JP2021067151A - Door latch device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method for downsizing a shape of a whole device.SOLUTION: A door latch device comprises: a fork, a claw, a release mechanism 35 having an opening operation member 38 and an electric motor 36; an inner lever for rotating by operation of an operation member on the inside of a vehicle; a fence block 20 having an outside part 20b and an inside part 20c; a housing main body 17 integrally provided with a first arrangement part 17a and a second arrangement part 17b; and an operation receiving part 29 for integrally rotating the claw by pressing force from any of the opening operation member 38 and the inner lever. In the fence block 20, the fork and the claw are arranged in the outside part 20b and the inner lever is arranged in the inside part 20c. In the housing main body 17, the fence block 20 is arranged in the first arrangement part 17a and the release mechanism 35 is arranged in the second arrangement part 17b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a door latch device.

The door latch device that leasably locks the door of the vehicle includes a latch mechanism having a fork that leasably holds the striker of the vehicle body and a claw for locking the fork in the full latch position. Patent Document 1 discloses an electric release type door latch device in which a fork is unlocked (door is opened) by a claw by a release mechanism including an electric motor in a steady state.

The electric release mechanism may become inoperable due to insufficient power of the battery or the like. Therefore, the door latch device of Patent Document 1 is provided with a manual release mechanism for emergency. The manual release mechanism includes an inner lever that is connected to an inner handle located inside the car of the door. The inner handle is hidden and never used at all times.

International Publication No. WO2016 / 174753

In the door latch device of Patent Document 1, since a mechanical locking mechanism using a lever and a link member is unnecessary in some cases, the overall shape can be miniaturized. However, the door latch device of Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of miniaturization of the overall shape.

An object of the present invention is to provide a door latch device capable of downsizing the overall shape.

One aspect of the present invention is a fork that can rotate to an open position where the striker can be released, a full latch position for holding the striker, a locking position for locking the fork at the full latch position, and the fork. A claw that can rotate to the unlocked position, an opening operation member for rotating the claw at the locking position to the unlocking position, and an electric motor that drives the opening operation member. An inner lever that is rotated by the operation of an operating member inside the vehicle to rotate the claw at the locked position to the non-locked position, and the fork and the claw are arranged and face the striker. A fence block having an outer portion to be mounted, an inner portion on which the inner lever is arranged and located on the opposite side of the outer portion, and a first arrangement portion in which the fence block is arranged so that the inner portion faces each other. A housing body extending in a direction intersecting the first arrangement portion and integrally having a second arrangement portion on which the release mechanism is arranged, and the fence block arranged on the inner side side of the fence block and opened. Provided is a door latch device including an operation receiving portion that integrally rotates the claw by pressing from either an operation member or the inner lever.

In this door latch device, an inner lever is arranged on the side opposite to the fork and the claw with respect to the fence block, and an electric release mechanism is arranged in a second arrangement portion different from the first arrangement portion in which the fence block is arranged. .. That is, the operation receiving portion for rotating the claw is configured so that the inner lever and the opening operation member are operated from different directions. Therefore, since both the inner lever and the opening operation member can be arranged in the vicinity of the operation receiving portion, the shape of the entire door latch device can be miniaturized.

In the door latch device of the present invention, the shape of the entire device can be miniaturized.

The side view which shows the state which attached the door latch device which concerns on embodiment of this invention to a vehicle. The perspective view of the door latch device of FIG. An exploded perspective view of the door latch device of FIG. 1. Front view of the outer part of the fence block. Front view of the inside of the fence block. Front view of the second arrangement part of the housing body. The front view which shows the open state of a latch mechanism. The front view which shows the 1st state of the operation of a closure lever. The front view which shows the 2nd state of the operation of a closure lever. The front view which shows the open operation state by an electric release mechanism. The front view which shows the open operation state by an inner lever. The front view which shows the open operation state by an outer lever. A partially enlarged view of FIG. The exploded perspective view which shows the arrangement of the operation receiving member, the opening operation member, the inner lever, and the outer lever. The perspective view which shows the structure of the exposed part. The exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the connection part of the inner lever, the connection part of the outer lever, and the connection member of a cable. The front view which shows the state which the inner handle was operated. The front view which shows the state which the key cylinder was operated.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 show a door latch device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the door latch device 10 is arranged in a door 3 that can be opened and closed with respect to the vehicle body 1. The door latch device 10 keeps the door 3 in the closed state by closing the open door 3 and holding the striker 2 of the vehicle body 1. The door 3 includes a general-purpose door pivotally supported by a hinge shaft extending in the vertical direction, a galwing door pivotally supported by a hinge shaft extending in the horizontal direction, a sliding door moving along the side panel 1a of the vehicle body 1, and the like. It may be in the form.

Referring to FIG. 2, the door latch device 10 includes an L-shaped housing 15 when viewed from above in the Z direction, and a fence block 20 arranged in the housing 15. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4B, the door latch device 10 includes a latch mechanism 25, an electric release mechanism 35, a manual release mechanism 45, and a closure mechanism 55. Referring to FIG. 1, a connector 16 for electrically connecting to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 4 of a vehicle is arranged in the housing 15. The electric release mechanism 35 and the closure mechanism 55 are controlled by the ECU 4.

