WO2017220078A1 - Motor vehicle locking system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking system for a door or flap of a motor vehicle. The door or flap can be opened comfortably and quickly. The locking system according to the invention comprises a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and a pawl for latching the rotary latch in a latching position. In order to allow the locking mechanism to be opened with little force, an electric drive is provided with which the pawl can be moved out of the latching position in order to thus open the locking mechanism. A locking device is provided for locking the locking system. If the locking system is unlocked such that the locking mechanism can be opened electrically by actuating an external actuating element, the external actuating element is moved along a short path in order to thus open the locking mechanism using the electric drive. If the locking system is unlocked such that the locking mechanism can be opened mechanically by actuating an external actuating element, the external actuating element can be moved along a long path in order to thus open the locking mechanism by means of manual force without having to use electric energy for this purpose, wherein the long path is longer than the short path. The locking system comprises a blocking device which only allows the external actuating element to move along the long path if the locking system is unlocked such that the locking mechanism can be opened mechanically.

Description

 Motor vehicle locking system

The invention relates to a locking system for a motor vehicle with a locking mechanism, which can be opened electrically. A locking mechanism comprises a rotatably mounted rotary latch for receiving a locking bolt. The locking mechanism further has a pawl with which the catch can be locked. The consisting of metal and / or plastic parts of the locking mechanism are usually mounted rotatably on a metal plate consisting basically of metal. Such a lock is known from document WO 2015/172761 A1. The catch of a motor vehicle locking system usually has a bifurcated inlet slot formed by load arm and catching arm into which the locking bolt of a vehicle door or flap, for example bonnet or trunk lid, comes when the door or flap is closed. The locking pin then rotates the catch from an open position to a closed position. If the catch has reached the closed position, it is locked in this position via the pawl. The locking pin can then no longer leave the inlet slot of the rotary latch. In the locking position is a locking surface, also called blocking surface, the rotary latch pressed against a locking surface of the pawl. The pawl is therefore exposed in its rest position to a contact pressure. This contact pressure must be overcome in order to move the pawl out of its detent position.

For opening a locking mechanism, the pawl is moved directly or indirectly out of its detent position by actuating an actuating element of an actuating device. By opening the Gesperres so unlocking the Gesperres meant. The actuator may be an external actuator or an internal actuator that is pivoted for actuation, for example. An external actuating element may be an outside door handle of a motor vehicle, which thus makes it possible to open a vehicle door from the outside, for example by pivoting. The same applies to an outside handle of a flap. An external actuator may be a button. An internal operating element can be reached from the interior of a motor vehicle. It can be a pivotable handle or act on a button. An actuator may be a mobile remote control, which is not connected to the motor vehicle and which is capable of transmitting an opening signal wirelessly by operation. An actuation of an actuating element is mechanically transmitted, for example mechanically via a linkage or a Bowden cable to a release lever. Alternatively or additionally, an electrical signal can be transmitted to a drive, so that opening takes place with the aid of the drive. A wireless signal transmission to a drive is possible. If the release lever is pivoted in this way, the pawl is indirectly or directly moved out of its rest position and the locking mechanism opens.

In order to keep the mechanical force required to open the door or flap low, there are locking systems with locking, in which the catch is able to initiate an opening moment in the pawl in the locked state. By this opening moment, the pawl can move independently from its rest position without having to spend an external force to overcome the aforementioned contact pressure. There is then a blocking lever that blocks the pawl in the locked state of the locking mechanism. Although a blocking surface of the pawl then also exerts a contact pressure on a blockade surface of the blocking lever. This is however comparatively small. For an opening of the locking mechanism, therefore, the blocking lever can be moved out of its blocking position with relatively little force. If the blocking lever has been moved out of its blocking position, then the pawl automatically moves out of its detent position on the basis of the opening moment. The catch can now move to its open position.

To minimize the manual force required to open the door or flap, there are locking systems with an electric drive that moves the pawl directly or indirectly out of its detent position. The electric drive can be started manually by swiveling a handle, pressing a button or by pressing a remote control to open a locking mechanism. Such so-called electric lock is known from the document DE 196 50 826 A1.

A lock of the type mentioned above can be locked beyond. In the locked state of the lock, the chain of action is interrupted by an actuating element so that actuation of the actuating element does not result in opening of the locking mechanism.

There are locks or locking systems that are automatically locked at the beginning of a ride, so that they can not be opened from the outside by pressing an operating element such as the outside door handle. From the document EP 2354391 A1 it is known that locked locks then have to be actuated twice from the inside in order to be able to open a door or flap from the inside.

It is an object of the invention to provide a locking system for a door or flap of a motor vehicle, wherein the door or flap can be opened with comfortable and fast. A lock comprises to solve the problem, the features of the first claim. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims. Unless stated otherwise below, the claimed subject matter may include the foregoing features individually or in any combination. The claimed locking system includes a locking mechanism with a catch and pawl for locking the catch in a latching position. In order to open the locking mechanism with little effort, there is an electric drive, with which the pawl can be moved out of its rest position, so as to open the locking mechanism. There is a locking device for locking the locking system. In the locked state, it is not possible to open the locking mechanism by actuating a suitably connected external actuating element, without unlocking beforehand. In the unlocked state, it is possible to open the locking mechanism and that electrically or mechanically. By pressing the external actuating element, such a locking system and thus the locking mechanism can not be opened in the locked state. If the locking system is not locked, it can be opened by pressing the external actuating element, the locking system and thus the locking mechanism.

An external actuating element in the context of the invention is intended and suitable for being permanently attached to a motor vehicle from outside. The external actuating element can therefore be actuated from the outside. An external actuator is designed to withstand external climatic conditions.

If the locking system is unlocked so that the locking mechanism can be opened electrically by actuating an external actuating element, the external actuating element can be moved along a short path, thereby opening the locking mechanism with the aid of the electric drive. If the locking system is unlocked so that it can be mechanically opened by operating an external actuating element, the external actuating element can be moved along a long path, thereby opening the locking mechanism by manual force, without having to use electrical energy. The long way is longer than the short way.

