Locking device, Bowden cable, vehicle and Bowden cable assembly method

Abstract

Locking device (1) of a door (30) or flap, in particular a vehicle door or vehicle flap, comprising a locking element that secures the door (30) or flap in a closed position against a counter element, and a release mechanism (10) that can be actuated by means of an outer operating handle and by means of an inner operating handle, comprising a housing (2) in which a spring-loaded actuating lever (12) coupled to the release mechanism (10) is pivotably mounted and which can be mechanically connected to the inner or outer operating handle via a Bowden cable (4), wherein the Bowden cable (4) has a pull cable (43) surrounded by a covering (41) which is provided at a first end with a coupling element (K) designed for coupling with the actuating lever (12), wherein the Bowden cable (4) is provided at its first end with a guide cage (40) which is connected to the sheath (41) of the Bowden cable (4) and is designed to be inserted into the housing (2) of the locking device (1), and wherein the coupling element (K) is slidably mounted in the guide cage (40) in the longitudinal direction of the pull rope (43), characterized by that the guide cage (40) is provided with at least one first guide element (49, 49') which is slidably guided in an associated guide groove (50) of the housing (2) and that the guide groove (50) is designed such that the guide cage (40) is movable along a preload section (56) of the guide groove (50) when inserted into the housing (2) between an engagement position in which the coupling element (K) engages with the actuating lever (12) and a locking position in which the guide cage (40) is locked in the housing (2).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The invention relates to a locking device for a door or flap, in particular a vehicle door or flap, according to the preamble of claim 1. It further relates to a Bowden cable for use in such a locking device and to a method for mounting such a Bowden cable on such a locking device. The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with at least one such locking device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] During the manufacture of a motor vehicle, the locking device installed in a door or hatch, for example a door lock or a trunk lock, must be functionally connected to an internal or external actuating element, such as the internal door opener, which is provided on the inside or outside of the vehicle. This is usually done by means of a Bowden cable. The Bowden cable must be coupled to an internal actuating lever of the locking device. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] One mounting option would be to attach the locking mechanism to the door or flap and then hang the Bowden cable, using a pull eye provided on the cable, from a hook on the inner operating lever. This task is quick and easy if the mounting location, i.e., the inner operating element, is visible and accessible, for example, through an opening in the rough-in of the door or flap.

[0004] The requirements for collision protection in motor vehicles, particularly in side-impact accidents, necessitate that doors and hatches form rigid structures capable of absorbing external collision forces and transferring them to appropriate structural components of the vehicle. Therefore, it is not readily feasible to incorporate openings in the body of a door or hatch at locations convenient for assembly. Since the closing mechanism of a door or hatch is often located near its edge, where additional openings are undesirable for stability reasons, the Bowden cable would have to be attached to the closing mechanism by an installer without visual reference. This, in turn, would mean that an installer might have to make several attempts before the cable eyelet is successfully engaged with the hook of the internal operating lever.At the same time, he would have to ensure that the pull eye does not detach from the hook again until the Bowden cable is finally mounted on the inner or outer operating handle of the door or flap. It is obvious that this task is time-consuming.

[0005] Therefore, in practice, the Bowden cable is attached to the vehicle door or hatch before the locking mechanism is mounted.

[0006] The locking mechanism, pre-assembled with the Bowden cable, is delivered to the assembly line and installed by the technician. However, transporting and providing locking mechanisms pre-assembled with at least one Bowden cable is space-consuming, as large transport boxes are required to deliver the pre-assembled locking mechanisms to the assembly line. These transport boxes take up a considerable amount of space at the assembly workstation. Furthermore, the installation step for a locking mechanism with a Bowden cable (threaded into the door interior) is more complex than if only the locking mechanism itself (without a pre-assembled Bowden cable) needs to be attached to the door or flap. This results in a longer cycle time for this assembly step.

[0007] From DE 20 2016 102 209 U, a crash safety device for a motor vehicle door is known, in which a Bowden cable coupled to a locking device is provided with a guide cage for a coupling element provided at one end of the Bowden cable's core, wherein the guide cage has a locking element that is actuated in the event of a collision of the vehicle and pushed into the path of movement of the coupling element. This is intended to prevent the vehicle door from opening due to a collision.

