Motor vehicle lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular an electrically actuatable side door or tailgate lock, having a locking mechanism (1) with a rotary latch (2), a first pawl (3) for latching the rotary latch (2) in a preliminary latching position and a main latching position, a second pawl (5) for latching the first pawl (3) in the main latching position, and a release lever (17) for unlocking the locking mechanism (1) from the preliminary latching position and the main latching position, wherein the first and second pawl (3, 5) can be actuated independently of one another by means of the release lever (17).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Vehicle lock

[0003] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a side door or tailgate lock, comprising a lock with a rotary latch, a first locking pawl for locking the rotary latch in a pre-latch and a main latch position and a second locking pawl for locking the first locking pawl in the main latch position, and a release lever for unlocking the lock at the pre-latch and main latch positions.

[0004] The demands placed on modern motor vehicles, and especially the demands on safety and ease of use, are constantly increasing. One goal of automotive industry developers is to provide easy-to-open, highly secure locking systems for doors, hatches, and hoods. The locking mechanism within the vehicle's lock has a decisive influence on the opening sound and feel when opening a door or hatch.

[0005] A locking mechanism consists of a rotary latch and at least one pawl, which, in conjunction with a usually stationary lock holder, can be moved into a detent position. Consequently, if an open locking mechanism is moved relative to a lock holder, the rotary latch moves into a closed position and is finally locked in a closed or detent position by means of the pawl. There are locking mechanisms with one or two detent positions, that is, a pre-detent position and a main detent position, and there are locking mechanisms equipped with one, two, or more pawls to achieve one or two detent positions within the locking mechanism.

[0006] The lock holder typically interacts with the locking mechanism of the vehicle lock, particularly a vehicle door lock. The lock holder and the vehicle door lock generally define the vehicle door closure. In conjunction with the locking mechanism in the vehicle door lock, the lock holder ensures the secure and reliable closure of the corresponding vehicle door or a movable part of the vehicle. For this purpose, the lock holder is usually attached to a vehicle body, for example, a B- or C-pillar. The vehicle door lock, on the other hand, is located in the vehicle door itself. However, the reverse is also possible.

[0007] Due to its primary locking function, a vehicle's locking mechanism is a particularly safety-relevant component, which is also subject to significant stresses, especially in an accident. Safety functions are multifaceted. On the one hand, the locking system must withstand high forces in an accident to ensure that the moving component remains closed, and on the other hand, ease of use must be maintained. Thus, the locking system is subjected to high stresses while simultaneously ensuring comfortable operation of the vehicle as a whole. Comfort is defined by the locking or unlocking sound, and safety-related functions also play a crucial role in the development of locking systems.To influence the closing noise and the forces involved in opening a lock, so-called double-latch locks were developed. One such double-latch lock is disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2007 003 948 A1. Disclosed is a lock unit with a rotary latch, a first pawl with a pawl pivot axis, and a blocking lever, in which, when the lock unit is locked, the rotary latch introduces a pivoting torque into the first pawl. The first pawl is fixed by means of the blocking lever, and a second pawl is provided, which is mounted on the pawl pivot axis and can be engaged with the blocking lever and the rotary latch.

[0008] The key feature of this locking mechanism is that the first pawl is subjected to an opening torque by the rotary latch and in conjunction with the rotary latch. An opening torque occurs when, due to the force of the rotary latch and the pawl's engagement with the rotary latch, the pawl is forced out of its engagement with the rotary latch. This creates an opening torque in the first pawl. The locking lever counteracts this opening torque. In other words, the locking lever secures the detent position of the first pawl. As is easily understood, to open the locking mechanism, only the holding force of the locking lever needs to be overcome. Slight movement of the locking lever increases ease of use and can also positively influence the opening sound.

[0009] A further development, also originating from the applicant, describes the double-pawl locking mechanism in such a way that the pawl is arranged in the same plane in both the pre-latching and the main latching positions. In the main latching position, there is an opening moment, so that the position of the pawl is secured by means of a blocking lever. In the pre-latching position, however, there is a closing moment, so that the locking mechanism is held in the latching position solely by the engagement between the rotary latch and the pawl.

