Locking device with screw thread
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023802219
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-11-10
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing locking devices for electromobility charging sockets suffer from short service life due to high wear on small gear teeth and a complex assembly of components, leading to increased costs and volume.
A locking device with a housing and an electromotive actuator featuring a motor with a rotatably mounted drive axle, where a locking unit with a first screw thread is coupled to the drive axle, allowing the locking element to move between locking and unlocking positions through a screwing movement along a second screw thread in the housing, eliminating the need for a gearbox and reducing component count.
The solution provides a long-lasting, low-wear locking device with reduced assembly costs and a smaller footprint, maintaining high operational reliability by simplifying the mechanism and distributing mechanical stress through screw threads.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] Locking device with screw thread
[0002] Description
[0003] The present invention relates to a locking device, in particular for locking an electromobility charging socket, which comprises a housing with an opening, an electromotive actuator arranged within the housing, comprising a motor with a rotatably mounted drive shaft defining a rotation axis, and a locking unit mounted on the drive shaft. The locking unit is coupled to the motor via the drive shaft and comprises a locking element that can be moved through the opening of the housing and into a locking position and into an unlocking position.
[0004] Locking devices are used for various applications, e.g. for fuel tank flaps, locks or sockets, such as charging sockets for electromobility. Locking devices often have an electromotive actuator with a motor, a locking element and a return spring. The locking element can, e.g. with the help of the motor, assume an unlocking position as well as a locking position, wherein the locking element can be brought into the locking position e.g. by the return spring. In the locking position, the locking element engages with the object to be locked in such a way that the object to be locked is locked, whereas in the unlocking position the locking element generally does not interact with the object to be locked. The locking element can, e.g.As described in DE 102 12 783 A1, the locking device can be designed as a locking bolt for locking a tank flap or, for example, as in EP 1 495 898 A1, can comprise a hook element into which a corresponding counterpart, e.g. a tab, of the object to be locked engages.
[0005] EP 1 495 898 A1 describes a tank flap locking device with a housing and an electromotive actuator having a motor, a transmission, and a locking unit connected to the motor via the transmission. The locking unit comprises a locking element designed as a rotary latch, a shaft on which the locking element is arranged, and a return spring. The locking element can be moved into a locking position by the return spring and into an unlocking position by the motor. Furthermore, a pressure switch is provided, which is arranged on the locking unit and is connected to the motor. The transmission is designed, for example, as a stepped transmission with two gears, wherein a gear ring of the first gear meshes with a pinion of the motor and a gear ring of the second gear meshes with a hub of the first gear.
[0006] In known locking devices, such as those in EP 1 495 898 A1, a gear system with multiple gears is often used to transmit rotary movements and move the locking element. However, a disadvantage here is that the gears used usually have small, fine teeth, particularly due to the limited space available in the housing of the locking device, of which only a small number are used at any one time under load. These teeth are subject to particularly severe wear, which has a negative impact on the service life of the respective locking device, i.e., it shortens its service life.
[0007] Furthermore, known locking devices often comprise a multitude of components involved in moving the locking element into a locking position and into an unlocking position. However, this leads to correspondingly higher assembly costs and often also contributes to a correspondingly larger overall volume of the respective locking device.
[0008] Against this background, the present invention is based on the object of providing a locking device that is improved compared to the prior art, in particular for locking an electromobility charging socket, which is as durable, stable, and wear-resistant as possible, and in which the number of components and thus the costs for assembling the locking device can be reduced while at least maintaining a consistently high level of operational reliability. The solution to the aforementioned object is represented within the scope of the present invention by an object having the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the further features of the subclaims.
[0009] Accordingly, at least one solution according to the invention relates to a locking device, in particular for locking an electromobility charging socket, which has a housing with an opening, an electromotive actuator arranged within the housing and comprising a motor with a rotatably mounted drive shaft that defines a rotation axis, and a locking unit mounted on the drive shaft. The locking unit is coupled to the motor via the drive shaft and comprises a locking element that can be moved through the opening of the housing and into a locking position and into an unlocking position. The locking unit according to the invention is characterized in that the locking unit comprises a first screw thread, on one end face of which the locking element is arranged, and the housing has a second screw thread that is complementary to the first screw thread.The first screw thread of the locking unit and the second screw thread of the housing are each arranged to extend along the rotational axis. The locking device is further configured such that the locking element can be moved axially along the rotational axis between the locking position and the unlocking position as a result of a rotational movement of the drive shaft by a screwing movement of the first screw thread through the second screw thread of the housing accompanying this rotational movement.
[0010] The locking device according to the invention thus offers a solution that essentially eliminates the need for a gear mechanism with multiple gears, by enabling the locking element to move between the locking position and the unlocking position by virtue of a first screw thread encompassed by the locking unit, with the locking element arranged thereon, screwing through the second screw thread of the housing as a result of a rotation of the drive axis of the motor. Since the first and the second screw thread each extend along the axis of rotation, in particular in such a way that the common longitudinal axis of the first screw thread and the second screw thread coincides with the drive axis defining the axis of rotation, and furthermore the locking element on the end face of the screw thread, ieOn the end face remote from the motor, the screwing movement of the first screw thread is transmitted to the locking element via the second screw thread. This results in the locking element being rotated about the rotation axis, and thus in particular about the common longitudinal axis of the first screw thread and the second screw thread, and also experiencing an axial feed along the rotation axis or along this common longitudinal axis. The maximum axial feed of the locking element corresponds to the distance between the locking position and the unlocking position.
