JP2019183614A - Door lock device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a door lock device configured so as to be able to prevent the opening operation of a vehicle door more reliably when inertia forces are input.SOLUTION: The door lock device includes a block mechanism with a block member that is located in an avoidance region of avoiding the rotation range of an open link when an inertia force that rotates the open link in an unlocking position to the direction of a locking position does not occur, the block member being located in a block position of entering the rotation range of the open link when an inertia force occurs. The block member is configured so as to engage with the open link rotating in an unlocking direction in the block position, thereby preventing the open link from returning to the unlocking position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4A

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle door lock device.

  A vehicle door lock device (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a door lock device) includes a latch unit configured to maintain a vehicle door in a closed state by engagement with a striker attached to a vehicle body. Prepare. The latch unit includes a latch and a pole. The latch has a holding hole for holding the striker, and is configured to be rotatable from a holding position where the holding of the striker held in the holding hole cannot be released to a releasing position where the holding of the striker can be released. The pole is configured to be rotatable between a restriction position that restricts rotation of the latch from the holding position to the release position and a restriction release position that allows rotation of the latch from the holding position to the release position.

  The vehicle door is kept closed when the latch is in the holding position with the striker held and when the pawl is in the restricting position and the rotation of the latch is restricted by the pawl. At this time, when the outside handle or the inside handle is operated, the open link provided in the door lock device opens. The open link is configured to be rotatable between an unlock position and a lock position. When the open link is opened when the unlock link is in the unlock position, the pole at the restriction position is rotated to the restriction release position. Thereby, the rotation restriction of the latch is released, and the latch rotates from the restriction position to the release position. When the latch rotates from the restriction position to the release position, the striker can be detached from the latch. That is, the engagement between the vehicle door and the vehicle body is released. Therefore, the vehicle door can be opened.

  Generally, an outside handle provided on a vehicle door is configured so that an operation (pull operation) of pulling a handle lever toward the outside of the vehicle is possible, and the vehicle door is opened by the pull operation. The In order to prevent the opening of the vehicle door against the user's will, the outside handle has a force that allows the outside handle to be pulled, except when the user pulls the outside handle at his / her own will. It is desirable not to work.

  However, when a load (hereinafter, this external force is referred to as a side impact load) from the outside of the vehicle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the door surface of the vehicle door, such as a side collision, acts on the vehicle door, An inertial force is generated toward the outside. If this inertial force acts on the outside handle, the outside handle may be pulled against the user's will, thereby opening the vehicle door. Therefore, a door lock device having a mechanism for preventing the opening of the vehicle door by the pseudo operation of the outside handle caused by the inertial force has been conventionally proposed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a door lock device in which a counterweight is attached to an open link (pole lifter). According to the door lock device described in Patent Literature 1, when a side collision load is input to the vehicle door, the open link is configured to rotate from the unlock position to the lock position around the counterweight by inertia. For this reason, even if the outside handle is pseudo-operated by the inertial force and the open link is opened, the operation of the open link is not transmitted to the pole because the open link is located at the lock position. For this reason, the rotation position of the pole is maintained at the restriction position, and the opening of the vehicle door is prevented.

JP 2010-13919 A

(Problems to be solved by the invention)
Since the inertial force generated by a side collision or the like is very large, the open link that has been rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position by the inertial force may bounce back at the locked position and rotate again to the unlocked position. The open link is always urged to rotate to the unlock position by an urging member such as a spring. Therefore, after the input of the inertia force is completed, the open link positioned at the lock position is returned to the unlock position by the spring biasing force.

  After the open link is returned to the unlock position as described above, when the outside handle is pseudo-operated by the inertial force accompanying the side collision, the open link in the unlock position rotates the pole, The rotation restriction of the latch is released. In this case, the vehicle door is opened. Therefore, the configuration of the door lock device described in Patent Document 1 cannot sufficiently prevent the opening operation of the vehicle door when the inertia force is input.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a door lock device configured to be able to more reliably prevent an opening operation of a vehicle door when an inertial force is input.

(Means for solving the problem)
The present invention includes a latch unit (3) configured to maintain a closed state of a vehicle door, an open lever (45) that rotates in conjunction with an operation of a door handle provided on the vehicle door, and an open It has a connecting part (462) connected to the lever, can rotate the rotation range from the locked position to the unlocked position around the connecting part, and interlocks with the rotation of the open lever when it is in the unlocked position The open link (46) configured to release the maintenance of the closed state of the vehicle door by the latch unit by the open operation, and the biasing member (46a) for biasing the open link to the unlock position Open link when there is no inertial force to rotate the open link in the unlocked position in the direction toward the locked position. The block member (51, 51) is located in a retreat area that is retreated from the rotation range of the open link, and is located at a block position that enters the rotation range of the open link by moving using the inertia force when inertia force is generated. 61, 71, 81) and a block mechanism (50, 60, 70, 80), and the block member engages with an open link that rotates in the unlocking direction at the block position, A vehicle door lock device configured to prevent return of an open link to an unlock position is provided.

  According to the present invention, when there is no inertia force that causes the open link to rotate in the direction from the unlocked position toward the locked position, the block member is located in the retreat area that is retracted from the rotation range of the open link. The block member does not hinder open link rotation. On the other hand, when the inertial force is generated and the open link rotates in the direction from the unlocked position to the locked position, the block member moves from the retreat area using the inertial force and enters the rotation range of the open link. Located in position. For this reason, when the open link rotated to the lock position side rotates toward the unlock position, the block member engages with the open link being rotated. This prevents the return of the open link to the unlock position. Therefore, even when the outside handle is pseudo-operated by inertial force thereafter, the vehicle door is not opened because the open link is not in the unlock position. Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a door lock device configured to be able to more reliably prevent the opening operation of the vehicle door due to inertial force.

  In this case, when the block member is located at the block position, the block member may be configured to move to the retreat area by opening the open link engaged with the block member. According to this, when the open link engaged with the block member located at the block position is opened by, for example, operating the outside handle, the block member moves to the retreat area. When the block member moves to the retreat area, the engagement between the open link and the block member is released. For this reason, the open link can be returned to the unlock position.

  The block member is a block lever (51) that can rotate about an axis parallel to the direction of the inertial force and can move in the axial direction, and the block mechanism (50) is in the direction of the rotation axis of the block lever and has inertia. You may have the axial direction biasing member (52) which urges | biases a block lever in the direction opposite to the action direction of force, and the rotation direction biasing member (52) which urges | biases a block lever. In this case, the block lever is positioned at the axial initial position by the biasing force of the axial biasing member when no inertial force is generated, and is inertial when the inertial force is generated. It is configured to be positioned in the axial movement region that has moved in the axial direction from the initial position in the axial direction by the force, and the rotational position is positioned at the initial position in the retreat region at the initial position in the axial direction. The rotation direction biasing member may be rotated and biased by the rotation direction biasing member so as to rotate in a direction from the initial position toward the block position in the axial movement region.

  According to this, when there is no inertial force that causes the open link to rotate in the direction from the unlocked position toward the locked position, the axial position of the block lever is positioned at the axial initial position and the rotational position. Is located at the initial position in the retreat area. For this reason, the block lever does not hinder the rotation operation of the open link. On the other hand, when the inertia force is generated, the position of the block lever in the axial direction is positioned in the axial movement region in which the block lever is axially moved from the initial position in the axial direction in the direction of the inertial force. In this axial movement region, the block lever is urged to rotate in a direction from the initial position toward the block position. For this reason, the block lever rotates in the axial movement region, and the rotation position thereof is set to the block position. Therefore, when the open link rotated to the lock position side by the inertial force rotates toward the unlock position side, the open link engages with the block lever positioned at the block position during the rotation. This prevents the return of the open link to the unlock position.

  In this case, the door lock device according to the present invention may include a housing (2) in which a support shaft (235) that supports the block lever so as to be rotatable and axially movable is formed. Further, the block lever has a through hole (513) through which the support shaft is inserted, and a protrusion (235a) projecting radially outward is formed on the outer periphery of the support shaft. Key grooves (511e, 511f) are preferably formed on the peripheral surface (511a) along the axial direction of the support shaft. The key groove includes a first key groove (511e) that engages the protrusion so as to position the rotation position of the block lever at the initial position when the axial position of the block lever is the axial initial position, It is preferable to have a second key groove (511f) that engages with the protrusion so as to position the rotation position of the block lever at the block position when the axial position of the lever is in the axial movement region.

  According to this, when the inertia force is not input, the block lever can be positioned at the initial position by the protrusion of the support shaft engaging with the first key groove of the block lever. When the inertia force is input, the block lever moves the support shaft in the axial direction along the acting direction of the inertia force to reach the axial movement region, and in this axial movement region, the rotation direction biasing member As a result, the block lever rotates. Then, the protrusion of the support shaft engages with the second key groove of the block lever, so that the block lever can be positioned at the block position.

  Further, in this case, the axial movement region may include a first movement region and a second movement region that is a region further moved in the axial direction by inertial force from the first movement region. The block lever is configured to move in a direction from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the support shaft due to inertial force, and has an opening surface close to the proximal end side of the support shaft among the opening surfaces at both ends of the through hole. It is good to have a notch end part (511h) formed in a certain base end side opening surface. In addition, this notch edge part is formed by the extension edge part, when the keyway (for example, 1st keyway) formed in the block lever is extended to the base end side opening surface of a through-hole. It may be. The housing engages with the notch end when the block lever moves in the axial direction in the second moving region by inertial force, and the block lever moves as the block lever moves in the axial direction in the second moving region by inertial force. It is good to have the projection part (211) in which the inclined surface (211a) inclined with respect to the axial direction of a support shaft was formed so that a rotation position might rotate in the direction which goes to a block position from an initial position.

  When an inertial force is input to the block lever due to a side collision or the like and the block lever moves in the axial direction due to the inertial force, the block lever moves in the axial direction from the initial position in the axial direction to reach the axial movement region. At this time, the block lever starts to rotate in the direction toward the block position by the rotation direction biasing member, but when the inertia force is very large, the time required for the open link to return to the unlock position is very short. In some cases, the open link may return to the unlock position before the block lever reaches the block position. In this case, the block lever cannot prevent the return of the open link to the unlock position. In this regard, according to the present invention, when the block lever passes through the first movement region of the axial movement region and reaches the second movement region due to inertial force, the notched end portion formed in the block lever is the housing. Engage with the inclined surface of the protrusion formed on the surface. Then, when the block lever further moves in the second movement area in the axial direction, the block lever is moved to the initial position by changing the engagement position while engaging the notched end portion of the block lever and the inclined surface of the protrusion. Rotate forcibly in the direction toward the block position. By such forced rotation, the time required for the block lever to rotate to the block position after receiving the inertial force can be made shorter than the time for the block lever to rotate to the block position by the rotation biasing force of the rotation direction biasing member. it can. Thereby, even if a very large inertia force acts on the block lever and the open link, the block lever can be forcibly rotated to the block position before the open link returns to the unlock position. Therefore, the return of the open link to the unlock position can be prevented more reliably by the block lever when the inertia force is input.

  The door lock device according to the present invention further includes a housing (2) formed with a support shaft (235) that supports the block lever so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction, and the block lever passes through the support shaft. The inner peripheral surface (511a) having a hole (513) is formed with a protrusion (514) protruding radially inward, and a key groove along the axial direction is formed on the outer periphery of the support shaft. (235b, 235c) may be formed. The key groove includes a first key groove (235b) that engages the protrusion so as to position the rotation position of the block lever at the initial position when the axial position of the block lever is the axial initial position, It is preferable to have a second key groove (235c) that engages with the protrusion so that the rotation position of the block lever is positioned at the block position when the axial position of the lever is in the axial movement region.

  According to this, when the inertia force is not input, the protrusion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the block lever engages with the first key groove of the support shaft, thereby bringing the block lever to the initial position. Can be positioned. When the inertia force is input, the block lever moves the support shaft in the axial direction along the acting direction of the inertia force to reach the axial movement region, and in this axial movement region, the rotation direction biasing member As a result, the block lever rotates. Then, the protrusion formed on the block lever engages with the second key groove of the support shaft, so that the block lever can be positioned at the block position.

  In this case, the axial movement region may include a first movement region and a second movement region that is a region moved further in the axial direction by inertial force from the first movement region. The block lever may be configured to move from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the support shaft by inertial force. The second key groove engages with the protrusion when the block lever moves in the axial direction in the second moving area by inertial force, and blocks as the block lever moves in the second moving area in the axial direction by inertial force. An inclined surface (CL) inclined with respect to the axial direction of the support shaft may be formed so that the rotation position of the lever rotates in a direction from the initial position toward the block position.

  According to this, when the block lever passes through the first movement region of the axial movement region and reaches the second movement region due to a very large inertia force, the protrusion formed on the block lever is formed on the support shaft. Engage with the inclined surface of the second keyway. When the block lever further moves in the second movement area in the axial direction, the engagement position is changed while the protrusion of the block lever and the inclined surface of the second key groove are engaged, so that the block lever is moved to the initial position. Rotate forcibly in the direction from to the block position. By such forced rotation, the time required for the block lever to rotate to the block position after receiving the inertial force can be made shorter than the time for the block lever to rotate to the block position by the rotation biasing force of the rotation direction biasing member. it can. Thereby, even when a very large inertia force acts on the block lever and the open link, the block lever can be rotated to the block position before the open link returns to the unlock position. Therefore, the return of the open link to the unlock position can be prevented more reliably by the block lever.

  Moreover, it is good for an axial direction biasing member and a rotation direction biasing member to be comprised by the single biasing member (52). According to this, since the axial direction urging member and the rotational direction urging member are constituted by the same urging member, the number of parts constituting the block mechanism can be reduced.

  The block member is a block lever (61) that can rotate about an axis parallel to the acting direction of the inertial force, and the block mechanism (60) is a block lever urging member (63) that urges the block lever to rotate. And an inertia lever (62) that rotates when the inertial force is generated, and an inertia lever biasing member that rotates and urges the inertial lever in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the inertial lever when the inertial force is generated ( 64). In this case, when the inertial force is not generated, the inertial lever is urged to rotate to the engagement position where the inertial lever urging member is engaged with the block lever, and the inertial force is generated. In this case, it is configured to rotate in the direction in which the engagement with the block lever is released from the engagement position by the inertia force, and when the inertia lever is in the engagement position, the rotation position of the block lever is in the retracting region. It is engaged with the inertial lever so as to be located at the initial position, and when the inertial lever is rotated by the inertial force from the engagement position, the rotation is urged by the block lever urging member so that the rotation position is located at the block position. It is good to be done.

  According to this, when there is no inertia force that the open link rotates in the direction from the unlock position toward the lock position, the block lever is engaged with the inertia lever, so that the rotation position of the block lever is Located at the initial position in the evacuation area. For this reason, the block lever does not hinder the rotation operation of the open link. On the other hand, when the inertia force is generated, the engagement with the block lever is released by the rotation of the inertia lever. Then, the block lever is rotated by being urged by the block lever urging member, and the rotation position of the block lever is positioned at the block position. For this reason, when the open link rotated to the lock position side by the inertial force rotates toward the unlock position side, the open link engages with the block lever during the rotation. This prevents the return of the open link to the unlock position.

  The block member is a block plate (71) that can move between an initial position and a block position in the retreat area, and the block mechanism (70) biases the block plate in a direction toward the block position. The urging member (73) is urged by the urging member in the engagement direction to engage with the block plate located at the initial position, and the engagement with the block plate is released by the inertial force. And a rotating inertia lever (72). In this case, the block plate is positioned at the initial position by engaging the inertia lever that is urged to rotate in the engaging direction when no inertial force is generated, and when the inertial force is generated. It is preferable that the inertia lever is rotated in the disengagement direction to be disengaged from the inertia lever and moved to the block position by the urging force of the urging member.

  According to this, when there is no inertia force that the open link rotates in the direction from the unlock position toward the lock position, the block plate is retracted by engaging the block plate with the inertia lever. Located at the initial position within the region. For this reason, the block plate does not interfere with the rotation operation of the open link. On the other hand, when the inertial force is generated, the inertial lever and the block plate are disengaged by rotating in the direction in which the inertial lever is disengaged. Then, the block plate is urged by the urging member and moves to the block position. For this reason, when the open link rotated to the lock position side by the inertial force rotates toward the unlock position side, the open link engages with the block plate during the rotation. This prevents the return of the open link to the unlock position.

  The block member is a block lever (81) that can rotate about an axis parallel to the direction of the inertial force, and the block mechanism (80) has an urging member (82) that urges the block lever to rotate. You may do it. In this case, the block lever is locked to the open link at the unlock position from the direction intersecting the rotation plane of the open link by being urged by the urging member when no inertial force is generated. When the inertial force is generated at the initial position in the retreat area, the open link may be configured to be positioned at the block position by rotating toward the lock position by the inertial force.

  According to this, when there is no inertia force that causes the open link to rotate in the direction from the unlocked position toward the locked position, the direction in which the block lever intersects the open link rotation plane on the open link in the unlocked position It is located at the initial position in the retreat area in a state of being locked from (for example, the orthogonal direction). For this reason, the block lever does not hinder the rotation operation of the open link. On the other hand, when the inertial force is generated, the open link is rotated to the lock position side by the inertial force, so that the engagement between the open link and the block lever is released. Then, the block lever is rotationally biased by the biasing member, and the rotational position of the block lever is positioned at the block position. For this reason, when the open link rotated to the lock position side by the inertial force rotates toward the unlock position side, the open link engages with the block lever during the rotation. This prevents the return of the open link to the unlock position.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a door lock device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the actuator assembly according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the latch unit 3 excluding the base plate. FIG. 4A is a side view of the actuator assembly viewed from the vehicle inner side. FIG. 4B is a rear view of the actuator assembly. FIG. 5 is a view of the engagement state between the open link and the outside open lever as seen from the vehicle rear side. FIG. 6A is a view of the arrangement relationship between the open link and the lift lever at the unlocked initial position as seen from the vehicle rear side. FIG. 6B is a view of the positional relationship between the open link and the lift lever at the unlocked open position as viewed from the vehicle rear side. FIG. 6C is a view of the arrangement relationship between the open link and the lift lever at the initial lock position as seen from the vehicle rear side. FIG. 6D is a view of the positional relationship between the open link and the lift lever at the lock open position as seen from the vehicle rear side. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the block lever according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the door lock housing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9A is a side view of the block mechanism according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9B is a rear view of the block mechanism according to the first embodiment. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 9A. FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the actuator assembly in which the block lever according to the first embodiment is rotated counterclockwise from the initial position. FIG. 11B is a side view of the actuator assembly in which the block lever according to the first embodiment is rotated counterclockwise from the initial position. FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the actuator assembly in which the block lever according to the first embodiment is in the block position. FIG. 12B is a side view of the actuator assembly in which the block lever according to the first embodiment is in the block position. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12B. FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the actuator assembly in which the open link is engaged with the block lever according to the first embodiment set at the block position. FIG. 14B is a side view of the actuator assembly in which the open link is engaged with the block lever according to the first embodiment set at the block position. FIG. 14C is a rear view of the actuator assembly in which the open link is engaged with the block lever according to the first embodiment set at the block position. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a door lock housing of the door lock device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the block mechanism, the open link, and the outside open lever included in the door lock device according to the second embodiment are attached to the door lock housing. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a block lever according to the second embodiment. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the inertia lever according to the second embodiment. FIG. 19A is a view of the arrangement relationship between the block lever according to the second embodiment at the initial position, the inertia lever at the engagement position, and the open link at the unlock initial position as viewed from the vehicle inner side. FIG. 19B is a view of the arrangement relationship between the block lever according to the second embodiment at the initial position, the inertia lever at the engagement position, and the open link at the unlock initial position as viewed from the vehicle rear side. FIG. 20A is a perspective view of the arrangement state of the block lever according to the second embodiment in the initial position and the inertia lever in the engagement position, as viewed from the front side of the vehicle. FIG. 20B is a perspective view of the arrangement state of the block lever according to the second embodiment in the initial position and the inertia lever in the engagement position as viewed from the vehicle rear side. FIG. 21A is a view of the block lever according to the second embodiment positioned at the block position and the open link rotated in the locking direction as viewed from the vehicle inner side. FIG. 21B is a view of the block lever according to the second embodiment positioned at the block position and the open link rotated in the locking direction as viewed from the vehicle rear side. FIG. 22A is a view of the state where the open link is engaged with the block lever according to the second embodiment set at the block position, as viewed from the vehicle inner side. FIG. 22B is a view of the state where the open link is engaged with the block lever according to the second embodiment set at the block position, as viewed from the vehicle rear side. FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a door lock housing of the door lock device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 24A is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the block mechanism, the open link, and the outside open lever according to the third embodiment are attached to the door lock housing. FIG. 24B is a rear view of a state in which the block mechanism, the open link, and the outside open lever according to the third embodiment are attached to the door lock housing, as viewed from the rear of the vehicle. FIG. 25A is a perspective view of the block plate. FIG. 25B is a rear view of the block plate. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXVI-XXVI in FIG. 25B. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXVII-XXVII in FIG. 24B. FIG. 28A is a perspective view of an inertia lever according to the third embodiment. FIG. 28B is a rear view of the inertia lever according to the third embodiment. FIG. 29A is a perspective view of a block mechanism according to a third embodiment assembled to a door lock housing. FIG. 29B is a rear view of the block mechanism according to the third embodiment assembled to the door lock housing. FIG. 30 is a view of the positional relationship between the block plate and the inertia lever in the initial position and the open link in the unlock position as viewed from the rear of the vehicle. FIG. 31 is a view of the block plate positioned at the block position and the open link rotated in the locking direction as viewed from the vehicle rear side. FIG. 32 is a view of the state in which the open link is engaged with the block plate set at the block position, as viewed from the vehicle rear side. FIG. 33 is a view of the block plate and the inertia lever that are returned to the initial position by the upward movement of the open link as seen from the vehicle rear side. FIG. 34A is a perspective view of an actuator assembly of the door lock device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 34B is a side view of the actuator assembly of the door lock device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 34C is a rear view of the actuator assembly of the door lock device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 35 is a side view of the block lever according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 36A is a side view of the actuator assembly according to the fourth embodiment, showing the block lever in the second initial position. FIG. 36B is a rear view of the actuator assembly according to the fourth embodiment, showing the block lever in the second initial position. FIG. 37A is a side view of the actuator assembly in which the block lever according to the fourth embodiment located at the block position is shown. FIG. 37B is a rear view of the actuator assembly in which the block lever according to the fourth embodiment located at the block position is shown. FIG. 38A is a side view of the state in which the open link is engaged with the block lever according to the fourth embodiment set at the block position, as viewed from the vehicle inner side. FIG. 38B is a rear view of the state in which the open link is engaged with the block lever according to the fourth embodiment set at the block position, as viewed from the vehicle rear side. FIG. 39A is a side view of the actuator assembly according to the fourth embodiment, showing the open link returned to the unlocked position in the open operation state. FIG. 39B is a rear view of the actuator assembly according to the fourth embodiment, showing the open link returned to the unlocked position in the open operation state. FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the block lever according to the first modification of the first embodiment as viewed from the outer end surface side. FIG. 41 is a perspective view illustrating a part of the door lock housing according to the first modification. FIG. 42 is a view of a state in which the block lever is assembled to the lever support shaft formed in the door lock housing according to the first modification, as viewed from the vehicle inner side. FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view of the block lever and lever support shaft taken along the line AA indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the protrusion according to the first modification is detached from the first key groove. FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ridge according to Modification 1 is engaged with the lower wall surface of the second key groove. FIG. 46A is a perspective view illustrating a part of the door lock housing according to the second modification. 46B is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a broken line R1 in the door lock housing shown in FIG. 46A. FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the block lever showing the outer end surface. FIG. 48 is a view of a state in which a block lever is attached to a lever support shaft formed in a door lock housing according to Modification 2 as viewed from the vehicle inner side. FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view of the block lever, the protrusions, and the protrusions cut along the line BB indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the protrusion is detached from the first keyway according to the second modification. FIG. 51 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the block lever is forcibly rotated to the block position according to the second modification. FIG. 52A is a perspective view showing a part of a door lock housing according to the third modification. FIG. 52B is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a broken line R2 in the door lock housing shown in FIG. 52A. FIG. 53 is a perspective view of a block lever included in the door lock device according to the third modification. FIG. 54 is a view of the state in which the block lever is attached to the lever support shaft formed in the door lock housing, as viewed from the vehicle inner side, according to the third modification. 55 is a cross-sectional view of the block lever and lever support shaft taken along the alternate long and short dash line CC shown in FIG. . FIG. 56 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the protrusion is detached from the first key groove according to the third modification. FIG. 57 is a diagram showing a vehicle door to which a door lock device is assembled.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawing, the front and rear of the vehicle are indicated by arrows X1 and X2, respectively, the outside of the vehicle and the inside of the vehicle are indicated by arrows Y1 and Y2, respectively, and the upper and lower sides of the vehicle are indicated by arrows Z1 and Z2, respectively. Is shown. These directions can be applied to the door lock device and its components before being assembled to the vehicle door, and to the door lock device and its components after being assembled to the vehicle door. it can.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 57 shows the vehicle door DR to which the door lock device 1 is assembled. The vehicle door DR is attached to the vehicle body so that it can be opened and closed. The vehicle door DR includes a door main body portion DR1 constituting the lower half portion thereof, and a door sash DR2 provided in the upper half portion thereof.

