Locking device and actuator with such a locking device

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking device (10) with a first locking element (11) which locks in a locking region (13) which is formed on a second locking element (12) in order to hold the two locking elements (11, 12) in a locking position relative to one another. In order to improve the locking device (10) functionally and / or in terms of manufacturing technology, the locking device (10) is extended by a tolerance compensation area (16) which, to a defined extent, enables tolerance compensation movements (18) of the locking elements (11, 12) in their locking position relative to one another.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a locking device with a first locking element that locks in a locking region formed on a second locking element to hold the two locking elements in a locking position relative to one another. The invention further relates to an actuator with such a locking device. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a locking device.

[0002] From the German patent specification DE 10 2021 124 487 B3 a hydraulic system with an actuating piston combined with a locking device is known.

[0003] The object of the invention is to improve a locking device according to the preamble of patent claim 1 functionally and / or in terms of manufacturing technology.

[0004] The object is achieved in a locking device with a first locking element that locks in a locking region formed on a second locking element in order to hold the two locking elements relative to one another in a locking position, in that the locking device is extended by a tolerance compensation region that enables tolerance compensation movements of the locking elements in their locking position relative to one another to a defined extent. In their locking position, the claimed locking device ensures a desired self-holding of the locking elements relative to one another, although the locking elements can execute very limited tolerance compensation movements relative to one another. Due to manufacturing and / or assembly reasons, undesirable but cost-related unavoidable tolerances arise on the locking elements.In the unfavorable case of a tolerance chain, this can result in an existing tolerance being larger than the desired self-locking. The required tolerance compensation range on the locking device ensures that the self-locking of the locking elements in their locking position is guaranteed in all possible holding positions within the tolerance chain.

[0005] A preferred embodiment of the locking device is characterized in that the locking device comprises a spring-loaded locking element. The spring-loaded locking element comprises, for example, a spring-loaded element, preferably located on the housing side, such as a ball or a plunger. The spring-loaded locking element can be designed in the same way as or similar to conventional locking elements.

[0006] A further preferred embodiment of the locking device is characterized in that the locking device comprises a retaining locking element. The retaining locking element is preferably arranged on the actuator side of an actuator equipped with the claimed locking device. The retaining locking element is widened or enlarged such that the desired self-holding of the locking elements relative to one another is ensured in all holding positions possible due to the tolerance chain.

[0007] A further preferred embodiment of the locking device is characterized in that the retaining locking element comprises an extended locking recess. The resulting extended locking position enables the desired tolerance compensation movements over a limited distance. Instead of a locking recess, for example a locking recess, which precisely positions the spring locking element, for example a spring-loaded ball, the claimed locking recess, for example the locking recess, is extended or enlarged such that it covers the entire expected distance based on all possible tolerances. The extension or enlargement of the locking recess can comprise an increased travel. However, the extension or enlargement of the locking recess can also cover an increased angular range.In the event of a fault, the locking elements are not held exactly relative to each other, but within a limited range around an exact locking position.

[0008] A further preferred embodiment of the locking device is characterized in that the retaining locking element comprises a locking friction surface. The locking friction surface provides the desired frictional inhibition over a limited distance.

[0009] A further preferred embodiment of the locking device is characterized in that the spring-loaded locking element comprises a spring-loaded friction element. The spring-loaded friction element is advantageously coordinated with the locking friction surface on the retaining locking element with regard to the desired friction inhibition.

[0010] A further preferred embodiment of the locking device is characterized in that the spring-loaded friction element is spaced apart from the locking friction surface on the retaining locking element in a normal working range of the locking device, wherein the spring-loaded friction element comes into frictional contact with the locking friction surface on the retaining locking element in the tolerance compensation range. The spring-loaded friction element is held at a distance from the locking friction surface, for example via stops, in a normal working range of the locking device. The desired frictional contact between the spring-loaded friction element and the locking friction surface is ensured only in the desired tolerance range around the exact target position or locking position, for example by an elevation or raised design of the locking friction surface.

[0011] The invention further relates to an actuator with a locking device as described above. The actuator is preferably an electric motor-driven actuator, in particular a multifunctional actuator that can perform more than one actuator function. At least one of the functions that can be performed by the actuator comprises a parking lock in a motor vehicle equipped with an electric axle.

[0012] The invention further relates to a locking element, in particular a spring locking element and / or a retaining locking element, in particular a friction element, for a locking device described above. These parts are sold separately.

[0013] In a method for operating a locking device described above, in particular a previously described actuator, the above-mentioned object is achieved alternatively or additionally by the locking elements being able to execute tolerance compensation movements relative to one another in their locking position within the tolerance compensation region of the locking device. This significantly simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the locking device, in particular of the actuator.

[0014] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which various embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an actuator with a conventional locking device with two locking elements in a tolerance-free locking position; Fig. 2 the actuator Fig. 1 with the locking elements in a tolerance-related assembly position; Fig. 3 an actuator with a claimed locking device with an extended tolerance compensation range; Fig. 4 a conventional locking device with a spring locking element and a holding locking element in a defined locking position; Fig. 5 an embodiment of the claimed locking device with a spring locking element and a retaining locking element comprising an enlarged locking recess; and the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 an embodiment of the claimed locking device with a spring locking element and a holding locking element which comprises a locking friction surface.

[0015] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows an actuator 1 with a conventional locking device 40. The locking device 40 comprises a first locking element 11 and a second locking element 12. The locking elements 11 and 12 have the shape of semicircular arcs, around whose circle center the two locking elements 11 and 12 can be rotated relative to one another within a specified range 2.

