EP0731243B1 - Bolt with a disengageable rotor and car steering column lock with such a bolt - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a rotor lock disengageable.

The invention relates more particularly to a lock intended to be used for controlling a motor vehicle steering lock.

According to a known concept, the anti-theft device steering has a box mounted on the column direction and which receives a lock which controls a bolt which protrudes through an opening in the housing for cooperate with a rotating member of the column direction.

Among the various burglary modes aimed at result in the release of the steering column, the main are to act on the lock, especially by means of a false key.

In order to counter such acts, he has already many lock designs of the type have been proposed disengageable rotor which prevents any positive action from release of the anti-theft bolt as long as a compliant key is not inserted into the lock.

These different designs of a rotor lock disengageable, such as that described and represented in the document DE-C1-4.041.134, are of the type comprising a rotor swivel mounted in a shaped intermediate stator of the bushing itself pivotally mounted in a fixed body of lock, locking devices such as glitter or pairs of pistons cooperating with the rotor and the intermediate stator to secure them in rotation in the absence of a key, or in the presence of a non-key conform, and to release the rotor rotating relative to the intermediate stator after introduction of a key conforming, of the type including an indexing member angle of the intermediate stator with respect to the body fixed (column 4, lines 10 to 12) which is mounted mobile radially between an indexing position to which it is recalled elastically and in which it is received in a fixed body groove, and a retracted position in which it is erased radially inward at least partly in a housing of the rotor, against an elastic return effort.

In this document, the lock comprises a member outlet mounted rotatably in the fixed latch body and which is linked in rotation to the rotor by means disengageable of drive whose disengagement is caused by the stator indexing unit when it is in retracted position (column 5, lines 33 to 61), and the disengageable drive means immobilize the output in rotation relative to the fixed lock body when in the disengaged position (column 6, lines 44 62) under the action of the indexing body.

According to a known conception, the organ indexing is for example made in the form of a arm arranged in a longitudinal housing formed in the peripheral wall of the intermediate stator, the arm comprising, on its outer radial face, a projection which, in the indexing position, is received in a groove longitudinal formed in the inner wall of the fixed body lock so as to make the stator intermediate integral in rotation with the fixed body, in the absence of a key, or in the presence of a conforming key.

A mechanism has also been proposed disengageable for controlling a lock, notably equipping a motor vehicle opening, of the type comprising a disengageable rotor lock as described in the document FR-A-2,642,463.

All of these known designs of locks to disengageable rotor are not entirely satisfactory, especially in the case of an anti-theft control lock motor vehicle as far as possible to act fraudulently to directly provoke the rotation of the bolt control member which is linked in rotor rotation, especially after the thief has returned the assembly constituted by the intermediate stator and the idler rotor rotating relative to the fixed lock body by acting by means of a false key.

The object of the present invention is to provide a new design of a disengageable rotor lock of the type described and represented in document DE-C1-4.041.134 which remedies the disadvantages which have just been mentioned.

To this end, the invention proposes a lock characterized in that the indexing member is mounted sliding radially in a stator housing intermediate which opens opposite an axial slot of the rotor which opens into an internal bore of the rotor which receives a cylindrical axial extension of the output member, and in that the disengageable means of the output member comprise a key mounted to slide radially in a slot in the extension of the output member between a position to which it is resiliently recalled and in which a first end of the key is received in the axial slot of the rotor, and a declutching position in which the first end of the key is retracted radially inward in the extension of the outlet member and in which the second end of the key projects radially outward to be received in a notch immobilization formed in the fixed lock body;

• l'organe d'indexation présente un profil en V inversé et il est reçu dans une rainure axiale formée dans la paroi cylindrique interne du corps fixe de verrou;
• la première extrémité de la clavette présente un profil en V inversé et elle est reçue dans une fente axiale à bords parallèles du rotor ;
• un ressort de rappel est interposé entre la clavette et une surface d'appui de l'organe de sortie pour solliciter la clavette radialement vers l'extérieur;
• en position de repos du verrou, la première extrémité de la clavette, sous l'action du ressort de rappel, sollicite l'organe d'indexation radialement vers l'extérieur vers sa position d'indexation ;
• l'ensemble constitué par le stator intermédiaire, le rotor et l'organe de sortie est susceptible de coulisser axialement par rapport au corps de verrou, à l'encontre d'un effort élastique de rappel axial, lors de l'introduction d'une clef conforme.

