Lock for a motor vehicle, in particular hood lock or flap lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular a hood lock (1), comprising a locking mechanism (2) having a rotary latch (6) and at least one pawl (7) for latching a striker (3) in at least one locking position of the motor vehicle lock (1), and a torsion spring (9), wherein the torsion spring (9) cooperates with the locking mechanism (2) such that the striker (3) can be moved out of the locking position at least in a supporting manner, wherein a force (F) of the torsion spring (9) can be controlled at least indirectly by means of an actuation element (7).

Description

[0001] P23059WO 1 August 29, 2024 Lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a hood or flap lock Description The invention relates to a lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a hood lock, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl for locking a lock holder at least in a closed position of the motor vehicle lock, a leg spring, wherein the leg spring interacts with the locking mechanism such that the lock holder can be moved out of the closed position by means of the leg spring, at least in a supporting manner. Locks or locking systems for motor vehicles are used where doors, flaps, or movable components on motor vehicles must be held in place to ensure safe driving of the motor vehicle. If the locking systems primarily serve to hold the movable components in their closed position,Today, more and more convenience features are becoming more important. It is particularly important for hatches to ensure secure closing and easy opening. Bonnets or hatches can be sealed with a seal, ensuring tightness against water or dirt, for example. A seal ensures that when the lock is closed, a counterpressure acts as a securing element against the locking mechanism. P23059WO 2 August 29, 2024 Preferably, and generally, a lock holder is attached to the bonnet or hatch.which then interacts with the vehicle lock. The lock holder usually interacts with a locking mechanism of the associated vehicle door lock. Lock holder and vehicle lock generally define the vehicle locking mechanism. The lock holder, in conjunction with the locking mechanism in the vehicle lock, ensures a secure and reliable closure. In principle, the reverse is also possible. Due to the primary locking function of the lock holder in conjunction with the locking mechanism in the vehicle lock, it is, on the one hand, a particularly safety-relevant component, which, on the other hand, is exposed to particular stresses, particularly in the event of an accident. In fact, the protection of vehicle occupants in a side impact depends significantly on how reliably the lock holder and the locking mechanism interacting with it are able to absorb the applied forces. This is because the primary factor here isthat the vehicle door remains closed so that safety devices provided in or on the vehicle door, such as brake assist, side airbags, side impact protection, etc., can have the desired effect. The locking mechanism contained in the vehicle lock has a pre-locking or holding or catch position and a main catch. For hood or hatch locks, a two-stroke operation is provided. With a first stroke, P23059WO 3 August 29, 2024 acting on the vehicle lock, for example, via a Bowden cable, the lock holder is moved from the main catch position (closed hatch) to a pre-locking or catch position. This secures the hatch fromthat if the Bowden cable is accidentally pulled, the hatch opens completely, thus endangering the driver or passengers. Only after a second pull on the Bowden cable is the hatch or hood fully released. A front hatch lock of the type described above is described in DE 296 00 386 U1. The front hatch lock interacts with a striker. The front hatch lock is usually located at the front end of a motor vehicle and interacts with a striker on a front hatch. The striker is pivotally mounted on the front hatch and can be pivoted from a normal position to an evasive position against the return force of a striker spring. This is done with the aid of an operating handle that can be operated by the user.when the striker is in a pre-locking position. The striker is then pivoted out of its path of movement and can pivot around the hook end. When the lock is closed, the striker, and in particular a web forming the end of the striker, slides along the control flank of the catch hook, which in the prior art is firmly connected to the lock housing. The catch hook overruns the end of the control flank and is then displaced back by the tensioned catch hook spring, so that it assumes a rear-engaging position relative to the locking flank. When the striker is displaced further, the latter enters the locking jaw of a rotary latch,which rotates as the striker moves further and is secured in a locked position by a pawl. DE 102010 061 518 A1 discloses a front flap lock with a catch hook associated with a lock housing for capturing a striker, wherein the catch hook has a control flank and a locking flank located in the path of movement of the striker, which can be deflected from its path of movement, such that when the front flap is closed, the latter initially slides along the control slope of the catch hook, which is fixed in the catch position relative to the lock housing, and after overrunning the end of the catch hook, enters a pre-locking position behind the locking flank, and with a locking jaw of a rotary latch,In an open position of the rotary latch, the locking bar engages after further displacement of the front flap in the closing direction and is held in a locking position of the rotary latch secured by a pawl. The catch hook is firmly connected to the rotary latch and the rotary latch is pivotally locked in its open position by a spring-loaded ejector arm, which pivotal block is released by displacement of the ejector arm when the locking bar enters the locking jaw. The invention is based on the object of improving the locking technology of the front flap lock mentioned above. P23059WO 5 August 29, 2024 The problem is solved by the features of independent patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. It is pointed out that the exemplary embodiments described below are not restrictive.Rather, any variation of the features described in