Motor vehicle lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock comprising a locking mechanism (1) which has a rotary latch (2) and at least one pawl (3), the rotary latch (2) being latchable in a preliminary latching position and a main latching position by means of the pawl (3). During a closing process of the locking mechanism, the pawl (3) is first connected to a preliminary latching element (12) and can then be brought into engagement with a main latching element (11) of the rotary latch (2), and during an opening process of the locking mechanism (1), the pawl (3) can be held in a release position by means of a release lever (17) such that the pawl can be prevented from falling into at least the preliminary latching element (12), wherein the release lever (17) can be held in the release position by means of a control element (4).

Description

[0001] Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0002] Description

[0003] CAR LOCK

[0004] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be locked in a pre-latch position and in a main latch position by means of the pawl, wherein during a closing operation of the locking mechanism the pawl can first be engaged with a pre-latch and then with a main latch of the rotary latch, and wherein during an opening operation of the locking mechanism the pawl can be held in a release position by means of a release lever, so that falling into at least the pre-latch position can be prevented.

[0005] Modern automotive locks incorporate a range of functions designed to improve ease of use, safety, and smooth operation. All these functions must be fully available at all times to ensure and / or enhance user comfort. Examples of such functions include central locking, child safety locks, anti-theft protection, electric opening, soft-close, and / or electric unlocking.

[0006] All these functions must be fully available at all times. Now, in the event of an external load on, for example, a tailgate component, a high load may be exerted on the tailgate. Another example would be a high load on a side door, which, for instance, could be caused by an incline in the parking space and / or a counterweight, preventing the door element, which is movable on the vehicle, from opening completely. In this case, too, the vehicle's handling must be ensured for the operator, so a safety function allows the movable component to be opened. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0007] A snow load function can be mentioned here as a safety feature. Side doors and tailgates utilize so-called two-latch locking mechanisms. When the tailgate is closed, the rotary latch engages with a lock holder, usually attached to the vehicle. This interaction causes the rotary latch to pivot, allowing a spring-loaded pawl to engage in a preliminary detent of the rotary latch. As the tailgate continues to close, the rotary latch pivots further, allowing the pawl to engage, again under spring tension, in the main detent of the rotary latch. Upon reaching the preliminary detent, the tailgate is only partially closed but already securely held. When the main detent is reached, the tailgate is in the fully closed position.When the vehicle lock is opened again, either electrically or manually, a release lever acts on the locking pawl, disengaging it from the rotary latch, i.e., the main locking position. If the tailgate is then prevented from opening, for example by a heavy snow load, it may only open partially, and the rotary latch may only reach a position where the locking pawl could potentially engage in the pre-lock position. The so-called snow load function prevents this pre-locking during the opening process. During opening, the locking pawl is held disengaged from the rotary latch's pivoting movement until it has passed the pre-lock position. This prevents the locking pawl from engaging in the rotary latch.

[0008] To prevent the rotary latch from engaging in the pre-latch position during the opening process, various solutions are known in the prior art. For example, DE 102006032033 A1 discloses a snow load function in which a storage pawl is arranged next to the locking pawl, which keeps the locking pawl disengaged from the rotary latch. For this purpose, the storage lever has a support section that can be engaged with a contour on the rotary latch. Consequently, if the locking pawl is moved out of engagement with the rotary latch when the vehicle lock is opened from the main latch position, not only the locking pawl but also the Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0009] The pawl moves, with its support section bearing against the contour of the rotary latch. The pawl is held disengaged by the contour and the support section until it passes the pre-latch position. This prevents the pawl from falling into the pre-latch position during the opening process.

[0010] Another solution for a storage function is known from DE 102020 105836 A1. In this approach, a snow load arm is provided directly at the release lever, which in turn can be engaged with a contour on the rotary latch. Consequently, if the locking pawl is disengaged from the rotary latch by means of the release lever, thus enabling the locking mechanism to open, a snow load arm from the release lever engages with a contour on the rotary latch. The release lever is held in the release position and simultaneously keeps the locking pawl disengaged from the rotary latch's range of motion.

[0011] An interaction between locking pawl and rotary latch in combination with a control contour on the rotary latch is also already known from DE 102013207725 A1, although here the focus is on a quiet closing of the motor vehicle lock.

[0012] The solutions known from the prior art for providing a snow load function have proven effective, but are in need of improvement. In particular, the fixed connection of the control contour to the rotary latch limits the application of these solutions, as the rotary latches can only be adapted to the specifications of one vehicle. This is where the invention comes in.

