EP0899403A1 - Check for pivotably mounted members - Google Patents

Abstract

The lock has a hydraulic device with a cylinder and piston unit (4,5) braking mechanism, coupled to a mechanical arrangement of brakes (3a,3b) which can be made to engage operationally with a stay bar (1). Separately from the swivel movement of the component, an electronic evaluation device (15) in an electric motor (9), controlled by a movement sensor (14), generates pressure in the brake cylinder (5,5a) to activate the locking mechanism.

Description

The invention relates to a lock for different Angular positions pivoted to a fixed base, with this additional components connected via a handrail, the hydraulic means for continuously determining the swivel positions.

In various areas of daily life there is a need Components that can be pivoted to a fixed position in different angular positions Base articulated, fix in a predetermined swivel position. Examples of this are the detection of doors and windows in houses and Buildings and locking doors, hoods or tailgates Motor vehicles.

The prior art already shows several typical solutions for this are to be described on the basis of ascertainers for motor vehicle components, but adapted accordingly for the detection of swiveling Components can be used in other technical areas.

Vehicle doors of motor vehicles typically have a so-called Door lock on, which allows the vehicle door in certain Angular positions against self-movement is determined, which in particular that Getting in and out of the motor vehicle occupants easier. Mostly mechanically working door locks are used, the one Locking element to be fixed in the form of a holding rod, also locking arm called, have. The handrail is articulated at its end with the Door frame connected, in such a way that its pivot outside of the by the hinge axes predetermined pivot axis of the door. The Handrail protrudes through an opening in the side edge of the door leaf into; due to their eccentric linkage on the door frame Handrail when moving the door Extending and retracting movements relative to the door leaf. In the door leaf is a locking device for locking and Guide the grab bar attached. This locking device has typically locking elements or clamping elements in the form of spring-loaded sliding or rolling elements that counteract with the force of the springs press the handrail. The handrail is with several Provide recesses into which the locking elements can snap. There the locking device in the extension of the handrail rigid on the door leaf is attached, the locking recesses of the handrail reach when opening the Door in a position opposite the locking elements, in which the Locking devices for locking the door against unintentional movement in Immerse the notches. On the handrail are usually two spaced-apart locking recesses or two from each other spaced groups of recesses formed around the Motor vehicle door in two open positions against accidental Secure movements. Only after overcoming one by the construction the locking device and the handrail due to minimum pressure let the door move.

Such a door arrester is known for example from US-A-2,032,600 known.

A principle-related disadvantage of the known door arrester is that the opening positions, in which the door can be fixed, specified in the design are. In practice, however, it turns out that it is often desirable for the door can be determined in any freely definable positions. This is for example in the case of narrow parking spaces. Furthermore, the well-known Door arrester has the disadvantage that the door at the end of an opening movement partly automatically in the determined by the recesses Opening positions is pivoted; in the same way at positions in unstable intermediate positions the door by the slightest influence of wind or Toast independently notice or fall. With these unwanted Door movements can damage the paintwork on your own vehicle or that of the neighboring vehicle come because the door edge on adjacent vehicles or on garage walls or the like; furthermore, it can happen when falling, albeit too slight, personal injury. When opening the door in the steep Off-road it can happen that the restoring force of the door is greater than that "Detent force" so that a determination is not possible.

Typically, only the positions exist for hood and tailgates "closed" and "fully open". Especially when it comes to tailgates partially the ceiling heights of garages or parking garages do not allow that Flaps fully open. The flaps could then be damaged with partial opening initially via typically installed gas pressure springs are automatically pushed into the end position.

To avoid the aforementioned disadvantages, locks for in different angular positions pivoted to a fixed base Components become known in which the component in any Swivel position controlled automatically can be determined and released. So DE 41 30 782 C2 shows a door arrester with a motorized Drive device triggered by a control unit control signals a motion sensor, receives and via a mechanical Braking device depending on the signals a mechanical tensioning of the Handlebar causes. In order for the engine to apply sufficient braking force, it must be very powerful, with the consequence of a large construction volume that placing it in the door leaf makes it problematic.

