Locking device for a door, in particular aircraft interior door

Abstract

Locking device (1) for locking a door (2, 2a), having: an adjustable actuating element (3) and a locking element (4) which is connected thereto and, by adjustment of the actuating element (3), is movable between a closed position (SS) closing the door (2, 2a) and an open position (SO) releasing the door (2, 2a), wherein a delay means (8) is provided which, in a starting state (ZA), blocks an adjustment of the locking element (4) from the closed position (SS) into the open position (SO) and, in an end state (ZE), releases same, wherein the actuating element (3), depending on position (P1, P2), keeps the delay means (8) in the starting state (ZA) or releases the transfer thereof into the end state (ZE), wherein, during a delay time, the delay means (8) is designed for transfer from the starting state (ZA) into the end state (ZE), by means of a change in the position of the actuating element (3), such that, after expiry of the delay time, the locking element (4) is movable from the closed position (SS) into the open position (SO).

Description

[0001] Locking device for door, in particular aircraft interior door

[0002] The invention relates to a locking device for locking a door, in particular an aircraft interior door, comprising: an actuating element adjustable between a first position and a second position and a locking element connected to the actuating element, wherein the locking element is movable by an adjustment of the actuating element from the first position to the second position between a closed position closing the door and an open position releasing the door.

[0003] The invention further relates to a door, in particular an aircraft interior door with the locking device, as well as an aircraft with the door.

[0004] In addition, the invention relates to a method for the time-delayed unlocking of the door, in particular the interior door in the interior of the aircraft.

[0005] Locking devices for locking a door, in particular an aircraft interior door, are known. For example, locking devices are installed in doors leading into the cockpit of an aircraft. In order to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the cockpit and, in particular, to better protect the pilots from attacks in the cockpit, an additional door can be provided in front of the cockpit door, which is intended to be closed when the cockpit door is opened. The simultaneous opening of the cockpit door and the additional door should therefore be prevented. Such additional doors are not currently provided in aircraft.

[0006] The object of the invention is to create a locking device, a door, an aircraft and a method of the type mentioned at the beginning, which is intended to reduce safety risks, in particular in air traffic. The locking device is intended to prevent the door equipped with the locking device, which leads to a subsequent door, for example the cockpit door, from being opened at a time at which the opening of the subsequent door, in particular the cockpit door, is visually detectable. The locking device is intended to be reliable and of simple construction. The door with the locking device is intended to be easy to open and close. The aircraft is to be equipped with the door. The method is intended to be reliable and easy to carry out.

[0007] For this purpose, the invention provides a locking device as defined in claim 1, a door as defined in claim 17, an aircraft as defined in claim 19, and a method as defined in claim 20. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] The locking device is characterized according to the invention by a delay device which can be transferred between an initial state and a final state, wherein the delay device blocks a displacement of the locking element from the closed position to the open position in the initial state and releases a displacement of the locking element from the closed position to the open position in the final state, wherein the actuating element in the first position holds the delay device in the initial state and in the second position releases a transition of the delay device from the initial state to the final state, wherein the delay device is designed by transferring the actuating element from the first position to the second position for the transition from the initial state to the final state during a delay time,so that after the delay time has elapsed, the locking element can be moved from the closed position to the open position.

[0009] The locking device thus serves to lock and thus also to unlock a door, in particular an aircraft interior door, which can be arranged in front of a cockpit door. For this purpose, the locking device has an actuating element that can be adjusted between a first position and a second position. The actuating element is preferably partially covered by a panel on the door or a housing of the locking device, so that a person cannot directly access the actuating element to lock or unlock the door, but rather actuates it preferably via a handle connected to the actuating element, in particular a rotary handle.The locking device also has a locking element connected to the actuating element, which is movable by adjusting the actuating element from the first position to the second position between a closed position closing the door and an open position releasing the door. The locking element can, for example, be at least one displaceable, pivotable, or rotatable bolt about a longitudinal axis, in particular a bolt or a flat body.

