Coupling device for the force-transmitting connection of Bowden cables and Bowden cable assembly

Abstract

Coupling device (1) for force-transmitting connection of a first Bowden cable (3) with a second Bowden cable (4), wherein the coupling device (1) comprises a first coupling part (9) to which a sheath (5) and a core (6) of the first Bowden cable (3) can be attached, and a second coupling part (10) to which a sheath (7) and a core (8) of the second Bowden cable (4) can be attached, wherein the first of the coupling parts (9) comprises a first housing (11) connectable to the sheath (5) of the first Bowden cable (3) and a first slide (12) connectable to the core (6) of the first Bowden cable (3) and longitudinally displaceable within the housing (11), and wherein the coupling parts (9, 10) are positively interlocking or joined together.wherein the second of the coupling parts (10) has a second housing (21) connectable to the sheath (7) of the second Bowden cable (4) and a second slide (22) connectable to the inner tube (8) of the second Bowden cable (4) and longitudinally displaceable within the second housing (21), wherein the housings (11, 21) of the coupling parts (9, 10) on the one hand and the slides (12, 22) of the coupling parts (9, 10) on the other hand are each positively interlocking or joined to one another in a joining direction transverse to the force transmission direction of the Bowden cables (3, 4), and wherein at least one of the slides (22) has at least one guide surface (33) inclined to the joining direction for the other of the slides (12), which interacts with the other of the slides (12) when the coupling parts (9, 10) are joined in the joining direction such that at least one of the slides (22) is displaced in the direction of power transmission,wherein the second slide (22) has several guide surfaces (33) arranged at intervals from each other in the direction of force transmission, wherein the first slide (12) has at least one drive element (31) which interacts with at least one of the guide surfaces (33), characterized in that the drive element (31) is a drive bolt or cylinder oriented transversely to the direction of force transmission.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a coupling device for force-transmitting a first Bowden cable to a second Bowden cable, wherein the coupling device comprises a first coupling part to which a sheath and a core of the first Bowden cable can be attached, and a second coupling part to which a sheath and a core of the second Bowden cable can be attached, wherein the first of the coupling parts comprises a first housing connectable to the sleeve of the first Bowden cable and a first slide connectable to the core of the first Bowden cable and mounted longitudinally displaceable in the housing, and wherein the coupling parts are positively interlocking or joined to one another, wherein the second of the coupling parts comprises a second housing connectable to the sleeve of the second Bowden cable and a second slide connectable to the core of the second Bowden cable and mounted longitudinally displaceable in the second housing.wherein the housings of the coupling parts on the one hand and the slides of the coupling parts on the other hand are each positively interlocking or joined together in a joining direction transverse to the force transmission direction of the Bowden cables, and wherein at least one of the slides has at least one guide surface inclined to the joining direction for the other of the slides, which interacts with the other of the slides when the coupling parts are joined in the joining direction in such a way that at least one of the slides is displaced in the force transmission direction, wherein the second slide has several guide surfaces spaced apart from each other in the force transmission direction, and wherein the first slide has at least one drive element that interacts with at least one of the guide surfaces.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a Bowden cable arrangement for a seating device of a motor vehicle, comprising a first Bowden cable and a second Bowden cable, which are connected to each other by means of the coupling device described above in a force-transmitting manner.

[0003] A Bowden cable allows for the transmission of tensile force over a relatively long and non-linear distance. In automotive engineering, Bowden cables are used, for example, to operate locks or latches in doors, hatches, or adjustable vehicle seats. German patent application DE 10 2008 052 240 A1 discloses, for instance, a coupling device of this type, by which two Bowden cables can be connected or linked together in the direction of force transmission. The disclosed coupling device is designed to provide tamper protection, preventing unauthorized persons from operating the Bowden cable. To this end, the coupling device is designed in two parts, with two coupling sections that automatically disconnect from each other in the event of an attempted tamper.The coupling parts can be slid together in the direction of force transmission, whereby, in the event of an attempted manipulation, the core of one Bowden cable can be detached from the other coupling part by a movement perpendicular to the direction of force transmission. German patent application DE 10 2005 009 930 A1 also discloses a corresponding coupling device for Bowden cables. German patent application DE 10 2013 216 269 B3 discloses another coupling device for Bowden cables, which, however, does not have coupling parts that can be positively engaged with one another.

