JP2021183784A - Lock device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a lock device capable of suppressing the generation of an overload on an open lever during an open operation.SOLUTION: A lock device 100 comprises: a latch 120 that rotates between a full latch position and an unlatch position; a pole 130 that rotates between an engaged position and a retracted position; an open lever 140 for rotating the pole 130 to the retracted position; and a drive lever 170 having an open lever pressing part 173 that rotates the open lever 140 in an open direction OP when rotated in a first direction. In an open operation, the open lever pressing part 173 rotates the open lever 140 in the open direction OP while being operated in the first direction at least until the latch 120 performs an unlatch operation, and is operated in the first direction without rotating the open lever 140 in the open direction OP after the latch 120 performs the unlatch operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 31

Description

The present invention relates to a locking device.

Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle body having an opening at the rear, a back door that rotates between a fully closed position that fully closes the opening, and a fully open position that fully opens the opening, and a back that is located at the fully closed position. A vehicle equipped with a locking device that restrains the door to the vehicle body is described.

The car body has a striker at the lower end of the opening. On the other hand, the locking device includes a latch that rotates between a full latch position that locks to the striker and an unlatch position that does not lock to the striker, and a pole that locks the latch to the full latch position by locking to the latch located at the full latch position. , Equipped with. Further, the locking device includes an open lever that rotates the pole away from the latch and a drive lever that drives the open lever when it rotates in the first direction.

When the back door is opened, the locking device performs an open operation to release the restraint in the fully closed position of the back door. In the open operation, the lock device rotates the drive lever in the first direction and drives the pole with the open lever. In this way, the locking device rotates the latch to the unlatch position. In the following description, rotating the latch to the unlatch position during the open operation is referred to as "unlatch operation".

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-136874

In the lock device as described above, the amount of rotation of the drive lever in the first direction during the open operation is set to be large so that the unlatch operation is completed during the open operation regardless of the individual difference of the lock device and environmental factors. It is preferable to do so. However, in this case, when the open lever reaches the end of the rotation range, the open lever cannot rotate in the open direction, while the drive lever tries to rotate in the first direction, so that the open lever is overloaded. May work.

This situation is generally common not only to the locking device applied to the back door but also to the locking device applied to the opening / closing body that opens / closes another opening. An object of the present invention is to provide a locking device capable of suppressing an overload on the open lever during an open operation.

The locking device for solving the above problems is provided on one of the vehicle body and the opening / closing body for opening / closing the opening of the vehicle body, and by locking the opening / closing on the vehicle body and the striker provided on the other side of the opening / closing body, the opening is opened. Close A locking device that restrains the opening / closing body to the fully closed position, and rotates between the full latch position that locks to the striker and the unlatch position that does not lock to the striker, and moves from the full latch position to the unlatch position. Away from the latch that is urged and the locking position that restricts the rotation of the latch toward the unlatch position by locking to the latch located at the full latch position and the latch located at the full latch position. Rotates between the retracted positions that allow the latch to rotate, and the pole is urged from the retracted position toward the locked position, and the pole is rotated in the open direction to move the pole to the retracted position. An open lever that is rotated to and urged in the opposite direction of the open direction, and an open lever pressing portion that pushes the open lever to rotate the open lever in the open direction when rotating in the first direction. The unlatch operation is to rotate the latch from the full latch position to the unlatch position, and to rotate the drive lever in the first direction in order to operate the latch. When the open operation is performed, the open lever pressing portion moves in the first direction while rotating the open lever in the open direction at least until the latch starts the unlatch operation in the open operation. After rotating and the latch starts the unlatch operation, the open lever rotates in the first direction without rotating in the open direction.

The lock device having the above configuration rotates the drive lever in the first direction without rotating the open lever in the open direction after the latch starts the unlatch operation during the open operation. In other words, the locking device can rotate the drive lever in the first direction so that the open lever does not rotate in the open direction. Therefore, the lock device can prevent the open lever from being overloaded even if the drive lever continues to rotate in the first direction after the unlatch operation is started.

In the locking device, the open lever pressing portion includes a first pressing portion that rotates the open lever in the open direction at least until the latch starts the unlatch operation, and the latch starts the unlatch operation. Later, it is preferable to have a second pressing portion that restricts the open lever from rotating in the opposite direction to the open direction.

The lock device having the above configuration switches the portion of the drive lever that pushes the open lever from the first pressing portion to the second pressing portion during the open operation. In this way, the locking device can continue to rotate the drive lever in the first direction so that the open lever does not rotate in the open direction.

The lock device includes a drive gear for driving the drive lever, and the drive lever is a plurality of external teeth arranged along the rotation direction of the drive lever, and has a plurality of external teeth that mesh with the drive gear. In the drive lever, when the reverse direction of the first direction is set as the second direction, the drive lever rotates in the first direction in the open operation, so that the end outside the end in the second direction. It is preferable that the first pressing portion shifts from the state where the first pressing portion pushes the open lever to the state where the second pressing portion pushes the open lever before the teeth engage with the drive gear.

In the lock device having the above configuration, when the drive gear becomes non-rotatable during the open operation, it can be said that the unlatch operation of the latch has already been completed. Therefore, the lock device can unlatch the latch by driving the drive gear until the drive gear becomes non-rotatable during the open operation. That is, the lock device can simplify the drive control of the drive gear at the time of open operation.

In the lock device, the open lever extends toward the rotation range of the open lever pressing portion when the drive lever rotates in the first direction, and serves as a contact point with the open lever pressing portion. Having an engaging body, the contact point of the open lever engaging body with the open lever pressing portion changes from a position closer to the proximal end to a position closer to the tip end as the open lever rotates in the open direction. Is preferable.

In the open operation, when the latch is unlatch-operated, the largest force is likely to be required when starting to rotate the pole toward the retracted position. That is, the force with which the open lever pressing portion pushes the open lever engaging body tends to increase at the initial stage of the unlatch operation.

In this respect, in the locking device having the above configuration, the contact point with the open lever pressing portion of the open lever engaging body changes from the position closer to the base end to the position closer to the tip end as the open operation progresses. .. That is, when the open lever pressing portion pushes the open lever engaging body most strongly, the open lever pressing portion pushes the position near the base end of the open lever engaging body. In other words, the open lever pressing portion does not strongly push the position near the tip of the open lever engaging body. In this way, the locking device can reduce the bending stress acting on the base end of the open lever engaging body in the open operation.

The locking device can prevent the open lever from being overloaded during the open operation.

The schematic diagram of the vehicle provided with the lock device which concerns on one Embodiment. The perspective view of the said lock device. The perspective view of the said lock device. An exploded perspective view of the lock device. An exploded perspective view of the lock device. Front view of the pole and latch of the lock device. Front view of the open lever of the lock device. Front view of the closing lever and the interlocking lever of the lock device. Front view of the drive lever of the lock device and the driven gear. The plan view which shows the positional relationship of the main component of the said lock device. The bottom view which shows the positional relationship of the main component of the said lock device. The front view which shows the positional relationship of the main component of the said lock device. A timing chart showing the transition of various signals at the time of closing operation of the opening / closing body and the transition of the driving mode of the motor. Top view of the locking device when the latch is located in the unlatch position. Front view of the locking device when the latch is located in the unlatch position. Top view of the lock device when the latch is located at the operation switching position. Front view of the lock device when the latch is located at the operation switching position. Top view of the lock device when the drive lever comes into contact with the close lever. Front view of the lock device when the drive lever comes into contact with the close lever. Top view of the above locking device when the full latch operation is completed. Front view of the above locking device when the full latch operation is completed. The plan view of the said lock device when the closing operation is completed. The front view of the said lock device when the closing operation is completed. A timing chart showing the transition of various signals when the opening / closing body is opened and the transition of the driving mode of the motor. Top view of the lock device when the drive lever comes into contact with the open lever. Front view of the above locking device when the drive lever comes into contact with the open lever. Top view of the lock device when the pole is rotated to the retracted position. Front view of the lock device when the pole is rotated to the retracted position. The plan view of the said lock device when the unlatch operation is completed. The front view of the said lock device when the unlatch operation is completed. The plan view of the said lock device when the rotation of a drive lever is locked. The front view of the said lock device when the rotation of a drive lever is locked.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle provided with a locking device will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the width direction of the vehicle is also referred to as "width direction", the front-rear direction of the vehicle is also referred to as "front-rear direction", and the vertical direction of the vehicle is also referred to as "vertical direction".

