SE543237C2 - A locking arrangement for locking a first element to a second element and a vehicle comprising such a locking arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates a locking arrangement (I; II; III; IV; V) for releasably locking of a first element (10) to a second element (20), the locking arrangement comprising an attachment member (110; 210; 310; 410; 510) arranged at one of the first and second elements (10, 20) and a receiving member (120; 220; 320; 420; 520) arranged at the other of the first and second elements. The receiving member (120; 220; 320; 420; 520) comprising a oneway freewheel (122; 222; 322; 422; 522) configured to allow rotation in only one direction (D) for receiving the attachment member (110; 210; 310; 410; 510) and providing a locked state. The receiving member (120; 220; 320; 420; 520) comprises a rotary damper (122d; 222d; 322d; 422d; 522d) for braking the rotation of the freewheel (122; 222; 322; 422; 522) in said one direction (D).

Description

A LOCKING ARRANGEIVIENT FOR LOCKING A FIRST ELE|\/IENT TO ASECOND ELEI\/IENT AND A VEHICLE CONIPRISING SUCH A LOCKINGARRANGEIVIENT TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a locking arrangement for releasably locking a firstelement to a second element. The invention also relates to a vehiclecomprising such a locking arrangement. More specifically the presentinvention relates to a locking arrangement in association with a door, lid, hatchor the like.

BACKGROUND ART Closing and locking of a door, lid, hatch or the like, is generally associated withnoise, rattle and sudden stops. There are many solutions for closing doors anddrawers more softly, with so-called soft closing functions. For example, thereare hinge systems and drawer slides with integrated soft closing mechanismsand dampers for cabinet doors. The effects of the soft closing functions areusually a smooth and substantially silent operation. lt also improves the feelingof quality the customer, or user, of the product experiences. However, despitesuch soft closing functions, there may still be a need to enhance the userexperience and the feeling of quality.

EP 1724424 B1 discloses a vehicle door lock. The lock element comprises acoating, which acts as a silencing layer. US 20080163462 A1 discloses a doorhandle for refrigerators and/or freezers. The handle has a movement damper,which damps the restoration movement of the handle from the open positioninto the closed position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Despite known solutions in the field, it would be desirable to develop a lookingarrangement whioh overoomes or alleviates at least some of the drawbaoks ofthe prior art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a looking arrangement forlooking a first element to a seoond element, whioh faoilitates a smooth lookingof said elements in an easy and effioient way and with reduoed noise.

This and other objeots, apparent from the following desoription, are aohievedby a looking arrangement and a vehiole oomprising suoh a lookingarrangement as set out in the appended independent olaims.

Henoe, aooording to an aspeot of the present disolosure, a lookingarrangement for releasably looking of a first element to a seoond element isprovided. The looking arrangement oomprises an attaohment memberarranged at one of the first and seoond elements and a reoeiving memberarranged at the other of the first and seoond elements. The reoeiving memberoomprises a one-way freewheel oonfigured to allow rotation in only onedireotion for reoeiving the attaohment member and providing a looked state.The reoeiving member further oomprises a rotary damper for braking therotation of the freewheel in said one direotion.

Aooording to another aspeot of the present disolosure, a vehiole oomprising alooking arrangement as herein disolosed is provided.

Normally, when moving a door, lid or hatoh eto. to a olosed and looked position,the oollision that arise between oo-operating parts leads to unwanted noise,rattle and vibrations. Not only the looking arrangement may be exposed tovibrations and wear, but also the surrounding oomponents may be set into motion, whioh lead to unneoessary noise and wear. Sensitive oomponents as electronics may even be irreversibly damaged. By providing a one-wayfreewheel configured to allow rotation in only one direction for receiving theattachment member and providing a locked state, a reliable and efficientlocking is achieved. By means of the rotary damper for braking the rotation ofthe freewheel in said one direction, a step-less and soft locking arrangementis achieved, which reduces unwanted noise and reduces wear of thecomponents. Thus, by means of the present disclosure, a gentle closingmovement of a door, lid or hatch may result in a controlled motion andsubstantially silent locking operation. Not only is unwanted noise formation onand mechanical wear hereby avoided, but a solid and high-quality impressionis achieved. This exclusive impression may this way be achieved even withcomponents of lightweight.

Further objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention willbecome apparent to one skilled in the art from the following details, and alsoby putting the invention into practice. Whereas the invention is describedbelow, it should be noted that it is not restricted to the specific detailsdescribed. Specialists having access to the teachings herein will recognisefurther applications, modifications and incorporations within other fields, whichare within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For fuller understanding of the present disclosure and further objects andadvantages of it, the detailed description set out below should be read togetherwith the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference notationsdenote similar items in the various drawings, and in which: Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a side view of a vehicle according to the present disclosure, Fig. 2a-c Fig. 3a-c Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a locking arrangement for releasablylocking a first element to a second element according to an example of the present disclosure; schematically illustrates a locking arrangement for releasablylocking a first element to a second element according to anexample of the present disclosure; schematically illustrates a locking arrangement for releasablylocking a first element to a second element according to anexample of the present disclosure; schematically illustrates a locking arrangement for releasablylocking a first element to a second element according to anexample of the present disclosure; schematically illustrates a locking arrangement for releasablylocking a first element to a second element according to an example of the present disclosure; and schematically illustrates details of a locking arrangement according to an example of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The locking arrangement will be described in further detail below. lt is understood that all the various examples of the locking arrangement also applies for a vehicle comprising such a locking arrangement.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a locking arrangement for releasably locking of a first element to a second element is provided. The locking arrangement comprises an attachment member arranged at one of the first and second elements and a receiving member arranged at the other of the first and second elements. The receiving member comprises a one-wayfreewheel configured to allow rotation in only one direction for receiving theattachment member and providing a locked state. The receiving memberfurther comprises a rotary damper for braking the rotation of the freewheel insaid one direction.

