AT526704B1 - locking device for a locking element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking device (9) for a locking element (4) with a lock tongue (8) arranged thereon. The locking device (9) comprises: - a base element (10); - a bolt (17) for locking the lock tongue (8); - a pivot lever arrangement (37), wherein the bolt (17) is secured in its locking position (18) in the blocking position (38) of the pivot lever arrangement (37); - an electrical actuator (54) which is coupled to the pivot lever arrangement (37) and with which the pivot lever arrangement (37) can be moved between the blocking position (38) and a release position (39); - an actuator return spring (55); - a latch slide (62).

Description

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a locking device for a closing element.

[0002] WO2021064783A1 discloses a locking device with an electric actuator. The locking device known from WO2021064783A1 has the disadvantage that it has a less robust construction and can therefore be broken open.

[0003] The documents CN 206581726 U, CN 215859542 U, US 11213102 B1, CN 111173384 A, EP 3483331 B1 and WO 2005118989 A1 all show locking devices for a locking element with a lock tongue arranged thereon, comprising at least a base element, a bolt and an electrical actuator with a return element.

[0004] The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide an improved locking device.

[0005] This object is achieved by a locking device and a method according to the claims.

[0006] According to the invention, a locking device for a locking element is designed with a lock tongue arranged on the locking element. The locking device comprises: - a base element;

- a latch, wherein the latch is movably received on the base element between a locking position and an unlocking position, wherein the latch serves to lock the lock tongue in the locking position;

- a pivot lever arrangement, wherein the pivot lever arrangement is movably received on the base element between a blocking position and a release position, wherein the pivot lever arrangement comprises a pivot lever pin and a pivot lever with a first lever part and a second lever part, wherein the pivot lever pin is guided in an elongated hole guide of the base element, wherein the latch is secured in its locking position by the pivot lever pin in the blocking position of the pivot lever arrangement;

- an electric actuator, wherein the electric actuator is coupled to the pivot lever arrangement and serves to move the pivot lever arrangement between the blocking position and the release position;

- an actuator return spring, wherein the actuator return spring serves to move the pivot lever arrangement from the release position into the blocking position, wherein the spring force of the actuator return spring acts on the pivot lever arrangement in such a way that it is urged into the blocking position;

- a latch slide, wherein the latch slide is movably received on the base element between a retracted position and an ejected position, wherein the latch slide has a contact surface for contacting the lock tongue and wherein the latch slide has a further contact surface for contacting the first lever part of the pivot lever, wherein the pivot lever is arranged in the base element in such a way that when the latch slide is moved from the ejected position to the retracted position, the further contact surface of the latch slide rests on the first lever part of the pivot lever and the second lever part of the pivot lever rests on a pivot lever contact surface of the bolt and the bolt is moved from its unlocked position to its locked position.

[0007] The locking device according to the invention has the advantage that it can have a simple and at the same time robust construction and, moreover, a simple electrical actuation of the locking device can be achieved, whereby this is less susceptible to errors.

[0008] The design of the latch slide also has the advantage that the penetration of dirt and water into the interior of the locking device can be reduced.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments of the locking device provide that the electrical actuator is designed such that the pivot lever arrangement in the energized state of the

electrical actuator is moved into the release position, or that the electrical actuator comprises a magnetic coil and an armature, wherein the armature is moved into the release position when the magnetic coil is energized.

[0010] The development of the device, according to which the electrical actuator comprises a permanent magnet, wherein in the release position, in a non-energized state of the magnetic coil, a holding force of the permanent magnet acting on the armature keeps the armature displaced into the release position, provides reliable protection against the locking device being accidentally or unintentionally closed. In particular, this provides child safety in the case of parcel machines with large compartments in which small children could lock themselves in.

[0011] Furthermore, it can be expedient if the pivot lever arrangement is coupled to the electrical actuator by means of an unlocking fork, wherein the unlocking fork has a first unlocking fork arm with a first through hole and a second unlocking fork arm with a second through hole, wherein the pivot lever pin is rotatably received in the first through hole and in the second through hole. This has the advantage that the pivot lever arrangement can be easily coupled to the electrical actuator by this measure.

[0012] Furthermore, it can be provided that the base element has a base and a first wall element and a second wall element adjoining the base in a U-shape, in particular that a first elongated hole guide for the pivot lever pin is formed in the first wall element and a second elongated hole guide for the pivot lever pin is formed in the second wall element. Good functionality of the locking device can be achieved in particular by means of such a structure.

[0013] In particular, it can be provided that the base element is designed in one piece. Furthermore, it can be provided that the base element is designed as a formed sheet metal part.

[0014] Furthermore, it can be provided that the latch has a latch tongue, wherein the latch tongue faces the bottom of the base element and wherein the latch tongue has a first distance from the bottom in the latching position of the latch, and the latch tongue has a second distance from the bottom in the latching position, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance, wherein the latch tongue is designed to engage in a recess in the latch tongue. A simple locking of the latch tongue can be achieved by such a structure.

[0015] Another advantageous embodiment is one in which the latch can have a first latch leg and a second latch leg, with a first contact surface for the pivot lever pin to rest on at least the first latch leg and a first latch leg recess for receiving the pivot lever pin being formed adjacent to the first contact surface, with the pivot lever pin resting on the first contact surface in the blocking position and the pivot lever pin being received in the first latch leg recess in the release position. This measure enables the latch to be secured in a simple and effective manner.

[0016] Furthermore, it can be provided that in order to transfer the pivot lever arrangement from the blocking position into the release position, the pivot lever pin is displaceable in the axial direction between a first axial position and a second axial position, wherein the pivot lever pin is positioned in line with the first contact surface in the first axial position and that the pivot lever pin is positioned in line with the first recess in the second axial position.

[0017] According to a further development, it is possible for a latch slide spring to be formed which acts on the latch slide, whereby the latch slide is urged into the ejection position by means of the latch slide spring. This has the advantage that this measure makes it possible to easily eject the lock tongue.

[0018] Furthermore, it may be expedient if an actuator holder is designed, wherein the

Actuator holder is accommodated on the base element, wherein the electrical actuator is accommodated in the actuator holder, wherein the actuator holder has a receiving space for receiving the electrical actuator and a detent spring element for holding the electrical actuator in the receiving space. This measure makes it possible to accommodate different types of actuators in the locking device by means of simple structural adaptation.

[0019] Furthermore, it can be provided that contact elements are formed in the actuator holder and that counter-contact elements are formed on the actuator, wherein when the actuator is inserted, the contact elements establish an electrically conductive connection with the counter-contact elements. This has the advantage that the actuator can be easily inserted into the actuator holder without having to separately establish the electrical connections. This makes it possible to simplify the manufacture of the locking device, particularly in series production.

[0020] In particular, the contact elements can be arranged on a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board can be accommodated on the actuator holder and thus form part of the actuator holder. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the actuator holder is designed directly as a printed circuit board and has the contact elements.

