Motor vehicle lock with at least one greasing channel

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock (8, 20) having a locking mechanism (23) with a rotary latch (32) and at least one pawl (33), a greasing channel (9, 10, 11, 21), wherein the greasing channel (9, 10, 11, 21) allows two components (15, 16, 22, 32, 33) which engage into one another to be lubricated in a directed manner, and wherein the at least one greasing channel (9, 10, 11, 21) is at least partly arranged in a housing (1) of the motor vehicle lock (8, 20).

Description

[0001] Motor vehicle lock with at least one lubrication channel

[0002] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, with an electric drive unit, wherein the drive unit has an electric motor with an output shaft and an output means, preferably a gear, fastened to the output shaft, and wherein at least one channel is provided for the directed greasing of two intermeshing components of the motor vehicle lock.

[0003] The locking components claimed in this patent application are used in motor vehicle locks, which are also referred to as locking systems or locks in general. The locking components form part of a locking mechanism, whereby the locking mechanism interacts with a lock holder, usually arranged on the motor vehicle. Through the interaction of the locking mechanism and the lock holder, the locking mechanism can be moved into a detent position.

[0004] A distinction is made between motor vehicle locks with single-latching and double-latching locking mechanisms, i.e. locks with a main latching position or locks with a pre-latching and a main latching position. The locking mechanism consists of a rotary latch and at least one pawl. The locking mechanisms are then further differentiated according to whether, depending on the latching position, there is an opening or closing moment in the locking mechanism, so that in the event of an opening moment, the pawl must be secured in the latching position with another pawl or a blocking lever or latching lever. The locking mechanism's primary task in a motor vehicle lock is to hold the component, which is movably attached to the motor vehicle and is held in place by means of the motor vehicle lock, in the correct position.

[0005] Examples of components movably attached to a motor vehicle include side doors, sliding doors, tailgates, hoods, bonnets, covers, or flaps. The aforementioned locking components are preferably aimed at side doors or tailgates on motor vehicles. The lock holder interacting with the locking mechanism can be attached, for example, to a B- or C-pillar of the motor vehicle, although a reverse arrangement is often also provided, for example, for tailgates.

[0006] The locking components are usually pivoted on a metal axle in a metal lock case of the vehicle lock. To increase the stability of the locking mechanism, so-called reinforcement plates can be arranged between the axles of the locking components so that high or extremely high loads, such as those that occur in extreme situations, can be absorbed. On the one hand, the stability of the locking mechanism in the vehicle plays a crucial role, so the locking components are made of steel materials, at least for the most part, including in the load-bearing areas. On the other hand, the noise behavior of the vehicle lock is always taken into account when assessing the quality of the lock.

[0007] From DE 10 2018 125 875 A1, an electrically opening lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a side door lock, has become known, comprising a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch, a first pawl and a second pawl, wherein the first pawl can be secured in at least one detent position by means of the second pawl, an actuating element for actuating the first and second pawls and an electric drive for actuating the actuating element, wherein the actuating element has a securing element for the locking mechanism. The electric drive comprises a worm gear stage with which a mechanism for electrical unlocking can be driven.

[0008] A lock therefore comprises a plurality of moving, particularly rotating, components. For the operation of the moving components, it is necessary to provide lubricants at suitable locations to minimize friction losses and prevent blockages. For example, it is necessary to lubricate axles and / or gears to reliably maintain rotary movements.

[0009] There are also areas that should ideally be lubricated, such as the locking surfaces that are pressed against each other to engage the rotary latch. This is because, for unlocking, one pawl locking surface must be released from the other rotary latch locking surface by a sliding movement. Such a sliding movement is promoted by a lubricant. Furthermore, with locking surfaces that are released from each other by a sliding movement, opening noises are advantageously reduced by providing a lubricant between the locking surfaces.

[0010] EP 2 769 036 B1 discloses a lock with a locking mechanism having a rotatable rotary latch and at least one rotatable pawl for locking the rotary latch. The lock further comprises two surfaces which at least temporarily bear against one another and which are at least repeatedly displaced relative to one another, so that frictional forces arise as a result of the displacement between the surfaces. Such a surface is referred to below as a friction surface. At least one friction surface is part of a rotatable or otherwise movable component of the lock. A lubricant reservoir is assigned to this rotatable or movable component. There is a feed from the lubricant reservoir to the friction surface of the rotatable component, which feed is designed in such a way that lubricant can be fed from the lubricant reservoir to the friction surface, in particular as a result of rotational movements, as a result of capillary forces, as a result of other adhesion and / or cohesion forces oris transported due to spreading of the rotating component.

