Lock, in particular quarter spin lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock, in particular a quarter-turn lock, comprising a locking shaft (3) which is rotatably mounted in a lock housing (2), and a spring securing device (4) for securing the locking shaft in at least one rotational position against unexpected rotation relative to the lock housing, the spring securing device (4) comprising a spring (5) and a securing element (6), the fastening element is prestressed by a spring (5) and interacts with the lock housing (2) in a locked manner.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lock, in particular a quarter turn lock, having a locking shaft rotatably mounted in a lock housing and a spring fixing device for fixing the locking shaft in at least one rotational position to prevent accidental rotation relative to the lock housing.

[0002] Such quarter-turn locks are used in various fields, for example in the electrical industry, mechanical engineering, refrigeration and air-conditioning technology, vehicle construction and in private enterprise for locking doors, flaps, hatches, windows or similar closing elements, which are collectively referred to below as "doors".

[0003] In order to be able to fix the locking element to a door frame, a fixed frame, a housing or an equipment wall or similar elements, which are also collectively referred to as "door frames" in the following text, these locks have a lock housing, in which the locking shaft is rotatably mounted around a lock axis of the lock, so that the locking shaft can be rotated between an open position and a closed position.

[0004] The outwardly facing end of the locking shaft is used for actuation of the lock, which is why a square, a key surface, a pivot handle or a lever handle or similar actuating element, for example, can be arranged at this end. The opposite inner end of the locking shaft is used for connecting a locking element, which is usually tongue-shaped and is fixed to the locking shaft so that the locking element can be moved back and forth between an open position and a locked position. Usually, the lock is designed so that the locking element is pivoted 90 degrees from the open position to the closed position, or vice versa, or the locking shaft is rotated accordingly.

[0005] Such locks, also commonly referred to as quarter turn or sash securing locks, are known in the art in various configurations.

[0006] These locks present special requirements in the event that they are subjected to shaking, vibrations or similar influences. In this case, it is important to ensure that the lock cannot be accidentally opened due to these influences. For this purpose, locks are also known in the prior art, which have a spring fixing device for fixing the locking shaft to prevent accidental rotation in at least one rotational position. Usually, this fixed rotational position is the closed position of the lock, so that there is no risk of accidental opening even under strong vibrations. However, such locks are also usually configured so that two rotational positions (i.e. the open position and the closed position) are fixed by the spring fixing device to prevent accidental rotation relative to the lock housing.

[0007] Known quarter turn locks of this type (sometimes also called safety quarter turn locks) usually have a two-part locking shaft, one of which is coupled to the other part of the locking shaft by a spring fixing device, so that the lock can only be actuated after an axial displacement of one part of the locking shaft relative to the other part of the locking shaft against the force of a tensioned spring. Such quarter turn locks are known from, for example, EP 1 712 716 A2 and WO 2009 / 103414 A1, and have proven effective in the past in applications where the lock is (sometimes for a long time) subjected to very strong shaking or vibrations. However, due to the two-part locking shaft, the corresponding quarter turn locks have a relatively complex structure.

[0008] There are also vibration-proof quarter-turn locks in which an integral locking shaft is secured by a spring securing device to prevent accidental rotation due to vibration or shaking loads. In such quarter-turn locks, the spring of the spring securing device has an integrally formed blocking element. When the lock is closed, this blocking element engages with a corresponding element on the lock housing and blocks under the action of the spring force. This also makes it possible to prevent accidental rotational movement of the locking shaft relative to the lock housing due to vibrations, etc. with relatively little effort.

[0009] However, this type of lock carries a certain risk that uneven stresses may occur in the spring with the blocking element, which may lead to spring failure and thus to lock failure after a relatively large number of lock actuation cycles.

[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lock with a spring fixing device which is characterized by a simple structure and a low risk of failure.

[0011] In a lock of the type mentioned at the outset, this problem is solved by a spring securing device having a spring and a securing element which is prestressed by the spring and interacts with the lock housing in a locking manner.

