Vehicle striker, and associated vehicle door lock mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle striker (1), in particular for an automotive vehicle, said striker (1) comprising a first side (1A) with a plate portion (3A) configured to be arranged on the vehicle body (V) and a second side (1B) with a loop portion (7B) configured to interact with an associated latch assembly (200) to close a door of the vehicle. The second side (1B) further comprises another plate portion (3B) configured to be arranged on the vehicle body (V) and the first side (1A) further comprises another loop portion (7A) configured to interact with another associated latch assembly (200), the loop portions (7A, 7B) of the first side (1A) and of the second side (1B) being of different sizes. The invention also relates to a lock mechanism (100) comprising such a striker (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of a vehicle door lock mechanism to ensure the closing of vehicle doors. In particular, the invention relates to a striker intended to be used with a latch assembly of the lock mechanism.

[0002] In the following, the term "door" is used in its widest sense to indicate any member movable between an open and a closed position to open and close an access opening to an internal compartment of a vehicle, and therefore includes hoods and rear doors, trunks, or front trunks, also known as "frunks", in addition to the vehicle side doors.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Nowadays, vehicles are equipped with vehicle door lock mechanisms. A lock mechanism comprises a supporting body usually fixed to a door of the vehicle and a latch assembly fitted to the supporting body and which engages a striker. The striker is an equipment arranged on the vehicle body next to the door, it is usually integral with a door pillar. The striker is configured to interact with the latch assembly of the door to ensure the closing of the door.

[0004] According to known embodiments, the latch assembly comprises a claw hinged to the supporting body about a fixed first pin and loaded elastically into a release position.

[0005] The striker usually comprises a plate portion which is fixed to the vehicle body, such as the door pillar, for instance by screws, and a wire fixed to the plate portion and defining a loop portion.

[0006] When the vehicle door is closed, the striker enters in contact with the latch assembly. More precisely, the loop portion of the striker is received in a recess of the latch assembly and is restrained by the claw. It is a full-lock position. On the contrary, when the door is open, the striker is located outside of the latch assembly. A partial-lock position may be established, between the release position and the full-lock position, in which the striker is locked inside the claw and prevented in known manner from withdrawing.

[0007] Further, the distance or height between the latch assembly and the vehicle body, such as the door pillar, on which the striker is fixed, varies depending on each vehicle geometry or architecture, the environment, and kinematics features.

[0008] Therefore, several strikers of different heights are generally used in the automotive industry. Even for one given application, a car manufacturer needs to provide for a same latch assembly, strikers of different heights to adapt to each vehicle geometry or architecture. The car manufacturer shall then tool several heights of strikers or striker wires. This requires one striker for each type or range of vehicle, leading to high costs, even when the required performances of the striker, such as mechanical resistance, are not so high, as for instance for a frunk or hood application.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle striker designed to eliminate, in a low-cost manner, the aforementioned drawback. Another object of the invention is to limit the number of variants of strikers needed.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention refers to a vehicle striker, in particular for an automotive vehicle, said striker comprising a first side with a plate portion configured to be arranged on the vehicle body and a second side with a loop portion configured to interact with an associated latch assembly to close a door of the vehicle.

[0011] According to the invention, the second side further comprises another plate portion configured to be arranged on the vehicle body and the first side further comprises another loop portion configured to interact with another associated latch assembly, the loop portions of the first side and of the second side being of different sizes.

[0012] Thus, a unique striker exhibits two sizes which can apply to two types of vehicle architectures.

[0013] In addition, the vehicle striker may have one or more of the following features described below, either separately or in combination.

[0014] The first side and the second side may be made from a single piece.

[0015] Both sides may have a same length. More particularly, the loop portions of both sides may have a same length.

[0016] One side may be larger than the other side. More particularly, the loop portion of one side may be larger than the loop portion of the other side.

[0017] One side may be longer than the other side. More particularly, the loop portion of one side may be longer than the loop portion of the other side.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the first side may extend mainly along a first direction and the second side may extend mainly along a second direction different from the first direction.

[0019] The first side may include a first plate portion and a first loop portion extending from the first plate portion in the first direction.