  A door outside handle OS is provided on an outer panel provided on the vehicle outer side Y1 side of the door main body DR1. This door outside handle OS is configured to be able to perform a pulling operation that pulls outward in the vehicle Y1. Further, a door inside handle IS is provided on a resin trim affixed to an inner panel provided on the vehicle inner side Y2 side of the door main body DR1. In addition, a lock knob LK is provided at the upper end of the door body DR1 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction so that a lock operation and an unlock operation can be performed. And the door lock apparatus 1 is assembled | attached inside the door main-body part DR1. The door lock device 1 is disposed on the vehicle rear X2 side of the door body DR1.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a door lock device 1 according to the present embodiment. The door lock device 1 includes a door lock housing 2, a latch unit 3, and an actuator unit (not shown in FIG. 1).

  The door lock housing 2 is a housing made of resin, and the vehicle rear side and the vehicle inner side are opened. An opening inside the vehicle of the door lock housing 2 is covered with a resin cover member 2b. A latch unit 3 is disposed in the vehicle rear opening of the door lock housing 2. An actuator unit is assembled to the door lock housing 2.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an actuator assembly (actuator subassembly) composed of the door lock housing 2 and the actuator unit 4 assembled to the door lock housing 2 when viewed from the same direction as FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the door lock housing 2 has a first portion 21 having a first bottom surface 21a substantially perpendicular to the vehicle interior / exterior directions Y1, Y2, and a second bottom surface 22a substantially perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction X1, X2. The end portion of the second bottom surface 22a on the vehicle inward Y2 side is connected to the end portion of the first bottom surface 21a on the vehicle rear X2 side. Due to such a configuration, the door lock housing 2 is formed in a substantially L shape in a top view.

  The first portion 21 of the door lock housing 2 has a first side surface 21b erected from the peripheral end of the first bottom surface 21a toward the vehicle inner side Y2, and the second portion 22 of the door lock housing 2 is It has the 2nd side 22b erected on the vehicle back X2 side from the peripheral end of the bottom 22a. And the opening end of the 1st side surface 21b is block | closed by the cover member 2b.

  The actuator unit 4 is disposed in the lower portion of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 of the door lock housing 2. On the other hand, the latch unit 3 is disposed in the upper part of the second part 22 of the door lock housing 2.

  The latch unit 3 includes a base plate 31 as shown in FIG. The base plate 31 is provided in the second portion 22 so as to close the opening at the rear end of the second portion 22 and the opening at the inner side of the vehicle.

  FIG. 3 is a rear view (rear view) of the latch unit 3 excluding the base plate 31 as viewed from the vehicle rear X2 side. As shown in FIG. 3, the latch unit 3 includes a resin body 32, a latch support shaft 33, a latch 34, a pole support shaft 35, and a pole 36 in addition to the base plate 31 described above.

  The resin body 32 is disposed on the vehicle front X1 side of the base plate 31. The resin body 32 is formed with a striker insertion groove 321 that opens to the vehicle inner side Y2 and extends from the opening end to the vehicle outer side Y1. When the vehicle door DR is closed, a striker provided on the vehicle body is inserted into the striker insertion groove 321 and moves in the striker insertion groove 321 from the vehicle inner side Y2 side toward the vehicle outer side Y1 side.

  A sub base plate is disposed on the vehicle front X1 side of the resin body 32 so as to face the base plate 31. In the latch housing space between the sub base plate and the base plate 31, the resin body 32, the latch support shaft 33, the latch 34, the pole support shaft 35, and the pole 36 are disposed.

  The latch support shaft 33 is disposed in the latch receiving space so that its axis is parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction X1, X2. Further, the latch support shaft 33 is provided on the vehicle upper side Z <b> 1 side with respect to the striker insertion groove 321 formed in the resin body 32. A latch 34 is attached to the latch support shaft 33. The latch 34 is attached to the latch support shaft 33 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the latch support shaft 33, that is, around an axis along the vehicle longitudinal direction.

  The latch 34 includes a support portion 341, a half latch claw portion 342, and a full latch claw portion 343. The support portion 341 constitutes a portion of the latch 34 that is rotatably supported around the outer periphery of the latch support shaft 33. The half latch claw portion 342 and the full latch claw portion 343 are portions extending from the support portion 341 so as to be bifurcated in substantially the same direction in a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis of the latch 34. In FIG. 3, the half latch claw portion 342 and the full latch claw portion 343 extend downward from the support portion 341. Since the half latch claw portion 342 and the full latch claw portion 343 are respectively extended with a predetermined interval, a recess opened toward the outside of the diameter of the latch 34 between the both claw portions (342, 343). 345 is formed. When viewed from the full latch claw 343, the half latch claw 342 is located in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. The recess 345 is a holding hole for holding the striker.

  A latch return spring (not shown) is attached to the latch 34. The latch return spring urges the latch 34 to rotate clockwise about the latch support shaft 33 as viewed from the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, when the latch 34 is not receiving external force, the latch 34 is rotated clockwise by the latch return spring as viewed from the rear of the vehicle, but the rotation is restricted by the latch 34 abutting against the latch stopper 34a. . The rotational position of the latch 34 regulated by the latch stopper 34a is defined as the latch initial position.

  Further, as can be seen from FIG. 3, the recess 345 formed in the latch 34 is provided at a position that coincides with the striker insertion groove 321 when viewed from the vehicle longitudinal direction X1, X2, and the rotation of the latch 34 When the position is the latch initial position, the opening surface of the recess 345 faces the vehicle inner side Y2. Accordingly, when the vehicle door is closed and the striker provided on the vehicle body enters the striker insertion groove 321, and further when the striker moves in the striker insertion groove 321 toward the vehicle outward Y1, the striker is moved to the latch initial position. It is received in a recess 345 formed in the located latch 34. When the striker received in the recess 345 further moves to the outside Y1 of the vehicle, the recess 345 is also moved to the outside Y1 of the vehicle accordingly. As the recess 345 moves outward Y1 in the vehicle, the latch 34 whose center of rotation is on the vehicle upper Z1 side of the striker insertion groove 321 counterclockwise in FIG. 3 against the biasing force of the latch return spring from the latch initial position. Rotate around.

  The pole support shaft 35 is provided on the vehicle lower side Z2 side with respect to the latch support shaft 33 and the striker insertion groove 321 and at a position on the vehicle inner side Y2 side with respect to the latch support shaft 33. As with the latch support shaft 33, the pole support shaft 35 is disposed in the latch housing space so that its axis is parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction X1, X2. A pole 36 is attached to the pole support shaft 35. The pole 36 is attached to the pole support shaft 35 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the pole support shaft 35, that is, around an axis along the vehicle longitudinal direction.

  The pole 36 includes a support portion 361, an extending portion 362, and an engaging protrusion 363. The support portion 361 constitutes a portion of the pole 36 that is rotatably supported around the outer periphery of the pole support shaft 35. The extending portion 362 extends from the support portion 361 toward the vehicle outer side Y1 toward the lower side of the latch 34 in a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis of the pole 36. An engaging protrusion 363 is provided so as to protrude upward from the upper side surface of the extended portion 362 in FIG. The engaging protrusion 363 is formed at a position where it can engage with the half latch claw 342 and the full latch claw 343 of the latch 34.

  Further, a pole return spring (not shown) is attached to the pole 36. The pole return spring urges the pole 36 to rotate counterclockwise about the pole support shaft 35 as viewed from the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, the pole 36 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3 by the biasing force of the pole return spring, but its rotation is restricted by the pole stopper 36a. The rotation position of the pole 36 regulated by the pole stopper 36a is defined as the initial pole position.

  When the vehicle door is closed, the striker enters the recess 345 of the latch 34 as described above, and the latch 34 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. When the movement of the striker is stopped and the rotation of the latch 34 is stopped accordingly, the latch 34 tries to rotate in the clockwise direction of FIG. 3 by the urging force of the latch return spring. At this time, the engagement protrusion 363 of the pole 36 is engaged with either the half latch claw 342 or the full latch claw 343 of the latch 34, whereby the rotation of the latch 34 in the clockwise direction is restricted. As a result, the striker cannot be detached from the recess 345 formed in the latch 34 and is held in the latch 34. In this way, the closed state of the vehicle door DR is maintained. When the engagement protrusion 363 is engaged with the half latch claw 342, the striker is held by the latch 34 while the vehicle door remains in the half door state. The rotation position of the latch 34 where the half latch claw 342 is locked to the pole 36 is defined as the half latch position. On the other hand, when the engagement protrusion 363 is engaged with the full latch claw 343, the striker is held by the latch 34 in a state where the vehicle door is fully closed. The rotational position of the latch 34 where the full latch claw 343 is locked to the pole 36 is defined as the full latch position.

  The vehicle rear end of the latch support shaft 33 and the vehicle rear end of the pole support shaft 35 are supported by the base plate 31, and the vehicle front end of the latch support shaft 33 and the vehicle front end of the pole support shaft 35 are sub-base plates. Supported by Further, a lift lever (not shown) is attached to the pole support shaft 35 on the opposite side (vehicle front side) of the pole 36 across the resin body 32. This lift lever has an engaging claw, and this engaging claw engages with an engagement hole 362 a formed in the extending portion 362 of the pole 36. Thus, since the lift lever is connected to the pole 36, the lift lever rotates around the axis of the pole support shaft 35 integrally with the pole 36. That is, when the lift lever rotates, the pole 36 rotates.

  Next, the configuration of the actuator unit 4 will be described. FIG. 4A is a side view of the actuator assembly viewed from the vehicle inward Y2 side, and FIG. 4B is a rear view (rear view) of the actuator assembly viewed from the vehicle rear X2 side.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the actuator unit 4 includes an electric motor 41, a power transmission gear 42, an active lever 43, an inside open lever 44, an outside open lever 45, and an open link 46. . Of the above configuration, the electric motor 41, the power transmission gear 42, the active lever 43, and the inside open lever 44 are rotatably assembled to the first bottom surface 21a of the door lock housing 2. On the other hand, the outside open lever 45 is rotatably assembled to the second bottom surface 22 a of the door lock housing 2. The open link 46 is connected to the outside open lever 45. In the following description, the rotation direction of the lever that rotates about the axis along the vehicle inside / outside direction Y1, Y2 represents the direction of rotation when viewed from the vehicle inner side unless otherwise specified. The rotation direction of the lever that rotates about the axis along the front-rear direction X1, X2 represents the rotation direction when viewed from the vehicle rear side unless otherwise specified.

  The electric motor 41 is disposed on the upper portion of the first bottom surface 21a of the door lock housing 2 in FIG. 4A. The electric motor 41 has a motor main body 411 and an output shaft 412 extending downward in FIG. 4A from the motor main body 411, and is configured so that the output shaft 412 rotates forward and backward by operating with electric energy. In addition, a power supply terminal 48 is provided on the first bottom surface 21 a, and electric power is supplied to the electric motor 41 from the outside via the power supply terminal 48.

  In this embodiment, the power transmission gear 42 includes a worm 421 and a worm wheel 422, and transmits the power of the electric motor 41 to an active lever 43 described later. The worm 421 is coaxially attached to the output shaft 412 of the electric motor 41. Further, the worm wheel 422 is attached to a first support shaft 231 erected from the first bottom surface 21a toward the vehicle inner side Y2 so as to be rotatable about its axis. Further, the arrangement position of the first support shaft 231 is determined so that teeth provided on the outer periphery of the worm wheel 422 mesh with the worm 421. Therefore, the worm wheel 422 rotates about the axis along the vehicle inside / outside direction Y1, Y2 when the electric motor 41 operates and the worm 421 rotates about the axis. In addition, a pair of engagement protrusions 422a and 422a are formed on the surface of the worm wheel 422 facing the vehicle inner side Y2. The pair of engagement protrusions 422a and 422a are formed at positions opposite to each other with the first support shaft 231 interposed therebetween. In FIG. 4A, only one engagement protrusion 422a is shown, and the other engagement protrusion is hidden behind the active lever 43 and cannot be seen.

  The active lever 43 is rotatably attached to a second support shaft 232 that is erected from the first bottom surface 21a toward the vehicle inner side Y2. Therefore, the active lever 43 is configured to be able to rotate about the axis of the second support shaft 232, that is, about the axis along the vehicle inside / outside direction Y1, Y2.

  The active lever 43 includes a support portion 431, a first arm 432, a second arm 433, a switching arm 434, and a position detection arm 435. The support portion 431 constitutes a portion that is rotatably supported on the outer periphery of the second support shaft 232. The first arm 432 extends from the support portion 431 to the vehicle upper side Z1. The first arm 432 has a substantially fan shape that increases as the distance from the support portion 431 increases, and the first arm 432 is disposed on the vehicle inward Y2 side of the worm wheel 422 so as to overlap the worm wheel 422 in the vehicle inside / outside direction Y1, Y2. .

  The first arm 432 has a long hole 432 a that is inserted through the first support shaft 231 located at the center of the worm wheel 422. The long hole 432 a is formed in a long shape along the rotation direction of the active lever 43. The rotation of the active lever 43 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4A is restricted by one end of the long hole 432 a coming into contact with the door lock housing 2. Further, the rotation of the active lever 43 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4A is restricted by the other end of the long hole 432 a coming into contact with the door lock housing 2. A rotation position where the rotation of the active lever 43 in the clockwise direction by the one end of the long hole 432 a coming into contact with the door lock housing 2 is the unlock position of the active lever 43. The lock position of the active lever 43 is a rotation position where the rotation of the active lever 43 in the counterclockwise direction is restricted when the other end of the long hole 432 a is in contact with the door lock housing 2.

  Furthermore, an engagement recess (not shown) is formed on the surface of the first arm 432 facing the vehicle outward Y1 side. One of a pair of engaging protrusions 422a provided on the worm wheel 422 is engaged with the side wall surface of the engaging recess. Thereby, the rotation operation of the worm wheel 422 is transmitted to the active lever 43, and the active lever 43 rotates. In this case, when the worm wheel 422 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4A, the active lever 43 also rotates in the clockwise direction. Thereby, the rotation position of the active lever 43 is set to the unlock position. Further, when the worm wheel 422 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4A, the active lever 43 also rotates in the counterclockwise direction. Thereby, the rotation position of the active lever 43 is set to the lock position.

  The second arm 433 extends downward from the support portion 431. A cable engaging portion 433a is formed at the extended distal end portion of the second arm 433. One end of an operation cable (not shown) is engaged with the cable engaging portion 433a. The other end of the operation cable is connected to a lock knob LK provided on the vehicle door DR. Accordingly, the operation force of the lock knob LK is transmitted to the active lever 43 via the operation cable. By the lock operation of the lock knob LK, the active lever 43 is pushed by the operation cable and rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 4A, and the rotation position of the active lever 43 is set to the lock position. On the other hand, by the unlocking device of the lock knob LK, the active lever 43 is pulled by the operation cable and rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG.

  The switching arm 434 is extended from the support portion 431 toward the vehicle rear X2. The switching arm 434 is disposed at a position where it can abut on a first engagement arm 463 of an open link 46 described later from below.

  The inside open lever 44 is disposed on the vehicle lower side Z2 side of the active lever 43. The inside open lever 44 is rotatably attached to a third support shaft 233 that is erected from the first bottom surface 21a toward the vehicle inner side Y2. Therefore, the inside open lever 44 is configured to be able to rotate about the axis of the third support shaft 233, that is, about the axis along the vehicle inside / outside direction Y1, Y2.

  The inside open lever 44 includes a support portion 441, an engagement protrusion 442, a cable connection arm 443, and a main body arm 444. The support portion 441 constitutes a portion that is rotatably supported on the outer periphery of the third support shaft 233. The main body arm 444 extends from the lower portion of the support portion 441 in FIG. 4A toward the vehicle front X1. The engagement protrusion 442 is configured to be bent at a right angle from the vehicle front end of the main body arm 444 to the vehicle outer side Y1. The engaging protrusion 442 is disposed at a position where it can engage with an outside open lever 45 described later. The cable connection arm 443 extends downward from the vehicle front end of the main body arm 444. The cable connecting arm 443 is coupled to a door inside handle IS provided on the vehicle door DR via an operation cable (not shown in FIG. 4A). Therefore, the operating force of the door inside handle IS is transmitted to the inside open lever 44 via the operation cable. When the door inside handle IS is operated, the inside open lever 44 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4A.

  The outside open lever 45 is disposed at a lower portion of the second bottom surface 22a of the door lock housing 2 as shown in FIG. 4B. The outside open lever 45 is rotatably supported by a fourth support shaft 234 that is erected from the second bottom surface 22a of the door lock housing 2 toward the vehicle rear X2 side. Accordingly, the outside open lever 45 is configured to be able to rotate about the axis of the fourth support shaft 234, that is, about the axis along the vehicle front-rear direction.

  The outside open lever return spring 45 a is attached to the outside open lever 45. The outside open lever 45 is urged to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 4B by the outside open lever return spring 45a. The second side surface 22b is provided with a stopper that restricts the rotation of the outside open lever 45 in the counterclockwise direction. The rotation position where the outside open lever 45 is restricted from rotating counterclockwise by the stopper is defined as the outside open lever initial position.

  The outside open lever 45 includes a support portion 451, an operation arm 452, and a support arm 453. The support portion 451 constitutes a portion that is rotatably supported on the outer periphery of the fourth support shaft 234. The operation arm 452 extends from the support portion 451 to the vehicle outer side Y1, and the support arm 453 extends from the support portion 451 to the vehicle inner side Y2.

  Engagement holes 453a are formed through the front and rear directions X1 and X2 of the support arm 453 extending from the support portion 451 to the vehicle inner side Y2. Further, an engagement piece 453b is formed from the lower part of the tip of the support arm 453 (see FIG. 4A). The engagement protrusion 442 of the inside open lever 44 is positioned directly below the engagement piece 453b. Therefore, when the inside open lever 44 rotates around the third support shaft 233 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4A and the engagement protrusion 442 moves upward, the engagement protrusion 442 engages with the engagement piece 453b. The engagement piece 453b is pushed up. As a result, the outside open lever 45 rotates about the fourth support shaft 234 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4B against the urging force of the outside open lever return spring 45a.

  Further, a rod receiving portion 452a having a receiving surface facing upward is formed at the tip of the operation arm 452 extending from the support portion 451 of the outside open lever 45 to the vehicle outer side Y1 (see FIGS. 2 and 4B). ). The rod receiving portion 452a is formed at a position where the lower end of the operation rod connected to the door outside handle OS provided on the vehicle door DR can come into contact from above. The operating rod moves downward when the door outside handle OS is operated. For this reason, when the door outside handle OS is operated, the operating rod comes into contact with the upper surface of the rod receiving portion 452a and an operating force is applied downward from the operating rod to the rod receiving portion 452a. With such an operating force, the outside open lever 45 rotates around the axis of the fourth support shaft 234 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4B against the urging force of the outside open lever return spring 45a.

  The open link 46 is disposed on the vehicle rear X2 side with respect to the active lever 43 as shown in FIG. 4A, and on the vehicle inner side Y2 side with respect to the outside open lever 45 as shown in FIG. 4B. As shown in FIG. 4B, the open link 46 includes a main body 461, a first engagement protrusion 462, a first engagement arm 463, a second engagement protrusion 464, and a second engagement arm 465.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the main body portion 461 of the open link 46 is formed in an elongated shape substantially along the vertical direction, and forms a skeleton of the open link 46. A lower portion of the main body 461 extends to a surface of the support arm 453 of the outside open lever 45 facing the vehicle rear X2 side. And the 1st engagement protrusion 462 is formed by the lower end part of the main-body part 461 being bent to the vehicle front X1 side, The 1st engagement protrusion 462 formed in this way is the outside open lever 45. It engages with an engagement hole 453a formed at the tip of the support arm 453. As a result, the open link 46 is connected to the outside open lever 45 and rotates about an axis along the vehicle front-rear direction around the first engagement protrusion 462 engaged with the engagement hole 453a. Configured to be able to. The first engagement protrusion 462 of the open link 46 engaged with the engagement hole 453a corresponds to the connecting portion of the present invention.