[0008] From US patent 2016 / 0369533 A1, a locking device for the lock of a motor vehicle door with two Bowden cables is known, in which the ends of the inner tubes of the two Bowden cables, each equipped with a coupling element, are slidably guided in a common guide cage connected to the respective Bowden cable housing. The guide cage can be hooked into a claw on the lock and then firmly connected to the lock, whereby the coupling elements engage with a corresponding actuating element of the lock.

[0009] A similar locking device is known from WO 2017 / 129905 A1, whereby the coupling elements are locked in an assembly position when the Bowden cable assembly with the two Bowden cables is delivered to the installation station and are only released after the guide cage has been mounted on the lock. After the Bowden cable assembly has been installed, the two Bowden cables must be brought into their functional position to prevent dead travel during subsequent operation. This adjustment is usually carried out in a later step when the other end of the respective Bowden cable is connected to the operating handle.

[0010] It would therefore be desirable if the locking device were initially pre-assembled on the door or flap without the Bowden cable, so that the Bowden cable could be mounted in a later step even if it is already connected to the associated operating handle, without requiring complex adjustment of the Bowden cable during installation. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a generic locking device and a vehicle with such a locking device that enables quick and reliable installation of a Bowden cable leading to the inner or outer operating handle, even without visual contact and without requiring complex adjustment work. Furthermore, a suitable Bowden cable is to be provided. Finally, a method suitable for installing the Bowden cable without visual contact is also to be specified.

[0012] The part of the problem relating to the locking device is solved by a locking device according to claim 1 and a vehicle according to claim 16. The part of the problem relating to the Bowden cable is solved by a Bowden cable according to claim 9 and a method for assembling a Bowden cable according to claim 17.

[0013] A closing device according to the invention for a door or flap, in particular a vehicle door or flap, comprising a locking element that secures the door or flap in a closed position against a counter element, and an unlocking mechanism that can be actuated by means of an outer operating handle and an inner operating handle, has a housing in which a spring-loaded actuating lever coupled to the unlocking mechanism is pivotably mounted, which can be mechanically connected to the inner or outer operating handle via a Bowden cable, wherein the Bowden cable has a pull rope surrounded by a sheath, which is provided at a first end with a coupling element designed, for example, as a pull eye or pull pin, which is designed for coupling with the actuating lever, wherein the Bowden cable is provided at its first end with a guide cage.which is connected to the sheath of the Bowden cable and is designed to be inserted into the housing of the locking device, and wherein the coupling element is slidably mounted in the guide cage in the longitudinal direction of the pull cable, is characterized in that the guide cage is provided with at least one first guide element slidably guided in an associated guide groove of the housing and that the guide groove is designed such that the guide cage, when inserted into the housing, is movable along a preloaded section of the guide groove between an engagement position in which the coupling element engages with the actuating lever and a locking position in which the guide cage is locked in the housing. ADVANTAGES

[0014] The arrangement of the coupling element connected to the Bowden cable within a guide cage connected to the Bowden cable sheath allows the guide cage to be inserted into the housing of the locking device. This simultaneously, and virtually automatically, engages the coupling element within the cage with the actuating lever, pre-tensioning the lever against the force of a spring that holds it in a closed position. This minimizes dead travel in the actuating chain between the actuating handle and the actuating lever. The locking device according to the invention provides a means of adjusting the Bowden cable by applying pre-tension to the actuating chain on the side of the bolt element ("door lock") pre-mounted on the door or flap side.This in turn makes it possible to provide the Bowden cable together with the associated operating handle as a pre-assembled unit at the installation site.

[0015] Further preferred and advantageous design features of the locking device according to the invention are the subject of dependent claims 2 to 8.

[0016] Preferably, the coupling element is designed as a towing eye. This embodiment facilitates the establishment of the engagement coupling between the coupling element and the actuating lever.

[0017] Preferably, the at least one first guide element on the outside of the guide cage is designed as a guide pin, and the housing of the locking device has an insertion opening for the guide cage, wherein the guide groove in the wall of the insertion opening forms at least a second guide element, such that the at least one first guide element and the associated guide groove together form at least one cam guide. Providing at least one cam guide facilitates the assembly of the Bowden cable and the locking device housing without any visible connection.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one guide groove has an insertion section which transitions into a preload section by forming a deflection section, wherein the insertion section and the preload section are at an angle to each other that determines a pivot angle for the guide cage. Such a guide groove forms a cam with which the movement sequence during the attachment of the Bowden cable to the locking device can be controlled particularly well.

