JPH048209Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention relates to a locking device for a hood that covers the engine compartment of a vehicle.

[Conventional technology]

Generally, with a vehicle hood lock device, the hood is opened slightly by pulling the release wire inside the vehicle interior, and then the safety lock is released by inserting your hand between the front end of the hood and the vehicle body. Normally, the hood could be opened wide by operating the hood.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the hood lock device is provided on the inner surface of the front end of the hood (not shown), that is, on the upper front side of the radiator 30, to facilitate the release operation of the safety lock.

Here, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, conventional food lock devices will be explained using first and second conventional examples.

First, as a first prior art example, the ``automobile bonnet lock device'' disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 14195/1983 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 will be described.

In the figure, 1 is the hood or bonnet of an automobile, and although the bonnet 1 is not shown,
The rear part is hinged to the vehicle body and can be opened and closed in the front. 2 is a nose panel provided at the front of the bonnet 1, 3 is a nose panel 2
It is a front grill installed at the bottom of the front end.
Further, 4 is a bumper provided at the front of the vehicle body, 5 is a nose fin provided at the lower part of the bumper 4 for introducing cooling air, and 6 is a front spoiler. Furthermore, 7 is a radiator shroud upper that constitutes a part of a member that supports a radiator (not shown) disposed below the front end of the bonnet 1, and 8 forms a closed section on the lower side of the front end of the bonnet 1. 9 is a frame, and 10 is a first cross member.

At the lower front end of the bonnet 1, a cutout 11 is formed by cutting out a part of the stiffener 8, and a striker 12 is disposed in the cutout 11 in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, a lock base 13 is fixed to the radiator shroud upper 7, and the upper part of the lock base 13 has a notch 1 into which the striker 12 fits when the bonnet 1 is closed.
4 is formed. In addition, the above lock base 1
3 is provided with a latch mechanism 15, which engages with the striker 12 when the bonnet 1 is closed, thereby making it impossible for the striker 12 to separate from the notch 14. While locking the striker 12, the latch mechanism 15 can be released from the locking engagement with the striker 12 by pulling a release wire (not shown) from inside the vehicle.

Further, the lock base 13 is provided with the striker 1 at a position where the bonnet 1 is slightly open from the bonnet lock position by the latch mechanism 15.
A safety mechanism 16 that engages with the striker 12 is provided, and the safety mechanism 16 includes a hook member 17 that engages with the striker 12 and an operating member 18 that swings the hook member 17 to release the engagement with the striker 12. It is composed of: The hook member 17 is swingably supported on the lock base 13 via a pin 19, and is rotated by a first spring 20 in the direction in which it engages the striker 12 (clockwise in FIG. 6). The hook member 1 is biased and rotated in the engagement direction (clockwise) by a stopper (not shown) to a predetermined position (i.e., the hook member 1
7 engages with the striker 12).

Further, the operation member 18 is connected to the hook member 17.
It is pivotably supported at the other end via a pin 21, and is rotationally biased by a second spring 22 in the direction of releasing the striker 12 (counterclockwise in FIG. 6). Further, the operating member 18 is provided with a protruding stopper 23 that engages with the hook member 17 so as to restrict its rotation in the release direction (counterclockwise direction) to the set position. At this time, the bonnet 1 (stiffener 8) contacts the bonnet 1 (stiffener 8) and rotates in the opposite direction to the direction in which the striker 12 is released against the biasing force of the second spring 22, and is also locked by the latch mechanism 15 of the bonnet 1. When the bonnet 1 is released (that is, when the bonnet 1 is in a slightly open position), the second spring 22 is biased to float to the set position regulated by the stopper 23.

The spring force of the second spring 22 is controlled by the spring force of the first spring 20 so that only the operating member 18 can swing independently of the hook member 17 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the striker 12 is released. It is set smaller than the force.

Therefore, in the above configuration example, when the bonnet 1 is closed as shown in FIG.
As shown by solid lines in FIG. 6, the latch mechanism 15 is engaged with the striker 12, and the bonnet 1 is locked. At this time, the hook member 17 of the safety mechanism 16 is located at a position where it can engage with the striker 12 regulated by a stopper (not shown) due to the biasing force of the first spring 20. The operating member 18 of the mechanism 16 makes contact with the bonnet 1 (stiffener 8), resists the biasing force of the second spring 22, and operates the striker 12.
It rotates in the opposite direction (clockwise) to the direction in which it is released, and is in a sunken position.

