AT508408A2 - LOCK FOR CLOSING A CONTAINER - Google Patents

Description

Patent Attorneys HefelScHofmann 23393/34 / ss 100607 ·· * * ·· * * ·· ········ Patent Attorneys

European Patent Attorneys European Trademark Attorneys

Dl Herbert Hefel (until 2006)

Dr. Ralf Hofmann Thomas Fechner 6806 Feldkirch, Austria Egelseestr 65a, PO Box 61 1

The present invention relates to a lock for closing a container, in particular a container having at least one container body and at least one pivotable container lid, wherein the lock has a first closing part and at least one second closing part and at least one latch and the first closing part at least one receiving opening for receiving at least a portion of the second closing part and the bolt of an electromechanical, in particular motorized, actuating device of the lock between at least one locking position in which the second locking member is locked in the receiving opening of the first closing part, and at least one unlocking position in which the second closing part of the Receiving opening of the first closing part is pulled out, in particular back and forth, is movable.

Generic locks have an electromechanical actuator for the latch. The bolt is thus not by hand but by the electromechanical or motor-driven particular actuating device between the locking position and the unlocked position, preferably back and forth, moves. Such locks are z. B. used for sealing containers in which file material or media o. The like. Be collected. These items may be security-relevant or subject to secrecy, so that they may not be opened again by anyone but only if certain conditions are met. So z. B. be provided that in the castle a predetermined code must be entered or the castle opens only at certain times, etc. .. Generic locks can in this sense also z. B. are used for closing containers in which environmentally hazardous material o. The like. Is collected. Again, it may be of interest that the lock can be opened only under certain conditions.

Bank details Österreichische Postsparkasse Account No. 92.111.622, bank code 60000 Swift-Code: OPSKATWW IBAN: AT55 6000 0000 9211 1622

Sparkasse der Stadt Feldkirch Account no. 0400-006300, bank code 20604 Swift code: SPFKAT2B IBAN: AT70 2060 4004 0000 6300

Practice shows that provided with such locks containers are often overcrowded, that they can be closed only with great effort. This then brings problems then in the automated opening of the lock, as here considerable forces act on the lock by the pressure in the container, which complicate an automatic opening in generic locks or completely prevent. It should be especially remembered that the generic locks must be provided due to the electromechanical actuator of the bolt with an energy source, usually an electric battery. To operate these locks maintenance-free over a longer period of time, the energy requirement of the electromechanical actuator should be as low as possible to open the lock.

For these reasons, it was the underlying object of the present invention to improve generic locks to the effect that they can be opened even at elevated internal pressure in the container with only a small amount of energy by means of the electromechanical actuator.

This is achieved according to the invention in that the latch has at least one latch wall and at least one latch opening and the second latch part at least one rotatably mounted roller, wherein the roller in the unlocked position can be pulled out of the first latch part by the latch opening and in the latching position of the latch wall in the first Locking part is locked and the locking wall has a locking wall guide track for rolling the roller on the locking wall guide track at least partially between the locking position and the unlocked position.

According to the invention, it is thus provided to arrange on the second closing part at least one rotatably mounted roller which rolls on the bolt wall guide track of the bolt when the bolt is moved to open the lock from its locking position in the direction towards the unlocking position. As a result, the frictional forces that may be generated by the increased internal pressure in the container at the lock or between the second closing part and the latch are significantly reduced. This has the effect that the bolt can still be moved from the locking position into the unlocking position even with correspondingly high forces acting on the lock, whereby the energy consumption for this movement of the bolt is low and the energy store provided in the lock for the electromechanical actuating device , especially electric batteries or accumulators, have a long life and thus rarely need to be replaced. Completeness 3 ·· ·· ·· · · · · · · · Φ · · · · · · · · It should be noted that the electromechanical actuator is usually not only intended to open the lock, so the latch from the locked position to the unlocked position but mostly we also used to close the lock, so to move the latch from the unlocked position to the locked position. But this does not necessarily have to be the case. It can also be provided that the lock can be closed by hand and the electromechanical actuating device is provided only for the opening operation.

