Magnetic locking device and associated locking assembly

Abstract

Magnetic Locking Device and Associated Locking Assembly The invention relates to a locking device (12), comprising: - a support (20), defining an internal cavity (34); said support comprising an opening (38) leading to said internal cavity; and - a latch (22), rotatable relative to the support, about an axis of rotation (47), between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking device further comprises an actuation member (24), integral with the support. The latch (22) and the actuation member (24) respectively comprise a first (52) and a second (70) magnetic elements, capable of exerting magnetic repulsion on each other. A first magnetic repulsion force exerted on the latch (22) in the locked position is less than a second magnetic repulsion force exerted on said latch (22) in the unlocked position. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Magnetic locking device and associated locking assembly

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking device, of the type comprising: a support, defining an internal cavity; said support comprising an opening leading to said internal cavity; and a latch, movable in rotation relative to the support, around an axis of rotation, between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0002] The invention is particularly applicable to magnetic locking devices, allowing two structural parts to be reversibly joined. Such a locking device is described, for example, in document EP2024590.

[0003] However, such a locking device operates by means of a mechanism involving gravity locking. Installing such a locking device in an installation, for example a vehicle interior, requires a specific orientation in space.

[0004] The present invention aims to provide an improved device compared to known devices. To this end, the invention relates to a locking device of the aforementioned type, further comprising a actuating member, integral with the support; and such that the latch and the actuating member respectively comprise a first and a second magnetic element, capable of exerting a magnetic repulsion or attraction force on each other; a first magnetic repulsion force exerted by the actuating member on the latch in the locked position being less than a second magnetic repulsion force exerted by said actuating member on said latch in the unlocked position; or a first magnetic attraction force exerted by the actuating member on the latch in the locked position being greater than a second magnetic attraction force exerted by said actuating member on said latch in the unlocked position.

[0005] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the locking device comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0006] - the first and second magnetic elements are capable of exerting force on each other a magnetic repulsion force; and the first magnetic repulsion force exerted by the actuating member on the latch in the locked position is less than the second magnetic repulsion force exerted by said actuating member on said latch in the unlocked position;

[0007] - the first and second magnetic elements are respectively a first and a second dipole magnet, extending respectively along a first axis and along a second axis; and a first angle between the first and second axes in the locked position of the latch is greater than a second angle between the first and second axes in the unlocked position of said latch;

[0008] - the first and second axes are substantially coplanar;

[0009] - the latch includes a locking nose, such that in the locked position of the latch, the locking nose is disposed in the internal cavity of the support; and in the unlocked position of the latch, the locking nose is disposed away from said internal cavity;

[0010] - the support comprises a first and a second rotation stop; and the latch includes a counter-stop, so that: the latch is movable in rotation relative to the support between a first and a second angular positions, in which the counter-stop is in contact respectively with the first and second rotation stops; each of the locked and unlocked positions is included between the first and second angular positions; and whatever the position of the latch between said first and second angular positions, the first and second magnetic elements exert a magnetic repulsion on each other.

[0011] The invention further relates to a locking assembly comprising: a locking device as described above; and an assembly element, movable relative to the support between a dissociated configuration and an assembled configuration, such that in the assembled configuration, 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 blocked position locks the assembly element in the assembled configuration.

[0012] 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:

[0013] - the assembly element has a notch; and in the assembled configuration of the assembly element and in the locked position of the latch, the locking nose of the latch is inserted into the notch, so as to lock the assembly element in the assembled position;

[0014] - the assembly element has one end; and the latch has a cam surface, such that, during a movement of the assembly element from the dissociated configuration to the assembled configuration, the end of the assembly element cooperates with said cam surface to move the latch away from the locked position;

[0015] - the locking assembly further includes a movable magnetic device compared to the locking device between a close position and a position distant; 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, greater than the second magnetic repulsion force, so as to move the latch from the locked position to the unlocked position;

[0016] - the magnetic device comprises a dipole magnet.

[0017] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0018] [Fig-1] [Fig.2] Figures 1 and 2 schematically represent a set of locking according to an embodiment of the invention, respectively in a first and second stable configurations; and

[0019] [Fig.3] [Fig.4] Figures 3 and 4 schematically represent the locking set of Figures 1 and 2, respectively in a first and second intermediate configurations.

[0020] Figures 1 to 4 represent a locking assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] The locking assembly 10 comprises: a locking device 12; a assembly member 14; and a magnetic device 16, visible in figures 1 and 4.

