Locking device with redundant spring action of a locking element

Abstract

Locking device, with at least - a rotary latch (1) pivoting between a locking position and an unlocking position, which pivots from the unlocking position to the locking position under the influence of a locking part (V) and which receives the locking part (V) in a form-fitting manner in the locking position, - a locking element (2) adjustable between at least one locking position and a release position, which ▪ in a locked position, the rotary latch (1) is secured in its locking position and prevents the rotary latch (1) from being pivoted into its unlocking position, ▪ in a release position, a pivoting of the rotary latch (1) into its unlocking position is permitted, and ▪ is pre-tensioned in the direction of a locking position via a spring element (5.2), - an adjustable drive component (3) arranged such that it is adjusted by the locking element (2) when the locking element (2) is moved into its release position, and - at least one additional spring element (5.3) which preloads the driver component (3) in the direction of the locking element (2) such that the driver component (3) exerts an adjusting force on the locking element (2) in the direction of a locking position when the locking element (2) is in a release position, characterized in that the spring element (5.2) and the additional spring element (5.3) are each designed with a compression spring and the spring element (5.2) is mounted in a circular arc-shaped guide (42) of one of the housing (4) and the at least one additional spring element (5.3) is mounted in a circular arc-shaped guide (43) of the housing (4) parallel to the guide (42).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such a locking device can, for example, be designed and intended for locking a component of a vehicle seat. This can be used, for instance, to lock the backrest of a vehicle seat to a seat frame, or a folding and / or removable vehicle seat to a body-mounted structure. A locking device of this type can also be used, for example, for locking a so-called easy-entry function on a vehicle seat, or for locking a pass-through on a vehicle seat or bench seat.

[0003] Comparable locking devices are known, for example, from DE 10 2011 101 283 B3, DE 10 2011 101 285 B3 and DE 44 39 644 A1.

[0004] A locking device of this type comprises at least one pivotable rotary latch for the positive engagement of a locking element, a locking element for securing the rotary latch in a locked position, and an adjustable drive element. The drive element is adjustable via the locking element when the locking element is moved into a release position. The drive element can be designed, in particular, to lock the rotary latch in its locked position without play, and the drive element can be driven by the locking element so that it releases the rotary latch when required. The locking element is adjustable between at least one locked position and a release position and, in a locked position, prevents the rotary latch from being pivoted into an unlocked position.In a release position, the locking element does not impede the rotary latch from pivoting into its unlocked position, so that by actuating the locking element and moving it into a release position, the rotary latch can be moved into its unlocked position. To ensure that the locking element automatically moves from a release position to a locked position when the rotary latch pivots into its locked position, and thus automatically secures the rotary latch in its locked position, a spring element is typically provided that biases the locking element towards a locked position.

[0005] DE 10 2004 001 766 B3 discloses a locking device, in particular for a vehicle seat, comprising a housing with a base plate, a pivotably mounted latch arranged in the housing for locking with a counter element and at least one pivotably mounted securing element also arranged in the housing, which secures a locked state by interacting with the latch.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 10 2008 051 832 A1 discloses a locking element for a vehicle seat for locking the backrest to a seat part and / or the body of the vehicle, with a rotatably mounted rotary latch that engages in a locking manner with the bolt, and a rotatably mounted detent that secures the rotary latch in its locking position, characterized in that in the event of an accident the rotary latch and the detent move relative to the housing part.

[0007] In locking devices of the type mentioned above, the locking element, which is pre-tensioned towards a locked position, ensures that the rotary latch remains in its locked position and that the lock does not unintentionally release. A locking element thus ensures that a lock is not released even in a crash, where forces many times greater than those exerted on the locking device are present than in normal use. It is therefore crucial that the locking element always assumes a locked position in which it prevents the rotary latch from pivoting into its unlocked position.

[0008] The present invention is based on the objective of further improving a locking device of the type mentioned above and, in particular, increasing the reliability of such a locking device.

[0009] This problem is solved by a locking device according to claim 1. Further developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0010] According to the invention, a locking device with redundant spring action of the locking element in the direction of a locked position is provided. In other words, at least one additional spring element is provided in addition to the spring element of the locking element, wherein the additional spring element biases the drive component in the direction of the locking element such that the drive component exerts an adjusting force on the locking element in the direction of a locked position when the locking element is in a release position. Furthermore, the spring element and the additional spring element are each designed with a compression spring. The spring element is mounted in a circular arc-shaped guide of the housing, and the at least one additional spring element is mounted in a further circular arc-shaped guide of the housing parallel to the guide of the spring element.

