A type of electric tailgate lock

Abstract

This utility model discloses an electric tailgate suction lock for automobiles, including a lock body, a mounting bracket, and an actuator. A self-closing arm is fixedly mounted on the power input end of the lock body. The lock body is mounted on the mounting bracket. The actuator is mounted on the mounting bracket, and a vehicle lock control component is fixedly mounted on the power output end of the actuator. The actuator operably drives the vehicle lock control component to rotate the self-closing arm, causing the lock body to change from a half-locked state to a fully locked state, or to unlock and open the lock body. The electric tailgate suction lock provided in this application simplifies the overall structure and effectively reduces manufacturing costs and overall weight by adopting a structural design that integrates the self-closing arm and the actuator-driven vehicle lock control component. At the same time, the actuator directly drives the self-closing arm through the vehicle lock control component to achieve reliable switching of the lock body from a half-locked state to a fully locked state, improving transmission stability and locking reliability. Thus, while meeting the requirements of lightweight and low cost, it significantly improves the working performance and service life of the electric suction lock.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive lock technology, and in particular to an electric suction lock for automotive tailgates. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the rapid development of the new energy vehicle industry and the continuous improvement of vehicle intelligence, consumers' demands for vehicle comfort, safety, and automation functions have been increasing. Electric tailgates, as an important feature to enhance user experience, have become widely used in mid-to-high-end models and even some economy models. As the core component of the electric tailgate system, the electric suction lock not only performs the functions of automatically locking and unlocking the tailgate, but also needs to ensure a smooth closing process, reliable locking, and efficient coordination with the vehicle's control system.

[0003] However, existing electric tailgate locks for automobiles generally suffer from problems such as complex structure, high cost, heavy weight, and demanding manufacturing processes. Typical solutions often use outsourced worm gear reducers combined with gear transmission mechanisms, which not only results in high material and processing costs but also places high demands on assembly precision and quality control, making it difficult to meet the current market's comprehensive needs for lightweight, high reliability, and low cost. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an electric tailgate suction lock for automobiles, which solves the technical problems of existing electric tailgate suction locks, such as complex structure, high cost, heavy weight, and insufficient transmission reliability.

[0005] This application provides an electric tailgate lock for automobiles, including: The lock body has a self-closing arm and an unlocking pin fixedly installed on its power input end. Mounting bracket, the lock body is mounted on the mounting bracket; An actuator is mounted on the mounting bracket. A vehicle lock control component is fixedly installed at the power output end of the actuator. The actuator can operably drive the vehicle lock control component to rotate the self-closing arm, so that the lock body changes from a half-locked state to a fully locked state, or unlocks and opens the lock body.

[0006] In some embodiments, the vehicle lock control assembly includes an actuating link and a self-closing link. The self-closing link is rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket, and a self-closing return spring is provided between the self-closing link and the mounting bracket. The actuating link is fixedly mounted on the power output end of the actuator, and the actuating link can operably drive the self-closing link to rotate.

[0007] In some embodiments, a synchronizing rod is fixedly provided at one end of the self-priming linkage, and the end of the actuating linkage is in contact with the synchronizing rod; the rotating surface of the self-priming arm is perpendicular to the rotating surface of the self-priming linkage, and the other end of the self-priming linkage is in contact with the self-priming arm.

[0008] In some embodiments, an unlocking and stopping rivet is fixedly provided on the mounting bracket. When the lock body is unlocked, the unlocking and stopping rivet limits the reversal of the actuator linkage.

[0009] In some embodiments, the lock body includes a lock housing, a ratchet, and a pawl. The ratchet and the pawl are both rotatably disposed in the lock housing. A ratchet spring is disposed between the ratchet and the lock housing, and a pawl spring is disposed between the pawl and the lock housing. The ratchet and the pawl are configured to cooperate with each other. The self-closing arm and the ratchet are fixedly mounted on the same rotating shaft.