For the sake of completeness, it is noted that the term "locked " the state is understood in which the second closing part can not be pulled out of the receiving opening of the first closing part, but is held in this by the bolt. The lock can thus not be opened in the locking position of the bolt.

Furthermore, for the sake of completeness, it should be pointed out that the second closing part in the unlocking position can be pulled out not only from the receiving opening or the bolt opening, but also in the unlocking position into the receiving opening or bolt opening.

In preferred embodiments of the invention it is provided that the roller between the locking position and the unlocked position is forcibly guided on the bolt wall guide track.

Generally speaking, the role in the locking position but not necessarily constantly rest against the bolt wall guideway. It may also be provided some play, so that when no pressure in the sealed container, the role is not constantly applied to the bolt wall guideway, but only comes to rest on this when the container lid raised by a corresponding internal pressure in the container or other force becomes.

As a rule, it is provided in preferred embodiments that the bolt is movably mounted in or within the first closing part (s). The bolt can be displaced back and forth along a linear or curved guide track. However, particularly preferred embodiments provide that the bolt is mounted rotatably about a bolt axis in the first closing part and is preferably rotatable by the electromechanical actuating device about the bolt axis, preferably back and forth. In its basic form, the bar may be substantially disk-shaped. 4 ······································· ········ ♦ be trained. The rotatable mounting on a bolt axis in any case has the advantage that it is possible by this variant, the bolt in a structurally simple manner, for. B. on a corresponding pivot bearing, in particular ball bearings, store so that even greater forces acting on it do not lead to a functional impairment of the bolt.

Preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the locking wall guide track is formed curved. Preferably, this is a circular segment-shaped training. But it can also be deviated from the circular segment shape, z. B. if you not only close the lock during the movement of the bolt from the unlocking position into the locking position but also wants to tighten the container lid on the container.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the electromechanical actuator on, preferably operated by means of an electric battery or accumulator, electric motor to the latch between the locking position and the unlocked position, preferably back and forth to move or rotate. It can be provided that the electromechanical actuating device has a worm gear, by means of which the electric motor acts on the bolt. However, other embodiments of the invention can also provide that instead of an electric motor, a correspondingly electrically operable magnet or other known in the prior art electric drive for moving the bolt is used.

At high internal pressure in the sealed container can suddenly act at the point where the role at the transition from bar wall to latch opening, high forces on the bolt, which accelerate the bolt suddenly towards unlocking position. This can lead to an impairment or destruction of in the sense of low e-energy consumption usually very weak dimensioned electromechanical actuator. In order to avoid this, particularly preferred embodiments provide that a clutch is arranged and / or acts between the bolt and the electromechanical actuating device that moves the bolt. It is conveniently provided that the bolt by means of the coupling, preferably immediately before the unlocking position of the electromechanical actuator is uncoupled. Uncoupled is understood to be the state in which the coupling is opened, that is, the bolt is no longer connected to the electromechanical 5 ········································································ · · · · · · · · · · ····· ··

Actuator is coupled, but can move relative to this, without the electromechanical actuator must move simultaneously. In order to solve the abovementioned problem, preferred embodiments provide that the latch can be disconnected from the electromechanical actuating device when a force acting on the latch in the direction of the unlocking position from the roller exceeds a force threshold, it being preferably provided that the Kraftschwellwert is greater than the forces can be applied by the electromagnetic actuator to the bolt.

Further features and details of preferred variants of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention. Show it:

1 shows a vertical section through a container equipped with a lock according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the lock, wherein the second closing part is completely outside the first closing part;

FIG. 3 is a view from the direction opposite to FIG. 2; FIG.

4 shows a detailed view of this embodiment, wherein the second closing part is locked in the receiving opening of the first closing part;

Fig. 5 is a similar to Figure 4 representation, however, wherein the second closing part is pulled out of the receiving opening of the first closing part.

Fig. 6 is a view corresponding to Figure 3, but with the lid removed from the housing of the first closing part ..;

7 shows a locking position, wherein the housing of the first closing part is removed:

Fig. 8 is a representation corresponding to Fig. 7, but with the second

Closing part is located at the transition between a locking position in an unlocked position;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7, wherein the latch is in an unlocked position and

Fig. 10 is a detailed view of essential components of the clutch.