[0011] The drive component, the locking element and the at least one additional spring element are therefore designed and arranged in such a way that - the drive component is carried along by the locking element when the locking element is moved into a release position, and - the drive component, under the action of a restoring force applied by the at least one additional spring element, returns the locking element to a locked position, in particular presses it when the locking element is released in the release position, i.e., is no longer held in the release position.

[0012] The at least one additional spring element thus ensures that the locking element automatically enters a locked position even if its associated spring element fails. This provides redundant spring action for the locking element in a locking device according to the invention, whereby the locking element is biased towards a locked position both directly via a spring element acting on the locking element and indirectly via at least one additional spring element acting on the drive component.

[0013] Preferably, the at least one additional spring element exerts a preload in a release position of the locking element that is sufficient for the locking element to automatically return to a locked position under the sole action of the at least one additional spring element and the drive component, in which the rotary latch is prevented from pivoting into its unlocked position. It may be provided that the locking element, within a predetermined adjustment range between two end positions, can assume not only exactly one locked position in which it counteracts the pivoting of the rotary latch into its unlocked position. Accordingly, in one embodiment, for example, it is provided that the locking element, for example in the form of a pivotable pawl, is automatically moved into a first locked position by means of at least two spring elements when the rotary latch pivots into its locked position.However, if the spring element directly acting on the locking element fails, the additional spring element acting on the drive component is still sufficient to adjust the locking element to a second locking position, different from the first, in which the locking element also secures the rotary latch against unwanted pivoting into its unlocked position. Therefore, with a pivotably mounted locking element and a pivotably mounted drive component, the at least one additional spring element ensures that even this single element alone can bridge the pivot angle of the locking element from a release position in order to pivot the locking element back into a locked position.

[0014] It is not strictly necessary for the locking element and the drive component to be pivotably mounted. In principle, a locking device with a slidingly mounted locking element and / or a slidingly mounted drive component would also be conceivable, or a design in which the locking element is slidably mounted and the drive component is pivotably mounted, or vice versa. However, for the sake of a compact design and a simple construction, it is preferred that the locking element and the drive component are pivotably mounted about a common bearing axis. Naturally, the locking element and the drive component are still pivotable relative to each other.

[0015] In preferred embodiments, the drive component is pre-tensioned by at least one additional spring element into a locking position, in which the drive component bears against the rotary latch in its locked position. The drive component thus engages the rotary latch in its locked position and can therefore lock it in its locked position. Such a drive component can thus compensate for play and lock the rotary latch in a locked position. The design and arrangement of the locking element and the drive component can therefore be chosen such that, in the locking position of the rotary latch, only the drive component bears against the rotary latch by friction and / or positive engagement to lock it, whereas there is play between the locking element and the rotary latch.However, the locking element in a locked position ensures that the rotary latch does not release the locking component even if this play is bridged, and consequently the rotary latch cannot pivot into its unlocking position.

[0016] The at least one additional spring element can be supported on one side by the drive component and on the other side by a section of the locking device housing. Similarly, the spring element for the locking element can be supported on one side by the locking element and on the other side by a (different) section of the housing.

[0017] In one embodiment, in addition to the spring element for the locking element and the at least one spring element for the drive component, a further spring element is provided for the rotary latch, which biases the rotary latch towards its unlocking position. Consequently, when a locking mechanism and, if applicable, an additional locking mechanism for the rotary latch is released via the locking element and, if applicable, via the drive component, the rotary latch pivots automatically into its unlocking position due to the bias from the further spring element. The spring element for the rotary latch can be supported either directly on the rotary latch or on a section of the housing to apply the bias to the rotary latch.

[0018] To simplify assembly and to use as many identical parts as possible, it is preferred that the spring elements for the rotary latch, the locking element, and the drive component comprise a spring of the same type. Preferably, identical spring types, for example, a compression spring, are used for all three spring elements. Furthermore, it is possible to use identically designed springs.

[0019] To facilitate the alignment and arrangement of a spring element within the locking device, it is preferred that at least one guide for (each) spring element is formed within a housing of the locking device.