[0010] In order to prevent a person from unlocking and opening the door at a time at which the person can visually detect the opening of a subsequent door, in particular a door to a cockpit of an aircraft, the locking device has a delay device which can be transferred between an initial state and an end state. The delay device is designed to block a movement of the locking element from the closed position to the open position in the initial state and to release a movement of the locking element from the closed position to the open position in the end state. The end state does not necessarily have to mean an end of the movement of the delay device which began in the initial state.Therefore, if the delay device can be adjusted from the initial state beyond the final state, the adjustment of the locking element from the closed position to the open position is still released in the final state and possibly beyond. In other words, the adjustment of the locking element from the closed position to the open position is blocked as long as the delay device is between the initial state and the final state. In order to be able to specifically trigger the adjustment of the locking element from the closed position to the open position, the actuating element in the first position holds the delay device in the initial state and the actuating element in the second position releases a transition of the delay device from the initial state to the final state. The delay device is thus at least temporarily coupled to the actuating element.To prevent the door from being unlocked and opened immediately by actuating the actuating element, the delay device is designed to transition from the initial state to the final state during a delay time by moving the actuating element from the first position to the second position, so that the locking element can only be moved from the closed position to the open position after the delay time has elapsed. Therefore, if a person actuates the actuating element using a handle with the intention of opening the door, the actuating element activates the delay device, which only allows the locking element to move from the closed position to the open position, and thus the door to open, after the delay time has elapsed.In this way, it is possible to prevent the person from opening the door if it is recognizable that a subsequent door, in particular the cockpit door, is being opened at the same time. Instead, the subsequent door can be closed again during the delay time to deny the person access. The delay time is preferably independent of the speed with which the actuating element is moved from the first position to the second position. The delay time can preferably be constant, apart from age-related changes.

[0011] It should be noted that the above-mentioned transition of the delay device from the initial state to the final state can already take place when the first position is left, i.e. during the transition of the actuating element to the second position. However, the transition of the delay device to the final state will preferably only be completed when the actuating element has assumed the second position. A person can therefore only further slow down the transition of the delay device to the final state and thus the unlocking of the door by actuating the actuating element particularly slowly, but cannot accelerate it and cannot bypass the delayed release of the door. The delay time is preferably longer, in particular several times longer, than the time it takes for the locking element to move from the closed to the open position.Preferably, the movement of the locking element from the closed to the open position, from the perspective of the person operating the door, takes place essentially in zero time, for example, in less than 300 ms. In contrast, the delay time is a time period other than zero.

[0012] If in the course of the description reference is made to location and direction specifications such as "top", "bottom", "front", "rear" or "side", these specifications relate to the intended use of the locking device or the door. The term "vertical" means in the direction of gravity, from "top" to "bottom", or vice versa, whereby in the case of an application as an aircraft interior door the aircraft is in a horizontal position. If the locking device or the door is to be used in a different position, the location and direction specifications must be transferred accordingly.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the delay time is at least 3 seconds, preferably at least 4 seconds, in particular at least 5 seconds. In particular, the delay time can be between 5 and 15 seconds, particularly preferably between 5 and 10 seconds. The delay time dimensioned in this way enables sufficient measures to be taken against unauthorized access, such as closing a subsequent door, for example a cockpit door, before an unauthorized person can pass through the door with the locking device.

[0014] Particularly preferably, a release element is provided which is adjustable between a holding position and a release position, wherein the release element blocks the transition of the locking element from the closed position to the open position in the holding position and releases the transition of the locking element from the closed position to the open position in the release position, wherein the delay device has a trigger element which is designed to move the release element from the holding position to the release position in the final state of the delay device. The release element, which acts as a trigger, can thus be actuated by the delay device, so that the transition of the locking element from the closed position to the open position only occurs after the delay time has elapsed.The transition of the release element from the holding position to the release position can occur spontaneously upon reaching the final state of the delay device. The delay device can be extended beyond the final state. To block the transition of the locking element from the closed position to the open position, the release element can, for example, engage in a recess, in particular a depression, of the locking element in the holding position.

[0015] So that the release element can assume a defined release and holding position, it is advantageous if a release drive is provided for transferring the release element from the release into the holding position, wherein a release spring is preferably provided as the release drive, which pretensions the release element in the direction of the holding position so that the release element can be transferred from the holding into the release position against the spring force of the release spring. The release element is therefore in the holding position as long as it is not transferred into the release position by the trigger element against the spring force of the release spring. The release spring can be, for example, a helical spring or a spiral spring.

[0016] For a particularly simple and reliable design, the release element can have a lever pivotable about a bearing axis, wherein the lever preferably engages in a recess of the locking element when the release element is in the holding position. The lever can be connected to the release drive, in particular the release spring, and can thereby be preloaded into the holding position. Furthermore, the lever can be pivotable from the holding position to the release position against the force of the release spring.

[0017] In order to achieve the delayed movement of the locking element from the closed position to the open position, it is advantageous if the delay device has a delay drive acting on the triggering element, in particular a delay drive spring which is pre-tensioned in the initial state of the delay device, wherein the delay drive moves the triggering element during the delay time such that the release element is transferred into the release position in the final state of the delay device. The movement of the triggering element can begin with the adjustment of the actuating element away from the first position towards the second position. The delay drive thus provides the force for moving the triggering element from the initial state to the final state of the delay device and preferably also the force for adjusting the release element from the holding position to the release position.In the initial state of the delay device, the trigger element is spaced apart from the release element and in the final state of the delay device, it is preferably displaced against the release element in such a way that the release element is moved, in particular pivoted, from the holding position to the release position in the final state of the delay device.

