Locking system with double latch configuration

Abstract

Locking system for a vehicle lock, which features: a fork bolt for retaining a locking bolt in a first locking bolt position and a second locking bolt position, wherein the fork bolt is configured for movement about a fork bolt pin between at least one primary position and a secondary position, wherein the primary position corresponds to the first locking bolt position and the secondary position corresponds to the second locking bolt position; a primary lock configured for movement about a primary locking pin, wherein the primary lock has an elongated opening for rotatably receiving the primary locking pin, the elongated opening being larger than the primary locking pin; and a secondary lock configured for movement around a secondary locking pin, wherein the primary lock has an engagement point for contact with the secondary lock and a radius of the engagement point of the primary lock is centered with a center point of the elongated opening, such that when the fork bolt moves from the second locking pin position to the first locking pin position, the primary lock displaces or moves with respect to the primary locking pin and the primary lock also rotates around the primary locking pin.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority over the preliminary US patent application filed on October 22, 2024, bearing serial number 63 / 710,432, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND

[0002] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of vehicle locking systems.

[0003] Conventional locking systems use a bolt or claw that rotates around a fixed pin, and a latch or pawl that rotates around a fixed pin to hold a movable bolt. The vast majority of locking systems hold the bolt in two discrete positions with a certain linear distance between them. Under a large force applied to the bolt, it may not be possible with a conventional locking system to disengage the latch or pawl from the bolt or claw, thus preventing the lock from releasing the bolt.

[0004] An alternative locking system design consists of a bolt or claw rotating around a fixed pin, a primary latch or pawl rotating around a fixed pin, and a secondary latch or pawl rotating around a fixed pin. In this alternative design, the primary latch or pawl is pre-tensioned so that it tends to disengage automatically from the bolt or claw as soon as the secondary latch or pawl is disengaged from the primary latch or pawl. This alternative design requires significantly less energy to release a high load acting on the locking bolt. However, the alternative design described above is generally unable to move from the second locking bolt position to the first locking bolt position during the locking action.

[0005] One solution to this problem is a locking system that uses only the primary lock or pawl – secondary lock or pawl – system to hold the fork bolt or claw in the first locking bolt position. A separate detent or pawl lever is then used to hold the fork bolt or claw in the second locking bolt position. This solution is not optimal because it requires additional components and manufacturing steps. SHORT DESCRIPTION

[0006] A locking system for a vehicle locking mechanism is disclosed, comprising: a fork bolt for retaining a locking bolt in a first locking bolt position and a second locking bolt position, wherein the fork bolt is configured for movement about a fork bolt pin between at least one primary position and a secondary position, the primary position corresponding to the first locking bolt position and the secondary position corresponding to the second locking bolt position; a primary lock configured for movement about a primary lock pin, wherein the primary lock has an elongated opening for rotatably receiving the primary lock pin, the elongated opening being larger than the primary lock pin;and a secondary lock configured for movement about a secondary locking pin, wherein the primary lock has an engagement point for contact with the secondary lock and a radius of engagement of the primary lock is centered with a center point of the elongated opening, such that when the fork bolt moves from the second locking pin position to the first locking pin position, the primary lock displaces or moves with respect to the primary locking pin and the primary lock also rotates about the primary locking pin.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the primary lock is configured to allow movement between an engaged position and an out-of-engagement position, and the secondary lock is configured to allow movement between an engaged position and an out-of-engagement position, wherein when the primary lock is in the engaged position and the secondary lock is in the engaged position, the fork bolt is prevented from moving from the primary position.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising: a primary locking spring for pre-tensioning the primary lock into the engagement position; and a secondary locking spring for pre-tensioning the secondary lock into the engagement position.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising: a carrier plate, wherein the fork bolt pin, the primary locking pin and the secondary locking pin are each fixedly attached to the carrier plate.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the primary lock, when the primary lock is in the out-of-engage position, does not prevent movement of the fork bolt from the primary position.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing, the secondary lock, when in the engaged position, touches the primary lock and prevents the primary lock from moving from the engaged position towards the out-of-engage position.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the primary lock, when the primary lock is in the out-of-engage position, does not prevent movement of the fork bolt from the primary position.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing, the secondary lock, when in the engaged position, touches the primary lock and prevents the primary lock from moving from the engaged position towards the out-of-engage position.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the secondary lock, when in the engaged position, touches the primary lock and prevents the primary lock from moving from the engaged position towards the out-of-engage position.

