EP1486634B1 - Locking procedure and locking device for moving element, in particular a wing - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves unlocking by exerting pressure on the movable element (1) towards the locking device (2) to move it out of a locking position, remove the interaction between the movable element and the locking element and actuate a switching element (11). This moves the locking element to a position in which locking is not renewed by a reverse movement of the movable element and friction and shear forces are minimized. Independent claims are also included for the following: (a) a locking arrangement for a moving element, especially a flap or drawer; and (b) a closure arrangement.

Description

The invention relates to a locking method for locking a movable element, in particular a flap or a drawer, in a locking device and a locking device for a movable element, in particular a flap or a drawer, which may be in a closed or in an open position, wherein the Locking device comprises a movable locking element for locking the movable element in its closed position.

Such pivotable flaps, which are usually fastened on one side or articulated on one side, are particularly important in the automotive sector, with electromechanical locking devices being used. Such flaps are for example tank flaps, tailgates, glove compartments and engine compartment flaps.

Known closing devices for such flaps are usually equipped with DC motors, gear stages and drive elements to ensure that shear forces and shear moments can be overcome in the locking mechanism, and to reserve power reserves to compensate for adverse effects such as temperature, corrosion, aging and wear can , The locking devices used so far are therefore measured over the technical problem usually oversized and thus very expensive and expensive.

The invention has for its object to provide a locking method and a locking device of the type mentioned, which allow reliable operation, with a simple design and cost-effective production possibility of the locking device.

The solution of this object is achieved with a locking method with the features of claim 1 and with a locking device with the features of claim 5. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. Claim 24 relates to the use of a locking device in an article according to claim 5 or one of claims 5-23.

1. a) Ausüben eines Drucks auf das bewegliche Element in Richtung der Verriegelungsvorrichtung,
2. b) dadurch ausgelöste Bewegung des beweglichen Elementes aus einer Verriegelungsposition mit dem Verriegelungselement heraus, so daß eine Wechselwirkung zwischen dem beweglichen Element und dem Verriegelungselement aufgehoben wird,
3. c) durch die Druckausübung auf das bewegliche Element verursachte Betätigung eines Schaltelementes und
4. d) durch die Betätigung des Schaltelementes ausgelöste Bewegung des beweglichen Verriegelungselementes in eine Position, in der bei Rückbewegung des beweglichen Elementes keine erneute Verriegelung erfolgt, wobei die Bewegung des beweglichen Verriegelungselementes erfolgt, während es nicht in Wechselwirkung mit dem beweglichen Element ist, so daß Reib- und Scherkräfte minimiert werden.

The locking method according to the invention for locking a movable element, in particular a flap or a drawer, in a locking device, wherein in the locking device cooperating with the movable element, a movable locking element is provided, has the following upon unlocking:

1. a) exerting a pressure on the movable element in the direction of the locking device,
2. b) thereby causing movement of the movable element out of a locking position with the locking element, so that an interaction between the movable element and the locking element is released,
3. c) actuation of a switching element caused by the application of pressure to the movable element and
4. d) actuated by the actuation of the switching element movement of the movable locking element into a position in which no return locking of the movable member takes place, wherein the movement of the movable locking element takes place, while it is not in interaction with the movable element, so that friction - And shearing forces are minimized.

The steps a, b, c of the method are known from DE-A-19 736 561 known, a corresponding device is known from this.

In this way, a locking device can be operated with the method according to the invention particularly low-power and wear-free, so that the method can be performed with very small engine components.

Preferably, in step c) the pressure must be applied for a predetermined period of time to actuate the switching element, since in this way it is ensured that a conscious and not just a random pressure application triggers the actuation of the switching element. Accidental openings are avoided. Furthermore, it is favorable that the movable element is held only for a predetermined period of time in the position in which there is no re-locking in return movement of the locking device. It is thereby achieved that, after the opening of the movable element, the locking element returns to its original position and is ready for a renewed locking of the movable element in the locking device. In another preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a detection is carried out as to whether the movable element is locked in the locking device or not, so is open. This information is preferably forwarded to a central control point and can be evaluated and displayed there.

