LOCKING ARRANGEMENT FOR THE HOOD OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a lock arrangement for a motor vehicle opening, such as a motor vehicle front hood.

[0002] It is known per se to have at the front of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine a compartment housing the engine which is closed by an opening commonly referred to as a hood.

[0003] Generally, such a hood comprises a fixed edge pivotally mounted on the bodywork by means of hinges known per se and a free edge provided with at least one latch arranged to cooperate with a lock arrangement provided on the bodywork and making it possible to keep the hood in the closed position.

[0004] In order to meet the high demands in the field of automotive safety, the lock arrangement can be operated in two stages in order to prevent the front hood from opening unexpectedly while the motor vehicle is in motion and from suddenly obstructing the driver's view.

[0005] In traditional vehicles comprising an internal combustion engine housed in the front bonnet, the user of the motor vehicle first carries out an initial manoeuvre which is carried out at a distance from the bonnet and by actuating a lever housed inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle, which has the effect of actuating a bonnet ejection mechanism in a slightly half-open configuration.

[0006] Then, in order to completely release the hood opening, the user performs a second maneuver which requires him to get out of the motor vehicle to operate an operating lever located under the hood, the arrangement of which varies depending on the type of motor vehicle and which the user often has to search for "blindly" by sweeping with his hand.

[0007] In recent years, the fight against air pollution has led car manufacturers to develop mass-produced electric vehicles with an electric motor as the sole means of drive and in which a battery is mounted in the floor of the body of these vehicles, thus freeing up the space traditionally occupied by the engine block.

[0008] The space thus freed up at the front of the electric vehicle is used to create a trunk, for example for luggage. As this trunk is used at the front of the motor vehicle, it is commonly referred to by the Anglo-Saxon expression "front trunk" or by its contraction "frunk".

[0009] It is therefore understandable that this new use of the space in front of the motor vehicle has profoundly changed the use and frequency of opening the front hood. Consequently, the traditional hood opening maneuver requiring the user to get out of the motor vehicle appears to be poorly ergonomic and is perceived as inconvenient or even uncomfortable, and also reflects a perception of poor quality of the motor vehicle.

[0010] An aim of the present invention is to propose a lock arrangement which makes it possible to increase the comfort of use of a trunk provided with a front hood of a motor vehicle and to adapt its operation for frequent and regular use, while respecting the safety constraints inherent in the automotive field.

[0011] A lock for a motor vehicle engine hood is already known from the prior art, comprising a fork-shaped latch which retains a striker of the engine hood and a locking pawl which locks the latch in the closed position. The pawl is actuated, for example, using an actuating lever to sequentially adopt, with the striker, a closing configuration for engaging the striker by the fork and an unlocking configuration for releasing the striker allowing the hood to be lifted.

[0012] Typically, the lock further includes an ejector that is configured to interact with the latch such that the latch is pivoted by the ejector to a position for releasing the striker by the latch. The ejector is also resiliently biased in the ejection direction by an ejection spring that ejects the striker and allows the hood to be lifted.

[0013] Prior art is known, including patent applications FR2991365A1 , US2016 / 16883A1 , lock arrangements for a motor vehicle hood comprising a lock or locking member which cooperates with a latch or receiving bolt of a hood striker.

[0014] The disadvantage of the current solution proposed in the state of the art is that the ejection of the latch and therefore the lifting of the hood occurs abruptly. This abrupt opening of the hood harms the user's overall perception of the perceived quality of the motor vehicle. Description of the invention

[0015] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

[0016] For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a lock arrangement for a motor vehicle hood, comprising a pivotally mounted latch and comprising a notch capable of cooperating with the hood by engaging a hood latch in the notch, a locking member comprising a locking pawl arranged to cooperate with the latch between at least an initial configuration of locking the latch in total engagement of the latch and a final configuration of unlocking the latch in total release of the latch, following at least one action of controlling movement of the pawl by an actuator, an ejector arranged to cause, with its ejection, the pivoting of the latch and the lifting of the hood, the latch and the ejector forming a member for ejecting the latch, characterized in that during the movement of the pawl from the initial configuration to the final configuration,the locking member is arranged to pivot the ejection member in an ejection direction against the torque resulting from the weight of the hood exerted on the ejector via the latch in order to allow the hood to be lifted.,

[0017] Thanks to the invention, the ejection of the cover by the ejector occurs gradually and not abruptly with the release of an ejection spring. In other words, the locking member pushes the ejection member in the ejection direction against said torque.

[0018] The lock arrangement according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features.

[0019] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the arrangement comprises an assistance module provided to assist the lifting force of the hood against the torque resulting from the weight of the hood.

[0020] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the assistance module comprises an assistance spring, coupled to the ejector tending to pivot the ejector in the ejection direction, which is undersized so that said assistance spring develops an elastic return torque always lower than the torque resulting from the weight of the hood.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the ejector is mounted to rotate freely.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the latch member comprises at least one ejection member drive arm for pivotally driving the ejection member in an ejection direction.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking member is configured to drive the ejection member in the ejection direction until it reaches the final configuration and is configured to allow the ejection member to pivot, from the final configuration, in the opposite direction under the effect of the torque resulting from the weight of the hood in the absence of external intervention on the hood of the vehicle.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pawl being arranged to cooperate with the latch in an intermediate locking configuration of the latch in partial engagement of the striker, the locking member is configured to allow the ejection member to pivot in the opposite direction, from the final configuration, until reaching the intermediate configuration under the effect of the torque resulting from the weight of the hood in the absence of external intervention on the hood of the vehicle.

