EP1113132B1 - Electric motor actuator for a motor vehicle lock - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electromotive actuator for a motor vehicle lock - side door lock, rear door lock, hood lock o. The like. - With the features of the preamble of claim 1.

The known electromotive actuator for a motor vehicle lock, from which the invention proceeds ( DE 44 33 994 C1 ) is described there in conjunction with a motor vehicle side door lock, which is also comprehensively explained in the rest. In this description of a motor vehicle lock in general may be made. It will not be further discussed in the present text, because it is for the present invention essentially to peculiarities of an electric motor actuator for such a motor vehicle lock itself. The rest of the motor vehicle lock can thus be formed in the usual way.

In the known electromotive actuator is the actuator element to an actuator disk, which is driven by an electric drive motor, which is reversible driven in both directions of rotation. About the closer design of the connection of the drive motor and actuator disc o. The like. Nothing in the art is said further, in so far as the general state of the art, such as DE 33 19 354 C2 , the US 5,409,277 A and, more recently, the DE 198 32 170 C1 be pointed out.

An electromotive actuator with actuator disk o. The like. As actuator element has proven to be compact and reliable. He is in such a motor vehicle lock regularly with an operating lever system and a locking lever system. In general, the operating lever system has an outside operating lever and an inside operating lever. In this case, usually the external operating lever is connected to an outside door handle, while the inside operating lever is connected to a door inside handle. The locking lever system regularly has at least one inside locking lever. This is either carried out separately, for example, leading to the Innenverriegelungsknöpfchen, but can also be integrated with the internal operating lever. On the front side doors of a motor vehicle and on the rear door of a combi vehicle there is also an outer locking lever, which is in communication with a lock cylinder and / or a remote control device.

The functional state "locked-theft-proof" means that the motor vehicle lock can not be opened by an unauthorized force attack on the inside locking lever and / or on the inside operating lever. Such an unauthorized force attack is possible, for example after breaking a window, but should remain ineffective in the functional state "locked-theft-proof".

The locking lever system of a motor vehicle lock is switched back and forth between the functional states "unlocked", "locked" and "locked-theft-secured" by means of the electromotive actuator. It is provided regularly and even at the starting point forming state of the art that the lever of the actuator at least in an end position of the actuator disc and manually between the functional states "unlocked" and "locked" back and forth switchable. However, if the actuator is in the functional state "locked-theft-protected", the shift lever is blocked in the state of the art by means of the anti-theft lever in the functional state "locked". If the electric drive motor fails in this functional position, provision must be made that, at least by means of a mechanical emergency operating element acting on the anti-theft lever, in particular the key-operated external locking lever of the locking lever system already mentioned, the anti-theft lever with the actuator disc or the like unchanged mechanically-manually into a functional state "Not Since then the shift lever is released, it can then be switched from the functional state "locked" also mechanically-manually, for example, by pressing the inner locking lever and / or the inner operating lever in the functional state "unlocked".

In the starting point forming prior art, the above-explained Notbetätigungsfunktion is realized in that the anti-theft lever in the functional state "not theft-proof" by a biasing spring o. The like. Pre-tensioned and can be moved by means of a drive lug on the actuator disk in the functional state "theft-proof" if the shift lever is in the "locked" functional state at this time. The take-away by means of the actuator disc via a pawl. This can be lifted for emergency operation from the outside locking lever ago. The anti-theft lever then snaps back under the force of the biasing spring in the functional state "not theft-proof".

In the previously explained, the starting point forming electromotive actuator for a motor vehicle lock while a manual unlocking in case of failure of the central locking drive can be easily, reliably and quickly effected. The necessary construction of anti-theft lever with biasing spring and liftable pawl but mechanically-structurally relatively expensive. In addition, a mechanical emergency operation is no longer possible at spring break of the biasing spring for the anti-theft lever.

