Patent ID: 12241292

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To make the technical issues to be addressed, the technical solutions adopted and the technical effects achieved more clear, the technical solutions are further described hereinafter through embodiments in conjunction with drawings. It is to be understood that the embodiments set forth below are intended to illustrate rather than limiting.

In the description, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms “connected to each other”, “connected”, or “fixed” are to be construed in a broad sense, for example, as permanently connected, detachably connected, or integrated; mechanically connected or electrically connected; directly connected to each other or indirectly connected to each other via an intermediary; or internally connection of two components or interaction between two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, specific meanings of the preceding terms in the present utility model may be construed based on specific situations.

Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, when a first feature is described as “above” or “below” a second feature, the first feature and the second feature may be in direct contact, or be in contact via another feature between the two features. Moreover, when the first feature is described as “on”, “above” or “over” the second feature, the first feature is right on, above or over the second feature or the first feature is obliquely on, above or over the second feature, or the first feature is simply at a higher level than the second feature. When the first feature is described as “under”, “below” or “underneath” the second feature, the first feature is right under, below or underneath the second feature or the first feature is obliquely under, below or underneath the second feature, or the first feature is simply at a lower level than the second feature.

In the description of this embodiment, the orientation or positional relationships indicated by terms “above”, “below”, “right” and the like are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings, merely for ease of description and simplifying operation, rather than indicating or implying that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation and is constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus they are not to be construed as limiting the present utility model. In addition, the terms “first” and “second” are used only to distinguish between descriptions and have no special meaning.

Referring toFIG.15, shown is a vehicle4awith a vehicle body5ahaving one or more closure panels6acoupled to the vehicle body5a. The closure panel6ais connected to the vehicle body5avia one or more hinges8aand a latch10a(e.g. for retaining the closure panel6ain a closed position once closed—such as a cinch latched primary position) (shown in dashed outline). The closure panel6ahas a mating latch component100(e.g. striker) mounted thereon for coupling with the latch10amounted on the vehicle body5a. Alternatively, latch10acan be mounted on the closure panel6aand the mating latch component100mounted on the body5a(not shown). For example, the latch10acan have a ratchet5(seeFIG.2) for retaining the striker100between a striker releasing position corresponding to an open position of the closure panel6aand a secondary striker capture position corresponding to a partially closed position (e.g. secondary position) of the closure panel6a. Further, the ratchet5can be configured for having a primary striker capture position corresponding to a fully closed position of the closure panel6a(e.g. a latched or primary position).

Referring toFIG.16, shown is the vehicle4awith the vehicle body5ahaving an alternative embodiment of the one or more closure panels6acoupled to the vehicle body5a, including one or more struts20a(e.g. power actuated struts20a). The closure panel6ais connected to the vehicle body5avia one or more hinges8aand latch10a(e.g. for retaining the closure panel6ain a closed position once closed). It is recognized that examples of the closure panel6acan include a hood panel, a door panel, a hatch panel and other panels as desired.

In the embodiment shown, the closure panel6apivots between the open panel position and the closed panel position about a pivot axis9a(e.g. of the hinge8a), which can be configured as horizontal or otherwise parallel to a support surface11aof the vehicle4a. In other embodiments, the pivot axis9amay have some other orientation such as vertical or otherwise extending at an angle outwards from the support surface11aof the vehicle4a. In still other embodiments, the closure panel6amay move in a manner other than pivoting, for example, the closure panel6amay translate along a predefined track or may undergo a combination of translation and rotation between the open and closed panel positions, such that the hinge8aincludes both pivot and translational components (not shown). As can be appreciated, the closure panel6acan be embodied, for example, as a hood, passenger door, or lift gate (otherwise referred to as a hatch) of the vehicle4a.

For vehicles4ain general, the closure panel6acan be referred to as a partition or door, typically hinged, but sometimes attached by other mechanisms such as tracks, in front of an opening13awhich can be used for entering and exiting the vehicle4ainterior by people and/or cargo. It is also recognized that the closure panel6acan be used as an access panel for vehicle4asystems such as engine compartments and also for traditional trunk compartments of automotive type vehicles4a. The closure panel6acan be opened to provide access to opening, or closed to secure or otherwise restrict access to the opening13a. It is also recognized that there can be one or more intermediate open positions (e.g. unlatched position) of the closure panel6abetween a fully open panel position (e.g. unlatched position) and fully closed panel position (e.g. latched position), as provided at least in part by the hinges8aand latch10a, as assisted by the power latch system12a. For example, the power latch system12acan be used to provide an opening force (or torque) and/or a closing force (or torque) for the closure panel6a.

