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 (2, 3) substantially consisting of a rotary latch (2) and a pawl (3), and with an electromotive opening drive (4, 5, 6, 7) for the locking mechanism (2, 3). The opening drive (4, 5, 6, 7) has an electric motor (4) and at least two winding elements (6, 7) which can be acted upon by the latter and have different diameters (D1, D2) for receiving a flexible drive means (8) which can be wound thereon and unwound therefrom. The drive means (8) operates directly or indirectly on the pawl (3) in order to open the locking mechanism (2, 3). According to the invention, the two winding elements (6, 7) are mounted coaxially with respect to one another and have a connecting region (9) which couples them, with the result that the drive means (8) can be transferred from one winding element (6, 7) to the other via the connecting region (9).

Description

[0001] Kiekert AG

[0002] P23045DE

[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 pawl, and with an electromechanical opening drive for the locking mechanism, wherein the opening drive comprises an electric motor and at least two winding elements of different diameters that can be acted upon by this motor for receiving a flexible drive element that can be wound and unwound thereon, and wherein the drive element acts indirectly or directly on the pawl to open the locking mechanism.

[0007] Motor vehicle locks with electric motor opening drives are increasingly used in practice. This is due to the fact that vehicle doors equipped with these locks can be opened with particularly little effort. This is because it typically only requires activating a sensor, which then initiates the opening process. As a result, the electric motor is activated to open the previously locked lock.

[0008] Following this, the corresponding vehicle door is opened slightly relative to the vehicle body. Subsequently, a further opening can be achieved, for example with the aid of a support device, allowing an operator to grasp the door leaf through the resulting gap and swing it open manually. This usually eliminates the need for an exterior door handle, which offers aerodynamic advantages. Of course, after the described electromechanical opening of the lock, it is also conceivable that an additional opening mechanism could open the door leaf of the corresponding vehicle door. Kiekert AG

[0009] P23045DE

[0010] 2

[0011] Flexible drive devices, such as those described in DE 10 2010 041 743 A1, have long been used in connection with opening locks. In this case, however, the opening process is carried out manually by applying pressure to the flexible drive device using a handle. By using a flexible drive device, even complex structures or larger distances between the handle or the electric motor (as part of the opening drive) and the lock being actuated can be bridged and implemented.

[0012] In the generic prior art according to DE 10 2006 051 884 A1, a deflection unit, which acts on the pawl, is inserted between the two winding elements. This is intended to reduce the required installation space for the drive unit implemented at this point, while improving noise characteristics.

[0013] The state of the art has generally proven effective, but reaches its limits when, for example, large or increasing forces are required in practice to electrically disengage the locking pawl from its engagement with the rotary latch in the closed position of the locking mechanism, in conjunction with a desired opening process. Such scenarios arise, for example, when the vehicle lock and thus its locking mechanism is "frozen" or exhibits other blockages due to, for example, contamination, corrosion, etc. Functional solutions are currently lacking in these cases. This is where the invention comes in.

[0014] The invention addresses the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle lock, and in particular a motor vehicle door lock, so that the lock can be opened even under adverse conditions and when high force is required. Kiekert AG

[0015] P23045DE

[0016] 3

[0017] To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes, starting from a generic motor vehicle lock, that the two winding elements are mounted coaxially to each other and have a coupling connection area, so that the drive means can be transferred from one winding element to the other via the connection area.

[0018] The invention is based on the following findings. First, in addition to the electric motor, the opening drive has at least two winding elements that can be actuated by the electric motor. The winding elements have different diameters. Furthermore, they are capable of accommodating the flexible drive element that can be wound and unwound onto them.

[0019] The winding elements are usually designed as coaxial (cylindrical) winding drums. Furthermore, it is possible to have a winding drum closer to the electric motor with a larger diameter than the one behind it with a smaller diameter. In most cases, both winding drums are arranged coaxially on the output shaft of the electric motor.

[0020] In this configuration, one of the two winding drums can also serve as the output shaft. In this case, the output shaft of the electric motor itself functions as the winding element or winding drum. This results in a particularly cost-effective and compact design, because ultimately only one (single) winding drum needs to be attached to and mounted on the output shaft of the electric motor to implement the two winding drums. The function of the other winding drum is then taken over by the output shaft.

