DE102007035632B4 - Safety interlocking of interlocking buttons in case of load - Google Patents

Abstract

Safety lock (10) for locking a receptacle, which comprises a receiving part (12) and an associated lid (14), the lid (14) or the receiving part (12) having an operating button (16) with a latching member (18) which non-positively and / or positively on a locking element (20) provided in an opening / recess (22) of the receiving part (12) or the cover (14) assumes a locking position (I) which can be canceled by an actuation action (30) of the control button (16) , wherein the actuation action (30) on the control button (16) enables the non-positive and / or positive locking position (I) to unlock the receiving part (12) with respect to the cover (14) or vice versa, regardless of the load case, characterized in that, that the opening / recess (22) essentially laterally, orthogonally outgoing and counter to the direction of the actuating action (30) of the operating button (16) necessary for unlocking has set recesses (24) which are designed as step-like opening / recess (22) with different depths (T1, T2), the recesses (24) in the event of a load case caused by an impact event, in the case of a resulting relative movement of the receiving part ( 12) and the cover (14) to each other, enable the latching member (18) to move laterally into one of the recesses (24) essentially in the orthogonal direction to the actuation action (30) of the control button (16), whereby at least one form-fitting, in the case of a load, irreversible locking position can be achieved, in which the locking member (18) on the one hand on a contact surface of an edge-like shoulder (34) of the locking element (20) and on the other hand on a locking surface (26) opposite the edge-like shoulder (34) in the second depth (T2) recessed recess (24) of the step-like opening / recess (22) comes to the jamming system.

Description

The invention relates to the locking of a receptacle formed from a receptacle part and an associated cover, in particular an armrest and / or central armrest of a motor vehicle configured as a receptacle, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Armrests designed as receptacles are used, for example, in driver and passenger seats in passenger vehicles and mostly as central armrests within rear seat benches.

A generic center armrest with a storage compartment designed as a receptacle is in the DE 100 54 548 A1 described. Here a rear seat bench with at least one foldable backrest part arranged in a backrest is mounted in a recess of the backrest by means of a joint. A backrest part designed as a folding part is pivotably mounted on a pivot axis located in the lower area of the backrest, whereby after pivoting the folding part in the direction of a seat part, a through-loading opening is created in the backrest to a loading space behind the backrest for the implementation of long goods. A pivotable armrest is arranged within the folding part about a further pivot axis lying above the pivot axis.

Of course, such armrests can also be used in coaches, railroad cars or the like.

In known armrests of the above-mentioned type, for example, when the closure fitting is actuated in the folded-up position of the armrest, the lid can be opened so that utensils located in the tub-like receiving part fall out of the storage space provided for these utensils. In any case, this is undesirable.

For this reason, for example, in the DE 41 00 484 A1 an armrest for a motor vehicle seat described, which is pivotable between an approximately horizontal and a raised position about a pivot axis and which has a receptacle for receiving objects and a fold-up lid that covers the receptacle at the top and forms the armrest top. A locking device with a locking device is provided which locks the cover in its closed position and can be unlocked by means of an actuatable release element, by means of which an actuation of the release element serving for unlocking can be automatically locked when the armrest is pivoted upwards beyond a predefinable pivot angle and automatically released when pivoting back below the predetermined pivot angle is.

This prevents the cover from being opened when the armrest is in an inclined position and objects contained in the storage compartment from falling out. In this known armrest, the locking device has a bolt on the cover and a bolt locking or releasing the bolt which can be moved between the locking position and the release position when the release element is actuated.

The locking device can in this case have a locking body which is freely movable due to its weight and which is movable between a position which blocks the actuation of the release element and a releasing position depending on the position of the armrest. The locking body is preferably formed by a rolling body, in particular a ball.

