Locking device and sliding door with locking device

Abstract

A locking device for locking a first component to a second component having a catch element for fastening to the first or second component, the catch element comprising a first latching recess; having a latching unit for fastening to the second or first component; the latching unit comprising a first latching body for engagement with the at least one latching recess of the catch element; the latching unit comprising a release element, which comprises a first receiving opening for receiving the first latching body; and the release element can be moved between a rest position, which arranges the first latching body in the first latching recess of the catch element and in the receiving opening of the release element, and a release position, which releases the engagement between the first latching body and the first latching recess of the catch element.

Claims

1. A locking device for locking a first component, in particular a door leaf, to a second component, in particular to a door frame, comprising: a catch element for fastening to one of the first component or the second component, wherein the catch element comprises a first latching recess, and a latching unit for fastening to the other one of the first component or the second component, wherein the latching unit comprises a first latching body for engagement with the first latching recess of the catch element, wherein the latching unit comprises a release element, which comprises a first receiving opening for receiving the first latching body, wherein the release element is moveable between a resting position, which arranges the first latching body in the first latching recess of the catch element and in the first receiving opening of the release element, and a release position, which releases the engagement between the first latching body and the first latching recess of the catch element, wherein the catch element is designed as an oblong flat part, and the first latching recess is provided on a first longitudinal edge of the catch element, wherein the latching unit comprises a first linear guide provided on a housing of the latching unit, the first linear guide for displaceably mounting the release element between the resting position and the release position, and wherein the latching unit comprises a second linear guide provided on the housing, the second linear guide for displaceably mounting the first latching body between a first position engaged with the first latching recess of the catch element and a second position that releases the catch element.

2. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein the second linear guide extends essentially perpendicularly to the first linear guide.

3. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein the latching unit comprises a first spring element, and wherein the first latching body is displaceable against a spring force exerted by the first spring element from the first position engaged with the first latching recess of the catch element into the second position that releases the catch element.

4. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein the release element is designed as an oblong flat piece, and wherein the first receiving opening is provided on a first longitudinal edge of the release element.

5. The locking device according to claim 4, wherein the latching unit comprises a second latching body for engagement with a second latching recess of the catch element and for receiving in a second receiving opening of the release element, and wherein the second latching recess of the catch element is provided on a second longitudinal edge of the catch element and the second receiving opening of the release element is provided on a second longitudinal edge of the release element.

6. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein the catch element in an engaged state is essentially immovably fixed on the latching unit between the first latching body and the first latching recess of the catch element.

7. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein the first latching recess of the catch element comprises a first locking surface and a second locking surface, such that the catch element in an engaged state between the first latching body and first latching recess of the catch element is arranged on the latching unit so that it can be moved over a defined stretch.

8. The locking device according to claim 7, wherein the catch element in the engaged state between the first latching body and the first latching recess of the catch element is arranged displaceably on the latching unit in a first direction, and essentially immovably on the latching unit in a second direction, and wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

9. The locking device according to claim 5, wherein a cylinder element is provided as the first and/or second latching body.

10. A sliding door, in particular for an aircraft, comprising: a door frame, a door leaf that is displaceable between an open position and a closed position relative to the door frame, and a locking device for locking the door leaf to the door frame, wherein the locking device comprises a catch element, wherein the catch element comprises a first latching recess with a latching unit for fastening to the door leaf or the door frame, wherein the latching unit comprises a first latching body for engagement with the first latching recess of the catch element, wherein the latching unit comprises a release element which comprises a first receiving opening for receiving the first latching body, wherein the release element is moveable between a resting position, which arranges the first latching body in the first latching recess of the catch element and in the first receiving opening of the release element, and a release position, which releases the engagement between the first latching body and the first latching recess of the catch element, wherein the catch element is designed as an oblong flat part, and the first latching recess is provided on a first longitudinal edge of the oblong flat part, wherein the latching unit comprises a first linear guide provided on a housing of the latching unit, the first linear guide for displaceably mounting the release element between the resting position and the release position, and wherein the latching unit comprises a second linear guide provided on the housing, the second linear guide for displaceably mounting the first latching body between a first position engaged with the first latching recess of the catch element and a second position that releases the catch element.

11. The sliding door according to claim 10, wherein the locking device is designed for locking the door leaf in the closed position, and wherein an additional locking device is provided for locking the door leaf in the open position.

