EP2910716A2 - Holder - Google Patents

Abstract

A tumbler 18, 20 with a transmission element 26 is coupled to the closure element 14 via a coupling 30 so that the transmission element 26 with the closure element 14 in a first direction of movement and a second, opposite direction of movement is movable. To achieve a precise guidance of the closure element with a simple construction, but at the same time to avoid possible damage, it is proposed that the coupling 30 is spring-biased in both directions of movement, so that upon blocking of the closure element 14 when the pretension is overcome, movement of the Transmission element 26 in both directions of movement by a spring A against a spring force is possible.

Description

The invention relates to a tumbler, i. Closure or locking device.

Tumblers are used, for example, in access barriers on a movable area-occluding member such as a door, hatch or lid. By means of a tumbler, such a movable element can be locked or locked.

Such access devices can be used in many areas, especially in automation technology. There, for example, the access to a system, such as a robot or other mechanical or chemical plant may be limited by a boundary in which a door or flap is provided, which is, for example, to open by panning or pushing. The door or flap can be locked or locked by a closing element of a tumbler, for example by a locking bolt.

With a tumbler, the locking or locking can be selectively established or released by the closure element, for example. Locking bolt, is moved by motor in the respective desired position. For example. Such an access door can be locked during operation of a system for safety reasons, but allow access to the system for standstill of operation, maintenance, etc. by unlocking the access.

The EP 2 295 679 A2 describes a guard for a component for closing an opening. A longitudinally movable bolt is driven by an electric motor via a transmission device. To monitor the movement of the bolt, a sensor is provided which determines in which end position the bolt is located. A controller determines the time required for the bolt to move from one end position to the other end position. This can be used to determine whether the drive can move freely or whether the bolt is blocked.

In the EP 2 343 424 A2 is a tumbler described in which a plunger a door as a movable Part stops, or arrested. A drive drives a rack for this purpose as a transmission element. The transmission element acts on a designed as a spring energy storage for moving the plunger. If the plunger is not blocked, it moves due to the force applied by the spring. In the case of a blockage of the plunger, the drive moves the transmission element so that energy is stored in the spring. If the blockage falls away, then the plunger jumps into the respectively activated position due to the spring force.

In the DE 10 2009 009 259 A1 a tumbler is described in which a drive moves via an interlinked transmission means a plunger. The transmission device has a first transmission element which is coupled by means of a pin to the plunger, which moves in a slot. The first transmission element is rotatably mounted and is coupled with respect to a worm wheel segment as a second transmission element by a torsion spring. If the drive causes a rotational movement of the second transmission element, in the normal case the rotational movement is immediately converted by the spring into a rotational movement of the first transmission element. For this purpose, the ends of the torsion spring bear against stops of the first and second transmission element. If the movement of the plunger blocked, so the first transmission element can not rotate, so that the torsion spring is deflected and tensioned. If the blockage of the plunger detaches, the torsion spring is relieved. Both in the case of a blockade upon movement of the plunger from the unlocked end position into the locked end position, as well as in a blockage of the plunger from the locked end position to the unlocked end position so takes place an energy input in the designed as energy storage spring.

It is an object of the invention to propose a tumbler and an operating method for this, in which a secure locking and unlocking allows and in the case of blocking a movable closure element damage can be avoided.

This object is achieved by a tumbler according to claim 1 and a method for operating a tumbler according to claim 14. Dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments of the invention.

According to the invention, the tumbler comprises a closing element which can move in a closing direction, For example, a locking bolt, which is displaceable in its longitudinal direction in the closing or opposite opening direction, at least between a closed position in which a part of the closure element with a receiving element, eg. A receiving opening, cooperating to form a lock, and an open position, in the locking element releases the lock.

According to the invention, the tumbler comprises a drive with a transmission element for moving the closure element. The drive may, for example, provide a linear drive, e.g. as electromechanical linear drive, solenoid, hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, etc. Preferably, the drive provides a motor for rotary drive, for example. Via a transmission, e.g. is coupled by a rack or drive spindle, for displacement of the transmission element in the closing direction. Particularly preferred is the use of an electric motor with a corresponding gear.