[0021] Furthermore, the winding drum closest to the electric motor has a larger diameter than the winding drum adjoining it with a smaller diameter. Kiekert AG

[0022] P23045DE

[0023] 4

[0024] The larger diameter winding drum allows high speeds to be transmitted from the rotating electric motor, via the output shaft and the winding drum, to the flexible drive element wound or to be wound onto it. At the same time, the force acting on the drive element and generated by the electric motor is kept low.

[0025] In contrast, when the flexible drive element is wound or unwound on the subsequent winding drum with a smaller diameter, this is associated with a significantly lower speed of the drive element. At the same time, this allows the force acting on the drive element to be increased. This can be attributed to the fact that the winding drum with the larger diameter operates at a higher peripheral speed on the flexible drive element, thus moving it "quickly".

[0026] At the same time, the force acting on the drive element is designed to be small or low because the torque provided by the output shaft or electric motor, taking into account a large lever arm, results in a comparatively small force at the drive element. Conversely, the smaller diameter of the winding drum ensures that the flexible drive element moves at a correspondingly lower peripheral speed. Since the torque provided by the electric motor via the output shaft is the same as in the previously considered case, this, in conjunction with a shorter lever arm, leads to a correspondingly greater force being available at the drive element.

[0027] Of course, it is also possible to work in such a way that the winding drums closest to the electric motor are designed with the smaller diameter compared to the subsequent winding drum with the larger diameter. Furthermore, it is within the scope of the invention to, in addition to Kiekert AG

[0028] P23045DE

[0029] To realize a third or fourth winding drum with two winding drums of different diameters.

[0030] Of particular importance is the fact that the drive element can be transferred from one winding element to the other via the connection area. This change between the two winding elements is generally achieved by a reversing direction of rotation of the electric motor that differs from the drive direction. That is to say, the electric motor generally has two directions of rotation: the drive direction and the reversing direction.

[0031] For example, the drive direction of rotation, viewed from the front, can be a clockwise movement of the output shaft and thus of the two winding elements of the electric motor, so that the different reversing direction of rotation corresponds to a counterclockwise rotation. Of course, a reverse configuration is also conceivable.

[0032] The connecting section is advantageously designed as a helical channel connecting the two winding drums. This means that the connecting section is a channel that at least partially accommodates the drive element and, due to its egg-shaped design, connects the two winding drums, bridging their different diameters. As already explained, the two winding elements are arranged together on a single shaft or output shaft of the electric motor. Furthermore, the design is usually such that one or both winding elements are equipped with a grooved channel for guiding the drive element. As with the connecting section or helical channel, the grooved channel is also designed to accommodate and guide the drive element completely or partially within it. Kiekert AG

[0033] P23045DE

[0034] 6

[0035] The invention also relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle lock, as described in claim 8. In this context, the design is such that the drive element is generally wound onto the larger-diameter winding element as a standard feature. This allows the drive element to be acted upon at high speed and with low force, ensuring rapid and virtually instantaneous opening of the lock following a desired opening operation. For this purpose, the electric motor, and thus the winding element in question, operates in the direction of rotation of the drive. The rapid lifting of the locking pawl from its engagement with the rotary latch achieved in this way directly causes the rotary latch to open with spring assistance and release a locking bolt. As a consequence, the corresponding motor vehicle door is also immediately opened.

[0036] In contrast to this standard normal operation, the design is such that if the locking mechanism fails to produce an opening signal, the drive element is wound onto the smaller diameter winding element. That is, as soon as the opening signal from the locking mechanism is absent, the smaller diameter winding element is used to accommodate the drive element. This generally involves the electric motor switching from its drive direction to the reverse direction.

[0037] That is, if no opening signal is received, the electric motor is switched from its standard drive direction to its reversing direction. The invention thus ensures that the drive element is no longer wound onto the larger diameter winding drum, but rather wound onto the smaller diameter winding element in the reversing direction. While this results in a lower overall speed of the drive element, it does so with higher force, thus preventing, for example, any blockages in the Kiekert AG, which is typically actuated by the drive element.

