AU2015202243B2

AU2015202243B2 - Coupling device

Info

Publication number: AU2015202243B2
Application number: AU2015202243A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Conny Bochmann; Falko Schubert
Original assignee: ABUS August Bremicker Soehne KG
Current assignee: ABUS August Bremicker Soehne KG
Priority date: 2014-04-30
Filing date: 2015-04-30
Publication date: 2019-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2035-04-30
Also published as: DE102014106110B4; EP2940232A1; EP2940232B1; DE102014106110A1; AU2015202243A1

Abstract

Abstract The invention relates to a clutch device for a door unlocking mechanism having a 5 rotatable input element; a rotatable output element; a coupling element which is displaceably supported at the input element between a decoupling position and a coupling position, wherein the coupling element decouples the input element from the output element in the decoupling position and couples the input element to the output element in a rotationally effective manner in the coupling position; at least 10 one blocking element which is displaceable between a release position and a blocking position; and an electrically controllable actuating device for the displacement of the blocking element. A movable guide element is provided between the blocking element and the coupling element, which movable guide element is preloaded in the direction of an engagement position and comprises a 15 guide track for the coupling element. In the release position, the blocking element releases the guide element for a yielding into a yield position and in the blocking position it blocks the guide element in the engagement position. t vA4 A IAx nt

Description

Clutch device

The invention relates to a clutch device for a door unlocking mechanism, having a rotatable input element; a rotatable output element; a coupling element which is displaceably supported at the input element between a decoupling position and a coupling position, with the coupling element decoupling the input element from the output element in the decoupling position and coupling the input element to the output element in a rotationally effective manner in the coupling position; at least one blocking element which is displaceable between a release position and a blocking position; and an electrically controllable actuating device for the (direct or indirect) displacement of the blocking element.

Such a clutch device serves selectively to couple a door actuating device, for example a door handle or a door knob, to a door unlocking mechanism to be able to actuate said door mechanism from the outer side of the door. This coupling can, for example, take place after a user with authorized access has been authenticated. A control device associated with the clutch device can, for example, check a wirelessly transmitted code or a code entered via a keyboard and, in the case of a positive check result, can control the clutch device accordingly.

To bring about the desired coupling, a coupling element is ultimately displaced from a decoupling position into a coupling position. In the decoupling position, an input element of the clutch device is freely rotationally movable relative to an output element. In the coupling position, the coupling element effects a rotationally effective coupling of the input element to the output element. To displace the coupling element into the coupling position and/or to hold it in the coupling position, it is known to displace a blocking element from a release position into a blocking position by means of an electrically controllable actuating device.

2015202243 20 Feb 2019

A clutch device is known from DE 696 30 795 T2 in which a coupling pin is traveled into the separating plane between a rotatable input element and a rotatable output element by means of an electric motor so that the output element, together with the coupling pin, follows a rotational movement of the input element.

A similar clutch device is known from EP 1 576 246 B1 in which a coupling pin is displaced for the engaging and in which, in the case of the rotational movement of an input element in the engaged state, the coupling pin is moved away from the associated advance means.

A clutch device is known from DE 103 20 873 A1 in which a coupling element yields in the axial direction in a disengaged state in the case of a rotational movement of an input element, wherein, in an engaged state, a blocking element blocks the coupling element against the axial yielding movement so that the coupling element rotationally fixedly connected to an output element follows the rotational movement of the input element.

The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved clutch device of the named kind which allows a fast switch over into an engagement state and also has a high protection against manipulation and a small energy consumption.

The present invention provides a clutch device for a door unlocking mechanism, having:

2a

2015202243 20 Feb 2019

- a rotatable input element;

- a rotatable output element;

- a coupling element which is displaceably supported at the input element between a decoupling position and a coupling position, wherein the coupling element decouples the input element from the output element in the decoupling position and couples the input element to the output element in a rotationally effective manner in the coupling position;

- at least one blocking element which is displaceable between a release position and a blocking position; and

- an electrically controllable actuating device for displacing the blocking element;

the clutch device including a movable guide element which is provided between the blocking element and the coupling element, which is preloaded in the direction of an engagement position and which has a guide track for the coupling element, wherein, in the release position, the blocking element releases the guide element to allow a yielding into a yield position and in the blocking position it blocks the guide element in the engagement position, and wherein the blocking element is displaceable along a direction of displacement between the release position and the blocking position, wherein the actuating device adjusts a blocking member along an adjustment direction which differs from the direction of displacement, wherein the blocking member and the blocking element cooperate via support sections and guide chamfers to convert an adjustment movement of the blocking member into a blocking movement of the blocking element, but not to convert a yielding back movement of the blocking element into a yielding back movement of the blocking member.

