SINGLE-LEFT DOUBLE-LOCKING SURFACES
The dual locking surfaces in the locking mechanism distribute impact forces, addressing the issue of latch breakage and unintended unlocking in single-latch systems, ensuring the lock's stability during accidents.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102025124473
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-08
AI Technical Summary
Existing single-latch locking mechanisms for vehicle doors are prone to damage and unintended unlocking due to impact forces, particularly during accidents, as the latch exerts excessive force on the rotary latch, leading to breakage.
A locking mechanism with a single rotary latch and pawl featuring dual locking surfaces that distribute impact forces across the latch, reducing the likelihood of damage by engaging primary and secondary locking surfaces during impacts.
The dual locking surfaces effectively distribute load across the rotary latch, minimizing damage and maintaining the lock's integrity during accidental impacts.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
AREA
[0001] The present invention relates generally to locking mechanisms for a vehicle passenger door. In particular, the present invention relates to a locking mechanism with a single latch which has separate locking surfaces for engagement with a rotary latch. BACKGROUND
[0002] Many modern locking mechanisms for automotive locking panels provide various features or functions to hold the locking mechanism in different states, such as fully closed, partially closed, and fully open. It is known to use a single latch or single pawl to hold a rotary latch of the locking mechanism in a primary normally closed (NC) position, corresponding to the fully closed state, a secondary normally closed (NC) position, corresponding to the partially closed state, and a rotary latch release position, corresponding to an open state.
[0003] Although such single-latch arrangements are well suited to holding the rotary latch releasable in the primary and secondary closing engagement positions, they nevertheless have disadvantages. For example, in a condition where the lock experiences an impact force, such as during an accident, an extreme force can be exerted by the latch on the rotary latch, causing damage, including breakage of the rotary latch, and thus causing the lock to move unintentionally to the open position. SUMMARY
[0004] It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a locking arrangement for a vehicle locking panel, wherein the locking arrangement comprises a single latch with separate, double (also referred to as dual) locking surfaces, which overcomes at least the aforementioned disadvantages of known single latch arrangements.
[0005] In accordance with these and other aspects, a locking-closing arrangement for a locking element of a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1 and a locking-closing arrangement for a locking element of a motor vehicle with the features of claim 5 are provided.
[0006] According to a first aspect, the locking assembly has a locking mechanism with a single rotary latch and a single pawl. The rotary latch has a closer slot and is pivotable about a rotary latch pin axis between a primary closer engagement position, in which a closer is fully received in the closer slot, a secondary closer engagement position, in which the closer is partially received in the closer slot, and a closer release position, in which the closer can be released from the closer slot.The latch is pivotable on a latch spindle between a primary rotary latch holding position, in which the latch holds the rotary latch in its primary normally closed (NC) engagement position, a secondary rotary latch holding position, in which the latch holds the rotary latch in its secondary normally closed (NC) engagement position, and a rotary latch release position, in which the latch allows the rotary latch to move to its normally closed (NC) release position. The rotary latch has a primary rotary latch locking surface on a first side of the normally closed (NC) slot and a secondary latch locking surface on a second side of the normally closed (NC) slot opposite the first side, and the latch has a primary latch locking surface and a secondary latch locking surface.The primary latch locking surface is configured to engage with the primary rotary latch locking surface while the rotary latch is in the primary normally open (NO) position, and with the secondary rotary latch locking surface while the rotary latch is in the secondary normally open (NO) position. During a jarring impact on the locking mechanism, such as during an accident, the primary latch locking surface is configured to exert a first force on the primary rotary latch locking surface while the rotary latch is in the primary normally open (NO) position, and the secondary latch locking surface is configured to simultaneously exert a second force on the secondary rotary latch locking surface while the rotary latch is in the primary normally open (NO) position, thereby creating a load.The load is distributed across the rotary latch, thus reducing the potential for damage to the locking mechanism and especially the rotary latch.
[0007] According to another aspect, the locking arrangement for a locking element of a motor vehicle has a locking mechanism with a single rotary latch and a single pawl, wherein the rotary latch has a closer slot and is pivotable about a rotary latch pivot axis between a primary closer-engagement position, in which a closer is fully received in the closer slot, and a closer-release position, in which the closer can be released from the closer slot, wherein the pawl is pivotable on a pawl pin between a primary rotary latch holding position, in which the pawl holds the rotary latch in its primary closer-engagement position, and a rotary latch release position, in which the pawl allows the rotary latch to move to its closer-release position, wherein the pawl has a primary pawl locking surface and a secondary pawl locking surface.wherein the primary latch locking surface is configured to engage with the rotary latch while the rotary latch is in the primary normally closed catch position, and the secondary locking surface is disengaged from the rotary latch while the rotary latch is in the primary normally closed catch position, wherein in response to an accidental impact on the locking mechanism, the secondary latch locking surface is configured to engage with the rotary latch while the primary locking surface is simultaneously engaged with the rotary latch.
