2. Background of the invention In motor vehicles, machines or in other technical devices, levers, rods, bowden cables, are deflected by means of different mechanisms. This deflection is used to control different components as for example brakes, closing mechanisms, gear shifts or the like. Such devices should make it as simple as possible for the actu- ating person to control the respective component. This relates on the one hand to the force to be applied and on the other hand to the deflection of the lever or in general of the actuating apparatus induced by the actuating person.

The above general explanations are discussed in the following with reference to an actuating lever for a handbrake. Handbrakes of motor vehicles are manually applied or released either by means of a handbrake lever or by means of levers to be applied by foot. The handbrake lever is arranged between the driver and the co- driver in an easily accessible position. For applying the handbrake, the handbrake lever is pulled upwardly by the driver in an arc-like movement and, in this man- ner, the connected bowden cable is tightened.

In the released condition of the handbrake, the handbrake lever nearly completely vanishes in a covering in the motor vehicle provided to this end. After applying

the handbrake, the handbrake lever, however, projects with its relatively large length in the inner compartment of the motor vehicle and shows the necessary lever length for comfortably deflecting the bowden cable. In order to reduce the force effort of the driver during applying the handbrake lever, an elongation of the handbrake lever would be sufficient. This measure however interferes with the following requirements in construction of motor vehicles.

Based on the permanent increasing technical level of motor vehicles, on the one hand more and more technical devices are installed while the size of the motor vehicle remains the same. This leads to the fact that the available limited space has to be optimally exploited and that the different devices have to be adapted to the space requirements. Therefore, the elongation of a handbrake lever to com- fortably configure the handbrake for the driver is not consistent with the develop- ment in the construction of vehicles. A lever elongation would consume too much space and, thus, it would interfere or even prevent the installation and the use of other technical devices.

On the other hand, the requirements are increased in view of the aesthetics and of the design of motor vehicles in their inner as well as in their outer configuration.

This means that lever mechanisms already used since decades in motor vehicles do not fit to today's requirements. Because of this reason, for example gear shift levers are realized in a compact configuration so that they are barely identified as levers.

Based on the above mentioned reason, the aesthetic sensation of the viewer is disturbed if the handbrake lever projects as a long lever in the inner compartment of the motor vehicle in the tightened condition of the handbrake. Thus, increasing efforts are applied to make the manual actuation of the handbrake more comfort- able and at the same time to reduce the space requirements of the actuating mechanism.

For example, the work to be performed is constant for the actuation of the hand- brake by means of the handbrake lever. Simplified, it is calculated by the product of the force to be applied by the driver and the way of the displacement covered by means of the lever. In case the task consists in the fact to reduce the force ef- fort for the actuating person, the way or displacement can be correspondingly elongated for performing the same amount of work. In case this elongation of the way is further also realizable by means of a mechanism occupying less space in the inner of a motor vehicle, in this manner, the requirements in view of the aes- thetic in the construction of vehicles are also realized.

It is therefore the technical problem of the present invention to provide a mecha- nism and a method which make the deflection of for example bowden cables, lev- ers and the like more conformable wherein at the same time the space require- ments are low for this mechanism respectively for carrying out this method.

3. Summary of the invention The above problem is solved by a coupling apparatus for at least two movements in motor vehicles for the achievement of a deflection, in particular of bowden ca- bles, levers or the like. This coupling apparatus comprises A) a first component having a first guiding wherein the first component is pivotably mounted on a first pivot point; B) a second component having a second guiding wherein the first and the second guiding are not parallel to each other and wherein the second compo- nent is pivotably mounted on a second pivot point, and C) a connecting means connecting the first and the second guiding to each other and being moveable within the first and the second guiding in such a way that the second component is rotated relative to the first component around said second pivot point by the movement of said connecting means.

The coupling mechanism according to the invention realizes the concept of the coupling or the addition of at least two movements in order to achieve in this

manner an increased deflection of for example bowden cables, levers or the like.

