LOCKING DEVICE FOR VEHICLE HOOD

Abstract

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a locking device for a vehicle hood which enables the hood to be easily opened and closed and which is relatively compact, operates smoothly and ensures that the latch and pawl engage securely when opening and closing the hood.The above-mentioned problem can be solved by a vehicle hood locking device 1 provided with a rotating member 5 supported on a latch 3 by a rotating shaft 11, the rotating member having an engagement forcing portion 52 which, when the latch 3 rotates from a primary locking position to a secondary locking position, presses a retainer 62 of the pawl 6 to move the retainer 62 away from the movement path L1 of the engagement forcing portion 52, thereby forcing the pawl 6 to rotate in the engagement direction and which, when the latch 3 rotates in the locking direction from the unlocking position, is pressed by the retainer 62 and thus rotated in the direction of moving away from the retainer 62. Abstract Figure: Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: LOCKING DEVICE FOR VEHICLE HOOD STATE OF THE ART

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle hood locking device for opening and closing the hood of a vehicle, and in particular to a vehicle hood locking device which enables the hood to be easily opened and closed, has a relatively compact size, operates smoothly when opening and closing the hood, and ensures that the latch and pawl engage securely.

[0002] HISTORY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Conventional vehicle hood latch devices for locking the front trunk (also known as the frunk) or front engine hood of a vehicle such as a motor car are mounted near the front of the front trunk or on the radiator core support in the engine compartment and include a primary latch engaging a striker provided on the hood pivoted on the vehicle body so as to open and close vertically, a pawl that holds the hood in the fully closed position by engaging the primary latch engaged with the striker, and a secondary latch for holding the hood in a semi-open position, i.e., slightly open relative to the fully closed position by engaging the striker disengaged from the primary latch.Opening the hood by means of such a conventional device requires a first and a second actuation from a safety point of view: during the first actuation, the pawl and the primary latch are disengaged in response to the actuation of an opening handle or similar means located near the driver's seat to place the hood in a semi-open position; during the second actuation, the user moves towards the front of the vehicle with the hood in a semi-open position and places his hand in the space between the front edge of the hood and the grille, actuating the disengagement handle provided on the secondary latch.

[0004] However, such a vehicle hood locking device has a disadvantage: during the second actuation, the user must insert his hand into the space between the hood and the grille from outside the vehicle to grope and operate the secondary latch release handle, which is difficult, particularly in vehicles whose hood locking device is located in a rearward position, resulting in poor maneuverability.

[0005] Therefore, there has been proposed a locking device for a vehicle hood in which a first actuation using the opening handle or the control switch provided inside the vehicle cabin causes the latch engaging the striker to rotate from the primary locking position (corresponding to the fully closed position of the hood) to the secondary locking position (corresponding to the first half-open position of the hood) and a second actuation causes rotation to the unlocking position where the striker can move out of the latch (corresponding to the second half-open position of the hood), thereby opening the hood.In this type of hood locking device, the user no longer needs, after opening the hood locking device halfway, to reach into the gap between the hood and the grille from outside the vehicle and grope for and operate the release handle, as was previously the case.

[0006] Such a hood locking device is described, for example, in US2022-0162887A1 (patent document 1) as a locking system for a vehicle hood or trunk comprising a latch (called a "ratchet" in patent document 1) and a primary pawl and a secondary pawl (called "a primary pawl and a secondary pawl" in patent document 1), wherein: in the primary locking position (called the "primary closed position" in patent document 1), the latch engages with the primary pawl to hold the striker, and the first actuation on the operating device disengages the latch from the primary pawl to turn the latch from the primary locking position; in the secondary locking position (called the "secondary closed position" in patent document 1),the latch engages with the secondary pawl to hold the striker in position and the second actuation on the operating device disengages the latch from the secondary pawl to rotate the latch from the secondary locking position to the unlocking position "a fully open position" in patent document 1) where the striker can engage the latch, thereby allowing the hood to be opened. The device described in patent document 1 is superior to conventional two-latch devices having a primary latch and a secondary latch, in that a single latch can hold the striker in both the primary and secondary latch positions. However, the device of patent document 1 has two pawls, which makes it a complex and expensive structure and also requires more advanced miniaturization.

[0007] Thus, JP2022-073691A (patent document 2) proposes a locking device for a vehicle hood which is compact and has reduced manufacturing costs, the device comprising a latch, on the one hand, which has a primary latch portion and a secondary latch portion and can rotate from a locking position primary (corresponding to a fully closed position of the hood) where the latch engages with the striker, passing through a secondary locking position (corresponding to a first half-open position of the hood) to an unlocking position (corresponding to a second half-open position of the hood) where the striker can be disengaged and, on the other hand, a pawl with a claw which can engage with each of the primary and secondary latch parts, the pawl being rotatable in the disengagement direction from the engagement position where the claw is engaged with each of the primary and secondary latch parts in response to the actuation of the disengagement operating means, the aforementioned device comprising an engagement forcing part which, when the latch rotates from the primary locking position to the secondary locking position,forces the pawl to rotate in the direction of engagement where the pawl engages with the latch in the middle between the aforementioned positions by contacting a stop provided on the pawl.

[0008] According to the device of patent document 2, the striker can be held in the primary and secondary locking positions by a single latch and a single pawl, which allows miniaturization and a reduction in manufacturing costs. However, according to the device of patent document 2, even while the latch rotates in the closing direction through the entry of the striker, said engagement forcing portion contacts the pawl stop relatively strongly, which can reduce the rotation force of the latch and thus impair the operability.

[0009] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0010] Patent documents

[0011] Patent Document 1: US2022-0162887A1

[0012] Patent document 2: JP2022-073691A Summary of the invention

[0013] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0014] The present invention therefore aims to provide a locking device for a vehicle hood which allows the hood to be opened and closed easily, has a relatively compact size, operates smoothly when opening and closing the hood and ensures that the latch and pawl engage securely.

[0015] WAYS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS

[0016] As a result of their research for the above-mentioned purpose, the inventors arrived at the present invention after discovering that a locking device for a vehicle hood which allows the hood to be easily opened and closed, has a relatively compact size, operates smoothly when opening and closing, and is suitable for use in vehicles with a vehicle hood. closing the hood and ensures that the latch and the pawl engage securely, can be achieved by providing a rotating member which is supported by a rotating shaft provided on a latch and which is provided with an engagement forcing portion which, on the one hand, when the latch rotates from a primary locking position to a secondary locking position, presses on a stopper of the pawl, thereby moving the stopper out of the path of movement of the engagement forcing portion and forcing the pawl to rotate in the direction in which it engages with the latch, and which, on the other hand, when the latch rotates in the locking direction from an unlocking position, is pressed by the stopper, thereby causing the rotating member to rotate in the direction of moving away from the stopper.

