Motor vehicle lock assembly

The motor vehicle lock arrangement addresses the need for increased functionality and comfort by integrating an electrically actuated locking system with manual actuation using a Bowden cable and coupling element, achieving efficient and comfortable operation with electrical support.

WO2025131157A1PCT designated stage expired Publication Date: 2025-06-26KIEKERT AG
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/DE2024/100999
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-12-19
Filing Date
2024-11-25
Publication Date
2025-06-26

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing motor vehicle lock arrangements face limitations in providing increased functionality and comfort, particularly in integrating advanced electrical functionality with manual actuation mechanisms.

Method used

A motor vehicle lock arrangement that incorporates an electrically actuated locking system, an electrical actuator, and a device for manual actuation using a Bowden cable and a coupling element, allowing for joint actuation of internal and external manual actuation levers with electrical assistance.

Benefits of technology

This design enhances comfort and functionality by enabling electrically supported opening of the locking system with reduced initialization effort, while maintaining manual operation capabilities for emergencies and power failures.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock assembly (2) having an electrically actuatable locking system (5), an electric actuator (8), wherein the locking system (5) can be unlocked by means of the electric actuator (8), a device for manually actuating the locking system by means of a Bowden cable (10, 11), and a coupling element (7). The actuator (8) and the manual actuation elements (3, 4) can be coupled to the locking system (5) by means of the coupling element (7), and the outer door handle (3) and the inner door handle (4) can be coupled to the locking system (5) by means of the coupling element (7).
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Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Motor vehicle lock arrangement

[0003] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock arrangement comprising a preferably electrically actuated locking system, an electrical actuator, wherein the locking system can be unlocked by means of the actuator, a device for manually actuating the locking system, in particular an internal actuation or an external actuation or an emergency actuation, by means of a Bowden cable and a coupling element, wherein the actuator and the manual actuation can be coupled to the locking system by means of the coupling element.

[0004] To increase the comfort in today's motor vehicles, vehicles are increasingly being equipped with electrically assisted operating systems. To make getting into a vehicle easier, for example, so-called electrically operated locking systems are used. Using electrically operated locking systems, it is possible, for example, to electrically open a side door or a sliding door with the aid of a radio remote control. With electrical opening, the locking system can be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position and, at the same time, the locking mechanism in the locking system can be unlocked. Solutions are also known in which electrical unlocking is carried out directly using the opening drive.

[0005] After unlocking the locking system, the door or sliding door is released and can be opened manually and / or with electrical assistance. In addition to the electrical actuation of the locking system, additional manual actuation devices are used for the locking system. This enables the operator of the motor vehicle to manually open the component, which is movably arranged on the motor vehicle and held by the locking system, for example, using an inside or outside door handle. The described locking arrangements are known in various designs from the prior art.

[0006] An example of the use of a Bowden cable in a motor vehicle is disclosed in DE 100 46 189 B4. An interior operating device arranged inside the motor vehicle, which in this example is designed as a pivotably mounted operating lever, is connected to a door lock via a Bowden cable. When the operating device is operated, a lever pivotally mounted in the door lock is actuated by the Bowden cable core.

[0007] From DE 10 2014 118 635 A1, an electric drive for unlocking a locking system is known, in which the locking mechanism can be unlocked by different directions of movement. In one embodiment, the lock is opened exclusively by the two mutually independent directions of movement of the electric drive, which act on the pawl on the one hand and the locking means on the other. The lock is thus opened by the first direction of movement or a clockwise rotation of the output disk, which lifts the pawl from the rotary latch, and in the case of a counterclockwise rotation, the locking means or the catch hook is acted upon by means of the output disk. A further application of a Bowden cable in a motor vehicle is disclosed in EP 0 153 978 B1.The use of a Bowden cable for operating a hood lock is disclosed, wherein the Bowden cable is permanently mounted in the motor vehicle and the hood lock can be opened by means of an operating element arranged inside the motor vehicle. In addition to the pure function of opening the hood, the printed document discloses an anti-theft device arranged on the Bowden cable. The anti-theft device consists of a functional unit with an electric drive. In order to integrate the functional unit into the Bowden cable, the Bowden cable is split and provided with a clamp that is fixed to the Bowden cable core. The clamp is arranged on the Bowden cable in such a way that the Bowden cable can be operated manually in the normal state.To provide anti-theft protection, the functional unit has a roof tile-shaped element that can be placed over the Bowden cable core and next to the clamp so that the clamp can be prevented from moving.