In a locking device for a movable element, in particular a flap or a drawer, which may be in a closed or in an open position, wherein the locking device comprises a movable locking element for locking the movable element in its closed position, it is essential to the invention that a Switching element is provided, which is connected when pressure is applied to the movable member, that the locking element is formed so that when pressure is applied to the movable member, a mechanical contact between the locking element and the movable member is canceled and that the switching element with an actuator in such a signal connection stands, that upon actuation of the switching element of the actuator is switched, so that the locking element between a locking position and a release position changes. With this locking device, a particularly simple embodiment is possible, since first the movable element, in particular a flap, must be moved to trigger the switching element, so that then the switching element switches the actuator, which brings the locking element in the release position, so that then the Flap can be swung open. Since the flap is first moved and indeed moved so that the locking element is no longer in operative connection with the flap or a flap associated locking pin, the locking element can then be moved very easily without shearing forces or other resulting from the contact to the flap Frictional forces would have to be overcome. The actuator may be a motor, a geared motor, a combination of spring devices or a force applying element in another way, which makes it possible to move the locking element from the locking position to the release position and vice versa. Preferably, the switching element is a component of the locking device and with the movable member in operative connection or positioned so that it is switched when pressure is applied to the movable member.

However, it is preferred to associate with the movable locking element a spring device which holds the locking element in a locking position and also to use an actuator which is operatively connected to the locking element such that the actuator displaces the locking element against the force applied by the spring device into a release position brings. In such a closing device, a particularly simple ausgestalteter actuator can be used, which must exert a force in one direction only.

To close the flap, it is possible in a preferred embodiment to manually push the flap until the flap comes into operative connection with the switching element, so that the actuator is switched and the locking element releases, so that the locking element can switch back to the locking position. Preferably, however, a circuit is provided which activates the actuator only for a predetermined period of time upon actuation of the switching element, so that the locking element for the predetermined period of time is in the release position. Thereafter, the locking element automatically changes back into the locking position, so that when you press the flap this can snap directly into the locking element.

The switching element can be realized in a variety of different embodiments. It can for example be an electrical, electromagnetic or optical detection that the pivotable flap has been brought into a predetermined position. Mechanically simple and reliable is the design of the switching element as a button, which is actuated by the flap. Preferably, the switching element, in particular the button, connected to a circuit that emits an activation signal for the actuator only after a predetermined period of sustained pressure on the button. In this way, an accidental opening is excluded by accidental or unintentional contact of the flap. Furthermore, it is preferred that the circuit associated with the button is set to a predetermined period of time which corresponds approximately to the predetermined period of time to which a circuit associated with the actuator is set. It is achieved that when opening random contacts are excluded and the flap for a period of time, for example, about one second, must be pressed to achieve a release. The switching duration of the actuator is approximately of the same order of magnitude, so that within this time, which corresponds to a conscious and intended operation, the flap can be opened and then the actuator releases the locking element again and the locking latch described above can be done.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator is designed as an electromagnet. The locking device is therefore completely without motor and is particularly simple and inexpensive to produce. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking device with the switching element, in particular the button, and the actuator is formed in an assembly. The locking device can therefore be mounted as an element in or on the flap. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator is in circuit connection with the central locking and / or another optional control device. The actuator associated circuit is preferably designed so that when closing the central locking actuation of the actuator and thus opening of the lid is excluded. Only when the central locking release an actuation of the actuator and thus opening the lid is made possible again.

The switching element of the closing device, in particular the button, is preferably positioned so that it can be actuated by a locking pin arranged on the flap. The flap is conveniently connected to a spring device which holds the flap in an open position so that the locking pin of the flap is locked in the closed position and pressed into this locked position. Only when the operator applies a force directed against the spring force and the flap pushes inwardly, the arranged on the flap locking pin can actuate the button, the locking pin simultaneously leaves the locked position and the locking element of the locking device after pressing the button at negligible Shearing and friction forces is moved.

The locking element is pivotable in a preferred embodiment about a pivot point. Around this, the locking element is pivotable once in a locking position and once in a release position. In this case, the locking element is connected in an end region with the spring device, which is the locking element, in particular pulls the end portion of the spring means opposite end of the locking element in the locking position. On the locking element, a hook element is preferably arranged for engagement in a locking pin attached to the flap, wherein this locking pin preferably also has a hook which is designed to engage in the hook element. The hook of the locking pin and the hooking element of the locking element have defined sliding surfaces which allow the hooking element of the locking element to be pushed sideways by the plunging locking pin of the flap over the defined sliding surfaces until it snaps into place.

In a further development of the invention, an additional sensor is provided with which it is detected whether the movable element is in the closed or in the open position. Preferably, this is designed as an additional switch or as a second switching element or as a button, which is arranged next to the first switching element, said second switching element triggers when the movable member is in the closed position. When pressure is applied to the closed element and a slight movement in the direction of the locking device, in addition to this second switching element and the first switching element described above is actuated, which triggers the actuator. In this way, additional state information is obtained, which can be evaluated and displayed in a central control. The design of this sensor can be done in various other ways as well.

