Motor vehicle lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle tailgate lock, which is equipped with a locking mechanism (1, 2) substantially consisting of a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (2). An electromotive opening drive (6) for the locking mechanism (1, 2) is also provided. In addition, a control unit (5) is provided which acts on the electromotive opening drive (6) and evaluates signals from a plurality of input lines (7, 8, 9). According to the invention, a first input line (7) corresponds to signals of a handle (10) which can be acted upon by a single-stroke actuation, and a second input line (8) corresponds to signals of a handle (11) which can be acted upon by a two-stroke actuation.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Motor vehicle lock

[0003] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, with a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and a pawl, further with an electromotive opening drive for the locking mechanism, and with a control unit which acts on the electromotive opening drive and evaluates signals from several input lines.

[0004] Electric motor-driven opening drives are increasingly being used for convenience, enabling them to open the locking mechanism, which essentially consists of a rotary latch and pawl. The process generally involves the electric motor-driven opening drive acting on the pawl, lifting it from its locking engagement with the rotary latch. As a result, the rotary latch can open with spring support. This releases a previously trapped locking bolt. The associated vehicle door can then be opened.

[0005] The electric motor opening drive is usually actuated by one or more sensors. These sensors generate signals which are forwarded via the input lines described above to the control unit for evaluation. In fact, one of the aforementioned sensors may be one that is assigned, for example, to an outside door handle. As soon as the outside door handle is actuated, this also applies to the sensor detecting movement of the outside door handle. The sensor signal is forwarded via the input line to the control unit, where it is evaluated, for example, to determine whether a front vehicle side door should be opened by an electric motor. In addition to such an actuation of an outside door handle, it is of course also conceivable for the sensor and consequently the input line to be assigned to an inside door handle.This interior door handle can, for example, ensure that the respective rear side door of a vehicle is opened by an electric motor. This applies at least if an optional child safety lock is in the "child-unlocked" state. However, if the "child-locked" state is observed, the control unit ensures that the electric motor does not open the locking mechanism when the interior door handle and thus the sensor are actuated.

[0006] In principle, the signal supplied via the control unit's input line can also originate from a button, a switch, or a similar actuating element. This is typically the case with a tailgate and a correspondingly designed tailgate lock. Here, it is possible to electrically open the corresponding vehicle tailgate lock using a control button located, for example, in or on the dashboard.

[0007] The opening procedure for individual vehicle locks varies from region to region. In the United States, for example, opening a tailgate or any vehicle door in general is usually linked to a so-called two-stroke operation using an inside handle or by using an interior door handle or, more generally, a control button. This can be traced back to the fact that such two-stroke operation once provided a particular increase in security. In fact, in this context, the first stroke usually unlocks the vehicle lock, whereas the second stroke opens it. This prevents unintentional single-stroke openings of the associated vehicle door, which could lead to an operator inadvertently opening the vehicle door in question while driving.This is prevented today by the fact that vehicle locks typically assume their “locked” state when a certain driving speed is exceeded.

[0008] Outside of the American region, however, such a two-stroke operation is unusual and operators expect that - especially in the case of an electrically operated motor vehicle lock - the motor vehicle door equipped with it can be opened with one (single) stroke.

[0009] Previously, the various solutions were mapped in such a way that a software distinction had to be made between two-stroke and single-stroke operation. This requires that the lock in question be equipped with the "right" software. Furthermore, different software variants are required, and overlaps, confusion, etc., along with the increased effort, cannot be ruled out.

[0010] The generic prior art according to DE 20 2006 009 247 concerns a door lock with an integrated control unit in the form of a microprocessor. An externally connectable control unit is also implemented. The control unit inside the motor vehicle lock has several signal inputs. Furthermore, an electric motor-driven opening drive is implemented, which can move a pawl of a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and pawl into a raised position to open the motor vehicle lock.

[0011] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle lock, and in particular a motor vehicle tailgate lock, in such a way that malfunctions as well as incorrect equipment during assembly are avoided while maintaining a structurally simple design. To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes that, in a generic motor vehicle lock, and in particular a motor vehicle tailgate lock, a first input line corresponds to signals from a handle that can be actuated by a single-stroke operation, and a second input line corresponds to signals from a handle that can be actuated by a double-stroke operation.