Fig. 1 shows a vertical section through a container 2 with a container body 3 and a container lid 4, which is closable with a lock 1 according to the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the container lid 2 is pivotally mounted on the container body 3. This is just one example. Locks according to the invention can be used in a variety of ways for all kinds of types known in the prior art.

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• · · I

Used but also used for other purposes. In the illustrated embodiment, in any case, the first closing part 5 is arranged on the container body 3 and the second closing part 6 on the container lid 4. A reverse arrangement is of course just as possible. The attachment of the second closing part 6 on the container lid 4 via a fastening device 15, which is an elastic suspension of the second closing member 6 in the illustrated embodiment and thus allows movement of the second closing member relative to the container lid 4 and also to the first closing member 5 within certain limits. According to the invention, the second closing part 6 has the roller 12 rotatably mounted on it. It is inserted together with the roller 12 when closing the container lid 4 in the receiving opening 8 of the first closing part 5 and locked there. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first closing part 5 has a housing 29 which essentially covers the latch 7, so that it can not be seen in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows a view in which the second closing part 6 is likewise pulled out of the first closing part 5. In contrast to FIG. 1, the container 2 shown by way of example is no longer shown in FIG. 2 and also in the following illustrations. 2, the elastically deformable fastening device 15 can be seen particularly well, with which the second closing part can be fastened elastically to the container 2, that is to say on the container body 3 or as shown in the example in FIG. 1, on the container lid 4. In the concrete case, the fastening device 15 has two leaf springs 16, between which the second closing part 6 is held. Of course, embodiments with only one leaf spring 16 or more than two leaf springs 16 or other elastically deformable embodiments are conceivable. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that not the fastening device 15, but the second closure member itself is formed elastically deformable. The elastic suspension or training of the second closing part 6 makes it possible in any case by excessive loading or other reasons caused deformations of the container 2 so that despite this deformation ensures that the second closing member 6 inserted into the receiving opening 8 and from this and pulled out the lock remains locked and unlocked safely.

Fig. 3 shows the same situation as in Fig. 2, but from the opposite side. In FIG. 4, the second closing part 6 is located in the receiving opening 8 of the first closing part 5 in the locking position. The locking wall 10 of the bolt 7, which is even more clearly visible in the following figures, closes the receiving opening 8 so far that the second closing part 6 or its roller 12 can not be pulled out of the receiving opening 8. The second closing part 6 is thus locked in the first closing part 5 in the position shown. FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4. FIG. However, here is that

Second closing part 6 is pulled out of the receiving opening 8. After removal of a cover of the housing 29, an insight into the first closing part 5 can be seen. First of all, the bar 7, which is at least approximately disc-shaped in the embodiment shown, can be seen in the housing 29 or in the housing first closing part 5 is mounted. In order to lock the roller 12 of the second closing part 6, the bolt 7 in the embodiment shown, the circular segment-shaped locking wall 10. Seen in the direction of rotation next to this locking wall 10 is the latch opening 11, through which the second closing part 6 and its role 12 is on and executable. For rotating the bolt 7, the embodiment shown on the electromechanical actuator 9. Essential components of this electromechanical actuating device 9 are in the illustrated embodiment, the electric motor 17 which engages via the worm gear 18 and a gear set gear 31 in a toothing 21 to rotate the latch 7. As explained in more detail below, this toothing 21 is not attached directly to the latch 7 in the illustrated embodiment. Rather, it is provided that between the bolt 7 and the bolt 7 moving electromechanical actuator 9, the clutch 19 is arranged or acts.

For the sake of completeness, it should be pointed out that in the exemplary embodiment shown, the batteries provided for the power supply of the electric motor 17 are stored in the battery compartment covered by a battery compartment cover 32. The arrangement shown is of course only one of many possible forms of realization.

