JP4050609B2 - Door latch device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a door latch device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a door latch device applied to a vehicle such as a four-wheeled vehicle, a device including a latch mechanism and a lock mechanism is generally used. The latch mechanism is for maintaining the door closed with respect to the vehicle body. Usually, the latch is engaged with the striker provided on the vehicle body side, and the latch is engaged with the striker by engaging with the latch. And a ratchet for holding in a latched state. The lock mechanism switches between a locked state and an unlocked state by a key operation from the outside of the vehicle or a lock button operation from the inside of the vehicle, and invalidates the operation by the door handle in the locked state, In the unlocked state, the operation by the door handle is validated and transmitted to the above-described latch mechanism.
[0003]
In this door latch device, if the door is operated to open the door handle, for example, the outside door handle provided outside the door or the inside door handle provided inside the door when the lock mechanism is unlocked, In this case, the latch and the ratchet are disengaged and the latch state is released, so that the door can be opened.
[0004]
On the other hand, when the lock mechanism is in the locked state, the open door operation by the door handle is invalidated and is not transmitted to the latch mechanism. Therefore, unless the lock mechanism is unlocked by a key operation from the outside of the vehicle, even when the outside door handle is opened, the latch mechanism remains in the latched state and cannot be opened. Can be locked.
[0005]
Conventionally, in this type of door latch device, various devices have been devised to prevent the occurrence of problems due to flooding. For example, a door latch device in which the above-described latch mechanism and lock mechanism are accommodated in a housing is one of them.
[0006]
Here, regarding the lock lever that is operated by operating the lock button and switches the lock mechanism between the locked state and the unlocked state, when the lock lever is actually assembled to the vehicle door, the operation of the lock button is transmitted. For this purpose, it is necessary to connect with linkage means such as a link or a wire. Similarly, with respect to the inside handle lever that is operated by the opening operation of the inside door handle and releases the latched state of the latch mechanism, the opening operation of the inside door handle is transmitted when assembled to the door. For this purpose, it is necessary to connect to a link means such as a link or a wire.
[0007]
For this reason, conventionally, a lock lever is disposed inside the housing in such a manner that a connecting portion with the linkage means is exposed to the outside of the housing, and a cover member is provided on the housing, and the lock lever and the linkage means are connected to each other. Then, by covering this with a cover member, the workability of connecting the lock lever and the linking means is ensured while ensuring the water resistance. On the other hand, the inside handle lever is disposed outside the housing so as to ensure the workability of the connection with the linking means while ensuring the waterproof property (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-129913 A
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Some door latch devices described above are provided with a so-called one-motion function in order to improve convenience. That is, when the inside door handle is operated to open, the lock mechanism in the locked state is switched to the unlocked state, and the latch mechanism in the latched state is switched to the released state.
[0010]
According to such a one-motion function, even when the lock mechanism is in a locked state, if the inside door handle is operated to open, it is possible to open the door with a single operation without operating the lock button. For this reason, convenience is significantly improved.
[0011]
However, this one-motion function is realized by adding a function of switching the lock mechanism in the locked state to the unlocked state with respect to the inside handle lever disposed outside the housing. Therefore, for example, when a malicious person inserts a foreign object through the gap between the door and the glass and directly operates the above-described inside handle lever, the lock mechanism may be unlocked, and in terms of vehicle theft protection It is not necessarily preferable.
[0012]
Of course, in order to prevent such a situation, it is sufficient to cover the entire inside handle lever with a cover member provided in the housing, similarly to the lock lever. However, in the door latch device described above, the connecting portion of the lock lever with the linking means is disposed at the lower portion of the housing, while the inside handle lever is disposed at the center portion outside the housing. Therefore, in order to ensure vehicle anti-theft performance, a cover member extending from the lower part of the housing to the center part and having a sufficient size to cover the entire inside handle lever is required. Is extremely disadvantageous.
[0013]
An object of the present invention is to provide a door latch device capable of improving vehicle anti-theft property without impairing water resistance and assembling property and without significantly increasing the manufacturing cost. And
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The door latch device according to claim 1 of the present invention is housed in the housing, A latch mechanism that maintains a closed door when in a latched state, and allows an open door when in a released state; and A lock mechanism that is housed inside the housing and disables the operation with the door handle when in the locked state, while enabling the operation with the door handle when in the unlocked state; The lock mechanism that is connected to the first linkage means that transmits the operation of the inside door handle and is operated via the first linkage means is switched to the unlocked state, and the latch mechanism that is in the latched state is The first operating lever that switches to the unlocked state and the second linkage means that transmits the operation of the lock button, and the lock mechanism that is locked when operated via the second linkage means switches to the unlocked state. With the second control lever And at least Connection portion with first linkage means and linkage portion with second linkage means Each Than the outer surface of the housing In a manner that is exposed to the outside and close to each other These first operation lever and second operation lever Disposed inside the housing, and these 1st operation lever and 2nd operation lever The portion exposed to the outside of the housing in single It is characterized by covering with a cover member.
[0015]
The door latch device according to claim 2 of the present invention is the above-described claim 1, The cover member is formed integrally with the housing. It is characterized by that.
[0016]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a door latch device according to the first aspect. 1, the first operation lever and the second operation lever are arranged in parallel with each other in a manner in which the operation directions are the same. It is characterized by that.
