EP1241305B1 - Motor vehicle door lock - Google Patents

Abstract

The door lock comprises a ratchet lever (6) which has a stop recess (12). The stop recess engages in an opening (9) in the counter-stop-face (7) in a form-locking manner, when the pawl (2) and/or actuating lever has been acted upon. The stop recess engages into the opening (9) in the counter-face-stop.

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and pawl, further with at least one operating lever for Release the locking mechanism, and with a locking lever for the Pawl and / or the operating lever, which on vehicle accelerations acting on the motor vehicle door lock an unintentional opening of the locking mechanism its then striking against a counter barrier surface prevented. - The operating lever can be act a release lever for the pawl. Of course are also variants with operating lever and Release lever comprises of the invention. The vehicle accelerations mostly act in cross (i.e. in Y) Direction of the motor vehicle and mainly join a side impact.

In the past, there have been different approaches given the so-called crash safety of motor vehicle door locks to improve. All known procedures have set themselves the goal, in the case of a Accident when exerting force on the ratchet and / or the Actuating lever possibly the vehicle occupants endangering opening of the motor vehicle door lock prevent. This is not only against the background of of particular importance that vehicle occupants sometimes fail are strapped in and thereby possibly out of the car to be hurled. But also side impact protection devices can of course have no effect, if the associated motor vehicle door is opened unintentionally becomes.

For this purpose, the generic teaching according to DE 197 38 492 A1 on a motor vehicle door lock, in which the locking element there on the swivel lever or operating lever is stored so that it is under the influence that exerted by the vehicle's lateral accelerations Forces for a relative movement between the pivot lever and the locking element comes. This is the locking element able to interact with a stop fixed to the housing, to block the swivel path of the swivel lever. For this purpose, the locking element has a front one End face, which when blocking the swivel path of the Swivel lever forms a stop surface of the locking element.

In the known procedure can not with the latter Security can be excluded that the locking element from the housing-fixed stop - during the desired Blocking process - (again) releases. Expressed differently, the functional safety can be improved.

Next to it is a generic motor vehicle door lock made known by DE 195 11 651 A1, at which a locking lever designed as an additional lever under the influence of a force acting from the outside in a prevention of triggering of the motor vehicle door lock positive locking position for a lever arrangement pivoted. For this purpose, the additional lever with a Locking profile equipped, which a counter profile on the lever arrangement assigned. Consequently, in the event of a blockage Interacting locking profile and counter profile so that the desired effect is achieved. Functional reliability can also be achieved here cannot always be guaranteed.

Another generic state of the art is in DE 198 03 871 A1 described. Subject of this Pre-release is a lock for one movable body part of a motor vehicle, which via a lock actuator triggering the lock mechanism features. The lock actuator is a Locking member movably associated so that at a lock acceleration caused by an impact load in a first direction due to its inertia relative to the lock housing in a Lock actuator locking position fixed to the housing is transferable. In addition, it can Locking element at the level of an acceleration of impact corresponding acceleration in a first direction different second direction due to its inertia in a blocking the lock actuator Transfer locked position to the housing. Consequently, it has to known locking member ultimately between two different Differentiate acceleration directions. To this end its structure is relatively complex.

Because the locking member has two spaced apart Blocked areas corresponding to the blocking position of the first acceleration direction on the one hand and the locked position of the second Acceleration direction are assigned on the other hand. In addition, retaining lugs are assigned to the restricted areas. This also tries indirect Accelerating forces on the lock actuator Lock mechanism provides reliable protection against self-unlocking to be able to offer the movable body part. However, this comes with an overall complex structure bought, which already because of its dependence on two different acceleration directions in practice under Consideration of hardly predictable forces and deformations Poses problems.

Finally, DE 199 10 513 A1 deals with one Crash lock on a door handle or door lock of a motor vehicle. In this case there is also a swiveling locking lever provided which by mass force around his Swivel axis in a door handle or a transmission element locking position can pivot. In this Locked position acts with a locking surface of the locking lever Counter barrier area together.

The counter-blocking surface is stationary and the swivel axis of the Locking lever on an approximately rectilinearly adjustable locking lever carrier educated. This locking lever carrier can be adjust from the door handle or the transmission element. In this way, you want to reliably unlock an accident the door lock and thus opening the associated Prevent vehicle door.

The invention is based on the technical problem Generic motor vehicle door lock so on form that the desired blockade among all conceivable Given, and especially during the whole Time within which lateral vehicle accelerations occur is maintained.

To achieve this object, the invention proposes Generic motor vehicle door lock that the Locking lever has a stop recess, which in the event of a blockage when the pawl and / or operating lever is actuated into an opening in the counter barrier area intervenes positively. The stop recess usually engages snapping into the associated opening. The The opening is usually in the lock plate when the counter-blocking surface is designed as a lock plate or is part of this lock plate. Of course, the counter barrier area (together with the opening) must be designed independently of the lock plate.

