Motor vehicle lock with a position securing system

Abstract

The invention relates to a door lock or flap lock comprising a locking mechanism that has a rotary latch and a pawl for locking the rotary latch. Said type of lock is also described in DE 103 20 457 A 1. The aim of the invention is to provide a lock with a position securing system with low technical complexity. Said aim is achieved by a lock with a locking mechanism comprising a rotary latch and a pawl for locking the rotary latch. The lock comprises a position securing system for a locking or anti-theft device. A spring is used for securing the position. Said spring is embodied as a dual-acting clamping spring. A tilting mechanism tilts a slot thus securing the position of the slot if excessively accelerated. As a result, an undesired movement of the slot is inhibited and the position thereof is thus improved.

Claims

1. A latch comprising: a guide; a displaceably mounted slide moveable along the guide between a first end position and a second end position during normal operation of the latch; and a position securing system for the slide with which the slide is secured in the first end position or in the second end position, wherein the positioning securing system contains a tilting device connected to the slide and configured for tilting the slide relative to the guide in response to excessive acceleration, whereby frictional forces between the guide and the slide are increased for preventing movement of the slide between the first end position and the second end position during the excessive acceleration to secure the slide in the first end position or in the second end position.

2. The latch according to claim 1, wherein the position securing system contains a pincer spring having two legs.

3. The latch according to claim 2, wherein the tilting device contains a tiltable and displaceably guided bolt and/or a pin.

4. The latch according to claim 3, wherein when the slide is in the first end position or the second end position, the bolt rests against the legs of the pincer spring in corresponding locations offset relative to a direction of movement of the slide between the first end position and the second end position during the normal operation of the latch.

5. The latch according to claim 3, wherein the bolt contains a non-symmetrical cross section.

6. The latch according to claim 3, wherein the bolt and/or the pin is fixed to the slide.

7. The latch according to claim 6, wherein the pin extends into a slot with a clearance for guiding movement of the slide between the first end position and the second end position to a length of the slot during the normal operation, wherein the pin is jammed inside the slot when the slide is tilted in response to the excessive acceleration.

8. The latch according to claim 2, further comprising a-walls for restricting movement of the legs of the pincer spring.

9. The latch according to claim 1, further comprising a motor that is configured to move the slide between the first end position and the second end position during the normal operation of the latch.

10. The latch according to claim 9, further comprising a drive wheel that is configured to rest on a surface of the slide for preventing tilting of the slide during the normal operation of the latch and enabling movement of the slide between the first end position and the second end position.

11. The latch according to claim 10, wherein the drive wheel is arranged between a spring of the position securing system and below a constricted point of the spring and/or extends between the constricted point of the spring and a slide surface of the slide.

12. The latch according to claim 1, wherein the position securing system is configured to secure the slide in the first end position or in the second end position during the excessive acceleration forces including acceleration forces between 30 g and 55 g.

13. A latch comprising: a guide; a displaceably mounted slide moveable along the guide between a first end position and a second end position during normal operation of the latch; a motor that is configured to move the slide between the first end position and the second end position during normal operation of the latch; and a position securing system for the slide with which the slide is secured in the first end position or in the second end position, wherein the positioning securing system contains a tilting device connected to the slide and configured for tilting the slide relative to the guide in response to excessive acceleration, whereby frictional forces between the guide and the slide are increased for preventing movement of the slide between the first end position and the second end position during the excessive acceleration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Below, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to Figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1: shows position securing systems;

(3) FIG. 2: is a sectional drawing of a position securing system shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3: shows the slotted guide for slides;