[0017]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the door latch device according to the first aspect. And further comprising an operation input unit that transmits rotation of the key cylinder by a key operation from the outside of the housing to the lock mechanism as a rotational driving force, and switches the lock mechanism between an unlocked state and a locked state. And a connecting portion of the first operating lever with the first linking means and a connecting portion of the second operating lever with the second linking means are provided at the lower portion of the housing. It is characterized by that.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Exemplary embodiments of a door latch device according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0020]
1 to 4 show a door latch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The door latch device illustrated here is provided on the rear surface of the side door of the front hinge disposed on the right side of the front seat of the four-wheeled vehicle (in the case of a right-hand drive vehicle, the driver rear side door rear surface). 3 is provided. Each of the main case 2 and the sub case 3 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin, and after being joined together, the housing 1 is configured by fastening them together by fastening means 4 such as screws. An O-ring 5 is interposed on the joint surface between the main case 2 and the sub case 3 to ensure the desired water resistance (see FIG. 7).
[0021]
The housing 1 constituted by the main case 2 and the sub case 3 includes a latch mechanism accommodating portion 10 extending along the left-right direction of the door, and an end portion of the latch mechanism accommodating portion 10 located on the indoor side from the door. And a lock mechanism housing portion 20 extending in the front-rear direction, and is substantially L-shaped when viewed from above.
[0022]
The latch mechanism accommodating portion 10 has a horizontal cutout groove 11 extending substantially horizontally from the indoor side to the outdoor side at a position that is substantially in the center in the height direction, and the latch mechanism 30 is provided therein. On the other hand, the ratchet lever 40 is supported on the outside.
[0023]
The latch mechanism 30 is configured to mesh and hold the striker S provided on the vehicle body side of the four-wheeled vehicle, and includes a latch 31 and a ratchet 32 as shown in FIG.
[0024]
The latch 31 is rotatably disposed at a position above the horizontal cutout groove 11 of the latch mechanism accommodating portion 10 via a latch shaft 33 extending substantially horizontally along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. 6 is always biased clockwise in FIG. 6 by the elastic force of a latch spring (not shown) interposed between the latch mechanism accommodating portion 10 and the latch mechanism accommodating portion 10. The latch 31 is provided with a meshing groove 31a, a hook portion 31b, and a locking portion 31c.
[0025]
The meshing groove 31 a is a groove portion formed from the outer peripheral surface of the latch 31 toward the latch shaft 33, and is formed to have a width that can accommodate the striker S.
[0026]
The hook portion 31b is a portion located on the indoor side of the engagement groove 31a when the engagement groove 31a is opened downward. As shown in FIG. 6C, the hook portion 31b is formed in the horizontal notch groove of the latch mechanism housing portion 10 when the latch 31 is rotated counterclockwise against the pressing force of a latch spring (not shown). 11 is stopped at a position crossing 11 (latch position). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the latch 31 is rotated clockwise, it is stopped at a position where the horizontal notch 11 is opened (open position). It is configured.
[0027]
The locking portion 31c is a portion located on the outdoor side of the engagement groove 31a when the engagement groove 31a is opened downward. As shown in FIG. 6A, the locking portion 31c crosses the horizontal cutout groove 11 when the latch 31 is rotated in the clockwise direction, and faces toward the back (outdoor) of the horizontal cutout groove 11. It is configured to stop in a state of gradually inclining upward.
[0028]
The ratchet 32 is interposed via a ratchet shaft 34 extending substantially horizontally along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body at a position below the horizontal cutout groove 11 of the latch mechanism housing portion 10 and on the indoor side of the latch shaft 33. The engaging portion 32a and the connecting pin 35 are provided.
[0029]
The engaging portion 32a is a portion extending radially outward from the ratchet shaft 34 toward the outdoor side. When the ratchet 32 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 6, the latch 31 described above via the protruding end surface. It is possible to engage with the hook portion 31b and the locking portion 31c.
[0030]
The connecting pin 35 extends substantially horizontally from a position substantially in the middle of the engaging portion 32a toward the front of the vehicle body, and is connected to the latch mechanism housing portion through the arc-shaped cutout groove 12 formed in the latch mechanism housing portion 10. 10 protrudes to the outside.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 5A, the ratchet lever 40 is disposed on the front surface of the vehicle outside the latch mechanism housing portion 10 so as to be rotatable via the ratchet shaft 34. The elastic force of the ratchet spring 41 interposed between the portion 10 and the portion 10 is biased in the clockwise direction in FIG. The ratchet lever 40 is provided with a pin connecting part 40a, a first action part 40b, and a second action part 40c.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the pin connecting portion 40a extends from the ratchet shaft 34 toward the outdoor side, and is provided at a portion corresponding to the arc-shaped cutout groove 12 of the latch mechanism accommodating portion 10 with a pin mounting hole 40d. And is connected to the ratchet 32 by mounting the connecting pin 35 of the ratchet 32 in the pin mounting hole 40d.
[0033]
As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the first action portion 40b is a portion extending from the ratchet shaft 34 toward the indoor side.
[0034]
The second action part 40c is a part that is bent from the tip of the first action part 40b and extends toward the vehicle front side.
[0035]
As described above, the ratchet lever 40 is disposed outside the latch mechanism housing portion 10, but is provided at a position covered by the lock mechanism housing portion 20 and may be directly operated from the outside. Absent.
[0036]
Hereinafter, the operation of the latch mechanism 30 will be briefly described. First, when the door is in an open state with respect to the vehicle body, as shown in FIG. 6A, the latch 31 is arranged at the open position. When the door is closed from this state, the striker S provided on the body side of the vehicle body enters the horizontal cutout groove 11 of the latch mechanism housing portion 10 and eventually the striker S comes into contact with the locking portion 31c of the latch 31. . As a result, the latch 31 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 6 against the elastic force of the latch spring (not shown). During this time, the ratchet 32 is such that the protruding end surface of the engaging portion 32 a is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the latch 31 due to the elastic force of the ratchet spring 41. Rotate around.
