Lock, in particular tailgate lock, for a motor vehicle
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/EP2026/057054
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-03-26
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-01
Smart Images

Figure EP2026057054_01102026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
[0002] Description
[0003] LOCK, IN PARTICULAR TAILGATE LOCK, FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE
[0004] The invention relates to a lock, in particular a tailgate lock, for a motor vehicle comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be locked in a pre-latching position and a main latching position, a closing and opening drive, wherein the locking mechanism can be moved from a pre-latching position to a main latching position by means of the closing drive, and a closing pawl, wherein the closing pawl enters a holding position after reaching the main latching position of the rotary latch.
[0005] Modern motor vehicles increasingly incorporate electrically assisted operating and functional elements. These electrically assisted systems make it easier for the user to operate the vehicle or, for example, to get in and out. The invention relates to motor vehicle locks, such as those used in doors, sliding doors, or tailgates. It is already common practice for these locks to be equipped with electric drives that enable the lock to be opened electrically and / or the door or tailgate to be closed electrically.
[0006] From DE 102009 020488 A1, a motor vehicle lock with an electric drive is known. Such a motor vehicle lock typically has a rotary latch that includes at least one main detent. In the closed position, the rotary latch engages a locking bolt or a lock holder, which can be attached, for example, to a vehicle body. The rotary latch engages with a pawl, which secures the rotary latch against rotation in the main detent by means of a positive locking mechanism. Furthermore, the motor vehicle lock includes an electromechanical drive unit. Functional elements of the drive unit act on the Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft via a pawl mechanism.
[0007] The locking pawl of the vehicle lock. This allows the locking pawl to be moved around a pivot axis of the locking pawl together with the drive element, thereby unlocking, for example, the rotary latch. To secure the position of the functional elements, the publication discloses friction contacts that maintain the holding position of the functional elements when the drive element is deactivated.
[0008] On the one hand, the end positions can be reliably maintained using, for example, friction devices; on the other hand, end stops are also used to decelerate the functional elements or to reach a defined holding position. For example, it is known from DE 102013006521 A1 to use an electric drive to unlock a lock, wherein the electric drive interacts with a locking lever, the locking lever representing a fixed stop for the drive. Depending on the direction of rotation of the drive, an end position, i.e., a stop position, can be assumed.
[0009] A closing and opening device for a motor vehicle door lock is disclosed in DE 102013 106672 A1. The closing and opening device is equipped with a drive and a transmission element. A locking mechanism is also incorporated. The drive operates via the transmission element on the locking mechanism to open or close it. The closing drive can move the locking mechanism from a pre-lock position to a main lock position, with this movement being effected by means of a variable torque.
[0010] The generic prior art is defined by DE 102023 101 262 A1. This document discloses a lock, in particular a tailgate lock for a motor vehicle, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be engaged in a pre-engagement position and a main engagement position, and a closing drive, wherein the locking mechanism is moved from a pre-engagement position to a main engagement position by means of the closing drive. (Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft)
[0011] The closing drive is transferable, and after reaching the main detent position, it can be moved to a holding position located before the main detent position. The holding position is characterized by the closing pawl being moved into a position where it is able to immediately re-engage with the rotary latch. From the holding position, the rotary latch can be moved or rotated into an overtravel position to open the lock.
[0012] The locking systems and automotive locks according to the invention utilize locking mechanisms that have a pre-latch position and a main latch position. In other words, the lock or locking system inherently incorporates a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and at least one pawl. When closing, for example, a tailgate, and particularly when closing an electric tailgate, the tailgate moves into the area of a lock holder, or vice versa, with the locking system and the lock holder interacting. Typically, when the tailgate is closed, the locking system first moves into the pre-latch position, in which the rotary latch is held by the pawl. The locking mechanism can then be moved into the main latch position by means of the closing drive.