The arrangement of the actuator disk, the shift lever and the liftable pawl is in the above-described electric motor actuator also such that the pawl in the functional state "anti-theft" may have to absorb very high forces. This high application of force to the pawl is structurally difficult to implement. Only with very high quality materials, which are then expensive, can be achieved. Kinematically, the arrangement taken has the disadvantage that the directions of rotation of the actuator disk for the overturning of the shift lever are not unique. Due to the construction with latch and preload spring on the anti-theft lever it is necessary that the shift lever is overturned once in clockwise rotation, another time in left rotation in one and the same function state, so for example "unlocked" or "locked". Which direction of rotation is required is also determined by the respective position of the pawl. Therefore, a very intelligent, powerful electronic control is required, which again causes considerable costs.

The invention is based on the problem to improve an electric motor actuator of the type in question in terms of design, taking into account the requirements of the mechanical emergency operation.

The solution to this problem is achieved in an electromotive actuator for a motor vehicle lock with the features of the preamble of claim 1 by the realization of the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

As with the electromotive actuator assumed in the prior art, the anti-theft lever is controlled independently by the actuator disk, that is, not in connection with the shift lever. However, this control is such that the anti-theft lever biased by the biasing spring in the direction of the functional state "anti-theft", ie from the functional state "not theft-proofed" in the functional state "theft-proof" is switchable. If the pretensioning spring breaks, then the antitheft lever either remains in the functional state "not theft-proof" or, in any case, can be switched to this functional state mechanically by means of the emergency-actuation function. In addition, an additional pawl is omitted, because the anti-theft lever is durable by a control link on the actuator disk in the functional state "not theft-proof". Further advantages are that because of omission of the additional latch, an additional spring, which must be present in the prior art, is eliminated. In addition, the control of the electric motor actuator can be made simple because due to the construction according to the invention, the actuator disc always operates the shift lever clearly. One direction of rotation the actuator disk is thus always associated with the displacement of the shift lever in one and the same functional state, as is of course already known in such actuators from the prior art. An advantage of the construction according to the invention is that you can maintain this desired operation of the actuator and still has integrated into the actuator itself the anti-theft function.

A particular advantage of the electromotive actuator according to the invention is also its compact design, which can be particularly alleviated by the fact that the actuator disc is designed in three levels, namely a median plane for coupling with the electric drive motor, a lower level for coupling with the shift lever and an upper Level for coupling with the anti-theft lever. The terms "bottom" and "top" are interchangeable and to understand in the present case according to the preferred teaching so that "down" means the housing bottom next layer and "top" means the housing bottom most distant position.

Preferred embodiments and further developments of the teaching are in the rest of the subject of the dependent claims.

Fig. 1

ein bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen elektromotorischen Stellantriebes für ein Kraftfahrzeugschloß, hier in der "unteren" Ebene, im Funktionszustand "entriegelt",

Fig. 2

den elektromotorischen Stellantrieb aus Fig. 1, vollständig bestückt, also in einer Ansicht einschließlich der "oberen" Ebene, ebenfalls in dem Funktionszustand "entriegelt",

Fig. 3 u. 4

den elektromotorischen Stellantrieb aus Fig. 1 und 2 in entsprechenden Darstellungen, jedoch im Funktionszustand "verriegelt",

Fig. 5

den Stellantrieb aus Fig. 2 im Funktionszustand "verriegelt-diebstahlgesichert,

Fig. 6

den Stellantrieb aus Fig. 2 im Funktionszustand "verriegelt-diebstahlgesichert", den Diebstahlsicherungshebel mechanisch-manuell in den Funktionszustand "nicht diebstahlgesichert" gebracht.

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

Fig. 1

A preferred embodiment of an electromotive actuator according to the invention for a motor vehicle lock, here in the "lower" level, in the functional state "unlocked",

Fig. 2

1, fully assembled, ie in a view including the "upper" level, also "unlocked" in the functional state,

Fig. 3 u. 4

the electromotive actuator of FIG. 1 and 2 in corresponding representations, but in the functional state "locked",

Fig. 5

the actuator of FIG. 2 in the functional state "locked-theft-protected,

Fig. 6

the actuator of FIG. 2 in the functional state "locked-theft-secured", the anti-theft lever mechanically-manually brought into the functional state "not theft-proof".

Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing show in connection the basic structure of the preferred embodiment of an electromotive actuator for a motor vehicle lock, which is shown here. As has already been stated in the general part of the description with reference to the prior art, such a motor vehicle lock is designed for "unlocked", "locked" and "locked-theft-protected" functional states, that is to say that an actuating lever system of the motor vehicle lock enters these functional states can be switched by means of the electric motor actuator and mechanically-manually and in particular by means of an emergency operation function.

1 and 2 show that the illustrated electromotive actuator for a motor vehicle lock initially includes a housing 1, which is here open on one side, so that you can look into it. This housing 1 initially houses a reversible drive motor 2 and a drive pulley 4 rotatably driven in the illustrated embodiment by the drive motor 2 via a spindle 3. It is important that an actuator element is present and, preferably, the rotatably driven Stellantriebsscheibe 4. In principle, but would also be a linearly adjusted Actuator element conceivable. Important is the interaction of the actuator disk 4 with the locking lever system.

With the actuator disc 4 o. The like. Motion is coupled to a shift lever 5 for switching the lock mechanism, so the locking lever system, in the functional states "unlocked" and "locked". So that the shift lever 5 always occupies a positively defined position, this shift lever 5 is normally loaded with a tilt spring o. The like., However, which is not shown in the drawing. In that regard may be on the state of the art from the DE 44 33 994 C1 , but especially from the DE 198 32 170 C1 to get expelled. Fig. 1 shows the shift lever 5 in the functional state "unlocked" with the one side adjacent to a buffer. 6

The shift lever 5 is at least in one end position of the actuator disk 4 manually between the functional states "unlocked" and locked switched back and forth, so that even in case of failure of the electric motor drive manual unlocking and locking the motor vehicle lock is possible.

Fig. 2 shows that further with the actuator disk 4 o. The like. An anti-theft lever 7 is bewegungsgekuppelt. This is loaded with a biasing spring 7a and shown in Fig. 2 in the functional state "not theft-proof", because there is indeed the actuator in the functional state "unlocked". The direction of action of the biasing spring 7a shows the bow arrow.

3 and 4 show the functional state "locked". Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 4 and shows the functional state "anti-theft" of the anti-theft lever 7. In this functional state keeps the anti-theft lever 7 in the functional state "locked" standing shift lever 5 in its functional state "locked" firmly.

At the anti-theft lever 7 can be seen in Fig. 2, 4 and 5, an actuating lug 8. This can be used in assembled motor vehicle lock a mechanical emergency actuator, in particular a key-operated external locking lever of the locking lever system attack. (Arrow direction in Fig. 5). By means of Notbetätigungselementes the anti-theft lever 7 at i. w. unchanged in the functional state "locked-theft-proof" standing actuator disc 4 overcoming a detent 9 o. The like. Mechanically-manually in the functional state "not theft-proof" brought. This functional state is shown in FIG. 6 of the drawing.

The actuator according to the invention can, despite the integration of a theft shear, a clear assignment of the direction of rotation of the actuator disc (4) to ensure a certain state of functioning "unlocked" or "locked". As a result, the control of the electric motor actuator is simple, because no changing assignments are electronically - circuit technology to consider. Accordingly, one comes in the actuator according to the invention with substantially fewer switches or sensors than in the starting point forming state of the art.

