阅读说明：本技术 用于机动车技术方面的应用的关闭装置 (Closing device for applications in motor vehicle technology ) 是由 O·因南 A·凯吉达纳 于 2019-03-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于机动车技术方面的应用的关闭装置(1),该关闭装置包括：锁定装置(9),该锁定装置具有转动锁叉(10)和至少一个锁爪(11)；释放杆(18),其中,借助于释放杆(18)至少能将锁定装置(9)解锁；电驱动单元(2),该电驱动单元具有马达(3)和与马达(3)配合作用的至少一个传动级(5、6),其中,借助于电驱动单元(2)至少能间接地致动所述释放杆(18),其中,在释放杆(18)与电驱动单元(2)之间能布置有减振机构(19)。(The invention relates to a closing device (1) for applications in motor vehicle technology, comprising: a locking device (9) having a rotary locking fork (10) and at least one locking claw (11); a release lever (18), wherein at least the locking device (9) can be unlocked by means of the release lever (18); an electric drive unit (2) having a motor (3) and at least one gear stage (5, 6) interacting with the motor (3), wherein the release lever (18) can be actuated at least indirectly by means of the electric drive unit (2), wherein a damping mechanism (19) can be arranged between the release lever (18) and the electric drive unit (2).)

1. A shut-off device (1) for applications in motor vehicle technology, comprising: a locking device (9) having a rotary locking fork (10) and at least one locking claw (11); a release lever (18), wherein at least the locking device (9) can be unlocked by means of the release lever (18); an electric drive unit (2) having a motor (3) and at least one transmission stage (5, 6) interacting with the motor (3), wherein the release lever (18) can be actuated at least indirectly by means of the electric drive unit (2), characterized in that,

a damping mechanism (19) is arranged between the release lever (18) and the electric drive unit (2).

2. A closing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the damping means (19) has a damping profile (25) for the gear stages (5, 6).

3. The closing device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the damping contour (25) is designed as a stop contour (25) for the gear stages (5, 6), in particular as a stop contour (25) for a stop (8) arranged on the gear stages (5, 6).

4. A closing device (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the damping mechanism (19) has a control profile (21) for releasing the lever (18).

5. A closing device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the damping means (19) is designed as a separate component, wherein the damping means (19) can be pivotably supported in the closing device (1).

6. A closing device (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the damping mechanism (19) has a damped bearing point (30).

7. A closing device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the gear stages (5, 6) have a toothing (6), in particular a worm gear (6), which toothing (6) can be guided at least partially through a damping mechanism (19).

8. A closing device (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the damping mechanism (19) is designed as a multifunctional damping mechanism, wherein the damping mechanism (19) has at least one further damping element (28, 29, 31, 32) which can be engaged with a further lock component (24).

9. A closing device (1) according to claim 8, wherein said further lock forming part (24) is a snow load bar (24) and/or a tensioning drive and/or a further locking claw (11).

10. A closing device (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the damping mechanism (19) can be made of a softer plastic material with respect to the release lever (18).

Technical Field

The invention relates to a closing device for applications in motor vehicle technology, comprising: a locking device having a rotary locking fork and at least one locking pawl; a release lever, wherein at least the locking device can be unlocked by means of the release lever; an electric drive unit having a motor and at least one gear stage interacting with the motor, wherein the release lever can be actuated at least indirectly by means of the electric drive unit.

Background

In today's motor vehicles, comfort plays an increasingly important role. This also relates to the closing behavior of movably mounted components on the motor vehicle and requiring fixing, such as for example a hatch, a sliding door and/or a hood. In particular, the noise characteristics when the latch that fixes the movable member is closed are criteria for the comfort of the operator of the motor vehicle. For this reason, the automotive industry is constantly seeking to improve the acoustic effect of the closing system in order to obtain a closing noise of high quality for the operator.

The closing systems of today comprise a locking device with a rotary catch and at least one catch, wherein the rotary catch can be locked by means of the catch. When the locking device is unlocked, a release lever is used, which moves the pawl out of the region of engagement with the rotary catch. In order to increase the comfort for the operator, an electric drive unit is used which, after a control command has been input by the operator, moves or pivots the release lever electrically. Regardless of the initial movement of the release lever, upon unlocking, noise occurs which can vary considerably depending on the materials used, the forces present in the locking means and the engagement relationship between the lock components.

