Unlocking device and method for producing the unlocking device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an unlocking device and to a method for producing the unlocking device. The unlocking device (1) serves for mechanically unlocking a locking unit and comprises a movable transmission member (10) and a traction means (20) for introducing a tractive force (21) into the transmission member (10) in order to make it move, wherein the transmission member (10) and the traction means (20) are integral components of a combination element (30) comprising the transmission member (10) and the traction means (20). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Unlocking device and method for producing the unlocking device

[0003] The present invention relates to an unlocking device and a method for producing the unlocking device.

[0004] As motor vehicles are equipped with electric drives, it is necessary to design simple and safe charging processes for these vehicles' batteries. This may require locking the charging plugs used for electrically charging batteries integrated into motor vehicles in their respective charging positions on the vehicle, and also mechanically unlocking them to allow the charging plugs to be removed from the vehicle again.

[0005] Various institutions already exist for these purposes.

[0006] Among other things, it is planned that manually operated unlocking devices be installed in motor vehicles. These devices unlock the charging plug via a manually applied actuating force to a traction mechanism, so that it is electrically disconnected from the vehicle or can be disconnected. Such an unlocking device is also referred to as an emergency release.

[0007] However, depending on the design of the respective locking actuator, the manufacturing and assembly costs due to the individual components of the emergency release can be relatively high.

[0008] A well-known design of the emergency release includes a Bowden cable, which is used to initiate a manual actuating force and is directly connected to a gear of the locking actuator.

[0009] In this embodiment of the emergency release, a mechanical connection must be created between the Bowden cable and the gear box, e.g., via a crimped-on barrel-shaped geometry that is positively fixed in a plastic part of the gear box. The Bowden cable must be coated to ensure sealing. Furthermore, a shaped element, such as a hook, must be attached to the Bowden cable, e.g., crimped, to provide a connection option for a manually operated handle. Another embodiment provides for a mechanical connection to a rack in the locking actuator by overmolding a Bowden cable. In this embodiment, the rack accommodates one side of the Bowden cable.

[0010] DE 102022 100 995 A1 teaches an opening and closing device comprising a flap rotatably mounted on a hinge arm and an actuator for actuating the flap. The actuator is coupled to a rotatable spindle, which is coupled to a flap actuating element such that, upon rotation of the spindle, a translational and rotational movement is performed to lock and move the flap. The opening and closing device further comprises an emergency release device having teeth that engage with teeth of a locking sleeve.

[0011] DE 10 2018 104 529 A1 provides a mechanical emergency release in which a locking element can be moved from a locked position to a released position by actuating an emergency release. The mechanical emergency release also allows a locking mechanism to be manually moved into a released position if necessary. The emergency release can comprise a Bowden cable or a rope that a user can pull to release the locking mechanism.

[0012] DE102018123949A1 discloses an actuating device for opening and closing a cover in or on a vehicle. This actuating device can comprise a rack, which is part of an emergency release mechanism, with which the locking of a tappet can be released in the event of a drive mechanism failure. For this purpose, the rack can be manually actuated, for example, by pulling a pulling device, such as a Bowden cable, which in turn moves the gear wheel, for example, pulling the locking bolt into the release position. Accordingly, a pulling device can be provided, wherein the rack can be actuated by manually pulling the pulling device.

[0013] DE202021102424U1 teaches actuating devices for covers in the automotive sector. This device provides, among other things, an emergency release for unlocking a cover as needed, particularly manually. The emergency release is formed by a detachable connection between an actuating sleeve and the cover or a part supporting the cover. The present invention is based on the object of providing an unlocking device and a method for producing the unlocking device, with which the unlocking of a locking unit can be realized in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0014] The object is achieved according to the invention by the unlocking device according to claim 1 and by the method for producing the unlocking device according to claim 8.

[0015] Advantageous embodiments of the unlocking device are specified in subclaims 2-7. An advantageous embodiment of the method for producing the unlocking device is specified in subclaim 9.

