Motor vehicle lock housing

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock housing and in particular to a motor vehicle tailgate lock housing, as a carrier of electrical and / or electronic components (1), which is equipped with a receiving trough (3) for the components (1). The receiving trough (3) is at least partially filled with a potting compound (4) for sealing the components (1). According to the invention, the receiving trough (3) has at least one angled portion (5b) which is inclined in relation to a horizontal portion (5a), wherein the component (1) located in the angled portion (5b) is installed in a position compensating for the inclination (angle 0) such that the potting compound (4) can be introduced into both portions (5a, 5b) together in one step.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Motor vehicle lock housing

[0003] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock housing, in particular a motor vehicle tailgate lock housing, as a carrier of electrical and / or electronic components, with a receiving tray for the components, which is at least partially filled with a casting compound for sealing them.

[0004] Motor vehicle lock housings are often used simultaneously as so-called electrical component carriers, as described in detail in DE 100 18 020 C2. Accordingly, the motor vehicle lock housing performs a dual function: firstly, it covers and locks a lock case, typically used to support a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and pawl, and secondly, it serves as a component carrier or electrical component carrier. The component carrier or electrical component carrier, in turn, usually in conjunction with an electrical conductor structure, ensures that the electrical and / or electronic components accommodated by the carrier are connected to each other and to a control unit.

[0005] The electrical and / or electronic components in question are sensors, such as switches, electric motors, connector plugs, connector sockets, etc., which ensure the proper functioning and control of individual lock components inside the associated motor vehicle lock. Using the motor vehicle lock housing simultaneously as a carrier for electrical and / or electronic components already achieves cost advantages because the separate production of an additional component carrier is no longer necessary. The state of the art takes advantage of the fact that both the motor vehicle lock housing and the component carrier are typically manufactured from a plastic using injection molding.In the generic prior art according to DE 103 28 005 B3, which originates from the applicant, the procedure for manufacturing the motor vehicle lock housing in question is to fill the corresponding receiving tray containing the individual components with the potting compound. After curing, the potting compound ensures that the components located inside the receiving tray, as well as their electrical contacts, are protected from any environmental influences such as moisture and / or dust, etc. This results in the previously described sealing of the components in question, as well as any sealing of the electrical connections of the components to a usually provided conductor track structure. This has generally proven to be effective.

[0006] To this end, the previously referred to and generic prior art generally proceeds in such a way that the receiving tray is subjected to a load, at least during the curing of the casting compound, in such a way that the forming casting unit, including all components to be sealed, is equipped with a surface that is largely inclined relative to the base of the tray. This inclination is intended to simplify assembly and, more specifically, electrical contacting. This is intended to concentrate and accumulate the casting compound only in the areas where it is actually needed to seal the relevant connection areas. This has proven to be fundamentally successful, but requires special treatment of the receiving tray when filling it with the casting compound in terms of the inclined position.

[0007] Motor vehicle lock housings, particularly those on tailgates, often face the problem that the receiving trough does not have a consistently horizontal base or bottom. This is typically due to the fact that such tailgate locks are often equipped with a closing drive, and the closing drive is arranged at an angle compared to the locking mechanism. In order to at least partially fill the resulting receiving trough with the casting compound, the known method, for example, according to DE 103 28 005 B3, must be used to fill the individual sections separately and one after the other with the casting compound.Given the potting compound's curing time, which can sometimes be several minutes, this leads to delayed and discontinuous production, resulting in cost disadvantages. The invention aims to remedy this overall.

[0008] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle lock housing in such a way that production is simplified and possible cost disadvantages are avoided.

[0009] To solve this technical problem, a generic motor vehicle lock housing is characterized within the scope of the invention in that the receiving trough has at least one angular section inclined relative to a horizontal section, wherein the component located in the angular section has an installation position compensating for the inclination, so that the casting compound can be introduced into both sections in one go and together.

