JP2004332530A - Side lock device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a side lock device superior in universality. <P>SOLUTION: The side lock device comprises a support, an opening/closing body closably mounted thereon, a pair of right and left latches movably held on the side of the opening/closing body, an energizing spring means using springing pressure for energizing each of the right and left latches to the direction of a lock hole formed on the side of the support, and an operation handle to be operated for moving each of the right and left latches at its front end backward from the lock hole on the side of the support against the energizing spring means. The pair of right and left latches are linked to each other via a link bar rotatably journaled to the side of the opening/closing body. The operation handle has an operation portion 16A for abutting on the latch 1A and one latch 1A has at least two abutment faces 7a, 8a for abutting on the operation portion 16A of the operation handle. Thus, the operation handle can be operated in multiple directions and systems. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to a side lock device that locks a glove box itself or an independent lid thereof that can be opened and closed on an instrument panel side of an automobile, for example.

  Although not specifically shown, this type of conventional side lock device rotatably supports a pair of left and right ring levers in a housing fixed to the center of the glove box main body, and rotates the left and right link levers. At the upper end, a pair of latches is provided to enter and exit the lock holes formed in the instrument panel, and between the lower ends of the left and right link levers, the pair of latches are urged in a direction to always engage in the lock holes. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

When the glove box body is in the closed state, the tip of the latch provided at the upper end of each of the left and right link levers engages with the corresponding left and right lock holes on the instrument panel side, and When the lock state is released and the glove box is opened, the operation handle is pivotally operated to be provided opposite to the intermediate portion of the pair of left and right link levers. When each protruding arm is pressed down against the biasing spring pressure of the tension coil spring, the left and right link levers rotate in the opposite direction to the biasing direction, and the tip of the latch retracts from the lock hole. Thus, the glove box can be moved in the opening direction.
JP-A-4-60079

  However, in the conventional side lock device, since the operation handle is pivotally supported on a bearing piece provided on the housing side so as to be swingable, a right-hand drive specification vehicle used in a country where traffic regulations are different. The position of the glove box is different between the left and right-hand drive models on the left and right.If you try to place the operation handle of the side lock device at a position other than the center of the glove box, the side lock that includes the operation handle The device itself had to be changed. Further, even when the operation direction, operation method, and the like of the operation handle must be changed due to national circumstances, national characteristics, or fashion, the design change of the side lock device is forced each time.

  The present invention has been developed in order to effectively solve the problem of the conventional side lock device, and the invention according to claim 1 has an opening and closing body attached to a support so as to be openable and closable, and a pair of left and right sides on the opening and closing body side. And the left and right latches are movably held, and the left and right latches are urged toward the lock holes formed on the support body side by the spring pressure of the urging spring means. In the side lock device for retracting the front end portion from the lock hole on the support side against the biasing spring means, the pair of left and right latches are interlocked via a link lever rotatably supported on the opening and closing body side, The operating handle is provided with an operating portion that contacts the latch, and at least one of the latches is provided with two or more contact surfaces that contact the operating portion of the operating handle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, based on the first aspect, the opening / closing body includes a holding member that movably holds one of the latches. The holding member is detachable from the opening / closing body, and the operation handle is provided. It is characterized by being supported so as to be swingable or pressable.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, on the premise of the first or second aspect, the latch includes an elastic piece having a projection, the link lever includes a concave portion that is fitted with the projection, and the link lever has a thickness of the latch. It is characterized by being thinner than the wall thickness.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, based on the first to third aspects, each of the pair of left and right latches has a shaft provided on the rear end side thereof and a hole through which the shaft of the other side is inserted. Each of the holes has a braking means, and an urging spring means is mounted on one of the shafts.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, based on the second to fourth aspects, the latch has an elastic claw for temporarily fixing the holding member.

  Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, at least one of the latches has two or more contact surfaces that contact the operating portion of the operation handle, so that the position of the operation handle can be freely adjusted along the latch. When the operating handle is operated while the operating portion is in contact with the corresponding contact surface, the distal ends of the pair of left and right latches are retracted from the lock holes on the support side against the urging spring means. As a result, a number of operating directions and operating modes of the operating handle can be provided.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the holding member that supports the operation handle so as to be able to swing or press can be attached to and detached from the opening / closing body. , The installation position of the operation handle can be freely changed accordingly. According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the thickness of the link lever is smaller than the thickness of the latch, the entire latch becomes thinner, and the side lock device itself can be made thinner.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the shaft portions corresponding to the respective holes are inserted into each other, the frame structure is completed by itself and can withstand deformation due to a torsional moment and the like, and each of the holes can be formed. Has the braking means, it is possible to prevent an unpleasant tapping sound when the latch enters and exits the lock hole. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the latch and the holding member can be delivered in a temporarily assembled state because the latch is provided with the elastic claws for temporarily fixing the holding member, so that the working efficiency is improved.

  According to the present invention, the position of the operation handle can be freely changed along the latch by providing at least one of the left and right latches with at least one contact surface that abuts the operating portion of the operation handle. If the operating handle is operated while the operating portion is in contact with the corresponding contact surface, the tip portions of the pair of left and right latches can be retracted from the lock holes on the support side against the biasing spring means. Therefore, it is intended to provide several operation directions and operation methods of the operation handle.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to a preferred embodiment. The side lock device according to the embodiment also includes a glove box itself or an independent lid that is openably and closably attached to an instrument panel of an automobile. However, here, a case where the present invention is applied to a glove box will be described for convenience. Further, it is assumed that the box body of the glove box is rotatably supported on a space in the instrument panel.

  In this embodiment, a pair of left and right latches movably held between the outer panel and the inner panel on the design surface of the glove box body as shown in FIGS. The rear end of the latch 1A is bent upward and the rear end of the other latch 1B is bent downward so that the latches 1A and 1B can be interlocked vertically. A shaft portion 2 with a retaining claw 2a inserted into a hole portion 3 described later is integrally provided on the end face, and a hole portion 3 for mutually inserting the shaft portions 2 is provided at a base of a curved shape. By inserting the opposing shaft portions 2 into the respective holes 3 from opposite directions, a frame structure is constructed at this portion to withstand deformation due to torsional moment or the like.

  In addition, the link lever 5 described later is rotated by the force transmitted from the operation handles 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D described later to the one latch 1A, and the force is transmitted to the other latch 1B, and the glove box body is moved. In this case, the latches 1A and 1B and the link lever 5 are connected by loose fitting of a projection 4a and an end hole 5a, which will be described later, and the link lever 5 and a support (not shown) serving as a rotation fulcrum. When the opening force transmitted from the operation handles 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D to the latch 1B is transmitted to the link lever 5, the link lever 5 is twisted, and the reaction force and The torsional force or torsional moment may act on the latch 1B due to the reaction. However, in the present embodiment, the curved portion of the latch 1A and the curved portion of the latch 1B are connected by the respective shaft portions 2 so as to surround the link lever 5, thereby forming a frame structure. Since the secondary moment can be improved, the torsional force and the torsional moment can be sufficiently counteracted even without the sliding support members of the latches 1A and 1B near the link lever 5.

  Further, the latches 1A and 1B are engaged with the lock holes on the instrument panel side, and the end faces of the retaining claws 2a of the respective shaft portions 2 collide with the corresponding end surfaces of the hole portions 3, thereby engaging with the lock holes. The amount is limited, the movement of the latches 1A and 1B is stopped, and the glove box body is closed with respect to the instrument panel. Therefore, in the present embodiment, high-viscosity grease is injected into the hole 3 to exert a braking force between the shaft portion 2 and the hole 3, and a high level is also provided between the retaining claw 2a and the hole 3. By applying grease having a viscosity, the impact at the time of collision is reduced, and the generation of a tapping sound is suppressed. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and an O-ring is mounted between the retaining claw 2a and the hole 3 to reduce the impact at the time of collision and suppress the occurrence of a tapping sound, or A simple air damper is formed by fitting an O-ring into the shaft portion 2 and forming an air discharge hole having a fine sectional area connecting the inside and the outside air in the hole portion 3 to form a simple air damper. It is also possible to suppress generation of sound.

