Motor vehicle door lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock (1) which comprises a locking mechanism having: a rotary latch and at least one pawl; a release lever (12); a locking device (21), the release lever (12) cooperating with the locking device (21) via a coupling lever (13); and an actuating lever (8), the locking mechanism being at least indirectly unlockable by means of the actuating lever (8). An additional motor vehicle door lock (2) is provided, and said vehicle door lock (2) can be actuated via a second coupling lever (14) and by means of the actuating lever (8), the first and the second coupling lever (13, 14) having a common pivot axis (15).

Claims

1. A motor vehicle door latch assembly comprising: a primary latch having a first housing including a first locking mechanism with a catch and at least a pawl, a triggering lever configured to unlock the first locking mechanism, a bolting device, a first coupling lever, wherein the triggering lever interacts with the bolting device by way of the first coupling lever, an activation lever engageable against the triggering lever whereby the first locking mechanism is at least indirectly unlockable by the activation lever, and a second coupling lever connected to the first coupling lever and a secondary latch having a second housing separate from the first housing and including a secondary locking mechanism that is activated by the activation lever via interactions by the activation lever and the triggering lever, the triggering lever and the first coupling lever, the first coupling lever and the second coupling lever, and the second coupling lever and the secondary latch, wherein the first coupling lever and the second coupling lever have a common pivoting axis, and wherein the second coupling lever is connected to the first coupling lever by a bayonet latch.

2. The motor vehicle door latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling lever is elongated along the common pivoting axis of the first coupling lever and the second coupling lever is pivotably accommodated on the common pivoting axis whereby the second coupling lever extends from the common pivoting axis of the first coupling lever.

3. The motor vehicle door latch assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first coupling lever is pivotably accommodated in the triggering lever, wherein the first coupling lever and the common pivoting axis extends through the triggering lever.

4. The motor vehicle door latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling lever and the second coupling lever are configured to execute concurrent angular movements.

5. The motor vehicle door latch assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first coupling lever and the second coupling lever have the same angular movement.

6. The motor vehicle door latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling lever and the second coupling lever are formed as a single component.

7. The motor vehicle door latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling lever and the second coupling lever are made of plastic.

8. The motor vehicle door latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bolting device has a pivotably accommodated locking lever.

9. The motor vehicle door latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling lever and the second coupling lever are made of an injection-molded plastic component.

10. The motor vehicle door latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling lever and the triggering lever are connected by a bayonet latch.

11. The motor vehicle door latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second coupling lever is rotatable in a rotational plane that is perpendicular to the common pivoting axis.

12. The motor vehicle door latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the first coupling lever is cylindrical in shape and has an extending portion that extends radially from an end of the first coupling lever.

13. The motor vehicle door latch assembly according to claim 12, wherein the second coupling lever extends from the first coupling lever in a direction in which the extending portion of the first coupling lever extends.

14. The motor vehicle door latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the triggering lever is engaged with an axial end of the first coupling lever and the second coupling lever is engaged with an opposite axial end of the first coupling lever.

15. The motor vehicle door latch assembly according to claim 14, wherein the triggering lever is rotatable in a first rotational plane that is parallel with a second rotational plane of the second coupling lever.

16. A motor vehicle door latch comprising: a first locking mechanism with a catch and at least a pawl, a triggering lever configured to unlock the first locking mechanism, a bolting device, a first coupling lever, wherein the triggering lever interacts with the bolting device by way of the first coupling lever, an activation lever engageable against the triggering lever whereby the locking mechanism is at least indirectly unlockable by the activation lever, and a second coupling lever connected to the first coupling lever and a secondary motor vehicle latch having a secondary locking mechanism that is activated by the activation lever via sequential interactions by the activation lever and the triggering lever, the triggering lever and the first coupling lever, the first coupling lever and the second coupling lever, and the second coupling lever and the secondary motor vehicle latch, wherein the first coupling lever and the second coupling lever have a common pivoting axis, wherein the first coupling lever is elongated along the common pivoting axis of the first coupling lever and the second coupling lever is pivotably accommodated on the common pivoting axis whereby the second coupling lever extends from the common pivoting axis of the first coupling lever, and wherein the first coupling lever is pivotably accommodated in the triggering lever, wherein the first coupling lever and the common pivoting axis extends through the triggering lever.

17. A motor vehicle door latch comprising: a first locking mechanism with a catch and at least a pawl, a triggering lever configured to unlock the first locking mechanism, a bolting device, a first coupling lever, wherein the triggering lever interacts with the bolting device by way of the first coupling lever, an activation lever engageable against the triggering lever whereby the locking mechanism is at least indirectly unlockable by the activation lever, and a second coupling lever connected to the first coupling lever and a secondary motor vehicle latch having a secondary locking mechanism that is activated by the activation lever via sequential interactions by the activation lever and the triggering lever, the triggering lever and the first coupling lever, the first coupling lever and the second coupling lever, and the second coupling lever and the secondary motor vehicle latch, wherein the first coupling lever and the second coupling lever have a common pivoting axis, wherein the first coupling lever and the triggering lever are connected by a bayonet latch.