[0037]
When the door is further closed from the above-described state, the amount of the striker S entering the horizontal notch groove 11 gradually increases, so that the latch 31 further rotates counterclockwise, and as shown in FIG. The engaging portion 32 a reaches the back of the meshing groove 31 a provided in the latch 31. In this state, the latching portion 31c of the latch 31 comes into contact with the portion located at the engaging portion 32a of the ratchet 32, so that the latch 31 has a resistance against the elastic restoring force of a latch spring (not shown). The rotation returning to the clockwise direction is prevented. Moreover, since the hook portion 31b of the latch 31 is disposed so as to cross the horizontal cutout groove 11 on the indoor side of the striker S, the striker S moves in a direction deviating from the horizontal cutout groove 11 by the hook portion 31b. That is, the opening operation of the door with respect to the vehicle body is prevented (half-latch state).
[0038]
When the door is completely closed through the above-described half-latch state, the striker S entering the horizontal notch groove 11 further rotates the latch 31 counterclockwise via the locking portion 31c, and the striker S is horizontally It reaches the back (outdoor) of the notch groove 11. During this time, the ratchet 32 rotates clockwise in FIG. 6 against the elastic force of the ratchet spring 41 by the hook portion 31b of the latch 31 coming into contact with the upper surface of the engaging portion 32a, and the hook portion 31b of the latch 31 is When it passes, it immediately rotates counterclockwise by the elastic restoring force of the ratchet spring 41. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6 (c), the hook portion 31b of the latch 31 comes into contact with the engaging portion 32a of the ratchet 32. Therefore, the elastic spring is against the elastic restoring force of the latch spring (not shown). The rotation of the latch 31 returning to the clockwise direction is prevented. Even in this state, since the hook portion 31b of the latch 31 is arranged so as to cross the horizontal cutout groove 11, the striker S is moved by the hook portion 31b in a direction deviating from the back (outside of the room) of the horizontal cutout groove 11. The situation is prevented, and eventually the door is kept closed with respect to the vehicle body (full latch state).
[0039]
Further, when the first action portion 40b or the second action portion 40c of the ratchet lever 40 is rotated upward in FIG. 6 against the elastic force of the ratchet spring 41 from the half latch state or the full latch state, the connecting pin Since the engaging portion 32a of the ratchet 32 connected by 35 moves downward, the contact engagement state between the hook portion 31b of the latch 31 and the engaging portion 32a of the ratchet 32 is released, and the latch 31 is latched by the latch spring. It rotates clockwise in FIG. 6 by the elastic restoring force (not shown). As a result, as shown in FIG. 6A, the horizontal cutout groove 11 is opened, the striker S can move in a direction deviating from the horizontal cutout groove 11, and the door can be opened with respect to the vehicle body. It becomes like this.
[0040]
On the other hand, the lock mechanism housing portion 20 of the housing 1 includes an open lever 50, an inside handle lever (first operation lever) 60, a cancel lever 70, an input shaft, as shown in FIGS. A member 80 and a lock mechanism 90 are provided.
[0041]
The open lever 50 is rotatably disposed at a position further below the ratchet 32 of the latch mechanism 30 in the main case 2 via an open lever shaft 51 extending substantially horizontally along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. Therefore, it is always biased clockwise in FIG. 3 by the elastic force of the open lever spring 52 interposed between it and the lock mechanism housing portion 20. The open lever 50 is provided with an open action part 50a and an open action part 50b.
[0042]
The open action portion 50 a is a portion extending radially outward from the open lever shaft 51 toward the outdoor side, and an extended end portion thereof protrudes outside the lock mechanism housing portion 20. An outside door handle linking means 7a such as a link or a wire linked to the outside door handle 7 provided on the door is connected to a portion of the open action portion 50a that protrudes to the outside of the lock mechanism housing portion 20. It is. More specifically, the outside door handle linking means 7a is provided so that the open lever 50 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3 when the outside door handle 7 is opened.
[0043]
The open operation portion 50b is a portion extending radially outward from the open lever shaft 51 toward the indoor side, and an extended end portion of the open operation portion 50b is a first action portion 40b of the ratchet lever 40 inside the lock mechanism housing portion 20. Located in the lower area.
[0044]
The inside handle lever 60 is disposed at a position below the open lever 50 in the sub case 3 so as to be swingable via an inside lever shaft 61 extending substantially horizontally along the left-right direction of the vehicle body. And it has the inside action part 60a and the inside press part 60b.
[0045]
The inside action part 60 a is a part that extends downward from the inside lever shaft 61 toward the front side of the vehicle, and the extending end part is exposed to the outside through the inner slit 3 a provided in the sub case 3. ing. An inside door handle linking means such as a link or a wire that links the inside acting portion 60a to the inside door handle 8 provided on the indoor side of the door is exposed to a portion exposed to the outside of the lock mechanism accommodating portion 20 (first door). Linking means) 8a is connected. More specifically, the inside door handle linking means 8a is provided so that the inside handle lever 60 swings counterclockwise in FIG. 8 when the inside door handle 8 is opened.
[0046]
The inside pressing part 60 b is a part extending upward from a position that is in the middle of the inside action part 60 a, and the extending end part reaches further upward than the inside lever shaft 61.
