Vehicle hood locking device

Abstract

To prevent a hood from being forgotten to be fastened in a double action type vehicular hood lock device.SOLUTION: A vehicular hood lock device 1 that locks a hood that opens and closes an opening provided in a car, the vehicular hood lock device 1 including a base 11 in which an entry groove 32 into which a striker S enters is formed, a latch 12 configured to be swingable between a primary latched position A1, an unlatched position A2, and a secondary latched position A3, a lift lever 14 configured to be swingable between a full-lift position C1 and an unlift position C2, and a third urging spring that urges the lift lever 14 toward the full-lift position C1, the full-lift position C1 is located on the approach groove 32 closer to the groove bottom of the approach groove 32 than the restraint position D where the striker S is restrained by the latch 12 at the secondary latch position A3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hood locking device for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a hood locking device for a vehicle, there is a double-action type hood locking device for a vehicle that can be switched from a locked state to a secondary locked state and from the secondary locked state to an unlocked state by an unlocking operation of an operator in the vehicle interior (see Patent Document 1). This hood locking device for a vehicle includes a base, a latch member that is rotatably supported by the base and restrains a striker, a first torsion spring that biases the latch member, a lock lever that is rotatably supported by the base and restricts the rotation of the latch member, and a second torsion spring that biases the lock lever. The latch member has a third claw portion restricted by the lock lever in the locked state and a second claw portion restricted by the lock lever in the secondary locked state, thereby realizing the locked state and the secondary locked state by the latch member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the conventional hood locking device for a vehicle, when closing the hood, before the hood is locked, the biasing force from the torsion spring acts on the hood. Therefore, unless the hood is strongly closed against the biasing force of the torsion spring, the hood will not be locked. For this reason, there is a possibility that the hood is not locked when the hood is closed, and the hood may be left unfastened. If the hood is left unfastened, there is a possibility that the hood will open during driving or the like, which may interfere with the operation of the vehicle.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle hood locking device that can prevent the hood from being left unfastened, in a double-action type vehicle hood locking device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a vehicle hood locking device for locking a hood that opens and closes an opening provided in a vehicle, comprising: a base in which an entry groove into which a striker enters is formed; a latch configured to swing between a primary latch position that restrains the striker in the entry groove, an unlatch position that allows the striker to leave the entry groove, and a secondary latch position that restrains the striker between the primary latch position and the unlatch position; a lift lever configured to swing between a full lift position that pushes the hood up via the striker and an unlift position that swings toward the bottom of the entry groove than the full lift position; and a biasing means for biasing the lift lever toward the full lift position, wherein the full lift position is located toward the bottom of the entry groove than the position in the entry groove where the striker is restrained by the latch at the secondary latch position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The vehicle hood locking device according to the present invention is a double-action type vehicle hood locking device that can prevent the hood from being left unfastened. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows a vehicle hood lock device according to one embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a front view of the vehicle hood lock device with the sub-base omitted, and (b) is a front view of the vehicle hood lock device with the sub-base shown. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view showing a vehicle hood locking device. [Figure 3] This is a front view showing the base. [Figure 4] (a) is a front view showing the vehicle hood lock device in the locked state, (b) is a front view showing the vehicle hood lock device in the secondary locked state, and (c) is a front view showing the vehicle hood lock device in the unlocked state. [Figure 5] These are a front view (a) and a side view (b) showing the latch. [Figure 6] These are a front view (a) and a side view (b) showing the first lock lever member. [Figure 7] These are a front view (a) and a side view (b) showing the second lock lever member. [Figure 8] These are a front view (a) and a top view (b) showing the lift lever. [Figure 9] (a) is a front view showing the reverse-return restricting member, (b) is a front view showing the lever stopper, and (c) is a front view showing the stopper retraction section. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram showing the first half of the hood opening operation. [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram showing the latter half of the hood opening operation. [Figure 12] This is an explanatory diagram showing the first half of the hood closing operation. [Figure 13] This is an explanatory diagram showing the latter half of the hood closing operation. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes a vehicle hood locking device according to one embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the attached drawings. This vehicle hood locking device is installed in an opening for the engine compartment located at the front of the vehicle (body) and locks the hood (bonnet) that opens and closes the opening. This vehicle hood locking device also has a locking function that locks the hood in the closed position, a secondary locking function that locks the hood in a semi-open position slightly open from the closed position, and a push-up function that pushes the hood open. Furthermore, it is a double-action type hood locking device in which the secondary lock can be released by operation from inside the vehicle. In particular, this vehicle hood locking device is equipped with a lift lever that pushes the hood up via a striker, and the full lift position of the lift lever is set to a position lower than the secondary lock position to prevent forgetting to tighten the hood. Note that the left / right, front / back and up / down directions are defined and described as shown in each figure. In this embodiment, for example, the up / down direction of the vehicle hood locking device coincides with the up / down direction of the vehicle, the left / right direction of the vehicle hood locking device coincides with the vehicle width direction, and the front / back direction of the vehicle hood locking device coincides with the front / back direction of the vehicle.

