EP1026343A1 - Lock with a two part fixed lock body - Google Patents

Abstract

The lock (10) for a motor vehicle door has a rotor assembly (50,80) with a closed ended tube having a slot in its end face for a key. The fixed lock casing is formed in two axial sections (20,24) which are axially fixed for rotation by lugs (102) with springs for locking the assembly together.

Description

The present invention relates to a lock.

The invention relates more particularly to a lock intended to be used for the control of a lock fitted to a motor vehicle allowing by example the locking of a window of the vehicle such as a door.

The invention relates more specifically to a lock of the type comprising a mechanism mounted to rotate and retained axially inside a fixed latch-shaped body cylindrical annular jacket closed at its axial end front by a transverse bottom element and whose face transverse rear end has an opening central for the passage of a key.

According to a known conception of this type of lock, the fixed lock body is made in the form of a part unique long length mold in which all components of the inner mechanism are threaded axially from back to front and whose rear transverse face is consisting of a washer-shaped cover which is attached by crimping at the rear axial end of the jacket.

Such a conception is not satisfactory because it is not removable, it does not allow to assemble simple way the different components of the mechanism to the interior of the fixed lock body, and in particular the thresher since it is necessary to assemble all components before crimping operations. In addition, the choice of material of the crimp cap constituting the cache must meet aesthetic imperatives, mechanical strength and compatibility with others surrounding materials which are sometimes difficult to satisfy.

In order to remedy these drawbacks, the invention offers a lock of the type comprising a mechanism mounted rotation and retained axially inside a fixed body of lock in the shape of a cylindrical annular jacket closed at its front axial end by a transverse bottom element and the rear end transverse face of which has a central opening for the passage of a key, characterized in that the fixed lock body is made in two parts axial rear and front which are secured axially and in rotation by bayonet type assembly means comprising means for automatically blocking assembly.

• les moyens d'assemblage du type à baïonnette comportent au moins une paire de pattes en L agencées respectivement sur l'une et l'autre des deux parties du corps fixe de verrou au voisinage de leur bord respectif d'extrémité libre avant et arrière, chaque patte d'assemblage comportant une branche de liaison d'orientation axiale et une branche de fixation d'orientation tangentielle, les deux branches de fixation s'étendant tangentiellement dans des sens opposés pour permettre l'engagement, par rotation de chaque branche de fixation formant ergot dans le cran complémentaire délimité par l'autre branche de fixation ;
• les moyens de blocage automatique des moyens d'assemblage à baïonnette interviennent entre les faces transversales arrière et avant en vis-à-vis des deux branches tangentielles de fixation pour immobiliser les deux parties axiales du corps fixe de verrou en rotation l'une par rapport à l'autre ;
• les moyens de blocage automatique comportent un ressort hélicoïdal de compression, d'orientation axiale, dont une extrémité axiale arrière est reçue dans un logement formé dans une surface transversale d'extrémité avant de l'une des deux parties axiales du corps de verrou fixe et dont l'autre extrémité axiale avant s'étend axialement vers l'extérieur et en regard d'une surface transversale d'extrémité arrière de l'autre des deux parties dans laquelle est formé une encoche de blocage qui reçoit automatiquement ladite autre extrémité axiale avant du ressort de blocage lorsque les deux parties du corps fixe de verrou sont en position angulaire assemblée ;
• la longueur axiale à l'état libre du ressort de blocage est telle qu'il est comprimé lors du mouvement de rapprochement axial mutuel des deux parties du corps de verrou fixe préalable au mouvement de rotation en vue de l'engagement des branches de fixation ;
• le verrou comporte des moyens de déverrouillage des moyens de blocage automatique des moyens d'assemblage à baïonnette;
• le fond axial de l'encoche de blocage comporte une fente axiale débouchante permettant d'y introduire un outil pour comprimer axialement le ressort de blocage en vue de l'escamoter hors de l'encoche de blocage ;
• le verrou comporte deux paires de pattes d'assemblage de conception homologue et qui sont agencées de manière diamétralement opposée ;
• l'extrémité arrière de la partie axiale avant du corps de verrou fixe comporte une collerette radiale extérieure de positionnement axial du corps de verrou par rapport à une tôle percée sur laquelle est monté le verrou.

