Motor vehicle door lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock which is equipped with a body-side lock housing and a hood-or-door-side locking bolt or vice-versa. The invention also relates to a locking and/or opening device. According to the invention, the locking and/or opening device engages on the outer side on the lock housing for the adjustment thereof with respect to a fixed base element in the course of a closing/opening process.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle door lock for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including a vehicle frame and a motor vehicle door, the motor vehicle door lock comprising: a locking bolt on the motor vehicle door; a latch assembly comprising: a catch for capturing the locking bolt, the catch being movable into a main ratchet position in which the locking bolt is held; a first pawl for securing the catch in the main ratchet position; a frame member enclosing the catch and the first pawl, the frame member having a projection; a rocker arm pivotally mounted on the vehicle frame; a second pawl pivotably coupled to the rocker arm and which selectively couples the frame member to the rocker arm by grasping the projection of the frame member; a drive configured to rotate the rocker arm; wherein rotation of the rocker arm while the second pawl grasps the projection moves the frame member and the latch assembly relative to the vehicle frame and reduces a gap between the motor vehicle door and the vehicle frame.

2. The motor vehicle door lock of claim 1, wherein the frame member is pivotally mounted on the vehicle frame.

3. The motor vehicle door lock of claim 2, wherein the frame member and the rocker arm both pivot about a common axis.

4. The motor vehicle door lock of claim 3, further comprising a spring that biases the frame member away from the rocker arm.

5. The motor vehicle door lock of claim 4, wherein the vehicle frame defines a door closed position that corresponds to an inside surface of the motor vehicle door when the motor vehicle door is closed, wherein the rocker arm defines a first position where a portion of the catch is positioned outside the door closed position and a second position where the portion of the catch is positioned inside the door closed position.

6. The motor vehicle door lock of claim 3, wherein the vehicle frame defines a door closed position that corresponds to an inside surface of the motor vehicle door when the motor vehicle door is closed, wherein the rocker arm defines a first position where a portion of the catch is positioned outside the door closed position and a second position where the portion of the catch is positioned inside the door closed position.

7. The motor vehicle door lock of claim 6, further comprising a buffer, wherein the rocker arm abuts the buffer in the second position.

8. The motor vehicle door lock of claim 2, wherein the vehicle frame defines a hood door closed position that corresponds to an inside surface of the motor vehicle door when the motor vehicle door is closed, wherein the rocker arm defines a first position where a portion of the catch is positioned outside the door closed position and a second position where the portion of the catch is positioned inside the door closed position.

9. The motor vehicle door lock of claim 8, further comprising a buffer, wherein the rocker arm abuts the buffer in the second position.

10. The motor vehicle door lock of claim 1, further comprising a driving wheel rotatable by the drive about a wheel axis and a pin mounted on the driving wheel offset from the wheel axis, wherein the pin is configured to abut and move the rocker arm.

11. The motor vehicle door lock of claim 10, wherein the rocker arm has a slot and wherein the pin is positioned within the slot.

12. The motor vehicle door lock of claim 11, wherein the slot is elliptical in shape.

13. The motor vehicle door lock of claim 12, wherein the pin acts eccentrically on the rocker arm when the pulley rotates about the pulley axis due to the elliptical shape of the slot.

14. The motor vehicle door lock of claim 13, wherein the pulley is a driven pulley, driven by a motor.

15. The motor vehicle door lock of claim 14, wherein the vehicle frame defines a door closed position that corresponds to an inside surface of the motor vehicle door when the hood motor vehicle door is closed, wherein the rocker arm defines a first position where a portion of the catch is positioned outside the door closed position and a second position where the portion of the catch is positioned inside the door closed position.

16. The motor vehicle door lock of claim 15, further comprising a buffer, wherein the rocker arm abuts the buffer in the second position.

17. The motor vehicle door lock of claim 15, further comprising a buffer, wherein the rocker arm abuts the buffer in the second position.

18. The motor vehicle door lock of claim 1, wherein the vehicle frame defines a door closed position that corresponds to an inside surface of the motor vehicle door when the motor vehicle door is closed, wherein the rocker arm defines a first position where a portion of the catch is positioned outside the door closed position and a second position where the portion of the catch is positioned inside the door closed position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows the motor vehicle door lock of the invention with an opened hood in the example and

(2) FIG. 2 shows the object of FIG. 1 with the hood closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(3) The figures show a motor vehicle door lock which essentially has a basic design, comprising a latch housing 1 on the body side and a locking pin 2 on the hood side. This means that the locking pin 2 is connected to a hood or motor hood 3, only indicated by a dashed line. This means that the example shows a hood latch although the invention is not limited to this.

(4) The fixing or arrangement of the latch housing 1 on the body side is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in such a way that the figures only indicate a top front support 4 as part of the motor vehicle body 4. The front support 4 contains a recess 5 in which the latch housing 1 on the body side is located.

(5) The latch housing 1 essentially comprises a frame box 1a, as shown and a latch cover, not shown, connected or connectable to the frame box 1a. Whilst the frame box 1a is made of metal and is solid in order to accommodate a locking mechanism 6, 7 mounted therein, the latch cover, not shown, is typically made of plastic. As usual, the locking mechanism 6, 7 comprises a catch 6 and a pawl 7 that are both pivotably arranged in frame box 1a, as apparent when comparing FIGS. 1 and 2 and from the rotary axis indicated by the hollow circles in the figures.

