JP2006248397A - Lock mechanism for movable roof of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lock mechanism for a movable roof of a vehicle capable of reducing the movable space over the longitudinal direction of a connecting rod, even when the axial direction of moving of a lock pin and a central axis of a rotation center of one end of the connecting rod are mutually in a twisted positional relationship. <P>SOLUTION: In the lock mechanism 6 for the movable roof, an intermediate lever 19 where one end side sandwiching a rotary shaft 19a is rotatably connected to the connecting rod 15 at a second connection part 18, and other end side is connected to the lock pin 20 through a conversion mechanism 23 converting the rotational displacement to a linear displacement, is interposed between the connecting rod 15 and the lock pin 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a lock mechanism for a movable roof in a vehicle.

  Some sports-type vehicles and the like have a roof that can be opened and closed outside the vehicle in order to give an occupant a feeling of opening. An example of the structure is described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes a lock mechanism for a vehicle body when a roof is closed.

A conventional example of the locking mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. 10A (a plan view of the locking mechanism). The outer periphery of the rotating plate 52 rotated around the central axis 51 by a driving source (not shown) on the vehicle body side. One end of the connecting rod 53 is rotatably connected to the side. The other end of the connecting rod 53 is rotatably connected to a lock pin 55 guided so as to move linearly by a guide member 54. A groove 54a is formed in the guide member 54. When a roof (not shown) is closed, a striker 56 attached to the lower surface side of the roof is positioned in the groove 54a as shown in the drawing. Then, as the rotating plate 52 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing, the connecting rod 53 moves from the state indicated by the phantom line to the state indicated by the solid line (that is, the connecting rod of the crank mechanism moves), and thus the lock pin 55 is moved. Moves from the state indicated by the phantom line to the state indicated by the solid line and engages with the engagement hole of the striker 56. Thereby, the roof (not shown) is locked with respect to the vehicle body.
JP 2004-17864 A (paragraph 0010, FIG. 2, FIG. 4)

  FIG. 10A shows a case where the movement axis direction of the lock pin 55 intersects the central axis 51. In this case, the movable space of the connecting rod 53 may be relatively small. However, for example, when the structure is such that the movement axis direction of the lock pin 55 does not intersect the center axis 51 as shown in FIG. 10B, for example, due to layout reasons, that is, the movement axis direction of the lock pin 55 and the center axis 51 Are in a torsional positional relationship with each other, there is a problem that the movable space along the length direction of the connecting rod 53 increases as shown by the oblique lines, which may restrict the layout of other components of the vehicle. is there.

  As a technique for solving this problem, for example, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), if a bent portion 57 is formed on the connecting rod 53, the movable space around the bent portion 57 is increased, but the length of the connecting rod 53 is increased. The movable space over the direction can be reduced. However, in this structure, when the lock pin 55 engages with the striker 56 and a large resistance force is applied to the lock pin 55 when contacting the engagement hole, a large bending stress is generated in the bent portion 57, There is a problem that the transmission efficiency of the force in the connecting rod 53 tends to be lowered.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and even when the moving axis direction of the lock pin and the central axis serving as the rotation center of one end of the connecting rod are in a torsional positional relationship with each other. The movable space over the length direction of the connecting rod can be reduced, and even when a resistance force is applied to the lock pin when the lock pin is engaged with the striker, the force between the drive source side and the lock pin side can be reduced. An object of the present invention is to provide a lock mechanism for a movable roof in a vehicle having excellent transmission efficiency.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a lock pin that is provided on either the vehicle body or the movable roof and that reciprocates linearly in the horizontal direction, and is provided on the one side, with one end connected to the drive source side at the first connecting portion. A connecting rod that rotates around a predetermined central axis and has the other end connected to the lock pin at the second connecting portion, and is provided on either the vehicle body or the movable roof, and the lock pin A movable roof in a vehicle configured to apply a resistance force to the lock pin when the lock pin engages the striker to lock the closed state of the movable roof. A locking mechanism, wherein one end side sandwiching a rotation shaft is rotatably connected to the connecting rod at the second connecting portion between the connecting rod and the lock pin. A movable roof locking mechanism in a vehicle characterized in that an intermediate lever connected to the lock pin is interposed on the other end side across the rotation shaft via a conversion mechanism that converts the rotational displacement into a linear displacement. .