  FIG. 5 is a view of the engagement state of the open link 46 and the outside open lever 45 as seen from the vehicle rear X2 side. As shown in FIG. 5, an engagement hole 453 a is formed at the tip of the support arm 453 of the outside open lever 45. The engagement hole 453a is formed in a shape that connects a pair of fan-shaped recesses facing each other. Since the first engagement protrusion 462 of the open link 46 is engaged with the engagement hole 453a having such a shape, the rotation range of the open link 46 is restricted by the side (fan-shaped side) constituting the engagement hole 453a. The That is, the rotation area of the open link 46 around the first engagement protrusion 462 that engages with the engagement hole 453a is limited to a predetermined area. Specifically, the open link 46 has a rotation range between an unlock position where the main body portion 461 is substantially parallel to the vertical direction and a lock position where the main body portion 461 is inclined toward the vehicle outer side Y1. Can rotate. In this case, the rotation direction of the open link 46 in the unlock position toward the lock position is the clockwise direction, and the rotation direction of the open link 46 in the lock position toward the unlock position is the counterclockwise direction.

  A torsion spring 46 a is provided between the open link 46 and the outside open lever 45. One end of the torsion spring 46 a is locked to a locking piece provided on the support arm 453 of the outside open lever 45. The other end of the torsion spring 46 a is locked to a locking piece 463 a formed on the first engagement arm 463 of the open link 46. The torsion spring 46a applies a downward biasing force to the first engagement arm 463 of the open link 46 in the assembled state as shown in FIG. For this reason, the open link 46 receives an urging force that rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 5 from the torsion spring 46a. Therefore, the open link 46 is biased toward the unlock position by the torsion spring 46a.

  As described above, since the first engagement protrusion 462 of the open link 46 is engaged with the support arm 453 of the outside open lever 45, the rotation operation of the outside open lever 45 about the fourth support shaft 234 is performed. As a result, the open link 46 operates. In this case, when the door outside handle OS is operated and the outside open lever 45 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5 from the outside open lever initial position, the support arm 453 moves upward, and accordingly. The open link 46 also moves upward. The position of the open link 46 moved upward is defined as the open position. A position that has not moved upward is defined as an initial position. The movement of the open link 46 in the initial position to the open position is called an open operation.

  The first engagement arm 463 of the open link 46 extends from the position closer to the lower side of the main body 461 toward the vehicle inner side Y2. The distal end portion of the first engagement arm 463 is positioned immediately above the distal end portion of the switching arm 434 of the active lever 43, as shown in FIG. 4A. Therefore, when the switching arm 434 of the active lever 43 moves upward along with the rotation of the active lever 43, the first engagement arm 463 moves upward together with the switching arm 434.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second engagement protrusion 464 of the open link 46 is provided on the upper portion of the main body 461. When the rotation position of the open link 46 is the unlock position, the second engagement protrusion 464 is positioned below the lift lever 37 indicated by a broken line in FIG. 4B.

  FIG. 6A is a view of the arrangement relationship between the open link 46 and the lift lever 37 that are in the unlocked position and in the initial position (hereinafter also referred to as the unlocked initial position) as viewed from the vehicle rear X2 side. As shown in FIG. 6A, the lift lever 37 is rotatably supported by the pole support shaft 35 of the latch unit 3. The lift lever 37 includes a support portion 371, a first arm 372, a first engagement piece 373, a second arm 374, and a second engagement piece 375.

  The support portion 371 of the lift lever 37 constitutes a portion that is rotatably supported on the outer periphery of the pole support shaft 35. The first arm 372 extends from the support portion 371 outward of the vehicle Y1 in FIG. 6A. A first engagement piece 373 extends on the vehicle rear X2 side on the upper surface side of the first arm 372. As shown in FIG. 3, the first engagement piece 373 is engaged with the engagement hole 362 a of the pole 36 so that the lift lever 37 and the pole 36 rotate integrally around the pole support shaft 35. Is done. Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, the second arm 374 extends from the support portion 371 to the vehicle inner side Y2. A second engagement piece 375 is formed so as to be bent from the extended end of the second arm 374 to the vehicle front X1 side.

  The second engagement protrusion 464 of the open link 46 in the unlocked initial position is positioned directly below the second engagement piece 375 of the lift lever 37. Therefore, when the open link 46 in the unlocked initial position is opened and the open link 46 moves from the initial position to the open position, the second engagement protrusion 464 of the open link 46 is moved to the second engagement piece of the lift lever 37. The second engagement piece 375 is pushed up. Thereby, the lift lever 37 rotates. FIG. 6B is a view of the positional relationship between the open link 46 and the lift lever 37 that are in the unlocked position and in the open position (hereinafter also referred to as the unlocked open position), as viewed from the vehicle rear side.

  FIG. 6C is a view of the arrangement relationship between the open link 46 and the lift lever 37 in the locked position and in the initial position (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the locked initial position) as viewed from the vehicle rear side. As shown in FIG. 6C, when the rotation position of the open link 46 is the locked position, the second engagement protrusion 464 of the open link 46 is shifted to a position shifted from below the second engagement piece 375 of the lift lever 37. To position. Therefore, even if the open link 46 in the lock initial position is opened and the open link 46 is moved from the initial position to the open position, the second engagement protrusion 464 of the open link 46 is engaged with the second engagement of the lift lever 37. It does not contact the piece 375. For this reason, the lift lever 37 does not rotate. FIG. 6D is a view of the positional relationship between the open link 46 and the lift lever 37 that are in the lock position and in the open position (hereinafter also referred to as the lock open position) as viewed from the vehicle rear side.

  Next, the locking operation of the door lock device 1 will be described. When the vehicle door DR is in the fully closed state and the rotation position of the active lever 43 is the unlock position, the rotation position of the open link 46 is also the unlock position. In this state, for example, when a lock signal is transmitted from the outside to a door ECU (not shown) in FIG. 57, the door ECU outputs a lock drive command signal to the electric motor 41. Thereby, the electric motor 41 operates and the output shaft 412 rotates forward. When the output shaft 412 rotates forward, the worm wheel 422 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 4A. As the worm wheel 422 rotates counterclockwise, the active lever 43 also rotates counterclockwise. Thereby, the rotation position of the active lever 43 is set to the lock position. Further, the switching arm 434 of the active lever 43 moves upward by the rotation of the active lever 43 described above. For this reason, the first engagement arm 463 of the open link 46 located immediately above the switching arm 434 is pushed up by the switching arm 434. As a result, the open link 46 rotates in the clockwise direction around the connecting portion (the first engagement protrusion 462) with the outside open lever 45 in FIG. 4B against the urging force of the torsion spring 46a. In this way, the rotation position of the open link 46 is switched from the unlock position to the lock position.

  Further, when the lock knob LK provided on the vehicle door DR is locked when the vehicle door DR is in the fully closed state and the rotation position of the active lever 43 is the unlock position, the active lever 43 is connected to the operation cable. When it is pushed, it rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 4A, and its rotational position is set from the unlocked position to the locked position. At this time, the open link 46 rotates in the same manner as described above, and the rotation position of the open link 46 is switched from the unlock position to the lock position.

  Next, the unlocking operation of the door lock device 1 will be described. When the vehicle door DR is in the fully closed state and the rotation position of the active lever 43 is the lock position, the rotation position of the open link 46 is also the lock position. In this state, for example, when an unlock signal is input from the outside to the door ECU, the door ECU outputs an unlock drive command signal to the electric motor 41. Thereby, the electric motor 41 operates and the output shaft 412 rotates in the reverse direction. When the output shaft 412 rotates in the reverse direction, the worm wheel 422 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4A. As the worm wheel 422 rotates in the clockwise direction, the active lever 43 also rotates in the clockwise direction. Thereby, the rotation position of the active lever 43 is set to the unlock position. Further, the switching arm 434 of the active lever 43 moves downward by the rotation of the active lever 43 described above. As a result, the open link 46 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 4B according to the urging force of the torsion spring 46a, and the rotational position of the open link 46 is switched from the locked position to the unlocked position.

  Further, when the lock knob LK provided on the vehicle door DR is unlocked when the vehicle door DR is in the fully closed state and the rotation position of the active lever 43 is the lock position, the active lever 43 is connected to the operation cable. Pulled and rotated clockwise in FIG. 4A, and the rotational position is set from the locked position to the unlocked position. At this time, the open link 46 rotates in the same manner as described above, and the rotational position of the open link 46 is switched from the locked position to the unlocked position.

  Next, the opening operation of the door lock device 1 will be described. When the door outside handle OS attached to the vehicle door DR is operated, the operating force of the door outside handle OS is transmitted to the outside open lever 45 through the operation rod. Therefore, the outside open lever 45 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4B from the outside open lever initial position against the urging force of the outside open lever return spring. When the door inside handle IS attached to the vehicle door DR is operated, the inside open lever 44 rotates clockwise in FIG. 4A. Due to the clockwise rotation of the inside open lever 44, the engagement protrusion 442 of the inside open lever 44 moves upward, and pushes up the engagement piece 453b of the outside open lever 45 located immediately above. As a result, the outside open lever 45 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4B from the outside open lever initial position against the urging force of the outside open lever return spring 45a.

  When the outside open lever 45 rotates in the clockwise direction from the outside open lever initial position in FIG. 4B, the open link 46 connected to the outside open lever 45 opens and reaches the open position. Here, as described above, when the open link 46 is in the locked position, even if the open link 46 is opened, the second engagement protrusion 464 of the open link 46 is moved to the second engagement piece 375 of the lift lever 37. Does not touch. For this reason, the lift lever 37 does not rotate, and the pole 36 connected to the lift lever 37 does not rotate. Therefore, the rotation restriction of the latch 34 by the pole 36 is maintained. Since the striker is held by the latch 34 in this way, the fully closed state of the vehicle door DR is maintained.

  On the other hand, when the open link 46 is in the unlock position, when the open link 46 opens and moves from the initial position to the open position, the second engagement protrusion 464 of the open link 46 engages with the second engagement of the lift lever 37. The second engagement piece 375 is pushed up in contact with the piece 375. Thereby, the lift lever 37 rotates clockwise in FIG. 4B. Therefore, the pole 36 connected to the lift lever 37 also rotates clockwise in FIG. 3, and the engagement protrusion 363 of the pole 36 is disengaged from the full latch claw 343 of the latch 34. Therefore, the rotation restriction of the latch 34 by the pole 36 is released. Accordingly, the latch 34 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 3 in accordance with the urging force of the latch return spring, and the concave portion 345 of the latch 34 holding the striker opens toward the vehicle inner side Y2. For this reason, the striker can be detached from the recess 345. In this way, the vehicle door DR can be opened.

  By the way, even when the open link 46 is in the unlock position, the vehicle door DR is opened because the open link 46 does not open unless the user operates the door outside handle OS or the door inside handle IS of the vehicle door DR. Not. However, when a large force is applied from the vehicle exterior Y1 side toward the vehicle interior Y2 side of the vehicle door DR, for example, when a side impact load is input to the vehicle door DR, inertia generated by the input of the side impact load is generated. A force acts on the door outside handle OS. This inertial force acts on the outside Y1 of the vehicle with respect to the door outside handle OS. Further, the door outside handle OS is generally pulled so as to open outwardly from the vehicle Y1. Therefore, the direction of the inertial force acting on the door outside handle OS when receiving a side impact load coincides with the operation direction of the door outside handle OS. For this reason, when a side impact load is applied to the unlocked vehicle door DR, the door outside handle OS is pseudo-operated (pseudo-operation) by the generated inertial force, which may cause the vehicle door DR to open. is there.

  Patent Document 1 is configured such that when an inertial force is generated by a side impact load, the open link operates in a direction toward the lock position by the inertial force. Therefore, even when the outside handle is pseudo-operated by the inertial force, the opening of the vehicle door is prevented by the open link being positioned at the lock position. In the door lock device 1 according to the present embodiment as well, as can be seen from FIG. 4B, the open link 46 rotates in the clockwise direction of FIG. 4B due to the inertial force acting on the vehicle outward Y1 acting on the open link 46. Then, it moves to the lock position.

  However, the timing of the pseudo operation of the door outside handle does not necessarily coincide with the timing of the open link moving to the lock position. In addition, since the inertial force generated by the side impact load is very large, when the open link rotates to the locked position by the full stroke due to the inertial force, it may bounce back at the locked position and return to the unlocked position again. Therefore, when the timing at which the open link returns from the locked position to the unlocked position coincides with the timing at which the door outside handle is pseudo-operated, the vehicle door is opened. Also, when the input of inertial force to the open link is completed, the open link will move to the unlocked position by the urging force of the torsion spring, but after that the door outside handle is simulated. However, the vehicle door will be opened. Thus, the structure of the door lock device described in Patent Document 1 is not sufficient as a structure that prevents the opening of the vehicle door when the door outside handle is pseudo-operated by inertia force.

  In this regard, according to the present embodiment, when the open link 46 is once rotated from the unlocked position toward the locked position due to inertial force, the rotated open link 46 is prevented from returning to the unlocked position. A block mechanism 50 is provided. This will be described next.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the door lock device 1 according to this embodiment includes a block mechanism 50. The block mechanism 50 includes a block lever 51 and a block lever spring 52 in this embodiment.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the block lever 51. As shown in FIG. 7, the block lever 51 includes a support portion 511 and a block arm 512. The support portion 511 constitutes a portion that is supported on the outer periphery of a lever support shaft 235 described later. The support portion 511 is configured in a substantially cylindrical shape having an inner peripheral surface 511a, an outer peripheral surface 511b, an inner end surface 511c, and an outer end surface 511d on the opposite side. A circular hole 513 (through hole) penetrating from the inner end surface 511c to the outer end surface 511d is formed by the space surrounded by the inner peripheral surface 511a. Accordingly, one opening surface of the circular hole 513 is the outer end surface 511d, and the other opening surface is the inner end surface 511c. Further, the first key groove 511e and the second key groove 511f are formed along the axial direction of the support portion 511 on the inner peripheral surface 511a.

  The first key groove 511e opens to the outer end surface 511d, and the second key groove 511f opens to the inner end surface 511c. Further, the width (circumferential length) of the first key groove 511e is narrower than the width (circumferential length) of the second key groove 511f. Accordingly, a step wall surface 511g is formed at the boundary between the first key groove 511e and the second key groove 511f.

  The block arm 512 extends from the outer peripheral surface 511 b of the support portion 511. The block arm 512 includes a main body arm portion 512a, a tip protrusion 512b, and a tip flat portion 512c. The main body arm portion 512a constitutes a portion extending from the outer peripheral surface 511b of the support portion 511 to the outside of the diameter of the support portion 511. The tip protrusion 512b constitutes a portion that protrudes downward in FIG. 7 so as to be bent from the extending end of the main body arm portion 512a. The tip flat surface portion 512c constitutes a portion extending radially outward from the extending end of the main body arm portion 512a in the same manner as the main body arm portion 512a. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the tip protrusion 512 b and the tip flat portion 512 c are formed side by side along the axial direction of the support portion 511. That is, a protruding portion (tip protrusion 512b) and a non-protruding portion (tip flat portion 512c) are formed at the tip of the block arm 512, and not protruding from the protruding portion (tip protrusion 512b). A stepped wall surface 512d is formed at the boundary with the portion (tip flat portion 512c).

  The block lever 51 having the above configuration is attached to a lever support shaft 235 formed on the first bottom surface 21 a of the door lock housing 2. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the door lock housing 2. As shown in FIG. 8, the lever support shaft 235 is erected from the first bottom surface 21a toward the vehicle inner side Y2. Therefore, the axial direction of the lever support shaft 235 coincides with the vehicle inside / outside directions Y1, Y2. The lever support shaft 235 is formed in a cylindrical shape having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface. The outer diameter of the lever support shaft 235 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the circular hole 513 formed in the support portion 511 of the block lever 51. Further, a protrusion 235a (protrusion) that protrudes radially outward and extends along the axial direction is formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the lever support shaft 235. The protrusion 235a is formed over a predetermined range from the distal end (vehicle inner end) of the lever support shaft 235 toward the base end (vehicle outer end). The width of the protrusion 235a is smaller than the width (circumferential length) of the first key groove 511e formed in the support portion 511 of the block lever 51. In the present embodiment, the length of the protrusion 235 a is longer than the length of the second key groove 511 f formed in the support portion 511 of the block lever 51. In addition, it is preferable that the length of the protrusion 235a is shorter than the axial length of the support portion 511 of the block lever 51.

  The block lever 51 is attached to the lever support shaft 235 by inserting the lever support shaft 235 into the circular hole 513 formed in the support portion 511 of the block lever 51. At this time, the block lever 51 is attached to the lever support shaft 235 so that the inner end surface 511c of the support portion 511 of the block lever 51 faces the vehicle inner side Y2 and the outer end surface 511d faces the vehicle outer side Y1. When the block lever 51 is thus attached to the lever support shaft 235, the outer end surface 511 d of the support portion 511, which is one open end surface of the circular hole 513 of the block lever 51, is on the proximal end side of the lever support shaft 235. It becomes a close opening end surface (base end side opening surface). Further, the block lever 51 is attached to the lever support shaft 235 so that the protrusion 235a of the lever support shaft 235 is inserted into the first key groove 511e formed on the inner peripheral surface 511a of the support portion 511 of the block lever 51. . When the block lever 51 is attached to the lever support shaft 235, the first key groove 511e and the second key groove 511f are formed side by side along the axial direction of the lever support shaft 235. Further, the first key groove 511e is disposed on the vehicle outer side Y1 side with respect to the second key groove 511f, and the second key groove 511f is disposed on the vehicle inner side Y2 side with respect to the first key groove 511e.

  The block lever 51 attached to the lever support shaft 235 is disposed on the active lever 43 as shown in FIG. 4A. Further, the block arm 512 of the block lever 51 extends from the support portion 511 toward the vehicle rear side, and the tip protrusion 512b of the block arm 512 extends toward the vehicle lower side. Although not shown in FIG. 4A, when the block lever 51 is attached to the lever support shaft 235, the tip protrusion 512b of the block arm 512 is located on the vehicle inward Y2 side with respect to the tip flat portion 512c. The tip flat surface portion 512c is located on the vehicle outer side Y1 side with respect to the tip protrusion 512b.

  FIG. 9A is a side view of the block mechanism 50 as viewed from the vehicle inward Y2 side, and FIG. 9B is a rear view of the block mechanism 50 as viewed from the vehicle rear X2 side. As well shown in FIG. 9B, a block lever spring 52 is attached to the lever support shaft 235 in addition to the block lever 51. The block lever spring 52 is attached to the lever support shaft 235 at a position closer to the vehicle outer side Y1 than the block lever 51.

  The block lever spring 52 includes a coil portion 521 wound spirally, a first arm portion 522 extending from one end portion in the axial direction of the coil portion 521, and the other in the axial direction of the coil portion 521. And a second arm portion 523 extending from the end portion. And the coil part 521 is arrange | positioned around the outer periphery of the lever support shaft 235 so that the axial direction of the coil part 521 may correspond to vehicle inside / outside direction Y1, Y2. At this time, the first arm portion 522 of the block lever spring 52 is positioned on the vehicle outer side Y1 side of the coil portion 521, and the second arm portion 523 is positioned on the vehicle inner side Y2 side of the coil portion 521.

  The first arm portion 522 of the block lever spring 52 is locked to the lower surface of the spring locking portion 24 provided on the first bottom surface 21 a of the door lock housing 2. In addition, the second arm portion 523 of the block lever spring 52 is locked to the upper side surface of the block lever 51 near the base end of the block lever 51 in a state where the second arm portion 523 is bent inward of the vehicle. In this way, the block lever spring 52 is assembled between the block lever 51 and the door lock housing 2.

  When the block lever spring 52 is assembled between the block lever 51 and the door lock housing 2, the block lever spring 52 generates an elastic force in the axial direction so that the coil portion 521 extends. The block lever 51 is elastically biased toward the vehicle inward Y2 side as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 9B due to the axial elastic force (axial biasing force) generated by the block lever spring 52. Here, the lever support shaft 235 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the screw member 25 is screwed to the inner periphery thereof. Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, a tongue piece 251 projecting radially outward is formed on the head of the screw member 25. The tongue piece 251 engages with the inner end surface 511c of the support portion 511 of the block lever 51 attached to the lever support shaft 235 from the vehicle inner side Y2 side. Such engagement restricts movement of the block lever 51 toward the vehicle inward Y2 side, preventing the block lever 51 from falling off the lever support shaft 235 due to the axial biasing force of the block lever spring 52, and The block lever 51 is positioned on the vehicle inner end side of the lever support shaft 235. The axial position of the block lever 51 when the block lever 51 is locked to the tongue piece 251 is defined as the axial initial position. Further, the block lever spring 52 corresponds to the axial urging member of the present invention.

  When the block lever spring 52 is assembled between the block lever 51 and the door lock housing 2, the block lever spring 52 generates an elastic force in the direction of expanding the coil portion 521. In this case, the second arm portion 523 of the block lever spring 52 urges the block arm 512 that locks the block arm 512 downward in FIGS. 9A and 9B. For this reason, the block lever 51 is rotationally biased by the block lever spring 52 in a direction for biasing the block arm 512 downward, that is, in a clockwise direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 9A. The block lever spring 52 corresponds to the rotational direction biasing member of the present invention.

  10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 9A. FIG. 10 shows an engagement state between the protrusion 235a of the lever support shaft 235 and the first key groove 511e and the second key groove 511f of the block lever 51 when the block lever 51 is in the axial initial position. As shown in FIG. 10, the first keyway 511e has a pair of side wall surfaces (an upper wall surface SW11 and a lower wall surface SW12) spaced in the width direction. Similarly, the second keyway 511f also has a pair of side wall surfaces (the upper wall surface SW21 and the lower wall surface SW22) that are spaced apart in the width direction. A step wall surface 511g is formed at the boundary between the upper wall surface SW11 of the first key groove 511e and the upper wall surface SW21 of the second key groove 511f. On the other hand, no step is formed at the boundary between the lower wall surface SW12 of the first key groove 511e and the lower wall surface SW22 of the second key groove 511f, and the lower wall surfaces SW12 and SW22 are formed continuously in a flat manner. Is done.

  In addition, when the block lever 51 is in the axial initial position, the protrusion 235a of the lever support shaft 235 enters the circular hole 513 of the block lever 51 from the vehicle inner Y2 side and is arranged on the vehicle inner Y2 side. It passes through the second key groove 511f and extends to the first key groove 511e. Further, since the block lever 51 is urged to rotate clockwise by the block lever spring 52, both the key grooves 511e and 511f are urged downward in FIG. 10 with respect to the protrusion 235a. That is, the block lever 51 is urged by the block lever spring 52 in a direction in which the upper wall surfaces SW11 and SW21 approach the ridge 235a. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10, the protrusion 235a is applied to the upper wall surface SW11 of the first key groove 511e having a narrower width among the first key groove 511e and the second key groove 511f by the rotational biasing force of the block lever spring 52. Engage. Such engagement restricts rotation of the block lever 51 in the clockwise direction. The rotation position of the block lever 51 whose rotation position is regulated by the engagement between the first keyway 511e and the protrusion 235a is defined as the initial position. That is, the block lever 51 is urged to rotate by the block lever spring 52 so that the rotation position thereof is located at the initial position at the axial initial position.

