LOCK COMPONENT

A lock component of a motor vehicle lock arrangement with a mechanical actuation chain for the transmission of actuation movements, the actuation chain can comprise at least one actuation lever, which is pivotable around an actuation lever axis. A compensation mechanism can be provided, by which the actuation lever axis may be displaced relative to a reference position at least once for mechanical tolerance compensation such that the actuation chain may transmit actuation movements with the actuation lever axis being displaced accordingly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a lock component of a motor vehicle lock arrangement and to a method for the assembly of such a lock component.

BACKGROUND

The motor vehicle lock arrangement in question is assigned to a motor vehicle door arrangement which comprises at least a motor vehicle door. The expression “motor vehicle door” is to be understood in a broad sense. It includes in particular side doors, back doors, lift gates, trunk lids or engine hoods. Such a motor vehicle door may generally be designed as a sliding door as well.

The motor vehicle lock arrangement generally comprises at least a motor vehicle lock that holds the motor vehicle door in its closed position and that allows to open the motor vehicle door depending on the current lock status.

Usually, the motor vehicle lock arrangement also includes an inner door handle and an outer door handle, which are coupled to the motor vehicle lock for actuation.

The motor vehicle lock arrangement may also comprise a closing aid module that provides a motorized adjustment of the motor vehicle door from a preliminary closed position into the main closed position.

The lock component in question may be, for example, any one of the above noted components of the motor vehicle lock arrangement. The known lock component (DE 103 37 392 A1), which is the starting point for the present invention, is provided with the usual lock elements catch and pawl, wherein the pawl may be deflected into a release position by actuation of an actuation lever. Accordingly, the known lock component is a motor vehicle lock which is normally situated in a motor vehicle door.

In order to deflect the pawl out of engagement from the catch the known motor vehicle lock comprises a mechanical actuation chain for the transmission of actuation movements, which actuation chain comprises an outer actuation lever, which is pivotable around a stationary actuation lever axis.

One cost factor for the known motor vehicle lock is generally the occurrence of mechanical tolerances. Those mechanical tolerances go back largely on manufacturing tolerances in housing components, gearing components, bearing components etc. The result of such mechanical tolerances is the fact that in the non actuated state of the actuation chain a play remains in the actuation chain which is hardly predictable. In the known motor vehicle lock the geometry of the components of the actuation chain may be modified for the compensation of mechanical tolerances.

One disadvantage of the known solution is the high structural complexity which leads to a reduction in mechanical robustness. Another disadvantage is the low compactness due to additional constructional components necessary.

It is the object of the invention to improve the known lock component of a motor vehicle lock arrangement such that a cost effective mechanical tolerance compensation is possible with high mechanical robustness and at the same time high compactness.

SUMMARY

The above noted object is solved for a lock component of a motor vehicle lock.

The basic idea underlying the invention is to provide a compensation mechanism for mechanical tolerance compensation by which the position of the actuation lever axis of at least one actuation lever may be adjusted. It has been found that for the adjustment of the position of the actuation lever axis a number of compact and at the same time mechanically robust solutions are possible.

The adjustment may be provided as an automatic adjustment, that may, for example, be spring driven. In an embodiment, the adjustment is taking place only once, such as during the assembly of the proposed lock component.

An embodiment is directed to a compensation mechanism with a compensation element, which is compensation eccentric. A pivoting adjustment of the compensation eccentric leads to a position change of the actuation lever axis. This position change allows in the end the desired tolerance compensation.

Some embodiments are directed to fixing the compensation mechanism in the respective compensation state. Some embodiments provide a snap mechanism for easy adjustment of the compensation element, which adjustment may be fixed by the fixing element.

The proposed solution for mechanical tolerance compensation is applicable for almost any lock component of a motor vehicle lock arrangement.

According to some embodiments, the lock component is a motor vehicle lock. In an embodiment the mechanical actuation chain serves the manual and/or motorized deflection of the pawl into its release position. In another an embodiment the actuation chain serves the adjustment of the catch from a preliminary lock position into a main lock position as a closing aid.

The proposed lock component may also be a component that is arranged separately from the motor vehicle lock, namely as a closing aid module for example. An effective mechanical compensation mechanism is essential for the reproducibility of operation for those modules as well.

Another embodiment is directed to a method for the assembly of a lock component as proposed above.

The idea underlying the second teaching is to perform mechanical tolerance compensation with the proposed compensation mechanism during the assembly of the proposed lock component. In further detail it is proposed that the sides of the play in the actuation chain, which can remain in the non actuated state of the actuation chain, may be adjusted via the compensation mechanism.

Performing the above noted mechanical tolerance compensation during assembly of the proposed lock components ensures the compensation of all tolerances that go back on the manufacturing processes described in the general part of the specification. With this it is possible to apply manufacturing processes with high mechanical tolerances that are particularly cost effective.

