EP3081728A1 - Motor vehicle lock - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock with a locking work unit (2) for receiving the closing elements latch (3) and pawl (4) and with a functional unit (6) having a functional housing (7) for receiving at least one functional element (8) and preferably for covering at least part of the splitter unit (2), and with a cover (9) which covers at least part of the functional unit (6). It is proposed that at least one fixing arrangement (10, 11) is provided, wherein in the context of the manufacture of the motor vehicle lock (1) the cover (9) and the functional housing (7) on the locking unit (2) can be mounted by mounting movements in opposite mounting directions and with the assembly of a component of cover (9) and functional housing (7), the production of a fixing engagement between this component with the respective other component and / or the locking unit (2) by the fixing arrangement (10, 11) is accompanied.

Description

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 and to a method for mounting such a motor vehicle lock according to claim 14.

The motor vehicle lock in question finds application in all types of closure elements of a motor vehicle. These include in particular side doors, rear doors, tailgates, trunk lids or hoods. In principle, these closure elements can also be designed in the manner of sliding doors.

The known motor vehicle lock ( DE 100 44 613 A1 ), from which the invention proceeds, has a locking unit with the usual closing elements "lock latch" and "pawl" on. The lock latch acts together with a closing wedge o. The like., Which is regularly arranged on the motor vehicle body, while the motor vehicle lock on the closure element, there the side door, is arranged.

The known motor vehicle lock is further associated with a functional unit that provides a lock mechanism. By the lock mechanics u. a. create the locking states "locked" and "unlocked".

The known motor vehicle lock has an L-shape, which is formed by the blocking unit on the one hand and the functional unit on the other. The blocking unit is associated with a so-called "fishing camp", which provides an inlet mouth for the closing wedge o. The like. The latch protrudes into this inlet mouth, so that it can come into engagement with the closing wedge o.

To cover the locking unit and the functional unit, the known motor vehicle lock is regularly equipped with housing parts. The simple fixation of these housing parts is a challenge, in particular with regard to the lowest possible production costs.

The invention is based on the problem, the known motor vehicle lock in such a way and further develop that a manufacturing technology simple realization of a lock housing is possible.

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

Essential is the fundamental consideration that the mounting of the cover on the locking unit and the assembly of the functional housing on the locking unit basically principle by parallel and in particular opposite mounting movements can be accomplished relative to the locking unit. The term "relative to the blocking unit" here means that the assembly movements are relative movements between the cover and locking unit and functional housing and locking unit. It does not matter which of these components is actually moved, as far as it is carried out by respective relative movement.

Due to the fact that the assembly movements have an identical orientation, the overall assembly is simplified. In particular, automation of assembly is simplified by the low number of degrees of freedom of movement.

Essential for the proposed solution is further that the arrangement is such that with the assembly of a component of the cover and the functional housing, the production of a fixing engagement between this component with the respective other component and / or the locking unit is accompanied by at least one fixing.

With the proposed solution, the assembly of a component is used at the same time for the fixation of at least one further component, so that the cost of fixing the respective components to each other and / or to the locking unit is reduced.

In the particularly preferred embodiment according to claim 2, the assembly movements in question are linear movements, at least as far as the production of the respective fixing intervention is concerned. This is particularly advantageous for a simplified automated assembly.

The proposed solution can be particularly advantageous to apply to a motor vehicle lock with an L-shape according to claim 4, as this assembly movements are readily feasible, which are aligned transversely to one of the legs of Kraftfahrzeugsclolosses. Such assembly movements can be used particularly well as a locking movement for the fixation of housing parts.

Preferably, the fixing arrangement according to claim 6, a fixing element and at least one fixing element associated with the fixing element, wherein in the course of the above assembly, the fixing element and the at least one fixing counter-element come into fixing engagement with each other. Depending on the requirement for the fixation between the cover, the functional housing and the locking mechanism unit, fixing elements and associated fixing counter-elements may be provided at different positions of the motor vehicle lock. The further preferred claims 10 and 11 show preferred embodiments for fixing and fixing counter-element.

In the particularly preferred embodiment according to claim 10, the fixing element is a fixing pin which dips into corresponding fixing counter-elements, in particular fixing eyes. Here, the fixing element acts quite generally as a locking pin. Accordingly, according to claim 12, it is preferably provided that the holding force applied by the fixing arrangement only causes a shearing force on the fixing pin. Thus, the fixing pin can be targeted to the inclusion of shear forces, which is possible with a suitable geometry of the fixing pin with a low material usage.

