Multi-part mechanical locking mechanism and installation box with such a locking mechanism

Abstract

Multi-part mechanical locking mechanism, in particular for locking the lid of an installation box to its box body, wherein the parts of the locking mechanism (1, 30, 40, 49) which cooperate for the purpose of locking can be engaged with one another by a translatory assembly movement, and wherein the locking mechanism (1, 30, 40, 49) comprises a first part (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) with a locking undercut (11; 32, 32.1) as the first locking element, a locking member (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3) which can be locked to the first part (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) as the second part, which for the purpose of locking to the first part (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) has at least one locking arm (18; 35, 35.1; 42, 42.1) with a hook projection (19; 36, 36.1; 43, 43) serving to engage in a locking undercut (11; 32, 32.1) of the first part (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3).1; 50) as a second locking element, and comprises means for releasing an engaged position of the locking elements engaged with one another, by means of which means the hook projection (19; 36, 36.1; 43, 43.1; 50) of the at least one locking arm (18; 35, 35.1; 42, 42.1) of the closure member (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3) can be moved out of the locking undercut (11; 32, 32.1) of the other part (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) so that the two parts (2, 3; 2.1, 3.1; 2.2, 41; 2.3, 3.3) can be separated from one another by a translational disassembly movement.

Description

[0001] The subject of the invention is a multi-part mechanical locking mechanism suitable for locking the two components of an installation box, namely the lid and the box body, together in the closed position. The subject of the invention is also an installation box with such a multi-part locking mechanism.

[0002] Installation boxes are used for a variety of purposes, primarily in connection with electrical / electronic connections and / or wiring. Installation boxes exist in various designs and, depending on their design, can be flush-mounted or surface-mounted. Such installation boxes have a box body, which ultimately represents the actual box. This box body has a base and a surrounding side wall, which is composed of several side wall segments depending on the outline geometry, for example, if the outline geometry is rectangular. The box body defines a receiving cavity for the electrical / electronic components to be installed therein. The electrical components can be, for example, electrical connectors.In addition to the box body, such an installation box has a lid for closing the mounting opening in the box body. The lid can be screwed to the box body to close the mounting opening and thus close the receiving cavity. In this case, the box body typically has several screw channels, into each of which a screw is screwed through the lid. According to another design, a snap-in connection is used to connect the lid to the box body. In such a design, the outward-facing side wall section enclosing the mounting opening is designed with a locking undercut all the way around.The can lid has a side wall section which extends over the free end of the side wall of the can body and which has a complementary locking geometry on the inside so that the complementary locking geometries of the lid and can body can be engaged with each other by pressing the lid onto the can body.

[0003] Handling is seen as problematic with both of the installation box designs discussed above. Installation boxes where the lid is attached to the box body with screw fasteners typically require multiple screws. These are typically located in the corners of the installation box. This makes it difficult to close such an installation box, which also involves attaching the lid to the box body and reopening it when necessary. Furthermore, if the box is opened and closed several times, particularly if excessive force is applied when closing, there is a risk that the screws will damage or even destroy the internal thread embossed into the screw channels, making it impossible to close the box as intended. Apart from the effort required for the screw fastening, such installation boxes can be opened without any problem.Opening is also possible with installation boxes where the lid overlaps the side wall of the box body with a side wall section and is locked to it, but requires more effort. A tool is required for this in order to lever open the lid which is held to the box body by the snap-in lock. To do this, a slotted screwdriver is successively inserted at several points between the overlapping side wall sections and the lid is bent open. This can sometimes damage the side wall section of the lid. Other installation boxes of this type have actuating tabs that project outwards in a radial direction, between which a slotted screwdriver can be inserted and the lid can be levered up relative to the box body in order to open the lid. An installation box of this type intended for electrical applications is known, for example, from EP 1 311 042 A1.Even with such a design, if the container is opened or closed repeatedly, the quality of the locking connection between the lid and the container body may be impaired.

[0004] The problem described above with reference to an installation box also arises in other situations, such as housings that have to be opened again after being closed for the first time.

[0005] Against the background of the prior art assessed above, the object of the invention is to propose a locking mechanism whose two parts to be locked together can not only be engaged with one another using a simple push movement and which can also be opened again in a simple manner, but in which there is no risk of damage to the locking elements that are engaged with one another even when opened and closed several times.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a multi-part mechanical locking mechanism, in particular for locking the lid of an installation box to its box body, wherein the parts of the locking mechanism which cooperate for the purpose of locking can be engaged with one another by a translatory assembly movement, and wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first part with a locking undercut as the first locking element, a locking member which can be locked to the first part as the second part and which, for the purpose of locking it to the first part, has at least one locking arm with a hook projection serving to engage in a locking undercut of the first part as the second locking element, as well as means for releasing an engaged position of the locking elements which are engaged with one another,by which means the hook projection of at least one locking arm of the closure member can be moved out of the locking undercut of the other part so that the two parts can be separated from each other by a translational disassembly movement.

