EP2305929B1 - Motor vehicle lock - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock with the features of the preamble of claim 1 and the latch of such a motor vehicle lock according to the preamble of claim 13.

The motor vehicle lock in question may be associated with any closure element of a motor vehicle. Examples include a side door, which may optionally be designed as a sliding door, a tailgate, a trunk lid, a hood or the like.

The known motor vehicle locks usually have the closing elements latch and pawl, which are the decisive components for locking a motor vehicle door o. The like. The latch is in an open position, a main closing position and, as far as provided, in a Vorschließstellung displaced. The pawl can be adjusted to an excavated state in which the latch is free of the pawl. Further, the pawl can be brought into a collapsed state in which it holds the latch in one of the two closed positions.

In the closed state of the motor vehicle door o. The like. The lock latch is in holding engagement with a striker or the like. In this case, the motor vehicle lock is usually arranged on the motor vehicle door or the like, and the closing wedge on the body of the motor vehicle.

For the retaining engagement with the closing wedge o. The like., The latch on an inlet mouth with a corresponding engagement area. When holding the motor vehicle door o. The like. The holding force on the engagement area of the inlet mouth of the lock latch on the striker o. The like. Is transmitted.

For the engagement between the latch and the pawl lock latch is equipped with a main catch and an optionally existing pre-rest. The pawl has a latching nose, which comes into engagement with the possibly existing pre-catch or the main catch during the closing operation. The pawl is usually biased in the direction of incidence, so that it occurs in a snap action.

In particular, during the closing process, but also when opening the lock, arise in the motor vehicle lock in question by the engagement between the pawl and lock latch and between the locking wedge and latch undesirable noise, which are seen by the user as a loss of comfort.

During the closing process, first the closing wedge o. The like. On the latch case to adjust them from the open position into the main closed position, which is already associated with a noise. Then the pawl falls and hits with a snap sound on the latch bolt, while the latch is still in an overstroke position. The sealing back pressure generated by the door seal ensures that the closing wedge o. The like. Now, with appropriate noise on a suitable provided engagement region of the inlet mouth of the lock catch meets. In this case, the locking lug of the pawl comes into engagement with the main catch or the pre-restraint and ensures again for a corresponding noise.

Another unwanted noise, which is present in the foreground, arises during driving by a relative movement between the striker o. The like. And the latch. Such sounds are also called "creaks". You go u.a. back to the well-known "stick-slip effect" and are determined on the one hand by the coefficient of friction of the material pairing between closing wedge and latch and on the other hand by the vibration behavior of the mechanical arrangement. Other factors influencing the creaking are any contamination of the components involved as well as the ambient temperature.

Although lock traps are now equipped with plastic sheaths to reduce the engagement noise between pawl and latch and lock wedge o. The like. And lock latch. The problem here, however, is the fact that fine particles, such as dust particles settle on the plastic surface and can press into local surface depressions. This "contamination" of the surface of the jacket leads to an increase in the unwanted creaking noises when engaging with the striker or the like.

The known motor vehicle lock ( DE 20 2006 009 003 U1 ), from which the invention proceeds, shows a lock latch, which has a metallic base body, with a jacket for reducing the engagement noise between the pawl and latch and between closing wedge and latch. In this case, the casing in the engagement region of the inlet mouth made of a material of low coefficient of friction and / or high hardness compared with the material of the shell incidentally. Such a sheath can be easily realized in two-component plastic injection molding.

In another known motor vehicle lock ( DE 102 20 225 A1 ) it is provided to avoid the "creaking", the metallic striker o. The like. And / or provided with the closing wedge o. The like, cooperating, metallic part of the castle with a surface coating of a hard material layer. This component to be coated can also be an additional, for example, attached to the inlet mouth part.

Yet another known motor vehicle lock ( DE 10 2006 052 773 A1 ) has a trained as a plastic body trap, which is provided for noise reduction with elastically resilient loops and slots. This motor vehicle lock also shows a metallic contour for receiving a closing part in a main locking position.

The invention is based on the problem, the known motor vehicle lock in such a way and further develop that the noise caused by the relative movement between the locking wedge o. The like. And the lock latch is reduced by simple structural means.