The latch mechanism 25 holds the striker 2 detachably. The electric release mechanism 35 electrically releases the holding of the striker 2 by the latch mechanism 25 so that the door 3 can be opened. The manual release mechanism 45 is used when the electric release mechanism 35 cannot operate, and the latch mechanism 25 manually releases the holding of the striker 2 so that the door 3 can be opened. The closure mechanism 55 electrically operates the latch mechanism 25 to bring the half-locked door 3 (so-called "half-door") into a fully-locked state.

The manual release mechanism 45 is for emergency use and is not used in steady state. An inner handle (first operating member) 6 arranged inside the vehicle and a key cylinder (second operating member) 7 arranged outside the vehicle are connected to the manual release mechanism 45, but these are covers and the like. Hidden by.

No exposed door handle is provided inside or outside the door 3 on which the door latch device 10 is mounted for a manual opening operation in a steady state. When opening the door 3 from the inside of the vehicle, the user operates a switch 5 provided inside the vehicle (for example, the door 3) instead of the door handle. When opening the door 3 from outside the vehicle, the user operates, for example, an electronic key (not shown).

As described above, since the door 3 does not have a door handle used in the steady state, the door latch mechanism 25 of the present embodiment includes a transmission mechanism for transmitting the operating force of the door handle used in the steady state to the latch mechanism. There is no lock mechanism that switches the transmission of the operating force by the transmission mechanism between a possible state and an impossible state. Therefore, the electric door latch device 10 is smaller than the door latch device having these mechanisms.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the door latch device 10 of the present embodiment will be specifically described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 15 is made of resin and includes a housing main body 17 having a first arrangement portion 17a and a second arrangement portion 17b integrally, and a cover 18. A fence block 20 in which the latch mechanism 25 and the manual release mechanism 45 are arranged is arranged in the first arrangement portion 17a, and an electric release mechanism 35 is arranged in the second arrangement portion 17b. The second arrangement portion 17b is covered with a cover 18. By attaching the cover 18 to the second arrangement portion 17b, the cover 18 constitutes an outer surface integrated with the vehicle inner end surface 20a of the fence block 20.

Referring to FIG. 1, the first arrangement portion 17a in which the fence block 20 including the latch mechanism 25 is arranged is arranged so as to face the end panel 3a of the door 3. The second arrangement portion 17b in which the electric release mechanism 35 is arranged is arranged along the inner panel (not shown) facing the outer panel 3b.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fence block 20 is made of resin and has an outer portion 20b facing the striker 2 (see FIG. 1) and the end panel 3a and an inner portion located on the opposite side of the outer portion 20b. 20c (see FIG. 4B). The outer portion 20b extends in the vertical direction along the YZ plane. The fence block 20 is arranged in the first arrangement portion 17a so that the inner portion 20c faces the first arrangement portion 17a. A part of the fence block 20 projects from the first arrangement portion 17a to the inside of the vehicle, and this protruding portion is located in the arrangement space between the second arrangement portion 17b and the cover 18. The fence block 20 is provided with a mounting portion 20d for attaching the latch mechanism 25 and an exposed portion 20f for exposing a part of the manual release mechanism 45 to the outside.

The mounting portion 20d is a recess provided so that the outer portion 20b opens. The mounting portion 20d is formed with an insertion groove 20e through which the striker 2 is inserted by opening and closing the door 3. The insertion groove 20e extends from the inside of the vehicle located on the left side in the Y direction in FIG. 2 to the outside of the vehicle located on the right side in the Y direction in FIG. 2, and is recessed from the outer portion 20b toward the inner portion 20c.

The exposed portion 20f is provided for improving the assembling property of the cables 47 and 49 to the manual release mechanism 45. The exposed portion 20f is a recess provided so that the outer portion 20b opens. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the exposed portion 20f is provided with two through holes 20g and 20h penetrating from the outer portion 20b to the inner portion 20c. The first through hole 20g exposes the connection portion 46a of the inner lever 46, which will be described later, to the outside. The second through hole 20h exposes the connecting portion 48a of the outer lever 48, which will be described later, to the outside.

The outside (outer side portion 20b) of the mounting portion 20d is covered with a metal cover plate (support plate) 21 having an insertion groove 21a corresponding to the insertion groove 20e. Referring to FIG. 4B, a metal back plate 22 is arranged at a position corresponding to the mounting portion 20d on the inner portion 20c of the fence block 20. The outside of the exposed portion 20f is covered with a resin cable cover 23.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper portion of the housing 15 is covered with a waterproof cover 19. Further, on the upper side of the cover plate 21, a sealing member 24 for sealing between the housing 15 and the end panel 3a and between the housing 15 and the inner panel is arranged.

