IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,624,579
Granted Patent B2
US 12,624,579 · App. 18/712,392 · Granted May 12, 2026

Motor vehicle with a locking system

Inventors: Ömer Inan (Dorsten, DE); Michael Scholz (Essen, DE); Holger Schiffer (Meerbusch, DE); Uwe Reddmann (Essen, DE)
Assignee: KIEKERT AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
E05B77/12E05B81/90
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,624,579
App. No.
18/712,392
Granted
May 12, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A motor vehicle locking system having a locking mechanism with a rotary catch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary catch can be latched in at least one latching position by means of the pawl in order to hold a lock striker; a control unit; and a pyrotechnic actuator, wherein the pyrotechnic actuator can be activated by means of the control unit, and the locking mechanism can be unlocked by means of the pyrotechnic actuator.

Claims (17)

1 . A motor vehicle locking system comprising:

a locking mechanism with a rotary catch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary catch is latched by the pawl at least in one latching position in order to hold a lock striker;

a control unit; and

a pyrotechnic actuator, wherein the pyrotechnic actuator is activated by the control unit, and wherein the locking mechanism is unlocked by activating the pyrotechnic actuator,

a retaining lever, wherein the lock striker is retained by the retaining lever, and an emergency actuation handle, wherein after activation of the pyrotechnic actuator, the emergency actuation handle is released, and wherein the retaining lever is moved out of engagement with the lock striker by the emergency actuation handle.

2 . The motor vehicle locking system according to claim 1 , wherein the pyrotechnic actuator acts indirectly on the pawl via an actuating lever chain to disengage the pawl from the rotary catch.

3 . The motor vehicle locking system according to claim 1 , wherein the pawl and the retaining lever are actuated jointly by activating the pyrotechnic actuator.

4 . The motor vehicle locking system according to claim 1 , further comprising an opening lever, wherein an actuating force is directed into the lock striker by the opening lever.

5 . The motor vehicle locking system according to claim 4 , wherein the opening lever is actuated by activating the pyrotechnic actuator.

6 . The motor vehicle locking system according to claim 4 , wherein the opening lever is mounted on an axis of rotation of the pawl.

7 . The motor vehicle locking system according to claim 1 , wherein the retaining lever is mounted on an axis of rotation of the rotary catch.

8 . The motor vehicle locking system according to claim 1 , wherein the pyrotechnic actuator acts directly on the pawl to disengage the pawl from the rotary catch.

9 . The motor vehicle locking system according to claim 1 , further comprising a crash sensor, wherein the control unit is configured to activate the pyrotechnic actuator in response to a signal received from the crash sensor.

10 . The motor vehicle locking system according to claim 9 , wherein the control unit is configured to activate the pyrotechnic actuator after a predetermined time interval from receiving the signal from the crash sensor.

11 . The motor vehicle locking system according to claim 1 , wherein the pyrotechnic actuator includes a propellant charge that drives movement of the pyrotechnic actuator.

12 . The motor vehicle locking system according to claim 1 , wherein the pyrotechnic actuator is manually actuatable by operation of a door handle.

13 . The motor vehicle locking system according to claim 1 , wherein the pyrotechnic actuator is manually actuatable.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 22, 2024
From: INAN, ÖMER; SCHOLZ, MICHAEL; SCHIFFER, HOLGER; REDDMANN, UWE
To: KIEKERT AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 067491/0880 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2021 131 891.2 · Dec 3, 2021 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250003261A1 · Jan 2, 2025
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