Auxiliary latching device for a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle sub-latch device capable of smoothly swinging a sub lever and appropriately supporting a force when a hood is moved to an open position and a self-collision pin acts on the sub lever in a latching position. In the sub-latch device (1), a second piece portion (22) is swingable with respect to a first piece portion (71) by a shaft body (60) fixed by penetrating a first shaft hole (71H) and a second shaft hole (22H). The sub lever (10) further has at least one abutting portion (51, 52) formed integrally with the supported portion (20), the latching portion (30), and the operation portion (40). The abutting portion (51, 52) supports a force (F1) together with the shaft body (60), the first piece portion (71), and the second piece portion (22) by abutting on a base portion (70) when the hood (8) is moved to the open position and the self-collision pin (80) acts on the sub lever (10) in the latching position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a sub-latch device of a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] One example of a conventional sub-latch device of a vehicle is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5136702. The sub-latch device is provided between a vehicle body and a hood. The hood is supported to the vehicle body in a manner that it is movable between a closed position, a half-open position, and an open position. The sub-latch device restricts the hood from moving toward the open position beyond the half-open position.

[0003] More specifically, the sub-latch device includes a striker, a base, a sub-lever, and a force applying mechanism. The striker is provided to the vehicle body. The base is provided to the hood.

[0004] The sub-lever includes a supported portion, an engaging portion, and an operating portion. The supported portion is supported to the base in a manner that it is swingable about a swing axis. The engaging portion is integrally formed to the supported portion. The engaging portion extends outward in a radial direction of the swing axis and downward. The operating portion is a separate member from the supported portion and the engaging portion, and is integrally assembled to the supported portion and the engaging portion. The operating portion extends outward in the radial direction of the swing axis and forward.

[0005] The sub-lever is swingable between an engaging position in which the engaging portion engages with the striker to restrict the hood from moving toward the open position beyond the half-open position, and a releasing position in which the operating portion is subjected to a releasing operation and the engaging portion is unable to engage with the striker.

[0006] The force applying mechanism is provided between the base and the sub-lever. The force applying mechanism applies a force to the sub-lever toward the engaging position.

[0007] Two first pieces are provided to the base so as to project toward the vehicle body. First shaft holes are provided to the two first pieces so as to be centered on the swing axis. Two second pieces are provided to the supported portion of the sub-lever so as to be adjacent to the two first pieces in the direction of the swing axis. Second shaft holes are provided to the two second pieces so as to be centered on the swing axis.

[0008] The two second pieces are swingable with respect to the two first pieces by means of a long shaft body that is fixed by being passed through the two first shaft holes and the two second shaft holes.

[0009] The shaft body, the first pieces of the base, and the second pieces of the supported portion support a force from the striker to the sub-lever in the engaging position when the hood is to be moved toward the open position.

[0010] However, in the aforementioned conventional secondary latching device, the structure is complex because the shaft is fixed by passing through two first shaft holes and two second shaft holes. Therefore, manufacturing errors and assembly errors of the components easily accumulate in this secondary latching device. As a result, this secondary latching device is prone to problems such as the secondary rod wobbling relative to the base, increased resistance during the swing of the secondary rod, or twisting during the swing of the secondary rod, making it difficult for the secondary rod to swing smoothly. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Therefore, a non-limiting objective of the present invention is to provide a secondary latching device for a vehicle that allows the secondary lever to swing smoothly and appropriately supports the force exerted by a collision on the secondary lever when it is in the engaged position, as the hood moves to the open position. This objective is achieved by the solution of technical solution 1. Further extensions of the invention are described in the dependent technical solutions.

[0012] This invention provides a secondary latching device for a vehicle, disposed between a vehicle body and an engine hood supported on the vehicle body in a manner movable between a closed position, a half-open position, and an open position, and restricting the movement of the engine hood beyond the half-open position towards the open position. The secondary latching device comprises: a striker disposed on one of the vehicle body and the engine hood; a base disposed on the other of the vehicle body and the engine hood; and a secondary lever having a supported portion supported on the base in a manner oscillating about a pivot axis, and an engaging portion and an operating portion integrally formed with the supported portion and extending radially outward from the pivot axis in mutually different directions. The secondary lever is oscillating between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The engaged position is a position where the engaging portion engages with the striker, thereby restricting the movement of the engine hood beyond the half-open position towards the open position. The disengaged position is a position where the operating portion is disengaged, preventing the engaging portion from engaging with the striker. The device includes a base and a force-applying mechanism disposed between the base and the auxiliary rod, which applies force to the auxiliary rod toward the engaging position. The base has a first piece protruding toward one of the vehicle body and the engine hood. A first shaft hole centered on the swing axis is provided through the first piece. The supported portion has a second piece adjacent to the first piece in the direction of the swing axis. A second shaft hole centered on the swing axis is provided through the second piece. The second piece can swing relative to the first piece by means of a shaft fixed by passing through the first shaft hole and the second shaft hole. The auxiliary rod also has at least one abutment portion integrally formed with the supported portion, the engaging portion, and the operating portion. The abutment portion is configured to abut against the base when the engine hood is to move toward the open position so that the impact force is applied to the auxiliary rod located in the engaging position, thereby supporting the force together with the shaft, the first piece, and the second piece.

