Lock

0001The invention relates to a lock with a locking mechanism which has a bolt which can be moved between a locking position provided for securing a counterpart that can be moved relative to the locking mechanism and an unlocking position provided for releasing the counterpart.

0002Such locks are known in principle and are used, for example, to secure an energy store on an electric bicycle or another electric vehicle, or to lock a transport box or a frame lock of the electric vehicle. The bolt of the lock is usually pushed into the locking position by a comparatively strong spring element, from which it can be moved into an unlocking position by means of an actuating element. There is a risk that strong vibrations, eg when driving over bumpy terrain or with jumps, will cause the bolt to move unintentionally against the spring force of the spring element into the unlocked position, which can result in the loss of an energy store secured by the lock, for example. In addition, there is a similar risk of unauthorized access to the lock, in that a strong acceleration is generated by acting on the actuating element with increased force, and movement of the bolt into the unlocked position can thus be forced.

0003The invention is based on the object of creating a lock of the type described at the outset, which is characterized by increased security and a high degree of ease of use.

0004The object is solved by a lock with the features of claim 1. In addition to the locking mechanism, the lock according to the invention has an actuating element for manually moving the bolt into the unlocked position. In addition, the lock includes a coupling element, which can be transferred between a coupling state, in which it is coupled to the bolt, and a decoupling state, in which it can be moved relative to the bolt, and which can be moved from a passive position to an active position by means of the actuating element. The bolt can be moved into the unlocked position by a movement from the passive position into the active position of the coupling element in the coupled state by the actuating element.

0005The moveable counterpart of the lock can, for example, be an energy storage device or part of an energy storage device or a block of a frame lock or brake disc lock or a hasp or a pawl of a lock of a transport box of a vehicle or electric vehicle, in particular an electric bicycle. The lock can also be used in another vehicle or electric vehicle, in particular an electric wheelchair, electric scooter or electric kart, as well as in a human-powered vehicle. The lock according to the invention can also be provided for locking doors or windows, for example also of a caravan or mobile home, as well as for locking cupboard doors or drawers or transport crates or containers. In principle, any mechanical lock can be replaced by the lock according to the invention.

0006In its locking position, the latch can engage in a recess in the counterpart or engage behind it in order to prevent the counterpart from being removed from the locking mechanism. Conversely, the bolt itself can have a recess into which a corresponding structure of the counterpart or of the energy store can engage in the locking position. If the lock is intended to secure an energy storage device, the bolt can engage in a recess in the energy storage device in its locking position or engage behind a projection of the energy storage device in such a way that the removal of the energy storage device is blocked.

0007The invention provides that the actuating element does not act directly on the bolt in order to move it from the locking position to the unlocking position. Instead, the actuating element interacts with a coupling element, which can be transferred from a passive position into an active position by the actuating element.

0008In a coupling state, the coupling element is coupled to the bolt in such a way that a movement of the coupling element is transmitted to the bolt. A rigid coupling can be provided, so that the coupling element moves the bolt directly in the manner of a driver, in particular linearly, with a transfer of the coupling element from the passive position to the active position causing the bolt to move from the locked position to the unlocked position. In principle, it can also be provided that, conversely, the movement of the bolt into the locking position is brought about by the actuating element and a movement of the coupling element from the active position into the passive position.

0009In the decoupling state, the coupling element is decoupled from the bolt, so that the coupling element can move independently of a movement of the bolt, and vice versa. The actuating element and the coupling element can also be in engagement with one another in the decoupling state, so that actuation of the actuating element causes the coupling element to move from the passive state to the active state. However, the bolt is not taken into the unlocked position. An unlocking of the lock by the actuating element is therefore only possible in the coupling state.

0010In the lock according to the invention, a movement of the actuating element can be decoupled from a movement of the bolt into the unlocked position. In the uncoupled state, therefore, even vehement actuation or manipulation of the actuating element has no effect on the bolt, making unauthorized unlocking of the lock significantly more difficult and increasing the security of the lock.

0011The actuating element can have a handle for keyless actuation, as a result of which a high level of operating convenience is achieved. The handle can include a push button, a slider or a pulling element for transmitting a linear, in particular pushing or pulling, actuating movement to the coupling element. The handle can include a rotary knob or rotary handle, which can be operated by a rotary actuation movement, or a lever. The bolt can be moved by the actuating element, in particular, only by manual actuation by a user, without an electric motor movement of the bolt being provided. In principle, the actuating element can comprise a lock cylinder and an associated key.