[0038] P23045DE

[0039] 7

[0040] The pawl can be overcome. Such blockages can occur if the pawl is frozen, cannot be moved due to contamination or corrosion, or has similar restrictions in its movement.

[0041] The opening signal from the lock is generally generated and queried in the simplest case by assigning a lock sensor to the locking pawl, which detects when the pawl is fully open. Alternatively, a rotary latch sensor can be used to detect the open position of the rotary latch. Naturally, both signals can be combined if necessary. Furthermore, the opening signal from the lock can also be derived from a door sensor or door switch, which detects a partial opening of a door leaf when the lock is open. The sensor signals described above can be evaluated by a control unit, which also controls the electric motor.

[0042] If the control unit detects that the opening signal from the lock is not being observed, even though the control unit has activated the electric motor to open the lock and the drive element is normally wound onto the larger diameter winding element in the direction of rotation, the control unit ensures that the electric motor switches from its drive direction to the opposite reversing direction. As a result, the drive element leaves the larger diameter winding element or drum and, via the connecting area that couples the two winding elements, is increasingly wound onto the smaller diameter winding element in the reversing direction.This occurs at a slower speed compared to standard operation, but with increased force, so that even a potentially blocked pawl can still be actuated to open and leave its inverted position relative to the rotary latch. This is where the main advantages lie. Kiekert AG.

[0043] P23045DE

[0044] 8

[0045] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing that illustrates only one embodiment; the drawing shows:

[0046] Fig. 1 shows the motor vehicle lock according to the invention in a basic overview and

[0047] Fig. 2 shows the object according to Fig. 1 in the area of ​​the output shaft of the electric motor in a detailed view.

[0048] The figures depict a motor vehicle lock, which in this exemplary embodiment is a motor vehicle door lock. This lock is equipped with a lock case 1, indicated in Fig. 1. A locking mechanism 2, 3, consisting essentially of a rotary latch 2 and a pawl 3, is mounted in the lock case 1. Furthermore, an electric motor opening drive 4, 5, 6, 7 is visible. The electric motor opening drive 4, 5, 6, 7 is equipped with an electric motor 4 and at least two winding elements 6, 7 of different diameters Di, D2, which can be actuated by the motor. A flexible drive element 8, which can be wound and unwound onto the winding elements 6, 7, can be accommodated.

[0049] The drive element 8, in turn, acts indirectly or directly on the pawl 3 to open the lock 2, 3. According to the exemplary embodiment, the drive element 8 is directly connected to the pawl 3. However, it is also possible that one or more gear stages (not explicitly shown) are interposed at this point, with the aid of which the drive element 8 ultimately lifts the pawl 3 from its detented engagement with the rotary latch 2 (shown in Fig. 1) in the closed state of the lock 2, 3, in order to open the lock 2, 3.

[0050] The exemplary embodiment shows that the two winding elements 6, 7 are mounted coaxially with each other. Furthermore, a Kiekert AG P23045DE

[0051] 9 The two winding elements 6, 7 are connected by a coupling connection area 9. Using the connection area 9, the drive element 8 can be transferred from one winding element 6 to the other winding element 7 or vice versa.

[0052] The changeover between the two winding elements 6, 7 via the connection area 9 is, according to the exemplary embodiment, accompanied or brought about by a switching direction UR that deviates from a drive direction AR. This will be described in more detail below. From a design perspective, it can be seen that, in the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 1, the electric motor 4 is equipped with an output shaft 5. In this exemplary embodiment, two winding elements 6, 7 of different diameters Di, D2 are mounted on the output shaft 5. It can be seen that the two winding elements 6, 7 are indeed designed as cylindrical winding drums 6, 7.

[0053] The winding drum 6 closest to the electric motor 4 has the larger diameter Di. In contrast, the subsequent winding drum 7 is equipped with the smaller diameter D2.