A way in the sense of the invention can be covered by a lifting movement and / or pivoting movement.

The locking system includes a locking device that allows movement of the external actuating element along the long path only when the locking system is unlocked so that it can be mechanically opened. If the locking system is unlocked so that, although it can be electrically opened, but not mechanically, so the outer actuator can be moved only along the short path. If the end of the short path is reached, the blocking device then blocks further movement of the external actuating element. But has been unlocked so that can be opened mechanically, so the outer actuator can be moved beyond the end of the short path out until the end of the long path. The short way is basically one Part of the long way. Both ways basically have the same starting point.

For opening by operating an external actuator, a user will intuitively move the external actuator until motion is blocked. Blocking by means of blocking means that excessively long movements can be avoided. As a result, a high degree of comfort is achieved for opening by means of the external actuating element. The blocking device is not part of the external actuating element. Instead, the blocking device is arranged in the vicinity of the release lever and removed from the outer actuator. The distance between the blocking device and the trigger lever is therefore small compared to the distance between the blocking device and the external actuating element. This arrangement makes it possible to provide the blocking device with little technical effort. In particular, the distance between the blocking device and the release lever is less than 10 cm in order to avoid an unnecessarily large installation space.

For a mechanical opening the external actuating element is basically connected via a Bowden cable or a linkage with the blocking device. Movement of the outer actuating element along the short or long path is transmitted to the blocking device by the Bowden cable or the linkage. If the locking device is not unlocked so that it can be opened mechanically, the blocking device blocks further movement of the outer actuating element when the end of the first short path has been reached. If the locking device is unlocked so that it can be opened mechanically, the blocking device does not block further movement of the external actuating element when the end of the short path has been reached. The external actuator may then be moved to the end of the second long path.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the blocking device is part of the assembly that includes the electric drive, the release lever and / or the locking mechanism. An assembly within the meaning of the invention is when it is first mounted before it is connected to an external operating element and / or installed in a motor vehicle. This unit is usually called Lock for a motor vehicle called. The lock of a motor vehicle then includes the blocking device.

If the locking system is unlocked so that it can be opened electrically, an electric signal is transmitted to a drive by actuating the external actuating element in one embodiment, so that opening takes place with the aid of the drive. Alternatively or additionally, a wireless signal transmission to the electric drive is possible. If a release lever is pivoted in this way, the pawl is indirectly or directly moved out of its rest position and the locking mechanism opens.

 To minimize the number of parts, there is only one trip lever which is pivoted to open the ratchet when the outer actuator is moved for electrical or mechanical opening, ie along the short or long path.

In one embodiment of the invention, the blocking device comprises an actuating lever and a stop for the actuating lever. If the external actuating element is actuated, that is to say moved along the short path or along the long path, this movement is transmitted to the actuating lever and thereby the actuating lever is pivoted. Is so unlocked that can only be opened electrically, so prevents the stop provided for the actuating lever that the operating lever can be pivoted beyond the stop along a long path. The short and the long way, the operating lever can cover, so correspond to the short and the long way that the external actuator can cover. If the actuating lever reaches the stop in the mechanically locked state, further movement of the external actuating element is prevented and the end of the first short path is reached. Is so unlocked that can be opened mechanically, the stop does not prevent further movement of the operating lever. The actuating lever and thus also the external actuating element can now be moved until reaching the end of the second long path. The transmission of this movement of the actuator along the long path on the Operating lever causes a pivoting of the release lever. The locking mechanism is thereby mechanically opened.

If it is mechanically unlocked, a relative movement takes place between the stop and the inner actuating element in such a way that the stop is brought out of its stop position. If it is locked mechanically, a relative movement takes place between the stop and the inner actuating element in such a way that the stop is brought into its stop position. If the stop is in its stop position, further movement of the external actuating element is blocked as soon as the end of the short path has been reached. If the stop has been brought out of its stop position by the relative movement, further movement of the outer actuating element is not blocked when the end of the short path has been reached.

In order to bring the stop out of its stop position or to bring it in, the stop can be moved in one embodiment by the mechanical unlocking or the mechanical locking. Mechanical unlocking means such unlocking, that subsequently the locking mechanism can be opened mechanically and thus manually without electric drive. Mechanical locking means such locking that subsequently the locking mechanism can not be mechanically opened. In order to bring the stop out of its stop position or bring in, this does not have to be moved. It suffices for a relative movement between the stop and the operating lever.

In order to keep the technical effort particularly low, the operating lever is moved in one embodiment to bring the stop by relative movement out of its stop position or to bring into it. In this embodiment, the stop is basically immovable.

In one embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever is decoupled from the release lever when the stop is in its stop position. If the stop has been brought out of its stop position, the actuating lever is coupled to the release lever. The operating lever can the Only pivot the release lever to open the lock when the operating lever is coupled to the release lever. In this embodiment, a mechanical opening is not possible even if the stopper is damaged. An unplanned mechanical opening is thus advantageously avoided even if the stopper has been damaged and can no longer prevent further movement of the external actuating element along the long path due to the damage.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is a spring which is able to move the stop or the actuating lever by spring force to cause a relative movement between the stop and the actuating lever. What is meant is such a relative movement, by which the stop can be brought into its stop position or out of this. In particular, by the force of the spring, the relative movement can be performed so that thereby leave the stop position and a mechanical opening is made possible. This contributes to a technically simple way to be able to unlock with very little effort so that a mechanical opening is possible. It then suffices, for example, a relatively low electrical energy for a mechanical unlocking means of an electric drive. If, for example, a voltage drop is registered due to an accident, then sufficient electrical energy can be provided in an improved manner in order to unlock emergency so that the locking mechanism can be mechanically opened thereafter.

In a technically particularly simple embodiment can be moved by the force of the spring, the actuating lever and that for the aforementioned reasons, preferably in the position in which allows a mechanical opening of the locking mechanism.