12. The sliding door according to claim 10, wherein the door leaf comprises an upper door part and a lower door part, which are arranged in an extended position in the closed position of the door leaf, and in a pushed together stowage position in the open position.

13. The sliding door according to claim 12, wherein the door frame comprises a guide rail that runs at an angle of inclination to the horizontal for displaceably mounting the door leaf, so that the displacement of the door leaf between the closed position and the open position can be converted into a displacement of the upper door part and the lower door part opposite each other between the extended position and the pushed together stowage position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1A shows a stowable sliding door in its closed position, wherein one respective locking device according to the invention is provided for locking the sliding door in the closed position (FIG. 1A) and in the open position (FIG. 2A);

(2) FIG. 1B shows the detail A highlighted on FIG. 1A;

(3) FIG. 1C shows the detail B highlighted on FIG. 1A;

(4) FIG. 2A shows the stowable sliding door according to FIG. 1A to 1C in its open position;

(5) FIG. 2B shows the detail A highlighted on FIG. 2A;

(6) FIG. 2C shows the detail B highlighted on FIG. 2A;

(7) FIGS. 3 to 6 show several views of the locking device according to FIG. 1A, 2A while engaging a movable catch element on the door leaf with a stationary latching unit on the door frame;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a view of the locking device after disengagement by a release element, which is displaceably mounted on the latching unit;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a view of an embodiment of the locking device, which can be disengaged by applying a tensile force to the release element;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a view of another embodiment of the locking device, which can be disengaged by applying a compressive force to the release element;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a view of another embodiment of the locking device, in which the catch element in the engaged state is immovably arranged on the latching unit;

(12) FIGS. 11 and 12 show views of another embodiment of the locking device, in which the catch element in the engaged state is arranged on the latching unit so that it can be displaced over a defined stretch; and

(13) FIG. 13 shows a view of another embodiment of the locking device, in which the catch element in the engaged state is arranged on the latching unit immovably opposite the insertion direction of the catch element, but displaceably in the insertion direction of the catch element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(14) FIGS. 1A and 2A show a stowable sliding door 1, which in the embodiment shown is used in the passenger compartment of an aircraft. The sliding door 1 is used to close an access opening 2 (see FIG. 2A) within a stationary door frame 3, for example which is designed as a partition wall of the aircraft. The door frame 3 has a border 4, which in the embodiment shown is curved like the inner contour of the aircraft fuselage. As a consequence, only a reduced stowage space is available next to the access opening 2, requiring an adjustment of the sliding door 1 to prevent the sliding door 1 from being blocked by the curved border 4 of the frame structure 3 during the opening process.

(15) As evident from FIGS. 1A and 2A, the sliding door 1 can be displaced in a horizontal direction 5 (see FIG. 2A) between the closed position shown on FIG. 1A, in which the access opening 2 is closed, and the open position shown on FIG. 2A, in which the access opening 2 is open. The sliding door 1 comprises an upper door part 6a and a lower door part 6b, which together form a door leaf 6. In the closed position of the sliding door 1 (see FIG. 1A), the upper door part 6a and lower door part 6b are arranged in an extended position, in which the door leaf 6 completely fills the access opening 2.

(16) In order to be able to stow the sliding door 1 in a space-saving manner next to the access opening 2, the upper door part 6a and lower door part 6b are pushed together perpendicularly to the direction 5 of the opening movement when the sliding door 1 is opened by means of a handle 7.

(17) Stowable sliding doors 1 like these are sufficiently known in the art, wherein various stowing mechanisms were proposed. Only one exemplary embodiment will be described below.

(18) In the embodiment shown, the upper door part 6a is displaced downward, and the lower door part 6b is essentially displaced in a horizontal direction, so that the upper door part 6a increasingly overlaps the lower door part 6b while opening the sliding door 1. Once the open position of the sliding door 1 (see FIG. 2A) has been reached, the lower edges of the upper door part 6a and lower door part 6b are arranged at essentially the same height, so that the overall height of the sliding door 1 in the pushed-together stowage position essentially corresponds to the height of the upper door part 6a.

(19) As further evident from FIG. 1A, the upper door part 6a in the embodiment shown is mounted so that it can be displaced by means of a guide rail 9a, which is fastened to the door frame 3.

