Patent Application
20240247522
The invention concerns the field of vehicle locking systems, and relates to a motor vehicle lock—in particular, a motor vehicle door lock—having a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and an—in particular, single—pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be latched into at least one latch position by means of the pawl; a rotatable triggering lever, wherein the locking mechanism can be moved from the at least one latch position into an open position by means of the triggering lever; and an electromotive drive unit for actuating the triggering lever, and wherein the drive unit is formed at least by an electric motor and a transmission stage, and the transmission stage has an actuation lever for actuating the triggering lever.
A challenge in the field of motor vehicle locks is to further reduce the installation space requirement of the motor vehicle locks in the vehicle. In addition, the weight of the motor vehicle locks is to be reduced further.
Motor vehicle locks are known from the prior art which, with an electrical opening mechanism, can actuate the pawl out of a latch position in such a way that the locking mechanism of the motor vehicle lock can be opened/unlatched electrically. The opening kinematics required for this purpose with an electric drive made of an electric motor and a triggering lever usually require for this purpose an installation space in the motor vehicle lock which is not negligible, so that the required actuating forces can be transmitted from the electric motor to the triggering lever and from the triggering lever to the pawl. The triggering lever and the remaining actuating kinematics are often equipped with large levers, so that sufficient actuating forces can be achieved via lever arms. Furthermore, the components for the pawl, triggering lever, and remaining actuating kinematics have to be brought into operative connection with one another in the lock, wherein this is realized via numerous lever assemblies or cable drives.
DE 10 2015 110 639 A1 discloses a motor vehicle lock, wherein the motor vehicle lock has a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, and also an electrical opening drive. The drive unit in this case consists of an electric motor and a triggering lever which acts upon the pawl via lever kinematics, so that the pawl can be moved out of the latch position via the triggering lever and the lever kinematics. It is disadvantageous in the arrangement disclosed there that the opening kinematics as a whole, and thus the arrangement of the triggering lever and the drive unit, take up a large installation space in the motor vehicle lock. For this purpose, the electric drive is designed with an electric motor and a transmission stage, wherein an actuation lever is arranged about a first axis of rotation in a first plane, and a triggering lever is arranged about a second axis, wherein the pawl is furthermore arranged so as to be rotatable about a third axis. This arrangement via numerous axes requires a corresponding installation space and is complicated to assemble.
The object of the invention is to at least partially eliminate the disadvantages known from the prior art. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a motor vehicle lock that has a particularly compact design and can nevertheless provide sufficient actuating forces, so that simple and quiet opening of the locking mechanism is enabled.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by a motor vehicle lock—in particular, a motor vehicle door lock—according to claim 1.
Further advantageous embodiments are specified in particular in the dependent claims and in the description. It should be pointed out that the features listed in the claims can be combined with one another in any technologically sensible manner and show further embodiments of the invention.
The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 has a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and an—in particular, single—pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be latched into at least one latch position by means of the pawl. In addition, the motor vehicle lock has a triggering lever, wherein the locking mechanism can be moved from the at least one latch position into an open position by means of the triggering lever. Furthermore, an electric drive unit for actuating the triggering lever is provided, wherein the drive unit is formed at least from an electric motor and a transmission stage, and the transmission stage has an actuation lever.
According to the invention, it is proposed, to achieve the object, that the pawl and the triggering lever, as well as the actuation lever, be pivotably accommodated in the motor vehicle lock about the same, single axis of rotation, wherein at least the actuation lever and the triggering lever interlock by means of a complementarily designed connection geometry, so that a movement of the actuation lever can be transmitted to the triggering lever. According to the invention, it is thus provided that the pawl, the triggering lever, and the actuation lever have the same axis of rotation and be accommodated in the motor vehicle lock so as to be pivotable about this axis of rotation. In particular, the pawl, the triggering lever, and/or the actuation lever are fastened at least to one lock body. The actuation lever and at least the triggering lever have a complementarily designed connection geometry which enables a positive and/or non-positive fit of the at least two aforementioned components. These complementarily designed connection geometries can engage in one another and, in particular, transmit from the actuation lever to the triggering lever a rotational movement which is transmitted from the drive unit to the actuation lever, so that the triggering lever can move the pawl out of the at least one latch position—in particular, a main latch position and/or pre-latch position. The connection geometry according to the invention can also be understood as a plug connection (for example, a plug-in axle connection). Consequently, at least the actuation lever and the triggering lever can be assembled/plugged together. This enables a compact design, and ensures the force transmission—in particular, for opening the locking mechanism.
