Hood locking device for a vehicle

Abstract

Hood locking device for a vehicle, comprising: a base (10) attached to a vehicle body part (1); a safety hook (20), a pawl (30) and a claw (40), each rotatably coupled to the base (10); a first spring (50) coupled to the safety hook (20) and the pawl (30); and a second spring (60) coupled to one side of the base (10) and to the claw (40), wherein the first spring (50) is a tension spring which exerts an elastic force on the safety hook (20) and the pawl (30) to keep the safety hook (20) and the pawl (30) in contact with each other in a locked state, wherein the safety hook (20) is coupled to a front surface of the base (10) via a first pin (70) to be rotatable relative to the base (10), and wherein the pawl (30) and the claw (40) are coupled to a rear surface of the base (10) via a second pin (80) and a third pin (90) respectively to be rotatable relative to the base (10) and in contact with each other, wherein one end (31) of the pawl (30) projects forward from the base (10) through the base (10) and is arranged on a first side of the first pin (70), wherein a first end of the first spring (50) is coupled to the one end (31) of the pawl (30) arranged on the first side of the first pin (70), wherein a second end of the first spring (50) is coupled to a portion of the safety hook (20) disposed on a second side of the first pin (70), and wherein the second end of the first spring (50) coupled to the safety hook (20) is arranged in a higher position than the first end of the first spring (50) coupled to the pawl (30) with respect to the first pin (70).

Description

Background 1. Scope of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a hood latch for a vehicle, and more particularly to a hood latch for a vehicle which increases the distance to which a striker is lifted when releasing a locked state. 2. Description of the state of the art

[0002] The engine compartment of a vehicle is typically enclosed by a hood and is opened when needed, e.g., for maintenance work, by pivoting the hood using a hinged device. The condition in which the engine compartment is enclosed by the hood is maintained by locking a closer with a hood latch. Typically, the closer is coupled to the hood, with the hood latch being coupled to a part (e.g., a front-end module) of the vehicle body.

[0003] When unlocking the hood latch, the greater the distance the latch is raised, the easier it is for the user to lift the hood by pivoting the hood. Thus, the distance the latch is raised is a factor that determines the quality of the hood latch. Additionally, a cable is connected to a pawl to unlock the hood latch. By allowing the user to mount the latch device on a part (e.g., a front-end module) of the vehicle body before connecting a cable to a pawl, work efficiency is improved.

[0004] US 6 422 616 B1 discloses a hood locking device for a vehicle, comprising: a base secured to a vehicle body part; a safety hook, a pawl, and a claw, each rotatably coupled to the base; a first spring coupled to the safety hook and the pawl; and a second spring coupled to one side of the base and to the claw.

[0005] KR 10 2006 0 004 177 A also shows a hood lock for a vehicle with a base plate with a fastening groove into which a stop attached to one side of the front end of a hood is inserted and fastened to a vehicle body;a support plate attached to the front of the base plate, a latch attached between the base plate and the support plate, which can rotate about a first hinge to be elastically attached with a latch spring and fix the stopper, a rod attached between the base plate and the support plate, which can rotate about a second hinge to fix the latch, a safety hook attached to a rear surface of the base plate to be rotatable about a third hinge and has a hook formed at its upper end, and a return spring, one end of which is attached to one end of the safety hook and the other end of which is attached to one end of the rod, for elastically rotating in a direction in which the rod is locked to the latch, so that it elastically rotates in a direction in which the safety hook is engaged.;

[0006] The information disclosed in this section is provided merely to facilitate understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be construed as an acknowledgment or suggestion that this information represents prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. overview

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a hood latch for a vehicle that can increase the distance to which a striker is lifted, thereby improving the quality of the product. Another object of the present invention is to provide a hood latch device for a vehicle in which a hood latch can be first mounted to a body part (e.g., a front-end module), and then a cable can be connected to a pawl during the assembly process, thereby significantly improving the convenience of connecting the cable. Another object of the present invention is to provide a hood latch for a vehicle that can reduce the number of parts and thus reduce the weight and manufacturing cost of the product.

[0008] According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects can be achieved by providing a hood latch device for a vehicle, which may include a base secured to a body panel, a safety hook, a pawl, and a claw, each of which is rotatably coupled to the base, a first spring coupled to the safety hook and the pawl, and a second spring coupled to one side of the base and to the claw. The first spring is a tension spring that applies an elastic force to the safety hook and the pawl to maintain the safety hook and the pawl in contact with each other in a locked state.The safety hook is coupled to a front surface of the base via a first pin so as to be rotatable relative to the base, and the pawl and the claw are coupled to a rear surface of the base via a second pin and a third pin, respectively, so as to be rotatable relative to the base and in contact with each other. One end of the pawl projects forward from the base through the base and is disposed on a first side of the first pin, a first end of the first spring is coupled to one end of the pawl disposed on the first side of the first pin, a second end of the first spring is coupled to a portion of the safety hook disposed on a second side of the first pin, and the second end of the first spring coupled to the safety hook is disposed at a higher position than the first end of the first spring coupled to the pawl with respect to the first pin.