Description

(1) The following are shown:

(2) FIG. 1 a three-dimensional view of an arrangement of a motor vehicle door latch and a theoretical position of an additional latch in an arrangement which serves as an example in a sliding door, with an indicated connection between the motor vehicle door latch and the additional latch,

(3) FIG. 2 a three-dimensional view onto a motor vehicle door latch according to FIG. 1, whereby the motor vehicle door latch is depicted without a housing lid and only with the constructional elements explaining the invention,

(4) FIG. 3 a lateral view of the opened motor vehicle latch according to FIG. 2 in a functional position unactivated and unbolted,

(5) FIG. 4 a lateral view of the motor vehicle latch according to FIG. 2 in the functional position unactivated and bolted,

(6) FIG. 5 a lateral view of a motor vehicle latch according to FIG. 2 in the functional position of the first activation lever activated and bolted,

(7) FIG. 6 a lateral view of a motor vehicle latch according to FIG. 2 in the functional position of the first activation lever activated and unbolted, whereby a convenience function is illustrated in this figure,

(8) FIG. 7 a lateral view of a motor vehicle latch according to FIG. 2 in a functional position of the first and second activation lever activated and primary and secondary latch unbolted,

(9) FIG. 8 a three-dimensional view of the accommodation of the coupling lever with an accommodation of the coupling lever in the motor vehicle latch serving as an example, and

(10) FIG. 9 a top view of a coupling lever according to the invention with an arranged bearing point in the motor vehicle door latch.

(11) FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a motor vehicle door latch 1 in a theoretical position to a further motor vehicle door latch 2 in a theoretically depicted sliding door 3. In this arrangement, the motor vehicle door latch 1 forms the primary latch; in contrast, the further motor vehicle door latch 2 forms the secondary latch 2. The secondary latch 2 can also be described as an additional latch 2. A mechanical connection is theoretically depicted between the primary latch 1 and the additional latch 2 which can be a Bowden cable 4 for example. The Bowden cable 4 connects the second activation lever 5 to the triggering and/or activation lever 6 on the additional latch 2. The second activation lever 5 is pivotably accommodated in the primary latch 1 by means of the axis 7. A first activation lever 8 is only apparent in places here as the first activation lever 8 is concealed by the housing lid 9. The first activation lever 8 can also be activated by means of a Bowden cable, for example, whereby the Bowden cable is not illustrated, but can be inserted and fixed into the mounting 10 of the housing lid 9 for example.

(12) In FIG. 2, the motor vehicle door latch or the primary latch 1 according to FIG. 1 is illustrated in a three-dimensional view but without a housing lid 9. Furthermore, only the components of the motor vehicle door latch 1 were illustrated which are significant in explaining the function of the invention. The same components are furnished with the same reference figures.

(13) The first activation lever 8 is pivotably accommodated in the axis 11. A triggering lever 12 is arranged below the first activation lever 8 which is also accommodated on the axis 11. On activation of the first activation lever, the external activation lever 8 is moved against the triggering lever 12 so that an unrecognizable locking mechanism can be unlocked by means of a first coupling lever 13. The second coupling lever 14 is pivotably accommodated on the first coupling lever 13 and in particular on an extension 15 of the first coupling lever 13. The coupling lever 14 engages into the graded mandrel 16 on the second activation lever 5 in a form-fitting and detachable manner. The activation lever chain for activation of the secondary latch or additional latch 2 therefore takes place according to the illustrated embodiment example by means of the first activation lever 8, the triggering lever 12, the first coupling lever 13, the second coupling lever 14, the graded mandrel 16, the second activation lever 5 and the Bowden cable 4.

(14) An internal locking lever 17, an internal activation lever 18 and an electrical drive 19, with a wormgear 20 are also apparent. The locking lever 21 can be electrically activated by means of the electrical drive and the wormgear. The locking lever can also be pivoted by means of the internal locking lever 17 and an external locking lever 22.

(15) In the following FIGS. 3 to 7, the function of the primary latch 1 should be explained in interplay with the additional latch 2 and the functionalities resulting from the invention. In FIG. 3, the lateral view of the primary latch 1 is reproduced in a lateral view according to FIG. 2 without a housing lid 9. The state of the latch is illustrated in which the primary latch 1 is neither activated nor bolted. The first activation lever 8 is located in its starting position and the second coupling lever 14 engages into the graded mandrel 16 so that a mechanical connection is guaranteed between the first activation lever 8 and the second activation lever 5. All components such as also the locking lever 21 are located in a position in which the primary latch 1 and the additional latch 2 could be unlocked by means of an external door handle or an internal door handle, if these are activated.