[0021] Furthermore, it can be provided that a pin is arranged in the latch slide so that it can be moved between a retracted position and a blocked position, wherein the pin is designed to protrude in relation to the contact surface of the latch slide in the blocked position and blocks the bolt from being transferred into the locking position, wherein the pin is forced into the retracted position when the lock tongue is placed against the contact surface of the latch slide. This measure can make manipulation of the locking device more difficult.

[0022] According to a particular embodiment, it is possible for the first latch leg recess to have a first lifting surface which is designed to engage the pivot lever pin, the first lifting surface being designed at an angle to the elongated hole extension of the first elongated hole guide, so that when the pivot lever pin engages the first lifting surface, the latch is forced from the locking position into the unlocking position. This measure makes it possible to transfer the latch from the locking position into the unlocking position by means of the actuator.

[0023] Furthermore, it can be provided that the angle is determined when the latch is in its locking position. In particular, it can be provided that the angle is an obtuse angle. Furthermore, it can be provided that the angle is between 91° and 179°, in particular between 100° and 135°, preferably between 105° and 120°.

[0024] Furthermore, it can be provided that a first front wall surface is formed on the first locking leg recess. Furthermore, it can be provided that a second front wall surface is formed on the second locking leg recess.

[0025] According to an advantageous development, it can be provided that the first locking leg has a first nose which is received in a first recess in the first wall element of the base element and that the second locking leg has a second nose which is received in a second recess in the second wall element of the base element. This measure makes it possible to easily connect the locking device to the base element. In particular, it can be provided that the noses or recesses are designed in such a way that the locking device can be pivotably received in the base element.

[0026] In particular, it can be advantageous if a locking tongue receptacle is formed in the base of the base element, wherein the locking tongue protrudes into the locking tongue receptacle in the locking position of the bolt. This has the advantage that the holding force of the bolt can be improved by this measure or the locking tongue can be made smaller.

[0027] According to the invention, a method for operating a locking device for a

Locking element with a lock tongue arranged thereon is provided. The locking device comprises:

- a basic element;

- a latch, wherein the latch is movably received on the base element between a locking position and an unlocking position, wherein the latch serves to lock the lock tongue in the locking position;

- a pivot lever arrangement, wherein the pivot lever arrangement is movably received on the base element between a blocking position and a release position, wherein the pivot lever arrangement comprises a pivot lever pin and a pivot lever with a first lever part and a second lever part, wherein the pivot lever pin is guided in an elongated hole guide of the base element, wherein the latch is secured in its locking position by the pivot lever pin in the blocking position of the pivot lever arrangement;

- an electrical actuator, wherein the electrical actuator is coupled to the pivot lever arrangement and serves to move the pivot lever arrangement between the blocking position and the release position, wherein the electrical actuator is designed such that the pivot lever arrangement is moved into the release position when the electrical actuator is energized;

- an actuator return spring, wherein the actuator return spring serves to move the pivot lever arrangement from the release position into the blocking position, wherein the spring force of the actuator return spring acts on the pivot lever arrangement in such a way that it is urged into the blocking position;

- a latch slide, wherein the latch slide is movably received on the base element between a retracted position and an ejected position, wherein the latch slide has a contact surface for contacting the lock tongue and wherein the latch slide has a further contact surface for contacting the first lever part of the pivot lever, wherein the pivot lever is arranged in the base element in such a way that when the latch slide is moved from the ejected position to the retracted position, the further contact surface of the latch slide rests on the first lever part of the pivot lever and the second lever part of the pivot lever rests on a pivot lever contact surface of the bolt and the bolt is moved from its unlocked position to its locked position.

The procedure includes the following steps:

- Providing an initial position in which the bolt is in the unlocking position, the pivot lever arrangement is in the release position and the latch slide is in the ejection position;

- Inserting the lock tongue into the locking device, wherein the lock tongue rests on the contact surface of the latch slide and moves the latch slide from the ejection position to the retraction position, wherein the further contact surface rests on the first lever part of the pivot lever and the second lever part of the pivot lever rests on the pivot lever contact surface of the bolt and the bolt is moved from its unlocking position to its locking position by means of the pivot lever, wherein the pivot lever arrangement is moved from the release position to the blocking position by the spring force of the actuator return spring when the bolt is in the locking position;

- Holding the lock tongue in the locking position by means of the latch;

- Unlocking the lock tongue by energizing the electrical actuator, whereby the pivot lever arrangement moves from the blocking position to the release position against the spring force of the actuator return spring and wherein the bolt is released for movement from the locking position to the unlocking position as soon as the pivot lever arrangement is in the release position, wherein as the bolt moves from the locking position to the unlocking position, the latch slide moves from the retraction position to the ejection position and ejects the lock tongue.

[0028] The method according to the invention has the advantage that a simple electrical actuation of the locking device can be achieved, which is less susceptible to errors.

[0029] It is also advantageous if the electric actuator is provided with a magnetic coil, with

an armature and a permanent magnet and, when the magnetic coil is de-energized, the armature is held in the release position by a holding force of the permanent magnet acting on the armature. This can reliably prevent the locking device from being closed accidentally or unintentionally.

[0030] It is also advantageous if, in a further process step, a short current pulse is passed through the magnetic coil, thereby generating a magnetic field which weakens the magnetic field of the permanent magnet.

[0031] Furthermore, it can be provided that the position of the latch slide is detected by means of a sensor, whereby on the basis of the sensor signal a computer calculates whether the lock tongue is correctly inserted. This has the advantage that the correct closing or opening of the locking element can be monitored by means of the sensor.

[0032] Furthermore, it can be provided that a correct locking of the latch can be determined by evaluating an inductance of a coil of the actuator.

[0033] Another advantageous embodiment is one in which it can be provided that, when the positioning of the latch slide in the retracted position is detected and the latch slide is then moved from the retracted position towards the ejection position, misuse of the locking device is detected and the actuator is energized to unlock it. This has the advantage that, if the locking device is misused, this measure can prevent any associated malfunction as far as possible.

[0034] In a first embodiment, it can be provided that the pivot lever pin and the pivot lever of the pivot lever arrangement are formed in one piece. In particular, it can be provided that the pivot lever pin and the pivot lever are manufactured in one casting.

[0035] In a second embodiment, it can be provided that the pivot lever pin and the pivot lever are formed in one piece. In particular, it can be provided that the pivot lever pin and the pivot lever are formed from different components which are inseparably coupled to one another. For example, the pivot lever pin can be pressed into the pivot lever. Furthermore, the pivot lever pin can be welded to the pivot lever.

[0036] In a third embodiment, it can be provided that the pivot lever pin is accommodated in the pivot lever and is secured against falling out by means of a loss prevention device. In particular, it can be provided that the pivot lever pin and the pivot lever are formed from different components which are coupled to one another in a dismantled manner.

[0037] A locking element within the meaning of this document can be, for example, a door of a locker or other storage space, such as a parcel machine. A locking element within the meaning of this document can also be, for example, a door or a window in a building.

