EP2960410B1 - Locking cylinder device for a motor vehicle with a coupling unit - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a lock cylinder device for a motor vehicle, with a movable rotor which is in operative connection with a bearing in which a coupling unit is held which has at least one fastening interface that can be connected to a lock of the motor vehicle.

A lock cylinder device for a motor vehicle is known from the prior art, which is installed, for example, in a vehicle door and has a housing with a rotor. The rotor can be turned by a key. A coupling unit is connected to one end of the rotor and can be rotated together with the rotor. Thus, the rotation of the rotor caused by a key can be transmitted to the coupling unit. In addition, the coupling unit is in operative connection with a lock, in particular with a lock mechanism of the motor vehicle, so that via a Rotation of the rotor an action in the lock of the motor vehicle can be triggered. Such a lock cylinder device is for example in the DE 2003 21 500 U1 described.

A disadvantage of this lock cylinder device is that the installation of the above-mentioned device on the motor vehicle, in particular on the motor vehicle door, proves to be very complex. One of the reasons for this is that only a cramped and narrow space is available for the above-mentioned device inside the motor vehicle. In addition, the abundance of motor vehicle models results in different geometrical requirements which the above-mentioned device must also meet. It is often necessary to provide different models of the above-mentioned device in order to meet the requirements within the motor vehicle. The font DE 696 03 989 T2 discloses a key-operated lock for motor vehicle doors as well as lockable vehicle locking elements such as a driving deck, a hood, a trunk lid, a tank cap, etc. or a corresponding element engages in such a way that the door is securely locked and which can be moved between a locking and an unlocking position to protect against unauthorized entry.

The object of the present invention is to simplify the above-mentioned device in order to reduce the assembly effort, while at the same time it is possible to provide a device with a lock cylinder device and coupling unit that can be used in different vehicle geometries, even if only triggered by manufacturing tolerances.

The object of the invention is achieved by all of the features of claim 1. Possible embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

According to the invention it is provided that the coupling unit and the bearing are designed such that the coupling unit is pivotably mounted on the bearing and the coupling unit is a from the bearing in the direction of the fastening interface has reaching longitudinal extent which is adjustable in length. An advantage of the invention is that due to the often cramped installation situation within the motor vehicle, the coupling unit is pivotably arranged on the bearing so that, for. B. different geometries within the motor vehicle and / or manufacturing tolerances can be compensated. In addition, it has proven to be very advantageous that the distance between the fastening interface of the coupling unit and the bearing with which the rotor is in operative connection can be set and / or changed individually according to the geometric requirements of the motor vehicle.

Thus, manufacturing tolerances but also geometrical requirements can be compensated or mastered with the help of the coupling unit that go far beyond the usual manufacturing tolerances, for example when it comes to different motor vehicle models in which the device according to the invention is to be installed. The fastening interface can bring the coupling unit directly or indirectly into operative connection with the lock in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or material fit.

An advantage of the invention can be that the coupling unit has the adjustment mechanism which enables an individual adjustment of a distance between the fastening interface and the bearing. The adjustment mechanism is advantageously integrated within the coupling unit, as a result of which a compact overall arrangement can be created. A movement of the rotor can be used to transmit a movement to the coupling unit, which in turn is transmitted to the lock of the motor vehicle. The lock can be brought between a locking position and an unlocking position via the coupling unit, for example, so that the vehicle door can be opened by the user, for example. B. can be opened .. The invention also includes that the adjustment mechanism can have telescopic elements that are used to adjust the distance between the attachment interface of the coupling unit and the bearing.

According to the invention, the adjustment mechanism is designed in such a way that a large number of latching positions is possible, whereby the distance between the fastening interface and the bearing can be adjusted. The structure of the invention represents a compact unit, and at the same time the distance can be adjusted by the fitter via the locking positions without great effort. The latching positions ensure that the distance between the fastening interface of the coupling unit and the bearing is reliably maintained.
In a measure improving the invention, the bearing has a cavity in which the coupling unit is held. The coupling unit can advantageously have a head part, that is kept in the warehouse. The geometry of the cavity enables the coupling unit to be pivotably mounted on the bearing. In addition, the invention can also include that the bearing has an outlet opening through which the coupling unit extends outward from the cavity. The outlet opening of the bearing can also have such a shape and / or geometry that the coupling unit on the bearing can be pivoted through defined angular ranges. Advantageously, the geometry of the head part of the coupling unit is larger than the outlet opening of the bearing, so that it is effectively prevented that the head part is moved or displaced out of the bearing in an unintended manner.