In a technically simple embodiment, the actuating lever comprises a slot in order to move the actuating lever, so that said relative movements between the actuating lever and stop are thereby made possible. In this embodiment, the actuating lever can be both pivoted and moved. By moving along the slot, the relative movement takes place, through which the stop can be moved to its stop position or out of this. The slot does not have to be complete include closed edge. It only has to include such an edge or limitation that this enables the desired movements. In the slot is basically a bolt into it, so that the operating lever can be pivoted about the bolt around.

In the locked state of the locking system, there is in one embodiment of the invention, an actuator with which the locking mechanism can be opened electrically without having to unlock beforehand. This actuator is not an external actuator. It is basically an internal operating element. For example, in comparison to the prior art known from EP 2 354 391 A1, the electrical opening of a locking system for a motor vehicle is further simplified and accelerated.

In one embodiment, a blocking pawl is present, which blocks an electrically opening of the locking mechanism in the mechanically unlocked state of the locking system. In this unlocked state, which allows a purely manual opening of the locking mechanism, the blocking pawl is thus in a blocking position, whereby an electrical opening is prevented. It can therefore only be opened mechanically in this unlocked state, so the corresponding locking mechanism can be unlocked. This unlocking can be ensured so that a vehicle door or vehicle door can not open unplanned due to an electrical fault.

Since the blocking pawl does not have to lock a catch like a pawl and therefore must be exposed to no or at least no high contact pressure in its blocking position, it can be moved with little effort out of its blocking position.

Through the blocking pawl can be avoided that the lock can open unplanned electrically when the locking pawl is in its blocking position. However, then a mechanical opening may be possible and that if the locking system is not mechanically locked. The locking system is, however, in principle not necessarily mechanical unlocked when the locking pawl is in its blocking position. However, if the locking system is mechanically unlocked, then the locking pawl is necessarily in its blocking position. In one embodiment, there is a rest position of the blocking pawl. If the blocking pawl is in the rest position, the locking system is locked so that the locking mechanism can not be mechanically opened. In the rest position so the locking system can not be opened by pressing an external actuator. But it is possible to open electrically by pressing another actuator without having to unlock beforehand. The movement of the blocking pawl into the rest position is accompanied by such a locking of the locking system that can not be mechanically opened. It is then only an electrical opening of the locking possible. In one embodiment, a spring is provided, which is able to move the blocking pawl into the rest position by its spring force and / or able to hold there. The spring ensures that in the mechanically locked state of the locking system, the locking pawl remains in the locked position and only a force must be applied to move the locking pawl from the rest position. This spring is basically biased in any position to provide a sufficiently large force. But it may also be sufficient that the spring is relaxed in the rest position of the blocking pawl or at least substantially relaxed and is only stretched by moving into the blocking position. In the mechanically locked state, the locking mechanism of the locking system can not be opened mechanically (ie manually without electric drive) by actuating the external actuating element.

In one embodiment, the locking system can be locked by an electric drive. This helps to operate the locking system normally only electrically. A mechanical operation is only intended for a malfunction, in order to be able to open the locking system even if no electrical energy is available. For locking a second electric drive is advantageously provided. It can then be conveniently locked and unlocked independently of the drive provided for the electric opening by means of an electric drive. In one embodiment of the invention, a holding device is provided which is able to hold the blocking pawl in its blocking position. If there is a spring through which the blocking pawl can be moved into the rest position, it can be ensured by the holding device that this does not happen unscheduled. The holding by the holding device must be omitted before the blocking pawl can be moved by spring force in the rest position or is moved.

The holding device is in particular such that, during a locking, the holding device temporarily holds the blocking pawl in its blocking position in order to be able to reliably and trouble-free lock with little technical effort. Holding the locking pawl in its blocking position ensures during the lock that electrical power will not open unscheduled.

In a technically simple embodiment, the holding device comprises a spring which is able to move the holding device into its starting position. In the initial position, the blocking pawl is not held in its blocking position. Without external forces, therefore, the blocking pawl will move due to spring force in its rest position, so that then a fast and comfortable electrical opening is possible. In particular, the spring moves a component of the electric drive provided for opening into a middle position, that is to say a position between other possible positions. The spring is then called the center zero spring.

In one embodiment, the holding device can be moved by an electric drive into the position in which the holding device holds the blocking pawl in its blocking position. Preferably, the electrical drive provided for the electrical opening can move the holding device into the position in which the holding device holds the blocking pawl in its blocking position. In one embodiment, the holding device can be manually moved to the position in which the holding device holds the blocking pawl in its blocking position. Both embodiments can contribute to the fact that reliable locking can be. In a technically simple embodiment of the invention, the holding device comprises a rib and a groove for receiving the rib. The rib can be moved into the groove. If the rib were so absorbed by the groove, the blocking pawl is at least temporarily held in its blocking position.

In one embodiment of the invention, the electric drive comprises an electric motor, which in particular has a worm mounted on the motor shaft. With the screw, a drive element, in particular a wheel, gear and / or a disc, are moved for opening the locking mechanism.

In a technically simple embodiment, the blocking pawl comprises the aforementioned groove. A driving component, such as the aforementioned disc, which is part of the electric opening drive, then comprises the aforesaid rib. However, conversely, the drive component may have the groove and the blocking pawl may have the rib. This embodiment is particularly suitable for the fact that the rib only has to be moved out of the groove before the blocking pawl can be moved into the rest position by the force of a preloaded spring. The direction of movement of the rib is then perpendicular or at least substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the blocking pawl from the blocking position to the rest position.

The holding by the holding device can mechanically and / or electrically brought about and / or canceled. Thus, for example, the aforementioned disc can be electrically driven to move the rib into the groove.

The holding by the holding device may be provided in an embodiment alternatively or additionally for unlocking to ensure that the blocking pawl remains in its blocking position during a Entriegeins.