Fig. 1:

einen Tankdeckel mit einer Verriegelungseinrichtung in geschlossener Position;

Fig. 2:

einen Tankdeckel mit einer Verriegelungseinrichtung in geöffneter Position;

Fig. 3:

eine schematische Darstellung des Öffnungsvorgangs in drei zeitlich aufeinander folgenden Positionen;

Fig. 4:

eine schematische Darstellung des Schließvorgangs in drei zeitlich aufeinander folgenden Position; und

Fig. 5:

ein Diagramm der beim Öffnungsvorgang auftretenden Schaltdauem.

The invention will be further explained with reference to a preferred embodiment shown in the drawing. In detail, the schematic representations in:

Fig. 1:

a fuel cap with a locking device in the closed position;

Fig. 2:

a fuel cap with a locking device in the open position;

3:

a schematic representation of the opening process in three temporally successive positions;

4:

a schematic representation of the closing operation in three temporally successive position; and

Fig. 5:

a diagram of Schaltdauem occurring during the opening process.

In Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a locking device according to the invention with a flap 1, which is designed here as a fuel cap, and a locking device 2 is shown. The flap 1 is pivotally mounted on the left side in the figure to a holder 3 and rotatable about a current through the holder 3 axis, wherein a spring device is provided which biases the flap 1 against the direction of the arrow 6. In the right end region, that is to say in the freely pivotable end region, the flap 1 has a locking pin 4 with a hook 5 arranged at the end of the locking pin. The hook 5 is designed for engagement in the locking device 2, more precisely in a hook element 16 of a locking element 10. The locking device 2 has a pivotable about an axis 14 locking element 10 which is characterized here in its locking position by the reference numeral 10 and in its additionally shown release position with 10a. The locking device 2 furthermore has an actuator 12 designed as an electromagnet and a push-button 11. The locking device is arranged in a two-part housing in an assembly. The first housing part 18 receives the switching element 11, the locking element 10 and the actuator 12. The second housing part 13 in particular surrounds the actuator 12 from above and below and forms the axis 14 for the pivoting movement of the locking element 10.

In Fig. 2 is designed as a fuel cap flap 1 shown in the raised position. In the locking device 2, the locking element is again shown in both positions, ie both in the locking position 10 and in the release position 10a. The same parts are marked with the same reference numbers.

The movement sequence is described with reference to the three in Fig. 3 illustrated positions further explained below. The schematic representation according to the first position in Fig. 3 corresponds to the illustration in Fig. 1 in which the locking element 10 is in the locking position and the locking pin 4 engages with its hook 5 in the hook element 16 of the locking element 10. The locking element 10 is held in the locking position by a spring device 20, which is arranged at the lower end of the locking element 10, in particular below the pivot point 14. In the second position is now, as in Fig. 1 indicated by arrow 6, manually exerted a pressure on the flap, so that the locking pin 4 is pressed down and there also operated as a button switching element 11 is actuated. Then, as in the third position in Fig. 3 shown, the actuator 12 is actuated and pulls the locking element in the designated as 10a release position. Thus, the hook element 16 of the locking member 10 is pulled in the figure to the right, so that the flap 1 after completion of the manually applied pressure about the axis extending in the holder 3 axis can pivot upward.

The closing process is based on the three illustrations in Fig. 4 explained. The actuator 12 is actuated for a short time and then turns off again, so that the locking element 10 is in the locking position. When closing the flap 1, the locking pin 4 is guided downwards and, as in the second illustration of Fig. 4 can be seen, presses the locking element 10 along the defined sliding surfaces to the side until the hook 5 and the hook member 16 can snap into each other or snap or hook.

In Fig. 5 the switching duration is shown in a diagram. The time t is indicated on the x-axis and the switching state is plotted on the y-axis. In the first part of the illustrated curve, marked 25, the actuator is switched off, since there must be a predetermined pushing time 25, in which the locking pin 4 acts on the switching element 11, so that accidental or unintentional contact can be distinguished from a wanted opening. After the locking pin 4 has acted upon the switching element 11 for the predetermined period of time, the actuator 12 is turned on at the time 26. The actuator 12 is then turned on for a predetermined period of time 27 in which the locking element is in the release position 10a. In this period, the operator must release the lid or release the pressure on the lid, so that the lid can swing up. After the end of the period of time 27, the actuator switches off at the time 28 and the locking element returns to the locking position 10 in accordance with the train of the spring device 20. The predetermined pressing duration 25 corresponds in its length to the predetermined time 27 that the actuator is connected. This is because ultimately both time periods are adapted to a conscious human action. The duration is about one second each.