2015202243 25 Jun 2015

In the clutch device in accordance with the invention, a guide element is arranged between the blocking element and the coupling element and which has a guide track to guide the coupling element and to fix the position of the coupling element (decoupling position or coupling position). The guide element is preloaded in the direction of an engagement position; however, it can yield back into a yield position. In this disengaged state of the clutch device, the coupling element admittedly rotates together with the input element, but the coupling element is located out of engagement with the output element since the guide element yields back when acted on by the coupling element and the coupling element is therefore not brought into engagement with the output element.

If, in contrast, the blocking element is in the blocking position and hereby blocks the guide element against a yielding back into the yield position, the coupling element necessarily moves along the guide track of the blocked guide element in the case of a rotational movement of the input element and is hereby brought into engagement with the output element to bring about a desired coupling of the output element to the input element. This engagement state of the clutch device is set temporarily, for example, if an associated control device has successfully carried out an authentication and controls the actuating device in order briefly to set the blocking element into the blocking position for an impending rotary actuation of the input element.

In the clutch device in accordance with the invention, the blocking element thus does not serve for the blocking of the coupling element rotating together with the input element. But the coupling element rather cooperates with a movable guide element. This guide element is selectively blocked in the engagement position by means of the blocking element.

It is an advantage of the clutch device in accordance with the invention that the displacing of the coupling element into the coupling position is effected indirectly, namely as a consequence of a rotary actuation of the input element by the

2015202243 25 Jun 2015 authorized user. No electrical energy for the actuating device is thus required for the displacement of the coupling element.

The coupling element can, for example, be preloaded in the direction of the guide track of the guide element by means of a preloading device or it can cooperate with the guide track of the guide element by compulsory guidance (in particular slot guidance). It is thus reliably prevented that the position of the coupling element is influenced from the outside in an unauthorized manner, for example, by blows or by the application of magnetic fields. A high security against manipulation therefore hereby results.

The guide element can be stable and correspondingly solid to support the coupling element along a wide rotary angle range of the input element. The actuating device must nevertheless only displace the blocking element along a short travel path and the blocking element can have a comparatively small mass to block the trajectory of the guide element in its blocking position. A fast switch over of the clutch device into an engagement state is thus possible by the relatively slight displacement of the light blocking element as soon as an associated control device accordingly controls the actuating device on the basis of a successful authentication.

A further advantage of the clutch device in accordance with the invention is that different directions of movement of the movably supported components of the clutch device can be implemented by the guide element arranged between the blocking element and the coupling element. These different directions of movement can extend at least partly transversely (preferably perpendicular) to one another. On the one hand, the security against manipulation is hereby increased even further since a blow delivered to the clutch device from the outside in a specific direction can only displace one of the components by way of manipulation which form the explained operational chain of blocking element, guide element

2015202243 25 Jun 2015 and coupling element. On the other hand, it is prevented by the interposition of the guide element that input forces from the rotatable input element or from the coupling element taken along by it are transmitted via the blocking element to the actuating device. A simple support (e.g. a linear support) of the guide element and of the blocking element is thus possible and the actuating device only has to be designed to displace the blocking element which, as explained, can be comparatively light.

The rotatable output element of the clutch device in accordance with the invention also does not have to support any forces from the coupling element in the decoupled state.

In accordance with an advantageous embodiment, the coupling element is preloaded in the direction of the decoupling position by means of a first preloading device, wherein the guide element is preloaded in the direction of the engagement position by means of a second preloading device, with the preloading effect of the first preloading device being larger than the preloading effect of the second preloading device. It is effected by the first preloading device that the coupling element always acts on the guide track of the guide element. It is effected by the second preloading device that the guide element generally adopts the engagement position. Since the preloading effect of the first preloading device is larger than the preloading effect of the second preloading device, the guide element can be deflected into the yield position by a corresponding cooperation between the coupling element and the guide track of the guide element, provided the blocking element is in the release position.

