Electric unlocking assembly and front cover lock
By introducing an unlocking motor to drive the unlocking worm gear and cam in the electric hood lock, combined with a torsion spring energy storage component, the problem of slow unlocking speed in existing electric hood locks is solved, achieving faster unlocking response and lower motor reset impact.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511682630.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-01-16
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-24
AI Technical Summary
The unlocking process of existing electric front cover locks is not fast enough, especially when unlocking is achieved by rotating the motor forward and backward, which is inefficient.
The system employs an unlocking motor to drive the unlocking worm gear and unlocking cam, combined with an energy storage component such as a torsion spring. Energy is stored by rotating the unlocking motor in the reset direction and released when it rotates in the unlocking direction, driving the unlocking cam to rotate and increasing the unlocking speed.
The unlocking response speed of the front cover lock has been improved, the speed of the unlocking motor reset process has been reduced, the impact on other components has been reduced, and the efficiency of the unlocking process has been improved.
Smart Images
Figure CN121556749A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to an electrically unlocking assembly and a front cover lock. Background Technology
[0002] Generally speaking, all motor vehicles include a hood. When the motor vehicle is a gasoline-powered vehicle, this hood can also be called an engine hood. When the motor vehicle is an electric vehicle, the front of the electric vehicle may be equipped with a front luggage compartment, and this hood can also be called a front luggage compartment cover.
[0003] To securely lock the hood, vehicles are equipped with one or two hood locks. Additionally, to prevent accidental opening, hood locks typically have a double-pull opening mechanism.
[0004] Meanwhile, to meet the demands of vehicle electrification, an increasing number of hood locks are equipped with electric unlocking functions. However, these hood locks with electric unlocking functions unlock by rotating the motor in both directions, which is not a very fast unlocking process. Summary of the Invention
[0005] This disclosure provides an electrically unlocking assembly and a front cover lock.
[0006] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an electrically operated unlocking assembly is provided, comprising: The unlocking motor has a rotation direction that includes an unlocking direction and a reset direction, wherein the unlocking direction and the reset direction are opposite. The unlocking worm gear is unlocked, and the unlocking motor drives the unlocking worm gear to rotate. An unlocking cam, driven and rotated by the unlocking worm gear, wherein when the unlocking motor rotates in the unlocking direction, the unlocking cam engages with the unlocking lever component of the front cover lock to push the unlocking lever component to rotate; and The energy storage component stores energy when the unlocking motor rotates in the reset direction, and releases energy when the unlocking cam drives the unlocking rod component to rotate, so that the energy storage component and the unlocking motor jointly drive the unlocking cam to rotate.
[0007] According to at least one embodiment of the electrically unlocking assembly of the present disclosure, the energy storage component includes a torsion spring, one end of which is stopped in the housing of the electrically unlocking assembly, and the other end of which is stopped in the limiting portion of the unlocking worm gear.
[0008] According to at least one embodiment of the electric unlocking assembly of the present disclosure, a limiting member is provided on the cover of the electric unlocking assembly, and when the unlocking worm gear is in the reset position, the limiting member is used to restrict the position of the other end of the torsion spring.
[0009] According to at least one embodiment of the electrically unlocking assembly of this disclosure, the other end of the torsion spring includes: Horizontal section; An inclined segment, one end of which is connected to a horizontal segment, and the inclined segment is arranged at an angle to the horizontal plane; and A limiting segment is connected to the other end of the inclined segment, and at least a portion of the limiting segment is higher than the inclined segment in the height direction, wherein the distance between the horizontal segment and the limiting segment is changed when a force is applied to the inclined segment.
[0010] According to at least one embodiment of the electrically unlocking assembly of the present disclosure, the torsion spring includes an axial direction and a circumferential direction, the horizontal segment being disposed substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the torsion spring; the inclined segment extending along the circumferential direction of the torsion spring.
[0011] According to at least one embodiment of the electrically unlocking assembly of the present disclosure, the limiting segment includes a guide and a stop, wherein the lower end of the stop is connected to the other end of the inclined segment and the stop is disposed substantially vertically; the upper end of the guide is connected to the upper end of the stop and the guide is disposed inclinedly.
[0012] According to at least one embodiment of the electrically unlocking assembly of this disclosure, the distance between the guide and the stop gradually increases in the direction from top to bottom.
[0013] According to at least one embodiment of the electric unlocking assembly of the present disclosure, the guide is located upstream of the stop member along the rotation direction of the unlocking worm gear from the unlock position to the reset position.
[0014] According to at least one embodiment of the electrically unlocking assembly of this disclosure, the unlocking worm gear further includes: The worm gear body, which can be driven and rotated by the unlocking motor; and A release component is disposed on the worm gear body, wherein the release component can cooperate with the inclined section to release the torsion spring.
