LOCKING DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a locking device for the temporary, releasable coupling of a first component with a second component.

[0002] Locking devices are used, for example, in aircraft construction to detachably lock movable panel parts to supporting elements or fixed panel parts in the aircraft cabin, particularly to make areas concealed by the movable panel parts accessible for maintenance or repair purposes. Since pressure fluctuations can occur within the aircraft cabin during operation, some movable panel parts require a locking mechanism with a supporting element or a fixed panel part such that, in the event of a pressure difference between the area concealed by the movable panel part and an adjacent area, the movable panel part automatically opens.

[0003] US Patent 2015 023 2189 A1 discloses an overpressure latch with a rotating bolt that secures a first plate adjacent to a second plate to which the latch is attached. The bolt is held by a toggle linkage that acts against a pressure-actuated spring at one end of the bolt. The linkage releases the bolt when an excessive opening force against the bolt exceeds a selected spring holding force. When this occurs, the linkage has deflected the spring and moved into a position where the end of the linkage pressing against the spring loses its mechanical leverage with respect to the bolt. The bolt can then rotate freely until fully open. The latch also includes a manual release that disables the holding linkage and allows free rotation of the bolt to the fully open position when this release is actuated.

[0004] US Patent 6,606,889 B1 discloses a lever lock for releasably locking a door to a corresponding door frame. The lock comprises a housing with a handle pivotally mounted therein, which is rotatable between an open and a closed position. In the closed position of the handle, a bolt attached to the handle engages the door frame, and in the open position of the handle, the bolt is released from the door frame. The housing includes a trigger mounted therein, which is pivotable between a first position to hold the handle in the closed position and a second position to unlock the handle to the open position. A latch is rotatably attached to a lock cylinder on the housing and is rotatable between a locked and an unlocked position to pivot the trigger to the second position or to prevent the trigger from pivoting to the second position.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a locking device that achieves a simplified design while maintaining the known range of functions.

[0006] This problem is solved for a locking device designed for the temporary, releasable coupling of a first component to a second component, with the following features. The locking device has a base body designed for attachment to a first component and comprising a first bearing unit, a second bearing unit, and a third bearing unit.Furthermore, the locking device comprises a pivot lever pivotally mounted on the first bearing assembly about a first pivot axis between a locking position for a second component and an unlocking position for the second component, and a locking device movably mounted on the second bearing assembly. The locking device has a spring-loaded locking element that, in a locking position, is designed to abut the pivot lever in order to transmit a predetermined braking force to the pivot lever in the locked position of the pivot lever. In addition, the locking device comprises a release device movably mounted on the third bearing assembly. This release device is configured in a blocking position to lock the locking device in the locked position and in a release position to release the locking device from the locked position.

[0007] The central function of the locking device is the releasable coupling of the first component to the second component. It is assumed that the first component is connected to the second component via at least one articulated connection, such as a hinge, and that the first component, like a door or access panel, is used to close a recess in the second component. The locking device serves to hold the first component in a closed position relative to the second component, thus closing the recess. Furthermore, the locking device allows for manual, preferably tool-free, operation by an operator. For this purpose, the operator applies an operating force, in particular a pressure force, to the release device to move it from the locked position to the released position.This releases the locking mechanism from a blockage, allowing it to move from the locked position to a release position. In the release position, the operative connection between the spring-loaded locking element and the pivot lever is released, so the locking mechanism no longer exerts a braking force on the pivot lever. The pivot lever can then be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position either by an operator or by a spring mechanism. In this unlocked position, relative movement between the first and second components is permitted.

[0008] Furthermore, the locking device enables automatic decoupling of the first component from the second component. This is based on the assumption that a force is acting on the first component that exceeds a predefined maximum holding force of the locking device. This can occur, for example, when the first and second components are used to separate a first space from a second space, and a pressure difference between the two spaces exerts a compressive force on the first component that exceeds a predefined force level. In this case, the locking device, due to the predefined and limited braking force transmitted from the locking mechanism to the pivot lever, ensures the release of the coupling between the first and second components.It is specifically intended that any torque acting on the pivot lever due to the coupling of the first component with the second component is greater than any braking torque determined by the braking force exerted on the pivot lever by the locking device. If this situation is caused, for example, by a compressive force acting on the first component, the pivot lever will pivot from the locked position to the unlocked position without requiring any movement of the locking device and / or the release device.Rather, it is sufficient if either a frictional force exerted on the pivot lever by the spring-loaded bolt part is overcome, or if a positive locking coupling existing between the bolt part and the pivot lever in the locking position with respect to the pivoting movement of the pivot lever is eliminated by a relative movement of the bolt part with respect to the pivot lever.

