Locking device

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking device for locking and unlocking a movable component for a vehicle. The locking device comprises a shell (1), a motor (2) accommodated in the shell (1), a locking element (3) driven by the motor (2) to move between a locking position and an unlocking position relative to the shell (1), and a busbar (5) independent of the shell (1); wherein the busbar (5) is electrically connected to the motor (2) and is configured as part of an electrical connection port of the locking device. The design complexity of electric connection arrangement of the locking device can be reduced, higher design freedom is provided for arrangement of all parts, the development process is shortened, the manufacturing process of the shell is simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the shell is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking device for locking and unlocking a movable component for a vehicle, for example, a charging plug for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle or a fuel tank cap of the vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The battery of an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle must be charged through a charging infrastructure such as a charging post, which is usually achieved by a charging plug mating with a charging socket on the vehicle side. A charging cable with such a charging plug is carried by the vehicle, and when charging is required, the charging plug is inserted into the charging socket, so that the vehicle can be connected to the charging infrastructure.

[0003] A locking device is usually required to releasably lock the charging plug to the charging socket to prevent the charging plug from falling off and the charging process from being accidentally interrupted, and to avoid safety hazards caused by the voltage at the charging plug.

[0004] This locking device is usually an electric locking device (also called a charging seat electronic lock), which is usually set together with the charging socket on the vehicle body side, or constitutes a part of the charging socket. The existing locking devices have the characteristics of large size, complex manufacturing process, high manufacturing cost, low reliability, etc. In addition, in an emergency, for example, when the drive of the locking device fails, it cannot be unlocked smoothly. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the above problems and defects in the prior art as well as other technical problems.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a locking device for locking and unlocking a movable vehicle component is provided. The movable vehicle component is particularly a charging plug, and the locking device comprises a housing, a motor accommodated in the housing, a locking element driven by the motor to move between a locking position and an unlocking position relative to the housing, and a bus bar independent of the housing; wherein the bus bar is electrically connected to the motor and is configured as a part of an electrical connection port of the locking device.

[0007] In this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, compared with the existing solution of overmolding pins or buses in a shell, a bus independent of the shell is used to centrally realize the signal connection and electrical connection of the locking device, thereby reducing the design complexity of the electrical connection arrangement of the locking device (such as the arrangement of each pin), simplifying the development process, simplifying the manufacturing process of the shell, and reducing the manufacturing cost of the shell.

[0008] According to one example, the locking device also includes a circuit board, wherein the locking element is capable of moving relative to the circuit board and is capable of contacting different conductive areas of the circuit board to form different feedback circuits to generate a signal indicating a locked state or an unlocked state of the locking device; wherein the bus is also electrically connected to the circuit board.

[0009] In this example, since a circuit board electrically connected to the busbar is arranged, there is no need to provide a micro switch and corresponding cables as in the prior art, and the locking state of the locking device can be sensed with a simple structure.

[0010] According to an example, the housing includes a main body and a cover covering the main body, the main body includes a bottom wall opposite to the cover; wherein the circuit board is arranged perpendicular to the bottom wall.

[0011] Compared with the arrangement of the circuit board parallel to the bottom wall, this solution avoids the problem of interference with other components due to the larger plane area of ​​the circuit board, leaves a larger installation space for the bottom wall, provides a higher degree of design freedom for the arrangement of the components of the locking device, and reduces the overall volume of the locking device.

[0012] According to an example, the bus bar includes a plurality of pins suitable for electrical connection with the outside, wherein the bus bar is arranged perpendicular to the bottom wall and the plurality of pins are arranged in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the bottom wall.

[0013] This arrangement can save installation space at the bottom wall and provide a higher degree of freedom for the arrangement of other components.

[0014] According to an example, the motor and the circuit board are respectively located on two sides of the bus, and the bus is further provided with a conductive element extending toward the motor.

[0015] This arrangement can avoid interference between a circuit board with a larger plane area and the motor, save installation space in the housing, and reduce the overall volume of the locking device.