[0020] The second side may include a second plate portion and a second loop portion extending from the second plate portion in the second direction.

[0021] The first side and the second side may be contiguous.

[0022] The first side and the second side may be bent with respect to each other.

[0023] For example, the first plate portion and the second plate portion may be bent at 90° with respect to each other.

[0024] The vehicle striker may be configured to be arranged on the vehicle body according to at least two positions.

[0025] In one position, the first plate portion may be configured to be fixed on the vehicle body and the second loop portion may be configured to extend towards the associated latch assembly.

[0026] In another position, the second plate portion may be configured to be fixed on the vehicle body and the first loop portion may be configured to extend towards the other associated latch assembly.

[0027] According to an embodiment, the vehicle striker may define a general L-shaped section.

[0028] At least one of the first side and second side may include a frame with a central opening defining the respective loop portion.

[0029] Both loop portions may be formed by a respective frame with a central opening.

[0030] At least one plate portion may comprise holes for fixing said striker to the vehicle body.

[0031] The vehicle striker may comprise a poka-yoke fixing system.

[0032] Both plate portions may comprise holes for fixing said striker to said vehicle body.

[0033] The first side may comprise holes on its plate portion spaced apart by a first distance.

[0034] The second side may comprise holes on its plate portion spaced apart by a second distance different from the first distance.

[0035] The invention also relates to a lock mechanism for a door of a vehicle, in particular of an automotive vehicle. The lock mechanism comprises at least one striker as defined above and at least one latch assembly, said striker and latch assembly being intended to be fixed on parts of the vehicle, mobile to each other.

[0036] The latch assembly may be able to maintain the striker in at least one lock position.

[0037] The latch assembly may comprise a claw with a recess adapted to receive at least a portion of the loop portion of the first side or of the second side of the striker by rotating around the portion of said loop portion.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] FIG.1 is a perspective view of a lock mechanism including a striker according to an embodiment of the present invention and attached to a vehicle body according to a first configuration. FIG.2 is a perspective view of the striker of figure 1. FIG.3 is a perspective view of the striker of figure 1 attached to the vehicle body according to a second configuration. FIG.4a is a view of a striker according to another embodiment of the present invention before bending two sides of the striker. FIG.4b is a cross-section of the striker of figure 4a.

[0039] In these figures, the identical elements have the same reference numbers. Only the elements necessary for the understanding of the invention are shown.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] The following embodiments are examples. Although, the specification refers to one or several embodiments, it does not imply that each reference refers to the same embodiment or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments can also be combined to provide other embodiments, without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.

[0041] In the description, certain elements may be indexed, for example first element or second element. In this case, it is a simple indexing to differentiate and name similar but not identical elements. This indexing does not imply a priority of one element over another and such names can easily be interchanged without going beyond the scope of the present invention. Nor does this indexation imply an order in time.

[0042] The present invention refers to a lock mechanism 100 for a door of a vehicle, in particular of an automotive vehicle, an embodiment of which being represented in figure 1. The lock mechanism 100 comprises at least one striker 1 and at least one latch assembly 200. The striker 1 and the latch assembly 200 are intended to be fixed on parts of the vehicle, while being mobile to each other. The latch assembly 200 is configured to maintain the striker 1 in one or more lock positions as described thereafter.

[0043] The present invention refers in particular to the striker 1.

[0044] The striker 1 may be made of a single piece (1-piece element), for example a metallic piece such as a steel piece. Any other material may also be used.

[0045] Figures 1 and 2 represent a first embodiment of such striker 1. The striker 1 comprises at least two sides, a first side 1A and a second side 1B. The first side 1A and the second side 1B may be made from the single piece. The first side 1A and the second side 1B are of different sizes.

[0046] The difference between the sizes of the first side 1A and the second side 1B can be due to a length difference and / or a width difference of both sides 1A, 1B.

[0047] One side may be longer than the other side. Alternatively, both sides 1A, 1B may have a same length.

[0048] As a variant or in addition to a length difference, one side may be larger than the other side. Alternatively, both sides 1A, 1B may have a same width.

[0049] Both sides 1A, 1B may have a same thickness.