According to other characteristics of the invention:

• the bayonet type assembly means comprise at least one pair of L-shaped tabs respectively arranged on one and the other of the two parts of the fixed lock body near their respective front and rear free end edges, each assembly lug comprising an axially oriented connecting branch and a tangentially oriented fixing branch, the two fixing branches extending tangentially in opposite directions to allow engagement, by rotation of each fixing branch forming a lug in the complementary notch delimited by the other attachment branch;
• the automatic blocking means of the bayonet assembly means intervene between the rear and front transverse faces opposite the two tangential attachment branches to immobilize the two axial parts of the fixed body of the bolt in rotation, one with respect to to the other ;
• the automatic locking means comprise a helical compression spring, of axial orientation, of which a rear axial end is received in a housing formed in a transverse surface of the front end of one of the two axial parts of the fixed lock body and the other front axial end of which extends axially outwards and opposite a rear end transverse surface of the other of the two parts in which a blocking notch is formed which automatically receives said other front axial end the locking spring when the two parts of the fixed lock body are in the assembled angular position;
• the axial length in the free state of the locking spring is such that it is compressed during the movement of mutual axial approximation of the two parts of the fixed latch body prior to the rotational movement for the purpose of engaging the fixing branches;
• the lock comprises means for unlocking the automatic blocking means of the bayonet assembly means;
• the axial bottom of the locking notch has a through axial slot making it possible to introduce therein a tool for axially compressing the locking spring in order to retract it out of the locking notch;
• the lock comprises two pairs of assembly tabs of homologous design and which are arranged diametrically opposite;
• the rear end of the front axial part of the fixed lock body comprises an external radial flange for axially positioning the lock body with respect to a drilled sheet on which the lock is mounted.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée des principaux composants d'un verrou réalisé conformément aux enseignements de l'invention du type à rotor débrayable ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en section axiale du verrou de la figure 1 sur laquelle les composants sont illustrés en position assemblée avec le verrou monté sur un ouvrant de véhicule automobile ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective de trois-quarts avant qui représente le verrou en position assemblée ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective éclatée des deux parties du corps de verrou fixe selon invention avec leurs moyens d'assemblage à baïonnette ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective qui illustre le corps de verrou fixe en cours de montage sur une tôle d'un ouvrant avec la batteuse éclatée ;
• la figure 6 est une vue de détail en perspective et à plus grande échelle des moyens d'assemblage à baïonnette sur laquelle les deux parties du corps de verrou fixe sont illustrées lors d'une première phase de l'opération d'assemblage des deux parties ;
• la figure 7 est une vue schématique de détail en section par un plan tangentiel selon la ligne 7-7 de la figure 6 ;
• les figures 8 et 9, et les figures 10 et 11 sont des vues similaires à celles des figures 6 et 7 qui correspondent aux deux phases suivantes de l'assemblage par les moyens du type à baïonnette ;
• les figures 12 et 13 sont deux schémas en section axiale qui illustrent la conception générale d'un corps de verrou fixe selon l'état de la technique et selon invention respectivement.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the main components of a lock produced in accordance with the teachings of the invention of the disengageable rotor type;
• Figure 2 is an axial sectional view of the lock of Figure 1 in which the components are illustrated in the assembled position with the lock mounted on a door of a motor vehicle;
• Figure 3 is a front three-quarter perspective view showing the latch in the assembled position;
• Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the two parts of the fixed lock body according to the invention with their bayonet assembly means;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view which illustrates the fixed latch body during mounting on a sheet of an opening with the exploded thresher;
• Figure 6 is a detail view in perspective and on a larger scale of the bayonet assembly means on which the two parts of the fixed latch body are illustrated during a first phase of the assembly operation of the two parts ;
• Figure 7 is a schematic detail view in section through a tangential plane along line 7-7 of Figure 6;
• Figures 8 and 9, and Figures 10 and 11 are views similar to those of Figures 6 and 7 which correspond to the following two phases of assembly by means of the bayonet type;
• Figures 12 and 13 are two diagrams in axial section which illustrate the general design of a fixed lock body according to the prior art and according to the invention respectively.

There is shown in the figures a lock 10 of the type to disengageable rotor.

The latch 10 has a fixed latch body 12, also called housing, which is illustrated here in the mounted position on a motor vehicle door with two parallel sheets 14 and 15, one of which 14 constitutes the outer skin of body.

