Electrically operated door lock

Abstract

The utility model relates to an electric car door lock, it includes lock shell and installs in the inside open transmission subassembly and outside open transmission subassembly and child lock subassembly, inside open transmission subassembly and outside open transmission subassembly and child lock subassembly can move between the unlocking position and the locking position. Child lock subassembly includes child lock connecting rod, and it is transmission connection with inside open transmission subassembly and outside open transmission subassembly, make with child lock connecting rod moves from the locking position to the unlocking position, inside open transmission subassembly and outside open transmission subassembly also move from the locking position to the unlocking position respectively. According to the utility model, child lock connecting rod can be used to inside and outside two transmission chains, make without adjusting the position of motor can satisfy the requirement of different customers, reduce manufacturing cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vehicles, specifically to electric vehicle door locks. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, many vehicles, especially electric vehicles, have door locks with electric release and electric child lock functions. On the other hand, for higher safety considerations, some OEMs require door locks to have central locking (single / double pull), electric release, and mechanical child lock functions.

[0003] Under the current design, switching between the two types of door locks requires significant adjustments to the layout of the internal components of the door locks, especially the position of the child lock motor. This requires separate design for each type of door lock and separate electrical continuity testing for each type, resulting in higher manufacturing costs. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to improve existing electric vehicle door locks and avoid the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0005] Therefore, this utility model proposes an electric vehicle door lock, which includes a lock shell and an inner opening drive assembly, an outer opening drive assembly, and a child lock assembly installed therein, all of which are movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The child lock assembly includes a child lock linkage, which is drively connected to both the inner opening drive assembly and the outer opening drive assembly, so that as the child lock linkage moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, the inner opening drive assembly and the outer opening drive assembly also move from the locked position to the unlocked position, respectively.

[0006] According to an embodiment, the child lock assembly also includes a child lock motor, a worm gear configured to rotate with the child lock motor, and a worm wheel meshing with the worm gear. The child lock linkage is fixed to the worm wheel at one end or nearby and is connected to the inner opening transmission assembly and the outer opening transmission assembly at the other end or nearby.

[0007] According to an embodiment, the child lock linkage is mounted on the lock housing in a linearly movable manner. For example, the lock housing is provided with a guide post, and the child lock linkage is correspondingly provided with a linear guide hole. When the child lock linkage moves between the locked position and the unlocked position, the guide post moves relative to the child lock linkage along the linear guide hole.

[0008] According to an embodiment, the inward-opening transmission assembly includes an inward-opening control lever that is pivotally mounted and an inward-opening clutch that is rotatably mounted on the inward-opening control lever. In the unlocked position, the two are engaged with each other, and in the locked position, they are disengaged from each other. For this purpose, a groove is formed on the inward-opening control lever to engage the inward-opening clutch.

[0009] According to an embodiment, a cable hole is provided on the inner opening control lever near the child lock linkage for the cable to pass through and to operate the inner opening control lever to pivot.

[0010] According to an embodiment, a protrusion extends from the inner-opening control lever. In the locked position, the protrusion abuts against one end of the child lock linkage, while in the unlocked position, the two are separated from each other. When the inner-opening control lever rotates from the locked position toward the unlocked position, the child lock linkage is pushed by the protrusion to move toward the unlocked position.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the child lock assembly also includes a child lock spring fixed to the lock housing. This spring is a torsion spring, and one end of the torsion spring abuts against the child lock link in both the locked and unlocked positions to bias the link. For example, the portion of the child lock link abutted by the spring is configured as an inverted V-shape. In the locked position, the child lock spring abuts against the V-shaped side facing the inward-opening lever; in the unlocked position, the spring abuts against the V-shaped side facing the worm gear. With this arrangement, when the tab of the inward-opening lever pushes the child lock link toward the unlocked position, causing the abutting end of the child lock spring to pass the apex of the inverted V-shape, the child lock link can continue to move toward the unlocked position under the bias of the spring without the tab of the inward-opening lever continuously pushing the link.

