Device for locking and unlocking a locking element

Abstract

Device (1) for locking and unlocking a locking element, comprising a locking and unlocking mechanism (2) and a magnetic unit (3) for blocking and releasing a movement of the locking and unlocking mechanism (2), wherein the magnetic unit (3) comprises a permanent magnet and a coil, wherein the permanent magnet generates a first magnetic field and the coil, in a current-carrying state, generates a second magnetic field that neutralizes the first magnetic field, and wherein the coil is to be energized to block the movement of the locking and unlocking mechanism (2), wherein the device (1) comprises a rotary latch (4) and a pawl (5), wherein the pawl (5) is attractable by the permanent magnet in a current-free state of the coil and can be released by energizing the coil, and wherein, in the released state, the pawl (5) directly or indirectly blocks a movement of the rotary latch (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for locking and unlocking a locking element according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] An electromagnetic door lock for machines is known from the prior art, as described in EP 0 479 095 A1. The door lock has a rotary latch for engaging a door-side hinge. The rotary latch acts on a pivot lever, which can be locked by a magnetically controlled rocker. The pivot lever is equipped with two smooth-running rollers, one of which engages in a recess of the rotary latch and the other of which is positioned in front of the locking edge of the rocker, with the longitudinal axes of the rocker and the pivot lever forming an angle of just over 90°.

[0003] German patent application DE 10 2005 002 492 A1 describes an electric door lock for a door in a motor vehicle's locking system. The door lock has a rotary latch with a recess for a door bolt. The rotary latch is non-rotatably coupled to a locking element via a shaft. A movable actuating element is provided for blocking and releasing the movement of the locking element and the rotary latch, which is non-rotatably coupled to the locking element via the shaft. To release this movement of the locking element and the rotary latch, which is non-rotatably coupled to the locking element via the shaft, the actuating element can be driven by a drive motor, a rotary magnet, or a pawl. To block the movement of the locking element and the rotary latch, which is non-rotatably coupled to the locking element via the shaft, the actuating element can be driven in the opposite direction by a return spring.The door lock also includes a solenoid with a permanent magnet and a coil. Energizing the coil cancels the magnetic field of the permanent magnet. To drive the actuating element via the locking pawl, the coil must be energized, which moves the locking pawl, via a rotating armature of the solenoid, into a position where it engages with the actuating element when an exterior or interior door handle is subsequently operated. Further operation of the exterior or interior door handle moves the actuating element, via the engaged locking pawl, against the return spring action, thus releasing the movement of the locking element and the rotary latch, which is rotationally fixed to the locking element via the shaft.

[0004] A door opening device with a release device is known from DE 10 2010 012 735 A1. In the door opening device with an electrically operated door opener and with the release device interacting with it, the electrically operated door opener has a door opener latch, a locking device with at least one locking element designed as a locking lever, locking slide, or locking piston, and an electrical switching device with an electromagnet and armature, wherein the locking element is connected between the armature and the door opener latch, and the armature interacts with the locking element such that in a first switching position of the electrical switching device, the door opener latch is locked, and in a second switching position of the electrical switching device, the door opener latch is released.The unlocking device has a magnetic device and an actuating device controlling the magnetic device in such a way that, in an unlocking position of the unlocking device, the magnetic device acts on the armature of the electrical switching device of the door opener or on the locking element of the door opener or directly on the door opener latch of the door opener in such a way that the door opener latch is released regardless of the switching position of the electrical switching device of the door opener, and that, in an inactive position of the unlocking device, the magnetic device does not act in the sense of releasing the door opener latch.

[0005] German patent DE 10 2004 027 028 A1 describes a locking arrangement for locks in motor vehicles. The locking arrangement comprises a locking element adjustable by external force between a self-holding open position and a self-holding closed position. In the closed position, the locking element is held in place by a spring-loaded detent element, which interacts with a detent recess on the locking element. In the detent position, the detent element, or a component coupled to it, interacts magnetically with a permanent magnet to which an electrical coil is associated. When energized, this coil generates a counter-magnetic field.

[0006] From DE 198 41 729 B4, a handle arrangement for a movable body part is known. The handle arrangement comprises a grip recess and a pivoting element articulated within it, which opens and closes the grip recess, as well as an actuating element for a locking device arranged in the grip recess. The pivoting element can be moved by a spring force into a position that closes the grip recess and manually into an opening position. The actuating element is an electrical switching element which is in a circuit with a voltage source and an actuator designed to actuate a locking element of the locking device. A sensor for detecting movement and / or the position of the pivoting element is provided on the pivoting element. Depending on the detected movement and / or the position of the pivoting element, the actuator can be activated or deactivated.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of providing an improved device for locking and unlocking a locking element.