DE 19617428 a1 discloses an electrically driven closing system, in which the locking device can be unlocked by means of an electric eccentric drive. An eccentric wheel drive mechanism is disposed between the locking pawl and the pre-lock restraint lever. The eccentric drive mechanism cooperates directly with the pawl and enables the pawl to move out of engagement with the rotary locking fork. In this case, the eccentric wheel drive acts directly on the locking pawl, as a result of which noise is generated when the unlocking drive is unlocked and unloaded.

In document DE 10361168 a1, a motor vehicle lock is described, which comprises: a lock fork; a locking claw which holds the locking fork in the main closing position and can be moved out for unlocking the locking fork; a draw bar coupled to the locking claw, the draw bar driving the locking claw in a direction of removal of the locking claw; a motorized drive device for motorized removal of the pawl from the pawl and the locking connection acting between the pawl and the pawl. The locking connection consists of a locking connection element and a locking connection counterpart element, wherein the locking connection element and the locking connection counterpart element are brought into locking engagement by a displacement of the locking claw when the locking fork is in the main closing position and are disengaged from locking engagement when the locking fork is displaced further from the main closing position in the direction of the opening position. According to this document, the disengagement is initiated by an electric drive, wherein a worm on the output shaft of the motor cooperates with a worm wheel and the locking connection element is operatively connected to the worm wheel. The control contour on the worm wheel acts here directly on the locking pawl, so that unlocking of the locking mechanism can be carried out. In which the snow loading function is simultaneously integrated in the locking claw.

Document DE 102016107509 a1 may also be identified as the closest prior art. This document discloses a closing unit for a motor vehicle closing device, in particular for a hatch of a motor vehicle, having a rotary catch, at least one catch and a release lever, wherein the rotary catch can be locked together with the catch in a pre-locking position and a primary locking position, wherein the catch can be disengaged from the rotary catch by means of the release lever. The closing device is equipped with an electric drive, wherein the electric drive can be unlocked by a transmission mechanism connected in between and a control contour arranged on the transmission mechanism. Damping the movement of the lock components is achieved, for example, by a stop buffer.

These identified prior art techniques are not convincing in all respects. In particular, noise generated by the direct interaction of the drive unit and the release lever or by direct engagement in the locking pawl can affect comfort. Furthermore, the cooperating components of the closure device are for the most part material-bonded, since sometimes large forces have to be transmitted. The invention is proposed for this purpose.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved closing device for applications in motor vehicle technology. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a closing device which enables an improved acoustic effect to be achieved. The object of the invention is, furthermore, to provide a structurally simple and cost-effective solution for an acoustically improved closing device.

This object is achieved by the features of the independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It is to be noted that the embodiments described below are not limitative, and any variation possibility of the features described in the description and in the dependent claims can be implemented.

The object of the invention is achieved according to claim 1 in that a closure device for applications in motor vehicle technology is provided, which closure device comprises: a locking device having a rotary locking fork and at least one locking pawl; a release lever, wherein at least the locking device can be unlocked by means of the release lever; an electric drive unit having a motor and at least one gear stage interacting with the motor, wherein the release lever can be actuated at least indirectly by means of the electric drive unit, wherein a damping mechanism is arranged between the release lever and the electric drive unit. The possibility is now achieved by the closure device of the construction according to the invention that, when the release mechanism interacts directly with the locking device, a damping effect is exerted on the release mechanism. In particular, by arranging the damping mechanism in the actuation chain between the release lever and the electric drive unit, the interaction of the drive device and the release mechanism can be influenced directly and advantageously acoustically. In this case, the vibration-damping mechanism acts between the release lever and the electric drive unit, so that in particular in the stop position of the drive device and/or the release lever a mechanism for damping vibrations or a noise-damping engagement of the vibration-damping mechanism is formed.

A closing device for applications in motor vehicle technology may also be referred to as a closing unit, a motor vehicle lock or latch. A closure device in the sense of the present invention relates to a closure device that secures in place a movable member located on a vehicle. This may be, for example, hatches, hoods, doors, sliding door covers and shelves. The components that are fixed to the vehicle in a movable manner must be fixed for the use of the motor vehicle, wherein, for example, the side doors must be closed as completely as possible in order to be able to carry out safe operation of the motor vehicle.

For closing, a locking device is used which consists of a rotary catch and a pawl. The rotary latch is held in the locked position by means of the latch claw or is locked by the latch claw. The rotary latch fork can be locked in the pre-locking position and the main locking position by means of at least one latching claw. To unlock the locking device, a release lever acts on the pawl to disengage the pawl from the rotary locking fork and thus from the rotary locking fork, which preferably cooperates with the lock keeper or lock bolt, to release the lock bolt or lock keeper. For example, the hatch can be opened after the release of the rotary catch.