the description and the subclaims is possible. According to claim 1, the object of the invention is achieved by providing a lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a hood lock, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl for locking a lock holder at least in a closed position of the motor vehicle lock, a leg spring, wherein the leg spring interacts with the locking mechanism in such a way that the lock holder can be moved out of the closed position by means of the leg spring, at least in a supporting manner, wherein a force of the leg spring can be controlled at least indirectly by means of a triggering means. The inventive design of the lock now creates the possibilityto achieve opening and closing with different forces on the rotary latch. When closing, it must be ensured that the lock holder safely reaches the main locking position. This can be made particularly difficult by the fact that a force from a seal counteracts the hood or flap. This sealing force must be overcome, while at the same time the hood or flap must be closed against the force of the leg spring. The inventive design of the lock now allows a modified, lower force to be provided in the lock, thus enabling easy closing. In contrast, when opening the lock, a force is required to lift the hood, especially a large and long hood.to enable the operator to intervene. The different forces in the motor vehicle lock enable a targeted and situation-dependent provision of force by the leg spring. According to the invention, the force can be adjusted when the hood is raised again from a support position using a release mechanism. A release mechanism in relation to a locking system serves to unlock the locking mechanism. In other words, the locking mechanism formed by the rotary latch and pawl is moved from a detent position. As described in the introduction, the hood lock has a main detent and a pre-detent position. The main detent is also referred to as the closed position, and the pre-detent is referred to as the catch position, support position, holding position, or catch position. In the main detent position, the hood or lid is completely closed and the vehicle is secured and ready for operation.to be moved. The pre-locking position refers to the safety position of the hood or flap, in which the hood or flap is already partially open, but the rotary latch or a catch hook secures the position of the hood. From this position, the hood or flap cannot be opened. This has the safety aspect that if the locking mechanism is inadvertently released from the main locking position to the pre-locking position, the hood or flap cannot be fully opened. A complete opening from the main locking position would endanger the occupants of the vehicle. From the pre-locking position, the release mechanism must be actuated again to move the locking mechanism to a release position. In the release position, the locking mechanism releases the lock holder, allowing the hood or flap to be opened. The release mechanism can, for example, be a release lever.which is movable with the pawl by electrical or manual actuation. The pawl can therefore be released at least indirectly from engagement with the rotary latch in order to move the locking mechanism from the main locking position to the pre-locking position and finally to the open position. In one embodiment of the invention, the triggering means can be manually and / or electrically actuated. The triggering means can, for example, be an electrically driven mechanism, which in the simplest case consists of an electric motor with a linear drive. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that a drive mechanism in the form of a gear transmission and / or a lever mechanism is arranged behind the electric drive. The electric drive can thus be directly or indirectly connected to the pawl. However, it is also conceivable according to the inventionthat the release means can be operated manually. A Bowden cable can be used for this purpose in a known manner, which can be operated, for example, via a lever or a mechanism, for example, from the interior of the motor vehicle. Combined mechanisms or electromechanical systems are also conceivable, such as an electric drive that interacts with a Bowden cable, wherein the Bowden cable is connected to the release means. It is also conceivable that only one unlocking of the locking mechanism is carried out electrically and another unlocking is carried out mechanically. In a further development of the invention, the release means is formed by the pawl. This advantageous and structurally simplest variant offers the advantage that the locking mechanism can be unlocked with minimal design effort. The pretension lever interacts directly with the leg spring and is capable ofadjust the spring travel. In other words, the force provided by the leg spring can be varied using the preload lever. The leg spring has two legs, with a first leg acting directly on the rotary latch and a second leg engaging with the preload lever. The leg spring is thus able to bear against the preload lever and transmit a force into the rotary latch. The preload lever is pivotally mounted in a lock case of the vehicle lock. By moving or pivoting the preload lever, the contact of the second leg on the preload lever can be changed. This makes it possible to vary the force acting on the rotary latch. By shifting the contact point, the spring travel can be adjusted and thus the force of the leg spring can be influenced. With different spring travels,This means that with a different spread of the leg spring, a different force can be provided in the motor vehicle lock. The force is adjustable. One leg of the leg spring can rest against a bevel of the pre-tensioning lever. In order to provide a simple and therefore cost-effective design solution, a bevel is provided on the pre-tensioning lever. The second leg of the leg spring rests against this bevel. If the pre-tensioning lever mounted in the lock case is now moved, the spring travel of the leg spring changes. Consequently, pre-tensioning and un-tensioning of the leg spring can be achieved with the simplest design means. To secure the position of the pre-tensioning lever,The pre-tensioning lever can be fixed or positioned in at least one position by means of a blocking