A comparable system is shown in DE 40 25 510 A1. The one through this writing well-known motor vehicle door lock works steplessly, but the Determination by a linear motor m connection with a mechanical Brake that is to be understood as a linear lifting device and that only Functions "on" or "off", exercised. This solenoid works "abruptly" what is disturbing by the car occupant actuating the door is felt. Since in the known case the sensors with the Door actuator are coupled, the known door lock furthermore the disadvantage that the door arrester only functions when the Door is moved using the door handle. When the door moves through For example, touching the door edge does not activate the known system.

DE-PS 14 59 182 and DE 35 19 203 C2 are also door stops have become known, the hydraulic means for continuously determining the Have swivel positions. With these door stays, there is one in one Cylinder housing axially displaceable piston coupled to the support rod provided, the cylinder having two separate cylinder chambers, the be separated from each other by the piston. It is still a den Flow between the two pressure medium regulating valve devices provided such that the door stay is hydraulically blocked when the Vehicle door has reached its desired opening position. The actuation of the The valve is set up by pressing the inside or outside handle a mechanical actuator or an electrical actuator. In both In cases, a person must keep contact with a handle on the door to be able to move. Throwing the door shut is then not an example possible.

The invention is based, based on the task designated lock for pivoting in different angular positions articulated on a fixed base, with this additionally via a handrail connected components, the hydraulic means for infinitely variable locking Has pivoting positions to design it in such a way that a "gentle" Detection of the component regardless of how the component pivots is possible.

This object is achieved in that the hydraulic means a brake cylinder / piston unit and one with it coupled mechanical brake assembly that turns into an exciting Active intervention can be brought with the handrail, and that a dependent from a swiveling movement of the component via an electronic one Evaluation unit controlled by a motion sensor electric motor for Building a locking pressure is provided in the brake cylinder.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are compared to the known ones Rest lockers in the fact that instead of fixed stops, the system on everyone anywhere. In particular, the advantage is included Doors in that if they are not in a notch in conventional Finders are fixed, no longer by the slightest influence can become independent, be it an unwanted opening or accidental thing Damage or injury.

Compared to the stepless door stops by means of one Electric motor operated mechanical brake has the advantage of Invention in that the motor used can be kept small because due to the hydraulic transmission, the force required for braking can also be reached by means of a smaller electric motor. Furthermore, the Determination not abruptly, but "gently" through an appropriate structure the braking force in the hydraulic system and a coordinated one Electronics.

Compared to the known hydraulic locking devices, a determination can be made regardless of the type of door movement.

The electric motor can in terms of its performance and thus in terms of its construction volume are advantageously kept particularly small if according to a further development of the invention, a second hydraulic cylinder / piston system is provided to build up the locking pressure that the Brake cylinder is connected upstream via a control valve, and mechanically is connected to the electric motor. This is a gain corresponding to that Diameter ratio of the pistons / cylinders of both hydraulic systems possible.

This is a simple way of establishing the initial state given if according to an embodiment of the invention in the cylinder of second hydraulic cylinder / piston system a return spring for Push the piston back to its original state after switching off the Electric motor is provided.

Another way of resetting is by exceeding an opening force of the brake system the motor via the electronics turn backwards and thus bring it to its starting position. A particularly effective and safe determination of the component is achieved if according to a development of the invention on the brake cylinder Pressure sensor is attached, its output signal to the electronic Evaluation unit is switched, which is reached when a predetermined pressure emits a shutdown signal for the control valve. This measure will ensures that the component is locked with constant braking force.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the sensor control is in advantageously taken so that the handrail depending on the Movement of the support bar a signal-generating motion sensor is assigned, whose output signal to the electronic evaluation unit is switched, which depends on the state of motion of the electric motor activated.

Special advantages with regard to the mode of operation are achieved if the electronic evaluation unit is constructed so that after reaching the predetermined pressure in the brake cylinder closed the control valve and the Electric motor is switched off. As a result, the lock works in closed state without power and is therefore in the functional position regardless of the battery. If the battery fails, the door can open in any case, if it is still closed, open without power, or off an open position by applying a small force, as before required today to overcome the locking forces in known locks is opened or closed.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the brake arrangement preferably two brake pads placed on both sides of the support rod, one of which is fixed and the other on the piston of the Brake cylinder / piston unit, and thus slidably, is attached. In Connection with the pressure sensor in the system in connection with the Evaluation unit and the control valve can generate a constant pressure then a uniform locking force in the braking system regardless of the Wear of the brake pads can be achieved.