  As can be seen from FIG. 10, when the rotation position of the block lever 51 is the initial position, a predetermined gap is provided between the protrusion 235a and the lower side wall surfaces SW12 and SW22 of the key grooves 511e and 511f. Accordingly, the block lever 51 can rotate from the initial position in the direction against the rotational biasing force of the block lever spring 52, that is, in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. Further, the protrusion 235a slides on the upper wall surface SW11 of the first keyway 511e, so that the block lever 51 moves along the axial direction of the lever support shaft 235 against the axial biasing force of the block lever spring 52. The vehicle can move axially outward Y1. That is, the block lever 51 is configured to be rotatable about the axis of the lever support shaft 235 and movable in the axial direction. In addition, the axial direction of the lever support shaft 235 is the vehicle inside / outside direction Y1, Y2 parallel to the direction of action of inertial force, which will be described later. Accordingly, the block lever 51 is configured to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the direction of the inertial force and movable in the axial direction.

  4A, 4B, 9A, and 9B show the block lever 51 in the initial position. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the block lever 51 is in the initial position, the block arm 512 of the block lever 51 extends to the vehicle rear X2. Further, the extending end of the block arm 512 is bent toward the vehicle lower side Z2. For this reason, the surface of the block arm 512 that faces the lower end of the tip protrusion 512b is formed as an inclined surface 512e that inclines toward the vehicle rear X2 as it goes downward. The second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 at the unlocking initial position is disposed immediately below the inclined surface 512e.

  Further, as can be seen from FIG. 4A, the block lever 51 in the initial position is positioned above the open link 46 in the unlock initial position. Therefore, it does not enter the rotation range of the open link 46 that rotates between the unlock initial position and the lock initial position. That is, the initial position of the block lever 51 is a position in the retreat area that is retreated from the rotation range of the open link 46 that rotates between the unlock position and the lock position.

  Next, the operation of the block mechanism 50 will be described. First, when the vehicle door DR is in the fully closed state and the open link 46 is in the unlocked initial position, the block mechanism 50 in the case where inertial force toward the vehicle outward Y1 is not generated due to a side collision or the like. The operation of will be described. In this case, the block lever 51 is rotationally biased by the block lever spring 52 so that the axial position thereof is positioned at the axial initial position and the rotational position thereof is positioned at the initial position at the axial initial position. Is done.

  When the door outside handle OS or the door inside handle IS is operated in the above-described situation, as described above, the open link 46 opens and moves upward from the unlock initial position to the unlock open position. At this time, the upward movement of the open link 46 causes the second engagement protrusion 464 of the open link 46 to rotate the lift lever 37 as described above. As a result, the vehicle door DR can be opened.

  Further, as the open link 46 moves upward, the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 contacts the inclined surface 512e of the block arm 512 of the block lever 51. When the open link 46 in contact with the inclined surface 512e moves further upward, the second engagement arm 465 pushes up the block arm 512 while sliding on the inclined surface 512e. As a result, the block lever 51 rotates counterclockwise against the rotational biasing force of the block lever spring 52. As described above, the rotation of the block lever 51 in the counterclockwise direction is allowed due to the existence of gaps between the protrusions 235a and the lower side wall surfaces SW12 and SW22 of the first key groove 511e and the second key groove 511f. Is done. Then, when the open link 46 reaches the unlock open position, the rotation of the block lever 51 in the counterclockwise direction stops.

  11A and 11B are a perspective view (FIG. 11A) and an inward vehicle Y2 of the actuator assembly according to the present embodiment, respectively, showing a state in which the block lever 51 is rotated counterclockwise from the initial position. It is the side view seen from (FIG. 11B). As shown in these drawings, the block arm 512 of the block lever 51 is pushed up by the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 from below.

  When the door outside handle OS or the door inside handle IS returns to the original position, the open link 46 returns from the unlock open position to the unlock initial position. As the open link 46 returns to the unlocked initial position, the rotational position of the block lever 51 also returns to the initial position. Thus, when a normal handle operation is performed, the block lever 51 rotates counterclockwise from the initial position at the initial position in the axial direction. Such a rotation operation of the block lever 51 does not affect the opening operation of the open link 46.

  Next, when the vehicle door DR is in the fully closed state and the open link 46 is in the unlocked position, an impact load is applied to the vehicle door DR from the vehicle outer side Y1 toward the vehicle inner side Y2 due to a side collision or the like. The operation of the block mechanism 50 when added will be described. In this case, an inertial force toward the vehicle outward Y1 is generated for each component of the door lock device 1. Accordingly, the open link 46 in the unlock position rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4B due to the inertial force and moves from the unlock position to the lock position. That is, the inertial force generated with the side impact load is an inertial force that rotates the open link 46 in the direction toward the lock position.

  In addition, an inertial force also acts on the block lever 51. In this case, the block lever 51 is pivoted from the initial position in the axial direction to the vehicle outward Y1 along the lever support shaft 235 against the axial biasing force of the block lever spring 52 by the inertial force toward the vehicle outward Y1. Move direction. The first key groove 511e and the second key groove 511f formed in the support portion 511 of the block lever 51 by the axial movement of the block lever 51 toward the vehicle outer side Y1 are protrusions formed on the lever support shaft 235. The vehicle moves outward Y1 with respect to 235a. This moving direction is a direction in which the protrusion 235a is pulled out from the first keyway 511e toward the vehicle inward Y2. Accordingly, when the block lever 51 moves a predetermined amount in the vehicle outward direction Y1, the protrusion 235a separates from the first keyway 511e.

  Before the block lever 51 receives the inertial force, the protrusion 235a is in contact with the upper wall surface SW11 of the first keyway 511e as described above (see FIG. 10). When the protrusion 235a moves in the direction of being pulled out from the first keyway 511e toward the vehicle inward Y2 side from the state shown in FIG. 10 and is detached from the first keyway 511e, the protrusion 235a moves along the step wall surface 511g. Then, it is received by the upper wall surface SW21 of the second keyway 511f. When the ridge 235a moves along the stepped wall surface 511g, the block lever 51 rotates in the clockwise direction as viewed from the vehicle inner side Y2 by the rotational biasing force of the block lever spring 52. The clockwise rotation of the block lever 51 is restricted by the protrusion 235a moved along the stepped wall surface 511g engaging with the upper wall surface SW21 of the second keyway 511f. The rotation position of the block lever 51 when the protrusion 235a is engaged with the upper wall surface SW21 of the second keyway 511f is defined as the block position.

  FIGS. 12A and 12B are a perspective view (FIG. 12A) of the actuator assembly according to the present embodiment and a vehicle inward direction Y2 showing a state where the rotation position of the block lever 51 is in the block position, respectively. It is a side view (Drawing 12B). As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, when the rotation position of the block lever 51 is the block position, the block arm 512 extends from the support portion 511 toward the vehicle lower side Z2 and the vehicle rear side X2. The block arm 512 extended in this way enters the rotation range of the open link 46 that rotates between the unlocked initial position and the lock initial position, particularly the rotation range of the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46. To do. That is, the block position is a position that enters the rotation range of the open link 46 that rotates between the unlock position and the lock position. When the block arm 512 enters the rotation range of the open link 46, the open link 46 is swung to the lock position side with respect to the entry position of the block arm 512.

  13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12B. FIG. 13 shows an engagement state between the protrusion 235a of the lever support shaft 235 and the first key groove 511e and the second key groove 511f of the block lever 51 when the rotation position of the block lever 51 is at the block position. As shown in FIG. 13, when the block lever 51 is in the block position, the protrusion 235a engages with the upper wall surface SW21 of the second keyway 511f. Thereby, the rotation of the block lever 51 in the clockwise direction by the rotation biasing force of the block lever spring 52 is restricted. Further, the vehicle outer end surface of the protrusion 235a is engaged with the stepped wall surface 511g. For this reason, even if the block lever 51 tries to move toward the vehicle inward Y2 by the axial biasing force of the block lever spring 52 after the input of the inertial force is finished, the block lever 511g and the protrusion 235a engage with each other. 51 cannot move in the axial direction. Thus, the axial position of the block lever 51 is positioned. The axial position of the block lever 51 positioned by the engagement between the step wall surface 511g and the protrusion 235a is defined as the axial movement position. At this time, as described above, the block lever spring 52 is urged to rotate so that the rotation position of the block lever 51 is positioned at the block position. That is, the block lever 51 is urged to rotate by the block lever spring 52 so that the rotation position thereof is located at the block position at the axial movement position. The axial movement position is a position in the axial movement area, which is an area in which the block lever 51 is axially moved from the initial axial position by the inertial force in the direction in which the inertial force is applied.

  After the rotational position of the block lever 51 is set to the block position, when the open link 46 bounces back to the unlocked position and goes again to the unlocked position, or when the inertial force is input and the urging force of the torsion spring 46a is applied. When heading again to the unlock position, the open link 46 engages with the block lever 51 at the block position during the rotation.

  14A, 14B, and 14C each show a state in which an open link 46 that rotates in a direction toward the unlock position is engaged with the block lever 51 that is set at the block position. FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the actuator assembly (FIG. 14A), a side view seen from the vehicle inner side Y2 (FIG. 14B), and a rear view seen from the vehicle rear side X2 (FIG. 14C). As shown in FIG. 14C, the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 is engaged with the block arm 512 of the block lever 51 at the block position from the vehicle outer side Y1 side during the rotation toward the unlock position. Yes. Therefore, the counterclockwise rotation of the open link 46 toward the further unlock position is restricted. This prevents the return of the open link 46 to the unlock position. A state where the rotation of the open link 46 in the counterclockwise direction by the block lever 51 is restricted is referred to as an inertia lock set state. Further, the rotational position of the open link 46 in the inertia lock set state is defined as the inertia lock set position.

  In the inertia lock set state, as shown in FIG. 14C, the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 is formed between the tip protrusion 512b provided at the tip of the block arm 512 of the block lever 51 and the tip flat portion 512c. Locked to the stepped wall surface 512d formed at the boundary from the vehicle outer side Y1 side. At this time, the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 is positioned directly below the tip flat surface portion 512 c of the block arm 512. 14C is an enlarged view showing the above-described engagement state between the block arm 512 of the block lever 51 and the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 at the block position.

  Further, in the inertia lock set state, as shown in FIG. 14C, the second engagement protrusion 464 of the open link 46 is more outward of the vehicle than the second engagement piece 375 of the lift lever 37 indicated by a broken line in FIG. 14C. Located on the Y1 side. That is, the second engagement protrusion 464 of the open link 46 is not located immediately below the second engagement piece 375 of the lift lever 37. Therefore, when the open link 46 is in the inertia lock set position, even if the door outside handle OS is pseudo-operated by the inertia force and the open link 46 is opened, the open link 46 does not engage the lift lever 37. Therefore, the lift lever 37 is rotated by the opening operation of the open link 46, and the opening of the vehicle door DR due to the release of the rotation restriction of the latch 34 by the pole 36 is prevented.

  In this way, when the open link 46 is once rotated in the direction from the unlocked position toward the locked position due to the inertial force, the rotation range between the unlocked position and the locked position of the open link 46 due to the inertial force described above. Located at the block position to enter. For this reason, the rotation of the open link 46 in the unlocking direction is restricted by the block lever 51 in the block position, and the open link 46 cannot return to the unlocked position. Therefore, even when the door outside handle OS is pseudo-operated by inertia force thereafter, the vehicle door DR can be prevented from being opened.

  As described above, in the inertia lock set state, the vehicle door DR cannot be opened because the rotation position of the open link 46 is not the unlock position. In this case, by operating the door outside handle OS, the inertia lock set state is canceled, the block lever 51 returns to the initial position, and the rotational position of the open link 46 returns to the unlock position. This will be described.

  When the door outside handle OS is operated in the inertia lock set state, the open link 46 opens at the inertia lock set position and moves upward. Here, when in the inertia lock set state, the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 is engaged with the stepped wall surface 512d of the block arm 512 as described above, and the position directly above the second engagement arm 465. The tip flat portion 512c of the block arm 512 is located at the top. Therefore, when the open link 46 at the inertia lock set position opens and moves upward, the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 moves upward while sliding the stepped wall surface 512d of the block arm 512, and the tip plane It contacts the part 512c from below. When the open link 46 further moves upward, the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 pushes the tip flat portion 512c upward. As a result, the block lever 51 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 14B against the rotational biasing force of the block lever spring 52.

  When the block lever 51 rotates counterclockwise, the lever support that is locked to the upper wall surface SW21 of the second keyway 511f formed in the support portion 511 of the block lever 51 as shown in FIG. The protrusion 235a of the shaft 235 moves away from the second keyway 511f while maintaining the engagement with the stepped wall surface 511g. In this case, in FIG. 13, the protrusion 235a moves downward with respect to the second keyway 511f.

  When the protrusion 235a gets over the step wall surface 511g formed at the boundary between the first key groove 511e and the second key groove 511f, the locking of the protrusion 235a by the step wall surface 511g is released. Therefore, the block lever 51 moves in the axial direction with respect to the protrusion 235a so that the protrusion 235a enters the first keyway 511e by the axial biasing force of the block lever spring 52, and the axial position of the block lever 51 Returns to the initial position in the axial direction and is positioned at the initial position in the axial direction. At this time, the engagement state between the protrusion 235a and each key groove (511e, 511f) is the state shown in FIG. 10, that is, the protrusion 235a is locked to the upper wall surface SW11 of the first key groove 511e. The Thereby, the rotational position of the block lever 51 is returned to the initial position.

  When the rotation position of the block lever 51 is returned to the initial position, the block arm 512 of the block lever 51 is retracted from the rotation range of the open link 46. For this reason, the open link 46 is rotated to the unlock position by the urging force of the torsion spring 46 a without being blocked by the block lever 51. As a result, the rotational position of the open link 46 returns to the unlock position.

  The operation of the door outside handle OS in the inertia lock set state described above may be performed by, for example, a person (operator) outside the vehicle. In this case, in order to open the vehicle door DR, the operator operates the door outside handle OS twice. In the first operation, the rotation position of the open link 46 returns from the inertia lock set position to the unlock position, and the rotation position of the block lever 51 is returned to the initial position. Then, by the second operation, the open link 46 at the unlock position is opened to open the vehicle door DR. If the door outside handle OS is simulated by inertia force in the inertia lock set state, the vehicle door DR is not opened, but the open link 46 is returned to the unlock position. Therefore, if the operator subsequently operates the door outside handle once, the vehicle door DR is opened.

  As described above, the block mechanism 50 included in the door lock device 1 according to the present embodiment includes the block lever 51. The block lever 51 is positioned at an initial position in the retreat area that is retracted from the rotation range of the open link 46 when no inertial force is generated to rotate the open link 46 in the unlock position in the direction toward the lock position. . Further, when an inertial force is generated, the block lever 51 moves in the axial direction by the inertial force and is positioned at a block position where the block lever spring 52 enters the rotation range of the open link 46 by the rotation biasing force of the block lever spring 52. That is, the block lever 51 moves from the initial position using the inertia force and is positioned at the block position. For this reason, it is prevented by the block lever 51 in the block position that the open link 46 swung to the lock position by the inertia force returns to the unlock position again. Therefore, when the open link swung to the locked position due to a side collision or the like returns to the unlocked position again, the vehicle door DR is effectively prevented from being opened by the pseudo operation of the door outside handle OS.

  Further, when the block lever 51 is located at the block position, the open link 46 engaged with the block lever 51 is opened at the inertia lock set position so that the block lever 51 can be returned to the initial position. Consists of. Thus, when the block lever 51 returns to the initial position, the open link 46 can be returned to the unlock position.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, even when no inertia force is generated, the block lever 51 rotates within the retreat area by the operation of the door outside handle OS or the door inside handle IS. Thus, by rotating the block lever 51 during the operation of the normal door lock device, the block lever 51 can be prevented from sticking, and the reliability of the rotation operation can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem that the block lever 51 does not rotate when an inertial force is actually generated.

  The block mechanism 50 includes a block lever 51 that is rotatable about an axis parallel to the vehicle outer direction Y1 that is the direction of inertial force, and that is movable in the axial direction. It has a block lever spring 52 that urges the block lever 51 in a direction opposite to the direction of action (vehicle outward Y1) (vehicle inward Y2) and urges the block lever 51 to rotate. The block lever 51 is positioned at the axial initial position by the axial biasing force of the block lever spring 52 when no inertial force is generated, and when the inertial force is generated. It is configured to be positioned at an axial movement position within an axial movement region that has been moved in the axial direction from the initial axial position by the inertial force in the direction in which the inertial force is applied (vehicle outward Y1). The block lever 51 is rotationally biased by the block lever spring 52 so that the rotational position of the block lever 51 is positioned at the initial position in the retreat area at the axial initial position, and the block lever 51 enters the axial movement area (axial movement position). Thus, the block lever spring 52 urges it to rotate in the direction from the initial position toward the block position. By configuring the block mechanism 50 as described above, the open link 46 that rotates to the lock position side by inertia force and then rotates toward the unlock position side is moved to the block lever 51 that is positioned at the block position during the rotation. Can be engaged. Such engagement realizes preventing the return of the open link 46 to the unlock position.

  The door lock device 1 according to this embodiment includes a door lock housing 2 in which a lever support shaft 235 that supports the block lever 51 so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction is formed. Further, the block lever 51 has a circular hole 513 through which the lever support shaft 235 is inserted. A protrusion 235a is formed on the outer periphery of the lever support shaft 235 so as to protrude radially outward and extend along the axial direction of the lever support shaft 235. The inner periphery of the block lever 51 forming the circular hole 513 Key grooves (511e, 511f) are formed in the surface 511a along the axial direction of the lever support shaft 235. The key groove includes a first key groove 511e that engages the protrusion 235a so that the rotation position of the block lever 51 is positioned at the initial position when the axial position of the block lever 51 is the initial position in the axial direction, A second keyway 511f that engages the protrusion 235a so that the rotational position of the block lever 51 is positioned at the block position when the axial position of the block lever 51 is in the axial movement region (axial movement position); Have With this configuration, when the inertia force is not input, the protrusion 235a of the lever support shaft 235 is engaged with the first key groove 511e of the block lever 51, thereby positioning the block lever 51 at the initial position. can do. When the inertial force is input, the block lever 51 moves in the axial direction of the lever support shaft 235 along the direction of the inertial force to reach the axial movement region, and the axial movement within this axial movement region At the position, the block lever 51 is rotated by the rotational biasing force of the block lever spring 52. Then, the protrusion 235a of the lever support shaft 235 is engaged with the second key groove 511f of the block lever 51, whereby the block lever 51 can be positioned at the block position.

  The block lever spring 52 functions as an axial biasing member that biases the block lever in the direction of the rotation axis of the block lever 51 and in the direction opposite to the direction in which the inertial force is applied (vehicle inward Y2). It also functions as a rotation direction urging member that urges the block lever 51 to rotate. Thus, by constituting the axial direction biasing member and the rotational direction biasing member by the block lever spring 52 which is a single biasing member, it is possible to contribute to the reduction of the number of components of the block mechanism 50.

(Modification 1)
In the first embodiment, the first key groove 511e and the second key groove 511f are formed on the block lever 51, and the protrusion 235a is formed on the lever support shaft 235. A configuration corresponding to the strip 235a may be provided, and the lever support shaft 235 may be provided with a configuration corresponding to the key grooves 511e and 511f.

  FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the block lever 51 according to the first modification of the first embodiment as viewed from the outer end surface 511d side. As shown in FIG. 40, protrusions 514 (protrusions) are formed on the inner peripheral surface 511a of the circular hole 513 formed in the support part 511 of the block lever 51. Further, the first key groove 511e and the second key groove 511f described in the first embodiment are not formed in the block lever 51 according to this example. The other configuration of the block lever 51 according to this example is the same as the configuration of the block lever 51 according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 41 is a perspective view showing a part of the door lock housing 2 according to the first modification. As shown in FIG. 41, the first key groove 235b and the second key are provided along the axial direction on the outer periphery of the lever support shaft 235 standing from the first bottom surface 21a of the first portion 21 of the door lock housing 2 according to this example. Grooves 235c are formed side by side. The first keyway 235b opens at the tip end (vehicle inner end) of the lever support shaft 235, and is formed from the opening portion toward the base end (vehicle outer end) of the lever support shaft 235. The second key groove 235c is formed continuously with the first key groove 235b on the base end side (vehicle outer end side) of the lever support shaft 235 with respect to the first key groove 235b. The width of the first key groove 235b is smaller than the width of the second key groove 235c. Further, the width of the first key groove 235 b is larger than the width of the protrusion 514 formed on the block lever 51. The block lever 51 is assembled to the lever support shaft 235 so that the protrusion 514 of the block lever 51 enters the key grooves 235b and 235c.

  FIG. 42 is a view of a state in which the block lever 51 is assembled to the lever support shaft 235 formed in the door lock housing 2 according to the present embodiment, as viewed from the vehicle inward Y2 side. The rotational position of the block lever 51 shown in FIG. 42 is the initial position, and the axial position is the axial initial position.

  43 is a cross-sectional view of the block lever 51 and the lever support shaft 235 taken along the line AA indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. As shown in FIG. 43, the first keyway 235b formed in the lever support shaft 235 has a pair of side wall surfaces (upper wall surface SW11 and lower wall surface SW12) spaced in the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 43). . Similarly, the second keyway 235c also has a pair of side wall surfaces (the upper wall surface SW21 and the lower wall surface SW22) that are spaced apart in the width direction. A step wall surface 235d is formed at the boundary between the lower wall surface SW12 of the first key groove 235b and the lower wall surface SW22 of the second key groove 235c. On the other hand, no step is formed at the boundary between the upper wall surface SW11 of the first key groove 235b and the upper wall surface SW21 of the second key groove 235c, and both the upper wall surfaces SW11, SW21 are continuously formed flat.

  The block lever 51 is urged toward the vehicle inner side Y2 by the axial urging force of the block lever spring 52, and is engaged with a stopper member 235e provided at the front end (vehicle inner end) of the lever support shaft 235. By being stopped, it is positioned at the initial position in the axial direction. When the block lever 51 is in the axial initial position, the protrusion 514 provided on the block lever 51 is located in a region where the first keyway 235b is formed. At this time, the protrusion 514 of the block lever 51 is urged downward in FIG. 43 by the rotational urging force of the block lever spring 52. For this reason, the protrusion 514 engages with the lower wall surface SW12 of the first keyway 235b. Such engagement restricts the rotation of the block lever 51. Thereby, the rotational position of the block lever 51 is positioned at the initial position.

