Vehicle front hood latch

Abstract

A latch for a vehicle front hood is provided. The latch includes a housing (1), a catch (2) and a pawl (3) rotatably supported in the housing (1), and a torsion spring (4) fixed to the housing and having a first leg (41). The pawl (3) is configured to lock the catch (2), which locks a striker (5). The first leg (41) and the catch (2) are configured to abut against the striker (5) on both sides when the striker (5) is in a locked state. The free end of the first leg (41) is inserted into a receiving slot (6) formed in the housing (1) and is slidable while being guided by the receiving slot (6). Because the torsion spring and the catch clamp both sides of the striker, noise caused by the striker swinging within the catch is eliminated. Furthermore, since the movement of the first leg of the torsion spring can be guided by the receiving slot of the housing, the first leg of the torsion spring is prevented from wobbling, resulting in a more stable and reliable locking and unlocking process.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] This disclosure relates to a latch for a front hood of a vehicle for locking or unlocking the front hood by holding or releasing a striker attached to the hood.

[0002] background

[0003]

[0002] A front hood of a vehicle, such as the hood of the engine compartment of an automobile or the hood of the front trunk compartment of a new energy vehicle, is provided with a front hood latch for locking the hood to the main body of the front compartment. This type of front hood latch generally includes a housing with a striker slot, a catch mounted on the housing configured to engage with a striker attached to the hood, and a pawl for engaging the catch and holding it in a locked position. When the front hood is dropped, the striker attached to the hood enters the striker slot and abuts against the catch, rotating it to a locked position, and the catch engages with the pawl, thereby holding the catch and striker in the locked position.

[0004]

[0003] The locking groove of the catch that engages with the striker is larger in diameter than the striker, resulting in a gap between the catch and the striker. After the hood is closed, the gap between the catch and the striker causes the striker to shake in the locking groove due to vibrations of the vehicle body, resulting in abnormal noise.

[0005] Furthermore, there is a consistent pursuit in the art to simplify the structure of latches and to make the operation of the latch components more stable and reliable.

[0006] Disclosure Overview

[0007]

[0006] The present disclosure aims to solve at least one of the above problems, or other problems that exist in the prior art.

[0008]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a latch for a vehicle front hood is provided for locking or unlocking the hood by retaining or releasing a striker attached to the hood. The latch includes a housing fixed to a vehicle body, a catch and a pawl rotatably supported by the housing, and a torsion spring fixed relative to the housing. The catch is configured to lock the striker, and the pawl is configured to lock the catch that locks the striker. The torsion spring includes a first leg. The first leg and the catch are configured to abut on opposite sides of the striker when the striker is in a locked state. A free end of the first leg is configured to be inserted into a receiving slot formed in the housing and to be slidably guided by the receiving slot.

[0009]

[0008] According to the technical solution of this embodiment, by providing a torsion spring, when the striker is locked, the torsion spring and the catch clamp both sides of the striker, preventing the striker from shaking while the vehicle is in operation and thereby eliminating noise caused by shaking. In addition, since the free end of the first leg is inserted into the receiving slot and is slidable relative to the receiving slot, the receiving slot guides the movement of the first leg of the torsion spring, preventing the first leg from shaking and realizing a more stable and reliable locking and unlocking process.

[0010]

[0009] In one embodiment, the housing includes a main body and a first side wall protruding from the main body toward a side on which the catch is placed, and a receiving slot is formed in the first side wall, and one end wall of the receiving slot is configured to abut against the first leg when the striker is in the locked state.

[0011]

[0010] With this configuration, the position of the end wall (bottom end wall) of the receiving slot can prevent the first leg of the torsion spring from swinging downward, improving its stability. Furthermore, because the bottom end wall of the receiving slot supports the first leg of the torsion spring, the first leg can more reliably clamp the striker.

[0012]

[0011] According to an exemplary configuration, the first leg is bent at its bent section toward the striker, and the bent section is positioned in a position where it can contact the striker.

[0013]

[0012] Compared to a straight leg, the provision of a bent section in the first leg increases contact between the first leg and the striker as the striker moves downward toward the locked position or upward toward the unlocked position, providing more stable support for the striker.

[0014]

[0013] According to an exemplary configuration, the first leg further comprises a first straight section and a second straight section connected by a bent section, and the angle between the first straight section and the second straight section is an obtuse angle.

[0015]

[0014] According to an exemplary configuration, the wire of the torsion spring has a rectangular cross section.