[0010] Continuing this development, DE 10 2010 003 483 Al assigns an actuating lever to the self-opening lock, which can interact in a dual function with both the blocking lever and the first pawl. As in the aforementioned prior art, an opening torque is present in the main locking position, which is secured in the main locking position by the blocking lever. If the blocking lever is now moved by means of the release lever, and the main locking pawl does not open automatically due to the opening torque (which can be prevented, for example, by contamination, distortion, or damage such as in an accident), a force can be exerted on the first pawl by means of the release lever to open the lock.

[0011] The object of the invention is to provide an improved motor vehicle lock. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a motor vehicle lock that is easy to open, quiet and designed to withstand high forces.

[0012] To solve this problem, a lock for a motor vehicle, in particular an electrically operated lock for a side or tailgate, is provided, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch, a first pawl for locking the rotary latch in a pre-latch and a main latch position, and a second pawl for locking the first pawl in the main latch position, a release lever for unlocking the lock from the pre-latch and main latch positions, wherein the first and second pawls can be actuated independently of each other by means of the release lever. This is advantageous and makes it possible to achieve a compact design of the lock while simultaneously providing a high level of user comfort. Since the second pawl serves to latch the first pawl, this second pawl can also be referred to as a blocking lever in the context of further development. The blocking lever, or...The second locking pawl secures the position of the first locking pawl in a main detent position. In the main detent position, a moment exists within the locking mechanism that disengages the locking pawl from the rotary latch. The second locking pawl, or rather the blocking lever, then secures the detent position of the first locking pawl. The release lever serves to unlock the locking mechanism in both the pre-detent position and the main detent position. The pre-detent position is a position of the locking mechanism in which, for example, a side door is only partially, but not fully, closed. This pre-detent position is legally required for side doors. As explained above, the opening moment in the main detent position allows for easy and therefore convenient opening of the locking mechanism.To move the locking mechanism out of the main detent position, the second locking pawl is disengaged from the first locking pawl by means of the release lever, and a lock catch held in the rotary latch can be released. When referring to a motor vehicle lock according to the invention, synonyms such as locking device, lock, or door lock are used interchangeably. The term "motor vehicle lock" also encompasses locks used in doors, sliding doors, flaps, and / or covers of motor vehicles—in short, wherever components arranged in a pivoting or sliding manner on the motor vehicle need to be securely held in their position. Preferably, but not exclusively, the motor vehicle lock according to the invention relates to a side door. Such motor vehicle locks comprise a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and at least one locking pawl.

[0013] The rotary latch has a forked opening. This opening accommodates a lock catch, latch bolt, or pin, and in conjunction with the rotary latch, locking pawl, and lock catch, ensures secure locking of the vehicle. When open, for example, a side door, the rotary latch is positioned so that part of the forked opening engages with the lock catch. As the door closes, this part of the rotary latch engages with the lock catch, allowing the latch to rotate around its axis. This part of the rotary latch can also be referred to as the catch arm. After the rotary latch rotates and engages in the pre- or main locking position, an opening force acts on the rotary latch, which is absorbed by the locking pawl.This opening force, or relative force, between the rotary latch and the lock holder is primarily generated by a seal, in this embodiment the door seal, whereby this relative force acts between the lock holder and the load arm of the rotary latch. The load arm thus absorbs the closing force of the movable component, in this case the side door.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first pawl can be actuated indirectly by means of the release lever. Indirect actuation of the first pawl can be advantageous, for example, to introduce a preload into the first pawl or to control the timing of the movement of the second and first pawls. Preferably, the second pawl is moved first, so that a force can then be exerted on the first pawl, ensuring that the first pawl can be reliably disengaged from the rotary latch. A preload can, for example, be introduced into the first pawl by having the release lever exert a force on the first pawl before the second pawl or the locking lever has been completely disengaged from the first pawl.