In the further preferred embodiment according to claim 11, the fixing element is a fixing clip, which cooperates with corresponding fixing projections. Such a fixing clip can be flexibly positioned. This relates in particular to the arrangement of the fixing clip in the region of an outer side of the motor vehicle lock. The construction inside the motor vehicle lock can be made so far independent of the fixing bracket.

According to a further teaching according to claim 14, which has independent significance, a method for assembling the proposed motor vehicle lock is claimed.

Essential to the further teaching is first that the cover and the functional housing are mounted on the locking unit by mounting movements in parallel, in particular opposite, mounting directions, which simplifies the assembly, in particular with regard to their automation.

Essential according to the further teaching is further that with the assembly of a component of the cover and the functional housing, the production of a fixing engagement between this component with the respective other component and / or the locking unit is made by the above-mentioned fixing. As a result, the assembly movement is not only the positioning of the lid or the functional housing, but also the fixation of the lid, functional housing and / or locking unit. This double effect of the same assembly step leads to a further simplification and an acceleration of the assembly of the motor vehicle lock. This again relates in particular to the case of automated assembly.

Fig. 1

ein vorschlagsgemäßes Kraftfahrzeugschloss im fertig montierten Zustand in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,

Fig. 2

das Kraftfahrzeugschloss gemäß Fig. 1 im teilweise demontierten Zustand in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,

Fig. 3

den Deckel des Kraftfahrzeugschlosses gemäß Fig. 1 im demontierten Zustand in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,

Fig. 4

einen Teil der Funktionseinheit des Kraftfahrzeugschlosses gemäß Fig. 1 im demontierten Zustand in einer perspektivischen Ansicht und

Fig. 5

einen Teil der Sperrwerkseinheit des Kraftfahrzeugschlosses gemäß Fig. 1 im demontierten Zustand in einer perspektivischen Ansicht.

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

Fig. 1

a proposed motor vehicle lock in the assembled state in a perspective view,

Fig. 2

the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 1 in the partially disassembled state in a perspective view,

Fig. 3

the cover of the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 1 in disassembled state in a perspective view,

Fig. 4

a part of the functional unit of the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 1 in the disassembled state in a perspective view and

Fig. 5

a part of the locking unit of the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 1 in disassembled state in a perspective view.

The motor vehicle lock 1 shown in the drawing can be assigned to any closure element, not shown in the drawing, of a motor vehicle. Examples of such a closure element have been given in the introductory part of the description.

The motor vehicle lock 1 is equipped with a blocking unit 2 for receiving the closing elements latch 3 and pawl 4. It is envisaged that the lock latch 3 can be brought into a Schhließstellung in which it is held by the pawl 4 and in which it cooperates in the usual way with a closing part o. The like.

In a preferred embodiment, the blocking unit 2 has a rear plate 2a, to which a bearing dome 3a for the latch 3 and a bearing dome 4a for the pawl 4 are fastened. The rear plate 2 a is applied to a backup bearing 2 b, which serves as a kind of housing for the latch 3 and the pawl 4. The backup bearing 2b also has an inlet mouth 5 for the closing wedge o. The like., In which the latch 3, as in Fig. 1 represented, protrudes. The rear plate 2 a has a neck corresponding to the inlet 5.

The blocking unit 2 is here and preferably equipped with a reinforcing plate 2c, which in the illustration according to Fig. 2 is shown. The reinforcing plate 2c preferably extends substantially parallel to the rear plate 2a and receives the bearing dome 3a, 4a associated with the latch 3 and the pawl 4.

The motor vehicle lock 1 has, in addition to the blocking unit 2, a functional unit 6 which serves to implement various lock functions, in particular the implementation of different locking states such as "locked" and "unlocked". This will be explained later.

The functional unit 6 has a functional housing 7, which serves to receive at least one functional element 8 and preferably to cover at least part of the locking unit 2. The functional element 8 may be all types of levers, actuators, drives or the like. In Fig. 4 is such a functional element 8 exemplified as a drive, which may be a central locking drive o. The like. Act.

The motor vehicle lock 1 also has a cover 9 which covers at least part of the functional housing 7. In principle, the cover 9 can also accommodate the above functional elements. However, this is not provided in the exemplary embodiment shown and preferred so far.

In the foreground here is the fixation of cover 9, functional housing 7 and locking unit 2 to each other. For this purpose, a fixing arrangement 10, 11 is provided, which is designed in a special way.

In detail, however, it is first proposed that in the context of the production of the motor vehicle lock 1, the cover 9 and the functional housing 7 by parallel, here and preferably opposite mounting movements 16, 17 are mounted relative to the locking unit 2 on the locking unit 2, as in Fig. 2 is shown.