[0016] In addition, a motor vehicle is provided which has an unlocking device according to the invention.

[0017] A first aspect of the invention is an unlocking device for mechanically unlocking a locking unit, comprising a movable gear member and a traction means for introducing a tensile force into the gear member for the purpose of moving it, wherein the gear member and the traction means are integral components of a combination element comprising the gear member and the traction means.

[0018] The locking unit can, for example, be used to lock a charging plug on an electrically powered motor vehicle.

[0019] The traction mechanism is designed to absorb a manually applied tensile force. The traction mechanism is designed to perform a translational movement and thereby transmit a force to the gear element for the purpose of its movement.

[0020] By using the combination element and integrating the function of both the traction device and the transmission element into the combination element, various manufacturing and assembly steps can be saved, such as the creation of a connection between the traction device and the transmission element, the provision of bushings for the traction device and its coating.

[0021] At least in a transition area of ​​the combination element between the transmission element and the traction mechanism, the transmission element and the traction mechanism can be made of the same material. One embodiment provides that the transmission element and the traction mechanism are made entirely of the same material. Accordingly, it is provided that no detachable connection is formed between the transmission element and the traction mechanism.

[0022] A fastening element for a manually operable handle or the manually operable handle itself can be formed on the traction means on its side facing away from the transmission member, so that the combination element also comprises a fastening element or such a handle.

[0023] The transmission element can be a rotating element, with the traction mechanism merging into the rotating element along a circumference of the rotating element. The circumference of the rotating element does not necessarily have to be its outer circumference. Furthermore, the rotating element does not have to be completely round. The tensile force introduced into the traction mechanism causes the transmission element to rotate.

[0024] The rotating element can be coupled to a drive gear in a rotationally fixed manner. The movement of the drive gear can be used directly or indirectly for unlocking. In this embodiment, the combination element can therefore comprise not only the rotating element as a transmission element and the traction mechanism, but also a drive gear.

[0025] The drive gear can engage a locking rack, which forms a locking pin or is mechanically firmly connected to a locking pin. The locking pin or locking pin can be configured to lock charging plugs of electric and hybrid vehicles in their plugged-in position. The unlocking device is provided to unlock the charging plug. This can, for example, enable a mechanical emergency release of the charging plug in the event of a fault in order to disconnect the vehicle from the charging plug. The locking rack can be guided in a translational guide, possibly in a linear guide or slotted guide.

[0026] An alternative embodiment of the gear member provides that the gear member is a rack into which an output gear meshes. The tensile force introduced into the gear member causes a translation of the gear member, and thus a rotation of the output gear meshing with the teeth of the rack. In this embodiment, the combination element thus comprises the rack as the gear member and the traction mechanism.

[0027] The output gear can be operatively connected to a locking rack, which forms a locking pin or is mechanically firmly connected to a locking pin.

[0028] This operative connection can be implemented directly, so that the teeth of the output gear mesh with the teeth of the locking rack. Alternatively, the output gear is mechanically coupled to a drive gear, e.g., by being connected in a rotationally fixed manner, and the teeth of the drive gear mesh with the teeth of the locking rack. In this situation, the operative connection between the output gear and the locking rack is implemented indirectly. Each gear can be fully toothed or—depending on the intended angle of rotation—may only be equipped with a single tooth segment.

[0029] Here, too, the locking pin or locking pin can be configured to lock the charging plugs of electric and hybrid vehicles in their plugged-in position. The unlocking device is intended to unlock the charging plug. This can, for example, provide a mechanical emergency release of the charging plug in the event of a fault, in order to disconnect the vehicle from the charging plug. The locking rack can be guided in a linear guide or slotted guide, if necessary.

[0030] Instead of a locking rack that is operatively connected to a gear, a crank gear can also be used, which is coupled to the gear and can cause a translational movement of the locking pin or the locking pin.