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 opens and closes a vehicle body 20 having a storage chamber 21 at the rear, a movable roof 30, a roof drive portion 40 for driving the roof 30, and an opening 22 of the storage chamber 21. It includes a cover 50, a cover driving unit 60 for driving the cover 50, and a lock device 100 for restraining the cover 50 located at a fully closed position to the vehicle body 20. Further, the vehicle 10 includes a control device 300 that controls the roof drive unit 40, the cover drive unit 60, and the lock device 100. The vehicle 10 of the present embodiment is a so-called convertible type vehicle.

In the vehicle body 20, the storage chamber 21 is a space that is recessed downward. In a plan view from above, the opening 22 of the storage chamber 21 has a rectangular shape with the width direction as the longitudinal direction and the front-back direction as the lateral direction. A striker 23 having a substantially U-shape is fixed to the rear end of the opening 22 in a lateral view in the width direction. The striker 23 projects forward.

The roof 30 is operated by the roof drive unit 40 between the deployment position constituting the upper part of the vehicle and the storage position stored in the storage chamber 21. The roof 30 is folded in a mountain fold over the width direction when retracted from the unfolded position to the retracted position. On the other hand, when moving from the storage position to the unfolding position, the roof 30 is unfolded from the folded state. The roof 30 may be a so-called hardtop or a softtop.

The cover 50 corresponds to an example of an “opening / closing body”. The cover 50 has a rectangular plate shape with the width direction as the longitudinal direction and the front-rear direction as the lateral direction in a plan view from above. The cover 50 is preferably large enough to cover the opening 22 without any gaps. The cover 50 is operated by the cover drive unit 60 between a fully closed position in which the opening 22 is fully closed and a fully open position in which the opening 22 is fully opened. In FIG. 1, the cover 50 located at the fully closed position is shown by a two-dot chain line, and the cover 50 located at the fully open position is shown by a solid line. The fully open position of the cover 50 does not have to be the position shown in FIG. 1 as long as it does not interfere with the operation of the roof 30.

Next, the lock device 100 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 2, the locking device 100 includes a housing 110 that supports the components of the device. As shown in FIG. 3, the locking device 100 is locked to a latch 120 that rotates between a full latch position that is locked to the striker 23 and an unlatch position that is not locked to the striker 23, and a latch 120 that is located at the full latch position. A pole 130 that rotates between a retracted position away from the latch 120 located at the locked position and the full latch position, an open lever 140 that drives the pole 130, a closed lever 150 that drives the latch 120, an open lever 140, and a closed lever. It includes an interlocking lever 160 that operates together with the lever 150. As shown in FIG. 2, the lock device 100 includes a drive lever 170 that drives the open lever 140 and the close lever 150, and a lock drive unit 180 that drives the drive lever 170.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the locking device 100 is open with a latch support shaft 211 that rotatably supports the latch 120 and the close lever 150, and a pole support shaft 212 that rotatably supports the pole 130. An open lever support shaft 213 that rotatably supports the lever 140, a drive lever support shaft 214 that rotatably supports the drive lever 170, and a connecting shaft that rotatably connects the closed lever 150 and the interlocking lever 160. 215 and.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the locking device 100 includes a latch spring 221 for urging the latch 120, a pole spring 222 for urging the pole 130, and an open lever spring 223 for urging the open lever 140. A close lever spring 224 for urging the close lever 150 is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lock device 100 is open with a latch stopper 231 for positioning the latch 120, a close lever stopper 232 for positioning the close lever 150, and a pole switch 241 for detecting the position of the pole 130. It includes an open lever switch 242 that detects the position of the lever 140, and a drive lever switch 243 that detects the position of the drive lever 170.

As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 110 has a first plate 111 and a second plate 112 extending in a direction intersecting the first plate 111. In the present embodiment, the housing 110 is configured by bending the portion corresponding to the second plate 112 with respect to the portion corresponding to the first plate 111. In this embodiment, the angle between the first plate 111 and the second plate 112 is approximately 90 degrees.

The first plate 111 has a notch 113 extending towards the second plate 112. The notch 113 is a groove through which the striker 23 passes when the cover 50 is located at the fully closed position and near the fully closed position. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first plate 111 supports the latch support shaft 211, the pole support shaft 212, and the open lever support shaft 213. At this time, the axial directions of the latch support shaft 211, the pole support shaft 212, and the open lever support shaft 213 extend in the plate thickness direction of the first plate 111. In the first plate 111, the latch support shaft 211 is supported by one portion partitioned by the notch 113, and the pole support shaft 212 and the open lever support shaft 213 are supported by the other portion partitioned by the notch 113. Will be done. In other words, in the front view of the first plate 111, the notch 113 is located between the latch support shaft 211 and the pole support shaft 212 and the open lever support shaft 213.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second plate 112 has a first communication hole 114 that opens at a position closer to the first plate 111 and a second communication hole 114 that opens at a position farther from the first plate 111 than the first communication hole 114. It has a communication hole 115 and. The first communication hole 114 is a hole for arranging a plurality of levers so as not to interfere with the second plate 112, and the second communication hole 115 is configured as a lock drive unit 180 so as not to interfere with the second plate 112. It is a hole for arranging parts. Further, the second plate 112 supports the lock drive unit 180 and the drive lever support shaft 214. At this time, the axial direction of the drive lever support shaft 214 extends in the plate thickness direction of the second plate 112. In the plan view of the second plate 112, the drive lever support shaft 214 is located between the first communication hole 114 and the second communication hole 115.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the latch 120 has a substantially elliptical plate shape. The latch 120 has an engaging groove 121 extending from the outer surface of the latch 120 toward the rotation axis of the latch 120. Further, the latch 120 includes a first locking portion 122 to which the pole 130 is locked, a second locking portion 123 to which the interlocking lever 160 is locked, and a protruding wall 124 extending along the rotation axis of the latch 120. Has.

The engaging groove 121 is a groove into which the striker 23 enters when the cover 50 is closed. The first locking portion 122, the second locking portion 123, and the protruding wall 124 are provided at positions away from the rotation axis of the latch 120. The first locking portion 122 and the second locking portion 123 are displaced in the rotation direction of the latch 120. Further, the second locking portion 123 extends from the protruding wall 124 in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the latch 120. Therefore, the first locking portion 122 and the second locking portion 123 are displaced in the plate thickness direction of the latch 120.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the latch 120 is supported by the first plate 111 of the housing 110 via the latch support shaft 211. At this time, the latch 120 overlaps with the notch 113 in the plate thickness direction of the first plate 111. The rotation axis of the latch 120 is an axis that passes through the center of the latch support shaft 211. As shown in FIG. 6, the latch 120 is urged by the latch spring 221 in the direction indicated by the solid arrow. The urging direction of the latch spring 221 is the direction in which the striker 23 is discharged from the engaging groove 121. Then, in the state shown in FIG. 6, the latch 120 urged by the latch spring 221 is positioned at the unlatch position by coming into contact with the latch stopper 231.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the pole 130 has a plate shape whose longitudinal direction is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the pole 130. The pole 130 includes a first locking claw 131 that engages with the first locking portion 122 of the latch 120, a switch operating portion 132 that operates the pole switch 241 and an engaging piece 133 that engages with the interlocking lever 160. Has. The rotation axis of the pole 130 is located at the base end of the pole 130, and the first locking claw 131, the switch operating portion 132, and the engaging piece 133 are located near the tip of the pole 130. The first locking claw 131 locks the latch 120 to the full latch position by locking to the first locking portion 122 of the latch 120 located at the full latch position. The switch operation unit 132 presses the pole switch 241 or separates from the pole switch 241 according to the rotation of the pole 130.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pole 130 is supported by the first plate 111 of the housing 110 via the pole support shaft 212. That is, the rotation axis of the pole 130 is an axis that passes through the center of the pole support shaft 212. As shown in FIG. 6, the pole 130 is urged by the pole spring 222 in the direction indicated by the solid arrow. That is, the pole 130 is urged in the direction in which the first locking claw 131 approaches the latch 120.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the open lever 140 has a plate shape. The open lever 140 includes an open lever pin 141 that is a contact point with the drive lever 170, a switch operating portion 142 that operates the open lever switch 242, and an abutting portion 143 that abuts on the second locking portion 123 of the latch 120. Has. Further, the open lever 140 has a sliding groove 144 extending in an arc shape.

