Actuation device with secured cap
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DIRAK DIETER RAMSAUER KONSTRUKTIONSELEMENTE GMBH & CO KG
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-03
AI Technical Summary
Rotating closures lack effective protection against unauthorized access and vandalism due to simple key contours, which compromise security when high torques are required, and existing solutions are not adaptable to varying safety needs.
An actuating device with a housing and a cap that incorporates a locking mechanism using locking and unlocking magnets, allowing for secure blocking and release of the cap, enabling adjustable security levels through varying numbers of locking elements and magnets, and featuring a swivel arm for enhanced protection against vandalism.
The solution provides improved protection against unauthorized access and vandalism by securely blocking access to the actuating element, allowing for customizable security levels and a robust design that reduces vulnerabilities, while enabling smooth operation and easy key interaction.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024069346_30012025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Actuator with secured cap
[0002] The present invention relates to an actuating device comprising a housing and an actuating element arranged at least partially within the housing. The housing has access to the actuating element on a front side, and a cap is provided which, in a blocking position, blocks access to the actuating element. The actuating device can, in particular, be a closure, such as a twist lock. The present invention further relates to a system comprising such an actuating device.
[0003] Twist locks are known from the prior art which have a locking core rotatably mounted in a lock housing, onto which a key can be attached from the front of the lock in order to actuate the locking core.
[0004] Cover caps for such twist locks are also known from the state of the art in order to protect the locks from dust and moisture.
[0005] The keys for twist locks often have a fairly simple key contour and therefore do not offer sufficient protection against unauthorized operation. The use of complex and delicate key contours, which offer greater protection, is disadvantageous when the key must transmit high torques. In addition, depending on the application, increased demands are placed on vandalism protection.
[0006] Against this background, the present invention is based on the object of providing an actuating device with improved protection against unauthorized operation and / or improved protection against vandalism. The aforementioned object is achieved according to the invention by an actuating device with a housing, with an actuating element arranged at least partially in the housing, wherein the housing has an access to the actuating element on a front side, wherein a cap is provided which, in a blocking position, blocks access to the actuating element, wherein a locking mechanism is provided for securing the cap against unauthorized adjustment or removal of the cap from the blocking position, wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one locking element,which is adjustable between a locking position for positively blocking the adjustment or removal of the cap from the blocking position and an unlocking position for enabling the adjustment or removal of the cap from the blocking position, and wherein the locking element comprises at least one locking magnet for adjusting the locking element from the locking position to the unlocking position by the magnetic interaction between the locking magnet and at least one unlocking magnet of a corresponding key unit.
[0007] By providing a locking mechanism to secure the cap, unauthorized operation of the actuating element is prevented by blocking access to the actuating element. This allows for better protection against actuation, regardless of the design of the actuating element or the key provided for it.
[0008] The use of a locking mechanism that can be unlocked through the interaction between locking magnets of one or more locking elements and respective unlocking magnets of a corresponding key unit also has the advantage of allowing for needs-based access security by adapting the number of locking elements and locking magnets, and thus the number of possible combinations, to the required level of security. Furthermore, this design enables a construction with smooth outer surfaces, especially on the cap, thereby reducing potential points of attack for vandalism.
[0009] The actuating element is preferably a mechanical actuating element, such as a locking core. However, it can also be an electromechanical actuating element, such as a switch or push-button. It is also conceivable that the actuating element is an electronic actuating element, such as a proximity sensor.
[0010] The actuating device may be a closure, in particular a rotary closure, such as a cam lock. Accordingly, the housing may be a closure housing, and the actuating element arranged at least partially within the housing may be a locking core.
[0011] The actuating element, in particular the locking core, can have or drive a locking element, for example a locking tongue, at its end facing away from the front of the housing.
[0012] The actuating element can, in particular, be rotatably mounted in the housing. The actuating element can then be actuated, in particular, by rotating the actuating element. The actuating element preferably has an actuating contour for the torque-transmitting insertion of a key.
[0013] The actuating element is at least partially arranged in the housing. The actuating element can, in particular, be arranged partially or completely in the housing. The actuating element is preferably protected by the housing. The housing has access to the actuating element on a front side. For this purpose, the housing can, in particular, have an opening on the front side through which access to the actuating element in the housing is possible or through which the actuating element extends out of the housing, so that access to the actuating element outside the housing is possible.
[0014] Access to the actuating element is, in particular, an access that enables actuation of the actuating element. If the actuating element has an actuating side for its actuation, the access is, in particular, access to the actuating side of the actuating element. If, for example, the actuating element has an actuating contour for inserting a corresponding key, the access, in particular, enables insertion of the corresponding key.