[0008] EP 2 570 573 B1 constitutes a prior art. This document discloses a locking device for a motor vehicle, comprising an actuating lever, a lock, and a Bowden cable arranged between the actuating lever and the lock, wherein the lock can be actuated by means of the actuating lever and with the aid of the Bowden cable, and a functional unit arranged on the Bowden cable with an electric drive, wherein the lock can be actuated by means of the functional unit.

[0009] The motor vehicle lock has an electric opening drive for motor-driven lifting of the pawl. The opening drive is coupled to the pawl via a mechanical coupling. The motor vehicle lock is further equipped with a lock mechanism for manual lifting of the pawl from the outside and from the inside via an outside door handle and an inside door handle. Manual lifting of the pawl is primarily intended for emergencies, in particular in the event of a power failure. This is also referred to as mechanical redundancy. A mechanical coupling of the electric opening drive and manual lifting of the pawl is disclosed.

[0010] DE 10 2019 128 296 A1 can be regarded as the closest prior art. This document discloses a motor vehicle lock arrangement having an electrically actuated locking system, an actuator, wherein the electrical locking system can be at least unlocked by means of the actuator, a device for manually actuating the locking system, in particular an internal actuation and / or an external actuation, by means of a Bowden cable and a coupling element, wherein the electrical and manual actuation of the locking system can be coupled by means of the coupling element. The document is characterized in that the actuator can be connected to the coupling element by means of a Bowden cable. Due to this design, the locking system can be unlocked both with a manual actuation means spaced apart from the locking system and with an electrically actuated actuator.

[0011] The lock assemblies known from the prior art for opening a locking system allow the locking system to be opened manually as well as electrically, thus enabling both convenient remote control and manual operation, for example, emergency operation of a sliding door. The known motor vehicle lock assemblies reach their limits when increased functionality and increased convenience are required. This is where the invention comes in.

[0012] The object of the invention is to provide an improved motor vehicle lock assembly. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide greater electrical functionality and thus increase comfort for the operator. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a structurally simple and cost-effective solution.

[0013] The problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described below are not limiting; 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 having a preferably electrically actuated locking system, an electrical actuator, whereby the locking system can be unlocked by means of the actuator, a device for manually actuating the locking system, in particular an internal actuation or an external actuation or an emergency actuation, by means of a Bowden cable and a coupling element, whereby the actuator and the manual actuation can be coupled to the locking system by means of the coupling element and whereby the internal actuation and the external actuation can be coupled to the locking system by means of the coupling element. The design of the motor vehicle lock arrangement according to the invention now creates the possibility of providing expanded functionality in the motor vehicle lock arrangement.By incorporating the joint actuation of an interior actuation and an exterior actuation, the coupling element can provide expanded electrical functionality. If an interior actuation lever is therefore pulled in order to open an element movably arranged on the motor vehicle, for example a side door, the actuator is initialized by actuating the interior actuation lever and the Bowden cable is actuated with electrical assistance to actuate an interior actuation lever in the motor vehicle locking system. In other words, although the coupling element is actuated by means of a Bowden cable arranged between the interior door handle and the coupling element when the interior door handle is actuated, the complete actuation of the interior actuation lever in the motor vehicle locking system is carried out with electrical assistance by the actuator.In a similar manner, the exterior door handle can now also be pulled or operated in parallel, and the mechanical connection, for example, also a Bowden cable, actuates the actuator, which in turn moves an electrically assisted actuation of an exterior actuation lever in the locking system. The inventive design of the motor vehicle lock arrangement thus creates the possibility of increasing comfort for a motor vehicle operator, since only the opening or unlocking process of the locking system needs to be initiated to achieve an electrically assisted opening of the locking system.

