DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a closure system of a vehicle hood. A hood is defined as a front compartment of a vehicle closed by a lid.

Closure systems of a vehicle hood are known, which comprise a U- shaped pin, commonly called “striker”, which is engaged in a lock.

WO201 9141394A1 , in the name of the same applicant, describes a lock for a vehicle comprising a catch that engages the striker, a stop lever, commonly called “pawl”, which is engaged with the catch to lock and hold the catch in closed position, and a safety lever to prevent the hood from opening when the hood is in safety closed position.

WO2021 121883A1 , in the name of the same applicant, describes a lock comprising a catch, a pawl and an ejection spring that pushes the striker into an open position.

Therefore the closure systems of the prior art comprise locks equipped with a safety lever and an ejection spring that increase the complexity, the cost, and the size of the lock.

In addition, the closure systems of the prior art are not fully automated and provide for opening the hood by pushing the ejection spring and for closing the hood by gravity, i.e. the weight of the lid of the hood pushes down the striker that enters the lock and then the user must manually push the hood down.

WO201 7/025081 describes a bayonet-type closure system of a vehicle hood.

IT201800010173, in the name of the same applicant, describes a vehicle lock with a force multiplier system.

EP2119857 describes a system and method for motorised closing of a vehicle door.

US2019/376323 describes a method for operating a vehicle lock. The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a closure system of a vehicle hood that is fully automated.

Another purpose is to provide such a closure system of a vehicle hood provided with a lock that is practical, space-saving, inexpensive, and easy to make and install.

Another purpose is to provide such a closure system of a vehicle hood that is versatile and suitable for being applied to parts that are commonly available on the market.

These purposes are achieved in accordance with the invention with the features of the appended independent claim 1 .

Advantageous embodiments of the invention appear from the dependent claims.

Further features of the invention will appear clearer from the following detailed description, which refers to a purely illustrative and therefore nonlimiting embodiment thereof, illustrated in the appended drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the closure system of a vehicle hood according to the invention in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a view as Fig. 1 , illustrating the closure system of a vehicle hood according to the invention in open position;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the striker of the closure system of a vehicle hood of Fig.1 ;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the lock of the closure system of a vehicle hood of Fig.1 ;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the catch of the lock of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the pawl of the lock of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a front view of the catch and of the pawl of the lock of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a first actuator of the closure system of a vehicle hood Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a second actuator of the closure system of a vehicle hood of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 9A is an exploded view of the second actuator of Fig. 9; Fig. 9B is a perspective view illustrating the striker assembly and the second actuator with the roto-translating pin in retracted position disengaged from the seat of the striker assembly;

Fig. 9C is a perspective view illustrating the striker assembly and the second actuator with the head of the roto-translating pin that engages the seat of the striker assembly;

Figs. 10 to 13 are four front views of the closure system of a vehicle hood of Fig. 2, illustrating the closure system in four steps from a closed position to an open position; and

Fig. 14 is a front view of the closure system of a vehicle hood of Fig. 2, during a closing step.

With the aid of the Figures, the closure system of a vehicle hood is described according to the invention, it being generally indicated with reference numeral 100.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the closure system (100) comprises a lock (1 ), a striker assembly (2), a first actuator (3) to operate the lock (1 ), and a second actuator (4) to operate the striker assembly (2).

The striker assembly (2) is attached to a lid of the vehicle hood. The lock (1 ), the first actuator (3) and the second actuator (4) are attached to the body of the vehicle.

Referring to Fig. 3, the striker assembly (2) comprises a mounting plate (20) suitable for being attached to the lid of the hood and a striker (21 ) that projects inferiorly from the mounting plate (20). The striker (21 ) comprises a U- shaped pin having a transverse rod (22) connected to two side rods (23).

A bracket (24) projects from the mounting plate (20). The bracket (24) has a retaining seat (25). The retaining seat (25) comprises a slot (26) obtained on the bracket.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, the lock (1 ) comprises a frame (10) that is shaped like a box and comprises a base plate (1 1 ) and a front plate (12).