[0015] According to at least one embodiment of the electric unlocking assembly of the present disclosure, during the rotation of the unlocking worm gear from the reset position to the drive position, the release component of the unlocking worm gear applies a downward force to the inclined section, causing the height of the limiting section to decrease, thereby releasing the torsion spring.
[0016] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a front cover lock is provided, which includes the aforementioned electrically unlocking component.
[0017] The front cover lock according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure further includes: A locking tongue component having a first rotation axis, wherein the locking tongue component includes a first locking feature, a second locking feature and an opening, the first locking feature and the second locking feature being located on the same side of the opening; A pawl component having a second axis of rotation and used to limit the position of a latch component, wherein when the pawl component engages with the first locking feature, the latch component is in a first locking position, and when the pawl component engages with the second locking feature, the latch component is in a second locking position; An unlocking lever assembly, the unlocking lever assembly being driven to rotate, wherein, when the unlocking lever assembly rotates, it can drive the pawl assembly to rotate in a direction away from the locking tongue assembly; and A stop component having a third rotation axis, wherein when the unlocking lever component rotates, the stop component can be driven to rotate toward the direction of approaching the latch component, and the stop component can cooperate with a first locking feature of the latch component to restrict the latch component to a position between a first locking position and a second locking position; When the unlocking motor rotates in the unlocking direction, the unlocking cam drives the unlocking lever component to rotate, so that the pawl component rotates in a direction away from the locking tongue component.
[0018] According to at least one embodiment of the front cover lock of this disclosure, the rotation axis of the unlocking lever component coincides with the second rotation axis of the pawl component.
[0019] According to at least one embodiment of the front cover lock of the present disclosure, the pawl component includes a first pawl position and a second pawl position, wherein when the pawl component is in the first pawl position, the pawl component can engage with a first locking feature or a second locking feature of the latch component; when the pawl component is in the second pawl position, the pawl component disengages from the latch component.
[0020] According to at least one embodiment of the front cover lock of this disclosure, when the unlocking lever component drives the pawl component to move from the first pawl position to the second pawl position, it simultaneously drives the stop component from the second stop position to the first stop position, wherein when the stop component is in the first stop position, the stop component can engage with the first locking feature of the latch component; when the stop component is in the second stop position, the stop component disengages from the latch component.
[0021] The front cover lock according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure further includes: A stop return spring is provided to provide a return force to the stop component, so that the stop component has a tendency to move towards the second stop position.
[0022] The front cover lock according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure further includes: A pawl return spring is provided to provide a return force to the pawl component, so that the pawl component has a tendency to move towards the first pawl position.
[0023] According to at least one embodiment of the front cover lock of this disclosure, when the pawl return spring drives the pawl component to move from the second pawl position to the first pawl position, the pawl component is at least able to drive the unlocking lever component to rotate.
[0024] According to at least one embodiment of the front cover lock of the present disclosure, the unlocking lever component includes: an unlocking lever first feature, the unlocking lever first feature being formed as an arc-shaped bend, wherein the unlocking lever first feature is used to cooperate with the stop component and to make pressure contact with the stop component.
[0025] According to at least one embodiment of the front cover lock of the present disclosure, the unlocking lever component further includes: an unlocking lever second feature, the unlocking lever second feature being formed as a flange, the unlocking lever second feature being used to limit the position of the pawl component.
[0026] According to at least one embodiment of the front cover lock of the present disclosure, when the latch member engages with the stop member, the latch member applies a thrust to the stop member, wherein the thrust causes the stop member to have a tendency to move toward a second stop position. Attached Figure Description
[0027] The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description thereof, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. These drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.
[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the front cover lock according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of the front cover lock according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrically unlocking assembly for a front cover lock according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a front cover lock according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the front cover lock according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0033] Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of the front cover lock from another angle according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the unlocking worm gear of the front cover lock according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0035] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the energy storage device of the front cover lock according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0036] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the cooperation structure between the energy storage device and the cover body of the front cover lock according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0037] The specific labels in the attached figures are as follows: 100 Lock Body 200 Locking Tongue Component 201 First locking feature 202 Second Locking Feature 203 Opening 210 Locking tongue return spring 300 Pawl Components 310 Pawl Return Spring 400 Unlocking lever component 401 Unlock lever's first feature 402 Unlock lever second feature 500 stop components 510 Stop and return spring 600 Electric Unlocking Component 610 Unlock Motor 620 Unlock the worm gear 621 Limiting Part 622 Worm Gear Body 623 Release Component 630 Unlock Cam 640 energy storage components 641 Horizontal segment 642 Inclined Section 643 Limit Segment 643A Guide 643B Stop 650 housing 660 Cover 661 Limiting component. Detailed Implementation
[0038] The present disclosure will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0039] It should be noted that, where there is no conflict, the embodiments and features described in this disclosure can be combined with each other. The technical solutions of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0040] Unless otherwise stated, the exemplary implementations / embodiments shown are to be understood as providing exemplary features of various details that provide ways in which the technical concepts of this disclosure can be implemented in practice. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, the features of various implementations / embodiments may be additionally combined, separated, interchanged and / or rearranged without departing from the technical concepts of this disclosure.