[0010] (Configuration of a vehicle hood locking device) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle hood locking device 1 comprises a base 11 into which an entry groove 32 into which a striker S fixed to the vehicle hood enters; a latch 12 disposed to the right of the entry groove 32 on the front side of the base 11 and restraining the striker S; a lock lever 13 (pole) disposed to the right of the latch 12 and locking the latch 12; a lift lever 14 disposed behind the latch 12 so as to overlap with the latch 12 and pushing the hood upward via the striker S; and a reverse-reverse restricting member 15 disposed in front of the latch 12 so as to overlap with the latch 12 and preventing the lock lever 13 from returning to its original position when the secondary lock is released.

[0011] In addition, the vehicle hood lock device 1 is fixed to the base 11 and includes a latch pin 17 for axially mounting the latch 12, the lift lever 14, and the reverse rotation restricting member 15, a lock pin 18 fixed to the base 11 for axially mounting the lock lever 13, and a plate-shaped sub-base 19 (see FIGS. 1(b) and 2) fixed to the base 11 via a pair of bushes 11a at a position in front of the lock lever 13 and the reverse rotation restricting member 15. That is, the latch 12, the lift lever 14, and the reverse rotation restricting member 15 are supported by the base 11 via the latch pin 17 so as to be swingable, and the lock lever 13 is supported by the base 11 via the lock pin 18 so as to be swingable. Further, the tip portions of the latch pin 17 and the lock pin 18 are fixed to the sub-base 19.

[0012] In addition, the vehicle hood lock device 1 includes a first biasing spring 21 wound around the latch pin 17 for biasing the latch 12 and the reverse rotation restricting member 15 in the clockwise direction, a second biasing spring 22 wound around the lock pin 18 for biasing the lock lever 13 in the clockwise direction, and a third biasing spring 23 (see FIG. 2) disposed on the rear surface side of the base 11 for biasing the lift lever 14 in the clockwise direction. Note that the third biasing spring 23 is an example of a biasing means.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3, the base 11 is formed of sheet metal and has a plate-shaped flat portion 31, an access groove 32 formed at the center left of the flat portion 31, an arcuate protrusion 33 protruding from the surface of the flat portion 31 and extending in an arc shape to guide the lock lever 13 and the lift lever 14, and an arcuate elongated hole 35 formed at the lower right of the flat portion 31 and engaging with a protruding piece 84 (described later) of the lift lever 14. The elongated hole 35 is formed corresponding to the swing range of the lift lever 14, and the swing range of the lift lever 14 is restricted by the engagement between the protruding piece 84 of the lift lever 14 and the elongated hole 35. That is, the full lift position C1 (described later), which is the upper limit position of the lift lever 14, is defined by the protruding piece 84 of the lift lever 14 hitting against the end of the elongated hole 35.

[0014] The entry groove 32 is an opening that extends downward from the upper end of the flat plate portion 31, and is formed in a groove shape that is "U" shaped when viewed from the front with the upper end side being the groove opening side and the lower side being the groove bottom side. Also, the entry groove 32 has a width through which the striker S can pass, and functions as a striker guide for guiding the striker S.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, the latch 12 is formed of a plate-shaped and "U" shaped metal member, and is swingably supported by a latch pin 17 with respect to the base 11 between a primary latching position A1 (see FIG. 4(a)), an unlatching position A2 (see FIG. 11(e)), and a secondary latching position A3 (see FIG. 4(b)). The primary latching position A1 is a position where the striker S is restrained within the entry groove 32 in the closed state of the hood, and the unlatching position A2 is a position that allows the striker S to disengage from the entry groove 32. Also, the secondary latching position A3 is a position where the striker S is restrained in the semi-open state of the hood, and is a position where the striker S is restrained between the primary latching position A1 and the unlatching position A2.

[0016] Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the latch 12 includes a main body portion 41 swingably attached to the base 11 by a latch pin 17, a striker engaging portion 42 that extends downward to the left from the main body portion 4 spanning the entry groove 32 and engages with the striker S, a lock lever engaging portion 43 that extends upward and to the right and to the right from the main body portion 41 and engages with the lock lever 13, a rising portion 44 that rises forward from the lower end portion of the main body portion 41, and an engaging pin 45 that is attached to the upper portion of the main body portion 41 and protrudes forward from the main body portion 41.

