Abstract:
In order to create a hydraulic transmitting device for vehicles, in particular, for vehicles steered by handlebars, comprising a housing with a hydraulic master cylinder, in which a movable piston is arranged, an actuating lever movable relative to the housing and a push rod transferring movement of the actuating lever to the piston, wherein the push rod is supported on the actuating lever, wherein the push rod is adjustable in the direction of a longitudinal axis as a result of rotation about this axis and wherein the push rod can be secured relative to the actuating lever in specific rotary positions around the longitudinal axis by means of a locking device, with which the assembly thereof is less complicated it is suggested that the locking device comprise a locking element, that the locking element have at least one locking vane and that the at least one locking vane abut with a locking surface on a locking section of the push rod deviating from a circular cross section in a flexible manner and acted upon by a force.

Description:
The present disclosure relates to the subject matter disclosed in German application number 10 2006 041 956.1 of Aug. 30, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a hydraulic transmitting device for vehicles, in particular, for vehicles steered by handlebars, comprising a housing with a hydraulic master cylinder, in which a displaceable piston is arranged, an actuating lever movable relative to the housing and a push rod transferring movement of the actuating lever to the piston, wherein the push rod is supported on the actuating lever, wherein the push rod is adjustable in the direction of the longitudinal axis as a result of rotation about this axis and wherein the push rod can be secured in specific rotary positions around the longitudinal axis by means of a locking device. 
   Hydraulic transmitting devices of this type are known from the state of the art, for example, DE 44 08 741 A1. 
   The known solution does, however, have the disadvantage that its assembly is complicated. 
   The object underlying the invention is, therefore, to create a hydraulic transmitting device, with which the assembly thereof is less complicated. 
   This object is accomplished in accordance with the invention, in a hydraulic transmitting device of the type described at the outset, in that the locking device comprises a locking element, that the locking element has at least one locking vane and that the at least one locking vane abuts with a locking surface on a locking section of the push rod, which deviates from a circular cross section, in a flexible manner and acted upon by a force. 
   The advantage of the solution according to the invention is to be seen in the fact that, with it, the locking device is of a very simple design and easy to assemble since the locking element can be mounted in a simple manner as a uniform subassembly. 
   One embodiment of the solution according to the invention provides for the push rod to be accommodated in an internal thread of the locking device with a threaded section. 
   With this solution, the locking device can be rotatable altogether relative to the lever as long as the rotary position of the push rod relative to the internal thread of the locking device is maintained by the locking element since, in this case, there is no adjustment of the push rod in the direction of its longitudinal axis. 
   With respect to the rotation of the push rod in order to adjust this in the direction of the longitudinal axis, it is, however, favorable when the locking device is connected non-rotatably to the lever since, as a result, any co-rotation of the locking device during the rotation of the push rod can be prevented in a simple manner. 
   Another, advantageous solution provides for the push rod to be accommodated in an internal thread of a bearing member with a threaded section. 
   In this respect, it is particularly favorable for the support of the push rod on the actuating lever when the push rod is supported on the actuating lever by the bearing member. 
   In order to prevent any rotation of the push rod relative to the bearing member having the internal thread in an advantageous manner, it is preferably provided for the locking device to comprise a locking element which is connected non-rotatably to the bearing member so that the push rod can be secured relative to the bearing member in specific rotary positions around the longitudinal axis. 
   In this respect, the unit consisting of locking element and bearing member could be freely rotatable relative to the lever. 
   It is, however, particularly favorable when the bearing member or the locking element or both are connected non-rotatably to the lever. 
   With respect to the design of the locking element, different possibilities are conceivable. 
   One advantageous solution, for example, provides for the locking element to be designed so as to engage essentially around the locking section. 
   With respect to the number of locking vanes, no further details have so far been given. It is, in principle, sufficient to provide one locking vane. 
   It is particularly favorable when the locking element has several locking vanes. 
   The several locking vanes are preferably designed such that they abut on the locking section at several areas located at a distance from one another in circumferential direction. 
   One particularly favorable solution provides for the locking section to be located between two locking vanes. 
   In this respect, the locking vanes are preferably designed in the shape of shells in order to be able to accommodate the locking section between them. 
   One inexpensive solution provides for each locking vane to be designed as a partial section of a one-piece locking element member forming the locking element so that a locking element of this type can be produced particularly simply and, therefore, inexpensively. 