Another cover securing device for an armrest of a vehicle seat, which can be pivoted between a horizontal support position and a folded-up position, and which has a tub-like base part with a storage space and a cover that can be pivoted about an axis of rotation for closing the storage space, whereby to hold the cover in the closed position a locking fitting is provided, which is adjustable between a latching and a release position, is characterized in that the locking fitting has a pendulum weight pivotable about a pendulum axis, which in the horizontal support position of the armrest allows a release actuation of the locking fitting and that in the folded up position Position of the armrest prevents a release actuation, the closure fitting on the cover being pivotable about a pivot axis and the pendulum weight being mounted on the closure fitting on a pendulum axis in such a way that the pendulum weight both at d he release actuation of the closure fitting as well as when pivoting the armrest from the horizontal support position to the folded up position remains in the vertical position and the pendulum weight in the horizontal support position of the armrest is movable in a pendulum weight release space during the release actuation of the closure fitting, while In the folded-up position of the armrest and the resulting rotation of the closure fitting and cover, a blocking surface formed in the cover following the pendulum weight release space prevents the pendulum weight from shifting and thus the release actuation of the closure fitting.

When securing the lid of the DE 41 00 484 A1 and the DE 196 32 562 C2 however, another problem remains unsolved. The current safety requirements namely also raise the question of the secure closure of the receptacles arranged in a motor vehicle in the event of an accident, for example a front, rear or side impact. Since the receptacles as described, for example armrests or central armrests, are mostly made up of a lid and receptacle and are also movably arranged in different positions, care must be taken to ensure that the receptacles are locked in every accident and in every position of the receptacles.

With the cover locks of the DE 41 00 484 A1 and the DE 196 32 562 C2 however, this problem remains neglected. The forces occurring during an impact event can, on the one hand, ensure that the locking elements (rolling bodies or pendulum weights) function on the basis of gravity in the locking position of an armrest or center armrest and, on the other hand, the locked position of the locking element is in a horizontal position or automatically canceled when the armrest or central armrest is moving into a horizontal position due to the influence of gravity on the locking element.

In previous known solutions, however, the approach was also pursued the non-positively and / or positively arranged locking elements with which a locking between the lid and receptacle takes place by increased spring force on the locking elements holding the lid and receptacle in the locked position, so that with a In the event of an accident, regardless of the respective position of the armrest or central armrest relative to the vehicle seat, it is ensured that the armrests or central armrest do not open automatically. The spring force was measured in such a way that even impact events cannot cancel the lock between the cover and the receiving part. However, this solution leads to a loss of comfort when operating the lock, since the operation is extremely difficult and easy operation, as desired by the user, is then no longer possible.

As solutions known from the prior art, reference is also made to the publications DE 101 64 340 C1 , DE 101 51 704 A1 , DE 43 09 620 A1 and DE 100 27 020 A1 referenced.

The object of the invention is to offer a safety lock between the receiving part and the associated cover for a receptacle, in particular an armrest or central armrest, which ensures a comfortable and easy-to-use actuation for opening and closing the receptacle, whereby it should also be ensured that always , in particular in the event of an impact, unwanted unlocking and opening of the receptacle is prevented.

The invention is based on a safety lock of a receptacle, which comprises a receiving part and an associated lid, wherein the lid or the receiving part has an operating button with a latching member which is non-positively and / or positively attached to an opening / recess of the receiving part or the The locking element provided on the cover assumes a locking position that can be canceled by an actuation action on the control button, whereby the actuation action on the control button enables the non-positive and / or positive locking position to unlock the receiving part from the cover or vice versa at any time, regardless of the load case.

On the basis of this locking solution, the object is now achieved in that the opening / recess has recesses essentially laterally, orthogonally outgoing and counter to the direction of the actuation action of the control button required for unlocking, which are designed as a step-like opening / recess with different depths, with the recesses in the event of a load case caused by an impact event, with a resulting relative movement of the receiving part and the cover to one another, allow the latching member to move laterally into one of the recesses essentially in an orthogonal direction to the actuation of the control button. As a result, at least one positive locking position, which cannot be canceled in the case of a load, can be achieved, in which the latching member on the one hand on a contact surface of an edge-like shoulder of the locking element and on the other hand on a locking surface opposite the edge-like shoulder in the recess of the step-like opening / recess set back at a second depth deadlock comes.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a load case-independent non-positive locking position is brought about by a spring element which holds the operating button in the locking position under pretension. The non-positive locking position that is achieved by the spring element therefore does not have to be designed according to the crash scenarios that occur, but can be designed purely according to comfort requirements regardless of the load case.

