Device for actuating an opening and / or closing mechanism on doors, flaps or the like, especially on vehicles

Abstract

Device for actuating an opening and / or closing mechanism on doors, flaps or the like, especially on vehicles, with a locking latch (32) which has a closed state in which it locks the locking mechanism and the door is closed, and which has an open state in which the door's locking mechanism can be released and the door can be opened, wherein an actuating element (20) is provided which is actuable and interacts with a transmission element (10), wherein, when the actuating element (20) is actuated, the transmission element (10) transmits its movement to the pawl (32) and can thus directly or indirectly transfer it from its closed to its open state and / or vice versa. wherein the transmission element (10) has approximately the form of a flexible band and is made entirely or predominantly of plastic, characterized by that the transmission element (10) has two cross-sectional changes (12) in its course, whereby a flexible area (13) and rigid areas (14) are created by the different cross-sections (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) in the area of ​​the ends (15, 16), wherein a guide (40) with rigid walls is provided on a guide component (41) in which the transmission element (10) is movably guided.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device with the features of the preamble of claim 1. Such devices are used, in particular, as emergency release mechanisms for vehicle doors that are normally opened by an electronic switch or button, or for trunk doors or hatches to provide an escape route if persons are accidentally locked in the trunk of a vehicle. However, the devices can also be used in normal operation to open vehicle doors or hatches.

[0002] A device of this type is shown in DE 20 2005 019 198 U1.

[0003] The devices known from the prior art usually use a Bowden cable as a transmission element. However, this is quite complex and expensive to manufacture. To prevent the Bowden cable's inner tube from rattling while the vehicle is in motion, it is typically spring-loaded to hold it in its resting position, preventing it from being moved back and forth by the vehicle's movements or the vehicle door, which could cause the disturbing noises. However, the spring adds an extra component, making the device even more expensive to manufacture and assemble.

[0004] Furthermore, the outer sheath of the Bowden cable is flexible and can be damaged by unauthorized persons, who could then access the inner cable to open the vehicle's lock and gain access to the interior. This is obviously undesirable, as the interior of the vehicle is meant to be protected from unauthorized access.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to create a device of the type mentioned above that is simpler and more cost-effective to manufacture and assemble, and which also offers better theft protection. This object is achieved by the features of claim 1, which are of particular importance as follows.

[0006] The transmission element takes the form of a flexible band, primarily made of plastic. A guide is provided for this band, allowing it to move freely. The combination of the plastic band as the transmission element and the guide in which it is guided is significantly more cost-effective than the Bowden cable used previously. In particular, when the guide is also made of plastic, the transmission element according to the invention has a lower mass than a conventional Bowden cable, which is usually made of metal. This is especially important in the automotive sector, as car manufacturers are constantly striving to reduce vehicle weight.

[0007] According to the invention, the guide and, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the guide component are also rigidly designed. This makes it significantly more difficult for unauthorized persons to access the transmission element in order to manipulate it in such a way as to open the lock and gain access to the vehicle interior. The rigid walls of the guide or the advantageously rigid walls of the guide component, as described in the invention, can then hardly be damaged in such a way as to allow access to the transmission element.

[0008] It is particularly advantageous if the transmission element is made of polyoxymethylene (POM) and / or manufactured using an injection molding process. The advantage of using polyoxymethylene lies in its high resistance to aging and abrasion. Furthermore, it exhibits low water absorption, resulting in minimal dimensional change upon water absorption. This is especially important in this application as a transmission element. Injection molding is a particularly simple and cost-effective method for manufacturing plastic parts of virtually any design.

[0009] Furthermore, it is recommended to arrange the transmission element in the device so that it is slightly under tension when installed. This prevents the transmission element from moving unintentionally while the vehicle is in motion, thus avoiding the generation of unwanted noise. The use of a spring to actuate the transmission element and prevent unintentional movement and noise is then unnecessary. This also reduces the manufacturing and assembly costs of the device according to the invention.

[0010] According to the invention, the transmission element is rigid in the region of at least one of its ends. This simplifies the interaction between the transmission element and the actuating element, the pawl, or the emergency release lever. The rigid regions are formed according to the invention by shaping the cross-section of the transmission element in this region. In a highly preferred embodiment, the transmission element has a flat cross-section, for example, in the form of a flat rectangle, in its largest and most flexible region, while its cross-sectional area changes near the respective ends. To create the rigid end regions, more compact cross-sections, for example, in the shape of a circle, square, triangle, or hexagon, are provided.By providing these cross-sectional changes according to the invention, the transmission element can exhibit different flexibility properties along its length in a particularly simple manner. This is especially easy and cost-effective when using an injection molding process for manufacturing the transmission element.

[0011] Preferably, the transmission element has a coupling element at one or both ends. This coupling element serves to connect the transmission element to the actuating element, the emergency release lever, or the pawl. The coupling element can be designed in various ways. Shapes such as a ball, a T-piece, an eyelet, a loop, or a cube have proven particularly effective. This allows the transmission element to be easily connected to one of the other elements. Of course, it is also possible to use a different type of connection, such as a screw or clip connection as a detachable connection, or a permanent connection, such as one made by welding, gluing, riveting, or similar methods.