[0016]

[0015] A torsion spring with a rectangular cross section has a flat surface that contacts the striker, resulting in a larger contact area compared to a wire with a circular cross section, allowing for more stable clamping of the striker. According to an exemplary configuration, the torsion spring further includes a second leg, and the housing further includes a second side wall that protrudes from the main body opposite the first side wall. The free end of the second leg of the torsion spring abuts against the second side wall. A latch with such a configuration has a simple structure and is easy to assemble.

[0017]

[0016] According to a configuration of one embodiment, the catch is pivotally supported on the housing via a first shaft provided in the housing, and the torsion spring is fixed to the first shaft.

[0018]

[0017] According to an exemplary configuration, the pawl is pivotally supported on the housing via a second shaft provided on the housing, and the torsion spring is fixed to the second shaft. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a latch for a front hood of an automobile according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic front view of the latch in an unlocked state with the striker in the striker slot. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a schematic front view of the latch in a locked state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the latch from another view, with the first leg of the torsion spring received in the receiving slot. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the latch in FIG. 4 from yet another view.

[0020] Detailed Description

[0021]

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, many details are set forth in order to make the present disclosure easier to understand and practice. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that not all details are necessarily required to practice the present disclosure.

[0022]

[0024] 1 to 5, a latch for a vehicle front hood is shown according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle front hood described herein is not limited to the hood of an engine compartment of an automobile. For example, in a new energy vehicle, a trunk compartment is provided in the corresponding front portion of the vehicle, and the latch of the present disclosure can also be applied to the hood of that trunk compartment. The front compartment of the vehicle is opened and closed by a front hood (not shown), and a striker 5 is attached to the front hood. The latch is fixed to the vehicle body (not shown) of the front compartment and holds the hood closed by locking the striker 5.

[0023]

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the latch includes a housing 1, a catch 2, a claw portion 3, a first spring 8, and a second spring 9. The housing 1 includes a mounting portion 13 for securing the latch to the vehicle body. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a striker slot 11 for holding a striker 5 is formed in the housing 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the catch 2 is pivotally supported on the housing 1 via a first shaft 12 provided in the housing 1. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the catch 2 is located on the right side of the striker slot 11 in the housing 1. However, the catch may also be located on the left side of the striker slot 11. The catch 2 is rotatable between an unlocked position shown in FIG. 2 and a locked position shown in FIG. 3. One end of the first spring 8 is connected to the catch 2, and the other end is connected to the housing 1. The first spring 8 biases the catch 2 toward the unlocked position (clockwise in FIGS. 2 and 3). The catch 2 is formed with a locking groove 21 for locking the striker 5. In the locked position shown in FIG. 3, the striker 5 is constrained within the locking groove 21 and the striker slot 11 and cannot be removed from the striker slot 11.

[0024]

[0026] The pawl 3 is pivotally supported on the housing 1 via a second shaft 32 and is located on the opposite side of the striker slot 11 from the catch 2 (left side in FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The first shaft 12, the second shaft 32, and a third shaft (described later) are preferably riveted to the housing 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , the pawl 3 is provided with a first engagement portion 31 that locks the pawl 2 holding the striker 5. This first engagement portion 31 abuts against the second engagement portion 23 of the pawl 2 to prevent rotation of the pawl 2 in the unlocking direction, thereby locking the pawl 2 holding the striker 5. As shown schematically in FIGS. 2 and 3 , one end of a second spring 9 is connected to the lower end of the pawl 3, and the other end is connected to the housing 1. The pawl 3 is biased toward the locked position by the second spring 9. For example, the claw portion 3 is connected to an actuating lever (not shown), and by rotating clockwise in FIG. 3 in response to the operation of the actuating lever, the first engagement portion 31 disengages from the second engagement portion 23 of the catch 2, thereby releasing the catch 2 from the locked position.

[0025]