[0012] According to the invention, two input lines are deliberately implemented in hardware. Signals are transmitted to the control unit via the first input line when the motor vehicle lock is to be actuated by a single-stroke operation using an associated handle. The term "handle" is to be interpreted broadly and includes not only a door handle, for example, but also buttons, switches, etc., i.e., quite generally, manipulation elements that are actuated manually. The manual actuation of the handle corresponds to a sensor assigned to the handle generating a signal. The respective signal is transmitted to the control unit via the first or generally associated input line.

[0013] If this is a single-stroke operation, the control unit reacts to such a single-stroke operation and a corresponding signal on the first input line by interpreting this one-time signal as a permissible opening signal due to the single-stroke operation. As a result, the control unit ensures that the electromotive opening drive for opening the locking mechanism is activated and operated correctly, and consequently, the vehicle lock undergoes the desired opening in conjunction with the single-stroke operation.

[0014] According to the invention, in addition to this first input line, a further second input line is implemented, which corresponds to signals from the handle that can be actuated by a two-stroke operation. In this case, too, the term "handle" is to be interpreted broadly and ultimately encompasses any manually actuated manipulation element with which an operator indicates a desire to open a corresponding motor vehicle door. In the case of the second input line, however, it is not sufficient to manually actuate the handle in question only once. Rather, a two-stroke operation is expressly expected here as a prerequisite for an electromotive opening process. This requires that the handle in question, which interacts with the second input line, is actuated twice in succession – within a specific time interval.

[0015] Since a sensor is also assigned to the handle in this case, this results in a double signal from the sensor, which documents the underlying two-stroke operation. Only when this double actuation of the handle is observed within a time period specified by the control unit, for example, within less than five seconds and especially within less than three seconds, is this interpreted by the control unit as a permissible two-stroke operation. Only then does the control unit send a corresponding opening signal to the electromotive opening drive, ensuring that the locking mechanism is opened as desired with the help of the electromotive opening drive.

[0016] Since the invention distinguishes between the first signal line and the second signal line by hardware, confusion, software errors, etc., are eliminated from the outset. While this requires somewhat more design effort compared to the design that uses only one signal line, the gains in safety and complexity are enormous, so the additional costs are ultimately justified. These are the key advantages.

[0017] In a preferred variant, it is further provided that both input lines are each connected via a separate plug to a socket in a housing. The detailed design is such that a first socket is provided for connection to the first plug of the first input line, and a further, second, separate socket is provided for connection to the second plug of the second input line.

[0018] Both sockets can be provided together and adjacent to one another on a corresponding side of the housing. In this context, it has also proven advantageous if both sockets have a predetermined geometric arrangement, for example next to one another, one above the other, or diagonally to one another. In this way, information about the mode of operation can be easily obtained from the pin assignment of the two sockets with either the first plug or the second plug. This means that a motor vehicle lock to be equipped for the American market, for example, is only contacted via the second input line between the handle and the housing. This second input line is connected at one end to the handle in question and at its other end via its own second plug into the corresponding second socket in the housing.However, if the motor vehicle lock in question is used in the non-American market, the first input cable is used. The first input cable is again connected to the corresponding handle at one end and is equipped with the first plug at the other end, which is inserted into the first socket in the housing for contact.

[0019] In a particularly preferred variant, the first plug and the first socket, as well as the second plug and the second socket, are also compatible with each other. Furthermore, it has proven particularly advantageous if the first plug and the second socket, as well as the second plug and the first socket, are incompatible with each other. This allows any incorrect assignments to be avoided from the outset and due to the design during assembly of the motor vehicle lock.

[0020] The corresponding input line is determined by the handle installed on the vehicle. If the vehicle is intended for the non-American market, the handle is connected to the first input line. The first input line has the first connector at the opposite end, which—due to incompatibility—can only be plugged into the first socket in the housing. As a result, the control unit "knows" that a single-stroke operation, as a signal from the first input line, corresponds to the operator requesting an electrical opening of the corresponding vehicle door.

[0021] However, if the motor vehicle lock in question is installed in a vehicle intended for the American market, a corresponding handle equipped with the second signal line corresponds to this. At the other end of the second signal line is the second plug, which – due to incompatibility – cannot be plugged into the first socket, but only into the second socket. This can be achieved and implemented by appropriate external or internal geometries of, on the one hand, the first plug and the corresponding first socket, and, on the other hand, the second plug and the corresponding second socket.In this case too, the control unit “knows” that, due to the assignment of the corresponding input with only the second input line in the last example, an electromotive opening of the locking mechanism of the associated motor vehicle lock can only be brought about if the handle has been actuated by a two-stroke operation by an operator (within the specified time period).