The lock (1 ) comprises a catch (5) and a pawl (6) pivoted to the frame (10) between the base plate (1 1 ) and the front plate (12). The frame (10) has a slot (13) in the shape of a "U," machined in the base plate and in the front plate, suitable for accommodating the striker (21 ).

A first pivoting pin (P1 ) and a second pivoting pin (P2) are arranged in the frame (10) to pivot the catch (5) around a first pivoting axis and the pawl (6) around a second pivoting axis. The two pivoting axes are parallel to each other and orthogonal to the base plate (1 1 ).

Referring to Figs. 5 and 7, the catch (5) comprises a central portion (50) arranged around the first pivoting pin (P1 ). An arm (51 ) projects from the central portion. A U-shaped engagement seat (52) is obtained in the arm (51 ) to engage the striker (21 ) when it is in the slot (13) of the frame, in order to close the lock, as shown in Fig. 2.

A first stop tooth (53) is arranged above the engagement seat (52). A second stop tooth (54) is arranged at the entrance of the engagement seat (52). The first stop tooth (53) has a cam surface (57) facing the engagement seat (52). The second stop tooth (54) has a cam surface (58) arranged outside the engagement seat (52).

A stop lever (55) projects from the arm (51 ) below the engagement seat (52) and towards the pawl (6).

The catch (5) comprises a projection (56) that projects from the central portion (50) in opposite direction relative to the arm (51 ). The projection (56) has a cam profile (59).

The catch (5) can rotate around the first pivoting pin (P1 ) to move from a closed position (Fig. 10), wherein it locks the striker (21 ), to an open position (Fig. 13), wherein it releases the striker (21 ). The catch (5) can assume an intermediate closed position (Fig. 1 1 ) between the closed position and the open position.

A first spring (not shown in the figures) pushes the catch (5) towards the open position.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the pawl (6) comprises a central portion (60) arranged around the second pivoting pin (P2). A first arm (61 a) and a second arm (61 b) project from the central portion (60) of the pawl in opposite directions. A stop tooth (62) is provided on the first arm of the pawl. The stop tooth (62) of the pawl is suitable for abutting against the first stop tooth (53) of the catch disposed above the engagement seat (50) of the catch to lock the catch (5) in the closed position.

The stop tooth (62) of the pawl is suitable for abutting also against the second stop tooth (54) of the catch to lock the catch (2) in the intermediate closed position (Fig. 1 1 ).

The stop tooth (62) of the pawl has a cam surface (68) suitable for cooperating with the cam surface (57) of the first stop tooth of the catch and with the cam surface (58) of the second stop tooth of the catch.

The pawl (6) comprises a stop lever (65) projecting from the second arm (61 b) of the pawl towards the catch (5) to cooperate with the stop lever (55) of the catch.

The pawl (6) can rotate around the second pivoting pin (P2) to move from a locking position (Fig. 10), wherein it locks the catch (5), to an unlocked position (Fig. 12), wherein it releases the catch (5). The pawl (6) can be disposed in intermediate locking position (Fig. 1 1 ), wherein it locks the catch in the intermediate locking position.

The pawl (6) is stressed in the locking position by a second spring (not shown in the figures).

The pawl (6) is moved by the first actuator (3) that operates the second arm (61 b) of the pawl.

A flange (64) is arranged in the second arm (61 b) of the pawl. The flange (64) of the pawl accommodates a ball (33) of a Bowden cable (32) connected to the first actuator (3).

Referring to Fig. 8, the first actuator (30) is a linear actuator having a piston (31 ) sliding in a cylinder (47). The Bowden cable (32) is connected to the piston (31 ). For this purpose, the piston (31 ) has a plate (34) with a slot (35) to engage the Bowden cable (32).

Referring to Fig. 9, the second actuator (4) is a linear actuator comprising a pin (41 ) movably mounted in a body (40) of the second actuator. The pin (41 ) has a head (42) suitable for engaging in the retaining seat (25) of the striker assembly. The pin (41 ) can translate from a retracted closed position, shown in Fig. 10, to an extracted open position, shown in Fig. 12. The pin (41 ) can also assume an intermediate position, shown in Fig. 1 1.

