claw arm being located in or on at least a portion of the trigger lever, in particular, the two claw arms extending radially in substantially opposite directions from the axis of rotation. For a compact design and simple and easy operation, i.e., for easy release of the locking mechanism, it is sufficient that the claw portion is designed to be compact, having only two claw arms, with the first claw arm being provided to engage with a rotary latch, and the second claw arm being located on at least a portion of the trigger lever as described above.

[0026]

[0025] In particular, the second claw arm is positioned within the automotive lock so as to overlap with the geometry of the trigger arm and the actuating arm of the actuating lever. Thus, according to the present invention, only the claw arm can extend in the opposite direction to the second claw arm in order to latch with the rotary latch. The actuating arm of the actuating lever, the second claw arm, and the trigger arm each extend in the same direction in opposite directions.

[0027]

[0026] To further optimize the compact design, according to the present invention, the actuating lever, in particular the actuating arm of the actuating lever, may at least partially surround and / or cover the transmission stage, in particular the gear wheel of the transmission stage. For this purpose, the actuating lever may be designed in a substantially U-shape or curved shape, and the actuating lever may encompass the transmission stage, in particular the gear wheel of the transmission stage. That is, the actuating arm or actuating lever has a shape such that both ends of the lever or arm are each positioned on one side of the gear wheel. Accordingly, according to this embodiment, by at least partially overlapping the actuating lever and the transmission stage, installation space can be avoided from being unnecessarily wasted, and the actuating lever and the transmission stage can be designed to be particularly compact.

[0028]

[0027] A particular advantage is that at least one seal is provided between the actuating lever and the trigger lever and / or between the trigger lever and the claw portion, and in particular the seal is designed as a seal ring. In this way, the influence of the environment entering the areas of the actuating lever, the trigger lever, or the claw portion can be reduced, in particular dust and / or water.

[0029]

[0028] It can be particularly advantageously provided that the operating lever and the drive unit (i.e., including the transmission stage) are arranged in the first part of the housing for the vehicle lock, and the trigger lever, the claw part and other locking mechanisms are arranged in another part different from the vehicle lock. Therefore, the drive unit provided with the transmission stage and the operating lever, preferably, the electronic circuit for locking and / or the power source are arranged in at least a part of the dry space of the housing for the vehicle lock, and it is conceivable that the trigger lever is arranged in the wet space of the vehicle lock for at least a part of the locking mechanism. It is particularly preferable that the seal described above is provided between individual components such as the trigger lever, the operating lever and the claw part. In this way, a sealed / sealed connection can be achieved between different lock housing parts and the connection parts of the component parts, the claw part, the trigger lever and the operating lever.

[0030]

[0029] To ensure a design of the vehicle lock that is as compact as possible, it is particularly advantageous if the locking mechanism having at least the claw part and the rotary latch can release the latch in a particularly simple way, that is, it is designed to be easily opened or opened with little force applied. According to the present invention, the rotary latch has a block element movably mounted on the rotary latch, and the block element is rotatably arranged in at least a part of the rotary latch and / or the housing for locking or the cartridge for locking. Therefore, the block element can particularly roll at least partially on the rotary latch and / or the claw part. This particularly advantageous locking mechanism enables the actuating force to lift the claw part from at least one latch position, that is, the main latch and / or the pre-latch position. Thereby, the claw part is acted upon by the trigger force applied by the trigger lever, and the block element moves or rolls in the rotary latch in such a way that particularly low opening force is required in the rotary latch. Therefore, the lever of the operating kinematics can be designed to be smaller, and thus, a compact design can be achieved.

[0031]

[0030] When referring to an automotive lock in the context of the present invention, all locking systems that fix movable parts in a relative position with respect to the vehicle are included. The lock can be arranged, for example, on a side door, a sliding door, a rear door, a cover, and further, for example, on a rear seat bench. This also applies when the movable part is used by a locking system consisting of a locking mechanism having at least a claw part and a rotary latch. The lock according to the present invention may be provided on a movable part (side door, sliding door, rear door, cover, rear seat bench) or on the vehicle / vehicle body.