0012Advantageous embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims, the description and the drawing.

0013According to one embodiment, the coupling element is arranged so that it can move parallel to the bolt. In particular, the coupling element and the bolt can have a common longitudinal axis, along which they are each arranged to be movable.

0014The direction of movement of the actuating element can be oriented at least substantially perpendicularly to a direction of movement of the bolt and/or the coupling element. In order to transmit an actuation movement from the actuation element to the coupling element, these can each have corresponding transmission features. For example, the actuating element and the coupling element can have control bevels that work together, by means of which an actuating movement of the actuating element is converted into a movement of the bolt oriented at least essentially perpendicular thereto. A link guide, a connecting rod, an articulated connection or another geared connection can also be provided.

0015The bolt can have a guide section in which the coupling element is guided. The guide section can be designed as a recess in the bolt, for example as a guide shaft. The coupling element can be slidably guided in the guide section.

0016According to one embodiment, the lock includes a control element for selectively transferring the coupling element into the coupling state or into the uncoupling state. For this purpose, the control element itself can be arranged to be movable. In particular, the transfer of the coupling element between the coupling state and the decoupling state can include a translational movement, in particular a linear movement, and/or a rotational movement of the control element.

0017The bolt and the coupling element can be coupled by the control element in the coupling state. In the coupling state, the control element can be in engagement with the bolt and the coupling element, at least in sections, so that they are coupled to one another.

0018According to one embodiment, the control element is designed as a control fork which encompasses the bolt on three sides. The locking bar can extend at least partially along its direction of movement through an encompassed area of ​​the control fork defined by the control fork.

0019Alternatively or additionally, the control element can have at least one coupling bolt for coupling the bolt and the coupling element, in particular the longitudinal axis of which extends perpendicular to a movement direction of the bolt. The at least one coupling bolt can be designed in such a way that in the coupled state it can be brought into engagement with the bolt and the coupling element in a coupling manner and that in the uncoupled state it can be brought into engagement either only with the bolt or only with the coupling element or with neither of the two is in order not to couple them with each other. To transfer between these two states, the coupling bolt can be movably arranged. The transition between the coupling state and the decoupling state can include a rotational and/or translational movement of the coupling bolt, in particular a linear movement of the coupling bolt along its longitudinal axis. Several coupling bolts can be provided. The coupling bolt can extend, at least in sections, perpendicularly to prong-like sections of the control fork.

0020The coupling element and the bolt can each have at least one recess for receiving a coupling section of the control element, in particular for receiving a coupling bolt. The bolt and/or the coupling element can each have a plurality of recesses, into which sections of the control element engage simultaneously or only in the coupling state or only in the decoupling state.

0021The control element and the latch can be movably connected to one another. In particular, such a movable connection can exist both in the coupled state and in the uncoupled state and independently of the unlocked position or locked position of the bolt. The latch and control may be connectable to one another at more than one connection point. For example, regardless of the position of the bolt or the coupling state, the bolt can be connected to the control element at least at one connection point at any time.

0022A movement of the bolt from the locking position to the unlocking position can cause a rotational movement and/or a translational movement of the control element. The control element can be entrained by the bolt without itself being driven to rotate and/or translate. In particular, the control can be pivoted about a suspension point by the bolt.

0023According to one embodiment, the lock has a locking element that can be adjusted between a locked position, in which the bolt is locked in its locking position, and a release position, in which the bolt can be moved into its unlocked position. The blocking element can be designed in particular as a pin or peg. In principle, the blocking element can interact with any movable element of the lock to block the bolt, but preferably with the bolt itself.

0024In the locked position, the locking mechanism directly secures the counterpart in the lock by means of the bolt, and the locking element also blocks the locking mechanism so that it can only be actuated after the locking element has been moved into the release position. In order to unlock the lock, a total of two release steps are therefore required. Accidental movement of the bolt into the unlocked position, for example when driving over uneven terrain or due to violent action on the lock, is particularly effectively prevented by the locking element in the locked position, so that the security of the lock is increased.