[0019] Another possible embodiment exists where at least one guide element has an elongated cross-section with a defined longitudinal direction, wherein the length of the guide pin preferably corresponds to at least twice the width of the guide groove, or at least to the length of the guide pin itself. Such an elongated guide element, when engaging in the guide groove, ensures that the guide cage can only move into the housing of the locking device in a very specific orientation.

[0020] A further development of the invention is particularly advantageous in which a stop element is provided on the guide cage, designed to block longitudinal displacement of the coupling element in the direction of the pull cable when the guide cage is inserted into the housing. This embodiment ensures that the coupling element, for example the pull eye, is fixed in place when the guide cage is mounted in the housing, thus reliably ensuring engagement with the actuating lever.

[0021] Finally, it is also advantageous if the stop element is pivotably mounted on or in the guide cage in such a way that, in an assembly state of the guide cage, it engages in the path of movement of the coupling element and blocks the movement of the coupling element in the direction of the pull cable, and if the stop element is provided with an actuating projection that, in the locking position of the guide cage, actuated by the housing of the locking device, keeps the stop element out of the path of movement and frees the path of movement for the coupling element and thus for the pull cable.

[0022] It is particularly advantageous if the housing of the locking device and the guide cage are provided with locking means that allow the guide cage to be locked to the housing in an end position of the guide cage.

[0023] The part of the problem relating to the Bowden cable is solved by a Bowden cable having the features of claim 9.

[0024] A Bowden cable designed for use in a locking device according to the invention is equipped with a pull cable surrounded by a sheath, which is provided at a first end, intended for connection with the locking device, with a coupling element, wherein a guide cage is provided at the first end, which is connected to the sheath, and wherein the coupling element is slidably mounted in the guide cage in the longitudinal direction of the pull cable. According to the invention, it is provided that at least a first guide element, formed by a guide pin, is provided on the outside of the guide cage, which has an elongated cross-section with a defined longitudinal direction.

[0025] Preferably, the coupling element is formed by a towing eye. This facilitates the reliable engagement of the actuating lever with the coupling element.

[0026] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the Bowden cable according to the invention is one in which the cross-sectional length of the guide element corresponds to at least twice the cross-sectional width of the guide element. Such an elongated guide element enables twist-free guidance of the guide cage in a guide groove.

[0027] Preferably, the guide cage is provided with a stop element pivotably mounted on or in the guide cage, which in a first state of the guide cage engages in the path of movement of the coupling element and blocks the displacement of the coupling element in the direction of the pull rope, and which is provided with an actuating projection that, in a second state of the guide cage, keeps the stop element out of the path of movement and releases the path of movement for the coupling element and thus for the pull rope.

[0028] It is also advantageous if at least a second guide element is provided on the guide cage, spaced longitudinally along the Bowden cable from at least one first guide element. This embodiment facilitates moving the guide cage into the locking position after pre-tensioning against the spring force acting on the actuating lever, with the second guide element being able to guide the guide element in a further guide groove of the housing in a cam-like manner.

[0029] Preferably, at least one first guiding element is formed by a guide pin and at least one second guiding element is formed by a guide projection.

[0030] Moving the guide cage against the spring force is made easier if the guide cage is provided with a grip recess (46).

[0031] The invention is also directed to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, which is equipped with at least one locking device according to the invention.

[0032] The part of the problem relating to the method is solved by a method for mounting a Bowden cable according to the invention on a locking device according to the invention, comprising the steps a) Inserting the guide cage in a first translational direction into an insertion opening of the inner housing of the locking device along a guide track, wherein the at least one first guide element engages with the guide groove; b) Pivoting the guide cage by an angle specified by the guide track in a pivoting direction with the coupling element blocked in the direction of pull of the pull rope, wherein an internal actuating lever of the locking device engages with the coupling element (for example, engages with the pull eye); c) Moving the guide cage along a second translational direction by applying a tensile force to the guide cage into a preloaded position against a spring force acting on the inner actuating lever; d) further pivoting of the guide cage in the pivoting direction into an end position, whereby the coupling element and thus the core of the Bowden cable is released, and e) Locking the guide cage in this end position.

[0033] This puts the Bowden cable under tension, ensuring that there is no dead travel when it is actuated. The guide path is formed by the cam mechanism.