For the teaching is now essential first that the anti-theft lever 7 by means of the biasing spring 7a from the functional state "not theft-proof" (Fig. 2 and Fig. 4) in the functional state "anti-theft" (Fig. 5) is switchable. This means based on the drawing that the anti-theft lever 7 is biased from the position shown in Fig. 2 by the biasing spring 7a with respect to a clockwise rotation about the bearing axis 10. Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 further show that the anti-theft lever 7 is held here by a control link 11 on the actuator disk 4 in the functional state "not theft-proof". In addition, the anti-theft lever 7 is also held by the "unlocked" in the functional state switching lever 5 in the functional state "not theft-proof". Fig. 1 in conjunction with Fig. 2 shows that a corresponding lug 12 on the shift lever 5 in the position of the shift lever 5 shown in FIG. 1 prevents the anti-theft lever 7 from moving under spring force from the position shown in Fig. 2 in the clockwise direction to turn. If the shift lever 5 is thus "unlocked" in the functional state, which is shown in FIG. 1, then it is independent of the position of the actuator disk 4 in such a way that the anti-theft lever 7 is held "not theft-proof" in the functional state.

The above-described construction of the electromotive actuator according to the invention has the advantages explained in the general part of the description. On the one hand, the construction is very simple, because the shift lever 5 and the anti-theft lever 7 are locked against each other, on the other hand is ensured by the direction of action of the biasing spring 7a for the anti-theft lever 7, that at spring break movement the anti-theft lever 7 in the functional state "not theft-proof" is still possible.

For the reliable operation of the electric motor actuator according to the invention, as already in the starting point forming prior art of importance that the anti-theft lever 7 after mechanical-manual locking of the functional state "theft-proof" in the functional state "not theft-proof" of the detent. 9 is held in this functional state "not theft-proof". It is essential, therefore, that when the electric motor drive has failed and the functional state "locked-theft-secured" has been canceled by engagement by means of the Notbetätigungshebels, this suspension continues as long as the Stellantriebsscheieb 4 stops in the default position. It is then desired that the motor vehicle lock at any time mechanically between the operating states "unlocked" and "locked" back and forth can switch.

The dargstellte embodiment shows in particular in Fig. 2, 4, 5 and 6, that the detent 9 is designed here as a one-sided beveled, resilient nose. This is designed as designed in the actuator disk 4 spring tongue. The transition from Fig. 5 to Fig. 6 of the drawing shows how by mechanical attack on the operating lug 8 of the anti-theft lever 7 by means of not shown here Notbetätigungselementes, ie in particular of the key-operated external locking lever in the arrow direction (Figure 5) of the anti-theft lever 7 under elastic back pressures the detent 9 has been brought from the functional state "theft-proof" back to the functional state "not theft-proof". The actuator disk 4 is still in the position corresponding to the functional state "theft-proof" of the anti-theft lever 7. Due to the action of the detent 9, however, the anti-theft locking lever 7 is now held in FIG. 6 counter to the force of the pretensioning spring 7a in the functional state "not protected against theft". The shift lever 5 can be moved freely, since the anti-theft lever 7 does not block the shift lever 5 in the functional state "locked".

In contrast, Fig. 5 shows the functional state "locked-theft-secured". In this functional state, the anti-theft lever 7 blocks with a stop 13, which is in front of an edge 14 of the shift lever 5 in its position shown in Fig. 3, a movement of the shift lever 5 in the functional state "unlocked", ie back to the position in Fig. 1st ,

The illustrated and preferred embodiment further shows a particularly convenient and compact construction of the electric motor actuator according to the invention. This is characterized in that the actuator disc 4 is designed in three levels, namely a median plane for coupling with the electric drive motor 2 (via the spindle 3), a lower level for coupling with the shift lever 5 and an upper level for coupling with the Anti-theft lever 7. The terms "bottom" and "top" are interchangeable, as already mentioned. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, they have been chosen so that the "lower" level shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is closest to the bottom of the housing 1, whereas the "upper" level of FIG. 2 and FIGS Floor of the housing 1 is removed.

