A car hood lock with pedestrian protection function

Abstract

The present invention relates to a car hood lock with pedestrian protection function. The present invention comprises a lower shell; a ratchet, the ratchet comprises a ratchet body and a rotating arm, the ratchet body is rotatably connected to the lower shell and has a counterclockwise rotating torque, the ratchet body is provided with a pawl; a pawl, which is rotatably connected to the lower shell and has a counterclockwise rotating torque, and the pawl can engage with the pawl; a rocker arm, comprising a rotating part rotatably connected to the lower shell and a support arm, an elastic element for applying a counterclockwise torque to the rotating part is connected between the support arm and the lower shell, and the lock buckle and the support arm are abutted to limit the counterclockwise rotation of the support arm; an initiator, the initiator is connected to the lower shell and is connected to a transmission plate located at the lower side of the front cover reinforcement plate, and the initiator can drive the transmission plate to move upward when started to release the locking of the pawl body and the pawl. The present invention achieves the purpose of pedestrian protection, has high integration, flexible layout and saves costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of automobile hoods (an openable cover placed on the upper front surface of a vehicle body, which may be an engine hood of a traditional fuel vehicle or a hood of a new energy vehicle or other names), and in particular, relates to an automobile hood lock with a pedestrian protection function. Background Art

[0002] With economic development and the increase in the number of cars owned by residents, traffic safety issues have become increasingly prominent. Therefore, the requirements for pedestrian protection in cars have gradually increased.

[0003] The front cover pedestrian protection technology is one of the pedestrian protection technologies of the car. Through the built-in sensor in the front bumper of the car, when a pedestrian collision accident is detected, the front cover is quickly raised to a certain height by a mechanism. The raised front cover forms a certain buffer area, thereby reducing the impact energy received by pedestrians and protecting pedestrians to the greatest extent.

[0004] In the current front cover quick lifting mechanism, the detonator in the front cover lock is used to quickly unlock the lock, and the quick lifting of the front cover needs to be achieved by other additional detonators (such as detonators placed at the hinge). The mechanism has low integration, many parts, and high cost. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a car hood lock with pedestrian protection function. When the vehicle pedestrian protection is triggered, the hood lock triggers a detonator by an electrical signal to achieve rapid unlocking and rapid lifting of the hood, thereby improving the effect of pedestrian protection.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a car hood lock with pedestrian protection function, the car hood lock is installed on the lower side of the car hood, the car hood is provided with a hood reinforcement plate and a lock buckle, and the car hood lock comprises:

[0007] Lower housing;

[0008] A ratchet, the ratchet comprising a ratchet body and a rotating arm extending from a side end of the ratchet body, the ratchet body being rotatably connected to the lower housing and having a counterclockwise rotating torque, and the ratchet body being provided with a claw;

[0009] A pawl, the pawl being rotatably connected to the lower housing and having a torque for counterclockwise rotation, the pawl being capable of meshing with the claw;

[0010] A rocker arm, the rocker arm comprising a rotating part rotatably connected to the lower shell and a support arm extending from the rotating part, an elastic element capable of applying a counterclockwise torque to the rotating part is connected between the support arm and the lower shell, and the lock buckle abuts against the support arm to limit the counterclockwise rotation of the support arm;

[0011] An initiator, the initiator being connected to the lower housing and connected to a transmission plate located at the lower side of the front cover reinforcement plate, and the initiator being able to drive the transmission plate to move upward when started to release the locking of the pawl body and the claw;

