Lock for cover of vehicle
By using a pivot shaft and a double-headed torsion spring design, the problem of asynchronous movement between the handle and the safety hook in the vehicle hood lock is solved, simplifying the installation process, reducing costs, and allowing for flexible adjustment of the operating force, thus achieving more efficient locking and releasing functions.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- KIEKERT AUTOMOTIVE (CHANGSHU) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-10
AI Technical Summary
The existing vehicle hood lock handle and safety hook move out of sync, which makes installation difficult and causes excessive torsional force, increasing manufacturing and assembly costs. In addition, the existing design is complex and the process is cumbersome.
Featuring a pivot design, the safety hook and handle are rotatably supported by the pivot, and a double-headed torsion spring is detachably fitted to the second section of the pivot, simplifying installation and allowing for flexible adjustment of the insertion force.
It simplifies the installation process, avoids scrapping issues caused by torsion spring misalignment, reduces manufacturing and assembly costs, and allows for flexible adjustment of handle operating force and safety hook insertion force.
Smart Images
Figure CN224107094U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to a lock for a vehicle's hood, such as a front hood, for engaging or releasing a catch attached to the hood to lock or release the hood. BACKGROUND
[0002] The hood of a vehicle, such as the engine cover of a motor vehicle's engine compartment, or the cover of a luggage compartment located at the front of a new energy vehicle, is provided with a hood lock for locking it to the vehicle body of the front compartment. The common hood lock includes a safety hook, a handle and a torsion spring.
[0003] However, the handle in the existing design is mounted to the safety hook, so when the hood is closed, the safety hook will drive the handle to move together. The handle is a moving part, and due to the existence of inertia, the handle will move out of sync with the safety hook, which will cause difficulties in arrangement. In addition, the center of mass of the handle is far away from the mounting point, and the movement of the handle will generate a torsional force on the mounting point, which may cause the handle mounting point to crack in extreme cases. Moreover, the handle and the safety hook are moving parts as a whole, and the overall mass is large, which will cause the safety hook to respond slowly.
[0004] In addition, in the existing design, a rivet with a turned edge on the outside is usually used to assemble the safety hook, the handle and the torsion spring to the lock housing. The spring needs to be inserted first and then riveted during assembly, which is a complex process and increases the manufacturing and assembly costs. SUMMARY
[0005] The present application aims to solve at least one of the above problems and / or other problems in the prior art.
[0006] Therefore, the present application provides a lock for a vehicle's hood, for engaging or releasing a catch attached to the hood to lock or release the hood, comprising: a lock housing adapted to be fixed to the vehicle body of a vehicle; a pivot shaft fixedly connected to the lock housing, the pivot shaft being configured to include at least a first section, a second section and a flange portion located between the first section and the second section; a safety hook and a handle, the safety hook and the handle being rotatably supported on the lock housing by the first section of the pivot shaft and being able to pivot relative to the lock housing about the pivot shaft, respectively; and a double-headed torsion spring connected to the safety hook and the lock housing, respectively, wherein the second section of the pivot shaft is located on the side of the flange portion away from the lock housing so that the double-headed torsion spring can be detachably sleeved to the second section of the pivot shaft.
[0007] In the above scheme, by providing such a pivot shaft, the double-end torsion spring can be detachably mounted to the pivot shaft, installation can be simplified, and the problem of scrapping due to misalignment of the double-end torsion spring can be avoided. Moreover, using a single independent double-end torsion spring, compared with the design of three-end torsion springs or two springs, the installation of the whole lock can be simplified, and the insertion force can be flexibly adjusted without being affected by the handle operating force.
[0008] In an exemplary scheme, the double-end torsion spring includes a torsion spring body and a first arm and a second arm extending from both ends of the torsion spring body, wherein the first arm is connected to the safety hook, and the second arm is connected to the lock housing. With such a double-end torsion spring, the spring torsion force can be adjusted individually to adjust the insertion force of the safety hook and the operating force of the handle.
[0009] In a preferred scheme, the safety hook includes a connecting end having a first connecting hole and a free end opposite to the connecting end; and the safety hook further includes a protrusion extending from the connecting end on a first side thereof, and at least a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion are provided in the protrusion, and the first arm of the double-end torsion spring is engaged to the first engaging portion or the second engaging portion.