[0009] According to the invention, the locking device comprises a locking housing which is movably, preferably linearly movable, and particularly preferably pivotally movable about a second pivot axis, received on the second bearing device, which is designed in particular as a bearing journal, and which has a recess oriented transversely to and spaced apart from the second pivot axis for receiving a spring device and the locking element, wherein the locking element projects with a locking section beyond an outer surface of the locking housing. The pivotally movable mounting of the locking housing on the second bearing device ensures a cost-effective provision of the relative mobility for the locking device.Preferably, the second bearing assembly is designed as a bearing journal fixed to the base body and passing through a corresponding recess, in particular a circular cylindrical bore, in the bolt housing. The bolt housing has a recess in which a spring assembly and a bolt part are received. The function of the spring assembly, which is received in the bolt housing with internal preload, is to exert a spring force on the bolt part so that the bolt part can be held in a preferred position relative to the bolt housing within a predefinable force range. The force range determined by the spring assembly for the bolt part depends on the braking force to be exerted by the bolt part on the pivot lever.This braking force depends, firstly, on the boundary conditions under which the pivot lever should be able to release automatically without requiring actuation of the locking and release mechanisms. Secondly, the braking force depends on how force is transmitted from the locking element to the pivot lever. For example, force transmission can be exclusively frictional, in which case the braking force transmitted from the locking element to the pivot lever depends on the material pairing of the locking element and the pivot lever, a coefficient of friction dependent on this pairing, and a normal force transmitted from the locking element to the pivot lever in a normal direction.Alternatively, a combined frictional and positive-locking force transmission can be provided, in which the locking element engages partially in a recess in the pivot lever, so that a pivoting movement of the pivot lever relative to the locking element requires both overcoming the frictional forces, which must also be taken into account in this case, and displacing the locking element against the internal preload of the spring assembly. Such a combined frictional and positive-locking force transmission between the locking element and the pivot lever has the advantage that a significant component of the braking force can be determined by influencing the geometry of the locking element, which is in direct contact with the pivot lever, in particular with a recess formed in the pivot lever.In contrast, the influence of frictional forces between the locking bolt and the pivot lever can be kept significantly lower, allowing for a more precise adjustment of the release behavior for the locking device.

[0010] Preferably, the locking section engages in a correspondingly shaped recess in the pivot lever, which is formed in a pivot lever end face, wherein a surface normal of the pivot lever end face is oriented transversely to the first pivot axis. By adapting the recess in the pivot lever to the geometry of the locking section, which is in contact with the pivot lever in the locking position of the locking device and the locking position of the pivot lever, it is advantageous to define the braking force to be transmitted from the locking section to the pivot lever in the locking position of the locking device and the locking position of the pivot lever within a narrow tolerance range. Preferably, the geometry of the ring section that is received in the recess in the pivot lever and the geometry of the recess in the pivot lever are geometrically similar, and in particular identical.Preferably, the braking force is adjusted by varying the internal preload of the spring assembly that presses the locking part against the pivot lever.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the release device is pivotally mounted on the third bearing assembly about a third pivot axis and has a third end face whose surface normal is oriented transversely to the third pivot axis. In the locking position, the third end face is configured to engage a projection of the locking device, which has a maximum extent parallel to the third pivot axis to prevent movement, preferably a linear movement, and particularly preferably a pivoting movement of the locking device, from the locked position. The function of the release device is to enable a pivoting movement of the locking device from the locked position, provided this is effected by an operator by initiating a release movement on the release device.The pivotally movable mounting of the release mechanism on the base body by means of the third bearing assembly ensures a cost-effective implementation of the relative mobility between the release mechanism and the base body. With regard to the locking of the locking mechanism in the locked position, which the release mechanism is intended to guarantee in the absence of an operator's force, it is advantageous if a third end face of the release mechanism is oriented such that a force applied from the locking mechanism to the release mechanism does not cause an undesired displacement of the release mechanism from the locked position. For this purpose, a surface normal of the third end face is oriented transversely to the third pivot axis.This design ensures that when a force is applied to the third end face, particularly in the direction of the surface normal of the third end face, no undesirable torque is generated on the release device, thus preventing an equally undesirable deflection of the release device from the locked position.In order to ensure such a force application parallel to the surface normal of the third end face for the release device, it is additionally required that a first end face of the locking device, which in the locking position of the locking device and the blocking position is opposite the third end face of the release device, is aligned in such a way that even when a torque is applied to the locking device, a force resulting from this torque acts on the third end face of the release device, which is aligned coaxially to the surface normal of the third end face.

