DE102011120146A1 - Operating device for parking brake of motor vehicle, has locking element designed such that unlocking device is arranged in inner side of recess in detached position and engaged into locking element in activated position - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has an adjusting lever i.e. hand brake lever (2), pivotable between detached and activated positions by a latch mechanism (7). The latch mechanism has two locking elements (8, 9) that are detachable by an unlocking device (11). One of the locking elements is designed such that the unlocking device is arranged in an inner side of a recess in the detached position in an interventionless manner and engaged into the locking element in the activated position. The recess is formed on the latter locking element, and the unlocking device is designed as an operating rod (12).

Description

The invention relates to an actuating device for a parking brake, in particular for a parking brake in a motor vehicle.

A generic actuating device for a parking brake is known from the relevant prior art.

In general, parking brakes on an actuator in which via a handbrake lever power transmission to the actual brake takes place. In this case, the hand brake lever from a rest position by a locking mechanism in a selected setting position can be locked. A pawl of the locking mechanism disengages upon actuation of an attached at one end of an actuating rod actuating button from a locking toothing, so that the parking brake can be released by pressing the operating knob.

A known problem is a faulty locking of the locking mechanism when tightening the handbrake lever. In particular, when is pressed when tightening the handbrake lever on the actuating button, this may have an insufficient locking of locking teeth and pawl of the locking mechanism in the form of a tooth-on-tooth position. This may cause the latching due to external shocks, such. B. a slamming a car door solve.

To solve this problem is in the document
DE 10 2008 059 281 A1 an actuator for a parking brake proposed which avoids a tooth-on-tooth position in which the operation of the release device is prevented when the brake is applied.

An object of the invention is to provide an actuator for a parking brake, which provides a further alternative to avoid a tooth-on-tooth position.

This object is solved by the features of patent claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are each the subject of the dependent claims. These can be combined in a technologically meaningful way. The description, in particular in conjunction with the drawing, additionally characterizes and specifies the invention.

An actuating device according to the invention for a parking brake, in particular for a parking brake in a motor vehicle, thus has a rocker arm, which is pivotable by means of a latching mechanism between a released and an activated position. The latching mechanism comprises a first latching element and a corresponding second latching element, which are releasable by means of an unlocking. The second latching element is designed so that the unlocking is in the unlocked position without engagement within a arranged on the second locking element recess and that the unlocking engages in the activated position in the second latching element.

According to the invention, an actuator for a parking brake is provided which avoids the aforementioned tooth-on-tooth position by the unlocking remains ineffective when the parking brake is in the released state. This is achieved in that the unlocking can not engage in the corresponding locking element, since it is located within a recess. Consequently, the two locking elements are in the transition from the dissolved state to the activated state in contact with each other, which assists the secure engagement of the locking elements.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the unlocking is carried out in the form of an actuating rod, the first end of which faces the second latching element and whose second end is connected to an actuating mechanism.

Actuators are often activated in parking brakes via an actuating rod, as they allow a simple and reliable transmission of a triggering force. According to this embodiment, the invention is applicable to this configuration of an actuator.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the actuating rod is movable via an actuating knob.

An actuating button is a simple and beyond proven form of unlocking. According to this embodiment, the invention for this configuration of an actuator can be used.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the actuating rod is movable over a tiltable end of the actuating lever.

According to this embodiment, an alternative to unlocking is provided by means of an actuating button. Accordingly, about the tiltable end of the actuating lever a rotational movement is performed by, for example, 8 °, which can be converted into a translational movement to move the actuating rod. In this way results also a simple and intuitive way of operating the unlocking.

In a further Ausführungsfarm of the invention, the locking mechanism is in the form of a locking mechanism, wherein the first locking element is a locking toothing and the second locking element is a pawl.

A ratchet is a proven form of a detent mechanism. According to this embodiment, a reliable locking is provided in the transition from the released to the activated position, in that the pawl can engage in the ratchet teeth. It is irrelevant whether possibly by the driver unlocking has been activated, such as is taught in some driving schools. Due to the non-engaging position of the release on the pawl it can securely engage in the teeth.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the locking teeth on a curved in the direction of the pawl, preferably circular arc-shaped, outline.

According to this embodiment, the pawl results in the transition from the dissolved to the activated position to two different rest positions of the actuating rod. On the one hand, the actuating rod is in the released position within the recess, so that an actuation of the unlocking has no effect and in particular the pawl is unable to move. As the pawl moves along the arcuate outer contour of the ratchet teeth in the transition to the activated position, its position shifts relative to the actuating rod so that it moves from the non-engaged position within the recess to a receiving surface. Consequently, in the activated position, the release can be used to release the parking brake.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the pawl is pivotable about an axis of rotation and is by means of a return device with the ratchet teeth in engagement.

According to this embodiment, a safe skip individual teeth of the ratchet teeth is made possible by the pawl is pressed by means of the return device to the ratchet teeth.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the return device is a spring, preferably a torsion spring.

A spring is a simple realization of a feedback device and can be realized in a cost effective manner in an actuator for a parking brake.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the adjusting lever is a handbrake lever.