[0015] The actuating device further comprises a cap which, in a blocking position, blocks access to the actuating element. In particular, the access is blocked in such a way that actuation of the actuating element is prevented. For this purpose, the cap in the blocking position can, for example, completely or partially cover the part of the actuating device accessible via the access, in particular at least to the extent that actuation of the actuating element, for example, by a key, is blocked.
[0016] The cap can be designed, in particular, to be placed on the housing, in particular on the front of the housing. For this purpose, the cap can, in particular, have a receptacle for partially receiving the housing, in particular for receiving a collar of the housing arranged around the access to the actuating element. The actuating device comprises a locking mechanism for securing the cap against unauthorized adjustment or removal of the cap from the locked position.
[0017] The locking mechanism comprises one or more locking elements, each of which is adjustable between a locking position for positively blocking the adjustment or removal of the cap from the locked position and an unlocking position for enabling the adjustment or removal of the cap from the locked position. In the unlocking position of the locking element, the cap can be removed or adjusted accordingly so that the cap no longer blocks access to the actuating element. After removing or adjusting the cap, the actuating element can be actuated again.
[0018] The one or more locking elements can be arranged in the cap, for example, in the region of a cap receptacle for partially receiving the housing when the cap is placed on the housing. In particular, several locking elements can be provided on the cap, arranged circumferentially around the cap receptacle.
[0019] In the locking position, the one or more locking elements preferably engage behind a blocking position undercut of the housing and thus prevent the cap from being adjusted or removed from the blocking position.
[0020] The one or more locking elements each have at least one locking magnet for moving the locking element from the locking position to the unlocking position through the magnetic interaction between the respective locking magnet and at least one unlocking magnet of a corresponding key unit. The number of possible codings for the key unit can be adjusted by selecting the number of locking elements or locking magnets. N locking elements, each with one locking magnet, enable - with optional alignment of the magnetic north or south pole of the locking magnets in the direction of the unlocking magnets and corresponding alignment of the unlocking magnets - for example, up to 2 N different codings for the key unit.
[0021] The above-mentioned object is further achieved according to the invention by a system comprising the above-described actuating device or an embodiment thereof and further comprising a corresponding key unit, wherein the key unit has unlocking magnets corresponding to the locking magnets.
[0022] The corresponding unlocking magnets are in particular arranged and aligned in such a way that, given a predetermined arrangement of the key unit relative to the actuating device, the unlocking magnets interact with the corresponding locking magnets in such a way that the one or more locking elements move into the unlocking position.
[0023] The key unit can in particular be designed to rest against, preferably to be placed on, the cap. Accordingly, the key unit can preferably be placed on the cap. This enables simple positioning of the key unit relative to the cap in order to arrange the one or more unlocking magnets of the key unit relative to the one or more locking magnets in such a way that the one or more locking elements are moved into the unlocked position. The key unit and the cap preferably have contours that correspond to one another and are preferably designed asymmetrically such that the key unit can only be placed on the cap in a predetermined orientation. This facilitates the correct positioning of the key unit on the cap.Various embodiments of the actuating device and the system are described below. The individual embodiments apply independently to the actuating device and the system. Furthermore, the individual embodiments can be combined with one another as desired.
[0024] In one embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of locking elements, each of which is adjustable between a locking position for positively blocking the adjustment or removal of the cap from the blocking position and an unlocking position for enabling the adjustment or removal of the cap from the blocking position. The plurality of locking elements each comprise at least one locking magnet for adjusting the respective locking element from the locking position to the unlocking position through the magnetic interaction between the locking magnet and at least one unlocking magnet of a corresponding key unit. The plurality of locking elements allows the cap to be better held in the blocking position. Furthermore, the plurality of locking elements enable more combinations for coding the key unit.
[0025] In one embodiment, the locking element comprises a pivoting arm pivotably mounted about a locking element axis, which can be pivoted from the locking position to the unlocking position. The locking magnet is preferably arranged on the pivoting arm at a distance from the locking element axis.
[0026] By providing a pivoting arm that is pivotable about a locking element axis and that can be pivoted from the locking position to the unlocking position, a locking element is provided that is reliably guided between the locking position and the unlocking position, so that tilting of the locking element can be reliably prevented, even in the event of adverse environmental influences or the use of force due to vandalism.