The open lever pin 141 has a substantially columnar shape and extends along the rotation axis of the open lever 140. The open lever pin 141 corresponds to an example of an "open lever engaging body". The switch operation unit 142 presses the open lever switch 242 or separates from the open lever 140 in response to the rotation of the open lever 140. The contact portion 143 is provided near the end portion of the both ends of the sliding groove 144 in the extending direction, which is far from the rotation axis of the open lever 140. The contact portion 143 extends along the rotation axis of the open lever 140 in the direction opposite to that of the open lever pin 141.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the open lever 140 is supported by the first plate 111 of the housing 110 via the open lever support shaft 213. That is, the rotation axis of the open lever 140 is an axis that passes through the center of the open lever support shaft 213. As shown in FIG. 7, the open lever 140 is urged by the open lever spring 223 in the direction indicated by the solid arrow. In the following description, the direction opposite to the urging direction of the open lever spring 223, that is, the opposite direction of the solid arrow shown in FIG. 7 is also referred to as "open direction OP".

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8, the close lever 150 has a substantially L-shape in front view. The closing lever 150 is rotatably connected to the interlocking lever 160 via the connecting shaft 215. The close lever 150 has a close lever pin 151 that serves as a contact point with the drive lever 170. The closing lever pin 151 has a substantially columnar shape and extends along the rotation axis of the closing lever 150. The closed lever pin 151 corresponds to an example of a "closed lever engaging body". In the closed lever 150, the closed lever pin 151 and the connecting shaft 215 are located apart from each other in the rotation direction of the closed lever 150.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the close lever 150 is supported together with the latch 120 by the first plate 111 of the housing 110 via the latch support shaft 211. That is, the rotation axis of the close lever 150 is an axis that passes through the center of the latch support shaft 211. As shown in FIG. 8, the close lever 150 is urged by the close lever spring 224 in the direction indicated by the solid arrow. The urging direction of the close lever spring 224 is the same as the urging direction of the latch spring 221. In the following description, the direction opposite to the urging direction of the closed lever spring 224, that is, the opposite direction of the solid arrow shown in FIG. 8 is also referred to as “closed direction CL”.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8, the interlocking lever 160 has a rod shape whose longitudinal direction is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the interlocking lever 160. The interlocking lever 160 has a second locking claw 161 that locks to the second locking portion 123 of the latch 120, and a sliding shaft 162 that slides on the open lever 140. The rotation axis of the interlocking lever 160 is located near the base end of the interlocking lever 160, and the second locking claw 161 and the sliding shaft 162 are provided near the tip of the interlocking lever 160. The second locking claw 161 locks the latch 120 to a position between the unlatch position and the full latch position by locking to the second locking portion 123 of the latch 120. The sliding shaft 162 extends along the axial direction of the connecting shaft 215. The sliding shaft 162 is inserted into the sliding groove 144 of the open lever 140. It can be said that the interlocking lever 160 connected to the close lever 150 is also urged to the close lever spring 224 in that the close lever 150 is urged to the close lever spring 224.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, the drive lever 170 includes a sector gear 172 in which a plurality of external teeth 171 are arranged in the circumferential direction, an open lever pressing portion 173 that pushes the open lever pin 141 of the open lever 140, and a closed lever 150. It has a close lever pressing unit 174 that pushes the closing lever pin 151, and a switch operating unit 175 that operates the drive lever switch 243.

The open lever pressing portion 173 and the closing lever pressing portion 174 have a flat plate shape. The open lever pressing portion 173 and the closing lever pressing portion 174 extend in opposite directions along the rotation axis of the drive lever 170. In the present embodiment, the extending direction of the open lever pressing portion 173 and the closing lever pressing portion 174 is the same as the extending direction of the rotation axis of the drive lever 170, but the opening lever pressing portion 173 and the closing lever pressing portion 174 are extended. The extending direction may be inclined with respect to the extending direction of the rotation axis of the drive lever 170. The open lever pressing portion 173 is a portion that pushes the open lever pin 141 when the drive lever 170 rotates in the first direction R1, and the closed lever pressing portion 174 rotates the drive lever 170 in the second direction R2. This is the part where the close lever pin 151 is sometimes pushed.

The open lever pressing portion 173 includes a first pressing portion 173a and a second pressing portion 173b. The first pressing portion 173a is a plane intersecting the rotation axis of the drive lever 170, and the second pressing portion 173b is a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis of the drive lever 170. Specifically, when the extending direction of the open lever pressing portion 173 is the height direction, the height of the first pressing portion 173a is not constant, and the height of the second pressing portion 173b is constant. The height of the first pressing portion 173a decreases with a constant gradient as the distance from the second pressing portion 173b increases. In the present embodiment, the angle formed between the first pressing portion 173a and the second pressing portion 173b is approximately 120 degrees. On the other hand, the closed lever pressing portion 174 includes a configuration corresponding to the first pressing portion 173a of the open lever pressing portion 173, but does not include a configuration corresponding to the second pressing portion 173b of the open lever pressing portion 173. However, in another embodiment, the closed lever pressing portion 174 may include a configuration corresponding to the second pressing portion 173b of the open lever pressing portion 173.

As shown in FIG. 9, the length L1 from the rotation center of the drive lever 170 to the open lever pressing portion 173 and the length L2 from the rotation center of the drive lever 170 to the closed lever pressing portion 174 are different. There is. Specifically, the length L1 from the rotation center of the drive lever 170 to the open lever pressing portion 173 is shorter than the length L2 from the rotation center of the drive lever 170 to the closed lever pressing portion 174. Here, the position of the open lever pressing portion 173 that is the reference of the length L1 is the position where the open lever pressing portion 173 pushes the open lever pin 141, and the position of the closed lever pressing portion 174 that is the reference of the length L2 is. , The position where the close lever pressing portion 174 pushes the close lever pin 151. However, since the position where the open lever pin 141 is pushed in the open lever pressing portion 173 changes according to the rotation of the drive lever 170, the length L1 shown in FIG. 9 indicates the longest length.

The switch operation unit 175 is provided at a position adjacent to the plurality of external teeth 171 of the sector gear 172 in the circumferential direction. The switch operation unit 175 presses the drive lever switch 243 or separates from the drive lever switch 243 according to the rotation of the drive lever 170. In the following description, as shown in FIG. 9, the position of the drive lever 170 when the switch operation unit 175 is pressing the drive lever switch 243 is also referred to as a “neutral position”. When the drive lever 170 rotates from the neutral position to the first direction R1 or the second direction R2, the switch operation unit 175 does not press the drive lever switch 243.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drive lever 170 is rotatably supported on the front side of the second plate 112 of the housing 110 via the drive lever support shaft 214. That is, the rotation axis of the drive lever 170 is an axis that passes through the center of the drive lever support shaft 214. At this time, the open lever pressing portion 173 projects into the space behind the second plate 112 through the first communication hole 114 of the second plate 112. On the other hand, the close lever pressing portion 174 projects into the space on the front side of the second plate 112.

