Automobile tail door self-suction lock

Abstract

The utility model discloses an automobile tail door self-suction lock which comprises a shell, and a driving mechanism, a transmission mechanism and a self-locking mechanism are installed on the shell. The transmission mechanism comprises a worm gear screw rod, a suction rocker arm and a suction ejector rod, the driving mechanism is meshed with a worm gear part of the worm gear screw rod, a screw rod part of the worm gear screw rod is in threaded connection with a screw rod nut, the suction rocker arm and the suction ejector rod are rotationally connected to the shell through a first connecting piece, and the other end of the suction rocker arm corresponds to the screw rod nut; a first clamping part is arranged at the other end of the suction ejector rod; the self-locking mechanism comprises a ratchet wheel and a pawl, a first protruding part is arranged at one end of the ratchet wheel, a second clamping part is arranged at the end, close to the pawl, of the ratchet wheel, and a second protruding part is arranged at the end, close to the ratchet wheel, of the pawl. According to the scheme, a brand-new mechanism is adopted, a lock body actuator is integrated, the size of the lock body is reduced, the number of parts is reduced, the assembling time and the total part cost are saved, the weight is reduced, and the overall size of a product is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive parts technology, specifically to a self-closing lock for a car tailgate. Background Technology

[0002] The automatic tailgate lock is a key component of an electric tailgate system. Its function is to automatically close the tailgate when it is closed, thus locking it.

[0003] For example, the invention patent application with publication number CN108442829 discloses a self-closing door lock system for motor vehicles, including...

[0004] The device includes an electric door lock, a pull cable, and a door lock controller. One end of the pull cable is connected to the electric door lock, and the other end is connected to the door lock controller. The door lock controller includes a first housing, within which a motor and a transmission mechanism are housed. The motor's output shaft has an output gear, and the transmission mechanism is connected to the pull cable via a limiting connecting block. The transmission mechanism includes two layers of gears, a gear nut, and a lead screw. The controller includes a signal switch. The electric door lock includes a door lock housing, a pawl assembly, and a ratchet. Both the pawl assembly and the ratchet are riveted and installed inside the door lock housing. Existing self-closing door locks often suffer from numerous component types, high production costs, and low assembly efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the existing technology, the technical problem to be solved by this utility model is: how to provide a car tailgate self-closing lock that can effectively simplify the number of parts, reduce production costs, and improve assembly efficiency.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A self-closing lock for a car tailgate includes a housing, on which a drive mechanism, a transmission mechanism, and a self-locking mechanism are mounted.

[0008] The transmission mechanism includes a worm gear screw, a suction rocker arm, and a suction top rod. The drive mechanism meshes with the worm gear portion of the worm gear screw to drive the worm gear screw to rotate. A screw nut is threaded onto the screw portion of the worm gear screw so that the screw nut can move along the worm gear screw when it rotates. One end of the suction rocker arm and one end of the suction top rod are rotatably connected to the housing via a first connector. The other end of the suction rocker arm corresponds to the screw nut, and there is a gap between the suction rocker arm and the screw nut when they are in the semi-locked position. The suction rocker arm can abut against the screw nut during its movement. The other end of the suction top rod is provided with a first locking part, which can abut against the self-locking mechanism during rotation.

[0009] The self-locking mechanism includes a ratchet and a pawl. The ratchet is rotatably connected to the housing via a second connector, and the pawl is rotatably connected to the housing via a third connector. A first protrusion is provided at the end of the ratchet facing the first engaging portion. The first protrusion can extend into the first engaging portion during rotation of the first engaging portion, so that the suction rod drives the ratchet to rotate. A second engaging portion is provided at the end of the ratchet near the pawl, and a second protrusion is provided at the end of the pawl near the ratchet. The second protrusion can extend into the second protrusion during rotation of the second engaging portion.

