Magnetic locking set

Abstract

Magnetic Locking Assembly The invention relates to an assembly comprising a locking device (12), including: - a support (20), comprising an opening (40) leading to an internal cavity; - a latch (22), movable within the internal cavity between an unlocked position and a locked position; and - an actuation member (24), integral with the support; the latch (22) and the actuation member (24) comprising respectively a first (50) and a second (60) magnetic elements, capable of exerting a first attractive force (62) on each other, so as to move the latch (22) towards the locked position. The device (12) includes a third magnetic element (66), capable of exerting a second attractive force (68) on the first magnetic element, opposite to the first force (62). In the unlocked position, the second force (68) is greater than the first force (62). Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Magnetic locking assembly

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking assembly comprising a locking device, said locking device being of the type comprising: a support, defining an internal cavity; said support comprising an opening leading to said internal cavity; a latch, movable in translation in the internal cavity along a first axis, between an unlocking position and a locking position; and a squeezing member, integral with the support.

[0002] The invention is particularly applicable to magnetic locking assemblies, allowing two structural parts to be reversibly joined. Such a locking assembly is described, for example, in document FR3040449.

[0003] The present invention aims to provide an improved device compared to known devices.To this end, the invention relates to a locking assembly of the aforementioned type, in which the latch and the actuating member respectively comprise a first and a second magnetic element, capable of exerting a first magnetic attraction force on each other along the first axis, so as to move the latch towards the locking position or to maintain said latch in the locking position; and the locking device further comprises a locking member, integral with the support; the locking member comprising a third magnetic element, capable of exerting a second magnetic attraction force on the first magnetic element along the first axis, in the opposite direction to the first force; the locking assembly being configured so that, in the unlocked position of the latch, the second force is greater than the first force.

[0004] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the locking assembly comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0005] - the locking assembly is configured so that, in a position of unlocking the latch, located between the locking and unlocking positions along the first axis, the first effort is greater than the second effort;

[0006] - the locking assembly further comprises a movable magnetic device with respect to the locking device between a close position and a distant position; the locking assembly being configured so that, in the close position, the magnetic device exerts on the first magnetic element a third magnetic attraction force, opposite and greater than the first force, so as to move the latch towards the unlocked position or to maintain said latch in the unlocked position;

[0007] - the locking assembly further comprises an assembly member, movable by relation to the support between a dissociated position and an assembled position, the assembly member comprising an assembly element such that in the assembled position, the assembly element passes through the opening of the support and is at least partially disposed in the internal cavity of said support; the locking assembly being configured such that the latch in the locked position blocks the assembly member in the assembled position;

[0008] - the latch has an insertion nose; the assembly element has a notch; and in the assembled position of the assembly member and in the locking position of the latch, the insertion nose is inserted into the notch so as to lock the assembly member in the assembled position;

[0009] - in the assembled position of the assembly member, the assembly element is arranged along a second axis, substantially perpendicular to the first axis;

[0010] - the assembly element has one end; and the latch has a first cam surface, such that, during a movement of the assembly member from the dissociated position to the assembled position, the end of the assembly element cooperates with said first cam surface to move the latch away from the locking position;

[0011] - the assembly member further comprises a release element, the latch and the assembly member being configured so that, during a movement of the assembly member from the assembled position to the disassembled position, the unlocking element moves the latch from the unlocking position to the unlocking position;

[0012] - the latch has a second cam surface, suitable for cooperating with the element unlocking, to move the latch from the unlocked position to the unlocked position.

[0013] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0014] [Fig-1] [Fig.2] Figures 1 and 2 schematically represent a set locking according to an embodiment of the invention, in a first configuration; and

[0015] [Fig.3] [Fig.4] Figures 3 and 4 schematically represent the locking set of Figures 1 and 2, respectively in a second and a third configuration.

[0016] Figures 1 to 4 represent a locking assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0017] The locking assembly 10 comprises: a locking device 12; an assembly member 14; and a magnetic device 16.

[0018] The locking device 12 comprises: a support 20; a latch 22; and a squeezing member 24. In the embodiment shown, the locking device 12 further comprises a locking member 26.

[0019] The support 20 comprises: walls 30, 32, 34; and at least one internal cavity 36 defined by said walls. Preferably, the walls 30, 32, 34 are made of a diamagnetic material, such as a plastic material.

[0020] The internal cavity 36 has an elongated shape, extending along a first axis 38.

[0021] In the following description, we consider an orthonormal basis (X, Y, Z) associated with the support 20. The direction X is parallel to the first axis 38.