[0013] The object of the invention is to provide an improved motor vehicle lock. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide modularity and adaptability of the rotary latch as a component of the motor vehicle lock. Furthermore, Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0014] The purpose of the invention is to provide a cost-effective and structurally simple solution.

[0015] The object of the invention is achieved by providing a motor vehicle lock comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be engaged in a pre-latch position and a main latch position by means of the pawl, wherein during a closing operation of the lock, the pawl can first be engaged with a pre-latch position and then with a main latch position of the rotary latch, and wherein during an opening operation of the lock, the pawl can be held in a release position by means of a release lever, so that it cannot be held in at least the pre-latch position, wherein the release lever can be held in the release position by means of a control element. The inventive design of the motor vehicle lock now makes it possible to customize the release lever to the specifications of the motor vehicle.In particular, the control element allows the position of the release lever to be adjusted to the movement of the rotary latch. In other words, the release lever and its position can be controlled by the control element. The release lever is positioned or held in the release position until the rotary latch has moved into its open position, but at least until the pawl has passed the main detent and the pre-detent.

[0016] When the invention refers to a motor vehicle lock, 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 pivotally or slidably mounted components of the motor vehicle need to be securely held in their position. Preferably, but not exclusively, the motor vehicle lock according to the invention refers to a side door or a tailgate. Derar-Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0017] Typical motor vehicle locks include a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and at least one pawl.

[0018] The rotary latch has a forked opening. This opening accommodates a lock catch, lock catch bracket, or bolt, and in conjunction with the rotary latch, locking pawl, and lock catch, ensures the secure locking of the vehicle lock. When open, for example, a tailgate, the rotary latch is in a position known as the open position, in which part of the forked opening engages with the lock catch. When the door is closed, this part of the rotary latch, the so-called catch arm, engages with the lock catch, allowing the rotary latch to rotate around its axis. After the rotary latch has rotated and locked into first the pre-locking position and then the final 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 tailgate seal. This relative force acts between the lock holder and the second part of the forked opening of the rotary latch, the so-called load arm. The load arm thus absorbs the closing force of the moving component, in this case the tailgate.

[0019] As described above and in the introduction, when the locking mechanism closes, the pawl first engages with the pilot gate and then with the main gate of the rotary latch. To ensure secure engagement of the pawl in the detent positions of the rotary latch, the pawl is spring-loaded against the rotary latch. The main gate position, that is, the position of the locking mechanism in which the pawl rests against the main gate of the rotary latch, denotes the closed position of the locking mechanism and, in the case of the tailgate embodiment, the fully closed position of the tailgate. To ensure secure engagement of the pawl in the main gate, the rotary latch must always be rotated, even if only slightly, beyond the main gate position, so that the Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0020] The pawl must be able to engage securely in the main detent. The rotational movement of the rotary latch beyond the main detent position is also called the overtravel position.

[0021] The release lever is pivotally mounted within the vehicle lock and can be operated electrically or manually. Using the release lever, the lock can be moved from a closed, pre-latched, or main latched position to an open position. To achieve this, the release lever engages the pawl directly or indirectly and moves it out of the engagement range of the rotary latch. The release lever thus positions the pawl in such a way that it is prevented from engaging the rotary latch, keeping the pawl outside the rotary latch's pivot range.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control element can be mounted on an axis of the rotary latch. The locking mechanism, consisting of the rotary latch and the pawl, has at least two independent axes arranged parallel to each other and fixed in at least one lock case. Additionally, a reinforcing plate can be arranged between the two axes of the rotary latch and the pawl to increase the stability and load-bearing capacity of the locking mechanism. The release lever, which interacts with the pawl, can be held on a separate axis in the lock case or, alternatively, for example, mounted on the axis of the pawl. Depending on the available space and the required leverage ratios for the interaction between the release lever and the pawl, the mounting location of the release lever can be selected. In this embodiment, the control element can be mounted directly on the axis of the rotary latch.This offers the advantage that the control element can be held in the vehicle lock with a reduced number of components. The control element can be arranged completely around the axis or only extend partially around the axis of the rotary latch. In any case, the control element can be independently mounted and stored on the axis of the rotary latch. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft.

