Locking device with multi-part pawl

Abstract

A lock unit for a vehicle includes a rotatable catch biased in an opening direction about a catch rotation axis toward an open position of the lock unit in which a first recess of the catch is configured to receive a striker of the vehicle. Additionally, the catch includes a second recess disposed before the first recess in the opening direction. A pawl rotatable about a fixed pawl pivot axis is biased toward the catch. The pawl includes a blocking arm which extends into the second recess of the catch when the lock unit is in a secondary latched position. A blocking lever abuts the blocking arm of the pawl against the catch in a primary latched position of the lock unit preventing rotation of the pawl away from the catch. A rocker lever intersects both the path of the catch and the blocking lever. When the lock unit is forced from the secondary latched position to the primary latched position, the rocker is displaced by the catch and shifts the blocking lever away from the pawl.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to door locks, and more particularly to a locking unit for a vehicle door employing a single pawl and deadbolt bar to restrain the pawl / lock body in multiple positions. Background technique [0002] Locking units are commonly used on the side doors of motor vehicles employing a locking mechanism called a catch that receives a catch-bolt or stop that typically Set on the post of the vehicle door frame. The catch is biased toward an open position in which the slot of the lock housing is aligned with the catch recess. When the door is closed, the stop enters the recess through the slot causing the catch to rotate to a closed position in which the stop is held in the recess by a pawl which prevents the catch from rotating towards the open position. Typically the pawl is heavily biased towards the detent to resist large acceleration forces where the contact surfaces of the two comprise a further negative bias angle....

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, arranging the second pawl on a different plane and introducing a pin into the catch can be expensive from a manufacturing point of view

Thus, while the multi-pawl design effectively reduces opening noise and locking actuation force, it requires multiple different components in multiple planes of the locking mechanism, making the device more complex and expensive to manufacture

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