EP1669526B1 - Motor vehicle lock - Google Patents

Abstract

The lock has a storage lever (9) rotatable around a lever axis and is brought into an engagement position, in which the lever holds a catch (2). The lever is brought in a lifting position to release the latch. The lever is activated into the engagement position by the adjustment of the catch, where the lever, which is in the activated condition, alone, drops into the engagement position, while lifting the latch.

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

The motor vehicle lock in question in the present case comprises all types of motor vehicle locks, for example side door locks, hood locks, rear door locks and, in particular, tailgate locks.

The known motor vehicle lock ( DE 101 58 733 A1 ), from which the invention proceeds, is equipped with the usual closing elements latch and pawl, the latch in one embodiment in an open position, a main closed position and a Vorschließstellung can be brought. The pawl can be brought and biased into an incidence position in which it holds the latch in the main closed position. For the engagement between the latch and the pawl, the latch has a main catch and a pre-rest. In order to release the latch, the pawl can be lifted in a Aushebestellung. The latch located in the main closed position and in the prelocking position is in holding engagement with a normally arranged on the bodywork of the motor vehicle closing wedge.

In the known motor vehicle lock a storage lever is provided, which can be brought and biased into an incidence position in which he holds the pawl in its Aushebestellung. The storage lever is also brought against its bias in a release position, whereby the pawl is releasable again. If the pawl is now dug out of its sinking position when the lock catch is in the main closing position, the storage lever falls into its sinking position and holds the pawl in its release position until the latch reaches its open position. This ensures that in the event of any delay in the opening of the motor vehicle door or flap, the repeated engagement of the pawl and thus an undesired interruption of the opening process is avoided. Such a delay of the opening of the vehicle door or flap may be caused, for example, by frozen door seals or the like. Another example is a snow covered tailgate, where the weight of the snow is opening the flap is delayed or even prevented. The above storage lever is therefore also called "snow load lever". Accordingly, the described function of holding the pawl in the Aushebestellung is also called "snow load function".

While the snow load function guarantees optimum comfort during the opening process, it often causes malfunctions during the closing process. An example of this is the unintentional collapse of the memory lever during powerful slamming the vehicle door or flap. In such a closing operation of the locking wedge engages with the latch and brings them from the open position on the prelocking in the main closed position. Meanwhile, the pawl slides with a latching lug along the back of the latch and initially falls to the latch in the direction of their Einfallstellung. The locking lug of the pawl then slides along the latch along and is raised against its bias again until it finally falls into the main catch in their incident position. The engaging with the pawl part of the latch between the pre-rest and the main catch thus forms a kind of acceleration ramp for the pawl in the direction of their Aushebestellung. Now, if the closing process is carried out particularly quickly, then the sliding along the latching lug of the pawl on the acceleration ramp causes an acceleration of the pawl in its Aushebestellung or even far beyond. In the known motor vehicle lock, this leads to a collapse of the storage lever in its incident position and thus to block the pawl in its excavated position. The closing process has failed.

In order to prevent the above-described malfunction of the motor vehicle lock, for example, the acceleration ramp can be flattened, which possibly leads to a reduction in the depth of the main load. In order to still be able to ensure a safe closed position, the pawl is here in return to provide a higher bias. This is disadvantageous in that the falling back of the pawl is connected to the back of the latch after opening the vehicle door or door with a higher noise. This is seen by the operator of the motor vehicle as a loss of comfort. Furthermore, the lifting of the pawl with a larger Connected force, which is disadvantageous both manual and motorized lifting.

In principle, with the same design of the acceleration ramp alone, an increase in the bias of the pawl can be provided. However, this leads in a pronounced manner to the disadvantages described above.

It can also be provided that the storage lever occurs only when the pawl has been excavated particularly far. This reduces the likelihood of accidental collapse of the storage lever during the closing process. However, even with this variant, an increased noise level is expected when the pawl falls back.

Another way to avoid the above-mentioned malfunction of the motor vehicle lock shows the DE 196 17 428 C2 , Here, in addition to the snow load function, a Vorrastunterdrückungsfunktion is provided which prevents the pawl is incident before the latch has reached its main closing position during the closing process. However, the realization is associated with a high design effort.