[0007] This locking mechanism combines the advantages of a snap-in connection in connection with its closing with those that enable a defined opening. For this purpose, this locking mechanism has two parts that can be engaged with one another to create a lock in its closed position, a first part of which has at least one locking undercut as a locking element. The second part is designed as a closure member and has at least one locking arm for this purpose. The locking arm itself carries a hook projection that engages in the locking undercut of the first part when the locking mechanism is in the closed position. Such a locking undercut is provided by a formation in or on the first part of the locking mechanism. This can be, for example, a mushroom head protruding from a base or a bracket-like structure.

[0008] According to a first embodiment of a closure element, at least one locking arm is designed to be elastic in the radial direction with respect to a translational assembly movement for closing the closure mechanism. With such a configuration, by utilizing the elastic properties of the locking arm, its hook projection can be introduced into the locking undercut by a translational assembly movement, in particular a purely linear translational assembly movement, to lock the two parts. In this configuration, the hook projection is guided over the recess until it automatically engages in the locking undercut provided by the recess. Thus, the first part can be locked to the closure element simply by executing a push movement.According to another embodiment, the bearing of the locking member for its translational adjustment is designed such that sufficient play is present in the circumferential direction so that the locking member can be tilted with its hook projection to overcome the recess providing the locking undercut. In such a case, the locking arm does not need to be designed to be elastic in the radial direction; however, this is certainly possible.

[0009] A special feature of this locking mechanism is that it also has means by which the engaged locking elements can be released from one another again without wear and, above all, without damage. The means are therefore designed and configured to move the hook projection of the at least one locking arm, which engages in the locking undercut of the first part when the locking mechanism is in the closed position, out of the locking undercut. Once this is achieved, the two parts can in turn be separated from one another by a translational, in particular linear translational, movement. This locking mechanism thus has all the components required for closing and opening the same in order to establish and release the lock.This does not mean that a tool, such as a screwdriver, cannot be used to activate the release(s). However, this tool only serves to activate a release, not directly to release the engaged locking elements. Therefore, release occurs without damage to the engaged locking elements.

[0010] It is advantageous to arrange an elastomer, designed as a seal, for example, between the parts to be connected to one another, in such a way that this elastomer is placed under a certain prestress by the parts connected to one another by the locking mechanism when the locking elements are engaged with one another.

[0011] The two parts of such a locking mechanism are typically components of a functional object. They can be molded onto the object or designed as an insert and then connected to the functional object. The functional object can be, for example, an installation box or any other housing. If an installation box or housing is equipped with such a locking mechanism, the cover typically carries the locking element, while the box or housing body has the first part with at least one locking undercut.

[0012] The means for releasing the interlocking locking elements can be implemented in different ways in this locking mechanism. According to a first embodiment, the locking member, with its at least one locking arm, is arranged in a guide piece so that it can be displaced in the assembly direction and, in particular, is held captive therein even during intended use. Such a configuration allows the locking mechanism to be designed such that the two parts are locked by engaging the complementary connecting elements with one another through a linear, translational assembly movement.With such a design, unlocking of the interlocking locking elements can be achieved by utilizing the previously described mounting of the locking member in a guide piece through a rotational movement of the locking member relative to the guide piece. For this purpose, the locking member is also mounted in the guide piece for rotational movement. The axis of rotation corresponds to the axis of the translational assembly movement. In this way, the hook projection of a locking arm, which engages in a locking undercut, can be rotated out of the locking undercut, and the two parts of the locking mechanism can then be separated from each other, also by a linear assembly movement.With such a design of the locking mechanism, the shape of the first part providing such a locking undercut is open on at least one side so wide that the hook projection can be rotated out of the locking undercut by rotating the locking member. To remove a hook projection engaging in a locking undercut, the locking member generally needs to be moved no more than 90 degrees. It is essential that, to open the lock, the guide piece with its locking member and the first part do not need to be rotated relative to each other to separate the two parts. Therefore, such a locking mechanism is suitable for use in a wide variety of applications.

[0013] To ensure that the closure element with its at least one locking arm is held captively in such a guide piece, one embodiment provides for the closure element to have a head. This head engages in a head receptacle of the guide piece. The guide piece further has a base that defines the head receptacle and is undercut from the direction of the head. The closure element passes through the base, in particular with its at least one locking arm. The closure element has at least one locking arm, which, when the closure element is mounted on the guide piece, engages with a catch in the undercut provided by the base.In addition to such a locking arm which reacts elastically in the radial direction and enables the closure member to be connected to the guide piece by means of a detent, the closure member can also have one or more fixed locking projections which engage behind the base as viewed from the head. In another embodiment for the captive connection of the closure member to the first part, a locking arm which reacts elastically in the radial direction can also be used as the locking arm. In such a embodiment, the elastic property of such a locking arm in the radial direction is cleverly used, for example to introduce a projection arranged on the outside of the locking arm in the radial direction into the undercut provided by the base of the guide piece.

