Remote-controlled release device for a vehicle door lock

Abstract

Remotely operable release device (1) for unlocking a vehicle door lock (6), in particular a vehicle door lock (6) of a construction machine or an agricultural vehicle, comprising: a) a traverse tube (2), b) a remote control button (4) mounted on the crossbar tube (2) and operable by being pressed into the crossbar tube (2), characterized in that the triggering device (1) has a microswitch (5) arranged inside the crossbar tube (2), a control device (26) connected to the microswitch (5) and an actuating element (27) which can be controlled by means of the control device (26) and can be coupled to the lock (6), wherein the microswitch (5) can be switched or actuated by actuating the remote control button (4) and the actuating element (27) can be actuated via the control device (26) by switching or actuating the microswitch (5).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a remotely operable release device for unlocking a vehicle door lock, in particular a vehicle door of an agricultural vehicle, e.g., a tractor or a construction machine. The invention also relates to a combined arrangement or combination comprising such a remotely operable release device and a vehicle door lock.

[0002] A generic lock typically has a rotary latch arrangement and is coupled to a release mechanism for the lock or for the rotary latch arrangement. The release mechanism has, for example, a first, remotely operable release device and a second, locally operable release device, wherein the remotely operable release device has a crossbar, a remote activation button, and a cable pull mechanism operatively connected to the remote activation button. Within the scope of the invention, "remotely operable" therefore means that the actuation mechanism of the release device, namely the remote activation button, is not directly attached to the lock case of the rotary latch arrangement. Furthermore, a generic lock can also have two locally operable or two remotely operable release devices.

[0003] Such a vehicle door lock is known, for example, from DE 20 2007 005 292 U1 and DE 10 2015 000 750 A1. The rotary latch assembly of the vehicle door lock has a lock case with a recess for a locking bolt, in which at least one rotary latch is rotatably mounted, wherein the rotary latch is drivably connected to a rotary latch spring. Furthermore, at least one pivotable pawl is arranged in the lock case, with which the rotary movement of the rotary latch can be blocked and thus the rotary latch assembly can be locked. The release mechanism has a locally actuated release device and a remotely actuated release device with a crossbar, a remote actuation button, and a cable pull mechanism operatively connected to the remote actuation button.The pawl can be actuated both with the locally actuated release device and with the remotely actuated release device, so that the locking of the rotary latch(es) can be released, wherein the release mechanism has an actuating lever by means of which the pawl can be actuated and which can be actuated both by means of the locally actuated release device and by means of the remotely actuated release device.

[0004] These well-known local and remote-operated vehicle door locks have proven their worth.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a remotely operated release device for a lock of the type mentioned above, which ensures the greatest possible flexibility in positioning the crossbar in the vehicle and a low release force.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a lock in combination with such a remotely operable release device.

[0007] These objects are achieved by a remotely operable triggering device having the features of claim 1 and a combination or a combined arrangement having the features of claim 21. Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subsequent subclaims.

[0008] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail using a drawing as an example.

[0009] They show: Fig. 1: A perspective exploded view of a part of the remotely operated triggering device according to the invention Fig. 2: A further perspective exploded view of a part of the remotely operated triggering device according to the invention Fig. 3: Schematic of the remotely operated triggering device according to the invention in the non-actuated position Fig. 4: Schematic of the remotely operated triggering device according to the invention in the actuated position Fig. 5: A longitudinal section through a part of the remote-controlled release device according to the invention with the remote release button unactuated and not pressed in Fig. 6: A longitudinal section through a part of the remote-controlled release device according to the invention with the remote release button actuated and pressed in Fig. 7: A perspective view of a bearing shell

[0010] The remotely operated triggering device 1 according to the invention ( Fig. 1-6) has a traverse tube 2, a remote control button 4 mounted on the traverse tube 2 and projecting beyond a tube wall 3 of the traverse tube 2, which can be pressed into the traverse tube 2, and according to the invention a microswitch 5 arranged within the traverse tube 2.

[0011] The microswitch 5 can be actuated or switched with the remote control button 4. Furthermore, the microswitch 5 is operatively connected to a lock 6 to be unlocked, in particular a rotary latch lock 7.

[0012] The crossbar tube 2 is constructed in a conventional manner and has the tube wall 3 as well as a first tube end facing the lock, or on the lock side, and a second tube end opposite the first tube end, facing away from the lock. The remote control button 4 is arranged between the two tube ends and spaced apart from them. At its second tube end, the crossbar tube 2 is attached in a conventional manner to the vehicle door to be opened.