[0020] In one embodiment, the housing of the locking device comprises at least two housing parts that are connected to one another. A first housing part forms a bearing surface on which the adjustable components of the locking device, in particular the rotary latch, the locking element, and the drive component, are arranged, while a second housing part forms two physical bearing axes about which these components of the locking device can pivot.

[0021] The two housing parts that are fitted together can be made of the same or different materials. For example, the first housing part with the bearing surface is made of plastic, while the second housing part with the bearing axles is made of metal.

[0022] In one embodiment, the second housing part also forms a stop that defines a locking position for the locking element. The restoring forces of the spring element for the locking element and of at least one additional spring element for the drive component act in the direction of this stop. For example, the locking element is pressed or pulled against this stop by its spring element when the rotary latch is in its locked position.

[0023] As mentioned in the introduction, a locking device according to the invention can be designed and provided, in particular, for locking a component of a vehicle seat. Thus, a locking device according to the invention can be part of a lock that is used in or on a vehicle seat for various functions. Examples include the locking mechanism of a vehicle seat with an easy-entry function, the locking of a backrest in a specific position relative to a seat frame and / or a body-mounted structure, the locking of a folding and / or removable vehicle seat to the floor of a vehicle, or the locking of a pass-through.

[0024] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become clear in the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures.

[0025] This shows: Fig. 1 in perspective view an embodiment of a locking device according to the invention with a pivotably mounted rotary latch in its locking position; Fig. 2A-2C in side view the locking device of the Fig. 1 in different phases during unlocking; Fig. 3A-3B the locking device in perspective view in a locked and an unlocked position of the rotary latch; Fig. 4 another perspective view of the locking device with the rotary latch in its locking position; Fig. 5 a rear view of the locking device without housing with the rotary latch in its unlocked position; Fig. 6 A perspective view of the locking device looking at the rear of the housing.

[0026] The Fig. Figures 1, 2A to 2C, 3A to 3B, 4, 5 and 6 show in various views an embodiment of a locking device according to the invention, comprising a rotary latch 1 pivotably mounted about a bearing axis P1, a locking element in the form of a rotatably mounted pawl 2 securing the rotary latch 1 in a locking position, and a drive element in the form of a backlash compensating element 3, which is driven by the pawl 2 to unlock the locking device. The pawl 2 and the backlash compensating element 3 are pivotably mounted about a common bearing axis P2, which is spaced apart from and parallel to the bearing axis P1 of the rotary latch 1.

[0027] The perspective representation of the Fig. Figure 1 first illustrates the construction of the locking device. The rotary latch 1, the locking pawl 2, and the backlash compensation element 3 are arranged here on a bearing surface 40 of a housing 4 of the locking device. The bearing surface 40 is supported by a first housing part 4a (see in particular Figure 1). Fig. 6) formed, to which a further, second housing part 4b is inserted. This second housing part 4b forms the bearing axes P1 and P2 for the pivotally mounted components 1, 2 and 3 of the locking device, as well as a stop 44, which defines a locking position for the pawl 2. The second housing part 4b also includes in the Fig. 1. Fastening lugs 45 and 46 are still visible, which engage in a through-opening of a fastening dome of the first housing part 4a to fasten the two housing parts 4a, 4b to each other. Further details regarding the two housing parts 4a, 4b will be explained in more detail below.

[0028] The rotary latch 1 has a bearing jaw 10 defined between two legs 11 and 12. The rotary latch 1 can be held in a locking position within the bearing jaw 10, as is the case, for example, in the Fig. As shown in Figure 1, a locking component is positively engaged and thus locks two components together. The rotary latch 1 is biased towards an unlocking position by a compression spring 5.1. The compression spring 5.1 thus moves the rotary latch 1 in an opening direction to release the locking component, provided the rotary latch 1 is not obstructed. Consequently, under the influence of a locking component, for example in the form of a locking bolt or shackle, which is positively engaged in its bearing jaw 10, the rotary latch 1 can be moved into a locking position against a restoring force of the compression spring 5.1. However, after release by the locking element 2 and the play compensation element 3, it automatically pivots into an unlocking position in which the locking component is released.

[0029] The compression spring 5.1 is mounted in a circular arc-shaped guide 41 of the housing 4 and is supported on one side by a spring engagement area of ​​the first leg 11 of the rotary latch and on the other side by a support surface 410 of the housing 4. The support surface 410 is formed in this case by the mounting boss into which the mounting lug 46 is inserted.

