Closing aid for a motor vehicle lock and motor vehicle lock with closing aid

Abstract

The invention relates to a closing aid (11) for a motor vehicle lock (1), comprising: a locking mechanism (2) having a rotary latch (3, 3') and at least one locking pawl (4), wherein the rotary latch (3, 3') can be latched in a preliminary latching position and a main latching position by means of the locking pawl (4); and an electrically actuatable, movable drive pawl (16), wherein the rotary latch (3, 3') can be moved from a preliminary latching position into a main latching position by means of the drive pawl (16) and at least part of the drive pawl (6) can be guided by means of a control cam (18), wherein a load can be applied to the drive pawl (16) with an opening moment (Fv) when engaged with the rotary latch (3, 3').

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Pulling aid for a motor vehicle lock and motor vehicle lock with pulling aid

[0003] The invention relates to a puller for a motor vehicle lock comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be locked in a pre-latch and a main latch position by means of the pawl, an electrically actuated, movable drive pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be moved from a pre-latch position to a main latch position by means of the drive pawl and the drive pawl can be guided at least partially by means of a control cam.

[0004] The demands placed on modern motor vehicles, and especially the demands on user comfort, are constantly increasing. One goal of the automotive industry is to make closing movable components on the vehicle, such as hatches or doors, as easy as possible for the operator. The functionality and features of the vehicle's locking mechanism play a crucial role in this.

[0005] The automotive locks according to the invention contain a locking mechanism. A locking mechanism consists of a rotary latch and a pawl, which, in conjunction with a lock holder (usually fixed in place), can be moved into a latched position. Consequently, if an open locking mechanism is moved relative to a lock holder, the rotary latch moves into a closing position and is finally locked in a closed or latching position by means of the pawl. Locks are available with one or two latching positions, i.e., a pre-latching position and a main latching position, and there are locking mechanisms equipped with one, two, or more pawls to achieve one or two latching positions within the locking mechanism. The locking behavior is generally differentiated into manual and electrically assisted operation.

[0006] The rotary latch and pawl form the locking mechanism. For example, when an open side door of a motor vehicle is closed, a catch arm of the rotary latch, as part of the rotary latch's engagement jaw, first engages with the lock holder, which is attached, for example, to a B-pillar of the motor vehicle. The relative movement of the door to the lock holder pivots the rotary latch, causing a spring-loaded pawl with, for example, a detent on the rotary latch to engage. When the detent is reached, only a slight preload is applied to the rotary latch.

[0007] When the door is fully closed, two different mechanisms can be used. Firstly, the door can be closed manually by moving the door element beyond the pre-latch position into a closed position, closing the door against a door seal. This movement is sufficient to pivot the rotary latch far enough for the locking pawl to engage in the main latch position. The contact areas between the locking pawl and the rotary latch in the latch positions are usually made of metal, which can result in a metallic noise. A buffer on the rotary latch, and in particular a buffer formed by a plastic casing on the rotary latch, can reduce this noise.

[0008] Alternatively, the locking mechanism can be moved from the pre-locking position to the main locking position using a pulling aid. For this purpose, an electric drive mechanism, in particular a lever mechanism, engages the rotary latch and moves the rotary latch from the main locking position into an overtravel position, so that the pawl can engage.

[0009] When a vehicle lock is unlocked electrically or manually, meaning the locking pawl is moved out of the engagement area with the rotary latch, high forces are exerted on the rotary latch. The force acting on the locking pawl from the rotary latch results, on the one hand, from a rotary latch spring, which is spring-loaded in the opening direction, and on the other hand, from the force acting on the rotary latch from the vehicle door seal. The force from the door seal is significantly greater than the force from the rotary latch spring. When the locking pawl is moved out of the engagement area with the rotary latch, which is usually done using a release lever, a snapping noise occurs precisely at the moment the locking pawl leaves the rotary latch. There are approaches to simplify unlocking the lock and to enable or simplify electric opening.