[0041] The use of crosshairs and / or shading in the accompanying drawings is generally used to clarify the boundaries between adjacent components. Thus, unless otherwise stated, the presence or absence of crosshairs or shading does not convey or indicate any preference or requirement for the specific material, material properties, dimensions, proportions, commonalities between the illustrated components, or any other characteristics, properties, etc., of the components. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the dimensions and relative dimensions of components may be exaggerated for clarity and / or descriptive purposes. When exemplary embodiments can be implemented differently, a specific process sequence may be performed in a different order than that described. For example, two consecutively described processes may be performed substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order of their description. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same components.
[0042] When a component is referred to as being "on" or "above" another component, "connected to," or "joined to" another component, the component may be directly on, directly connected to, or directly joined to the other component, or there may be intermediate components. However, when a component is referred to as being "directly on" another component, "directly connected to," or "directly joined to" another component, there are no intermediate components. Therefore, the term "connection" can refer to a physical connection, an electrical connection, etc., and may or may not have intermediate components.
[0043] For descriptive purposes, this disclosure may use spatial relative terms such as “below,” “under,” “below,” “down,” “above,” “above,” “higher,” and “side (e.g., in a “sidewall”)” to describe the relationship between one component and another component as shown in the accompanying drawings. In addition to the orientations depicted in the drawings, the spatial relative terms are also intended to encompass different orientations of the device during use, operation, and / or manufacture. For example, if the device in the drawings is flipped, a component described as “below” or “under” another component or feature would subsequently be positioned “above” said other component or feature. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both “above” and “below” orientations. Furthermore, the device may be otherwise positioned (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), thus interpreting the spatial relative descriptive terms used herein accordingly.
[0044] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well. Furthermore, when the terms “comprising” and / or “including” and variations thereof are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of the stated features, integrals, steps, operations, parts, components, and / or groups thereof, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, parts, components, and / or groups thereof. It should also be noted that, as used herein, the terms “substantially,” “about,” and other similar terms are used as approximate terms rather than as terms of degree, thus explaining the inherent biases in measurements, calculated values, and / or provided values that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0045] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the front cover lock according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of the front cover lock according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrically unlocking assembly 600 for a front cover lock according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a front cover lock according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0046] The hood lock disclosed herein can be used to lock or release the hood of a vehicle, wherein the hood can be locked or released by one or two hood locks. Moreover, the hood lock of this disclosure has a double-pull opening function, that is, when the hood lock is opened for the first time, it can only be opened to a half-locked state, and when the hood lock is opened for the second time, it can be in an unlocked state.
[0047] Specifically, the front cover lock disclosed herein may include a lock body 100, a bolt component 200, a pawl component 300, an unlocking lever component 400, and a stop component 500, etc.
[0048] The lock body 100 disclosed herein can be fixed to the vehicle body, thereby realizing the installation of the hood lock. Accordingly, a latch can be provided on the hood of the vehicle; when the hood lock latch is tightened, the hood lock is locked. When the hood lock releases the latch, the hood lock is unlocked.
[0049] The latch component 200 is rotatably disposed on the lock body 100 and has a first axis of rotation. Positionally, the latch component 200 has a first locked position, a second locked position, and an unlocked position; Figure 4 As shown in the direction, when the latch component 200 rotates clockwise, it can rotate from the first locked position to the second locked position. Correspondingly, when the latch component 200 rotates further clockwise, it can rotate from the second locked position to the unlocked position.
[0050] Conversely, during operation, when the latch component 200 rotates counterclockwise, it can move from the unlocked position to the second locked position; when the latch component 200 rotates further counterclockwise, it can move from the second locked position to the first locked position.
[0051] The front cover lock disclosed herein may include a latch return spring 210, which provides a return force to the latch component 200, causing the latch component 200 to tend to move toward the unlocked position. That is, when the latch component 200 is released, under the action of the return force of the latch return spring 210, the latch component 200 will rotate clockwise.