[0004] A coupling device of this type is disclosed in German patent application DE 199 01 950 A1. Another coupling device is known from German patent application DE 198 35 825 A1.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of creating an improved coupling device that facilitates the assembly of a Bowden cable assembly by providing a predetermined tolerance, which, for example, prevents over-tensioning of the Bowden cable assembly during assembly.

[0006] The problem underlying the invention is solved by a coupling device with the features of claim 1. The coupling device according to the invention is characterized in that the driving element is a driving bolt or cylinder oriented transversely to the direction of force transmission.

[0007] According to the invention, both the housings and the slides are mechanically connected when the coupling elements are joined. Joining them transversely to the force transmission direction causes the slides to be pushed away from each other or towards each other in the force transmission direction. The guide surface according to the invention serves this purpose. Due to the inclined orientation of the guide surface relative to the joining direction, the force acting in the joining direction is converted into a force acting in the force transmission direction, so that the slides are moved relative to each other. Both slides or only one of them can be moved. By moving the slides relative to each other, a predetermined clearance or tolerance is established between the Bowden cables connected by the coupling device.When the slides are moved towards or away from each other, the position of the inner tubes of the two Bowden cables relative to each other within the coupling device is changed. This change in position allows the coupling device to adjust the desired tolerance between the Bowden cables. Preferably, the guide surface is inclined such that the maximum achievable distance between the inner tubes is increased. This results in a relaxation of the Bowden cable assembly, which prevents over-tensioning of the Bowden cables and, for example, unwanted triggering of a device actuated by the Bowden cables.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the joining direction is oriented perpendicular to the force transmission direction. This means that the housings of the coupling parts are oriented perpendicular to the force transmission direction of the Bowden cables and thus essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the Bowden cables, at least in the connection area to the coupling device. This advantageously ensures reliable force transmission from one Bowden cable to another through the coupling device.

[0009] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the first and / or the second housing has at least one plug-in projection, and that the second and / or the first housing has at least one plug-in receptacle for receiving the at least one plug-in projection. The plug-in projection and receptacle ensure a simple, positive-locking connection between the two housing parts. The first and second housings are thus designed to be plugged together. This plug-in connection ensures easy assembly even in less accessible installation spaces, particularly in a motor vehicle. Due to the two-part design of the coupling device, each coupling part can first be firmly connected to the respective Bowden cable. The assembly of the coupling device, and thus the completion of the Bowden cable, then only takes place by joining the coupling parts together.Preferably, the plug-in projection and plug-in receptacle are designed to be complementary to each other, such that joining the housings also centers and aligns them to ensure optimal, long-term function of the coupling device. For this purpose, the plug-in projection, for example, has a conical shape, which automatically centers it when inserted into the plug-in receptacle. Alternatively or additionally, the plug-in receptacle also has a conical shape.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first housing has at least two, in particular at least three, plug-in protrusions, and the second housing has at least two, in particular at least three, plug-in receptacles, wherein each plug-in receptacle is associated with one of the plug-in protrusions. In particular, the number of plug-in receptacles always corresponds to the number of plug-in protrusions in order to ensure unambiguous alignment of the housings. Furthermore, by providing at least three plug-in protrusions and plug-in receptacles, a simple asymmetrical arrangement of the plug-in protrusions and plug-in receptacles reliably prevents incorrect assembly of the housings.The fact that the housings have at least two plug-in protrusions and plug-in receptacles advantageously ensures a sufficiently robust connection between the housings, which guarantees the long-term operation of the coupling device.

[0011] According to the invention, the second slide has at least one guide surface, and the first slide has at least one drive element that interacts with the inclined guide surface. In this embodiment, the guide surface is thus assigned to the second slide, and the opposite first slide has a drive element that interacts with the guide surface. The drive element ensures the previously described relative movement of the slides during assembly of the housings. Furthermore, an advantageous design of the drive element reduces shear forces acting between the guide surface and the drive element during assembly of the housings, thus ensuring easy assembly and relative movement of the slides.