Further features and advantages of the invention result from the Description of an embodiment shown in the drawing.

The only figure shows an infinitely adjustable holder from pivoting components, such as those used in particular for doors, hoods and flaps of vehicles that can be used in different Angular positions pivotally articulated on the vehicle body are. The illustration shows the lock in the idle state, i. H. at not swiveled components.

This lock first has a handrail 1, which is also by a band-shaped or disc-shaped bodies or the like can be formed, the one end on the vehicle body or on the pivotable Component is attached, as well as a longitudinally displaceable the support rod 1 receiving locking device 2 for a bilateral active engagement with the Handlebar 1 on. For example in the case of a door arrester for Motor vehicles, the handrail 1 is typically on the A or B pillar of the Vehicle body articulated and the locking device in the door leaf housed. However, it can also be the other way around. H. the handrail is 1 hinged to the component to be pivoted and the locking device is housed in a corresponding space in the vehicle body.

The attachment of the support rod 1, sometimes as a locking arm is referred to and as a generic term for all embodiments of the Locking arm should serve, on the body or on the component itself well-known prior art and therefore does not need to be described in more detail here to be described, since the invention relates to the structure of the Locking device 2 in connection with the support rod 1 relates.

The locking device 2 has two brake pads 3 a, 3 b as locking members on, of which the brake pad 3 a at the end of a piston rod 4 a Piston 4 is fastened in a hydraulic brake cylinder 5 by means of a Hydraulic fluid is arranged to be longitudinally displaceable. The other brake pad 3 b is attached in the housing of the lock.

Is in the brake cylinder 5 in room 5 a corresponding pressure in the Hydraulic fluid built up, the piston 4 presses the brake pad 3 a against the support rod 1, which in turn is on the fixed brake pad 3 b supports. This allows the support rod 1 while noting the pivotable Component between the brake pads 3 a, 3 b are clamped.

To build up the necessary pressure in room 5 a is another hydraulic piston / cylinder system provided with a hydraulic brake cylinder 6, in which a piston 7 longitudinally displaceable and a return spring 8 is added. The piston 7 has a piston rod 7 a, which, acting as a drive spindle, with the Drive shaft of an electric motor 9 or a downstream one Gearbox, is connected such that when the motor is activated, this Piston 7 in the hydraulic cylinder 6 against the force of the return spring 8 after moves to the left, building up a pressure in the space 10 of the hydraulic brake cylinder 6. If the electric motor 9 is switched off, then presses Return spring 8 the piston 7 back to the starting position with the dismantling of Pressure in the pressure chamber 6 a of the hydraulic brake cylinder 6.

To the pressure chamber 6 a of the hydraulic brake cylinder 6 is a Pressure line 10 a 2/2-way valve 11 connected, the output of a pressure line 12 with the pressure chamber 5 a of the hydraulic brake cylinder 5th is in flow connection. At this pressure chamber 5 a is a pressure sensor 13 connected, which ensures that the supply of hydraulic fluid is limited via valve 11 and thus also the pressure in chamber 5 a, as soon as sufficient pressure is built up in this room 5 a.

To detect a pivoting movement of the moving component is a Motion sensor 14 provided, for example, a relative movement of the hinged support rod 1 recognizes the door leaf.

The locking device finally assigns intelligent electronics 15 Evaluation of the signals from the motion sensor 14 and the pressure sensor 13 as well as for the dependent control of the electric motor 9 and the 2/2-way valve 11 on.

The detector according to the invention works as follows:

In the closed position of the pivotable component, e.g. one Motor vehicle door, the system is open; the motor 9 and the valve 2 are de-energized. The door can be opened freely.

If the door is opened and stopped in a certain position, then The standstill of the door is detected via the motion sensor 14. The Electronic 15, which is supplied with the output signal of the motion sensor 14, sets the Motor 9 in motion, the piston 7 in its drive spindle Hydraulic brake cylinder 6 moves. In room 6 a, and thus about that open valve 11 in the entire system, a pressure is built up to closed the pressure switch 13 with the electronics 15, the 2/2-way valve 11 becomes. Then the engine 9 is switched off and that in the hydraulic brake cylinder 6 built-in return spring 8 presses the piston 7 with his Piston rod 7 a and thus the drive spindle of the motor 9 in the Starting position. After that, the system itself is completely de-energized again.

