DE202011000738U1 - locking device - Google Patents

Abstract

Actuator (1) with an electrically movable bolt (3), characterized by an external thread (4) for screwing to an internal thread (7) of another component, into which the open end of the bolt (3) at least extends into or through or from which the open end of the latch (3) can be moved out.

Description

The invention relates to an actuator preferably for a motor vehicle with a bolt that can be moved between two positions back and forth.

The publication DE 102 59 465 A1 discloses an actuator for a fuel tank flap lock of a motor vehicle with an electric motor, which is able to rotate a spindle. A rotational movement of the spindle causes a linear displacement of a bolt. The latch is sealed to the outside by a bellows to protect the actuator from moisture and dirt.

The publication DE 102 14 398 A1 discloses an actuator with a shape memory element.

From the not pre-published German patent application 10 2010 003 523.8 goes a locking device with an actuator, ie an actuator with a bolt out, the actuator is mounted on a housing wall of a first component. A second component has a second housing wall. For locking purposes, the housing wall of the second component is pushed into an opening in the housing wall of the first component. Subsequently, the latch of the actuator is pushed through a hole of the housing wall of the first component and further into a hole or in a recess of the adjacent housing wall of the second component, so as to lock the two components together.

Particularly in the field of motor vehicles, it is of particular importance to be able to accommodate components even when only little space is available.

It is an object of the invention to provide a locking device that can be easily and space-saving attached to a component.

To achieve the object, a locking device comprises the features of the first claim. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

To achieve the object, an actuator is provided with an electrically movable latch, which can be moved for example by means of an electric motor, a shape memory alloy or by means of electromagnetic forces. In particular, the latch can be moved back and forth between two different positions, namely rotated back and forth about its longitudinal axis along its longitudinal axis and / or between two different positions. The latch has an end which is located within the housing of the bolt. The other open end of the latch is located outside the housing of the actuator or at least can be moved out of the housing of the actuator out. The actuator has an external thread and in particular a self-locking external thread, which from the outside, d. H. accessible from outside the housing of the actuator, that is reachable to be screwed with an internal thread can. The open end of the bolt extends into the external thread at least into, through and / or out of this or can be moved out of the external thread. There is at least one position of the bolt that allows the bolt to act on another component. Such an action takes place, for example, by moving a lever of the further component or actuates a button of a switching element of another component or a connection, for example, of the further component is locked with a next component.

The external thread can now be used to screw the actuator to a wall of the other component, without having to provide additional space available. If the wall of the further component has an opening which is provided with a suitably dimensioned internal thread, the external thread of the actuator can be screwed to this internal thread. Since in this way the space is used for screwing, which must be used for the wall of the other component, the actuator can be attached to another component, without having to spend additional space for the attachment. The latch of the actuator may then be used on the other side of the wall to act on an element (such as a lever or button) of the further component or a mechanical connection.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is a sealing element such as sealing ring with annular recess of a compressible, such as elastomeric material, which is applied from the outside to the actuator and that around the external thread of the actuator around. The external thread then passes through the circular opening. The sealing element thus initially ensures a tight connection between a housing wall of the actuator and the wall of the further component when the actuator has been screwed onto the wall of the further component. Next, the sealing element contributes to the fact that the screw connection can not solve due to vibrations and the like. If the compressible sealing element has a sufficient thickness, then it is possible to orient the actuator in a desired manner relative to the wall of the further component, by screwing the actuator only to the extent necessary for a desired alignment. It is then not necessary to screw the external thread in the maximum internal thread into it, whereby a freely selectable orientation of the actuator relative to the wall of the other component would not be possible.

Advantageously, the actuator in one embodiment of the invention has a sealed housing and in particular a dust and / or moisture-proof housing. The latch of the actuator reaches at least in one position through the wall of the further component, when the actuator has been screwed onto the other wall. The sealing element is then on the one hand on the wall of the further component and on the other hand on a wall of the housing of the actuator close to. The bolt of the actuator can then preferably extend into an interior of the other component, which can also be sealed dustproof and / or moisture-proof or closed. Overall, the interior of the actuator is so dustproof and / or sealed moisture-proof or can be sealed dust and / or moisture-proof. A bellows, which requires an additional space volume, does not have to be provided for this.

In one embodiment of the invention, the further component is a wall of a charging device, such as a charging socket of an electric vehicle, which is driven by an electric drive. A charging device of a charging station can be plugged into the charging device of the electric vehicle to charge the battery of the electric vehicle can. The bolt then serves in locking the connection between the charging device of the electric vehicle and the charging device of the charging station, when the charging device of the charging station has been inserted into the charging device of the electric vehicle. For example, for a wall of the charging device of the charging station has a recess or an opening through which the bolt of the actuator for locking can be moved through or in which the bolt of the actuator for locking can be moved into it. If a connection between the two actuator has been locked so the charger of the charging station from the charger of the electric vehicle can not be removed, so be removed.