[0018] The deceleration drive, in particular the preload of the deceleration drive spring, can be configured to be adjustable with an adjusting element in order to adjust the force acting on the trigger element and thus the movement speed of the trigger element and the delay time of the delay device. Preferably, the deceleration drive is coupled to the trigger element. The deceleration drive spring can be, for example, a helical spring or a spiral spring.

[0019] For reliable movement of the locking element, an unlocking drive, in particular an unlocking spring, can be provided which moves the locking element in the release position of the release element from the closed to the open position. The unlocking spring for this purpose is preferably in a pre-tensioned state in the closed position of the locking element. As soon as the release element is in the release position, the unlocking spring relaxes and drives the locking element into the open position. To achieve a particularly reliable design, the delay device can have a damper which dampens the movement of the trigger element under the action of the delay drive, in particular under the action of the delay drive spring. The damper, which delays the movement of the trigger element, is preferably operatively connected to the trigger element for this purpose.The damper can be connected to an adjusting element for adjusting the damping effect in order to be able to adjust the speed of movement of the trigger element and thus the delay time of the delay device.

[0020] For a space-saving and reliable design, a rotary damper is preferred. The rotary damper rotates against a mechanical resistance, thus slowing the movement of the trigger element.

[0021] A particularly stable design can provide for the trigger element to have a sliding element whose movement is dampened by the damper. The sliding element can be reliably mounted and guided in the locking device in a particularly simple manner.

[0022] Particularly preferably, the displacement element is a rack or a toothed rail, which engages with projections, in particular teeth, on the damper, in particular a rotary damper. The engagement of the projections in the rack or toothed rail creates a reliable connection between the triggering element and the damper, and prevents sliding between the triggering element and the damper.

[0023] If the triggering element has a stop which, in the initial state of the delay device, engages with the actuating element in the first position, the actuating element can hold the delay device in the initial state in the first position via the stop. For example, the stop engages behind part of the actuating element. The engagement between the stop and the actuating element is preferably released when the actuating element is moved from the first position to the second position, in particular when it is in the second position. In the final state of the delay device, the stop is therefore not necessarily engaged with the actuating element in the second position.

[0024] The release element can be moved from the holding position into the release position particularly reliably by the trigger element if the trigger element has a trigger contact surface, in particular a first run-up slope, and the release element has a release contact surface, in particular a second run-up slope, which are spaced apart from one another in the initial state of the delay device and are in contact with one another in the final state of the delay device. If the trigger element is moved against the release element during the delay time, the trigger contact surface comes into contact with the release contact surface, as a result of which the release element is moved into the release position. In particular, towards the end of the movement of the trigger element, i.e.Essentially while the final state of the delay device is being assumed, the first run-up slope slides on the second run-up slope and thereby adjusts the release element. For example, a displacement movement of the trigger element is thereby converted into a pivoting movement of the release element. In particular, the trigger element moves or pivots the release element into the release position via the trigger contact surface resting on the release contact surface.

[0025] In order to be able to relock an unlocked door by actuating the actuating element, it is advantageous if the actuating element is connected to a return device for returning the locking element from the open to the closed position by adjusting the actuating element from the second to the first position. In particular, the adjustment movement of the actuating element to the first position can be converted by the return device into a return movement of the locking element to the closed position.

[0026] It is particularly advantageous if the return device is in contact with the locking element in the open position of the locking element, so that the locking element can be moved directly from the open to the closed position by moving the actuating element from the second to the first position. Direct movement of the locking element from the open to the closed position means movement without a delay or with a minimal delay that is many times shorter than the delay when opening the door. For example, the locking element can be moved directly to the closed position in less than one second.In particular, the process of transferring the locking element into the closed position can begin when the actuating element leaves the second position, so that, in particular, the movement of the actuating element toward the first position begins simultaneously with the movement of the locking element toward the closed position. Transferring the locking element into the closed position can therefore take just as long as moving the actuating element from the second to the first position by a person operating the door.

[0027] A particular embodiment can provide that the return device has a lever device connected to the actuating element and a return element acting on the locking element, in particular a return slide. The lever device has the advantage that it can be designed to be particularly stable and reliable. Preferably, the lever device has at least one lever, preferably a toggle lever with two lever elements connected to one another in an articulated manner. If the actuating element is designed to be pivotable, the actuating element can be fixedly connected to one of the two lever elements of the toggle lever, so that pivoting of the actuating element directly leads to an adjustment of the toggle lever.The lever device can be designed, in particular, to convert the pivoting of the actuating element into a displacement of the return element, which moves the locking element from the open to the closed position. The return element can be designed, in particular, as a return slide, in particular as a return plate or as a return ring, for bearing against and exerting pressure against the locking element.