The transmission element is coupled for movement or force via a coupling with the closure element, so that the transmission element with the closure element is movable together in a first movement direction parallel to the closing direction and a second, opposite movement direction. Preferably, this movement is a linear movement, so that the coupling transmission element and closure element are jointly linearly movable.

The coupling according to the invention is designed so that it is spring-buffered in both directions of movement under bias. Regardless of whether the closure element is to be moved by the drive via the transmission element and the coupling in the closing direction or in the opposite opening direction, a suspension acts via the coupling, so that upon blocking of the closure element movement of the transmission element in one of the directions of movement against a spring force a spring travel is possible. The coupling is under bias, so that the deflection of the spring travel is possible only when overcoming the bias.

Due to the spring-buffered coupling in both directions of movement, a direct mechanical reaction to the drive or intermediate elements, for example a gear, is avoided in the case of blocking of the closure element. Whether the closure element is blocked in a movement in the closing direction or in the opposite direction of opening, thereby no immediate blocking of the transmission element and thus the drive, but at least a short movement about the spring travel against the said spring force. Particularly advantageous is the bias voltage, through which a particularly tight coupling can be realized, so that in fact only in the case of a blockage with the considerable forces occurring the deflection takes place about the travel, namely at such a high acting force that the bias of Coupling is overcome.

As a result of the solution according to the invention, the risk of damage when blocking the closure element is significantly reduced. Very high acting force impulses then do not act directly on the transmission element and the drive, but lead by overcoming the bias to trigger the coupling with a movement around the spring travel. At the same time can be limited by the bias of the triggering of the coupling to the actual high forces acting in the case of a blockage, while the coupling is adjusted by suitable selection of the bias so that behaves rigidly in normal operation.

In this case, despite the spring-buffered coupling, the movement of the closure element preferably takes place largely synchronously with the movement of the transmission element. To avoid damage, it may well be sufficient if only the immediate, occurring by blocking the closure element shock is buffered, without as in some solutions of the prior art, a substantial decoupling of the movement of the closure element and the transmission element. Therefore, preferably, the maximum spring travel provided in the coupling can be limited to a small amount compared to the total movement of the closure element.

Preferably, for example, the closure element is movable in the closing direction by a maximum travel, which may be limited by the construction and design of the drive and the transmission element, but also by a corresponding control of the drive. Depending on the use of the tumbler, the maximum travel can be, for example, 5 to 50 mm, in some applications for example 10 to 30 mm. The maximum travel of the coupling can, for example, be structurally limited, for example by the distance between two Attacks. The maximum travel of the coupling can be selected preferably low, for example, less than 50% of the maximum travel path. Preferred for a synchronous coupling as possible is an even closer limitation of the maximum travel on, for example, 25% or less of the maximum travel, more preferably 10% or less. Thus, the maximum spring travel, for example, be limited to a few mm, yet the goal is achieved to prevent damage in the event of a blockage. At the same time can be achieved by limiting the maximum travel a very compact design of the coupling.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one coupling element is provided for realizing the coupling, which is movable, in particular preferably displaceable, both in relation to the transmission element and in relation to the closure element in at least one of the directions of movement. At least one drive stop is preferably formed on the transmission element and at least one closure stop is formed on the closure element, wherein movement is limited by abutment of the coupling element against these stops. Furthermore, at least one spring is preferably provided in order to act on the coupling element in the direction of these stops.

It is particularly preferred that at least one first and one second coupling element are provided which are both movable relative to the transmission element and with respect to the closure element, preferably displaceable, and that a compression spring acts between the coupling elements.

The coupling by means of an intermediate coupling element, on which acts a spring, allows the desired decoupling between the closure and transmission element. The use of two coupling elements allows in a simple structure in particular the two-sided decoupling. While multiple springs can be used to generate the spring force, the construction is significantly simplified by the use of a single compression spring between the coupling elements.

Preferably, such a compression spring should act within the coupling in both directions of movement and thus provide the desired spring force, regardless of whether it acts in the closing or opening direction. More preferably, the compression spring for generating be biased according to the desired bias, more preferably between the first and second coupling element. Thus, the desired transfer characteristic of the coupling can be achieved with a very simple mechanical construction.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one first and one second closure stop are provided on the closure element, in each case for a first and a second coupling element. At least two stops may also be provided on the transmission element, a first drive stop for the first coupling element and a second drive stop for the second coupling element. The coupling elements are preferably arranged between the stops, namely between the first closure stop and the first drive stop on the one side and the second closure stop and the second drive stop on the opposite side. With this simple construction, a bidirectional coupling can be established.