The pin (41 ) is a roto-translating pin capable of rotating and translating. In such a case, the roto-translating pin (41 ) has a head (42) in the shape of a "T," comprising two lateral elements (43) that project in diametrically opposite directions. The head (42) of the roto-translating pin is suitable for entering the slot (26) of the bracket (24) of the striker assembly. In such a situation, a rotation of the pin (41 ) causes the lateral elements (43) of the head of the pin to come out of the side openings of the retaining seat (25) so that the head (42) of the pin is retained in the retaining seat (25).

Referring to Figs. 9, 9A, 9B, and 9C, the pin (41 ) of the second actuator comprises a cylinder (47), a rod (48) slidingly and rotatably mounted in the cylinder (47), and a spring (49) arranged between the cylinder (47) and the rod (48) to stress the rod (48) to an extracted position. The head (42) of the pin is at one end of the rod (48) extracted from the cylinder (47).

The cylinder (47) of the pin has a slot (147) of helical shape that acts as a cam. The rod (48) has a rectangular cross section and has a projection (48a) that acts as a follower to cooperate with the slot (147) of the cylinder. The slot (147) of the cylinder has a first end (147a) and a second end (147b).

With reference to Fig. 9B, in the initial condition, when the roto- translating pin (41 ) is in the retracted position, the projection (48a) of the rod is abutting the first end (147a) of the slot of the cylinder and the head (42) of the rod is transverse to the slot (26) of the bracket of the striker assembly. During an ascending travel of the roto-translating pin (41 ), the cylinder (47) translates upward until the head (42) of the rod abuts against the bracket (24) of the striker assembly. As the cylinder (47) continues to move upward, whereas the head (42) is blocked by the bracket (24), the cylinder (47) slides on the rod, compressing the spring (49); thus the projection (48a) of the rod slides into the slot (147) of the cylinder towards the second end (147b) of the slot, and the rod (48) together with the head (42) begin to roto-tran slate, until the head (42) is disposed in parallel position and in register with the slot (26) of the bracket of the striker assembly, and therefore the head (42) enters the retaining seat (25) defined by the slot of the striker assembly. Once the head (42) of the rod of the roto-translating pin has entered the slot (26), the spring (49) pushes the rod (48) and the projection (48a) of the rod moves into the slot (147) of the cylinder from the second end (147b) to the first end (147a), until it abuts against the first end (147a). In this way, the head (42) of the rod makes a roto-translation and is disposed transversely to the slot (26) of the bracket of the striker assembly so as to hold the bracket (24), as shown in Fig. 9C.

Starting from Fig. 9C, in order to disengage the head (42) of the roto- translating pin from the slot (26) of the striker assembly, the cylinder (47) is translated downward. Since the head (42) of the rod is abutting over the bracket (24), the projection (48a) of the rod is forced to slide with respect to the slot (147) of the cylinder from the first end (147a) to the second end (147b); therefore the head (42) of the rod makes a roto-translation and is disposed in parallel position and in register with the slot (26) of the bracket of the striker assembly. In this way, the head (42) of the rod enters the slot (26) and disengages from the retaining seat (25) of the striker assembly.

The second actuator (4) comprises an electric motor (44) that rotatably drives an endless screw (45) that meshes into a gear (46) that moves the pin (41 ).

The actuator (4) is a non-reversible type. The term “non-reversible” means that the movement of the pin (41 ) from the retracted position to the extracted position and vice versa can only be performed by the electric motor (44) and not by applying a force directly on the pin (41 ).

With reference to Fig. 2, the closure system (100) comprises detection means (M) suitable for detecting a position of the catch (5). The detection means (M) comprise two micro-switches (M1 , M2) arranged in the frame (1 ) of the lock at the projection (56) of the catch. Each micro-switch (M1 , M2) has an electrical contact (L1 , L2), of reed type, facing the cam profile (59) of the projection of the catch.

