Test apparatus and method for checking a position of a striker relative to a vehicle body
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/DE2026/100463
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-04-17
- Filing Date
- 2026-04-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-22
Smart Images
Figure DE2026100463_22102026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] 25-0376 PIF
[0002] 1
[0003] Test device and method for checking the position of a locking bar relative to a vehicle body
[0004] The invention relates to a testing device and a method for testing the position of a locking bar for a wing element relative to the structure of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle.
[0005] KR 10-2030279 B1 discloses a device and a method for verifying the alignment of a vehicle door bolt and a locking bar. From the
[0006] US patent 2024 / 0384573 A1 discloses a device for aligning a bolt relative to a locking bar of a vehicle door. Furthermore, US patent 2021 / 0140205 A1 discloses a device for use with a vehicle door.
[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a testing device, a use of such a testing device and a method so that the position of a locking bar relative to the structure of a vehicle can be tested particularly easily.
[0008] This problem is solved by a testing device with the features of claim 1, by a use with the features of claim 7, and by a method with the features of claim 8. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.
[0009] A first aspect of the invention relates to a test device for checking the position of a locking bar held on a vehicle body, or of a lock designed to secure a wing element of the vehicle, relative to the body. This means that the vehicle, for example, a motor vehicle, in particular a motor car, and most especially a passenger car, whose interior, also referred to as passenger compartment, cabin, or passenger cell, is formed by the body, for example, a self-supporting body, in its fully manufactured state, includes the body, the interior, and the lock, and thus the 25-0376 PIF
[0010] 2
[0011] The locking bar is a locking element. The locking bar is also called a latch and is a first locking element of the lock. The wing element is movable, in particular pivotable, and is held on the body. It can be moved, in particular pivoted, between a closed position and at least one open position relative to the body. The body has, for example, an opening associated with the wing element, also referred to as an opening. In the closed position, the wing element closes at least part of the opening. In the open position, the wing element releases at least part of the opening. Particularly when the opening is a door, the wing element is, for example, a side door, a rear door, or a front door of the vehicle, which is also referred to as the vehicle door.Thus, for example, when the wing element is in the open position, a person initially located near the vehicle can enter the interior via the open section. Furthermore, a person initially inside the vehicle can exit the interior via the open section of the wing element and thus reach the surrounding area. The wing element can also be a flap, such as a tailgate or hood, and / or a front or rear engine hood. It can also be a trunk lid, particularly a front or rear trunk lid. The wing element is therefore an add-on component not belonging to the vehicle body, which is movable, and in particular pivotable, and attached to the body.The lock allows the wing element to be locked in the closed position relative to the body, thus preventing or eliminating any movement of the wing element relative to the body in the closed position. For this purpose, the lock has a locking bolt as its first locking element, which is held to the body. In the fully assembled state of the vehicle, the locking bolt is held to the body in such a way that relative movement between the locking bolt and the body is prevented. For example, the lock has a second locking element, which is held to the wing element and is therefore movable, and in particular pivotable, relative to the body. For example, the second locking element is movable, and in particular pivotable, and held to the wing element.When the lock element is mentioned below, this refers, unless otherwise specified, to the second lock element. Since the second lock element is held on the wing element 25-0376 PIF.
[0012] 3
[0013] The second locking element is a locking element on the sash side. For example, the second locking element is or comprises a latch designed, for example, as a rotary latch and / or a fork latch. For example, the second locking element can interact with the first locking element in the closed position of the sash, particularly in a positive-locking manner, whereby the sash can be locked or is locked relative to the assembly in the closed position.
[0014] Especially when the door leaf is a door, which can also be a side door, the lock is also referred to as a door lock. For example, a handle is provided on the door leaf, which, especially when the door leaf is a door, is also referred to as a door handle. The handle can be operated by a person. By operating the handle, the second lock element can be moved relative to the door leaf, in particular from a locked position to at least one release position, and thereby released. In the closed position of the door leaf and in the locked position of the second lock element, the second lock element interacts with the first lock element, in particular in a positive-locking manner, whereby the door leaf can be locked or is locked in the closed position relative to the structure.In the closed position, by operating the handle the second lock element can be moved from the locking position to the release position, in particular relative to the sash element and especially relative to the first lock element, so that the lock elements no longer interact and the sash element can be moved from the closed position to the open position relative to the structure.