0025An adjustment of the blocking element between the blocking position and the release position can include a rotational and/or translational movement of the blocking element. For example, the adjustment of the blocking element can include a pivoting, twisting, displacement of the blocking element or a combination thereof, in particular a linear movement along a longitudinal axis of the blocking element.

0026According to one embodiment, the blocking element is formed on the control element. A longitudinal axis of the blocking element can be arranged parallel or coaxially with a longitudinal axis of the control element, in particular a coupling bolt. The control element can thus control both a transfer of the coupling element into the coupling state or decoupling state and an adjustment of the blocking element between the blocking position and the release position, with both processes being able to take place simultaneously.

0027In principle, it can be provided that when the coupling element is switched to the uncoupled state, the blocking element is switched to its blocking position, so that manual movement of the bolt by the actuating element is prevented and, in addition, the blocking element in the blocked position prevents accidental or violent movement of the Bolt is excluded in the unlocked position. In a comparable way it can be provided that when the coupling element is transferred into the coupling state in which movement of the bolt by the actuating element is possible, the blocking element is also moved into its release position in order to enable the bolt to be moved into its unlocked position.

0028According to one embodiment, the blocking element, in its blocking position, is in engagement with a component of the lock, in particular with a non-moving component, such as a housing, of the lock. The component of the lock can be configured to prevent movement of the blocking element along the direction of movement of the bolt. In principle, a movable component of the lock can be provided to secure the blocking element in its blocking position. A corresponding receptacle for the blocking element can be provided on the movable or non-movable component of the lock, in particular on the housing of the lock, which mount blocks movement of the blocking element, in particular in the direction of movement of the bolt.

0029The bolt can be moved from the locking position into the unlocking position against a restoring force of a spring. Alternatively or additionally, the coupling element can be brought from the passive position into the active position against the restoring force of a spring. This ensures that the locking bar is always pushed into its locking position in the coupled state and in the uncoupled state. This reduces the risk of the counterpart being accidentally released from the locking mechanism. In addition, a latch function can be implemented by the spring, which enables the counterpart, for example an energy store, to automatically engage in the locking mechanism, with the latch being automatically moved into the locking position by the spring after it has engaged.

0030The bolt and the coupling element can be brought into the unlocked position or into the active position against the restoring force of the same spring. This ensures that the coupling element and the bolt are always correctly aligned relative to one another in the decoupling state and in particular in the passive position of the coupling element and in particular that recesses of the bolt and the coupling element provided for engaging the control element are aligned with one another, in particular flush, that the Control to transfer into the coupling state can intervene in it.

0031According to one embodiment, the lock has at least one actuator for transferring the coupling element between the coupling state and the decoupling state. Alternatively or additionally, the lock has at least one actuator for adjusting the locking element between its locked position and its release position. The same actuator can be provided for transferring the coupling element and the blocking element, in particular with the transfer of the coupling element and the blocking element being able to take place simultaneously. The actuator can be an electromotive or electromagnetic actuator. A manual transfer of the blocking element into a blocking position or release position or the coupling element into a coupling state or uncoupling state by a user of the lock is therefore unnecessary, which increases the ease of use. Since only the blocking element and/or the coupling element are actuated by the actuator, but not the bolt, an actuator with lower power and/or more compact dimensions can be used.

0032Provision can be made for the lock to have a receiving unit for receiving a release signal transmitted by wire or wirelessly, in particular by a mobile phone, the release signal containing the instruction to transfer the coupling element to the coupling state or uncoupling state and/or the instruction to adjust the blocking element to may contain the release position or locked position. A keyless operation of the lock can include that after an electrical transfer of the coupling element in the coupling state and an electrical adjustment of the blocking element in the release position, a manual movement of the bolt can be done by means of the actuating element in the unlocked position.

0033In particular, the lock can include at least one actuator, in particular an electromotive or electromagnetic actuator, for actuating the control element. The control element can be moved rotationally and/or translationally by the actuator, in particular pivoted or displaced, in order to effect a transfer of the coupling element and/or an adjustment of the blocking element.

