EP4653651A1

EP4653651A1 - Locking mechanism, door lock device and vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP4653651A1
Application number: EP23917344.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Xiaoqiang Zhang; Xuyao Jiang; Ming Li
Original assignee: BYD Co Ltd
Current assignee: BYD Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-01-17
Filing date: 2023-12-30
Publication date: 2025-11-26
Also published as: WO2024152880A1; JP2026500549A; CN118361167B; CN118361167A

Abstract

Provided are a door lock apparatus and a vehicle. Each of the door lock apparatus and the vehicle includes a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a cam, a locking arm, and a first gear. The cam is rotatably connected to a first rotating shaft. The locking arm is rotatably connected to a second rotating shaft and is connected to the cam. The first gear is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft and is connected to the cam. The locking mechanism includes a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the locking arm is connected to the first gear, so that the first gear is fixed with respect to the first rotating shaft. In a process of switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the cam rotates around the first rotating shaft and drives the locking arm to rotate around the second rotating shaft, the locking arm is separated from the first gear, and the cam drives the first gear to rotate with respect to the first rotating shaft.

Description

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310089936.5, filed to the China National Intellectual Property Administration on January 17, 2023 and entitled "LOCKING MECHANISM, DOOR LOCK APPARATUS, AND VEHICLE," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to the technical field of vehicle parts, and in particular, to a locking mechanism, a door lock apparatus, and a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

In order to achieve unlocking and locking functions, most existing vehicle door locks have complex structures and large numbers of parts, and require motor-driven operation, so that vehicle door locks are bulky and costly.