  Further, when the rotation position of the block lever 51 is the initial position, a predetermined gap is provided between the protrusion 514 and the upper wall surfaces SW11, SW12 of both the key grooves 235b, 235c. Accordingly, the block lever 51 can be rotated from the initial position in the direction against the rotational urging force of the block lever spring 52 by this gap. Further, the protrusion 514 slides on the lower wall surface SW12 of the first key groove 235b, so that the block lever 51 moves along the axial direction of the lever support shaft 235 against the axial biasing force of the block lever spring 52. Thus, it is possible to move in the axial direction outward of the vehicle Y1.

  When a side impact load is input to the block lever 51 whose axial position is the initial axial position and whose rotational position is the initial position, the block lever 51 is blocked by the block lever spring 52 by the inertial force toward the vehicle outward Y1. Against the axial urging force, the vehicle moves in the axial direction from the initial position in the axial direction to the vehicle outward Y1 along the axial direction of the lever support shaft 235. By the axial movement of the block lever 51 toward the vehicle outer side Y1, the ridge 514 formed on the block lever 51 moves toward the vehicle outer side Y1 with respect to the first keyway 235b formed on the lever support shaft 235. To do. This moving direction is a direction in which the protrusion 514 is directed from the first key groove 235b to the second key groove 235c. Therefore, when the block lever 51 moves in the axial direction by a predetermined amount toward the vehicle outer side Y1, the protrusion 235a is detached from the first key groove 235b. FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the protrusion 514 is detached from the first keyway 235b.

  Before the block lever 51 receives the inertial force, the protrusion 514 is engaged with the lower wall surface SW12 of the first key groove 235b as shown in FIG. When the block lever 51 is moved axially by the inertial force from the state, and the axial position of the block lever 51 is located in the axial movement region moved axially from the axial initial position to the vehicle outer side Y1, the ridge 514 is also The protrusion 514 is detached from the first keyway 235b by moving in the axial direction toward the vehicle outer side Y1. When the protrusion 514 is detached from the first key groove 235b, the protrusion 514 is moved downward in FIG. 44 along the step wall surface 235d by the rotational biasing force of the block lever spring 52, and the lower side of the second key groove 235c. It is received by wall surface SW22. When the ridge 514 moves along the stepped wall surface 235d, the block lever 51 rotates clockwise as viewed from the vehicle inner side Y2 due to the rotational biasing force of the block lever spring 52. The clockwise rotation of the block lever 51 is restricted by the protrusion 514 moved along the stepped wall surface 235d engaging the lower wall surface SW22 of the second key groove 235c. FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the protrusion 514 is engaged with the lower wall surface SW22 of the second keyway 235c.

  As shown in FIG. 45, when the protrusion 514 is engaged with the lower wall surface SW22 of the second key groove 235c, the rotation position of the block lever 51 is located at the block position. When the rotation position of the block lever 51 is the block position, the open link 46 that rotates toward the unlock position after being swung to the lock position by inertia force engages with the block lever 51 during the rotation. For this reason, the return of the open link 46 to the unlock position is prevented.

  As described above, the door lock device 1 according to the modified example 1 includes the door lock housing 2 formed with the lever support shaft 235 that supports the block lever 51 so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction. The support shaft 235 has a circular hole 513 through which the inner peripheral surface 511a constituting the circular hole 513 is formed with a protrusion 514 projecting radially inward, and the outer periphery of the lever support shaft 235 is formed in the axial direction. A key groove (235b, 235c) is formed along. The key groove includes a first key groove 235b that engages the protrusion 514 so that the rotational position of the block lever 51 is positioned at the initial position when the axial position of the block lever 51 is the initial position in the axial direction, When the block lever 51 is in the axial movement region, which is the movement region axially moved by the inertial force from the axial initial position, the first protrusion 514 is engaged with the protrusion 514 so as to position the rotation position of the block lever 51 at the block position. A two-key groove 235c. Even when the block mechanism having such a configuration is employed, the opening operation of the vehicle door DR can be prevented when an inertial force is input.

(Modification 2)
By the way, the time required for the open link that rotates from the unlocked position toward the locked position when the side collision load is input to bounce back to the unlocked position again depends on the magnitude of the inertial force. Conceivable. Therefore, when the side collision load is very large (when the inertial force is very large), the time required for the open link to return to the unlock position again is very short. On the other hand, the time required for the block lever rotation position to reach the block position from the initial position due to inertial force when a side impact load is input depends on the rotational biasing force of the block lever spring, so regardless of the magnitude of the inertial force. It is considered constant. Therefore, when the inertial force is very large, the time until the open link returns to the unlock position may be shorter than the time until the block lever rotates to the block position. The open link returns to the unlock position before the block lever rotates from the initial position to the block position. In other words, if the inertial force is very large, the open lever has already returned to the unlock position before the block lever reaches the block position, so the block lever cannot prevent the open link from returning to the unlock position. There is a fear. Therefore, in the second modification, an example of a door lock device configured so that the block lever can prevent the return of the open link to the unlock position even when the inertial force is very large will be described.

  FIG. 46A is a perspective view showing a part of the door lock housing 2 applied to the door lock device 1 according to the second modification. As shown in FIG. 46A, a protrusion 211 is formed on the first bottom surface 21 a of the first portion 21 of the door lock housing 2. 46B is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a broken line R1 in the door lock housing 2 shown in FIG. 46A, and details of the protrusion 211 are shown. As can be seen from FIG. 46B, the protrusion 211 is formed adjacent to the lever support shaft 235 formed on the first bottom surface 21 a of the first portion 21 of the door lock housing 2. Specifically, the protrusion 211 is formed at a position adjacent to the circumferential position where the protrusion 235a is formed, in the periphery of the base end of the lever support shaft 235. The configuration of the lever support shaft 235 according to this example is the same as the lever support shaft 235 according to the first embodiment.

  The protruding portion 211 is formed with an inclined surface 211a that is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the lever support shaft 235 (vehicle interior / exit directions Y1, Y2). The inclined surface 211a is formed so as to incline toward the vehicle lower side Z2 toward the vehicle outer side Y1. Further, the inclined surface 211a is formed at a position such that the tip (an end on the vehicle inner side) substantially coincides with the extension line of the lower surface of the protrusion 235a provided on the lever support shaft 235.

  A support portion 511 of the block lever 51 is attached to the outer periphery of the lever support shaft 235. Accordingly, the protrusion 211 provided near the base end of the lever support shaft 235 is disposed on the vehicle outer side of the outer end surface 511d of the support portion 511 of the block lever 51 attached to the lever support shaft 235. It will be.

  The configuration of the block mechanism 50 (block lever 51 and block lever spring 52) according to this example is the same as that of the block mechanism 50 (block lever 51 and block lever spring 52) according to the first embodiment. FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the block lever 51 showing the outer end surface 511d. As shown in FIG. 47, a first key groove 511e is formed in the support portion 511 of the block lever 51, and the first key groove 511e opens on the outer end surface 511d of the support portion 511. Therefore, the notch end portion 511h is formed on the outer end surface 511d of the support portion 511 by the first key groove 511e. In this example, the notch end portion 511h is formed by the opening end portion of the lower wall surface SW12 of the first key groove 511e. However, apart from the first keyway 511e, a notch end that plays the same role as the notch end 511h may be formed.

  In FIG. 46B, a part of the support portion 511 of the block lever 51 attached to the lever support shaft 235 is indicated by a broken line. It should be noted that the axial position of the block lever 51 indicated by the broken line with the support portion 511 is the axial initial position, and the rotational position is the initial position. The block lever 51 moves from the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 46B toward the vehicle outer side Y1, that is, in the direction from the distal end (vehicle inner end) to the base end (vehicle outer end) of the lever support shaft 235. Configured to be able to. 46B, when the block lever 51 is attached to the lever support shaft 235, the outer end surface 511d of the support portion 511 of the block lever 51 forms a surface close to the base end side of the lever support shaft 235. To do. In this example, the outer end surface 511d is the base end side opening surface of the present invention. Further, as described in the first embodiment, the outer end surface 511 d of the support portion 511 is an opening surface of the circular hole 513 of the block lever 51. Therefore, the notch end portion 511h is formed on the opening surface (base end side opening surface) close to the base end side of the lever support shaft 235 in the opening surface of the circular hole 513.

  Further, when the block lever 51 is attached to the lever support shaft 235, the protrusion 235a of the lever support shaft 235 enters the first key groove 511e of the block lever 51. Accordingly, the protrusion 235a is sandwiched between the upper wall surface SW11 and the lower wall surface SW12 of the first key groove 511e. When the block lever 51 is in the initial position, the protrusion 235a engages with the upper wall surface SW11 of the first keyway 511e. In addition, the inclined surface 211a of the protrusion 211 is positioned on the vehicle outer side Y1 side of the notch end portion 511h, which is the opening end portion of the lower wall surface SW12 of the first key groove 511e on the vehicle outer side. Therefore, when the block lever 51 moves in the axial direction from the initial position in the axial direction toward the vehicle outer side Y1, the notch end portion 511h engages with the inclined surface 211a.

  FIG. 48 is a view of a state in which the block lever 51 is attached to the lever support shaft 235 formed in the door lock housing 2 according to the modification 2 as viewed from the vehicle inward Y2 side. The axial position of the block lever 51 shown in FIG. 48 is the axial initial position, and the rotational position is the initial position.

  49, the block lever 51, the protrusion 235a formed on the lever support shaft 235 provided on the door lock housing 2, and the protrusion 211 are cut along the line B-B shown in FIG. FIG. As shown in FIG. 49, when the axial position of the block lever 51 is the initial axial position, the upper wall surface SW11 of the first keyway 511e formed in the block lever 51 is It is in contact with the top surface. At this time, the notch end portion 511h of the first keyway 511e of the block lever 51 faces the inclined surface 211a of the protrusion 211 in the vehicle inside / outside direction.

  When a side impact load is input to the block lever 51 whose axial position is the initial axial position and whose rotational position is the initial position, the block lever 51 is blocked by the block lever spring 52 by the inertial force toward the vehicle outward Y1. Against the axial urging force, the vehicle moves in the axial direction from the initial position in the axial direction to the vehicle outward Y1, that is, the direction from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the lever support shaft 235. The first keyway 511e formed on the block lever 51 moves outward Y1 with respect to the protrusion 235a formed on the lever support shaft 235 by the axial movement of the block lever 51 toward the vehicle outward Y1. To do. By this movement, the protrusion 235a is detached from the first keyway 511e. FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the protrusion 235a is detached from the first keyway 511e.

  When the protrusion 235a is detached from the first keyway 511e, the block lever 51 is rotated to the block position by the rotation biasing force of the block lever spring 52. However, when the input inertia force is very large, the rotation of the open link 46 is very fast, and the open link 46 is moved before the block lever 51 reaches the block position by the rotation biasing force of the block lever spring 52. There is a risk of bouncing back at the locked position and returning to the unlocked position. In this case, the return of the open link 46 to the unlock position cannot be prevented.

In this regard, in this example, the block lever 51 is forced to the block position by forcibly rotating the block lever 51 to the block position by using the axial movement force of the block lever 51 that moves in the axial direction by the inertial force. It is configured to be able to rotate quickly. This will be described below.

  When the block lever 51 at the initial position in the axial direction moves outward Y1 by the inertial force, the protrusion 235a of the lever support shaft 235 is detached from the first key groove 511e of the block lever 51 as shown in FIG. Further, when the block lever 51 further moves in the axial direction to the vehicle outer side Y1, the notch end portion 511h formed in the outer end surface 511d of the support portion 511 of the block lever 51 is inclined to the inclined surface of the protrusion 211 facing it. It approaches 211a. However, in the state shown in FIG. 50, the notch end portion 511h is not engaged with the inclined surface 211a. In this example, the region where the protrusion 235a is detached from the first keyway 511e and the notch end 511h is not engaged with the inclined surface 211a is defined as the first movement region of the axial movement region.

  In the first movement region, the block lever 51 is rotated only by the rotational biasing force of the block lever spring 52. When the block lever 51 is rotated by the rotation biasing force of the block lever spring 52 to reach the block position in this first movement region, the inertial force acting on the block lever 51 and the open link 46 is relatively weak. In this case, since the rotation of the open link 46 is not so fast, the block lever 51 can be set to the block position before the open link 46 returns to the unlock position.

  Further, when the inertial force is very large, the block lever 51 cannot be rotated to the block position by the rotation biasing force of the block lever spring 52 within the first movement region. In this case, the block lever 51 passes through the first movement region and further moves to the vehicle outward Y1 side before the rotational position reaches the block position.

  When the block lever 51 moves in the axial direction to the vehicle outward Y1 side due to further inertial force from the first movement region, the notch end portion 511h of the block lever 51 engages with the inclined surface 211a of the protrusion 211. Of the axial movement region of the block lever 51, a region where the notch end portion 511h is engaged with the inclined surface 211a is defined as a second movement region. That is, the second movement area is an area in which the block lever 51 is further axially moved outward from the vehicle Y1 by the inertial force from the first movement area.

  In the second movement region, as described above, the cut-out end portion 511h of the block lever 51 is engaged with the inclined surface 211a of the protrusion 211. When the block lever 51 further moves in the axial direction toward the vehicle outer side Y1 with the notch end portion 511h engaged with the inclined surface 211a, the notch end portion 511h is inclined by sliding on the inclined surface 211a of the protrusion 211. While changing the engagement position with the surface 211a, it moves downward in FIG. By such downward movement of the notch end portion 511h, the rotation position of the block lever 51 is forcibly rotated in the direction from the initial position toward the block position. That is, as the block lever 51 moves in the second movement region in the axial direction due to inertial force, the rotation position of the block lever 51 rotates in the direction from the initial position toward the block position. In this way, the block lever 51 is forcibly rotated, and the rotation position is set to the block position. FIG. 51 is a cross-sectional view showing an engaged state between the notch end portion 511h and the inclined surface 211a when the block lever 51 is forcibly rotated to the block position.

  Thus, according to the present example, the axial movement area of the block lever 51 includes the first movement area and the second movement area that is further moved in the axial direction by inertial force from the first movement area. In addition, the block lever 51 is configured to move in the axial direction from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the lever support shaft 235 by inertia force, and the base of the lever support shaft 235 out of the opening surfaces at both ends of the circular hole 513. It has a notch end portion 511h formed on the outer end surface 511d on the side close to the end side. The door lock housing 2 is engaged with the notch end portion 511h when the block lever 51 moves in the second movement region in the axial direction from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the lever support shaft 235 due to inertial force. An inclined surface 211a that is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the lever support shaft 235 so that the rotational position of the block lever 51 rotates from the initial position toward the block position as the block lever 51 moves in the axial direction in the second movement region. The protrusion 211 is formed.

  According to the configuration shown in this example, when a very large inertia force is input and the block lever 51 is moving in the axial direction in the second movement region of the axial movement region, the notched end of the block lever 51 As the portion 511h moves in the axial direction while engaging the inclined surface 211a of the projection 211, the block lever 51 is forcibly rotated from the initial position to the block position. For this reason, when the block lever 51 passes through the first movement area of the axial movement area and reaches the second movement area, it always rotates to the block position. Since the block lever 51 is forcibly rotated in this way, the block lever 51 is faster than the case where the block lever 51 is rotated to the block position by the rotational biasing force of the block lever spring 52, particularly when a very large inertia force is input. Can be rotated to the block position. Therefore, even when a very large inertia force is input, the return of the open link 46 to the unlock position can be effectively prevented by the block lever 51.

(Modification 3)
In the second modification, the cut lever end 511h is formed in the block lever 51, and the protrusion 211 having the inclined surface 211a is formed in the door lock housing 2. However, the inclined surface 211a is formed in the block lever 51. A configuration corresponding to may be formed. In this case, the protrusion 235a provided on the lever support shaft 235 can have a role corresponding to the notch end portion 511h of the second modification.

  FIG. 52A is a perspective view showing a part of the door lock housing 2 applied to the door lock device 1 according to the third modification. As shown in FIG. 52A, the lever support shaft 235 erected from the first bottom surface 21a of the first portion 21 of the door lock housing 2 has a first key groove 235b and a second key groove 235c as in the first modification. Is formed.

  52B is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a broken line R2 in the door lock housing 2 shown in FIG. 52A, and shows details of the lever support shaft 235. FIG. As shown in FIG. 52B, the first key groove 235b formed in the lever support shaft 235 is an upper wall surface spaced apart in the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 52B), similarly to the first key groove 235b of the first modification. It has SW11 and lower wall surface SW12. Similarly, the second keyway 235c also has an upper wall surface SW21 and a lower wall surface SW22 that are separated in the width direction. The width of the first key groove 235b is narrower than the width of the second key groove 235c, and a step wall surface 235d is formed at the boundary between the lower wall surface SW12 of the first key groove 235b and the lower wall surface SW22 of the second key groove 235c. The Further, no step is formed at the boundary between the upper wall surface SW11 of the first key groove 235b and the upper wall surface SW21 of the second key groove 235c, and both the upper wall surfaces SW11, SW21 are continuously formed flat.

  Further, the upper wall surface SW21 of the second key groove 235c is formed shorter than the upper wall surface SW21 of the second key groove 235c according to Modification 1, and an inclined surface CL is formed from the outer end of the vehicle. Therefore, the second keyway 235c has an upper wall surface SW21 and a lower wall surface SW22 that are provided apart from each other in the width direction, and an inclined surface CL that is connected to the vehicle outer end of the upper wall surface SW21. The inclined surface CL is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the lever support shaft 235. Specifically, as can be seen from FIG. 52B, the inclined surface CL is directed downward (ie, closer to the lower wall surface SW22) toward the vehicle outer side Y1, so that the axial direction of the lever support shaft 235 (vehicle It is inclined with respect to the inner and outer directions Y1, Y2).

  FIG. 53 is a perspective view of the block lever 51 according to the third modification. The block lever 51 has the same configuration as that of the block lever 51 according to the first modification, and a protrusion 514 extending in the axial direction on a part of the inner peripheral surface 511 a of the circular hole 513 formed in the support portion 511. Is formed. The block lever 51 is pivotally supported by the lever support shaft 235 so that the protrusion 514 engages with the first key groove 235b and the second key groove 235c formed on the lever support shaft 235.

  FIG. 54 is a view of a state in which the block lever 51 is attached to the lever support shaft 235 formed in the door lock housing 2 as viewed from the vehicle inward Y2 side. The rotational position of the block lever 51 shown in FIG. 54 is the initial position, and the axial position of the block lever 51 is the axial initial position.

  55 is a cross-sectional view of the block lever 51 and the lever support shaft 235 taken along the alternate long and short dash line CC shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 55, the block lever 51 is urged toward the vehicle inward Y2 side by the axial urging force of the block lever spring 52 and is locked to a stopper member 235e provided at the tip of the lever support shaft 235. By doing so, it is positioned at the initial position in the axial direction. The block lever 51 is urged to rotate by the block lever spring 52, and the protrusion 514 engages with the lower wall surface SW12 of the first key groove 235b of the lever support shaft 235, so that the rotation position of the block lever 51 is initial. Positioned in position.

  When a side impact load is input to the block lever 51 whose axial position is the initial axial position and whose rotational position is the initial position, the block lever 51 is blocked by the block lever spring 52 by the inertial force toward the vehicle outward Y1. Against the axial urging force, the vehicle moves in the axial direction from the initial position in the axial direction to the vehicle outward Y1, that is, the direction from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the lever support shaft 235. By the axial movement of the block lever 51 toward the vehicle outer side Y1, the protrusion 514 formed on the block lever 51 moves toward the vehicle outer side Y1 with respect to the first keyway 235b formed on the lever support shaft 235. To do. By this movement, the protrusion 514 is detached from the first key groove 235b. FIG. 56 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the protrusion 514 is detached from the first keyway 235b.

  When the protrusion 514 is disengaged from the first keyway 235b, the block lever 51 is rotated to the block position by the rotation biasing force of the block lever spring 52. However, when the input inertia force is very large, the rotation of the open link 46 is very fast, and the open link 46 is moved before the block lever 51 reaches the block position by the rotation biasing force of the block lever spring 52. There is a risk of bouncing back at the locked position and returning to the unlocked position. In this case, the return of the open link 46 to the unlock position cannot be prevented.

In this regard, in this example, as in the second modification, the block lever 51 is forcibly rotated to the block position by using the axial movement force of the block lever 51 that moves in the axial direction by the inertial force. The lever 51 is configured to be able to rotate faster to the block position. This will be described below.

  When the block lever 51 in the initial position in the axial direction moves outward Y1 by the inertia force, the protrusion 514 of the block lever 51 is detached from the first key groove 235b of the lever support shaft 235 as shown in FIG. Further, as described above, the inclined surface CL is formed from the vehicle outer end of the upper wall surface SW21 of the second key groove 235c, and the inclined surface CL is inclined downward toward the vehicle outer side. Therefore, the inclined surface CL is in a positional relationship facing the ridge 514 on the vehicle outer side of the ridge 514, and the block lever 51 further moves in the axial direction toward the vehicle outer Y1 by inertia force from the state shown in FIG. Accordingly, when the protrusion 514 moves in the axial direction toward the vehicle outer side Y1, the protrusion 514 engages with the inclined surface CL. However, in the state shown in FIG. 56, the protrusion 514 is not engaged with the inclined surface CL. In this example, the area where the protrusion 514 is detached from the first keyway 235b and the protrusion 514 is not in contact with the inclined surface CL is defined as the first movement area of the axial movement area.

  In the first movement region, the block lever 51 is rotated only by the rotational biasing force of the block lever spring 52. When the block lever 51 is rotated by the rotation biasing force of the block lever spring 52 to reach the block position in this first movement region, the inertial force acting on the block lever 51 and the open link 46 is relatively weak. In this case, since the rotation of the open link 46 is not so fast, the block lever 51 can be set to the block position before the open link 46 returns to the unlock position.

  Further, when the inertial force is very large, the block lever 51 cannot be rotated to the block position by the rotation biasing force of the block lever spring 52 within the first movement region. In this case, the block lever 51 passes through the first movement region and further moves to the vehicle outward Y1 side before the rotational position reaches the block position.

  When the block lever 51 moves in the axial direction toward the vehicle outer side Y1 due to further inertial force from the first movement region, the protrusion 514 of the block lever 51 engages with the inclined surface CL of the second key groove 235c. Of the axial movement region of the block lever 51, a region where the protrusion 514 engages with the inclined surface CL is defined as a second movement region. That is, the second movement area is an area in which the block lever 51 is further axially moved outward from the vehicle Y1 by the inertial force from the first movement area.