In order to detect the locking position, a position detection mechanism is provided in the closing device, by means of which the position of the release lever can be determined. The release lever can in this case interact directly with a position detection means, for example a microswitch. However, it is also conceivable to provide a lever additionally, so that the release lever interacts indirectly with the position detection mechanism. The release lever therefore interacts with a position detection mechanism, wherein a switching signal can be generated at the microswitch when the locking position is reached.

The closing device according to the invention furthermore comprises an electric drive unit having a motor and a gear stage interacting with the motor. Preferably a dc motor is used. In this case, for example, a worm mounted on the output shaft of the motor and a worm wheel mounted in the closing device can be used as the gear mechanism. The interaction between the electric drive unit and the release lever can be achieved according to the invention by means of a damping mechanism interposed therebetween.

In one embodiment of the invention, the damping mechanism has a damping contour for the gear stage. If the damping mechanism has a damping contour, the gear stage can act directly against the damping mechanism. Advantageously, a combined stop surface on the damping mechanism is also used, wherein, for example, a damped stop region can be combined with a hard stop region. When the gear stage cooperates with the damping contour, a combined damping effect and stop effect can be provided by means of the damping mechanism. Preferably, the damping means is designed as a composite component, wherein the elastic region can be combined with the hard region. Preferably, the base body of the damping means is made of a thermoplastic material, wherein an elastic plastic material is contained in the region of the damping contour facing the gear stage.

Furthermore, the damping contour can be designed as a stop contour for the gear stage, in particular as a stop contour for a stop arranged on the gear stage. The damping contour of the damping means is shaped in such a way that it can be brought into positive engagement with the stop. The stop contour corresponds to a stop on the gear stage, wherein the gear stage and in particular the rotational movement of the gear train element can be braked and can serve as an end stop. The damping mechanism thus serves a different function, on the one hand providing the drive unit with a damper, while the damping mechanism serves as a stroke limiting device for the drive unit. The gear stage may consist of a driven gear wheel, for example, wherein the gear stage has a projection, either integrally or as a separate element, which projects beyond an edge of the gear wheel and can engage with a stop contour of the vibration damping mechanism, for example.

A further advantageous variant of the embodiment results if the damping mechanism has a control contour for the release lever. In this embodiment, the damping mechanism has the further function that the movement of the release lever can be controlled by means of the damping mechanism. The release lever is advantageously at least partially in form-locking engagement with the damping mechanism.

The relative position of the release lever and the damping mechanism can be controlled by means of the control contour. The damping mechanism and/or the release lever can thus be controlled by the control profile. The control contour is formed, for example, as a groove or recess in the damping mechanism and the release lever has an extension which engages in a form-fitting manner in this contour. The control contour is preferably shaped partly circularly into the damping mechanism on the basis of the pivoting movement of the release lever. It is of course also conceivable to form a profile in the release lever. This design is particularly advantageous, in particular in the case of a damping mechanism which is pivotably mounted in the closing device.

A further variant of the invention is provided if the damping mechanism is designed as a separate component, wherein the damping mechanism can be pivotably mounted in the closing device. By means of the pivotable mounting of the damping mechanism, the damping mechanism can follow the movement of the release lever and be oriented against a stop of the transmission stage. It is also conceivable here for the stop contour to be pivotable into the region of the gear stage only when the stop is to secure the gear stage in its end position. The gear stage thus has a maximum free space during the rotational movement and engages with the stop contour only when the end position is reached. The pivotable mounting not only has the advantage that a possible positioning of the damping mechanism relative to the gear stage is achieved, but the damping mechanism can also cooperate, for example, with a movement of the release lever. This is advantageous, for example, when a control contour is used between the damping mechanism and the release lever for positioning the release lever. For example, the positioning of the release lever can be achieved if the damping mechanism can be guided at least partially by the gear stage. In this case, the design of the damping means as a separate component simplifies the fitting, for example, and at the same time offers the advantage that the damping means can be produced cost-effectively as a composite component.

It is also advantageous here if the damping means has a damped bearing point. The comfort of the closing device is further improved in this design. If the stop of the drive unit abuts against the damping mechanism, the noise of the stop between the drive unit and the damping mechanism is minimized. According to the invention, an additional improvement of the noise behavior can be achieved in that the damping means also has a damping element at the bearing point in the closing device. This can be achieved, for example, by the bearing point being surrounded at least in regions by a rubber-elastic material, so that the generation of noise in the bearing point is minimized when the drive unit exerts a force on the damping means.