[0012] It is advantageous if a projection of the third end face onto a projection plane oriented perpendicular to a surface normal of the third end face intersects the third pivot axis, and in particular, if the surface normal of the third end face intersects the third pivot axis. Preferably, the third end face is formed as a planar rectangle, so that a projection of the third end face onto a projection plane oriented at a right angle, i.e., perpendicular, to the surface normal is also formed as a rectangle. Accordingly, this rectangle encompasses the third pivot axis, the length of which is infinite, at least mathematically speaking, so that in this case the formulation is chosen that the projection of the third end face intersects the third pivot axis. It is particularly advantageous if the surface normal of the third end face intersects the third pivot axis.Preferably, in this context, it is assumed that the surface normal originates from a center point or centroid of the third end face. For a curved third end face, a resulting surface normal can be determined, which can be defined, for example, using a centroid and a weight force vector emanating from this centroid.

[0013] In a further development of the invention, it is provided that the bolt housing is arranged between the second and the third pivot axis in such a way that a pivoting movement of the bolt device between the bolt position and a release position and a pivoting movement of the release device between the blocking position and the release position occur in the same direction in a first pivoting direction, and that the pivot lever is arranged in such a way that a pivoting movement of the pivot lever from the locking position to the unlocking position occurs in a second pivoting direction opposite to the first pivoting direction.Preferably, the locking device and the release device are adapted to each other such that when the release device is actuated by a pivoting movement about the third pivot axis, a corresponding pivoting movement of the locking device about the second pivot axis occurs, with both the pivot angle for the locking device and the pivot angle for the release device being within an angular interval of less than 20 degrees. Furthermore, the geometries of the locking device and the release device can be adapted to each other in such a way that mutual pivot angle limitation for the pivoting movements of the locking device and the release device is ensured.It is particularly advantageous if the third end face of the release device rests against a corresponding surface section of the locking device in the release position of the blocking device and the release device, thereby achieving the desired swivel angle limitation for the swivel movements of the locking device and the release device.

[0014] It is advantageous if the first pivot axis, the second pivot axis and the third pivot axis are aligned parallel to each other.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, a spring assembly is assigned to the release device and the locking device, which is designed to introduce opposing torques onto the release device and the locking device, and / or a spring assembly is assigned to the pivot lever, which is designed to provide a torque directed towards the release position onto the pivot lever. Preferably, a spring assembly assigned to the release device and the locking device exerts a torque on the release device, which causes the release device to be biased into the locking position, while the locking device is biased into the release position.Accordingly, a deflection of the release mechanism from the locked position to a release position, as can be caused by force applied by a user, results in an automatic pivoting movement of the locking mechanism from the locked position to the release position. This eliminates the transmission of the braking force from the locking mechanism, in particular from the locking part, to the pivot lever. The pivot lever is preferably connected to a spring assembly that is pre-tensioned such that the pivot lever is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by reducing the internal pre-tension of the spring assembly.

[0016] It is advantageous if the pivot lever, in the locking position, rests with a first end region on a housing section of the bolt housing and / or if the projection of the bolt assembly, in the release position of the release mechanism, rests against a support surface arranged adjacent to the third end face of the release mechanism. This design of the pivot lever and the bolt housing ensures that, after manual release of the locking mechanism, in which both the pivot lever is pivoted from the locking position to the unlocking position and the release mechanism and the bolt assembly pivot in the same direction, a pivoting movement of the pivot lever towards the locking position also causes a corresponding, and in particular opposite, pivoting movement of the bolt assembly from the release position to the locking position.Preferably, the pivot lever and the locking mechanism are adapted to each other in such a way that when the pivot lever is pivoted from the unlocked position to the locked position—a process that requires force being applied to the pivot lever anyway to increase the internal preload of the spring assembly—a force is transmitted to the locking mechanism. This allows the locking mechanism to be moved from the release position to the locked position, also increasing the internal preload of the associated spring assembly. It is particularly advantageous if, during the pivoting movement of the locking mechanism into the locked position, the release mechanism also assumes the blocking position relative to the locking mechanism due to the internal preload of the associated spring assembly, without any further action required by the user.With such a design of the locking device, a single actuation movement moves both the coupling between the first component and the second component and the transfer of the movable components pivot lever, locking device and release device of the locking device into their respective functional positions, in which the desired coupling between the first component and the second component is maintained until either a manual release or an automated release of the locking device occurs.

[0017] Preferably, the pivot lever is designed so that, upon overcoming the braking force exerted by the spring-loaded locking element, it can be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position without moving the locking mechanism from the locked position or the release mechanism from the blocked position. To perform this function, the spring-loaded locking element is provided, which, depending on the design of the pivot lever, either transmits a braking force in the form of a frictional force or a braking force transmitted to the spring mechanism of the locking mechanism as a combination of a frictional force and a deformation force resulting from the positive-locking coupling between the locking element and the pivot lever when the pivot lever is deflected from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0018] It is particularly preferred that the pivot lever is formed in one piece, so that there is no division between a section of the pivot lever intended for contact with the second component and a section intended for actuation by an operator. The counter-holder arranged at the end of the pivot lever, intended for direct contact with the second component, is not included in this definition, as it is preferably intended to allow variable positioning relative to the pivot lever in order to enable adjustment of the locking device.