The connection geometry designed in a complementary manner according to the invention is preferably designed as a toothing, wherein the toothing can have one or more teeth or tooth-like geometries. The actuation lever or the triggering lever can thus preferably have an external toothing, and the corresponding other component can have an internal toothing, or vice versa. According to the invention, the negative shape of the first connection geometry of the actuation lever or of the triggering lever corresponds to the geometry that is designed to be complementary thereto. In visual terms, it could be designed in such a way that the negative shape of the flanks of an external toothing of the one connection geometry corresponds in principle to the flank shape of the internally toothed component, and thus to the connection geometry of the further component. It is thus conceivable that the triggering lever have an external toothing and the actuation lever have an internal toothing, or vice versa, and these toothings mesh—in particular, be plugged together.
The advantage of this complementarily designed connection geometry and the shared mounting of the pawl, the triggering lever, and the actuation lever about the same axis of rotation is that at least the three components—pawl, triggering lever, and actuation lever—can be arranged in a particularly compact manner in the motor vehicle lock. According to the invention, it is thus provided that the pawl, the triggering lever, and the actuation lever engage with one another at least in regions, and—in particular, in the region of the shared axis of rotation—the three components be arranged so as to be nested with one another in a certain way. The required installation space depth in the motor vehicle lock is thus significantly reduced. An actuating mechanism arranged at an angle to itself for releasing the pawl from the rotary latch is thus not absolutely necessary. It is also possible according to the invention to dispense with cable constructions that negatively affect installation space. Rather, the drive unit and the actuating mechanism consisting of the actuation lever, triggering lever, and connection to the locking mechanism—in particular, the pawl—can be designed to be particularly compact.
Advantageously, the at least one connection geometry can have a complete/circumferential toothing in the region of the axis, wherein the toothing has between one and ten teeth, preferably between 14 and 18, and particularly preferably 16 teeth, wherein the teeth interact with correspondingly substantially complementarily designed recesses. An internal or external toothing is thus provided on the actuation lever and/or triggering lever. A so-called poka-yoke connection can, particularly advantageously, be provided, so that a particularly simple and secure assembly can be carried out. Accordingly, at least one toothing geometry/one tooth can be designed differently from the remaining teeth/toothing geometries, wherein a recess formed in a complementary manner to the corresponding tooth/geometry is likewise designed differently in the component to be connected. Consequently, it is conceivable that, in particular, one connection geometry/one tooth be designed differently from the remaining teeth, and the associated recess on the component to be connected be likewise designed differently and complementarily to the one different tooth/geometry.
For example, it is conceivable that the triggering lever have a tooth with a wider tooth surface, and the actuation lever have a single larger, wider recess into which the one wider toothing can be arranged on the actuation lever. Incorrect assembly is thus virtually impossible.
Furthermore, it can be provided that the actuation lever or the triggering lever in the region of the axis of rotation have a collar which extends circumferentially at least in portions. Particularly preferably, the collar is designed such that the connection geometry—in particular, the toothing—is covered at least in portions, at least for the actuating and triggering levers engaged with each other. This circumferential collar makes it possible, on the one hand, to optimize the compact design further, and, furthermore, the collar can form a mount point for a spring, so that the actuation lever and/or the triggering lever can be preloaded by means of the spring. The spring can thus also be arranged in a compact manner on the triggering lever and/or actuation lever, and does not unnecessarily require further installation space.
Furthermore, the collar can cover the connection geometry—in particular, toothing—in such a way that the penetration of dirt and/or moisture can be reduced. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the triggering lever have an external toothing which extends from a first side of a substantially plate-shaped connection portion in a first direction, wherein a mounting point for a bearing pin of the pawl is formed on the other (opposite) side of the connection portion, wherein in particular the mounting point is designed as a receptacle in the triggering lever.