[0028] It is particularly preferred if the return element rests on the locking element, in particular on an end face of the locking element, in the first position of the actuating element, is spaced from the locking element in the second position of the actuating element, in the initial state of the delay device, and rests on the locking element in the second position of the actuating element, in the final state of the delay device. As a result, the locking element is held in the closed position by the return element in the first position of the actuating element. In the second position of the actuating element, in the initial state of the delay device, a free space is provided between the return element and the locking element for adjusting the locking element from the closed position to the open position, in particular in the direction of the return element.In the second position of the actuating element, in the final state of the delay device, the locking element, in particular an end face thereof, rests against the return element, whereby a rest position of the locking element in the open position is determined by the return element.

[0029] The door according to the invention, in particular an aircraft interior door, has the following: a door leaf, in particular a pivotable door leaf, a door frame enclosing the door leaf, a locking device according to the preceding description, wherein the locking element of the locking device is arranged in a receptacle of the door frame in the closed position to block a movement of the door leaf, in particular a pivoting of the door leaf, a handle ff connected to the actuating element of the locking device, in particular a rotary handle ff.

[0030] The door, which can be arranged in an aircraft interior and in particular can be located in front of a door to a cockpit, thus has a handle on the door leaf that can be operated by a person. Due to the locking device, the door does not unlock immediately after the handle is operated, but only after the delay time predetermined by the locking device has elapsed. Only after the delay time has elapsed can the door leaf be moved, in particular swung open. The receptacle of the door frame for the locking element can be formed by a striking plate known from the prior art.

[0031] If the door leaf has multiple viewing openings, a person on one side of the door can check that no one on the other side is attempting to open the door at the time. In particular, a pilot in the cockpit can check through a viewing window or a peephole in the cockpit door whether the door with the locking device on the cabin side is clear, and if so, open the cockpit door. If someone attempts to open the door with the locking device from the cabin side while the cockpit door is open, the locking device's delay time is sufficient to close the cockpit door again.

[0032] The invention also relates to an aircraft with a door according to the preceding description.

[0033] The method according to the invention for the time-delayed unlocking of a door, in particular an interior door in the interior of an aircraft, according to the preceding description, comprises the following steps:

[0034] Actuating, in particular twisting, the handle, whereby the actuating element is moved from the first to the second position,

[0035] Transition of the delay device from the initial to the final state, wherein a delay time, preferably of at least 3 seconds, in particular of at least 5 seconds, elapses, transfer of the locking element from the closed to the open position after the delay time has elapsed.

[0036] With regard to the features of the method, reference is also made to the preceding description of the locking device, the door, and the aircraft, insofar as this description is helpful for understanding the method and insofar as features of the method can be derived from this description of the locking device, the door, and the aircraft. Likewise, with regard to the features of the locking device, the door, and the aircraft, reference is made to the description of the method.

[0037] The invention will be further explained below using preferred, non-limiting embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0038] Fig. 1 shows a locking device according to the invention in a symbolic sectional view, with the actuating element in the first position, the delay device in the initial state and the locking element in the closed position;

[0039] Fig. 2 shows the locking device from Fig. 1 with the actuating element in the second position, the delay device in the initial state and the locking element in the closed position;

[0040] Fig. 3 shows the locking device from Fig. 1 with the actuating element in the second position, the delay device in the final state and the locking element in the open position;

[0041] Fig. 4 shows a door, in particular an aircraft interior door, with the locking device from Fig. 1 and a handle, wherein the actuating element for blocking a movement of the door leaf is in the first position;

[0042] Fig. 5 shows the door from Fig. 4, with an area around the handle partially cut out to provide a view of the locking device;

[0043] Fig. 6A to 6D a symbolic representation of the relationship between the position of the handle and the position of the locking element; and

[0044] Fig. 7 is a view of a portion of an aircraft interior showing a cockpit door and the door with the locking device. It should be noted that Figures 1 to 7 are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0045] Figs. 1 to 3 show three states of a locking device 1 for locking a door 2, in particular an aircraft interior door 2a, in a sectional view, in a use position in which the locking device 1 is installed in the door 2, ie from the front, wherein the sectional plane runs vertically.

[0046] 1 to 3 show the locking device 1 with an actuating element 3 which can be adjusted between a first position P1 (Fig. 1) and a second position P2 (Figs. 2 and 3), and with a locking element 4 which is connected to the actuating element 3. The locking element 4 can be moved between a closed position SS (Figs. 1 and 2) which closes the door 2 and an open position SO (Fig. 3) which releases the door 2 by adjusting the actuating element 3 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. In the example shown, the locking element 4 can be moved between the closed position SS and the open position SO. In the state in Fig. 1, the actuating element 3 is in the first position P1, in which a symbolically represented handle 5 which is connected to the actuating element 3 and can be actuated by a person to open the door 2, has not yet been actuated to open the door 2.The locking element 4 is held by the actuating element 3 in the first position PI in the closed position SS, in which the locking element 4 engages in a receptacle 6 of a door frame 7 (not shown in Figs. 1 to 3). The receptacle 6 is designed, for example, as a recess or through opening in the door frame 7. The door 2 is thus closed and locked in the state shown in Fig. 1.

