EP1179109B1 - Lock for a vehicle door - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock for a vehicle door, comprising a drive system and an associated actuating element for moving a detent pawl. Said drive system can be coupled to the detent pawl by a coupling. High levels of functionality and reliability are obtained as a result of the coupling only engaging when an inside handle and/or an outside handle associated with the vehicle door lock is activated.

Description

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock according to the Preamble of claim 1. Under motor vehicle door lock here is general a side door lock, a rear door lock, a tailgate lock, a hood lock o. The like to understand a motor vehicle.

From DE 196 14 122 A1 a motor vehicle door lock is known, the one has electromotive drive for an actuator. With this motor vehicle door lock is disadvantageous that a failure of the drive in part Swung out pawl for permanent blocking of the pawl can lead so that this no longer the lock latch in the closed State (correct) can lock. Another disadvantage is that the drive at the well-known motor vehicle door lock exclusively for actuation the pawl can be used.

GB 2 320 943 A is a motor vehicle door lock with a drive and an associated actuator for moving a lock element known. The drive is with the control element and above with the Lock element can be coupled in terms of drive via a clutch. In addition is a control means is provided which upon actuation of the motor vehicle door lock associated clutch disengages the clutch. The uncoupling the coupling is carried out by manual operation from the inside door handle or outside door handle to enable if the motorized opening drive fails.

The starting point of the teaching is a motor vehicle door lock according to EP 0 828 049 A with a drive and an actuator assigned to it, the drive with the actuating element and above with the lock element can be coupled in terms of drive via an electrical coupling. The coupling requires its own motor drive. The electric clutch is a control means assigned when operating a door handle and / or an outside door handle engages the clutch. The drive is there always coupled with the handles.

The present invention is therefore based on the problem of a motor vehicle door lock indicate that an unwanted blocking of a lock element, in particular a pawl, even if one drive fails and a higher functionality having.

The above problem is addressed by a motor vehicle door lock 1 solved. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The basic idea of the present teaching lies first in the Only engage the clutch when operating an inner handle or outer handle, otherwise keep it open. This construction can the drive for further functions regardless of a movement of the Lock element can be used. Accordingly, a greater variety of functions of the motor vehicle door lock.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht eines vorschlagsgemäßen Kraftfahrzeug-Türschlosses; und

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht des Kraftfahrzeug-Türschlosses.

Further details, features, objectives and advantages of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing of a preferred exemplary embodiment. It shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic side view of a proposed motor vehicle door lock; and

Fig. 2

a plan view of the motor vehicle door lock.

1 and 2 show a simplified schematic representation of a proposed Motor vehicle door lock 1 with a motorized, in particular drive formed by an electric motor 2.

To the drive 2, a gear 3 is connected, via which the drive 2 can drive peg-like actuator 4 here. Preferably is the control element 4 along a circumferential, here circular movement path movable by the drive 2.

The actuating element 4 can in turn - here via an actuating lever 5 - Actuate or move the lock element - here a pawl 6.

The motor vehicle door lock 1 has a fork or rotary latch trained lock latch 7 to which the pawl 6 is assigned is. 1 and 2 show the proposed motor vehicle door lock 1 when closed, d. H. when the lock latch 7 is locked. Fig. 1 shows that the pawl 6 in the latched state in a rest 8 - one Main catch or possibly a preliminary catch - the lock latch 7 is latched in and thereby lock latch 7 locks against opening. In the representation example is a locking block to be received from the fork region 9 of the lock latch 7 not shown. 1 and 2 show the bearing or pivot axis 10 of the lock latch 7.

According to the proposal, the drive 2 to the one to be moved or to be actuated lock element - here the pawl 6 - formed drive train a clutch 11. The clutch 11 serves as an interruption this drivetrain.

In particular, the clutch 11 is between the drive 2 and the actuator 4 installed, preferably between the gear 3 and the actuator 4. However, the coupling 11 can, if necessary, also the control element 4 and / or include the lock element or pawl 6, this or this form an element of the clutch 11.

The clutch 11 is assigned a control means 12 which controls the Coupling and disengaging the clutch 11 is used.

In Fig. 1 it is indicated that an associated with the motor vehicle door lock 1 Inner handle 13 and / or an outer door handle assigned to the motor vehicle door lock 1 14 can be coupled to the clutch 11 via the control means 12 or are so that the clutch 11 when operating the inner handle 13th and / or the outer handle 14 engages, so here is an active connection between the Drive 2 and the actuator 4 manufactures.

The coupling of the clutch 11 or the control means 12 with the inner handle 13 and / or the outer handle 14 is mechanical, as with the Preferred embodiment explained in more detail below.

The control means 12 acts mechanically on the clutch 11 and has one Clutch lever 15, which engages (closes) the clutch 11 can effect. The clutch lever 15 is in turn by an internal operating lever 16 and / or an outer operating lever 17 of the motor vehicle door lock 1 operated. In Fig. 1, the inner operating lever 16 for Improved clarity shown in dashed lines. The interior control lever 16 is with the inner handle 13, as indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 1, can be coupled, for example via a linkage, a Bowden cable or the like the outer operating lever 17 can be coupled to the outer handle 14.

