EP4276265A1 - Lock arrangement for a motor vehicle hood - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement (10) comprises a pivoting latch (16) capable of cooperating with a striker (100), a pawl (22) cooperating with the latch (16) between an initial configuration in full engagement of the striker (100), a intermediate configuration in partial engagement of the striker (100) and a final configuration in total release of the striker (100), and an actuator (110) coupled to the pawl (22) to selectively rotate the pawl (22) consecutively to a first control action and a second control action. According to the invention, the arrangement (10) comprises a blocker (60) elastically biased to pivot from a clutch position in which it is arranged to oppose the pivoting of the pawl (22) and the latch (16). beyond the intermediate configuration following the first action towards a disengagement position in which it allows the pawl (22) and the latch (16) to reach the final configuration following the second action.

Description

The present invention relates to a lock arrangement for an opening of a motor vehicle, such as a front hood of a motor vehicle.

It is known per se to have at the front of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine a compartment housing the engine which is closed by an opening commonly referred to as a hood.

Generally, such a hood comprises a fixed edge pivotally mounted on the bodywork by means of hinges known per se and a free edge provided with at least one keeper arranged to cooperate with a lock arrangement provided on the bodywork and making it possible to hold the hood in the closed position.

In order to meet the high requirements in the field of automobile safety, the lock arrangement can be operated in two stages in order to prevent the front hood from opening unintentionally while the motor vehicle is being driven and from obstructing suddenly the view of the car driver.

In traditional vehicles comprising an internal combustion engine housed in the front hood, the user of the motor vehicle first carries out a first maneuver which is carried out at a distance from the hood, by actuation of a lever housed on the front hood. inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle which has the effect of activating a hood ejection mechanism in a slightly ajar configuration.

Then, in order to completely release the hood opening, the user carries out a second maneuver which requires him to exit the motor vehicle to activate an actuating lever located under the hood, the arrangement of which varies depending on the type of motor vehicle and that the user often has to search "blindly" by scanning with their hand.

In recent years, the fight against air pollution has led car manufacturers to develop mass-produced electric vehicles. comprising an electric motor as the sole drive means and in which a battery is mounted in the floor of the body of these vehicles, thus freeing up the space traditionally occupied in the front hood by the engine block.

The space thus freed at the front of the electric vehicle is used to form a trunk, for example for luggage. As this trunk is used at the front of the motor vehicle, it is commonly referred to by the Anglo-Saxon expression "front trunk" or by its contraction "frunk".

We therefore understand that this new use of the front space of the motor vehicle has profoundly modified the use and frequency of opening of the front hood. Consequently, the traditional hood opening maneuver requiring the user to get out of the motor vehicle appears not very ergonomic and is perceived as annoying or even uncomfortable and also reflects a perception of poor quality of the motor vehicle.

An aim of the present invention is to propose a lock arrangement which makes it possible to increase the comfort of use of a trunk provided with a front cover of a motor vehicle and to adapt its operation for frequent and regular use, while respecting the safety constraints inherent in the automotive sector.

We already know the state of the art of the patent application DE 10 2010 062 700 A1 relating to a lock for an engine hood of a motor vehicle comprising a hook which retains a striker of the engine hood and a locking pawl which locks the hook in the closed position. The pawl is actuated by traction to sequentially adopt with the striker a closing configuration of engagement of the striker by the hook, a pre-closing configuration of partial disengagement of the striker and a configuration of release of the striker allowing the lifting of the hood.

To this end, the hook has a peripheral edge having two notches and the pawl cooperates with each of the notches of the hook in the closing and intermediate pre-closing configurations. In order to prevent the hook does not pivot until the striker is released when switching from the closing configuration to the intermediate configuration, the pawl includes a blocking relief which cooperates with a stop provided on the peripheral edge of the hook.

The disadvantage of such a solution is that it requires almost watchmaking precision of the ratcheting mechanism formed by the pawl and the hook, which is also subject to mechanical vibration and wear stresses which in the long term can disrupt the lock arrangement. In this case, the pawl becomes ineffective in preventing unlocking of the lock after a single command and no longer with two successive commands, which presents a significant risk for automobile safety.