The fixed lock body 12 is associated with an element of handle 16 which has a housing 18 in which is mounted the rear part or head 20 of the fixed lock body 12 which is made here in two parts.

The rear part 20 of the lock body 12 is fixed by mounting means 100, 102 of the bayonet type, at a rear part 24 generally in the form of a cylindrical pot.

The fixed lock body 12 with its two rear parts 20 and before 24 is mounted axially from back to front, i.e. from left to right considering the figures in a circular opening 26 cut from the sheet 14 and which has four notches 28, 30 which receive parts complementary 32 and 34 of the front sheath 24, the axial immobilization being ensured, in a known manner, by an elastic fork 36 received in slots 38 of the scabbard.

The notch 28 and the pad 32 are different from the notches 30 and studs 34 so as to constitute a means of polarization of the angular orientation of the fixed lock body 12 on the sheet 14.

The two rear 20 and front 24 parts of the body fixed lock 12 together form a cylindrical jacket annular which internally delimits a cylindrical housing 40 in two parts.

The front sleeve 24 is closed at its axial end front by a transverse bottom element 42 here in the form of vertical bar with the internal transverse face oriented axially towards the rear has two studs 46 whose faces transverse rear delimit a transverse support plane axial in the bottom 42 of the fixed lock body 12. The sheath 24 has a flange 37 at its rear axial end.

The cylindrical housing 40 receives a stator in rotation intermediate 50 of the disengageable lock which presents itself generally in the form of an annular cylindrical sleeve which is guided in rotation in the housing 40 by its surface cylindrical peripheral 52.

The sleeve 50 extends axially forwards beyond from its transverse front end face 54 by a web cylindrical annular 56 which houses a spiral spring 58 intervening between the intermediate stator and the front sleeve 24 and which is also extended centrally by a nozzle front end 60 of the intermediate stator 50 of shape general tubular.

The front rotor tip 60 has two lugs diametrically opposed radials 62.

The rotor tip 60 is provided to drive in rotation in both directions an output member 66 of the lock for the latter's control of a lock mechanism (not shown).

The output member 66 which is also commonly called the thresher, is a plate-shaped element which extends in a transverse plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation A of the intermediate stator.

The threshing machine 66 comprises, for its drive in rotation, a central part 68 of generally circular outline which has a circular opening 70 with two cutouts diametrically opposed 72 so as to receive the end piece rotor 60 with its two transverse pins 62 which are received in cutouts 72 to drive the thresher 66 in rotation in both directions when the intermediate stator 52 rotates around axis A in either direction.

In the assembled position, the rear transverse face 74 of the central part 68 of the threshing machine 66 is in axial support backwards against the front transverse shoulder 76 of the intermediate stator 50 which delimits axially towards the rear the rotor tip 60.

To prevent the thresher from moving axially with respect to the lock end piece 60 and to the body of fixed lock 12, that is to say to make up for the clearances assembly, the central part 68 of the thresher 66 is pinched elastically between the shoulder 76 of the stator intermediate 50 and the rear transverse faces 48 of elements 46 against which the transverse face bears front 78 of the central part 68 of the threshing machine 66.

The cylindrical sleeve-shaped body of the stator intermediate 50 receives in rotation, in known manner, the body main 80 of the disengageable rotor which is also called barrel and which receives, in known manner, pistons 81 intended for cooperate with a key (not shown) to secure or not the barrel 80 in rotation with the intermediate stator 50.

According to a known arrangement, provision is also made for retractable angular indexing means of the stator intermediate 50 relative to the fixed latch body 12, 20.24 which will not be described here in more detail.

Barrel 80 is rotatably mounted in a housing cylindrical 82 partly formed inside the sleeve tubular 50 and partly inside the head 20.

The body of the barrel 80 is delimited transversely towards the rear by an annular transverse face 84 which, with interposition of a washer 86 integral with the barrel, is in backward axial support against a radial shoulder 85 facing forward which is the internal transverse face of a radially inner flange 88 arranged at the end axial rear of head 20.

