CN110126577B

CN110126577B - Latch assembly

Info

Publication number: CN110126577B
Application number: CN201910339055.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·P·斯曼斯基
Original assignee: BeijingWest Industries Co Ltd
Current assignee: BeijingWest Industries Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-05-22
Filing date: 2019-04-25
Publication date: 2020-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2039-04-25
Also published as: CN110126577A

Abstract

A latch assembly. A latch assembly includes a lift housing extending along a central axis between first and second open ends and defining a chamber extending between the first and second open ends. A support tube is disposed in the chamber and extends between a first end and a second end. A moving member is disposed between the support tube and the lift housing for moving the lift housing between an extended position and a lowered position. The moving member includes an inner ring and an outer ring. The inner ring extends around the support tube. The outer ring is attached to the lift housing for converting axial movement of the support tube into rotational movement. A plurality of engagement members are located between the inner ring and the outer ring for axially moving the inner ring and the outer ring along the central axis between the extended position and the lowered position.

Description

Latch assembly

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to a latch assembly for raising and lowering the height of a vehicle.

Background

Devices for adjusting the height of a vehicle body are known. These devices can be provided in the suspension struts of motor vehicles, in particular for increasing the ground clearance of motor vehicles or lowering the vehicle body for flat road surfaces. Typically, such devices include a lift housing disposed on a central axis defining a chamber. A support tube is disposed in the chamber, and the lift housing is movable relative to the support tube along a central axis. Movement of the lifting housing is typically performed using hydraulic actuators. However, if it is desired to keep the lifting housing in the extended position to increase the height of the vehicle, a constant hydraulic pressure is required. Therefore, the hydraulic pump needs to be periodically operated/restarted due to inevitable internal leakage. An electromagnetically activated mechanism (e.g., a pneumatic suspension) may also be used for this type of application. However, the solenoid activated mechanism requires an input of electric power for locking/unlocking the solenoid valve, its response time is slow and has a high energy consumption.

One such device is disclosed in us patent 9,707,819. The apparatus includes a lift housing extending along a central axis between first and second open ends and defining a chamber extending between the first and second open ends. A support tube is slidably disposed in the chamber and extends about the central axis between the first end and the second end. A moving member is disposed between the support tube and the lift housing for moving the lift housing between the extended position and the lowered position.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a latch assembly that effectively raises and lowers the height of a vehicle, thereby improving the energy consumption of the vehicle due to reduced air resistance. The invention also maintains the vehicle in the raised position without additional energy consumption. In addition, the present invention prevents inadvertent movement of the rotary latch assembly from the extended position to the lowered position. Further, the present invention provides a latch assembly having a simple design and low production cost.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes a lift housing extending along a central axis between a first open end and a second open end and defining a chamber extending between the first open end and the second open end. A support tube is slidably disposed in the chamber and extends about the central axis between a first end and a second end. A moving member is disposed between the support tube and the lift housing for moving the lift housing between an extended position and a lowered position. The moving member includes an inner ring and an outer ring. The inner ring extends around the support tube. The outer ring is attached to the lift housing for converting axial movement of the support tube into rotational movement to secure the lift housing in the extended position and allow the lift housing to move from the extended position to the lowered position. A plurality of engagement members are located between the inner ring and the outer ring for moving the inner ring and the outer ring axially along the central axis between the extended position and the lowered position. The engagement member also retains the lift housing in the extended position without additional energy consumption and prevents inadvertent movement of the rotary latch assembly from the extended position to the lowered position.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a latch assembly for raising and lowering the height of a vehicle. The latch assembly includes a lift housing extending along a central axis between a first open end and a second open end and defining a chamber extending between the first open end and the second open end. A support tube is slidably disposed in the chamber and extends about the central axis between a first end and a second end. A moving member is disposed between the support tube and the lift housing for moving the lift housing between an extended position and a lowered position. The moving member includes an inner ring and an outer ring. The inner ring extends around the support tube. The outer ring is attached to the lift housing for converting axial movement of the support tube into rotational movement to secure the lift housing in the extended position and allow the lift housing to move from the extended position to the lowered position. A bearing is disposed between the inner surface of the inner ring and the support tube and is rotatable about the support tube. A bearing is attached to the inner ring to allow the inner ring to rotate about the support tube in response to axial movement of the support tube. A plurality of engagement members are located between the inner ring and the outer ring for moving the inner ring and the outer ring axially along the central axis between the extended position and the lowered position. The engagement member also retains the lift housing in the extended position without additional energy consumption and prevents inadvertent movement of the rotary latch assembly from the extended position to the lowered position.