0034In order to draw the user's attention to incorrect, in particular incomplete, locking of the lock, the lock can also comprise a detection means for detecting that the bolt has assumed the locking position. The detection means can be used to monitor whether the bolt actually reaches its locking position during a locking process or whether it is prevented from doing so, for example, by an energy store that has not been used correctly. In the latter case, a suitable warning can be output to the user, for example in the form of optical and/or acoustic feedback generated on an on-board computer of an electric bicycle, on the user's mobile phone and/or on the lock itself.

0035The detection means can include, for example, an actuator, in particular an electric motor or electromagnetic actuator, for adjusting a locking element, which can be adjusted between a locked position, in which the bolt is locked in its locked position, and a release position, in which the bolt can be moved into its unlocked position . In particular, the actuator can be the same actuator that is also provided for moving the control element.

0036The monitoring of the adoption of the locking position by the bolt forms an independent aspect of the invention, so that a further subject matter of the invention is a lock with the features of claim 14.

0037The invention is described below purely by way of example using a possible embodiment with reference to the attached drawing. Show it:<dl id="dl0001" compact="compact"><dt>1</dt><dd>a perspective front view of a lock according to the invention with a located in a decoupling state coupling element;</dd><dt>2</dt><dd>another perspective front view of the castle of<figref idref="f0001">1</figref>;</dd><dt>3</dt><dd>a perspective rear view of the castle of<figref idref="f0001">1</figref>;</dd><dt>4</dt><dd>another perspective rear view of the castle of<figref idref="f0001">1</figref>;</dd><dt>figure 5</dt><dd>a top view of the castle from<figref idref="f0001">1</figref>;</dd><dt>6</dt><dd>a rear view of the castle from<figref idref="f0001">1</figref>;</dd><dt>7</dt><dd>a side view of the castle from<figref idref="f0001">1</figref>;</dd><dt>8</dt><dd>a sectional view of the castle from<figref idref="f0001">1</figref> along a plane defined by a moving direction of a latch and an operating direction of an operating member;</dd><dt>9</dt><dd>another sectional view of the castle from<figref idref="f0001">1</figref> along a plane defined by the direction of movement of the bolt and a longitudinal axis of a coupling bolt;</dd><dt>10</dt><dd>an exploded view of the lock from<figref idref="f0001">1</figref>;</dd><dt>Figure 11A</dt><dd>a perspective view of a bolt of the lock of<figref idref="f0001">1</figref>;</dd><dt>Figure 11B</dt><dd>another perspective view of the bolt of<figref idref="f0006">Figure 11A</figref>;</dd><dt>12</dt><dd>a perspective view of the coupling element of<figref idref="f0001">1</figref>;</dd><dt>13A</dt><dd>a perspective view of a control of the lock of<figref idref="f0001">1</figref>;</dd><dt>Figure 13B</dt><dd>a top view of the control from<figref idref="f0006">13A</figref>;</dd><dt>14</dt><dd>the castle of<figref idref="f0001">1</figref> with the coupling element located in the decoupling state, the coupling element being transferred into the active position;</dd><dt>15</dt><dd>the castle of<figref idref="f0001">1</figref> with the coupling element in the coupling state, the coupling element being transferred to the active position and the bolt to the unlocked position.</dd></dl>

0038In<figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007">Figures 1 to 15</figref> a lock 10, in particular for an electric bicycle and, for example, for securing an energy store on the electric bicycle, is shown. In principle, however, the lock can also be used to lock doors, windows, drawers, transport crates, containers or generally as a replacement for a mechanical lock. The lock 10 comprises a locking mechanism with a bolt 12 which has a locking section 12.1. The bolt 12 is between an in<figref idref="f0001">1</figref> locking position and unlocking position shown movable (<figref idref="f0007">15</figref>). In the locking position, the locking section 12.1 of the bolt 12 can be brought into engagement with a counterpart that can be moved relative to the locking mechanism, for example the energy store (not shown), in order to secure it in the lock 10, with the release of the counterpart being provided in the unlocking position .

0039To move the bolt from the locked position to the unlocked position, the lock 10 includes a manually operable actuating element 14, which includes a handle 16 in the form of a push button in the embodiment shown. When the push button is actuated, the actuating element 14 is displaced along an actuating axis B in the direction of the bolt.