The realized idea consists in the fact that by the coupling of at least two move- ments a longer way or displacement can be covered. In case this elongated way is covered with the same force as used before covering a shorter way, a higher amount of performed work results. Opposite thereto, the elongation of the covered way enables a reduction of the applied force in order to achieve the same amount of performed work. Thus, the coupling of at least two movements leads to a re- duced force effort in order to perform the same work. On this basis, preferably according to the invention different actuation movements in motor vehicles are more comfortable configured.

The coupling apparatus comprises according to the invention at least a first and a second component which are respectively rotated in parallel planes to each other around separate or a common pivot point. Thus, the first component rotates pref- erably according to the invention around the first pivot point. The first and the second component comprise respectively guidings not running parallel to each other and connected to each other via a connecting means. These guidings in the first and in the second component predetermine the ways along which the con- necting means is moved. If the connecting means is preferably according to the invention moved along the first guiding in the first component, the second com- ponent executes a relative movement with respect to the first component. This relative movement of the second component is caused by the fact that the con- necting means is moved at the same time in the second guiding of the second component and in the first guiding of the first component and in this manner, it constrains the second component along a certain way predetermined by the run of the second guiding relative to the first guiding. The result of the coupling appara- tus consists in the fact that the first component executes a first movement and that based on the relative movement of the second component in view of the first component already this relative movement is added to this first movement. Since these movements are preferably according to the invention carried out in planes

parallel to each other, the ways covered by the individual movements are added to an overall way which leads to a performing of work using a lower applied force.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and the second guiding are arranged in parallel planes which are perpendicularly oriented to the rotational axis running through the first and the second pivot point.

Based on the preferred arrangement according to the invention of the first and second component respectively of the first and second guiding, in parallel planes, a compact configuration of the coupling apparatus is realized. This compact con- figuration guarantees that the coupling apparatus is installed with low efforts in motor vehicles without interfering with other devices and assemblies.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and the second pivot point form a common pivot point.

Preferably according to the invention, the pivotable connection of the first com- ponent and the second component in a common pivot point leads to a reduction of the space requirements of the coupling apparatus. It is however also preferred to use different pivot points as long as they contribute to an optimal deflection con- figuration. An advantage of the common pivot point of the first and the second component consists in the fact that a rotation of the first component around the common pivot point is the first movement. The second movement, i. e. the relative movement of the second component in view of the first component, is also a rota- tion around this common pivot point so that both rotations can be optimally added leading to an increased deflection angle. This deflection angle is preferably ac- cording to the invention used for deflecting bowden cables preferably for the ac- tuation of a handbrake. It is however also preferred according to the invention to control lever mechanisms or bowden cables for other components in the motor vehicle by means of this deflection angle.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the con- necting means is simultaneously moveably arranged in the first and the second guiding.

By the simultaneous movability of the connecting means within the guidings, it is guaranteed preferably according to the invention that a continuous movement of the first and the second component to each other is carried out. Additionally, the actuation of the coupling apparatus is optimized since the movement of the con- necting means in the individual guidings has not to be separately controlled and operated. It is thus also preferred according to the invention that the first and the second component simultaneously execute movements predetermined to the run of the respective guiding. The movement of the first component is finally added to the preferred relative movement of the present invention of the second component in view of the first component.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, in a cou- pling apparatus the first and the second guiding run linearly or the first and the second guiding run in an arc-like way or curvilinearly or the first guiding runs linearly and the second guiding runs arc-like or curvilinearly or vice versa.

Since preferably according to the invention the connecting means is moved within the first and the second guiding of the first and the second component, the run of the guiding respectively predetermines the way along which the respective com- ponent is moved. Therefore, the preferred manner according to the invention and the extent of the relative movement of the first and the second component to each other respectively the deflection of the first component with respect to the second component are predetermined by the run of the guidings.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guid- ings respectively simultaneously run linearly in the first and the second compo- nent wherein they are not parallel but angularly aligned to each other. If the con-

necting means is preferably according to the invention displaced within the first guiding, it tries to parallel align to each other the first and the second guiding by the simultaneous displacement in the second guiding. With this movement, pref- erably according to the invention a rotation of the second component around the second or around the common pivot point is realized. This rotation forms a rela- tive movement of the first component with respect to the second component which is used for performing a certain amount of work. It is also preferred ac- cording to the invention to arc-like or curvilinearly configure the guidings or one of the guidings. According to a further preferred embodiment, both guidings run in such an arc-like way that there ends point away from each other.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first guiding and the second guiding overlap each other at a point wherein the con- necting means is arranged within this point.

