Locking device for a cover of a vehicle body opening

Abstract

Locking device (1) for a cover of a body opening of a vehicle, comprising a rotary latch (2) axially guided in a housing (6) and which can be moved against a spring force from an open position “B” to a locked position “A” and back again as a result of said spring force, and comprising a locking device (4) for locking the rotary latch (2) in said locked position “A”, characterized in that the rotary latch (2) is associated with a damping device (11) arranged outside the housing (6) at least for damping the axial movement of the rotary latch (2) during its movement from the locked position “A” to the open position “B”, wherein the damping device (11) is formed by a pivotably mounted guide element (12) arranged next to the housing (6) of the rotary latch (2) with a sliding cam (13) in which a guide pin (14) kinematically connected to the rotary latch (2) is slidably guided,and wherein the sliding cam (13) is designed such that, at least when the rotary latch (2) is moved from the locking position “A” to the open position “B”, its movement is dampened as a result of the sliding friction between the sliding cam (13) and the guide pin (14) increasing at least section by section.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a locking device for a cover of a body opening of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with a rotary latch axially guided in a housing and which can be moved from an open position to a locked position against a spring force and back again as a result of said spring force, and with a locking device for locking the rotary latch in said locked position.

[0002] Such a locking device is known from DE 101 48 199 A1. The locking mechanism of this device comprises a bistable locking element which is displaceable radially to the longitudinal axis of the rotary bolt. The locking element has a locking pin which corresponds to a helical longitudinal groove of the rotary bolt and engages in an opening of the rotary bolt when the rotary bolt is in the locked position.

[0003] From EP 2 087 192 B1, a push-push locking device is further described, featuring a rotary latch axially guided within a housing and capable of being moved from an open to a locked position against a spring force and back again as a result of said spring force. A push-push "heart cam" is provided to lock the rotary latch in its operating positions. This cam consists of a pivotally mounted plate with two adjacent tracks forming control cams. The tracks are connected in such a way as to form a closed circuit for a control pin, which is arranged at one end of a rocker arm, while the other end of the rocker arm is pivotally connected to the rotary latch. As the control pin travels along these tracks, switching or detent points are reached that correspond to the operating positions of the rotary latch.

[0004] US Patent 2006 / 0001270 A1 discloses a locking device for a sliding door or drawer, comprising a locking bolt and a receiving device that positively engages the locking bolt. The receiving device has an outer part and an inner part axially and rotatably mounted within it for receiving the locking bolt. To dampen the movement of the inner part, a complex and costly damping device is provided within the outer part. This damping device is fluid-operated, with the damping force being generated by the fluid resistance of the fluid penetrating through an opening.

[0005] From DE 10 2007 011 541 A1, an actuating device for a cover of a body opening of a motor vehicle is known, comprising a locking pin axially guided in a housing and a control device for controlling an opening stroke of the locking pin. The control device is arranged laterally next to the locking pin and kinematically connected to the locking pin.

[0006] From EP 1 637 674 A1, a closure for flaps or doors of vehicles is known, which closure consists of a lock with a lock housing on one side and a locking element that interacts with a rotary latch on the other. A latch is located in the lock housing, which, in the closed position, engages a detent of the rotary latch. Integrated with the lock housing are a unidirectional damping element that prevents opening noise and a transmission downstream of the damping element. The damping element's effect is achieved by a liquid medium, such as a viscous fluid, or by a gaseous medium, such as air. The damping acts on the pivoting movement of the rotary latch via the transmission. The transmission consists of a lever, with the damping element serving as the pivot bearing for the lever.A cam guide and a cam block are arranged between the lever and the rotary latch, with the cam guide being located on the lever and the cam block on the rotary latch.

[0007] From DE 10 2008 031 206 A1, a damping element for a motor vehicle lock is known. The damping element consists of a thermoplastic material or rubber. The damping element absorbs a contact force from a locking bolt of the motor vehicle lock and is arranged in an end region of a receptacle of the motor vehicle lock for said locking bolt.

[0008] The object of the invention is to create an alternative locking device with a damping device which in turn is simplified in view of the prior art and is therefore more cost-effective.

