TECHNICAL FIELD
5 The present disclosure generally relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly, the
present disclosure relates to a locking mechanism for vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE
10 Generally, vehicles such as two-wheelers or three-wheelers are provided with a
locking mechanism for locking and unlocking the peripheral components of the
vehicle. The peripheral component may be a seat, fuel tank cap, case, etc. The
locking mechanisms may be mechanically actuated or electronically actuated.
15 Mechanical actuation mechanism may include actuation by a key or a lever, while
the electronic actuation system may include actuation using a button that actuates a
solenoid. However, in the conventional systems, the locking actuation mechanism
are either mechanical or electronic. Mechanically actuated locks can not be locked
or unlocked unless the user has the key. Similarly, electronically actuated locking
20 mechanisms can not be actuated if any electronic component such as button, wiring
or solenoid malfunctions. Therefore, if the actuation mechanism of these locks
malfunction, a user does not have any immediate recourse other than either breaking
the lock or calling the locksmith. Hence, a lot of inconveniences involved with
existing locking mechanisms.
25
In view of the above circumstances, there is an immense need to develop a locking
mechanism that overcomes the one or more problems associated with the existing
locking mechanisms.
30 SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
3
The present disclosure relates to a locking mechanism for a peripheral lock of a
vehicle. The locking mechanism has a lock configured for locking a peripheral
component of a vehicle, a first actuation mechanism, second actuation mechanism
and a coupling element. The first actuation mechanism is configured to actuate the
5 lock between a locked state and an unlocked state. The second actuation mechanism
is configured to actuate the lock between the locked state and the unlocked state.
The coupling element is configured for coupling the first locking mechanism and
the second locking mechanism with the lock. The second actuation mechanism is
operatively independent of the first actuation mechanism.
10
In an aspect, the first actuation mechanism is a mechanical actuation mechanism.
In an aspect, the mechanical actuation mechanism has a cam configured for
actuating the lock.
15
In an aspect, the second actuation mechanism is an electronic actuation mechanism.
In an aspect, the coupling element has a follower configured to follow the cam and
a slot configured to couple the electronic actuation mechanism.
20
In an aspect, the electronic actuation mechanism has a knob configured to be moved
in at least one direction and an electronic actuator connected with the knob, the
electronic actuator configured to move the knob for actuating the lock.
25 In an aspect, the knob is at least partially disposed in the slot of the coupling
element.
In an aspect, the electronic actuator has an input connector configured to make
connectivity with power source of the vehicle.
30
4
In an aspect, a first bracket is configured to support the lock and a second bracket
configured to support the first and second actuation mechanism.
In an aspect, a resilient means is coupled with the lock, the resilient means is
5 configured to energize the lock between the locked state and the unlocked state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
The figure(s) together with a detailed description below, are incorporated in and
10 form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate the embodiments and
explain various principles and advantages, in accordance with the present disclosure
wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a locking mechanism with a mechanical and
15 electronic override in accordance with the present disclosure.
FIG. 2: illustrates a perspective view of the locking mechanism with a mechanical
and electronic override in the locked state in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
20
FIG. 3: illustrates a perspective view of the locking mechanism with a mechanical
and electronic override in unlocked state by means of a key, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
25 FIG. 4: illustrates a perspective view of the locking mechanism with a mechanical
and electronic override in unlocked state by means of a button, in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5: illustrates a perspective view of a rotary cam, in accordance with an
30 embodiment of the present disclosure.
5
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates to a locking mechanism for a peripheral lock of a
vehicle. The locking mechanism has a lock configured for locking a peripheral
5 component of a vehicle, a first actuation mechanism, a second actuation mechanism
and a coupling element. The peripheral components may be a seat, a fuel tank cap,
a dicky or like. The first actuation mechanism is configured to actuate the lock
between a locked state and an unlocked state. Further, the second actuation
mechanism is configured to actuate the lock between the locked state and the
10 unlocked state. The coupling element is configured for coupling the first locking
mechanism and the second locking mechanism with the lock. The second actuation
mechanism is operatively independent of the first actuation mechanism. In another
embodiment, the locking mechanism may be latching mechanism or a latch.