Description of the invention

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

• un loquet monté pivotant et comprenant une encoche apte à coopérer avec le capot par engagement d'une gâche du capot dans l'encoche ;
• un cliquet de verrouillage coopérant avec le loquet entre une configuration initiale de verrouillage du loquet en engagement total de la gâche, une configuration de verrouillage intermédiaire du loquet en engagement partiel de la gâche et une configuration finale de déverrouillage du loquet en libération totale de la gâche, et
• un actionneur couplé au cliquet pour sélectivement faire pivoter le cliquet de la configuration initiale à la configuration intermédiaire consécutivement à une première action de commande et de la configuration intermédiaire à la configuration de déverrouillage consécutivement à une deuxième action de commande,

caractérisé en ce que l'agencement comprend un bloqueur de sécurité sollicité élastiquement en pivotement d'une position d'embrayage dans laquelle le bloqueur est agencé pour s'opposer au pivotement du cliquet et du loquet au-delà de la configuration intermédiaire consécutivement à la première action de commande vers une position de débrayage dans laquelle le bloqueur autorise le cliquet et le loquet d'atteindre la configuration finale consécutivement à la deuxième action de commande.To this end, the subject of the invention is a lock arrangement for a motor vehicle hood, comprising:

• a latch mounted pivotally and comprising a notch capable of cooperating with the cover by engaging a keeper of the cover in the notch;
• a locking pawl cooperating with the latch between an initial locking configuration of the latch in full engagement of the striker, an intermediate locking configuration of the latch in partial engagement of the striker and a final configuration of unlocking of the latch in full release of the striker , And
• an actuator coupled to the pawl for selectively pivoting the pawl from the initial configuration to the intermediate configuration following a first control action and from the intermediate configuration to the unlocking configuration following a second control action,

characterized in that the arrangement comprises a safety blocker elastically biased to pivot from a clutch position in which the blocker is arranged to oppose the pivoting of the pawl and the latch beyond the intermediate configuration consecutively to the first action of control towards a disengagement position in which the blocker allows the pawl and the latch to reach the final configuration following the second control action.

Such a lock arrangement makes it possible to increase the security of the lock arrangement by providing a security blocker which makes it possible to prevent the transition from the initial locking configuration to the final unlocking configuration with a single control action. It is necessary to perform the unlocking in two steps.

Preferably, the pawl is pivoted selectively from one configuration to another in the same direction of pivoting with distinct angular positions for each configuration.

The lock arrangement according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the blocker is arranged to limit the pivoting of the locking pawl to a reduced stroke during the first action and to extend the pivoting of the pawl to a full stroke during the second action.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the blocker comprises proximal and distal parts which interact respectively with the latch and the pawl to oppose their pivoting beyond the intermediate configuration in the clutch position and to leave them free to move in the disengaged position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, during the first action, the blocker is arranged to be driven, against its elastic bias, into an extreme clutch position in which the blocker is pivoted by the pawl via its distal part which tends to further engage the proximal part abutting against the latch, such that the blocker produces a self-locking locking of the pawl and the latch preventing them from pivoting beyond the configuration intermediate.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the proximal part has the general shape of a fork provided with a front arm and a rear arm and the latch has a relief capable of engaging inside the fork in order to selectively cooperate with the posterior arm to retain the blocker in the initial configuration and to abut against the anterior arm in the intermediate configuration.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distal part has the shape of a leg arranged to present a front wall for intercepting a functional gripping element of the pawl in the clutch position and to present a wall opposite dorsal which is extended by a recessed profile inside which the gripping element can move freely in the blocker disengagement position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator comprising an actuator element controlled in movement by the actuator and connected to the pawl to cause the pawl to pivot in its movement, the safety blocker is arranged, in its clutch position, to limit a movement stroke of the element during the first control action, so as to limit an amplitude of pivoting of the pawl.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator comprises a traction cable provided with one end forming the actuator element connected to the pawl, the control action being a traction action of the element d actuator, for example the actuator element being formed by a guide pin within a groove of the pawl.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the latch is arranged in the initial configuration to retain the blocker in its clutch position against its elastic stress and the blocker is arranged to intercept the pivoting latch during the first action to retain the latch and pawl in the intermediate configuration in its clutch position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pawl and the blocker are pivotally mounted independently of each other and are elastically biased by elastic means in the same direction of pivoting.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the latch comprises a stepped profile delimiting first and second notches cooperating with the pawl respectively in the initial and intermediate configurations.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the pawl and the blocker are pivotally mounted on a common pivot axis.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the latch comprises on its periphery a portion of bearing surface which extends in extension of the second notch and the pawl has on its periphery a portion of complementary bearing surface which comes cooperate by contact with the bearing surface portion of the latch in the final configuration.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pawl is selectively pivotable against an elastic bias between a first engagement position in the first notch, a second engagement position in the second notch, a third cooperative position by contact with the latch.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising an ejector for lifting the cover which interacts with the latch such that the latch is pivoted by the ejector in a direction of release of the striker.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ejector is elastically biased by an ejection spring dimensioned to allow the hood to be lifted.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the latch and the ejector are connected together so as to pivot in a locked manner relative to each other or the latch and the ejector are formed of one piece.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator is motorized.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a hood and a lock arrangement capable of cooperating with a striker mounted on the hood, characterized in that the arrangement conforms to the invention and is mounted on a chassis of the vehicle automobile.