[0009] Starting from a locking device for a cover of a vehicle body opening, in particular a motor vehicle, with a rotary latch axially guided in a housing and capable of being moved from an open position to a locked position against a spring force and back again as a result of said spring force, and with a locking device for locking the rotary latch in said locked position, the stated problem is solved by providing the rotary latch with a damping device arranged outside the housing, at least for damping the axial movement of the rotary latch during its movement from the locked position to the open position, wherein the damping device (as a mechanical embodiment) is provided by a pivotably mounted guide element arranged next to the housing of the rotary latch, with a sliding cam in which a guide pin kinematically connected to the rotary latch is slidably guided.and wherein the sliding cam is designed such that, at least when the rotary latch is moved from the locked position to the open position, its movement is dampened as a result of the sliding friction between the sliding cam and the guide pin increasing at least section by section.

[0010] By spatially separating the damping device from the actual locking mechanism, the locking device is advantageously simplified. Furthermore, the achievable damping can be easily and cost-effectively adapted to the defined damping requirements of the respective locking device.

[0011] The dependent claims describe preferred further developments or embodiments of the invention.

[0012] According to a first preferred embodiment of the damping device of the locking device according to the invention, the increase in said sliding friction is achieved by a ramp-like rise in the sliding cam, at least in sections. In this respect, according to a first embodiment, the ramp-like rise is arranged axially to the guide pin. That is, the guide pin slides by means of its free end face on an associated sliding surface of the sliding cam that is equipped with said ramp-like rise. In contrast, according to a second embodiment, the invention also allows for a radial arrangement of the ramp-like rise of the sliding cam to the guide pin, in that the guide pin slides with its outer surface on an associated sliding surface of the sliding cam that is equipped with said ramp-like rise.In combination with the above embodiments or even on its own, it is further proposed that the increase in said sliding friction is achieved by a surface design of the sliding cam that increases sliding friction at least in sections, such as a material coating that increases sliding friction.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the guide pin is connected to the rotary latch by means of a two-armed lever element, wherein the free end of one first lever arm is articulated to the rotary latch and the other second lever arm carries the guide pin. Advantageously, the guide pin is also aligned in the same direction as the pivot axis of the lever element and is guided radially on lateral guides of the sliding track and, due to a spring-elastic design of the second lever arm, is spring-loaded with its free end face axially sliding on a sliding surface of the base of the sliding track of the guide part, corresponding to said end face.Such a spring-loaded second lever arm of the lever element ensures, particularly with regard to the first embodiment of the damping device of the locking device according to the invention, always an axial frictional contact with the aforementioned sliding surface of the sliding cam. As the invention further provides in this context, the sliding surface, viewed axially from the guide pin, has a recess or opening in the area corresponding to the operating position of the guide pin in the locking position of the rotary latch. The guide pin penetrates axially into this recess or opening in such a way that, as a result of the axial displacement of the guide pin and the second lever arm of the lever element, a striking noise of the guide pin and / or the second lever arm against the guide element is produced. Thus, an acoustic signal is heard when the locking position of the rotary latch is reached.

[0014] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments schematically illustrated in the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a locking device designed according to the invention for a cover of a body opening of a vehicle in an operating position, which is to be recorded when the cover is closed, Fig. 2 a detailed view of a damping device essential to the invention of the locking device according to Fig. 1 according to a first embodiment of the damping device, Fig. 3 a sectional view of the damping device along section line II according to Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a second embodiment of a damping device, and Fig. 5 a third design variant of a damping device.

[0015] According to Fig. The locking device 1 comprises, firstly, a rod-shaped rotary latch 2, a locking device 4 for said rotary latch 2 operated by a drive 3, and a locking element 5 arranged at a free end of the rotary latch 2, which corresponds to a receiving element of a cover of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle (not shown in the drawing), and can be positively connected to it in the manner of a bayonet fitting. The rotary latch 2 of the locking device 1 is shown here in a "retracted" or locked position "A" (solid line) and in an "extended" or open position "B" (dashed line). The cover in question can, for example, be a fuel filler flap. The rotary latch 2 is accordingly rotatable about its longitudinal axis and also axially displaceable within a housing 6.Furthermore, the rotary latch 2 is axially spring-loaded by means of at least one spring element 7, in this case a helical compression spring.