[0010] In some embodiments, the ratchet includes a contact surface, a first groove, and a second groove, and the pawl is operably engaged with the contact surface, the first groove, and the second groove.

[0011] In some embodiments, the lock body further includes a ratchet micro switch, which is fixedly disposed inside the lock housing, and the ratchet can operably actuate the ratchet micro switch.

[0012] In some embodiments, the vehicle lock control assembly further includes an unlocking link, which is rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket. An unlocking return spring is provided between the unlocking link and the mounting bracket. The actuating link operably pushes the unlocking link to rotate. An unlocking pin is also fixedly provided on the pawl, and the unlocking link operably pushes the pawl to unlock via the unlocking pin.

[0013] In some embodiments, the lock body further includes a pawl micro switch, which is fixedly disposed inside the lock housing, and the pawl can operably actuate the pawl micro switch.

[0014] In some embodiments, the lock body further includes a buffer block, and when the pawl engages with the ratchet, the pawl contacts the buffer block.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: The electric tailgate suction lock provided in this application simplifies the overall structure and effectively reduces manufacturing costs and overall weight by adopting a structural design that integrates a self-closing arm and an actuator-driven lock control assembly. At the same time, the actuator directly drives the self-closing arm through the lock control assembly, enabling reliable switching of the lock body from a half-locked state to a fully locked state, improving transmission stability and locking reliability. Thus, while meeting the requirements of lightweight and low cost, it significantly improves the working performance and service life of the electric suction lock. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model.

[0017] Figure 1 This application provides a schematic diagram of a car tailgate electric suction lock in its fully open state; Figure 2 This application provides a schematic diagram of a car tailgate electric suction lock in a semi-locked state. Figure 3 This application provides a schematic diagram of the fully locked state of an electric tailgate lock. Figure 4 This application provides a structural schematic diagram of a mounting bracket for a fully automatic electric tailgate lock. Figure 5 This is one of the schematic diagrams of the internal structure of the lock body in a fully automatic electric tailgate lock provided in this application; Figure 6 This application provides a second schematic diagram of the internal structure of the lock body of a fully automatic electric tailgate lock. Figure 7 This application provides a schematic diagram showing the initial position, electric suction position, and unlocking position of the actuator linkage during the full locking of an electric tailgate lock. Figure 8 This application provides a schematic diagram of the different states of the full lock unlocking linkage and the self-closing arm of an electric suction lock for a car tailgate; Figure 9 This application provides a schematic diagram of the pawl and ratchet states when an electric tailgate lock is fully open; Figure 10 This application provides a schematic diagram of the pawl and ratchet states when an electric tailgate lock is partially locked. Figure 11 This application provides a schematic diagram of the pawl and ratchet states when an electric tailgate lock is fully locked.

[0018] Among them, 10, lock body; 11, self-closing arm; 12, lock shell; 13, ratchet; 14, pawl; 15, ratchet spring; 16, pawl spring; 131, contact surface; 132, first groove; 133, second groove; 134, ratchet micro switch; 141, unlocking pin; 142, pawl micro switch; 17, buffer block; 20. Install the bracket; 21. Unlock the docking rivets; 22. Unlock the connecting rod; 23. Unlock the return spring; 30. Actuator; 31. Actuating link; 40. Vehicle lock control assembly; 41. Self-priming linkage; 42. Self-priming return spring; 43. Synchronizing rod. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0020] It should be noted that all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of this application are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0021] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this application is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only on the basis of being achievable by those skilled in the art. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, such a combination of technical solutions should be considered non-existent and not within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0022] This application provides an electric tailgate suction lock, which solves the technical problems of existing electric tailgate suction locks, such as complex structure, high cost, heavy weight, and insufficient transmission reliability.