[0013] In the secondary latching device of the vehicle of the present invention, the structure is simple because the shaft is fixed by passing through the first shaft hole of the first piece and the second shaft hole of the second piece. Therefore, in this secondary latching device, the manufacturing errors of each component and their assembly errors are less likely to accumulate.

[0014] As a result, in this secondary latching device, it is less likely to cause problems such as the secondary lever wobbling relative to the base, increased resistance when the secondary lever swings, or twisting when the secondary lever swings, thus enabling the secondary lever to swing smoothly.

[0015] Furthermore, in this secondary latching device, at least one abutting portion of the secondary lever abuts against the base when the engine hood moves to the open position, thereby exerting a force on the secondary lever in the engaged position, and thus supports the force together with the shaft, the first piece, and the second piece. In other words, the abutting portion can compensate for the reduction in strength caused by the simplification of the structure resulting from the supported portion being supported by the base.

[0016] Therefore, in the secondary latching device of the vehicle of the present invention, the secondary lever can swing smoothly and can appropriately support the force when the hood moves to the open position and a self-impact force is applied to the secondary lever in the engaged position. As a result, in this secondary latching device, the reduction of durability can be suppressed and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0017] In another aspect of the invention, it is desirable that there be multiple abutment portions, and that these abutment portions are separated from each other in the direction of the swing axis. In this case, the multiple abutment portions abut against multiple portions of the base when the self-impact force is applied to the auxiliary rod, thereby reliably supporting a portion of the force. As a result, each abutment portion can reliably compensate for the reduction in strength caused by the simplification of the structure formed by the supported portion being supported by the base.

[0018] In another aspect of the invention, it is desirable that when an imaginary plane is defined—that is, an imaginary plane passing through the engagement position where the engagement portion engages with the striker when the auxiliary rod is in the engaged position and orthogonal to the swing axis—an abutment portion is disposed at a position overlapping the imaginary plane. In this case, when the striker exerts a force on the auxiliary rod, the shaft twisting can be suppressed by using an abutment portion.

[0019] In another aspect of the invention, it is desirable that there is one abutment portion, and that one abutment portion is separated from the shaft in the direction of the swing axis. In this case, when a self-impact force is applied to the auxiliary rod, one abutment portion abuts against a portion in the base that is separated from the shaft in the direction of the swing axis, and can appropriately support the force together with the shaft or the like.

[0020] In another aspect of the invention, it is desirable that the shaft is positioned to overlap with an imaginary plane that passes through the engagement position where the engagement part engages with the striker when the auxiliary rod is in the engaged position and is orthogonal to the swing axis. In this case, shaft torsion can be suppressed when the striker exerts a force on the auxiliary rod.

[0021] In another aspect of the invention, it is desirable that the operating part is positioned to overlap with an imaginary plane. In this case, when the user performs a release operation on the operating part, causing the auxiliary lever to swing from the engaged position to the released position, shaft twisting can be suppressed.

[0022] In another aspect of the invention, it is desirable that the striking pin has a guide portion that slides into contact with the auxiliary rod and guides the auxiliary rod to the engaged position when the engine hood moves from the open position to the closed position while the auxiliary rod is in the disengaged position.

[0023] In this case, even when the auxiliary lever is fixed in the released position, the guide section forcibly returns the auxiliary lever to the engaged position by moving the engine hood from the open position to the closed position. As a result, when the engine hood, now in the engaged position, moves from the closed position to the open position, the movement of the auxiliary lever can be reliably limited from the engine hood moving beyond the half-open position to the open position.

