WO2025045599A1 - Driver's cab for a utility vehicle, and a method for unlocking a locking device for the driver's cab - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a driver's cab (10) for a utility vehicle, comprising at least one front flap (12) and a locking device (14) for the front flap (12), which locking device can be unlocked on the basis of a coupled remote actuation, wherein the locking device (14) has a locking bolt (16) which, in order to lock the front flap (12) to a region (10a) of the body-mounted driver's cab, can be adjusted by means of an actuator (18) from an open position (S1) into a closed position (S2) in which the locking bolt (16) is introduced into and locked in a bolt receptacle (20), and wherein the locking device (14) has a monitoring device (22) by means of which it can be detected when a side door (24) of the driver's cab (10) is opened and which is electronically coupled to the actuator (18) and provides the remote actuation, such that, when the side door (24) is opened, the locking bolt (16) can be adjusted by means of the actuator (18) into the open position (S1). The invention also relates to a method for unlocking such a locking device (14).

Description

Driver's cab for a commercial vehicle and a method for unlocking a locking device for the driver's cab

The invention relates to a driver's cab for a commercial vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for unlocking a locking device for the driver's cab.

Automatic opening systems for front hoods or front flaps on vehicles, especially commercial vehicles, are already known from the state of the art.

DE 102010 026 764 A1 discloses an actuating device for a locking device of a component, in particular a flap or hood, of a motor vehicle. The actuating device comprises an actuating handle and at least one remote actuating element which is coupled in motion to the latter and by means of which the locking device can be actuated. In this case, it is provided that the actuating handle is assigned to an emblem of the motor vehicle, which can be rotated about a central axis running transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the plane of the emblem. This enables remote actuation of the locking device by means of an emblem.

The object of the invention is to increase driver cab security by preventing unauthorized operations.

This object is achieved by means of a driver's cab with the features of patent claim 1 and by means of a method according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the driver's cab according to the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention, wherein the means of the driver's cab are used to carry out the method steps. Furthermore, advantageous Further developments of the invention are described by the dependent claims, the following description and the figures.

One aspect of the invention relates to a driver's cab for a commercial vehicle with at least one front flap and with a locking device for a front flap of the driver's cab, which can be unlocked depending on a coupled remote control.

It is provided that the locking device has a locking bolt which can be adjusted from an open position to a closed position by means of an actuator in order to lock the front flap to a body-fixed area of the driver's cab, in which position the locking bolt is inserted into a bolt holder and locked therein. It is also provided that the locking device has a monitoring device by means of which the opening of a side door of the driver's cab can be detected and which is electronically coupled to the actuator and represents the remote control, so that when the side door is opened the locking bolt can be adjusted to the open position by means of the actuator.

In order to prevent unauthorized or unauthorised operation of the front flap, for example by third parties, it is proposed according to the invention that the locking device has the adjustable locking bolt. The locking bolt is, for example, cylindrical and can be adjusted linearly in the vertical direction of the vehicle from top to bottom or from bottom to top. It is arranged or inserted or attached in a correspondingly designed bolt holder in order to receive and hold or lock or lock the adjustable locking bolt. The bolt holder can also be cylindrical and have, for example, an integrated locking device or a locking element. This locks the front flap in a fixed area of the driver's cab, preferably at the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The locking bolt can be adjusted between the closed position or locked position and the open position by means of an actuator, for example an electromechanical motor or other suitable equipment. It is also possible to arrange or use alternative locking options with rotary mechanics or spring mechanisms.

Furthermore, the locking device is extended or equipped with a monitoring device or such a device is integrated or arranged which can detect the opening of a side door, in particular the driver's door of the driver's cab, or is designed to detect an opening process or an open position. The monitoring device is electronically coupled to the actuator or connected by signaling, so that when the side door is opened, the locking bolt is adjusted or moved into an open position by means of the actuator and, in alternative embodiments, is rotated, for example. In this way, the locking device detects the opening of the side door, for example via a sensor device or sensor circuit, and thereby unlocks the front flap.