  In addition to this, each of the left and right latches 1A and 1B is provided with an elastic piece 4 having a projection 4a integrally formed by notching a middle portion of its own curved shape. The left and right latches 1A and 1B are operatively connected to each other by fitting the left and right latches 1a into end holes 5a which are concave portions formed at both ends of the link lever 5, and the left and right latches 1A and 1B are connected to the shaft 2 of the other latch 1B. A compression coil spring 6 is mounted as urging spring means for urging the distal ends of the latches 1A and 1B in the direction of the lock holes formed on the instrument panel side. The link lever 5 is rotatably supported by a support (not shown) provided on the outer panel side through a center hole 5b. As shown in FIG. By setting the thickness so as to be smaller than the thickness of the latches 1A and 1B and making the whole of the latches 1A and 1B thin, the side lock device itself can be made thinner in combination with the vertical overlapping state. Therefore, the space that can be effectively used in the glove box can be made wider than that of the conventional product.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, in particular, as shown in FIG. 1, the blind first engagement hole 7 and the through-hole second engagement are formed on the straight side surfaces of the left and right latches 1A and 1B facing the outer panel. A plurality of engagement holes 8 are provided at predetermined intervals in a paired relationship, and one latch 1A, which will be described later, is moved toward the tip of a linear side face facing the inner panel, as shown in FIG. By forming the elastic claws 9 for temporarily holding the holding members 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D that can be held as possible, and delivering the latches 1A and 1B and the holding members in a temporarily assembled state, the efficiency of assembly work can be improved. It has a configuration. The first engaging hole 7 has a contact surface 7a perpendicular to the direction of the axis of movement of the latches 1A and 1B, and the second engaging hole 8 has latches 1A and 1B. Abutment surfaces 8a that are inclined with respect to the direction of the movement axis. In FIG. 2, the hole seen on the side surface of each of the latches 1A and 1B is the above-described through hole-shaped second engagement hole portion 8.

  Therefore, when using the operating handle 10A that swings vertically from bottom to top for the pair of left and right latches 1A and 1B having such a configuration, first, as shown in FIG. A holding hole 12 for movably holding the distal end of one latch 1A, a shaft portion 14 fitted in a bearing hole 13 of the operation handle 10A, a fixing piece 15 fixed to the outer panel, An insertion hole 17 for inserting a tapered operating portion 16A of the handle 10A into the holding hole 12 is formed. A bearing hole portion 13 fitted to the shaft portion 14 on both sides of the operation handle 10A, The operating handle 10A is swung by the holding member 11A by forming the tapered operating portion 16A that fits into the second engaging hole 8 described above, and fitting the bearing hole 13 and the shaft portion 14 together. Movably supporting To.

  Then, while the distal end of one latch 1A is inserted into the holding hole 12 of the holding member 11A, the holding member 11A is connected to an arbitrary second engagement hole 8 side through the fixing piece 15 to the outer panel side. Then, the tapered operating portion 16A of the operation handle 10A supported by the holding member 11A is fitted into the second engagement hole 8. In this case, only the tip of one latch 1A is held via the holding member 11A, but the tip of the other latch 1B is a through hole formed in the side surface of the glove box body. Since it is held immediately, there is no possibility that the operation of both 1A and 1B will be affected. Of course, it goes without saying that the tip of one latch 1A is also held by the through hole.