Unlocking can be done mechanically and / or electrically, ie, by means of an electric drive. In particular, unlocking, for example, by means of a key and lock cylinder is possible solely on the basis of a mechanism provided for this purpose so as to be able to open a motor vehicle completely independently of a power supply. So with the help of a key and lock cylinder mechanically unlocked. Following this, the locking mechanism can be opened by actuating the external actuating element purely mechanically (ie without electric drive). The external actuator is then moved to the end of the long path. An electrical power supply is never required for unlocking and opening.

In an advantageous embodiment, the external actuating element is a pivotably mounted handle. The locking system is set up such that, in the corresponding unlocked state, starting from a starting position, pivoting the handle about a first small angle of rotation electrically opens the locking mechanism and pivoting beyond the first angle of rotation causes mechanical opening. A mechanical opening is thus possible by the pivotally mounted handle is pivoted from its initial position to the second large angle of rotation, which is greater than the first short rotation angle. Is unlocked so that can be opened electrically, the outer actuating element can be pivoted only by the first short rotation angle. Any further pivoting is blocked by the blocking device. It is triggered by the pivoting along this short path, in particular an electrical signal, which causes the electrical opening. Is mechanically unlocked, the outer actuator can be pivoted beyond the short rotation angle along the long path, so as to open mechanically. The pivoting about the first short rotation angle is possible with a comparatively small force. The pivoting about the second long angle of rotation requires therefore above all an increased effort, because so mechanically without support by an electric drive, the locking mechanism is opened.

An actuating element which, in the locked state, enables electrical opening by a single actuation, is designed and suitable in one embodiment for being arranged in the interior of a motor vehicle. This actuator is therefore not suitable in principle for attachment outside the interior and that is not usually because this is not sufficiently protected from the weather. In the aforementioned embodiment, a comfortable and quick opening of a vehicle door or vehicle door from the interior is possible. In this locked state, a vehicle door or vehicle door can not be opened from the outside by actuating an external actuating element, so that persons in the interior are protected particularly reliably. Such an inner actuating element may be a button, is transmitted through the via an electrical connection or wirelessly an opening signal to the electric drive. An actuation of the interior then has a particularly fast opening of the locking mechanism despite the locked state of the locking system result. The inner actuating element may be a lever which is pivoted and thus triggers an opening signal. The inner actuator may be a button that is pressed for actuation.

An actuating element which, in the locked state, enables electrical opening by a single actuation is in one embodiment a remote control. A remote control means an actuator, which is not intended and suitable to be firmly connected to a motor vehicle. It can instead be handled and taken mobile. By pressing the remote control, a signal is wirelessly transmitted to the locking device, so as to open the locking system electrically even without delay, when the locking system is in the locked state. The user of a remote control can thus open his vehicle particularly quickly and comfortably electrically, since this does not have to be unlocked first. In its blocking position, the blocking pawl extends in one embodiment into a recess of a drive element (also called a drive component) and blocks or limits such a movement of the drive element, by means of which the ratchet can be opened in an electrically driven manner. The reaching into a recess does not require any contact pressure, so that the blocking pawl can be moved out of its blocking position with particularly little effort.

In one embodiment of the invention, the drive element is part of a transmission. The drive element thus fulfills a dual function, so that the lock with a low number of parts and therefore can be produced with little technical effort and low demand for space.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is a stop for the blocking pawl, wherein the stop is able to limit the movement of the blocking pawl into its rest position. In one embodiment, there is a stop which is able to limit the movement of the blocking pawl in the direction of blocking position. It is thus avoided that the blocking pawl by its movement into its blocking position is able to initiate a damaging impulse into mechanically sensitive areas of a drive chain for electric opening comprising one or more drive elements. Mechanically sensitive parts can therefore be protected from damage by the stop.

In one embodiment, there is a locking and unlocking lever (shortened also called release lever), which can be moved back and forth between a locked position and a non-locked, so unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking system is at least mechanically locked. In the unlocked position, the locking system is at least not mechanically locked, so that then a manual opening of the locking mechanism by pressing an external actuating element is possible. For a mechanical opening, the external actuating element is moved along the long path by actuation, that is, for example, pivoted through a large angle.

For locking, which prevents manual opening of the locking mechanism without the electric drive, the unlocking lever is brought from its unlocked position to its locked position in a technically simple, advantageous embodiment, wherein the release lever is coupled to the actuating lever, so by moving the Entriegelungshebels is brought into the locked position of the actuating lever in the position in which the stop is able to prevent movement of the actuating lever along the long path. The coupling is effected in particular by a driving pawl which is movably mounted on the unlocking lever.

In one embodiment, the drive is also used to be able to lock electrically. To realize this in a simple technical way, there it is a drive element such as a rotatably mounted disc that can be driven by the drive. A rotation of the drive element has the consequence that the release lever is detected by the drive element and pivoted by further rotation in the locked position.

For detecting the drive element comprises in a technically simple embodiment on one side a driver and the release lever a boom. As a result, a coupling between the drive element and unlocking lever is provided in a technically simple manner to lock by moving the drive element and / or to be able to unlock, at least in mechanical terms. In the locked state, the locking mechanism can then at least not be opened manually. In the unlocked state, the locking mechanism can then be opened at least manually. The fact that the drive element can be moved electrically driven, does not exclude that this can also be done mechanically, so for example by manual unlocking by means of a key.

A pivoting of the unlocking lever is alternatively or additionally effected in an embodiment by an electric and / or mechanical drive, which is independent of the drive through which the locking mechanism is opened. Locking can then be done without problems independent of a drive, which is intended for electrical opening.

For unlocking, it is possible in one embodiment to rotate said drive member, such as the disc, opposite to the opening direction. Turning in one direction then causes unlocking. Turning in the other opposite direction then causes the locking mechanism to open. In a technically simple and reliable way so opening and unlocking can be controlled and brought about. By rotating in opposite directions, the different positions can be clearly distinguished from each other and detected for example by means of one or more micro-switches. Such microswitches that detect the positions can then be used for control. However, opening the locking mechanism by rotating the drive element presupposes that the blocking pawl is not in its blocking position. In one embodiment, a rotation of the drive element in the opening direction causes a locking of the locking device and that at least in mechanical terms. A manual opening by pressing the external actuating element is then not possible.