Advantageously, the triggering lever has an external toothing which interacts with an internal toothing of the actuation lever. According to the invention, however, it is also conceivable that the triggering lever have an internal toothing and the actuation lever have an external toothing which is designed to be correspondingly complementary. Accordingly, the triggering lever can also be designed as described above for the actuation lever.
The triggering lever advantageously has a substantially plate-shaped connection portion—in particular, in the region of the mounting points—wherein the toothing—in particular, external toothing—extends from the plate-like connection portion. On the opposite side of the toothing—in particular, external toothing—a connection point/mounting point for a bearing pin of the pawl is formed on the triggering lever. This bearing pin serves to mount the pawl on the lock housing of the motor vehicle lock. The mounting point is in particular also designed as a receptacle in the triggering lever. The pawl and the triggering lever can thus be arranged together on the bearing pin of the pawl. The compact design is thereby further improved.
Thus, according to the preferred embodiment, the bearing pin accommodates the pawl and the triggering lever, and the triggering lever and the actuation lever engage with one another in the manner according to the invention. A shared, compact mounting of these three components can thus be achieved.
Furthermore, it may be preferred for the triggering lever to have an—in particular, single—triggering arm which can be brought into engagement with the pawl. This triggering arm extends in particular from the substantially plate-shaped connection portion, such that a lever arm is formed for actuating the pawl. Consequently, it can advantageously be provided that the,—in particular, single—triggering arm extend radially from the connection portion.
The terms, axial and radial, are in particular related to the axis of rotation of the pawl, the triggering lever, and the actuation lever, so that the expression, axial, denotes in particular a direction which runs parallel to or coaxially with the axis of rotation. Furthermore, the expression, radial, specifically denotes a direction which runs perpendicular to the axis of rotation. A radial extension is to be understood in particular as an extension along or parallel to a radial direction, and an axial extension is to be understood in particular as an extension along or parallel to an axial direction.
Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that the triggering lever have a pawl holder. The pawl holder can be a recess into which at least a portion of the pawl can be arranged. It is particularly preferred if the pawl holder is arranged in the region of the triggering arm of the triggering lever. The pawl holder can, for example, be designed as a pocket into which at least the pawl can be arranged in portions. A force can thus be transmitted from the triggering lever to the pawl particularly reliably. Furthermore, the compact geometry is further optimized thereby, and therefore the pawl can be arranged or is arranged at least in portions in the triggering lever.
Particularly advantageously, the pawl holder can be designed such that the pawl is arranged in the pawl holder with a positive and/or non-positive fit, at least in portions.
Particularly advantageously, the pawl holder can have a clip, latching, crimp, or snap connection for the pawl—in particular, a pawl arm. Thus, not only is the assembly simplified, but also a secure reception of the pawl in the triggering lever is enabled, wherein the compact structure is not negatively affected.
Particularly preferably, the pawl has at least two pawl arms, wherein at least one first pawl arm has a latch surface for latching with the rotary latch, and wherein a second pawl arm is arranged at least in portions in or on the triggering lever, wherein in particular the two pawl arms extend radially from the axis of rotation in substantially opposite directions. For the compact design and the simple and easy actuation, i.e., easy opening of the locking mechanism, it is sufficient if the pawl has only two pawl arms, wherein the first pawl arm is provided for latching with the rotary latch, and the second pawl arm is arranged at least in portions in the triggering lever as described above, so that the pawl is designed to be compact.
In particular, the second pawl arm is arranged in the motor vehicle lock in a manner overlapping the geometry of the triggering arm and an actuating arm of the actuation lever. According to the invention, it is thus possible for only the pawl arm to extend in the opposite direction to the second pawl arm, for the purpose of latching with the rotary latch. The second pawl arm, the triggering arm, and an actuating arm of the actuation lever each extend in the same direction, opposite thereto.