[0027] The locking magnet is preferably arranged on the pivot arm at a distance from the locking element axis. In particular, the center of the locking magnet, or the center axis of the locking magnet running through the north and south poles of the locking magnet, is preferably arranged at a distance from the locking element axis.
[0028] The locking magnet, which is arranged at a distance from the locking element axis on the swivel arm, can create a lever effect on the swivel arm through magnetic interaction with the locking magnet in order to pivot it specifically between the locking position and the unlocking position.
[0029] The locking magnet is preferably arranged at a distance from the locking element axis such that the locking magnet is positioned completely outside the locking element axis. This results in a longer lever arm. However, it is also conceivable for the locking element axis to extend through a lateral region of the locking magnet, as long as the center point or central axis of the locking magnet is spaced from the locking element axis.
[0030] The pivot arm is preferably made of a non-ferromagnetic material, in particular aluminum or plastic, in order to weaken the magnetic interaction of the locking magnet with an unlocking magnet of a corresponding key unit as little as possible or not at all.
[0031] In one embodiment, the cap is removable from the housing in the unlocked position of the at least one locking element, or is adjustable into a release position in which the cap is removable or in which the cap provides access to the actuating element. With multiple locking elements, the cap is preferably removable from the housing or is adjustable into a release position in which the cap is removable or in which the cap provides access to the actuating element when the multiple locking elements are in their respective unlocked positions.
[0032] If the cap is removable, the cap can be removed manually, in particular from the housing, thus providing access to the actuating element. After removing the cap, the user can then actuate the actuating element, for example, using a suitable key. The cap can be immediately removable in the unlocking position of one or more locking elements. Alternatively, the cap can be held, for example, positively, on the housing, for example in a pre-release position, and can be adjusted, for example by turning the cap, into a release position in which the cap can then be lifted off.
[0033] The ability to remove the cap in the unlocking position of one or more locking elements or in the release position of the cap enables a simple and space-saving design of the actuating device.
[0034] The cap can also be adjustable into a release position, in which the cap allows access to the actuating element. For example, it is conceivable that the cap is pivoted such that it no longer blocks access to the actuating element. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the cap is aligned, for example by rotating the cap, such that it allows access to the actuating element. In this way, the cap can allow access to the actuating element without having to be removed from the actuating device. This prevents the cap from becoming lost.
[0035] In one embodiment, the cap, in the unlocked position of the at least one locking element, can be adjusted into a pre-release position, from which the cap can be adjusted into the release position. This enables controlled manual adjustment into the release position. With a cap that can be removed in the release position, this configuration can also prevent the cap from being accidentally lost, since the cap must first be adjusted from the pre-release position to the release position before being removed. For example, the cap can be rotatable from the pre-release position to the release position.
[0036] In one embodiment, a spring element is provided that moves the cap into the pre-release position and / or the release position in the unlocked position of the at least one locking element. As a result, the cap is spring-loaded by the spring element and moved into the pre-release position or release position when the one or more locking elements move into the unlocked position. This facilitates operation of the actuating device. Furthermore, the user receives visual and / or haptic feedback of the unlocking of the locking elements. Furthermore, this prevents the one or more locking elements from accidentally falling back into the locking position.
[0037] The spring element can be a spring, for example a spiral spring, or an elastic element which expands in the unlocking position of the at least one locking element and moves the cap from the release position and / or into the release position.
[0038] The one or more locking elements can block removal of the cap in the pre-release position and / or in the release position. In particular, the one or more locking elements can engage behind a securing undercut in the pre-release position and / or in the release position. In this way, loss of the cap in the pre-release position and / or in the release position can be prevented. In one embodiment, the cap has a recess with a recess contour for inserting a key corresponding to an actuating contour of the actuating element. In the blocking position of the cap, the recess contour is aligned with the actuating contour of the actuating element in such a way that insertion of a key onto the actuating contour is blocked.Furthermore, in the unlocked position of the at least one locking element, the recess contour is aligned or alignable with the actuating contour such that the key can be inserted through the recess onto the actuating contour. In this way, the cap can provide access to the actuating element without having to be removed from the access area. This enables a particularly compact and robust design of the actuating device.
[0039] The recess contour can, for example, correspond to the peripheral contour of the actuating contour, for example, to the peripheral contour of a key to be used to actuate the actuating contour, such as a socket wrench. In the release position, the cap is particularly oriented such that a key can be inserted through the recess onto the actuating contour.
