Motor vehicle door latch

Abstract

A motor vehicle door latch is equipped with a locking mechanism including a catch and a pawl, a release element for the locking mechanism, and a memory element that effects an unimpeded opening movement of the catch from a closed to an open position and maintains the release element in an ineffective position in respect of the locking mechanism during the opening movement of the catch. The memory element includes at least two components with a control lever and a blocking lever interacting with the release element located thereon.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle door latch comprising: a frame box; a locking mechanism including a catch, pivotally mounted to the frame box about a catch axis, and a pawl pivotally mounted to the frame box about a pawl axis; a release element operatively connected to the pawl for operating the pawl between a retaining position, retaining the catch, and a release position, releasing the catch; and a memory element that effects an unimpeded opening movement of the catch from a closed to an open position and maintains the release element in an ineffective position relative to the locking mechanism during the opening movement of the catch, the memory element including a control lever, coaxially mounted to the catch axis, and a blocking lever mounted to the control lever and interacting with the release element, wherein, when the control lever is operated, the control lever is configured to move the blocking lever toward engagement with the release element, the engagement allowing the blocking lever to pivot and move the release element toward moving the pawl into the release position, and also maintaining the release element in the ineffective position.

2. The motor vehicle door latch according to claim 1, wherein the control lever is moved mechanically.

3. The motor vehicle door latch according to claim 1, wherein the control lever is pre-tensioned with a spring in a direction of a neutral position, and is impinged against a force of the spring for interaction with the release element.

4. The motor vehicle door latch according to claim 1, wherein the blocking lever is an angular lever with a blocking arm and a control arm.

5. The motor vehicle door latch according to claim 4, wherein the blocking arm interacts with a contour on the catch.

6. The motor vehicle door latch according to claim 4, wherein the blocking arm of the blocking lever and the release element are equipped with corresponding contact surfaces, which, with mutual contact, lead to a pivoting movement of the blocking lever.

7. The motor vehicle door latch according to claim 1, wherein a contour on the catch lifts the blocking lever from a stop fixed to a housing as soon as when the locking mechanism is opened to beyond a ratchet position.

8. The motor vehicle door latch according to claim 1, wherein the control lever is moved in a motorized manner by an electromotor.

9. A motor vehicle door latch comprising: a locking mechanism including a pivotally mounted catch and a pivotally mounted pawl; a release element operatively connected to the pawl for operating the pawl between a retaining position, retaining the catch, and a release position, releasing the catch; and a memory element that effects an unimpeded opening movement of the catch from a closed to an open position and maintains the release element in an ineffective position relative to the locking mechanism during the opening movement of the catch, the memory element including a control lever and a blocking lever mounted to the control lever and interacting with the release element, wherein, when the control lever is operated, the control lever is configured to move the blocking lever toward engagement with the release element, the engagement allowing the blocking lever to pivot and move the release element toward moving the pawl into the release position, and also maintaining the release element in the ineffective position, and wherein the control lever is pre-tensioned with a spring in a direction of a neutral position of the control lever, and is impinged against a force of the spring for interaction with the release element.

10. The motor vehicle door latch according to claim 9, wherein the control lever is moved mechanically.

11. The motor vehicle door latch according to claim 9, wherein the blocking lever is an angular lever with a blocking arm and a control arm.

12. The motor vehicle door latch according to claim 11, wherein the blocking arm interacts with a contour on the catch.

13. The motor vehicle door latch according to claim 11, wherein the blocking arm of the blocking lever and the release element are equipped with corresponding contact surfaces, which, with mutual contact, lead to a pivoting movement of the blocking lever.

14. The motor vehicle door latch according to claim 9, wherein a contour on the catch lifts the blocking lever from a stop fixed to a housing when the locking mechanism is opened to beyond a ratchet position.

15. The motor vehicle door latch according to claim 9, wherein the control lever is moved in a motorized manner by an electromotor.

