WO2021059299A1

WO2021059299A1 - An electronic latch assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2021059299A1
Application number: PCT/IN2020/050823
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ashish ROHILLA; Sushil Sharma; Vikram Puri
Original assignee: Minda Corporation Limited
Priority date: 2019-09-26
Filing date: 2020-09-25
Publication date: 2021-04-01

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates an electronic latch assembly (100) for vehicles. The electronic latch assembly comprises a primary latch plate (3) comprising a slot (3a). A pivotally mounted actuator lever (16) comprises a first end (16a) engageable with the slot (3a) and a second end (16b) configured with a plunger (8). The plunger (8) is coupled with an electronic actuating means and is movable longitudinally, along axis YY, thereby moving the actuator lever (16) about hinge pin (15) and allowing disengagement of the first end (16a) of the actuator lever (16) with the slot (3a) of the primary latch plate (3) from an engaged position.

Description

“AN ELECTRONIC LATCH ASSEMBLY”

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to the construction and mechanism of an electronic latch assembly for locking/unlocking operations in automobiles. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a latch assembly that is operable by means of a solenoid and is easy to use.

BACKGROUND

The information in this section merely provides background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s).

Generally, two-wheeler vehicles are provided with spaces such as, but not limited to, glove boxes and storage boots. Accessibility of such boots is usually limited by a lock to keep the contents secure. Conventionally, the lid or the cover is provided with a lock that has a latch mechanism and has to be operated manually (usually using the keys of the vehicle). However, there are many problems associated with the existing latch mechanisms. A major disadvantage is that the operation of locking/unlocking the latch mechanism manually is inconvenient and is not state of the art. As a result, there was felt a need to develop a latch mechanism that can be operated electronically and is devoid of the shortcomings associated with the prior-art.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

One or more drawbacks of conventional latch mechanisms as described in the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through an electronic latch assembly as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic latch assembly comprising a primary latch plate comprising a slot. A pivotally mounted actuator lever comprises a first end engageable with the slot and a second end configured with a plunger. The plunger is coupled with an electronic actuating means and is movable longitudinally, along axis YY, thereby moving the actuator lever about hinge pin and allowing disengagement of the first end of the actuator lever with the slot of the primary latch plate from an engaged position.

In an embodiment, the first end of the actuator lever extends perpendicularly downwards with respect to the second end configured with the plunger. In an embodiment, the electronic actuating means is a solenoid.

In an embodiment, the primary latch plate is movable pivotally in a horizontal plane about the longitudinal axis YY.

In an embodiment, the primary latch plate is engageable with a groove of a secondary latch plate through a latch pin. In an embodiment, the secondary latch plate is loaded resiliently towards the latch pin by means of a first torsion spring about pivot pin.

In an embodiment, the disengagement of the first end of the actuator lever with the slot allows the primary latch plate to translate away from the secondary latch plate and the latch pin disengages with the groove. The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent with reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of the electronic latch assembly. Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the electronic latch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 3a and 3b depict an isometric view of whereby the electronic latch assembly is in locked condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figures 4a and 4b depict an isometric view of the electronic latch assembly whereby the solenoid plunger is actuated and the actuator lever is in disengaged condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 5 illustrates an isometric view whereby the electronic latch assembly is in unlocked condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 6 depicts the actuator lever according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the assemblies and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the invention is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Before describing in detail, the various embodiments of the present disclosure it may be observed that the novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with an electronic latch assembly for vehicles. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art can be motivated from the present disclosure and can perform various modifications. However, such modifications should be construed within the scope of the invention.

Accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly, setup, system, device that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system or device or setup. In other words, one or more elements in the system or apparatus or device proceeded by “comprises a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly or system or apparatus. The following paragraphs explain present disclosure. The invention in respect of the same may be deduced accordingly.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present disclosure to provide a latch assembly for two wheelers that can be operated electronically.

Accordingly, the present disclosure discloses an electronic latch assembly comprising a primary latch plate comprising a slot. A pivotally mounted actuator lever comprises a first end engageable with the slot and a second end configured with a plunger. The plunger is coupled with an electronic actuating means and is movable longitudinally, along axis YY, thereby moving the actuator lever about hinge pin and allowing disengagement of the first end of the actuator lever with the slot of the primary latch plate from an engaged position. The first end of the actuator lever extends perpendicularly downwards with respect to the second end configured with the plunger. The electronic actuating means is a solenoid. The primary latch plate is movable pivotally in a horizontal plane about an axis of the hinge pin. The primary latch plate is resiliently loaded and is engageable with a groove of a secondary latch plate through a latch pin. The secondary latch plate is loaded resiliently towards the latch pin by means of a first torsion spring about pivot pin. The disengagement of the first end of the actuator lever with the slot allows the user to move the primary latch plate. The primary latch plate rotates away from the secondary latch plate and the latch pin disengages with the groove. Once the user move the primary latch plate towards secondary latch plate at locked condition, the latch pin shift to move under the secondary latch plate surface. Thereby the primary latch plate get unlocked and rotate to unlock the latch after the user release the push force.

