A front cover lock

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of vehicle engineering technology, specifically to a hood lock for use with a locking ring fixed to the hood. The lock includes a lock body, a lock cylinder module, and a safety trigger module. The lock body is fixedly connected to the vehicle body and has a lock hole for receiving the locking ring. The lock cylinder module includes a ratchet and a safety hook. The ratchet limits the locking ring within the lock hole. When the locking ring is lifted, it pushes the ratchet, which in turn drives the safety hook. The safety hook then blocks the locking ring at the exit of the lock hole. The safety trigger module includes a propellant trigger and a transmission assembly. When the propellant trigger is activated, it pushes the transmission assembly, which in turn lifts the locking ring limited by the ratchet within the lock hole. This invention solves the technical problem of existing hood locks failing to eliminate or mitigate physical injury to pedestrians after a collision.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle engineering technology, specifically to a front cover lock. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the automotive industry, consumers have increasingly higher requirements for vehicle safety, especially since front-end collisions are the most frequent type of accident. Collisions with pedestrians can result in serious accidents, so it is necessary to add corresponding protective measures to enhance pedestrian protection and eliminate or mitigate the physical injuries to pedestrians after a collision. Current hood locks only have the function of keeping the hood closed and not detached, and cannot eliminate or mitigate the injuries to pedestrians after a collision. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to solve the technical problem that the front cover lock in the prior art cannot eliminate or mitigate the physical injury to pedestrians after a collision, this application proposes a front cover lock that solves the above-mentioned technical problem.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is:

[0005] This invention provides a front cover lock for use with a locking ring fixed on a front cover, comprising: a lock body fixedly connected to the vehicle body, the lock body having a lock hole for receiving the locking ring; a lock cylinder module including a ratchet and a safety hook, the ratchet limiting the locking ring within the lock hole, the locking ring being pushed up pushing the ratchet, the pushed ratchet driving the safety hook, the driven safety hook blocking the exit of the lock hole to limit the locking ring; and a safety trigger module including a gunpowder trigger and a transmission assembly, the gunpowder trigger being triggered pushing the transmission assembly, the pushed transmission assembly lifting the locking ring limited within the lock hole by the ratchet.

[0006] Furthermore, the lock body includes a base plate and a cover plate fixedly connected, the lock cylinder module is disposed between the base plate and the cover plate, and the safety trigger module is connected to the base plate and disposed on the outer surface of the lock body.

[0007] Furthermore, both the ratchet and the safety hook are rotatably connected to the cover plate and share a first rotating shaft; the lock cylinder module also includes a pawl for locking the ratchet, and the pawl is rotatably connected to the cover plate via a second rotating shaft.

[0008] Furthermore, the safety hook has a flange that can be abutted against by the ratchet, so that the ratchet can drive the safety hook to rotate.

[0009] Furthermore, the safety lock hook has an oblong clearance hole for avoiding the second rotating shaft, and the second rotating shaft is movably fitted into the oblong clearance hole.

[0010] Furthermore, the safety hook has an inclined force-receiving part, so that the falling lock ring pushes the safety hook through the inclined force-receiving part.

[0011] Furthermore, the ratchet is provided with a tension spring to pull the ratchet that is not limited by the pawl; the pawl is provided with a pawl torsion spring to position the pawl in the locked position to lock the ratchet; the safety hook is provided with a hook torsion spring to position the safety hook in the initial position that does not obstruct the lock hole.

[0012] Furthermore, a limit stop is formed on the ratchet, and after the ratchet disengages from the locking of the pawl, the limit stop blocks the reset path of the pawl.

[0013] Furthermore, the pawl is provided with a cable connection hole; the safety lock hook is provided with a cable waist-shaped hole.

[0014] Furthermore, the cover plate is also equipped with a switch harness assembly that cooperates with the pawl and ratchet.

[0015] Furthermore, the gunpowder trigger is fixedly connected to the base plate; the transmission assembly includes a primary push rod and a secondary push rod. The primary push rod is rotatably connected to the base plate via a third rotating shaft, and the secondary push rod is rotatably connected to the base plate via a fourth rotating shaft. When the gunpowder trigger is triggered, it pushes the primary push rod to rotate. After the primary push rod rotates, it pushes the secondary push rod. After the secondary push rod rotates, it pushes out the locking ring to lift the front cover and keep it in a semi-locked state.