[0012] In addition to the spring, the spring fixing device also has a fixing element which is prestressed by the spring and engages with the lock housing. In this way, the two functions of the spring fixing device, namely its spring function on the one hand and its locking function on the other hand, are distributed over two separate components. This leads to a uniform distribution of stresses within the spring, which is why there is no risk of failure of the spring even after a large number of actuation cycles. In addition, the lock has a simple construction.

[0013] An advantageous design is to arrange the fixing element on the locking shaft so that the fixing element also rotates and / or to arrange the fixing element on the locking shaft so that the fixing element can move axially. The co-rotating arrangement of the fixing element on the locking shaft results in a relative rotation between the fixing element and the lock housing. This relative rotation can be used to lock the fixing element relative to the lock housing. The axial movability of the fixing element results in an axial relative movement relative to the lock housing. This axial movement can also be used to lock or unlock the fixing element relative to the lock housing.

[0014] In order to guide the linear movement of the fixing element relative to the locking shaft, another design proposes that the fixing element is connected to the locking shaft in an axially movable manner via a guide. A defined linear movement can be achieved by the guide. In addition, the wear between the locking shaft and the fixing element, which is mounted on the locking shaft so that the fixing element can be moved axially, can be reduced. This means that even with coarse tolerance manufacturing dimensions, for example in the field of zinc die castings, a low level of wear can be achieved between the locking shaft and the fixing element. This also helps to minimize the risk of lock failure.

[0015] Another advantageous design provides that the spring is supported on the locking shaft and prestresses the fixing element with a fixing force. The spring can, for example, be supported on an axial shoulder of the locking shaft. The spring can be tensioned relative to the axial shoulder by the fixing element. The prestress of the fixing element creates a force threshold that must first be overcome in order to allow the fixing element locked to the lock housing to rotate relative to the lock housing. This provides a high degree of security against shaking or vibration influences, since these shaking or vibration influences are not sufficient to overcome the force threshold created by the prestress. In addition, the prestress can be varied by using different springs, depending on the application and the expected shaking or vibration stresses.

[0016] Furthermore, an advantageous design with regard to the simple structure of the lock is that the spring is designed as a spring disk, in particular a corrugated disk, and the fixing element is designed as a fixing disk. The design of the spring and the fixing element as disks results in a simple structure. Furthermore, standard components can be used, in particular, for the spring, which are available on the market at low cost and are characterized by a high resistance to alternating stresses. The spring can be designed, for example, as a corrugated disk made of spring steel.

[0017] From a design point of view, it is advantageous that the spring and the fixing element abut against each other and form a pair of discs. The pair of discs can be placed on the locking shaft in a single assembly step, which leads to advantages associated with assembly.

[0018] A particularly advantageous design provides that the fixing element interacts with the lock housing in a locking manner in the closed position and / or in the open position of the lock. This results in a locking anti-rotation device. The anti-rotation device can be used in two rotational positions, namely the open position of the lock on the one hand and the closed position of the lock on the other hand. In the closed position, the anti-rotation device prevents an unintentional opening of the lock. In the open position, the anti-rotation device prevents an unintentional retraction of the locking element in the direction of the closed position, which could lead to a collision of the opened door with the door frame when closing. In the worst case, the locking element could bend, thereby endangering the functional safety of the lock.

[0019] Another advantageous design provides that the fixing element has at least one latching contour which latches with at least one correspondingly designed latching contour of the lock housing. Advantageously, a plurality of latching contours can be provided on the fixing element and the lock housing. By means of a plurality of latching contours, a fixing effect can be achieved not only in one rotational position, but also in a plurality of rotational positions. Furthermore, a symmetrically applied fixing force is obtained between the fixing element and the lock housing by means of a plurality of latching contours which are engaged simultaneously.

[0020] An advantageous configuration provides that the locking profiles are designed and arranged so that the locking profiles can be mutually locked and / or unlocked by a rotational movement of the locking shaft. In this way, the rotational movement of the locking shaft can be used to lock and unlock the locking profiles. It is not necessary to actuate the locking profiles in a separate step.