[0017] The striker engaging portion 42 has an upper first arm portion 51 and a lower second arm portion 52 that extend downward to the left, and a restraint groove 53 for restraining the striker S is formed between the first arm portion 51 and the second arm portion 52.

[0018] The first arm portion 51 has a lower end surface 51a which serves as a pressing surface that presses the striker S from above, and functions as a pressing portion that restricts and holds down the upward movement of the striker S when the latch 12 has swung to the primary latch position A1 or the secondary latch position A3.

[0019] The upper end surface 52a of the second arm portion 52 is a contact surface (receiving surface) that contacts the striker S, and functions as a pressure receiving portion that receives pressure from the striker S moving from above along the entry groove 32.

[0020] The lock lever engagement portion 43 has a first claw portion 56 extending to the right from the main body portion 41 and a second claw portion 57 extending to the upper right from the main body portion 41.

[0021] The lower end surface 56a of the first claw portion 56 is the engaged surface into which the first engaging claw 62 (described later) of the lock lever 13 engages, and the first engaging claw 62 of the lock lever 13 engages when the latch 12 is swung to the primary latch position A1.

[0022] The right end face 57a of the second claw portion 57 is the engaged surface with which the first engaging claw 62 of the lock lever 13 engages, and the first engaging claw 62 of the lock lever 13 engages when the latch 12 is swung to the secondary latch position A3.

[0023] The rising portion 44 is formed to rise forward from the lower end of the main body portion 41 and functions as a stopper engaging portion that engages with the extended portion 93 (described later) of the reverse-return restricting member 15. It also functions as a spring mounting portion, to which one end of the first biasing spring 21 is attached.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the first biasing spring 21 has a first torsion spring 21a and a second torsion spring 21b arranged in series on the same axis, with the wires of these torsion springs 21a and 21b connected to each other. One end of the first torsion spring 21a is attached to the rising portion 44 of the latch 12, and the other end is attached to the sub-base 19. The second torsion spring 21b has one end attached to the lever stopper 15a (described later) of the reverse return restricting member 15, and the other end is attached to the sub-base 19. These bias the latch 12 and the reverse return restricting member 15 in a clockwise direction. That is, the first biasing spring 21 biases the latch 12 to swing toward the unlatched position, and the reverse return restricting member 15 to swing toward the locked position B1.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, the lock lever 13 is supported by a lock pin 18 on the base 11 so as to be able to swing between a locked position B1 (see Figures 4(a) and (b)) and an unlocked position B2 (see Figure 4(c)). The locked position B1 is the position in which the first claw portion 56 or the second claw portion 57 of the latch 12 engages with the latch 12, locking (restricting) the latch 12. The unlocked position B2 is the position in which the engagement with the first claw portion 56 or the second claw portion 57 of the latch 12 is released, and the latch 12 is unlocked.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the lock lever 13 is constructed by integrating a front first lock lever member 13a that engages with the latch 12 and a rear second lock lever member 13b that engages with the lift lever 14.

[0027] As shown in Figure 6, the first lock lever member 13a integrally comprises a main body 61 pivotably attached to the base 11 by a lock pin 18, a first engaging claw 62 and a second engaging claw 63 extending upward and to the left from the lower part of the main body 61, a contact claw 64 protruding to the left from the upper part of the main body 61 and contacting the stopper retraction portion 15b (described later) of the reverse-return restricting member 15, and a spring mounting portion 65 protruding forward from the lower right part of the main body 61.

[0028] The first engaging claw 62 has an upper right surface 62a which is an engaging surface that engages with the first claw portion 56 or the second claw portion 57 of the latch 12. When the lock lever 13 swings to the locked position B1, the first engaging claw 62 engages with the first claw portion 56 or the second claw portion 57, restricting the swing of the latch 12 toward the unlatched position A2, thereby locking the latch 12. Specifically, when the latch 12 swings to the primary latch position A1, the first engaging claw 62 engages with the first claw portion 56 to lock the latch 12 at the primary latch position A1. Furthermore, when the latch 12 swings to the secondary latch position A3, the first engaging claw 62 engages with the second claw portion 57 to lock the latch 12 at the secondary latch position A3.

[0029] Furthermore, the left end face 62b of the first engaging claw 62 is a guide slope that inclines downward toward the right. When the latch 12 swings from the unlatched position A2 to the primary latched position A1 with the lock lever 13 in the locked position B1, this guide slope contacts the first claw portion 56 and the second claw portion 57 of the latch 12, causing the lock lever 13 to temporarily swing toward the unlocked position B2. This configuration allows the latch 12 to swing from the unlatched position A2 to the primary latched position A1.