According to other characteristics of the invention:

• the indexing member has an inverted V profile and is received in an axial groove formed in the internal cylindrical wall of the fixed lock body;
• the first end of the key has an inverted V profile and it is received in an axial slot with parallel edges of the rotor;
• a return spring is interposed between the key and a bearing surface of the output member to urge the key radially outward;
• in the latch rest position, the first end of the key, under the action of the return spring, biases the indexing member radially outward towards its indexing position;
• the assembly constituted by the intermediate stator, the rotor and the output member is capable of sliding axially relative to the lock body, against an elastic axial restoring force, during the introduction of a conforming key.

• selon une autre caractéristique de l'antivol, le corps fixe de verrou est une chemise tubulaire rapportée dans le boítier de l'antivol.

The invention also provides a motor vehicle steering lock of the type mentioned above, characterized in that the lock is produced in accordance with the teachings of the invention;

• according to another characteristic of the anti-theft device, the fixed lock body is a tubular jacket fitted in the case of the anti-theft device.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée qui illustre les principaux composants d'un antivol de direction de véhicule automobile réalisé conformément aux enseignements de l'invention, la vue représentant le boítier de l'antivol par l'arrière ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective éclatée et à plus grande échelle des principaux composants du verrou à rotor débrayable, réalisé conformément aux enseignements de l'invention, qui équipe l'antivol illustré sur la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective du rotor du verrou ;
• les figures 4 et 5 sont des vues en section radiale, selon les lignes 4-4 et 5-5 de la figure 2 qui illustrent les positions relatives des composants du verrou (illustrés en position assemblée) dans la position de repos du verrou ;
• les figures 6 et 7 sont des vues similaires à celles des figures 4 et 5 sur lesquelles le verrou est illustré en position normale de fonctionnement après introduction d'une clef conforme ;
• les figures 8 et 9 sont des vues similaires à celles des figures 4 et 5 sur lesquelles l'ensemble constitué par le rotor et le stator est illustré en position débrayée avec immobilisation en rotation de l'organe de sortie par la clavette ;
• la figure 10 est une vue en perspective en section axiale partielle qui illustre l'antivol avec le verrou en position de repos ; et
• les figures 11 et 12 sont des vues similaires à celle de la figure 10 sur lesquelles le verrou est illustré successivement en position d'utilisation et en position débrayée du rotor.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view which illustrates the main components of a motor vehicle steering lock produced in accordance with the teachings of the invention, the view showing the housing of the lock from the rear;
• FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view on a larger scale of the main components of the disengageable rotor lock, produced in accordance with the teachings of the invention, which equips the anti-theft device illustrated in FIG. 1;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of the lock rotor;
• Figures 4 and 5 are views in radial section, along lines 4-4 and 5-5 of Figure 2 which illustrate the relative positions of the components of the lock (illustrated in the assembled position) in the rest position of the lock;
• Figures 6 and 7 are views similar to those of Figures 4 and 5 in which the lock is illustrated in the normal operating position after introduction of a conforming key;
• Figures 8 and 9 are views similar to those of Figures 4 and 5 in which the assembly constituted by the rotor and the stator is illustrated in the disengaged position with immobilization in rotation of the output member by the key;
• Figure 10 is a perspective view in partial axial section which illustrates the lock with the latch in the rest position; and
• Figures 11 and 12 are views similar to that of Figure 10 in which the latch is illustrated successively in the position of use and in the disengaged position of the rotor.

The anti-theft device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is essentially consisting of an anti-theft box 12, by a latch 14, and by a retaining plug 16.

The anti-theft box 12 is a piece made by molding comprising a part 18 of general shape cylindrical tubular which consists essentially by a cylindrical annular skirt 22 which determines a hollow tubular housing 24 which is designed to receive components of the latch 14.

Part 18 also includes, in the extension of the annular skirt 22, an annular skirt cylindrical 26 which delimits a larger housing 28 diameter than the housing 24 which is intended to receive a cylindrical part of complementary diameter 30 of the retaining plug body 16.

Part 18 of housing 12 includes a open end 31 through which partially one end 32 of the rotor or barrel 34 of the latch 14 which has a slot 36 (see FIG. 2) for introduction by the driver of a conforming key of the lock for anti-theft control.

According to a known design, the rotor 34 is rotatably mounted in an intermediate stator in the form of socket 38 which is itself rotatably mounted in a tubular liner 40.

The tubular jacket 40 is received in the housing 28 of the part 18 of the housing 12 of the anti-theft device 10 in which it is immobilized in rotation by via an axial pin 42 which is received in a notch 44 formed in the cylindrical surface outer 46 of folder 40 and in a notch complementary (not shown) formed in the wall internal cylindrical of the housing 24 which receives the jacket 40.