In order to further optimize the compact design, it is conceivable according to the invention that the actuation lever—in particular, an actuating arm of the actuation lever—surround and/or cover the transmission stage—in particular, a gear wheel of the transmission stage—at least in portions. For this purpose, it can be provided that the actuation lever be designed to be substantially U-shaped or curved, and that the actuation lever encompass the transmission stage—in particular, a gear wheel of the transmission stage. This means that the actuating arm or actuation lever substantially has a shape wherein the two end points of the lever or arm are each arranged on one side of the gear wheel. Accordingly, this embodiment allows the actuation lever and the transmission stage to be designed in a particularly compact manner, since an overlap at least in portions ensures that installation space is not unnecessarily wasted.
It can particularly advantageously be provided that at least one seal be arranged between the actuation lever and the triggering lever and/or between the triggering lever and the pawl, wherein in particular the seal is designed as a sealing ring. In this way, environmental influences—in particular, dust and/or water—penetrating into the region of the actuation lever, triggering lever, or pawl can be at least reduced.
It can particularly advantageously be provided that the actuation lever and the drive unit, i.e., including the transmission stage, be arranged in a first part of the motor vehicle lock housing, wherein the triggering lever, the pawl, and the rest of the locking mechanism are arranged in a further part of the motor vehicle lock that differs therefrom. It is thus conceivable that the drive unit with the transmission stage and the actuation lever—preferably also a lock electronics and/or power supply—be arranged at least in portions in a dry space of the motor vehicle lock housing, and the locking mechanism and—at least in portions—the triggering lever be arranged in a wet space of the motor vehicle lock. It is particularly preferred that a previously explained seal be provided between the individual components, triggering lever, actuation lever, and pawl. It can thus be achieved that a sealing/sealed connection can be achieved between the different lock housing parts and the connection of the components, pawl, triggering lever, and actuation lever.
In order to ensure a design of the motor vehicle lock that is as compact as possible, it can be particularly advantageous if the locking mechanism, at least having a pawl and rotary latch, be able to be unlatched in a particularly simple manner, i.e., be designed to be easy to open, or to open with little force. According to the invention, it can be provided that the rotary latch have a blocking element movably mounted on the rotary latch, wherein the blocking element is arranged so as to be rotatable at least in portions in the rotary latch and/or on the lock housing or the lock cartridge. The blocking element can accordingly—in particular, at least in portions—roll on the rotary latch and/or the pawl. This particularly advantageous locking mechanism makes it possible for the actuating forces to lift the pawl from the at least one latch position, i.e., main latch and/or pre-latching position. The pawl is thereby acted upon by a triggering force applied by the triggering lever, such that the blocking element first moves or rolls in the rotary latch in such a way that particularly low opening forces are required. The lever of the actuating kinematics can thus also be designed to be smaller, and thus have a compact design.
Where reference is made in the context of the invention to a lock for a motor vehicle, all locking systems which fix a movable part in a position relative to the motor vehicle are thus included. A lock can be arranged, for example, in a side door, a sliding door, a rear door, a cover, and also, for example, in a rear seat bench. This is true as well wherever movable parts are used by means of a locking system consisting of a locking mechanism with at least a pawl and a rotary latch. A lock according to the invention can be arranged in the movable part (side door, sliding door, rear door, cover, rear seat bench) or in/on the vehicle/vehicle body.
Further measures improving the invention emerge from the following description of some exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are shown schematically in the figures. All of the features and/or advantages resulting from the claims, the description, or the drawing, including structural details, spatial arrangements, and method steps, may be essential to the invention both on their own and in the most varied of combinations. It should be noted that the figures are only of a descriptive character and are not intended to restrict the invention in any way.
In the figures, the same reference symbols denote the same or functionally identical components, unless stated otherwise.