[0016] According to one example, the locking element includes a trigger portion, a first spring sheet is provided on the trigger portion, and a first contact is provided on the circuit board, the first spring sheet cooperates with the first contact to generate the signal during the movement of the locking element relative to the circuit board.

[0017] In this example, the electrical connection method using the spring can avoid welding between the pins and simplify the manufacturing process.

[0018] According to an example, the extension direction of the circuit board is parallel to the arrangement direction of the output shaft of the motor. This arrangement can save space and reduce the volume of the locking device.

[0019] According to an example, the bus is provided with a second elastic sheet extending toward the circuit board, and a second contact electrically connected to the second elastic sheet is provided on the circuit board.

[0020] According to one example, the locking device further comprises a manual emergency unlocking device, which is coupled to the locking element. The provision of the emergency unlocking device enables the locking device to be opened even in an unexpected situation, such as a power failure.

[0021] According to one example, the locking device also includes a transmission device arranged between the motor and the locking element, wherein the emergency unlocking device includes a pulling member and a rotatable member for setting the pulling member, wherein the rotatable member is engaged to the transmission element of the transmission device to actuate the locking element to achieve unlocking in an emergency.

[0022] According to an example, the pulling member passes through the housing and is slidably supported on a supporting member formed integrally with the housing.

[0023] The solution in this example avoids the installation of a separate pulling member support and makes the installation of the entire locking device simpler and more convenient.

[0024] According to one example, the support member is formed integrally with the bottom wall of the main body of the housing.

[0025] According to an example, the main body includes a side wall extending from the bottom wall, and the bottom wall and / or the side wall are formed with a limiting portion for limiting the components in the main body. These limiting portions can be at least partially limited when the corresponding components are installed in place in the housing, and facilitate the installation of the corresponding components and constrain the movement of these components.

[0026] According to an example, the limiting portion includes a rib formed on the bottom wall to limit the busbar.

[0027] According to one example, the locking element further includes a stop portion and a toothed drive portion, wherein the stop portion is suitable for engaging with a movable vehicle part, and the drive portion is suitable for engaging with a transmission device located between a motor and the locking element, wherein the stop portion and the trigger portion are respectively located on both sides of the drive portion.

[0028] According to one example, the locking device also includes a transmission device arranged between the motor and the locking element, the transmission device including a first double gear meshing with the output shaft of the motor and a second double gear meshing with the first double gear and the toothed driving part of the locking element respectively, wherein the axial directions of the first double gear and the second double gear are both perpendicular to the axial direction of the output shaft.

[0029] The arrangement of the transmission device reduces the number of transmission components and the volume occupied by the components, optimizes the utilization of the space in the housing, and enables the transmission device to have a higher transmission ratio and transmission efficiency.

[0030] According to an example, the first double gear includes a face gear, and the output shaft of the motor is provided with a helical gear meshing with the face gear. The selection of the face gear and the helical gear greatly improves the transmission ratio and transmission efficiency of the transmission device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The present invention is described in detail below by way of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 A perspective exploded schematic diagram of a locking device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0033] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A schematic top view of a locking device is shown, with the cover of the housing removed to facilitate illustrating the arrangement of the internal components.

[0034] Figure 3 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a circuit board and busbars.

[0035] Figure 4 A perspective schematic view of a locking element is shown.

[0036] It should be noted that the drawings are only schematic. They only show those parts necessary for illustrating the present invention, while other parts may be omitted or only briefly mentioned. In addition to the parts shown in the drawings, the present invention may also include other parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The technical scheme of the present invention is further specifically described below by way of examples and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall concept of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. In the following detailed description, for ease of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments. However, it is obvious that one or more embodiments may also be implemented without these specific details.

[0038] The term "connection" as used herein refers to various ways of associating different elements so as to make them work in conjunction with each other, including ways in which two elements are directly in contact, abutted or connected, and ways in which two elements are indirectly associated with each other through one or more intermediate components.