One of the first and second elements may comprise a door, lid, hatch or thelike and the other of the first and second element may comprise an openingarranged to be closed or opened by said door, lid, hatch or the like. The firstand second element may correspond to any type of openable and closablewing configurations, such as covers and flaps. The locking arrangement maybe incorporated in a vehicle, such as an automobile. ln a vehicle, the lockingarrangement may be applied for doors, lids and hatches etc. in the interior ofthe vehicle. Suitable applications may be glove compartments or any otherstorage cabinet as well as certain types of foldable cup holders or ashtraysfitted in the dashboard. The locking arrangement may also be applied on theexterior of the vehicle, such as a grille or any other cover or flap. However, thelocking arrangement as disclosed may also be applied within any othersuitable technical fields, such as for access flaps for overhead luggagecompartments in aircrafts, doors for refrigerators or freezers etc.

The locking arrangement comprises an attachment member arranged at oneof the first and second elements and a receiving member arranged at the otherof the first and second elements. The attachment member may be a part of thefirst or the second element. This means that the attachment part may be anintegrated part of the first or second element, i.e. the attachment part may bea part of a door, lid or hatch etc.

By means of the one-way freewheel, the force needed for locking the lockingarrangement may be independent of a force for unlocking the lockingarrangement. Consequently, a releasing configuration for providing an unlocked state when applying a certain unlocking force may be designed independently of the receiving member. By providing a one-way freewheelconfigured to allow rotation in only one direction for receiving the attachmentmember and providing a locked state, locking and unlocking of the elementsmay require different forces. Hereby the receiving member comprising the one-way freewheel may be designed to require any desired locking force and thereleasing configuration may be designed to require any desired unlockingforce. The freewheel may e.g. be arranged to require almost no locking forcefor easy locking of an element, e.g. a door, lid, hatch or the like and thereleasing configuration may be arranged to require a relatively higherunlocking force so as to prevent undesired opening. The locking force may beassociated with the rotational resistance of the freewheel rotation in said oneThesuitable/desired rotational resistance of the freewheel. direction. locking force may thus be chosen, by choosing a Due to the one-way freewheel, a step-less locking of the locking arrangementmay be obtained. This means that there is not one fixed position in which thelocking arrangement is locked. The locking arrangement may be in a lockedstate when the freewheel for any reason cannot rotate any further in the one-way direction.

The one-way freewheel may further be configured to assist in theclosing/locking operation. When the freewheel is set in rotational motion by theclosing movement or by coming in contact with the attachment member, thefreewheel may continue to rotate until it is fully engaged with the attachmentmember and cannot rotate any further, i.e. is in a locked state. Due to theinertia of the freewheel, the initial rotation of the freewheel may assist in thesubsequent closing and locking operations. Thus, it may not be required topush the attachment member all the way to the locked state in order to reacha locked state. lf the attachment member is pushed, such that the attachmentmember interacts with the freewheel and the freewheel has started to rotate,the freewheel may bring the locking arrangement to a locked state by itself.

Thus, the freewheel assists in the locking movement. Hereby less external force may be required for reaching a locked state. Also, a soft and gentlelocking may be achieved.

By means of the present disclosure, a gentle closing movement of the door, |idor hatch may imply a controlled motion and a substantially silent operation. Nouncontrolled snapping back takes place, but rather a gentle closing and lockingwith a controlled speed. The rotary damper may be active in both the closingand locking operation, in particular in the last stage of the closing movementand during locking. Thus, the locking may be obtained in the same smooth movement as the closing.

The retary damper may previcte controlled cieeeteratien ef the retatieitaimevement et the tteevvheet. The retary damper may thus appty a ceunteraetingferee en the treewheei. Tite eamping tereue/feree et' the retary damper ntayincrease ereeertieriatty te the tfeteeity ef the retatiertei rnetfentertt. Thie rtieanethat the retery damper may hreke the treewheei mere with increasing ieeixingteree. Thus, the retery dairiper array eeeeierate the retatienai ihevement et thefreewheei mere when the deer, iici ei' hatch is stamrned, then »when it ie eieeedgentiy. The rotary damper may be of various configurations. Fer exerneie, thedameirtg tetetrefteree ntay he gertetated hy a tiuie, er haeee en the ptineipieei city 'frietien. The ftinetieitaiity et rotary dampers is considered to be knownand the rotary damper of the locking arrangement is considered to functionaccording to such conventional rotary dampers.