• [Fig. 1] La figure 1 est une vue de face d'un agencement de serrure selon l'invention ;
• [Fig. 2] La figure 2 est une vue de face de l'agencement de serrure de la figure 1, dans laquelle des éléments de ressort ont été masqués ;
• [Fig. 3] La figure 3 est une vue éclatée et en perspective de l'agencement de serrure de la figure 1 ;
• [Fig. 4] La figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un organe d'éjection de l'agencement de serrure de la figure 1 ;
• [Fig. 5] La figure 5 est une vue de face d'un loquet rotatif et d'un cliquet de verrouillage de l'agencement de serrure de la figure 1 ;
• [Fig. 6] La figure 6 représente une vue de face de l'agencement de serrure de la figure 1 dans une configuration initiale de verrouillage et une vue partielle à échelle agrandie d'une partie de détail de l'agencement de serrure dans cette configuration ;
• [Fig. 7] La figure 7 représente une vue de face de l'agencement de serrure de la figure 1 dans une configuration intermédiaire de verrouillage et une vue partielle à échelle agrandie d'une partie de détail de l'agencement de serrure dans cette configuration ;
• [Fig. 8] La figure 8 représente une vue de face de l'agencement de serrure de la figure 1 dans une configuration finale de déverrouillage et une vue partielle à échelle agrandie d'une partie de détail de l'agencement de serrure dans cette configuration ;
• [Fig. 9] La figure 9 représente quatre étapes A à D de déverrouillage de l'agencement de serrure de la figure 1 d'une configuration initiale de verrouillage jusqu'à une configuration intermédiaire de verrouillage ;
• [Fig. 10] La figure 10 est représente quatre étapes A à D de déverrouillage de l'agencement de serrure de la figure 1 d'une configuration intermédiaire de verrouillage jusqu'à une configuration finale de déverrouillage ;
• [Fig. 11] La figure 11 est représente quatre étapes A à D de verrouillage de l'agencement de serrure de la figure 1 de la configuration finale de verrouillage jusqu'à la configuration initiale de verrouillage.

The invention will be well understood and its advantages will appear better, on reading the detailed description which follows, of embodiments represented by way of non-limiting examples. The description refers to the attached drawings in which:

• [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 is a front view of a lock arrangement according to the invention;
• [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is a front view of the lock arrangement of the figure 1 , in which spring elements have been masked;
• [ Fig. 3 ] There Figure 3 is an exploded and perspective view of the lock arrangement of the figure 1 ;
• [ Fig. 4 ] There Figure 4 is a perspective view of an ejection member of the lock arrangement of the figure 1 ;
• [ Fig. 5 ] There Figure 5 is a front view of a rotary latch and locking pawl of the lock arrangement of the figure 1 ;
• [ Fig. 6 ] There Figure 6 shows a front view of the lock arrangement of the figure 1 in an initial lock configuration and a partial enlarged-scale view of a detail portion of the lock arrangement in this configuration;
• [ Fig. 7 ] There Figure 7 shows a front view of the lock arrangement of the figure 1 in an intermediate lock configuration and a partial enlarged-scale view of a detail part of the lock arrangement in this configuration;
• [ Fig. 8 ] There figure 8 shows a front view of the lock arrangement of the figure 1 in a final unlock configuration and view partial enlarged scale of a detail part of the lock arrangement in this configuration;
• [ Fig. 9 ] There Figure 9 represents four steps A to D of unlocking the lock arrangement of the figure 1 from an initial locking configuration to an intermediate locking configuration;
• [ Fig. 10 ] There Figure 10 is represents four steps A to D of unlocking the lock arrangement of the figure 1 from an intermediate locking configuration to a final unlocking configuration;
• [ Fig. 11 ] There Figure 11 is represents four steps A to D of locking the lock arrangement of the figure 1 from the final lock configuration to the initial lock configuration.

Detailed description of the invention

A lock arrangement for a motor vehicle hood according to the invention has been shown on the figures 1 to 11 . The lock arrangement will be designated by the general reference 10.