It is advantageous that the coupling unit is arranged non-rotatably in the bearing. This means that when the rotor rotates, both its housing and the bearing are moved along with it, whereby the movement is transmitted directly to the coupling unit.

In addition, the invention can provide that the coupling unit has a rod which has the head part, the rod being movable within a receptacle of the coupling unit, in particular within a coupling housing of the coupling unit. The rod can e.g. B. be made rigid so that the movement of the rotor can be reliably transmitted to the lock of the motor vehicle. For example, the coupling housing can have the fastening interface which can be brought into operative connection with the lock of the motor vehicle. The coupling housing can serve as protection for the rod, which is at least partially slidable within the receptacle of the coupling unit.

The rod can advantageously be axially movable within the coupling housing. Since the coupling unit is pivotably mounted on the bearing, it is conceivable that, when installed inside the motor vehicle, the coupling unit is inclined and / or at an angle to the longitudinal extension of the rotor. This depends on the installation geometry within the motor vehicle door. The rod is advantageously linearly displaceable within the receptacle of the coupling unit, so that the distance between the fastening interface of the coupling unit and the bearing can be reliably adjusted. The rod and the head part advantageously form a common component, which is preferably made of plastic, particularly preferably an injection molded part made of plastic.

It can also be advantageous that the rod has at least one bearing body which is adapted to the geometry of the receptacle, in particular that the bearing body is formed on the end of the rod opposite the head part. The rod can have at least one latching element and / or at least one sliding element. The sliding element causes a reliable adjustment of the distance between the fastening interface of the coupling unit and the bearing without causing large friction losses. In addition, it can be particularly advantageous that the coupling housing has a means to or into which the latching element can be brought, so that the adjustment mechanism enables the latching positions. The means can, for example, be openings into which the latching element is brought and thus latching positions of the adjustment mechanism are achieved.

The invention can also include that the latching element is spring-loaded. During the movement of the rod, the bearing body moves within the receptacle of the coupling unit, with the locking element being moved into a locking position via a spring element when a locking position is reached. During the movement of the rod, however, the latching element is pressed out of the latching position into a release position, the spring element in the coupling housing trying to move the latching element in the direction of the latching position. This embodiment represents a simple and effective construction so that the rod on the coupling unit is reliably held in the respective latching position.

In a further measure improving the invention, the coupling housing can be held in the bearing. As in the other embodiments, the rod can be moved axially within the coupling housing, wherein the rod can be designed with a head part which is designed as a fastening interface in order to create an operative connection with the lock of the motor vehicle. In this embodiment, the coupling unit can have an adjustment mechanism that is individually adjustable, as already described above. The coupling housing can advantageously be accommodated accordingly in the cavity of the bearing, with at least a part of the coupling housing emerging through the outlet opening of the bearing.

The coupling housing is advantageously arranged non-rotatably in the bearing. In addition, the coupling unit can have a rod according to the above-mentioned embodiments, which is designed, among other things, with a bearing body and / or a latching element and / or a sliding element. The head part of the rod is in operative connection as a fastening interface with the lock of the motor vehicle.

The rotor can advantageously be mounted rotatably about an axis, as a result of which the coupling unit is suitable for transmitting a movement of the rotor to the lock, in particular to a lock mechanism. The rotor expediently has a receptacle into which a key can be inserted, the rotor being rotated about its axis via a rotation of the key and thus also the coupling unit, which transmits a corresponding movement to the lock in order to trigger a defined action of the lock . The invention also relates to a system with a lock cylinder device for a motor vehicle with a movable rotor which is in operative connection with a bearing in which a coupling unit is held which has at least one fastening interface that is connected to a lock of the motor vehicle, wherein the coupling unit and the bearing are designed such that the coupling unit is pivotably mounted on the bearing and the coupling unit has a longitudinal extension extending from the bearing in the direction of the fastening interface and adjustable in length. The system according to the invention can also be equipped with a lock cylinder device according to the invention as described above.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Ansicht einer Schließzylindervorrichtung, die über eine Koppeleinheit mit einem Schloss eines Kraftfahrzeuges verbunden ist,

Fig. 2

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer Schließzylindervorrichtung gemäß Figur 1,

Fig. 3

eine nicht erfindungsgemäße Ausführungsvariante einer Schließzylindervorrichtung mit einer Koppeleinheit, die in Wirkverbindung mit einem Kraftfahrzeugschloss steht,

Fig. 4

eine Seitenansicht auf einen Teilbereich der Koppeleinheit gemäß Ansicht A-A aus Figur 3,

Fig. 5

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Koppeleinheit, die in Figur 1 bzw. Figur 2 einsetzbar ist und

Fig. 6

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Koppeleinheit, die in Figur 1 oder Figur 2 einsetzbar ist.