[0022] The locking device 12 comprises: a support 20; a latch 22; and a squeezing member 24.

[0023] The support 20 comprises: walls 30, 32; and at least one internal cavity 34 defined by said walls. Preferably, the walls 30, 32 are made of a diamagnetic material, such as a plastic material.

[0024] The internal cavity 34 has an elongated shape, extending along an insertion axis 36. The walls 30, 32 defining the internal cavity 34 are parallel to said insertion axis 36.

[0025] In the following description, we consider an orthonormal basis (X, Y, Z) associated with the support 20. The Z direction is parallel to the insertion axis 36.

[0026] The support 20 includes a first opening 38, forming a first end of the internal cavity 34 along the insertion axis 36. In the embodiment shown, the support 20 further includes a second opening 40, forming a second end of the internal cavity 34 along the insertion axis 36.

[0027] In the embodiment shown, the support 20 further comprises: a rotation zone 42; and a first 44 and a second 46 rotation stops.

[0028] The rotation zone 42 is suitable for materializing a rotation axis 47 for the latch 22, as described below. The rotation axis 47 is offset from the insertion axis 38 in the X direction.

[0029] Preferably, the rotation axis 47 is perpendicular to the insertion axis 38. In the embodiment shown, the rotation axis 47 is parallel to the Y direction.

[0030] In the embodiment shown, the rotation zone 42 comprises two flanges 48 separated from each other along the axis of rotation 47. Each of the two flanges 48 is adjacent to one 30 of the walls delimiting the internal cavity 34. Said wall 30 comprises a cutout 49 connecting the internal cavity 34 and the space between the two flanges 48.

[0031] The first 44 and second 46 rotation stops are understood to be relative to the axis of rotation 47. Said first 44 and second 46 rotation stops are arranged opposite each other and separated by an angle of rotation α, preferably between 60° and 180°. In the embodiment shown, the angle of rotation α is on the order of 135°.

[0032] In the embodiment shown, the first 44 and second 46 rotation stops are materialized by the flanges 48 of the rotation zone 42.

[0033] The latch 22 comprises a latch body 50 and a first magnetic element 52. In the embodiment shown, the latch 22 further comprises a lug 54.

[0034] The latch body 50 is mounted on the rotation zone 42 of the support 20 and is movable in rotation relative to said support around the axis of rotation 47. More precisely, the latch body 50 is disposed between the flanges 48 of the rotation zone 42.

[0035] The latch body 50 has an outer surface 56, substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 47 and disposed around said axis of rotation. The outer surface 56 has a locking nose 58.

[0036] More specifically, the blocking nose 58 comprises: an end 60; an insertion surface 62; and a blocking surface 64.

[0037] The end 60 preferably has a curved shape around an axis parallel to the axis of rotation 47. The insertion surface 62 and the locking surface 64 extend on either side of the end 60.

[0038] The first magnetic element 52 is integral with the latch body 50. In the embodiment shown, the first magnetic element 52 is housed within the latch body 50.

[0039] Preferably, the first magnetic element 52 is a permanent magnet. In the embodiment shown, the first magnetic element 52 is a dipole magnet, arranged along a first magnet axis 66. More precisely, the poles of the first magnetic element 52 are aligned along the first magnet axis 66.

[0040] The lug 54 is integral with the latch body 50 and preferably forms an axial projection relative to said latch body 50.

[0041] The lug 54 is separated from the locking nose 58 by a non-zero angle with respect to the axis of rotation 47. In the embodiment shown, the lug 54 and the locking nose 58 are substantially arranged on either side of the axis of rotation 47.

[0042] The latch 22 is movable in rotation relative to the support 20, between a first and a second angular positions along the axis of rotation 47. In the first and in the second angular positions of the latch 22, the lug 54 of said latch is in contact, respectively with the first 44 and with the second 46 rotation stops of the support 20.

[0043] In the first angular position of the latch 22, as seen in [Fig. 1], the locking nose 58 of said latch passes through the cutout 49 of the wall 30 and protrudes into the internal cavity 34 of the support 20.

[0044] In the second angular position of the latch 22, as seen in [Fig.4], the locking nose 58 is away from the internal cavity 34 of the support 20.

[0045] The stress member 24 is integral with the support 20. In the embodiment shown, the stress member 24 is housed in the support 20; and the internal cavity 34 is disposed between the stress member 24 and the rotation zone 42 along the X direction.