[0021] A further advantageous arrangement provides that the securing element is arranged to be movable counter to the force of a tensioned spring in order to disengage the locking contour.

[0022] Another advantageous arrangement provides that the locking contour of the locking element is designed as a projection and the locking contour of the lock housing is designed as a recess. Alternatively, however, the locking contour of the lock housing can also be designed as a projection and the locking contour of the fixing element can also be designed as a recess. The projection can be designed in the form of a locking lug that can latch into a corresponding locking recess.

[0023] In this context, it is also advantageous if the locking profile has an unlocking bevel. The unlocking bevel can be used to unlock the lock by relative rotation of the locking shaft relative to the housing. The rotational movement can be used to move the fixing element along the locking shaft and press the fixing element against the tensioned spring until the locking profiles are axially unlocked from one another. After further rotation of the locking shaft, as soon as the next recess on the lock housing is reached, the projection can snap into the recess and lock in the axial direction.

[0024] Against this background, it is structurally advantageous if the latching contour of the fastening element and the latching contour of the lock housing have an essentially trapezoidal cross section.

[0025] Finally, in another embodiment it is provided that the spring and the fixing element are made of different materials. The spring can be made of spring steel. The fixing element can be made of a zinc alloy (eg Zamak) in a manufacturing-friendly manner and can be produced in a zinc die-casting process.

[0026] Further details and advantages of the lock according to the invention will be explained below with the aid of the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings show:

[0027] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the lock,

[0028] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A side view of the lock shown,

[0029] Figure 3 Shown according to Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the section designated as III-III in,

[0030] Figure 4 Shown according to Figure 1 A three-dimensional exploded view of the lock shown in FIG.

[0031] Figure 5 Shows the view from the other side Figure 1 Another exploded perspective view of the lock shown in FIG.

[0032] Figure 6 A perspective view (a) and a top view (b) of a lock housing are shown,

[0033] Figure 7 A perspective view (a) and a top view (b) of a fixing element are shown, and

[0034] Figure 8 A perspective view (a) and a top view (b) of the locking shaft are shown.

[0035] Figure 1 Shown is a perspective view of a lock 1 which is used in many technical fields for locking a door to a door frame.

[0036] The lock 1 is a quarter turn lock, also called a quarter turn piece. The lock 1 has a cylindrical lock housing 2 which can be inserted into an opening of a door not shown in the figure. In order to attach the quarter turn lock 1 to the door, the lock housing 2 has a ring 2.5 which rests on one surface of the door. Furthermore, the lock housing 2 has a threaded section 2.6 which is inserted through the opening of the door and onto which a nut 10 can be screwed from the other side, see also Figure 4 .

[0037] The locking shaft 3 designed in the manner of an actuating bolt is rotatably mounted in the lock housing 2. The locking shaft 3 is designed as one piece. The locking shaft 3 has an outer actuating end and an inner locking end.

[0038] The actuating device 8 is arranged on the outer actuating end of the locking shaft 3. The actuating device 8 is a square rod. The square rod is formed integrally with the locking shaft 3. A suitable tool can be attached to the actuating device 8, and the locking shaft 3 can be turned by the tool.

[0039] The locking element 11 is arranged at the inner end of the locking shaft 3. In the region where the locking shaft connects to the locking element 11, the locking shaft 3 has a substantially square cross section, which can be inserted into a corresponding square receiving opening 11.1 in the locking element 11. In order to fix the locking element 11 to the locking shaft 3, a bolt 9 is screwed into the locking shaft 3 coaxially with the center axis of the locking shaft 3 and the locking element 11 is fixed to the locking shaft 3 so that the locking element can rotate together with the locking shaft 3.

