FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure discloses a locking device for unlocking of a tailgate.

BACKGROUND

Generally, a tailgate is provided in different types of vehicles, for example, two-wheeler, three-wheeler, four-wheeler etc. The tailgate securely locks compartment having luggage, power unit etc. The tailgate provides aesthetic appearance to the vehicle and also, in some cases, facilitates aerodynamic property in the vehicle.

Typically, many technical solutions have been developed to facilitate unlocking of the tailgate in the vehicle. For instance, in a known art, a latch for opening/closing the tailgate of the vehicle is disclosed. The latch has a main bracket, a clamping lever, an actuation lever, and a spring, as shown in Figure A and Figure B. The main bracket is mounted on the vehicle. The clamping lever and the actuation lever are pivotably mounted on the main bracket. The main bracket has a first cut-out and the clamping lever has a second cut-out. The first cut-out and the second cut-out are arranged in such a manner that a tailgate hook can be received or released in/from the first and second cut-out, upon actuating the clamping lever. Further, the clamping lever and the actuation lever is coupled to one another via the spring. The actuation lever has a contact end to engage with a corresponding contact end of the clamping lever for closing the tailgate of the vehicle. The actuation lever is further coupled with an actuator to actuate the clamping lever for opening the tailgate of the vehicle.

Further, to unlock the tailgate in the known art, mainly, two different actuation mechanisms such as an electrical actuation and a mechanical actuation are provided. In the case of mechanical actuation, user has to manually insert a key in a keyhole to perform the unlocking of the tailgate of the vehicle. In the case of electrical actuation, the user has to push a button to perform the unlocking of the tailgate of the vehicle.

However, the existing mechanisms for the unlocking of the tailgate has their own limitation. In case of the mechanical actuation, inserting and rotating the key in the keyhole makes the operation, of unlocking the tailgate of the vehicle, cumbersome. Further, the present configuration also incorporates actuation linkage connected between the actuator lever and the keyhole of a lock system of the vehicle. This actuation linkage is long and heavy, thus acquires large space at the vehicle.

In another known art, a device having motor and gear-based actuators for unlocking the tailgate is disclosed. This configuration ensures pulling up of load of approximately 40-50 N with stroke of 18-21 mm. Further operating range is -40 °C to 80 °C along with current required is approximately 5 A to 8 A and voltage range is 10 V to 15 V. The expected life cycle is 60000 cycles. However, this configuration has its own limitation that it requires increased number of components and also, increases power consumption.

In another known art, a device for unlocking the tailgate is disclosed. The device uses a shape memory alloy wire only to unlock the tailgate. However, this configuration has its own limitation that since length of the wire defines stroke of the actuator, thus, the configuration requires increased length of the shape memory allow wire which leads to increased cost of the device and also, because of size constraints, routing of the wire with elongated length is not feasible. Further, there is a higher possibility of undesired actuations in the wire also.

In another known art, a pulley-based device is disclosed for unlocking the tailgate. The configuration as disclosed has its own disadvantages that the pulley-based configuration gradually decreases life of the device.

In view of the above, there is an immense need of a cost effective and light weighted locking device for the tailgate of the vehicle for unlocking the tailgate while overcoming one or more limitations of the existing tailgates of the vehicles.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

The aim of the present disclosure is to provide a cost effective and light weighted locking device for a tailgate of the vehicle for unlocking the tailgate.

In an embodiment, the locking device that has a base, a first arm, a second arm, a deforming member, is disclosed. The first arm is pivotably attached to the base and is adapted to receive a lock. The second arm is pivotably attached to the base and adapted to pivot the first arm to release the lock. The deforming member has a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the base and the second end is attached to the second arm. The deforming member is adapted to reshape upon heating to pivot the second arm.

According to the present disclosure, the locking device disclosed in the present disclosure eliminates need of additional components to unlock the tailgate, while maintaining efficiency of the locking device. Further, as the number of additional components is reduced, thus, ensuring a cost-effective solution.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure A illustrates a perspective view of a conventional locking device in locked condition;

Figure B illustrates a perspective view of the conventional locking device in unlocked condition;

Figure 1 illustrates an assembled view of a locking device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the locking device with an actuator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of plurality of arms, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the actuator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 (A) illustrates an assembled view of a locking device in locked condition, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 5 (B) illustrates an assembled view of the locking device in unlocked condition , in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which invention belongs. The system and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more...” or “one or more elements is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that as per one embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

For the sake of clarity, the first digit of a reference numeral of each component of the present disclosure is indicative of the Figure number, in which the corresponding component is shown. For example, reference numerals starting with digit “1” are shown at least in Figure 1. Similarly, reference numerals starting with digit “2” are shown at least in Figure 2.