[0015] The aforementioned position of the locking bar refers specifically to the actual position of the locking bar, as it finds itself, for example, as a result of an assembly process in which the locking bar is attached to the body. The position of the locking bar relative to the body affects the closing forces required to close the sash, i.e., to move it into the closed position, as well as the closing acoustics, that is, the noise produced when the sash closes. In particular, if the actual position of the locking bar deviates excessively from its intended position, especially when the vehicle is fully assembled, the closing forces may be excessively high and / or the closing mechanism may be damaged.25-0376 PIF
[0016] 4
[0017] Undesirable, unpleasant noises can occur from the wing element. Therefore, it is particularly desirable during vehicle manufacturing to check whether the actual position of the locking bar corresponds to the target position or deviates excessively from it. This can now be carried out simply, and thus quickly, cost-effectively, and precisely using the test device according to the invention. For this purpose, the test device has a base element, preferably designed as a solid body and, most preferably, as inherently rigid, i.e., dimensionally stable, which has a recess. For example, the recess is a through-opening that completely penetrates the base element, also referred to as the base body.
[0018] The test device also has a retaining element that projects from the base element, particularly in a projection direction. The retaining element allows the test device, and thus the base element, to be brought into contact with the locking element of the lock on the wing element side of the lock when the wing element is open, in particular by means of a positive locking, magnetic locking, and / or frictional locking mechanism. This allows the test device to be held on the wing element, and in particular to be releasable without damage. The feature that the test device can be held, i.e., attached, to the wing element without damage by means of the retaining element means that the test device—after being attached to the wing element by means of the retaining element—can be detached from the wing element without damaging or destroying the wing element, the test device, or any other component.
[0019] Since the test device is held or retained on the wing element by means of the retaining element, the test device is movable along with the wing element relative to the structure as a result of the test device being held on the wing element.
[0020] The test device has a fastening device arranged on the base element, by means of which the test device can be detached from the structure without damage as a result of a closing movement of the wing element relative to the structure and can be held on the structure independently of the locking bar. As a result of the closing movement, the test device can detach from the wing element without damage, so that the test device can be detached from the structure without damage by means of the fastening device and can be held on the structure independently of the locking bar. The test device can be detached without damage by means of the fastening device and independently of the locking bar. 25-0376 PIF
[0021] 5
[0022] The device is designed to ensure that, as a result of the closing movement, the locking bar is at least partially positioned in the recess, whereby the position of the locking bar relative to the device is to be checked or is checked using the recess. The closing movement of the sash element is understood to be a movement of the sash element relative to the device from the open position into, or in the direction of, the closed position. The closing movement moves the test device, and in particular the fastening device, towards the device and the locking bar.
[0023] The test device is secured to the structure by means of the fastening device in a non-destructively releasable manner, independent of the locking bar, such that the test device is held in a reference position relative to the structure by means of the fastening device and is thus secured to the structure in a non-destructively releasable manner. Furthermore, because the test device is moved towards the structure and the locking bar by the closing movement and is secured to the structure in the reference position by means of the fastening device, the locking bar is at least partially positioned in the recess. Therefore, when the test device is secured to the structure in the reference position by means of the fastening device, the locking bar is at least partially located in the recess.Subsequently, an optical inspection, in particular a visual inspection, can be carried out, whereby the position of the locking bolt can be checked by optically examining the recess. The reference position of the test device is defined, in particular, by bringing the test device into contact with the lock element via the retaining element and by ensuring that it is non-destructively detachable and mounted on the sash element. The recess acts as a so-called target window, which, in the reference position of the test device mounted on the assembly, indicates the nominal position of the locking bolt. In other words, in the reference position of the test device, which is non-destructively detachable and mounted on the assembly, it can be determined, particularly optically, whether the position of the locking bolt corresponds to the nominal position or deviates excessively from it.This is done in particular by or in such a way that, in the reference position of the test device held on the structure, the locking bar, which is at least partially received in the recess and engages at least partially in the recess, has an actual alignment relative to the 25-0376 PIF located in the reference position.