[0032]

[0031] Further means for improving the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some exemplary embodiments of the present invention schematically shown in the figures. All features and / or advantages arising from the claims, the specification or the drawings, including structural details, spatial arrangements, and method steps, are essential to the invention both in themselves and in the most diverse combinations. It should be noted that the figures are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the present invention in any way.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033]

[0032] In the figures, unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals denote the same or functionally identical components.

[0033] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A schematically shows a cutout of an embodiment according to the present invention of an automotive lock in the latched position. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B schematically shows a cutout of an embodiment according to the present invention of an automotive lock in the open position. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A schematically shows a cutout of an embodiment according to the present invention of an automotive lock as seen from a second perspective. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B schematically shows a cutout of an embodiment according to the present invention of an automotive lock as seen from a third perspective. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A schematically shows an operating lever of an embodiment according to the invention of an automotive lock. [Figure 3B] Figure 3B schematically shows a trigger lever of an embodiment of the invention of an automobile lock. [Figure 3C] Figure 3C schematically shows the claw portion of an embodiment of the automotive lock according to the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 schematically shows an embodiment of the automotive lock according to the present invention having a wet space and a dry space.

[0034] Detailed explanation

[0035]

[0034] Figure 1A shows a possible embodiment of an automobile lock 10 according to the present invention, which has a lock housing 30 shown only in part therein, and further has a locking mechanism 11 with a claw portion 13 for moving a rotary latch 12 to at least one latch position I, in particular a main latch position I and / or a pre-latch position. In the latch position I, a lock holder 40 is fixed by the rotary latch 12 so that a movable part of a vehicle, such as a car door, is held in a closed position to prevent unintentional opening. For this purpose, the claw portion 13 has a latch surface 13.3 that engages with a blocking element 14 of the rotary latch 12 in the latch position I, thereby blocking the rotary latch 12 from moving in the opening direction. The blocking element 14 is mounted movably, in particular to pivot on the rotary latch 12 and / or lock plate / lock housing (as shown by the combination of Figures 1A and 1B). The claw portion 13, in particular the latch surface 13.3, is designed so that the claw portion 13 tends to close or has such geometry. According to the present invention, a neutral design can also be provided. When there is a tendency to close, the claw portion 13, in particular the latch surface 13.3, is geometrically designed so that the claw portion 13 cannot be independently pushed out / unblocked by the opening pressure of the rotary latch 12. Thus, the force applied to the claw portion 13 by the rotary latch 12 passes through the claw axis in such a way that no opening torque is generated. Rather, the claw portion 13 is pushed toward the rotary latch 12.

[0036]

[0035] The claw portion 13 is rotatable about the rotation axis R, and for this purpose the claw portion 13 is positioned / mounted on the bearing pin 27. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the claw portion 13 has a first claw arm 13.1 and a second claw arm 13.2. In the illustrated embodiment, the first claw arm 13.1 and the second claw arm 13.2 extend in opposite directions from the rotation axis R and / or the bearing pin 27 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. The first claw arm 13.1 is provided with a latch surface 13.3 for latching with the block element 14, and thus a rotation latch 12. The claw portion 13 is positioned on the trigger lever 15 of the second claw arm 13.2. For this purpose, a claw holder 15.2 is formed within the trigger lever 15, where the second claw arm 13.2 arm 2 of the claw holder is positioned and, in particular, held in positive and / or non-positive fit.

[0037]

[0036] The trigger lever 15 is also rotatably mounted on the same axis of rotation R as the claw portion 13. The actuation lever 19 is similarly rotatably positioned around the axis of rotation R. The trigger lever 15 and actuation lever 19 have the connection geometry 20 according to the present invention.