The rotary ctarnper rnay he hi-ctireetienet ei' eenfigtiied te erake in eneretatiertet direetien enty. Thus, the retary damper may he et ene-way retarydamper. According te en exampie, the hraking teretie ef the retary dampermay he atiijuetabie, in ertiier te he ahie te etietemize the retery eamper te a specific: appiieatieit.

According to an example, the freewheel comprises a one-way bearing for saidone-way rotation. The one-way bearing may allow the freewheel to rotate inone direction only. Due to this configuration, a locked state is achieved when the receiving member has received, and is engaged with, the attachmentmember. The one-way bearing may according to an example comprise a needle bearing.

According to an example, the freewheel comprises Iocking means distributedalong the freewheel periphery. The Iocking means may be configured tointeract with the attachment member and thereby lock the first element to thesecond element. Hereby an easy and efficient Iocking is obtained. The Iockingmeans distributed along the freewheel periphery may be designed andadapted for the attachment member. The Iocking means may be of anysuitable configuration and may depend on the configuration of the attachmentmember. The Iocking means may be symmetrically/evenly distributed along the freewheel periphery.

By applying a freewheel with Iocking means distributed along its periphery,engagement with the attachment member for providing a locked state isfacilitated. The attachment member may, when subjected to a Iocking force,be arranged to co-act with the Iocking means of the freewheel and thus rotatethe freewheel in said one direction. The Iocking means may then engage with the attachment member until a locked position is reached.

According to an example, the rotary damper may be arranged between theone-way bearing and the Iocking means. The rotary damper may thus bearranged co-axially with the one-way bearing, surrounding the one-waybearing circumferentially. By arranging the rotary damper between the one-way bearing and the Iocking means, an effective deceleration of rotationalmovement may be achieved. Also, a compact Iocking arrangement is obtained.ln this case, the rotary damper is suitably a one-way rotary damper. This wayis ensured that the freewheel only is allowed to rotate in one direction.According to another example, the rotary damper and the one-way bearingmay be arranged axially adjacent each other. The rotary damper and the one-way bearing may thus be arranged next to each other axially. The rotary damper and the one-way bearing may be arranged axially adjacent each otheron a shaft.

According to an example, the locking means comprise teeth distributed alongthe freewheel periphery. The attachment member may thus be configured tofit in a gap between two teeth and thereby achieve a locking state. By havinglocking means with teeth distributed along the freewheel periphery,engagement with the attachment member for providing a locked state isfacilitated. Alternatively, the locking means may comprise recesses distributedalong the freewheel periphery. ln this case, the attachment member may beconfigured to fit in any of these recesses and thereby achieve a locked state.According to yet another example, the locking means comprise frictionsurfaces distributed along the freewheel periphery. The friction surfaces mayprovide a friction engagement against the attachment member when receivingthe attachment member, whereby a locked state is achieved. The frictionsurfaces may comprise a specific material for providing suitable friction, suchas rubber. Other options may be one or a plurality of friction surfacescomprising small ribs, or other protrusions or roughness of the surface. Thelocking means distributed along the freewheel periphery may alternativelycomprise a grip member or the like.

The attachment member may comprise an engagement portion configured toengagingly co-act with the locking means. The attachment member andengagement portion may be of any suitable shape or form, such as a rod, hook,mating teeth or the like. Thus, the attachment member and the engagementportion may be configured to cooperate with the design of the receiving member, and vice versa.

One of the first and second elements may be movably arranged in relation tothe other of the first and second elements. According to an example, one ofthe first and second elements may be pivotally arranged at the other of the first and second elements. The first element and the second element may be connected by a hinge or another pivotable connector. An example of such anapplication is a storage compartment in a vehicle comprising a hinged flap.However, the Iocking arrangement as disclosed may also be applied in otherthan pivotable configurations. According to a variant, the first element could bea separate element, such as a separate lid, which may be releasably locked tothe second element by means of the Iocking arrangement.

According to an example, the rotary damper may be a one-way rotary damper.This means that the rotary damper may provide deoeleration of rotationalmovements ih oniy one rotatiehal direction. Ae the treewheel ie a one-wayfreeyvheei ooriiigtired to ailow rotation in one direction only, aiso the rotarydamper inay provide brakirig in one direction only. Underetandabiy, the rotarydamper may provide oeceleration oi rotation in the one direction tnat the one- weyf treewheei is ailowed to rotate.

According to an example, the rotary damper may be a viscous rotary damper.Hereby tne dampiiwg torotie ntay be generated iziy a ifieooiie tltiid, auch aeaiiicon oil, greaae or other. Depending on the type of iiiiio, different darnpeningproperties. rhay be achieved. Titus, one way oi ctrstontizing the rotary damperto a specific application may oe by chooeing a specific: type of viscous fiiiio.According to an example, the viscous rotary damper comprises two slidebearings and a fluid there between. However, viscous rotary dampers may be of various configurations.