[0011] In addition to the high demands placed on the noise level and wear resistance of the lock components, the continuous development and improvement of automotive locksmiths is aimed at simplifying lock production and ensuring consistent functionality. This is where the invention comes in.

[0012] The object of the invention is to provide an improved motor vehicle lock. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to enable cost-effective production and to ensure the longest possible service life.

[0013] The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. However, it should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described below are not restrictive; rather, any desired variations of the features described in the description and the subclaims are possible.

[0014] According to patent claim 1, the object of the invention is achieved in that a motor vehicle lock is provided, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, a lubrication channel, wherein a directed greasing of two interlocking components can be carried out by means of the lubrication channel, and wherein the at least one lubrication channel is arranged at least in regions in a housing of the motor vehicle lock. The design of the motor vehicle lock according to the invention now creates the possibility of greasing the motor vehicle lock in the areas provided for this purpose even after assembly and / or supplying it with lubricants, for example in aerosols. This has the advantage, on the one hand, that assembly is simplified, namely in that no greasing, or at least no greasing, has to take place during assembly.This can simplify the assembly of gears or interlocking components of the vehicle lock. Furthermore, the vehicle lock can also be subsequently lubricated for maintenance purposes, for example.

[0015] When the term "lubrication channel" is used according to the invention, this refers to a closed channel that extends at least partially into the motor vehicle lock. Even if the term "lubrication channel" is used here, the motor vehicle lock can also be exposed to coatings, greases, or aerosols through the lubrication channel, so that the necessary lubricants can be applied to the interlocking or bearing components of the motor vehicle lock.

[0016] As described in the introduction, the motor vehicle lock has a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, whereby the locking mechanism can have a pre-locking and / or a main locking position. Likewise, the motor vehicle lock could also comprise several pawls, so that, for example, the pawl can be fixed in its position by means of a locking lever.

[0017] The lubrication channel enables the targeted lubrication of two interlocking components. Two interlocking components can be, for example, a gear, a slide, a locking mechanism, an axle bearing for a pivotably or rotatably mounted component, and therefore a component which is movably arranged in the motor vehicle lock and which advantageously requires the use of a lubricant for long-term storage. This can, for example, involve components lying adjacent to one another or, as explained above, components mounted on an axle. By using the lubrication channel, the lubricant can be directed to the necessary points on the motor vehicle lock and exit at an inner end of the channel or, if an aerosol is used, can be sprayed.The use of the lubrication channel makes it possible to subsequently provide the vehicle lock with lubricant, i.e. after assembly.

[0018] If the lubrication channel ends at an outer surface of the housing, so that external access to the lubrication channel can be realized, then an advantageous embodiment of the invention is achieved. If an outer surface of the housing of the motor vehicle lock is mentioned, the housing can be designed in several parts, so that the outer surface of the housing can consist of different components. Advantageously, the access to the lubrication channel is arranged on the outer surface of the assembled and thus closed housing. In other words, the motor vehicle lock can also be provided with lubricant after assembly. To do this, the lubricant only has to be introduced into the access, after which the lubricant is passed on to the interlocking components through the lubrication channel.

[0019] It can also be advantageous, and form a further embodiment of the invention, if the lubrication channel can be produced by assembling two housing parts. As already explained above, the motor vehicle lock housing can consist of two, three or more components. It can be advantageous if the lubrication channel consists of two housing components which lie against one another. This makes it easier to create the lubrication channel, particularly during manufacture of the housing parts. The housing parts are preferably made of plastic and are manufactured as one- or two-component injection-molded components. To produce a lubrication channel, all that is required is to make a semicircular depression in the respective housing components to be joined, so that a lubrication channel can be created after the housing components have been joined.This significantly simplifies production, and in particular the tool used to manufacture the housing part. In other words, to easily integrate the channels into the housing components, the lubrication channels are preferably shown in a parting plane between two housing parts, each halfway between them. In this case, no additional slides are required in the tools to create lubrication channels.

