JP2002309825A - Vehicle tail gate ratch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a vehicle tail gate ratch device incapable of opening a main door when an auxiliary door is in a state to open the door. SOLUTION: A ratchlever 25 for rotating against elasticity of a return spring 28 by coming into contact with an auxiliary ratch 23 is provided near to the auxiliary ratch 23 of an auxiliary ratch unit 20, a block lever 39 is connected to the auxiliary ratch lever 25, the block lever 39 is displaced to a block position when the ratch lever 25 is returned and rotated by elasticity of the return spring 28, and it is displaced to a non-block position when the ratch lever 25 is rotated against the elasticity of the return spring 28. The vehicle tail gate ratch device is so constituted that a connecting spring 41 lies between the ratch lever 25 and the block lever 39 to enable the ratch lever 25 to rotate by coming into contact with the auxiliary ratch 23 by the expansion of the connecting spring 41 even if the block lever 39 remains at the block position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a latch device for a vehicle tailgate.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle tailgate comprising two doors, a main door and a sub door, is known. From the viewpoint of safety measures and prevention of damage to the door, the main door and the sub door may be restricted in opening operation.For example, when the sub door is open, do not open the main door. Sometimes. As a latch device for a vehicle tailgate having two doors, for example, one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-184147 is known. In this latch device, an open state of a sub door is determined by a sub door latch. Detecting from the rotation of the ratchet of the unit, the rotation of the ratchet releases the connection between the open handle for the main door and the ratchet for the main door, and opens the main door when the sub door is open Is to be disabled.

[0003]

The problem of the above-mentioned known example is as follows.
Since the opened state of the sub-door is detected from the rotation of the ratchet for the sub-door, there are two problems. First, the rotation of the ratchet does not always coincide with the open state of the sub door. In general, when the ratchet is rotated by the opening operation of the open handle, the latch is released from the restraint by the ratchet, so that the secondary door is opened by the elasticity of the weather strip, etc. Since it does not act as a direct opening force to open the sub door,
For example, even if the ratchet is rotated when the secondary door is in a situation where it is difficult to open due to freezing or the like, the secondary door will stop at the closed position, and in this situation, despite the secondary door being in the closed position, It would be possible to open the main door. Second
The problem is that the operation feeling of the open handle is reduced. In the known example, the ratchet and the clutch lever connected to the ratchet via the rod are moved by the opening operation of the open handle. At this time, the member group is urged toward the initial position by the open lever. Since the elasticity of the spring acts as a resistance, a good operation feeling cannot be expected. Further, the elasticity of the spring is increased so that a large number of members can be reliably returned to the initial position. However, the strong elasticity of the spring further reduces the operation feeling of the open lever.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problem by preventing the erroneous opening of the main door by detecting the opened state of the sub door from the rotational position of the latch engaged with the striker. Another object of the present invention is to provide a latch device for a vehicle tailgate that prevents a structural problem even if the latch is inadvertently closed.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
A main latch unit 18 that engages with the main striker 19 and holds the main door 11 in the closed state, and a sub-latch unit 2 that engages with the sub-strike 21 and holds the sub-door 12 in the closed state.
0, an open lever 30 that can release the engagement between the main latch unit 18 and the main striker 19 by the opening operation of the main open handle 16, and an engagement between the sub latch unit 20 and the sub striker 21. A sub-open handle 17 that releases the main latch unit 18 and the main striker 19 by the open lever 30 when the sub-door 12 is opened. In the vicinity of the sub-latch 23 of the sub-latch unit 20, when the sub-latch 23 rotates from the unlatched position to the latch position, the sub-latch 23 rotates against the elasticity of the return spring 28 by contact with the contact surface 27 of the sub-latch 23. When the sub-latch 23 returns from the latched position to the unlatched position, a latch lever 25 that rotates and returns by the elasticity of the return spring 28 A block lever 39 is connected to the latch lever 30, and the block lever 39 is displaced to a block position where the rotation of the open lever 30 is disabled when the latch lever 25 is returned and rotated by the elastic force of the return spring 28. The latch lever 25 is configured to be displaced to a non-blocking position when rotated against the elasticity of the return spring 28. Further, a connecting spring 41 is interposed between the latch lever 25 and the block lever 39. A latch device for a vehicle tailgate configured such that the latch lever 25 can be rotated by abutment with the sub-latch 23 by expansion of the connection spring 41 even when the block lever 39 is left at the block position. It is.

