Locking device comprising a shape memory element
The locking device addresses the issue of delayed relocking by using a movable pin mechanism to decouple from the shape memory element, allowing immediate relocking of moving parts, ensuring continuous security.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2020009378
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2020-09-16
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-09-16
AI Technical Summary
Existing locking devices using shape memory elements in vehicles require a cooling period for the element to return to its original shape, leaving the moving part unsecured during this time, preventing immediate relocking.
A locking device with a movable pin that transitions between deployed and retracted positions, allowing the locking element to quickly return to its locked position by decoupling from the shape memory element when unlocked, facilitated by a mechanism involving a stop, constraint elements, and angled cooperation surfaces.
Enables immediate locking and unlocking of moving parts without waiting for the shape memory element to cool, ensuring the moving part remains secured at all times.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Locking device comprising a shape memory element
[0001] The present invention relates to a locking device for a moving part of a vehicle trim element, of the type comprising:
[0002] - a locking element movable in a direction of movement between a locking position and an unlocking position, the locking element being biased towards its locking position,
[0003] - a pawn,
[0004] - a device for actuating the pin comprising a shape memory element, the pin being configured to move the locking element from the locking position to the unlocking position when the actuating device is actuated by changing the shape of the shape memory element.
[0005] The invention also relates to a trim element comprising such a locking device.
[0006] The invention relates, for example, to a locking device for locking a door or cover of a storage compartment, drawer or tray in a closed position on a dashboard or center console of a vehicle.
[0007] To unlock such a moving part and allow its movement, for example, towards an open position, it is known to actuate the locking element to place it in an unlocked position, for example, by deforming a shape memory element integral with the locking element.
[0008] It is, for example, known to pass an electric current through the shape memory element to deform it, for example by shrinkage, in order to move the locking element towards its unlocking position. The deformation of the shape memory element is due to the increase in its temperature resulting from the passage of the electric current.
[0009] However, in order for the locking element to return to its locking position, the shape memory element must cool to return to its original shape, which takes some time. There is therefore a certain period of time during which the moving part cannot be held in the closed position by the locking device.
[0010] One of the aims of the invention is to propose a simple locking device making it possible to lock or unlock the moving part at any time and whatever the shape of the shape memory element.
[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a locking device of the aforementioned type, in in which the pin is movable relative to the locking element in a support direction between:
[0012] - a deployed position, in which the pawn is supported on the worm element locking and moves said locking element from its locking position to its unlocking position when the actuating device is actuated, and
[0013] - a retracted position, in which the pin releases the movement of the element of locking to its locking position, the pin being moved to its retracted position when the locking element is in its unlocking position.
[0014] The shape memory element is thus, initially, coupled to the locking element via the pin, to move the locking element from its locking position to its unlocking position, and is decoupled from the locking element by moving the pin to its retracted position when the locking element is in the unlocking position to allow its rapid return to its locking position under the effect of its constraint. Thus, when an opening followed quickly by a closing of a compartment as described above is desired, it is not necessary to wait for the shape memory element to return to its initial shape to place the locking element in its locking position.
[0015] According to optional characteristics of the invention, considered alone or in any technically conceivable combination:
[0016] - the actuating device is movable in the direction of movement between a actuating position, in which the pin is in its deployed position and moves the locking element between its locked position and its unlocked position, and an intermediate position, in which the pin is in its deployed position and the locking element is in its unlocked position,
[0017] the actuating device being, in addition, movable in the direction of movement between its intermediate position and a release position, the pin passing from its deployed position to its retracted position when the actuating device moves from the intermediate position to the release position while the locking element is in its unlocking position;
[0018] - the locking device comprises a stop, the locking element comprising a complementary stop, the complementary stop cooperating with the stop so as to block the movement of the locking element in the direction of movement when the locking element is in its unlocked position;
[0019] - the device comprises a first constraint element, the first constraint element constraint applying a first constraint force to the locking element in a first direction of movement so as to constrain the locking element to its locking position;
[0020] - the actuating device comprises a second constraint element, the second constraint element applying a second constraint force on the pin in a first support direction so as to constrain the pin towards its deployed position;
[0021] - the locking element comprises a cooperation surface, the pin comprising a complementary cooperation surface, the complementary cooperation surface resting on the cooperation surface in the deployed position of the pawn and being away from the cooperation surface in the retracted position of the pawn,
[0022] the complementary cooperation surface applying a displacement force to the cooperation surface when the pin is in the deployed position and when the actuating device is actuated, the displacement force being applied in a second direction of displacement, opposite to the first direction of displacement in the same direction of displacement and being greater than the first constraint force;
[0023] - the cooperation surface applies a retraction force to the co surface complementary operation when the actuating device moves from its intermediate position to its release position, the retraction force being applied in a second direction of support, opposite to the first direction of support in the same direction of support and being greater than the second constraint force so that it moves the pin (16) from its deployed position to its retracted position;
[0024] - at least one between the cooperation surface and the complementary cooperation surface mentary forms a non-zero angle with the direction of movement, the angle being advantageously between 40° and 50°; and
[0025] - the complementary cooperation surface slides on the cooperation surface when the actuating device is moved between its intermediate position and its release position so that the pin moves between its deployed position and its retracted position.