[0022] In this way, the motor vehicle lock and the control unit, including the locking mechanism and electric motor-driven opening drive, can generally define a lock module, which, depending on the installation location and equipment variant (American / non-American), is coupled to either the relevant first input line or the second input line. In principle, it is even possible for both input lines not to be coupled to the motor vehicle lock; instead, according to an advantageous embodiment, at least one additional third input line is provided to supply the control unit.This variant is conceivable if the vehicle lock is used, for example, not as a tailgate lock, but as a side door lock, where the input line is activated not via a button on the dashboard, for example, but rather via an internal handle via the third input line, in this case, to activate the control unit. In principle, it is even conceivable that in this case, the electric motor opening drive is not used, but rather an additional, redundant mechanical opening drive.

[0023] The result is a motor vehicle lock with a particularly simple design and a foolproof installation. Depending on the handle installed in the respective motor vehicle, a clear distinction can be made between single-stroke and double-stroke operation of the handle to document the operator's opening request. Furthermore, the motor vehicle lock according to the invention can be used universally and can be installed not only as a tailgate lock with a switch as the handle and corresponding switch actuation for electrical opening, but also, in principle, as a side door lock. Even a variant as a hood lock is generally conceivable.It is also possible for the motor vehicle lock according to the invention to be opened mechanically, for example, in the event of a failure of the vehicle's battery. An optionally provided redundant mechanical opening drive can or does provide this. This represents the essential advantages. The invention is explained in more detail below using a drawing that merely represents one exemplary embodiment. The sole Figure 1 shows a schematic overview of the motor vehicle lock according to the invention.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle lock. According to the exemplary embodiment, the motor vehicle lock in question is, and not limited to, a motor vehicle tailgate lock. In principle, the motor vehicle lock in question can also be used as a motor vehicle side door lock or even as a motor vehicle hood lock. In either case, and in all cases, the motor vehicle lock shown has a locking mechanism 1, 2 consisting essentially of a rotary latch 1 and a pawl 2. The locking mechanism 1, 2 is rotatably mounted in a lock case 3, which is only indicated in Fig. 1.

[0025] The lock case 3 is accommodated in a housing 4 or represents a component of this housing 4. In the context of the exemplary embodiment, it can be seen that not only the locking mechanism 1, 2 and the lock case 3 are arranged inside the housing 4, but also a control unit 5. In principle, however, the control unit 5 can also be accommodated outside the housing 4 in a separate housing (not shown). This is illustrated by the boundary of the housing 4 indicated by dash-dotted lines. The control unit 5 acts on an electromotive opening drive 6. The electromotive opening drive 6 in turn has an electric motor (not expressly shown) which acts on the pawl 2 via, for example, a worm drive and a cam on the output side such that the pawl 2, starting from the detent position shown in Fig. 1 orIn the closed position of the locking mechanism 1, 2, it performs a counterclockwise movement around its axis, as also indicated there. This includes an opening movement of the locking mechanism 1, 2.

[0026] By lifting the pawl 2 from its engagement with the rotary latch 1 by means of the electric motor-driven opening drive 6, the rotary latch 1 is released from the pawl 2 and can then open in the clockwise direction indicated in Fig. 1. This is achieved, for example, by spring forces built up by circumferential rubber door seals. As a result, a locking bolt previously captured by the rotary latch 1 is released. The motor vehicle door equipped with the relevant motor vehicle lock can be opened.

[0027] The previously described opening process or the electrical opening of the locking mechanism 1, 2 using the electromotive opening drive 6 for the locking mechanism 1, 2 is initiated depending on corresponding control signals from the control unit 5. For this purpose, the control unit 5, according to the exemplary embodiment, evaluates signals that are fed to the control unit 5 via several input lines 7, 8, 9.

[0028] It can be seen from the illustration in Fig. 1 that two input lines

[0029] 7, 8 are mandatory, whereas a third input line 9 may be optional. In any case, all input lines 7,

[0030] 8, 9 with one end connected to an associated handle 10, 11, 12 or to a sensor 13, 14, 15 assigned to the respective handle 10, 11, 12. The respective sensor 13, 14, 15 is not limited to a switch and in particular microswitches 13, 14, 15.