[0024] 6
[0025] The test device occupies this position. Based on this actual alignment, it can be determined, particularly visually, whether the current position of the locking lever corresponds to the target position or deviates excessively from the target position.
[0026] If, for example, the recess indicates that the actual position of the locking bar corresponds to the target position or deviates only slightly from it, then the locking bar can be permanently fixed to the assembly in its actual position. Consequently, in the fully assembled vehicle, the closing forces will not be excessively high, and no unwanted noises will occur when the door is closed. However, if the recess indicates that the actual position of the locking bar deviates excessively from the target position, then at least one corrective action can be taken to reduce or eliminate the deviation, specifically by moving the locking bar from its actual position relative to the assembly into a mounting position.This occurs, for example, while the test fixture is in the reference position and no relative movements occur between the test fixture and the assembly. This allows, for instance, the locking bar, initially in its current position, to move into its final mounting position relative to both the assembly and the test fixture in its reference position. The locking bar can then be permanently fixed to the assembly in its final position, ensuring that no unwanted noise occurs when the door closes in the fully assembled vehicle and that the closing forces are not excessively high. Consequently, the test fixture enables a simple, time-saving, and cost-effective adjustment of the locking bar's position, also known as the locking bar position.
[0027] For example, if the aforementioned alignment of the locking bar relative to the recess corresponds to a target alignment, it can be recognized that the position corresponds to the target position or deviates only slightly from it. However, if it is recognized that the actual alignment deviates from the target alignment, especially excessively, then the locking bar can be moved relative to the setup and relative to the test fixture in the reference position until the alignment of the locking bar relative to the recess corresponds to the target alignment. 25-0376 PIF
[0028] 7
[0029] For example, the lock element is or includes a lock jaw into which the retaining element is inserted or pushed in order to bring the retaining element, and thus the test device via the retaining element, into, in particular, a positive-locking interaction with the lock element.
[0030] The holding element allows the test device to be non-destructively attached to the wing element in such a way that, in the locked position of the lock element, the holding element interacts with the lock element, in particular by positive locking, frictional locking, and / or magnetic interlock. The closing movement moves the wing element relative to the assembly, for example, into a position that corresponds to the closed position or lies between the closed and open positions. In this position, the handle is then actuated, for example, to move the lock element from the locked position to the released position.This releases the retaining element and thus the test device, allowing the wing element to be opened again and moved into or towards the open position without detaching the test device from the structure. This is because, as a result of the movement of the lock element from the locked position to the release position in the wing element position, the test device is released, specifically in that the test device is attached and held to the structure by means of the fastening device. Therefore, during the subsequent movement of the wing element from the wing element position to or towards the open position, the test device, particularly in the reference position, is and remains held to the structure.
[0031] The handle is, for example, an exterior handle, in particular an exterior door handle, so that the handle is located, for example, on the outside of the sash element. In the closed position of the sash element, the outside of the sash element faces away from the interior and towards the surroundings of the vehicle.
[0032] To make it particularly easy to check the position of the locking bar, especially in relation to its mounting on the structure, after releasing the connection on the wing element side, one embodiment of the invention provides that the fastening device has at least one magnet, preferably a permanent magnet, by means of which the test device is magnetically held or retained on the structure. 25-0376 PIF
[0033] 8
[0034] In a further, particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the recess is directly bounded by two opposing edges of the base element, spaced apart from each other, particularly along a spacing direction. The position of the locking bar relative to the structure is to be checked, or is checked, by means of these edges. For example, if a first distance along the spacing direction between the locking bar engaging in the recess and a first edge is equal to a second distance along the spacing direction between the locking bar engaging in the recess and a second edge, then it can be concluded that the locking bar is in the intended position, i.e., that the actual position corresponds to the intended position.However, if one of the distances is greater than the other, it can be concluded that the actual position deviates excessively from the target position. This allows the actual position of the locking bar to be checked particularly easily, and therefore quickly and cost-effectively.