[0017] Thus, the locking device for a vehicle hood according to the present invention comprises:

[0018] a base plate fixed to a vehicle body and having a striker entry notch into which or from which a striker provided on a hood supported by said vehicle body in an openable and closable manner moves or retracts respectively depending on each closing or opening movement of said hood;

[0019] a latch which is rotatably supported on said base plate by means of a latch shaft provided at a position orthogonally separated from said striker entry notch and which has an engagement notch in which said striker engages, said latch pivoting between a primary locking position in which said latch engages with said striker engaged in said striker entry notch and holds said hood in a fully closed position, a secondary locking position in which said latch holds said hood in a slightly more open position than in said fully closed position, and an unlocking position in which said striker can move forward or backward; and

[0020] a pawl which is rotatably supported on said base plate by means of a pawl shaft provided in an area opposite said latch shaft through said striker entry notch, maintains said latch in said primary locking position by engaging with said latch, and allows, by rotating in response to an actuation of a disengagement operating means, to move said latch from the primary locking position to the unlocking position via said secondary locking position;

[0021] said latch comprising, on the one hand, a primary latch portion which is provided on the side of a locking direction relative to said engagement notch and which engages with said pawl in said primary locking position and, on the other hand, a secondary latch portion which is provided on the side of said locking direction relative to said primary latch portion and which engages with said pawl in said secondary locking position;

[0022] said pawl comprising a claw which, when engaged with said primary latch portion, places said latch in a first engagement state in which said latch is held in said primary locking position and which, when engaged with the secondary latch portion, places said latch in a second engagement state in which said latch is held in said secondary locking position, said pawl rotating when said claw disengages from each of said first and second engagement states in response to actuation of said disengagement operating means; and

[0023] when said disengagement operating means is actuated on said pawl which is in said first engagement state, said claw disengages from said primary latch portion and immediately thereafter engages with said secondary latch portion and, when said disengagement operating means is actuated on said pawl in said second engagement state, said claw disengages from said secondary latch portion, to allow said latch to rotate to the unlocking position, thereby opening said hood from said closed position by actuating said disengagement operating means twice;

[0024] said locking device for a vehicle hood being characterized in that it comprises a rotating member which is supported by a rotating shaft provided on said latch on the side of an unlocking direction with respect to said engagement notch of said latch and which comprises an engagement forcing part which, when said latch rotates from said primary locking position to said secondary locking position, contacts a stopper in the middle between these primary and secondary locking positions, said stopper being provided on said pawl on the side opposite to said claw through said pawl shaft;

[0025] when said latch rotates from said primary locking position to said secondary locking position, said engagement forcing portion presses said retainer to move said retainer out of a path of movement of said engagement forcing portion, so that said rotatable member forces said pawl to rotate in a direction where said claw engages with said latch; and

[0026] when said latch rotates from said unlocking position in said locking direction, said engagement forcing portion is pressed by said stopper, so that said rotating member rotates in a direction where it moves away from said stopper.

[0027] According to a first preferred example of the invention, said rotary member further comprises a stopper which is provided on the side opposite said engagement forcing portion through said rotary shaft and which contacts said rotation stopper provided on said latch, said stopper being pushed by a force element for holding of initial position in a direction where said stopper comes into contact with said rotation stopper;

[0028] when said latch rotates from said primary locking position to said secondary locking position, said engagement forcing portion presses said stopper, in a non-rotational state where said stopper is in contact with said rotation stopper, to move said stopper out of said movement path of said engagement forcing portion, so that said rotatable member forces said pawl to rotate in a direction where said claw engages with said latch; and

[0029] when said latch rotates from said unlocking position in said locking direction, said engagement forcing portion is pressed by said stopper, so that said rotating member rotates in a direction in which it moves away from said stopper, ie, in a direction in which said stopper moves away from said rotation stopper.

[0030] The configuration of the first example above allows that, when said latch rotates from said primary locking position to said secondary locking position, said stopper deviates out of said movement path of said engagement forcing portion without generating a significant impact noise and, when said latch rotates in a locking direction from said unlocking position, said latch is rotated smoothly.

[0031] According to a second preferred example of the invention, said rotary member further comprises a stopper which is provided on the side opposite to said engagement forcing portion through said rotary shaft and which contacts said rotation stopper provided on said latch, said stopper being pushed by a force element for maintaining initial position in a direction where said stopper contacts said rotation stopper; and

[0032] when said latch rotates from said primary locking position to said secondary locking position, said engagement forcing portion presses said stopper, in a non-rotational state where said stopper is in contact with said rotation stopper, to move said stopper out of said movement path of said engagement forcing portion, so that said rotatable member forces said pawl to rotate in a direction where said claw engages with said latch, while said primary latch portion moves by sliding against a first arc provided between said stopper and said claw near said pawl shaft.

[0033] The configuration of the second example above ensures that, when a disengagement maneuver is actuated on the hood in said first engagement state, said claw engages with said secondary locking portion to transition to said second engagement state.

[0034] According to a third preferred example of the invention, said engagement forcing portion has a shape projecting towards said pawl from the circumference exterior of said latch, while said stopper has a protruding shape towards said engagement forcing portion.

[0035] According to a fourth preferred example of the invention, said stopper has moved out of said movement path of said engagement forcing portion when said pawl is in said respective first and second engagement states; said stopper moves into said movement path of said engagement forcing portion when said pawl rotates from said respective first and second engagement states in a disengagement direction.

[0036] The configuration of each of the third and fourth examples above ensures that, in the position midway between said primary and secondary latch positions, said engagement forcing portion contacts said stopper and forces said pawl to rotate in the direction where said pawl engages with said latch.

[0037] According to a fifth preferred example of the invention, when said engagement forcing portion contacts said stopper, said claw enters said path of movement of said secondary latch portion before said latch reaches said secondary locking position from said primary locking position. This ensures that the claw of said pawl securely engages with said secondary latch portion.

[0038] According to a sixth preferred example of the invention, if said latch rotates in said locking direction from said unlocking position through said primary locking position to said overlocking position, a pressure portion provided on said latch on the unlocking direction side with respect to said rotating member contacts a lug provided on said pawl on the side of said pawl shaft with respect to said stopper, forcing said pawl to rotate further in an engagement direction from said first engagement state. This makes it possible to engage the latch with the pawl even more reliably, and also to limit the deformation of the hood locking device, thereby improving safety.

[0039] In the sixth example above, if said latch has reached the overlocking position, said latch is preferably supported by at least a first support where said striker is in contact with a lower wall of said striker entry notch, a second support where said pressure portion of said latch is in contact with said lug of said pawl, a third support where said secondary latch portion of said latch is in contact with a second arc provided on said pawl between said claw and an end located on the side opposite said stopper through said claw, and a fourth support where a rear end of said latch located on the side opposite the engagement notch through said latch shaft is in contact with a side wall provided on the side of said latch on said base plate. Thus, if the latch reaches the overlocking position, it is stably supported by a plurality of supports, which limits the deformation of the hood locking device and reduces the size of the device.

[0040] In the sixth example above, said first to fourth supports are more preferably distributed in three or more quadrants on the coordinate plane centered on said latch shaft. This makes it possible to distribute the stresses exerted on the hood locking device throughout, so that said latch is supported even more stably, further improving the effect of limiting the deformation of the hood locking device and the effect of miniaturizing the device.

[0041] According to a seventh preferred example of the invention, said latch comprises a lifting lever which is rotatably supported on said base plate by means of said latch shaft and which has an engagement notch in which said striker engages and which is connected to said latch for exerting a force on said latch in said unlocking direction by means of a force element for unlocking; and said rotary member is supported by said rotary shaft on said lifting lever on the side of said unlocking direction with respect to said engagement notch of said lifting lever.

[0042] In the seventh example above, said rotary member preferably also comprises a stopper which is provided on the side opposite to said engagement forcing portion through said rotary shaft and which contacts said rotation stopper provided on said latch or on said lifting lever, said stopper being pushed by a force member for maintaining initial position in a direction where said stopper contacts said rotation stopper;

[0043] when said latch rotates from said primary locking position to said secondary locking position, said engagement forcing portion presses said stopper, in a non-rotational state where said stopper is in contact with said rotation stopper, to move said stopper out of said movement path of said engagement forcing portion, so that said rotatable member forces said pawl to rotate in a direction where said claw engages with said latch; and

[0044] when said latch rotates from said unlocking position in said locking direction, said engagement forcing portion is pressed by said stopper, so that said rotary member rotates in a direction in which it moves away from said stopper, ie, in a direction in which said stopper moves away from a rotation stop of said lifting lever.