This stop recess can be used as a bevel or adapted to the housing-fixed stop of the lock plate Rectangular cutout. Usually the relevant rectangle cutout has one to the Bending due to vehicle acceleration Limiting edge and a blocking edge. The rotation limit edge ensures that in the event of a blockage in the Swing counterclockwise into the opening in the lock plate Locking lever is braked. On the other hand, the blocking edge runs in the event of a blockage and when the pawl is actuated and / or operating lever against an edge of the opening in the lock plate.

In this way, the stop recess or rectangular recess takes a part of the bevel or of the housing Stop in a positive manner. This is where it comes from preferably to the locking engagement of the locking lever in the opening in the lock plate.

The locking lever can be moved on the operating lever (X) direction extending axis. Doing so usually a spring to apply it clockwise. As a result, the locking lever pivots in the event of a blockage counterclockwise against the force of the spring in the concerned Opening in the lock plate.

It has proven beneficial if the locking lever is designed like a segment of a circle and into a corresponding one (Circular) shape engages in the lock plate. Because of this describes the turning limit edge as it were Circular arc until it is against the bend or the housing-fixed Stop of the lock plate moves. Equally beneficial it is when the locking lever is under supervision under the Operating lever is arranged at its free end, and essentially at the same level as the ratchet. Because of this two things are achieved. First, there is the locking lever basically not with connections, couplings or the like at the other end of the operating lever in Touch that is necessary to apply it. On the other hand, the locking lever is protected under, as it were attached to the operating lever so that it is still there performs its primary function when the operating lever Damage, for example bending, etc., due to an accident.

The locking lever is usually in a storage area and divided a restricted area. These two areas can are in different levels, mostly the Storage area protected under the operating lever is. In contrast, the restricted area with the Stop recess or rectangular recess (a little). Between the storage area and the restricted area takes place there is a circle segment-like boundary or boundary line. The circle segment-like boundary or boundary line automatically arises through the arrangement of the Storage area and the restricted area in different Levels.

In addition, the locking lever may have an additional one Bow recess must be equipped. This arch recess usually closes on the upper side to the blocking edge and ensures that the locking lever is collision-free Swing into the opening in the lock plate in the event of a blockage can.

Finally, the operating lever and the pawl mainly mounted on the lock plate with the same axis keep the design effort as low as possible. In addition, the invention thereby ensures that the Operating lever or release lever by swiveling take the pawl automatically with you clockwise and thus open the motor vehicle door lock can, because the catch is spring-supported afterwards is released.

The catch is spaced from the aforementioned axis also stored on the lock plate, the respective Axes of the operating lever or pawl, the Catch and the locking lever each parallel and in Direction of travel. Such a topology will achieved the reason that vehicle accelerations in X or driving direction of the motor vehicle door lock nothing can wear. In contrast, lateral vehicle accelerations occur in the transverse or Y direction, so the invention unfolds Locking lever works by turning it counterclockwise swings into the opening in the lock plate and thus prevents the operating lever and / or the Pawl can move in the opening direction.

It should be emphasized that the locking lever in question can also act on the pawl, in principle usually a release lever lifting the pawl is equipped with the locking lever. Next to it it goes without saying within the scope of the invention, any other To flank the lever of an operating lever system with this, for its movement in the event of a blockage or when it occurs To suppress (high) vehicle (cross) accelerations. This is the bend or the fixed to the housing Stop of the lock plate receiving positively Stop cutout or rectangular cutout ensure that the locking lever does not move during this can solve. At the same time it is one under all circumstances safe definition of the operating lever and / or the Pawl guaranteed because only and exclusively the locking lever on the fold or on the housing Stop to move, which on the other hand remains at rest.

Two possibly moving levers like according to DE 195 11 651 A1 are therefore expressly avoided. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

Fig. 1

den beschriebenen Kraftfahrzeugtürverschluss in verriegelter Stellung unter Berücksichtigung keiner außergewöhnlich hohen Fahrzeugquerbeschleunigungen;

Fig. 2

den Gegenstand nach Fig. 1 im Crashfall, d. h. für den Fall, dass stoßartige hohe Fahrzeugquerbeschleunigungen auftreten,

Fig. 3

den Gegenstand nach Fig. 2 in einer Funktionsstellung, wo der Betätigungs- bzw. Auslösehebel in Entriegelungsrichtung beaufschlagt worden ist und

Fig. 4a, 4b

eine abgewandelte Ausgestaltung des Sperrhebels in Aufsicht (Fig. 4a) sowie in Seitenansicht (Fig. 4b).

