Abstract:
The invention relates to a closing element for a housing which can be closed, said housing comprising a covering frame which covers the opening of the housing at least in certain areas, at least one closing catch which is arranged in a displaceable manner in the frame, a locking element which is used to lock the at least one closing catch, a manual or motor drive which is used to displace the locking element between a first position, wherein the at least one closing catch, a manual be displaces and is not locked, and a second position, wherein the closing catch is locked by the locking element, also comprising a safety device which is used to lock at least one of the closing catches in the case of fast acceleration and/or a large amount of force being exerted onto the locking element.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a housing and to a closing element for such housings which has a rollover safety device. Such housings are used for example as storage compartments in motor vehicles. If corresponding cavities have to be closed, they are closed with covers which are held in the closed state by means of closing elements. However the present invention may be used also in all other areas in which spaces are closed by covers. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention describes a housing and a closing element for same, by means of which a housing cover can be securely closed. In particular, the locking of the housing cover in the locked state should be guaranteed. 
         [0003]    According to the invention, the closing element has a covering frame which bears the individual parts of the closing element. This covering frame surrounds at least partially the opening of the housing to be closed. The covering frame can here be a separate element which is inserted into or attached to the housing; however it can also be embodied as one piece with the housing itself. 
         [0004]    Arranged on this covering frame is at least one closing catch which is mounted so as to be displaceable. As the cover is closed, this closing catch is pressed to the side by the cover and then snaps into corresponding grooves in the cover in order to hold the cover in its closed position. 
         [0005]    If the closing catch is resiliently mounted, such that it can be pressed in and moves itself back into its original position, a closure can be produced which can be closed and opened without active actuation, i.e. in which it is not necessary to open a lock in order to open the cover. This is achieved advantageously in that the closing catch has in its engagement area in each case lead-in slopes such that the closing cover presses onto the one lead-in slope and thus pushes the closing catch to the side when the lid is being closed. If the cover is being opened, it is sufficient to pull on it and the cover slides along the second lead-in slope on the other side of the closing catch and presses the closing catch back into its housing again such that the cover can be opened. 
         [0006]    What is essential now is that in the closing element according to the invention a locking element is provided which locks at least one of the closing catches when the closing element is to be locked. The locking takes place here by means of a manual or motor drive, e.g. in connection with a vehicle&#39;s central locking system which actuates the locking element. In a first position, the locking element permits any otherwise possible movement of the closing catch such that the closing element is not locked. In a second position, the closing catch is locked such that it cannot be pushed back any more. In this case, therefore, it is no longer possible to pull open easily an already closed cover. 
         [0007]    Advantageously, an unlocking element is furthermore provided, for example a release pin, which only allows the locking element to assume the second position when the cover is also actually closed. Such an unlocking element represents an independent aspect of the present invention. When the cover is open, this prevents the closing catches from being able to be pressed in any more by faulty actuation and thus the cover can also no longer be closed. The unlocking device is only triggered by closing the lid, and it then releases the locking element which for its part then assumes the second position and thus can lock the closing catches. The automatic consequence of this is that, in the case of a previously locked closing element, closing the cover is still easily possible, but then the cover also actually remains locked. 
         [0008]    This device makes possible secure closing of the housing cover. When the vehicle is locked, this closing element guarantees the locking of the housing cover. 
         [0009]    Advantageously two closing catches are fitted the one beside the other, thus the closing element is also suitable for flip-flap covers, i.e. covers which can be opened about three axes. In each case the two closing catches already secure the cover at two points whilst the cover itself only has to be rotatably attached at one point. 
         [0010]    Crucial about the present invention is furthermore the fact that a safety device is provided which, in the event of the action of high forces or great acceleration, locks the closing catch or the plurality of closing catches and thus, e.g. in the case of a vehicle overturning or having an accident, locks the closing catch, independently of whether the locking element has already locked one of the closing catches or not, i.e. for example independently of the state of the vehicle&#39;s central locking system. This is particularly necessary if the cover can, as provided here, be opened without active actuation. 