[0054] Comparable conditions can be observed in the modified embodiment shown in Fig. 2. There, the output shaft 5 and the winding drum 7 with the smaller diameter D2 practically merge into one another, meaning that in this case, the output shaft 5 simultaneously performs the function of the winding drum 7 with the smaller diameter D2. In either case, the connecting section 9 is designed as a helical channel connecting the two winding drums 6 and 7, thus linking the different diameters Di and D2. This is particularly evident from the front view shown on the right in Fig. 2.

[0055] Winding drum 6. This front view also shows the

[0056] Drive direction AR and reversing direction UR traced Kiekert AG

[0057] P23045DE

[0058] 10. In the exemplary embodiment, the drive direction AR corresponds to a clockwise rotation of the output shaft 5 of the electric motor 4, whereas the reversing direction UR corresponds to a counterclockwise rotation.

[0059] Figures 1 and 2 show a control unit 10, which controls the electric motor 4. The control unit 10 evaluates, among other things, the signal from a sensor 11. The sensor 11 is, for example, a switch that represents an opening signal for the locking mechanism 2, 3. The sensor / switch 11 is designed as a rotary latch sensor or rotary latch switch, which is, of course, only an example (see Figure 1). The opening signal for the locking mechanism 2, 3 can just as easily be generated as described in the introductory section.

[0060] A comparison of Figures 1 and 2 makes it clear that the two winding elements 6, 7 are not only arranged coaxially and together on the shaft or output shaft 5 of the electric motor 4, but it is also evident that one or both of these winding elements 6, 7 are equipped with a groove 12. The flexible drive element 8 is guided on the respective winding element 6, 7 by means of the groove 12. The flexible drive element 8 cannot be limited to a rope, for example, a plastic rope. In the case where the winding element 7 coincides with the output shaft 5, no groove 12 is provided in Figure 2.

[0061] The operating principle is as follows. By default, and in normal operation, the flexible drive element 8 connected to the pawl 3 is wound onto the winding element 6 with the larger diameter Di. In this exemplary embodiment, the winding element 6 in question is the winding drum 6, which is located closest to the electric motor 4 on the output shaft 5. This is, of course, only an example. In any case, at the beginning of this Kiekert AG

[0062] P23045DE

[0063] 11

[0064] During the winding process, and with the locking mechanism 2, 3 in the closed state, the drive element 8 is wound onto the end of the winding element 6 facing the connection area 9 between the two winding elements 6, 7, as shown in Fig. 1. The electric motor 4, driven by the control unit 10, ensures that the winding element 6 with diameter Di is wound in the direction of rotation AR, i.e., clockwise, as shown in the front view in the right part of Fig. 2.

[0065] The clockwise rotation of the winding element 6 results in the flexible drive element 8 being increasingly wound onto the respective winding element or the winding drum 6, guided in the groove channel 12 provided at this point. During this winding process, the drive element 8 moves from the connection area 9 towards the electric motor 4. This occurs with high speed of the drive element 8 and low force applied by the drive element 8 to actuate the pawl 3 for opening the locking mechanism 2, 3. The corresponding movement is illustrated by the left-pointing arrow AR in Fig. 2.

[0066] If, starting with this standard opening movement, the opening signal is not observed by the locking mechanism 2, 3 within a predetermined time interval, the electric motor 4 switches from the clockwise drive direction AR to the counterclockwise reversing direction UR. The relevant time interval may range from a few tens of milliseconds to a few hundred milliseconds.

[0067] That is, as soon as the control unit 10 implements a user's request to open the lock 2, 3 by energizing the electric motor 4 in its drive direction AR, the control unit 10 simultaneously monitors whether a signal from sensor 11 is present within the previously specified period or time interval (Kiekert AG P23045DE 12). The signal from sensor 11 corresponds to the opening signal from the lock 2, 3.

[0068] If this opening signal from the locking mechanism 2, 3 is absent, the drive element 8 is wound onto the winding element 7 with the smaller diameter D2. To this end, if the opening signal is absent within the aforementioned time period (less than 10 ms to several hundred ms), the control unit 10 first controls the electric motor 4 so that it no longer rotates in the drive direction AR, but rather in the opposite reversing direction UR. This causes the drive element 8 to detach from the winding element 6 with the larger diameter Di and, in contrast, to be wound increasingly counterclockwise onto the winding drum 7 with the smaller diameter D2, taking into account the reversing direction UR. This is indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 2. Prior to this, the drive element 8 has passed through the connection area 9.