[0014] In a configuration of the locking mechanism in which the locking member is displaceably mounted in a guide piece for closing the locking mechanism and rotatably mounted for releasing it, a preferred refinement provides that the translational disassembly movement is used to rotate the locking member back into its assembly position during this disassembly movement, i.e., into the position where the two parts can be engaged with each other again solely by a push movement. This can be achieved, for example, by the guide piece or the locking member having a correspondingly contoured adjusting cam and the complementary component—the locking member or the guide piece—having an adjusting cam supported thereon or engaging therein.The shape of the adjusting link is designed so that when a translational disassembly movement is carried out between the two parts, the locking element is rotated back into its assembly position.

[0015] According to one embodiment of such a designed locking mechanism, the adjusting link is part of an axially extending wall of the first part. The second part then carries an adjusting cam projecting radially. In such a configuration, the adjusting link is preferably designed such that it is incorporated as a groove in the axially extending wall. The adjusting link then also has a section into which the adjusting cam of the locking member is inserted when the latter is rotated to release the engaged position of the two locking elements. The engagement of the adjusting cam in this branch of the adjusting link simultaneously prevents improper premature disassembly. Only when the adjusting cam enters the adjusting link section, which enables a translational disassembly movement of the two parts of the locking mechanism, can they be separated from one another.

[0016] According to another embodiment of such a locking mechanism, the locking member has a circumferentially acting adjusting cam. A radially inwardly projecting adjusting cam of the guide piece rests against this cam. By moving the adjusting cam past the guide cam during a translational disassembly movement of the two parts, the first part is rotated back into its assembly position.

[0017] According to a further exemplary embodiment, in a configuration of the at least one locking arm of the closure member with elastic properties in the radial direction, an additional release member is provided as a means for releasing the engaged position of the locking elements of the two parts. In such a configuration, the closure member is typically the object of the part that is to be connected to the first part. Thus, even with such a design of the closure, no more individual parts are required than in the previously described exemplary embodiments with their translationally adjustable closure members. The release member is mounted in the closure member and is typically also held captive thereon for intended use. This release member has a number of adjusting tabs corresponding to the number of locking arms of the closure member.Each adjusting tab is designed so that, upon translational adjustment of the release member, it acts on a locking arm and adjusts this in the radial direction so that its hook projection is moved out of the locking undercut of the first part. For this purpose, the side of the arm facing away from the locking undercut and / or the side of the locking arms facing the locking undercut have corresponding adjusting bevels. The adjusting tabs, like the locking arms of the closure member, are designed to be elastic in the radial direction. A radial outward movement of the free actuating ends of the adjusting tabs can be brought about, for example, by abutting an adjusting tab against an adjusting contour of the formation of the first part providing the locking undercut and a translational actuation of the release member.When designing the locking mechanism with a release element mounted in the locking member in this way, the two parts are assembled to engage the complementary locking elements, as is the release actuation, solely by a particularly linear translational movement. The locking mechanism of this embodiment can therefore also be referred to as a push-push actuation locking mechanism, while the one of the previous embodiment is referred to as a push-turn actuation locking mechanism.

[0018] Regardless of whether the locking mechanism is designed as a push-turn mechanism or a push-push mechanism, the first part can be provided with a mushroom-shaped recess to provide a locking undercut. With such a design, the locking element has two opposing locking arms, which then engage behind the mushroom-shaped recess with their hook projections from opposite sides.

[0019] Furthermore, it can be provided that the two parts have corresponding guide bodies or guide slots to guide them for assembly or disassembly, with a positive guide body, for example a guide pin or a positive guide slot, engaging with a complementary negative structure of the other part. At the same time, this secures the two parts against rotation relative to each other. It is therefore easily possible to use such a locking mechanism to close, for example, an installation box whose cover is attached to the box body at only one point, namely centrally.In the case of useful objects, such as installation boxes, with a non-rotationally symmetrical outline geometry, such guides can be useful for stabilising the two parts together, but are not necessary for the two parts to be guided in the correct position with their locking elements relative to each other.

[0020] The invention is described below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1: a multi-part closure mechanism shown in the manner of an exploded view, comprising a closure member, a guide piece and a first part according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b: the closure element of the Fig. 1 in two further perspective views, Fig. 3: the guide piece of the Fig. 1 in a perspective view of its Fig. 1 invisible underside, Fig. 4: the locking mechanism of the preceding figures engaged with its locking elements and with the guide piece hidden, Fig. 5: the locking elements released from each other for opening the locking mechanism, Fig. 6: a multi-part closure mechanism in the manner of an exploded view, comprising a closure member, a guide piece and a first part according to a further embodiment, Fig. 7: the locking link of the locking mechanism of the Fig. 6 in a different perspective view than in Fig. 6, Fig. 8: the guide piece of the locking mechanism of the Fig. 6 in a perspective view of its Fig. 1 invisible underside, Fig. 9: the locking mechanism of the Fig. 6 with the guide piece hidden in a position of its locking member before its locking with the first part, Fig. 10: a perspective view of the locking mechanism of the Fig. 6 with its engaged locking elements with hidden guide piece, Fig. 11: a multi-part locking mechanism comprising a first part, a second part carrying a locking member and a release member, Fig. 12: the second part of the locking mechanism of the Fig. 11 in a different perspective view, Fig. 13: a schematic sectional view of the locking mechanism of the Fig. 11 with its engaged locking elements, Fig. 14: another multi-part locking mechanism, shown in the manner of an exploded view, comprising a locking member, a guide piece and a first part, Fig. 15: the guide piece of the locking mechanism of the Fig. 14 in a different perspective, Fig. 16: the second part of the locking mechanism of the Fig. 14 in a different perspective, Fig. 17: the locking mechanism of the Fig. 14 in a first assembly position of its two parts in a schematic cross-sectional view and Fig. 18: a representation corresponding to that of the Fig. 17, but with the locking elements engaged with each other.