[0012] The guide surface is preferably formed by a guide rib projecting from the first slide. The guide rib advantageously ensures precise positioning and orientation of the guide surface. The design of the guide rib allows the coupling device to be adapted to different conditions or Bowden cable arrangements, for example, to accommodate varying tolerances depending on the guide rib's position on the first slide. Thus, a slide suitable for the desired tolerance can be selected from a multitude of first slides and inserted into the coupling device. In this respect, the coupling device also creates a coupling device system comprising a multitude of first slides, at least two of which are configured differently with respect to the positioning and / or orientation of the guide surface.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the invention, the second slide has several guide surfaces spaced apart from one another in the direction of force transmission. By providing several guide surfaces on the second slide, the advantage is achieved that the drive element of the first slide can be brought into operative contact with different guide surfaces during assembly. This allows the entire Bowden system to be adapted to different tolerances or desired tolerances with minimal effort. In particular, this enables the assembler to mount the coupling device even with significant length deviations of one of the Bowden cables and to achieve a desired tolerance between the Bowden cables by selecting a suitable guide surface.

[0014] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that all guide surfaces have the same inclination. This ensures that, regardless of which guide surface the drive element interacts with, the slides always shift relative to each other in the same way, thus guaranteeing the same tolerance during assembly of the coupling device.

[0015] In particular, the guide surfaces are evenly spaced apart from each other. This simplifies assembly and ensures the coupling device always functions correctly.

[0016] According to the invention, the driving element is a driving bolt or cylinder oriented transversely to the direction of force transmission. This offers the advantage that reliable interaction between the driving element and the guide surface or guide rib is ensured, and in particular, reliable alignment of the driving element and the guide surface, since the driving element can advantageously slide along the guide surface, especially if it has a cylindrical shape.

[0017] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the drive element forms at least a second guide surface, which is inclined to the joining direction and force transmission direction. The first slide thus preferably has several guide surfaces, at least two, which engage with the at least one guide surface, and in particular with the several guide surfaces of the opposing second slide, during assembly. This results in a comb-like interaction between the two slides. This, for example, increases the transmissible tensile force and thus improves the operational reliability of the coupling device.

[0018] In particular, the first slide has several guide ribs, each forming a guide surface. These guide ribs are designed like the guide ribs of the second slide described earlier and are inclined in the same direction, so that during assembly the guide ribs of the first slide can be advantageously engaged with the guide ribs of the second slide. The coupling parts thus acquire a type of toothing that acts between the slides, thereby ensuring reliable power transmission.

[0019] Preferably, at least one preload spring acting on the slide and housing in the direction of force transmission is held between the slide and the housing of the respective coupling part. The preload spring thus exerts a force on the respective slide within the housing, acting in the direction of force transmission. In particular, this is a compressive force that pushes the slide away from the sleeve of the associated Bowden cable in the direction of force transmission. Since the inner tube of the same Bowden cable is also attached to the slide, this results in the inner tube being subjected to a tensile preload force. This preload force is counteracted by the advantageous design of the slides and the resulting displacement of the slides during assembly, in order to achieve the desired tolerance. Preferably, the preload spring is a coil spring.It is also possible for several preload springs to be held under tension between one of the housings and the associated slide.

[0020] The Bowden cable arrangement according to the invention, with the features of claim 9, is characterized by the design of the coupling device according to the invention. This results in the advantages already mentioned.

[0021] Further advantages and preferred features and combinations of features will become apparent in particular from the foregoing and from the claims. The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. To this end, we show... Fig. 1A to 1C a first embodiment of an advantageous coupling device in several assembly steps and Fig. 2A to 2C represent a second non-inventive embodiment of the coupling device in several assembly steps.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows in several steps according to Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B and Fig. 1C an advantageous coupling device 1 for an advantageous Bowden cable arrangement 2 of a motor vehicle, which connects, for example, an operating handle with a lock or a latch, for example, of an adjustable vehicle seat, so that the lock or latch can be released by a user by actuating the operating handle.