[0038] For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0039] They show in a highly simplified, schematic representation:

[0040] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a closing element with a locking device;

[0041] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the locking device;

[0042] Fig. 3 is a perspective half-section view of the first embodiment of the locking device in an unlocking position;

[0043] Fig. 4 is a perspective half-section view of the first embodiment of the locking device in a locking position;

[0044] Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the locking device according to the section line V-V in Fig. 4 in the locking position;

[0045] Fig. 6 is a perspective half-sectional view of a second embodiment of the locking device in an unlocking position with a half-inserted latch slide;

[0046] Fig. 7 is a perspective half-section view of the second embodiment of the locking device in a locking position;

[0047] Fig. 8 shows a third embodiment of the locking device in a locking position shown in perspective;

[0048] Fig. 9 shows the locking device according to Fig. 8 in an unlocking position in a perspective half-section.

[0049] To begin with, it should be noted that in the variously described embodiments, identical parts are provided with identical reference symbols or identical component designations, whereby the disclosures contained in the entire description can be transferred analogously to identical parts with identical reference symbols or identical component designations. The position information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., also refers to the figure directly described and shown, and these position information must be transferred analogously to the new position in the event of a change in position.

[0050] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a perspective view of a first embodiment of a parcel machine 1. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the parcel machine 1 can have one or more compartments 2. The compartment 2 can have an opening 3, which can be opened or closed by means of a closing element 4.

[0051] Furthermore, it can be provided that the locking element 4 can be arranged on a base frame 7 of the parcel machine 1 by means of a pivot joint 5 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 6. Furthermore, it can be provided that a lock tongue 8 is arranged on the locking element 4, which can serve to lock the locking element 4 in conjunction with a locking device 9. The locking device 9 can be arranged or accommodated on the base frame 7 of the parcel machine 1. In the other figures, a first embodiment of the lock tongue 8 or the locking device 9 is described in detail.

[0052] Fig. 2 shows a perspective exploded view of the individual components of a first embodiment of the locking device 9, wherein these are shown in Fig. 3 in a perspective sectional view in a first position and in Fig. 4 in a perspective sectional view in a second position. Fig. 4 also shows the first embodiment of the locking device 9 in the second position, wherein a section according to the section line V-V from Fig. 4 was chosen for a better overview.

[0053] The first embodiment of the locking device 9 can be installed in a parcel machine 1, as described by way of example in Fig. 1, but the first embodiment of the locking device 9 can also be used in another connection in conjunction with a locking element 4. For example, in lockers, doors in buildings or other applications.

[0054] As can be seen from Fig. 2, it can be provided that the locking device 9 comprises a base element 10. The base element 10 can be designed in the form of a sheet metal formed part. In particular, it can be provided that the base element 10 has a base 11. Furthermore, it can be provided that a first wall element 12 and a second wall element 13 are formed in a U-shape adjacent to the base 11. In particular, it can be provided that a first slot guide 14 is arranged in the first wall element 12. Furthermore,

ters, it can be provided that a second elongated hole guide 15 is arranged in the second wall element 13. The first elongated hole guide 14 can have an elongated hole extension 16.

[0055] As can be seen from Figures 2 to 4, it can be provided that the locking device 9 comprises a bolt 17. The bolt 17 can be accommodated or arranged on the base element 10 so as to be displaceable between a locking position 18 and an unlocking position 19.

[0056] In the illustration according to Fig. 3, the latch 17 is in its unlocking position 19. In the illustration according to Figs. 4 and 5, the latch 17 is in its locking position 18.

[0057] The latch 17 can have a first latch leg 20 and a second latch leg 21. It can also be provided that the first latch leg 20 and the second latch leg 21 are coupled to one another on a latch base 22. In particular, it can be provided that the first latch leg 20 and the second latch leg 21 are arranged in a U-shape on the latch base 22. It can also be provided that the latch 17 is designed as a formed sheet metal part. In particular, it can be provided that the latch 17 is designed as a stamped part.

[0058] Furthermore, it can be provided that a first contact surface 23 is formed on the first locking leg 20. Furthermore, it can be provided that a second contact surface 24 is formed on the second locking leg 21. Furthermore, it can be provided that a first nose 25 is formed on the first locking leg 20. Furthermore, it can be provided that a second nose 26 is formed on the second locking leg 21. The first nose 25 or the second nose 26 can be arranged on an end of the respective locking legs 20, 21 facing away from the locking base 22.

[0059] Furthermore, it can be provided that a first recess 27 is formed in the first wall element 12 of the base element 10, which serves to receive the first nose 25. Furthermore, it can be provided that a second recess 28 is formed in the second wall element 13 of the base element 10, which serves to receive the second nose 26. In particular, it can be provided that the recesses 27, 28 together with the noses 25, 26 enable the latch 17 to be movably received in the base element 10. In particular, it can be provided that the first recess 27 or the second recess 28 and the interaction with the noses 25, 26 enable the latch 17 to be pivotably received. A virtual pivot axis 29 can be formed in the region of the two recesses 27, 28.

[0060] As can also be seen from Fig. 2, it can be provided that the latch 17 has a latch tongue 30. In particular, it can be provided that the latch tongue 30 is arranged on the latch base 22. The latch tongue 30 can serve to hold or lock the lock tongue 8. In particular, it can be provided that a latch tongue recess 31 is formed in the lock tongue 8, wherein in the locking position 18 of the latch 17 the latch tongue 30 can protrude through the latch tongue receptacle 33 of the lock tongue 8 and thus the lock tongue 8 can be fixed in the locking device 9. Furthermore, it can be provided that one or more fastening holes 32 are formed in the lock tongue 8, wherein the fastening holes 32 can serve to fasten the lock tongue 8 to the locking element 4.

[0061] Furthermore, it can be provided that a pivot lever contact surface 33 is formed on the latch base 22, in particular opposite the latch tongue 30.

[0062] As can be seen from Figs. 2 to 4, it can be provided that a locking tongue receptacle 34 is formed in the bottom 11 of the base element 10.

[0063] As can be seen particularly well from Fig. 4, it can be provided that in the locking position 18 of the bolt 17, the bolt tongue 30 protrudes through the bolt tongue recess 31 of the lock tongue 8 into the bolt tongue receptacle 34 of the base 11 of the base element 10. The bolt tongue receptacle 34 can serve to support the bolt 17.

and thus increase the resistance of the locking device 9.

[0064] As can be seen from Fig. 3, it can be provided that the locking tongue 30 is arranged in the unlocking position 19 at a first distance 35 from the floor 11. The first distance 35 can be so large that the lock tongue 8 can be inserted under the locking tongue 30.

[0065] As can be seen from Fig. 4, it can be provided that the locking tongue 30 can be arranged in the locking position 18 of the latch 17 at a second distance 36 from the base 11 of the base element 10. As can be seen from Fig. 4, it can be provided that the second distance 36 is negative when the locking tongue 30 protrudes into the locking tongue receptacle 34 of the base 11. In designs without a locking tongue receptacle 34 in the base 11 of the base element 10, the second distance 36 can be zero or have a small positive value.

[0066] As can be seen from Figures 2 to 4, it can be provided that a pivot lever arrangement 37 is formed. The pivot lever arrangement 37 can be displaceable between a blocking position 38 and a release position 39.