[0009] Furthermore, one end of the pawl can penetrate the base and protrude forward from the base. The one end of the pawl that protrudes forward from the base can be connected to a cable. Furthermore, the one end of the pawl that protrudes forward from the base can be coupled to a first end of the first spring.

[0010] The base may include a guide opening cut along a rotational path of the pawl, wherein one end of the pawl may protrude forwardly from the base through the guide opening formed in the base.

[0011] When the locked state is released by turning the pawl, the claw can be rotated by a restoring force of the second spring and a closer can be lifted.

[0012] The base may include a first locking slot into which the striker is inserted. The safety hook may include a hook portion for opening or closing an entrance of the first locking slot in response to rotation of the safety hook. The pawl may include a locking projection projecting toward the claw. The claw may include a second locking slot into which the striker is inserted and a locking recess into which the locking projection of the pawl is inserted. The second pin and the third pin may be disposed above the first pin to be spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction. The second spring may be disposed above the first pin and below the second and third pins.A first end of the second spring may be coupled to a portion of the base disposed outside the second pin, and a second end of the second spring may be coupled to a portion of the claw disposed outside the third pin while the second spring is stretched in its length in the transverse direction.

[0013] When the locking projection of the pawl is inserted into the locking recess of the claw, the striker can be inserted into both the first locking slot and the second locking slot to maintain a locked state, wherein the second spring can be coupled to one side of the base and to the claw while being stretched transversely in its length to store an elastic force.

[0014] When the locking projection is separated from the locking recess in the claw by rotating the pawl and the locked state is released, the claw can be rotated by a restoring force of the second spring, whereby the striker can be lifted and released from the second locking slot. Short description of the drawings

[0015] The foregoing and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which they are incorporated, in which: Fig. 1 is a view illustrating the state in which a hood lock device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is coupled to a part of the vehicle body; Fig. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the hood latch device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are a front view and a rear view, respectively, of the hood locking device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are a front view and a rear view, respectively, of the state in which a pawl is rotated by the operation of a cable according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 7 is a view of the state in which a claw is rotated by the elastic force of a second spring due to the rotation of the pawl according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.

[0017] It should be understood that the term “vehicle” or “pertaining to a vehicle” or any other similar term as used herein includes motor vehicles in general, such as passenger cars including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft and the like, as well as hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, internal combustion engine vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other vehicles capable of running on alternative fuels (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum).

[0018] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a" and "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context requires otherwise. It is further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes all combinations of one or more of the associated stated features.

[0019] A hood locking device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Fig. 1 to 7, may comprise: a base 10 attached to a body part 1 (e.g., a front-end module); a safety hook 20; a pawl 30 and a claw 40 rotatably coupled to the base 10; a first spring 50 coupled at both ends to the safety hook 20 and the pawl 30; and a second spring 60 coupled at both ends to one side of the base 10 and to the claw 40.

[0020] The base 10 may be formed as a plate using a steel material. The base 10 may include a first locking slot 11 elongated to open upwardly to insert a striker 2 therein, and a guide hole 12 cut along the rotation path of the pawl 30. The striker 2 may be coupled to a hood used to open or close the engine compartment. The safety hook 20 may be coupled to the front of the base 10 via a first pin 70 rotatable with respect to the base 10. The safety hook 20 may include a hook portion 21 that opens or closes the entrance of the first locking slot 11 in the base 10 in response to the rotation of the safety hook 20, and a lever portion 22 that is operated by a user to rotate the safety hook 20.

[0021] The pawl 30 and the claw 40 may be coupled to the back of the base 10 via a second pin 80 and a third pin 90, respectively, to be rotatable relative to the base 10. The pawl 30 and the claw 40 may be mounted to contact each other (e.g., abut each other) by a locking projection and a locking recess, which will be described later.

[0022] The upper end portion of the pawl 30 may be rotatably coupled to the base 10 via the second pin 80.

[0023] One end 31 of the pawl 30, corresponding to the lower end portion thereof, can penetrate into the base 10 to protrude forward from the base 10. In other words, one end 31 of the pawl 30, corresponding to the lower end portion thereof, can penetrate into the guide hole 12 formed in the base 10 and protrude forward from the base 10. When the pawl 30 rotates about the second pin 80, the one end 31 of the pawl 30, corresponding to the lower end portion thereof, can move along the guide hole 12.