The opening / recess is designed in such a way that it has a first depth in the direction of the actuation action of the control button for receiving the latching member when the receiving part is unlocked relative to the cover or vice versa.

In addition, the recesses set back in the opening / recess in the second depth, counter to the direction of the actuation action of the control button required for unlocking.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control button, as also emerges from the formulation of claim 1, is implemented either in the receiving part or in the cover. This means that the blocking element, depending on where the control button is arranged, is designed opposite either in the receiving part or the cover and is preferably formed there in an opening / recess by an edge-like shoulder.

Further designs of locking elements that are not formed by such an edge-like shoulder are conceivable.

This overall solution results in the desired effect, in which the latching element moves laterally into one of the recesses in the event of an impact [load case] - up to a lateral limit of the respective recess - in an orthogonal direction to the actuation action of the control button, whereby the desired form-fitting and in the case of a load, an unreliable locking position can be reached.

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Entriegelungsposition und einen zugehörigen Schnitt A1-A1;
• 2 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Verriegelungsposition und einen zugehörigen Schnitt A2-A2 und
• 3 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer in einem Lastfall unaufhebbaren Verriegelungsposition.

The invention is explained below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the associated figures. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of an unlocking position and an associated section A1-A1;
• 2 a perspective view of a locking position and an associated section A2-A2 and
• 3 a perspective view of a locking position that cannot be canceled in a load case.

The 1 , 2 and 3 each show in the lower figure a perspective view of a safety lock 10 with a section shown in the figure above, where in 1 a section A1-A1 of the safety lock 10 in unlocked position I. and 2 a section A2-A2 the safety interlock 10 in a locking position I. is shown in the same section line.

The 3 shows in a perspective illustration of 3 the irreversible locking position brought about in the load case according to the invention.

The 1 to 3 are explained in more detail below. In all figures, the same components and functional or directional information have been given the same reference symbols.

The safety lock 10 can be used for receptacles that consist of a receptacle 12th and a lid 14th are constructed. In particular, such receptacles 12th , 14th used as armrests or central armrests in motor vehicle seats.

In an embodiment that is present here and is described in more detail, the lid 14th a control button 16 integrated via a locking member 18th has, which in a locking element 20th of the receiving part 12th intervenes. A reverse version in which the control button 16 in the recording part 12th and the locking member 18th in the lid 14th is arranged, can be carried out analogously to the following description.

The control button 16 is in the exemplary embodiment opposite a pretensioned, not shown in the figures, spring element in the cover 14th integrated, so that an opened receptacle 12th , 14th in unlocked position II for example the 1 corresponds. The spring element presses the control button 16 always in the locking position corresponding to the locking I. according to 2 . Actuation against the spring force leads to the unlocking position II after 1 .

To the receptacle, for example, starting from 1 , as in 2 Shown to close is the lid 14th on the receiving part 12th pivoted down and so long by the user on the receiving part 12th pressed until the control button 16 with the locking member arranged thereon 18th on the locking element 20th hits, with the control button 16 through the inclined leading edge of the locking member 18th in the in 1 and 2 The dashed position of the control button shown 16 is pressed. The locking member 18th then engages behind the locking element with its hook-like projection 20th so that the locking member 18th with its hook-like molding and the bias of the spring element under the locking element 20th snaps and a non-positive and positive connection between the locking member 18th and locking element 20th and thus between the lid 14th and receiving part 12th will be produced.

This situation, in which the positive and non-positive connection is established, is shown in 2 in a solid line of the control button 16 , the Locking member 18th the locking element 20th behind-the-scenes, shown.