[0025] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the pawl being arranged to cooperate with the latch in an intermediate locking configuration of the latch in partial engagement of the striker and being selectively movable from the initial configuration to the intermediate configuration following a first control action and from the intermediate configuration to the final configuration following a second control action, the locking member comprises a first arm for driving the ejection member during the first action and a second arm for driving the ejection member during the second action.

[0026] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the latch comprises a stepped profile delimiting first and second notches cooperating with the pawl respectively in the initial and intermediate configurations.

[0027] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the latch comprises on its periphery a portion of bearing surface which extends in extension of the second notch and the pawl has on its periphery a portion of complementary bearing surface which cooperates by contact with the portion of bearing surface of the latch in the final configuration.

[0028] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the pawl is selectively pivotable against a resilient bias between a first position of engagement in the first notch, a second position of engagement in the second notch, a third position of cooperation by contact with the latch.

[0029] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the arrangement comprises a safety blocker movable relative to the pawl and arranged to oppose the pivoting of the pawl and the latch beyond the intermediate configuration following the first action.

[0030] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the blocker comprises proximal and distal portions which interact respectively with the latch and the pawl to oppose their pivoting beyond the intermediate configuration in an engaged position and to leave them free of movement in a disengaged position.

[0031] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the distal portion has the shape of a leg arranged to have a front wall for intercepting a functional engagement element of the pawl in the clutch position and to have an opposite back wall which is extended by a hollow profile inside which the engagement element can move freely in the disengaged position of the blocker.

[0032] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, during the first action, the blocker is arranged to be driven, against its elastic bias, into an extreme clutch position in which the blocker is biased to pivot by the pawl via its distal portion, which tends to further engage the proximal portion in abutment against the latch, such that the blocker produces a self-locking locking of the pawl and the latch, preventing them from pivoting beyond the intermediate configuration.

[0033] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the proximal portion has a general fork shape provided with an anterior arm and a posterior arm and the latch carries a relief capable of engaging inside the fork to selectively cooperate with the posterior arm to retain the blocker in the initial configuration and to abut against the anterior arm in the intermediate configuration.

[0034] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the safety blocker is arranged to drive the ejection member in its movement in the ejection direction during the first action and the pawl is arranged to drive the ejection member in its pivoting in the ejection direction during the second action.

[0035] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the blocker comprises the first drive arm cooperating with the ejector during the first action and the pawl comprises the second drive arm cooperating with the latch during the second action.

[0036] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the arrangement comprises a ratchet for retaining the ejection member in the final configuration and / or in the intermediate configuration.

[0037] In another embodiment of the invention, the pawl comprises at least one notch for retaining a relief of the ejection member in the intermediate configuration.

[0038] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the arrangement comprises an actuator provided with an actuator element controlled in displacement by the actuator and connected to the pawl to drive in its displacement the pawl in pivoting, the safety blocker is arranged to limit a displacement stroke of the element during the first control action, so as to limit a pivoting amplitude of the pawl.

[0039] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator comprises a pull cable provided with one end forming the actuator element connected to the pawl, the control action being a pulling action of the actuator element, for example the actuator element being formed by a guide pin inside a groove of the pawl.

[0040] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the latch is arranged in the initial configuration to retain the blocker in its clutch position against its elastic bias and the blocker is arranged to intercept the pivoting latch during the first action to retain the latch and the pawl in the intermediate configuration.

[0041] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the ratchet and the blocker are mounted to pivot independently of each other and are elastically stressed by elastic means in the same direction of pivoting.

[0042] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the latch and the ejector are connected together so as to pivot in a locked manner relative to each other or the latch and the ejector are formed as a single piece.

[0043] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a hood and a lock arrangement capable of cooperating with a latch mounted on the hood, characterized in that the arrangement is in accordance with the invention and is mounted on a chassis of the motor vehicle.

[0044] Preferably, the actuator is electrically motorized.

[0045] The invention will be better understood and its advantages will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, of embodiments shown as non-limiting examples. The description refers to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 is a perspective view of a lock arrangement according to the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 represents the lock arrangement of the figure 1 , in which a fairing element has been removed; [ Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 is a perspective view of the lock arrangement of the figure 2and an actuator of the lock arrangement; [ Fig. 4 ] There figure 4 is a perspective view of the lock arrangement of the figure 1 ; [ Fig. 5 ] There Figure 5 is a perspective view of an ejector member of the lock arrangement of the figure 1 ; [ Fig. 6 ] There figure 6 is a front view of a latch and a locking pawl of the latch of the lock arrangement of the figure 1 ; [ Fig. 7 ] There figure 7 is a front view of the lock arrangement in an initial locking configuration; [ Fig. 8 ] There figure 8 is a front view of the lock arrangement in an intermediate locking configuration; [ Fig. 9 ] There figure 9 is a front view of the lock arrangement in a final unlocking configuration; [ Fig. 10 ] There figure 10 illustrates four steps A to D of unlocking the lock arrangement of the figure 1 ; [ Fig. 11 ] There figure 11illustrates four steps A to D of locking the lock arrangement of the figure 1 ; [ Fig. 12 ] There figure 12 illustrates three steps A to C of unlocking a variant of the lock arrangement of the figure 1 ;; Detailed description of the invention

[0046] A lock arrangement for a motor vehicle hood according to the invention is shown in the figures 1 to 11 The lock arrangement will be designated by the general reference 10.