  Then, after that, by operating the operation handle 10A in a swinging manner, as shown in FIG. 5, the tapered operating portion 16A of the operation handle 10A makes the inclined contact surface 8a of the corresponding second engagement hole portion 8A. At the same time, the tip of one latch 1A is retracted from the lock hole of the instrument panel against the urging spring pressure of the compression coil spring 6, and the tip of the other latch 1B is also linked. Since the lever 5 is retracted from the lock hole by the action of the lever 5, it becomes possible to move the glove box in the opening direction. In this case, even when using an operation handle that swings vertically from top to bottom, the operation handle is used under the same principle. When the swing operation of the operating handle 10A is released, the operating handle 10A automatically returns to the original closed state by the urging force of the compression coil spring 6.

  Next, when using the operation handle 10B which swings laterally from left to right for the pair of left and right latches 1A and 1B, as shown in FIG. In addition to the hole 12, the shaft portion 14, and the fixing piece 15, an insertion hole 17 for inserting the linear operating portion 16B of the operation handle 10B into the holding hole 12 is formed. A bearing hole 13 and a linear operating portion 16B are formed on the side, and the operating hole 10B is swingably supported by the holding member 11B by fitting the bearing hole 13 and the shaft portion 14 together. And

  Then, while the tip end of the one latch 1A is inserted into the holding hole 12 of the holding member 11B, the holding member 11B is connected to the arbitrary first engagement hole 7 through the fixing piece 15 again. When screwed to the outer panel side, the linear operating portion 16B of the operation handle 10B supported by the holding member 11B fits into the first engagement hole 7. In this case as well, only the tip of one latch 1A is held via the holding member 11B, but the tip of the other latch 1B is a through hole formed on the side surface of the glove box body. It will be held immediately.

  Then, thereafter, by swinging the operation handle 10B, the linear operating portion 16B of the operation handle 10B is moved along the orthogonal contact surface 7a of the first engagement hole 7 as shown in FIG. At the same time, the tip of one latch 1A is retracted from the lock hole of the instrument panel against the urging spring pressure of the compression coil spring 6, and the tip of the other latch 1B is As a result, the glove box can be moved in the opening direction. In this case, even when using the operation handle that swings in the lateral direction from right to left, the operation handle is used under the same principle. When the swing operation of the operation handle 10B is released, the operation handle 10B is automatically returned to the original closed state by the urging force of the compression coil spring 6.

  Further, when a push-type operating handle 10C is used for the pair of left and right latches 1A and 1B, as shown in FIG. 8, the holding member 11C is provided in addition to the holding hole 12 and the fixing piece 15 described above. An insertion hole 17 for inserting the tapered operating portion 16C of the operation handle 10C into the holding hole 12, a slit 19 for regulating a moving distance and a position of a locking leg 18 provided on the operation handle 10C side, and locking. A guide wall 19a for guiding the movement of the leg 18 is formed, and for the operation handle 10C, a tapered operating portion 16C is formed at the center and four locking legs 18 are formed around the tapered operating portion 16C. By engaging the locking leg 18 in the slit 19, the operation handle 10C is supported by the holding member 11C so as to be able to be pressed in a direction perpendicular to the latch.

  Then, the tips of the four locking legs 18 are engaged in the slits 19, and the inner surface of each locking leg 18 is brought into sliding contact with the guide wall 19a to hold the distal end of one latch 1A. When the holding member 11C is screwed to the outer panel side via the fixing piece 15 corresponding to an arbitrary second engagement hole 8 while being inserted into the holding hole 12 of the member 11C, the holding member 11C is supported by the holding member 11C. The operation handle 16 </ b> C of the operating handle 10 </ b> C fits into the second engagement hole 8. In this case as well, only the tip of one latch 1A is held via the holding member 11C, but the tip of the other latch 1B is a through hole formed in the side surface of the glove box body. It will be held immediately.

  Then, thereafter, by pressing the operation handle 10C in the direction of the holding member 11C, the tapered operating portion 16C of the operation handle 10C is inclined as shown in FIG. 8a, the tip of one latch 1A is retracted from the lock hole of the instrument panel against the biasing spring pressure of the compression coil spring 6, and the tip of the other latch 1B is also moved. Since the link lever 5 is moved backward from the lock hole, the glove box can be moved in the opening direction. When the pressing operation of the operating handle 10C is released, the operating handle 10C automatically returns to the original closed state by the urging force of the compression coil spring 6.

