Motor vehicle lock having a coupling element

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, comprising an electromotive opening drive with a control element (1) which can be pivoted about an axis, further comprising a closing lever (2, 4) as part of a closing device (2, 3, 4, 17, 18), and comprising a coupling element (3). The closing lever (2, 4) is designed in two parts with a control lever (2) and an actuating lever (4) which are rotationally coupled by means of the coupling element (3) in the coupled state and are rotationally decoupled in the decoupled state. The coupling element (3) is controlled by means of the control element (1).

Description

[0001] Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0002] P23014WO

[0003] 1

[0004] Description

[0005] Motor vehicle lock with dome element

[0006] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, with an electromechanical opening drive with an actuating element pivotable about an axis, furthermore with a pull lever as part of a pull device, and with a coupling element.

[0007] A motor vehicle door lock of the design described above is described, for example, in EP 2 681 388 B1. Closing mechanisms on motor vehicle doors typically serve to move a motor vehicle door, for example, from a partially closed position, into the fully closed position. During this process, considerable counterforces must typically be overcome, which are regularly exerted by the door seals, which are compressed during this process. With such generally electrically operated closing mechanisms, the closing process must be interrupted when an external or internal handle is operated, thus allowing the motor vehicle door to be opened, in order to prevent pinching.This is achieved in EP 2681 388 B1 by means of a closing / opening device, which essentially consists of an opening drive and a closing drive, wherein an ejector lever is provided which is able to interrupt the connection of the closing pawl with the locking mechanism.

[0008] From EP 3 697 986 B1, a motor vehicle door lock is also known which enables emergency opening of the locking mechanism by means of an actuating element. In the teaching described therein, this emergency opening is accomplished with an actuating element that blocks the operating lever chain during normal operation. In the event of emergency opening, the locking mechanism is thus released by means of the actuating element.

[0009] Another way of opening such a device is described in DE 102011 012650 A1. In this case, a locking bar is used, which moves the rotary latch from a pre-locked position to a fully locked position. The locking bar, or the drive element therein, has a movable Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0010] P23014WO

[0011] 2

[0012] A power transmission element that interacts with the rotary latch. The desired closing process can be selectively interrupted, if necessary, by means of a blocking element 4 located on the drive element, using the drive element and the power transmission element, by interrupting the connection between the drive element and the rotary latch.

[0013] In all these cases, the aim is to stop the closing process as quickly and reliably as possible, and ideally, to simultaneously open or release the door. To this end, DE 202008 015789 proposes a procedure in which the closing / opening device, with its transmission element, effectively engages a block. In this way, a stop interacting with the transmission element ensures that, in the described blockage scenario, a portion of the resulting blocking force is directly transferred to the stop. This reduces the overall force acting between the drive latch and the locking mechanism.

[0014] Generally, the drive pawl or closing pawl acts directly or indirectly on the rotary latch. As soon as the rotary latch is in the pre-latch position, the drive pawl is actuated by a motor in such a way that the rotary latch is moved from the pre-latch position to the main latch position. This is, of course, only an example.

[0015] In practice, vehicle door locks are therefore frequently used that are equipped, or intended to be equipped, with both a closing aid or closing mechanism and an opening aid. However, such vehicle door locks are relatively complex in design, especially if the possibility of an emergency override of the locking mechanism is also to be provided. The invention aims to remedy this overall problem.

[0016] The invention addresses the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle door lock in such a way that the overall design effort is reduced and synergy effects are observed. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0017] P23014WO

[0018] 3

[0019] To solve this technical problem, a generic motor vehicle lock within the scope of the invention is characterized in that the coupling element is controlled by means of the actuating element.

[0020] The closing process of the present invention is generally carried out to move the existing locking mechanism from a pre-locking position to a main locking position. This is done in particular by means of the closing lever of the closing device, which is preferably actuated by a drive, preferably electrically. This drive is particularly preferably a Bowden cable, or a Bowden cable is implemented for this purpose. The Bowden cable actuates the closing lever, which in turn actuates the rotary latch of the locking mechanism. This, of course, only occurs when the clutch element is in the engaged state, and thus the actuating lever is rotaryally coupled to the operating lever. If the clutch element is in its disengaged state, only the actuating lever moves when actuated, but not the operating lever. The engagement and disengagement of the clutch element is independent of the position of the closing lever.of the adjusting lever and the actuating lever.

[0021] According to the invention, it is preferred that the pawl of the locking mechanism is designed to be actuated by the actuating element. This particularly advantageously allows the locking mechanism to be opened when the pawl is actuated by the actuating element, so that the locking mechanism can be moved from the main detent or the pre-detent into the open position.