[0030] The second engaging claw 63 has an upper right surface 63a and an upper left surface 63b which are engaging surfaces that engage with the reverse-return restricting member 15. As will be described in detail later, when the lock lever 13 is swung to the locked position B1, the reverse-return restricting member 15 engages with the upper right surface 63a, and when the lock lever 13 is swung to the unlocked position B2, the reverse-return restricting member 15 engages with the upper left surface 63b.

[0031] The spring mounting portion 65 is formed to protrude forward from the lower end of the main body portion 61, and one end of the second biasing spring 22 is attached to it.

[0032] As shown in Figure 7, the second lock lever member 13b integrally comprises a main body 71 pivotably attached to the base 11 by a lock pin 18, a locking claw 72 extending upward and to the left from the left side of the main body 71 to engage the lift lever 14, a contact portion 73 protruding to the right from the upper part of the main body 71 to contact the bush 11a, and an operating portion 74 formed to protrude downward from the lower part of the main body 71. When the lock lever 13 swings toward the unlock position B2, the contact portion 73 abuts against the bush 11a, thereby restricting the counterclockwise swing of the lock lever 13.

[0033] The locking claw 72 has a locking surface on its upper right side 72a that engages with the locked portion 83 (described later) of the lift lever 14. When the lock lever 13 swings to the locked position B1, the locking claw engages with the locked portion 83 of the lift lever 14, restricting the swing of the lift lever 14. As a result, when the secondary lock state is reached, the swing position of the lift lever 14 is restricted to the half-lift position C3 (described later).

[0034] The operating section 74 is formed to extend downward from the lower part of the main body 71 and then rise forward, and is connected to a release cable (not shown). In this embodiment, the lock lever 13 is swung from the locked position B1 to the unlocked position B2 by operating the operating section 74 via the release cable from inside the vehicle. Hereinafter, this operation of the operating section 74 via the release cable will be referred to as the lock release operation.

[0035] The second biasing spring 22 is a torsion spring, with one end attached to the spring mounting portion 65 of the lock lever 13 and the other end attached to the sub-base 19. The second biasing spring 22 biases the lock lever 13 in a clockwise direction. In other words, the second biasing spring 22 biases the lock lever 13 to swing toward the locked position B1.

[0036] The swing from the locked position B1 to the unlocked position B2 is performed by the unlock operation. On the other hand, when the unlock operation is not performed, the lock lever 13 swings to the locked position B1 due to the biasing force of the second biasing spring 22. That is, when the lock lever 13 swings to the locked position B1 due to the biasing force of the second biasing spring 22, the first engaging claw 62 of the lock lever 13 engages with the first claw portion 56 or the second claw portion 57 of the latch 12, thereby locking the latch 12. On the other hand, when the unlock operation is performed, the lock lever 13 swings to the unlocked position B2, disengaging the first engaging claw 62 from the first claw portion 56 or the second claw portion 57, and the lock of the latch 12 is released.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4(a), in the locked state, the latch 12 swings to the primary latch position A1, and the lock lever 13 swings to the lock position B1. As a result, the lock lever 13 locks the latch 12 that has swung to the primary latch position A1, and the locked latch 12 restrains the striker S of the hood, which is in the closed state, to the latch 12. This locks the hood in the closed state. Also, as shown in Figure 4(b), in the secondary locked state, the latch 12 swings to a position beyond the primary latch position A1, and the lock lever 13 swings to the lock position B1. If a person tries to open the hood by hand in this state, the lock lever 13 locks the latch 12 that has swung to the secondary latch position A3, and the locked latch 12 restricts the upward movement of the striker S of the hood, which is in the half-open state. In this way, the hood is locked in the half-open state. Also, as shown in Figure 4(c), in the unlocked state, the lock lever 13 swings to the unlock position B2. If a person attempts to open the hood by hand in this state, the latch 12 swings to the unlatched position A2, the striker S disengages from the restraining groove 53 and the entry groove 32, and the hood opens.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4, the lift lever 14 is formed from a plate-shaped metal member and is supported by a latch pin 17 on the base 11 so as to be able to swing between a full-lift position C1 (see Figure 4(c)), an unlift position C2 (see Figure 4(a)), and a half-lift position C3 (see Figure 4(b)). The full-lift position C1 is the position in which the hood is pushed up via the striker S and is the upper limit position in the swing range of the lift lever 14. The unlift position C2 is a position that swings further towards the bottom of the entry groove 32 than the full-lift position C1. The half-lift position C3 is the position in which it is locked by the lock lever 13 in the secondary-lock state and is located between the full-lift position C1 and the unlift position C2.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the lift lever 14 integrally comprises a main body 81 that is pivotably attached to the base 11 by a latch pin 17, a push-up arm 82 that extends from the main body 81 toward the upper left and pushes up the striker S, a locked portion 83 that extends from the main body 81 toward the lower right and engages with the locking claw 72 of the lock lever 13, and a protruding piece 84 that protrudes from the lower part of the main body 81 toward the rear.