[0016] Furthermore, the first-stage push rod is equipped with a push rod torsion spring to position the first-stage push rod in its initial position before being pushed by the gunpowder trigger, and the second-stage push rod is equipped with a push rod torsion spring to position the second-stage push rod in its initial position before being pushed by the first-stage push rod.

[0017] Based on the above technical solution, the technical effects that the present invention can achieve are as follows:

[0018] This invention provides a front cover lock. When a vehicle collides with a pedestrian, the propellant trigger of the safety trigger module is activated. The propellant trigger pushes the transmission component, which lifts a locking ring that is limited in the lock hole by a ratchet. The locking ring and the front cover are fixedly connected. When the locking ring is lifted by the transmission component, the front cover is also lifted, which serves to buffer and dissipate the force. At the same time, the lifted locking ring pushes the ratchet of the lock core module to rotate. The ratchet drives the safety lock hook, which rotates and blocks the lock ring at the exit of the lock hole, thus preventing the locking ring from completely dislodging from the lock hole, that is, preventing the front cover from being fully lifted. In summary, after a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian, the front cover lock of this invention lifts the front cover to dissipate the force through the propellant trigger, thereby eliminating or mitigating the impact force received by the pedestrian and realizing the pedestrian protection function. At the same time, the safety lock hook limits the lifting range of the front cover, preventing the front cover from opening excessively and affecting the driver's vision. This solves the technical problem that the front cover locks in the prior art cannot eliminate or mitigate the physical injury to pedestrians after a collision.

[0019] The front cover lock of the present invention, when not triggering the pedestrian protection function, achieves half-lock unlocking through the inner opening cable connected to the actuator, releases the safety hook through the safety hook cable connected to the actuator, and releases the front cover lock half-lock and full-lock by the linear motion of the two cables driven by the actuator. The open and closed state of the lock body is identified by whether the ratchet is in contact with the micro switch. When the lock body is in the half-lock and full-open position, the micro switch is in the normally off state and transmits the information to the BCM in a timely manner.

[0020] The safety hook of the present invention can be hidden into the lock body as the latch sinks down when locked, which solves the problem that the safety hook is too high to be installed.

[0021] The front cover lock of this invention achieves pedestrian protection function with only a gunpowder igniter, a first-stage push rod, and a second-stage push rod. It has a simple structure, small size, light weight, simple assembly, and low cost. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the lock body of the front cover lock of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the lock cylinder module of the front cover lock of the present invention in the fully locked state;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the lock cylinder module of the front cover lock of the present invention in a half-locked state;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the safety lock hook of the lock cylinder module of the front cover lock of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the safety trigger module for the front cover lock of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the primary push rod and the secondary push rod of the safety trigger module of the front cover lock of the present invention.

[0028] In this invention:

[0029] a-locking ring;

[0030] 1-Lock body, 11-Lock hole, 12-Base plate, 121-Base plate mounting hole, 122-First pivot hole, 123-Second pivot hole, 124-Punch trigger mounting hole, 125-Third pivot hole, 126-Fourth pivot hole, 127-Push rod torsion spring fixing hole, 128-Push rod torsion spring fixing hole, 13-Cover plate, 131-Cover plate mounting hole;

[0031] 2-Lock cylinder module, 21-Ratchet, 211-First rotating shaft, 212-Tension spring, 213-Limit stop, 22-Safety lock hook, 221-Flange, 222-Oval clearance hole, 223-Inclined force-bearing part, 224-Lock hook torsion spring, 225-Oval hole for cable, 23-Pawl, 231-Second rotating shaft, 232-Pawl torsion spring, 233-Cable connection hole, 24-Switch wiring harness assembly;

[0032] 3-Safety trigger module, 31-Punch trigger, 32-First stage push rod, 321-Third rotating shaft, 322-Push rod torsion spring, 33-Second stage push rod, 331-Fourth rotating shaft, 332-Push rod torsion spring. Detailed Implementation

[0033] 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, and not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the present invention or its application or use. 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.

