Battery compartment lock for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery compartment lock for a vehicle, the battery compartment lock comprising: at least one fastening means, by means of which the battery compartment lock can be fastened to a fastening element of the vehicle provided therefor; a bolt for bolting a battery received in a battery compartment of the vehicle; and a manually actuatable actuating element, which is coupled or can be coupled to the bolt and by means of which the bolt can be moved from a battery-bolting position into a battery-releasing position.

Description

[0001] Battery compartment lock for a vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a battery compartment lock for a vehicle with at least one fastening means by which the battery compartment lock can be fastened to a fastening element of the vehicle provided for this purpose, a latch for locking a battery accommodated in a battery compartment of the vehicle, and a manually operable actuating element coupled or coupleable to the latch, by means of which the latch can be moved from a position locking the battery into a position releasing the battery.

[0003] Such a battery compartment lock is generally known and is used, for example, to secure batteries on electrically assisted bicycles, so-called e-bikes. Such a battery compartment lock is usually designed as a mechanical battery compartment lock, which can be unlocked using a physical key, or as an electronic battery compartment lock, which can be unlocked using a virtual key, which is stored, for example, on a smartphone and / or in the e-bike's control unit.A mechanical battery compartment lock accordingly comprises a locking cylinder into which the physical key can be inserted and which, when turned, releases the bolt, whereas the electronic battery compartment lock comprises a communication unit, in particular for wireless communication with the smartphone, an electric motor for releasing the bolt and a control unit connected to the communication unit for controlling the electric motor. Due to these design differences, mechanical and electronic battery compartment locks generally have different sizes and / or housing shapes. Since the battery compartment lock has to be firmly connected to the bicycle frame in order to effectively secure the battery on the bicycle, the bicycle frame must have fastening elements that match the battery compartment lock. Traditionally, a bicycle manufacturer therefore has to consider this during the design and production phase.When choosing the frame, you'll decide whether the bike should be equipped with a mechanical or electronic battery compartment lock. Retrofitting is then no longer possible or at least involves considerable effort.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of creating a battery compartment lock that allows a bicycle manufacturer greater flexibility in equipping its bicycles and thus more economical bicycle production.

[0005] The problem is solved by a battery compartment lock with the features of claim 1.

[0006] The invention is based on the general idea of ​​designing the battery compartment lock to be configurable either as an electronic battery compartment lock with an electronically releasable locking of the bolt in the locking position or as a mechanical battery compartment lock with a locking cylinder to be actuated by a physical key, wherein the actuating element and the at least one fastening means are arranged in the same way relative to one another in the electronic and mechanical configuration of the battery compartment lock.

[0007] Because the actuating element and the at least one fastening means are arranged identically relative to one another in both the electronic and the mechanical configuration of the battery compartment lock, the battery compartment lock according to the invention is characterized by a universal interface to a frame of the vehicle, e.g. a bicycle, regardless of whether it is designed as a mechanical or electronic battery compartment lock. The vehicle manufacturer therefore does not have to provide different frames for the mechanical and electronic battery compartment lock, but can attach either a mechanical or an electronic battery compartment lock to one and the same frame. This not only simplifies vehicle production and makes it more cost-effective overall, but also opens up the possibility of converting an already fully assembled vehicle from a mechanical to an electronic battery compartment lock or vice versa.

[0008] It is understood that the vehicle in this context is not limited to an electrically assisted bicycle, but can also be an electric scooter, an e-scooter or an electrically powered wheelchair.

[0009] Further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the drawing.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the actuating element is accessible through an opening formed in a frame of the vehicle when the battery compartment lock is installed in the vehicle. According to an alternative embodiment, the actuating element can be accessible through an opening formed in a battery compartment cover or in a lid for the battery compartment when the battery compartment lock is installed in the vehicle.

[0011] Specifically, if the battery compartment lock is configured mechanically, the actuating element can be a locking cylinder. If the battery compartment lock is configured electronically, the actuating element can be a manually operable push button.

[0012] According to a further embodiment, the latch and the actuating element are arranged identically relative to each other when the battery is locked, regardless of whether the battery compartment lock is configured as a mechanical or electronic battery compartment lock. This also provides the battery compartment lock with a universal interface to the battery to be secured, since the latch always assumes the same locking and releasing position when the battery compartment lock is installed, regardless of whether the battery compartment lock is configured as a mechanical or electronic battery compartment lock.