The tubular jacket 40 thus constitutes the body fixed lock 14 within the meaning of the invention.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the wall internal cylindrical 48 of the tubular fixed body 40 comprises two diametrically opposed axial grooves 50 and 52 whose function will be explained later and which extend axially from the annular end face 54 of the jacket 40 turned axially towards the end open from the housing 28, that is to say towards the closure cap 16.

The intermediate stator 38 is a piece in sleeve shape with a main internal bore 56 in which the cylindrical body is rotatably mounted 58 of the rotor 34 which receives a set of flakes 60 and springs 62, according to a known design, so as to securing the rotor 34 and the stator in rotation intermediate 38 until a conforming key has been inserted into the slot 36 of the latch 14.

The axial end portion 64 of the stator intermediate 38 opposite the end 32 of the rotor comprising the insertion slot 36 comprises a light radial 66 emerging at its two ends in which is slidably mounted an indexing member in the form of finger 68.

The indexing finger 68 has a tab 70 which avoids, especially when assembling the components, full radial exhaust to the outside of the finger indexing 68 out of the light 66.

The outer radial end 72 of the indexing finger 68 has an inverted V-shaped profile which is intended to be received in the axial groove 50 of the fixed body 40 and of which the opposite and inclined edges 74 are provided to cooperate with the facing edges 76 of the longitudinal groove 50 which also has a inverted V-shaped profile.

This known arrangement ensures a indexing and immobilization in rotation of the stator intermediate 38 relative to the fixed body 40 when the index finger 68 is biased radially towards the exterior, as will be explained later, and that it is received in groove 50.

The radial inner end face 78 of the indexing finger 68 extends opposite the part axial free end 80 of the rotor 34 which is opposite to the end 32 of the latter comprising the slot 36.

The axial end part 80 is made in the form of a cylindrical annular skirt 82 which delimits an internal bore 84.

The axial end portion 80 has a through axial slot 86 which is capable of extend, depending on the relative angular position of the rotor relative to the intermediate stator, opposite light or slot 66.

The width of the slot 86 is also slightly greater than the width of the indexing finger 68 by so that it can penetrate radially towards the interior in the slot 86 so as to disappear radially at least partly in the rotor housing 34 constituted by the through axial slot 86.

According to a known conception, the part end 32 of rotor 34 also has a notch 88 intended to receive a roller 90 which cooperates with a ramp formed in the bottom of the housing 24 to cause a axial displacement of the assembly constituted by the stator intermediate and rotor 34 during axial insertion at the bottom of a conforming key, this axial displacement for example controlling a switch electric associated with the anti-theft device (not shown).

According to the invention, the latch 14 also includes an outlet member 92 which is a member rotatably mounted in the fixed lock body 40 along the axis of rotation X-X common to the rotor 34 and the stator 38.

The output member 92 has a part main of generally cylindrical shape 94 which constitutes the part for guiding in rotation of the member 92 in the internal cylindrical surface 48 of the jacket constituting the fixed body 40.

On its radial end face 96, facing the plug 16, the main part 94 of the outlet 92 has a crankpin 98 which is provided for cooperate, in a manner which will not be described here further in detail, with a cam of a slide 100 which is mounted sliding radially in the plug 16 and which acts on a locking bolt 102 which is likely to be received in a notch (not shown) from the column of direction 104.

On its other radial end face 106 facing the free end annular radial face 108 of the intermediate stator 38 and towards the radial face annular end 110 of rotor 34, the part main 94 of output member 92 extends axially by a cylindrical coaxial extension 112 which is intended to be received in rotation in the internal bore 84 of rotor 34.

The cylindrical axial extension 112 comprises, substantially over its entire length, an axial slot 116 to parallel edges which opens radially at its two extremities.

The slot 116 also opens axially in a radial groove 118 formed diametrically in the face radial end 106 of main part 94 of the output member 92.

The slot 116 and the groove 118 receive at radial sliding of a key 120.

Key 120 is essentially made up by a guide rod 122 which is received and guided in radial sliding in groove 118 and of which the free end 123 located radially outwards is extended axially by an arm 124 with parallel faces which is likely to be received sliding in the slot 116.

In order to improve the sliding guidance of the key 120 in the slot 116, the arm 124 is extended radially inward by an additional rod guide 126.

The width of the arm 124 constituting the key 120 and complementary guide rod 126 are slightly less than the width of the slot 116 of so as to allow the radial sliding movement of the key 120.

The active part of the key 120, in the sense of the invention has a section whose profile is in inverted V shape which delimits two inclined surfaces opposite 128 which, as will be explained later, are likely to cooperate with the parallel edges 130 of the through axial slot 86 of the axial part end 80 of rotor 34.