[0021] A multi-part mechanical locking mechanism 1 comprises a first part 2, a guide piece 3, and a locking member 4 serving as the second part. The second part 2 is typically part of a larger structure of a utility object and is, for example, molded onto the base of a box body of an installation box or connected to it as an insert. The same applies to the guide piece 3, which in the case of an installation box is molded onto the cover of the installation box or connected to it as an insert. The first part 2 carries two guide pins 6, 6.1 projecting from a base 5, which engage in corresponding guides 7, 7.1 (see Fig. 3) of the guide piece 3 when these two parts 2, 3 are connected to each other. The guide piece 3 has a head receptacle 8, which is limited in the direction of the first part 2 by a base 9. In the base 9, an opening 10 is made, through which a part of the locking element 4 extends. The base 9 is provided with locking undercuts from the direction of the head receptacle 8 (see also Fig. 3).

[0022] The first part carries, in addition to the two guide pins 6, 6.1, also projecting from its base 5, a bow-shaped protrusion 12 forming a locking undercut 11. The protrusion 12 has an adjusting bevel 13 on the upper side. The protrusion 12 is designed with regard to the design of the locking undercut 11, so that it is Fig. 1 front end is longer than required (see also Fig. 4). A wall segment 14 is formed on the base 5 between the two guide pins 6, 6.1. The wall segment 14 extends parallel to the guide pins 6, 6.1. The wall segment 14 carries an adjusting cam 15 in the area of ​​its upper end on the side facing the recess 12.

[0023] The locking member 4 of the locking mechanism 1 has a head 16, in the upper side of which a slot-like rotary drive contour 17 is introduced. A locking arm 18 is formed on the underside of the head 16. This locking arm is elastically adjustable in the radial direction (radial with respect to its longitudinal extent) and has a hook projection 19 at its lower end. This hook projection 19 projects outwards in the radial direction and serves to lock with the first part by engaging in the locking undercut 11 of the formation 12. The underside of the hook projection 8 is convexly curved for cooperation with the adjusting bevel 13 of the formation 12.

[0024] Furthermore, a guide pin 20 is formed on the underside of the head 16. This is supported with its radial outer side on the inside of the wall segment 14 during assembly of the locking mechanism 1. The guide pin 20 is convexly curved on the outside and fits with its curvature into the Fig. 1. One end face of the guide pin 20 is designed as an adjusting link 21 in the circumferential direction. This is achieved by a longer design of the lower section of the guide pin 20 in the circumferential direction, which then merges into a narrower upper section in the circumferential direction. Fig. The adjusting cam 15 engages the inclined transition section 22, which can be seen in Figure 2b, when the guide piece 3 with the locking member 4 is disassembled from the first part. This causes the locking member 4 to be rotated back into its assembly position during disassembly, in which the hook projection 19 is aligned with the adjusting bevel 13 of the recess 12 and thus with the locking undercut 11.

[0025] The closure member 4 is held on the guide piece 3 by a locking arm 23 formed on the underside of the head 16 in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the locking arm 18. This locking arm extends through the opening 10 so that its notch 24 engages in the undercut provided by the base 9. The closure member 4 is adjustable in the longitudinal axial direction within the guide piece 3, namely to the extent of the distance between the underside of the head 16 and the notch 24.

[0026] Within the opening 10, the locking member 4 can also be rotated to a limited extent about its longitudinal axis. A pin 25 formed on the underside of the head 16 serves to limit the rotational movement. This pin 25 is adjustable within a guide contour 26 between the two end stops 27, 27.1. The radially outer limit of the guide contour 26 is provided by a locking bar 28 that is elastically adjustable in the radial direction. The distance between the free end of the locking bar 28 and the end stop 27 is dimensioned such that the pin 25 can engage this pin catch 29. This fixes the rotational position of the locking member 4 relative to the guide piece 3. In this position, the locking arm 18, with its hook projection 19, is aligned with the recess 12 or the locking undercut 11 formed thereby.

[0027] Before the locking mechanism 1 is closed, the locking member 4 is held captively on the guide piece 3 in the manner described above. The locking member 4 is in its assembled position when the pin 25 engages the pin catch 29 between the free end of the locking strip 28 and the end stop 27. The guide piece 3 with its locking member 4 - typically as part of a larger structure, for example the cover of an installation box, is engaged with the first part 2, typically also part of a larger structure, for example part of a box body - by a linear, translational assembly movement. The guide piece 3 with its guides 7, 7.1 is placed onto the guide pins 6, 6.1 of the first part, and the two parts are pushed together.In this case, the locking arm 18 of the closure member 4 is brought with its hook projection 19 towards the adjusting bevel 13 of the formation 12. Upon further pressing together of the guide piece 3 and the first part 2, the hook projection 19 is adjusted radially inwards due to the interaction of the adjusting bevel 13 with its curved underside and, upon further pressing together of the two parts 3, 2, springs into the locking undercut 11. The locking elements, provided by the locking arm 18 with its hook projection 19 and the formation with its locking undercut 11, are then engaged with one another. This engaged position of the closure mechanism 1 is shown in FIG. Fig. 4 (the guide piece 3 is hidden to allow a view into the locking arrangement).