[0047] As illustrated in the figure 1 , the arrangement 10 is configured to cooperate with a latch 100 (shown in broken lines) fixed to the inside of the hood of the motor vehicle (not shown in the figures). For this purpose, the arrangement 10 comprises a latching mechanism capable of cooperating with the latch 100 of the hood.

[0048] Preferably, as illustrated in the figures, the lock arrangement 10 further comprises a plate 12 serving as a support for the latching mechanism and intended to be fixed to the vehicle. This plate 12 is for example made from a metal sheet, by cutting and / or folding said sheet. As illustrated in the figure 1 , the plate 12 further comprises, for example, a plurality of fixing lugs 12A for elastic means such as springs of the latching mechanism 14, bent at right angles and a plurality of fixing holes 12B to the bodywork.

[0049] In accordance with the invention and as illustrated in detail in particular on the figure 4 , the lock arrangement 10 comprises a rotary latch 16 comprising a notch 18 capable of cooperating with the latch 100 of the hood.

[0050] The latch 100 is for example in the form of a hook closed in the manner of a ring. The hook 100 is for example rectangular or square in shape and the notch 18 of the latch 16 has the general shape of a hook to hold the latch 100.

[0051] In the example illustrated in the figures, the latch 16 is pivotally mounted around an axis X1 on the plate 12. This pin-shaped axis X1 can be fixed by screwing, welding and / or pressing onto an orifice 12C made in the plate 12.

[0052] Furthermore, preferably, the plate 12 may also have a notch 12D in the shape of a fish mouth open towards the outside or in the shape of a U, intended to receive the strike plate 100 for guidance towards the notch 18 of the latch 16.

[0053] In the remainder of the description, terms with directional meaning such as “anterior” and “posterior” are used to designate the parts located respectively “at the head” and “at the tail” relative to the direct or clockwise direction of rotation referenced S1. In addition, the terms “distal” and “proximal” reflect the fact that an element is distant from or close to the latch 16.

[0054] The lock arrangement 10 further comprises a latch member 20 comprising a locking pawl 22. This locking pawl 22 is arranged to cooperate with the latch 16 between at least an initial configuration of locking the latch 16 in total engagement of the striker 100 and a final configuration of unlocking the latch 16 in total release of the striker 100.

[0055] The transition from the initial configuration to the final configuration is carried out following at least one action of controlling the movement of the pawl 22, carried out for example by an actuating means or actuator 110. For example, the actuator 110 comprises an actuating element 112 drivingly coupled to the pawl 22 to pivot the pawl 22 from the initial configuration to the final configuration.

[0056] For example, the actuator 110 comprises a traction cable 114, preferably movable in a sheath 116 and the actuator element 112 is formed by an end piece of the traction cable 114, coupled to the pawl 22. In this case, the displacement action is a traction action of the pawl 22. For example, the actuator element 112 is in the form of a guide pin cooperating inside a guide groove 24 provided on the pawl 22. Thus, when the guide pin 112 comes to a stop at the end of its travel inside the guide groove 24 of the pawl 22, it causes the pawl 22 to move in the clockwise direction S1 against the elastic stress exerted by the action of the return spring 48 of the pawl 22.

[0057] As illustrated in the figure 3, the actuator 110 also comprises a housing 120 in which an electric motor is arranged which drives a shaft via a gear arrangement (not visible in the figure). For example, the shaft acts for its part on a push rod 118 which can be moved longitudinally relative to the housing 120, which for example cooperates with the traction cable 114.

[0058] In the illustrated example, the actuator element 110 is arranged to selectively pivot the pawl 22 from the initial configuration to the intermediate configuration following a first pull of the cable and from the intermediate configuration to the final configuration following a second pulling action of the cable 114. In other words, the actuator 110 makes it possible to sequentially control the movement of the pawl 22 from one configuration to the other by the first and second pulling actions of the cable 114.

[0059] Preferably, the locking pawl 22 and the latch 16 cooperate together from the initial configuration to the final configuration via an intermediate locking configuration of the latch 16 in partial engagement of the strike plate 100. This thus makes it possible to unlock the lock arrangement 10 selectively from an initial locking configuration to an intermediate locking configuration on the one hand and then from the intermediate configuration to the final unlocking configuration on the other hand.

[0060] Preferably, the actuator element 112 is arranged to selectively pivot the pawl 22 from the initial configuration to the intermediate configuration following a first pull of the cable 114 and from the intermediate configuration to the final configuration following a second pulling action of the cable 114. In other words, the actuator 110 makes it possible to sequentially control the movement of the pawl 22 from one configuration to the other by the first and second pulling actions of the cable 114.

[0061] Furthermore, as illustrated the figure 3 , the plate 12 also comprises a support lug 12E provided with a sheath stopper arranged to block the sheath 116 surrounding the control cable 114.