[0015] The electrically actuated locking system is formed within the framework of the motor vehicle lock arrangement from the actuator and the locking system. The actuator preferably comprises an electric DC motor which is capable of actuating a Bowden cable, for example by means of a gear stage and / or a spindle gear. The actuator is connected to the coupling element so that the locking system can at least be unlocked via the coupling element. However, it is also conceivable for a corresponding mechanism to be arranged in the locking system so that unlocking and unlocking of the locking system is possible using the actuator.

[0016] The locking system can also be unlocked and unlocked by manually actuating an inside actuation and / or an outside actuation. An inside door handle, for example, can serve as the inside actuation and can be grasped by an operator of the motor vehicle and, for example, pivoted, whereby the Bowden cable acts on the coupling element. It is also conceivable, however, that an outside door handle, for example, is connected to the coupling element, whereby manual opening of the locking system is possible. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that an emergency actuation is provided on the motor vehicle, in which case, for example, an outside door handle can be dispensed with. In the event of a power failure, the operator can then grasp the manual emergency actuation and unlock the locking system.

[0017] The device for manually actuating the locking system is therefore formed from the inside door handle, the outside door handle or the emergency actuation. These manual actuations, in conjunction with the coupling element, make it possible to initialise the actuator and / or to open or unlock the locking system directly manually. The locking system comprises a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be fixed in one or two detent positions by the pawl. When the component which is arranged so as to be movable on the motor vehicle is closed, the locking system engages with a lock holder, as a result of which the rotary latch is pivoted or rotated. The pawl is preferably spring-loaded in the direction of the rotary latch and rests against the rotary latch. If a detent contour on the rotary latch engages with the pawl, the locking mechanism can be locked.The locking system is preferably arranged on the movable component, and the locking bolt or striker is permanently mounted, preferably on the B- or C-pillar of the vehicle. The relative movement between the locking system and the locking bolt results in a locked and thus engaged locking mechanism. Upon unlocking, the pawl is released from the rotary latch, resulting in an unlocked locking mechanism and the locking system releasing the lock holder. The pawl is actuated directly or indirectly by means of the inside or outside operating lever.

[0018] If an external operating lever or an internal operating lever of the locking system can be actuated by means of the actuator, this results in an advantageous embodiment of the invention. The actuator works together with the external operating lever or the internal operating lever via the coupling element and thus makes it possible to unlock the locking system. The actuator can be activated in various ways. On the one hand, there is the option of pulling the external door handle and thus mechanically acting on the coupling element. The actuator can be activated by mechanically actuating the coupling element and thus move the external operating lever in the locking system by means of the coupling element.However, it is also possible for a switching means to be provided on the outside door handle, wherein the switching means receives a switching signal through actuation, touch or pressing, which signal the actuator converts into an actuation of the outside operating lever via the coupling element. In a similar way, the inside operating lever can be actuated and mechanically activate the coupling element, whereby the actuator also receives a switching signal and thus moves the inside operating lever. It can also be provided for the inside operating lever to generate a switching signal, for example via a microswitch, which in turn sets the actuator in motion. As with the outside door handle, the inside operating lever can also have a switch, such as a pressure switch, which directly activates the actuator and then moves the inside operating lever via the coupling element.An adaptation of the switching logic is conceivable according to the invention depending on the equipment of the sliding door, for example with or without an auxiliary lock.

[0019] If the actuator, the outside door handle and an inside door handle can be connected to the coupling element by means of a Bowden cable, this results in an advantageous embodiment of the invention. The actuator, the outside door handle and the inside door handle are arranged at different points in, for example, a side door or a sliding door of a motor vehicle. This is advantageous because, depending on the equipment variant, for example with an airbag or retractable side window or other crash elements, there may not be enough installation space inside the motor vehicle door element to accommodate the corresponding components of the motor vehicle lock arrangement. In particular, the actuator and the coupling element must be arranged in such a way that a permanently stable connection by means of a Bowden cable is possible.Bowden cables and their casings have a limited bending radius, so that window guides, for example, have to be bypassed, particularly when connecting the outside door handle and the inside door handle. At the same time, the arrangement of the coupling element must enable almost any arrangement of the actuating elements, such as the outside door handle, inside door handle and actuator in the vehicle door element, so that the positioning of the coupling element can be appropriate to the space available and functionality. In addition, the coupling element itself has to be connected to the locking system, which in turn means that the functionality and arrangement of the Bowden cables used for this purpose must be taken into account. This can be achieved in a structurally advantageous way by using the Bowden cables between the outside door handle, the inside door handle, the actuator and the coupling element.In addition, the coupling element itself can also be connected to the locking system, i.e. the internal operating lever and the external operating lever.