(5) FIG. 4: shows the drive for slides

(6) FIG. 5: is a top view of the slide with drive and position securing system

(7) FIG. 6: shows a detailed view of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) FIG. 1 shows position securing systems with two pincer springs acting on both sides with in each case two wave-shaped spring legs 1. The wave shape of the legs 1 produces two end positions 2 and 3 for a bolt 9. The legs 1 of each spring clasp or surround a bolt 9 in its respective end position 2 or 3. The bolt 9 can be linearly slid to and fro between a position or place 2 and a position or place 3. The bolt 9 is connected to a slideably mounted slide 16not shown in FIG. 1. In order to move from one end position 2 to another end position 3 or vice versa, the legs 1 of anin this case single-piece pincer springcan be pressed apart in a middle area between the two positions 2 and 3, i.e. deflected and against the tension of the spring. This middle area forms a constricted point, separating one end position 2 from the other end position 3. Each end position or end point 2, 3 of each bolt 9 is thus secured by the two legs 1 of the spring.

(9) The movement of the legs 1 towards the outside can be restricted by the walls 4, serving as a stop. They limit the movements of the legs 1, caused by a displacement of the position of a bolt 9 from 2 to 3 or vice versa. This achieves that a bolt 9 is secured against displacement during high acceleration without the requirement for excessively large springs, i.e. springs with high spring constants. In each case, two walls 4 extend parallel to each other and parallel to the length of the associated spring with legs 1. Two walls 5 serve to retain or fix the free ends of the legs 1. A wall area 6 between the two legs 1 of a spring in the area of the free ends also serves to retain or fix the free ends of the legs 1. The free ends of the legs 1 are, in particular, positively and non-positively retained or fixed by the walls 5 and 6.

(10) The other end 7 of each single-piece spring, opposite the free end of the legs 1, extends circular around a bolt 8 of the housing 15. A web 10, laterally extending from the bolt 8 contributes to positively retain the end 7 of each spring. The end 7 is also enclosed by a wall 11, also contributing to a positive retention of the end 7 of each spring. The end 7 is thus also fixed.

(11) When a latch is unlocked by an actuating lever, a bolt 9 is, for instance, moved from a position 3 to a position 2. The spring with the legs 1 prevents that such a movement and an associated unlocking can occur solely as a result of high accelerations, such as in case of a crash.

(12) FIG. 1 shows an upper position securing system and a lower position securing system. Mechanically, both position securing systems are identical apart from the bolt 9. Diagonally to the direction of displacement, the bolt 9 of the upper position securing system has a smaller cross section than the bolt of the lower position securing system. Due to the smaller cross section, the upper position securing system is less able to withstand acceleration forces than the lower position securing system.

(13) The lower bolt 9 shown in FIG. 1, contains a triangular cross section, so that when in the end position 3, the bolt 9 abuts the legs 1 of the spring in an offset manner and in the direction of displacement, i.e. in the direction of position 2. In case of position 3, the bolt 9 abuts initially, when viewed in the direction of position 2, against the bottom right of position 12 and offset thereto on the left side further up at position 13. As a result of this offset arrangement, movement of the bolt 9 in the direction of the end position 2 causes a torque to be introduced into bolt 9, triggering a tilting movement. This also applies for the upper bolt 9 with a smaller diameter, whose cross-sectional area is, however, trapezoidal, as shown in FIG. 1.

(14) Once the bolt 9 with its trapezoidal cross section has reached its end position 2, this results again in two contact areas 12 and 13, offset in such a way that the bolt 9 is tilted, when the bolt 9 is moved back into its end position 3. This does, however, not apply to the bolt 9 with the larger triangular cross section, when it is in its end position 2. This results in two opposing contact areas 14 which, when viewed in the direction of position 3, do not abut in an offset manner. When bolt 9, shown in the bottom half of the Figure, is moved from its end position 2 in the direction of its end position 3, the two spring legs of the spring 1 are initially evenly pushed apart. Consequently, no tipping moment is introduced into the bolt 9. Only once the contact surfaces 14 of the front section of the bolt 9, when viewed in the direction of movement, have passed the constricted point of the spring and the legs 1 of the spring are no longer pushed apart by said front section, can the situation occur, depending on the size, that the legs 1 of the spring act with difference forces on the bolt 9 with the triangular cross section, which can then cause a tilting movement. All in all, less force is, however, required to move the bolt 9 with its large triangular cross section from its end position 2 to its end position 3 than for moving it from its end position 3 to its end position 2. The forces required for a desired changing of the position of the bolt 9 can thus be minimized, depending on the requirement.