         [0011]    This rollover or crash safety device can be designed in such a way that a ball is mounted in a socket. Opposite the bearing is arranged a lever which can be moved by the ball. The lever has at one of its ends an element for engaging in a groove in the associated closing catch. For this purpose, the lever can be advantageously rotatably attached at a first end and have at its second end a pin which has teeth. If the closing catch also has teeth at the corresponding point, e.g. a toothed rod, the teeth of the lever can engage in the teeth of the closing catch and thus fix the closing catch when the lever is actuated by the ball. 
         [0012]    In normal use of the vehicle, the ball remains lying in its socket and does not actuate the lever. In this manner, the closing catch is not fixed and can therefore be moved. Normal use of the cover is possible. 
         [0013]    If the vehicle over turns or crashes, the ball is hurled out of the socket and presses on the opposite lever, such that one end of this lever engages in the corresponding teeth in the closing catch and locks said catch. Thus in the event of an accident, for example, this causes the cover not to be able to open. 
         [0014]    What is advantageous about the present invention, therefore, is that opening of the cover is prevented in the event of the vehicle overturning or having an accident. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, simple mounting of the individual closing parts or of the closing element is made possible. The covering frame, on which the additional elements of the closing element are arranged, makes possible tolerance compensation between the housing and the cover during assembly. 
         [0016]    Finally, any faulty actuation of the closing element is provided by the closing mechanism described here. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    In what follows, an example of a closing element according to the invention will be described, the figures showing: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a closing element in the open state, viewed from obliquely above according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  shows the closing element viewed from below and behind (here always in relation to  FIG. 1 ), in the open state; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  shows parts of the closing element viewed from above, in an intermediate position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  shows the closing element viewed from below, in the intermediate position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  shows the closing element in a sectional view from above, in the intermediate position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  shows a detail of an area of the closing element, in the intermediate position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  shows a view of a detail of the closing element from obliquely below, in the intermediate position; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  shows the rollover locking device of the closing element in a detailed view, seen from the side. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    Here and in what follows, identical and similar reference numerals are used for identical and similar elements, such that in some cases their description is not repeated in connection with the subsequent figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  shows a closing element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for a vehicle glove compartment, viewed from obliquely above. Reference numeral  1  here designates a covering frame which covers the opening of a housing at least partially. A fixing rail  2  is arranged on this covering frame at right angles to same. This fixing rail  2  is interrupted by closing catches  3   a  and  3   b  as well as by a release pin  12 . These three elements are all resiliently mounted, and protrude into the area which is closed by a cover, such that as the cover is closed, the closing catches  3   a  and  3   b  and the release pin  12  are pressed back. 
         [0028]    On the other side of the fixing rail  2  are arranged housings  4   a  and  4   b  for the closing catches  3   a , 3   b.  Above the closing catches  3   a  and  3   b  extends from one of the closing catches to the other a stay bar  5  which runs in grooves  11   a,    11   b  arranged in the housings  4   a,    4   b.  This stay bar  5  has two downwardly protruding engagement elements  6   a,    6   b  which are arranged adjacent to the closing catches  3   a  and  3   b.    
         [0029]    The stay bar is moved to and fro between two positions by an electric drive  7  which is controlled by the vehicle&#39;s central locking system, via drivers  8  moved by said system. The drive  7  is here arranged in a housing  19  which forms part of the closing element. Two springs  9   a  and  9   b  are suspended in the drivers  8  and extend in each case to the side of the drivers in the direction of movement of the stay bar  5  and are suspended in two receivers  10   a  and  10   b  for the springs, which are embodied as one piece with the stay bar. If the driver  8  is now moved to the left by the motor  7 , the stay bar also moves towards the left into a first position. In this position, the engagement elements  6   a  and  6   b  are disengaged to the maximum extent, such that they do not come into engagement with grooves  25   a,    25   b  (see  FIG. 6 ) in the closing catches  3   a  and  3   b  which are guided in the housings  6   a  and  6   b.  The closing catches  3   a  and  3   b  are thus completely displaceable in their housings  4   a,    4   b.  If the driver  8  is moved towards the right, the stay bar  5  also moves in the direction of the closing catch  3   b.  This causes the engagement elements  6   a  and  6   b  to be led through openings into the housings  4   a,    4   b  and engage there in grooves  25   a,    25   b  which are arranged in the closing catches  3   a,    3   b.  The closing catches  3   a  and  3   b  are therefore fixed in the thus-defined second position of the stay bar  5 . 