[0062] As illustrated in the figure 6, the latch 16 comprises a stepped profile delimiting first 30 and second 32 notches cooperating with the pawl 22 respectively in the initial and intermediate configurations. Preferably, the notches 30 and 32 delimit locking notches and the pawl 22 preferably comprises a projecting projection 34 in the form of a locking beak which is capable of selectively engaging complementary in each locking notch of the notches 30 and 32 in the initial and intermediate locking configurations.

[0063] Furthermore, preferably, the latch 16 comprises on its periphery a portion of bearing surface 36 which extends in extension of the second notch 32, for example substantially in the shape of an arc of a circle centered on the first axis X1. Furthermore, preferably, the pawl 22 has on its periphery a complementary portion of bearing surface 38, of the same center and of substantially identical radius of curvature arranged to cooperate by contact with the portion of bearing surface 36 of the latch 16, during the transition from the intermediate configuration to the final configuration.

[0064] Thus, the pawl 22 is selectively pivotable against an elastic stress between a first position of engagement in the first notch 30 of the latch 16, a second position of engagement in the second notch 32 of the latch 16 and preferably in a third position of cooperation by contact with the latch 16. In the example described, the three positions of the pawl 22 are angularly distinct from each other.

[0065] In the example described, the pawl 22 has a general shape of an arcuate main branch 40, for example in the shape of a crescent moon, which delimits a radially internal peripheral edge 42 and a radially external peripheral edge 44 relative to the general curvature of the branch 40.

[0066] In the example described, one of the ends 46A, 46B of the branch 40, here the rear end 46A of the branch 40, forms the projecting projection or locking beak 34 and the complementary bearing surface portion 38 is formed in the radially internal peripheral edge 42 of the branch 40. The branch 40 delimits an internal space on the curved internal side within which the latch 16 can pivot relative to the pawl 22 from the intermediate configuration to the final configuration by cooperation through contact of their complementary bearing surfaces 36 and 38.

[0067] The pawl 22 is for example mounted to pivot around a second axis X2. In this example, the pawl 22 is biased by an elastic means 48 to pivot in the counterclockwise direction S2 on the figure 1In the example illustrated, the elastic means 48 comprises a traction spring provided with a first end 48A attached to the plate 12 and a second end 48B is attached to the pawl 22.

[0068] According to the invention, the arrangement 10 further comprises an ejector 50 which interacts with the latch 16 such that the latch 16 is pivotally driven by the ejector 50. The ejector 50 and the latch 16 form an ejection member referenced 90 and illustrated in detail in the Figure 5 .

[0069] To this end, according to the invention, the ejector 50 comprises a cam 56 for lifting the latch 100, and is arranged to cause, with its ejection, the pivoting of the latch 16 and the lifting of the hood ( figure 3 ). Preferably, the latch 16 and the ejector 50 are formed in one piece, for example by a welded assembly.

[0070] Alternatively, the latch 16 and the ejector 50 are formed by two separate parts which are connected together in order to rotate in a locked manner with a predetermined clearance between them. For example, in this case, the latch 16 and the ejector 50 may be pivotally mounted relative to each other about the first axis of rotation X1 and the striker 100 is trapped between a contact surface of the ejector 50 with the striker 100 and a corresponding contact surface of the latch 16 with the striker 100. The striker 100 is then clamped between the two contact surfaces of the latch 16 and the ejector 50 so that pivoting the ejector 50 in the ejection direction causes the movement of the striker 100 which causes the movement of the latch 16.

[0071] In particular, when moving the pawl 22 from the initial configuration to the final configuration, the locking member 20 is arranged to pivot the ejection member 90 in an ejection direction against the torque resulting from the weight of the hood exerted on the ejector 50 via the latch 100 in order to allow the hood to be lifted and the latch 16 to pivot.

[0072] Preferably, the locking member 20 comprises a drive element, for example in the form of a drive arm which is configured to exert a progressive stress on the ejection member 90 causing it to pivot in the ejection direction, against the torque resulting from the weight of the hood. Preferably, the actuator 110 is electrically motorized, which thus makes it possible to obtain progressive kinematics of the driving of the ejector 50 by the pawl 22 and therefore progressive kinematics of lifting the hood.

[0073] In the illustrated example, the lock arrangement 10 further comprises a pawl 80 for retaining the ejection member 90 in the intermediate configuration and in the final configuration. As illustrated in the figure 7 , the pawl 80 comprises a peripheral edge comprising a first retaining notch 84 of the ejection member 90 in the intermediate configuration and a second retaining notch 86 of the ejection member 90 in the final configuration. This makes it possible to prevent the ejection member 90 from being able to pivot by the effect of gravity in the opposite direction of ejection. In other words, this makes it possible to oppose the return of the ejection member 90 in the opposite direction to the direction of ejection when the tensile stress of the cable 114 is released.

[0074] Preferably, the locking member 20 comprises a first drive arm 20A and a second drive arm 20B of the ejection member 90. Thus, the first drive arm 20A is configured to bring the ejection member 90 substantially opposite the first retention notch 84 in the intermediate configuration. Then, the second drive arm 20B is configured to bring the ejection member 90 substantially opposite the second retention notch 86 of the retention lever 80.