[0045] EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0046] According to the present invention, the vehicle hood locking device which enables the hood to be easily opened and closed has a relatively compact size, operates smoothly when opening and closing the hood, and ensures that the latch and the pawl engage securely can be achieved by providing the rotating member which is supported by the rotating shaft provided on the latch and which is provided with the engagement forcing portion which, on the one hand, when the latch rotates from the primary locking position to the secondary locking position, presses the pawl stopper, thereby moving the stopper out of the movement path of the engagement forcing portion and forcing the pawl to rotate in the direction of engagement with the latch, and which, on the other hand, when the latch rotates in the locking direction from the unlocking position, is pressed by the stopper, thereby causing the rotating member to rotate in the direction of moving away from the stopper. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0047] [Fig.l] shows in perspective a motor car viewed from the front side at an angle, equipped with a vehicle hood locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] [Fig.2] shows a perspective view of a hood locking device for vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] [Fig.3] shows an exploded perspective view of the hood locking device of vehicle shown in [Fig.2].

[0050] [Fig.4] shows a front view of the locking device for vehicle hood with a latch held in the primary locking position.

[0051] [Fig.5] shows a front view of the locking device for vehicle hood with the latch in the primary locking position and a pawl actuated in the disengaging direction.

[0052] [Fig.6] shows a front view of the locking device for vehicle hood with the pawl disengaged from a primary latch portion.

[0053] [Fig.7] shows a front view of the locking device for vehicle hood in a state with the latch rotating from the primary locking position to the secondary locking position.

[0054] [Fig.8] shows a front view of the locking device for vehicle hood in a state where the pawl is forced by a rotating member to operate in the engagement direction.

[0055] [Fig.9] shows a front view of the locking device for vehicle hood with the latch held in the secondary locking position.

[0056] [Fig. 10] shows a front view of the vehicle hood locking device with the latch in an unlocked position.

[0057] [Fig. 11] shows a front view of the vehicle hood locking device, with the latch rotating from the unlocking position to the locking direction.

[0058] [Fig. 12] shows a front view of the vehicle hood locking device in a state where the rotating member is in contact with the pawl in the locking direction.

[0059] [Fig. 13] shows a front view of the vehicle hood locking device in a state where the rotating member is rotated by the pawl.

[0060] [Fig. 14] shows a front view of the vehicle hood locking device in an overlocked state.

[0061] EMBODIMENT

[0062] An embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the directions of up, down, front, rear, left, and right are expressed relative to the direction of a vehicle such as a motor car. As shown in [Fig.l], a vehicle hood locking device 1 according to the invention is mounted near the front of the front trunk (also known as the frunk) or on the radiator core support in the front engine compartment of the body of a vehicle V, such as a motor car, having a hood H pivoted at its rear on the body and capable of being opened and closed in the vertical direction.The vehicle hood locking device 1 holds the hood H in a fully closed position by engaging with a striker S provided in the front portion of the hood H and opens the hood H following the actuation of a disengagement operating means 13. The disengagement operating means 13 may be, for example, a manual opening handle located near the driver's seat or an electric actuator located near the driver's seat or in the engine compartment. The electric actuator is operated by a button, switch or touch screen located near the driver's seat, or by a smart key, smartphone or the like.

[0063] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 14, the vehicle hood locking device 1 comprises a metal base plate 2 fixed to the vehicle body, the base plate 2 carrying a latch 3 engaging with the striker S and a lifting lever 4 associated with the latch, a pawl 6 engaging with the latch 3, a rotary member 5 rotatably supported on the lifting lever 4, a force element for unlocking (lifting spring) 7 which exerts a force on the latch 3 via the lifting lever 4 in the lifting direction (clockwise in [Fig. 4] relative to the paper), a force element for engagement (pawl spring) 9 which exerts a force on the pawl 6 in the direction of engagement with the latch 3 (in [Fig.4], counterclockwise relative to the paper) and an initial position holding force element (initial position holding spring) 8 which exerts a force on the rotary member 5 in the direction of engagement with the lifting lever 4 (counterclockwise relative to the paper in [Fig.4]) to hold the rotary member in the initial position.

[0064] The base plate 2 is provided in the center of its upper part with a striker entry notch 21 with an upwardly oriented opening, so that the striker S can be inserted or removed when the cover H is open or closed.

[0065] The latch 3 is supported by a latch shaft 10 aligned forward and rearward at a position horizontally separated from the striker entry notch 21 of the base plate 2 (as shown in [Fig. 4], on the right side of the striker entry notch 21 with respect to the paper) so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle. The lifting spring 7 is fixed with one end engaged in a hole of a side wall 24a on the pawl 6 side of the base plate 2 and with the other end engaged with a spring clip 45 provided on the lifting lever 4 at the rear end opposite to an engagement notch 43 through the latch shaft 10.

[0066] When opening the cover H, the latch 3 is rotated by the force of the lifting spring 7 acting on the lifting lever 4 from the primary locking position shown in [Fig. 4] in the unlocking direction (in [Fig. 4], clockwise relative to the paper), through the secondary locking position shown in [Fig. 9], to the unlocking position shown in [Fig. 10]. When closing the cover H, the striker S entering the striker entry notch 21 engages in an engagement notch 31, so that the latch 3 rotates from the unlocking position shown in [Fig. 10] in the locking direction (in [Fig. 10], counterclockwise relative to the paper) against the force of the lifting spring 7 acting on the lifting lever 4 to the primary locking position shown in [Fig.4].

[0067] In addition to the engagement notch 31, the latch 3 comprises a primary latch portion 32 which is provided on the locking direction side with respect to the engagement notch 31 (in [Fig. 4], below the engagement notch 31 with respect to the paper) and which engages with a claw 61 of the pawl 6 in the primary locking position; a secondary latch portion 33 which is provided on the locking direction side with respect to the primary latch portion 32 (in [Fig. 4], below the primary latch portion 32 with respect to the paper (counterclockwise)) and which engages with the claw 61 of the pawl 6 in the secondary locking position; a pressure portion 34 which is provided on the unlocking direction side with respect to the engagement notch 31 (in [Fig.4], above the engagement notch 31 (clockwise) relative to the paper) projecting towards the pawl 6 and which contacts a lug 63 of the pawl 6 in the overlock position; and a boss 35 which projects forward and engages in a coupling hole 41 provided in the lifting lever 4. .

[0068] In the description of the present embodiment, the primary locking position of the latch 3 corresponds to a completely closed position of the cover H; the secondary locking position of latch 3 corresponds to the first half-open position in which the hood H is slightly more open compared to the fully closed position; and the unlocking position of latch 3 corresponds to a second half-open position in which the hood H is open more than in the first half-open position (where a hand can be inserted into the space between the front edge of the hood H and the grille).

[0069] The lifting lever 4 is supported on the front face of the base plate 2 by the latch shaft 10, so as to rotate through a predetermined angle and hold the latch 3 between it and the base plate 2. The lifting lever 4 is biased in the lifting direction (clockwise relative to the paper in [Fig. 4]) by the force of the lifting spring 7 and connected to the latch 3 with a slight play in the rotation direction. The force of the lifting spring 7 acts as the force that rotates the latch 3 from the primary locking position to the unlocking position and also as the lifting force that lifts the hood H from the fully closed position to the second half-open position.