The invention is based on the problem, the known motor vehicle lock in such a way and further develop that the risk of caused by the storage lever malfunction of the motor vehicle lock is reduced with little effort and no loss of comfort.

The above problem is solved in a motor vehicle lock with the features of the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

It is important to first realize that the collapse of the memory lever is only necessary for the function when the lifting of the pawl is made in the context of the opening process. The opening process is characterized in that the pawl is initially in its position of incidence. This makes use of the proposed solution.

The excavated storage lever is in fact activated by the adjustment of the pawl in its Einfallstellung, with only the memory lever located in the activated state can fall by its bias in its incident position.

As a result, the collapse of the storage lever in his position of incidence is only possible when the pawl first their Einfallstellung - activation of the storage lever - and then reaches their Aushebestellung. The collapse of the storage lever is essentially limited to the opening process, whereby the above-mentioned malfunction of the motor vehicle lock is largely excluded.

The latch is preferably additionally brought into a prelocking position, in which it is held by the located in a Vorschließ-incidence position pawl. If the pre-closing incidence position is identical to the (main-closing) incidence position, there is theoretically the danger of activation of the storage lever when the locking lug of the pawl during the closing process, the pre-rest of the latch happens and falls accordingly. The probability of such - unwanted - activation of the memory lever is, however, only small, since the locking lug of the pawl during closing usually in a range between the pre-rest and the main load - acceleration ramp - impinges on the latch and the pre-closing position in the conventional closing operation usually not achieved.

However, in order to exclude the above, theoretically conceivable and undesirable activation of the storage lever during the closing process, it is provided according to claim 2, that the depth of incidence of the pre-closing incidence position is less than the depth of incidence of the (main closing) incidence position. Since activation of the storage lever only by an adjustment of the pawl in the (main closing) Einfallstellung is possible, an unwanted activation of the storage lever during the closing process is now completely excluded.

The above activation of the storage lever can be advantageously ensured by a special coupling between the pawl and the storage lever. A preferred and structurally simple embodiment for this concerns claim 3.

The preferred embodiment according to claim 6 leads to a compact and overall cost to manufacture variant. In particular, the embodiment proposed according to claim 7 has manufacturing advantages.

Particularly advantageous is the proposed solution in a motor vehicle lock with auxiliary opening function according to claim 10. Here, an opening auxiliary drive is provided, through which the pawl is raised by a motor. The opening auxiliary drive can be designed comparatively weak here, as can be dispensed with the proposed solution to a particularly high bias of the pawl to avoid the unwanted incidence of the storage lever during the closing process.

Fig. 1

ein vorschlagsgemäßes Kraftfahrzeugschloß bei in der Öffnungsstellung befindlicher Schloßfalle und bei nicht aktiviertem Speicherhebel a) in einer Draufsicht und b) in einer Seitenansicht gemäß Pfeil I,

Fig. 2

das Kraftfahrzeugschloß gemäß Fig. 1 bei in der Hauptschließstellung befindlicher Schloßfalle, bei in der Einfallstellung befindlicher Sperrklinke und bei aktiviertem Speicherhebel a) in einer Draufsicht und b) in einer Seitenansicht gemäß Pfeil II,

Fig. 3

das Kraftfahrzeugschloß gemäß Fig. 1 bei in der Hauptschließstellung befindlicher Schloßfalle, bei in der Aushebestellung befindlicher Sperrklinke und bei in der Einfallstellung befindlichem Speicherhebel a) in einer Draufsicht und b) in einer Seitenansicht gemäß Pfeil III,

Fig. 4

die Darstellung gemäß Fig. 1, Ansicht a) ohne Speicherhebel.

In the following the invention will be explained with reference to a drawing showing only one embodiment. In the drawing

Fig. 1

a proposed motor vehicle lock with in the open position located latch and not activated memory lever a) in a plan view and b) in a side view according to arrow I,

Fig. 2

the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 1 when in the main closed position located latch, when in the incident position pawl and activated memory lever a) in a plan view and b) in a side view according to arrow II,

Fig. 3

the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 1 when in the main closed position located latch, when in the raising position pawl and located in the position of incidence storage lever a) in a plan view and b) in a side view according to arrow III,

Fig. 4

the representation according to Fig. 1 , View a) without memory lever.