[0052] Structurally speaking, such as Figure 4 As shown, the latch component 200 has a first rotation axis, wherein the latch component 200 includes a first locking feature 201, a second locking feature 202 and an opening 203, and the first locking feature 201 and the second locking feature 202 are located on the same side of the opening 203.
[0053] The pawl component 300 has a second axis of rotation and is used to limit the position of the latch component 200. When the pawl component 300 engages with the first locking feature 201, the latch component 200 is in a first locked position, at which time the front cover lock is in a fully locked state. When the pawl component 300 engages with the second locking feature 202, the latch component 200 is in a second locked position, at which time the front cover lock is in a partially locked state.
[0054] The unlocking lever component 400 is driven to rotate, wherein, when the unlocking lever component 400 rotates, it can drive the pawl component 300 to rotate in a direction away from the latch component 200; in other words, when the front cover lock of this disclosure is manually or electrically unlocked, the unlocking lever component 400 can be subjected to external force and rotated, to Figure 4 In the direction shown, the unlocking lever component 400 will rotate clockwise, thereby causing the pawl component 300 to rotate clockwise and move from the first pawl position to the second pawl position.
[0055] In other words, the pawl component 300 includes a first pawl position and a second pawl position. When the pawl component 300 is in the first pawl position, the pawl component 300 can cooperate with the first locking feature 201 or the second locking feature 202 of the latch component 200. When the pawl component 300 is in the second pawl position, the pawl component 300 disengages from the latch component 200.
[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the rotation axis of the unlocking lever component 400 coincides with the second rotation axis of the pawl component 300, thereby making the structure of the front cover lock of this disclosure as simple and compact as possible, and correspondingly, the front cover lock is less prone to failure.
[0057] In this disclosure, the stop member 500 has a third rotation axis, wherein when the unlocking lever member 400 rotates, the stop member 500 can be driven to rotate toward the direction of approaching the latch member 200, and the stop member 500 can cooperate with the first locking feature 201 of the latch member 200 to restrict the latch member 200 to a position between the first locking position and the second locking position.
[0058] Specifically, when the unlocking lever component 400 drives the pawl component 300 to move from the first pawl position to the second pawl position, it simultaneously drives the stop component 500 from the second stop position to the first stop position. When the stop component 500 is in the first stop position, it can cooperate with the first locking feature 201 of the latch component 200. When the stop component 500 is in the second stop position, it disengages from the latch component 200.
[0059] Taking the front cover lock in the fully locked state as an example, when the unlocking lever component 400 rotates clockwise, the pawl component 300 also moves clockwise in sync. At the same time, the stop component 500 will move counterclockwise and move from the second stop position to the first stop position. At this time, since the latch component 200 is released, the latch component 200 will rotate clockwise and leave the first locking position.
[0060] However, before the locking tongue component 200 reaches the second locking position, the locking tongue component 200 will be restricted in position by the stop component 500, preventing the locking tongue component 200 from rotating further. At this time, the locking tongue component 200 will remain in a position between the first locking position and the second locking position.
[0061] When the external force applied to the unlocking lever component 400 disappears, that is, after the first opening of the front cover lock is completed, the stop component 500 will move from the first stop position to the second stop position; and release the latch component 200, at which time the latch component 200 will continue to rotate clockwise.
[0062] During the clockwise rotation of the stop component 500 and its movement from the first stop position to the second stop position, the unlocking lever component 400 and the pawl component 300 will rotate counterclockwise, causing the pawl component 300 to be located within the clockwise rotational motion envelope of the latch component 200. At this time, the second locking feature 202 of the latch component 200 will cooperate with the pawl component 300, and the pawl component 300 will restrict the latch component 200 to the second locking position. In this second locking position, the latch cannot disengage from the opening 203 of the latch component 200. At this time, the front cover lock needs to be opened a second time to unlock the front cover lock.
[0063] Similar to the first time the front cover lock is opened, when the front cover lock is opened for the second time, the unlocking lever component 400 is driven and rotates clockwise, the pawl component 300 also moves clockwise in sync, and at the same time, the stop component 500 will move counterclockwise and move from the second stop position to the first stop position. At this time, since the latch component 200 is released, the latch component 200 will rotate clockwise and leave the second locking position.
[0064] At this point, the latch component 200 can rotate directly to the unlocked position without engaging with the stop component 500 again (e.g., Figure 4 (as shown in the diagram). That is to say, during the second opening of the front cover lock, regardless of the position of the stop component 500, the latch component 200 can move to the unlocked position.
