ELECTRIC LOCKING MECHANISM OF A DOOR LEAF COMPRISING A MECHANICAL BACKUP FUNCTION
20210388646 · 2021-12-16
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
E05B81/20
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E05B83/18
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E05B81/25
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E05B81/16
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
International classification
Abstract
A locking mechanism of a door leaf of a motor vehicle includes a latch, an electric actuator, and a transmission arrangement. The latch includes a pawl and a bolt configured to cooperate in such a manner to allow the locking or unlocking of the door leaf. The transmission arrangement is configured to transmit a movement of the electric actuator to the bolt in order to displace the bolt of the latch between an unlocking position in which the bolt is released from the pawl and a locking position in which the bolt is blocked by the pawl. The transmission arrangement includes a downstream transmission member configured to transmit a movement to the bolt, an upstream transmission member configured to transmit a movement of the actuator to the downstream transmission member; and a blocking member movable relative to the downstream transmission member and/or the upstream transmission member.
Claims
1. A locking mechanism of a motor vehicle door leaf comprising: a locking latch of the motor vehicle door leaf comprising a pawl and a bolt configured to cooperate such that locking or unlocking of the door leaf is allowed; an electric actuator; a transmission arrangement configured to transmit a movement of the electric actuator to the bolt in order to displace the bolt of the locking latch between an unlocking position wherein the bolt is released from the pawl and a locking position wherein the bolt is locked by the pawl, the transmission arrangement comprising: a downstream transmission member configured to transmit a movement to the bolt, an upstream transmission member configured to transmit a movement from the actuator to the downstream transmission member; and a blocking member movable relative to the downstream transmission member and/or the upstream transmission member, the blocking member being configured to define with the upstream transmission member and/or the downstream transmission member: a relative blocking position wherein the blocking member cooperates with the upstream transmission member and/or the downstream transmission member such that a transmission of a movement between the upstream transmission member and the downstream transmission member is allowed, and a relative unblocking position wherein the blocking member is movable according to at least one degree of freedom with respect to the upstream transmission member and/or the downstream transmission member.
2. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member is connected to a mechanical backup system, the mechanical backup system being configured to trigger a displacement of the blocking member and of the upstream transmission member and/or the downstream transmission member between the relative blocking position and the relative unblocking position.
3. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member comprises a cam surface configured to allow a displacement of the blocking member under a thrust from the upstream transmission member and/or the downstream transmission member such that the upstream transmission member and/or the downstream transmission member and the blocking member are positioned in the relative blocking position.
4. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the downstream transmission member comprises a cam surface configured to guide the blocking member relative to the downstream transmission member under a rotation of the upstream transmission member such that the upstream transmission member and the blocking member are positioned in the relative blocking position.
5. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member is movable between an open position wherein the upstream transmission member and/or the downstream transmission member is allowed to move from the relative blocking position to the relative unblocking position and a closing position in which the blocking member is opposed to the displacement from the relative blocking position to the relative unblocking position.
6. The locking mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the blocking member comprises a contact surface configured to come into contact with the upstream transmission member and/or the downstream transmission member, the blocking member being guided between the closing position and the open position along a path comprised in a plane of the contact surface.
7. The locking mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the blocking member is movable in rotation about an axis of rotation, the contact surface being oriented perpendicular to a segment connecting the axis of rotation to the contact surface.
8. The locking mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the downstream transmission member and/or the upstream transmission member comprises a return device configured to exert a return force on the blocking member towards the closing position of the blocking member.
9. The locking mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the downstream transmission member and/or the upstream transmission member comprises a stop configured to block the blocking member in the closing position.
10. The locking mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the blocking member is configured to be displaced from the closing position to the open position by mechanical traction of a mechanical backup system.
11. The locking mechanism according to claim 6, wherein a cam surface is configured to displace the blocking member under a thrust of the upstream transmission member between the closing position of the blocking member and the open position of the blocking member.
12. A motor vehicle comprising a locking mechanism of a motor vehicle door leaf according to claim 1.
Description
DRAWINGS
[0056] In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0057]
[0058]
[0059]
[0060]
[0061]
[0062]
[0063]
[0064]
[0065]
[0066]
[0067]
[0068]
[0069]
[0070]
[0071] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0072] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.
[0073] In the following description, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” should mean the position of the parts making up the transmission arrangement with respect to the direction of movement transmitted by each of these parts. In particular, “downstream” means which approaches the latch (32), “upstream” approaches the locking/unlocking control electric actuator 24.