[0028] Not shown in the figures is the elastomer seal located between the guide piece 3 and the first part 2, against which the guide piece 3 and the first part 2 act. Closing the locking mechanism 1 places a certain preload on this elastomer seal. This then also places a certain preload on the engaged position of the cooperating locking elements.

[0029] To release the locking mechanism 1, the hook projection 19 of the locking arm 18 is moved out of the locking undercut 11 provided by the recess 12. To do this, the locking member 14 is rotated counterclockwise, by approximately 70° in the illustrated embodiment. This can be easily achieved using a flat-head screwdriver, the blade of which is inserted into the rotational drive contour 17 of the head 16 of the locking member 4. The rotational movement is limited by the previously described guide contour 26 with its end stop 27.1. If the pin 25 rests against the end stop 27.1, the guide piece 3 with the locking member 4 held thereon can be separated from the first part 2 with a likewise linear, translational disassembly movement. Fig. 5 shows the separation process, during which the guide piece 3 with the closure member 4 has already been slightly removed from the first part 2. During such a disassembly movement, the adjusting cam 15 comes into contact with the transition section 22 of the adjusting link 21 of the guide pin 20. Due to the inclination of the transition section 22, the closure member 4 is rotated back into its assembled position upon further separation of the guide piece 3 from the first part 2. In this assembled position, the closure member 4 is fixed in its rotational position by the engagement of the pin 25 in the pin catch 29. In this way, the closure member 4 is automatically moved back into its assembled position, so that the locking mechanism 1 can be closed again without the need for further measures.

[0030] In Fig. 6 shows a further mechanical locking mechanism 30 which is constructed in principle in the same way as that shown in the Fig. 1 to 5. Therefore, the statements regarding the locking mechanism 1 apply equally to the locking mechanism 30, which is why only the differences between the locking mechanism 30 and the locking mechanism 1 will be discussed below. Functionally identical components in the locking mechanism 30 and those of the locking mechanism 1 are therefore identified by the same reference numerals, supplemented by the suffix ".1".

[0031] In the first part 2.1 of the locking mechanism 30, the locking undercut is provided by a mushroom head 31 integrally formed on the base 5.1. The mushroom head 31 provides two diametrically opposed locking undercuts 32, 32.1. In this embodiment, a locking guide consisting of two adjusting guide sections 33 and 34 is incorporated into the wall segment 14.1 as a groove.

[0032] The locking member 4.1 of the locking mechanism 30 carries two locking arms 35, 35.1, whose hook projections 36, 36.1 are formed on the mutually facing sides. In the closed position of the locking mechanism 30, these engage behind the mushroom head 31 and engage in the locking undercuts 32, 32.1.

[0033] The locking arm 35 carries an adjusting cam 37 on its radial outer side. This cam is introduced into the adjusting contour 33, 34 in connection with the release of the locked closure mechanism 30 and is guided therein.

[0034] The opening 10.1 in the base 9.1 of the guide piece 3.1 has two guide contours 26.1, 38. While the guide contour 26.1 corresponds to the guide contour 26 of the guide piece 3 and a pin 25.1 formed on the underside of the head 16.1 of the closure member 4.1 is also moved within this, a rib 39 engages the guide contour 38. The rotational movement of the closure piece 4.1 relative to the guide piece 3.1 is thus limited, just as in the previously described embodiment.

[0035] The locking member 4.1 is held on the guide piece 3.1 by the adjusting cam 37 which projects radially from the locking arm 35 and which prevents the locking member 4.1 from falling out of the guide piece 3.1 by striking the underside of the base 9.1. Fig. Figure 9 shows the locking mechanism 30 with the guide piece 3.1 hidden during assembly of the guide piece 3.1 with its locking link 4.1 on the first part 2.1. The guide piece 3.1 is already assembled to such an extent that the undersides of the hook projections 36, 36.1 rest against the top of the mushroom head 31. The inclined surfaces of the mushroom head 31 serve to spread the locking arms 35, 35.1 as the locking link 4.1 is further pressed in, so that their hook projections 36, 36.1 can engage the respective locking undercut 32 or 32.1. During this assembly movement, the adjusting cam 37 is guided on the end face 40 of the wall segment 14.1.

[0036] In Fig. Figure 10 shows the locking mechanism 30 with its engaged locking elements, again with the guide piece 3.1 hidden. In this position, the adjusting cam 37 is located at the entrance of the adjusting gate section 33 of the wall segment 14.1.