[0040] The upper end surface 82a of the push-up arm 82 is an engagement surface that engages with the striker S, and by engaging with the striker S and pushing the striker S upward from below, the hood is pushed up via the striker S.

[0041] The locking portion 83 has a lower surface 83a which is a locking surface that engages with the locking claw 72 of the lock lever 13. When the lift lever 14 swings to the half-lift position C3, it engages with the locking claw 72 of the lock lever 13 which has swung to the locked position B1. In other words, when the lift lever 14 swings to the half-lift position C3, the locking portion 83 of the lift lever 14 is engaged with the locking claw 72 of the lock lever 13 which has swung to the locked position B1, thereby restricting the swing of the lift lever 14 to the half-lift position C3.

[0042] The protruding piece 84 is formed to protrude rearward from the lower part of the main body 81 and is inserted into the elongated hole 35 of the base 11. The protruding piece 84 also engages with the elongated hole 35 of the base 11 to restrict the swing range of the lift lever 14. That is, the full lift position C1 of the lift lever 14 is defined by the end face of the protruding piece 84 abutting against the end of the elongated hole 35. In addition, one end of the third biasing spring 23 is attached to the end of the protruding piece 84 after it has passed through the base 11, and it also functions as a spring attachment part.

[0043] The third biasing spring 23 is a coil spring disposed on the rear side of the base 11, with one end attached to the protruding piece 84 of the lift lever 14 and the other end attached to the base 11. The lift lever 14 is biased clockwise by the third biasing spring 23, that is, the lift lever 14 is biased to swing toward the full lift position C1 by the third biasing spring 23.

[0044] As shown in Figure 4(b), in the secondary locked state, the lift lever 14 is biased clockwise by the third biasing spring 23 and, while being locked by the lock lever 13, swings to the half-lift position C3. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4(c), in the unlocked state, the lock lever 13 is released, and the lift lever 14 swings to the full-lift position C1. Thus, when transitioning from the secondary locked state to the unlocked state, the lift lever 14 swings from the half-lift position C3 to the full-lift position C1. Consequently, the striker S that engages with the lift lever 14 moves upward, causing the hood to open slightly.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4(c), in this embodiment, the full lift position C1 of the lift lever 14 on the entry groove 32 is located at a lower position (a position on the groove bottom side of the entry groove 32) than the restraint position D in which the striker S is restrained by the latch 12 at the secondary latch position A3. More precisely, on the entry groove 32 (in the extending direction of the entry groove 32), the position of the push-up arm portion 82 of the lift lever 14 that has swung to the full lift position C1 is located at a lower position than the restraint position D. Therefore, if we refer to the half-open state of the hood when the striker S is restrained by the latch 12 at the secondary latch position A3 as the first half-open state, then when the striker S is pushed up by the lift lever 14 at the full lift position C1, the hood becomes a second half-open state, which is more closed than the first half-open state, and when the striker S is pushed up by the lift lever 14 at the half-lift position C3, the hood becomes a third half-open state, which is more closed than the second half-open state.

[0046] In this way, by setting the full lift position C1 of the lift lever 14 to a position lower than the restraint position D in which the striker S is restrained by the latch 12 at the secondary latch position A3, when closing the hood, the latch 12 exceeds the secondary latch position A3 and enters a secondary locked state before contacting the lift lever 14, thus preventing the hood from being forgotten when it is closed.

[0047] The reverse-return restricting member 15 is pivotably supported on the base 11 by a latch pin 17. When the lock lever 13 swings to the unlock position B2, the member 15 operates independently of the latch 12 to enter the locked position B1 of the lock lever 13, thereby restricting the reverse return of the lock lever 13 to the locked position B1.

[0048] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 9(a), the reverse-return restricting member 15 includes a lever stopper 15a that is pivotably supported on the base 11 and enters the locked position B1 of the lock lever 13, a stopper retraction part 15b that is pivotably attached to the lever stopper 15a and retracts the lever stopper 15a from the locked position B1, and a fourth biasing spring (not shown) that biases the stopper retraction part 15b in the counterclockwise direction.

[0049] As shown in Figure 9(b), the lever stopper 15a integrally comprises a main body portion 91 that is pivotably attached to the base 11 by a latch pin 17, a lever restricting portion 92 that extends to the right from the main body portion 91 and enters the locked position B1 of the lock lever 13 to restrict the lock lever 13, and an extension portion 93 that extends downward to the left from the main body portion 91 and engages with the rising portion 44 of the latch 12.