[0010] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: When the self-closing lock of the car tailgate of this solution is locked, when the ratchet and pawl are engaged to the semi-locked position, the drive mechanism drives the worm gear screw to rotate. At the same time as the worm gear screw rotates, the screw nut will move along the worm gear screw. During the movement, the screw nut will abut against the suction rocker arm. As the screw nut moves further, the screw nut will push the suction rocker arm to rotate around the first connecting member. At the same time as the suction rocker arm rotates, it further drives the suction top rod to rotate. When the suction top rod moves to contact the ratchet, the first protrusion of the ratchet extends into the first locking part of the suction top rod, so that the ratchet is driven by the suction top rod to rotate. During the movement of the ratchet, it contacts the pawl, and further causes the second protrusion of the pawl to extend into the second locking part of the ratchet, so that the car tailgate self-closing to the locked position. Compared with existing self-closing locks, the self-closing lock of this car tailgate eliminates components such as the latch and cable, thereby effectively simplifying the number of parts, reducing production costs, and improving assembly efficiency.

[0011] Preferably, the housing is further provided with an emergency opening mechanism, which includes an emergency opening arm, a self-locking release lever, and a pawl actuating arm. The emergency opening arm is rotatably connected to the housing by screws. The self-locking release lever is rotatably connected to the housing by a fourth connector. The pawl actuating arm is rotatably connected to the housing by a fifth connector. A third protrusion is provided on the self-locking release lever near the emergency opening arm. The emergency opening arm abuts against the third protrusion. When the self-locking release lever is in the self-locking position, both ends abut against the suction rod and the pawl actuating arm, respectively. The pawl abuts against the pawl. A second torsion spring is also provided on the second connector. One end of the second torsion spring is connected to the housing, and the other end of the second torsion spring is connected to the ratchet.

[0012] Thus, during the self-locking process of the tailgate, in the event of a sudden power outage, the door reaction force is significant, and the worm gear and worm structure of the worm screw self-lock. At this point, by manipulating the emergency opening arm to rotate, the emergency opening arm simultaneously pushes the self-locking disengagement lever to rotate. The self-locking disengagement lever's rotation, in turn, drives the suction rod and pawl actuating arm to rotate. The pawl actuating arm first pushes the pawl to the open position, while simultaneously the suction rod moves to disengage from the first engagement part and the first protrusion on the ratchet. At this point, the ratchet, under the action of the second torsion spring and the door sealing reaction force, will return to the fully open position. This achieves emergency opening of the tailgate.

[0013] Preferably, a first torsion spring is provided on the first connecting member, one end of the first torsion spring is connected to the attracting rocker arm, and the other end of the first torsion spring is connected to the attracting top rod. A third torsion spring is also provided on the third connecting member, one end of the third torsion spring is connected to the housing, and the other end of the third torsion spring is connected to the pawl. A fourth torsion spring is provided on the fourth connecting member, one end of the fourth torsion spring is connected to the housing, and the other end of the fourth torsion spring is connected to the self-locking release lever. A fifth torsion spring is provided on the fifth connecting member, one end of the fifth torsion spring is connected to the housing, and the other end of the fifth torsion spring is connected to the pawl actuating arm.

[0014] Thus, the first torsion spring enables the attraction rocker arm to rotate synchronously with the attraction push rod when it rotates, and also enables the attraction rocker arm and attraction push rod to automatically reset. The third torsion spring enables the pawl to automatically reset, the fourth torsion spring enables the self-locking release lever to automatically reset, and the fifth torsion spring enables the pawl to move the arm to automatically reset.

[0015] Preferably, the driving mechanism includes a drive motor and a worm gear. The shaft of the drive motor is connected to the worm gear so as to drive the worm gear to rotate. The worm gear meshes with the worm wheel portion of the worm wheel screw so as to drive the worm wheel screw to rotate through the rotation of the worm gear.

[0016] Preferably, a switch is also provided on the housing at a position corresponding to the lead screw nut, and the switch has a gap with the lead screw nut when it is in the fully open position.

[0017] In this way, the switch remains in the normally open state under the longest operating conditions. Compared with the existing technology where the switch is in a constant pressure state, this solution can effectively improve the service life and reliability of the switch.

[0018] Preferably, the emergency opening mechanism further includes an emergency opening lever, which is connected to the emergency opening arm so as to drive the emergency opening arm to rotate.