Alternatively to the use of two such preloading devices, a single preloading device can be provided (at the side of the coupling element or at the guide element), with the coupling element being able to cooperate with the guide track, as already

2015202243 25 Jun 2015 explained, via a compulsory guidance (e.g. a slot guidance with engagement of a guide spigot into a guide groove).

In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment, the coupling element is supported in a linearly (i.e. a straight line) displaceable manner at the rotatable input element and is in particular displaceable only in a linear manner. A particularly simple support of the coupling element hereby results. The coupling element can in particular be supported displaceably in a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation of the input element.

It is furthermore preferred that the coupling element engages into a peripheral coupling opening of the output element when the coupling element is in the coupling position. A simple shape of the coupling element and a reliable shapematched engagement into the output element of the clutch device are hereby achieved. The coupling element preferably comprises a coupling pin.

In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment, in a first rotary angle range of the input element, the guide element cooperates with the coupling element via the guide track such that the guide element is urged into the yield position by the coupling element located in the decoupling position if the blocking element adopts the release position and such that the guide element sets the coupling element into the coupling position if the blocking element blocks the guide element in the engagement position. The guide track of the guide element and the coupling element are thus coordinated such that in a disengaged state of the clutch device the guide element is moved into its yield position when the input element is rotationally actuated and the coupling element rotating together with the input element moves along the guide track of the guide element. In the engaged state, in contrast, that is when the blocking element blocks the guide element in the engagement position, the rotating coupling element is set into the coupling position by the guide track of the guide element, in which coupling position the

2015202243 25 Jun2015 coupling element couples the input element to the output element of the clutch device. Such an operational relationship between the coupling element and the guide track of the guide element can in particular be provided in a limited rotary angle range of the input element, starting from a position of rest.

To establish such an operational relationship, the guide track of the guide element is preferably formed as a control ramp which is inclined about the axis of rotation of the input element with respect to an (imaginary) circular trajectory.

It is furthermore advantageous if in a second rotary angle range of the input element, which can in particular directly adjoin the named first rotary angle range, the guide element cooperates with the coupling element via the guide track such that the guide element is held in the yield position by the coupling element located in the decoupling position if the blocking element continues to adopt the release position and such that the guide element holds the coupling element in the coupling position if the blocking element continues to block the guide element in the engagement position. The coupling element can hereby also be held in the coupling position in the engaged state of the clutch device by the guide track of the guide element even with an extended rotational actuation of the input element. In the disengaged state of the clutch device, in contrast, the guide element also remains deflected with a continued rotational actuation of the input element.

Such an operational relationship between the guide track of the guide element and the coupling element can be established in a simple manner in that the guide track is formed as a circular trajectory whose center lies on the axis of rotation of the input element.

The guide element is preferably supported in a linearly movable manner, for example, at a housing of the clutch device. A particularly simple support of the guide element hereby results. The guide element can in particular be supported in a linearly displaceable manner in a radial direction with respect to the axis of

2015202243 25 Jun2015 rotation of the input element. Alternatively to this, the guide element can, however, also be supported in a linearly displaceable manner in an axial direction with respect to the axis of rotation of the input element, i.e. the explained yielding of the guide element in this case takes place along the axis of rotation of the input element.

As regards the blocking element, it can be adapted to block a trajectory of the guide element in its blocking position in order hereby to block the guide element in the engagement position.

The blocking element is preferably displaceable along a direction which extends transversely (in particular perpendicular) to the direction of movement of the guide element. An improved security against manipulation is, as explained, hereby achieved.

The electrically controllable actuating device can directly displace the blocking element (or the plurality of blocking elements) in particular in that the electrically controllable actuating device engages directly at the respective blocking element.