[0030] To ensure that the rotary latch 1 remains in its locking position and the locking device does not unintentionally unlock, the locking pawl 2 is moved into a locked position by an associated, further compression spring 5.2, according to the Fig. 1 is pre-tensioned, in which the pawl 2 prevents the rotary latch 1 from pivoting into an unlocked position (here clockwise) about its bearing axis P1, and releases a locking component. The pawl 2 has for this purpose a feature that is only present in the Fig. 5 visible locking section 21, which extends from the bearing axis P2 of the locking pawl 2 in the direction of the rotary latch 1 and is adjacent to a locking surface 13 of the rotary latch 1 in the locking position of the rotary latch 1.

[0031] At an opposite end, the pawl 2 has an actuating section by which the pawl 2 can be pivoted (here clockwise) in an unlocking direction against the restoring force of its compression spring 5.2. This actuating section has an engagement jaw 20, which can be positively connected to an actuating element (not shown) in order to introduce an actuating force into the pawl 2 to unlock the locking device.

[0032] To further ensure that the rotary latch 1 is free of play in its locked position, an additional play-compensating element 3 is provided. In the locked position of the rotary latch 1, this play-compensating element 3 rests with a wedge section 30 against the locking surface 13 of the rotary latch 1, thereby locking the rotary latch 1 in a locked position. The wedge section 30 has a locking surface 303 with an eccentric contact contour, so that a locking contact between the play-compensating element 3 and the rotary latch 1 is established in a locked position of the rotary latch 1.

[0033] The play compensation element 3 is pre-tensioned into a locking position by its own compression spring 5.3, in which the play compensation element 3 rests against the rotary latch 1 when the rotary latch 1 is in its locked position. The compression spring 5.3 of the play compensation element 3 engages on one side with one of two V-shaped contact arms 31 and 32 of the play compensation element 3 and is supported on the other side by a support surface 430 inside the housing 4. The two V-shaped contact arms 31 and 32 are opposite the wedge section 30 of the play compensation element 3, which can bear against a convexly curved locking surface 14 on the underside of the second leg 12 of the rotary latch 1 with a concavely curved locking surface 304 when the rotary latch 1 is in its unlocked position.

[0034] A separate guide 43 is also provided within the housing 4 for the compression spring 5.3 of the play compensation element 3. This guide 43 runs parallel to a guide 42 for the compression spring 5.2 of the locking element 2, which is also supported on its own support surface 420 within the housing 4. Both guides 42 and 43 run in a circular arc around the bearing axis P2, so that not only is a desired preload effectively applied via the compression springs 5.2 and 5.3, but the two compression springs 5.2 and 5.3 are also housed within the housing 4 in a particularly space-saving manner.

[0035] The backlash compensating element 3 is arranged and configured along the bearing axis P2 next to the pawl 2 such that the pawl 2 engages the backlash compensating element 3 on a contact arm 32 when the locking device is unlocked. When the pawl 2 is released, i.e., no longer held in a release position, its compression spring 5.2 pushes it back into a locked position. Similarly, the backlash compensating element 3 is pushed back into a locked position by its compression spring 5.3 to engage the rotary latch 1. The compression spring 5.3 of the backlash compensating element 3 provides redundant spring action for the pawl 2 by pressing the contact arm 32 of the backlash compensating element 3 against a support surface 23 of the pawl 2 when the pawl 2 is in a release position. The pressure spring 5 moves towards the pawl 2.The pre-tensioned backlash compensating element 3 thus exerts an adjusting force on the pawl 2 in the direction of its locked position when the pawl 2 is in its release position, i.e., when the locking device is unlocked. The compression spring 5.3 and the backlash compensating element 3 therefore generate a locking moment on the pawl 2 in the direction of the locked position, thereby assisting the adjustment of the pawl 2 into a locked position or, in the event of a failure of the compression spring 5.2, bringing about this adjustment on its own.

[0036] The arrangement of the backlash compensating element 3 relative to the pawl 2 and the preload of the compression spring 5.3 of the backlash compensating element 3 are thus set such that the compression spring 5.3 and the action of the backlash compensating element 3 on the pawl 2 ensure that the pawl 2 again assumes a locking position to secure the rotary latch 1 in a locked position, even if the compression spring 5.2 acting directly on the pawl 2 fails. This provides increased locking reliability, since the pawl 2 no longer depends solely on a spring element acting directly on the pawl 2, in this case the compression spring 5.2.

