element u201c 38 u201d through this interaction of the spring element u201c 38 u201d and the locking pawl u201c 7 u201d in accordance with the invention the locking pawl u201c 7 u201d is spring loaded in the engagement position in such a manner that the locking section u201c 8 u201d is forced in the direction of the rotary latch u201c 4 u201d whereas a movement of the locking pawl u201c 7 u201d from the engagement position to the opening position causes the locking pawl u201c 7 u201d to no longer be affected by the spring force of the spring element u201c 38 u201d because the coupling section u201c 18 u201d is pivoted away from the stationary first end u201c 39 u201d of the spring element u201c 38 u201d the locking pawl u201c 7 u201d therefore undergoes something resembling a u201c load change u201d though the spring force of the spring element u201c 38 u201d which pushes the locking section u201c 8 u201d into the engagement position is only effective when the vehicle door locking mechanism u201c 1 u201d is in the closed position the spring element u201c 38 u201d therefore does not have an effect on the mechanism if the locking pawl u201c 7 u201d is deflected out of the engagement position this allows for the use of a motorized drive unit with a lower power output for the operation of the vehicle door locking mechanism u201c 1 u201d as it is not required to overcome the spring force in order to move the locking pawl u201c 7 u201d due.