[0047]
The cancel lever 70 is disposed at a position above the inside lever shaft 61 in the sub case 3 so as to be rotatable via a cancel lever shaft 71 extending substantially horizontally along the left-right direction of the vehicle body. 8 is always biased clockwise in FIG. 8 by the elastic force of the cancel lever spring 72 interposed between the lock mechanism housing portion 20 and the lock mechanism housing portion 20. The cancel lever 70 is provided with a cancel pressure receiving portion 70a and a cancel protrusion 70b.
[0048]
The cancel pressure receiving portion 70 a is a portion that extends from the cancel lever shaft 71 toward the rear side of the vehicle, and the pressure receiving surface 70 c that is the lower end of the cancel pressure receiving portion 70 a faces the inside pressing portion 60 b of the inside handle lever 60. The cancel pressure receiving portion 70a is provided with a cancel action groove 70d. The cancel action groove 70d is a groove portion formed from the end face located on the rear side of the vehicle toward the cancel lever shaft 71. When the main case 2 and the sub case 3 are joined together, FIG. 10 and FIG. As shown, the second action part 40c of the ratchet lever 40 is located inside.
[0049]
The cancel protrusion 70 b is a small-diameter columnar portion that protrudes from the surface facing the main case 2 at the lower portion of the cancel lever 70.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 3, the input shaft member 80 serves as an operation input portion from a key cylinder KC provided on the door, and the key lever shaft portion 80a and the key lever portion 80b are integrally formed.
[0051]
The key lever shaft portion 80a is a portion for engaging a key rod KR (see FIG. 3) extending from the key cylinder KC, and has a cylindrical shape having a mounting hole 80c for mounting the key rod KR in the shaft center portion. It is made. The mounting hole 80c is a bottomed hole that opens to the front end surface. For example, when the front end portion of the key rod KR is formed in a cross shape, the mounting hole 80c is formed so that the cross section is a cross shape so as to be fitted therein. It is.
[0052]
The key lever portion 80b is a portion extending from the outer peripheral surface of the key lever shaft portion 80a in the radially outward direction, and has a connecting shaft portion 80d at the extending end. The connecting shaft portion 80d is a columnar portion projecting toward the outdoor side.
[0053]
The lock mechanism 90 is in an unlocked state (see FIG. 10) in which the rotation operation of the open lever 50 by the opening door operation of the outside door handle 7 is transmitted to the latch mechanism 30 and the open lever by the opening door operation of the outside door handle 7. 50 is switched to a locked state (see FIG. 11) in which the rotation operation of the main case 2 is not transmitted to the latch mechanism 30, and the main case 2 faces the sub case 3, that is, the main case 2 is covered with the sub case 3. , A lock lever (second operation lever) 910, a worm wheel 920, a link lever 930, a connect lever 940, and a key sub lever 950.
[0054]
The lock lever 910 is disposed in a lateral region of the open operation portion 50b of the open lever 50 via a lock lever shaft 911 extending substantially horizontally along the left-right direction of the vehicle body, It has a connecting portion 912, a button connecting portion 913, and a driven gear portion 914.
[0055]
The link connecting portion 912 is a portion extending radially outward from the lock lever shaft 911, and has a linkage pin portion 915 at the tip thereof, and between the linkage pin portion 915 and the lock lever shaft 911. It has a connecting groove 916. The linkage pin portion 915 is a portion that extends substantially horizontally along the left-right direction of the vehicle main body from the surface located on the indoor side at the distal end portion of the button coupling portion 913. The connection groove 916 is a long hole-like recess formed in the button connection portion 913 on the surface located on the outdoor side.
[0056]
The button connecting portion 913 extends in the radially outward direction from the lock lever shaft 911 in the opposite direction to the link connecting portion 912, and moves in the direction close to the inside action portion 60a of the inside handle lever 60 described above. Are portions arranged side by side in the same manner. The button connecting portion 913 is provided with a connecting columnar body 917. The connecting columnar body 917 is a portion protruding toward the indoor side, and is exposed to the outside through the lock lever slit 3b provided in the sub case 3 when the main case 2 and the sub case 3 are joined to each other. ing. A portion of the connecting columnar body 917 exposed to the outside of the lock mechanism housing portion 20 is provided with a lock button link means (second link means) such as a link or a wire linked to the inside lock button 9 provided on the indoor side of the door. ) 9a is connected. More specifically, when the inside lock button 9 is operated for locking, the lock lever 910 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 10, while when the inside lock button 9 is operated for unlocking, the lock lever 910 is operated as shown in FIG. The lock button link means 9a is provided so as to rotate clockwise in FIG.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 9, the driven gear portion 914 is formed in a fan shape between the link connecting portion 912 and the button connecting portion 913 around the lock lever shaft 911, and a pair of outer teeth 914 a, 914b, first passive teeth 914c and second passive teeth 914d. The pair of outer teeth 914a and 914b, the first passive teeth 914c, and the second passive teeth 914d are provided at three stages of different heights along the extending direction of the lock lever shaft 911. The pair of outer teeth 914a and 914b are provided on both sides of the driven gear portion 914, and are disposed at positions closest to the indoor side. The first passive tooth 914c is provided at a position close to the one outer tooth 914a between the pair of outer teeth 914a and 914b, and is disposed at an intermediate position along the extending direction of the lock lever shaft 911. It is. The second passive tooth 914d is provided at a position between the other outer tooth 914b and the first passive tooth 914c, and is disposed at a position that is the most outdoor side.