According to an example of the Iocking arrangement, the receiving membercomprises a support member for supporting the freewheel. The freewheel maybe arranged to rotate relative to the support member about an axis. Thesupport member may comprise a shaft about which the freewheel may bearranged to rotate in said one direction. Hereby efficient control and support ofthe freewheel is facilitated. 11 The looking arrangement according to the present disclosure is for releasablylooking. Thus, the looking arrangement may have a releasing configuration forproviding an unlocked state. Such a releasing configuration is not a part of theinvention per se. However, in order to make the present disclosure more comprehensible, releasing configurations for unlocking is herein described.

The releasing configuration may comprise means for moving the attachmentmember or the receiving member away from each other. This may beaccomplished by either moving the attachment member away from thereceiving member, or the receiving member away from the attachment member. This retracting movement may be pivotable, rectilinear or other.

According to an example, the releasing configuration may comprise resilientmeans for providing resistance corresponding to a certain unlocking force. Theunlocking force may be independent of the looking force. According to anexample, the resilient means may be arranged in connection to the supportmember. The support member may be pivotally arranged such that, whenapplying the unlocking force, the freewheel is displaced for releasing theattachment member with respect to the freewheel. Hereby easy and efficientunlocking by applying a certain unlocking force is obtained independently ofthe looking force of the receiving member. According to yet another example,the resilient means may be arranged in connection to the attachment member.The attachment member may be pivotally arranged such that, when applyingthe unlocking force, the attachment member may be released with respect tothe freewheel. The support member may according to this example be fixed.This way, easy and efficient unlocking by applying a certain unlocking force isobtained independently of the receiving member and independently of the looking force of the receiving member.

The looking arrangement may be configured to be looked and/or unlocked manually or automatically. 12 According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle comprising aIocking arrangement as described herein is provided.

The present disclosure will now be further illustrated with reference to theappended figures, wherein for the sake of clarity and understanding of thedisclosure some details of no importance are deleted from the figures.l\/loreover, the figures shall not be considered drawn to scale as some featuresmay be exaggerated in order to more clearly illustrate the invention.

Figure “i scheinaticaiiy iiiustrates a side view of a vehicle Vi according to anexample of the present disciosure. The vehicle VI comprises a Iockingarrangement I, ll, lll, IV, V for releasably Iocking a first element to a secondelement according to the present disclosure. The vehicle VI according to thepresent disclosure could be any suitable vehicle. The vehicle VI may be aheavy vehicle, e.g. a truck or a bus. The vehicle VI may alternatively be apassenger car. The vehicle VI may be manually operated, remotely operatedor autonomously operated. ln figure 1, the vehicle VI is illustrated as a truck.The Iocking arrangement I, ll, lll, IV, V may form part of the interior or theexterior of the vehicle. The Iocking arrangement I, ll, lll, IV, V will be furtherdescribed in relation to Figures 2a-c, Figures 3a-c, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure6 and Figure 7. ln the examples illustrated in Figures 2a-c, Figures 3a-c, Figure 4, Figure 5,Figure 6 and Figure 7 of the Iocking arrangement I, ll, lll, IV, V, the first element10 comprises a door, lid, hatch or the like and the second element 20comprises an opening arranged to be closed or opened by said door, lid, hatchor the like. lt is thus to be understood that the second element 20 may comprisea structural element surrounding the opening to be closed or opened by thefirst element 10. The first element 10 and the second element 20 may berotatably connected to each other. The first element 10 and second element20 may be rotatably connected via a hinge member. The first element 10 may be moved from an open position to a closed position. 13 Figures 2a-c schematically illustrate a side view of a locking arrangement I forreleasably locking a first element 10 to a second element 20 according to anexample of the present disclosure. The locking arrangement l comprises anattachment member 110 arranged at the first element 10 and a receivingmember 120 arranged at the second element 20. The receiving member 120comprises a one-way freewheel 122 configured to allow rotation in only onedirection D for receiving the attachment member 110 and providing a lockedstate. The receiving member 120 further comprises a rotary damper 122d forbraking rotation of the freewheel 122 in said one direction D. Figure 2aillustrates an initial position of the locking arrangement l, figure 2b illustratesan intermediate position of the locking arrangement l and figure 2c illustratesthe locking arrangement l in a locked state.

The attachment member 110 is according to this example schematicallyillustrated as a rod. The attachment member 110 may comprise anengagement portion 112 comprising an end portion 112a. The attachmentmember 110 may be pivotally arranged in connection to the first element 10.The attachment member 110 may be connected to a hinge member. However,instead of the attachment member 110 being pivotally arranged, theattachment member may be fixedly arranged at the first member 10. Thus,when the first member 10 is moved from an open position to a closed position,the attachment member 110 may be displaced accordingly. The attachmentmember 110 may be moved from the initial position, to the intermediate position and therefrom to the locked state, as illustrated in fig. 2a-c.

The receiving member 120 may be arranged to receive the attachmentmember 1 10 for providing a locked state, when applying a certain locking forceF on the attachment member 110 as illustrated in fig. 2a.