[0031] The two handles 10, 11 are designed as control buttons 10, 11 in the present case and can be provided on or in a dashboard of an associated motor vehicle. Handle 12, on the other hand, is an exterior door handle that, according to the exemplary embodiment, is actuated in the clockwise direction indicated in Fig. 1 to open the associated motor vehicle door.

[0032] As soon as the two handles 10, 11 or control buttons 10, 11 are pressed, the associated sensor 13, 14 is activated and generates a signal in the corresponding input line 7, 8. A clockwise pivoting movement of the handle 12 or the external door handle implemented at this point also ensures that the associated sensor 15 generates a signal, which in this case is transmitted to the control unit 5 via the input line 9. The control unit 5 can then determine, based on the respective signal from the associated input line 7, 8, 9 and the signal sequence, whether this corresponds to a permissible opening request from an operator, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0033] In fact, according to the exemplary embodiment, a first input line 7 and a second input line 8 are implemented. The first input line 7 corresponds to signals from the associated handle 10, which can be actuated by a single-stroke operation. In contrast, a signal corresponding to a two-stroke operation of the associated handle 11 can be transmitted to the control unit 5 via the second input line 8. For this purpose, both input lines 7, 8 are each connected via their own plug 7i, 81 to a socket 72, 82 in the housing 4. In fact, the respective socket 72, 82 is located in or on the aforementioned housing 4. The first socket 72 is provided and configured for connection to the first plug 7i of the first input line 7. The further, second and separate socket 82, in contrast, is provided for connection to the further, second plug 81 of the second input line 8.Both sockets 72, 82 are located together and adjacent to one another on a matching side of the housing 4.

[0034] In fact, it can be seen from the illustration in Fig. 1 that both sockets 7i, 81 are provided on a common end face of the housing 4 according to the exemplary embodiment. Furthermore, the two sockets 7i, 81 have a predetermined geometric arrangement, namely, they are placed next to each other according to the exemplary embodiment. Thus, the pin assignment of the two sockets 72, 82 with either the first connector 7i or the second connector 81 provides information about the mode of operation, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0035] The first plug is 7i and the first socket is 72 and the second plug is

[0036] 81 and the second socket 82 are each designed to be compatible with each other. Furthermore, the design is such that the first plug 7i and the second socket 82, as well as the second plug 81 and the first socket 72, are each incompatible, ie not compatible, with each other. As a result, for example, the first plug 7i at the end of the first input line 7 can only and exclusively be inserted into the first socket 72 - and not into the second socket

[0037] 82. The same applies to the second plug 81, which can only be plugged into the second socket 82 and not into the first socket 72. This can be realized and implemented by a corresponding geometric design of the respective plugs 7i, 81 and sockets 72, 82.

[0038] As already explained, in the exemplary embodiment the housing 4 accommodates both the locking mechanism 1, 2 and the control unit 5. However, it is also conceivable for the control unit 5 to have its own housing and thus be arranged independently of the locking mechanism 1, 2 and outside the housing 4. According to the exemplary embodiment and within the scope of a particularly preferred variant of the invention, however, the locking mechanism 1, 2 including the lock case 3, the electromotive opening drive 6 and the control unit 5 arranged in the housing 4 together define a lock module 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, which can be used universally in the motor vehicle, for example not only as a tailgate lock as in the exemplary embodiment, but also as a side door lock or even a front hood lock.

[0039] In addition to the first and second input lines 7, 8, at least the aforementioned third input line 9 is also provided. The third input line 9 is again coupled at one end to a sensor 15 and has an associated plug 9i at the other end. The plug 9i can in turn only be plugged into an associated socket 92 in or on the housing 4 and is incompatible with the other sockets 72, 82. Compatibility can, of course, be permitted if required. Finally, in Fig. 1, a redundant mechanical opening drive 16, 17 is provided in addition to the electromotive opening drive 6. This has a handle 17, which

[0040] Interposition of a flexible or rigid mechanical

[0041] Connecting means 16 can act on the pawl 2 to release it from its engagement with the rotary latch 1. The mechanical opening drive 16, 17 is usually used when a vehicle-side energy source for operating the electric motor opening drive 6 has failed.