[0010] To enable simple and easy electric or manual opening of the lock, a detent element was incorporated into the engagement area between the rotary latch and the pawl, as described in EP 3 870 786 B1. The detent element is pivotally mounted in the rotary latch, with both the detent element and the pawl being concentric to their respective bearing points within their engagement area, thus allowing a rolling motion between the detent element and the pawl. This design of the lock enables easy and simple opening with minimal force. When the lock is opened, the detent element pivots sufficiently to generate an opening moment within the lock, resulting in its automatic opening.An opening moment in the engagement area with the rotary trap leads to a situation where, when the blockage of the pawl is lifted, an independent opening occurs in the locking mechanism.

[0011] A closing aid for a lock of the type mentioned above is known from publication WO 2010 / 142280 Al. The closing aid comprises a drive unit that moves the rotary latch from the pre-latch position to the fully latched position by motor power, thus fully closing an associated door or flap. The drive unit includes a closing latch, called a pull bar, which is movable by the motor. During closing, the closing latch rests against a bolt of the rotary latch, so that the rotary latch can be rotated from the pre-latch position to the fully latched position by motorized movement of the closing latch. The closing latch is then moved back to its initial position. Once the closing latch has reached its initial position, the lock can be opened again. Moving the closing latch back to its initial position takes time. The castle cannot be opened during this time.It is therefore known from EP 3 445 933 B1 that the locking pawl is moved out of the engagement area with the rotary latch immediately after the locking process. The printed document discloses a locking aid for a motor vehicle lock with a rotary latch which can be locked by at least one pawl in a pre-latching position and in a main latching position in order to move the rotary latch from the pre-latching position to the main latching position by motor power, wherein the locking aid comprises a movable locking pawl for locking by motor power and wherein the locking pawl can be moved from an initial position to an end position along a first path for locking, wherein the return movement of the locking pawl from the end position to the initial position occurs along a second path. The lock can therefore be opened again immediately after the locking process is completed.

[0012] The solutions known from the prior art have generally proven effective and offer good approaches, but are in need of improvement. In particular, the use of electric motors to operate the lock functions depends on the ease of operation of the functional elements. This is where the invention comes in.

[0013] The object of the invention is to provide easy and safe operation of the lock functions, which, moreover, requires a small number of components and enables a space-saving design. This object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described below are not limiting; rather, any number of variations of the features described in the description and the dependent claims are possible.

[0014] According to claim 1, the object of the invention is achieved by providing a closing aid for a motor vehicle lock, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be locked in a pre-latch and a main latch position by means of the pawl, an electrically actuated, movable drive pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be moved from a pre-latch position to a main latch position by means of the drive pawl, and the drive pawl can be guided at least partially by means of a control cam, and wherein the drive pawl can be subjected to an opening torque when engaged with the rotary latch. The inventive design of the motor vehicle lock with closing aid now makes it possible to easily release the drive pawl or closing pawl from the engagement area with the rotary latch.If the rotary latch is moved into a pre-latch position during the closing process and then, by means of the drive pawl, transferred from the pre-latch position to the overtravel and finally the main latch position, the drive pawl is in a pre-engaged position throughout the entire closing process. Pre-engaged in this context means that the drive pawl is subjected to an opening moment when engaged with the rotary latch. An opening moment means that the drive pawl experiences a moment due to the force between the rotary latch and the drive pawl, which points in a direction that moves the drive pawl out of engagement with the rotary latch. This also includes a neutral moment, that is, a force vector that passes through the central axis of the drive pawl.In other words, the drive pawl experiences a force vector during the closing process that causes an opening tendency, meaning the drive pawl releases from the engagement area with the rotary latch. This is particularly advantageous because, if the closing process is interrupted, and especially under very high forces such as those occurring in an overtravel position of the rotary latch, the drive pawl can easily release from the engagement area with the rotary latch.