[0020] If a constriction is provided at the inner end of a lubrication channel, then again an advantageous embodiment of the invention can be achieved. The lubrication channel preferably has a uniform diameter or at least a uniform cross-sectional shape. If, for example, a grease aerosol is passed through the lubrication channel, then atomization can take place through a constriction at the inner end, i.e. at the outlet end of the lubrication channel, so that cavities as a whole can also be provided with a lubricant. This offers the advantage that, for example, large-area bearing points or, for example, components of the lock arranged one above the other on a common axis can be provided with the lubricant. As a result of the taper orAs the diameter is reduced, the outlet speed of the lubricant increases, so that on the one hand a nozzle is formed and on the other hand atomization and thus distribution of the lubricant over a large area is possible.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the lubrication channel can have at least one branch. The lubrication channel extending through the plastic housing of the motor vehicle lock can have one, two or more branches, so that several areas of the lock can be supplied with lubricant via a single access point. It is also conceivable that different outlet openings are provided at each end of the branched channel. Depending on the component to be greased or lubricated, there can be an opening corresponding to the lubrication channel and a tapered opening, for example to achieve a large-area distribution of the lubricant. By using one or more branches, a large area or several areas of the lock can be supplied with lubricant via an external access point.Just as the ends of the lubrication channels can be designed differently, the diameters or cross-sections of the different channels can also vary. For example, a first lubrication channel located at the inlet can have a larger cross-section than the lubrication channels adjacent to the branch. Thus, the degree of lubrication can also be varied by the cross-sections of the different lubrication channels and can be varied according to the required lubricant.

[0022] If the lubrication channel has at least one lubricant reservoir, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention can be achieved. If a lubricant reservoir is located inside the motor vehicle lock and is connected to the lubrication channel, continuous lubrication of components in the motor vehicle lock can also be achieved. If, for example, a lubricant reservoir is arranged in the motor vehicle lock in such a way that the lubricant is supplied to the movable component by gravity, a continuous and metered supply of lubricant can be achieved, for example, by means of a lubrication nozzle, i.e., a tapered area.It is also conceivable, however, for the lubricant reservoir to interact with, for example, a moving component in the motor vehicle lock, so that, for example, a slide presses on the lubricant reservoir in an end position, thereby forcing it out and thus lubricating the moving components. The movement of the actuating means or slide in the motor vehicle lock then causes the lubricant to press out by resting on or hitting a housing wall. The lubricant reservoir can also simply serve as a reservoir, which releases the lubricant by applying, for example, external pressure to the access and thus the lubrication channel.

[0023] A further embodiment of the invention is achieved when an inner end of a lubrication channel is arranged on a movable component of the motor vehicle lock. The inner end of a lubrication channel can end directly, for example, on a gear wheel, so that targeted greasing is possible. However, it is also conceivable for the lubrication channel to end, for example, above an axle, so that greasing of the axle can be available as a continuous greasing device due to pressure or gravity. However, it is also conceivable for the lubrication channel to end in the area of ​​two adjacent components, such as a pawl and a rotary latch, so that greasing is possible in the contact area between the pawl and the rotary latch. A preferred location for greasing orfor positioning an inner end of a lubrication channel in the area of ​​a gear, for example a worm gear. Due to the possibility of introducing one or more, or one and / or several branched lubrication channels into the motor vehicle lock, it is possible to grease or supply with lubricant some, many or even all areas of the motor vehicle lock that are to be supplied with lubricant via one, two or more access points on the motor vehicle lock. Advantageously, this means that individual or several or all areas of the motor vehicle lock can only be provided with lubricant after assembly. However, it is also conceivable that the lubricant is only introduced into the motor vehicle lock after the motor vehicle lock has been partially assembled.This eliminates the need for a one-time, individual lubrication of individual areas, as the lubrication points can be accessed via an external access point and after assembly of the components to be lubricated. For better distribution of the lubricant on or at the components, a mechanism of the vehicle lock or a drive can be moved during lubrication.

[0024] If an external access to a lubrication channel has a contour that corresponds to an injection nozzle, then again a variant of the invention can be achieved. The grease or lubricant can be supplied automatically, wherein the opening in the housing or the access to the lubrication channel can have a shape that corresponds to an injection nozzle. For example, the access can be conical in design to enable a secure seal between the injection nozzle and the access to the lubrication channel. In this case, in addition to the conical design, a trapezoidal or polygonal design of the access can of course also be designed so that a tight introduction of the lubricant is possible, particularly in the case of aerosols.