[0013] When the lock is opened, the electric drive also releases the locking pawl from the rotary latch, thus freeing the rotary latch and allowing the tailgate to be opened, either manually or electrically. Depending on the load acting on the lock, the release of the locking pawl from the rotary latch can produce a more or less loud opening noise, sometimes referred to as a "bang." A constant goal of both car manufacturers and the developers of locking systems is to make the opening noise as quiet as possible, thereby creating a perceived quality feature for the user. However, quiet opening is not the only desired feature; rapid opening times of the locking system are also essential. This is where the invention comes in. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
[0014] The object of the invention is to provide an improved motor vehicle lock. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a motor vehicle lock in which the opening noise is as quiet as possible while simultaneously enabling rapid opening of the lock. In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a structurally simple and cost-effective solution for quiet opening of a motor vehicle lock.
[0015] The problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described below are not limiting; rather, any number of variations of the features described in the description and the dependent claims are possible.
[0016] According to claim 1, the object of the invention is achieved by providing a lock, in particular a tailgate lock for a motor vehicle, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be engaged in a pre-engagement position and a main engagement position, a closing and opening drive, wherein the locking mechanism can be moved from a pre-engagement position to a main engagement position by means of a closing pawl of the closing drive, and wherein the closing pawl, after reaching the main engagement position of the rotary latch, enters a holding position, and the closing pawl is moved into the holding position by means of a continuous rotary movement of the closing and opening drive. The inventive design of the motor vehicle lock now makes it possible to move the closing pawl into the holding position by means of a continuous, i.e., unidirectional, movement of the closing drive.The design of the vehicle lock, and in particular the closing mechanism, is such that after reaching the main locking position and the pawl engaging in the rotary latch, the closing pawl is released from engagement with the rotary latch and then moves into a holding position. (Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft.)
[0017] Separate control of the closing drive is not necessary, as the continuous movement of the drive automatically moves the closing pawl into the holding position. If the lock needs to be opened from the holding position, the drive movement of the closing pawl can again move the rotary latch into an overtravel position. In other words, continuous drive movement occurs with respect to the closing pawl, even though the closing pawl itself disengages from the rotary latch and enters a holding position due to the locking mechanism rusting. Upon reaching the overtravel position, the locking pawl can be released from the rotary latch, thus achieving a quiet or silent unlocking of the lock.
[0018] When the invention refers to a lock for a motor vehicle, this means locks or motor vehicle locking systems used in motor vehicles. These can be locking systems for hoods, side doors, sliding doors, tailgates, covers, or other locking systems in motor vehicles, which are used wherever pivotally or slidably arranged components must be securely positioned and held during the operation of the motor vehicle. The terms "lock," "locking system," and "motor vehicle lock" are used synonymously.
[0019] The lock features a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl. Different pawls can be used, interacting with the rotary latch in various ways. For example, in a main gate position, a closing or opening torque might be present, so that in the case of an opening torque, the pawl could be additionally secured in the main gate position by an auxiliary pawl or a blocking lever. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
[0020] The locking mechanism according to the invention has a pre-locking position and a main locking position. When, for example, a side door is closed for the first time, the locking mechanism, in conjunction with a lock holder, moves into a pre-locking position. From this pre-locking position, the locking mechanism or the rotary latch can be moved into the main locking position by means of the closing drive. The closing drive acts directly on the rotary latch and moves it from the pre-locking position to the main locking position. In the main locking position, the locking pawl rests against a main detent of the rotary latch.
[0021] The opening mechanism allows the rotary latch to be moved from its main detent position into an overtravel position, thus releasing the rotary latch from the locking pawl. In the overtravel position, the locking pawl is moved out of engagement with the rotary latch, and then the rotary latch is moved past its main detent position into an open position by means of the closing pawl. In other words, the rotary latch is opened in a guided manner, so that the lock catch is moved from the overtravel position of the rotary latch into its release position. In the main detent position, and especially in the overtravel position, high door seal pressures act on the locking mechanism, which can cause noise when the locking pawl is moved out of engagement by the rotary latch.According to the invention, if the rotary latch is first moved into an overtravel position, so that the door element is pressed further towards the door seal and the locking pawl is released from the rotary latch, the locking pawl can be moved out of engagement with the rotary latch without load. An opening noise or bang can be avoided or prevented by moving the rotary latch into the overtravel position to open the lock.