[0015] To keep the drive pawl securely engaged with the rotary latch during the closing process, the drive pawl is guided, at least in part, by a control cam. The control cam thus provides a counterforce, which can also be described as a holding force for the drive pawl. The control cam guides the drive pawl in such a way that it remains securely engaged with the rotary latch throughout the entire closing process. Very high forces are at work during closing, as the door, flap, or sliding door must be moved into the closed position against the force of the seal. The moving component must not only be moved into the main detent position, but also beyond it into an overtravel to ensure that the locking pawl engages securely and automatically into the main detent position.The drive pawl must therefore overcome the closing force against the door or flap seal over a small radius while engaging the rotary latch. High forces thus act between the drive pawl and the rotary latch. The control cam, on the other hand, which holds the drive pawl in engagement with the rotary latch, only has to absorb a holding or supporting force. This supporting force results from the opening moment acting on the drive pawl. The holding or supporting force is many times less than the closing force. The control cam therefore only has to absorb minimal holding forces.

[0016] When the invention refers to a motor vehicle lock, this includes motor vehicle locks that are used, for example, in side doors, sliding doors, flaps, hoods and / or covers, wherever pivotally or slidably mounted components are arranged on the motor vehicle. It is also conceivable that the motor vehicle lock is arranged in the backrest of a seat or is used as a floor lock for a removable seat, to name just a few application examples.

[0017] The vehicle lock has a locking mechanism comprising a rotary latch and at least one pawl. Preferably, at least one pawl is arranged in the same plane as the rotary latch and is capable, in conjunction with the lock holder, of locking the rotary latch in a specific position. When the locking mechanism is open, the entry jaw of the rotary latch points towards the lock holder, and a relative movement between the lock holder and the rotary latch causes the rotary latch to pivot. The pawl is generally biased towards the rotary latch so that, upon reaching a detent position, the pawl engages with the rotary latch or the detent element.

[0018] To unlock the lock, a release lever is used, the release lever interacting with the lock and preferably with the pawl in such a way that the locked lock can be unlocked by moving the release lever. The release lever is, for example, pivotally mounted in the vehicle lock and capable of moving at least one pawl out of the engagement area with the rotary latch. Systems with one, two, or even three pawls are used. For example, it is conceivable that the pre-lock position is provided with a separate pawl, with the pawl interacting with another pawl in the main lock position, the second pawl being held in engagement with the rotary latch by a third pawl, which can also be called a blocking lever or locking lever.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism according to the invention has a pre-latching pawl which is arranged in a parallel plane within the vehicle lock. The pre-latching pawl can be mounted on an axis of the main locking pawl, so that only one axis is required for the pivotable mounting of the pre-latching pawl and the main locking pawl. The pre-latching pawl can preferably be engaged by a contour on or a bolt on the rotary latch to achieve a pre-latching position of the locking mechanism.

[0020] The vehicle lock constructed according to the invention is particularly suitable for an electrically operated vehicle lock. As already explained in the introduction, an electrically operated vehicle lock is unlocked by means of an electric drive, preferably an electric motor with a downstream gearbox. It can therefore be unlocked particularly easily because only small forces act between the rotary latch and the pawl during the unlocking process. There is no immediate tearing, i.e., a release of the pawl from the detent element, but rather the pawl first rolls on the detent element, which reduces the force, in particular the sealing force acting on the rotary latch of, for example, a tailgate, so that there is a low surface pressure between the detent element and the pawl when the pawl releases from the detent element.Furthermore, the ability to set a high locking ratio results in lower overall surface pressures between the locking pawl and the detent element. The vehicle lock according to the invention is therefore particularly suitable for electrical unlocking of the locking mechanism, so that an electrically operated lock, a so-called e-lock, can advantageously be provided.

