Lock arrangement for automobile hood.

Abstract

The arrangement (10) includes a combined latch (16) made in the form of a double latch and pivotally mounted, a combined ratchet (22) cooperating with the latch (16) between an initial locking configuration of the latch (16) in full engagement of the strike plate, an intermediate locking configuration of the latch (16) in partial engagement of the strike plate and a final unlocking configuration of the latch (16) in full release of the strike plate, and an actuator coupled to the ratchet (22) to selectively rotate the ratchet (22) from the initial configuration to the intermediate configuration following a first control action and from the intermediate configuration to the unlocking configuration following a second control action.The first internal latch and the first internal ratchet cooperate in a first internal plane following one of the control actions, and the second external latch and the second external ratchet cooperate in a second external plane following the other of the control actions, the two planes being parallel to each other. Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Lock arrangement for motor vehicle hood.

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

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

[0003] Generally, such a hood comprises a fixed edge pivotally mounted on the body by means of hinges known per se and a free edge provided with at least one latch arranged to cooperate with a locking arrangement provided on the body and enabling the hood to be held in the closed position.

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

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

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

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

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

[0009] It is therefore understandable that this new use of the front space of the motor vehicle has profoundly altered the use and frequency of opening the front hood. Consequently, the traditional hood opening maneuver, which requires the user to exit the motor vehicle, appears inefficient and is perceived as awkward or even uncomfortable, and also conveys a perception of poor quality in the motor vehicle.

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

[0011] Prior art already exists for a lock for a motor vehicle engine hood comprising a fork-shaped latch that retains a hood latch and a locking ratchet that secures the latch in the closed position. The ratchet is actuated, for example, by means of an actuating lever to sequentially adopt, with the latch, a closed configuration (engaging the latch with the fork) and an unlocked configuration (releasing the latch) allowing the hood to be lifted.

[0012] Generally, the lock also includes an ejector which is configured to interact with the latch so that the latch is pivotally driven by the ejector until it reaches a position where the strike plate is released by the latch. The ejector is also elastically returned in the ejection direction by an ejection spring, which allows the strike plate to be ejected and the cover to be lifted.

[0013] The disadvantage of the current solution proposed in the prior art is that the lock arrangement is relatively bulky because it requires the involvement of several locking mechanisms in order to ensure additional security in the event of failure of one of the locking mechanisms. Description of the invention

[0014] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

[0015] To this end, the invention relates to a lock arrangement for a motor vehicle hood comprising: - a pivoting mounted latch comprising a notch adapted to cooperate with the hood by engaging a hood strike plate in the notch; - a locking pawl cooperating with the latch between an initial configuration of the latch locking with the strike plate fully engaged, an intermediate configuration of the latch locking with the strike plate partially engaged, and a final configuration of the latch unlocking with the strike plate fully released, the pawl being configured to be coupled to an actuator for selective to rotate the ratchet from the initial configuration to the intermediate configuration following a first actuator control action, and from the intermediate configuration to the unlocking configuration following a second actuator control action. characterized in that the latch, called a combined latch, is made in the form of a double latch comprising at least a first internal latch and a second external latch coaxial and connected to each other and the ratchet, called a combined ratchet, comprises a first internal ratchet and a second external ratchet coaxial and connected to each other and in that the first internal latch and the first internal ratchet cooperate in a first internal plane following one of the control actions and the second external latch and the second external ratchet cooperate in a second external plane following the other of the control actions, the two planes being parallel to each other.

[0016] It is the combination and the particular sequence in different planes of the parts of the combined latch and the combined ratchet which cooperate successively that make it possible to realize the object of the invention, in a way that is both simple to execute and unexpected.

[0017] The internal and external ratchets and latches move in parallel planes, which allows the space of the lock arrangement to be optimized by at least partially overlapping the internal and external parts of the combined ratchet and the combined latch.

[0018] The doubling of the latch and ratchet provides additional security because the failure of one part of the combined latch or ratchet is not enough to cause the latch to unlock and the strike plate to be released unexpectedly.

