Locking drive for a central locking system

Claim 1

A locking drive for a central locking system of a motor vehicle, comprising: (a) a support; (b) a reversible electric motor mounted on the support; (c) a manual lock activating device adapted for movement relative to the support; (d) a force-transmitting gear mechanism of which the drive path transmitting the lock restoring forces comprises two force-transmitting parts guided for translatory movement on the support and of which a first force-transmitting part is operatively coupled to be driven in the locking direction and in the unlocking direction by the electric motor, and of which a second force-transmitting part is operatively coupled to be driven manually by means if the lock activating device in the locking direction and in the unlocking direction, the first force-transmitting part being disposed in the drive path between the electric motor and the second force-transmitting part, the second force-transmitting part carrying at least one catch pretensioned to elastically engage in a ratchet recess of the support, the first force-transmitting part comprising, associated with the catch, a lifting means for lifting the catch out of the ratchet recess, the first and the second force-transmitting parts being coupled to each other in the drive path via an idle travel coupling which permits a limited idle travel of the first and of the second force-transmitting part relative to each other; and (e) a locking means with a locking member for arresting the second force-transmitting part at least in the unlocking direction relative to the support and with a control arrangement controlling the locking member according to the position of the first force-transmitting part, the locking member being mounted on the second force-transmitting part for movement transversely of the direction of movement of the second force-transmitting part.