By coupling or connecting the monitoring device to the actuator, it is possible and thus also ensured that the front flap is only released for opening when the side door of the driver's cab is open. This provides an important safety measure to prevent unauthorized opening.

As soon as the monitoring device detects that the side door is opened, which means that it can be assumed that an authorized person has opened it, it sends a signal to the actuator, which then moves the locking bar to the open position. This unlocks the front hatch and allows it to be opened. On the other hand, if the side door remains closed, the locking bar remains in the closed position, which means that the front hatch remains securely locked. Such a mechanism allows the front hatch to only be opened when the side door of the driver's cab is open. This accordingly prevents unauthorized persons from opening the front hatch.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the front flap is pivotably connected to the body-fixed area of the driver's cab by means of a four-joint hinge. The four-joint hinge comprises four joints that are connected to one another in a predetermined or specific arrangement and enable a pivotable connection between the front flap and the body-fixed area of the driver's cab. Such a hinge allows efficient and stable movement or adjustment of the front flap relative to the driver's cab when opening and closing, in particular when making a rotational adjustment.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the latch is arranged on the body-fixed area so as to be displaceable in the transverse direction of the vehicle or is attached. As a result, the locking bolt can be moved laterally along the width of the vehicle. This arrangement provides additional flexibility in the locking device, whereby the locking bolt can be positioned in different positions along the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle, in particular to provide efficient locking of the front flap, for example axially to a hinged axis of the front flap.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the latch receptacle is formed by an opening in a side wall of the front flap, in particular by a punched-out section. This construction integrates the latch receptacle directly into the side wall of the front flap. The punched-out section forms a corresponding shape and size to accommodate and lock the locking latch. This enables a compact and space-saving design of the locking device, since no additional components or fastening elements are required. Furthermore, the integration of the latch receptacle into the side wall of the front flap also offers particularly improved structural integrity and stability.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the monitoring device is formed by a rotation angle sensor which is arranged fixed to the body near the side door. The rotation angle sensor detects the opening state of the side door by measuring the rotation angle of a corresponding door mechanism. The arrangement or placement of the rotation angle sensor near the side door enables precise detection of the opening state. The rotation angle sensor converts the measured rotation angle into an electronic signal and transmits it to the locking device. The electronic coupling or signal connection with the actuator enables the locking device to react immediately to the signal from the rotation angle sensor and automatically unlock the lock of the front flap as soon as the side door is opened.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the monitoring device is formed by a door switch, by means of which the interior lighting can be activated when the side door is opened. The door switch is arranged or attached to the body near the side door. As soon as the side door is opened, the door switch is activated and transmits or sends out a corresponding signal. This signal can then be received by the locking device in order to To release the locking bolt. It is also intended that the door push button switch can also be used or applied to activate the interior lighting. When the side door is opened, the signal from the door push button switch is not only transmitted or forwarded to the locking device, but also to a lighting system in the driver's cab, namely the interior lighting. This switches on the interior lighting to illuminate the vehicle interior.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the monitoring device is formed by an optical detection device fixed to the body, in particular by a camera. The exemplary camera is firmly connected or installed near the side door on the vehicle body and thus enables optical detection of the opening and closing process of the side door. It detects the area around the side door and detects whether the door is open or closed. By using a camera-based monitoring device, not only the opening and closing state of the side door can be detected, but also information about people getting in and out can be recorded, for example. The camera thus detects the area of the side door and can detect or recognize and record movements or activities in the vicinity.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking device is arranged exclusively on the passenger side. Various reasons for such an arrangement are conceivable. For example, the driver getting in and out cannot be assumed to be a reason for the unintentional unlocking of the front flap.