One embodiment provides a lock component of a motor vehicle lock arrangement with a mechanical actuation chain for the transmission of actuation movements, wherein the actuation chain comprises at least one actuation lever, which is pivotable around an actuation lever axis, wherein a compensation mechanism is provided, by which the actuation lever axis may be displaced relative to a reference position at least once for mechanical tolerance compensation such that the actuation chain may transmit actuation movements with the actuation lever axis being displaced accordingly.

In an embodiment, in the non-actuated state of the actuation chain, a play remains in the actuation chain, which size is adjustable by the adjustability of the position of the actuation lever axis.

In an embodiment, the compensation mechanism comprises a compensation element, by which adjustment the position of the actuation lever axis may be adjusted.

In an embodiment, the compensation element is a compensation eccentric, which is pivotable around a compensation axis, and that the actuation lever is hinged to the compensation eccentric with its actuation lever axis arranged eccentrically with respect to the compensation axis.

In an embodiment, the compensation mechanism comprises a fixing mechanism, with which the compensation element is fixable in its present position.

In an embodiment, the fixing mechanism comprises a fixing element, which may be brought into a fixing position, in which it fixes, in particular blocks, the compensation element in its present position.

In an embodiment, the fixing mechanism provides a snap mechanism with a snap element, such that the compensation element may be brought into different, mechanically stable positions in a snapping manner.

In an embodiment, the compensation element may be blocked in its present position by the fixing element entering into a blocking engagement with the snap element.

In an embodiment, the lock component is a motor vehicle lock with a catch and a pawl, which is assigned to the catch, wherein the catch can be brought into an opening position and into a closed position, wherein the catch, which is in the closed position, is or may be brought into holding engagement with a lock striker, wherein the pawl may be brought into an engagement position, in which it is in blocking engagement with the catch, wherein the pawl may be deflected into a release position, in which it releases the catch.

In an embodiment, the actuation chain serves for manual and/or motorized deflection of the pawl into its release position.

In an embodiment, for deflecting the pawl, the actuation lever or a deflection lever downstream the actuation lever towards the pawl is engageable with the pawl or a pawl lever, which is coupled to the pawl.

In an embodiment, the actuation chain serves for adjustment of the catch from a preliminary lock position into a main lock position as a closing aid.

In an embodiment, the lock component is a closing aid module for the motor vehicle lock and that the actuation chain serves for adjustment of the catch from a preliminary lock position into a main lock position as a closing aid.

In an embodiment, the lock component is a closing aid module for the motor vehicle lock and that the actuation chain serves for adjustment of the lock striker from a preliminary lock position into a main lock position as a closing aid.

In an embodiment, in a pre-assembled state, in the mechanical actuation chain of the motor vehicle lock, a play remains in the mechanical actuation chain, which size is being adjusted during assembly by adjusting the position of the actuation lever axis via the compensation mechanism.

In an embodiment, the position of the actuation lever axis is adjustable by the compensation mechanism in a direction lateral to the actuation lever axis.

In an embodiment, the compensation eccentric provides a bearing journal for a bearing bore of the actuation lever, or, that the compensation eccentric provides a bearing bore for a bearing journal of the actuation lever.

In an embodiment, the fixing element is designed as a fixing pin, which may be brought into fixing engagement with a counter element.

In an embodiment, the fixing element is designed as a fixing pin, which may be brought into blocking engagement with a counter element.

In an embodiment, the actuation lever is coupled to an outer actuation lever and/or an inner actuation lever.

In an embodiment, the deflection lever is hinged to the actuation lever eccentrically with respect to the actuation lever axis and that the deflection lever is or may be coupled to the pawl or a pawl actuation lever, which is coupled to the pawl.

In an embodiment, the deflection lever is part of a coupling arrangement between the actuation lever and the pawl.

In an embodiment, the mechanical actuation chain of the motor vehicle lock is in the non-actuated state of the actuation chain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The lock component1shown in the drawings is signed to a motor vehicle lock arrangement2. Such motor vehicle lock arrangement2may comprise a motor vehicle lock, an outer door handle, an inner door handle, an opening aid module etc. In the following the proposed lock component1is described with reference to the drawings, which show a lock component1which is being designed as a motor vehicle lock. All explanations given for the motor vehicle lock are applicable to all the other lock components that may be subject to the teaching of the present patent application.

The motor vehicle lock arrangement is assigned to a motor vehicle door arrangement which comprises at least a motor vehicle door not shown in the drawings. The expression “motor vehicle door” is to be understood in a broad sense as has been explained in the introductory part of the specification.