Reference will now be made to an electronic latch assembly which is explained with the help of figures. The figures are for the purpose of illustration only and should not be construed as limitations on the assembly and mechanism of the present disclosure. Wherever possible, referral numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts.

Figures 1 to 6 illustrate an electronic latch assembly (100) for vehicles according to the present disclosure. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the latch assembly (100) is configured to unlock a storage boot of the vehicle electronically. The latch assembly (100) comprises, amongst other components, an upper case (1) securable with a lower case (9) to define a hollow space therebetween. Disposed in the hollow space is a primary latch plate (3) and a secondary latch plate (2). The primary latch plate is loaded rotatably towards unlock position by means of second torsion spring (7) and pivoted about pivot pin (7). The primary latch plate comprises a slot (3a) and a latch pin (3b). The primary latch plate (3) is engageable with a groove (2a) of the secondary latch plate (2) through the latch pin (3b). The secondary latch plate is mounted in the lower case (9) pivotally about pivot pin (7). In the mounted condition, the secondary latch plate (2) is loaded rotatably towards the first latch plate (3) by means of a first torsion spring (6) about pivot pin (7).

The latch mechanism further comprises an actuator lever (16), as shown in Fig. 6. The actuator lever (16) comprises a first end (16a) and a second end (16b). The first end (16a) of the actuator lever (16) extends perpendicularly downwards with respect to the second end (16b) along axis YY. The first end (16a) is engageable with the slot (3a) of the primary latch plate (3) in the locked condition of the latch mechanism (100) such that the primary latch plate is immovable. The second end (16b) of the actuator lever (16) is configured with a plunger (8). The actuator lever (16) is pivotally mounted in the upper case (1) by means of a hinge pin (15) and is movable pivotally about the hinge pin (15) along the Axis of hinge pin (15).

The plunger (8) is coupled with an electronic actuating means and is movable longitudinally along axis YY, thereby moving the actuator lever (16) about hinge pin (15) and allowing disengagement of the first end (16a) of the actuator lever (16) with the slot (3 a) of the primary latch plate (3) from an engaged position. In one embodiment, the electronic actuating means is a solenoid (11) disposed in a solenoid housing (12). The plunger (8) is loaded longitudinally in the solenoid (11) by means of a spring (18). The solenoid housing (12) is secured through mounting screws (17) with the upper case (1) with a gasket (10) provided in between. In one non-limited embodiment the upper case (1) and lower case (9) are secured by means of screws (14) to configure the two cases sealably.

Referring to Figs. 3a-3b, the latch mechanism is normally in the closed position, i.e. the plunger (8) is in an unactuated condition and the first end (16a) of the actuator lever (16) is engaged with the slot (3a) of the primary latch plate (3) and the latch pin (3b) is received in the groove (2a) of the secondary latch plate (2) such that the primary and secondary latch plates (3) and (2) are immovable and cannot be rotated to unlock the latch mechanism. Upon activation of the solenoid (11), the plunger (8) is actuated and translates longitudinally along axis YY upwardly. Since the second end (16b) of the actuator lever (16) is configured with the plunger (8), upward movement of the plunger (8) causes rotation of the actuator lever (16) about hinge pin (15). As a result, the first end (16a) of the actuator lever (16) disengages with the slot (3a) and primary and secondary latch plates (3) and (2) can be rotated in an anti-clockwise direction to unlock the latch mechanism. In the unlocked condition, the latch pin (3b) of the primary latch plate (3) is in disengaged condition with the groove (2a) of the secondary latch plate (2) and the primary latch plate moves to unlock position wherein the peripheral component cover in vehicle is opened. In one non-limiting embodiment, the electronic latch mechanism may comprise one or more additional elements in accordance with the specific application.

List of reference numerals:

25 Equivalents:

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

The claims:

1. An electronic latch assembly (100) comprising: a primary latch plate (3) comprising a slot (3 a); a pivotally mounted actuator lever (16) comprising: a first end (16a) engageable with the slot (3 a); a second end (16b) configured with a plunger (8); wherein, the plunger (8) is coupled with an electronic actuating means and is movable longitudinally, along axis YY, thereby moving the actuator lever (16) about hinge pin (15) and allowing disengagement of the first end (16a) of the actuator lever (16) with the slot (3a) of the primary latch plate (3) from an engaged position.

2. The electronic latch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end (16a) of the actuator lever (16) extends perpendicularly downwards with respect to the second end (16b) configured with the plunger (8).

3. The electronic latch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic actuating means is a solenoid (11).

4. The electronic latch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary latch plate (3) is movable pivotally in a horizontal plane about the longitudinal axis YY.

5. The electronic latch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary latch plate (3) is engageable with a groove (2a) of a secondary latch plate (2) through a latch pin (3b).

6. The electronic latch assembly (100) as claimed in claims 1 and 5, wherein the secondary latch plate (2) is loaded resiliently towards the latch pin (3b) by means of a first torsion spring (6) about pivot pin (7).

7. The electronic latch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 and 5, wherein the disengagement of the first end (16a) of the actuator lever (16) with the slot (3a) allows the primary latch plate (3) to translate away from the secondary latch plate (2) and the latch pin (3b) disengages with the groove (2a).