EP1312734B1 - Lock, in particular for motor vehicle door - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a particular lock for motor vehicle door, and to an assembly comprising such a lock.

Known from the prior art a particular lock for a motor vehicle door, of the type comprising locking means mounted movably between a locked position and an unlocked position, means for actuating said locking means mounted movably between a closed position and an open position, and transmission means movably mounted between a unlocking position allowing the tilting of said locking means of said locked position to said unlocked position under the effect of the passage of said actuating means from said closed position to said open position, and a locking position preventing said tilting under the effect of said passage.

In this type of lock, the movements of the transmission means between the unlocking and locking positions are conventionally provided by an electric motor whose operation is likely to be triggered by a remote control or "plip".

When the electric motor or its control means fail, the transmission means can be locked in the locking position, in which case it is no longer possible to unlock the lock: it is no longer possible to open the lock. door on which this lock is mounted.

It is to prevent this type of situation that it is generally provided means to be able to manually move the transmission means in emergency solution.

Conventionally, these manual means comprise a lock connected to the transmission means by a linkage, so that one can move these last means by introducing and rotating a key in said latch. Such a lock is known from FR 2,766,226 .

Although they can actually unlock the lock, these manual means require a specific linkage, thus introducing an additional complexity whose manufacturing cost is high.

The present invention aims to overcome this disadvantage.

This object of the invention is achieved with a lock particularly for a motor vehicle door, comprising locking means movably mounted between a locked position and an unlocked position, means for actuating said locking means mounted to move between a closed position. and an open position, and transmission means movably mounted between a unlocking position permitting the tilting of said locking means from said locked position to said unlocked position under the effect of the passage of said actuating means from said closed position at said open position, and a locking position preventing said tilting under the effect of said passage, characterized in that said actuating means are further movable to an emergency position located beyond said position of opening, said emergency position being provided so that the passage of said means for actuating said open position to said emergency position causes said locking means to switch from said locked position to said unlocked position even when said transmission means are in said locking position.

Thanks to these characteristics, when the transmission means are in the locking position, the lock can be unlocked simply by increasing the normal stroke of the actuating means.

The unlocking of the lock therefore no longer requires bringing the transmission means in the unlocking position, which eliminates the need for an expensive linkage and complex to manufacture.

• lesdits moyens de verrouillage comprennent un pêne et un cliquet montés pivotants entre une position verrouillée dans laquelle ledit cliquet empêche la rotation dudit pêne, et une position déverrouillée dans laquelle ledit cliquet autorise la rotation dudit pêne,
• lesdits moyens d'actionnement comprennent un levier monté pivotant entre une position de fermeture, une position d'ouverture et une position de secours,
• lesdits moyens de transmission comprennent une biellette mobile entre une position de décondamnation où elle est interposée entre lesdits moyens de verrouillage et lesdits moyens d'actionnement, et une position de condamnation où elle est située à l'écart desdits moyens,
• ladite serrure comprend des moyens électriques pour mouvoir lesdits moyens de transmission entre lesdites positions de décondamnation et de condamnation.

According to other characteristics of the lock according to the invention:

• said locking means comprise a bolt and a ratchet pivotally mounted between a locked position in which said pawl prevents the rotation of said bolt, and an unlocked position in which said pawl allows the rotation of said bolt,
• said actuating means comprise a lever pivotally mounted between a closed position, an open position and an emergency position,
• said transmission means comprise a rod movable between a unlocking position where it is interposed between said locking means and said actuating means, and a locking position where it is located away from said means,
• said lock comprises electrical means for moving said transmission means between said unlocking and locking positions.

The present invention also relates to a control device of a lock according to the above, remarkable in that it comprises means for controlling said actuating means movable between a closed position, an open position and an emergency position located beyond said open position, and movable locking means between a locked position in which they prevent the passage of said control means from said open position to said emergency position, and a position unlocked in which they allow this passage.

According to other features of this device, said control means comprise a mounted handle pivoting between a closed position, an open position and an emergency position.