16. A motor vehicle door latch comprising: a locking mechanism including a pivotally mounted catch and a pivotally mounted pawl; a release element operatively connected to the pawl for operating the pawl between a retaining position, retaining the catch, and a release position, releasing the catch; a memory element that effects an unimpeded opening movement of the catch from a closed to an open position and maintains the release element in an ineffective position relative to the locking mechanism during the opening movement of the catch, the memory element including a control lever and a blocking lever mounted to the control lever and interacting with the release element; and a housing having a stop fixed to the housing, wherein, when the control lever is operated, the control lever is configured to move the blocking lever toward engagement with the release element, the engagement allowing the blocking lever to pivot and move the release element toward moving the pawl into the release position, and also maintaining the release element in the ineffective position, and wherein a contour on the catch lifts the blocking lever from the stop when the locking mechanism is opened to beyond a ratchet position.

17. The motor vehicle door latch according to claim 16, wherein the control lever is moved mechanically or in a motorized manner by an electromotor.

18. The motor vehicle door latch according to claim 16, wherein the blocking lever is an angular lever with a blocking arm and a control arm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Hereinafter, the invention is explained in further detail on the basis of a sketch which only depicts an execution example. It shows:

(2) FIG. 1 The motor vehicle door latch according to the invention in its main latching position or main ratchet position,

(3) FIG. 2 The motor vehicle door latch according to FIG. 1 in its storage position with the release element in an ineffective position in respect of the locking mechanism and

(4) FIG. 3 The motor vehicle door latch according to FIGS. 1 and 2 during leaving of the storage position according to FIG. 2 in the transition to the completely open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) In the figures a motor vehicle door latch is depicted which possesses a frame box 1 with a locking mechanism 2, 3 located therein consisting of a catch 2 and a pawl 3. In the frame box 1 a bolt is respectively determined to define an axis or rotational axis 4 on the one hand and a further bolt to define a further axis or pawl axis 5 on the other hand. Coaxially to the rotational axis 4 a control lever 6 is located as a component of a dual-component memory element 6, 7 also pivotable compared to the frame box 1. Furthermore, a release element 8 formed as a release lever 8 pertains to the basic construction which is located coaxially to the pawl 3 in the frame box 1 on the pawl axis 5.

(6) In FIG. 1, the locking mechanism 2, 3 is depicted in its main latching position or main ratchet position. In fact, the pawl 2 possesses on the one hand a pre-ratchet recess 2a and on the other hand a main ratchet recess 2b. In the pre-ratchet position, the pawl 3 engages into the pre-ratchet recess 2a in a spring-assisted manner. In contrast, the main ratchet position illustrated in FIG. 1 corresponds to the pawl 3 engaging into the main ratchet recess 2b in a spring-assisted manner. To this end, the pawl 3 is pre-tensioned with the aid of a non-illustrated pawl spring in the direction of an anti-clockwise movement with regard to its pawl axis 5. The transition of the catch 2 from an open position depicted in FIG. 3 into the main latching position or main ratchet position according to FIG. 1 occurs as usual by a locking bolt 9 depicted in FIG. 1 engaging into an infeed section 10 of the frame box 1. This takes place as soon as a pertaining motor vehicle door is closed and corresponds to the usual functionality.

(7) As already explained, the memory element 6, 7 in the execution example is at least configured in a dual-component manner and on the one hand possesses the aforementioned control lever 6 located coaxially to the catch 2 and on the other hand a pivotably located control lever 6 and a blocking lever 7 interacting with the release element or release lever 8. The blocking lever 7 is configured as a two-arm lever. In fact, the blocking lever 7 in the execution example is an angular lever with a blocking arm 7a on the one hand and a control arm 7b on the other hand which stretch respectively at an angle compared to the rotational axis 11 defined on the control lever 6. The construction finally comprises a stop 12 fixed to the housing. The stop 12 fixed to the housing is generally located in or on a housing or housing lid which is not illustrated and stretches above the frame box 1 coinciding with the respective drawing plane so to speak.