[0034] A special guide mechanism allows the Bowden cable to be retrofitted to the locking mechanism housing already installed in the door or flap. The coupling element, such as the pull eye, can then snap into place on the operating lever or engage with it in a single assembly step, without the operating lever needing to occupy a predefined mounting position within the locking mechanism.

[0035] According to the invention, the following advantages are thus achieved: - No breakthrough in the shell construction is required in the area of ​​the closing element, which not only ensures the desired high rigidity of the door or flap, but also prevents the entry of drafts, dust and moisture into the vehicle interior. - Separate mounting of the lock and Bowden cable is possible. - The locking mechanism does not need to be pre-tensioned in its delivery state, as this is done by the cam guide.

[0036] The invention is of course also directed to a vehicle equipped with at least one such locking device, in particular a motor vehicle.

[0037] Preferred embodiments of the invention with additional design details and further advantages are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] It shows: Fig. 1 a section through the inner edge region of an inner housing of a locking device according to the invention; Fig. 2 a partially cutaway view at a first end of a guide cage arranged on the Bowden cable; Fig. 3 the guide cage Fig. 2 in a side view in the direction of arrow III in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 the guide cage Fig. 2 when inserted in a first translational direction into an insertion opening of the inner housing of the locking device; Fig. 4A the position of the guide pin of the guide cage in the insertion section of the guide groove in the inner housing of the locking device; Fig. 5 the guide cage Fig. 2 when pivoting from the first translation direction to the second translation direction; Fig. 5A the position of the guide pin of the guide cage in a deflection section of the guide groove in the inner housing of the locking device; Fig. 6 the guide cage Fig. 2 when pulling out of the inner housing in the second translation direction; Fig. 6A the position of the guide pin of the guide cage in a preload section of the guide groove in the inner housing of the locking device; Fig. 7 the guide cage Fig. 2 when pivoting from the inner housing into its end position and Fig. 7A the position of the guide pin of the guide cage in an end pivot section of the guide groove in the inner housing of the locking device. PRESENTATION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION EXAMPLES

[0039] Fig. Figure 1 shows a section through the inner edge region of an inner housing 2 of a locking device 1 according to the invention for a door 30 or flap of a vehicle 3. The inner housing 2 of the locking device 1 is inserted into a mounting opening in the outer skin 32 of the door 30 and attached to the door 30. The locking device 1 is provided with a locking element (not shown) that secures the door 30 or flap in a closed position against a counter element, for example, provided on a door frame. The locking device 1 has a release mechanism 10, which is coupled to an outer and an inner actuating handle. Part of this release mechanism 10 is an inner actuating lever 12, which is biased into a closed position by a coil spring 11.The inner actuating lever 12 is pivotably mounted on the inner housing 2 and has a hook 12' at its inner end, which is for engagement with a pull eye 42 of a Bowden cable 4 (. Fig. 2) is provided and designed. The Bowden cable 4 runs to an internal operating handle for the locking device 1 (not shown).

[0040] In the area of ​​the hook 12' of the inner actuating lever 12, the inner housing 2 is provided with an insertion opening 20 for a guide cage 40 provided at a first end of the Bowden cable 4. A cam guide 5 in the form of a guide groove 50 is formed in a first wall 22 of the inner housing 2. The guide groove 50 has as its first section a linear insertion section 52, which opens at the inner edge 21 of the wall 22 of the inner housing 2, forming an opening 51 that widens from the insertion section 52 to the inner edge 21. The insertion section 52 extends linearly to a deflection section 54, from which the guide groove 50 continues with a second linear section, forming a preload section 56, at an acute angle α with respect to the longitudinal extent of the insertion section 52, to an end pivot section 58.

[0041] The guide cage 40, also referred to as the "Bowden cable scoop", is firmly connected to a sheath 41 of the Bowden cable 4, as shown in Fig. 2 can be seen. The pull cable 43 of the Bowden cable 4, i.e. its core, which runs inside the sheath 41, is firmly connected to the pull eye 42. The pull eye 42 forms a coupling element K and is mounted to be longitudinally displaceable in a recess 40' of the guide cage 40 ( Fig. 3), wherein at least one guide pin 42' of the towing eye 42 is guided in a curved elongated slot 40" in the wall of the guide cage 40. The towing opening is further provided with an eyelet opening 42" which extends through the towing eye 42 like a horizontal longitudinal slot.