[0011] It has proven particularly expedient if the first screw thread of the locking unit is designed as an external thread and the second screw thread of the housing is designed as an internal thread. In particular, the opening of the housing is then designed as an internal thread complementary to the external thread. However, the opposite design, in which the first screw thread of the locking unit is designed as an internal thread and the second screw thread of the housing is designed as an external thread, is also encompassed by the invention. In this case, the internal thread and external thread are always designed to engage with one another in each of the cases described above. Furthermore, in practical implementation, the second screw thread of the housing is in an immovable position, while the first screw thread of the locking unit screws through the second screw thread.
[0012] The coupling between the locking unit and the drive shaft can be implemented in different ways. However, it is always important to note that the locking unit must be attached to the drive shaft in such a way that a rotation of the drive shaft is transmitted to the locking unit, i.e., that the locking unit also performs a rotational movement about the rotational axis as a result of a rotation or rotational movement of the drive shaft. Furthermore, the locking unit is always attached to the drive shaft in such a way that it is at least partially axially movable along the rotational axis, i.e., that at least a portion of the locking unit is axially movable along the rotational axis.
[0013] If the locking element is in the locking position, it is always designed in such a way that it is operatively connected to a corresponding counterpart of an object to be locked, in particular such that a contact-based or contactless engagement of the locking element with a corresponding counterpart of the object to be locked takes place. For example, it can be provided that the locking element engages or snaps into an opening provided on the object to be locked. Alternatively, the locking element can be moved into an opening, for example without contact, as a result of the screw movement of the first screw thread and can be optically detected by the object to be locked, e.g. by means of a light barrier, a camera, or a motion sensor.
[0014] According to a further development, a first stop element is formed on the housing of the locking device, in particular at the opening of the housing, by which a first end position of the locking unit is defined, which corresponds to the locking position of the locking element. The first stop element can, for example, protrude into the opening of the housing, so that it blocks or prevents axial movement of the locking element beyond the first stop element. In addition or alternatively, a second stop element is formed on the locking unit, by which a second end position of the locking unit is defined, which corresponds to the unlocking position of the locking element. Thus, it is provided that the locking element can only be moved axially along the rotation axis exclusively between the locking position and the unlocking position.Furthermore, it can be provided that the locking unit is mounted on the drive shaft so as to be axially movable along the rotation axis, in particular by a distance that corresponds at least to a distance between the locking position and the unlocking position of the locking element. Accordingly, in particular, the entire locking unit can move axially along the rotation axis.
[0015] In one embodiment, the locking unit can be mounted on the drive axle in such a way that a partial area of a surface of the drive axle and a partial area of a surface of the locking unit are designed to engage with each other in the radial direction, so that a rotational movement of the drive axle directly causes a rotational movement of the locking unit. In other words, at least a portion of the locking unit is mounted directly on the drive axle, i.e., without additional coupling elements such as gears or the like.
[0016] In a further embodiment, it can be provided in particular that the respective partial areas of the surface of the drive axle and the locking unit, which are designed to engage with one another in the radial direction, are further designed to slide on one another in the axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation, or the locking unit itself has two surface areas which are designed to engage with one another in the radial direction and to slide on one another in the axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation. While the respective partial areas of the surface of the locking unit and the drive axle in the above-described first case are designed to slide on one another in the axial direction and thus "with play" with respect to one another and are consequently not firmly connected to one another, these respective partial areas of the respective surfaces in the above-described second case are firmly connected to one another, i.e.They are designed "without play" relative to one another, so that they cannot slide on one another in the axial direction. In order to nevertheless enable axial movement of the first screw thread of the locking unit along the rotation axis, in the second case described above, the locking unit itself is provided with two complementary surface regions, which are designed to engage one another in the radial direction and to slide on one another in the axial direction parallel to the rotation axis. In particular, the first screw thread of the locking unit can comprise one of these two surface regions.
[0017] As an alternative to a previously described direct connection between the drive axle and the locking unit, according to a further embodiment, the locking device may further comprise a coupling element, in particular a gear, which is fixedly mounted on the drive axle and has an extension in the axial direction that corresponds at least to a distance between the locking position and the unlocking position of the locking element. The locking unit is arranged on the coupling element so as to engage with the coupling element in the radial direction and slide on the coupling element in the axial direction parallel to the rotation axis.
[0018] According to one embodiment, the locking device according to the invention can comprise a switching device for detecting at least the locking position of the locking element and preferably the unlocking position of the locking element. The switching device is arranged on the locking unit and is designed, in particular, as a normally open contact. Additionally or alternatively, the locking unit can comprise a recess, and the switching device can be configured to engage the recess of the locking unit, in particular when the locking element is in the locking position. The switching device can be designed, for example, as a microswitch.
