Actuation device for actuating a lock

• US 20040113491A1
• Filed: 02/10/2004
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France (Compagnie De Saint-Gobain)
• Original Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France (Compagnie De Saint-Gobain)
• Inventors: Timmermann, Alwin, Reul, Bernhard, Mauser, Helmut
• Application Number:
  US10/467,340
• Publication Number:
  US 20040113491A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.2
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/16 Locks for luggage compartments, car boot lids or car bonnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/01 Mechanical arrangements specially adapted for hands-free locking or unlocking handles with means for initiation of a hands-free locking or unlocking process E05B81/78

Abstract

Actuating device for a lock mechanism (13) comprising a device (5, 6) for transmitting and receiving signals which can be transmitted without contact, at least one switching device (9) for connecting the interrogation dialog and an actuation device (11) associated with the transmission and reception device and found in the closed or locked position. The transmission and reception device comprises a control element (5) and another element (6) arranged in close proximity, the actuating device comprising at least one other switching device (4, 4′) which is associated with the control element (5) for connecting the latter so that it communicates only when it is in its actuated state.

Claims

1. An actuating device for a lock mechanism (13) of an object which can be immobilized in a closed position by the lock mechanism and which can be moved when it is in the released state, particularly a window glass (1) or door, comprising:

a device for transmitting and receiving signals capable of being transmitted without contact and constituting a communication, said device comprising at least first and second transmission and/or reception elements (5, 6) arranged separately from one another, the first element or control element (5) being intended to communicate the actuation command with a view to releasing the lock mechanism,

an actuating member (11) which can be slaved at least indirectly to the transmission and reception device according to the communication carried out between said elements (5, 6) so as to bring the lock mechanism into a release position,

at least one switching device (9) for connecting said communication,

at least one other switching device (4, 4′

) associated with said control element (5) and which connects said control element (5) in such a way that it is not able to make said communication unless the other switching device is in the activated state, said control element (5) being arranged beside the switching device (4, 4′

) associated with it, at least indirectly on, against or in the object which can be immobilized and, in its closed position, in close proximity to the second element (6) of the transmission and reception device.

2. The actuating device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the control element (5) is a passive transponder with no external power supply which can be connected by means of said switching device (4, 4′

) so as to be able to respond to an interrogation dialog transmitted from the second element (6) of the transmission and reception device connected by the switching device (9).

3. The actuating device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the control element is a transmitter with a local power supply which may be connected using said switching device (4, 4′

) to transmit a signal to the second element (6) of the transmission and reception device which is able to receive or to transform this signal by connecting it via the switching device (9).

4. The actuating device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, provided on the two sides of the object capable of being moved is a switching device associated with the control element (5), the switching devices being functionally connected to one another in parallel.

5. The actuating device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lock mechanism (13) is associated with a vehicle tailgate glass which needs to be opened from the outside independently of a bodywork hatch.

6. The actuating device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one switching device (4′

) associated with the control element (5) is a switch able to be actuated by mechanical means, and in particular, a microswitch.

7. The actuating device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one switching device (4′

) associated with the control element (5) is a contactless switching element, particularly a switching element that operates by capacitance.

8. The actuating device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lock mechanism (13) is arranged in a vehicle and the switching device (9) associated with the second element (6) of the transmission and reception device is a switching device present in the vehicle, particularly an ignition switch and/or a central locking mechanism.

9. The actuating device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching devices (4′

,

     9) can be activated to initiate the contactless communication upon the approaching of an object.

10. The actuating device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the switching devices (4′

, 9) can be activated to initiate the contactless interrogation dialog, by the approaching of an object.

11. A moving window glass, particularly a vehicle window glass, provided with a lock mechanism (13) and with a switch (4′

) itself arranged at least indirectly on the window glass and able to be moved with it, for placing the lock mechanism in a release position which allows the window glass to be opened, a control element (5) of a switchable transmission and reception device without external power supply wires being secured to the window glass and, in its activated state, transmitting a command signal to a second element (6) of the transmission and reception device arranged in a fixed position with respect to the closed window glass.

12. The window glass as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the switch (4′

) is provided on a screen wiper fixed to the window glass.

13. The window glass as claimed in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the control element (5) is arranged inside a window glass produced as a composite or laminated window glass.