[0037] The locking mechanism 30 is released in the same way as described above for the locking mechanism 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the locking member 4.1 is rotated clockwise so that the hook projections 36, 36.1 are rotated out of the respective locking undercut. During this rotational movement, the adjusting cam 37 moves into the adjusting link section 33 and encounters a rotation limiting stop in the transition from the adjusting link section 33 to the adjusting link section 34. Subsequently, the guide piece 3.1 with its locking member 4.1 and the first part 2.1 can be separated from one another by a linear translational movement. The adjusting cam 37 is then guided in the direction of the end face 40 of the wall segment 14.1 in accordance with the inclined course of the adjusting link section 34, so that by this measure the locking member 4.1 is adjusted with respect to the alignment of its locking arms 36, 36.1 has been returned to its assembly position. This is fixed relative to the guide piece 3.1 in the same way as previously described for fixing the closure member 4 relative to the guide piece 3.

[0038] In Fig. 11 shows another mechanical locking mechanism. The locking of the parts to be connected to one another is carried out in accordance with the principle set forth in the previously described embodiments. Components that are identical or function similarly to those in locking mechanism 1 are identified by the same reference numerals, supplemented by the suffix ".2." The differences between locking mechanism 40 and the locking mechanisms 1, 30 already described above are explained below.

[0039] The first part 2.2 of the locking mechanism 40, like the locking mechanism 30, has a mushroom head 31.1 as a locking element, through which two opposing locking undercuts are provided. In the locking mechanism 40, the locking member 4.2 is molded onto a component 41. The locking member 4.2 has two locking arms 42, 42.1, each of which has a hook projection 43, 43.1 on the mutually facing sides of the holding arms 42, 42.1. These engage behind, as shown in Fig. 14 shows the locking undercuts provided by the mushroom head 31.1 when the component 41 is connected with its closure member 4.2 to the first part 2.2.

[0040] The locking mechanism 40 differs from the two locking mechanisms 1, 30 in that it has a release member 44. The release member 44 is linearly translationally adjustable in the component 41 in the axial direction of a guide channel 45 formed in the component 41. The release member 44 is held on the component 41 by a locking arm 46, which has an outwardly directed notch 47 at its end. When the release member 44 is mounted on the component 41, the notch 47 of the locking arm 46 engages behind a tapered portion in the guide channel 45.

[0041] The release member 44 carries two adjusting tabs 48, 48.1, with which the engaged position of the locking arms 42, 42.1 with their hook projections 43, 43.1 on the mushroom head 31.1 of the first component 2.2 can be released. This is done by a translatory actuating movement, by which the release member 44, as shown in Fig. 13 by a block arrow, is pressed into the guide channel 45. The adjusting tabs 48, 48.1 are spread apart on the top side of the mushroom head 31.1 and inserted into the gap between the mutually facing sides of the locking arms 42, 42.1 and the outside of the mushroom head 31.1. This gap tapers towards the hook projections 43, 43.1. As the release member 44 is pressed in and the adjusting tabs 48, 48.1 are spread apart, their outer sides facing away from one another act against the insides of the locking arms 42, 42.1, so that the hook projections 43, 43.1 are moved out of the locking undercuts provided by the mushroom head 31.1. This release situation of the components involved is shown in Fig. 14. If the release member 44 is pressed into the guide channel 45 of the component 41 so far that the locking of the interlocking elements is released, both components - the first part 2.2 and the component 41 - can be separated from each other by a translational disassembly movement.

[0042] In the Fig. Figures 15 to 19 show another mechanical locking mechanism 49. The locking mechanism 49 implements the same operating principles as the previously described locking mechanisms 1, 30, and 40. Therefore, components identical or functioning identically to the locking mechanism 1 are identified by the same reference numeral, supplemented by the suffix ".3."

[0043] The locking mechanism 49 differs from the previously described locking mechanisms 1, 30, 40 in the manner in which the locking member 43, with its hook projection 50, is inserted into the locking undercut provided by the first part 2.3. This occurs by tilting the locking member 4.3 during assembly of the guide piece 3.3 on the first part 2.3. To enable such tilting of the release member 44, the through-channel 51 of the guide piece 3.3 and a correspondingly larger mounting channel 52 of the first part 2.3 are designed with a correspondingly larger diameter. At the same time, the head 16.3 is equipped with a conical outer surface, as is the head receptacle 8.3 of the guide piece 3.3. The closure member 4.3 is held adjustably in the longitudinal axial direction in the guide piece 3.3 in the same manner as described for the closure members 4, 4.1.A catch 54 arranged at the free end of a locking arm 53 engages behind the base 9.3 located in the locking piece 3.3 when the locking member 4.3 is mounted on the guide piece 3.3.

[0044] The first part 2.3 has a shoulder 55 projecting into the mounting channel 52 and extending only over a circumferential segment, forming a locking undercut, the upper side of which, facing the guide piece 3.3, as shown in the Fig. 18 and Fig. 19, is inclined to form a setting slope 56.