(20) In the embodiment shown, the upper door part 6a is connected with a second guide rail 9b that runs essentially parallel to the guide rail 9a so as to increase the stability. The guide rails 9a, 9b with which the upper door part 6a is displaceably mounted run at an angle of inclination to the horizontal. The lower door part 6b is displaceably mounted by means of a horizontal guide rail 10 fastened to the door frame 3. The upper door part 6a can be coupled with a drive or spring unit (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the door leaf 6, once released by the user (see below), is automatically transferred from the closed position (see FIG. 1A) into the open position (see FIG. 1A), wherein the closing process is conversely manually supported by the user.

(21) As evident from FIG. 1A, in detail from FIG. 1B, a locking device 11 for locking the door leaf 6 in the closed position of the sliding door 1 is provided on the door frame 3. In the embodiment shown, an additional locking device 12 is also provided for locking the door leaf 6 in the open position (see FIG. 2C). The locking device 11 comprises a hook or catch element 13, which is fastened to a guide carriage 14, which can be displaced along the guide rail 9a when opening the sliding door 1. Also provided on the guide carriage 14 is another hook or catch element 15 of the additional locking device 12. In the closed position of the sliding door 1, the catch element 13 of the locking device 11 can be engaged with a latching unit 16, which is immovably secured to the door frame 3. Accordingly, an additional latching unit 17 is immovably secured to the door frame 3. The other catch element 15 of the additional locking device 12 can be engaged to the other latching unit 17 in the open position of the sliding door 1 (see FIG. 2C).

(22) The function of the locking device 11 is visible in detail from FIGS. 3 to 7. When reference is made below to features of the locking device 11, a corresponding embodiment can always be provided for the additional locking device 12.

(23) As evident from FIGS. 3 to 7, the latching unit 16 comprises a housing 18, on which an insertion opening 19 is formed for the catch element 13. For better clarity, the drawing only shows one of two half-shells of the housing 18. The catch element 13 comprises a latching recess 20 for engaging with a first latching body 21 of the latching unit 16. In addition, the latching unit 16 comprises a release element 22, on which a first receiving opening 23 is formed for receiving the latching body. The release element 22 in the engaged state can be moved between the catch element 13 and the latching unit 16 (see FIG. 6) from a resting position that arranges the first latching body 21 in the first latching recess 20 of the catch element 13 and the first latching body 21 in the first receiving opening 23 of the release element 22 (see FIG. 6) to a release position that releases the engagement between the first latching body 21 and the first latching recess 20 of the catch element 13 (see FIG. 7).

(24) In the embodiment shown, the latching unit 16 comprises a first linear guide 24 for displaceably mounting the release element 22 between the resting position and release position. The first linear guide 24 is further designed to guide the catch element 13 within the latching unit 16. To this end, the first linear guide 24 is extended in the insertion direction of the catch element 13 (see arrow 25 on FIG. 3). The latching unit 16 also comprises a second linear guide 26 in the form of an oblong hole guide for displaceably mounting the first latching body 21 between a first position engaged with the first latching recess 20 of the catch element 13 (see FIG. 6) and a second position that releases the catch element 13 (see FIGS. 5 and 7). In the embodiment shown, the second linear guide 26 extends essentially perpendicular to the first linear guide 24. The latching unit 16 also comprises a first spring element 27, so that the first latching body 21 can be displaced against the spring force of the first spring element 27 from the first position engaged with the first latching recess 20 of the catch element 13 (see FIG. 6) into the second position that releases the catch element 13 (see FIGS. 5 and 7).

(25) In the embodiment shown, the catch element 13 is designed as an oblong flat part, wherein the first latching recess 20 is provided in the form of a notch on a first longitudinal edge 28 of the oblong flat part. In addition, the release element 22 in the embodiment shown is designed as an elongated flat piece. The first receiving opening 23 is provided in the form of a notch on a first longitudinal edge 29 of the elongated flat piece.

(26) In the embodiment shown, the latching unit 16 comprises a second latching body 30 for engagement with a second latching recess 31 of the catch element 13 and for receiving in a second receiving opening 32 of the release element 22. The second latching recess 31 of the catch element 13 is provided on a second longitudinal edge 33 of the catch element 13, and the second receiving opening 32 of the release element 22 is provided on a second longitudinal edge 35 of the release element.