[0067] In the illustration according to Fig. 3, the pivot lever arrangement 37 is in its release position 39. In the illustration according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the pivot lever arrangement 37 is in its blocking position 38.

[0068] As can be seen from Figs. 2 to 5, it can be provided that the pivot lever arrangement 37 comprises a pivot lever pin 40 and a pivot lever 41.

[0069] The pivot lever 41 can have a pivot lever bore 42 in which the pivot lever pin 40 can be received. Furthermore, it can be provided that the pivot lever 41 comprises a first lever part 43 and a second lever part 44. The first lever part 43 can have a first lever part contact surface 45. The second lever part 44 can have a second lever part contact surface 46. In particular, it can be provided that the second lever part contact surface 46 serves to contact the pivot lever contact surface 33 of the latch 17. The first lever part contact surface 45 and the second lever part contact surface 46 can each be arranged at a distance from the pivot lever pin 40.

[0070] Furthermore, it can be provided that an unlocking fork 47 is formed, which serves to move the pivot lever arrangement 37 between the blocking position 38 and the release position 39. The unlocking fork 47 can have a first unlocking fork arm 48 and a second unlocking fork arm 49. The first unlocking fork arm 48 can have a first through-hole 50. The second unlocking fork arm 49 can have a second through-hole 51. The first through-hole 50 or the second through-hole 51 can serve to receive the pivot lever pin 40.

[0071] Furthermore, it can be provided that in the assembled state the pivot lever 41 is arranged between the first unlocking fork arm 48 and the second unlocking fork arm 49. The pivot lever pin 40 can extend through the first through hole 50 and the second through hole 51 and the pivot lever hole 42 and can also extend into the first elongated hole guide 14 and the second elongated hole guide 15.

[0072] In a first embodiment, it can be provided that the pivoting lever pin 40 is accommodated in the pivoting lever bore 42 in a torsionally rigid manner. This can be achieved, for example, by pressing the pivoting lever pin 40 into the pivoting lever bore 42. In this first embodiment, the pivoting lever pin 40 can be accommodated in the first through-bore 50 or in the second through-bore 51 so as to be pivotable relative to the release fork 47. This can be achieved, for example, by a clearance between the through-bores 50, 51 and the pivoting lever pin 40.

[0073] In a second embodiment, it can be provided that the pivot lever pin 40 is pivotably received in the pivot lever bore 42. This can be achieved, for example, by a clearance fit between the pivot lever pin 40 and the pivot lever.

bore 42. In this first embodiment, the pivot lever pin 40 can be accommodated in the first through-bore 50 or in the second through-bore 51 in a torsionally rigid manner relative to the release fork 47. This can be achieved, for example, by pressing the pivot lever pin 40 into the through-bores 50, 51.

[0074] As can also be seen from Fig. 2, it can be provided that the first unlocking fork arm 48 and the second unlocking fork arm 49 are coupled to one another on an unlocking fork base 52. It can also be provided that an actuator connection 53 is formed on the unlocking fork base 52, which serves to couple the unlocking fork 47 to an electrical actuator 54. Through these measures, the electrical actuator 54 can be coupled to the pivot lever arrangement 37 and serve to move the pivot lever arrangement 37 between the blocking position 38 and the release position 39.

[0075] In particular, it can be provided that the electrical actuator 54 is designed as a monostable actuator which, in the de-energized state, is designed to assume its extension position and thus to force the pivot lever arrangement 37 into its blocking position 38. This can be achieved, for example, by an actuator return spring 55. Furthermore, it can be provided that the electrical actuator 54 has a magnetic coil which, in the energized state, moves the pivot lever arrangement 37 into its release position 39 against the spring force of the actuator return spring 55.

[0076] In an alternative embodiment, it can also be provided that the electric actuator 54 is designed as a linear motor or as a bistable actuator, wherein by means of the electric actuator 54 the pivot lever arrangement 37 can be moved as desired between the blocking position 38 and the release position 39 and can be held in the blocking position 38 and in the release position 39.

[0077] As can be seen from Figs. 2 to 5, it can be provided that a first latch leg recess 56 is formed in the first latch leg 20 of the latch 17. Furthermore, it can be provided that a second latch leg recess 57 is formed in the second latch leg 21 of the latch 17.

[0078] The first locking leg recess 56 can be arranged adjacent to the first contact surface 23. The second locking leg recess 57 can be arranged adjacent to the second contact surface 24.

[0079] As can be seen from Fig. 3, it can be provided that when the pivot lever arrangement 37 is displaced into its release position 39, the latch 17 can be displaced into its unlocking position 19, wherein the pivot lever pin 40 can be received in the first latch leg recess 56 and in the second latch leg recess 57.

[0080] As can be seen from Fig. 2 and 5, it can be provided that a first lifting surface 58 is arranged in the region of the first locking leg recess 56. The first lifting surface 58 can be arranged at an angle 59 to the elongated hole extension 16.

[0081] The angle 59 can be an obtuse angle. In particular, it can be provided that the angle 59, as can be seen from Fig. 5, is determined in the position of the locking device 9 when the bolt 17 is in its locking position 18.

[0082] Analogous to the first lifting surface 58, it can be provided that a second lifting surface 60 is formed in the region of the second locking leg recess 57. The first lifting surface 58 and the second lifting surface 60 can lie in a common plane. The angle 59 for the first lifting surface 58 and the second lifting surface 60 can therefore be the same size.

[0083] As can be seen particularly well from Fig. 5, it can be provided that the first lifting surface 58 is dimensioned such that it has a projection 61 relative to the first contact surface 23. The projection 61 can be greater than half the diameter of the pivot lever pin 40. In particular, it can be provided that the projection 61 is between 70% and 130% of the diameter of the pivot lever pin 40.

[0084] When the pivot lever arrangement 37 is transferred from its blocking position 38 to its release position 39, it can be provided that the pivot lever pin 40 comes to rest on the first lifting surface 58 or on the second lifting surface 60. As a result, the latch 17 can be moved from its locking position 18 to its unlocking position 19.

[0085] As can be seen from Figs. 2 to 4, it can be provided that a latch slide 62 is formed, which serves to engage with the lock tongue 8.

[0086] In particular, it can be provided that the latch slide 62 has a contact surface 63 for contact with the lock tongue 8. Furthermore, it can be provided that the latch slide 62 is slidably received on the base element 10 between an ejection position 64 and a retraction position 65.

[0087] In the illustration according to Fig. 3, the latch slide 62 is in its ejection position 64. In the illustration according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the latch slide 62 is in its retraction position 65. Furthermore, it can be provided that a latch slide spring 66 is formed, by means of which the latch slide 62 is urged or pre-tensioned into its ejection position 64. In the unloaded state, the latch slide 62 can thus be urged into its ejection position 64.

[0088] As can also be seen from Figures 2 to 4, it can be provided that the latch slide 62 has a further contact surface 67, which serves to support the first lever part 43 of the pivot lever 41. In particular, it can be provided that the first lever part contact surface 45 can be brought into contact with the further contact surface 67 of the latch slide 62.