[0025] It can also be advantageous if an outer end, in particular the access to a lubrication channel, is designed to be resealable. After a greasing process, the outer accesses to the lubrication channels can then be closed. This can be done, for example, using plugs, balls, adhesive and / or sealing compound. Resealing the access offers the advantage that, on the one hand, the lubricant cannot escape again and, on the other hand, no foreign substances such as dust or moisture can get into the lubrication channel. Advantageously, the channel is designed to be adaptable to the closure means or, if closed, can be permanently closed using, for example, sealing compound or adhesive.

[0026] It can also be advantageous if an external access can be closed by means of a closure arranged on the housing, in particular with a closure formed integrally with the housing. A closure cap which can be inserted into the access in a form-fitting manner can on the one hand close the lubrication channel, but on the other hand the closure cap can also be removed again in order to carry out subsequent or maintenance-related greasing, for example. It has proven advantageous if the closure means, such as a closure plug, is formed directly in one piece with the plastic housing. The closure cap can then advantageously be manufactured directly in one piece with the plastic housing of the motor vehicle lock.This simplifies assembly and reduces the number of components required to close the lubrication channel(s).

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using exemplary embodiments. However, the principle applies that the exemplary embodiments do not limit the invention, but merely represent advantageous embodiments of the invention. The features illustrated can be implemented individually or in combination with other features of the description, as well as the patent claims.

[0028] It shows :

[0029] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of a motor vehicle lock housing with a view of an external access and a lubrication channel arranged principally inside the motor vehicle lock, and

[0030] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a lock housing half with an exposed lubrication channel, showing a branched lubrication channel.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a housing 1 of a motor vehicle lock in a three-dimensional view and in principle. The housing 1 is constructed in two parts and has a first housing part 2 and a second housing part 3. The housing parts 2, 3 can be connected, for example, via the clip connections 4, 5 shown in principle. The second housing part 3 can be a housing cover 3, for example, the second housing part 3 being partially enclosed by a metallic lock case 6. As is generally customary, the motor vehicle lock 8 as a whole can be mounted, for example in a side door of a motor vehicle, by means of the lock case 6 and the screw openings 7 provided therein, for example. A lubrication channel 9 is introduced into the motor vehicle lock 8, the lubrication channel 9 being branched, so that two lubrication channels 10, 11 are formed.A first lubrication channel 10 terminates in the form of a nozzle 12, and a second lubrication channel 11 has an inner end 13 corresponding to the diameter D, so that in this exemplary embodiment, a circular opening is available as the inner end 13. The inner channel end 13 terminates immediately before a worm gear 14, wherein the inner channel end 13 terminates at a worm 15 of the worm gear 14. The worm 15 cooperates with a worm gear 16.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the lubrication channel 9 has a conical access 17. The access 17 is formed from the two housing parts 2, 3. In other words, the lubrication channels 9, 10, 11 and the access 17 in this embodiment are formed from the two housing parts 2, 3. This design makes it possible to integrate the lubrication channels 9, 10, 11 into the housing 1 in a structurally simple manner. The lubrication channels 9, 10, 11 therefore lie in a parting plane 18 between the two housing parts 2, 3 and are each formed half by the housing parts 2, 3.

[0033] Figure 2 shows a plan view of a first housing part 19 of a motor vehicle lock housing 20 in principle and in a plan view. Shown is a first housing part 19 with a lubrication channel 21, a gear 22 of a transmission, a locking mechanism 23, a sealing plug 24 and an injection nozzle 25. The lubrication channel 21 has a branch 26, the lubrication channel 21 ending on one side in a nozzle 27 and on another branch in a circular opening 28. The opening 28 in turn forms an inner end of the lubrication channel 21, the opening 28 ending immediately in front of a gear 22 of a transmission 29. The gear 22 can thus be supplied with lubricant by means of the inner opening 28.

[0034] The lubrication channel 21 ends on one side in a nozzle 27. If the lubrication channel is round, for example, the nozzle 27 can have a conical shape. Due to the tapering of the lubrication channel 21 in the area of ​​the nozzle 27, an aerosol or grease 30 can emerge at a higher speed and can therefore be distributed more effectively. As shown in the exemplary embodiment according to the figure, the nozzle 27 ends in front of a cavity 31 in the interior of the motor vehicle lock 20. In the cavity 31 there can be, for example, as shown, a locking mechanism 30 comprising a rotary latch 32 and a pawl 33. The cavity 31 thus forms a movement space 31 for the locking mechanism 23. For example, a grease aerosol 30 can be sprayed into the movement space 31 of the locking mechanism 23 via the nozzle 27, whereby larger areas can be supplied with lubricant.