The above problem is solved in a motor vehicle lock according to the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

It is essential to recognize that it depends on three factors in order to avoid the creaking in a relative movement between the latch and the striker o. The like. One factor is that the surfaces coming into contact with each other are of the highest possible hardness. The second factor consists in the lowest possible friction between the surfaces coming into contact. Finally, the third factor consists in a certain spring effect at the point of engagement between the latch and the striker o. The like.

Accordingly, for example, it is also not sufficient, in order to avoid creaking noises, only to equip the engagement surface of the latch with a particularly hard surface coating.

It is therefore proposed that the latch has an engaging plate which provides at least a portion of the engagement surface for the striker or the like. It is on the one hand readily possible to provide such an engaging plate with a substantially arbitrary surface hardness and a favorable coefficient of friction. On the other hand, the spring effect associated with the mounted engaging plate is adjustable with a suitable design of the overall arrangement in a wide range.

At least part of the above-mentioned spring action can be realized according to claim 2 preferably characterized in that the engaging plate is made of spring steel, in particular of leaf spring steel. With the annealing at least of the near-surface region of the engaging plate or a coating of the engaging plate (claim 3), the advantages according to the proposal can be fully exploited.

In the further preferred embodiments according to claims 5 to 7, the engagement surface has an engagement profile associated with the striker. Thus, the engagement between the latch and the striker o. The like. Parameterize in a wide range. In the preferred embodiment of a variant in claim 5, for example, a substantially point or line-shaped contact with the closing wedge o. The like. Provided.

In the likewise preferred embodiment according to claim 6, the engagement profile in a variant arcuate, so essentially "spherical" designed. This can readily be achieved that the engagement between the latch and the striker o. The like. Not changed, even if the angular position of the striker to the motor vehicle lock by the way by deformation o. The like should change. This can be important, especially in the event of a crash, since the local deformations must not lead to a tilting of the latch.

The setting of the above-mentioned spring effect to avoid creaking noises can be implemented particularly flexible if the engaging plate is at least partially attached to the casing, so that when an engagement of the closing wedge with the engaging plate at least part of the resulting flow of force passes over the casing. This is the subject matter of claims 10 and 11.

In the particularly preferred embodiment according to claim 12, it is provided that the shrinkage of the closing wedge o. The like. In the inlet mouth is accompanied by a bending of the possibly U-shaped engaging plate. This ensures that the closing wedge o. The like. In the retracted position, in particular in the main closed position, clamped by the engaging plate and thus to some extent sedated. In the case of the U-shaped engaging plate, a partial encompassing of the closing wedge is provided by the engaging plate.

According to another teaching, which has independent significance, the latch of the above motor vehicle lock is claimed as such according to claim 13.

Fig. 1

die Schließelemente eines vorschlagsgemäßen Kraftfahrzeugschlosses bei in der Hauptschließstellung befindlicher Schlossfalle in einer Seitendarstellung,

Fig. 2

die Schlossfalle des Kraftfahrzeugschlosses gemäß Fig. 1 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung,

Fig. 3

zwei Schnittansichten der Schlossfalle gemäß Fig. 2 entlang den dortigen Schnittlinien A-A und B-B und

Fig. 4

bevorzugte Varianten für das Eingriffsprofil einer Schlossfalle gemäß Fig. 2 entlang der dortigen Schnittlinie A-A.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing illustrating only embodiments. In the drawing show

Fig. 1

the closing elements of a proposed motor vehicle lock with in the main closed position located latch in a side view,

Fig. 2

the latch of the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 1 in a perspective view,

Fig. 3

two sectional views of the lock latch according to Fig. 2 along the intersection lines AA and BB and

Fig. 4

preferred variants for the engagement profile of a latch in accordance with Fig. 2 along the section line AA.

The proposed motor vehicle lock has, in addition to the locking elements shown latch bolt 1 and pawl 2 and a lock mechanism, not shown, a lock housing, not shown, etc. on. In the present case, however, the design of the latch 1 is of interest in the first place.

