EP3017130B1 - Motor vehicle door lock - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism consisting essentially of catch and pawl, further comprising a release element for lifting the pawl and thus open the locking mechanism, and with a spring loaded by a memory element which holds the pawl in the raised position until the Rotary latch is fully or almost completely open, wherein the spring and the storage element form a structural unit and are formed as the triggering element acting on the spring lip and wherein the spring lip rests against the triggering element when holding the pawl in the raised position.

A so-called memory or memory lever function in motor vehicles is typically realized in the rear motor vehicle door lock, ie the tailgate lock. With the help of the memory lever function is ultimately ensured that the pawl is not inadvertently brought back into engagement with the catch when the locking mechanism is open or can be brought. Such situations are observed in practice, for example, when the tailgate associated with the tailgate lock is not fully opened due to snow load or other burdens or can be opened.
In fact, in practice there is the danger that the locking mechanism will not open until it reaches the pre-rest position and the rotary latch will re-engage. As a result, the associated motor vehicle door lock must be reopened to fully open the tailgate in the example.
To master such functional states, suggests EP 1 862 618 B1 in that the storage element is held by means of the spring when opening the locking mechanism in contact with at least one lock component. In this way, the overall functional reliability should be increased and a structurally simple design made available.
In the further prior art according to the US 2011 0 031 765 A1 a memory element is provided, which is connected to a housing component. The memory element has a stopper, which with a hook on the pawl interacts to keep them in the open position. When the catch at the ratchet opening transitions to its fully open position, a finger attached to the ratchet causes the storage element to be lifted off the pawl. Following this, the pawl slides along the catch and can not enter the pre-rest.

The prior art has proven itself in principle, but can be improved. So falls with a view to the EP 1 862 618 B1 on that there storage element and spring are formed separately, which increases the technological complexity and difficult assembly. The US 2001 031 765 A1 Although working at this point with as it were a structural unit of the memory element and the spring, but this acts on the pawl. For this reason, a relatively bulky structure is followed. For the known storage element on the one hand and the locking mechanism of the catch and pawl on the other hand are arranged in spaced-apart planes.

If you now also want to mount the trigger element including, for example, drive, typically a third level is required, which increases the overall volume. Today, however, motor vehicle door locks are required with compact dimensions and few functional components in order to use the limited available installation space inside a motor vehicle door on the one hand and on the other hand to take account of the enormous price pressure. The invention aims to remedy this situation.

DE 103 61 168 A1 and EP 0 978 610 A1 each describe a motor vehicle door lock according to the preamble of claim 1. In each of these known motor vehicle door fasteners, the spring lip is attached to the rotary latch.

DE 103 61 168 A1 also describes a motor vehicle door lock with a catch of rotary latch and pawl, a trigger element for lifting the pawl and thus opening the locking mechanism and acted upon by a spring storage element, which the pawl as long held in the raised position until the catch is open. The spring and the storage element form a structural unit and are designed as the rotary latch acting on the spring lip. In this known motor vehicle door lock, the spring lip is attached to the trigger element. DE 103 61 168 A1 also describes a motor vehicle door lock with a locking mechanism of the catch and pawl, a triggering element for lifting the pawl and thus opening the locking mechanism and acted upon by a spring storage element which holds the pawl in the raised position until the catch is opened. The spring and the storage element form a structural unit and are formed as the pawl acting on spring lip. In this known motor vehicle door lock, the spring lip is attached to a fishing camp or a supporting wall of the motor vehicle door lock.
EP 0 978 610 A1 also describes a motor vehicle door lock with a catch of catch and pawl, a trigger element for lifting the pawl and thus opening the locking mechanism and acted upon by a spring storage element which holds the pawl in the raised position until the catch is opened. The spring and the storage element form a structural unit and are designed as the rotary latch acting on the spring lip. In this known motor vehicle door lock, the spring lip is formed on the triggering element.
The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle door lock in such a way that compact external dimensions are observed while at the same time a minimum of functional components and associated reduced costs.

To solve this technical problem, a generic motor vehicle door lock in the invention is characterized in that the spring lip is connected to a housing or a lock component, that the lock component is a separate partition from the housing in the interior of the housing or is designed as an electronic component carrier that the Rotary latch has an interacting with the spring lip contour, and that the contour in the course of the opening movement of the rotary latch lifts the spring lip of their abutment on the trigger element.