[0034] With the rapid development of the automotive industry, consumers have increasingly higher requirements for vehicle safety, especially given the high frequency of front-end collisions. Collisions with pedestrians can result in serious accidents, necessitating additional protective measures to enhance pedestrian safety and mitigate physical injuries. Current hood locks only keep the hood closed and prevent it from detaching, failing to eliminate or mitigate pedestrian injuries after a collision. This invention, however, allows the hood lock to actively unlock to a semi-locked position after a pedestrian impact. Within 4ms, the hood lifts approximately 40mm, maintaining the hood's position and preventing it from opening, detaching from the lock, and remaining locked. This not only mitigates or eliminates fatal injuries to pedestrians but also ensures the hood lock remains locked and prevents secondary accidents caused by the hood obstructing the driver's view.

[0035] like Figure 1-6 As shown, the present invention provides a small, lightweight front cover lock that can be hidden and sunken after the safety hook 22 is locked, requiring little space in vehicle design, widely applicable to various vehicle layout designs, meeting the functional and regulatory requirements of front cover lock products, and providing active pedestrian protection in the event of a vehicle collision. Specifically, the front cover lock is used to cooperate with the locking ring a on the front cover and includes a lock body 1, a lock cylinder module 2, and a safety trigger module 3. The lock body 1 includes a base plate 12 and a cover plate 13 fixedly connected. The lock cylinder module 2 is disposed between the base plate 12 and the cover plate 13. The safety trigger module 3 is connected to the base plate 12 and disposed on the outer surface of the connecting body.

[0036] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the lock body 1 is fixedly connected to the vehicle body. The lock body 1 includes a base plate 12 and a cover plate 13 that are fixedly connected. Specifically, they are fixedly connected by a first rotating shaft 211 and a second rotating shaft 231. The base plate 12 is provided with a base plate fixing mounting hole 121, and the cover plate 13 is provided with a cover plate fixing mounting hole 131. Nuts are arranged in the base plate fixing mounting hole 121 and the cover plate fixing mounting hole 131 to fix the lock body 1 to the vehicle body bracket, thereby fixing the lock body 1. Furthermore, the base plate 12 is provided with a first pivot hole 122 and a second pivot hole 123, which are used to install the first rotating shaft 211 and the second rotating shaft 231, respectively. The first rotating shaft 211 is equipped with a ratchet 21, a safety hook 22 and a safety hook 22 torsion spring, and the ratchet 21 is equipped with a tension spring 212. The second rotating shaft 231 is equipped with a pawl 23 and a pawl torsion spring 232. The base plate 12 is provided with a gunpowder trigger mounting hole 124 for fixing the gunpowder trigger 31. The base plate 12 is provided with a micro switch fixing hole for fixing the switch. The wiring harness assembly 24 has a third pivot hole 125 on the base plate 12 for mounting a third rotating shaft 321. The third rotating shaft 321 is equipped with a first-stage push rod 32 and a push rod torsion spring 322. The base plate 12 has a fourth pivot hole 126 for mounting a fourth rotating shaft 331. The fourth rotating shaft 331 is equipped with a second-stage push rod 33 and a push rod torsion spring 332. At the same time, the base plate 12 has a push rod torsion spring 322 fixing hole 127 and a push rod torsion spring 332 fixing hole 128 for fixing the push rod torsion spring 322 and the push rod torsion spring 332 respectively.

[0037] The working principle of pedestrian protection and the movement process of its components:

[0038] like Figure 5-6 The diagram shows the safety trigger module 3 of the front cover lock of the present invention. The safety trigger module 3 includes a gunpowder trigger 31, a first-stage push rod 32, a push rod torsion spring 322, a third rotating shaft 321, a second-stage push rod 33, a push rod torsion spring 332, and a fourth rotating shaft 331, all mounted on the base plate 12. The gunpowder trigger 31 is fixed to the base plate 12 with two screws, and the base plate 12 is fixed to the vehicle body with three M6 screws. When a pedestrian is impacted, the force sensor at the front of the vehicle transmits the force signal to the BCM. After the BCM recognizes that the triggering conditions are met, it triggers the gunpowder trigger 31. After the detonator 31 detonates, it impacts the first-stage push rod 32, which rotates clockwise. During this rotation, the first-stage push rod 32 pushes the second-stage push rod 33 to rotate counterclockwise and supports it in a limited position. As the second-stage push rod 33 rotates counterclockwise, it lifts the locking ring a, raising the front cover and keeping it in a semi-locked position. The locking ring a is then supported between the second-stage push rod 33 and the safety hook 22. The locking ring a raises the front cover by 43mm, providing a buffer space for the pedestrian impact. The entire movement can be completed within 4ms of the pedestrian receiving the impact, providing a buffer at the first moment of impact.