[0026] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a vehicle trim element of the type comprising:
[0027] - a body,
[0028] - a movable part, movable relative to the body between a closed position and a open position, and
[0029] - a locking device as described above, the moving part being locked in the closed position when the locking member is in its locking position and being movable from the closed position to the open position when the locking member is in its unlocking position.
[0030] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0031] [fig.l] figure 1 is a schematic perspective representation of a trim element for a vehicle comprising a locking device according to the invention, the movable part of the trim element being in an open position,
[0032] [fig.2] figure 2 is a schematic sectional representation of a worm device locking according to the invention, the locking element being in its locking position, the pin being in a deployed position, the actuating device being in an actuating position,
[0033] [fig.3] figure 3 is a schematic sectional representation of the worm device rusting of figure 2, the locking element being in its unlocked position, the pin being in a deployed position, the actuating device being in an intermediate position,
[0034] [fig.4] figure 4 is a schematic sectional representation of the worm device rusting of figure 2, the locking element being in its unlocked position, the pin being between its deployed position and its retracted position, the actuating device being between its intermediate position and its released position and
[0035] [fig.5] figure 5 is a schematic sectional representation of the worm device rusting of figure 2, the locking element being in its unlocked position, the pin being in its retracted position, the actuating device being in a released position.
[0036] A trim element 1 for a vehicle, comprising a body 2 and a moving part 4 is described with reference to Fig. 1.
[0037] The trim element 1 is for example a dashboard, a central console, a door panel or another trim element for the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The body 2 is for example formed by a part to be fixed on a main part of this trim element as shown in Fig. 1, or directly by the main part of the trim element 1.
[0038] The movable part 4 is for example formed by a storage compartment, a drawer, a door allowing access to a storage volume in the body 2 or even a retractable tray in the body 2. The movable part 4 is movable relative to the body 2 between a closed position (not shown), in which the storage volume defined or formed by the movable part 4 is inaccessible, and an open, or deployed, position (visible in Fig. 1), in which the storage volume is accessible from outside the trim element 1. The movement of the movable part 4 between the closed position and the open position is for example a translational or rotational movement relative to the body 2. The movable part 4 is, for example, movable between the open and closed position by translation in an opening direction O.
[0039] The packing element 1 will now be described with reference to the packing element shown in Fig. 1, in which the moving part 4 is a drawer movable in translation relative to the body 2. It is however understood that the invention applies to any type of packing element as long as it comprises a body 2 and a moving part 4 movable relative to the body 2.
[0040] According to the example illustrated in Fig. 1, the trim element 1 comprises a locking device 6 secured to the body 2 of the trim element 1 and configured to hold the movable part 4 in the closed position or to allow its movement towards the open position. The movable part 4 of the trim element 1 comprises a locking support (not visible) arranged to cooperate with the locking device 6 to hold the movable part 4 in the closed position. When the locking device 6 cooperates with the locking support, the movable part 4 is blocked in the closed position.
[0041] According to the example illustrated in Fig. 1, the locking device 6 comprises a locking element 10 secured to the body 2 and capable of cooperating with the moving part 4 to hold the moving part 4 in the closed position. In particular, the locking element 10 is capable of cooperating with the locking support of the moving part 4.
[0042] According to a variant not illustrated, the locking device 6 is integral with the moving part 4. The body 2 then comprises the locking support. The locking element 10 is then integral with the moving part 4 and is able to cooperate with the body 2 to maintain the moving part 4 in the closed position, in particular with the locking support of the body 2.
[0043] In the following, the locking device 6 is described according to the example illustrated in Fig. 1. It is understood that the operation is similar for the variant in which the locking device 6 is integral with the moving part 4.