[0012] Among them, when the lock between the pawl body and the claw is released, the detonator lifts the car hood through the transmission plate, and at the same time the car hood drives the lock to move upward, the lock drives the ratchet to move upward, and the support arm moves upward to the lock stop position under the action of the elastic element, and one end of the rotating arm can limit the lock after the ratchet body rotates counterclockwise.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ratchet body is connected to a ratchet shaft and is rotatably connected to the lower housing through the ratchet shaft, and a first torsion spring is provided between the ratchet body and the ratchet shaft.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transmission part is an arc-shaped rotating wheel structure, the arc-shaped rotating wheel is rotatably connected to the ratchet shaft, and the arc-shaped rotating wheel can engage with the claw.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the claw comprises a first claw and a second claw arranged along the circumference of the ratchet body; wherein in a locked state, the first claw engages with the ratchet pawl; in a semi-locked state, the second claw engages with the ratchet pawl.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pawl body is connected to a pawl shaft and is rotatably connected to the lower housing through the pawl shaft, and a second torsion spring is provided between the pawl body and the pawl shaft.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the automobile hood lock also includes a pull wire, one end of which is connected to a pawl, and the other end of which is connected to an opening handle or an electric actuator in the cockpit. When the pull wire is pulled, the pawl body can rotate clockwise to release the lock between the pawl body and the claw.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, a limiting protrusion is provided at a side end of the transmission plate, and the pawl is provided with a limiting step that cooperates with the limiting protrusion.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the automobile front cover is connected to a lock mounting plate for mounting a lock.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, a limiting hook cooperating with a lock buckle is provided at one end of the rotating arm.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic element comprises a coil spring.

[0022] The above technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0023] The present invention discloses a vehicle hood lock with pedestrian protection function, wherein the unlocking of the hood lock and the lifting of the hood are both realized by a detonator in the hood lock, and when the pedestrian protection of the vehicle is not triggered, the detonator is not detonated, and the hood lock can normally realize the opening and closing functions. The present invention integrates the detonator for directly lifting the hood into the hood lock, and uses the same detonator for unlocking and lifting the hood, which can realize unlocking and lifting the hood in a very short time, thereby achieving the purpose of pedestrian protection, with high integration, flexible layout and cost savings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to make the contents of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below based on specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of assembling the front cover lock of the present invention on a whole vehicle.

[0026] Figure 2 It is a top view of the front cover lock of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the process of releasing the front cover lock and lifting the hood when pedestrian protection is activated.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the front cover lock being fully unlocked when pedestrian protection is not activated.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the front cover lock being half unlocked (reaching full open).

[0030] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the locking process of the front cover.

[0031] Explanation of the reference numerals in the specification: 1. lower shell; 2. upper shell; 3. ratchet; 31. ratchet body; 32. rotating arm; 321. limiting hook; 33. first clamping claw; 34. second clamping claw; 4. ratchet shaft; 5. pawl; 51. limiting step; 6. pawl shaft; 7. transmission plate; 71. limiting protrusion; 8. detonator; 9. pull wire; 10. rocker arm; 101. rotating part; 102. support arm; 103. elastic element; 11. front cover reinforcement plate; 12. latch mounting plate; 13. latch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments so that those skilled in the art can better understand the present invention and implement it, but the embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0033] In the present invention, if directions (up, down, left, right, front and back) are described, it is only for the convenience of describing the technical solution of the present invention, and does not indicate or imply that the technical features referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, it cannot be understood as a limitation of the present invention.

[0034] In the present invention, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means more than two, "greater than", "less than", "exceed" and the like are understood to exclude the number itself; "above", "below", "within" and the like are understood to include the number itself. In the description of the present invention, if there is a description of "first" or "second", it is only used for the purpose of distinguishing technical features, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0035] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined, the words "set", "install", "connect" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, they can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; they can be fixedly connected or detachably connected or integrally formed; they can be mechanically connected or electrically connected or able to communicate with each other; they can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. Those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meanings of the above words in the present invention in combination with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, a car hood lock with pedestrian protection function of the present invention is installed on the lower side of the car hood, the car hood is provided with a hood reinforcement plate 11 and a lock buckle 13, and the car hood lock includes:

[0037] A lower shell 1 and an upper shell 2 matched with the lower shell 1;

[0038] The ratchet 3 includes a ratchet body 31 and a rotating arm 32 extending from a side end of the ratchet body 31, wherein the ratchet body 31 is rotatably connected to the lower housing 1 and has a counterclockwise rotating torque, and the ratchet body 31 is provided with a claw;

