Locking device and bearing part with an integrated spring element, especially for a front flap closing system

Abstract

Locking device (100) comprising a lock, in particular a hood lock (110) for releasably locking a body part pivotably mounted relative to the body of a motor vehicle (1), in particular a hood (10), and an actuating device (130) for unlocking the lock, as well as at least one Bowden cable (120) arranged between the lock and the actuating device (130) for remote unlocking of the lock, wherein the actuating device (130) comprises a component (132) arranged in a bearing part (L), which is rotatable relative to the bearing part (L) about a pivot axis (Y2), wherein the component (132) transmits the actuation of the actuating device (130) for unlocking the lock to the lock via the Bowden cable (120), characterized in that a spring element (133) is integrated into the rotatable component (132).which holds the rotatable component (132) in its initial position against the bearing part (L) even before the actuating device (130) is actuated, and which simultaneously secures the rotatable connection of the rotatable component (132) positioned in the bearing part (L).

Description

[0001] According to the preamble of claim 1, the invention relates to a locking device, in particular a front flap locking system, and according to the preamble of claim 2, to a bearing part.

[0002] Various actuation devices for motor vehicles are known from the prior art.

[0003] Publication D1 (EP 1 780 355 A2) discloses an actuating device for the hood of a motor vehicle. This device comprises an externally accessible release lever, which is rotatably mounted in a bearing block via a pin. The connection between the pin and the bearing block is achieved by a detent connection consisting of a spring-loaded detent lug on the bearing block and a groove on the pin. This detent connection secures the release lever against axial disengagement. A separate return spring is provided to return the release lever and an associated deflection arm to their initial position after actuation. The functions of securing the rotatable connection and resetting are thus performed by two different elements (spring-loaded detent lug and separate return spring).

[0004] Publication D2 (JP 2002-38 793 A) shows a handle device in which a handle body is pre-tensioned into a starting position by means of a return spring. An actuating cable with a spherical head is held in a through-hole. The return spring crosses the underside of this hole, thus preventing the ball head from protruding through it. The return spring fulfills a dual function here: it provides the return force of the handle and simultaneously secures the ball head of the actuating cable against falling out. However, the spring does not secure the rotating component itself in the bearing.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of creating an improved locking device, in particular with an improved bearing component. Starting from the prior art, the specific technical objective is to further develop a locking device in such a way that the number of components is reduced, assembly is simplified, and permanently backlash-free and rattle-free mounting of the rotatable component in the bearing component is ensured.

[0006] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0007] The starting point of the invention is a locking device comprising a lock, in particular a front flap lock for the releasable locking of a body part pivotably mounted relative to a motor vehicle body, in particular a front flap, and comprising an actuating device for unlocking the lock and at least one Bowden cable arranged between the lock and the actuating device for remote unlocking of the lock.

[0008] The actuating device comprises a component arranged in a bearing part, which is rotatable relative to the bearing part about a pivot axis, wherein the component transmits the actuating device for unlocking the lock to the lock via the Bowden cable.

[0009] According to the invention, a spring element is integrated into the component that is rotatable relative to the bearing part, which holds the rotatable component under preload relative to the bearing part in its initial position even before the actuating device is activated, and which simultaneously secures the rotatable connection of the rotatable component positioned in the bearing part.

[0010] The bearing part is, for example, a stationary body part, in particular of a motor vehicle, or, for example, a separate stationary bearing block part, which is directly or indirectly connected, in particular, to a body part of a motor vehicle or to another structural component of other objects.

[0011] The invention therefore also relates to the design of the bearing part and the components arranged in or on the bearing part.

[0012] This solution has the advantage, firstly, that the spring element integrated into the rotatable component ensures that the rotatable component returns to its initial position (after prior actuation via the actuating element), and secondly, that the integrated spring element also keeps the rotatable component under preload in the initial position.

[0013] The restoring force advantageously originates from the spring element, which is transferred to the rotatable component by integrating the spring element into the component mounted in the bearing part, as will be explained in detail below.

[0014] Previously, the restoring force acting on the rotatable component in a front flap locking system, which is explained below as an example, was taken over by a return spring of a locking pawl of the lock, resulting in adverse effects which are also explained in more detail in the following description.

[0015] The solution according to the invention has a further advantage, which is that the spring element is simultaneously used to secure the position of the rotatable component in the bearing part.

[0016] The solution according to the invention prevents this negative effect, since the spring element integrated in the rotatable component permanently ensures the position of the rotatable component in the bearing part even when very high forces act on the actuating element of the actuating device.

[0017] The solution according to the invention is thus demonstrated by the rotatable component which is mounted and positioned in the bearing part, and by a spring element integrated in the rotatable component.

[0018] On the one hand, the spring element advantageously holds the rotatable component in its starting position under preload even before the rotatable component is actuated.

[0019] At the same time, the spring element secures the position of the rotatable component positioned in the bearing part, advantageously in every position that the rotatable component assumes during actuation.

[0020] The technical changes according to the invention compared to a conventional locking device thus relate to the bearing part of the locking device and the components, in particular the rotatable component and the spring element, which are arranged directly in the bearing part in the assembled state and which together form a so-called bearing unit.