Drawings

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a latch assembly;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the moving member of the latch assembly;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the moving member of the latch assembly;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the moving member of the latch assembly in a lowered position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the moving member of the latch assembly in the extended position; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating movement of the inner and outer rings of the moving member between the extended and lowered positions.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is generally shown in FIG. 1 a latch assembly 20 constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Generally, the latch assembly 20 is used in a vehicle to raise and lower the height of the vehicle.

Referring to fig. 1, the latch assembly 20 includes a lift housing 22 having a generally tubular shape, the lift housing 22 being annularly disposed about a central axis a and extending along the central axis a between a first open end 24 and a second open end 26. The lift housing 22 defines a chamber 28 extending between the first open end 24 and the second open end 26. Lift spring seat 30 is disposed about first open end 24, is attached to lift housing 22, and extends annularly about central axis A. A support tube 32 having a generally cylindrical shape is slidably disposed in the chamber 28. The support tubes 32 are disposed in concentric relation to the lift housing 22 and extend about the central axis a between a first end 34 and a second end 36. The first end 34 of the support tube 32 is located outside of the chamber 28 and is axially spaced from the first open end 24. The second end 36 of the support tube 32 is located outside of the chamber 28 and is axially spaced from the second open end 26. It should be appreciated that in one embodiment of the present invention, the lift housing 22 may be connected to an actuator (e.g., a hydraulic actuator) for moving the lift housing 22 axially along the support tube 32.

The support tube 32 includes a first portion 38 and a second portion 40. A first portion 38 of the support tube 32 is disposed adjacent the first end 34 and extends about the central axis A defining a first diameter D₁. A second portion 40 of the support tube 32, spaced from the first portion 38, is disposed adjacent the second end 36, extending about the central axis A to define a second diameter D₂Second diameter D₂Is larger than the first diameter D₁. The intermediate portion 42 extends from the first portion in perpendicular relation to the central axis APortion 38 extends radially outwardly to a second portion 40, joining first portion 38 and second portion 40, presenting a shoulder 44 extending along an intermediate portion 42. The intermediate portion 42, the lift housing 22, and the first portion 38 of the support tube 32 define a compartment 46 extending between the shoulder 44, the first portion 38 of the support tube 32, and the lift housing 22.

The intermediate portion 42 includes a tab 48 extending radially outward from the intermediate portion 42 perpendicular to the central axis a to a distal end 50 for engaging the lift housing 22. A pair of

projections

52, 54, including a first projection 52 and a second projection 54 spaced apart from one another, are disposed in the chamber 28 and extend radially inwardly toward the central axis a from the lift housing 22 to an end 56 abutting the support tube 32 for engaging the tab 48 to limit axial movement of the support tube 32. The first projection 52 is positioned axially spaced from the first open end 24 and extends radially inward toward the central axis a to engage the support tube 32 and also defines a pocket 58 extending between the first projection 52, the support tube 32, and the lift housing 22. The second projection 54 is located at the second open end 26 and extends radially inward toward the central axis a to engage the support tube 32. Each of the first and

second projections

52, 54 defines at least one

groove

60, 62, the at least one

groove

60, 62 including a first groove 60 and a second groove 62, the first and

second grooves

60, 62 being axially spaced from one another and extending annularly about the support tube 32 for receiving an O-ring 64 and providing a sealing engagement with the support tube 32 to prevent dust and other particles from entering the chamber 28.

The moving

members

66, 68 are disposed between the support tube 32 and the lift housing 22 for moving the lift housing 22 between the extended position and the lowered position to adjust the height of the vehicle. The moving

members

66, 68 also maintain the lift housing 22 in the extended position as the lift housing 22 moves from the lowered position to the extended position. When in the extended position, the second projection 54 abuts the projection 48 and the first projection 52 is spaced from the projection 48 to increase the height of the vehicle. When in the lowered position, the first projection 52 abuts the projection 48 and the second projection 54 is axially spaced from the projection 48 to reduce the height of the vehicle.

As best illustrated in fig. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the moving

members

66, 68 include an inner ring 66 and an outer ring 68. An inner ring 66 having a generally cylindrical shape extends around the support tube 32. The outer ring 68 is attached to the lift housing 22. The inner and

outer rings

66, 68 engage one another for converting axial movement of the support tube 32 into rotational movement to allow the lift housing 22 to move between the extended and lowered positions and to retain the lift housing 22 in the extended position.