[0016] The drive 3, which is preferably electrically operated in the manner of a linear drive, actuates a pin-like locking element 8, which is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rotary latch 2 and is axially displaceable. The drive 3 is preferably activated by the driver from the passenger compartment of the vehicle and / or by means of a remote control / central locking system. The free end of the pin-like locking element 8 is subjected to axial spring force towards the rotary latch 2 and is guided in a helical longitudinal groove in the outer surface of the rotary latch 2. This longitudinal groove terminates on the cover side in a radial bore of the rotary latch 2, which, in locking position "A", receives the free end of the locking element 8 and thus positively locks the rotary latch 2 (not shown in the drawing).

[0017] The locking device 1 is pre-mounted on a mounting plate 9, which in turn is attached or can be attached to the vehicle body (not shown in detail). Furthermore, a cover (not shown in the drawing) that largely covers the locking device 1 can be attached to the mounting plate 9 by means of positive locking elements 10, in this case, snap-fit ​​elements.

[0018] The operation of the locking device 4 is as follows: Assuming that a closed cover, such as a fuel filler flap, is to be opened, the actuator 3 is energized upon signaling by the driver, and the locking element 8 is, for example, electromagnetically pulled against the spring force from the aforementioned radial bore of the helical longitudinal groove of the rotary latch 2, but only to the extent that the free end of the locking element 8 is still guided in the longitudinal groove. As a result of the spring force of the spring element 7 acting on the rotary latch 2, the rotary latch 2 springs back. Fig. 1 moves axially upwards, i.e., in the direction of its locking element 5, and in doing so, due to the positive guidance of the helical longitudinal groove by the locking member 8, completes a quarter turn. The cover or tank flap can be opened, as the bayonet lock is now in the open position “B”. By means of a switch (not shown), the drive 3 is de-energized again in this operating state of the rotary latch 2.

[0019] If, on the other hand, the cover is to be closed again, it first engages the locking element 5 with its corresponding receiving element (bayonet fitting) as a result of, for example, manual pressure being applied to it. Further pressure causes the rotary latch 2 to retract and, due to the helical longitudinal groove of the rotary latch 2, to perform both an axial and a rotational movement (quarter turn). After reaching its locking position "A", the free end of the spring-loaded locking element 8 re-enters the radial bore of the rotary latch 2 and locks it in the aforementioned locking position "A".

[0020] To prevent adverse or comfort-reducing noises of the rotary latch 2 during its transition by spring force from its locked position “A” to its open position “B” due to impact on a stop of the housing 6 (not shown in the drawing) which limits the stroke movement, and furthermore to prevent damage to the locking device 1 due to the acting forces (spring forces), a damping device 11 is also assigned to the locking device 1 to dampen the movement of the rotary latch 2, at least to dampen the axial movement of the rotary latch 2 during its transition from the locked position “A” to the open position “B”.

[0021] According to the drawing figures, said damping device 11 is arranged outside the housing 6 which receives the rotary latch 2 and is essentially formed by a guide part 12 arranged next to the rotary latch 2 and pivotably mounted on the mounting plate 9, with a sliding cam 13 in which a guide pin 14 kinematically connected to the rotary latch 2 is slidably guided.

[0022] The kinematic connection between the rotary latch 2 and the guide pin 14 is effected by means of a two-armed lever element 15 or a rocker arm. The free end of one of the first lever arms 15a of the lever element 15 is articulated to the end of the rotary latch 2 opposite the locking element 5, as shown, for example, by means of a fork-shaped receptacle 16 formed on the first lever arm 15a, which is pivotably and rotatably held within an annular groove 17 in the outer surface of the rotary latch 2. The other second lever arm 15b carries the guide pin 14, which in turn is aligned in the same direction as the pivot axis 18 of the lever element 15.