[0022] In further development of the invention, it has proven advantageous if the latching pawl can be moved from a pre-latch position to a main latch position, an overtravel position, and a holding position by means of a continuous rotary movement of the cam discs. A significant advantage arising from the Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
[0023] The resulting movement sequence is such that, due to the cam's unidirectional rotation, the locking pawl can be moved from its main detent position to a holding position after the lock has closed. In other words, the cam is driven only in one direction, so a unidirectional movement of the cam is required to move the locking pawl back from its overtravel position to the holding position. A continuous, unidirectional rotation of the cam occurs even as the locking pawl moves from its overtravel position back to the holding position. The holding position is characterized by the locking pawl being held at a distance from the rotary latch. To achieve this holding position of the locking pawl, the cam only needs to be driven in one direction.The advantage here is that only slight angular movements of the cam disc are necessary to unlock the locking mechanism and move the rotary latch back into the overtravel position. This movement of the rotary latch into the overtravel position provides the convenience function for the vehicle lock. As explained above, the locking pawl can be disengaged from the rotary latch without the load from the door seal. Subsequently, the cam disc guides the rotary latch into an open position, or at least partially guides it into an open position.
[0024] If the control cam has at least one recess for achieving a holding position, a structurally advantageous solution for holding the locking pawl in the holding position can be achieved. According to the invention, the control cam is designed such that the cam disk, and thus the control cam, performs a continuous rotary movement. However, due to the recess in the control cam, the locking pawl is able to move back from the overtravel position. In other words, the cam disk, and thus the control cam, moves in one direction, while the locking pawl is moved back from the overtravel position to such an extent that it disengages from the rotary latch. [The release of the locking pawl from Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft.]
[0025] The rotary latch has the advantage that the load resulting from the door seal pressure is absorbed exclusively by the locking mechanism. The pull handle is held in the holding position, free from the sealing force and spaced away from the engagement area of the rotary latch. Holding the pull handle in the holding position allows the locking mechanism to immediately re-engage with the rotary latch upon opening. This enables short opening times.
[0026] In one embodiment, an engagement element for the locking pawl can be used as a contact surface for the locking pawl in the holding position. The locking pawl engages with the engagement element of the rotary latch. The engagement element can, for example, be designed as a recess in the rotary latch or be connected to the rotary latch as a bolt. Alternatively, a chamfer in the metallic part of the rotary latch can serve as the engagement element. Such engagement elements are known from locking drives for automotive mechanics. According to the invention, the engagement element can have a dual function. On the one hand, the engagement element serves as a contact surface for the locking pawl and thus for moving the rotary latch from the pre-lock position through the main lock position to the overtravel position. If the cam disk or...When the control contour moves the locking pawl into the holding position, the locking pawl can engage with the engagement means and thus be held in the correct position relative to the rotary latch.
[0027] In a further development of the invention, the rotary latch can be moved, at least partially, into a release position by means of the locking pawl. As explained above, the rotary latch is held in the main detent position by the locking pawl. The locking pawl rests against the rotary latch and / or the engagement element and is held in this holding position by the drive lever. The drive lever, in turn, engages in the control contour of the cam disc. In this holding position, the drive lever lies in the recess of the control contour, so that continuous movement, i.e., unlocking of the latch in one direction of rotation, is possible. If the operator now...