[0024] In another aspect of the invention, it is desirable that the pivot axis extends in the width direction of the vehicle body. It is also desirable that the operating part receives the release operation from the front of the vehicle body. Furthermore, it is desirable that the contour portion of the engaging part curves towards the rear of the vehicle body. In this case, even if the user touches the engaging part when performing the release operation on the operating part from the front of the vehicle body, discomfort can be suppressed because the contour portion of the engaging part curves towards the rear of the vehicle body.

[0025] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments disclosed in the following description and drawings, the illustrations in the drawings, and the concept of the invention as disclosed in the specification and the drawings as a whole. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic side view of the secondary latch device of the vehicle in Embodiment 1, and is a diagram showing its application to the vehicle body and engine hood.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the secondary latching device.

[0028] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the secondary latching device.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic side view illustrating the function of the secondary latch and the striking pin when the engine hood is raised from the closed position.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic side view illustrating the function of the secondary latch and the striking pin when the engine hood is lowered from the open position.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the state in which multiple abutment parts, together with the shaft, the first piece, and the second piece, support the force when the engine hood moves to the open position and a self-collision force is applied to the auxiliary rod located in the engaged position.

[0032] Figure 7This is a front view that illustrates the positional relationship between the shaft, the contact part, the operating part, and the imaginary plane.

[0033] Figure 8 It means Figure 7 A sectional view of section AA.

[0034] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the secondary latching device of Embodiment 2, showing the state in which an abutment portion, together with the shaft, the first piece, and the second piece, supports the force when the engine hood is moved to the open position and a self-collision force is applied to the secondary rod located in the engaged position.

[0035] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0036] 1…Secondary latching device

[0037] 9…body

[0038] 8… Engine hood

[0039] 80… firing pin

[0040] 70…base

[0041] X10…Swing axis

[0042] 20… Supported part

[0043] 30…Kahebu

[0044] 40… Operations Department

[0045] 10… Secondary club

[0046] 17…Force application mechanism (tension coil spring)

[0047] 71…Part 1

[0048] 71H…First shaft hole

[0049] 22…Part Two

[0050] 22H…Second shaft hole

[0051] 60… axis

[0052] 51, 52...contact part

[0053] F1… The engine hood needs to move towards the open position to generate a self-collision force against the auxiliary rod located in the engaged position.

[0054] P1…Imaginary plane

[0055] 83…Guidance Department

[0056] 30S…The outline of the locking part. Detailed Implementation

[0057] Hereinafter, embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0058] Example 1

[0059] like Figure 1 As shown, in Embodiment 1, the secondary latching device 1 of the vehicle is disposed between the body 9 and the engine hood 8 of an automobile or similar vehicle.

[0060] The body 9 has a frame member 9F. The frame member 9F is positioned at the front end of the engine compartment located at the front of the body 9. The frame member 9F is located in the width direction of the body 9, i.e., with... Figure 1 It extends in a direction orthogonal to the paper.

[0061] The width of vehicle body 9 is the left-right direction based on the user riding in the vehicle. Figure 1 The front side of the paper is the left side of the vehicle body. Figure 1 The paper depth side is the right side of the vehicle body 9. Figure 2 The following diagrams show the front-back, left-right, and up-down directions in accordance with all... Figure 1 The corresponding way to represent it.

[0062] The engine hood 8 has an outer panel that forms part of the vehicle's exterior and an inner panel that reinforces the outer panel. The engine hood 8 covers the engine compartment by extending forward and backward and laterally, with its front end positioned ahead of the frame member 9F.

[0063] The rear end of the engine hood 8 is supported on the vehicle body 9 in a swingable manner via a hinge (not shown) located at the rear end of the engine compartment. Thus, the engine hood 8 becomes capable of... Figure 1 The engine compartment is moved between a closed position, as shown, covering the engine compartment, and an open position, where the front end of the engine hood 8 (not shown) swings upward and backward to open the engine compartment.

[0064] A main latching device 7 is provided between the frame member 9F of the vehicle body 9 and the engine hood 8. The main latching device 7 has a main latching body 7A and a main strike pin 7B.

[0065] The main latch body 7A is fixed to the upper end of the frame member 9F and has a fork-shaped part (not shown) and a pawl, etc. The main strike pin 7B is fixed to the inner plate of the engine hood 8 and protrudes downward toward the main latch body 7A.

[0066] When the engine hood 8 is in the closed position, the fork-shaped part of the main latch body 7A locks the lower end of the U-shaped portion of the main striker 7B, thereby holding the engine hood 8 in the closed position. The position of the lower end of the main striker 7B when the engine hood 8 is in the closed position is set as position S1.