Movement of the closure panel6a(e.g. between the open and closed panel positions) can be electronically and/or manually operated, where power assisted closure panels6acan be found on minivans, high-end cars, or sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and the like. As such, it is recognized that movement of the closure panel6acan be manual or power assisted during operation of the closure panel6aat, for example: between fully closed (e.g. locked or latched) and fully open (e.g. unlocked or unlatched); between locked/latched and partially open (e.g. unlocked or unlatched); and/or between partially open (e.g. unlocked or unlatched) and fully open (e.g. unlocked or unlatched). It is recognized that the partially open configuration of the closure panel6acan also include a secondary lock (e.g. closure panel6ahas a primary lock configuration at fully closed and a secondary lock configuration at partially open—for example for latches10aassociated with vehicle hoods).

In terms of vehicles4a, the closure panel6amay be a hood, a lift gate, or it may be some other kind of closure panel6a, such as an upward-swinging vehicle door (i.e. what is sometimes referred to as a gull-wing door) or a conventional type of door that is hinged at a front-facing or back-facing edge of the door, and so facilitates the door to swing (or slide) away from (or towards) the opening13ain the body5aof the vehicle4a. Also contemplated are sliding door embodiments of the closure panel6aand canopy door embodiments of the closure panel6a, such that sliding doors can be a type of door that open by sliding horizontally or vertically, whereby the door is either mounted on, or suspended from a track that provides for a larger opening13afor equipment to be loaded and unloaded through the opening13awithout obstructing access. Canopy doors are a type of door that sits on top of the vehicle4and lifts up in some way, to provide access for vehicle passengers via the opening13a(e.g. car canopy, aircraft canopy, etc.). Canopy doors can be connected (e.g. hinged at a defined pivot axis and/or connected for travel along a track) to the body5aof the vehicle at the front, side or back of the door, as the application permits. It is recognized that the body5acan be represented as a body panel of the vehicle4a, a frame of the vehicle4a, and/or a combination frame and body panel assembly, as desired.

The vehicle4ais disclosed in these embodiments. The vehicle4aincludes an engine compartment13aor a luggage compartment13a, a compartment cover6a(as referred to as a closure panel) and a lock device10a, e.g. a latch10a. The compartment cover6acan be provided with a striker100, the lock device10ais installed in the engine compartment13aor the luggage compartment13a, and the compartment cover6acan be locked reliably by locking the striker100via the ratchet5(seeFIG.4).

For ease of description, the forward direction in these embodiments is the direction indicated by the arrows inFIG.2toFIG.6(i.e., clockwise direction), and the reverse direction is a direction opposite to the forward direction (i.e., counterclockwise direction).

As shown inFIG.1toFIG.4, a lock device10aincludes a base plate1, a guide plate2, a pawl assembly, a drive mechanism42, and a ratchet5with biasing element (e.g. spring)8. The base plate1can be fixedly installed on a front cross beam of the body5. As shown inFIG.8, the base plate1can be a sheet metal part, the base plate1is provided with a slot11(to accommodate the striker100), and the striker100is slidably disposed in the slot11. The slot11extends (e.g. in a vertical direction) and has an opening at a top end. The striker100is disposed in the slot11and can be inserted in a locking slot511of the ratchet5to realize locking of the compartment cover6avia the latch10a.

Specifically, the guide plate2is disposed on the base plate1, the pawl assembly includes a pawl3, a return member (e.g. biasing element such as a spring—seeFIG.11)9and a rivet post4(e.g. pivot of the pawl3), the rivet post4is rotatably disposed on the base plate1, and the pawl3is rotatably disposed on the rivet post4through the return member9. The ratchet5is rotatably disposed on the base plate1on a pivot40. The ratchet5includes the locking slot511fitted with the striker100. The ratchet5has an unlocking position, a half-locked position and a full-locked position in sequence in the forward rotation direction. When the ratchet5is in the unlocking position, the pawl3is engaged with the guide plate2, and the striker100presses against the locking slot511to facilitate the ratchet5to be supported on the rivet post4.