[0019] In an alternative embodiment of the locking device, the bolt housing is mounted on the base body for linear movement, and a spring element supported on the base body provides a spring force directed towards the release device. When the release device moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, a linear movement of the bolt housing is thus enabled, whereby the bolt section of the locking device moves away from the pivot lever in such a way that the latter can be pivoted out of the locked position without significant force. This results in a relaxation of the spring element, which is mounted on the base body. Preferably, the spring element also retains an internal preload in the unlocked position to ensure a defined positioning for the locking device.

[0020] In a further development of the locking device, a first control surface is formed on the bolt housing, and a second control surface is formed on the pivot lever. These surfaces are designed to initiate a compression movement on the spring element when the pivot lever moves from the unlocked position to the locked position. Through the interaction between the first and second control surfaces, the bolt housing experiences a linear forced movement against the spring force of the spring element when the pivot lever moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, thus returning it to its locked position. This ensures particularly convenient operation of the locking device.

[0021] Preferably, the first control surface is designed as a circular cylinder, with a central axis of the first control surface aligned parallel to the central axis of the first bearing assembly, and the second control surface is designed as a plane or as a section of a cylindrical surface. By way of example, the first control surface is formed by a bolt connected to the locking mechanism, which has a central axis aligned parallel to the central axis of the first bearing assembly. Particularly preferably, this bolt is fixed to a cantilever extending along a linear axis of movement for the locking mechanism and in the direction of the first bearing assembly.

[0022] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing. Here, the drawing shows: Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a locking device in which a pivot lever is in a locking position and a control device and a release device are in a blocking position. Figure 2 is a side sectional view of the locking device according to the Figure 1 Figure 3 shows the locking device according to the Figure 1 and 2 , in which the locking device and the release device are in a release position in which a pivoting movement of the pivot lever is enabled, Figure 4 the locking device according to the Figure 1 , 2 and 3 with the pivot lever fully moved into the unlocked position, Figure 5, the locking device according to the Figure 1 , 2 , 3 and 4, in which a pivoting movement of the pivot lever due to a resulting torque acting on the pivot lever is a braking force of the locking device, Figure 6 the locking device according to the Figures 1 to 5 with the pivot lever fully pivoted into the unlocking position, Figure 7; a second embodiment of a locking device in which the locking device is linearly movable on the base body, in a closed position, Figure 8; the second embodiment of the locking device according to the Figure 7 in a first open position, which is based on user operation, Figure 9 the second embodiment of the locking device according to the Figure 7 in a second open position, which is based on an overpressure-induced release of the pivot lever, and Figure 10 the second embodiment of the locking device according to the Figure 7in a fully open position after overpressure-induced release.

[0023] The in the Figures 1 to 6 The locking device 1, shown in different states, serves for the temporary, releasable coupling of a first component 21 with a second component 22. For example, the first component 21 could be a door or maintenance hatch that can pivot freely on a second component 22, such as a wall section in a building or an interior panel in an aircraft. Three different states are distinguished for the locking device: The first state can be described as the first component 21 being coupled to the second component 22 by means of the locking device, so that, for example, a pivoting movement of the first component 21 relative to the second component 22 is prevented.

[0024] The second state can be described by the fact that the locking device is brought into a preferred position (not shown in detail) by a user, for example a technician during maintenance work, by manual intervention, in which a pivoting movement of the first component 21 relative to the second component 22 is enabled.

[0025] In a third state, a pivoting movement of the first component 21 relative to the second component 22 takes place because the locking device provided for this purpose releases a locking state between the first component 21 and the second component 22.

[0026] For example, it may be provided that such a release occurs in the event that a pressure difference between a first room area and a second room area, which are separated from each other by the first component 21 and the second component 22, exceeds a predefinable threshold value and thus a pressure force occurring in pivot directions for the first component 21 is greater than a maximum locking force of the locking device.

[0027] According to the perspective representation of the Figure 1 The locking device 1 comprises a base body 2 to which a pivot lever 3, a locking device 4 and a release device 5 are attached.

[0028] For the following description of the locking device 1, reference is made to the information contained in the Figures 1 to 6The Cartesian coordinate system used has an X-axis extending along the longest extent of the locking device 1, a Y-axis angled at 90 degrees to this, and a Z-axis angled at 90 degrees to both the X-axis and the Y-axis.