In the drawings:
The pawl 13 is rotatable about the axis of rotation R, wherein the pawl 13 is arranged/mounted on a bearing pin 27 for this purpose. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pawl 13 has a first pawl arm 13.1 and a second pawl arm 13.2. In the embodiment shown, the first pawl arm 13.1 and the second pawl arm 13.2 extend, in the shown exemplary embodiment, from diametrically opposite directions, from the axis of rotation R and/or the bearing pin 27. The latch surface 13.3 for latching with the blocking element 14 and thus the rotary latch 12 is arranged on the first pawl arm 13.1. The pawl 13 is arranged on the triggering lever 15 on the second pawl arm 13.2. For this purpose, a pawl holder 15.2 is formed in the triggering lever 15, in which pawl holder the second pawl arm 13.2 is arranged, and in particular held, with a positive and/or non-positive fit.
The triggering lever 15 is also mounted rotatably on the same axis of rotation R as the pawl 13. This also applies to the actuation lever 19, which is also arranged so as to be rotatable about the axis of rotation R. The triggering lever 15 and actuation lever 19 have a connection geometry 20 according to the invention.
The motor vehicle lock 10 also has an electromotive drive unit 16, comprising an electric motor 17 and at least one transmission stage 18. The electromotive drive unit 16 serves to open the locking mechanism 11—in particular, to lift the pawl 13 by means of the triggering lever 15—with the actuation lever 19 interposed.
For the electromotive opening of the locking mechanism 11, the electric motor 17 drives a worm on the output shaft of the electric motor 17, wherein the worm works by means of a toothing on a gear/worm wheel 18.1 and drives the latter in a rotary manner. In the figures, the gear wheel 18.1 is designed as an spur-toothed worm wheel 18.1. According to the invention, an evoloid toothing is also conceivable. A substantially ramp-shaped (worm) contour 18.3 is formed on the worm gear 18.1 about its axis of rotation, with which contour the contact surface 19.2 of the actuation lever 19 comes into contact, and rotates it about the axis of rotation R. The contact surface 19.2 of the actuation lever 19 consequently travels along the contour 18.3 when the worm gear 18.1 rotates, whereby the actuation lever 19 rotates about the axis of rotation R. According to the invention, the actuation lever 19 and the triggering lever 15 have a complementarily designed connection geometry 20, so that a movement of the actuation lever 19 is transmitted to the triggering lever 15. The electromotive rotational movement of the actuation lever 19 is thus transmitted to the triggering lever so that the triggering lever 15 is moved about the shared axis of rotation R of the actuation lever 19, triggering lever 15, and pawl 13.
In order to open the locking mechanism 11—in particular, to lift the pawl 13—the in particular rotational movement of the triggering lever 15 is transmitted to the pawl 13 due to the arrangement of the pawl 13 in/on a triggering arm 15.1 of the triggering lever 15, so that it can be lifted off the rotary latch 12. The triggering arm 15.1 of the triggering lever 15 has a pawl holder 15.2 in which the second pawl arm 13.2 is arranged so that the pawl 13 can be rotated about the axis of rotation R/the bearing pin 27.
In other words, the pawl 13, triggering lever 15, and actuation lever 19 are connected to one another by means of at least one, and preferably several, plug connections and/or connection geometries 20. Particularly advantageously, the pawl 13 is, in the manner described, meshed with the triggering lever 15 by means of the plug connection made of the pawl arm 13.2 and pawl holder 15.2, and the triggering lever 15 meshes by means of the connection geometry 20 described further below. In particular, this embodiment enables the compact design.
Further improvements can be achieved by the mounting point 26 for the pawl 13—in particular, the bearing pin 27 of the pawl 13 on the triggering lever 15. The mounting point 26 can be designed as a recess or depression, so that the bearing pin 27 and/or, at least in portions, the pawl 13 can be arranged in/on the triggering lever 15. In
The connection geometry 20 in
The triggering lever spring 15.3 can preload the triggering lever in such a way that it is acted upon in the opening direction or in the closing direction. The spring force can thus act upon the triggering lever 15 and, due to the connection of the triggering lever 15 and the pawl 13, exert force in the direction of the rotary latch 12/latch position I or away from the rotary latch in the direction of the open position. The triggering lever 15 and thus the pawl 13 are preferably loaded in the direction of the latch position, and thus facilitate the drop of the pawl 13 into the latch position of the rotary latch 12. For this purpose, one leg of the triggering lever spring 15.3 can, on the one hand, rest against the triggering lever 15, and, on the other, against the lock housing or a lock case. The triggering lever spring 15.3 and the triggering lever 15 are designed in such a way that the triggering lever spring 15.3 is mounted on the triggering lever, and the legs of the triggering lever spring 15.3 designed as a double leg spring can be supported on the triggering lever and on the lock housing or lock case. One leg of the spring 15.3 engages in a receptacle on the triggering arm 15.1 of the triggering lever 15. The windings of the triggering lever spring 15.3 are consequently arranged on the triggering lever 15 in such a way that the installation space can be kept compact. For this purpose, the triggering lever 15 can preferably have a spring seat on which the triggering lever spring 15.3—in particular, the windings—are mounted.