The inner operating lever 16 is in the illustrated embodiment as two-armed lever and pivoted about an axis 18, which also serves a pivot bearing of the pawl 6. The interior control lever 16 has a transversely protruding projection at a lever end 19 on the clutch lever 15 for pivoting the clutch lever 15 under or overlaps.

The outer operating lever 17 is pivotally mounted about an axis 20, which also serves a pivot bearing of the clutch lever 15. The outside operating lever 17 is also designed as a two-armed lever. He points a transversely protruding projection 21 which overlaps the clutch lever 15 or engages under, so that when pivoting the outer operating lever 17 - 1 clockwise - the clutch lever 15 is pivoted accordingly becomes.

When the clutch lever 15 due to an operation of the inner handle 13 or the outer handle 14 by means of the inner operating lever 16 or the outer operating lever 17 from the swivel position shown in Fig. 1 clockwise - So here up - is pivoted, the clutch 11th closed, i.e. engaged. The mechanical solution provided for this is explained in more detail below. In the functional state shown in FIG. 1 - When the inner handle 13 is not actuated and when the outer handle is not actuated 14 - the clutch 11 is open, i.e. disengaged.

The clutch lever 15 is substantially L-shaped and has a ramp surface 22 facing the clutch 11 with a ramp slope 23, which cooperates with a coupling element 24 such that the Clutch 11 as a function of the swivel position of clutch lever 15 is closed or open.

The coupling element 24 is formed like a pin here, the run-up surface 22 or bevel 23 on an end face of the coupling element 24 can act such that the coupling element 24 depending on the pivot position the clutch lever 15 is axially displaced. This axial movement or shift controls the clutch engagement and disengagement 11th

The clutch 11 has two gears 25 and 26, each one axial Have teeth 27 and on a common axis 28 or coaxial are arranged so that the gears 25 and 26 axially moved together Condition are engaged with each other via their serrations 27. The Clutch 11 is closed or engaged in this state.

The gears 25 and 26 stand axially apart from one another not in engagement with each other, as in the functional state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The clutch 11 is then open or disengaged, so that no drive connection between the drive 2 and the Actuator 4 is present.

The serrations 27 of the gears 25 and 26 are preferably one on the other coordinated and trained that a coupling in almost any relative position the gears 25 and 26 to each other is possible - the serrations So 27 are very fine - and that only one intervention in one drive direction or drive direction of rotation takes place, so the clutch 11 at least forces essentially only in one drive direction - here on the Control element 4 - transmits.

In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the coupling element 24 arranged centrally on the gear 26, that is, in an extension of the axis 28 and jumps to the clutch lever 15 or its ramp surface 22 forward.

The gear 26 also carries the actuator 4, which is eccentric and is fixedly arranged on the gear 26 on the output side.

Between the two gears 25 and 26 one acts in the axial direction spring, not shown, which pushes the two gears 25 and 26 apart, so that clutch 11 is normally open. Only when through Swiveling the clutch lever 15 whose ramp slope 23 and ramp surface 22 over the coupling element 24 overcoming the gear 26 the spring force axially to the gear 25, the teeth come 27 engages and the clutch 11 is closed.

The gear 25 forms an element in the illustrated embodiment of the gear 3. The gear 25 is designed as a worm gear, that can be rotated by the drive 2 via a meshing worm 29 of the transmission 3 is.

Of course, there are other constructive solutions for the electromotive Drive 2, the transmission 3 and / or the clutch 11 possible. In particular, it is not necessary that the clutch 11 be used for transmission is formed by rotary movements. Alternatively or additionally you can namely translational movements are also transmitted or coupled. The drive 2 can, for example, instead of an electric motor magnetic, pneumatic, hydraulic actuator, a linear motor o. Like. Have. Depending on the version and requirements, the gearbox is 3 adjusted or omitted.

When the inner handle 13 or the outer handle 14 is actuated, the Control means 12 closed the clutch 11, here via the pivoting Clutch lever 15. At the same time, the drive 2, for example by a not shown, the inner handle 13 and / or the outer handle 14 assigned switch, sensor or the like, or a corresponding signal evaluating control electronics, not shown, switched on. The drive 2 then works in one direction of rotation due to the closed clutch 11 leads to an actuation or movement of the actuating element 4. The Actuator 4 performs a due to the present constructive solution Circular movement and pivots the associated lever 5 such that this lifts the pawl 6 or disengages from the catch 8 and thus the lock latch 7 releases. The motor vehicle door lock 1 is then opened.

After lifting the pawl 6, the drive 2 can be switched off. This can be done, for example, by means of a sensor or switch, not shown o. The like. Or by running the control element 4 on a not shown Stop or the like can be realized. However, the drive 2 can also continue remain switched on so that the control element 4 along its path of movement is moved further to pivot the setting lever 5 and thus release the pawl 6.

The actuating lever 5 is preferably designed with two arms and around one Axis 30 pivotally mounted. However, there are other constructive ones here too Solutions possible.