[0039] The working principle and process of the front cover lock of the present invention when the pedestrian protection function is not triggered:

[0040] like Figure 2-4 As shown, the lock cylinder module 2 includes a ratchet 21, a tension spring 212, a first rotating shaft 211, a safety lock hook 22, a safety lock hook 22 torsion spring, a pawl 23, a pawl torsion spring 232, a second rotating shaft 231, and a switch wiring harness assembly 24, all mounted on the cover plate 13.

[0041] In the fully locked state, the pawl 23 has a cable connection hole 233, and a cable is fitted into the cable connection hole 233. When an external force pulls the cable, the pawl 23 will rotate counterclockwise. When it rotates to the travel angle, the pawl 23 disengages from the ratchet 21. The ratchet 21 rotates clockwise under the tension of the tension spring 212 until it reaches its limit position and stops. While the ratchet 21 is rotating, it pushes the locking ring a to move linearly upward, releasing the locking ring a to the half-lock position. At this time, because the safety hook 22 has a flange 221 that can be abutted by the ratchet 21, the safety... The locking hook 22 will also rotate together with the ratchet 21 until it reaches the limit position and then stops rotating. The inclined force-bearing part 223 formed on the safety locking hook 22 restricts the locking ring a to the half-lock position. At the same time, since the ratchet 21 has a limit stop 213, after the ratchet 21 is released from the lock of the pawl 23, the limit stop 213 blocks the reset path of the pawl 23 to prevent the pawl 23 from resetting the ratchet 21 in the opposite direction, thereby keeping the ratchet 21 able to support the safety locking hook 22. This process is the working principle and process of the front cover lock of the present invention when the pedestrian protection function is not triggered.

[0042] When in the semi-locked position, the end of the safety hook 22 away from the lock hole 11 is provided with a cable waist-shaped hole 225. The cable waist-shaped hole 225 cooperates with the cable. When the cable is pulled by an external force, the safety hook 22 will rotate counterclockwise. The lock ring a will be ejected from the lock body 1 because it is freed from the restriction of the safety hook 22, reaching the fully unlocked position. This process is the working principle and process of the front cover lock of the present invention when the pedestrian protection function is not triggered.

[0043] When the hood needs to be closed, during the hood's descent, the locking ring a first contacts the safety hook 22, specifically the inclined force-bearing part formed on the safety hook 22. The locking ring a continues to descend along the inclined force-bearing part into the half-lock position, pressing the ratchet 21 and the safety hook 22 into the fully locked position. At this time, the ratchet 21 is constrained in the fully locked position by the pawl 23 and remains in the fully locked position under the force of the ratchet 21 torsion spring. Simultaneously, the ratchet 21 is fixed in the fully locked position, and the ratchet 21 fixes the locking ring a in the fully locked position. Because the locking ring a is fixed to the latch base plate 12 which is fixedly connected to the hood, the function and process of completely closing and maintaining the hood of the car are realized.

[0044] Lock body 1 signal feedback principle:

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, the switch harness assembly 24 contains a micro switch sub-part. The micro switch is a normally open switch. When the lock body 1 is locked, the pawl 23 is not in contact with the micro switch, and the micro switch remains open. When unlocking, the pawl 23 is pulled counterclockwise to the unlock position by the cable. At this time, the ratchet 21 rotates clockwise under the force of the tension spring 212 and then blocks the automatic return of the ratchet 21. The ratchet 21 will then press the micro switch, and the micro switch changes from normally open to normally closed. The change of the micro switch information signal will be fed back to the BCM through the harness and connector, thus providing a warning that the front cover lock is not locked after unlocking.