[0008] Further areas of application will become apparent from the description provided herein, which serves only for illustrative purposes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle having a vehicle door equipped with a locking mechanism constructed according to the invention; Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective side view of a locking mechanism of the latch-locking assembly with a latch shown in a rotary latch release position and a rotary latch of the locking mechanism shown in a fully open closer release position; Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective side view of the locking mechanism of the latch locking assembly, showing the latch in a secondary rotary latch holding position and the rotary latch in a secondary closer catching position; Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective side view of the locking mechanism of the latch-lock assembly, showing the latch in a primary rotary latch holding position and the rotary latch in a primary closing catch position; and Fig. Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective side view of the latch showing the double locking surfaces of the latch, with the double locking surfaces shown while the latch is in the rotary latch release position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EXECUTIONS
[0009] Initially referring to Fig. 1 is a locking-latch assembly, also referred to as a locking mechanism or locking arrangement 10, for a locking element, also referred to as a locking panel, such as a swing door, shown as a rear door 12, by way of example and without limitation, of a motor vehicle 14, shown such that it is positioned along a closing surface section 16 of the door 12 and is configured to engage and capture a closer 18 attached to a vehicle body 22 in a releasable or releaseable manner, in order to extend into a door opening 20 formed in the vehicle body 22 in response to a movement of the door 12 from an open position to a closed position. The door 12 is shown to have an outside door handle 24 and an inside door handle 26, both of which are operationally (i.e., electrically and / or mechanically) connected to the locking-latch assembly 10.Although not shown, it is understood that a similar locking arrangement is provided in connection with a front door 13 of the vehicle 14, which is shown to have its own external door handle 25.
[0010] Now with reference to the Fig. Figure 2-4 shows a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of internal components of the closure locking assembly 10, including its locking mechanism 28, wherein the locking mechanism 28 of the closure locking assembly 10 is shown in Fig. 2 in a fully released, open position, in Fig. 3 in a secondary or partially open / closed position, and in Fig. 4 is shown in a fully closed, primary locked position.
[0011] The locking mechanism 28 is shown to have a single rotary latch 30 and a single pawl 32. The rotary latch 30 is pivotably mounted on a backplate, also referred to as a plate segment, of a locking housing 36 ( Fig. 1) mounted via a rotary latch pin 34 for a pivoting movement about a rotary latch pin axis. The rotary latch 30 has a rotary latch slot, also referred to as a closing slot 38, which can be aligned with a fish-mouth slot 42 formed in the locking housing 36.
[0012] The rotary latch 30 is movable between a primary closed position or “primary closing catch position” ( Fig. 4), in which the closing device 18 is held within the fish-mouth slot 42 by being caught in the closing device slot 38, a secondary closing device capture position ( Fig. 3), in which the closer 18 is held within the fishmouth slot 42 by being caught in the closer slot 38 to hold the locking element 12 in a partially open position, also referred to as a partially closed position, and an open position or ‘closer release position’ ( Fig. 2), in which the closer 18 is free to be released from the closer slot 38 and the fish-mouth slot 42, thereby allowing the locking element 12 to be moved into an open position. The rotary latch 30 can be biased towards its closer release position by a rotary latch preloading element 30a, such as a primary rotary latch spring.
[0013] The latch 32 is pivotably supported or mounted by a latch pin 44 for movement around a latch pivot axis between a secured, primary rotary latch holding position, also known as the "closed" position (cf. Fig. ) denoted, in which the latch 32 positions and holds the rotary latch 30 in its primary closing holding position, a secondary rotary latch holding position (cf. Fig. ), in which the latch 32 positions and holds the rotary latch 30 in its secondary closing holding position, and a rotary latch release position, also referred to as the “open” position (see Fig. 2), in which the latch 32 is positioned such that it allows the rotary latch 30 to move into its normally closed release position, for example under a preload exerted on the rotary latch 32 by the rotary latch spring 30a. A latch preloading element 32a, such as a latch spring, can be operated to normally preload the latch 32 towards its closed position.