[0010] According to the invention, the receiving trough is firstly divided into the horizontal section and the angled section which is inclined relative to it. Of course, it is also possible to implement several horizontal sections or several angled sections or both. The fact that the component in the angled section has an installation position which compensates for the inclination results in two essential advantages. Firstly, the installation position of the component in the angled section which compensates for the inclination ensures that the component in question can ultimately be attached to the angled section in the same installation direction as a component in the horizontal section. This means that the installation direction for components in or on the horizontal section corresponds to the installation direction for components in or on the angled section. This is ensured by the installation position which compensates for the inclination.

[0011] Such an inclination-compensating installation position is characterized by the fact that the installation position of the component at the angled section corresponds to the installation position at the horizontal section, so that the component in question can be mounted in the corresponding installation direction. In addition to this consistent installation direction for the component at both the horizontal section and the angled section, the invention also allows the casting compound to be applied simultaneously and in one go to both sections. This is typically done so that the flow direction of the casting compound corresponds to the installation direction of the component in question.

[0012] This results in significant overall cost savings because, when installing the components, there is no longer a need to differentiate between the horizontal and angled sections; instead, the installation direction is independent of this. Similarly, the casting compound can be applied to both the horizontal and angled sections in the same way, i.e., with essentially the same flow direction, in one go, eliminating the need for subsequent filling of the angled section of the receiving trough. This also eliminates the need for an intermediate curing step.

[0013] In fact, for example, the inclination of the angled section may correspond to a certain angle 0 relative to the horizontal section. This same angle 0 is then advantageously adjusted for a bearing insert during its attachment and alignment to the angled section, thus creating an installation position that compensates for the inclination. This is implemented entirely during the production of the motor vehicle lock housing during an injection molding process. This represents the key advantages.

[0014] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the horizontal section is generally designed as a locking mechanism section for essentially covering a locking mechanism comprising a rotary latch and pawl. This means that, with the horizontal section as a component of the motor vehicle lock housing according to the invention, a lock case with the locking mechanism comprising a rotary latch and pawl mounted therein is generally and largely covered. The receiving trough or horizontal section realized at this point specifically accommodates one or more sensors as components that serve as carriers for electronic and / or electrical components. These sensors are typically switches and, in particular, microcontact switches. With their help, individual locking mechanism positions can be queried, for example, a pre-locking position and / or a main locking position.

[0015] In contrast, the angled section is generally designed as a drive section to essentially cover an electric motor drive. In this case, the angled section serves to cover the relevant drive, which may be a closing drive. Such a closing drive generally operates via a closing pawl on the rotary latch and ensures that the rotary latch is acted upon in a closing direction. According to the invention, the angled section or drive section is inclined relative to the horizontal section, specifically by the previously mentioned angle 0. To compensate for this inclination of the angled section relative to the horizontal section, all bearing inserts in the angled section are consequently inclined, taking into account the relevant and corresponding angle 0.

[0016] In addition, the receptacle generally has a conductor track structure, for example, placed in or on its base. The conductor track structure can advantageously be a so-called stamped grid, which is present in the base of the receptacle and is overmolded with plastic during the base's manufacture. According to the invention, the conductor track structure follows the inclination between the horizontal section and the angular section, because it usually extends across both sections.

[0017] In addition, both the horizontal section and the angle section are usually equipped with components located on them. These components are usually designed as sensors, particularly switches, and preferably microswitches. For their support and storage, the previously mentioned bearing inserts for the components are provided in the receiving tray.

[0018] The design is such that the bearing inserts are inclined in the angular section. This generally applies to all bearing inserts in the angular section, so that the components placed in the bearing inserts are equipped with an installation position that compensates for the inclination.

[0019] If the components are sensors, in particular switches, and preferably microswitches, these sensors or switches are generally arranged parallel to one another when installed. This allows the components in question to be installed in the motor vehicle lock housing using a common and consistently consistent installation direction, regardless of whether the component in question is placed in or on the horizontal section or in or on the angular section. In this way, the individual sensors or switches together form a plane that is typically aligned parallel to the locking plane. The locking plane is essentially spanned by the locking mechanism, essentially by the rotary latch and pawl.

[0020] The parallel alignment of the sensors or switches, and preferably microswitches, relative to the locking mechanism plane ensures that the individual locking mechanism positions mentioned above can be easily and precisely queried using the sensors. This only requires that the switches in question or their plungers be actuated by, for example, a projection or extension on the respective locking mechanism component. A similar situation applies to the sensors or switches on the angle section, which in this context typically query the position of the closing pawl described above, and can thus monitor and control the closing process.