Figure 1 illustrates an assembled view of a locking device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the locking device 100 with an actuator 201, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 is a perspective view of plurality of arms 202, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the actuator 201, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention

The present disclosure discloses the locking device 100 which requires reduced number of components to unlock a tailgate (not shown) of a vehicle. The configuration as disclosed also ensures a compact structure of the locking device 100 while ensuring low cost of the locking device.

The locking device 100 may include but is not limited to, a mounting bracket 105, the plurality of arms 202, a deforming member 103, a base 104, the actuator 201, a spring 101, a feedback fastener 102, among other examples, details of which will be provided in subsequent paragraphs.

Referring to Figure 1-3, the locking device 100 is mounted on the tailgate of the vehicle. The base 104 comprises a bracket (104a), where the bracket (104a) is adapted to install the base 104 on the tail gate of the vehicle. The plurality of arms 202 is mounted on the base 104. More precisely, the plurality of arms 202 includes a first arm 202a and a second arm 202b. The first arm 202a is pivotably attached to the base 104. The first arm 202a is adapted to receive a lock of the tailgate. The first arm 202a has a cut-out B defined between a receiving arm 301 and a curved section 302 of the first arm 202a. The receiving arm 301 is formed at an end and is adapted to receive the lock in the locking device 100. The curved section 302 is adapted to engage with the second arm 202b.

In one example, the second arm 202b is pivotably attached to the base 104 and adapted to pivot the first arm 202a to release the lock. The second arm 202b is pivotably installed to pivot the first arm 202a. The second arm 202b comprises an articulated section 303 and an actuation member 304. The articulated section 303 is defined at the second arm 202b to engage with the curved section 302 of the first arm 202a, where the articulated section 303 pushes the curved section 302 to pivot the first arm 202a. The actuation member 304 is coupled with the deforming member 103 of the tailgate of the vehicle that ensures the movement of the articulated section 303 of the second arm 202b.

In one example, the spring 101 is coupled to the first arm 202a and the second 202b. The spring 101 is adapted to return the second arm 202b and the first arm 202a to their respective original position.

Specifically referring to Figure 1-3, the plurality of arms 202 is mounted on the mounting bracket 105 with different attachment elements, for example, a plurality of fasteners 108. The mounting bracket 105 is installed on the base 104 and is adapted to restrict a lateral movement of the first arm 202a and the second arm 202b. More precisely, the plurality of arms 202 is movably mounted to a front side of the mounting bracket 105. A second side of the mounting bracket 105 is attached to a chassis (not shown) of the vehicle. The mounting bracket 105 has a cut-out A. The cut-out A of the mounting bracket 105 is opened at a top portion of the mounting bracket 105. The cut-out A may be located at an upper middle portion of the mounting bracket 105. The mounting bracket 105 is in a L-shape. Alternatively, the mounting bracket 105 may have different shapes that depends on availability of space in the vehicle.

Further, the first arm 202a is pivotably mounted on the mounting bracket 105, so that the first arm 202a can be moved in an angular direction independently with respect to the mounting bracket 105. The cut-out B of the first arm 202a is positioned adjacent to the cut-out A of the mounting bracket 105 such that the cut-out B of the first member 202a and the cut-out A of the mounting bracket 105 define an angle there between.

Further, the second arm 202b is pivotably mounted on the mounting bracket 105 so that the second arm 202b can move independently with respect to the mounting bracket 105. The actuation member 304 is coupled with the actuator 201 of the tailgate of the vehicle that ensures the movement of the articulated section 303 of the second arm 202b.

In one example, referring to Figure 1-2, the second arm 202b along with the first end 203a of the deforming member 103 is mounted on one side of the base 104 with different attachment element, for example, the feedback fastener 102. Further, the second end 203b of the deforming member 103 is also attached to one side of the base 104 with different attachment element, for example, fastener 107.