lever. The pre-tensioning lever is pivotally mounted in the lock case. The leg spring and the contact of the second leg ensure that the pre-tensioning lever is spring-loaded. A blocking lever is used to hold the pre-tensioning lever in the different positions. If the pre-tensioning lever is moved to a pre-tensioned position, the blocking lever is able to secure the pre-tensioning lever in the tensioned position. In order to hold the blocking lever securely in the tensioned position, it can be advantageous toif the blocking lever can be engaged in a recess of the pre-tensioning lever. This further structurally simple possibility of a secure interaction between the pre-tensioning lever and the blocking lever can provide, on the one hand, precise positioning and, on the other hand, high functionality. If the blocking lever can be actuated by means of the rotary latch, a further embodiment of the invention can be achieved. The rotary latch interacts with a pawl as described above and, together with the pawl, forms the locking mechanism. In the main locking position of the locking mechanism, the rotary latch is in its rest position in a maximally engaged position, regardless of an overtravel position during locking. If this position of the rotary latch, or rather the reaching of the main locking position, is used to pre-tension the pre-tensioning lever,This allows the pre-tensioning lever to be pre-tensioned using the simplest of design means. The rotary latch is closed or moved to its main locking position, and at the same time, the pre-tensioning lever is moved into a tensioned position. In this pre-tensioning position, the blocking lever is then simultaneously engaged with the pre-tensioning lever, particularly by spring pre-tensioning. The final closing in the main locking position is thus used to pre-tension the leg spring. It can also be advantageous if the blocking lever has a first arm that can be engaged with the pre-tensioning lever and a second arm,which can be engaged with the rotary latch. In this case, the rotary latch performs a dual function. On the one hand, the rotary latch interacts with the pawl in the sense of a locking mechanism and secures the hood or flap. P23059WO 11 August 29, 2024 On the other hand, the rotary latch also controls the preload of the preload lever by interacting with the blocking lever. The blocking lever can be moved out of engagement with the preload lever by means of the rotary latch, thus releasing the preload lever. According to the invention, it is now proposed that the pawl be connected to the preload lever via a transmission lever. The function of the preload lever explained above means that the force in the leg spring can be adjusted by moving the preload lever. If the pawl is now connected to the preload lever via a transmission lever,This allows interaction between the pawl and the pre-tensioning lever. In other words, the force of the leg spring can be varied via the pawl as a triggering means. A movement of the pawl can thus be used to position the pre-tensioning lever and consequently to move a leg of the leg spring and thus adjust the force in the leg spring. If the transmission lever is fixed on one side and displaceably mounted on the opposite side, a further embodiment of the invention is achieved. For example, by fixedly mounting the transmission lever on the pawl, a direct transmission of the movement of the pawl to the transmission lever can take place. In order to be able to set a defined influence on the force in the leg spring, a movable,This means, for example, that the end of the transmission lever is accommodated in a slotted hole. If, for example, the preload lever is in a tensioned position, tensioning the preload lever via the release mechanism is unnecessary. In this case, the movable bearing of the transmission lever serves as a freewheel for the transmission lever. It can be advantageous if the leg spring can be tensioned by means of the transmission lever. Depending on the movement of the release mechanism, the transmission lever can actuate the leg spring. Independent of the freewheeling of the one-sided bearing of the transmission lever, it is possible to pivot the preload lever using the transmission lever. Particularly in a first position of the preload lever, a slight force is applied to the spring leg. If the preload lever is moved by means of the transmission lever,The leg can be pivoted from the first starting position into a second position, in which the leg spring is compressed, i.e., pressed together. In this second position, an additional force can then be exerted on the rotary latch via the leg spring. A further embodiment of the invention arises when the blocking lever can be actuated by means of a catch hook. In this embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism has a catch hook in addition to the rotary latch. The catch hook can be provided as a separate component, mounted together with the rotary latch in the lock case. The movement of the rotary latch as well as the catch hook can then be blocked by means of the pawl. It has proven advantageous in this casethat the rotary latch can be locked in a main locking position by means of the pawl. In the pre-locking position, only the catch hook is restricted in its pivoting movement. In other words, the rotary latch releases the lock holder in the pre-locking position, whereby the lock holder is secured in the pre-locking position by the catch hook. In this embodiment, the leg spring advantageously acts on the catch hook. A pivoting movement of the rotary latch as well as the catch hook is then initiated, on the one hand, via the lock holder and, on the other hand, via the leg spring into the locking mechanism or the catch hook. It can also be advantageous if an extension is formed on the catch hook, which acts directly on the blocking lever, so that a pivoting movement of the catch hook initiates a movement of the blocking lever.so that the position of the blocking lever can be controlled by means of the catch hook. Preferably, the blocking lever is spring-loaded in the direction of the catch hook. A spring preload also acts on the rotary latch, specifically in the opening direction, and a spring preload acts on the pawl, preloading the pawl in the direction of the rotary latch or catch hook.

