Locking bracket device

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking bracket device (1) of a motor vehicle body lock, having a base support (2) that has a plate-shaped bracket section (6) and a plate-shaped fastening section (3), the fastening section (3) being designed to be connected to a body component (4), and having a bracket (11) that is connected to the bracket section (6), wherein the fastening section (3) and the bracket section (6) are integrally connected to one another at one end (8) via at least one connecting section (7) such that, in an x-z cross-section, they form the legs of a U-shape or V-shape, wherein the bracket section (6) has a maximum leg length and the at least one connecting section (7) has a maximum width, the ratio between the maximum leg length and the maximum width being 1.5 or less. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle body lock and to a motor vehicle comprising a locking bracket device (1) of this type.

Description

[0001] Locking device

[0002] The invention relates to a locking device of a motor vehicle body lock, such as that used, for example, to lock a trunk lid or trunk hatch. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle body lock and a motor vehicle with such a locking device.

[0003] Locking bars of motor vehicle body locks are well-known from the prior art. They are used, in particular, to selectively unlock or lock doors, hoods, or tailgates in conjunction with corresponding hooks of a motor vehicle body lock. The aim is, on the one hand, to ensure secure locking of the motor vehicle body lock in its closing direction, while on the other hand, a certain degree of vibration damping is required. To prevent disruptive noise and to compensate for positional tolerances of the aforementioned parts, locking bars in known motor vehicle body locks are equipped with elastic elements that act as vibration-damping decoupling devices.

[0004] Such a locking bar arrangement is known from German patent applications DE 10 2019 102 391 A1, DE 10 2019 102 393 A1 and DE 10 2019 102 393 A1. However, the use of this locking bar has shown that a higher transverse stiffness than that of this locking bar would be desirable.

[0005] 25-0578 19.02.2026 It is therefore an object of the present invention to at least partially eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages. This object is achieved by a locking device according to claim 1, a motor vehicle body lock according to claim 14, and a motor vehicle according to claim 15. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the invention, a locking shackle device for a motor vehicle body lock is provided, comprising a base carrier having a plate-shaped shackle section and a plate-shaped mounting section, wherein the mounting section is configured to be connected to a body component and, in particular, its plate shape is spanned in a yz-plane, and a shackle that is connected to the shackle section, in particular in a non-destructively detachable manner, wherein the mounting section and the shackle section are each integrally, in particular monolithically, connected to one another at one end, so that in an xz-cross-section they form the legs of a U or V shape, wherein the shackle section has a maximum leg length that is measured from the outermost edge of the connecting section in the z-direction to the opposite end of the shackle section.and the at least one connecting section has a maximum width, measured between the outer ends of the at least one connecting section, wherein the ratio between the maximum leg length and the maximum width is 1.5 or less. In other words, the maximum leg length divided by the maximum width yields a ratio of 1.5 or less, in particular 1 or less.

[0007] For example, the width could be 130-140 mm and the leg length 120 mm. In the case of multiple connecting sections, the two outer ends of the outer connecting sections are relevant. This has the advantage that

[0008] 25-0578 19.02.2026 that the large width of the connecting section at the stirrup or stirrup section in relation to the leg length provides more transverse stiffness and, on the other hand, the flexibility in the x-direction can be maintained as in the state of the art.

[0009] In particular, the ratio between the maximum leg length and the maximum width is equal to or less than 1 and greater than 0.5.

[0010] According to a further embodiment of the invention, through holes are provided in the fastening section for screwing the fastening section to the body component, wherein the respective centers of the at least two through holes are located, with respect to a y-direction, outside the outer ends of the at least one connecting section and, with respect to the z-direction, no more than 3 cm away from the outermost edge of the connecting section lying in the z-direction. This ensures that the fastening section is securely attached to the body component without being able to twist or bend in the event of a transverse load.

[0011] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the bracket section has a decreasing dimension in the y-direction from its end connected to the fastening section to its opposite end. This has the advantage that, due to the wide connection in the y-direction (between the bracket section and the fastening section) and the narrowing shape towards the bracket, greater transverse stiffness can be achieved at the bracket, while, on the other hand, the flexibility in the x-direction can be maintained as in the prior art.