[0023] The technical solution in this application is to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, and the general idea is as follows: like Figures 1-11As shown, this application provides an electric tailgate suction lock for automobiles, including a lock body 10, a mounting bracket 20, and an actuator 30. A self-closing arm 11 is fixedly installed on the power input end of the lock body 10. The lock body 10 is mounted on the mounting bracket 20. The actuator 30 is mounted on the mounting bracket 20. A vehicle lock control component 40 is fixedly installed on the power output end of the actuator 30. The actuator 30 can operably drive the vehicle lock control component 40 to rotate the self-closing arm 11, so that the lock body 10 changes from a half-locked state to a fully locked state.

[0024] The actuator 30 is a geared motor actuator 30, and its main material is plastic gear, which is lightweight and low in cost; the transmission mechanism is a linkage drive, which has low processing requirements, stable and reliable transmission, and low quality control cost.

[0025] When the tailgate is closed to a half-locked state, the actuator 30 can operably drive the vehicle lock control component 40, thereby causing the self-closing arm 11 to rotate, reliably changing the lock body 10 from a half-locked state to a fully locked state.

[0026] By adopting a structural design that integrates the self-closing arm 11 and the actuator 30 to drive the vehicle lock control component 40, the overall structure is simplified, effectively reducing manufacturing costs and overall weight. At the same time, the actuator 30 directly drives the self-closing arm 11 through the vehicle lock control component 40 to change the lock body 10 from a half-locked state to a fully locked state, improving transmission stability and locking reliability. Thus, while meeting the requirements of lightweight and low cost, the working performance and service life of the electric suction lock are significantly improved.

[0027] To better understand the above technical solutions, the following will provide a detailed explanation of the technical solutions in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0028] Preferably, the vehicle lock control assembly 40 includes an actuating link 31 and a self-closing link 41. The self-closing link 41 is rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket 20. A self-closing return spring 42 is provided between the self-closing link 41 and the mounting bracket 20. The actuating link 31 is fixedly mounted on the power output end of the actuator 30. The actuating link 31 can operably drive the self-closing link 41 to rotate. When the self-closing link 41 rotates to the fully locked position, the actuating link 31 first returns to the initial position, and then the self-closing link 41 is self-reset by the restoring force of the self-closing return spring 42.

[0029] The vehicle lock control assembly 40 consists of an actuating link 31 and a self-closing link 41. The actuating link 31 is directly fixed to the power output end of the actuator 30, while the self-closing link 41 is rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket 20 via a pivot and connected to the bracket via a self-closing return spring 42. When the tailgate is closed to the half-locked state, the actuator 30, as the core of the vehicle lock control assembly, drives the actuating link 31 to rotate the self-closing link 41. The self-closing link 41 then rotates the self-closing arm 11, thereby changing the lock body 10 from the half-locked state to the fully locked state, achieving reliable locking of the tailgate. After the action is completed, the self-closing return spring 42 provides a restoring force, causing the self-closing link 41 to automatically return to its initial position, ensuring the accuracy and consistency of the next action. This linkage transmission structure abandons the traditional high-cost, high-precision gear transmission method. It has a simple structure and most of the parts are made of plastic. This not only reduces the overall weight and manufacturing cost, but also avoids the dependence of traditional gear transmission on high-precision machining, improves the stability and wear resistance of the transmission, and enhances the reliability and durability of the action by adopting an elastic reset mechanism. It effectively solves the problems of complex, heavy and unreliable transmission of existing electric suction locks.

[0030] Specifically, a synchronizing rod 43 is fixedly provided at one end of the self-priming connecting rod 41, and the end of the actuating connecting rod 31 is in contact with the synchronizing rod 43; the rotating surface of the self-priming arm 11 is perpendicular to the rotating surface of the self-priming connecting rod 41, and the other end of the self-priming connecting rod 41 is in contact with the self-priming arm 11.