  When the slide type operation handle 10D is used for the pair of left and right latches 1A and 1B, as shown in FIG. 10, the holding member 11D is provided in addition to the holding hole 12 and the fixing piece 15 as described above. An insertion hole 17 for inserting the linear operating portion 16D of the operation handle 10D into the holding hole 12 and a support hole 20 with a notch groove for slidably supporting the operation handle 10D itself are formed. In addition, a linear operating portion 16D is formed on one end side of the operation hole 10D, and the operation handle 10D is supported in the support hole 20 with the bending of the support hole 20 being obtained. It shall be supported so that it can be pressed in the direction.

  Then, while inserting the distal end of one of the latches 1A into the holding hole 12 of the holding member 11D, the holding member 11D is moved toward the outer panel via the fixing piece 15 corresponding to an arbitrary first engagement hole 7. By screwing, the linear operating portion 16D of the operation handle 10D supported by the holding member 11D fits into the first engagement hole 7. In this case as well, only the tip of one latch 1A is held via the holding member 11D, but the tip of the other latch 1B is a through hole formed on the side surface of the glove box body. It will be held immediately.

  Then, thereafter, by pressing the operation handle 10D along the holding member 11D, the linear operating portion 16D of the operation handle 10D is brought into contact with the first engagement hole 7 at right angles as shown in FIG. Sliding along the surface 7a, the tip of one latch 1A is retracted from the lock hole of the instrument panel against the urging spring pressure of the compression coil spring 6, and at the same time, the tip of the other latch 1B Is also retracted from the lock hole by the action of the link lever 5, so that the glove box can be moved in the opening direction. When the swing operation of the operating handle 10D is released, the operating handle 10D is automatically returned to the original closed state by the urging force of the compression coil spring 6.

  In the above description, one of the latches 1A supports the operation handles 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D at arbitrary positions through the holding members 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D. The present invention is not limited to this, and the other latch 1B side is provided with the same structure as the one latch 1A, so that the other latch 1B side operates the operating handle 10A via the holding members 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D. It is also possible to support 10B, 10C, and 10D at arbitrary installation positions. In any case, the operation handles 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D can be selected simply by selecting the fixed positions of the holding members 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D that support the operation handles 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D so that they can swing or press. 10D can be supported at an arbitrary installation position.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the operation handles 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D and the latches 1A, 1B are present on the front side and the back side of the outer panel, respectively, each of the operation handles 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D is provided. The operating portions 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D fit into the engagement holes 7, 8 through openings (not shown) provided on the outer panel side. However, when the installation positions of the operation handles 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are changed, the position of the opening of the outer panel must be changed at the same time, but it is not necessary to change the design of the side lock device itself. .

  Further, holding members 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D which support the pivotally supported link lever 5 and the operation handles 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D so as to swing or press and slidably hold the latches 1A and 1B. Are all mounted on the back side of the outer panel. Therefore, when the installation positions of the operation handles 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are changed, the support posts for pivotally supporting the link lever 5 are combined with the change of the opening positions. It is only necessary to change the mounting seats of the fixing pieces 15 of the holding members 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D (not shown) at the same time, and it is possible to carry out design change work and production of production dies with the minimum required labor and cost. .

  As described above, since the holding members 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D slidably hold the latches 1A, 1B on both sides of the contact surfaces 7a, 8a, the operation handles 10A, 10B, 10C. When transmitting the force from 10D to the latches 1A and 1B, the opening force can be smoothly transmitted to the latches 1A and 1B even if the direction of the force changes.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, by using a pair of left and right latches 1A and 1B in common, the operation handle 10A can be applied to a right-hand drive vehicle or a left-hand drive vehicle without changing the entire device.・ The installation position of 10B ・ 10C ・ 10D can be freely changed, and the operation direction can be freely changed between vertical swing type and left / right swing type system. Since the type and the slide type can be freely changed, there is no need to change the design of the side lock device each time.