[0029] By way of example, the basic body 2 is provided to have a U-shaped profile in a cross-sectional plane (not shown) spanned by the Y-axis and the time axis. This U-shaped profile of the basic body 2 is formed by a first side wall 6, which forms a first leg of the U, a second side wall 7, which forms a second leg of the U, and a connecting section 8, wherein the connecting section 8 is oriented transversely to both the first side wall 6 and the second side wall 7. Furthermore, the first side wall 6 and the second side wall 7 are oriented parallel to each other.

[0030] In a basic position of the locking device 1, as described in the Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the pivot lever 3, the locking device 4 and the release device 5 are mounted on the base body 2 such that a top surface 10 of the pivot lever 3, a top surface 11 of the locking device 4 and a top surface 12 of the release device 5 are arranged in a common plane, which are arranged parallel to a plane not shown which includes the Y-axis and the time axis and which is aligned parallel to a U-shaped end face 15 of the base body 2.

[0031] As an example, the locking device 1 is designed for attachment to a plate-shaped first component 21 (not shown), wherein the first component 21 is provided with a slot-shaped recess corresponding to the geometry of the U-shaped end face 15 of the base body 2. Accordingly, when the locking device is mounted on the first component 21 (not shown), the fastening tongues 16, 17, 18 and 19, which project vertically from the first side wall 6 and the second wall 7, come into contact with a rear surface (not shown) of the first component 21 (not shown) and, together with the respective fastening holes 20, enable the locking device 1 to be fixed to the first component 21 (not shown).

[0032] As shown in the cross-sectional views of the Figures 2 to 6As can be seen from the diagram, the pivot lever 3 comprises a first pivot lever section 25 extending along the X-axis with its greatest extent and a second pivot lever section 26, integrally connected to the first pivot lever section 25 and having an L-shaped profile. A connecting area 27 between the first pivot lever section 25 and the second pivot lever section 26 is penetrated by a first recess 28, designed purely as an example in the form of a circular cylindrical bore, in which a first bearing pin 29 is received. This pin extends between the first side wall 6 and the second side wall 7 and, together with the first recess 28, forms a first bearing assembly 30. This first bearing assembly 30 enables a pivoting movement of the pivot lever 3 relative to the base body 2 about a first pivot axis 44.Due to the arrangement and geometric design of the pivot lever 3 and the locking device 4, the pivot lever 3 can be moved from the locking position as shown in the . Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the movement is exclusively a pivoting motion on an arc-shaped pivot path 31, which, according to the illustration of the Figures 2 to 6 oriented clockwise.

[0033] During the pivoting movement of the pivot lever 3 from the locking position according to the Figure 2 into an unlocked position, as described in the Figures 4 and 6 As shown, a counter-holder 32 arranged at the end of the second pivot lever section 26 exits a section in the Figure 2The recognizable contact position with the schematically indicated second component 22 is such that force transmission between the first component 21 and the second component 22 is eliminated, thus allowing a pivoting movement of the first component 21 with the attached locking device 1 relative to the second component 22. By way of example, the counter-holder 32 is screwed into a threaded bore 34 of the second pivot lever section 26 via a screw section 33, allowing adjustment of the counter-holder 32 relative to the second component 22. To secure the position of the counter-holder 32 on the second pivot lever section 26, a lock nut 35 is provided, which can be screwed onto the screw section 33 of the counter-holder 32 and supported on the second pivot lever section 26.

[0034] At an end region of the first pivot lever section 25 facing away from the second pivot lever section 26, a detent projection 36 is formed on the first pivot lever section 25. This detent projection 36 extends, purely by way of example, from a lower surface 37 of the pivot lever 3, facing away from the upper surface 10 of the pivot lever 3, along the Z-axis and has a pivot lever end face 38, the normal 39 of which is formed at an acute angle to the X-axis and transverse to a first pivot axis 44 of the first bearing assembly 30. The pivot lever end face 38 is provided with a spherically segment-shaped recess 41, which is designed to receive a locking element 50.

[0035] A spring arrangement 42 is associated with the pivot lever 3, which is designed to provide a spring force directed in the direction of the arc-shaped pivot path 31 and which is supported in a manner not shown in detail on the underside 37 of the pivot lever 3 and on a connecting web 13 which extends between the first side wall 6 and the second side wall 7.