[0039] A pawl 5, which is rotatably connected to the lower housing 1 and has a counterclockwise rotation torque, and the pawl 5 can mesh with the claw;

[0040] The rocker arm 10 comprises a rotating part 101 rotatably connected to the lower housing 1 and a supporting arm 102 extending from the rotating part 101, an elastic element 103 capable of applying a counterclockwise torque to the rotating part 101 is connected between the supporting arm 102 and the lower housing 1, and the locking buckle 13 abuts against the supporting arm 102 to limit the counterclockwise rotation of the supporting arm 102;

[0041] The detonator 8 is connected to the lower housing 1 and is connected to the transmission plate 7 located at the lower side of the front cover reinforcement plate 11. When the detonator 8 is started, it can drive the transmission plate 7 to move upward to release the locking of the pawl 5 body and the claw;

[0042] Among them, when the lock between the pawl body and the claw is released, the detonator lifts the car hood through the transmission plate, and at the same time the car hood drives the lock buckle 13 to move upward, and the lock buckle 13 drives the ratchet 32 ​​to move upward. The support arm 102 moves upward to the lock stop position under the action of the elastic element 103, and one end of the rotating arm can limit the lock buckle after the ratchet body rotates counterclockwise.

[0043] Specifically, the ratchet body 31 is connected to the ratchet shaft 4 and is rotatably connected to the lower housing 1 through the ratchet shaft 4 . A first torsion spring is provided between the ratchet body 31 and the ratchet shaft 4 .

[0044] Specifically, the transmission part is an arc-shaped rotating wheel structure, the arc-shaped rotating wheel is rotatably connected to the ratchet shaft 4, and the arc-shaped rotating wheel can engage with the claw.

[0045] Specifically, the claws include a first claw 33 and a second claw 34 which are arranged along the circumference of the ratchet body 31 ; wherein in the locked state, the first claw 33 is engaged with the ratchet 5 , and in the semi-locked state, the second claw 34 is engaged with the ratchet 5 .

[0046] Specifically, the body of the pawl 5 is connected to the pawl shaft 6 and is rotatably connected to the lower housing 1 through the pawl shaft 6 . A second torsion spring is provided between the body of the pawl 5 and the pawl shaft 6 .

[0047] Specifically, the automobile hood lock also includes a pull wire 9, one end of which is connected to the pawl 5, and the other end of which is connected to an opening handle or an electric actuator (not shown in the figure) in the cockpit. When the pull wire 9 is pulled, the pawl 5 body can rotate counterclockwise to release the lock between the pawl 5 body and the first claw 33 or the second claw 34.

[0048] Specifically, a limiting protrusion 71 is provided at a side end of the transmission plate 7 , and a limiting step 51 matched with the limiting protrusion 71 is provided at the pawl 5 .

[0049] Specifically, the car hood is connected with a lock mounting plate 12 for mounting a lock 13 .

[0050] Specifically, one end of the rotating arm 32 is provided with a limiting hook 321 that cooperates with the lock buckle 13 .

[0051] Specifically, the elastic element 103 includes a coil spring.

[0052] After the automobile hood lock assembly is installed on the vehicle, the lead of the detonator 8 is connected to the vehicle-mounted electronic control unit (not shown in the figure); on the vehicle, the hood reinforcement plate 11 and the lock buckle mounting plate 12 are fixed to the hood, and the lock buckle 13 is installed on the lock buckle mounting plate 12.

[0053] Working principle of the invention

[0054] 1. When pedestrian protection is activated

[0055] The vehicle-mounted electronic control unit detects the collision signal and starts the detonator 8, which moves upward to lift the front cover to a set height in a very short time.