[0038]

[0037] The automotive lock 10 also has an electric drive unit 16 comprising an electric motor 17 and at least one transmission stage 18. The electric drive unit 16 releases the lock mechanism 11 via an operating lever 19, and in particular lifts the claw portion 13 by a trigger lever 15.

[0039]

[0038] For the electric release of the locking mechanism 11, the electric motor 17 drives a worm on the output shaft of the electric motor 17, which is operated by the meshing portion of the gear / worm wheel 18.1 and drives the gear / worm wheel 18.1. In the figure, the gear wheel 18.1 is designed as a spur-tooth worm wheel 18.1. According to the present invention, an evoroid meshing portion is also conceivable. The worm gear 18.1 has a roughly ramp-shaped (worm-shaped) outer shape 18.3 formed around its axis of rotation, and the contact surface 19.2 of the operating lever 19 comes into contact with it, causing it to rotate around the axis of rotation R. Therefore, as the worm gear 18.1 rotates, the contact surface 19.2 of the operating lever 19 moves along the outer shape 18.3, thereby causing the operating lever 19 to rotate around the axis of rotation R. According to the present invention, the actuating lever 19 and the trigger lever 15 have a complementary connection geometry 20, thereby transmitting the motion of the actuating lever 19 to the trigger lever 15. As a result, the electrically driven rotational motion of the actuating lever 19 is transmitted to the trigger lever, causing the trigger lever 15 to move around a common axis of rotation R between the actuating lever 19, the trigger lever 15, and the claw portion 13.

[0040]

[0039] In order to release the locking mechanism 11, in particular to lift the claw portion 13, the arrangement of the claw portion 13 inside / above the trigger arm 15.1 of the trigger lever 15 allows a specific rotational movement of the trigger lever 15 to be transmitted to the claw portion 13, which can be lifted from the rotational latch 12. The trigger arm 15.1 of the trigger lever 15 has a claw holder 15.2 in which a second claw arm 13.2 is positioned so that the claw 13 can rotate around the rotation axis R / bearing pin 27.

[0041]

[0040] Figure 1B shows an automotive lock in the open position II, where the claw portion 13 is lifted from the rotary latch 12, and as a result, the latch surface 13.3 of the claw portion 13 is no longer in a block engagement state with the block element 14 of the rotary latch 12. As shown in Figure 1A, based on the fact that the claw portion 13 has a closing tendency, the claw portion 13 is lifted from the drive unit 16, the operating lever 19 and the trigger lever 15 by the rotary latch 12 via the actuation mechanism described above. Thus, the block element 14 moves by its mounting, at least along the portion thereof, and is therefore lifted from the rotary latch 12, at least in the area of ​​the latch surface of the rotary latch 12. This movement results in an opening tendency from a closing tendency, so that the force acting on the claw portion from the rotary latch 12 pushes the claw portion 13 further toward the open position II, supporting / facilitating the opening / unlocking of the locking mechanism 11. As a result, the trigger force for opening / unlocking the locking mechanism 11 is also reduced overall.

[0042]

[0041] Figure 1B shows the deflected block element 14. The block element 14 is mounted within the rotary latch 12, preferably further on the locking housing. For this purpose, bolts can be provided as shown in Figures 1A and 1B, which can also be mounted on the locking housing.

[0043]

[0042] Figures 1A and 1B clearly illustrate a compact design of an automotive lock made possible by the present invention. For this purpose, the claw portion 13 and the trigger lever 15 and the actuator lever 19 are housed within the automotive lock 10 so as to be rotatable about the same axis of rotation R, where at least the actuator lever 19 and the trigger lever 15 engage with each other by a complementaryly designed connection geometry 20, and the movement of the actuator lever 19 on the trigger lever 15 is transmitted to open / unlock the locking mechanism 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the trigger lever 15 is positioned between the claw portion 13 and the actuator lever 19 on the axis of rotation R. The claw portion 13, the trigger lever 15 and the actuator lever 19 are, in yet another sense, nested with each other or at least partially plugged with each other.