[0010] In the above configuration, the installation position of the first arm of the double-end torsion spring can be adjusted as needed, thereby adjusting the operating force of the handle and the insertion force of the safety hook.
[0011] In a preferred scheme, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are both configured in the form of through holes penetrating through the entire thickness of the protrusion. In this configuration, the first arm of the double-end torsion spring can be hooked into the corresponding through hole, thereby simplifying the installation of the torsion spring.
[0012] In an exemplary scheme, the base plate of the lock housing is provided with a first limiting mechanism, the safety hook is provided with a second limiting mechanism, and the handle is provided with a limiting portion; through the cooperation of the first limiting mechanism with the second limiting mechanism and the limiting portion, the safety hook can be pivoted between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, a part of the safety hook is located on the travel path of the lock catch, and in the second position, the safety hook is away from the travel path of the lock catch.
[0013] In one exemplary solution, the base plate comprises a mounting hole for the pivot shaft, wherein the first limiting mechanism comprises a first stopper and a second stopper located on both sides of the mounting hole; the second limiting mechanism comprises a first protruding part located on the first side of the safety hook and a second protruding part located on the second side of the safety hook, and the safety hook is sleeved onto the pivot shaft through the first connecting hole; and the handle comprises a handle connecting end with a second connecting hole, wherein the limiting part is located on the side of the free end of the handle away from the safety hook, and the handle is sleeved onto the pivot shaft through the second connecting hole; wherein in the first position, the limiting part abuts against the first stopper, and the first protruding part abuts against the limiting part; in the second position, the limiting part abuts against the first stopper, and the second protruding part abuts against the second stopper.
[0014] In one preferred solution, the first stopper and the second stopper are in the form of lugs extending perpendicularly to the base plate and parallel to each other, wherein the end of the first stopper is provided with a first hook part, and the end of the second stopper is provided with a second hook part, and the second branch of the double-head torsion spring is connected to the second hook part.
[0015] In one preferred solution, the pivot shaft is configured in the form of a hollow rivet and further comprises a third section extending from the first section, wherein the outer diameter of the third section is smaller than the outer diameter of the first section, and the outer diameter of the first section is smaller than the outer diameter of the second section, and the pivot shaft is riveted to the lock housing at the mounting hole through the third section. By providing such a pivot shaft, the torsion spring can be installed detachably after riveting, thereby simplifying the installation.
[0016] In the above technical solution, the safety hook, the handle and the double-head torsion spring are configured such that, in the process of closing the cover, the safety hook can be pivoted relative to the lock housing from the first position to the second position while the handle remains stationary, and the safety hook can be automatically reset from the second position to the first position under the action of the spring force of the double-head torsion spring; and in the process of opening the cover, the operation of the handle can drive the safety hook to pivot from the first position to the second position, and the action of the spring force of the double-head torsion spring resets the safety hook and the handle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] Figure 1 A perspective schematic view of a lock for a cover of a vehicle according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown;
[0018] Figure 2 An exploded view of the lock shown in the figure;
[0019] Figure 3 A front view schematic view showing the safety hook of the lock in the first position, wherein the cover is in the open state;
[0020] Figure 4Front view schematic showing the safety hook of the lock in the second position during the closing of the hood.
[0021] Figure 5 Front view schematic showing the safety hook of the lock in the first position, wherein the hood is in the closed state, i.e. the lock is in the locked state.
[0022] Figure 6a Front view schematic showing one embodiment of the pivot shaft according to the present utility model before assembly (i.e. not riveted to the lock housing).
[0023] Figure 6b For Figure 6a Front view schematic showing the pivot shaft after assembly (i.e. already riveted to the lock housing); and
[0024] Figure 7 Front view schematic showing one embodiment of the safety hook according to the present utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Embodiments of the present utility model are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present utility model and in order to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to implement the present utility model. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present utility model can be practiced without some or all of these specific details.