   In this case, the locking vanes are preferably designed such that they are fixed radially on a retaining area of the locking element member facing the bearing member and can be elastically moved radially to the longitudinal axis of the push rod with an end facing away from the bearing member. 
   Another, advantageous solution provides for the locking element to comprise at least one locking vane and a support area supporting it. 
   In this respect, the locking vane is preferably not integrally formed on a locking element member in one piece but rather designed such that the locking vane is an arm of a U-shaped spring clip. 
   With respect to the design of the locking section in detail, no further particulars have so far been given. 
   In general, the locking section can be designed such that it has radially projecting areas and between them areas which are set back radially. 
   In the simplest case, the radially projecting areas are formed by edges. 
   With respect to the areas which are set back radially, no further details have likewise been given. For example, the areas set back radially can be recesses which extend between the radially projecting areas, i.e., for example, the edges. 
   In the simplest case, the areas set back radially are, however, designed as flat sides of the locking section. 
   One particularly simple solution provides for the locking section to be designed in cross section as a polygon. 
   With respect to the connection between the locking element and the bearing member, no details have so far been given. One solution, for example, provides for the locking element to be securely connected to the bearing member, for example, by means of a form locking or a force locking connection. 
   One expedient embodiment provides for the bearing member to be inserted into a receiving means, for example, a receiving sleeve of the locking element. 
   It is, however, also conceivable to design the bearing member as an integral part of the locking sleeve. 
   One simple solution provides for the locking element to be designed so as to interlock with the bearing member. 
   In this case, the locking element is designed, for example, such that it has retaining clips interlockable with the bearing member. 
   In this respect, the retaining clips are preferably designed such that they engage around the bearing member on the circumferential side. 
   In conjunction with the preceding description of the individual embodiments, no further details have been given concerning the arrangement of the bearing member relative to the actuating lever. 
   One advantageous solution provides for the bearing member to be guided in a non-rotational manner in relation to the actuating lever so that the bearing member cannot turn relative to the actuating lever during the rotation of the push rod for the purpose of displacing it. 
   Furthermore, no further details have been given concerning the mounting of the bearing member on the actuating lever itself in conjunction with the preceding explanations concerning the individual embodiments. 
   In order to obtain an adequate path of movement for the displacement of the push rod for the actuation of the piston it is preferably provided for the bearing member to be supported on a pressure arm of the actuating lever. 
   Furthermore, it is preferably provided for the bearing member to be supported on the pressure arm so as to be pivotable so that the bearing member has the possibility of altering its alignment relative to the pressure arm when the piston is actuated. 
   Such a pivotable mounting of the bearing member may be realized in the most varied of ways. 
   One possibility provides for the bearing member to be mounted on the pressure arm by at least one rotary bearing. 
   An alternative solution for this provides for the bearing member to be supported on a guide surface of the pressure arm. 
   The support of the bearing member on the guide surface can facilitate an adequate degree of freedom for a pivoting movement of the bearing member and, therefore, of the push rod. 
   It is, however, particularly advantageous when the bearing member is guided in a non-rotational manner on the pressure arm by a guide element engaging on the pressure arm so that it is possible with this guide element to realize the pivotable arrangement of the bearing member relative to the pressure arm, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, to still secure the bearing member non-rotatably relative to the pressure arm in an adequately defined manner. 
   The guide element may be designed in the most varied of ways. 
   One solution which is particularly simple from a constructional point of view provides for the guide element to be guided on an outer surface of the pressure arm. 
   In order to ensure a defined pivoting movement by the guide element, it is provided, in addition, for the outer surface of the pressure arm to be designed as a guide surface cylindrical in relation to an axis so that a pivoting movement of the bearing member relative to the axis can be realized by the outer surface in conjunction with the guide element. 
   A further, advantageous embodiment of the transmitting device according to the invention provides for the locking element to have a receiving means for a protective bellows. 
   In this respect, it is preferably provided for a retaining ring of the protective bellows, which is radially elastic and can be fixed on the locking element, to act on the locking vanes in the direction of the locking section. 
   The retaining ring is expediently arranged such that it engages on the locking element in an end area facing away from the bearing member. 