[0019] The lock arrangement according to the invention may include one or more of the following features.

[0020] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the combined latch includes laterally a stepped profile delimiting at least first and second reliefs cooperating with the combined latch respectively in the initial and intermediate configurations.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, one of the reliefs is carried by the internal ratchet and the other of the reliefs is carried by the external ratchet.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first relief includes a locking lug which cooperates with a complementary locking notch formed in the combined latch to immobilize the assembly formed by the combined ratchet and the combined latch in the initial configuration.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the combined latch has a fork-shaped lateral profile with at least three teeth successively delimiting the locking notch and the strike plate retaining notch.

[0024] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the second relief comprises a surface suitable for serving as a main stop to a contact surface of the combined latch in the intermediate configuration.

[0025] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the stepped profile includes a surface suitable for serving as a temporary stop to a contact surface of the combined latch during the transition from the initial configuration to the intermediate configuration.

[0026] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, each contact surface of the combined latch extends over one of the end faces of the fork teeth.

[0027] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the combined ratchet, having an elongated shape, comprises in the longitudinal direction a proximal end portion mounted pivotally about an articulation axis, an intermediate portion and a distal end portion coupled to the actuator.

[0028] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the internal and external pawls overlap only in the proximal end portion such that only one of the external or internal pawls includes the intermediate and distal portions.

[0029] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the combined ratchet and the combined latch are mounted to pivot independently of each other and are stressed elastically by elastic means in opposite pivoting directions.

[0030] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the arrangement includes means for transmitting force between the latch and the ratchet capable of actively rotating the ratchet into the locking position when the latch is brought into the engagement position with the strike plate.

[0031] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the force transmission means comprise a contact surface of the latch and a contact surface of the ratchet, said contact surfaces being able to slide one on the other when pivoting the latch towards its engagement position with the strike plate.

[0032] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle according to the invention comprising a lock arrangement and an actuator which is electrically motorized.

[0033] The invention will be better understood and its advantages will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments shown by way of non-limiting examples. The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0034] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is a front view of a lock arrangement for a vehicle automobile according to the invention;

[0035] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is an exploded view of the lock arrangement of the [Fig.1];

[0036] [Fig.3] Fig.3 is an exploded and perspective view of a mechanism articulation of the lock arrangement of the [Fig.2];

[0037] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is a front view of a combined latch of the mechanism of the [Fig.3];

[0038] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] is a front view of a combined ratchet of the mechanism of the [Fig.3];

[0039] [Fig.6] The [Fig.6] represents four steps A to D of unlocking the lock arrangement of the [Fig.1] from an initial locking configuration to an intermediate locking configuration;

[0040] [Fig.7] The [Fig.7] represents four steps A to D of unlocking the lock arrangement of the [Fig.1] from the intermediate locking configuration to a final unlocking configuration;

[0041] [Fig.8] The [Fig.8] represents four locking steps A to D of the lock arrangement of the [Fig.1] from the final locking configuration to the initial locking configuration. Detailed description of the invention

[0042] A lock arrangement for a motor vehicle hood according to the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 8. In the following description, the lock arrangement will be designated by the general reference 10.

[0043] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the arrangement 10 is configured to cooperate with a latch 100 fixed to the inside of the hood of the motor vehicle (not shown in the figures). For this purpose, the arrangement 10 includes a latching mechanism 14 adapted to cooperate with the hood latch 100.

[0044] Preferably, as illustrated in the figures, the lock arrangement 10 further comprises a plate 12 serving as a support for the latching mechanism 14 and intended to be fixed to the vehicle. This plate 12 is, for example, made from sheet metal, by cutting and / or bending said sheet metal.

[0045] As illustrated in [Fig.1], the plate 12 includes, for example, a plurality of mounting tabs 12A for elastic means such as springs of the ratcheting mechanism 14 (not shown) and a plurality of mounting holes 12B to the bodywork.

