Modular lock for a door of a motor vehicle and door provided with this lock

• US 7,192,076 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2002
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures, Inc.
• Inventors: Ottino, Franco G.
• Primary Examiner(s): GUTMAN, HILARY L
• Application Number:
  US10/492,936
• Publication Number:
  US 20050104383A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,614 Days
• Field of Search: 296/146.1, 296/146.2, 296/146.4, 296/146.5, 296/146.9, 495/01, 495/02, 495/03
• US Class Current: 296/146.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0416 Assembly panels to be installed in doors as a module with components, e.g. lock or window lifter, attached thereto
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 79/20 using flexible connections, e.g. Bowden cables
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/06 using rotary motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/25 Actuators mounted separately from the lock and controlling the lock functions through mechanical connections
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/54 Electrical circuits for locking several wings simultaneously E05B77/48
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/36 Locks for passenger or like doors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1047 Closure

Abstract

A modular lock (1) for a door (2) of a motor vehicle is provided with a closure module (16) and a control module (17). The closure module (16) is provided with a first support body (18) which is integral with the door (2), and a closure mechanism (19) which is supported by the first support body (18) and can be connected to a striker (3) which is integral with an upright of the door (2), in order to give rise to closure of the door (2) itself. The control module (17) is provided with a second support body (20) which is integral with the door (2), and with an actuating assembly (21) which is supported by the second support body (20), and can control release of the closure mechanism (19) from the striker (3). The lock (1) is also provided with a flexible transmission (23) for remote connection between the actuating assembly (21) and the closure mechanism (19), in order to permit remote positioning of the closure module (16) and the control module (17) on the door (2).

Claims

1. A door (2) for a motor vehicle, having a lower box-type portion (7) which defines a cavity (10) to accommodate a modular lock (1) in turn comprising a closure module (16), a control module (17) and remote connection means (22) interposed between said modules (16, 17), said closure module (16) comprising a first support body (18), which is secured to said lower box-type portion (7), and a closure mechanism (19) which is supported by said first support body (18) and can be releasably connected to a striker (3), which is integral with an upright of said door (2) in order to give rise to closure of the door (2) itself, said control module (17) comprising a second support body (20), which is also secured to said lower box-type portion (7), and an actuating assembly (21) which is supported by said second support body (20) and comprises a plurality of levers (50, 51, 52, 55, 82) for controlling release of said closure mechanism (19) from said striker (3), said remote connection means (22) connecting said actuating assembly (21) and said closure mechanism (19) in order to permit remote positioning of said closure and control modules (16, 17) on said door (2),

said lower box-type portion (7) is subdivided by a baffle (13) which is impermeable to water, into a dry region (14), which faces the interior of the motor vehicle, and a humid region (15), which faces the exterior of the motor vehicle, and in that said closure module (16) is accommodated in said humid region (15) to cooperate with said striker (3) and said control module (17) is accommodated in said dry region (14) and includes unsealed electric components (100, 109, 110, 124), said remote connection means (22) passing through said baffle (13) to connect said modules (16, 17), and

a pre-assembled functional unit (121) accommodated inside said dry region (14) and in turn comprising a support member (122), which can be connected integrally to an inner panel (9) of said door (2) and supports said control module (17), an electrically controlled glass-raising device (123), and printed circuit means (124) for connecting at least said control module (17) and said glass-raising device (123) electrically to the motor vehicle.

2. A door according to claim 1, characterised in that said remote connection means (22) comprises a flexible transmission (23).

3. A door according to claim 2, characterised in that said transmission (23) comprises a sheath (62) and a cable (65) which slides inside said sheath (62), and has opposite ends which are connected respectively to an output member (50) of said actuating assembly (21), and to an input member (31) of said closure mechanism (19).

4. A door according to claim 3, characterised in that said closure mechanism (19) comprises a fork (30) which is pivoted on said first support body (18) and defines an engagement seat (34) for said striker (3), and a pawl (31) which is also pivoted on said support body (18) and co-operates with said fork (30), in order to lock said closure mechanism (19) such that said fork (30) can be released in a position of closure on said striker (3), said pawl (31) defining said input member of said closure mechanism (19).

5. A door according to claim 4, characterised in that said printed circuit means (124) comprises a plurality of conductive tracks (129), which are secured directly to said support member (122).

6. A door according to claim 5, characterised in that said conductive tracks (129) are pressed jointly onto said support member (122).

7. A door according to claim 6, characterised in that said support member (122) has an attachment section (127) for manual control means (53, 93, 96) which are associated with said door (2).