The present invention also relates to a lock assembly particularly for a motor vehicle door, remarkable in that it comprises a lock according to the foregoing, a control device according to the foregoing, and a linkage interposed between said means control means and said actuating means so that the passage of said control means from said closed position to said open position and said open position to said emergency position respectively has the effect of passing said actuating said closed position at said open position, and said open position at said emergency position.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'un ensemble de serrure selon l'invention en position de fermeture, dans laquelle la serrure est verrouillée de manière à immobiliser une gâche et à empêcher ainsi l'ouverture d'une portière de véhicule automobile,
• la figure 2 est une vue analogue de cet ensemble en position d'ouverture décondamnée, permettant le déverrouillage de la serrure et la libération de la gâche, et donc l'ouverture de la portière,
• la figure 3 est une vue analogue de cet ensemble en position d'ouverture condamnée, ne permettant pas le déverrouillage de la serrure et empêchant donc l'ouverture de la portière, et
• la figure 4 est une vue analogue de cet ensemble en position de secours, permettant le déverrouillage de la serrure et donc l'ouverture de ladite portière.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the description which follows and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a lock assembly according to the invention in the closed position, in which the lock is locked in such a way as to immobilize a striker and thus to prevent the opening of a door of a motor vehicle,
• FIG. 2 is a similar view of this assembly in unlocked open position, allowing unlocking of the lock and release of the striker, and thus the opening of the door,
• FIG. 3 is a similar view of this assembly in the locked open position, not allowing unlocking of the lock and thus preventing the opening of the door, and
• Figure 4 is a similar view of this assembly in the emergency position, allowing the unlocking of the lock and thus the opening of said door.

Referring now to Figure 1, which shows that the lock assembly 1 according to the invention comprises a lock 3 itself, a control device 5, and connecting means such as a linkage 7 interposed between this lock and this device.

This lock assembly can be mounted for example on a door 8 of a motor vehicle, so as to cooperate with a striker thread 9 fixed on the frame 11 of the vehicle.

The lock 3 comprises a bolt 13 for example U-shaped intended to cooperate with the striker thread 9.

This bolt 13 is pivotally mounted about an axis 15 between a locked position visible in Figures 1 and 3 for locking the door 8 relative to the frame 11, and an unlocked position visible in Figures 2 and 4 allowing the opening of this door.

The lock 3 also comprises a pawl 16 pivotally mounted about an axis 17 between a locked position visible in Figures 1 and 3 preventing the rotation of the bolt 13 and an unlocked position visible in Figures 2 and 4 allowing the rotation of the bolt .

The lock 3 also comprises an actuating lever 19 pivotally mounted about an axis 21 between a closed position shown in FIG. 1 and an open position visible in FIGS. 2 and 3. In these latter figures, the position The closing of the lever is indicated by a dashed line.

This lever 19 is further movable to an emergency position visible in Figure 4, beyond the open position. In this latter figure, the open position of the lever is indicated by a dashed line.

The lock 3 also comprises a transmission link 23 movable between a position of unlocking visible in Figures 1 and 2, wherein the rod is interposed between the pawl 17 and the lever 19, and a locking position visible in Figures 3 and 4, wherein the rod is located away from this ratchet and this lever.

The rod 23 is connected to an electric motor 25 by a rod 27, to move this rod between its unlocking and locking positions.

The control device 5 comprises a control handle 29 pivotally mounted about an axis 31 between a closed position visible in FIG. 1 and an open position that can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.

This control handle 29 is further movable to an emergency position visible in FIG. 4.

The control device 5 also comprises a key lock 32 movable between a locked position visible in FIGS. 1 to 3 in which it prevents the control handle 29 from being moved from its open position to its emergency position, and a unlocked position visible in Figure 4 in which it allows this passage.

The linkage 7 is mounted on the one hand on the actuating lever 19 and on the other hand on the control handle 29.

The mode of operation and the advantages of the lock assembly according to the invention result directly from the foregoing description.

It will be assumed initially that the motor 25 has placed the rod 23 in its unlocking position visible in Figures 1 and 2, following for example the receipt of a signal from a remote control or "plip".

In this case, the passage of the handle 29, under the action of an operator, from its closed position shown in Figure 1 to its open position shown in Figure 2 has the effect of moving the lever 19 from its closed position to its open position via the linkage 7, which has the effect of passing the pawl 16 from its locked position to its unlocked position via the rod 23, which finally has the effect of tilting the bolt 13 from its locked position to its unlocked position.