[0074]
[0075] The support 3, extending along a longitudinal axis XX, comprises an opening 7, for example an oblong hole, extending along a parallel axis relative to the longitudinal axis XX.
[0076] The upstream transmission member 5 intended to be connected to an actuator, for example a rod or a cable, consists of a first portion 11 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis XX and of a second portion (not visible) extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis XX so as to be inserted through the opening 7 of the support 3.
[0077] The blocking member 4, for example a hook, is configured to be movable in rotation, with respect to an axis of rotation A, transverse to the longitudinal axis XX, between a relative blocking position, in which the blocking member 4 cooperates with the upstream transmission member 5 as illustrated in this figure, and a relative unblocking position in which the blocking member 4 is movable according to at least one degree of freedom with respect to the upstream transmission member 5.
[0078] More precisely, the blocking member 4 comprises a housing 13 configured to receive the second portion of the upstream transmission member 5, the relative blocking position corresponding to an engagement of the blocking member 4 with the upstream transmission member 5.
[0079] This engagement results in the contact between the upstream transmission member 5 and a contact surface 12 formed by the housing 13 of the blocking member 4. The contact surface 12 being oriented perpendicular to a segment connecting the axis of rotation A to the contact surface 12. The contact surface 12 being visible in
[0080] The blocking member 4 also comprises an orifice 16 configured to receive a mechanical backup system 23 represented in
[0081] According to another form, the mechanical backup system 23 is integrated directly into the blocking member 4. In other words, the blocking member 4 and the mechanical backup system form a single piece.
[0082] More specifically, the orifice 16 is disposed in the plane of the contact surface 12 of the blocking member 4.
[0083] The mechanical traction can be achieved according to a movement substantially perpendicular to the segment connecting the axis of rotation A to the contact surface 12 of the blocking member 4.
[0084] It should be noted that the aforementioned movement is not limiting of the present disclosure.
[0085] The support 3 comprises a stop 17 extending transversely outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis XX.
[0086] This stop 17 is configured to block the blocking member 4 in rotation in its closing position when the blocking member 4 is movable from its open position to its closing position.
[0087] The support 3 also comprises a return means 18, for example a tongue, as illustrated in this figure, or a spring.
[0088] The return means 18 is configured to block the rotation of the blocking member 4 from its closing position to its open position by the return of the blocking member 4 to its closing position, as illustrated in
[0089] In other words, the closing position is defined by a relative positioning of the blocking member 4 with respect to the opening 7 of the support 3.
[0090] In particular, the closing position of the blocking member 4 corresponds to a position in which the blocking member 4 defines with the opening 7, a blocking location of the upstream transmission member 5 whose dimensions correspond to that of a blocking portion of the upstream transmission member 5.
[0091] Indeed, the second portion of the upstream transmission member 5 is dimensioned so that this second portion of the upstream transmission member 5 can be inserted into the housing 13 of the blocking member 4, as represented in
[0092] In addition, the housing 13 of the blocking member 4 is disposed opposite the opening 7 of the support 3, in the closing position.
[0093] The open position, for its part, is also defined by a relative positioning of the blocking member 4 with respect to the opening 7 of the support 3.
[0094] Indeed, when the blocking member 4 is in the open position, the housing 13 is no longer facing the opening 7 of the support 3.
[0095] The housing 13 is therefore configured to allow its displacement between the relative blocking position and the relative unblocking position.
[0096] The lever portion 6 is movable in rotation relative to the support 3 along an axis of rotation B.
[0097] The axis of rotation B of the lever portion 6 is located on the same plane as the axis of rotation A of the blocking member 4.
[0098] It should be noted that the blocking member 4 is disposed on a first face 21 of the support 3 and that the lever portion 6 is disposed on a second face of the support 3, opposite to the first face 21.
[0099]
[0100] The lever portion 6 is in contact with the bolt 22.
[0101] This results in the actuation of the actuator 24 (illustrated in
[0102]
[0103] Indeed, this results in the passage of the blocking member 4 from the relative blocking position, as represented in
[0104] The return means 18 is therefore compressed by the blocking member 4 under the effect of the exerted traction force.
[0105] The blocking member 4 and the upstream transmission member 5 therefore no longer cooperate.