[0014] The rotary latch 30 has a primary holding feature, also referred to as primary rotary latch locking surface 46a, on a first side of the closer slot 38 and a secondary holding feature, also referred to as secondary rotary latch locking surface 46b, on a second side of the rotary latch slot 38 opposite the first side.
[0015] The latch 32 has double locking surfaces, designated as a primary rotary latch retaining surface, also referred to as primary latch locking surface 48a, and a secondary rotary latch retaining surface, also referred to as secondary latch locking surface 48b, spaced apart from the primary latch locking surface 48a. The primary latch locking surface 48a and the secondary latch locking surface 48b are coplanar with each other and with the rotary latch 30. Both latch locking surfaces 48a, 48b are aligned with the rotary latch 30, as shown in the illustration in Fig. 4 is evident.
[0016] The primary latch locking surface 48a is configured to engage with the primary rotary latch locking surface 46a while the rotary latch 30 is in the primary normally closed catch position ( Fig. 4), and engage with the secondary rotary latch locking surface 46b while the rotary latch 30 is in the secondary closing catch position ( Fig. 3) is. In the primary and secondary closing locking positions, the secondary latch locking surface 48b can be designed with clearance or distance to the rotary latch 30, so that it does not exert any force on the rotary latch 30 and does not generate any friction on it.
[0017] During a sudden or jarring impact on the locking mechanism, such as during an accident, the primary latch locking surface 48a is configured to exert an initial force F1 on the primary rotary latch locking surface 46a, while the rotary latch 30 is in the primary closing catch position ( Fig. 4) is, and the secondary latch locking surface 48b is configured to exert a second force F2 on the secondary rotary latch locking surface 46b while the rotary latch is in the primary normally closed catch position ( Fig. 4) is. The first and second forces F1, F2 distribute a load exerted on the rotary latch 30 during the accident condition, with the first and second forces F1, F2 being directed towards the latch pin 44, thereby reducing the potential for damage, such as, but not limited to, a crack or break of the rotary latch 30.
[0018] To enable a force- and friction-free relationship between the secondary latch locking surface 48b and the rotary latch 30 during normal use, while the rotary latch 30 is in the secondary closing catch position ( Fig. 3) The rotary latch 30 has a recess, also referred to as a slot or opening 50, which extends between opposing flat side walls of the rotary latch 30. While the rotary latch 20 is in the secondary normally closed locking position, the secondary latch locking surface 48b is received in a clearance relationship within the opening 50, while the primary latch locking surface 48a engages with the secondary rotary latch locking surface 46b. Accordingly, during normal use, only the primary latch locking surface 48a holds the rotary latch 30 in the secondary normally closed locking position, as shown in Fig. 3 shown.
[0019] Fig. Figure 5 shows an enlarged perspective side view of the latch 32 in the rotary latch release position and illustrates the double locking surfaces 48a, 48b of the latch 32 above the rotary latch 30. Fig. Figure 5 illustrates the opening 50, which extends between opposing side walls of the rotary latch. As can be seen, the width of the secondary latch locking surface 48b is smaller than the width of the opening 50, thus allowing the secondary latch locking surface 48b to be received within the opening 50 in the secondary closing catch position (see Figure 5). Fig. 3), while the width of the primary latch locking surface 48a is greater than the width of the opening 50, so that the primary latch locking surface 48a is in the fully open normally open release position (cf. Fig. 2 and Fig. 5) cannot enter or penetrate opening 50.