Most of the spring lip acts on the trigger element in the transverse direction. ie the spring lip extends predominantly transversely to the longitudinal extent of the triggering element.

As a rule, the spring lip and the triggering element are arranged substantially in a common plane. In addition, the catch and the pawl additionally clamp a Gesperreebene, which is typically arranged parallel to the plane defined by the spring lip and the trigger element plane. This initially provides a compact design available. To this end, the circumstance contributes to the fact that the pawl and the trigger element are generally coaxially mounted to each other, thus pawl and trigger element are pivotally mounted about the same axis or axis of rotation. As a result, the design can be further made so that the triggering element and the spring lip acting on the triggering element can be placed in plan view above the locking mechanism (or also below). As a result, the spring lip can also be mounted in overlap with the locking mechanism in a housing.
According to an advantageous embodiment, the spring and the storage element not only form a structural unit, but are regularly designed in one piece and together define the spring lip.

The housing or the lock component is generally a plastic component. In this case, it has proven useful if the spring lip is formed on the housing or the lock component. In fact, the spring lip and the housing or the lock component can be designed overall as a one-piece plastic molded part. That is, the housing or the lock component and the spring lip are regularly produced in one go, for example by a plastic injection molding process. As a result, the cost of the spring lip can be set very low.

The housing is generally the so-called lock housing. The lock housing regularly acts as a lid, by means of which a locking case storing the lock case is covered and closed. According to the invention, the lock component is a partition wall separate from the housing in the interior of the housing or lock housing. According to the invention, the lock component is alternatively designed as a so-called electronic component carrier.
Such an electronic component carrier is a plastic plate or else a plastic plate which serves for holding electrical components to be arranged in the interior of the associated motor vehicle door lock, such as, for example, one or more motors, switches, electronic components, etc. An example of an electronic component carrier in motor vehicle door closures is disclosed in US Pat DE 20 2007 005 076 U1 described by the applicant, to which reference is expressly made. In addition, be the DE 10 2008 057 478 A1 called the applicant.
It has been proven that the spring lip is largely tangential in comparison to a circular arc-shaped pivoting movement described by the trigger element. In fact, the triggering element is advantageously a release lever, which is pivotably mounted in comparison to its axis of rotation. This axis of rotation acts generally at the same time as a rotation axis for the pawl. In any case, an actuation of the trigger element or release lever corresponds to the fact that the triggering element or the release lever performs a pivoting movement about the said axis of rotation. In this process, the trigger element takes the pawl with, if this is to initiate an opening movement of the locking mechanism.

So that the trigger element and with it the pawl (simultaneously) are held in the open position or raised position, the spring lip typically interacts with a formation on the trigger element. Since the spring lip is arranged substantially tangentially to the circular arc-shaped pivoting movement of the triggering element described about its axis of rotation, it is sufficient in this process, when the spring lip engages behind the questionable formation on the trigger element or engages below. This functional position is maintained until the catch moves to its fully or nearly fully open position.
According to the invention, the rotary latch has a contour interacting with the spring lip. The contour ensures that the catch lifts off the spring lip from its abutment on the trigger element in the course of its opening movement. D. h., As soon as the contour on the rotary latch on the spring lip works, the spring lip is lifted from their investment in the formation of the trigger element, so that subsequently the trigger element and with him the pawl is not (more) held in the raised position or be. This may provide a spring, which acts on the trigger element and with him the pawl in a corresponding sense. Following this, the pawl is against an outer edge of the rotary latch, but can not (more) come into a Vorrastausnehmung because the catch is open beyond this Vorrastausnehmung.
Since the spring lip according to an advantageous embodiment of the housing or the lock component (made of plastic) is formed, it is recommended that the spring lip performs a substantially vertical deflection movement in comparison to its longitudinal extent. D. h., The spring lip is pivoted perpendicular to its longitudinal extent in order to interact with the formation of the trigger element, as soon as the triggering element in an admission learns the meaning that the pawl is lifted from the catch. Conversely, the spring lip is also deflected perpendicular to the longitudinal extent when the catch with its contour at the opening lifts the spring lip of their contact with the trigger element.