[0013] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the latch and the actuating element are arranged differently relative to each other in the electronic and mechanical configuration of the battery compartment lock when the battery is locked.

[0014] According to a further embodiment, the actuating element defines a central axis, and the direction of movement of the latch is oriented perpendicular to the central axis of the actuating element. The distance between an end of the latch facing the battery and the central axis of the actuating element can define a relative arrangement of the latch and the actuating element when the battery is locked.

[0015] In particular, the latch can be movable, for example displaceable or pivotable, in a plane oriented at right angles to the central axis of the actuating element.

[0016] If the latch is designed to be pivotable, it can be pivotable, for example, about an axis parallel to the central axis of the actuating element or about the central axis of the actuating element itself.

[0017] The invention further relates to a vehicle with a battery compartment for accommodating a battery and with a battery compartment lock of the type described above for locking the battery accommodated in the battery compartment lock. The battery compartment can be formed in a frame of the vehicle. Furthermore, the central axis of the actuating element, when the battery compartment lock is installed, can be oriented transversely and, in particular, at right angles to a longitudinal extension of the frame.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the battery compartment provides two different battery receiving positions in the battery compartment relative to the battery compartment lock. This allows, on the one hand, the placement of different batteries in the battery compartment, especially batteries of different sizes. On the other hand, it compensates for differences in the position of the latch resulting from the configuration of the battery compartment lock, particularly when the latch and the actuating element are arranged differently relative to each other in the electronic and mechanical configuration of the battery compartment lock when the battery is locked.

[0019] For example, the mounting positions can be defined by a slide that can be moved along a rail toward or away from the battery compartment lock to hold the battery in the battery compartment. The slide also allows batteries of different sizes to be positioned relative to the battery compartment lock in a position in which the battery can be reliably locked by the battery compartment lock's latch.

[0020] The invention is described below purely by way of example using possible embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a bicycle with an electric drive motor. Fig. 2A is a perspective view of a mechanical battery compartment lock for locking a battery intended to power the drive motor.

[0022] Fig. 2B is a side view of the battery compartment lock of Fig. 2A.

[0023] Fig. 3A is a perspective view of an electronic battery compartment lock for locking a battery provided for powering the drive motor.

[0024] Fig. 3B is a side view of the battery compartment lock of Fig. 3A.

[0025] Fig. 4A is a top perspective view of a variant of a mechanical battery compartment lock.

[0026] Fig. 4B is a bottom perspective view of the battery compartment lock of Fig. 4A.

[0027] Fig. 5A is a top perspective view of a variant of an electronic battery compartment lock.

[0028] Fig. 5B is a bottom perspective view of the battery compartment lock of Fig. 5A.

[0029] Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a battery compartment for

[0030] Accommodates a battery intended to supply power to the drive motor.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows an electrically assisted bicycle (e-bike) 10 with an electric drive motor 12, which in the present embodiment is arranged in the region of a bottom bracket 14. To supply the drive motor 12 with electrical energy, a rechargeable battery 16 is provided, which in the present embodiment is arranged on a down tube 18 of a frame 20 of the bicycle 10. Specifically, the frame 20 forms a battery compartment 22 for receiving the battery 16, from which the battery 16 can be removed, for example, for maintenance purposes and / or for recharging. The battery compartment 22 defines a longitudinal direction through its extension along the down tube 18.

[0032] To prevent unauthorized removal of the battery 16 from the battery compartment 22, a battery compartment lock 24 is provided in the region of one end of the battery compartment 22, in the present embodiment in the region of an upper end, for locking the battery 16 in the battery compartment 22. More precisely, the battery compartment lock 24 is arranged inside the down tube 18.

[0033] The battery compartment lock 24 comprises a movably mounted latch 26, which can be engaged with the battery 16 to secure the battery 16 accommodated in the battery compartment 22 and disengaged to release the battery 16. The latch 26 described here extends in the longitudinal direction and is mounted so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction. In principle, however, the latch 26 can also be designed differently and / or move in a different manner. For example, a rotating pivoting latch is conceivable.