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of a drawing illustrating only one exemplary embodiment; show it:

Fig. 1

the described motor vehicle door lock in the locked position, taking into account no exceptionally high vehicle lateral accelerations;

Fig. 2

1 in the event of a crash, that is to say in the event that shock-like high vehicle lateral accelerations occur,

Fig. 3

2 in a functional position, where the actuation or release lever has been acted upon in the unlocking direction and

4a, 4b

a modified embodiment of the locking lever in supervision (Fig. 4a) and in side view (Fig. 4b).

A motor vehicle door lock is shown in the figures, in its basic structure over a usual Lock 1, 2 has. This locking mechanism 1, 2 sits down from a catch 1 and a cooperating with it Pawl 2 together. You can also see an operating lever 3, which is within the scope of the embodiment is a trigger lever 3. This can be by means of a Bowden cable 4 in the opening direction of the pawl 2 act on. Because appropriate and with the Bowden cable 4 applied tensile forces ensure that the release lever 3 clockwise (see arrow in Fig. 1) is pivoted. At the same time, only in Fig. 1 indicated coupling device 5 that in this If the pawl is pivoted clockwise and thus releases the catch 1, which is spring-supported in the unlocked position passes.

According to the invention, it is now a matter of one movement movements of the actuating lever connected in a clockwise direction or trigger lever 3 to suppress, namely especially in the event that vehicle accelerations in Vehicle transverse (Y) direction occur. Such vehicle lateral accelerations are mostly with a side impact of the Motor vehicle connected. To be an unintended in this case Opening the locked motor vehicle door lock and thus to prevent the locking mechanism 1, 2 a locking lever 6 is provided. This locking lever 6 prevents with vehicle lateral accelerations acting on the motor vehicle door lock an unintentional opening of the Locking 1, 2 in that it is against a counter surface or a lock plate 7 strikes. For this purpose, the Lock plate 7 on the one hand via a bend 8 or a stop fixed to the housing and the other one in the Bend 8 provided opening 9.

If the abrupt vehicle lateral accelerations described now occur, the locking lever 6 moves in Counterclockwise and pivots in the opening 9 in Lock plate 7, as is the case with the transition from FIG. 1 2 is immediately clear. So such swivel movements only take place in the case described above, is the locking lever 6 clockwise by means of a Spring 10 biased and overall on the actuating lever 3 mounted on an axis 11 running in the travel (X) direction.

In detail, the locking lever 6 has a stop recess 12, in the event of blockage and in addition acted upon actuating lever 3 in the relevant opening 9 in the lock plate 7 positively, in particular latching, engages (see Fig. 3). This stop recess 12 is in detail as to the fold 8 of the lock plate 7 adapted rectangular recess 12 executed. The Rectangular recess 12 has a rotation limiting edge 12a, with which the locking lever 6 in the occurring (high) vehicle lateral accelerations against the force of the Spring 10 first strikes the fold (see FIG. 2).

Now there is an additional unintentional swiveling trigger lever 3 clockwise (i.e. in opening direction), a blocking edge 12b ensures the Rectangular recess 12 for such clockwise movements the trigger lever 3 are suppressed. Because that Blocking edge 12b moves in the described blocking case and when actuating lever 3 is pressed against an edge 13 of the opening 9 in the bend 8 (see FIG. 3). hereby is achieved overall that the stop recess or rectangular recess 12 of the locking lever 6 a part 14 the bend 8 positively receives. This part 14 of the Bend 8 is hatched in FIG. 3. By the form fit between the rectangular recess or the stop recess 12 and part 14 of the fold 8 becomes an as it were latching engagement of the locking lever 6 in the lock plate 7 reached.

The locking lever 6 is designed like a segment of a circle in supervision and engages in a corresponding, not explicit shown, formation in the lock plate 7. Thereby, that the locking lever 6 is under supervision under the operating lever 3 is at its free end, it is in front mechanical influences largely protected. The structure is particularly compact because the locking lever 6 essentially is arranged at the same level as the locking mechanism 1, 2.

The rotation limiting edge 12a is designed such that it runs parallel to the fold 8 when the locking lever 6 is in contact with the fold 8, which also applies to the blocking edge 12b, which runs in the same direction compared to the edge 13 of the opening 9 (see FIG. 3 ).
The actuating lever or release lever 3 and the pawl 2 are mounted axially on a common axis 15 on the lock plate 7. In contrast, an axis 16 for the rotary latch 1 is arranged at a distance therefrom. The axes 15 and 16 of the actuating lever 3 or the pawl 2 and the catch 1 run - like the axis 11 of the locking lever 6 - in each case parallel and in the X or travel direction. In this way, the invention ensures that vehicle accelerations and decelerations in the driving or X direction per se have no influence on the locking mechanism 1, 2 or the motor vehicle door lock as a whole.