As best shown in fig. 2, the inner ring 66 is disposed in the pocket 58 and extends between an upper end 70 and a lower end 72. The lower end 72 of the inner ring 66 is disposed adjacent the first projection 52. The inner ring 66 has an inner surface 74 and an outer surface 76 spaced apart from each other and extending about the central axis a between the lower end 72 and the upper end 70, the inner surface 74 being disposed in abutting relationship with the support tube 32. A pair of snap rings 78 spaced apart from one another and attached to support tube 32, one of snap rings 78 disposed adjacent lower end 72 of inner ring 66 and the other of snap rings 78 disposed adjacent upper end 70 of inner ring 66 to secure inner ring 66 to support tube 32. In other words, the snap ring 78 sandwiches the inner ring 66 therebetween to secure the inner ring 66 to the support tube 32.

The bearing 80 is disposed between the inner surface 74 of the inner ring 66 and the support tube 32, is rotatable about the support tube 32, and is attached to the inner ring 66 to allow the inner ring 66 to rotate about the support tube 32 in response to axial movement of the support tube 32. The bearing 80 defines at least one aperture 82. In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one aperture 82 may be a recess 82 extending around the bearing 80. Tabs 84 extend outwardly from inner surface 74 of inner ring 66 and radially inwardly toward central axis a to connect inner ring 66 with bearing 80. In one embodiment of the invention, the projection 84 may extend annularly about the central axis a and the inner ring 66 for engaging the recess 82 of the bearing 80. A support ring 86 is disposed between one of the snap rings 78 and the bearing 80 adjacent the lower end 72 of the inner ring 66 for receiving the bearing 80 and providing support for the bearing 80.

As illustrated in fig. 3-5, a plurality of

engagement members

88, 90 are located between the inner and

outer rings

66, 68 for axially moving the inner and

outer rings

66, 68 along the central axis a between the extended and lowered positions. The

engagement members

88, 90 include a plurality of inner ring teeth 88, the plurality of inner ring teeth 88 being circumferentially spaced from one another from the outer surface 76 of the inner ring 66 and extending radially outward along the central axis a from the lower end 72 of the inner ring 66 to an inner ring teeth end 92 spaced from the upper end 70 of the inner ring 66 for engaging the outer ring 68. The outer surface 76 of the inner ring teeth 88 also defines a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart grooves 94 extending between the inner ring teeth 88. A pair of arms 96 extend outwardly from the inner ring gear end 92, are perpendicular to each other, and taper toward the upper end 70. As best shown in fig. 4, one of the arms 96 is longer than the other of the arms 96 to define a cavity 98 having a generally V-shape extending between the arms 96. Each inner ring tooth 92 includes a cam 100, the cam 100 extending radially outward from the inner ring tooth 90 at an oblique angle a relative to the central axis a, oblique to the inner ring tooth 90.

Referring back to fig. 3, an outer ring 68 having a generally annular shape is disposed in the pocket 58 and attached to the lift housing 22 for engaging the inner ring 66. The outer ring 68 extends between the top end 102 and the bottom end 104 and has an inner surface 106 and an outer surface 108 extending about the central axis a. The outer surface 108 of the outer ring 68 is attached to the lift housing 22. A retaining ring 110 having a generally annular shape is disposed adjacent the top end 102 of the outer ring 68, is attached to the lift housing 22, and extends about the central axis a to secure the outer ring 68 to the lift housing 22.

The

engagement members

88, 90 include a plurality of outer ring teeth 90, each outer ring tooth 90 having a diamond shape disposed adjacent a top end 102 of the outer ring 68, circumferentially spaced from one another, extending outwardly from an inner surface 106 of the outer ring 68 for sliding along the arms 86 and engaging the cavities 98 of the inner ring teeth 88 to secure the poppet housing 22 in the extended position. The other of the arms 86 defines an inclined surface 112 for receiving the outer ring teeth 90 and allowing the lift housing 22 to move from the extended position to the lowered position. A plurality of

pins

114, 116 extend radially inward toward the central axis a for slidable engagement with the cam 98 to rotate the inner ring 66 about the support tube 32 and allow the lift housing 22 to move between the extended and lowered positions. The plurality of

pins

114, 116 includes a first set of pins 114 and a second set of pins 116. The first set of pins 114 are circumferentially spaced from one another, are positioned adjacent the bottom ends 104 of the outer ring teeth 90, and extend radially inward toward the central axis a. A second set of pins 116 is positioned radially and circumferentially spaced from the first set of pins 114 for engaging the cam 100 of the inner ring 66.