[0046] The concealed principle and movement process of safety hook 22:

[0047] like Figure 4 As shown, during the locking process, the locking ring a first contacts the inclined force-bearing part 223 of the safety hook 22. As the locking ring a is pressed down from top to bottom, the safety hook 22 rotates counterclockwise along the first rotating shaft 211. Because the safety hook 22 is equipped with a waist-shaped clearance hole 222, the safety hook 22 can rotate continuously without interference from the second rotating shaft 231 during the counterclockwise locking process, until it is completely hidden in the interlayer between the base plate 12 and the cover plate 13, achieving the effect of concealment. This structural design is significantly different from the transmission structure, saving a lot of assembly space for the arrangement of the lock body 1.

[0048] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Obvious variations or modifications derived from the spirit of the invention are still within the protection scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A front cover lock for engaging with a locking ring (a) fixed to the front cover, characterized in that, include: Lock body (1), the lock body (1) is fixedly connected to the vehicle body, and a lock hole (11) for receiving the lock ring (a) is formed on the lock body (1). The lock cylinder module (2) includes a ratchet (21) and a safety hook (22). The ratchet (21) limits the lock ring (a) within the lock hole (11). When the lock ring (a) is lifted, it pushes the ratchet (21). The pushed ratchet (21) drives the safety hook (22). The driven safety hook (22) blocks the exit of the lock hole (11) to limit the lock ring (a). Safety trigger module (3), the safety trigger module (3) includes a gunpowder trigger (31) and a transmission component. When the gunpowder trigger (31) is triggered, it pushes the transmission component. The pushed transmission component lifts the lock ring (a) that is limited in the lock hole (11) by the ratchet (21). The lock body (1) includes a base plate (12) and a cover plate (13) fixedly connected. The lock cylinder module (2) is disposed between the base plate (12) and the cover plate (13). The safety trigger module (3) is connected to the base plate (12) and disposed on the outer surface of the lock body (1). The ratchet (21) and the safety hook (22) are both rotatably connected to the cover plate (13) and share a first rotating shaft (211); the lock cylinder module (2) also includes a pawl (23) for locking the ratchet (21), and the pawl (23) is rotatably connected to the cover plate (13) via a second rotating shaft (231); The safety hook (22) has a flange (221) that can be abutted by the ratchet (21) so that the ratchet (21) can drive the safety hook (22) to rotate.

2. The front cover lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The safety hook (22) has a waist-shaped clearance hole (222) for avoiding the second rotating shaft (231), and the second rotating shaft (231) is movably fitted into the waist-shaped clearance hole (222).

3. The front cover lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, An inclined force-receiving part (223) is formed on the safety hook (22) so that the falling lock ring (a) pushes the safety hook (22) through the inclined force-receiving part (223).

4. The front cover lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ratchet (21) is provided with a tension spring (212) to pull the ratchet (21) that is not limited by the pawl (23); the pawl (23) is provided with a pawl torsion spring (232) to position the pawl (23) in the locking position that locks the ratchet (21); the safety hook (22) is provided with a hook torsion spring (224) to position the safety hook (22) in the initial position that does not block the lock hole (11).

5. The front cover lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, A limit stop (213) is formed on the ratchet (21). After the ratchet (21) is disengaged from the locking of the pawl (23), the limit stop (213) blocks the reset path of the pawl (23).

6. The front cover lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pawl (23) has a cable connection hole (233); the safety hook (22) has a cable waist-shaped hole (225).

7. The front cover lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cover plate (13) is also equipped with a switch harness assembly (24) that cooperates with the pawl (23) and ratchet (21).

8. The front cover lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gunpowder trigger (31) is fixedly connected to the base plate (12); the transmission assembly includes a primary push rod (32) and a secondary push rod (33). The primary push rod (32) is rotatably connected to the base plate (12) via a third rotating shaft (321), and the secondary push rod (33) is rotatably connected to the base plate (12) via a fourth rotating shaft (331). When the gunpowder trigger (31) is triggered, it pushes the primary push rod (32) to rotate. After the primary push rod (32) rotates, it pushes the secondary push rod (33). After the secondary push rod (33) rotates, it pushes out the locking ring (a) to lift the front cover and keep it in the semi-locked position.

9. The front cover lock according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first-stage push rod (32) is equipped with a push rod torsion spring (322) to position the first-stage push rod (32) in its initial position before being pushed by the gunpowder trigger (31), and the second-stage push rod (33) is equipped with a push rod torsion spring (332) to position the second-stage push rod (33) in its initial position before being pushed by the first-stage push rod (32).

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