Subsequently, the positional relationship and the engagement relationship of the main parts of the locking device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.
As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, when the extension direction of the open lever pin 141 and the closed lever pin 151 is the "height direction" in the lock device 100, the latch 120 and the pole 130 are arranged at substantially the same height. Will be done. Further, the latch 120 and the pole 130 are arranged at adjacent positions in a direction orthogonal to the height direction. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the latch 120 is located at the unlatch position, the pole 130 urged by the pole spring 222 is positioned by coming into contact with the latch 120.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the open lever 140 is arranged at the highest position in the configuration supported by the first plate 111 of the housing 110. However, since the contact portion 143 of the open lever 140 extends to the same height as the second locking portion 123 of the latch 120, the contact portion 143 can contact the second locking portion 123. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the latch 120 is arranged in the unlatch position, the open lever 140 urged by the open lever spring 223 comes into contact with the second locking portion 123 of the latch 120. By doing so, it is positioned. Further, the center of the arcuate sliding groove 144 of the open lever 140 is located near the rotation axis of the open lever 140.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the closed lever 150 is arranged at a position higher than the latch 120 and the pole 130 and lower than the open lever 140 in the height direction. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the latch 120 is placed in the unlatch position, the closed lever 150 does not engage the latch 120, the pole 130, or the open lever 140. When the latch 120 is placed in the unlatch position, the close lever 150 urged by the close lever spring 224 is positioned by contacting the close lever stopper 232.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the interlocking lever 160 is arranged between the pole 130 and the closing lever 150 in the height direction. However, since the second locking portion 123 of the latch 120 is located at the same height as the interlocking lever 160, the second locking claw 161 of the interlocking lever 160 can be locked to the second locking portion 123 of the latch 120. Become. Further, since the engaging piece 133 of the pole 130 is located at the same height as the interlocking lever 160, the interlocking lever 160 can push the engaging piece 133 of the pole 130. Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the sliding shaft 162 of the interlocking lever 160 is inserted into the sliding groove 144 of the open lever 140. Therefore, when the open lever 140 rotates, the interlocking lever 160 is displaced in the rotation direction of the open lever 140. On the other hand, when the closed lever 150 rotates, the sliding shaft 162 of the interlocking lever 160 can be displaced along the sliding groove 144 of the open lever 140. Therefore, when the interlocking lever 160 is displaced due to the rotation of the close lever 150, the open lever 140 does not rotate.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the rotation axis of the latch 120, the rotation axis of the pole 130, the rotation axis of the open lever 140, and the rotation axis of the close lever 150 extend in the same direction. The rotation axis of the latch 120, the rotation axis of the pole 130, the rotation axis of the open lever 140, and the rotation axis of the close lever 150 extend in different directions from the rotation axis of the drive lever 170. In other words, the rotation axis of the latch 120, the rotation axis of the pole 130, the rotation axis of the open lever 140, and the rotation axis of the close lever 150 are in a twisted relationship with the rotation axis of the drive lever 170. Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the rotation axis of the latch 120, the rotation axis of the pole 130, the rotation axis of the open lever 140, and the rotation axis of the close lever 150 are Y. Extending along the axis, the rotation axis of the drive lever 170 extends along the Z axis. Therefore, when viewed from the extending direction of the X-axis orthogonal to both the Y-axis and the Z-axis, the rotation axis of the latch 120, the rotation axis of the pole 130, the rotation axis of the open lever 140, and the rotation of the close lever 150. It can be said that the driving axis and the rotating axis of the drive lever 170 are orthogonal to each other. The positional relationship between the rotation axis of the latch 120, the rotation axis of the pole 130, the rotation axis of the open lever 140, the rotation axis of the close lever 150, and the rotation axis of the drive lever 170 is the first plate 111. And varies depending on the angle formed between the second plate 112.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, in the direction in which the rotation axis of the drive lever 170 extends, the rotation axis of the open lever 140 is located on one side of the drive lever 170, and the rotation axis of the closed lever 150 is. It is located on the other side of the drive lever 170. In other words, in the direction in which the rotation axis of the drive lever 170 extends, the open lever support shaft 213 is located on one side of the drive lever 170, and the latch support shaft 211 is located on the other side of the drive lever 170. Further, in the direction in which the rotation axis of the drive lever 170 extends, the closed lever pin 151 is located on one side of the sector gear 172, and the open lever pin 141 is located on the other side of the sector gear 172. The positions of the open lever pin 141 and the closed lever pin 151 change when the open lever 140 and the closed lever 150 rotate, but the above-mentioned relationship is maintained.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the open lever pin 141 extends toward the rotation range of the open lever pressing portion 173 when the drive lever 170 rotates from the neutral position in the first direction R1. On the other hand, the close lever pin 151 extends toward the rotation range of the close lever pressing portion 174 when the drive lever 170 rotates from the neutral position in the second direction R2. The open lever pin 141 and the closed lever pin 151 have the same length in the axial direction, while the open lever 140 is arranged at a higher position than the closed lever 150. Therefore, the open lever pin 141 extends closer to the rotation axis of the drive lever 170 than the closed lever pin 151. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, when the drive lever 170 is located in the neutral position, the open lever pressing portion 173 is separated from the open lever pin 141 and the closed lever pressing portion 174 is closed in the rotation direction of the drive lever 170. Move away from the lever pin 151.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the open lever pin 141 and the closed lever pin 151 are located between the rotation axis of the open lever 140 and the rotation axis of the drive lever 170. In other words, the open lever pin 141 and the closed lever pin 151 are located between the open lever support shaft 213 and the latch support shaft 211. As shown in FIG. 12, when viewed from the extending direction of the rotation axis of the drive lever 170, the open lever pin 141 and the closed lever pin 151 partially overlap, but as shown in FIG. 10, from the height direction. When viewed, the open lever pin 141 and the closed lever pin 151 are separated.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lock drive unit 180 is a casing in which a drive gear 181 that meshes with the sector gear 172 of the drive lever 170, a motor 182 that is a drive source of the drive gear 181, and the drive gear 181 and the motor 182 are assembled. With 183. Although not shown, the lock drive unit 180 has a speed reducer that increases the output torque of the motor 182 and transmits it to the drive gear 181.

The lock drive unit 180 is fixed from the back side of the second plate 112 by using a fastening member such as a screw. At this time, the drive gear 181 is arranged on the front side of the second plate 112 via the second communication hole 115 of the housing 110. In this way, the drive gear 181 meshes with the external teeth 171 of the sector gear 172 of the drive lever 170 supported on the front side of the second plate 112. The drive gear 181 rotates the drive lever 170 in the first direction R1 or the drive lever 170 in the second direction R2 according to the rotation direction. In the present embodiment, the drive lever 170 rotates in the first direction R1 when the motor 182 rotates in the normal direction, and the drive lever 170 rotates in the second direction R2 when the motor 182 reverses.

Next, the configuration related to the control of the present embodiment will be described.
An operation request signal for the roof 30 is input to the control device 300 when the user operates a button provided on a portable device such as an electronic key or operates a button provided around the driver's seat. NS. Further, a pole position identification signal, an open lever position identification signal, and a drive lever position identification signal are input to the control device 300 as signals indicating the on / off status of the pole switch 241 and the open lever switch 242 and the drive lever switch 243, respectively. .. In the present embodiment, the pole position identification signal is turned on when the pole switch 241 is pressed and turned off when the pole switch 241 is not pressed. The open lever position identification signal is turned on when the open lever switch 242 is pressed, and turned off when the open lever switch 242 is not pressed. The drive lever position identification signal is turned off when the drive lever switch 243 is pressed, and turned on when the drive lever switch 243 is not pressed.

The control device 300 determines whether or not there is an operation request for the roof 30 from the user based on the presence or absence of the operation request signal. When the operation request signal is input, the control device 300 opens the cover 50 from the fully closed position to the fully open position by the cover drive unit 60. Subsequently, the control device 300 retracts and operates the roof 30 and deploys it by the roof drive unit 40. After the retracting operation or the deploying operation of the roof 30 is completed, the control device 300 closes the cover 50 from the fully open position to the fully closed position by the cover drive unit 60.

When the cover 50 is closed to the vicinity of the fully closed position by the cover drive unit 60, the control device 300 performs a “close operation” in which the latch 120 is rotated to the full latch position by the lock drive unit 180. In this way, the control device 300 locks the latch 120 to the striker 23 and restrains the cover 50 to the fully closed position. On the other hand, when the cover drive unit 60 starts the open operation of the cover 50, the control device 300 performs an "open operation" in which the latch 120 is rotated to the unlatch position by the lock drive unit 180. In this way, the control device 300 releases the lock of the latch 120 with respect to the striker 23, and releases the restraint of the cover 50 at the fully closed position. The control device 300 causes the motor 182 to rotate forward, reverse, and stop based on the switching of the on / off status of the pole position identification signal, the open lever position identification signal, and the drive lever position identification signal during the closing operation and the opening operation. Judge the timing.

The operation of this embodiment will be described.
First, the operation of the lock device 100 at the time of closing operation will be described.
FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing an on / off state of the identification signal at the time of closing operation and an operating state of the motor 182. The lock device 100 shown in FIGS. 14 to 23 shows a state corresponding to any of the timings in FIG. It should be noted that FIGS. 14 to 23 show simplified drawings of some components of the locking device 100 for the sake of easy explanation and understanding.