[0046] In accordance with the invention and as illustrated in detail, particularly in Figures 1 to 3, the lock arrangement 10 comprises a rotating latch 16 having a notch 18 adapted to cooperate with the strike plate 100 of the cover. The strike plate 100 is, for example, in the form of a hook closed like a ring. The hook is, for example, rectangular or square in shape, and the notch 18 of the latch 16 has a general hook shape to retain the strike plate 100.

[0047] In the example illustrated in the figures, the latch 16 is pivotally mounted about an axis XI on the plate 12. This axis XI, formed by a trunnion 26 ([Fig.2]), can be fixed by screwing, welding, and / or pressing onto an opening 12C in the plate 12 ([Fig.2]). For this purpose, the latch 16 includes a hole 48 for the insertion of the trunnion 26 ([Fig.4]).

[0048] Furthermore, preferably, as illustrated in [Fig.2], the plate 12 may also have a notch 12D in the shape of a fish mouth open outwards or in the shape of a U, intended to receive the strike plate 100 for guidance towards the notch 18 of the latch 16.

[0049] The lock arrangement 10 further includes a locking ratchet 22. This locking ratchet 22 is arranged to cooperate with the latch 16 between at least an initial locking configuration of the latch 16 in full engagement of the strike plate 100 and a final unlocking configuration of the latch 16 in full release of the strike plate 100.

[0050] Preferably, the ratchet 22 and the latch 16 are mounted to pivot independently of each other and are stressed elastically by elastic means in opposite pivoting directions.

[0051] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 1], the pawl 22 is elastically returned in the counterclockwise direction of rotation S2. For this purpose, the pawl 22 includes tabs 28 for attaching the elastic means. Furthermore, in the example illustrated in [Fig. 1], the latch 16 is elastically returned in the clockwise direction of rotation SI. For example, the latch 16 is pushed by means of an ejection spring, which allows the latch 16 to be oriented into the ejection position of the strike plate 100. For this purpose, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the latch 16 includes a tab 17 for attaching an elastic means forming, for example, the ejection spring.

[0052] According to the invention, the latch 16 is made in the form of a double latch and comprises a first internal latch 161 and a second external latch 16E, and the ratchet 22 comprises a first internal ratchet 221 and a second external ratchet 22E. In the following description, the ratchet 22 and the latch 16 will be designated as the combined ratchet 22 and the combined latch 16 to differentiate them from the internal doubled parts 161, 221 and the external parts 16E, 22E.

[0053] The transition from the initial configuration to the final configuration is achieved following at least one control action for the movement of the combined ratchet 22, performed, for example, by an actuation means or actuator. For example, the actuator includes an actuating element coupled to drive the combined ratchet 22 to rotate the combined ratchet 22 from the initial configuration to the final configuration.

[0054] In particular, the actuator coupled to the combined ratchet 22 allows the combined ratchet 22 to be selectively rotated from the initial configuration to the intermediate configuration following a first control action and from the intermediate configuration to the unlocking configuration following a second control action.

[0055] For example, the actuator includes a traction cable, preferably movable in a sheath, and the actuator element is formed by an end fitting of the traction cable, coupled to the ratchet 22. In this case, the displacement action is a traction action of the ratchet 22. For example, the actuator element is in the form of a guide pin cooperating inside a groove 24 formed on the combined ratchet 22 and illustrated in detail in [Fig. 5].

[0056] The actuator pull causes the combined ratchet 22 to move in a clockwise direction SI against the elastic force exerted by the action of a ratchet return spring ([Fig.l]).

[0057] Preferably, the combined locking ratchet 22 and the latch 16 cooperate together from the initial configuration to the final configuration via an intermediate locking configuration of the combined latch 16 in partial engagement of the strike plate 100. This makes it possible to unlock the lock arrangement 10 in two stages selectively from the initial locking configuration to an intermediate locking configuration on the one hand and then from the intermediate configuration to the final unlocking configuration on the other hand.

[0058] Preferably, the actuator element is arranged to selectively rotate the combined ratchet 22 from the initial configuration to the intermediate configuration following a first cable pull, and from the intermediate configuration to the final configuration following a second cable pull. In other words, the actuator allows the combined ratchet 22 to be moved sequentially from one configuration to the other by the first and second cable pulls. In the example described, the actuator is electrically motorized.