[0044]

[0043] In other words, the claw portion 13, the trigger lever 15, and the actuating lever 19 are connected to each other by at least one, preferably more, plug connections and / or connection geometries 20. Particularly advantageous is that the claw portion 13 engages with the trigger lever 15 by a plug connection made of the claw arm 13.2 and the claw holder 15.2 as described above, and the trigger lever 15 engages by connection geometries 20 which will be further described below. In particular, this embodiment allows for a compact design.

[0045]

[0044] Further improvements can be achieved by the mounting point 26 of the claw portion 13, particularly the bearing pin 27 of the claw portion 13 on the trigger lever 15. The mounting point 26 can be designed as a recess or depression so that the bearing pin 27 and / or at least partially the claw portion 13 are positioned inside / on the trigger lever 15. In Figure 1B, a collar 23 is formed on the trigger lever 15, which can also contribute to protecting the support of the claw portion 13 on the mounting point 26 and / or the bearing pin 27 from the effects of the external environment, or to giving the trigger lever 15 greater overall mechanical stability.

[0046]

[0045] Figures 2A and 2B show the operating mechanism and the pawl portion 13 in further perspective views. In Figure 2A, the connection geometry 20 between the trigger lever 15 and the operating lever 19 can be clearly seen. Overall, Figure 2A shows the nested / insertive design of the components 13, 15, and 19 on the same axis of rotation R. It can also be seen that miniaturization is possible by further reducing the mounting space required in the direction of the axis of rotation R, since the gear wheel / worm wheel 18.1 can be positioned at least partially parallel to the axis of rotation R.

[0047]

[0046] The connection geometry 20 in Figure 2A has a meshing portion 21 on the trigger lever 15, and this meshing portion 21 is positioned / inserted on the actuator lever 19 into a correspondingly complementary recess. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a meshing portion can also be formed on the actuator lever 19, and a recess can be formed on the trigger lever. In either case, the trigger lever 15 and the actuator lever 19 can mesh with each other by the complementaryly designed connection geometry 20, thereby transmitting the motion of the actuator lever 19 to the trigger lever 15. In this embodiment, the bearing pin 27, the claw portion 13, the trigger lever 15, the trigger lever spring 15.3, and the actuator lever 19 are arranged along the rotation axis R. In this case, the components 27, 13, 15, 15.3, and 19 are at least partially nested or inserted together, thus enabling a compact design.

[0048]

[0047] The trigger lever spring 15.3 can be preloaded to cause the trigger lever to act in the opening or closing direction. Thus, the spring force can act on the trigger lever 15, and the connection between the trigger lever 15 and the claw portion 13 can exert a force in the direction of the rotary latch 12 / latch position I, or away from the rotary latch in the direction of the open position. The trigger lever 15, and therefore the claw portion 13, is preferably loaded in the direction of the latch position, thus facilitating the dropping of the claw portion 13 into the latch position of the rotary latch 12. For this purpose, one leg of the trigger lever spring 15.3 can lean on the trigger lever 15 on one side and on the locking housing or locking case on the other. The trigger lever spring 15.3 and trigger lever 15 are designed so that the trigger lever spring 15.3 is mounted on the trigger lever, and the legs of the trigger lever spring 15.3, which is designed as a spring having two legs, can be supported by the trigger lever and the locking housing or locking case. One leg of the spring 15.3 engages with the receptacle of the trigger arm 15.1 of the trigger lever 15. This allows the winding of the trigger lever spring 15.3 to be positioned on the trigger lever 15, keeping the installation space compact. For this purpose, it is preferable that the trigger lever 15 has a spring seat on which the trigger lever spring 15.3, particularly the winding, is mounted.

[0049]

[0048] As shown in Figure 2A, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the trigger lever 15 is designed to include a trigger arm 15.1, which is inclined. In Figure 2A, the trigger arm 15.1 is positioned perpendicular to the rest of the trigger lever 15. A claw holder 15.2 is formed on the inclined trigger arm 15.1, into which a second locking arm 13.2 of the claw portion 13 is positioned / inserted. This allows the movement of the trigger lever 15 to be transmitted to the claw portion 13, while simultaneously achieving a compact design. This movement allows the first claw arm 13.1 to be lifted from the rotary latch or locking element.