[0022] The walls 30, 32, 34 of the support 20 comprise a first lateral wall 30, substantially parallel to the first axis 38. A first opening 40, opening onto the internal cavity 36, is provided in the first lateral wall 30.

[0023] Preferably, the first lateral wall 30 is substantially flat. In the embodiment shown, the first lateral wall 30 extends in a plane (X, Y).

[0024] In the embodiment shown, the walls of the support further comprise a second side wall 32, opposite the first side wall 30 with respect to the first axis 38. A second opening 42, opening onto the internal cavity 36, is provided in the second side wall 32.

[0025] The first 40 and second 42 openings are aligned along a second axis 44, not parallel to the first axis 38. Preferably, the second axis 44 is substantially perpendicular to the first axis 38. In the embodiment shown, the second axis 44 is parallel to the Z direction.

[0026] In the embodiment shown, the walls of the support further comprise a front wall 34, substantially perpendicular to the first axis 38. The front wall 34 forms a first end of the internal cavity 36 along the first axis 38. In the embodiment shown, the front wall 34 extends in a plane (Y, Z).

[0027] The latch 22 comprises: a latch body 46; at least one fin 48; and a first magnetic element 50.

[0028] The latch body 46 extends along the first axis 38 between a first 51 and a second 52 end. The second end 52 is oriented towards the front wall 34 of the support 20. The first end 51 forms, in particular, an insertion nose 53.

[0029] In the embodiment shown, the first end 51 of the latch body 46 comprises a first cam surface 54, adjacent to the insertion nose 53. For example, the first cam surface 54 is flat and extends obliquely with respect to The first 38 and the second 44 axes. According to an unshown variant, the first cam surface is curved.

[0030] The first end 51 of the latch body 46 further includes a lower surface 55.

[0031] The latch body 46 is movable in translation in the internal cavity 36 along the first axis 38, between a locking position and an unlocking position of the latch 22. More precisely, the latch body 46 is able to slide in the internal cavity 36.

[0032] In the locking position of the latch 22, visible in figures 1, 2 and 4, the insertion nose 53 of the latch body 46 is vertically aligned with the first 40 and second 42 openings along the second axis 44.

[0033] In the unlocked position of the latch 22, visible in [Fig.3], the latch body 46 is located at a distance from the second axis 44 and from the first 40 and second 42 openings along the first axis 38. In the following description, the unlocked position of the latch 22 is considered to correspond to a contact between the second end 52 of the latch body 46 and the front wall 34 of the support 20.

[0034] The fin 48 is formed as a single piece with the latch body 46 and forms a projection along the Y direction relative to said latch body 46.

[0035] The fin 48 has a second cam surface 56. For example, the second cam surface 56 is flat and extends obliquely with respect to the first 38 and second 44 axes. According to an alternative (not shown), the second cam surface is curved.

[0036] The second cam surface 56 has an end edge 58, forming an end along the first axis 38 of the fin 48. Said end is oriented towards the front wall 34 of the support 20.

[0037] Preferably, the first 54 and second 56 cam surfaces are oriented substantially opposite each other with respect to the second axis 44. More preferably, the first 54 and second 56 cam surfaces are oriented respectively towards the first 40 and towards the second 42 openings.

[0038] In the embodiment shown, the latch 22 comprises two fins 48 arranged on either side of the latch body 46, each fin 48 having a second cam surface 56. The two fins 48 are considered to be substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane (X, Z).

[0039] The first magnetic element 50 is integral with the latch body 46. Preferably, the first magnetic element 50 is a permanent magnet. In the embodiment shown, the first magnetic element 50 is a dipole magnet, arranged parallel to the first axis 38.

[0040] In an unshown variant, the first magnetic element is a ferromagnetic mass capable of forming a non-permanent magnet.

[0041] The stress member 24 is fixed to the support 20. In the embodiment shown, the stress member 24 is located at a second end of the internal cavity 36, opposite the front wall 34. More precisely, the second axis 44 is located between the front wall 34 and the stress member 24 along the first axis 38.

[0042] The arousal member 24 comprises a second magnetic element 60. The second magnetic element 60 is a permanent magnet. In the embodiment shown, the second magnetic element 60 is a dipole magnet, arranged parallel to the first axis 38.

[0043] The second magnetic element 60 is capable of exerting on the first magnetic element 50 a magnetic attraction force 62, called a stress force 62. Said stress force 62 is oriented parallel to the first axis 38.

[0044] The stress force 62 is variable, in particular depending on a distance between the first 50 and second 60 magnetic elements along the first axis 38.