The waterproof cover 19 includes a first portion 19a that covers the upper side of the first arrangement portion 17a, and a second portion 19b that covers the upper side of the second arrangement portion 17b including the cover 18.

The seal member 24 includes a first portion 24a arranged so as to straddle the outer surface of the fence block 20, the outer surface of the cover plate 21, and the outer surface of the waterproof cover 19. Further, the seal member 24 includes a second portion 24b arranged so as to straddle the outer surface of the cover 18 and the outer surface of the waterproof cover 19.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B, the latch mechanism 25 integrally rotates the fork 26 that holds the striker 2 detachably, the claw 28 that locks the fork 26 at the full latch position, and the claw 28. A receiving member 29 is provided.

The fork 26 is arranged in the mounting portion 20d so as to be located between the fence block 20 and the cover plate 21, and is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft 27 provided above the insertion groove 20e. The rotating shaft 27 is erected on the cover plate 21 and the back plate 22 and extends in a direction orthogonal to the cover plate 21 and the back plate 22. The fork 26 includes a holding groove 26a for holding the striker 2 and is rotatable between the open position shown in FIG. 6 and the full latch position shown in FIG. 7B. The fork 26 is urged toward the open position by a spring (not shown).

The claw 28 is arranged in the mounting portion 20d so as to be located between the fence block 20 and the cover plate 21. The claw 28 is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft 30 provided below the insertion groove 20e, and is arranged adjacent to the fork 26. The rotating shaft 30 is erected on the cover plate 21 and the back plate 22 and extends in parallel along the rotating shaft 27 of the fork 26. The claw 28 includes a locking portion 28a that locks to the fork 26 and is rotatable between the locking position shown in FIG. 7A and the non-locking position shown in FIG. The claw 28 is urged toward the locking position by the spring 31.

The operation receiving member 29 is arranged on the inner side 20c side of the mounting portion 20d, is pivotally supported by the same rotating shaft 30 as the claw 28, and rotates integrally with the claw 28. The operation receiving member 29 includes a plate-shaped base portion 29a extending along the inner portion 20c, a first protruding portion 29b that receives the operation of the electric release mechanism 35, and a second protruding portion 29c that receives the operation of the manual release mechanism 45. Be prepared. Referring to FIG. 5, the protruding portions 29b and 29c project in a direction away from the base portion 29a with respect to the inner portion 20c.

When the door 3 in the open state is closed, the striker 2 enters the holding groove 26a of the fork 26 in the open position shown in FIG. Subsequently, the fork 26 is rotated to the full latch position shown in FIG. 7B via the half latch position shown in FIG. 7A by the pressing of the striker 2. At the half-latch position shown in FIG. 7A, the claw 28 is locked to one side (temporary fixing portion) of the holding groove 26a to hold the door 3 in the half-locked state. At the full latch position shown in FIG. 7B, the claw 28 is locked to the locking step portion 26b to hold the door 3 in the fully locked state.

When the operation receiving member 29 is operated by the electric release mechanism 35 or the manual release mechanism 45, the claw 28 rotates from the locked position shown in FIG. 7B to the non-locked position shown in FIG. The fork 26 released from the lock by the claw 28 rotates from the full latch position shown in FIG. 7B to the open position shown in FIG. 6 by the urging of the spring. As a result, the door 3 can be opened. When the operation of the operation receiving member 29 is released, the operation receiving member 29 and the claw 28 rotate from the non-locking position shown in FIG. 6 to the locked position shown in FIG. 7B by the urging of the spring 31.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the electric release mechanism 35 is arranged in the second arrangement portion 17b, and includes an electric motor 36, a worm 37, and an opening operation member 38.

The electric motor 36 is a DC motor capable of forward rotation and reverse rotation. The worm 37 is attached to the output shaft of the electric motor 36 and has spiral teeth on the outer peripheral portion.

The opening operation member 38 is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft 39 extending in a direction orthogonal to the rotating shaft 30. The opening operation member 38 has a fan shape, and a gear portion 38a that meshes with the worm 37 is formed on the outer peripheral portion. The opening operation member 38 is provided with an operation portion 38b that abuts on the first protrusion 29b to rotate the claw 28.

The electric motor 36 is rotated forward by the signal from the ECU 4, and the opening operation member 38 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 5 via the worm 37. As a result, the operation receiving member 29 is rotated counterclockwise by the operation unit 38b from the angular position (locking position) shown in FIG. 4B to the angular position (unlocking position) shown in FIG. 8A. As a result, the claw 28 rotates from the locked position shown in FIG. 7B to the non-locked position shown in FIG. 6, and the fork 26 rotates to the open position. When this opening operation is completed, the electric motor 36 is reversed and the opening operation member 38 is returned to the initial position. As a result, the operation receiving member 29 and the claw 28 are integrally rotated from the non-locking position to the locked position by the urging force of the spring 31.