  According to this locking mechanism, the connecting rod rotates and moves the second connecting portion at the other end with respect to the first connecting portion at the one end that rotates. The displacement range of the connecting rod viewed from the predetermined central axis direction is reduced. Therefore, the movable space over the length direction of the connecting rod can be reduced. Even if the moving axis direction of the lock pin and the axial direction of the predetermined center axis are in a torsional positional relationship, the gap is absorbed by the intermediate lever, so that a bent portion is formed in the connecting rod and the intermediate lever. Therefore, the transmission efficiency of the force between the drive source side and the lock pin side is prevented from being lowered.

  According to the present invention, the intermediate lever rotates in a direction in which the lock pin is engaged with the striker when the second connecting portion is displaced toward the predetermined central axis. The locking mechanism was used.

  According to this lock mechanism, when the movable roof is closed and locked, when the second connecting portion is displaced toward the predetermined central axis due to bending deformation of the connecting rod due to impact force such as a vehicle collision The intermediate lever generates a pressing force that presses the lock pin in the locking direction. Thereby, the lock function of the movable roof is maintained even when the vehicle collides.

  In the invention, the conversion mechanism includes a long hole formed in one of the intermediate lever and the lock pin, and a pin formed in the other hole and inserted into the long hole. The movable roof locking mechanism in the vehicle is used.

  According to this lock mechanism, the conversion mechanism can be configured with a simple structure, and the assemblability of the lock mechanism is improved.

  In the present invention, the relationship between the distance L1 from the rotation axis of the intermediate lever to the second connecting portion and the distance L2 to the connecting portion with the lock pin is set to “L1 <L2”. The movable roof locking mechanism in the vehicle is characterized by that.

  According to this lock mechanism, the movement distance of the lock pin can be made larger than the movement distance of the connecting rod. In other words, the moving distance of the connecting rod necessary for the locking function can be reduced, and the movable space based on the movement can be suppressed.

  In the present invention, the relationship between the distance L1 from the rotation axis of the intermediate lever to the second connecting portion and the distance L2 to the connecting portion with the lock pin is set to “L1> L2”. The movable roof locking mechanism in the vehicle is characterized by that.

  According to this lock mechanism, the force required on the drive source side is small, and a predetermined movable roof lock function can be achieved with a drive source having a small capacity.

  According to the present invention, even if the moving axis direction of the lock pin and the central axis serving as the rotation center of one end of the connecting rod connected to the drive source side are in a torsional positional relationship, It is possible to reduce the movable space in the length direction and to prevent a reduction in force transmission efficiency between the drive source side and the lock pin side.

  FIGS. 1 and 2 are an external perspective view and a plan view, respectively, of a vehicle provided with a movable roof locking mechanism according to the present invention. In addition, illustration of a movable roof is abbreviate | omitted in FIG. In FIG. 1, an opening 4 is formed between a front fixed roof 2 and a rear fixed roof 3 above the passenger compartment. The movable roof 1 closes the opening 4 when fully closed, and a link mechanism when opened. The opening 4 is opened by rotating rearwardly outside the vehicle body via 5. That is, the movable roof 1 has a structure that opens and closes with respect to the vehicle body including the vertical component direction. The link mechanism 5 includes, for example, a four-joint link mechanism, and is configured as a drive node in which at least one link member is connected to a drive source (not shown), and drives the movable roof 1 to open and close. In the present invention, the structure of the link mechanism 5 is not particularly limited.

  On the front edge of the opening 4, a housing portion 7 for housing a lock mechanism 6, which will be described in detail later, extends from the lower space of the front fixed roof 2 along the vehicle width direction. An accommodating portion 9 that accommodates the lock mechanism 8 extends along the vehicle width direction from the lower space of the rear fixed roof 3 slightly forward to the edge. When the movable roof 1 is closed, the lock mechanism 6 and the lock mechanism 8 lock the closed state of the movable roof 1 by engaging with strikers 22 attached to the four corners of the lower surface thereof. In the figure, the locking mechanism according to the present invention is applied only to the locking mechanism 6 positioned in the front, and the locking mechanism 8 in the rear is a conventionally known locking mechanism (for example, having the structure shown in FIG. 10A). Shows the case. Hereinafter, the lock mechanism 6 according to the present invention will be described.

