Closing device for a motor vehicle lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a closing device for a motor vehicle lock, in particular to a closing aid for a motor vehicle door lock. This is equipped in its basic design with an electromotive drive (4) and a lever drive (5, 6), which follows the drive (4), for pulling shut a locking mechanism (2, 3) consisting substantially of a rotary latch (2) and a pawl (3). In addition, a contactlessly operating sensor unit (8, 9) is provided for position sensing, the sensor unit (8, 9) being located on the lever drive (5, 6). According to the invention, the sensor unit (8, 9) has at least one permanent magnet (8) which is connected to the lever drive (5, 6) and interacts with a stationary Hall sensor element (9) in such a way that at least one starting or basic position of the lever drive (5, 6) can be detected.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Closing mechanism for a motor vehicle lock

[0003] The invention relates to a closing device for a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock closing aid, with an electric motor drive and a lever drive following the drive for applying a closing action to a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and pawl, and with a contactless sensor unit for position detection, wherein the sensor unit is arranged on the lever drive.

[0004] The term "motor vehicle lock" generally encompasses all motor vehicle locks in and on a motor vehicle. This includes not only motor vehicle door locks (in a preferred variant), but also motor vehicle tailgate locks, motor vehicle hood locks, motor vehicle fuel filler flap locks, etc. Generally, such closing mechanisms are used for convenience. For this purpose, the door leaf of a motor vehicle door equipped with the lock is first moved into a pre-latched or pre-closed position relative to the vehicle body. This is typically done manually. The engagement of the pre-closed position can then be detected by a sensor.

[0005] The sensor signal emitted by a sensor is evaluated by a control unit and converted into a signal by which the electric motor actuates the door leaf, pulling it closed. In this way, the door leaf is moved from the previously mentioned pre-closed position to a fully closed position, flush with the vehicle body.

[0006] To implement this in detail, the procedure described in DE 10 2018 116 285 A1 of the applicant can be such that the tightening process itself is prevented depending on a measured variable of the closing drive. For this purpose, the closing process is examined with regard to a specific deviation from a target value curve and prevented accordingly. For this purpose, a target value curve for the speed and / or current consumption of the electric drive can be stored in the control unit mentioned above.

[0007] For the proper functioning of the closing drive, or closing aid or closing device, it is essential to perform a position query using the sensor unit mentioned above. For this purpose, DE 10 2004 060 280 A1 deals with a closing aid for closing a vehicle door, which, in addition to a motorized drive, has a switching element. With the help of the switching element, a fully closed position of the corresponding door leaf can be determined by querying the closing aid located there.

[0008] The prior art, as defined in DE 10 2020 101 428 A1, involves a closing device with an electric motor drive and a lever arrangement following the drive. Furthermore, an actuating element is provided, whereby the actuating movements of the lever arrangement, or more generally the lever drive, are transmitted to the actuating element.

[0009] Furthermore, a control lever is implemented that is actuated by a relative movement between the two levers of the lever mechanism. A tactile element including a sensor is associated with the control lever. The sensor can also operate inductively and thus without contact. This enables the sensor to detect a so-called "jamming situation".

[0010] The current state of the art has proven generally effective, but still offers room for improvement insofar as such closing devices or closing aids are often reversed to a kind of starting position after the corresponding door leaf has reached its main detent or main closed position. This has the advantage that the lever drive, for example, is moved into its starting position out of engagement with the rotary latch, so that the rotary latch can subsequently be opened independently of the lever drive, and, in particular, the lever drive does not have to be swung out of the way first. This speeds up the opening process of the lock and minimizes the opening forces required. Furthermore, acoustic advantages may be observed as a result.

[0011] The invention is therefore based on the technical problem of further developing such a closing device for a motor vehicle lock in such a way that the starting position in question can be captured while taking into account a compact and cost-effective design.