[0023] The second lever arm 15b is itself spring-loaded, i.e., designed as a leaf spring and pre-tensioned in the direction of the guide part 12. The guide pin 14 is guided radially on lateral guides 13a, 13b of the sliding cam 13 and, due to the spring-loaded design of the second lever arm 15b, is guided axially with its free end face on a sliding surface 13c of the cam base of the sliding cam 13 of the guide part 12, corresponding to said end face. Variant 1, embodiment of the invention:

[0024] With reference to, in particular, the Fig. 2 and Fig. According to a first preferred embodiment of the damping device 11, the sliding cam 13 is designed such that, at least when the rotary latch 2 is moved from the locked position “A” to the open position “B”, its movement is dampened due to the sliding friction between the sliding cam 13 and the guide pin 14 increasing at least in sections. This is made possible by a ramp-like rise 19 of the sliding cam 13 or its sliding surface 13c, on which the guide pin 14 is axially supported.

[0025] The Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows the damping device 11, including the lever element 15 and guide pin 14, within the sliding track 13 of the guide part 12 in an upper operating position “A'” of the guide pin 14 relative to the drawing sheet, in which the rotary latch 2 is in the locked position “A” due to the kinematic connection (solid lines). Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only the guide pin 14 is shown in a lower operating position “B'” relative to the drawing sheet, in which the rotary latch 2 is in the open position “B” due to the kinematic connection (dashed lines). As particularly Fig. As can be seen from Figure 2, the ramp-shaped rise 19 begins from the operating position “A'” after approximately 2 / 3 of the guide pin 14 has traveled within the sliding track 13 and extends to the operating position “B'” of the guide pin 14. This ramp-shaped rise 19 exerts an increased frictional force on the guide pin 14, which in turn dampens the axial movement of the rotary latch 2 when it reaches its stop against the housing 6.

[0026] Instead of the aforementioned ramp-shaped rise 19, a surface design that increases the sliding friction between the guide pin 14 and the sliding surface 13c of the sliding cam 13, at least in sections, can also be provided and is accordingly covered by the invention. This surface design can be realized, for example, by a coating with an elastomer, in particular rubber, or another suitable material. A combination of a ramp-shaped rise 19 and the aforementioned surface design is also covered by the invention (not shown in detail in the drawings).

[0027] The foregoing embodiments of the damping device 11 of the locking device 1 according to the invention essentially rely on a guide pin 14, which in turn causes the desired damping of the axial movement of the rotary latch 2 by axial frictional contact with the sliding surface 13c of the sliding cam 13 of the guide part 12.

[0028] The invention also encompasses a guide pin 14, which in turn causes the aforementioned damping by radially acting its cylindrical surface on at least one of the side guides 13a, 13b of the sliding cam 13 of the guide part 12. For example, in accordance with the aforementioned embodiments, at least one of the side guides 13a, 13b can have a corresponding ramp-shaped rise 19 of the sliding surface of the respective side guide 13a, 13b and / or a surface design that increases sliding friction (not shown in the drawing) to locally increase sliding friction. In this case, it may also prove advantageous to design the guide part 12 to be spring-loaded at least in the pivot direction corresponding to the movement of the rotary latch 2 into its open position "B" in order to ensure the desired frictional contact and increase in sliding friction between the guide pin 14 and the respective side guide 13a, 13b in any case. Variant 2, which is not covered by the subject matter of the invention:

[0029] The pivotally mounted guide element 12 performs a pivoting movement due to a kinematic connection with the rotary latch 2, the degree of deflection depending, among other things, on the design of the sliding cam 13 or its control cam for the guide pin 14. Fig. Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the damping device 11, in which a stop element 20, which dampens the movement of the rotary latch 2, is assigned to the guide part 12, at least in the operating position “B''” of the guide part 12, and which corresponds to the open position “B” of the rotary latch 2. The stop element 20 is also fixed to the mounting plate 9 and is formed by a spring element or an elastomer. Variant 3, which is not covered by the subject matter of the invention:

[0030] Fig. Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of a damping device 11. According to this embodiment, the guide pin 14 is associated with at least one damping stop element 20, which is arranged in section "B''" of the sliding track 13, corresponding to the open position "B" of the rotary latch 2. As in the preceding descriptions, said section "B'''" is located in a lower area of ​​the sliding track 13 relative to the drawing sheet, against which the guide pin 14 abuts. Here too, the stop element 21 is formed by a spring element or an elastomer.