[0056] In the initial stroke of lifting, the detonator 8 drives the transmission plate 7 to move upward, releases the lock between the pawl 5 and the ratchet 3, and unlocks the lock 13 (releases the full lock); in the subsequent stroke of lifting, the detonator 8 lifts the front cover upward, drives the lock 13 to move upward, and at the same time the rocker arm 10 rotates through the elastic element 103. During this process, the speed of the detonator 8 is very fast, thereby directly driving the front cover (including the lock 13 fixed thereto) to lift quickly.

[0057] When the front cover is lifted to the set position, the lock catch 13 is limited by the limit hook 321 on the ratchet 3, preventing the front cover from moving upward and keeping it in this position. In this position, the ratchet 3 and the pawl 5 are engaged again and kept in this locked position (half locked). Figure 3 In this position, the detonator 8 also reaches the maximum position and keeps the cover in this position to prevent the front cover from retreating.

[0058] When a pedestrian hits the front cover, the lifted front cover is deformed to protect the pedestrian. During the process of the pedestrian hitting the front cover, the detonator 8 maintains its position to ensure that the front cover lock 13 does not move downward and lock again due to the front cover being hit by the pedestrian, thereby weakening or losing the protective effect.

[0059] After the collision, the front cover lock can be unlocked to the fully open position again by pulling the pull wire 9 through a mechanical handle or an electric switch (not shown in the figure), thereby fully opening the front cover.

[0060] After the impact is over, the detonator 8 can be removed manually (by removing the detonator 8 fixing plate), thereby locking the hood again.

[0061] 2. When pedestrian protection is not activated

[0062] At this time, the detonator 8 does not participate in the mechanical movement.

[0063] Status: The vehicle-mounted electronic control unit does not detect a collision signal; the detonator 8 will not be activated; the transmission plate 7 is located in the lock body and will not be activated.

[0064] Unlocking: The present invention adopts double-pull unlocking.

[0065] When the pull wire 9 is pulled for the first time (via a mechanical handle or an electric switch), the pull wire 9 moves to the left, driving the pawl 5 to rotate around the pawl shaft 6; the pawl 5 and the ratchet wheel 3 are fully unlocked at the first claw 33;

[0066] At this time, the lock buckle 13 releases the full lock with the front cover lock, and the rocker arm 10 releases the kinetic energy of the elastic element 103 to lift the front cover until the lock buckle 13 is limited by the limit hook 321 of the ratchet 3, and the ratchet 3 and the pawl 5 are engaged and locked again at the second claw 34 and maintained at this position. This is a semi-locked state. Figure 4 shown.

[0067] When the cable 9 is pulled for the second time (via a mechanical handle or an electric switch), the cable 9 moves to the left, driving the pawl 5 to rotate around the pawl shaft 6; the pawl 5 and the ratchet 3 are unlocked at the second claw 34; the ratchet 3 rotates around the ratchet shaft 4 until it is stopped by the lower housing 1; at this time, the limit hook of the ratchet 3 is disengaged from the lock buckle 13, and the front cover is fully unlocked. At this time, the cover can be lifted to the maximum position, such as Figure 5 shown.

[0068] Locking: When the front cover is pressed down, the lock buckle 13 presses down against the ratchet 3, driving the ratchet 3 to rotate around the ratchet shaft 4; the ratchet 3 drives the pawl 5 to rotate around the pawl shaft 6, and locks at the second claw 34, reaching a semi-locked state; continue to press the front cover, the lock buckle 13 presses down against the ratchet 3, driving the ratchet 3 to rotate around the ratchet shaft 4; the ratchet 3 drives the pawl 5 to rotate around the pawl shaft 6, and locks at the first claw 33, reaching a fully locked state, and the lower end of the lock buckle 13 restores the support arm 102 to the fully locked state, so that the second claw 34 engages with the arc-shaped rotating wheel. The process is as follows Figure 6 shown.

[0069] The front cover can directly enter the fully locked position or be locked in the semi-locked position, depending on the speed at which the front cover is pressed down and whether it pauses in the semi-locked position.

