Locking device

• US 6,343,494 B2
• Filed: 08/04/1999
• Issued: 02/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Hipp, Dirk, Roos, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): BARRETT, SUZANNE LALE DINO
• Application Number:
  US09/369,043
• Publication Number:
  US 20010037666A1
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 702/08, 702/37--41, 702/62--64, 702/56, 702/57, 702/77, 702/791, 292/DIG.23, 292/29, 292/42, 292/43, 292/144, 292/201, 292/216
• US Class Current: 70/264
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/04 Electrical electrical circuits E05B81/54
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/08 using electromagnets or solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/76 Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/10 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1021 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5889 For automotive vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5973 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/65 Central control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7107 And alternately mechanically actuated by a key, dial, etc.

Abstract

The locking device (10) for doors, in particular of vehicles, has an inside door opener and an outside door handle (12) which can be used to actuate at least one lock for locking the door. Locking devices of this type are conventionally very complicated mechanically, since the mechanical connection between the outside door handle (12) and the lock is meant to be uncoupled as a function of various functional positions. In order to reduce the mechanical complexity, only the inside door opener should act mechanically on the lock, and the outside door handle (12) should act via an electric control on an actuating drive (18), which actuates the lock. In this case, the opening command is instigated only if at least one defined allowable precondition is present. The required additional functions of locking devices can very easily be controlled by the electric control, so that additional mechanical elements are not required. The unlocking with the aid of the inside door opener, which is desired from the point of view of safety, is maintained, and the ease of use is increased because of the lower opening forces of the outside door handle.

Claims

1. A locking device for doors or the like, in particular of vehicles, having an inside door opener and an outside door handle (12) which can be used to actuate at least one lock for locking the door, wherein only the inside door opener acts mechanically on the lock, and the outside door handle (12) is mechanically uncoupled from the lock, which can be actuated by an actuating drive (18) which is coupled to the outside door handle (12) by an electric control, the control instigating at least the opening command for the lock, when the outside door handle (12) is moved into an opening position, only under at least one defined allowable precondition;

said at least one precondition being at least one of detection by the control of an opened state of a central locking system or a detection by the control of an unlocked position of a mechanical locking cylinder or a responding by the control to a radio signal of a remote controller as well as a transponder activated by the radio signal, or a detection by a microswitch with a signaling of the control of an open position of the outside door handle.

2. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein as the allowable precondition the control detects the opened state of a central locking system.

3. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein as the allowable precondition the control detects the unlocked position of a mechanical locking cylinder.

4. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein as the allowable precondition the control takes into account the corresponding radio signal of a remote control or of a transponder activated by the radio signal.

5. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a microswitch (16) detects the open position of the outside door handle (12) and transmits a signal representing the open position to the control.

6. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lock can be mechanically unlocked with the aid of a locking cylinder which can be actuated from the outside and is independent of the outside door handle (12).

7. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the door is a swivel-type tailgate of a vehicle, which has an upper and a lower lock which are coupled by actuating elements (36) to a deflecting device (26) on which the inside door opener, the actuating drive (18, 20) and a locking cylinder engage mechanically.

8. The locking device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the deflecting device is formed as a deflecting lever (26) on whose lever arms (24, 30, 32) the actuating elements (36), the actuating drive (18, 20) and a locking cylinder engage.

9. The locking device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the deflecting lever (26) has a respective lever arm (30, 32) for the two actuating elements, which are designed as push rods (36), and a lever arm (24) for the actuating drive (18, 20), the connection at the ends of the lever arms (24, 30, 32) in each case comprising a joint (22, 34).

10. The locking device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the locking cylinder is connected to an eccentric element (40) which acts on a lever arm (32) of the deflecting lever (26).

11. A locking device for doors of vehicles having an inside door opener and an outside door handle (12) usable to actuate at least one lock for locking the door, wherein the inside door opener acts mechanically on the lock, and the outside door handle (12) is mechanically uncoupled from the lock, which is actuatable by an actuating drive (18) which is coupled to the outside door handle (12) by an electric control, the control commanding an opening of the lock when the outside door handle (12) is moved into an opening position and upon detection of an opened state of a central locking system or an unlocked position of a mechanical locking cylinder or a responding by the control to a radio signal of a remote controller as well as a transponder activated by the radio signal, or a detection by a microswitch with a signaling of the control of an open position of the outside door handle.