[0012] 25-0578 19.02.2026The same advantages are achieved according to a further embodiment of the invention, in which the bracket section, looking perpendicularly at its plate plane, is essentially triangular.

[0013] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the outer edges of the bracket section, extending from its end connected to the fastening section to its opposite end, are bent towards the fastening section, in particular at right angles. The bent outer edges make the edges stiffer and thus provide higher transverse stiffness with respect to a load on the bracket along a y-direction.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the fastening section and the shackle section form the legs of a V-shape in an xz cross-section. The shackle section extends through the V-shape in such a way that an imaginary extension of the shackle section runs essentially towards the vehicle body lock. This minimizes the path from the locking shackle assembly to the vehicle body lock. This, in turn, increases the lateral stiffness of the locking shackle assembly and the shackle itself.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the bracket is formed from a continuous metal rod which has two bracket legs, in particular parallel to each other, between which a bracket eyelet is formed, wherein the two bracket legs are attached to opposite sides of the bracket section, in particular are attached in a non-destructively detachable manner, in particular are welded on.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the bracket leg extends on the side facing the fastening section

[0017] 25-0578 19.02.2026 The metal bar of the shackle section is attached to the side of the shackle section, extending in a straight line to the shackle eye, where it continues in the same straight line at the eye and then curves away from the attachment section. This ensures that the shackle eye extends as straight as possible towards the vehicle body lock, thereby increasing the lateral stiffness of the shackle.

[0018] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the bracket extends within a plane. In particular, the bracket extends within the xz-plane.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a spring element is arranged between the end of the bracket section opposite the end connected to the fastening section and the fastening section. This spring element allows the longitudinal stiffness between the bracket section and the fastening section to be adjusted in the x-direction.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the bracket section has an opening through which a crash bar extends, which is connected to the mounting section, in particular in a non-destructively detachable manner, especially by riveting, wherein the crash bar, in a normal state, encompasses the bracket, in particular its bracket legs, without touching it. The normal state is therefore a non-crash state, i.e., normal operating and usage conditions outside of a crash situation in which the motor vehicle is subjected to an accident. In the normal state, the crash bar never comes into contact with the bracket legs, even if these move resiliently (due to the spring movement between the mounting section and the bracket section). Only in an accident, when a certain load is exceeded, does the crash bar come into contact with the bracket legs.

[0021] 25-0578 19.02.2026 Contact with the stirrup legs and prevents the stirrup or stirrup section from being torn off the fastening section.

[0022] Furthermore, the present invention provides a motor vehicle body lock with such a locking device.

[0023] Furthermore, the present invention provides a motor vehicle with such a locking device.

[0024] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings illustrate the following:

[0025] Figure 1 shows a locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 1 shows a coordinate system with an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis. These three axes are perpendicular to each other and define a rectangular coordinate system.

[0027] The locking device 1 has a base carrier 2 made of metal, for example, steel. The base carrier 2 has a mounting section 3, which is plate-shaped and whose plane is essentially spanned in the yz-plane. The mounting section 3 is designed to be attached to a body component 4, such as a trunk lid or trunk hatch. For this purpose, the mounting section 3 is provided with four through holes 5 through which screws (not shown) can be inserted, with which the mounting section 3 is screwed to the body component 4. The mounting section 3 is essentially rectangular (viewed along the x-axis).

[0028] 25-0578 19.02.2026 Furthermore, the base support 2 has a bracket section 6, which is also essentially plate-shaped. Viewed along the x-axis, the bracket section is essentially triangular. The bracket section 6 and the fastening section 3 are connected to each other via at least one connecting section 7, with two connecting sections 7 being provided in Fig. 1. The fastening section 3, the bracket section 6, and the at least one connecting section 7 are formed in one piece, in particular monolithically. In particular, the bracket section 6 and the fastening section 3 are formed by bending a sheet of metal.

