BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Below, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to drawings. The individual diagrammatic views are as follows:
FIG. 1 shows a top view from the front onto a carrier plate containing, according to the invention, a dome/cone seat for guiding the connection counter pieces,
FIG. 2 shows a top view onto a lock housing with connection counter pieces vertically extending therefrom,
FIG. 3 shows a top view from the rear onto a motor vehicle door lock according to the invention comprising the carrier plate from FIG. 1 and the lock housing from FIG. 2,
FIG. 4 shows a top view from the front onto the motor vehicle door lock of FIG. 3,
FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic section through a lock housing and a carrier plate prior to their assembly,
FIG. 6 shows a diagrammatic section through lock housing and a carrier plate after assembly in a motor vehicle door lock,
FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic section through a motor vehicle door lock prior to being placed on a vehicle door,
FIG. 8 shows a diagrammatic section through a motor vehicle door lock after having been placed on a vehicle door,
FIG. 9 shows a diagrammatic section through a motor vehicle door lock onto a vehicle door with a connection element, and
FIG. 10 shows a diagrammatic section through a motor vehicle door lock installed on a vehicle door.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The same reference figures in the drawings refer to the same elements or elements that function in the same way.
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a top view from the front onto a metal bearing plate 4, in the example a frame box 31 of a motor vehicle door lock 3. Bearing rods 1 for mounting locking pieces and two dome/cone seats 44 of the invention extend vertically from the surface 42 of the carrier plate. The dome/cone seats 44 contain a funnel-shaped opening 45 for accommodating the cone-shaped dome (see FIG. 2). The dome/cone seats 44 have been formed by plastic extrusion coating 54 around through openings 43 (see FIG. 3) for a connection element and have been produced using the Outsert method.
Also a layer of plastic extrusion coating 52 was applied onto the surface of the carrier plate 4, serving partly as gliding aid and sound insulation between the locking pieces and the bearing plate.
The edge 46 of the carrier plate 4 is also covered by plastic extrusion coating 55, sealing it from exposure to air and preventing risk of injury from sharp burrs.
The catch 21 and the pawl 22 are placed onto the ends of the bearing rods and pushed down against the bearing plate 4.
FIG. 2 shows the lock housing 32 with connection counter pieces 34 formed from the side 36 of the lock housing 32, which is opposite the carrier plate 4 and said pieces having been formed by vertically extending cone-shaped domes 35. The cone-shaped domes 35 each contain a central bearing 37 for the connection element (see FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 below).
The representation also shows the locking pieces 2, in form of a catch 21 and a pawl 22 in the position they occupy on the bearing pins 1. The bearing pins are mounted with their ends in the seats 33 of the lock housing 32.
In order to achieve further noise reduction, the catch 21 and the pawl 22 are also partly coated with a plastic extrusion coating 53.
FIG. 3 and 4 show a top view from the rear and from the front onto a fully installed motor vehicle door lock 3 of the invention. The frame box 31 (carrier plate 4) and the locking pieces 2 mounted thereon are enclosed by the lock housing 32.
A noise-reducing layer 56 is formed around the through opening 43, serving as a noise muffler between the vehicle door and the motor vehicle door lock 3 (see also FIG. 8). The noise-reducing layer 56 is formed by a plastic extrusion coating; in the example, this is the same plastic extrusion coating 54 as used for forming the dome/coat seat 44.
The tip of the cone-shaped dome 35 with the opening of bearing 37 for the connection element can be seen through the through opening 43.
In this view also a plastic extrusion coating 5 of the bearing pins 1 can be seen from below.
FIGS. 5 to 10 show in individual diagrammatic sections, individual example situations of the assembly of a motor vehicle door lock and its installation in the vehicle door.
FIG. 5 shows the lock housing 32 and the frame box 31 (carrier plate 4) in a still unconnected state.
A transportation fixing 9 extends vertically from the carrier plate 4 containing two snap-in projections 91 at its tip which engage with an edge 38 on the lock housing 32 after being pushed through the opening (see FIG. 6). In order to engage, the lock housing 32 and the frame box 31 must be moved towards each other.
Also a section of the plastic extrusion coating 55 of the edges is shown.
In order for the connection counter piece 34, e.g. the vertically extending cone-shaped dome 35 formed from the side 36 of the lock housing 32, which is opposite to the carrier plate 4, to be positioned exactly opposite to the through opening 43 on the surface 42 of the carrier plate 4, the dome/cone seat 44 on the carrier plate 4 was formed using the Outsert method. The funnel-shaped opening 45 ensures that the cone-shaped dome 35 is reliably arranged in its end position.
After the transportation fixing 9 has engaged with the edges 38, the through opening 43 is in FIG. 6 exactly in line with the bearing 37 for the connection element, which will subsequently extend through the through opening 43. The thus fully assembled motor vehicle door lock 3 is safely held together by the transportation fixing 9. The diagrammatic section only shows one type of transportation fixing. Any other engaging elements or other catches preventing opening, are possible.
During installation in a vehicle, the ready motor vehicle door lock 3 is positioned onto a panel of a vehicle door 8 as shown in FIG. 7. For installation, the opening in the panel of the vehicle door 8, the through opening 43 and the bearing 37 for the connection element are positioned in line with each other.
FIG. 8 shows the positioned motor vehicle door lock 3 on the panel of the vehicle door 8. The vehicle door 8 is not in direct contact with the carrier plate 4. For noise reduction and preventing the transfer of vibration, the noise-reducing layer 56 is positioned between the vehicle door 8 and the motor vehicle door lock 3. The noise-reducing layer is formed by the plastic extrusion coating 54 of the dome/cone seat 44, which is also applied using the Outsert method. In the same way, the transportation fixing 9 with a projecting area forms a noise-reducing layer and the enclosing plastic extrusion coating 55 of the edges.
FIG. 9 shows the state shortly before the bolt 71, as connection element 7, is inserted through the panel of the vehicle door and through opening 43 in the carrier plate 4 into the bearing 37 of the connection counter piece 34 formed out of the lock housing 32.
FIG. 10 finally shows the motor vehicle door lock 3 fixed to the vehicle door 8. When screwing into the bearing 37, the bolt 71 has cut a thread into the previously smooth plastic wall of the bearing 37, corresponding to the thread 72 of the bolt.
Patent Application
20080060395
