Motor-vehicle lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor-vehicle lock, in particular a motor-vehicle door lock, which is equipped with a locking mechanism (4, 5) substantially comprising a rotary latch (4) and a pawl (5). An electric motor-driven opening drive (6) for the locking mechanism (4, 5) is also provided. Furthermore, an emergency actuation element (7) is provided, in particular for manual emergency release of the locking mechanism (4, 5). The emergency actuation element (7) is arranged at least partially outside a lock housing (3). Moreover, the emergency actuation element (7) acts, by means of at least one transmission element (8), preferably either directly or indirectly, on the locking mechanism (4, 5) for emergency release. According to the invention, the transmission element (8) is in the form of a flexible rotary shaft (8).

Description

[0001] Kiekert AG

[0002] P22082DE

[0003] 1

[0004] Description

[0005] Motor vehicle -Sch I oss

[0006] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and a locking pawl, furthermore with an electromechanical opening drive for the locking mechanism, and with an emergency actuating element, in particular for manual emergency opening of the locking mechanism, wherein the emergency actuating element is arranged at least partially outside a lock housing, and wherein the emergency actuating element preferably acts indirectly or directly on the locking mechanism for emergency opening by means of at least one transmission element.

[0007] Such a motor vehicle lock, and in particular a motor vehicle door lock, is described in DE 10 2021 129 562 A1, which originates from the applicant. With the help of the emergency operating element, the lock can also be opened if the electromechanical opening drive has failed. This can be explained, for example, by a vehicle battery failure or as a result of an accident.

[0008] A comparable motor vehicle lock is the subject of DE 20 2012 008 326 U1, also filed by the applicant. Here, a switching nut is implemented as a manipulation element with an actuating slot. The manipulation element is subjected to rotational force and is connected to an output element of an electric motor. This allows a corresponding motor vehicle door with an electric motor drive for a locking unit, and not an opening drive, to be manually controlled via the manipulation element to the "locked" and "unlocked" positions. Strictly speaking, an emergency operation is not implemented in this context. Kiekert AG

[0009] P22082DE

[0010] 2

[0011] The prior art typically uses a Bowden cable or an actuating rod to couple the emergency actuating element to, for example, the locking mechanism of a vehicle lock. In this way, the torque or force provided by the emergency actuating element is transferred to the vehicle lock, enabling the locking mechanism to be opened, for example, if the electric motor for opening the vehicle fails. The actuating rod is subjected to a pushing or rotating force. The Bowden cable is subjected to a pulling or pushing force. This requires specific design measures for counter-bearing to transmit the necessary torque or actuating force sufficiently. Such counter-bearing measures require specific design specifications, are often undesirable, and in any case involve increased effort. The invention aims to remedy this situation.

[0012] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle lock and in particular a motor vehicle door lock in such a way that an emergency actuating element can interact with the motor vehicle lock thereby acted upon under perfect force transmission, taking into account a structurally simple and cost-effective design.

[0013] To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes, starting from a generic motor vehicle lock, that the transmission element is designed as a flexible rotating shaft.

[0014] It should be emphasized in this context that the emergency release element is primarily used for manually opening the lock in an emergency. That is to say, other emergency operations using the emergency release element are also conceivable in connection with the described vehicle lock. For example, the Kiekert AG

[0015] P22082DE

[0016] 3

[0017] An emergency operating element can be used to activate a failed anti-theft device, similar to the previously referenced prior art according to DE 20 2012 008 326 U1. In principle, any other component inside the vehicle lock can also be actuated using the emergency operation and the emergency operating element.

[0018] This could, for example, be a switch or a sensor whose function is tested in this way using the emergency actuation element in conjunction with the transmission element. It is also conceivable that the emergency actuation element and the transmission element could be used to test any energy storage unit provided inside the lock housing.

[0019] Emergency power supply for the electric motor opening drive is carried out in the example case. In principle, even replacing an energy storage element in this way through the otherwise closed lock housing is possible and conceivable.

[0020] According to the invention, all of this is achieved by utilizing the flexible rotary shaft employed in this context. Such a flexible rotary shaft is characterized by the fact that any counter-bearings, as required for an actuating rod or a Bowden cable, are expressly unnecessary as transmission elements. Instead, a rotary movement, for example, exerted on the rotary shaft by an operator via the emergency actuating element, is directly (remotely) transmitted and can then be used inside the lock housing as torque for the previously described operations. This is all accomplished without any counter-bearings, thus fundamentally simplifying manufacturing and assembly. In principle, the rotary shaft can function entirely without an outer casing or protective covering, because, unlike a Bowden cable, for example, the casing in question is not required as a counter-bearing.Kiekert AG.