[0089] When the latch slide 62 is moved from its ejection position 64 into its retraction position 65, the further contact surface 67 of the latch slide 62 can rest on the first lever part contact surface 45, whereby the pivot lever 41 can be pivoted and whereby the second lever part 44, in particular the second lever part contact surface 46, can be brought into contact with the pivot lever contact surface 43 of the latch 17 and whereby the latch 17 can be transferred from its unlocking position 19 into its locking position 18.

[0090] Furthermore, it can be provided that a holding surface 68 is formed on the latch slide 62, wherein in the ejection position 64 of the latch slide 62 the locking tongue 30 of the latch 17 can rest on the holding surface 68, whereby the latch 17 can be held in its unlocking position 19. In particular, it can be provided that the holding surface 68 is designed in such a way that self-locking occurs and the latch 17 can be reliably held in its unlocking position 19. This can be achieved, for example, by aligning the holding surface 68 parallel to the floor 11.

[0091] As can also be seen from Figs. 2 to 4, it can be provided that an actuator holder 69 is formed, which serves to receive the electrical actuator 54. In particular, it can be provided that the actuator holder 69 has a receiving space 70 for receiving the electrical actuator 54. Furthermore, it can be provided that one or more locking spring elements 71 are arranged on the actuator holder 69, which serve to fix the electrical actuator 54 in the receiving space 70. In particular, it can be provided that the actuator holder 69 is formed from a plastic part. An injection-molded part can be used here, for example.

[0092] Furthermore, it can be provided that one or more contact elements 72 are formed in the actuator holder 69, wherein one or more counter-contact elements 73 are formed on the actuator 54 and that, in the inserted state of the actuator, the contact elements 72 establish an electrically conductive connection with the counter-contact elements 73.

[0093] Furthermore, it can be provided that a sensor 74 is formed, by means of which the position of the latch slide 62 can be determined. In particular, it can be provided that the sensor 74 is coupled to a computer 75 in which the sensor data can be evaluated and control commands can be set. In particular, it can be provided that

that the computer 75 serves to control the electrical actuator 54.

[0094] As can be seen particularly well in Fig. 2, it can be provided that one or more first insertion openings 76 are formed in the first wall element 12 of the base element 10, each of which serves to insert a first insertion element 77. Similarly, it can be provided that one or more second insertion openings 78 are formed in the second wall element 13 of the base element 10, which serve to receive a second insertion element 79. The first insertion element 77 or the second insertion element 79 can be inserted from the outside into the first wall element 12 or the second wall element 13 and protrude through the wall element 12, 13 inwards, so that a guide surface can be created by the insertion element 77, 79. The insertion elements 77, 79 can thus guide the latch slide 62.

[0095] In an alternative embodiment, not shown, it can also be provided that beads or other inwardly projecting elevations are arranged in the wall elements 12, 13, which serve to guide the latch slide 62 instead of the insertion elements 77, 79.

[0096] As can also be seen from Fig. 2, it can be provided that a cover housing 80 is formed, which can serve to accommodate the base element 10 or which can cover the base element 10. The cover housing 80 can be designed in the form of a plastic part. In particular, it can be provided that the cover housing 80 is made as an injection-molded part.

[0097] The function of the first embodiment of the locking device 9 will now be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5.

[0098] In an initial position, as shown in Fig. 3, the bolt 17 can be in its unlocking position 19. The latch slide 62 can be in its ejection position 64, being held in its ejection position 64 by the latch slide spring 66. The latch tongue 30 of the bolt 17 can rest on the holding surface 68 of the latch slide 62, whereby the bolt 17 can be held in its unlocking position 19. The pivot lever arrangement 37 can be in its release position 39, wherein the pivot lever pin 40 can be received in the first latch leg recess 56 or in the second latch leg recess 57.

[0099] The spring force of the actuator return spring 55 can force or pre-tension the pivot lever arrangement 37 into its blocking position 38, whereby the pivot lever pin 40 can rest against a first front wall surface 81 of the first locking leg recess 56 or against a second front wall surface 82 of the second locking leg recess 57. This positive locking can prevent the pivot lever arrangement 37 from moving into the release position 39 in a form-fitting manner and, when the electric actuator 54 is not energized, this position can be held stable as shown in Fig. 3.

[00100] When the lock tongue 8 is inserted, it can come into contact with the contact surface 63 of the latch slide 62, whereby the latter is displaced from its ejection position 64 towards its retraction position 65. Due to this displacement of the latch slide 62, the holding surface 68 can come out of engagement with the latch tongue 30, whereby the latch 17 is released for displacement into the locking position 18.

[00101] When the latch slide 62 is further displaced in the direction of its retracted position 65, the further contact surface 67 of the latch slide 62 can come into contact with the first lever part contact surface 45 of the first lever part 43, whereby the pivot lever 41 can be pivoted about the pivot lever pin 40. The second lever part contact surface 46 of the second lever part 44 can come into contact with the pivot lever contact surface 33 of the bolt 17, whereby the bolt 17 is displaced from its unlocked position 19 into its locked position 18. The bolt tongue 30 can thereby penetrate into the bolt tongue recess 31 of the lock tongue 8.

[00102] When the bolt 17 is moved sufficiently far in the direction of its locking position 18

is pushed and the pivot lever pin 40 lies outside the first latch leg recess 56 or the second latch leg recess 57, the pivot lever arrangement 37 can be moved into its blocking position 38 by the spring force of the actuator return spring 55. In this case, the pivot lever pin 40 can be arranged above the first contact surface 23 or the first contact surface 23 can rest on the pivot lever pin 40. This can ensure that the latch 17 is secured against displacement into the unlocking position 19 by means of the pivot lever pin 40. This position of the locking device 9, as shown in Fig. 4, can also be held stable when the electrical actuator 54 is de-energized, wherein the latch tongue 30 can be received in a form-fitting manner in the latch tongue recess 31 of the lock tongue 8 and removal of the lock tongue 8 can thus be blocked.

[00103] To release the lock tongue 8, the electric actuator 54 can be energized, whereby the pivot lever arrangement 37 can be moved from its blocking position 38 to its release position 39 against the spring force of the actuator return spring 55. As a result, the pivot lever pin 40 can be moved from its blocking position above the first contact surface 23 or the second contact surface 24 into the first latch leg recess 56 or into the second latch leg recess 57, whereby the latch 17 is released for movement from the locking position 18 to the unlocking position 19.

[00104] If the pivot lever pin 40 is moved further in the direction of the release position 39, the pivot lever pin 40 can come into contact with the first lifting surface 58 or the second lifting surface 60. Due to the angle 59, if the pivot lever pin 40 is moved further in the direction of the release position 39, the bolt 17 can be moved from its locking position 18 to its unlocking position 19. As soon as the bolt tongue 30 is out of engagement with the lock tongue 8, in particular outside the bolt tongue recess 31, the lock tongue 8 is ejected by means of the latch slide 62 by the spring force of the latch slide spring 66, whereby the latch slide 62 moves from its retracted position 65 to its ejection position 64.

