Emergency unlocking system for the trunk of a motor vehicle

• US 20060255595A1
• Filed: 05/09/2006
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Seidler, Sven, Schretzlmeier, Werner, Monnig, Ralf, Ikker, Marco
• Granted Patent: US 7,341,289 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 292/93
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/54 Automatic securing or unlocking of bolts triggered by certain vehicle parameters, e.g. exceeding a speed threshold triggered by vehicle collision E05B77/12
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/26 Emergency opening means for persons trapped in the luggage compartment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0908 Emergency operating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0909 Panel

Abstract

This invention relates to an emergency unlocking system for a motor vehicle trunk (2), with a trunk lock (6) which comprises at least one lock latch (7) and an interacting locking part (8), with a catch means (14) which limits the trunk opening motion and which comprises a catch hook (15) which can be actuated from outside the trunk (2) and an interacting catch hook engagement element (16) for canceling the motion limitation, and with an emergency unlocking means (20) which is located in the trunk (2) and which acts to open the trunk lock (6) and to release the catch means (14) when actuated. In order to offer an increased safety standard with a simple structure and to meet safety stipulations with respect to the speed-dependent allowability of emergency unlocking, the actions applied by the emergency unlocking means (20) to the trunk lock (6) and the catch means (14) are decoupled from one another.

Claims

1. An emergency unlocking system for a motor vehicle trunk comprising:

a trunk lock, comprising at least one lock latch and one interacting locking part,

a catch means which limits a trunk opening motion and comprises a catch hook which can be actuated from outside the trunk and an interacting catch hook engagement element for canceling the motion limitation, and

an emergency unlocking means located in the trunk, and acts to open the trunk lock and to release the catch means when actuated,

wherein the actions applied by the emergency unlocking means to the trunk lock and the catch means are decoupled from one another.

2. The unlocking system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a speed-dependent actuating element which above a defined or definable reference speed stops the releasing action of the emergency unlocking means on the catch means.

3. The unlocking system of claim 1, wherein the actuating element acts mechanically on the catch means.

4. The unlocking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the catch hook engagement element is made to be movable and wherein the emergency unlocking means is moved when the catch hook engagement element is actuated such that its motion-limiting action on the catch hook is cancelled.

5. The unlocking system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the catch hook engagement element can be pivoted to disengage from the catch hook.

6. The unlocking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the catch hook engagement element is a pin or clip located on a pivoting lever.

7. The unlocking system of claim 2, wherein the actuating element acts mechanically on the catch means.

8. The unlocking system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the catch hook engagement element is made to be movable and wherein the emergency unlocking means is moved when the catch hook engagement element is actuated such that its motion-limiting action on the catch hook is cancelled.

9. The unlocking system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the catch hook engagement element is a pin or clip located on a pivoting lever.

10. The unlocking system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the catch hook engagement element is made to be movable and wherein the emergency unlocking means is moved when the catch hook engagement element is actuated such that its motion-limiting action on the catch hook is cancelled.

11. The unlocking system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the catch hook engagement element is made to be movable and wherein the emergency unlocking means is moved when the catch hook engagement element is actuated such that its motion-limiting action on the catch hook is cancelled.

12. The unlocking system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the catch hook engagement element is a pin or clip located on a pivoting lever.