[0040] from Figure 4 and Figure 5 The illustration of FIG. 1 also shows that the locking element 11 is a locking tongue. In addition to the receiving opening 11.1, the locking element 11 also has a stop 11.2. The stop 11.2 protrudes in the direction of the lock housing 2 and engages in an opening 2.7 in the lock housing 2, on the side of which two stops 2.8 are arranged at 90 degrees. The stops 2.8 interact with the stop 11.2 so that the locking shaft 3 can only be rotated by 90 degrees. In this case, one stop 2.8 corresponds to the open position of the lock 1 and the other stop 2.8 corresponds to the closed position of the lock 1.

[0041] For dust protection purposes, a sealing receptacle 12 is provided on the locking shaft 3 in the region of the actuating device 8, in which a sealing ring 13 can be arranged, see Figure 4 The sealing receiving member 12 is a groove which opens radially outwards. The sealing ring 13 is an O-ring.

[0042] In order to protect the locking shaft 3 rotatably mounted in the lock housing 2 against unintentional rotation relative to the lock housing 2 under the influence of external influences, such as shaking or vibrations, the lock 1 has a spring fixing device 4, see also Figure 3 The locking shaft 3 is secured in the open position of the lock 1 and in the closed position of the lock 1 by a spring securing device 4 to prevent accidental rotation. This results in positional fixation in both rotational positions.

[0043] The following will refer specifically to Figures 4 to 8 The illustration of FIG. 4 explains the details of the spring fixing device 4 .

[0044] The spring fixing device 4 has a spring 5 designed as a spring disk and a fixing element 6 designed as a fixing disk, see Figure 4 and Figure 5 .

[0045] The spring 5 is a corrugated disk made of spring steel. The spring 5 bears against the fixing element 6 from its back. The spring 5 prestresses the fixing element 6 in the direction of the base 2.9 of the lock housing 2. The disk-shaped spring 5 and the disk-shaped fixing element 6 form a pair of disks that can be mounted on the locking shaft 3 in a single assembly step. The fixing element 6 is arranged on the locking shaft 3 so that it can move axially.

[0046] The guide 7 is used to guide the axial movement of the fixing element 6 relative to the axially fixed locking shaft 3. The guide 7 can be designed as a linear guide or an axial guide. The guide 7 has a guide element 7.1 on the locking shaft side and a guide element 7.2 on the locking element side. The guide elements 7.1 on the locking shaft side are distributed around the circumference of the locking shaft 3 at 90 degree intervals. A total of four guide elements 7.1 are provided, which extend in the axial direction of the locking shaft 3. The guide element 7.1 is cut off soon before the end of the locking shaft 3, so that the locking element 11 can be pushed onto the locking shaft 3 with its receiving opening 11.1 without being blocked by the guide element 7.1. The guide element 7.2 on the fixing element side is formed by a guide opening that can be placed on the guide element 7.1. The guide element 7.2 is formed on the inner opening 6.5 of the fixing element 6. A total of four guide elements 7.2 are distributed around the circumference of the opening 6.5 at an angular distance of 90 degrees.

[0047] A defined movement takes place by the guide 7 of the fixing element 6 relative to the locking shaft 3. Furthermore, even in the case of coarse manufacturing tolerances, wear between the locking shaft 3 and the fixing element 6 is prevented.

[0048] This is particularly advantageous in the case of the embodiment shown, since the locking shaft 3, the fixing element 6, the lock housing 2 and the locking element 11 of the lock 1 are manufactured in a zinc die-casting process in a manner that is advantageous in terms of production, which requires slightly increased production tolerances. If the outer side of the locking shaft 3 is to be reworked with high precision, for example by machining, the movement of the fixing element 6 through the square inner opening in the direction of the square outer circumference of the locking shaft 3 can also be guided.

[0049] On the side facing away from the spring 5, the fixing element 6 has a plurality of latching contours 6.1, 6.2. The latching contours 6.1, 6.2 are designed in the form of latching projections with a trapezoidal cross section. The latching contours 6.1, 6.2 have an unlocking bevel 6.3, 6.4 on each side, the function of which will be explained in more detail below.