[0035] As can also be seen from Figure 2, the injection nozzle 25 has a geometric shape that matches the access 34. In this exemplary embodiment, a depression or chamfer is provided in the housing part 19, which forms the access 34. The injection nozzle 25 in turn has a conical tip 35, so that a cooperative interaction between the access and the tip 35 of the injection nozzle 25 is possible. After the lubricant has been introduced by means of the injection nozzle 25, the access 34 can be closed with a sealing plug 24 formed integrally on the housing 19. For this purpose, the sealing plug has a first conical region 36 and an extension region 37, which in turn can be inserted in a form-fitting manner into the lubrication channel 21. The lubrication channel can thus be securely closed.

[0036] Due to the inventive construction of the motor vehicle lock 8, 20, a subsequent supply of the components of the motor vehicle lock 8, 20 with a lubricant 30 can be carried out. It is also possible, for example for maintenance purposes, to subsequently introduce lubricant into the motor vehicle lock 8, 20, i.e. after installation in a motor vehicle. For this purpose, the access 17, 34 can be arranged in an area which is suitable for a subsequent introduction of the

[0037] Lubricant 30 is accessible.

[0038] List of reference symbols

[0039] 1 housing

[0040] 2, 19 first housing part

[0041] 3 second housing part

[0042] 4, 5 clips connection

[0043] 6 Castle boxes

[0044] 7 screw opening

[0045] 8, 20 Motor vehicle lock

[0046] 9, 10, 11, 21 greasing channel

[0047] 12, 27 nozzle

[0048] 13 inner end

[0049] 14 Worm gears

[0050] 15 snail

[0051] 16 worm gear

[0052] 17, 34 Access

[0053] 18 Separation point

[0054] 22 gear

[0055] 23 locks

[0056] 24 sealing plugs

[0057] 25 Injector nozzle

[0058] 26 Branching

[0059] 28 Opening

[0060] 29 gearboxes

[0061] 30 Aerosol, Grease

[0062] 31 cavity

[0063] 32 rotary latch

[0064] 33 pawl

[0065] 35 conical tip

[0066] 36 conical area

[0067] 37 Extension area diameter

Claims

Patent claims 1. Motor vehicle lock (8, 20) comprising a locking mechanism (23) with a rotary latch (32) and at least one pawl (33), a lubrication channel (9, 10, 11, 21), wherein by means of the lubrication channel (9, 10, 11, 21) a directed lubrication of two interlocking components (15, 16, 22, 32, 33) can be carried out, characterized in that the at least one lubrication channel (9, 10, 11, 21) is arranged at least in part in a housing (1) of the motor vehicle lock (8, 20).

2. Motor vehicle lock (8, 20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lubrication channel (9, 10, 11, 21) ends at an outer surface of the housing (1), so that an external access (17, 34) can be realized.

3. Motor vehicle lock (8, 20) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the lubrication channel (9, 10, 11, 21) is formed by means of an assembly of two housing parts (2, 3, 19) can be produced.

4. Motor vehicle lock (8, 20) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a constriction, in particular a nozzle (12, 27), is provided at an inner end (13) of a lubrication channel (9, 10, 11, 21).

5. Motor vehicle lock (8, 20) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lubrication channel (9, 10, 11, 21) has at least one branch (26).

6. Motor vehicle lock (8, 20) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lubrication channel (9, 10, 11, 21) has at least one lubricant reservoir.

7. Motor vehicle lock (8, 20) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an inner end (13) of a lubrication channel (9, 10, 11, 21) is arranged on a movable component (15, 22) of the motor vehicle lock (8, 20).

8. Motor vehicle lock (8, 20) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an external access (17, 34) of a lubrication channel (9, 10, 11, 21) has a contour which corresponds to an injection nozzle (25).

9. Motor vehicle lock (8, 20) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that an outer end (17, 34) of a lubrication channel (9, 10, 11, 21) is designed to be resealable, in particular resealable with a closure plug (24).

10. Motor vehicle lock (8, 20) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that an external access (17, 34) can be closed by means of a closure (34) arranged on the housing (1), in particular with a closure (34) formed integrally with the housing (1).

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