Then, when a release wire (not shown) is pulled from inside the vehicle to open the bonnet 1, the locking engagement between the striker 12 and the latch mechanism 15 is released, and the bonnet 1 is opened as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. , due to the force of a spring (not shown),
The bonnet is opened to a position slightly more open than the above-mentioned lock position, and at that position, the striker 12 and the hook member 17 of the safety mechanism 16 can be engaged, and as shown in FIG. A gap t is formed that is large enough to insert the . At this time, the operating member 18 of the safety mechanism 16 is released from the pressure by the bonnet 1 (stiffener 8), and is moved to the stopper 2 by the biasing force of the second spring 22, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG.
3 and the hook member 17 engage with each other, and is located at a position where it can be easily operated by hand from the above-mentioned distance t.

Thereafter, when the user inserts his or her hand from the space t and rotates the operating member 18 in the release direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 6), the stopper 23 is attached to the operating member 18 in the release direction. The hook member 17 that is integrally engaged with the striker 12 is also rotated in the release direction (counterclockwise) against the biasing force of the first spring 20, and the hook member 17 and the striker 12 are engaged with each other. is canceled. After that, the bonnet 1 can be opened wide by hand.

Next, as a second conventional example, the "mounting structure for a vehicle hood lock" disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 57-8263 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 will be described.

As shown in the figure, this lock is attached to either a hood lock housing 28 housing a locking mechanism having a latch 15 and a locking plate 27 for locking the hood 1 of the vehicle, or a mounting member of the hood lock mechanism 29 on the vehicle body side. This structure is characterized in that an engaging piece is provided and a fitting hole into which the engaging piece fits is provided on the other side.

Further, in FIG. 7, 32 is a release cable connected to a hood lock release lever (not shown) in the vehicle interior, and by pulling the wire 33 passed through this cable, the locking plate 2 is released.
7 to release the hood lock mechanism 29.

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

The conventional vehicle hood locking device configured as described above has a radiator 3 as shown in FIG.
0 at the front and upper position. For this reason, when trying to design a hood (not shown) from the radiator 30 to the front free end of the hood with good aerodynamic characteristics by having a low and forward-slanted front end surface, this becomes an obstacle in the structural design. There was a problem in that the forward-leaning design of the front end face was severely restricted.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, when this hood lock device is located in front of the radiator, the latch mechanism 1 of the hood lock device
A release cable 32 that connects the locking plate 27 to a hood lock release lever (not shown) in the vehicle interior is connected to the first cross member 1 in the engine compartment (not shown) in order to release the locking plate 27.
It is provided so that it is routed around 0. Therefore, when the user inserts a hand between the nose fins 5 or from behind the front spoiler 6 and strongly pulls the release cable 32, the latch mechanism 15 is released.

By exploiting such means, the hood 1 may be opened and parts inside the engine compartment may be stolen.
There was a problem in that the entire vehicle could be stolen using this as a clue.

Furthermore, since the hood lock device is visible from between the front grille 3, there is a problem in that the appearance of the vehicle from the front is poor.

In view of the above points, this invention prevents the hood lock device from restricting the design of the front end of the hood, and allows the release cable to be routed to the back of the engine room so that it is out of reach to prevent theft. Furthermore, the purpose is to make this food lock device invisible from the outside.

[Means for solving problems]

In the vehicle hood lock device of the present invention, the lock device main body is provided behind the radiator, and the operating member for releasing the safety mechanism is arranged such that it surrounds the upper part of the radiator and does not come into contact with the radiator. A member formed as shown in FIG. Features.

[Effect]

By configuring as described above, it is possible to release the safety mechanism of the hood lock device by operating the operating member near the front end of the hood, and it also eliminates restrictions on the structural design of the hood in front of the radiator. This function increases the degree of freedom by allowing the front end of the hood to be designed to be low and tilted forward, and it also allows the release cable extending from the latch mechanism of the hood lock device to be out of reach from the outside. It has the effect of being able to be installed by being routed toward the back of the engine room.

〔Example〕

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the vehicle hood lock device of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Note that in FIGS. 1 and 2, parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 3 to 8 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the main parts of the front part of the vehicle provided with a hood lock device, in which 1 is a hood, 4 is a bumper, 12 is a striker, and 30 is a radiator. An air conditioner condenser 50 is provided in front of the radiator 30.

Further, a stay 51 is provided at the rear free end of the radiator 30 to receive a vertical load due to the provision of a hood lock device.

In the food lock device shown in the figure, 15 is a latch mechanism;
52 is a spring for biasing the latch mechanism 15.

Further, this hood lock device includes a lock base 53 fixed to the radiator shroud upper 7.
Supported by

This lock base 53 includes a cross-sectional member 53a fixed to the radiator shroud upper 7,
It consists of a cross-sectional shaped member 53b which is integrally bent and continuous therewith.

The safety mechanism 16 of the hood lock device is mounted on this lock base 53.