(8) It operates as follows. FIG. 1 illustrates the motor vehicle door latch or its locking mechanism 2, 3 in the main latching position or main ratchet position. The pawl 3 is engaged into the main ratchet recess 2b of the catch 2. The locking bolt 9 is caught. In order to open the locking mechanism 2, 3 starting from this main ratchet position or main latch position, the control lever 6 is impinged in the execution example. To this end, the control lever 6 is pivoted in the indicated clockwise direction around its common axis 4 with the catch 2 starting from its neutral position illustrated in FIG. 1. To this end, the control lever 6 can be mechanically impinged by an impingement mechanism 6a. However, a motor and in particular an electromotor can be the impingement mechanism 6a and generally ensures the relevant pivoting movement of the control lever 6. Thus, the locking mechanism 2, 3 can be opened via remote control.

(9) The impingement of the control lever 6 leads to the control lever 6as describedbeing pivoted in a clockwise direction coaxially to the catch axis 4 according to the execution example. This occurs against the force of a spring 6b. In fact, the relevant spring 6b for impingement of the control lever 6 ensures that it is pre-tensioned in the direction of its neutral position illustrated in FIG. 1. The aforementioned motor or electromotor 6a consequently needs to work against the force of the spring 6b in order to transfer the control lever 6 from its neutral position illustrated in FIG. 1 into its working position as illustrated at the end of the control movement in FIG. 2.

(10) In the transfer of the control lever 6 from its neutral position according to FIG. 1 into the working position according to FIG. 2, the blocking lever 7 configured as a two-armed lever or an angular lever comes into contact with the release element or release lever 8. As a consequence hereof, the release lever 8 is transferred and maintained during transition from the main ratchet position according to FIG. 1 to the storage position illustrated in FIG. 2 and explained in further detail hereinafter into an ineffective position in respect of the locking mechanism 2, 3. In fact, the pivoting movement of the control lever 6 ensures with the blocking lever 7 located thereon that corresponding contact surfaces 13, 14 come into mutual contact on the blocking lever 7 on the one hand and the release lever 8 on the other hand. The contact surfaces 13, 14 on the blocking lever 7 on the one hand and the release lever 8 on the other hand glide along one another. The mutual contact of the contact surfaces 13, 14 now leads to a pivoting movement of the blocking lever 7, during transition from FIG. 1 to FIG. 2 in terms of an indicated clockwise movement around its axis 11.

(11) At the same time, by the adjacency of the blocking lever 7 or the described movement of the control lever 6 the release lever 8 is pivoted as indicated in a clockwise direction around its common axis 5 with the pawl 3. As a consequence hereof, the release lever 8 takes along the pawl 3 and lifts it from the catch 2. This can occur by a reciprocal engagement of a tap into a contour between the release lever 8 and the coaxially located pawl 3 and is not depicted in detail. In the storage position of the memory element 6, 7 according to FIG. 2 the release element or release lever 8 assumes its ineffective position with regard to the locking mechanism 2, 3. Because the previously described pivoting movement also in a clockwise direction of the release lever 8 results in the pawl 3 being taken along around the common axis 5 in this pivoting movement in a clockwise direction. Thus, the pawl 3 becomes disengaged from the catch 2. The pawl 3 is lifted from the catch 2 during transition from FIG. 1 to FIG. 2 in respect of the main ratchet recess 2b.

(12) As a consequence hereof, the catch 2 in the functional position can be opened in a spring-assisted manner according to FIG. 2. In fact, a non-illustrated spring impinging the catch 2 ensures that the catch 2 accomplishes a clockwise direction movement around its axis 4 in this opening process, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

(13) At the same time, in the transition from FIG. 1 to FIG. 2, it is apparent that the mutual contact of the contact surfaces 13 on the blocking lever 7 and 14 on the release lever 8 during the pivoting movement of the control lever 6 cause the blocking lever 7 to accomplish a pivoting movement around the axis 11. At the end of this pivoting movement of the blocking lever 7 in a clockwise direction around the axis 11 its control arm 7b lies adjacent to the stop 12 fixed to the housing. Furthermore, the blocking arm 7a is driven against the catch 2 or is located near or adjacent to the relevant catch 2.

