Abstract:
A locking device for a door or flap having a cylinder lock that has a cylinder bush and a cylinder core rotatably supported in the cylinder bush. A bearing bracket is fastenable to the door or flap and has a receptacle for the cylinder lock. A screw is also provided that establishes a mechanical connection of the cylinder bush to a trim element for the door or flap. The screw interacts with a threaded hole of a bow element in order to move the bow element. The cylinder bush has a radial recess, which forms a pressure tip at the end of the screw facing the cylinder bush, which pressure tip, while inserted in the radial recess, interacts with the pressure surface in order to axially and radially support the screw.

Description:
[0001]    This nonprovisional application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2014/073583, which was filed on Nov. 3, 2014, and which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2013 222 465.6, which was filed in Germany on Nov. 6, 2013, and which are both herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to a locking device for a door or flap, in particular of a vehicle, for example, a motor vehicle, with a cylinder lock that has a cylinder bushing and has a cylinder core that is rotatably supported in the cylinder bushing, with a bearing bracket that can be fastened or is fastened to the door or flap and has a receptacle for the cylinder lock, and with a screw that establishes a mechanical connection of the cylinder bushing to a trim element for the door or flap. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Background Art 
         [0005]    Locking devices of the aforementioned type are known from the prior art, for example from DE 10 2004 012 456 A1. During the course of further development of motor vehicles, development of measures for improving protection from theft or break-ins of vehicles has also taken place. In addition to electronic measures such as, e.g., immobilizers, mechanical devices are also used in this context. Locking devices that include a cylinder lock located in a door or flap of the vehicle are customary as mechanical security devices. As the primary component, the cylinder lock has a cylinder bushing, in particular a stationary cylinder bushing, that is attached to the bearing bracket and in which a cylinder core is rotatably supported. As a result of the rotation of the cylinder core, which can only be initiated with a matching key inserted into the core, the rotary motion is transmitted to a locking mechanism of the locking device, by which means the opening of the flap or door is ultimately accomplished. The cylinder lock in this design is typically held in a bearing bracket that is attached to the interior of the door or flap or on its inner side. 
         [0006]    It is also known from DE 10 2004 012 456 A1 to provide a screw that establishes a mechanical connection of the cylinder bushing to a trim element of the door or flap. To this end, the screw is inserted from the outside in sections, through the trim panel and through the bearing bracket, into a radial recess of the cylinder bushing. The tip of the screw enclosed in the radial recess ensures that the cylinder bushing catches on the trim panel and cannot be pulled out in the event of violent destruction of its attachment. 
         [0007]    Thus, in addition to the actual attachment of the cylinder bushing in the bearing bracket, the screw is provided that only performs its function in the event of violent forcible opening. As a result of the plurality of individual parts, a comparatively large installation space is required, and commensurately high production and installation costs ensue as well. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a locking device that is designed to be more economical and more space-saving without sacrificing security against forcible opening in the process. 
         [0009]    The object that is the basis of the invention is attained by a locking device that has the advantage that a single screw is provided both for attachment of the cylinder bushing in the bearing bracket and for securing to the trim element, this single screw taking on the function of attachment in addition to the function of securing. As a result, it is possible to save component costs, shorten assembly time, simplify assembly, and save installation space, with the security of the locking device against violent forcible opening remaining at least as good. Preferably, the trim element is a metal trim panel, especially preferably an inner panel of the door or flap. The trim element represents a component of the locking device in this case. 