The arrangement 10 is configured to cooperate with a striker 100 (shown in broken lines) fixed inside the hood of the motor vehicle (not shown in the figures). For this purpose, the arrangement 10 comprises a latching mechanism capable of cooperating with the keeper 100 of the cover.

Preferably, as illustrated in the figures, the lock arrangement 10 further comprises a plate 12 serving as a support for the latching mechanism and intended to be fixed to the vehicle. This plate 12 is for example made from a metal sheet, by cutting and/or folding said sheet. As illustrated in the Figure 3 , the plate 12 also comprises for example a plurality of fixing lugs 12A for retaining elastic means such as springs of the latching mechanism 14, bent at right angles and a plurality of fixing holes 12B to the bodywork.

In accordance with the invention and as illustrated in detail in particular on the figures 1 to 4 , the lock arrangement 10 includes a rotary latch 16 comprising a notch 18 capable of cooperating with the keeper 100 of the cover ( figures 1 to 3 ). In the example illustrated, this latch 16 is pivotally mounted on the plate 12 in a release direction corresponding to the direct clockwise direction S1 of the figure 1 .

The striker 100 is for example in the form of a hook closed in the manner of a ring. The hook has for example a rectangular or square shape and the notch 18 of the latch 16 has a general shape of a hook to retain the keeper 100.

In the example illustrated in the figures, the latch 16 is pivotally mounted around an axis X1 on the plate 12. This axis plate 12.

Furthermore, preferably, the plate 12 can also have a notch 14 in the shape of a fish's mouth open towards the outside intended to receive the keeper 100 with a view to guiding it towards the notch 18 of the latch 16.

The lock arrangement 10 further comprises a lock member 20 comprising a locking pawl 22. This locking pawl 22 is arranged to cooperate with the latch 16 between at least one initial locking configuration of the latch 16 in full engagement of the striker 100 and a final configuration of unlocking the latch 16 in total release of the striker 100.

The transition from the initial configuration to the final configuration is carried out following at least one movement action of the pawl 22 by an actuator 110. For example, the actuator 110 comprises an actuator element 112 coupled in drive to the pawl 22 to make pivot the pawl 22 from the initial configuration to the final configuration.

For example, the actuator 110 comprises a traction cable 114 and the actuator element 112 is formed by an end cap of the traction cable 114, coupled to the pawl 22. In this case, the movement action is a pulling action of the pawl 22. For example, the actuator element 112 is in the form of a guide pin 112 cooperating inside a guide groove 24 provided on the pawl 22. Optionally, in a non-limiting manner, the actuator 110 can be electrically motorized so that the movement of the actuator element 112 is motorized. This makes it possible to provide progressive movement kinematics of the pawl 22.

In accordance with the invention, the locking pawl 22 and the latch 16 cooperate together from the initial configuration to the final configuration via an intermediate locking configuration of the latch 16 in partial engagement of the striker 100.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator element 112 is arranged to selectively pivot the pawl 22 from the initial configuration to the intermediate configuration following a first pull of the cable 114 and the intermediate configuration to the final configuration following a second pulling action of the cable 114. In other words, the actuator 110 makes it possible to sequentially control the movement of the pawl 22 from one configuration to another by the first and second pulling actions of the cable 114 .

Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 3 , the plate 12 further comprises a support tab 12D provided with a sheath stopper arranged to block a sheath 116 surrounding the control cable 114.

In the remainder of the description, terms with directional meaning such as "anterior" and "posterior" are used to designate the parts located respectively "at the head" and "at the tail" in relation to the direct or clockwise direction of rotation referenced S1 of there figure 1 . In addition, the terms “distal” and “proximal” reflect the fact that an element is far from or close to the latch 16.

As illustrated in the Figure 6 , the latch 16 comprises a stepped profile delimiting the first 30 and second 32 notches cooperating with the pawl 22 respectively in the initial and intermediate configurations. Preferably, the notches 30 and 32 delimit locking notches and the pawl 22 preferably comprises a projecting projection 34 in the form of a locking nose which is able to engage in a complementary manner selectively in each locking notch of the notches 30 and 32 in the initial and intermediate locking configurations.

Furthermore, preferably, the latch 16 comprises on its periphery a portion of bearing surface 36 which extends as an extension of the second notch 32, for example substantially in the shape of an arc of a circle centered on the first axis X1. Furthermore, the pawl 22 has on its periphery a portion of complementary bearing surface 38, preferably of the same center and of substantially identical radius of curvature arranged to cooperate by contact with the portion of bearing surface 36 of the latch 16, when moving from the intermediate configuration to the final configuration.