[0021] In its assembled state, the bearing unit thus comprises the bearing part, the rotatable component and the spring element.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bearing part has a bearing opening located on the axis of rotation, which extends in the axial direction of the bearing opening from an edge of the bearing opening with an end face surface to a flat side surface of the body of the bearing part.

[0023] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the rotatable component is locked and positioned in the bearing opening of the bearing part by means of an expanding element in the assembled state of the bearing part and the rotatable component.

[0024] It is further preferably provided that the rotatable component comprises the spreading element with elastic spreading members which, in the assembled state of the bearing part and the rotatable component, extend in the axial direction from the end face of the edge to the flat side surface of the body of the bearing part in the bearing opening.

[0025] The elastic spreading elements of the spreading element have locking lugs projecting radially towards the edge, with contact surfaces. They also form a shoulder with a contact surface, radially extending towards the body of the bearing block part, opposite a receiving element of the rotatable component.

[0026] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the edge of the bearing opening provided for the storage of the rotatable component in the bearing part bears against the contact surfaces of the locking lugs of the rotatable component with its end face surface in the assembly state of the bearing part and the rotatable component, while at the same time the flat side surfaces of the bearing part bear against the contact surface of the shoulder of the rotatable component in the assembly state of the bearing part and rotatable component.

[0027] In order to keep the thickness of the bearing part low, the bearing opening is formed between a side surface of the body of the bearing part and a specially drawn-out projection for the rotatable component, which forms the edge of the bearing opening with the aforementioned end face surface.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotatable component is locked and positioned in the bearing opening by means of the expanding element during assembly. This locking and simultaneous positioning provides a simple method for mounting the rotatable component in the bearing part.

[0029] The spreading element advantageously comprises the elastic spreading elements which, in the assembled state, extend in an axial direction from the end face of the edge at the bearing opening to the flat side surface of the body of the bearing part at the opening, with respect to the axis of rotation of the bearing part.

[0030] Since the elastic expanding elements must exhibit a corresponding elasticity during assembly and locking into the bearing opening, a certain length of expanding elements is necessary. Therefore, the bearing opening, which is extended with regard to the length of the expanding elements, not only extends between two flat side surfaces of the bearing part, but, as described above, between a flat side surface of the body of the bearing block and a corresponding protrusion, specially designed for the rotating component and corresponding to the length of the rotating component.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking of the spreading elements of the expanding element is made possible by the spreading elements having, on the one hand, locking lugs projecting radially towards the edge with contact surfaces, and on the other hand, forming a shoulder with a contact surface that extends radially towards the body of the bearing part, opposite a receiving element of the rotatable component. Advantageously, this results in opposing contact surfaces on the rotatable component, which enable the rotatable component to be locked securely and in a positionally accurate manner in the bearing part.

[0032] Advantageously, the edge of the bearing opening of the bearing part with its end face is in contact with the contact surfaces of the locking lugs of the rotatable component in the assembled state, while the flat side surface of the bearing part rests against the contact surface of the shoulder of the rotatable component in the assembled state.

[0033] It is further preferred that the spreading element of the rotatable component has a blind-hole-like recess extending axially in the direction of the rotatable component with respect to the axis of rotation, which has a radially oriented insertion groove arranged opposite the axis of rotation in the bottom of the blind-hole-like recess.

[0034] The formation of a blind-hole-like recess between the spreading elements of the spreading element advantageously allows for a simple arrangement of the radial insertion groove within the rotatable component.

[0035] Furthermore, it is provided that a support groove extending radially towards the axis of rotation of the rotatable component is formed on the side surface of the body of the bearing part.

[0036] The formation of a support groove is also advantageously an easy-to-implement measure which, together with the radial insertion groove in the blind-hole-like recess of the rotatable component, enables a simple arrangement of the spring element in the rotatable component.

[0037] When the actuating device is activated, a force is applied to the rotatable component via the actuating element of the device. If a permissible force is exceeded, the desired position of the rotatable component within the bearing must not be even partially reversed.

[0038] As explained above, the spring element advantageously ensures, among other things, that the rotatable component is and remains in its intended position within the bearing. Even under high force, the spring element secures the position of the rotatable component within the bearing, as detailed in the description.

[0039] In the assembled state, the spring element is arranged in a predetermined position of the rotatable component relative to the bearing part, with its first free end in the insertion groove in the rotatable component and with its second free end in the support groove of the bearing part.

[0040] This results in an additional safeguard for the return function from every position of the rotatable component, so that the rotatable component and thus also the actuating element of the actuating device connected to the rotatable component always assumes the desired return position relative to the bearing part.

[0041] Preferably, the spring element in the rotatable component has an axially extending winding package with a predetermined number of windings between its first free end and its second free end, which, in the assembled state of the bearing part and the rotatable component, extend at least partially between the inner surfaces of the elastic spreading elements of the spreading element, so that the elastic spreading elements are supported on the outer surfaces of the windings of the winding package.

[0042] This advantageously ensures that the rotatable component, under preload, always remains in its original position and returns to it. Furthermore, the rotatable component is advantageously always securely locked in the bearing part by the elastic expanding elements and secured against disengagement from the bearing part by the spring element.

[0043] The winding package advantageously supports the spreading elements of the spreading element from the inside when the bearing unit is assembled.