[0075] Preferably, the arrangement 10 comprises an assistance module provided to assist the lifting force of the hood against the torque resulting from the weight of the hood. For example, the assistance module comprises an assistance spring 52, coupled to the ejector 50 tending to pivot the ejector 50 in the ejection direction, which is undersized so that said assistance spring 52 develops an elastic return torque always lower than the torque resulting from the weight of the hood. Consequently, the release of the ejection member 90 by the locking pawl 22 cannot cause the ejection member 90 to be ejected by the assistance spring 52. Indeed, because the assistance spring 52 is undersized, the elastic return torque exerted by the assistance spring 52 does not make it possible to oppose the torque resulting from the weight of the hood.

[0076] The assistance spring 52 is in this example a traction spring provided with a first end 52A attached to the plate 12 and a second end 52B attached to the ejector 50. For example, the ejector 50 comprises a support tab 58 for the end 52B of the assistance spring 52.

[0077] In a variant not illustrated, the ejector 50 can be mounted free to rotate without an assistance module. In this case, the motorized actuator 110 is calibrated in electrical power such that the displacement force exerted on the ejection member 90 by the locking member 20, via the drive arms 20A, 20B, makes it possible to compensate for the torque resulting from the weight of the hood.

[0078] Optionally, the lock arrangement 10 also comprises a safety blocker 60 elastically biased in pivoting and mounted for example pivotally on the assembly plate 12. Preferably, the pawl 22 and the blocker 60 are pivotally mounted on a common pivot axis, here the second axis X2 and are elastically biased in the same counterclockwise direction S2.

[0079] Preferably, the blocker 60 is elastically biased to pivot from an engagement position in which the blocker 60 is arranged to oppose the pivoting of the pawl 22 and the latch 16 beyond the intermediate configuration following the first control action to a disengagement position in which the blocker 60 allows the pawl 22 and the latch 16 to reach the final configuration following the second control action.

[0080] Preferably, as will be described in detail below, the blocker 60 is arranged in the engagement position to limit the angular pivoting of the locking pawl 22 to a reduced stroke during the first action and in the disengagement position to extend the angular pivoting of the pawl 22 to a full stroke during the second action making it possible to reach the final unlocking configuration. Thus, depending on the engagement or disengagement position of the blocker 60, the angular pivoting stroke of the locking pawl 22 is respectively reduced or extended.

[0081] This makes it possible to avoid an excessively large angular amplitude movement of the ratchet 22 during the first action which could cause the transition directly from the initial configuration to the final configuration.

[0082] In the example described, the safety blocker 60 is biased by an elastic means 61 towards the disengaged position. In the example illustrated in the figure 1 , the elastic means 61 comprises a traction spring with a first end 61A attached securely to the plate 12 and a second end 61B attached to the blocker 60. In this example, the lock arrangement 10 comprises a fairing part 11 which is mounted securely to the plate 12 via the axis X1 and provided with a tab for attaching the end 61A of the spring 61.

[0083] Preferably, as illustrated in the figure 7, the latch 16 is arranged to retain the blocker 60 in the initial configuration against the elastic stress exerted by the elastic means 61 of the blocker 60. Furthermore, the blocker 60 is arranged to intercept the latch 16 pivoting during the first pulling action in order to oppose the pivoting of the latch 16 in a direction of release of the latch 100.

[0084] In the illustrated example, the blocker 60 comprises a distal portion 62 and a proximal portion 70 which interact respectively with the pawl 22 and the latch 16 to oppose their pivoting beyond the intermediate configuration in the clutch position and to leave them free to move in the disengaged position.

[0085] For example, the distal portion 62 has the shape of a leg 64 arranged to have a front wall 66 for intercepting an element for engaging the pawl 16 by the blocker 60. In the example illustrated, the engaging element is formed by the actuator element 112 in the form of a guide pin and which forms a relief configured to engage with the leg 64 of the blocker 60 when the pawl 16 pivots.

[0086] Preferably, the leg 64 of the blocker 60 is arranged to have an opposite back wall 68 which extends according to a hollow profile 69 within which the actuator element 112 can move freely in the disengaged position of the blocker 60. In this engagement position, the leg 64 is spaced from a movement path of the actuator element 112 during the second movement action.

[0087] In the example described, the blocker 60 is arranged to limit a displacement stroke of the element 112 during the first control action so as to limit a pivoting amplitude of the pawl 22.

[0088] Furthermore, in the example described, the proximal portion 70 is arranged to intercept the latch 16 during the first pulling action in its clutch position and to allow the latch 16 to move freely during the second pulling action in its disengaged position.

[0089] Preferably, the proximal portion 70 has a general fork shape provided with a posterior arm 72 and an anterior arm 74 and the latch 16 carries a relief 76 capable of engaging inside the fork.

[0090] The relief 76 of the latch 16 cooperates with the fork of the blocker 60 on the one hand to retain the blocker 60 in its clutch position by the rear arm 72 in the initial configuration (illustrated in figure 7) and on the other hand to abut against the front arm 74 in the intermediate configuration (illustrated in figure 8 ) following the pivoting of the blocker 60 against its elastic stress.

[0091] Preferably, during the first action, the blocker 60 is arranged to be driven, against its elastic bias, into an extreme clutch position in which the blocker 60 is biased to pivot by the pawl 22 via the distal portion 62, which tends to further engage the proximal portion 70 in abutment against the latch 16. The blocker 60 then produces a self-locking locking of the pawl 16 and the latch 22, preventing them from pivoting beyond the intermediate configuration. This self-locking locking is maintained until the displacement force of the actuator 110 exerted on the actuator element 112 is released.