[0024] One end 31 of the pawl 30, which projects forward from the base 10, may include a first projection 32 and a second projection 33. The first projection 32 and the second projection 33 may each be connected to one end of a cable 100 and a first end of the first spring 50. Furthermore, the pawl 30 may include a locking projection 34 projecting toward the claw 40. The claw 40 may include a second locking slot 41 elongated to be laterally open to allow the striker 2 to be inserted therein, and a locking recess 42 formed below the second locking slot 41 to allow the locking projection 34 of the pawl 30 to be inserted into the striker.The pawl 30 and the claw 40 may be mounted to be in contact with each other through the contact between the locking projection 34 and the locking recess 42.

[0025] The first spring 50 may be a tension spring that provides elastic force to the safety hook 20 and the pawl 30 to keep the safety hook 20 and the pawl 30 in contact with each other at normal times (e.g., when the hood is closed). In other words, one end of the pawl 30 may protrude forward from the base 10 through the base 10 and be supported on a first side (the right side, relative to Fig. 3) of the first pin 70. A first end of the first spring 50 may be coupled to one end of the pawl 30 disposed on the first side of the first pin 70, and a second end of the first spring 50 may be coupled to a side portion of the safety hook 20 disposed on a second side (the left side, relative to Fig. 3) of the first pin 70. The second end (left end) of the first spring 50, which is coupled to the safety hook 20, may be arranged at a higher position than the first end (right end) of the first spring 50, which is coupled to the pawl 30, with respect to the first pin 70.

[0026] The second spring 60 may be a tension spring coupled at both ends to one side of the base 10 and to the claw 40 while extending in the transverse direction. When the locked state is released by rotating the pawl 30, the claw 40 can be rotated by a restoring force of the second spring 60, and the striker 2 can be lifted.

[0027] As in Fig. 4, the second pin 80 and the third pin 90 may be disposed above the first pin 70 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction. The second spring 60 may be disposed between the first pin 70 and the second and third pins 80 and 90, that is, above the first pin 70 and below the second and third pins 80 and 90. A first end (the left end) of the second spring 60 may be coupled to a side portion of the base 10 disposed outside the second pin 80, and a second end (the right end) of the second spring 60 may be coupled to a portion of the claw 40 disposed outside the third pin 90 while the second spring 60 is extended in the transverse direction.

[0028] Accordingly, as in Fig. 4, when inserting the locking projection 34 of the pawl 30 into the locking recess 42 in the claw 40, the striker 2 can be inserted into both the first locking slot 11 and the second locking slot 41, thus maintaining the locked state. At the same time, the second spring 60, which is coupled to one side of the base 10 and to the claw 40 while extending in the transverse direction, can store an elastic force. As shown in Fig. 7, when the locking projection 34 is separated from the locking recess 42 in the claw 40 by rotating the pawl 30 and thus releasing the locked state, the claw 40 can be rotated by the restoring force of the second spring 60, and accordingly the striker 2 can be released from the second locking slot 41 and lifted.

[0029] The operation of the exemplary embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail below. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are views of the locked state in which the striker 2 is inserted into both the first locking slot 11 in the base 10 and the second locking slot 41 in the claw 40. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are views of the state in which the pawl 30 is rotated about the second pin 80 by pulling the cable 100 due to an operation of a switch 110 provided in the vehicle interior. Fig. 7 is a view of the state in which the claw 40 is rotated while the locked state is released by the rotation of the pawl 30 and in which the striker 2 is lifted by the rotation of the claw 40.

[0030] In the locked state, as in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the safety hook 20 can be held in contact with the one end 31 of the pawl 30. Accordingly, rotation of the safety hook 20 about the first pin 70 can be suppressed, so that the hook portion 21 of the safety hook 20 can block the entrance of the first locking slot 11. In other words, while the hood is closed, a side surface of the safety hook 20 and a side surface of the one end 31 of the pawl 30 projecting forward from the base 10 can abut against each other to form a contact surface indicated by reference numeral 120 in Fig. 3. Furthermore, the first spring 50 can pull one end 31 of the pawl 30 toward the safety hook 20 (in the left direction), and accordingly, the clockwise rotation of the safety hook 20 about the first pin 70 can be suppressed. Thus, the pawl 30 can hold the safety hook 20 so that the hook portion 21 of the safety hook 20 can block the entrance of the first locking slot 11.