Alternatively to this, in accordance with a particularly advantageous embodiment, the blocking element is displaceable along a direction of displacement between the release position and the blocking position, with the electrically controllable actuating device adjusting a blocking member along an adjustment direction which differs from the direction of displacement, and with the blocking member and the blocking element cooperating via support sections and guide chamfers in order admittedly to convert an adjustment movement of the blocking member (directed in the sense of an engaging) into a blocking movement of the blocking element (directed in the sense of a blocking of the guide element). However, in this embodiment the blocking member and the blocking element also preferably cooperate via the support sections and the guide chamfers such that a yielding

2015202243 25 Jun 2015 back movement of the blocking element (directed in the sense of a release of the guide element) is not converted into a yielding back movement of the blocking member (directed in the sense of a disengagement). The support sections of the blocking member and of the blocking element can for this purpose be aligned in parallel with one another and orthogonally to the direction of movement of either the blocking member or of the blocking element, whereas the guide chamfers of the blocking member and of the blocking element can each be aligned at a slant to the direction of movement of the blocking member or of the blocking element.

A further change of direction is thus implemented by such an indirect displacement of the blocking element by means of the actuating device along the operational chain between the actuating device and the coupling element, whereby the security against manipulation is increased even further. Furthermore, a plurality of blocking elements can hereby be displaced simultaneously (in particular into different directions of displacement), namely in that the blocking member engages at a plurality of blocking elements. In addition, the transfer of actuation forces and/or preloading forces from the direction of the input element or of the guide element onto the actuating device can be prevented.

In the aforesaid embodiment, it is preferred if the blocking member is length variable with a spring preload in order to be able to take up an adjustment movement of the actuating device and to be able to store it as an adjustment force in the event of a blocking of the blocking element in its release position. The blocking member can, for example, comprise a first section associated with the actuating device and a second section associated with the blocking element, said two sections being movable relative to one another along the named adjustment direction and being preloaded in opposite directions by means of a preloading device which serves as a force storer. If the blocking element is blocked in its release position, for example, because the guide element is in its yield position, while the actuating device is controlled for an engagement, the blocking member

2015202243 25 Jun2015 formed in this manner can be temporarily compressed and can finally displace the blocking element into the blocking position by the stored adjustment force, as soon as the blocking of the blocking element has been canceled (i.e. as soon as the guide element is again in the engagement position). An erroneous operation is thus prevented.

The blocking element is preferably preloaded in the direction of its release position. In this case, the blocking element is therefore displaced into the blocking position against its preload by means of the actuating device, with the preloading effect, however, assisting a return movement of the blocking element into its release position. An inherent holding of the aforesaid blocking member in an end position can optionally be effected by such a preload of the blocking element (in particular of a pair of blocking elements preloaded in opposite directions). A holding by friction engagement can in particular be effected by the preload of the respective blocking element which in the end position corresponds to the blocking position of the respective blocking element. The blocking member can, for example, be held by a clamp fit between two blocking elements which are preloaded with respect to one another. Alternatively or additionally, it can be prevented by such a preload of the blocking element (or a pair of blocking elements preloaded in opposite directions) that the aforesaid blocking member does not accidentally move into the trajectory of the respective blocking element (for example, due to gravity, vibration or other external influences).

As regards the electrically controllable actuating device, it preferably comprises an electric motor having a threaded spindle. A linear drive having a high gear reduction can hereby be implemented in a simple manner and in a compact construction. However, any other kind of geared motor is generally also suitable. The actuating device can, for example, comprise an electromagnet as an alternative to an electric motor.

2015202243 25 Jun2015

The invention will be explained in the following only by way of example with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 5

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5 shows a clutch device in a disengaged state in a crosssectional representation, with an input element adopting a middle position;

shows the clutch device in the disengaged state, with the input element being rotated with respect to the middle position;

shows the clutch device in an engagement state, with the input element in turn adopting the middle position;

shows the clutch device in an engaged state, with the input element being rotated with respect to the middle position; and shows parts of the clutch device in a longitudinal sectional representation.

The clutch device shown in Figs. 1 to 5 serves for selectively coupling, as a result of a suitable authentication, an input element 11, which is for example rotated by a user via a door handle or via a door knob (not shown) and via a square pin 13, with an output element 15 which is, for example, connected to a door unlocking mechanism (not shown) via a further square pin 17. The input element 11 and the output element 15 are rotatable independently of one another by a common axis of rotation A.