It is particularly preferred that between the coupling elements, a compression spring is provided, which is further preferably biased to bias the first coupling element in the direction of the first closure stop and the first drive stop and the second coupling element in the direction of the second closure stop and the second drive stop. By means of the stops, the desired preload is thus enabled in both directions, while the desired decoupling is ensured by the coupling elements, which are acted on by the spring.

Preferably, the closure element is designed as a bolt, for example. With a round cross-section. The coupling elements can be designed so that they engage around the closure element, for example as sleeves. Also, the transmission element may be formed encompassing the closure element, for example. As a cage. It is then particularly preferred that at least one spring and at least one, preferably two coupling elements are arranged within the cage. At the cage stops for the coupling elements may be provided, and the spring may be biased between the stops.

Fig. 1

in Draufsicht eine Zuhaltung als Ausführungsform der Erfindung in Zusammenwirkung mit einer beweglichen Tür;

Fig. 2

in perspektivischer Ansicht einen Teil der Zuhaltung aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 3a - 3c

eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie A..A in Fig. 2 mit verschiedenen Stellungen einer Kopplung der Zuhaltung.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to drawings. Showing:

Fig. 1

in plan view a tumbler as an embodiment of the invention in cooperation with a movable door;

Fig. 2

in a perspective view of a part of the tumbler Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3a - 3c

a sectional view taken along the line A..A in Fig. 2 with different positions of a coupling of the guard locking.

FIG. 1 shows in plan view in a partially schematic form a tumbler 10, which on a fixed element (not shown), for example. A door stop against a movable element, here a pivotable door 12, is arranged.

The tumbler 10 comprises a locking bolt 14 displaceably mounted in the longitudinal direction L as a movable closure element, which cooperates with a locking opening 16 on the door 12 in such a way that it engages in the in FIG Fig. 1 shown extended locking position causes a locking of the door 12, and in a retracted open position (in Fig. 1 not shown) the locking opening 16 releases.

For this purpose, the tumbler 10 a drive in the form of an electric motor 18, via a gear 20, in the example shown consisting of a drive pinion 22 and a threaded rod 24, a feed of a carriage 26 as a transmission element and coupled thereto the advance of the locking bolt 14 in the closing direction or effected in the opposite opening direction.

The carriage 26 is as well as off Fig. 2 seen firmly connected to the rack 24 so that it is directly coupled to the engine without play. By contrast, the locking pin 14 is coupled to the carriage 26 via a prestressed, spring-loaded coupling 30, which will be explained in detail below.

By acting on both sides, spring-loaded and biased coupling 30 play between the movement of the locking pin 14 and the carriage 26 is made possible to a lesser extent, ie, a relative movement between these two parts. As will be explained below, the relative movement due to the bias is only possible with relatively strong force, in particular with active drive by the motor 18 and the gear 20 with simultaneous blocking of the locking bolt fourteenth

The structure of the coupling 30 between the locking pin 14 and the carriage 26 is in particular from the enlarged sectional view in Fig. 3a seen. On the locking pin 14, a first closure stop 32a is formed in the form of a step, and a second closure stopper 32b as a ring at a distance thereof. Between the closure stops 32a, 32b, a coupling structure is arranged consisting of a first sleeve-shaped coupling element 34a, a second sleeve-shaped coupling element 34b and a compression spring 40 acting between the coupling elements 34a, 34b.

The coupling elements 34a, 34b are each formed as sleeves around the locking pin 14 around. They are relative to the locking pin 14 in the longitudinal direction L displaced. By the pressure spring 40, which is likewise arranged around the locking bolt 14, the coupling elements 34a, 34b are pressed apart and acted upon in the direction of the drive stops 32a, 32b. In this case, the spring 40 is biased between the coupling elements 34a, 34b, so that in the in Fig. 3a shown rest position, in which the coupling elements 34a, 34b have a maximum distance A from each other, the compression spring 40, the coupling 30 holds under tension.