[0044] The locking element 10 is movable in a direction of movement D between a locking position (visible in Fig. 2) and an unlocking position (visible in Figs. 3 to 5).
[0045] The direction of movement D is characterized by a first direction of movement DI in which the locking element 10 moves towards the locking position and a second direction of movement D2, opposite to the first direction of movement D1, in which the locking element 10 moves towards the unlocking position.
[0046] The locking element 10 extends at least partly in the direction of movement D between a first end 22 and a second end 23.
[0047] In the locking position, the locking element 10 cooperates with the movable part 4 to hold the movable part 4 in the closed position. In particular, the locking element 10 then cooperates with the locking support of the part movable part 4. In other words, in the locking position, the locking element 10 ensures a fixing between the body 2 and the movable part 4 when the movable part is in its closed position. The locking element 10 ensures, for example, the fixing between the body 2 and the movable part 4 by means of a finger (not shown) integral with the locking element 10 and a complementary orifice (not shown) defined by the body 2. In the locking position and when the movable part 4 is in its closed position, the movable part 4 cannot move towards the open position.
[0048] In the unlocked position, the locking element 10 is spaced from the moving part 4 and cannot cooperate with the locking support so that the moving part 4 is free to move between the closed position and the open position. In the unlocked position and when the moving part 4 is in its closed position, the moving part 4 can move to its open position, for example, when the moving part 4 is pulled by a user, moved by a motorized system or due to gravity.
[0049] The movable part 4 is locked in the closed position when the locking element 10 is in its locking position and is movable from the closed position to the open position when the locking element 10 is in its unlocking position.
[0050] The locking device 6 further comprises a stop 12 configured to cooperate with the locking element 10. The stop 12 is, for example, carried by a body element 13 of the body 2.
[0051] With reference to Figs. 2 to 5, the stop 12 is, for example, an added part fixed to the body element 13 of the body 2. The stop 12 is, in particular, fixed to a surface of the body element 13 opposite the locking element 10. According to a variant, the stop 12 is integral with the body element 13.
[0052] The locking element 10 comprises a complementary stop 24 capable of cooperating with the stop 12.
[0053] The complementary stop 24 cooperates with the stop 12 so as to block the movement of the locking element 10 in the second direction of movement D2 when the locking element 10 is in its unlocked position. Thus, in the unlocked position, the stop 12 and the complementary stop 24 bear against each other in the second direction of movement D2, which prevents movement of the locking element 10 beyond the unlocked position in this direction.
[0054] The unlocking position corresponds, for example, to the position of the locking element 10 in which the stop 12 and the complementary stop 24 cooperate. Alternatively, the unlocking position corresponds to an intermediate position in in which the complementary stop 24 is brought closer to the stop 12 without the stop 12 and the complementary stop 24 being in contact.
[0055] The locking device 6 further comprises a first constraint element 14 applying a first constraint force Fci to the locking element 10.
[0056] With reference to Figs. 2 to 5, the first constraint element 14 is, for example, a spring extending substantially in the direction of movement D and exerting a thrust on the locking element 10. The first constraint element 14 is, for example, integral on the one hand with the body element 13 of the body 2 and on the other hand with the first end 22 of the locking element 10. The first constraint element 14 applies the first constraint force Fci to the first end 22 of the locking element 10 in the first direction of movement DI. The first constraint element 14 constrains the locking element 10 towards its locking position.
[0057] The locking device further comprises a pin 16 capable of cooperating with the locking element 10 and an actuation device 18 for the pin 16.
[0058] The pin 16 is movable relative to the locking element 10 in a support direction A between a deployed position (visible in Figs. 2 and 3) and a retracted position (visible in Fig. 5).
[0059] The support direction A is characterized by a first support direction A1 in which the pin 16 moves towards the deployed position and a second support direction A2, opposite to the first support direction A1, in which the pin 16 moves towards the retracted position.
[0060] The support direction A is, for example, orthogonal to the direction of movement D. As will be described below, the pin 16 is, in addition, movable in the direction of movement D, the pin being moved in the second direction of movement D2 when the actuating device 18 is actuated.
[0061] The pin 16 comprises a support portion 27 extending in the support direction A between a first end 28 and a second end 29.
[0062] In the deployed position, the pin 16 bears on the locking element 10. The pin 16 exerts on the locking element 10 a force opposing the first constraint force Fcp. When the actuating device 18 is actuated, the pin 16 is moved in the second direction of movement D2 and exerts a force on the locking element 10 such that the pin 16 moves the locking element 10 from its locking position to its unlocking position.