[0040] In one embodiment, the cap and the housing have corresponding positive-locking elements that, in the cap's blocking position, prevent the recess contour from being aligned with the actuating contour, for example, preventing the cap from rotating. For example, the cap and the housing can have corresponding pins and receptacles as corresponding positive-locking elements, the engagement of which, in the blocking position, prevents the recess contour from being aligned with the actuating contour. In this way, access to the actuating element is reliably blocked in the blocking position.
[0041] In one embodiment, the key unit and the cap are adapted to one another such that, in the unlocked position of the at least one locking element, the cap can be removed by actuating the key unit or adjusted into the release position or pre-release position. In particular, the key unit and the cap can have corresponding form-locking elements, so that when they engage with one another, the cap can be removed by actuating the key unit or adjusted into the release position or pre-release position. In this way, the cap can be removed or adjusted with the key unit attached, which facilitates operation of the actuating device.
[0042] Additionally or alternatively, locking magnets and / or unlocking magnets can also be used which, when the key unit is placed on the cap, create a sufficient magnetic attraction force between the key unit and the cap to enable the cap to be removed or adjusted by operating the key unit.
[0043] In one embodiment, the key unit has a recess for inserting a key. This allows a key to be placed on the actuating element to actuate the actuating element without having to remove the key unit. If the cap has a recess, the recess in the key unit is preferably arranged such that, with the key unit placed on the cap, the key can be placed on the actuating element through the recess in the key unit and the recess in the cap.
[0044] In one embodiment, the system further comprises a key corresponding to the actuating element, for example, a plug-in key. The key can be designed as a separate unit from the key unit. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the key and the key unit to be formed as one piece or connected to one another. In this way, the key unit and the key are captive to one another. Further features and advantages of the actuating device and the system will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0045] In the drawing show
[0046] Fig. la-d a first embodiment of the actuating device and the system with the locking elements in the blocking position,
[0047] Fig. 2a-b the embodiment from Fig. la-c with the locking elements in the unlocking position.
[0048] Fig. 3a-b the embodiment from Fig. la-c with the cap removed.
[0049] Fig. 4a-c a second embodiment of the actuating device and the
[0050] System with the locking elements in blocking position,
[0051] Fig. 5a-c the embodiment of Fig. 4a-c with the locking elements in the unlocking position and the cap in a pre-release position,
[0052] Fig. 6a-c the embodiment of Fig. 4a-c with the locking elements in the unlocking position and the cap in the release position and
[0053] Fig. 7 the embodiment from Fig. 4a-c with the locking elements in the unlocking position, the cap in the release position and the key attached.
[0054] Figures 1a-d show a first embodiment of the actuating device and the system. Figure 1a shows a perspective view of the actuating device 100 and a corresponding key unit 102, which together form the system 104. Figure 1b shows a sectional view of the actuating device 100 and the key unit 102 from the side, corresponding to the sectional plane designated "1b" in Figure 1c. Figure 1c shows a sectional view from below, corresponding to the sectional plane designated "1c" in Figure 1b. Figure 1d shows a sectional view of the key unit 102 from below, corresponding to the sectional plane designated "1d" in Figure 1b.
[0055] The actuating device 100 is designed as a closure, namely as a rotary closure, and comprises a housing 110 in the form of a closure housing, an actuating element 114 in the form of a locking core arranged in a cylindrical bore 112 in the housing 110, and a cap 116 placed on the housing 110.
[0056] The housing 110 has an opening 120 on a front side 118 of the housing 110, which forms an access 122 to the actuating element 114. On the actuating side 124 of the actuating element 114, arranged in the region of the access 122, the actuating element has an actuating contour 126, for example a polygonal contour, for inserting a key, for example a plug-in key. The actuating device 100 can, for example, be designed as a cam lock, as shown in Figs. 1a-b. For this purpose, a locking tongue 130 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the actuating element 114 at the end 128 of the actuating element 114 facing away from the actuating side 124, for example, screwed as shown in Fig. 1b. However, other configurations of the closure 100 are also conceivable.
[0057] The cap 116 is placed in a blocking position on the housing 110 and, in this blocking position, blocks the access 122 to the actuating element. In the present exemplary embodiment, this is achieved by the cap 116 covering the opening 120 of the housing. For this purpose, the cap 116 has an inner contour 132 adapted to the outer contour of the housing 110, which forms a receptacle 134 for the front side 118 of the housing 110, in particular for a collar 111 of the housing 110 surrounding the access 122.