[0021] When the door, flap, or sliding door closes, the locking mechanism engages with the latch. The rotary latch has an engagement area, also known as a fork opening, which consists of a catch arm and a load arm. The latch first engages with the catch arm and pivots the rotary latch until the locking pawl engages in a pre-latch or main latch position. In the main latch position, a high load acts on the rotary latch, preferably generated by a seal on the door or flap. A rotary latch spring, which additionally applies force to the rotary latch in the opening direction, also generates a force, but this is much less than the sealing force acting on the rotary latch in the opening direction. In the locked state, and especially in the main locking position of the locking mechanism, the load arm of the rotary latch is engaged with the lock holder.The load or force that develops between the lock pin and the rotary latch then acts on the load arm of the rotary latch. The force on the load arm, the distance of the lock pin's engagement point on the load arm, and the distance of this engagement point on the load arm to the axis of the rotary latch constitute the measure for calculating the locking ratio. The increasing force, which manifests as a torque in the rotary latch, is counteracted by the pawl. The pawl provides the opposing force and, relative to the distance between the pawl's engagement point and the axis of the rotary latch, the corresponding counter-torque for holding the lock pin in the vehicle lock.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control cam is movably mounted in the vehicle lock. The drive pawl can be guided, at least partially, by means of the control cam. Thus, in a position where the drive pawl is neither engaged with the rotary latch nor acted upon by a closing mechanism, the drive pawl can be guided by the control cam or held in a starting position such that the drive pawl is free of play or virtually free of play. If the control cam is movably mounted in the vehicle lock according to the invention, the drive pawl itself can guide the control cam. Depending on the position of the control cam, whether in an unactuated or actuated position, the control cam thus performs a different function.On the one hand, the control cam serves to control and stabilize the position of the drive pawl, and on the other hand, the control cam serves to guide a lever carrying the control cam.

[0023] If the drive pawl can be held in engagement with the rotary latch by means of the control cam, a further embodiment of the invention results. The control cam is preferably pivotally mounted in the vehicle lock. If the drive pawl is now moved by means of an actuating lever, the drive pawl engages with the rotary latch under the guidance of the control cam. If the lever with the integrated control cam is itself guided or spring-loaded, the drive pawl can be held against the rotary latch by means of the lever. For this purpose, the lever integrated with the control cam has a blocking function and can therefore be called a blocking lever. By means of the blocking lever, the drive pawl is held in engagement with the rotary latch. This is advantageous because, according to the invention, an opening torque acts on the drive pawl.The locking lever acts as a counterforce against the opening torque and keeps the drive pawl engaged with the rotary latch. It can also be advantageous if the drive pawl is held in engagement with the rotary latch during the closing process by means of the control cam. The closing process is carried out via an actuating lever, which can also be pivotably mounted within the vehicle lock. The actuating lever can be driven, for example, by a motor and a downstream gearbox, or by an external motor that acts on the actuating lever via a Bowden cable. The drive pawl is, in turn, pivotably mounted on the actuating lever, which is pivotally mounted within the vehicle.If the actuating lever is now subjected to a force and pivoted, the drive pawl engages with the rotary latch via the guide over the control cam, which at this time is in a pre-locking position.

[0024] The control cam is designed such that the drive pawl remains continuously engaged with the rotary latch during the closing process. A force acts on the control cam, for example, a spring-loaded locking lever, thus holding the drive pawl in engagement with the rotary latch. If the control cam is part of a locking lever, a further embodiment of the invention can be achieved. The drive pawl is brought into engagement with the rotary latch by means of the control cam. The control cam guides the lever, which is pivotally mounted on the actuating lever, or the drive pawl itself, towards the rotary latch. If the control cam is now part of a locking lever, the drive pawl can be securely held in contact with the rotary latch by means of the locking lever. The locking lever itself is spring-loaded and / or can, in turn, be held in the locked position by means of a control mechanism.The blocking lever and control cam form a single component, which in turn is pivotally mounted in the vehicle lock.

[0025] It can also be advantageous if the drive pawl can be guided, at least partially, by a housing part of the vehicle lock. The drive pawl is guided, at least partially, by the control cam on the locking lever. It can also be advantageous if the drive pawl can additionally be guided by at least a part of a housing within the vehicle lock. The vehicle lock has at least one housing shell and one housing cover, but can also be multi-part. The housing of the vehicle lock is preferably made of plastic and preferably manufactured as an injection-molded part. This makes it easy to form a control contour or guide track in the plastic housing of the vehicle lock. The drive pawl can, for example, be held in a starting position between the control contour of the locking lever and a guide in the housing.This allows for a clear and secure positioning of the drive pawl in the vehicle lock. The guide in the housing can therefore serve as a pivot limiter for the drive pawl.

