EP0880155B1 - Electric lock controlled by a switch which can be inhibited - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to electric locks for closing the wing of an enclosure, in particular for closing of a motor vehicle trunk.

Such locks include a locking member for block the leaf in the closed position, electrical means to put the locking member in the inactive position, and at least one switch controlling the electrical supply of these means. A main switch is provided with a control element on which can act a control member operable from outside the enclosure. Document DE 4,015,268 describes such a lock.

Such a lock, when used for closing the trunk lid of the vehicle, does not have all the safety because, when the vehicle during its journey is brought to stop, an individual can actuate this control member to open the safe and steal its contents.

The object of the invention is in particular to remedy this disadvantage. To this end, in accordance with the invention, the lock defined above comprises means that can be actuated from the inside of the enclosure, for example from inside a vehicle trunk automotive, to inhibit the action of the control member on the main switch. Of course, an auxiliary switch is can be operated from inside the vehicle cabin to allow the opening of the lock even after the inhibition of the organ of control associated with the main switch.

The invention therefore relates to a lock electric for closing the leaf of an enclosure, comprising a locking member for locking the leaf in the closed position, electric retraction means for placing in the inactive position said blocking member, a switch controlling the supply electric of said retraction means, and a control member actuable from outside the enclosure, capable of acting on a control element of said switch, characterized in that it further comprises means operable from only inside the the enclosure, to inhibit the action of said control member.

• dans l'une de ces positions angulaires, l'organe de commande, lorsqu'il parcourt sa trajectoire de translation, rencontre l'élément de commande de l'interrupteur de sorte qu'il agit sur ledit interrupteur ;
• dans l'autre position angulaire, l'organe de commande parcourant sa trajectoire de translation ne rencontre pas l'élément de commande de l'interrupteur de sorte qu'il ne peut agir sur ce dernier.

According to a first embodiment, the switch is fixed and the control member is both movable in translation over a limited trajectory, and in rotation between two distinct angular positions:

• in one of these angular positions, the control member, when it travels its translation path, meets the switch control element so that it acts on said switch;
• in the other angular position, the control member traversing its translation trajectory does not meet the control element of the switch so that it cannot act on the latter.

An actuating element, such as a push button, accessible from the outside, integral in translation with said member control, allows the user to move in translation the ordered. On the other hand the rotational movement of the organ of order can only be produced from inside the enclosure, at by means of an actuating element such as a joystick, accessible from inside the enclosure, integral in rotation with said member ordered.

Thus, the possibility of putting the control member in an angular position for which he cannot, during his translation trajectory, acting on the switch, constitutes a mode of advantageous realization of the inhibition means of the invention.

According to a preferred embodiment, the control is a cylindrical part mounted to move in translation axial and rotating in a housing of corresponding shape. The element for rotating the said part, accessible from inside the enclosure, is a controller made in one piece with said part, in the form of a projecting part of the latter, extending radially with respect to the axis of translation of the part, passing through the housing through an opening thereof and extending to the outside of the case. The actuator accessible from the outside is a push button which is mounted axially movable in the housing, coaxially and contiguously with said piece of ordered. Common means of recall are also provided to simultaneously press the push button towards its rest position and the control part against said push button.

This preferred form of implementation of the invention has the advantage of simply carrying out in one piece the control part and its rotation actuating handle, and to use the same recall means to ensure, on the one hand, the return of the control panel and the push button in their rest position and, on the other hand, the securing in translation of these two elements.

• une première position pour laquelle son élément de commande se trouve sur la trajectoire de l'organe de commande, et
• une seconde position pour laquelle son élément de commande est en dehors de cette trajectoire.

According to a second embodiment, the control member and the switch are both movable in translation, each on a limited trajectory. The switch path is delimited by two extreme positions:

• a first position for which its control element is on the path of the control member, and
• a second position for which its control element is outside this trajectory.

Means are also provided for making these two extreme positions of the displacement path of the switch so that when the control of the switch by the control member, the forces exerted on the switch do not move it.

An actuating element, such as a push button, accessible from outside the enclosure, integral in translation with said control member, allows the user to move in translation the control member against return means. On the other hand the translational movement of the switch can only be produced from inside the enclosure, by means of an actuating element such as a lever, integral in translation with said switch.