[0021] P22082DE

[0022] 4

[0023] Typically, however, the flexible rotating shaft is designed as a spiral shaft guided within a casing, for example, made of individual wires or a wire spiral. A wire spiral similar to that used in a Bowden cable can be employed, as described in principle in DE 695 06 959 T2. In this case, individual steel wires are wound spirally to form the spiral shaft in question, which, however, can usually only be operated in one direction of rotation.

[0024] However, it is also possible that the flexible rotating shaft is designed similarly to a coil spring and, in this context, is capable of transmitting rotary movements in both fundamental directions of rotation, i.e., clockwise and counterclockwise. In principle, the flexible rotating shaft could also be a longitudinally extended strand of plastic. Combinations of these are also conceivable.

[0025] In most cases, the flexible rotary shaft is connected at one end to the lock housing and at the other end to the emergency operating element. The emergency operating element itself can be advantageously designed as a nut, rotary handle, etc. If the emergency operating element is a nut, it typically has an actuating slot, allowing the operator to engage the slot with a key, screwdriver, or similar tool and rotate it. If, on the other hand, an alternative rotary handle is used as the emergency operating element, it can be equipped with external knurling to facilitate the operator's ability to apply a rotary motion.

[0026] Regarding the topological arrangement of the flexible rotary shaft, it has proven particularly advantageous if the flexible rotary shaft, including the end-end actuating element, is at least partially located in a wet area of ​​a vehicle door. This allows the desired actuating movement to be initiated via the end-end emergency actuating element in the Kiekert AG

[0027] P22082DE

[0028] 5

[0029] The emergency release mechanism can be operated from the outside, inside the lock housing. For example, the emergency release element could be recessed into an opening on the front of the vehicle door or in the area of ​​an exterior door handle. Alternatively, a mirror could be equipped with a corresponding opening, located, for instance, on the underside of the mirror housing or accessible after the mirror is folded in, thus preventing tampering.

[0030] In any case, the flexible rotary shaft used according to the invention as a transmission element from the emergency actuation element to the lock housing of the vehicle door lock ensures improved theft protection. This is essentially due to the fact that the emergency actuation element is inaccessible during normal operation and the flexible rotary shaft, as the transmission element, can hardly be manipulated or rotated from the outside without authorization. In any case, such a rotational movement is considerably more difficult to achieve than, for example, a pulling movement if a Bowden cable, as in the prior art, is used as the transmission element.

[0031] With a further advantageous embodiment, the flexible rotary shaft can be arranged in a dry compartment within the relevant vehicle door. The emergency release mechanism is then generally actuated from inside the vehicle. For this purpose, the emergency release mechanism may, for example, be recessed into an interior door panel. Of course, combinations of these configurations are also conceivable.

[0032] To enable flexible installation of the emergency release mechanism, including the flexible rotary shaft, in or on the relevant vehicle door, the flexible rotary shaft is generally guided through a partition between the wet and dry compartments by means of a seal. The seal can be located in an opening in the partition and / or in contact with the partition. Kiekert AG

[0033] P22082DE

[0034] 6

[0035] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle door equipped with the motor vehicle lock in question, and in particular a motor vehicle door lock.

[0036] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a further independent claim, which concerns the use of the flexible rotary shaft as a transmission element for coupling the emergency actuation element to the lock housing of a motor vehicle lock. The motor vehicle lock is preferably the one described above. The emergency actuation element is at least partially arranged outside the lock housing. In connection with the described use, it becomes clear once again that the flexible rotary shaft, in conjunction with the motor vehicle lock and the emergency actuation element, can fundamentally be used for any actuation movements inside the lock housing. These are generally emergency actuations that are manually triggered by a corresponding rotary movement of the emergency actuation element by an operator.According to the invention, the rotary movement of the emergency actuating element is now transmitted to the element inside the lock housing, which is thereby to be actuated manually, by means of the flexible rotary shaft as a transmission element.

[0037] The element in question, which is to be actuated, could be, for example, the locking mechanism inside the lock housing, thus enabling emergency opening of the locking mechanism. For this purpose, the flexible rotating shaft typically acts on the pawl and disengages it from the rotating latch when the locking mechanism is rusted. This allows the locking mechanism to be opened manually using the emergency release mechanism. Kiekert AG

[0038] P22082DE

[0039] 7

[0040] Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible to insert, for example, an anti-theft lever as part of an anti-theft unit via the emergency release element and the interposed flexible rotary shaft. Likewise, this method can be used to lock the device and thus actuate a locking lever if the associated electric motor for the locking lever has failed. Furthermore, a child safety lock, which is normally operated by an electric motor, can be manually actuated and activated in an emergency using this method.

[0041] Furthermore, and finally, the invention also opens up the possibility of carrying out any necessary inspection, servicing, and replacement work on the otherwise closed lock housing. The emergency energy storage unit or the inspection of a sensor inside the lock housing have already been mentioned as examples.

