Locking device with signal structure

Abstract

A device in a vehicle for locking and unlocking a locking pin of a component includes using a locking hook that cooperates non-positively or positively with the locking pin to provide an unlocked position and a locked position. The locking hook is actuated between the unlocked position and the locked position by an actuating component. The device includes a signaling means for emitting a mechanical signal to at least one of another of the device and a display. The signaling means is connected to and cooperates with the actuating component to emit the mechanical signal.

1 . A device in a vehicle for locking and unlocking a locking pin of a component using a locking hook that cooperates at least one of non-positively and positively with the locking pin to provide an unlocked position and a locked position, the locking hook being actuated between the unlocked position and the locked position by an actuating component, the device comprising: 
 a signaling means for emitting a mechanical signal to at least one of another of the device and a display, the signaling means being connected to and cooperating with the actuating component to emit the mechanical signal.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the signaling means is connected in parallel with the actuating component.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical signal represents at least one of the locked position and the unlocked position of the locking hook.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is connected in parallel with the another of the device via the signaling means.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the mechanical signal synchronizes the device and the another of the device.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the display is configured to indicate, based on a received mechanical signal, an indication of whether the locking hook is in the locked position or the unlocked position.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the signaling means is configured to receive a mechanical signal from at least one of another vehicle component and the another of the device.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the received mechanical signal acts on the actuating component to actuate the locking hook.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking pawl configured to be adjusted between a secure position and a release position, the secure position securing the locking hook in the locked position.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the secure position prevents the locking hook from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the actuating component comprises an adjusting means configured cooperate with the locking pawl only after a rotation through a safety angle.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the adjustment of the locking pawl from the release position into the secured position is configured to be controlled by a mechanical signal of a further device, the mechanical signal received at the signaling means.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sliding element configured to reduce a clearance distance between the locking pin and the locking hook when the locking pin is engaged by the locking hook in the locked position.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the sliding element comprises a force means providing a force to reduce the clearance distance, the force provided by the force means being substantially independent of the ambient temperature.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the locking hook is at least partially encased by a plastics material.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , the encasing comprising one of notches and bulged portions configured to reduce a clearance distance between the locking pin and the locking hook in the locked position.  
   
   
       17 . A device in a vehicle for locking and unlocking a locking pin of a component using a locking hook that cooperates at least one of non-positively and positively with the locking pin to provide an unlocked position and a locked position, the locking hook being actuated between the unlocked position and the locked position by an actuating component, the device comprising: 
 a signaling means configured to receive a mechanical signal from at least one of a vehicle control and another of the device; wherein the signaling means is connected to the actuating component and the actuating component is configured to actuate based on the received mechanical signal;    wherein the vehicle control and the another of the device are not directly associated with the component and the device.    
   
   
       18 . A device for locking and unlocking a backrest of a motor vehicle seat, the device comprising: 
 a signaling means for receiving a mechanical signal from at least one of a vehicle control, another of the device, and a display, the signaling means being in addition to a primary actuating means of the device, wherein the signaling means and the primary actuating means are both connected to an actuating component of the device that actuates the device between an unlocked position and a locked position, the actuating component being configured to actuate based on the received mechanical signal, the signaling means connecting and cooperating in parallel with the actuating component.