An output end of the drive mechanism42(seeFIG.11, such as a motor shaft, a driven gear, etc.) is connected/coupled to the rivet post4. When the drive mechanism42is triggered (e.g. as operated by a controller—not shown), the drive mechanism42can drive the pawl3(mounted on the rivet post4) via the rivet post4to rotate R in the forward direction so as to drive the rivet post4to rotate in the forward direction to the half-locked position. The ratchet5rotates from the unlocking position to the half-locked position with the striker100against the gravity of the compartment cover6adue to the bias of the biasing element8.

In the half-locked position, the pawl3is disengaged from the guide plate2and rotates around the rivet post4, to facilitate the pawl3to be coupled (e.g. engaged with one another via a notch and abutment—not shown) to the ratchet5and rotate synchronously with the ratchet5to the full-locked position, so that the locking slot511is locked and fitted with the striker100to realize self-locking of the compartment cover6a.

In this embodiment, when the drive mechanism42is triggered to drive the rivet post4and the pawl3to rotate from the unlocking position to the half-locked position, the ratchet5rotates in the forward direction to the half-locked position under the pressing of the striker100, the pawl3is disengaged from the guide plate2, and the pawl3rotates in the forward direction around the rivet post4under an action of a return force of the return member9, and is coupled/engaged with the ratchet5. The drive mechanism42continues to drive the pawl3and the ratchet5to move synchronously to the full-locked position, so as to realize the locking and fitting between the ratchet5and the striker100(in the slot151).

In other alternative embodiments, the pawl3can also rotate in the reverse direction, as long as the pawl3and the ratchet5can be coupled in the half-locked position.

For example, when the rotation of the pawl3and the ratchet5from the half-locked position to the full-locked position is interrupted unexpectedly, the ratchet5and the pawl3are coupled and can be deadlocked, resulting in that the compartment cover6amay not be quickly reset or locked and the compartment cover is deadlocked, which reduces the reliability of the lock device.

In order to help address the above issue, as shown inFIG.5andFIG.6, the lock device10ain this further embodiment further includes a release member10, where the release member10is rotatably disposed on the base plate1via a pivot20(e.g. position column20), and the release member10is engaged and fitted with the guide plate2(e.g. via a notch44of the member10and abutment45of the guide plate2). After the pawl3is coupled to the ratchet5, the release member10rotates in the reverse direction and drives the guide plate2to rotate in the forward direction, so that the guide plate2comes into engagement with the pawl3and drives the pawl3to rotate in the reverse direction to be thus decoupled (i.e. disengaged) from the ratchet5.

The release member10in this embodiment rotates in the reverse direction to drive the guide plate2to rotate in the forward direction. The guide plate2engages with the pawl3and drives the pawl3to rotate in the reverse direction, thereby decoupling the pawl3from the ratchet5and inhibiting deadlock of the compartment cover6ain the process of rotating of the lock device10afrom the half-locked position to the full-locked position, which can improve the reliability of the lock device10a.

Specifically, the release member10can be biased via the restoring member43on the positioning column20(e.g. pivot20). The positioning column20is disposed on the base plate1, and both the release member10and the restoring member43(seeFIG.8) are sleeved on the positioning column20. One end of the restoring member43is fixedly disposed on the base plate1, and another end of the restoring member43abuts against the release member10, to facilitate the release member10to have a tendency to rotate (i.e. biased) in the forward direction.

The restoring member43in this embodiment can be a torsion spring. The release member10can have an irregular outer edge, and can be generally an elongated plate which is obliquely disposed. An upper end of the release member10has a pulling part103, and a bottom end of the release member10has a mounting part102. One end of the restoring member43is fixedly disposed on the base plate1, and another end of the restoring member43abuts against the mounting part102(for positioning on the pivot20). In addition, the guide plate2and the ratchet5are both rotatably sleeved on a pivot40of the base plate1.

In a case where the compartment cover6ais not deadlocked, the release member10abuts against a limiting rod (e.g. an abutment positioned on the mounting plate1) under the action of the restoring force of the torsion spring43, so as to keep the guide plate2stationary. The pulling part103can be drivingly coupled to a drive member47(e.g. cable) in the vehicle4a. When deadlock of the compartment cover6aoccurs, the drive member47drives, through the pulling part103, the release member10to rotate in the reverse direction around the positioning column20, so as to facilitate the guide plate2to rotate in the forward direction.