[0070] The aforementioned slight play in the direction of rotation of the lifting lever 4 relative to the latch 3 is achieved by engaging the boss 35, provided on the latch 3 so as to project forward, in the coupling hole 41 formed in the lifting lever 4, so that a slight play in the direction of rotation occurs.

[0071] The lifting lever 4 has the engagement notch 43 in which the striker S engages and a lifting arm 42 which overlaps the front face of the latch 3 and which is provided on the locking direction side (below the engagement notch 43 in [Fig. 4]) with respect to the engagement notch 43, so as to be able to slightly enter the engagement notch 31 of the latch 3 in the unlocking direction (from below in [Fig. 4]) due to the aforementioned slight play. When the hood H is in the fully closed position and the latch 3 is held in the primary locking position, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the lifting arm 42 strongly presses the striker S engaged in the engagement notch 31 of the latch 3 against the upper edge of the engagement notch 31 by the strong force of the lifting spring 7, thus limiting the rattling of the striker S in the engagement notch 31 and therefore that of the hood H.

[0072] At the top of the lifting lever 4 there is a wall-shaped rotation stop 44 which projects forward and which contacts a stopper 51 when the rotating member 5 rotatably supported on the lifting lever 4 is in the initial position.

[0073] The rotary member 5 is supported on the front side of the lifting lever 4 so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle by a rotary shaft 11 located in the unlocking direction relative to the engagement notch 43 of the lifting lever 4 (in [Fig. 4], on the upper side of the engagement notch 43 (clockwise)). The rotary member 5 is provided with an engagement forcing portion 52 which has a protruding shape from the circumference of the latch 3 toward the pawl 6. The initial position holding spring 8 is mounted with one end engaging with the rotation stopper 44 of the lifting lever 4 and the other end engaging with the engagement forcing portion 52 of the rotating member 5. The rotating member 5 is pushed by the force of the initial position holding spring 8 in the direction of engagement with the rotation stopper 44 of the lifting lever 4 (in [Fig. 4], counterclockwise relative to the paper), so that, in the initial position, the stopper 51 is in contact with the rotation stopper 44 of the lifting lever 4.

[0074] As illustrated in Figures 6 to 8, when the latch 3 pivots from the primary locking position to the secondary locking position, the engagement forcing portion 52 forces the pawl 6 to rotate in the direction in which it engages with the latch 3 (counterclockwise relative to the paper in Figures 6 to 8) by contacting, in the middle between the primary locking position and the secondary locking position, a stopper 62 which is provided at the upper end of the pawl 6 and which has a protruding shape toward the engagement forcing portion 52, thereby ensuring the engagement of the claw 61 of the pawl 6 with the secondary latch portion 33.

[0075] As illustrated in Figures 11 to 13, when the latch 3 rotates in the locking direction from the unlocking position, the engagement forcing portion 52 is pressed by the stopper 62 of the pawl 6, which allows the stopper 51 to move away from the rotation stopper 44 of the latch 3, so that the rotating member 5 moves with the latch 3 in the moving away direction from the stopper 62 (clockwise relative to the paper surface in Figures 12 and 13).

[0076] In the upper part of the pawl 6 is inserted a pawl shaft 12 oriented in the front-rear direction. The pawl 6 is supported so as to be able to rotate by a predetermined angle on the base plate 2 by the pawl shaft 12 at a position which is close to the opening of the striker entry notch 21 and which is horizontally separated from the striker entry notch 21, in the area located on the other side of the latch shaft 10, through the striker entry notch 21 (in [Fig. 4], to the left of the striker entry notch 21 with respect to the paper).

[0077] The pawl 6 has the step-shaped claw 61, located in the middle of the vertical direction below the pawl shaft 12, the stopper 62 which is provided at the upper end of the opposite side of the claw 61 through the pawl shaft 12 and which has a protruding shape towards the engagement forcing part 52 of the rotary member 5, the lug 63 provided directly under the stopper 62, on the side of the pawl shaft 12 with respect to the stopper 62, and in contact with the pressure part 34 of the latch 3, a stopper 64 located in the position opposite the claw 61 in the middle of the vertical direction and intended to contact the side wall 24a on the pawl 6 side in the base plate 2, a coupling piece 65 provided at the bottom and connected to the disengagement operating means 13 via an operating force transmission element 14, a step 66 located at the lower end and intended to contact a pawl stop 22 of the base plate 2, a spring clip 67 provided at the lower end, an upper arc (first arc) 69 provided between the stopper 62 and the claw 61 near the pawl shaft 12, and a lower arc (second arc) 68 provided between the claw 61 and the end opposite the stopper 62 through the claw 61, i.e., between the lower end and the claw 61. The pawl 6 is biased by the pawl spring 9 in the engagement direction (counterclockwise relative to the paper in [Fig.4]) where the claw 61 engages with each of the primary and secondary latch portions 32 and 33 of the latch 3. The pawl spring 9 is secured with one end engaging in the hole of a side wall 24b on the latch 3 side of the base plate 2 and with the other end engaging in the spring clip 67 provided at the lower end of the pawl 6. .

[0078] The pawl 6, whose coupling piece 65 provided at the bottom is connected to the disengaging operating means 13 via the operating force transmission member 14 comprising a Bowden cable or the like, rotates by a predetermined angle around the pawl shaft 12 in the disengaging direction (in [Fig. 4], clockwise relative to the paper) against the force exerted by the pawl spring 9 following the actuation of the disengaging operating means 13 carried out in one direction only. As a result, the claw 61 disengages from each of the primary and secondary latch portions 32 and 33 of the latch 3, thereby allowing the latch 3 to rotate in the unlocking direction (in [Fig. 4], clockwise). At this time, as shown in [Fig.6], the stop 64 contacts the side wall 24a on the pawl 6 side of the base plate 2, which limits the pawl 6 in its range of rotation so that the pawl 6 does not rotate more than necessary.

[0079] When the latch 3 is allowed to rotate in the unlocking direction in the primary locking position, it rotates from the primary locking position to the secondary locking position under the force of the lifting spring 7 acting on the lifting lever 4, thereby opening the hood H to the first semi-open position by means of the striker S engaged in the engagement notch 31; when the latch 3 is allowed to rotate in the unlocking direction in the secondary locking position, it rotates from the secondary locking position to the unlocking position under the force of the lifting spring 7 acting on the lifting lever 4, thereby opening the hood H to the second semi-open position via the latch S engaged in the engagement notch 31.

[0080] When the hood H is in the fully closed position, as illustrated in [Fig.4], the latch 3 is in the primary locking position, with the striker S engaged in the engagement notch 31; the pawl 6 is in the engagement position where the claw 61 is engaged with the primary latch portion 32 of the latch 3; and the hood locking device 1 is in the first engagement state where the pawl 6 holds the latch 3 in the primary locking position.

[0081] When the hood H is in the first semi-open position, as illustrated in [Fig.9], the latch 3 is in the secondary locking position, with the striker S engaged in the engagement notch 31; the pawl 6 is in the engagement position, with the claw 61 engaged with the secondary latch portion 33 of the latch 3; and the hood locking device 1 is in the second engagement state where the pawl 6 holds the latch 3 in the secondary locking position.

[0082] When the cover H is in the second half-open position, as illustrated in [Fig. 10], the latch 3 stops due to the pressing part 34 coming into contact with a latch stop 23 provided on the side wall 24b on the latch 3 side of the base plate 2 and the striker S is in the unlocking position where it can disengage from the engagement notch 31, while the pawl 6 is pulled in the engagement direction (counterclockwise) by the force of the pawl spring 9 and is in a position where it is stopped due to the step 66 provided at the bottom coming into contact with the pawl stop 22 provided at the bottom of the base plate 2.