[0037] The design and function of the depicted locking device are explained in particular with reference to the Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C illustrated in more detail. Fig. Figures 2A to 2C show the locking device in different phases of unlocking.

[0038] In the Fig. Figure 2A initially shows the rotary latch 1 in a locked position, in which a locking component, represented here by a locking bolt V, is positively engaged in the bearing jaw 10, which is bordered in a U-shape by the two legs 11 and 12. The rotary latch 1 is secured by the contact of the wedge section 30 of the play compensation element 3 with its locking surface 13. The pawl 2 is pressed into a locked position by its compression spring 5.2, in which the pawl 2 rests against a contact surface 24 formed in the area of ​​the engagement jaw 20 on the web-shaped projecting stop 44. In this locked position, the pawl 2 prevents the rotary latch 1 from pivoting into an unlocked position about its bearing axis P1.

[0039] If an actuating force is now introduced into the pawl 2 to pivot it in a pivoting direction S2 about its bearing axis P2, the pawl 2, after bridging a first adjustment travel section a, comes into contact with the backlash compensating element 3 at the contact arm 32 and takes the backlash compensating element 3 with it during a further adjustment along the pivoting direction S2 about the bearing axis P2. Until the pawl 2, according to the Fig. 2B, when the play compensation element 3 is engaged, the rotary latch 1 remains locked in its locking position. The locking pawl 1 must therefore first be moved by a distance determined by the adjustment travel section a in the Fig. The actuation angle shown in 2A must be pivoted before the locking mechanism of the rotary latch 1 is released via the backlash compensating element 3. Until this actuation angle is bridged, the restoring force of the compression spring 5.2 counteracts any movement of the pawl 2. As soon as the pawl 2 engages the backlash compensating element 3, the restoring force of the compression spring 5.3 additionally counteracts the movement of both the pawl 2 and the backlash compensating element 3.

[0040] By adjusting the locking pawl 2 into a release position and engaging the play compensation element 3, the locking surface 303 of the wedge section 30 is disengaged from the locking surface 13 of the rotary latch 1 and the rotary latch 1 can pivot into an unlocking position under the action of its compression spring 5.1 about the bearing axis P1 along a pivot direction S1 (here clockwise).

[0041] In the Fig. Figure 2C shows such an unlocking position of the rotary latch 1, in which the rotary latch 1 has completely released the locking bolt V. The pawl 2 has been pivoted into a release position against the restoring forces applied by the two compression springs 5.2 and 5.3, with the pawl 2 bearing against the web-shaped projecting end of the contact arm 32 and the compression spring 5.3 for the backlash compensation element 3 being compressed by a similarly web-shaped projecting end of the further contact arm 31. Under the influence of its compression spring 5.1, the rotary latch 1 has pivoted into an unlocking position in which its locking surface 13 bears against a stop surface 421 of the housing 4. In this case, this stop surface 421 is formed by the section projecting from the bearing surface 40, on which the compression spring 5.2 for the locking pawl 2 is also supported.

[0042] In the Fig. In the unlocking position of the rotary latch 1 shown in Figure 2C, the locking surface 304 of the backlash compensation element 3 and a locking surface 214 of the locking section 21 of the pawl 2 are also in contact with the locking surface 14 of the rotary latch 1, as further shown in the Fig. Figure 5 illustrates this. The rotary latch 1 is held in its unlocked position by its compression spring 5.1. The frictional contact between the backlash compensator 3 and the rotary latch 1, as well as between the pawl 2 and the rotary latch 1, assists in maintaining and securing the unlocked position. The locking device thus remains in an unlocked state until the engagement of the locking bolt V in the bearing jaw 10 causes the rotary latch 1 to pivot into its locked position. When the rotary latch 1 is pivoted into its locked position in a closing direction, the compression springs 5.2 and 5.3 automatically pivot the pawl 2 and the backlash compensator 3 back, so that the pawl 2 again assumes a locked position and the backlash compensator 3 locks the rotary latch 1 in its locked position. The additional compression spring 5.3 for the play compensation element 3, it is ensured that the locking pawl 2 is pivoted back at least as far as the play compensation element 3 and thus assumes a locking position, even if the compression spring 5.2 acting directly on the locking pawl 2 fails.

[0043] With the perspective views of the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B again the locking position of the rotary latch 1 ( Fig. 3A) and the unlocking position of the rotary latch 1 ( Fig. Figure 3B) illustrates this. The interaction between the three pivotably mounted components 1, 2 and 3 of the locking device is also clearly visible here.