[0050] Furthermore, one end of the second torsion spring 21b of the first biasing spring 21 is attached to the lever stopper 15a. With one end of the second torsion spring 21b attached to the lever stopper 15a and the other end attached to the sub-base 19, the lever stopper 15a is biased clockwise by the second torsion spring 21b. This biasing force causes the lever restricting portion 92 to enter the locked position B1.

[0051] The lever restricting portion 92 has a right end face 92a that contacts the left upper surface 63b of the second engaging claw 63 of the lock lever 13, thus acting as a restricting surface that restricts the lock lever 13. When the lock lever 13 swings to the unlock position B2 and the lever restricting portion 92 enters the lock position B1 of the lock lever 13, the right end face 92a of the lever restricting portion 92 contacts the left upper surface 63b of the second engaging claw 63, restricting the swing of the lock lever 13 toward the lock position B1. This prevents the lock lever 13 from returning to the lock position B1.

[0052] Furthermore, the lower end surface 92b of the lever restricting portion 92 is a contact surface that abuts against the upper right surfaces 62a and 63a of the first engaging claw 62 or second engaging claw 63 of the lock lever 13. In the secondary lock state, the lower end surface 92b of the lever restricting portion 92 is in contact with the upper right surface 63a of the second engaging claw 63. When the lock lever 13 swings to the unlock position B2 due to the unlock operation and the lever restricting portion 92 enters the lock position B1, the lower end surface 92b of the lever restricting portion 92 comes into contact with the upper right surface 62a of the first engaging claw 62. This allows the lever restricting portion 92 to be positioned in the correct position relative to the second engaging claw 63, and enables proper restriction of the lock lever 13 by the lever restricting portion 92.

[0053] The extension portion 93 extends downward to the left of the main body portion 71 and then protrudes forward, engaging with the rising portion 44 of the latch 12 when the latch 12 swings to the vicinity of the primary latch position A1. When the lock lever 13, which has locked the latch 12 at the primary latch position A1, swings to the unlock position B2, the engagement between the extension portion 93 and the rising portion 44 restricts the lever stopper 15a from entering the locked position B1. This configuration prevents the lever restricting portion 92 from entering the locked position B1 when the lock lever 13 swings to the unlock position B2 (when the locked state is released) due to the first unlock operation in the hood opening operation.

[0054] The stopper retraction portion 15b is pivotably supported by the lever stopper 15a and engages with the latch 12 when it swings from the unlatched position A2 to near the primary latch position A1. It utilizes the force generated when the latch 12 swings to retract the lever restricting portion 92 of the lever stopper 15a from the locked position B1.

[0055] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9(c), the stopper retraction portion 15b integrally comprises a main body portion 96 that is pivotably attached to the lever stopper 15a, a pin engagement portion 97 that protrudes from the main body portion 96 toward the upper right and engages with the engagement pin 45 of the latch 12, a stopper engagement portion 98 that extends from the main body portion 96 toward the lower right and engages with the lever stopper 15a, and a contact portion 99 that extends from the main body portion 96 toward the right and contacts the contact claw 64 of the lock lever 13.

[0056] The pin engagement portion 97 is formed in a mountain shape, projecting upward and to the right from the main body portion 96, and its right surface contacts and engages with the engagement pin 45. The stopper engagement portion 98 extends downward and to the right from the main body portion 96, and then projects forward, contacting the lever stopper 15a from the left side. When the latch 12 swings from the unlatched position A2 to near the secondary latch position A3 while the pin engagement portion 97 and the engagement pin 45 are engaged, the force of this swing is transmitted to the lever stopper 15a via the engagement pin 45, the pin engagement portion 97, the main body portion 96 and the stopper engagement portion 98 of the stopper retraction portion 15b, causing the lever stopper 15a to swing counterclockwise. This causes the lever restricting portion 92 of the lever stopper 15a to retract upward from the locked position B1.

[0057] When the latch 12 swings to near the primary latch position A1, the contact claw 64 of the lock lever 13 comes into contact with the contacted portion 99. When the contact claw 64 comes into contact with the contacted portion 99, the stopper retraction portion 15b swings, thereby releasing the engagement between the pin engagement portion 97 and the engagement pin 45.

[0058] (Explanation of hood opening and closing operations) Next, with reference to Figures 10 to 13, the hood opening operation and hood closing operation of the vehicle hood locking device 1 will be described.

[0059] First, the hood opening operation will be explained with reference to Figures 10 and 11. This hood opening operation involves releasing the hood's lock and secondary lock through two unlocking operations by the user, and then opening the hood by lifting it with the user's hand. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10(a), the hood opening operation is performed from a state where the latch 12 is locked in the primary latch position A1 by the lock lever 13, and the latch 12 locked in the primary latch position A1 restrains the striker S.