[0029] In a cross-section through the base beam along an xz-plane, the fastening section 3 and the stirrup section 6 essentially form the legs of a V-shape. That is, starting from one end 8, where the connecting sections 7 are located, towards the opposite end 9, the distance (along the x-axis) between the fastening section 3 and the stirrup section 6 increases. However, a U-shape would also be conceivable.

[0030] The bracket section 6 has a maximum leg length. This is measured from the outermost edge 7a of the connecting section 7 in the z-direction to the opposite end 9 of the bracket section 6.

[0031] Furthermore, the at least one connecting section 7 has a maximum width. This is measured between the outer ends 7b of the at least one connecting section 7. In the case of multiple connecting sections, the width is measured between the outer ends 7b of the outer connecting sections. This ratio between the maximum leg length and the maximum width is 1.5 or less. In particular, the ratio between the maximum leg length and the maximum width is equal to or less than 1 and greater than 0.5.

[0032] 25-0578 19.02.2026At the edges 10 of the bracket section 6, which extend from the connected end 8 to the opposite end 9, the outer edges of the bracket section 6 are bent over so that they point towards the fastening section, in particular they are bent over at right angles.

[0033] However, the stirrup section 6 does not necessarily have to be triangular, but could also be rectangular, with diagonal edges in the form of beads or steps instead of the edges 10, in order to form stiffeners (instead of the edges, but at the position of the edges 10).

[0034] A shackle 11, which interacts with a motor vehicle body lock (not shown), is attached to the shackle section 6, in particular by welding. The motor vehicle body lock is a body lock known from the prior art, in which a hook engages the shackle 11 for locking and releases it again for unlocking. The motor vehicle body lock is, for example, provided at the edge of a trunk opening on the body of a motor vehicle.

[0035] Between the two connecting sections 7 is a free section where there is no contact or connection between the mounting section 3 and the bracket section 6. In this way, the longitudinal stiffness in the x-direction of the locking bracket device 1 or the bracket 11 can be adjusted by changing the dimension of the connecting section 7(s) in the y-direction. For example, if the dimension of the connecting sections 7 in the y-direction is larger, then a greater force is required to change the distance of the bracket 11 or the bracket section 6 from the mounting section 3. With a smaller dimension, the force is correspondingly smaller.

[0036] 25-0578 19.02.2026 The shackle 11 is made of a continuous or uninterrupted metal rod, in particular of steel, comprising two shackle legs 12 between which a shackle eye 13 is formed by appropriately shaping the metal rod. The two shackle legs 12 extend straight and parallel to each other to the shackle eye 13. The shackle legs 12 are welded to opposite sides of the shackle section 6 on the respective surfaces of the sides. In particular, the entire shackle 11 extends within an xz-plane. The shackle eye 13 is positioned such that the shackle leg 12 located closer to the fastening section 3 extends straight to the shackle eye 13, continues straight along the shackle eye, and then bends away from the fastening section 3. In this way, the shackle 11 extends...The shackle eye 13 should be as straight as possible and take the shortest path to the vehicle body lock, which increases the lateral stiffness.

[0037] An opening 14 is formed in the bracket section 6, through which a crash bar 15 extends. This crash bar 15 is U-shaped and encompasses both bracket legs 12 without touching them in a normal state, i.e., with a gap between the inside of the crash bar 15 and the outside of the bracket legs 12. Both ends of the U-shaped bar extend through the mounting section 3 and are riveted or welded to its rear side (the side facing away from the bracket section 6). The normal state is a non-crash state, i.e., normal operating and usage conditions outside of a crash event in which the motor vehicle is subjected to an accident. In the normal state, therefore, the crash bar 15 never comes into contact with the bracket legs 12, even if they are in a spring-like motion (due to the spring movement between the mounting section 3 and the bracket section 6).Only in the event of an accident when a certain load is exceeded does the crash bar 15 come into contact with the components.

[0038] 25-0578 19.02.2026Bügelgänge 12 and prevents the bracket 11 or the bracket section 6 from being torn off the fastening section 3.