[0050] The first side 1A and the second side 1B may be contiguous and bent or folded with respect to each other. In an advantageous way, the junction is rounded at the fold between both sides 1A, 1B.

[0051] The first side 1A may extend mainly along a first direction D1 while the second side 1B may extend mainly along a second direction D2 different from the first direction D1. For example, as illustrated in figure 2, the first side 1A and the second side 1B are bent at 90° with respect to each other. In other words, the second side 1B is bent with an angle, such as a 90° angle, with respect to the general plane defined by the first side 1A.

[0052] The striker 1 may thus define a general L-shaped cross section, especially when one side is longer than the other one. Alternatively, both sides 1A, 1B may have a same length.

[0053] Further, the striker 1 comprises at least one plate portion 3A, 3B configured to be arranged and fixed on a vehicle body V.

[0054] In the described embodiment, each side 1A, 1B includes a respective plate portion 3A, 3B. The first side 1A includes a first plate portion 3A and the second side 1B includes a second plate portion 3B.

[0055] At least one plate portion 3A, 3B may comprise one or more holes 5 for fixing the striker 1 to the vehicle body V, for instance by screws. Both plate portions 3A, 3B may comprise one or more holes 5. As in the example of figure 2, the plate portions 3A, 3B may comprise each two holes 5. A different number of holes 5 may be used. The holes 5 may be chamfered or not.

[0056] The striker 1 also comprises at least one loop portion 7A, 7B. Such loop portion 7A, 7B is configured to interact with the latch assembly 200 to close a door of the vehicle.

[0057] For example, the loop portion 7A, 7B is made from an elongated part of the striker 1. The elongated part may define a rectangular or squared general shape. Other shapes or sections such as a circular shape may also be used.

[0058] In the described embodiment, each side 1A, 1B includes a respective loop portion 7A, 7B. The first side 1A includes a first loop portion 7A and the second side 1B includes a second loop portion 7B.

[0059] More specifically, the first side 1A includes a first plate portion 3A and a first loop portion 7A extending from the first plate portion 3A in the first direction D1. Similarly, the second side 1B includes a second plate portion 3B and a second loop portion 7B extending from the second plate portion 3B in the second direction D2.

[0060] At least one loop portion or both loop portions 7A, 7B, may be formed by a respective frame with a central opening. In other words, one or both loop portions 7A, 7B may be obtained by material removal, for example in a central part of the frame, having the desired shape for the loop portion(s) 7A, 7B. For instance, the central portion that is removed may be a square or rectangular portion.

[0061] The frame defining the loop portion 7A, 7B of each side 1A, 1B of the striker 1 can be continuous with plate portion 3A, 3B of the respective side 1A, 1B.

[0062] Moreover, the plate portions 3A, 3B and the frames defining the loop portion 7A, 7B of each side 1A, 1B of the striker 1 may be manufactured from a single monobloc piece to obtain the desired shape and bent sides 1A, 1B of the striker 1. The striker 1 may be manufactured with a stamping process including a folding, such as a 90° folding.

[0063] Besides, the first loop portion 7A and the second loop portion 7B have different sizes. One loop portion may be longer than the other. As a variant or in addition, one loop portion may be larger than the other one.

[0064] The plate portions 3A, 3B of both sides 1A, 1B may be similar. On the contrary, both plate portions 3A, 3B may present different sizes, for instance different lengths and / or different widths.

[0065] According to a first embodiment of the striker 1, as shown in figures 1 to 3, one side, for instance the second side 1B is longer than the first side 1A. In particular, one loop portion, in this example the second loop portion 7B is longer than the other, here the first loop portion 7A.

[0066] Both sides 1A, 1B of the striker 1 may have a same width, as shown, or not.

[0067] As shown in the particular example of figure 2, the plate portions 3A, 3B of both sides 1A, 1B may be similar, even identical. Both plate portions 3A, 3B are also symmetrical.

[0068] According to a second embodiment of the striker 1, as shown in figures 4a, 4b, one side, for instance the second side 1B is larger than the first side 1A. In particular, one loop portion is larger than the other. In this example, the first side 1A has a loop portion 7A with a first width W1 while the second side 1B has a loop portion 7B with a second width W2 superior to the first width W1.