[0034] To move the bolt 26 toward or away from the battery 16, the battery compartment lock 24 comprises an actuating element, which in the embodiment shown in Figs. 2A and 2B is formed by a locking cylinder 28 that can be actuated by means of a physical key 30. The battery compartment lock 24 shown in Figs. 2A and 2B is therefore a mechanical battery compartment lock. The locking cylinder 28 defines a central axis 29 (Figs. 4 and 5), which in the present embodiment extends at right angles to the longitudinal direction. In other words, the locking cylinder 28 is arranged at right angles to the bolt 26. So that the key 30 can be inserted into the locking cylinder 28 from the outside, the locking cylinder 28 is aligned with a through opening 32 formed in the frame 20.

[0035] To secure the battery compartment lock 24 in the frame 20, the frame 20 has at least one fastening element 34, and the battery compartment lock 24 has at least one corresponding fastening means 36. In the present exemplary embodiment, the fastening element 34 of the frame 20 is designed in the form of a mounting base 38, in which two threaded holes (not shown) are provided. The battery compartment lock 24, on the other hand, has a mounting plate 40, in which two holes 42 are formed, aligned with the threaded holes of the mounting base 38, through which screws (not shown) can be screwed into the threaded holes of the mounting base 38 to fix the battery compartment lock 24 to the frame 20.

[0036] The locking cylinder 28 and the fastening means 36 are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the locking cylinder 28 is aligned with the through opening 32 of the frame 20 and is thus accessible from the outside when the battery compartment lock 24 is mounted to the frame 20, more precisely to the mounting base 38, by means of its fastening means 36.

[0037] 3A and 3B show a battery compartment lock 24 which differs from the battery compartment lock 24 described above in that the actuating element for moving the latch 26 from its position locking the battery 16 accommodated in the battery compartment 22 to the position releasing the battery 16 is formed by a push button 44. Similar to the locking cylinder 28, the push button 44 also has a central axis 29 oriented at right angles to the longitudinal direction (Figs. 4 and 5). Furthermore, the push button 44 is also aligned with the through opening 32 of the frame 20. In this way, the push button 44 can be pressed into the frame 20 from the outside along its central axis 29 in order to retract the latch 26 via a suitable gear mechanism against the spring force of a return spring (not shown), i.e., to move it into its position releasing the battery 16.

[0038] However, the release of the battery 16 is only possible if the latch 26 has previously been electronically unlocked by an authorized user of the battery compartment lock 24, for example, by electromotive decoupling of a locking element (not shown) from the latch 26. Authentication of the user to the battery compartment lock 24 can be carried out in a conventional manner, e.g., by verifying a fingerprint or by wirelessly or wiredly exchanging a virtual key, e.g., using a smartphone or other electronic device. In other words, the battery compartment lock 24 shown in Figs. 3A and 3B is an electronic battery compartment lock.

[0039] For fastening to the mounting base 38 of the frame 20, the electronic battery compartment lock 24 also has a fastening means 36 in the form of a mounting plate 40 with two bores 42 formed therein, which are positioned relative to the push button 44 such that the push button 44 is aligned with the through opening 32 of the frame 20 and is accessible from the outside when the electronic battery compartment lock 24 is installed in the frame 20.

[0040] The relative position of the fastening means 36 to the push button 44 in the electronic battery compartment lock 24 shown in Fig. 3A and 3B is the same as the relative position of the fastening means 36 to the locking cylinder 28 of the mechanical battery compartment lock 24 of Fig. 2A and 2B. With the same positioning of the fastening element 34 relative to the through opening 32 of the frame 20, either a mechanical or electronic battery compartment lock 24 can be installed in the frame 20. Accordingly, during manufacture of the frame 20, it is not necessary to consider whether a mechanical or an electronic battery compartment lock 24 is to be installed in the future, since a single defined positioning of the fastening element 34 relative to the through opening 32 enables both.

[0041] Figs. 4A and 4B show a variant of a mechanical battery compartment lock 24, which differs from the mechanical battery compartment lock 24 shown in Figs. 2A and 2B in that the bolt 26 is not displaceable in the longitudinal direction, but rather pivotable about an axis running parallel to the central axis 29 of the locking cylinder 28. This pivotable bolt 26 also extends in a plane perpendicular to the central axis 29 of the locking cylinder 28 and is movable in this plane, i.e., perpendicular to the central axis 29 of the locking cylinder 28.