[0065] In the opposite manner of operation, when the front cover lock of this disclosure is locked, the latch component 200 can rotate counterclockwise under the push of the latch, and can rotate from the unlocked position to the second locked position and stay in the second locked position. At this time, when the latch applies a push force to the latch component 200 again and causes the latch component 200 to rotate counterclockwise, the latch component 200 will move to the first locked position and be held in the first locked position.
[0066] Those skilled in the art should know that when the latch applies a large force to the bolt member 200, the bolt member 200 will move directly from the unlocked position to the first locked position, and will not stay in the second locked position.
[0067] See again Figure 4 The unlocking lever component 400 disclosed herein includes a first unlocking lever feature 401 and a second unlocking lever feature 402. The first unlocking lever feature 401 is formed as an arc-shaped bend, and is used to engage with and pressurize a stop component 500. Specifically, the unlocking lever component 400 can drive the stop component 500 from a second stop position to a first stop position, and during the movement of the stop component 500 from the first stop position to the second stop position, it can drive the unlocking lever component 400 to rotate counterclockwise.
[0068] The second feature 402 of the unlocking lever is formed as a flange, which is used to limit the position of the pawl component 300. In a preferred embodiment, the pawl component 300 is rotatable relative to the unlocking lever component 400; that is, the pawl component 300 is not always stationary with respect to the unlocking lever component 400. Specifically, when the pawl component 300 is in the first pawl position, it will be limited by the locking tongue component 200 and cannot rotate further counterclockwise (towards...). Figure 4 (As shown in the direction), however, the unlocking lever component 400 will continue to rotate counterclockwise under the drive of the stop component 500. At this time, the unlocking lever component 400 will rotate relative to the pawl component 300, resulting in a preset distance between the pawl component 300 and the second feature 402 of the unlocking lever. In a specific embodiment, this preset distance can be 0.5mm, and then the unlocking lever component 400 will be positioned by components such as the limiting boss.
[0069] In some embodiments, the front cover lock further includes a stop return spring 510, which provides a return force to the stop member 500 so that the stop member 500 has a tendency to move toward the second stop position. That is, at least part of the force during the movement of the stop member 500 from the first stop position to the second stop position is provided by the stop return spring 510.
[0070] See again Figure 4The front cover lock of this disclosure further includes a pawl return spring 310, which provides a return force to the pawl component 300 so that the pawl component 300 has a tendency to move toward the first pawl position. That is, at least part of the force of the pawl component 300 during its movement toward the first pawl position is provided by the pawl return spring 310, and at least part of the force is provided by the stop return spring 510.
[0071] In other words, when the pawl return spring 310 drives the pawl component 300 to move from the second pawl position to the first pawl position, the pawl component 300 drives the unlocking lever component 400 to rotate. Simultaneously, the return force provided by the pawl return spring 310 ensures that the pawl component 300 and the unlocking lever component 400 are in pressurized contact. Consequently, when the unlocking lever component 400 rotates clockwise, the pawl component 300 will rotate simultaneously with the unlocking lever component 400.
[0072] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the front cover lock of this disclosure also includes an electric unlocking assembly 600, which is used to drive the unlocking lever assembly 400 to rotate so that the pawl assembly 300 can move from the first pawl position to the second pawl position.
[0073] In other words, the front cover lock of this disclosure can be unlocked not only manually (at which time one end of the unlocking lever component 400 can be connected to an unlocking cable) but also electrically. Similarly, when the front cover lock of this disclosure is electrically unlocked, the unlocking lever component 400 needs to be triggered twice to unlock the front cover lock.
[0074] In one specific embodiment, the electric unlocking assembly 600 may include components such as an unlocking motor 610, an unlocking worm gear 620, and an unlocking cam 630.
[0075] The unlocking motor 610 is used to provide unlocking power, wherein a worm gear is mounted on the drive shaft of the unlocking motor 610; the worm gear cooperates with the unlocking worm wheel 620 to drive the unlocking worm wheel 620 to rotate.
[0076] The unlocking cam 630 is driven and rotated by the unlocking worm gear 620, wherein the unlocking cam 630 cooperates with the unlocking lever component 400 to push the unlocking lever component 400 to rotate. In a preferred embodiment, the unlocking worm gear 620 and the unlocking cam 630 are integrally formed.
[0077] In this disclosure, when the locking tongue component 200 engages with the stop component 500, the locking tongue component 200 applies a pushing force to the stop component 500. This pushing force causes the stop component 500 to tend to move towards the second stop position. As a result, after the external force applied to the unlocking lever component 400 disappears, the locking tongue component 200 will not jam with the stop component 500, and the stop component 500 will not move from the first stop position to the second stop position.
[0078] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the front cover lock according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of the front cover lock from another angle according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the unlocking worm gear 620 of the front cover lock according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the energy storage device of the front cover lock according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0079] like Figures 5 to 8 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and the above embodiment is that the electric unlocking component 600 includes an energy storage component 640.