[0008] The problem is solved according to the invention by a device for locking and unlocking a locking element with the features of claim 1.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] A device according to the invention for locking and unlocking a locking element comprises a locking and unlocking mechanism and a magnetic unit for blocking and releasing a movement of the locking and unlocking mechanism.

[0011] The magnetic unit comprises a permanent magnet and a coil, wherein the permanent magnet generates a first magnetic field and the coil, when energized, generates a second magnetic field that neutralizes the first magnetic field, and wherein the coil is energized to block the movement of the locking and unlocking mechanism. The device includes a rotary latch and a pawl, wherein the pawl, when the coil is de-energized, is attracted by the permanent magnet and can be released by energizing the coil, and wherein, in the released state, the pawl directly or indirectly blocks any movement of the rotary latch.When the coil is energized, the first magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet is neutralized by the second magnetic field generated by the coil itself. This prevents the locking and unlocking mechanism from moving, thus blocking its movement. When the coil is de-energized, it does not generate a second magnetic field, so the first magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet is not neutralized. The action of this first magnetic field, generated by the permanent magnet, allows the locking and unlocking mechanism to move freely.

[0012] The device enables the opening of the locking element, which according to the invention is designed as a vehicle door, hood, or trunk lid, even in a de-energized state, for example, in the event of a power supply failure, such as a vehicle battery failure or a defect in the vehicle's electrical system. In such a de-energized state, the coil is no longer energized, so that the coil does not generate a second magnetic field that neutralizes the first magnetic field of the permanent magnet. As a result, in such a de-energized state, the movement of the locking and unlocking mechanism is no longer blocked, allowing the locking element to be unlocked and thus opened.

[0013] Thus, the device according to the invention enables the opening of the locking element at any time in a simple, cost-effective and safe manner, even in a power-off state. In the event of such a power loss, the device according to the invention stores the last opening command, so that it is impossible to close the locking element, for example the vehicle door, without being able to open it again later.

[0014] With the device according to the invention, neither energizing the device for unlocking the locking element nor providing a mechanical storage element, also known as a snow load lever, to ensure unlocking the locking element even in a power-off state is necessary. Such mechanical storage elements cause noise and can become mechanically jammed, rendering them inoperable and preventing the locking element from being opened in the event of a power failure. This is avoided by the device according to the invention.

[0015] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0016] This shows: Fig. 1 schematically a first embodiment of a device for locking and unlocking a locking element in the locked state, Fig. 2 schematically a first embodiment of a device for locking and unlocking a locking element in the unlocked state, Fig. 3 schematically a second embodiment of a device for locking and unlocking a locking element in the locked state, and Fig. 4 schematically a second embodiment of a device for locking and unlocking a locking element in the unlocked state.

[0017] Corresponding parts are marked with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0018] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a first embodiment and the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 A second embodiment of a device 1 for locking and unlocking a locking element not shown in detail here. The devices 1 shown here are each designed as a device 1 for locking and unlocking a locking element of a vehicle, for example as a door lock of a locking element designed as a vehicle door or as a lock of a locking element designed as a trunk lid or engine hood of the vehicle. Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 3 shows the respective embodiment of the device 1 in the locked state and the Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 4 shows the respective embodiment of the device 1 in the unlocked state.

[0019] Both illustrated embodiments of the device 1 comprise a locking and unlocking mechanism 2 and a magnetic unit 3 for blocking and releasing the movement of the locking and unlocking mechanism 2. The magnetic unit 3 includes a permanent magnet and a coil. The coil is, for example, wound around the permanent magnet. The permanent magnet generates a first magnetic field, and the coil, when energized, generates a second magnetic field of equal or greater strength and opposite polarity to the first magnetic field, such that the second magnetic field generated by the coil neutralizes the first magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet. The magnetic unit 3 and the locking and unlocking mechanism 2 are designed and positioned relative to each other such that the coil must be energized to block the movement of the locking and unlocking mechanism 2.

[0020] That is, when the coil is energized, the first magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet is neutralized by the second magnetic field generated by the coil. This prevents the locking and unlocking mechanism 2 from moving, so that the movement of the locking and unlocking mechanism 2 is blocked by the magnetic unit 3, thus locking the locking element. When the coil is de-energized, no second magnetic field is generated by the coil, so the first magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet is not neutralized. Due to the effect of this first magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet, the movement of the locking and unlocking mechanism 2 is no longer blocked, but released, so that the locking element can be opened.