[0050] The latching contour 6.1 is offset by 90 degrees relative to the latching contour 6.2. A total of four latching contours 6.1, 6.2 are provided.

[0051] The latching contours 6.1, 6.2 interact in a latching manner with correspondingly designed latching contours 2.1, 2.2 on the base of the lock housing. The latching contours 2.1, 2.2 are arranged opposite the fixing element 6 on the base 2.9 of the lock housing 2.

[0052] The following is a detailed description of how the lock 1 works.

[0053] When the lock 1 is in the closed position, the tongue-shaped locking element 11 with its nose-shaped stop 11.2 rests against the stop 2.8 on the housing. Therefore, from this position, the locking shaft 3 can only be turned in one direction, namely in the direction of the open position of the lock 1. In the locked position, the trapezoidal locking profiles 6.1, 6.2 rest in the corresponding opposite locking profiles 2.1, 2.2 of the lock housing 2. The fixing element 6 and its locking profiles 6.1, 6.2 are prestressed in the direction of the locking profiles 2.1, 2.2 by the spring 5. Therefore, the locking profiles 6.1, 6.2 cannot be easily released from the locking profiles 2.1, 2.2.

[0054] To disengage the lock, it is necessary to overcome the holding force provided by the tension of the spring 5. Vibrations or shocks occurring when the lock is in operation are not strong enough to do this, which is why the lock 1 is able to resist undesired rotational movements of the locking shaft 3 or the locking element 11 arranged thereon.

[0055] In order to disengage the blocking elements 6.1, 6.2 from the blocking elements 2.1, 2.2, it is first necessary to overcome the fixing force by turning the actuating device 8 of the lock 1 and then to further turn the actuating device 8 with less force.

[0056] In this process, the unlocking bevels 6.3, 6.4 first come into contact with the leading edge of the locking profiles 2.1, 2.2 in the direction of rotation. Due to the inclined position of the unlocking bevels 6.3, 6.4 relative to the rotation plane of the locking shaft 3, in addition to the rotational movement, there is also an axial movement component of the fixing element 6 that resists the force of the tensioned spring 5. As a result, the fixing element 6 is lifted from the base 2.9 of the lock housing 2, and when the axial fixing force is reached, the locking profiles 6.1, 6.2 are disengaged from the locking profiles 2.1, 2.2 on the housing side. Subsequently, the locking shaft 3 can be rotated further more easily when the locking profiles 6.1, 6.2 are disengaged from the locking profiles 2.1, 2.2. Only when the open position is reached, after a rotation angle of 90 degrees, the locking profiles 6.1, 6.2 of the fixing element 6 prestressed by the spring 5 meet the matching locking profiles 2.1, 2.2 on the lock housing 2. The latching contours 6.1, 6.2 engage in the opposing latching contours 2.1, 2.2 under the drive of the spring 5. Since both the locking disk 6 and the lock housing 2 are made of metal material, this engagement can also be acoustically perceived by the user.

[0057] In the open position, the lock 1 is also secured to prevent accidental rotation. When the lock 1 is moved from the open position to the closed position, the process is similar.

[0058] Although a spring fixing device 4 with a fixing element 6 having a total of four locking profiles 6.1, 6.2 and a housing 2 having likewise four correspondingly designed locking profiles 2.1, 2.2 has been described above, a different number of locking profiles is also conceivable. For example, it is also sufficient to provide only one locking profile 6.1 on the fixing element 6 and two locking profiles 2.1, 2.2 on the housing 2. In this way, the locking shaft 3 can also be fixed in two rotational positions relative to the housing 2. The design described here with four locking profiles 6.1, 6.2, 2.1, 2.2 has the advantage that the spring preload generated by the spring 5 is symmetrically transmitted to the lock housing 2 via the fixing element 6. Due to the large number of locking profiles 6.1, 6.2, 2.1, 2.2, there are also a correspondingly large number of contact points, which leads to a favorable wear behavior. Furthermore, other numbers and arrangements of locking contours 6.1, 6.2, 2.1, 2.2 are also conceivable, for example by fixing the locking element 11 in another rotational position, for example an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position, by means of a spring fixing device 4 or the like.