[0022] According to the invention, the design of the motor vehicle door lock is such that the closing lever constitutes, or is a component thereof, a closing lever chain consisting of a clutch element and a closing lever. The preferred design is such that the actuated actuator has no contact with the clutch lever during electromechanical opening, provided the closing lever chain is in an unengaged rest position. In this way, for example, no disturbing noises are generated. For this purpose, the actuator can, for example, have at least one stop limiting its rotation. Preferably, the actuator is kinematically designed such that the Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0023] P23014WO

[0024] 4

[0025] The locking mechanism must be fully open or the actuator must be in its initial position before the clutch element is actuated. This ensures that disengaging the closing function has no negative impact on the opening force. This can be achieved, for example, by having the actuator, when fully actuated, engage the pawl in such a way that the locking mechanism opens completely, while simultaneously preventing contact between the actuator and the clutch element unless the mechanism is being closed.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the coupling element is rotatably mounted on or attached to the pull lever. Particularly preferably, the coupling element is rotatably mounted on or attached to the actuating lever. The coupling element follows the movement of the pull lever but can rotate about its own axis independently of the position and, in particular, the rotation of the pull lever or the actuating lever. For this purpose, the coupling element is connected to the pull lever, for example, by a bearing. The coupling element is preferably located on the same plane as at least one part of the actuating lever. The actuating lever can be multi-part and preferably two-part, with the various components of the actuating lever lying on several planes, in particular on several planes parallel to each other. It is also possible for the coupling element to be mounted laterally on the pull lever, for example, on the side facing the actuating element.

[0027] The pawl, preferably actuated by the actuating element, and / or the rotary latch, actuated by the pull-chain, can be oriented in the same plane, parallel to the plane, or otherwise. Preferably, the pawl and / or the rotary latch are arranged parallel to the plane or orthogonally to the aforementioned lock components.

[0028] The actuating element, which is preferably rotatably mounted, is actuated directly or indirectly by a drive, preferably electric. For this purpose, a gearbox downstream of the drive, such as a worm gear, can be used, for example. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0029] P23014WO

[0030] 5

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the coupling element is L-shaped. Preferably, the L-shape is selected such that one leg of the coupling element interacts with the actuating element, and preferably the other leg of the L-shape interacts with the pull lever or the actuating lever. The L-shape of the coupling element is configured, for example, with an angle of less than 180°, particularly between 120° and 60°, and most preferably with approximately 90°.

[0032] Preferably, the coupling element has a cam-like end. In this context, "cam-like" means a rounded, slightly pointed recess on one side. Other rounded or hook-like shapes are also conceivable. The end of the coupling element should be shaped to transmit pressure, and in particular, rotational pressure. The shape should preferably be selected such that an angular movement of the coupling element upon contact with another element, for example, the actuating lever, ensures that the contact is maintained until the rotational movement is complete.

[0033] For this purpose, the actuating lever has a receiving recess, which is preferably form-fitting with the end face of the coupling element. Preferably, the receiving recess is accordingly shaped as an inverted cam-like recess. The receiving recess has an overall inwardly recessed shape, so that the end face of the coupling element remains in the receiving recess when contact is made or force is transmitted. The coupling element is thus held in position during force transmission. The part of the actuating lever that receives the coupling element and has the receiving recess is flush with the coupling element. This part of the actuating lever can be designed as a separate receiving actuating lever, which is rotationally fixed to the rest of the actuating lever as part of the actuating lever assembly.The preferably form-fitting contours of the coupling element and the receiving recess are selected such that, upon contact, and especially upon force transmission, a radially inwardly extending force vector is generated. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft.

[0034] P23014WO

[0035] 6

[0036] The coupling element preferably has a coupling contour which interacts, preferably in a form-fitting manner, with a receiving contour arranged on the actuating lever. The coupling contour and / or the receiving contour is / are preferably designed to have low friction. Alternatively or additionally, the coupling contour and / or the receiving contour may also have a friction-reducing coating.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the actuating element has a pin that interacts with the coupling element. For this purpose, the pin can extend over several levels within the lock assembly. Preferably, the pin is located at the end, or at least nearly at the end, of the actuating element, and particularly preferably on the side facing the coupling element or the pull lever.

[0038] For this purpose, the coupling element has an actuating contour at its end, preferably on the side facing the actuating element. The coupling element thus interacts with the actuating element and, in particular, with the pin located on the actuating element. The actuating contour can, for example, be part of a triangular shape, such as a triangular nose. This nose can, for example, have at least one curved side, ensuring a particularly smooth interaction between the coupling element and the actuating element, and especially with the pin located on the actuating element.