0040The actuating element 14 does not act directly on the bolt 12 in order to move it into the unlocked position. Instead, a coupling element 18 is provided, which engages with the actuating element 14 (<figref idref="f0004">8</figref>) and through this from a passive position as in<figref idref="f0001">1</figref> is shown (cf. also<figref idref="f0004">8</figref>), to an active position, as in<figref idref="f0007">14, 15</figref> shown is movable.

0041The coupling element 18 is arranged to be movable parallel to the bolt 12 . The bolt 12 and the coupling element 18 have a common longitudinal axis L (<figref idref="f0005">10</figref>), which also defines the direction of movement of bolt 12 and coupling element 18. The coupling element 18 is guided in a guide section 20 formed by the bolt 12, which includes a guide shaft 21 which is formed centrally within the bolt 12 and in which the coupling element 18 is slidably mounted. The guide shaft 21 has a lateral width S, which corresponds approximately to a lateral extent D of the coupling element 18 (<figref idref="f0006">11A, 12</figref>).

0042The longitudinal axis L of the bolt 12 and the coupling element 18 and thus their direction of movement is oriented perpendicular to the direction of movement of the actuating element 14 along the actuating axis B. In order to convert the actuating movement of the actuating element 14 into the locking movement perpendicular thereto, the actuating element 14 has a transmission section 22 which has a first oblique control surface 24 . Correspondingly, the coupling element 18 has a second inclined control surface 26 along which the first inclined control surface 24 of the actuating element 14 can be moved in a sliding manner in the direction of the actuating axis B (<figref idref="f0004">8</figref>).

0043The coupling element 18 is movably mounted by means of a spring 28 and, when the actuating element 14 is pressed in, is pushed into its active position by the first inclined control surface 24 against the restoring force of the spring 28 in the direction of its longitudinal axis L (<figref idref="f0007">14</figref>). For mounting on the spring 28, the coupling element 18 has a bearing recess 30, in which the spring 28 designed as a spiral spring can engage. The coupling element 18 sits stably on the spring 28 (<figref idref="f0006">12</figref>).

0044The bolt 12 is mounted by means of the same spring 28 so that it can be moved from its locked position into the unlocked position against the restoring force of the spring 28 . At its end facing away from the locking section 12.1, the bolt 12 has an essentially annular bearing recess 34 for engaging the spring 28, with a stable seat of the bolt on the spring being ensured by two bearing tongues 36, which delimit the annular bearing recess 34 on the inside in sections (<figref idref="f0006">11A,B</figref>).

0045By mounting the bolt 12 by means of the spring 28, a latch function of the lock 10 can be implemented. A counterpart can be inserted into the locking mechanism, for example the energy store, when the bolt 12 is in the locked state, since the bolt 12 is temporarily pressed into its unlocked position when the counterpart is inserted against the restoring force of the spring 28 . For this purpose, a control bevel 12.2 is provided on the bolt. If the counterpart is fully inserted into the lock 10, the bolt 12 is automatically pushed into its locking position by the spring 28, so that the counterpart is protected against loss immediately.

0046According to<figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004">Figures 1 to 9</figref> and<figref idref="f0007">14</figref> the coupling element 18 is in a decoupling state, in which it is arranged to be movable relative to the bolt 12, so that a movement of the actuating element 14 and a movement of the coupling element 18 generated thereby from the passive position into the active position has no effect on the bolt 12 (<figref idref="f0007">14</figref>). In order to be able to move the bolt 12 into its unlocked position by means of the actuating element 14 , the coupling element 18 can be transferred into a coupling state in which it is coupled to the bolt 12 . In the coupling state, when the actuating element 14 is actuated, the coupling element 18 is transferred into the active position and the bolt 12 coupled to the coupling element 18 is taken along into its unlocked position (<figref idref="f0007">15</figref>).

0047In order to convert the coupling element 18 into the coupling state or into the decoupling state, a control element 38 is provided (<figref idref="f0006">13A,B</figref>). In the exemplary embodiment shown, the control element 38 is designed as a control fork 40 which, in addition to a suspension strut 42, includes a first tine 44.1 and a second tine 44.2. The control fork 40 encompasses the bolt 12 on three sides, the surface 46 encompassed by the control fork 40 being oriented essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the bolt when the bolt 12 is in the locked state or when the coupling element 18 is in the passive position.