[0067] The main latching device 7, operated by a user of the vehicle via a release lever (not shown) located near the driver's seat, prevents the hood 8 from remaining in the closed position. Specifically, the fork-shaped member of the main latching body 7A swings, pushing the lower end of the main striker 7B from position S1 to position S2 without locking the lower end. The hood 8 is in a half-open position when the lower end of the main striker 7B is in position S2. In this state, the main latching device 7 allows the hood 8 to move beyond the half-open position to the open position.

[0068] The user can lift the engine hood 8, which is in the half-open position, and move it to the open position. Alternatively, the user can press down the engine hood 8, which is in the open position, and move it through the half-open position to the closed position. In other words, the engine hood 8 can move between the closed position, the half-open position, and the open position.

[0069] The main latching device 7 uses the shaped part of the main latching body 7A to lock the lower end of the main striker 7B that descends from position S2 to position S1 when the engine hood 8 moves from the half-open position to the closed position, thereby restoring the state of keeping the engine hood 8 in the closed position.

[0070] The secondary latching device 1 is located between the frame member 9F of the vehicle body 9 and the engine hood 8 at a position that is separated forward from the main latching device 7.

[0071] The secondary latching device 1 is a secondary latching device that, even if the main latching device 7 fails to keep the engine hood 8 in the closed position due to misoperation or other reasons while the vehicle is in motion, it restricts the engine hood 8 from moving beyond the half-open position to the open position, thereby ensuring the safety of the vehicle.

[0072] like Figure 1-8 As shown, the secondary latching device 1 includes a striking pin 80, a base 70, a secondary rod 10, a shaft 60, and a tension coil spring 17. The tension coil spring 17 is an example of the "force application mechanism" of the present invention.

[0073] It should be noted that in the description of each component of the secondary latching device 1, the front-to-back direction and the up-and-down direction are based on the state in which the engine hood 8 is in the closed position.

[0074] In this embodiment, the firing pin 80, the base 70, and the auxiliary rod 10 are manufactured by stamping and bending processes using plate-shaped metal materials, respectively. The shaft 60 is manufactured by stamping and cutting processes using rod-shaped metal materials.

[0075] like Figure 1 As shown, the firing pin 80 is fixed to the upper end of the front surface of the frame member 9F by bolts or other fasteners. Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, a locking portion 81 is formed on the upper part of the generally plate-shaped portion that protrudes forward and extends in the vertical direction in the firing pin 80, and a guide portion 83 is formed on the lower part of the generally plate-shaped portion.

[0076] The engaging portion 81 protrudes forward and downward. The guiding portion 83 protrudes forward and upward. The front end of the guiding portion 83 is located further forward than the front end of the engaging portion 81. A recess 82 is formed between the engaging portion 81 and the guiding portion 83 in a rearward and downward recessed manner.

[0077] like Figure 1 As shown, the base 70 is fixed to the inner plate of the engine hood 8 by bolts or other fasteners. Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the base 70 has an integrally formed base body 79, a first piece 71, and two abutting parts 73 and 74.

[0078] The base body 79 is a roughly rectangular flat plate that extends slowly downwards and in the left-right direction, and has a notch 79C that is recessed forward from the center of the rear edge.

[0079] A first piece 71 protrudes downward from the left side of the notch 79C in the base body 79 toward the frame member 9F and extends in the front-rear direction. For example... Figure 3 as well as Figure 8 As shown, a first shaft hole 71H is provided through the first section 71, centered on the swing axis X10. The swing axis X10 extends in the width direction of the body 9, that is, in the left-right direction.

[0080] like Figure 2 As shown, a spring locking part 70S is provided at the rear end of the first piece 71. The spring locking part 70S is a small piece that protrudes to the right and has a through hole for locking one end of the tension coil spring 17.

[0081] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the two abutting portions 73 and 74 extend downward from the two parts that are separated in the left-right direction from the front end edge of the base body 79, and then extend to the left at the same height, and then protrude upward for a shorter distance.

[0082] like Figure 1 As shown, the abutting portions 73 and 74 extend downwards while slowly tilting backwards. (As...) Figure 8 As shown, the left abutting portion 73 is located in a position separated forward relative to the first piece 71. The right abutting portion 74 is located in a position separated forward and to the right relative to the first piece 71.