[0047] The locking device 1 also has a delay device 8 which can be transferred between an initial state ZA (FIGS. 1 and 2) and a final state ZE (Fig. 3). The delay device 8 is designed to block a displacement of the locking element 4 from the closed position SS to the open position SO in the initial state ZA and to release a displacement of the locking element 4 from the closed position SS to the open position SO in the final state ZE. The delay device 8 is also designed to transfer from the initial state ZA to the final state ZE during a delay time by transferring the actuating element 3 from the first position P1 to the second position P2, so that after the delay time has elapsed the locking element 4 can be moved from the closed position SS to the open position SO.In the first position P1, the actuating element 3 holds the delay device 8 in the initial state ZA and, in the second position P2, enables a transition of the delay device 8 from the initial state ZA to the final state ZE. Thus, when the handle 5 and thereby the actuating element 3 are actuated to open the door 2, the locking element 4 can only move from the closed position SS to the open position SO after the delay time has elapsed. The delay device 8 therefore requires at least the delay time to transition from the initial state ZA to the final state ZE.

[0048] The actuating element 3, which in the first position PI holds the delay device 8 in the initial state ZA, can already release the transition of the delay device 8 from the initial state ZA to the final state ZE during the adjustment to the second position P2, i.e. from the time the first position PI is left. If therefore a person actuates the handle 5 very slowly, so that the adjustment from the first position PI to the second position P2 takes longer than the delay time, the transfer of the delay device 8 from the initial state ZA to the final state ZE can also take longer than the delay time. Thus, the time which elapses between the start of the actuation of the handle 5 and the assumption of the open position SO by the locking element 4 can be extended beyond the delay time, for example by several seconds, but under no circumstances can it be shortened.In any case, in the second position P2 of the actuating element 3, the transition of the delay device 8 from the initial state ZA to the final state ZE is released.

[0049] The locking device 1 further comprises a release element 9, which is adjustable between a holding position PH (Fig. 1 and 2) and a release position PF (Fig. 3), in the example shown pivotable. In the holding position PH, the release element 9 blocks the transition of the

[0050] Locking element 4 from the closed position SS to the open position SO and in the release position PF indicates the transition of the

[0051] Locking element 4 from the closed position SS into the open position SO. The delay device 8 also has a triggering element 10 which is designed to move the release element 9 from the holding position PH into the release position PF in the final state ZE of the delay device 8. Thus, in the final state ZE of the delay device 8, the release element 9 is in the release position PF.

[0052] The trigger element 10 is moved during the delay time such that the release element 9 has been transferred into the release position PF by the trigger element 10 in the final state ZE of the delay device 8. The trigger element 10 can be constructed in various ways, for example as a rotating element. In the example shown, however, the trigger element 10 is designed as a sliding element 10a. In the example shown, the trigger element 10 has a trigger contact surface 11, in particular a first run-up slope 11a. In addition, the release element 9 has a release contact surface 12, in particular a second run-up slope 12a, in the example shown. Preferably, the trigger contact surface

[0053] 11 or first ramp 11a and the release contact surface

[0054] 12 or second run-up slope 12a are spaced apart from one another in the initial state ZA of the delay device 8, but are in contact with one another in the final state ZE of the delay device 8. Thus, the trigger element 10 can touch and adjust the release element 9, in particular pivot it, during its movement when transferring the delay device 8 to the final state ZE and thereby transfer it into the release position PF. During this contact, the trigger contact surface 11 can touch the release contact surface 12, see Fig. 3. In particular, the first run-up slope 11a can slide on the second run-up slope 12a. A further movement of the trigger element 10 beyond the contact point with the release element 9 is not excluded. A release drive 13, preferably a release spring 13a, is provided to transfer the release element 9 from the release position PF to the holding position PH.The release spring 13a preferably pretensions the release element 9 in the direction of the holding position PH, so that the release element 9 can be moved from the holding position PH to the release position PF by the trigger element 10 against the spring force of the release spring 13a. After the trigger element 10 has been moved away from the release element 9, the latter returns to the holding position PH due to the spring force of the release spring 13a. In the example shown, the release element 9 has a lever 15 which can be pivoted about a bearing axis 14 and which engages in a recess 16 of the locking element 4 in the holding position PH of the release element 9.

[0055] When the trigger element 10 moves the release element 9 in the direction of the release position PF, the lever 15 comes out of engagement with the recess 16, so that the locking element 4 can be adjusted from the closed position SS to the open position SO.