[0013] In addition, the traverse tube 2 has a longitudinal slot 8 passing through the tube wall 3, through which the remote control button 4 passes.

[0014] The traverse tube 2 also preferably has an outer diameter of 20 to 40 mm, preferably 25 to 30 mm.

[0015] The elongated, hollow remote control button 4 has a first, lock-side button end 4a and a second, opposite, lock-facing button end 4b. Furthermore, the remote control button 4 preferably has two spaced-apart button side walls 9, a button top wall 10, and preferably two button end walls 11. Opposite the button top wall 10, the remote control button 4 is open. A hollow button interior 12 is thus formed between the two button side walls 9, the button top wall 10, and the two button end walls 11.

[0016] Preferably, the key top wall 10 is also ergonomically shaped, in particular wave-shaped, to facilitate the operator's pressing of the remote control button 4. However, the key top wall 10 can also be straight or flat, for example.

[0017] The remote control button 4 is preferably made of plastic.

[0018] The remote control button 4 also has an actuating rib 13 formed on the inside of the button top wall 10 for actuating the microswitch 5. The actuating rib 13 protrudes from the button top wall 10 and has a connected rib end and a free rib end 13a opposite it. Furthermore, the actuating rib 13 is preferably also formed on the inside of the two button side walls 9.

[0019] The remotely operable triggering device 1 according to the invention preferably also has a cuboid-shaped bearing frame 14 for supporting the remote control button 4.

[0020] The elongated, cuboid-shaped support frame 14 has a fastening lug 15 at its second frame end 14b, facing away from the lock. Furthermore, at the opposite, first, lock-side frame end 14a, a movable, spring-loaded locking or latching element 16 with a locking lug 17 is inserted into the support frame 14. The locking lug 17 serves to clip the support frame 14 into the longitudinal slot 8 of the crossbar tube 2. The support frame 14 is otherwise arranged in a form-fitting manner in the longitudinal slot 8. This is known per se.

[0021] In addition, the bearing frame 14 has a circumferential frame edge 18 and two spaced-apart frame side walls 19. The two frame side walls 19 have a longitudinal extension parallel to a tube longitudinal axis 2a and are spaced apart from each other perpendicularly thereto.

[0022] At the lock-side button end 4a, the button side walls 9 each have a helical bearing groove 20 on the outside. The bearing frame 14 has corresponding raised contours 21 on the inside, which are guided in the bearing grooves 20. The raised contours 21 are present in particular on the two frame side walls 40 and protrude inwardly from them. As a result, the remote control button 4 is mounted in the bearing frame 14 in a manner known per se so that it can rotate or pivot about a rotation axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2c of the tube.

[0023] The bearing frame 14 also has a bearing frame fork 46 at its lock-side frame end 14a, which has a central fork slot 47. The fork slot 47 is formed with a round cross-section at its slot base.

[0024] The bearing frame 14 is also preferably made of plastic.

[0025] The microswitch 5 is designed in a conventional manner and comprises a preferably cuboid-shaped switch housing 22, an actuating lever 23, a depressible actuating button or switch button 24, and several, preferably two, cables or lines 44. The cables or lines 44 serve to transmit electrical signals, in particular electrical pulses, between the microswitch 5 and a control device 26.

[0026] In addition, the microswitch 5 preferably has two bearing pins 25 projecting from the outside of the switch housing 22. The other components of the microswitch 5 are arranged in the switch housing 22 in a manner known per se. The microswitch 5 has, in a manner known per se, a first position in which the circuit is closed and a second position in which the circuit is open. The circuit is preferably interrupted when the actuating button 24 is not pressed in.

[0027] The cables 44 are electrically connected to the control device 26. The control device 26 can be configured solely to control the unlocking of the lock 6, or it can also be configured to control other functions in the vehicle.

[0028] The control device 26, in turn, is electrically connected to an actuating element 27. The actuating element 27 serves to open the lock 6 and is preferably mechanically connected thereto for this purpose. In particular, the actuating element 27 has a servomotor and an actuating rod 28, wherein the actuating rod 28 is connected to the servomotor in a way that allows it to move back and forth.

[0029] In particular, the actuating rod 28 is connected to a rotatably mounted pawl 29 of the lock 6. The pawl 29 serves, in a manner known per se, to lock a rotatably mounted rotary latch 30 in its position encompassing a locking bolt 31, preferably in its pre-locking position or its final locking position.