[0042] 4A and 4B differs from the battery compartment lock 24 shown in Fig. 2A and 2B in its assembly on the frame 20. The battery compartment lock 24 shown in Fig. 4A and 4B is fastened to a fastening element 34 in the form of an elongated support element 48, which in turn can be fixed to the frame 20. Specifically, the battery compartment lock 24 has a fastening means 36 on its underside, by means of which the battery compartment lock 24 can be fastened to the support element 48 by means of at least one screw 50, which can be passed through at least one hole correspondingly formed in the support element 48. In the exemplary embodiment shown, two screws 50 are provided. The fastening means 36 on the underside of the battery compartment lock 24 and / or the at least one hole in the support element 48 can orcan be designed such that the battery compartment lock 24 to be mounted is displaceable in the longitudinal direction to compensate for tolerances, thereby simplifying the alignment of the battery compartment lock 24 with the frame 20 and, in particular, the alignment of the locking cylinder 28 with the through opening 32 formed in the frame 20. For example, the at least one hole of the support element 48 can be designed as an elongated hole (not shown in Figs. 4A and 5B).

[0043] Figs. 5A and 5B show a variant of an electronic battery compartment lock 24, which differs from the mechanical battery compartment lock 24 shown in Figs. 4A and 4B in that the actuating element for displacing the bolt 26 is formed by a push button 44, similar to the battery compartment lock of Figs. 3A and 3B. The push button 44 of the battery compartment lock 24 of Figs. 5A and 5B also has a central axis 29 oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and is aligned with the through opening 32 of the frame 20.

[0044] Secondly, the battery compartment lock 24 of Fig. 5A and 5B differs from the battery compartment lock 24 shown in Fig. 4A and 4B in that the bolt 26 here extends in a direction at least approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction and is mounted so as to be movable along this direction. In the present exemplary embodiment, the direction of extension or movement of the bolt 26 deviates by a few degrees, e.g. 5 degrees, from the longitudinal direction, specifically towards the carrier element 48. In principle, however, the direction of extension or movement of the bolt 26 can also be oriented exactly parallel to the longitudinal direction. In any case, the bolt 26 of the battery compartment lock 24 of Fig. 5A and 5B also extends at right angles to the central axis 29 of the push button 44 and can be moved at right angles to this.

[0045] The assembly of the electronic battery compartment lock 24 of Fig. 5A and 5B is carried out in the same manner as that of the mechanical battery compartment lock 24 of Fig. 4A and 4B, ie by means of at least one screw 50 on the carrier element 48.

[0046] Since the locking cylinder 28 and the push button 44 are each arranged relatively equally to the fastening means 36 and, in the assembled state of the respective battery compartment lock 24, thus assume the same relative position to the at least one hole of the carrier element 48 for the passage of the at least one screw 50, the battery compartment locks 24 of Fig. 4 and 5 can also be easily exchanged for one another - similar to the battery compartment locks 24 of Fig. 2 and 3.

[0047] Furthermore, in the battery compartment locks 24 described above, the free ends of the latches 26, which each engage with the battery 16, have essentially the same distances in the longitudinal direction from the central axis 29 of the locking cylinder 28 or the push button 44 in the position locking the battery 16. The same applies to the distances in the longitudinal direction of the free ends of the latches 26 relative to the central axis 29 of the locking cylinder 28 or the push button 44 in the position releasing the battery 16. This contributes to the fact that an electronic battery compartment lock 24 can be easily replaced with a mechanical battery compartment lock 24, for example, at the customer's request.

[0048] However, embodiments of mechanical or electronic battery compartment locks 24 are conceivable which, although they can be mounted on the fastening element 34 of the frame 20 with an actuating element aligned with the through-opening 32 of the frame 20, have latches 26 of a different length and / or execute a greater or smaller movement than the latches 26 described above to lock or release the battery 16. To accommodate such embodiments, a slide 46 which is longitudinally adjustable along a rail (not shown) can be arranged in the battery compartment 22 (Fig. 6), on which slide the battery 16 accommodated in the battery compartment 22 is placed and by means of which the position of the battery 16 within the battery compartment 22 can be adapted to the respective installed battery compartment lock 24.It is even conceivable that the slide 46 enables the reception and locking of different types of batteries 16 in the battery compartment 22.