[0016] Defined preset positions 3 and 7 are indicated by lines angled from the locking element 11. The locking element 12 is movable relative to the locking element 11 by an actuator travel range 4. Two further angled lines indicate a preset position 5 and a locking position 6.

[0017] In Fig. 1, the locking device 40 assumes a precisely defined locking position in which the default position 5 exactly coincides with the locking position 6. In Fig. 2, the locking device 40 assumes a tolerance-affected assembly position occurring in reality, in which the locking position 6 deviates from the specified position 5 by a tolerance assembly angle 9.

[0018] An actuator travel range 15 of the locking element 12 is in Fig. 2 is therefore also subject to tolerances. In practice, this leads to the locking device 40 either not locking in the desired manner or locking in an undesirably twisted position.

[0019] In Fig. 3 schematically shows a locking device 10 with two locking elements 11, 12 and an actuator travel range 8, which is extended by a tolerance compensation range 16. Possible tolerance compensation movements 18 in Fig. 3 indicated.

[0020] The Fig. The locking device 10 shown in Figure 3 comprises a locking region 13 instead of an exact locking position. In this locking region 13, the locking elements 11 and 12 can carry out tolerance compensation movements 18 relative to one another.

[0021] The tolerance compensation area 16 is advantageously large enough to compensate for expected manufacturing and / or assembly tolerances on the locking elements 11 and 12, wherein the locking elements 11, 12 are held stably in the locking area 13 in their desired locking position within the tolerance compensation area 16.

[0022] In Fig. 4 shows an actuator 1 with a conventional locking device 40, which comprises a first locking element 11 designed as a spring locking element 21 and a second locking element 12 designed as a holding locking element 22. The holding locking element 22 comprises a locking recess 23 into which a locking body 24, designed, for example, as a ball, is engaged. The locking body 24 is held in place by a locking spring 25 in Fig. 4 pre-tensioned downwards.

[0023] In Fig. 5 shows an actuator 1 with a locking device 20, in which the holding locking element 22, in contrast to the locking device 40 from Fig. 4 is equipped with an extended locking recess 26. The extended locking recess 26 is advantageously so large, that is, in Fig. 5 is designed so wide that the locking body 24, designed as a ball, can perform tolerance compensation movements in the desired manner when the locking body 24 is arranged in the locking recess 23. These tolerance compensation movements are in Fig. 5 indicated by a double arrow 18.

[0024] In the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 shows an actuator 1 with a locking device 30, which comprises a first locking element 11 designed as a spring locking element 31 and a second locking element 12 designed as a holding locking element 32. In Fig. 6, the actuator 1 is in normal operation, in which the two locking elements 11 and 12 are not locked.

[0025] The retaining locking element 32 is equipped with a locking friction surface 33 which is fixed to a Fig. 6 raised area of the locking element 12. The spring locking element 31 is designed as a friction element 34 preloaded by a locking spring 35, which is spaced from a surface 36 of the locking element 12 during normal operation of the actuator 1.

[0026] In Fig. 7, the two locking elements 11 and 12 are locked, whereby, as indicated by a double arrow 18, tolerance compensation movements of the two locking elements 11 and 12 relative to each other are possible. The friction element 34, pre-tensioned by the locking spring 35, is in Fig. 7 in frictional contact with the locking friction surface 33 of the retaining locking element 32. List of reference symbols 1 actuator 2 Default range 3 Default position 4 Actuator travel range 5 Default position 6 locking position 7 Default position 8 Actuator travel range 9 Tolerance mounting brackets 10 locking device 11 first locking element 12 second locking element 13 Rest area 15 Actuator travel range 16 permissible tolerance mounting range 18 tolerance compensation movements 20 locking device 21 Spring locking element 22 Holding element 23 Recess 24 locking bodies 25 locking spring 26 extended locking recess 30 locking device 31 Spring locking element 32 retaining element 33 friction surface 34 Friction element 35 locking spring 36 Surface 40 locking device QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2021 124 487 B3

[0002]

Claims

[1] Locking device (10; 40) with a first locking element (11) which locks in a locking area (13) which is formed on a second locking element (12) in order to hold the two locking elements (11, 12) relative to one another in a locking position, characterized by that the locking device (10; 20; 30) is extended by a tolerance compensation area (16) which, to a defined extent, enables tolerance compensation movements (18) of the locking elements (11, 12) in their locking position relative to one another. [2] Locking device according to claim 1, characterized by that the locking device (10; 20; 30) comprises a spring locking element (21; 31). [3] Locking device according to claim 2, characterized by that the locking device (10; 20; 30) comprises a holding locking element (22; 32). [4] Locking device according to claim 3, characterized by that the retaining locking element (22; 32) comprises an enlarged locking recess (26). [5] Locking device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the retaining locking element (22; 32) comprises a locking friction surface (33). [6] Locking device according to claim 5, characterized by that the spring locking element (21; 31) comprises a spring-loaded friction element (34). [7] Locking device according to claim 6, characterized by that the spring-loaded friction element (34) is spaced apart from the locking friction surface (33) on the holding locking element (32) in a normal working range of the locking device (10), wherein the spring-loaded friction element (34) comes into frictional contact with the locking friction surface (33) on the holding locking element (32) in the tolerance compensation range (16). [8] Actuator (1) with a locking device (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [9] Locking element (11, 12), in particular spring locking element (21; 31) and / or holding locking element (22; 32), in particular friction element (34), for a locking device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7. [10] Method for operating a locking device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, in particular an actuator (1) according to claim 8, characterized by that the locking elements (11, 12) in their locking position in the tolerance compensation area (16) of the locking device (10) can carry out tolerance compensation movements (18) relative to one another.

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