Latching device and vehicle

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of vehicles and discloses a locking device and a vehicle, the locking device comprising: a mounting seat; a lock body provided on the mounting seat through a first driving structure; and a locking structure provided on at least one side of the lock body, each locking structure comprising a locking seat and a stop component, the stop component being telescopically provided on the locking seat through a second driving structure, the stop component having a first abutting surface and a second abutting surface. The present application provides the locking structure on one side of the lock body, when the rear end of the front cover is actively lifted, the stop component is switched to an unlocked state at the same time, and the first driving structure drives the lock body to quickly lift the front end of the front cover. When the lock body quickly changes to a lifting state, the stop component changes to a second locking state through the first abutting surface and the lock body, so that the lock body can still maintain the lifting state when the front cover is impacted, and the front cover can stably maintain a certain lifting height, effectively solving the problem that the surrounding components are easily damaged when the existing front cover structure is actively lifted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle technology, and more specifically to a locking device and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] To reduce pedestrian injuries in the event of a collision, active hood technology is being used more and more widely. The area beneath a vehicle's hood is generally close to rigid interior components. When a pedestrian comes into contact with the front of the vehicle and collides with the hood, the hood's cushioning effect is limited, and the pedestrian will indirectly and rapidly collide with these rigid components. An active hood refers to a device installed at the end of the hood closest to the driver's compartment. Upon impact, this device can quickly raise the hood to a certain height, thus providing cushioning for the pedestrian during the collision.

[0003] Currently, the front cover is mainly lifted from the rear. Under the action of the front latch, the front cover will swing around the latch as a fulcrum when it is lifted. During the swinging process, the front side of the front cover will interfere with and collide with the surrounding components, which will cause damage to the surrounding components. Therefore, the existing front cover structure still has the problem of easily damaging the surrounding components when actively lifted. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a locking device and a vehicle to solve the problem that existing front cover structures are prone to damage to surrounding components when actively lifted.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a locking device applied to a vehicle having an active protection hood system. The vehicle includes a hood disposed at the front end of the vehicle body and a locking engagement device. The locking device includes: a mounting base adapted to be fixedly disposed at the bottom front end of the hood; a lock body movably disposed on the mounting base via a first driving structure, the lock body being adapted to cooperate with the locking engagement device to fix the hood, the lock body having a lifting state in which it moves away from the hood and lifts the hood to a preset height, and an initial state in which it moves closer to the hood and returns the hood to its initial height; and a locking structure, at least one side of the lock body having a locking structure, each locking structure including a locking seat and a stop assembly, the stop assembly being retractably disposed on the locking seat via a second driving structure, the stop assembly having a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface, the locking structure having an unlocked state in which the lock body can move relative to the mounting base, a first locked state in which it cooperates with the lock body via the first abutment surface and keeps the lock body in the lifting state, and a second locked state in which it cooperates with the lock body via the second abutment surface and keeps the lock body in its initial state.

[0006] Beneficial effects: A locking structure is set on one side of the lock body. The lock body can move relative to the mounting base through the first driving structure. After the front cover completes the engagement with the locking device through the lock body in its initial state, the second abutment surface of the stop component engages with the lock body, making the lock body and the mounting base a whole. This prevents the lock body from moving arbitrarily and causing the front cover to become unstable. When the rear end of the front cover is actively lifted, the stop component switches to the unlocked state, and at the same time, the first driving structure drives the lock body to quickly lift the front end of the front cover. As the lock body quickly changes to the lifted state, the stop component engages with the lock body through the first abutment surface to change to the second locked state. At this time, the lock body and the mounting base form a whole again, so that the lock body can still maintain the lifted state when the front cover is impacted. This allows the front cover to maintain a stable lifting height. During this process, when the front cover swings around the end of the lock body, it cannot interfere with surrounding components, effectively solving the problem that the existing front cover structure is prone to damaging surrounding components when actively lifted.

[0007] In one alternative embodiment, the first drive structure includes a push rod and a first drive member. The push rod cooperates with the lock body through the first drive member. The push rod has an extended state that pushes the lock body away from the front cover and a retracted state that causes the lock body to fall back close to the front cover.

