VEHICLE TAILGATE LOCKING DEVICE

• US 20180223568A1
• Filed: 10/16/2017
• Published: 08/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.), Pyeong Hwa Automotive Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.), Pyeong Hwa Automotive Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Cho, Ki Hyun, Yoo, Ji-Hak
• Granted Patent: US 10,941,591 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/06 using rotary motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/15 with means preventing the detent to return to its latching position before the bolt has moved to the unlatched position
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/30 Rotary elements
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/34 of geared transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/18 for car boot lids or rear luggage compartments

Abstract

A vehicle tailgate locking device may include a latch assembly configured to engage or disengage a striker, wherein the latch assembly includes a housing, a latch member disposed in the housing and configured to engage or disengage the striker by rotation, a pawl member rotatably disposed in the housing to restrain or release the latch member, a driving device configured to rotate the pawl member to release restraint of the latch member, an engaging member configured to restrain the pawl member by engaging the pawl member when the pawl member rotates to a position releasing restraint of the latch member, and a releasing portion configured to press the engaging member to release the restraint of the pawl member when the latch member is rotated to a position releasing the engagement of the striker.

Claims

1. A vehicle tailgate locking device comprising:

a latch assembly configured to engage or disengage a striker,

wherein the latch assembly comprises

a housing;

a latch member disposed in the housing and configured to engage or disengage the striker by rotation thereof;

a pawl member rotatably disposed in the housing to restrain or release the latch member;

a driving device configured to rotate the pawl member to release restraint of the latch member;

an engaging member configured to restrain the pawl member by engaging the pawl member when the pawl member rotates to a position releasing the restraint of the latch member; and

a releasing portion configured to press the engaging member to release the restraint of the pawl member when the latch member is rotated to a position releasing the engagement of the striker.

2. The vehicle tailgate locking device of claim 1, wherein

the pawl member comprises a first engaging jaw which is engaged with the engaging member, and

the engaging member comprises a second engaging jaw with which the first engaging jaw is engaged.

3. The vehicle tailgate locking device of claim 2, wherein

the engaging member is formed integrally with the housing, and comprises a portion elastically deformably connected to the housing and a remaining portion separated from the housing by incision.

4. The vehicle tailgate locking device of claim 2, wherein

the engaging member comprises a protrusion protruding toward the releasing portion at a position corresponding to the releasing portion, and

the releasing portion comprises a pressing portion provided on the latch member to protrude along a rotational locus and an inclined surface formed obliquely at a tip portion of the pressing portion.

5. The vehicle tailgate locking device of claim 1, wherein

the driving device includes:

a worm wheel rotatably disposed in the housing and having a protrusion configured to rotate a free end portion of the pawl member;

a worm coupled to an external periphery of the worm wheel; and

a motor configured for rotating the worm.

6. The vehicle tailgate locking device of claim 5, wherein

the pawl member comprises:

a restricting portion formed of a metal material and having a restricting jaw rotatably coupled to the housing to restrict the latch member; and

an extension formed of a resin material and extending toward the protrusion of the worm wheel in a state of being coupled to the restricting portion.