[0083] When the stopper 62 is on the opposite side from the latch shaft 10 through the striker entry notch 21 of the base plate 2 (on the left side of the striker entry notch 21 with respect to the paper in [Fig. 4]) and the hood locking device 1 is in one of the first and second engagement states, i.e., when the pawl 6 is in the engagement position (where the claw 61 is in the fully engaged position with each of the primary and secondary latch portions 32 and 33), the stopper 62 is in a position where it is spaced out of the movement path L1 of the engagement forcing portion 52 of the rotary member 5, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 9.

[0084] When the pawl 6 rotates a predetermined amount from the engagement position in the disengagement direction (in the direction in which the claw 61 disengages from each of the primary and secondary latch portions 32 and 33), the stopper 62 enters the movement path L1 of the engagement forcing portion 52 of the rotating member 5; when the latch 3 rotates in the unlocking direction from the primary locking position, the stopper 62 contacts the engagement forcing portion 52 of the rotating member 5. engagement forcing part 52 in the middle between the primary and secondary locking positions (position shown in Figures 6 to 8). At this time, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, when the latch 3 rotates, in a non-rotating state where the stopper 51 of the rotating member 5 is in contact with the rotation stopper 44 of the latch 3, the engagement forcing part 52 contacts the retainer 62 from below and moves upward by sliding against the retainer 62, which forces the retainer 62 to gradually rotate counterclockwise around the pawl shaft 12 and moves the retainer 62 out of the movement path L1 of the engagement forcing part 52.The pawl 6 is therefore forced to rotate in the direction in which the claw 61 engages with the latch 3 (counterclockwise in Figures 6 to 8), which allows the pawl 6 to securely engage with the secondary latch portion 33 of the latch 3, thereby improving product quality.

[0085] By making the lower surface of the retainer 62 and the upper surface of the engagement forcing portion 52 flat, as shown in the illustrated example, the retainer 62 and the engagement forcing portion 52 securely engage and the retainer 62 can be securely forced to rotate.

[0086] When the latch 3 rotates in the locking direction from the unlocking position, the engagement forcing portion 52 is pressed by the retainer 62 of the pawl 6 as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, which causes the rotating member 5 to rotate in the direction of separation from the retainer 62. Therefore, when the hood H is closed and the pawl 6 contacts the engagement forcing portion 52, the latch 3 encounters only relatively little resistance when rotating and the pawl 6 encounters only a relatively small pressing force from the latch 3 even as it contacts the pawl 6. The latch 3 therefore rotates smoothly when closing, so that the hood locking device 1 allows smooth closing and the pawl 6 can securely engage with each of the primary latch portions. and secondary 32 and 33 of latch 3, which improves product quality.

[0087] As shown in the illustrated example, by providing a slope 62a on the upper surface of the stopper 62 on the side opposite the engagement forcing portion 52 and making the lower surface of the engagement forcing portion 52 a curved surface, rotation of the rotating member 5 in the direction away from the stopper 62 can be made even smoother.

[0088] The lug 63 is located directly under the stop 62, on the side of the pawl shaft 12 with respect to the stop 62, while on the latch 3 there is the pressure part 34 intended to come into contact with the lug 63, on the side of the unlocking direction with respect to the rotary member 5 (above the rotary member 5 in [Fig.4]). As As shown in [Fig. 14], if the latch 3, which has rotated in the locking direction from the unlocking position, passes the primary locking position (see [Fig. 4]) and rotates to the overlocking position, the pressure portion 34 contacts the lug 63 and forces the pawl 6 to rotate further in the engagement direction. This allows the latch 3 and the pawl 6 to mesh more reliably and also limits the deformation of the hood locking device 1, thereby improving safety.Rotation of the latch 3 to the overlock position does not occur when the hood H is closed in the normal manner, such as by lowering the hood H while supporting it by hand and letting it fall naturally from a height of about 20 to 30 cm using gravity or by using an electric actuator to support the hood H, unless the hood H is intentionally pressed down with a relatively large force.

[0089] As illustrated in [Fig. 14], if the latch 3 has reached the overlock position, the latch 3 is supported at least by a first support I where the striker S is in contact with the lower wall of the striker entry notch 21, by a second support II where the pressure portion 34 of the latch 3 is in contact with the lug 63 of the pawl 6, by a third support III where the secondary latch portion 33 of the latch 3 is in contact with the lower arc 68 provided between the claw 61 and the lower end of the pawl 6, and by a fourth support IV where a rear end 36 of the latch 3 located on the side opposite the engagement notch 31 through the latch shaft 10 is in contact with the side wall 24b of the latch 3 side of the base plate 2.Thus, if the latch 3 reaches the overlock position, the latch 3 is stably supported by a plurality of supports I to IV, which limits the deformation of the hood locking device 1 and makes it possible to reduce the size of the device 1.

[0090] Furthermore, as shown in [Fig. 14], the aforementioned first to fourth supports I to IV are distributed in three or more quadrants on the coordinate plane centered on the latch shaft 10, so that the stresses exerted on the hood locking device 1 can be distributed throughout. As a result, the latch 3 is supported even more stably, which further improves the deformation-limiting effect of the hood locking device 1 and the miniaturization effect of the device 1.

[0091] If the latch 3 rotates to the overlock position, the pawl 6 is forced to rotate in the engagement direction and then stops when the step 66 at the lower end of the pawl 6 contacts the pawl stop 22 of the base plate 2, which reinforces the support of the latch 3 by the first to fourth supports I to IV mentioned above.

[0092] The lifting lever 4 is preferably provided to minimize the rattling of the striker S in the engagement notch 31 of the latch 3, but is not an essential element. If the lifting lever 4 is not provided, a configuration can be constructed in which one end of the lifting spring 7 is attached to the latch 3, the rotating member 5 is rotatably supported therein, and the rotation stopper 44 is also provided therein, each directly on the latch 3. When the lifting lever 4 is provided, a configuration can also be constructed in which the rotating member 5 is rotatably supported on the lifting lever 4 and the rotation stopper 44 is provided directly on the latch 3.

[0093] The operation of the vehicle hood locking device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 14.

[0094] First, the opening operation of the hood H will be described.

[0095] As illustrated in [Fig.4], when the hood locking device 1 is in the first engagement state, i.e., when the hood H is held in the fully closed position, the latch 3 is in the primary locking position; the pawl 6 is in the engagement position, in which the claw 61 is engaged with the primary latch portion 32 of the latch 3; and the striker S is engaged in the engagement notch 31 of the latch 3. In the first engagement state, the striker S is wedged between the lifting arm 42 of the lifting lever 4 and the upper edge of the engagement notch 31 of the latch 3 by the force of the lifting spring 7 acting on the lifting lever 4 to prevent any rattling therebetween, while the stopper 62 of the pawl 6 is in a position where it has moved out of the movement path L1 of the engagement forcing portion 52 of the latch 3.

[0096] In the first engagement state, when the first disengagement maneuver is actuated by the disengagement maneuvering means 13, this disengagement maneuver is transmitted to the pawl 6 via the operating force transmission member 14. As a result, the pawl 6 rotates against the force of the pawl spring 9 from the engagement position, through the half-stroke position illustrated in [Fig. 5] (where the claw 61 barely engages with the primary latch portion 32), to the full-stroke position illustrated in [Fig. 6]. Consequently, the claw 61 completely disengages from the primary latch portion 32 of the latch 3 while the stopper 62 moves into the movement path L1 of the engagement forcing portion 52. As illustrated in [Fig.5], the stopper 62 should preferably enter the movement path L1 of the engagement forcing portion 52, before the claw 61 of the pawl 6 has completely disengaged from the primary latch portion 32 of the latch 3.