[0031] The present invention also provides a locking unit which serves, for example, to lock a charging plug on an electrically driven motor vehicle and which comprises the described unlocking device.

[0032] A further aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a described unlocking device for mechanically unlocking a locking unit, in which a movable gear member and a traction means for introducing a tensile force into the gear member for the purpose of moving it are produced as integral components of a combination element comprising the gear member and the traction means.

[0033] The combination element can be manufactured using a primary molding process. For example, injection molding can be used to produce the combination element and thus the transmission element and traction mechanism.

[0034] The primary forming process makes it possible to integrate the required functions into a plastic gear component instead of the manufacturing and assembly steps for a complex system with a Bowden cable and its connection on both sides, with the advantage of cost-effective production and simple and time-saving assembly.

[0035] In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that, by means of the primary forming process, a fastening element for a manually operable handle or the manually operable handle itself is formed on the traction means on the side thereof facing away from the transmission member, so that the combination element also comprises a fastening element or such a handle that enables an operator to introduce a tensile force into the traction means and consequently into the combination element in a simple and ergonomic manner. Furthermore, a motor vehicle is also provided which has a described unlocking device and / or an unlocking device manufactured according to the described method for producing an unlocking device. The motor vehicle can, for example, be an at least partially electrically driven motor vehicle which is designed for charging by means of an electrical plug connection.

[0036] The motor vehicle can be designed such that the unlocking device can be easily actuated manually by an operator. For example, the end of the traction mechanism facing away from the transmission element can be positioned in a location easily accessible to the operator, such as in a trunk, possibly behind a panel, so that the operator can easily manually apply a pulling force to the traction mechanism and thus release a locking mechanism of a charging plug on the motor vehicle, electrically disconnecting the charging plug from the motor vehicle and interrupting the charging process.

[0037] The invention is explained below with reference to the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0038] It shows

[0039] Figure 1 : an unlocking device of a first embodiment, and

[0040] Figure 2: an unlocking device of a second embodiment.

[0041] The unlocking device 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a gear member 10 in the form of a rotating element 13, which is rotatably mounted in a housing 2, which also represents the frame of a gear mechanism. At an off-center point of the gear member 10 or the rotating element 13, and thus on a circumference of the gear member 10 or the rotating element 13, a traction mechanism 20 is integrally connected to the gear member 10 or the rotating element 13. This means that the gear member 10 and the traction mechanism 20 form a unit in the form of a combination element 30.

[0042] On its side facing away from the gear member 10, the traction mechanism 20 forms a fastening element 23 in the form of a hook for mechanically fastening a handle element. When a tensile force 21 is applied to the fastening element 23 and thus to the traction mechanism 20, a translational movement 22 of the traction mechanism 20 occurs along the action of the tensile force 21.

[0043] The tensile force is transmitted to the gear member 10 in a transition region 31 between the traction means 20 and the gear member 10 or the rotational element 13, so that a tangential force 11 is exerted by the traction means 20 on the gear member 10 or the rotational element 13, which causes a torque on the rotational element 13. This results in a rotational movement 12 of the gear member 10 or the rotational element 13.

[0044] A drive gear 40 is non-rotatably coupled to the rotating element 13 and sits on the same axis as the rotating element 13. Due to the rotational movement of the rotating element 13, the drive gear 40 is also rotated. Its teeth mesh with a locking rack 60, which forms a locking pin 61 outside the housing 2. The locking rack 60 or its locking pin 61 can be guided in a translational guide (not shown here).

[0045] By the rotation of the drive gear 40, the locking rack 60 and its locking pin 61 are moved translationally, so that the locking pin 61 can be moved out of a locking position and unlocking can be effected.

[0046] The unlocking device 1 shown in Figure 2 comprises a gear member 10 in the form of a rack 14, which is displaceably mounted in a housing 2, which also represents the frame of a gear.