Following is a description of the closure system (100).

Referring to Fig. 10, the lid of the hood is completely closed and the closure system (100) is in closed condition. The lock (1 ) is in a completely closed condition. The striker (21 ) is locked in the engagement seat (52) of the catch. The catch (5) is in closed condition, it being locked by the pawl (6) which is in locked position.

The head (42) of the roto-translating pin is engaged in the retaining seat (25) of the bracket of the striker assembly, and the lateral elements (43) of the head of the roto-translating pin are transverse to the slot (26) of the striker assembly, so as to retain the striker assembly.

In such a situation, the electrical contacts (L1 , L2) of the two microswitches are open and therefore the detection means (M) detect that the catch (5) is in closed position.

To open the lock (1 ), the user operates the first actuator (3), which pulls the Bowden cable (32) in the direction of the arrow F1 . As a result, the pawl (6) rotates around the second pivoting pin (P2) in the direction of the arrow F2. The stop tooth (62) of the pawl disengages the stop tooth (53) of the catch. In the meantime, the spring of the pawl is loaded.

The catch (5) does not move, because the striker assembly (2) is held by the second actuator (4) and the striker (21 ) cannot be lifted upwards.

The second actuator (4) is operated with a delay time (e.g., 1 second) with respect to the operation of the first actuator (3). The actuation of the second actuator (4) causes the roto-translating pin (41 ) to be lifted upward, in the direction of the arrow F3. In such a case, the rod (48) of the pin of the second actuator slides into the slot (26) of the striker assembly, and the cylinder (47) of the pin of the second actuator abuts against the striker assembly (2). At this stage, the cylinder (41 ) of the second actuator translates and the rod (48) does not rotate.

At this point, since the catch (5) is disengaged from the pawl (6) and the striker (21 ) has lifted up, the catch (5) can rotate around the first pivoting pin (P1 ) in the direction of the arrow F4, by means of the thrust of the spring of the catch, so as to partially disengage the striker (21 ) from the engagement seat (52) of the catch.

During the rotation of the catch (5) around the first pivoting pin (P1 ), the stop arm (55) of the catch abuts against the stop arm (65) of the pawl, preventing the catch (5) from moving to its completely open position. In such a situation, the stop tooth (62) of the pawl is located at the engagement seat (52) of the catch between the second stop tooth (54) and the first stop tooth (53) of the catch.

When the pulling of the Bowden cable (32) of the pawl is released, the pawl (6) rotates in the opposite direction to that of the arrow F2, by means of the thrust of the spring of the pawl, returning to an intermediate locking position, wherein the stop tooth (62) of the pawl engages with the second stop tooth (54) of the catch, which is in the intermediate locking position, as shown in Fig. 1 1 .

The striker (21 ) has made a travel of a few millimeters in the slot (13) of the frame of the lock.

At this point, the lid of the hood is in partially closed condition (safety closure). In fact, the striker (21 ) has made an upward travel of a few millimeters, causing the lid of the hood to lift slightly, but the striker (21 ) is still retained in the engagement seat (52) of the catch, and the catch is locked by the pawl in the intermediate locking position, preventing a full opening of the lid of the hood. The roto-translating pin (41 ) is in intermediate position wherein the cylinder (47) of the pin of the second actuator is abutting on the bracket (24) of the striker assembly (2).

To achieve the complete opening of the hood, the user operates the first actuator (3) for a second time, pulling the Bowden cable (32) in the direction of the arrow F5 and causing the pawl (6) to rotate around the second pivoting pin (P2) in the direction of the arrow F6. Such a rotation of the pawl (6) causes a disengagement of the stop tooth (62) of the pawl from the second stop tooth (54) of the catch. In the meantime, the spring of the pawl is loaded.

The striker assembly (2) does not rise until the pin (41 ) of the second actuator begins to translate further upward, generating a force necessary to lift the lid of the hood.