[0002] P23059WO 14 August 29, 2024 The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using a preferred embodiment. However, the principle applies that the embodiment does not limit the invention, but merely represents one embodiment. The features presented can be implemented individually or in combination with other features of the description and the patent claims.It shows: Figure 1 a hood lock designed according to the invention in a main locking position and in a plan view of the locking mechanism, Figure 2 the hood lock according to Figure 1 in a release position and with pretensioning of the pretensioning lever, Figure 3 a position of the hood lock after release of the catch hook, Figure 4 the fully open position of the catch hook after release, Figure 5 the pre-locking position at the beginning of the closing movement of the hood lock and Figure 6 the pretensioning of the pretensioning lever during the closing process. P23059WO 15 August 29, 2024 Figure 1 shows a hood lock 1 in a plan view of a locking mechanism 2. The locking mechanism 2 is shown in a main locking position and interacts with a lock holder 3 which is fastened, for example, to a body of a motor vehicle by means of a lock holder plate 4. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 2 consists of a rotary latch 6 and a pawl 7.In addition, the hood lock 1 has a catch hook 8, which also engages with the lock holder 3. A leg spring 9 cooperates with a first leg 10 with a pre-tensioning lever 11, wherein a second leg 12 engages with a bolt 13 of the catch hook 8. The first leg 10 of the leg spring 9 rests against a bevel 14 of the pre-tensioning lever 11. The pre-tensioning lever 11 is received in a lock case 16 of the hood lock 1 so as to be pivotable about an axis 15. The pre-tensioning lever 11 cooperates with the pawl 7 via a transmission lever 17. The transmission lever 17 is firmly connected to the pawl 7 on one side, wherein another end 18 of the transmission lever 17 is received or fastened in a guide 19 of the pre-tensioning lever 11. The preload lever 11 is held in position in the main locking position shown in Figure 1 by a blocking lever 20. P23059WO 16 29.August 2024 The blocking lever 20, like the pawl 7, the rotary latch 6, and the catch hook 8, is pivotally mounted in the lock case 16. Figure 1 shows the maximally tensioned leg spring 9. The leg spring, in particular the first leg 10 of the leg spring 9, is pre-tensioned by the pre-tensioning lever 11 in interaction with the blocking lever 20, and the second leg 12 of the leg spring 9 rests in the maximally compressed position against the bolt 13 of the catch hook 8. In this position, a maximum force F acts on the catch hook 8 and thus on the lock holder 3. The catch hook 8 is held in position by the lock holder 3, and the rotary latch 6 is blocked in movement by the pawl 7 in a main notch 21. Figure 1 therefore shows the closed position of a hood 5 of a motor vehicle.If, as shown in Figure 2, the pawl 7 is moved in the direction of arrow P around the axis 22, the pawl 7 releases the main detent 21 on the rotary latch 6, so that the rotary latch can move or be pivoted into a release position. At this time, the pre-tensioning lever 11 is still in the pre-tensioned position and is held securely in the pre-tensioned position by the blocking lever 20. The pre-locking position of the locking mechanism 2 or the hood lock 1 therefore corresponds to a further pre-tensioned position of the leg spring 9. The leg spring 9 and in particular the second arm of the leg spring 12 continues to exert a force F on the bolt 13 of the catch hook 8. However, the hood 5 remains in a secured position, since the catch hook 8 is locked in its movement by a pre-lock 23 on the catch hook 8.The hood 5 can therefore not be opened from the pre-locking position. It is understood that the force F in Figure 2 exerts a smaller force on the catch hook 8 because the leg spring 9 is in a more relaxed position. However, a force F is still exerted on the lock holder 3, so that a secure opening of the locking mechanism or a movement of the catch hook 8 can take place with spring support. If the motor vehicle lock 1 is now to be adjusted from the pre-locking position shown in Figure 2 into an open position of the hood lock 1, the pawl 7 must be pivoted a second time in the direction of arrow P. The electrical or manual pivoting of the pawl 7 in the direction of arrow P causes the pre-locking 23 on the catch hook 8 to be released and the catch hook can move clockwise in the direction of arrow P1. The release of the catch hook 8 is shown in Figure 3.The catch hook 8 is moved into the release position via the second leg 12 of the leg spring 9. By releasing the catch hook 8 and pivoting the catch hook 8 in the direction of arrow P1, the catch hook is moved completely into its open position, as shown in Figure 4. An extension 24 or an actuating means 24 on the catch hook 8 actuates the blocking lever and pivots the blocking lever counterclockwise, as shown in Figure 4. By pivoting the blocking lever P23059WO 18 August 29, 2024 20 counterclockwise by the catch hook 8, the pretensioning lever 11 is released, and the pretensioning lever further releases the leg spring. In the now fully open position of the hood lock 1, the leg spring 9 is therefore maximally relaxed.It can be seen that the pawl 7 comes into contact with an outer surface 25 and the transmission lever rests on the end of the guide 19. Figure 4 shows the open position of the hood lock and the maximally relaxed leg spring 9. If the hood 5 is now closed again and the lock holder 3 is thus moved in the direction of arrow P2 towards the hood lock 1, the catch hook 8 again engages the pawl 7. The renewed pre-locking position at the beginning of the closing movement of the hood lock 1 is shown in Figure 5. This presents two options for the operator of the motor vehicle. On the one hand, the hood 5 can be completely closed; for this purpose, the hood is moved further in the direction of arrow P2 and the locking mechanism 2 returns to the main locking position, as shown in Figure 1.By moving the rotary latch 6 counterclockwise, the pawl 7 is moved by an extension 26, so that the transmission lever 17 moves the pre-tensioning lever 11 back into the pre-tensioned position. The hood lock is then back in the main locking position, as shown in Figure 1. However, if the hood is to be opened again from the position shown in Figure 5 after the hood 5 has been partially closed, the pawl 7 must be moved in the direction of arrow P. A movement of the pawl 7 in the direction of arrow P, however, causes the transmission lever 17 to move counterclockwise, so that the leg spring 9 and in particular the first leg 10 of the leg spring 9 is moved back to its pre-tensioned position. The hood can therefore be opened by applying an additional force from the leg spring 9.This offers the advantage that, according to the invention, the hood can be easily opened even from the pre-locked position. By pre-tensioning the pre-tensioning lever 11, an additional force can be introduced into the leg spring 9, which can then be transmitted via the bolt 13 to the catch hook 8. Consequently, this embodiment provides a way to control the force of the leg spring by means of the release means, here the locking pawl, in such a way as to increase comfort for the operator of the motor vehicle.