[0080] Specifically, the unlocking motor 610 of this disclosure has two rotation directions: an unlocking direction and a reset direction, wherein the unlocking direction and the reset direction are opposite. That is, when the unlocking motor 610 rotates in the unlocking direction, the front cover lock of this disclosure can be unlocked. Specifically, when the front cover lock is in the fully locked state, the unlocking motor 610 rotates in the unlocking direction for the first time, which can unlock the front cover lock to the half-locked state; then the unlocking motor 610 will rotate in the reverse direction, that is, the unlocking motor 610 will rotate in the reset direction, and cause the unlocking worm gear 620 to reset to the reset position; then the unlocking motor 610 rotates in the unlocking direction for the second time, which can unlock the front cover lock from the half-locked state to the unlocked state.
[0081] The unlocking motor 610 of this disclosure drives the unlocking worm gear 620 to rotate, causing the unlocking worm gear 620 to reciprocate between a drive position and a reset position. When the unlocking worm gear 620 rotates from the reset position to the drive position, it can drive the unlocking lever component 400 to rotate via the unlocking cam 630, causing the pawl component 300 to move from the first pawl position to the second pawl position, thereby unlocking the front cover lock. Conversely, when the unlocking worm gear 620 rotates from the drive position to the reset position, it allows the unlocking lever component 400 to return to its initial position. At this time, the pawl component 300 can move from the second pawl position to the first pawl position.
[0082] In other words, when the unlocking motor 610 rotates in the unlocking direction, the unlocking cam 630 engages with the unlocking lever component 400 of the front cover lock to push the unlocking lever component 400 to rotate.
[0083] The energy storage component 640 of this disclosure is configured such that when the unlocking motor 610 rotates in the reset direction, the energy storage component 640 stores energy, and when the unlocking cam 630 drives the unlocking lever component 400 to rotate, the energy storage component 640 and the unlocking motor 610 jointly drive the unlocking cam 630 to rotate.
[0084] Therefore, in the electric unlocking assembly 600 of this disclosure, when the unlocking motor 610 resets, the energy storage component 640 can store energy, that is, recover the energy of the unlocking motor 610 during reset through the energy storage component 640, thereby reducing the rotational speed of the unlocking motor 610 during the reset process, and correspondingly reducing the impact of the unlocking worm gear 620 on other components. During the unlocking process of the front cover lock, the unlocking motor 610 can apply a driving force to the unlocking worm gear 620, and at the same time, the energy storage component 640 can also apply a driving force to the unlocking worm gear 620. At this time, the energy storage component 640 and the unlocking motor 610 jointly drive the unlocking cam 630 to rotate, thereby improving the unlocking response speed of the front cover lock.
[0085] like Figures 5 to 8 As shown, the energy storage component 640 of this disclosure includes a torsion spring. One end of the torsion spring stops at the housing 650 of the electric unlocking assembly 600, and the other end of the torsion spring stops at the limiting part 621 of the unlocking worm gear 620. At this time, the housing 650 of the electric unlocking assembly 600 can be fixed with the lock body 100 of the front cover lock. The housing 650 forms a receiving space with an open upper end. The unlocking motor 610 and the unlocking worm gear 620 and other components can be accommodated in the receiving space. Moreover, the unlocking cam 630 can be located below the housing 650.
[0086] The electrically operated unlocking assembly 600 of this disclosure also includes a cover 660 that covers the upper opening of the housing 650. A limiting member (not shown) is provided on the cover 660, which limits the position of the other end of the torsion spring when the unlocking worm gear 620 is in the reset position. Specifically, the limiting member of the cover 660 of this disclosure is formed as a protrusion extending downward from the lower surface of the cover 660.
[0087] like Figure 8 As shown, the torsion spring of this disclosure may include a torsion spring body and one end and the other end extending outward from the torsion spring body. The torsion spring body is a structure made of wound steel wire and has an axis, which is the axial direction of the torsion spring; in this disclosure, the axis can be set vertically (i.e., the axis is the same as the rotation axis of the unlocking worm gear 620).
[0088] The other end of the torsion spring includes a horizontal section 641, an inclined section 642, and a limiting section 643; wherein, one end of the horizontal section 641 is connected to the torsion spring body, and the horizontal section 641 is set approximately horizontally, in other words, the horizontal section 641 can be set approximately perpendicular to the axis of the torsion spring body.