[0027] The latch further includes a torsion spring 4 fixed to the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the torsion spring 4 is fixed to the first shaft 12 in a sleeve-like manner. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the torsion spring 4 can be fixed to another component, such as the second shaft 32. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 , the torsion spring 4 includes a first leg 41. The first leg 41 and the catch 2 are configured to abut against the striker 5 from each side when the striker 5 is in the locked state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 , after the striker 5 enters the striker slot 11 and enters the lock groove 21 of the catch 2 in the unlocked position, the striker 5 moves toward the bottom of the striker slot 11 and presses against the lower wall of the lock groove 21, causing the catch 2 to rotate toward the locked position. When the striker 5 comes into contact with the first leg 41 of the torsion spring 4 during this downward movement, the first leg 41 is pressed downward, and energy is stored in the torsion spring 4. If the catch 2 rotates to the locked position while abutting against the claw 3, the first engagement portion 31 of the claw 3 prevents the striker 5 from rotating to the unlocked position. Due to the energy stored in the torsion spring 4, the first leg 41 attempts to rotate toward the unlocked position (clockwise in FIG. 3 ) as shown in FIG. 3 , and comes into close contact with the underside of the striker 5, and the upper wall of the lock groove 21 of the catch 2 abuts against the upper side of the striker 5, clamping the striker 5. When the striker 5 is locked, the torsion spring 4 and the catch 2 can hold both sides of the striker 5, preventing shaking and eliminating abnormal shaking noises during vehicle operation. Furthermore, since the free end of the first leg 41 is inserted into a slidable receiving slot 6 formed in the housing 1, the receiving slot 6 can guide the movement of the first leg 41 of the torsion spring and prevent the first leg 41 from shaking, allowing for smoother and more reliable locking and unlocking.

[0026]

[0028] As an example, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the housing 1 includes a main body 14 and a first side wall 15 that protrudes from the main body 14 toward the side where the catch 2 is located. The receiving slot 6 is formed in the first side wall 15, and is configured so that its lower end wall abuts against the first leg 41 when the striker 5 is in the locked state. That is, when the striker 5 is in the locked state, the first leg 41 is blocked by the lower end wall of the receiving slot 6. Furthermore, the position of the lower end wall of the receiving slot 6 can prevent the first leg 41 of the torsion spring 4 from swinging downward, thereby providing a more stable position. Furthermore, because the lower end wall of the receiving slot 6 supports the first leg 41 of the torsion spring 4, the first leg 41 can more reliably clamp the striker 5.

[0027]

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , the first leg 41 preferably includes a first straight section 411, a second straight section 412, and a bent section 413 between the first straight section 411 and the second straight section 412. The bent section 413 is located below the striker 5 and is capable of contacting the striker 5. Preferably, the angle between the first straight section 411 and the second straight section 412 is an obtuse angle. The bent section 413 surrounds the lower part of the cylindrical striker 5. Compared to a straight leg, the shape of the bent section of the first leg 41 can increase the contact between the first leg 41 and the striker 5 both when the striker 5 moves downward to the locked position and when it moves upward to the unlocked position, thereby more stably supporting the striker 5.

[0028]

[0030] Preferably, the wire of the torsion spring 4 has a rectangular cross section, as shown in Figures 1, 4, and 5. A torsion spring 4 having such a structure has a flat surface that comes into contact with the striker 5, and therefore has a larger contact area than a wire with a circular cross section, allowing the striker 5 to be clamped more stably.

[0029]

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the torsion spring further includes a second leg 42. The housing 1 further includes a second side wall 16 that protrudes from the main body 14 and faces the first wall 15. The free end of the second leg 42 of the torsion spring abuts the second wall 16. A latch configured in this manner has a simple structure and is easy to assemble.

[0030]

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 , the latch further includes an auxiliary locking member 7. The auxiliary locking member 7 is provided on a side of the housing 1 away from the mounting portion 13 and is pivotally supported on the housing 1 via a third shaft. The auxiliary locking member 7 includes a locking portion 76 that locks the striker 5. The locking portion 76 is arranged outside the striker slot 11 and on the stroke path of the striker 5 and is rotatable between an auxiliary lock position that locks the striker 5 after it has come out of the striker slot 11 and an auxiliary unlock position that rotates the auxiliary locking member 7 to move the locking portion 76 away from the stroke path of the striker 5. In one example, the auxiliary locking member 7 may be connected to an operating lever (not shown). By operating the operating lever, the auxiliary locking member 7 can be rotated toward the auxiliary lock / unlock position to release the striker.

[0031]

[0033] The operation of the front hood latch will now be described by way of example with reference to FIGS.

[0032]

[0034] First, when the front hood is closed, the striker 5, which moves together with the closing hood, comes into contact with the outer edge 761 of the locking portion 76 of the auxiliary locking member 7, which is arranged on the moving path of the striker 5. As a result of the striker 5 coming into contact with the locking portion 76, the auxiliary locking member 7 rotates clockwise to the auxiliary unlock position as shown in FIG. 2, moves out of the moving path of the striker 5, and the striker slot 11 in the housing 1 is opened.