[0015] Furthermore, a vehicle locking device is disclosed, comprising: a locking system for a vehicle locking device, comprising: a fork bolt for retaining a locking bolt in a first locking bolt position and a second locking bolt position, wherein the fork bolt is configured for movement about a fork bolt pin between at least one primary position and a secondary position, the primary position corresponding to the first locking bolt position and the secondary position corresponding to the second locking bolt position; a primary lock configured for movement about a primary lock pin, wherein the primary lock has an elongated opening for rotatably receiving the primary lock pin, the elongated opening being larger than the primary lock pin;and a secondary lock configured for movement about a secondary locking pin, wherein the primary lock has an engagement point for contact with the secondary lock and a radius of engagement of the primary lock is centered with a center point of the elongated opening, such that when the fork bolt moves from the second locking pin position to the first locking pin position, the primary lock displaces or moves with respect to the primary locking pin and the primary lock also rotates about the primary locking pin.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the primary lock is configured to allow movement between an engaged position and an out-of-engagement position, and the secondary lock is configured to allow movement between an engaged position and an out-of-engagement position, wherein when the primary lock is in the engaged position and the secondary lock is in the engaged position, the fork bolt is prevented from moving from the primary position.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, further comprising: a primary locking spring for pre-tensioning the primary lock into the engagement position; and a secondary locking spring for pre-tensioning the secondary lock into the engagement position.

[0018] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising: a carrier plate, wherein the fork bolt pin, the primary locking pin and the secondary locking pin are each fixedly attached to the carrier plate.

[0019] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the primary lock does not prevent movement of the fork bolt from the primary position when the primary lock is in the out-of-engage position.

[0020] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing, the secondary lock, when in the engaged position, touches the primary lock and prevents the primary lock from moving from the engaged position towards the out-of-engage position.

[0021] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the primary lock does not prevent movement of the fork bolt from the primary position when the primary lock is in the out-of-engage position.

[0022] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing, the secondary lock, when in the engaged position, touches the primary lock and prevents the primary lock from moving from the engaged position towards the out-of-engage position.

[0023] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the secondary lock, when in the engaged position, touches the primary lock and prevents the primary lock from moving from the engaged position towards the out-of-engage position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The following descriptions should in no way be considered restrictive. Referring to the accompanying drawings, identical elements are numbered the same: Fig. Figure 1 shows a view of a locking system with a double locking pawl in a primary or fully locked position; Fig. Figure 2 shows a view of the locking system. Fig. 1 in a secondary or partially locked position; Fig. Figure 3 shows a view of the locking system. Fig. 1, moving from the secondary or partially locked position towards the primary or fully locked position; Fig. Figure 4 shows a view of a locking system with a double locking pawl in a primary or fully locked position; Fig. Figure 5 shows a view of the locking system. Fig. 1, moving towards an open position; Fig. Figure 6 shows a view of a locking system with a double locking pawl in a primary or fully locked position; Fig. Figure 6A shows an enlarged view of a section from Fig. 6; Fig. Figure 7 shows a view of the locking system. Fig. 6 in a secondary or partially locked position; Fig. Figure 8 shows a view of the locking system. Fig. 6, moving from the secondary or partially locked position towards the primary or fully locked position; Fig. Figure 8A shows an enlarged view of a section from Fig. 8; Fig. Figure 9 shows a view of a locking system with a double locking pawl in a primary or fully locked position; Fig. Figure 10 shows a view of the locking system. Fig. 6 in an open position; and Fig. Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a vehicle locking mechanism with the locking system of various embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed device is presented here as an example and not as a limitation with reference to the figures.

[0026] The present disclosure relates to a locking system 100 comprising a fork bolt or claw that rotates about a fixed pin, a primary lock or pawl that can rotate either about a fixed pin or the contact point between the primary and a secondary lock or pawl, and a secondary lock or pawl that can rotate about a fixed pin. The present disclosure offers the advantages of the alternative locking system described above but is able to move from the second locking bolt position to the first locking bolt position without the need to add any further components.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows the locking system 100 in a first locking bolt position. Here, a locking bolt 1 is held in the first locking bolt position by the fork bolt or claw 2, which is prevented from rotating about its fixed pivot or fork bolt or claw pin 3 by a primary lock or pawl 4. The primary lock or pawl 4 is prevented from rotating about its fixed pivot or primary lock or pawl pin 5 and from disengaging from the fork bolt or claw by a secondary lock or pawl 6, which rotates about a fixed pivot or a secondary lock or pawl pin 7.The primary lock or pawl 4 is fixed to its fixed pivot 5 by an arc-shaped slot or an elongated opening 8, the center point of which of the arc or elongated opening coincides with the center point of the primary lock / secondary lock engagement radius 9 of the primary lock or pawl 4. In the first locking bolt position, the locking bolt 1 is in a first locking bolt position corresponding to the primary or locked position of the fork bolt or claw 2. In the first locking bolt position, the primary lock or pawl 4 is in an engagement position such that it is in contact with the fork bolt or claw 2 to prevent its counterclockwise rotation with respect to the at least in . Fig. To prevent the view shown in point 1.