   Additional features and advantages of the solution according to the invention are the subject matter of the following description as well as the drawings illustrating several embodiments. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a longitudinal section through a transmitting device according to the invention with a locking element in accordance with the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 2  shows a plan view of the first embodiment of the locking element according to the invention; 
       FIG. 3  shows a section along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  shows a view of the first embodiment of the locking element looking from the bearing member; 
       FIG. 5  shows a section along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective illustration of a locking element of a second embodiment of a transmitting device according to the invention; 
       FIG. 7  shows a view of an operating element in accordance with a second embodiment of the transmitting device according to the invention in the direction of arrow A in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  shows a view of the locking element of the second embodiment of the transmitting device according to the invention looking in the direction of arrow B in  FIG. 6  and 
       FIG. 9  shows an enlarged detailed longitudinal section similar to  FIG. 1  though a third embodiment of a transmitting device according to the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   One embodiment of a transmitting device  10  for vehicles according to the invention, in particular, for vehicles steered by handlebars comprises a housing  12  which can be mounted on handlebars of the vehicle and in which a master cylinder is provided which is designated as a whole as  14  and has a cylinder chamber  16  and a piston  18 , wherein the piston  18  is guided in a piston bore  20  for movement in a direction of displacement  22  and has a pressure side  24  facing the cylinder chamber  16  as well as an actuating side  26  facing away from the pressure side  24 . 
   The piston  18  is, in addition, acted upon by a pressure spring  28  which is arranged in the cylinder chamber  16  and acts on the pressure side  24  such that the piston endeavors to move in the direction of displacement  22  into an initial position allowing a maximum volume of the cylinder chamber  16 . In this initial position, the piston  18  is held by a stop ring  30  which surrounds the piston  18  on the actuating side  26  and on which the piston  18  can abut with a step  32 . 
   On the actuating side  26 , the piston  18  is provided with a recess  34  which is, in cross section, similar to a parabola and in which a head  36  of a push rod designated as a whole as  40  engages, the push rod serving to transfer an actuating movement which can be generated by a hand-operated lever  50  to the piston  18 . 
   The hand-operated lever  50  is, for its part, mounted via a joint  52  on the housing  12 , preferably on two bearing flanges  54  of the housing  12 , and extends away from the joint  52  with an actuating arm  56 . 
   Furthermore, the hand-operated lever  50  comprises a pressure arm  58  which extends approximately transversely to the actuating arm  56  and on which a bearing member  60  is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis  62 , wherein the bearing member  60  passes through a respective bearing bore  64  in the pressure arm  58 , for example, in each of two flange areas  65  of the pressure arm  58  extending at a distance from one another and, as a result, is mounted on either side by a respective rotary bearing  63 . 
   The bearing member  60  further comprises a bore  66  which extends transversely to the pivot axis  62 , has an internal thread  68  and is penetrated by the push rod  40 . 
   For this purpose, the push rod  40  has a threaded section  52  which engages in the internal thread  68  such that the push rod  40  can be displaced transversely to the pivot axis  62  of the bearing member  60  during rotation about its longitudinal axis  44  and, as a result, a distance of the head  36  of the push rod  40  from the bearing member  60  can be adjusted. 
   For the purpose of rotating the push rod  40 , this bears a hand-operated wheel  46  on its side of the threaded section  42  located opposite the head  36  and this wheel is, therefore, also arranged on a side of the bearing member  60  located opposite the head  36 . 
   By rotating the push rod  40 , a response of the master cylinder  14  as a function of the position of the actuating arm  56  of the hand-operated lever  50  can be adjusted, wherein the hand-operated lever  50  is preferably acted upon, in addition, by a pressure spring  70  which always keeps the hand-operated lever  50  pivoted to such an extent that the push rod  40  abuts in the recess  34  with its head  36  free from clearance and, therefore, pivoting of the hand-operated lever  50  proceeding from the non-actuated position directly results in displacement of the piston  18 , with a reduction in the size of the cylinder chamber  16 . 
   In order to prevent any unintentional alteration of the adjustment of the push rod  40  once carried out, this adjustment corresponding to the non-actuated position of the hand-operated lever  50 , a locking device designated as a whole as  80  is provided. 
   The locking device  80  comprises a locking element  82  which is connected non-rotatably to the bearing member as well as a locking section  84  of the push rod  40  which is located between the threaded section  42  and the head  36  of the push rod and has, in relation to the longitudinal axis  44 , a shape deviating from a rotationally symmetric shape; it is designed, for example, as a multiple sided member. 
