Motor vehicle lock with a position securing system

Abstract

Disclosed are door locks that include a spring based position securing system for a locking or anti-theft device. The spring may be a dual-acting clamping spring. Also disclosed are methods for producing door locks that include the spring based position securing system.

Claims

1. A latch with a locking mechanism that includes a catch and a pawl for locking the catch and optionally including an anti-theft device, the latch comprising: a position securing system comprising: an actuating lever coupled to one of the locking mechanisms or the anti-theft device; a pin movable between a first position where either the locking mechanism or anti-theft device is locked and a second position when either the locking mechanism or anti-theft device is unlocked, wherein the pin is coupled to the actuating lever; a pincer spring with a first spring leg and a second spring leg that act on opposite sides of the pin, wherein the pincer spring resists moving the pin between the first and second positions; and a housing comprising a first wall and a second wall that act as stops which limit the movement of the first and second spring legs caused by moving the pin between the first and second positions, wherein the first leg spring has a first free end and the second leg spring has a second free end, wherein the free ends are fixed to the housing.

2. The latch according to claim 1, wherein the latch includes a motor adapted to change the position of the locking mechanism.

3. The latch according to claim 2, wherein the position securing system can secure a position of the pin from moving when exposed to acceleration forces of up to 55 g.

4. A system comprising two latches according to claim 1, wherein the pincer springs in each latch are identical for each position securing system and wherein a first pin of a first position securing system differs from a second pin from a second position securing system by its diameter and/or its cross section and/or its installation direction if the diameter is not circular.

5. A Method of producing a plurality of latches with a position securing system according to claim 1, wherein all latches with springs are produced with identically effective spring forces of the position securing system but not with identical pins for each position securing system.

6. The latch according to claim 1, wherein the latch includes a motor adapted to change the position of the locking mechanism.

7. The latch according to claim 1, wherein the position securing system can secure a position of the pin from moving when exposed to acceleration forces of up to 30 g.

8. The latch according to claim 1, wherein the position securing system can secure a position of the pin from moving when exposed to acceleration forces of up to 55 g.

9. The latch system according to claim 1, further comprising a third wall positioned between the first free end and the second free end, wherein the third wall secures the position of the first free end and the second free end.

10. The latch system according to claim 1, wherein the pincer spring defines a circular mounting portion, a first diverging portion, a first converging portion, a second diverging portion and a second converging portion, wherein the first position is between the first diverging portion and the first converging portion and the second position is between the second diverging portion and the second converging portion.

11. The latch system according to claim 10, further comprising a web that engages the circular mounting portion and secures the circular mounting portion in position relative to the position securing system.

12. The latch system according to claim 1, further comprising a web that engages the pincer spring and secures a portion of the pincer spring from moving relative to the position securing system.

13. The latch system according to claim 1, wherein the first wall and the second wall together define a channel through which the pin can move between the first and second positions, wherein the first and second walls block non-linear movement of the pin relative to the position securing system.

14. The latch system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second walls are parallel to each other and are parallel to a lengthwise extension of the pincer spring.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

(2) FIG. 2: shows examples for a position securing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(3) FIG. 1 shows two pincer springs acting on both sides each with two wave-shaped spring legs 1. The wave shape of legs 1 creates two positions for one pin. The legs 1 of each spring clasp or surround a pin, for instance a cylindrical pin in its respective resting position 2 or 3. The pin can be linearly displaced to and fro between a point or position 2 and a point or position 3. In order to move from point 2 to a point 3 or vice versa, the legs 1 of a pincer spring, which in this case forms a single part, are pushed apart in a centre area between the two positions 2 and 3 and against the tension of the spring. A resting position 2, 3 of each pin is thus secured by the two legs 1 of a spring.

(4) The movement of the legs 1 is externally limited by the walls 4 serving as a stop. They limit the movement of the legs 1, caused by the change of position of a pin from 2 to 3 or vice versa. In this way it is ensured that a pin is secured against a displacement when exposed to considerable acceleration without having to use excessively large dimensioned springs, i.e. springs with great spring constants. In each case, two walls 4 run parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal extension of the respective spring with the legs 1. Two walls 5 serve to fix or secure the free end of legs 1. A wall area 6 between the two legs 1 of a spring in the area of the free ends also serve to secure or fix the free ends of legs 1. In particular, the free ends of legs 1 are positively or non-positively held or fixed by walls 5 and 6.

(5) The other end 7 of each single-part spring, opposing the free end of legs 1 extends circularly around a pin 8 of the housing 9. A web 10 laterally protruding from the pin 8 contributes to maintaining the end 7 of each spring in a positively fitting manner. The end 7 is also surrounded by a wall 11, also contributing to a positive retention of end 7 of each spring. The end 7 is thus also fixed.

(6) As shown in FIG. 1, pin 1.5 is coupled to locking mechanism 13 by actuating lever 12. Locking mechanism 13 includes catch 14 and pawl 15. Motor 16 can optionally be included. Motor 16 is able to change the position of locking mechanism 13. Alternatively, pin 1.5 may be coupled to anti-theft device 17 by actuating lever 12. Locking mechanism 13 has a locked and unlocked state. Anti-theft device 17 has a locked and unlocked state. Moving pin 1.5 between positions 2 and 3 corresponds to moving locking mechanism 13 or anti-theft device 17 between locked and unlocked states.

(7) Where a latch is unlocked by an actuating lever, a pin is, for instance, moved from position 2 to a position 3. The spring with legs 1 prevents such movement and an associated unlocking solely for the reason of a high acceleration, as can occur in the event of a crash.

(8) FIG. 1 show a top position securing system and a bottom position securing system. The two position securing systems are mechanically identical with the exception of the pin. The pin of the top position securing system has a smaller diameter than the pin of the bottom position securing system. Due to the smaller diameter, the top position securing system can withstand lower acceleration forces than the bottom position securing system.

(9) The pins shown in FIG. 1 have a circular diameter. The pins are cylindrical pins. Instead of a circular diameter, the diameter of a pin can, for instance, be triangular semi-circular or oval.

(10) FIG. 2 shows different cross sections of pins 9 that can be alternatively used in a position securing means. The figure shows a triangular cross section, an oval cross section and a flattened circular shape. Depending on the shape, the dimension and installation direction, the desired acceleration forces can be set in a position securing system and which can be withstood by a position securing system.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(11) 1: Leg of a pincer spring 1.5: Pin 2: Resting position of a pin 3: Resting position of a pin 4: Wall 5: Wall 6: Wall 7: End of spring 8: Housing pin 9: Pin cross sections for position securing system 10: Web 11: Wall 12: Actuating lever 13: Locking mechanism 14: Catch 15: Pawl 16: Motor 17: Anti-theft device