[0020] It can be advantageous if the motor vehicle door arrangement is part of a sliding door. Operators expect a high degree of ease of use, particularly with sliding doors. Sliding doors are used, for example, in large vehicles that have many seats. Children, for whom a high degree of comfort is important, can often be transported in the vehicle as passengers. The passengers then only have to operate an interior operating lever to unlock the locking system and, in combination with a door drive, to open the sliding door, which significantly increases ease of use.

[0021] In a further design variant, the sliding door has a catch bearing and / or door lock and / or a secondary lock. Sliding doors are held in guides on the vehicle and are held in the closed position when closed by the interaction of the locking system and lock holder. In order to ensure that the sliding door is held securely in the case of larger sliding doors, a so-called catch bearing can be provided on the side of the sliding door opposite the locking system. The catch bearing consists of a locking mechanism, comprising a rotary latch and pawl, and also engages with another lock holder. The catch bearing thus provides an additional security system or holding device to securely hold the sliding door in the closed position on the side of the sliding door opposite the locking system.Additional functions, such as a child safety lock, are not included in the safety bearing, which is a significant difference from the locking systems found in motor vehicles. The safety bearing merely provides an additional holding or positional security feature.

[0022] In addition to the safety bearing, the sliding door can be equipped with a secondary lock. A secondary lock is used, for example, when there are high sliding doors, as may be the case on vans. The secondary lock interacts with the main lock, i.e. the locking system for securing the sliding door in the closed position. It is usual for the secondary lock to be actuated via the main lock, with an external or internal operating lever of the main lock being operatively connected to the secondary lock, for example. According to the invention, the secondary lock can also be actuated directly via the coupling element.

[0023] In addition to the safety bearing and / or secondary lock, it is also conceivable for the motor vehicle locking arrangement to be equipped with a locking lock. A locking lock holds or fixes the sliding door in an open position. The locking lock can be operated manually, for example, using the outside door handle, or electrically via the actuator.

[0024] If the locking system or main lock is located, for example, at the rear end of the sliding door in relation to the vehicle, the main lock can interact with a lock holder on the C-pillar of the body. A secondary lock would then also interact with a lock holder on the C-pillar. The catch bearing and hold lock, however, would be mounted at an end of the sliding door opposite the main lock and could each engage with a lock holder. The catch bearing is on the B-pillar when the sliding door is closed, and the door hold lock is on the C-pillar when the sliding door is open.

[0025] The catch bearing can be actuated by means of the coupling element and by means of the inside door handle and / or the outside door handle and / or the actuator. The coupling element is designed in such a way that when the inside door handle is pulled mechanically, on the one hand the inside operating lever in the locking system is unlocked and on the other hand the catch bearing is unlocked. The coupling element thus provides a mechanical coupling of the inside door handle with the actuation of the catch bearing. Advantageously, the catch bearing, like the inside door handle and the outside door handle, is connected to the coupling element via a Bowden cable. This results in a total of six connections on the coupling element, which enable mechanical or electric motor-assisted actuation of the coupling element.Thus, the inside door handle, the outside door handle, the outside operating lever, the inside operating lever, and the safety bearing are connected to the coupling element and cause a mechanical actuation of the coupling element, whereas the opening module is provided with an electric motor drive to actuate the coupling element or to enable unlocking of the locking system or the safety bearing. The coupling element therefore provides a mechanical switch between the manual actuation and the locking system or the safety bearing.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the motor vehicle lock arrangement can be equipped such that the locking system has a closing aid, in particular a closing aid connected by means of a Bowden cable. By incorporating a closing aid, the motor vehicle lock arrangement is completed in such a way that fully automatic actuation of the locking system as well as fully automatic opening and closing of the sliding door can be achieved. If the sliding door is equipped with an electric drive for movement, the locking system engages the lock holder when the sliding door is closed and, as a result of the closing movement of the sliding door, reaches at least a pre-locking position of the locking system. By means of the closing aid, the locking system can then be transferred from the pre-locking position to the main locking position and preferably to an over-stroke position, so that reliable engagement of the pawl is enabled.The sliding door's electric drive and the closing aid move the sliding door into a closed position, where the safety bearing engages with the additional lock holder. In the closed position, the sliding door is then engaged by a lock holder on both sides, thus keeping it securely in place even under extreme loads, such as an accident.