In the drawing, only the decisive for achieving the success of the invention components of a motor vehicle lock are shown. It is understood that the proposed motor vehicle lock also has all the other components necessary for its function.

The illustrated motor vehicle lock is equipped with the closing elements latch 1 and pawl 2, wherein the latch 1 pivotable about a latch axis 3 and in an open position ( Fig. 1 ), a main closing position ( Fig. 2 ) and in a Vorschließstellung not shown can be brought. For this purpose, the latch 1 has a main catch 4 and a pre-rest 5. When in the main locking position and in the prelocking located latch 1, the latch 1 is in holding engagement with a usually arranged on the body of the motor vehicle locking wedge 6. The latch 1 is preferably biased in its open position.

The pawl 2 is pivotable about a pawl axis 7 and brought into an incidence position and biased in which it holds the latch 1 in the main closed position. For engagement with the main catch 4 and the pre-catch 5 of the latch 1, the pawl 2 is equipped with a locking lug 8. The bias of the latch 1 on the one hand and the pawl 2 on the other hand can be preferably by a leg spring, not shown o. The like. Realize.

The pawl 2 is against its bias in a Aushebestellung ( Fig. 3 ), whereby the latch 1 is releasable. The latch 1 can then pivot by their bias and by acting on the latch bolt 1 by the closing wedge 6 in its open position. This will be referred to as an opening operation in the following. The pivoting of the latch 1 from the open position to the main closing position with a subsequent collapse of the pawl 2 in its incident position is hereinafter referred to as the closing operation.

The motor vehicle lock is further equipped with a storage lever 9, which is pivotable about a memory lever axis 10 and in an incident position ( Fig. 3 ) Can be brought and biased, in which he holds the pawl 2 in its Aushebestellung. The bias of the storage lever 9 is characterized by a in Fig. 2 illustrated leg spring 11 realized. The storage lever 9 is further brought against its bias in a release position, whereby the pawl 2 is releasable and can pivot in the direction of their Einfallstellung.

When lifting the pawl 2 from its position of incidence ( Fig. 2 ) out of the memory lever 9 by its bias in its incident position ( Fig. 3 ) and thereby holds the pawl 2 in its Aushebestellung. The subsequent opening movement of the latch 1 of the in Fig. 3 shown main closing position in the direction of the open position in turn causes the lifting of the storage lever 9, here first in one of the raised position over-stroke position ( Fig. 1 ). The constructive implementation of this coupling between latch 1 and storage lever 9 will be explained below.

It is essential that the excavated storage lever 9 can be activated by the adjustment of the pawl 2 in its incident position and that only the memory lever 9 located in the activated state falls when lifting the pawl 2 by its bias in its incident position. For this purpose, a special coupling between the pawl 2 and the storage lever 9 is provided.

The pawl 2 is preferably provided with a contour 12, with which a arranged on the storage lever 9 engaging element 13 corresponds. The pawl 2 blocked via the contour 12 and the corresponding engaging element 13, a first adjustment of the excavated storage lever 9 until the pawl 2 reaches its position of incidence for activation of the storage lever 9. It should be noted that the removal of this blockage, ie the activation of the storage lever 9, here only a necessary, but not yet sufficient condition for the collapse of the storage lever 9 represents. Only the subsequent lifting of the pawl 2 leads namely to the collapse of the storage lever 9 in the position of incidence.

The contour 12 and the engagement member 13 may each be arranged alternately on the pawl 2 or the storage lever 9. These two complementary variants are equivalent for the function described above. All following explanations therefore apply equally to both variants.