According to a preferred embodiment, the push button is made in one piece with a generally shaped part cylindrical forming the control member, which is mounted movable in translation in a housing of corresponding shape. In addition, the switch is mounted on a mobile support in translation in the housing, on a limited trajectory. The actuator in translation of said switch support, accessible from inside the enclosure is a lever made in one piece with said support, in the form of a projecting part of this support, extending radially with respect to the axis of translation of said support, this part protruding through the housing through an opening of the latter and extending outside of said housing.

This last preferred form of implementation of the invention has the advantage of making it simple, in a single part, the push button and the control part while allowing inhibition of the action of the control part on the switch, as recommended by the invention.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the description which will follow from several embodiments, description made with reference to the accompanying drawing.

• la figure 1 est une vue éclatée représentant, en perspective et en position de montage, les différentes pièces d'une serrure pour coffre de véhicule automobile, selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente en perspective ladite serrure une fois montée ;
• la figure 3 est une coupe axiale selon le plan III-III de la figure 5 de la serrure des figures 1 et 2, dans laquelle l'organe de commande est représenté en position en rotation active et en position en translation de repos ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe axiale qui ne diffère de la figure 3 que par le fait que l'organe de commande est en position en translation poussée ;
• la figure 5 est une coupe transversale selon le plan V-V de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe transversale qui ne diffère de la figure 5, que par le fait que l'organe de commande est en position en rotation inactive ;
• la figure 7 est une vue éclatée représentant, en perspective et en position de montage, les différentes pièces d'une serrure pour coffre de véhicule automobile selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 8 représente en perspective ladite serrure une fois montée ;
• la figure 9 est une coupe axiale selon le plan IX-IX de la figure 11, de la serrure des figures 7 et 8, dans laquelle l'organe de commande est représenté en position de repos et l'interrupteur en position active ;
• la figure 10 est une vue en coupe axiale qui ne diffère de la figure 9 que par le fait que l'organe de commande est représenté en position poussée ;
• la figure 11 est une coupe transversale selon le plan XI-XI de la figure 13 ;
• la figure 12 est une coupe transversale selon le plan XII-XII de la figure 13 ;
• la figure 13 est une vue en coupe axiale qui ne diffère de la figure10, que par le fait que l'interrupteur est en position inactive ; et
• la figure 14 est une coupe axiale selon le plan XIV-XIV de la figue 9.

On this drawing :

• Figure 1 is an exploded view showing, in perspective and in the mounting position, the different parts of a lock for the trunk of a motor vehicle, according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 2 shows in perspective said lock once mounted;
• Figure 3 is an axial section along the plane III-III of Figure 5 of the lock of Figures 1 and 2, wherein the control member is shown in the position in active rotation and in position in translation of rest;
• FIG. 4 is a view in axial section which differs from FIG. 3 only in that the control member is in the position in pushed translation;
• Figure 5 is a cross section along the plane VV of Figure 3;
• Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view which differs from Figure 5, only in that the control member is in the inactive rotational position;
• Figure 7 is an exploded view showing, in perspective and in the mounting position, the different parts of a lock for the trunk of a motor vehicle according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 8 shows in perspective said lock once mounted;
• Figure 9 is an axial section along the plane IX-IX of Figure 11, of the lock of Figures 7 and 8, wherein the control member is shown in the rest position and the switch in the active position;
• Figure 10 is an axial sectional view which differs from Figure 9 only in that the control member is shown in the pushed position;
• Figure 11 is a cross section along the plane XI-XI of Figure 13;
• Figure 12 is a cross section along the plane XII-XII of Figure 13;
• Figure 13 is an axial sectional view which differs from Figure10, only in that the switch is in the inactive position; and
• FIG. 14 is an axial section along the plane XIV-XIV of FIG. 9.

In the drawing, FIGS. 1 to 6 represent a first embodiment of an electric lock according to the invention. As we can see in these figures, the lock includes: a housing cylindrical formed by a barrel 1 and a bottom 2; a switch 3 fixed on the bottom 2; a control part 4 of hollow cylindrical shape, mounted in the housing (1, 2) to be able to both slide axially and rotate around its axis; and a mounted push button 5 coaxially with the control piece 4 and contiguously with this last.