[0021] In this way, the device 1 also allows the locking element to be opened in a de-energized state, for example, in the event of a power supply failure, such as a vehicle battery failure or a defect in the vehicle's electrical system. In such a de-energized state, the coil is no longer energized, so that the coil does not generate a second magnetic field that would neutralize the first magnetic field of the permanent magnet. Therefore, in such a de-energized state, the movement of the locking and unlocking mechanism 2 is no longer blocked, allowing the locking element to be unlocked and thus opened.

[0022] Thus, device 1 enables the opening of the locking element at any time in a simple, cost-effective, and safe manner, even in a power outage. In the event of such a power loss, device 1 stores the last opening command, preventing the locking element, such as a vehicle door, from being locked without the ability to be reopened later.

[0023] With device 1, neither the need to energize the device 1 to unlock the locking element nor the provision of a mechanical storage element, also known as a snow load lever, to ensure the locking element can be unlocked even in a power-off state is necessary. Such mechanical storage elements cause noise and can become mechanically jammed, rendering them inoperable and preventing the locking element from being opened in the event of a power failure. Device 1 avoids this problem.

[0024] The locking and unlocking mechanism 2 comprises, in both embodiments, a rotary latch 4 and a pawl 5, wherein the pawl 5 is attracted by the permanent magnet, more precisely by its first magnetic field, when the coil is de-energized, and can be released by energizing the coil, since the second magnetic field generated by the coil then neutralizes the first magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet. In the released state, the pawl 5 directly or indirectly blocks any movement of the rotary latch 4.

[0025] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. In the first embodiment of device 1 shown in section 2, the pawl 5, in the released state, immediately blocks the movement of the rotary latch 4. This first embodiment is also referred to as a simple pawl. In the embodiment shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. In the second embodiment shown in Figure 4, the pawl 5 only indirectly blocks the movement of the rotary latch 4 in the released state, because in this second embodiment the locking and unlocking mechanism 2 additionally includes a detent lever 6, wherein the pawl 5, in the released state, blocks any movement of the detent lever 6 engaged in the rotary latch 4, so that this detent lever 6 cannot disengage from the rotary latch 4 and thus block the movement of the rotary latch 4. This second embodiment is also referred to as a double pawl.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment of the device 1, the locking and unlocking mechanism 2 is electrically driven, so that the locking element can be opened and closed automatically, for example, based on an opening or closing command issued by a user, such as by pressing a corresponding button in or on the vehicle or on a remote control. For locking or unlocking the locking element, the rotary latch 4, the locking pawl 5, and / or the latching lever 6 are, for example, electrically driven and thus moved accordingly. This movement is prevented by the magnetic unit 3 when the coil is energized, so that the locking element is securely closed and locked by the device 1 when the coil is energized.To open the locking element, the coil of the magnetic unit 3 must be de-energized so that the movement of the locking and unlocking mechanism 2 is no longer blocked and the locking element can therefore be opened. During normal operation of the device 1, the power supply to the coil is deliberately switched off for this purpose. In the event of a power failure, for example, a vehicle battery failure or a fault in the vehicle's electrical system, the coil of the magnetic unit 3 is also de-energized, so that the locking element, for example, the vehicle door, can still be opened safely in such a situation.

[0027] The function of the two illustrated embodiments of device 1 is described in detail below with reference to the figures. The first embodiment of device 1 is shown in Fig. 1 in the locked and in Fig. Figure 2 shows the locking element in the unlocked state. The rotary latch 4 has a recess 7 which, when the locking element is closed, engages a bolt (not shown) at the edge of an opening closed by the locking element, so that the locking element is held in the closed state by means of the device 1. In the case of a locking element designed as a vehicle door, this bolt is, for example, arranged or formed on a B-pillar or C-pillar of the vehicle body.

[0028] When the locking element closes, the recess 7 of the rotary latch 4 slides over the bolt, i.e., the bolt slides into the recess 7 of the rotary latch 4, and the rotary latch 4 rotates counterclockwise into the Fig. The position shown is 1. In this position, when the coil of the magnetic unit 3 is energized, the pawl 5 engages in the rotary latch 4 by rotating counterclockwise, thus blocking the rotary latch 4 and preventing it from rotating clockwise. This locking mechanism locks the locking element in the closed position. This rotation of the pawl 5 to engage in the rotary latch 4 is made possible because, when the coil is energized, the second magnetic field generated by it neutralizes the first magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet. Therefore, the pawl 5 is not attracted by the magnetic unit 3, or more precisely, by the permanent magnet of the magnetic unit 3.