[0027] It can also be advantageous and represent an embodiment of the invention if the coupling element comprises at least one sliding element, wherein the manual and electrical actuation can be coupled by means of the sliding element. In a first simple embodiment, the coupling element comprises at least two sliding elements which are arranged between the inside door handle, the outside door handle, the inside operating lever and the outside operating lever. The opening module is connected to a sliding element for the outside door handle in such a way that when the opening module or the actuator is actuated, the outside operating lever is actuated electrically or the sliding element is actuated electrically and thus the outside operating lever is moved in the locking system.In order to enable reliable actuation of the inside operating lever and / or the outside operating lever and consequently reliable unlocking of the locking mechanism, lifting movements of the sliding element of 20 mm, preferably 30 mm and more preferably 40 mm can be provided in the sliding element. In a further embodiment of the coupling element, when a catch bearing is used, three sliding elements can be used in the coupling element. A first sliding element acts between the inside door handle and the inside operating lever, wherein the first sliding element can also be brought into engagement with a second sliding element, wherein the second sliding element is coupled to the actuator and the catch bearing. A third sliding element is arranged between the outside door handle and the outside operating lever, wherein the third sliding element in turn can be brought into engagement with the second sliding element of the actuator.In any case, the coupling element and the connection of the Bowden cables to the first sliding element, the second sliding element, and the third sliding element ensure that the locking system and the safety bearing can be mechanically unlocked by operating either the inside or outside of the door handle. This means that even in the event of a power failure, the sliding door can be opened mechanically from inside or outside the vehicle.

[0028] Advantageously, the coupling element can comprise a coupling element housing, wherein the coupling element housing is constructed in at least two parts. A two-part construction of the coupling element housing allows for simple assembly, which facilitates the connection of the Bowden cables, since the Bowden cables can also be inserted into the sliding elements subsequently, i.e. only when the coupling element is assembled. A preferably central separation of the coupling element makes it possible to insert the Bowden cable nipples of the inside door handle, the opening module, the outside door handle, the inside operating lever, the catch bearing and the outside operating lever into the sliding elements and only then to close the coupling element housing.

[0029] 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 an advantageous embodiment. The features presented can be implemented individually or in combination with other features of the description and the patent claims.

[0030] It shows:

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic view of part of a sliding door with a motor vehicle lock arrangement,

[0032] Figure 2 shows the coupling element in an initial position, such as that found with a closed sliding door,

[0033] Figure 3 shows a position of the sliding elements arranged inside the coupling element when the inside door handle is actuated,

[0034] Figure 4 shows the initial position of the coupling element after operating the inside door handle, and

[0035] Figure 5 shows the position of the sliding elements when the outside door handle or actuator is operated.

[0036] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of part of a sliding door 1 with a motor vehicle lock assembly 2 arranged inside the sliding door 1. The motor vehicle lock assembly comprises an outside door handle 3, an inside door handle 4, a locking system 5, a closing aid 6, a coupling element 7, an actuator 8, a catch bearing 9, a secondary lock 35 and a holding lock 36. The motor vehicle lock assembly 2 makes it possible to hold the sliding door 1 securely in a closed position in the motor vehicle via the catch bearing 9 and the locking system 5 and, if appropriate, a secondary lock 35. The catch bearing 9, the locking system 5 and the secondary lock 35 each work together with a lock holder on opposite sides of the sliding door 1, wherein the lock holders are mounted, for example, on a B-pillar and a C-pillar of the motor vehicle.The catch bearing 9 can engage in a lock holder on the B-pillar 37 and the locking system 5 and the auxiliary lock 35 can each engage in a lock holder on the C-pillar 38.