[0097] As shown in [Fig. 6], when the claw 61 of the pawl 6 has completely disengaged from the primary latch portion 32 of the latch 3, the latch 3 rotates in the unlocking direction from the primary locking position under the force of the lifting spring 7 acting on the lifting lever 4, as shown [Fig.7], while, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the engagement forcing portion 52 contacts the stopper 62 of the pawl 6 in the unlocking direction (from below in Figures 7 and 8) in the middle between the primary and secondary locking positions.At this time, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, when the latch 3 rotates, in a non-rotating state where the stopper 51 of the member 5 is in contact with the rotation stopper 44 of the lifting lever 4 (effectively that of the latch 3), the engagement forcing portion 52 contacts from below with the stopper 62 and moves upward by sliding against the stopper 62, so that the stopper 62 is forced to gradually rotate counterclockwise around the pawl shaft 12 without generating a loud impact sound and is moved out of the movement path L1 of the engagement forcing portion 52, forcing the pawl 6 to rotate in the engagement direction. This allows the claw 61 of the pawl 6 to enter the movement path L2 of the secondary latch portion 33 before the latch 3 reaches the secondary locking position, as illustrated in [Fig.8].Thus, the claw 61 of the pawl 6 can be securely engaged with the secondary latch portion 33. .

[0098] Furthermore, as shown in [Fig.8], the engagement forcing portion 52 moves the stopper 62 out of its movement path L1 and the primary latch portion 32 of the latch 3 moves by sliding against the upper arc 69 provided between the stopper 62 and the claw 61 of the pawl 6 near the pawl shaft 12. Therefore, when the disengagement maneuver is operated on the hood H in the first engagement state, the claw 61 can securely engage with the secondary latch portion 33 to move into the second engagement state.

[0099] When the latch 3 rotates further in the unlocking direction from the position shown in [Fig. 8], the engagement forcing portion 52 passes through the stopper 62 before the latch 3 reaches the secondary locking position. Then, when the latch 3 rotates further in the unlocking direction, the secondary latch portion 33 engages with the claw 61 of the pawl 6 which has already moved into the movement path L2, as shown in [Fig. 9]. The latch 3 is thus stopped and held in the secondary locking position securely.

[0100] As is apparent from the above, upon first actuation of the disengagement operating means 13, rotation of the latch 3 from the primary locking position to the unlocking position can be prevented, the latch 3 can be securely stopped in the secondary locking position, and the hood H can be securely held in the first semi-open position, thereby preventing unintentional opening of the hood H and ensuring safety.

[0101] Then, when the second disengagement maneuver is actuated by the disengagement maneuver means 13 in the state illustrated in [Fig.9], that is- i.e. in the second engagement state, the pawl 6 rotates again in the disengagement direction against the force of the pawl spring 9, which causes the claw 61 to disengage from the secondary latch part 33 of the latch 3. As a result, the latch 3 rotates in the unlocking direction with the lifting lever 4 by the force of the lifting spring 7, and as shown in [Fig. 10], the pressure part 34 of the latch 3 contacts the latch stop 23 provided on the side wall 24b on the latch 3 side of the base plate 2, so that the latch 3 stops in the unlocking position. The hood H is thus held in the second half-open position. Then, when the disengagement operating means 13 is returned to the initial position, the pawl 6 rotates in the engagement direction under the effect of the force of the pawl spring 9.As a result, when the step 66 provided at the lower end of the pawl 6 comes into contact with the pawl stop 22 of the base plate 2, the pawl 6 stops in the position illustrated in [Fig. 10].

[0102] The user then moves to the front face of the hood H and unceremoniously lifts the front edge of the hood H held in the second semi-open position, which allows the latch S to be moved out of the engagement notch 31 of the latch 3 to open the hood H. It is therefore not necessary to insert the hand between the hood H and the vehicle body and grope for the actuator, as was the case previously. It should be noted that a configuration can also be constructed in which the hood H held in the second semi-open position can be opened using an electric actuator supporting the hood H.

[0103] The operation of the closing of the hood H is then described.

[0104] When the hood H is in an open state, the latch 3 is held in the position of unlocking, as shown in [Fig. 10]. However, the striker S is above and away from the latch 3 because the hood H is open. In this state, the hood H can be closed manually or using an electric actuator. When the hood H is closed, the striker S moves from above into the striker entry notch 21 and engages in the engagement notch 31 of the latch 3. This allows the latch 3 to rotate in the locking direction with the lifting lever 4 against the force of the lifting spring 7.

[0105] Then, when the secondary latch portion 33 contacts the claw 61 to rotate the pawl 6 in the disengagement direction as shown in [Fig.l 1], the stopper 62 moves in the movement path L1 of the engagement forcing portion 52 as shown in [Fig. 12]. When the engagement forcing portion 52 contacts the stopper 62 of the pawl 6, the engagement forcing portion 52 is pressed by the stopper 62 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the stopper 51 moves away from the rotation stopper 44 of the lifting lever 4 (effectively the latch 3), and the rotating member 5 moves with the latch 3 while rotating in the direction in which the rotary member 5 moves away from the stopper 62 (in figures 12 and 13, clockwise relative to the paper).

[0106] Then, when the latch 3 rotates in the locking direction, the engagement forcing portion 52 passes through the stopper 62, the rotating member 5 returns to the initial position where it engages with the rotation stopper 44 under the force of the spring for maintaining the initial position 8. Finally, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the latch 3 rotates to the primary locking position and the claw 61 of the pawl 6 engages with the primary latch portion 32, so that the latch 3 is held in the primary locking position. This allows the hood H to be held in the fully closed position.

[0107] Furthermore, if, due to circumstances such as the depressing of the cover H intentionally carried out with a relatively large force, the latch 3 has been rotated in the locking direction from the unlocking position, passing through the primary locking position (see [Fig. 4]) and has reached the overlocking position, as illustrated in [Fig.14], the latch 3 is supported at least by the first support I where the striker S is in contact with the lower wall of the striker entry notch 21, by the second support II where the pressure part 34 of the latch 3 is in contact with the lug 63 of the pawl 6, by the third support III where the secondary latch part 33 of the latch 3 is in contact with the lower arc 68 provided between the claw 61 and the lower end of the pawl 6, and by the fourth support IV where the rear end 36 of the latch 3 located on the side opposite the engagement notch 31 through the latch shaft 10 is in contact with the side wall 24b of the latch 3 side of the base plate 2. The latch 3 is thus stably supported by a plurality of supports I to IV, which makes it possible to limit the deformation of the locking device for hood 1 and improve safety.

[0108] As described above, the vehicle hood locking device according to the present embodiment which enables the hood H to be opened from the closed state by operating the disengagement operating means 13 twice is provided with the rotating member 5 supported on the lifting lever 4 (effectively on the latch 3) by the rotating shaft 11, the rotating member enabling that, when the latch 3 rotates from the primary locking position to the secondary locking position, the engagement forcing portion 52 of the rotating member 5 presses the retainer 62 to move the retainer 62 out of the movement path L1 of the engagement forcing portion 52 and forces the pawl 6 to rotate in the direction where the pawl 6 engages with the latch 3;when the latch 3 rotates in the locking direction from the unlocking position, the engagement forcing portion 52 is pressed by the stopper 62, rotating the rotating member 5 in the direction in which it moves away from the stopper 62. A locking device for a vehicle hood can thus be obtained which, provided with; the aforementioned rotating member 5 not only allows the hood H to be easily opened and closed from outside the vehicle, but also has a relatively compact size, operates smoothly when opening and closing the hood H and ensures that the latch 3 and the pawl 6 engage securely.