The rotary damper 122d may be a one-way rotary damper. The rotary damper122d may be a viscous rotary damper. The viscous rotary damper 122d maycomprise two slide bearings and a fluid there between. 14 The freewheel 122 may comprise locking means 122a distributed along thefreewheel periphery 122b. According to this example, the locking means is aset of teeth 122a distributed along the freewheel periphery 122b. The teeth122a are configured to co-act with the end portion 112a of the attachmentmember 110. The locking arrangement l may be in a locked state when theend portion 112a of the attachment member 110 is inserted between two teeth122a and engages with at least one tooth 122a. The freewheel 122 may furthercomprise a one-way bearing 122c for rotation in said one direction D. Therotary damper 122d may be arranged between the one-way bearing 122c andthe locking means 122a.

The receiving member 120 may comprise a support member 124 forsupporting the freewheel 122. The freewheel 122 may be arranged to rotaterelative to the support member 124 about an axis X. The support member 124may comprise a shaft 124a about which the freewheel 122 may be arrangedto rotate in said one direction D.

As illustrated in fig. 2a-2c, the teeth 122a of the freewheel 122 may bearranged to receive the engagement portion 112 of the attachment member110 for providing a locked state when applying a certain locking force F. Theengagement portion 112 of the attachment member 110 may, when subjectedto the locking force F, be arranged to co-act with the teeth 122a of thefreewheel, and thus rotate the freewheel 122 in said one direction D. The teeth122a will engage with the end portion 112a until a locked position is reached.Thus, as the engagement portion 112 is engaged between two teeth 122a ofthe freewheel 122, a locking is provided since the freewheel 122 may not berotated in the opposite direction.

The locking arrangement l may further comprise a releasing configuration (notshown) for providing an unlocked state when applying a certain unlockingforce.

According to an example, the releasing configuration may comprise means formoving the attachment member 110 or the receiving member 120 away fromeach other. This may be accomplished by either moving the attachmentmember 110 away from the receiving member 120, or moving the receivingmember 120 away from the attachment member 110. This retractingmovement may for example be pivotable or rectilinear. The retracting movement may be performed manually or automatically.

The support member 124, as illustrated in fig. 2a-2c, may be movablyarranged, such that when applying an unlocking force downwards in the figureon the support member 124, the freewheel 122 may be displaced downwards for releasing the attachment member 110 with respect to the freewheel 122.

Alternatively, the attachment member 110 as illustrated in fig. 2a-2c, may bemovably arranged, such that when applying an unlocking force upwards in thefigure on the attachment member 110, the attachment member 110 may bedisplaced away from the freewheel 122 and will thus be released with respectto the freewheel 122.

Figures 3a-c schematically illustrate a side view of a locking arrangement ll forreleasably locking a first element 10 to a second element 20 according to anexample of the present disclosure. The locking arrangement ll comprises anattachment member 210 arranged at the first element 10 and a receivingmember 220 arranged at the second element 20. The receiving member 220comprises a one-way freewheel 222 configured to allow rotation in only onedirection D for receiving the attachment member 210 and providing a lockedstate. The receiving member 220 further comprises a rotary damper 222d forbraking rotation of the freewheel 222 in said one direction D. Figure 3aillustrates an initial position of the locking arrangement ll, figure 3b illustratesan intermediate position of the locking arrangement ll and figure 3c illustrates the locking arrangement ll in a locked state. 16 The attachment member 210 is according to this example schematicallyillustrated as a rod. The attachment member 210 may comprise anengagement portion 212 comprising an end portion 212a. The attachmentmember 210 may be pivotally arranged in connection to the first element 10.The attachment member 210 may be connected to a hinge member. However,instead of the attachment member 210 being pivotally arranged, theattachment member 210 may be fixedly arranged at the first member 10. Thus,when the first member 10 is moved from an open position to a closed position,the attachment member 210 may be displaced accordingly. The attachmentmember 210 may be moved from the initial position, to the intermediate position and therefrom to the locked state, as illustrated in fig. 3a-c.

The receiving member 220 may be arranged to receive the attachmentmember 210 for providing a locked state when applying a certain locking forceF on the attachment member 210 as illustrated in fig. 3a.

The rotary damper 222d may be a one-way rotary damper. The rotary damper222d may be a viscous rotary damper. The viscous rotary damper 222d maycomprise two slide bearings and a fluid there between.

The freewheel 222 may comprise locking means 222a distributed along thefreewheel periphery 222b. According to this example, the locking means 222acomprises a set of recesses 222a distributed along the periphery 222b of thefreewheel 222. The recesses 222a are configured to co-act with theengagement portion 212 of the attachment member 210. The freewheel 222may comprises a one-way bearing 222c for rotation in said one direction D.The rotary damper 222d may be arranged between the one-way bearing 222c and the locking means 222a.

The receiving member 220 may comprise a support member 224 forsupporting the freewheel 222. The freewheel 222 may be arranged to rotate relative to the support member 224 about an axis X. The support member 224 17 may comprise a shaft 224a about which the freewheel 222 may be arrangedto rotate in said one direction D.