Thus, the pawl 22 is selectively pivotable against an elastic bias between a first engagement position in the first notch 30 of the latch 16, a second engagement position in the second notch 32 of the latch 16 and preferably in a third position of cooperation by contact with the latch 16. In the example described, the three positions of the pawl 22 are angularly distinct from each other.

In the example described, the pawl 22 has a general shape of an arcuate main branch 40, for example in the shape of a crescent moon, which delimits a radially internal peripheral edge 42 and a radially external peripheral edge 44 defined in relation to the general curvature. of branch 40.

In the example described, one of the ends 46A, 46B of the branch 40, here the rear end 46, forms the projecting projection or locking nose 34 and the complementary bearing surface portion 38 is formed in the edge radially internal peripheral 42 of the branch 40 of this posterior end 46A. The branch 40 delimits an internal space of the curved internal side inside which the latch 16 can pivot relative to the pawl 22 from the intermediate configuration towards the final configuration by cooperation by contact of their complementary bearing surfaces 36 and 38.

The pawl 22 is for example pivotally mounted around a second axis X2, formed by a pin X2 illustrated on the Figure 3 . In this example, the pawl 22 is biased by an elastic means 48 in the counterclockwise direction S2 on the figure 1 . In the example illustrated, the elastic means 48 comprises a tension spring provided with a first end 48A attached to the plate 12 and a second end 48B is attached to the pawl 22.

The latch 16 is also elastically biased in the clockwise direction S1 to release the striker 100 of the figure 1 . Preferably, the arrangement 10 further comprises an ejector 50 which interacts with the latch 16 such that the latch 16 is pivoted by the ejector 50. The ejector 50 and the latch 16 form in this example a member of ejector 90, shown in detail on the Figure 4 .

In the example described, the ejector 50 is elastically biased in an ejection direction by an elastic means 52 comprising an ejection spring. The ejection spring 52 is in this example a tension spring provided with a first end 52A attached to the plate 12 and a second end 52B attached to the ejector 50, for example by a support tab 58 ( Figure 4 ). Preferably, the latch 16 and the ejector 50 are formed in one piece, for example by a welded assembly.

Alternatively, the latch 16 and the ejector 50 may be formed by two separate parts which are connected together so as to rotate in a locked manner with a predetermined clearance between them. For example, in this case, the latch 16 and the ejector 50 can be pivotally mounted relative to each other around the first axis of rotation X1 and the striker 100 is trapped between a contact surface of the ejector 50 with the striker 100 and a corresponding contact surface of the latch 16 with the striker 100. The striker 100 is then clamped between the two contact surfaces of the latch 16 and the ejector 50 so that the pivoting of the ejector 50 in the direction of ejection causes the movement of the striker 100 which causes the movement of the latch 16.

In accordance with the invention, the lock arrangement 10 also comprises a safety blocker 60 elastically pivoted and mounted in the illustrated example pivoting on the assembly plate 12. Preferably, the pawl 22 and the blocker 60 are pivotally mounted on a pivot axis common, here the second axis X2 and are elastically stressed in the same anti-clockwise direction S2. This assembly makes it possible to limit the bulk of the arrangement 10.

In accordance with the invention, the blocker 60 is elastically pivoted from a clutch position in which the blocker 60 is arranged to oppose the pivoting of the pawl 22 and the latch 16 beyond the intermediate configuration following the first control action towards a disengaged position in which the blocker 60 allows the pawl 22 and the latch 16 to reach the final configuration following the second control action.

Preferably, as will be described in detail below, the blocker 60 is arranged in the clutch position to limit the angular pivoting of the locking pawl 22 to a reduced stroke during the first action and in the disengagement position for extend to a complete stroke the angular pivoting of the pawl 22 during the second action making it possible to reach the final unlocking configuration. Thus, depending on the clutch or disengagement position of the blocker 60, the angular pivoting stroke of the locking pawl 22 is respectively reduced or extended.

This makes it possible to prohibit a movement of too large an angular amplitude of the pawl 22 which could cause the passage directly from the initial configuration to the final configuration at the end of the first action alone.

In the example described, the safety blocker 60 is biased by an elastic means 61 towards the disengagement position. In the example illustrated on the figure 1 , the elastic means 61 comprises a tension spring with a first end 61A attached integrally to the plate 12 and a second end 61B attached to the blocker 60. In this example, the lock arrangement 10 comprises a fairing part 11 which is mounted integral with the plate 12 via the axis X1 and provided with a hooking tab for the end 61A of the spring 61.