[0006]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
Shows a latch device 10 according to the invention mounted on a vehicle tailgate. The vehicle tailgate is composed of a lower main door 11 and an upper sub door 12, and the illustrated main door 11
The sub door 12 is attached to the main door 11 with a hinge 15. The configuration of the tailgate is arbitrary, and the illustrated one is merely an example.

On the outer surface of the main door 11, a main open handle 16 for the main door 11 and a sub open handle 17 for the sub door 12 are provided. 18 is a main latch unit for the main door 11 attached to the main door 11, 19 is a main striker for the main door 11 attached to the vehicle body 13, 20 is the main door 11.
A sub-latch unit for the sub-door 12 attached to the sub-door 12 is a sub-strike for the sub-door 12 attached to the sub-door 12.

[0008] As shown in FIG.
A sub-latch 23 that engages with the sub-strike 21 and a sub-ratchet 24 that engages with the sub-latch 23 and maintains the state of engagement between the sub-latch 23 and the sub-strike 21 are fixed to the base body 22. The auxiliary open handle 17 is connected to the auxiliary ratchet 24 via a rod or the like.
Reference numeral 25 denotes a latch lever fixed to the base body 22. In FIG. 2, the engagement end 26 is shown in cross section. The overall shape of the latch lever 25 is shown in FIG. The engagement end portion 26 is engaged with the contact surface 27 of the sub-latch 23 so as to be engageable. When the sub-latch 23 is rotated to the unlatched position by the opening of the sub-door 12, the return spring 28 (FIG.
When the sub-latch 23 is rotated to the latch position by the closing of the sub-door 12, the door is closed by a contact with the contact surface 27 when the sub-door 12 is closed. Displace to position.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 29 denotes a turning end of the main open handle 16, and the turning end 29 moves upward in FIG. An open lever 30 is placed on the movement locus of the rotating end 29.
Face one end 31 of Open lever 30 is the main door 11
To the bracket 32 attached to the
The other end 33 of 0 is connected to a main ratchet 35 (FIG. 4) of the main latch unit 18 via a rod 34. 36 is a main latch of the main latch unit 18.

The bracket 32 has a common support shaft 3
7, the interlocking lever 38 (FIG. 5) and the block lever 39
(FIG. 6). The interlocking lever 38 is connected to the latch lever 25 via a rod 40 so as to be displaced integrally with the latch lever 25, whereby the auxiliary latch 2
When 3 is in the latch position, the door is closed, and when the sub-latch 23 is in the unlatched position, it is displaced to the open position. 4
Reference numeral 1 denotes a connection spring, one end of which is locked to the interlocking lever 38, and the other end 43 of which is locked to the block lever 39 to urge the block lever 39 counterclockwise with respect to the interlocking lever 38. The 39 bent pieces 44 are held in a state of contacting the side surfaces of the interlocking lever 38.

In FIG. 3, when the interlocking lever 38 is turned rightward from the closed position to the open position, the block lever 39 is similarly turned rightward to be displaced to the block position, and the block lever 39 is turned.
Of the open lever 30 moves on the rotation locus of the one end 31 of the open lever 30. In this state, the leftward rotation of the open lever 30 corresponds to the bent portion 4 of the block lever 39.
5, the opening lever 30 cannot be rotated in the opening direction (leftward turning direction) even if the main open handle 16 is operated to open the door, so that the main ratchet of the main latch unit 18 is opened. 35 cannot be released from the main latch 36.

[0012]

When the sub-door 12 is closed, the sub-latch 23 of the sub-latch unit 20 is in the latch position shown in FIG. The latch 23 is held in the closed position shown in cross section by the contact with the contact surface 27 of the
The interlocking lever 38 connected to the door by the rod 40 is also held at the door closing position. The block lever 39 is connected to the connecting spring 41.
With the elasticity of the open lever 30, the bent portion 45 of the block lever 39 moves to a non-blocking position off the rotation locus of the one end 31 of the open lever 30 as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the main open handle 16 is opened while the sub door 12 is closed, the rotating end 29 of the main open handle 16 abuts on one end 31 of the open lever 30 to turn the open lever 30 to the left. The main ratchet 35 of the main latch unit 18 is detached from the main latch 36 via the rod 34, so that the main door 11 can be opened.