As shown inFIG.7, in a further embodiment, one of the release member10and the guide plate2is provided with an engaging slot101, the other of the release member10and the guide plate2is provided with a release column/pin23, so that the release column23can be engaged and fitted with the engaging slot101. In this embodiment, the guide plate2is provided with the release column23on a side facing the base plate1, a middle part of the release member10is provided with the engaging slot101, and the engaging slot101has an opening at an outer edge of the release member10so as to be engaged and fitted with the release column23. Alternatively the method of engagement between the guiding plate2and the release member10can be the notch44and abutment45shown inFIG.5.

In an alternative embodiment, the release member10is provided with the release column23, and the guide plate2has the engaging slot101.

As shown inFIG.1, the lock device10afurther includes a ratchet torsion spring8, one end of the ratchet torsion spring8is fixedly disposed on the base plate1, and another end of the ratchet torsion spring8is located under the rivet post4and abuts against the rivet post4, to facilitate the ratchet5to have a tendency/bias to rotate in the reverse direction.

In in this embodiment, a mounting plate (not shown) is fixedly disposed on the base plate1, the mounting plate is located above the guide plate2, the ratchet torsion spring8is sleeved on the mounting plate, and the ratchet torsion spring8provides a restoring/biasing force to the ratchet5through the rivet post4to drive the ratchet5to rotate in the reverse direction to the unlocking position. Specifically, the striker100presses against the ratchet5under the gravity of the compartment cover6a, and clamps the ratchet5together with the striker100and the rivet post4, so that the ratchet5is firmly in the unlocking position.

The lock device10acan further include the drive mechanism48, an output end of the drive mechanism48is connected to the rivet post4, and when triggered, the drive mechanism48can drive the pawl3to rotate from the unlocking position to the full locked position through the rivet post4.

Specifically, the drive mechanism48drives the pawl3to rotate in the forward direction with respect to the base plate1, to cause the rivet post4to get out of contact with the ratchet5, thereby facilitating the ratchet5to rotate from the unlocking position to the half-locked position. The pawl3is disengaged from the guide plate2in the half-locked position (i.e. the notch44and abutment45are disengaged, for example). The pawl3rotates around the rivet post4to be coupled with the ratchet5, and the drive mechanism43continues to drive the pawl3and the ratchet5to move synchronously to the full-locked position, so as to realize the locking and fitting between the locking slot511and the striker100.

The lock device10acan be automatically locked by triggering the drive mechanism48, which is easy to operate and does not need to press or cast the compartment cover6awith a large force, thus saving the user's physical strength and improving the user's experience. Moreover, the damage to the structural parts of the lock device10acan be reduced and prolonging the service life of the lock device10acan be facilitated.

The drive mechanism48in this embodiment can include a motor connected to a pull cable7. The output end of the motor is connected to the pull cable7, and the pull cable7is connected to the rivet post4. The motor pulls the pull cable7to contract against the restoring force of the ratchet torsion spring8, thereby driving the pawl3to rotate in the forward direction.

As shown inFIG.2toFIG.4, the guide plate2and the ratchet5are coaxially disposed on the base plate1. When the ratchet5rotates from the unlocking position to the full-locked position, the guide plate2is fixed relative to the base plate1, the drive mechanism48drives the pawl3to rotate in the forward direction relative to the base plate1, and the pawl3is engaged with the guide plate2, so that the guide plate2can limit the pawl3to prevent the pawl3from rotating around the rivet post4in the forward direction.

As shown inFIG.9toFIG.11, the pawl3and the return member9are coaxially mounted on the rivet post4, the pawl3has a hitching part33, the return member9is sleeved on the rivet post4, one end of the return member9is disposed to be fixed to the rivet post4, and another end of the return member9abuts against the hitching part33, so that the pawl3always has a tendency to rotate (be biased) in the forward direction.

The return member9in this embodiment can be a torsion spring, or a coil spring or other elastic parts, as long as the return member9can provide the restoring force for forward rotation of the pawl3.

As shown inFIG.11, the rivet post4has a stepped shaft structure, specifically including a first stepped shaft49, a second stepped shaft50and a third stepped shaft51which are gradually reduced in shaft diameter and connected in sequence. An end of the pull cable7is fixedly mounted with a collar71, and the collar71is sleeved on the first stepped shaft49of the rivet post4, and one end of the ratchet torsion spring8is located below the first stepped shaft49and abuts on the first stepped shaft49, so that the rivet post4can support the ratchet5. The pawl3and the return member9are coaxially sleeved on the second stepped shaft50.