[0019] Compared with existing technologies, this solution adopts a brand-new mechanism, integrating the lock body and actuator, which reduces the size of the lock body, simplifies the number of parts, saves assembly time and total parts cost, reduces weight, reduces the overall size of the product, enhances the user's operating experience, and in particular solves the bottleneck problem of cumbersome security opening procedures. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the self-closing tailgate lock of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the self-closing tailgate lock of this utility model after removing part of the housing and the emergency opening mechanism;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the self-closing tailgate lock of this utility model after removing part of the shell.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Housing; 2. Emergency opening arm; 3. Emergency opening lever; 4. Drive motor; 5. Worm gear; 6. Screw nut; 7. Worm wheel screw; 8. Engaging rocker arm; 9. Engaging push rod; 10. First torsion spring; 11. Ratchet; 12. Second torsion spring; 13. Pawl; 14. Third torsion spring; 15. Screw; 16. Self-locking release lever; 17. Pawl actuating arm. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this utility model provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed utility model, but merely represents selected embodiments of the utility model. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0026] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures. In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the figures, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of this utility model is in use. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. In addition, the terms "horizontal," "vertical," etc., do not indicate that the component is required to be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted. In the description of this utility model, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0027] A self-closing lock for a car tailgate includes a housing 1, on which a drive mechanism, a transmission mechanism, a self-locking mechanism, and an emergency opening mechanism are mounted.

[0028] The drive mechanism includes a drive motor 4 and a worm gear 5. The shaft of the drive motor 4 is connected to the worm gear 5 so that the drive motor 4 can drive the worm gear 5 to rotate.

[0029] The transmission mechanism includes a worm gear screw 7, a rocker arm 8, and a push rod 9. The drive mechanism meshes with the worm gear portion of the worm gear screw 7 to drive the worm gear screw 7 to rotate. In this specific embodiment, the worm 5 meshes with the worm gear portion of the worm gear screw 7 to drive the worm gear screw 7 to rotate through the rotation of the worm 5. A screw nut 6 is threaded onto the screw portion of the worm gear screw 7 so that the screw nut 6 can move along the worm gear screw 7 when the worm gear screw 7 rotates. One end of the rocker arm 8 and one end of the push rod 9 are rotatably connected to the housing 1 through a first connecting member. A first torsion spring 10 is provided on the first connecting member. One end of the first torsion spring 10 is connected to the rocker arm 8, and the other end of the first torsion spring 10 is connected to the push rod 9. The first torsion spring 10 allows the push rod 9 to rotate synchronously when the rocker arm 8 rotates, and also enables the rocker arm 8 and the push rod 9 to automatically reset. The other end of the suction rocker arm 8 corresponds to the lead screw nut 6, and there is a gap between the suction rocker arm 8 and the lead screw nut 6 when they are in the semi-locked position. The suction rocker arm 8 can abut against the lead screw nut 6 during the movement of the lead screw nut 6. The other end of the suction top rod 9 is provided with a first locking part, which can abut against the self-locking mechanism during the rotation.

[0030] The self-locking mechanism includes a ratchet 11 and a pawl 13. The ratchet 11 is rotatably connected to the housing 1 via a second connecting member. A second torsion spring 12 is also provided on the second connecting member. One end of the second torsion spring 12 is connected to the housing 1, and the other end of the second torsion spring 12 is connected to the ratchet 11. The second torsion spring 12 enables the ratchet 11 to automatically reset. The pawl 13 is rotatably connected to the housing 1 via a third connecting member. A third torsion spring 14 is also provided on the third connecting member. One end of the third torsion spring 14 is connected to the housing 1, and the other end of the third torsion spring 14 is connected to the pawl 13. The third torsion spring 14 enables the pawl 13 to automatically reset. A first protrusion is provided at one end of the ratchet 11 facing the first engagement part. The first protrusion can extend into the first engagement part during rotation, so that the suction rod 9 drives the ratchet 11 to rotate. A second engagement part is provided at one end of the ratchet 11 near the pawl 13. A second protrusion is provided at one end of the pawl 13 near the ratchet 11. The second protrusion can extend into the second protrusion during rotation of the second engagement part.