[0008] Beneficial effects: The first drive component and push rod work together to not only automatically push the lock body out, but also automatically return the lock body to its original position when not in use, which improves the flexibility of the lock body's movement and effectively enhances the automation of the control process.

[0009] In one alternative embodiment, the lock body has a mounting cavity at one end near the front cover, and the mounting cavity has an opening on the side near the front cover. The first driving member is fixedly disposed in the mounting cavity, and the push rod is retractably disposed in the mounting cavity through the opening.

[0010] Beneficial effects: It makes full use of the internal space of the lock body, so that the first drive component and push rod do not need to occupy the space of the mounting base, thus improving the space utilization rate, effectively reducing the overall size of the components, and improving the layout flexibility of the locking device.

[0011] In one alternative embodiment, the first driving member is a gas generator and is disposed on the side of the mounting cavity away from the opening, and the end of the push rod near the gas generator and the space between the gas generators form a pushing cavity.

[0012] Beneficial effects: The push rod extends rapidly under the pressure of the gas in the push chamber and pushes out the lock body. The push rod is moved by the gas generator, and the reaction is rapid and the pushing force is large, which can lift the front end of the front cover in a very short time.

[0013] In one optional embodiment, the lock body is fixedly provided with a mating block that cooperates with the stop assembly. The side of the stop assembly away from the front cover forms a first abutting surface, and the side of the stop assembly close to the front cover forms a second abutting surface. When the locking structure is in the first locked state, the mating block abuts and cooperates with the first abutting surface. When the locking structure is in the second locked state, the mating block abuts and cooperates with the second abutting surface.

[0014] Beneficial effects: Simple and reliable structure, easy to process and manufacture.

[0015] In one optional embodiment, the stop assembly includes a first stop pin and a second stop pin arranged sequentially along the direction close to the front cover. The surface of the first stop pin away from the second stop pin forms a first abutment surface, and the surface of the second stop pin away from the first stop pin forms a second abutment surface. The first stop pin and the second stop pin respectively cooperate with the locking seat through a second drive structure. Both the first stop pin and the second stop pin have an extended state extending out of the locking seat and a retracted state entering the locking seat.

[0016] Beneficial effect: The first and second stop pins form a double safety mechanism, so that when one of the stop pins fails, the lock body can continue to engage with the other stop pin.

[0017] In one optional embodiment, the second driving structure includes an elastic element and a second driving element. The first stop pin and the second stop pin are respectively in an extended state through the corresponding elastic element, and the first stop pin and the second stop pin are respectively in a retracted state through the corresponding second driving element. The surface of the first stop pin near the second stop pin forms a first inclined surface, and the surface of the second stop pin near the first stop pin forms a second inclined surface. The mating block is adapted to cooperate with the first inclined surface or the second inclined surface to press down the corresponding stop pin.

[0018] Beneficial effects: Under normal conditions, the first and second stop pins remain extended under the action of the elastic element. The second drive element is only used to control the retraction process of the first and second stop pins, reducing the steps that need to be actively controlled and improving structural reliability.

[0019] In one alternative embodiment, the lock body includes two vertical sections and one horizontal section. The two vertical sections are spaced apart along the extension direction of the front cover, and the horizontal section is disposed between the two vertical sections. At least one vertical section cooperates with a first drive structure, and the horizontal section is adapted to cooperate with a locking engagement device.

[0020] Beneficial effects: The lock body has a simple and reliable structure and can be directly used with existing locking devices at the front of vehicles.

[0021] In one alternative embodiment, the mounting base has a receiving cavity inside, the lock body is inserted into the receiving cavity, and the locking structure is fixedly disposed in the receiving cavity.

[0022] Beneficial effects: The lock body and locking structure do not occupy extra space, while the mounting base can effectively protect the various components, improve the aesthetics of the device, and prevent the components from being interfered with by external factors.

[0023] Secondly, the present invention also provides a vehicle comprising: a vehicle body; a front cover disposed at the front end of the vehicle body; a locking engagement device disposed on the vehicle body and located below the front end of the front cover; a lifting device disposed on the vehicle body and located below the rear end of the front cover, the lifting device being adapted to lift the front cover; and the aforementioned locking device disposed at the bottom of the front end of the front cover, the locking device being adapted to engage with the locking engagement device. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the lock body of a locking device in its initial state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the locking body of the latching device in the lifted state.