[0015] Preferably, and in an advantageous embodiment, the first pawl can be actuated by means of a driver. The driver is preferably arranged between the release lever and the first pawl. This is particularly advantageous because the driver allows a transmission ratio to be introduced into the actuation of the first pawl. The release lever actuates the driver, and the driver allows the first pawl to be controlled very precisely, and in particular, the force on the first pawl to be adjustable. In other words, the force on the first pawl can be varied by the transmission ratio introduced by the driver. This is particularly advantageous when, for example, large forces act on the locking mechanism, such as those that can occur with large cargo doors or in the event of an accident.Even a delay in, for example, large transport doors, which can be caused by wear and tear, can negatively affect the force ratios in the locking mechanism, so that higher release forces must be provided in the locking mechanism.

[0016] If the driver can be mounted on a common axis with the second pawl or the blocking lever, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention results. By mounting the driver on the axis of the second pawl, a particularly compact design of the locking mechanism can be achieved. A compact design has a positive effect on the space required for the vehicle lock, where space is always limited in the installation area of ​​the vehicle lock within the vehicle. The compact design also enables very precise actuation of the first pawl, since the pawl axes and the driver can be arranged close together, i.e., with a small distance between them, within the vehicle lock. The driver can be actuated independently of the blocking lever and acts directly on the first pawl.The driver can have a control contour, whereby the first pawl can be actuated by means of the control contour. In this advantageous embodiment of the invention, the force on the first pawl can be further precisely defined. If, on the one hand, the arrangement of a driver between the release lever and the first pawl has a positive effect on the transmission ratio, then, on the other hand, the force to be introduced into the first pawl can be very precisely specified and defined by means of the control cam arranged on the driver.

[0017] The follower can still perform an advantageous function, for example, when it can be indirectly engaged with the second pawl, particularly by means of a spring element. A number of advantages can be achieved through the interaction of the follower and the second pawl. On the one hand, the aforementioned spring element, for example, can introduce a preload into the follower, ensuring that the follower is always securely in contact with the release lever. On the other hand, the second pawl can also be preloaded by the follower to guarantee quiet, i.e., rattle-free, interaction between the release lever, follower, second pawl, and first pawl. In particular, quiet interaction must be guaranteed in all positions of the locking mechanism, i.e., in the open, partially closed, and fully closed positions.The release lever primarily serves to unlock the locking mechanism. In the pre-lock position, the first pawl is engaged with a closing torque; that is, the rotary latch exerts a torque and force on the first pawl, pressing it into a position in the direction of the rotary latch, i.e., into a closed position. According to the invention, to unlock the pre-lock position, the release lever is actuated, and the first pawl is moved out of engagement with the rotary latch via the driver. Here again, the advantageous use of the driver becomes apparent, namely that the force on the first pawl can be changed, i.e., varied, by the transmission ratio. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first pawl has a cantilever, wherein the cantilever can be brought into engagement with the driver, in particular with the control contour of the driver.The first pawl has a projection that extends, at least partially, from the pawl's linear axis. This projection offers the advantage of allowing the force on the pawl, and thus the release force, to be varied. It is variable in the sense that the projection acts as a lever mechanism, enabling the first pawl to be moved easily. In combination with the drive ratio of the follower, the force on the pawl, in conjunction with the projection, can therefore be adjusted depending on the application and requirements of the vehicle lock. If the core of the first pawl is made of a metallic material, particularly steel, the pawl has a plastic coating, which can be formed simultaneously and integrally as a projection onto the first pawl.

[0018] If the first pawl in a main detent position of the lock can be subjected to an opening torque, the lock can be opened easily. This easy opening results from the presence of an opening torque in the main detent position. As described in the introduction, this opening torque causes the first pawl to be pushed out of its detent position simply due to the forces acting in the main detent position. The second pawl, or the blocking lever, prevents this pushing out and opposes the opening torque. This possibility of easily opening the lock, known from the prior art as described in the introduction, is further facilitated by the use of the follower and / or the lever. This is particularly advantageous because recent developments aim to open the lock of the motor vehicle exclusively with electrical assistance.In other words, car manufacturers forgo a mechanical connection between, for example, an exterior door handle and the vehicle lock. Therefore, the electric drive in the vehicle lock must be able to unlock the lock at any time and under any load. It proves advantageous here that, through the opening torque in the main detent position, the lever, the control contour, and the actuator, a high opening torque can be applied to, for example, a jammed first locking pawl. Thus, unlocking the lock, even with electrical assistance, can be guaranteed at any time and even under extreme loads. It should also be noted that even in cases where a mechanical connection between, for example, an exterior door handle and the lock is avoided, a mechanical emergency release may still be possible.The mechanical emergency operation then includes, for example, an emergency handle.