[0069] As shown in the particular example of figure 4a, the plate portions 3A, 3B of both sides 1A, 1B are not identical. One of the plate portions, here the second plate portion 3B, is bigger than the other one, here the first plate portion 3A, for instance in the width direction W1, W2 of both sides 1A, 1B.

[0070] Besides, both sides 1A, 1B of the striker 1 may have a same length L1, as shown, or not.

[0071] According to one or the other embodiment, the striker 1 may further comprise a poka-yoke fixing system. For instance, the holes 5 on both sides 1A, 1B may be spaced apart by different distances d1, d2. As shown in the example figure 4a, the holes 5 on the first plate portion 3A (first side 1A) are spaced apart by a first distance d1, and the holes 5 on the second plate portion 3B (second side 1B) are spaced apart by a second distance d2, which is different from the first distance d1. In this example, the second distance d2 is superior to the first distance d1.

[0072] The distances d1, d2, are considered, for example, from the centre-to-centre distance of the two holes 5 on both plate portions 3A, 3B, both sides 1A, 1B.

[0073] The figure 4a relates to the second embodiment of the striker 1, but a striker 1 according to another embodiment, as the first embodiment of figures 1 to 3, can also be manufactured with the poka-yoke fixing system as described above.

[0074] Furthermore, the striker 1 of the present invention, regardless the first or second embodiment, is configured to be arranged on the vehicle body according to at least two positions.

[0075] Referring to figure 1, the striker 1 can be arranged in one position wherein the first plate portion 3A, of the first side 1A, is fixed on the vehicle body V, for instance by screwing.

[0076] In this position, the first loop portion 7A, more precisely the frame defining the first loop portion 7A, extends in line with the first plate portion 3A, leaning against the vehicle body V.

[0077] In that case, the second loop portion 7B, of the second side 1B, extends towards the associated latch assembly 200, when mounted in the vehicle.

[0078] The latch assembly 200 is able to maintain the striker 1 in that position. To this end, the latch assembly may comprise a claw 201 with a recess adapted to receive at least a portion of the second loop portion 7B by rotating around the portion of the second loop portion 7B.

[0079] Referring to figure 3, the striker 1 can be arranged in another position, wherein the second plate portion 3B (second side 1B) is fixed on the vehicle body V.

[0080] In this position, the second loop portion 7B, more precisely the frame delimiting the second loop portion 7B, extends in line with the second plate portion 3B, leaning against the vehicle body V.

[0081] In that case, the first loop portion 7A (first side 1A), extends towards the associated latch assembly (not shown in figure 3), when mounted in the vehicle.

[0082] As previously, the latch assembly is able to maintain the striker 1 in that other position, the latch assembly comprising a claw with a recess adapted to receive at least a portion of the first loop portion 7A of the first part 1A by rotating around the portion of the first loop portion 7A.

[0083] As known, and not described more in detail, the latch assembly 200 which is able to cooperate with the first or second loop portion 7A, 7B, depending on the configuration on the vehicle body V (figure 1 or figure 3), usually also comprises a pawl configured to cooperate with the claw 201 to enable or to block the rotation of the claw 201. In a general manner, the claw 201 is configured to rotate at least between a closed state wherein the striker 1, more precisely the first loop portion 7A or the second loop portion 7B, is restrained in the recess, thus being in a lock position with the door being fully closed, and an opened state freeing the striker 1. The rotation of the claw 201 may also be blocked in an intermediate state wherein the striker 1, more precisely the first loop portion 7A or the second loop portion 7B, is restrained in the recess, which corresponds to a position of the door which is partially closed, that is to say, the door is not fully closed but cannot be opened without acting on an inner / outer handle of the vehicle door for example.

[0084] The figures 1 and 3 relate to the first embodiment of the striker 1. Of course, the description ahead relating to the configurations for mounting the striker 1 on the vehicle body V (position figure 1 or position figure 3) also applies to the striker 1 according to another embodiment, as the second embodiment shown figures 4a, 4b.