The transverse thickness of the key 120, that is to say of the arm 124, is of course slightly less than the width of the slot in the axial groove 86.

A helical compression spring 132 is arranged between the underside of the arm 124 and a surface support 136 (see FIG. 4) formed opposite in the axial extension 112 of the outlet member 92.

The height, considering figure 2, of the main guide rod 122, is such that the distance which separates its outer radial end 124 from its other radial end 126 is slightly less than the diameter of the main part 94.

The second end 127 of the guide rod 122 constitutes the second end of the key 120, at the sense of invention, and is likely to be received in the axial groove 52 formed in the cylindrical wall internal 48 of the fixed body 40.

In the assembled position, the annular faces 108 and 110 of stator 38 and rotor 34 are in support against the axial end face 106 of the part main cylindrical 94 of the output member 92.

The upper face 138 of the arm 124 constituting the active part of the key 120 is likely to cooperate with the lower radial face 78 of the finger indexing 68 when these components are aligned.

The inner radial face 78 of the finger indexation 68 is also likely to cooperate with the external cylindrical surface 81 of the axial portion end 80 of rotor 34 as will be explained by after.

We will now describe the operating mode of the releasable lock according to the invention by referring especially in Figures 4 to 12.

In the rest position of the lock illustrated schematically in Figures 4 and 5, no key, compliant or not, is not inserted in the lock.

The intermediate stator 38 is immobilized in rotation relative to the fixed body 40 due to the cooperation of indexing finger 68 with the groove longitudinal 50.

The rotor 34 is immobilized in rotation by relative to intermediate stator 38 in position angular illustrated in FIG. 4 in which the finger indexing 68 extends opposite the axial slot 86 of the part 80 of the rotor 34.

The active part 120 of the key drive of the output member 92 is supported radially outward against the radial face internal 78 of indexing finger 68 under the action of spring 132 which bears against the surface 136.

The active part 120 of the key drive is received in the axial groove 86 and there it is therefore impossible to fraudulently provoke a rotation of the output member 92 because the rotor 34 is itself immobilized in rotation relative to the intermediate stator 38 which is immobilized in rotation relative to the fixed body 40.

We will now refer to Figures 6 and 7 to describe the normal operation of the lock.

This normal operation corresponds to the introduction of a conforming key in the lock, through slot 36.

This introduction has the consequence of disengage in rotation the rotor 34 relative to the intermediate stator 38.

It is thus possible to cause a rotation of the rotor 34, using the key, for example in the direction anti-clockwise considering Figures 4 and 6.

During this rotation, the radial face inner end 78 of indexing finger 68 remains resting against the external cylindrical surface 81 of the rotor 34 thus securing the stator in rotation intermediate 38 with the fixed body 40.

Under the action of spring 132, the active part of the key 120 is biased to bear radially outward against the concave cylindrical surface of the internal bore 56 of the rotor 38.

The key 120 thus normally occupies the same radial position with respect to rotor 34 and extension 112 than that illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The operation of the lock, and therefore of the anti-theft device, then takes place in a conventional manner, the rotor 34 transmitting its rotational movement to the organ of exit 92, and therefore to crankpin 98, via the drive key whose active part 120 is driven in rotation by the edges opposite the through axial slot 86 of rotor 34 and whose rod main guide 122 rotates the part main 94 of the output member 92 thanks to its cooperation with the diametrical groove 118, this movement of training being supplemented by the cooperation of complementary guide rod 126 with the edges facing each other of the through axial slot 116 of the extension 112.

Figures 8 and 9 show the positions relative that the different components occupy in the case of the introduction of a non-conforming key.

If a thief introduces a non-conforming key in latch 14, it does not disengage in rotation the rotor 34 and the intermediate stator 38. On the other hand, in forcing to try to cause a rotational movement of the rotor, and due to the complementary V-shapes reversed from indexing finger 68 and axial groove 50 of the fixed body 40, it causes the radial erasure towards inside the index finger 68 in the light 66 and in the axial slot 86 of the end portion 80 of the rotor 34.

This erasure or retraction of the finger indexation 68 has the first consequence of rendering the assembly constituted by the intermediate stator 38 and the rotor 34 crazy in rotation relative to the fixed body 40.

By penetrating radially inwards into slot 86, index finger 68, via from its inner radial end face 78 causes also the inward radial displacement of the active part of the key 120 which is guided in the slot 116, and this against the elastic force of spring return 132.

This sliding movement of the key 120 radially inward if we consider the part active 120 simultaneously causes radial displacement outward from the end 126 of the main rod 122 for guiding the key 120 which then penetrates radially in the longitudinal groove 52 of the fixed body 40 as illustrated in FIG. 9.