The carriage 26 has a cage 28, which is penetrated by the locking pin 14 and encloses its penetrating portion as well as the coupling elements 32a, 32b and the compression spring 40. Stops are formed on the inner sides of the cage 28 in the form of a first drive stop 36a and a second drive stop 36b.

The coupling elements 32a, 32b are disposed between the drive stops 36a, 36b and slidable relative to the carriage 26. How out Fig. 3a it can be seen, the cage 28 of the carriage 26 on both sides in the longitudinal direction L openings 38a, 38b, through which both the locking pin 14 and each projecting collar of the coupling elements 34a, 34b reach through. Thus, the closure stops 32a, 32b are arranged outside the drive stops 36a, 36b. The coupling elements 34a, 34b can move in their respective direction each to the stop either on the respective closure stopper 32a, 32b or on the respective drive stop 36a, 36b.

In the in Fig. 3a shown rest position is the coupling between the locking pin fourteenth and the carriage 26 is completely given. The compression spring 40 acts on the coupling elements 34a, 34b so that they abut each outside both on the drive stops 36a, 36b and the closure stops 32a, 32b. By the bias of the spring 40 as a tight, play-free coupling is given so that the locking pin 14 and the carriage 26 move synchronously and rigidly with each other, via the coupling 30 and forces between the elements are transmitted, as far as this below the bias of Spring 40 are.

In the case of blocking the locking bolt 14 upon activation of the drive 18, 20 can act on the locking pin 14 and the drive very high forces. If the drive 18, 20 in the closing direction L acts on the locking pin 14 and, for example, the door 12 is not completely closed, so that the locking opening 16 is not in overlap, then the locking pin 14 moves into blocking with the further-acting drive 18, 20. Even if the direction of action is reversed, such a blockage can lead to high forces: If the drive 18, 20 causes the locking bolt 14 to move into the unlocking position, but at the same time strong lateral forces are exerted on the door 12, the locking bolt also locks strong force on the coupling 30.

To avoid damage, especially on the drive 18, 20, the coupling 30 allows as below with respect to Fig. 3b, 3c is explained, a certain game, ie, a relative movement between the carriage 26 and the locking pin fourteenth

Fig. 3b shows the coupling 30 under the action of a high force F in the pulling direction of the locking bolt 14, as they could occur, for example, in the case of a blocking of the locking pin 14 in the causes of movement of the carriage 26 from the locking position to the unlocked position. In this case, the force F acts on the first coupling element 34a via the cage 28 and its first drive stop 36a. Via the compression spring 40, the force is transmitted to the second coupling element 34b, which, however, is acted upon by the second closure stop 32b in the opposite direction. If the amount of the forces acting on the elements is above the bias of the spring 40, then this is as in Fig. 3b shown compressed, so that the coupling elements 34a, 34b against the action of the spring 40 to move toward each other. The distance of the coupling elements decreases by a spring travel with respect to the maximum distance A, until the coupling elements 34a, 34b touch in an extreme case.

By compressing the spring 40 and the movement of the coupling elements 34a, 34b so a slight relative movement between the carriage 26 and the locking pin 14 is made possible, the maximum corresponds to the original distance A of the coupling elements 34a, 34b. Thus, a complete blockage of the carriage 26 can be avoided when exposed to very high forces.

Fig. 3c shows the coupling 30 in the case of the action of a high force F in the opposite direction, as might occur, for example, in the case of the blockade of the locking pin 14 in the process from the opening into the locking position. Conversely to the conditions in Fig. 3b In this case, the first coupling element 34a separates from the abutment on the first drive stop 36a, and likewise the second coupling element 34b separates from its abutment with the second closure stop 32b. As related to above Fig. 3b explained, the coupling elements 34a, 34b move towards each other even in this opposite application and press the spring 40 together. Thus, there is a relative displacement of the carriage 26 and the locking bolt 14 at most by the length A, so that a decoupling is made possible to a lesser extent here as well.

It is in normal operation, as long as the coupling 30 no biasing force of the spring 40 exceeds acting force, given a rigid and synchronous connection between the carriage 26 and the locking pin 14. The bias of the spring 40 can be chosen so that the in Fig. 3b, 3c shown release of the coupling 30, ie temporary decoupling of the elements to each other only at forces that would otherwise lead to the destruction of the drive 18, 20.

