DEVICE IN A VEHICLE LOCK

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the transmission of unlocking force from a lock cylinder (1) arranged in a lock cylinder casing (3) to an operating arm (8) in a locking mechanism (2), especially in a vehicle lock. The device is characterised in that a first end (5a) of a cable sheath (5) is fixed to the lock cylinder casing (3) adjacent to the lock cylinder (1). A second end (5b) of the cable sheath (5) is fixed adjacent to the operating arm (8) of the locking mechanism (2). A first end (6a) of a cable (6) arranged in the cable sheath (5) is operatively connected to the lock cylinder (1), the first end (6a) of the cable being designed, when duly acted upon by the lock cylinder (1) for unlocking the door, to be pushed into the cable sheath (5), thereby causing a second free end (6b) of the cable to be pushed out of the other end of the cable sheath (5) and brought into engagement with the operating arm (8), and by way of the latter transmitting to the locking mechanism (2) the requisite force/movement needed to bring the locking mechanism from a locked position (X) into an unlocked position (Y).

Description: Device in a vehicle lock The present invention relates to a device for the transmission of unlocking force from a lock cylinder arranged in a lock cylinder casing to an operating arm in a locking mechanism, especially in a vehicle lock, according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1. Transmitting the unlocking or locking force between a lock cylinder and a locking mechanism by means of rods or draw or push cables fixed to an operating arm in the locking mechanism is already known. One example of such a known device is disclosed in EP-N-0 475 037. Devices of the known type are relatively easy for a car thief to tamper with, however. Where a draw cable is used the car thief, for example, may slip a hooked implement down inside a vehicle door with the intention of catching hold of the cable and pulling this in order to unlock the door. In order to make this more difficult it is now usual to arrange protective covers in the vehicle door, which prevent access to the cable. The said covers increase the weight and cost of the vehicle, however. Where rods are used for the transmission of forces the car thief, by introducing an implement into the lock cylinder and breaking the lock cylinder and the lock cylinder casing around its fixing in the vehicle, may sometimes manage to displace the rod sufficiently to unlock the door. In order to make this more difficult it is now usual to provide the fixing for the lock cylinder casing with strong reinforcements, so that sufficient bending moment cannot easily be applied to the lock cylinder casing. These reinforcements also, however, increase the weight and the cost of the vehicle. Furthermore, both the above-mentioned solutions may be adversely affected in the event of a collision at moderate speed, since deformation of the vehicle adjacent to the locking devices may mean that the locking function/unlocking function is jeopardised by the exposure of a cable to tensile force or by displacement of a rod. An object of the present invention is to produce a device for the transmission of unlocking force from a lock cylinder arranged in a lock cylinder casing to a locking mechanism, especially in a vehicle lock, which device is simple, has a low weight and entails a relatively low cost, whilst at the same time being very difficult for a car thief to tamper with in order to unlock the door. A particular object is to produce a device for the transmission of unlocking force from a lock cylinder to a locking mechanism, especially in a vehicle lock, which will remain substantially unaffected and will safeguard the opening function in the event of a collision at moderate speed. According to one embodiment of the present invention a device for the transmission of unlocking force from a lock cylinder arranged in a lock cylinder casing to a locking mechanism, especially in a vehicle lock, is produced as specified in claim 1. Preferred embodiments moreover have any or some of the characteristics specified in the subordinate claims. The device according to the invention has a number of advantages. Among other things it is very difficult for a car thief to tamper with. The car thief cannot manage to unlock a vehicle door by slipping a hooked implement down inside the door, catching hold of the cable and pulling the latter. The protective covers now common in the vehicle doors can thereby be dispensed with, making it possible to reduce the weight and cost of the vehicle. Nor can the car thief, as may happen where rods are used for the transmission of forces, manage to displace the cables in relation to the cable sheath in order to unlock the door, by inserting an implement into the cylinder lock and breaking the cylinder lock and the lock cylinder casing around its fixing in the vehicle. This means that the reinforcements now common for fixing the lock cylinder casing can be dispensed with, which in turn means that it is possible to reduce the weight and cost of the vehicle. Furthermore, the solution according to the invention is not affected in the context of a collision at moderate speed, since certain deformation of the vehicle adjacent to the lock devices does not result in relative displacement between the cable and the cable sheath, thereby safeguarding the opening function following a collision at moderate speed. The invention will be explained in more detail below with the aid of the figure attached and an example of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention. The figure shows a general sketch drawing of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention for the transmission of unlocking force from a lock cylinder 1 to an operating arm 8 in a locking mechanism 2, which locking mechanism may be arranged, for example, in vehicle lock in a vehicle door or boot lid, where a lock cylinder 1 located in a lock cylinder casing 3 is furthermore arranged at a distance from the locking mechanism 2. The lock cylinder casing 3 is designed to be fitted in connection with an opening in the vehicle, through which a key 4 can be introduced into the lock cylinder 1. A first end 5 a of a cable sheath 5 is connected to the lock cylinder 1, being fixed in relation to the lock cylinder casing 3. The cable sheath 5 is arranged so that it is not twisted by due turning of the lock cylinder 1 by means of its key 4, being designed to follow with the lock cylinder 1 and the lock cylinder casing 3, but so that it is displaced in relation to the lock cylinder 1 in the event of improper insertion of an implement into the lock cylinder 1 and breaking of the lock cylinder 1 and the lock cylinder casing 3 around its fixing in the vehicle. Connected to the locking mechanism 2 and fixed thereto adjacent to its operating arm 8 is a second end 5b of the cable sheath 5. A first end 6a of a cable 6 arranged in the cable sheath protrudes from the first end 5a of the cable sheath and is operatively connected to the lock cylinder 1 by means of a displacement element 7 for the cable 6 arranged in the lock cylinder extension. The displacement element 7 forms a moment arm between the axis of rotation of the lock cylinder and the fixing of the first cable end to the displacement element 7. A second free end 6b of the cable 6 protrudes from the other end 5b of the cable sheath and is aligned for engagement with the operating arm 8 arranged in the locking mechanism 2. The first end 6a of the cable is designed, when duly acted upon by the lock cylinder 1 for unlocking the door, to be displaced by the displacement element 7 in relation to the cable sheath 5, being pushed into the latter, so that the second free end of the cable 6 is forced out of the cable sheath 5 and thereby brought into engagement with the operating arm 8, causing the latter to transmit the requisite unlocking force/movement to the locking mechanism 2. In the figure the operating arm 8 is shown by solid lines in a locked position X and by dashed lines in an unlocked position Y. In the locking process the operating arm 8 is drawn back into the locked position X by means of a spring 9. In the displacement element 7 there is a groove 7a, designed to receive that part of the cable 6 that protrudes from the first end 5a of the cable sheath, the said groove 7a being furthermore designed to protect the cable 6 and to prevent access thereto. The groove 7a is of sufficient length and depth to accommodate that part of the first end 6a of the cable, which in the locked position protrudes from the first end 5a of the cable sheath. In the figure the displacement element 7a is shown in the unlocked position by dashed lines and in the locked position by solid lines.