As can be seen in
The triggering lever 15 is preloaded by means of a triggering lever spring 15.3, wherein the spring 15.3 preferably preloads the triggering lever 15 and thus the pawl 13 in the direction of the rotary latch. For this purpose, the triggering lever spring 15.3 is designed as a double leg spring, and is mounted with one leg on the triggering lever 15.1, and mounted with a further leg on the lock housing or the lock case.
At the one end of the actuating arm 19.1, the recess 22 and thus the receptacle for the toothing of the triggering lever are arranged, wherein the contact surface 19.2 for an interaction with the worm gear 18.1—in particular, the contour of the worm gear 18.1—is arranged on the other end of the actuating arm 19.1. The recess 22 is designed here as a receiving geometry for the external toothing of the triggering lever. Consequently, the recess 22 has several indentations for a multi-tooth geometry. In the present case, it is thus such that the negative shape of the flanks of the external toothing of the one connection geometry on the triggering lever corresponds to the flank shape of the internally toothed actuation lever 19, and thus of the connection geometry of the further component. The actuation lever 19 and the triggering lever 15 can thus mesh due to the complementarily designed connection geometry 20, so that a movement of the actuation lever 19 can be transmitted to the triggering lever 15. It can also be seen that a poka-yoke recess 22.1 is provided, so that incorrect assembly/incorrect plugging together of the triggering lever 15 and actuation lever 19 is prevented. The poka-yoke recess 22.1 is designed overall to be larger/wider than the remaining recesses/indentations of the recess contour 22. A wider tooth on the triggering lever—the poka-yoke tooth—can consequently be plugged only into the poka-yoke recess 22.1. Incorrect assembly is thus ruled out. Furthermore, the actuation lever has material recesses, such that the weight of the lever 19 can be reduced. In order to simultaneously provide sufficient mechanical stability, the actuation lever 19 has reinforcing/stiffening ribs 19.4 in the region of the actuating arm 19.1.
A collar 23, which can serve, for example, as a spring seat for the triggering lever spring, is formed around the external toothing 24 or the plug shaft formed therewith. The triggering lever 15 furthermore has a substantially plate-shaped connection portion 25. The external toothing 24/plug shaft extends on the one side of the connection portion 25, wherein a mounting point 26 is formed on the other side of the connection portion 25. At this mounting point 26, for example, a bearing pin of the pawl can be received at least in portions. This also has a positive influence on the compact design. In the inserted state, the collar 23 surrounds the connection geometry of the triggering lever 15 and actuation lever 19. For example, tilting/inclination of the two levers 15, 19 can thus be prevented, and the penetration of disturbing environmental influences can be made more difficult. The cylindrical collar 23 of the triggering lever thus surrounds or covers in particular a likewise cylindrical portion of the recess 22 on the actuation lever 19. The toothed connection geometry of the triggering lever and actuation lever is thus overall surrounded/encased, and thus imparts more stability and protection against external environmental influences.
Essentially, only the locking mechanism 11 and a part of the triggering lever are thus arranged in the wet space 32. Other parts of the actuating mechanism are located in the dry space 31, and are thus protected from disruptive environmental influences. In any case, the compact design in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2021 123 328.3 | Sep 2021 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/DE2022/100619 | 8/19/2022 | WO |