[0035] To make checking the position of the locking bar particularly easy, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the respective edge runs along a respective imaginary straight line and / or plane. The respective imaginary straight line and / or plane runs perpendicular to the spacing direction, which runs along an imaginary third straight line.
[0036] When the following refers to straight lines, unless otherwise specified, these are to be understood as the straight lines and / or planes along which the edges run.
[0037] In order to be able to check the position of the locking bar particularly easily and precisely, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the straight lines and / or planes run parallel to each other and / or parallel to a contour of the locking bar being tested.
[0038] Finally, for the realization of a particularly simple and precise test of the locking bar's position, it has proven especially advantageous if the base element and the retaining element are formed from a single piece. For example, the base element, and thus preferably also the retaining element, are formed from a plastic. 25-0376 PIF
[0039] 9
[0040] A second aspect of the invention relates to the use of a testing device according to the first aspect of the invention. In this use, the testing device is employed to check the position of the locking lever relative to the assembly. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the invention are to be considered as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa.
[0041] A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for checking the position of a locking bolt, held on a vehicle body, of a lock designed to secure a wing element of the vehicle, relative to the body. The method uses a test device, particularly according to the first aspect of the invention. The test device comprises a base element with a recess, a retaining element projecting from the base element, and a fastening device.
[0042] In this method, the position of the locking bolt is checked using the test device. With the wing element, which is movably (in particular pivotably) held on the structure, in an open state, the test device is brought into contact with a locking element of the lock on the wing element by means of the holding element and attached to the wing element, in particular in a non-destructive manner. After this attachment of the test device to the wing element, a closing movement of the wing element is performed, which moves it from the open position into or towards the closed position relative to the structure.As a result of the closing movement, the test device can be non-destructively detached from the wing element by means of the fastening device, and in particular completely, independently of the locking bar, and is held on the structure in such a way that, as a result of the closing movement, the locking bar is at least partially arranged in the recess. The position of the locking bar relative to the structure is then checked using the recess. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first and second aspects of the invention are to be considered advantages and advantageous embodiments of the third aspect of the invention, and vice versa.
[0043] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, it is provided that by holding the test device on the structure, the test device is held, i.e., attached, in a display position on the structure, wherein the display position is, for example, the aforementioned reference position. If checking the position of the locking lever shows that the actual position 25-0376 PIF
[0044] 10
[0045] If the actual position of the locking lever deviates from a target position, which may be predefined or predetermined, then the locking lever—while the test device remains in the display position and, in particular, while no relative movements occur between the test device and the setup—is moved relative to the setup and relative to the test device in the display position into an assembly position such that the deviation of the actual position from the target position is at least reduced or eliminated. This allows the deviation of the actual position from the target position to be eliminated quickly and cost-effectively.
[0046] Finally, it has proven particularly advantageous to fix the locking bar to the body in such a way as to prevent any independent relative movements between the body and the locking bar, while allowing for modification of the mounting position, for example, if a certain displacement force is overcome. This allows the locking bar to be fixed to the body in a particularly simple, and therefore time- and cost-effective, manner, thus avoiding excessively large closing forces required to close the wing element, as well as unwanted noise during closing, when the vehicle is fully assembled.