As illustrated in figures 3a-c, the recesses 222a of the freewheel may bearranged to receive the engagement portion 212 of the attachment member210 for providing a locked state when applying a certain Iocking force F. Theengagement portion 212 of the attachment member 210 may, when subjectedto the Iocking force F, be arranged to co-act with the recesses 222a of thefreewheel, and thus rotate the freewheel in said one direction D. The recesses222a will then engage with the end portion 212a until a locked position isreached. Thus, as the engagement portion 212 is engaged with a recess 222aof the freewheel 222, a Iocking is provided since the freewheel 222 may notbe rotated in the opposite direction.

The Iocking arrangement ll may further comprise a releasing configuration (notshown) for providing an unlocked state. The releasing configuration may besimilar to the releasing configuration as described for the examples in fig. 2a-c and will thus not be described further.

Figure 4 schematically illustrates a side view of a Iocking arrangement lll forreleasably Iocking a first element 10 to a second element 20 in according toan example of the present disclosure. The Iocking arrangement lll comprisesan attachment member 310 arranged at the first element 10 and a receivingmember 320 arranged at the second element 20. The receiving member 320comprises a one-way freewheel 322 configured to allow rotation in only onedirection D for receiving the attachment member 310 and providing a lockedstate. The receiving member 320 further comprises a rotary damper 322d forbraking rotation of the freewheel 322 in said one direction D.

The attachment member 310 is according to this example schematicallyillustrated as a friction member. The attachment member 310 may comprisean engagement portion 312 comprising an end portion 312a. The attachmentmember 310 may be pivotably arranged in connection to the first element 10. 18 The attachment member 310 may be connected to a hinge member. However,instead of the attachment member 310 being pivotably arranged, theattachment member 310 may be fixedly arranged at the first member 10. Thus,when the first member 10 is moved from an open position to a closed position,the attachment member 310 may be displaced accordingly.

The receiving member 320 may be arranged to receive the attachmentmember 310 for providing a locked state when applying a certain Iocking forceF on the attachment member 310 as illustrated in fig. 4.

The rotary damper 322d may be a one-way rotary damper. The rotary damper322d may be a viscous rotary damper. The viscous rotary damper 322d may comprise two slide bearings and a fluid there between.

The freewheel 322 may comprise Iocking means 322a distributed along thefreewheel periphery 322b. According to this example, the Iocking means 322acomprises friction surfaces 322a distributed along the periphery 322b of thefreewheel 322. The friction surfaces 322a may provide a friction engagementagainst the attachment member 310 when receiving the attachment member310, whereby a locked state is achieved. The friction surfaces 322a maycomprise a specific material for providing suitable friction, such as rubber.Other options may be friction surfaces comprising small ribs, or other unevenness or roughness of the surface.

The friction surfaces 322a may be configured to co-act with the engagementportion 312 of the attachment member 310. The freewheel 322 may comprisesa one-way bearing 322c for rotation in said one direction D. The rotary damper322d may be arranged between the one-way bearing 322c and the Iockingmeans 322a.

The receiving member 320 may comprise a support member 324 forsupporting the freewheel 322. The freewheel 322 may be arranged to rotate relative to the support member 324 about an axis X. The support member 324 19 may comprise a shaft 324a about which the freewheel 322 may be arrangedto rotate in said one direction D.

As illustrated in figure 4, the friction surfaces 322a of the freewheel 322 maybe arranged to receive the engagement portion 312 of the attachment member310 for providing a locked state when applying a certain locking force F. Theengagement portion 312 of the attachment member 310 may, when subjectedto the locking force F, be arranged to co-act with the friction surfaces 322a ofthe freewheel 322, and thus rotate the freewheel 322 in said one direction D.The friction surfaces 322a will then engage with the end portion 312a until alocked position is reached. Thus, as the engagement portion 312 is engagedwith a friction surface 322a of the freewheel 322 a locking is provided sincethe freewheel may not be rotated in the opposite direction.

The locking arrangement lll may further comprise a releasing configuration forproviding an unlocked state. The releasing configuration may be similar to thereleasing configuration as described for the examples in fig. 2a-c and will thusnot be described further.

Fig. 5 and fig. 6 schematically illustrate a side view of a locking arrangementIV; V for releasably locking a first element 10 to a second element 20 in alocked state according to examples of the present disclosure. The lockingarrangement IV; V comprises an attachment member 410,510 arranged at thefirst element 10 and a receiving member 420, 520 arranged at the secondelement 20. The receiving member 420, 520 comprises a one-way freewheel422, 522 configured to allow rotation in only one direction D for receiving theattachment member 410, 510 and providing a locked state. The receivingmember 420, 520 further comprises a rotary damper 422d, 522d for brakingrotation of the freewheel 422, 522 in said one direction D.

The attachment member 410, 510 is according to this example schematicallyillustrated as a hook member. The attachment member 410, 510 thuscomprises an engagement portion 412, 512 with a hook end portion 412a, 512a. The attachment member 410, 510 may also comprise an arm portion414, 514. The engagement portion 412, 512 and the hook end portion 412a,512a may be arranged in one end of the arm portion 414, 514. The attachmentmember 410, 510 may according to this example be pivotally arranged inconnection to a pivot member 430, 530. The attachment member 410, 510may according to this example be pivotally arranged in connection to the firstelement 10. The attachment member 410, 510 may be pivotable between saidlocked state and said unlocked state, said unlocked state of the attachmentmember 410, 510 being illustrated with dotted lines.