[0036] The locking device 4 comprises a locking housing 48, which is shown by way of example in the form of a sleeve with a square profiled cross-section, wherein a sleeve axis 49 of the locking housing 48 is shown in the illustration of the Figure 2The bolt housing 48 is aligned parallel to the X-axis, and the square profile (not shown) would be visible in a cross-sectional plane encompassing the Y-axis and the time axis. A support spring 51 (designed purely as a helical spring), a bolt part 52, and a support part 53 are accommodated in a recess 50 of the bolt housing 48. The bolt part 52 comprises a sleeve section 54 with an annular cross-section extending along the sleeve axis 49, in which the support spring 51 is partially accommodated. A bolt area 56 (designed purely as an example, essentially hemispherical) is arranged on an end face 55 of the sleeve section 54 opposite the support spring 51. This bolt area projects along the X-axis in the direction of the pivot lever 3 and penetrates an end wall 57 provided at the end of the sleeve section 54. The locking section 56 is designed to be received in the recess 41 of the pivot lever 3.At one end region of the recess 50 in the bolt housing 48 facing away from the end wall 57, the support part 53 is screwed into an internal thread 59 of the bolt housing 48 with an external thread 58, thus enabling axial support of the support spring 51.

[0037] The bolt housing 48 has a bearing projection 60 extending in the Z-direction, which is penetrated by a second recess 61 designed as a circular cylindrical bore. A second bearing pin 62 is received in the second recess 61, extending between the first side wall 6 and the second side wall 7, and together with the second recess 61 forms a second bearing arrangement 63 for pivotally mounting the bolt assembly 4 relative to the base body 2, with a pivoting movement of the bolt assembly 4 relative to the base body 2 about a second pivot axis 45. While the bearing projection 60 is shown in the illustration of the Figure 2A bolt projection 64 is formed on a top side of the bolt housing 48, extending with its greatest extent along the Y-axis and which, according to the illustration of the Figure 2 The profile has a stepped shape with a first end face 65 and a second end face 66. For illustrative purposes only, the first end face 65 and the second end face 66 are both flat and aligned parallel to each other.

[0038] Furthermore, the first end face 65 and the second end face 66 are arranged offset from each other with respect to both the X-axis and the Z-axis. A surface normal 67 of the first end face 65 is, purely by way of example, aligned parallel to the X-axis. It is further provided that the surface normal 67 is oriented transversely to a third bearing pin 72, which extends between the first side wall 6 and the second side wall 7 for a pivotable mounting of the release device 5 and which defines a third pivot axis about which the release device 5 can be pivoted relative to the base body 2. Preferably, it is provided that the surface normal 67 of the first end face 65 intersects the third bearing pin 72, in particular the third pivot axis defined by the third bearing pin 72.By way of example, the release device 5 is designed essentially as a plane-parallel plate and is penetrated by a third recess 71, which serves to receive the third bearing pin 72. Furthermore, the release device 5 is provided to have a third end face 70, the surface normal 73 of which intersects the third bearing pin 72. The third bearing pin 72, together with the third recess 71, forms the third bearing assembly 74.

[0039] A spring device 79 is associated with the locking device 4 and the release device 5, which introduces a spring force onto the locking device 4, resulting in a torque for the locking device 4 around the second bearing device 63, as shown in the illustration. Figures 2 to 6The spring force of the spring assembly 79, acting on the release device 5, produces a torque around the third bearing assembly 74, with this torque being clockwise. These two opposing torques press the first end face 65 of the locking projection 64 and the third end face 70 of the release device 5 against each other. The force acting between the first end face 65 and the third end face 70 is essentially parallel to the X-axis, so that no undesired torque is exerted on the release device 5.In addition, the release device 5, with a bottom surface 77 adjacent to the third end face 70 and preferably oriented at an acute angle to the X-axis, rests on a horizontal surface 69 arranged parallel to the X-axis between the first end face 65 and the second end face 66, thereby also ensuring support of the torque of the spring device 79 acting on the release device 5.

[0040] Based on the presentation of the Figure 2 , in which the locking device 1 assumes a locking position in which a coupling of the first component 21 with the second component 22 is ensured by means of the locking device 1, which corresponds to the first state described above, a decoupling of the first component 21 from the second component 22 can take place in two different ways.

[0041] In the first type of decoupling, manual intervention by an operator (not shown) takes place. Here, the operator exercises a function within the Figure 2 The schematically depicted operating force 75 acts on the release device 5 in such a way that the release device 5 is released from the blocking position according to the Figure 2 along an arc-shaped pivot track 76 aligned concentrically to the third bearing bolt 72, is moved into a release position, as described in the Figure 3This pivoting movement of the release device 5 enables a pivoting movement of the locking device 4 about the second bearing pin 62, this pivoting movement being in the same direction as the pivoting movement of the release device 5 and being caused by the spring assembly 79. The pivoting movement of the locking device 4 ends as soon as the first end face 65 of the locking device 4 comes into contact with a fourth end face 78 of the release device 5, which is formed parallel and offset from the third end face 70 on the release device 5. Due to the pivoting movement of the locking device 4, a positive locking connection between the locking projection 64 and the pivot lever 3 is released, so that the pivot lever 2, due to the internal preload of the spring assembly 42, is released from the locked position according to the Figure 2 is moved into the unlocked position, as shown in the Figure 4 shown.

