Method for actuating a pawl in a lock with a rotary latch for a motor vehicle

• US 7,029,039 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2005
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Schaefer, Axel, Rathmann, Klaus-Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Marcelo, Emmanuel M
• Application Number:
  US11/030,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20050145740A1
• Time in Patent Office: 463 Days
• Field of Search: 292/199, 292/201, 292/216, 292/336.3, 292/DIG.23, 70262-264, 702/56, 702/57, 702/59, 70277-279
• US Class Current: 292/199
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0013 more than one motor for the same function, e.g. for redundancy or increased power electric spare devices E05B2047/0087
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/14 operating on bolt detents, e.g. for unlatching the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/15 with means preventing the detent to return to its latching position before the bolt has moved to the unlatched position
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/66 the bolt position, i.e. the latching status
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/80 characterised by the power supply; Emergency power operation
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/86 using capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1079 Gear
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5973 Remote control

Abstract

According to the inventive method, a pawl which in a normal mode of operation is rotatably mounted about a point of rotation when it is in a closed position can be rotated by means of a first actuator, which is controlled by a main power supply and by means of a toothed gearwheel segment which is also rotatably mounted about said point of rotation and which can run freely in relation to the pawl, until an open position is obtained. In the event of an emergency, the pawl can be rotated by means of a second self-inhibiting actuator, which is controlled by the emergency power supply, by means of another rotatably mounted toothed gearwheel segment which comprises a toothed gearwheel having a smaller diameter and which engages with the toothed wheel segment, until an open position is obtained. The emergency power supply is then interrupted and the pawl is maintained in an open position.

Claims

1. A method for actuating a pawl in a lock with a rotary latch for a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

rotating the pawl, until the open position is reached, by a first actuator which is activated by a main power supply and by a gearwheel segment, the pawl arranged such that in a normal situation the pawl is in a closed position and mounted rotatably about a pivot, and the gearwheel segment is mounted rotatably about the pivot so as to run freely in relation to the pawl, or

in the event of an emergency, causing the pawl to rotate by a second, self-locking actuator, which is activated by an emergency power supply, via a further, rotatably mounted gearwheel segment which bears a gearwheel having a smaller diameter and which engages in the gearwheel segment until the open position is reached and then the emergency power supply is interrupted so that the pawl remains in the open position, and

wherein the emergency power supply is effected by means of a capacitor.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of activating the second, self-locking actuator by the main power supply until the self-locking action is canceled and the pawl passes into a closed position because of spring force of a pawl spring.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the emergency power supply is effected by means of a capacitor.