Referring to FIG. 5, two switches 40A and 40B for outputting the state of the electric release mechanism 35 to the ECU 4 are arranged above the opening operation member 38. When the opening operation member 38 is rotated to the initial position shown in FIG. 5, the switch 40A outputs an on signal and the switch 40B outputs an off signal. When the opening operation member 38 rotates counterclockwise to the opening operation completion position, the switch 40A outputs an off signal and the switch 40B outputs an on signal. Based on these signals, the ECU 4 controls the electric release mechanism 35.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4B, the manual release mechanism 45 includes an inner lever 46 and an outer lever 48. The inner lever 46 is connected to the inner handle 6 inside the vehicle by a cable 47. The outer lever 48 is connected to the key cylinder 7 on the outside of the vehicle by a cable 49.

The inner lever 46 is made of metal, is arranged on the inner side 20c side of the fence block 20 so as to be located on the lower side of the operation receiving member 29, and is pivotally supported by the rotating shaft 50. The rotating shaft 50 is integrally provided with the fence block 20 and extends in parallel with the rotating shaft 27 of the fork 26 and the rotating shaft 30 of the claw 28. The inner lever 46 is provided with a connecting portion 46a for connecting the cable 47. The connecting portion 46a is arranged in the exposed portion 20f and is exposed to the outside when the cable cover 23 is removed. The inner lever 46 is provided with an engaging portion 46b that engages with the outer lever 48 and integrally rotates the outer lever 48 by operating the inner handle 6.

The outer lever 48 is made of metal, is arranged on the inner side 20c side of the fence block 20, and is pivotally supported by the same rotating shaft 50 as the inner lever 46. The outer lever 48 is provided with a connecting portion 48a for connecting the cable 49. The connecting portion 48a is arranged in the exposed portion 20f and is exposed to the outside when the cable cover 23 is removed. The outer lever 48 is provided with a stepped portion 48b that projects outward from the rotation shaft 50 and is engaged with the engaging portion 46b. Further, the outer lever 48 is provided with an operation portion 48c that comes into contact with the second protrusion 29c and rotates the claw 28 via the operation receiving member 29.

When the inner handle 6 is operated, the inner lever 46 rotates clockwise from the non-operating position shown in FIG. 4B to the operating position shown in FIG. 8B. When the engaging portion 46b engages with the outer lever 48, the outer lever 48 rotates clockwise together with the inner lever 46. As a result, the operation receiving member 29 is rotated counterclockwise by the operating portion 48c of the outer lever 48, and the claw 28 is integrally rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position. As a result, the fork 26 rotates from the full latch position to the open position. That is, the outer lever 48 and the operation unit 48c operate the opening operation member 38 as a part of the inner lever 46.

When the key cylinder 7 is operated, the outer lever 48 independently rotates clockwise as shown in FIG. 8C. That is, the inner lever 46 does not rotate when the key cylinder 7 is operated. When the outer lever 48 rotates, the operation receiving member 29 is rotated counterclockwise by the operating portion 48c, and the claw 28 is integrally rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position. As a result, the fork 26 rotates from the full latch position to the open position.

The closure mechanism 55 includes a closure lever 56 for rotating the fork 26 at the half latch position shown in FIG. 7A to the full latch position shown in FIG. 7B. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, the closure lever 56 is connected to the actuator 62 by a cable 58. The actuator 62 is arranged in the door 3 separately from the door latch device 10.

The closure lever 56 is arranged adjacent to the fork 26 on the upper side. The closure lever 56 is erected between the cover plate 21 and the back plate 22 and is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft 57 extending along the rotating shaft 27 of the fork 26. The closure lever 56 is urged by the spring 59 shown in FIG. 4B toward the non-operating position shown in FIG. 4A.

The closure lever 56 has a substantially semicircular shape, and a connecting portion 56a for connecting the cable 58 is provided on one end side in the circumferential direction located on the upper side in FIG. 4A. Referring to FIG. 3, a guide groove 56b through which the wire 58b of the cable 58 is inserted is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the closure lever 56 so as to be recessed inward in the radial direction. The tube 58a of the cable 58 is arranged along the outer surface of the fence block 20.

Of the closure lever 56, an operating portion 56c for rotating the fork 26 at the half latch position to the full latch position is provided on the other end side in the circumferential direction located on the lower side in FIG. 4A. The fork 26 is provided with an operation receiving portion 26c that protrudes within the rotation range of the operating portion 56c and receives an operation (pressing) by the operating portion 56c.

With reference to FIG. 4B, a switch lever 60 that is pivotally supported by the rotating shaft 27 and rotates integrally with the fork 26 and two switches 61A and 61B are arranged on the inner portion 20c of the fence block 20. When the fork 26 is rotated to the open position shown in FIG. 6, the switch lever 60 interferes with both the switches 61A and 61B, so that the switches 61A and 61B both output an ON signal. When the fork 26 is rotated to the half latch position shown in FIG. 7A, the switch lever 60 interferes only with the switch 61A, so that the switch 61A outputs an on signal and the switch 61B outputs an off signal. When the fork 26 is rotated to the full latch position shown in FIG. 7B, the switch lever 60 does not interfere with both the switches 61A and 61B, so that the switches 61A and 61B both output an off signal.