[0045] The locking member 26 is integral with the support 20 and disposed at the first end of the internal cavity 36. In the embodiment shown, the locking member 26 is disposed in a housing 64 provided in the front wall 34.

[0046] The locking member 26 comprises a third magnetic element 66. Said third magnetic element 66 is a permanent magnet. In the embodiment shown, the third magnetic element 66 is a dipole magnet, arranged parallel to the first axis 38.

[0047] In an embodiment not shown, the third magnetic element is a ferromagnetic element.

[0048] The third magnetic element 66 is capable of exerting on the first magnetic element 50 a magnetic attraction force 68, called blocking force 68. Said blocking force 68 is oriented parallel to the first axis 38.

[0049] The blocking forces 68 and the stress forces 62 are in opposite directions. More precisely, the blocking forces 68 and the stress forces 62 are directed respectively towards the first and second ends of the internal cavity 36.

[0050] The blocking force 68 is variable, in particular depending on a distance between the first 50 and third 66 magnetic elements along the first axis 38.

[0051] In the latch 22 locking position, the tightening force 62 is greater than the blocking force 68. In the latch 22 unlocking position, the blocking force 68 is greater than the tightening force 62. The tightening force 62 and the blocking force 68 will be described in more detail below.

[0052] The assembly member 14 comprises an assembly element 70 and an end plate 72. In the embodiment shown, the assembly member 14 further comprises a release element 74.

[0053] The assembly element 70 extends substantially straight along a third axis 76 between a first 78 and a second end. The first end 78 preferably has a tapered shape.

[0054] The assembly element 70 has a lateral notch 80, substantially perpendicular to the third axis 76.

[0055] The lateral notch includes in particular a lower wall 81. The lower surface 55 of the first end 51 of the latch body 46 is able to slide against said lower wall 81.

[0056] In the embodiment shown, the lower wall 81 is flat. In an alternative not shown, the lower wall 81 has a projection adapted to abut against the insertion nose 53 of the latch body 46, as described below.

[0057] The end plate 72 is integral with the second end of the assembly element 70. In the embodiment shown, the end plate 72 is substantially flat and perpendicular to the third axis 76. In an embodiment not shown, the end plate 72 has a three-dimensional shape.

[0058] The unlocking element 74 has at least one tab 82 projecting from the end plate 72, substantially parallel to the third axis 76. One end of said tab 82, opposite the end plate 72, has a lug 84.

[0059] In the embodiment shown, the unlocking element 74 comprises two substantially identical tabs 82, which will be described in more detail below. The lugs 84 of said tabs 82 are aligned perpendicularly to the third axis 76 and opposite each other.

[0060] The assembly member 14 is mobile relative to the support 20 between an assembled position and a dissociated position.

[0061] In the assembled position of the assembly member 14, visible in figures 1 to 3, the assembly element 70 passes through the first opening 40 of the support 20 and is at least partially disposed in the internal cavity 36 of said support.

[0062] More specifically, in the assembled position of the embodiment shown, the assembly element 70 passes through the first 40 and second 42 openings of the support 20; the second 44 and third 76 axes are coincident; and the end plate 72 is in contact with or at a predetermined distance from the first side wall 30 of the support 20.

[0063] In the embodiment shown, the first side wall 30 of the support 20 has two holes 86; and in the assembled position, each of the tabs 82 of the unlocking element 74 is housed in one of said holes 86.

[0064] Furthermore, in the assembled position of the embodiment shown, the tabs 82 of the release element 74 are arranged between the assembly element 70 and the front wall 34 of the support along the first axis 38. In addition, said tabs 82 are arranged on either side of the latch 22 along Y; and the fins 48 of said latch are arranged along Z between the lugs 84 of the release element 74 and the end plate 72.

[0065] A position of the latch 22 along the first axis 38, called the unlocking position (not shown), is considered, located between the locking and unlocking positions. In said unlocking position of the latch 22 and in the assembled position of the assembly member 14, each lug 84 of the unlocking element 74 is aligned along Z with the end edge 58 of one of the second cam surfaces 56.

[0066] In the dissociated position of the assembly member 14, visible in [Fig.4], the assembly element 70 is disposed out of the first 40 and second 42 openings of the support 20 and the end plate 72 is moved away from the first side wall 30.

[0067] The magnetic device 16, not shown in [Fig. 2], comprises a permanent magnet. In the embodiment shown, the magnetic device 16 is a dipole magnet. In one embodiment, the magnetic device 16 is integrated into a tool. Such a tool allows the user to unlock the assembly.

