Lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock with a bolt, a return element cooperating with the bolt, and a rotatable actuating element for moving the bolt from a locking position to an unlocking position, wherein the movement of the bolt from the locking position to the unlocking position occurs against a return force of the return element, and wherein the actuating element and the bolt are engaged by means of a cam guided in a guide track such that actuation of the actuating element causes a movement of the cam along the guide track and thereby a movement of the bolt from the locking position to the unlocking position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lock with a bolt, a return element cooperating with the bolt and a rotatable actuating element for moving the bolt from a locking position to an unlocking position, wherein the movement of the bolt from the locking position to the unlocking position takes place against a return force of the return element.

[0002] This type of lock is generally known and is used particularly as a vehicle lock, for example, to secure an energy storage device, such as one located on a luggage rack or on the frame tube of an e-bike, against loss or theft. Similarly, such locks can be designed as frame locks, disc brake locks, or as suitcase locks for securing a transport box. Typically, the bolt secures, for example, an energy storage device or other counterpart in its locked position and releases it in its unlocked position. The bolt is usually held in its locked position by a return element to prevent accidental movement into the unlocked position.However, there is a risk that strong vibrations, such as those that can occur when driving over uneven terrain, could unintentionally cause the bolt to move against the restoring force of the return element, potentially resulting in the loss of a counterpart secured by the lock, such as an energy storage device. Similarly, there is a risk of unauthorized access to the lock by applying excessive force to the vehicle, lock, or actuating element, thereby generating strong acceleration and forcing the bolt into the unlocked position.

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of creating a lock of the type described above, which is characterized by increased security and improved reliability.

[0004] The problem is solved by a lock with the features of claim 1, and in particular by the fact that the actuating element and the bolt engage by means of a cam guided in a guide track such that actuation of the actuating element causes a movement of the cam along the guide track and thereby a movement of the bolt from the locked position to the unlocked position. In other words, the cam and the guide track form a cam control that transmits a movement of the actuating element to the bolt and vice versa. Thus, a rotation of the actuating element is accompanied by a movement of the bolt defined by the cam control, e.g., a displacement of the bolt, and vice versa.

[0005] The specific design, in particular the gradient, of the guide track defines a bolt stroke, i.e., determines how far the bolt can be moved to get from the locking position to the unlocking position.

[0006] An unintentional movement of the bolt into its unlocked position against the restoring force of the return element is effectively made more difficult by the fact that the force required for this would not only have to overcome the restoring force of the spring element, but also the force required for the mechanical actuation of the cam control.

[0007] The guide cam can be designed, for example, as a slot or groove into which the cam engages. The actuating element and the bolt can be directly coupled to each other via the cam control, with the cam being formed on the actuating element and the guide cam on the bolt, or vice versa. Alternatively, at least one additional coupling element can be provided to establish an indirect engagement between the actuating element and the bolt.

[0008] The lock is specifically a vehicle lock. The vehicle in question can be an electric vehicle, such as an e-bike, electric wheelchair, electric scooter, or electric go-kart, or a human-powered vehicle. Specifically, the lock can be a battery lock designed to secure an energy storage device, such as a battery, to an e-bike, for example, in the area of ​​a luggage rack or frame tube. The bolt can be designed to secure a counterpart within the lock in its locked position and to release the counterpart in its unlocked position. In particular, in the case of a battery lock, the bolt can engage in a recess of the battery being secured or engage behind a protrusion of the battery in such a way that removal of the battery is prevented.Alternatively, the lock according to the invention can be a disc brake lock, a lock for a transport box or a frame lock for a vehicle, in particular a bicycle.

[0009] A return spring, in particular a metallic spring such as a helical compression spring or a torsion spring, can be used as the return element. Alternatively, other return elements such as elastomer springs or gas springs can be provided. Regardless of the specific design, the return force of the return element acts on the bolt in such a way that it is forced towards its locking position. The return element of the lock can, for example, be charged or pre-tensioned by actuating the actuator and moving the bolt into the unlocked position, whereby the movement of the bolt into the unlocked position occurs against the return force of the return element.

[0010] The cam control can also ensure that the actuating element rotates back towards a locking position after a user has actuated the actuating element to move the bolt from the locking position to the unlocking position.

[0011] Further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the drawing.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the movement of the bolt from the locking position to the unlocking position is a linear movement, such as a displacement. In particular, the linear movement of the bolt can occur along the direction defined by the restoring force of the return element.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the cam moves along a circular path. For this purpose, the cam can be mounted eccentrically on the actuating element, so that when the actuating element is rotated, the cam moves along a circular path around an axis of rotation of the actuating element. Mounting the cam on the actuating element also contributes to a more compact design of the lock.

[0014] A particularly simple and compact design is also achieved by having the cam on the actuating element and the guide cam on the bolt.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, the guide track has a locking section oriented at least substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the bolt, in which the cam is arranged when the bolt is in its locking position and the actuating element assumes a locking position. The cam located in the locking section defines a fully locked state of the lock and particularly effectively prevents unintentional unlocking of the lock.