The illustrated embodiment is further characterized by a particularly simple design of the control link 11. This is simply done as a raised edge on the actuator disk 4. This is provided with an opening 15, where the anti-theft lever 7 can swivel under the action of the biasing spring 7a in the inner region of the actuator disk 4 and the functional state "anti-theft", shown in Fig. 5, reach. In this functional state of the anti-theft lever 7 is then behind the nose of the detent 9, but, as already explained above, can be "run over" in the context of emergency operation.

It has already been pointed out above that the anti-theft lever 7 is designed here as a two-armed lever with the operating lug 8 on the second lever arm.

The illustrated and preferred embodiment of an electric motor actuator is further characterized in that the actuator disk 4 and the anti-theft lever 7 are made of plastic material. The forces involved are to be dimensioned in this construction so that the use of plastic material, possibly also fiber-reinforced, completely sufficient, if appropriate material thicknesses provides. Of course, in principle, other materials can be used, especially metals such as aluminum. Accordingly, metal, for example aluminum, is recommended as a material for the shift lever 5, which is subjected to higher forces.

Fig. 2 also shows that in the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the shift lever 5, a microswitch 16 is associated. This microswitch 16 allows the control technically correct start of the functional state "locked". After actuation of the microswitch 16, the electric drive motor 2 by means of a short-circuit braking o. The like. At a small angular distance comes to a standstill. The illustrated embodiment also shows that the micro-switch 16 is actuated here via a switch actuating lever 17. This allows a suitable power transmission from the shift lever 5 to the microswitch 16. FIGS. 1 and 3 show the arrangement and function of the microswitch 16 with the switch operating lever 17 particularly well. The microswitch is actuated in FIG. 1, the functional state "unlocked", in FIG. 3, the functional state "locked" is not actuated. The switch operating lever 17 is thereby moved by the shift lever 5 in the manner shown.

In the plane view, which has been angepsrochen on page 9, is the Schalterbetätgigungshebel 17 in the illustrated embodiment in a plane with the shift lever 5. Incidentally, the switch operating lever 17 is made of plastic material here, because also the switch operating lever 17 not too large forces loads is exposed. Not recognizable in the drawing, because that is concealed in the lower level, the design of the arrangement such that the micro-switch 16 - via the switch operating lever 17 - not only from the shift lever 5, but also from a Betätigungsgigungselement on the actuator disk 4, namely a partially circular arranged in the lower level on the actuator disk 4 backdrop can be actuated. One recognizes that in the drawing, however, because the switch operating lever 17 on the one hand the actual lever arm, on the other hand, at its end an upstanding, in the middle plane cross-actuating head has.

With the operation of the microswitch 16 - in the illustrated embodiment, by the intermediary of the switch operating lever 17 - both by the shift lever 5 and by the actuator disc 4 can be realized in a simple manner an OR operation or an AND operation mechanically. This circuitry special feature, which means that required in the prior art two microswitches can be replaced with the same control performance by a microswitch is described in the unpublished DE 198 32 749 A1 the applicant. Reference is made to the disclosure there.

About the exact design of the actuator itself has not been said very much so far. In particular, it has not been explained how the actuator disk 4 transmits its movement to the shift lever 5 in the desired manner. Reference should be made here to the prior art explained in the general part of the description, which describes a large number of drive possibilities.

Particularly useful is a construction that from the prior art of DE 198 32 170 C1 is known. It is provided that the actuator disc 4 has a cam-shaped about its axis of rotation 18 erstrekkende control link 19 having an inner end close to the axis of rotation 18 at one end and at the other end a remote from the axis of rotation 18 outer stop. The shift lever 5 has an engaging in the control link 19 of the actuator disk 4 pin 20 o. The like., Which is indicated here in Fig. 1 and 3 on the shift lever 5. About this is the shift lever 5 in the functional states "unlocked" and "locked" switchable, which are reached when starting the inner stop or the outer stop of the control link 19 on the pin 20 o. The like. In this case, the shutdown of the electric drive motor 2 when starting the inner stop or outer stop on the pin 20 o. The like. Triggered (block operation). In that regard, reference may be made to the above-mentioned prior art.