[0023] The Bowden cable assembly 2 comprises a first Bowden cable 3, which is connected at one end, for example, to the operating handle, and a second Bowden cable 4, which is connected at one end, for example, to the lock or latch for its operation. The Bowden cable 3 has a sheath 5 and a core 6 guided through the sheath 5. The Bowden cable 4 has a sheath 7 and a core 8 guided through the sheath 7. The sheaths 5, 7 are capable of withstanding compression, and the cores 6, 8 are capable of withstanding tension. The respective core 6, 8 is mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable within its associated sheath 5, 7, and both the cores 6, 8 and the sheaths 5, 7 are advantageously deformable such that they can be curved in their longitudinal direction. The cores 6, 8 are, in particular, tension elements, preferably tension cables or tension wires.

[0024] The coupling device 1 allows the two Bowden cables 3 and 4 to be mechanically connected to each other in such a way that force transmission from one Bowden cable 3 to the other Bowden cable 4, or vice versa, is ensured. For this purpose, the coupling device 1 has a first coupling part 9 and a second coupling part 10, which together form the coupling device 1. Each of the coupling parts 9 and 10 is designed to be connected to one of the Bowden cables 3 and 4. According to the present embodiment, Bowden cable 3 is attached to coupling part 9 and Bowden cable 4 is attached to coupling part 10 at opposite ends. In this embodiment, the coupling device 1 thus forms the interface between the operating handle and the lock or locking mechanism.

[0025] The coupling element 9 has a longitudinally extended housing 11 in which a slide 12 is mounted for longitudinal displacement, as indicated by a double arrow 13. At a first end, the housing 11 has an opening in a wall 16 for the passage of the core 6 into the housing 11, so that the core 6, together with a fastening element 14, lies within the housing 11. The fastening element 14 is attached to the slide 12. For this purpose, the slide 12 has a recess 15', particularly at its edge, into which the core 6 can be inserted laterally. The recess 15' is smaller than the fastening element 14, so that the core 6, or the fastening element 14, is positively prevented from being pulled out of the slide 12 by the recess 15' in the direction of tension. This allows the core 6 to exert a tensile force on the slide 12. However, a pressure force cannot be transmitted through the core 6 to the carriage 12.The fastening element 14 is slidably mounted in the slide 12 between the wall 15, which has the recess 15', and a slide end located at a distance from it. This results in a maximum displacement x1 of the fastening element 14 on or in the slide 12. A preload spring 17 is also held between the wall 15, which has the recess 15', and the wall 16 of the housing 9 opposite this wall 15. This spring pushes the slide 12 away from the wall 16 and counteracts a tensile force acting on the core 6. The core 6 is guided into the housing 9 through a recess 18 in the wall 16. The recess 18 is designed to be small enough to allow only the core 6 to pass through, while the outer sheath 5 rests against the wall 16 and is optionally positively locked to it.Compressive forces acting on the shell 5 are thus supported on the housing 9 at its wall 16, while tensile forces acting on the core 6 are transferred to the slide 12, which act in the direction of the wall 16 and thus on the preload spring 17.

[0026] According to the present embodiment, the housing 11 further comprises two plug-in projections 19, which are spaced apart from each other on the housing 11 and project parallel to each other from the housing 11. The plug-in projections 19 project from the housing 11 perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the housing 11 and thus perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slide 12 within the housing 11. The plug-in projections 19 each have a conical head section 20 at their free end or are conically shaped overall, such that the free ends of the plug-in projections 19 taper to a point.

[0027] The coupling part 10 also has a housing 21 in which a slide 22 is mounted to be longitudinally displaceable, as indicated by a double arrow 23 in Fig. Figure 1A is shown. The slide 22 has the means for fastening the core 8 of the Bowden cable 4. According to the present embodiment, the core 8 has a fastening element 24 which is attached to the slide 22. For this purpose, the slide 22 has a wall 25 in which a recess 25' open at the edge is formed, into which the core 8 of the Bowden cable 4 can be inserted laterally such that the fastening element 24 engages behind the wall 25, so that a tensile force can be transmitted by the core 8 to the slide 22 in the direction of the Bowden cable 4.