[0063] In the retracted position, the pin 16 releases the movement of the locking element 10 towards its locking position and is mechanically decoupled from the locking element 10.
[0064] The pin 16 is moved to its retracted position when the locking element 10 is in its unlocked position.
[0065] In particular, the locking element 10 comprises a cooperation surface 26. The cooperation surface 26 is, for example, located on the second end 23 of the locking element 10. The pin 16 comprises a complementary cooperation surface 30 capable of cooperating with the cooperation surface 26 of the locking element 10. The complementary cooperation surface 30 is, for example, located on the second end 29 of the bearing portion 27.
[0066] In the deployed position of the pin 16, the complementary cooperation surface 30 bears on the cooperation surface 26 of the locking element 10.
[0067] In the retracted position of the pin 16, the complementary cooperation surface 30 is away from the cooperation surface 26 of the locking element 10.
[0068] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the complementary cooperation surface 30 applies a displacement force Fd to the cooperation surface 26 when the pin 16 is in the deployed position and when the actuating device 18 is actuated. The displacement force Fd is applied in the second direction of movement D2 and is greater than the first constraint force Fci.
[0069] As will be described below, when the actuating device 18 is actuated, the cooperation surface 26 applies a retraction force Fe to the complementary cooperation surface 30. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the retraction force Fe is applied in the second bearing direction A2-. As will be described below, this retraction force Fe is greater than a second constraint force Fc2 applied by a second constraint element 20 to the pin 16, so that the retraction force Fe moves the pin 16 from its deployed position to its retracted position.
[0070] At least one of the cooperation surface 26 and the complementary cooperation surface 30 forms a non-zero angle α, [3 with the direction of movement D. The angle α is advantageously between 40° and 50°. According to the example illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5, the cooperation surface 26 forms the angle α with the direction of movement D and the complementary cooperation surface 30 forms an angle [3 complementary to the angle α, with the direction of movement D. According to a variant, only one of the cooperation surface 26 and the cooperation surface 30 forms a non-zero angle α with the direction of movement D.
[0071] The actuating device 18 is movable in the direction of movement D between an actuating position (visible in Fig. 2), an intermediate position (visible in Fig. 3) and a release position (visible in Fig. 5). In particular, the actuating device 18 is movable between the actuating, intermediate and release positions by translation in the direction of movement D.
[0072] The actuating device 18 comprises an actuating support 34, the second constraint element 20, a deformable shape memory element 36, an electrical energy source 38 and a control element 39.
[0073] In the actuating position, the pin 16 is in its deployed position and the locking element 10 is either in the locking position (as illustrated in Fig. 2), or in a position between the locking position and the unlocking position (not illustrated).
[0074] In the intermediate position, the pin 16 is in its deployed position and the locking element 10 is in its unlocked position, as seen in Fig. 3.
[0075] In the release position, the pin 16 is in its retracted position and the locking element 10 is free to move towards its locking position, as seen in Fig. 5.
[0076] The pin 16 moves from its deployed position to its retracted position when the actuating device 18 moves from the intermediate position to the release position while the locking element 10 is in its unlocked position. In particular, the pin 16 moves from its deployed position to its retracted position by sliding the complementary cooperation surface 30 on the cooperation surface 26.
[0077] The actuating device 18 is configured to move from the intermediate position to the release position when the complementary stop 24 cooperates with the stop 12.
[0078] The pin 16 is configured to move the locking element 10 from the locking position to the unlocking position, when the actuating device 18 is actuated.
[0079] When the actuating device 18 passes from its intermediate position to its release position, the cooperation surface 26 applies the retraction force Fe to the complementary cooperation surface 30 so as to cause the pin 16 to pass towards its retracted position.
[0080] Due to the non-zero angle α, [3 formed by at least one between the cooperation surface 26 and the complementary cooperation surface 30 with the direction of movement D, the complementary cooperation surface 30 slides on the cooperation surface 26 when the actuating device 18 is moved between its intermediate position and its release position so that the pin 16 moves between its deployed position and its retracted position.
[0081] The actuation support 34 constitutes a support for the second constraint element 20 and for the pin 16.
[0082] The support 34 defines a housing 40 extending in the support direction A between a free edge 42 and a bottom wall 44.
[0083] The pin 16 is movable in the housing 40 between the deployed position and the position hidden.
[0084] The second constraint element 20 applies the second constraint force Fc2 to the pin 16.