[0019] Furthermore, the locking device can comprise a sealing element that is attached to the locking unit, in particular in the radial direction on the locking unit and designed as an O-ring. In addition to the sealing function, the sealing element is also preferably designed to perform a braking and / or damping function. During the movement of the locking element between the locking position and the unlocking position, the sealing element can achieve a braking effect of at least a portion of the locking unit by interacting with an inner surface of the housing, in particular by friction on an inner surface of the housing.In particular, if the locking unit is designed in several parts, so that a partial area of the locking unit, for example the second stop element, is axially movable relative to the rest of the locking unit, the sealing element can additionally or alternatively be designed to cushion or dampen at least a partial area of the locking unit when the locking unit strikes the second stop element as the locking element is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position. Accordingly, the sealing element is expediently also designed to dampen or dampen a potential recoil of the locking unit in the opposite direction, i.e. in the direction of the first stop element or the locking position, in the event of a stop of the locking unit, which is then in the second end position.to decelerate, so that a movement in this opposite direction is at least weakened, preferably prevented. In particular, to achieve at least one of the previously described braking and / or damping effects, it is advantageous if the sealing element is made of an elastic material, for example rubber.
[0020] In a further development of the invention, the first screw thread of the locking unit and, correspondingly, the second screw thread of the housing are each designed as a multi-start thread, in particular as a double-start thread. This not only has the advantage that a greater axial path or travel path can generally be achieved with one revolution of the first screw thread than is the case with a single-start thread, since in the case of a multi-start thread the minimum pitch must be selected to be larger than with a single-start thread. In addition, however, the load is absorbed by several turns or the load to be absorbed is distributed over several turns, so that the mechanical stress per turn is reduced. Additionally or alternatively, the locking element can be cylindrical, in particular hollow-cylindrical, and can extend from the end face of the first screw thread essentially along the axis of rotation.For example, the locking element can extend from the end face along the rotation axis, preferably lying on the rotation axis, in the form of a locking bolt. However, any other embodiments of a locking element are also conceivable.
[0021] According to the invention, the locking device can further comprise an insert with a plurality of connection pins for contacting the motor and the switching device, wherein the insert is arranged within the housing and in particular at an end region of the locking device remote from the locking element. Additionally or alternatively, the locking device can comprise a closure element, preferably a cover welded to the housing, which is designed to position the motor and in particular to position the switching device. Accordingly, the closure element serves to hold the motor and, if present, the switching device in position, in particular in a fixed position.
[0022] Further advantages, features, and possible applications of the present invention will become clear from the following description of embodiments thereof and the accompanying figures. They show:
[0023] Figure 1 : a first perspective view of a charging socket of the
[0024] Electromobility mounted locking device according to a first embodiment of the invention,
[0025] Figure 2: the view of the locking device according to Figure 1 without
[0026] Attachment to a charging socket and without housing,
[0027] Figure 3 : the view of the locking device from Figure 2 with a
[0028] Coupling unit and with the locking unit retracted into a socket housing of a charging socket, Figure 4: a second perspective view of the locking device according to Figures 1-3 with housing,
[0029] Figure 5: the view of the housing of the locking device from Figure 4,
[0030] Figure 6: a first perspective view of a locking unit according to a second embodiment without a housing,
[0031] Figure 7: the view of the locking device according to Figure 6 with the locking unit retracted into a socket housing of a charging socket,
[0032] Figure 8: a second perspective view of the locking device according to Figures 6 and 7 with housing.
[0033] Figure 1 shows a first perspective view of a locking device 1 attached to an electromobility charging socket 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 serves to outline a possible application of the locking device 1 and to provide an overview of how a locking device 1 according to the invention can be used, for example, to lock an electromobility charging socket 2, in particular a charging socket according to the standard DIN EN 62196. As can be seen from Figure 1, the locking device 1 is attached to a socket housing 25 of the charging socket 2 by means of a fastening clamp 24.The locking device 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a housing 3 with an opening not shown in Figure 1 and a closure element 23, which in Figure 1, for example, comprises a cover welded to the housing 3 and can further comprise at least one partition for separating connection pins. The closure element 23 serves to close the locking device 1 at its end remote from the charging socket 2. In addition, the closure element 23 is designed to position or hold in a fixed position a motor arranged within the housing 3 (not shown in Figure 1 for the sake of clarity), as well as a switching device likewise arranged within the housing 3 and not shown in Figure 1.
[0034] Figures 2-5 each show different perspective views of the locking device 1 or of individual components of the locking device 1 according to the first embodiment corresponding to Figure 1, but, in comparison to Figure 1, without the locking device 1 being attached to a charging socket. For a better understanding of the structure of the locking device 1, it is shown in Figures 2 and 3 without its housing and without its closure element. Figure 4 shows the locking device 1 with its housing 3. In Figure 5, however, only the housing 3 of the locking device 1 is visible.Figures 2-4 all show a locking element 10 located in a locking position 11, while Figures 6-8, which show different perspective views of a locking device 1' according to a second embodiment, each show a locking element 10 located in an unlocking position 12.