In an advantageous embodiment, there is a spring that can bring the drive element as said disc in a zero position. Starting from the zero position can be unlocked, locked and / or opened depending on the direction of rotation.

In one embodiment, the release lever is in an unlocked position on the drive element. The drive element can therefore be rotated in this embodiment to a position in which the release lever is held in the unlocked position by the rest. This design helps to be able to open purely mechanically particularly reliable.

In one embodiment, the release lever is movably connected to a driving pawl. By the Mitnehmerklinke the aforementioned locking pawl can be moved from its rest position to its original position by moving the unlocking lever from its locked position to its unlocked position. This configuration makes it possible in a technically simple manner that can be opened either by operating an external actuating element and in principle mechanically or by actuating another actuating element so as to open electrically despite the locked state.

In one embodiment of the invention, there are one or more stops to limit movements of the unlocking lever and / or the blocking pawl. The one or more stops have in particular a resilient and / or elastic surface to dampen noise. In particular, one or more one-piece components are provided by which a plurality of stops is provided. In one embodiment, there are one or more microswitches and / or other sensors which detect the position of one or more drive elements, blocking pawl, driving pawl and / or unlocking lever. In one embodiment, there is an internal operating element, which allows a mechanical opening in an unlocked state from the interior. In case of power failure can then be mechanically opened from the interior of a motor vehicle.

In one embodiment, there is a controller that mechanically unlocks the locking system at a sufficiently slow current drop. It can then be mechanically opened from the inside and / or outside by dedicated actuators, so without requiring electrical energy. If the controller registers a current drop, this control activates unlocking. In the event that sufficient and long electrical energy is available for this purpose, it is unlocked in such a way that it can be mechanically opened subsequently by actuation of actuating elements provided for this purpose.

In one embodiment, an unlocking or pulling mechanism is provided for an interior of a motor vehicle, which allows a mechanical unlocking from the interior, in order to unlock even in case of power failure can. On the lever or pull mechanism can be pulled from the inside to unlock the locking system.

In one embodiment, a crash sensor, in particular in the form of an acceleration sensor is present, which is able to register the occurrence of an accident. In the event of an accident, the crash sensor transmits a signal to the locking system and it is unlocked using an electric drive. Following this, the locking system can be opened purely mechanically, ie without the need for electrical energy.

In one embodiment, the locking of a driver's door can be unlocked from the outside with a key. Subsequently, the driver's door can be opened first and then the other locking mechanism of the other doors can be manually unlocked from the inside. Show it

Figure 1 locking system in mechanical locking position;

Figure 2 detail view of rib and groove;

 Figure 3 locking system after a rotation in the opening direction;

Figure 4 mechanically unlocked position of the locking system;

Figure 5 motor vehicle with locking system. Figures 1 to 4 show a locking system with locking device and a drive for an electric opening. In order to open with little effort, a drive comprises an electric motor 1 01, with an unillustrated locking mechanism can be opened electrically driven. There is a rotatably mounted blocking pawl 1 02, which prevents in its blocking position that the electric drive or electric motor 101 can electrically open the locking system. The blocking pawl 1 02 can be rotated about its axis 1 03.

At the motor shaft 1 04 of the electric motor 1 01 a screw 1 05 is attached. By rotating the motor shaft 1 04 and thus by rotating the screw 1 05 a rotatably mounted gear 106 is rotated about its axis 1 07, in which the worm 105 engages. On the gear 1 06 a disc 1 08 is attached. In its blocking position, a projection 1 1 0 of the blocking pawl 1 02 extends into a recess with lateral boundaries 109a, 1 09b of the disc 1 08 and thus limits such rotational movement of the gear 106 and the disc 1 08, through which the locking mechanism of the locking system can be opened electrically powered. The reaching into the recess with lateral boundaries 109a, 1 09b basically takes place without contact pressure, so that the blocking pawl 1 02 can be moved out of its blocking position with particularly little effort. If the projection 1 1 0 in the blocking position at the one side boundary 1 09b, the blocking pawl blocks an electric opening.

The blocking pawl 1 02 is biased in the illustrated embodiment by a spring in a clockwise direction, so that the blocking pawl 1 02 by the force of this Spring can be moved out of its blocking position and indeed into a rest position. FIG. 1 shows the blocking pawl in this rest position.

Worm 1 05 and gear 1 06 form a transmission. The drive element in the form of the gear 1 06 with the disc 1 08 so fulfills a dual function.

There is a stop 1 1 1 for the blocking pawl 1 02, which is able to limit the movement of the blocking pawl 102 from its blocking position out. In its rest position, the free end of the blocking pawl 1 02 bears against the stop, as shown in FIG.

The stop 1 1 1 is designed as a damping element, which has an elastic surface. The stop 1 1 1 is attached to the housing of the electric motor 1 01. The other attacks mentioned below are each designed as a damping element.

The disc 1 08 includes a rib 1 1 2, which can be moved into a groove 1 1 3 of the blocking pawl 102 into it when the blocking pawl 1 02 is in its blocking position. If the rib 1 1 2 has been moved into the groove 1 1 3 by turning the disc 1 08 opposite to the clockwise direction, the blocking pawl 102 is held and can not leave their blocking position. If the rib 1 12 has been moved in the groove 1 1 3 by turning the disc 1 08 opposite to the clockwise direction in the maximum possible way, so the blocking pawl stops turning counterclockwise and thus further rotation in the opening direction. Forces then introduced into the blocking pawl can not unintentionally move the blocking pawl out of its blocking position, since this is prevented by holding by means of the holding device, which in the example is formed by rib 1 1 2 and groove 1 1 3. The holding device thus holds the blocking pawl 1 02 in its blocking position.