In operation, and also best illustrated in fig. 6, initially the lifting housing 22 is in the lowered position. When in the lowered position, the outer ring teeth 90 are disposed adjacent the lower end 72 of the inner ring 66 and axially below the inner ring teeth 88. Alternatively, the outer ring teeth 90 may be received in the slots 94 between the inner ring teeth 88 when in the lowered position. To move from the lowered position to the extended position, the hydraulic actuators provide axial movement to the lift housing 22 such that the lift housing 22 moves axially along the central axis a and the support tube 32. As the lift housing 22 moves axially along the support tube 32, the outer ring teeth 90 slide in the slots 94 toward the upper end 70 of the inner ring 66. As the outer ring teeth 90 slide over the arms 96 of the inner ring teeth 88 (e.g., at a maximum height), the second set of pins 116 engage the cam 100 and slide along the cam 100. In response to the sliding movement of the second set of pins 116 along the cam 100, the cam 100 converts the axial movement of the lift housing 22 into rotational movement such that the inner ring 66 rotates about the support tube 32. When outer ring 68 is lowered toward inner ring 58, i.e., the hydraulic actuators cease to provide axial movement to lift housing 22, outer ring teeth 90 slide along arms 96 to further rotate inner ring 66 and align outer ring teeth 90 with cavities 98 to allow cavities 98 to receive outer ring teeth 90 and define an extended position. Based on the engagement between the outer and

inner ring teeth

90, 88, the outer ring teeth 90 are located in cavities 98 of the inner ring teeth 88, thereby maintaining the lift housing 22 in the extended position without any additional force input provided by the hydraulic actuation portion. It should be appreciated that additional axial movement of the lift housing 22 is possible by implementing and disposing additional ribs on the inner surface 106 of the outer ring 68 as the outer ring teeth 90 move beyond the inner ring teeth 88.

To move from the extended position to the lowered position, the hydraulic actuator provides another axial movement to the lift housing 22, causing the lift housing 22 to move axially away from the support tube 32. In response to axial movement of the lift housing 22, the outer ring 68 moves axially away from the inner ring 66. As a result of this axial movement, the outer ring teeth 90 move axially away from the cavities 98 of the inner ring teeth 88, and the first set of pins 114 engage the cam 100 and slide along the cam 100. In response to the sliding movement of the first set of pins 114 along the cam 100, the axial movement of the lift housing 22 is converted into rotational movement such that the inner ring 66 rotates about the support tube 32. As outer ring 68 is lowered toward inner ring 66, outer ring teeth 90 slide along sloped surface 112 of one of arms 96 to further rotate inner ring 66 and align outer ring teeth 90 with slots 94 between inner ring teeth 88 to allow slots 94 to receive outer ring teeth 90 and define a lowered position.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings, and such modifications and variations may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while remaining within the scope of the appended claims. These preceding statements are to be understood to encompass any combination of the novelty of the present invention which finds its utility.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/674,612 filed on

day

5 and 22 of 2018 and U.S. official patent application serial No. 16/384,504 filed on day 4 and 15 of 2019, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A latch assembly, the latch assembly comprising:

a lift housing extending along a central axis between a first open end and a second open end and defining a chamber extending between the first open end and the second open end;

a support tube slidably disposed in the chamber extending about the central axis between a first end of the support tube and a second end of the support tube;

a moving member disposed between the support tube and the lift housing for moving the lift housing between an extended position and a lowered position, wherein the support tube includes an intermediate portion including a projection extending radially outwardly from the intermediate portion perpendicular to the central axis for engaging the lift housing, the latch assembly further including first and second projections disposed in the cavity spaced apart from one another and extending radially inwardly from the lift housing toward the central axis in abutment with the support tube for engaging the projection to limit axial movement of the support tube, the first projection being positioned adjacent and axially spaced apart from the first open end and the second projection being positioned at the second open end, wherein, when in the extended position, the second projection abuts the projection and the first projection is spaced from the projection to increase the height of the vehicle; when in the lowered position, the first projection abuts the projection and the second projection is axially spaced from the projection to reduce the height of the vehicle;