[0030] The remotely operable triggering device 1 according to the invention preferably also has a groove-like bearing shell 32 for supporting the microswitch 5 within the crossbar tube 2. The bearing shell 32 has a bearing shell end 32a facing the lock and a bearing shell end 32b facing away from the lock. Furthermore, the bearing shell 32 has a preferably rounded shell bottom wall 33, two shell side walls 34, and two shell end walls 35.

[0031] In addition, the bearing shell 32 has a spring receiving dome 36 formed on the inside of the shell base wall 35 and protruding therefrom. The spring receiving dome 36 has a spring receiving recess 37 extending from a free spring receiving dome end 36a into the spring receiving dome 36 for receiving a spring 43. Preferably, the spring receiving recess 37 is slotted toward the two shell side walls 34 and is thus open. The spring receiving dome 36 is also preferably flattened toward the two shell side walls 34 for space reasons.

[0032] Adjacent to the shell end wall 35 facing away from the lock, the bearing shell 32 also has a centrally perforated or slotted intermediate wall 38. The intermediate wall 38 extends from one shell side wall 34 to the opposite one and has a central bearing slot 39. In the longitudinal direction 2a of the tube, aligned with the bearing slot 39, the shell end wall 35 facing away from the lock has a bearing groove 40. The bearing slot 39 and the bearing groove 40 serve to support the microswitch 5. Between the intermediate wall 38 and the shell end wall 35 facing away from the lock, the two shell side walls 34 each have an indentation 45 which serves to receive the bearing pins 25 of the microswitch 5.

[0033] In addition, the bearing shell 32, in particular the shell bottom wall 33, has a slot 41 opposite the spring receiving dome 36, extending parallel to the pipe's longitudinal axis 2a. This slot serves to pass the cables 44 beneath the spring receiving dome 36.

[0034] The lock-side shell end wall 35 also has a cable feed-through slot 42 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2a of the tube into the shell end wall 35. As a result, the lock-side shell end wall 35 has a fork-like configuration. The cable feed-through slot serves to pass through the cable 44 connected to the microswitch 5.

[0035] In addition, the two shell side walls 34 end in front of the lock-side shell end wall 35. The two shell side walls 34 are thus spaced apart from the lock-side shell end wall 35. In the assembled state, the bearing fork 46 of the bearing frame 14 engages in this space.

[0036] For this reason, a pin 48 protruding from the shell bottom wall 33 is also provided in the intermediate space directly adjacent to the shell end wall 35. The pin has a pin head end with a rounded cross-section corresponding to the fork slot 47.

[0037] The bearing shell 32 is preferably made of plastic.

[0038] In the assembled state, the bearing frame 14 is inserted, in particular clipped, into the longitudinal slot 8 of the crossbar tube 2. It then surrounds the longitudinal slot 8 and is locked to the crossbar tube 2. Furthermore, the frame side walls 19 rest against the longitudinal slot 8. This is known per se. The bearing frame 14 is thus positively fixed in the crossbar tube 2.

[0039] In addition, the remote control button 4 is also inserted into the bearing frame 14 and the longitudinal slot 8 in a manner known per se. In particular, the raised contour 21 of the bearing frame 14 is guided in the bearing groove 20 of the remote control button 4.

[0040] In its non-actuated or non-pressed position ( Fig. 1-3,5) the remote control button 4 is arranged only partially within the traverse tube 2 and protrudes with the button top wall 10 and part of the button side walls 9 from the traverse tube 2 or projects over it.

[0041] The bearing shell 32 is also inserted into or arranged within the crossbar tube 2. In particular, the shell bottom wall 33 rests against the tube wall 3 of the crossbar tube 2. The bearing shell 32 is arranged opposite the remote control button 4 and at the lock-side button end 4a.

[0042] The bearing fork 46 of the bearing frame 14 also engages in the space between the lock-side shell end wall 35 and both shell side walls 34. Furthermore, the pin 48 is positively clipped into the fork slot 47 of the bearing shell 14. This fixes the bearing shell 32 in the crossbar tube 2. The bearing shell 32 is connected to the bearing frame 14 in a non-rotatable, non-displaceable, and detachable manner.

[0043] In addition, as already explained, the spring 43 is arranged in the spring receiving recess 37 of the spring receiving dome 36. The spring 43 is a helical spring. The spring 43 rests at one end on a recess base of the spring receiving recess 37 and at the other end on the inside of the key top wall 10. The spring 43 thus also urges and holds the remote control key 4 in its unactuated initial position.