[0035] Figure 2 shows the locking device 1 in an enlarged view and from the same perspective as Figure 1, but without the housing and closure element. As can be seen from a comparison of Figures 1 and 2, the locking device 1 according to Figure 2 comprises an electromotive actuator 5 arranged within the housing, which comprises a motor 6 with a rotatably mounted drive shaft 7. The drive shaft 7 defines a rotation axis 8, which is shown in dashed lines in Figure 1. Furthermore, the locking device 1 comprises a locking unit 9 mounted on the drive shaft 7, which is coupled to the motor 6 via the drive shaft 7. The locking unit 9 has a locking element 10.As can be seen in particular from Figure 4, the locking element 10 is movable through the opening 4 of the housing 3 and further movable into a locking position 11 (see Figures 2-4) and into an unlocking position 12 (see Figures 6-8). In Figures 2-4, the locking element 10 is located in the locking position 11 indicated in Figures 2 and 4, wherein a mobility of the locking element 10 between the locking position 11 and the unlocking position 12 is symbolized by the double arrow sketched in Figures 2 and 4. How a mobility of the locking element 10 between the locking position 11 and the unlocking position 12 is realized according to the invention can be seen in a combination of Figures 2-5 and is explained in more detail below.
[0036] According to Figures 2 and 3, the locking device 1 further comprises a first screw thread 13, which in a preferred embodiment is designed as an external thread. In the illustrated embodiment in Figures 2-4, the first screw thread 13 is designed, for example, as a multi-start thread, in particular as a double-start thread. This has the particular advantage that the load is absorbed by several turns or the load to be absorbed is distributed over several turns, so that the mechanical stress per turn is reduced. Furthermore, a greater axial travel of the first screw thread 13 is then generally achieved with one revolution of the first screw thread 13 than with a single-start thread. The locking element 10 is arranged on an end face of the first screw thread 13, specifically on the end face of the first screw thread 13 arranged remote from the motor 6.In the exemplary embodiment of Figures 2-4, the locking element 10 is cylindrical and extends from the end face of the first screw thread 13 substantially along the axis of rotation 8, i.e. in the form of a locking bolt, in such a way that it extends lengthwise from the entire end face of the first screw thread 13 in the direction of the axis of rotation 8. Thus, the longitudinal axis of the locking element 10 in the exemplary embodiment of Figures 2-4 lies on the axis of rotation 8. In further embodiments, the locking element 10 can, for example, also be hollow-cylindrical or have geometric shapes other than cylindrical. Furthermore, the locking element 10 can also have a longitudinal axis that does not coincide with the axis of rotation 8.Furthermore, the longitudinal axis of the locking element 10 does not necessarily have to run parallel to the rotational axis 8, but can also be at an angle to it, provided that the locking function underlying the locking element 10 is not thereby restricted. The housing 3 of the locking device 1, not shown in Figure 2 but in Figures 4 and 5, comprises a second screw thread 14 complementary to the first screw thread 13 of the locking unit 9, which in Figures 4 and 5 is consequently preferably designed as an internal thread. As can be seen from Figures 5 and 8, the housing 3 itself preferably forms the second screw thread 14. In other words, the second screw thread 14 is then also an integral component of the housing 3.In particular, the opening 4 of the housing 3 is designed as a second screw thread 14 with an internal thread complementary to the first screw thread 13, which is designed as an external thread. Accordingly, the internal thread, for example the second screw thread 14, as well as the external thread, for example the first screw thread 13, are designed, for example, as a multi-start thread, in particular as a double-start thread. The second screw thread 14 of the housing 3, which extends as an internal thread from the opening 4 into the housing 3, is shown in Figure 5. The first screw thread 13 of the locking unit 9 and the second screw thread 14 of the housing 3 are each arranged extending along the axis of rotation 8, as can be seen in particular from Figure 4.For example, the first screw thread 13 of the locking unit 9 and the second screw thread 14 of the housing 3 according to Figure 4 each have a common longitudinal axis which extends in the direction of the rotation axis 8 and which furthermore coincides in particular with the rotation axis 8. When considering Figures 2, 4 and 5, it becomes apparent that the locking device 1 is designed such that the locking element 10 can be moved axially along the rotation axis 8 between the locking position 11 and the unlocking position 12 as a result of a rotational movement of the drive axis 7 by a screwing movement of the first screw thread 13 through the second screw thread 14 of the housing 3, which screw movement accompanies this rotational movement.
[0037] Thus, the drive shaft 7 of the motor 6 is driven as a result of a current flow through the motor 6 and executes a rotational movement. Since the locking unit 9, within the scope of the invention, is always attached to the drive shaft 7 in such a way that the rotational movement of the drive shaft 7 is transmitted to the locking unit 9, the rotational movement of the drive shaft 7 leads to a rotational movement of the locking unit 9. Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, the locking unit 9 is always attached to the drive shaft 7 in such a way that the locking unit 9 is at least partially axially movable along the rotational axis 8, i.e., that at least a partial area or component of the locking unit 9 is axially movable along the rotational axis 8. How the coupling between the drive shaft 7 and the locking unit 9 can be implemented in detail will be described in more detail elsewhere.When the first screw thread 13 of the locking unit 9 engages the second screw thread 14 of the housing 3, the first screw thread 13 screws into the second screw thread 14 or along the second screw thread 14 of the housing 3 as a result of the rotational movement transmitted by the drive axis 7. The screwing movement of the first screw thread 13 causes the locking element 10 to be advanced axially along the rotational axis 8 up to the locking position 11 of the locking element 10, which corresponds to the first end position of the locking unit 9.