The blocking pawl 1 02 is in its rest position, so the gear 1 06 and thus the disc 1 08 can be rotated counterclockwise by the electric motor 1 01. A rear of the disc 1 08 existing driver of the disc 1 08 so finally detects an arm of a rotatably mounted by the axis 103 release lever 1 14 and pivots it in Clockwise. As a result, the pawl of the locking mechanism is moved out of its detent position and thus electrically opens the locking system.

There is a locking and unlocking lever 1 1 5 (abbreviated "release lever" called), which is rotatably supported by an axis 1 1 6. The unlocking lever 1 15 can between the locked position shown in Figure 1 and an unlocked, so not locked The unlocked position of the unlocking lever 15 is shown in FIGS.

In the locked position, the locking system can not be mechanically opened by pressing a Au ßenbetätigungshebels or internal operating lever. In the unlocked position, the locking system can be mechanically opened by pressing an Au ßenbetätigungshebels or internal operating lever, so without requiring an electric drive and electrical energy. The release lever 1 1 5 is connected to a driving pawl 1 1 7. The free end 1 1 8 of the driving pawl 1 1 7 can detect and move a pin 1 1 9 of the locking pawl 1 02. If the unlocking lever 1 15 is moved to its unlocked position, then the blocking pawl 1 02 is moved to its blocking position. If the release lever 1 1 5 moves to its locking position, so the blocking pawl 1 02 is no longer held by the driving pawl 1 1 7 in its blocking position. The rib is 1 1 2 au ßerhalb the groove 1 1 3, then the blocking pawl 1 02 is moved by spring force in its rest position. The holding of the blocking pawl in its blocking position is provided in particular for the case that is to be locked by rotating the disc 1 08 in the opening direction. In the unlocked state, the blocking pawl 102 is due to the driving pawl 1 1 7 mandatory in its blocking position. Now, if the disc 1 08 is rotated in the opening direction and thereby the unlocking lever 1 1 5 pivoted in the direction of locking position, then releases the Mitnehmerklinke 1 17 of the blocking pawl 1 02. Before due to the release the blocking pawl be moved by spring force 1 02 in its rest position can, the rib moves into the groove. As a result, the blocking pawl 1 02 is held in its blocking position. The disc 1 08 is now rotated further in the opening direction, whereby the release lever 1 1 5 is moved to its locking position. Turning the Disk 1 08 is stopped by the blocking pawl and thus prevents unplanned opening of the locking mechanism.

Once the electric drive is turned off, the disc 1 08 rotates by the force of a center-zero spring back to its original position. The holding device then releases the blocking pawl 1 02. The blocking pawl 1 02 then moves due to spring force in its rest position.

The unlocking lever 1 1 5 has an arm with a laterally projecting projection 1 20, which extends in the locked state into the recess with the lateral boundaries 1 09a, 109b. This arm has a free end 121 which can be moved between two stops 1 22 and 1 23 back and forth. The two stops 1 22 and 1 23 are part of a one-piece manufactured component, which is therefore in one piece. By this one-piece component further attacks are formed, as will be described below.

The release lever 1 1 5 has a boom 1 24, which can be detected and pivoted by the disc 1 08 by rotating the disc 108 in the counterclockwise direction. The release lever is 1 1 5 in the unlocked position and the disc is 1 08 counterclockwise, ie counterclockwise, rotated by the electric motor 1 01, so the disc 108 detects the boom 124, pivots it and moves the release lever in his locked position. With the aid of a further electric motor 145 (see FIG. 5), the unlocking lever 11 can be pivoted, in particular into its unlocked position. The further electric motor 145 can in one embodiment, bypassing the disc 1 08 pivot the unlocking lever 1 15 to move this example in its unlocked position. It is thus possible, regardless of a rotational movement of the disc 1 08 to unlock. It is thus possible to electrically unlock by a controller as soon as the controller registers a voltage drop.

A clockwise rotation of the disk 1 08 can be used in one embodiment to electrically unlock. It is also possible through one Electrically unlock control as soon as the controller registers a voltage drop. If the voltage drop sufficiently slow, it can still be electrically unlocked. Finally, if there is no or sufficient electrical voltage available, then mechanically the locking mechanism can be opened without having to unlock it first. The unlocking by means of electric drive can also be done by a suitable detection and pivoting of the boom 1 24. However, the disc 1 08 can also detect and pivot the release lever 1 1 5 in another way, so as to unlock especially when a voltage drop by means of an electric drive.

A triggering and blocking device comprises a pivotable actuating lever 125 with a slot 1 26. Through the slot 1 26 extends a bolt 1 27 therethrough. By the bolt 1 27, the actuating lever 1 25 is pivotally mounted and displaceable. The actuating lever 1 25 is connected via a linkage or a Bowden cable with a Türau ßengriff. If the Türau ßengriff pivoted in the opening direction, this movement is transmitted via the linkage or the Bowden cable on the actuating lever 1 25. The actuating lever 1 25 is then pivoted counterclockwise about the bolt 127 around.

A bolt 1 28 of the actuating lever 1 25 is applied to the free end of the driving pawl 1 1 1 18, whereby the pivotally and slidably mounted actuating lever 125 is held in its position shown in the figure 1. In this position shown in FIG. 1, the actuating lever 125 is not coupled to the triggering lever 14. If the Türau ßengriff pivoted in the opening direction, although the actuating lever 125 can thereby be pivoted counterclockwise. However, such a pivoting movement can not be transferred to the release lever 1 14 for opening the locking mechanism already because the operating lever 1 25 is not coupled in this position with the release lever 1 14. The bolt 1 27 is connected to a stop 146. The stop 146 is immovably mounted. If, in the position shown in FIG. 1, the actuating lever 1 25 is pivoted counterclockwise, this pivotal movement is finally blocked by the stop 146 as soon as the pin 1 28 reaches the stop 146 due to the pivoting movement. This blocking prevents the door Au ßengriff can be further pivoted. The door handle can thus be pivoted only by a relatively short rotation angle. The door handle can therefore only be moved along a short path in the opening direction.