In particular to ensure the elastic clamping of the central part 68 of the thresher between surfaces 76 and 48, it at least one helical compression spring 90 is provided which is interposed axially between the fixed lock body 12, 20, 24 and the intermediate stator 50 of the disengageable rotor of the lock.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the compression helical spring 90 bears axially by its rear end turn 92 against a portion opposite of the front transverse face of the washer 86 and, by its coil of axial end before 94 against a portion opposite of the annular transverse edge of the rear axial end 96 of the sleeve 50 with interposition of a support ball 98.

In the assembled position, the spring 90 therefore pushes back axially the barrel 80 with the washer 86 which is linked to it in translation, backwards against the shoulder 85 while it pushes the sleeve 50 axially forward with rotor tip 60.

In order to obtain the desired elastic pinching effect of the threshing machine 66, 68, it is of course provided for an axial clearance between the facing faces 44 of the bottom 42 and 64 of the end piece rotor 60, as well as an axial clearance between the transverse face annular front end 51 of the sleeve 50 and the shoulder rear transverse 25 of the sleeve 24 which delimits axially forward the cylindrical housing 40.

The thresher is mounted in lock 10 by transversely introducing its central part 68 into the free front end section of the sleeve 24 for sliding it with axial clearance between (see Figure 1) a transverse face annular front end 23 of the sleeve 24 and the surfaces 48 of the bottom element 42.

Then inserting the rotor tip 60 into the hole 70, the threshing machine 66 is linked in rotation to the intermediate stator 50 and it can no longer be extracted transversely outside the lock 10.

Final assembly of the other components of lock 10 by joining the head 20 and the sheath 24 by means bayonet 100, 102 ensuring the final assembly of all components of lock 10, operation during which the spring 90 is compressed axially to ensure the function of catching up on games explained above.

We will now describe in detail the means bayonet type assembly made in accordance with teachings of the invention with more reference particularly in Figures 4 to 11.

The means of assembly are essentially constituted by two assembly legs 100 and 102 carried respectively by the rear part or head 20 and by the part front or scabbard 24.

Each assembly tab 100 and 102 presents the L-shaped with an axially oriented branch of link 104, 106 and a tangential orientation branch of fixing 108, 110. The assembly lugs are produced coming of material by molding with the head and the sheath in zamak and they are formed respectively in the vicinity of front and rear axial end edges of head 20 and scabbard 24.

For axial engagement, then rotation of the tab 100 in the rear end part of the sheath 24, a notch 112 is provided which extends axially in the cylindrical jacket-shaped wall of the sleeve 24 and radially in the outer radial flange 37.

Each tangential attachment branch 108, 110 is axially delimited by a rear transverse face 114, 116 and by a front transverse face 118, 120.

Each assembly tab 100.102 delimits by its rear transverse face 114 and its front transverse face 120 respectively a notch, or notch, 122, 124 which is bounded tangentially by a background 126, 128.

Each notch 122, 124 is also delimited axially by a front transverse face 130 and by a rear transverse face 132 opposite the head 20 and the scabbard 24 respectively.

A blind cylindrical housing 134 of axial orientation is formed in the front transverse face 118 to receive the rear axial end part of a locking spring 136 which is here a helical compression spring whose part front axial end 138 protrudes beyond the face transverse before 118 and is scheduled to be received, in blocking position, in a blocking notch 140 cylindrical blind and axially oriented which leads to the rear in the rear transverse face 132.

Starting from the approach position illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the assembly of the two parts 20 and 24 is carried out by carrying out a relative displacement according to the direction axial of one of the two parts with respect to the other, here by sheath convention 24 axially from right to left in head direction 20.

During this first phase of assembly, the part front end 138 of the locking spring 136 comes to bear axial against the portion opposite the transverse face rear 132 which has the effect of axially compressing the locking spring 136.

The axial displacement of the sleeve 24 relative to the head 20 continues to the position illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 in which the rear transverse faces 132 and front 118 come into mutual contact, or almost in contact.

From this intermediate position, the assembly continues with a phase of relative rotation of the sleeve 24 by compared to head 20 clockwise considering the figure 8.

During this rotation, the fixing branches 108 and 110 of the assembly tabs 100 and 102 penetrate tangentially in the notches 124 and 122 respectively until their free ends bear against funds 128 and 126.

During this relative rotation movement, the part front end 138 of the compressed locking spring 136 slides along the rear transverse face 132 until that it is opposite the blind notch 140 in which it automatically penetrates due to the partial expansion of the spring 136.