  First, the schematic structure of the lock mechanism 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The lock mechanism 6 includes a drive source 10 composed of a motor or the like near the center of the housing portion 7 in the vehicle width direction, and is rotated by the output shaft 11. Near the outer periphery of the rotating plate 14, one end of each of the long connecting rods 15 and 16 is rotatably connected to a position facing directly 180 degrees across the central axis 14 a. The connecting rods 15 and 16 are extended toward the vehicle outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the other ends are connected to the lock pin 20 via the intermediate lever 19. The lock pin 20 is located in a portion of the housing portion 7 that protrudes rearward from the front fixed roof 2 in a plan view, and the movable roof 1 is disposed on the upper surface of the housing 27 serving as a housing of the protruded portion. When (FIG. 1) is closed, an insertion hole 27a for allowing the striker 22 (FIG. 1) attached to the lower surface thereof to be inserted into the housing 27 is formed. As described above, when the striker 22 (FIG. 1) is inserted into the housing 27, the rotating plate 14 rotates clockwise in the drawing, whereby the left and right lock pins are connected via the connecting rods 15 and 16 and the intermediate lever 19. 20 moves from the state shown in the drawing toward the vehicle outer side in the substantially vehicle width direction, and engages with the striker 22 (FIG. 1).

  The lock mechanism 6 has the same configuration on the left and right with respect to the rotating plate 14 except for the difference in the lengths of the connecting rods 15 and 16, and the one connecting rod 15 side will be described in detail below. 3 to 5 are an external perspective view, a plan explanatory view, and a side explanatory view of the lock mechanism 6, respectively. 6 and 7 are respectively a cross-sectional view taken along line AA and a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a pinion gear 12 is attached to the output shaft 11 of the drive source 10 having an axial direction slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction. The pinion gear 12 is attached to the pinion gear 12 as shown in FIGS. In addition, the rotating plate 14 is connected via a reduction two-stage gear 13 so as to be reciprocally rotatable around the central axis 14a by a gear portion formed on the outer periphery thereof. Near the outer periphery of the rotating plate 14, one end of the connecting rod 15 is attached to the first connecting portion 17 so as to be rotatable around an axial direction parallel to the central axis 14 a. In other words, the first connecting portion 17 rotates around the central axis 14a (around the predetermined central axis recited in the claims). The connecting rod 15 extends toward the vehicle outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the other end is connected to the intermediate lever 19 at the second connecting portion 18 so as to be rotatable around an axial direction parallel to the central axis 14a. .

  The connecting rod 15 is formed as a linear rod having no bent portion when viewed from the axial direction of the central shaft 14a. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the connecting rod 15 in the present embodiment is formed with a bent portion 15a having a displacement component in the vertical direction (specifically, the axial direction of the central axis 14a) when viewed from the side. . This is a measure corresponding to the curved shape of the roof (front fixed roof 2 or the like) along the vehicle width direction. In FIG. 10C, the twist between the axial direction of the central axis 51 and the moving axis direction of the lock pin 55. The function is different from that of the bent portion 57 provided to absorb the positional relationship. Further, the degree of bending of the bent portion 15a is very small, and the problem of bending stress is not so affected.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate lever 19 is configured as a linear plate member in plan view (specifically, viewed from the axial direction of the rotary shaft 19 a), and has an axial rotation axis parallel to the central axis 14 a. As described above, one end is connected to the connecting rod 15 by the second connecting portion 18 with the other end located on the vehicle rear side connected to the base end portion of the lock pin 20 that reciprocates linearly. The length of the intermediate lever 19 is shorter than that of the connecting rod 15, and the bending rigidity in the rotating direction is a member sufficiently larger than that of the connecting rod 15.

  The lock pin 20 is a substantially cylindrical member, and the tip portion thereof has a conical shape. Reference numeral 21 denotes a guide block fixed to the vehicle body, and is formed with a guide hole 21a having a substantially vehicle width direction as a hole axis direction. The lock pin 20 is supported by the guide block 21 so that the lock pin 20 can be linearly moved horizontally along the substantially vehicle width direction by being inserted into the guide hole 21a. The movement axis direction of the lock pin 20 and the central axis 14a do not intersect with each other and are in a so-called twisted positional relationship. A groove 21b is formed in the guide block 21 so as to divide the guide hole 21a in the hole axial direction and open upward along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The groove 21b is formed as shown in FIG. In addition, when the movable roof 1 is closed, the striker 22 is located. The striker 22 is formed with an engagement hole 22a through which the lock pin 20 is inserted.

  In FIG. 4, the intermediate lever 19 that rotates and the lock pin 20 that moves linearly are connected via a conversion mechanism 23 that converts the rotational displacement of the intermediate lever 19 into linear displacement. In this embodiment, as the conversion mechanism 23, a long hole 24 is formed at the other end of the intermediate lever 19, and a pin 25 to be inserted into the long hole 24 is formed at the proximal end portion of the lock pin 20. Thereby, when the intermediate lever 19 rotates, the inner wall of the long hole 24 presses the pin 25, and the pin 25 is allowed to move in the longitudinal direction of the long hole 24, so that the lock pin 20 moves linearly. The long hole 24 may be formed on the lock pin 20 side, and the pin 25 may be formed on the intermediate lever 19 side. By using the conversion mechanism 23 using such a long hole 24 and the pin 25, the conversion mechanism 23 has a simple structure, and the assembly of the product is improved.