14 and 15 show the state of the lock device 100 at the first timing t11 in which the cover 50 is closed to the vicinity of the fully closed position by the cover drive unit 60.
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the latch 120 is in the unlatch position until the latch 120 comes into contact with the striker 23 due to the closing operation of the cover 50. When the latch 120 is located at the unlatch position, the pole 130 is separated from the pole switch 241, so that the pole position identification signal is turned off at the first timing t11.

The close lever 150 is urged by the close lever spring 224, and a part of the close lever 150 is in contact with the close lever stopper 232 shown in FIG. Further, the open lever 140 is urged by the open lever spring 223, and the contact portion 143 is in contact with the second locking portion 123 of the latch 120. Therefore, the open lever 140 presses the open lever switch 242, and at the first timing t11, the open lever position identification signal is turned on. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the drive lever 170 is located in the neutral position. Therefore, the drive lever 170 presses the drive lever switch 243, and at the first timing t11, the drive lever position identification signal is turned off. Further, at the first timing t11, the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180 is stopped.

16 and 17 show the state of the lock device 100 at the second timing t12, where the closing operation of the cover 50 is more advanced than the first timing t11.
As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, as the closing operation of the cover 50 progresses, the striker 23 starts to enter the engaging groove 121 of the latch 120 while pushing the latch 120. At this time, the latch 120 rotates in the direction opposite to the urging direction of the latch spring 221. The latch 120 is located at the "operation switching position" shown in FIG.

The pole 130 rotates in the direction opposite to the urging direction of the pole spring 222 as the latch 120 rotates. As a result, the pole 130 presses the pole switch 241 and the pole position identification signal is turned on at the second timing t12. The close lever 150 does not rotate with the rotation of the latch 120.

As the latch 120 rotates, the contact portion 143 of the open lever 140 does not come into contact with the second locking portion 123 of the latch 120. Therefore, the open lever 140 rotates in the urging direction of the open lever spring 223. As a result, the open lever 140 is separated from the open lever switch 242, and the open lever position identification signal is turned off at the second timing t12.

When the open lever 140 rotates in the urging direction of the open lever spring 223, the open lever 140 pushes the interlocking lever 160 through the sliding groove 144. Then, the interlocking lever 160 is displaced in the direction in which the tip approaches the latch 120. As a result, the second locking claw 161 of the interlocking lever 160 is locked to the second locking portion 123 of the latch 120. In this respect, the operation switching position shown in FIG. 16 is the position of the latch 120 when the second locking portion 123 of the latch 120 is locked to the second locking claw 161 of the interlocking lever 160. When the latch 120 is located in the actuation switch position, the latch 120 is restricted from rotating from the actuation switch position to the unlatch position. Therefore, after the latch 120 has rotated to the operation switching position, the striker 23 is not discharged from the engaging groove 121 of the latch 120 even if the force for pressing the latch 120 against the striker 23 is eliminated.

In FIG. 16, since the force for pressing the latch 120 against the striker 23 is applied by the cover drive unit 60, it is between the second locking portion 123 of the latch 120 and the second locking claw 161 of the interlocking lever 160. There is a slight gap in. However, when the force that presses the latch 120 against the striker 23 is eliminated, the latch 120 rotates in the urging direction of the latch spring 221 so that the second locking portion 123 of the latch 120 and the second engagement lever 160 are engaged. It comes into contact with the stop claw 161.

At the third timing t13 following the second timing t12 when the open lever position identification signal is turned off, the lock drive unit 180 is driven to start the closing operation. Specifically, the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180 is reversed, and the drive lever 170 is rotated in the second direction R2. As described above, in the present embodiment, the lock drive unit 180 is driven from the state in which the cover drive unit 60 is driven after the latch 120 has rotated to the operation switching position, that is, after the open lever position identification signal is turned off. Switch to the driven state.

18 and 19 show the state of the lock device 100 at the fourth timing t14 while the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180 is reversing.
As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, when the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180 reverses, the drive lever 170 rotates in the second direction R2. Then, since the drive lever 170 is separated from the drive lever switch 243, the drive lever position identification signal is turned on at the fourth timing t14. When the drive lever 170 continues to rotate in the second direction R2, the close lever pressing portion 174 comes into contact with the close lever pin 151. At this time, the close lever pressing portion 174 comes into contact with the portion near the tip of the close lever pin 151. After the close lever pressing portion 174 comes into contact with the close lever pin 151, the close lever 150 rotates in the close direction CL as the drive lever 170 rotates in the second direction R2.

20 and 21 show the state of the lock device 100 at the fifth timing t15 when the pole position identification signal is turned off.
As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, when the closing lever pressing portion 174 of the drive lever 170 pushes the closing lever pin 151, the closing lever 150 rotates together with the interlocking lever 160 in the closing direction CL indicated by the solid arrow. Here, since the sliding shaft 162 of the interlocking lever 160 is inserted into the sliding groove 144 of the open lever 140, the interlocking lever 160 is displaced along the sliding groove 144. At this time, the interlocking lever 160 is displaced along the sliding groove 144 while the locked state of the second locking claw 161 of the interlocking lever 160 and the second locking portion 123 of the latch 120 is maintained. As a result, with the displacement of the interlocking lever 160, the latch 120 rotates in the direction opposite to the urging direction of the latch spring 221 so as to pull in the striker 23. When the second locking claw 161 of the interlocking lever 160 advances beyond the first locking claw 131 of the pole 130 in the rotation direction of the latch 120, the first locking portion of the pole 130 is locked to the first locking portion 122 of the latch 120. The claw 131 can be locked.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 20, the latch 120 is located at the full latch position locked to the striker 23, and the pole 130 is locked to the latch 120 located at the full latch position and rotates toward the unlatch position of the latch 120. It is located in the locking position that regulates. In the following description, when the cover 50 is closed, the lock drive unit 180 rotates the latch 120 to the full latch position, which is also referred to as “full latch operation”.

As shown in FIG. 21, at the time when the full latch operation is completed, the close lever pressing portion 174 comes into contact with the portion near the base end of the close lever pin 151. As shown in FIGS. 17, 19 and 21, the movement locus of the closing lever pressing portion 174 accompanying the closing operation has an arc shape. Therefore, the contact point of the close lever pin 151 with the close lever pressing portion 174 changes from the position closer to the tip to the position closer to the base end as the closing operation progresses. Further, as the amount of rotation of the latch 120 due to the closing operation increases, the restoring force of the latch spring 221 increases. At this point, as the amount of rotation of the latch 120 increases, the force acting on the closed lever pin 151 increases. That is, the force that the close lever pressing portion 174 pushes the close lever pin 151 is the largest at the time when the full latch operation is completed.

As shown in FIG. 21, when the pole 130 is located in the locked position, the pole 130 separates from the pole switch 241. Therefore, at the fifth timing t15, the pole position identification signal is turned off. At the fifth timing t15, when the pole position identification signal is turned off, it indicates that the full latch operation of the latch 120 is completed. Therefore, at the fifth timing t15, the rotation direction of the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180 is reversed in order to return the drive lever 170 rotated in the second direction R2 to the neutral position. That is, the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180 is rotated in the normal direction.

When the drive lever 170 rotates in the first direction R1 as the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180 rotates in the normal direction, the force for rotating the close lever 150 in the close direction CL is not transmitted to the close lever 150. However, since the closed lever 150 comes into contact with the protruding wall 124 of the latch 120 positioned at the full latch position, the closed lever 150 does not rotate in the urging direction of the closed lever spring 224. At this point, when the latch 120 is located at the full latch position, a gap is created between the second locking claw 161 of the interlocking lever 160 and the second locking portion 123 of the latch 120.

22 and 23 show the state of the lock device 100 at the sixth timing t16 when the drive lever 170 returns to the neutral position.
As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, when the drive lever 170 returns to the neutral position, the drive lever 170 presses the drive lever switch 243. Therefore, at the sixth timing t16, the drive lever position identification signal is turned off, and the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180 is stopped. In this way, the closing operation is completed.