In the illustrated and insofar preferred embodiment, the pawl 2 can be brought into a pre-closing incidence position, not shown, in which it holds the latch 1 in the prelocking position. During the closing process slides the Locking lug 8 of the pawl 2 initially along the back 14 of the latch 1 along until it falls to the pre-catch 5 of the latch 1 in the direction of their Einfallstellung and in a range between the Vorrast 5 and the main catch 4 again hits the latch 1. This area is referred to below as acceleration ramp 15, since the pawl 2 slides along in the further pivoting of the latch 1 on the acceleration ramp 15 and is thereby accelerated in the direction of their Aushebestellung. As described above, this acceleration can cause the pawl 2 to reach its picking position or even an overstroke position. Since, in this state, the storage lever 9 has not been activated according to the proposal, this acceleration of the pawl 2 does not cause the unintentional collapse of the storage lever 9.

Finally, the locking lug 8 passes on further pivoting of the latch 1, the main catch 4 and falls into their position of incidence ( Fig. 2 ). In principle, it can now be provided that the pre-closing incidence position is identical to the (main-closing) incidence position, so that during slow closing movement the incidence of the pawl 2 in its position of incidence on the pre-restraint 5 can not be completely excluded. The unwanted activation of the storage lever 9 would be the result. To exclude this safely, the depth of incidence of the pre-closing incidence position is less than the depth of incidence of the (main) recessed position. Then an activation of the storage lever 9 also certainly does not occur when reaching the pre-rest 5.

In the following, with "incident position" basically meant the (main closing) incidence position of the pawl 2.

In the closing operation described above, the storage lever 9 is initially held by the latch 1 in a raised position. Strictly speaking, this is a Uberhubstellung assigned to the Aushebestellung. By the engagement of the locking wedge 6 with the latch 1, the latch 1 then pivots in the direction of its main closing position and comes out of engagement with the storage lever 9, wherein the storage lever 9 comes into contact with the contour 12 by its bias with the engagement member 13. The storage lever 9 is then held by the contour 12 of the pawl 2. Now, if the latch 1 reaches its main closed position (or one of the main closing position associated overstroke position), the pawl falls 2 in the in Fig. 2 illustrated Einfallstellung a. It is the synopsis of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 can be seen that during the incidence of the pawl 2, the contour 12 initially slides along the engagement member 13 until the contour 12 finally comes out of engagement with the engagement member 13. Then pass through the bias of the storage lever 9, the engagement element 13 and the contour 12 each other and the storage lever 9 comes into contact with a contact surface 16 of the pawl 2 - the storage lever 9 is activated. In a subsequent lifting of the pawl 2, the storage lever 9 finally passes the contact surface 16 and falls into its Einfallstellung. This is in Fig. 3 shown. In this incident position, the storage lever 9 is engaged with a further contact surface 17 of the pawl 2.

From the above description results in the fact that according to the proposed solution, the collapse of the storage lever 9 is designed in two stages, so that the achievement of the Einfallstellung the storage lever 9, the activation of the storage lever 9 must precede.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the above contour 12 is aligned substantially circular arc around the pawl axis 7. In the complementary embodiment with a arranged on the memory lever 9 contour 12 hereby a corresponding orientation of the contour is meant in befindlichem in the raising position memory lever 9. The contour 12 can also be designed straight, possibly even have kinks. In the illustrated and so far preferred embodiment, the configuration of the contour is also advantageous insofar as they are far enough - in Fig. 1a ) to the left - extends to exclude the unwanted activation of the storage lever 9 even with a particularly wide lifting of the pawl 2.

In the illustrated embodiment, the contour 12 is formed as a web with a height extension in the direction of the pawl axis 7. This is in the Fig. 1 to 3 each in the representation b) to recognize. Fig. 4 For example, the shape of the contour 12 formed as a web can be removed particularly well.

For the design of the contour 12, numerous further implementation options are conceivable, depending on the application. For example, the contour 12 may be designed as a slot in a wall segment, as an edge or as a shoulder.

The above-described concept with contour 12 and engagement element 13 makes it necessary that when the storage lever 9 is raised from the incidence position, the engagement element 13 changes from one side of the contour 12 to the other side of the contour 12. At the same time, the contour 12 must prevent a deferral of the storage lever 9 in this state, since the pawl 2 is not here in the lowered position and activation of the storage lever 9 is not desired.