[00105] When the latch slide 62 is completely moved into the ejection position 64, the locking tongue 30 can rest on the holding surface 68. This allows the latch 17 to be secured in its unlocking position 19. If the electrical actuator 54 is still energized, the pivot lever pin 40 can continue to rest on the first lifting surface 58 or the second lifting surface 60. If the power supply to the electric actuator 54 is now interrupted, the pivot lever arrangement 37 can shift slightly in the area of the release position 39 due to the spring force of the actuator return spring 55, so that the pivot lever pin 40 no longer rests on the first lifting surface 58 or the second lifting surface 60, but rather comes to rest on the first front wall surface 81 or the second front wall surface 82 of the first locking leg recess 56 or the second locking leg recess 57. This can now be a stable state again, as was described in connection with Fig. 3 at the beginning of the method.

[00106] In order to be able to check that the lock tongue 8 is correctly inserted into the locking device 9, it can be provided that the position of the latch slide 62 is detected by means of the sensor 74. The duration of the current supply to the electrical actuator 54 can be coupled to the current position of the latch slide 62. In particular, it can be provided that the current supply to the electrical actuator 54 is interrupted when the latch slide 62 is in its retracted position 65.

[00107] An improper displacement of the latch slide 62 from its ejection position 64 into its retraction position 65 by an object other than the lock tongue 8 can be detected by the fact that the latch slide 62 can indeed be displaced into the retraction position 65 and the bolt 17 is also displaced into its locking position 18, but after removing the object used to displace the latch slide 62, the latch slide 62 is displaced due to the spring force of the latch slide spring 66 so far in the direction of the ejection position 64 until the contact surface 63 of the latch slide 62 rests against the bolt tongue 30. This unexpected position can thus be detected by means of the sensor 74.

The opening must be detected and the electrical actuator 54 must be energized in order to return the latch 17 to its unlocking position 19.

[00108] An improper closing of the locking device 9 with an object other than the lock tongue 8 can also be achieved by mechanical measures.

[00109] Such a mechanical measure is described in the further embodiment of the locking device 9, which is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. In Fig. 6, the same reference symbols or component designations are used for the same parts as in the previous Fig. 3. And in Fig. 7, the same reference symbols or component designations are used for the same parts as in the previous Fig. 4. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the detailed description in the previous Figs. 2 to 5.

[00110] As can be seen from Fig. 6, a pin 83 can be formed which can be arranged in the latch slide 62. The pin 83 can be arranged in the latch slide 62 so that it can move between a blocking position 84 and a retracted position 85. If the latch slide 62 is moved backwards with an object other than the lock tongue 8, the pin 83 can be in its blocking position 84, as can be seen in Fig. 6, provided that this object is not pressed against the latch slide 62 in the area of the pin 83 in order to simultaneously press the pin 83. This can prevent the bolt 17 from moving into its locking position 18, since the bolt tongue 30 can rest against the pin 83. Since the pin 83 is arranged centrally in the latch slide 62, the pin 83 can be moved into its retracted position 85 using a centrally acting object, but the centrally acting object would block the movement of the bolt 17 into the locking position 18.

[00111] Only when inserting the lock tongue 8, which has the latch tongue recess 31 and has the shape characteristic of the lock tongue 8, can it be achieved that in such an embodiment the pin 83 can be moved accordingly into the retracted position 85 and the latch 17 can be transferred into the locking position 18.

[00112] A further embodiment of the locking device 9 will now be described with reference to both Figs. 8 and 9. The same reference symbols or component designations are used for the same parts as in the previous descriptions of Figs. 2 to 4.

[00113] Fig. 8 shows the locking device 9 in a perspective view in a locking position 18 of the bolt 17. In this closed position of the locking device 9, in which the lock tongue 8 is held in place by the bolt tongue 30 of the bolt 17, the pivot lever arrangement 37 is also in its blocking position 38. This means that the second lever part 44 of the pivot lever arrangement 37 prevents the bolt tongue 30 from being raised or the bolt 17 from being pivoted up into the unlocking position 19.

[00114] Fig. 9 shows the locking device 9 according to Fig. 8 in a perspective half-section view. The positions of the bolt 17 and the latch slide 62 interacting with it, as well as the pivot lever arrangement 37 with the electrical actuator 54, correspond to an open locking device 9 in which the lock tongue 8 is released. This open state of the locking device 9 is achieved by the fact that, under the action of the electrical actuator 54, the pivot lever arrangement 37 with the pivot lever pin 40 is moved from the blocking position 38 (Fig. 8) to the release position 39. This displacement of the pivot lever arrangement 37 with the pivot lever pin 40 simultaneously enables the pivot lever pin 40 to be pressed against the inclined first lifting surface 58 of the first bolt leg recess 56, whereby the bolt tongue 30 of the bolt 17 is raised. This finally enables the latch slide 62 to be moved from its retracted position 65 into the ejected position 64 by the latch slide spring 66, while at the same time the lock tongue 8 is pushed out of the locking device 9.

[00115] In the locking device 9 according to this embodiment, the electrical actuator 54 comprises not only a magnetic coil 86 but also a permanent magnet 87 as part of a common magnetic circuit. This contains not only a yoke 88 but also an armature 89 which is coupled to the pivoting lever pin 40 for generating the adjustment movement of the actuator 54. The permanent magnet 87 can ensure that the armature 89 is held in the release position 39 as soon as the release position 39 is reached, even when the actuator 54 or its magnetic coil 86 is de-energized. This can be achieved by ensuring that the holding force of the permanent magnet 87 in the fully retracted position of the armature 89 (corresponding to the release position 39) is greater than the restoring force of the actuator return spring 55. The permanent magnet 87 in the magnetic circuit of the actuator 54 thus ensures that the release position 39 is maintained even when the magnetic coil 86 is de-energized. To release the corresponding stroke end position of the armature 89 or the electric actuator 54, it is possible to temporarily cancel the restraining effect of the permanent magnet 87 by means of a short current pulse through the magnetic coil 86 with a magnetic field that weakens or reverses the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 87.

[00116] By providing the permanent magnet 87 in the electrical actuator 54, it can be ensured that the locking device 9 cannot be closed in the event of a defect, a power failure or generally in the idle state. In parcel machines 1 with a correspondingly large compartment 2, a child safety lock function can be produced by a locking device 9 according to this embodiment, that is to say with a permanent magnet 87 in the electrical actuator 54.

[00117] This reliably prevents the locking device 9 from being closed by mistake or, for example, a small child being unintentionally locked in when it is hidden in the compartment 2. The locking device 9 is only made ready to lock when an impending and intended closing is detected by the control electronics provided in the computer 75. To do this, the control electronics of the computer 75 trigger a current flow in the magnetic coil 86 that counteracts the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 87. This causes the armature 89 to be displaced under the action of the actuator return spring 55 to such an extent that the spring force of the actuator return spring 55 exceeds the holding force of the permanent magnet 87 that counteracts it, so that the spring force of the actuator return spring 55 acts on the pivot lever arrangement 37 in such a way that it is forced into the blocking position 38. If the latch slide 62 is now moved from the ejection position 64 to the retraction position 65 by the lock tongue 8 when closing the door or the locking element of the compartment 2, the bolt 17 can finally be moved from the unlocking position 19 to the locking position 18 and the pivot lever arrangement 37 can assume the blocking position 38.