However, there are sudden shock loads Vehicle transverse direction or vehicle lateral accelerations, see above the locking lever 6 falls in the manner described into the opening 9 so that its stop recess 12 interacts with the part 14 of the stop edge 8. As a result, the release lever 3 in the event of a blockage - and only then - fixed.

As soon as the (high) vehicle lateral accelerations cease, the spring 10 ensures that the locking lever 6 in Swivels clockwise (again) and that in Fig. 1 occupies the position shown. Now the motor vehicle door lock can can be opened easily (again) because the trigger lever 3 pivot freely about its axis 15 and the Pawl 2 can take.

The locking lever 6 according to FIGS. 4a, 4b is to a modified embodiment of that in FIGS. 1 to 3 shown variant. It can be seen that the locking lever 6 in Essentially into a storage area 17 and a restricted area 18 is divided. The storage area 17 serves as shown in Fig. 4b for pivotally receiving the Locking lever 6 on the operating lever 3 using the Axis 11. Storage area 17 and restricted area 18 can be found according to the aforementioned figure in different, preferably parallel, planes and are characterized by a segment of a circle Boundary or boundary line 19 from each other Cut. In this way, the friction between the locking lever 6 and the actuating lever 3 ultimately on limits the storage area 17 so that with reduced Friction values are to be expected. The locking lever 6 pivots So in the event of a blockage in the opening 9 in the Bend 8 a.

Finally, the locking lever 6 according to FIGS. 4a, 4b still over an arch recess 20. This arch recess 20 ensures that the locking lever 6 fits perfectly into the Opening 9 can pivot because he is in this Area is waisted as it were.

The arc cutout 20 adjoins an im Area of the blocking edge 12b trained nose. Also the rotation limiting edge 12a is within the scope of this embodiment Part of a nose-like extension, with both lugs the rectangular recess 12 between them lock in.

Claims (10)

1. A vehicle door closure with

   a locking mechanism (1, 2) substantially consisting of a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (2), further with

   at least one control lever (3) for releasing the locking mechanism (1, 2) and with

   a catch lever (6) for the pawl (2) and/or the control lever (3) which, in the event of accelerations of the vehicle acting onto the vehicle door closure, prevents the locking mechanism (1, 2) from opening accidentally by abutting against a confronting catch face (7),

   characterized in that the catch lever (6) comprises an abutment recess (12) which interlockingly mates with an opening (9) in the confronting catch face (7) in case blocking occurs and the pawl (2) and/or the control lever (3) are loaded.
2. The vehicle door closure in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the abutment recess (12) snap-fits in the opening (9) provided in the confronting catch face (7), more specifically in the strike plate (7).
3. The vehicle door closure in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the abutment recess (12) is configured to be a rectangular recess (12) which is adapted to a bevel (8) or the like limit stop integrally formed with the housing of the strike plate (7).
4. The vehicle door closure in accordance with any of the claims 1 through 3, characterized in that the abutment recess comprises a rotation limiting edge (12a) that abuts against the bevel (8) as a result of the acceleration of the vehicle and a blocking edge (12b) which, in case blocking occurs and the pawl (2) and/or the control lever (3) are loaded, hits a border (13) of the opening (9) so that the abutment recess (12) receives with positive fit a portion (14) of the bevel (8).
5. The vehicle door closure in accordance with any of the claims 1 through 4, characterized in that the catch lever (6) is carried on the control lever (3) on an axis (11) oriented in the direction of travel (X).
6. The vehicle door closure in accordance with any of the claims 1 through 5, characterized in that the catch lever (6) is loaded by a spring (10) in a clockwise direction and pivots counter-clockwise into the opening (9) in the strike plate (7) when blocking occurs.
7. The vehicle door closure in accordance with any of the claims 1 through 6, characterized in that the catch lever (6) is configured as a segment of a circle and engages into a corresponding projection in the strike plate (7).
8. The vehicle door closure in accordance with any of the claims 1 through 7, characterized in that the catch lever (6) is substantially divided into a bearing area (17) and into a catch area (18), said two areas being disposed in different planes.
9. The vehicle door closure in accordance with any of the claims 1 through 8, characterized in that, when viewed from the top, the catch lever (6) is disposed below the control lever (3) on the free end thereof, more specifically substantially on the same plane as the locking mechanism (1, 2).
10. The vehicle door closure in accordance with any of the claims 1 through 9, characterized in that the control lever (3) and the pawl (2) are carried on the same axis on the strike plate (7), that further the rotary latch (1) is carried on the strike plate (7) at a distance therefrom and that the various axes (11, 15, 16) of the control lever (3) / of the pawl (2) of the rotary latch (1) and of the catch lever (6) are all parallel and oriented in the direction of travel (X).

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