[0042] In contrast, if coupling of the first component 21 with the second component 22 is desired using the locking device 1, it is provided that an operator (not shown) applies a force to the pivot lever 3 such that it moves from the unlocked position against the internal preload of the spring assembly 42 according to the Figure 4 and is moved in the direction of the arrow for the arc-shaped pivot path 31 towards the locking position. In this process, the underside 37 of the pivot lever 3 comes into contact with the bolt housing 48, so that, with sufficient force applied to the pivot lever 3, a pivoting movement of the bolt assembly 4 about the second bearing assembly 63 is also performed. This results in an increase in the internal preload for the spring assembly 79. Furthermore, this causes a movement of the release mechanism 5 from the release position according to the Figures 3 and 4into the blocking position according to the Figure 2 This allows the system to reconnect to the components in the coupling process at the end of the process. Figure 2 The initial situation shown has been reached.

[0043] If, however, forces are applied between the first component 21 and the second component 22, resulting in a force application in the negative direction along the Z-axis to the counter-support 32, this generates a clockwise torque around the first bearing assembly 30. This torque is counteracted by a braking torque caused by the frictional and positive locking connection between the locking projection 64 and the recess 41 in the pivot lever 3, as well as by the internal preload of the support spring 51.

[0044] The following description of the items in the Figures 7 to 10In the second embodiment of a locking device 81 shown, components that are identical or at least functionally equivalent to components of the first embodiment of the locking device 1 are provided with the same reference numerals and are not described again.

[0045] The locking device 81 differs from the locking device 1 in that the locking device 84 is linearly movable and mounted on the base body 82, and is subjected to a spring force by a spring element 86, which is supported on a cantilever 87 belonging to the locking device 84 and on a support pin 88. For this purpose, a central axis 89 of the spring element 86 is aligned parallel to a movement axis 90 of the locking device 84 and is in the rest position of the locking device 81, as shown in the Figure 7As shown, the bolt assumes a compressed position with internal spring tension. The axis of movement 90 of the locking device 84 is determined by an elongated hole 91 in the base body 82 and a guide pin 93, which is received on the bolt housing 92 and engages in the elongated hole 91. The elongated hole 91 serves as a cam guide for the guide pin 93. Optionally, the bolt housing 92 may be provided with a further guide pin (not shown) that engages in another elongated hole (also not shown) in the base body 82 to ensure a clear limitation of the movement of the bolt housing 92 to a single linear degree of freedom.

[0046] Preferably, the cantilever 87, which extends from the bolt housing 92 towards the first bearing device 30 and which is equipped at an end region 94 with a bore 95 for receiving the spring means 86, is in the rest position according to the Figure 7 The detent projection 96 of the pivot lever 83 is frame-shaped, thus defining a receiving area 97. Within the receiving area 97, a [missing element] is located perpendicular to the plane of representation. Figure 7 A control bolt 98 is provided, aligned and arranged parallel to the first bearing device 30, which is connected to the boom 87 and which has a circular cylindrical outer surface 99, which can be referred to as the first control surface.

[0047] On the locking projection 96, a surface 100 is formed opposite the control bolt 98 and facing away from the locking part 52, which is also referred to as the second control surface and which is intended for contact with the outer surface 99 of the control bolt 98.

[0048] The function of the control bolt 98 and the surface 100 is to ensure a defined displacement of the locking device 84 during a pivoting movement of the pivot lever 83 from the unlocked position according to Figure 8 to the locked position according to the Figure 7to enable this without requiring a user to access the locking device 84. Rather, the interaction of surface 100 with the outer surface 99 causes a displacement movement of the control bolt 98 from the pivot lever 83, so that, under compression of the spring element 86, it is linearly moved into the locking position, thereby ensuring the locking of the pivot lever 83. During this linear movement of the locking device 84, the release device 5 is also moved into the blocking position by the action of the spring element 79.

[0049] With regard to overpressure-induced release of the locking device 81, there are no significant differences compared to locking device 1. As with locking device 1, the bolt assembly 84 remains in its locked position when a release torque defined by the interaction between the bolt assembly 84 and the pivot lever 83 is exceeded. Only the bolt part 52 is briefly displaced linearly due to the effect of the overpressure-induced torque on the pivot lever 83, so that the positive locking connection between the bolt part 52 and the pivot lever 83 is released. As soon as this occurs, the pivot lever 83 can move into the open position without further resistance to movement, as described in the Figure 10 It can be pivoted, thus releasing the component to be locked.