[0038] This first end position of the locking unit 9 is defined, for example, according to Figures 4 and 5, in that a first stop element 15 is formed on the housing 3 of the locking device 1, in particular at the opening 4 of the housing 3. The first stop element 15 has the task of preventing further axial advancement of the locking element 10 beyond the locking position 11. In the exemplary embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, the first stop element 15 has two elements lying opposite one another in the circumferential direction of the opening 4, which elements project radially into the opening 4. At the first end position of the locking unit 9, the first screw thread 13 strikes with its end face against the first stop element 15 or against these two elements projecting into the opening 4.It goes without saying that the first stop element 15 must always be designed such that it enables, and does not hinder, movement of the locking element 10 through the opening 4 of the housing 3. Applied to the exemplary embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, this means that the two elements projecting into the opening 4 only extend far enough into the opening 4 for the locking element 10, with its smaller diameter compared to the first screw thread 13, to be movable through the opening 4.
[0039] The second end position of the locking unit 9, which corresponds to the unlocking position 12 of the locking element 10 (see Figures 6-8), is defined according to Figure 2 by way of example in that the locking device 1 has a second stop element 16 formed on the locking unit 9.
[0040] For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the locking element 10 is always designed such that, in the locking position 11, it is operatively connected to a corresponding counterpart of an article or object to be locked, for example an electromobility charging socket according to Figure 1, such that a contact-based or contactless engagement of the locking element 10 with a corresponding counterpart of the article to be locked takes place. For example, it can be provided that the locking element 10 engages or snaps into an opening provided on the article to be locked. Alternatively, the locking element 10 can, for example, also be moved into an opening without contact as a result of the screw movement of the first screw thread 13 and can be optically detected by the article to be locked, e.g. by means of a light barrier, a camera or a motion sensor.
[0041] In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the locking device 1 further comprises, by way of example, a switching device 18 designed to detect at least the locking position 11 of the locking element 10, and preferably also the unlocking position 12 of the locking element 10 according to Figures 6-8. The switching device 18 is arranged on the locking unit 9, specifically laterally thereon, and is designed, by way of example, as a normally open contact, in particular in the manner of a microswitch with a small distance between the switching contacts. The switching device 18 can be connected to the motor 6 or is connected during operation of the locking device 1 via a control unit not shown in the figures.In Figures 2 and 3, this is illustrated in that the locking device 1 has an insert 21 arranged within the housing 3 with a plurality of connection pins 22, specifically three connection pins 22 in the illustrated embodiment, to which the control unit can be connected. The insert 21 thus provides an interface for the control unit or to the outside world. The connection pins 22 serve to contact the motor 6 and the switching device 18 and are electrically connected to them via corresponding connection lines. In Figures 1-5, the insert 21 is located, for example, at the end region of the locking device 1 remote from the locking element 10 and is arranged at a distance from the switching device 18. Such an arrangement of the insert 21 has, among other things,the advantage that the handling of the locking device 1 is improved, in particular when the locking device 1 is already attached to the object to be locked, such as a charging socket for electromobility. As can also be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the locking unit 9 comprises a recess 19. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the switching device 18 is designed to engage in this recess 19 when the locking element 10 is in the locking position 11. In this case, the switching device 18 assumes an open state and interrupts the electrical connection to the motor 6. This informs the control unit that the locking element 10 is in the locking position 11, whereupon the control unit causes the current flowing through the motor 6 to be switched off.In the application example of a locking device 1 designed to lock an electromobility charging socket, the charging socket is thus locked thanks to the locking device 1, for example, by the locking element 10 engaging or snapping into a correspondingly formed opening on the charging socket. With a previously established plug connection between the charging socket and a charging plug, and with the charging socket locked, a charging current can then flow from a charging station to an electric vehicle via the plug connection.
[0042] The locking unit 9 of the locking device 1, according to Figures 2 and 3, further comprises, by way of example, a sealing element 20 which is attached to the locking unit 9, in particular in the radial direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing element 20 is an O-ring made of an elastic material, in particular rubber. In further embodiments, however, alternative designs of a sealing element are also conceivable, so that the sealing element is not to be considered limited to an O-ring within the scope of the invention. In addition to the sealing function, the sealing element 20 or the O-ring is further designed to assume a braking and / or damping function. As part of the movement of the locking element 10 between the locking position 11 and the unlocking position 12 (see Figures 6-8), the sealing element 20 can, for example,by interacting with an inner surface of the housing 3, in particular by friction on an inner surface of the housing 3, a braking effect of at least a partial area of the locking unit 9 can be achieved. Additionally or alternatively, the position of the sealing element 20 outlined in Figures 2 and 3 is also particularly useful when the locking unit 9 is constructed in several parts and a partial area of the locking unit 9 forming the second stop element 16 is axially movable relative to the partial area forming the remainder of the locking unit 9. In this case, the sealing element 20 can thus be designed to cushion or dampen at least a partial area of the locking unit 9 when the locking unit 9 strikes the second stop element 16 during the movement of the locking element 10 from the locking position 11 into the unlocking position 12 shown in Figures 6-8.Accordingly, the sealing element 20 can also be designed to dampen or slow down a potential recoil of the locking unit 9 in the opposite direction, ie in the direction of the first stop element 15 or the locking position 11, when the locking unit 9 is in the second end position, so that a movement in this opposite direction is at least weakened, preferably prevented.