[0027] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the locking structure of the latching device.

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0029] 1. Mounting base; 101. Receiving cavity; 2. Lock body; 201. Mounting cavity; 202. Mating block; 203. Vertical section; 204. Horizontal section; 301. Push rod; 302. First driving component; 4. Locking structure; 401. Locking seat; 402. First stop pin; 4021. First abutment surface; 4022. First inclined surface; 403. Second stop pin; 4031. Second abutment surface; 4032. Second inclined surface; 5. Front cover. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] The following is combined Figures 1 to 3 The following describes embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a locking device is provided for use in a vehicle with an active protection hood system. The vehicle includes a hood 5 disposed at the front end of the vehicle body and a locking engagement device. The locking device includes a mounting base 1, a lock body 2, and a locking structure 4. The mounting base 1 is adapted to be fixedly disposed at the bottom front end of the hood 5. The lock body 2 is movably disposed on the mounting base 1 via a first driving structure. The lock body 2 is adapted to cooperate with the locking engagement device to fix the hood 5. The lock body 2 has a lifting state in which it moves away from the hood 5 and lifts the hood 5 to a preset height, and a moving state in which it moves closer to the hood 5 and returns the hood 5 to its initial position. In the initial state of the initial height, at least one side of the lock body 2 is provided with a locking structure 4. Each locking structure 4 includes a locking seat 401 and a stop assembly. The stop assembly is telescopically disposed on the locking seat 401 through a second drive structure. The stop assembly has a first abutment surface 4021 and a second abutment surface 4031. The locking structure 4 has an unlocked state that allows the lock body 2 to move relative to the mounting base 1, a first locked state that engages with the lock body 2 through the first abutment surface 4021 and keeps the lock body 2 in a raised state, and a second locked state that engages with the lock body 2 through the second abutment surface 4031 and keeps the lock body 2 in the initial state.

[0033] The locking device of this embodiment has a locking structure 4 on one side of the lock body 2. The lock body 2 can move relative to the mounting base 1 through the first driving structure. When the front cover 5 completes the engagement with the locking device through the lock body 2 in the initial state, the second abutment surface 4031 of the stop component engages with the lock body 2, making the lock body 2 and the mounting base 1 form a whole, preventing the lock body 2 from moving arbitrarily and causing the front cover 5 to become unstable. When the rear end of the front cover 5 is actively lifted, the stop component switches to the unlocked state, and at the same time, the first driving structure drives the lock body 2 to quickly lift the front end of the front cover 5. As the lock body 2 quickly changes to the lifted state, the stop component engages with the lock body 2 through the first abutment surface 4021 to change to the second locked state. At this time, the lock body 2 and the mounting base 1 form a whole again, so that the lock body 2 can still maintain the lifted state when the front cover 5 is impacted, and the front cover 5 can stably maintain a certain lifting height. During this process, when the front cover 5 swings around the end of the lock body 2, it cannot interfere with the surrounding components, effectively solving the problem that the existing front cover structure is prone to damaging the surrounding components when actively lifted.

[0034] Specifically, the first driving structure in this embodiment is an active driving structure. When the first driving structure is in the active state, it can actively drive the lock body 2 to move. When the locking structure 4 is in the unlocked state, if the first driving structure is in the inactive state at this time, the lock body 2 will not move arbitrarily, thus avoiding the situation where the lock body 2 arbitrarily pushes up the front cover 5 under normal conditions.

[0035] Compared to passive energy storage drive structures such as springs, springs are in a continuous compressed state under normal conditions. If the structure that maintains the spring in a compressed state becomes loose, the spring can easily break through the compression structure and directly become excited, extending and pushing up the front end of the front cover 5 even when the vehicle has not been involved in an accident. This results in insufficient structural reliability.