[0070] Finally, it should be noted that the above specific implementation methods are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solution of the present invention can be modified or replaced by equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of the present invention, which should be included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A car bonnet lock with pedestrian protection function, the car bonnet lock being installed on the lower side of the car bonnet, the car bonnet being provided with a bonnet reinforcement plate (11) and a lock catch (13), characterized in that: The automobile bonnet lock comprises: Lower housing (1); A ratchet (3), the ratchet (3) comprising a ratchet body (31) and a rotating arm (32) extending from a side end of the ratchet body (31), the ratchet body (31) being rotatably connected to the lower housing (1) and having a counterclockwise rotating torque, and the ratchet body (31) being provided with a claw; A ratchet pawl (5), the ratchet pawl (5) being rotatably connected to the lower housing (1) and having a counterclockwise rotating torque, the ratchet pawl (5) being capable of meshing with the claw; A rocker arm (10), the rocker arm (10) comprising a rotating portion (101) rotatably connected to a lower housing (1) and a support arm (102) extending from the rotating portion (101), an elastic element (103) capable of applying a counterclockwise torque to the rotating portion (101) being connected between the support arm (102) and the lower housing (1), the lock (13) abutting against the support arm (102) to limit the support arm (102) from rotating counterclockwise; A detonator (8), the detonator (8) being connected to the lower housing (1) and connected to a transmission plate (7) located at the lower side of the front cover reinforcement plate (11), the detonator (8) being able to drive the transmission plate (7) to move upward when started, so as to release the locking of the ratchet (5) body and the claw; When the locking between the main body of the ratchet (5) and the claw is released, the detonator (8) lifts up the front cover of the car through the transmission plate (7), and at the same time the front cover of the car drives the lock buckle (13) to move upward, the lock buckle (13) drives the ratchet (32) to move upward, and the support arm (102) moves upward to the lock buckle stop position under the action of the elastic element (103), and one end of the rotating arm (32) can limit the lock buckle (13) after the ratchet main body (31) rotates counterclockwise.

2. The vehicle hood lock with pedestrian protection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ratchet body (31) is connected to a ratchet shaft (4) and is rotatably connected to the lower housing (1) via the ratchet shaft (4); a first torsion spring is provided between the ratchet body (31) and the ratchet shaft (4).

3. The vehicle hood lock with pedestrian protection function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The transmission part is an arc-shaped rotating wheel structure, the arc-shaped rotating wheel is rotatably connected to the ratchet shaft (4), and the arc-shaped rotating wheel can mesh with the claw.

4. The automobile hood lock with pedestrian protection function according to claim 3, characterized in that: The claw comprises a first claw (33) and a second claw (34) which are arranged along the circumference of the ratchet body (31); wherein in a locked state, the first claw (33) meshes with the ratchet (5); and in a semi-locked state, the second claw (34) meshes with the ratchet (5).

5. The automobile hood lock with pedestrian protection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pawl (5) body is connected to a pawl shaft (6) and is rotatably connected to the lower housing (1) via the pawl shaft (6); a second torsion spring is provided between the pawl (5) body and the pawl shaft (6).

6. The automobile hood lock with pedestrian protection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The automobile hood lock further comprises a pull wire (9), one end of the pull wire (9) being connected to the ratchet (5), and the other end of the pull wire (9) being connected to an opening handle or an electric actuator in the cockpit, and the pull wire (9) can cause the ratchet (5) body to rotate clockwise when being pulled to release the locking of the ratchet (5) body and the claw.

7. The automobile hood lock with pedestrian protection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: A limiting protrusion (71) is provided at the side end of the transmission plate (7), and the pawl (5) is provided with a limiting step (51) that cooperates with the limiting protrusion (71).

8. The automobile hood lock with pedestrian protection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The automobile front cover is connected to a lock mounting plate (12) for mounting a lock (13).

9. The automobile hood lock with pedestrian protection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the rotating arm (32) is provided with a limiting hook (321) that cooperates with the lock buckle (13).

10. The automobile hood lock with pedestrian protection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic element (103) comprises a coil spring.

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