[0106]
[0107] Indeed, once the relative unblocking position of the blocking member 4 has been obtained, the upstream transmission member 5 is no longer located in the housing 13 of the blocking member 4 and can be movable in the opening 7 of the support 3.
[0108] Once the mechanical backup system 23 has been released, the blocking member 4 is in the closing position as illustrated in this figure, in particular by the return force exerted by the return means 18.
[0109]
[0110] The resetting is carried out by the passage of the blocking member 4 from its closing position to its open position to finally find itself in the relative blocking position.
[0111] The blocking member 4 comprises a cam surface 31 configured to displace the blocking member 4, under the effect of a thrust from the upstream transmission member 5, so as to position the upstream transmission member 5 and the blocking member 4 in the relative blocking position, as represented in
[0112] In
[0113] In
[0114] More precisely, it is the second portion of the upstream transmission member 5, which, through the displacement in the opening 7 of the support 3, will come into contact with the cam surface 31 of the blocking member 4.
[0115] In
[0116] In this position, the return means 18 is compressed by the blocking member 4.
[0117] In
[0118] In
[0119] In the following paragraphs, the operation of the locking mechanism 1 of the present disclosure according to the first form is detailed.
[0120] When electrically locking a motor vehicle door leaf, for example a motor vehicle trunk, a user can electrically control this electric locking remotely.
[0121] When the electrical locking of the door leaf takes place correctly, an actuator 24 (illustrated in
[0122] The upstream transmission member 5 is secured to the blocking member 4, resulting in the contact of the upstream transmission member 5 with the contact surface 12 of the blocking member 4.
[0123] The blocking member 4 therefore comprises a contact surface 12 configured to come into contact with the upstream transmission member 5 and/or the downstream transmission member 6. The blocking member 4 being guided between the closing position and the open position along a path comprised in the plane of the contact surface 12.
[0124] More specifically, the blocking member 4 is movable in rotation about an axis of rotation A. The contact surface 12 being oriented perpendicularly to a segment connecting the axis of rotation A to said surface 12.
[0125] The upstream transmission member 5 is therefore configured to displace the support 3 by means of the electric actuator 24, when the blocking member 4 is in the relative blocking position, the upstream transmission member 5 passing through the opening 7 of the support 3
[0126] The lever portion 6 will therefore be rotated along the axis of rotation B by the displacement of the support 3. Thus acting on the latch 32 of the door leaf, and more particularly on the bolt 22 of the latch 32 in order to lock the door leaf.
[0127] Indeed, the lever portion 6 is connected to the support 3 by means of a pivot connection, coincident with the axis of rotation A of the blocking member 4, at the level of the second face of the support 3.
[0128] In the event of any electrical malfunction of the door leaf or of the vehicle, the transmission arrangement 2 as represented in
[0129] The user may therefore believe that the door leaf of his vehicle is locked when it is not.
[0130] In order to unblock the locking mechanism 1 of its door leaf, the user exerts a traction force on the mechanical backup system 23 thus causing the disconnection of the upstream transmission member 5 and the blocking member 4 by the rotation of the blocking member 4 according to the axis of rotation A.
[0131] In other words, the blocking member 4 is displaced from its closing position to its open position, allowing the upstream transmission member 5 to no longer be locked in the housing 13 of the blocking member 4.
[0132] Once the disconnection has been made, the upstream transmission member 5 will be able to move freely through the opening 7 of the support 3.
[0133] The return means 18 will drive the blocking member 4 into its closing position, that is to say without the upstream transmission member 5 and the blocking member 4 being secured to each other, as represented in
[0134] Indeed, the cam surface 31 of the blocking member 4 is located on the passage of the opening 7 of the support 3, when the blocking member 4 is in the closing position, as represented in
[0135] A thrust of the upstream transmission member 5 on the cam surface 31 of the blocking member 4 therefore makes it possible to reposition the upstream transmission member 5 and the blocking member 4 in the relative blocking position as represented in
[0136] More specifically, the blocking member 4, by the return means 18, will return to its relative blocking position.
[0137] The return means 18 and the stop 17 are self-locking means of the blocking member 4 in its closing position and in its relative blocking position.
[0138] Once these steps have been carried out and the electrical malfunction is resolved, the electrical locking of the latch 32 can be electrically carried out.
[0139]
[0140] The locking mechanism 1′ comprises a latch 32 for locking the door leaf comprising a pawl 25 and a bolt 22′ configured to cooperate to allow the door leaf to be locked or unlocked.