[0047] Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment with the accompanying drawings. These show:
[0048] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a test device for checking the position of the locking lever;
[0049] Fig. 2 shows a partial schematic perspective view of a wing element of a vehicle, with the test device held on the wing element;
[0050] Fig. 3 shows a partial schematic perspective view of the wing element in a closed position;
[0051] Fig. 4 a schematic perspective view of the test device mounted on the vehicle body; 25-0376 PIF
[0052] 11
[0053] Fig. 5 shows a schematic front view of the test device mounted on the structure;
[0054] Fig. 6 shows another schematic top view of the test device held on the structure in a test viewing direction;
[0055] Fig. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the locking bar; and
[0056] Fig. 8 is exclusively a schematic perspective view of the structure.
[0057] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.
[0058] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a test device 1 for checking the position of a locking bar 2, visible in Fig. 7, of a vehicle whose interior, also referred to as passenger compartment, passenger space, or cabin, is formed by a structure 3 (Fig. 2), which in this case is designed as a self-supporting body. The locking bar 2 is a component of a lock by means of which a wing element 4, visible in Fig. 3, can be locked. The wing element 4 is movable, in particular pivotable, and held on the structure 3 such that the wing element 4 is pivotable relative to the structure 3 between an open position O shown in Fig. 2 and a closed position. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the wing element 4 is a door, which is designed as a side door and is also referred to as a vehicle door.Locking the wing element 4 means that the wing element 4 can be locked in the closed position relative to the structure 3 by means of the lock, which is designed here as a door lock.
[0059] Figure 7 shows that the locking bar 2, which is formed separately from the superstructure 3, is held on the superstructure 3. In a method for manufacturing the vehicle, for example, the locking bar 2 is first attached to the superstructure 3 such that the locking bar 2 is held in the aforementioned position relative to the superstructure 3, in particular directly, as its actual position. Using the test device 1, it can now be checked in a particularly simple and therefore particularly time- and cost-effective manner whether the actual position of the 25-0376 PIF, which is shown in Figure 7 and designated P1, is correct.
[0060] 12
[0061] The locking lever 2 corresponds to a predefinable or predetermined target position or, in particular, deviates excessively from the target position.
[0062] For this purpose, the test device 1, as can be seen particularly well in Fig. 1, has a rigid, i.e., dimensionally stable, base element 5 designed as a solid body, which has a recess 6. Figs. 1 to 5 show the test device 1 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of the test device 1.
[0063] The test device 1 has a retaining element 7 projecting from the base element 5, which, for example, projects from the base element 5 in a certain direction and tapers along this direction. Furthermore, the test device 1 has a fastening device 8, shown schematically in Fig. 1, which will be explained in more detail below.
[0064] In a method for checking the position of the locking bolt 2 relative to the assembly 3, the test device 1 is used. In this method, the actual position of the locking bolt 2 is checked using the test device 1. With the sash element 4 in the open position O, the test device 1 is brought into contact with a locking element 9 of the lock by means of the retaining element 7, in particular a positive-locking and / or magnetic and / or force-locking connection. This secures the test device 1 to the sash element 4 in a non-destructive manner. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the test device 1 is brought into contact with the locking element 9 by means of the retaining element 7 in such a way that the retaining element 7 is inserted into the locking element 9, in particular in the direction of projection. This ensures that the test device 1 is secured to the sash element 4 in a non-destructive manner.This is particularly evident from Fig. 2. The lock element 9 is or comprises, for example, a lock jaw 10 into which the retaining element 7 is inserted, particularly in the projection direction, in order to bring the retaining element 7, and thus the test device 1, into a positive-locking interaction with the lock element 9. For example, the lock element 9 is or comprises a latch that is movable between a locking position and a release position relative to the wing element 4. In particular, the retaining element 7 is inserted into the lock jaw 10 and thereby brought into a positive-locking interaction with the latch, which is in the locking position. This makes the test device 1 removable without damage. 25-0376 PIF.
[0065] 13
[0066] held on the wing element 4, whereby the test device 1 can be pivoted relative to the structure 3 with the wing element 4.
[0067] Fig. 2 shows that the wing element 4 is in the open position O, while the test device 1 is held on the wing element 4 via the retaining element 7 in a non-destructively releasable manner.