[0043] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, not only the locking element 10, but in particular also the locking unit 9 including the locking element 10 is mounted on the drive shaft 7 so as to be axially movable along the rotation axis 8, in particular by a distance that corresponds at least to a distance between the locking position 11 and the unlocking position 12 of the locking element 10. In other words, in the illustrated embodiment, the entire locking unit 9 is axially movable along the rotation axis 8 by a distance corresponding to the distance between the locking position 11 and the unlocking position 12 of the locking element 10, and thus between a first end position and a second end position of the locking unit 9.
[0044] How the axial mobility of the entire locking unit 9 is made possible can be seen in particular in Figure 3. Figure 3 shows the same perspective view of the locking device 1 according to Figure 2, but with the difference that the locking device 1 according to Figure 3 further comprises, by way of example, a coupling element 17 and the locking unit 9 is retracted into a socket housing 25 of a charging socket. The locking unit 9 is attached to the drive shaft 7 by means of the coupling element 17, which is designed as a gear in Figure 3, by way of example. The coupling element 17 is fixedly attached to the drive shaft 7 so that it rotates with the drive shaft 7 when the latter is driven. Furthermore, the coupling element 17 has an extension in the axial direction which corresponds at least to a distance existing between the locking position 11 and the unlocking position 12 of the locking element 10.The locking unit 9 is arranged on the coupling element 17, engaging with the coupling element 17 in the radial direction, and sliding in the axial direction parallel to the rotational axis 8 on the coupling element 17. The coupling element 17 therefore at least performs the function of transmitting the rotational movement of the drive axis 7 to the locking unit 9. Furthermore, the coupling element 17 itself can, in particular, also provide a sliding connection or mounting of the locking unit 9. This enables the locking unit 9 to be axially movable along the rotational axis 8, so that a screwing movement of the first screw thread 13 can occur through the second screw thread 14 of the housing 3.In further embodiments, the coupling element 17 can, for example, also be designed as a square or triangular element or can have any other geometric shape, although the coupling element 17 must always fulfill the aforementioned function, i.e. the rotational movement of the drive shaft 7 can be transmitted to the locking unit 9. Accordingly, the locking unit 9 has a surface designed complementary to the surface of the coupling element 17 in order to engage with the coupling element 17 in the radial direction and to be able to slide on the coupling element 17 in the axial direction parallel to the rotation axis 8.
[0045] In an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, a coupling element as described above can be dispensed with by attaching the locking unit to the drive axle in such a way that a partial area of a surface of the drive axle and a partial area of a surface of the locking unit are designed to engage with one another in the radial direction, so that a rotational movement of the drive axle directly causes a rotational movement of the locking unit. This means that at least a portion of the locking unit is attached directly to the drive axle and thus without any coupling element. In this case, for example, the respective partial areas of the surface of the drive axle and of the locking unit designed to engage with one another in the radial direction can also be designed to slide on one another in the axial direction parallel to the rotational axis.The axial mobility of at least a portion or sub-region of the locking unit is thus made possible by the locking unit or at least a sub-region of the locking unit being slidably mounted on the drive shaft. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the locking unit itself has two surface regions that engage with one another in the radial direction and slide against one another in the axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation. Thus, a sliding connection is created within the locking unit, which allows the first screw thread of the locking unit to screw along the axis of rotation into the second screw thread or along the second screw thread of the housing, and thus an axial movement of the locking element between the locking position and the unlocking position can occur.Figures 6-8 each show perspective views of a locking device 1' according to a second embodiment, wherein, in contrast to Figures 2-4, the locking element 10 is in the unlocking position 12. The locking device 1' differs from the locking device 1 shown in Figures 1-5 only in that the insert 21' providing an interface to the outside world is not located at an end region of the locking device 1' remote from the locking element 10, and the insert 21' is also not arranged at a distance from the switching device 18, but rather the switching device 18 is attached directly to the insert 21'. This shortens the connecting lines between the switching device 18 and the associated connecting pins 22.According to the modified arrangement of the insert 21' of the locking device 1', the housing 3' and the closure element 23' of the locking device 1' also have a slightly different geometry compared to the locking device 1 shown in Figures 1-5. The closure element 23' comprises, according to Figures 6 and 8, a cover welded to the housing 3'.