However, if the release lever 1 15 moves toward unlocked position, so moves the free end 1 1 8 of the driving pawl 1 1 7 accordingly and thus away from the bolt 128. The bolt 1 28 and thus the actuating lever 1 25 can follow this movement of the free end 1 1 8. This happens due to the leg spring 130. The leg spring is held by the bracket 1 29. The holder may be fixedly connected to a base plate or with the actuating lever 1 25. One leg of the leg spring 130 is held by a holding element 147 of the actuating lever 1 25. The other leg of the leg spring 1 30 is located on one side of the bolt 1 27 so that thereby the actuating lever 125 follows the movement of the free end 1 1 8 in unlocking. Has the release lever 1 1 5 and thus also the free end 1 18 reaches the unlocked position and is the operating lever 1 25 this movement due to the biased spring 1 30 followed, then the actuating lever 1 25 is coupled to the release lever 1 14. For putting in the bolt 1 28 has been moved out of the region of the stopper 146 out so that the stopper 146 is no longer able to block a pivoting movement of the actuating lever 1 25 counterclockwise.

If the door handle is now pivoted, this can take place beyond the short angle of rotation, namely along a long path around a large angle of rotation. It is then pivoted by pivoting the Türau ßengriffs the release lever 1 14 clockwise and the locking mechanism purely mechanically opened. Again, the bolt 1 28 is used for coupling with the release lever 1 14. The bolt 126 can thus detect and pivot an arm of the release lever 1 14 in the coupled position. The stopper 146 has a ramped free end 148 to reliably not block when the bolt 1 28 is moved toward the unlocked position. The ramp shape ensures that the bolt 1 28 can be moved further in the unlocked position, if this is possible by the position of the free end 1 1 8. If the unlocking lever 1 15 is moved back to its locked position after unlocking, the free end 1 18 of the driving pawl 17 detects the bolt 128 and moves the bolt 128 and thus the actuating lever 125 back into the position shown in FIG. By relative movement of the stop 146 has been brought back into its stop position. The outside door handle connected to the operating lever 125 can now only be moved along a short path.

In principle, a corresponding inner door handle or another inner actuating element is also provided, by means of which or by means of which it can be mechanically opened in the unlocked state. It is also basically provided to be able to unlock mechanically from the interior of a motor vehicle so as to be able to open a motor vehicle door from the interior in the event of a power supply failure.

There is a leg spring 130 which is arranged and biased so that the force of this spring 130, the actuating lever 125 can be moved along its slot 126 in the position in which the actuating lever is coupled to the release lever 1 14. A bolt 127 extends into the slot 126, whereby the operating lever is movably mounted. If the actuating lever 125 is pivoted counterclockwise opposite to the reaching of the coupled position about the bolt 127, thereby the trigger lever 1 14 is pivoted clockwise. The release lever 1 14 moves by this pivoting the pawl out of its detent position.

Through the component with the two stops 122 and 123, a stop 131 for the one side boundary 109 a of the recess of the disc 108 is provided.

The Mitnehmerklinke 1 17 is rotatably connected via an axis 132 with the release lever 1 15. By the force of a prestressed spring and / or guided by a guide, the driving pawl 17 is applied to the blocking pawl 102. The region 134 of the blocking pawl 102 extends into a recess 133 of the driving pawl 17. The recess 133 is dimensioned and with respect to the shape of the adjacent to the axis 103 Adjusted range 134 that the area 1 34 can be at any point of the recess.

The attached to the electric motor 101 component with the stop 1 1 1 may include a second stop 1 37 to limit pivotal movements of the locking pawl 1 02 in the direction blocking position. There may be one or more microswitches 1 38 to detect positions of the locking system and to control and monitor the operation in response thereto. FIG. 1 shows a rest position when the locking system is locked. If, starting from this rest position, the disk 1 08 is rotated counterclockwise by the electric motor 1 01, the associated electric locking mechanism is thereby opened. Figure 2 shows the aforementioned rib 1 1 2 and the aforementioned groove 1 1 3 in a detailed view, when the blocking pawl 1 02 is in its blocking position. If the disc 1 08 is rotated in the opening direction by means of the electric motor 1 01, then the rib 1 12 is moved into the groove 1 1 3. If the rib 1 1 2 has been moved into the groove, so finally blocks the blocking pawl 1 02 further rotation of the disc 108 in the opening direction, whereby an electrical opening is prevented. Since then the rib 1 1 2 is in the groove 1 1 3, it is ensured that the blocking pawl 1 02 can not leave their blocking position unplanned. It is so reliably prevents unplanned electrical opening of the locking mechanism.

If the electric drive stops, the disc 1 08 is moved back into its starting position by the force of a center zero spring. The rib 1 1 2 is moved out of the groove 1 13 back out. Subsequently, the blocking pawl 1 02 can be moved by spring force back to its rest position.

FIG. 3 shows the end position which is reached when, starting from the locked rest position shown in FIG. 1, the disk 108 has been rotated in the opening direction. The rotational movement of the disc 108 in the counterclockwise direction is indicated by the arrow. In the end position reaches the lateral boundary 1 09b a stop 1 36, which passes through the component with the stops 1 22, 1 23 and 131 is provided. This component thus comprises a total of four stops. If the disc 108 has reached the end position shown in FIG. 3, it has thereby grasped the triggering lever 14 and pivoted it clockwise. This pivoting of the trigger lever 1 14 has then moved the pawl of the associated locking mechanism out of its detent position. The locking mechanism has been opened electrically.