[0019] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is achieved when the first pawl can be subjected to a closing torque in a pre-latching position of the locking mechanism. In particular, the combination of an opening torque in the main latching position and a closing torque in the pre-latching position can be advantageous for the inventive design and the use of the follower. Although the opening torque in the main latching position is primarily described here, an at least slight closing torque in the main latching position can also be present. In any case, it must be ensured that the pawl is not disengaged from the rotary latch in the main latching position, as this could result in the door or flap being opened. The second pawl prevents the first pawl from being disengaged from the main latching position.

[0020] In this process, an undercut can be formed on the rotary latch in the pre-latch position. Forming an undercut offers the advantage of low friction between the pawl and the rotary latch, since the pawl rests against the rotary latch housing on one side, with this contact surface serving only as a stop limit, while the second contact surface of the pawl engages the pre-latch of the rotary latch. The pre-latch transmits the torque to the pawl, whereas the contact surface serves only as a stop or detent limit and for position locking. In any case, the inventive design of the vehicle lock provides a locking mechanism with which quiet and reliable opening of the lock can be achieved.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is important to note that the exemplary 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 patent claims.

[0022] It shows:

[0023] Figure 1 shows a side view of a locking mechanism equipped according to the invention in a main locking position,

[0024] Figure 2 shows a view of a locking device equipped according to the invention with an alternative embodiment of a driver.

[0025] Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional view of the locking mechanism and the release lever, and

[0026] Figure 4 shows a view of the locking mechanism with the release lever according to arrow IV from Figure 3.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a side view of a locking mechanism 1 designed according to the invention. A rotary latch 2, a first pawl 3, a driver 4, and a second pawl 5 are shown. The locking mechanism 1 is in a main detent position in which a lock holder 6 is securely held. The locking mechanism 1 can, for example, be part of an electrically operated side door lock. As can be clearly seen, the rotary latch 2 is pivotably mounted about an axis 7, as are the first pawl 3, the second pawl 5, and the driver 4, which are each pivotably mounted about axes 8 and 9 in the vehicle lock. The pawl 3 rests against a main detent 10 of the rotary latch 2. A further pre-latch 11 is arranged on the outer contour 12 of the rotary latch 2, wherein the first pawl 3 can also engage with the pre-latch 11, as is generally known and described above.The second pawl 5 blocks movement of the first pawl 3, whereby a detent contour 13 comes into contact with the first pawl 3 and blocks the movement of the first pawl.

[0028] The second pawl 5 and the follower 4 are pivotally mounted in the vehicle lock about a common axis 9. It is important that the follower 4 can be actuated independently of the second pawl 5, so that movement about the axis 9 is enabled by means of the follower 4 without directly affecting the second pawl 5. A spring element 14 is provided to secure the position of the follower 4. However, the spring element can also be actuated, for example, by a torsion spring 4 acting on the follower.

[0029] A control contour 15 can also be seen on the driver 4, which can be engaged with an extension 16 on the first locking pawl 3.

[0030] The locking mechanism 1 is in a main detent position. If the second pawl 5 is moved by means of a release lever (not shown), the second pawl 5 rotates clockwise around the axis 9 and releases the first pawl 3. An opening torque acts on the first pawl 3, so that in normal operation the first pawl 3 moves out of the engagement area with the rotary latch 2. Should the rotary latch 2 not be released immediately due to contamination and / or increased engagement conditions between the rotary latch 2 and the first pawl 3, the first pawl 3 can be moved out of the engagement area with the rotary latch 2 by means of the driver 4. For this purpose, a release lever 17 (not shown), see for example Figure 3, engages in the driver 4 and ensures that the control contour 15 engages with the extension 16 of the first pawl 3.The first locking pawl 3 is thus moved out of the engagement area of ​​the rotary latch 2 or is forcibly guided.