[0044] In the Fig. 4 is in with the Fig. Figure 1 shows a corresponding perspective view of the locking device, with the compression spring 5.2 for the pawl 2 recessed. This makes details of the guide 42 for the compression spring 5.2 more clearly visible. A bearing journal on the support surface 420 is visible, onto which one end of the compression spring 5.2 can be placed during assembly to position the compression spring 5.2 within the housing 4 as intended. Similar bearing journals are preferably also provided on the guides 41 and 43 for the other compression springs 5.1 and 5.3 to facilitate their arrangement within the housing 4.

[0045] In the Fig. Figure 5 shows a rear view of the locking device without the housing 4, in order to illustrate, in particular, the sections of the pawl 2 located behind the backlash compensation element 3. A shoulder 25 of the pawl 2 with a spring engagement area, against which the compression spring 5.2 is supported, is visible. Furthermore, the previously mentioned locking section 21 of the pawl 2 is also visible, which, in a locked position, prevents the rotary latch 1, which is in the locked position, from pivoting into its unlocked position and, via a detent surface 214, assists in holding the rotary latch 1 in its unlocked position.

[0046] From the Fig. Figure 6 shows details of the housing 4 of the depicted locking device. The housing 4 comprises two housing parts, 4a and 4b, which are plugged together and made of different materials.

[0047] A first housing part 4a, made of plastic, forms in particular the bearing surface 40 and the guides 41, 42, and 43, as well as a rim that partially surrounds the adjustable components 1, 2, and 3 of the locking device. A second housing part 4b, made of metal, forms the rear of the housing 4 with a plate-shaped base body and is inserted into and held in place by mounting lugs 45 and 46 projecting from the base body. The second housing part 4b also forms the bearing axis P1 for the rotary latch 1 and the bearing axis P2 for the pawl 2 and the backlash compensating element 3. Furthermore, another lug projects from the base body of the second housing part 4b, forming the stop 44 for the pawl 2.Due to the at least two-part construction of the housing 4 of the locking device, it is particularly easy to adapt the different housing sections to the forces occurring and thus, for example, to manufacture the bearing axes P1 and P2 as well as the stop 44 from a material of higher strength and still keep the weight of the housing 4 low.

[0048] Preferably, a locking device according to the invention is provided for locking a component of a vehicle seat. For example, the illustrated embodiment can also be part of a lock in or on a vehicle seat, for instance to lock a seat backrest or to lock the vehicle seat to a vehicle floor. A high level of locking reliability can be provided by the redundant spring action of the locking pawl 2, directly via the compression spring 5.2 on the one hand and indirectly via the additional compression spring 5.3 of the play compensation element 3 on the other. This ensures to an even greater degree that even in a crash, locking via the rotary latch 1 will not fail, since the locking pawl 2 is pressed into a locked position by two independent compression springs 5.2 and 5.3.

[0049] In the illustrated locking device, identical helical compression springs are used as compression springs 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 for the spring action of the rotary latch 1, the pawl 2, and the backlash compensating element 3. However, it is of course conceivable not only to use other spring types, such as tension springs, torsion springs, coil springs, or leaf springs, but also to use combinations of different spring types within a single locking device. For example, the spring action of the rotary latch 1 could be provided by a torsion spring, while the pawl 2 and the backlash compensating element 3 would still be pre-tensioned by compression springs.

[0050] In contrast to the illustrated embodiment, in which a compression spring 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 is each supported on a spring engagement area of ​​a section of the adjustable component (rotary latch 1, pawl 2 or backlash compensating element 3) and a housing-fixed section, it can be provided that a spring element engages on two spring engagement areas of two adjustable components. For example, a spring element can engage on the rotary latch 1 and on the pawl 2 in order to preload them accordingly.