[0083] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the secondary rod 10 has a main wall 10F, a left wall 10L, and a right wall 10R. The main wall 10F extends backward and downward from its upper edge, and also extends in the left-right direction. The lower edge of the main wall 10F bends backward. The left wall 10L extends backward and upward from the left edge of the main wall 10F. The right wall 10R extends backward and upward from the right edge of the main wall 10F.

[0084] The auxiliary rod 10 has an integrally formed supported part 20, a locking part 30, an operating part 40, and two abutting parts 51 and 52.

[0085] The supported portion 20 is located on the upper part of the left wall 10L. A second piece 22 is provided in the supported portion 20. The second piece 22 extends rearward and upward and is adjacent to the first piece 71 from the left. That is, the second piece 22 is adjacent to the first piece 71 in the direction of the swing axis X10.

[0086] like Figure 3 as well as Figure 8 As shown, a second shaft hole 22H is provided through the second part 22, centered on the swing axis X10. The diameter of the second shaft hole 22H is smaller than that of the first shaft hole 71H.

[0087] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, an opening 10H is provided through the lower part of the main wall 10F. The engaging part 30 is the portion that surrounds the opening 10H in the main wall 10F, the left wall 10L, and the right wall 10R from the left, right, and below. The outline portion 30S of the engaging part 30 curves toward the rear of the vehicle body 9.

[0088] The operating part 40 extends forward and downward from the upper edge of the main wall 10F, and also extends in the left-right direction. The operating part 40 is located below the front end of the engine hood 8. The front end of the operating part 40 is covered by a resin cap 40A. The engaging part 30 and the operating part 40 extend radially outward from the swing axis X10 in opposite directions.

[0089] An elongated hole 11 is provided through the upper part of the left wall 10L. An elongated hole 12 is provided through the upper part of the right wall 10R. The elongated holes 11 and 12 are located forward and downward relative to the swing axis X10 and extend circumferentially from the swing axis X10. The elongated holes 11 and 12 have the same shape and are also in the same position when viewed from the swing axis X10.

[0090] The two abutting parts 51 and 52 are separated from each other in the direction of the swing axis X10. The left abutting part 51 is the part of the left wall 10L located above the elongated hole 11, and the right abutting part 52 is the part of the right wall 10R located above the elongated hole 12.

[0091] like Figure 3 As shown, the shaft 60 has a head 63, a first shaft portion 61, and a second shaft portion 62. The head 63 is disc-shaped. The first shaft portion 61 is connected to the left surface of the head 63 and is a cylinder with a smaller diameter than the head 63. The second shaft portion 62 is connected to the left surface of the first shaft portion 61 and is a cylinder with a smaller diameter than the first shaft portion 61.

[0092] like Figure 8 As shown, the second piece 22 can swing relative to the first piece 71 by means of a shaft 60 that is fixed by passing through the first shaft hole 71H and the second shaft hole 22H.

[0093] More specifically, a first shaft portion 61 passes through a first shaft hole 71H, and a second shaft portion 62 passes through a second shaft hole 22H. The front end of the second shaft portion 62 is fixed (riveted), thereby fixing the shaft body 60 to the second piece portion 22. A small gap is ensured between the first shaft hole 71H and the first shaft portion 61, and the head 63 is adjacent to the first piece portion 71 from the right and is designed to prevent detachment, so that the second piece portion 22 can swing relative to the first piece portion 71 about the swing axis X10.

[0094] In this way, the support portion 20 is supported on the base 70 in a manner that allows it to swing about the swing axis X10. In this state, as... Figure 2 As shown, the left abutting part 73 enters the left elongated hole 11, and the right abutting part 74 enters the right elongated hole 12.

[0095] A spring locking part 10S is provided on the right wall 10R of the auxiliary rod 10. The spring locking part 10S is a small piece that protrudes backward and upward, and has a through hole for locking the other end of the tension coil spring 17.

[0096] The tension coil spring 17 is disposed between the base 70 and the auxiliary rod 10 by having one end locked to the spring locking part 70S of the base 70 and the other end locked to the spring locking part 10S of the auxiliary rod 10.

[0097] The tension coil spring 17 applies force to the auxiliary rod 10 by displacing the engaging portion 30 rearward and the operating portion 40 downward. The left abutting portion 51 abuts against the left abutted portion 73 from above, and the right abutting portion 52 abuts against the right abutted portion 74 from above, thereby positioning the auxiliary rod 10 in the engaged position. That is, the tension coil spring 17 applies force to the auxiliary rod 10 toward the engaged position.