When the sub-open handle 17 is opened while both the main door 11 and the sub-door 12 are closed, the sub-ratchet 24 of the sub-latch unit 20 rotates and the sub-latch 23 is driven by the sub-ratchet 24. Released from restraint. Then, unless there is special circumstances, the secondary door 12 is pushed out in the door opening direction by the repulsive force of the weather strip or the like, the secondary latch 23 rotates to the unlatched position, and the engaging end 26 of the latch lever 25 is returned to the return spring 28. With the resilience of (3), the door moves from the closed position to the open position indicated by the dotted line (turns to the left in FIG. 3), and the interlock lever 38 also turns right from the closed position to the open position via the rod 40. Then, similarly, the block lever 39 turns rightward, and the bent portion 45 on the distal end side of the block lever 39 is also turned.
Moves on the rotation locus of one end 31 of the open lever 30, and in this state, the left rotation of the open lever 30 is restricted by the bent portion 45 of the block lever 39, so that the main open handle 16 is opened. Even if the door is operated, the open lever 30 cannot be rotated in the door opening direction (leftward turning direction). As described above, when the sub-latch 23 is rotated to the unlatched position by the opening of the sub-door 12, the rotation of the open lever 30 to be opened is restricted, and the opening of the main door 11 is prevented.

Under special circumstances such as freezing, the sub-door 12 may not be opened even if the sub-ratchet 24 is released from the sub-latch 23 by opening the sub-open handle 17. As described above, when the sub-door 12 is not opened, the sub-latch 23 does not rotate to the unlatch position even if the sub-ratchet 24 rotates, so that the rotation of the open lever 30 by the block lever 39 is continued, and the main door 11 is not rotated.
Is kept open.

Further, in the present invention, the latch lever 25 (and the rod 40, the interlocking lever 38, and the block lever 39 connected thereto) is moved to the initial position (opened) when the sub-door 12 is opened without impairing the operability. (Return to the door position), the elasticity of the return spring 28 can be set to a necessary and sufficient value. That is, the elasticity of the return spring 28 only serves as resistance when rotating the sub-latch 23 to the latch position,
Rotating the sub-latch 23 to the latch position is due to the inertia force of closing the sub-door 12 having a considerable weight.
The elasticity of 8 can be set to a large value without substantially affecting operability.

When the main open handle 16 is opened with the sub door 12 being opened, as described above,
One end 31 of the open lever 30 contacts the bent portion 45 of the block lever 39, and the rotation thereof is restricted. Thus, the open lever 30 and the block lever 3
In a state where the sub door 12 contacts the sub door 9, the sub door 12 is not normally closed. However, even if such an operation is performed and the interlocking lever 38 moves from the door opening position to the door closing position, in such a case, the connecting spring 41 is elastically widened to leave the block lever 39 connected. Since the displacement of only the lever 38 is allowed, the closing of the sub door 12 is smoothly performed, and damage to the contact portions of the block lever 39 and the open lever 30 is prevented.

[0017]