The ECU 4 controls the actuator 62 based on the input signals from the switches 61A and 61B. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A, when the fork 26 in the open position rotates to the half latch position, the actuator 62 is driven and the wire 58b of the cable 58 is pulled. As a result, the closure lever 56 rotates clockwise, and the operating portion 56c comes into contact with the operating receiving portion 26c.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7B, the operation unit 56c presses the operation receiving unit 26c, so that the fork 26 rotates to the full latch position. When the ECU 4 detects that the full lock state has been achieved by the signals from the switches 61A and 61B, the drive of the actuator 62 is stopped. As a result, the closure lever 56 is returned to the non-operating position shown in FIG. 4A by the urging of the spring 59.

In the door latch device 10 configured in this way, the electric release mechanism 35 is driven by the operation of the switch 5 or the electronic key in the steady state, and the holding of the striker 2 by the latch mechanism 25 is released. As a result, the door 3 can be opened with respect to the vehicle body 1.

When the electric release mechanism 35 cannot operate due to insufficient power of the battery or the like, the holding of the striker 2 by the latch mechanism 25 is released by the operation of the manual release mechanism 45. Specifically, when the user is present in the vehicle, the cover is removed and the inner handle is operated. As a result, the rotation of the inner lever 46 releases the holding of the striker 2 by the latch mechanism 25, and the door 3 can be opened with respect to the vehicle body 1. When the user is outside the vehicle, a dedicated mechanical key is inserted into the key cylinder 7 and rotated. As a result, the outer lever 48 rotates, so that the striker 2 is released from being held by the latch mechanism 25, and the door 3 can be opened with respect to the vehicle body 1.

When closing the door 3 at all times, it is sufficient to push the door 3 with a force such that the fork 26 in the open position rotates to the half-latch position. When the fork 26 rotates from the open position to the half latch position, the closure mechanism 55 is driven and the fork 26 at the half latch position is rotated to the full latch position. As a result, the latch mechanism 25 holds the door 3 so that it cannot be opened with respect to the vehicle body 1.

Next, the arrangement of the operation receiving member 29, the opening operation member 38, the inner lever 46, and the outer lever 48 will be described more specifically.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the operation receiving member 29, the inner lever 46, and the outer lever 48 are arranged on the inner side 20c side of the fence block 20, and the opening operation member 38 is arranged on the second arrangement portion 17b. ing.

The operation receiving member 29 is pivotally supported by the same rotating shaft 30 as the claw 28, and the inner lever 46 and the outer lever 48 are pivotally supported by one rotating shaft 50 extending parallel to the rotating shaft 30, and the opening operating member 38. Is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft 39 extending in a direction orthogonal to the rotating shafts 30 and 50. That is, the operation receiving member 29 is arranged so as to rotate along the YZ plane. The inner lever 46 and the outer lever 48 are arranged so as to rotate along the same YZ plane as the operation receiving member 29. The opening operation member 38 is arranged so as to rotate along an XZ plane intersecting with the operation receiving member 29.

Among them, the operation receiving member 29 includes a plate-shaped base portion 29a arranged along the inner portion 20c as described above. The base portion 29a is arranged on the fence block 20 so as to face the corners of the first arrangement portion 17a and the second arrangement portion 17b. That is, the base portion 29a is located in a portion where a part of the base portion 29a is located between the fence block 20 and the first arrangement portion 17a and the rest is located in a portion communicating with the arrangement space between the second arrangement portion 17b and the cover 18. It is arranged in block 20. The base portion 29a is provided with a regulating piece 29d that penetrates the fence block 20 and locks to the claw 28 on the outer side 20b side to regulate the relative rotation with respect to the claw 28. That is, the operation receiving member 29 and the claw 28 rotate integrally.

The first protruding portion 29b has a rod shape and is arranged in a portion of the base portion 29a facing the arrangement space between the second arrangement portion 17b and the cover 18. The first protruding portion 29b protrudes toward the opening operation member 38 so that a part of the first protruding portion 29b is located within the rotation range of the operating portion 38b. The second protruding portion 29c has a rod shape and is arranged in a portion of the base portion 29a sandwiched between the fence block 20 and the first arranging portion 17a. The second protruding portion 29c protrudes toward the first arranging portion 17a so that a part of the second protruding portion 29c is located within the rotation range of the outer lever 48.

The opening operation member 38 includes a base portion 38c through which the rotating shaft 39 is penetrated. The thickness of the base 38c corresponding to the Y direction in which the rotating shaft 39 extends is larger than the diameter of the rod-shaped first protruding portion 29b. The gear portion 38a projects in a fan shape from the outer circumference of the base portion 38c. The operation portion 38b is provided on the side opposite to the gear portion 38a with respect to the base portion 38c, and projects toward the fence block 20.