It is further proposed that with the assembly of a component of cover 9 and functional housing 7, the production of a fixing engagement between this component with the respective other component and / or the locking unit 2 by the fixing assembly 10, 11 is accompanied. The term "assembly" is in the present case always in connection with the production of the motor vehicle lock 1, and not to be understood with the attachment of the motor vehicle lock 1 on the associated closure element.

It follows from the illustration according to Fig. 2 in that the assembly movement (16) of the cover 9 and the assembly movement 17 of the functional housing 7 are in each case linear movements, at least during the production of the fixing engagement, which in particular simplifies the automated assembly.

In known manner, the motor vehicle lock 1 has a lock mechanism by which the motor vehicle lock 1 in the closed states "locked" and "unlocked" can be brought, wherein the lock mechanism is at least partially, here and preferably substantially provided by the functional unit 6 ,

Fig. 1 1 shows that the illustrated motor vehicle lock 1 has a substantially L-shape, wherein the locking unit 2 has a first leg 12 of the motor vehicle lock 1 in a locking mechanism leg plane 13 and the functional unit 6 a second leg 14 of the motor vehicle lock 1 in a functional position. Form thigh plane 15. Preferably, the two limb planes 13, 15 enclose with each other an angle α which is about 90.degree .. In other applications, the angle .alpha. Can be in a range between 80.degree. And 130.degree .. Particularly when the motor vehicle lock 1 is used for sliding doors Angle α of preferably 120 ° provided.

Here and preferably, it is such that the assembly movements 16, 17 of cover 9 and functional housing 7 are provided relative to the locking unit 2 transversely to the functional leg level 15. It comes in the course of these assembly movements for producing the fixing engagement between the cover 9, the functional housing 7 and locking unit 2 by the fixing assembly 10, 11. Accordingly, it is preferably so that the cover 9, the functional housing 7 and the locking unit 2 each have a part the fixing assembly 10 have.

Further preferably, two fixing assemblies 10, 11 are provided, the fixing effect is generated in each case by the above assembly movements 16, 17. In the case of both fixing arrangements 10, 11, it is provided that a fixing element 10a, 11a and at least one fixing counter-element 10b, 10c or 11b, 11c assigned to the respective fixing element 10a, 11a is provided. The assembly movements 16, 17 are accompanied by the production of the fixing engagement between the fixing element 10a, 11a and the at least one fixing counter-element 10b, 10c or 11b, 11c, as will be explained in detail. Depending on the structural design, the fixing engagement may be a form-fitting engagement and / or a frictional engagement.

It may also be advantageous for the production of the fixing engagement to be accompanied by an elastic or plastic deformation of the fixing element 10a, 11a and / or the fixing counter-element 10b, 10c, 11b, 11c in order to avoid undesired release of the fixing engagement. This can be provided by an elastic compliance of the components involved in the fixing engagement or by the provision of these components with plastically deformable sections, in particular with crush ribs or the like.

The fixing engagement is here and preferably reversible. He can therefore basically solve again. In order to avoid unwanted loosening, the above measures or other measures such as welding of the housing components involved are preferably provided. In principle, however, it may also be provided that the fixing engagement between cover 9, functional housing 7 and locking unit 2 is an irreversible fixing engagement, so that such additional measures can be dispensed with.

Generally, it is the case that the fixing element 10a, 11a and the at least one fixing counter-element 10b, 10c, 11b, 11c are arranged on one of the components cover 9, function housing 7 and locking unit 2.

Here and preferably, the fixing element 10a, which is assigned to the fixing arrangement 10, is located on the cover 9, wherein a fixing counter-element 10b on the blocking unit 2 and a fixing counter-element 10c on the functional unit 6, here on the functional housing 7, are arranged. The fixing element 10a is designed as a fixing pin, as will be explained.

On the other hand, the fixing element 11a associated with the fixing arrangement 11 is configured as a fixing clip and is likewise located on the cover 9. In this case, a fixing counter element 11b is arranged on the blocking unit 2 and a fixing counter element 11c on the functional unit 6, here and preferably on the functional housing 7.

Basically, the blocking counter unit 2 associated Fixiergegenelement 10b, 11b may be disposed on the backup bearing 2b, as in Fig. 5 is shown. alternative or additionally, however, a fixing counter-element can be arranged on the rear plate 2a or on the reinforcing plate 2c of the blocking unit 2.

The relevant parts of the fixing assembly 10, 11 are preferably injection-molded in the plastic injection molding on the cover 9, the functional housing 7 and the locking unit 2. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the relevant part of the fixing assembly 10, 11 is formed as a molding of a lid, a functional housing and a part of the locking unit, each consisting at least in part of a plastic material.