A further variant of the invention is provided if the gear stage has a toothing, in particular a worm gear, which can be guided at least partially through the damping mechanism. The gear stage can advantageously be designed as a worm gear stage. Here, the output shaft of the motor has a worm that meshes with the worm wheel. Such a transmission stage is advantageous as a drive unit, since it requires less installation space on the one hand and enables a high torque on the other hand. Thus, for example, a maximum force of 750N for releasing the locking device can be provided at an output torque of 20N/mm. If the output toothing, i.e. the worm wheel, is guided at least partially through the damping mechanism as proposed according to the invention, a structurally advantageous solution for the interaction between the worm wheel, the damping mechanism and the release lever can be provided. "structurally advantageous" means that the installation space required for the arrangement of the damping means in the closure device can be reduced to a minimum.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is achieved if the damping mechanism can be designed as a multifunctional damping mechanism, wherein the damping mechanism has at least one further damping element which can be brought into engagement with a further lock component. The damping mechanism can be used, for example, as a damping mechanism for other lock components. Here, for example, a snow load bar. The snow loading bar is used when the closing device is a tailgate lock. If, due to a heavy load, for example a snow load on the rear deck lid, the locking device is unlocked but the rotary catch does not move far enough to disengage from the catch, a renewed locking of the rotary catch may result. The snow load function circumvents this undesired locking of the locking device by keeping the locking claw out of engagement by the snow load lever until the rotary locking fork opens to such an extent that the locking claw can no longer fall into the locking position. Preferably, the snow load lever is disposed adjacent to the pivot area of the locking pawl and/or the release lever. By integrating the damping element for the snow load bar, a further damping element for the snow load bar can be dispensed with.

In addition to the snow load function, an auxiliary closing device can also be integrated in the closing device, for example. The damping mechanism may advantageously have two, three or more damping elements which then cooperate with other components of the closing device, so that a multifunctional damping mechanism may be provided. Therefore, the vibration damping mechanism has a series of functions. On the one hand, damping properties are of the greatest importance, but damping mechanisms can also be used as control elements for positioning.

A further variant embodiment results if the damping mechanism is made of a softer plastic than the release lever. The damping mechanism has a different task or function with respect to the release lever. The damping mechanism is preferably used for improving the acoustic effect and for minimizing noise, while the release lever is used for unlocking the locking device. According to the invention, the damping mechanism can be made of plastic, and in particular thermoplastic, which has advantageous damping properties, while the release lever can be made of a material with a high stiffness, and in particular thermoplastic. On the one hand, therefore, an improved acoustic effect can be achieved by the material selection and at the same time the material selection can be carried out in an advantageous manner. Thus, the advantages described are achieved by using a vibration reduction mechanism.

Drawings

The present invention will be described in detail below according to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The examples are not to be construed as limiting the invention in principle, but merely as illustrating one embodiment thereof. The features shown may be implemented alone or in combination with other features in the description and in the claims (alone or in combination).

The figures show that:

figure 1 shows a side view of an open tailgate lock in the region between the locking device and the electric drive in the main locking position,

fig. 2 shows a view of the tailgate lock according to fig. 1, wherein the locking device is shown in an open position,

fig. 3 shows a detail of the release lever disengaged from the closing device according to arrow III in fig. 1 and of the damping mechanism designed according to the invention, and

fig. 4 shows an individual view of the damping mechanism from the perspective according to arrow IV in fig. 3 in a three-dimensional view.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a top view of a closing device 1, wherein the closing device 1 is only partially shown. The closure device 1 is shown without a housing, wherein only the components of the closure device shown for the purpose of clearly illustrating the function of the invention are shown. In the embodiment of this variant, the drive unit 2 has an electric motor 3, wherein an output shaft 4 of the electric motor 3 is adapted to a worm 5. The worm 5 meshes with a worm wheel 6, wherein the worm wheel 6 has a control contour 7. In addition to the control contour 7, a stop 8 is formed integrally with the worm wheel and the control contour 7.