When lifting the storage lever 9, a passing over of the contour 12 and a subsequent engagement of the storage lever 9 behind the contour 12 is provided in a preferred embodiment. For this purpose, the storage lever 9 is designed at least partially elastic. In principle, however, it may also be provided that, alternatively or additionally, the pawl 2 is designed to be elastic according to the part. By "locking" of the storage lever 9 is not necessarily meant a frictional connection between the engagement member 13 and the contour 12. It is essential here only that after returning the contour 12, a provision of the storage lever 9 is prevented by the contour 12.

One possibility for realizing the elasticity described above is the resilient arrangement of the engagement element 13 on the storage lever 9 or, in the case of a complementary arrangement, on the pawl 2. This resilient arrangement of the engagement element 13 can be ensured, for example, by a separate spring element. In particular, in terms of manufacturing technology, however, it is advantageous if the engagement member 13 is disposed on a resilient tongue 18 of the storage lever 9 or, in complementary arrangement, the pawl 2, wherein in a particularly preferred embodiment of the storage lever 9 or, in a complementary arrangement, the pawl 2, designed as a plastic part and in particular as a one-piece injection-molded part. Of course, both the pawl 2 and the storage lever 9 can be made as a plastic part and in particular as a one-piece injection-molded part.

An above-described, resilient tongue 18 on the storage lever 9 is in the Fig. 1 to 3 to recognize. The storage lever 9 is designed as a one-piece injection-molded part, wherein the tongue 18 is arranged with a peripheral edge 19 within the storage lever 9.

The above-described driving over the contour 12 with subsequent engagement of the storage lever 9 can be supported by a corresponding configuration of the engagement member 13. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the engagement element 13 has a first engagement surface 20 which can be brought into engagement with the contour 12 when the storage lever 9 is raised. The engagement element 13 also has a second engagement surface 21 which comes into engagement with the contour 12 during the opening movement of the lock catch 1, and thus when the contour 12 is passed over. In order to allow the contour 12 to be passed over only in one direction indicated above, the first engagement surface 20 extends substantially in the direction of the memory lever axis 10, while the second engagement surface 21 extends substantially obliquely to the direction of the memory lever axis 10. Overall, it is thus achieved that overrunning of the contour 12 is possible only during the adjustment of the storage lever 9 from the sinking position in the direction of its raising position. The engagement element 13 is thus designed in the manner of a ratchet. Depending on the application, other configurations and arrangements of the engagement member 13 may be provided.

It was explained above that the opening movement of the latch 1 causes the lifting of the storage lever 9. For this purpose, a guide surface 22 is provided on the latch 1 and a corresponding guide surface 23 is provided on the storage lever 9. Starting from the in Fig. 3 illustrated main closed position of the latch 1 causes a pivoting of the latch 1 in the direction of the open position engagement between the two guide surfaces 22, 23, whereby the storage lever 9 is pressed in the direction of its Aushebestellung. After passing over the contour 12, the arrangement comes in the in Fig. 1 stand position shown. The storage lever 9 is located here in one of the raising position assigned overstroke position. The latch 1 holds the storage lever 9 in this position. But this does not have to be this way. The storage lever 9 could, for example, already rest against the contour 12 with the engagement element 13.

Finally, it should be pointed out that in a particularly preferred embodiment, an unillustrated opening auxiliary drive is provided, through which the pawl 2 can be raised by a motor. The advantages of the proposed Solution, in particular with regard to the design of the auxiliary opening drive have been explained above.

Claims (10)