[0042] It functions as follows. If the motor vehicle lock described above and shown in Fig. 1 is installed in a car for the non-American market, the first handle 10 is implemented in the respective motor vehicle, which operates on the associated first sensor 13 when actuated. The first signal line 7 is connected to the first sensor 13. At its other end, opposite the sensor or switch 13, the first signal line 7 has the first plug 7i. This first plug 7i can only be plugged into the associated first socket 72 in or on the housing 4. In contrast, in this case the second socket 82 remains free.

[0043] As a result, the control unit 5 "knows" that signals are being transmitted via the first signal line 7 and the first socket 72, which signals (must) correspond to a single-stroke actuation of the handle 10. As soon as such a single-stroke actuation is detected by the control unit 5, which generally corresponds to the sensor 13 being actuated once via the operating button 10 implemented at this point, this is interpreted by the control unit 5 as a permissible opening signal from an operator. The control unit 5 then actuates the electromotive opening drive 6, causing it to lift the pawl 2 from its latching engagement with the rotary latch 1 in the main locking state of the locking mechanism 1, 2 shown in Fig. 1.

[0044] If, on the other hand, the motor vehicle lock in question is installed in a motor vehicle for the American market, then in this case the handle or second handle 11 is present in the motor vehicle. The same applies to the second sensor 14 and the second input line 8 connected to it. The second input line 8 can now simply be plugged into the second socket 82 on the housing 4 with its second plug 81 provided at the other end. In contrast, the first socket 72 remains free in this case. As a result of this, the control unit 5 once again “knows” that in this case a two-stroke actuation and a corresponding signal must be present at the second socket 82 in order to initiate a permissible electromotive opening process. That is to sayOnly if an operator in this case actuates the second handle 11 twice within the specified time period, and thus two signals from the sensor 14 reach the control unit 5 via the second signal line 8, does the control unit 5 interpret this as a permissible two-stroke actuation and thus a permissible opening request on the part of the operator. This again leads to the electromotive opening drive 6 being actuated via the control unit 5 in order to open the locking mechanism 1, 2.

[0045] List of reference symbols

[0046] Lock module 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

[0047] Rotary latch 1

[0048] Pawl 2

[0049] Lock case 3

[0050] Housing 4

[0051] Control unit 5

[0052] Opening drive 6

[0053] Bushings 7i, 81

[0054] Sockets 72, 82

[0055] Input lines 7, 8, 9

[0056] Connector 9i

[0057] Socket 92

[0058] Handle 10, 11 , 12

[0059] Control buttons 11 , 12

[0060] Sensors 13, 14, 15

[0061] Opening drive 16, 17

Claims

Patent claims 1. Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle tailgate lock, with a locking mechanism (1, 2) essentially consisting of a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (2), furthermore with an electromotive opening drive (6) for the locking mechanism (1, 2), and with a control unit (5) which acts on the electromotive opening drive (6) and evaluates signals from a plurality of input lines (7, 8, 9), characterized in that a first input line (7) corresponds to signals from a handle (10) which can be actuated by a single-stroke actuation and a second input line (8) corresponds to signals from a handle (11) which can be actuated by a two-stroke actuation.

2. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that both input lines (7, 8) are each connected via a separate plug (7i, 81) to a socket (72, 82) in a housing (4).

3. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 2, characterized in that a first socket (72) is provided for connection to the first plug (7i) of the first input line (7) and a further second and separate socket (82) is provided for connection to the second plug (81) of the second input line (8).

4. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 3, characterized in that both bushings (72, 82) are provided together and adjacent to one another on a corresponding side of the housing (4).

5. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 4, characterized in that both sockets (72, 82) have a predetermined geometric arrangement, for example next to one another, one above the other or diagonally to one another, so that the pin assignment of the two sockets (72, 82) with either the first plug (7i) or the second plug (81) provides information about the mode of operation.

6. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the first plug (7i) and the first socket (72) and the second plug (81) and the second socket (82) are each compatible with each other.

7. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the first plug (7i) and the second socket (82) as well as the second plug (81) and the first socket (72) are incompatible with each other.

8. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the housing (4) accommodates both the locking mechanism (1, 2) and the control unit (5) in its interior.

9. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that in addition to the first input line (7) and the second input line (8), at least one further third input line (9) is provided for supplying the control unit (5).

10. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in addition to the electromotive opening drive (6) a redundant mechanical opening drive (16, 17) is provided.

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