[0036] Meanwhile, the active front cover 5 is usually triggered and popped up to the specified height within 25ms. Since the spring itself is in a compressed state for a long time, it is not only easy to reach the fatigue limit and fail, but also the lifting speed and lifting force provided when lifting the front cover 5 are very limited, as it relies solely on the spring force to lift the weight load of the front cover while ensuring the popping time.

[0037] Furthermore, in the passive energy storage drive structure, after the spring extends and lifts the front cover 5, since there is no other locking device, the front end of the front cover 5 will fall back when subjected to external force. The stop assembly in this embodiment can ensure that the lock body 2 remains in the lifted state through the first abutment surface 4021, effectively improving the lifting reliability.

[0038] It should be noted that the specific location of the lock body 2 is not limited. It can be inserted into the mounting base 1 and extend and retract along the hole on the mounting base 1, or it can be set on the side wall of the mounting base 1 and slide along the side wall of the mounting base 1, as long as it can move reliably on the mounting base 1. The specific form of the locking structure 4 stop assembly is not limited. It can be a single stop or multiple independent stop components, as long as they can cooperate with and fix the position of the lock body 2 when it is in the initial state and the lifting state. The number of locking structures 4 can be one or multiple, and can be selected according to the requirements.

[0039] Among them, lock body 2 along Figure 1 Move in the "vertical" direction indicated by the middle arrow.

[0040] In this embodiment, the first driving structure includes a push rod 301 and a first driving member 302. The push rod 301 cooperates with the lock body 2 through the first driving member 302. The push rod 301 has an outward state that pushes the lock body 2 away from the front cover 5, and a return state that makes the lock body 2 close to the front cover 5 and fall back. The cooperation between the first driving member 302 and the push rod 301 can not only automatically push the lock body 2 outward, but also automatically return the lock body 2 when it is not needed, which improves the flexibility of the movement of the lock body 2 and effectively improves the automation of the control process.

[0041] Specifically, the exact location of the first drive structure is not limited. It can be set on the lock body 2 and cooperate with the mounting base 1, or it can be set on the mounting base 1 and cooperate with the lock body 2, as long as it can reliably push the lock body 2.

[0042] In this embodiment, the lock body 2 has a mounting cavity 201 at one end near the front cover 5. The mounting cavity 201 has an opening on the side near the front cover 5. The first driving member 302 is fixedly installed in the mounting cavity 201, and the push rod 301 is telescopically installed in the mounting cavity 201 through the opening. This makes full use of the space inside the lock body 2, so that the first driving member 302 and the push rod 301 do not need to occupy the space of the mounting base 1, which improves the space utilization rate, effectively reduces the volume of the overall component, and improves the layout flexibility of the locking device.

[0043] In this embodiment, the first driving member 302 is a gas generator and is located on the side of the mounting cavity 201 away from the opening. The push rod 301 near the gas generator and the space between the gas generators form a pushing cavity. When the rear end of the active front cover 5 is exposed, the gas generator receives the signal and simultaneously generates a large amount of gas to fill the pushing cavity. The push rod 301 is pushed out quickly by the gas in the pushing cavity and pushes out the lock body 2. The push rod 301 is moved by the gas generator, which reacts quickly and has a large pushing force, which can lift the front end of the front cover 5 in a very short time.

[0044] It is understood that, as an alternative implementation, the first driving component 302 can also be a telescopic cylinder, one end of which is fixedly connected to the push rod 301, driving the push rod 301 to telescopically move in the mounting cavity 201. The first driving component 302 can also be an electromagnetic drive structure, and the lifting force can be adjusted by the number of current turns, etc.

[0045] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, the dotted areas in the mounting cavity 201 are the areas filled with gas. Since the push rod 301 and the first driving member 302 are not connected, in order to prevent the push rod 301 from detaching from the mounting cavity 201 at will, a limiting end is formed at the end of the push rod 301 near the first driving member 302. The diameter of the limiting end is larger than the diameter of the opening of the mounting cavity 201. In order to ensure that the push rod 301 can be reliably pushed out, the gap between the outer wall of the push rod 301 and the opening of the mounting cavity 201 is small, so as to prevent gas leakage generated by the gas generator from preventing the push rod 301 from moving.