  In the above-described embodiment, the contact surfaces for contacting the operating portions 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D of the operation handles 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D are formed inside the latches 1A, 1B. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a contact surface 8a protruding from the side surfaces of the latches 1A and 1B is formed to protrude toward the holding members 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D. It is possible to provide a notch 21 that allows the movement of the contact surface 8a. However, if it is configured as in the embodiment, there is an advantage that the thickness of the latches 1A and 1B can be reduced.

  In any case, although not specifically shown, when the glove box main body is in a closed state, the distal ends of the left and right latches 1A and 1B are locked by the corresponding left and right locks on the instrument panel side. It goes without saying that it engages in the hole and locks the glove box in its closed position.

  Since the side lock device according to the present invention can provide various operation directions and operation modes of the operation handle, it particularly locks the glove box itself or its independent lid which can be opened and closed on the instrument panel side of the automobile. In that case, it is very convenient.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a pair of left and right latches provided in the side lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention, from the outer panel side. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the pair of left and right latches from the inner panel side. It is a principal part sectional view which shows the state which the end hole of the link lever fitted with the protrusion of the elastic piece. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a vertically swinging operation handle and its holding member. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state in which the latch is retracted by a vertically swinging operation handle. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a left-right swing type operation handle and its holding member. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the state in which the latch was retracted by the left-right swing type operation handle. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a push type operation handle and a holding member thereof. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state where a latch is retracted by a push-type operation handle. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a slide-type operation handle and its holding member. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state in which a latch is retracted by a slide-type operation handle. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating another example of a contact surface that contacts an operation portion of an operation handle and a holding member.

Explanation of reference numerals

Reference Signs List 1A One latch 1B The other latch 2 Shaft 2a Retaining claw 3 Hole 4 Elastic piece 4a Projection 5 Link lever 5a End hole (recess)
5b Central hole 6 Compression coil spring (biasing spring means)
7 first engaging hole 7a orthogonal contact surface 8 second engaging hole 8a inclined contact surface 9 elastic claw 10A vertical swing type operation handle 10B left / right swing type operation handle 10C push type operation Handle 10D Operation handle of slide type 11A Vertical swing type holding member 11B Left and right swing type holding member 11C Push type holding member 11D Slide type holding member 12 Insertion hole 13 Bearing hole 14 Shaft 15 Fixed piece 16A Tapered Operating part 16B Linear operating part 16C Tapered operating part 16D Linear operating part 17 Insertion hole 18 Locking leg 19 Slit 20 Support hole 21 Notch

Claims (5)

An openable / closable body is attached to the support so as to be openable and closable, and a pair of left and right latches are movably held on the openable / closeable body side. In a side lock device in which the tip of each of the left and right latches is biased and retracted against the biasing spring means by operating the operation handle, the pair of left and right latches are moved toward the opening / closing body. An operating portion that contacts the latch is provided on the operating handle while the link is interlocked via a rotatably supported link lever, and at least one of the latches has two contact surfaces that contact the operating portion of the operating handle. A side lock device provided as described above. The opening / closing body includes a holding member that movably holds one of the latches, the holding member is detachable from the opening / closing body, and supports the operation handle so as to be able to swing or press. Item 2. The side lock device according to Item 1. 3. The latch according to claim 1, wherein the latch includes an elastic piece having a projection, the link lever includes a recess fitted with the projection, and a thickness of the link lever is smaller than a thickness of the latch. A side lock device according to any one of the above. Each of the pair of left and right latches has a shaft portion provided on the rear end side of the latch and a hole portion through which the shaft portion of the other side is inserted. Each of the hole portions has braking means and is attached to one of the shaft portions. 4. The side lock device according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing spring. 5. The side lock device according to claim 2, wherein the latch has an elastic claw for temporarily fixing the holding member.

Images