Lock, in particular for motor vehicle doors

• US 6,523,376 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2001
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG (Vodafone Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG (Vodafone Group PLC)
• Inventors: Lübben, Jens, Baukholt, Theo, Rathmann, Klaus-Peter, Petzold, Sven
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US09/804,428
• Publication Number:
  US 20010029759A1
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 702/62--64, 702/56, 702/57, 702/77, 702/787, 702/791, 292/201, 292/199, 292/216, 292/336.3
• US Class Current: 70/256
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/12 Automatic locking or unlocking at the moment of collision
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/26 specially adapted for child safety
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/28 for anti-theft purposes, e.g. double-locking or super-locking
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/30 allowing opening by means of an inner door handle, even if the door is locked
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/14 operating on bolt detents, e.g. for unlatching the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/36 Locks for passenger or like doors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5973 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5978 With switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7102 And details of blocking system [e.g., linkage, latch, pawl, spring]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7107 And alternately mechanically actuated by a key, dial, etc.

Abstract

A lock suitable for use in a motor vehicle door has a rotary latch, a locking wedge, a pawl, a setting device, and a transmission device wherein the rotary latch cooperates with the locking wedge to be locked in a locking position by the pawl. Upon actuation of a manipulator, the setting device brings the pawl electrically at least into one opening position. The transmission device brings the pawl into its opening position by actuation of the manipulator over a displacement range which is greater than a displacement range of an electric unlocking.

Claims

1. A lock suitable for use in a motor vehicle door, comprising:

a rotary latch, a locking wedge, a pawl, a setting device, and a transmission device;

wherein said rotary latch cooperates with said locking wedge to be locked in a locking position and held in said locking position by said pawl;

wherein said setting device includes motorized means, responsive to operation of a manipulator along a first path of travel, for driving said pawl to an opening position which frees said latch from said locking position, said manipulator comprising a handle;

said transmission device interconnects said manipulator with said pawl, and includes means responsive to operation of said manipulator along a second path of travel, longer than said first path of travel, for driving said pawl to said opening position; and

said setting device is coupled to said pawl by a mechanical connection permitting said transmission device to displace said pawl to said opening position independently of a position of said setting device.

2. A lock according to claim 1, further comprising:

a control device having a actuation-detection device operative in response to a movement of the manipulator, and a signal line interconnecting the manipulator and the actuation-detection device to the setting device;

wherein said pawl has an arm, and said transmission device has at least a first swingable lever extending into a region of the pawl; and

upon actuation of the manipulator and upon said actuation-detection device being placed in active position by the control device, said setting device acts on said pawl to bring said pawl into its opening position; and

a projection of said lever of said transmission device is brought into operative connection with said arm of said pawl upon actuation of the manipulator.

3. A lock according to claim 2, further comprising

a lock cylinder, and a second lever which is a linearly movable lever having a projection which is arranged in a region of said pawl;

wherein said second lever is brought into operative connection with said arm of said pawl upon actuation of said lock cylinder.

4. A lock according to claim 3, further comprising a second setting device coupled directly, or with the interposition of transmission elements, to said transmission device.

5. A lock according to claim 4, wherein said first lever of said transmission device is operatively coupled to said second setting device.

6. A lock according to claim 5, wherein said first lever is an inner lever of said lock.

7. A lock according to claim 4, wherein

said second setting device is an electromotive, an electromagnetic or a clapper relay, or a pneumatic setting device.

8. A lock according to claim 3, wherein

at least one of said first and said second levers is spring-loaded in a direction of swing.

9. A lock according to claim 3, wherein

at least one of said first and said second levers is connected by a Bowden cable to said manipulator and is actuatable independently of the other by said manipulator.

10. A lock according to claim 9, wherein said manipulator is an inside or outside door handle.

11. A lock according to claim 3, wherein

at least one of said first and said second levers is connected by a Bowden cable to said lock cylinder and is actuatable independently of the other by said manipulator.

12. A lock according to claim 3, wherein

said lock further comprises two Bowden cables connecting with a slide-block pusher, said first lever of said transmission device terminates in said slide-block pusher;

and

said pusher is slidably displaced by a core of either one of said Bowden cables.

13. A lock according to claim 12, wherein

said pusher comprises two parts, said parts being connected with respective ones of the Bowden cables.

14. A lock according to claim 3, further comprising an inner safety button;

and

wherein said pawl has a lever arm which is connected by connecting elements to said inner safety button.

15. A lock according to claim 14, further comprising

connecting elements for a direct or indirect movement of said pawl into its open position, said connecting elements being arranged between said manipulator and said pawl.

16. A lock according to claim 15, wherein movement of said pawl is accomplished via said second lever.

17. A lock according to claim 3, wherein

said setting device has moving means which, in a third position of said setting device, moves a projection of at least one of said first and said second levers out of the region of said pawl for inhibiting a bringing of said pawl into its open position by an actuation of the manipulator.

18. A lock according to claim 17, wherein

the third position of said setting device, at least when energy is present in said setting device, produces an anti-theft position of said lock in which said pawl cannot be brought into the open position either electromechanically or via said transmission device.

19. A lock according to claim 3, wherein

at least one of said first and said second levers is spring-loaded in a direction of actuation.

20. A lock according to claim 3, wherein

at least one of said first and said second levers is spring-loaded in a direction of swing and of actuation.

21. A lock suitable for use in a motor vehicle door, comprising:

a rotary latch, a locking wedge, a pawl, a setting device, and a transmission device;

wherein said rotary latch cooperates with said locking wedge to be locked in a locking position and held in said locking position by said pawl;

wherein said setting device includes motorized means, responsive to operation of a manipulator along a first path of travel, for driving said pawl to an opening position which frees said latch from said locking position, said manipulator comprising a handle;

said transmission device interconnects said manipulator with said pawl, and includes means responsive to operation of said manipulator along a second path of travel, longer than said first path of travel, for driving said pawl to said opening position; and

said setting device is coupled to said pawl by a mechanical connection permitting said transmission device to displace said pawl to said opening position independently of a position of said setting device;

an inner safety button; and

wherein said pawl has a lever arm which is connected by connecting elements to said inner safety button.

22. A lock according to claim 21, further comprising

connecting elements for a direct or indirect movement of said pawl into its open position, said connecting elements being arranged between said manipulator and said pawl.