Furthermore, the closing device comprises a locking device 9 consisting of a rotary catch 10 and a pawl 11, which engage with each other in a main locking position 12. The rotary latch fork 10 and the latch pawl 11 are received in a pivotable manner about axes 13, 14 in a latch case 15 and position a latch holder 16. The pawl 11 interacts with a locking lever or blocking lever 17, wherein the pawl 11 can be held in the main locking position 12 by means of the locking lever or blocking lever 17. Without the locking or blocking lever 17, the pawl can only be moved out of the main locking position 12 by the force exerted by the rotary catch 10 on the pawl 11. Thereby exerting an opening moment on the locking claw 11.

Between the drive unit 2 and the locking device 9, a release lever 18 and a damping mechanism 19 are pivotably arranged in the closing device 1. Here, the pivot axis 13 of the locking pawl 11 corresponds to the pivot axis 13 of the release lever 18. The damping mechanism 19 is pivotably received in the closure device 1 about a pivot axis 20 and preferably in the lock case 15. The damping mechanism 19 and the release lever 18 are operatively connected by a control contour 21, wherein the control contour 21 is formed as a recess into the damping mechanism 19.

The main locking position 12 is shown in fig. 1. In this main locking position 12 of the locking device 9, the release lever abuts on the damping mechanism 19 in its maximum pivoting movement in the direction of the locking device 9 in the counter-clockwise direction. In an advantageous manner, the release lever 18 rests in the end position of the control contour 21 of the damping mechanism 19. The drive 2 is in a stationary state, in which the worm wheel 6 is free to rotate, i.e. the stop 8 is disengaged from the damping mechanism 19.

The opened locking device 9 is now shown in fig. 2. To unlock the locking device 9, the worm wheel 6 is rotated in the direction of arrow P about the axis 22. During the rotation of the worm wheel 6, the stop 8 penetrates through a recess 23 of the damping mechanism 19, wherein this recess 23 can be seen clearly in fig. 3. Upon a rotational movement of the worm wheel by the worm 5, the control contour 7 engages with the release lever 18, whereby the release lever 18 is pivoted in the clockwise direction about the pivot axis 13, whereby the blocking lever 17 is disengaged from the locking pawl 11. The pawl 11 is disengaged from the rotary latch by an opening torque applied to the pawl by the rotary latch 10. The storage lever 24 keeps the pawl 11 disengaged from the rotary latch 10 for so long that the pawl 11 can no longer engage the main latching position 12 of the rotary latch 10. By means of spring pretensioning and/or by means of the control contour 21, the damping mechanism 19 is pivoted about the pivot axis 20 in the clockwise direction, so that the stop contour 25 engages with the stop 8. The movement of the worm wheel 6 is thereby limited, braked and the worm wheel 6 is oriented in the appropriate position for re-opening the locking means 9.

Only after the locking device 9 has been closed again or the pawl 11 has engaged the rotary latch 10 does the damping mechanism 19 pivot again into the initial position shown in fig. 1, so that the stop 8 can rotate through the cutout 23.

The extension 26 on the release lever 18 serves here to pivot the locking or blocking lever 17 in the clockwise direction about the pivot axis 27.

In fig. 3, the release lever 18 and the damping mechanism 19 are shown in an enlarged three-dimensional view and are separated from the closing device 1. Fig. 3 shows the initial position according to fig. 1, in which the damping mechanism 19 is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction, so that the cutout 23 opens up a space for the stop 8 of the control wheel 6 to pivot through. The stop contour 25 and the damping element 28 arranged on the stop contour 25 can also be clearly seen. A further damping element 29 in the bearing point 30 serves to further improve the acoustic effect of the closing device 1. Furthermore, a further damping element 31 can be seen, which can be used, for example, for interacting with the storage rod 24.

Fig. 4 shows a three-dimensional view of the damping mechanism 19, in which a further damping element 32 can be seen, which can be used, for example, as a damping element for other lock components and/or the damping mechanism itself.

By the construction of the damping mechanism 19 according to the invention, a low-noise interaction of the lock components can be achieved, in particular an opening noise of the locking device 9 can be reduced overall. Furthermore, the damping mechanism 19 provides a cost-effective solution which can be integrated into the closing device 1 with a minimal construction.

List of reference numerals:

1 closing device

2 drive unit

3 electric motor

4 output shaft

5 Worm

6 worm wheel

7 control Profile

8 stop part

9 locking device

10 rotating lock fork

11 locking claw

12 main locking position

13. 14, 20, 22, 27 axes

15 lock box

16 Lock keeper

17 locking or deadlocking lever

18 release lever

19 damping mechanism

21 control profile

23 gap

24 storage pole

25 stop profile

26 extension part

28. 29, 31, 32 damping element

P arrow head