  In the second movement region, as described above, the protrusion 514 of the block lever 51 engages with the inclined surface CL of the second key groove 235c. When the block lever 51 further moves in the axial direction toward the vehicle outer side Y1 with the ridge 514 engaged with the inclined surface CL, the ridge 514 slides on the inclined surface CL of the second key groove 235c. 56, while moving the engagement position to the lower side of FIG. By such downward movement of the protrusion 514, the rotation position of the block lever 51 is forcibly rotated in the direction from the initial position toward the block position. That is, as the block lever 51 moves in the second movement region in the axial direction due to inertial force, the rotation position of the block lever 51 rotates in the direction from the initial position toward the block position. In this way, the block lever 51 is forcibly rotated, and the rotation position is set to the block position.

  Thus, according to the present example, the axial movement area of the block lever 51 includes the first movement area and the second movement area that is further moved in the axial direction by inertial force from the first movement area. The block lever 51 is configured to move in the axial direction from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the lever support shaft 235 due to inertial force. The lever support shaft 235 includes a first key groove that engages with the protrusion 514 so that the rotation position of the block lever 51 is positioned at the initial position when the axial position of the block lever 51 is the initial position in the axial direction. 235b and a second key groove 235c that engages with the protrusion 514 so as to position the rotation position of the block lever 51 at the block position when the block lever 51 is in the axial movement region. The second key groove 235c is engaged with the protrusion 514 when the block lever 51 moves in the axial direction in the second movement area by inertial force, and the block lever 51 moves in the axial direction in the second movement area by inertial force. An inclined surface CL that is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the lever support shaft 235 is formed so that the rotational position of the block lever 51 rotates in the direction from the initial position toward the block position as it moves.

  According to the configuration shown in this example, when a very large inertia force is input and the block lever 51 is moving in the axial direction in the second movement region of the axial movement region, the protrusion 514 of the block lever 51 is moved. Moves in the axial direction while engaging with the inclined surface CL of the second key groove 235c, whereby the block lever 51 is forcibly rotated from the initial position to the block position. For this reason, when the block lever 51 passes through the first movement area of the axial movement area and reaches the second movement area, it always rotates to the block position. Since the block lever 51 is forcibly rotated in this manner, the block lever 51 can be rotated to the block position faster than the block lever 51 is rotated to the block position by the rotation biasing force of the block lever spring 52. Therefore, even when a very large inertia force is input, the block lever 51 can prevent the open link 46 from returning to the unlock position.

(Second embodiment)
Next, although 2nd embodiment of this invention is described, the door lock apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment is the door which concerns on 1st embodiment fundamentally except the structure for attaching a block mechanism and a block mechanism. The configuration is the same as that of the locking device 1. Below, it demonstrates focusing on the structure different from 1st embodiment.

  FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the door lock housing 2A of the door lock device 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which the block mechanism 60, the open link 46, and the outside open lever 45 included in the door lock device 1 according to the second embodiment are attached to the door lock housing 2A. As shown in FIG. 16, the block mechanism 60 according to the present embodiment includes a block lever 61, an inertia lever 62, a block lever spring 63, and an inertia lever spring 64.

  As shown in FIG. 15, a lever support shaft 261, a lever support hole 262, and a spring support shaft 263 are formed in the door lock housing 2 </ b> A according to the present embodiment. The lever support shaft 261 extends from the first bottom surface 21a of the door lock housing 2A to the vehicle inner side Y2, and is formed at the same position as the lever support shaft 235 according to the first embodiment. A block lever 61 is attached to the lever support shaft 261.

  FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the block lever 61. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the block lever 61 includes a support portion 611, a block arm 612, and a spring engagement protrusion 613. The support portion 611 constitutes a cylindrical portion that is rotatably supported around the outer periphery of the lever support shaft 261. A block arm 612 and a spring engaging protrusion 613 extend radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 611.

  The block arm 612 has a pair of surfaces perpendicular to the axial direction of the support portion 611, an inner end surface 612a and an outer end surface 612b, and side surfaces 612c that connect the peripheral end sides of both end surfaces (612a, 612b). Present. The inner end surface 612a and the outer end surface 612b are formed in a tapered shape so that the inner end surface 612a and the outer end surface 612b become thinner as they move away from the support portion 611 when viewed from the axial direction of the support portion 611. When the block lever 61 is attached to the lever support shaft 261, the inner end surface 612a faces the vehicle inner side Y2, and the outer end surface of the block arm 612 faces the vehicle outer side Y1.

  An engaging convex portion 612 d is formed on the block arm 612. The engaging convex portion 612d is formed so as to protrude from the outer end surface 612b toward the vehicle outer side Y1 in the vicinity of the base end of the block arm 612. Further, a pressing protrusion 612e is formed on the block arm 612. The pressing protrusion 612e is formed so as to protrude from the outer end surface 612b of the block arm 612 to the side surface 612c.

  The spring engaging protrusion 613 extends radially outward from a portion of the outer periphery of the support portion 611 that is substantially opposite to the portion where the block arm 612 is producing. A block lever spring 63 serving as a block lever urging member is locked to the spring engaging protrusion 613.

  The block lever spring 63 is configured by a coil body. As shown in FIG. 16, the block lever spring 63 is attached to the lever support shaft 261 together with the block lever 61. The block lever 61 is attached to a portion of the lever support shaft 261 closer to the vehicle inner side Y2 than the portion to which the block lever spring 63 is attached. The block lever 61 is supported by the lever support shaft 261 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the lever support shaft 261, that is, around the axis along the vehicle inside / outside direction Y1, Y2. One end of the block lever spring 63 is locked to the door lock housing 2A, and the other end is locked to the spring engagement protrusion 613 of the block lever 61 in a state where the block lever spring 63 is bent toward the vehicle inner side Y2. The The block lever 61 is urged to rotate counterclockwise by the block lever spring 63 when viewed from the vehicle inner side Y2.

  As shown in FIG. 15, a bracket 264 is formed in the door lock housing 2 </ b> A so as to extend toward the vehicle inner side Y <b> 2 at a position below the lever support shaft 261. A lever support hole 262 is formed in the bracket 264. The lever support hole 262 is a circular hole penetrating in the vehicle longitudinal direction X1, X2. In addition, a notch recess 262a that is notched in a rectangular shape is formed in a part of the inner peripheral wall that forms the lever support hole 262. The inertia lever 62 is rotatably supported by the lever support hole 262.

  FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the inertia lever 62. As shown in FIG. 18, the inertia lever 62 is formed in a long and long shape. The inertia lever 62 has a front surface 62a and a rear surface 62b. When the inertia lever 62 is supported by the lever support hole 262, the front surface 62a faces the vehicle front X1 and the rear surface 62b faces the vehicle rear X2.

  A circular protrusion 621 that protrudes from the front surface 62 a is provided at the lower end portion of the inertia lever 62. A rectangular alignment protrusion 622 is formed on the end surface of the circular protrusion 621. The alignment protrusion 622 is formed so that a part thereof protrudes radially outward from the circular protrusion 621. In addition, an engagement piece 623 that is bent toward the rear surface 62 b is formed at the upper end portion of the inertia lever 62. An engagement recess 624 is formed at the side end of the engagement piece 623. Further, a claw portion 625 protruding to the side is formed on the upper side of the inertia lever 62.

  The inertia lever 62 has a circular protrusion 621 inserted into the lever support hole 262 from the vehicle rear X2 side so that the inertia lever 62 can rotate about the axis of the lever support hole 262, that is, about the axis along the vehicle longitudinal direction. It is supported by the lever support hole 262. When the inertia lever 62 is inserted into the lever support hole 262, the circular protrusion 621 is aligned so that the notch recess 262a formed in the lever support hole 262 and the alignment protrusion 622 provided in the circular protrusion 621 are aligned. Is inserted into the lever support hole 262. After the circular protrusion 621 is inserted into the lever support hole 262, the positions of the notch recess 262a and the alignment protrusion 622 are shifted, thereby preventing the inertia lever 62 from coming off from the lever support hole 262.

  The inertia lever 62 supported by the lever support hole 262 extends upward from the lever support hole 262. In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the inertia lever 62 is disposed so as to be adjacent to the vehicle arm Y1 side of the block arm 612 of the block lever 61. Further, the engagement piece 623 of the inertia lever 62 extends to the vehicle rear X2 side, and the engagement recess 624 formed in the engagement piece 623 opens to the vehicle outward Y1 side.

  As shown in FIG. 15, a bracket 265 extending on the vehicle inner side Y2 at a position above the lever support shaft 261 is formed on the door lock housing 2A. A spring support shaft 263 is formed on the bracket 265. The spring support shaft 263 extends from the bracket 265 to the vehicle rear X2. An inertia lever spring 64 as an inertia lever urging member is attached to the spring support shaft 263.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the inertia lever spring 64 is a torsion spring formed in a coil shape, and the coil portion is disposed on the outer periphery of the spring support shaft 263. One end of the coiled inertia lever spring 64 is locked to the door lock housing 2A. On the other hand, the other end of the inertia lever spring 64 is locked to an engagement recess 624 formed in the engagement piece 623 of the inertia lever 62. Therefore, the inertia lever 62 receives an elastic biasing force from the inertia lever spring 64. The urging direction of the elastic urging force received by the inertia lever 62 from the inertia lever spring 64 is a direction toward the vehicle inward Y2. As a result, the inertia lever 62 is urged to rotate counterclockwise around the lever support hole 262 as viewed from the vehicle rear X2 side.

  When the inertia lever 62 is rotationally biased by the inertia lever spring 64, the inertia lever 62 abuts on the block arm 612 of the block lever 61 disposed adjacent to the vehicle inner side Y2 of the inertia lever 62. At this time, the claw portion 625 formed on the inertia lever 62 engages with the engagement convex portion 612 d formed on the block arm 612. Such engagement restricts the rotation of the block lever 61 in the counterclockwise direction as viewed from the inside of the vehicle and the rotation of the inertia lever 62 in the counterclockwise direction as viewed from the rear of the vehicle. In other words, the block lever 61 and the inertia lever 62 that are urged to rotate in different directions are engaged and supported to determine the positions of the levers. A rotational position where mutual rotation is restricted is defined as an initial position of the block lever 61 and an engagement position of the inertia lever 62.

  19A and 19B show the arrangement relationship between the block mechanism 60 including the block lever 61 in the initial position and the inertia lever 62 in the engagement position and the open link 46 in the unlock initial position, respectively. FIG. 19 is a view seen from the side (FIG. 19A) and a view seen from the rear side X2 (FIG. 19B). 20A and 20B are a perspective view (FIG. 20A) of the arrangement state of the block lever 61 in the initial position and the inertia lever 62 in the engagement position as viewed from the vehicle front X1 side, and from the vehicle rear X2 side, respectively. It is the perspective view (FIG. 20B) which looked. As shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the block lever 61 in the initial position is located on the vehicle inward Y2 side of the inertia lever 62 in the engagement position. In addition, the engaging projection 612d formed on the block arm 612 of the block lever 61 is disposed below the claw 625 formed on the inertia lever 62, and engages with the lower surface of the claw 625. That is, the nail | claw part 625 and the engagement convex part 612d fit up and down. For this reason, the engaging convex portion 612d is pressed against the claw portion 625 from above, whereby the rotation of the block lever 61 such that the engaging convex portion 612d moves upward in FIG. 20A, that is, as viewed from the vehicle inner side Y2. The rotation of the block lever 61 in the counterclockwise direction is restricted by the inertia lever 62, and the block lever 61 is positioned at the initial position. In addition, the inertia lever 62 is positioned at the engagement position by being locked to the engagement convex portion 612d of the block lever 61 from the vehicle inward Y2 side.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19A, the pressing protrusion 612e formed on the block arm 612 of the block lever 61 in the initial position protrudes from the block arm 612 to the vehicle rear X2. Further, the spring engaging protrusion 613 of the block lever 61 extends from the support portion 611 to the vehicle front X1. The other end 63 a of the block lever spring 63 is locked to the upper surface of the spring engaging protrusion 613. For this reason, the spring engaging protrusion 613 receives a downward biasing force from the block lever spring 63. With this urging force, the block lever 61 is urged to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 19A. That is, the block lever 61 is located at the initial position in a state in which it is urged to rotate counterclockwise.

  In addition, an open link 46 is arranged with a small gap on the vehicle rear X2 side of the block lever 61 in the initial position. Similarly, the open link 46 is disposed with a small gap on the vehicle rear X2 side of the inertia lever 62. Since the open link 46 rotates between the unlock position and the lock position around the axis along the vehicle longitudinal direction X1, X2, when the open link 46 rotates between the unlock position and the lock position, The open link 46 does not interfere with the block lever 61 and the inertia lever 62 in the initial position. That is, the initial position of the block lever 61 is a position in the retreat area that is retreated from the rotation range of the open link 46 that rotates between the unlock position and the lock position.

  Further, when viewed from the direction shown in FIG. 19A, a pressing protrusion 612e formed on the block arm 612 of the block lever 61 is positioned above the open link 46 at the unlocked initial position. However, as shown in FIG. 19B, the pressing protrusion 612e is positioned so as to be shifted from the open link 46 to the vehicle outer side Y1. Therefore, when the open link 46 opens from the unlock initial position and moves upward to the unlock open position, the pressing protrusion 612e does not interfere with the open link 46. Thus, the operation of the open link 46 is not hindered by the block lever 61 and the inertia lever 62 in the initial position.

  In the door lock device 1 having the block mechanism 60 configured as described above, when no inertial force toward the vehicle outward Y1 is generated due to a side collision or the like, the rotation position of the block lever 61 is set to the initial position in the retreat area. The inertia lever 62 is engaged so as to be positioned. The inertia lever 62 is urged to rotate to the engagement position by an inertia lever spring 64. Since the block lever 61 is located at the initial position, the rotation operation of the open link 46 that rotates between the unlock position and the lock position is not hindered by the block lever 61.

  On the other hand, when an inertial force toward the vehicle outward Y1 is generated due to a side collision or the like, the open link 46 in the unlocked initial position rotates clockwise as viewed from the vehicle rear X2 due to the inertial force, From the unlocked initial position to the locked initial position.

  The inertia lever 62 in the engagement position also receives an inertial force. In this case, the inertial lever 62 rotates clockwise around the lever support hole 262 against the urging force of the inertial lever spring 64 by the inertial force toward the vehicle outward Y1 as viewed from the vehicle rear X2. .

  By the above-described rotation of the inertia lever 62, the inertia lever 62 moves away from the block lever 61, and the engagement between the claw portion 625 of the inertia lever 62 and the engagement convex portion 612d of the block arm 612 is released. That is, due to the inertial force, the inertial lever 62 rotates in the direction in which the engagement with the block lever 61 is released from the engagement position. Thereby, the rotation restriction of the block lever 61 is released, and the block lever 61 rotates counterclockwise around the lever support shaft 261 as viewed from the inside of the vehicle by the urging force of the block lever spring 63. Then, the lower end surface 613a (see FIG. 17) of the spring engaging protrusion 613 of the block lever 61 is locked by a stopper provided in the door lock housing 2A, so that the block lever 61 rotates counterclockwise. Is regulated. In this way, the rotation position of the block lever 61 that rotates counterclockwise from the initial position and is restricted from rotating counterclockwise by the stopper is defined as the block position.

  21A and 21B are views of the block mechanism 60 in which the block lever 61 located at the block position is shown and the open link 46 rotated in the locking direction as viewed from the vehicle inward Y2 side and the vehicle rear X2 side, respectively. It is. As shown in FIG. 21B, the open link 46 is rotated in the clockwise direction from the unlocked initial position by the inertial force. The inertia lever 62 is also rotated clockwise from the engagement position by the inertia force.

  As shown in FIG. 21A, when the block lever 61 is positioned at the block position, the tip end portion of the block arm 612 of the block lever 61 projects toward the vehicle rear X2 side. For this reason, the block arm 612 enters the rotation range between the unlock position and the lock position of the open link 46. When the block arm 612 enters the rotation range of the open link 46, the open link 46 is swung to the lock position side with respect to the entry position of the block arm 612.

  After the block lever 61 is positioned at the block position, the open link 46 rebounds at the lock position and heads again to the unlock position, or the input of inertial force is terminated and the urging force of the torsion spring 46a returns to the unlock position again. When heading, the open link 46 engages with the block arm 612 of the block lever 61 at the block position during the rotation.

  22A and 22B are views of the state in which the open link 46 is engaged with the block arm 612 of the block lever 61 set at the block position, as viewed from the vehicle inward Y2 side and the vehicle rear X2 side. As shown in FIG. 22B, the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 is on the outer end surface 612b of the block arm 612 of the block lever 61 at the block position from the vehicle outer side Y1 side on the way to the unlock position. Locked. Therefore, the counterclockwise rotation of the open link 46 toward the further unlock position is restricted. This prevents the return of the open link 46 to the unlock position. A state where the rotation of the open link 46 in the counterclockwise direction by the block lever 61 is restricted is referred to as an inertia lock set state. Further, the rotational position of the open link 46 in the inertia lock set state is defined as the inertia lock set position.

  In the inertia lock set state, even if the open link 46 at the inertia lock set position is opened, the open link 46 is not engaged with the lift lever 37 as in the first embodiment. For this reason, for example, when the door outside handle OS is pseudo-operated by an inertia force in a side collision, the open link 46 is prevented from turning the lift lever 37 and the vehicle door being opened.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the open link 46 is rotated from the unlock position to the lock position by the inertial force toward the vehicle outward Y1, the inertial lever 62 is rotated by the inertial force. As a result, the block lever 61 in the initial position rotates, and the block lever 61 is positioned at the block position where it enters the rotation range of the open link 46. For this reason, the rotation of the open link 46 in the unlocking direction is restricted, and the open link 46 cannot return to the unlocked position. Therefore, even when the door outside handle is pseudo-operated by inertial force thereafter, the vehicle door can be prevented from being opened.

  The inertia lever 62 rotated away from the block lever 61 by the inertial force is rotated in the direction toward the engagement position by the urging force of the inertial lever spring 64 upon completion of the input of the inertial force, and the block lever at the block position 61 abuts. However, the vertical position of the engaging convex portion 612d of the block lever 61 at the block position is different from the vertical position of the engaging convex portion 612d of the block arm 612 at the initial position. For this reason, the nail | claw part 625 of the inertia lever 62 cannot fit up and down with the engagement convex part 612d of the block lever 61 in a block position. In this case, as shown in FIG. 22B, the inertia lever 62 is an outer side in which the claw portion 625 faces the vehicle outward Y1 of the engagement convex portion 612d of the block arm 612 at a predetermined rotational position that is not the engagement position. It is locked to the block lever 61 while being in contact with the direction surface 612g.

  As described above, in the inertia lock set state, the vehicle door DR cannot be opened because the rotation position of the open link 46 is not the unlock position. In this case, by operating the door outside handle OS, the inertia lock set state is canceled, the block lever 61 returns to the initial position, and the rotational position of the open link 46 returns to the unlock position. This will be described.

  When the door outside handle OS is operated in the inertia lock set state, the open link 46 opens at the inertia lock set position and moves upward. Here, in the inertia lock set state, the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 is engaged with the outer end surface 612b of the block arm 612, and as shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, A pressing protrusion 612e formed on the block arm 612 is positioned immediately above the engagement arm 465. Therefore, when the open link 46 at the inertia lock set position opens and moves upward, the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 abuts on the pressing projection 612e, and further, the pressing projection 612e is moved to the vehicle front X1 side. Extrude into. As a result, the block lever 61 rotates in the clockwise direction when viewed from the vehicle inner side against the rotational biasing force of the block lever spring 63.

  As the block lever 61 rotates clockwise, the rotation position of the block lever 61 eventually returns to the initial position. At this time, the engaging convex portion 612d of the block lever 61 and the claw portion 625 of the inertia lever 62 are positioned so as to fit vertically, so the claw portion 625 fits vertically to the engaging convex portion 612d. Thus, the inertia lever 62 returns to the engagement position. Further, the engagement of the claw portion 625 and the engaging convex portion 612d restricts the rotation of the block lever 61 in the counterclockwise direction. As a result, the block lever 61 is held at the initial position. In this way, the block lever 61 is returned to the initial position.

  When the block lever 61 returns to the initial position, the block arm 612 of the block lever 61 is retracted from the rotation range of the open link 46. For this reason, the open link 46 rotates to the unlock position by the urging force of the torsion spring 46 a without being interfered with the block lever 61. As a result, the rotational position of the open link 46 returns to the unlock position.

  As described above, the block mechanism 60 included in the door lock device 1 according to this embodiment includes the block lever 61. The block lever 61 is located at an initial position in the retreat area that is retracted from the rotation range of the open link 46 when no inertial force is generated to rotate the open link 46 in the unlock position in the direction toward the lock position. . In the initial position, the block lever 61 is engaged with the inertia lever 62. Further, when an inertial force is generated, the engagement between the block lever 61 and the inertial lever 62 is released by rotating the inertial lever 62 using the inertial force. As a result, the block lever 61 is positioned at the block position where the block lever spring 63 enters the rotation range of the open link 46 by the rotation biasing force of the block lever spring 63. That is, the block lever 61 moves from the initial position using the inertia force and is positioned at the block position. For this reason, it is prevented by the block lever 61 in the block position that the open link 46 swung to the lock position by the inertia force returns to the unlock position again. Therefore, it is effectively prevented that the vehicle door DR is opened by the pseudo operation of the door outside handle when the open link swung to the locked position due to the side collision or the like returns to the unlocked position again.

  Further, when the block lever 61 is located at the block position, the open link 46 engaged with the block lever 61 is opened at the inertia lock set position so that the block lever 61 can be returned to the initial position. Configured. Thus, when the block lever 61 returns to the initial position, the open link 46 can be returned to the unlock position.

(Third embodiment)
Next, the door lock device according to the third embodiment will be described. Similarly to the door lock device according to the second embodiment, the door lock device according to the present embodiment has a structure for attaching the block mechanism and the block mechanism. Except for this, the configuration is basically the same as that of the door lock device according to the first embodiment. Below, it demonstrates focusing on the structure different from 1st embodiment.

  FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the door lock housing 2B of the door lock device 1 according to the third embodiment. 24A and 24B are perspective views showing a state in which the block mechanism 70, the open link 46, and the outside open lever 45 included in the door lock device 1 according to the third embodiment are attached to the door lock housing 2B, respectively. It is a rear view seen from a figure (Drawing 24A) and vehicle back X2 (Drawing 24B). As shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B, the block mechanism 70 according to the present embodiment includes a block plate 71, an inertia lever 72, and a torsion spring 73 as an urging member.

  As shown in FIG. 23, a guide plate 271, a lever support shaft 272, and a spring support shaft 273 are formed in the door lock housing 2B according to the present embodiment. The guide plate 271 has a flat plate-like support plate portion 271a erected from the vehicle rear end of the first bottom surface 21a of the door lock housing 2B toward the vehicle inner side Y2, and the vehicle inner end of the support plate portion 271a. It has a rail portion 271b that is erected toward the rear X2 and extends along the vertical direction.