[0026] Referring to Figures 1-5 , a schematic view of a lock for a hood of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model is shown. It should be noted that the hood of the vehicle described herein can be a bonnet of an engine compartment of a motor vehicle. However, the application object of the lock of the present utility model is not limited thereto. For example, for a new energy vehicle, the corresponding position of the front part of the vehicle is a luggage compartment, and the lock of the present utility model can also be used for the cover of the luggage compartment. The front compartment of the vehicle can be opened or closed by a hood (not shown). The lock catch / striker 10 is attached to the hood. The lock is fixed on the vehicle body structure (not shown) of the front compartment, and the hood is kept in the closed position by locking the lock catch 10.
[0027] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2The lock 100 comprises a lock housing 1, a pivot shaft 2, a safety hook 3, a handle 4 and a double torsion spring 5. The lock housing 1 can comprise a mounting portion (not shown) by which the lock 100 is fixed to the body structure of the vehicle. The lock housing 1 has a base plate 1a comprising a mounting hole 1b for the pivot shaft 2, which can be fixedly connected to the base plate by the mounting hole 1b, for example. Advantageously, the pivot shaft 2 comprises a first section 21, a second section 22 and a flange portion 20 between the first section and the second section, wherein the safety hook 3 and the handle 4 are rotatably supported on the lock housing 1 by the first section 21 of the pivot shaft and can be pivoted relative to the lock housing 1 about the pivot shaft, respectively. As can be seen from the figures, the safety hook 3 is closer to the lock housing 1 than the handle 4. The pivot shaft 2 is arranged such that the second section 22 thereof is located on the side of the flange portion 20 facing away from the lock housing 1, so that the double torsion spring can be detachably fitted to the second section 22 of the pivot shaft.
[0028] In the above-described embodiments, by providing such a pivot shaft, the double torsion spring can be detachably mounted, the installation can be simplified, and the problem of scrapping due to misalignment of the double torsion spring can be avoided. In addition, with a single independent double torsion spring, compared with a design of three torsion springs or two springs, the installation of the entire lock can be simplified, and the insertion force can be flexibly adjusted without being affected by the handle operating force.
[0029] Referring again to Figure 2 , the double torsion spring 5 comprises a torsion spring body 50 and a first arm 51 and a second arm 52 extending from both ends of the torsion spring body, wherein the first arm is connected to the safety hook and the second arm is connected to the lock housing. In addition, the lock housing 1 comprises a first limiting mechanism provided on the base plate 1a. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the first limiting mechanism comprises a first stop portion 11 and a second stop portion 12 located on both sides of the mounting hole 1a. Preferably, the first stop portion 11 and the second stop portion 12 can be arranged symmetrically about the mounting hole and in the form of lugs extending perpendicularly to the base plate 1a and parallel to each other. The end of the first stop portion is provided with a first hook portion 110 and the end of the second stop portion is provided with a second hook portion 120, and the second arm 52 of the double torsion spring is connected to the second hook portion. The first hook portion and the second hook portion are configured such that the safety hook can be installed in the opposite direction to that shown in the figures according to specific requirements.
[0030] Referring to Figure 6a and Figure 6b , a preferred embodiment of the pivot shaft 2 according to the present application is shown. In this embodiment, the pivot shaft 2 is in the form of a hollow rivet and further comprises a third section 23 extending from the first section 21. Figure 6a in the pre-riveting state, Figure 6bThe state after riveting. As can be seen from the figure, the outer diameter of the first section 21 is larger than that of the third section 23, and the outer diameter of the second section 22 is larger than that of the first section 21. When assembling, the safety hook 3 and the handle 4 can be sleeved on the first section 21 of the pivot shaft 2 first, and then the third section 23 of the pivot shaft 2 is inserted through the mounting hole 1b and riveted to the base plate 1a of the lock shell 1. After riveting, the outermost side of the third section of the pivot shaft 2 forms a riveting flange 23a, which cooperates with the end face of the first section 21 to fixedly connect the pivot shaft 2 to the lock shell 1. Then the torsional spring body 50 is sleeved on the second section 22 of the pivot shaft 2.