[0021] As a result, the tilt-compensating installation position of the component in question at the angled section ensures that all components are advantageously inserted into the receiving tray or their bearing inserts in the common installation direction (usually by mechanical loading). Furthermore, the curing potting compound is typically introduced in this installation direction, which is the direction of flow of the potting compound, thus simplifying and accelerating production overall. At the same time, any interruptions in the manufacturing process are avoided. This leads to a significant increase in efficiency compared to the state of the art. These are the key advantages.

[0022] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which merely represents an exemplary embodiment; after that, the

[0023] Fig. 1 and 2 show the motor vehicle lock housing according to the invention in the form of a motor vehicle tailgate lock housing in a perspective and schematic representation.

[0024] Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle lock housing, which is not limited to a motor vehicle tailgate lock housing. The housing in question functions as a carrier for electrical and / or electronic components 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the components 1 are sensors and, specifically, switches, so-called microcontact switches 1. This is, of course, only an example and is by no means mandatory.

[0025] For this purpose, the respective component or microcontact switch 1 is accommodated in a bearing insert 2, each schematically indicated in Fig. 2. The individual bearing inserts 2 for the components 1 are located in a receiving tray 3, which for this purpose is equipped with a tray base 3a and lateral tray walls 3b, which rest on the edges of the tray base 3a and predominantly and circumferentially enclose it. The bearing inserts 2 also rest on the tray base 3a. In this way, a potting compound 4 can be poured into the receiving tray 3 for the components 1 for sealing, which potting compound at least partially fills the receiving tray 3 in question, as schematically indicated. For this purpose, the potting compound 4 is poured into the receiving tray 3 in a liquid state, in a flow direction F indicated by arrows in Fig. 1.After filling, the potting compound 4 hardens and ensures that the components 1 and any electrical contacts inside the receptacle 3 are sealed by means of the potting compound 4.

[0026] From both Figs. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the receiving trough 3 has at least one angular section 5b inclined relative to a horizontal section 5a. It can also be seen that an angle θ is enclosed between the horizontal section 5a and the angular section 5b, which, according to the exemplary embodiment, is formed as an obtuse angle and has a size of approximately 150° to 170°, approximately 160° in the example shown. This, of course, applies only as an example.

[0027] The component or microswitch 1 located in the angled section 5b now has an installation position that compensates for the inclination between the horizontal section 5a and the angled section 5b. This allows the potting compound 4 to be introduced into both sections 5a, 5b in one go, namely, according to the exemplary embodiment, in the corresponding flow direction F.

[0028] For this purpose, the bearing insert 2 in question is inclined in the angular section 5b, as can be seen from the dash-dotted and solid lines in Fig. 2. The dash-dotted line of the bearing insert 2 in the angular section 5b represents the usual orientation of the bearing insert 2 perpendicular to the tub bottom 3a, whereas the solid line of the bearing insert 2 documents the installation position that compensates for the inclination with the angle 0. In fact, the compensation is carried out in such a way that the bearing insert 2 in question is inclined accordingly, taking into account the angle 180° minus 0 relative to the tub bottom 3a or the dash-dotted line of the bearing insert 2 perpendicular to the tub bottom 3a, in order to compensate for the inclination between the horizontal section 5a and the angular section 5b.

[0029] In this way, not only can the potting compound 4 be poured into the receiving tray 3 in both the horizontal section 5a and the angular section 5b with the common and consistent flow direction F shown in Fig. 1, but the components 1 or microswitches 1 can also be placed in the corresponding bearing insert 2 in the same insertion direction E. This simplifies and standardizes both the assembly of the illustrated motor vehicle lock housing or the receiving tray 3 and its subsequent sealing using the potting compound 4.

[0030] According to the exemplary embodiment, the horizontal section 5a is designed as a locking mechanism section. This is because the horizontal section 5a essentially serves to cover a locking mechanism 6, 7, which is merely indicated in Fig. 1 and essentially consists of a rotary latch 6 and a pawl 7. It can be seen that in the area of ​​the associated horizontal section 5a and consequently the locking mechanism section according to the exemplary embodiment, a total of two components or microswitches 1 are implemented, with the aid of which the position of the rotary latch 6 is specifically queried. This can be a pre-locking position and a main locking position. This is, of course, only an example and is in no way restrictive.