15 In one embodiment, the locking mechanism is located below the seat of the twowheeler or three-wheeler. The locking mechanism can be operated by either key or
keyless operation. The locking mechanism can be locked by pressing the seat
downwards and, the locking mechanism can be unlocked either by a key or keyless
operation. The keyless operation may include a button, sensor or any other similar
20 provision.
The “locked state” is herein referred as a state in which the lock (3) does not allow
to the opening of the peripheral components. The “unlocked state” is herein referred
as a state in which the lock (3) allows to the opening and closing of the peripheral
25 components.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the latch (100) is in unlocked state through operating the
key (9), the cam (7) movement depends on the movement of the key (9). When the
user rotates the key (9), corresponding the cam rotates.
30
6
As shown in figures 1-5, the locking mechanism (100) has a lock (3) configured for
locking a peripheral component of the vehicle, a first actuation mechanism, a
second actuation mechanism and a coupling element (14). The first actuation
mechanism is configured to actuate the lock (3) between a locked state and an
5 unlocked state. The second actuation mechanism is configured to actuate the lock
(3) between the locked state and the unlocked state. The coupling element (14) is
configured for coupling the first locking mechanism and the second locking
mechanism with the lock (3). The second actuation mechanism is operatively
independent of the first actuation mechanism.
10
The locking mechanism (100) has a first bracket (1), a cover plate (2) mounted on
the first bracket (1) and the lock (3) interposed between the first bracket (1) and the
cover plate (2). The first bracket (1) is provided for fixing components such as the
lock (3), the cover plate (2) and an actuation lever (5). Such components are
15 mounted at one face of the first bracket (1) and other faces of the first bracket (1)
may be attached to the other mountings/attachments of the vehicle. The first bracket
(1) has a first cut-out. The first cut is closed from the bottom and open from the top.
The first cut-out may be located at the upper middle portion of the first bracket (1).
20 The cover plate (2) may have a rectangular shape. The cover plate (2) has a second
cut-out. The second cut-out has a shape similar to the first cut-out of the first bracket
(1). The second cut-out may be located at the upper middle portion of the cover
plate (2). The cover plate (2) has two holes. One hole is located at the left side of
the second cut-out and another hole is located at the right side of the second cut25 out.
The lock (3) is configured for locking a peripheral component of a vehicle. The lock
(3) is movably mounted in between the first bracket (1) and the cover plate (2), as
shown in figure 2. The cover plate has a hole. The hole is provided to allow the first
30 fastener for passing through it that defines first hinge joint. The first hinge joint is
configured to get the movement of the lock (3). The lock (3) has a third cut-out. The
7
third cut-out is located at the one end of the cover plate. The first bracket (1), the
lock (3) and the cover plate (2) may be assembled concentrically in such a way that
the third cut-out is interposed in between the first cut-out and third cut-out and first,
third and second cut-out lies at single plane to receive a seat hook (15) for locking.
5 In an embodiment as shown, the lock may be a lock. In another embodiment, the
lock is configured to hold the seat hook (15) for locking the seat of the vehicle.
Further, the lock (3) is connected to a resilient means (4) as shown in figures 1-2.
The resilient means (4) is provided to energize the lock (3) at the time of
10 locking/unlocking the peripheral components. The resilient means (4) may be
disposed between the lock (3) and the actuation lever (5) for coupling the lock (3)
and the actuation lever (5). In an embodiment, the resilient means (4) may be a
spring or any other similar provision.
15 The actuation lever (5) may be configured for coupling the lock (3) with resilient
means (4). The actuation lever (5) may have a first end and a second end. The first
end may be coupled with the resilient means (4) and second coupling element (14).