Further advantages, features and details emerge from the following description, in which several exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a lock cylinder device which is connected to a lock of a motor vehicle via a coupling unit,

Fig. 2

a further embodiment of a lock cylinder device according to Figure 1 ,

Fig. 3

a non-inventive variant of a lock cylinder device with a coupling unit that is in operative connection with a motor vehicle lock,

Fig. 4

a side view of a portion of the coupling unit according to view AA Figure 3 ,

Fig. 5

an embodiment of a coupling unit according to the invention, which is shown in Figure 1 or. Figure 2 can be used and

Fig. 6

Another embodiment of a coupling unit not according to the invention, which is shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2 can be used.

In Figure 1 a lock cylinder device 10 for a motor vehicle is shown, a movable rotor 12 being shown schematically, which is in mechanical operative connection with a bearing 20. For example, the lock cylinder device 10 can have a housing 11, within which the rotor 12 is movably supported. In the present case, the rotor 12 can be rotated about an axis 13, specifically when a key, not shown, is inserted into a receptacle 14 of the rotor 12 and this key is then moved about the axis 13. However, the rotor 12 can only rotate about the axis 13 if the “correct” key is inserted into the receptacle 14. For this purpose, the rotor 12 or the lock cylinder device 10 has a corresponding safety mechanism, which will not be discussed in the following.

A coupling unit 40 is held in the bearing 20, the coupling unit 40 also being equipped with a fastening interface 41 which is connected to a lock 1 of the motor vehicle. In the present exemplary embodiment, the coupling unit 40 is connected to a lock mechanism 2, the lock mechanism 2 in turn being in operative connection with the lock 1. It is also conceivable that, according to all of the exemplary embodiments, the fastening interface 41 of the coupling unit 40 is connected directly to the lock 1, which is not explicitly shown.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the lock cylinder device 10 is arranged directly on a door handle 4 of a motor vehicle, the door handle 4 being held by the user operated, in particular moved, in order to trigger corresponding actions in the motor vehicle, in particular on the door 3. As a rule, the door handle 4 can influence the function of the lock 1 via a corresponding movement, for example the lock 1 can be brought into a state whereby the door 3 can be opened. An unlocking state or a locking state of the lock 1 can be achieved via the lock cylinder device 10, in particular via the rotor 12.

Due to the very small installation space inside a door 3, assembly problems often arise in order to professionally secure the lock cylinder device inside the door 3, while at the same time ensuring that a mechanical operative connection between the movable rotor 12 and the lock 1 is established. From manufacturing tolerances alone it can already result that the coupling unit 40 has to be pivoted slightly, for example, during assembly on the lock mechanism 2 (see FIG. Figure 2 ). It is also conceivable that, due to the possible geometries within the door 3, the distance between the bearing 20 and the fastening point on the lock mechanism 2 or on the lock 1 can vary. This problem can be solved by the coupling unit 40 according to the invention, which can be changed in length from the bearing 20 in the direction of the fastening interface 41, possible exemplary embodiments in FIG Figure 3 to Figure 6 are shown. This means that the distance between the fastening interface 41 of the coupling unit 40 and the bearing 20 can be adjusted. In addition, it is conceivable that the coupling unit 40 is pivoted out of alignment with the axis 13 by defined degrees, as shown schematically in FIG Figure 2 is shown.

In the Figures 3 to 6 Different adjustment mechanisms 50 are shown which are integrated in the coupling unit 40. Whereby only the embodiment according to Fig. 5 is according to the invention. In all of the exemplary embodiments, the adjustment mechanism 50 of the coupling unit 40 enables an individual adjustment of the distance between the fastening interface 41 and the bearing 20, or the adjustment mechanism ensures that the length of the coupling unit 40 from the bearing 20 in the direction of the fastening interface 41 is adjustable.

According to Figure 3 the coupling unit 40 has a head part 42 which is held in the bearing 20. The bearing 20 has a cavity 21 in which the coupling unit 40, in particular the head part 42, is received. Here, the bearing 20 is designed with an outlet opening 22 through which the coupling unit 40 extends outward. The outlet opening 22 is funnel-shaped in the exemplary embodiment shown, the diameter of the outlet opening 22 increasing in the direction of the fastening interface 41 of the coupling unit 40. This has the effect that the coupling unit 40 can reliably be pivoted within the bearing 20 out of the axis 13, which is indicated by the arrow representations in FIG Figure 3 is indicated.