A further aspect relates to a method for unlocking a locking device for a driver's cab for a commercial vehicle with at least one front flap and with the locking device for the front flap, which is unlocked depending on a coupled remote control. In this case, it is provided that a locking bolt of the locking device, which is used to lock the front flap to a body-fixed area of the driver's cab, is adjusted by means of an actuator from an open position to a closed position, in which the locking bolt is inserted into a bolt receptacle and locked therein. It is further provided that an opening of a side door of the driver's cab is detected by means of a monitoring device of the locking device, by means of which the remote control is provided. and by means of the electronically coupled actuator the locking bolt is moved into the open position when the side door is opened.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawing(s). The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and/or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The following show:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a driver’s cab for a commercial vehicle with at least one front flap; and

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of another possible design of the driver's cab for the commercial vehicle to illustrate a possible locking mechanism.

In the figures, identical and functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a possible design of a driver's cab 10 for a commercial vehicle with at least one front flap 12 (not shown) and with a locking device 14 for the front flap 12, which can be unlocked depending on a coupled remote control. A front side 11a and a driver's side 11b of the driver's cab 10 are shown here. The front flap 12 can be opened about a first axis A1 and a side door 24 of the driver's cab 10 can be swung open about a second axis A2.

The locking device 14 has a locking bolt 16 which, for locking the front flap 12 to a body-fixed area 10a of the driver's cab, can be adjusted by means of an actuator 18 from an open position S1 (not shown in Fig. 1) into a closed position S2, in which the locking bolt 16 is inserted into a bolt receptacle 20 and is locked therein. The locking device 14 has a monitoring device 22, by means of which an opening of a side door 24 of the driver's cab 10 can be detected and which is electronically coupled to the actuator 18 and provides the remote actuation, so that when the side door 24 is opened, the locking bolt 16 can be adjusted to the opening position S1 by means of the actuator 18.

It is also possible for the front flap 12 to be pivotably connected to the body-mounted area 10a of the driver's cab 10 by means of a four-joint hinge 26. The four-joint hinge 26 consists of four joints that are connected to one another in a specific arrangement and enable a safe and stable pivoting movement of the front flap 12; in particular, a first part 26a fixed to the vehicle and a pivotable second part 26b should be pivotably connected to one another.

In addition, the locking bolt 16 can be arranged on the body-fixed area 10a so that it can be moved in the vehicle transverse direction y. This means that the locking bolt 16 can be moved along a width of the commercial vehicle in the vehicle transverse direction y. This enables precise positioning and locking of the front flap 12 to be achieved.

Furthermore, the latch receptacle 20 can be formed by an opening in a side wall 12a of the front flap 12. The opening in the side wall 12a serves as a latch receptacle 20 into which the locking latch 16 is inserted and held. This design enables the latch receptacle 20 to be easily integrated into the structure of the front flap 12 without additional components being required.

In addition, the monitoring device 22 can be formed by a rotation angle sensor 30 which is arranged in a fixed manner to the body near the side door 24. The rotation angle sensor 30 detects the opening state of the side door 24 by measuring the rotation angle of the door mechanism or a corresponding part near the side door 24. This information is then used to control the locking device 14 in order to position the locking bolt 16 accordingly.

Thus, the existing mechanism of a four-bar hinge 26 can be used in the front flap 12 of the commercial vehicle to represent a pre-locking mechanism. The four-bar hinge 26 is formed by two connected parts 26a, 26b. The first part 26a moves when the front flap 12 is opened. Until now, the front flap 12 has been locked by the locking device 14 or a locking system, for example, with a release mechanism that can be operated from the outside. For vehicle series, the requirement can now be made that only the driver is authorized to open the front flap 12 in order to prevent misuse or theft by unauthorized persons. This can only be made possible if the driver has access to the interior of the cab or is in possession of a corresponding vehicle key.