[0050]

[0049] Figure 2B shows the operating mechanism 18.1, 19, 15 and the claw portion 13 in a further perspective view. A compact design is also visible. As previously mentioned, this is particularly the result of the connection geometry and, above all, the interlocking of the claw portion 13, trigger lever 15, and operating lever 19 along the shared axis of rotation R. In the illustrated embodiment, the claw portion 13 is located together with a second claw arm 15.2 within the claw holder 15.2 of the trigger arm 15.1 of the trigger lever 13. The claw arm 13.2 is held in the claw holder 15.2 in at least partially positive or negative fit. For this reason, the claw holder 15.2 of the trigger lever 15 has a crimp rib formed therein that secures the extension of the claw arm 13.2. This ensures that the claw portion 13 is positioned without play within the claw holder 15.2, and the claw portion 13 moves with the movement of the trigger lever 15.

[0051]

[0050] The trigger lever 15 is preloaded by a trigger lever spring 15.3, which preferably preloads the trigger lever 15, and therefore the claw portion 13, in the direction of the rotational latch. For this purpose, the trigger lever spring 15.3 is designed as a spring having two legs, one leg of which is attached to the trigger lever 15.1 and the other leg of which is attached to the locking housing or locking case.

[0052]

[0051] Figure 2B also shows a bearing pin receptacle 13.4 in which the bearing pin 27 is housed, and the claw portion 13 is rotatable around it. The claw portion 13 also has a buffer pocket 13.5. The buffer pocket 13.5 functions as a stop buffer for contacting the rotating latch and / or locking housing or locking case.

[0053]

[0052] Figure 3A shows the actuation lever 19 in detail. It is U-shaped. The U-shape allows the actuation lever 19 to surround the worm gear 18.1 at least in area together with its actuation arm 19.1, thereby further optimizing the compact design. This allows a recess 22 to be located on one side of the worm wheel and a contact surface 19.2 to be located on the other side of the worm wheel, where a tapered shape is formed.

[0054]

[0053] One end of the actuating arm 19.1 has a recess 22, and thus a receptacle for the engagement portion of the trigger lever, and the other end of the actuating arm 19.1 has a contact surface 19.2 for interaction with the worm gear 18.1, in particular the outer shape of the worm gear 18.1. The recess 22 is designed here as a receiving geometry for the external engagement portion of the trigger lever. As a result, the recess 22 has several indentations for the geometry of multiple teeth. Thus, in this case, the negative shape of the tooth root surface of the external engagement portion of one connection geometry on the trigger lever corresponds to the shape of the tooth root surface of the internally toothed actuating lever 19, and therefore corresponds to the shape of the tooth root surface of the connection geometry of another component. In this way, the actuating lever 19 and the trigger lever 15 can engage by complementaryly designed connection geometries 20, and the motion of the actuating lever 19 can be transmitted to the trigger lever 15. Furthermore, the presence of a recess 22.1 for the poka yoke prevents incorrect assembly / errors between the trigger lever 15 and the actuating lever 19. The poka yoke recess 22.1 is designed to be larger / wider overall than the remaining recesses / notches of the recess outer shape 22. As a result, the wider teeth of the trigger lever, i.e., the poka yoke teeth, can only be inserted into the poka yoke recess 22.1. Thus, incorrect assembly is eliminated. In addition, a specific recess is formed in the actuating lever to reduce the weight of the lever 19. To simultaneously provide sufficient mechanical stability, the actuating lever 19 has reinforcing / rigidifying ribs 19.4 in the area of ​​the actuating arm 19.1.