The motor vehicle lock1comprises a mechanical actuation chain3for the transmission of actuation movements. The actuation chain3comprises at least one actuation lever4, which is pivotable around an actuation lever axis4a.

A comparison ofFIGS. 1 and 2shows that in the mechanical actuation chain3of the motor vehicle lock1aplay P is provided, which size g1is smaller inFIG. 1than its size g2inFIG. 2. The above noted change of the size of the play P goes back on a compensation mechanism5, by which the position of the actuation lever axis4amay be adjusted relative to a reference position at least once for mechanical tolerance compensation, such that the actuation chain3may transmit actuation movements with the actuation lever4adisplaced accordingly.

It may well be taken fromFIGS. 1 and 2that the position p1of the actuation lever axis4ashown inFIG. 1and the position p2of the actuation lever axis4ashown inFIG. 2are different such that the size g1of the play P shown inFIG. 1is smaller than the size g2of the play P shown inFIG. 2. For clarification both positions p1,p2are indicated in the detail in view ofFIG. 2.

The reference position may be any position, relative to which all other positions of the actuation lever axis4amay be defined. For example displayed in the drawings, the position p1may well be a reference position in this context. However, the reference position may also be any position at or within the lock component.

It may also be suitable that the adjustability of the position of the actuation lever axis4ais provided only once by the compensation mechanism5, in particular during the assembly of the motor vehicle lock arrangement. However, it may also be advantageous to be able to adjust the position of the actuation lever axis4aduring normal service. It is also a possibility that the compensation mechanism5adjusts the position of the actuation lever axis4aautomatically during normal operation. In the shown embodiment, however, the adjustability is only provided once by the compensation mechanism5.

FIGS. 1 and 2show the actuation chain3of the motor vehicle lock1in the non actuated state. As noted above, a play P remains in the actuation chain3, which size g1, g2is adjustable by the adjustability of the position of the actuation lever axis4a. The play P is only shown in the drawings as an example. Obviously there may be play in other places within the mechanical actuation chain3. The position of the actuation lever axis4ais adjustable by the compensation mechanism5in a direction lateral to the actuation lever axis4a.

In the shown embodiment the compensation mechanism5comprises a compensation element6, by which adjustment the position of the actuation lever axis4amay be adjusted. A number of advantageous variants for the realization of the compensation element6are possible.

The embodiment shown in the drawings is provided with a compensation element6which is designed as compensation eccentric. The compensation eccentric6is pivotable around a compensation axis6a, wherein the actuation lever4is hinged to the compensation eccentric6with its actuation lever axis4aarranged eccentrically with respect to the compensation axis6a. With this simple construction it is possible to displace the actuation lever axis4asimply by pivoting the compensation eccentric6.

The above noted hinge of the actuation lever4to the compensation eccentric6is realized by the compensation eccentric6providing a bearing journal7for a bearing bore8of the actuation lever4. Conversely it may be advantageous that the compensation eccentric provides a bearing bore for a bearing journal of the actuation lever4.

In order to ensure that the compensation mechanism5stays in its position which has been set before the compensation mechanism5comprises a fixing mechanism9, with which the compensation element6, here the compensation eccentric6, is fixable in its present position.

Here the fixing mechanism9comprises a fixing element10, which may be brought into a fixing position (view III-III ofFIG. 3), in which it fixes, in particular blocks, the compensation eccentric6in its present position. It may be seen fromFIG. 3that the fixing element10can be designed as a fixing pin, which may be brought into fixing, here locking, engagement with a counter element11.FIG. 3shows that a counter element11is a wall segment12that comprises a cutout13.

The shown embodiment is particularly user friendly as the fixing mechanism9provides a snap mechanism with a snap element14, such that the compensation element6, here the compensation eccentric6, may be brought into different, mechanically stable positions in a snapping manner. In the shown embodiment the snap element14is designed in the art of a dowel that may be snap-fitted into the cutout13. Accordingly the compensation eccentric6may be pivoted around the compensation axis6asnapping from one pivot position to the next pivot position.

Interesting is now the fact that the compensation element6, here the compensation eccentric6, may be blocked in its present position by the fixing element10into a blocking engagement with the snap element14. In further detail the fixing element10may be driven into the dowel like snap element14such that the compensation element6, here the compensation eccentric6, is blocked in its present position as shown in dotted lines in view III-III ofFIG. 3.

It has been noted already that the proposed lock component1can be a motor vehicle lock as shown in the drawings. This motor vehicle lock1comprises the usual locking elements catch1aand pawl1b, which pawl1bis assigned to the catch1a. The catch1acan be brought into an open position (not shown) and into a closed position shown in the drawings. In the closed position the catch1ais or may be brought into holding engagement with a lock striker1c, which is shown in the drawings as well. The motor vehicle lock1is normally arranged at or in the motor vehicle door, but the lock striker1cis usually arranged at the motor vehicle body.