[0109] The rotary member 5 comprises the stopper 51 which is provided on the opposite side to the engagement forcing portion 52 through the rotary shaft 11 of the rotary member 5 and which is in contact with the rotation stopper 44 provided on the lifting lever 4 (effectively on the latch 3). The stopper 51 is also subjected to the force of the initial position holding spring 8 in the direction that the stopper 51 contacts the rotation stopper 44, so that, when the latch 3 rotates from the primary locking position to the secondary locking position, the engagement forcing portion 52 presses the stopper 62 and moves the stopper 62 out of the movement path L1 of the engagement forcing portion 52 without generating a significant impact noise.Furthermore, when the latch 3 rotates in the locking direction from the unlocking position, the engagement forcing portion 52 is pressed by the stopper 62, which allows the rotating member 5 to rotate in the spreading direction from the stopper 62.

[0110] When the latch 3 rotates from the primary locking position to the secondary locking position, the engagement forcing portion 52 presses the stopper 62, in a non-rotating state where the stopper 51 is in contact with the rotation stopping stopper 44, to move the stopper 62 out of the movement path of the engagement forcing portion 52, while the primary latch portion 32 moves by sliding against the upper arc 69 provided between the stopper 62 and the claw 61 near the pawl shaft 12. Therefore, when the disengagement operation is operated on the cover H in the first engagement state, the claw 61 can be securely engaged with the secondary latch portion 33 to move into the second engagement state.

[0111] The engagement forcing portion 52 has a protruding shape from the periphery of the latch 3 toward the pawl 6, while the stopper 62 has a protruding shape toward the engagement forcing portion 52. Furthermore, the stopper 62 deviates out of the movement path L1 of the engagement forcing portion 52 when the pawl 6 is in the first engagement state; the stopper 62 moves into the movement path L1 of the engagement forcing portion 52 when the pawl 6 rotates from the first engagement state in the disengagement direction. This ensures that, midway between the primary and secondary locking positions, the engagement forcing portion 52 contacts the retainer 62 and the engagement forcing portion 52 forces the pawl 6 to rotate in the direction that the pawl 6 engages with the latch 3.

[0112] Before the latch 3 reaches the secondary locking position from the primary locking position, the claw 61 moves into the movement path of the secondary latch portion, which ensures that the claw 61 of the pawl 6 securely engages with the secondary latch portion 33.

[0113] When the latch 3 rotates from the unlocking position in the locking direction, the engagement forcing portion 52 is pressed by the stopper 62 of the pawl 6, thereby allowing the rotating member 5 to rotate in the direction away from the stopper 62. Therefore, when the hood H is closed and the pawl 6 contacts the engagement forcing portion 52, the latch 3 encounters only relatively little resistance in rotating even as it contacts the pawl 6, while the pawl 6 also receives only a relatively small pressing force from the latch 3. Therefore, the hood locking device 1 can be closed smoothly, and when closing it, the pawl 6 can securely engage with each of the primary and secondary latch portions 32 and 33 of the latch 3, which allows us to aim to improve the quality of products.

[0114] If the latch 3 rotates to the overlock position, the pressing portion 34 provided on the latch 3 contacts the lug 63 provided on the pawl 6, forcing the pawl 6 to rotate further in the engagement direction from the first engagement state, so that the latch 3 is supported by a plurality of the first to fourth presses I to IV. Therefore, the latch 3 is stably supported, which limits the deformation of the hood locking device and also makes it possible to reduce the size of the device.

[0115] The first to fourth supports I to IV are distributed in at least three quadrants on the coordinate plane centered on the latch shaft 10, so that the stresses exerted on the hood locking device 1 can be distributed throughout. As a result, the latch 3 is supported all the more stably and the effect of limiting the deformation of the hood locking device and the effect of miniaturizing the device are all the higher.

[0116] Furthermore, the stopper 62 provided near the pawl shaft 12 of the pawl 6 makes it possible to reduce the rotation range of the stopper 62 and thus to reduce the size of the device.

[0117] Furthermore, the engagement forcing portion 52 provided on the latch 3 on the unlocking direction side relative to the engagement notch 31 as well as the primary and secondary latch portions 32 and 33 provided on the locking direction side make it possible to reduce the size of the latch 3 and therefore make the device more compact.

[0118] Furthermore, the size of the base plate 2 can be reduced and thus the reduction of the size of the device can be aimed at thanks to the configuration in which the latch 3 is pivoted to one side of the striker entry notch 21 of the base plate 2 by means of the latch shaft 10 and in which the pawl 6 is pivoted to the other side on the pawl shaft 12 near the opening of the striker entry catch 21. In addition, application to vehicles having different specifications is also possible due to the configuration in which the engagement forcing portion 52 of the latch 3 and the stopper 62 of the pawl 5 are provided so as to allow adaptation to the dimensions of the base plate 2.

[0119] Furthermore, since the stopper 62 of the pawl 6 and the engagement forcing portion 52 of the latch 3 are designed to move in the area located on one side of the striker entry notch 21 in the base plate 2, it is possible to aim at reducing the size of the base plate 2.

[0120] An embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to this aforementioned embodiment, and various variations and modifications may be made to the present embodiment within the scope of the technical concept of the invention. For example, the lifting lever 4 is preferably provided to limit the rattling of the striker S in the engagement notch 31 of the latch 3, but is not an essential element. If the lifting lever 4 is not provided, a configuration may be constructed in which one end of the lifting spring 7 is attached to the latch 3, the rotating member 5 is rotatably supported therein, and the rotation stopper 44 is also provided therein, each directly on the latch 3.Even while the lifting lever 4 is provided, a configuration can be constructed in which the rotating member 5 is rotatably supported on the lifting lever 4 and the rotation stop 44 is provided directly on the latch 3.

[0121] LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0122] 1: Locking device for vehicle hood

[0123] 2: Base plate

[0124] 21: Strike plate entry notch

[0125] 22: Ratchet stop

[0126] 23: Latch stop

[0127] 24a: Side wall of the ratchet side

[0128] 24b: Side wall of the latch side

[0129] 3: Latch

[0130] 31: Engagement notch

[0131] 32: Primary latch part

[0132] 33: Secondary latch part

[0133] 34: Pressure part

[0134] 35: Hump

[0135] 36: Rear end

[0136] 4: Lifting lever

[0137]

[0138]

[0139]

[0140]

[0141]

[0142]

[0143]

[0144]

[0145]

[0146]

[0147]

[0148]

[0149]

[0150]

[0151]

[0152]

[0153]

[0154]

[0155]

[0156]

[0157] 41: Coupling hole 42: Lifting arm 43: Engagement notch 44: Rotation stopper 45: Spring clip 5: Rotating member 51: Buffer 52: Engagement forcing part 6: Pawl 61: Claw 62: Stopper 62a: Slope 63: Lug 64: Stop 65: Coupling part 66: Step 67: Spring clip 68: Lower arc (second arc) 69: Upper arc (first arc) 7: Force element for unlocking (lifting spring) 8: Force element for maintaining initial position (spring for maintaining initial position)

[0158]

[0159]

[0160]

[0161]

[0162]

[0163]

[0164]

[0165]

[0166]

[0167]

[0168]

[0169]

[0170]

[0171]