[0031] In contrast, the angled section 5b functions as a drive section, essentially covering an electric motor drive (not shown in detail). This electric motor drive can be a closing drive, which for this purpose operates on a closing pawl (also not shown), which acts on the rotary latch 6 in a closing direction. In this case, too, a component or microswitch 1 is implemented, which detects the position of the closing pawl and consequently, for example, the reaching of a closing position and, like the other components or microswitches 1, transmits this information to a control unit (not shown). With the help of the control unit, the closing drive can then, for example, be switched off when the closing position is reached.

[0032] Also not shown is a conductor track structure, which is used to contact the components or microswitches 1 and connect them to the control unit (also not shown). For this purpose, the conductor track structure is embedded in the tray base 3a according to the exemplary embodiment or, during the manufacturing process of the receiving tray 3, is enclosed by the tray base 3a by means of a plastic overmolding process. The conductor track structure is a lead frame.

[0033] It can be seen that both the horizontal section 5a and the angled section 5b are equipped with the components or microswitches 1 located thereon according to the exemplary embodiment. Since the components or microswitches 1 are arranged parallel to one another when installed, because the component 1 located in the angled section 5b is equipped with the installation position that compensates for the inclination, both the installation of the components or microswitches 1 in the installation direction E and the subsequent filling with the potting compound 4 in the flow direction F can be carried out and completed in a largely identical direction and in a standardized process. As a result, the fitting of the components 1 and the introduction of the potting compound 4 are standardized and any alignment of the potting compound 3 is not necessary during this process. In fact, the direction of travel of the components orThe plane spanned by microswitches 1 is aligned parallel to the locking plane spanned by locking mechanisms 6, 7. This ensures that the components or microswitches 1 for detecting the respective locking mechanism position are correctly positioned from the outset. The same applies to the component or microswitch 1 for detecting the position of the locking drive in angle section 5b.

[0034] List of reference symbols

[0035] Components 1

[0036] Micro contact switch 1

[0037] Bearing insert 2

[0038] Receptacle 3

[0039] Tub bottom 3a

[0040] Tub walls 3b

[0041] Potting compound 4

[0042] Hontontal section 5a

[0043] Angle section 5b

[0044] Rotary latch 6

[0045] Pawl 7

[0046] Lock 6, 7

[0047] Insertion direction E

[0048] Flow direction F

Claims

Patent claims 1. Motor vehicle lock housing, in particular motor vehicle tailgate lock housing, as a carrier for electrical and / or electronic components (1), with a receiving tray (3) for the components (1), which is at least partially filled with a potting compound (4) for sealing them, characterized in that the receiving tray (3) has at least one angular section (5b) inclined with respect to a horizontal section (5a), wherein the component (1) located in the angular section (5b) has an installation position compensating for the inclination (angle 0), so that the potting compound (4) can be introduced into both sections (5a, 5b) in one go and together.

2. Housing according to claim 1, characterized in that the horizontal section (5a) is designed as a locking section for substantially covering a locking mechanism (6, 7) comprising a rotary latch (6) and a pawl (7).

3. Housing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the angle section (5b) is designed as a drive section for substantially covering an electric motor drive.

4. Housing according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the receiving tray (3) is formed with a conductor track structure placed, for example, in or on its tray base (3a).

5. Housing according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that both the horizontal section (5a) and the angular section (5b) are equipped with components (1) located thereon.

6. Housing according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that bearing inserts (2) formed in the receiving trough (3) are provided for the components (1).

7. Housing according to claim 6, characterized in that the bearing inserts (2) are inclined (angle 0) in the angle section (5b).

8. Housing according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the components (1) are designed as sensors, in particular switches and preferably microswitches (1).

9. Housing according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that all components (1) have a parallel arrangement to one another in the installed state.

10. Housing according to claim 9, characterized in that the plane spanned by the components (1) is parallel to the locking plane.

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