[0092] The actuator element 112 engages the blocker 60, here the distal portion 62 of the blocker 60 and pivots the pawl 16 and the blocker 60 together during the first cable pull.

[0093] During the first cable pull, the actuator element 112 engages with the blocker 60, here the distal portion 62 of the blocker 60, and pivots the pawl 22 and the blocker 60 together.

[0094] In the example described, after releasing the tensile force of the first action, the actuator element 112 is then pushed in a direction opposite to the direction of traction inside the guide groove 24 of the pawl 22, for example by being pushed into the groove 24 by its own spring or by the blocker 60 via the leg 64. The actuator element 112 can for example be pushed in the direction opposite to the direction of traction by the blocker 60 which is elastically returned into the disengaged position or possibly by known elastic return means.

[0095] This has the effect of releasing the leg 64 of the blocker 60 which is then free to pivot in the counterclockwise direction S2 by elastic return until it reaches its disengaged position.

[0096] In the disengaged position, the blocker 60 is positioned such that it has its hollow profile 69 within which the actuator element 112 can move until it pivots the pawl 22 into the final configuration during the second pulling action. During the second cable pull, the actuator element 112 moves within the hollow profile 69 of the blocker 60, and pivots the pawl 22 into the final configuration.

[0097] As can be seen on the figure 9 , the first drive arm 20A is formed by a front terminal extension branch 78 of the blocker 60 which delimits a guide surface configured to cooperate with the ejection member 90 from the initial configuration to the intermediate configuration ( figure 8 ).

[0098] As is clearly shown on the figure 9, the second drive arm 20B is formed by the front end 46B of the branch 40 of the pawl 22 which forms a guide and support surface for the ejection member 90.

[0099] For this purpose, preferably, the latch 16 further comprises a protruding nose-shaped projection 17 which is arranged to cooperate with the drive arm(s) 20A and 20B.

[0100] The main operational aspects of the invention will now be described with reference to: figures 10 And 11 .

[0101] It has been represented on the figure 10 , steps A to D of lifting and unlocking the hood of the motor vehicle by the lock arrangement 10 according to the invention. Initially, the lock arrangement 10 is in the initial locking configuration illustrated in the figure 7 .

[0102] In this initial configuration, the latch 16 is in full engagement with the striker 100 of the hood of the motor vehicle and cooperates with the pawl 22 by its first notch 30. In addition, the safety blocker 60 extends into its initial clutch position. In this initial clutch position, the leg 64 is deployed through a traction path of the actuator element 112. In addition, the relief 76 of the latch 16 makes it possible to retain the blocker 60 in this initial position by the rear arm 72 of the blocker 60 which abuts against this relief 76 by the elastic bias in the counterclockwise direction S2.

[0103] The user then wishes to open the hood of the motor vehicle. During a first step ( Figure 10A), it controls the actuator 110 to perform a first action of moving the element 112 by pulling the cable 114. The element 112 is then driven into movement inside the guide groove 24 of the pawl 22 until the element 112 is intercepted by the leg 64 of the blocker 60.

[0104] During this first action illustrated by the Figure 10B , the actuator element 112 engages with the leg 64 which causes the blocker 60 to pivot in the clockwise direction S1 against the elastic bias of the blocker 60 until it reaches an extreme clutch position. The actuator element 112 is limited in its movement to a traction stroke P1 by the safety blocker 60 ( Figure 10A ).

[0105] In this extreme clutch position, the blocker 60 presents its drive arm 78 to cause the ejector 50 and the latch 16 to pivot in the direction of ejection of the striker 100 until part of the assembly formed by the ejector 50 and the latch 16 is engaged in the first notch 84 of the retention lever 84.

[0106] Preferably, the pivoting of the ejection member 90 is assisted by the assistance spring 52 which exerts an elastic return torque on the ejector 50 in the ejection direction.

[0107] Furthermore, the pawl 22 is pivoted by the effect of the traction of the actuator element 112 which comes to a stop at the end of its travel inside the guide groove 24 and causes the pawl 22 to pivot against the elastic stress in the clockwise direction S1. Thus, the latch 16, being disengaged from the pawl 22, can pivot freely in the clockwise release direction S1, for example being driven by the ejector 50. This has the effect of partially disengaging the striker 100 from the latch 16. When the latch 16 pivots, the relief 76 of the latch 16 engaged inside the two-armed fork 62 of the blocker 60 abuts against the front arm 74 of the blocker 60 which is in the extreme clutch position. During this same pivoting of the latch 16, the locking beak 34 of the pawl 22 engages inside the second notch 32 of the latch 16.

[0108] At the end of this step 10B, the pawl 22 is then disengaged from the first notch 30 and is engaged in the second notch 32 of the latch 16 and the latch 16 is in a position of partial engagement of the striker 100. Furthermore, the ejection member 90 is retained by the first notch 84 of the retention pawl 80, for example by a first projecting part 14 of the peripheral edge of the latch 16.