[0026] In another embodiment, the control cam is at least partially operatively connected to the pawl. The interaction between the pawl and the control cam, and thus the interaction between the pawl and the drive pawl, advantageously influences the unlocking and locking of the locking mechanism. To lock the locking mechanism, the pawl engages in the detent positions. During the transition from the pre-detent to the main detent, the pawl is spring-loaded against the circumference of the rotary latch. When the rotary latch reaches the overtravel position, the pawl can engage the detent of the rotary latch.If the operator requests that the lock be unlocked during the closing process or immediately after reaching the overtravel position, the rotary latch can be released immediately and completely by the combined movement of the locking pawl, i.e., unlocking the lock, and a movement of the drive pawl.

[0027] During the closing process, the drive pawl rests against the rotary latch. If, during unlocking, a release lever is actuated and the locking pawl is disengaged from the rotary latch, and simultaneously the control cam is moved via the blocking lever in such a way that the drive pawl is also moved out of engagement with the rotary latch, then the rotary latch can be released immediately. This demonstrates an advantage of the inventive design of the vehicle lock or the closing aid, namely that the drive pawl, which rests against the rotary latch, can be easily moved out of engagement with the rotary latch. The opening torque acting on the drive pawl assists in this process. The control cam, or...The locking lever serves only as a locking or holding mechanism. Once the locking lever releases the holding function, the drive pawl is easily and automatically moved out of the engagement area with the rotary latch. A further embodiment of the invention arises if the drive pawl can be guided by the locking lever and the locking lever can be engaged by a release lever. Like the locking pawl, the release lever can also be engaged by the locking lever. The release lever is usually pivoted and can be manually or electrically driven. In electrically unlockable locks, so-called e-locks, the release lever is usually driven indirectly. The release lever moves the locking pawl out of the engagement with the rotary latch.If the release lever moves both the pawl and the locking lever, the drive pawl can then be released from its engagement with the rotary latch. It is also conceivable that the release lever and the pawl are rigidly connected; one could say that the release lever and the pawl are integrally formed. The pawl can be manufactured, at least partially and in its load-bearing areas, from a metallic material, since both the pawl and the rotary latch form the load-bearing components of the vehicle lock, whereas a release mechanism only needs to initiate the unlocking movement. The release lever can also be made partially from a metallic material or entirely from a metallic or plastic material. A permanent connection between the release lever and the pawl can be achieved, for example, through a positive locking mechanism.

[0028] If the drive pawl has a stepped pin, which can be engaged with the control cam and / or the guide track, this results in a structurally advantageous embodiment of the invention. A key aspect of the simple design is that the actuating lever and the drive pawl are arranged at least substantially in the same plane, whereas the locking lever can be arranged in a plane above the drive pawl. If the drive pawl interacts with the locking lever via a stepped pin attached to the drive pawl, a structurally simple and advantageous arrangement of the locking lever in the vehicle lock can be achieved. In particular, the locking lever, with its integrated control cam, can be engaged simultaneously with the release lever and / or the locking pawl.For example, an engagement contour for the blocking lever may also be present on the release lever and / or the locking pawl.

[0029] In each case, the inventive design of the pull-out aid for the vehicle lock, or the vehicle lock with the integrated pull-out aid, allows for easy release of the pull-out aid from the engagement with the rotary latch. The opening torque between the rotary latch and the drive pawl makes it possible to easily move the drive pawl out of the engagement with the rotary latch.

[0030] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and a preferred embodiment. However, it is important to note that the embodiment does not limit the invention but merely represents an advantageous configuration. The features shown can be implemented individually or in combination with other features described in the description and claims.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a top view of a motor vehicle lock with a closing aid designed according to the invention in an open position of the lock,

[0032] Fig. 2 shows the locking mechanism in a pre-locking position, with the drive pawl shown in engagement with the rotary latch,

[0033] Fig. 3 shows the locking mechanism in an overtravel position with the closing aid fully engaged.

[0034] Fig. 4 shows an unlocking process of the lock during the operation of the closing aid, and

[0035] Fig. 5 shows the opening of the lock after actuating the release lever or the locking pawl.