0048The control element 38 also has a coupling bolt 48, which extends between the first and second prongs 44.1, 44.2 and whose longitudinal axis K is oriented perpendicular to the prongs 44.1, 44.2 and to the direction of movement and longitudinal axis L of the bolt 12 and the coupling element 18 (<figref idref="f0005">figure 10</figref>, <figref idref="f0006">13B</figref>). The coupling bolt 48 is arranged on an end of the control fork 40 opposite the suspension strut 42 and hits the bolt 12 and the coupling element 18 (<figref idref="f0001">2</figref>, <figref idref="f0003">7</figref>).

0049In order to be able to accommodate the control element 38 and in particular the coupling bolt 48 of the control element 38, the coupling element 18 and the bolt 12 each have corresponding recesses. The coupling element 18 has a passage opening 52, the diameter of which allows the coupling bolt 48 to pass through in the axial direction (<figref idref="f0006">figure 12</figref>). The bolt 12 has a first passage opening 54.1 and a second passage opening 54.2, which are arranged on opposite sides of the bolt 12 in relation to the longitudinal axis K of the coupling bolt 48. The joint mounting of the bolt 12 and the coupling element 18 by means of the spring 28 ensures that the passage openings 52, 54.1, 54.2 of the coupling element 18 and the bolt 12 are aligned with one another in the passive position.

0050The coupling bolt 48 is designed in two parts and includes a first coupling bolt section 48.1 and a second coupling bolt section 48.2, which are separated by a gap 50. Along the longitudinal axis K of the coupling bolt 48 , the gap 50 has approximately the lateral width S of the guide shaft 21 arranged in the bolt 12 . The coupling element 18 can therefore be arranged in the gap 50 in such a way that it does not engage with the coupling bolt 48 . This just characterizes the decoupling state according to<figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004">Figures 1 to 9</figref> and<figref idref="f0007">14</figref> and is in the sectional view through the coupling bolt 48 according to<figref idref="f0004">9</figref> shown. The coupling element 18 can therefore be moved relative to the control element 38 in the decoupling state by the actuating element 14 independently of the control element 38 (<figref idref="f0007">14</figref>).

0051In the decoupling state according to<figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004">Figures 1 to 9</figref> and<figref idref="f0007">14</figref> the bolt 12 is in engagement with the control element 38 by means of the first and the second coupling bolt section 48.1, 48.2, which are inserted into the first and second passage opening 54.1, 54.2 (<figref idref="f0001">2</figref>, <figref idref="f0004">9</figref>). The first prong 44.1 of the control fork 40 is almost in contact with the side of the bolt 12 in which the first passage opening 54.1 is arranged, and the first coupling bolt section 48.1 is arranged completely in the passage opening 54.1 (<figref idref="f0003">figure 5</figref>).

0052To the coupling element 18 starting from the in<figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004">Figures 1 to 9</figref> and<figref idref="f0007">14</figref> shown decoupling state in the coupling state - to transfer - and possibly vice versa, the lock 10 has an electric motor 56 which is connected to the control element 38 via the suspension strut 42. The suspension strut 42 has an articulated groove 58 which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is articulated to a swivel arm 60 seated on a shaft 63 of the electric motor 56, with the swivel arm 60 being able to be swiveled into well-defined positions (arrow 65 in<figref idref="f0003">figure 5</figref>). one inside<figref idref="f0007">14</figref> shown first position of the pivot arm 60 corresponds to the decoupling state according to<figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004">Figures 1 to 9</figref> and one in<figref idref="f0007">15</figref> shown second position of the swivel arm 60 the coupling state of the coupling element 18.

0053A pivoting of the pivot arm 60 from the first position according to<figref idref="f0007">14</figref> to the second position according to<figref idref="f0007">15</figref> leads to a linear displacement of the control element 38 along the longitudinal axis K of the coupling bolt 48, the direction 62 of the linear displacement in<figref idref="f0004">9</figref> indicated by an arrow 62. The linear displacement pushes the first coupling bolt section 48.1 out of the first passage opening 54.1 and thus disengages it from the bolt 12. The second coupling bolt section 54.2 is guided completely through the second passage opening 54.2 and into the passage opening 52 of the coupling element 18. In this way, the bolt 12 and the coupling element 18 are coupled to one another by the coupling bolt 48 and in particular by the second coupling bolt section 48.2 of the control element 38, ie the coupling element 18 is brought into its coupling state (<figref idref="f0007">15</figref>).