         [0010]    The locking device according to an embodiment of the invention provides a bracket element that radially surrounds the cylinder bushing at least in part and is movably supported on the bearing bracket and that has at least one engagement for engaging a recess of the cylinder bushing, and in that the screw interacts with a threaded bore of the bracket element for the displacement thereof, wherein the cylinder bushing has a radial indentation that forms a pressure surface, and wherein the screw has a pressure tip at its end facing the cylinder bushing that is introduced into the radial indentation and interacts with the pressure surface to axially and radially support the screw. The locking device thus has only the one screw for attachment and securing of the cylinder lock or cylinder bushing. The screw is passed through a thread of the bracket element or through the threaded bore. The screw can be axially displaced relative to the bracket element by means of a rotation. If the screw is screwed far enough into the threaded bore that its pressure tip contacts the radial indentation or the pressure surface of the radial indentation, then an axial force is produced that forces the section of the bracket element having the threaded hole away from the cylinder bushing. As a result, screwing in the screw makes it possible to displace the bracket element in the manner of a spindle and to bring the at least one engagement into engagement with the recess of the cylinder bushing in order to fasten the latter in the bearing bracket. Since the screw simultaneously establishes the mechanical connection to the trim element, the screw fulfills both of the abovementioned functions. For attachment, the screw braces against the cylinder bushing to displace the bracket element, and at the same time is in mechanical connection with the trim element in order to ensure the described catching in the event of a violent forcible opening of the locking device. The screw is thus the sole screw for attachment and for securing of the locking device or the cylinder lock. 
         [0011]    According to an embodiment of the invention, provision is made that the bracket element is at least substantially annular in design and completely surrounds the cylinder bushing radially. The bracket element thus completely encloses the cylinder bushing and has especially great stability against forcible mechanical opening because of the continuous annular shape. This further improves security against unauthorized opening of the door or flap. 
         [0012]    In addition, provision is made that the bracket element can have a cross-rib as an engagement on the side opposite the threaded bore. The cross-rib connects the free ends of two parallel legs of the bracket element that are spaced apart from one another, thus producing the closed ring shape and ensuring great resistance to forced entry. Because the cross-rib itself forms the engagement, no further provisions are necessary on the bracket element, as for example radially inward-facing engagement projections, so the bracket element can be produced especially economically and simply. However, provision can of course also be made according to another embodiment that one or more projections that face radially inward or toward the cylinder bushing and that engage corresponding receptacles are provided on the cross-rib. 
         [0013]    The cylinder bushing can have the recess for accepting the engagement on its side opposite the radial indentation. In this way, the recess of the cylinder bushing is associated with the engagement of the bracket element that is located on the side opposite the threaded bore. On the one hand, this prevents incorrect assembly, and on the other hand the introduction of the engagement into the recess is optimally facilitated by the support of the screw on the pressure surface of the cylinder bushing. 
         [0014]    The recess can be implemented as a receiving groove in the cylinder bushing. As a result, an especially wide engagement can engage in the recess, thus increasing the positive engagement and improving security against forcible opening. In useful fashion, the legs, which lead from the cross-rib to the section of the bracket element having the threaded bore, are so distant from one another that the cylinder bushing can be passed between them. Due to the subsequent displacement of the striker, the striker achieves engagement with the recess and locks the cylinder bushing by positive locking in the axial direction. The cross-rib and/or the receiving groove can each have at least one lead-in chamfer that ensures reliable placement of the bracket element in the recess of the cylinder bushing as well as automatic centering of the cylinder bushing. 
         [0015]    According to an embodiment of the invention, the bearing bracket can have a slide guide for locating the bracket element in such a manner as to be displaceable primarily only radially with respect to the cylinder bushing. The primarily only radial displaceability of the bracket element ensures that the bracket element or the cylinder bushing is held axially on the bearing bracket with only very little play, preferably with no play or clearance-free. The axial support of the bracket element thus takes place on the bearing bracket itself. 
         [0016]    The radial indentation can be conical in design, wherein the pressure tip of the screw is designed to be complementary to the pressure surface. This achieves the result that full-area contact of the pressure tip in the radial indentation or on the pressure surface is ensured for advantageous force transmission. Because of the conical design, moreover, automatic centering of the screw, or of its pressure tip, is achieved, wherein it is possible when in the screwed-in state or in the state inserted in the radial indentation for forces to also be transmitted to the bracket element, and vice versa, radially with respect to the screw. 
         [0017]    According to an embodiment, the bracket element can have a first section surrounding the cylinder bushing and a second section having the threaded bore, wherein the two sections are designed to be at least essentially perpendicular to one another. Especially when the bracket element is designed as a bent sheet metal part, this achieves the result that the section surrounding the cylinder bushing can be made relatively shallow, in particular more shallow than the diameter of the screw, and that the threaded bore can be made in a simple manner in the section perpendicular thereto. As a result, the already mentioned design of the bracket element as a bent sheet metal part can also be implemented in a simple and economical manner. 