[0031] One end of the self-priming linkage 41 is equipped with a synchronizing rod 43. The end of the actuating linkage 31 is in contact with the synchronizing rod 43 to transmit power, thereby driving the self-priming linkage 41 to rotate around its axis. The other end of the self-priming linkage 41 is in contact with the self-priming arm 11, and the rotational surfaces of the two are perpendicular to each other. This allows the rotational motion of the self-priming linkage 41 to be effectively converted into a pushing motion of the self-priming arm 11 towards the full locking direction, which in turn drives the ratchet 13, which is coaxial with the self-priming arm 11, to complete the locking. Through the linkage method of spatial orthogonal arrangement, efficient force transmission is achieved in a compact layout, avoiding the high requirements for installation space and centering accuracy of traditional coplanar transmission. At the same time, the introduction of the synchronizing rod 43 enhances the motion synchronization and contact stability between the actuating linkage 31 and the self-priming linkage 41, reduces impact and wear, improves the smoothness and reliability of the overall transmission, and helps to extend the service life of the electric suction lock and reduce operating noise.

[0032] Furthermore, an unlocking stop rivet 21 is fixedly provided on the mounting bracket 20. When the lock body 10 is unlocked, the unlocking stop rivet 21 limits the reverse rotation of the actuator link 31. When the electric suction lock performs the unlocking action, the actuator link 31 rotates to the unlocked position under the drive of the actuator 30. At this time, the unlocking stop rivet 21 mechanically limits the actuator link 31, preventing it from continuing to rotate or deviating from the predetermined position due to inertial rebound. This ensures the positioning accuracy and stability of the actuator link 31 in the unlocked state and prevents subsequent locking actions from failing or the mechanism from jamming due to position deviation.

[0033] Preferably, the lock body 10 includes a lock housing 12, a ratchet 13, and a pawl 14. The ratchet 13 and the pawl 14 are both rotatably disposed in the lock housing 12. A ratchet spring 15 is disposed between the ratchet 13 and the lock housing 12, and a pawl spring 16 is disposed between the pawl 14 and the lock housing 12. The ratchet 13 and the pawl 14 are configured to cooperate with each other. The self-closing arm 11 is fixedly disposed on the same rotating shaft as the ratchet 13.

[0034] Ratchet 13 and pawl 14 are preloaded via ratchet spring 15 and pawl spring 16 respectively, enabling them to automatically reset and maintain a stable engagement state without external intervention. The self-closing arm 11 shares the same shaft with ratchet 13, achieving synchronous rotation. When the self-closing arm 11 is driven to rotate by an external linkage, it directly drives ratchet 13 to rotate, thereby changing the relative position of ratchet 13 and pawl 14, completing the transition from a half-lock to a full-lock state. Spring preload ensures reliable contact between ratchet 13 and pawl 14, improving locking safety. Simultaneously, the coaxial design simplifies the transmission path, reduces the number of parts and assembly complexity, and improves the accuracy of action response and the overall reliability of the system.

[0035] When the actuator 31 reverses and pushes the pawl 14 to disengage from the ratchet 13, the ratchet 13 springs open, and then the actuator 31 rotates forward to reset, the pawl 14 is reset by the ratchet spring 15, thereby realizing the fully open state of the lock body.

[0036] Specifically, the ratchet 13 includes a contact surface 131, a first groove 132 and a second groove 133, and the pawl 14 is operable to engage with the contact surface 131, the first groove 132 and the second groove 133.

[0037] The ratchet 13 has a contact surface 131, a first groove 132, and a second groove 133, corresponding to the three states of the tailgate: fully open, half-locked, and fully locked, respectively. During the tailgate closing process, the pawl 14 first slides into contact with the contact surface 131 of the ratchet 13 and is guided into the first groove 132, achieving initial locking, i.e., the half-locked state, at which point a half-lock signal is triggered. Subsequently, driven by the actuator 30, the ratchet 13 continues to rotate, causing the pawl 14 to fall into the deeper second groove 133, completing the final reliable locking, i.e., the fully locked state. This achieves phased control of the locking process, ensuring both the smoothness of the closing action and the reliability of the final locking, while providing a clear position feedback node for the control system, thus improving the safety, stability, and intelligence level of the electric suction lock.