SUMMARY

An objective of this application is to provide a locking mechanism, a door lock apparatus, and a vehicle. The locking mechanism is of a simple structure and does not require motor-driven operation, thereby meeting design requirements of miniaturization and low costs.
To achieve the objective of this application, this application provides the following technical solutions.
According to a first aspect, this application provides a locking mechanism, including a cam, a locking arm, and a first gear. The cam is rotatably connected to a first rotating shaft. The locking arm is rotatably connected to a second rotating shaft and connected to the cam. The first gear is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft and connected to the cam. The locking mechanism includes a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the locking arm is connected to the first gear, and the first gear is fixed with respect to the first rotating shaft. In a process of switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the cam is configured to rotate around the first rotating shaft and drive the locking arm to rotate around the second rotating shaft, the locking arm is separated from the first gear, and the cam is configured to drive the first gear to rotate with respect to the first rotating shaft.
In one implementation, the locking mechanism further includes a housing. The housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing that are detachably connected. The first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft are connected to the lower housing.
In one implementation, the first rotating shaft, the second rotating shaft, and the lower housing are of an integral structure.
In one implementation, the cam is provided with a first groove. The locking arm includes a first protrusion. The first groove extends in a circular arc around the first rotating shaft on the cam. The first protrusion passes through the first groove and moves in the first groove.
In one implementation, the first groove to the first rotating shaft has a constant radius. A groove width of the first groove remains unchanged.
In one implementation, the first groove to the first rotating shaft does not have a constant radius. The groove width of the first groove remains unchanged.
In one implementation, the locking arm includes a rotating portion and a main portion connected to each other. The rotating portion is connected to the second rotating shaft and is configured to rotate. The main portion extends outward from the rotating portion and is connected to the first gear. The main portion is located between the cam and the first gear. The first protrusion is connected to the main portion and located on a side that is of the main portion and that faces the cam.
In one implementation, the locking arm includes a hook. The first gear includes a holding table. The hook is located at an end, far away from the second rotating shaft, of the locking arm. The holding table protrudes from a side of the first gear towards the cam. In the locked state, the hook is connected to the holding table to restrict rotation of the first gear around the first rotating shaft. In the unlocked state, the hook is separated from the holding table.
In one implementation, the locking mechanism further includes a connecting arm. The connecting arm is mounted on the first rotating shaft and located between the cam and the first gear. In the process of switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the cam is configured to drive the connecting arm to rotate, and the connecting arm drives the first gear to rotate.
In one implementation, the locking mechanism further includes a torsion spring. The torsion spring is located between the connecting arm and the first gear. The connecting arm is configured to drive the first gear through the torsion spring to rotate.
In one implementation, the cam includes a second protrusion. The connecting arm is provided with a second groove. The second protrusion passes through the second groove and moves in the second groove.
In one implementation, radius from the second groove to the first rotating shaft is constant, and a groove width of the second groove remains unchanged.
In one implementation, the locking mechanism further includes a swing arm. The swing arm is mounted on a third rotating shaft. The swing arm is connected to the cam. In the process of switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the swing arm is configured to rotate around the third rotating shaft and drive the cam to rotate.
In one implementation, the locking mechanism further includes a bottom housing. The bottom housing is detachably connected to the lower housing. The third rotating shaft is connected to the bottom housing.
In one implementation, the third rotating shaft and the bottom housing are of an integrated structure.
In one implementation, the swing arm includes a first cooperation portion. The cam includes a second cooperation portion. The first cooperation portion is connected to the second cooperation portion. In the process of switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the swing arm is configured to drive the cam to rotate.
In one implementation, the locking mechanism further includes a pull wire and a slider connected to each other. The slider is connected to the swing arm. The pull wire is connected to an external driving mechanism. In a process of switching between the locked state and the unlocked state, the pull wire is configured to be extended or retracted to drive the slider to move, and the slider is configured to drive the swing arm to rotate.
In one implementation, the locking mechanism further includes a second gear. The second gear is mounted on a fourth rotating shaft and connected to the first gear. The second gear is further connected to an external driven mechanism. In the process of switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the first gear is configured to drive the second gear to rotate, so as to drive the external driven mechanism to be unlocked.
In one implementation, the locking mechanism further includes a second circlip. The second circlip is sleeved between the fourth rotating shaft and the upper housing and configured to fasten the fourth rotating shaft and the second gear.
According to a second aspect, this application further provides a door lock apparatus, including a locking mechanism according to any one of implementations of the first aspect.
According to a third aspect, this application further provides a vehicle, including a vehicle door and the locking mechanism according to any one of implementations of the first aspect. The locking mechanism is mounted in the vehicle door.
In this application, the locking arm is disposed to connect to the first gear and be engaged with the first gear to achieve the locked state of the locking mechanism. Then, the cam rotates to drive the locking arm first to rotate to be separated from the first gear, so that the first gear can have a tendency to rotate. Then, the cam continues to rotate to drive the first gear to rotate correspondingly, thereby achieving the unlocked state. The locking mechanism is of a simple structure, and manufacturing and assembly efficiency are improved. In addition, with fewer parts involved, the space occupancy rate of the locking mechanism is low, thereby meeting a design requirement of miniaturization. In addition, the foregoing unlocking process is simple and does not require a motor, thereby greatly reducing costs of motor-driven operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly illustrate a technical solution in an implementation of this application or in the prior art, the drawings that need to be used in the description of the implementation or the prior art are briefly introduced below. It will be appreciated that, the drawings described below are only some implementations of this application. For a person of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings may be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an appearance structure of a locking mechanism according to an implementation;
FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exploded structure of a locking mechanism according to an implementation;
FIG. 3 is a diagram of a positional relationship between a cam, a locking arm, and a first gear in a locked state according to an implementation;
FIG. 4 is a diagram of a positional relationship between a connecting arm, a locking arm, and a first gear in a locked state according to implementation;
FIG. 5 is a diagram of a positional relationship between a cam, a locking arm, and a first gear in an unlocked state according to an implementation;
FIG. 6 is a diagram of a positional relationship between a connecting arm, a locking arm, and a first gear in an unlocked state according to an implementation;
FIG. 7 is a diagram of a door lock apparatus according to an implementation; and
FIG. 8 is a diagram of a vehicle according to an implementation.

Reference numerals:

100: locking mechanism; 11: cam; 111: first groove; 111A: inner side wall; 111B: outer side wall; 112: second protrusion; 113: second cooperation portion; 12: locking arm; 12A: rotating portion; 12B: main portion; 121: first protrusion; 122: hook; 123: lever; 13: first gear; 131: holding table; 132: gear body; 14: connecting arm; 141: second groove; 15: swing arm; 151: first cooperation portion; 16: pull wire; 17: slider; 18: second gear; 191: torsion spring; 192: first circlip; 193: second circlip;
20: housing; 201: upper housing; 202: lower housing; 203: bottom housing; 21: first rotating shaft; 22: second rotating shaft; 23: third rotating shaft; 24: fourth rotating shaft; 25: screw;
200: door lock apparatus;
1000: vehicle; 101: vehicle door.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following clearly and completely describes the technical solutions in implementations of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the implementations of this application. It is clear that the described implementations are merely some but not all of the implementations of this application. All other implementations obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the implementations of this application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of this application.
It should be noted that when an assembly is referred to as being "fastened to" another assembly, the assembly may be directly on another assembly or there may be an intermediate assembly. When an assembly is considered to be "connected" to another assembly, the assembly may be directly connected to another assembly or there may be an intermediate assembly at the same time.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. Terms used in this specification of this application are merely intended to describe specific embodiments, but are not intended to limit this application. A term "and/or" as used in this application includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items.
The following describes in detail some implementations of this application with reference to accompanying drawings. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features within the embodiments may be combined with each other.
A locking mechanism provided in an implementation of this application may be used in a vehicle, which may be a fuel vehicle or a new energy electric vehicle. Preferably, the vehicle may have a hidden door handle, and the locking mechanism helps the vehicle achieve functions of extending a door handle for unlocking and closing the door handle for locking.
In one implementation, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the locking mechanism 100 includes a cam 11, a locking arm 12, and a first gear 13. The cam 11 is rotatably connected to a first rotating shaft 21. The locking arm 12 is rotatably connected to a second rotating shaft 22 and connected to the cam 11. The first gear 13 is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft 21 and connected to the cam 11. The locking mechanism 100 includes a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the locking arm 12 is connected to the first gear 13, so that the first gear 13 is fixed with respect to the first rotating shaft 21. In a process of switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the cam 11 rotates around the first rotating shaft 21 and drives the locking arm 12 to rotate around the second rotating shaft 22, the locking arm 12 is separated from the first gear 13, and the cam 11 drives the first gear 13 to rotate with respect to the first rotating shaft 21.
Specifically, the locking mechanism 100 may be mounted on a vehicle body or a vehicle door. The locking mechanism 100 is configured to cooperate with a driving mechanism and a driven mechanism to be locked and unlocked. With reference to FIG. 1, the locking mechanism 100 includes a housing 20. The housing 20 includes an upper housing 201 and a lower housing 202 that are detachably connected. The upper housing 201 and the lower housing 202 are connected to enclose a first accommodation cavity. The cam 11, the locking arm 12 and the first gear 13 mentioned above are all accommodated in the first accommodation cavity. The first rotating shaft 21 and the second rotating shaft 22 are connected to the lower housing 202, and axial directions of the first rotating shaft 21 and the second rotating shaft 22 are parallel.
In one implementation, the first rotating shaft 21, the second rotating shaft 22, and the lower housing 202 are of an integral structure. It may be understood that the lower housing 202 may be of an injection-molded structure. Therefore, the first rotating shaft 21 and the second rotating shaft 22 may be of columnar structures protruding from the lower housing 202. The upper housing 201 includes a first connection surface, and the lower housing 202 includes a second connection surface. After the upper housing 201 is connected to the lower housing 202, the first connection surface and the second connection surface are opposite to each other. The axial directions of the first rotating shaft 21 and the second rotating shaft 22 are perpendicular to the second connection surface. The first connection surface may be provided with axial holes that cooperate with the first rotating shaft 21 and the second rotating shaft 22. The first rotating shaft 21 and the second rotating shaft 22 are respectively inserted into the corresponding axial holes to fasten the rotating shaft.
In one implementation, the locking mechanism 100 further includes a screw 25. Each of the upper housing 201 and the lower housing 202 is provided with a screw hole. The screw 25 passes through threads on the first connection surface and the second connection surface to fasten the upper housing 201 and the lower housing 202. Therefore, an insertion direction of the screw 25 may be the same as the axial directions of the first rotating shaft 21 and the second rotating shaft 22. Certainly, in other implementations, other fixing manners are possible, which are not limited herein.