Preferably, as illustrated in the Figure 6 , the latch 16 is arranged to retain the blocker 60 in the initial configuration against the elastic stress exerted by the elastic means 61 of the blocker 60. In addition, the blocker 60 is arranged to intercept the latch 16 in pivoting during the first pulling action in order to oppose the pivoting of the latch 16 in a direction of release of the striker 100.

In the example illustrated, the blocker 60 comprises a distal part 62 and a proximal part 70 which interact respectively with the pawl 22 and the latch 16 to oppose their pivoting beyond the intermediate configuration in the clutch position and to leave them free to move in the disengaged position.

For example, the distal part 62 has the shape of a leg 64 arranged to present a front wall 66 for intercepting a gripping element of the pawl 22 by the blocker 60. In the example illustrated, the gripping element is formed by the actuator element 112 in the form of a guide pin and which forms a relief configured to engage with the leg 64 of the blocker 60 during the pivoting of the pawl 22.

Preferably, the leg 64 of the blocker 60 is arranged to present an opposite dorsal wall 68 which extends in a recessed profile 69 inside which the actuator element 112 can move freely in the disengagement position of the blocker 60. In this disengagement position, the leg 64 is moved away from a movement path of the actuator element 112 during the second movement action.

In the example described, the blocker 60 is arranged to limit a movement stroke of the element 112 during the first control action so as to limit an amplitude of pivoting of the pawl 22.

Thus, preferably, the blocker 60 is arranged to limit the pivoting of the locking pawl 22 to a reduced stroke during the first action and to extend the pivoting of the pawl 22 to a full stroke during the second action.

Furthermore, in the example described, the blocker 60 comprises a proximal part 70 arranged to intercept the latch 16 during the first pulling action in its clutch position and to leave the latch 16 free to move during the second action. traction in its disengaged position.

Preferably, the proximal part 70 has the general shape of a fork provided with a rear arm 72 and a front arm 74 and the latch 16 carries a relief 76 capable of engaging inside the fork 70.

The relief 76 of the latch 16 cooperates with the fork of the blocker 60 on the one hand to retain the blocker 60 in its clutch position by the rear arm 72 in the initial configuration (illustrated in Figure 6 ) and on the other hand to abut against the front arm 74 in the intermediate configuration (illustrated in Figure 7 ) following the pivoting of the blocker 60 against its elastic stress.

Preferably, during the first action, the blocker 60 is arranged to be driven, against its elastic bias, into an extreme clutch position in which the blocker 60 is pivoted by the pawl 22 by the intermediate of the distal part 62 which tends to further engage the proximal part 70 of the blocker 60 in abutment against the latch 16. The blocker 60 then produces a self-locking locking of the pawl 22 and the latch 22 preventing them from pivoting beyond the intermediate configuration. This self-locking lock is maintained until the displacement force of the actuator 110 exerted on the actuator element 112 is released.

During the first cable pull, the actuator element 112 engages with the blocker 60, here the distal part 62 of the blocker 60 and causes the pawl 22 and the blocker 60 to pivot together.

In the example described, after releasing the tensile force of the first action, the actuator element 112 is then pushed in a direction opposite to the direction of traction inside the guide groove 24 of the pawl 22 The actuator element 112 can for example be pushed in the direction opposite to the direction of traction by the blocker 60 which is elastically returned in the disengaged position or possibly by means known per se for elastic return.

This has the effect of releasing the leg 64 of the blocker 60 which is then free to pivot in the counterclockwise direction S2 by elastic return until it reaches its disengaged position.

In the disengaged position, the blocker 60 is positioned such that it presents its hollow profile 69 on a trajectory of the actuator element 112 which can then move inside this profile 69 until rotate the pawl 22 into the final configuration during the second pulling action. During the second cable pull, the actuator element 112 moves inside the recessed profile 69 of the blocker 60, and pivots the pawl 22 until the final configuration.

We will now describe the main operational aspects of unlocking the lock arrangement according to the invention with reference to the figures 9 And 10 .

Initially, the lock arrangement 10 is in the initial configuration illustrated in the Figure 6 . In this initial configuration, the latch 16 is in full engagement with the striker 100 of the hood of the motor vehicle and cooperates with the pawl 22 through its first notch 30. In addition, the safety blocker 60 extends into its initial position of clutch. In this initial position, the leg 64 is deployed through a traction path of the actuator element 112. In addition, the relief 72 of the latch 16 makes it possible to retain the blocker 60 in this initial position by the rear arm 72 of the fork 70 of the blocker 60 which is elastically returned to abut against this relief 72 in the counterclockwise direction S2.