More specifically, the operating portion 38b protrudes in the opposite direction to the direction in which the first protruding portion 29b protrudes (the direction of the arrow in the X direction) so as to be located below the first protruding portion 29b. .. The width of the operation portion 38b in the Y direction in which the rotation shaft 39 extends is set to a dimension that allows the movement of the first protrusion 29b in the Y direction with the rotation of the operation receiving member 29. That is, when viewed from the upper side in the Z direction, the operation portion 38b is formed with a width such that the first protrusion 29b does not separate in the Y direction even if the first protrusion 29b moves in the Y direction due to the rotation of the operation receiving member 29. Has been done. As a result, when the opening operation member 38 is rotated by the drive of the electric motor 36, the operation unit 38b presses the first protrusion 29b upward, and the claw 28 can be rotated via the operation receiving member 29.

As described above, when the inner lever 46 is rotated by the operation of the inner handle 6, the engaging portion 46b engages with the step portion 48b, and the outer lever 48 is integrally rotated. When the outer lever 48 is rotated by operating the inner handle 6 or the key cylinder 7, the operating portion 48c presses the second protruding portion 29c sideways, and the claw 28 is rotated via the operation receiving member 29. These are arranged adjacent to the lower side of the operation receiving member 29. The operation unit 48c is arranged behind the second protrusion 29c in the direction in which the operation receiving member 29 opens the claw 28 (counterclockwise in FIG. 9).

The opening operation member 38, the inner lever 46, and the outer lever 48 arranged in this way can reliably rotate one operation receiving member 29, and the claw 28 at the locked position can be rotated to the non-locked position. That is, since one operation receiving member 29 can be operated by the three types of operating members 38, 46, 48 and the fork 26 can be unlocked by the claw 28, the number of parts can be reduced and the entire device can be miniaturized.

Next, the connection structure of the cables 47 and 49 to the inner lever 46 and the outer lever 48 will be described.

With reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 11, the connecting portion 46a of the inner lever 46 is arranged at the end of the exposed portion 20f in the Y direction located inside the vehicle. The connecting portion 48a of the outer lever 48 is arranged at the center of the exposed portion 20f in the Y direction. The first through hole 20g that exposes the connecting portion 46a to the outside is provided at the end of the exposed portion 20f in the Y direction located inside the vehicle and extends in the Z direction. The second through hole 20h that exposes the connecting portion 48a to the outside is formed in a substantially fan shape centered on the rotation shaft 50.

Referring to FIG. 12, the cables 47 and 49 include tubes 47a and 49a, wires 47b and 49b that can move back and forth in the tubes 47a and 49a, and connecting members 47c and 49c provided at the ends of the wires 47b and 49b. Referring to FIG. 11, the exposed portion 20f includes a first holding portion 20i that holds the end of the tube 47a of the cable 47 connected to the inner handle 6, and an end of the tube 49a of the cable 49 connected to the key cylinder 7. A second holding portion 20j for holding the above is formed.

As shown in FIG. 12, the connecting portion 46a of the inner lever 46 projects to the side opposite to the engaging portion 46b with respect to the rotating shaft 50. A mounting hole 46c for mounting the connecting member 47c of the cable 47 is formed in the connecting portion 46a. The mounting hole 46c is formed of a hole penetrating in a circular shape.

The connecting member 47c of the cable 47 includes a columnar base portion 47d fixed to the end of the wire 47b, a columnar mounting portion 47e provided at the tip of the base portion 47d, and a retaining portion provided at the tip of the mounting portion 47e. It is equipped with 47f. The mounting portion 47e projects in the direction orthogonal to the base portion 47d. The diameter of the mounting portion 47e is formed as large as possible within a range in which it can be mounted in the mounting hole 46c. The retaining portion 47f projects from the mounting portion 47e to the side opposite to the base portion 47d. With the connecting member 47c attached to the connecting portion 46a, the retaining portion 47f is provided in a portion of the attachment portion 47e located on the side opposite to the base portion 47d with respect to the connecting portion 46a.

Subsequently, referring to FIG. 12, the connecting portion 48a of the outer lever 48 projects to the side opposite to the operating portion 48c with respect to the rotating shaft 50. The connecting portion 48a includes an L-shaped holding portion 48d when viewed from the direction in which the rotating shaft 50 extends. The holding portion 48d includes a plate-shaped first portion 48e extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the wire 49b and a second portion 48f protruding from the lower end of the first portion 48e to a side opposite to the wire 49b side. Have. The holding portion 48d penetrates the through hole 20h and is arranged on the outer portion 20b side. The holding portion 48d is provided with an insertion portion 48g through which the wire 49b can be inserted. The insertion portion 48g is composed of a groove that bends and extends from the outer edge of the second portion 48f to the first portion 48e.

The connecting member 49c of the cable 49 is made of a spherical body fixed to the end of the wire 49b. By arranging the connecting member 49c on the second portion 48f and inserting the wire 49b from the second portion 48f to the first portion 48e through the insertion portion 48g, the connecting member 49c is movably held by the holding portion 48d.