Further as shown inFIG.9toFIG.11, the pawl assembly further includes a spring-back member6. The spring-back member6includes a connecting plate61and a supporting plate62which are connected to each other. One end of the connecting plate61is rotatably disposed on the base plate1, another end of the connecting plate61is sleeved on the rivet post4, and the supporting plate62is configured to support the ratchet5.

Specifically, the connecting plate61and the supporting plate62can be formed integrally by bending, where the connecting plate61is gourd-shaped, one end of the connecting plate61is mounted coaxially with the ratchet5and the guide plate2, and another end of the connecting plate61is sleeved on the third stepped shaft51of the rivet post4, so that the pawl3can rotate coaxially with the ratchet5under the drive of the drive mechanism42,48. The supporting plate62is vertically connected to the connecting plate61, and the supporting plate62can be attached to an outer edge of the ratchet5, which facilitates the spring-back member6firmly supporting the ratchet5.

As shown inFIG.12andFIG.13, the guide plate2has a first outer edge21and a second outer edge22which are connected to each other, and the second outer edge22is recessed inwardly to form an avoidance groove/region22a(to inhibit interference between the pawl3and the guide plate2during rotation of the pawl3) for making way for the pawl3, so that after the pawl3reaches the half-locked position, the pawl3can rotate around the rivet post4in the forward direction under the action of the return member9, so that the pawl3and the ratchet5are coupled together.

As shown inFIG.13, the pawl3includes a body. An end of body vertically extends with an engaging part32, one side, close to the guide plate2, of the body has a flange31, and the hitching part33is disposed vertically on the other side of the body. One end of the return member9is fixedly disposed on the rivet post4, and the other end of the return member9is pressed against the hitching part33to facilitate the pawl3to have a tendency to rotate in the forward direction.

When the ratchet5is located between the unlocking position and the half-locked position, the flange (e.g. surface)31slidingly presses against the first outer edge21of the guide plate2to inhibit the forward rotation of the pawl3(e.g. due to the engagement of the components2,3via the contact between the flange31and the edge21).

Specifically, the ratchet5has a limiting slot53. When the pawl3rotates around the rivet post4in the forward direction, the engaging part32comes into engagement with the limiting slot53, or when the release member10rotates in the reverse direction, the pawl3rotates around the rivet post4in the forward direction, to facilitate the engaging part32to be disengaged from the limiting slot53. When the pawl3reaches the half-locked position, due to the avoidance groove/region22aof the guide plate2, the pawl3is disengaged from the guide plate2(disengagement between the flange31and the edge21), and rotates in the forward direction to be engaged with the limiting slot53by the engaging part32to realize the stable coupling/engagement between the ratchet5and the pawl3. The release member10rotates in the reverse direction to drive the guide plate2to rotate in the forward direction. The first outer edge21of the guide plate2comes into engagement with the flange31of the pawl3and drives the pawl3to rotate in the reverse direction, so that the engaging part32is disengaged from the limiting slot53, thereby realizing the unlocking of the lock device10aand inhibiting the deadlock of the compartment cover6a.

The lock device10acan further include a first switch70disposed on the base plate1, the ratchet5further includes a pressing part52, and the first switch53is electrically connected to the drive mechanism42,48. When the ratchet5is in the unlocking position, the pressing part52presses against the first switch70so that the drive mechanism42,48is turned off. When the ratchet5gets out of the unlocking position, the pressing part52is released from pressing against the first switch70to trigger the drive mechanism42,48.

As shown inFIG.14, the ratchet5is of an irregular plate-like structure, roughly triangular. The outer edge of the ratchet5has the pressing part52, a hook51, the locking slot511and the limiting slot53in sequence in its circumferential direction. The pressing part52protrudes from the outer edge of the ratchet5so as to press against the first switch70. The outer edge of the ratchet5is recessed inwardly to form a locking slot511. The locking slot511divides a part of the ratchet5into the hook51and a connecting arm54. A lower part of the outer edge of the connecting arm54is recessed inwardly to form the limiting slot53adapted to the engaging part32of the pawl3, so as to facilitate coupling and connection between the ratchet5and the pawl3.

It should be noted that a second switch72is further mounted on the baseplate1, and the second switch72, when triggered, can feed back a signal to a vehicle control unit (not shown), the signal reminding the driver, occupant or user that the compartment cover has been fully locked. When the ratchet5rotates to the full-locked position, the second switch72is triggered, and the vehicle control unit controls the motor (drive mechanism42,48) to turn off, so as to help keep the lock device10ain a locked state.