In one example, the deforming member 103 is attached between the second arm 202b and the base 104. More precisely, the deforming member 103 has a first end 203b and the second end 203a. The first end 203b is attached with the base 202b and the second end 203a is attached with the second arm 202a. In an embodiment, the actuation member 304 of the second arm 202b is coupled to the actuator 201 via the deforming member 103. The deforming member 103 may be a shape memory alloy.

In an embodiment, the deforming member 103 is adapted to reshape upon heating to pivot the second arm 202b. The deforming member 103 is adapted to actuate the actuation member 304 of the second arm 202b upon actuation by the actuator 201. The deforming member 103 refers as a muscle wire that can change their shape to actuate the actuation member 304 upon variations in their temperature. The variations in the temperature of the deforming member 103 depend on variations in electric current that is to be controlled by the actuator 201 or by any other means, for example switches. The deforming member 103 may be made from one or more materials selected from group of alloying zinc, copper, gold, or iron etc., without limiting the scope of the invention. In an embodiment, the deforming unit 103 is covered with a PTFE tube filled with grease. This reduced cycle time of the locking device 100. Further, the deforming member 103 may also be covered with a cooling element, for example, a thermal paste, a metal heat sink etc. This ensures cooling of the deforming unit and also decreases cycle time and increases bandwidth of working of the locking device 100.

In one example, referring to Figure 4 in conjunction with Figure 1, the actuator 201 is coupled to the deforming member 103 and mounted on another side of the base 104. More precisely, the actuator 201 is coupled to the feedback fastener 102 of the locking device 100. The actuator 201 is adapted to supply electric current based on a user input for heating the deforming member 103 ensuring reduction in length of the deforming member 103 and to provide fast response against inputs provided by a user.

In another example, Figure 5 (A) illustrates an assembled view of a locking device 100 in locked condition, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 (B) illustrates an assembled view of the locking device in unlocked condition, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. In one example, referring to Figure 5 (A) and 5 (B), the actuator 201 comprises a mounting plate 506. The mounting plate 506 is configured with the vehicle. The mounting plate 506 defines a housing 507 which is extended on the mounting plate 506 along a length of the deforming member 103. The housing 507 is adapted to house the deforming member 103. The housing 507 of the mounting plate 506 may have different shaped. In an implementation, the housing 507 is a hollow tubular portion.

In one example, the actuator 201 is controlled by the control unit (not shown) of the vehicle. The control unit is operated by the keyless operation. In an embodiment, the control unit may include, but is not limited to, a processor, memory, modules. The modules and the memory may be coupled to the processor. The processor can be a single processing unit or several units, all of which could include multiple computing units. The processor may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions and data stored in the memory.

The memory may include any non-transitory computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes.

The modules, amongst other things, include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform particular tasks or implement data types. The modules may also be implemented as, signal processor(s), state machine(s), logic circuitries, and/or any other device or component that manipulate signals based on operational instructions.

Further, the modules can be implemented in hardware, instructions executed by a processing unit, or by a combination thereof. The processing unit can comprise a computer, a processor, such as the processor, a state machine, a logic array, or any other suitable devices capable of processing instructions. The processing unit can be a general-purpose processor which executes instructions to cause the general-purpose processor to perform the required tasks or, the processing unit can be dedicated to performing the required functions. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the modules may be machine-readable instructions (software) which, when executed by a processor/processing unit, perform any of the described functionalities. Further, the data serves, amongst other things, as a repository for storing data processed, received, and generated by one or more of the modules.
Further, the configuration of the components of the locking device 100 as disclosed in the abovementioned paragraphs facilitates locking and unlocking mechanism of the tailgate. The locking and the unlocking mechanism of the tailgate is explained in conjunction with Figure 1 to Figure 5 (B) in subsequent paragraphs.

When the user desired to lock the tailgate of the vehicle, the user has to pull/press the tailgate in downward direction. Upon pulling the tailgate in the downward direction, a lock 109 presses the receiving arm 301 of the first arm 202a. The lock 109 is received in the cut-out B of the first arm 202a and the cut-out A of the mounting bracket 105. Simultaneously, the curved section 302 of the first arm 202a gets engaged with the curved section 304 of the second arm 202b to hold the lock 109 inside the cut-out B of the first arm 202a and the cut-out A of the mounting bracket 105. This configuration ensures that the tailgate is in locked position with the reduced number of components unlike as convention mechanism which elongated cable that is the Bowden cable 9 for the locking device, as shown in Figure A.