[0037] It can be seen in Figure 1 that the outside door handle 3, the inside door handle 4, the locking system 5, the closing drive 6, the actuator 8, the safety bearing 9 and the door lock 36 are each connected by a Bowden cable 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 39. The connection of the door lock 36 to the coupling element 7 is shown. The secondary lock 35 can be connected to the main lock 5 by means of a Bowden cable 40 or by means of a rod assembly 40. A Bowden cable 17 or a rod assembly 17 can also be seen, which is arranged directly between the inside door handle 4 and the locking system 5, wherein this Bowden cable 17 can be used, for example, to lock the door, i.e. to lock the locking system 5. Locking here means that the outside door handle 3 is deactivated; in the conventional sense, this is referred to as a central locking system.When the vehicle is locked, the exterior operating lever cannot be operated using the exterior door handle 3, thus preventing the locking mechanism from being unlocked using the exterior door handle 3. The connection of the door locking lock 36 to the coupling element 7 is shown merely as an example. Thus, the coupling element 7 would have three inputs and four outputs, allowing the door locking lock 36 to be unlocked manually and electrically, thus allowing the sliding door to be opened.

[0038] As already explained above, an electrical actuation, for example in the form of a switch 18, 19, can be provided on the outside door handle 5 as well as on the inside door handle 4, so that the actuator 8 can be switched on or actuated directly, so that an electrically assisted unlocking of the locking system 5 or of the safety bearing 9 can be initiated or carried out by the coupling element 7. For this purpose, the switches 18, 19 are each connected to control lines 20, 21, for example directly to the actuator 8, or there is, for example, a direct control line 22, 23 which connects the switches 18, 19 to, for example, a control arrangement present in the locking system 5.

[0039] A multitude of control devices are provided in motor vehicles today, so that the control lines 20, 21, 22, 23 are shown only as examples and in sections; the important thing here is that the actuator 8 is activated by actuating the switch 18, 19, so that the actuator in combination with the coupling element 7 unlocks the locking system 5 and the auxiliary lock 35 as well as the safety bearing 9 shown here. The same applies to the locking lock 36, which due to its accessibility can preferably be actuated by means of the switch 18. The closing drive 6 is directly connected to the locking system 5 and enables, as already described above, the transfer of the locking system 5 from a pre-locking position to an overtravel position or, ultimately, after the engagement of a pawl, into the

[0040] Rotary latch in the main locking position.

[0041] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the coupling element 7 in an enlarged view and in section, so that the connection of the Bowden cables 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16 in an interior 24 of the coupling element 7 to the respective sliders 25, 26, 27 can be seen. Figure 2 shows the unactuated state of the coupling element 7 and the position of the Bowden cable nipples 28, whereby for better clarity, only one Bowden cable nipple 28 is provided with a reference symbol. The Bowden cable nipples 28 can be hung or inserted into the respective recesses 30 of the sliding elements 25, 26, 27, for example, when the coupling element housing 29 is open. It should also be noted that the Bowden cables 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16 are connected to the coupling element housing via sealing connecting elements 31.The recess 30 as well as the connecting element 31 are each provided with a reference symbol only in the area of ​​the only named Bowden cable nipple 28 in order to maintain the clarity of the figure.

[0042] Figure 3 shows the position of the sliding element 25, which is set when the inside door handle 4 is mechanically actuated. The sliding element 25 is moved by means of the Bowden cable 11 in the direction of the arrow P, whereby the Bowden cables 12, 16 are simultaneously actuated, so that on the one hand the locking system 5 and on the other hand the catch bearing 9 are unlocked. There is a direct connection between the Bowden cables 11, 12, i.e. between the inside door handle 4 and the locking system 5, via the sliding element 25. The catch bearing 9 is driven indirectly via the sliding element 26 and here indirectly via a driver 32. In this exemplary embodiment, only the inside door handle 4 was mechanically actuated, so that the locking system 5 and the catch bearing 9 are also mechanically actuated. The sliding door can now be opened manually and / or with electrical assistance.

[0043] Figure 4 shows the position of the coupling element 7 after the inside door handle 4 has been moved back to its original position. The sliding element 25 returns to its original position due to the restoring forces in the locking system 5 and the catch bearing 9. The additional sliding element 26 is also moved back to its original position by the catch bearing. The return movement is symbolized by the arrow P2. The coupling element is thus back in its original position.