Such vertical deflection movements of the spring lip in comparison to the longitudinal extent can be easily and permanently realized with plastic materials due to the inherent elasticity. D. h., At this point, any damage in the area of the connection of the spring lip to the housing or the lock component (Elektrokomponententräger) are not to be feared. Rather, it is to be assumed that a permanent and functional operation, at the same time special cost advantages due to the simple design of the spring lip are observed.
In fact, it is sufficient in this context if the spring lip is formed as formed on the housing or the lock component longitudinal web. The longitudinal web can be equipped on the front with a crosspiece to increase the common contact surface between the formation of the release lever on the one hand and the spring lip on the other.

As a result, a motor vehicle door lock is provided, which first of all manages with a minimum of functional components. In fact, spring and storage element are combined to form a spring lip, which is advantageously a one-piece molding on the housing or lock component of the motor vehicle door lock. In addition, according to the invention, the spring lip holds the release element and consequently indirectly the pawl in the raised position until the catch is opened. As a result, the spring lip and the trigger element can be arranged in a common plane, moreover still in supervision of (or below) the scaffolding plane in question. In this way, the associated motor vehicle door lock can be particularly compact and slim design. Here are the main benefits.

Fig. 1

eine erste Variante des erfindungsgemäßen Kraftfahrzeugtürverschlusses in einer Übersicht ohne Gehäuse,

Fig. 2

den Gegenstand nach der Fig. 1 in einer weiteren zweiten Variante mit Gehäuse,

Fig. 3A - 3D

den Kraftfahrzeugtürverschluss nach der Fig. 1, reduziert auf die für die wesentlichen Bauteile in verschiedenen Funktionsstellungen und

Fig. 4A - 4D

den Kraftfahrzeugtürverschluss nach Fig. 2 in den verschiedenen Funktionsstellungen.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment; show it:

Fig. 1

a first variant of the motor vehicle door lock according to the invention in an overview without housing,

Fig. 2

the object after the Fig. 1 in a further second variant with housing,

Fig. 3A - 3D

the motor vehicle door lock after the Fig. 1 , reduced to that for the essential components in different functional positions and

Fig. 4A - 4D

the motor vehicle door lock after Fig. 2 in the different functional positions.

In the figures, a motor vehicle door lock is shown, which basically consists of the respectively shown motor vehicle door lock 1 in the interior of a motor vehicle door and a merely indicated locking pin 2 on a motor vehicle body. The motor vehicle door lock 1 has in each case a locking mechanism 3, 4 of a rotary latch 3 and a pawl 4. The locking mechanism 3, 4 is mounted in a lock case not explicitly shown and spans an associated Gesperreebene.

The rotary latch 3 is mounted on an anchored in the lock case bolt 5, which also acts as a rotation axis 5 for the rotary latch 3. For the storage of the pawl 4 is another and anchored in the lock case bolt 6 is available, which defines the axis of rotation 6 for the pawl 4.

Coaxially to the pawl 4, a trigger element 7 is mounted. That is, the pawl 4 and the trigger element 7 are coaxially mounted with respect to the common axis of rotation 6 in the lock case. At the trigger element 7 is a trigger lever 7, which performs arcuate pivoting movements or an arcuate and in particular circular arc-shaped pivoting movement about the axis of rotation 6 in question performs or perform. This is indicated by corresponding arrows. - A pivoting movement of the trigger element 7 can be motorized in the sense of "electrically open" or manually initiated by acting on an inner door handle / outside door handle.

In addition, one can still recognize a memory element 8, which forms a structural unit together with a spring in the context of the invention. In fact, the storage element 8 in the present case is designed as a longitudinal web 8 a made of plastic and able in the Fig. 3B to 3C and 4B to 4C can be performed by (black) arrows indicated deflecting movements substantially perpendicular compared to its longitudinal extent.

The spring and the storage element 8 form a structural unit and, according to the invention, are designed as the spring lip 8 acting on the trigger element 7. It can be seen that the spring lip 8 and the trigger element 7 are arranged substantially in a common plane or describe such a common plane. The plane spanned by the trigger element 7 in conjunction with the spring lip 8 is arranged substantially parallel to the Gesperreebene. According to the exemplary embodiment, the plane spanned by the trigger element 7 and the memory element 8 is above the scab layer. In addition, the design is such that at least the spring lip 8, the locking mechanism 3, 4 covered. This also partially applies to the trigger element 7, which - as already explained - is mounted coaxially with the pawl 4 on the common axis 6. Furthermore, the spring lip 8 extends predominantly transversely to the longitudinal extent of the triggering element 7.