[0028] The housing 21 further comprises a wall 26 opposite wall 25, wherein a preload spring 27 is tensioned or held tensioned between wall 26 and wall 25. The preload spring 27 thus counteracts a tensile force acting on the core 8 or pushes the slide 22 away from wall 26, so that a tensile force is exerted on the core 8. To guide the core 8 through wall 26, the wall 26 preferably has an open-edged recess 28 into which the core 8 can be inserted laterally. The recess 28 is also narrower than the fastening element 24 and / or the slide 22, so that these cannot be pulled out of the housing 21.

[0029] The housing 21 further comprises two plug receptacles 29, which are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal extent of the housing 21 and aligned parallel to each other. The spacing of the plug receptacles 29 corresponds to the spacing of the plug projections 19. Each plug receptacle 29 is designed to receive one of the plug projections 19. The cross-section of the plug receptacles 29 corresponds at least to the outer cross-section of the plug projections 19 at their widest point. Due to the conical shape of the free end of the plug projections 19, they can be easily inserted into the plug receptacles 29, while simultaneously being centered within the plug receptacles 29.

[0030] To assemble the coupling device 1, the coupling parts 9, 10 are thus plugged together using the plug-in projections 19 and the plug-in receptacles 29, as shown by arrows 30 in Fig. 1A is displayed. Due to the orientation of the plug-in projections 19 and the plug-in receptacles 29, the joining direction of the coupling parts 9, 10 is perpendicular to the force transmission direction of the Bowden cables 3, 4. The coupling parts 9, 10 can therefore be joined or plugged together at the coupling device 1 perpendicular to the direction of the tensile force of the Bowden cables 3, 4.

[0031] While Fig. 1A shows the coupling parts 9, 10 spaced apart from each other, shows Fig. 1B a first assembly or joining step of the coupling parts 9, 10, in which the conical sections 20 of the plug-in projections 19 are already inserted into the plug-in receptacles 29, but the slides 12, 22 are still spaced apart from each other. The coupling parts 9, 10 are thus already aligned and centered relative to each other.

[0032] The slide 12 has a drive element 31 at its end facing away from the wall 15, which is designed, for example, as a drive cylinder oriented transversely to the sliding direction of the slide 12. In this case, the drive cylinder has a cross-sectional shape that deviates from a circle, but it can also be circular.

[0033] The slide 22 of the coupling part 10 has several guide ribs 32 that project from the slide 22 towards the coupling part 9. The slide 22 is thus comb-like due to the multiple guide ribs 32. The guide ribs 32 are each inclined both to the sliding direction of the slide 22 and to the joining direction as indicated by arrows 30, so that they each form an inclined guide surface 33 facing the coupling part 9. The guide ribs 32 are arranged at uniform intervals along the longitudinal extent of the slide 22, with the distance between adjacent guide ribs 32 being at least as wide as the drive element 31, allowing the latter to be inserted between two adjacent guide ribs 32.If the coupling parts 9, 10 are pushed further together so that the plug-in projections 19 are inserted further into the plug-in receptacles 29, the drive element 31 penetrates between two of the adjacent guide webs 32 and contacts the guide surface 33 of one of the two guide webs 32. The guide webs 32 are inclined such that they form an acute angle between the core 8 or the longitudinal sliding direction or force transmission direction. If the coupling parts 9, 10 are now pushed further together as described above, according to arrows 30, the inclination of the guide surfaces 33 causes the slide 12 to be displaced or moved relative to the slide 22 in the sliding direction.