The user then wishes to open the hood of the motor vehicle. During a first stage ( Figure 9A ), it controls the actuator 110 to perform a first action of moving the element 112 by pulling the cable 114. The element 112 is then driven to move inside the guide groove 24 of the pawl 22 until so that the element 112 is intercepted by the leg 64 of the blocker 60.

During this first action illustrated by the Figure 9B , the actuator element 112 engages with the leg 64 which causes the blocker 60 to pivot in the clockwise direction S1 against the elastic bias of the blocker 60 until reaching an extreme clutch position. In addition, the pawl 22 is also pivoted by the effect of the traction of the actuator element 112 which comes to end stop inside the guide groove 24 and causes the pivoting of the pawl 22 against the elastic stress in the clockwise direction S1. The pawl 22 and the blocker 60 are pivoted by the actuator element 112. At the end of this step 9B, the pawl 22 is then disengaged from the first notch 30 and is not yet engaged in the second notch 32 of latch 16.

As can be seen on the Figure 9C , the latch 16 being disengaged from the pawl 22 can pivot freely in the clockwise release direction S1 being for example driven by the ejector 50. This has the effect of partially disengaging the striker 100 from the latch 16. In addition, when pivoting of the latch 16, the relief 76 of the latch 16 engaged inside the two-arm fork 70 of the blocker 60 abuts against the front arm 74 of the blocker 60 which is in the extreme clutch position. During this same pivoting of the latch 16, the locking nose 34 of the pawl 22 engages inside the second notch 32 of the latch 16.

Then, finally, as is visible on the Figure 9D , the traction of the actuator element 112 is released. The pawl 22 having pivoted into a second position in the clockwise direction S1 passing from the first notch 30 to the second notch 32, the actuator element 112 is pushed, for example by its own spring or by the blocker 60, to the interior of the guide groove 24 in an opposite direction which releases the leg 64 from the blocker 60 which is then elastically returned to its disengaged position. The pawl 22 and the latch 16 are then in the intermediate configuration for partial disengagement of the striker 100.

During a second stage ( Figure 10A ), the user controls the actuator 110 to perform a second action of moving the element 112 by pulling the cable 114. The element 112 is then driven in movement inside the guide groove 24 of the pawl 22 until it comes to an end stop in the guide groove 24 and causes the pawl 22 to pivot in the clockwise direction S1 ( Figures 10B, 10C ). The pawl 22 is then disengaged from the second notch 34. As the blocker 60 is in its disengaged position, the actuator element 112 can move over an extended stroke inside the recessed profile 69 of the blocker 60 which allows the pawl 22 to pivot over an extended stroke.

The latch 16 can then pivot inside the curved space delimited by the peripheral internal edge 42 of the pawl 22 and the portion of bearing surface in the form of an arc of a circle 36 of the latch 16 cooperates by contact with the complementary bearing surface portion 38 of the pawl 22. The latch 16 is then pivoted by the ejector 50 until the keeper 100 is released from the notch 18. The latch 16 and the pawl 22 are then in their final unlocking configuration ( figure 8 ).

We represented on the Figure 11 , steps A to D of locking the lock arrangement 10 of the hood of the motor vehicle. Initially, the lock arrangement 10 is in the final configuration illustrated by Figure 9 .

In this configuration, the latch 16 is completely released from the striker 100. The latch 16 is retained in this release position for example by the elastic stress exerted by the ejection spring 52 on the ejector 50. Like the latch 16 and the ejector 50 are locked in movement relative to each other or are formed in one piece, the latch 16 is also in an ejected position in which the ejection spring 52 exerts an elastic torque of return of the ejector 50 to this ejected position. Furthermore, the pawl 22 and the latch 16 cooperate together by contact via their complementary support portions 36 and 38. The blocker 60 is in its disengaged position.

Then, during a step 11A, the user of the motor vehicle applies a force on the hood of the vehicle so that the striker 100 transmits this force to the ejector 50.

This has the effect of pivoting the latch 16 relative to the pawl 22 by guiding their respective support portions 36 and 38 until the locking nose 34 of the pawl 22 engages inside the second locking notch 32 of latch 16 (step 11B).