The working process of the lock device10aof this embodiment includes a locking process and an unlocking process. For facilitating the understanding, the specific locking process of the lock device10ais as follows.

When the vehicle compartment cover6ais opened, as shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, the ratchet5and the pawl3are in the unlocking position, and the pressing part52of the ratchet5presses against the first switch70, and the motor of the drive mechanism42,48is in an off state. Under the action of the restoring force of the ratchet spring8, the rivet post4supports the connecting arm54of the ratchet5through the spring-back member6, and the latch10is located at a mouth position of the locking groove511and presses against an upper part of the connecting arm54.

The motor42,48is started by the vehicle control unit or the vehicle compartment cover6ais slightly pressed so that the ratchet5rotates in the forward direction under the pressing force of the striker100, and the pressing part52is released from the pressing against the first switch70, thereby triggering the motor of the drive mechanism42,48. The motor pulls the rivet post4through the pull cable7to drive the pawl3to rotate in the forward direction relative to the base plate1, so that the spring-back member6is out of contact with the connecting arm54, the flange31of the pawl3is engaged with the first outer edge21of the guide plate2, and the ratchet5rotates in the forward direction to the half-locked position under the pressing of the striker100.

As shown inFIG.3, when the pawl3and the ratchet5reach the half-locked position, due to the avoidance groove region22aof the second outer edge22of the guide plate2, the pawl3is disengaged from the guide plate2and rotates in the forward direction around the rivet post4to be engaged with the limiting groove53of the ratchet5by the engaging part32of the pawl3. In this manner, the coupling/engagement between the ratchet5and the pawl3is facilitated. At this time, the drive mechanism42,48continues to drive the pawl3to rotate in the forward direction, and the ratchet5, driven by the pawl3, rotates to the full-locked position. At the same time, the striker100slides into the locking groove511, so that the striker100is locked and fitted with the locking groove511of the ratchet5. The striker100drives the compartment cover6ato close the engine compartment or luggage compartment13ato complete the automatic locking of the lock device10a.

It should be noted that when the ratchet5reaches the full-locked position, the second switch72can feed back a signal to the vehicle control unit to remind the driver and occupant or the user that the compartment cover13ahas been fully locked. At this time, the motor of the drive mechanism42,48is turned off, and the lock device10aremains in the closed state.

Referring toFIGS.17-27, with reference toFIGS.1-4, the lock device10ain this embodiment includes a base plate100b, a pawl3, a pull-cable wheel unit102b, a drive member48and a ratchet5. The base plate100is fixedly mounted on a front cross beam5aof the engine compartment13aor luggage compartment13a. The ratchet5and the pawl3are each rotatably disposed on the base plate100, and the drive member48is drivingly connected to the pawl3through the pull-cable wheel unit102b. The pawl3has an unlocking position, a half-locked position and a full-locked position. The drive member48is drivingly connected to the pawl3, and pulls the pawl3to rotate through the pull cable5b,6bon the pull-cable wheel unit102b. The pawl3comes to be coupled with the ratchet5during rotation and rotates synchronously with the ratchet5to the full-locked position to lock the compartment cover13a.

The drive member48can be a motor. When the compartment cover13ais locked, an output shaft (not shown) of the motor is rotated in a reverse direction and reset, resulting in looseness of the pull cable5b,6b. When the lock device10alocks again, in an initial stage of starting of the motor, the output shaft rotates in a forward direction for a certain time to make the pull cable5b,6bre-tensioned, and then pulls the pawl3to rotate again, which can increase time for locking of the lock device10aand can reduce working efficiency of the lock device10a.

In order to address the above issue, as shown inFIG.17toFIG.20, a pull-cable wheel unit102bis further disclosed in this embodiment. The pull-cable wheel unit102bis mounted between the pawl3and the drive member48of the lock device10a. Specifically, the pull-cable wheel unit102bincludes a positioning post1b, a cable wheel2b, a return wheel3band an elastic member4b. The positioning post1bis fixedly arranged on the base plate100b, and the cable wheel2band the return wheel3bare each rotatably sleeved on the positioning post1b. The cable wheel2bis wound with a first pull cable5b, and the first pull cable5bis connected to the pawl3; the return wheel3bis wound with a second pull cable6b, and the second pull cable6bis connected to an output end of the drive member48. One end of the elastic member4babuts against the cable wheel2b, and the other end of the elastic member4babuts against the return wheel3b. When the lock device10ais in the full-locked position, the elastic member4bdrives the return wheel3bto rotate in the reverse direction by a preset angle, to allow part of the second pull cable6bto be wound around the return wheel3b.