In the figure which will now be described below, the housing 29 of the first closing part 5 has also been omitted for the sake of clarity. Fig. 7 shows the latch 7 in the locking position in which the locking wall 11, the second closing part 6 and its roller 12 is locked, so that the second closing part 6 can not be pulled out of the receiving opening 8 of the first closing part 6, not shown here. In order to rotate the latch from the locking position shown in Fig. 7 toward the unlocking position shown in Fig. 9, the motor 17 is driven accordingly. About the worm gear 18 and the engagement of the transmission gear 31 in the toothing 21, the bolt 7 is this rotated about its locking axis 14. At the same time, at least when the internal pressure in the container is corresponding, the roller 12 of the second closing part 6 rolls on the locking wall guide track 13 of the locking wall 10. If the latch opening 11, as shown in FIG. 9, coincides with the roller 12, then the unlocking position is reached and the second closing part 6 can be pulled out of the receiving opening 8 of the first closing part 5. As a result of the unrolling of the second closing part 6 according to the invention on the belt, the belt 8 is opened. · · ·

Gel 7 are at low internal pressure in the container to be overcome frictional forces when moving the bolt so low that they can be overcome even without much energy from the relatively weak dimensioned electromechanical actuator 9. This has the effect that even with increased internal pressure in the container 4 no jamming of the lock 1 in the closed state is to be feared.

On the way from the locking position shown in Fig. 7 to the unlocking position shown in Fig. 9, an intermediate position shown in Fig. 8 is achieved. In this just the bolt opening 11 facing the end of the locking wall 10 is guided past the axis of rotation of the roller 12. With a corresponding internal pressure in the container, which tries to pull the second closing part 6 out of the first closing part 5, accelerating forces act in this situation on the catch 7, which press the catch 7 independently of the electromechanical actuating device 9 in the direction of the unlocking position or accelerate it. These forces can be significantly higher with a corresponding internal pressure in the container or train on the second closing part 6, as they can be applied by the electromechanical actuator 9 and / or recorded. In order to prevent these suddenly occurring on the bolt 7 acceleration forces can lead to deterioration or destruction of the electromechanical actuator 9, the clutch 19 is provided in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, which acts between the electromechanical actuator 9 and the latch 7. The coupling 19 ensures that the bolt 7 can be uncoupled from the electromechanical actuating device 9 in the situation shown in FIG. 8 with corresponding tensile forces on the second closing part 6 before reaching the unlocking position.

In the specific embodiment, the coupling 19 for this purpose a relative to the bolt 7 movably mounted coupling part 20, wherein the electromechanical actuator 9 engages here via the teeth 21 on the coupling part 20, in Fig. 8, a window-like recess 33 is shown in the coupling part 20, which a Insight into the interior of the clutch 19 allows. The window-like recess 33 is shown correspondingly in FIGS. 7 and 9, but does not have to be present in reality.

In the embodiment shown, the coupling part 20 is rotatably mounted about the locking axis 14 in the first closing part 5. In addition, the coupling part 20 is also rotatable relative to the latch 7, provided that the loaded by the spring 30 contact element 22 allows this. This is always the case when the forces acting between the latch 7 and the electromechanical actuator 9 are equal to the spring constant of the spring 9 Φ Φ Φ Φ ΦΦ ·· φφφφ Φ ΦΦ Φ Φ Φ Φ Φ Φ Φ Φ Φ Φ Φ Φ ΦΦΦΦΦΦΦ Φ 30 and the shape of the clutch guide rail 23 dependent release force of the clutch exceeds. The detailed structure of the realized in this embodiment, clutch 19 can be particularly well explained with reference to FIG. 10, since here the spring 30, the contact element 22 and the coupling guide rail 23 in the interior of the coupling part 20 are particularly easy to see. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring 30 and thus also the contact element 22 is attached to the latch 7. The spring-loaded contact element 22 engages in or is in contact with a coupling guide track 23, which is fastened to the coupling part 20 in the exemplary embodiment shown. Of course, the attachment of the spring-loaded contact element 20 and the coupling guide track 23 and vice versa follow coupling part 20 and 7 bars. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the coupling guide track 23 has a first, recessed area 24 here. The coupling part 20 is coupled to the latch 7 when the contact element 22 is arranged in this first region 24. This first region of the coupling guide track 23 is delimited by a shoulder 25, which is adjacent to the first region 24, of the coupling guide track 23. When the contact element 22 is displaced by corresponding forces acting on the latch 7 into the second region 26 of the coupling guide track 23, which is arranged on the side of the shoulder 25 facing away from the first region 24, the latch 7 is uncoupled from the coupling part 20. He then runs along the second portion 26 of the coupling guide rail 23, whereby the latch 7 can be rotated without causing the coupling member 20 is rotated, whereby the electromechanical actuator 9 is disconnected from the latch 7. The spring force of the spring 30 and the shape of the shoulder 25 are coordinated so that the clutch triggers or decouples at a force threshold, which ensures that there can be no impairment or destruction of the electromechanical actuator 9, if the in Fig. 8 shown position of the roller 12 is achieved.