[0039] The following is combined with Figure 1-4A specific embodiment of a locking device for locking and unlocking a movable vehicle part is described. It should be noted that the movable vehicle part in this article is preferably a charging plug for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and the charging plug is used as an example for description in the specific embodiment. However, the movable vehicle part within the scope of the present invention may also be other movable parts, such as a fuel tank cap, etc. Therefore, the term movable vehicle part should be interpreted in a broad sense.

[0040] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the locking device includes a housing 1, a motor 2 accommodated in the housing 1, and a locking element 3 partially disposed in the housing 1. The locking element 3 can be driven by the motor 2 through a transmission device 8, wherein the transmission device 8 converts the rotational motion output by the motor 2 into the reciprocating linear motion of the locking element 3. The specific composition of the transmission device 8 can take a variety of different forms, not limited to the form of the first double gear 81 and the second double gear 82 shown in the figure. The locking element 3 can extend from the housing 1 through an opening 14 formed on the housing 1 and reciprocate between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking element 3 engages with a movable vehicle part such as a charging plug (not shown in the figure). For example, the locking element 3 can be engaged in a corresponding groove on the charging plug. When unlocking is required, the locking element 3 is retracted to the unlocked position under the drive of the motor 2 to release the lock on the charging plug.

[0041] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown in Figures 1 and 3, a busbar 5 independent of the housing 1 is provided in the locking device. "Independent" here means that the busbar 5 and the housing 1 are two separate components. In other words, the busbar 5 is another component independent of the housing 1, rather than being formed in the housing 1 by overmolding, for example.

[0042] The independent bus bar 5 is located in the electrical connection port 15 of the locking device to be electrically connected to the external mating electrical connector, and on the other hand, is electrically connected to the motor 2 to obtain the control signal of the motor 2 from the outside (for example, from the electronic control device of the vehicle) and control the motor 2. Exemplarily, the bus bar 5 is also suitable for transmitting control signals to other components in the locking device, or transmitting signals related to the locking device, such as position sensor signals, from the locking device to the outside.

[0043] In the locking device of the present invention, compared with the existing solution of overmolding the pins in the shell, a bus 5 independent of the shell 1 is used to centrally realize the signal connection and electrical connection of the locking device, thereby reducing the design complexity of the electrical connection arrangement of the locking device (such as the arrangement of each pin), simplifying the development process, simplifying the manufacturing process of the shell, and reducing the manufacturing cost of the shell.

[0044] According to an example of the present invention, the locking device may further include a circuit board 4, which is arranged adjacent to the locking element 3. The locking element 3 can move relative to the circuit board 4 and contact different conductive areas on the circuit board 4 to form different feedback circuits, thereby generating a signal indicating the locked state or unlocked state of the locking device; the bus bar 5 mentioned above is also electrically connected to the circuit board 4. In this example, since the circuit board 4 electrically connected to the bus bar 5 is arranged, it is not necessary to set up a micro switch and corresponding cables in the prior art, and the position of the locking element 3 can be sensed with a simple structure. In addition, in the arrangement of the entire locking device, the bus bar 5 is electrically connected to the outside world on the one hand, and the bus bar 5 is electrically connected to the motor 2 on the other hand to control the motor 2, and is also electrically connected to the circuit board 4 to output the sensing signal obtained by the circuit board 4. This overall layout makes the arrangement of the locking device simple, saves volume, and is easy to manufacture and assemble.

[0045] As a specific example, Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the locking element 3 includes a trigger portion 31, which is formed as shown in FIG. Figure 4 The recess shown in the figure contains and constrains the first spring piece 311. The circuit board 4 is provided with a first contact 41, and the first spring piece 311 cooperates with the first contact 41 to generate different signals when the locking element 3 moves relative to the circuit board 4. In the specific example shown in the figure, the first spring piece 311 may include two spring piece legs, and the first contact 41 on the circuit board 4 includes a long strip contact 411 and a short contact 412 arranged in parallel therewith. In the locking device such as Figure 2 After being assembled as shown, during operation, the locking element 3 slides relative to the circuit board 4, the first spring piece 311 is pressed between the two, one spring piece leg remains in contact with the long strip contact 411, and when sliding to the locking position, the other spring piece leg contacts the short contact 412, thereby generating a signal in the circuit board indicating that the locking device has reached the locked state. Conversely, during the return process of the locking component 3, when the other spring piece leg is out of contact with the short contact 412, a signal indicating the unlocked state can be generated.