[0042] This means that the flexible rotary shaft used allows for a wide range of manipulations in or on the lock housing of the vehicle lock, because complex counter-bearings are unnecessary and the operation of such a flexible rotary shaft is easily accomplished by a single operator. Furthermore, manipulations of the flexible rotary shaft are more difficult compared to prior art. These are the key advantages.

[0043] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing that illustrates only one embodiment; the drawing shows:

[0044] Fig. 1 shows the motor vehicle lock according to the invention in a first variant,

[0045] Fig. 2 shows a further second embodiment and

[0046] Fig. 3 shows an additional third variant. Kiekert AG

[0047] P22082DE

[0048] 8

[0049] The figures depict a motor vehicle lock, which, according to the exemplary embodiment, is a motor vehicle door lock 1. According to the exemplary embodiment, the motor vehicle door lock 1 is located inside a motor vehicle door, and in particular a motor vehicle side door 2a, 2b, or is attached to the respective motor vehicle door or motor vehicle side door 2a, 2b. The motor vehicle door or motor vehicle side door 2a, 2b is schematically composed of an outer door panel 2a and an inner door panel 2b. Of course, it is also possible for only one of these two panels 2a, 2b to be present. The motor vehicle door lock 1 is connected to the motor vehicle door or motor vehicle side door 2a, 2b in question.

[0050] According to the exemplary embodiment, the illustrated motor vehicle door lock 1 is equipped inside a lock housing 3 with a locking mechanism 4, 5, indicated only in Fig. 1, consisting essentially of a rotary latch 4 and a locking pawl 5. Furthermore, an electromechanical opening drive 6 is located inside the lock housing 3, which, during normal operation, lifts the locking pawl 5 from its engagement with the rotary latch 4 when the locking mechanism 4, 5 is closed. This opens the locking mechanism 4, 5 electromechanically.

[0051] The basic structure also includes an emergency actuation element 7, which is arranged at least partially outside the lock housing 3. According to the exemplary embodiment, the emergency actuation element 7 operates, indirectly or directly, on the locking mechanism 4, 5 for emergency opening by means of at least one transmission element 8. In fact, according to the exemplary embodiment, and without limitation, and according to the invention, the transmission element 8 is designed as a flexible rotary shaft 8. By means of the flexible rotary shaft 8, a rotary movement exerted on the emergency actuation element 7 by an operator and indicated by an arrow can be transmitted to the locking pawl 5. Kiekert AG

[0052] P22082DE

[0053] 9

[0054] For this purpose, the flexible pivot shaft 8 is connected to the locking pawl 5 as an example and, according to the schematic representation in Fig. 1, ensures that the locking pawl 5 is pivoted about its axis indicated in Fig. 1 in a clockwise direction. This results in the locking mechanism 4, 5 being opened or, in an emergency, opened. After the locking pawl 5 is released, the spring-assisted rotary latch 4 pivots in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated there. A previously trapped locking bolt (not shown) is released, as is the vehicle door or side door 2a, 2b. This is because the locking bolt is connected to the vehicle side door 2a, 2b.

[0055] The various embodiments demonstrate that the flexible rotating shaft 8 is fundamentally designed as a spiral shaft 8b guided within a casing 8a. The spiral shaft 8b can be a wire spiral, as explained in the introduction and indicated by the sectional view in Fig. 2. In principle, the casing 8a of the flexible rotating shaft 8 is also unnecessary.

[0056] The flexible rotary shaft 8 is connected at one end to the lock housing 3. According to the exemplary embodiment, a first end piece 9 is provided for this purpose. At the other end of the rotary shaft 8, as a second end piece, is the emergency actuating element 7. The emergency actuating element 7 is itself designed as a nut, rotary handle, etc. Of course, combinations are also possible and are covered by the invention.

[0057] Figure 1 of the first embodiment shows that the flexible rotary shaft 8, including the end-end emergency actuation element 7, is at least partially located in a wet area N of the vehicle side door 2a, 2b. The variant according to Figure 2, on the other hand, shows the flexible rotary shaft 8, including the end-end emergency actuation element 7, at least partially located in a wet area N of the vehicle side door 2a, 2b. (Kiekert AG)

[0058] P22082DE

[0059] 10 partially in the drying room T. Accordingly, in the variant according to Fig. 1, the emergency actuation element 7 is actuated from outside the vehicle door or vehicle side door 2a, 2b, whereas the embodiment according to Fig. 2 depicts actuation from inside.

[0060] A similar procedure is used in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, where, as in Fig. 2, actuation is carried out from inside the vehicle door or side door 2a, 2b using the emergency actuation element 7. It can be seen that, for this purpose, the flexible rotary shaft 8 can be guided through a partition 11 between the wet chamber N and the dry chamber T by means of a seal 10. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the seal 10 is inserted into a corresponding opening in the partition 11, and the flexible rotary shaft 8 is guided through the seal 10 and the opening in the partition 11. In the illustrated variant, the partition 11 coincides with the inner door panel 2b, which is, of course, only an example.