[0012] To solve this technical problem, a generic closing device for a motor vehicle lock within the scope of the invention is characterized in that the sensor unit has at least one permanent magnet connected to the lever drive, which interacts with a stationary Hall sensor element in such a way that at least one starting or basic position of the lever drive can be detected.

[0013] According to the invention, the sensor unit is thus able to reliably detect at least the starting or home position of the lever drive. The starting or home position of the lever drive generally corresponds to the previously mentioned initial position, in which the lever drive is spaced apart from the locking component to be actuated, usually the rotary latch. In this spaced position of the lever drive from the locking component to be actuated (rotary latch), the electric motor drive can typically be switched off following a reversing operation.

[0014] This means that, generally, the process works as follows: in the pre-engagement position of the locking mechanism, the electric motor actuates the lever mechanism, thereby moving the locking mechanism from the pre-engagement position to the main engagement position. For this purpose, both the pre-engagement and main engagement positions are typically detected by sensors. One or more sensors can be positioned, for example, on the rotary latch to detect the transition from the pre-engagement position to the main engagement position and transmit this information to a control unit. The control unit then ensures that, after the pre-engagement position is reached, the electric motor is actuated in a pulling direction until the main engagement position is reached. The electric motor then reverses.

[0015] With the aid of the sensor unit according to the invention, the electromechanical drive can now be subjected to a reversing action until the permanent magnet connected to the lever drive generates a corresponding signal in or on the stationary Hall sensor element such that the starting or home position of the lever drive is reached. This ultimately corresponds to the initial position of the lever drive and thus of the closing mechanism. The Hall sensor element is preferably a Hall switch, but other sensor elements that utilize the Hall effect can also be used.

[0016] In this initial position, or starting / basic position of the lever mechanism, the lever is mechanically separated from the locking element (rotary latch) that was previously actuated in the closing direction. This allows the electric motor drive to be switched off during its reversing process in this initial / starting / basic position. This eliminates the need for a switch typically required in the drive motor in prior art designs. This reduces the design complexity. Furthermore, the initial position and the resulting separation of the lever from the locking element (rotary latch) ensure that a subsequent opening of the lock can be carried out smoothly, quickly, and with minimal effort, because the rotary latch is free of the lever drive. This is also particularly advantageous in terms of acoustics. These are the key benefits.With a favorable design, the lever mechanism can be divided into three distinct sections. First and foremost, there is a connection section for the electric motor drive. Secondly, there is an interaction section for interacting with the locking mechanism, and finally, an actuating section where the permanent magnet is connected to the lever mechanism. Because a permanent magnet is used, rather than an electromagnet, for example, the permanent magnet can be connected directly to the lever mechanism without any wiring. Typically, the permanent magnet is positioned on the upper side of the lever mechanism, facing the vehicle lock.Furthermore, the attachment of the permanent magnet can be made simple, quick and variable by generally attaching the permanent magnet to at least one lever of the lever mechanism, for example adhesively.

[0017] In this way, the position of the permanent magnet on the upper side of the lever can be variably set and ultimately aligned with the stationary Hall sensor element, at least in the starting or home position of the lever mechanism. For this purpose, the Hall sensor element is placed in or on a housing of the vehicle lock. In contrast, the permanent magnet, together with the lever mechanism, typically moves in a locking plane, i.e., a plane defined by or parallel to the locking mechanism consisting of the rotary latch and pawl.

[0018] Because the Hall sensor element is typically mounted in or on the housing for the vehicle lock, the housing itself, or alternatively an electrical component carrier inserted into the housing, can be used to accommodate or provide the electrical leads to the Hall sensor element. In this context, it is of course also possible for the Hall sensor element to be, or be, a component of the electrical component carrier in question. This makes its installation particularly simple and allows it to be practically integrated into the manufacturing of the electrical component carrier or, in this example, the housing cover.