The pawl1bmay be brought into an engagement position, shown inFIG. 1, in which it is in blocking engagement with the catch1a. In the depicted embodiment, the pawl1bblocks the catch1ain its closed position in a mechanically stable manner such that the pawl1bitself does not have to be blocked. For release of the catch1ainto its open position, the pawl1bmay be deflected into a release position, which goes back on a deflection of the pawl1bin the anti-clockwise direction starting fromFIG. 1. The deflected pawl1breleases the catch1asuch that the catch1amay pivot into the direction of its opening position which is the anti-clockwise direction starting fromFIG. 1.

The actuation lever4is provided for deflecting the pawl1binto the release position. This deflection may take place based on manual and/or motorized actuation.

Here the actuation lever4may be coupled to a door handle15, and to an outer door handle15, such that the assigned motor vehicle door may be opened by actuating the door handle15, thereby actuating also the actuation lever4. The apparatus for coupling the outer door handle15to the actuation lever4is a bowden cable.

Depending on the application the actuation lever4may be coupled to an inner actuation lever as well. Such an inner actuation lever is not shown in the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2show that for deflecting the pawl1b, a deflection lever16downstream the actuation lever4towards the pawl1bis engageable with the pawl1b, or as is realized in the shown embodiment, with a pawl lever17. It may be also advantageous that the actuation lever4itself is engageable with the pawl1bor a pawl lever17. In any case, the pawl lever17is coupled to the pawl1bsuch that pivoting the pawl lever17in the anti-clockwise direction starting fromFIG. 1leads to a corresponding pivot motion of the pawl1bin the anti-clockwise direction.

It is apparent fromFIGS. 1 and 2that the deflection lever16is hinged to the actuation lever4eccentrically with respect to the actuation lever axis4aand that, as noted above, the deflection lever16is or may be coupled to the pawl1bor, as shown, to the pawl lever17, which is coupled to the pawl1b.

The deflection lever16is part of a coupling arrangement between the actuation lever4and the pawl1bwhich leads to a compact overall structure. By moving the deflection lever16in the clockwise direction starting fromFIG. 1the deflection lever16may be brought out of engagement from the pawl lever17. For this, a decoupling actuation18has to be introduced into the deflection lever16, which decoupling actuation is denominated with reference number18. The deflection lever16may also be part of a crash safety mechanism. According to this mechanism, an inertial characteristic of the deflection lever16causes a deflection movement along a free-wheeling path, in which the free-wheeling path the deflection lever16misses the engagement with the pawl lever17. This particular movement of the deflection lever16takes place, when the actuation movement surpasses a rapidity threshold that can only be caused by crash accelerations, which do not occur in normal operation. The motor vehicle lock that comprises such a crash mechanism is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/941,254 of Jul. 12, 2013, which goes back on the applicant of the present patent application and which is hereby included into the present patent application by reference.

As described above the actuation chain3of the proposed lock component1serves for deflecting the pawl1binto its release position. However, the proposed actuation chain3may be applied to a number of different areas.

One application for the proposed actuation chain3would be the function of a closing aid, which adjusts the catch1afrom a preliminary lock position into the shown main lock position. Such adjustment of the catch1awould be a pivot movement of the catch1ain the clockwise direction into the position shown inFIG. 1. The function of the closing aid may be integrated into the motor vehicle lock1. However, it may also be advantageous to realize the function of the closing aid in a closing aid module which is designed separately from the motor vehicle lock1.

It may also be advantageous to realize the function of a closing aid by having the actuation chain3serve for adjustment of the lock striker1cfrom a preliminary lock position into a main lock position, thereby pulling the assigned motor vehicle door into its fully closed position. Again the lock component can be a closing aid module which is realized separately from the motor vehicle lock1.

According to another teaching a method for the assembly of a proposed lock component1is being claimed. It is of particular importance for the second teaching that in a pre-assembled state and in the non-actuated state of the actuation chain3, a play remains in the actuation chain3, which size is being adjusted during assembly by adjusting the position of the actuation lever axis4avia the compensation mechanism5as explained above.

The above compensation during assembly may be performed with the help of a measuring apparatus to measure the size of the play P and at the same time to turn the compensation eccentric6until a predetermined play is reached. Due to the above noted snap element14this position of the compensation eccentric6is preliminarily fixed. Subsequently the fixing element10is driven into the snap element14such that the snap compensation eccentric6is finally blocked in its position.

With the compensation during assembly all tolerances that go back on the manufacturing process of housing components or the like may be compensated with almost no effort. Those manufacturing tolerances may accordingly be of considerable size without any functional disadvantage, which makes the manufacturing process particularly cost effective.