[0031] In addition, the second spring 60 in the locked state, as in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, to one side of the base 10 and to the claw 40 while being extended in the transverse direction. Therefore, the second spring 60 can store an elastic force in the extended state. In the locked state, as shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, when the user operates the switch 110 (e.g. a release lever) arranged in the passenger compartment, the cable 100 can be pulled, as shown in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. The force with which the cable 100 is pulled can be transmitted to one end 31 of the pawl 30, and the pawl 30 can be rotated about the second pin 80 in the direction indicated by arrow R1. When the pawl 30 is rotated about the second pin 80 in the direction indicated by arrow R1, the locking projection 34 of the pawl 30 can be separated from the locking recess 42 in the claw 40. This can change the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0032] As in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the safety hook 20 can be held in contact with one end 31 of the pawl 30 even when the pawl 30 is rotated about the second pin 80 in the direction indicated by the arrow R1. Accordingly, even in the unlocked state, as shown in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the hook portion 21 of the safety hook 20 continues to block the entrance of the first locking slot 11.

[0033] When the locking projection 34 of the pawl 30 is separated from the locking recess 42 in the claw 40 by the rotation of the pawl 30 and the locked state is thus released, as shown in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the second spring 60, which has been stretched in length, can be returned by its restoring force, as shown in Fig. 7, can be reduced in length. The restoring force of the second spring 60, by which the second spring 60 is reduced in length, can rotate the claw 40 about the third pin 90 in the direction indicated by arrow R2. By rotating the claw 40 in the direction indicated by arrow R2, the striker 2 can be lifted (e.g., by springing up) and released from the second locking slot 41.

[0034] The striker 2, released from the second locking slot 41 in the claw 40, can be caught by the hook portion 21 of the safety hook 20. Thereafter, when the user operates the lever portion 22 of the safety hook 20 to rotate the safety hook 20 about the first pin 70 in the direction indicated by arrow R3, the first locking slot 11 in the base 10 can be opened. Subsequently, the user can lift the hood panel to pull the striker 2 out of the first locking slot 11.

[0035] As described above, the exemplary embodiment according to the present invention may include a structure in which both ends of the second spring 60 are coupled to the base 10 and the claw 40. Accordingly, in the locked state, as shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the tensile force of the second spring 60 can be increased proportionally to the extended length to which the second spring 60 is extended. In addition, in the unlocked state, as shown in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the restoring force of the second spring 60 can be increased proportionally to the increased tensile force of the second spring 60. The increased restoring force of the second spring 60 can increase the rotation angle and rotation force of the claw 40, which can increase the distance to which the striker 2 is lifted to be released from the second locking slot 41 when releasing the locked state. The greater the distance to which the striker 2 is lifted, the easier it can be for the user to lift the hood. This can improve work efficiency and the quality of the hood locking.

[0036] In the prior art, a member acting as a second spring 60 is connected at both ends to the pawl 30 and the claw 40. This structure increases the force required by the user to operate the cable 100. In particular, since the length to which the spring is extended in the locked state is short, the magnitude of the restoring force that occurs when releasing the locked state is minimal. Accordingly, the rotational force of the claw is minimal, and therefore the distance to which the striker 2 is lifted is also minimal. Therefore, the prior art hood lock has inferior quality. Conversely, as described above, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a structure in which both ends of the second spring 60 are coupled to the base 10 and the claw 40, so that the distance to which the striker 2 is lifted can be increased.As a result, the quality of the hood locking can be improved.

[0037] Furthermore, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a structure in which one end 31 of the locking pawl 30 protrudes forward from the base 10 through the base 10, and the cable 100 is connected to the one end 31 of the locking pawl 30 protruding forward from the base 10. Accordingly, the user can first mount the integrated locking device to the body part 1 (e.g., a front-end module), and then connect the cable 100 to the one end 31 of the locking pawl 30 protruding forward from the base 10. This allows the user to connect the cable 100 more conveniently.

[0038] Furthermore, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a structure in which the cable 100 is directly connected to one end 31 of the pawl 30 projecting forward from the base 10. Accordingly, a separate cable holder for connecting the cable 100 may be unnecessary. This can reduce the number of parts, weight, and manufacturing cost of the product.

[0039] As is apparent from the above description, the present invention can provide the following effects. Since both ends of the second spring are coupled to the base and the claw, the tensile force of the second spring can be significantly increased in proportion to the extended length to which the second spring is extended in the locked state. In the unlocked state, the restoring force of the second spring can be significantly increased in proportion to the increased tensile force of the second spring. The increased restoring force of the second spring can increase the rotation angle and rotation force of the claw, which can increase the distance to which the striker is lifted so as to be released from the second locking slot when releasing the locked state. Furthermore, the greater the distance to which the striker is lifted, the easier it is for the user to lift the hood.This can improve the work efficiency and the quality of the hood locking.