In many vehicles, the parking brake is operated by means of a handbrake lever. The invention can be used for these embodiments, but can also be adapted for vehicles with a foot pedal for operating the parking brake.

Furthermore, a parking brake for braking a vehicle is provided, which has an actuating device described above.

In addition, a motor vehicle is provided with a parking brake for braking the vehicle having an actuating device described above.

Some embodiments will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:

1 FIG. 2 shows an actuating device for a parking brake according to an embodiment of the invention in a side view, FIG.

2 : a detailed description 1 .

3 FIG. 2: a parking brake actuating device according to an embodiment of the invention, in a further side view, FIG.

4 : a detailed description 3 .

5 FIG. 2: a side view of a pawl according to an embodiment of the invention, FIG.

6 a side view of an unlocking according to an embodiment of the invention, and

7 : A side view of a locking mechanism according to a comparative example.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical components are provided with the same reference numerals.

With reference to 1 An embodiment of an actuating device according to the invention for a parking brake will be explained in more detail below.

In 1 is an actuator 1 for a parking brake in a cross-sectional view.

Generally includes an actuator 1 a lever that can activate a parking brake. This can be designed as a handbrake lever or as a foot pedal.

In the 1 shown actuator 1 includes a handbrake lever 2 , which has a handle at its rear end 3 having. In the 1 shown actuator 1 is by a driver, for example by pulling the handle 3 , converted from a released state to an activated state. This is the handbrake lever 2 on a rotation axis 4 rotatably mounted, which via a mounting assembly 5 connected to a vehicle floor in an interior space. By pressing the handbrake lever 2 a parking brake is activated as is well known in the art. For this purpose, for example, a linkage, a cable or a hydraulic device may be provided. The necessary devices are known in the art and are in 1 only schematically as reference numerals 6 shown.

Furthermore, the actuating device 1 a locking mechanism 7 on, the first catch element 8th and a second latching element 9 includes. Babel is the first locking element 8th with the fastener 5 connected. The second locking element 9 is rotatable about a second axis of rotation 10 on the handbrake lever 2 attached.

Furthermore, the actuating device 1 an unlock on the handle near the end of the handbrake lever 2 is arranged. The unlocking 11 is with the second locking element 9 coupled, so that the first locking element 8th and the second locking element 9 the locking mechanism 7 by means of unlocking 11 are solvable. The second locking element 9 is with the unlocking 11 coupled so that the unlocking 11 in the released position without engagement within a on the second locking element 9 arranged recess is located.

As in 1 is shown is the unlocking 11 in the form of an actuating rod 12 executed, their first end 13 the second locking element 9 facing and its second end 14 is connected to an actuating mechanism, for example, within the handle 3 is housed. The operating rod 12 For example, it may be movable via an operating knob, as is generally known in the automotive industry. An alternative embodiment in which the actuating rod 12 via a tiltable end of the handbrake lever 2 is movable, will be explained below.

With reference to 2 Below is the function of the locking mechanism 7 explained in more detail. As 2 it can be seen, there is the locking mechanism 7 from a so-called locking mechanism. The locking mechanism has a locking toothing, which is the first locking element 8th forms. As a second locking element 9 a pawl is provided, which is rotatable or pivotable about the further axis of rotation 10 is arranged. The first locking element 8th has on the pawl side facing an arcuate toothing 16 in which a tooth-shaped end 17 of the second latching element 9 can intervene.

Furthermore, the first locking element 8th a tooth-free area 15 in which the tooth-shaped element 17 of the second latching element 8th to come to rest as long as the actuator 1 is in the released position. The tooth-free area 15 is compared to the arcuate toothing 16 offset radially inward.

On the tooth-shaped element 17 opposite side of the second locking element 9 is a recess 18 provided within the pawl, so that the actuating rod 12 with her first end 13 in the released position without engagement within the second locking element 9 located.

For a secure connection between the first locking element 8th and the locking element 9 to create is a restoring element 19 provided, in the form of a torsion spring about the further axis of rotation 10 is arranged and the second locking element 9 in the direction of the first locking element 8th can push.

In 3 is the actuator 1 shown in an activated state. The activated state, which is known by tightening the handbrake lever 2 is caused, leads to a shift of the handbrake lever 2 around the axis of rotation 4 as shown schematically in 3 by reference 20 is shown. Due to the rotation of the handbrake lever 2 moves the second locking element 9 also upwards, so that the tooth-shaped end 17 into the gearing 16 can intervene. Due to the arc-shaped design of the teeth 16 pivots the second locking element 9 at the same time around the further axis of rotation 10 so the first end 13 the operating rod 12 from the recess 18 in a recording 21 is moved. Furthermore, the tooth-shaped end shifts 17 from the tooth-free area 15 in the direction of the curved toothing 16 , The tooth-free area 15 and the arcuate toothing 16 are separated by a shoulder, so that the arcuate toothing 16 the second locking element 8th near is facing. As a result, the second pivots locking element 9 in addition to the further axis of rotation 10 ,

Consequently, the actuating rod is now 12 able to over her first end 13 to release the pawl from the locking teeth, so that after actuation of the unlocking 11 the handbrake lever 2 can be returned to the lost position.