         [0018]    In addition, the trim element can have an opening through which the end of the screw opposite the pressure tip is passed. By this means, the catching of the cylinder bushing on the trim element in the event of violent forcible opening of the locking device is ensured in a simple manner. Preferably the diameter of the invention corresponds nearly to the diameter of a threaded shank of the screw in order to ensure reliable catching. 
         [0019]    According to an embodiment, the screw can have a screw head whose diameter is larger than the diameter of the opening of the trim element, wherein the screw head rests on the side of the trim element opposite the bracket element, so that the screw head, by positive engagement, advantageously provides additional securing against unauthorized forcible opening of the locking device. 
         [0020]    Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes, combinations, and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a locking device of a door of a motor vehicle, 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  shows an enlarged detail view of the locking device, 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a cylinder lock and of a bracket element of the locking device, 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the bracket element, and 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of the arrangement from  FIG. 3  to illustrate the mode of operation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional view of sections of a door  1  of a motor vehicle that is not shown in detail, which door has a locking device  2 . Fixed in place on the door  1  is a bearing bracket  3  of the locking device  2 , which bracket also carries a door handle that can be operated. The bearing bracket  3  also has a receptacle  5  in which a cylinder lock  6  is located. 
         [0028]    The cylinder lock  6  has a cylinder bushing  7  and a cylinder core  8  that is rotatably supported in the cylinder bushing. The rotation of the cylinder core  8  can only be initiated with a matching key inserted into the core. The basic design of a cylinder lock is known from the prior art and thus will not be explained in detail here. The cylinder bushing  7  is inserted axially into the receptacle  5 , and is held by at least radial positive engagement with the receptacle  5 . 
         [0029]    Also associated with the cylinder lock  6  is a bracket element  9 , which serves the purpose of axial guidance of the cylinder bushing  7  and thus of the cylinder lock  6  in the receptacle  5  or on the bearing bracket  3 . In addition, the locking device  2  has a screw  10  that interacts with the bracket element  9  as described below. 
         [0030]    To this end,  FIG. 2  shows an enlarged detail view of the locking device  2  in another cross-sectional representation. At one end, the screw has a screw head  11  that is adjoined by a threaded shank  12 , which at the other end terminates in a pressure tip  13 . The threaded shank  12  has an external thread  14  that interacts with an internal thread  15  of a threaded bore  16  of the bracket element  9 . The pressure tip  13  has a conical contour, and is designed to interact with pressure surface  17  formed by a radial indentation  18  in the cylinder bushing  7 . The pressure surface  17  has a conicity complementary to the pressure tip  13  so that the pressure tip  13  makes full-area contact with the pressure surface  17  so that forces can be transmitted both axially and radially with respect to the screw  10 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  shows the cylinder lock  6  together with the bracket element  9  and the screw  10  in a perspective view. It can be seen there that the bracket element  9  has a first section  19  that includes the threaded bore  16  for the screw  10 , and a second section  20  that radially surrounds the cylinder bushing  7  of the cylinder lock  6 . 
         [0032]    To this end,  FIG. 4  shows the bracket element  9  together with the screw  10  in another perspective view, where it can be seen that the bracket element  9  is essentially annular in design with a rectangular contour. As a result of this ring shape, the bracket element  9  has, in the section  20 , starting from the section  19 , two mutually parallel and spaced-apart legs  20 ′ and  20 ″ that are connected to one another at their free ends by a cross-rib  20 ″′. The bracket element  9  is designed as a single piece and especially preferably is produced as a bent sheet metal part. The first section  19  in this design is substantially perpendicular to the second section  20 , wherein the threaded bore  16 , through which the threaded shank  12  of the screw  10  is passed, is located at the level of the cross-rib  20 ′″ so that the axis of rotation of the screw  10  lies in the plane of the section  20 , with the pressure tip  13  of the screw  10  oriented such that it points toward the cross-rib  20 ″′. The two legs  20 ′ and  20 ″, and the cross-rib  20 ′″ and the section  19 , are each located sufficiently distant from one another in forming an opening of the bracket element that the cylinder bushing  7  can be pushed through, or into, the opening of the bracket element  9  as indicated by arrow  21  in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0033]    On its side opposite the radial indentation  18 , the cylinder bushing  7  has a recess  22  in the form of a receiving groove  23 , as can best be seen in  FIG. 1 . The receiving groove  23  has a height or clear opening that corresponds essentially to the height of the cross-rib  20 ′″ so that said cross-rib can be inserted into the receiving groove  23  without play, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The receiving groove  23  preferably extends only across the back, or the side of the cylinder bushing  7  opposite the radial indentation  18 , in this design. 