In one implementation, in a direction from the first connection surface to the second connection surface, the first gear 13 may be located behind the cam 11. The cam 11 may be directly or indirectly connected to the foregoing driving mechanism, and the driving mechanism may be an outer door handle of the vehicle. The first gear 13 may be directly or indirectly connected to the foregoing driven mechanism, and the driven mechanism may be a door lock apparatus on the vehicle door or the vehicle body.
In one implementation, the locking mechanism 100 includes a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the cam 11 is not driven by the driving mechanism and maintains a stationary state with respect to the first rotating shaft 21. In addition, the locking arm 12 is not driven by the cam 11 and maintains a stationary state. The locking arm 12 is connected to and engaged with the first gear 13, so that the first gear cannot rotate freely. Therefore, the first gear 13 cannot drive the driven mechanism, and the vehicle door is kept locked. Optionally, the locking arm 12 is relatively engaged with a gear ring of the first gear 13, so that the first gear 13 cannot rotate. Certainly, in other implementations, the locking arm 12 may alternatively be engaged with the first gear 13 at another position.
In the process of switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the cam 11 is driven by the driving mechanism, and can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise around the first rotating shaft 21. In addition, the cam can drive the locking arm 12 to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise around the second rotating shaft 22. The locking arm 12 rotates to be separated from the first gear 13. The first gear 13 is not engaged and can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise around the first rotating shaft 21 correspondingly under driving of the cam 11. Finally, the driven mechanism can also unlock a door under driving of the first gear 13.
Certainly, when the unlocked state is switched to the locked state, the cam 11 is driven by the driving mechanism, and can rotate counterclockwise or clockwise around the first rotating shaft 21. In addition, the cam drives the first gear 13 to rotate counterclockwise or clockwise around the first rotating shaft 21 to be reset. Then, the cam 11 drives the locking arm 12 to rotate counterclockwise or clockwise around the second rotating shaft 22 to be reset until the first gear 13 is engaged, thereby completing locking.
In one implementation, the cam 11 rotates around the first rotating shaft 21, passing through a first position, a second position, and a third position. When the cam 11 is located at the first position, the locking mechanism 100 is in the locked state. When the cam 11 rotates from the first position to the second position around the first rotating shaft 21 in a direction, the cam 11 drives the locking arm 12 to be separated from the first gear 13. When the cam 11 is located at the second position, the locking arm 12 is separated from the first gear 13, and the first gear 13 does not rotate. Then, when the cam 11 continues to rotate from the second position to the third position around the first rotating shaft 21 in the foregoing direction, the cam 11 drives the first gear 13 to rotate. When the cam 11 is located at the third position, the first gear 13 rotates to a final unlocking position.
In this application, the locking arm 12 is disposed and is configured to connect to the first gear 13 and be engaged with the first gear 13 to achieve the locked state of the locking mechanism 100. Then, the cam 11 rotates to drive the locking arm 12 first to rotate to be separated from the first gear 13, so that the first gear 13 can have a tendency to rotate. Then, the cam 11 continues to rotate to drive the first gear 13 to rotate correspondingly, thereby achieving the unlocked state. The locking mechanism 100 is of a simple structure, and manufacturing and assembly efficiency may be improved. In addition, fewer parts cooperate, so that a space occupancy rate of the locking mechanism 100 is low, thereby meeting a design requirement of miniaturization. In addition, the foregoing unlocking process is simple and does not require a motor, thereby greatly reducing costs of motor-driven operation.
In one implementation, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the cam 11 is provided with a first groove 111. The locking arm 12 includes a first protrusion 121. The first groove 111 extends in a circular arc around the first rotating shaft 21 on the cam 11. The first protrusion 121 passes through the first groove 111 and moves in the first groove 111. Specifically, a first groove 111 is provided on a side of the cam 11 that faces the first gear 13, and the first groove 111 may pass through the cam 11, or may be of a structure inwardly recessed from a surface of the cam 11. The locking arm 12 includes a rotating portion 12A and a main portion 12B connected to each other. The rotating portion 12A is connected to the second rotating shaft 22 and rotates. The main portion 12B extends outward from a side of the rotating portion 12A until the main portion is connected to the first gear 13. The main portion 12B is located between the cam 11 and the first gear 13. The first protrusion 121 is connected to the main portion 12B and located at a side that is of the main portion 12B and that faces the cam 11.