(27) A respective cylinder element is provided as the first latching body 21 and as the second latching body 30. The second latching body 30 is mounted on the latching unit 16 in the same manner as the first latching body 21. Consequently, in particular a second spring element 36 is provided, which presses the second latching body 30 in the direction of the first position. The second latching body 30 can here be displaced along a third longitudinal guide 37 in the form of an oblong hole guide, which extends essentially perpendicularly to the first linear guide 24 of the latching unit 16.

(28) The function of the locking device 11 while closing the sliding door 1 is evident from the sequence according to FIGS. 3 to 6. The catch element 13 together with the door leaf 6 moved from the open into the closed position are first displaced in the direction of the latching unit 16 until the catch element 13 enters into the latching unit 16 through the oblong entry opening 19 (see FIG. 3). Continuing to advance the catch element 13 causes a front end area of the catch element 13 to strike the first latching body 21 and the second latching body 30 (see FIG. 4). The front end area of the catch element 13 comprises two run-up surfaces 38 that rise toward the back relative to the insertion direction 25, which press the first latching body 21 and the second latching body 30 to the outside into their second positions against a spring force (see FIG. 5), until the first latching body 21 snaps into the first latching recess 20, and the second latching body 31 snaps into the second latching recess 31 of the catch element 13. At the same time, the first latching body 21 is arranged in the first receiving opening 23, and the second latching body 30 is arranged in the second receiving opening 32 of the release element 22. As a consequence, the catch element 13 and the first 21 or second latching body 30 are in the engaged state. The release element 22 is arranged in the resting state, in which the release element 22 has no influence on the engagement between the catch element 13 and the first 21 or second latching body 30.

(29) In order to open the door, the release element 22 is displaced via a handle coupled thereto (not shown) in such a way that activating surfaces 39 of the release element 22 (see FIG. 7) release the latching engagement between the catch element 13 and the first 21 or second latching body 30. As a result, the catch element 13 can be removed from the latching unit 16 opposite the insertion direction 25, i.e., in the removal direction 40.

(30) In the embodiment according to FIG. 8, disengagement can be accomplished by a tensile force on the release element 22 in the insertion direction 25 of the catch element 13.

(31) By contrast, the locking device 11 can be disengaged in the embodiment on FIG. 9 by pressing the release element 22 opposite the insertion direction 25, i.e., in the removal direction 40, of the catch element 13.

(32) The embodiments on FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 or 13 differ in terms of the remaining movability of the catch element 13 in the engaged state on the latching unit 16.

(33) According to FIG. 10, the catch element 13 in the engaged state is immovably arranged on the latching unit 16. To this end, the width (here the diameter) of the first latching body 21 essentially corresponds to precisely the width of the first latching recess 20 of the catch element 13. The same holds true for the second latching body 30 and the second latching recess 31 of the catch element 13.

(34) According to FIGS. 11 and 12, the catch element 13 in the engaged state is arranged on the latching unit 16 so that it can be displaced over a defined stretch. To this end, the first latching body 21 comprises a smaller width than the first latching recess 20 of the catch element. As a consequence, the first latching recess 20 of the catch element 13 comprises a first locking surface 20a on the front end (as viewed in the insertion direction 25) and a second locking surface 20b on the rear end. When the first latching body 21 is in contact with the first locking surface 20a, a displacement of the catch element 13 is blocked in the removal direction 40. Accordingly, a displacement of the catch element 13 in the insertion direction 25 is blocked when the first latching body 21 is in contact with the second locking surface 20b. The same holds true for the second latching body 30 and the second latching recess 31 of the catch element 13.

(35) According to FIG. 13, the catch element 13 in the engaged state is arranged on the latching unit 16 so that it cannot be displaced in the removal direction 40 of the catch element 13, but can be displaced in the insertion direction 25 of the catch element 13. To this end, the latching recess 20 comprises a retaining surface 20c that blocks the movement of the catch device 13 in the removal direction 40 at the front end (as viewed in the insertion direction 25). The rear end of the latching recess 20 is provided with a run-up surface 20d, which is flatter than the retaining surface 20c. This releases a further displacement of the catch element 13 in the engaged state in the insertion direction 25 of the catch element 13. In this embodiment, a stop element is formed outside of the latching unit 16, so as to fix the end position of the catch element 13 during a displacement in the insertion direction 25.