[0046] The housing 1 is typically mainly composed of two parts, such as an upper and lower housing, which are connected together by, for example, laser welding. In the specific example shown in the figure, the housing 1 includes a main body 11 (lower housing) and a cover 12 covering the upper opening of the main body 11. The main body 11 includes a bottom wall 111 opposite to the cover 12. The components of the locking device are installed in the main body 11. According to a preferred embodiment, as Figure 2As shown, the present invention optimizes the arrangement of various components in the housing 1. Preferably, the circuit board 4 is arranged perpendicular to the bottom wall 111. Compared with the circuit board being arranged parallel to the bottom wall 111, the arrangement of the circuit board 4 perpendicular to the bottom wall 111 avoids the problem of interference with other components caused by the larger plane area of ​​the circuit board, and leaves a larger installation space for the bottom wall 111. On the other hand, it is precisely because of the use of an independent bus 5 in the present invention that the circuit board 4 is allowed to be arranged perpendicular to the bottom wall 111. In other words, if the bus is overmolded in the housing 1 and its pins are exposed to the inner wall of the housing, for example, exposed to the bottom wall, the circuit board must be arranged parallel to the bottom wall to achieve electrical connection from the circuit board to the pins, which limits the setting position of the circuit board and also limits the setting of other components.

[0047] Therefore, in the present invention, by providing a bus 5 independent of the shell 1 and the circuit board 4 being able to be arranged perpendicular to the bottom wall 111, a larger installation space is reserved on the bottom wall 111, which provides a higher degree of design freedom for the arrangement of the various components of the locking device. For example, the support member 13 of the pulling member of the emergency unlocking device to be described below can be formed integrally with the bottom wall 111.

[0048] Preferably, if Figure 2 As shown, the circuit board 4 is arranged so that its extension direction is parallel to the arrangement direction of the output shaft of the motor 2. Preferably, the extension direction of the busbar 5 is also parallel to the arrangement direction of the output shaft of the motor 2. This enables the circuit board 4 and / or the busbar 5 to be arranged in parallel with the motor 2, thereby saving space and reducing the volume of the locking device.

[0049] Preferably, the arrangement of the busbar 5 in the housing 1 can also be optimized, and the busbar 5 can be arranged perpendicular to the bottom wall 111. Specifically, Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the bus bar 5 includes a plurality of pins 51 (eg, Figure 1 , 3 The four pins shown in the figure, two of which are used for supplying electricity and two for signal transmission), wherein the busbar 5 is arranged perpendicular to the bottom wall 111, can also be understood as multiple pins arranged in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the bottom wall 211. This arrangement can save installation space at the bottom wall and provide a higher degree of freedom for the arrangement of other components.

[0050] Preferably, if Figure 2 As shown, the motor 2 and the circuit board 4 can be arranged to be located on both sides of the bus 5, respectively, wherein the bus 5 is further provided with a conductive element 52 extending toward the motor 2 (at Figure 3 This arrangement can avoid interference between the circuit board 4 having a larger plane area and the motor 2.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, the busbar 5 is also provided with a second elastic sheet 53 extending toward the circuit board 4, and the circuit board 4 is provided with a second contact 42 electrically connected to the second elastic sheet 53. In this example, the busbar 5 and the circuit board are electrically connected through the contact of the elastic sheet, avoiding the welding between the existing circuit board and the pins of the busbar (especially the pins overmolded in the housing 1), making the assembly of the locking device simpler.