[0040] In addition, one end of the pawl may protrude forward from the base through the base, and the cable may be connected to the one end of the pawl protruding forward from the base. Accordingly, the user can first mount the integrated locking device on a body part (e.g., a front-end module) and then connect the cable to the one end of the pawl protruding forward from the base. This allows the installer to connect the cable more conveniently. In addition, since the cable can be directly connected to the one end of the pawl protruding forward from the base, a separate cable bracket for connecting the cable can be eliminated. This can reduce the number of parts, weight, and manufacturing cost of the product.

Claims

[1] Hood locking device for a vehicle, comprising: a base (10) attached to a vehicle body part (1); a safety hook (20), a pawl (30) and a claw (40), each rotatably coupled to the base (10); a first spring (50) coupled to the safety hook (20) and the pawl (30); and a second spring (60) coupled to one side of the base (10) and to the claw (40), wherein the first spring (50) is a tension spring which exerts an elastic force on the safety hook (20) and the pawl (30) to keep the safety hook (20) and the pawl (30) in contact with each other in a locked state, wherein the safety hook (20) is coupled to a front surface of the base (10) via a first pin (70) to be rotatable relative to the base (10), and wherein the pawl (30) and the claw (40) are coupled to a rear surface of the base (10) via a second pin (80) and a third pin (90) respectively to be rotatable relative to the base (10) and in contact with each other, wherein one end (31) of the pawl (30) projects forward from the base (10) through the base (10) and is arranged on a first side of the first pin (70), wherein a first end of the first spring (50) is coupled to the one end (31) of the pawl (30) arranged on the first side of the first pin (70), wherein a second end of the first spring (50) is coupled to a portion of the safety hook (20) disposed on a second side of the first pin (70), and wherein the second end of the first spring (50) coupled to the safety hook (20) is arranged in a higher position than the first end of the first spring (50) coupled to the pawl (30) with respect to the first pin (70). [2] The hood locking device according to claim 1, wherein one end (31) of the pawl (30) penetrates into the base (10) and projects forward from the base (10), and wherein the one end (31) of the pawl (30) projecting forward from the base (10) is connected to a cable (100). [3] The hood locking device according to claim 1, wherein the one end (31) of the pawl (30) penetrates into the base (10) and projects forward from the base (10), and wherein the one end (31) of the pawl (30) projecting forward from the base (10) is coupled to the first end of the first spring (50). [4] The hood locking device according to claim 1, wherein the base (10) includes a guide hole cut along a rotational path of the pawl (30), and wherein one end (31) of the pawl (30) projects forward from the base (10) through the guide hole formed in the base (10). [5] The hood locking device according to claim 1, wherein the second spring (60) is a tension spring coupled to one side of the base (10) and to the claw (40) while being extended in the transverse direction, and wherein, when a locked state is released by rotating the pawl (30), the claw (40) is rotated by a restoring force of the second spring (60) to lift a striker. [6] The hood locking device according to claim 1, wherein the base (10) comprises a first locking slot (11) into which a striker (2) is inserted, wherein the safety hook (20) comprises a hook portion (21) for opening or closing an entrance of the first locking slot (11) in response to rotation of the safety hook (20), wherein the pawl (30) comprises a locking projection (34) projecting toward the claw (40), and wherein the claw (40) comprises a second locking slot (41) into which the striker is inserted, and a locking recess (42) into which the locking projection (34) of the pawl (30) is inserted. [7] The hood locking device according to claim 1, wherein the second pin (80) and the third pin (90) are arranged above the first pin (70) to be spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction, the second spring (60) is arranged above the first pin (70) and below the second and third pins (80, 90), and wherein a first end of the second spring (60) is coupled to a portion of the base (10) arranged outside the second pin (80), and wherein a second end of the second spring (60) is coupled to a portion of the claw (40) arranged outside the third pin (90), while the second spring (60) is extended longitudinally in the transverse direction. [8] The hood locking device according to claim 6, wherein, when the locking projection (34) of the pawl (30) is fitted into the locking recess (42) in the claw (40), the striker is fitted into both the first locking slot (11) and the second locking slot (41) to maintain a locked state, and wherein the second spring (60) is coupled to one side of the base (10) and to the claw (40) while being extended in the transverse direction to store an elastic force. [9] The hood locking device according to claim 6, wherein when the locking projection (34) is separated from the locking recess (42) in the claw (40) by rotating the pawl (30) and the locked state is released, the claw (40) is rotated by a restoring force of the second spring (60) and the striker is lifted and released from the second locking slot (41).

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