[0012] It is particularly advantageous to position the device below the inner door panel of a vehicle door or hatch. The actuating element must be accessible, at least in its operating area, to enable operation. The operating area itself can be designed in various ways. It can be intended for direct operation by a person, for example, by operating a handle, button, switch, lever, knob, or even a recess or loop, with the hand or part of the hand. This is especially useful if the device is used for the regular and normal operation of the opening or closing mechanism on a vehicle door, or if it is an emergency release mechanism used when people are unintentionally locked inside, for example, in the trunk of a vehicle.For another type of emergency, such as when the door is normally operated electronically but the vehicle's electronics or power supply have failed, it may also be useful to provide an actuation mechanism that the operator performs indirectly, for example, by using a key, a pen, or a similar object. In this case, the actuation area of ​​the actuator can be made significantly smaller and more discreet. It is also possible to cover the actuation area so that it is not immediately visible. Of course, the aforementioned examples are only illustrations of the invention. The invention is further developed by the features of the dependent claims.

[0013] The figures illustrate the invention in an exemplary embodiment. They show: Fig. 1 a tailgate lock with the invention in assembled state in perspective, Fig. 2 a transmission element according to the invention in perspective, Fig. 3 the transmission element according to Fig. 2 in side view, Fig. 4 a guide component according to the invention in section along line IV-IV in Fig. 5, Fig. 5 the guide component made of Fig. 4 in rear view, Fig. 6 an actuating element according to the invention in side view, Fig. 7 the transmission element with guide component and actuating element in assembled state, Fig. 8 the elements from Fig. 7 in perspective position, Fig. 9 a part of the transmission element in conjunction with the emergency actuation lever and the guide component.

[0014] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a complete assembly of a tailgate lock in which the device according to the invention is used. The actuating element 20, which is operatively connected to the transmission element 10, is visible. The transmission element 10 is guided in a curved path 42 40 in its flexible section 13. The guide 40 is part of a guide component 41. In this embodiment, the actuating element 20 is also mounted directly on the guide component 41. It can be seen that the transmission element 10 is operatively connected to the actuating element 20, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0015] At the bottom edge of the assembly, part of the locking latch 32 can be seen, which in its closed state enables the door to be opened and in its open state allows this to happen.

[0016] The Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a transmission element 10 according to the invention. The different cross-sections 11.1, 11.2, and 11.3, separated from one another by cross-sectional changes 12, are clearly visible. The cross-sections 11.1 and 11.3, located at the ends 15 and 16 of the transmission element 10, form rigid sections 14. The flexible section 13, located in the central region of the transmission element 10, has a cross-section of 11.2. This section is designed like a flat strip and has a flat rectangular cross-section.

[0017] Coupling elements 50 are formed at each of the ends 15 and 16 of the transmission element 10. The coupling element 50 at one end 15 of the transmission element 10 is shaped as a sphere 51, while the coupling element 50 at the other end 16 of the transmission element 10 forms a T-piece 52.

[0018] The ball 51 also features a stop 17, which can be operatively connected to a counter-stop 31 located on the emergency operating lever 30 or on the locking pawl 32. This will be shown later. The T-piece 52, on the other hand, has shoulders 18, which in turn can be operatively connected to the counter-shoulder 22 on the actuating element 20, which will also be shown in more detail later.

[0019] The Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows the guide component 41. The guide 40 is provided on the guide component 41, which here runs as a curved track 42. In the area of ​​this curved track 42, the flexible section 13 of the transmission element 10 rests against it in the assembled state and is guided by it.

[0020] The actuating element 20, however, is made of Fig. 6 is evident. The actuation area 23 has the recess 21. An operator can reach into this recess 21, for example with a finger or with an object, in order to actuate the actuating element 20 and enable the door or flap to be opened.

[0021] The opposing shoulder 22, which can interact with a shoulder 18 of the transmission element 10, is also visible. With this specific design of the actuating element 20 or the opposing shoulder 22, the coupling element 50 provided on the transmission element 10 is suitable as a T-piece 52. The T-piece 52 of the transmission element 10 has two shoulders 18, which can interact with the two opposing shoulders 22 of the actuating element 20. Fig. 6 only shows one of the opposing shoulders 22 due to the side view representation of the actuating element 20.

[0022] The more precise nature of the interaction between actuating element 20 and transmission element 10 is shown in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. The guide component 41, which has the guide 40 for the transmission element 10, is also visible. Here, it can also be seen how the other end 16 of the transmission element 10 is operatively connected to the actuating element 20, with the shoulders 18 interacting with the counter-shoulders 22. In the installed state, it can be provided that virtually the entire mechanism shown—that is, the transmission element 10, the guide component 41, and parts of the actuating element 20—is arranged below the inner door panel of a vehicle or a vehicle door. Only the actuating area 23 of the actuating element 20, which has the recess 21, needs to be accessible to an operator in order to perform the actuation. If the actuating element 20 is moved by an operator in its actuation direction 24, the transmission component 10 moves along its guide 40 in its actuation direction 19.What then happens to one end 15 of the transmission element 10 is best explained from . Fig. 9 is visible.