[0031] Referring to Figure 7 , an embodiment of the safety hook 3 according to the present application is shown. As can be seen from the figure, the safety hook 3, for example, along its length direction (the longitudinal direction shown in the figure), includes a connecting end 31 having a first connecting hole 30 and a free end 32 having a hook portion 32a. And, the safety hook 3 has a first side and an opposite second side along its width direction (the transverse direction shown in the figure), and the safety hook further includes a protruding portion 33 extending from the connecting end 31 on its first side, in which a first engaging portion 331 and a second engaging portion 332 are provided. Preferably, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are in the form of through holes that pass through the entire thickness of the protruding portion. That is, two through holes are provided in the protruding portion, and for example, the first branch arm 51 of the double-headed torsional spring 5 can be hooked and connected to one of the through holes. This configuration can adjust the connection position of the first branch arm to adjust the tension of the double-headed torsional spring, and in turn can freely adjust the handle operating force and the safety hook insertion force. It should be understood that although only two engaging portions are shown in the figure, it should be understood that more engaging portions can also be provided, which are also covered within the scope of the present application.
[0032] In addition, the safety hook 3 is also provided with a second limiting mechanism, which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a first protruding portion 311 located on the first side (the left side shown in the figure) of the safety hook near the connecting end and a second protruding portion 312 located on the second side (the right side shown in the figure) of the safety hook, and the safety hook 3 is sleeved on the first section 21 of the pivot shaft 2 through the first connecting hole 30.
[0033] Referring again to Figure 2 and Figure 3The handle 4 comprises a handle connecting end 41 with a second connecting hole 40 and an operating end opposite to the handle connecting end. Further, a limiting portion 42 is arranged near the handle connecting end 41 on the side of the handle away from the free end 32 of the safety hook, and the handle is sleeved onto the first section of the pivot shaft through the second connecting hole 40. In the lock 100 according to the present application, through the cooperation of the first limiting mechanism, the second limiting mechanism and the limiting portion, the safety hook can be pivoted between the first position and the second position, wherein in the first position, the free end of the safety hook 3 is located on the travel path of the lock catch 10, and in the second position, the safety hook 3 is away from the travel path of the lock catch 10.
[0034] Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the safety hook 3 is in the first position, wherein the limiting portion 42 abuts against the first stop portion 11, and the first protruding portion 311 abuts against the limiting portion 42. Referring to Figure 4 , wherein the safety hook 3 is in the second position, and the limiting portion 42 abuts against the first stop portion 11, and the second protruding portion 312 abuts against the second stop portion 12.
[0035] Referring to Figures 3 to 5 , the operation of the front hood lock will be described in an exemplary manner below.
[0036] First, in the process of closing the hood, the lock catch 10 moving with the closing of the hood abuts against the outer edge of the hook-shaped portion 32a of the safety hook 3 arranged on the travel path of the lock catch 10. As a result of the abutment of the lock catch 10 against the hook-shaped portion 32a, the safety hook 3 rotates from the first position (i.e. the auxiliary locking position) shown in Figure 3 towards the second position (i.e. the auxiliary unlocking position) shown in Figure 4 , thereby rotating out of the travel path of the lock catch 10, thus enabling the lock catch 10 to enter the lock catch groove of the lock housing 1 and be further locked by the lock fork. In the process of the rotation of the safety hook 3 from the first position to the second position, the handle 4 does not rotate with the safety hook 3, but remains in a stationary state. Then, under the action of the spring force of the double-headed torsion spring 5, the safety hook 3 automatically returns to the first position shown in Figure 5 .
[0037] In the process of opening the hood, the operation of the handle 4 can drive the safety hook 3 to rotate from the first position shown in Figure 5 to the second position of the safety hook against the force of the double-headed torsion spring 5, until the second protruding portion 312 abuts against the second stop portion 12, at which time the hook-shaped portion 32a of the safety hook 3 is rotated out of the travel path of the lock catch 10, which allows the lock catch 10 to exit from the lock catch groove, thereby completely opening the front hood, and then, under the action of the spring force of the double-headed torsion spring 5, the safety hook and the handle are reset to the first position shown in Figure 3 .