[0058]
The worm wheel 920 is disposed in a lateral region of the lock lever 910 so as to be rotatable via a worm shaft 921 extending substantially horizontally along the left-right direction of the vehicle body. The worm wheel 920 is an output shaft 961 of the drive motor 960. It meshes with the worm 962 fixed to An intermittent gear 922 is fixed to the worm wheel 920 on the same axis. The intermittent gear 922 has a basic tooth 922a, a pair of first drive teeth 922b, and a pair of second drive teeth 922c, and a pair of outer teeth 914a and 914b provided on the driven gear portion 914, and a first passive tooth 914c. And the one-way power transmission means is comprised between 914d and the 2nd passive tooth. That is, the basic tooth 922a, the pair of first drive teeth 922b, and the pair of second drive teeth 922c of the intermittent gear 922 are a pair of outer teeth 914a, 914b, a first passive tooth 914c, and a second passive tooth of the driven gear portion 914. Similarly to 914d, it is provided at three stages of different heights along the extending direction of the worm shaft 921, the basic teeth 922a mesh only with the outer teeth 914a and 914b, and the first drive teeth 922b Only the first passive teeth 914c mesh with each other, and the second drive teeth 922c mesh with only the second passive teeth 914d. Although not explicitly shown in the drawing, between the worm wheel 920 and the lock mechanism housing portion 20, a state in which the basic teeth 922 a of the intermittent gear 922 of the worm wheel 920 are directed toward the axis of the lock lever shaft 911 (hereinafter, “ A neutral return spring for maintaining the neutral state).
[0059]
In the power transmission means using the driven gear portion 914 and the intermittent gear 922, the lock lever 910 is counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as the unlock position) to the position shown in FIG. 11 (hereinafter simply referred to as the lock position). When rotated around, each tooth of the driven gear portion 914 does not mesh with any tooth of the intermittent gear 922, so the worm wheel 920 is not rotated. Similarly, when the lock lever 910 is rotated clockwise from the lock position to the unlock position, the worm wheel 920 does not rotate.
[0060]
On the other hand, for example, when the worm wheel 920 is rotated clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 10, after the basic teeth 922a mesh with the outer teeth 914a, the first drive teeth 922b become the first passive teeth 914c. In addition, the second drive tooth 922c meshes with the second passive tooth 914d, and the lock lever 910 is rotated counterclockwise via the driven gear portion 914 to be displaced to the lock position. Become. Note that after the lock lever 910 is displaced from the unlock position to the lock position by the rotation of the worm wheel 920, the lock lever 910 can no longer be rotated by the intermittent gear 922, and a neutral return spring (not shown). Due to the elastic restoring force, the worm wheel 920 returns to the neutral state without rotating the lock lever 910.
[0061]
Similarly, when the worm wheel 920 is rotated counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG. 11, after the basic teeth 922a mesh with the outer teeth 914b, the second drive teeth 922c engage with the second passive teeth 914d. Further, the first drive teeth 922b mesh with the first passive teeth 914c, and the lock lever 910 is rotated clockwise via the driven gear portion 914 to be displaced to the unlock position. Note that after the lock lever 910 is displaced from the locked position to the unlocked position by the rotation of the worm wheel 920, the lock lever 910 can no longer be rotated by the intermittent gear 922, and a neutral return spring (not shown). Due to the elastic restoring force, the worm wheel 920 returns to the neutral state without rotating the lock lever 910.
[0062]
The link lever 930 has a mounting hole 931 at the base end portion thereof. By inserting the opening operation portion 50b of the open lever 50 through the mounting hole 931, the link lever 930 can be moved up and down together with the open operation portion 50b. The open motion part 50b is supported so as to be swingable about an axis along the left-right direction of the vehicle body. The link lever 930 is provided with a lock lever connecting portion 930a, a ratchet driving portion 930b, and a link pressure receiving portion 930c.
[0063]
The lock lever connecting portion 930a is a portion extending radially outward with respect to the shaft center of the mounting hole 931, and the connecting pin portion 915 of the lock lever 910 is inserted into the connecting groove hole 930d formed in the extending end portion. By being penetrated, the lock lever 910 is linked. Specifically, when the lock lever 910 described above is disposed at the unlock position, as shown in FIG. 10, the lock lever connecting portion 930a of the link lever 930 extends substantially vertically upward, while the lock lever 910 , The link lever 930 swings counterclockwise, and as shown in FIG. 11, the link lever 930a is linked so as to extend obliquely upward to the left. .
[0064]
As shown in FIG. 10, the ratchet driving unit 930 b is disposed in a region below the first action unit 40 b in the ratchet lever 40 when the above-described lock lever 910 is disposed in the unlock position, while the lock lever 910 is locked. When arranged at the position, as shown in FIG. 11, the ratchet lever 40 is a portion arranged at a position deviating from the lower region of the first action portion 40 b.
[0065]
The link pressure receiving portion 930c is a portion provided in a wall shape on the front side of the vehicle with respect to the ratchet driving portion 930b at a portion located between the lock lever connecting portion 930a and the base end portion. As shown in FIG. 11, when the lock lever 910 is disposed at the lock position, the link pressure receiving portion 930c is brought into contact with the cancel projection 70b of the cancel lever 70 via the pressure receiving surface located on the vehicle front side. It is provided.
[0066]
The connect lever 940 is disposed on the upper part of the lock mechanism housing portion 20 so as to be swingable via a connect lever shaft 941 extending substantially horizontally along the left-right direction of the vehicle main body, and is downward from the connect lever shaft 941. It is a part that extends toward The connecting lever 940 is provided with a connecting convex portion 942 and a switching pressure receiving portion 943. The connecting convex portion 942 is a cylindrical portion that protrudes substantially horizontally along the left-right direction of the vehicle main body from the surface located on the indoor side at the distal end portion of the connect lever 940. The connecting concave groove of the lock lever 910 described above. 916 is engaged. The pressure-receiving portion 943 for switching is a step portion formed on a surface located on the outside of the outdoor side at the base end portion of the connect lever 940, and includes two pressure-receiving surfaces extending along the radial direction centering on the connect lever shaft 941. Have.
