Patent ID: 12258795

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the figures, a motor vehicle lock is shown, which is shown only with the components thereof essential for the invention. Firstly, a latch case1in which a locking mechanism2,3is mounted can be seen. The locking mechanism2,3is composed, as usual, of a pawl2and a catch3, which are each rotatably mounted in the latch case1taking into account spaced axes of rotation, and which interact with one another in a known manner. In addition, a closing drive4may be provided, which, during the transition from the pre-ratchet position according toFIG.1A, finally transfers the catch3to the main ratchet position according toFIG.10via the intermediate position inFIG.1Bby pivoting the catch3in the indicated counterclockwise direction about the axis of rotation thereof.

In addition, a sensor arrangement5,6assigned to the locking mechanism2,3is realized, the detailed structure of which can best be seen inFIG.2. The sensor arrangement5,6is composed of a fixed sensor6and a sensing element5that influences the signals from the sensor6and follows the locking mechanism2,3.

In the context of the exemplary embodiment, a single sensing element5is provided, which is designed to be movable and follows the movements of the locking mechanism2,3, in the present case connected to the catch3. In contrast, the sensor6is designed to be fixed and attached in or on the latch case1. The sensor6generates at least two different signals S1, S2associated with the presence and absence of the sensing element5in the region of influence of the sensor6. According to the invention, the single sensing element5additionally produces at least one further third signal S3from the single sensor6in accordance with the position thereof relative to the sensor6. According to the exemplary embodiment and as shown inFIG.3, a further third signal or a fourth signal S4is additionally generated with the aid of the sensing element5when the locking mechanism2,3assumes a certain position in the sensor6. All of the signals S1, S2, S3, S4lie within a measuring region or working region A of the sensor6.

The signal S1is associated with the pre-ratchet position according toFIG.1A. The intermediate position according toFIG.1Bis represented by the signal S3. The signal S2is the signal of the sensor6associated with the main ratchet position according toFIG.10. The fourth signal S4finally corresponds to an over-travel position (not shown) of the locking mechanism2,3, which occurs when the closing drive4acts on the catch, rotating counterclockwise about the axis of rotation thereof beyond the main ratchet position shown inFIG.10.

As already explained, the movable sensing element5is connected to the locking mechanism2,3, in the present case to the catch3. In addition, the sensing element5works without contact on the fixed sensor6. According to the exemplary embodiment, the sensing element5generates a varying magnetic flux in the sensor6. For this purpose, the sensor6in the exemplary embodiment is designed as a Hall sensor6, as can best be seen from the illustration inFIG.2.

The sensing element5has an arcuate design, asFIG.2clearly shows. The arcuate shape of the sensing element5is adapted to the pivoting movement of the catch3to be scanned. That is, according to the exemplary embodiment, the arcuate sensing element5and the catch3have the same radius as compared to a common axis of rotation7that can be seen inFIG.2.

Rotations of the catch3and thus of the arcuate sensing element5connected thereto by an angle φ shown inFIG.2with respect to the common axis of rotation7now, in the case of the sensor or Hall sensor6, cause the sensor6to generate a signal that is largely linear depending on the angle of rotation φ, which signal corresponds to a corresponding flux density B of the magnetic field lines in accordance with the diagram inFIG.3. Because in the case of a Hall sensor6the flux density B, which changes in accordance with the angle of rotation φ of the catch3and consequently of the sensing element5, influences the proportional output voltage ∪ generated at the sensor6in the same way and linearly, the different signals S1to S4can be distinguished from each other perfectly.

This is made clear byFIG.3, which shows the linear dependence of the flux density B or the output voltage ∪ at the sensor6on the angle φ of the catch3.

The overall design is such that the sensing element5causes a corresponding change in the magnetic flux only in the region of influence of the sensor or Hall sensor6. The region of influence of the sensor or Hall sensor6is indicated inFIG.3as the working region A and extends from the signal S1to the signal S4. It can be seen that in the working region A in question, the sensing element5generates a largely linear signal in the Hall sensor6in accordance with the angle of rotation φ of the catch3.

In order to achieve this in detail and in accordance with the illustration inFIG.2, the sensing element5is an arcuate permanent magnet. The magnetic flux of this arcuate permanent magnet or sensing element5is fed back via a so-called flux guide or two flux guides81and82having associated air gaps9as part of the latch case1and the likewise ferromagnetic axis of rotation7. Depending on the angular position of the arcuate permanent magnet or sensing element5and, consequently, the catch3, i.e. depending on the angle φ of the catch3, the arcuate magnet5is guided via the two flux guide pieces81and82, in the magnetic path of which the Hall sensor6is embedded in an air gap9. In this way, the linear dependency shown schematically inFIG.3between the magnetic flux density B generated and varying in the Hall sensor6and, consequently, the output-side voltage ∪ at the Hall sensor6is generated in accordance with the angle or angle of rotation φ of the catch3with respect to the axis of rotation7thereof.

The sensor or Hall sensor6is in turn connected to a control unit10. The control unit10can evaluate the signals from the sensor6, for example, to control an anti-jamming protection and/or an alarm system and/or safety devices, as already described in the introduction.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1latch case2pawl2,3locking mechanism3catch4closing drive5sensing element5,6sensor arrangement6sensor/Hall sensor7axis of rotation81,82flux guide pieces10control unitA working regionB flux densityS1, S2, S3, S4signals∪ output voltageφ angle/angle of rotation