In one example, during operation, the control unit transmit signal to the actuator 201 to actuate the deforming member 103. The deforming member 103 receives flow of current from the actuator 201 The deforming member 103 upon receiving the electric current, heats up and reshape to pivot the second arm 202b. More precisely, the deforming member 103, after receiving the current. heats up and undergoes transformation, that is, the deforming member 103 regain the original shape and thus, actuates the actuation member 304 of the second arm 202b. The second arm 202b is moved in an angular direction. This leads to disengagement of the articulated section 303 of the second member 202b from the curved section 302 of the first arm 202a and thus, releases the lock 109 from the cut-out B of the first arm 202a and the cut-out A of the mounting bracket 105 for opening the tailgate of the vehicle. In an embodiment, a length of the deforming member 103 is 83 mm in deformed condition. When the electric current flows into the deforming member 103, upon generation of heat, the length of the deforming member 103 becomes 80 mm (original shape) and thus pulls the second arm 202b towards direction opposite to the first arm 202a.

Further, when optimal stroke is achieved, that is, for example, 3mm, then, the second arm 202b hit the feedback fastener 102 coupled with the actuator 201. The feedback fastener 101 then send the feedback to the control unit. The control unit transmits signal to the actuator 201 to stop actuating the deforming member 103 by stopping the electric current in the deforming member 103. In an embodiment, the actuator may be a printed circuit board (PCB). Further, when the electric current is stopped, the deforming member 103 again deforms in previous state, that is for example, 83mm. The spring 101 helps to maintain the deformation of the deforming member 103. This configuration provides a simple structure with ease of accessibility unlike as the unlocking mechanism disclosed in the conventional art as shown in Figure B which uses the elongated cable that is the Bowden cable 9 to lock and unlock the tailgate of the vehicle which is a cumbersome process.

Further, the user may lock the locking device 100 with same mechanism as explained in abovementioned paragraph.

As would be gathered, the locking device 100 offer a comprehensive approach for unlocking the tailgate of the vehicle with the deforming member 103. The present configuration ensures usage of reduced number of components resulting in reduced weight and simple structure. Further, results into less fuel consumption. The power consumption is less (Current 1-1.5 A and Voltage 6 V-12 V) as compared with the conventional art (Current 5 A and Voltage 10 V-15 V). This improves overall efficiency of the vehicle. This configuration ensures ease of assembly, after service and increased customer satisfaction. Further, technical feature of the present invention is:
Pull load 8-10 N
Stroke 3-4 mm
SMA wire diameter 0.25- 0.3 mm
Length of wire 80-90 mm
Current 1-1.5 A
Voltage 6 V-12 V
Life cycle > 50,000
Actuation time 1 -1.5 second

While specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.

WE CLAIMS:

1. A locking device (100) for a vehicle, comprising:
a base (104);
a first arm (202a) pivotably attached to the base (104 and is adapted to receive a lock (109);
a second arm (202b) pivotably attached to the base (104) and adapted to pivot the first arm (202a) to release the lock (109); and
a deforming member (103) having a first end (203b) attached to the base (104) and a second member (203a) attached to the second arm (202b), wherein the deforming member (103) is adapted to reshape upon heating to pivot the second arm (202b).

2. The locking device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deforming member (103) is a shape memory alloy.

3. The locking device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first arm (202a) comprising a receiving arm (301) formed at an end and adapted to secure the lock (109) in a locked state.

4. The locking device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second arm (202b) comprising an articulated section (303) adapted to make contact with a curved section (302) of the first arm (202a), wherein the articulated section (303) pushes the curved section (302) to pivot the first arm (202a).

5. The locking device (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising an actuator (201) coupled to the deforming member (103) and adapted to supply electric current based on a user input for heating the deforming member (103).

6. The locking device (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a spring (101) coupled to the first arm (202a) and the second arm (202b), wherein the spring (101) and adapted to return the second arm (202b) and the first arm (202a) to their respective original position after the pivoting.

7. The locking device (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a mounting bracket (105) installed on the base (104) and adapted to restrict a lateral movement of the first arm (202a) and the second arm (202b).

8. The locking device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base (104) comprising a bracket (104a) adapted to install the base (104) on a tailgate of the vehicle.

9. The locking device (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the actuator (201) is a printed circuit board.

10. The locking device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deforming member (103) is covered with a cooling element.