[0067]
The key sub lever 950 is disposed so as to be swingable via the above-described connect lever shaft 941 and extends upward from the connect lever shaft 941. The key sub-lever 950 is provided with a key lever portion connecting hole 951, a lock position switching projection 952, and an unlock position switching projection 953. The key lever portion connecting hole 951 is a long hole formed along the extending direction of the key sub lever 950 at the tip end portion of the key sub lever 950, and the connecting shaft portion 80 d provided in the key lever portion 80 b of the input shaft member 80 is connected to the key lever portion connecting hole 951. Inserted and arranged. The lock position switching projection 952 and the unlock position switching projection 953 are portions extending radially outward from the center of the connect lever shaft 941 at the base end of the key sub lever 950, respectively. The lock position switching projection 952 and the unlock position switching projection 953 are provided with the switching pressure receiving portion 943 of the connect lever 940 described above interposed therebetween.
[0068]
In the lock mechanism 90 configured as described above, when in the unlocked state shown in FIG. 10, as described above, the ratchet drive portion 930 b of the link lever 930 is disposed in the region below the first action portion 40 b of the ratchet lever 40. Is done.
[0069]
Accordingly, when the outside door handle 7 is operated to open from the closed door state and the open lever 50 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 3, the ratchet drive of the link lever 930 is performed in accordance with the upward movement of the open operation portion 50b. The portion 930b moves the first action portion 40b of the ratchet lever 40 upward, the contact engagement state between the hook portion 31b of the latch 31 and the engagement portion 32a of the ratchet 32 is released, and the door is moved to the vehicle body. On the other hand, it can be opened.
[0070]
Further, when the lock mechanism 90 is in the unlocked state, the door can be opened with respect to the vehicle main body also by the opening operation of the inside door handle 8. That is, when the inside door handle 8 is operated to open, the inside handle lever 60 swings clockwise in FIG. 10 and the inside pressing portion 60b presses the cancel pressure receiving portion 70a of the cancel lever 70 to cancel the cancel. Since the lever 70 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 10 and the second action part 40c of the ratchet 32 positioned in the cancel action groove 70d is moved upward, the hook part 31b of the latch 31 is the same as described above. And the engagement portion 32a of the ratchet 32 can be released.
[0071]
When the key sub lever 950 is swung clockwise from this unlocked state, the lock position switching projection 952 of the key sub lever 950 presses the switching pressure receiving portion 943 of the connect lever 940, and the connect lever 940 is moved. It will rock clockwise. When the connect lever 940 swings clockwise, the lock lever 910 connected via the connecting convex portion 942 and the connecting concave groove 916 rotates counterclockwise, and further, as the lock lever 910 rotates. As a result, the link lever 930 swings counterclockwise, and the lock mechanism 90 enters the locked state shown in FIG.
[0072]
Further, the transition from the unlocked state shown in FIG. 10 to the locked state shown in FIG. 11 is not necessarily limited to the swinging of the key sub lever 950, but is locked by rotating the worm wheel 920 clockwise by the drive motor 960. When the lever 910 is directly rotated counterclockwise or when the lock lever 910 is directly rotated counterclockwise by operating the inside lock button 9, the lock lever 910 is rotated. Since the link lever 930 swings counterclockwise, the same operation can be performed.
[0073]
In this locked state, even when the outside door handle 7 is operated to open from the closed door state and the open lever 50 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 3, the ratchet drive unit 930b of the link lever 930 and the ratchet The first action portion 40b of the lever 40 does not contact each other, and the contact engagement state between the hook portion 31b of the latch 31 and the engagement portion 32a of the ratchet 32 is not released. As a result, the door is held closed with respect to the vehicle body, and the vehicle can be locked.
[0074]
In contrast, even in the locked state described above, if the inside door handle 8 is operated to open from the closed door state, the inside handle lever 60 swings clockwise in FIG. By pressing the cancel pressure receiving portion 70a, the cancel lever 70 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. As a result, the link lever 930 that contacts the cancel projection 70b of the cancel lever 70 via the link pressure receiving portion 930c swings clockwise, and the lock mechanism 90 in the locked state is switched to the unlocked state. At the same time, since the second action portion 40c of the ratchet 32 located in the cancel action groove 70d of the cancel lever 70 is moved upward, the contact engagement between the hook portion 31b of the latch 31 and the engagement portion 32a of the ratchet 32 The state is released, and the door can be opened with respect to the vehicle body (one motion function).
[0075]
Further, when the lock mechanism 90 is in the locked state in the open door state, when the door is closed thereafter, the ratchet 32 rotates around the axis of the ratchet shaft 34 as the latch 31 rotates due to the striker S entering, The ratchet lever 40 is rotated so as to move the second action part 40c upward, and the cancel lever 70 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 11 through the second action part 40c. As a result, the link lever 930 that contacts the cancel protrusion 70b of the cancel lever 70 via the link pressure receiving portion 930c swings in the clockwise direction, and the lock mechanism 90 in the locked state is switched to the unlocked state (cancellation function). .