[0012] Furthermore, in the locked position, the inner-opening clutch abuts against the child lock linkage; in the unlocked position, the two are separated, and the inner-opening clutch is biased to the unlocked position under the action of the first spring. The first spring is positioned at the pivot point of the inner-opening clutch.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the outward-opening transmission assembly includes a signal link, a central locking link, and an outward-opening clutch, all three of which are pivotally mounted in the lock housing, with their planes of rotation parallel to each other. One end of the signal link is drivenly connected to the child lock link, and the other end is drivenly connected to the central locking link. One end of the outward-opening clutch is also drivenly connected to the central locking link (e.g., in contact) in the locked position. This allows the signal link to rotate clockwise around its pivot point to the unlocked position when the child lock link moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, the central locking link to rotate counterclockwise to the unlocked position, and the outward-opening clutch to rotate clockwise to the unlocked position under the bias of a second spring. In the unlocked position, the outward-opening clutch is disengaged from the central locking link. The second spring is positioned at the pivot point of the outward-opening clutch.

[0014] According to an embodiment, a guide post is provided at one end of the signal link and the child lock link, and a guide groove is provided on the corresponding part of the child lock link, so that when the child lock link moves between the locked position and the unlocked position, the guide post moves along the guide groove, while the signal link rotates around its pivot point. Similarly, a guide post is provided at one end of the central locking link and the signal link, and an engagement groove is provided on the corresponding part of the signal link, so that when the signal link rotates around its pivot point, the central locking link also rotates around its pivot point.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the rotation plane of the inner opening control lever is perpendicular to the rotation plane of the central locking linkage.

[0016] According to the embodiment, the portions of the child lock linkage that abut with the inward-opening control lever, the inward-opening clutch, and the central locking linkage and outward-opening clutch are all constructed to be flat. For example, all of the above components are plate-shaped, with the abutting portions bent into an approximately L-shape relative to the plate plane. This arrangement ensures sufficient mating area between the abutting portions to facilitate transmission.

[0017] During operation, when the door lock is locked, the first pull of the handle will pull the inward opening lever via the cable. As the inward opening lever rotates, it will push the child lock linkage from the locked position to the unlocked position, causing both the inward and outward opening clutches to move to the unlocked position, thus unlocking the door lock. Then, the second pull of the handle will again pull the inward opening lever via the cable, engaging the inward opening clutch, thereby opening the door.

[0018] According to this utility model, the child lock linkage of the electric vehicle door lock can be used for both inner and outer drive chains (inner / outer opening drive components), and only one spring (child lock spring) is needed for both inner and outer drive chains. Furthermore, single-pull / double-pull structures can be assembled in the same package. In addition, switching between two types of door locks only requires replacing a few components (such as the child lock linkage), without adjusting the position of the child lock motor, thus eliminating the need for separate electrical continuity testing for each type of door lock, reducing manufacturing costs. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1A This is a schematic diagram of the electric vehicle door lock in an embodiment of the present invention, along a direction parallel to the plane of the door, showing it in the locked position.

[0021] Figure 1B This is a schematic diagram of the electric vehicle door lock in the embodiment of the present invention along the direction perpendicular to the plane of the door, showing it in the locked position;

[0022] Figure 1C yes Figure 1BEnlarged view of the circled area;

[0023] Figure 2A This is a schematic side view of an electric vehicle door lock according to an embodiment of the present utility model, showing it in the unlocked position;

[0024] Figure 2B This is a schematic top view of an electric vehicle door lock according to an embodiment of the present utility model, showing it in the unlocked position;

[0025] Figure 3 yes Figure 1A and Figure 1B A schematic perspective view of the electric vehicle door lock shown;

[0026] Figure 4A This is a schematic diagram of an electric vehicle door lock according to another embodiment of the present invention, along a direction perpendicular to the plane of the door, in the unlocked position;

[0027] Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram of an electric vehicle door lock according to another embodiment of the present invention, along a direction parallel to the plane of the door, in the unlocked position;

[0028] In the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention are shown in a simplified manner for clarity. Furthermore, the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The electric vehicle door lock of this utility model is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For ease of description, directional terms are used below, which refer to the directions shown in the accompanying drawings; the actual directions may differ.

[0030] Figures 1A-3 An electric vehicle door lock 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, which has central locking (single pull / double pull), electric release and mechanical child lock functions.

[0031] The electric vehicle door lock includes a lock housing 10 and an inward opening drive assembly 20, an outward opening drive assembly 30, and a child lock assembly 40 installed therein, all of which can be in the unlocked position (see [link]). Figure 2A and Figure 2B ) and lock location (see Figure 1A and Figure 1B as well as Figure 3 Move between ).