[0060] As shown in Figure 10(b), when the user performs the first unlock operation, the lock lever 13 swings from the locked position B1 to the unlocked position B2, and the lock of the latch 12 by the lock lever 13 is released. Once the latch 12 is released, the biasing force of the third biasing spring 23 causes the lift lever 14 to swing clockwise, pushing the engaged striker S upward and causing the latch 12 engaged with the striker S to swing. At this time, the engagement between the rising portion 44 of the latch 12 and the extended portion 93 of the lever stopper 15a prevents the lever restricting portion 92 of the lever stopper 15a from entering the locked position B1.

[0061] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 10(c), upon completion of the first unlocking operation, the lock lever 13 returns from the unlocked position B2 to the locked position B1. Then, as the lift lever 14 reaches the half-lift position C3, the locking portion 83 of the lift lever 14 engages with the locking claw 72 of the lock lever 13, which has returned to the locked position B1. This results in a secondary locked state. At this time, the hood is in a third half-open state due to the upward push of the striker S by the lift lever 14, which has swung to the half-lift position C3, and the latch 12 is locked in the secondary latch position A3 by the lock lever 13, which has swung to the locked position B1. In other words, even if the user lifts the hood with their hand, the second claw portion 57 of the latch 12, which engages with the striker S, engages with the first engaging claw 62 of the lock lever 13, restricting the swinging of the latch 12, and stopping the hood from opening to the first half-open state.

[0062] Subsequently, when the user performs the unlock operation a second time, as shown in Figure 11(d), the lock lever 13 swings from the locked position B1 to the unlocked position B2, releasing the lock on the latch 12 by the lock lever 13 and releasing the lock on the lift lever 14 by the lock lever 13. At this time, as the lock lever 13 swings to the unlocked position B2, the biasing force of the second torsion spring 21b causes the lever stopper 15a to swing independently of the latch 12, and the lever restricting part 92 enters the locked position B1, and the lever restricting part 92 restricts the lock lever 13 from swinging back to the locked position B1. Furthermore, when the lock lever 13 releases the lock on the lift lever 14, the biasing force of the third biasing spring 23 causes the lift lever 14 to swing to the full lift position C1, pushing the engaged striker S upward. As a result, the hood enters the second half-open state.

[0063] In this state, as shown in Figure 11(e), when the user lifts the hood with their hand, the latch 12 engaged with the striker S swings to the unlatched position A2, the striker S disengages from the restraining groove 53 and entry groove 32 of the latch 12, and the hood is opened. At this time, the engagement pin 45 of the latch 12 and the pin engagement portion 97 of the stopper retraction portion 15b engage. This completes the hood opening operation.

[0064] Next, the hood closing operation will be explained with reference to Figures 12 and 13. This hood closing operation is performed by the user dropping or pushing down the front end of the hood from above, and the vehicle hood locking device 1 restrains the striker S of the closed hood, locking the hood in the closed position. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12(a), the hood closing operation is performed from a state in which the latch 12 has swung to the unlatched position A2.

[0065] As shown in Figure 12(b), as the hood is closed by falling or being pushed down, the striker S enters the entry groove 32 and contacts the second arm 52 of the latch 12, pressing the second arm 52 downward. This causes the latch 12 to swing counterclockwise. As a result, the striker S enters the restraint groove 53 of the latch 12, and the latch 12 swings beyond the secondary latch position A3, and the striker S then contacts the push-up arm 82 of the lift lever 14. At this time, due to the engagement of the engagement pin 45 of the latch 12 and the pin engagement portion 97 of the reverse-return restricting member 15, the reverse-return restricting member 15 swings in conjunction with the swing of the latch 12, and the lever stopper 15a swings. As a result, the lever restricting portion 92 retracts from the locked position B1, and the restriction of the lock lever 13 by the lever restricting portion 92 is released. As a result, the lock lever 13 swings to the locked position B1, entering the secondary locked state.

[0066] Subsequently, as the hood closes further, as shown in Figure 12(c), the latch 12 and the lift lever 14 swing counterclockwise, while the striker S moves along the entry groove 32, and the latch 12 reaches near the primary latch position A1. As a result, the first claw portion 56 of the latch 12 engages with the left end face 62b of the first engaging claw 62 of the lock lever 13, causing the lock lever 13 to swing toward the unlock position B2. This swing of the lock lever 13 causes the contact claw 64 of the lock lever 13 to come into contact with the contact portion 99 of the stopper retraction portion 15b, releasing the engagement between the engaging pin 45 and the pin engaging portion 97.

