Abstract
The invention relates to a Bowden cable (1) consisting of a shell (2) and a core (3) as well as of a seal (4, 5) for the core (3), preferably built as actuator for a functional device (10) in a motor vehicle (16), with the seal being built by a sleeve (4) slid over the core (3), and a spring (5) actuating the sleeve (4). The invention also relates to a latch (10) with such Bowden cable (1) for a motor vehicle (16). The Bowden cable (1) has a highly effective seal against environmental influences, also under usual loads as they occur in motor vehicles such as impacts or vibrations.
Claims
1. A Bowden cable consisting of a shell and a core as well as a seal for the core, preferably as actuator for a functional unit in a motor vehicle wherein the seal is built by a sleeve slid over the core, and a spring actuating the sleeve.
2. The Bowden cable according to claim 1, wherein the spring is designed as concentric spiral spring.
3. The Bowden cable according to claim 2, wherein the concentric spiral spring has a conical extension which at least in part embraces the sleeve.
4. The Bowden cable according to claim 3, wherein the conical extension of the spiral spring runs at an angle of 7 to 13 in relation to the middle axis.
5. The Bowden cable according to claim 4, wherein the conical extension of the spiral spring runs at an angle of 10 in relation to the middle axis.
6. The Bowden cable according to claim 1, wherein the spiral spring is made of metal.
7. The Bowden cable according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve consists of elastomeric plastic.
8. The Bowden cable according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is built as hollow body with a recess facing the spiral spring.
9. The Bowden cable according to claim 1, wherein the Bowden cable is equipped with at least one fixing element which is the counter bearing for the spring loaded sleeve and the end stop for the spiral spring.
10. A latch unit for a vehicle door or tailgate, used as functional element in a motor vehicle, with a locking system consisting of catch and at least one pawl for locking the catch in place, at least one activator for opening the locking system and possibly at least one locking device for locking the locking system, wherein the latch unit comprises a Bowden cable according to claim 1 as actuator for the opening of the latch unit.
Description
[0046] An advantageous embodiment of the Bowden cable according to the invention as well as a motor vehicle latch equipped therewith will be described in the following figures.
[0047] FIG. 1: Bowden cable with main components
[0048] FIG. 1a: sleeve according to the invention, enlarged
[0049] FIG. 1b: spring according to the invention, enlarged
[0050] FIG. 1c: fixing element according to the invention, enlarged
[0051] FIG. 2: vehicle with side door latch, in sections
[0052] FIG. 3: motor vehicle latch equipped with Bowden cable
[0053] FIG. 1 illustrates the design of a Bowden cable (1) according to the invention with all essential parts. The Bowden cable (1) comprises a shell (2) preferably made of plastic and a sliding core (3) preferably made of steel inside the shell (2). At the end of the core (3) there is an end stop (7) as well as a connecting element (8). The connecting element (8) serves as connector between the Bowden cable (1) and a functional element, for example a here invisible operating lever for a motor vehicle door latch unit (10). The connecting element (8) is shown as bolt (8) vertical to the Bowden cable (1). The bolt (8) normally is soldered to the core (3) of the Bowden cable. In the context of the invention the connecting element (8) can also be designed differently, for example as loop or hook. For sealing the here invisible end of the shell (2) the illustrated sleeve (4) which is slid on the core (3) and spring loaded by the concentric conical spiral spring (5), encloses the shell (2). For this purpose, normally, the shell (2) has a here invisible bulge-like counter bearing (6.4) inside the fixing element (6). Sealing the Bowden cable (1) means that the sliding range of the core (3) inside the shell (2) is sealed against environmental influences.
[0054] The sleeve (4) is an opened hollow body made of elastomeric plastic. As detailed in FIG. 1a, the sleeve (4) has an opening (4.3) for inserting the core (3). Additionally the sleeve (4) has a crowned surface (4.2) and a recess (4.1) on the front. In the embodiment shown the conically designed spiral spring (5) covers the complete length of the sleeve (4). One coil of the spiral spring (5) lies in the recess (4.1) on the sleeve (4) thus forming the described jointed connection between spiral spring (5) and sleeve (4). Sleeve (4) and spiral spring (5) together form the elastic seal of the Bowden cable (1) according to the invention. If mechanical loads occur like impacts or vibrations caused by driving when the Bowden cable (1) is used, for example when mounted into a motor vehicle, these loads will be offset and compensated by the elastic seal of the invention consisting of sleeve (4) and spiral spring (5). The seal is not affected by i.e. permanent loads. Even if the Bowden cable (1) is actuated suddenly it will be protected by the elastically designed seal.
[0055] From FIG. 1 the above rolling of the sleeve (4) inside the spiral spring (5) can be well understood.
[0056] In FIG. 1 the Bowden cable (1) together with the shell (2) is fixed inside a fixing element (6). This fixing element (6) is preferably clipped to the functional element, i.e. a motor vehicle latch unit (10) via a surrounding notch (6.1) with a respective recess. As shown below in FIG. 1c the connecting element (6) is preferably designed as counter bearing (6.4) to the sleeve (4) and as end stop (6.2) for the spiral spring (5).