[0039] The actuating element and / or the pull lever and / or the clutch lever and / or the operating lever is / are preferably spring-loaded. The spring action can be selected to operate either clockwise or counterclockwise, particularly to ensure a smooth-running mechanism. Furthermore, the spring action allows the mechanism to return to a specific home position.

[0040] In this way, a motor vehicle lock is provided according to the invention, which enables a space-saving and design-efficient interruption of the closing process. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0041] P23014WO

[0042] 7

[0043] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to drawings that merely illustrate one embodiment. These show:

[0044] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a motor vehicle door lock according to the invention in the basic position or main latching position.

[0045] Figure 2 shows the motor vehicle door lock in the open position, with the actuator fully engaged.

[0046] Figure 3 shows the motor vehicle door lock in the main latching position, with the coupling element engaged.

[0047] Figure 4 Motor vehicle door lock with maximum activated closing function in disengaged configuration,

[0048] Figure 5 shows the motor vehicle door lock in an idle position with the coupling element engaged.

[0049] Figure 6 shows the motor vehicle door lock in the idle position according to Fig. 5 in disengaged configuration and with the actuator engaged.

[0050] Figure 1 shows a schematic overview drawing of a motor vehicle door lock with an actuating element 1, a pull lever 2, 4 as part of a pull mechanism 2, 3, 4, 17, 18, and a coupling element 3. In the selected embodiment, the pull lever 2, 4 is designed in two parts with an actuating lever 2 and an operating lever 4.

[0051] The actuating lever 2 and the actuating lever 4 are mounted coaxially about a rotational axis R1. In the selected embodiment, the actuating lever 4 is designed in two parts: a detent element 5, which interacts in particular with the rotary latch 6 as part of the locking mechanism 6, 7; and a clutch receiving element 8, which is rotationally fixed to the detent element 5. Preferably, the actuating lever 4 or the detent element 5 and the clutch receiving element 8 are formed in one piece. (Design: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft)

[0052] P23014WO

[0053] 8

[0054] In this case, the design is such that the actuating lever 2 and the operating lever 4 can be rotated independently of each other about the axis of rotation R1. Overall, the design is such that the actuating lever 2, the detent element 5, and the coupling receptacle 8 are arranged in three different, preferably parallel, planes, thus enabling independent rotation of at least the actuating lever 2 and the detent element 5. Furthermore, the coupling receptacle 8 is arranged at least partially in the same plane as the coupling element 3.

[0055] In this case, the coupling element 3 is mounted laterally and rotatably about an axis of rotation R2 on the actuating lever 2. Consequently, the coupling element 3 moves with the actuating lever 2, independent of its own possible rotation about the axis of rotation R2. Here, the coupling element 3 is exemplarily designed in an L-shape, with a cam-like coupling leg 9 facing the coupling receiving element 8 and an actuating leg 10 extending from it at approximately 90°. The actuating leg 10 has a triangular nose 11 at its end with a curved actuating contour 12.

[0056] The actuating element 1 is rotatably mounted about a rotational axis R3. In the selected embodiment, the actuating element 1 is at least approximately C-shaped and has a pin 13, 14 at each of the opposite ends of the C-shape. The pin 13 facing the coupling element 3 is designed such that, depending on the positioning of the actuating element 1 and the coupling element 3, the pin 13 can interact with the coupling element 3 and, in particular, with the actuating leg 10 or with the nose 11 and, in particular, with the actuating contour 12. The pin 14 facing the locking mechanism 6, 7 is able to actuate the pawl 7 to open the locking mechanism 6, 7, depending on the position of the actuating element 1, especially in the rotational position of the actuating element 1.

[0057] The basic position of the vehicle lock shown in Figure 1 corresponds to the main detent position as is generally known for vehicle locks. Starting from a Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft shown in Figure 3

[0058] P23014WO

[0059] 9

[0060] The indicated pre-lock position usually enables a closing function, whereby the locking mechanism 6,7 moves from the pre-lock position to the main lock position.

[0061] Furthermore, the vehicle door lock is designed such that the components return to the home position shown in Figure 1 when no force is applied. For this purpose, the actuating element 1, the pull lever 2, the clutch element 3, and the actuating lever 4 are spring-loaded. This spring action can be achieved, for example, by means of a torsion spring. To prevent the torsion springs from rotating freely, the aforementioned components preferably have stops (not explicitly shown here) so that the components return to their home position via the respective torsion springs. In the configuration shown here, the spring action of the components is selected to generate a counterclockwise torque.