[0052] like Figure 2 As shown, on the bottom wall 111 and the side wall of the main body 11 of the housing 1, a limiting portion 16 that is integrally formed with the main body 11 and matches the components of the locking device (e.g., the motor 1, the first double gear 81, the second double gear 82, and the bus 5) can be provided. These limiting portions 16 extend from the bottom wall 111 toward the inside of the main body 11, and the inner contour of the limiting portion 16 at least partially matches the outer contour of the components of the locking device, such as the motor 2, the transmission device 8, and the bus 5, so that when the corresponding components are installed in place in the main body 11 of the housing 1, they can be at least partially limited, and the installation of the corresponding components is facilitated and the shaking of these components is reduced. The limiting portion 16 can be in the form of, for example, a rib, which can be formed on the bottom wall 111 to limit the bus 5.

[0053] like Figure 4 As shown, the locking element 3 further includes a stopper 32 and a driving part 33 with teeth, wherein the stopper 32 and the triggering part 31 are respectively located on both sides of the driving part 33. This structure facilitates the arrangement of various components. Figure 2 As shown, the trigger portion 31 arranged at the right end of the locking element 3 facilitates engagement with the circuit board 4. The stop portion 32 arranged at the left end of the locking element 3 facilitates its extension outside the housing 1. Figure 4 In the specific example shown, the stopper 32 is configured as a pin. The driving portion 33 is configured as a rack, which is engaged with the lower gear of the second double gear 82 and driven. Figure 1 The output shaft of the motor 2 is engaged with the lower gear of the first double gear 81, and the upper gear of the first double gear 81 is engaged with the upper gear of the second double gear 82, so as to drive the locking element 3 to reciprocate linearly through the lower gear of the second double gear 82 and the driving part 33. Preferably, the lower gear of the first double gear 81 is configured as a face gear, and a helical gear meshing with the face gear is provided on the output shaft of the motor. The meshing of the two achieves a higher transmission ratio and transmission efficiency. Figure 4 As shown, the triggering part 31 includes a recessed portion for accommodating the first elastic piece 311 therein. This structure facilitates holding the first elastic piece 311.

[0054] In order to prevent the locking device driven by the motor 2 from being unable to be unlocked in the event of an electrical fault (such as a fault in the electrical connection), a manual emergency unlocking device is provided. Figure 1 , 2 In the specific example shown, the emergency unlocking device includes a pulling member 6 and a rotatable member 7 (a disc-shaped member in this example) for setting the pulling member, wherein the rotatable member 7 is engaged with the second double gear 82. The pulling member 6 is wound around the rotatable member 7 and extends through the housing 1. When the pulling member 6 is manually pulled, the rotatable member 7 rotates, driving the second double gear 82 to rotate, thereby driving the locking element 3 meshed with the second double gear 82 to move rightward to retract, thereby unlocking the charging plug. It can be understood by those skilled in the art that although the above description describes that the transmission device 8 specifically includes the first double gear 81 and the second double gear 82 and the rotatable member 7 of the emergency unlocking device is connected to the second double gear 82, it can be understood that the structure of the transmission device is not limited thereto. Similarly, the rotatable member 7 can also be engaged with other transmission elements of the transmission device, as long as it can directly or indirectly actuate the locking element 3 to achieve the retraction movement of the locking element 3.

[0055] As described above, by optimizing the arrangement of the components of the locking device of the present invention, especially optimizing the arrangement of the circuit board 4 and / or the busbar 5, a larger installation space is reserved for the interior of the housing 1, especially at the bottom wall 111. Figure 2 As shown, a support member 13 may be integrally formed on the bottom wall 111 of the main body 11 of the housing 1 to slidably support the pull member 6 therein. This avoids the installation of a separate pull member support member and makes the installation of the entire locking device simpler and more convenient.