[0044] The rotatable component remains freely rotatable relative to the bearing part. The support function is always maintained during the rotation of the rotatable component relative to the bearing block part, ensuring that the rotatable component is always centered and free of play in the bearing opening of the bearing part, both during and outside of operation.

[0045] The holding force exerted by the windings of the winding package from the inside onto the spreading elements of the spreading element of the rotatable component is so great that even high forces can act on the rotatable component without losing the backlash-free position of the rotatable component in the bearing opening of the bearing part.

[0046] The invention is described in detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0047] They show: Fig. 1 a motor vehicle with a locking device comprising a front hood lock, at least one Bowden cable and an actuating device with a bearing part attached to the body; Fig. 2 a bearing part according to the state of the art with its side facing the bodywork in the mounted state; Fig. 3 a bearing part according to the invention with its side facing the bodywork in the assembled state; Fig. 4 the bearing part according to Fig. 3 in the assembled state before mounting on the body (rear illustration) with its side facing the body in the mounted state, and in an exploded view before the assembled state (front illustrations) of the bearing part with a component rotatable relative to the bearing part comprising the body of the bearing part, the rotatable component and a spring element; Fig. 5 the bearing part according to the invention with its side facing the interior in the body-mounted state with a Bowden cable attached, indicating the cross-sectional positions of a section AA and a section BB through the bearing part; Fig. 6 the section AA according to Fig. 5 through the bearing part; and Fig. 7 the cut BB according to Fig. 5 through the bearing part.

[0048] The invention is explained with reference to a locking device 100 for a front flap 10 of a motor vehicle 1.

[0049] The locking device 100 serves to open and close the front flap 10 and is hereinafter referred to as the front flap closing system.

[0050] According to the Fig. In the front hood 10 of the motor vehicle 1, the front end of a front section designed as a vehicle structural component has an approximately horizontal front hood pivot axis Y1. The front hood 10 can be pivoted about the front hood pivot axis Y1 between at least one open position and one closed position.

[0051] In the front end, in the area of ​​the front end that is not visible from the outside, a front flap lock 110 is arranged in which a swivel bracket of the front flap 10 is releasably locked in the closed position.

[0052] The front flap lock 110 is connected to an actuating device 130 via a Bowden cable 120 belonging to the front flap locking system 100. One strand of the Bowden cable 120 is connected at one end to a pawl of the front flap lock 110 and at the other end to the actuating device 130.

[0053] Actuating the actuating device 130 by applying an actuating force causes the Bowden cable strand of the two-part Bowden cable 120 (in the exemplary embodiment) to unlock the pawl and release a rotary latch of the front flap lock 110, so that the pivoting bracket is secured to a catch hook in the open position of the front flap 10. To open the front flap 10, the pivoting bracket must be moved past the catch hook. The pawl, the rotary latch, and the catch hook each have a return spring, the spring tension of the pawl of which must be overcome when actuating to open the front flap 10. The return springs serve to restore the initial position of the pawl, the rotary latch, and the catch hook. When the pawl returns to its original position, the Bowden cable strand is retracted as soon as the actuating device is no longer actuated.

[0054] This causes an actuating element of the actuating device 130 to return to its initial position. The Bowden cable is designed with a specific adjustment length relative to a Bowden cable sheath supported on both sides, and a slight tolerance-related excess length (in the millimeter range) is provided for this adjustment length. This results in the disadvantageous effect that the actuating element of the actuating device 130 does not fully return to its initial position after actuation by the return spring of the pawl, which is located relatively far away from the actuating device 130 within the front flap lock 110. This tolerance-related excess length of the Bowden cable can even lead to rattling of the actuating element in the area of ​​the actuating device 130, particularly in the area of ​​the actuating element itself.

[0055] The invention ensures that the aforementioned disadvantages are avoided despite the excess length due to tolerances.

[0056] Furthermore, as will be explained below, the invention advantageously eliminates the need for previously required components. Assembly effort is reduced and simplified. In addition, the weight is advantageously reduced.

[0057] The actuating device 130 of the locking device 100 comprises a bearing part L.

[0058] In the exemplary embodiment, the bearing part L is a separate bearing block part 131, which is connected, for example, to a body of the motor vehicle 1. An actuating element 130A (shown in the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7) the actuating device 130 is arranged on the bearing block part 131 and is movably mounted in the bearing block part 131.

[0059] The Fig. Figure 2 shows the design of a conventional bearing block part 131' according to the state of the art.

[0060] The known components of the conventional bearing block part 131' are a screw 131E' and a washer 131E-1', which secure the previously used rotatable component in the conventional bearing block part 131'. Known components of the conventional bearing block part 131' are subsequently always denoted by (').

[0061] The similarities and differences between the conventional and the new bearing block part 131', 131 are described with reference to the Fig. Points 2 to 5 are explained in a summary below.

[0062] The in the Fig. 2 to 4 visible sides of the bearing block parts 131' 131 face the inside of the vehicle body 1 when installed. In other words, after installation, the sides in the Fig. The pages shown in sections 2 to 4 are no longer visible when viewed from the interior of motor vehicle 1.

[0063] The one in Fig. 5 The visible side of the bearing block part 131 faces the interior of the motor vehicle when installed.

[0064] The bearing block parts 131', 131 (compare Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) feature a hook-like fastening element 131A'. Furthermore, the bearing block parts 131', 131 have a first opening 131B' and a second opening 131C'.