(16) In FIG. 4, the primary latch 1 is reproduced in turn in a lateral view according to FIG. 2 without a housing lid 9, whereby the also unactivated state is shown here; however, the primary latch 1 is present in the bolted state. Unactivated means that neither the internal activation lever nor the external activation lever or the first activation lever 8 are activated. The bolted state also means that the first coupling lever 13 is disengaged from the locking mechanism and that the second coupling lever 14 was pivoted around an angle in a clockwise direction so that the second coupling lever 14 is disengaged from the graded mandrel 16. Activation of the internal or external activation lever 8, 18 would consequently not lead to unlocking of the main latch 1 and the additional latch 2 as both the first coupling lever 13 and the second coupling lever 14 are disengaged.

(17) In FIG. 5, in turn, a lateral view on the primary latch 1 is reproduced according to FIG. 2 without a housing lid 9, whereby the activated and bolted state is illustrated. According to FIG. 4, the primary latch 1 was present in the bolted state so that the first and second coupling levers 13, 14 were disengaged. In FIG. 5 the external activation lever or first activation lever 8 was pivoted in the direction of the arrow P. The consequence of pivoting of the first activation lever 8 is that the triggering lever 12 and also the second coupling lever 14 are also moved in the direction of the arrow P. However, as the bolted state is present, the movement of the first activation lever 8 has no effect on the primary latch 1 and the additional latch 2, so that an operator who pulls the external door handle cannot open the door.

(18) In order to bolt the primary latch 1 and the secondary latch 2 the external locking lever 22 was pivoted around the axis 7 so that both the second coupling lever 14 and also the first coupling lever 13 were disengaged.

(19) In FIG. 6, the execution of a convenience function according to the invention is now reproduced for the additional latch 2. If the primary latch 1 is electrically unbolted, for example, in the state according to FIG. 5, in which the first activation lever was activated, the locking lever 21 thus moves in a clockwise direction into the position illustrated in FIG. 6. However, the second coupling lever 14 cannot engage into the graded mandrel 16 as the contour 23 which engages into the graded mandrel 16 is located below the graded mandrel 16. In this case, the spring 24 pre-tensions the second coupling lever 14 so that the Unbolted function is saved. Saving of the Unlocking function constitutes the convenience function. If the second coupling lever reverts to its starting position after release of the external door handle, for example, the spring force of the spring 24 causes the contour 23 to engage with the graded mandrel 16 without requiring a further action by an operator. The Unbolted function is assumed independently so that with repeated activation of the external door handle the locking mechanisms of the primary latch 1 and the secondary latch 2 are unlocked.

(20) In FIG. 7, in turn, the lateral door latch or primary latch is reproduced according to FIG. 2 without a housing lid 9, namely in the activated and unbolted state. In the embodiment example, in turn, the external activation lever or the first activation lever 8 is pulled in the direction of the arrow P, whereby the triggering lever 12 is moved and the locking mechanism of the primary latch 1 is unlocked. Furthermore, the second activation lever 5 is pivoted by means of the coupling lever 14 so that by means of a movement of a Bowden cable 4, for example, the additional latch 2 can also be unlocked.

(21) In FIG. 8, the second coupling lever 14 is reproduced in relation to accommodation on the first coupling lever 13. A dual component construction is illustrated consisting of a first and second coupling lever 13, 14; however, it is also conceivable to execute the first and second coupling levers 13, 14 as a single-component construction. If the spring 24 is accommodated on the elevation 25 for storage of the convenience function and engages into the locking lever 21 with the long spring leg, so that a relative force can be executed between the coupling lever 14 and the locking lever 21, it is also conceivable to mold a spring arm 26 to the second coupling lever 14 as a single component, whereby the spring arm 26 assumes the convenience function and interacts with the locking lever 21 for storage of the convenience function.

(22) Formation of the second coupling lever 14 with a spring arm 26 is reproduced as an example in FIG. 9.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(23) 1 motor vehicle door latch, primary latch 2 further motor vehicle door latch, secondary latch 3 sliding door 4 mechanical connection, Bowden cable 5 second activation lever 6 triggering and/or activation lever on the additional latch 7 axis 8 first activation lever 9 housing lid 10 mounting 11 axis, first activation lever 12 triggering lever 13 first coupling lever 14 second coupling lever 15 extension 16 graded mandrel 17 internal locking lever 18 internal activation lever 19 electrical drive 20 wormgear 21 locking lever 22 external locking lever 23 contour 24 spring 25 mounting 26 spring arm P arrow