[0023] In Fig.Figure 9 shows how one end 15 of the transmission element 10 is operatively connected to the emergency operating lever 30. More precisely, a ball 51 is provided at one end 15 of the transmission element 10 as a coupling element 50, on which a stop 17 for the counter-stop 31 on the emergency operating lever 30 is located. If the transmission element 10 is now moved in its actuation direction 19 by actuating the actuating element 20, the emergency operating lever 30 is also moved in its actuation direction 33 by the force transmission between the coupling element 50 and the emergency operating lever 30. The emergency operating lever 30 then interacts with the locking pawl 32 in a manner not shown in detail here, which is thereby brought into the open position so that the corresponding vehicle door or vehicle hatch can be opened.Of course, it is also possible to provide the device according to the invention in such a way that the transmission element 10 acts directly on the locking pawl 32. Reference symbol list: 10 Transfer element 11.1 first cross-section of 10 11.2 second cross-section of 10 11.3 third cross-section of 10 12 Cross-sectional change 13 Flexible range of 10 14 Rigid area of ​​10 15 One end of 10 16 Other end of 10 17 attacks 18 Shoulder 19 Direction of actuation of 10 20 Actuating elements 21 Exclusion 22 Opposite shoulder 23 Area of ​​activity of 20 24 Direction of actuation of 20 30 emergency operating levers 31 Counterattack 32 Locking pawl 33 Direction of actuation of 30 40 Leadership 41 Guide component 42 Curved track 50 coupling element 51 balls 52 T-piece

Claims

[1] Device for actuating an opening and / or closing mechanism on doors, flaps or the like, especially on vehicles, with a locking latch (32) which has a closed state in which it locks the locking mechanism and the door is closed, and which has an open state in which the door's locking mechanism can be released and the door can be opened, wherein an actuating element (20) is provided which is actuable and interacts with a transmission element (10), wherein, when the actuating element (20) is actuated, the transmission element (10) transmits its movement to the pawl (32) and can thus directly or indirectly transfer it from its closed to its open state and / or vice versa. wherein the transmission element (10) has approximately the form of a flexible band and is made entirely or predominantly of plastic, characterized by, that the transmission element (10) has two cross-sectional changes (12) in its course, whereby a flexible area (13) and rigid areas (14) are created by the different cross-sections (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) in the area of ​​the ends (15, 16), wherein a guide (40) with rigid walls is provided on a guide component (41) in which the transmission element (10) is movably guided. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the transmission element (10) is arranged in the device in such a way that it is under voltage when installed. [3] Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that the transmission element (10) is guided (40) at least partially, especially in its flexible area (13), in a curved path (42). [4] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that the transmission element (10) has a coupling element (50) at one or at both of its ends (15, 16), in particular in the form of a sphere (51), a T-piece (52), an eyelet, a loop or a cube. [5] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the actuating element (20) can be actuated manually, indirectly or directly, by an operator, wherein an actuating area (23) is provided, which is designed in particular as a handle, push button, switch, lever, knob, recess (21) or loop, wherein in the case of direct actuating a hand of an operator comes into operative contact with the actuating area (23), while the indirect actuating is carried out in particular by means of a key, a pin or a similar object. [6] Device according to claim 5, characterized bythat the device is arranged below the inner door panel of a vehicle or vehicle door, wherein the actuating element (20) is accessible for actuation at least with its actuating area (23). [7] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that when the actuating element (20) is actuated, the transmission element (10) acts on an emergency actuating lever (30), which can then in turn come into operative contact with the locking pawl (32) and bring it into the open state. [8] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that when the actuating element (20) is actuated, the transmission element (10) acts directly on the locking pawl (32) and brings it into the open state. [9] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by, that the transmission element (10) has at least one stop (17) at one end (15), while the emergency actuating lever (30) or the pawl (32) has at least one counter-stop (31), wherein, upon actuation, the pawl (32) is moved into the open position by an interaction of the stop (17) and the counter-stop (31). [10] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that the transmission element (10) has at least one shoulder (18) at its other end (16), while the actuating element (20) has at least one counter-shoulder (22), wherein when the actuating element (20) is actuated the shoulder (18) and the counter-shoulder (22) interact in such a way that the actuating movement of the actuating element (20) can be transmitted indirectly or directly to the pawl (32). [11] Device according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized by, that the stop (17) and / or the shoulder (18) are arranged on the coupling member (50) or one of the coupling members (50). [12] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the transmission element (10) consists wholly or partly of polyoxymethylene (POM) and / or that it can be manufactured in particular by injection molding. [13] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by , that the guide component (41) is rigidly designed in addition to the guide (40) and thus protects the transmission element (10) from manipulation by unauthorized persons.

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