[0141] The locking mechanism comprises an electric actuator 24 and a transmission arrangement 2′ configured to transmit a movement of the electric actuator 24 to the bolt 22′ for displacing the bolt 22′ of the latch 32 between an unlock position in which the bolt 22′ is released from the pawl and a locking position in which the bolt 22′ is blocked by the pawl.
[0142] As can be seen in
[0143] The transmission arrangement 2′ comprises an upstream transmission member 5′. The upstream transmission member 5′ is produced in the form of a toothed wheel mounted to be movable in rotation about an axis C which cooperates with the worm screw 26. Thus the worm screw 26 can drive in rotation of the upstream transmission member 5′ around the axis C.
[0144] The transmission arrangement 2′ comprises a downstream transmission member 6′ produced in the form of a lever to be movably mounted in rotation.
[0145] In particular, the downstream transmission member 6′ can be movably mounted in rotation about the same axis C of rotation of the upstream transmission member 5′.
[0146] The downstream transmission member 6′ comprises a first stop 27 for driving the bolt 22′. The downstream transmission member 6′ also comprises a second blocking stop 17′, as well as a cam surface 28 disposed adjacent to the second blocking stop 17′.
[0147] The upstream transmission member 5′ is configured to transmit a movement from the actuator 24 to the downstream transmission member 6′ and the downstream transmission member 6′ is configured to transmit a movement to the bolt 22′.
[0148] The transmission arrangement 2′ comprises a blocking member 4′ movably mounted in rotation about an axis of rotation C relative to the upstream transmission member 5′.
[0149] In particular, the axis of rotation C is parallel to the axis of rotation of the downstream transmission member 6′ and positioned in an offset manner. The blocking member 4′ comprises an extension portion 29 intended to abut against the second blocking stop 17′ of the downstream transmission member 6′.
[0150] The blocking member 4′ is configured to define with the downstream transmission member 6′ a relative blocking position in which the blocking member 4′ cooperates with the downstream transmission member 6′ so as to allow the transmission of a movement between the upstream transmission member 5′ and the transmission member downstream 6′, and a relative unblocking position in which the blocking member 4′ is movable according at least one degree of freedom with respect to the upstream transmission member 5′.
[0151] In this form, in the relative unblocking position, the rotation around the axis C of rotation of the downstream transmission member 6′ with respect to the upstream transmission member 5′ is permitted, thus providing an additional degree of freedom compared to the relative blocking position.
[0152] In particular, in the relative blocking position, the extension portion 29 of the blocking member 4′ cooperates with the second blocking stop 17′ of the downstream transmission member 6′.
[0153] In the relative blocking position, the upstream transmission member 5′ and the downstream transmission member 6′ are secured in movement, thanks to the mechanical connection made by the blocking member 4′. The first drive stop 27 of the downstream transmission member 6′ can drive the bolt 22′ into a locking position shown in
[0154] In the relative unblocking position, the extension portion 29 of the blocking member 4′ is in contact with the cam surface 28 and slides over this cam surface 28.
[0155] The blocking member 4′ is connected to a mechanical backup system 23′ being configured to trigger a movement of the blocking member 4′ from a closing position, in which the blocking member 4′ is opposed to the passage from the blocking position to the unblocking position, as illustrated in
[0156] In particular, the blocking member 4′ is connected to the mechanical backup system 23′, including for example a rod or a cable, by means of a pivot 30 disposed in an offset manner with respect to the axis of rotation. Thus, a traction on the mechanical backup system 23′ makes it possible to drive the blocking member 4′ in rotation about the axis and thus release the rotational movement of the downstream transmission member 6′ with respect to the upstream transmission member 5′.
[0157] Mechanical traction can be achieved in a substantially perpendicular movement relative to the axis of rotation C of the upstream transmission member 5′.
[0158] In this position, the downstream transmission member 6′ which is free to rotate no longer constrains the bolt 22′, which allows the door leaf to be unlocked.
[0159] According to one variation, a return member (not represented) can be associated with the blocking member 4′, for example a spring.
[0160] The return member is located on the axis of rotation of the blocking member 4′.
[0161] According to another variation, the return member is located on the axis of rotation of the downstream transmission member 6′. In this case, the return member is offset relative to the blocking member 4′.
[0162] The return member being configured to return the blocking member 4′ to its closing position.