[0067] Subsequently, as the hood becomes further closed, as shown in Figure 13(d), the striker S reaches the bottom of the entry groove 32, and the latch 12 swings to a position beyond the primary latch position A1. This completes the dropping or pushing down of the leading edge of the hood.

[0068] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 13(e), the biasing force of the third biasing spring 23 causes the lift lever 14 to push the striker S upward, causing the latch 12 engaged with the striker S to swing to the primary latch position A1, and the first claw portion 56 of the latch 12 to engage with the first engaging claw 62 of the lock lever 13. The engagement of the first claw portion 56 of the latch 12 and the first engaging claw 62 of the lock lever 13 locks the latch 12 in the primary latch position A1. As a result, the latch 12 locked in the primary latch position A1 restrains the striker S, and the hood to which the striker S is fixed is locked in the closed position. This completes the hood closing operation.

[0069] (Effects and Effects of the Embodiment) As described above, according to the configuration of the embodiment, the full lift position C1 (upper limit position) of the lift lever 14 is set to a position lower than the restraint position D in which the striker S is restrained by the latch 12 at the secondary latch position A3. Therefore, when closing the hood, after entering the secondary lock state, the striker S contacts the lift lever 14, generating an upward biasing force. For this reason, even if the force closing the hood is weak, the transition to the secondary lock state is guaranteed, so the hood will not be forgotten to be closed. This prevents the hood from opening during operation or other situations.

[0070] Furthermore, by providing a locking portion 83 on the lift lever 14, the lock lever 13 can lock the lift lever 14 at the half-lift position C3 in the secondary lock state. As a result, when the secondary lock state is released by performing the second unlock operation, the lift lever 14 can swing from the half-lift position C3 to the full-lift position C1, causing the hood to open slightly. This makes it easy for the user to understand that the secondary lock state has been released.

[0071] Furthermore, by including the reverse-return restricting member 15, when the secondary lock state is released by performing the second unlock operation, it is possible to prevent the device from returning to the secondary lock state before the hood is opened.

[0072] (Regarding other embodiments) Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, it should be noted that not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential for solving the problem of the invention. The present invention can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from its spirit.

[0073] For example, in the above embodiment, the lift lever 14 is provided with a locking portion 83 that engages with the lock lever 13, and in the secondary locked state, the swing of the lift lever 14 is restricted to the half-lift position C3. However, the locking portion 83 may be omitted, and in the secondary locked state, the lift lever 14 may swing to the full-lift position C1.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the striker S was provided on the hood side and the vehicle hood locking device 1 was provided on the vehicle body side (opening side). However, the vehicle hood locking device 1 may be provided on the hood side and the striker S may be provided on the vehicle body side (opening side). In this case, the vehicle hood locking device 1 is configured to be inverted vertically, with the groove opening side of the entry groove 32 being on the lower side and the groove bottom side of the entry groove 32 being on the upper side.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the present invention was applied to a vehicle hood locking device 1 that locks the engine compartment hood (engine hood) in the closed position, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may also be applied to a vehicle hood locking device that locks the trunk compartment hood (trunk hood) in the closed position. Moreover, as long as it is a vehicle locking device that locks a lid that opens and closes an opening provided in the vehicle body in the closed position, the present invention may also be applied to a vehicle locking device that locks a lid that opens and closes a charging opening (a so-called charging lid) in the closed position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1: Vehicle hood locking device, 11: Base, 12: Latch, 13: Locking lever, 14: Lift lever, 23: Third biasing spring, 32: Entry groove, 83: Locked part, A1: Primary latch position, A2: Unlatch position, A3: Secondary latch position, B1: Lock position, B2: Unlock position, C1: Full lift position, C2: Unlift position, C3: Half lift position, D: Restrained position, S: Striker

Claims

1. A vehicle hood locking device for locking a hood that opens and closes an opening provided in a vehicle, A base with an entry groove formed into which the striker enters, A latch configured to swing freely between a primary latch position that restrains the striker within the entry groove, an unlatch position that allows the striker to disengage from the entry groove, and a secondary latch position that restrains the striker between the primary latch position and the unlatch position, A lift lever is configured to swing freely between a full-lift position in which the hood is pushed up via the striker, and an unlift position in which it swings further towards the bottom of the entry groove than the full-lift position, The lift lever is provided with a biasing means for biasing it toward the full lift position, A vehicle hood locking device characterized in that the full lift position is located on the entry groove, on the groove bottom side of the entry groove, more so than the position where the striker is restrained by the latch at the secondary latch position.

2. The system further includes a lock lever configured to swing between a locked position that locks the latch and an unlocked position that releases the latch, The vehicle hood locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lift lever is provided with a locking portion that engages with the lock lever when it swings to the lock position when it swings to the half-lift position between the full-lift position and the unlift position.

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