[0068] After the test device 1 is attached to the wing element 4, a closing movement of the wing element 4 is performed, whereby the wing element 4 is pivoted relative to the structure 3 from the open position O into or towards the closed position. This moves the test device 1 towards the structure 3 and, in particular, towards the locking bar 2, which is held in its current position on the structure 3. This can be seen in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, the wing element 4 assumes a wing element position Z, which can be the closed position or lie between the closed position and the open position O.
[0069] As a result of the closing movement of the sash element 4, that is, through the closing movement of the sash element 4, the locking bar 2 is at least partially arranged in the recess 6. In other words, by performing the closing movement of the sash element 4, the locking bar 2, which is held in its current position on the structure 3, is moved into the recess 6, so that in the intermediate position Z the locking bar 2 is at least partially located in the recess 6, thus the locking bar 2 engages in the recess 6.
[0070] In the intermediate position Z, a connection is provided by means of the fastening device 8, by which the test device 1, which initially interacts with the lock element 9, particularly in a positive-locking manner, is connected to the structure 3. In order to prevent the test device 1 from moving with the wing element 4 when it is opened, i.e., when the wing element 4 moves from the intermediate position Z to or towards the open position O, but rather to keep it attached to the structure 3, a handle of the wing element 4, designed in particular as an external handle, is actuated in the closed position Z. This moves the lock latch from the locked position to the release position and terminates, i.e., cancels, the interaction between the lock element 9 and the test device 1.When, in the release position of the lock latch, the wing element is moved from the closed position Z into or towards the open position O relative to the structure 3, thus being opened, the 25-0376 PIF remains, as can be seen from Fig. 4.
[0071] 14
[0072] Test device 1 on the structure 3, since the test device 1 is attached to the structure in a non-destructively detachable manner by means of the fastening device 8, namely in a reference position shown in Fig. 4 and designated by R, which is also referred to as the display position.
[0073] Fig. 5 shows the test device 1, held in the reference position R by means of the fastening device 8 on the structure 3, in the recess 6 of which the locking lever 2 engages. The actual position of the locking lever 2 is checked by means of the recess 6 of the test device 1, which is non-destructively and thus held in the reference position R by means of the fastening device 8 on the structure 3. For this purpose, as can be seen particularly well in Figs. 5 and 6, the recess 6 is directly bounded in a spacing direction, illustrated by a double arrow 11, by edges 12 and 13 of the base element 5 that are opposite each other and spaced apart along the spacing direction. The spacing direction runs along a first imaginary straight line. The respective edges 12 and 13 run along a second imaginary straight line, which is also referred to as the edge line.The edge lines run parallel to each other and are spaced apart along the spacing direction. Furthermore, each edge line is perpendicular to the imaginary first line along which the spacing direction runs. For example, a first distance along the spacing direction is checked between edge 12 and the locking bar 2 engaging in the recess 6, and a second distance along the spacing direction is determined between the locking bar 2 and edge 13. If the distances are equal or differ only slightly, it can be concluded that the actual position corresponds to the target position or deviates only slightly from it. However, if the distances differ excessively, it can be concluded that the actual position deviates excessively from the target position.As a result, a correction process can be carried out, for example, to at least reduce or eliminate the deviation between the actual position and the target position. This is possible, in particular, by attaching the test device 1 to the structure 3 in the reference position R by means of the fastening device 8, especially completely, independently of the locking bracket 2. For example, it is possible to move the locking bracket 2 relative to the structure 3 and relative to the test device 1 located in the reference position R, such that the deviation between the actual position and the target position is at least reduced or eliminated.
[0074] 15
[0075] is lifted. For this purpose, for example, the locking bar 2 is moved into a mounting position in which the locking bar 2 is finally fixed to the structure 3, such that relative movements between the locking bar 2 and the structure 3 are prevented.