[0056] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A locking device for locking and unlocking a movable vehicle part, wherein the movable vehicle part is particularly a charging plug, characterized in that: The locking device comprises: Housing (1); a motor (2) accommodated in the housing (1); a locking element (3) driven by the motor (2) to move relative to the housing (1) between a locked position and an unlocked position; and A busbar (5) is independent of the housing (1); wherein the busbar (5) is electrically connected to the motor (2) and is configured as a part of the electrical connection port of the locking device.

2. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking device further comprises a circuit board (4), wherein the locking element (3) is movable relative to the circuit board (4) and is capable of contacting different conductive areas of the circuit board (4) to generate a signal indicating a locked state or an unlocked state of the locking device; wherein the bus bar (5) is also electrically connected to the circuit board (4).

3. The locking device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The housing (1) comprises a main body (11) and a cover (12) covering the main body (11); the main body (11) comprises a bottom wall (111) opposite to the cover (12); wherein the circuit board (4) is arranged perpendicular to the bottom wall (111).

4. The locking device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The busbar (5) comprises a plurality of pins (51), wherein the busbar (5) is arranged perpendicular to the bottom wall (111) and the plurality of pins are arranged in sequence in a direction perpendicular to the bottom wall (211).

5. The locking device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The motor (2) and the circuit board (4) are respectively located on two sides of the bus bar (5), and the bus bar (5) is also provided with a conductive element (52) extending toward the motor (2).

6. The locking device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The circuit board (4) is arranged to extend in parallel with the direction of the output shaft of the motor (2).

7. The locking device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The locking element (3) comprises a triggering portion (31), a first spring sheet (311) is arranged on the triggering portion (31), and a first contact (41) is arranged on the circuit board (4), the first spring sheet (311) cooperates with the first contact (41) to generate the signal during the movement of the locking element (3) relative to the circuit board (4).

8. The locking device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The busbar (5) is provided with a second elastic sheet (53) extending towards the circuit board (4), and the circuit board (4) is provided with a second contact point (42) electrically connected to the second elastic sheet (53).

9. The locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: A manual emergency unlocking device is also included, which is coupled to the locking element (3).

10. The locking device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The locking device also includes a transmission device (8) arranged between the motor (2) and the locking element (3), wherein the emergency unlocking device includes a pulling member (6) and a rotatable member (7) for setting the pulling member, wherein the rotatable member (7) is engaged with the transmission element of the transmission device to actuate the locking element (3) to achieve unlocking in an emergency.

11. The locking device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The pulling member (6) passes through the housing (1) and is slidably supported on a supporting member (13) formed integrally with the housing (1).

12. The locking device according to claim 11, characterized in that: The support member (13) is formed integrally with the bottom wall (111) of the main body (11) of the housing (1).

13. The locking device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that: The main body (11) comprises a side wall extending from the bottom wall (111), and a limiting portion (16) for limiting the position of components in the main body (11) is formed on the bottom wall (111) and / or the side wall.

14. The locking device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The limiting portion (16) comprises ribs formed on the bottom wall (111) for limiting the position of the busbar (5).

15. The locking device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The locking element (3) further comprises a stop portion (32) and a toothed drive portion (33), wherein the stop portion (32) is adapted to engage with the vehicle movable component, and the drive portion (33) is adapted to engage with a transmission device located between the motor (2) and the locking element (3), wherein the stop portion (32) and the trigger portion (31) are respectively located on both sides of the drive portion (33).

16. The locking device according to any one of claims 1-8, 10-12 and 14-15, characterized in that The locking device also includes a transmission device (8) arranged between the motor (2) and the locking element (3), the transmission device (8) including a first double gear (81) meshed with the output shaft of the motor (2) and a second double gear (82) meshed with the first double gear (81) and the toothed driving portion (33) of the locking element (3), respectively, wherein the axial directions of the first double gear (81) and the second double gear (82) are both perpendicular to the axial direction of the output shaft.

17. The locking device according to claim 16, characterized in that The first double gear (81) comprises a face gear, and the output shaft of the motor (2) is provided with a helical gear meshing with the face gear.

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