[0059] In addition, as illustrated in [Fig.2], the plate 12 further includes a support tab 12E provided with a sheath stop arranged to block the sheath surrounding the traction cable.

[0060] According to the invention, the first internal latch 161 and the second external latch 16E are coaxial and connected to each other, as illustrated in [Fig. 4] to form the combined latch 16. According to the invention, the first internal ratchet 221 and the second external ratchet 22E are also coaxial and connected to each other, as illustrated in [Fig. 5] to form the combined ratchet 22. Preferably, the internal latches 161 and 16E are connected around the axis XI, for example, by one of the trunnions 26 which extends through the holes 481, 48E. Furthermore, of Preferably, the pawls 221 and 22E are connected around the axis X2, for example, by one of the trunnions 26 which extends through the holes 251 and 25E.

[0061] Furthermore, in the described example, the internal latches 161 and external latches 16E are mounted fixed relative to each other, for example at a fixing eyelet 45 comprising mounting holes 451 and 45E for the internal latches 161 and external latches 16E respectively. Preferably, the internal ratchets 221 and external ratchets 22E are mounted pivoting relative to each other about the axis X2.

[0062] More particularly, the first internal latch 161 and the first internal ratchet 221 cooperate in a first internal plane PI following one of the control actions and the second external latch 16E and the second external ratchet 22E cooperate in a second external plane PE following the other of the control actions, the two planes PI and PE being parallel to each other.

[0063] Preferably, as illustrated in [Fig.5], the combined ratchet 22 laterally comprises a stepped profile 30 delimiting at least first 32 and second 34 reliefs cooperating with the combined latch 16 respectively in the initial and intermediate configurations.

[0064] As illustrated in [Fig.5], one of the reliefs 32 is carried by the internal ratchet 221 and the other of the reliefs 34 is carried by the external ratchet 22E.

[0065] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first relief 32 includes a locking lug which cooperates with a complementary locking notch 20 formed in the combined latch 16 to immobilize the assembly formed by the combined ratchet 22 and the combined latch 16 in the initial configuration.

[0066] Preferably, the second relief 34 includes a surface suitable for serving as a main stop for a contact surface 44 of the combined latch 16 in the intermediate configuration.

[0067] In the example described, the stepped profile 30 of the combined pawl 22 includes a third relief 36 cooperating with the combined latch 16 to provide a temporary stop during the transition from the initial configuration to the intermediate configuration. This allows the combined latch 16 to be maintained in a transient locking position during the transition from the initial configuration to the intermediate configuration.

[0068] Preferably and as illustrated in figures 4 and 5, the third relief 36 comprises a surface which is suitable to serve as a temporary stop with a contact surface 46 of the combined latch 16.

[0069] Thus, as can be seen in [Fig.4], the combined latch 16 has a lateral profile 40 in the shape of a fork with at least three teeth 42 successively delimiting the locking notch 20 and the retaining notch 18 of the strike plate 100.

[0070] Preferably, each contact surface 44, 46 of the combined latch 16 extends over one of the end faces of the teeth 42 of the fork 40.

[0071] Preferably, the combined ratchet 22 having an elongated shape, it comprises, in the longitudinal direction, a proximal end portion 22A mounted pivotally around the articulation axis XI, an intermediate portion 22B and a distal end portion 22C coupled to the actuator.

[0072] In the example illustrated in [Fig.5], the internal ratchets 221 and external ratchets 22E overlap only in the proximal end portion 22A such that only one of the external ratchets 22E or internal ratchets 221 comprises the intermediate portion 22B and the distal portion 22C of the combined ratchet 22.

[0073] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 4], the internal latches 161 and external latches 16E overlap substantially over their entire surface. The internal latch 161 has a central tooth 421 that protrudes from the corresponding central tooth 42E of the external latch 16E so as to define the contact surface 46 of the combined latch 16. In addition, the external latch 16E has a lateral tooth 42E that protrudes from the corresponding lateral tooth 421 of the internal latch 161 so as to define the contact surface 44 of the combined latch 16.