1. Motor vehicle lock comprising the locking elements lock latch (1) and pawl (2), wherein the lock latch (1) can be pivoted about a lock latch axis (3) and can be brought into an open position, a main closing position and into an optionally present pre-closing position, wherein the pawl (2) can be pivoted about a pawl axis (7) and can be brought into and prestressed in a latching position in which it keeps the lock latch (1) in the main closing position, wherein the pawl (2) can be brought counter to its prestressing into a raised position and, as a result, the lock latch (1) can be released, wherein a storage lever (9) is provided, wherein the storage lever (9) can be pivoted about a storage lever axis (10) and can be brought into and prestressed in a latching position in which it keeps the pawl (2) in its raised position, wherein the storage lever (9) can be brought counter to its prestressing into a raised position and, as a result, the pawl (2) can be released, wherein, when the pawl (2) is raised out of its latching position, the storage lever (9) drops into its latching position because of its prestressing and, as a result, it keeps the pawl (2) its raised position, and wherein the subsequent opening movement of the lock latch (1) in the direction of the open position causes the storage lever (9) to be raised, characterized in that a coupling is provided between the pawl (2) and the storage lever (9), with which coupling the raised storage lever (9) can be activated by adjustment of the pawl (2) into its latching position, and in that the arrangement is implemented in such a manner that, when the pawl (2) is raised, only the storage lever (9), which is in the activated state, drops because of its prestressing into its latching position.
2. Motor vehicle lock according to Claim 1, characterized in that the pawl (2) can be brought into a pro-closing latching position in which it keeps the lock latch (1) in the pre-closing position, and preferably in that the pre-closing latching position is identical to the main-closing latching position, or in that the latching depth of the pre-closing latching position is less than the latching depth of the main-closing latching position.
3. Motor vehicle lock according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pawl (2) blocks a first adjustment of the raised storage lever (9) in the direction of its latching position over a contour (12), which is arranged on the pawl (2) or the storage lever (9), and over a corresponding engagement element (13), which is correspondingly arranged on the stowage lever (9) or the pawl (2), until the pawl (2) reaches its latching position in order to activate the storage lever (9).
4. Motor vehicle lock according to Claim 3, characterized in that, when the storage lever (9) is raised, the latching of the pawl (2) into the latching position has the effect that, during the latching of the pawl (2) by means of the prestressing of the storage lever (9), the engagement element (13) and the contour (12) first of all slide along each other and subsequently pass each other, become disengaged and the storage lever (9) comes into contact with a contact surface (16) of the pawl (2), and in that, during a subsequent raising of the pawl (2), the thus activated storage lever (9) passes the contact surface (16) and latches into its latching position.
5. Motor vehicle lock according to either of Claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the contour (12) is oriented substantially in the shape of a circular arc around the pawl axis (7), and/or in that the contour (12) is designed as a web with a vertical extent in the direction of the pawl axis (7).
6. Motor vehicle lock according to one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, when the storage lever (9) is lifted by the opening movement of the lock latch (1), the storage lever (9) moves over the contour (12) and subsequently snaps behind the contour (12), preferably in that, for this purpose, the storage lever (9) and/or the pawl (2) are and/or is at least partially configured such that they are elastic, and preferably in that the engagement element (13) is arranged resiliently on the storage lever (9) or on the pawl (2) in such a manner that, when the storage lever (9) is raised by the opening movement of the lock latch (1), it is ensured that the storage lever (9) moves over the contour (12) and subsequently latches into place, with the engagement element (13) being deflected.
7. Motor vehicle lock according to Claim 6, characterized in that the resilient arrangement of the engagement element (13) is ensured by a separate spring element, preferably in that the engagement element (13) is arranged on a resilient tongue (18) of the storage lever (9) or of the pawl (2), furthermore preferably in that the storage lever (9) and/or the pawl (2) are and/or is designed as a plastic part, and furthermore preferably in that the storage lever (9) and/or the pawl (2) are and/or is designed as a single-piece injection-moulded part.
8. Motor vehicle lock according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the engagement element (13) has a first engagement surface (20) which, when the storage lever (9) is raised, can be brought into engagement with the contour (12), in that the engagement element (13) has a second engagement surface (21) which comes into engagement with the contour (12) during the opening movement of the lock latch (1), in that the first engagement surface (20) extends substantially in the direction of the storage lever axis (10), and in that the second engagement surface (21) extends substantially obliquely with respect to the direction of the storage lever axis (10) such that the contour (12) can only be moved over during the adjustment of the storage lever (9) from the latching position the direction of its raised position.
9. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, during the opening movement of the lock latch (1), a guide surface (22) arranged on the lock latch (1) comes into engagement with a corresponding guide surface (23) arranged on the storage lever (9) and adjusts the storage lever (9) into the raised position or into an excess lifting position assigned to the raised position.
10. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an auxiliary opening drive, by means of which the pawl (2) can be raised in a motorized manner, is provided.

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