The latch 1 is in an open position, a main closed position ( Fig. 1 ) and in a Vorschließstellung relocatable. For this purpose, the latch has a main catch 3 and a pre-rest 4. The pawl 2 is in an excavated state, in which the lock latch 1 is free from the pawl 2, and in a sunken state ( Fig. 1 ), in which the pawl 2 holds the latch 1 in the main closed position and in the possibly existing prelocking position, can be brought. For this purpose, the pawl 2 can be brought with a detent 5 in engagement with the main catch 3 and the pre-detent 4. Instead of the usual pawl 2, in principle, other constructions for fixing the latch 1 may be provided.

In the main closed position and in the prelocking position, the latch 1 is in holding engagement with a closing wedge 6, which can also be configured as a locking bolt or as a striker. For this holding engagement, the latch 1 has an inlet mouth 7 with a corresponding engagement surface 8 for the striker 6 o. The like. On.

The latch 1 has a preferably metallic base body 9. This basic body 9 is primarily important to accommodate the high, transmitted over the locking wedge 6 holding forces.

In order to reduce the engagement noise between pawl 2 and latch 1, the latch 1 is preferably provided with a sheath 1a of damping material, in particular of plastic.

What is essential now is the fact that the latch 1 has an engagement plate 10, which has at least one. Part of the engagement surface 8 for the striker 6 o. The like. Provides. In the case of the engaging plate 10, this is generally a metallic part, which can be produced, for example, from a strip material or the like. In a particularly cost-effective variant, the engaging plate 10 is a stamped and bent part. The thickness of the engagement plate 10 is preferably between about 0.2 mm and about 0.8 mm, in particular about 0.4 mm.

Here and preferably, the locking wedge 6 o. The like. Only in the main closed position with the engaging plate 10 into engagement. In principle, it can also be provided that the engagement plate 10 extends over the entire course of the inlet opening 7. The proposed engagement plate 10 is best in the illustration according to Fig. 2 to recognize.

It was pointed out above that to avoid unwanted creaking noises at least the combination of engaging plate 10 and sheathing 1a at the respective point of engagement of the closing wedge 6 o. The like. Should be designed resiliently. This can be u.a. achieve that the engaging plate 10 is already designed as such elastic, in particular resilient, wherein the engaging plate 10 here and preferably made of spring steel, in particular made of leaf spring steel. The resulting spring action can go back exclusively to the engaging plate 10. Here and preferably, however, also the spring action of the casing 1a plays an important role, as will be shown.

It has also been pointed out that the engagement surface 8 is designed to be as hard and / or low-friction as possible in order to avoid creaking noises should be. It is therefore proposed that the engaging plate 10 is tempered, in particular in the near-surface region, in particular hardened. This is, of course, the near-surface area, which faces the closing wedge 6.

A further reduction of the unwanted creaking noises can be further preferably realized in that at least part of the engagement surface 8 of the engagement plate 10 is smooth, in particular polished.

As an alternative or in addition to the above smooth surface, surface coatings can be used with which the surface hardness, the friction behavior and the wear or the like can be adjusted.

The engagement surface 8 now has an engagement profile 11 assigned to the closing wedge 6, which substantially continues over at least part of the course of the intake mouth 7. The engagement profile 11 is in Fig. 3 for the section AA ( Fig. 3a )) and for the section BB ( Fig. 3b )).

This in Fig. 3 shown engagement profile 11 continues here and preferably over the entire course of the engaging plate 10 and over part of the course of the inlet mouth 7 substantially. By "substantially continue" is meant here that the engagement profile 11 can also change over the course of the inlet mouth 7. A slight change of the engagement profile 11 can already be a synopsis of Fig. 3a) and 3b ) remove.

It can be the representation in Fig. 3 Furthermore, the fact that the engagement profile 11 a substantially point or line-like contact with the o. The like. Locking wedge 6 o. The like. Ensures. This is due to the shape of the engagement profile 11 to be explained later.