As described above, when the inner handle 6 is operated, the inner lever 46 is pulled via the wire 47b, and as shown in FIGS. 8B and 13, the inner lever 46 is rotated by pressing the connecting member 47c. .. As a result, when the engaging portion 46b engages with the step portion 48b, the outer lever 48 rotates together with the inner lever 46, and the claw 28 at the locked position is moved to the unlocked position via the operation receiving member 29. Can rotate.

At this time, since the connecting portion 48a of the outer lever 48 includes an insertion portion 48g through which the wire 49b can be inserted and the key cylinder 7 is not operated, the wire 49b is maintained in a state of being advanced to the non-operated position. When the connecting member 49c is immovably attached to the connecting portion 48a, the connecting member 49c moves together with the rotation of the outer lever 48, so that the interlocking of the wires 49b due to the movement becomes an operation resistance. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the connecting member 49c is separated from the holding portion 48d as shown in FIG. Therefore, since the wire 49b is not interlocked with the rotation of the outer lever 48, it is possible to prevent it from becoming a resistance to the operation of the inner handle 6.

On the other hand, when the key cylinder 7 is operated, the connecting member 49c is pulled via the wire 49b. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 8C and 14, the connecting member 49c held by the holding portion 48d comes into contact with the first portion 48e, and the operating force of the key cylinder 7 is transmitted to the connecting portion 48a. As a result, the outer lever 48 is rotated by the pressing of the connecting member 49c, and the claw 28 at the locked position can be rotated to the non-locked position via the operation receiving member 29. At this time, since the inner handle 6 does not rotate and the wire 47b does not interlock with the wire 47b, it is possible to prevent the inner handle 6 from becoming a resistance to the operation of the key cylinder 7.

The door latch device 10 configured as described above has the following features.

The inner lever 46 and the operation receiving member 29 are arranged along a fence block 20 extending in a direction orthogonal to the outer panel 3b. Therefore, when the door 3 on which the door latch device 10 is arranged is a general-purpose door, it is possible to secure a state in which the door 3 can be opened even if another vehicle collides with the side surface. Specifically, when another vehicle collides with the door 3, the impact and influence applied to the inner lever 46 and the operation receiving member 29 are smaller than the impact and influence on the electric release mechanism 35. This is arranged in the second arrangement portion 17b (XZ plane) where the electric release mechanism 35 intersects and extends in the Y direction where the load is applied due to the collision, and the fence block 20 (YZ plane) where the manual release mechanism 45 extends in parallel. ) Is located. Therefore, since it is possible to suppress an error in the assembly position of the inner lever 46 and the operation receiving member 29 due to the collision, it is possible to secure a state in which the door 3 can be opened by operating the inner handle 6. That is, the door 3 can be opened even if an unintended impact is applied, and the occupant can be prevented from being trapped in the vehicle, so that the reliability of the door latch device 10 can be improved.

The door latch device 10 includes an operation receiving portion 29 that integrally rotates the claw 28 by pressing from either the opening operation member 38 or the inner lever 46. Further, the inner lever 46 is arranged on the side opposite to the fork 26 and the claw 28 with respect to the fence block 20, and the electric release mechanism 35 is provided in the second arrangement portion 17b different from the first arrangement portion 17a in which the fence block 20 is arranged. Is placed. That is, the operation receiving member 29 that rotates the claw 28 is configured so that the inner lever 46 and the opening operation member 38 operate from different directions. Therefore, since both the inner lever 46 and the opening operation member 38 can be arranged in the vicinity of the operation receiving member 29, the shape of the entire door latch device 10 can be miniaturized.

The electric release mechanism 35 is composed of an electric motor 36, a worm 37, and an opening operation member 38 having a gear portion 38a. Therefore, the opening operation member 38 is rotated by driving the electric motor 36, and the operation receiving member 29 can be reliably opened with a small number of parts by the rotation.

The outer lever 48, which is rotated by operating the key cylinder 7, is pivotally supported by the same rotating shaft 50 as the inner lever 46. Therefore, since the inner lever 46 and the outer lever 48 can be arranged in the vicinity of the operation receiving member 29, one operation receiving member 29 can be reliably operated by both. Further, it is possible to prevent the door latch device 10 from becoming larger due to the provision of the outer lever 48.

The operation receiving member 29 is a plate-shaped base portion 29a that rotates integrally with the claw 28, a first protruding portion 29b that is partially located within the rotation range of the opening operation member 38, and a rotation of the operation portion 48c of the manual release mechanism. It includes a second protrusion 29c, part of which is located within the range. Therefore, one operation receiving member 29 can be reliably operated by either the manual release mechanism 45 or the electric release mechanism 35.

The door latch device 10 of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

For example, the electric release mechanism 35 is not limited to the configuration including the opening operation member 38 having the worm 37 and the gear portion 38a, and can be changed as needed.