   A first embodiment of a locking element  82 , illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 5 , comprises a retaining area  90  which, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 , has a receiving means  92  for the bearing member  60 , wherein the receiving means  92  is formed by retaining clips  94 ,  96  which are in a position to engage around the bearing member  60  on its outer circumference and, therefore, to fix the locking element  82  relative to the bearing member  60 . 
   Locking vanes  100 ,  102  designed in the shape of half shells extend from the retaining area  90 , these vanes extending away from the retaining area  90  directly proceeding from the retaining clips  94 ,  96  and being separated from one another by a space  104  such that the two locking vanes  100 ,  102  are merely connected to one another via the retaining clips  94 ,  96 . 
   The locking vanes  100 ,  102  enclose a receiving space  106 , in which the locking section  84  of the push rod  40  extends, and have, in addition, locking surfaces  110 ,  112  which border on the receiving space  106  and face it and, for the purpose of interlocking with the locking section  84 , abut on oppositely located flat sides  114 ,  116  of the locking section  84  which is designed in cross section as a multiple sided member in order to fix the push rod  40  non-rotatably in relation to the longitudinal axis  44  between the locking vanes  100 ,  102 , as a result. 
   On account of the space  104 , the locking vanes  100 ,  102  do, however, have the possibility of deflecting radially in relation to the longitudinal axis  44  and so it is possible to adjust the push rod  40  as a result of rotation thereof about the longitudinal axis  44 , wherein the edges  120  and  122  or  124  and  126 , respectively, of the locking section  84 , which are located to the side of the flat sides  114 ,  116 , move over the locking surfaces  110 ,  112  and move the locking vanes  100 ,  102  apart for such a time until the next flat sides  114 ,  116  again face the locking surfaces  110 ,  112 . 
   In order to fix a protective bellows  130  on the locking element  82 , the locking vanes  100 ,  102  are provided with receiving means  132 ,  134  for a retaining ring  136  in the area of their ends facing away from the retaining area  90 , wherein the receiving means  132 ,  134  are preferably designed as recesses each limited by an edge bead  140 ,  142 . 
   The protective bellows  130  extends from the retaining ring  136  as far as a retaining ring  146  which engages in a receiving means  148  in the housing  12 . 
   In the case of a locking element  82 ′ of a second embodiment of a transmitting device according to the invention, illustrated in  FIGS. 6 to 8 , those parts which are identical to those of the preceding embodiment are given the same reference numerals and so, with respect to the description thereof, reference can be made in full to the comments on the first embodiment. 
   The retaining area  90  of the locking element is, in particular, designed in the same way as in the first embodiment and comprises the retaining clips  94  and  96  which form the receiving means  92  for the bearing member  60 . 
   In contrast to the first embodiment, a support area  150 , which surrounds a passage  152  which is penetrated by the push rod  40  with its locking section  84 , extends from the retaining area  90 . 
   The support area  150  is preferably of a sleeve-like design and comprises on one side a lateral opening  154 , through which a locking vane  160  engages, wherein the locking vane  160  narrows the passage  152  on one side in such a manner that the locking vane  160  abuts on one of the flat sides  114 ,  116  of the locking section  84  and, therefore, prevents any rotation of the locking section  84  in the passage  152 . 
   The locking vane  160  forms an arm of a spring clip  162  which is altogether of an approximate U shape and the other arm  164  of which rests on an outer side  166  of the support area  150  located opposite the opening  154  and, therefore, forms a support for the locking vane  160  so that the locking vane  160  engages in the passage  152  via the opening  154  pretensioned by the U-shaped spring clip  162  in an elastic manner in the direction of the longitudinal axis  44  of the push rod  40 . 
   As a result, a rotation of the push rod  40  with its locking section  84  is likewise possible, wherein, in this case, the edges  120  to  126  can likewise be moved over a locking surface  170  of the locking vane  160  whilst the locking vane  160  bends radially outwards. 
   In the same way as in the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the locking element  82 ′ according to the invention also comprises the one circumferential receiving means  132  limited by a respective edge bead  140  and  142  for the retaining ring  146  of the protective bellows  130 . 
   Therefore, the locking element  82 ′ of the second embodiment functions altogether in the same way as the first embodiment of the locking element  82  and so with respect to its further description reference can be made in full to the comments on the first embodiment. 