[0051] Furthermore, it is of course not essential that an additional spring element, such as the compression spring 5.3, acts on the pawl 2 via a backlash compensation element 3, which locks the rotary latch 1 in its locking position. It would also be conceivable to use an alternative, non-locking drive component here, which is carried along by the pawl 2 when it is moved into a release position and is thereby moved against a restoring force of the additional spring element, so that the restoring force of the additional spring element is available via the drive component for returning the pawl 2 to a locked position. Reference symbol list 1 rotary trap 10 Bearing jaw 11 First leg (with spring attack area) 12 Second thigh 13 Locking surface 14 locking surfaces 2 locking pawls (locking element) 20 Intervention mouth 21 Blocking section 214 locking surfaces 23 Support surface 24 Plant area 25 Shoulder (with spring attack area) 3. Play compensation element (driver component) 30 wedge section 303 Locking surface 304 locking surface 31 Contact arm (with spring action area) 32 contact arm 4 Lock housings (cases) 40 storage area 41, 42, 43 Leadership 410, 420, 430 Support surface 421 Stop surface 44 stops 45, 46 Mounting bracket 4a, 4b Housing part 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 Compression spring (spring element) a adjustment range section P1, P2 bearing axis S1, S2 Swivel direction V Locking bolt (locking component, locking part)

Claims

[1] Locking device, with at least - a rotary latch (1) which can be pivoted between a locking position and an unlocking position and which pivots from the unlocking position into the locking position under the action of a locking part (V) and which positively receives the locking part (V) in the locking position, - a locking element (2) which is adjustable between at least one locking position and one release position, ▪ in a locked position, secures the rotary latch (1) in its locking position and prevents the rotary latch (1) from being pivoted into its unlocking position, ▪ in a release position, the rotary latch (1) can be pivoted into its unlocking position, and ▪ is pre-tensioned by a spring element (5.2) in the direction of a locking position, - an adjustable driver component (3) which is arranged such that it is adjusted by the locking element (2) when the locking element (2) is adjusted to its release position, and - at least one additional spring element (5.3) which prestresses the driver component (3) in the direction of the locking element (2) such that the driver component (3) exerts an adjusting force on the locking element (2) in the direction of a locking position when the locking element (2) is in a release position, characterized by that the spring element (5.2) and the additional spring element (5.3) are each formed with a compression spring and the spring element (5.2) is mounted in a circular arc-shaped guide (42) of one of the housings (4) and the at least one additional spring element (5.3) is mounted in a circular arc-shaped guide (43) of the housing (4) parallel to the guide (42). [2] Locking device according to claim 1, characterized byin that the at least one additional spring element (5.3) exerts a pretension in a release position of the locking element (2) which is sufficient for the locking element (2) to automatically assume a locking position again under the sole action of the at least one additional spring element (5.3) and the driver component (3), in which the rotary latch (1) is prevented from pivoting into its unlocking position. [3] Locking device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the locking element (2) and / or the driver component (3) are pivotally mounted. [4] Locking device according to claim 3, characterized by that the locking element (2) and the driver component (3) are pivotally mounted about a common bearing axis (P2). [5] Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the driver component (3) is prestressed by the at least one additional spring element (5.3) into a locking position in which the driver component (3) bears against the rotary latch (1) in its locking position. [6] Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one additional spring element (5.3) is supported on the one hand on the driver component (3) and on the other hand on a section of the housing (4) of the locking device and / or the spring element (5.2) for the blocking element (2) is supported on the one hand on the blocking element (2) and on the other hand on a section of the housing (4). [7] Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat in addition to the spring element (5.2) for the locking element (2) and the at least one additional spring element (5.3) for the driver component (3), a further spring element (5.1) is provided for the rotary latch (1), which pretensions the rotary latch (1) in the direction of its unlocking position. [8] Locking device according to claim 7, characterized by that the three spring elements (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) for the rotary latch (1), the locking element (2) and the driver component (3) comprise a spring of the same type. [9] Locking device according to claim 7, characterized by that the further spring element (5.1) of the locking device comprises a compression spring. [10] Locking device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by that the further spring element (5.1) for the rotary latch (1) is supported on the one hand on the rotary latch (1) and on the other hand on a section of the housing (4). [11] Locking device according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized by that a guide (41, 42, 43) is formed within the housing (4) of the locking device for each spring element (5.1, 5.2, 5.3). [12] Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing (4) of the locking device has at least two housing parts (4a, 4b) plugged together, wherein a first housing part (4a) forms a bearing surface (40) on which the adjustably mounted components of the locking device are arranged, and a second housing part (4b) forms two physical bearing axes (P1, P2) about which these components of the locking device can pivot. [13] Locking device according to claims 11 and 12, characterized by that the first housing part (4a) forms at least one of the guides (41, 42, 43) for the spring elements (5.1, 5.2, 5.3). [14] Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking device is designed and provided for locking a component of a vehicle seat.

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