[0038] Specifically, the lock body 10 also includes a ratchet micro switch 134, which is fixedly disposed inside the lock housing 12. The ratchet 13 operably actuates the ratchet micro switch 134. When the ratchet 13 rotates to the fully locked position with the self-closing arm 11, a specific part of it triggers the ratchet micro switch 134 to detect whether the pawl has engaged with the second groove of the ratchet, i.e., the fully locked state. Then, the actuator movement stops, thereby sending an electrical signal to the vehicle controller that the tailgate is fully closed. This achieves accurate detection and feedback of the final locking state of the lock body 10, ensuring that the vehicle is only considered safe after the tailgate is reliably closed, thus improving the overall vehicle safety and intelligent control level. At the same time, the micro switch is integrated inside the lock housing 12, with a compact layout and direct response, avoiding external wiring interference and enhancing system stability and environmental adaptability.

[0039] When the tailgate is closed and in a half-locked state, the pawl 14 engages in the first groove 132 and triggers the pawl micro switch 142. Upon receiving the switching signal from the pawl micro switch 142, the controller immediately drives the actuator 30 to rotate forward. The actuator 30 drives the self-closing linkage 41 via the actuator link 31, which in turn rotates the self-closing arm 11. Since the self-closing arm 11 is coaxially fixed with the ratchet 13, the ratchet 13 rotates synchronously, forcing the pawl 14 to slide from the first groove 132 into the deeper second groove 133, thus moving the lock body 10 from a half-locked state to a fully locked state. Subsequently, the actuator link 31 reverses to reset, and then the self-closing linkage 41 resets under the action of the self-closing return spring 42. When the ratchet 13 reaches the fully locked position, it triggers the ratchet micro switch 134, which signals the vehicle control system that the tailgate is fully locked.

[0040] Specifically, the lock body 10 also includes a ratchet micro switch 142, which is fixedly installed inside the lock housing 12. The ratchet 14 can operably actuate the ratchet micro switch 142. When the tailgate is closed to the half-lock position, the ratchet 14 rotates under the drive of the ratchet 13 and triggers the micro switch, sending a half-lock signal to the controller, thereby activating the actuator 30 to perform subsequent electric suction locking actions. This is used to detect whether the tailgate has been initially closed (half-locked) and to activate the actuator. This achieves real-time and accurate detection of the half-lock state, providing a key trigger condition for the automatic locking control of the electric suction lock, ensuring that the system only performs the electric suction operation when needed, avoiding malfunctions or ineffective operation. At the same time, the micro switch is built into the lock housing 12, with a compact structure and reliable response, improving the intelligence level and operational stability of the entire electric suction lock system.

[0041] Preferably, the electric suction lock further includes an unlocking linkage 22, which is rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket 20. An unlocking return spring 23 is provided between the unlocking linkage 22 and the mounting bracket 20. The actuating linkage 31 can operably push the unlocking linkage 22 to rotate. An unlocking pin 141 is also fixedly provided on the pawl 14. The unlocking linkage 22 can operably push the pawl 14 to unlock through the unlocking pin 141.

[0042] When unlocking is required, actuator 30 rotates in reverse, and actuator linkage 31 pushes unlocking linkage 22 to rotate around its axis. The end of unlocking linkage 22 acts on the unlocking pin 141 fixed on pawl 14, thereby causing pawl 14 to swing outward against the elastic force of pawl spring 16. At this time, ratchet 13 is automatically released by the restoring force of ratchet spring 15, realizing unlocking. Self-closing arm 11 is reset by spring and rotates synchronously to the fully open position. After unlocking is completed, actuator linkage 31 rotates forward to reset, and unlocking linkage 22 is self-reset by unlocking return spring 23, preparing for the next locking action. The unlocking operation is completed accurately and reliably through mechanical linkage, avoiding complex electronic control or high-wear transmission components. This not only improves the stability and durability of unlocking response but also simplifies the overall mechanism and reduces the failure rate and manufacturing cost.