[0036] Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle lock 1 constructed according to the invention in a top view of a locking mechanism 2 with a rotary latch 3 and a pawl 4. The pawl 4 can be actuated by means of a release lever 5. A lock holder 7 is shown in the entry jaw 6 of the rotary latch 3, which comes into contact with a catch arm 8 of the rotary latch 3 when there is relative movement between the motor vehicle lock 1 and the lock holder 7. The rotary latch 3 and the pawl 4 are each pivotally mounted about an axis 9, 10 in the motor vehicle lock and preferably in a metallic lock case.

[0037] In this embodiment, the pull-out aid 11 is actuated via a Bowden cable 12 and an external drive 13. The Bowden cable 12 engages with an actuating lever 14, which in turn is pivotable about an axis 15 within the vehicle lock 1 and preferably within the lock case of the vehicle lock 1. The actuating lever 14 carries the drive pawl, which is also mounted on the actuating lever 14 via a pivot axis 17. A stepped pin 17 is attached to the drive pawl and engages with a control cam 18 and a housing contour 19.

[0038] The control cam 18 is part of a blocking lever 20. The blocking lever 20 is pivotably mounted in the vehicle lock 1 about an axis 21. In this unactuated state of the puller 11, the stepped pin 17, via the control cam 18 and the housing contour 19, holds the blocking lever at a distance from the pawl 4 or the release lever 5. However, as can be clearly seen in Figure 1, an upper end 22 of the blocking lever 20 extends along the rotary latch 3 so that engagement with the pawl 4 or the release lever 5 is possible.

[0039] Figure 1 shows a relative movement between the lock holder and the locking mechanism 2, whereby the lock holder 7 engages the rotary latch 3 and the rotary latch pivots clockwise. The pawl 4 rests against the rotary latch 3 under spring bias and can engage with a pre-detent (not shown). In the rest position, the drive pawl is held by the stepped pin 17 on the drive pawl 16 in the position between the control contour 18 and the fixed contour 19 in the housing by means of a spring bias of the blocking lever. The blocking lever 20 is biased clockwise by means of a leg spring.

[0040] Figure 2 shows the locking mechanism and part of the closing mechanism 12, 14, 16 detached from the vehicle lock 1. The relative movement between the lock holder 7 and the rotary latch 3 moves the locking mechanism 2 into a pre-locking position, as shown in Figure 2. When the closing process is initiated by applying a force F to the actuating lever via the electric drive 13, the actuating lever 14 pivots counterclockwise around the axis 15. This pivoting of the actuating lever 14 causes the stepped pin 17 to engage the drive pawl 16 with the rotary latch 3 via the control cam 18. For this purpose, an engagement contour 23 is arranged on the rotary latch 3, which is more clearly visible in Figure 3. The engagement of the locking pawl 4 in the pre-locking position simultaneously causes the blocking lever 20 to come into contact with the release lever 5.For this purpose, a cylindrical extension 24 is formed on the release lever 5, which engages with the upper end 22 of the locking lever 20. As can be clearly seen in Figure 2, the locking lever is now in contact with the stepped pin 17 on one side and with the extension 24 on the other. The stepped pin is held by the control contour 18 and the engagement with the engagement contour 23 of the rotary latch 3, thus blocking the position of the drive pawl 16. In other words, the locking lever 20 holds the drive pawl 16 in engagement with the rotary latch 3. Although there is an opening moment in the area between the engagement contour 23 and the drive pawl 16, a counterforce is generated by the blocking lever 20, which keeps the drive pawl 16 engaged with the rotary latch.

[0041] The movement of the rotary latch 3 into an overtravel position is shown in Figure 3. As can be clearly seen, the blocking lever 20 continues to hold the drive pawl 16 in engagement with the rotary latch, with the blocking lever 20 being held between the extension 24 of the release lever 5 and the control contour 18.