[0076]
When the key sub lever 950 is swung counterclockwise from the locked state described above, the unlock position switching projection 953 of the key sub lever 950 presses the switching pressure receiving portion 943 of the connect lever 940, and the connect lever 940 will be swung counterclockwise. When the connect lever 940 swings counterclockwise, the lock lever 910 connected via the connecting convex portion 942 and the connecting concave groove 916 rotates clockwise. Further, as the lock lever 910 rotates. As a result, the link lever 930 swings clockwise, and the lock mechanism 90 enters the unlocked state shown in FIG.
[0077]
Further, when the lock lever 910 is directly rotated clockwise by rotating the worm wheel 920 counterclockwise by the drive motor 960, or the lock lever 910 is directly rotated clockwise by operating the inside lock button 9. In any case, since the link lever 930 swings clockwise as the lock lever 910 rotates, the lock mechanism 90 enters the unlocked state shown in FIG.
[0078]
On the other hand, in the door latch device, as shown in FIG. 7, a cover member 100 is integrally provided on a main case 2 that is a component of the housing 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover member 100 is attached to the outer surface of the sub case 3 in such a manner that the cover member 100 can be attached to and detached from the sub case 3. The portion exposed to the outside from the sub case 3 of the portion 20 and the portion exposed to the outside from the sub case 3 of the lock mechanism housing portion 20 in the lock lever 910 are covered, and further the outer tube of the inside door handle linking means 8a in the sub case 3 And a portion that holds the outer tube of the lock button link means 9 a in the sub case 3.
[0079]
Here, according to the door latch device configured as described above, the worm wheel 920, the link lever 930, the connect lever 940, and the key sub lever 950, which are components of the lock mechanism 90, and the operation input unit of the lock mechanism 90, The input shaft member 80 is housed inside the housing 1, and only the key rod KR that rotates about its own axis is exposed to the outside from the key cylinder KC to the input shaft member 80 and the lock mechanism 90. Therefore, it is extremely advantageous in terms of anti-theft.
[0080]
Moreover, all the operating levers that can switch the lock mechanism 90 in the locked state to the unlocked state when operated via the linkage means, that is, in the case of the present embodiment, the lock lever 910 and the inside handle lever 60 are as follows. While this is disposed inside the housing 1, the connecting portions 60 a and 917 with the respective linking means 8 a and 9 a are exposed to the outside, and the connecting portions 60 a and 917 exposed to the outside are covered with the cover member 100. I have to. Therefore, when assembling the door latch device, it is possible to perform the operation of connecting the linking means 8a and 9a with the cover member 100 opened, and therefore, the connection workability can be ensured. On the other hand, after the linking means 8a and 9a are connected, the cover member 100 is closed to ensure water resistance and vehicle anti-theft.
[0081]
Furthermore, since the lock lever 910 and the inside handle lever 60 described above are disposed inside the housing 1 in a manner close to each other, the above-described effects can be obtained without requiring a large cover member as before. Therefore, there is no possibility that the manufacturing cost of the door latch device will increase significantly.
[0082]
Further, since the lock lever 910 and the inside handle lever 60 are arranged in parallel with each other in the same swinging direction, the lock button link means 9a and the inside door handle link means 8a which are the respective link means. It is possible to make the wiring directions of the two substantially the same direction. In the present embodiment, it is possible to route the linking means 8a and 9a in an oblique direction that is gradually upward toward the vehicle front side. For this reason, when assembling the door latch device, the handleability of the inside door handle link means 8a and the lock button link means 9a can be improved, and the assembly workability can be improved.
[0083]
In addition, in the door latch device in which the input shaft member 80 serving as the operation input unit is provided at the upper part of the housing 1, the lock lever 910 and the inside handle lever 60 are provided at the lower part of the housing 1. Even when a vehicle to which the door latch device is applied receives a large damage to the door due to a side collision, the possibility of the door being inadvertently opened is extremely reduced. In other words, in the case of a side collision, the outer door handle 7 that protrudes to the outermost side is damaged greatly, such as deformation. However, the lock button linking means 9a connected to the lock lever 910 and the inside door handle linking means 8a connected to the inside handle lever 60 are greatly separated from the input shaft member 80 provided with the outside door handle 7. Since it will be arranged at a lower position, there is no possibility that these linking means 8a, 9a will be affected by a side collision.
[0084]
In the embodiment described above, a door of a four-wheeled vehicle is illustrated as an application target of the door latch device, but a door provided in a vehicle other than the four-wheeled vehicle may be used. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to the door provided on the side surface of the vehicle but also to the rear door. Further, the door may not be a front hinge, and may be applied to a door that opens and closes in another manner, such as an upper hinge door, a rear hinge door, a lower hinge door, and a slide door.
[0085]
In addition, the detailed configuration of the door latch device illustrated in the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and is not necessarily limited to the configuration to which these configurations are applied. For example, the cancel function may be omitted. . However, as for a plurality of operating levers that can switch the lock mechanism in the locked state to the unlocked state when operated through the linkage means among the components of the door latch device, at least the connecting portions with the linkage means are externally connected. As described above, it is necessary to cover the portions exposed to the outside of the housing of the plurality of operation levers with the cover member.
[0086]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the cover member is formed integrally with the housing, so that the number of parts is not increased, but the cover member is not necessarily formed integrally with the housing. In addition, the cover member is detachably attached to the housing, but the cover member is not necessarily detachably attached to the housing. Further, not only the part exposed to the outside of the housing in the operation lever but also the part that holds the linking means in the housing is covered with the cover member. former It is sufficient if it only covers.