[0068] The magnetic device 16 is movable relative to the locking device 12 between a close position and a distant position. In the close position, visible in [Fig. 3], the magnetic device 16 exerts a magnetic attraction force 88 on the first magnetic element 50, referred to as the actuation force 88. This actuation force 88 is oriented along the first axis 38 and opposite to the excitation force 62.

[0069] Preferably, regardless of the position of the latch 22 in the internal cavity 36, between the locking and unlocking positions, the actuation force 88 is greater than the stress force 62.

[0070] For example, in the close position of the magnetic device 16, said magnetic device 16 is in contact with the front wall 34 of the support 20. Preferably, in the close position of the magnetic device 16, said magnetic device 16 is aligned with the first magnetic element 50 along the first axis 38. Alternatively, in the close position, said magnetic device 16 is close to the front wall 34 of the support 20, for example at a distance of less than 5 mm.

[0071] In the distant position of the magnetic device 16, visible for example in figures 1 and 4, said magnetic device exerts on the first magnetic element 50 a force less than the stress force 62.

[0072] The locking assembly 10 is for example intended to lock two structural parts (not shown) together, one of said parts being fixed to the locking device 12 and the other of said parts being fixed to the assembly member 14.

[0073] A method for operating the locking assembly 10 will now be described.

[0074] We consider an initial state of the assembly 10, in which: the assembly member 14 is in a dissociated position with respect to the locking device 12; the magnetic device 16 is in a distant position with respect to the locking device 12; and the latch 22 of the device 12 is in a locked position with respect to the support 20.

[0075] We consider a first step of the process, or locking step.

[0076] In said first step, the magnetic device 16 is held in a position away from the locking device 12. The first end 78 of the assembly element 70 is inserted into the internal cavity 36 of the support 20 through the first opening 40. Said first end 78 is then moved towards the second opening 42, the second 44 and third 76 axes being substantially coincident.

[0077] During such a movement, the first end 78 of the assembly element 70 comes into contact with the first cam surface 54 of the latch body 46. Under the action of the moving assembly element 70, the first cam surface 54 slides into contact with the first end 78, which causes the latch to move along the first axis 38 towards the front wall 34 of the support.

[0078] The assembly element 70 continues its movement towards the second opening 42 until the lateral notch 80 is aligned with the insertion nose 53 along the first axis 38. Under the action of the tightening force 62, the latch then moves towards the tightening member 24. The insertion nose 53 is inserted into the lateral notch 80 along the first axis 38.

[0079] In the embodiment (not shown) in which the lower wall 81 of the lateral notch 80 has a projection, the insertion nose 53 of the latch body 46 abuts against said projection. Such an embodiment allows for compensation of the assembly clearances of the assembly 10.

[0080] The assembly element 70 is thus blocked in translation relative to the support 20, along the second axis 44, by the latch 22 cooperating with the lateral notch 80. The assembly member 14 is thus held in the assembled position relative to the locking device 12.

[0081] We consider a second step of the process, or unlocking step.

[0082] In said second step, the magnetic device 16 is placed in a position close to the locking device 12. Preferably, as shown in [Fig. 3], the magnetic device 16 is placed in contact with the front wall 34 of the support 20 and aligned with the first magnetic element 50 along the first axis 38.

[0083] Thus positioned, the magnetic device 16 exerts on the first magnetic element 50 the actuation force 88, greater than the stress force 62. The latch 22 then moves along the first axis 38, until the second end 52 of the latch body comes to rest against the front wall 34 of the support 20.

[0084] The latch 22 is therefore in the unlocked position, the insertion nose 53 being away from the lateral notch 80 of the assembly element 70.

[0085] The magnetic device 16 is then moved back to a distant position and ceases to exert the actuation force 88 on the first magnetic element 50. However, the latch 22 remains in the unlocked position, the blocking force 68 exerted by the third magnetic element 66 being greater than the activation force 62.

[0086] The assembly member 14 is then moved along the second axis 44, so as to extract the assembly element 70 from the first 40 and second 42 openings of the support 20.

[0087] During said movement of the assembly member 14, each lug 84 of the unlocking element 74 comes into contact with the second cam surface 56 of one of the fins 48 of the latch 22. Under the action of the moving unlocking element 74, the second cam surface 56 slides into contact with the corresponding lug 84, which causes the latch to move along the first axis 38 towards the actuating member 24.

[0088] When each lug 84 reaches the end edge 58 of the corresponding second cam surface 56, the lateral notch 80 of the assembly element 70 is moved away from the insertion nose 53 of the latch 22 along the second axis 44; and the latch 22 is in the unlocking position along the first axis 38, between the locking and unlocking positions.