         [0030]    The function of the release pin  12 , which plays a role here, is described in more detail further on. 
         [0031]    Furthermore in the region of the closing catch  3  a rollover and crash locking device  17  is arranged on the closing element by means of a mounting element  18 . This rollover safety device  17  is also described in detail further on. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows a view of the closing element from the left and above (in relation to  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0033]    As can be clearly recognised, the closing catches  3   a  and  3   b  have two slopes  20   a,    20   b  or  21   a,    21   b  respectively. These lead-in slopes extend at various angles. A cover which is to be closed, moves down from above towards the closing catches  3   a  and  3   b  and presses on the flatter lead-in slopes  21   a,    21   b.  This causes the closing catches  3   a,    3   b  to be pressed, perpendicularly with respect to the plane of the drawing, backwards into their housing  4   a,    4   b,  such that the cover can be closed. For opening the cover, it is merely necessary to pull on it since it then presses on the lower, steeper slopes  20   a,    20   b  and also presses the closing catches  3   a  and  3   b  backwards, perpendicularly with respect to the plane of the drawing. In each case, there are to be provided in the cover two depressions or grooves corresponding to the closing catches  3   a  and  3   b,  into which grooves or depressions the closing catches  3   a  and  3   b  enter in the closed state, and thus can securely lock the cover. 
         [0034]    As can be recognised in  FIG. 2 , the release pin  12  has a driver  22 , which engages in the spring receiver  10   b.  The spring receiver  10   b  here represents a stop which can be actuated by the driver  22 . 
         [0035]    Also shown in  FIG. 2  is the housing cover  19  for the electric motor  7  enclosed therein. The bushing  7   a  of the electrical contact for the electric motor  7  protrudes laterally from the housing cover. 
         [0036]    Shown also in  FIG. 2  is the rollover safety device  17 . This has a socket  30  in which a ball  31  is mounted. The ball  31  is covered by a lever  32 , to one end of which a pin  33  is secured. This pin has teeth at its upper point which can be brought into engagement with a corresponding set of teeth  34  (see  FIG. 7 ) on the closing catch  3   a.  In the event of a crash, the ball is pressed upwards, and this also causes the lever  32  and the pin  33  to move upwards and the closing catch  3   a  then to lock. The lever  32  and the pin  33  are supported in a guide  38 , such that the engagement of the two sets of teeth at the end of the pin  33  is ensured. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  shows a view from above of parts of the closing element according to the invention in an intermediate position. As in  FIG. 1 , the closing catches  3   a  and  3   b  are again shown in a completely disengaged state in  FIG. 3 . The security pin  12  is also not pressed in, i.e. the system is shown with the cover open. The reference numerals  23   a,    23   b  and  23   c  designate catches by means of which the housing which surrounds the electric drive  7  can be securely locked. This provides the possibility of opening the housing such that for example faulty electric drives  7  can be easily replaced. 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 3  it is now shown that the release pin  12  is mounted in a bearing  13  by means of a spring  14 . The spring  14  ensures that the release pin is always disengaged to the maximum extent unless it is actively pressed in. In this state, the driver  22  (see  FIG. 2 ) blocks the stay bar  5  in such a way that it cannot completely reach the second position in which its engagement elements  6   a  or  6   b  could engage in the corresponding grooves  25   a,    25   b  in the closing catches  3   a,    3   b.  This means that, when the cover is open, faulty locking of the closing catches  3   a  or  3   b  due to actuation of the central locking system is prevented. Faulty actuation and thus blocking of the open cover in an attempt to close it is prevented in this way. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  shows a view of the closing element from below. What can be easily recognised here is the bore-type guide  15  for the release pin  12 . Furthermore the rollover safety device  17  is shown from below, including the mounting  40  for securing the rollover safety device to the housing  4   a  of the closing catch  3   a.    
         [0040]      FIG. 5  shows a section through the closing system according to the invention, the section being only partial here, namely through the housing  4   a  and  4   b  and through the guide  15 . 