2015202243 25 Jun 2015

A coupling pin 21 is supported in a linearly displaceable manner at the input element 11. The coupling pin 21 is displaceable between a decoupling position (Figs. 1 to 3) and a coupling position (Fig. 4), wherein, in the coupling position, the coupling pin 21 engages into a coupling opening 23 provided at the outer periphery of the output element 15. The coupling pin 21 is preloaded in accordance with Figs. 1 to 3 in the direction of the decoupling position by means of a preloading device 25 fixed at the input element 11 (e.g. a pressure spring).

The input element 11 and the output element 15 are received in a housing 27 of the clutch device.

The clutch device shown furthermore comprises a guide element 31 which is supported in a linearly movable manner in the housing 27 along a direction of movement B and admittedly in a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation

A. The guide element 31 is preloaded in the direction of an engagement position (Figs. 1,3 and 4) by means of a further preloading device 33 (e.g. further pressure springs). The guide element 31 can, however, be urged back in the direction of a yield position (Fig. 2). The guide element 31 has a guide track 35 for the guiding of the coupling pin 21. The guide track 35 comprises a central ramp section 37, which is substantially inclined V-shaped about the axis of rotation A with respect to a circular trajectory, and two circular trajectory sections 39 which adjoin the ramp section 37 at both sides and which are formed as circular trajectories with respect to the axis of rotation A (i.e. the center lies on the axis of rotation A). The guide element 31 furthermore comprises two legs 41 which slant away from the two ends of the guide track 35 and each have a latching recess 43.

The clutch device shown furthermore comprises two blocking elements 51 which are supported in a linearly displaceable manner at the housing 27 along a direction of displacement C and which can be displaced between a respective release position (Figs. 1 and 2) and a respective blocking position (Figs. 3 and 4). The

2015202243 25 Jun 2015 blocking elements 51 are preloaded by means of a respective preloading device 53 (e.g. further pressure springs) in opposite directions in the direction of the respective release position. In the release position (Figs. 1 and 2), the respective blocking element 51 releases the guide element 31 for a yielding into the yield position (Fig. 2). In the blocking position (Figs. 3 and 4), the respective blocking element 51 blocks the guide element 31 in the engagement position in that the respective blocking element 51 engages into the associated latching recess 43 of the guide element 31.

A common blocking member 61 is associated with the two blocking elements 51 which is supported in a linearly movable manner at the housing 27 along an adjustment direction D. The blocking member 61 and the two blocking elements 51 cooperate via planar support surfaces and slanting guide surfaces, which are each provided at the longitudinal sides of the blocking member 61 and at the rear of the blocking elements 51, such that an adjustment movement of the blocking member 61 along the adjustment direction D is indeed converted by deflection into a blocking movement of the blocking elements 51 along the direction of displacement C, i.e. on the basis of the slanting guide surfaces at both sides, the two blocking elements 51 are urged outward against their respective preload in the direction of the respective latching recess 43 of the guide element 31 in the case of an upward movement of the blocking member 61 (with respect to the representation in Figs. 1 to 4). A respective yielding back movement of the blocking elements 51 (e.g. on the basis of the action by the respective preloading device 53) does, in contrast, not result in a yielding back movement of the blocking member 61 since the planar support surfaces at the rear of the blocking elements 51 connect at the lateral support surfaces of the blocking member 61 and thus no deflection effect is exerted on the blocking member 61 (Figs. 3 and 4).

The clutch device shown finally also comprises an electrically controllable actuating device 71 for the indirect displacement of the blocking elements 51,

2015202243 25 Jun2015 namely in that the blocking member 61 is adjusted and displaces the two blocking elements 51 outward by deflection in the manner explained. In the embodiment shown here, the actuating device 71 for this purpose comprises an electric motor 73 having a threaded spindle 75 which cooperates via a thread with the rotationally fixedly held blocking member 61.

The operation of the clutch device shown will be explained in the following.

In the disengaged state of the clutch device, the guide element 31 is indeed in the engagement position on the basis of the action by the associated preloading device 33 when the input element 11 - as is shown in Fig. 1 - adopts a middle position in which position the coupling pin 21 engages into the ramp section 37 of the guide track 35.