[0065] In addition, the bearing block parts 131', 131 have a first Bowden cable sheath receiving element 131D' for the end of a Bowden cable sheath 120A, the end of which is supported in the Bowden cable sheath receiving element 131D' and guided by the Bowden cable sheath receiving element 131D'.

[0066] During the assembly of the bearing block parts 131' 131, the hook-like fastening element 131A' is first inserted into an opening provided for this purpose in the body, after which the bearing block parts 131', 131 are screwed to the body by passing a screw from the inside out through the first opening 131B', which engages in a body-side expanding nut, thereby connecting the bearing block parts 131; 131' to the body in a force-fit manner.

[0067] After the actuating device 130 has been connected to the Bowden cable 120 and the actuating element 130A has been attached, an A-pillar trim panel (not shown) is clipped – from inside the vehicle – onto the second opening 131C' provided for this purpose in the bearing block parts 131', 131. The A-pillar trim panel includes an expanding rivet that engages behind the edges of the second opening 131C' when the front hood closing system 100 is assembled with the bearing block parts 131', 131.

[0068] The bearing block parts 131', 131 accommodate a rotatable component and form a bearing unit with the component mounted in the bearing block parts 131', 131 and rotatable relative to the bearing block parts 131', 131.

[0069] In Fig. 2 The body of the rotatable component installed in the conventional bearing block part 131' is not visible. Visible is the screw head of screw 131E' with washer 131E-1', whereby screw 131E' is inserted into the bearing block part 131' and screwed into the rotatable component, so that the rotatable component is positioned and secured in the bearing block part 131'.

[0070] The screw 131E' is connected to the rotatable component in such a way that the screw 131E' can rotate together with the rotatable component relative to the stationary bearing block part 131'. The rotatable component is located in the body of the bearing block part 131' and extends beyond the body of the bearing block part 131' towards the interior of the motor vehicle 1, the rotatable component forming a receiving element for an actuating element.

[0071] The actuating element is placed onto the receiving element of the rotatable component and locked into place, and is then positively and force-fit connected to the actuating element and mounted on the receiving element of the rotatable component.

[0072] The bearing block part 131' with the screw 131E' and the washer 131E-1' and the rotatable component are already pre-assembled before mounting on the body and form the bearing unit used previously, which is also referred to as the assembly bearing block.

[0073] After mounting on the body, a Bowden cable end piece of a Bowden cable strand is inserted into a Bowden cable end piece receiving element of the rotatable component and the Bowden cable sheath of the Bowden cable 120 is hooked into the Bowden cable receiving element 131D' of the bearing block part 131'.

[0074] The A-pillar trim is then clipped into the second opening 131C' of the bearing block part 131' in the manner already described.

[0075] Finally, the actuating element, in particular an actuating lever, is placed onto the receiving element, whereby the front flap locking system 100 consisting of front flap lock 110, Bowden cable 120 and actuating device 130 is completely assembled (assembled state of the front flap locking system 100).

[0076] By turning the actuating lever from its starting position to its actuating position, the rotatable component is turned and the Bowden cable 120 is pulled, so that the front flap lock 110 is unlocked by the pull of the Bowden cable strand, and the front flap 10 can be moved from its closed position to its open position.

[0077] The rotatable component thus already functions in the prior art as a driver for the Bowden cable 120 of the front flap locking system 100, which is arranged between the front flap lock 110 and the actuating device 130.

[0078] According to the exemplary embodiment, the rotatable component will henceforth be referred to only as the driver.

[0079] It is explicitly pointed out again that the rotatable component is only used as a driver in the exemplary embodiment. The rotatable component can also perform other functions. For example, it can be used as a mechanical locking element, a mechanical switching element, or the like.

[0080] In the exemplary embodiment, it fulfills a drive function, as it takes along the Bowden cable 120, which is arranged between the front flap lock 110 and the actuating device 130, so that the remote unlocking of the front flap lock 110 from an interior of the motor vehicle 1 is ensured.

[0081] In the conventional solution, the return of the actuating lever 130A was achieved solely by the return spring (not shown) of the locking pawl of the front flap lock 110, which pulls the Bowden cable 120B back into its original position, thus returning the actuating lever and the Bowden cable 120B to their respective starting positions. However, the excessive length of the Bowden cable 120B, as described above, prevents the actuator from fully returning to its original starting position, and consequently, the actuating lever attached to the actuator also fails to fully reach its original starting position. Furthermore, the rotatable mounting of the actuator in the bearing block 131' via the screw 131E' creates a self-locking effect for the actuator within the bearing block 131', which adversely affects the return process of the actuating lever 130A with regard to reaching its original starting position.

[0082] In the Fig. Figures 3 to 7 show an improved bearing block part 131 according to the invention and the improved rotatable component 132 in its design as a driver with a spring element 133 integrated into the driver 132 that was not previously available.

[0083] In contrast to the prior art, the bearing block part 131, driver 132 and spring element 133 now form the bearing unit according to the invention or the so-called assembly bearing block.

[0084] The spring element 133 is inserted into the driver 132 before the mounting of the bearing block part 131 or the bearing unit on the body (assembly state), so that the driver 132 is firstly rotatably mounted and secured in the bearing block part 131 and secondly causes the complete return of the driver 132 and thus of the actuating lever 130A.