Fig. 1 shows a possible technical solution in which the two connected parts 26a, 26b of the four-bar hinge 26 can be locked together by a wedge 26c. The wedge 26c is controlled by a linear actuator or the actuator 18 and moved linearly into a cutout so that the two parts 26a, 26b are either locked together or can be moved within the kinematics of the four-bar hinge 26. The actuator 18, which is designed as a linear actuator, can be controlled either by the previously mentioned angle of rotation sensor 30, which detects the movement of the side door 24, or by the existing door push button 32. These are always activated when the side door 24, which is shown as the driver's door, is opened.

In particular, the existing control via the door pushbutton switch 32 is suitable as an opening signal, since this is already used in the commercial vehicle for the interior light and as a safety function. This means that the driver is signaled visually or acoustically in the cockpit if the door or the passenger door or side door 24 is not properly closed. In summary, the existing locking device 14 can still be used, but the front flap 12 can only be opened if the described locking device 14 is activated. Furthermore, it is also possible to control the adjustment between the open position S1 and the closed position S2 using an ID transmitter or key 42.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of another possible embodiment of the driver's cab 10 for the commercial vehicle to illustrate a locking mechanism which is represented by the locking device 14.

The locking device 14 is designed with a rotatable holding element 34 or comprises one which can be rotated about a rotation axis A3. The holding element 34 is held in the closed position S2 by means of a spring element 36. in which the front flap 12 is locked and cannot be opened. The spring element 36 introduces the required holding force into the mechanism in order to hold the holding element 34 in the closed position S2.

The holding element 34 is mechanically connected to the actuator 18 in the front area 38. The actuator 18 pulls the holding element 34 downwards in the vertical direction z of the vehicle, whereby the holding element 34 is rotated downwards. This rotation releases, for example, a pin 40 (not shown) held on the side door 24. This enables the opening position S1.

This arrangement makes it possible to control the locking of the front flap 12 (not shown). In the closed position S2 (not shown), the front flap 12 is securely and firmly locked so that it cannot be opened. By actuating the actuator 18, the holding element 34 is rotated and the held pin 40 is released, whereby the front flap 12 is moved to the open position S1. The actuation of the actuator 18 is actuated by the signals of the monitoring device 22 and thus by remote actuation.

In summary, the invention proposes an automatic opening system for front hoods on vehicles.

list of reference symbols

10 driver's cab

10a area

11a front side

11b driver's side

12 front flap

12a side wall

14 locking device

16 locking bolts

18 actuators

20 bolt holder

22 monitoring device

24 side door

26 four-joint hinge

26a part

26b part

26c wedge

30 angle sensor

32 door push buttons

34 holding element

36 spring element

38 area

40 pen

A1, A2 axis

A3 axis of rotation

Claims

patent claims 1. Driver's cab (10) for a commercial vehicle with at least one front flap (12) and with a locking device (14) for the front flap (12), which can be unlocked depending on a coupled remote control, characterized in that the locking device (14) has a locking bolt (16) which, for locking the front flap (12) on a body-fixed area (10a) of the driver's cab, can be adjusted by means of an actuator (18) from an open position (S1) to a closed position (S2), in which the locking bolt (16) is inserted into a bolt receptacle (20) and locked therein, wherein the locking device (14) has a monitoring device (22) by means of which an opening of a side door (24) of the driver's cab (10) can be detected and which is electronically coupled to the actuator (18) and provides the remote control, so that when the side door (24) is opened the locking bolt (16) can be adjusted into the opening position (S1) by means of the actuator (18). 2. Driver's cab (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the front flap (12) is pivotally connected to the body-fixed region (10a) of the driver's cab (10) by means of a four-bar hinge (26). 3. Driver's cab (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking bolt (16) is arranged on the body-fixed region (10a) so as to be displaceable in the vehicle transverse direction (y). 4. Driver's cab (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latch receptacle (20) is formed by an opening (20) in a side wall (12a) of the front flap (12). 5. Driver's cab (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the monitoring device (14) is formed by a rotation angle sensor (30) which is arranged fixed to the body near a side door. 6. Method for unlocking a locking device (14) for a driver's cab (10) for a commercial vehicle according to one of the preceding claims.