[0087]
【The invention's effect】
As explained above, According to the present invention A plurality of operation levers capable of switching the lock mechanism in the locked state to the unlocked state when operated via the linkage means, at least the connecting portions with the linkage means are respectively exposed to the outside and close to each other With the cover member covering the portion exposed to the outside of the housing with the cover member without impairing water resistance and assembling property, and without significantly increasing the manufacturing cost, It becomes possible to improve the vehicle anti-theft property.
[0088]
Also, According to the present invention Since the cover member is formed integrally with the housing, the number of parts does not increase.
[0089]
further, According to the present invention Since the operation levers are arranged side by side in such a manner that the operation directions of the plurality of operation levers are the same, it is possible to set the connecting means in a substantially same direction, and when assembling the door latch device In addition, the handling of the linking means can be improved and the assembly workability can be improved.
[0090]
Furthermore, According to the present invention Since the operation input portion is provided at the upper portion of the housing, the connection portions of the plurality of operation levers to the linking means are provided at the lower portion of the housing, so that the door can be opened even when a side collision occurs in the applied vehicle. It is possible to prevent a situation where the accidental opening occurs.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a door latch device according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the indoor side.
FIG. 2 is an external view of a state in which a cover member of the door latch device shown in FIG. 1 is opened as viewed from the indoor side.
FIG. 3 is an external view of the door latch device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front side of the vehicle.
4 is an external view of the door latch device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the outdoor side.
5A is a view of the latch mechanism of the door latch device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the vehicle front side, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged perspective view showing a ratchet lever of the door latch device shown in FIG.
6A to 6C are conceptual views of the operation of the latch mechanism shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from the rear side of the vehicle.
7 is a view showing the inside of a main case constituting the housing of the door latch device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
8 is a view showing the inside of a sub case constituting the housing of the door latch device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing a part of a lock mechanism applied to the door latch device shown in FIG. 1;
10 is a view showing an unlocked state of a lock mechanism applied to the door latch device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
11 is a view showing a lock state of a lock mechanism applied to the door latch device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Housing
2 Main case
3 secondary cases
3a Slit for inner
3b Slit for lock lever
4 fastening means
5 O-ring
7 Outside door handle
7a Outside door handle linkage means
8 Inside door handle
8a Inside door handle linkage means
9 Inside lock button
9a Lock button linkage means
10 Latch mechanism housing
11 Horizontal notch
12 Arc-shaped notch
20 Locking mechanism housing
30 Latch mechanism
31 Latch
31a Meshing groove
31b Hook part
31c Locking part
32 Ratchet
32a engaging part
33 Latch shaft
34 Ratchet shaft
35 Connecting pin
40 Ratchet lever
40a Pin connector
40b 1st action part
40c 2nd action part
40d pin mounting hole
41 Ratchet spring
50 Open lever
50a Open action part
50b Open operation part
51 Open lever shaft
52 Open lever spring
60 Inside handle lever
60a Inside action part (connection part)
60b Inside pressing part
61 Inside lever shaft
70 Cancel lever
70a Cancel pressure receiving part
70b Cancel protrusion
70c Pressure receiving surface
70d Cancel action groove
71 Cancel lever shaft
72 Cancel lever spring
80 Input shaft member
80a Key lever shaft
80b Key lever part
80c mounting hole
80d connecting shaft
90 Locking mechanism
100 Cover member
910 Lock lever
911 Lock lever shaft
912 Link connection
913 Button connection
914 Driven gear
914a, 914b outer teeth
914c 1st passive tooth
914d Second passive tooth
915 Linking pin
916 Groove for connection
917 Connecting columnar body (connecting part)
920 worm wheel
921 Worm shaft
922 Intermittent gear
922a basic teeth
922b first drive tooth
922c Second drive tooth
930 Link lever
930a Lock lever connecting part
930b ratchet drive
930c Link pressure receiving part
930d Slot for connection
931 mounting hole
940 Connect lever
941 Connect lever shaft
942 Convex projection
943 Switching pressure receiver
950 Key sub lever
951 Key lever connection hole
952 Lock position switching protrusion
953 Protrusion for unlock position switching
960 drive motor
961 Output shaft
962 Warm
KC Key cylinder
KR key rod
S striker

Claims (4)

A latch mechanism that is housed inside the housing and maintains a closed door when in a latched state, and allows an open door when in a released state;
Housed in the housing, while disabling the operation of the door handle when in the locked state, the locking mechanism to enable the operation of the door handle when it becomes unlocked,
The lock mechanism that is connected to the first linkage means that transmits the operation of the inside door handle and is operated through the first linkage means is switched to the unlocked state, and the latch mechanism that is in the latched state is A first operating lever for switching to a release state;
Is connected to a second linkage means for transmitting the operation of the lock button, and a second operating lever for switching the lock mechanism in the locked state to the unlocked state when operating via the second linkage means, at least a connecting portion between 1 linking mechanism and the coupling portion between the second linking means is exposed to the outside than the outer surface of the housing, respectively, and in a manner adjacent to each other of these first operating lever and the second lever of the housing A door latch device that is disposed inside and covers a portion of the first operation lever and the second operation lever exposed to the outside of the housing with a single cover member.   The door latch device according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is formed integrally with the housing. 2. The door latch device according to claim 1, wherein the first operation lever and the second operation lever are arranged side by side in a manner in which the operation directions are the same .   A rotation of a key cylinder by a key operation from the outside of the housing is transmitted to the lock mechanism as a rotational driving force, and further includes an operation input unit that switches the lock mechanism between an unlocked state and a locked state. While the upper part of the housing is provided, the connecting part of the first operating lever with the first linking means and the connecting part of the second operating lever with the second linking means are provided at the lower part of the housing. The door latch device according to claim 1.

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