Subsequently, the operation of the lock device 100 at the time of open operation will be described.
FIG. 24 is a timing chart showing an on / off state of the identification signal at the time of open operation and an operation state of the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180. The lock device 100 shown in FIGS. 22, 23, 25 to 32, 14 and 15, shows a state corresponding to any of the timings in FIG. 24. In addition to FIGS. 14, 15, 22, and 23 described above, FIGS. 25 to 32 show simplified parts of some components of the locking device 100 for easy explanation and understanding.

At the first timing t21 where the cover 50 is located in the fully closed position, the latch 120 is located in the full latch position and the pole 130 is located in the locking position, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. The closed lever 150 is kept in a state of being rotated in the closing direction CL by engaging with the latch 120, and the open lever 140 is most rotated in the urging direction of the open lever spring 223. Further, the drive lever 170 is located in the neutral position. Therefore, at the first timing t21, the pole position identification signal, the open lever position identification signal, and the drive lever position identification signal are off, as in the sixth timing t16 after the closing operation is completed, and the lock drive unit 180 The motor 182 is stopped.

After that, when the open operation is started, the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180 is rotated in the normal direction at the second timing t22. Then, the drive lever 170 rotates from the neutral position in the first direction R1. Therefore, at a timing after the second timing t22, the drive lever 170 is separated from the drive lever switch 243, and the drive lever position identification signal is turned on. In the present embodiment, a timer manages the period during which the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180 is rotated in the normal direction during the open operation. That is, at the time of the open operation, the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180 is rotated forward for a predetermined time, and then the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180 is reversed. In the following description, the time for the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180 to rotate in the normal direction during the open operation is also referred to as "specified operation time Tth".

25 and 26 show the locking device 100 at the third timing t23 while the drive lever 170 is rotating in the second direction R2.
As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, when the drive lever 170 rotates from the neutral position to the second direction R2, the open lever pressing portion 173 of the drive lever 170 comes into contact with the open lever pin 141 of the open lever 140. Specifically, the first pressing portion 173a of the open lever pressing portion 173 comes into contact with the portion near the base end of the open lever pin 141. Therefore, after the open lever pressing portion 173 comes into contact with the open lever pin 141, the open lever 140 rotates in the open direction OP as the drive lever 170 rotates in the first direction R1. At this time, the open lever pressing portion 173 and the open lever pin 141 slide.

In the state shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the open lever 140 rotates slightly in the open direction OP as compared with the state shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. Therefore, the open lever 140 presses the open lever switch 242, and at the third timing t23, the open lever position identification signal is turned on. Further, the open lever 140 displaces the interlocking lever 160 in a direction away from the latch 120 by pushing the interlocking lever 160 through the sliding groove 144. As a result, the interlocking lever 160 comes into contact with the engaging piece 133 of the pole 130. However, when the interlocking lever 160 comes into contact with the engaging piece 133 of the pole 130, the locking relationship between the first locking claw 131 of the pole 130 and the first locking portion 122 of the latch 120 is maintained.

27 and 28 show the locking device 100 at the fourth timing t24 in which the drive lever 170 is rotated in the first direction R1 rather than the third timing t23.
As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, when the drive lever 170 further rotates in the first direction R1, the open lever 140 pushed by the open lever pressing portion 173 rotates in the open direction OP. Then, the interlocking lever 160 engaged with the open lever 140 is displaced in the direction away from the latch 120. Further, since the interlocking lever 160 is engaged with the engaging piece 133 of the pole 130, when the interlocking lever 160 is displaced in the direction away from the latch 120, the pole 130 also rotates in the direction away from the latch 120. In this way, the first locking claw 131 of the pole 130 does not lock with the first locking portion 122 of the latch 120. In other words, the pole 130 rotates away from the latch 120 located at the full latch position to a retracted position that allows the latch 120 to rotate. As a result, the latch 120 starts to rotate in the urging direction of the latch spring 221. That is, the latch 120 starts to rotate from the full latch position toward the unlatch position. In the following description, in the locking device 100, the rotation of the latch 120 from the full latch position to the unlatch position is also referred to as "unlatch operation". Further, when the pole 130 is located at the retracted position, the pole 130 presses the pole switch 241, so that the pole position identification signal is turned on at the fourth timing t24.

29 and 30 show the locking device 100 at the fifth timing t25 immediately after the fourth timing t24.
As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, when both the pole 130 and the interlocking lever 160 are no longer engaged with the latch 120, the latch 120 is unlatched. In this way, the latch 120 rotates from the full latch position to the unlatch position. When the latch 120 is unlatched, the striker 23 is ejected from the engagement groove 121 of the latch 120. That is, the latch 120 is no longer locked to the striker 23, and the restraint of the cover 50 at the fully closed position is released.

When the latch 120 rotates to the unlatch position, the pole 130 rotates in the direction approaching the pole 130 from the retracted position. As a result, since the pole 130 is separated from the pole switch 241, the pole position identification signal is turned off at the fifth timing t25. Further, when the latch 120 rotates to the unlatch position, the engagement between the closed lever 150 and the protruding wall 124 of the latch 120 is released, and the closed lever 150 can rotate in the urging direction of the closed lever spring 224. Therefore, the close lever 150 rotates in the urging direction of the close lever spring 224 together with the interlocking lever 160.

At the timing when the unlatch operation is completed, the first pressing portion 173a of the open lever 140 is in a state of pushing the open lever pin 141. In other words, at the timing when the unlatch operation of the latch 120 is completed, the first pressing portion 173a is in contact with the open lever pin 141, and the second pressing portion 173b is not in contact with the open lever pin 141. The open lever pressing portion 173 rotates in the first direction R1 while rotating the open lever 140 in the open direction OP at least until the unlatch operation of the latch 120 is completed.

31 and 32 show the locking device 100 at the sixth timing t26 in which the drive lever 170 is most rotated in the first direction R1.
As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, by continuing the normal rotation of the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180, the external teeth 171 located in the secondmost direction R2 of the sector gear 172 of the drive gear 181 and the drive lever 170. When they engage with each other, the rotation of the drive gear 181 is locked. Therefore, the rotation of the drive lever 170 in the first direction R1 is also locked.

In a state where the rotation of the drive lever 170 in the first direction R1 is locked, the second pressing portion 173b of the open lever pressing portion 173 pushes the open lever pin 141. That is, at the time of open operation, the first pressing portion 173a of the drive lever 170 is set to the open lever pin 141 after the unlatch operation of the latch 120 is completed and before the rotation of the first direction R1 of the drive lever 170 is locked. The second pressing portion 173b of the drive lever 170 shifts from the pushing state to the pushing state of the open lever pin 141.

Here, since the second pressing portion 173b is a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis of the drive lever 170, the drive lever 170 is rotated in the first direction R1 in a situation where the second pressing portion 173b pushes the open lever pin 141. Even if it moves, the open lever 140 does not rotate in the open direction OP. Specifically, unlike the first pressing portion 173a, the second pressing portion 173b does not transmit the force for rotating the open lever 140 in the open direction OP to the open lever 140. That is, the second pressing portion 173b only restricts the open lever 140 from rotating in the urging direction of the open lever spring 223. At this point, after the unlatch operation of the latch 120 is completed, the drive lever 170 moves to the first direction R1 without rotating the open lever 140 in the open direction OP until the rotation of the drive lever 170 is locked. Rotate.

As shown in FIG. 32, in a state where the rotation of the drive lever 170 in the first direction R1 is locked, the second pressing portion 173b of the open lever pressing portion 173 contacts a portion near the tip of the open lever pin 141. do. As shown in FIGS. 26, 28, 30 and 32, in the open operation, the movement locus of the open lever pressing portion 173 of the drive lever 170 has an arc shape. Therefore, the contact point of the open lever pin 141 with the open lever pressing portion 173 changes from the position closer to the base end to the position closer to the tip end as the open operation progresses.

Here, when the pole 130 is displaced from the locked position to the retracted position during the unlatch operation, it is necessary to slide the first locking portion 122 of the latch 120 and the first locking claw 131 of the pole 130. Therefore, due to the magnitudes of the static friction coefficient and the dynamic friction coefficient, the largest force is applied from the drive lever 170 to the open lever 140 when the sliding of the first locking portion 122 and the first locking claw 131 is started. Is transmitted. In other words, during the open operation, when the drive lever 170 rotates in the first direction R1 from the state shown in FIG. 26, the largest load acts on the open lever pin 141. That is, the force that the open lever pressing portion 173 pushes the open lever pin 141 is the largest at the start of the unlatch operation.