It should be noted that the terms "point contact" and "line contact" are to be understood broadly. In principle, this can also be the realization of circular or strip-shaped bearing surfaces. Also, the contact is not limited to a single "point" or a single "line". It is essential that a support on the entire engagement surface 8 is not realized. The advantage is the Acknowledgment that a reduction of the contact surface with a corresponding design is associated with a reduction of the creaking noises.

The representation according to Fig. 3 shows that the engagement profile 11 is formed substantially convex. A further advantageous variant for this shows Fig. 4b ). Here and preferably, the convexly protruding portion of the engagement profile faces the closing wedge 6 or the like.

In principle, however, it may also be provided that the engagement profile 11 has a substantially convex portion and, moreover, is configured substantially straight. This is shown by the Fig. 4a) and 4c ).

All examples of the convex design of the engagement profile 11 are associated with the advantage that the actual contact surface between the latch 1 and the o. The like. Wedge 6 o. The like. Can be reduced largely arbitrarily.

Optimal results with regard to the reduction of creaking noises on the one hand and the above-mentioned crash behavior on the other hand can be achieved with the in Fig. 3 achieve engagement profile 11 shown. There, the engagement profile 11 is substantially arcuate, so "spherical" formed. In a particularly preferred embodiment, this is even a circular-arc-shaped engagement profile 11. On the one hand, this makes it possible, without further ado, to achieve a point or line-shaped contact in the above sense. On the other hand, it is particularly advantageous that a change in the angular position of the closing wedge 6 o. The like. To the latch 1 has no effect on the type of engagement between these two components.

In the event of a crash, it may happen as indicated above that the orientation of the closing wedge 6 or the like deviates from a parallel alignment with respect to the latch axis 1b. This is in Fig. 3a ) in dashed line and with the reference numeral 6 '. indicated. From the illustration in Fig. 3a ) becomes clear that in a above pivoting of the closing wedge 6 o. The like. Only the contact point between the striker 6 o. The like. And the latch 1 shifts upward. Incidentally, the engagement between the o. The like. Locking wedge 6 o. The like. And the lock latch 1 nothing changes.

At the in Fig. 3 illustrated and so far preferred embodiment, the engagement profile 11 is formed overall arcuate. In principle, however, it can also be provided that the engagement profile 11 has only a substantially arcuate, in particular circular arc-shaped section 11a and, moreover, is straight. This is exemplary in Fig. 4a ).

At the in Fig. 4b ) illustrated embodiment, it is provided that the engagement profile 11 is formed substantially roof-shaped. The "roof gable" of the roof-shaped configuration serves here and preferably the engagement with the closing wedge 6 o. The like .. The term "roof-shaped" is to be understood here wide and also includes roof-shaped configurations with slightly flattened "gable".

Again, it may be provided that the engagement profile 11 only has a roof-shaped portion 11a and the rest is straight. This is exemplary in Fig. 4c ).

In all illustrated and so far preferred embodiments of the engagement profile 11, it is advantageously provided that the engagement profiles are configured symmetrically with respect to a median plane. The median plane is aligned perpendicular to the latch axis 1b and arranged substantially centrally with respect to the thickness of the latch 1.

If the engagement profile 11, as explained above, only partially has a profile formation 11a and, moreover, is configured straight, it is preferably such that the sectional profile formation 11a is arranged centrally with respect to the thickness of the lock catch 1. This is best done Fig. 4a) and 4c ) remove.

It can be the representation in Fig. 1 can be seen that here and preferably the engaging plate 10 is configured in a top view of one of the two flat sides of the latch bolt 1 is substantially U-shaped. Hereby, the engaging sheet 10 can be arranged in that region of the inlet mouth 7, which is particularly relevant for the creaking noises in question.

In the present case, it is preferably important that the engaging plate 10 is resilient at the respective point of engagement of the closing wedge 6. The engagement force between the closing wedge 6 o. The like. And the engaging plate 10 causes the resilient displacement, in particular deformation of the engaging plate 10. The displacement or deformation takes place substantially "into the rotary latch". The spring action can of course only be provided on a part of the possible points of engagement of the closing wedge 6 on the engaging plate. The path of displacement or deformation of the engagement plate 10 is preferably between about 0.2 mm and about 0.6 mm, in particular about 0.4 mm.