[0028] When an end-of-lock or unlock signal is sent to the vehicle lock, the cam disc is moved by the electric drive, and the control contour moves the drive lever out of the recess in such a way that the locking pawl engages with the engagement element and moves the rotary latch into an overtravel position. In the overtravel position, the locking pawl is released and can be moved out of the engagement area with the rotary latch. Preferably, a release lever is moved to move the locking pawl, thus unlocking the lock. Further movement of the cam disc then moves the rotary latch from the overtravel position into an open position or a release position for the lock holder. Guided movement is only necessary until the rotary latch has rotated sufficiently that the locking pawl can no longer engage in a detent position on the rotary latch.In other words, the rotary latch must be guided at least far enough that the pawl can no longer engage in the pre-engagement position. Following rotation beyond the pre-engagement position of the pawl, the release lever and / or the pawl can be released, allowing the pawl to come into contact with, for example, an outer contour of the rotary latch, and the rotary latch to move into the open position due to the force of the lock holder and / or a rotary latch spring. It is also conceivable, however, that the rotary latch could be guided to a release position for the lock holder.
[0029] The lock can be opened electrically by means of a continuous movement of the cam disc. The cam disc of the electric drive for the opening and closing mechanism always performs a unidirectional movement, enabling a continuous opening and closing sequence. This offers the advantage of fast opening and closing times in the vehicle lock. Furthermore, complex mechanisms for a closing aid with a combined opening device or guide for the rotary latch are unnecessary. Only the cam disc with its control contour, in combination with the drive lever mounted in the vehicle lock and the closing latch, can achieve these advantageous features.
[0030] Functions are implemented in the vehicle lock. Consequently, a vehicle lock with a high level of convenience in both opening and closing can be provided.
[0031] Unlocking the locking mechanism can also be accomplished using the cam disc, which represents a further development of the invention. To unlock the locking mechanism, the cam disc can be engaged with the release lever, so that the cam disc, in addition to driving the drive lever, also performs the function of triggering the mechanism. The release lever can be formed separately or integrally with the pawl, and thus the release lever is able to disengage the pawl from the locking mechanism. The cam disc therefore guides the drive lever via the control contour and can simultaneously serve to unlock the locking mechanism, i.e., to disengage the pawl from the detent positions of the rotary latch.
[0032] Advantageously, the release lever can be actuated by means of the cam disc. The cam disc itself can have an extension, a raised section, and / or an additional control contour that engages with the release lever in the overtravel position of the locking mechanism, so that combined movement of the rotary latches is accompanied by release of the locking mechanism. This combined function of moving the rotary latches and releasing the locking mechanism ensures reliable operation of the locking and unlocking process. Both functions are controlled by the cam disc, resulting in a safe and quiet unlocking process in the vehicle lock. Overall, the inventive design of the vehicle lock provides a fast, cost-effective vehicle lock with few components, which in turn offers high functionality and user-friendliness.
[0033] The preferred drive mechanism for the closing and opening mechanism is a cam disc, on which a control contour is arranged. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
[0034] The closing mechanism has at least one cam disc that can be driven by an electric motor. A gearbox can also be arranged between the electric motor and the cam disc to provide sufficient force or torque. The cam disc itself has a control contour into which a drive lever engages, moving the closing pawl. The drive lever can, for example, be pivotally mounted in the vehicle lock, thus generating an additional transmission ratio with respect to the closing pawl. In any case, the drive lever is guided within the control contour of the cam disc, ensuring that the rotary latch moves from the pre-latch position to the main latch position and overtravel position.
[0035] The cam and the control contour are preferably made of plastic and / or a metallic material. The drive lever and the locking pawl, on the other hand, are preferably made of a metallic material, in particular a sheet of steel. The control contour allows for the targeted transmission of a variable torque to the locking pawl.
[0036] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and a preferred embodiment. However, it is important to note that this 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 description and claims.
[0037] It shows:
[0038] Fig. 1 shows a top view of an open motor vehicle lock designed according to the invention in a pre-locked position, with only the Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft visible.
[0039] Explanations of essential components of the motor vehicle lock are shown.
[0040] Fig. 2 shows the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 1 in a main locking position of the locking mechanism,
[0041] Fig. 3 shows the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 1 in a holding position of the pull handle and
[0042] Fig. 4 shows the cam disc in a view of the control curves.