During the locking, the control button is moved 16 according to the reference number 32 ( 2 ), the unlocking movement of the control button 16 according to 1 with the reference number 30th has been marked.

To the locking position I. of the receptacle 12th , 14th must be canceled by the user, according to 1 the control button 16 in the with reference numerals 30th actuate the marked direction, so that an actuation action 30th from the locking position I. in the unlocked position II is feasible. As in this act of operation 30th the locking member 18th with its hook-shaped approach behind the locking element 20th is pushed out and the space between the locking element 20th and receiving part 12th is sufficiently large, the cover is pivoted after unlocking 14th opposite the receiving part 12th executable. To carry out this operational act 30th , indicates the in the 1 , 2 and 3 opening / recess shown 22nd a first depth T1 that corresponds to the necessary adjustment movement of the control button 16 to carry out the actuation 30th is designed.

As already indicated, it can be an opening that is open at the bottom or a recess that is not open at the bottom 22nd in the recording part 12th with a first depth T1 in the direction of the adjustment movement in the receiving part 12th act.

In accordance with 2 Locked armrest or central armrest, used as a receptacle from receiving part 12th and lid 14th consisting of the operating button shown 16 is designed, it can happen, however, that in a load case that is caused by an impact event, the parts forming the receiving container - receiving part 12th and / or lid 14th move relative to each other.

The relative movement can be in the longitudinal direction of the parts 12th , 14th or laterally in orthogonal to the operation of the control button 16 occur in a running direction. The direction of the relative movement depends on the respective impact event, also known as the load case.

So there is a possibility that the parts 12th , 14th against each other in the longitudinal but especially in the lateral direction of a load case movement 28 ( 3 ) move in such a way that the locking position is canceled I. comes.

This shift of the parts 12th , 14th relative to one another is more likely in the load case especially when the armrest or central armrest in the motor vehicle is in a horizontal position or is already slightly from a vertical to a horizontal folded position. The slightly folded-in position from a vertical to a horizontal position is to be expected in some motor vehicles in the event of an impact, since a first stop is usually arranged here, which must be overcome separately by the user when the center armrest is opened. In this case, however, the parts may be warped / shifted under load 12th , 14th come together.

The impact forces which, in the event of a frontal, rear or side crash, usually move the components in a laterally horizontal direction acting on the motor vehicle 12th , 14th relative, according to the load case movement shown in the figure 28 , cause each other, then possibly lead to an unintentional unlocking of the receptacle 12th , 14th .

To prevent this, the opening / recess has 22nd contrary to the direction of the actuation required for unlocking 30th recessed and laterally protruding recesses 24 on.

These recessed laterally protruding recesses 24 are in the figures below 1 to 3 with the reference number 24 marked and have a second depth T2 on. These recesses 24 are in the side, essentially for operating purposes 30th running, orthogonal direction through lateral boundaries 36 executed in a predetermined width. The recesses 24 form a step-like opening or recess 22nd in the recording part 12th out.

As the 2 and 3 show is the locking member 18th under the locking element 20th in locking position I. positively and non-positively locked, the locking element 20th in this embodiment as a rim-like paragraph 34 of the receiving part 12th is trained.

The recesses are designed to prevent unwanted unlocking of the receptacle in the event of a load 24 arranged to have the following effect.

In 3 is the load case movement with the reference symbol 28 characterized by the relative movement of the parts 12th , 14th to each other in the load case shows that the locking member 18th into one of the recesses 24 is moved laterally in which at least a part of the front and rear locking member surface 18th between a restricted area 26th the recess 24 and an opposite contact surface of the edge-like shoulder 34 comes to the plant. The front and rear surfaces of the locking member 18th is thus form-fitting, like 3 shows between the contact surface of the edge-like paragraph 34 of the locking element 20th and the restricted area 26th the recess 24 uptight.