In order to increase the compactness of the preferred coupling apparatus according to the invention, the first and the second guiding are arranged in such a way that they overlap each other so that preferably according to the invention their centre lines intersect in a point or they lay directly over each other. Therefore, it is possi- ble to connect both guidings by a preferred pin according to the invention as long as both guidings are preferably formed according to the invention by elongated holes.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first guiding and the second guiding do not overlap each other.

In order to increase the deflection achieved within the scope of the relative movement between the first and the second component, it is preferred according to the invention to arrange the first and the second guiding in a not overlapping manner. Therefrom follows the need that the connecting means cannot be realized

by a simple pin but preferably according to the invention a lever mechanism or the like is used which engages both guidings with its ends.

It is furthermore preferred according to the invention to displaceably arrange the connecting means by means of a lever construction. According to a further pre- ferred embodiment of the present invention, the lever construction is manually or motor driven operable or the lever construction is operated by means of a move- ment of the first component relative to a rigid linking point of the lever construc- tion.

The displacing of the connecting means within the guidings is preferably accord- ing to the invention realized by a lever construction. This lever construction is preferably according to the invention manually controlled so that the deflection of the lever construction results in the same deflection of the connecting means. By this direct transmission, a preferred manual control according to the invention of the relative movement of the first component to the second component is guaran- teed. According to a further preferred embodiment, it is also possible to motor driven operate this lever construction. The motor driven actuation is preferred according to the invention in the case in which high forces have to be applied while displacing the connecting means. According to a further preferred embodi- ment of the present invention, the deflection of the connecting means is carried out in combination with the movement of the first component, i. e. with the first movement. In case the first component is preferably according to the invention rotated around the first pivot point, a lever mechanism can simultaneously dis- place the connecting means within the first and the second guiding so that the relative movement of the second component to the first component is carried out at the same time with the rotation of the first component. By means of this pre- ferred embodiment according to the invention, the compactness of the coupling apparatus is increased and, additionally, the deflection needed for the actuation is adapted to a relatively small movement of the first component.

The present invention further comprises a method for coupling of at least two movements having the following steps: A) rotating a first component having a first guiding around a first pivot angle wherein the first component is pivotably mounted on a first pivot point; B) displacing a connecting means along a first guiding wherein the connecting means connects the first guiding with a second guiding arranged in a second component wherein the second guiding does not parallel run to the first guiding and wherein the second component is pivotably mounted in a second pivot point; C) whereby the second component is relatively rotated to the first component around the second pivot point by a second pivot angle in such a way that the first and the second pivot angle are substantially added to each other.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rotating of the first component, the displacement of the connecting means and the rotating of the second component is carried out in planes parallel arranged to each other.

4. Short description of the accompanying drawings The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawing. It is shown: Figure 1 the coupling apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the initial position; Figure 2 the coupling apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention after a first movement of the first component; Figure 3 the coupling apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a first sequence of the relative movement be- tween the first and the second component;

Figure 4 the coupling apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a second sequence of the relative movement between the first and the second component; Figure 5 the coupling apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a further sequence of the relative movement between the first and the second component ; and Figure 6 the coupling apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the final position of the relative movement between the first and the second component.

5. Detailed description of the preferred embodiment The general development of mechanical engineering and also of the construction of vehicles goes in the direction that an increased density of devices is achieved.

This density of devices leads to an optimal use of the space and to an increased compactness of the individual devices as well as also the whole assembly. This increasing compactness causes that the space for the actuation of mechanical as- semblies is more limited. A further important development results from the in- creasing requirements to the outer design and the aesthetic mainly in the con- struction of vehicles. This development for example involves that small and com- pact levers are used for example for gear shifts, switches for turning lights or handbrakes in motor vehicles. In connection with the use of these small compact levers, it is however important that in spite of the reduced size, a comfortable ac- tuation is guaranteed with only low force efforts.