[0028] Fig. Figure 2 shows the locking system in a second locking bolt position. In the second locking bolt position, the locking bolt 1 is in a second locking bolt position, which corresponds to a secondary or partially locked position of the fork bolt or claw 2. In the second locking bolt position, the primary lock or pawl 4 is still in an engaged position, so that it is in contact with the fork bolt or claw 2 to prevent its counterclockwise rotation with respect to the at least in Fig. 2. To prevent the depicted view.

[0029] Fig. Figure 3 shows the locking system during the movement of the locking bolt 1 from the second locking bolt position ( Fig. 2) to the first locking bolt position ( Fig. 1), which also causes a corresponding movement of the fork bolt or claw 2 from the secondary or partially locked position to the primary or first locked position. This may be due to a closing or clamping force acting on the locking system 100. Movement of the locking bolt 1, as indicated by arrow A, causes the fork bolt or claw 2 to rotate about its fixed pivot 3. The fork bolt or claw contacts the primary lock or pawl 4, causing the primary lock or pawl to rotate about the primary lock / secondary lock engagement radius 9, which also causes the fixed pivot 5 to move in the arcuate slot or elongated opening 8. This allows the fork bolt or claw 2 to move from the secondary or partially locked position to the primary or first locked position.In other words, this movement of the primary lock or pawl 4, including the movement of the fixed pivot pin 5 within the arcuate slot or elongated opening 8, does not prevent the fork bolt or claw 2 from moving from the secondary or partially locked position to the primary or first locked position.

[0030] At a certain point in the locking bolt movement, the primary lock or pawl 4 and the secondary lock or pawl 6 return to the position indicated in Fig. Return to the positions shown in section 1.

[0031] Fig. Figure 4 shows the locking system 100, in which the secondary lock or pawl 6 is rotated out of engagement with the primary lock or pawl 4. This can be achieved by an actuator or handle 101 that is operationally coupled to the secondary lock or pawl 6. The force exerted by the locking bolt 1, as indicated by arrow B, causes the fork bolt or claw 2 to rotate about its fixed pivot 3 and contact the primary lock or pawl. The contact force vector for this interaction, as indicated by arrow C, generates a torque on the primary pawl about its fixed pivot 5, as indicated by arrow D. With sufficient force from the locking bolt in the direction of arrow B, the lock or primary pawl 4 rotates out of engagement with the fork or claw 2.

[0032] Fig. Figure 5 shows the locking system 100 in a release position.

[0033] In the Fig. Figures 6-10 illustrate the locking system 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Here, the locking system 100 is shown with a frame or a support plate 102 to which the fork bolt or claw 2, the primary lock or pawl 4, and the secondary lock or pawl 6 are pivotally or rotatably attached. Fig. 6-10, the fork bolt or claw 2, the primary lock or pawl 4, and the secondary lock or pawl 6 have a slightly different configuration than in the Fig. 1-5. Also shown are a primary locking or pawl spring 104 and a secondary locking or pawl spring 106. The primary locking or pawl spring 104 biases the primary locking or pawl spring 104 into an engaged position with respect to the fork bolt or claw 2, and the secondary locking or pawl spring 106 biases the secondary locking or pawl 6 into an engaged position with respect to the primary locking or pawl 4. The fork bolt or claw 2 can be biased into the open position by a spring (not shown), and the fork bolt or claw 2 is also rotated into the open position by the movement of the locking bolt 1 in the direction of arrow B, which may be due to the compressed seal around a door to which the locking system is attached, as is known in the relevant technology.

[0034] Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 6A shows the locking system 100 in a first locking bolt position. Fig. 6A is an enlarged view of a section from Fig. 6. Here, a locking bolt 1 is held in the first locking bolt position by the fork bolt or claw 2, which is prevented from rotating about its fixed pivot or the fork bolt or claw pin 3 by the primary lock or pawl 4. The primary lock or pawl 4 is prevented from rotating about its fixed pivot or primary lock or pawl pin 5 and from disengaging from the fork bolt or claw 2 by a secondary lock or pawl 6, which rotates about a fixed pivot or secondary lock or pawl pin 7. The primary lock or pawl 4 is fixed to its fixed pivot 5 by an arc-shaped slot or an elongated opening 8, the center of which of the arc or elongated opening coincides with the center of the primary lock / secondary lock engagement radius 9 of the primary lock or pawl 4.In the first locking bolt position, the locking bolt 1 is in a first locking bolt position that corresponds to the primary or locked position of the fork bolt or claw 2. In the first locking bolt position, the primary lock or pawl 4 is in an engaging position, so that it is in contact with the fork bolt or claw 2 to prevent its counterclockwise rotation with respect to the at least in . Fig. 6 to prevent the view shown.