[0085] With reference to Figs. 2 to 5, the second constraint element 20 is, for example, a spring extending substantially in the bearing direction A and exerting a thrust on the pin 16. The second constraint element 20 is, for example, integral on the one hand with the bottom wall 44 of the support 34 and on the other hand with the first end 28 of the bearing portion 27 of the pin 16. The second constraint element 20 extends, for example, in the housing 40 between the bottom wall 44 and the first end 28 of the pin 16. The second constraint element 20 applies the second constraint force Fc2 in the first bearing direction A1 on the first end 28 of the pin 16. The second constraint element 20 constrains the pin 16 towards its deployed position.
[0086] The actuating device 18 is actuable by modifying the shape of the shape memory element 36. In particular, the actuating device 18 is configured to be moved between the actuating, intermediate and release positions by modifying the shape of the shape memory element 36.
[0087] The shape memory element 36 is integral with the actuation support 34.
[0088] The shape memory element 36 extends, for example, in a direction extension parallel to the direction of movement D of the locking element 10.
[0089] The shape memory element 36 is deformable between an initial shape and a deformed shape. The deformed shape corresponds, for example, to a retraction of the shape memory element 36 in the direction of movement D. In particular, the shape of the shape memory element 36 depends on its temperature.
[0090] In particular, the shape memory element 36 is composed of a shape memory alloy. When the temperature of the shape memory alloy increases, the alloy contracts, which leads to deformation of the shape memory element 36. When the temperature of the shape memory alloy decreases, the alloy relaxes and returns to its initial shape.
[0091] The shape memory element 36 is configured such that when its temperature increases, a dimension 1 of the shape memory element 36 along the direction of movement D decreases and when its temperature decreases, the dimension 1 of the shape memory element 36 increases.
[0092] The electrical power source 38 is connected to the shape memory element 36. The electrical power source 38 is configurable between an active configuration in which it provides an electrical current flowing through the shape memory element 36 and an inactive configuration in which it does not provide an electrical current. When the electrical current flows through the shape memory element shape 36, the temperature of the shape memory element 36 increases. Thus, when the electrical energy source 38 is in the active configuration, the shape memory element 36 deforms and, in particular, contracts. When the electrical energy source 38 is in the active configuration, the dimension 1 of the shape memory element 36 decreases.
[0093] When the electrical energy source 38 is in the inactive configuration, the shape memory element 36 deforms and, in particular, relaxes. The dimension 1 of the shape memory element 36 then increases.
[0094] The deformation of the shape memory element 36 is reversible. In other words, after being heated from an initial temperature to a heating temperature and then cooled from the heating temperature to the initial temperature, the shape memory element 36 returns to its initial shape. The time required for the shape memory element 36 to return to its initial shape is, for example, between 1 second and 3 seconds.
[0095] The control element 39 is connected to the electrical energy source 38. The control element 39 is configured to control the electrical energy source 38 between the active configuration and the inactive configuration.
[0096] The control element 39 is, for example, intended to be manipulated by a user. The control element 39 is, for example, a button or a handle.
[0097] In the following, a method of operating the locking device 6 as described above is described.
[0098] It is considered that initially the moving part 4 is in the closed position and that the locking device 6 maintains the moving part 4 in the closed position. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the locking element 10 is therefore in the locking position.
[0099] To move the moving part 4 into the open position, a user actuates the control element 39 to control the electrical energy source 38 into the active configuration. The shape memory element 36 contracts, which actuates the actuating device 18. The pin 16 then moves the locking element 10 from its locking position to its unlocking position. The movement of the locking element in the second direction of movement D2 is blocked when the stop 12 and the complementary stop 24 cooperate.
[0100] The moving part 4 can then move into its open position.
[0101] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the pin 16 continues to move in the direction of movement D in the second direction of movement D2, which causes the pin to move from its deployed position to its retracted position. As illustrated in Fig. 5, when the pin 16 is in the retracted position, the actuating device 18 is in the released position.
[0102] In the release position, the locking element 10 and the pin 16 are mechanically decoupled. The first constraint force Fci applied by the first constraint element 14 to the locking element 10 causes the locking element 10 to move towards its locking position.
[0103] The moving part 4 can then be placed back in its closed position and held there by the locking device 6 without waiting for the shape memory element 36 to cool.
[0104] Upon cooling, the shape memory element 36 returns to its initial shape. The actuating device 18 moves in the first direction of movement DI to its actuating position. When the shape memory element 36 has returned to its initial shape, it is possible to actuate the actuating device 18 to place the moving part 4 in the open position again.