For the actuation of levers, a certain force is basically required in order to move the same in the predetermined direction. The size of the force depends on the length of the lever wherein in this connection the lever principle are used. Fur- thermore, the lever has to be deflected or moved along a certain way or a dis-

placement to reach in this manner a certain aim during the actuation of devices.

Along this whole way or along this whole deflection, the applied force acts on this lever so that the work performed by the actuating person follows from the product of the applied force and the covered way. Independent of the size, the shape and the compactness of the lever, this amount of work is required to use the respective mechanism or to actuate the respective device.

If the lever is shaped more compact or configured shorter in order to adapt the same to the inner design of a motor vehicle, this induces for example a shortening of the lever. Since by means of this lever even so the same work has to be per- formed, two different alternatives follow to achieve this task. It is on the one hand possible to achieve the actuation of the lever or the work to be performed by a larger actuation force. On the other hand, a smaller force can be used which how- ever has to be applied along an extended way in order to perform the same amount of work. In case these situations are evaluated in the construction of motor vehicles, the use of an increased actuation force leads to a higher burdening of the actuating person for example in connection with gear shift levers or handbrake levers. This higher burdening involves a reduction of the comfort of the motor vehicle which is today not acceptable.

Preferably according to the invention, the way is however elongated along which the same or a lower force acts to perform the work to be achieved. This way of the technical solution of the above problem supports the design of machines and de- vices, for example in the inner of motor vehicles, as well as further it does not interfere with the requirements to the aesthetic of newer technical devices.

In order to preferably according to the invention perform the necessary work, i. e. to let the work act along a sufficient way, at least two movements are coupled to each other. These movements comprise at least a rotation and a translation wherein this rotation is induced by the execution of the translation. The advantage according to the invention consists among other things in the fact that the rotation

induced by the translation can be added to a rotation carried out before or after- wards. In this manner, preferably according to the invention an addition of move- ments respectively an addition of ways is realized wherein these ways can be cov- ered by these movements. The essential core of this action consists in the genera- tion of one of the added rotations by means of a translation.

In case translations and rotations of actuating actions are compared to each other, translations are often more easily to be carried out in view of the space require- ments. In opposite thereto, rotations lead often to a more effective actuation. By the preferred coupling according to the invention of a translation and a rotation, less space is required for the actuating movement wherein the same or an in- creased efficiency is achieved. The above mentioned principle according to the invention of the coupling of at least two movements is exemplarily discussed by means of a preferred coupling apparatus according to the invention as a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This coupling apparatus is shown in differ- ent sequences of its actuation in the Figures 1 to 6.

As shown in Figure 1, the preferred coupling apparatus according to the invention comprises for performing a first rotation a first component 10 having a guiding 20. The first component 10 is rotated around the pivot point 60 on which it is also mounted. The preferred first guiding 20 according to the invention is formed by an elongated hole or by a sliding guiding. For the first guiding 20, also all con- structions are preferred according to the invention which can be used for the guiding of a further element along a predetermined way. The shape of the first guiding 20 is preferably according to the invention linear wherein also curvilinear or arc-like runs are preferred according to the invention. The run and the length of the first guiding 20 determines preferably according to the invention the manner and the length of the covered way used for performing the above mentioned work.

Therefore, also stepped runs of the first guiding 20 are preferred according to the invention as long as they support the performing of the above mentioned work.

In order to perform work by the rotation of the first component 10 around the pivot point 60, preferably according to the invention a smaller lever 90 below the pivot point 60 is arranged. This lever 90 is preferably according to the invention connected to a second component 30 which is described in more detail below.

During the rotation of the first component 10, the second component 30 is pref- erably according to the invention taken alone so that the second component 30 does not execute an own movement independent of the first component 10. Dur- ing the rotation of the first component 10, therefore the lever 90 is only moved by this rotation and not by a movement of the second component 30.

Preferably according to the invention, a bowden cable 80 or actuating lever con- structions are linked to the lever 90. In this manner, the lever 90 transmits the covered way and the acting force to the devices to be actuated.