[0031] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention (variant 1) is the Fig.As can be seen from Figure 3. The sliding surface 13c of the sliding cam 13 of the guide part 12, viewed in the axial direction of the guide pin 14, has a recess 22 or opening in the area corresponding to the operating position “A'” of the guide pin 14 in the locking position “A” of the rotary latch 2. The guide pin 14 penetrates axially into this recess, causing the axial displacement of the guide pin 14 and the second lever arm 15b of the lever element 15 to produce a striking noise of the guide pin 14 and / or the second lever arm 15b against the guide part 12. It is therefore advantageous for the driver or any other person operating the cover to hear an acoustic signal when the locking position “A” of the rotary latch 2 is reached. The said recess 22 expediently has a slope, not shown in detail, which facilitates the removal of the guide pin 14 from the recess 22. Reference symbol list 1 locking device 2 rotary latches 3 Drive 4 Locking device 5 Locking element (rotary latch 2) 6 cases 7 Spring element 8 locking link 9 Mounting plate 10 Positive locking element 11 Damping device 12 Guide section 13 Glide slope 13a Side guide 13b Side guide 13c sliding surface 14 Guide pin 15 Lever element 15a first lever arm 15b second lever arm 16 Fork mount 17 Ring groove 18 Swivel axis (lever element 15) 19 increase 20 stop elements 21 Stop element 22 Exclusion “A” locking position (rotary latch 2) “B” Open position (rotary latch 2) “A’” operating position (guide pin 14) “B’” operating position (guide pin 14) “A''” operating position (guide section 12) “B''” operating position (guide section 12) "B''" section (glide path 13)

Claims

[1] Locking device (1) for a cover of a body opening of a vehicle, comprising a rotary latch (2) axially guided in a housing (6) and which can be moved against a spring force from an open position “B” to a locked position “A” and back again as a result of said spring force, and comprising a locking device (4) for locking the rotary latch (2) in said locked position “A”, characterized by, that the rotary latch (2) is associated with a damping device (11) arranged outside the housing (6) at least for damping the axial movement of the rotary latch (2) during its transition from the locked position “A” to the open position “B”, wherein the damping device (11) is formed by a pivotably mounted guide part (12) arranged next to the housing (6) of the rotary latch (2) with a sliding cam (13) in which a guide pin (14) kinematically connected to the rotary latch (2) is slidably guided, and wherein the sliding cam (13) is designed such that at least during the transition of the rotary latch (2) from the locked position “A” to the open position “B”, its movement is damped as a result of at least sectionally increasing sliding friction between the sliding cam (13) and the guide pin (14). [2] Locking device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the increase in said sliding friction is caused by an at least sectionally ramp-shaped rise (19) of the sliding surface (13). [3] Locking device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the ramp-shaped rise (19) is arranged axially or radially to the guide pin (14). [4] Locking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the increase in said sliding friction is caused by a surface design of the sliding cam (13) that increases sliding friction at least in sections. [5] Locking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the guide pin (14) is connected to the rotary latch (2) by means of a two-armed lever element (15), wherein the free end of a first lever arm (15a) is hinged to the rotary latch (2) and a second lever arm (15b) carries the guide pin (14). [6] Locking device (1) according to claim 5, characterized by, that the guide pin (14) is aligned in the same direction as the pivot axis (18) of the lever element (15) and is guided radially on side guides (13a, 13b) of the sliding cam (13) and, as a result of a spring-elastic second lever arm (15b), is spring-loaded with its free end face axially on a sliding surface (13c) of the cam base of the sliding cam (13) of the guide part (12) corresponding to the said end face. [7] Locking device (1) according to claim 6, characterized by, that the sliding surface (13c) seen in the axial direction of the guide pin (14) in the area corresponding to the operating position “A’” of the guide pin (14) in the locking position “A” of the rotary latch (2) has a recess (22) or opening in which the guide pin (14) penetrates axially in such a way that, as a result of axial displacement of the guide pin (14) and the second lever arm (15b) of the lever element (15), a stop noise of the guide pin (14) and / or the second lever arm (15b) on the guide part (12) is caused.

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