Barrel 1 is completely open at one end 1a, and it has, at its other end, a coaxial annular wall 6 forming a flange allowing fixing, by any appropriate means such that welding, riveting, etc., of the housing 1, 2 on a wall 7 of a trunk of motor vehicle. The bottom of the case 2 has, on its face turned towards the inside of the case, a projecting part in the form bracket 8 forming a fixing member for the switch 3. The bottom 2 is also fitted externally with clip-on fins 9 which are capable of each to cooperate with a corresponding clip 10 provided on the perimeter of barrel 1, not far from the end of this latest. Thus the assembly of the housing can be obtained very simply by clipping the bottom 2 onto the barrel 1.

Switch 3 is interposed in an electrical circuit allowing the electrical supply of means controlling the setting in retracted position of a locking element, such as a bolt, of the cover the trunk of the vehicle. Said electrical circuit, said means of control and said blocking element are not shown on the drawings and they will not be further described herein description, being well known to those skilled in the art.

The pushbutton 5 comprises: a cylindrical portion 5A with small clearance through the opening 6a of the annular wall 6, and projecting outside the casing; and a flange portion 5 b of diameter greater than that of the opening 6 a , housed in the barrel 1.

The control part 4 is open at its end 4a facing the base 2. The portion fixing member 8 and the switch 3 penetrate through the open end 4 has in the part 4 and extend inside of the latter. Two return coil springs 11 with axes parallel to that of the housing, are accommodated each in a partially blind hole 11a formed from the end face, side end 4 a of the gear portion 4, and are interposed between the base 2 and the control part 4. Their function is to recall the part 4 and the push button 5, which is joined to it by its face 5 c on the flange side 5 b , in their rest position for which the flange 5 b is in abutment against the annular wall 6.

The components of lock 1, 2, 4, 11 are arranged and dimensioned so that the springs 11 are still in the pre-stressed state, and that remains between the control 4 and bottom 2 a movement d, when no thrust is exerted on the push button 5 in the rest position (see Figure 3). Thus arranged, the springs 11 constitute both means elastic bands for push button 5 and control panel 4 and means for urging the control part 4 against the push-button 5 so as to secure it in translation of these last two elements.

The control part 4 also has a projecting part 12, extending radially with respect to the translation axis of the part 4, extending outside the housing 1, 2 and passing through it through an opening in rectangular shape 13 formed in the wall of the barrel 1 from its end 1 a . The projecting part 12 forms a lever for actuating the control part 4 in rotation, this lever being accessible only from inside the boot of the vehicle. A ball 90 pushed by a spring 91 is disposed in a housing 92 which opens onto the side wall of the control part 4; the ball 90 is pushed outwards and can thus cooperate with two grooves 93 formed on the internal side wall of the barrel 1 to constitute elastic stops corresponding to the two end of rotational travel of the part 4 relative to the barrel 1. The grooves 93 are parallel to the axis of barrel 1.

As can be seen more particularly in the cross sections of FIGS. 5 and 6, the opening 13 is delimited angularly by longitudinal edges 13 a which limit the possible rotary clearance for the lever 12.

The control part 4 has the function of actuating a control element 3 a of the switch to change the position, open or closed, of the latter in the opposite position, closed or open. To this end, the part 4 has a protrusion 14 projecting from the face facing the switch 3, from the solid bottom wall 4 b of the part 4.

As can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 5 and 6, the control part 4 can be put, by pivoting around its axis in two angular positions such as: in one of these positions, called active, represented on the 5, the protrusion 14 is located in front of the control element 3a; in the other so-called inactive position, shown in FIG. 6, the protrusion 14 is angularly offset relative to the control element 3 a .

The protuberance 14 is dimensioned so that, when the control part 4 is in its active angular position (with reference to its rotation about its axis), and, in its pushed translation position (with reference to its translation parallel to its axis), as shown in FIG. 4, said protuberance 14 presses on the control element 3a of the switch 3, and when the control part 4 is in its active angular position and in its position in translation of rest, as shown in Figure 3, said protuberance 14 is spaced from said control element 3 a .

On the other hand, when the control part 4 is in its inactive angular position, as shown in FIG. 6, the protuberance 14 never comes into contact with the control element 3 a , whatever the position in translation of said control part 4.