[0047] At one point on the gear member 10 or the rack 14, a traction mechanism 20 is integrally connected to the gear member 10 or the rack 14. This means that the gear member 10 and the traction mechanism 20 form a unit in the form of a combination element 30.

[0048] On its side facing away from the gear member 10, the traction mechanism 20 forms a fastening element 23 in the form of an eyelet for mechanically fastening a handle element. When a tensile force 21 is applied to the fastening element 23 and thus to the traction mechanism 20, a translational movement 22 of the traction mechanism 20 occurs along the action of the tensile force 21.

[0049] The tensile force is transmitted to the gear member 10 in a transition region 31 between the traction means 20 and the gear member 10 or the rack 14, so that a force 11 is exerted by the traction means 20 on the gear member 10 or the rack 14. This results in a translational movement 12 or displacement of the gear member 10 or the rack 14. A toothing of the rack 14 engages with a toothing of an output gear 50, so that the translational movement 12 of the rack 14 is translated into a rotational movement of the output gear 50.

[0050] The output gear 50 is rotatably mounted in the housing 2, which also forms the frame of the transmission. A drive gear 40 is coupled to the output gear 50 on the same axis in a rotationally fixed manner. The teeth of this drive gear 40 mesh with a locking rack 60, which forms a locking pin 61 outside the housing 2. The locking rack 60 or its locking pin 61 can be guided in a translational guide (not shown here).

[0051] By the rotation of the drive gear 40, the locking rack 60 and its locking pin 61 are moved translationally, so that the locking pin 61 can be moved out of a locking position and unlocking can be effected.

[0052] What is common to the two embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2 is that the transmission member 10 and the traction means 20 are combined in a combination element 30.

[0053] Accordingly, for the assembly of the transmission element 10 and the traction means 20, it is no longer necessary to establish a mechanical connection between these components, since these elements are designed as a single piece in the combination element 30, with sufficient tensile strength in the transition area 31 between the traction means 20 and the transmission element 10.

[0054] List of reference symbols

[0055] Unlocking device housing gear link

[0056] Force on the gear link Movement Rotation element Rack

[0057] Traction device Tensile force Translational movement Fastening element Combination element Transition area Drive gear Output gear Locking rack Locking pin

Claims

Patent claims 1. Unlocking device (1) for mechanically unlocking a locking unit, comprising a movable gear member (10) and a traction means (20) for introducing a tensile force (21) into the gear member (10) for the purpose of moving it, wherein the gear member (10) and the traction means (20) are integral components of a combination element (30) comprising the gear member (10) and the traction means (20).

2. Unlocking device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least in a transition region (31) of the combination element (30) between the gear member (10) and the traction means (20), the gear member (10) and the traction means (20) are made of the same material.

3. Unlocking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gear member (10) is a rotary element (13), wherein the traction means (20) merges into the rotary element (13) on a circumference thereof.

4. Unlocking device according to claim 3, characterized in that the rotary element (13) is coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to a drive gear (40).

5. Unlocking device according to claim 4, characterized in that the drive gear (40) engages in a locking rack (60) which forms a locking pin (61) or is mechanically firmly connected to a locking pin (61).

6. Unlocking device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the gear member (10) is a rack (14) into which an output gear (50) engages.

7. Unlocking device according to claim 6, characterized in that the output gear (50) is operatively connected to a locking rack (60) which forms a locking pin (61) or is mechanically firmly connected to a locking pin (61).

8. A method for producing an unlocking device (1) for mechanically unlocking a locking unit according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which a movable gear member (10) and a traction means (20) for introducing a traction force (21) into the gear member (10) for the purpose of moving it are produced as integral components of a combination element (30) comprising the gear member (10) and the traction means (20).

9. Method for producing an unlocking device (1) for mechanically unlocking a locking unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the combination element (30) is produced in a primary forming process.

10. Motor vehicle, comprising an unlocking device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7 and / or an unlocking device (1) manufactured according to the method for manufacturing an unlocking device (1).

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