Then, during step 11C, the continuation of the effort exerted by the user on the hood of the motor vehicle causes the continuation of the pivoting of the latch 16 which leads the pawl 22 to disengage from the second notch 32 until reach the first notch 30. In addition, the pivoting of the latch 16 also engages the relief 76 inside the fork 70 of the blocker 60 which is then driven by application of the relief 76 against the rear arm 72 of the blocker 60 from its disengagement position towards its initial clutch position against its elastic stress, in the direct direction S1 (step 11D). At the end of step 11D, the lock arrangement 10 is in the initial locking configuration illustrated by the Figure 6 .

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments previously described. Other embodiments within the reach of those skilled in the art can also be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims below. For example, in the present description, the elastic means described comprise tension springs. Alternatively, the elastic means may comprise springs of other types, such as, for example, torsion springs.

Claims (15)

Lock arrangement (10) for a motor vehicle hood, comprising: - a latch (16) pivotally mounted and comprising a notch (18) capable of cooperating with the cover by engaging a keeper (100) of the cover in the notch (18); - a locking pawl (22) cooperating with the latch (16) between an initial locking configuration of the latch (16) in full engagement of the striker (100), an intermediate locking configuration of the latch (16) in partial engagement of the striker (100) and a final configuration for unlocking the latch (16) in total release of the striker (100), and - an actuator (110) coupled to the pawl (22) for selectively pivoting the pawl (22) from the initial configuration to the intermediate configuration following a first control action and from the intermediate configuration to the unlocking configuration following a second control action, characterized in that the arrangement (10) comprises a safety blocker (60) elastically biased to pivot from a clutch position in which the blocker (60) is arranged to oppose the pivoting of the pawl (22) and of the latch (16) beyond the intermediate configuration following the first control action towards a disengagement position in which the blocker (60) allows the pawl (22) and the latch (16) to reach the final configuration consecutively to the second command action. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the blocker (60) is arranged to limit the pivoting of the locking pawl (22) to a reduced stroke during the first action and to extend the pivoting of the pawl (22) to a full race during the second action. Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blocker (60) comprises proximal (70) and distal (62) portions which interact respectively with the latch (16) and the pawl (22) to engage oppose their pivoting beyond the intermediate configuration in the clutch position and to leave them free to move in the disengagement position. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, in which during the first action, the blocker (60) is arranged to be driven, against its elastic stress, into an extreme clutch position in which the blocker (60) ) is pivoted by the pawl (22) via its distal part (62) which tends to further engage the proximal part (70) abutting against the latch (16), so that the blocker ( 60) produces a self-locking locking of the pawl (22) and the latch (16) preventing them from pivoting beyond the intermediate configuration. Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (110) comprises an actuator element (112) controlled in movement by the actuator (110) and connected to the pawl (22) for driving in its movement the pawl (22) in pivoting, the safety blocker (60) is arranged, in its clutch position, to limit a movement stroke of the element (112) during the first control action, so as to to limit a pivoting amplitude of the pawl (22). Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the actuator (110) comprises a traction cable (114) provided with one end forming the actuator element (112) connected to the pawl (22), the action control being a pulling action of the actuator element (112), for example the actuator element (112) being formed by a guide pin inside a groove (24) of the pawl ( 22). Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the latch (16) is arranged in the initial configuration to retain the blocker (60) in its clutch position against its elastic bias and the blocker (60) is arranged to intercept the pivoting latch (16) during the first action to retain the latch (16) and the pawl (22) in the intermediate configuration in its clutch position. Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the pawl (22) and the blocker (60) are pivotally mounted independently of each other and are elastically biased by elastic means in the same direction of movement. pivoting (S2). Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the pawl (22) and the blocker (60) are pivotally mounted on a common pivot axis (X2). Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the latch (16) comprises a stepped profile delimiting first (30) and second (32) notches cooperating with the pawl (22) respectively in the initial and intermediate configurations . Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the latch (16) comprises on its periphery a portion of bearing surface (36) which extends as an extension of the second notch (34) and the pawl (22) present on its periphery a complementary bearing surface portion (38) which cooperates by contact with the bearing surface portion (36) of the latch (16) in the final configuration. Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an ejector (50) for raising the cover which interacts with the latch (16) such that the latch (16) is pivoted by the ejector (50). ) in a direction of release of the striker (100), in particular the ejector (50) is elastically biased by an ejection spring (52) dimensioned to allow the hood to be lifted. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the latch (16) and the ejector (50) are connected together to pivot in a locked manner relative to each other or the latch (16) ) and the ejector (50) are formed in one piece. Arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (110) is motorized. Motor vehicle comprising a hood and a lock arrangement (10) capable of cooperating with a striker (100) mounted on the hood, characterized in that the arrangement (10) conforms to any one of the preceding claims and is mounted on a chassis of the motor vehicle.

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