[0163] According to one variation, the downstream transmission member 6′ may also comprise a return member (not represented), for example a spring.
[0164] The blocking member is located on the axis of rotation of the downstream transmission member 6′.
[0165] This spring allows the downstream transmission member 6′ to return towards the relative blocking position with the blocking member 4′.
[0166] In the following paragraphs, the operation of the locking mechanism 1′ of the present disclosure according to the second form is detailed.
[0167] In a normal operating mode of the electric locking of a motor vehicle door leaf, for example of a motor vehicle trunk, a user can electrically and remotely control the electric locking by means of the electric actuator 24, illustrated in
[0168] The output shaft of the actuator 24 drives the upstream transmission member 5′ in rotation about the axis C. The upstream transmission member 5′ drives the downstream transmission member 6′ around the axis C, the blocking member 4′ ensuring the engagement in movement of the upstream transmission member 5′ and of the downstream transmission member 6′.
[0169] The downstream transmission member 6′ cooperates with the bolt 22′ to displace it to its closing position, as shown in
[0170] In the event of an electrical malfunction of the actuator 24 or the actuator control 24, the transmission arrangement 2′ may be blocked.
[0171] In order to unblock the locking mechanism 1′ of the door leaf, the user directly or indirectly exerts a traction force on the mechanical backup system 23′ thus causing the disconnection of the upstream transmission member 5 and the blocking member 4 by the rotation of the blocking member 4 along the axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation C of the upstream transmission member 5′, as can be seen in
[0172] In other words, the blocking member 4′ is displaced from its closing position to its open position, allowing the downstream transmission member 6′ to be free to rotate relative to the upstream transmission member 5′. The bolt 22′ is then released and the latch 32 of the door leaf can be opened.
[0173] In order to reset the locking mechanism 1′, once the malfunction of the actuator 24 or of the actuator control 24 is resolved, it suffices to drive in rotation the upstream transmission member 5′ in an unlocking direction so as to remove the contact between the bolt 22′ and the downstream transmission member 6′.
[0174] The downstream transmission member 6′ is then returned in rotation to the relative blocking position thanks to the return member. At the same time, the extension portion 29 of the blocking member 4′ bears, under the effect of the return member against the cam surface 28, until it exceeds the blocking stop 17′.
[0175] Once past the blocking stop 17′, the blocking member 4′ is folded by the return member into the closing position which corresponds to the relative blocking position with the downstream transmission member 6′, as represented in
[0176] Once these steps have been carried out, the electric locking of the latch 32 can be electrically carried out again.
[0177] The advantages conferred by the present disclosure are as follows.
[0178] The mechanical backup system 23, 23′ makes it possible to secure the locking/unlocking of the door leaf of the vehicle mechanically when an electrical malfunction affects the motor vehicle.
[0179] The solution therefore makes it possible to release the bolt 22, 22′ from the transmission arrangement 2, 2′ and endeavors to reduce the forces to disconnect the upstream transmission member 5, 5′ and the blocking member 4, 4′.
[0180] Finally, this solution seeks to reset the transmission arrangement 2, 2′ when the locking mechanism 1, 1′ becomes functional again.
[0181] Thanks to this design, the activation of the mechanical backup system 23 only involves the frictional force to release the function of the transmission arrangement 2. Indeed, the electric traction force of the actuator 24 becomes a mechanical traction force of the blocking member 4, via the friction at the level of the contact surface 12.
[0182] It should be noted that it is also possible for the function of the mechanical backup locking system to be common with the mechanical backup unlocking function, in this case acting on the pawl 25 of the latch 32, allowing in a single command to unblock the two kinematic chains for locking and unlocking the door leaf.
[0183] Unless otherwise expressly indicated herein, all numerical values indicating mechanical/thermal properties, compositional percentages, dimensions and/or tolerances, or other characteristics are to be understood as modified by the word “about” or “approximately” in describing the scope of the present disclosure. This modification is desired for various reasons including industrial practice, material, manufacturing, and assembly tolerances, and testing capability.
[0184] As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using a non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean “at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C.”
[0185] The apparatuses and methods described in this application may be partially or fully implemented by a special purpose computer created by configuring a general-purpose computer to execute one or more particular functions embodied in computer programs. The functional blocks, flowchart components, and other elements described above serve as software specifications, which can be translated into the computer programs by the routine work of a skilled technician or programmer.
[0186] The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the substance of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.