  The operation of the lock mechanism 6 having the above configuration will be described. When the movable roof 1 (FIG. 5) is closed and the rotating plate 14 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 4 by the drive source 10, the intermediate lever 19 is moved more than the central shaft 14a. The first connecting portion 17 located on the side rotates to a position away from the central axis 14a with respect to the intermediate lever 19 as indicated by an imaginary line. That is, the second connecting portion 18 of the connecting rod 15 is drawn toward the center of the vehicle, and accordingly, the intermediate lever 19 also rotates clockwise about the rotating shaft 19a. Therefore, the lock pin 20 connected to the intermediate lever 19 via the conversion mechanism 23 moves toward the vehicle outer side in the substantially vehicle width direction and engages with the striker 22.

  When the moving shaft direction of the lock pin 20 and the central shaft 14a are in a torsional positional relationship, if the intermediate lever 19 is interposed between the connecting rod 15 and the lock pin 20 as described above, it rotates and moves. Since the second connecting portion 18 at the other end can also be rotationally moved with respect to the first connecting portion 17 at one end, the displacement range of the connecting rod 15 as viewed from the axial direction of the central shaft 14a accompanying the rotational movement can be reduced. . In other words, the movable space along the length direction of the connecting rod 15 is reduced, and this can increase the degree of freedom of layout design in other components of the vehicle close to the connecting rod 15.

  Further, if the intermediate lever 19 is interposed, the height position of the connecting rod 15 and the lock pin 20 in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 19a can be changed as shown in FIG. Can be increased. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the intermediate lever 19 is formed with bent portions 19b and 19c having a displacement component with respect to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 19a. 10 is formed for adjusting the height position with respect to the 20 side. In FIG. 10C, it is provided to absorb the positional relationship of the twist between the axial direction of the central shaft 51 and the moving shaft direction of the lock pin 55. The function is different from that of the bent portion 57.

  Now, in FIG. 5, when the lock pin 20 is engaged with the striker 22, a resistance force is applied to the lock pin 20. FIG. 5A shows an initial stage in which the movable roof 1 in the open state is closed, and the hole axis of the engagement hole 22a of the striker 22 is a slight distance from the movement axis of the lock pin 20. FIG. The case where it is located only L is shown. In the initial stage when the movable roof 1 is closed, the lower edge of the movable roof 1 is mounted on a weather strip 26 (see FIG. 6 and the like) made of an elastic material such as a rubber material provided for the purpose of watertightness to the room. It is only placed and is not completely closed. A large force is required to pull the movable roof 1 completely downward by elastically deforming the weather strip 26 in order to ensure water tightness. In the method of performing this pulling with the link mechanism 5 shown in FIG. A drive source having a large torque capacity is required, and there is a problem that a large load is easily applied to the link member and the connecting portion.

  The lock mechanism 6 has a structure that also serves to retract the movable roof 1, and when the lock pin 20 moves in the lock direction, as shown in FIG. By pressing the lower edge downward, the movable roof 1 is pulled downward and completely closed as shown in FIG. In the process, a large resistance force of about 300 N, for example, is applied to each lock pin 20. In such a case, in the structure shown in FIG. 10 (c), bending stress is likely to be generated in the bent portion 57. On the other hand, if the intermediate lever 19 shown in FIG. 15 and the intermediate lever 19 need not be provided with a bent portion corresponding to the bent portion 57, so that the problem of bending stress does not occur, and the force transmission efficiency on the drive source 10 (FIG. 3) side and the lock pin 20 side is eliminated. Can be prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the connecting rod 15 is pulled toward the center of the vehicle, that is, when the second connecting portion 18 is displaced toward the central shaft 14 a, the intermediate lever 19 engages the lock pin 20 with the striker 22. If it is configured to rotate in the direction to be combined, the following effects are achieved. FIG. 8 shows a reverse configuration as a comparative modification, and shows a configuration in which the intermediate lever 19 rotates in a direction to release the lock pin 20 from the striker 22 when the connecting rod 15 is pulled toward the center of the vehicle. Yes. In the case of FIG. 8, for example, when the movable roof 1 (FIG. 1) is locked, the long connecting rod 15 is bent and deformed by an impact force P such as a collision of the vehicle. When the distance from the second connecting portion 18 is shortened, the intermediate lever 19 rotates in a direction in which the lock pin 20 is detached from the striker 22. That is, the movable roof 1 (FIG. 1) acts so as to be unlocked. In contrast, in the case of FIG. 4, when the long connecting rod 15 is bent and the distance between the first connecting portion 17 and the second connecting portion 18 is shortened, A pressing force for pressing the lock pin 20 in the lock direction can be generated. That is, the locked state of the movable roof 1 (FIG. 1) is maintained even when the connecting rod 15 is bent. Thereby, a predetermined lock function is maintained even when the vehicle collides.