[0085] The design of the spring element 133, as well as its arrangement and connection with the driver 132 and the bearing block part 131, advantageously secure the driver 132 in the body of the bearing block part 131 and ensure a complete and secure return of the driver 132 to its initial position, thus guaranteeing a complete, rattle-free, and positionally identical return of the actuating lever 130A to its initial position, as shown below. Fig. 3 to 7 will be explained in more detail.

[0086] The Fig. Figure 4 shows the assembly bearing block according to the invention in the background in its assembled state according to the invention. Fig. 3 before assembly on the body of the motor vehicle 1.

[0087] The Fig. Figure 4 shows the assembly bearing block in the foreground in an exploded view before assembly with the spring element 133 and the driver 132 pulled out of the bearing block part 131.

[0088] For clarity, the axis of rotation Y2 of the driver 132 is shown, around which the driver 132 rotates when the actuating element 130A is actuated (see also the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7) turns.

[0089] The driver 132 lies in the body of the bearing block part 131 and extends beyond the body of the bearing block part 131, wherein the driver 132 forms at its end a preferably cylindrical receiving element 132K for the actuating element 130A.

[0090] After mounting on the receiving element 132K, the actuating element 130A is positively and force-fit connected to the driver 132 and is thus supported in the bearing block part 131 via the receiving element 132K of the driver 132.

[0091] The bearing block part 131 and the drive element 132 as well as the spring element 133 are already assembled before being mounted on the body.

[0092] After mounting on the body, the Bowden cable end piece 120C of the Bowden cable strand 120B is inserted into a Bowden cable end piece receiving element 132B of the driver 132 and the Bowden cable sheath 120A of the Bowden cable 120 is hooked into the Bowden cable receiving element 131D'.

[0093] The A-pillar trim is then clipped into the second opening 131C' in the manner already described.

[0094] Finally, the actuating element 130A, in particular the actuating lever, is placed onto the receiving element 132K, thereby completely assembling the actuating device 130 (assembly state of the front flap closing system 100).

[0095] By rotating the actuating lever 130A from its initial position to its actuated position, the driver 132 is rotated, and the Bowden cable strand 120B of the Bowden cable 120 is pulled by the predefinable adjustment length relative to the Bowden cable sheath 120A, so that the front flap lock 110 is unlocked by the pull of the Bowden cable strand 120B. The front flap 10 initially snaps open slightly relative to the front end, as the catch hook initially holds the front flap 10 firmly via the pivot bracket and does not release it completely. Subsequently, the pivot bracket is guided around the catch hook, so that the pivot bracket of the front flap 10 is released from the catch hook, and the front flap 10 can pivot about the pivot axis Y1 from its closed position to its fully open position, as described above.

[0096] The detailed construction of the drive unit 132 according to the invention: The driver 132 includes the receiving element 132K ( Fig. 4, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7) to which a locking element 132H is attached. The receiving element 132K has a ribbed structure. The actuating element 130A is provided with an internal corresponding ribbed structure and can thus be firmly inserted onto the locking element 132H. The actuating element 130A locks into a circumferential groove between the ribbed structure and the locking element 132H.

[0097] From the rib structure of the actuating element 130A, a stop 132A is formed in the radial direction to the axis of rotation Y2 of the driver 132 ( Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 7) formed. The shut-off 132A includes a slot 132C at its free end ( Fig. 4) and a strand opening 132D accessible via slot 132C ( Fig. 5) The wire opening 132D leads into a Bowden cable end piece receiving opening 132B ( Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) about.

[0098] The rib structure of the actuating element 130A forms in the axial direction a preferably cylindrical spreading element 132E ( Fig. 4 and Fig. 6) a paragraph 132J. The paragraph 132J is formed radially to the body of the bearing block part 131 and forms a contact surface which, in the assembled state of the bearing block part 131, comes into contact with the side surface of the bearing block part 131.

[0099] The cylindrical spreading element 132E is connected to the section 132J ( Fig. 4 and Fig. 6) of the carrier 132.

[0100] It comprises several flexible spreading elements 132F, each with locking lugs 132G arranged at its end. The locking lugs 132G project radially from the spreading elements 132F perpendicularly. The outwardly facing surfaces of the spreading elements 132F form several contact surfaces which, in the assembled state, bear against the inside of the opening 131F of the bearing block part 131, which is enlarged compared to the prior art and extended in the axial direction of the bearing block part 131. The opening 131F is subsequently referred to as the bearing opening, since it generally serves to support the rotatable component, and in this embodiment, to support the driver 132.

[0101] The locking lugs 132G of the spreading links 132F form several contact surfaces that face the contact surface of the shoulder 132J. The distance between the contact surfaces of the shoulder 132J and the locking lugs 132G corresponds to the thickness of the body of the bearing block part 131 in the area of ​​the cylindrical bearing opening 131F ( Fig. 4 and Fig. 6) in the bearing block part 131.

[0102] The depth of the bore in the bearing block part 131, as bearing opening 131F, extends from an end face of a rim 131G of the bearing opening 131F to a flat side surface of the body of the bearing block part 131. The rim 131G of the bearing opening 131F thus forms the end face that, in the assembled state, rests against the contact surfaces of the locking lugs 132G of the driver 132.