[0016] Furthermore, the guide track can include an unlocking section adjoining the locking section, which is particularly likely to be inclined relative to both the locking section and the direction of movement of the bolt. Unlike the locking section, the unlocking section serves to convert a rotation of the actuating element into a movement of the bolt. In the simplest case, the unlocking section is straight. However, at least partially curved designs of the unlocking section are also conceivable. It is understood that the design, especially the slope, of the unlocking section directly affects the bolt stroke. Thus, by appropriately designing the unlocking section, the bolt stroke can be defined as desired.

[0017] For example, the unlocking section and the locking section can enclose an angle in the range of 175° and 160°.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the restoring force of the reset element and the angle enclosed by the unlocking section and the locking section—in other words, the slope of the unlocking section—are adapted to each other such that the bolt can be moved toward the locking position by the reset element even without actuation of the actuator, provided the cam is located in the unlocking section. Conversely, the bolt can also be moved toward the unlocking position without actuation of the actuator, for example, by a battery inserted into a battery compartment associated with the lock. If the battery is correctly inserted, the reset element returns the bolt to the locking position and secures the battery in the battery compartment.In other words, the cam located in the unlocking section provides a trapping function for the latch, thus enabling a semi-automatic locking of the battery.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the movement of the bolt from the locked position to the unlocked position can be effected by rotating the actuating element by 80° to 90°, and in particular by at least approximately 90°. This is a range of motion easily covered by the user and contributes to increased ease of use.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the actuating element comprises a locking cylinder. For example, the cylinder can be a mechanical locking cylinder, i.e., one that can be operated by a physical key, such as a disc cylinder or a pin tumbler cylinder. In this case, the rotation of the key inserted into the locking cylinder causes the cam to move along the guide track and thus moves the bolt.

[0021] For increased security of the lock, a physical key assigned to the lock cylinder can only be inserted into or removed from it when the cam is in the locking section.

[0022] As an alternative to a mechanical locking cylinder, the actuating element can include an electronic locking cylinder, enabling electrically controlled locking and unlocking of the lock, e.g. by a smartphone or the vehicle's on-board computer.

[0023] According to yet another embodiment, the actuating element can include a rotary knob. In this case, manually turning the knob causes the cam to move along the guide track, thus moving the bolt. To increase the security of the lock, the rotary knob can be secured against unintentional rotation by an electrically controlled locking element.

[0024] The invention is described below by way of example using one possible embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing. Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lock cylinder with a key inserted. Fig. 2A is a side view of a lock with the locking cylinder of Fig. 1 and a bolt engaging with it in a locked state. Fig. 2B is a partially cut-down side view of the castle of Fig. 2A without the lock cylinder. Fig. 3A is a side view of a castle from Fig. 2A in a fully unlocked state. Fig. 3B is a partially cut-down side view of the castle of Fig. 3A without the lock cylinder. Fig. 4A is a side view of the castle of Fig. 2A in an intermediate state. Fig. 4B is a partially cut-away side view of the castle of Fig. 4A without the lock cylinder.

[0025] The lock 10 shown in the figures serves to secure a battery in a battery compartment, for example in an electric bicycle, and comprises an actuating element 12, here in the form of a mechanical locking cylinder 14, which can be rotated by a matching key 16 about a pivot axis extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the locking cylinder 14. To insert the key 16 into the locking cylinder 14, the latter has a Fig. 2A, Fig. 3A and Fig. 4A by the inserted key 16 concealed key opening which is formed on a first end face 18 of the lock cylinder 14.

[0026] A cam 22 is provided on the second end face 20 of the lock cylinder 14, opposite the first end face 18. The cam 22 is arranged eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the lock cylinder 14, in the present embodiment in the region of an outer edge of the second end face 20, so that it moves on a circular path around the axis of rotation when the lock cylinder 14 is turned by the key 16.

[0027] The lock 10 further comprises a bolt 26, slidably mounted in a lock housing 24, for securing the battery inserted in the battery compartment. Specifically, in a locked position, the bolt 26 protrudes a maximum of ( Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B), while it is pulled maximally into the lock housing 24 in an unlocking position to release the battery ( Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B).

[0028] The movement of the bolt 26 from the locked position to the unlocked position occurs against the restoring force of a return element 28, which in the present embodiment is formed by a helical compression spring that is supported at one end by the bolt 26 and at its other end indirectly or directly by the lock housing 24. Furthermore, the movement of the bolt 26 occurs in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the lock cylinder 14, passing the second end face 20 of the lock cylinder 14.

[0029] The retraction of the bolt 26 from the locked position to the unlocked position against the restoring force of the return element 28 is effected by a rotation of the key 16 inserted into the lock cylinder 14, and thus a rotation of the lock cylinder 14. For this purpose, the cam 22 of the lock cylinder 14 engages in a guide track 30, which is formed on a side of the bolt 26 facing the lock cylinder 14. The guide track 30 has a locking section 32 oriented perpendicular to the direction of movement of the bolt 26 and an adjoining unlocking section 34, which is straight and oriented obliquely to both the locking section 32 and the direction of movement of the bolt 26. In the present embodiment, the unlocking section 34 and the locking section 32 form an angle of approximately 170°.