[0019] Furthermore, the design is such that the aforementioned three areas essentially describe an L-shape and are, or can be, rectangular in shape. The actuating area with the permanent magnet connected to the lever mechanism determines the position of the Hall sensor element in or on the housing of the vehicle lock. As soon as the permanent magnet comes near the Hall sensor element, an electrical voltage is induced in the Hall sensor element, which corresponds to a sensor signal. This sensor signal is received by the control unit, which consequently determines the starting or home position of the lever mechanism. The control unit can then switch off the electric motor. That is, the control unit activates the electric motor drive according to signals from the stationary Hall sensor element.

[0020] Furthermore, the design is usually such that the permanent magnet, together with the lever supporting it, typically performs a predominantly linear movement from the starting or home position during a closing process. However, it is also possible for the permanent magnet, together with the lever supporting it, to perform a mostly pivoting movement from the starting or home position. Naturally, combinations of a pivoting and a linear movement are also conceivable and are covered by the invention.

[0021] Specifically, the permanent magnet could be connected to a drive pawl as part of the lever mechanism. The drive pawl is located on the front of the lever mechanism and interacts with the locking element that is actuated during the closing movement. This interaction can occur when the drive pawl engages with or engages a projection or recess in the rotary latch.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, the permanent magnet can also be connected to an actuating lever as a further component of the lever mechanism. The drive pawl and the actuating lever are usually coupled to each other via a pivot joint. However, it is also possible that the permanent magnet is connected to an auxiliary lever of the lever mechanism. This auxiliary lever can be an ejector lever and / or a locking lever.

[0023] The ejector lever can be used to interrupt the closing process. To do this, the ejector lever acts on the drive pawl and, during the closing process of the lock mechanism, lifts it from its engagement with the rotary latch, thus interrupting the closing process in an emergency. The blocking lever can be used to prevent the pawl from automatically opening, particularly in the main detent position of the lock mechanism. In this case, the lock mechanism is designed to be self-opening, and without an additional blocking lever, the pawl would automatically open due to an opening torque, which the blocking lever prevents.

[0024] Accordingly, the locking lever, as a component of the lever mechanism, can also be used to detect the starting or home position of the lever mechanism via its position, using the permanent magnet and the associated stationary Hall sensor element. Once the lever mechanism has reached its starting or home position, this position corresponds to the locking lever blocking the pawl in the main detent position (and / or the pre-detent position) of the locking mechanism. The home or starting position of the lever mechanism can also be detected using the ejector lever. As long as the ejector lever is in its unextended position, this indicates that the closing process has not been interrupted and is still in progress. Alternatively, the permanent magnet can also be connected to one of the described auxiliary levers of the lever mechanism. The permanent magnet is typically attached using an adhesive bond.In this context, it is not only possible to simply glue the permanent magnet to the top of the lever using an adhesive. Such variations are also possible when the permanent magnet is, for example, encased in plastic and the plastic casing is simultaneously injection-molded onto the lever. Furthermore, designs are conceivable in which the permanent magnet is housed in its own casing or on a positioning plate, which is then adhesively coupled to the lever. Of course, other methods of attaching the permanent magnet are also possible.

[0025] Securing the permanent magnet to the lever mechanism using an adhesive has the general advantage that the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet is practically undisturbed. This also applies when plastic components are used for securing the magnet. If metallic fasteners are used for the permanent magnet, they are preferably non-magnetic, such as aluminum. However, it is also possible to use metallic fasteners in such a way that the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet is amplified. In either case, the stationary Hall sensor element detects as soon as the lever equipped with the permanent magnet moves into its measuring range and interprets this as a signal that the lever mechanism has reached its starting or home position. In principle, other positions of the lever mechanism can also be detected in this way.The invention also allows for the use of multiple permanent magnets and, if necessary, multiple stationary Hall effect sensors to detect and monitor various positions of the lever mechanism. The result is a locking device and a vehicle lock equipped with it, which enables the detection of the starting or default position of the lever operation, and thus of the locking device as a whole, in a structurally simple manner. In this starting or default position, the electric motor drive is typically switched off after a locking operation and subsequent reversal. Simultaneously, this position provides a mechanical separation between the drive pawl, as a component of the lever mechanism, and the associated locking element, in particular the rotary latch.In comparison to a sensor-based query of the lever drive using, for example, a switch or microswitch, as is propagated in the prior art according to DE 10 2020 101 428 A1 or DE 10 2004 060 280 A1, the sensor unit according to the invention is simpler in design and particularly advantageous in terms of its functional reliability.