Basically, the resilient configuration of the engagement plate 10 alone sufficient to realize the desired resilient effect at the respective point of engagement of the locking wedge 6 to avoid creaking noises. For the implementation of the spring action, it is not necessary to attach the engagement plate 10 to a sheathing 1a. However, the desired spring effect can be adjusted very flexibly by the combination of sheathing 1a and engaging plate 10, as will be shown below.

It has already been pointed out that the main body 9 of the latch 1 to reduce the engagement noise between pawl 2 and latch 1 and between o. The like. Lock wedge 6 o. The like. And latch 1 with a damping material - sheathing 1a - is preferably sheathed, wherein the engaging plate 10 is at least partially attached to the casing 1a, so that at an engagement of the closing wedge 6 o. The like. With the engaging plate 10 at least part of the resulting flow of force on the casing 1a extends. With a suitable design, an effective, in particular acoustic, decoupling between the closing wedge 6 and the main body 9 of the lock catch 1 can thus be achieved.

Accordingly, it can be provided that the engaging plate 10 is partially or completely "backfilled" with the damping material, whereby the engaging plate 10 can be partially or completely decoupled to the main body 9 of the latch 1. Depending on the design, this decoupling can be optimized in terms of acoustics, vibration technology or strength engineering.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, not shown in the drawing, the lock catch axis 1b associated bearing dome is also acoustically decoupled from the main body 9 of the latch 1, so that the resulting noise is further reduced

In the case of the engaging sheet 10 applied to the casing 1a in the above manner, the mechanical properties of the composite of the casing 1a and the engaging sheet 10 can be adjusted largely as desired by suitable parameterization of the casing 1a on the one hand and the engaging sheet 10 on the other hand. In particular, the material properties and the design of the sheathing la in the region of the engagement plate 10 are preferably matched to the material properties and the design of the engagement plate 10 such that the combined arrangement of the engagement plate 10 and sheathing 1a at the respective engagement point of the closing wedge 6 acts resiliently. Accordingly, it is here and preferably such that the engagement force between the closing wedge 6 o. The like. And the engaging plate 10 causes a resilient displacement, possibly even deformation of the engaging plate 10.

Interesting here is the fact that in the extreme case can be dispensed with a resilient configuration of the engaging plate 10 itself. The engaging plate 10 would then be designed rigid, while the spring action would go back to the casing 1a alone.

At the in Fig. 3 illustrated and so far preferred embodiment, the engaging plate 10 is completely attached to the casing 1a. It is also conceivable that the engaging plate 10 is partially attached to the casing 1 a and partially to the main body 9 of the latch 1. It is finally conceivable that the engaging plate 10 sections not at all is attached to the latch 1 in the rest and accordingly a gap between the engaging plate 10 and latch 1 remains. This can also be advantageous for the required spring action.

There are other ways to adjust the mechanical behavior of the composite of casing 1a and engaging plate 10 conceivable. In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the casing 1a between the base body 9 and the engaging plate 10 has at least one buffer pocket 13 to increase the flexibility of the combined arrangement of the engaging sheet 10 and sheathing 1a. In these examples in Fig. 4d ) shown buffer pockets 13 are recesses in the casing 1 a, which lead to a targeted weakening of the casing 1 a. These recesses can also be filled with a plastic or the like to further adjust the mechanical behavior.

Depending on the design of the engagement plate 10, the striker 6 o. The like. In different ways with the engaging plate 10 and the casing 1 a in the region of the engaging plate 10 cooperate. In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the shrinkage of the closing wedge 6 o. The like. In the inlet mouth 7 with a resilient displacement, in particular deformation of the engaging plate 10, in particular with a bending of in Fig. 2 represented, U-shaped engaging plate 10, goes along. With such a "overpressure" can be a certain immobilization of the locking wedge 6 o. The like. In particular, reach in the main closed position.

For the attachment of the engagement plate 10 to the latch bolt 1, moreover, numerous advantageous variants are conceivable. A manufacturing technology advantageous variant is that the engaging plate 10 is clipped or glued to the latch 1, in particular to the casing 1a. It can also be provided that the engaging plate 10 is riveted to the latch 1, resulting in a particularly robust arrangement. Finally, the engaging plate 10 for attachment purposes in part by the casing 1a. is overmoulded.