However, since the second locking element in the released position, as in 2 was explained, not with the operating rod 12 engaged, no locking positions can be achieved on which a so-called tooth-on-tooth position is caused. This is due in particular to the fact that the second latching element 9 in the transition from the released to the activated position initially not in engagement with the actuating rod 12 stands and due to the arcuate design of the locking teeth 16 over the tooth-free area 15 in the position of the Aufnehmung 21 emigrated.

Activation of unlocking used by some drivers 11 during the tightening of the handbrake lever 2 Thus, as taught, for example, in United Kingdom driving schools in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, it can no longer lead to undesirable tooth-on-tooth positions.

The location of the recording 21 or the recess 18 are for clarity in 5 again for a single second locking element 9 shown. As 5 it can be seen, are the recess 18 or the Aufnehmung 21 on the opposite side of the second locking element 9 to the tooth-shaped end 17 arranged, wherein the second locking element 9 around the further axis of rotation 10 is pivotable.

The unlocking 11 can be activated, for example, by an operating button at the end of the handle 3 is arranged and via a corresponding device on the actuating rod 12 acts. An alternative embodiment is in 6 shown at the end of the handle 3 swiveling around a handle-close axis of rotation 22 is designed so that a cam-shaped element 23 a transfer of the swing to the second end 14 the operating rod 12 is possible. By tilting the end of the handbrake lever 2 is therefore the unlocking 11 , which in this embodiment by the operating rod, the cam-shaped element and the handle 3 is formed, activated and the parking brake can be solved.

To clarify the problem of tooth-on-tooth positions, is in 7 a locking mechanism as used in a comparative example. It can be seen that upon activation of the unlocking the conventional second locking element 24 so far from the conventional first locking element 25 can be led away that its tooth-shaped end 26 on a tooth 28 the conventional gearing 27 the latch comes to rest. In this situation, would be possible by an external shock such as slamming a vehicle door latching after parking the vehicle in a lower detent position in which, for example, the parking brake would not or not sufficiently activated. This could lead to unintentional rolling away of the vehicle.

According to the invention, this tooth-on-tooth position is avoided by, as explained above, the unlocking 11 over the operating rod 12 in the dissolved state is without engagement.

Although some possible embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in the foregoing description, it is to be understood that numerous other variants of embodiments exist through the possibility of combination of all mentioned and further all of the technical features and embodiments that are obvious to those skilled in the art. It is further understood that the embodiments are to be understood as examples only, which in no way limit the scope, applicability and configuration. Rather, the foregoing description would suggest a suitable way for the skilled person to realize at least one exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that in an exemplary embodiment, numerous changes in the function and arrangement of the elements may be made without departing from the scope and equivalents disclosed in the claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

actuator

2

Lever / handbrake lever

3

Handle

4

axis of rotation

5

mounting assembly

6

contraption

7

detent mechanism

8th

first locking element

9

second locking element

10

another axis of rotation

11

unlocking

12

actuating rod

13

first end

14

second end

15

tooth-free area

16

arcuate toothing

17

tooth-shaped end

18

recess

19

Return element

20

shift

21

admission

22

close to the axis of rotation

23

cam-shaped element

24

conventional second locking element

25

conventional first locking element

26

conventional tooth-shaped end

27

conventional gearing

28

tooth

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102008059281 A1 [0005]

Claims (11)

Actuating device for a parking brake, in particular for a parking brake in a motor vehicle, in which a control lever ( 2 ) by means of a latching mechanism ( 7 ) is pivotable between a released and an activated position, wherein the latching mechanism ( 7 ) a first latching element ( 8th ) and a corresponding second latching element ( 9 ), which by means of an unlocking ( 11 ) are releasable, wherein the second locking element ( 9 ) is designed so that the unlocking ( 11 ) in the released position without engagement within a on the second latching element ( 9 ) arranged recess ( 18 ) and that the unlocking ( 11 ) in the activated position in the second latching element ( 9 ) intervenes. Actuating device according to claim 1, wherein the unlocking ( 11 ) in the form of an actuating rod ( 12 ) whose first end ( 13 ) the second locking element ( 9 ) is facing. Actuating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuating rod ( 12 ) is movable via an actuating knob. Actuating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuating rod ( 12 ) via a tiltable end ( 3 ) of the adjusting lever ( 2 ) is movable. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the latching mechanism ( 7 ) is formed in the form of a locking mechanism, wherein the first locking element ( 8th ) a locking toothing and the second locking element ( 9 ) is a pawl. Actuating device according to claim 5, wherein the locking teeth have a curved in the direction of the pawl, preferably circular arc-shaped, outline. Actuating device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the pawl about an axis of rotation ( 10 ) is pivotable and by means of a return device ( 19 ) is engaged with the ratchet teeth. Actuating device according to Claim 7, in which the return device ( 19 ) is a spring, preferably a torsion spring. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the adjusting lever ( 2 ) is a handbrake lever. Parking brake for braking a vehicle, comprising an actuating device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 9. Motor vehicle with a parking brake for braking the vehicle, comprising an actuating device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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