[0044] The microswitch 5 is also arranged in a form-fitting manner in the bearing shell 35. In particular, the switch housing 22 is arranged in a form-fitting manner in the bearing slot 39 and the bearing groove 40. And the bearing pins 25 are arranged in a form-fitting manner in the recesses 45.

[0045] In addition, the microswitch 5 is arranged such that the actuating lever 23 faces the remote control button 4 and is opposite the actuating web 13 of the remote control button 4.

[0046] The cables 44 connecting to the microswitch 5 are routed underneath the spring retaining dome 36 and exit the bearing shell 32 through the cable feedthrough slot 42. From there, they are routed through the crossbar tube 2 to the control device 26. The microswitch 5 is thus electrically connected to the control device 26, particularly via the cables 44.

[0047] And the control device 26 is electrically connected to the actuating element 27.

[0048] To open the lock 6, the remote control button 4 is now pressed into the crossbar tube 2 by the operator at its button actuation end 4b facing away from the lock ( Fig. 4, Fig.6). As a result, the free web end 13a of the actuating web 13 of the remote control button 4 engages with the actuating lever 23 of the microswitch 5 and pivots this or presses this onto the actuating button 24, whereby the latter is pressed in. As a result, the circuit of the microswitch 5 is closed in a manner known per se and an electrical signal is forwarded via the cable 44 to the control device 26. The control device 26 then controls the actuating element 27 on the basis of the signal in such a way that the pawl 29 pivots and as a result the locking of the rotary latch 30 is released in a manner known per se or the lock is released. In particular, the actuating rod 28 of the actuating element 27 is retracted and as a result the pawl 29, which is mechanically coupled to the actuating rod 28, pivots. The rotary latch 30 pivots after unlocking orafter triggering, driven by spring force, in such a way that it releases the locking bolt 31.

[0049] As soon as the operator releases the remote control button 4, it automatically returns to its non-actuated or non-pressed initial position. Spring 43 is provided for this purpose.

[0050] As a result, the actuating bar 13 no longer presses with its free bar end 13b on the actuating lever 23 of the microswitch 5, and the actuating button 24 is no longer pressed in. The circuit of the microswitch 5 is interrupted again.

[0051] The actuating element 27 is controlled by the control device 26 in such a way that the actuating rod 28 is retracted only for a short time and then extended again, regardless of whether the remote control button 4 is released by the operator.

[0052] The advantage of the release device 1 according to the invention is that the crossbar can be flexibly positioned in the vehicle, regardless of the position of the lock to be released or unlocked. This is because there is no longer a mechanical coupling between the release mechanism and the lock. As a result, the release force is also independent of the force required to unlock or release the lock. This is particularly advantageous for large, heavy locks where a high level of force is required.

[0053] Due to the electronic control of the release, it can also be provided that, for safety reasons, unlocking no longer takes place above a certain speed of the vehicle, despite the remote control button being pressed.

[0054] Within the scope of the invention, it is self-evident that the lock is designed differently. The only thing that matters is that the lock mechanism of the respective lock is activated when the remote control button is pressed in such a way that the lock is unlocked.

[0055] It is also within the scope of the invention that the combined arrangement also has a locally operable release device, wherein the locking of the lock can be released both with the locally operable release device and with the remotely operable release device or the lock can be released both with the locally operable release device and with the remotely operable release 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 20 2007 005 292 U1