[0042] The guide cage 40 is further equipped with a stop element 44, which is pivotably mounted on the guide cage 40 by means of a pivot lever 44' and which has a blocking stop 44" which, in an assembled state of the guide cage 40, engages in the path of movement of the towing eye 42 and blocks the sliding of the towing eye 42 in the direction of the towing cable 43. Furthermore, the stop element 44 has at least one actuating projection 45 which extends beyond the lower and / or the upper wall 40A, 40B of the guide cage 40.

[0043] The guide cage 40 also has a grip recess 46 with a grip extension 46', which allows a fitter to pull on the guide cage 40. Finally, the guide cage is also provided with a locking projection 47, which has a locking hook 47' at its free end. This locking hook engages with a locking lug 24 on the inner housing 2 by engaging behind the locking lug 24, as described below.

[0044] Although it is not shown in the characters, it is not only in the Fig. 1 shown first wall 22 of the inner housing 2 a cam guide 5 is provided, but also the one above the drawing plane of the Fig. The second wall of the inner housing 2, located opposite the first wall 22, has a cam guide analogous to the first cam guide 5, which is designed as a mirror image of the first cam guide 5 and whose construction is described in the description of the cam guide 5. Accordingly, the guide cage 40 has a lower and an upper first guide element 49, 49', each designed as a guide pin projecting from the lower wall 40A and the upper wall 40B of the guide cage 40, respectively.

[0045] The respective guide pin 49, 49' is elongated and extends with its longitudinal direction essentially parallel to the direction of pull Z of the pull cable 43 of the Bowden cable 4. In the example shown, the cross-sectional length I of the guide pin 49, 49' corresponds to twice the cross-sectional width b of the guide pin, although the invention is not limited to this ratio. The guide pin 49, 49' is rounded at its end facing away from the sheath 41 of the Bowden cable 4.

[0046] Fig. Figure 4 shows the insertion of the guide cage 40 into the insertion opening 20 of the inner housing 2 along a first translation direction T1, wherein the guide pin 49 is guided in the first linear section, the insertion section 52, of the guide groove 50, which is slightly wider in its width B1 than the cross-sectional width b of the guide pin 49 in order to be able to receive the guide pin 49 in a rotationally secure manner, as shown in Fig. 4A can be seen. The cam guide 5, determined by the guide groove 50, thus forms a guide track T for the guide cage 40.

[0047] In the Fig. In the phase of the insertion process shown in Figure 5, the guide cage is inserted into the inner housing 2 to such an extent that the guide pin 49 is located in the deflection section 54 of the guide groove 50. The rounded end of the guide pin 49 comes to rest against an inner radius 55 of the wall of the guide groove 50 in the deflection section 54 and rolls along it. During this process, the guide cage 40 is pivoted by the angle α in a pivoting direction S, with the guide pin 49 aligning itself longitudinally in the direction of the second linear section, the preload section 56. The clearance of the guide groove 50 formed by the deflection section 54 is dimensioned to allow the guide pin 49 to pivot with its length I without the edge of the guide groove 50 blocking the pivoting movement in this area, as shown in Figure 5. Fig. 5A can be seen. During this pivoting motion, the hook 12' of the inner actuating lever 12 enters the eyelet opening 42" of the towing eye 42.

[0048] Subsequently, the guide cage 40 is slightly moved out of the inner housing 2 at its handle base 46' by means of a finger inserted into the handle recess 46 along a second translation direction T2 ( Fig. 6) and against the force of the spiral spring 11 acting on the inner actuating lever 12, is pulled out to an end pivot section 58 of the guide groove 50, whereby the guide pin 49 moves along the preload section 56 of the guide groove 50, the width B2 of which is also slightly wider than the cross-sectional width b of the guide pin 49 in order to be able to receive the guide pin 49 in a rotationally secure manner, as shown in Fig. 6A can be seen. During this pre-tensioning movement, the pull eye 42 pulls on the hook 12' of the inner actuating lever 12 and pre-tensions it against the spring force of the coil spring 11. The Bowden cable 4 is thereby placed under pre-tension.

[0049] In Fig. 7A shows that the end section 58 of the guide groove 50 is circular or sector-shaped, with a diameter slightly larger than the cross-sectional length I of the guide pin 49, in order to allow the guide pin 49 and thus the guide cage 40 to rotate in this end section.