Claims (24)

1. A locking method for locking a moving element (1), in particular a flap or a drawer, in a locking device, wherein a moving locking element (10, 10a) which cooperates with the moving element (1) is provided in the locking device, comprising the following steps during unlocking:

   a) applying a pressure to the moving element (1) in the direction of the locking device,

   b) movement of the moving element (1) thereby triggered from a locking position with the locking element so that an interaction between the moving element (1) and the locking element is cancelled,

   c) actuation of a switch element (11) caused by applying pressure to the moving element (1),

   d) movement of the moving locking element (10, 10a) triggered by the actuation of the switch element into a position in which no renewed locking takes place during return movement of the moving element, wherein the movement of the moving locking element takes place whilst it is not in interaction with the moving element (1) so that frictional and shear forces are minimised.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that in step c) pressure must be applied for a predetermined period of time in order to actuate the switch element.
3. The method according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the moving element is only held for a predetermined period of time in which no renewed locking takes place during return movement of the locking device.
4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a detection is carried out as to whether the moving element is locked in the locking position or not.
5. A locking device with a moving element, in particular a flap or a drawer, that can be in a closed or in an open position, wherein the locking device (2) has a moving locking element (10, 10a) for locking the moving element (1) in its closed position, in particular for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in
   that a switch element (11) is provided which is switched when pressure is applied to the moving element (1), wherein the locking element (10, 10a) is configured such that when pressure is applied to the moving element (1), a mechanical contact between the locking element (10, 10a) and the moving element (1) is cancelled,
   that the switch element (11) is in signal communication with an actuator (12) in such a manner that on actuating the switch element (11), the actuator (12) is switched so that the locking element (2) changes between a locking position and a release position.
6. The locking device according to claim 5, characterised in that the switch element (11) is provided in the locking device (2) and is operatively connected to the moving element (1) and positioned such that it is switched when pressure is applied to the moving element (1).
7. The locking device according to any of claims 5 or 6, characterised in that a spring device (20) is assigned to the moving locking element (10, 10a), which holds the locking element in the locking position.
8. The locking device according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the actuator (12) is operatively connected to the locking element (10, 10a) in such a manner that the actuator (12) brings the locking element (10, 10a) into the release position (10a) against the force applied by the spring device (20).
9. The locking device according to any of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that on actuation of the switch element (11), the actuator (12) is activated for a predetermined period of time so that the locking element (10) is in the release position (10a) for a predetermined period of time.
10. The locking device according to any of claims 5 to 9, characterised in that the switch element (11) is configured as a button.
11. The locking device according to any of claims 5 to 10, characterised in that the button (11) is connected to a circuit which only delivers an activation signal for the actuator (12) after a predetermined period of time of applied pressure.
12. The locking device according to claim 11, characterised in that the circuit assigned to the button (11) is set to a predetermined period of time which approximately corresponds to the predetermined period of time to which a circuit assigned to the actuator (12) is set.
13. The locking device according to any of claims 5 to 12, characterised in that the locking device (2) with the locking element (10), the spring device (20), the switch element (11) and the actuator (12) is formed in an assembly.
14. The locking device according to any of claims 5 to 13, characterised in that the actuator (12) is in switch communication with a central locking.
15. The locking device according to any of claims 5 to 14, characterised in that the button (11) is positioned such that it can be actuated by a locking pin (4) disposed on the moving element (1).
16. The locking device according to any of claims 5 to 15, characterised in that the moving element (1) is in communication with a spring device which pretensions the moving element in an open position.
17. The locking device according to any of claims 5 to 16, characterised in that the locking element (10) is pivotable about a pivot point (14).
18. The locking device according to any of claims 5 to 17, characterised in that the locking element (10) is connected to the spring device (20) in an end region.
19. The locking device according to any of claims 5 to 18, characterised in that the locking element (10) has a hook element (16) in a free end region.
20. The locking device according to any of claims 5 to 19, characterised in that the hook element (16) is designed for engagement in a locking pin (4) fixed on the moving element (1).
21. The locking device according to any of claims 15 to 20, characterised in that the locking pin (4) has a hook (5) in its end region which slides along over defined sliding surfaces on the hook element (16) of the locking element (10) and hooks therewith.
22. The locking device according to any of claims 5 to 21, characterised in that a sensor is provided which detects whether the moving locking element is in the closed or open position.
23. The locking device according to claim 22, characterised in that the sensor is configured as a button or switch which is provided additionally to the switch element (11) and is triggered when the moving element is in the locked rest position whilst the switch element (11) is only triggered when an additional pressure is applied to the moving element.
24. Use of a locking device with a moving locking element (10) in a device according to claims 5 to 23.

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