[0003] P23059WO 20 29 August 2024 List of reference symbols 1 Hood lock 2 Locking mechanism 3 Lock holder 4 Lock holder plate 5 Body, hood 6 Rotary latch 7 Locking pawl 8 Catch hook 9 Leg spring 10 First leg 11 Pre-tensioning lever 12 Second leg 13 Bolt 14 Folded section 15, 22 Axle 16 Lock case 17 Transmission lever 18 End 19 Guide 20 Blocking lever 21 Main catch 23 Pre-catch 24, 26 Extension 25 Outer surface F Force P, P1, P2 Arrow

Claims

P23059WO 21 August 29, 2024 Patent claims 1. Lock (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular a hood lock (1), comprising a locking mechanism (2) with a rotary latch (6) and at least one pawl (7) for latching a lock holder (3) in at least one closed position of the motor vehicle lock (1), a leg spring (9), wherein the leg spring (9) interacts with the locking mechanism (2) in such a way that the lock holder (3) can be moved out of the closed position at least in a supporting manner, characterized in that a force (F) of the leg spring (9) can be controlled at least indirectly by means of a triggering means (7).

2. Lock (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the triggering means (7) can be actuated manually and / or electrically.

3. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the release means (7) is formed by the locking pawl (7).Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the leg spring (9) can be tensioned by means of a pretensioning lever (11).

5. Lock (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the pretensioning lever (11) is pivotally mounted in the motor vehicle lock (1), in particular in a lock case (16). P23059WO 22 August 29, 2024 6. Lock (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the pawl (7) is connected to the pre-tensioning lever (11) via a transmission lever (17).

7. Lock (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the transmission lever (17) is fixedly received on one side and displaceably received on the other side.

8. Lock (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the leg spring (9) can be tensioned by means of the transmission lever (17).

9. Lock (1) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that a position of the pre-tensioning lever (11) can be locked by means of a blocking lever (20).

10. Lock (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the blocking lever (20) can be actuated by means of a catch hook (8).

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