[0105] The locking device 6 proposed by the invention allows the moving part 4 to pass between its closed position and its open position freely while retaining the possibility of locking the moving part in its closed position at any time without being forced to respect a cooling time for the shape memory element 36.
[0106] The locking device 6 provides a simple means of coupling the locking element 10 with the shape memory element 36 when the locking element is to be moved into the unlocking position and of decoupling the locking element 10 with the shape memory element 36 when the moving part 4 is to be locked in the closed position.
Claims
Claims
1. Locking device (6) for a movable part (4) of a trim element (1) of a vehicle, comprising: - a locking element (10) movable in a direction of movement (D) between a locking position and an unlocking position, the locking element (10) being forced towards its locking position, - a pin (16), - an actuating device (18) for the pin (16) comprising a shape memory element (36), the pin (16) being configured to move the locking element (10) from the locking position to the unlocking position when the actuating device (18) is actuated by modifying the shape of the shape memory element (36), the locking device (6) being characterized in that the pin (16) is movable relative to the locking element (10) in a bearing direction (A) between: - a deployed position, in which the pin (16) rests on the locking element (10) and moves said locking element (10) from its locking position to its unlocking position when the actuating device (18) is actuated, and - a retracted position, in which the pin (16) releases the movement of the locking element (10) towards its locking position, the pin (16) being moved towards its retracted position when the locking element (10) is in its unlocking position.
2. Locking device (6) according to claim 1, wherein the actuating device (18) is movable in the direction of movement (D) between an actuating position, in which the pin (16) is in its deployed position and moves the locking element (10) between its locking position and its unlocking position, and an intermediate position, in which the pin (16) is in its deployed position and the locking element (10) is in its unlocking position, the actuating device (18) being, in addition, movable in the direction of movement (D) between its intermediate position and a release position, the pin (16) passing from its deployed position to its retracted position when the actuating device (18) moves from the intermediate position to the release position while the locking element (10) is in its unlocked position.
3. Locking device (6) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a stop (12), the locking element (10) comprising a complementary stop (24), the complementary stop (24) cooperating with the stop (12) so as to block the movement of the locking element (10) in the direction of movement (D) when the locking element (10) is in its unlocked position.
4. A locking device (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a first constraint element (14), the first constraint element (14) applying a first constraint force (Fci) to the locking element (10) in a first direction of movement (Dl) so as to constrain the locking element (10) towards its locking position.
5. Locking device (6) according to claim 4, wherein the actuating device (18) comprises a second constraint element (20), the second constraint element (20) applying a second constraint force (Fc2) on the pin (16) in a first bearing direction (Al) so as to constrain the pin (16) towards its deployed position.
6. Locking device (6) according to claim 5, wherein the locking element (10) comprises a cooperation surface (26), the pin (16) comprising a complementary cooperation surface (30), the complementary cooperation surface (30) bearing on the cooperation surface (26) in the deployed position of the pin (16) and being away from the cooperation surface (26) in the retracted position of the pin (16), the complementary cooperation surface (30) applying a displacement force (Fd) on the cooperation surface when the pin (16) is in the deployed position and when the actuating device (18) is actuated, the displacement force (Fd) being applied in a second direction of displacement (D2), opposite to the first direction of displacement (Dl) in the same direction of displacement (D) and being greater than the first constraint force (Fci).
7. Locking device (6) according to claim 6, in which the cooperation surface (26) applies a retraction force (Fe) on the complementary cooperation surface (30) when the actuating device (18) passes from its intermediate position to its release position, the retraction force (Fe) being applied according to a second support direction (A2), opposite to the first support direction (Al) in the same support direction (A) and being greater than the second constraint force (Fc2) so that it moves the pin (16) from its deployed position to its retracted position.
8. Locking device (6) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least one of the cooperation surface (26) and the complementary cooperation surface (30) forms a non-zero angle (a, |3) with the direction of movement, the angle (a, |3) being advantageously between 40° and 50°.
9. Locking device (6) according to claim 8 taken in combination with claim 2, in which the complementary cooperation surface (30) slides on the cooperation surface (26) when the actuating device (18) is moved between its intermediate position and its release position so that the pin (16) moves between its deployed position and its retracted position.
10. A trim element (1) of a vehicle comprising: - a body (2), - a movable part (4), movable relative to the body (2) between a closed position and an open position, and - a locking device (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the movable part (4) being locked in the closed position when the locking element (10) is in its locking position and being movable from the closed position to the open position when the locking element (10) is in its unlocking position.