[0026] This is because the permanent magnet can be attached virtually anywhere on an existing lever of the lever mechanism – even retroactively. In contrast, sensing via a switch requires a raised or similar component that is either already installed or needs to be mounted. This is where the main advantages lie.

[0027] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing that illustrates only one embodiment; the drawing shows:

[0028] Figs. 1 to 3 show the inventive closing device or the motor vehicle lock equipped with the device in different functional positions and

[0029] Fig. 4 shows a modified embodiment. The figures depict a closing device for a motor vehicle lock. The motor vehicle lock in question is actually a motor vehicle door lock. This lock has a lock plate or lock case 1 in which a locking mechanism 2, 3, consisting of a rotary latch 2 and a pawl 3, is rotatably mounted. It can be seen that the rotary latch 2 has a non-restrictive detent element 2a, which is pivotably mounted on the rotary latch 2 in a plane of the locking mechanism. This reduces, in particular, the actuating forces required to open the locking mechanism 2, 3. Such detent elements are generally known; reference is made to WO 2020 / 083435 A1 of the applicant.

[0030] The basic structure also includes an electric motor drive 4, which is only indicated. With the aid of the electric motor drive 4, a pulling movement, indicated in the figures, can be exerted in the direction of the arrow on a lever or actuating lever 5 as an essential component of a lever mechanism 5, 6. The electric motor drive 4 can be arranged inside a housing 7, which is only indicated, to cover the lock case 1 and to protect the elements shown. Alternatively, the electric motor drive 4 can be mounted separately and outside the housing 7. In this case, corresponding pulling movements are transmitted to the lever 5, for example, via a Bowden cable. Such electric motor drives with a downstream Bowden cable are generally known; for example, reference is made to US 5,273,324, to name just one embodiment.

[0031] The basic structure includes a non-contact sensor unit 8, 9 for position detection of the lever drive 5, 6. The sensor unit 8, 9 is arranged on the lever drive 5, 6. According to the invention, the sensor unit 8, 9 is designed such that it has at least one permanent magnet 8 connected to the lever drive 5, 6. The permanent magnet 8 interacts with a stationary Hall sensor element 9 in such a way that at least one starting or basic position of the lever drive 5, 6 can be detected. This starting or basic position is shown in Fig. 1. This will be discussed in more detail below. The sensor unit 8, 9 can, of course, also be used to detect other positions of the lever drive 5, 6 and thus of the entire closing mechanism. Detecting multiple positions is also conceivable.Then you will usually work with several sensor units 8, 9, which is not shown.

[0032] The lever mechanism 5, 6 can be divided into three distinct areas A, B, and C. Areas A, B, and C, indicated in particular in Fig. 2, are rectangular sections that connect to one another and together form an L-shape, which is, of course, only an example. In fact, one can see a connection area A for the electric motor drive 4. Furthermore, there is an interaction area B for the interaction of the lever mechanism 5, 6 with the locking mechanism 2, 3. Finally, an actuating area C of the lever mechanism 5, 6 is implemented, in which the permanent magnet 8 is connected to the lever mechanism 5, 6, or rather, the permanent magnet 8 moves within the actuating area C, and consequently, the Hall sensor element 9, which detects the position of the permanent magnet 8, is also located within the actuating area C.

[0033] The Hall sensor element 9 may be connected to the housing 7. However, it is also possible for the Hall sensor element 9 to be located inside the housing 7, either on or attached to an electronic component carrier (not shown) or, more generally, a printed circuit board (PCB). This allows the Hall sensor element 9 to be pre-positioned on the PCB, so that after the PCB is installed in the housing 7, the position of the Hall sensor element 9 is immediately determined and predetermined.