The first component 10 further comprises preferably according to the invention an actuating lever 70 by means of which the preferred coupling apparatus according to the invention is actuated. The actuating lever 70 first realizes a rotation of the first component 10 around the pivot point 60. Its further function consists in the movement of the connecting means 50 arranged in the first guiding 20 of the first component 10. The movement of the connecting means 50 is preferably according to the invention generated by means of an elongation or a translation of the actu- ating lever 70. This movement of the actuating lever 70 is explained in connection with the figures 3 to 6. The movement of the actuating lever 70, i. e. the elongation or translation, is not predetermined by the run of the first guiding 20 in the first component 10. The first guiding 20 can be shaped preferably according to the invention also curvilinearly or arc-like since the actuating lever 70 can be also preferably according to the invention guided separately. Such a guiding of the actuating lever 70 is for example preferably according to the invention addition- ally arranged in the first component 10. The further functions of the connecting means 50 guided in the first guiding 20 of the first component 10 are explained below.

In the Figures 1 and 2, the rotation of the first component 10 around the pivot point 60 is shown. This rotation is preferably according to the invention achieved by the deflection or displacement of the actuating lever 70 which also leads to a deflection of the lever 90 around an angle a. In this manner, preferably according to the invention a bowden cable 80 or a connected lever construction is actuated by means of said lever 90 and around said angle a. During the rotation of the first component 10, the position of the connecting means 50 within the first guiding 20 remains the same. Additionally, the actuating lever 70 is only rotated around the pivot point 60 without executing a linear movement.

The work performed by the rotation of the first component 10 around the pivot point 60 is too low in order to achieve the intended actuation of a device or the same since the lever 90 covers a too short way based on the applied actuating force. The rotation of the first component 10 is however spatially limited so that no further deflection of the lever 90 can be achieved in this manner. Preferably according to the invention, therefore a further rotation or a deflection of the lever 90 is effected by the coupling of a rotation with a translation. This translation is either executed by the actuating lever 70 or by the connecting means 50 and it generates a rotation of the second component 30. This rotation of the second com- ponent 30 constitutes a relative movement to the first component 10. This relative movement or this rotation is added to the rotation of the first component 10 per- formed before.

The second component 30 comprises preferably according to the invention a sec- ond guiding 40. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second guiding 40 is arc-like configured as shown in the Figures 1 to 6. It is also preferred according to the invention to use a curvilinear or a linear run of the second guiding 40. In case of a linear run of the second guiding 40, an angular alignment of the first guiding 20 to the second guiding 40 is necessary to realize a coupling of at least two movements. By a curvilinear run of the second guiding

40, a stepped displacement of the connecting means 50 within the second guiding 40 is realized preferably according to the invention. The preferred run according to the invention of the second guiding 40 is determined by the covered way and the type of the lever 90. Therefore, the second guiding 40 is realized as an elon- gated hole in the illustrated preferred embodiment of the present invention. Guid- ing mechanisms are however also preferred according to the invention supporting a movement along a predetermined way.

The second component 30 having the second guiding 40 is rotatably mounted on the pivot point 60. It is also preferred according to the invention that the second component 30 comprises a separate pivot point not simultaneously used by the first component 10. The first component 10 and the second component 30 rotate preferably according to the invention around their pivot points in parallel planes.

The rotating axis of the first component 10 and of the second component 30 run- ning through the respective pivot point are preferably according to the invention substantially perpendicularly oriented to these parallel planes. Based on this ar- rangement, a compact and space effective construction of the preferred coupling apparatus according to the invention follows.

The above mentioned connecting means 50 is preferably according to the inven- tion also guided in the second guiding 40. Preferably according to the invention, this connecting means 50 is arranged at a position where the first guiding 20 and the second guiding 40 overlap each other. In the preferred coupling apparatus ac- cording to the invention, thus the connecting means 50 is realized by a pin or a similar construction. It is however also preferred according to the invention that the first guiding 20 and the second guiding 40 do not overlap based on their runs and their arrangements. In this case, the connecting means 50 is configured more expanded so that it anyway simultaneously engages both guidings 20,40 and so that it is guided by the same.