[0043] Figure 1 shows a top view of an open vehicle lock 1. Only those components of the vehicle lock 1 necessary to explain the invention are shown. The vehicle lock 1 comprises a locking mechanism 2, a closing and opening drive 3, and an electric drive (not shown) for the closing and opening drive. The vehicle lock is shown in a pre-engaged position of the locking mechanism 2. A rotary latch 4 is engaged with a pawl 5, the pawl 5 being engaged with an engagement element forming a pre-engagement 6. In this embodiment, the engagement element is designed as a bend in a metallic part of the rotary latch 4 and simultaneously forms the pre-engagement 6 on the rotary latch 4. The locking mechanism 2 is thus locked in the pre-engagement position.
[0044] The closing and opening drive 3 comprises a drive lever 7, a cam disk 8 (shown in Fig. 4), a control contour 9, and a closing pawl 10. In this embodiment, a release lever 11 is rotationally fixed to the locking pawl 5, as can be clearly seen in Fig. 2. The drive lever is pivotably mounted in a metallic lock case 13 via an axis 12. An engagement sleeve 14 connects the drive lever 7 to the control cam 9, so that a torque generated in the cam disk 8 can be transmitted to the drive lever 7. In other words, the drive lever is
[0045] 7 is moved and controlled via the control cam 9. The control contour 9 is formed integrally with the cam disk 8, the complete cam disk 8 being shown in a top view of the control contour 9 in Fig. 4.
[0046] The pull-in latch 10 is pivotably attached to the drive lever 7.
[0047] Fig. 1 shows a pre-latch position, i.e., the position in which, for example, a tailgate has been closed and a lock holder 15 engages with the rotary latch 4, pivoting the rotary latch 4 clockwise around the axis 16 so that the spring-loaded pawl 5 can engage in the pre-latch 6 on the rotary latch. When the rotary latch engages in the pre-latch position, the cam 8, and thus the control contour 9, is actuated, and the closing pawl 10 moves into the engagement position shown in Fig. 1. The control contour 9 then moves counterclockwise around the axis 17. Fig. 1 therefore shows the initial state before the lock is closed from the pre-latch position to a main latch position.
[0048] The main detent position is shown in Fig. 2. The cam disk 8, and thus the control contour 9, was pivoted further around the axis 17, which moved the engagement sleeve 14 along the control contour 9, causing the drive lever 7 to pivot around the axis 12. This pivoting of the drive lever 7 resulted in the pawl 10 engaging with the engagement means 6, thus moving the rotary latch 4 into the main detent position. The spring-loaded locking pawl 5 could then engage in the main detent 18 of the rotary latch 4. By further continuously rotating the control contour 9 about the axis 17, the engagement sleeve 14 enters a recess 19 in the control contour 9, so that the drive lever 7 moves back slightly about the axis 12, thereby releasing the pull-in pawl 10 from the engagement means 6, as shown in Fig. 3.The attack sleeve 14 is located in the recess 19 and the pull latch is located with a latch end 20 away from the Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft.
[0049] The locking mechanism 6 engages the locking device. The locking latch 10 is spring-loaded and held securely in a holding position by a contact surface 21. Figure 3 shows the holding position of the locking and opening drive 3 in a main locking position of the vehicle lock 1.
[0050] When an operator transmits an opening command to the vehicle lock 1, the cam disc 8 continues to move counterclockwise, with the control contour 9 having a projection 22 that moves the drive lever 7 counterclockwise around the axis 12, thereby rotating the locking pawl 10 into an overtravel position. The locking pawl is released and can be easily and quietly opened from the rotary latch 3 without load. Continuing the movement of the cam disc 8, the engagement sleeve 14 passes through a substantially linear section 23 of the control contour 9, thereby guiding the rotary latch 4 into an open position.