[0034] The different embodiments show that the permanent magnet 8 is located on the upper side of the lever drive 5, 6, as seen from above the vehicle lock. The permanent magnet 8 is usually connected to at least one lever 6 of the lever drive 5, 6. The invention typically uses an adhesive connection, as already described in detail in the introduction. As explained, the lever 6 carrying the permanent magnet 8 moves within the adjustment range C. Since the Hall sensor element 9 is also located within the adjustment range C, the position of the lever 6 in question, and thus of the lever drive 5, 6 and consequently of the entire locking mechanism, can be monitored using the sensor unit 8, 9 defined in this way. This is because as soon as the permanent magnet 8 comes into contact with the Hall sensor element 9, or...When the sensor element enters its measuring range, this is detected by a control unit 10, to which the signals from the Hall sensor element 9 are transmitted. The control unit 10 then typically ensures that an electric motor, as part of the electric motor drive 4, is switched off. This typically occurs after a reversing process, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0035] It can be seen that the permanent magnet 8, together with the lever 6 supporting it, performs a predominantly linear movement from the starting or basic position shown in Fig. 1 during a closing process. This becomes clear when considering the sequence of figures 1, 2, and 3. It is also possible, in principle, that the permanent magnet 8, together with the lever 6 supporting it, performs a mostly pivoting movement from the starting or basic position shown in Fig. 1. Of course, combined linear and pivoting movements are also conceivable and are encompassed by the invention.

[0036] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the permanent magnet 8 is connected to a drive pawl 6 as part of the lever mechanism 5, 6. However, the permanent magnet 8 can also be connected to the actuating lever 5, which is also shown in Figure 4 as a variant. Here it can also be seen that, according to the invention, there is the further possibility of equipping auxiliary levers 11, 12 with the permanent magnet 8. The auxiliary levers 11, 12 are, on the one hand, a locking lever 11 and, on the other hand, an ejector lever 12. Combinations are, of course, also conceivable. The operating principle is as follows.

[0037] Starting from the initial or basic position of the lever drive 5, 6 and consequently the closing mechanism as shown in Fig. 1, the pre-lock position of the locking mechanism 2, 3, as shown in Fig. 2, can be detected by sensors. In this example, one or more additional sensors are assigned to the rotary latch 2, and their signals are transmitted to the control unit 10. When one of these sensors reports the pre-lock position of the locking mechanism 2, 3, as shown in Fig. 2, to the control unit 10, the latter then ensures that the initially unenergized electric motor, as part of the electric motor drive 4, is energized. The pre-lock position can be reached manually by a user moving a door leaf equipped with the illustrated vehicle door lock into the corresponding pre-lock position.

[0038] The energizing of the electric motor, as part of the electromechanical drive 4, causes the electromechanical drive 4 to exert a pulling motion, indicated in Fig. 1, on the actuating lever 5, as part of the lever mechanism 5, 6. This results in the lever, or actuating lever 5, pivoting counterclockwise about its central axis. The drive pawl 6 is pivotally connected to the actuating lever 5.

[0039] The counterclockwise movement of the actuating lever 5 to initiate the closing process, starting from the pre-latch position in Fig. 2, causes the drive pawl 6 to complete the previously mentioned linear movement. This corresponds to the drive pawl 6 moving "upwards" in Fig. 1. As a result, the drive pawl 6 can engage with a projection 2b on the rotary latch 2. Once this occurs, the drive pawl 6, which continues to move upwards, increasingly engages the rotary latch 2, moving it from the pre-latch position in Fig. 2 to the main latch position, as shown in Fig. 3 (and also Fig. 1). During this movement, the rotary latch 2 is pivoted counterclockwise. Now the drive pawl 6 is fully extended and the rotary latch 2 assumes its main detent position as shown in Figure 3.Previously, the locking mechanism 2, 3 can also be moved into an over-lift position.