[0042] If, during the closing process and, for example, in the overtravel position, an opening or unlocking signal is sent to the vehicle lock 1, a force F2 is exerted on the release lever 5, causing the release lever 5 and the locking pawl 4 to disengage from the blocking lever 20 and the rotary latch 3. This unlocking of the lock is shown in Figure 4. The blocking lever 20 is released at its upper end 22, thus eliminating the counterforce on the drive pawl 16. Since the drive pawl 16 is equipped with an opening torque, it moves out of engagement with the rotary latch 3. An example force vector Fv is shown in Figure 4. The force vector Fv causes an opening moment around axis 17, which causes the blocking lever 20 to move around axis 21.The force vector Fv is much greater than the spring force acting on the locking lever 20 due to the force acting on the rotary latch 3 in the overtravel position, so that on the one hand the drive pawl 16 and on the other hand the locking lever 20 are pivoted counterclockwise around the axes 17 and 21 respectively.

[0043] Figure 5 shows the release of the rotary latch 3 after the locking mechanism has been unlocked. The locking lever 20 has been pivoted around the axis 21 in the direction of arrow P, and the drive pawl 16 has disengaged from the rotary latch. The rotary latch is shown here in two different positions: once in the overtravel position as rotary latch 3 and once in the release position of rotary latch 3'. The locking lever 20 rests against the release lever 5, thus allowing the drive pawl 16 to be moved back to the initial position shown in Figure 1 along the control contour 18 after the actuating lever has been reset in the direction of arrow P2.

[0044] Due to the inventive design of the closing aid as part of the motor vehicle lock 1, the locking mechanism can be easily unlocked and the closing process interrupted at any point during closing. Only minimal force is required, as only the locking pawl 4 or the release lever 5 needs to be actuated, and the counterforce on the drive pawl is released via the blocking lever 20. Thus, the closing process can be interrupted with minimal force. Reference numeral list

[0045] 1 motor vehicle lock

[0046] 2 locks

[0047] 3, 3 ' Rotary Trap

[0048] 4 locking pawls

[0049] 5 release levers

[0050] 6 Inlet mouth

[0051] 7 lock holders

[0052] 8 grasping arm

[0053] 9, 10, 15, 17, 21 axis

[0054] 21 Pull-out aid

[0055] 12 Bowden cable

[0056] 13 Drive

[0057] 14 operating levers

[0058] 16 drive pawl

[0059] 17 Step mandrel

[0060] 18 Control curve

[0061] 19 Gehaus ekontur

[0062] 20 locking levers

[0063] 22 upper end

[0064] 23 Intervention contour

[0065] 24 extension

[0066] F, F2 force

[0067] Fv force vector

[0068] P, P2 arrow

Claims

Patent claims 1. A closing aid (11) for a motor vehicle lock (1) comprising a locking mechanism (2) with a rotary latch (3, 3') and at least one pawl (4), wherein the rotary latch (3, 3') can be locked in a pre-latching and a main latching position by means of the pawl (4), an electrically actuated, movable drive pawl (16), wherein the rotary latch (3, 3') can be moved from a pre-latching position to a main latching position by means of the drive pawl (16), and the drive pawl (16) can be guided at least partially by means of a control cam (18), characterized in that the drive pawl (16) can be subjected to an opening moment (Fv) when engaged with the rotary latch (3, 3').

2. Closing aid (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control cam (18) is movably mounted in the motor vehicle lock (1).

3. Closing aid (11) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive pawl (16) can be kept in engagement with the rotary latch (3) by means of the control cam (18).

4. Closing aid (11) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the drive pawl (18) is held in engagement with the rotary latch (3, 3') during the closing process by means of the control cam (18).

5. Closing aid (11) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control cam (18) is part of a blocking lever (20).

6. Closing aid (11) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the drive pawl (18) can be guided at least partially by means of a housing part (19) of the motor vehicle lock (1).

7. Closing aid (11) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control cam (18) is at least partially in operative contact with the locking pawl (4) and / or the release lever (5).

8. Closing aid (11) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the drive pawl (16) can be guided by means of the blocking lever (20) and the blocking lever (20) can be engaged with a release lever (5) and / or the locking pawl (4).

9. Closing aid (11) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the release lever (5) can be formed integrally with the locking pawl (4).

10. Pulling aid (11) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the drive pawl (16) has a stepped mandrel (17) and the stepped mandrel (17) can be brought into engagement with the control cam (18) and / or the housing contour (19).

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