[0058] To prevent unauthorized removal of the cap 116 from the blocking position shown in Figure 1b, the actuating device 100 further comprises a locking mechanism 140. The locking mechanism 140 comprises a plurality of locking elements 142, twelve in the present exemplary embodiment, arranged circumferentially in the cap 116. The locking elements 142 each have a pivot arm 146 pivotally mounted about a respective locking element axis 144, on which a respective locking magnet 148 is arranged, spaced from the locking element axis 144.
[0059] The pivot arms 146 and thus the locking elements 142 can each be pivoted between a locking position (see Fig. 1b-c) and an unlocking position (see Fig. 2a-b).
[0060] In the locking position, the pivot arms 146 engage inwardly into the receptacle 134 and behind a blocking position undercut 150 provided on the housing 110, thereby positively blocking removal of the cap 116 from the blocking position. The pivot arms 146 are held in the locking position by the magnetic interaction of the locking magnets 148 with the housing 110, which in this case is made of steel. Alternatively, a ferromagnetic element, such as a steel ring, can be provided on the housing 110 opposite the pivot arms 146. The magnetic interaction of the steel ring with the locking magnets 148 holds the pivot arms in the locking position. In this case, the housing 110 can be made of a non-ferromagnetic material, such as plastic.
[0061] In the present embodiment, the key unit 102 is designed in the form of an overcap that can be placed on the cap 116 and for this purpose has an inner contour 154 corresponding to the outer contour 152 of the cap 116, which forms a receptacle 156 for the cap 116.
[0062] The cap 116 and the key unit 102 have mutually corresponding form-locking elements 158, 159 in the form of a protruding web 158 of the cap 116 and a corresponding recess 159 of the key unit 102, so that the key unit 102 can only be placed on the cap 116 in a predetermined orientation.
[0063] The key unit 102 further comprises a number of unlocking magnets 160 corresponding to the number of locking magnets 148, which are arranged and aligned such that, when the key unit 102 is placed on the cap 116, they magnetically interact with the locking magnets 148 such that the pivot arms 146 and thus the locking elements 142 are moved into the unlocking position.
[0064] Fig. 2a-b show the system 104 with the actuating device 100 and the key unit 102 from Fig. 1a-c, wherein Fig. 2a shows a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 1b and Fig. 2b shows a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 1c.
[0065] In Fig. 2a-b, the key unit 102 is placed on the cap 116. The locking elements 142 are each in the unlocked position in Fig. 2a-b. Only when the unlocking magnets 160 correspond to the locking magnets 148, in particular, are correctly positioned and aligned with respect to their magnetic north pole-south pole, are all locking elements 142 moved into the unlocked position, allowing the cap 116 to be removed. In this way, the cap 116 with the locking magnets 148 and the key unit 102 can be coded to each other. The multitude of possible configurations of the locking and unlocking magnets thus achieves a high degree of security.In the unlocked position, the locking elements 142 no longer engage behind the blocking position undercut 150, so that the cap 116 is no longer secured in the blocking position by the locking elements 142, and the cap 116 can be removed from the blocking position. Fig. 3a shows a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 2a with the cap 116 removed. Fig. 3b shows a sectional view through the cap 116 and key unit 102 corresponding to the sectional plane designated "111b" in Fig. 3a.
[0066] By removing the cap 116, the access 122 to the actuating element 114 is released so that the user can place a key, for example a socket wrench such as a polygonal wrench, onto the actuating element 114 to actuate it.
[0067] Figures 4a-c show a second embodiment of the actuating device and the system. Figure 4a shows a perspective view of the actuating device 200 and a corresponding key unit 202, which together form the system 204. Furthermore, the system 204 comprises a key 206, in particular a key (see Figure 7). Figure 4b shows a sectional view of the actuating device 200 and the key unit 202 from the side, corresponding to the sectional plane designated "IVb" in Figure 4c. Figure 4c shows a sectional view from below, corresponding to the sectional plane designated "IVc" in Figure 4b.
[0068] The actuating device 200 is also designed as a closure, namely as a rotary closure, and comprises a housing 210 in the form of a closure housing, an actuating element 214 in the form of a locking core arranged in a cylindrical bore 212 in the housing 210, and a cap 216 placed on the housing 210.
[0069] The housing 210 has an opening 220 on a front side 218 of the housing 210, which forms an access 222 to the actuating element 214. On the actuating side 224 of the actuating element 214, arranged in the region of the access 222, the actuating element has an actuating contour 226, for example, a bit or double-bit contour, for inserting the key 206. The actuating device 200 can, for example, be designed as a cam lock, as shown in Fig. 4a-b. For this purpose, a locking tongue 230 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the actuating element 214 at the end 228 of the actuating element 214 facing away from the actuating side 224, for example, screwed as shown in Fig. 4b. However, other configurations of the lock 200 are also conceivable.