[0031] The emergency opening mechanism includes an emergency opening arm 2, a self-locking release lever 16, a pawl actuating arm 17, and an emergency opening pull rod 3. The emergency opening pull rod 3 is connected to the emergency opening arm 2 so as to drive the emergency opening arm 2 to rotate. The emergency opening arm 2 is rotatably connected to the housing 1 by screws 15. The self-locking release lever 16 is rotatably connected to the housing 1 by a fourth connecting member. A fourth torsion spring is provided on the fourth connecting member. One end of the fourth torsion spring is connected to the housing 1, and the other end of the fourth torsion spring is connected to the self-locking release lever 16. The fourth torsion spring enables the self-locking release lever 16 to automatically reset. The pawl actuating arm 17 is rotatably connected to the housing 1 by a fifth connecting member. A fifth torsion spring is provided on the fifth connecting member. One end of the fifth torsion spring is connected to the housing 1, and the other end of the fifth torsion spring is connected to the pawl actuating arm 17. The fifth torsion spring enables the pawl actuating arm 17 to automatically reset. A third protrusion is provided at the position of the self-locking release lever 16 near the emergency opening arm 2. The emergency opening arm 2 abuts against the third protrusion. When the self-locking release lever 16 is in the self-locking position, both ends abut against the suction rod 9 and the pawl actuating arm 17 respectively. The pawl actuating arm 17 abuts against the pawl 13.

[0032] A switch is also provided on the housing 1 at a position corresponding to the lead screw nut 6, and there is a gap between the switch and the lead screw nut 6 when the switch is in the fully open position. The switch is always in the normally open state under the longest operating condition. Compared with the structure of the switch in the prior art which is in a constant pressure state, this solution can effectively improve the service life and reliability of the switch.

[0033] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: When the self-closing lock of the car tailgate of this solution is locked, when the ratchet 11 and the pawl 13 are engaged to the semi-locked position, the drive mechanism drives the worm gear screw 7 to rotate. At the same time as the worm gear screw 7 rotates, the screw nut 6 will move along the worm gear screw 7. During the movement, the screw nut 6 will abut against the suction rocker arm 8. As the screw nut 6 moves further, the screw nut 6 will push the suction rocker arm 8 to rotate around the first connecting member. At the same time as the suction rocker arm 8 rotates, it further drives the suction top rod 9 to rotate. When the suction top rod 9 moves to contact the ratchet 11, the first protrusion of the ratchet 11 extends into the first locking part of the suction top rod 9, so that the ratchet 11 is driven by the suction top rod 9 to rotate. During the movement, the ratchet 11 contacts the pawl 13, and further causes the second protrusion of the pawl 13 to extend into the second locking part of the ratchet 11, so that the car tailgate self-closing to the locked position. Compared with existing self-closing locks, the self-closing lock of this car tailgate eliminates components such as the latch and cable, thereby effectively simplifying the number of parts, reducing production costs, and improving assembly efficiency.

[0034] During the self-locking process of the car tailgate, in the event of a sudden power outage, due to the large door reaction force, the worm gear part of the worm screw 7 and the worm 5 structure self-lock. At this time, by operating the emergency opening arm 2 to rotate, the emergency opening arm 2 pushes the self-locking disengagement lever 16 to rotate. The rotation of the self-locking disengagement lever 16 simultaneously drives the suction rod 9 and the pawl actuating arm 17 to rotate. The pawl actuating arm 17 first pushes the pawl 13 to the open position, while the suction rod 9 moves to disengage from the first engagement part and the first protrusion on the ratchet 11. At this time, the ratchet 11 will return to the fully open position under the action of the second torsion spring 12 and the door sealing reaction force. This achieves emergency opening of the tailgate.