[0103] The body of the bearing block part 131 thus forms the flat side surface which, in the assembled state, rests against the contact surface of the shoulder 132J.

[0104] The spreading element 132E of the driver 132 can thus be inserted by a worker with the spreading elements 132F leading through the bearing opening 131F until the shoulder 132J abuts the flat side surface of the bearing block part 131, after which the contact surfaces of the locking lugs 132G engage behind the end edge surface of the edge 131G in the end position of the driver 132, so that the driver 132 is locked in the bearing block part 131.

[0105] This allows the driver 132 to be rotatably and positively locked in the bearing opening 131F of the bearing block part 131.

[0106] The driver 132 forms a kind of blind-hole-like depression between the spreading elements 132F ( Fig. 4, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7) on the bottom of which in the body of the driver 132 a radial driver groove, not shown in detail, is provided as an insertion groove, which has a predetermined position with respect to the stop 132A and with respect to the position of the spring ends of the spring element 133 to each other.

[0107] The detailed construction of spring element 133: The spring element 133 comprises a winding package 133C ( Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, 6, and 7) and a first free end 133A and a second free end 133B. The winding assembly 133C has a predefinable number of windings. The required number of windings depends on the design of the selected spring element and is determined by the axial distance between the insertion groove in the bottom of the blind-hole-like recess into which the first free end of the spring element 133 is inserted / clipped in the assembled state and the end faces of the locking lugs 132G past which the second free end 133B can be guided radially to the axis of rotation Y2 of the driver 132 in the assembled state of the spring element 133.

[0108] The second free end 133B of the spring element 133 is designed to be so long that its end 133B engages in a support groove 131H formed in the body of the bearing block part 131 ( Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) can be placed inside.

[0109] The support groove 131H extends radially in the direction opposite the axis of rotation Y2 of the driver 132 and, in addition to supporting the second free end 133B of the spring element 133, also ensures that the spring element 133 is fixed in position on the bearing block part 131 in the axial direction, since the support groove 131H has a locking effect for the spring element 133 in the axial direction.

[0110] The detailed assembly of the drive element 132, the spring element 133 and the Bowden cable 120 in / on the bearing block part 131: As already mentioned, before the mounting of the bearing block part to the body, the drive element 132 and the spring element 133 are mounted in the bearing block part 131.

[0111] First, the driver 132, with the spreading elements 132F leading, is inserted through the bearing opening 131F of the bearing block part 131 and locked in place between the shoulder 132J and the locking lugs 132G in the bearing block part 131, as described. The locked driver 132 is shown in section A-A for clarity. Fig. 6 shown.

[0112] This ensures that shutdown 132A is performed as described in Fig. As shown in section 5, its upper surface forms a stop 134 against the underside of the Bowden cable housing receiving element 131D'. This causes the driver 132 to move relative to the bearing block 131 as follows: Fig. 5 can no longer be turned counterclockwise.

[0113] Subsequently, the first short end 133A of the spring element 133 is inserted into the radial insertion groove provided for this purpose via the blind hole-like recess, while maintaining the previously described position of the driver 132.

[0114] The winding package 133C is now completely inside the blind-shaped depression and the second long end 133B of the spring element 133 lies outside the blind-shaped depression.

[0115] The position of the free ends 133A, 133B of the spring element 133 relative to each other is defined such that as soon as the first short end 133A of the spring element 133 is inserted into the radial drive groove, the second free end can only be hooked into the support groove 131H of the bearing block part 131 if a corresponding spring tension is applied to the spring element 133.

[0116] In other words, to engage the second long end 133B in the support groove 131H, the operator must exert a force on the second long end 133B in order to engage the second long end in the support groove 131H. As explained, the driver 132 can, in relation to the Fig. 3. Do not rotate clockwise, as the stop 134 is formed between the top of the stop 132A and the underside of the Bowden cable housing receiving element 131D'. The spring element 133 is thus under preload in its unactuated starting position in the driver 132.

[0117] After this pre-assembly, the bearing unit is attached to the body of the motor vehicle 1 as already described in detail.

[0118] This results in a defined position for mounting the Bowden cable 120 on the bearing unit, allowing the Bowden cable end piece 120C of the Bowden cable 120 to be attached, as shown in the Fig. 5 to 7 can be seen.

[0119] In this embodiment, the Bowden cable end piece 120C is a ball. The ball is inserted from the interior, coaxially to the axis of rotation Y2 of the driver, into the Bowden cable end piece receiving element 132B of the stop 132A.

[0120] The Bowden cable 120B is used according to Fig. 5 horizontally through the wire opening 132D. Then the Bowden cable wire 120B of the Bowden cable 120 is passed over the slot 132C (see Fig. 4. The exploded views of the driver 132) are shown, which is guided into the Bowden cable sheath receiving element 131D'. The Bowden cable sheath receiving element 131D' also has a lateral slot (not visible in the figures) that has the width of the Bowden cable strand 120B in its lower section and the width of the Bowden cable sheath 120A in its upper section. After the Bowden cable 120 is inserted, the end face of the Bowden cable sheath 120A is supported accordingly in the Bowden cable sheath receiving element 131D'.

[0121] Finally, as already explained, the A-pillar trim is clipped into the second opening 131C' of the bearing block part 131.