[0089] One end of the inclined segment 642 is connected to the other end of the horizontal segment 641, and the inclined segment 642 is inclined to the horizontal plane. In a specific embodiment, the inclined segment 642 extends along the circumferential direction of the torsion spring, thereby allowing the inclined segment 642 to be subjected to a downward force by the rotating unlocking worm gear 620, causing the limiting segment 643 to move downward. Note that the inclined segment 642 extending along the circumferential direction of the torsion spring does not necessarily mean that the inclined segment 642 forms a curved arc; it can also be a straight segment.
[0090] The limiting segment 643 is connected to the other end of the inclined segment 642, and at least a portion of the limiting segment 643 is higher than the inclined segment 642 in the height direction. Specifically, the limiting segment 643 of this disclosure includes a guide 643A and a stop 643B, wherein the lower end of the stop 643B is connected to the other end of the inclined segment 642, and the stop 643B is arranged substantially vertically; the upper end of the guide 643A is connected to the upper end of the stop 643B, and the guide 643A is arranged inclinedly, specifically, the distance between the guide 643A and the stop 643B gradually increases in the direction from top to bottom.
[0091] More preferably, the guide 643A is located upstream of the stop 643B along the rotation direction of the unlocking worm gear 620 from the unlocked position to the reset position.
[0092] The unlocking worm gear 620 also includes a worm gear body 622 and a release component 623; the worm gear body 622 can be driven and rotated by the unlocking motor 610; wherein, the limiting part 621 is formed on the worm gear body 622.
[0093] The release component 623 is provided on the worm gear body 622, and the release component 623 can cooperate with the inclined section 642 to release the torsion spring.
[0094] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the cooperation structure between the energy storage device and the cover body of the front cover lock according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0095] Specifically, such as Figure 9As shown, during the process of the unlocking worm gear 620 rotating from the drive position to the reset position, the guide member 643A of the torsion spring contacts one side of the limiting member 661 of the cover 660. At this time, the limiting member 661 of the cover 660 will cause the limiting segment 643 to move downward. Then, the limiting segment 643 will pass over the limiting member 661 of the cover 660. At this time, the stop member 643B of the torsion spring will contact the other side of the limiting member 661 of the cover 660, thereby preventing the torsion spring from applying an unlocking force to the unlocking worm gear 620 and causing the unlocking worm gear 620 to rotate in a direction closer to the drive position.
[0096] In embodiments of this disclosure, one side of the limiting member 661 is formed as an inclined surface, which may have the same degree of inclination as the guide member 643A. Figure 9 In the specific structure shown, the other side of the limiting member 661 contacts the stop member 643B.
[0097] In other words, when the unlocking worm gear 620 is in the reset position, the unlocking worm gear 620 will not rotate even if the unlocking motor 610 is not powered.
[0098] When the unlocking motor 610 rotates in the unlocking direction, the unlocking worm gear 620 will rotate from the reset position to the drive position. At this time, the unlocking worm gear 620 will release the torsion spring. Specifically, during the rotation of the unlocking worm gear 620 from the reset position to the drive position, the other end of the torsion spring can remain stationary. The release component 623 of the unlocking worm gear 620 applies a downward force to the inclined section 642, causing the height of the limiting section 643 to decrease, thereby allowing the limiting section 643 to pass over the limiting member 661 of the cover 660 to release the torsion spring. Correspondingly, after the torsion spring is released, the driving force provided by the torsion spring can cause the unlocking worm gear 620 to rotate in the direction closer to the drive position.
[0099] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment / mode," "some embodiments / modes," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment / mode or example is included in at least one embodiment / mode or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment / mode or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments / modes or examples. Furthermore, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments / modes or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments / modes or examples.
[0100] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0101] Those skilled in the art should understand that the above embodiments are merely for illustrating the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art can make other changes or modifications based on the above disclosure, and these changes or modifications still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
Claims
1. An electrically operated unlocking assembly, characterized in that, include: The unlocking motor has a rotation direction that includes an unlocking direction and a reset direction, wherein the unlocking direction and the reset direction are opposite. The unlocking worm gear is unlocked, and the unlocking motor drives the unlocking worm gear to rotate. An unlocking cam, driven and rotated by the unlocking worm gear, wherein when the unlocking motor rotates in the unlocking direction, the unlocking cam engages with the unlocking lever component of the front cover lock to push the unlocking lever component to rotate; and The energy storage component stores energy when the unlocking motor rotates in the reset direction, and releases energy when the unlocking cam drives the unlocking rod component to rotate, so that the energy storage component and the unlocking motor jointly drive the unlocking cam to rotate.
2. The electrically unlocking assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The energy storage component includes a torsion spring, one end of which is stopped in the housing of the electric unlocking assembly, and the other end of which is stopped in the limiting part of the unlocking worm gear.