         [0034]    Now the attachment of the cylinder lock  6  to the bearing bracket  3  by means of the bracket element  9  shall be explained on the basis of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  shows a top view of the assembly from  FIG. 3  having a cylinder lock  6 , bracket element  9 , and screw  10 , in the fully assembled state. First the bracket element  9  is positioned in the bearing bracket  3 . For this purpose, the bearing bracket  3  has a slide guide  24  through which the bracket element  9  is mounted such that it is displaceable radially with respect to the cylinder bushing  7  in the plane of the section  20 . Then the cylinder lock  6  is pushed into the receptacle  5  and through the opening in the pre-assembled bracket element  9 , in accordance with the arrow  21 . Then the screw  10  is actuated, namely such that it is screwed in toward the cross-rib  20 ″. As soon as the pressure tip makes contact with the back surface  17 , an axial force is exerted that causes the bracket element  9  to be pulled in the manner of a spindle toward the screw head  11  on the threaded shank  12 . As a result, the cross-rib  20 ″′ is pushed into the receiving groove  23  of the cylinder bushing  7 . Preferably, the cross-rib  20 ″′ is pulled all the way in to the receiving groove  23  so that it essentially fills the receiving groove  23  completely. Doing so brings about a positive engagement between bracket element  9  and cylinder bushing  7 —in the axial direction when viewed with respect to the cylinder bushing  7 —which reliably prevents the cylinder lock  6  from being simply pulled out of the receptacle  5  of the bearing bracket  3 . By this means, the cylinder lock  6  is attached to the bearing bracket  3 , or the door  1 , in a simple way. 
         [0035]    As is evident from  FIGS. 1 and 2 , provision is additionally made that the threaded shank  12  of the screw  10  is passed through an opening  25  in a trim element  26  of the door  1 , which in particular is implemented as an inner panel, so that the screw head  11  is located outside of the trim element  26 , while the rest of the locking device  2  is located inside the trim element  26 . The screw head  11  has an outer diameter that is larger than the opening  25 . During assembly, the screw  10  is thus supplied from outside through the opening  25  in the trim element  26  of the threaded bore  16  of the bracket element  9 . The locking device  2  is designed such that the screw head  11  is even located outside the trim element  26  when the screw  10  has been screwed to the maximum extent into the threaded bore  16 . As a result, in addition to attachment of the cylinder lock  6  to the bearing bracket  3 , additional securing against unauthorized opening of the door is ensured. If the cylinder lock  6  were pulled out of the receptacle  5  by the application of force, then the radial transmission of force to the screw  10  by the conical pressure surface would cause the cylinder bushing  7  or the cylinder lock  6  to catch on the trim element  26  because of the mechanical connection with the trim element  26 . As a result, simple removal of the cylinder lock  6  from the bearing bracket  3  is prevented even if the attachment of the cylinder lock  6  has been forcibly opened. 
         [0036]    The screw  10  thus fulfills two functions at once, firstly attachment of the cylinder lock  6  and secondly securing of the cylinder lock  6  in the event of forcible opening of the locking device  2 . 
         [0037]    While the present exemplary embodiment relates to a vehicle door, provision can be made according to another exemplary embodiment for the described locking device  2  to be located on a vehicle flap such as, e.g., a trunk lid or the like. 
         [0038]    The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.