[0076] To enable the locking lever 2 to be moved relative to the assembly 3 and relative to the test direction 1 located in the reference position R, and in particular to be moved into the mounting position, the locking lever 2 is connected, for example, to a sliding plate 14, as can be seen in Figures 7 and 8. A component 15 of the assembly 3 is also shown in Figures 7 and 8. The sliding plate 14 and the locking lever 2 are arranged on a first side of the component 15, and a mounting plate 16 is arranged on a second side of the component 15, facing away from the first side, the locking lever 2, and the sliding plate 14. The mounting plate 16 has a mounting area 17 in which the mounting plate 16 is connected to the component 15, in particular by welding and / or riveting. The mounting plate 16 also has a second mounting area 18 in which screw elements 19 designed as nuts are arranged.The fastening areas 17 and 18 are connected to each other via thin-walled arms 20 of the mounting plate 16. The screw elements 19 have screw openings, each containing an internal thread. The screw openings overlap with the through-opening of component 15 and with the second through-opening of the locking bar 2. Second screw elements, designed as screws, are inserted through the through-openings of the locking bar 2 and component 15. These second screw elements have external threads corresponding to the internal threads and are screwed, in particular directly, into the internal threads. For example, the through-openings of component 15 have an inner circumference that is larger than the outer circumference of the respective screw element penetrating the respective through-opening of component 15.Furthermore, the second screw elements penetrate through openings or a common through opening of the sliding plate 14. Since the inner circumferences of the through opening of component 15 are larger than the outer circumferences of the second screw elements, the locking bar 2, and with it the second screw elements and the sliding plate 14, as well as the mounting area 18 and the screw elements 19, can be moved relative to the assembly 3 and relative to the mounting area 17, in particular by deforming the arms 20. This means that when the locking bar 2 is moved in the assembly position, the arms 20 are deformed in such a way that they undergo plastic deformation. As a result, the arms 20 do not spring back, or do not fully rebound. 25-0376 PIF.
[0077] 16
[0078] Rather, the locking bar 2 is held in the assembly position by plastic deformation (i.e., plastic deformation of the arms 20) and by frictional force through pre-tightening of the locking bar 2 to the mounting plate 16, which is designed as a threaded plate. In the assembly position, the second set of screws is then tightened, thereby finally fixing the locking bar 2 to the assembly 3.
[0079] Alternatively, instead of the mounting plate 16 with the screw elements 19, a nut (especially a simple one) could be provided for every second screw element. The second screw elements would first be screwed to the nuts in such a way that they penetrate the through-opening of the locking bar 2 and the through-openings of the component 15. This would hold the locking bar 2 in its current position relative to the assembly 3, but allow the second screw elements and nuts to be moved relative to the assembly 3 when a certain force is applied to the locking bar 2. This would allow the locking bar 2 to be moved from its current position to a different mounting position relative to the assembly 3. In this case, the sliding plate 14 could also be omitted.Another possibility would be to magnetically attach the locking bar 2 to the assembly 3, for example, via the sliding plate 14 or without the sliding plate 14, initially in its current position. This magnetic attachment holds the locking bar 2 in its current position relative to the assembly 3, but allows it to move relative to the assembly 3 when a certain force is applied, and in particular to move it from its current position to the final mounting position. The locking bar 2 can then be permanently fixed in its final mounting position on the assembly 3, for example, by screwing and tightening the second set of screws with nuts provided on the assembly 3, such as the nuts mentioned previously.
[0080] For example, the fastening device 8 has at least one magnet 21 (Fig. 1), in particular designed as a permanent magnet, by means of which the test device 1 can be magnetically and non-destructively attached to the structure 3.