The operation of the device, which has just been described, is as follows: when the control part 4 is in the active angular position (FIGS. 3, 4, and 5), it is possible to actuate the switch 3 for the put in the closed position, by pressing the push button 5, which has the effect of moving in translation the control part 4 against the springs 11, over an axial distance equal to the movement d, until its extreme thrust position as shown in Figure 4, position in which the end 4 a of the control part 4 is in abutment against the base 2. in this position of the workpiece 4, the protrusion 14 presses the control element 3 a thus causing the switch 3 to switch from its open state to its closed state, and therefore the release of the boot lid.

If the control part 4 is pivoted to put it in the inactive angular position (see FIG. 6), the translational movement of the part 4 to its extreme pushed position will not allow any action on the control element 3 a from the switch 3 since the protuberance 14 is angularly offset with respect to the control element 3 a , so that any action on the push button 5 has thus been rendered ineffective from the point of view of actuation of the 'switch 3.

Figures 7 to 14 show a second mode of realization of the invention. In these figures, identical elements or analogous to those of FIGS. 1 to 6 bear identical references.

As can be seen in Figures 7 to 14, the bottom 20 of the housing has two spaced cylindrical segment shaped wings one of the other 21 extending longitudinally inside the housing and delimiting between itself a profiled space, in which is housed axially sliding a slider 22 on which the switch 3 is fixed of the electric lock.

The cursor 22 has a shaped recess 23 and dimensioned so as to be able to receive practically without play the body of the switch 3. The fixing of the switch 3 on the slider 22 is ensured by two sliders 24 of cursor 22, each adjusting in a corresponding through hole 25 formed in the body of switch 3.

The control member is constituted by a generally cylindrical part 40 mounted in the housing to be able to slide axially. The piece 40 includes a finger 41 extending axially in the direction of the bottom 20 of the housing, and having at its free end a bevelled part forming an inclined face 41 a cam for actuating the control element 3 has the switch 3.

On the side opposite the finger 41, the part 40 has an extension portion of smaller section 42 projecting outside the housing 1, 20, forming a push button. The projecting part 42 has a generally cylindrical shape flanked by two diametrically opposite bosses 42 a, giving said part 42 a non-circular section. The opening 60 a of the annular wall 60 fixed to one end of the barrel 1 has a shape corresponding to the cross section of the part 42 which passes through said opening 60 a with little lateral play. The bosses 42 a have the function of preventing any rotation about its axis of the part 40.

Thus, the part 40 constitutes both the control member and the lock push button.

Two helical return springs It axes parallel to that of the housing 1, 20, are each housed in a partially blind hole 11a formed from the end face of a corresponding wing 21. Their function is to recall the part 40 in its rest position for which the shoulder 43 formed between the projecting part 42 and the rest, of larger section, of the part 40, is in abutment against the annular wall 60.

The slider 22 has a housing 26 extending transversely to the sliding axis of the cursor. This housing receives a ball 27 pushed by a spring 28. The ball 27 is intended to engage in one or the other of two grooves 29 formed in the inner face of one of the wings 21 of the bottom 20. The set of elements 26 to 29 constitutes a means for defining two stable extreme positions for the sliding limit switch 22.

The cursor 22 also has a protruding part 30 forming a lever for translating the cursor 22. The part 30 extends transversely to the sliding direction of the cursor, crosses barrel 1 through a shaped opening rectangular 31 formed in the barrel 1 from its end open, and protrudes outside the housing 1, 20. The opening 31 is sized to allow free movement with low side play, lever 30.

The end positions of the cursor 22 are defined by the position of the grooves 29. Figures 9, 10 and 14 show the cursor 22 in the so-called active position, for which the control member 3 a of the switch 3 is located. on the trajectory of the inclined surface 41 a of the control part 40. In FIG. 13, the cursor 22 is shown in the so-called inactive position, for which the control element 3 a of the switch 3 is outside the trajectory of the inclined surface 41 a .

Elements 21 and 40 are shaped and dimensioned so that, in the rest position of the part 40, remains between this last and the end face of the wings 21 from the bottom 20 a travel dl constituting the length of the push button pushing stroke 42.