[0098] Figure 1 , Figure 6-8 The position of the auxiliary rod 10 shown is also the engagement position. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The position of the auxiliary rod 10, shown by the solid line, is also the engagement position.

[0099] The operating unit 40 moves upward as the user standing in front of the vehicle body 9 receives the release operation, thereby causing the auxiliary lever 10 to overcome the force of the tension coil spring 17 and move towards the user. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The lever 10 swings between the engaged and disengaged positions, as indicated by the double-dotted line, causing the engaging part 30 to move forward. When the user removes their hand from the operating part 40, the auxiliary lever 10 returns to the engaged position by the force of the tension coil spring 17. In this way, the auxiliary lever 10 can swing between the engaged and disengaged positions.

[0100] As in Figure 4 As shown by the solid line, the engaging position is where the engaging part 30 located in the recess 82 of the striker 80 engages with the engaged part 81 of the striker 80, thereby restricting the movement of the engine hood 8 from the half-open position to the open position.

[0101] As in Figure 4 As indicated by the double-dotted line, the release position is when the operating part 40 receives the release operation, causing the engaging part 30 to move forward from the engaged part 81 of the firing pin 80 and no longer engage with the engaged part 81.

[0102] like Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown, the engagement position E1 is defined as the position where the engaging part 30 engages with the engaged part 81 of the firing pin 80 when the auxiliary rod 10 is in the engaging position. Furthermore, as... Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 As shown, an imaginary plane P1 is defined that passes through the engagement position E1 and is orthogonal to the swing axis X10.

[0103] The left-side abutment portion 51 is positioned to overlap with the imaginary plane P1. The shaft 60 is also positioned to overlap with the imaginary plane P1. The operating portion 40 is also positioned to overlap with the imaginary plane P1.

[0104] like Figure 6As shown, when the user inspects, maintains, or repairs the engine compartment, and when the main latch device 7 fails to keep the engine hood 8 in the closed position due to misoperation while the vehicle is in motion, the engine hood 8 will move past the half-open position and towards the open position. Furthermore, when the engine hood 8 moves towards the open position, and the engaging part 30 of the auxiliary rod 10 in the engaged position pushes the engaged part 81 of the striker 80 upward, a force F1 is applied downward from the engaged part 81 to the engaging part 30 as a reaction force.

[0105] When the engaging portion 81 applies a force F1 to the engaging portion 30, the abutting portions 51 and 52 abut against the abutting portions 73 and 74 of the base 70, thereby supporting the force F1 together with the shaft 60, the first piece 71 and the second piece 22.

[0106] At this time, the abutting parts 51 and 52 abut against the abutting parts 73 and 74 in a downward direction that is approximately the same as the direction of force F1, thereby reliably supporting a portion of force F1.

[0107] like Figure 5 As shown, when the engine hood 8 moves from the open position through the half-open position to the closed position, the engaging portion 30 of the auxiliary rod 10, located in the engaging position, slides into contact with the engaged portion 81 of the striker 80 from above and moves forward. As a result, the auxiliary rod 10 overcomes the force of the tension coil spring 17 and swings toward the released position, so the engaging portion 30 can pass through the engaged portion 81.

[0108] When the auxiliary pole 10 is located in Figure 5 When the engine hood 8 moves from the open position through the half-open position to the closed position in the released position indicated by the double-dotted line, the guide portion 83 of the striker 80 slides into contact with the engaging portion 30 of the auxiliary rod 10, causing the engaging portion 30 to move backward. Under the action of the guide portion 83, the auxiliary rod 10 is released from fixation and guided towards the engaged position.

[0109] Effects

[0110] In the secondary latching device 1 of Embodiment 1, as Figure 3 as well as Figure 8 As shown, the structure is simple because the shaft 60 is fixed by passing through the first shaft hole 71H of the first piece 71 and the second shaft hole 22H of the second piece 22. Therefore, in this secondary latching device 1, the manufacturing errors of each component and their assembly errors are less likely to accumulate.

[0111] As a result, in this secondary latching device 1, it is less likely to cause problems such as the secondary lever 10 wobbling relative to the base 70, increased resistance when the secondary lever 10 swings, or twisting when the secondary lever 10 swings, and the secondary lever 10 can swing smoothly.