[0059] The quarter turn lock 1 described above is characterized by reliable protection against unwanted rotation even in the event of strong vibrations or shaking. In addition, the separation of the locking and spring functions enables a structure without the risk of failure even under high load cycles.

[0060] List of reference numerals:

[0061] 1 Lock

[0062] 2 lock housing

[0063] 2.1 Locking profile

[0064] 2.2 Locking profile

[0065] 2.3 Unlock the bevel

[0066] 2.4 Unlock the bevel

[0067] 2.5 Ring

[0068] 2.6 Threaded section

[0069] 2.7 Shell opening

[0070] 2.8 Stopper

[0071] 2.9 Base

[0072] 3 Locking axis

[0073] 4 Spring fixing equipment

[0074] 5 Spring

[0075] 6Fixing elements

[0076] 6.1 Locking profile

[0077] 6.2 Locking profile

[0078] 6.3 Unlock the bevel

[0079] 6.4 Unlocking the Slope

[0080] 6.5 Opening

[0081] 7 Guides

[0082] 7.1 Guiding elements

[0083] 7.2 Guiding elements

[0084] 8 Actuation equipment

[0085] 9 Bolts

[0086] 10 Nuts

[0087] 11 Locking element

[0088] 11.1 Accommodation opening

[0089] 11.2 Stopper

[0090] 12 Sealing container

[0091] 13 Sealing ring

Claims

1. A lock, in particular a quarter turn lock, comprising a locking shaft (3) rotatably mounted in a lock housing (2) and a spring fixing device (4) for fixing the locking shaft (3) in at least one rotational position to prevent accidental rotation relative to the lock housing (2), It is characterized in that The spring fixing device (4) has a spring (5) and a fixing element (6), which is prestressed by the spring (5) and interacts with the lock housing (2) in a locking manner.

2. The lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing element (6) is arranged on the locking shaft (3) so that the fixing element rotates together with the locking shaft, and / or the fixing element (6) is arranged on the locking shaft (3) so that the fixing element can move axially.

3. The lock according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fixing element (6) is connected to the locking shaft (3) via a guide (7) so that the fixing element can move axially.

4. Lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The spring (5) is supported on the locking shaft (2) and applies prestress to the fixing element (6) with a fixing force.

5. Lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The spring (5) is designed as a spring disk, in particular a corrugated disk, and the fixing element (6) is designed as a fixing disk.

6. The lock according to claim 5, characterized in that: The spring (5) and the fixing element (6) abut against each other and form a pair of discs.

7. Lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The fixing element (6) interacts with the lock housing (2) in a locking manner in a closed position and / or an open position of the lock (1).

8. Lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The fixing element (6) has at least one locking contour (6.1, 6.2) which locks with at least one correspondingly designed locking contour (2.1, 2.2) of the lock housing (2).

9. The lock according to claim 8, characterized in that The locking contours (6.1, 6.2; 2.1, 2.2) are designed and arranged such that they can be locked and / or unlocked with one another by a rotational movement of the locking shaft (3).

10. The lock according to claim 9, characterized in that The fixing element (6) is arranged such that it can be moved against the force of a tensioned spring (5) in order to disengage the locking contours (6.1, 6.2; 2.1, 2.2).

11. The lock according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that The latching contours (6.1, 6.2) are designed as projections, and the latching contours (2.1, 2.2) are designed as recesses.

12. The lock according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that The locking contours (6.1, 6.2; 2.1, 2.2) have unlocking bevels (6.3, 6.4; 2.3, 2.4).

13. The lock according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that The latching contours (6.1, 6.2) and the latching contours (2.1, 2.2) have a substantially trapezoidal cross section.

14. Lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The spring (5) and the fixing element (6) are made of different materials.

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