[0061] In the variant shown in Fig. 3, an opening is also provided in the partition 11 between the wet room N and the dry room T. However, in this case, the opening is used solely for the passage of the rotary shaft 8, and the additional seal 10 ensures that the opening in the partition 11 is sealed against the lock housing 3. That is, in this case, the seal 10 is not inserted into the opening of the partition 11, but rather is located between the opening in the partition 11 for the passage of the flexible rotary shaft 8 on the one hand, and the lock housing 3 on the other. In any case, in all the illustrated embodiments according to Figs. 2 and 3, a perfect seal between the wet room N and the dry room T is achieved, even considering the fact that the flexible rotary shaft 8 passes through the partition 11 between the wet room and the dry room.

[0062] P22082DE

[0063] 11

[0064] N and the dry room T. This allows the barrier 4, 5 in the example case to be flexibly operated either from the wet room N or from the dry room T in the sense of an emergency operation.

[0065] It should be emphasized that the actuation of the locking mechanism 4, 5 using the emergency actuation element 7 and the transmission element 8, designed as a flexible rotary shaft 8, inside the lock housing 3 of the vehicle lock is only one example of many possible actuations. Other positioning movements inside the lock housing 3 can also be performed using the emergency actuation element 7, including the flexible rotary shaft as transmission element 8, as already discussed in the description. For example, it is conceivable to manually actuate and, in particular, engage an anti-theft device, a child safety device, etc., via the emergency actuation element 7 and the flexible rotary shaft 8 in the event of a failure of an electric motor drive.In principle, the emergency actuation element 7, including the flexible rotating shaft 8, can also be used to perform the previously described check of a sensor or even the replacement of an emergency energy storage element.

[0066] This means that the emergency actuation element 7, including the flexible rotary shaft 8, enables virtually "surgical interventions" inside the lock housing 3 using the flexible rotary shaft 3, through which forces and torques are transmitted into the interior of the lock housing 3. This is where the main advantages lie. Kiekert AG

[0067] P22082DE

[0068] 12

[0069] Reference symbol list

[0070] Motor vehicle door lock 1 motor vehicle side door 2a, 2b

[0071] Sheets 2a, 2b

[0072] Lock housing 3

[0073] Lock 4, 5

[0074] Rotary trap 4

[0075] Locking pawl 5

[0076] Opening drive 6

[0077] Emergency actuation element 7

[0078] Transmission element 8

[0079] Shaft 8

[0080] Case 8a

[0081] Spiral shaft 8b

[0082] End piece 9

[0083] Seal 10

[0084] Partition wall 11

[0085] Wet room N

[0086] Drying room T

Claims

Kiekert AG P22082DE 13 Patent claims 1. Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle door lock (1), with a locking mechanism (4, 5) consisting essentially of a rotary latch (4) and a locking pawl (5), furthermore with an electromechanical opening drive (6) for the locking mechanism (4, 5), and with an emergency actuating element (7) in particular for manually opening the locking mechanism (4, 5) in an emergency, wherein the emergency actuating element (7) is arranged at least partially outside a lock housing (3), and wherein the emergency actuating element (7) preferably acts indirectly or directly on the locking mechanism (4, 5) for emergency opening by means of at least one transmission element (8), characterized in that the transmission element (8) is designed as a flexible rotary shaft (8).

2. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible rotating shaft (8) is designed as a spiral shaft (8b) guided in a casing (8a), for example made of a wire spiral.

3. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flexible rotary shaft (8) is connected at one end to the lock housing (3) and at the other end to the emergency actuating element (7).

4. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 3, characterized in that the emergency actuating element (7) is designed as a nut, rotary handle, etc.

5. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the flexible rotary shaft (8) including the end-side emergency actuating element (7) is arranged at least partially in a wet room (N) of a motor vehicle door. Kiekert AG P22082DE 14 6. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the flexible rotary shaft (8) including the end-side emergency actuating element (7) is arranged at least partially in a dry room (T) of a motor vehicle door.

7. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the flexible rotary shaft (8) is guided through a partition (11) between the wet room (N) and the dry room (T) by means of at least one seal (10).

8. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 7, characterized in that the seal (10) is provided in an opening of the partition wall (11) and / or in contact with the partition wall (11).

9. Motor vehicle door, in particular motor vehicle side door (2a, 2b), with a motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Use of a flexible rotary shaft (8) as a transmission element (8) for coupling an emergency actuating element (7) to the lock housing (3) of a motor vehicle lock, wherein the emergency actuating element (7) is arranged at least partially outside the lock housing (7).

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