[0040] Following this, and starting from the main detent position in Fig. 3, the electromechanical drive 4 is reversed. This corresponds to the actuating lever 5 being moved clockwise towards the start or home position according to Fig. 1. This is achieved by the reversing electromechanical drive 4, which is actuated in the direction opposite to the arrow direction according to Fig. 1. First, the assumption of the main detent position according to Fig. 3 is reported to the control unit 10 by one or more sensors (not shown) associated with the rotary latch 2. The control unit then reverses the electromechanical drive 4, causing the actuating lever 5 to pivot clockwise.

[0041] The clockwise pivoting movement of the actuating lever 5 causes the drive pawl 6 to mechanically move away from the projection 2b on the rotary latch 2. The reversing movement of the electric motor drive 4 continues until the permanent magnet 8 on the drive pawl 6 enters the measuring range of the Hall sensor element 9 and a corresponding presence signal is transmitted from the Hall sensor element 9 to the control unit 10. This signal indicates to the control unit 10 that the electric motor drive 4 has (re)entered its starting or home position as shown in Fig. 1. Consequently, the electric motor, as part of the electric motor drive 4, is switched off. The locking mechanism 2,3 remains in its main detent position until it is opened.In principle, the movement of the lever mechanism 8, 9 and the switching off of the electric motor as part of the electromechanical drive 4 can also be carried out depending on the position of the locking lever 11 or the ejector lever 12. However, this is not shown in detail.

[0042] Reference symbol list

[0043] Lock case 1 rotary latch 2 locking element 2a

[0044] Advantage 2b

[0045] Locking pawl 3

[0046] Lock 2, 3

[0047] Drive 4

[0048] Actuating lever 5

[0049] Drive pawl 6 Lever drive 5, 6 Housing 7

[0050] Permanent magnet 8

[0051] Sensor unit 8, 9 Hall sensor element 9 Control unit 10

[0052] Auxiliary levers 11, 22

[0053] Locking lever 11

[0054] Connection area A

[0055] Interaction area B

[0056] Positioning area C

Claims

Patent claims 1. A closing device for a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock closing aid, comprising an electromechanical drive (4) and a lever drive (5, 6) following the drive (4) for applying a closing action to a locking mechanism (2, 3) consisting essentially of a rotary latch (2) and a pawl (3), and comprising a contactless sensor unit (8, 9) for position detection, wherein the sensor unit (8, 9) is arranged on the lever drive (5, 6), characterized in that the sensor unit (8, 9) has at least one permanent magnet (8) connected to the lever drive (5, 6), which interacts with a stationary Hall sensor element (9) in such a way that at least one starting or basic position of the lever drive (5, 6) can be detected.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lever drive (5, 6) essentially has a connection area (A) for the electromechanical drive (4), an interaction area (B) for interaction with the locking mechanism (2, 3) and an actuating area (C), wherein the permanent magnet (8) is connected to the lever drive (5, 6) in the actuating area (C).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the permanent magnet (8) is provided on an upper side of the lever drive (5, 6) in view of the lock.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the permanent magnet (8) is attached, for example, adhesively to at least one lever (5, 6) of the lever drive (5, 6).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the permanent magnet (8) together with the lever (6) carrying it Starting from the initial or basic position, a predominantly linear movement is completed during a closing process.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the permanent magnet (8) together with the lever (6) carrying it largely completes a pivoting movement starting from the start or basic position.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the permanent magnet (8) is connected to a drive pawl (6) as part of the lever drive (5, 6).

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the permanent magnet (8) is connected to an actuating lever (5) as part of the lever drive (5, 6).

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the permanent magnet (8) is connected to an auxiliary lever of the lever drive (5, 6), for example an ejector lever (12) and / or a locking lever (11).

10. Motor vehicle lock, characterized by a closing device according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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