[0046] In this process, it is necessary to control the amount of gas generated instantaneously by the gas generator to prevent excessive gas generation and excessive pressure in the mounting cavity 201. In addition, the response time of the lifting process can be adjusted by controlling the calibration of the amount of propellant in the gas generator.

[0047] In this embodiment, the lock body 2 is fixedly provided with a mating block 202 that cooperates with the stop assembly. The side of the stop assembly away from the front cover 5 forms a first abutting surface 4021, and the side of the stop assembly close to the front cover 5 forms a second abutting surface 4031. When the locking structure 4 is in the first locked state, the mating block 202 abuts and cooperates with the first abutting surface 4021. When the locking structure 4 is in the second locked state, the mating block 202 abuts and cooperates with the second abutting surface 4031. The structure is simple and reliable and easy to process and manufacture.

[0048] Specifically, the specific structure of the mating block 202 is not limited; it can be prism-shaped, cylindrical, etc., as long as the stop component can reliably abut and fit.

[0049] In this embodiment, the stop assembly includes a first stop pin 402 and a second stop pin 403 arranged sequentially along the direction close to the front cover 5. The surface of the first stop pin 402 away from the second stop pin 403 forms a first abutment surface 4021, and the surface of the second stop pin 403 away from the first stop pin 402 forms a second abutment surface 4031. The first stop pin 402 and the second stop pin 403 respectively cooperate with the locking seat 401 through a second driving structure. Both the first stop pin 402 and the second stop pin 403 have an extended state extending from the locking seat 401 and a retracted state entering the locking seat 401. When the two first stop pins 402 and... When the second stop pin 403 retracts, the lock body 2 can move freely. When the lock body 2 is in the initial state, the first stop pin 402 and the second stop pin 403 extend, and the lock body 2 is fixed by engaging with the second abutment surface 4031 of the second stop pin 403. When the lock body 2 is in the raised state, the first stop pin 402 and the second stop pin 403 extend, and the lock body 2 is fixed by engaging with the first abutment surface 4021 of the first stop pin 402. The engagement method is simple and reliable. The first stop pin 402 and the second stop pin 403 form a double safety mechanism. When one of the stop pins fails, the lock body 2 can continue to engage with the other stop pin.

[0050] Among them, the first stop pin 402 and the second stop pin 403 are along Figure 1 The middle arrow indicates the "horizontal" direction for scaling.

[0051] In this embodiment, the second driving structure includes an elastic element and a second driving element. The first stop pin 402 and the second stop pin 403 are respectively in an extended state through the corresponding elastic element, and the first stop pin 402 and the second stop pin 403 are respectively in a retracted state through the corresponding second driving element. The surface of the first stop pin 402 near the second stop pin 403 forms a first inclined surface 4022, and the surface of the second stop pin 403 near the first stop pin 402 forms a second inclined surface 4032. The mating block 202 is adapted to cooperate with the first inclined surface 4022 or the second inclined surface 4032 to press down the corresponding stop pin. Under normal conditions, the first stop pin 402 and the second stop pin 403 remain in an extended state under the action of the elastic element. The second driving element is only used to control the retraction process of the first stop pin 402 and the second stop pin 403, reducing the steps that need to be actively controlled and improving the structural reliability.

[0052] Specifically, when the lock body 2 needs to be in the raised state, it is only necessary to control the second stop pin 403 to retract. During the movement of the lock body 2, it can cooperate with the first inclined surface 4022 to press the first stop pin 402 into the locking seat 401. When the engagement position of the lock body 2 exceeds the first stop pin 402, the first stop pin 402 will extend again under the action of the elastic element. At this time, the lock body 2 will fall back under the gravity of the front cover 5 and abut against the first stop pin 402. The structure is simple and ingenious, reducing the number of lock body 2 to the initial state. The same principle applies when the lock body 2 needs to be in the initial state, which will not be elaborated on here.

[0053] In this embodiment, the lock body 2 includes two vertical segments 203 and one horizontal segment 204. The two vertical segments 203 are spaced apart along the extension direction of the front cover 5, and the horizontal segment 204 is disposed between the two vertical segments 203. At least one vertical segment 203 cooperates with the first drive structure, and the horizontal segment 204 is adapted to cooperate with the locking device. The lock body 2 has a simple and reliable structure and can be directly cooperated with the existing locking device at the front of the vehicle.