In one implementation, the first groove 111 extends in a circular arc around the first rotating shaft 21 on the cam 11, and the first groove 111 to the first rotating shaft 21 has a constant radius. A groove width of the first groove 111 remains unchanged. For example, two opposite sides of the first groove 111 are an inner side wall 111A and an outer side wall 111B. The inner side wall 111A is closer to the first rotating shaft 21 than the outer side wall 111B. Moreover, distances from all points on the inner side wall 111A to the first rotating shaft 21 are the same, and distances from all points on the outer side wall 111B to the first rotating shaft 21 are the same. As shown in the figure, when the cam 11 is located at the first position, the first protrusion 121 is located at a rightmost side of the first groove 111. Then, as the cam 11 rotates from the first position to the second position, the cam 11 rotates clockwise around the first rotating shaft 21. The first protrusion 121 moves to a leftmost side of the first groove 111 under push of the inner side wall 111A, so that the locking arm 12 rotates counterclockwise around the second rotating shaft 22, thereby separating the locking arm 12 from the first gear 13.
In other implementations, the first groove 111 to the first rotating shaft 21 does not have a constant radius. The groove width of the first groove 111 remains unchanged. For example, two opposite sides of the first groove 111 are an inner side wall 111A and an outer side wall 111B. The inner side wall 111A is closer to the first rotating shaft 21 than the outer side wall 111B. As shown in the figure, a distance from the inner side wall 111A to the first rotating shaft 21 increases along a counterclockwise direction, and a distance from the outer side wall 111B to the first rotating shaft 21 also increases along a counterclockwise direction. It may be understood that the leftmost side of the first groove 111 is farther away from the first rotating shaft 21 than the rightmost side of the first groove 111. A manner in which the first protrusion 121 moves in the first groove 111 may be as referenced in the foregoing implementation. It may be understood that in this implementation, to enable the cam 11 to push the locking arm 12 to be separated from the first gear 13, the cam 11 rotates to push the main portion 12B to a position far away from the cam 11. A centrifugal radius of the first groove 111 is increased to achieve an effect of pushing away the locking arm 12 using the first protrusion 121.
In one implementation, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the locking arm 12 includes a hook 122. The first gear 13 includes a holding table 131. The hook 122 is located at an end, far away from the second rotating shaft 22, of the locking arm 12. The holding table 131 protrudes from a side that is of the first gear 13 and that faces the cam 11. In the locked state, the hook 122 is connected to the holding table 131 to restrict rotation of the first gear 13 around the first rotating shaft 21. In the unlocked state, the hook 122 is separated from the holding table 131.
Specifically, the main portion 12B includes a hook 122 and a lever 123. Two ends of the lever 123 are connected to the rotating portion 12A and the hook 122, respectively. The hook 122 is connected to the lever 123 at an included angle. The first gear 13 includes a gear body 132 and a holding table 131. The gear body 132 is a wheel rim with a gear ring. The holding table 131 is of a structure protruding from a side that is of the gear body 132 and that faces the cam 11. Therefore, the holding table 131 is located between the cam 11 and the gear body 132. The holding table 131 protrudes in a direction from the gear body 132 to the cam 11 in a rotational manner. For example, the holding table 131 extends from a starting point to an end point in an annular shape, so that the starting point and the end point are connected end to end, and the end point is more protruding from a surface of the gear body 132 than the starting point. Therefore, the hook 122 may be connected to the end point of the holding table 131 in the locked state. A process in which the hook 122 is separated from the holding table 131 may refer to the foregoing implementation.
In one implementation, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the locking mechanism 100 further includes a connecting arm 14. The connecting arm 14 is mounted on the first rotating shaft 21 and located between the cam 11 and the first gear 13. In the process of switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the cam 11 drives the connecting arm 14 to rotate, and the connecting arm 14 drives the first gear 13 to rotate.
Specifically, the connecting arm 14 may be located between the holding table 131 and the cam 11 in the foregoing implementation, and the connecting arm 14 may be separately engaged with the cam 11 and the first gear 13. When the cam 11 rotates from the first position to the second position around the first rotating shaft 21 in a direction, the connecting arm 14 may be kept stationary with respect to the first rotating shaft 21. When the cam 11 continues to rotate from the second position to the third position around the first rotating shaft 21 in the foregoing direction, the connecting arm 14 may be driven by the cam 11 to rotate in a same direction and drive the first gear 13 to rotate.