In one embodiment of the invention, the further component is a trough of an electric vehicle, in which a filler neck of a motor vehicle or a charging device of an electric vehicle, so a motor vehicle with electric drive is present. The trough in particular adjoins the outer skin of the motor vehicle and can be closed with a lid or a flap. The actuator is then mainly used to lock the lid or the flap when the lid or flap closes the trough. For this purpose, the bolt of the actuator can for example be moved into a recess of a tab of the lid or the flap, so as to lock the lid or the flap in the closed state. But it can also be a hook-shaped end of the bolt are rotated by a rotational movement in a recess of a tab of the lid or the flap, so as to lock.

By moving the latch back accordingly, it unlocks.

The invention will be described below with reference to an exemplary embodiment 1 and 2 explained in more detail.

Show it

1 : Actuator and wall of another component in the unconnected state;

2 : Actuator and wall of another component in the bolted together state;

3 : Actuator with charging device of an electric vehicle.

In the 1 is an actuator on average 1 as well as a wall 2 represented a further component. The actuator 1 has a latch 3 For example, in the actuator 1 in and partly out of the actuator 1 can be moved out. Is the bar 3 from the actuator 1 Partially moved out, so is the open end of the bolt 3 opposite the external thread 4 out. The bolt 3 leads through the external thread 4 through or can be moved through this at least. A sealing ring 5 made of compressible material is such a wall of the housing 6 of the actuator 1 on that the external thread 4 through the sealing ring 5 passed through. The wall 2 has a passage 7 with internal thread.

In the 2 is shown as the actuator 1 with the wall 2 the other component is screwed. In the illustrated screwed state of the bolt 3 through the wall 2 pass through the other component or moved through to on this side of the wall 2 on an element, not shown, of the component 2 act. An additional space in addition to the wall 2 is not required for screwing.

Alternatively or in addition to the described sliding movement of the bolt 3 in a Embodiment to be rotated about its axis. For acting on an element of the further component with the wall 2 the bar is enough 3 then basically like in the 2 represented by the wall 2 therethrough. A rotary movement of the bolt 3 then actuates an unillustrated element of the further component. Preferably, the bar is sufficient 3 in an interior of the other component, which is sealed or can be sealed tight. Is the case 6 sealed, so is the interior of the housing 6 Very well protected from external influences such as moisture and dust. Because the sealing ring 5 is compressible, it is not required, the external thread 4 to maximally turn into the internal thread to create a tight connection. It is therefore possible the actuator 1 relative to the wall 2 to align in the desired manner.

In the 3 becomes an actuator 1 shown on the wall 2 a charging device of an electric vehicle is mounted. The bolt 3 the actuator extends in its locking position in the interior 8th the charging device inside. The bolt 3 serves to lock a mechanical connection between the charging device of the electric vehicle and a charging device of a charging station and in the non-prepublished international patent application PCT / EP 2011/050702 described way. We incorporate the disclosure of this patent application in the present invention, and in particular the known therefrom locking a mechanical connection between the charging device of an electric vehicle and the charging device of a charging station.

Such a charging device of an electric vehicle can via a flap 9 for closing the interior 8th feature. The flap 9 is in particular pivotally connected to the charging device of the electric vehicle. A locking device with the bolt 3 can also serve as an alternative or in addition to the flap 9 to lock when it closes the interior. The flap 9 For this purpose, it may have a tab in the interior towards the bolt 3 extends and has a recess. If the bar gets 3 by moving into its locking position in this recess, so then the lid or the flap 9 locked. In this way, the bolt 3 locking the flap 9 serve and / or the locking of a mechanical connection between the charging device of the electric vehicle and the charging device of a charging station.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

actuator

2

Wall of another component

3

bars

4

external thread

5

seal

6

Housing of the actuator

7

Opening with internal thread

8th

Interior of a charging device of an electric vehicle

9

Flap for closing the interior

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10259465 A1 [0002]
• DE 10214398 A1 [0003]
• DE 102010003523 [0004]
• EP 2011/050702 [0023]

Claims (6)

Actuator ( 1 ) with an electrically movable latch ( 3 ), characterized by an external thread ( 4 ) for screwing with an internal thread ( 7 ) of another component into which the open end of the bolt ( 3 ) at least into or out of or from which the open end of the bolt ( 3 ) can be moved out. Actuator according to claim 1, characterized by a compressible sealing ring ( 5 ) attached to a wall of the housing ( 6 ) of the actuator ( 1 ) and by the external thread ( 4 ) is passed. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator ( 1 ) a tight housing ( 6 ) having. Actuator ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator ( 1 ) with a wall ( 2 ) of another component is screwed and the further component is a charging device of an electric vehicle or a trough of a motor vehicle. Actuator according to the preceding claim with a locked or lockable by the actuator connection of the charging device of an electric vehicle with a charging device of a charging station or with a locked by the Stellantreibe or lockable lid or flap of a motor vehicle for closing the trough of the motor vehicle. Actuator according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the lid or the flap is able to close the well tightly.

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