The receiving member 420, 520 may be arranged to receive the attachmentmember 410, 510 for providing a locked state when applying a certain lockingforce F on the attachment member 410, 510 as illustrated in fig. 5 and fig. 6.

The rotary damper 422d, 522d may be a one-way rotary damper. The rotarydamper 422d, 522d may be a viscous rotary damper. The viscous rotarydamper 422d, 522d may comprise two slide bearings and a fluid there between.

The freewheel 422, 522 may comprise locking means 422a, 522a distributedalong the freewheel periphery 422b, 522b. According to this example, thelocking means 422a, 522a comprises a set of teeth 422a, 522a distributedalong the freewheel periphery 422b, 522b. The teeth 422a, 522a areconfigured to co-act with the hook end portion 412a, 512a of the attachmentmember 410, 510. The locking arrangement IV; V may be in a locked statewhen the hook end portion 412a, 512a of the attachment member 410, 510 isinserted between two teeth 422a, 522a and engages with at least one tooth422a, 522a. The freewheel 422, 522 may further comprise a one-way bearing422c, 522c for rotation in said one direction D. The rotary damper 422d, 522dmay be arranged between the one-way bearing 422c, 522c and the lockingmeans 422a, 522a. 21 The receiving member 420, 520 may comprise a support member 424, 524 forsupporting the freewheel 422, 522. The freewheel 422, 522 may be arrangedto rotate relative to the support member 424, 524 about an axis X. The supportmember 424, 524 may comprise a shaft 424a, 524a about which the freewheel422, 522 may be arranged to rotate in said one direction D.

As illustrated in fig. 5 and 6, the teeth 422a, 522a of the freewheel 422, 522may be arranged to receive the hook end portion 412a, 512a of the attachmentmember 410, 510 for providing a locked state when applying a certain Iockingforce F. The hook end portion 412a, 512a of the attachment member 410, 510may, when subjected to the Iocking force F, be arranged to co-act with theteeth 422a, 522a of the freewheel 422, 522, and thus rotate the freewheel 422,522 in said one direction D. The teeth 422a, 522a will engage with the hookend portion 412a, 512a until a locked position is reached. Thus, as the hookend portion 412a, 512a is engaged between two teeth 422a, 522a of thefreewheel 422, 522 a Iocking is provided since the freewheel 422, 522 may notbe rotated in the opposite direction.

The Iocking arrangement IV, V may further comprise a re|easing configurationfor providing an unlocked state when applying a certain unlocking force.

According to the example of the Iocking arrangement IV as illustrated in fig. 5,the re|easing configuration comprises resilient means 442 arranged inconnection to the support member 424 for providing resistance correspondingto the certain unlocking force, such that the unlocking force may be chosenindependently of the Iocking force. The unlocking force may be in the oppositedirection of the Iocking force.

The support member 424 may be pivotally arranged, such that, when applyingthe unlocking force, the freewheel 422 is displaced for re|easing theattachment member 410 with respect to the freewheel 422. The resilient means 442 may be arranged in connection to the support member, such that, 22 when the freewheel is subjected to the unlocking force, the support member424 is pivoted so that the freewheel 422 is displaced from the original position.

The engagement between the engagement portion 412 and the teeth 422a ofthe freewheel 422 is at a certain pivotal position of the support member 424terminated, so that the hook end portion 412a of the engagement portion 412and thus the attachment member 410 is released.

According to the example of the locking arrangement V as illustrated in fig. 6,the releasing configuration may comprise resilient means 542 arranged in510 forcorresponding to the certain unlocking force F, such that the unlocking force F connection to the attachment member providing resistancemay be chosen independently of the locking force. The unlocking force may be in the opposite direction of the locking force.

According to this example of the locking arrangement V, the releasingconfiguration may comprise resilient means 542 arranged in connection to theattachment member 51 O so that the engagement portion 512 may flex relativeto the arm portion 514.

The attachment member 510 may be pivotally arranged such that, whenapplying the unlocking force, the attachment member 510 may be releasedwith respect to the freewheel 522. The attachment member 510 may bepivotally arranged such that, when applying the unlocking force to theattachment member 510, the engagement portion 512 pivots relative to thearm portion 514m so that the engagement portion 512 is released with respect to the tooth 522a of the freewheel 522 to which it was engaged.

The resilient means 542 may be arranged in connection to the attachmentmember 510 between the engagement portion 512 and arm portion 514 suchthat, when applying the unlocking force, the engagement portion 512 is pivotedrelative to the freewheel 522 and hence the tooth 522a of the freewheel 522 to which it is engaged, for releasing the attachment member 51 O with respect to 23 the freewheel 522 in that the engagement portion 512 is released from thetooth 522a with which it was engaged.