  Further, a plate-like bracket 274 is formed on a portion of the first bottom surface 21a of the door lock housing 2B above the portion where the guide plate 271 is provided, and the lever support shaft 272 and the bracket 274 are provided on the bracket 274. A spring support shaft 273 is extended toward the vehicle rear X2. As can be seen from FIG. 23, the lever support shaft 272 is provided above the spring support shaft 273.

  A block plate 71 is attached to a guide plate 271 formed in the door lock housing 2B. FIG. 25A is a perspective view of the block plate 71. FIG. 25B is a view of the block plate 71 as viewed from the vehicle rear X2. As illustrated in FIGS. 25A and 25B, the block plate 71 includes a main body 711 and a support 712. The main body 711 includes an outer surface 711a facing the vehicle outward Y1, an inner surface 711b facing the vehicle inner Y2, a front surface 711c facing the vehicle front X1, and a rear surface 711d facing the vehicle rear X2. And an upper surface 711e facing the vehicle upper side Z1, and as shown in FIG. 25B, is extended along the vertical direction when viewed from the vehicle rear X2.

  A locking recess 711 g is formed on the upper surface 711 e of the main body 711. A torsion spring 73 is locked to the locking recess 711g as will be described later. In addition, a claw portion 711h protruding from the upper end portion of the outer surface 711a of the main body portion 711 to the vehicle outer side Y1 is formed.

  A support portion 712 is connected to the front surface 711 c of the main body portion 711. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXVI-XXVI in FIG. 25B. As shown in FIG. 26, the support portion 712 includes a first wall portion 712a, a second wall portion 712b, a third wall portion 712c, and a fourth wall portion 712d. The first wall portion 712a constitutes a wall portion extending from the main body portion 711 to the vehicle front X1, and the second wall portion 712b is a wall portion extending from the vehicle front end of the first wall portion 712a to the vehicle outward Y1. Configure. The third wall portion 712c constitutes a wall portion extending from the vehicle rear end of the first wall portion 712a to the vehicle outer side Y1, and the fourth wall portion 712d is formed from the vehicle outer end of the third wall portion 712c. The wall part extended in the vehicle front X1 is comprised. Then, a saddle-like space 713 opened to the vehicle outer side Y1 is formed in the support portion 712 so as to be surrounded by the respective wall portions 712a, 712b, 712c, and 712d. In this bowl-shaped space 713, a rail portion 271b of a guide plate 271 formed in the door lock housing 2B is disposed.

  27 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXVII-XXVII in FIG. 24B. FIG. 27 shows a state in which the rail portion 271 b is disposed in the bowl-shaped space 713. As shown in FIG. 27, the support plate portion 271a of the guide plate 271 enters the hook-shaped space 713 from the opening of the hook-shaped space 713, and the rail portion 271b formed from the vehicle inner end of the support plate portion 271a In the space 713. As a result, the block plate 71 is fitted into the rail portion 271b of the guide plate 271. Moreover, since the rail part 271b is formed along the up-down direction, the block plate 71 can move up and down along the rail part 271b. In this way, the block plate is assembled to the guide plate 271 so as to be movable in the vehicle vertical direction Z1, Z2.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 24A, an inertia lever 72 is attached to a lever support shaft 272 formed in the door lock housing 2B. FIG. 28A is a perspective view of the inertia lever 72, and FIG. 28B is a view of the inertia lever 72 viewed from the vehicle rear X2 side. As shown in FIGS. 28A and 28B, the inertia lever 72 includes a support portion 721 and an arm portion 722. The support portion 721 constitutes a portion that is supported on the outer periphery of the lever support shaft 272. The arm portion 722 extends from the support portion 721.

  The support portion 721 includes a front surface 721a facing the vehicle front X1 and a rear surface 721b facing the vehicle rear X2 when supported by the lever support shaft 272. Further, a stepped portion 721c is formed in the lower portion of the support portion 721 in FIG. 28A and in the vehicle outer portion. Further, a cutout 721 d is formed in the support portion 721 at the boundary portion with the arm portion 722. The notch 721d opens on the rear surface 721b of the support portion 721.

  The arm portion 722 extends downward from the support portion 721 when the inertial lever 72 is supported by the lever support shaft 272. At the tip of the arm portion 722, a claw portion 722a that protrudes toward the vehicle inward Y2 side with the inertia lever 72 supported by the lever support shaft 272 is formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 24A, a torsion spring 73 is attached to a spring support shaft 273 formed in the door lock housing 2B. As shown in FIG. 24B, the torsion spring 73 is formed in a coil shape, and includes a coil portion 731, a first arm portion 732 extending from one end of the coil portion 731, and a first extension extending from the other end of the coil portion 731. And two arm portions 733. A coil portion 731 of the torsion spring 73 is disposed around the outer periphery of the spring support shaft 273. The first arm portion 732 of the torsion spring 73 extends from the upper side of the coil portion 731 toward the vehicle inward Y2 side and is locked to the inertia lever 72. On the other hand, the second arm portion 733 of the torsion spring 73 extends from the lower side of the coil portion 731 to the vehicle inward Y2 side and is locked to the block plate 71.

  29A and 29B are a perspective view (FIG. 29A) of the block mechanism 70 assembled to the door lock housing 2B and a rear view (FIG. 29B) viewed from the vehicle rear X2. As shown in these drawings, the first arm portion 732 of the torsion spring 73 is locked to the wall surface of the notch 721 d formed in the support portion 721 of the inertia lever 72. Further, the second arm portion 733 of the torsion spring 73 is locked to a locking recess 711 g formed on the upper surface 711 e of the main body portion 711 of the block plate 71.

  29B, the claw portion 711h provided on the main body portion 711 of the block plate 71 engages with a claw portion 722a formed at the tip of the arm portion 722 of the inertia lever 72. For this reason, in the state shown in FIG. 29B, the counterclockwise rotation of the inertia lever 72 is restricted by the claw portion 711h of the block plate 71, and the downward movement of the block plate 71 is the claw portion 722a of the inertia lever 72. Regulated by

  The torsion spring 73 generates an elastic force in a direction in which both the arm portions are separated while the first arm portion 732 and the second arm portion 733 are locked. Accordingly, the inertia lever 72 that locks the first arm portion 732 receives an upward biasing force from the first arm portion 732, and the block plate 71 that locks the second arm portion 733 receives the force from the second arm portion 733. Receives a downward force. That is, the torsion spring 73 urges the block plate 71 and the inertia lever 72 in opposite directions.

  By the torsion spring 73, the inertia lever 72 is urged to rotate so that its claw portion 722a engages with the claw portion 711h of the block plate 71. Such an urging direction, that is, a direction to engage with the block plate 71 is referred to as an engagement direction. Therefore, the inertia lever 72 is urged in the engagement direction by the torsion spring 73. The direction opposite to the engagement direction is referred to as the engagement release direction.

  When the block plate 71 and the inertia lever 72 are engaged by the respective claw portions (722a, 711h), the urging force of the torsion spring 73 acts on the block plate 71 as an engaging force in the claw portion. The movement of the block plate 71 is restricted by this engagement force. The position of the block plate 71 whose movement is thus restricted is defined as the initial position. Therefore, it can be said that the inertia lever 72 is rotationally biased by the torsion spring 73 in the engaging direction to engage with the block plate 71 in the initial position.

  FIG. 30 is a view of the positional relationship between the block plate 71 and the inertia lever 72 in the initial position and the open link 46 in the unlock position as viewed from the vehicle rear X2. As shown in FIG. 30, when the block plate 71 is in the initial position, the block plate 71 is positioned above the open link 46 in the unlock position initial position. Therefore, the initial position of the block plate 71 is a position in the retreat area that is retreated from the rotation range of the open link 46 that rotates between the unlock position and the lock position. As long as the block plate 71 is in the initial position, the unlock position is unlocked. The open link 46 that rotates between the locked position and the locked position does not interfere with the block plate 71.

  Further, as can be seen from FIG. 30, the block plate 71 in the initial position is located on the vehicle outer side Y1 side with respect to the open link 46 in the unlock position. For this reason, even if the open link 46 in the unlocked position is opened and moved upward by the operation of the door outside handle OS or the door inside handle IS, the operation of the open link 46 is not hindered by the block plate 71.

  In the door lock device 1 having the block mechanism 70 configured as described above, the block plate 71 is positioned at the initial position in the retreat area when no inertial force toward the vehicle outward Y1 is generated due to a side collision or the like. The inertia lever 72 is engaged. Therefore, as described above, the rotation operation of the open link 46 that rotates between the unlock position and the lock position is not hindered by the block plate 71.

  On the other hand, when an inertial force toward the vehicle outward Y1 is generated due to a side collision or the like, the open link 46 in the unlocked initial position rotates clockwise as viewed from the vehicle rear X2 due to the inertial force, From the unlocked initial position to the locked initial position.

  The inertia lever 72 engaged with the block plate 71 at the initial position also receives an inertial force. In this case, the inertia lever 72 rotates counterclockwise around the lever support shaft 272 as viewed from the vehicle rear X2 by the inertial force toward the vehicle outward Y1. The rotation of the inertia lever 72 in the counterclockwise direction is a direction in which the first arm portion 732 of the torsion spring 73 is bent. Therefore, the inertia lever 72 rotates counterclockwise against the urging force of the torsion spring 73.

  Due to the above-described rotation of the inertia lever 72, the arm portion 722 of the inertia lever 72 moves to the outside Y1 of the vehicle, so that the claw portion 722a provided on the arm portion 722 of the inertia lever 72 and the main body portion 711 of the block plate 71 are moved. The engagement with the provided claw portion 711h is released. That is, the inertia lever 72 rotates in the disengagement direction in which the engagement with the block plate 71 is released by the inertia force.

  As described above, when the inertia lever 72 rotates in the disengagement direction and the engagement between the inertia lever 72 and the block plate 71 is released, the block plate 71 is moved by the urging force of the torsion spring 73. The vehicle moves along the rail portion 271b to the vehicle lower Z2. The downward movement of the block plate 71 is restricted by a stopper provided on the guide plate 271. The position of the block plate 71 whose downward movement is restricted by the stopper is defined as the block position. As described above, the block plate 71 is configured to be movable between the initial position and the block position.

  FIG. 31 is a view of the block mechanism 70 in which the block plate 71 located at the block position is shown and the open link 46 rotated in the locking direction as seen from the vehicle rear X2 side. As shown in FIG. 31, the open link 46 is rotated clockwise from the unlock position by inertial force. The inertia lever 72 is also rotated in the counterclockwise direction (disengagement direction) by the inertia force. Then, the block plate 71 moves downward from the initial position and is positioned at the block position.

  The tip portion of the block plate 71 at the block position enters the rotation range of the open link 46 that rotates between the unlock position and the lock position. When the block plate 71 enters the rotation range of the open link 46, the open link 46 is already swung to the lock position side from the entry position of the block plate 71.

  After the block plate 71 is positioned at the block position, when the open link 46 rebounds at the lock position and heads again to the unlock position, or when the inertial force is input and the biasing force of the torsion spring 46a is applied, the open link 46 returns to the unlock position. When heading, the open link 46 engages with the block plate 71 at the block position during its rotation.

  FIG. 32 is a view of the state in which the open link 46 is engaged with the block plate 71 set at the block position, as viewed from the vehicle rear X2 side. As shown in FIG. 32, the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 is locked to the outer surface 711a of the block plate 71 at the block position from the vehicle outer side Y1 side on the way to the unlock position. Therefore, the counterclockwise rotation of the open link 46 toward the further unlock position is restricted. This prevents the return of the open link 46 to the unlock position. A state in which the rotation of the open link 46 in the counterclockwise direction by the block plate 71 is restricted is referred to as an inertia lock set state. Further, the rotational position of the open link 46 in the inertia lock set state is defined as the inertia lock set position.

  In the inertia lock set state, even if the open link 46 in the inertia lock set position is opened, the open link 46 is not engaged with the lift lever 37 as in the first and second embodiments. For this reason, for example, when the door outside handle is pseudo-operated by an inertia force in a side collision, the open link 46 is prevented from turning the lift lever 37 and the vehicle door being opened.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the open link 46 is rotated once in the direction from the unlocked position toward the locked position by the inertial force toward the vehicle outward Y1, the inertial lever 72 is disengaged by the inertial force. By rotating in the direction, the block plate 71 is positioned at a block position where the block plate 71 enters the rotation range of the open link 46. For this reason, the rotation of the open link 46 in the unlocking direction is restricted, and the open link 46 cannot return to the unlocked position. Therefore, even when the door outside handle is pseudo-operated by inertial force thereafter, the vehicle door can be prevented from being opened.

  The inertia lever 72 rotated in the disengagement direction by the inertia force rotates in the engagement direction by the urging force of the torsion spring 73 when the input of the inertia force is completed. That is, it rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. At this time, since the block plate 71 is not in the initial position, the inertia lever 72 cannot be engaged with the block plate 71 and rotates further in the clockwise direction than the rotational position engaged with the block plate 71 at the initial position. Then, the stepped portion 721c of the inertia lever 72 is engaged with a stopper 275 (see FIG. 32) provided on the first bottom surface 21a of the door lock housing 2A, whereby the clockwise rotation of the inertia lever 72 is restricted. Is done. When the rotation position of the inertia lever 72 is a rotation position regulated by the stopper 275, as shown in FIG. 32, the inertia lever 72 is in the block position immediately below the claw portion 722a provided at the tip of the arm portion 722 of the inertia lever 72. A claw portion 711 h provided at the upper end of the main body portion 711 of the block plate 71 is located.

  As described above, in the inertia lock set state, the vehicle door DR cannot be opened because the rotation position of the open link 46 is not the unlock position. In this case, by operating the door outside handle OS, the inertia lock set state is canceled, the block plate 71 returns to the initial position, and the rotational position of the open link 46 returns to the unlock position. This will be described.

  When the door outside handle OS is operated in the inertia lock set state, the open link 46 opens at the inertia lock set position and moves upward. Thereby, the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 moves upward so as to slide on the outer surface 711a of the block plate 71. Further, when in the inertia lock set state, as can be seen from FIG. 32, the second engagement protrusion 464 of the open link 46 is positioned immediately below the block plate 71. Therefore, when the open link 46 moves upward at the inertia lock set position, the second engagement protrusion 464 of the open link 46 comes into contact with the block plate 71 at the block position from below, and further pushes up the block plate 71 from below. . As a result, the block plate 71 moves upward together with the open link 46.

  When the block plate 71 moves upward together with the open link 46, the upper surface of the claw portion 711h of the block plate 71 is engaged with the lower surface of the claw portion 722a of the inertia lever 72 positioned immediately above the block plate 71. Here, as shown in FIG. 32, the upper surface of the claw portion 711h and the lower surface of the claw portion 722a are formed as inclined surfaces inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the vertical position becomes lower toward the vehicle outer side Y1. . When the block plate 71 moves upward with the inclined surfaces engaged with each other, the arm portion 722 of the inertia lever 72 moves toward the vehicle outer side Y <b> 1 so as to be pushed away by the block plate 71. Accordingly, the inertia lever 72 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 32 against the urging force of the torsion spring 73 as the block plate 71 moves upward.

  When the block plate 71 further moves upward together with the open link 46 and the block plate 71 reaches the initial position, the upper surface of the claw portion 711 h of the block plate 71 is detached from the lower surface of the claw portion 722 a of the inertia lever 72. Then, the inertia lever 72 rotates in the clockwise direction (engagement direction) at 32 by the urging force of the torsion spring 73, and both the claws (711h, 722a) are engaged again. As a result, the inertia lever 72 engages with the block plate 71 and the block plate 71 returns to the initial position. FIG. 33 is a view of the block plate 71 returned to the initial position by the upward movement of the open link 46 and the inertia lever 72 engaged with the block plate 71 at the initial position as viewed from the vehicle rear X2 side.

  When the operation of the door outside handle OS is finished after the block plate 71 returns to the initial position as shown in FIG. 33, the open link 46 moves downward to return to the initial position. At this time, the block plate 71 does not move because it is engaged with the inertia lever 72. Therefore, only the open link 46 moves downward. When the downward movement of the open link 46 advances and the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 is disengaged from the block plate 71, the open link 46 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 33 by the urging force of the torsion spring 46a. Return to the unlock position.

  As described above, the block mechanism 70 included in the door lock device 1 according to this embodiment includes the block plate 71. The block plate 71 is positioned at an initial position in the retreat area that is retracted from the rotation range of the open link 46 when no inertial force is generated to rotate the open link 46 in the unlock position in the direction toward the lock position. . In the initial position, the block plate 71 is engaged with the inertia lever 72 by the urging force of the torsion spring 73. In addition, when inertial force is generated, the inertial lever 72 is rotated using the inertial force to release the engagement between the block plate 71 and the inertial lever 72. As a result, the block plate 71 is positioned at the block position where the block plate 71 has entered the rotation range of the open link 46 by the urging force of the torsion spring 73. That is, the block plate 71 moves from the initial position using the inertia force and is positioned at the block position. For this reason, it is prevented by the block plate 71 in the block position that the open link 46 swung to the lock position by the inertia force returns to the unlock position again. Therefore, it is effectively prevented that the vehicle door DR is opened by the pseudo operation of the door outside handle when the open link swung to the locked position due to the side collision or the like returns to the unlocked position again.

  Further, when the block plate 71 is located at the block position, the open link 46 engaged with the block plate 71 is opened at the inertia lock set position so that the block plate 71 can be returned to the initial position. Configured. Thus, when the block plate 71 returns to the initial position, the open link 46 can be returned to the unlock position.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, the door lock device according to the fourth embodiment will be described, but the door lock device according to this embodiment is also basically related to the first embodiment except for the structure for attaching the block mechanism and the block mechanism. The configuration is the same as that of the door lock device. Below, it demonstrates focusing on the structure different from 1st embodiment.

  34A, 34B, and 34C are respectively a perspective view (FIG. 34A) of an actuator assembly of the door lock device 1 according to the fourth embodiment, a side view (FIG. 34B) viewed from the vehicle inner side Y2, and FIG. 34 is a rear view (FIG. 34C) viewed from the vehicle rear X2. In these drawings, the rotation position of the active lever 43 is the lock position. As shown in these drawings, the block mechanism 80 provided in the door lock device 1 according to the fourth embodiment includes a block lever 81, a block lever spring 82 as an urging member, and a plate spring 83.

  The block lever 81 is rotatably supported by a lever support shaft 281 formed on the first bottom surface 21a of the door lock housing 2C. The lever support shaft 281 extends from the first bottom surface 21a toward the vehicle inward Y2 at the same position as the lever support shaft 235 described in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the block lever 81 is supported by the lever support shaft 281 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the vehicle inside / outside direction.

  FIG. 35 is a side view of the block lever 81 as seen from the vehicle inward Y2 side. As shown in FIG. 35, the block lever 81 includes a support portion 811, a block arm 812, a locking projection 813, and a positioning arm 814. The support portion 811 constitutes a portion that is rotatably supported on the outer periphery of the lever support shaft 281.

  Each of the block arm 812, the locking projection 813, and the positioning arm 814 extends radially outward from the support portion 811. In FIG. 35, the block arm 812 extends downward from the support portion 811, the locking protrusion 813 extends from the support portion 811 to the right, and the positioning arm 814 extends from the support portion 811 to the left. When the block lever 81 having such a configuration is attached to the lever support shaft 281, as shown in FIG. 34B, the block arm 812 extends substantially downward in the vehicle Z 2, and the locking projection 813 approximately extends to the vehicle rear X 2. The positioning arm 814 extends substantially in front of the vehicle X1.

  The block lever spring 82 is attached to the lever support shaft 281 together with the block lever 81. As well shown in FIG. 34C, the block lever spring 82 is attached to the lever support shaft 281 on the vehicle outer side Y1 side with respect to the block lever 81. The block lever spring 82 is a torsion spring formed in a coil shape, and the coil portion is coaxially disposed around the outer periphery of the lever support shaft 281. One end of the block lever spring 82 is locked to the door lock housing 2 </ b> C, and the other end is locked to the block lever 81. The block lever spring 82 urges the block lever 81 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 34B with its both ends locked.

  The leaf spring 83 is formed in a long shape, and one end thereof is fixed to a fixing bracket 282 formed on the upper portion of the first bottom surface 21a of the door lock housing 2C. The leaf spring 83 includes an extending portion 831 extending downward from a portion fixed to the fixing bracket 282, and a tip portion extending inclined from the extending end (lower end) of the extending portion 831 toward the vehicle rear X2. 832. As shown in FIG. 34B, the extending end of the extending portion 831 of the leaf spring 83 is extended to a position directly above the support portion 811 of the block lever 81 supported by the lever support shaft 281. For this reason, the front-end | tip part 832 extended in the vehicle back X2 from the extended end of the extension part 831 is located above the latching protrusion 813 extended from the support part 811 of the block lever 81 to the vehicle back X2 side. To do.

  The tip 832 of the leaf spring 83 is located within the rotation range of the locking projection 813 in the state shown in FIG. 34B. Therefore, when the block lever 81 rotates counterclockwise by the biasing force of the block lever spring 82 and the locking projection 813 attempts to move upward in FIG. 34B, the tip 832 of the leaf spring 83 is locked. 813 abuts from above. As a result, the locking projection 813 is pressed from above by the leaf spring 83. That is, the leaf spring 83 urges the block lever 81 to rotate clockwise as viewed from the vehicle inner side Y2.

  As described above, the block lever 81 is urged to rotate counterclockwise by the block lever spring 82 and is urged to rotate clockwise by the leaf spring 83. Further, the urging force of the leaf spring 83 is stronger than the urging force of the block lever spring 82. Accordingly, the block lever 81 is urged to rotate clockwise by the leaf spring 83 in FIG. 34B, but its rotation is restricted by a stopper (not shown) coming into contact with the positioning arm 814. Thus, the rotation position where the rotation of the leaf spring 83 in the clockwise direction is restricted by the stopper is defined as the first initial position of the block lever 81. 34A, 34B, and 34C show the block lever 81 in the first initial position.

  When the block lever 81 is in the first initial position, as shown in FIG. 34B, the block arm 812 of the block lever 81 extends toward the vehicle lower side Z2. At this time, the open link 46 is disposed on the vehicle arm X2 side of the block arm 812 with a predetermined gap. Therefore, when the block lever 81 is in the first initial position, the block lever 81 is located in the retreat area retracted to the vehicle front X1 side from the rotation range of the open link 46 that rotates between the unlock position and the lock position. Will be located. The block arm 812 of the block lever 81 is within the rotation range of the open link 46 when the block lever 81 rotates by a predetermined amount in the clockwise direction in FIG. 34B from the first initial position and protrudes toward the vehicle rear X2. Its length is set so that it can enter.