[0172] 9: Force element for engagement (ratchet spring) 10: Latch shaft 11: Rotating shaft 12: Ratchet shaft 13: Disengagement operating means 14: Force transmission elementmaneuver L1: Movement path of the engagement forcing part L2: Movement path of the secondary latch part H: Hood S: Striker V: Vehicle I: First press II: Second press III: Third press IV: Fourth press

Claims

1. Claims A locking device for a vehicle hood comprising: a base plate fixed to a vehicle body and having a striker entry notch into which or which a striker provided on a hood supported by said vehicle body in an openable and closable manner moves or retracts respectively depending on each closing or opening movement of said hood;a latch which is rotatably supported on said base plate by means of a latch shaft provided at a position orthogonally separated from said striker entry notch and which has an engagement notch in which said striker engages, said latch pivoting between a primary locking position in which said latch engages with said striker engaged in said striker entry notch and holds said hood in a fully closed position, a secondary locking position in which said latch holds said hood in a slightly more open position than in said fully closed position, and an unlocking position in which said striker can move forward or backward; and; a pawl which is rotatably supported on said base plate by means of a pawl shaft provided in an area opposite said latch shaft through said striker entry notch, maintains said latch in said primary locking position by engaging with said latch, and allows, by rotating in response to an actuation of a disengaging operating means, to move said latch from the primary locking position to the unlocking position via said secondary locking position; said latch comprising, on the one hand, a primary latch portion which is provided on the side of a locking direction relative to said engagement notch and which engages with said pawl in said primary locking position and, on the other hand, a secondary latch portion which is provided on the side of said locking direction relative to said primary latch portion and which engages with said pawl in said secondary locking position; said pawl comprising a claw which, when engaged with said primary latch portion, places said latch in a first engagement state in which said latch is held in said primary locking position and which, when engaged with the secondary latch portion, places said latch in a second engagement state in which said latch is held in said secondary locking position, said pawl rotating when said claw disengages from each of said first and second engagement states in response to actuation of said disengagement operating means; and when said disengaging operating means is actuated on said pawl which is in said first engagement state, said claw disengages from said primary latch portion and immediately thereafter engages with said secondary latch portion and, when said disengaging operating means is actuated on said pawl in said second engagement state, said claw disengages from said secondary latch portion, to allow said latch to rotate to the unlocking position, thereby opening said hood from said closed position by actuating said disengaging operating means twice; said vehicle hood locking device being characterized in that it comprises a rotating member which is supported by a rotating shaft provided on said latch on the side of an unlocking direction with respect to said engagement notch of said latch and which comprises an engagement forcing portion which, when said latch rotates from said primary locking position to said secondary locking position, contacts a stopper in the middle between these primary and secondary locking positions, said stopper being provided on said pawl on the side opposite to said claw through said pawl shaft; when said latch rotates from said primary locking position to said secondary locking position, said engagement forcing portion presses said retainer to move said retainer out of a movement path of said engagement forcing portion, so that said rotatable member forces said pawl to rotate in a direction where said claw engages with said latch; and when said latch rotates from said unlocking position in said locking direction, said engagement forcing portion is pressed by said retainer, so that said rotatable member rotates in a direction where it moves away from said retainer.

2. A vehicle hood locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: said rotary member further comprises a stopper which is provided on the opposite side to said engagement forcing portion through said rotary shaft and which contacts said rotation stopper provided on said latch, said stopper being pushed by a force member for initial position maintenance in a direction where said stopper contacts said rotation stopper;when said latch rotates from said primary locking position to said secondary locking position, said engagement forcing portion presses said stopper, in a non-rotating state where said stopper is in contact with said rotation stopper, to move said stopper out of said movement path of said engagement forcing portion, so that said rotating member forces said pawl to rotate in a direction where said claw engages with said latch; and when said latch rotates from said unlocking position in said locking direction, said engagement forcing portion is pressed by said stopper, so that said rotating member rotates in a direction where it moves away from said stopper, ie, in a direction where said stopper moves away from said rotation stopper.;

3. A vehicle hood locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: said rotary member further comprises a stopper which is provided on the opposite side to said engagement forcing portion through said rotary shaft and which contacts said rotation stopper provided on said latch, said stopper being pushed by a force member for initial position maintenance in a direction where said stopper contacts said rotation stopper;and when said latch rotates from said primary locking position to said secondary locking position, said engagement forcing portion presses said stopper, in a non-rotational state where said stopper is in contact with said rotation stopper, to move said stopper out of said movement path of said engagement forcing portion, so that said rotatable member forces said pawl to rotate in a direction where said claw engages with said latch, while said primary latch portion; moves by sliding against a first arc provided between said stopper and said claw near said ratchet shaft.

4. A vehicle hood locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that said engagement forcing portion has a protruding shape towards said pawl from the outer circumference of said latch, while said stopper has a protruding shape towards said engagement forcing portion.

5. A vehicle hood locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: said stopper has moved out of said movement path of said engagement forcing portion when said pawl is in said respective first and second engagement states; said stopper moves into said movement path of said engagement forcing portion when said pawl rotates from said respective first and second engagement states in a disengagement direction.

6. A vehicle hood locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that when said engagement forcing portion contacts said stopper, said claw enters said path of movement of said secondary latch portion before said latch reaches said secondary locking position from said primary locking position.

7. 7. A vehicle hood locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, if said latch rotates in said locking direction from said unlocking position through said primary locking position to said overlocking position, a pressure portion provided on said latch on the unlocking direction side with respect to said rotating member contacts a lug provided on said pawl on the side of said pawl shaft with respect to said retainer, forcing said pawl to rotate further in an engagement direction from said first engagement state.

8. Locking device for a vehicle hood according to claim 7, characterized in that, if said latch has reached the overlocking position, said latch is supported by at least a first support where said striker is in contact with a lower wall

9.

10.

11. of said striker entry notch, a second support where said pressure portion of said latch is in contact with said lug of said pawl, a third support where said secondary latch portion of said latch is in contact with a second arc provided on said pawl between said claw and an end located on the side opposite said stop through said claw, and a fourth support where a rear end of said latch located on the side opposite the engagement notch through said latch shaft is in contact with a side wall provided on the side of said latch on said base plate. A vehicle hood locking device according to claim 8, characterized in that said first to fourth supports are distributed in three or more quadrants on a coordinate plane centered on said latch shaft. Locking device for a vehicle hood according to claim 1, characterized in that: said latch comprises a lifting lever which is rotatably supported on said base plate by means of said latch shaft and which has an engagement notch in which said striker engages and which is connected to said latch for exerting a force on said latch in said unlocking direction by means of an unlocking force element; and said rotary member is supported by said rotary shaft on said lifting lever on the side of said unlocking direction relative to said engagement notch of said lifting lever. Locking device for a vehicle hood according to claim 10, characterized in that: said rotary member further comprises a stopper which is provided on the side opposite to said engagement forcing portion through said rotary shaft and which contacts said rotation stopper provided on said latch or on said lifting lever, said stopper being pushed by a force member for maintaining an initial position in a direction where said stopper contacts said rotation stopper; when said latch rotates from said primary locking position to said secondary locking position, said engagement forcing portion presses said stopper, in a non-rotating state where said stopper is in contact with said rotation stopper, to move said stopper out of said movement path. said engagement forcing portion, such that said rotatable member forces said pawl to rotate in a direction where said claw engages with said latch; and when said latch rotates from said unlocking position in said locking direction, said engagement forcing portion is pressed by said stopper, so that said rotating member rotates in a direction in which it moves away from said stopper, ie, in a direction in which said stopper moves away from a rotation stop of said lifting lever.

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