Claims

1. A latch (1; 81) for temporarily and releasably coupling a first component (21) to a second component (22), comprising a base body (2; 82) that is configured to be secured to the first component (21) and that comprises a first bearing (30), a second bearing (63), and a third bearing (74), further comprising a pivot lever (3; 83) pivotably mounted on the first bearing (30) about a first pivot axis (44) between a locking position for the second component (22) and an unlocking position for the second component (22), (3; 83) and a locking device (4; 84) movably mounted on the second bearing (63), which comprises a spring-loaded locking member (52) that is configured, in a locking position of the locking device (4; 84) to bear against the pivot lever (3; 83) in order to transmit a predeterminable braking force to the pivot lever (3; 83) in the locking position of the pivot lever (3; 83), comprising a release mechanism (5) movably mounted on the third bearing (74), which is configured in a locking position to lock the locking device (4; 84) in the locked position and in a release position to release the locking device (4; 84) from the locked position, characterized in that the locking device (4) comprises a latch housing (48) that is mounted movably, preferably linearly, and in particular pivotably about a second pivot axis (45), on the second bearing (63), which is formed in particular as a bearing journal, and that a recess (50) is formed in the latch housing (48) and spaced apart from the second pivot axis (45) for receiving a spring (51) and the latch member (52), wherein the latch member (52) projects with a latch region (56) beyond an outer surface (57) of the latch housing (48).

2. Latch (1; 81) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking region (56) engages in a correspondingly formed recess (41) in the pivot lever (3; 83), which is formed in a pivot lever end face (38) of the pivot lever (3; 83), wherein a surface normal (39) of the pivot lever end face (38; 83) is oriented transversely to the first swivel axis (44).

3. Latch (1; 83) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the release mechanism (5) is pivotally mounted on the third bearing (74) about a third pivot axis (46) and has a third end face (70) whose surface normal (73) is oriented transversely to the third pivot axis (46), wherein the third end face (70) is configured in the locking position to engage a projection (64) of the locking device (4), which has a maximum extent oriented parallel to the third pivot axis (46), in order to prevent movement, preferably linear movement, and in particular a pivoting movement, of the locking device (4; 84) out of the locked position.

4. Latch (1; 81) according to claim 3, characterized in that a projection of the third end face (70) onto a projection plane, which is oriented transversely to a surface normal (73) of the third end face (70), intersects the third pivot axis (46), in particular that the surface normal (73) of the third end face (70) intersects the third pivot axis (46).

5. Latch (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the locking housing (48) is arranged between the second pivot axis (45) and the third pivot axis (46) such that a pivoting movement of the locking device (4) between the locking position and a release position and a pivoting movement of the release mechanism (5) between the locking position and the release position occur in the same direction in a first pivoting direction (68, 76), and in that the pivot lever (3) is arranged such that a pivoting movement of the pivot lever (3) from the locking position to the unlocking position occurs in a second pivoting direction (31) opposite to the first pivoting direction (68, 76).

6. Latch (1) according to claim 3, 4, or 5, characterized in that the first pivot axis (44), the second pivot axis (45), and the third pivot axis (46) are aligned parallel to one another.

7. Latch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a spring assembly (79) is associated with the release mechanism (5) and the locking device (4), which spring assembly is configured to apply counter-rotating torques to the release mechanism (5) and the locking device (4) and / or that a spring assembly (42) is associated with the pivot lever (3), which is designed to provide a torque directed toward the release position on the pivot lever (3).

8. Latch (1; 81) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot lever (3; 83) rests in the locking position with a first end region (25) on a housing section of the latch housing (48; 92) and / or that the latch projection (64) of the latch device (4) rests against a support surface (78) arranged adjacent to the third end face (70) of the release mechanism (5) in the release position of the release mechanism (5).

9. Latch (1; 81) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot lever (3; 83), upon overcoming the braking force exerted by the spring-supported latch portion (52), can be moved from the locking position to the unlocking position without any movement of the latch device (4; 84) from the locking position and without moving the release mechanism (5) from the blocking position, can be moved from the locking position to the unlocking position.

10. Latch (81) according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that the latch housing (92) is mounted on the base body (82) so as to be linearly movable, and that a spring means (86) supported on the base body (82) is configured to provide a spring force directed toward the release mechanism (5).

11. Latch (81) according to claim 10, characterized in that a first control surface (99) is formed on the bolt housing (92) and that a second control surface (100) formed on the pivot lever (83), which are configured to induce a compressive movement on the spring means (86) when the pivot lever (83) is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position.

12. Latch (81) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the first control surface (99) is circularly cylindrical and a central axis of the first control surface (99) is aligned parallel to the central axis of the first bearing (30), and in that the second control surface (100) is formed as a plane or as a section of a cylindrical surface.