0054In this coupling state, the coupling element 18 is rigidly connected to the latch 12 with respect to the direction of movement along the longitudinal axis L of the coupling element 18, so that the latter is carried along by the coupling element 18 into its unlocking position when the actuating element 14 is actuated. The coupling bolt 48 is also carried along along the longitudinal axis L of the bolt 12, so that the control element 38 is rotated, with a longitudinal axis of the articulated channel 58 being tilted in the direction of the bolt 12 (<figref idref="f0007">15</figref>). The articulation groove 58 is bounded on two sides by rounded wall portions 64 between which a cam portion 66 of the pivot arm 60 is received. In addition to the rotational movement of the control element 38 in the direction of the bolt 12, a translational movement of the control element 38 in the direction of the bolt 12, in particular parallel to the actuation axis B, can also be provided, which ensures that the bolt 12 with its passage openings 54.1 , 54.2, the coupling element 18 with its passage opening 52 and the coupling bolt 48 are always aligned with one another with respect to the actuation axis B. In the overall view, the coupling pin 48 of the control element 38 is thus effectively displaced parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the bolt. The wall sections 64 are designed in such a way that they offer reliable guidance of the control element 38 during the rotational movement and the translational movement.

0055The latch 12 engages the control member 38 not only in the coupled state but also in the uncoupled state (<figref idref="f0004">9</figref>), wherein the bolt 12 and the control element 38 are movably connected to one another. In particular, a relative rotation about the longitudinal axis K of the coupling bolt 48 (<figref idref="f0007">15</figref>), as well as a relative translation in the direction of the arrow 62 or in the opposite direction possible (<figref idref="f0004">9</figref>).

0056The lock 10 also has a locking element 68 which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is designed as a locking pin on the control element 38, which extends coaxially with the coupling bolt 48 from the second prong 44.2 to an outside of the control fork 40. The locking element 68 can be adjusted between a locking position, in which the bolt 12 is locked in its locked position by the locking element 68, and a release position, in which the bolt 12 can be moved into its unlocked position. In order to block movement of the bolt 12 out of its locking position, the blocking element 68 can be engaged with a component of the lock 10 in its blocking position. In the exemplary embodiment shown, provision is made for the blocking element 68 in the blocking position to engage with a non-movable housing of the lock 10, specifically with a housing wall 70 (<figref idref="f0004">9</figref>). For this purpose, an opening 72 is made in the housing wall 70 , which receives the blocking element 68 in its blocked state and blocks a movement of the blocking element 68 along the longitudinal axis L of the bolt 12 .

0057Since blocking element 68 is formed on control element 38, which is always connected to bolt 12 by means of coupling bolt 48 and specifically by means of second coupling bolt section 48.2, which is coaxial with blocking element 68, the locking of blocking element 68 in the blocking position also causes a movement of the Bolt 12 blocked along its longitudinal axis L and thus moving into the unlocked position.

0058The adjustment of the locking element 68 from the locked position according to<figref idref="f0004">9</figref> into the release position takes place by means of the electric motor 56. By this the control element 38 moves linearly along the direction 62 (<figref idref="f0004">9</figref>), the blocking element 68 is released from the opening 72 of the housing wall 70 and thus a movement along the longitudinal axis L of the bolt 12 is made possible.

0059The movement of the blocking element 68 into the release position is accompanied by a transfer of the coupling element 18 into its coupling state, so that on the one hand the movement of the bolt 12 into the unlocked position is no longer blocked by the blocking element and on the other hand an actuation of the actuating element 14 actually causes the bolt to be adjusted 12 allows in the unlocked position.

0060On the other hand, according to the embodiment shown, when the blocking element 68 is in the blocking position, the coupling element 18 is also in its decoupling state. Thus, on the one hand, the actuation of the bolt 12 by means of the actuating element 14 and thus also the manipulation of the lock 10 is excluded, while the blocking element 68 additionally prevents an unintentional adjustment of the bolt 12 into the unlocked position.