[0056] In the example shown, an unlocking drive 17, in particular an unlocking spring 17a, is provided for moving the locking element 4 from the closed position SS to the open position SO, in the release position PF of the release element 9. The unlocking spring 17a is more strongly tensioned in the closed position SS of the locking element 4 than in the open position SO, so that the unlocking spring 17a moves the locking element 4 into the open position SO as soon as the release element 9 no longer engages in the recess 16 of the locking element 4.

[0057] In order to drive the triggering element 10, the delay device 8 has a delay drive 18 acting on the triggering element 10, in particular a delay drive spring 18a preloaded in the initial state ZA of the delay device 8. The delay drive 18 moves the triggering element 10 during the delay time such that the release element 9 is transferred into the release position PF in the final state ZE of the delay device 8. The delay drive 18, in particular the preload of the delay drive spring 18a, can be designed to be adjustable with an adjusting element 32 in order to be able to adjust the force acting on the triggering element 10 and thus the movement speed of the triggering element 10 and the delay time of the delay device 8.The adjusting element 32 is, for example, a spacer 32a that is adjustable in the direction toward the deceleration drive spring 18a and in the direction away from the deceleration drive spring 18a.

[0058] In the example shown, the trigger element 10 has a stop 19 which, in the initial state ZA of the delay device 8, engages the actuating element 3 in the first position P1. Furthermore, the trigger element 10 is in contact with the delay drive spring 18a via the stop 19. The stop 19 can have a projection 20 against which the actuating element 3 rests in the first position P1 and which prevents further displacement of the actuating element 3 in a direction opposite to the second position P2.

[0059] In Figs. 1 to 3 it can also be seen that the deceleration device 8 has a damper 21, in particular a rotary damper 21a, which dampens, i.e. slows down, the movement of the trigger element 10 under the action of the deceleration drive 18, in particular under the action of the deceleration drive spring 18a. In particular, the damper 21 slows down the displacement of the trigger element 10 designed as a displacement element 10a. In the example shown, the displacement element 10a is designed as a rack 10b or toothed rail 10c, which engages with projections 22, in particular teeth 22a, on the damper 21, in particular rotary damper 21a.

[0060] 1 to 3 also show an exemplary return device 23 of the locking device 1. The actuating element 3 is connected to the return device 23 in order to be able to return the locking element 4 from the open position SO to the closed position SS by adjusting the actuating element 3 from the second position P2 to the first position PI. In order to be able to transfer the locking element 4 directly from the open position SO to the closed position SS by adjusting the actuating element 3 from the second position P2 to the first position PI, the return device 23 is preferably in contact with the locking element 4 in the open position SO of the locking element 4. In the example shown, the return device 23 has a lever device 24 connected to the actuating element 3 and a return element 25 acting on the locking element 4.In the example shown, the lever device 24 has two levers, in particular a toggle lever 24a with two lever elements 24b connected to one another in an articulated manner. One of the lever elements 24b is fixedly connected to the actuating element 3.

[0061] In Fig. 1, the actuating element 3 is in the first position PI, the delay device 8 is in the initial state ZA, the release element 9 is in the holding position PH and the locking element 4 is in the closed position SS.

[0062] In Fig. 2, the actuating element 3 has just been moved into the second position P2, the delay device 8 begins to leave the initial state ZA, but is still shown in the initial state ZA, the release element 9 is still in the holding position PH and the locking element 4 is in the closed position SS.

[0063] In Fig. 3, the actuating element 3 is still in the second position P2, the delay device 8 has moved into the final state ZE, the release element 9 is in the release position PF and the locking element 4 is in the open position SO.

[0064] If the handle 5 of the door 2 has not yet been actuated in order to continue to hold the door 2 in the locked state, the actuating element 3 is in the first position PI in the example shown, see Fig. 1. In this first position PI of the actuating element 3, in particular the toggle lever 24a is slightly angled and rests against a frame 26 in which the locking element 4 is slidably received, whereby the actuating element 3 is also fixed in the first position PI. Since the unlocking drive 17, in particular the unlocking spring 17a, is pretensioned against the toggle lever 24a, the toggle lever 24a is additionally pressed into the slightly angled position. In this case, a delay drive 18, in particular a delay drive spring 18a, which is provided for driving the triggering element 10, is in a pretensioned state.Since the delay device 8 is still connected to the actuating element 3, in particular engages therein, the actuating element 3, in the first position PI, despite the prestressed delay drive 18, holds the delay device 8 in the initial state ZA, in which the release element 9 is held in the holding position PH via the release drive 13, in particular the release spring 13a. In this holding position PH, the locking element 4 is held in the closed position SS by the release element 9, in particular by the release element 9 engaging in the locking element 4, whereby the door 2 cannot be opened.