[0046] The excitation member 24 comprises a second magnetic element 70. Preferably, the second magnetic element 70 is a permanent magnet. In the embodiment shown, the second magnetic element 70 is a dipole magnet, arranged along a second magnet axis 72. More precisely, the poles of the second magnetic element 70 are aligned along the second magnet axis 72.

[0047] Preferably, the first 66 and second 72 axes are substantially coplanar. In the embodiment shown, the second magnet axis 72 is parallel to the X direction.

[0048] The locking device 12 is configured such that the first 52 and second 70 magnetic elements exert a magnetic repulsion on each other. More specifically, regardless of the position of the latch 22 between the first and second angular positions, the poles of the first 52 and second 70 magnetic elements closest to each other are poles of the same polarity.

[0049] Furthermore, the locking device 12 is configured such that the magnetic repulsion between the first 52 and second 70 magnetic elements is weaker in the first angular position of the latch than in the second angular position. In other words, as will be detailed later, an angle between 0° and 90°, formed between the first 66 and second 72 magnet axes, is greater in the first angular position of the latch than in the second angular position.

[0050] In particular, the magnetic repulsion between the first 52 and second 70 magnetic elements is minimal in the first angular position of the latch 22.

[0051] In the following description, we will consider a repulsive force F exerted by the second magnetic element 70, parallel to the second magnet axis 72.

[0052] The assembly member 14 comprises an assembly element 74 and an end piece 76.

[0053] The assembly element 74 is substantially straight and extends along an assembly axis 80, between a first 82 and a second end. The first end 82 preferably has a tapered shape.

[0054] The assembly element 74 has a lateral notch 84 extending substantially parallel to the assembly axis 80. One axial end of the notch 84 is formed by a chamfered surface 86, located near the first end 82 of the assembly element. The chamfered surface 86 is substantially flat and inclined with respect to the assembly axis 80.

[0055] The end piece 76 is integral with the second end of the assembly element 74.

[0056] In the embodiment shown, the end piece 76 comprises a first 88 and a second 89 plate that are substantially flat and perpendicular to each other. The first plate 88 is integral with the assembly element 74, and the second plate 89 is substantially parallel to said assembly element. The assembly element 74 and the first 88 and second 89 plates form a U-shaped profile defining a housing 90. In an embodiment not shown, the first plate 88 or the second plate 89 has a 2.5-dimensional or three-dimensional shape.

[0057] The assembly member 14 is movable relative to the locking device 12 between a dissociated configuration and an assembled configuration of the set 10. The dissociated configuration is visible in [Fig.1], the assembled configuration is visible in figures 2 to 4.

[0058] In the assembled configuration of the set 10, the assembly element 74 passes through the first opening 38 of the support 20 and is at least partially disposed in the internal cavity 34 of said support. In the embodiment shown, in the assembled configuration of the set 10, the insertion axis 36 and the assembly axis 80 coincide, and the assembly element 74 passes through each of the first 38 and second 40 openings forming the ends of the internal cavity 34.

[0059] Furthermore, in said assembled configuration, the notch 84 of the assembly element 74 is at least partially disposed in the internal cavity 34. In particular, the chamfered surface 86 of the notch 84 is disposed in the internal cavity 34.

[0060] Furthermore, in said assembled configuration, the first plate 88 of the end piece 76 is in contact with, or at a predetermined distance from, the first opening 38 of the support. In addition, the latch 22 and the rotation area 42 of the support are received in the housing 90 formed by the assembly member 14. In other words, in the assembled configuration, the latch 22 is invisible from outside the locking assembly 10.

[0061] In the assembled configuration of the set 10, the latch 22 is mobile in rotation relative to the support 20, in particular between a blocked position, visible on [Fig.2], and an unlocked position, visible on [Fig.3].

[0062] In the blocked position of [Fig.2], or locking position, the locking nose 58 of the latch is disposed in the internal cavity 34 of the support and in the notch 84 of the assembly element 74. More specifically, in the locking position, the locking surface 64 of the locking nose 58 is in contact with the chamfered surface 86 of the notch 84.

[0063] Moreover, the locking position is close to the first angular position of the latch 22. More precisely, in the locking position of the latch, the lug 54 of said latch is close to the first rotation stop 44. Preferably, there is a non-zero angle between the locking position and the first angular position of the latch 22.

[0064] Furthermore, in the locking position, the first 66 and second 72 magnet axes form a first magnet angle [3] between 0° and 90°. The repulsive force F, exerted by the second magnetic element 70, has a first component parallel to the first magnet axis 66, forming a first magnetic repulsive force Fi.