With regard to the first area 24 of the coupling guide track 23, it should also be pointed out that this first area 24 has a position 27 in which the contact element 22 is deflected to its maximum extent by its spring load. Beveled regions 28 are located between this position 27 and the shoulder 25 and on the side of the position 27 facing away from the shoulder in the illustrated embodiment. These bevelled regions 28, together with the spring 30 and the contact element 22 embodied here as a roller, have a certain damping effect the clutch 19 when starting and stopping the electromechanical actuator. 9

If the clutch is triggered due to corresponding forces, then a re-engagement, so a method of the contact element 22 along the coupling guide track 23 back to the position 27, carried out by a corresponding rotation of the electromechanical actuator 9. Alternatively, it is also possible that with a corresponding relief of the bolt 7, the contact element 22 automatically moves back due to the spring load of the spring 30 and the shape of the coupling guide rail 23 in the coupling position 27, wherein the latch 7 and the coupling member 20 while back to the state of Forced coupling in which they rotate together around the bolt axis 14.

Finally, it should be noted that locks according to the invention can be combined or equipped depending on the field of use with a wide variety of additional technology known per se in the prior art. So it is z. B. conceivable that the lock has an identification function, with the transponder, entry of access codes, etc. can be checked whether an opening of the lock can be allowed or not. Furthermore, it is also conceivable to provide the lock with an additional device which a localization of the castle and thus the container z. B. via GPS or wireless systems. In addition, z. B. in containers for food or medicines also be integrated into a function in the castle, which records the temporal temperature profile. Alternatively or additionally, vibration and / or inclination and / or moisture measuring devices are conceivable, which may be integrated into the lock, if this makes sense for the usual use of the container in which the lock is integrated.

Key to the reference numbers: 1 lock 2 container 3 container body 31 translation gear 32 battery compartment cover 33 window-like recess 4 container lid 5 first closing part 6 second closing part 7 latch 8 receiving opening 9 electronic actuator 10 bolt wall 11 latch opening 12 roller 13 latch wall guide rail 14 bolt axis 15 fastening device 16 leaf spring 17 electric motor 18 Worm gear 19 Clutch 20 Clutch part 21 Gearing 22 Contact element 23 Clutch guideway 24 First region 25 Shoulder 26 Second region 27 Position 28 Beveled region 29 Housing 30 Spring

Claims (15)