[0065] For the time-delayed unlocking of the door 2, the handle 5 is actuated, in particular rotated, by a person, whereby the actuating element 3 connected to the handle 5 is moved from the first position P1 to the second position P2, see Fig. 2. When the actuating element 3 is moved to the second position P2, the toggle lever 24 is also adjusted, whereby the return element 25 is spaced apart from the locking element 4. Since the actuating element 3 leaves the first position P1, the delay device 8 is no longer held in the initial state ZA. The delay drive 18, in particular the delay drive spring 18a, moves, in particular displaces, the trigger element 10 in the direction of the release element 9. This displacement of the trigger element 10 is slowed down by the damper 21, in particular the rotation damper 21a.Because of the damper 21, the delay device 8 assumes the final state ZE at the earliest after the delay time. In the final state ZE shown in Fig. 3, the trigger element 10 has been displaced by the delay drive 18 far enough in the direction of the release element 9 that the trigger element 10 is in contact with the release element 9 and has moved the release element 9 into the release position PF. In the release position PF, the release element 9 releases the transition of the locking element 4 into the open position SO. The locking element 4 is moved by the unlocking drive 17 from the closed position SS into the open position SO, so that the door 2 can be opened. The locking element 4 is pressed against the return element 25 by the unlocking drive 17.To relock the door 2, the actuating element 3 is moved back from the second position P2 to the first position PI, whereby the locking element 4 resting against the return element 25 is immediately pushed back toward the closed position SS. The actuating element 3 is moved from the second position P2 to the first position PI against the resistance of the damper 21 and against the force of the unlocking spring 17a and the delay drive spring 18a.

[0066] 4 and 5 show the door 2, in particular an aircraft interior door 2a, with a door leaf 27, in particular a pivotable door leaf 27a, a door frame 7 enclosing the door leaf 27, the previously described locking device 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 3, which is covered by the door leaf 27, and a handle 5, in particular a rotary handle 5a, connected to the actuating element 3 of the locking device 1. In FIG. 5, the door leaf 27 is shown cut out in the region of the locking device 1, merely to allow a view of the locking device 1. The locking element 4 of the locking device 1 is arranged in the closed position SS in the receptacle 6 of the door frame 7 to block any movement of the door leaf 27, in particular any pivoting of the door leaf 27. The door leaf 27 has a plurality of viewing openings 28.

[0067] 6A to 6D, the handle 5 and the locking element 4 are shown in different positions. In Fig. 6A, the handle 5 was operated to open the door 2 at least before the delay time, for example at least 5 seconds ago, whereby the actuating element 3 was moved to the second position P2, and the locking element 4 is in the open position S0. In Fig. 6B, the handle 5 was operated to close the door 2, whereby the actuating element 3 was moved to the first position P1, and the locking element 4 is in the closed position SS. In Fig. 6O, the handle 5 was operated to reopen the door 2 less than the delay time, for example less than 5 seconds ago, whereby the actuating element 3 was moved to the second position P2, but the locking element 4 is still in the closed position SS.6D the delay time has elapsed, so that the locking element 4 is in the open position SO as in Fig. 6A.

[0068] Fig. 7 shows a portion of an aircraft interior with an open cockpit door 29, an open aircraft lavatory door 30, and the door 2 with the locking device 1 in an open position PO, a closed position PG, and a stowed position PV, in which the door 2 is releasably secured to an interior wall 31 of the aircraft. When the cockpit door 29 is closed, the door 2 can remain in any of the open position PO, the closed position PG, or the stowed position PV. Before the cockpit door 29 is opened, the door 2 is moved to the closed position PG. If an attacker attempts to follow a pilot through the open cockpit door 29 from the passenger compartment into the cockpit, the locking device 1 prevents the immediate opening of the door 2. The door 2 will only open after the delay time of the locking device 1 has elapsed. At this time, the pilot will have already closed the cockpit door 29.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Locking device (1) for locking a door (2), in particular an aircraft interior door (2a), comprising: an actuating element (3) adjustable between a first position (PI) and a second position (P2) and a locking element (4) connected to the actuating element (3), wherein the locking element (4) is movable by an adjustment of the actuating element (3) from the first position (PI) to the second position (P2) between a closed position (SS) closing the door (2, 2a) and an open position (SO) releasing the door (2, 2a), characterized by a delay device (8) which can be transferred between an initial state (ZA) and a final state (ZE),wherein the delay device (8) blocks a displacement of the locking element (4) from the closed position (SS) to the open position (SO) in the initial state (ZA) and releases a displacement of the locking element (4) from the closed position (SS) to the open position (SO) in the final state (ZE), wherein the actuating element (3) in the first position (PI) holds the delay device (8) in the initial state (ZA) and in the second position (P2) releases a transition of the delay device (8) from the initial state (ZA) to the final state (ZE), wherein the delay device (8) is designed for the transition from the initial state (ZA) to the final state (ZE) during a delay time by transferring the actuating element (3) from the first position (PI) to the second position (P2), so that after the delay time has elapsed, the locking element (4) is movable from the closed position (SS) to the open position (SO).