[0043] Preferably, the lock body 10 also includes a buffer block 17 inside. When the pawl 14 engages with the ratchet 13, the pawl 14 contacts the buffer block 17. When the pawl 14 engages with the ratchet 13 into a half-lock or full-lock position, the pawl 14 simultaneously contacts the buffer block 17, utilizing the elasticity or soft material of the buffer block 17 to absorb the impact energy at the moment of engagement. This design effectively reduces the noise and vibration generated by the rigid collision between the pawl 14 and the ratchet 13, improving the quietness and smoothness of the closing process; at the same time, the buffer block 17 can also reduce direct wear between metal parts, extending the service life of the lock body 10.

[0044] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the present invention.

[0045] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this utility model and their equivalents, this utility model also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. An electrically powered tailgate lock for a motor vehicle, characterized in that include: The lock body has a self-closing arm and an unlocking pin fixedly installed on its power input end. Mounting bracket, the lock body is mounted on the mounting bracket; An actuator is mounted on the mounting bracket. A vehicle lock control component is fixedly installed at the power output end of the actuator. The actuator can operably drive the vehicle lock control component to rotate the self-closing arm, so that the lock body changes from a half-locked state to a fully locked state, or unlocks and opens the lock body.

2. The electrically powered lock of claim 1, wherein the electrically powered lock is a tailgate electrically powered lock. The vehicle lock control assembly includes an actuating link and a self-closing link. The self-closing link is rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket. A self-closing return spring is provided between the self-closing link and the mounting bracket. The actuating link is fixedly mounted on the power output end of the actuator. The actuating link can operably drive the self-closing link to rotate.

3. The electrically powered lock of claim 2, wherein the electrically powered lock is a motorized lock. A synchronizing rod is fixedly provided at one end of the self-priming linkage, and the end of the actuating linkage is in contact with the synchronizing rod; the rotating surface of the self-priming arm is perpendicular to the rotating surface of the self-priming linkage, and the other end of the self-priming linkage is in contact with the self-priming arm.

4. The electrically powered lock of claim 2, wherein the electrically powered lock is a tailgate electrically powered lock. The mounting bracket is fixedly provided with an unlocking and stopping rivet. When the lock body is unlocked, the unlocking and stopping rivet limits the reversal of the actuator linkage.

5. The electric tailgate lock as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lock body includes a lock case, a ratchet, and a pawl. The ratchet and the pawl are both rotatably disposed in the lock case. A ratchet spring is disposed between the ratchet and the lock case, and a pawl spring is disposed between the pawl and the lock case. The ratchet and the pawl are configured to cooperate with each other. The self-closing arm and the ratchet are fixedly mounted on the same rotating shaft.

6. The electric tailgate lock as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The ratchet includes a contact surface, a first groove, and a second groove, and the pawl is operably engaged with the contact surface, the first groove, and the second groove.

7. The electric tailgate lock as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The lock body also includes a ratchet micro switch, which is fixedly installed inside the lock housing, and the ratchet can operably actuate the ratchet micro switch.

8. The electric tailgate lock as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The vehicle lock control assembly also includes an unlocking link and an actuation link. The actuation link is fixedly mounted on the power output end of the actuator. The unlocking link is rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket. An unlocking return spring is provided between the unlocking link and the mounting bracket. The actuation link can operably push the unlocking link to rotate. An unlocking pin is also fixedly mounted on the pawl. The unlocking link can operably push the pawl to unlock via the unlocking pin.

9. The electric tailgate lock as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The lock body also includes a pawl micro switch, which is fixedly installed inside the lock housing, and the pawl can operably actuate the pawl micro switch.

10. The electric tailgate lock as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The lock body also includes a buffer block, and when the pawl engages with the ratchet, the pawl contacts the buffer block.

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