The lid 9 is designed here and preferably plate-shaped. Due to the fact that the force flow of the holding force applied by the fixing arrangement 10, 11 extends exclusively in the area of the fixing element 10a, 11a and the at least one fixing counter-element 10b, 10c, 11b, 11c, the plate-shaped section of the lid 9 can be designed to be mechanically weak and therefore cost-effective , It only serves to cover the functional unit 6 and the positioning of the fixing element 10a, 11a.

Fig. 3 shows that the fixing element 10a of the fixing assembly 10 is a fixing pin which dips into at least two, here exactly two, fixing counter-elements 10b, 10c, here and preferably in fixing eyes 10b, 10c. The configured as a fixing pin fixing element 10 a is aligned along the mounting direction 16 of the lid 9. In the course of the assembly movements 16, 17, the fixing element 10a configured as a fixing pin first emerges in the fixing counter-element 10c on the functional housing 7 and then in the fixing counter-element 10b on the locking-work unit 2.

The sectional view according to Fig. 1 can be seen that the applied by the Fixierarrordnung 10 holding force causes only a shearing force on the fixing pin. As a result, the fixing element 10a acts as a locking pin for the functional housing 7 and the blocking unit 2. The retaining force applied by the fixing arrangement 10 via the fixing element 10a designed as a fixing pin acts here and preferably transversely to the mounting direction 16 assigned to the cover 9.

Accordingly, the fixing element 10a designed as a fixing pin can be realized with a low use of material. In particular, it is proposed in this context that the fixing element 10a embodied as a fixing pin is configured as a hollow profile whose cross-section, in a particularly preferred embodiment, is substantially rectangular, here and preferably square. Other geometries of the configured as a fixing pin fixing element 10a are conceivable.

The sectional view according to Fig. 1 can be further seen that the fixing element 10a is connected in the assembled state with the components functional unit 6, functional housing 7 and cover 9. In particular, the fixing element 10a configured as a fixing pin penetrates the components functional unit 6 and functional housing 7 at least in part.

The fixing element 11a of the fixing arrangement 11 is configured as a fixing clamp, while the fixing counter-element 11b, 11c are respectively fixing projections, with which the fixing clamp 11a comes into engagement for producing the fixing engagement in at least positive, preferably also non-positive engagement.

In the case of both fixing arrangements 10, 11 shown above, it is the case that the holding force applied by the respective fixing arrangement 11, 11 is aligned essentially transversely to the blocking mechanism limb plane 13. The fixing arrangements 10, 11 thus ensure respectively that the cover 9, the functional housing 7 and the locking unit 2 can not move in a direction transverse to the locking mechanism thigh plane 13. In that regard, care must be taken only for an additional definition of these components along the locking mechanism thigh plane 13, for example by the measures mentioned above.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment, in addition to the proposed fixing arrangements 10, 11, the cover 9 is equipped with at least one snap hook 9a (FIG. Fig. 3 ) which is latched to the functional housing 7 ( Fig. 1 ). Thus, these two components 7, 9 set in a particularly simple manner together.

According to another teaching, which has independent significance, the method for mounting the proposed motor vehicle lock 1 is claimed. Essential here is first the fact that the cover 9 and the functional housing 7 are mounted on the locking unit 2 by mounting movements in parallel, in particular opposite, mounting directions. It is further essential that with the assembly of a component of the cover 9 and the functional housing 7, the production of a fixing engagement between this component with the respective other component and / or the locking unit 2 by the fixing arrangement 10, 11 is made.

The proposed method assigns the assembly movement 16 of the cover 9 two functions, namely on the one hand the function of covering part of the functional unit 6 and on the other hand, the fixing of the lid 9, the functional housing 7 and the locking unit 2 with each other. This is accompanied by a simplification of the production of the motor vehicle lock 1, which in turn favors the automated production of the motor vehicle lock 1.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the assembly of the lid 9 and the functional housing 7 is provided by mounting movements 16, 17 transversely to the functional leg level 15, wherein in the course of these assembly movements 16, 17, the fixing engagement between the cover 9 and / or functional housing 7 and / or Locking unit 2 by the fixing assembly 10, 11 is produced.