Claims
[1] Locking arrangement (10) for a locking element (12) of a motor vehicle (14), comprising: a locking mechanism (28) with a single rotary latch (30) and a single latch (32), wherein the rotary latch (30) has a normally closed slot (38) and is pivotable about a rotary latch pin axis between a primary normally closed engagement position, in which a normally closed contact (18) is fully received in the normally closed slot (38), and a normally closed release position, in which the normally closed contact (18) can be released from the normally closed slot (38), wherein the latch (32) is pivotable on a latch pin (44) between a primary rotary latch holding position, in which the latch (32) holds the rotary latch (30) in its primary normally closed engagement position, and a rotary latch release position, in which the latch (32) allows the rotary latch (30) to move to its normally closed release position. wherein the latch (32) has a primary latch locking surface (48a) and a secondary latch locking surface (48b), wherein the primary latch locking surface (48a) is configured to engage with the rotary latch (30) while the rotary latch (30) is in the primary normally closed position, and the secondary latch locking surface (48b) is disengaged from the rotary latch (30) while the rotary latch (30) is in the primary normally closed position, wherein in response to an accidental impact on the locking mechanism (28) the secondary latch locking surface (48b) is configured to engage with the rotary latch (30), while the primary latch locking surface (48a) engages with the rotary latch (30) simultaneously. [2] Locking arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein the rotary latch (30) has a primary rotary latch locking surface (46a) on a first side of the closer slot (38) and a secondary rotary latch locking surface (46b) on a second side of the rotary latch slot (38) opposite the first side, and wherein, in response to an accidental impact on the locking mechanism (28), the primary latch locking surface (48a) is configured to exert a first force (F1) on the primary rotary latch locking surface (46a) while the rotary latch (30) is in the primary closer locking position, and the secondary latch locking surface (48b) is configured to exert a second force (F2) on the secondary rotary latch locking surface (46b) while the rotary latch (30) is in the primary closer locking position. [3] Locking arrangement (10) according to claim 2, further comprising: a secondary closer engagement position in which the closer (18) is partially received in the closer slot (38), and a secondary rotary latch holding position in which the latch (32) holds the rotary latch (30) in its secondary closer engagement position, the primary latch locking surface (48a) is configured to engage with the primary rotary latch locking surface (46a) while the rotary latch (30) is in the primary normally closed position, and to engage with the secondary rotary latch locking surface (46b) while the rotary latch (30) is in the secondary normally closed position. [4] Locking arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein prior to the accident impact the secondary latch locking surface (48b) is aligned with and disengaged from the secondary rotary latch locking surface (46b), while the rotary latch (30) is in the primary closer-capture position. [5] Locking arrangement (10) for a locking element (12) of a motor vehicle (14), comprising: a locking mechanism (28) with a single rotary latch (30) and a single latch (32), wherein the rotary latch (30) has a normally closed slot (38) and is pivotable about a rotary latch pivot axis between a primary normally closed locking position in which a normally closed contact (18) is fully received in the normally closed slot (38), a secondary normally closed locking position in which the normally closed contact (18) is partially received in the normally closed slot (38), and a normally closed release position in which the normally closed contact (18) can be released from the normally closed slot (38), wherein the latch (32) is mounted on a latch pin (44) between a primary rotary latch holding position in which the latch (32) holds the rotary latch (30) in its primary normally closed locking position, a secondary rotary latch holding position in which the latch (32) the rotary latch (30) is held in its secondary closing-capture position, and a rotary latch release position,in which the latch (32) allows the rotary latch (30) to move into its closing release position, is pivotable, wherein the rotary latch (30) has a primary rotary latch locking surface (46a) on a first side of the closer slot (38) and a secondary rotary latch locking surface (46b) on a second side of the rotary latch slot (38) opposite the first side, wherein the latch (32) has a primary latch locking surface (48a) and a secondary latch locking surface (48b), wherein the primary latch locking surface (48a) is configured to engage with the primary rotary latch locking surface (46a) while the rotary latch (30) is in the primary normally closed position, and to engage with the secondary rotary latch locking surface (46b) while the rotary latch (30) is in the secondary normally closed position, wherein during a sudden impact on the locking mechanism (28), such as during an accident condition, the primary latch locking surface (48a) is configured to exert a first force (F1) on the primary rotary latch locking surface (46a) while the rotary latch (30) is in the primary normally closed position, and the secondary latch locking surface (48b) is configured to exert a second force (F2) on the secondary rotary latch locking surface (46b) while the rotary latch (30) is in the primary normally closed position. [6] Locking arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the primary latch locking surface (48a) and the secondary latch locking surface (48b) are coplanar with each other and with the rotary latch (30). [7] Locking arrangement (10) according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the first and second force (F1, F2) distribute a load on the rotary latch (30), wherein the first and second force (F1, F2) are directed towards the latch pin (44). [8] Locking mechanism according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein prior to the impact on the locking mechanism (28), such as during an accident condition, the primary latch locking surface (48a) is aligned with the secondary latch locking surface (48b) and disengaged from the secondary rotary latch locking surface (46b), while the rotary latch (30) is in the primary closing catch position. [9] Locking arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the rotary latch (30) has an opening (50) extending between opposite side walls of the rotary latch (30), wherein the secondary latch locking surface (48b) is received in the opening (50), while the primary latch locking surface (48a) engages with the secondary rotary latch locking surface (46b) which holds the rotary latch (30) in the secondary closing catch position. [10] Locking arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the primary latch locking surface (48a) and the secondary latch locking surface (48b) are on opposite sides of the closer slot (38).