Furthermore, the coupling unit 40 has a rod 43 which has the head part 42, the rod 43 being movable within a receptacle 44 of the coupling unit 40, in particular within a coupling housing 45 of the coupling unit 40. The rod 43 is also axially movable within the coupling housing 45. This allows the longitudinal extent of the coupling unit 40 to be changed. In Figure 3 the smallest longitudinal extension of the coupling unit 40 is shown. If the rod 43 were to be moved upwards, a greater distance between the fastening interface 41 of the coupling unit 40 and the bearing 20 could be set. In addition, the exemplary embodiment according to FIG Figure 3 that the coupling housing 45 has an opening 54 through which the rod 43 extends in the direction of the bearing 20. In the area of the opening 54, the coupling housing 45 has shoulder areas 55 which serve as a stop for the rod 43 so that it cannot be moved out of the receptacle 44 unintentionally.

So that the coupling unit 20 can be pivoted reliably in all directions on the bearing 20, the head part 42 is designed to taper in the direction of the free end 56, whereby a tilting movement within the bearing 20 is made possible. In addition, the head part 42 has shoulder elements 53 which enlarge the diameter of the head part 42 in such a way that it is no longer possible to exit the opening 22. In Figure 4 A plan view of the head part 42 is shown, which in a sectional view has a cross-like embodiment which enables a reliable pivoting movement within the bearing 20 in any direction. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable for the head part 42 to be at least partially spherical.

So that a reliable power transmission to the lock 1 is made possible when the rotor 12 rotates about the axis 13, the coupling unit 40 is arranged in the bearing 20 in a rotationally fixed manner. According to Figure 3 and Figure 5 the rod 43 has at least one bearing body 46 which is adapted to the geometry of the receptacle 44 of the coupling unit 40. The diameter of the bearing body 46 is enlarged in relation to the opening 54, so that the rod 43 cannot be moved out of the receptacle 44. In the present exemplary embodiment, the bearing body 46 is formed on the end of the rod 43 opposite the head part 42. According to the embodiment according to the invention, the bearing body 46 has in FIG Figure 5 a latching element 47, the coupling housing 45 being designed with means 49 to which or in which the latching element 47 can be introduced. That means that according to Figure 5 an adjustment mechanism 50 is integrated in the coupling unit 40, which enables a plurality of latching positions 52, whereby the distance between the fastening interface 41 and the bearing 20 can be adjusted. In addition, it is conceivable to arrange a sliding element 48 on the bearing body 46, whereby an improved and almost frictionless displacement of the rod 43 within the coupling housing 45 can be achieved. In the present exemplary embodiment, the means 49 are designed as openings or receptacles which correspond to the geometry of the latching element 47. The locking element 47 is in accordance with the exemplary embodiment Figure 5 spring-loaded, which means that in the event of a shift from one detent position to another detent position, the detent element 47 according to the in Figure 5 arrow direction shown is pressed into the bearing body 46. When the next or the desired locking point 52 is reached, the spring-loaded locking element 47 moves outward again into the opening 49. A reliable locking position is thus achieved. It is also conceivable that locking elements 47 are arranged on the inside of the coupling housing 45 and means, in particular at least one opening or receptacle, are provided on the bearing body 46, whereby a similar adjustment mechanism with a plurality of locking positions can be achieved.

It is conceivable, but not according to the invention, for the adjustment mechanism 50 to be designed in such a way that the distance between the fastening interface 41 and the bearing 20 can be continuously adjusted. This is done in Figure 6 in which the adjustment mechanism has a thread 51. For example, a change in the longitudinal extension of the coupling unit 40 can be achieved by rotating one of the components 43 or 45.

According to Figure 5 and Figure 6 can the coupling unit 40 according to the embodiments according to Figure 3 be executed. This means that the rod 43 according to Figure 5 and Figure 6 with a corresponding head part 42 Figure 3 is executed, whereby a pivoting movement from the axis 13 is also conceivable.

All the exemplary embodiments of the invention represent a compact system with a lock cylinder device 10 for a motor vehicle, with a movable rotor 12 which is in operative connection with a bearing 20 in which a coupling unit 40 is held, which has at least one fastening interface 41 which is connected to a Lock 1 of the motor vehicle is in connection, the coupling unit 40 and the bearing 20 being designed such that the coupling unit 40 is pivotably mounted on the bearing 20 and the coupling unit 40 has a longitudinal extension extending from the bearing 20 in the direction of the fastening interface 41, which in its length is adjustable. Only the embodiment according to Fig. 5 is according to the invention.