[0055]

[0054] Figure 3B shows a trigger lever 15 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The trigger lever 15 has a trigger arm 15.1, which is positioned at a substantially constant angle, preferably at a right angle, to the rest of the trigger lever 15. The trigger arm 15.1 has a claw holder 15.2, which preferably has a claw portion positioned without play. In the axial region of the trigger lever 15, an external meshing portion 24 is designed for a shared connection geometry between the actuating lever and the trigger lever 15. The external meshing portion is designed as a geometry of multiple teeth, and in the illustrated embodiment, has a pokayoke tooth portion 24.1. The meshing portion 24 can be called a plug shaft and can be inserted into a corresponding recess of the actuating lever. Thus, the actuating lever 19 and the trigger lever 15 engage with each other by a complementaryly designed connection geometry 20, and the motion of the actuating lever 19 can be transmitted to the trigger lever 15.

[0056]

[0055] Around the external meshing portion 24 or the plug shaft formed therewith, a collar 23 is formed which can function, for example, as a spring seat for a trigger lever spring. The trigger lever 15 also has a plate-shaped connecting portion 25. The external meshing portion 24 / plug shaft extends to one side of the connecting portion 25, and a mounting point 26 is formed on the other side of the connecting portion 25. At this mounting point 26, for example, a bearing pin of the claw portion can be at least partially received. This also has a positive impact on the compact design. When inserted, the collar 23 surrounds the connection geometry of the trigger lever 15 and the actuator lever 19. For example, it can prevent the two levers 15,19 from deflecting / tilting and make it more difficult for the influence of interfering environments to spread. Thus, the cylindrical collar 23 of the trigger lever specifically surrounds or covers the similarly cylindrical portion of the recess 22 of the actuator lever 19. In this way, the toothed connection geometry of the trigger lever and actuator lever is surrounded / covered as a whole, and therefore gives greater stability and protection against the influence of the external environment.

[0057]

[0056] Figure 3C shows the claw 13 in detail. The claw portion 13 has two claw arms 13.1 and 13.2, the first claw arm 13.1 having a latch surface 13.3 for engaging with the rotary latch 12, and the second claw arm 13.2 being configurable for at least a portion within the trigger lever 15. The two claw arms 13.1 and 13.2 extend from the bearing receptacle 13.4 in substantially opposite radial directions. In addition to the buffer pocket 13.5 mentioned earlier, the claw portion 13 has at least one working outline 13.6 for a switch or sensor. The end of the second claw arm 13.2 is provided with an extension that can be inserted into the claw holder of the trigger lever.

[0058]

[0057] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of an automotive lock 10 according to the present invention, having a lock housing 30 with a wet space 32 and a dry space 31. These are arranged substantially perpendicular to each other. The dry space 31 encloses most of the actuation mechanism. In practice, an electric drive unit 16, comprising an electric motor 17 and a transmission stage 18 consisting of a worm 18.2 and a worm gear 18.1, is housed in the dry space 31. The drive lever 19 is also located in the dry space 31 and has an interface with the wet space 32. A seal 19.5 is located on the actuation lever 19 and works to seal the dry space 31 from the wet space 32 in the area of ​​the passage for the trigger or actuation lever 19. The pivot shaft continues through the passage from the dry space to the wet space 32. The connection geometry according to the present invention is preferably also located in the area of ​​the passage and is sealed and closed by the seal 19.5.

[0059]