(15) In order to be able to introduce a tilting movement in the bolt 9, only one contact area is required, for instance a contact area, 13, when the bolt 9 is moved from its position 3 in the direction of its position 2 in order to introduce a tilting moment in the bolt 9. The existence of two contact areas 12 and 13 on both sides of a bolt, is however, preferable as the bolt 9 is then retained in its position, preventing any unplanned tilting in its end position.

(16) FIG. 2 outlines a section through the illustration of FIG. 1 and through the contact area 13 with the bolt 9 being in its end position 3. If the bolt 9 is now moved in the direction of its position 2, the spring leg 1, depicted on the left, introduces a force into the bolt 9 on one side, connected to the slideably mounted slide 16. As a result of the force being introduced on one side, the top end of the bolt 9 is pivoted towards the right. As the bottom end of the bolt 9 is retained by the slide 16, the bolt 9 tilts to the right around its fixing on the slide, as indicated. As a result, the slide 16 is also tilted. The tilting movement causes the slide 16 to jam inside its mounting that can, as shown for instance in FIG. 2, comprise two guide rails 17. This increases frictional forces, decelerating movement of the slide 16. A clearance exists between the guide rails 17 and the slide, so that frictional forces are noticeably lower if the slide 16 is moved along the rails 17 without tilting.

(17) As shown in the top view of FIG. 3, the slide can contain a pin 18 for guidance, said pin extending with clearance into a slot 19. The cross section of the bolt can be circular, as shown in FIG. 3. The clearance allows a tilting movement of the slide. The slide is guided by the slot 19 parallel to the length of the slot 19, as indicated by a double arrow. When the slide 16 is tilted, the pin 18 jams inside the slot. This in turn increases frictional forces, decelerating displacement of the slide 16.

(18) A leg 20 of a spring can exist that tilts the pin 20 when the pin 18 is moved from one end of the slot 19 to the other end of the slot 19. Consequently, a tilting movement can be alternatively or additionally provided that can cause tilting of the slide 16, in order to secure the position of the slide by a deceleration process even when exposed to excessive acceleration forces.

(19) As outlined in FIG. 4, the slide 16 can contain a wave-shaped or zigzag surface 21. A toothed gear 22 engages in this surface 21. Where the toothed gear 22 is rotated by an electric motor, the slide 16 can, as planned, be moved from one end position to another end position along the double arrow. It has shown that such an electric drive prevents the slide (16) from being tilted, when the slide is, as planned, moved to and fro between its end positions by the electric drive. In the event of a planned drive, deceleration effects caused by tilting are, as far as possible, prevented.

(20) Movement of the end position of the slide 16 serves, in particular, for displacing a locking device or an anti-theft device.

(21) FIGS. 5 and 6 show an overall view of a potential design and a detailed view from the top onto the slide 16. A motor 23 exists with the aid of which the position of the slide 16 can be changed. A toothed gear 22 connected to the shaft of the motor 23, rests on a wave-shaped surface 21 of the slide 16. The toothed wheel 22 is located between the pincer spring with its legs 1 and, in particular, below the constricted point of the spring 1. The toothed wheel extends up to the constricted point of the spring but not beyond it, in order to allow a tilting movement of the slide 16. Tilting movements are prevented when the electric motor 23 changes the position of the slide 16. Due to the offset contact of the bolt 9 on the legs 1, the slide tilts, as shown by the top arched arrow in FIG. 5, when the slide is accelerated along the straight arrow in case of a crash.

(22) The bolt 9 is fixed to the slide 16 by means of its arm 24. The arm 24 allows the toothed wheel 22 to be arranged below the spring with legs 1 but above the slide surface 21.