[0046] When comparing the respective Figures 2 and 6, 3 and 7, and 4 and 8, it can be seen that the locking element 10 is in the unlocking position 12 in Figures 6-8, while the locking element 10 is in the locking position 11 in Figures 2-4. As can be seen in Figures 6 and 7, in which the locking device 1' is shown without its housing, the locking unit 9, in its second end position, which corresponds to the unlocking position 12 of the locking element 10, strikes with the second stop element 16 formed thereon, for example against the motor 6.The sealing element 20, which is attached to the locking unit 9 in the radial direction and is designed as an O-ring by way of example in Figures 6 and 7, expediently also assumes, in addition to a seal, a braking and / or damping function during the movement of the locking element 10 between the locking position 11 and the unlocking position 12 and during the corresponding stops in a respective position 11 or 12, as already described above with regard to Figures 2 and 3. Thus, the sealing element 20 can achieve a braking effect caused by friction along an inner surface of the housing 3, e.g. by friction along the second screw thread 14 of the housing 3, if the sealing element 20 is arranged in a position sketched in Figures 6 and 7 and has a diameter that essentially corresponds to the diameter of the second screw thread 14, but is not smaller than this.Furthermore, the sealing element 20 according to Figures 6 and 7, in accordance with its position outlined therein, can achieve a braking or damping effect, particularly when the second stop element 16 strikes and in the event of a resulting recoil of the locking unit 9 in the opposite direction, i.e., in the direction of the first end position, which defines the locking position of the locking element 10. This requires that a partial area of the locking unit 9, for example the partial area forming the first screw thread 13 including the locking element 10 arranged thereon, is axially movable relative to another partial area forming the remainder of the locking unit 9.
[0047] Furthermore, it can be seen from Figures 6 and 7 that, in contrast to Figures 2-4, the switching device 18 does not engage in the existing recess 19 of the locking unit 9. In Figures 6 and 7, the switching device 18 assumes a closed state and is electrically connected to the motor 6 via a control unit (not shown). The control unit controls the motor 6 when the locking device 1' is to be activated. This is particularly the case when the object to be locked is ready to be locked, ie when, in the case of a charging socket to be locked, a corresponding charging plug has been plugged into the charging socket, and when, in addition, the locking device 1' is attached to an object to be locked, e.g. an electromobility charging socket, for the purpose of locking.As a result of the control of the motor 6, the drive shaft 7, and accordingly the locking unit 9 mounted thereon, performs a rotational movement about the rotational axis 8. The first screw thread 13 of the locking unit 9 consequently screws, as already described, into the second screw thread 14 of the housing 3', which can be seen in Figure 8. This screwing movement is terminated by the first screw thread 13 striking the first stop element 15 according to Figures 4 and 5, whereby the locking unit 9 is then in the first end position. Accordingly, the locking element 10 is then in the locking position 11 according to Figures 2-4, and the switching device 18 then engages the recess 19 of the locking unit 9, transitions to the open state, and interrupts its electrical connection to the motor 6.
[0048] As can be seen from Figures 1-8, a locking device 1, 1' according to the invention offers, among other things, the advantage of creating a reliable and stable locking mechanism, which uses fewer components compared to locking devices according to the aforementioned prior art. By omitting a gear mechanism with gears, the locking device 1, 1' according to the invention is less prone to wear and tear and thus more stable. The use of only a few components saves space within the housing 3, 3' of the locking device 1, 1'.
[0049] Even though the figures of the invention always show a first screw thread 13 designed as an external thread and a second screw thread 14 which is designed as an internal thread complementary to the external thread, the present invention is not to be considered limited to this embodiment. Accordingly, the invention also encompasses the opposite embodiment, in which the first screw thread 13 of the locking unit 9 is designed as an internal thread and the second screw thread 14 of the housing 3, 3' is designed as an external thread. In this case, the internal thread and external thread are always designed to engage with one another in each of the cases described above. In addition, the second screw thread of the housing is in a stationary position, while the first screw thread of the locking unit screws through the second screw thread.
[0050] In summary, the locking device 1, 1' is characterized in particular in that essentially all movements take place around or along the rotation axis 8. Because the locking device 1, 1' according to the invention has a locking unit 9 with a first screw thread 13 and a locking element 10 arranged thereon, as well as a housing 3, 3' with a second screw thread 14 complementary to the first screw thread 13, wherein the first screw thread 13 and the second screw thread 14 extend along the rotation axis 8 and in particular the common longitudinal axis of the first and second screw threads 13, 14 lies on the rotation axis 8, the rotational movement of the drive axis 7 of the motor 6 can be easily converted into a screw movement of the first screw thread 13 by the second screw thread 14 of the housing 3, 3'.As a result, in addition to a rotational movement of the locking element 10 about the rotation axis 8, there is an axial advance of the locking element 10 along the rotation axis 8, specifically between a locking position 11 and an unlocking position 12. In the locking position 11, the locking element 10 can engage in different ways, either with contact or without contact, with a corresponding counterpart which is formed on or in the object to be locked, such as a charging socket, in order to lock it.