The operation of the device, which has just been described, is as follows: when the cursor 22 is in the active position (FIGS. 9, 10, and 14), it is possible to actuate the switch 3 to put it in position closing, by pressing the push button 42, which has the effect of moving in translation the control part 40 against the springs 11, over an axial distance equal to the travel d1, to its extreme thrust position as shown in FIG. 10, for which the control part 40 is in abutment against the end faces of the wings 21. During this movement, the inclined surface 41 has acted like a cam on the element 3 a control to compress it and thus cause the switch 3 to switch from its open state to its closed state, and therefore the release of the boot lid.

If the cursor 22 is moved, using the lever 30, to put it in its inactive position as shown in Figure 13, the translational movement of the part 40 to its extreme pushed position will not allow any action on the control element 3 a of the switch 3 since the control element 3 a is located beyond the trajectory of the inclined surface 41 a , so that any action on the button has thus been rendered -pusher 42 ineffective from the point of view of actuation of the switch 3.

Claims (11)

1. Control device for an associated electric boot lock for closing the boot lid, intended to be fixed to a wall (7) of a boot, the lock comprising a locking member for locking the lid in the closed position, electric retraction means for putting the said locking member in the inactive position, the said device comprising a switch (3) controlling the electrical supply to the said retraction means, and a push button (4; 40) which can be actuated from outside the boot, able to act on the open/closed state of the said switch (3), characterised in that it also comprises mechanical means (12; 30) intended to be actuated by a user only from inside the boot in order to inhibit the action of the said push button (4; 40) and in that the said means (12; 30) actuated from the inside of the boot are produced so as to mechanically prevent a change of state of the said switch (3).
2. Control device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the said means (12; 30) actuated solely from inside the boot are produced so as to mechanically prevent the mechanical closure of the said switch (3).
3. Control device according to any one of Claims 1 to 2, characterised in that the switch (3) is fixed, in that the push button (4) is able to move on the one hand, according to a first degree of freedom, in translation on an actuation path and, on the other hand, according to a second degree of freedom, in rotation between a first position in which a control element (3a) of the switch (3) is situated on the said actuation path and a second position in which it is outside this path, in that actuation means (12) accessible solely from inside the boot are provided for controlling the movement of the push button (4) according to the second degree of freedom and in that actuation means (5) accessible from the outside of the boot are provided for controlling the movement of the push button (4) according to the first degree of freedom.
4. Control device according to Claim 3, characterised in that the said actuation path is a translation path, whilst the said movement, according to the second degree of freedom, of the push button (4) is a movement in rotation between a first position, in which it encounters the control element (3a) of the switch (3), and a second position in which it does not encounter this control element.
5. Control device according to Claim 4, characterised in that the actuation means accessible from the outside of the boot are a push button (5) translationally fixed to the said push button (4) and in that the actuation means accessible solely from the inside of the boot are a handle (12) rotationally fixed to the said control member (4).
6. Control device according to either one of Claims 1 to 2, characterised in that the push button (40) is able to move in translation over a limited actuation path, in that the switch (3) is able to move between a first position in which the control element (3a) of the switch (3) is situated on the said actuation path, and a second position in which it is outside this path, in that actuation means accessible from outside the boot (42) are provided for controlling the movement of the push button (40) over its actuation path, and in that actuation means accessible from the inside of the boot (30) are provided for controlling the movement of the switch (3) between its first and second positions.
7. Control device according to Claim 6, characterised in that the movement of the switch (3) is a translation movement with a direction parallel to the translation of the control member (40).
8. Control device according to one of Claims 6 or 5, characterised in that the said push button is produced in a single piece (40) with a part forming a push button (42) constituting the said actuation means accessible from the outside of the boot.
9. Control device according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the switch (3) is mounted on a support (22) able to move between the said first and second positions, and in that this support (22) is produced in a single piece with a handle (30) accessible from the inside of the boot.
10. Control device according to one of Claims 6 to 9, characterised in that means (26 to 29) are provided for making the said first and second positions of the switch (3) stable counter to forces applied to the latter when the control element (3a) of the switch (3) is actuated by the push button (40, 41, 41a).
11. Electric lock for a motor vehicle, characterised in that it comprises a device according to any one of Claims 1 to 10.

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