  Next, the configuration in which the intermediate lever 19 is interposed has the following effects by setting the lever ratio to a desired ratio. In FIG. 9, when the distance from the rotating shaft 19a to the second connecting portion 18 is L1, and the distance from the rotating shaft 19a to the connecting portion (conversion mechanism 23) to the lock pin 20 is L2, (a) is expressed as “L1 < When “L2” is set, (b) shows a case where “L1> L2” is set. When “L1 <L2” is set, the movement distance of the lock pin 20 can be made larger than the movement distance of the connection rod 15, in other words, the movement distance of the connection rod 15 necessary for the lock function can be reduced. The movable space based on the movement can be suppressed. On the other hand, when “L1> L2” is set, a resistance force is applied to the lock pin 20 as described above, so that the force required on the drive source 10 (FIG. 3) side can be reduced. 10 can perform a predetermined locking function.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. 1, the striker 22 is provided on the movable roof 1 side, and other components of the lock mechanism 6 such as the connecting rod 15, the intermediate lever 19, and the lock pin 20 are provided on the vehicle body side. However, the reverse layout, that is, the striker 22 may be provided on the vehicle body side, and the constituent members of the other lock mechanism 6 may be provided on the movable roof side. However, the former layout reduces the weight of the movable roof 1 and reduces the load on the link mechanism 5.

1 is an external perspective view of a vehicle including a movable roof locking mechanism according to the present invention. It is plane explanatory drawing of the vehicle provided with the locking mechanism of the movable roof which concerns on this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the lock mechanism of the movable roof which concerns on this invention. It is a plane explanatory view of the lock mechanism of the movable roof concerning the present invention. It is side explanatory drawing of the locking mechanism of the movable roof which concerns on this invention. It is AA sectional drawing in FIG. It is BB sectional drawing in FIG. It is plane explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the locking mechanism of the movable roof which concerns on this invention. It is a plane explanatory view showing the setting state of the lever ratio of the intermediate lever. It is plane explanatory drawing which shows the conventional lock mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

1 movable roof 6 lock mechanism 14a central axis (predetermined central axis)
15, 16 Connecting rod 17 First connecting portion 18 Second connecting portion 19 Intermediate lever 19a Rotating shaft 20 Lock pin 22 Strike 23 Conversion mechanism 24 Long hole 25 Pin

Claims (5)

A lock pin which is provided on either the vehicle body or the movable roof and moves linearly in a reciprocating manner in the horizontal direction;
A connecting rod provided on the one side, one end of which is connected to the drive source side at the first connecting portion and rotates around a predetermined central axis, and the other end is connected to the lock pin side at the second connecting portion; ,
A striker that is provided on the other side of the vehicle body or the movable roof and engages with the lock pin;
When the lock pin engages with the striker and locks the closed state of the movable roof, a movable roof locking mechanism in a vehicle configured to apply a resistance force to the lock pin,
Between the connecting rod and the lock pin, one end side sandwiching the rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the connecting rod in the second connecting portion, and the other end side sandwiching the rotating shaft is rotationally displaced. A movable roof locking mechanism in a vehicle, wherein an intermediate lever connected to the lock pin is interposed via a conversion mechanism that converts linear displacement.   2. The movable vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate lever rotates in a direction in which the lock pin is engaged with the striker when the second connecting portion is displaced toward the predetermined central axis. Roof locking mechanism.   The said conversion mechanism consists of a structure provided with the long hole formed in either one of the said intermediate lever or the said lock pin, and the pin formed in either one, and being inserted in the said long hole. Item 3. A movable roof locking mechanism in a vehicle according to Item 2.   In the intermediate lever, the relationship between the distance L1 from the rotation axis to the second connecting portion and the distance L2 to the connecting portion with the lock pin is set to “L1 <L2”. The lock mechanism of the movable roof in the vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The intermediate lever is characterized in that the relationship between the distance L1 from the rotation axis to the second connecting portion and the distance L2 to the connecting portion with the lock pin is set to “L1> L2”. The lock mechanism of the movable roof in the vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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