[0074] Preferably, the arrangement 10 includes means for transmitting force between the latch 16 and the ratchet 22 capable of actively rotating the ratchet 22 into the locking position when the latch 16 is brought into the engagement position with the strike plate 100.

[0075] For example, the force transmission means include a contact surface 54 of the latch 16 and a contact surface 52 of the ratchet 22, said contact surfaces 52, 54 being able to slide on each other when pivoting the latch 16 towards its engagement position with the strike plate 100.

[0076] In this example, the contact surface 54 is carried by the external latch 16E, for example in the lower extension of the contact surface 44. In order to cooperate in the PE plane, the contact surface 52 is carried by the external ratchet 22E, for example in the upper extension of the contact surface 34.

[0077] We will now describe the main aspects of operation of the invention with reference to figures 1 to 8.

[0078] Initially, the lock arrangement 10 is in the initial configuration illustrated in [Fig.1]. In this initial configuration, the combination latch 16 is fully engaged with the strike plate 100 of the hood of the motor vehicle and cooperates with the lug 32 of the combination ratchet 22 by its notch 20.

[0079] The user then wishes to open the hood of the motor vehicle. During a first step 6A ([Fig. 6]), he commands the actuator to perform an initial movement of the combined ratchet 22 by pulling the cable. The ratchet 22 is then also pivoted by the pulling effect of the cable against the elastic force in the clockwise direction SLA. At the end of this step 6B, the first relief 32 of the The combined ratchet 22 is then disengaged from the notch 20 of the combined latch 16 but has not yet engaged its second relief 34 with the surface 44 of the combined latch 16.

[0080] As can be seen in [Fig. 6], in step 6C, the combined latch 16, when disengaged from the combined pawl 22, can pivot freely in the clockwise release direction SI by elastic return. Furthermore, during this pivoting, the combined latch 16 engages its contact surface 46 with the third relief 36 to create a temporary stop ([Fig. 6]; 6C).

[0081] As can be seen in [Fig. 6], in step 6D, the tension on the actuator element is released. The combined pawl 22, having pivoted against its elastic force, pivots in the opposite direction S2 to return to its initial rest position by elastic return. The combined pawl 22 and the combined latch 16 are then in the intermediate configuration of partial disengagement of the strike plate 100, in which the second relief 34 of the pawl 22 cooperates with the second stop surface 44 of the combined latch 16.

[0082] In a second step 7A ([Fig. 7]), the user commands the actuator to perform a second action of moving the element by pulling the cable. The actuator element is then moved and causes the combined ratchet 22 to pivot clockwise SI ([Fig. 7]; 7B, [Fig. 7]; 7C). The combined latch 16 is then pivoted until the strike plate 100 is released from the notch 18. The combined latch 16 and the combined ratchet 22 are then in their final unlocked configuration ([Fig. 7]; 7D).

[0083] Figure 8 also shows steps A to D of the locking arrangement of the lock 10 of the hood of the motor vehicle. Initially, the lock arrangement 10 is in the final configuration illustrated in Figure 7, in step 7D.

[0084] Initially, in this configuration, the latch 16 is fully released from the strike plate 100. The combined latch 16 is held in this released position, for example, by the elastic force exerted by the ejection spring. When the cover is open, the latch 16 and its notch 18 are oriented so as to receive the strike plate 100.

[0085] Then during a step 8A, the user of the motor vehicle applies a force on the hood of the vehicle so that the latch 100 transmits this force to the combination latch 16.

[0086] This has the effect of rotating the combined latch 16 relative to the combined ratchet 22 by guiding their respective support portions until the second relief 34 of the ratchet 22 is crossed by the latch 16 ([Fig.8] ; 8B).

[0087] Then, during step 8C, the continued effort exerted by the user on the hood of the motor vehicle causes the latch to continue pivoting combined 16 which leads to the engagement of the lug 32 inside the notch 20 of the combined latch 16. At the end of step 8D, the lock arrangement 10 is in the initial locking configuration illustrated by [Fig.1].