The spring and the storage element 8 are designed in one piece and in the embodiment of the Fig. 1 connected to a lock component 9. In the variant of the Fig. 2 is the spring lip 8 or the assembly of the spring and the storage element 8 in contrast to a housing 10 connected. The Schlossbestanteil 9 is as well as the housing 10 to each plastic components. In addition, the interpretation is such that the questionable spring lip 8 is formed on the relevant plastic component. In most cases, the procedure is such that the lock component 9 and the spring lip 8 or the housing 10 and the spring lip 8 are each manufactured in a common plastic injection molding process. That is, the spring lip 8 and the housing 10 and / or the lock component 9 are each formed as a one-piece plastic component.

In a comparative consideration of the two embodiments according to the Fig. 1 and 2 It is clear that the spring lip 8 is largely aligned tangentially compared to the (circular) arcuate pivoting movements described by the trigger element 7 and already mentioned. This allows the spring lip 8 easily interact with a molding 11 on the trigger element 7. In this embodiment 11 on the trigger element 7 is in the context of the two embodiments according to the Fig. 1 and 2 around a step area 11 on the surface of the trigger element 7. This can also be seen in the Fig. 3A to 3D and 4A to 4D ,

As is known, the first variant corresponds to the Fig. 1 to the representations in Fig. 3A to 3D where, however, the variant after the Fig. 2 with the drawings in the Figs. 4A to 4D to match. The spring lip 8 is predominantly designed as a longitudinal web 8a. In addition, at least one transverse web 8b may be provided at the end of the longitudinal web 8a in question. This applies to both variants. With the help of the transverse web 8b, the active surface can be increased in the interaction of the spring lip 8 with the molding or the step portion 11.

The rotary latch 3 has a contour 12 on its upper side, which interacts with the spring lip 8 or can interact. In fact, the contour 12 on the rotary latch 3 in the course of the opening movement of the rotary latch 3 ensures that the spring lip 8 is lifted off its abutment on the trigger element 7. For this purpose, contour 12 is provided in the region of a main catch of the rotary latch 3.

Both the latching action of the spring lip 8 behind the molding or the stepped region 11 when lifting the triggering element 7 together with the pawl 4 of the rotary latch 3 and the lift-off of the spring lip 8 of the molding 11 in question at the complete opening of the rotary latch 3 respectively in that the spring lip 8 carries out the already described and essentially vertical deflection movements in comparison with its longitudinal extent. That is through corresponding arrows in the Fig. 3A to 3D and 4A to 4D indicated. Such deflection movements of the spring lip 8 are easily possible because of their design made of plastic, because appropriate materials have the necessary elasticity, the longitudinal web 8a thus acts as a spring.

As already explained in the introduction, the lock component 9 can be designed as an electrical component carrier 9. Such an electrical component carrier is regularly placed separately from the housing 10 in its interior and serves to hold and contact, for example, an electric motor or other electrical / electronic components. As part of the variant after the Fig. 1 one recognizes that the local electronic component carrier 9 partially acts as a bearing for an output shaft 13 of an electric motor. With the help of the output shaft 13, a worm wheel 14 is set in rotational movements and ensures in the present case, to act on the trigger element or the trigger lever 7 in the sense of "electrically open".

A corresponding pivoting movement of the release lever 7 about the associated axis of rotation 6 in the counterclockwise direction in the transition from the Fig. 3A to Fig. 3B At the same time corresponds to the fact that the pawl 4 in this case is taken and releases the catch 3. To initiate the described movement of the trigger element 7, the worm wheel 14 is at the transition from the Fig. 3A to Fig. 3B about a quarter turn in a clockwise direction. In any case, takes the trigger element 7 via a corresponding and invisible contour in the release movement, the pawl 4 and lifts it from the catch 3 at the transition from the Fig. 3A to Fig. 3B from.