[0023] If the control element has a control contour, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention results. By means of the control contour, the control element is able to hold the release lever in a position in which the release lever keeps the pawl out of engagement with the movement range of the rotary latch. In other words, the control contour serves to guide the release lever during the opening process of the latch. The release lever is arranged in such a way and has at least a first engagement area in which the release lever can be brought into engagement with the pawl. If the release lever is now actuated manually or electrically, it moves such that the first engagement contour engages with the pawl and moves the pawl out of the movement range of the rotary latch, in particular a pre-latch or main latch.When the release lever is extended, a second engagement area of ​​the release lever engages with the control element, thus enabling interaction between the release lever and the control element. The control element, and preferably its control contour, positions the release lever such that, in conjunction with the first engagement contour, the pawl is held in place. The control contour interacts with the second engagement area of ​​the release lever until the rotary latch has moved into an open position. At a minimum, the release lever is guided by the control contour long enough to prevent the pawl from engaging in the pre-detent position. Once the locking mechanism is in the open position, i.e., the rotary latch is in the open position, the release lever can disengage from the control contour.Releasing the release lever allows the pawl to pivot freely again and, as described above, spring-loaded against an outer contour of the rotary latch. When the latch is closed again, the pawl is then able to engage in the pre-latch and main latch positions of the rotary latch.

[0024] It can also be advantageous if the control element can be positioned using a spring element. The control element can then be held under tension by means of the spring element. For example, the control element can be used in the system with Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft.

[0025] The rotary latch can be positioned so that both components can move together. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the control element could be positioned along a contour of the rotary latch axis and guided along the rotary latch axis in combination with the spring element and the mounting.

[0026] It can also be advantageous if the control element can engage with the rotary latch, at least partially. An interaction between the control element and the rotary latch is conceivable and allows for simple movement of the control element. In particular, the interaction between the rotary latch and the control element ensures that a simultaneous movement of the control element and the rotary latch is possible. It is also conceivable that the control element can engage with the rotary latch, at least partially, in a form-fit manner. A form-fit between the rotary latch and the locking pawl can be achieved, for example, by inserting the control element into the rotary latch in a form-fit manner and / or by the control element engaging a surface of the rotary latch, such as a stop and / or a recess and / or a cutout.The separate mounting of the control element on the rotary latch axis also makes it possible to guide the rotary latch using the control element. This is particularly true when a spring element is attached to the control element, allowing a spring preload to be introduced from the control element into the rotary latch. In this case, the spring element for the control element can simultaneously serve as a spring element for applying spring tension to the rotary latch.

[0027] If the control element has at least one through-opening, wherein at least one leg of a spring element, in particular a rotary latch spring, can be mounted through the opening, a further embodiment of the invention results. As described above, a through-opening allows the spring element for the control element to simultaneously serve as a spring element for the rotary latch. Thus, the rotary latch and the control element can be actuated by means of a single spring element using spring tension. Of course, this only reflects one embodiment of the invention; other embodiments are also conceivable.

[0028] that the spring element engages in the through-opening on its own, and that, for example, a positive locking mechanism between the control element and the rotary latch leads to the spring acting on the rotary latch.

[0029] Preferably, the control element is made of a plastic material. Plastic components, and especially automotive components, are manufactured from plastic when only low forces act on the components. This has the advantage that the overall automotive lock is easier to manufacture. In the present case, the control element's primary function is to control the release lever, with the control contour merely absorbing the supporting load of the release lever. In contrast, the rotary latch, as well as the pawl, are equipped with a metallic core so that they can absorb the high tensile forces that can act on a locking mechanism. Preferably, and as implemented in the present embodiment, both the rotary latch and the pawl have a plastic coating.

[0030] The inventive design of the vehicle lock, and in particular the separate design of the control element, allows for individual adjustment of the control of the release lever and thus of the engagement of the locking pawl in the rotary latch. In particular, the separate design of the rotary latch and the control element enables the components of the locking mechanism to be used modularly and for various applications.

[0031] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. However, it is important to note that the exemplary embodiment does not limit the invention, but merely shows one embodiment of the invention, which can be supplemented with further features of the description and the patent claims.

[0032] It shows: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0033] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch, pawl and control element, and

[0034] Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the locking mechanism according to Figure 1 with a release lever and a blocking lever.

[0035] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a locking device 1 designed according to the invention. Shown are the rotary latch 2, the pawl 3, the control element 4, and the axes 5 and 6 of the rotary latch 2 and pawl 3, respectively. A spring element in the form of a torsion spring is arranged on the rotary latch axis 5. The control element 4 is additionally held on the rotary latch axis 5 by a shoulder 8. A further spring element 9 biases the pawl 3 towards the rotary latch 2.