[0109] Moreover, as can be seen on the Figure 10B, the traction of the actuator element 112 is released. The pawl 22 having pivoted into a second position in the clockwise direction S1 passing from the first notch 30 to the second notch 32, the actuator element 112 is pushed inside the guide groove 24 in a direction opposite to the direction of traction which releases the leg 64 of the blocker 60 which is then elastically returned to its disengaged position. The pawl 22 and the latch 16 are then in the intermediate configuration of partial disengagement of the striker 100 ( figure 8 ).

[0110] During a second stage ( Figure 10C ), the user controls the actuator 110 to perform a second action of moving the element 112 by pulling the cable 114. The element 112 is then driven to move inside the guide groove 24 of the pawl 22 until it comes to the end of travel stop in the guide groove 24 and causes the pawl 22 to pivot in the clockwise direction S1 ( Figures 10B, 10C ). The pawl 22 is then disengaged from the second notch 34.

[0111] In this case, the traction of the actuator element 112 is not limited by the leg 64 of the blocker 60 which is in its disengaged position. On the contrary, the actuator element 112 can extend its movement to a traction stroke P2 inside the hollow profile 69 of the blocker 60 which is in the disengaged position. This causes the pivoting of the pawl 22 which will then pivot the ejection member 90 by the drive arm 20B formed by the front end 46B of the branch 40 of the pawl 22.

[0112] This has the effect of pivoting the ejector 50 and the latch 16 until the striker 100 is released from the notch 18 of the latch 16 so that the latch 16 engages a second projecting part 15 of its peripheral edge in the second retaining notch 86 of the retention pawl 80 of the ejection member 90. The latch 16 and the pawl 22 are then in their final unlocking configuration ( figure 9 ). In a non-illustrated variant of the invention, the parts 14 and 15 of the latch 16 can be formed by a single rib.

[0113] In this example, the latch 16 pivots inside the curved space delimited by the peripheral internal edge of the pawl 22 and the circular arc-shaped bearing surface portion of the latch 16 comes to cooperate by contact with the complementary bearing surface portion of the pawl 22. The latch 16 is then pivoted by the ejector 50 until the striker 100 is released from the notch 18 ( Figure 10D ).

[0114] It has been represented on the figure 11 , steps A to D of closing the hood of the motor vehicle. Initially, the lock arrangement 10 is in the final configuration illustrated by the figure 9 .

[0115] In this configuration, the latch 16 is in total release from the striker 100. The latch 16 is retained in this release position by the second notch 86 of the retention pawl 80. Since the latch 16 and the ejector 50 are locked in movement relative to each other or are formed in one piece, the ejector 50 is also in an ejected position in which the assistance spring 52 exerts an elastic return torque in this ejected position. In addition, the pawl 22 and the latch 16 cooperate together by contact through their complementary support portions.

[0116] Then, during a step 11A, the user of the motor vehicle applies a force to the hood of the vehicle so that the latch 100 transmits this force to the lifting cam 56 of the ejector 50.

[0117] This has the effect of disengaging the latch 16 from the second retention notch 84 which pivots relative to the pawl 22 by guiding their respective support portions until the locking beak 34 of the pawl 22 engages inside the second locking notch 32 of the latch 16.

[0118] Finally, during step 11D, the continued force exerted by the user on the hood of the motor vehicle causes the ejection member 90 to pivot until the latch 16 crosses the first retention notch 84 of the pawl 80. The continued pivoting of the latch 16 also causes the pawl 22 to disengage from the second notch 32 until it reaches the first notch 30. In addition, the pivoting of the latch 16 also engages the relief inside the fork of the blocker 60 which is then driven from its disengaged position to its engaged position against its elastic stress, in the direct direction S1.

[0119] It has been represented on the figure 12, three steps (A, B, C) of unlocking a variant of the lock arrangement 10. In this variant, the retention pawl 80 is devoid of the second notch 86 for retaining the latch 16 in the final configuration. The pawl 80 comprises in this variant only the first notch 84 for retaining the latch 16 in the intermediate configuration. In this case, the latch 16 is driven successively by the drive arm(s) of the locking member 20 until it reaches the intermediate configuration and then the final configuration (step A) for releasing the latch 100. In this illustrated example, the latch 16, and therefore the ejection member 90, is driven into the intermediate configuration by the drive arm 78 of the blocker 60 until it comes to cooperate with the first retention notch 84 of the pawl 80 by a first pulling action and then is driven into the final configuration by the drive arm 20B of the pawl 22 by a second pulling action.

[0120] The locking member 20 is thus arranged to pivot the ejection member 90 in an ejection direction against the torque resulting from the weight of the hood exerted on the ejector 50 via the latch 100 in order to allow the hood to be lifted.

[0121] The user can then decide to completely open the hood of the vehicle (step B) because the latch 100 is then completely released from the notch 18.

[0122] If the user ultimately decides not to open the hood of the vehicle or is prevented from doing so, this variant offers an additional safety guarantee. Since the retention pawl 80 does not have a notch for retaining the ejection member 90 in the final configuration, when the drive arm 20B of the pawl 22 is elastically returned with the pawl 22, the ejection member 90 is no longer supported by the drive arm 20B in its final configuration. The ejection member 90 is then pivoted, from the final configuration, by the effect of the torque resulting from the weight of the hood exerted by the support of the latch 100 on the ejection member 90, and in particular, on the lifting cam 56 of the ejector 50.