In one implementation, with reference to FIG. 2, the locking mechanism 100 further includes a torsion spring 191. The torsion spring 191 is located between the connecting arm 14 and the first gear 13. The connecting arm 14 drives the first gear 13 through the torsion spring 191 to rotate. For example, the connecting arm 14 includes a first engaging portion in an annular shape (not shown in the figure), and the first engaging portion surrounds the first rotating shaft 21. The first gear 13 includes a second engaging portion in an annular shape (not shown in the figure), and the second engaging portion surrounds the first rotating shaft 21. Two opposite ends of the torsion spring 191 extend into the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, respectively. When the connecting arm 14 rotates, the torsion spring 191 is compressed in a direction close to the first gear 13 at the same time, so that the torsion spring 191 may drive the first gear 13 to rotate. When switching to the locked state, the first gear 13 rotates in an opposite direction to compress the torsion spring 191 in a direction facing the connecting arm 14, so that the connecting arm 14 is reset.
In one implementation, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the cam 11 includes a second protrusion 112. The connecting arm 14 is provided with a second groove 141. The second protrusion 112 passes through the second groove 141 and moves in the second groove 141. Specifically, a second groove 141 is provided on a side that is of the connecting arm 14 and that faces the cam 11, and the second groove 141 may pass through the connecting wall, or may be of a structure inwardly recessed from a surface of the connecting arm 14. The second protrusion 112 is located at a side of the first groove 111.
In one implementation, the second groove 141 may extend in a circular arc around the first rotating shaft 21 on the connecting arm 14, and radius from the second groove 141 to the first rotating shaft 21 is constant. A groove width of the second groove 141 remains unchanged. Certainly, the second groove may alternatively extend in a straight line, which is not limited specifically. A specific movement relationship of the second protrusion 112 in the second groove 141 is that when the cam 11 is located at the first position, the second protrusion 112 is located at a leftmost side of the second groove 141. Then, as the cam 11 rotates from the first position to the second position, the cam 11 rotates clockwise around the first rotating shaft 21. The second protrusion 112 moves to a rightmost side of the second groove 141, which may be understood as: only the cam 11 rotates, and the second protrusion 112 moves in the second groove 141, and does not drive the locking arm 12. When the cam 11 rotates from the second position to the third position, the cam 11 continues to rotate clockwise around the first rotating shaft 21. Because the second protrusion 112 is already located at the rightmost side of the second groove 141, the second protrusion 112 may push the connecting arm 14 to also rotate clockwise.
In one implementation, with reference to FIG. 2, the locking mechanism 100 further includes a swing arm 15. The swing arm 15 is mounted on a third rotating shaft 23. The swing arm 15 is connected to the cam 11. In the process of switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the swing arm 15 rotates around the third rotating shaft 23 and drives the cam 11 to rotate. Specifically, the swing arm 15 is connected to the cam 11, and the swing arm 15 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise around the third rotating shaft 23 to drive the cam 11 to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. In addition, the swing arm 15 may be directly or indirectly connected to the driving mechanism to rotate.
In one implementation, with reference to FIG. 2, the locking mechanism 100 further includes a bottom housing 203. The bottom housing 203 is detachably connected to the lower housing 202, and the bottom housing 203 and the lower housing 202 enclose a second accommodation cavity. The foregoing swing arm 15 is accommodated in the second accommodation cavity. The third rotating shaft 23 is connected to the bottom housing 203, and an axial direction of the third rotating shaft 23 is perpendicular to an axial direction of the first rotating shaft 21.
In a possible implementation, the locking mechanism 100 further includes a first circlip 192. The first circlip 192 is sleeved between the third rotating shaft 23 and the lower housing 202 and configured to fasten the third rotating shaft 23 and the swing arm 15.
In one implementation, the third rotating shaft 23 and the bottom housing 203 are of an integral structure. It may be understood that the housing may be of an injection-molded structure. Therefore, the third rotating shaft 23 may be of a columnar structure protruding from the bottom housing 203. The lower housing 202 includes a third connection surface, and the bottom housing 203 includes a fourth connection surface. After the bottom housing 203 is connected to the lower housing 202, the third connection surface and the fourth connection surface are opposite to each other. An axial direction of the third rotating shaft 23 is perpendicular to the third connection surface. The third connection surface may be provided with an axial hole that cooperates with the third rotating shaft 23. The third rotating shaft 23 is inserted into the axial hole to fix the rotating shaft.
In one implementation, with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the swing arm 15 includes a first cooperation portion 151. The cam 11 includes a second cooperation portion 113. The first cooperation portion 151 is connected to the second cooperation portion 113, so that in the process of switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the swing arm 15 drives the cam 11 to rotate. Specifically, the first cooperation portion 151 may be a hole provided on the swing arm 15. The second cooperation portion 113 may be a ball-shaped protrusion extending from the cam 11, and the ball-shaped protrusion extends into and is engaged in the hole. In this way, when swinging from side to side, the swing arm 15 may drive the cam 11 to rotate. Certainly, in other implementations, the first cooperation portion 151 and the second cooperation portion 113 may be implemented in other structures, which are not specifically limited. Preferably, the second cooperation portion 113 is located at an end that is of the cam 11 and that is opposite to the second protrusion 112, so that the second cooperation portion 113 is farthest from the second protrusion 112, thereby increasing a displacement stroke of the second protrusion 112.