[0036] Figure 1 shows the main locking position of the locking mechanism 1. In this position, a locking contour 10 rests against a main locking element 11 of the rotary latch 2. A pre-locking element 12 is also visible; like the main locking element 11, it is made of metal and is formed from a metal base body 13 of the rotary latch 2. The rotary latch 2 also has a plastic coating 14. In the main locking position of the locking mechanism 1 shown, a lock holder 15 is held by the rotary latch 2.

[0037] The control element 4 has a control contour 16 that can be engaged with a release lever 17. The control element 4 extends circumferentially around the axis 5 and, in this embodiment, is inserted at least partially into a recess 18 in the plastic casing 14 of the rotary latch 2. Thus, the control element is positively connected to the rotary latch 2. A spring leg 19 of the spring element 7 engages in an opening 20 of the control element 4. Thus, the control element 4 can introduce a preload into the rotary latch by means of the spring element. The force is then transmitted via the spring element 7, the control element 4, to the rotary latch 2. Thus, the control element 4 is able to introduce a spring preload into the rotary latch 2. However, it is also conceivable that a Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0038] The chamfer on the spring leg 19 extends into the area of ​​the rotary latch 2 in order to exert a spring force on the rotary latch 2.

[0039] Figure 1 shows the main locking position of the locking mechanism 1. To move the locking mechanism 1 from the closed position to the released position, the pawl 3 must be moved out of the engagement area with the rotary latch 2 by means of the release lever 17. For this purpose, the release lever 17 can, for example, engage directly with an extension 27 of the pawl 3 and, in the illustrated embodiment, move the pawl 3 counterclockwise around the axis 6.

[0040] Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the locking mechanism according to Figure 1, in which, in this embodiment, the release lever 17 interacts with a locking lever 22. In this embodiment, an opening torque acts on the pawl 3, so that only the locking lever 22 needs to be actuated by the release lever 17 to open the locking mechanism 1. In other words, the pawl 3 disengages itself from the engagement with the rotary latch 2, so that the locking mechanism can be unlocked. If the release lever 17 is now moved counterclockwise around the axis 23, the locking lever 22 is moved along with it, and simultaneously the engagement area 24 moves behind the control contour 16. The engagement area is formed as a plastic extension on the release lever 17.After the release lever 17 has been actuated and the rotary latch 2 has pivoted in a certain area, the control contour 16 prevents the release lever from returning to its initial position. The control contour 16 thus keeps the blocking lever 22 disengaged from the pawl 3. A further engagement area 25 can engage the pawl 3, so that in the deflected state, the pawl 3 is also held disengaged from the rotary latch 2 by the release lever 17. Overall, the inventive design of the vehicle lock enables secure opening even in the case of high loads, for example, on a tailgate. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft.

[0041] Reference symbol list

[0042] 1 lock

[0043] 2 rotary trap

[0044] 3 locking pawls

[0045] 4 Control element

[0046] 5, 6 axis

[0047] 7, 9, 23 Spring element

[0048] Paragraph 8

[0049] 10 Rast contour

[0050] 11 Main Rest

[0051] 12 Pre-rest

[0052] 13 round bodies

[0053] 14 Plastic casing 15 Lock holder

[0054] 16 Tax contour

[0055] 17 Release levers

[0056] 18 Release

[0057] 19 spring legs

[0058] 20 Opening

[0059] 21 extension

[0060] 22 locking levers

[0061] 24, 25 Intervention area

Claims

Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft Patent claims 1. Motor vehicle lock comprising a locking mechanism (1) with a rotary latch (2) and at least one pawl (3), wherein the rotary latch (2) can be locked in a pre-latch position and a main latch position by means of the pawl (3), wherein during a closing operation of the locking mechanism the pawl (3) can first be engaged with a pre-latch (12) and subsequently with a main latch (11) of the rotary latch (2), and wherein during an opening operation of the locking mechanism (1) the pawl (3) can be held in a release position by means of a release lever (17) so that it can be prevented from falling into at least the pre-latch (12), characterized in that the release lever (17) can be held in the release position by means of a control element (4).

2. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the control element (4) can be mounted on an axis (5) of the rotary latch.

3. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the control element (4) has a control contour (16).

4. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the release lever (17) has at least one engagement area (24, 25).

5. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control element (4) can be positioned by means of a spring element (7).

6. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the control element (4) can be engaged with the rotary latch (3) at least partially. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft 7. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control element (4) can be brought into positive engagement with the rotary latch (3) at least in certain areas.

8. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the control element (4) has at least one through-opening (20), wherein at least one leg (19) of a spring element (7), in particular the torsion spring, can be mounted through the opening (20).

9. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the control element (4) is made of plastic.

10. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the control element (4) extends at least partially around the axis (5).

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