In case the preferred displacing according to the invention of the actuating lever 70 is executed by means of a translation in view of the movement of the actuating lever 70 relative to the first component 10, the following effect is achieved. This effect is also preferably according to the invention realized by the displacing of the connecting means 50 within the first guiding 20. By the above mentioned movements, preferably to the invention a rotation of the second component 30 is performed around the pivot point 60 since the connecting means 50 constrains the second guiding 40 along the run of the first guiding 20. In this manner, a coupling is executed of a rotation of the second component 30 with the translation of the actuating lever 70 or the displacing of the actuating lever 70 or the displacing of the connecting means 50. This rotation of the second component 30 is carried out relatively to the first component 10. From this relative movement, a further dis- placement or a further deflection of the lever 90 results and, thus, also of the pre- ferred connected bowden cable 80 according to the invention. This further deflec- tion of the lever 90 is also preferably according to the invention considered as an addition of a rotation of the second component 30 to the rotation of the first com- ponent 10. Therefore, preferably according to the invention an increase in deflec- tion or an elongation of the covered actuation way for performing the work is achieved in this manner which performs an additional amount of work added to the work of the rotation of the first component 10.

The movement of the lever 90 is carried out dependent on the run of the first guiding 20 and of the second guiding 40 with respect to each other wherein said lever 90 actuates the connected lever mechanism or the preferred bowden cable 80 according to the invention. Preferably according to the invention, a rotation as relative movement is achieved by the connection of the second component 30 to the pivot point 60 and by the runs of the first guiding 20 and of the second guiding 40. This rotation of the lever 90 around the angle ß is preferably according to the invention limited by the translation of the actuating lever 70 or by the displacing of the connecting means 50 within the first guiding 20 and within the second guiding 40. Therefore, an overall deflection of the lever 90 is carried out around

the sum of the angles a and/3 which would be impossible only by means of the rotation of the first component 10. By the coupling of the above mentioned movements and by the thereby achieved relative movement between the first component 10 and the second component 30, a further deflection of the lever 90 is achieved leading to a performing of the work necessary for the actuation by means of a lower force but with a sufficient long way.

Dependent on which length of ways should be covered by the lever 90 and which shapes should this way have, the runs of the guidings 20,40 in the first compo- nent 10 and in the second component 30 are configured. If both guidings 20,40 are linearly shaped, they have to be aligned in a certain angle to each other, i. e. they are not parallel to each other, to effect a rotation around the pivot point 60.

Furthermore, the guidings 20,40 preferably according to the invention overlap each other in a point so that they can be engaged at this position by the connecting means 50. It is however also preferred according to the invention that the guidings 20,40 do not overlap wherein the connecting means 50 is adapted to this case.

The arrangement of the first guiding 20 and the second guiding 40 to each other as well as the configuration of the connecting means 50 is realized dependent on the space available for the apparatus.

It is furthermore preferred according to the invention to shape one or both guid- ings 20,40 outwardly or curvilinearly. By this run of the first guiding 20 and of the second guiding 40, preferably according to the invention longer ways of the lever 90 are covered in case the initial points of the guidings 20,40 are situated close to each other and in case the final points of the guidings 20,40 are arranged remote to each other. Also in this preferred embodiment according to the inven- tion, the connecting means 50 is constructively adapted to an overlapping or no overlapping of the guidings 20,40.

It is also preferred according to the invention to realize the displacing of the con- necting means 50 within the guidings 20,40 by means of a lever construction (not

shown). This lever construction is linked to the first component 10 and it provides a deflection gearing. The use of such a deflection gearing causes that during the rotation of the first component 10 by means of the deflection gearing, the con- necting means 50 is displaced from a lower position in the first guiding 20 to a higher position. Such a deflection gearing is for example preferably according to the invention formed by at least two deflection levers wherein the connecting means 50 is guided in a further guiding at the end of the one deflection lever.

Based on the use of this lever construction, a coupling is carried out of the rotation of the first component 10 to the displacing or the translation of the connecting means 50. Thereby, the rotation of the first component 10 (confer Figure 1 and 2) and the relative movement between the first component 10 and the second com- ponent 20 (confer Figures 3 to 6) are carried out at the same time. The preferred advantage according to the invention of this arrangement consists in a lower space requirement, in shorter regulating ways as well as in a more compact arrangement.