In one implementation, with reference to FIG. 2, the locking mechanism 100 further includes a pull wire 16 and a slider 17 connected to each other. The slider 17 is connected to the swing arm 15. The pull wire 16 is configured to connect to an external driving mechanism. In the process of switching between the locked state and the unlocked state, the pull wire 16 is extended or retracted to drive the slider 17 to move, and the slider 17 drives the swing arm 15 to rotate. Specifically, the slider 17 is accommodated in the foregoing second accommodation cavity and may be connected to the lower housing 202. A small slider 17 is connected to an end, far away from the first cooperation portion 151, of the swing arm 15. The pull wire 16 is separately connected to the driving mechanism and the slider 17. The driving mechanism drives the slider 17 through the pull wire 16 to move left and right, thereby driving the swing arm 15 to rotate around the third rotating shaft 23.
In other implementations, the swing arm 15 may be alternatively driven in other manners, such as a pull rod.
In one implementation, with reference to FIG. 2, the locking mechanism 100 further includes a second gear 18. The second gear 18 is mounted on a fourth rotating shaft 24 and connected to the first gear 13. The second gear 18 is further configured to connect to the external driven mechanism. In the process of switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the first gear 13 drives the second gear 18 to rotate, so as to drive the external driven mechanism to be unlocked. Specifically, the fourth rotating shaft 24 is connected to the lower housing 202, and axial directions of the fourth rotating shaft 24 and the first rotating shaft 21 are parallel. The second gear 18 is toothed with the first gear 13.
In a possible implementation, with reference to FIG. 2, the locking mechanism 100 further includes a second circlip 193. The second circlip 193 is sleeved between the fourth rotating shaft 24 and the upper housing 201 and configured to fasten the fourth rotating shaft 24 and the second gear 18.
A complete movement process of the locking mechanism 100 is described in detail below.
Switching to the unlocked state: First, the driving mechanism drives the pull wire 16 to be extended or retracted, the pull wire 16 pushes the slider 17 to slide on the lower housing 202, the slider 17 drives the swing arm 15 to rotate around the third rotating shaft 23, the swing arm 15 drives the cam 11 to rotate around the first rotating shaft 21, and the cam 11 drives the locking arm 12 to rotate around the second rotating shaft 22 and to be disconnected from the first gear 13. Then, the cam 11 continues to rotate to drive the connecting arm 14 to rotate around the first rotating shaft 21. The connecting arm 14 compresses the torsion spring 191 to drive the first gear 13 to rotate. The first gear 13 drives the second gear 18 to rotate around the fourth rotating shaft 24. The second gear 18 drives the driven mechanism to be unlocked.
Switching to the locked state: The driving mechanism drives the pull wire 16 to be extended or retracted, the pull wire 16 pushes the slider 17 to slide on the lower housing 202, the slider 17 drives the swing arm 15 to rotate around the third rotating shaft 23, and the swing arm 15 drives the cam 11 to rotate around the first rotating shaft 21. Then, the cam 11 drives the first gear 13 to be reset and rotate, and the first gear 13 drives the second gear 18 to be reset. When rotating at a specific angle, the cam 11 may drive the locking arm 12 to be reset and rotate, and the locking arm 12 is reconnected to and engaged with the first gear 13.
In addition, this application further provides a door lock apparatus. With reference to FIG. 7, the door lock apparatus 200 may use the locking mechanism 100 according to the implementations described above. The door lock apparatus 200 may be used in a vehicle or in other mechanical structures that require locking or unlocking, which are not specifically limited.
In addition, this application further provides a vehicle 1000. With reference to FIG. 8, the vehicle 1000 includes a vehicle door 101 and the locking mechanism 100 according to the implementations described above. The locking mechanism 100 is mounted in the vehicle door 101.
In the description of this embodiment of this application, it should be noted that the directional or positional relationships indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner" and "outer", and the like are based on the directional or positional relationships shown in the drawings, which is only for the purpose of facilitating the description of this application and simplifying the description, and is not intended to indicate or imply that the apparatuses or elements referred to must have specific directions, be constructed and operated in specific directions. Therefore, these terms should not be construed as limiting this application.
What is disclosed above is only a preferred embodiment of this application, which certainly cannot be used to limit the scope of the claims of this application. A person of ordinary skill in the art may understand that all or part of processes of implementing the above embodiment and equivalent changes made according to the claims of this application still fall within the scope covered by this application.