the moving member comprises an inner ring and an outer ring, the inner ring extending around the support tube and the outer ring being attached to the lift housing for converting axial movement of the support tube into rotational movement to secure the lift housing in the extended position and allow the lift housing to move from the extended position to the lowered position; and

a plurality of engagement members located between the inner ring and the outer ring for axially moving the inner ring and the outer ring along the central axis between the extended position and the lowered position,

wherein the engagement member includes a plurality of inner ring teeth extending radially outward from an outer surface of the inner ring, circumferentially spaced from one another, and extending along the central axis to an inner ring tooth end for engaging the outer ring,

wherein the latch assembly further comprises a pair of arms extending perpendicularly outwardly from the inner ring gear end to each other and tapering toward an upper end, one of the pair of arms being longer than the other of the pair of arms to define a V-shaped cavity extending between the pair of arms.

2. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the inner ring teeth includes a cam extending radially outward from the inner ring tooth and being skewed to the inner ring tooth at an oblique angle relative to the central axis.

3. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein the engagement member further includes a plurality of outer ring teeth circumferentially spaced from one another extending outwardly from an inner surface of the outer ring for engaging the inner ring teeth.

4. The latch assembly of claim 3, wherein each of the outer ring teeth has a diamond shape for sliding along the one of the pair of arms and engaging the cavity of the inner ring teeth to secure the poppet housing in the extended position.

5. The latch assembly of claim 4, wherein the other of the pair of arms defines a ramped surface for receiving the outer ring tooth and allowing the lift housing to move from the extended position to the lowered position.

6. The latch assembly of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of pins extending radially inward toward the central axis for slidable engagement with the cam to rotate the inner ring about the support tube and allow the lift housing to move between the extended position and the lowered position.

7. The latch assembly of claim 6, wherein the plurality of pins includes a first set of pins circumferentially spaced from one another for engaging the cam.

8. The latch assembly of claim 7, wherein the plurality of pins includes a second set of pins positioned radially and circumferentially spaced from the first set of pins for engaging the cam of the inner ring.

9. The latch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a bearing disposed between an inner surface of the inner ring and the support tube and rotatable about the support tube and attached to the inner ring to allow the inner ring to rotate about the support tube in response to axial movement of the support tube.

10. The latch assembly of claim 9, further comprising a pair of clasps spaced apart from each other and attached to the support tube sandwiching the inner ring between the clasps to secure the inner ring to the support tube.

11. The latch assembly of claim 10, further comprising a support ring disposed between the bearing and one of the snap rings for receiving the bearing.

12. The latch assembly of claim 9, wherein the bearing defines at least one aperture.

13. The latch assembly of claim 12, further comprising a tab extending outwardly from an inner surface of the inner ring and radially inwardly toward the central axis and extending annularly about the central axis into the at least one aperture to connect the inner ring to the bearing.

14. The latch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a retaining ring disposed adjacent the outer ring, attached to the lift housing, and extending about the central axis to secure the outer ring to the lift housing.

15. A latch assembly for raising and lowering the height of a vehicle, the latch assembly comprising:

the moving member comprises an inner ring and an outer ring, the inner ring extending around the support tube and the outer ring being attached to the lifting housing for converting axial movement of the support tube into rotational movement to secure the lifting housing in the extended position and allow the lifting housing to move from the extended position to the lowered position;

a bearing disposed between an inner surface of the inner ring and the support tube, the bearing being rotatable about the support tube and attached to the inner ring to allow the inner ring to rotate about the support tube in response to axial movement of the support tube; and

16. The latch assembly of claim 15, wherein each of the inner ring teeth includes a cam extending radially outward from the inner ring tooth and being skewed to the inner ring tooth at an oblique angle relative to the central axis.

17. The latch assembly of claim 16, wherein the engagement member further includes a plurality of outer ring teeth circumferentially spaced from one another extending outwardly from an inner surface of the outer ring for engaging the inner ring teeth.

18. The latch assembly of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of pins extending radially inward toward the central axis for slidable engagement with the cam to rotate the inner ring about the support tube and allow the lift housing to move between the extended position and the lowered position.

19. The latch assembly of claim 18, wherein the plurality of pins includes a first set of pins circumferentially spaced from one another for engaging the cam; and

a second set of pins positioned radially and circumferentially spaced from the first set of pins for engaging the cam of the inner ring.