[0032] The child lock assembly 40 includes a child lock motor (not shown), a worm gear 41 configured to rotate with the child lock motor, a worm wheel 42 meshing with the worm gear 41, and a child lock link 43. The child lock link 43 is fixed to the worm wheel 42 at or near one end, and is drively connected to the inner opening drive assembly 20 and the outer opening drive assembly 30 at or near the other end, such that as the child lock link 43 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, the inner opening drive assembly 20 and the outer opening drive assembly 30 also move from the locked position to the unlocked position, respectively.

[0033] The lock housing 10 is provided with a guide post 11, and the child lock linkage 43 is correspondingly provided with a linear guide hole 43A. When the child lock linkage 43 moves between the locked position and the unlocked position, the guide post 11 moves relative to the child lock linkage 43 along the linear guide hole 43A. Therefore, the child lock linkage 43 is mounted on the lock housing 11 in a linearly movable manner.

[0034] Figure 1A , Figure 2A and Figure 3 The construction of the inward-opening drive assembly 20 and the child lock assembly 40 is shown in detail. As shown, the inward-opening drive assembly 20 includes an inward-opening operating lever 21 that is pivotally mounted and an inward-opening clutch 22 that is rotatably mounted relative to the inward-opening operating lever 21. In the unlocked position, the two are engaged with each other, and in the locked position, they are disengaged from each other. For this purpose, a groove 21C is formed on the inward-opening operating lever 21 to engage the inward-opening clutch 22.

[0035] A tab 21A extends from the inward-opening lever 21. In the locked position, it abuts against one end of the child lock linkage 43. In the unlocked position, the two are separated. When the inward-opening lever 21 is rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position, the tab 21A pushes the child lock linkage towards the unlocked position. In addition, a pull cable hole 21B is provided on the inward-opening lever 21 near the child lock linkage 43 for a pull cable (not shown) to pass through, for pivoting the inward-opening lever 21.

[0036] Furthermore, in the locked position, the inner clutch 22 abuts against the child lock linkage 43, and in the unlocked position, the two are separated from each other, and the inner clutch 22 is biased to the unlocked position by a spring (not shown) located at the pivot point of the inner clutch 22.

[0037] The child lock assembly 40 also includes a child lock spring 44 fixed to the lock housing 11. This spring is a torsion spring, and one end of the torsion spring abuts against the child lock link 43 in both the locked and unlocked positions. In this example, the portion 43C of the child lock link 43 abutted by the child lock spring 44 is configured as an inverted V-shape. In the locked position, the child lock spring 44 abuts against the V-shaped side facing the inward-opening operating lever 21; in the unlocked position, the child lock spring 44 abuts against the V-shaped side facing the worm gear 42.

[0038] Figures 1B-1C , Figure 2B and Figure 3 The structure of the outward-opening drive assembly 30 and the child lock assembly 40 is shown in detail. As shown, the outward-opening drive assembly 30 includes a signal link 31, a central locking link 32, and an outward-opening clutch 33, all three of which are pivotally mounted in the lock housing 11, and their planes of rotation are parallel to each other. One end of the signal link 31 is drivenly connected to the child lock link 43, and the other end is drivenly connected to the central locking link 32. One end of the outward-opening clutch 33 abuts against the central locking link 32 in the locked position. When the child lock link 43 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, the signal link 31 rotates clockwise around the pivot point in the plane of rotation to the unlocked position, the central locking link 32 rotates counterclockwise to the unlocked position, and the outward-opening clutch 33 rotates clockwise to the unlocked position under the bias of a spring (not shown) positioned at the pivot point of the outward-opening clutch 33. In the unlocked position, the outward-opening clutch 33 is disengaged from the central locking link 32.

[0039] The end of the signal link 31 that is connected to the child lock link 43 is provided with a guide post 31A, and the child lock link 43 is provided with a guide groove 43B on the corresponding part. When the child lock link 43 moves between the locked position and the unlocked position, the guide post 31A moves along the guide groove 43B, and at the same time the signal link 31 rotates around its pivot point.

[0040] Similarly, the end of the central locking linkage 32 that is connected to the signal linkage 31 is provided with a guide post 32A, and the signal linkage 31 has a corresponding engagement groove (not shown). When the signal linkage 31 rotates about its pivot point, the central locking linkage 32 also rotates about its pivot point.