[00118] In an alternative embodiment of a child safety device to the locking device 9 according to Figs. 8 and 9, the holding of the actuator 54 in the release position 39 of the pivot lever arrangement 37 can also be designed by a mechanical stepping gear or a tensioning mechanism. Such a mechanical stepping mechanism can be implemented, for example, by providing a known tensioning mechanism of a pressure pin instead of the release fork 47 in the locking device 9 according to Figs. 3 and 4. Multiple, consecutive actuations of the electrical actuator 54 cause the pivot lever arrangement 37 to change successively between the release position 39 and the blocking position 38. This can also ensure that the locking device 9 cannot be closed or locked with the lock tongue 8 in the power-off state if the release position 39 is to remain securely upright after the compartment 2 has been opened.

[00119] The scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and the drawings are to be used to interpret the claims.

[00120] Finally, for the sake of clarity, it should be noted that, in order to facilitate a better understanding of the structure, some elements have been shown not to scale and/or enlarged and/or reduced in size.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

1 Parcel machine 31 Latch tongue recess 2 Compartment 32 Mounting hole

3 Opening 33 Swivel lever contact surface 4 Locking element latch

5 Swivel joint 34 Latch tongue holder

6 swivel axis 35 first distance

7 base frame 36 second distance

8 Lock tongue 37 Swing lever arrangement

9 Locking device 38 Blocking position

10 Base element 39 Release position

11 Base 40 Swivel lever pin

12 first wall element 41 swivel lever

13 second wall element 42 swivel lever hole

14 first slot guide 43 first lever part

15 second slot guide 44 second lever part

16 Slot extension 45 First lever part contact surface 17 Latch 46 Second lever part contact surface 18 Locking position 47 Release fork

19 Unlocking position 48 first unlocking fork arm 20 first locking leg 49 second unlocking fork 21 second locking leg arm

22 latch base 50 first through hole 23 first contact surface 51 second through hole 24 second contact surface 52 release fork base

25 first nose 53 actuator connection

26 second nose 54 electric actuator

27 first recess 55 actuator return spring

28 second recess 56 first locking leg recess 29 virtual pivot axis

30 locking tongue

58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67

68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86

second bolt leg recess

first lifting surface

angle

second lifting surface overhang

Latch slide contact surface Latch slide ejection position retraction position Latch slide spring further contact surface Latch slide

holding surface

Actuator holder Receiving space Detent spring element Contact element Counter contact element Sensor

computer

first insertion opening first insertion element second insertion opening second insertion element cover housing

first front wall surface second front wall surface pin

locking position retraction position

magnetic coil

87 88 89

AT 526 704 B1 2024-10-15

permanent magnet yoke armature

Claims (1)