[0034] Fig. Figure 1C shows the fully assembled coupling parts 9 and 10 in the final assembly step. The housings 11 and 21 are preferably designed such that the housing 11 can be fully or almost fully inserted into the housing 21. For this purpose, the housing 21 is, for example, open on the side facing the coupling part 9. According to the present embodiment, the interaction of the drive element 31 with the guide surface 33 displaces the slide 12 towards the outer shell 5 or the housing wall 16, thereby establishing a distance x2 between the fastening element 14 and the wall 15 of the slide 12. This reduces the preload force exerted on the inner tube 6 by the preload spring 17.By assembling the coupling device 1, or by bringing together the coupling parts 9, 10 perpendicular or transverse to the force transmission direction of the Bowden cables 3, 4 in the coupling device 1, a defined tolerance is set in the Bowden cable arrangement 2. During assembly, the slides 12, 22 are first pushed into the respective housings 11 and 21 to such an extent that the fastening element 14 rests against the wall 15 and the fastening element 24 against the wall 25, thus eliminating any tolerances on the Bowden cables 3, 4 in the coupling device 1. Because the slide 22 has several guide ribs 32, when the coupling parts 9, 10 are pushed together, the drive element 31 is automatically inserted between two of the guide ribs 32, which ensure that the drive element 31 and the slide 12 are moved to set the tolerance x2, as shown in [reference]. Fig. Figure 1C shows that this prevents preloading of the Bowden cable assembly 2 when the length of one of the Bowden cables 3, 4 changes due to a modified boundary condition. For example, if the Bowden cable assembly 2 is integrated into a vehicle seating system and serves to release a locking mechanism that allows the user to pivot a seat back, the preload in the Bowden cable assembly 2 also depends on the position of the backrest when the Bowden cable assembly 2 is installed. The advantageous coupling device 1 now ensures that, regardless of the position of the backrest or the boundary condition of the Bowden cable assembly 2, an advantageous tolerance setting of the Bowden cable assembly 2 is achieved by installing the coupling device 1.

[0035] During assembly, the Bowden cables 3, 4 are first attached to the respective element of the vehicle seat, for example, to the operating handle on the one hand and the backrest locking mechanism on the other, as well as to one of the coupling parts 9, 10 as described previously. Only then is the coupling established by bringing the coupling parts 9, 10 together or connecting them, whereby the tolerance x2 is simultaneously set.

[0036] Fig. Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the advantageous coupling device 1 that is not according to the invention, wherein from Fig. 1. Elements already known with the same reference symbols are therefore referred to in the description above. The following will focus primarily on the differences.

[0037] Also Fig. Figure 2 shows the coupling device 1 in several assembly steps according to Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C, where the assembly steps are described in Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B and Fig. The assembly steps shown in 1C correspond to the steps shown.

[0038] In contrast to the previous embodiment, the slide 12 does not have just a single drive element 31, but several drive elements 31, which are designed as guide webs 34 and are inclined to the direction of force transmission and to the sliding direction of the slide 12, thereby each forming an inclined guide surface 35 which faces the slide 22 of the coupling part 10 during assembly, as shown in Fig.2A is shown. Thus, according to the further embodiment, the slide 12 is also designed in a comb-like manner, wherein the guide webs 34 correspond at least substantially to the guide webs 32 and, in particular, have the same inclination. When the coupling parts 9, 10 are brought together, the guide webs 34 engage between the guide webs 32, whereby the guide surfaces 35, 33 slide against each other, thereby displacing the slide 12 relative to the slide 22, as described above, in order to adjust the tolerance x2.

[0039] The coupling device 1 according to the further embodiment thus also allows the setting of the defined tolerance during the assembly of the coupling parts 9, 10, whereby, due to the provision of several guide elements 31 or guide webs 34 on the slide 12, the total contact area between the slide 12 and 22 is now increased and thus the force transmission from one Bowden cable 3, 4 to the other 4, 3 is improved.