The second actuator (4) is operated for the second time with a time delay (e.g., 1 second) with respect to the second actuation of the first actuator (3). The actuation of the second actuator (4) causes a lifting of the roto-translating pin (41 ), specifically a lifting of the cylinder (47) of the roto-translating pin, in the direction of the arrow F7, which pushes the striker assembly (2).

In such a situation, the contact (L2) of the second microswitch (M2) has been pushed by the cam profile (59) of the projection of the catch and is therefore closed, whereas the electrical contact (L1 ) of the first microswitch (M1 ) remains open. Therefore the detection means (M) detect that the catch (5) is in intermediate closed position.

At this point, since the catch (5) is disengaged from the pawl (6), the catch (5) can rotate around the first pivoting pin (P1 ) in the direction of the arrow F8, by means of the thrust of the spring of the catch, so as to completly disengage the striker (21 ) from the engagement seat (52) of the catch, as shown in Fig. 12.

With reference to Fig. 12, in such a situation, the roto-translating pin (41 ) has performed a rotation and is in open position, wherein the lateral element (43) of the rod of the roto-translating pin are aligned with the slot (26) of the striker assembly (2); as a result, the striker assembly (2) can be opened without being held by the head (42) of the roto-translating pin. Therefore the second actuator (4) is disengaged from the striker assembly (2) and the lid of the hood can be lifted either manually or by means of actuators.

In such a situation, both the electrical contact (L1 ) of the first microswitch and the electrical contact (L2) of the second microswitch have been pushed by the cam profile (59) of the projection of the catch and thus are both closed. Therefore the detection means (M) detect that the catch (5) is in open position.

When the pulling of the Bowden cable (32) is released, the pawl (6) rotates in the direction of the arrow F9 pushed by the spring of the pawl. The cam surface (68) of the stop tooth (62) of the pawl abuts against the cam surface (58) of the second stop tooth (54) of the catch.

After a delay time (e.g., 1 second) from when the detection means (M) have detected that the catch (5) is in open position, the second actuator (4) is actuated and the roto-translating pin (41 ) translates downward in the direction of the arrow F10, returning to the overstroke position, as shown in Fig. 13. With reference to Fig. 13, when the lock (1 ) is to be closed, the lid of the hood is lowered (either manually or by means of actuators) and the striker (21 ) enters the slot (13) of the frame in the direction of the arrow F1 1 , pushing the catch (5) which rotates around the first pivoting pin (P1 ) in the direction of the arrow F12. As a result, the cam surface (58) of the second stop tooth (54) of the catch slides over the cam surface (68) of the stop tooth of the pawl, and the pawl rotates in the direction of the arrow F13, so that the stop tooth (62) of the pawl passes over the second stop tooth (54) of the catch, as shown in Fig. 14.

In the transition from the position of Fig. 13 to the position of Fig. 14, the roto-translating pin (41 ) rises to its extracted position and the head (42) of the roto-translating pin enters the slot (26) of the bracket of the striker assembly.

In such a situation, the catch (5) is in intermediate closed position.

It should be noted that the head (42) of the roto-translating pin is in the retaining seat (25) of the bracket of the striker assembly.

When the detection means (M) detect that the catch (5) has moved from the open position to the intermediate closed position, the second actuator (4) is operated to move the roto-translating pin (41 ) from the intermediate position to the retracted position, in the direction of the arrow F14. In such a way, the roto-translating pin (41 ) drags the striker assembly (2) along to the fully closed position.

As a result, the striker (41 ) enters the slot (13) of the frame, the cam surface (57) of the first stop tooth (54) of the catch slides over the cam surface (58) of the stop tooth of the pawl and the pawl continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow F15, until the stop tooth (62) of the pawl passes the first stop tooth (53) of the catch. At this point, the spring of the pawl pushes the pawl which rotates in the opposite direction, so that the stop tooth (62) of the pawl engages with the first stop tooth (53) of the catch in the fully closed position shown in Fig. 10.

Equivalent variations and modifications may be made to the present embodiment of the invention, within the scope of a person skilled in the art, but still within the scope of the invention as expressed by the appended claims.