[0058] As a result, in effect, only the locking mechanism 11 and a portion of the trigger lever are located in the wet space 32. The other components of the actuation mechanism are located in the dry space 31 and are therefore protected from the effects of a destructive environment. In any case, the compact design in Figure 4 is achieved by the connection geometry according to the present invention and the meshing of the actuation lever 19 and the trigger lever 15 realized accordingly, and can be clearly seen by the fact that the claw, trigger lever and actuation lever are located on the same axis of rotation R. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10…Car locks, 11…Locking mechanism, 12… Rotary latch, 13… Nail area, 13.1...First claw arm, 13.2...Second claw arm, 13.3…Latch surface, 13.4...Receptacle for bearing pins, 13.5... Buffer pocket, 13.6...Operating external parts, 14… Block elements, 15... Trigger lever, 15.1... Trigger arm, 15.2... Claw holder, 15.3... Spring for trigger lever, 16…Electric drive unit, 17… Electric motor, 18...Transmission stage, 18.1... Gear wheel / worm wheel, 18.2... Warm, 18.3...Outline part, 19...Operating lever, 19.1...Operating arm, 19.2...contact surface, 19.3... Recess in the operating lever, 19.4...Reinforcement ribs inside the operating lever, 19.5... Seal, 20…Connection geometry, 21...Interlocking part, 22…recess, 22.1...PocaYoke recess, 23...Color, 24... External meshing part, 24.1...Pocayoke tooth region, 25...connection part, 26... Mounting points, 27... Bearing pin, 30…Housing for locking, 31... Dry space, 32... Wet space, 40... Lock holder, I...Latch position, II..., open position, R... axis of rotation.

Claims

1. An automobile lock (10) having a locking mechanism (11), a rotatable trigger lever (15), and an electric drive unit (16) for operating the trigger lever (15), The locking mechanism (11) includes a rotary latch (12) and a claw portion (13), in particular a single claw portion, the rotary latch (12) being latchable by the claw portion (13) to at least one latched position (I), the locking mechanism (11) being movable from the at least one latched position (I) to an open position (II) by the rotatable trigger lever (15), the electric drive unit (16) being formed by at least an electric motor (17) and a transmission stage (18), the transmission stage (18) having an operating lever (19), the claw portion (13), the trigger lever (15), and the operating lever (19) being rotatably housed within the automotive lock (10) about the same axis of rotation (R), and at least the operating lever (19) and the trigger lever (15) being engaged with each other via a complementaryly designed connection geometry (20) to transmit the motion of the operating lever (19) to the trigger lever (15), Automotive lock (10), characterized in that the trigger lever (15) has an external engaging portion (24) extending in a first direction from a first side of a substantially plate-shaped connecting portion (25), and on the other side of the connecting portion (25), a mounting point (26) for the bearing pin (27) of the claw portion (13) is formed as a receptacle for the trigger lever (15).

2. The connection geometry (20) is designed as an engagement portion (21), and in particular the engagement portion (21) has one to ten teeth, preferably four to eight teeth, and most preferably six teeth, and the teeth engage with correspondingly substantially complementary recesses (22), characterized in that, the automotive lock (10) according to claim 1.

3. The automobile lock (10) according to claim 2, wherein the operating lever (19) or the trigger lever (15) has a collar (23) that extends to at least a portion of the region of the rotation axis (R), and at least a portion of the meshing portion (21) is covered when at least the operating lever (19) and the trigger lever (15) are engaged.

4. The automobile lock (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the trigger lever (15) has a trigger arm (15.1) that engages with or can engage with the claw portion (13).

5. The automobile lock (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the trigger arm (15.1) extends radially from the connecting portion (25).

6. The automobile lock according to claim 5, characterized in that the trigger lever (15) has a claw holder (15.2) thereof, where the claw portion (13) is at least partially positioned and fastened.

7. The automobile lock (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the claw portion (13) is arranged in at least partially in a positive and / or non-positive fit within the claw holder (15.2).

8. The car lock (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the claw portion (13) has at least two claw arms (13.1, 13.2), at least one first claw arm (13.1) has a latch surface (13.3) for engaging with the rotating latch (12), and the second claw arm (13.2) is positioned on the trigger lever (15) such that the two claw arms (13.1, 13.2) extend radially in substantially opposite directions from the rotation axis (R).

9. The automotive lock (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the claw holder (15.2) has a clip, latch, crimp, or snap connection to the claw portion (13), particularly the second claw arm (13.2).

10. The operating lever (19) is characterized in that it at least partially surrounds and / or covers the transmission stage (18), in particular the gear wheel (18.1) of the transmission stage (18), according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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