[0062] Starting from the basic position shown in Figure 1, Figure 2 shows the lock in a different position; only the actuating element 1 has been rotated clockwise about the axis of rotation R3, so that the lock is now in the open position. In this embodiment, the rotation of the actuating element 1 is achieved, without limitation, by means of an electric motor 15 as the drive 15. The locking mechanism 6, 7 is therefore opened electrically by the pin 14 lifting the pawl 7 from its engagement with the rotary latch 6 in the main detent position as shown in Figure 1.

[0063] Starting from the initial position shown in dashed lines in Figure 2, the pins 13 and 14 each move clockwise around the axis of rotation R3 to the now shown open position. During this movement, the pin 14 of the actuating element 1 moves against the locking latch 7, which in turn releases the rotary latch 6. As a result, the rotary latch 6 releases a locking bolt (not explicitly shown here), allowing the door to be fully opened.

[0064] The rotation of the actuating element 1 is particularly advantageously limited according to the invention. This can be achieved, for example, by counter-moving stops 16. In this way, the rotation of the actuating element 1 is limited.

[0065] P23014WO

[0066] 10

[0067] so limited that it can only proceed to the defined opening position.

[0068] The opening position of the actuating element 1 is selected such that a distance d remains between the pin 13, which also moves clockwise, and the nose 11 or the actuating leg 10. This ensures that the opening of the locking mechanism 6, 7 is complete before the coupling element 3 is actuated by the actuating element 1, or even before it can be actuated at all. This has the particularly advantageous effect that disengaging the closing function has no negative influence on the opening force, as will be illustrated in more detail in the following figures.

[0069] Figure 3 shows the vehicle door lock with the closing function fully engaged. The actuating element 1 is in the basic position shown in Figure 1. The closing function, or closing process, initially requires the clutch element 3 to be engaged, as shown in Figure 3. During the closing process, the actuating lever 2 pivots clockwise around the axis of rotation R1. This is because the actuating lever 2 and the actuating lever 4 are rotationally fixed to each other via the engaged clutch element 3. At the beginning of the closing process, the locking mechanism 6, 7 is in its pre-detent position. This pre-detent position is detected by a sensor (not shown) and reported to a control unit for actuating a drive 18, which is part of the closing mechanism 2, 3, 4, 17, 18. The position shown with dashed lines corresponds to this.

[0070] The rotary movement of the actuating lever 2 is effected by means of a Bowden cable 17 connected to the end of the actuating lever 2, which in turn is actuated by the preferably electric drive 18. In the case of the closing process, the Bowden cable 17 is, schematically speaking, pulled horizontally by the drive 18, so that the actuating lever 2, connected to the Bowden cable 17, rotates clockwise about the axis of rotation R1. The coupling element 3, mounted on the actuating lever 2, is in the engaged state in Figure 3 and also moves clockwise about the axis of rotation R1. In doing so, the coupling element 3, or rather the cam shank 9, actuates the coupling receiving element 8. The coupling receiving element 8, which is non-rotatably connected to the detent element 5, is thus actuated by Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft.

[0071] P23014WO

[0072] 11

[0073] The coupling element 3 also pivots clockwise. The locking element 5, in turn, acts on the rotary latch 6, causing it to rotate clockwise and thereby move the locking bolt (not explicitly shown here) from the pre-lock position to the main lock position. This results in a particularly simple and compact closing mechanism for the vehicle lock. During this entire process, there is no interaction with the actuating element 1.

[0074] Starting from the engaged configuration shown in Figure 3 after the closing process has been completed, Figure 4 now shows the process of interrupting the closing function by moving the coupling element 3 from the engaged to the disengaged position.

[0075] First, it should be noted that the closing function remains fully engaged, as can be seen from the position of the actuating lever 2 and the actuated Bowden cable 17. Starting from this closed position, the actuating element 1 is rotated clockwise around the axis of rotation R1 by means of the electric motor 15, starting from the position shown in Fig. 3 (Fig. 1) in the transition to the position in Fig. 2. In the closed position, however, the pin 13 of the actuating element 1 now moves against the nose 11 of the actuating arm 10 and acts upon it at the actuating contour 12. The advantageously curved actuating contour 12 ensures that the L-shaped coupling element 3 rotates counterclockwise around the axis of rotation R2 and that the cam arm 9 no longer acts upon the coupling receiving element 8.As a result, the spring-loaded actuating lever 4 snaps open counterclockwise and thus moves from the closed position shown in Figure 3 to the home position shown in Figure 1. As a consequence, the rotary latch 6 actuated by the actuating lever 4 rotates counterclockwise and moves into its open position.