(14) As the release element or release lever 8 is blocked via the blocking lever 7 bracing the stop 12 fixed to the housing in respect of the housing or motor vehicle door latch housing the release lever 8 cannot accomplish an anti-clockwise direction movement around its axis 5 initiated by a spring, for example. The pawl 3 is consequently maintained in its raised position in respect of the catch 2 with the aid of the release lever 8. This storage position of the memory element 6, 7 or the corresponding ineffective position of the release element 8 in respect of the locking mechanism 2, 3 in FIG. 2 is maintained until the blocking lever 7 is braced and can be braced on the stop 12 fixed to the housing. A contour 15 is provided for to lift this brace. In the execution example, the contour 15 is specifically executed on the catch 2 on the locking mechanism 2, 3. The contour 15 is located beyond the two ratchet recesses 2a, 2b. The contour 15 can interact with the blocking lever 7 or the blocking arm 7a and impinge it as described in further detail hereinafter.

(15) Starting from the storage position in FIG. 2 with the pawl 3 lifted from the catch 2 the indicated clockwise direction movement of the catch 2 or its opening movement around the axis 4 now leads to the contour 15 being able to interact with the blocking arm 7a of the blocking lever 7 during the opening process. Because, as already explained, the relevant blocking arm 7a of the blocking lever 7 is adjacent to the storage position according to FIG. 2 on the catch 2 or is arranged near to it. As soon as the catch 2 has now completed a certain opening path in its opening movement in a clockwise direction around the axis 4, the contour 15 can interact with the relevant blocking arm 7a of the blocking lever 7 and consequently the entire blocking lever 7. This happens as soon as the locking mechanism 2, 3 is opened to beyond a ratchet position. Within the scope of the execution example, an opening movement or an opening path 2 of the catch corresponds to this which corresponds to the main ratchet recess 2b and also the pre-ratchet recess 2a having passed the pawl 3 so to speak. Consequently, even with the pawl 3 no longer raised an interaction is no longer possible with the relevant ratchet 2a, 2b. This is shown in FIG. 3.

(16) As soon as the contour 15 can now interact with the blocking lever 7, the contour 15 lifts the blocking lever 7 from the stop 12 fixed in the housing. Because as soon as the contour 15 on the catch 2 interacts with the blocking lever 7, this leads to the blocking lever 7 accomplishing the pivoting movement in an anti-clockwise direction around its axis 11 indicated in FIG. 3 in respect of the control lever 6. The control lever 6 is still in its working position. An electromotor ensuring this is switched off.

(17) As soon as the blocking lever 7 located on the control lever 6 now accomplishes the anti-clockwise direction movement around its axis 11 indicated in FIG. 3 and is thus released from the stop 12 fixed to the housing, the control lever 6 can be returned impinged by the aforementioned spring tensioned in the working position of the control lever 6 directly into the neutral position according to FIG. 1. As a consequence hereof, the release lever 8 is also pivoted in an anti-clockwise direction compared to its axis 5 in a spring-assisted manner. A similar case applies to the pawl 3.

(18) However, as in the functional position in FIG. 3 the locking mechanism 2, 3 or the catch 2 is already opened beyond its ratchet position, consequently the pawl 3 can neither be engaged in the pre-ratchet recess 2a nor the main ratchet recess 2b, if the catch opens completely following the functional position according to FIG. 3 and releases the locking bolt 9 previously caught in the main ratchet position according to FIG. 1. The relevant motor vehicle door can be completely opened without the necessity of a further opening process. Now the motor vehicle door latch is located in its completely open position and can be transferred again to the main latching position or main ratchet position according to FIG. 1 starting from here as soon as the pertaining motor vehicle door is closed and the locking bolt 9 enters the infeed section 10.