[0081] If the aforementioned distances deviate excessively from one another, for example, locking lever 2 is moved relative to the assembly 3 and relative to the test device 1 located in reference position R until the distances are equal or only deviate slightly from one another. Then the 25-0376 PIF is located
[0082] 17
[0083] The locking lever 2 is in the actual position, which corresponds to the target position. This can be achieved, in particular, by means of the fastening device 8, which allows the test device 1 to be attached to the structure 3 in the reference position R in a non-destructively detachable manner, completely independently of the locking lever 2. 25-0376 PIF
[0084] 18
[0085] Reference symbol list
[0086] 1 test device
[0087] 2 locking bars
[0088] 3. Structure
[0089] 4 wing elements
[0090] 5 Basic element
[0091] 6 Exclusion
[0092] 7 Holding element
[0093] 8 Fastening device 9 Locking element
[0094] 10 Castle Mouth
[0095] 11 Double Arrow
[0096] 12 Rand
[0097] 13 Rand
[0098] 14 sliding plate
[0099] 15 components
[0100] 16 Mounting plate
[0101] 17 Mounting area
[0102] 18 Mounting area
[0103] 19 screw element
[0104] 20 Arm
[0105] O disclosure
[0106] P1 Position
[0107] R Reference position
[0108] Z wing element position
Claims
25-0376 PIF 19 Patent claims 1. Test device (1) for testing a position (P1) of a locking bar (2) of a lock designed to lock a wing element (4) of the vehicle held on a body (3) of a vehicle relative to the body (3), comprising: - a basic element (5) which has a recess (6); - a retaining element (7) projecting from the base element (5), by means of which the test device (1) can be brought into an open state of the wing element (4) movably held on the structure (3) in conjunction with a wing-element-side lock element (9) of the lock and held on the wing element (4); and - a fastening device (8) arranged on the base element (5), by means of which the test device (1) can be detached from the wing element (4) without damage and held on the structure (3) independently of the closing bar (2) as a result of a closing movement of the wing element (4) relative to the structure (3), such that as a result of the closing movement the closing bar (2) is at least partially arranged in the recess (6), by means of which the position (P1) of the closing bar (2) relative to the structure (3) is to be checked.
2. Test device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the fastening device (8) has at least one magnet (21) by means of which the test device (1) is magnetically held on the structure (3).
3. Test device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that The recess (6) is directly bounded by two opposing and spaced-apart edges (12, 13) by means of which the position (P1) of the locking bar (2) relative to the structure (3) is to be checked. 25-0376 PIF 20 4. Test device (1) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the respective edge (12, 13) runs along a respective imaginary straight line.
5. Test device (1) according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the lines run parallel to each other.
6. Test device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the base element (5) and the retaining element (7) are formed from a single piece.
7. Use of a test device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the test device (1) is used to check the position (P1) of the locking lever (2) relative to the structure (3).
8. Method for checking the position (P1) of a locking bar (2) of a lock designed to lock a wing element (4) of the vehicle held on a structure (3) of a vehicle relative to the structure (3), wherein: - a test device (1) is used which has a base element (5) with a recess (6), a retaining element (7) projecting from the base element (5) and a fastening device (8); - the position (P1) is checked using the test device (1) by: o in an open state of the wing element (4) which is movably held on the structure (3) the test device (1) is brought into interaction with a wing element-side lock element (9) of the lock by means of the retaining element (7) and is attached to the wing element (4); o after the test device (1) has been attached to the wing element (4) a closing movement of the wing element (4) is carried out; o as a result of the closing movement the test device (1) can be detached non-destructively from the wing element (4) by means of the fastening device (8) and independently of the closing bracket (2) and thus held on the structure (4) 25-0376 PIF 21 that, as a result of the closing movement, the locking bar (2) is at least partially arranged in the recess (6); and o the position (P1) of the locking bar (2) relative to the structure (3) is checked by means of the recess (6).
9. Method according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that: - by holding the test device (1) on the structure (3) the test device (1) is held in a display position (R) on the structure (3); and - if checking the position (P1) reveals that the position (P1) as the actual position deviates from a target position, the locking lever (2), while the test device (1) remains in the display position (R), is moved into an assembly position relative to the structure (3) and the test device (1) located in the display position (R) in such a way that the deviation of the actual position from the target position is at least reduced.
10. Method according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that in the mounting position the locking bracket (2) is fixed to the structure (3) in such a way that relative movements between the structure (3) and the locking bracket (2) are prevented.