[0122] Finally, the actuating element 130A is pushed onto the receiving element 132K with the locking element 132H in the manner described and locked in place as already explained, as best illustrated by a combined view of section AA and section BB of the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 can be seen.

[0123] After the installation of the actuating element 130A, the assembly of the front flap locking system 100 is completed, assuming that the front flap lock 110 and the Bowden cable 120, which is hooked into the locking pawl of the front flap lock 110, have also already been installed.

[0124] The operating function in detail: Actuation of the actuating element 130A is only possible by applying an actuating force that overcomes the actuating forces within the front flap lock 110 and the actuating forces within the bearing unit. The necessary actuating forces within the front flap lock 110 remain unchanged.

[0125] The actuating force required on the actuating element consists of the frictional force to be overcome between the driver 132 and the bearing block part 131, as well as the frictional forces within the front flap lock 110 and the Bowden cable 120. Furthermore, the force of the return spring of the locking pawl of the front flap lock 110 must be overcome. In addition, the preload force of the spring element 133, which was applied to the spring element 133 during pre-assembly on the bearing block part 131, must be overcome.

[0126] A special feature of the invention is that the return adjustment of the driver 132 and thus of the actuating element 130A via the Bowden cable 120 is not, as before, left only to the return spring of the locking pawl in the front flap lock 110, but that now the integrated spring element 133 forces a complete return of the driver 132 and thus of the actuating element 130A to its initial position after the actuating element 130A has been actuated.

[0127] Furthermore, during the return movement, the spring element 133 continues to act on the driver 132 even after the driver 132 and the actuating element 130A attached to it have reached their full starting position, so that the starting position of the driver 132, and thus of the actuating element 130A, is secured by a spring force from the spring element 133. Due to the spring force always acting on the driver 132, the actuating element 130A can advantageously no longer rattle in its unactuated starting position.

[0128] Actuation occurs via the actuating element 130A according to Fig. 5 a deflection of the driver 132 in a clockwise direction away from the stop 134. The driver 132 is thereby moved according to Fig. 3. The spring element 133 is rotated counterclockwise, and the spring element 133 is further tensioned by the actuating force during assembly, starting from the already existing preload force of the spring element 133. The Bowden cable strand 120B of the Bowden cable 120 is now pulled, and the front flap lock 110 is unlocked.

[0129] After releasing the actuating element 130A, the Bowden cable strand 120B of the Bowden cable 120 is reset by the return force of the return spring of the locking pawl in the front flap lock 110.

[0130] At the same time, as a further special feature according to the invention, the driver 132 is reset via the restoring force of the spring element 133 integrated in the driver 132 by releasing the spring force generated when the actuating element 130A is actuated.

[0131] However, after the driver 132 has been reset, the preload of the spring element 133 installed under preload remains effective as a further special feature of the invention, so that the driver 132 and thus the actuating element 130A rests against the stop 134 in the intended position without rattling, as mentioned.

[0132] The explanation makes it clear that the positioning of the driver 132 and the actuating element 130A after actuation back to their original starting position is independent of the tolerance-related excess length of the Bowden cable 120C due to the integration of the pre-tensioned spring element 133 in the driver 132. This significantly improves the actuating device 130 formed with the bearing unit according to the invention compared to the prior art.

[0133] A further improvement is that, compared to other solutions with return springs that return the rotatable component to its initial position in a bearing, the solution according to the invention requires fewer components overall, and they are lighter. Separate components for securing the bearing of the rotatable component are not required, since the spring element performs both the function of securing the bearing and returning the rotatable component to its original position.

[0134] The spring element 133 integrated into the driver 132, in addition to its lower weight compared to a conventional screw 131E', also produces, through its arrangement, in particular through the arrangement of the winding package 133C of the spring element 133 in the driver 132, the effect that the spreading links 132F of the spreading element 132E after locking into the bearing block part 131 (see Fig. 6) are supported from the inside in the blind-hole-like recess and the driver 131 is secured in the bearing block part 131 without the use of the conventional screw 131E'.

[0135] In Fig. Figure 6 (Section AA) shows how the spreading elements 132F are supported by the winding package 133C in the assembled state. It is evident that the screw 131E' and the washer 131E-1' required in the prior art are no longer needed in the solution according to the invention, thus advantageously achieving a weight saving.

[0136] According to the invention, the spring element 133 integrated into the driver 132 thus realizes the already described function of resetting the driver 132 and simultaneously the locking function of the driver 132 within the bearing block part 131.

[0137] When the actuating element 130A, in particular the actuating lever, is actuated around the axis of rotation Y2, high forces occur perpendicular to the direction of actuation, which could cause the spreading element 132E to disengage from the bearing opening 131F. However, the winding assembly 133C prevents the flexible spreading elements 132F from deforming inwards, so that disengagement of the spreading element 132E is no longer possible, even when high forces occur.