[0049] List of reference symbols

[0050] 10 bicycles

[0051] 12 Drive motor

[0052] 14 bottom bracket

[0053] 16 Battery

[0054] 18 down tube

[0055] 20 frames

[0056] 22 Battery compartment

[0057] 24 Battery compartment lock

[0058] 26 bars

[0059] 28 locking cylinders

[0060] 29 Central axis

[0061] 30 keys

[0062] 32 passage opening

[0063] 34 Fastening element

[0064] 36 fasteners

[0065] 38 mounting bases

[0066] 40 mounting plate

[0067] 42 bore

[0068] 44 snap fastener

[0069] 46 sleds

[0070] 48 support element

[0071] 50 screw

Claims

Claims 1 . Battery compartment lock (24) for a vehicle (10) with at least one fastening means (36), by means of which the battery compartment lock (24) can be fastened to a fastening element (34) of the vehicle (10) provided for this purpose, a bolt (26) for locking a battery (16) accommodated in a battery compartment (22) of the vehicle (10), and a manually operable actuating element (28, 44) coupled or couplable with the bolt (26), by means of which the bolt (26) can be moved from a position locking the battery (16) into a position releasing the battery (16), wherein the battery compartment lock (24) can be configured optionally as an electronic battery compartment lock (24) with an electronically releasable locking of the bolt (26) in the locking position or as a mechanical battery compartment lock (24) with a locking cylinder (28) to be actuated by a physical key (30). and wherein the actuating element (28,44) and the at least one fastening means (36) are arranged identically relative to each other in the electronic and mechanical configuration of the battery compartment lock (24).

2. Battery compartment lock (24) according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element (28, 44) is accessible through an opening (32) formed in a frame (20) of the vehicle (10) when the battery compartment lock (24) is installed in the vehicle (10).

3. Battery compartment lock (24) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuating element (28) is formed by the locking cylinder (28) in the mechanical configuration of the battery compartment lock (24).

4. Battery compartment lock (24) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuating element (44) is formed by a manually operable push button (44) in the case of an electronic configuration of the battery compartment lock (24).

5. Battery compartment lock (24) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the latch (26) and the actuating element (28, 44) are arranged the same relative to one another in the electronic and mechanical configuration of the battery compartment lock (24) when the battery (16) is locked.

6. Battery compartment lock (24) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the latch (26) and the actuating element (28, 44) are arranged differently relative to one another in the electronic and mechanical configuration of the battery compartment lock (24) when the battery (16) is locked.

7. Battery compartment lock (24) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating element (28, 44) defines a central axis (29) and the direction of movement of the bolt (26) is oriented at right angles to the central axis (29) of the actuating element (28, 44).

8. Battery compartment lock (24) according to claim 7, wherein the distance of an end of the latch (26) facing the battery (16) to the central axis (29) of the actuating element (28, 44) when the battery (16) is locked defines a relative arrangement of the latch (26) and the actuating element (28, 44).

9. Battery compartment lock (24) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating element (28, 44) defines a central axis (29) and the bolt (26) is movable, in particular displaceable or pivotable, in a plane oriented at right angles to the central axis (29) of the actuating element (28, 44).

10. Battery compartment lock (24) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating element (28, 44) defines a central axis (29) and the latch (26) is pivotable about an axis parallel to the central axis (29) of the actuating element (28, 44). 1 1. Vehicle (10) with a battery compartment (22) for receiving a battery (16) and a battery compartment lock (24) according to one of the preceding claims for locking the battery (16) received in the battery compartment lock (24).

12. Vehicle (10) according to claim 1 1, wherein the battery compartment (22) is formed in a frame (20) of the vehicle (10).

13. Vehicle (10) according to claim 1 1 or 12, wherein the battery compartment (22) provides two different receiving positions of the battery (16) in the battery compartment (22) relative to the battery compartment lock (24).

14. Vehicle (10) according to claim 13, wherein the receiving positions are defined by a carriage (46) movable along a rail toward or away from the battery compartment lock (24) for holding the battery (16) in the battery compartment (22).

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