[0070] The cap 216 has a recess 270 with a recess contour 272 which is adapted to the outer geometry of the actuating contour 226 or the key 206, so that the key 206 with its key contour 208 adapted to the actuating contour 226 can be inserted through the recess 270.
[0071] In Fig. 4a-c, the cap 216 is placed in a blocking position on the housing 210. For this purpose, the cap 216 has an inner contour 232 adapted to the outer contour of the housing 210, which forms a receptacle 234 for the front side 218 of the housing 210, in particular for a collar 211 of the housing 210 surrounding the access 222.
[0072] In the blocking position, the cap 216 blocks access 222 to the actuating element. In the present embodiment, this is achieved by rotating the recess 270 of the cap 216 relative to the actuating contour 226 in such a way that the key 206 cannot be placed through the recess 270 onto the actuating contour 226.
[0073] To prevent unauthorized adjustment of the cap 216 from the blocking position shown in Figures 4a-c, the actuating device 200 further comprises a locking mechanism 240. The locking mechanism 240 comprises a plurality of locking elements 242, twelve in the present exemplary embodiment, arranged circumferentially in the cap 216. The locking elements 242 each have a pivot arm 246 pivotally mounted about a respective locking element axis 244, on which a respective locking magnet 248 is arranged, spaced from the locking element axis 244.
[0074] The pivot arms 246 and thus the locking elements 242 are each pivotable between a locking position (see Fig. 4b-c) and an unlocking position (see Fig. 5a-b). The pivot arms 246 are held in the locking position by the magnetic interaction of the locking magnets 248 with the housing 210, which in this case is made of steel. Alternatively, a ferromagnetic element, such as a steel ring, can be provided on the housing 210 opposite the pivot arms 246, the magnetic interaction of which element with the locking magnets 248 holds the pivot arms in the locking position. In this case, the housing 210 can be made of a non-ferromagnetic material, for example plastic.
[0075] Furthermore, the locking mechanism 240 comprises mutually corresponding form-locking elements 274, 276 on the cap 216 and the housing 210, which in the present embodiment are designed in the form of pins 274 on the cap 216 and corresponding receptacles 276 on the housing 210. The form-locking elements 274, 276 engage with each other in a form-locking manner in the blocking position and prevent the cap 216 from rotating relative to the housing 210.
[0076] In the locked position, the pivot arms 246 engage inwardly into the receptacle 234 and behind a blocking position undercut 250 provided on the housing 210, thereby positively blocking any movement of the cap 216 from the blocking position. In particular, the pivot arms 246 engaging behind the blocking position undercut 250 prevent the cap 216 from being lifted off the housing 210 and thus prevent the positive-locking elements 274, 276 from disengaging.
[0077] In the present embodiment, the key unit 202 is designed—similar to the cap 116 in Fig. 1a-c—in the form of an overcap that can be placed on the cap 216 and, for this purpose, has an inner contour 254 corresponding to the outer contour 252 of the cap 216, which forms a receptacle 256 for the cap 216. The outer contour 252 of the cap 252 has a bulge 253, and the inner contour 254 of the key unit 202 has a corresponding bulge receptacle 255. The bulge 253 and the corresponding bulge receptacle 255 determine the correct alignment of the key unit 202 with respect to the cap 216.
[0078] Furthermore, the cap 216 has a recess 278 for inserting the key 206.
[0079] The key unit 202 has a number of unlocking magnets 260 corresponding to the number of locking magnets 248, which are arranged and aligned such that, when the key unit 202 is placed on the cap 216 in a predetermined orientation, they magnetically interact with the locking magnets 248 such that the pivot arms 246 and thus the locking elements 242 are moved into the unlocking position.
[0080] Figs. 5a-c show the system 204 with the actuating device 200 and the key unit 202 from Figs. 4a-c, wherein Fig. 5a shows a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 4b, Fig. 5b shows a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 4c, and Fig. 5c shows a plan view with partially hidden contours (dashed). The sectional plane of Fig. 5a is labeled "Va" in Figs. 5b and 5c, respectively, and the sectional plane of Fig. 5b is labeled "Vb" in Fig. 5a. In Figs. 5a-c, the key unit 202 is placed on the cap 216. The locking elements 242 are in the unlocked position in Figs. 5a-c, respectively.Only when the unlocking magnets 260 correspond to the locking magnets 248, in particular, are correctly positioned and aligned with respect to their magnetic north pole-south pole, are all locking elements 242 moved into the unlocked position and the cap 216 moved out of the blocked position. In this way, the cap 216 with the locking magnets 248 and the key unit 202 can be coded to each other. The multitude of possible configurations of the locking and unlocking magnets thus achieves a high degree of security.