[0085] Thus, the striker 1 as described above integrates at least two variants with the two sides 1A, 1B. This solution allows two sizes of the two sides 1A, 1B in a single striker 1. On each side 1A, 1B, the respective loop portion 7A, 7B has a different size. Each side 1A, 1B ensures a striker 1 size (height and / or width), while the other side ensures the fixing to the vehicle body V. It is then possible to set one or the other side 1A, 1B of the striker 1 according to the vehicle configuration, the space available, the height needed. The striker 1 can thus be adapted to the vehicle by choosing one or the other side to be fixed on the vehicle body V and to cooperate with the latch assembly 200.

[0086] This solution allows also to implement a poka-yoke with screw inter axis difference, in order to secure the assembly according to vehicle. This allows to manage the correct fixing in the vehicle.

[0087] Furthermore, thanks to the bent sides 1A, 1B to each other, the striker 1 can interface the vehicle body V, such as the hood, trunk or front trunk, also known as "frunk", without intrusive effect.

Claims

1. Vehicle striker (1), in particular for an automotive vehicle, said striker (1) comprising a first side (1A) with a plate portion (3A) configured to be arranged on the vehicle body (V) and a second side (1B) with a loop portion (7B) configured to interact with an associated latch assembly (200) to close a door of the vehicle, characterized in that the second side (1B) further comprises another plate portion (3B) configured to be arranged on the vehicle body (V) and the first side (1A) further comprises another loop portion (7A) configured to interact with another associated latch assembly (200), the loop portions (7A, 7B) of the first side (1A) and of the second side (1B) being of different sizes.

2. Vehicle striker (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first side (1A) and the second side (1B) are made from a single piece.

3. Vehicle striker (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the loop portion (7B) of one side (1B) is larger and / or longer than the loop portion (7A) of the other side (1A).

4. Vehicle striker (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein both sides (1A, 1B) have a same length (L1).

5. Vehicle striker (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first side (1A) extends mainly along a first direction (D1) and the second side (1B) extends mainly along a second direction (D2) different from the first direction (D1).

6. Vehicle striker (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein: - the first side (1A) includes a first plate portion (3A) and a first loop portion (7A) extending from the first plate portion (3A) in the first direction (D1), - the second side (1B) includes a second plate portion (3B) and a second loop portion (7B) extending from the second plate portion (3B) in the second direction (D2), and - the first side (1A) and the second side (1B) are contiguous and bent with respect to each other.

7. Vehicle striker (1) according to the preceding claim, configured to be arranged on the vehicle body (V) according to at least two positions, wherein: - in one position, the first plate portion (3A) is configured to be fixed on the vehicle body (V) and the second loop portion (7B) is configured to extend towards the associated latch assembly (200), and - in another position, the second plate portion (3B) is configured to be fixed on the vehicle body (V) and the first loop portion (7A) is configured to extend towards the other associated latch assembly (200).

8. Vehicle striker (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first plate portion (3A) and the second plate portion (3B) are bent at 90° with respect to each other.

9. Vehicle striker (1) according to any of the preceding claims, defining a general L-shaped section.

10. Vehicle striker (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first side (1A) and second side (1B), includes a frame with a central opening defining the respective loop portion (7A, 7B).

11. Vehicle striker (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one plate portion (3A, 3B) comprises holes (5) for fixing said striker (1) to the vehicle body (V).

12. Vehicle striker (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a poka-yoke fixing system.

13. Vehicle striker (1) according to claims 11 and 12, wherein: - the first side (1A) comprises holes (5) on its plate portion (3A) spaced apart by a first distance (d1), and - the second side (1B) comprises holes (5) on its plate portion (3B) spaced apart by a second distance (d2) different from the first distance (d1).

14. Lock mechanism (100) for a door of a vehicle, in particular of an automotive vehicle, comprising at least one striker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and at least one latch assembly (200), said striker (1) and latch assembly (200) being intended to be fixed on parts of the vehicle, mobile to each other, the latch assembly (200) being able to maintain the striker (1) in at least one lock position, the latch assembly (200) comprising a claw (201) with a recess adapted to receive at least a portion of the loop portion (7A, 7B) of the first side (1A) or of the second side (1B) of the striker (1) by rotating around the portion of said loop portion (7A, 7B).

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