This safety mechanism 16 includes a cross-sectional member 55 forming a hook member 17 that engages with the striker 12 at its free end, and a release lever 1 integrally formed therewith and forming an operating member 18.
8a at its free end.
It consists of 6.

This cross-sectional member 55 has a lock base 53.
It is formed to be one size larger than the cross-sectional member 53b, and is positioned so as to surround the outside of the cross-sectional member 53b as shown. A through hole is bored to connect these linearly, and a first shaft pin 57 is connected to the lock base 53 so that the cross-sectional member 55 can be pivoted at a predetermined angle.

At the same time, the cross-sectional member 56 is formed to be one size smaller than the lock base cross-sectional member 53a, and the cross-sectional member 56 is formed so as to extend beyond the upper part of the radiator 30 on its inner side to perform the required operation. A through hole is bored through the free end side 53c of 53a and the side of the cross-sectional member 56, and the second axial pin 58 is inserted coaxially with the first axial pin 57 through the hole.

Further, the operating member 18 is bent at right angles from this cross-sectional member 56 and is used as a release lever 18a for the hood 1 in the engine room.
It is configured to be located at a predetermined position nearby.

By configuring as described above, the operating member 1
8, by operating the release lever 18a in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG.
7 and the second shaft pin 58 by the required angle without being obstructed by the radiator 30, and as shown in FIG. When the hook member 17 is slightly opened and engaged with the hook member 17, it is operated to release the engagement between the hook member 17 and the striker 12.

Note that the above-mentioned food lock device can be replaced with the structure of the lock device of the above-mentioned first conventional example or second conventional example. In this case, for example, the hood lock device in the first conventional example is provided behind the radiator 30, and the release lever 18a formed on the operating member 18 of the safety mechanism 16 is attached to the lock base 53 of the present embodiment with the first shaft pin 57 and the release lever 18a. The release lever 18a, which is an operating member 18 that is pivoted by a biaxial pin 58 and extends beyond the radiator 30 with the cross-sectional member 56 to a predetermined position, may be configured to perform the release operation.

Furthermore, in the hood lock device of the second conventional example, if this is provided behind the radiator 30 and used as the structure of the release lever 18a formed by the operation member 18 of the safety mechanism 16, it can be configured to perform the release operation. good. Further, it can be applied as a configuration of various other types of food lock devices.

[Effect of idea]

As described above in detail, the vehicle hood lock device of the present invention is provided at the rear of the radiator, and its safety mechanism pivotally supports the radiator etc. on the lock base, and the distal end of the operating member 18 and the release lever 18a formed within the engine compartment. The hook member is located at a predetermined position near the front end of the hood in the engine compartment, and the operation of this operating member releases the engagement between the hook member and the striker, thereby eliminating structural design constraints on the front part of the radiator in the engine compartment. Remove the hood, and lower the front end of the hood by a wide width.
Since it is possible to lower the front of the hood and create a lower, more forward-leaning shape, we can expand the degree of freedom in shaping, improve the design to have better aerodynamic characteristics, and improve the aerodynamic characteristics. The front view can be widened by lowering the face.

In addition, since the hood lock device body is located at the rear of the radiator, the release cable connected to the latch mechanism can be routed around the rear of the radiator shroud upper to prevent access from the outside. Theft can be prevented by releasing the .

In addition, since the hood lock device is hidden behind the radiator, it is not visible from the front of the vehicle, giving it a beautiful appearance and eliminating the hassle of painting the hood lock device black so that it is not noticeable from the outside. It can be omitted.

Furthermore, since the hood lock device and stay located in front of the radiator have been moved to the rear, there is an effect that the effect of guiding cooling air to the radiator can be improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main parts showing one embodiment of the vehicle hood lock device of the present invention, and FIG.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the installation state of a conventional food lock device.
FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the main parts of the first conventional example with the hood closed, and FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the main parts with the hood slightly open.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view showing the locking device part taken out, FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view showing the second conventional locking device taken out, and FIG. 8 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the main part thereof. . DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Hood (bonnet), 12...Striker, 16...Safety mechanism, 17...Hook member, 18...Operation member, 18a...Release lever, 30...Radiator, 53...Lock base.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A hook member 17 that engages with a striker 12 at the rear of a radiator 30 provided in the engine room of a vehicle, and an operating member 1 that performs an operation to release the engagement.
A member 56 is provided in the safety mechanism 16 of the hood lock device to surround the upper part of the radiator 30 and not to come into contact with the radiator 30. A release lever 18a is provided, and the member 56 and the lock base 53 are rotatably connected by shaft pins 57 and 58, and the release lever 18a forms the operating member 18 extending from the member 56.
A hood lock device for a vehicle, characterized in that the striker 12 extends to the vicinity of the front end of the hood 1, and the engagement between the striker 12 and the hook member 17 is released by operating the release lever 18a.