[0081] In the unlocked position, the locking elements 242 no longer engage behind the blocking position undercut 250, so that the cap 216 is no longer secured in the blocking position by the locking elements 242. By means of a spring element 280 arranged between the housing 210 and the cap 216, which in the present embodiment is designed as a spiral spring, the cap 216 is moved in the unlocked position of the locking elements 242 from the blocking position (Fig. 4b) into a pre-release position (Fig. 5a), in which the form-locking elements 274, 276 are disengaged, so that the cap 216 can be rotated relative to the housing 210.
[0082] Due to spacers 243 provided in the cap 216, which serve as a stop for the locking elements 242 in the unlocked position, the locking elements 242 engage inwardly into the receptacle 234 of the cap 216 even in the unlocked position, so that the locking elements 242 engage behind a securing undercut 251 on the housing in the pre-release position, so that the cap 216 continues to be held on the housing and cannot be lost. As shown in Fig. 5c, the recess 270 with the recess contour 272 is still rotated relative to the actuating contour 226 in the pre-release position, so that access 222 to the actuating element 214 for the key 206 continues to be blocked.
[0083] However, in the pre-release position, the cap 216 can be adjusted into a release position by turning it. In particular, the cap 216 can be adjusted into the release position in the pre-release position by actuating the key unit 202. The force required for rotation is transmitted between the key unit 202 and the cap 216 via the positive engagement formed by the bulge 253 of the cap 216 and the bulge receptacle 255 of the key unit 202. The bulge 253 and the bulge receptacle 255 therefore represent mutually corresponding positive engagement elements, so that the cap 216 can be rotated by actuating the key unit 202. When using sufficiently strong locking magnets 248 and unlocking magnets 260, the magnetic attraction force between these magnets can be sufficient to transmit rotation from the key unit 202 to the cap 216.In this case, form-locking elements can also be dispensed with.
[0084] Figs. 6a-b show sectional views of the system 200 corresponding to Figs. 5a-b with the cap 216 in the release position. Fig. 6c also shows a top view of the system 200 corresponding to Fig. 5c with the cap 216 in the release position. Some hidden contours are also shown in Fig. 6c (dashed lines). The sectional plane of Fig. 6a is labeled "Via" in Figs. 6b and 6c, and the sectional plane of Fig. 6b is labeled "Vlb" in Fig. 6a.
[0085] In the release position, the recess 270 with the recess contour 272 is aligned with the actuating contour 226 (see Fig. 6c) such that the access 222 for the key 206 is released and a key 206 with a key contour 208 can be inserted through the recess 278 of the key unit 202 and the recess 270 of the cap 216 onto the actuating contour 226 for actuation. Fig. 7 shows the key 206 with the key contour 208 inserted onto the actuating contour 226 in a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 6a.
[0086] List of reference symbols:
[0087] 100, 200 actuator
[0088] 102, 202 key unit
[0089] 104, 204 System
[0090] 110. 210 Housing
[0091] 111. 211 Collar of the housing
[0092] 112. 212 Bore
[0093] 114, 214 Actuating element
[0094] 116, 216 cap
[0095] 118, 218 Front of the housing
[0096] 120, 220 opening
[0097] 122, 222 Access
[0098] 124, 224 operating side
[0099] 126, 226 actuating contour
[0100] 128, 228 end facing away from the actuating side
[0101] 130, 230 locking tongue
[0102] 132, 232 inner contour of the cap
[0103] 134, 234 Cap holder
[0104] 140, 240 locking mechanism
[0105] 142, 242 locking elements
[0106] 144, 244 Locking element axis
[0107] 146, 246 swivel arm
[0108] 148, 248 locking magnet
[0109] 150, 250 blocking position undercut
[0110] 152, 252 Outer contour of the cap
[0111] 154, 254 Inner contour of the key unit
[0112] 156, 256 Key unit holder, 159 Form-locking elements, 260 Unlocking magnets
[0113] 206 keys
[0114] 208 Key contour
[0115] 243 spacers
[0116] 251 Safety undercut
[0117] 253 bulge of the cap
[0118] 255 Key unit recess
[0119] 270 Cap recess
[0120] 272 Recess contour, 276 Form-locking elements
[0121] 278 Key unit recess
[0122] 280 spring element
Claims
P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e 1. Actuating device (100, 200), with a housing (110, 210) and with an actuating element (114, 214) arranged at least partially in the housing (110, 210), wherein the housing (110, 210) has an access (122, 222) to the actuating element (114, 214) on a front side (118, 218) and wherein a cap (116, 216) is provided which, in a blocking position, blocks the access (122, 222) to the actuating element (114, 214), characterized in that a locking mechanism (140, 240) is provided for securing the cap (116, 216) against unauthorized adjustment or removal of the cap (116, 216) from the blocking position, that the locking mechanism (140, 240) comprises at least one locking element (142, 242) which can be moved between a locking position for positively blocking the adjustment or removal of the cap (116, 216) from the blocking position and an unlocking position for enabling the adjustment or removal of the cap (116,216) is adjustable from the blocking position, and that the locking element (142, 242) comprises at least one locking magnet (148, 248) for adjusting the locking element (142, 242) from the locking position to the unlocking position by the magnetic interaction between the locking magnet (148, 248) and at least one unlocking magnet (160, 260) of a corresponding key unit (102, 202).