In the state where the rotation of the drive lever 170 in the first direction R1 is locked, a load acts on the drive lever 170 and the drive gear 181. However, the position where the load acts on the drive lever 170 and the drive gear 181 is a portion constituting the gear, in other words, a portion having high rigidity with respect to the load. Therefore, even if a load is applied, there is no problem with the drive lever 170 and the drive gear 181.

When the elapsed time from the normal rotation of the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180 reaches the seventh timing t27, which is the specified operating time Tth, the rotation direction of the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180 is reversed. That is, the motor 182 is reversed, and the rotation direction of the drive lever 170 is switched from the first direction R1 to the second direction R2. In this respect, the defined operating time Tth is preferably longer than the time required for the drive lever 170 to rotate from the neutral position shown in FIG. 23 to the terminal position shown in FIG. 32. The specified operating time Tth is preferably set in consideration of environmental factors such as variation in the neutral position and outside air temperature.

After that, at the eighth timing t28, when the drive lever position identification signal is turned off, the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180 is stopped. That is, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the drive lever 170 returns to the neutral position, and the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180 is stopped. In this way, the open operation is completed.

The effect of this embodiment will be described.
(1) In the drive lever 170, the open lever pressing portion 173 and the closed lever pressing portion 174 extend in opposite directions to each other. Therefore, it becomes easy to freely set the distance between the open lever pressing portion 173 and the closing lever pressing portion 174 in the rotation direction of the drive lever 170. As a result, when the drive lever 170 is returned to the neutral position during the open operation, the close lever pressing portion 174 can make it difficult to push the close lever 150, and when the drive lever 170 is returned to the neutral position during the close operation. The open lever pressing portion 173 can make it difficult to push the open lever 140. In this way, the lock device 100 can widen the neutral range of the drive lever 170.

(2) In the drive lever 170, the length L1 from the rotation center of the drive lever 170 to the open lever pressing portion 173 is different from the length L2 from the rotation center of the drive lever 170 to the closed lever pressing portion 174. Therefore, in the lock device 100, the length L1 from the rotation center of the drive lever 170 to the open lever pressing portion 173 and the length L2 from the rotation center of the drive lever 170 to the closed lever pressing portion 174 are equal to each other. In comparison, it is easy to increase the degree of design freedom regarding the arrangement of the open lever 140 and the closed lever 150.

(3) The force required to operate the latch 120 in full latch, that is, the force required to rotate the close lever 150 in the closing direction CL is the force required to operate the latch 120 unlatch, that is, open. It tends to be larger than the force required to rotate the lever 140 in the open direction OP. In this respect, in the lock device 100, the length L2 from the rotation center of the drive lever 170 to the close lever pressing portion 174 is longer than the length L1 from the rotation center of the drive lever 170 to the open lever pressing portion 173. As a result, the lock device 100 can lengthen the length L2 from the rotation center of the drive lever 170 to the close lever pressing portion 174, in other words, the moment arm can be lengthened, so that the force transmitted to the close lever 150 is large. can.

(4) In the open operation, when the latch 120 is unlatch-operated, the largest force is required when the pole 130 starts to rotate toward the retracted position. That is, the force that the open lever pressing portion 173 pushes the open lever pin 141 increases at the initial stage of the unlatch operation. In this respect, in the lock device 100, the contact point of the open lever pin 141 with the open lever pressing portion 173 changes from the position closer to the base end to the position closer to the tip end as the open operation progresses. That is, when the open lever pressing portion 173 pushes the open lever pin 141 most strongly, the open lever pressing portion 173 pushes the position near the base end of the open lever pin 141. In this way, the locking device 100 can reduce the bending stress acting on the base end of the open lever pin 141 in the open operation.

(5) In the closed operation, when the latch 120 is fully latched, the largest force is required when the latch 120 is completely rotated to the full latch position. That is, the force with which the close lever pressing portion 174 pushes the close lever pin 151 increases at the end of the full latch operation. In this respect, in the lock device 100, the contact point of the close lever pin 151 with the close lever pressing portion 174 changes from the position closer to the tip to the position closer to the base end as the closing operation progresses. That is, when the close lever pressing portion 174 strongly pushes the close lever pin 151, the close lever pressing portion 174 pushes the position near the base end of the close lever pin 151. In this way, the locking device 100 can reduce the bending stress acting on the base end of the closing lever pin 151 in the closing operation.

(6) The lock device 100 can rotate the drive lever 170 in the first direction R1 so that the open lever 140 does not rotate in the open direction OP after the latch 120 is unlatched during the open operation. .. Therefore, the lock device 100 can prevent the open lever 140 from being overloaded even if the drive lever 170 continues to rotate in the first direction R1 after the unlatch operation is completed.

(7) The lock device 100 switches the portion of the drive lever 170 for pushing the open lever 140 from the first pressing portion 173a to the second pressing portion 173b during the open operation. In this way, the lock device 100 can continue to rotate the drive lever 170 in the first direction R1 so that the open lever 140 does not rotate in the open direction OP. Further, since the second pressing portion 173b regulates the rotation of the open lever 140 in the direction opposite to the opening direction OP, the lock device 100 changes the posture of the open lever 140 after the latch 120 is fully latched. Can be suppressed.

(8) The locking device 100 completes the unlatch operation of the latch 120 before the drive gear 181 becomes unrotatable by engaging with the outer teeth 171 at the end in the second direction R2 of the drive lever 170 during the open operation. That is, when the drive gear 181 becomes non-rotatable during the open operation, it can be said that the unlatch operation of the latch 120 has already been completed. Therefore, the lock device 100 can simplify the control of the motor 182 that drives the drive gear 181 by using the fact that the drive gear 181 becomes non-rotatable during the open operation. In the present embodiment, the lock device 100 uses the driving time of the motor 182 at the time of open operation as the specified operating time Tth. That is, the lock device 100 can unlatch the latch 120 by driving the motor 182 for the specified operating time Tth at the time of the open operation.

(9) In the lock device 100, when the rotation axis of the open lever 140, the rotation axis of the close lever 150, and the rotation axis of the drive lever 170 face the same direction, the open lever 140, the close lever 150, and the close lever 150 are in the same plane. Since the drive lever 170 needs to be arranged, the degree of freedom in arranging the components of the device tends to be low. In this respect, in the lock device 100, since the rotation axis of the drive lever 170 extends in a direction different from the rotation axis of the open lever 140 and extends in a direction different from the rotation axis of the close lever 150, the open lever is in the same plane. It is not necessary to arrange all 140, the close lever 150 and the drive lever 170. Therefore, the lock device 100 can increase the degree of freedom in arranging the components of the device.

(10) In the direction in which the rotation axis of the drive lever 170 extends, the rotation axis of the open lever 140 is located on one side of the drive lever 170, and the rotation axis of the closed lever 150 is located on the other side of the drive lever 170. To position. Therefore, the lock device 100 can be arranged so that the rotation axis of the open lever 140 and the rotation axis of the close lever 150 are separated from each other in the direction in which the rotation axis of the drive lever 170 extends.

(11) In the direction in which the rotation axis of the drive lever 170 extends, the closed lever pin 151 is located on one side of the drive lever 170, and the open lever pin 141 is located on the other side of the drive lever 170. Therefore, the lock device 100 can be arranged so that the open lever pin 141 and the closed lever pin 151 are separated from each other in the direction in which the rotation axis of the drive lever 170 extends.

(12) The lock device 100 tilts the second plate 112 with respect to the first plate 111, so that the rotation axis of the drive lever 170 is different from the rotation axis of the open lever 140 and the rotation axis of the close lever 150. Can be extended in the direction.

(13) In the lock device 100, when viewed from the extending direction of the X-axis, both the rotation axis of the drive lever 170, the rotation axis of the open lever 140, and the rotation axis of the close lever 150 are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, in the lock device 100, it is possible to easily manage the positional relationship between the drive lever 170 and the open lever 140 and the close lever 150.

This embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The present embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range.
The locking device 100 may be configured to hold the latch 120 at the operation switching position by engaging the pole 130 with the latch 120 instead of locking the interlocking lever 160 with the latch 120. In this case, the latch 120 arranges the first locking portion 122 and the second locking portion 123 apart from each other in the rotation direction of the latch 120, and locks the pole 130 to the second locking portion 123. It is preferable to keep the latch 120 in the operation switching position.

-The shape and size of the drive lever 170 can be changed as appropriate. For example, when the drive lever 170 is viewed from the direction in which the rotation axis of the drive lever 170 extends, the length L1 from the rotation center of the drive lever 170 to the open lever pressing portion 173 is closed from the rotation center of the drive lever 170. The length up to the lever pressing portion 174 may be longer than or equal to L2.

-The shapes and positional relationships of the open lever 140 and the closed lever 150 can be changed as appropriate. For example, in the direction in which the rotation axis of the drive lever 170 extends, the rotation axis of the open lever 140 and the rotation axis of the close lever 150 may both be arranged on one side of the drive lever 170, or both may be arranged on one side of the drive lever 170. May be located on the other side of. Further, in the direction in which the rotation axis of the drive lever 170 extends, both the open lever pin 141 and the closed lever pin 151 may be arranged on one side of the drive lever 170, or both are located on the other side of the drive lever 170. You may.

-During the open operation, the contact point of the open lever pin 141 with the open lever pressing portion 173 does not have to change from the position closer to the base end to the position closer to the tip end as the open operation progresses. For example, the contact may not change from the position closer to the base end or may not change from the position closer to the tip end as the open operation progresses. Further, the contact may change from a position closer to the tip end to a position closer to the base end as the open operation progresses.

-During the closing operation, the contact point of the closing lever pin 151 with the closing lever pressing portion 174 does not have to change from the position closer to the tip to the position closer to the base end as the closing operation progresses. For example, the contact may not change from the position closer to the base end or may not change from the position closer to the tip end as the closing operation progresses. Further, the contact may change from a position closer to the base end to a position closer to the tip end as the closing operation progresses.

The extension direction of the open lever pin 141 of the open lever 140 may be a direction inclined with respect to the rotation axis of the open lever 140. Similarly, the extending direction of the closing lever pin 151 of the closing lever 150 may be a direction inclined with respect to the rotation axis of the closing lever 150.

The lock device 100 may include one or a plurality of relay levers that relay the transmission of power from the drive lever 170 to the close lever 150 when the lock device 100 is closed, or the power from the close lever 150 and the interlocking lever 160 to the latch 120. It may be provided with one or more relay levers that relay the transmission of. That is, the drive lever 170 does not need to directly drive the close lever 150, and the close lever 150 and the interlocking lever 160 do not need to directly drive the latch 120.

The lock device 100 may include one or a plurality of relay levers that relay the transmission of power from the drive lever 170 to the open lever 140 during the open operation, or transmit power from the open lever 140 to the interlocking lever 160. One or a plurality of relay levers may be provided to relay, or one or a plurality of relay levers may be provided to relay the transmission of power from the interlocking lever 160 to the pole 130. That is, the drive lever 170 does not need to directly drive the open lever 140, the open lever 140 does not need to directly drive the interlocking lever 160, and the interlocking lever 160 does not need to directly drive the pole 130.

-In the housing 110, the first plate 111 and the second plate 112 may be separate bodies.
The lock device 100 may be configured so that the user can operate the door handle to perform an open operation when the lock drive unit 180 fails or the like. Specifically, the lock device 100 may include a cable that rotates the open lever 140 in the open direction OP with the operation of the door handle.

The lock device 100 may be provided in the opening 22 and the striker 23 may be provided in the cover 50.
The lock device 100 can also be applied to a door lock device that restrains the front door, the side door, and the back door in a fully closed position. The front door and the side door may be a swing door or a sliding door.

At the time of open operation, the timing at which the first pressing portion 173a of the open lever pressing portion 173 switches to the state where the second pressing portion 173b of the open lever pressing portion 173 pushes the open lever pin 141 is the timing. , Anytime after the start timing of the unlatch operation. That is, as shown in FIG. 27, the switching timing may be any time after the timing at which the first locking claw 131 of the pole 130 is no longer locked to the first locking portion 122 of the latch 120. In other words, in the open operation, the open lever pressing portion 173 rotates in the first direction R1 while rotating the open lever 140 in the open direction OP at least until the latch 120 starts the unlatch operation, and the latch 120 rotates. After starting the unlatch operation, the open lever 140 may be configured to rotate in the first direction R1 without rotating in the open direction OP.

When the control device 300 is open, the drive lever 170 is rotated in the first direction R1 to lock the control device 300 before the terminal external teeth 171 in the second direction R2 are engaged with the drive gear 181. The motor 182 of the unit 180 may be reversed. However, it is assumed that the timing for reversing the motor 182 is after the completion of the unlatch operation. In this case, the control device 300 may determine the timing for reversing the motor 182 of the lock drive unit 180 based on, for example, the time for the motor 182 to rotate forward, or the switch for detecting the position of the latch 120 or the like. The determination may be made based on the on / off status.

10 ... Vehicle 20 ... Body 22 ... Opening 23 ... Striker 50 ... Cover (an example of an opening / closing body)
100 ... Locking device 110 ... Housing 111 ... 1st plate 112 ... 2nd plate 120 ... Latch 130 ... Pole 140 ... Open lever 141 ... Open lever pin (Example of open lever engaging part)
150 ... Closed lever 151 ... Closed lever pin (example of closed lever engaging part)
160 ... Interlocking lever 170 ... Drive lever 171 ... External teeth 173 ... Open lever pressing part 173a ... First pressing part 173b ... Second pressing part 174 ... Closed lever pressing part 180 ... Lock driving part 181 ... Drive gear CL ... Closed direction OP ... Open direction R1 ... First direction R2 ... Second direction L1, L2 ... Length

Claims (4)

The opening / closing body is provided at one of the opening / closing body that opens / closes the vehicle body and the opening / closing of the vehicle body, and the opening / closing body is placed at a fully closed position that closes the opening by engaging with a striker provided at the other of the vehicle body and the opening / closing body. It is a locking device that restrains
A latch that rotates between a full latch position that locks on the striker and an unlatch position that does not lock on the striker and is urged from the full latch position toward the unlatch position.
The locking position that regulates the rotation of the latch toward the unlatch position by locking to the latch located at the full latch position and the rotation of the latch are allowed by moving away from the latch located at the full latch position. A pole that rotates between the retracted positions and is urged from the retracted position toward the locked position.
An open lever that rotates the pole to the retracted position by rotating in the open direction and is urged in the direction opposite to the open direction.
A drive lever having an open lever pressing portion that pushes the open lever to rotate the open lever in the open direction when rotating in the first direction is provided.
When rotating the latch from the full latch position to the unlatch position is an unlatch operation, and rotating the drive lever in the first direction to operate the latch is an open operation.
In the open operation, the open lever pressing portion rotates in the first direction while rotating the open lever in the open direction at least until the latch starts the unlatch operation, and the latch rotates in the first direction. A lock device that rotates the open lever in the first direction without rotating the open lever in the open direction after the unlatch operation is started. The open lever pressing portion includes a first pressing portion that rotates the open lever in the open direction at least until the latch starts the unlatch operation, and the open lever after the latch starts the unlatch operation. The locking device according to claim 1, further comprising a second pressing portion that regulates the rotation of the lever in the opposite direction of the open direction. A drive gear for driving the drive lever is provided.
The drive lever is a plurality of external teeth arranged along the rotation direction of the drive lever, and has a plurality of external teeth that mesh with the drive gear.
When the reverse direction of the first direction is the second direction in the drive lever,
In the open operation, the first pressing portion pushes the open lever before the drive lever rotates in the first direction so that the outer teeth at the ends in the second direction engage with the drive gear. The locking device according to claim 2, wherein the second pressing portion shifts from the pushing state to the pushing state of the open lever. The open lever has an open lever engaging body that extends toward the rotation range of the open lever pressing portion when the driving lever rotates in the first direction and serves as a contact point with the open lever pressing portion. ,
Claims 1 to claim that the contact point of the open lever engaging body with the open lever pressing portion changes from a position closer to the base end to a position closer to the tip end as the open lever rotates in the open direction. The locking device according to any one of 3.

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