The thief therefore does not cause any training in rotation of the output member 92 via the rotor 34 because it no longer drives the key 120 which faded radially inward into the slot 116 due to the cooperation of its inclined surfaces in Inverted V 128 with parallel edges 130 of the slot axial through hole 86.

Furthermore, it is impossible for the thief to act directly on the output member 92 to cause its rotation insofar as it is immobilized in rotation relative to the fixed body 40 by the end 126 of the guide rod 122 which is received in the groove 52, the rod 122 being itself immobilized in rotation by report to main part 94 of the indexing body 92.

The lock 14 according to the invention which has just been described is therefore not only of the disengageable type but it provides greater security insofar as it is impossible for a thief to cause a rotation of the output member 92 in the absence of a conforming key, even when the thief seeks to act directly on the output member 92, for example by trying to make turn the latter by acting on the coaxial rod of output 140 which is intended to act on a switch rotary associated with the lock (not shown).

Claims (8)

1. A lock (14) with a releasable rotor (34), especially for control of a motor vehicle anti-theft steering lock device (10), of the type comprising a rotor (34) which is mounted for rotation within an intermediate stator (38) in the form of a sleeve member, which is itself mounted for pivoting movement within a fixed body of the lock (14), locking members such as pallets (60) or pairs of pistons cooperating with the rotor (34) and the intermediate stator (38), for coupling them for rotation together in the absence of any key or in the presence of an incorrect key, and for releasing the rotor (34) for rotation with respect to the intermediate stator (38) after a correct key has been introduced, of the type including, for angular indexation of the intermediate stator (38) with respect to the fixed body (40), a member (68) which is mounted for radial movement between an indexing position, towards which it is biased elastically and in which it is received in a groove (50) of the fixed body (40), and a retracted position in which it is withdrawn radially inwards, at least partly, into a seating (86) of the rotor (34) against the action of an elastic return force, of the type including an output member (92) which is mounted for rotation in the fixed body (40) of the lock and which is coupled in rotation to the rotor by releasable actuating means (120), the release of which is caused by the indexing member of the stator (68) when it is in its retracted position, and of the type in which the releasable actuating means (120, 126) hold the output member (92) against rotation with respect to the fixed lock body (40) when they are in a released position under the action of the indexing member (68), characterised in that the indexing member (68) is mounted for radial sliding movement in a housing (66) in the intermediate stator (38), which is open facing an axial slot (86) in the rotor (34) that is itself open into an internal bore (84) of the rotor (34), which receives in rotation an axial cylindrical extension portion (112) of the output member (92), and in that the releasable actuating means of the output member (92) comprise a key piece (120, 122) which is mounted for radial sliding movement in a slot (116) in the extension portion (112) of the output member (92), between an actuating position towards which it is biased elastically and in which a first end portion (120, 128) of the key piece is received in the axial slot (86) of the rotor, and a released position in which the first end portion of the key piece is retracted radially inwards into the extension portion (112) of the output member (92), and in which the second end portion (127) of the key piece projects radially outwards so as to be received in a stop recess (52) formed in the fixed body (40) of the lock.
2. A lock according to Claim 1, characterised in that the indexing member (68) has a profile in the form of an inverted V, and it is received in an axial groove (50) formed in the inner cylindrical wall (48) of the fixed body (40) of the lock.
3. A lock according to Claim 1 or Claim 2,
   characterised in that the first end portion (120, 128) of the key piece has a profile in the form of an inverted V, and in that it is received in an axial through slot (86) of the rotor (34), having parallel edges.
4. A lock according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that a return spring (132) is interposed between the key piece (120) and an engagement surface (136) of the output member (92, 94, 112), for biasing the key piece radially outwards.
5. A lock according to Claim 4, characterised in that, in the rest position of the lock, the first end portion (120, 128) of the key piece, under the action of the return spring (132), biases the indexing member (68) radially outwards towards its indexing position.
6. A lock according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the assembly consisting of the intermediate stator (38), the rotor (34) and the output member (92) is arranged for axial sliding movement with respect to the body of the lock (40), against the action of a resilient axial return force during introduction of a correct key.
7. A motor vehicle anti-theft steering lock device (10), of the type comprising a casing (12) mounted on the steering column of the vehicle, the casing receiving a lock (14) which controls a bolt (102) projecting through an aperture in the casing for cooperation with a rotary member of the steering column, characterised in that the lock (14) is made in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims.
8. An anti-theft device according to Claim 7,
   characterised in that the fixed body (40) of the lock (14) is a tubular jacket fitted in the casing (12, 18) of the anti-theft device (10).

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