   In a third embodiment of a hydraulic transmitting device according to the invention, illustrated in  FIG. 9 , those elements which are identical to those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and so with respect to the description thereof reference can be made in full to the comments on the preceding embodiments. 
   In contrast to the preceding embodiments, the bearing member  60 ′ of the third embodiment is not arranged between the flange areas  65  of the pressure arm  58 ′ but rather is designed as a threaded sleeve with the internal thread  68  which rests with an end side  180  on an outer guide surface  182  of the pressure arm  58 ′, wherein the outer guide surface  182  is formed by the two flange areas  65 . 
   In the third embodiment, the push rod  40  extends through a passage  184  which is located between the flange areas  65 , merely guides the push rod  40  on both sides, however, and allows any optional tilting of the push rod in a plane of movement of the push rod  40  lying approximately parallel to the flange areas  65  and located in the plane of drawing in  FIG. 9 , wherein the movement of the push rod  40  is, however, limited by wall areas  186  and  188  which extend transversely to the plane of movement. In this respect, the wall area  186  extends on a side of the push rod  40  facing the joint  52  whereas the wall area  188  extends on a side of the push rod  40  facing away from the joint  52  and is formed by a connecting web  190  which connects the two flange areas  65  to one another on the side of the push rod  40  facing away from the joint  52 . 
   The connecting web  190  is preferably designed in one piece with the flange areas  65  and these are in one piece part of the hand-operated lever  50 . 
   The bearing member  60 ′ preferably has an outer contour  192  deviating from a circular shape, for example, in the shape of a multiple sided member and this is accommodated in the receiving means  92 ′ of the locking element  82 ″ designed as a receiving sleeve in a non-rotational manner, preferably in a form locking manner, so that the bearing member  60 ′ is non-rotatably connected to the locking element  82 ″, the locking vanes  100 ,  102  of which abut on the locking section  84  of the push rod  40  and, therefore, fix the push rod  40  in its rotary positions relative to the bearing member  60 ′ against any free rotation. 
   Since, in this embodiment, the bearing member  60 ′ rests only with its end side  180  on the guide surface  182 , there is no securing of the bearing member  60 ′, in particular, no non-rotational securing of the bearing member  60 ′ relative to the pressure arm  58 ′ of the hand-operated lever  50 . 
   For this purpose, a guide element designated as a whole as  194  is provided in the third embodiment and this engages on the pressure arm  58 ′. 
   The guide element  194  is preferably integrally formed in one piece on the locking element  82 ″, preferably in one piece on the retaining area  90 ′ forming the receiving means  92 ′, and engages around the pressure arm  58 ′, however, such that the entire unit consisting of locking element  82 ″ and bearing member  60 ′ is pivotable about a virtual axis  62 ′ relative to the pressure arm  58 ′, wherein the virtual axis  62 ′ extends at right angles to the plane of movement of the push rod  40  and, as in the first embodiment, is at right angles to the longitudinal axis  44  of the push rod  40 . 
   Such a pivotability of the push rod  40  together with the locking element  82 ′ and the bearing member  60 ′ may be realized in the simplest way in that the guide surface  182  is designed as a surface extending cylindrically in relation to the virtual axis  62 ′ and that the guide element  194  encompasses this guide surface  182  over an adequately large angular range with respect to the virtual axis  62 ′. 
   A particularly exact guidance is possible in that the guide element  194  encompasses the guide surface  182  of a cylindrical design over an angular range of more than 180° so that, as a result, a guide following the cylindrical shape of the guide surface  182  is provided for the unit consisting of locking element  82 ″ and bearing member  60 ′. 
   Alternatively to the guide element  194  encompassing the guide surface  182  it would, however, also be conceivable to encompass the flange areas  65  on their outer sides facing away from the passage  184  and, as a result, to ensure that the unit consisting of locking element  82 ″ and bearing member  60 ′ is secured in a non-rotational manner. 
   In a further variation of the third embodiment, it would likewise be conceivable to secure the guide element  194  on the bearing member  60 ′ and to fix the locking element  82 ″ in a non-rotational manner on the bearing member  60 ′. 
   In the third embodiment illustrated, the bearing element  60 ′ is a part separate from the locking element  82 ″ but it is also conceivable to integrate the bearing element  60 ′ into the locking element  82 ′ and produce the two as a one-piece part.