[0089] In said unlocking position of the latch 22, the first magnetic element 50 is sufficiently close to the second magnetic element 60 and sufficiently far from the third magnetic element 66 so that the excitation force 62 is greater than the blocking force 68.

[0090] From the unlocked position, the latch 22 therefore returns to the locked position under the action of the stress force 62. In parallel, the assembly element 70 completes its movement out of the internal cavity 36 through the first opening 40.

[0091] The initial state of assembly 10 is thus restored, with the latch 22 in the locked position and the assembly member 14 in the disengaged position. An assembly member 14 can therefore be reassembled with the locking device 12.

[0092] In the embodiment comprising a release element 74 capable of cooperating with the second cam surfaces 56 of the latch, the movement of the assembly member 14 from the assembled position to the dissociated position therefore allows the latch 22 to automatically return to the locking position.

[0093] In the absence of such a release element 74 on the assembly member 14, an alternative embodiment consists of using the magnetic device 16 to attract the latch 22 into the locking position, after dissociation of the locking device 12 and the assembly member 14.

[0094] In one embodiment of the invention, the locking device 12 is assembled into an interior vehicle component, such as a dashboard, door panel, or center console. The assembly member 14 is, for example, an aesthetic part, such as a decorative strip, which is assembled with the interior vehicle component.

[0095] The invention allows modularity and / or customization of the assembly member 14, thanks to a simple assembly, locking and disassembly.

[0096] In addition, the invention also allows for better disassembly, better repairability and facilitates disassembly, particularly for the purpose of recycling parts.

Claims

Demands

1. Locking assembly (10), comprising a locking device (12), said locking device comprising: - a support (20), defining an internal cavity (36); said support comprising an opening (40) leading to said internal cavity; - a latch (22), movable in translation within the internal cavity about a first axis (38), between an unlocked position and a locked position; and - a actuating member (24), integral with the support; the latch (22) and the actuating member (24) comprising respectively a first (50) and a second (60) magnetic elements, capable of exerting on each other a first magnetic attraction force (62) about the first axis, so as to move the latch (22) towards the locked position or to maintain said latch in the locked position; the locking device (12) further comprising a locking member (26), integral with the support (20);the locking member comprising a third magnetic element (66), capable of exerting on the first magnetic element a second magnetic attraction force (68) along the first axis, in the opposite direction to the first force (62); the locking assembly being configured so that, in the unlocked position of the latch, the second force (68) is greater than the first force (62).

2. Locking assembly according to claim 1, wherein the locking assembly is configured such that, in a latch unlocking position located between the locking and unlocking positions along the first axis (38), the first force (62) is greater than the second force (68).

3. A locking assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking assembly further comprises a magnetic device (16), movable relative to the locking device between a near position and a far position; the locking assembly being configured such that, in the near position, the magnetic device exerts on the first magnetic element a third magnetic attraction force (88), opposite to and greater than the first force (62), so as to move the latch (22) to the unlocked position or to keep said latch in the unlocked position.

4. Locking assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an assembly member (14), movable relative to the support (20) between a dissociated position and an assembled position, the assembly member comprising an assembly element (70) such that in the assembled position, the assembly element passes through the opening (40) of the support and is at least partially disposed in the internal cavity (36) of said support; the locking assembly being configured such that the latch (22) in the locked position blocks the assembly member in the assembled position.

5. Locking assembly according to claim 4, wherein: the latch (22) has an insertion nose (53); the assembly element (70) has a notch (80); and in the assembled position of the assembly member (14) and in the locking position of the latch (22), the insertion nose (53) is inserted into the notch (80) so as to lock the assembly member in the assembled position.

6. Locking assembly according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, in the assembled position of the assembly member (14), the assembly element (70) is arranged along a second axis (44), substantially perpendicular to the first axis (38).

7. Locking assembly according to claim 6, wherein: the assembly element (70) has an end (78); and the latch (22) has a first cam surface (54), such that, during a movement of the assembly member from the dissociated position to the assembled position, the end (78) of the assembly element cooperates with said first cam surface (54) to move the latch away from the locking position.

8. Locking assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 7 taken in combination with claim 2, wherein the assembly member (14) further comprises a release element (74), the latch and the assembly member being configured such that, during a movement of the assembly member from the assembled position to the disassembled position, the release element moves the latch (22) from the unlocking position to the unlocking position.

9. Locking assembly according to claim 8, wherein the latch (22) has a second cam surface (56), suitable for cooperating with the unlocking element (74), to move the latch (22) from the unlocking position to the unlocking position.

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