The striker thread 9 is thus no longer retained by the bolt 13, and it becomes possible to open the door 8.

It will be assumed in a second time that the motor 25 has placed the rod 23 in its locking position visible in Figures 3 and 4.

In this case, because the rod 23 is not interposed between the lever 19 and the pawl 16, the passage of the handle 29 from its closed position to its open position no longer makes it possible to urge the pawl 16, as can be seen in FIG. 3: the stroke of the lever 19 corresponding to this passage is indeed too small.

If, in spite of everything, we really want to open the door 8, we can unlock the lock 32 by means of a key, and thus bring it into the position shown in Figure 4.

We can then bring the handle 29 to its emergency position visible in this same figure, which allows, via the linkage 7, to bring the lever 19 to its emergency position also visible on this same figure.

Thanks to the additional travel thus traveled by the lever 19, the latter can move the pawl 16 from its locked position to its unlocked position, thereby allowing the door 8 to open.

As can be understood now, when the transmission rod 23 is in the locking position, in particular because of a failure of the engine 25, the lock 3 can be unlocked simply by increasing the normal travel of the operating lever 19.

It is therefore no longer necessary to use a specific linkage to actuate the rod 23 in case of failure of the engine 25, unlike the prior art.

In this way, it is possible to obtain a lock assembly whose emergency opening means are considerably simplified, which makes it possible to manufacture them at low cost.

Note also that the lack of specific linkage to actuate the rod 23 saves space inside the door 8, which is particularly advantageous for the passage of a window, and reduces the constraints of form imposed on both the glass and the lock assembly.

Claims (8)

1. A lock (3), in particular for a motor vehicle door (8), comprising locking means (13, 16) mounted movably between a locked position and an unlocked position, actuating means (19) for actuating said locking means (13, 16) and mounted movably between a closed position and an open position, and transmission means (23) mounted movably between an enabling position permitting pivotal movement of said locking means (13, 16) from said locked position to said unlocked position under the effect of the movement of said actuating means (19) from said closed position to said open position, and a disabling position preventing said pivotal movement under the effect of said movement of said actuating means, characterised in that said actuating means (19) are also movable to a safety position disposed beyond said open position, said safety position being so provided that the movement of said actuating means (19) from said open position to said safety position causes the pivotal movement of said locking means (13, 16) from said locked position to said unlocked position even when said transmission means (23) are in said disabling position.
2. A lock (3) according to claim 1 characterised in that said locking means comprise a latch member (13) and a catch (16) which are mounted pivotably between a locked position in which said catch (16) prevents rotation of said latch member (13) and an unlocked position in which said catch (16) permits rotation of said latch member (13).
3. A lock (3) according to one of claims 1 and 2 characterised in that said actuating means comprise a lever (19) mounted pivotably between a closed position, an open position and a safety position.
4. A lock (3) according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that said transmission means comprise a rod (23) movable between an enabling position in which it is interposed between said locking means (13, 16) and said actuating means (19) and a disabling position in which it is disposed at a spacing from said means (13, 16).
5. A lock (3) according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that it comprises electric means (25) for moving said transmission means (23) between said enabling and disabling positions.
6. A control device (5) for a lock (3) according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that it comprises control means (29) for said actuating means (19) which are movable between a closed position, an open position and a safety position disposed beyond said open position, and locking means (32) movable between a locked position in which they prevent the movement of said control means (29) from said open position to said safety position and an unlocked position in which they permit said movement.
7. A control device (5) according to claim 6 characterised in that said control means comprise a handle (29) mounted pivotably between a closed position, an open position and a safety position.
8. A lock assembly (1), in particular for a motor vehicle door, characterised in that it comprises a lock (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a control device (5) according to one of claims 6 and 7, and a linkage (7) interposed between said control means (29) and said actuating means (19) in such a way that the movement of said control means (29) from said closed position to said open position and from said open position to said safety position has the effect respectively of moving said actuating means (19) from said closed position to said open position, and from said open position to said safety position.

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