[0069] As a result, the drive element 8 is subjected to a lower speed, but increased force, so that any blockages of the pawl 3 in connection with the opening process can be overcome. The progressive winding process of the drive element 8 on the winding drum 7 can be traced by the arrow UR pointing "to the right". Not shown is the possibility that the drive element 8 operates the pawl 3 via one or more gear stages, which is of course possible within the scope of the present application. Kiekert AG

[0070] P23045DE

[0071] 13

[0072] Reference symbol list

[0073] Lock case 1

[0074] Rotary trap 2

[0075] Lock 2, 3

[0076] Locking pawl 3

[0077] Electric motor 4

[0078] Opening drive 4, 5, 6, 7

[0079] Electric motor 4

[0080] Output shaft 5

[0081] Winding element 6

[0082] Winding elements 6, 7

[0083] Winding drum 7

[0084] Winding element 7

[0085] Propulsion system 8

[0086] Connection area 9

[0087] Control unit 10

[0088] Sensor 11

[0089] Groove channel 12

[0090] Propulsion system 12

[0091] Diameter Di, D2

[0092] Reversing direction of rotation UR

[0093] Drive direction of rotation AR

Claims

Kiekert AG P23045DE 14 Patent claims 1. Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism (2, 3) consisting essentially of a rotary latch (2) and a pawl (3), and with an electromechanical opening drive (4, 5, 6, 7) for the locking mechanism (2, 3), wherein the opening drive (4, 5, 6, 7) comprises an electric motor (4) and at least two winding elements (6, 7) of different diameters (Di, D2) that can be acted upon by the motor for receiving a flexible drive element (8) that can be wound onto and unwound thereon, and wherein the drive element (8) acts directly or indirectly on the pawl (3) to open the locking mechanism (2, 3), characterized in that the two winding elements (6, 7) are mounted coaxially with each other and have a connecting area (9) coupling them, so that the drive element (8) can be moved via the connecting area (9) from one winding element (6, 7) to the other. 7) can be transferred.

2. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the change between the two winding elements (6, 7) via the connection area (9) is effected by a switching direction (UR) that deviates from a drive direction of rotation (AR).

3. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two winding elements (6, 7) are designed as coaxial winding drums (6, 7).

4. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 3, characterized in that a winding drum (6) near the electric motor (4) has a larger diameter Kiekert AG P23045DE 15 (Di) is designed as the subsequent winding drum (7) with a smaller diameter (D2).

5. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the connection area (9) is designed as a helical channel connecting the two winding drums (6, 7) to each other.

6. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the two winding elements (6, 7) are arranged together on a shaft (5) of the electric motor (4).

7. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that one or both winding elements (6, 7) are equipped with a groove channel (12) for guiding the drive means (8).

8. Method for operating a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, preferably for operating a motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an opening drive (4, 5, 6, 7) with electric motor (4) and at least two winding elements (6, 7) of different diameters (Di, D2) that can be acted upon by this motor for receiving a flexible drive means (8) that can be wound onto and unwound thereon, works indirectly or directly on a pawl (3) of a locking mechanism (2, 3) consisting of a rotary latch (2) and a pawl (3) by means of the drive means (8), characterized in that the drive means (8) is transferred from one winding element (6, 7) to the other via a connecting area (9) coupling the two winding elements (6, 7) which are arranged coaxially with each other. Kiekert AG P23045DE 16 9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the drive means (8) is wound as standard on the winding element (6) of larger diameter (Di) and only when there is no opening signal from the locking mechanism (2, 3) on the winding element (7) of smaller diameter (D2).

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that, in the absence of an opening signal, the electric motor (4) is switched from its drive direction of rotation (AR) to its switching direction of rotation (UR), so that the drive means (8) is subsequently wound onto the winding element (7) of smaller diameter (D2) in the switching direction of rotation (UR).

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