[0054] It is understood that, as an alternative implementation, the transverse segment 204 of the lock body 2 may also be in the form of a latch.

[0055] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, the ends of the two vertical segments 203 away from the horizontal segment 204 are provided with a first driving structure and cooperate with it. The lock body 2 with this structure is more evenly stressed, and the lifting force provided by the two first driving structures is stronger.

[0056] In this embodiment, the locking device is also provided with a return drive structure. When the lock body 2 in the lifted state needs to be changed back to the initial state, the return drive structure can be used to push the front cover 5 or the lock body 2 to move and return to the initial position.

[0057] In this embodiment, the mounting base 1 has a receiving cavity 101 inside, the lock body 2 is inserted into the receiving cavity 101, and the locking structure 4 is fixedly installed in the receiving cavity 101. The lock body 2 and the locking structure 4 do not occupy additional space. At the same time, the mounting base 1 can effectively protect the various components inside, improve the aesthetics of the device, and prevent the device components from being interfered with by external factors.

[0058] The working process of the locking device in this embodiment will be described below:

[0059] When the explosion occurs at the rear end of the front cover 5, the locking device system synchronously receives the ignition signal from the controller. The second stop pin 403 retracts, the gas generator receives the ignition signal and ignites, and the gas generated by the gas generator pushes the push rod 301 to move. The push rod 301 cooperates with the mounting base 1 to remove the lock body 2. The mating block 202 presses it back along the inclined surface of the first stop pin 402. After the mating block 202 presses down on the second stop pin 403 and exceeds the first stop pin 402, the first stop pin 402 extends to the limit to prevent the front cover from falling back.

[0060] When the vehicle needs to reset the front cover after a collision, the first stop pin 402 retracts and the front cover 5 can be pressed back to its original position manually or through the return drive structure. The mating block 202 moves along the inclined surface on the second stop pin 403 and presses it back. After the mating block 202 passes the second stop pin 403, the second stop pin 403 extends to the limit to prevent the front cover from popping up.

[0061] The following is the basic logic and timing of the stop component executor:

[0062] Default state: First stop pin 402 and second stop pin 403 are de-energized and in their naturally extended position;

[0063] Detonation trigger action: The second stop pin 403 is energized and retracts, while the first stop pin 402 is de-energized and in its naturally extended position;

[0064] Ignition + First preset time: First stop pin 402 and second stop pin 403 are de-energized and are both in their naturally extended positions;

[0065] Reset trigger action: The second stop pin 403 is de-energized and in its naturally extended position, while the first stop pin 402 is energized and retracts.

[0066] Reset + First preset time: The first stop pin 402 and the second stop pin 403 are de-energized and are both in their naturally extended positions.

[0067] The specific values ​​of the first and second preset times are not limited and can be selected according to actual needs. The first preset time is preferably 100ms and the second preset time is preferably 60s.

[0068] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in another aspect, a vehicle is provided, comprising: a vehicle body, a front cover 5, a locking engagement device, a lifting device, and the aforementioned latching device. The front cover 5 is disposed at the front end of the vehicle body, the locking engagement device is disposed on the vehicle body and located below the front end of the front cover 5, the lifting device is disposed on the vehicle body and located below the rear end of the front cover 5, the lifting device is adapted to lift the front cover 5, and the latching device is disposed at the bottom of the front end of the front cover 5, the latching device is adapted to cooperate with the locking engagement device.

[0069] Specifically, the specific structure of the locking and lifting device is not limited, and existing related structures can be referenced. Further details will not be provided here.