[0035] Compared with existing technologies, this solution adopts a brand-new mechanism, integrating the lock body and actuator, which reduces the size of the lock body, simplifies the number of parts, saves assembly time and total parts cost, reduces weight, reduces the overall size of the product, enhances the user's operating experience, and in particular solves the bottleneck problem of cumbersome security opening procedures.

[0036] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model and not to limit the technical solutions. Those skilled in the art should understand that any modifications or equivalent substitutions to the technical solutions of this utility model that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this technical solution should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A self-closing lock for a car tailgate, characterized in that, It includes a housing, on which a drive mechanism, a transmission mechanism, and a self-locking mechanism are mounted; The transmission mechanism includes a worm gear screw, a suction rocker arm, and a suction top rod. The drive mechanism meshes with the worm gear portion of the worm gear screw to drive the worm gear screw to rotate. A screw nut is threaded onto the screw portion of the worm gear screw so that the screw nut can move along the worm gear screw when it rotates. One end of the suction rocker arm and one end of the suction top rod are rotatably connected to the housing via a first connector. The other end of the suction rocker arm corresponds to the screw nut, and there is a gap between the suction rocker arm and the screw nut when they are in the semi-locked position. The suction rocker arm can abut against the screw nut during its movement. The other end of the suction top rod is provided with a first locking part, which can abut against the self-locking mechanism during rotation. The self-locking mechanism includes a ratchet and a pawl. The ratchet is rotatably connected to the housing via a second connector, and the pawl is rotatably connected to the housing via a third connector. A first protrusion is provided at the end of the ratchet facing the first engaging portion. The first protrusion can extend into the first engaging portion during rotation of the first engaging portion, so that the suction rod drives the ratchet to rotate. A second engaging portion is provided at the end of the ratchet near the pawl, and a second protrusion is provided at the end of the pawl near the ratchet. The second protrusion can extend into the second protrusion during rotation of the second engaging portion.

2. The self-closing tailgate lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, An emergency opening mechanism is also provided on the housing. The emergency opening mechanism includes an emergency opening arm, a self-locking release lever, and a pawl actuating arm. The emergency opening arm is rotatably connected to the housing by screws. The self-locking release lever is rotatably connected to the housing by a fourth connector. The pawl actuating arm is rotatably connected to the housing by a fifth connector. A third protrusion is provided on the self-locking release lever near the emergency opening arm. The emergency opening arm abuts against the third protrusion. When the self-locking release lever is in the self-locking position, both ends abut against the suction rod and the pawl actuating arm, respectively. The pawl abuts against the pawl. A second torsion spring is also provided on the second connector. One end of the second torsion spring is connected to the housing, and the other end of the second torsion spring is connected to the ratchet.

3. The self-closing tailgate lock according to claim 2, characterized in that, A first torsion spring is provided on the first connecting member. One end of the first torsion spring is connected to the attraction rocker arm, and the other end of the first torsion spring is connected to the attraction push rod. A third torsion spring is also provided on the third connecting member. One end of the third torsion spring is connected to the housing, and the other end of the third torsion spring is connected to the pawl. A fourth torsion spring is provided on the fourth connecting member. One end of the fourth torsion spring is connected to the housing, and the other end of the fourth torsion spring is connected to the self-locking release lever. A fifth torsion spring is provided on the fifth connecting member. One end of the fifth torsion spring is connected to the housing, and the other end of the fifth torsion spring is connected to the pawl actuating arm.

4. The self-closing tailgate lock according to claim 3, characterized in that, The driving mechanism includes a drive motor and a worm gear. The shaft of the drive motor is connected to the worm gear so as to drive the worm gear to rotate. The worm gear meshes with the worm wheel portion of the worm wheel screw so as to drive the worm wheel screw to rotate through the rotation of the worm gear.

5. The self-closing tailgate lock according to claim 4, characterized in that, A switch is also provided on the housing at a position corresponding to the lead screw nut, and there is a gap between the switch and the lead screw nut when the switch is in the fully open position.

6. The self-closing tailgate lock according to claim 5, characterized in that, The emergency opening mechanism further includes an emergency opening lever, which is connected to the emergency opening arm so as to drive the emergency opening arm to rotate.

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