[0045] The locking mechanism 49 is in turn closed by a linear translational movement, during which the guide piece 3.3 is connected to the first part 2.3. These two parts 2.3, 3.3 have corresponding guide aids that are engaged with each other during such assembly. During this assembly, the underside of the hook projection 50 of the locking member 4.3 reaches the adjusting bevel 56 of the shoulder 55 of the first part 2.3. As a result, the locking member 4.3 is pressed out of the through-channel 51 with its head 16.3 as the assembly movement continues until the guide piece 3.3 borders on the first part 2.3. Due to the conical design of the wall surrounding the head receptacle 8.3 and the corresponding conical design of the head 16.3 of the locking member 4.3,3 space is created in the radial direction so that, by utilizing the remaining dimensions of the through-channel 51 and the assembly channel 52, the closure member 4.3 can be tilted. This occurs when the closure member 4.3, which has been pressed out of the through-channel 51 with its head 16.3, is pressed into the latter. Caused by the support of the hook projection 50 on the shoulder 55 of the first part 2.3 forming the undercut, the closure member 4.3 is tilted. In this position, its hook projection 50 can be moved over the stop 55. The complementary contour geometry between the head 16.3 and the head receptacle 8.3 means that the closure member 4.3 realigns itself when pressed in accordingly, ie: is brought from its position inclined relative to the longitudinal axes of the channels 51, 52 back into a position aligned with its longitudinal axis, so that the hook projection 50 then engages in the locking undercut provided by the shoulder 55. This engaged position of the cooperating closure members between the first part 2.3 and the closure member 4.3 is shown in . Fig. 19 shown.

[0046] The locking mechanism 49 is released as described for the locking mechanism 1. Accordingly, the locking element 4.3 is also equipped with an adjusting link for reversing the locking element 4.3. An adjusting cam 57 located at the muzzle-side end of the mounting channel 52 interacts with this adjusting link.