[0035] Fig. Figure 7 shows the locking system in a second locking bolt position. In the second locking bolt position, the locking bolt 1 is in a second locking bolt position, which corresponds to a secondary or partially locked position of the fork bolt or claw 2. In the second locking bolt position, the primary lock or pawl 4 is still in an engaged position, so that it is in contact with the fork bolt or claw 2 to prevent its counterclockwise rotation with respect to the at least in Fig. 2. To prevent the depicted view.

[0036] Fig. 8 and Fig. Figure 8A shows the locking system 100 during the movement of the locking bolt 1 from the second locking bolt position ( Fig. 7) to the first locking bolt position ( Fig. 6), which also causes a corresponding movement of the fork bolt or claw 2 from the secondary or partially locked position to the first or primary locked position. This may be due to a closing or clamping force acting on the locking system 100. Movement of the locking bolt 1, as indicated by arrow A, causes the fork bolt or claw 2 to rotate about its fixed pivot 3. The fork bolt or claw 2 engages the primary lock or pawl 4, causing the primary lock or pawl to rotate about the primary / secondary lock engagement radius 9 of the primary and secondary locks, which also causes the fixed pivot 5 to move within the arcuate slot or elongated opening 8.This allows the fork bolt or claw 2 to move from the secondary or partially locked position to the primary or first locked position. In other words, this movement of the primary lock or pawl 4, including the movement of the fixed pivot pin 5 within the arcuate slot or elongated opening 8, does not prevent the fork bolt or claw 2 from moving from the secondary or partially locked position to the primary or first locked position.

[0037] At a certain point in the locking bolt movement, the primary lock or pawl 4 and the secondary lock or pawl 6 return to the position shown in the Fig. 6 and Fig. Return to the positions shown in 6A.

[0038] Fig. Figure 9 shows the locking system 100 in which the secondary lock or pawl 6 is rotated out of engagement with the primary lock or pawl 4. This can be achieved by an actuator or handle 101 which is operationally coupled to the secondary lock or pawl 6, as indicated by the dashed lines in Figure 9. Fig. 9. The force exerted by the locking bolt 1, as indicated by arrow B, causes the fork bolt or claw 2 to rotate about its fixed pivot 3 and engage the primary lock or pawl. The contact force vector for this interaction, as indicated by arrow C, generates a torque on the primary pawl about its fixed pivot 5, as indicated by arrow D. With sufficient force from the locking bolt in the direction of arrow B, the primary lock or pawl 4 rotates out of engagement with the fork bolt or claw 2. An additional counterclockwise rotation of the secondary lock or pawl 6 (with respect to the at least in Fig. 9 (view shown) leads to contact between the secondary lock or pawl 6 and the primary lock at point 10, thereby rotating the primary lock or pawl 6 counterclockwise (with respect to the at least in Fig. 9 (view shown), to ensure that the primary lock or pawl 6 rotates freely from the fork bar or claw 2.

[0039] Fig. Figure 10 shows the locking system 100 in a release position.

[0040] Fig. Figure 11 shows a non-restrictive configuration of a vehicle locking device 110 with the locking system 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0041] The term "approximately" is intended to encompass the degree of error associated with measuring a particular quantity based on the equipment available at the time the application was filed. For example, "approximately" may cover a range of ± 8%, 5%, or 2% of a given value.

[0042] The terminology used herein serves only to describe certain embodiments and is not to be understood as limiting the present disclosure. The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" used herein also include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it is understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "possessing," when used in this description, specify the presence of certain features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and / or groups thereof.