The actuation lever (5) has a hole for allowing the second fastener for passaging
through it that defines second hinge joint. The second hinge joint is provided to get
20 the moment of the actuation lever (5) about said joint. The actuation lever (5) has a
tip end to mate with the lock (3).
In an embodiment as shown in figure 1, the first actuation mechanism is a
mechanical actuation mechanism (20) and the second actuation mechanism is an
25 electronic actuation mechanism (30).
The mechanical actuation mechanism (20) has a cam (7) configured for actuating
the lock (3). The cam (7) may be coupled with the actuation lever (5). The actuation
lever (5) is coupled with the lock (3). The mechanical actuation mechanism (20)
30 has a keyway (17) for accommodating a key. The key is configured to be moved
inside the keyway for moving the cam (7) to actuate the lock (3). In an embodiment,
8
there may be another suitable mechanism for moving the cam. In another
embodiment, the cam (7) may be connected with a rotor (8), the rotor (8) is coupled
with the actuation lever (5). The cam (7) has a second slot to get connected with a
rotor (8) as shown in figure 5. In one embodiment, the cam (7) and the rotor (8) lie
5 about the same central axis. The cam (7) has a skirting. The skirting is located along
the periphery of the cam (7). The skirting is narrow at first end and the second end
is raised that defines a cam profile, as shown in FIG 5.
The rotor (8) may be configured to be rotated with operation of the key (9) for
10 actuation the lock (3). The rotor (8) may have a cylindrical shape. In an
embodiment, the rotor (8) may have a keyway located at the top cross-sectional
portion of the rotor (8) and the cam is located at the bottom cross-sectional area of
the rotor (8). In another embodiment as shown in figure 5, the cam (7) may have a
keyway (17). The keyway is facilitated to get insert a key (9) for the movement of
15 the cam. The movement of cam (7) depends on the movement of the key (9).
The electronic actuation mechanism (30) has a knob (10) configured to be moved
in at least one direction and, an electronic actuator (11) connected with the knob
(10). The knob (10) may be partially disposed in the slot (16) of the coupling
20 element (14). The knob (10) has a spherical shape on its tip and remaining portion
belongs to cylindrical shape such that knob (10) enables to actuate the actuation
lever (5). In an embodiment, knob has cuboidal or spherical shape. The knob (10)
is further connected to an electronic actuator (11).
25 The electronic actuator (11) is configured to move the knob (10) for actuating the
lock (3). The electronic actuator (11) actuates the actuation lever (5) by receiving
power/electricity through a power source of the vehicle. The knob (10) has one
degree of freedom by which the knob (10) can displace towards either inside or
outside of the electronic actuator (11). The knob (10) of the electronic actuator (11)
30 is positioned at the lower side of the slot (16) of the coupling element (14), in normal
9
condition. The normal condition herein referred as the condition wherein the second
actuation mechanism is not actuated.
The electronic actuator (11) is mounted on a second bracket (12). The second
5 bracket (12) belongs to the body of the vehicle. The electronic actuator (11) has an
input connector (13). The input connector (13) is provided to make connectivity
with power/electricity source of the vehicle. A hole is provided in the second
bracket (12) by which the input connector (13) can connect with other input
connectivity means.
10
The coupling element (14) is configured for coupling the first locking mechanism
and the second locking mechanism with the lock (3). In an embodiment, the
coupling element may be a flat plate. The coupling element (14) has a follower (6)
configured to follow the cam of the mechanical actuation mechanism and a slot (16)
15 configured to couple the electronic actuation mechanism. The slot (16) is located in
the middle of the coupling element (14). The slot (16) may be a through a slot
having an opening of the opposite surface of the coupling element (14). The slot
(16) is formed to receive a knob (10).
20 The follower is disposed on the coupling element (14) of the actuation lever (5).
The follower (6) is provided to move in accordance with the moment of a cam (7).
In an embodiment, the follower (6) movement depends upon the moment of the cam
(7) such that the pin (6) follows the path provided through the cam profile.