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, the rotation plane of the inward-opening lever 21 is perpendicular to the rotation plane of the central locking linkage 32, and the portions of the child lock linkage 43 that abut against the inward-opening lever 21, the inward-opening clutch 22, the central locking linkage 32, and the outward-opening clutch 33 are all constructed to be flat. In this example, the inward-opening lever 21, the inward-opening clutch 22, the outward-opening clutch 33, and the child lock linkage 43 are all plate-like structures, with the abutting portions bent into an approximately L-shape relative to the plate plane.

[0042] The operation of the electric vehicle door lock 1 is explained below. When the electric vehicle door lock 1 is in the locked state, pulling the handle for the first time pulls the inward opening control lever 21 via the cable. As the inward opening control lever 21 rotates, the child lock linkage 43 is pushed from the locked position to the unlocked position via the protrusion 21A, thereby moving both the inward opening clutch 22 and the outward opening clutch 33 to the unlocked position, thus unlocking the door lock. Next, pulling the handle a second time engages the inward opening control lever 21 with the inward opening clutch 22, thereby opening the door. After the inward opening clutch 22 reaches the unlocked position, its spring holds the inward opening clutch 22 in the unlocked position to keep the inward opening clutch 22 engaged with the inward opening control lever 21.

[0043] When the electric vehicle door lock 1 is to be returned to the locked state, the child lock motor can be activated, causing the worm gear 41 to rotate, which in turn causes the worm wheel 42 to rotate, pushing the child lock linkage 43 from the unlocked position to the locked position. As the child lock linkage 43 moves, its end abuts against the inner opening clutch 22, overcoming the spring force of the inner opening clutch 22 and causing the inner opening clutch 22 to rotate from the unlocked position to the locked position, disengaging it from the inner opening operating lever 21. After the child lock linkage 43 reaches the locked position, the child lock spring 44 keeps the child lock linkage 43 in the locked position to keep the inner opening clutch 22 disengaged from the inner opening operating lever 21.

[0044] Figures 4A-4B An alternative design of an electric vehicle door lock 100 is shown, which features electric release and electric child lock functions. Similar to electric vehicle door lock 1, electric vehicle door lock 100 includes a lock housing 110 and an inward-opening drive assembly 120, an outward-opening drive assembly 130, and a child lock assembly 140 mounted therein. The inward-opening drive assembly 120 includes an inward-opening lever 121 and an inward-opening clutch 122; the outward-opening drive assembly 130 includes a signal drive lever 131, a central locking linkage 132, and an outward-opening clutch 133; and the child lock assembly 140 includes a child lock motor, a worm gear 141, a worm gear 142, a child lock linkage 143, and a child lock spring 144.

[0045] Unlike the electric vehicle door lock 1, the child lock linkage 143 is pivotally mounted on the lock housing 110 at pivot point 111, and one end of the child lock linkage 143 is not fixed to the worm gear 142, but cooperates with a lever (not shown) provided on the worm gear 142. In this example, the inward opening lever 21 does not abut against the child lock linkage 143 to push the child lock linkage 143, but as the worm gear 142 rotates, the lever pushes the child lock linkage 143 around the pivot point 111 to the unlocked position (see [link]). Figure 4B The child lock spring 144 is also constructed as a torsion spring, which is fixed to the lock housing 110, but one end is snapped onto the lock housing 110 and the other end is snapped onto the worm gear 142. In addition, the child lock linkage 143 is not drive-connected to the signal linkage 131.

[0046] The operation of the electric vehicle door lock 100 is explained below. In use, activating the child lock motor causes the worm gear 141 to rotate, which in turn rotates the worm wheel 142. The toggle block rotates accordingly, pushing the child lock linkage 143, causing it to... Figure 4B The child lock lever 143 rotates from the unlocked position to the locked position. As the child lock lever 143 rotates, its end abuts against the end of the inward-opening clutch 122, overcoming the spring force and causing the inward-opening clutch 122 to also rotate from the unlocked position to the locked position, disengaging it from the inward-opening operating lever 121. On the other hand, the child lock motor can be reversed to return to its original position. Figure 4B The unlock location is shown.

[0047] By comparing the two designs of electric vehicle door locks, it can be seen that by replacing the worm gear, child lock spring, child lock linkage, signal linkage, and inward opening control lever, one can switch between the two different designs of electric vehicle door locks to meet the requirements of different customers, without having to adjust the position of the child lock motor.