  Further, the extending portion 831 of the leaf spring 83 has a position detection protrusion 435a provided at the tip of the position detection arm 435 of the active lever 43 when the active lever 43 rotates between the locked position and the unlocked position. Is arranged so as to straddle the arc locus drawn by. Therefore, when the active lever 43 rotates from the locked position to the unlocked position, the extending portion 831 of the leaf spring 83 interferes with the position detection protrusion 435a of the active lever 43.

  In the present embodiment, as well shown in FIG. 34B, the front surface 465a of the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 facing the vehicle front X1 side is based on the front end side of the second engagement arm 465. As it goes to the end side, it inclines from the vehicle front X1 side toward the vehicle rear X2 side. In the state shown in FIG. 34B, the front surface 465a is inclined with respect to the vertical surface so as to go from the vehicle front X1 to the vehicle rear X2 as it goes from the vehicle upper Z1 to the vehicle lower Z2.

  In the door lock device 1 having the block mechanism 80 configured as described above, when the active lever 43 is in the locked position, as described above, the rotational position of the block lever 81 is in the first initial position, and the block arm 812 of the block lever 81 is It arrange | positions rather than the open link 46 at the vehicle forward X1 side. Accordingly, the open link 46 rotates between the unlock position and the lock position on the vehicle rear X2 side with respect to the block lever 81 in the first initial position. That is, the first initial position is a position in the retreat area that is retreated from the rotation range of the open link 46 that rotates between the unlock position and the lock position.

  When the active lever 43 in the locked position rotates to the unlocked position, the position detecting projection 435a of the active lever 43 interferes with the extending portion 831 of the leaf spring 83 during the rotation. When the active lever 43 rotates to the unlocked position with the position detecting projection 435a and the extending portion 831 of the leaf spring 83 interfering with each other, the extending portion 831 of the leaf spring 83 is moved by the position detecting projection 435a of the active lever 43 to the vehicle. Pushed away to the rear X2 side. As a result, the distal end portion 832 of the leaf spring 83 moves toward the vehicle rear X2 side, and the engagement between the distal end portion 832 of the leaf spring 83 and the locking projection 813 of the block lever 81 is released. Therefore, the block lever 81 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 34B from the first initial position by the urging force of the block lever spring 82.

  Further, when the active lever 43 rotates to the unlock position, the open link 46 is also located at the unlock position. Then, the block arm 812 of the block lever 81 rotated counterclockwise from the first initial position is locked to the front surface 465a of the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 located at the unlock position. The rotation in the counterclockwise direction is restricted. Thus, the rotation position of the block lever 81 in which the rotation in the counterclockwise direction is restricted by being locked to the front surface 465a of the open link 46 is defined as the second initial position.

  36A and 36B are a side view of the actuator assembly according to the present embodiment as viewed from the vehicle inner side Y2 and the vehicle rear side, respectively, showing the block lever 81 in the second initial position. FIG. 36B is a rear view (FIG. 36B) viewed from the X2 side. As shown in FIG. 36A, the block arm 812 of the block lever 81 in the second initial position is moved from the vehicle front X1 side to the vehicle rear X2 on the front surface 465a of the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 in the unlock position. It is locked toward the side. The rotation direction of the open link 46 that rotates between the unlock position and the lock position is an in-plane direction perpendicular to the vehicle front-rear directions X1 and X2. That is, the rotation plane of the open link 46 is a plane perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction X1, X2. Therefore, the direction from the vehicle front X1 toward the vehicle rear X2, which is the direction in which the block arm 812 is locked to the front surface 465a of the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46, is the rotation plane of the open link 46 (the vehicle front-rear direction). It is a direction (perpendicular direction) intersecting a plane perpendicular to X1 and X2.

  In order to position the block lever 81 at the second initial position, after the open link 46 is positioned at the unlock position by the unlocking operation of the active lever 43, the block arm 812 of the block lever 81 is moved to the first position of the open link 46. It is necessary to be locked to the two engagement arms 465. Therefore, the position where the position detection protrusion 435 a of the active lever 43 interferes with the extending portion 831 of the leaf spring 83 is set to a position near the unlock position of the active lever 43. That is, as shown in FIG. 34A, the extension portion 831 of the leaf spring 83 is set at a position near the unlock position in the rotation locus of the position detection projection 435 a when the active lever 43 rotates from the lock position to the unlock position. Is disposed such that the leaf spring 83 is disposed. As a result, the block lever 81 is held by the leaf spring 83 and held at the first initial position until just before the open link 46 reaches the unlock position. When the position detecting protrusion 435a of the active lever 43 interferes with the extending portion 831 of the leaf spring 83 and the block lever 81 rotates counterclockwise from the first initial position toward the second initial position, The open link 46 can be set to the unlock position.

  When the block lever 81 is in the second initial position, the block arm 812 of the block lever 81 is in contact with the open link 46 from the vehicle front X1 side. At this time, when the open link 46 in the unlocked position is opened and moved upward, the block arm 812 slides on the front surface 465 a of the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46. Thereby, interference with the block arm 812 and the open link 46 at the time of an open operation | movement is avoided. Thus, when the block lever 81 is in the second initial position, the open link 46 can be opened without being blocked by the block arm 812.

  In the door lock device 1 having the block mechanism 80 configured as described above, when no inertial force toward the vehicle outward Y1 is generated due to a side collision or the like, the block lever 81 is moved to the first initial position (the active lever 43 is locked). Position) or a second initial position (when the active lever 43 is in the unlocked position). The first initial position is located in the retreat area that retreats from the rotation range of the open link 46 as described above. Further, when the block lever 81 is located at the second initial position, the block arm 812 of the block lever 81 is locked to the open link 46, and thus is in contact with the open link rotation range, but is within the rotation range. Has not entered. Accordingly, it can be said that the second initial position is also a position retracted from the rotation range of the open link 46. As described above, when no inertial force is generated, the block lever 81 is positioned at the initial position in the retreat area that is retracted from the rotation range of the open link 46 that rotates between the unlock position and the lock position. . In particular, when the active lever 43 is in the unlocked position and no inertia force is generated, the block lever 81 intersects the open link 46 in the unlocked position with the plane of rotation of the open link 46 ( It is located at the second initial position in the retreat area retreated from the rotation range of the open link 46 in a state of being locked from the direction (for example, orthogonal). Therefore, the rotation operation of the open link 46 that rotates between the unlock position and the lock position is not hindered by the block lever 81.

  On the other hand, when an inertial force toward the vehicle outward Y1 is generated due to a side collision or the like, the open link 46 in the unlocked initial position rotates clockwise as viewed from the vehicle rear X2 due to the inertial force, Move from the unlocked initial position to the locked position.

  When the open link 46 rotates from the unlocked initial position toward the locked position, the lock of the block arm 812 by the open link 46 is released. Therefore, the block lever 81 is further rotated counterclockwise by the urging force of the block lever spring 82. The positioning arm 814 of the block lever 81 is regulated by coming into contact with a stopper 283 (see FIG. 36A) formed on the door lock housing 2C. The rotation position of the block lever 81 whose rotation in the counterclockwise direction is restricted by the stopper 283 is defined as the block position.

  FIG. 37A and FIG. 37B are a side view (FIG. 37A) of the actuator assembly showing the block lever 81 located at the block position as viewed from the vehicle inward Y2 side and a rear view from the vehicle rear X2 side, respectively. (FIG. 37B). As shown in FIG. 37B, the open link 46 is rotated in the direction from the unlocked position toward the locked position by the inertial force. As shown in FIG. 37A, the tip end portion of the block lever 81 at the block position enters the rotation range of the open link 46 that rotates between the unlock position and the lock position. That is, the block position is a position that enters the rotation range of the open link 46.

  After the block lever 81 is positioned at the block position, the open link 46 rebounds at the lock position and heads again to the unlock position, or the inertial force input is completed and the urging force of the torsion spring 46a returns to the unlock position again. When heading, the open link 46 engages with the block arm 812 of the block lever 81 at the block position during its rotation.

  38A and 38B are a side view (FIG. 38A) and a vehicle rear side, as seen from the vehicle inward Y2 side, with the open link 46 engaged with the block arm 812 of the block lever 81 set at the block position, respectively. It is the rear view (FIG. 38B) seen from the X2 side. As shown in FIG. 38B, the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 is locked to the surface of the block arm 812 of the block lever 81 facing the vehicle outward Y1 side. For this reason, further rotation of the open link 46 in the counterclockwise direction is restricted. This prevents the return of the open link 46 to the unlock position. A state in which the rotation of the open link 46 in the counterclockwise direction by the block lever 81 is regulated is called an inertia lock set state. Further, the rotational position of the open link 46 in the inertia lock set state is defined as the inertia lock set position.

  In the inertia lock set state, even if the open link 46 in the inertia lock set position is opened, the open link 46 is not engaged with the lift lever 37 as in the first to third embodiments. For this reason, for example, when the door outside handle is pseudo-operated by an inertia force in a side collision, the open link 46 is prevented from turning the lift lever 37 and the vehicle door being opened.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, when the open link 46 rotates once in the direction from the unlock position to the lock position due to the inertial force toward the vehicle outward Y1, the block lever is rotated by such rotation of the open link 46. 81 rotates to the block position that enters the rotation range of the open link 46. For this reason, the rotation of the open link 46 in the unlocking direction is restricted, and the open link 46 cannot return to the unlocked position. Therefore, even when the door outside handle is pseudo-operated by inertial force thereafter, the vehicle door can be prevented from being opened.

  As described above, in the inertia lock set state, the vehicle door DR cannot be opened because the rotation position of the open link 46 is not the unlock position. In this case, by operating the door outside handle OS, the inertia lock set state is canceled, the block lever 81 returns to the second initial position, and the rotational position of the open link 46 returns to the unlock position. This will be described.

  When the door outside handle OS is operated in the inertia lock set state, the open link 46 opens at the inertia lock set position and moves upward. Here, as can be seen from FIG. 38A, the rear surface 812a facing the vehicle rear X2 side of the block arm 812 of the block lever 81 at the block position is inclined with respect to the vertical plane. Specifically, the rear surface 812a is inclined from the vehicle front X1 toward the vehicle rear X2 as it goes from the vehicle upper Z1 to the vehicle lower Z2. The inclination angle of the rear surface 812a is substantially equal to the inclination angle of the front surface 465a of the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 engaged with the block lever 81.

  Therefore, when the open link 46 is opened at the inertia lock set position and moves upward, the rear surface 812a of the block arm 812 and the front surface 465a of the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 are eventually the same. Located on a plane. At this time, the engagement of the open link 46 by the block lever 81 is released, and the open link 46 is rotated toward the unlocked position by the urging force of the torsion spring 46a, and in front of the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46. The direction surface 465 a rides on the rear surface 812 a of the block arm 812 of the block lever 81. Then, the open link 46 is returned to the unlock position in the open operation state.

  39A and 39B are side views of the actuator assembly according to the present embodiment showing the open link 46 returned to the unlocked position in the open operation state, as viewed from the vehicle inward Y2 side (FIG. 39A). And FIG. 39B is a rear view as seen from the vehicle rear X2 side (FIG. 39B). As shown in FIG. 39A, the open link 46 that has returned to the unlocked position in the open operation state rides on the block arm 812 of the block lever 81 at the block position. At this time, the front surface 465 a of the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 contacts the rear surface 812 a of the block arm 812.

  When the operation of the door outside handle OS is finished from the state shown in FIGS. 39A and 39B, the open link 46 moves downward to return to the initial position. At this time, the front surface 465a of the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46 moves downward while pushing the rear surface 812a of the block arm 812 toward the vehicle front X1 side, so that the block lever 81 is attached to the block lever spring 82. Rotate clockwise in FIG. 39A against the force. Then, when the downward movement of the open link 46 advances and the open link 46 returns to the initial position, the rotation of the block lever 81 in the clockwise direction stops. The rotation position of the block lever 81 when the clockwise rotation of the block lever 81 stops is the same position as the rotation position of the block lever 81 shown in FIG. 36A. That is, the block lever 81 returns to the second initial position.

  As described above, the block mechanism 80 included in the door lock device 1 according to this embodiment includes the block lever 81. The block lever 81 has a first initial position in the retreat area that is retracted from the rotation range of the open link 46 when no inertia force is generated to rotate the open link 46 in the unlock position in the direction toward the lock position. Located in the second initial position. When positioned at the second initial position, the block lever 81 is locked to the unlocked open link 46 from a direction intersecting the plane of rotation of the open link 46. Further, when an inertial force is generated, the open link 46 is rotated toward the lock position by the inertial force, so that the locking of the block lever 81 by the open link 46 is released. For this reason, the block lever 81 is located at the block position where the block lever spring 82 enters the rotation range of the open link 46 by the rotation biasing force of the block lever spring 82. That is, the block lever 81 moves from the second initial position using the inertia force and is positioned at the block position. For this reason, it is prevented by the block lever 81 in the block position that the open link 46 swung to the lock position by the inertia force returns to the unlock position again. Therefore, it is effectively prevented that the vehicle door DR is opened by the pseudo operation of the door outside handle when the open link swung to the locked position due to the side collision or the like returns to the unlocked position again.

  Further, when the block lever 81 is located at the block position, the open link 46 engaged with the block lever 81 is opened at the inertia lock set position so that the block lever 81 can be returned to the initial position. Configured. Thus, when the block plate 71 returns to the initial position, the open link 46 can be returned to the unlock position.

  Further, the position of the open link 46 shown in FIG. 39A is an unlock open position, and the position of the open link 46 shown in FIG. 36A is an unlock initial position. Accordingly, when the open link 46 is opened at the unlock position by the operation of the door outside handle OS or the door inside handle IS, the open link 46 moves upward from the position shown in FIG. 36A to the position shown in FIG. 39A. At this time, the block lever 81 also rotates so as to maintain contact with the front surface 465a of the second engagement arm 465 of the open link 46. In other words, the door lock device according to the present embodiment, like the door lock device according to the first embodiment, by operating the door outside handle OS or the door inside handle IS even when inertia force is not generated, The block lever 81 rotates. Thus, by rotating the block lever 81 during the operation of the normal door lock device, the block lever 81 can be prevented from sticking, and the reliability of the rotating operation can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem that the block lever 81 does not rotate when an inertial force is actually generated.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Door lock device, 2, 2A, 2B, 2C ... Door lock housing, 21 ... First part, 21a ... First bottom surface, 211 ... Projection, 211a ... Inclined surface, 235 ... Lever support shaft (support shaft), 235a ... ridges (projections), 235b ... first key groove, 235c ... second key groove, 235d ... stepped wall surface, 261 ... lever support shaft, 262 ... lever support hole, 263 ... spring support shaft, 271 ... guide plate, 272: Lever support shaft, 273 ... Spring support shaft, 281 ... Lever support shaft, 3 ... Latch unit, 34 ... Latch, 36 ... Pole, 37 ... Lift lever, 4 ... Actuator unit, 43 ... Active lever, 435 ... Position detection Arm, 435a ... position detection protrusion, 44 ... inside open lever, 45 ... outside open lever, 45a ... out Side open lever return spring, 453a ... engagement hole, 46 ... open link, 462 ... first engagement protrusion, 463 ... first engagement arm, 464 ... second engagement protrusion, 465 ... second engagement arm 46a ... Torsion spring, 50 ... Block mechanism, 51 ... Block lever (block member), 511 ... Support part, 511a ... Inner peripheral surface, 511b ... Outer peripheral surface, 511c ... Inner end surface, 511d ... Outer end surface (base end) Side opening surface), 511e, first key groove, 511f, second key groove, 511g, stepped wall surface, 511h, notched end portion, 512, block arm, 512a, main body arm portion, 512b, tip protrusion portion, 512c,. Flat end portion 512d: Stepped wall surface 512e: Inclined surface 513: Circular hole (through hole) 514: Projection (projection) 52: Block lever spring, CL Inclined surface, 60 ... Block mechanism, 61 ... Block lever, 612 ... Block arm, 62 ... Inertia lever, 63 ... Block lever spring, 64 ... Inertia lever spring, 70 ... Block mechanism, 71 ... Block plate, 72 ... Inertia lever, 73 ... Torsion spring, 80 ... Block mechanism, 81 ... Block lever, 812 ... Block arm, 82 ... Block lever spring, 83 ... Leaf spring

Claims (11)

A latch unit configured to maintain a closed state of the vehicle door;
An open lever that rotates in conjunction with the operation of a door handle provided on the vehicle door;
A connecting portion connected to the open lever, the rotation range from the lock position to the unlock position can be rotated around the connection portion, and the open lever can be rotated when the unlock position is reached; An open link configured to release the maintenance of the closed state of the vehicle door by the latch unit by interlocking and opening operation;
A biasing member that biases the open link to the unlock position;
When the inertial force that rotates the open link in the unlocked position in the direction toward the locked position is not generated, the inertial force is generated in the retreat area that is retracted from the rotation range of the open link. A block mechanism having a block member positioned at a block position that has entered the rotation range of the open link by moving using the inertial force when
With
The block member is configured to prevent the open link from returning to the unlock position by engaging the open link rotating in the unlock direction at the block position.
Vehicle door lock device. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 1,
When the block member is positioned at the block position, the vehicle door lock is configured to move to the retreat area by opening the open link engaged with the block member. apparatus. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 1 or 2,
The block member is a block lever that can rotate about an axis parallel to the direction of action of the inertial force and can move in the axial direction;
The block mechanism includes an axial biasing member that biases the block lever in a rotational axis direction of the block lever and in a direction opposite to a direction in which the inertia force acts, and a rotational direction that rotationally biases the block lever An urging member,
When the inertial force is not generated, the block lever is positioned at the axial initial position by the biasing force of the axial biasing member, and when the inertial force is generated. The inertial force is configured to be located in an axial movement region axially moved in the direction of the inertial force from the axial initial position, and the rotation position of the block lever is the axial position at the initial position. The rotation direction biasing member is rotationally biased so as to be positioned at an initial position in the retreat area, and the rotation direction is set so as to rotate in the axial movement area from the initial position toward the block position. A door lock device that is rotationally biased by a biasing member. In the door lock device according to claim 3,
A housing formed with a support shaft for supporting the block lever so as to be rotatable and axially movable;
The block lever has a through hole through which the support shaft is inserted,
A protrusion projecting radially outward is formed on the outer periphery of the support shaft,
A key groove is formed along the axial direction of the support shaft on the inner peripheral surface constituting the through hole of the block lever,
The key groove is a first key groove that engages the protrusion so as to position the rotational position of the block lever at the initial position when the axial position of the block lever is the initial position in the axial direction; And a second keyway that engages with the protrusion so as to position the rotation position of the block lever at the block position when the axial position of the block lever is in the axial movement region. apparatus. The door lock device according to claim 4,
The axial movement area includes a first movement area, and a second movement area that is an area further moved in the axial direction by the inertial force from the first movement area,
The block lever is configured to move in a direction from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the support shaft by the inertial force, and is close to the proximal end side of the support shaft among the opening surfaces at both ends of the through hole. It has a notch end formed on the base-side opening surface that is the opening surface,
The housing engages with the notch end when the block lever moves in the second movement region in the axial direction by the inertial force, and the block lever moves in the axial direction in the second movement region by the inertial force. A door lock having a protrusion formed with an inclined surface inclined with respect to the axial direction of the support shaft so that the rotational position of the block lever rotates in the direction from the initial position toward the block position as it moves. apparatus. In the door lock device according to claim 3,
A housing formed with a support shaft for supporting the block lever so as to be rotatable and axially movable;
The block lever has a through hole through which the support shaft is inserted,
A protrusion projecting radially inward is formed on the inner peripheral surface constituting the through hole,
A keyway is formed along the axial direction on the outer periphery of the support shaft,
The key groove is a first key groove that engages the protrusion so as to position the rotational position of the block lever at the initial position when the axial position of the block lever is the initial position in the axial direction; And a second keyway that engages with the protrusion so as to position the rotation position of the block lever at the block position when the axial position of the block lever is in the axial movement region. apparatus. The door lock device according to claim 6,
The axial movement area includes a first movement area, and a second movement area that is an area further moved in the axial direction by the inertial force from the first movement area,
The block lever is configured to move in a direction from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the support shaft by the inertia force,
The second key groove engages with the protrusion when the block lever moves in the axial direction in the second movement region by the inertial force, and the block lever moves the second movement region by the inertial force. A door lock device formed with an inclined surface inclined with respect to the axial direction of the support shaft so that the rotational position of the block lever rotates in the direction from the initial position toward the block position as it moves in the axial direction. . In the vehicle door lock device according to claim 3,
The vehicle door lock device in which the axial direction biasing member and the rotational direction biasing member are constituted by a single biasing member. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 1 or 2,
The block member is a block lever that can rotate around an axis parallel to the direction of the inertial force,
The block mechanism includes a block lever urging member that urges the block lever to rotate, an inertia lever that rotates by the inertial force when the inertial force is generated, and the inertial lever that rotates by the generation of the inertial force. An inertia lever urging member that urges rotation in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation,
When the inertial force is not generated, the inertial lever is rotationally urged to an engagement position where the inertial lever is engaged with the block lever by the urging force of the inertial lever urging member, and the inertial force is generated. The inertial force is configured to rotate from the engagement position in a direction in which the engagement with the block lever is released,
The block lever is engaged with the inertia lever such that when the inertia lever is in the engagement position, the rotation position is located at an initial position in the retraction area, and the inertia lever is moved from the engagement position. A door lock device that is urged to rotate by the block lever urging member so that the rotation position thereof is located at the block position when rotated by inertial force. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 1 or 2,
The block member is a block plate that is movable between an initial position in the retreat area and the block position,
The block mechanism is urged by a biasing member that biases the block plate in a direction toward the block position, and is rotated and biased by the biasing member in an engagement direction that engages with the block plate located at the initial position. And an inertia lever that rotates in a disengagement direction in which the engagement with the block plate is released by the inertia force,
When the inertia force is not generated, the block plate is located at the initial position by engaging with the inertia lever that is urged to rotate in the engagement direction, and the inertia force is generated. In this case, the door lock is configured to be disengaged from the inertia lever by the inertia lever rotating in the disengagement direction and to move to the block position by the urging force of the urging member. apparatus. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 1 or 2,
The block member is a block lever that can rotate around an axis parallel to the direction of the inertial force,
The block mechanism includes an urging member that urges the block lever to rotate,
When the inertia force is not generated, the block lever is rotationally biased by the biasing member, thereby locking the open link in the unlocked position from the direction intersecting the rotation plane of the open link. When the inertial force is generated, the open link is rotated toward the lock position by the inertial force when the inertial force is generated. A door lock device configured as described above.

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