PatentanwälteHefelScHofmann • ········································ 23393/34 / ss 100607 Patent Attorneys European Patent Attorneys European Trademark Attorneys Dl Herbert Hefel (until 2006) Dr. med. Ralf Hofmann 1. Lock for a container (2), in particular a container (2) with at least one container body (3) and at least one pivotable container lid (4), wherein the lock (1) has a first closing part (5) and at least one second closing part (6) and at least one latch (7), and the first closing part (5) has at least one receiving opening (8) for receiving at least a partial area of the second closing part (6 ) and the bolt (7) of an electromechanical, in particular motorized, actuating means (9) of the lock (1) between at least one locking position in which locks the second closing part (6) in the receiving opening (8) of the first closing part (5) is, and at least one unlocking position in which the second closing part (6) from the receiving opening (8) of the first closing part (5) can be pulled out, insbesonde Re is movable back and forth, characterized in that the bolt (7) at least one locking wall (10) and at least one latch opening (11) and the second closing part (6) at least one rotatably mounted roller (12), wherein the roller (12) in the unlocked position by the latch opening (11) can be pulled out of the first closing part (5) and locked in the locking position by the locking wall (10) in the first closing part (5) and the locking wall (10) has a locking wall guide track (13 ) for unrolling the roller (12) on the locking wall guide track (13) has at least partially between the locking position and the unlocked position. 2. lock (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the roller (12) between the locking position and the unlocked position on the bolt wall guide track (13) is forcibly guided. 3. lock (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bolt (7) about a bolt axis (14) rotatably mounted in the first closing part (5) and preferably of the electromechanical actuating device (9) about the bolt axis (14 ) is rotatable. Bank details Österreichische Postsparkasse Account No. 92.111.622, bank code 60000 Swift code: OPSKATWW IBAN: AT55 6000 0000 9211 1622 Sparkasse der Stadt Feldkirch Account no. 0400-006300, bank code 20604 Swift code: SPFKAT2B IBAN: AT70 2060 4004 0000 6300 T +43 (0) 5522 73 137 F +43 (0) 5522 73 359 M office@vpat.at I www.vpat.at VATAT 65652215 ·············································· · ♦ ···· 4. lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking wall guide track (13), preferably circular segment-shaped, is curved. 5. lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lock (1) has an elastically deformable fastening means (15) for resiliently securing the second closing part (6) on the container (2) and / or the second Closing part (6) is elastically deformable. 6. lock (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the elastically deformable fastening means (15) at least one, preferably at least two, Blattfe-the (s) (16), at the (those) or between which the second closing part (6) is held. 7. lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electromechanical actuating device (9) has a, preferably operated by battery, electric motor (17), with which the bolt (7), preferably via a worm gear ( 18), between the locking position and the unlocking position, preferably back and forth, movable, preferably rotatable. 8. lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that between the bolt (7) and the bolt (7) moving electromechanical actuating device (9) a coupling (19) is arranged and / or acts. 9. lock (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the bolt (7) by means of the coupling (19), preferably directly before the unlocking position of the electromechanical actuating device (9) is uncoupled. 10. lock (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the latch (7) of the e-lektromechanischen actuating device (9) is uncoupled when one of the roller (12) acting on the latch (7) in the direction of the unlocking position Force exceeds a Kraftschwell value, wherein it is preferably provided that the force threshold is greater than the maximum of the electromagnetic actuator (9) on the latch (7) can be applied forces. 11. lock (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the coupling (19) relative to the latch (7) movably mounted coupling part (20) auf ··· «·· ι · φ ··· · · · · · · · ································································································· # · »Points, wherein the electromechanical actuating device (9), preferably exclusively and / or via a toothing (21), on the coupling part (20) engages. 12. lock (1) according to claim 3 and 11, characterized in that the coupling part (20) about the bolt axis (14) is rotatably mounted in the first closing part (5). 13. Lock (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that at one of the parts selected from a group, which is formed from the coupling part (20) and the bolt (7), a spring-loaded contact element (22) is attached which engages or abuts against a coupling guideway (23), the coupling guideway (23) being attached to the other of the parts selected from the group consisting of the coupling part (20) and the latch (7). 14. lock (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the coupling guide track (23) has a first, preferably recessed area (24), wherein the coupling part (22) with the latch (7) is positively coupled, when the contact element ( 22) is disposed in the first region (24), and the coupling guideway (23) has a shoulder (25) adjacent to the first region (24), wherein the latch (7) is uncoupled from the coupling member (20) when the contact element ( 22) in a second region (26) of the coupling guide track (23) is arranged, which is arranged on the side facing away from the first region (24) side of the shoulder (25). 15. Lock (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the first region (24) of the coupling guide track (23) between a position (27) in which the contact element (22) is deflected by its maximum spring load, and the shoulder ( 25) and on the side remote from the shoulder (25) side of the position (27) beveled regions (28).