According to another teaching, the independent significance, the latch 1 of the above Kraftfabrzeugschlosses is claimed as such.

Claims (13)

1. Motor vehicle lock with a lock latch (1), wherein the lock latch (1) can be shifted into an opening position, a main locking position and optionally into a pre-locking position, wherein, in the main locking position and in the optionally present pre-locking position, the lock latch (1) is in securing engagement with a lock striker (6) or the like and, for this purpose, has an inlet mouth (7) with a corresponding engagement surface (8), wherein the lock latch (1) has a metallic basic body (9) and is optionally encased with a damping material in order to reduce the engagement noises between lock striker (6) and lock latch (1),
   characterized in that
   the lock latch (1) has an engagement plate (10) which provides at least part of the engagement surface (8) for the lock striker (6) or the like.
2. Motor vehicle lock according to Claim 1, characterized in that the engagement plate (10) as such is configured to be elastic, in particular spring-elastic, preferably in that the engagement plate (10) is formed from spring steel, in particular from leaf spring steel.
3. Motor vehicle lock according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the engagement plate (10) is hardened and tempered, in particular hardened, at any rate in a region close to the surface, or in that the engagement plate (10) is coated.
4. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the engagement surface (8) of the engagement plate (10) is smooth, in particular polished.
5. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the engagement surface (8) has an engagement profile (11) which is assigned to the lock striker (6) or the like and substantially continues over at least part of the profile of the inlet mouth (7), preferably in that the engagement profile (11) ensures a substantially punctiform or linear contact with the lock striker (6) or the like.
6. Motor vehicle lock according to Claim 5, characterized in that the engagement profile (11) is of substantially convex design or has a substantially convex portion, and/or in that the engagement profile (11) is of substantially arc-shaped design, in particular of circular-arc-shaped design, or has a substantially arc-shaped, in particular circular-arc-shaped portion (11a).
7. Motor vehicle lock according to Claim 5 and optionally according to Claim 6, characterized in that the engagement profile (11) is of substantially roof-shaped design or has a roof-shaped portion (11a).
8. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the engagement plate (10) is configured in a substantially U-shaped manner in a top view of one of the two flat sides of the lock latch (1).
9. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the engagement plate (10) acts in a resilient manner at the respective engagement point of the lock striker (6), preferably in that the engagement force between the lock striker (6) or the like and the engagement plate (10) brings about resilient shifting, in particular deformation, of the engagement plate (10).
10. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic body (9) the lock latch (1) is encased with a damping material in order to reduce the engagement noises between lock striker (6) and lock latch (1), and that the engagement plate (10) is at least partially fitted onto the casing (1a) such that, when the lock striker (6) or the like is in engagement with the engagement plate (10), at least part of the resulting force flux runs over the casing (1a), preferably in that the material properties and the configuration of the casing (1a) in the region of the engagement plate (10) are coordinated with the material properties and the configuration of the engagement plate (10) in such a manner that the combined arrangement of engagement plate (10) and casing (1a) acts in a resilient manner at the respective engagement point of the lock striker (6), preferably in that the engagement force between the lock striker (6) or the like and the engagement plate (10) brings about resilient shifting, in particular deformation, of the engagement plate (10).
11. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the casing (1a) between the basic body (9) and the engagement plate (10) has at least one buffer pocket (13) in order to increase the flexibility of the combined arrangement of engagement plate (10) and casing (1a).
12. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the entry of the lock striker (6) or the like into the inlet mouth (7) is accompanied by resilient shifting, in particular deformation, of the engagement plate (10), in particular by bending open the U-shaped engagement plate (10).
13. Lock latch for a motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock latch (1) has an inlet mouth (7) with a corresponding engagement surface (8), wherein the lock latch (1) has a metallic basic body (9), characterized in that the lock latch (1) has an engagement plate (10) which provides at least part of the engagement surface (8) for the lock striker or the like.

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