[0029] To allow the locking element to open, the rotary latch 4 must be released so that it can rotate clockwise and thereby release the bolt from its recess 7. For this purpose, the power supply to the coil of the magnetic unit 3 is interrupted. In normal operating conditions, this is done by deliberately switching off the power supply to the coil. In a malfunction, where the power supply to the coil fails, the coil is also de-energized. Due to the de-energized state of the coil, no second magnetic field is generated by the coil, so the first magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet of the magnetic unit 3 is no longer neutralized. This first magnetic field, as described in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the locking pawl 5 is attracted by the permanent magnet of the magnetic unit 3, causing it to rotate clockwise and disengage from the rotary latch 4. This releases the clockwise rotation of the rotary latch 4, allowing the locking element to be opened, as mentioned above, both during normal operation and in the event of a power failure.

[0030] The second embodiment of device 1 is in Fig. 3 in the locked and in Fig. 4 is shown in the unlocked state. The rotary latch 4 also has the recess 7, which, in the closed state of the locking element, engages the bolt (not shown) at the edge of the opening closed by the locking element, so that the locking element is held in the closed state by means of the device 1.

[0031] When the locking element closes, the recess 7 of the rotary latch 4 slides over the bolt, i.e., the bolt slides into the recess 7 of the rotary latch 4, and the rotary latch 4 rotates counterclockwise into the Fig. 3 position shown. In this second embodiment, the locking lever 6 engages in the rotary latch 4 by turning it counterclockwise, and the pawl 5 rotates clockwise towards the locking lever 6 when the coil of the magnetic unit 3 is energized, thereby engaging the locking lever 6 in this position. Fig. The rotary latch 4 is locked in position 3 as shown. This means that the rotary latch 4 is blocked by the locking lever 6, preventing it from rotating clockwise and thus locking the locking element in the closed position.

[0032] This rotation of the pawl 5, in order to block the locking lever 6 in the locked position in the rotary latch 4 and thereby block the rotational movement of the rotary latch 4, is made possible because, in the energized state of the coil of the magnet unit 3, the second magnetic field generated by it neutralizes the first magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet of the magnet unit 3, so that the pawl 5 is not attracted by the magnet unit 3, more precisely by its permanent magnet.

[0033] To allow the locking element to open, the rotary latch 4 must also be released so that it can rotate clockwise and thereby release the bolt from its recess 7. For this purpose, the power supply to the coil of the magnetic unit 3 is interrupted. Under normal operating conditions, this is achieved by deliberately switching off the power supply to the coil. In the event of a failure, where the power supply to the coil fails, the coil is also de-energized.

[0034] Due to the currentless state of the coil of magnet unit 3, no second magnetic field is generated by the coil, so the first magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet of magnet unit 3 is no longer neutralized. This first magnetic field, as described in Fig.As shown in Figure 4, the locking pawl 5 is attracted by the permanent magnet of the magnetic unit 3, causing it to rotate counterclockwise and pivot away from the locking lever 6, thus releasing it from the locking pawl 5. This allows the locking lever 6 to rotate clockwise and disengage from the rotary latch 4. In this way, the clockwise rotation of the rotary latch 4 is released, allowing the locking element to be opened, as mentioned above, both during normal operation and in the event of a power failure. The rotation of the locking lever 6 clockwise to release the rotary latch 4 and / or counterclockwise to engage and lock it is achieved, for example, by a spring element and / or an electrical drive and / or a mechanical actuator, such as a door handle. Reference symbol list 1 Device 2 Locking and unlocking mechanism 3 magnetic unit 4 rotary trap 5 locking pawl 6 locking levers 7 recess

Claims

[1] Device (1) for locking and unlocking a locking element, comprising a locking and unlocking mechanism (2) and a magnetic unit (3) for blocking and releasing a movement of the locking and unlocking mechanism (2), wherein the magnetic unit (3) comprises a permanent magnet and a coil, wherein the permanent magnet generates a first magnetic field and the coil, in a current-carrying state, generates a second magnetic field that neutralizes the first magnetic field, and wherein the coil is to be energized to block the movement of the locking and unlocking mechanism (2), wherein the device (1) comprises a rotary latch (4) and a pawl (5), wherein the pawl (5) is attractable by the permanent magnet in a current-free state of the coil and can be released by energizing the coil, and wherein, in the released state, the pawl (5) directly or indirectly blocks a movement of the rotary latch (4). [2] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the locking pawl (5) in the released state blocks any movement of a locking lever (6) engaged in the rotary latch (4). [3] Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the locking and unlocking mechanism (2) is electrically driven. [4] Use of a device (1) according to any of the preceding claims in a vehicle as a door lock of a locking element designed as a vehicle door or as a lock of a locking element designed as a trunk lid or engine hood.

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