[0047] The invention has been described using exemplary embodiments. Without departing from the scope of protection described by the applicable claims, numerous further embodiments for implementing the inventive concept will become apparent to those skilled in the art without the need for further explanation within the scope of these statements. List of reference symbols 1 locking mechanism 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 First part 3, 3.1, 3.3 Guide piece 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 locking link 5, 5.1 Basis 6, 6.1 Guide pin 7, 7.1 Leadership 8, 8.3 Head shot 9, 9.1, 9.3 Soil 10, 10.1 Breakthrough 11 Locking undercut 12 Forming 13 Adjustment slope 14, 14.1 Wall segment 15 Adjusting cam 16, 16.1, 16.3 Head 17 Rotary driving contour 18 Locking arm 19 Hook projection 20 leadership 21 setting backdrop 22 Transition section 23 locking arm 24 rest 25 cones 26, 26.1 Guide contour 27, 27.1 End stop 28 locking bar 29 Cone trap 30 locking mechanism 31, 31.1 Mushroom head 32, 32.1 Locking undercut 33 setting stage section 34 setting scenery section 35, 35.1 Locking arm 36, 36.1 Hook projection 37 Adjusting cam 38 Guide contour 39 rib 40 locking mechanism 41 component 42, 42.1 Locking arm 43, 43.1 Hook projection 44 release link 45 guide channel 46 locking arm 47 Rest 48 Adjusting tab 49 Locking mechanism 50 hook projection 51 Through channel 52 mounting channel 53 locking arm 54 rest 55 paragraph 56 Adjustment slope 57 Adjusting cam 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] EP 1 311 042 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Multi-part mechanical locking mechanism, in particular for locking the lid of an installation box to its box body, wherein the parts of the locking mechanism (1, 30, 40, 49) which cooperate for the purpose of locking can be engaged with one another by a translatory assembly movement and wherein the locking mechanism (1, 30, 40, 49) has a first part (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) with a locking undercut (11; 32, 32.1) as the first locking element, a locking member (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3) which can be locked to the first part (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) as the second part and which, for the purpose of locking it to the first part (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3), has at least one locking arm (18; 35, 35.1; 42, 42.1) with a hook projection (19; 36, 36.1; 43, 43) serving to engage in a locking undercut (11; 32, 32.1) of the first part (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3).1; 50) as a second locking element, and comprises means for releasing an engaged position of the mutually engaged locking elements, by means of which means the hook projection (19; 36, 36.1; 43, 43.1; 50) of the at least one locking arm (18; 35, 35.1; 42, 42.1) of the closure member (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3) can be moved out of the locking undercut (11; 32, 32.1) of the other part (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) so that the two parts (2, 3; 2.1, 3.1; 2.2, 41; 2.3, 3.3) can be separated from one another by a translational disassembly movement. [2] Locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized by that the closure member (4, 4.1, 4.2) is held in a guide piece (3, 3.1, 3.3) so as to be translationally displaceable in the assembly direction. [3] Locking mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the at least one locking arm (18; 35, 35.1; 42, 42.1) of the closure member (4, 4.1, 4.2) is designed to be elastic in the radial direction so that its hook projection (19; 36, 36.1; 43, 43.1) automatically springs into the locking undercut (4; 32, 32.1) during the translational assembly movement, utilizing the elasticity of the locking arm (18; 35, 35.1; 42, 42.1). [4] Locking mechanism according to claim 2, characterized by that the closure member (4.3) is mounted in the guide piece (3.3) in the circumferential direction with play, which play is dimensioned such that by an inclined position of the closure member (4.3) which occurs during the assembly movement for engaging the complementary locking elements, its hook projection (50) can be brought over a formation forming the locking undercut of the first part. [5] Locking mechanism according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized bythat the guide piece (3, 3.1, 3.3) has a head receptacle (8, 8.3) with an undercut base and the closure member (4, 4.1, 4.3) has a head (16, 16.1, 16.3) which can be inserted at least partially into the head receptacle (8, 8.3) and at least one locking arm (23, 46, 53) which, when the closure member (4, 4.1, 4.3) is mounted on the guide piece (3, 3.1, 3.3), engages in the undercut provided by the base (9, 9.1, 9.3). [6] Locking mechanism according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized by that as a means for releasing the locking elements engaged with one another, a bearing of the closure member (4, 4.1, 4.3) in the guide piece (3, 3.1, 3.3) is provided about an axis of rotation following the direction of the translatory assembly movement for closing the closure mechanism (1, 30, 49). [7] Locking mechanism according to claim 6, characterized bythat the head (16, 16.1, 16.3) of the closure member (4, 4.1, 4.3) has a rotary driving contour (17), in particular a rotary driving contour incorporated therein as a negative contour. [8] Locking mechanism according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by that the rotational mobility of the closure member (4, 4.1, 4.3) in the guide piece (3, 3.1, 3.3) is limited by stops (27, 27.1) provided by a guide contour (26, 26.1). [9] Locking mechanism according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized bythat the first part (2, 2.1, 2.3) interacts with the closure member (4, 4.1, 4.3) as a second part in such a way that in the course of separating the two parts from one another by means of the translatory disassembly movement, the closure member (4, 4.1, 4.3) with its at least one locking arm (18; 35, 35.1) is rotated back against the release direction of rotation, so that the closure member (4, 4.1, 4.3) is brought into its assembly position in the course of the disassembly movement. [10] Locking mechanism according to claim 9, characterized by that the first part (2.1) or the closure member (4, 4.3) has an adjusting link and the respective complementary component has an adjusting cam (15, 37, 57) supported thereon or lying against it for turning back the closure member (4, 4.1, 4.3) mounted in the guide piece (3, 3.1, 3.3) during the translational disassembly movement carried out. [11] Locking mechanism according to claim 10, characterized bythat a locking arm (35) of the closure member (4.1) carries a radially projecting adjusting cam (37) which engages in an adjusting slot of an axially extending wall (14.1) of the first part (2.1) to return the closure member to its assembly position. [12] Locking mechanism according to claim 10, characterized by that the closure member (4, 4.3) has an adjusting slot (21) acting in the circumferential direction and the guide piece (3, 3.3) carries an adjusting cam (15, 57) projecting inwards in the radial direction and resting on the adjusting slot (21). [13] Locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized byin that a release member (44) is arranged in the closure member (4.2) so as to be adjustable in the direction of the translational assembly direction, said release member having a number of adjusting tabs (48, 48.1) corresponding to the number of locking arms (42, 421) of the closure member (4.2), each of which, as a result of a translational adjustment of the release member (44), acts on a locking arm (42, 42.1) for releasing the locking between the first part (2.2) and the closure member (4.2) for the purpose of a radial adjustment of its hook projection (43, 43.1) from its engaged position into a locking undercut of the first part (2.2). [14] Locking mechanism according to claim 13, characterized by that the release member (44) is held on the closure member (4.2). [15] Locking mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized bythat the first part (4.1, 4.2) has a mushroom head (31, 31.1) extending from a base (5.1) counter to the translational assembly direction and the closure member (4.1, 4.2) has two mutually opposite locking arms (35, 35.1; 42, 42.1) which, with their mutually facing hook projections (36, 36.1; 43, 43.1), engage behind the mushroom head (31, 31.1) when the parts are engaged. [16] Locking mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized by that the first part and / or the closure member are designed as inserts for the force-fitting connection thereof to a component of a useful object in the assembly and disassembly directions. [17] Locking mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized bythat an elastomer, in particular an elastomer designed as a seal, is inserted between the components to be connected to one another by the locking mechanism, which elastomer is prestressed by the components connected to one another. [18] Installation box for accommodating electrical / electronic components, comprising a box body providing a cavity usable for installation, with a mounting opening as access to the cavity, and comprising a lid with which the mounting opening can be closed and which, in its closed position, is connected to the box body at least at one point, characterized by that the connection between the can body and the lid is made at at least one point by a multi-part closure mechanism (1, 30, 40, 49) according to one of claims 1 to 17. [19] Installation box according to claim 18, characterized bythat the first part (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) providing the at least one locking undercut (11; 32, 32.1) is formed onto the bottom of the can body, projecting into the cavity. [20] Installation box according to claim 18 or 19, characterized by that the closure member (4, 4.1, 4.3) is slidably mounted in a guide piece (3, 3.1, 3.3) and the guide piece (3, 3.1, 3.3) is formed onto the cover of the installation box.

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