patent claims 1. Locking device (9) for a locking element (4) with a lock tongue (8) arranged thereon, the locking device (9) comprising: - a base element (10); - a bolt (17), wherein the bolt (17) is movably received on the base element (10) between a locking position (18) and an unlocking position (19), wherein the bolt (17) serves to lock the lock tongue (8) in the locking position (18); - a pivot lever arrangement (37), wherein the pivot lever arrangement (37) is movably received on the base element (10) between a blocking position (38) and a release position (39), wherein the pivot lever arrangement (37) comprises a pivot lever pin (40) and a pivot lever (41) with a first lever part (43) and a second lever part (44), wherein the latch (17) is secured in its locking position (18) by the pivot lever arrangement (37) in the blocking position (38) of the pivot lever arrangement (37); - an electrical actuator (54), wherein the electrical actuator (54) is coupled to the pivot lever arrangement (37) and serves to move the pivot lever arrangement (37) between the blocking position (38) and the release position (39); - an actuator return spring (55), wherein the actuator return spring (55) serves to displace the pivot lever arrangement (37) from the release position (39) into the blocking position (38), wherein the spring force of the actuator return spring (55) acts on the pivot lever arrangement (37) in such a way that it is urged into the blocking position (38); characterized in that the pivot lever pin (40) is guided in a slotted guide (14, 15) of the base element (10) and the bolt (17) is secured in its locking position (18) in the blocking position (38) of the pivot lever arrangement (37) by the pivot lever pin (40), and that a latch slide (62) is included, wherein the latch slide (62) is movably received on the base element (10) between a retracted position (65) and an ejection position (64), wherein the latch slide (62) has a contact surface (63) for contacting the lock tongue (8) and wherein the latch slide (62) has a further contact surface (67) for contacting the first lever part (43) of the pivot lever (41), wherein the pivot lever (41) is arranged in the base element (10) in such a way that when the latch slide (62) is moved from the ejection position (64) into the retracted position (65), the further contact surface (67) of the latch slide (62) rests on the first lever part (43) of the pivot lever (41) and the second lever part (44) of the pivot lever (41) rests on a pivot lever contact surface (33) of the bolt (17) and the bolt (17) is moved from its unlocked position (19) into its locked position (18). 2. Locking device (9) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical actuator (54) is designed such that the pivot lever arrangement (37) is displaced into the release position (39) in the energized state of the electrical actuator (54). 3. Locking device (9) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electrical actuator (54) comprises a magnetic coil (86) and an armature (89), wherein the armature (89) is displaced into the release position (39) in the energized state of the magnetic coil (86). 4. Locking device (9) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical actuator (54) comprises a permanent magnet (87), wherein in the release position (39), in a non-energized state of the magnetic coil (86), a holding force of the permanent magnet (87) acting on the armature (89) keeps the armature (89) displaced into the release position (39). 5. Locking device (9) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot lever arrangement (37) is coupled to the electric actuator (54) by means of an unlocking fork (47), wherein the unlocking fork (47) has a first unlocking fork arm (48) with a first through-bore (50) and a second unlocking fork arm (49) with a second through-bore (51), wherein the 10th 11th 12th 13th AT 526 704 B1 2024-10-15 Pivoting lever pin (40) is rotatably received in the first through hole (50) and in the second through hole (51). Locking device (9) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base element (10) has a bottom (11) and a first wall element (12) and a second wall element (13) adjoining the bottom (11) in a U-shape, in particular that a first elongated hole guide (14) for the pivot lever pin (40) is formed in the first wall element (12) and a second elongated hole guide (15) for the pivot lever pin (40) is formed in the second wall element (13). Locking device (9) according to claim 6, characterized in that the bolt (17) has a locking tongue (30), wherein the locking tongue (30) faces the bottom (11) of the base element (10) and wherein the locking tongue (30) in the locking position (18) of the bolt (17) has a first distance (35) from the bottom (11), and the locking tongue (30) in the locking position (18) has a second distance (36) from the bottom (11), wherein the first distance (35) is smaller than the second distance (36), wherein the locking tongue (30) is designed to engage in a recess in the lock tongue (8). Locking device (9) according to claim 7, characterized in that the latch (17) has a first latch leg (20) and a second latch leg (21), wherein at least in the first latch leg (20) a first contact surface (23) for contacting the pivot lever pin (40) and, adjoining the first contact surface (23), a first latch leg recess (56) for receiving the pivot lever pin (40) is formed, wherein the pivot lever pin (40) rests on the first contact surface (23) in the blocking position (38) and the pivot lever pin (40) is received in the first latch leg recess (56) in the release position (39). Locking device (9) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a latch slide spring (66) is formed which acts on the latch slide (62), wherein the latch slide (62) is urged into the ejection position (64) by means of the latch slide spring (66). Locking device (9) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an actuator holder (69) is formed, wherein the actuator holder (69) is received on the base element (10), wherein the electrical actuator (54) is received in the actuator holder (69), wherein the actuator holder (69) has a receiving space (70) for receiving the electrical actuator (54) and a detent spring element (71) for holding the electrical actuator (54) in the receiving space (70). Locking device (9) according to claim 10, characterized in that contact elements (72) are formed in the actuator holder (69) and that counter-contact elements (73) are formed on the actuator (54), wherein in the inserted state of the actuator (54) the contact elements (72) establish an electrically conductive connection with the counter-contact elements (73). Locking device (9) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pin (83) is arranged in the latch slide (62) so as to be displaceable between a retracted position (85) and a blocked position (84), wherein the pin (83) in the blocked position (84) is designed to protrude relative to the contact surface (63) of the latch slide (62) and blocks a transfer of the bolt (17) into the blocked position (18), wherein the pin (83) is urged into the retracted position (85) when the lock tongue (8) is placed against the contact surface (63) of the latch slide (62). Locking device (9) according to claim 8, characterized in that the first locking leg recess (56) has a first lifting surface (58) which is designed to engage the pivot lever pin (40), wherein the first lifting surface (58) is designed at an angle (59) to the slot extension (16) of the first slot guide (14), so that when the pivot lever pin (40) engages the first lifting surface (58), the locking 14th 15th 16th AT 526 704 B1 2024-10-15 (17) is pushed from the locking position (18) into the unlocking position (19). Locking device (9) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the first locking leg (20) has a first nose (25) which is received in a first recess (27) in the first wall element (12) of the base element (10) and that the second locking leg (21) has a second nose (26) which is received in a second recess (28) in the second wall element (13) of the base element (10). Locking device (9) according to one of claims 6 to 14, characterized in that a locking tongue receptacle (34) is formed in the bottom (11) of the base element (10), wherein the locking tongue (30) projects into the locking tongue receptacle (34) in the locking position (18) of the bolt (17). Method for operating a locking device (9) for a locking element (4) with a lock tongue (8) arranged thereon, the locking device (9) comprising: - a base element (10); - a bolt (17), wherein the bolt (17) is movably received on the base element (10) between a locking position (18) and an unlocking position (19), wherein the bolt (17) serves to lock the lock tongue (8) in the locking position (18); - a pivot lever arrangement (37), wherein the pivot lever arrangement (37) is movably received on the base element (10) between a blocking position (38) and a release position (39), wherein the pivot lever arrangement (37) comprises a pivot lever pin (40) and a pivot lever (41) with a first lever part (43) and a second lever part (44), wherein the pivot lever pin (40) is guided in an elongated hole guide (14, 15) of the base element (10), wherein the latch (17) is secured in its locking position (18) in the blocking position (38) of the pivot lever arrangement (37) by the pivot lever pin (40); - an electrical actuator (54), wherein the electrical actuator (54) is coupled to the pivot lever arrangement (37) and serves to move the pivot lever arrangement (37) between the blocking position (38) and the release position (39), wherein the electrical actuator (54) is designed such that the pivot lever arrangement (37) is moved into the release position (39) when the electrical actuator (54) is energized; - an actuator return spring (55), wherein the actuator return spring (55) serves to displace the pivot lever arrangement (37) from the release position (39) into the blocking position (38), wherein the spring force of the actuator return spring (55) acts on the pivot lever arrangement (37) in such a way that it is urged into the blocking position (38); - a latch slide (62), wherein the latch slide (62) is movably received on the base element (10) between a retracted position (65) and an ejected position (64), wherein the latch slide (62) has a contact surface (63) for contacting the lock tongue (8) and wherein the latch slide (62) has a further contact surface (67) for contacting the first lever part (43) of the pivot lever (41), wherein the pivot lever (41) is arranged in the base element (10) in such a way that when the latch slide (62) is moved from the ejected position (64) into the retracted position (65), the further contact surface (67) of the latch slide (62) rests on the first lever part (43) of the pivot lever (41) and the second lever part (44) of the pivot lever (41) rests on a pivot lever contact surface (33) of the bolt (17) and the The latch (17) is moved from its unlocking position (19) to its locking position (18), characterized by the method steps: - Providing a starting position in which the bolt (17) is in the unlocking position (19), the pivot lever arrangement (37) is in the release position (39) and the latch slide (62) is in the ejection position (64); - Inserting the lock tongue (8) into the locking device (9), wherein the lock tongue (8) rests on the contact surface (63) of the latch slide (62) and moves the latch slide (62) from the ejection position (64) into the retraction position (65), wherein the further contact surface (67) rests on the first lever part (43) of the pivot lever (41) and the second lever part (44) of the pivot lever (41) rests on the pivot lever contact surface (33) of the bolt (17) and the bolt (17) is released from its unlocking position by means of the pivot lever (41). position (19) is moved into its locking position (18), wherein the pivot lever arrangement (37) is moved from the release position (39) into the blocking position (38) by the spring force of the actuator return spring (55) when the latch (17) is in the locking position (18); - Holding the lock tongue (8) in the locking position (18) by means of the latch (17); - Unlocking the lock tongue (8) by energizing the electrical actuator (54), whereby the pivot lever arrangement (37) moves against the spring force of the actuator return spring (55) from the blocking position (38) to the release position (39) and wherein the bolt (17) is released for movement from the locking position (18) to the unlocking position (19) as soon as the pivot lever arrangement (37) is in the release position (39), wherein with the movement of the bolt (17) from the locking position (18) to the unlocking position (19), the latch slide (62) moves from the retraction position (65) to the ejection position (64) and ejects the lock tongue (8). 17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the electrical actuator (54) is formed with a magnetic coil (86), with an armature (89) and with a permanent magnet (87) and in a de-energized state of the magnetic coil (86), the armature (89) is held displaced into the release position (39) by a holding force of the permanent magnet (87) acting on it. 18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that in a further method step a short current pulse is passed through the magnetic coil (86) and thereby a magnetic field is generated which weakens the magnetic field of the permanent magnet (87). 19. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the position of the latch slide (62) is detected by means of a sensor (74), wherein on the basis of the sensor signal it is calculated by means of a computer (75) whether the lock tongue (8) is correctly inserted. 20. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that upon detection of the positioning of the latch slide (62) in the retracted position (65) and subsequent displacement of the latch slide (62) from the retracted position (65) in the direction of the ejection position (64), misuse of the locking device (9) is determined and the actuator (54) is energized for unlocking. 9 sheets of drawings