         [0041]    It can be recognised here that the closing catches  3   a  and  3   b  are guided inside their housings  4   a  and  4   b  by the corresponding walls of the housings  4   a  and  4   b.  The closing catches  3   a  and  3   b  have walls  24   a  or  24   b  respectively extending into the housings  4   a  and  4   b.  Furthermore, each closing catch  3   a  or  3   b  has a guide pin  27   a  or  27   b  which is supported by a spring  28   a,    28   b  on a bearing  29   a  or  29   b.  This guarantees that the closing catches  3   a  and  3   b  normally always attempt to disengage from their housing in the direction of the opening. Complete disengagement of the closing catches  3   a  and  3   b  is prevented by the lateral flanges  26   a,    26   a ′ or  26   b,    26   b ′ which are designed as stops and which, when the closing catches  3   a  and  3   b  are disengaged to the maximum extent, come into engagement with projections in the wall of the housings  4   a  and  4   b.  The housing  4   a  or  4   b  has furthermore in each case an opening  16   a  or  16   b  through which the respective guide pin  27   a  or  27   b  can emerge when the closing catches are pressed out of the housing  4   a  or  4   b  respectively. 
         [0042]    It can be furthermore recognised in this figure that the walls  24   a  and  24   b ′ each have a recess or grooves  25   a  or  25   b  respectively, in which the engagement elements  6   a  or  6   b  of the stay bar  5  engage when the stay bar  5  is in its second position, and thus can fix the closing catches  3   a  and  3   b.    
         [0043]    This is illustrated again more clearly in  FIG. 6 , in which it can be seen that the stay bar  5  is not yet in the second position since the engagement element  6   a  is not yet engaged in the recess  25   a  in the closing catch  3   a.  The closing catch  3   a  is thus still completely displaceable inside the path predetermined by the flanges  26   a,    26   a′.    
         [0044]      FIG. 7  shows a detailed representation of the rollover or crash safety device  17  which is intended to lock the closing catch  3   a  in the event of high forces or great acceleration being exerted on the closing element. 
         [0045]    It can also be recognised that the safety device  17  has a socket  30  which bears a ball. The ball is covered on its other side by a lever  32  which can also be extended socket-like in the region of the ball. This lever  32  is rotatably mounted by means of a swivel-joint  35  at one of its ends. 
         [0046]    The socket therefore forms a lower part and the lever  32  an upper part for enclosing the ball. The lower part extends now on both sides of the socket  30  and forms at the mounted end of the lever  32  a receiver  36   a  for a spring, to which an appropriate receiver  36   b  on the mounted end of the lever  32  corresponds. These two receivers  36   a  and  36   b  provide the bearing for a spring which in the normal state presses the lever onto the ball. At the other end, the lever  32  is mounted by means of a guide pin  39  in a guide  38 , which only permits a vertical movement of the lever in the direction of the closing catch  3   a.  This guide  38  forms part of the lower part of the ball receiver. At the same end of the lever  32 , a pin  33  protrudes in the direction of the closing catch  3   a  and bears teeth at its free end. The closing catch  3   a  for its part has on its underside a series of teeth or tooth-like depressions  34  which corresponds to the teeth of the pin  33 . 
         [0047]    It should be emphasized here that as or instead of a pin  33 , any type of element of any shape can be provided which is suitable on its upper side for engaging in corresponding recesses in the closing catch  3   a.    
         [0048]    In the event of an accident or the vehicle overturning, a strong force acts now on the ball such that the ball moves the lever  32  upwards against the force of the spring  37  and thus brings the pin  33  into engagement with the teeth  34  on the underside of the closing catch  3   a.  Thus during the accident the closing catch  3   a  is then locked such that a cover secured with the closing catch  3   a  cannot open. 
         [0049]      FIG. 8  shows a further view of the safety device  17  from the opposite side in comparison with  FIG. 7 . Again the mounting elements  40  can be recognised by means of which the safety device  17  is secured to the housing  4   a  of the closing catch  3   a.  In this view, the ball  31  can also be recognised which is mounted between the socket  30  and the lever  32  which is extended socket-like.