FIG. 4 shows the position which is reached when, for example, mechanically unlocked starting from the locked rest position shown in FIG. The unlocking lever 1 15 has been pivoted by the mechanical unlocking counterclockwise about its axis 1 1 6. The free end 1 1 8 of the driving pawl 1 1 7 has as a result of this movement, the blocking pawl 102 pivoted to reach the stop 1 37. The actuating lever 1 25 followed this movement. By pressing the associated outside door handle and / or inside door handle now the actuating lever 1 25 could be pivoted about the pin 1 27 around opposite. Pivoting around a large angle is possible because the stop 146 is no longer able to block and thus prevent such a pivoting movement. The associated locking mechanism can be opened mechanically without the need for electrical energy.

FIG. 5 outlines a door 139 of a motor vehicle 144 with a locking mechanism 140 arranged in the door. On the outer side of the door 1 39, an external actuating element 141 is arranged and on the other, inner side, an internal actuating element 142. With the help of Au ßenbetätigungselements 141 and the inner actuator 142, the locking mechanism and thus the door can be opened electrically and mechanically when the locking system is unlocked. With the inner actuator 142, the door can be opened electrically when the locking system is locked. Notably, this lock system or lock is electrically opened and that from outside Shen, for example by means of a remote control 143. A purely mechanical opening is provided only for an emergency when an electrical opening is not possible. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

101: electric motor

 102: locking pawl

103: Axis of the locking pawl

 104: shaft of the electric motor

 105: worm on the motor shaft

 106: gear

 107: Axis of the gear

108: disc

 109a: lateral boundary of a recess

 109b: lateral boundary of the recess

 1 1 0: projection of the locking pawl

 1 1 1: stop for the locking pawl

1 1 2: rib

 1 1 3: Groove in the locking pawl

 1 14: Release lever

 1 1 5: release lever

 1 1 6: Axis of the release lever

1 1 7: Mitnehmerklinke

 1 1 8: free end of the driving pawl

 1 1 9: Bolt of the locking pawl

 120: laterally projecting projection on a Entriegelungshebelarm

121: free end of an arm of the release lever

122: stop

 123: stop

 124: Arm of the unlocking lever

 125: movably mounted operating lever

 126: slot in the operating lever

127: Bolt connected to a door handle

 128: Pin of the operating lever

 129: holder for leg spring

 130: Leg spring

 131: stop

132: Axis for driving pawl 133: recess of the driving pawl

 134: Area of the locking pawl

 135: Support for driving pawl

 136: the end of the latch

137: stop

 138: microswitch

 139: door

 140: locking

 141: Au ßenbetätigungselement

142: internal operating element

 143: Remote control

 144: motor vehicle

 145: electric drive for unlocking lever

146: Stop for actuating lever

147: holding element

148: ramped free end

claims

1 . A locking system comprising a catch (140) with a catch and a pawl for locking the catch in a latching position, a locking device for locking the locking system, an electric drive (101) with which the locking mechanism (140) are opened in an unlocked state of the locking system For example, a mechanism with which the ratchet (140) can be opened in an unlocked state without an electric drive (101) can be a blocking device which controls a movement of an external operating element (141) and / or an actuating lever (125) connected to the locking system Blocking allowed along a long path only when the locking system is unlocked so that can be opened mechanically. 2. Locking system according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking device allows a movement of the closing system connected to the outer actuating element (141) and / or the actuating lever (125) along a short path even when the locking system is locked so mechanically not can be opened.

3. Locking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a Bowden cable or a linkage connects the outer actuating element (141) with the actuating lever (125), so that a movement of the outer actuating element (141) on the actuating lever (125) can be transmitted.

4. Locking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking device is part of a structural unit, the electric drive (101), one for opening the locking mechanism (140) existing release lever (1 14) and / or the locking mechanism (140 ).

 5. Locking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking device comprises a stop (146) for the actuating lever (125), wherein the stop (146) is in its stop position when the locking system is locked so that

Claims

 can not be mechanically opened and that the stop (146) prevents in the stop position that the operating lever (125) can be moved along the long path. Locking system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a relative movement between the stop (146) and the actuating lever (125) is effected by unlocking, which allows a manual opening of the locking mechanism (140) without the electric drive (101) the stop (146) is brought out of its stop position. Locking system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, for a locking which prevents a manual opening of the locking mechanism (140) without the electric drive, an unlocking lever (1 15) can be brought from an unlocked position to a locked position, wherein the unlocking lever (1 15) is coupled to the actuating lever (125), so that by moving the unlocking lever (1 15) in the locked position of the actuating lever (125) is brought into the position in which the stop (146) movement of the actuating lever ( 125) along the long way. Locking system according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating lever (125) is moved in order to bring the stop (146) out of its stop position by relative movement or to bring the stop (146) into its stop position by relative movement.  Locking system according to one of the four preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating lever (125) by a release lever (1 14) with which the locking mechanism (140) by pivoting the release lever (1 14) can be opened, decoupled when the Stop (146) is in its stop position. Locking system according to one of the five preceding claims, characterized in that there is a spring (130) which controls the actuating lever (125). so can move by spring force in the position that allows a manual opening of the locking mechanism (140) without electric drive. Locking system according to one of the six preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating lever (125) comprises a slot (126) which allows the actuating lever (125) to move so as to bring the stop (146) out of its abutment position by relative movement Relative movement can be brought into its stop position. Locking system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a bolt (127) extends into the slot (126) so that the actuating lever (125) can be pivoted about the bolt (127). Locking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a blocking pawl (102) is present, which blocks an electrical opening of the locking mechanism (140) in a mechanically unlocked state of the locking system. Locking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pivotally mounted handle is present as an external actuating element (141) and in the corresponding unlocked state, starting from an initial position pivoting of the handle to a first small angle of rotation, the locking mechanism (140) opens electrically and on Pivoting the first rotation angle causes a mechanical opening of the locking mechanism (140). A method of opening a locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism (140) of the unlocked locking system is opened by either pivoting an external operating member (141) connected to the locking system along a short path, causing it to open of the lock (140) by means of an electric drive, or that the external operating element (141) is pivoted along a long path, causing an opening of the locking mechanism (140) without an electric drive.