[0050] How Fig.As shown in Figure 7, the guide cage 40 is pivoted further in its original pivoting direction S by widening the angle α. At least one second guide element 48, 48', designed as a (for example, circular) guide projection and protruding from the upper and / or lower wall 40A, 40B, enters an associated, curved guide groove 25 in the inner housing 2 and is guided therein until the locking hook 47' engages the locking lug 24, thus fixing the guide cage 40 to the inner housing 2. During this further pivoting of the guide cage 40, the actuating projection 45 of the stop element 44 comes into contact with the edge 21 of the inner housing 2.The further pivoting of the guide cage 40, in which the guide projection 48, 48' then enters the associated further guide groove 25, leads to a pivoting of the pivot lever 44' and consequently to a displacement of the blocking stop 44" out of the path of movement of the pull eye 42, whereby the pull eye 42 and thus the pull rope 43 of the Bowden cable 4 are released and are then freely movable in the direction of pull Z.

[0051] The invention is not limited to the above embodiment, which merely serves to generally explain the core idea of ​​the invention.

[0052] Within the scope of protection, the device according to the invention can also assume embodiments other than those described above. In particular, the device can have features that represent a combination of the respective individual features of the claims.

[0053] Reference numerals in the claims, description and drawings serve only to improve understanding of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection. Reference symbol list 1 locking device 2 inner housing 3 vehicles 4 Bowden cable 5 Backstage tour 10. Unlocking mechanism 11 spiral spring 12 operating levers 12' Hook 20 Insertion opening 21 inner margin 22 first wall 24 Rastnase 25 guide groove 30 Door 32 Outer skin of the door 40 guide cages 40A lower wall of the guide cage 40B upper wall of the guide cage 40' Recess of the guide cage 40" curved longitudinal slot 41 Bowden cable sheathing 42 Towing eye 42' guide pin 42" eyelet opening 43 Pull rope 44 Stop element 44' Swivel lever 44" blocking stop 45 Approach to Operation 46 Recessed handle 46' handle base 47 Rastvorsprung 47' Locking hook 48 lower lead 48' upper lead 49 lower guide pin, guide element 49' upper guide pin, guide element 50 guide groove 51 Opening 52 linear introduction section 54 Deflection section 55 Inner circumference of the wall of the guide groove 56 Pre-tensioning section 57 circular leading edge 58 End swivel section α acute angle b Cross-sectional width of the guide pin I Cross-sectional length of the guide pin B1 Width of the guide groove B2 Width of the guide groove K coupling element S direction of rotation T guide track T1 first translation direction T2 second translation direction Z direction of travel