2. Actuating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of locking elements (142, 242), each of which is adjustable between a locking position for positively blocking the adjustment or removal of the cap (116, 216) from the blocking position and an unlocking position for enabling the adjustment or removal of the cap (116, 216) from the blocking position, and wherein the plurality of locking elements (142, 242) each comprise at least one locking magnet (148, 248) for adjusting the respective locking element from the locking position to the unlocking position by the magnetic interaction between the locking magnet (148, 248) and at least one unlocking magnet (160, 260) of a corresponding key unit (102, 202).
3. Actuating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking element (142, 242) comprises a pivoting arm (146, 246) which is pivotally mounted about a locking element axis (144, 244) and which can be pivoted from the locking position into the unlocking position, and in that the locking magnet (148, 248) is arranged on the pivoting arm (146, 246) at a distance from the locking element axis (144, 244).
4. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cap (116, 216) in the unlocking position of the at least one locking element (142, 242) is removable from the housing (110, 210) or is adjustable into a release position in which the cap (116, 216) is removable or in which the cap (116, 216) releases the access (122, 222) to the actuating element (114, 214).
5. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cap (116, 216) is adjustable in the unlocking position of the at least one locking element (142, 242) into a pre-release position, from which the cap (116, 216) is adjustable into the release position.
6. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a spring element (280) is provided which moves the cap (116, 216) in the unlocking position of the at least one locking element (142, 242) into the pre-release position and / or into the release position.
7. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cap (116, 216) has a recess (270) with a recess contour (272) for inserting a key (206) corresponding to an actuating contour (126, 226) of the actuating element (114, 214), that the recess contour (272) in the blocking position of the cap (116, 216) is aligned with the actuating contour (126, 226) of the actuating element (114, 214) in such a way that the insertion of a key (206) onto the actuating contour (126, 226) is blocked, and that the recess contour (272) in the unlocking position of the at least one locking element (142, 242) is aligned with the actuating contour (126, 226) is aligned or alignable such that the key (206) can be plugged onto the actuating contour (126, 226) through the recess (270).
8. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cap (116, 216) and the housing (110, 210) have corresponding form-locking elements (274, 276) which are arranged in the Blocking position of the cap (116, 216) blocks alignment of the recess contour (272) to the actuating contour (126, 226).
9. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the actuating device (100, 200) is a closure, in particular a rotary closure.
10. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the actuating element (114, 214) is rotatably mounted in the housing (110, 210) and preferably has an actuating contour (126, 226) for the torque-transmitting attachment of a key (206).
11. System (104, 204) comprising an actuating device (100, 200) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and comprising a corresponding key unit (102, 202), wherein the key unit (102, 202) has unlocking magnets (160, 260) corresponding to the locking magnets (148, 248).
12. System according to claim 11, characterized in that the key unit (102, 202) can be placed on the cap (116, 216).
13. System according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the key unit (102, 202) and the cap (116, 216) are adapted to one another, in particular have mutually corresponding form-locking elements (253, 255), such that the cap (116, 216) in the unlocking position of the at least one locking element (124, 242) by actuating the key unit removable or adjustable to the release or pre-release position.
14. System according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the key unit (102, 202) has a recess (278) for inserting a key (206).
15. System according to one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a key (206) corresponding to the actuating element (114, 214).