[0051] List of reference symbols
[0052] 1, 1' locking device
[0053] 2 charging sockets
[0054] 3.3' housing
[0055] 4 Opening
[0056] 5 electric motor actuator
[0057] 6 Engine
[0058] 7 Drive axle
[0059] 8 Rotation axis
[0060] 9 Locking unit
[0061] 10 Locking element
[0062] 11 Locking position
[0063] 12 Unlocking position
[0064] 13 first screw thread
[0065] 14 second screw thread
[0066] 15 first stop element
[0067] 16 second stop element
[0068] 17 Coupling element
[0069] 18 Switching device
[0070] 19 Recess
[0071] 20 Sealing element
[0072] 21, 21' deployment
[0073] 22 connection pin
[0074] 23, 23' closure element
[0075] 24 mounting clamp
[0076] 25 socket housings
Claims
Patent claims 1. Locking device (1, 1'), in particular for locking a charging socket (2) of electromobility, comprising - a housing (3, 3') with an opening (4), - an electromotive actuator (5) arranged within the housing (3, 3') comprising a motor (6) with a rotatably mounted drive shaft (7) defining a rotation axis (8), - a locking unit (9) mounted on the drive shaft (7), which is coupled to the motor (6) via the drive shaft (7) and comprises a locking element (10), wherein the locking element (10) is movable through the opening (4) of the housing (3, 3') and into a locking position (11) and into an unlocking position (12), wherein the locking unit (9) comprises a first screw thread (13), on one end face of which the locking element (10) is arranged, and the housing (3, 3') has a second screw thread (14) complementary to the first screw thread (13), wherein the first screw thread (13) of the locking unit (9) and the second screw thread (14) of the housing (3, 3') are each arranged extending along the rotation axis (8), and the locking device (1, 1') is configured so thatthat the locking element (10) is movable axially along the rotational axis (8) between the locking position (11) and the unlocking position (12) as a result of a rotational movement of the drive axis (7) by a screwing movement of the first screw thread (13) through the second screw thread (14) of the housing (3, 3') accompanying this rotational movement.
2. Locking device (1, 1') according to claim 1, wherein - a first stop element (15) is formed on the housing (3, 3'), in particular on the opening (4) of the housing (3, 3'), by which a first end position of the locking unit (9) is defined, which corresponds to the locking position (11) of the locking element (10), and / or - a second stop element (16) is formed on the locking unit (9), by which a second end position of the locking unit (9) is defined, which corresponds to the unlocking position (12) of the locking element (10).
3. Locking device (1, 1') according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking unit (9) is mounted on the drive shaft (7) so as to be axially movable along the rotation axis (8), in particular by a distance which corresponds at least to a distance existing between the locking position (11) and the unlocking position (12) of the locking element (10).
4. Locking device (1, 1') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking unit (9) is mounted on the drive shaft (7) in such a way that a partial area of a surface of the drive shaft (7) and a partial area of a surface of the locking unit (9) are designed to engage with one another in the radial direction, so that a rotational movement of the drive shaft (7) directly causes a rotational movement of the locking unit (9).
5. Locking device (1, 1') according to claim 4, wherein the respective partial regions of the surface of the drive shaft (7) and of the locking unit (9) which are designed to engage with one another in the radial direction are further designed to slide on one another in the axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation (8) or the locking unit (9) itself has two surface regions which are designed to engage with one another in the radial direction and to slide on one another in the axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation (8).
6. Locking device (1, 1') according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking device (1, 1') further comprises a coupling element (17), in particular a gear, which is fixedly mounted on the drive axle (7) and has an extension in the axial direction which corresponds at least to a distance existing between the locking position (11) and the unlocking position (12) of the locking element (10), wherein the locking unit (9) on the coupling element (17) is connected in the radial direction to the Coupling element (17) engaging and sliding in the axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation (8) on the coupling element (17).
7. Locking device (1, 1') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device (1, 1') comprises a switching device (18) for detecting at least the locking position (11) of the locking element (10) and preferably the unlocking position (12) of the locking element (10), wherein - the switching device (18) is arranged on the locking unit (9) and is designed in particular as a normally open contact and / or - the locking unit (9) comprises a recess (19) and the switching device (18) is designed to engage in the recess (19) of the locking unit (9), in particular when the locking element (10) is in the locking position (11).
8. Locking device (1, 1') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device (1) comprises a sealing element (20) which is attached to the locking unit (9), in particular in the radial direction to the locking unit (9) and is designed as an O-ring.
9. Locking device (1, 1') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first screw thread (13) of the locking unit (9) and, correspondingly, the second screw thread (14) of the housing (3, 3') are each designed as a multi-start thread, in particular as a double-start thread, and / or the locking element (10) is cylindrical, in particular hollow-cylindrical, and is designed to extend from the end face of the first screw thread (13) substantially along the axis of rotation (8).
10. Locking device (1, 1') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device (1, 1') - an insert (21, 21') with a plurality of connection pins (22) for contacting the motor (6) and the switching device (18), wherein the insert (21) is arranged within the housing (3, 3') and in particular at an end region of the locking device (1) remote from the locking element (10), and / or - a closure element (23, 23'), preferably a cover welded to the housing (3, 3'), which is designed to position the motor (6) and in particular to position the switching device (18).