The success of a slight decoupling can be achieved even at fairly low distances A, ie low maximum spring travel. Thus, the coupling 30 remains compact overall as shown. For example, even a maximum travel of only 2mm at a maximum stroke of the locking bolt 14 of 20mm, so a game of a maximum of 20%, effectively sufficient to avoid destruction.

In any case, it is preferable if the blocking of the striker 14 is detected by a suitable sensor to shut off the drive in time. This can be done, for example, by a current detection on the motor 18 or by position sensors on the locking pin 14.

Claims (14)

Tumbler with a closure element (14) which is movable parallel to a closing direction, - And a drive (18, 20) with a transmission element (26) for movement of the closure element (14) which is coupled via a coupling (30) with the closure element (14), that the transmission element (26) with the closure element ( 14) is movable in a first direction of movement (L) and a second, opposite direction of movement, - In which the coupling (30) is spring-biased in both directions of movement, so that upon blocking of the closure element (14) upon overcoming the bias movement of the transmission element (26) in both directions of movement by a spring travel (A) against a spring force is possible , Locking device according to claim 1, in which - The closure element (14) in the closing direction (L) is movable by a maximum travel, - And the maximum travel (A) of the coupling (30) is less than 50% of the maximum travel. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one coupling element (34a, 34b) which is movable relative to the transmission element (26) and with respect to the closure element (14) in at least one of the directions of movement is provided, - wherein the coupling element (34a, 34b) for abutment at least on a drive stop (36a, 36b) on the transmission element (26) and at least one closure stop (32a, 32b) formed on the closure element (14) and by at least one spring (40) in Direction of these attacks (32a, 32b, 34a, 34b) is acted upon. Locking device according to claim 3, in which a first and a second coupling element (34a, 34b) are provided, which are displaceable with respect to the transmission element (26) and with respect to the closure element (14), - A compression spring (40) between the coupling elements (34 a, 34 b) acts. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, in which - On the closure element (14) at least a first and a second closure stop (32a, 32b) for at least one coupling element (34a, 34b) is provided. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, in which - At least one first and a second drive stop (36a, 36b) for at least one coupling element (34a, 34b) is provided on the transmission element. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one first closure stop (32a) for a first coupling element (34a) and a second closure stop (32b) for a second coupling element (34b) are provided on the closure element (14), and at least one first drive stop (36a) for the first coupling element (34a) and a second drive stop (36b) for the second coupling element (34b) are provided on the transmission element (26), - wherein the coupling elements (34a, 34b) are arranged between the first closure stop (32a) and the first drive stop (36a) on one side and the second closure stop (32b) and the second drive stop (36b) on the opposite side. A tumbler according to claim 7, wherein - A compression spring (40) between the coupling elements (34 a, 34 b) is biased to the first coupling element (34 a) in the direction of the first closure stop (32 a) and the first drive stop (36 a) and the second coupling element (36 b) in the direction of the second closure stopper (32b) and the second drive stop (36b) to act. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, in which - At least one coupling element (34 a, 34 b) as the closure element (14) embracing sleeve is formed. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, in which - The transmission element (36), the closure element (14) is formed encompassing. A tumbler according to claim 10, wherein - The transmission element (26) has a cage (28) which is penetrated by the closure element (14), - Wherein within the cage (28) at least one spring (40) and at least one coupling element (34 a, 34 b) are arranged. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, in which - The transmission element (26) via a transmission (20) for longitudinal displacement with a motor (18) is coupled. A tumbler according to claim 12, wherein - The transmission (20) comprises a rack (24) or drive spindle. Method for operating a tumbler, in which - A parallel to a closing direction (L) movable closure element (14) by means of a transmission element (26) is moved, wherein the transmission element (26) via a coupling (30) is so coupled to the closure element (14) that the transmission element (26 ) with the closure element (14) in a first direction of movement (L) and a second, opposite direction of movement is movable, - Wherein the coupling (30) is spring-biased in both directions of movement under bias, so that in a blocking of the closure element (14) upon overcoming the bias, a movement of the transmission element (26) is possible in both directions of movement by a spring travel (A) against a spring force.

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