[0038] It should be noted that the embodiments described above should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not limiting. Further modifications and variations can be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The scope of the application should be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
Claims
1. A lock for a bonnet of a vehicle, the lock (100) for engaging or disengaging a catch (10) attached to the bonnet to lock or release the bonnet, characterised in that, The lock comprises: a lock housing (1) adapted to be fixed to a vehicle body of a vehicle; a pivot shaft (2) fixedly connected to the lock housing (1), the pivot shaft being configured to comprise at least a first section (21), a second section (22) and a flange portion (20) located between the first section and the second section; a safety hook (3) and a handle (4) rotatably supported on the lock housing (1) by the first section (21) of the pivot shaft and pivotable relative to the lock housing (1) about the pivot shaft, respectively; and a double-end torsion spring (5) connected to the safety hook and the lock housing, respectively, wherein the second section (22) of the pivot shaft is located on a side of the flange portion (20) away from the lock housing (1) so that the double-end torsion spring is detachably sleeved to the second section (22) of the pivot shaft.
2. The lock according to claim 1, wherein the double-end torsion spring comprises a torsion spring body (50) and a first arm (51) and a second arm (52) extending from two ends of the torsion spring body, wherein the first arm is connected to the safety hook and the second arm is connected to the lock housing.
3. The lock according to claim 2, wherein the safety hook (3) comprises a connecting end (31) having a first connecting hole (30) and a free end (32) opposite to the connecting end; and the safety hook further comprises a protrusion (33) extending from the connecting end (31) on a first side thereof, at least a first engaging portion (331) and a second engaging portion (332) being provided in the protrusion, the first arm of the double-end torsion spring (5) being engaged to the first engaging portion or the second engaging portion.
4. The lock according to claim 3, wherein the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are both configured in the form of a through hole penetrating through the entire thickness of the protrusion.
5. The lock according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a base plate (1a) of the lock housing (1) is provided with a first limiting mechanism, the safety hook (3) is provided with a second limiting mechanism, and the handle (4) is provided with a limiting portion (42); by cooperation of the first limiting mechanism with the second limiting mechanism and the limiting portion, the safety hook is pivotable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, a part of the safety hook is located on a travel path of the lock catch, and in the second position, the safety hook is away from the travel path of the lock catch.
6. The lock according to claim 5, wherein the base plate (1a) comprises a mounting hole (1b) for the pivot shaft (2), wherein the first limiting mechanism comprises a first stop portion (11) and a second stop portion (12) located on both sides of the mounting hole; the second limiting mechanism comprises a first protruding portion (311) located on the first side of the safety hook close to the connecting end and a second protruding portion (312) located on the second side of the safety hook, and the safety hook is sleeved to the pivot shaft through the first connecting hole; and the first stop portion and the second stop portion are configured in the form of a through hole penetrating through the entire thickness of the base plate. The handle (4) comprises a handle connecting end (41) having a second connecting hole (40), wherein the limiting portion (42) is located on the side of the handle away from the free end (32) of the safety hook, and the handle is sleeved onto the pivot shaft through the second connecting hole; Wherein in the first position, the limiting portion (42) abuts against the first stop portion (11), and the first protruding portion (311) abuts against the limiting portion; in the second position, the limiting portion (42) abuts against the first stop portion (11), and the second protruding portion (312) abuts against the second stop portion (12).
7. The lock according to claim 6, characterized in that The first stop portion (11) and the second stop portion (12) are in the form of lugs extending perpendicularly to the base plate (1a) and parallel to each other, wherein the end of the first stop portion is provided with a first hook portion (110), and the end of the second stop portion is provided with a second hook portion (120), and the second arm (52) of the double-end torsion spring is engaged to the second hook portion.
8. The lock according to claim 6, characterized in that The pivot shaft (2) is configured in the form of a hollow rivet and further comprises a third section (23) extending from the first section, wherein the outer diameter of the third section is smaller than the outer diameter of the first section, and the outer diameter of the first section is smaller than the outer diameter of the second section, and the pivot shaft is riveted to the lock housing at the mounting hole (1a) through the third section (23).
9. The lock according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The safety hook (3), the handle (4) and the double-end torsion spring (5) are configured to: During closing of the cover, the safety hook can be pivoted relative to the lock housing from the first position to the second position while the handle remains stationary, and under the action of the spring force of the double-end torsion spring, the safety hook can be automatically reset from the second position to the first position; and During opening of the cover, operating the handle can drive the safety hook to pivot from the first position to the second position, and the spring force of the double-end torsion spring resets the safety hook and the handle.