[0040] In particular, the slides 12 and 22 are automatically moved by the preload springs 17, 27 into a position in which the tolerances in the respective coupling part 9, 10 are set to zero before the coupling parts 9, 10 are joined together and the defined tolerance x2 is set. This ensures that the tolerance x2 can always be reliably and repeatably set without the need for manual intervention, thus eliminating any subjective influence from the installer during assembly. The provision of multiple guide ribs 32 and / or 34 guarantees several possible positions for the backlash-free adjustment or tolerance setting of the slides 12, 22 relative to each other.The defined play or tolerance x2 serves to compensate for changes in the rope lengths of the inners 6, 8, for example through changes in bending radii, such as those that can occur during longitudinal adjustment or pivoting of a seat part of a vehicle seat, and to keep the Bowden cable arrangement 2 always free of tension. Reference symbol list 1 coupling device 2 Bowden cable arrangement 3 Bowden cable 4 Bowden cable 5 coat 6 Soul 7 coat 8 soul 9 coupling part 10 coupling part 11 cases 12 sleds 13 Double Arrow 14 Fastening element 15 Wall 15' recess 16 Wall 17 Preload spring 18 recess 19 stubby 20 Cone head section 21 cases 22 sleds 23 Double Arrow 24 Fastening element 25 wall 25' recess 26 Wall 27 Preload spring 28 recess 29 Plug socket 30 Arrow 31 Carrying element 32 Guide bridge 33 Guide surface 34 Guide bridge 35 guide surface

Claims

[1] Coupling device (1) for force-transmitting connection of a first Bowden cable (3) with a second Bowden cable (4), wherein the coupling device (1) comprises a first coupling part (9) to which a sheath (5) and a core (6) of the first Bowden cable (3) can be attached, and a second coupling part (10) to which a sheath (7) and a core (8) of the second Bowden cable (4) can be attached, wherein the first of the coupling parts (9) comprises a first housing (11) connectable to the sheath (5) of the first Bowden cable (3) and a first slide (12) connectable to the core (6) of the first Bowden cable (3) and mounted longitudinally displaceable in the housing (11), and wherein the coupling parts (9, 10) are positively interlocking or joined together,wherein the second of the coupling parts (10) has a second housing (21) connectable to the sheath (7) of the second Bowden cable (4) and a second slide (22) connectable to the core (8) of the second Bowden cable (4) and longitudinally displaceable within the second housing (21), wherein the housings (11, 21) of the coupling parts (9, 10) on the one hand and the slides (12, 22) of the coupling parts (9, 10) on the other hand are each positively interlocking or joined to one another in a joining direction transverse to the force transmission direction of the Bowden cables (3, 4), and wherein at least one of the slides (22) has at least one guide surface (33) inclined to the joining direction for the other of the slides (12), which interacts with the other of the slides (12) when the coupling parts (9, 10) are joined in the joining direction such that at least one of the slides (22) is shifted in the direction of force transmission,wherein the second slide (22) has several guide surfaces (33) arranged apart from each other in the direction of force transmission, wherein the first slide (12) has at least one drive element (31) which interacts with at least one of the guide surfaces (33), characterized by , that the driving element (31) is a driving bolt or cylinder oriented transversely to the direction of force transmission. [2] Coupling device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the joining direction is perpendicular to the force transmission direction. [3] Coupling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first and / or the second housing (11,21) have at least one plug-in projection (19), and that the second and / or the first housing (21,11) have at least one plug-in receptacle (29) for receiving the at least one plug-in projection (19). [4] Coupling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the first housing (11) has at least two, in particular at least three, plug-in protrusions (19) and the second housing (21) has at least two, in particular at least three, plug-in receptacles (29), wherein each plug-in receptacle (29) is associated with one of the plug-in protrusions (19). [5] Coupling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the guide surface (33) is formed by a guide web (32) projecting from the second slide (22). [6] Coupling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the guide surfaces (33) have the same inclination. [7] Coupling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the guide surfaces (33) are arranged at equal intervals from each other. [8] Coupling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that between the slide (12,22) and the housing (11,21) of the respective coupling part (9,10) at least one preload spring (17,27) acting in the direction of force transmission on the slide (12,22) and housing (11,21) is held. [9] Bowden cable arrangement (2) comprising a first Bowden cable (3) and a second Bowden cable (4) which are connected to each other by a coupling device (1) to transmit force, characterized by , that the coupling device (1) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 8.

Images