The connecting portion 46a of the inner lever 46 and the connecting portion 48a of the outer lever 48 may be exposed to the outside through one through hole. The inner lever 46 and the outer lever 48 may be pivotally supported by different rotation shafts. The manual release mechanism 45 may be configured only by the inner lever 46 without providing the outer lever 48. The outer lever 48 may be provided with a connecting portion 46a and an engaging portion 46b, and the inner lever 46 may be provided with a connecting portion 48a, a step portion 48b and an operating portion 48c. The inner lever 46 and the outer lever 48 may rotate individually without being interlocked with each other. In this case, the operating portion 48c is provided on the inner lever 46, and the operating portion 48c of the outer lever 48 and the operating portion 48c of the inner lever 46 are arranged side by side along the protruding direction of the second protruding portion 29c of the operation receiving member 29. , The second protruding portion 29c may be operated by each operating portion.

Of the operation receiving members 29, only one protrusion may be operated. A protruding portion (operation receiving portion) may be projected directly from the claw 28 without providing a base portion. The configuration of the operation receiving member 29 can be changed as needed.

In the above embodiment, the inner handle 6 is adopted as the first operating member, but for example, a T-shaped knob that can be pulled and operated may be adopted. Further, the end of the wire of the cable may be tied in a ring shape, and the ring-shaped portion may be used as the first operating member. Further, although the key cylinder 7 is adopted as the second operating member, for example, an outer handle exposed to the outside of the vehicle may be adopted. In this case, the outer handle may be provided with a lock mechanism that makes the outer handle inoperable.

The door latch device 10 may not be equipped with the closure mechanism 55.

1 Body 1a Side panel 2 Striker 3 Door 3a End panel 3b Outer panel 4 ECU
5 Switch 6 Inner handle (Operating member inside the car)
7 key cylinder (operating member on the outside of the vehicle)
10 Door latch device 15 Housing 16 Connector 17 Housing body 17a 1st placement 17b 2nd placement 18 Cover 19 Waterproof cover 20 Fence block 19a 1st part 19b 2nd part 20a Car inner end face 20b Outer part 20c Inner part 20d Mounting part 20e Insertion groove 20f Exposed part 20g 1st through hole 20h 2nd through hole 20i 1st holding part 20j 2nd holding part 21 Cover plate 21a Insertion groove 22 Back plate 23 Cable cover 24 Sealing member 24a 1st part 24b 2nd part 25 Latch Mechanism 26 Fork 26a Holding groove 26b Locking step 26c Operation receiving part 27 Rotating shaft 28 Claw 28a Locking part 29 Operation receiving member (operation receiving part)
29a Base 29b 1st protrusion 29c 2nd protrusion 29d Control piece 30 Rotating shaft 31 Spring 35 Electric release mechanism 36 Electric motor 37 Warm 38 Opening operation member 38a Gear part 38b Operating part 38c Base 39 Rotating shaft 40A, 40B Switch 45 Manual Release mechanism 46 Inner lever 46a Connection part 46b Engagement part 46c Mounting hole 47 Cable 47a Tube 47b Wire 47c Connecting member 47d Base 47e Mounting part 47f Retaining part 48 Outer lever 48a Connection part 48b Step part 48c Operation part 48d Holding part 48e Part 48f Second part 48g Insertion part 49 Cable 49a Tube 49b Wire 49c Connecting member 50 Rotating shaft 55 Closure mechanism 56 Closing lever 56a Connecting part 56b Guide groove 56c Operating part 57 Rotating shaft 58 Cable 58a Tube 58b Wire 59 Spring 60 Switch lever 61A , 61B switch 62 actuator

Claims (4)

A fork that can rotate to an open position where the striker can be released and a full latch position that holds the striker,
A claw that can rotate to a locking position that locks the fork at the full latch position and a non-locking position that unlocks the fork.
A release mechanism having an opening operation member for rotating the claw at the locking position to the non-locking position, and an electric motor for driving the opening operation member.
An inner lever that is rotated by the operation of an operating member inside the vehicle to rotate the claw at the locked position to the non-locked position.
A fence block having an outer portion on which the fork and the claw are arranged and facing the striker, and an inner portion on which the inner lever is arranged and located on the opposite side of the outer portion.
The first arrangement portion in which the fence block is arranged so that the inner portions face each other and the second arrangement portion extending in a direction intersecting the first arrangement portion and in which the release mechanism is arranged are integrally integrated. With the housing body to have
A door latch device that is arranged on the inner side of the fence block and includes an operation receiving portion that integrally rotates the claw by pressing from either the opening operation member or the inner lever. The release mechanism has a worm attached to the output shaft of the electric motor.
The door latch device according to claim 1, wherein the opening operation member has a gear portion that meshes with the worm. It is provided with an outer lever that is rotated by the operation of an operating member on the outside of the vehicle to rotate the claw at the locked position to the unlocked position.
The door latch device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer lever is pivotally supported on the same rotating shaft as the inner lever. The operation receiving unit is
A plate-shaped base that is arranged along the inner portion and rotates integrally with the claw,
A first protruding portion that protrudes from the base portion in a direction away from the inner portion and is partially located within the rotation range of the opening operation member.
The door latch device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which has a second protruding portion that protrudes from the base portion in a direction away from the inner portion and is partially located within the rotation range of the inner lever. ..

Images