Claims: Claims 1. Device for the transmission of unlocking force from a lock cylinder ( 1 ) arranged in a lock cylinder casing (3) to an operating arm (8) in a locking mechanism (2), especially in a vehicle lock, a first end (5a) of a cable sheath (5) being fixed to the lock cylinder casing (3) in connection with the lock cylinder (1), a second end (5b) of the cable sheath (5) being fixed adjacent to the operating arm (8) of the locking mechanism (2), a first end (6a) of a cable (6) arranged in the cable sheath (5) being operatively connected to the lock cylinder (1) and the first end (6a) of the cable being designed, when duly acted upon by the lock cylinder (1) for unlocking the door, to be pushed into the cable sheath (5), thereby causing a second free end (6b) of the cable to be pushed out of the other end of the cable sheath (5) and brought into engagement with the operating arm (8), and by way of the latter transmitting to the locking mechanism the requisite force/movement needed to bring the locking mechanism from a locked position (X) into an unlocked position (Y), characterised in that a displacement element (7) for the cable (6) is arranged in the lock cylinder (1), which element forms a moment arm between the axis of rotation of the lock cylinder (1) and the fixing of the first cable end (5 a) in the displacement element (7) and is designed on the one hand, to impart to the first cable end (6a) the requisite displacement in relation to the cable sheath (5) when duly acted upon by the lock cylinder (1) for unlocking the door, and on the other to receive and protect that part of the first end (6a) of the cable, which protrudes from the first end (5a) of the cable sheath. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the displacement element (7) for the cable (6) has a groove (7a) corresponding to the cable (6) and of sufficient length and depth to accommodate that part of the cable (6), which protrudes from the first end (5a) of the cable sheath. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the operating arm (8), when not being acted upon by the second free end (6b) of the cable, is designed to be returned to the locked position (X) by means of a spring (9).

Inventors: HERMANSSON STIG, PONN HELMUTH, HERMANSSON, STIG, PONN, HELMUTH
Applicants: HERMANSSON STIG, PONN HELMUTH, VOLVO AB, AB VOLVO, HERMANSSON, STIG, PONN, HELMUTH
Application year: 2000
Main classification: E05B65
IPC codes: E05B53, E05B65