As can be seen in Figure 11 the spring of blocking 136, which is arranged in its housing 134 and which extends into the notch 140, immobilizes the sheath 24 in rotation relative to the head 20.

The two parts 20 and 24 of the fixed lock body 12 are thus immobilized axially and in rotation one by relative to each other by the assembly tabs 100 and 102.

As can be seen in the figures, it is preferably two pairs of assembly tabs arranged diametrically opposite. One blocking spring 136 is however sufficient and this facilitates plus disassembly operations.

To be able to disassemble the bayonet assembly, i.e. to act on the locking spring 136 in order to extract its front end part 138 outside the locking notch 140, it is provided in the part 144 adjacent to the tab assembly 102 delimited by the rear transverse face 132 a slot 146 which opens axially into the two meaning and which is sized to allow the axial introduction, from front to back, of the free end a tool, such as for example a screwdriver 148, for axially compress the locking spring 136 against its own elasticity. The locking spring 136 thus released, it again becomes possible to rotate the sleeve 24 relative to head 20, counterclockwise for release the fixing branches 108 and 110 from the notches 124 and 122 then to release the assembly tabs axially one in relation to the other.

As can be seen by comparing the two views diagrams of Figures 12 and 13, it is no longer necessary use a 200 stainless steel crimp cover as in the prior art.

In addition, the two-part lock body has better resistance to tearing.

Finally, it is no longer mandatory that the axial end rear of the lock body is almost flush with the sheet 14. On the contrary, the head 20 extends axially outwards opening and facilitates for example the integration of the lock in a covering or fixing element 16 belonging to a opening handle assembly.

Claims (6)

Latch (10) of the type comprising a mechanism (50, 80) rotatably mounted and retained axially inside a fixed latch body (12) in the form of an annular jacket cylindrical closed at its front axial end by an element transverse bottom (42) and whose transverse face rear end (88) has a central opening for the passage of a key, of the type in which the fixed body of lock is made in two axial parts rear (20) and front (24) which are secured axially and in rotation by bayonet type assembly means (100, 102) comprising at least one pair of L-shaped legs (100, 102) arranged respectively on one (20) and the other (24) of two parts of the fixed lock body (12) in the vicinity of their respective front and rear free end edges, each tab assembly comprising a connecting branch (104, 106) axial orientation and a fixing branch (108, 110) tangential orientation, the two fixing branches extending tangentially in opposite directions for allow the engagement, by rotation of each branch of fixing (110, 108) forming a lug in the complementary notch (122, 124) delimited by the other (108, 110) attachment branch, and comprising means (136) for automatically blocking the assembly which occurs between the transverse faces rear (132) and front (118) facing the two arms tangential fixing to immobilize the two parts axial of the (20, 24) fixed latch body (12) rotating one with respect to the other, characterized in that the means of automatic locking feature a coil spring of compression (136), axial orientation, one end of which rear axial is received in a housing (134) formed in a transverse end surface (front) of one (20) of the two axial parts of the fixed lock body (12) and the other of which front axial end (138) extends axially outward and opposite a rear end transverse surface (132) of the other (24) of the two parts in which is formed a locking notch (140) which automatically receives said other axial end (138) of the locking spring (136) when the two parts of the fixed lock body are in assembled angular position. Lock according to claim 1, characterized in that that the axial length in the free state of the locking spring (136) is such that it is compressed during the movement of mutual axial approximation of the two parts of the body of fixed lock prior to the rotational movement in order to the engagement of the fixing branches (108, 110). Lock according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it includes means (146) for unlocking of the automatic blocking means of the bayonet connection means. Lock according to claim 3, characterized in that that the axial bottom of the locking notch (140) has a through axial slot (146) for introducing a tool (148) for axially compressing the locking spring (136, 138) in order to retract it out of the locking notch (140). Lock according to any one of the claims previous, characterized in that it comprises two pairs of assembly legs of homologous design and which are arranged diametrically opposite. Lock according to any one of the claims previous, characterized in that the rear end of the front axial part (24) of the fixed lock body (12) comprises an external radial flange (37) for axial positioning of the fixed lock body (12) relative to a pierced sheet (14) on which the lock is mounted.

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