[0043] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, the person skilled in the art understands that various modifications can be made and their elements replaced by equivalents without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without deviating from its essential scope. It is therefore intended that the present disclosure should not be limited to the embodiment described as the best way of implementing this disclosure, but rather that the present disclosure should encompass all embodiments that fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

[1] Locking system for a vehicle lock, comprising: a fork bolt for retaining a locking bolt in a first locking bolt position and a second locking bolt position, wherein the fork bolt is configured for movement about a fork bolt pin between at least one primary position and a secondary position, wherein the primary position corresponds to the first locking bolt position and the secondary position corresponds to the second locking bolt position; a primary lock configured for movement about a primary locking pin, wherein the primary lock has an elongated opening for rotatably receiving the primary locking pin, the elongated opening being larger than the primary locking pin; and a secondary lock configured for movement around a secondary locking pin, wherein the primary lock has an engagement point for contact with the secondary lock and a radius of the engagement point of the primary lock is centered with a center point of the elongated opening, such that when the fork bolt moves from the second locking pin position to the first locking pin position, the primary lock displaces or moves with respect to the primary locking pin and the primary lock also rotates around the primary locking pin. [2] Locking system according to claim 1, wherein the primary lock is configured for movement between an engagement position and an out-of-engagement position and the secondary lock is configured for movement between an engagement position and an out-of-engagement position, wherein, when the primary lock is in the engaged position and the secondary lock is in the engaged position, the fork bolt is prevented from moving from the primary position. [3] Locking system according to claim 2, further comprising: a primary locking spring for pre-tensioning the primary lock into the engagement position; and a secondary locking spring to pre-tension the secondary lock into the engagement position. [4] Locking system according to claim 3, further comprising: a carrier plate wherein the fork bolt pin, the primary locking pin and the secondary locking pin are each fixed to the carrier plate. [5] Locking system according to claim 4, wherein the primary lock does not prevent movement of the fork bolt from the primary position when the primary lock is in the out-of-engage position. [6] Locking system according to claim 5, wherein the secondary lock, when in the engaged position, touches the primary lock and prevents the primary lock from moving out of the engaged position towards the out-of-engage position. [7] Locking system according to claim 2, wherein when the primary lock is in the out-of-engage position, the primary lock does not prevent movement of the fork bolt from the primary position. [8] Locking system according to claim 7, wherein the secondary lock, when in the engaged position, touches the primary lock and prevents the primary lock from moving out of the engaged position towards the out-of-engage position. [9] Locking system according to claim 2, wherein the secondary lock, when in the engaged position, touches the primary lock and prevents the primary lock from moving out of the engaged position towards the out-of-engage position. [10] Vehicle locking mechanism which features: a locking system for a vehicle lock, which features: a fork bolt for retaining a locking bolt in a first locking bolt position and a second locking bolt position, wherein the fork bolt is configured for movement about a fork bolt pin between at least one primary position and a secondary position, wherein the primary position corresponds to the first locking bolt position and the secondary position corresponds to the second locking bolt position; a primary lock configured for movement about a primary locking pin, wherein the primary lock has an elongated opening for rotatably receiving the primary locking pin, the elongated opening being larger than the primary locking pin; and a secondary lock configured for movement around a secondary lock pin, wherein the primary lock has an engagement point for contact with the secondary lock and a radius of engagement point of the primary lock is centered with a center point of the elongated opening, so that when the fork bolt moves from the second locking bolt position to the first locking bolt position, the primary lock shifts or moves with respect to the primary locking pin and the primary lock also rotates around the primary locking pin. [11] Vehicle locking device according to claim 10, wherein the primary lock is configured for movement between an engagement position and a disengagement position and the secondary lock is configured for movement between an engagement position and a disengagement position, wherein when the primary lock is in the engagement position and the secondary lock is in the engagement position, the fork bolt is prevented from moving out of the primary position. [12] Vehicle locking device according to claim 11, further comprising: a primary locking spring for pre-tensioning the primary lock into the engagement position; and a secondary locking spring to pre-tension the secondary lock into the engagement position. [13] Vehicle locking device according to claim 12, further comprising: a carrier plate wherein the fork bolt pin, the primary locking pin and the secondary locking pin are each fixed to the carrier plate. [14] Vehicle locking mechanism according to claim 13, wherein, when the primary lock is in the out-of-engage position, the primary lock does not prevent movement of the fork bolt from the primary position. [15] Vehicle locking mechanism according to claim 14, wherein the secondary lock, when in the engagement position, touches the primary lock and prevents the primary lock from moving from the engagement position towards the out-of-engage position. [16] Vehicle locking mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the primary lock does not prevent movement of the fork bolt from the primary position when the primary lock is in the out-of-engage position. [17] Vehicle locking mechanism according to claim 16, wherein the secondary lock, when in the engagement position, touches the primary lock and prevents the primary lock from moving from the engagement position towards the out-of-engage position. [18] Vehicle locking mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the secondary lock, when in the engagement position, touches the primary lock and prevents the primary lock from moving out of the engagement position towards the out-of-engage position.

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