[0112] Additionally, in this secondary latching device 1, such asFigure 6 As shown, when the engine hood 8 moves to the open position, and the engaging portion 81 of the impact pin 80 exerts a force F1 on the engaging portion 30 of the auxiliary rod 10 in the engaged position, the two abutting portions 51 and 52 of the auxiliary rod 10 abut against the base 70 in a downward direction, approximately the same as the direction of the force F1. Thus, together with the shaft 60, the first piece 71, and the second piece 22, they support the force F1. In other words, the abutting portions 51 and 52 can compensate for the reduction in strength caused by the simplification of the structure formed by the supported portion 20 being supported by the base 70.

[0113] Therefore, in the secondary latching device 1 of Embodiment 1, the secondary lever 10 can swing smoothly, and when the engine hood 8 moves to the open position, the engaging portion 81 of the striker 80 applies a force F1 to the engaging portion 30 of the secondary lever 10 in the engaging position, thus providing appropriate support for the force F1. As a result, in this secondary latching device 1, the reduction in durability can be suppressed, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0114] Additionally, in this secondary latching device 1, such as Figure 6 As shown, there are two abutting portions 51 and 52, which are separated from each other in the direction of the swing axis X10. With this structure, abutting portions 51 and 52 abut against two parts of the base 70 when the engaging portion 81 applies a force F1 to the engaging portion 30, thereby reliably supporting a portion of the force F1. As a result, abutting portions 51 and 52 can reliably compensate for the reduction in strength caused by the simplification of the structure formed by the supporting portion 20 being supported by the base 70.

[0115] Moreover, in this secondary latching device 1, such as Figure 7 As shown, an abutment portion 51 is positioned to overlap with the imaginary plane P1. This structure allows the abutment portion 51 to suppress the twisting of the shaft 60 when a force F1 is applied to the engaging portion 30 by the engaging portion 81.

[0116] Furthermore, in this secondary latching device 1, the shaft 60 is positioned to overlap with the imaginary plane P1. This structure allows for the suppression of shaft 60 twisting when a force F1 is applied to the engaging portion 30 by the engaging portion 81.

[0117] Furthermore, in this secondary latching device 1, the operating part 40 is positioned to overlap with the imaginary plane P1. This structure allows for the suppression of shaft 60 twisting when the user performs a release operation on the operating part 40, causing the secondary lever 10 to swing from the engaged position to the released position.

[0118] Additionally, in this secondary latching device 1, such as Figure 5 As shown, the firing pin 80 has a guide portion 83. Therefore, even when the auxiliary rod 10 is located in... Figure 5When the state of the release position indicated by the double-dotted line is fixed, during the action of moving the engine hood 8 from the open position through the half-open position to the closed position, the engaging part 30 is also displaced backward by the sliding contact between the guide part 83 and the engaging part 30, thereby forcibly restoring the auxiliary rod 10 to the engaged position. As a result, when the engine hood 8 moves from the closed position to the open position after restoring to the engaged position, the auxiliary rod 10 can reliably limit the movement of the engine hood 8 past the half-open position to the open position.

[0119] Moreover, in this secondary latching device 1, such as Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, even when the user touches the engaging part 30 when performing the release operation on the operating part 40 from the front of the vehicle body 9, the discomfort can be suppressed because the outline portion 30S of the engaging part 30 bends towards the rear of the vehicle body 9.

[0120] Example 2

[0121] like Figure 9 As shown, in the secondary latching device of Embodiment 2, the elongated hole 11 and the abutment portion 51 are removed from the left wall 10L of the secondary latching device 1 of Embodiment 1, and the abutted portion 73 of the base 70 is also removed. That is, in Embodiment 2, there is one abutment portion 52, and one of the abutment portions 52 is separated from the shaft body 60 in the direction of the swing axis X10.

[0122] The other structures of Embodiment 2 are the same as those of Embodiment 1. Therefore, for structures identical to those in Embodiment 1, the same reference numerals are used and descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0123] In the secondary latching device of Embodiment 2, similar to the secondary latching device 1 of Embodiment 1, the secondary lever 10 can swing smoothly and appropriately support the force F1 when the engine hood 8 moves to the open position, thereby exerting a force F1 on the engaging portion 30 of the secondary lever 10 in the engaging position by the engaging portion 81 of the striker 80. As a result, in this secondary latching device, the reduction in durability can be suppressed, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0124] In addition, in this secondary latching device, when the engaging part 81 applies a force F1 to the engaging part 30, an abutting part 52 abuts against a part in the base 70 that is separated from the shaft 60 in the direction of the swing axis X10, thereby being able to appropriately support the force F1 together with the shaft 60, etc.

[0125] The present invention has been described above with reference to Embodiments 1 and 2. However, the present invention is not limited to Embodiments 1 and 2. Of course, it can be appropriately modified and applied without departing from its spirit.