It may be noted that for the sequence of assembly movements 16, 17 of the cover 9 and functional housing 7 relative to the locking unit 2 different possibilities are conceivable. In principle, the assembly movements 16, 17 can take place simultaneously. Preferably, however, it is the case that in a first step, the assembly movement affecting the functional housing 7 is completed. This relative movement between the functional housing 7 and the locking mechanism unit 2 can take place with a defined blocking unit 2 or a fixed functional housing 7. For example, it is conceivable for the blocking unit 2 to be attached to the functional housing 7 with the assembly movement 17 via a type of rail 18 and for the cover to be subsequently attached to the functional unit 7 with the assembly movement 16. Here comes the above-mentioned fixing engagement between the cover 9, functional housing 7 and blocking unit 2 only with the lid 9 related assembly movement 16.

Claims (15)

Motor vehicle lock with a locking unit (2) for receiving the closing elements latch (3) and pawl (4) and with a functional unit (6) having a functional housing (7) for receiving at least one functional element (8) and preferably for covering at least part of Locking unit (2), and with a cover (9) covering at least a part of the functional unit (6), wherein at least one fixing arrangement (10, 11) is provided and wherein in the context of the production of the motor vehicle lock (1) of the lid ( 9) and the functional housing (7) by parallel, in particular opposite mounting movements (16, 17) relative to the locking unit (2) on the locking unit (2) are mounted and with the assembly of a component of the cover (9) and functional housing (7) the production of a fixing engagement between this component with the respective other component and / or the blocking unit (2) by the fixing arrangement (10, FIG. 11). Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly movement (16) of the cover (9) and / or the assembly movement (17) of the functional housing (7) are at least during the preparation of the fixing engagement linear movements. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the motor vehicle lock (1) has a lock mechanism by which the motor vehicle lock (1) in different closing states, in particular in the closed states "locked" and "unlocked", can be brought and that the lock mechanism at least in part, preferably substantially, provided by the functional unit (6). Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor vehicle lock (1) essentially has an L shape and that the locking mechanism unit (2) has a first leg (12) of the motor vehicle lock (1) in a locking mechanism leg plane (13) and the functional unit (6) form a second leg (14) of the motor vehicle lock (1) in a functional leg plane (15), preferably in that the two Leg level (13, 15) with each other an angle (α) include, which is between 80 ° and 130 °, preferably at 90 °. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting movements of the cover (9) and the functional housing (7) relative to the locking unit (2) are provided transversely to the functional leg plane (15). Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (9), the functional housing (7) and the locking unit (2) each have a part of the fixing arrangement (10, 11). Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing arrangement (10, 11) has a fixing element (10a, 11a) and at least one fixing counter element (10b, 10c, 11b, 11c) associated with the fixing element (10a, 11a) and with the mounting of the cover (9) or the functional housing (7) is accompanied by the production of the fixing engagement between the fixing element (10a., 11a) and the at least one fixing counter element (10b, 10c, 11b, 11c), preferably in that the fixing engagement positive and / or non-positive engagement is. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing element (10a, 11a) and the at least one fixing counter element (10b, 10c, 11b, 11c) on one of the components cover (9), functional housing (7) and locking unit (2) are arranged, preferably, that the fixing element (10a, 11a) on one of the components function housing (7) and cover (9) is arranged and that at least one fixing counter element (10b, 10c, 11b, 11c) on the locking unit (2) is arranged , Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking unit (2) associated fixing counter-element (10b, 10c, 11b, 11c) on a fishing camp (2b), on a rear plate (2a) or on a reinforcing plate (2c) of the locking unit (2) is arranged. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing element (10a, 11a) is a fixing pin, which in at least two fixing counter-elements (10b, 10c, 11b, 11c), in particular in fixing eyes, immersed, preferably, that the fixing pin is designed as a hollow profile, preferably, that the fixing pin in cross section is substantially rechteckig designed, in particular square. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing element (10a, 11a) is a fixing clamp and the fixing counter-elements (10b, 10c, 11b, 11c) are fixing projections, with which the fixing clamp comes into at least positive engagement for producing the fixing engagement. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding force exerted by the fixing arrangement (10, 11) causes only a shearing force on the fixing element (10a, 11a), in particular on the fixing pin. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding force applied by the fixing arrangement (10, 11) is oriented essentially transversely to the locking mechanism limb plane (13). Method for mounting a motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (9) and the functional housing (7) are mounted on the locking unit (2) by assembly movements in parallel, in particular opposite, mounting directions and with the assembly of a component of cover (9 ) and functional housing (7) the production of a fixing engagement between this component with the respective other component and / or the locking unit (2) by the fixing arrangement (10, 11) is produced. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the assembly of the lid (9) and the functional housing (7) by mounting movements (16, 17) are provided transversely to the functional leg plane (15) and that in the course of these assembly movements (16, 17 ) the fixing engagement between the cover (9) and / or the functional housing (7) and / or blocking unit (2) is produced by the fixing arrangement (10, 11).

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