Figure 7 schematically illustrates details of a locking arrangement forreleasably locking a first element 10 to a second element 20 according to anexample of the present disclosure. The locking arrangement may beconfigured as disclosed in Figures 2a-c, Figures 3a-c, Figure 4, Figure 5 orFigure 6 with a difference relating to the position of the rotary damper 622d.The figure shows a receiving member 620 of the locking arrangement. Thereceiving member 620 comprises a one-way freewheel 622 configured to allowrotation in only one direction D. The receiving member 620 further comprisesa rotary damper 622d for braking rotation of the freewheel 622 in said onedirection D. The rotary damper 622d may be a one-way rotary damper or a bi-directional damper. The rotary damper 622d may be a viscous rotary damper.The viscous rotary damper 622d may comprise two slide bearings and a fluidthere between.

The freewheel 622 may comprise locking means 622a distributed along thefreewheel periphery 622b. The locking means may be a set of teeth 622adistributed along the freewheel periphery 622b. The freewheel 622 may furthercomprise a one-way bearing 622c for rotation in said one direction D.

The receiving member 620 may comprise a support member 624 forsupporting the freewheel 622. The freewheel 622 may be arranged to rotaterelative to the support member 624 about an axis X. The support member 624may comprise a shaft 624a about which the freewheel 622 may be arrangedto rotate in said one direction D. ln this example, the rotary damper 622d and the one-way bearing 622c arearranged axially adjacent each other. The rotary damper 622d and the one-way bearing 622c may be arranged axially next to each other on the shaft624a. 24 The foregoing description of the preferred examples of the present disclosureis provided for illustrative and descriptive purposes. lt is not intended to beexhaustive or to restrict the invention to the variants described. Manymodifications and variations will obviously be apparent to one ski||ed in the art.The examples of the present disclosure have been chosen and described inorder best to explain the principles of the invention and its practical applicationsand hence make it possible for specialists to understand the invention forvarious embodiments and with the various modifications appropriate to theintended use.

Claims (12)

1. A Iocking arrangement (|; ll; lll; IV; V) for releasably Iocking of a firstelement (10) to a second element (20), the Iocking arrangement comprising an attachment member (110; 210; 310; 410; 510) arranged at one of thefirst and second elements (10, 20) and a receiving member (120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620) arranged at the otherof the first and second elements (10, 20),the receiving member (120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620) comprising a one-wayfreewheel (122; 222; 322; 422; 522; 622) configured to allow rotation in onlyone direction (D) for receiving the attachment member (110; 210; 310; 410;510) and providing a locked state, characterized in that the receiving member(120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620) comprises a rotary damper (122d; 222d; 322d;422d; 522d; 622d) for braking the rotation of the freewheel (122; 222; 322; 422;522; 622) in said one direction (D), wherein the freewheel (122; 222; 322; 422;522; 622) comprises a one-way bearing (122c; 222c; 322c; 422c; 522c; 622c)for rotation in said one direction (D) and Iocking means (122a; 222a; 322a;422a; 522a; 622a) distributed along the freewheel periphery (122b; 222b;322b; 422b; 522b; 622b), further the rotary damper (122d; 222d; 322d; 422d;522d) is arranged between the one-way bearing (122c; 222c; 322c; 422c;522c) and the Iocking means (122a; 222a; 322a; 422a; 522a).

2. The Iocking arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the rotary damper(622d) and the one-way bearing (622c) are arranged axially adjacent eachother.

3. The Iocking arrangement according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein theIocking means (122a; 222a; 322a; 422a; 522a) comprise teeth (122a; 422a;522a; 622a) distributed along the freewheel periphery (122b; 422b; 522b).

4. The Iocking arrangement according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein theIocking means (122a; 222a; 322a; 422a; 522a) comprise recesses (222a)distributed along the freewheel periphery (222b).

5. The Iocking arrangement according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein theIocking means (122a; 222a; 322a; 422a; 522a) comprise friction surfaces(322a) distributed along the freewheel periphery (322b).

6. The Iocking arrangement according to any one of claim 1-5, wherein theattachment member (110; 210; 310; 410; 510) comprises an engagementportion (112; 212; 312; 412; 512) configured to engagingly co-act with theIocking means (122a; 222a; 322a; 422a; 522a; 622a) in the locked state.

7. The Iocking arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein one of the first and second elements (10, 20) are pivotably arrangedat the other of the first and second elements (10, 20).

8. The Iocking arrangement according any one of the preceding claims,wherein the rotary damper (122d; 222d; 322d; 422d; 522d; 622d) is a one-way rotary damper.

9. The Iocking arrangement according any one of the preceding claims,wherein the rotary damper (122d; 222d; 322d; 422d; 522d; 622d) is a viscous rotary damper.

10. The Iocking arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the viscous rotarydamper (122d; 222d; 322d; 422d; 522d; 622d) comprises two slide bearings and a fluid there between.

11.The Iocking arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the receiving member (120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620) comprises asupport member (124; 224; 324; 424; 524; 624) for supporting the freewheel(122; 222; 322; 422; 522; 622), the freewheel (122; 222; 322; 422; 522; 622)being arranged to rotate relative to the support member (124; 224; 324; 424;524; 624) about an axis (X).

12. The Iocking arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the first element (10) and second element (20) comprises a door, Iid, hatch or the like and the other of the first element (10) and secondelement (20) comprises an opening arranged to be closed or opened by thedoor, Iid, hatch or the like.