25 In an embodiment, the coupling member (14) is configured for coupling the first
and second actuation mechanism with the lock (3). The coupling element (14)
actuates the lock based on the input motion provided by the first or second actuation
mechanism. Accordingly, the lock (3) moves between the locked and unlocked
state. The first and second actuation mechanisms may operatively independent from
30 each other.
10
As shown in FIG. 2, when the locking mechanism (100) is in locked state the seat
hook (15) is positioned inside the first, second and third cut-out in which the third
cut-out of the lock (3) does not allow to the seat hook (15) for moving out from the
said first, second and third cut-out. The knob (10) is positioned at the lower side of
5 the slot (16) of the coupling element (14).
As shown in FIG. 3, when the locking mechanism (100) is in unlocked state through
operating the key (9), the cam (7) movement depends on the movement of the key
(9). When the user rotates the key (9), corresponding the cam rotates. Subsequently,
10 due to the engagement between the cam (7) and the follower pin (6), the coupling
element (14) of the actuator lever moves down. Thereby, the lock (3) actuates to
unlock the seat. In case of key (9) operation/mechanical actuation, the knob (10) of
the electrical actuator (11) is positioned on its original position means no movement
occurs in the knob (10).
15
As shown in FIG. 4, when the locking mechanism (100) is in unlocked state through
pressing the button, as the knob (10) shifts towards inside the electrical actuator
(11), corresponding the coupling element (14) moves down and the actuation lever
(5) actuate the lock (3) to unlock the seat. In the case of button operation/electrical
20 actuation, the cam (7) is positioned on its original position means no movement
occurs in the cam (7).
List of Reference Numerals
Sr. No. Description
100 Locking mechanism
1 First bracket
2 Cover plate
3 Lock
11
5
10
15
20
25
4 Resilient means
5 Actuation lever
6 Follower
7 Cam
8 Rotor
9 Key
10 Knob
11 Electronic actuator
12 Second bracket
13 Input connector
14 Coupling element
15 Seat Hook
16 Slot
17 Keyway
20 Mechanical actuation mechanism
30 Electronic actuation mechanism

We Claim:

1. A locking mechanism (100) for a peripheral lock of a vehicle, the locking
mechanism (100) comprising:
5 a lock (3) configured for locking a peripheral component of a vehicle;
a first actuation mechanism configured to actuate the lock (3) between a
locked state and an unlocked state;
a second actuation mechanism configured to actuate the lock (3) between
the locked state and the unlocked state;
10 a coupling element (14) configured for coupling the first locking mechanism
and the second locking mechanism with the lock (3),
wherein the second actuation mechanism is operatively independent of the
first actuation mechanism.
15 2. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the first
actuation mechanism is a mechanical actuation mechanism (20).
3. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in the claim 2, wherein the mechanical
actuation mechanism (20) comprising a cam (7) configured for actuating the lock
20 (3).
4. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the second
actuation mechanism is an electronic actuation mechanism (30).
25 5. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in the claims 3 and 4, wherein the
coupling element (14) comprising:
a follower (6) configured to follow the cam;
a slot (16) configured to couple the electronic actuation mechanism.
30 6. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in the claim 4, wherein the electronic
actuation mechanism comprising:
13
a knob (10) configured to be moved in at least one direction;
an electronic actuator (11) connected with the knob (10), the electronic
actuator (11) configured to move the knob (10) for actuating the lock (3).
5 7. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in the claims 2 and 7, wherein the knob
(10) is at least partially disposed in the slot (16) of the coupling element (14).
8. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in the claim 4, wherein the electronic
actuator (11) comprising an input connector (13) configured to make
10 connectivity with power source of the vehicle.
9. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in the claim 1, comprising:
a first bracket (1) configured to support the lock (3);
a second bracket (2) configured to support the first and second actuation
15 mechanism.
10. The locking mechanism (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein a resilient
means (4) is coupled with the lock (3), the resilient means (4) is configured to
energize the lock (3) between the locked state and the unlocked state.