[0123] In this case, the locking member 20 is configured to allow the ejection member 90 to pivot in the opposite direction under the effect of the torque resulting from the weight of the hood in the absence of external intervention on the hood of the vehicle.

[0124] Preferably, the locking member 20 is configured to allow the ejection member 90 to pivot in the opposite direction until it reaches the intermediate configuration under the effect of the torque resulting from the weight of the hood in the absence of external intervention on the hood of the vehicle. In the example illustrated, the rotation of the ejection member 90 in the direction opposite to the ejection direction automatically brings the latch 16 to the intermediate notch 84 of the retaining pawl 80.

[0125] This further improves the security of the lock arrangement since a new movement control action must be issued to eject the strike plate 100 and allow the hood to be opened.

[0126] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments previously described. Other embodiments within the reach of those skilled in the art may also be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims below. In particular, in the present description, the elastic means described comprise tension springs but alternatively, the elastic means may comprise torsion springs or any other elastic means known in the prior art.

Claims

1. Lock arrangement (10) for a motor vehicle hood, comprising a latch (16) that is pivotally mounted and that comprises a notch (18) capable of cooperating with the hood by engaging a striker (100) of the hood in the notch (18), a lock member (20) comprising a locking ratchet (22) arranged to cooperate with the latch (16) between at least one initial locking configuration of the latch (16) with the striker (100) fully engaged and a final unlocking configuration of the latch (16) with the striker (100) fully released, following at least one movement control action of the ratchet (22) by an actuator (110), an ejector (50) arranged to drive, with the ejection thereof, the pivoting of the latch (16) and the lifting of the hood, the latch (16) and the ejector (50) forming a striker (100) ejection member (90), characterized in that during the movement of the ratchet (22) from the initial configuration to the final configuration, the lock member (20) is arranged to pivot the ejection member (90) in an ejection direction against the resultant torque of the weight of the hood exerted on the ejector (50) via the striker (100) in order to enable the lifting of the hood.

2. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, comprising an assistance module (52) provided to assist with the force of lifting the hood against the resultant torque of the weight of the hood.

3. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the assistance module comprises an assistance spring (52), coupled with the ejector (50) tending to pivot the ejector (50) in the ejection direction, which is undersized such that said assistance spring (52) develops an elastic return torque always less than the resultant torque of the weight of the hood.

4. Arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein the ejector (50) is mounted free in rotation.

5. Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock member (20) comprises at least one arm (20A, 20B) for driving the ejection member (90) to pivot the ejection member (90) in an ejection direction.

6. Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock member (20) is configured to drive in the ejection direction the ejection member (90) until the final configuration is reached and is configured to allow the ejection member (90) to pivot, from the final configuration, in the opposite direction under the effect of the resultant torque of the weight of the hood in the absence of external intervention on the vehicle hood.

7. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the ratchet (22) being arranged to cooperate with the latch (16) in an intermediate locking configuration of the latch (16) partially engaging the striker (100), the lock member (20) is configured to allow the ejection member (90) to pivot from the final configuration in the opposite direction, until the intermediate configuration is reached under the effect of the resultant torque of the weight of the hood in the absence of external intervention on the vehicle hood.

8. Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratchet (22) being arranged to cooperate with the latch (16) in an intermediate locking configuration of the latch (16) partially engaging the striker (100) and being selectively movable from the initial configuration to the intermediate configuration following a first control action and from the intermediate configuration to the final configuration following a second control action, the lock member (20) comprises a first arm (20A) for driving the ejection member (90) during the first action and a second arm (20B) for driving the ejection member (90) during the second action.

9. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the latch (16) comprises a staged profile delimiting the first (30) and the second (32) catch cooperating with the ratchet (22) respectively in the initial and in the intermediate configuration.

10. Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a ratchet (80) for holding the ejection member (50) in the intermediate configuration and / or in the final configuration, more particularly the ratchet (80) comprising at least one notch (84, 86) for holding a relief (14, 15) of the ejection member (90) in the intermediate configuration.

11. Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an actuator (110) provided with an actuator element (112) controlled in movement by the actuator (110) and connected to the ratchet (22) to drive the ratchet (22) in its pivoting movement, a safety lock (60) is arranged to limit a movement travel of the element (112) during the first control action, so as to limit a pivoting amplitude of the ratchet (22).

12. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the latch (16) is arranged in the initial configuration to hold the lock (60) in the engagement position thereof against the elastic stress thereof and the safety lock (60) is arranged to intercept the latch (16) in pivoting during the first action to hold the latch (16) and the ratchet (22) in the intermediate configuration.

13. Arrangement (10) according to preceding claim, wherein the ratchet (22) and the safety lock (60) are pivotally mounted independently of each other and are elastically stressed by elastic means in the same pivoting direction (S1).

14. Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the latch (16) and the ejector (50) are connected to each other in order to pivot in a locked manner with respect to each other or the latch (16) and the ejector (50) are formed of one piece.

15. Motor vehicle comprising a hood and a lock arrangement (10) capable of cooperating with a striker (100) mounted on the hood, characterized in that the arrangement (10) is according to any one of the preceding claims and is mounted on a chassis of the motor vehicle, in particular the actuator (110) being electrically motorized.