[0033]

[0035] The striker 5 enters the open striker slot 11 and then enters the lock groove 21 of the catch 2, which is in the unlocked position. Having entered the lock groove 21, the striker 5 moves further toward the bottom of the striker slot 11 and presses the lower wall of the lock groove 21, causing the catch 2 to rotate to the locked position.

[0034]

[0036] When the striker 5 contacts the first leg 41 of the torsion spring 4 during its downward movement, it presses the first leg 41 downward. The free end of the first leg 41 slides within the receiving slot 6, which guides the torsion of the first leg 41 and stores energy in the torsion spring 4. The catch 2 reaches the locked position shown in Figure 3 when the second engagement portion 23 of the catch 2 rotates to a position where it abuts the first engagement portion 31 of the claw 3. The latch holds the front hood fully closed. The first engagement portion 31 of the claw 3 prevents the catch 2 from rotating to the unlocked position. The energy stored in the torsion spring 4 causes the first leg 41 to rotate to the unlocked position (clockwise in FIG. 3), and as shown in FIG. 3, it comes into close contact with the underside of the striker 5, while the upper wall of the locking groove 21 of the catch 2 comes into contact with the upper side of the striker 5, clamping the striker 5 between them.

[0035]

[0037] When the hood is opened, the claw 3 is actuated, causing the first engagement portion 31 of the claw 3 to disengage from the second engagement portion 23 of the catch 2, releasing the catch 2 from the locked position.

[0036]

[0038] After the catch 2 is released, the biasing force of the first spring 8 causes the catch 2 to rotate to the unlocked position. The striker 5 is forced upward by the catch 2 and the first leg 41 of the torsion spring 4 towards the open end of the striker slot 11 in the housing 1.

[0037]

[0039] The striker 5 moves upward and comes into contact with the inner edge 762 of the locking portion 76 of the auxiliary locking member 7 arranged on the movement path of the striker 5, and the striker 5 stops near the open end of the striker slot 11. The opening operation of the front hood temporarily stops, and the hood is popped up to the predetermined open position.

[0038]

[0040] When the hood needs to be fully opened, the auxiliary locking member 7 is rotated to the auxiliary unlock position, causing the locking portion 76 to rotate out of the path of the striker 5 and open the striker slot 11. This allows the striker 5 to exit the striker slot 11 and the hood to be fully opened.

[0039]

[0041] It should be noted that the above examples are merely illustrative and the present disclosure is not limited to these examples. By considering the contents of this specification, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. The actual scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. In a latch for a front hood of a vehicle, The latch is configured to lock or unlock the front hood by holding or releasing a striker (5) attached to the hood, and the latch a housing fixed to a vehicle body; a catch (2) rotatably supported on the housing (1) and configured to lock the striker; a claw portion (3) rotatably supported on the housing (1) and configured to lock the catch (2); a torsion spring (4) fixed to the housing and having a first leg (41), the first leg (41) and the catch (2) being configured to abut against the striker (5) on opposite sides when the striker (5) is in a locked state, the free end of the first leg (41) being inserted into a receiving slot (6) formed in the housing (1) and configured to be slidable while being guided in the receiving slot (6); A latch comprising:

2. 2. The latch according to claim 1, wherein the housing (1) comprises a main body (14) and a first side wall (15) protruding from the main body (14) toward a side on which the catch (2) is placed, and the receiving slot (6) is formed in the first side wall (15), and is configured so that one end wall of the receiving slot (6) abuts against the first leg (41) when the striker is in a locked state.

3. 3. The latch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first leg (41) is bent towards the striker (5) at its bent section (413), the bent section (413) being in a position where it can contact the striker (5).

4. 4. The latch of claim 3, wherein the first leg (41) comprises a first straight section (411) and a second straight section (412) connected by the bent section (412), and the angle between the first straight section (411) and the second straight section (413) is an obtuse angle.

5. 3. A latch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wire of the torsion spring (4) has a rectangular cross section.

6. 3. The latch of claim 2, wherein the torsion spring further comprises a second leg (42), the housing (1) further comprises a second side wall (16) projecting from the body (14) opposite the first side wall (15), and the free end of the second leg of the torsion spring abuts against the second side wall (16).

7. The latch according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the catch (2) is pivotally supported on the housing (1) via a first shaft (12) provided in the housing (1), and the torsion spring (4) is fixed to the first shaft (12).

8. The latch according to any one of claims 1 to 2 and 6, characterized in that the claw portion (3) is rotatably supported on the housing (1) via a second shaft (32) provided on the housing (1), and the torsion spring (4) is fixed to the second shaft (32).

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