Due to the previous pressure build-up in room 5 a of the parking brake cylinder 5, which is retained even after valve 11 is closed, the brake pad 3 a is pressed onto the support rod 1, which in turn is on supports the fixed brake pad 3b. So the door is in the from Driver or co-driver held in a fixed position.

The system is tuned so that the brake pads 3 a and 3 b on the rod 1 exert a fixed force, given by the pressure in room 5 a of the parking brake cylinder 5, so as a desired via the lever arm Generate opening or closing torque on the door. Will this be through overcome manually pressing on the door, so the motion sensor detects 14 the movement and again opens the valve 11. The door can then can be moved freely until the door stops again Vehicle occupants.

So that the door does not fly from the closed state into the end stop can, the handrail 1 receives at least one end mark by the Motion sensor 14 is detected and to brake the door on this Job leads. Likewise, a maximum speed detection by the Electronics turn on the motor to open the door if it opens too quickly slow down. This limit is not applied when the door closes switched on.

The above-described lock enables that instead of fixed The system can be locked at any point. In particular, the advantage of doors is that when they are not in a detent with conventional locks, no longer get through minor influences can become independent, be it an unwanted opening or accidentally, which can lead to damage or injury.

The lock described is advantageously constructed so that the system in closed state works without current and thus in functional position is independent of the battery. If the battery fails, the door can in any case, if it is still closed, open without power, or from an open position by applying a small force, such as that already today to overcome the locking forces in conventional door locks is required to be opened or closed.

Furthermore, by using the pressure switch 13 in connection with the Electronics 15 and the valve 11 a constant pressure in the space 5 a of Parking brake cylinder 5 generates what a uniform force on Clamping system ensures regardless of the wear of the brake pads 3 a and 3 b.

Claims (9)

Door arrester for components pivoted to different angular positions on a fixed base, additionally connected to this by means of a holding rod, which has hydraulic means for the stepless fixing of the pivot positions, characterized in that the hydraulic means comprise a brake cylinder / piston unit (4, 5) and a mechanical brake arrangement (3a, 3b) coupled therewith, which can be brought into an exciting active engagement with the holding rod (1), and that depending on a pivoting movement of the component via an electronic evaluation unit (15) by means of a motion sensor (14 ) controlled electric motor (9) for building up a parking pressure in the brake cylinder (5, 5 a) is provided. Lock according to claim 1, characterized in that a second hydraulic cylinder / piston system (6, 7) is provided for building up the locking pressure, which is connected upstream of the brake cylinder (5, 5 a) via a control valve (11), and that mechanically is connected to the electric motor (9). Lock according to claim 2, characterized in that in the cylinder (6, 6 a) of the second hydraulic cylinder / piston system a return spring (8) is provided for pushing the piston (7, 7a) back into its initial state after the electric motor (9) has been switched off is. Locking device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a pressure sensor (13) is attached to the brake cylinder (5, 5 a), the output signal of which is connected to the electronic evaluation unit (15) which, when a predetermined pressure is reached, switches off the control valve (11) delivers. Locking device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the holding rod (1) is assigned a movement sensor (14) which generates a signal depending on the movement of the holding rod, the output signal of which is connected to the electronic evaluation unit (15) which is dependent on activated the electric motor (9) in the state of motion. Locking device according to claim 4 and claim 5, characterized in that the electronic evaluation unit (15) is constructed in such a way that after the predetermined pressure in the brake cylinder has been reached, the control valve (11) is closed and the electric motor (9) is switched off. Locking device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the holding rod (1) has an end mark which can be recognized by the motion sensor (14) for the self-triggering of a braking locking process. Locking device according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the control valve (11) is a 2/2-way valve. Lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the brake arrangement has two brake linings (3 a, 3 b) placed on both sides of the holding rod (1), one of which is fixed and the other on the piston (4, 4 a ) the brake cylinder / piston unit and is thus slidably arranged.

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