[0044] Figure 5 shows the position of the sliding elements 26, 27 when the outside door handle 3 or the actuator 9 has been actuated. By actuating the actuator 8 or the outside door handle 3, the sliding elements 26, 27 are displaced in the direction of the arrow P3, for example by 30 mm. Displacing the sliding elements 26, 27 causes the Bowden cables 13, 16 to be actuated, so that the locking element 5 and the catch bearing 9 are unlocked. The sliding door element can therefore be moved again, since the locking system 5 and the catch bearing 9 have released the respective lock holders.

[0045] As can be seen in Figure 5 but also in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the coupling element housing 29 is constructed in two parts, with a joint 33 being visible. The coupling element housing 29 can therefore be divided in the middle, which simplifies assembly of the motor vehicle lock arrangement overall. It should also be noted that the sliding elements 25, 26, 27 are slidably received in guide rails 34, so that a secure movement of the sliding elements 25, 26, 27 in the direction of a longitudinal extension of the coupling element 7 is possible.

[0046] List of reference symbols

[0047] 1 sliding door

[0048] 2 Motor vehicle lock arrangement

[0049] 3 outside door handle

[0050] 4 inside door handle

[0051] 5 locking system

[0052] 6 Closing aid

[0053] 7 Coupling element

[0054] 8 Actuator

[0055] 9 fishing camps

[0056] 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 39 Bowden cable

[0057] 17, 40 Bowden cable, rods

[0058] 18, 19 switches

[0059] 20, 21, 22, 23 Control line

[0060] 24 Interior of the coupling element

[0061] 25, 26, 27 Sliding element

[0062] 28 Bowden cable nipples

[0063] 29 coupling element housing

[0064] 30 recess

[0065] 31 connecting element

[0066] 32 drivers

[0067] 33 joint

[0068] 34 Guide rail

[0069] 35 secondary lock

[0070] 36 Door fixed partial lock

[0071] 37 B-pillar

[0072] 38 C-pillar

[0073] P, P2, P3 arrow

Claims

Patent claims 1. Motor vehicle lock arrangement (2) comprising a preferably electrically actuated locking system (5), an electrical actuator (8), wherein the locking system (5) can be unlocked by means of the actuator (8), a device for manually actuating the locking system (5), in particular an inside door handle (4) or an outside door handle (3) or an emergency actuation, by means of a Bowden cable (10, 11) and a coupling element (7), wherein the actuator (8) and the manual actuation (3, 4) can be coupled to the locking system (5) by means of the coupling element (7), characterized in that the inside door handle (4) and the outside door handle (3) can be coupled to the locking system (5) by means of the coupling element (7).

2. Motor vehicle lock arrangement (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that an external operating lever or an internal operating lever of the locking system (5) can be actuated by means of the actuator (8).

3. Motor vehicle lock arrangement (2) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuator (8), the outside door handle (3) and the inside door handle (4) can be connected to the coupling element (7) by means of a Bowden cable (10, 11).

4. Motor vehicle lock arrangement (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the motor vehicle lock arrangement (2) is part of a sliding door (1).

5. Motor vehicle lock arrangement (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the sliding door (1) has a catch bearing (9) and / or door locking lock (36) and / or a secondary lock (35).

6. Motor vehicle lock arrangement (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the safety bearing (9) can be actuated by means of the coupling element (7) and by means of the inside door handle (4) and / or the outside door handle (3) and / or the actuator (8).

7. Motor vehicle lock arrangement (2) according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the safety bearing (9) can be actuated by means of a Bowden cable (16).

8. Motor vehicle lock arrangement (2) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the locking system (5) is provided with a closing aid (6), in particular a closing aid (6) connected by means of a Bowden cable (14).

9. Motor vehicle lock arrangement (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the coupling element (7) comprises at least one sliding element (25, 26, 27), wherein the manual and electrical actuation can be coupled by means of the sliding element (25, 26, 27).

10. Motor vehicle lock arrangement (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the coupling element (7) comprises a coupling element housing (29) and the coupling element housing (29) is constructed in at least two parts.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • locking device for a motor vehicle door

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