[0138] The integrated spring element 133 thus advantageously fulfills a dual function, which is to be seen in the securing of the driver 132 within the bearing block part 131 and in the restoring ability of the driver 132 after adjustment of the actuating element 130A. Reference symbol list 1 motor vehicle 10 Front flap Y1 Swivel axis 100 Locking device / Front flap locking system 110 Front hatch lock 120 Bowden cable 120A Bowden cable sheath 120B Bowden cable 120C Bowden cable end piece 130 Actuating device 130A Actuating element / Actuating lever L bearing part 131' Bearing block part 131A' Fasteners 131B' first opening 131C' second opening 131D' Bowden cable sheath mounting element 131E' screw 131E-1' Washer 131 Bearing block part 131F Opening / Storage Opening 131g Rand 131H support groove 132 Rotating component / driver 132A Shutdown 132B Bowden cable end piece mounting element 132C slot 132D strand opening 132E Spreading element 132F Spreader links 132G locking tabs 132H Latching element 132J paragraph 132K recording element Y2 axis of rotation of the rotating part and the actuating element 130A 133 Spring element 133A first end 133B second end 133C winding package 134 attacks

Claims

[1] Locking device (100) comprising a lock, in particular a hood lock (110) for releasably locking a body part pivotably mounted relative to a body of a motor vehicle (1), in particular a hood (10), and an actuating device (130) for unlocking the lock, as well as at least one Bowden cable (120) arranged between the lock and the actuating device (130) for remote unlocking of the lock, wherein the actuating device (130) comprises a component (132) arranged in a bearing part (L), which is rotatable relative to the bearing part (L) about a pivot axis (Y2), wherein the component (132) transmits the actuation of the actuating device (130) for unlocking the lock to the lock via the Bowden cable (120), characterized by, that a spring element (133) is integrated into the rotatable component (132), which holds the rotatable component (132) under preload relative to the bearing part (L) even before the actuating device (130) is actuated, and which simultaneously secures the rotatable connection of the rotatable component (132) positioned in the bearing part (L). [2] Bearing part (L), in particular for a locking device (100) according to claim 1 with a component (132) rotatably mounted and positioned in the bearing part (L) in the assembled state, characterized by , that a spring element (133) is integrated into the component (132) which is rotatable relative to the bearing part (L), which holds the rotatable component (132) positioned in the bearing part (L) under preload in its initial position relative to the bearing part (L) even before its actuation and which simultaneously secures the rotatable connection of the component (132) positioned in the bearing part (L). [3] Bearing part (L) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the bearing part (L) has an opening (131F) lying on the axis of rotation (Y2), which extends in the axial direction of the bearing opening (131F) from an edge (131G) of the opening (131F) with an end face surface to a flat side surface of the body of the bearing part (L). [4] Bearing part (L) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the rotatable component (132) is locked and positioned in the opening (131F) of the bearing part (L) by means of a spreading element (132E) in the assembled state of the bearing part (L) and the rotatable component (132). [5] Bearing part (L) according to claim 4, characterized by, that the rotatable component (132) comprises the spreading element (132E) with elastic spreading members (132F) which, in the assembled state of the bearing part (L) and the rotatable component (132), extend in the axial direction from the end face of the edge (131G) to the flat side surface of the body of the bearing part (L) in the opening (131F). [6] Bearing part (L) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the elastic spreading elements (132F) of the spreading element (132E) have locking lugs (132G) projecting radially towards the edge (131G) with contact surfaces and, on the other hand, form a shoulder (132J) with a contact surface radially towards the body of the bearing block part (131) towards a receiving element (132K) of the rotatable component (132). [7] Bearing part (L) according to claim 6, characterized by, that the edge (131G) of the bearing opening (131F) with its end face surface in the assembled state of the bearing part (L) and the rotatable component (132) rests against the contact surfaces of the locking lugs (132G) of the rotatable component (132), while the flat side surface of the bearing part (L) rests against the contact surface of the shoulder (132J) of the rotatable component (132) in the assembled state of the bearing part (L) and rotatable component (132). [8] Bearing part (L) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the spreading element (132E) of the rotatable component (132) has a blind-hole-like recess extending in the axial direction of the rotatable component (132), which has a radial insertion groove arranged in the bottom of the blind-hole-like recess. [9] Bearing part (L) according to claim 2, characterized by , that a support groove (131H) extending radially towards the axis of rotation (Y2) of the rotatable component (132) is formed on the side surface of the body of the bearing part (L). [10] Bearing part (L) according to claim 9, characterized by , that the spring element (133) in the assembled state of the bearing part (L) and the rotatable component (132) is arranged in a predetermined position of the rotatable component (132) relative to the bearing part (L) with its first free end (133A) in the insertion groove in the rotatable component (132) and with its second free end (133B) in the support groove (131H) of the bearing part (L). [11] Bearing part (L) according to claim 10, characterized by, that the spring element (133) in the rotatable component (132) has an axially extending winding package (133C) with a predefinable number of windings between its first free end (133A) and its second free end (133B), which in the assembled state of the bearing part (L) and the rotatable component (132) extend at least partially between the inner surfaces of the elastic spreading elements (132F) of the spreading element (132E), so that the elastic spreading elements (132F) are supported on the outer surfaces of the windings of the winding package (133C). [12] Bearing part (L) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the bearing part (L) is a stationary body part, in particular of a motor vehicle (1) or a separate stationary bearing block part (131) which is in particular directly or indirectly connected to a body part of a motor vehicle (1). [13] Bearing part (L) according to claim 2, characterized by, that the rotatable component (132) is a driver which is in particular connected to a Bowden cable (120) for remote unlocking of a lock of a locking device (100) according to claim 1.

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