If, however, the input element 11 is rotated in the disengaged state, that is when the blocking elements 51 are retracted from the latching recesses 43 of the guide element 31, the coupling pin 21 of the input element 11, which is sliding along the guide track 35, urges the guide element 31 back into the yield position shown in Fig. 2, with the coupling pin 21 maintaining its position at the input element 11 (decoupling position). The preloading effect of the preloading device 25 associated with the coupling pin 21 is namely selected larger than the preloading effect of the preloading device 33 associated with the guide element 31. The rotational movement of the input element 11 is accordingly not transferred onto the output element 15.

During the explained rotation of the input element 11 (transition from the middle position in accordance with Fig. 1 into the rotated position in accordance with Fig. 2), the coupling pin 21 slides in a first rotary angle range of the input element 11 along the ramp section 37 of the guide track 35, whereby the urging back of the guide element 31 into the yield position is brought about. In an adjoining second

2015202243 25 Jun2015 rotary angle range of the input element 11, the coupling pin 21, which is in the decoupling position, travels along the adjacent circular trajectory section 39 of the guide track 35 and hereby continues to hold the guide element 31 in the yield position shown in Fig. 2.

In the engagement state of the clutch device, in contrast, the blocking elements 51 engage into the respective latching recess 43 of the guide element 31 and thus block said guide element in the engagement position since the blocking elements 51 hereby block the trajectory of the guide element 31, as is shown in Fig. 3.

If the input element 11 starting from the middle position in accordance with Fig. 3 is now rotated again, the guide element 31 can no longer yield back, but rather remains in the engagement position. This has the result that the coupling pin 21 in the input element 11 is displaced against its preload from the decoupling position into the coupling position, i.e. radially inward with respect to the axis of rotation A. The free end of the coupling pin 21 is for this purpose urged back from the guide ramp 35 of the blocked guide element 31. The coupling pin 21 hereby initially engages into the coupling opening 23 of the output element 15 so that the output element 15 is now coupled to the input element 11. In the further course of the rotational movement of the input element 11, the input element 11 thus drives the coupled output element 15 towards a rotational movement, as is shown in Fig. 4.

In detail, it behaves such that in a first rotary angle range of the input element 11, the coupling pin 21 at the ramp section 37 slides along the guide track 35 and is hereby displaced radially inwardly with respect to the axis of rotation A. In an adjoining second rotary angle range of the input element 11, the free end of the coupling pin 21 moves along the adjacent circular trajectory section 39 of the guide track 35 of the blocked guide element 31 so that the coupling pin 21 remains in the coupling position.

2015202243 25 Jun 2015

To move the clutch device from the disengaged state in accordance with Fig. 1 into the engagement state in accordance with Fig. 3, the actuating device 71 only has to adjust the blocking member 61 by a minimal displacement path, whereby the two blocking elements 51 are displaced against their respective preload by a correspondingly small displacement path. This can be clearly seen with reference to a comparison of Figs. 1 and 3. This adjustment actuation is triggered by a corresponding control of the actuating device 71 by means of an associated control device (not shown).

Since the two blocking elements 51 only have to be displaced by a minimal displacement path, the clutch device can be moved very fast from the disengaged state into the engagement state.

A further advantage of the clutch device shown is that the direction of displacement C of the blocking elements 51 travels perpendicular to the direction of movement B of the guide element 31 and additionally also perpendicular to the adjustment direction D of the blocking member 61. A higher protection against manipulation is hereby guaranteed since at most individual components, but not the entire operational chain from the blocking member 61 up to the coupling pin

21, can be influenced by blows to the clutch device. For, independently of the direction of the blow, at least one component is only movably supported in an orthogonal direction.