[0065] In the unlocked position of [Fig.3], or intermediate insertion position, the locking nose 58 of the latch is angularly separated from the internal cavity 34 of the support and from the notch 84 of the assembly element 74.

[0066] Furthermore, the intermediate insertion position is closer to the second angular position of the latch 22 than the locking position. There is a non-zero angle between the intermediate insertion position and the second angular position of the latch 22.

[0067] Furthermore, in the intermediate insertion position, the first 66 and second 72 magnet axes form a second magnet angle θ, between 0° and 90°. The repulsive force F, exerted by the second magnetic element 70, has a second component parallel to the first magnet axis 66, forming a second magnetic repulsive force F2. This second force F2 has a higher magnitude than the first force Fh

[0068] The magnetic device 16, visible in Figures 1 and 4, comprises a permanent magnet. In the embodiment shown, the magnetic device 16 is a dipole magnet. According to one embodiment, the magnetic device comprises a permanent magnet inserted in a tool.

[0069] The magnetic device 16 is movable relative to the locking device 12 between a close position, visible in [Fig. 4], and a distant position, visible in [Fig. 1]. In the close position, the magnetic device 16 exerts a magnetic attraction force F3 on the first magnetic element 52. In absolute value, the magnetic attraction force F3 is greater than the second magnetic repulsion force F2.

[0070] Moreover, said force F3 is greater than the magnetic repulsion force exerted by the second magnetic element 70 on the first magnetic element 52 in the second angular position of the latch. In particular, as can be seen in [Fig. 4], the magnetic device 16 in the close position is capable of moving the latch 22 into the second angular position, in which the lug 54 is in contact with the second rotation stop 46.

[0071] As seen in [Fig.4], in the assembled configuration of the set 10, the latch 22 in the second angular position is at a distance from the chamfered surface 86 of the notch 84 of the assembly element 74. The latch 22 is then in a so-called unlocked position.

[0072] A method for operating the locking assembly 10 will now be described.

[0073] We consider an initial state of the assembly 10, represented on [Fig.1], in which the assembly member 14 is in a dissociated configuration with respect to the locking device 12 and the magnetic device 16 is in a distant position with respect to the locking device 12. In the initial state, the latch 22 of the locking device 12 is in the first angular position, which minimizes the magnetic repulsion between the first 52 and second 70 magnetic elements.

[0074] We consider a first step of the process, or locking step.

[0075] In said first step, the magnetic device 16 is held in a position away from the locking device 12. The first end 82 of the assembly element 74 is inserted into the first opening 38 of the support 20 and into the internal cavity 34. Said first end 82 is then moved towards the second opening 40, the insertion axis 36 and the assembly axis 80 being substantially coincident.

[0076] During such a movement, the first end 82 of the assembly element 74 comes into contact with the insertion surface 62 of the locking nose 58 of the latch 22. Under the action of the moving assembly element 74, the insertion surface 62 slides into contact with the first end 82, causing the latch 22 to pivot towards the second angular position. More precisely, the lug 54 moves away from the first rotation stop 44. As a result, the magnetic repulsion experienced by the first magnetic element 52 increases up to the value F2.

[0077] With the locking nose 58 of the latch 22 away from the internal cavity 34, the assembly element 74 continues its movement, sliding against the end 60 of said locking nose 58. Preferably, the first end 82 of the assembly element 74 passes through the second opening 40 of the support 20 and emerges out of the internal cavity 34, as seen in [Fig.3].

[0078] When the chamfered surface 86 of the notch 84 aligns axially with the end 60 of the locking nose 58, the magnetic repulsion causes the latch 22 to pivot in the opposite direction, towards the first angular position. The locking surface 64 of the locking nose 58 then bears against the chamfered surface 86 of the notch 84, locking the latch 22 in the locked position. The magnetic repulsion experienced by the first magnetic element 52 is thus reduced to the value Fi.

[0079] In the locked position of the latch 22, contact with the chamfered surface 86 of the notch 84 prevents the assembly element 74 from moving in translation. This assembly element cannot be removed from the internal cavity 34 of the support 20. The latch 22 in the locked position thus locks the assembly 10 in its assembled configuration.

[0080] We consider a second step of the process, or unlocking step.

[0081] In said second step, the magnetic device 16 is placed in a position close to the locking device 12. Under the action of the magnetic attraction force F3, the latch 22 pivots from the locking position to the intermediate insertion position. In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 4], the latch continues its pivoting to the second angular position, i.e., to the unlocking position. As a result, the locking nose 58 moves angularly away from the chamfered surface 86 of the notch 84. The assembly element 74 is thus no longer blocked in translation.