2. Locking device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the delay time is at least 3 seconds, preferably at least 4 seconds, in particular at least 5 seconds.

3. Locking device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized characterized by a release element (9) which is adjustable between a holding position (PH) and a release position (PF), wherein the release element (9) in the holding position (PH) blocks the transition of the locking element (4) from the closed position (SS) to the open position (SO) and in the release position (PF) releases the transition of the locking element (4) from the closed position (SS) to the open position (SO), wherein the delay device (8) has a triggering element (10) which is designed to bring the release element (9) from the holding position (PH) to the release position (PF) in the final state (ZE) of the delay device (8).

4. Locking device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that a release drive (13) is provided for transferring the release element (9) from the release position (PF) into the holding position (PH), wherein a release spring (13a) is preferably provided as the release drive (13), which pretensions the release element (9) in the direction of the holding position (PH), so that the release element (9) can be transferred from the holding position (PH) into the release position (PF) against the spring force of the release spring (13a).

5. Locking device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the delay device (8) has a delay drive (18) acting on the triggering element (10), in particular a delay drive spring (18a) prestressed in the initial state (ZA) of the delay device (8), wherein the delay drive (18) moves the triggering element (10) during the delay time such that the release element (9) is transferred into the release position (PF) in the final state (ZE) of the delay device (8).

6. Locking device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that an unlocking drive (17), in particular an unlocking spring (17a), is provided, which moves the locking element (4) in the release position (PF) of the release element (9) from the closed position (SS) to the open position (SO).

7. Locking device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the delay device (8) comprises a damper (21) which dampens the movement of the trigger element (10) under the action of the delay drive (18), in particular under the action of the delay drive spring (18a).

8. Locking device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that a rotary damper (21a) is provided as the damper (21).

9. Locking device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the triggering element (10) has a displacement element (10a), the displacement of which is damped by the damper (21).

10. Locking device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the sliding element (10a) is a rack (10b) or a toothed rail (10c) which is provided with projections (22), in particular teeth (22a), on which the damper (21), in particular rotary damper (21a), is engaged.

11. Locking device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the triggering element (10) has a stop (19) which, in the initial state (ZA) of the delay device (8), engages with the actuating element (3) in the first position (PI).

12. Locking device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the triggering element (10) has a triggering contact surface (11), in particular a first run-up slope (11a), and the release element (9) has a release contact surface (12), in particular a second run-up slope (12a), which are spaced apart from one another in the initial state (ZA) of the delay device (8) and are in contact with one another in the final state (ZE) of the delay device (8).

13. Locking device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the actuating element (3) is provided with a return device (23) for returning the locking element (4) from the open (SO) to the closed position (SS) by moving the actuating element (3) from the second (P2) to the first position (PI).

14. Locking device (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the return device (23) is in contact with the locking element (4) in the open position (SO) of the locking element (4), so that the locking element (4) can be transferred directly from the open position (SO) to the closed position (SS) by adjusting the actuating element (3) from the second position (P2) to the first position (PI).

15. Locking device (1) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the return device (23) has a lever device (24) connected to the actuating element (3) and a return element (25) acting on the locking element (4).

16. Locking device (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the return element (25) in the first position (PI) of the actuating element (3) rests on the locking element (4), in particular on an end face of the locking element (4), in the second position (P2) of the actuating element (3), in the initial state (ZA) of the delay device (8) is spaced from the locking element (4), and in the second position (P2) of the actuating element (3), in the final state (ZE) of the delay device (8) rests on the locking element (4).

17. Door (2), in particular an aircraft interior door (2a), comprising: a door leaf (27), in particular a pivotable door leaf (27a), a door frame (7) enclosing the door leaf (27, 27a), a locking device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the locking element (4) of the locking device (1) is arranged in a receptacle (6) of the door frame (7) in the closed position (SS) to block a movement of the door leaf (27, 27a), in particular a pivoting of the door leaf (27, 27a), a handle (5), in particular a rotary handle (5a), connected to the actuating element (3) of the locking device (1).

18. Door (2, 2a) according to claim 17, characterized in that the door leaf (27, 27a) has a plurality of viewing openings (28).

19. Aircraft with a door (2, 2a) according to claim 17 or 18.

20. Method for the time-delayed unlocking of a door (2, 2a), in particular an interior door in the interior of an aircraft, according to claim 17 or 18, comprising the steps: Actuating, in particular twisting, the handle (5), whereby the actuating element (3) is moved from the first (PI) to the second position (P2), Transition of the delay device (8) from the initial state (ZA) to the final state (ZE), wherein a delay time, preferably of at least 3 seconds, in particular of at least 5 seconds, elapses, Transferring the locking element (4) from the closed position (SS) to the open position (SO) after the delay time has elapsed.

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