In accordance with an optional embodiment, the blocking member 61 can also be length variable with a spring preload, for example, in that the blocking member 61 is formed in two parts having an effective pressure spring therebetween. The blocking member 61 can hereby temporarily store an adjustment actuation by means of the actuating device 71 as an adjustment force and output said adjustment force to the blocking elements 51, as soon as the blocking elements 51 are again released for a displacement into their respective blocking position, when

2015202243 20 Feb 2019 upon a controlling of the actuating device 71 in the sense of an engaging, the guide element 31 is in the yield position in accordance with Fig. 2 and the guide element 31 hereby blocks the blocking elements 51 against an engaging into the latching recesses 43.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises”, is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

2015202243 25 Jun2015

15

21 23 25

27

33 35 37

39

43 51 53

61 71

A

B C D

Reference numeral list input element square pin output element square pin coupling pin coupling opening preloading device housing guide element preloading device guide track ramp section circular trajectory section leg latching recess blocking element preloading device blocking member actuating device electric motor threaded spindle axis of rotation direction of movement of the guide element direction of displacement of the blocking elements adjustment direction of the blocking member

Claims

The claims defining the invention are:

1. A clutch device for a door unlocking mechanism, having:

- a rotatable input element;

5 - a rotatable output element;

- a coupling element which is displaceably supported at the input element between a decoupling position and a coupling position, wherein the coupling element decouples the input element from the output element in the decoupling position and couples the input

10 element to the output element in a rotationally effective manner in the coupling position;

- at least one blocking element which is displaceable between a release position and a blocking position; and

- an electrically controllable actuating device for displacing the

15 blocking element;

the cutch device including a movable guide element which is provided between the blocking element and the coupling element, which is preloaded in the direction of an engagement position and which has a guide track for the coupling element,

20 wherein, in the release position, the blocking element releases the guide element to allow a yielding into a yield position and in the blocking position it blocks the guide element in the engagement position, and wherein the blocking element is displaceable along a direction of displacement between the release position and the blocking position,

25 wherein the actuating device adjusts a blocking member along an adjustment direction which differs from the direction of displacement, wherein the blocking member and the blocking element cooperate via support sections and guide chamfers to convert an adjustment movement of the blocking member into a blocking movement of the blocking element, but

2015202243 20 Feb 2019 not to convert a yielding back movement of the blocking element into a yielding back movement of the blocking member.
2. A clutch device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the coupling element is

5 preloaded in the direction of the decoupling position by means of a first preloading device, wherein the guide element is preloaded in the direction of the engagement position by means of a second preloading device, and wherein the preloading effect of the first preloading device is larger than the preloading effect of the second preloading device.
3. A clutch device in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the coupling element is supported in a linearly displaceable manner at the input element.
4. A clutch device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,

15 wherein the coupling element comprises a coupling pin which engages into a coupling opening of the output element when the coupling element is in the coupling position.
5. A clutch device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,

20 wherein, in a first rotary angle range of the input element, the guide element cooperates with the coupling element via the guide track such that - the guide element is urged into the yield position by the coupling element located in the decoupling position if the blocking element adopts the release position and

25 - the guide element displaces the coupling element into the coupling position if the blocking element blocks the guide element in the engagement position.

2015202243 20 Feb 2019
6. A clutch device in accordance with claim 5, wherein, in the first rotary angle range of the input element, the guide track comprises a guide ramp which is inclined about the axis of rotation of the input element with respect to a circular trajectory.
7. A clutch device in accordance with claim 5 or claim 6, wherein, in a second rotary angle range of the input element, the guide element cooperates with the coupling element via the guide track such that

- the guide element is held in the yield position by the coupling

10 element located in the decoupling position if the blocking element continues to adopt the release position, and

- the guide element holds the coupling element in the coupling position if the blocking element continues to block the guide element in the

15 engagement position.
8. A clutch device in accordance with claim 7, wherein, in the second rotary angle range of the input element, the guide track is formed as a circular trajectory about the axis of rotation of the input element.
9. A clutch device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide element is supported in a linearly movable manner.
10. A clutch device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,

25 wherein the blocking element blocks a trajectory of the guide element in the blocking position.
11. A clutch device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blocking member is length variable with a spring preload to be

30 able to take up an adjustment movement of the blocking member in the

2015202243 20 Feb 2019 event of a blocking of the blocking element in its release position and to be able to store it as an adjustment force.
12. A clutch device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,

5 wherein the blocking element is preloaded in the direction of its release position.
13. A clutch device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating device comprises an electric motor having a threaded

10 spindle.