[0031] Figure 2 again shows a side view of a locking mechanism 1. The rotary latch 2, the first pawl 3, and a driver 18 are shown. The rotary latch 2, the first pawl 3, and the second pawl 5 are identical in construction. Only the driver 18 has a modified mounting around the axis 9. In this embodiment, the driver 18 is mounted circumferentially around the axis 9 on the axis 9. This circumferential mounting of the driver 18 around the axis 9 allows for greater stability in the driver 18. This is particularly advantageous when, for example, due to high forces occurring in the locking mechanism, an increased force must or can be introduced into the first pawl 3. The other functions correspond to those of the embodiment according to Figure 1.

[0032] Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional view of the locking mechanism 1 according to Figure 1. A release lever 17 is also visible, which is likewise mounted on the common axis 9 of the second pawl 5 and the driver 4. By means of a corresponding engagement contour 19, the release lever 17 is able to actuate the driver 4. Thus, the release lever 17 is able, on the one hand, to move the second pawl 5 and, independently of this, to actuate the driver 4 by means of the engagement contour 19.

[0033] Figure 4 again shows the locking mechanism according to Figure 3 in a side view as indicated by arrow IV from Figure 3. The engagement contour 19, which can be brought into engagement with a projection 20 of the driver 4, is clearly visible. Furthermore, another engagement contour is provided on the release lever 17, which can be brought directly into engagement with the second locking pawl 5. It is important to note that the second locking pawl 5, as well as the driver 4, can be actuated independently of each other by the release lever 17. In normal operation, it is sufficient if the second locking pawl 5 is actuated by means of the release lever 17, since a self-opening locking mechanism 1 is present, and the first locking pawl is moved out of the engagement area with the rotary latch 2 by the pressure of the rotary latch. Reference numeral list

[0034] 1 lock

[0035] 2 rotary trap

[0036] 3 first pawl 4, 18 drive lugs

[0037] 5 second locking latch 6 lock holder

[0038] 7, 8, 9 axis

[0039] 10 Main Rest

[0040] 11 Pre-rest

[0041] 12 contour

[0042] 13 Rast contour

[0043] 14 spring element

[0044] 15 Tax contour

[0045] 16 Extension

[0046] 17 Release levers

[0047] 19, 21 Intervention contour 20 Attachment

Claims

Patent claims 1. Vehicle lock, in particular a side door or tailgate lock, comprising a locking mechanism (1) with a rotary latch (2), a first locking pawl (3) for locking the rotary latch (2) in a pre-locking and a main locking position, and a second locking pawl (5) for locking the first locking pawl (3) in the main locking position, a release lever (17) for unlocking the locking mechanism (1) from the pre-locking and main locking positions, characterized in that the first and second locking pawls (3, 5) can be actuated independently of each other by means of the release lever (17).

2. Vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the first locking pawl (3) can be actuated indirectly by means of the release lever (17).

3. Vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first locking pawl (3) can be actuated by means of a driver (4, 18).

4. Vehicle lock according to claim 3, characterized in that the driver 4, 18 can be mounted on an axle ( 9 ) together with the second locking pawl ( 5 ).

5. Vehicle lock according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the driver (4, 18) has a control contour (15), wherein the first locking pawl (3) can be actuated by means of the control contour (15).

6. Vehicle lock according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the driver (4, 18) can be engaged indirectly, in particular by means of a spring element (14), with the second locking pawl (5).

7. Force vehicle lock according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the first locking pawl (3) has a cantilever (16), wherein the cantilever (16) can be engaged with the driver (4, 18), in particular with a control contour (15).

8. Vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first locking pawl in a main locking position of the lock ( 1 ) can be subjected to an opening moment.

9. Vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first locking pawl (3) in a pre-lock position of the locking mechanism (1) can be subjected to a closing moment.

10. Vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one pre-latch on the pivot ( 2 ) is equipped with an undercut.

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