Claims

[1] Locking device (1) of a door (30) or flap, in particular a vehicle door or vehicle flap, comprising a locking element which secures the door (30) or flap in a closed position against a counter element, and a release mechanism (10) which can be actuated by means of an outer operating handle and by means of an inner operating handle, comprising a housing (2) in which a spring-loaded actuating lever (12) coupled to the release mechanism (10) is pivotably mounted and which can be mechanically connected to the inner or outer operating handle via a Bowden cable (4), wherein the Bowden cable (4) has a pull cable (43) surrounded by a covering (41) which is provided at a first end with a coupling element (K) designed for coupling with the actuating lever (12), wherein the Bowden cable (4) is provided at its first end with a guide cage (40) which is connected to the sheath (41) of the Bowden cable (4) and is designed to be inserted into the housing (2) of the locking device (1), and wherein the coupling element (K) is slidably mounted in the guide cage (40) in the longitudinal direction of the pull rope (43), characterized by , that the guide cage (40) is provided with at least one first guide element (49, 49') which is slidably guided in an associated guide groove (50) of the housing (2) and that the guide groove (50) is designed such that the guide cage (40) is movable along a preload section (56) of the guide groove (50) when inserted into the housing (2) between an engagement position in which the coupling element (K) engages with the actuating lever (12) and a locking position in which the guide cage (40) is locked in the housing (2). [2] Locking device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the coupling element (K) is formed by a towing eye (42). [3] Locking device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that at least one first guide element (49, 49') on the outside of the guide cage (40) is designed as a guide pin (49, 49') and that the housing (2) has an insertion opening (20) for the guide cage (40), wherein the guide groove (50) is formed in the wall of the insertion opening (20), such that the at least one first guide element (49, 49') and the associated guide groove (50) together form at least one cam guide (5). [4] Locking device (1) according to claim 3, characterized by, that the at least one guide groove (50) has an insertion section (52) which transitions into the preload section (56) by forming a deflection section (54), wherein the insertion section (52) and the preload section (56) are at an angle (α) to each other which determines a pivot angle for the guide cage (40). [5] Locking device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one guide element (49, 49') is formed in cross-section as an elongate shape with a defined longitudinal direction. [6] Locking device (1) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the cross-sectional length (1) of the guide element (49, 49') corresponds at least to twice the width (B1, B2) of the guide groove (50). [7] Locking device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a stop element (44) is provided on the guide cage (40) which is designed to block longitudinal displacement of the coupling element (K) in the direction of the pull cable (43) when the guide cage (40) is inserted into the housing (2) in the guide cage (40). [8] Locking device (1) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the stop element (44) is pivotably mounted on or in the guide cage (40) such that, in an assembly state of the guide cage (40), it engages in the path of movement of the coupling element (K) and blocks the displacement of the coupling element (K) in the direction of the pull cable (43), and that the stop element (44) is provided with an actuating projection (45) which, in the locking position of the guide cage (40), actuated by the housing (2) of the locking device (1), keeps the stop element (44) out of the path of movement and releases the path of movement for the coupling element (K) and thus for the pull cable (43). [9] Bowden cable (4), designed for use in a locking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, with a pull cable (43) surrounded by a covering (41), which is provided at a first end provided for connection with the locking device (1) with a coupling element (K), wherein a guide cage (40) is provided at the first end, which is connected to the casing (41), and wherein the coupling element (K) is slidably mounted in the guide cage (40) in the longitudinal direction of the pull rope (43), characterized by , that at least a first guide element (49, 49') formed by a guide pin (49, 49') is provided on the outside of the guide cage (40), which has an elongated cross-section with a defined longitudinal direction. [10] Bowden cable (4) according to claim 9, characterized by , that the coupling element (K) is formed by a towing eye (42). [11] Bowden cable (4) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by , that the cross-sectional length (I) of the guide element (49, 49') corresponds at least to twice the cross-sectional width (b) of the guide element (49, 49'). [12] Bowden cable (4) according to claim 9, 10 or 11, characterized by , that the guide cage (40) is provided with a stop element (44) pivotably mounted on or in the guide cage (40), which in a first state of the guide cage (40) engages in the movement path of the coupling element (K) and blocks the displacement of the coupling element (K) in the direction of the pull rope (43), and which is provided with an actuating projection (45) which in a second state of the guide cage (40) keeps the stop element (44) out of the movement path and releases the movement path for the coupling element (K) and thus for the pull rope (43). [13] Bowden cable (4) according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized by, that at least a second guide element (48, 48') is provided on the guide cage (40), spaced in the longitudinal direction of the Bowden cable (4) from the at least one first guide element (49, 49'). [14] Bowden cable (4) according to claim 13, characterized by , that at least one first guide element (49, 49') is formed by a guide pin (49, 49') and at least one second guide element (48, 48') is formed by a guide projection (48, 48'). [15] Bowden cable (4) according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized by , that the guide cage (40) is provided with a grip recess (46). [16] Vehicle (3), in particular motor vehicle, with at least one locking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8. [17] Method for mounting a Bowden cable (4) according to one of claims 9 to 15 on a locking device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 comprising the steps a) Inserting the guide cage (40) in a first translation direction (T1) into an insertion opening (20) of the inner housing (2) of the locking device (1) along a guide track (T), wherein the at least one first guide element (49, 49') engages with the guide groove (50); b) Pivoting the guide cage (40) by an angle (α) specified by the guide track (T) in a pivoting direction (S) with the coupling element (K) blocked, wherein an inner actuating lever (12) of the locking device (1) engages with the coupling element (K); c) Moving the guide cage (40) along a second translation direction (T2) by applying a tensile force to the guide cage (40) into a preload position against a spring force acting on the inner actuating lever (12); d) further pivoting of the guide cage (40) in the pivoting direction (S) into an end position, whereby the coupling element (K) is released, and e) Locking the guide cage (40) in this end position.

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