[0057] FIG. 1a shows the sleeve (4) enlarged. The sleeve (4) is made of elastomeric plastic and is built as hollow round body with a length of approx. 24 mm. Through an opening (4.3) the sleeve (4) is concentrically slid on the core (2) of the Bowden cable (1). In the shown embodiment according to FIG. 1 the sleeve (4) is fully inserted into the spiral spring (5) which has been slid over the core (3) before. One coil of the spiral spring (5) lies in the recess (4.1) of the sleeve (4). This supports the above described joint connection between spiral spring (5) and sleeve (4) so that under load condition the sleeve (4) can roll inside the spiral spring (5) as described above. The crowned surface (4.2) of the sleeve 4) is equally helpful for the rolling of the sleeve (4). In this embodiment the part of the sleeve (4) facing the shell (2) has a diameter of 5 to 5.8 mm. For the required tight fit with the spiral spring (5) a diameter of 5.4 mm is preferred for the sleeve(4). The wall thickness of the hollow body of The sleeve (4) is preferably 0.5 mm.
[0058] FIG. 1b shows a concentric spiral spring (5) with increasing radii enlarged as conical spiral spring (5). The spiral (5) is preferably made of steel, with gaps of about 4 mm between the coils, and the spring constant being ?. The conical extension (5.1) of the spiral spring (5) preferably runs at an angle of 7 to 13 related to the middle axis. An angle of 10 has proved especially preferred. The initial diameter of the spiral spring (5) is preferably 6.8 to 7 mm, regularly 6.9 mm. To build the above mentioned tight fit with the sleeve (4) the spring coils are guided in a way that the largest diameter of the spiral spring (5) is 5.2 to 5.6 mm, preferably 5.4 mm. The total length of the spiral spring (5) preferably is 45 mm.
[0059] FIG. 1c shows enlarged the fixing element (6) for the Bowden cable designed as clip (6). The fixing element (6) is preferably made of metal and designed with a surrounding notch (6.1) for clipping the cable to a corresponding recess (17) in a functional element, i.e. a motor vehicle latch unit (10). The fixing element (6) is designed as counter bearing (6.4) for the sleeve (4) and also as end stop (6.2) for the spiral spring (5). Therefore, the fixing element (6) is designed around the duct (6.3) for the core with a bulge (6.4) as end stop (6.4) for the sleeve (4). The mentioned counter bearing (6.2) for the spiral spring (5) is built with a surrounding, preferably half-round groove (6.2). In this groove (6.2) the end coil of the spiral spring (5) can limitedly roll under load conditions.
[0060] The high elasticity (flexibility) of the seal of the Bowden cable (1) becomes especially obvious in FIGS. 1a-1c which show enlarged views of the parts a.) sleeve (4) with the recess (4.1) and the crowned surface (4.2), b.) the concentrically designed spiral spring (5) and c) the fixing elements (6) with the groove (6.2).
[0061] FIG. 2 shows a motor vehicle latch unit (10) in a motor vehicle door (15) in a motor vehicle (16) shown in part only. The latch unit (10) has a latch housing (11) illustrated in open view, consisting of a locking system (12, 13) composed of catch (12) and pawl (13) for locking in place the catch (12). The locking system (12, 13) is shown in engaged (locked) position, therefore the vehicle door (15) is locked, too.
[0062] According to the invention the pawl (13) is connected to the here only schematically shown Bowden cable (1) via a pull handle (14) at the door (15). For opening the latch unit (10) and therewith for opening the door (15) the pull handle (14) is operated. Thus, via the Bowden cable (1) which is the actuator (1) for the motor vehicle latch (10) as functional element (10) the pawl (13) is lifted off the spring loaded catch (12). Together with the pull handle (14) the Bowden cable (1) is part of the operating system of the latch unit (10). It is understood, that such a Bowden cable (1) can equally be used in a here not illustrated locking system for the latch unit. For completeness it should be mentioned that between the Bowden cable (1) and the pawl (13) a here invisible release lever for opening may be installed. It is equally understood, that the motor vehicle door (15) is equipped with a here invisible door handle on the inside of the vehicle (16).
[0063] The highly sealed Bowden cable (1) according to the invention unrestrictedly works even in extreme environmental conditions. The Bowden cable (1) can therefore be installed in wet areas of a vehicle door (15) without problems.
[0064] FIG. 3 shows a Bowden cable (1) according to the invention which is clipped to a fixing element (6) with a corresponding recess (17) in a motor vehicle door latch (10). The Bowden cable (1) is connected ready for operation to the motor vehicle latch (10).
[0065] As a result, the invention relates to a highly efficient seal even in extreme environmental conditions for a Bowden cable (1) and therefore for a motor vehicle latch unit (10), which can be built using simple means.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0066] 1: Bowden cable [0067] 2: shell [0068] 3: core [0069] 4: sleeve [0070] 4.1: recess [0071] 4.2: surface [0072] 4.3: opening [0073] 5: spiral spring [0074] 5.1: conical extension [0075] 6: fixing element [0076] 6.1: notch [0077] 6.2: groove [0078] 6.3: duct [0079] 6.4: end stop [0080] 7: end stop [0081] 8: connecting element [0082] 10: latch unit [0083] 11: latch housing [0084] 12: catch [0085] 13: pawl [0086] 14: door handle [0087] 15: motor vehicle door [0088] 16: motor vehicle [0089] 17: recess