The lateral limitation 36 also prevents in relation to the direction of the operator action 30th an excessive deflection of the locking member in the lateral, orthogonal direction 18th opposite the locking element 20th so that also a pivoting movement of the lid 14th upwards is not possible because at least part of the locking member 18th always form-fitting the locking element 20th engages behind.

This solution makes it possible to use the locking spring force of the control button generated by the spring element 16 leading to the release of the locking position I. must be overcome, to be interpreted essentially with regard to comfort considerations, with securing the locking of the receiving container 12th , 14th in the event of an impact (load case) by the locking member 18th receiving recesses 24 is achievable while producing a form-fitting and irreversible locking position in the event of an impact.

List of reference symbols

10

Safety interlock

12

Receiving part

14th

cover

16

Control button

18th

Locking member

20th

Locking element

22nd

Opening / recess

24

Recesses

26th

Restricted area

28

Load case movement

30th

Direction of the actuation I. to II

32

Direction of locking movement II to I.

34

paragraph

36

lateral limitation

T1

first depth

T2

second depth

I.

Locking position

II

Unlocked position

Claims (7)

Safety lock (10) for locking a receptacle, which comprises a receiving part (12) and an associated lid (14), the lid (14) or the receiving part (12) having an operating button (16) with a latching member (18) which non-positively and / or positively on a locking element (20) provided in an opening / recess (22) of the receiving part (12) or the cover (14) assumes a locking position (I) which can be canceled by an actuation action (30) of the control button (16) , wherein the actuation action (30) on the control button (16) enables the non-positive and / or positive locking position (I) to unlock the receiving part (12) with respect to the cover (14) or vice versa, regardless of the load case, characterized in that, that the opening / recess (22) essentially laterally, orthogonally outgoing and counter to the direction of the actuating action (30) of the operating button (16) necessary for unlocking has set recesses (24), which are designed as step-like opening / recess (22) with different depths (T1, T2), the recesses (24) in the event of a load caused by an impact event, in the case of a resulting relative movement of the receiving part ( 12) and the cover (14) to each other, enable the latching member (18) to move laterally into one of the recesses (24) essentially in the orthogonal direction to the actuation action (30) of the control button (16), whereby at least one form-fitting, in the case of a load, irreversible locking position can be achieved, in which the latching member (18) on the one hand on a contact surface of an edge-like shoulder (34) of the locking element (20) and on the other hand on a locking surface (26) opposite the edge-like shoulder (34) in the one second depth (T2) recessed recess (24) of the step-like opening / recess (22) comes to the jamming system. Safety lock after Claim 1 , characterized in that the non-positive locking position (I) is brought about by a spring element which holds the control button (16) under pretension in the locking position (I) independent of the load case. Safety lock after Claim 1 , characterized in that the opening / recess (22) in the direction of the actuation action (30) of the control button (16) for receiving the locking member (18) when unlocking the receiving part (12) with respect to the cover (14) or vice versa a first depth (T1). Safety lock after Claim 1 , characterized in that the recesses (24) in the opening / recess (22) set back against the direction of the actuating action (30) of the operating button (16) required for unlocking has the second depth (T2). Safety lock after Claim 1 , characterized in that the locking element (20) and, opposite to this, the control button (16) either in the receiving part (12) or the cover (14), and the locking element (20) there in the opening / recess (22) through the edge-like shoulder (34) is formed, the control button (16) having the latching member (18) which has a hook-shaped projection for engaging behind the edge-like shoulder (34) of the locking element (20). Safety lock after Claim 1 , characterized in that the latching member (18) is in the load case in one of the recesses (24) at most up to a lateral limit (36), the recess (24) of the opening / recess (22) set back in the second depth (T2) moved into it in the orthogonal direction to the actuation action (30). Safety lock after Claim 1 , characterized in that the receptacle (12, 14) is an armrest or central armrest of a motor vehicle, which can be pivoted between a horizontal use position and a vertical non-use position, and is arranged laterally on a backrest of a single seat or laterally or between backrest parts of a rear seat bench.

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