[0039] A spring element 16 is arranged between the end 9 of the bracket section 6, which is opposite the end 8 connected to the fastening section 3, and the fastening section 3. This spring element 16 essentially comprises a spring rod 17, which is held by two bases 18 that are in turn attached to the fastening section 3. This spring element 16 corresponds to the spring element known from the prior art mentioned above.

[0040] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description, this illustration and description is to be understood as exemplary and not as limiting, and it is not intended to limit the invention to the disclosed embodiment. The mere fact that certain features are mentioned in various dependent claims is not intended to imply that a combination of these features could not also be used advantageously.

[0041] 25-0578 19.02.2026

Claims

Claims 1. Locking shackle device (1) of a motor vehicle body lock, with a base carrier (2) comprising a plate-shaped bracket section (6) and a plate-shaped mounting section (3), wherein the mounting section (3) is configured to be connected to a body component (4), and a bracket (11) which is connected to the bracket section (6), wherein the fastening section (3) and the bracket section (6) are each integrally connected at one end (8) via at least one connecting section (7) so that they form the legs of a U or V shape in an xz cross-section, wherein the stirrup section (6) has a maximum leg length, which is measured from the outermost z-direction edge (7a) of the connecting section (7) to the opposite end (9) of the stirrup section (6), and the at least one connecting section (7) has a maximum width, which is measured between outer ends (7b) of the at least one connecting section (7), characterized by the fact that the ratio between the maximum leg length and the maximum width is 1.5 or less.

2. Locking device (1 ) according to claim 1, wherein the ratio between the maximum leg length and the maximum width is equal to or less than 1 and greater than 0.

5.

3. Locking bracket device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein through holes (5) are provided in the fastening section (3) for screwing the fastening section (3) to the body component 25-0578 19.02.2026(4) are provided, wherein the respective centers of the at least two through holes (5), with respect to a y-direction, are outside the outer ends (7b) of the at least one connecting section (7) and, with respect to the z-direction, are no more than 3cm away from the outermost edge (7a) of the connecting section (7) lying in the z-direction.

4. Locking shackle device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shackle section (6) has a decreasing dimension in the y-direction from its end (8) connected with the fastening section (3) to its opposite end (9).

5. Locking device (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket section (6), looking perpendicularly at its plate plane, is substantially triangular.

6. Locking bracket device (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein outer edges of the bracket section (6) are bent towards the fastening section (3) at edges (10) of the bracket section (6) extending from its end (8) connected with the fastening section (8) to its opposite end (9).

7. Locking bracket device (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening section (3) and the bracket section (6) form the legs of a V-shape in an xz cross-section.

8. Locking shackle device (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shackle (11) is formed from a continuous metal rod having two shackle legs (12) between which a shackle eyelet (13) is formed, wherein the two shackle legs (12) are attached to opposite sides of the shackle section (6). 25-0578 19.02.20269. Locking shackle device (1 ) according to claim 8, wherein the shackle leg (12), which is attached to the side of the shackle section (6) facing the fastening section (3), extends in a straight line to the shackle eyelet (13), where the metal rod of the shackle (11) continues in a straight line at the shackle eyelet (13) in the same direction and then curves away from the fastening section (3).

10. Locking lever device (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lever (11) extends within a plane.

11. Locking device (1 ) according to claim 10, wherein the lock (11 ) extends within the xz-plane.

12. Locking shackle device (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a spring element (16) is arranged between the end (9) of the shackle section (6) which is opposite the end (8) connected to the fastening section (3) and the fastening section (3).

13. Locking bracket device (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket section (6) has an opening (14) through which a crash bar (15) extends which is connected to the fastening section (3), wherein the crash bar (15) in a normal state surrounds the bracket (11) without touching it.

14. Motor vehicle body lock with a locking bar device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13. 25-0578 19.02.202615. Motor vehicle with a locking device (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 13 or a motor vehicle body lock according to claim 14. 25-0578 19.02.2026

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