0061It goes without saying that the locking element 68 must be aligned with the opening 72 of the housing wall so that the locking element 68 can be brought into engagement with the opening 72, ie it can therefore move into it. In other words, the transfer of the blocking element 68 from the release position back into the blocking position presupposes that the bolt 12 is in its locking position. If, on the other hand, bolt 12 does not return completely to its locking position starting from its unlocked position, for example because the energy store to be secured was not inserted correctly, the locking element 68 coupled to bolt 12 cannot either move into the opening 72 and consequently not reach its blocked position. Correspondingly, in this case the coupling element 18 does not reach its decoupling state, ie it is not decoupled from the bolt 12 .

0062Since the locking element 68 is moved from the release position back into the locking position by means of the electric motor 56, the electric motor 56 can be used to monitor whether the locking element 68 has reached its locking position or not. For example, the electric motor 56 can be a stepper motor, which can be used to detect how far the blocking element 68 can actually be moved. Alternatively, it can be concluded from an increased power consumption of the electric motor 68 that the blocking element 68 abuts against the housing wall 70 instead of moving into the opening 72 .

0063If it is determined by means of electric motor 56 that blocking element 68 cannot reach its blocking position and bolt 12 is therefore not in its locking position, a corresponding warning can be issued to the user of lock 10 so that the user can check the functional status of lock 10 and/or can check the position of the energy store and correct it if necessary. Specifically, the warning, e.g in the form of an optical and/or acoustic feedback, on an on-board computer of the electric bicycle, on a mobile phone of the user and/or on the lock 10 itself.

Reference List

0064<dl id="dl0002" compact="compact"><dt>10</dt><dd>Lock</dd><dt>12</dt><dd>bars</dd><dt>12.1</dt><dd>locking section</dd><dt>12.2</dt><dd>control slope</dd><dt>14</dt><dd>actuator</dd><dt>16</dt><dd>handle</dd><dt>18</dt><dd>coupling element</dd><dt>20</dt><dd>guide section</dd><dt>21</dt><dd>guide shaft</dd><dt>22</dt><dd>transfer section</dd><dt>24</dt><dd>first oblique control surface</dd><dt>26</dt><dd>second inclined control surface</dd><dt>28</dt><dd>Feather</dd><dt>30</dt><dd>Bearing recess of the coupling element</dd><dt>32</dt><dd>Bearing extension of the coupling element</dd><dt>34</dt><dd>annular bearing recess of the bolt</dd><dt>36</dt><dd>Bearing tongues of the bolt</dd><dt>38</dt><dd>control</dd><dt>40</dt><dd>control fork</dd><dt>42</dt><dd>suspension brace</dd><dt>44.1</dt><dd>first prong</dd><dt>44.2</dt><dd>second prong</dd><dt>46</dt><dd>enclosed area</dd><dt>48</dt><dd>coupling bolt</dd><dt>48.1</dt><dd>first coupling bolt section</dd><dt>48.2</dt><dd>second coupling bolt section</dd><dt>50</dt><dd>Gap of the coupling bolt</dd><dt>52</dt><dd>Passage opening of the coupling element</dd><dt>54.1</dt><dd>first opening of the bolt</dd><dt>54.2</dt><dd>second passage opening of the bolt</dd><dt>56</dt><dd>electric motor</dd><dt>58</dt><dd>articulated gutter</dd><dt>60</dt><dd>swivel arm</dd><dt>62</dt><dd>Direction of linear movement of the control</dd><dt>63</dt><dd>shaft of the electric motor</dd><dt>64</dt><dd>rounded wall sections of the joint channel</dd><dt>65</dt><dd>Pivoting direction of the swivel arm</dd><dt>66</dt><dd>cam section</dd><dt>68</dt><dd>blocking element</dd><dt>70</dt><dd>housing wall</dd><dt>72</dt><dd>opening of the housing wall</dd></dl><dl id="dl0003" compact="compact"><dt>L</dt><dd>Longitudinal axis of the bolt and the coupling element</dd><dt>D</dt><dd>lateral expansion of the coupling element</dd><dt>S</dt><dd>lateral width of the guide shaft</dd><dt>B</dt><dd>Actuating axis of the actuating element</dd><dt>K</dt><dd>Longitudinal axis of the coupling bolt</dd></dl>