As a consequence, the spring lip 8 with its transverse web 8b engage behind the molding 11 or the step region 11 on the triggering element 7 as shown. In this functional position, the pawl 4 is lifted from the rotary latch 3. The catch 3 can now open spring assisted, in which it performs an associated pivoting movement counterclockwise about its axis 5, as in the transition from the Fig. 3B to Fig. 3C becomes clear. A further opening movement of the rotary latch 3 now causes the provided in the region of a main catch contour 12 passes to the rotary latch 3 in the region of the spring lip 8 and can interact with the spring lip 8.

In fact, the as it were on the catch 3 upstanding contour 12 in this process ensures that the catch 3 in the course of its opening movement lifts the spring lip 8 of their investment in the trigger element 7. Because the contour 12 pushes the spring lip 8 high, so that the transverse web 8b of the spring lip 8 of the molding or the step portion 11 is removed.

Now, one acting on the trigger element 7 and by a (white) arrow in the 3C and 3D and 4C and 4D indicated force of a spring, not shown, ensure that the trigger element 7 and with it the pawl 4 are pivoted in the direction of the opening catch 3, in the sense of a clockwise movement about the common axis 6. Since the contour 12th is arranged on the rotary latch 3 in the region of its main catch, the main catch of the rotary latch 3 in the opening movement, the pawl 4 has happened as it were. The pawl 4 can therefore neither in the pre-rest still Fall in the main catch of the catch 3, so that the locking mechanism 3, 4 opens as desired and releases the previously captured locking pin 2.

A comparable functional sequence is in the Figs. 4A to 4D observed. Also in this case, the spring lip 8 snaps with its crosspiece 8b at the transition from the Fig. 4A to Fig. 4B first behind the molding 11 on the trigger lever 7. The opening movement for the release lever 7 is again initiated by the worm wheel 14, which of the in the Fig. 2 is acted upon electric motor shown.

In the Figs. 4B and 4C the trigger element 7 and with it the pawl 4 is held by the rotary latch 3 in the raised position. The rotary latch 3 can thus open spring assisted by performing the indicated pivoting movement about its axis 5 in the counterclockwise direction. As part of the presentation after the Fig. 4D the contour 12 lifts the spring lip 8 from the molding 11 on the trigger element 7, the trigger element 7 can be acted upon by the spring in the direction of the rotary latch 3 pivot. In this case, the trigger element 7 and the pawl 4 perform together a pivoting movement about the associated axis or axis of rotation 6, in a clockwise direction until the pawl 4 rests against the rotary latch 3, and that beyond its main catch. As a result, the pawl 4 no longer come into the catch 3 and the catch 3 goes over to its fully open position. The locking pin 2 is released.

Claims (7)

1. Motor vehicle door latch, with

   • a locking mechanism (3, 4) fundamentally comprising a catch (3) and a pawl (4),

   • a triggering element (7) to lift the pawl (4) and thus open the locking mechanism (3, 4),

   • a storage element (8) which is acted on by a spring which keeps the pawl (4) in a lifted position until the catch (3) is opened.

   wherein

   • the spring and the storage element (8) form a structural unit and are formed as the spring lip (8) acting on the triggering element (7);

   • the spring lip (8) lies adjacent on the triggering element (7) when the pawl (4) is maintained in the lifted position;

   characterized in that

   • the spring lip (8) is connected to a housing (10) or a latch component (9);

   • the latch component (9) is formed as a separating wall inside the housing (10) which is separated from the housing (10) or as an electrocomponent carrier;

   • the catch (3) has a contour (12) interacting with the spring lip (8);

   • the contour (12) lifts the spring lip (8) from its adjacency on the triggering element (7) during the opening movement of the catch (3).
2. Motor vehicle door latch according to claim 1, characterized in that

   • the spring and the storage element (8) are configured as a single component and define the spring lip (8).
3. Motor vehicle door latch according to the previous claim, characterized in that

   • the spring lip (8) is molded to the housing (10) or the latch component (9).
4. Motor vehicle door latch according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that

   • the spring lip (8) and the housing (10) or the latch component (9) are formed as a single-component plastic component.
5. Motor vehicle door latch according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that

   • the spring lip (8) is arranged largely tangentially compared to a pivoting movement described by the triggering element (7).
6. Motor vehicle door latch according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that

   • the spring lip (8) interacts with a molding (11) on the triggering element (7).
7. Motor vehicle door latch according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that

   • the spring lip (8) performs fundamentally vertical deflection movements compared to its lengthwise extension.

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