[0126] In embodiments 1 and 2, the impact pin 80 is disposed on the vehicle body 9 and the base 70 is disposed on the engine hood 8, but the present invention is not limited to this structure and may be the opposite.

[0127] In Embodiment 1, the abutment portion 51, the shaft 60, and the operating portion 40 are arranged at a position overlapping with the imaginary plane P1. In Embodiment 2, the shaft 60 and the operating portion 40 are arranged at a position overlapping with the imaginary plane P1, but the present invention is not limited to this structure. For example, a structure in which at least one of the shaft and the operating portion is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the imaginary plane is also included in the present invention.

Claims

1. A secondary latching device (1) for a vehicle, disposed between a vehicle body (9) and an engine hood (8) supported on the vehicle body (9) in a manner movable between a closed position, a half-open position, and an open position, and restricting the movement of the engine hood (8) beyond the half-open position toward the open position. The secondary latching device (1) of the vehicle is characterized in that, It possesses: A firing pin (80) is disposed on one of the vehicle body (9) and the engine hood (8); The base (70) is disposed on the other side of the vehicle body (9) and the engine hood (8); A secondary rod (10) has a supported portion (20) supported on the base (70) in a manner that allows it to swing about a swing axis (X10), and a locking portion (30) and an operating portion (40) integrally formed with the supported portion (20) and extending radially outward from the swing axis (X10) in mutually different directions. The secondary rod (10) is oscillating between a locking position and a releasing position. The locking position is when the locking portion (30) engages with the striker (80) to restrict the movement of the engine hood (8) from the half-open position to the open position. The releasing position is when the operating portion (40) is released, preventing the locking portion (30) from engaging with the striker (80). A force-applying mechanism (17), disposed between the base (70) and the auxiliary rod (10), applies force to the auxiliary rod (10) toward the engaging position. The base (70) is provided with a first piece (71) protruding toward one of the vehicle body (9) and the engine hood (8). A first shaft hole (71H) is provided through the first piece (71) with the swing axis (X10) as the center. The supported portion (20) is provided with a second portion (22) adjacent to the first portion (71) in the direction of the swing axis (X10). A second shaft hole (22H) is provided through the second piece (22) with the swing axis (X10) as the center. The second piece (22) can swing relative to the first piece (71) by means of a shaft (60) fixed by passing through the first shaft hole (71H) and the second shaft hole (22H). The auxiliary rod (10) also has at least one abutting part integrally formed with the supported part (20), the engaging part (30), and the operating part (40). The abutting portion is configured to abut against the base (70) when the engine hood (8) moves toward the open position and the striker (80) exerts a force (F1) on the auxiliary rod (10) in the engaged position, thereby supporting the force (F1) together with the shaft (60), the first piece (71) and the second piece (22).

2. The secondary latching device (1) of the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The abutting part is multiple and the multiple abutting parts are separated from each other in the direction of the swing axis (X10).

3. The secondary latching device (1) of the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, When the following imaginary plane (P1) is defined, namely the imaginary plane that passes through the engagement position where the engagement part (30) engages with the firing pin (80) when the auxiliary rod (10) is in the engagement position and is orthogonal to the swing axis (X10), One of the abutting portions is positioned at a location overlapping the imaginary plane (P1).

4. The secondary latching device (1) of the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The abutting part is one, and one of the abutting parts is separated from the shaft (60) in the direction of the swing axis (X10).

5. The secondary latching device (1) of the vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, When the following imaginary plane (P1) is defined, namely the imaginary plane that passes through the engagement position where the engagement part (30) engages with the firing pin (80) when the auxiliary rod (10) is in the engagement position and is orthogonal to the swing axis (X10), The shaft (60) is positioned to overlap with the imaginary plane (P1).

6. The secondary latching device (1) of the vehicle according to claim 5, wherein, The operating part (40) is positioned at a location overlapping the imaginary plane (P1).

7. The secondary latching device (1) of the vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The striker (80) has a guide (83) that slides into contact with the auxiliary rod (10) and guides the auxiliary rod (10) toward the engaged position when the engine hood (8) moves from the open position to the closed position while the auxiliary rod (10) is in the released position.

8. The secondary latching device (1) of the vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The swing axis (X10) extends in the width direction of the vehicle body (9). The operating unit (40) receives the release operation from the front of the vehicle body (9). The outline of the engaging part (30) curves toward the rear of the vehicle body (9).

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