[0070] Although embodiments of the invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A locking device for use in a vehicle with an active protection hood system, the vehicle comprising a hood (5) disposed at the front end of the vehicle body and a locking engagement device, characterized in that, The locking device includes: Mounting base (1) is adapted to be fixedly installed at the bottom front end of the front cover (5); The lock body (2) is movably disposed on the mounting base (1) by the first drive structure. The lock body (2) is adapted to cooperate with the locking device to fix the front cover (5). The lock body (2) has a lifting state in which it moves away from the front cover (5) and lifts the front cover (5) to a preset height, and an initial state in which it moves closer to the front cover (5) and returns the front cover (5) to the initial height. A locking structure (4) is provided on at least one side of the lock body (2). Each locking structure (4) includes a locking seat (401) and a stop assembly. The stop assembly is telescopically disposed on the locking seat (401) via a second drive structure. The stop assembly has a first abutment surface (4021) and a second abutment surface (4031). The locking structure (4) has an unlocked state that allows the lock body (2) to move relative to the mounting base (1), a first locked state that engages with the lock body (2) through the first abutment surface (4021) and keeps the lock body (2) in the raised state, and a second locked state that engages with the lock body (2) through the second abutment surface (4031) and keeps the lock body (2) in the initial state.

2. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first drive structure includes a push rod (301) and a first drive member (302). The push rod (301) cooperates with the lock body (2) through the first drive member (302). The push rod (301) has an outward state that pushes the lock body (2) away from the front cover (5) and a return state that makes the lock body (2) close to the front cover (5) and fall back.

3. The locking device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The lock body (2) has a mounting cavity (201) at one end near the front cover (5). The mounting cavity (201) has an opening on the side near the front cover (5). The first driving member (302) is fixedly installed in the mounting cavity (201). The push rod (301) is telescopically installed in the mounting cavity (201) through the opening.

4. The locking device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first driving member (302) is a gas generator and is located on the side of the mounting cavity (201) away from the opening. The push rod (301) near the end of the gas generator and the space between the gas generator form a pushing cavity.

5. The locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The lock body (2) is fixedly provided with a mating block (202) that cooperates with the stop assembly. The side of the stop assembly away from the front cover (5) forms a first abutting surface (4021), and the side of the stop assembly close to the front cover (5) forms a second abutting surface (4031). When the locking structure (4) is in the first locking state, the mating block (202) abuts against the first abutting surface (4021). When the locking structure (4) is in the second locking state, the mating block (202) abuts against the second abutting surface (4031).

6. The locking device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The stop assembly includes a first stop pin (402) and a second stop pin (403) arranged sequentially along the direction close to the front cover (5). The surface of the first stop pin (402) away from the second stop pin (403) forms the first abutment surface (4021), and the surface of the second stop pin (403) away from the first stop pin (402) forms the second abutment surface (4031). The first stop pin (402) and the second stop pin (403) respectively cooperate with the locking seat (401) through the second driving structure. Both the first stop pin (402) and the second stop pin (403) have an extended state extending out of the locking seat (401) and a retracted state entering the locking seat (401).

7. The locking device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second driving structure includes an elastic element and a second driving element. The first stop pin (402) and the second stop pin (403) are respectively in the extended state through the corresponding elastic element, and the first stop pin (402) and the second stop pin (403) are respectively in the retracted state through the corresponding second driving element. The surface of the first stop pin (402) near the second stop pin (403) forms a first inclined surface (4022), and the surface of the second stop pin (403) near the first stop pin (402) forms a second inclined surface (4032). The mating block (202) is adapted to cooperate with the first inclined surface (4022) or the second inclined surface (4032) to press down the corresponding stop pin.

8. The locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The lock body (2) includes two vertical sections (203) and one horizontal section (204). The two vertical sections (203) are spaced apart along the extension direction of the front cover (5). The horizontal section (204) is disposed between the two vertical sections (203). At least one of the vertical sections (203) cooperates with the first drive structure. The horizontal section (204) is adapted to cooperate with the locking device.

9. The locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The mounting base (1) has a receiving cavity (101) inside, the lock body (2) is inserted into the receiving cavity (101), and the locking structure (4) is fixedly installed in the receiving cavity (101).

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, include: Vehicle body; Front cover (5), located at the front end of the vehicle body; A locking and engaging device is provided on the vehicle body and located below the front end of the front cover (5); A lifting device is provided on the vehicle body and located below the rear end of the front cover (5), the lifting device being adapted to lift the front cover (5); The locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is disposed at the bottom of the front end of the front cover (5), and the locking device is adapted to cooperate with the locking engagement device.

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