[0076] The rotation of the actuating element 1 in Fig. 4, in addition to disengaging the coupling element 3, advantageously ensures that the pawl 7, as already shown in Fig. 2, is actuated and opened by the pin 14, so that the rotary latch 6 moves into the open position. This releases the rotary latch 6 from both the actuating lever 4 and, if applicable, from the pawl 7. Since both the disengagement of the coupling element 3 Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0077] P23014WO

[0078] 12

[0079] Since the opening of the locking pawl 7 by the actuating element 1 occurs simultaneously, this ensures particularly advantageously that the interruption of the closing function not only ensures that the actuating lever 2 is interrupted, but rather the lock can be opened completely.

[0080] Figures 1 to 4 shown so far each depict extreme positions: the closing function in its maximum actuation form (Fig. 4) and the basic position in the main detent without an actuation of the closing function (Fig. 1). Figures 5 and 6 show the intermediate idle position, first in the engaged state (Fig. 5) and then in the disengaged state (Fig. 6).

[0081] The idle position according to Figures 5 and 6 is defined such that, in the engaged state, the actuating lever 2 is rotated by means of the Bowden cable 17 until the clutch element 3 comes into contact with the actuating lever 4. This idle position thus marks the point from which, during the continuous tightening process, the clutch element 3 begins to transmit force to the clutch receiving element 8, and thus the actuating lever 4 is moved clockwise. As can be seen from Figure 5, the actuating element 1 is in its home position and therefore does not actuate either the clutch element 3 or the pawl 7.

[0082] Alternatively, Figure 6 shows the vehicle lock in the idle position with the clutch element 3 disengaged. Compared to Figure 5 described above, the actuating element 1 is rotated clockwise around the axis of rotation R3, so that the pin 13 engages the lug 11 and causes the clutch element 3 to rotate counterclockwise around the axis of rotation R2. The clutch element 3 is rotated at least to the point where, when the Bowden cable 17 of the actuating lever 2 is further tightened, the clutch element 3 does not engage the clutch receiving element 8, but rather its coupling contour 20 moves along the receiving contour 19. In this way, the locking mechanism 6, 7 cannot be tightened, even if a tightening process has been initiated. Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft

[0083] P23014WO

[0084] 13 List of reference symbols

[0085] 1 actuating element

[0086] 2 adjusting levers

[0087] 3 coupling element

[0088] 4 operating levers

[0089] 5 locking element

[0090] 6 Rotary Trap

[0091] 7 Locking pawl

[0092] 8 Coupling mounting element

[0093] 9 cam legs

[0094] 10 adjusting legs

[0095] 11 Nose

[0096] 12 Position contour

[0097] 13, 14 cones

[0098] 15 Electric motor

[0099] 16 attacks

[0100] 17 Bowden cable

[0101] 18 Drive

[0102] 19 Recording contour

[0103] 20 Dome contour

[0104] Ri, R2, RS axis of rotation

[0105] d distance

Claims

Patent claims 1. Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle door lock, with an electromechanical opening drive with an actuating element (1) pivotable about an axis, furthermore with a pull lever (2, 4) as part of a pull device (2, 3, 4, 17, 18), and with a coupling element (3), wherein the pull lever (2, 4) is designed in two parts with an actuating lever (2) and an actuating lever (4), which are rotaryally coupled in the engaged state by means of the coupling element (3) and rotaryly decoupled in the disengaged state, characterized by the fact that the coupling element (3) is controlled by means of the actuating element (1).

2. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling element (3) is rotatably mounted on or to the pull lever (2, 4).

3. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating element (1) is actuated indirectly or directly by a drive (15), preferably an electric one.

4. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 2, characterized in that the coupling element (3) is L-shaped.

5. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that the coupling element (3) is cam-shaped at its end.

6. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating lever (4) has a receiving recess which is preferably positively engaged with the cam-like end face of the coupling element (3).

7. Motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the coupling element (3) has a coupling contour (20) which interacts, preferably positively, with a receiving contour (19) arranged on the actuating lever (4).

8. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the actuating element (1) has a pin (13) that interacts with the coupling element (3).

9. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the actuating element (1) and / or the actuating lever (2) and / or the clutch lever (3) and / or the actuating lever (4) is / are spring-loaded.

10. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the coupling element (3) has an actuating contour (12) at its end on the side facing the actuating element (1).

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