[0048] The presently preferred embodiments of this utility model have been explained in detail above, intended to illustrate the principles of the utility model, and the wording and expressions used are illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and variations of the above embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of this utility model. Therefore, in some cases, features disclosed in this utility model may be used independently of other features. On the other hand, features disclosed in this utility model may be combined when necessary to provide various combinations.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle door lock, comprising a lock housing and an inward opening drive assembly, an outward opening drive assembly, and a child lock assembly installed therein, wherein the inward opening drive assembly, the outward opening drive assembly, and the child lock assembly are all movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, and the child lock assembly includes a child lock linkage, characterized in that, The child lock lever is connected to both the inner and outer opening drive components, so that as the child lock lever moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, the inner and outer opening drive components also move from the locked position to the unlocked position respectively.

2. The electric vehicle door lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The child lock assembly also includes a child lock motor, a worm gear that rotates with the child lock motor and a worm wheel that meshes with the worm gear, a child lock link fixed at or near one end of the worm wheel and connected to the inner opening drive assembly and the outer opening drive assembly at or near the other end, and the child lock link is mounted on the lock housing in a linearly movable manner, the lock housing is provided with a guide post, and the child lock link is correspondingly provided with a linear guide hole, when the child lock link moves between the locked position and the unlocked position, the guide post moves relative to the child lock link along the linear guide hole.

3. The electric vehicle door lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inward-opening drive assembly includes an inward-opening lever that is pivotally mounted and an inward-opening clutch that is rotatable relative to the inward-opening lever. In the unlocked position, the two are engaged with each other, and in the locked position, the two are disengaged from each other. The inner-opening control lever has a groove for engaging the inner-opening clutch and a cable hole for the cable to pass through and pivot the inner-opening control lever. A protrusion extends from the inner-opening control lever, which abuts against one end of the child lock linkage in the locked position and separates from it in the unlocked position. When the inner-opening control lever rotates from the locked position to the unlocked position, the child lock linkage is pushed by the protrusion to move towards the unlocked position.

4. The electric vehicle door lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The child lock assembly also includes a child lock spring fixed to the lock housing. This spring is a torsion spring, and when the child lock linkage is in the locked and unlocked positions, one end of the torsion spring abuts against the child lock linkage to bias the linkage. The part of the child lock linkage that is abutted by the spring is configured as an inverted V-shape. In the locked position, the child lock spring abuts against the V-shaped side facing the inward-opening control lever, and in the unlocked position, the child lock spring abuts against the V-shaped side facing the worm gear.

5. The electric vehicle door lock according to claim 3, characterized in that, In the locked position, the inner clutch abuts against the child lock linkage. In the unlocked position, the two are separated, and the inner clutch is biased to the unlocked position by a first spring positioned at the pivot point of the inner clutch.

6. The electric vehicle door lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outward-opening transmission assembly includes a signal link, a central locking link, and an outward-opening clutch. All three are pivotally mounted in the lock housing, and their planes of rotation are parallel to each other. One end of the signal link is connected to the child lock link, and the other end is connected to the central locking link. One end of the outward-opening clutch abuts against the central locking link in the locked position. When the child lock link moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, the signal link rotates clockwise around the pivot point in the plane of rotation to the unlocked position, the central locking link rotates counterclockwise to the unlocked position, and the outward-opening clutch rotates clockwise to the unlocked position under the bias of a second spring. In the unlocked position, the outward-opening clutch is disconnected from the central locking link. The second spring is positioned at the pivot point of the outward-opening clutch.

7. The electric vehicle door lock according to claim 6, characterized in that, A guide post is provided at one end of the signal link and the child lock link, and a guide groove is provided on the corresponding part of the child lock link. The guide post moves along the guide groove to make the signal link pivot. A guide post is also provided at the end of the central locking link and the signal link. The signal link is provided with a joint groove so that the central locking link pivots accordingly.

8. The electric vehicle door lock according to claim 6, characterized in that, The rotation plane of the inward-opening control lever is perpendicular to the rotation plane of the central locking linkage.

9. The electric vehicle door lock according to claim 6, characterized in that, The parts of the child lock linkage that abut against the inner opening control lever, the inner opening clutch, the central locking linkage, and the outer opening clutch are all constructed to be flat.

10. The electric vehicle door lock according to claim 9, characterized in that, The child lock linkage, the inner opening control lever, the inner opening clutch, and the outer opening clutch are all plate-shaped structures, with the abutting parts bent into an approximate L-shape relative to the plate plane.

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