[0030] The locking section 32 defines a rear end region of the guide track 30, in which the cam 22 is located when the bolt 26 is fully extended and the key 16 is in a locking position. The cam 22, located in the locking section 32, prevents the bolt 26 from being displaced. Fig. 2B). The latter situation defines a locked state of the lock 10, in which the key 16 can be inserted into or withdrawn from the lock cylinder 14.

[0031] To unlock the lock 10, the key 16 inserted into the lock cylinder 14 is turned by a user, clockwise in the figures, so that the cam 22 moves from the locking section 32 into the unlocking section 34 of the guide track 30 and moves along it. This retracts the bolt 26 against the restoring force of the return element 28. After the key 16 has been turned by approximately 90°, the cam 22 reaches an end of the guide track 30 opposite the locking section 32, and the bolt 26 is retracted maximally into the lock housing 24, which defines an unlocked state in which the battery is released and can be removed from the battery compartment. Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B).

[0032] When the user releases the key 16 in this unlocked state, the bolt 26 is pushed back towards the locked position by the return element 28, while the cam 22 moves back up the unlocking section 34 of the guide track 30. The return force of the return element 28 and the pitch of the unlocking section 34 are matched to each other such that the cam 22 can move along the unlocking section 34 towards the locking section 32 without manually turning the key 16. The key 16 is simply rotated passively.

[0033] Without actuation of the key 16, the bolt 26 is pushed out of the lock housing 24 again by the reset element 28, but without the cam 22 entering the locking section 32 ( Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B). In this situation, the battery can therefore be inserted into the battery compartment without operating the key 16 and secured therein by the latch 26. As long as the cam 22 is not in the locking section 32, the latch 26 thus provides a latching function, i.e., the lock 10 assumes a semi-automatic intermediate state.

[0034] If the lock 10 is to be fully locked from this intermediate state, the user simply needs to insert the key 16 into his Fig. Turn the locking mechanism shown in Figure 2A back to return the cam 22 to the locking section 32 of the guide track 30. The bolt 26 is now fully extended from the lock housing 24 and blocked by the cam 22 in the locking section 32, and the key 16 can be withdrawn from the lock cylinder 14. Reference symbol list 10 Castle 12 Actuating elements 14 locking cylinders 16 keys 18 first front 20 second front 22 cams 24 lock cases 26 bars 28 Return element 30 Leadership backdrop 32 Locking section 34 Unlocking section

Claims

[1] Castle (10) with a bar (26), a return element (28) cooperating with the bolt (26) and a rotatable actuating element (12) for moving the bolt (26) from a locking position to an unlocking position, wherein the movement of the bolt (26) from the locking position to the unlocking position occurs against a restoring force of the restoring element (28), and wherein the actuating element (12) and the bolt (26) are engaged by means of a cam (22) guided in a guide track (30) such that actuation of the actuating element (12) causes a movement of the cam (22) along the guide track (30) and thereby a movement of the bolt (26) from the locking position to the unlocking position. [2] Lock (10) according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the bolt (26) from the locking position to the unlocking position is a linear movement. [3] Lock (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movement of the cam (22) is on a circular path. [4] Lock (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide cam (30) is formed on the bolt (26) and the cam (22) is formed on the actuating element (12). [5] Lock (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide track (30) has a locking section (32) oriented at least substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the bolt (26), in which the cam (22) is arranged when the bolt (26) is in its locking position and the actuating element (12) assumes a locking position. [6] Lock (10) according to claim 5, wherein the guide track (30) has an unlocking section (34) adjoining the locking section (32), in particular which is oriented obliquely both to the locking section (32) and to the direction of movement of the bolt (26). [7] Lock (10) according to claim 6, wherein the unlocking section (34) and the locking section (32) enclose an angle in the range of 150° to 175°. [8] Lock (10) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the restoring force of the restoring element (28) and the angle enclosed by the unlocking section (34) and the locking section (32) are adapted to each other such that the bolt (26) can be moved in the direction of the locking position by the restoring element (28) even without actuation of the actuating element (12) when the cam (22) is in the unlocking section. [9] Lock (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement of the bolt (26) from the locking position to the unlocking position can be effected by a rotation of the actuating element (12) by 80° to 90°. [10] Lock (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating element (12) comprises a mechanical locking cylinder (14). [11] Lock (10) according to claim 10, wherein the locking cylinder (14) is a disc cylinder or a pin cylinder. [12] Lock (10) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein a key (16) associated with the lock cylinder (14) can only be inserted into or withdrawn from it when the cam (22) is in a locking section (34) of the guide cam (30). [13] Lock (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the actuating element (12) comprises an electronic locking cylinder. [14] Lock (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the actuating element (12) comprises a rotary knob.

Images