(6) The principle design furthermore includes a locking and/or opening device 8, 9. Although the invention is not limited to this, the locking and/or opening device 8, 9 is a closing aid 8, 9, in the example, comprising a rocker 8 and a pawl 9. The arrangement also includes a motorized drive 10, 11. The motorized drive 10, 11 comprises a driving wheel 11 and an actuating pin 10 arranged on the driving wheel 11. The actuating pin 10 extends predominantly perpendicular from the driving wheel 11.

(7) The driving wheel 11 is, in turn, moved in clockwise and counterclockwise direction around its axis 12 by a not explicitly shown electric motor. In order to achieve this, the driving wheel contains a worm, meshing with toothing on the outer side of the driving wheel 11. When moving from the functional position shown in FIG. 1 to the functional position of FIG. 2, the driving wheel 11 carries out a clockwise rotation around its axis 12, taking into consideration a circular arc of around 180 described by the actuating pin 10 that is being carried along.

(8) Specially significant for the invention is the fact that the locking and/or opening device 8, 9 of the closing aid 8, 9 provided by the invention, engages on the outside of the latch housing 1 in order to move the latch housing 1 in relation to the fixed basic element 4 during a closing/opening process. For this purpose, the pawl 9 reaches above or behind a projection 13 on the latch housing 1 or a projection 13, formed mainly in or on frame box 1a. The motorized drive 10, 11 acts as a whole eccentrically on the locking and/or opening device 8, 9, as apparent when comparing FIGS. 1 and 2. As part of the process, the actuating pin 10 engages in the respective slot 14 of the rocker 8.

(9) The rocker 8 is pivotably connected to base element 4. The same applies for the latch housing 1. In the design of the example embodiment, the rocker 8 and the latch housing 1 can be rotated around the same axis and are connected to the respective base housing 4. For this purpose, a pin 15 is provided that is anchored in the base element 4 or the front support 4 provided at this point. The rocker 8 and the latch housing 1 or the frame box 1a are pivotably mounted on this fixed pin 15. The design may be such that, in the shown top view, the rocker 8 is located below the latch housing 1 and thus also below the frame box 1a. This also applies for the pawl 9 which in turn is pivotably mounted on the rocker 8. For this purpose, a further pin 16 is provided. In this arrangement, the projection 13 can extend so far that the pawl 9 can reach above or behind it.

(10) The arrangement functions as follows. FIG. 1 shows the motor vehicle door lock and thus the respective hood 3 in its open position. In order to close the hood 3 it is lowered in relation to the body 4 or the front support 4 to such an extent that the locking bolt 2, arranged on the hood, moves as usual into the catch 6 or its infeed section 16. As a result, the catch 6 is pivoted around its axis in clockwise direction until the main ratchet position shown in FIG. 2 has been reached. In the main ratchet position, the pawl 7 engages in the catch 6, preventing the catch 6 from being opened by the force of a spring and releasing the captured locking bolt 2.

(11) In the main ratchet position of the locking mechanism 6, 7, the hood 3 still contains a considerable gap S between the body 4 or the front support 4, as indicated in FIG. 1. The locking and/or opening device 8, 9 or the provided closing aid 8, 9 is in its standby position. Also, the latch housing 1 is, so to speak, swung out in relation to the body 4. In addition, the motorized drive 10, 11 ensures in this position that the hood 3 or the locking bolt 2 cannot flex. This means that the hood 3 or the locking bolt 2 safely reaches the main ratchet position of the locking mechanism 6, 7 shown in FIG. 2. The main ratchet position is now detected in turn with the aid of a sensor, i. e. a switch. As a result, the motorized drive 10, 11 is acted upon, starting from the standby position shown in FIG. 1.

(12) A soon as the drive 10, 11 has received the start signal from the respective sensor or switch on the locking mechanism 6, 7 indicating that the locking mechanism 6, 7 is in the main ratchet position, power is applied to the electric motor. The result is a clockwise movement of the driving wheel 11 around its axis or rotation axis 12. The actuating pin 10, extending through the slot 14 in the rocker 8, then acts altogether eccentrically on the rocker 8 or closing aid 8, 9. At the same time, the actuating pin 10 carries out an approximately 180 circular movement as apparent from the transition from FIG. 1 to FIG. 2.

(13) At the end of this closing operation, shown in FIG. 2, the actuating pin 10 has moved from a top edge of the slot 14 down to the opposite bottom edge, whilst at the same time pivoting rocker 8 around its axis or rotation axis 15 in counterclockwise direction. As during the entire process the pawl 9 has retained the latch housing 1 on projection 13 and as the pawl 9 is also pivotably mounted on the pawl 8 and is moved along with said pawl, the latch housing 1 also carries out a counterclockwise rotation around the common axis 15 together with the rocker 8 during the transition from FIG. 1 to FIG. 2. The closing operation corresponds with this.

(14) The closing movement of the latch housing 1 or of the rocker 8 is carried out against the force of a spring 17. The spring 17 is a spiral spring fixed with one end to the pin 15 connected to the body 4, whilst the other free end of the spiral spring 17 pretensions the latch housing 1 in clockwise direction in relation to the axis or rotation axis 15.

(15) During the described closing operation, an end stop or stop buffer 18 on the body 4 provides an end position damping. Upon reaching the closed position or pulled-close position shown in FIG. 2, the rocker 8 pivoted in counterclockwise direction around axis 15 with the aid of the motorized drive 10, 11, moves against the respective stop or stop buffer 18. The hood 3 is then fully closed in relation to body 4, corresponding to a minimal gap S, as shown in FIG. 2.

(16) FIG. 1 also shows a pyrotechnical element 19 indicated by an arrow. This element ensures that the hood 3 can be opened in the event of an accident. The pyrotechnical element acts on the pawl in order to pivot the pawl away from the projection 13 on the latch housing 1.