Claims (14)

1. Electromotive actuating drive for a motor vehicle lock,
   it being possible to switch the motor vehicle lock to the functional states "unlocked", "locked" and "locked/theft-protected",
   comprising a reversible drive motor (2), an actuating drive disc (4) which can be driven in rotation by the drive motor (2), and a switching lever (5), which is coupled in terms of movement to the actuating drive disc (4), for switching the lock mechanism to the functional states "unlocked" and "locked",
   it being possible to manually switch the switching lever (5) to and fro between the functional states "unlocked" and "locked" at least in an end position of the actuating drive disc (4),
   also comprising a theft-protection lever (7), which is coupled in terms of movement to the actuating drive disc (4) and is stressed by a prestressing spring (7a), for keeping the switching lever (5) which is in the functional state "locked" in this functional state,
   it being possible to move the theft-protection lever (7) to a functional state "not theft-protected" in a mechanical-manual manner by overcoming a latching means (9) by means of a mechanical emergency operating element, in particular a key-operated external locking lever, which acts on the theft-protection lever (7), with the actuating drive disc (4) then being unchanged in the functional state "locked/theft-protected",
   characterized
   in that the theft-protection lever (7) can be switched from the functional state "not theft-protected" to the functional state "theft-protected" by means of the prestressing spring (7a), and
   in that the theft-protection lever (7) is kept in the functional state "not theft-protected" firstly by a control link (11) on the actuating drive disc (4) and secondly by the switching lever (5) which is in the functional state "unlocked".
2. Actuating drive according to Claim 1, characterized in that, after being mechanically-manually moved from the functional state "theft-protected" to the functional state "not theft-protected", the theft-protection lever (7) is kept in the functional state "not theft-protected" by the latching means (9).
3. Actuating drive according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the latching means (9) is designed as a sprung lug which slopes at one end.
4. Actuating drive according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the latching means (9) is designed as a spring tongue formed in the actuating drive disc (4).
5. Actuating drive according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the actuating drive disc (4) is designed in three planes, specifically a centre plane for coupling to the electric drive motor (2), a lower plane for coupling to the switching lever (5), and an upper plane for coupling to the theft-protection lever (7).
6. Actuating drive according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the control link (11) on the actuating drive disc (4) is designed as a protruding rim with an aperture (15), preferably in the upper plane.
7. Actuating drive according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the theft-protection lever (7) is designed as a two-armed lever.
8. Actuating drive according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the actuating drive disc (4) and preferably also the theft-protection lever (7) are made of plastic material.
9. Actuating drive according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the switching lever (5) has an associated microswitch (16).
10. Actuating drive according to Claim 9, characterized in that the microswitch (16) can be operated by the switching lever (5) via a switch operating lever (17).
11. Actuating drive according to Claims 5 and 10, characterized in that the switch operating lever (17) is arranged in a plane with the switching lever (5).
12. Actuating drive according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the switch operating lever (17) is made of plastic material.
13. Actuating drive according to one of Claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the microswitch (16) can be operated both by the switching lever (5) and by an operating element on the actuating drive disc (4).
14. Actuating drive according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the actuating drive disc (4) has a control link (4) which extends around the axis of rotation (18) of the said actuating drive disc in a curved manner and at one end has an inner stop which is close to the axis of rotation (18) and at the other end has an outer stop which is remote from the axis of rotation (18), in that the switching lever (5) has a pin (20) which engages in the control link (19) of the actuating drive disc (4) and can be switched to two functional states, which are reached when the inner stop or the outer stop meets the pin (20), by the control link (19) via this pin, in that the switching lever (5) can be switched manually in a freewheeling manner to and fro between the two functional states at least in an end position of the actuating drive disc (4) with the pin (20) at the inner stop or at the outer stop, and in that switch-off of the drive motor (2) is triggered (blocking operation) when the inner stop or outer stop meets the pin (20).

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