[0082] Said assembly element 74 is then extracted from the internal cavity 34 of the support 20, and then the magnetic device 16 is moved away from the locking device 12. The magnetic repulsion between the first 52 and second 70 magnetic elements causes the latch 22 to pivot to the first angular position, minimizing said repulsion.

[0083] The initial state of the assembly 10, previously described, is thus recovered. Stop and counter-stop elements allow a stable position of the assembly to be obtained, as seen in [Fig.1].

[0084] In one embodiment of the invention, the locking device 12 is assembled in an interior vehicle component, such as a dashboard, a door panel, or a center console. The assembly member 14 is, for example An aesthetic component, such as a decorative strip, that is assembled with the vehicle's interior element. Alternatively, the assembly component is a functional part of the vehicle, such as a screen.

[0085] Such a locking assembly, not involving any gravity-driven locking / unlocking mechanism, can be oriented in a non-constraining manner. Furthermore, it provides a fastening method invisible from the outside of the assembly, allowing unlocking without dismantling surrounding parts.

[0086] The description was given for magnets operating in magnetic repulsion. Magnets operating in attraction can also be considered without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Locking device (12), comprising: - a support (20), defining an internal cavity (34); said support comprising an opening (38) leading to said internal cavity; and - a latch (22), movable in rotation relative to the support, about an axis of rotation (47), between a locked position and an unlocked position; the locking device being characterized in that it further comprises a stress member (24), integral with the support;and in that the latch (22) and the actuation member (24) respectively comprise a first (52) and a second (70) magnetic elements, capable of exerting a magnetic repulsion or attraction force on each other, a first magnetic repulsion force (FJ) exerted by the actuation member (24) on the latch (22) in the locked position being less than a second magnetic repulsion force (F2) exerted by said actuation member (24) on said latch (22) in the unlocked position; or a first magnetic attraction force exerted by the actuation member (24) on the latch (22) in the locked position being greater than a second magnetic attraction force exerted by said actuation member (24) on said latch (22) in the unlocked position.;

2. Locking device according to claim 1, wherein: the first (52) and second (70) magnetic elements are respectively a first and a second dipole magnets, extending respectively along a first axis (66) and along a second axis (72); and a first angle (|3) between the first and second axes in the locked position of the latch is greater than a second angle (y) between the first and second axes in the unlocked position of said latch.

3. Locking device according to claim 2, wherein the first (66) and second (72) axes are substantially coplanar.

4. A locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the latch (22) comprises a locking nose (58), such that in the locked position of the latch, the locking nose is disposed in the internal cavity (34) of the support (20); and in the unlocked position of the latch, the locking nose is positioned away from said internal cavity.

5. A locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (20) has a first (44) and a second (46) rotation stops; and the latch has a counter-stop (54), such that: the latch (22) is rotationally movable relative to the support between a first and a second angular positions, in which the counter-stop (54) is in contact respectively with the first (44) and the second (46) rotation stops; each of the locked and unlocked positions is between the first and second angular positions; and whatever the position of the latch between said first and second angular positions, the first (52) and second (70) magnetic elements exert a magnetic repulsion on each other.

6. Locking assembly (10) comprising: a locking device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims; and an assembly element (14, 74), movable relative to the support between a dissociated configuration and an assembled configuration, such that in the assembled configuration, the assembly element passes through the opening (38) of the support and is at least partially disposed in the internal cavity (34) of said support; the locking assembly being configured such that the latch (22) in the blocked position locks the assembly element (74) in the assembled configuration.

7. Locking assembly according to claim 6 taken in combination with claim 4, wherein: the assembly element (14, 74) has a notch (84); and in the assembled configuration of the assembly element and in the locked position of the latch (22), the locking nose (58) of the latch is inserted into the notch (84), so as to lock the assembly element in the assembled position.

8. Locking assembly according to claim 7, wherein: the assembly element has an end (82); and the latch (22) has a cam surface (62), such that, during a movement of the assembly element from the dissociated configuration to the assembled configuration, the end (82) of the assembly element cooperates with said cam surface (62) to move the latch away from the locked position.

9. Locking assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising a magnetic device (16), movable relative to the locking device between a close position and a far 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 (F3), greater than the second magnetic repulsion force (F2), so as to move the latch (22) from the locked position to the unlocked position.

10. Locking assembly according to claim 9, wherein the magnetic device (16) comprises a dipole magnet.

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