According to the present invention, the main latch unit 18 engages with the main striker 19 to hold the main door 11 in the closed state.
A sub-latch unit 20 that engages with the sub-strike 21 to hold the sub-door 12 in the closed state, and releases the engagement between the main latch unit 18 and the main striker 19 by opening the main open handle 16. Open lever 3
0, the auxiliary latch unit 20 and the auxiliary striker 2
1 and a secondary open handle 17 for releasing the engagement with the main latch unit 18 and the main striker 19 by the open lever 30 when the secondary door 12 is opened. When the sub-latch 23 rotates from the unlatched position to the latched position in the vicinity of the sub-latch 23 of the sub-latch unit 20, the elasticity of the return spring 28 is brought into contact with the contact surface 27 of the sub-latch 23. A latch lever 25 that rotates against the rotation of the sub-latch 23 and returns to the unlatched position from the latched position by the elastic force of the return spring 28;
A block lever 39 is connected to the latch lever 30, and the block lever 39 is displaced to a block position where the rotation of the open lever 30 is disabled when the latch lever 25 is rotated back by the elastic force of the return spring 28. When the lever 25 rotates against the elasticity of the return spring 28, the lever 25 is displaced to a non-blocking position. Further, a connection spring 41 is interposed between the latch lever 25 and the block lever 39 so that Since the latch lever 25 can be rotated by contact with the sub-latch 23 by expanding the connection spring 41 even when the block lever 39 is left at the block position, the vehicle tailgate latch device is configured. The latch lever 25 moves the block lever 39 in accordance with the rotation of the sub-latch 23.
Is switched, the open state of the sub door 12 is not erroneously detected, and the elasticity of the return spring 28 for returning and rotating the latch lever 25 becomes a resistance when the sub latch 23 is rotated from the unlatched position to the latch position. Therefore, it can be powerful without substantially affecting operability. In addition, when the sub door 12 is closed when the block lever 39 is restrained at the block position by the contact between the block lever 39 and the open lever 30, the latch lever 25 moves the block lever 39 to the block position. By expanding the connecting spring 41 while leaving it, it can be rotated by contact with the sub-latch 23, so that the sub-door 12 can be closed smoothly and damage the contact portion between the block lever 39 and the open lever 30. Is prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a vehicle tailgate to which a latch device according to the present invention is attached.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a sub-latch unit.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a main part.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a main latch unit.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the connection lever.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the block lever.

[Description of Signs] 10 Latch device, 11 Main door, 12 Sub door, 13 Body, 14 Hinge, 15 Hinge, 16 Main open handle, 17 Sub open handle, 18 Main latch unit, 19: Main striker, 20: Secondary latch unit, 21: Secondary striker, 22: Base body, 23 ...
Secondary latch, 24 ... Secondary ratchet, 25 ... Latch lever,
26: engagement end, 27: contact surface, 28: return spring, 29
... Rotating end, 30 ... Open lever, 31 ... One end, 32
... bracket, 33 ... other end, 34 ... rod, 35 ... main ratchet, 36 ... main latch, 37 ... support shaft, 38 ... interlocking lever, 39 ... block lever, 40 ... rod, 41 ...
Connection spring, 42 ... one end, 43 ... other end, 44 ... bent piece, 4
5 ... Bent part.

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 28, 2001 (2001.11.
28)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All figures

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

FIG. 2

FIG. 3

FIG. 4

FIG. 5

FIG. 6

Claims (1)

[Claims] A main latch unit for engaging the main striker and holding the main door in the closed state; a sub-latch unit engaging with the sub-strike and maintaining the sub door in the closed state; When the main open handle 16 is opened, the main latch unit 18 and the main striker 19 are opened.
And an open lever 30 that can release the engagement with the auxiliary latch unit 20 and the auxiliary striker 21 that releases the engagement between the auxiliary latch unit 20 and the auxiliary striker 21. When the auxiliary door 12 is opened. Are the main latch unit 18 and the main striker 19 by the open lever 30.
And the auxiliary latch 23 of the auxiliary latch unit 20 is provided near the auxiliary latch 23.
Is rotated from the unlatch position to the latch position, the auxiliary latch 23 rotates against the elasticity of the return spring 28 by contact with the contact surface 27 of the sub-latch 23, and the sub-latch 23 returns from the latch position to the unlatch position when the sub-latch 23 returns to the unlatch position. A latch lever 25 is provided which rotates and returns by the elasticity of a return spring 28. A block lever 39 is connected to the latch lever 30. The block lever 39 is connected to the return spring 2 by the latch lever 25.
When the return rotation is performed with the elasticity of 8, the open lever 30 is displaced to a block position where rotation of the open lever 30 is disabled, and when the latch lever 25 rotates against the elasticity of the return spring 28, the latch lever 25 is displaced to a non-block position. Further, a connecting spring 41 is interposed between the latch lever 25 and the block lever 39 so that the latch lever 25 is extended by the expansion of the connecting spring 41 even when the block lever 39 is left at the block position. A latch device for a vehicle tailgate configured to be rotatable by contact with a latch 23.