In this embodiment, the forward direction is the direction indicated by arrows inFIG.22toFIG.25(i.e., a counterclockwise direction), and the reverse direction is the direction indicated by arrows inFIG.26toFIG.27(i.e., a clockwise direction).

In this embodiment, the output shaft of the drive member48rotates in the forward direction to pull the second pull cable6bon the return wheel3b, and the cable wheel2band the return wheel3brotate in the forward direction to allow the lock device10ato reach the full-locked position and be locked. Then, the output shaft of the drive member48is rotated in the reverse direction and reset, so that the second pull cable6bis turned loose. Then, the return wheel3bis rotated around the positioning post1bin the reverse direction under a restoring force of the elastic member4b, to allow part of the second pull cable6bto be rewound on the return wheel3bso as to maintain tension of the second pull cable6b, so that the second pull cable6bdoes not need to be re-tensioned when the lock device10alocks again, which is conducive to reducing the time for locking of the lock device10aand improving the locking efficiency.

As shown inFIG.17andFIG.18, the cable wheel2band the return wheel3bare coaxially sleeved on the positioning post1b, so that the cable wheel2band the return wheel3bcan rotate around the positioning post1bunder the action of the restoring force of the elastic member4b. The elastic member4bin this embodiment enables the return wheel3bto have a tendency to rotate in the reverse direction, and enables the cable wheel2bto always have a tendency to rotate in the forward direction.

It should be noted that the cable wheel2bis rotatably disposed on the positioning post1b. When the lock device10ais in the full-locked position, the cable wheel2balways keeps the tension state under the action of the restoring force of the elastic member4b, and the return wheel3bcan rotate in the reverse direction to allow part of the second pull cable6bto be rewound on the return wheel3b. When the drive member48pulls the second pull cable6b, the cable wheel2band the return wheel3brotate synchronously around the positioning post1bin the forward direction to realize locking of the lock device10a.

The elastic member4bin this embodiment can be a torsion spring. In other alternative embodiments, the elastic member4bmay be an elastic element such as a coil spring as well.

As shown inFIG.18, the return wheel3bcan be provided with an annular groove32b, and the elastic member4bis installed in the annular groove32b. Specifically, an axial end surface of the return wheel3bfacing the cable wheel2bcan be provided with the annular groove32b, most part of the elastic member4bis located in the annular groove32b, and one end of the elastic member4bprotrudes out of the annular groove32band abuts against the cable wheel2b.

Preferably, the return wheel3bhas, in its axial direction, a first end facing the cable wheel2band a second end facing away from the cable wheel2b, the second end is provided with a projection33b, and the annular groove32bextends from the first end of the return wheel3binto the projection33bto increase the depth of the annular groove32b, thereby facilitating placement of the elastic member4bhaving a longer axial length, and further improving the restoring force of the elastic member4b.

One of the cable wheel2band the return wheel3bcan have a sliding groove31bextending along a circumferential direction of the positioning post1b, and the other of the cable wheel2band the return wheel3bis provided with a sliding block21badapted to the sliding groove31b. The sliding block21bis slidably disposed in the sliding groove31b. The sliding fit of the sliding block21bin the sliding groove31bcan play a guiding role in the rotation of the cable wheel2band the return wheel3, which can help to improve the connection strength and rotation stability of the cable wheel2band the return wheel3b. In addition, an end of the elastic member4bcan abut against the sliding block21b, so that there is no need to provide a mounting structure in the cable wheel2b, which is conducive to simplifying the structure of the cable wheel2b.

As shown inFIG.19, the axial end face of the cable wheel2bfacing the return wheel3bis provided with the sliding block21b, and the return wheel3bis further provided with the sliding groove31bin the end face where the annular groove32bis provided. The sliding block21bis an arc-shaped projection, and the sliding groove31bis an arc-shaped groove. Specifically, taking the axial center of the positioning post1bas the circle center, an obtuse angle between connecting lines of the circle center with outer edges of two ends of the sliding groove31bis a central angle α of the sliding groove31b, and 180°<α<360°. For example, α may be 190°, 240°, 270°, 300° and 350°.