List of reference symbols

1

lock

2

Lock mechanism

3

door

4th

Door handle

10

Lock cylinder device

11

casing

12

rotor

13th

axis

20th

camp

21st

cavity

22nd

Outlet opening

40

Coupling unit

41

Mounting interface

42

Headboard

43

pole

44

admission

45

Coupling housing

46

Bearing body

47

Locking element

48

Sliding element

49

Means, opening

50

Adjustment mechanism

51

thread

52

Locking position

53

Shoulder elements

54

opening

55

Shoulder elements

56

free end

Claims (12)

1. Locking cylinder device (10) for a motor vehicle, with
   a movable rotor (12) which is operatively connected to a bearing (20) in which a coupling unit (40) is held which comprises at least one fixing interface (41) which can be brought into connection with a lock (1) of the motor vehicle,
   wherein the coupling unit (40) and the bearing (20) are designed in such a way that the coupling unit (40) is mounted pivotably on the bearing (20) and the coupling unit (40) comprises a longitudinal extension which reaches from the bearing (20) in the direction of the fixing interface (41) and the length of which can be adjusted by an adjusting mechanism (50), characterized in that
   the adjusting mechanism (50) is designed in such a way that a plurality of engaging positions (52) is possible, as a result of which the distance between the fixing interface (41) and the bearing (20) can be adjusted.
2. Locking cylinder device (10) according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   the coupling unit (40) comprises the adjusting mechanism (50) which allows individual adjustment of a distance between the fixing interface (41) and the bearing (20).
3. Locking cylinder device (10) according to one of the previous claims,
   characterized in that
   the coupling unit (40) comprises a head piece (42) which is held in the bearing (20) and/or the bearing (20) comprises a cavity (21) in which the coupling unit (40) is held, in particular wherein the head piece (42) is received.
4. Locking cylinder device (10) according to one of the previous claims,
   characterized in that
   the bearing (20) comprises an outlet opening (22) through which the coupling unit (40) extends outwards from the cavity (21), and/or the coupling unit (40) is arranged in the bearing (20) in a torque proof manner.
5. Locking cylinder device (10) according to one of the previous claims,
   characterized in that
   the coupling unit (40) comprises a rod (43) which comprises the head piece (42), wherein the rod (43) is movable within a receptacle (44) of the coupling unit (40), in particular within a coupling housing (45) of the coupling unit (40).
6. Locking cylinder device (10) according to one of the previous claims,
   characterized in that
   the rod (43) is axially movable within the coupling housing (45).
7. Locking cylinder device (10) according to one of the previous claims,
   characterized in that
   the rod (43) comprises at least one bearing body (46) which is adapted to the geometry of the receptacle (44), in particular wherein the bearing body (46) is formed at the end of the rod (43) opposite the head piece (42).
8. Locking cylinder device (10) according to one of the previous claims,
   characterized in that
   the rod (43) comprises at least one engaging element (47) and/or comprises at least one sliding element (48).
9. Locking cylinder device (10) according to one of the previous claims,
   characterized in that
   the coupling housing (45) comprises means (49) to which or into which the engaging element (47) can be brought, so that the adjusting mechanism (50) enables the engaging positions (52), and/or the engaging element (47) is spring-loaded.
10. Locking cylinder device (10) according to one of the previous claims,
    characterized in that
    the coupling housing (45) is held in the bearing (20).
11. Locking cylinder device (10) according to one of the previous claims,
    characterized in that
    the rotor (12) is mounted rotatably about an axis (13), as a result of which the coupling unit (40) is suitable for transmitting a movement of the rotor (12) to the lock (1), in particular to a lock mechanism (2).
12. System with a locking cylinder device (10) for a motor vehicle, with a locking cylinder device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11, with
    a movable rotor (12) which is operatively connected to a bearing (20) in which a coupling unit (40) is held which comprises at least one fixing interface (41) which is connected to a lock (1) of the motor vehicle,
    characterized in that
    the coupling unit (40) and the bearing (20) are designed in such a way that the coupling unit (40) is mounted pivotably on the bearing (20) and the coupling unit (40) comprises a longitudinal extension which reaches from the bearing (20) in the direction of the fixing interface (41) and the length of which can be adjusted.

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