[0003] DE 10 2015 000 750 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Remotely operable release device (1) for unlocking a vehicle door lock (6), in particular a vehicle door lock (6) of a construction machine or an agricultural vehicle, comprising: a) a traverse tube (2), b) a remote control button (4) mounted on the traverse tube (2) and operable by pressing it into the traverse tube (2), characterized by that the triggering device (1) has a microswitch (5) arranged inside the crossbar tube (2), a control device (26) connected to the microswitch (5) and an actuating element (27) which can be controlled by means of the control device (26) and coupled to the lock (6), wherein the microswitch (5) can be switched or actuated by actuating the remote actuation button (4) and the actuating element (27) can be actuated via the control device (26) by switching or actuating the microswitch (5). [2] Triggering device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the remote control button (4) has two spaced-apart button side walls (9), as well as a button cover wall (10) and preferably two button end walls (11), wherein the remote control button (4) preferably has an actuating web (13) formed on the inside of the button cover wall (10) for switching or for actuating the microswitch (5). [3] Triggering device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the actuating web (13) protrudes from the key top wall (10) and has a connected web end and a free web end (13a) opposite this. [4] Triggering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the microswitch (5) has a preferably cuboid-shaped switch housing (22), an actuating lever (23), a depressible actuating button (24), and several, preferably two, cables (44), wherein the microswitch (5) can be switched or actuated by pressing the actuating button (24). [5] Triggering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the microswitch (5) has a first position in which the circuit of the microswitch (5) is closed and a second position in which the circuit of the microswitch (5) is interrupted, wherein the circuit is preferably interrupted when the actuating button (24) is not pressed in. [6] Triggering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuating button (24) of the microswitch (5) can be pressed in by means of the actuating web (13) by pressing the remote control button (4). [7] Triggering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the control device (26) is electrically connected to the microswitch (5) and / or to the actuating element (27). [8] Triggering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuating element (27) has a servomotor and an actuating rod (28), wherein the actuating rod (28) is connected to the servomotor in a way that it can move back and forth. [9] Triggering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the triggering device (1) has a groove-like bearing shell (32) for mounting the microswitch (5) within the cross member tube (2), wherein the microswitch (5) is preferably mounted in a form-fitting manner in the bearing shell (32). [10] Triggering device (1) according to claim 9, characterized bythat the bearing shell (32) has a preferably rounded shell bottom wall (33), two shell side walls (34) and two shell end walls (35). [11] Triggering device (1) according to claim 10, characterized by in that the bearing shell (32) has a spring receiving dome (36) formed on the inside of the shell base wall (35) and protruding therefrom, wherein the spring receiving dome (36) has a spring receiving recess (37) extending from a free spring receiving dome end (36a) into the spring receiving dome (36), in which spring receiving recess a spring (43) is arranged. [12] Triggering device (1) according to claim 11, characterized by that the spring (43) is supported at one end on a recess base of the spring receiving recess (37) and at the other end on the inside of the remote control button (4), preferably on the button cover wall (10) of the remote control button (4). [13] Triggering device (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized bythat the spring (43) pushes or drives the remote control button (4) into its unactuated initial position. [14] Triggering device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 13, characterized by that the microswitch (5) is arranged such that the actuating lever (23) faces the remote control button (4) and is opposite the actuating web (13), in particular the free web end (13a) of the actuating web (13) of the remote control button (4). [15] Triggering device (1) according to claim 14, characterized by that the actuating lever (23) of the microswitch (5) can be actuated by pressing the remote control button (4) by means of the actuating web (13) in such a way that the actuating button (24) of the microswitch (5) is pressed in. [16] Triggering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the triggering device (1) has a bearing frame (14) which is non-rotatably and non-displaceably connected to the crossbar tube (2), wherein the remote control button (4) is pivotably mounted on the bearing frame (14). [17] Triggering device (1) according to claim 16, characterized by that the bearing shell (32) is non-rotatably and non-displaceably and preferably detachably connected to the bearing frame (14). [18] Triggering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the remote control button (4) passes through a longitudinal slot (8) in the crossbar tube (2). [19] Triggering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cables (44) extend through the traverse tube (2). [20] Triggering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the traverse tube (2) has two tube ends and the remote control button (4) is arranged between the two tube ends (2a;b) and at a distance from them. [21] Combined arrangement of a vehicle door lock (6) for locking and closing doors of motor vehicles, in particular doors of agricultural machines, such as tractors, with a release mechanism with which the lock (6) can be unlocked, wherein the release mechanism has a remotely operable release device (1) with which the locking of the lock can be released, characterized by that the remotely operable triggering device (1) is designed according to one of the preceding claims and the actuating element (27) can be actuated by control via the control device (26) in such a way that the locking of the lock (6) can be released. [22] Combined arrangement according to claim 21, characterized by that the vehicle door lock (6) has: a) at least one rotatably mounted rotary latch (30) for gripping and holding a locking bolt (31) in a position gripping the locking bolt (31), preferably in a pre-locking position or a final locking position, b) at least one pawl (29) arranged in the lock case for locking the at least one rotary latch (30) in its pre-locking position or final locking position, wherein the at least one pawl (29) is operable in connection with the remotely actuated triggering device (1) in such a way that the locking of the rotary latch(es) can be released. [23] Combined arrangement according to claim 21 or 22, characterized by that the at least one pawl (29) is operable in connection with the actuating element (27) in such a way that the locking of the rotary latch(es) can be released. [24] Combined arrangement according to one of claims 21 to 23, characterized bythat the triggering mechanism has a locally operable triggering device and the remotely operable triggering device (1), wherein the locking of the lock (6) can be released both with the locally operable triggering device and with the remotely operable triggering device (1).

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