Further as shown inFIG.18andFIG.19, a circumferential outer edge of each of the cable wheel2band the return wheel3bis recessed inwardly to form a cable winding groove10b, at least part of the first pull cable5bis wound on the cable winding groove10bof the cable wheel2b, and at least part of the second pull cable6bis wound on the cable winding groove10bof the return wheel3b. The first pull cable5band the second pull cable6bcan be wound on the corresponding cable winding grooves10bto avoid slippage of the first pull cable5bfrom the cable wheel2band slippage of the second pull cable6bfrom the return wheel3brespectively, which can be conducive to improving the stability and reliability of the pull-cable wheel unit102b.

In this embodiment, from the unlocking position to the full-locked position, the cable wheel2brotates by a small angle and the length of the first pull cable5bto be wound is also relatively small. Therefore, the circumferential outer edge of each of the cable wheel2band the return wheel3bsimply is provided with one cable winding groove10b.

As shown inFIG.17toFIG.20, the cable wheel2band the return wheel3bare each provided with a lock post20b, one end of the first pull cable5bis fixedly connected to the lock post20bof the cable wheel2, the other end of the first pull cable5bis connected to the pawl3, one end of the second pull cable6bis fixedly connected to the lock post20bof the return wheel3b, and the other end of the second pull cable6bis connected to the output shaft of the drive member48. The cable wheel2band the return wheel3bare each provided with a mounting groove in communication with the respective cable winding groove10b. The first pull cable5bhas one end fixedly connected to the lock post20bof the cable wheel2b, and taking the lock post20bas a starting point for winding, part of the first pull cable5bis wound on the cable wheel2b. The second pull cable6bhas one end fixedly connected to the lock post20bof the return wheel3b, and taking the lock post20bas a starting point for winding, part of the second pull cable6bis wound on the return wheel3b. The first pull cable5band the second pull cable6bcan be connected or fixed to the lock posts20bby binding, pressing or the like.

Specifically, one end of the first pull cable5bconnected to the pawl3is provided with a collar51b, and the collar51bis connected to the pawl3. The first pull cable5band the second pull cable6bin this embodiment can be both steel wire ropes with good strength and rigidity. Moreover, the steel wire rope can be conductive to reducing the bending degree of each of the first pull cable5band the second pull cable6bin the loose state, and avoiding interference with other structures of the lock device10a.

For ease of understanding, the rotation process of the pull-cable wheel unit102bin this embodiment is as follows.

As shown inFIG.20andFIG.21, with reference toFIG.1, the lock device10ais in the unlocking position, and the pull-cable wheel unit102bis mounted on the base plate100band not connected to the pawl3. The cable wheel2band the return wheel3bare in a free state under the action of the elastic member4b.

As shown inFIG.22andFIG.23, the lock device10ais in the unlocking position, the first pull cable5bis almost entirely released from the cable wheel2b, and connected to the pawl3through the collar51b. Pulled by the drive member48, the return wheel3brotates in the forward direction, and part of the second pull cable6bis released from the cable winding groove10bof the return wheel3b, to allow the pull-cable wheel unit to be in a pre-tensioned state and be ready for locking of the lock device10a.

As shown inFIG.24andFIG.25, driven by the drive member48, the return wheel3bcontinues to rotate in the forward direction, and part of the second pull cable6bis released from the cable winding groove10bof the return wheel3b. The cable wheel2band the return wheel3brotate synchronously in the forward direction, and part of the first pull cable5bis wound on the cable winding groove10bof the cable wheel2b, so that the first pull cable5bpulls the pawl3to move from the unlocking position to the full-locked position to realize locking of the lock device10a.

As shown inFIG.26andFIG.27, when the lock device10ais locked, the drive member48is turned off, the output shaft of the drive member48is rotated in the reverse direction and reset, and the second pull cable6bis turned into the loose state. Since the collar51bis stationary in the full-locked position, the first pull cable5band the cable wheel2bare also kept stationary. Under the action of the restoring force of the elastic member4b, the cable wheel2bmaintains the tensioning state, and the return wheel3brotates in the reverse direction by a preset angle, to allow part of the second pull cable6bto be rewound on the cable winding groove10bof the return wheel3b, thereby realizing the tensioning of the second pull cable6b, and inhibiting idling for a certain time of the drive member48when restarting to tension the loosen second pull cable6b. This pull-cable wheel unit102bcan reduce the time for locking of the lock device10aand improve the locking efficiency.

Only the basic principles and characteristics are described in the above embodiments, and is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present. These modifications and changes fall into the scope claimed to be protected. The scope to be protected is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.