Claims

A locking mechanism (100), comprising:
a cam (11), rotatably connected to a first rotating shaft (21);

a locking arm (12), rotatably connected to a second rotating shaft (22) and connected to the cam (11); and

a first gear (13), rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft (21) and connected to the cam (11), wherein

the locking mechanism (100) comprises a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein

in the locked state, the locking arm (12) is connected to the first gear (13), and the first gear (13) is fixed with respect to the first rotating shaft (21); and

in a process of switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the cam (11) is configured to rotate around the first rotating shaft (21) and drive the locking arm (12) to rotate around the second rotating shaft (22), the locking arm (12) is separated from the first gear (13), and the cam (11) is configured to drive the first gear (13) to rotate with respect to the first rotating shaft (21).
The locking mechanism (100) according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism (100) further comprises a housing (20), the housing (20) comprises an upper housing (201) and a lower housing (202) that are detachably connected, and the first rotating shaft (21) and the second rotating shaft (22) are connected to the lower housing (202).
The locking mechanism (100) according to claim 2, wherein the first rotating shaft (21), the second rotating shaft (22), and the lower housing (202) are of an integral structure.
The locking mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cam (11) is provided with a first groove (111), the locking arm (12) comprises a first protrusion (121), the first groove (111) extends in a circular arc around the first rotating shaft (21) on the cam (11), and the first protrusion (121) passes through the first groove (111) and moves in the first groove (111).
The locking mechanism (100) according to claim 4, wherein the first groove (111) to the first rotating shaft (21) has a constant radius, and a groove width of the first groove (111) remains unchanged; or, the first groove (111) to the first rotating shaft (21) does not have a constant radius and the groove width of the first groove (111) remains unchanged.
The locking mechanism (100) according to claim 4, wherein the locking arm (12) comprises a rotating portion (12A) and a main portion (12B) connected to each other, the rotating portion (12A) is connected to the second rotating shaft (22) and is configured to rotate; and the main portion (12B) extends outward from the rotating portion (12A) and is connected to the first gear (13), the main portion (12B) is located between the cam (11) and the first gear (13), and the first protrusion (121) is connected to the main portion (12B) and located on a side that is of the main portion (12B) and that faces the cam (11).
The locking mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the locking arm (12) comprises a hook (122), the first gear (13) comprises a holding table (131), the hook (122) is located at an end, far away from the second rotating shaft (22), of the locking arm (12), and the holding table (131) protrudes from a side of the first gear (13) towards the cam (11); in the locked state, the hook (122) is connected to the holding table (131) to restrict rotation of the first gear (13) around the first rotating shaft (21); and in the unlocked state, the hook (122) is separated from the holding table (131).
The locking mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the locking mechanism (100) further comprises a connecting arm (14), the connecting arm (14) is mounted on the first rotating shaft (21) and located between the cam (11) and the first gear (13), and in the process of switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the cam (11) is configured to drive the connecting arm (14) to rotate, and the connecting arm (14) drives the first gear (13) to rotate.
The locking mechanism (100) according to claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism (100) further comprises a torsion spring (191), the torsion spring (191) is located between the connecting arm (14) and the first gear (13), and the connecting arm (14) is configured to drive the first gear (13) through the torsion spring (191) to rotate.
The locking mechanism (100) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the cam (11) comprises a second protrusion (112), the connecting arm (14) is provided with a second groove (141), and the second protrusion (112) passes through the second groove (141) and moves in the second groove (141).
The locking mechanism (100) according to claim 10, wherein radius from the second groove (141) to the first rotating shaft (21) is constant, and a groove width of the second groove (141) remains unchanged.
The locking mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the locking mechanism (100) further comprises a swing arm (15), the swing arm (15) is mounted on a third rotating shaft (23), and the swing arm (15) is connected to the cam (11); and in the process of switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the swing arm (15) is configured to rotate around the third rotating shaft (23) and drive the cam (11) to rotate.
The locking mechanism (100) according to claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism (100) further comprises a bottom housing (203), the bottom housing (203) is detachably connected to the lower housing (202), and the third rotating shaft (23) is connected to the bottom housing (203).
The locking mechanism (100) according to claim 13, wherein the third rotating shaft (23) and the bottom housing (203) are of an integrated structure.
The locking mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the swing arm (15) comprises a first cooperation portion (151), the cam (11) comprises a second cooperation portion (113), the first cooperation portion (151) is connected to the second cooperation portion (113), and in the process of switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the swing arm (15) is configured to drive the cam (11) to rotate.
The locking mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the locking mechanism (100) further comprises a pull wire (16) and a slider (17) connected to each other, the slider (17) is connected to the swing arm (15), the pull wire (16) is connected to an external driving mechanism, and in a process of switching between the locked state and the unlocked state, the pull wire (16) is configured to be extended or retracted to drive the slider (17) to move, and the slider (17) is configured to drive the swing arm (15) to rotate.
The locking mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the locking mechanism (100) further comprises a second gear (18), the second gear (18) is mounted on a fourth rotating shaft (24) and connected to the first gear (13), the second gear (18) is further connected to an external driven mechanism, and in the process of switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the first gear (13) is configured to drive the second gear (18) to rotate, so as to drive the external driven mechanism to be unlocked.
The locking mechanism (100) according to claim 17, wherein the locking mechanism (100) further comprises a second circlip (193), the second circlip (193) is sleeved between the fourth rotating shaft (24) and the upper housing (201) and configured to fasten the fourth rotating shaft (24) and the second gear (18).
A door lock apparatus (200), comprising the locking mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 18.
A vehicle (1000), comprising a vehicle door (101) and the locking mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the locking mechanism (100) is mounted in the vehicle door (101).