US 10,329,806 B2 · Closing device for a motor-vehicle hood, and method

Abstract

The problem addressed by the invention is that of providing a closing device for a motor vehicle, by means of which a gap in a door or flap can be minimized. One aim in particular is to minimize the risk of injury. To solve this problem, a closing device comprises a locking mechanism that consists of a rotary latch and a pawl for locking said rotary latch in place. A drive is provided, with which said locking mechanism can be moved, totally or partially, by means of a pivot lever, also called a rocker, such that a gap in a door or flap can be reduced. Therefore, when a door or flap is closed, a gap initially remains between the door and doorframe, or between a frame and its associated flap. The drive allows the rocker, and therefore the locking mechanism or parts thereof, to be moved such that this gap is reduced. In order to minimize the weight and number of parts, the rotary latch and pawl are preferably rotatably secured to the rocker by means of shafts.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A latching device for moving a flap of a motor vehicle toward a chassis of the motor vehicle from an open position to a closed position, the latching device comprising:

a locking mechanism consisting of a catch and pawl for ratcheting of the catch to move the flap into the closed position;
a swing arm to which the catch and the pawl are directly pivotably attached;
a drive that moves the swing arm which moves the locking mechanism to reduce a hood gap between the flap and the chassis before the catch is ratcheted by the pawl;
and
a retaining lever that is pivotably attached to the swing arm and engageable by the catch to retain the catch and prevent further movement of the catch before the catch is ratcheted.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Closing device for a motor-vehicle hood, and method

Life of this patent

Closing device for a motor-vehicle hood, and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15