The pawl 6 and / or the actuating lever 5 is or are spring-loaded in such a way that when clutch 11 is open, moving away or pushing the control element 4 or a reset of the actuating lever 5 and / or the pawl 6 is possible by spring force. Accordingly, even in the event of a failure of the drive 2 or a blocking of the transmission 3, the pawl 6 occur and in the closed state of the motor vehicle door lock 1 Lock lock latch 7. Opening the clutch 11 and thus releasing the Pawl 6 or another lock element actuated by drive 2 takes place in any case when the handles 13 and 14 no longer operated be and the clutch lever 15 - in particular by appropriate Biasing by means of a spring, not shown - its in Fig. 1st shown neutral position - the position that does not close the clutch.

To open the motor vehicle door lock 1 even if the drive fails 2, to enable blocking of the transmission 3 or the like is an emergency opening function intended. This can be achieved, for example, by that the inner handle 13, the outer handle 14, a locking cylinder, not shown o. The like. With the pawl 6 - preferably over a sufficient Lost motion - is coupled that, for example, one over the normal Operating position of the inner handle 13, the outer handle 14 or the locking cylinder, not shown, for lifting the Pawl 6 and thus releasing the lock latch 7 leads.

If necessary, the drive 2 can also be used for further functions of the motor vehicle door lock 1, in particular actuating functions or the like. This is possible in particular in that the clutch 11 is preferred is only closed or engaged when the handle 13 or 14 is operated. Otherwise, the clutch 11 is open or disengaged, so that without actuation or movement of the actuator 4 or the associated Lock element of the drive 2 can be switched on and for example via the gear 3 or another gear other functions can execute. The same applies if the drive 2 in the opposite Drive direction is operated, the clutch in this drive direction does not work even when engaged or closed or no significant forces on the control element 4 or the associated Lock element - here the pawl 6 - exercises.

A very compact structure of the proposed motor vehicle door lock 1 is achieved in that the axes 10, 18 and 20 run parallel, whereas the axis 28 of the clutch 11 and the axis of rotation of the Drive 2 for this purpose and preferably also perpendicular to each other.

Claims (17)

1. Motor vehicle door lock (1) with a drive (2) and an assigned actuating element (4) for moving the lock element (6), such as a detent pawl (6), wherein the drive (2) can be drive-coupled to the lock element (6) via a coupling (11), wherein the coupling (11) is assigned a control means (12), which engages the coupling (11) upon actuation of one of the inside handle (13) assigned to the motor vehicle door lock and/or outside handle (14) assigned to the motor vehicle door lock and wherein the coupling (11) is closed solely upon actuation of the inside handle (13) and/or outside handle (14) and is otherwise opened,
   characterized in that the control means (12) has a coupling lever (15) for mechanically closing the coupling (11) and that the coupling lever (15) is mechanically coupled with the inside handle (13) and/or outside handle (14), in particular via an assigned inside actuating lever (16) and/or an assigned outside actuating lever (17).
2. Motor vehicle door lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling lever (15) and the inside actuating lever (16) and/or the outside actuating lever (17) are supported to be able to swivel around the same axis (20).
3. Motor vehicle door lock according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the drive (2) can be coupled with the lock element (6) and the actuating element (4) via the coupling (11).
4. Motor vehicle door lock as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling (11) is made to engage by force-fit.
5. Motor vehicle door lock as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling (11) is made to engage by form-fit.
6. Motor vehicle door lock as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling (11) acts to couple only in one drive direction.
7. Motor vehicle door lock as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling (11) is made for transmission of rotary motions.
8. Motor vehicle door lock as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling (11) has two preferably axially toothed gear wheels (25, 26), which can be engaged to one another especially by axial displacement.
9. Motor vehicle door lock as claimed in claims 8, wherein the gear wheels (25, 26) can be engaged to one another by means of the coupling lever (15).
10. Motor vehicle door lock as claimed in claim 9, wherein the coupling lever (15) axially presses the gear wheels (25, 26) against one another with the coupling (11) closed.
11. Motor vehicle door lock as claimed in one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the gear wheels (25, 26) are toothed such that form-fitted engagement takes place only in one drive direction.
12. Motor vehicle door lock as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling (11) is made to be closable against spring force.
13. Motor vehicle door lock as claimed in one of claims 8 to 11 and as claimed in claim 12, wherein the coupling (11) has a spring which pretensions the gear wheels (25, 26) to disengage.
14. Motor vehicle door lock as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling (11) has a driven gear or gear wheel (26), which bears the actuating element (4).
15. Motor vehicle door lock as claimed in claim 14, wherein the actuating element (4) is made like a journal and is located eccentrically on the driven gear or gear wheel (26).
16. Motor vehicle door lock as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein there is an actuating lever (5) which can be swiveled by the actuating element (4) and which for its part in the swiveled state actuates the lock element, especially unlatches the detent pawl (6) from the lock latch (7) assigned to it or from its catch (8).
17. Motor vehicle door lock as claimed in claim 16, wherein the actuating lever (5) or the detent pawl (6) is pre-tensioned by spring force into a non-swiveled position such that the actuating lever (5) or the detent pawl (6) with the coupling (11) opened assumes or can assume the non-swiveled position.

Images