[0088] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Other embodiments within the grasp of a person skilled in the art may also be considered without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. In particular, in the present description, the elastic means described include tension springs, but alternatively, the elastic means may include torsion springs or any other elastic means known in the prior art.

Claims

Demands

1. A locking arrangement (10) for a motor vehicle hood comprising: - a pivotally mounted latch (16) including a notch (18) adapted to cooperate with the hood by engaging a latch (100) of the hood in the notch (18); - a locking pawl (22) cooperating with the latch (16) between an initial locking configuration of the latch (16) with the latch fully engaged, an intermediate locking configuration of the latch (16) with the latch partially engaged, and a final unlocking configuration of the latch (16) with the latch fully released, the pawl (22) being configured to be coupled to an actuator to selectively rotate the pawl (22) from the initial configuration to the intermediate configuration following a first actuator control action and from the intermediate configuration to the unlocking configuration following a second actuator control action.characterized in that the latch (16), called the combined latch (16), is made in the form of a double latch comprising at least a first internal latch (161) and a second external latch (16E) coaxial and connected to each other, and the ratchet (22), called the combined ratchet (22), comprises a first internal ratchet (221) and a second external ratchet (22E) coaxial and connected to each other, and in that the first internal latch (161) and the first internal ratchet (221) cooperate in a first internal plane (PI) following one of the control actions, and the second external latch (16E) and the second external ratchet (22E) cooperate in a second external plane (PE) following the other of the control actions, the two planes (PI, PE) being parallel between,

2. eux. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the combined ratchet (22) laterally comprises a stepped profile (30) delimiting at least first (32) and second (34) reliefs cooperating with the combined latch (16) respectively in the initial and intermediate configurations.

3. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein one (32) of the reliefs (32, 34) is carried by the internal ratchet (221) and the other (34) of the reliefs (32, 34) is carried by the external ratchet (22E).

4. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first relief (32) includes a locking lug which cooperates with a complementary locking notch (20) formed in the combination latch (16) to immobilize the assembly formed by the combination ratchet (22) and the combination latch (16) in the initial configuration.

5. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the combined latch (16) has a fork-shaped lateral profile (40) with at least three teeth (42) successively delimiting the locking notch (20) and the strike plate retaining notch (18) (100).

6. Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims taken together with claim 2, wherein the second relief (34) comprises a surface suitable for serving as a main stop to a contact surface (44) of the combined latch (16) in the intermediate configuration.

7. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the stepped profile (30) includes a surface (36) suitable for serving as a temporary stop to a contact surface (46) of the combined latch (16) during the transition from the initial configuration to the intermediate configuration.

8. Arrangement (10) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein each contact surface (44, 46) of the combined latch (16) extends over one of the end faces of the teeth (42) of the fork (40).

9. Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the combined ratchet (22), having an elongated shape, comprises in the longitudinal direction a proximal end portion (22A) pivotally mounted about a joint axis (X2), an intermediate portion (22B) and a distal end portion (22C) coupled to the actuator.

10. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the internal (221) and external (22E) pawls overlap only in the proximal end portion (22A) such that only one of the external (22E) or internal (221) pawls comprises the intermediate (22B) and distal (22C) portions.

11. Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the combined ratchet (22) and the combined latch (16) are mounted pivotally independently of each other and are elastically stressed by elastic means in opposite pivoting directions.

12. Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means for transmitting force between the latch (16) and the ratchet (22) capable of actively rotating the ratchet (22) into the locking position when the latch (16) is brought into the engagement position with the strike plate (100).

13. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the force transmission means comprise a contact surface (54) of the latch (16) and a contact surface (52) of the ratchet (22), said contact surfaces (52, 54) being able to slide over each other when pivoting the latch (16) towards its engagement position with the strike plate (100).

14. Motor vehicle comprising a lock arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims and an actuator coupled to the ratchet (22), wherein the actuator is electrically powered.

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