[0051] Figure 4 shows the cam disk 8 in a view of the control contour 9. Starting from a starting point S and rotating clockwise around the axis 17 in this top view, the engagement sleeve 14 reaches a main detent position HR and subsequently an overtravel position ÜP. In this state, the pawl 5 can engage the rotary latch 4 under spring preload. As the cam disk 8 continues its rotation, the engagement sleeve 14 enters the recess 19, which defines the holding position HP of the closing pawl 10. Continuing the movement of the cam disk 8 and to open the locking mechanism 2, the cam disk 8 is pivoted further clockwise around the axis 17, causing the rotary latch 4 to reach an overtravel position ÜP, allowing the pawl 5 to be easily and quietly disengaged from the rotary latch 4.To eject the pawl 5, a release cam 23 on the cam disk 8 engages with the release lever and moves the pawl 5 out of engagement with the rotary latch 4. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft.
[0052] As the cam disk 8 continues its clockwise movement around the axis 17 in Fig. 4, the locking pawl 10 moves the rotary latch into a release position, ultimately disengaging the locking pawl 10 from the engagement means 6. The engagement sleeve 14 then returns to its starting position via the release path FR.
[0053] The inventive design of the vehicle lock 1 enables easy and quiet opening and closing of the vehicle lock 1. Furthermore, the vehicle lock requires only a single closing handle, which reduces the number of components to a minimum. Rapid opening is achieved through the continuous unidirectional movement of the cam disc, particularly due to the shape of the control cam and the recess. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
[0054] Reference symbol list
[0055] 1 motor vehicle lock
[0056] 2 locks
[0057] 3 Closing and opening drive 4 Rotary latch
[0058] 5 locking pawl
[0059] 6 intervention tools, pre-emergence
[0060] 7 Drive levers
[0061] 8 Cam disc
[0062] 9 Tax contour
[0063] 10 Pull handle
[0064] 11 Release lever
[0065] 12, 16, 17 axis
[0066] 13 lock boxes
[0067] 14. Engagement sleeve
[0068] 15 lock holders
[0069] 16 Main Rest
[0070] 17 Exclusion
[0071] 20 Door handle end
[0072] 21 Plant area
[0073] 22 Survey
[0074] 23 Release arm
[0075] S Starting point
[0076] HR Main Rest
[0077] Overstroke position
[0078] HP Holding Position
[0079] FR Release History
Claims
Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft Patent claims 1. Lock (1), in particular tailgate lock (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a locking mechanism (2) with a rotary latch (4) and at least one locking pawl (5), where the rotary latch (4) can be locked in a pre-latching position (VR) and a main latching position (HR), a closing and opening drive (3), wherein the locking mechanism (2) can be moved from a pre-latching position (VR) to a main latching position (HR) by means of the closing and opening drive (3), and a closing pawl (10), wherein the closing pawl (10) enters a holding position (HP) after the main latching position (HR) of the rotary latch (4) has been reached, characterized in that the closing pawl (10) enters a holding position (HP) by means of a continuous rotary movement of the closing and opening drive (3).
2. Motor vehicle lock (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the closing and opening drive (3) has a cam disk (8) with a control contour (9).
3. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a release lever (11) of the closing and opening drive (3) can be guided by means of the cam disk (8).
4. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pull-in latch (10) can be moved from a pre-latching position (VR) to a main latching position (HR), a holding position (HP) and an over-stroke position (ÜP) by means of a continuous rotary movement of the cam disk (8).
5. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control contour (9) has at least one recess (19) for achieving a holding position (HP). Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft 6. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an engagement means (6) for the pull latch (10) can be used as a contact surface (21) for the pull latch (10) and the holding position (HP).
7. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rotary latch (4) can be moved at least partially into a release position (FR) by means of the pull-in latch (10).
8. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the locking mechanism (2) can be opened electrically by means of a continuous movement of the cam disk (8).
9. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that unlocking the locking mechanism (2) is possible by means of the cam disc (8).
10. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a release lever (11) can be actuated by means of the cam disc (8).