3. The electrically unlocking assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cover of the electric unlocking assembly is provided with a limiting member. When the unlocking worm gear is in the reset position, the limiting member is used to restrict the position of the other end of the torsion spring.
4. The electrically unlocking assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The other end of the torsion spring includes: Horizontal section; An inclined segment, one end of which is connected to a horizontal segment, and the inclined segment is arranged at an angle to the horizontal plane; and A limiting segment is connected to the other end of the inclined segment, and at least a portion of the limiting segment is higher than the inclined segment in the height direction, wherein the distance between the horizontal segment and the limiting segment is changed when a force is applied to the inclined segment.
5. The electrically unlocking assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The torsion spring includes an axial direction and a circumferential direction, with the horizontal segment being arranged approximately perpendicular to the axial direction of the torsion spring; the inclined segment extends along the circumferential direction of the torsion spring.
6. The electrically unlocking assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The limiting segment includes a guide and a stop, wherein the lower end of the stop is connected to the other end of the inclined segment and the stop is set approximately vertically; the upper end of the guide is connected to the upper end of the stop and the guide is set inclined.
7. The electrically unlocking assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, Along the top-to-bottom direction, the distance between the guide and the stop gradually increases.
8. The electrically unlocking assembly according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Along the rotation direction of the unlocking worm gear from the unlocked position to the reset position, the guide is located on the upstream side of the stop; Optionally, the unlocking worm gear further includes: The worm gear body, which can be driven and rotated by the unlocking motor; and A release component is disposed on the worm gear body, wherein the release component can cooperate with the inclined section to release the torsion spring; Optionally, during the rotation of the unlocking worm gear from the reset position to the drive position, the release component of the unlocking worm gear applies a downward force to the inclined section, causing the height of the limiting section to decrease, thereby releasing the torsion spring.
9. A front cover lock, characterized in that, Includes the electrically unlocking component as described in any one of claims 1-8.
10. The front cover lock according to claim 9, characterized in that, Also includes: A locking tongue component having a first rotation axis, wherein the locking tongue component includes a first locking feature, a second locking feature and an opening, the first locking feature and the second locking feature being located on the same side of the opening; A pawl component having a second axis of rotation and used to limit the position of a latch component, wherein when the pawl component engages with the first locking feature, the latch component is in a first locking position, and when the pawl component engages with the second locking feature, the latch component is in a second locking position; An unlocking lever assembly, the unlocking lever assembly being driven to rotate, wherein, when the unlocking lever assembly rotates, it can drive the pawl assembly to rotate in a direction away from the locking tongue assembly; and A stop component having a third rotation axis, wherein when the unlocking lever component rotates, the stop component can be driven to rotate toward the direction of approaching the latch component, and the stop component can cooperate with a first locking feature of the latch component to restrict the latch component to a position between a first locking position and a second locking position; When the unlocking motor rotates in the unlocking direction, the unlocking cam drives the unlocking lever component to rotate, so that the pawl component rotates in a direction away from the locking tongue component; Optionally, the rotation axis of the unlocking lever component coincides with the second rotation axis of the pawl component; Optionally, the pawl component includes a first pawl position and a second pawl position, wherein when the pawl component is in the first pawl position, the pawl component can engage with the first locking feature or the second locking feature of the latch component; when the pawl component is in the second pawl position, the pawl component disengages from the latch component. Optionally, when the unlocking lever component drives the pawl component to move from the first pawl position to the second pawl position, it simultaneously drives the stop component from the second stop position to the first stop position. When the stop component is in the first stop position, it engages with the first locking feature of the latch component; when the stop component is in the second stop position, it disengages from the latch component. Optionally, it also includes: A stop return spring is provided to provide a return force to the stop component so that the stop component has a tendency to move toward the second stop position. Optionally, it also includes: A pawl return spring is provided to provide a return force to the pawl component so that the pawl component has a tendency to move toward the first pawl position. Optionally, when the pawl return spring drives the pawl component to move from the second pawl position to the first pawl position, the pawl component can at least drive the unlocking lever component to rotate; Optionally, the unlocking lever component includes: an unlocking lever first feature, the unlocking lever first feature being formed as an arc-shaped bend, wherein the unlocking lever first feature is used to cooperate with the stop component and to make pressure contact with the stop component; Optionally, the unlocking lever component further includes: a second unlocking lever feature, the second unlocking lever feature being formed as a flange, the second unlocking lever feature being used to limit the position of the pawl component; Optionally, when the locking tongue component engages with the stop component, the locking tongue component applies a thrust to the stop component, wherein the thrust causes the stop component to have a tendency to move toward the second stop position.