JP4109335B2 - Locking device for vehicle glove box - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle glove box having a lid that can be opened and closed provided on a dashboard or the like of a passenger compartment, and in particular, has a latch mechanism between a main body and a lid, and the lid is closed and latched It is related with the locking device of the glove box for vehicles which can be locked / unlocked selectively.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, a dashboard in front of a passenger compartment of an automobile is provided with a glove box for storing small items. Such a glove box is provided with an openable / closable lid that is pivotally supported by a hinge so that the small items stored therein are prevented from jumping out and the lid of the vehicle compartment is closed. The aesthetics are improved.
[0003]
By the way, the lid of the glove box as described above is closed so that the latch of the latch mechanism provided therein engages with the striker and maintains the closed state. In addition, this latch mechanism is generally provided with a lock device (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-41819) in order to prevent the theft of what is stored in the glove box when there is no passenger.
[0004]
On the other hand, in recent years, a receiver has been provided on the vehicle side, and a so-called keyless entry or an ignition key that locks / unlocks the door by sending a signal from the outside of the vehicle by a transmitter is pulled out / inserted into a key hole near the handle of the driver's seat. Accordingly, a vehicle antitheft device has been widely used which can transmit / receive signals to permit / inhibit engine starting. With these devices, the door can be locked / unlocked and the engine can be started without complicated handling, and the anti-theft effect is improved.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as described above, since the manual lock device is independently provided in the glove box, the glove box must be locked / unlocked every time the passenger gets on and off, and the handling is complicated. Not only did it tend to forget the lock.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and its main object is to provide a vehicle glove capable of enhancing the antitheft effect of the contents stored in the vehicle glove box by simple handling. The object is to provide a box locking device.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, the object as described above is provided between a main body that has a storage chamber and opens into the vehicle interior, a lid that can open and close the opening, and an edge of the opening and the lid. A latch mechanism comprising a striker and a latch member engageable / detachable with the striker, a first position for maintaining the latch member engaged with the striker, and an engagement state of the latch member with the striker And a glove box locking device for a vehicle glove box having an operation portion spring-biased toward the first position, wherein the latch member is attached to the striker. Between a fixed position for engaging the latch member or the operating member in the engaged state to fix the engaged state and a fixed release position for releasing the engagement with the latch member or the operating portion. A lock member provided to be able to move, a drive device for driving the lock member between the fixed position and the fixed release position, a means for recognizing that an authorized passenger has boarded, and the operation unit And a sensor that detects the start of operation of the operation unit, the lock member is normally in the fixed position, and the recognition means recognizes that an authorized passenger has boarded the vehicle. When the operation unit is approached by the sensor, or when the opening of the lid by the operation unit is detected by the sensor, the driving device is operated to release the lock member. driven into position, while permitting opening operation of the lid by the operation unit, the operator on the operating unit by the sensor is approaching, or opening operation start of the lid by the operation unit Said drive device when not being detected is achieved by providing a locking device for a vehicle glove box and returning the locking member to the locked position. In particular, it is good to recognize that an authorized passenger has boarded in conjunction with a keyless entry or a vehicle antitheft device.
[0008]
In this way, for example, by automatically locking / unlocking the glove box in conjunction with a keyless entry or vehicle anti-theft device, the glove box can be secured without any separate operation. .
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a dashboard 1 on the front side of a passenger compartment provided with a glove box to which the present invention is applied. A handle 2 and the like is provided on the left side of the driver's seat toward the page, and a glove box is provided in the lower front part on the right side of the passenger seat via a central portion 3 provided with a radio and an air conditioner control panel. 4 is provided. The opening of the glove box 4 is provided with a lid 5 having a hinge at its lower part so as to be opened and closed. In addition, a U-shaped striker 6 is provided at the upper central portion in the opening of the glove box 4. A latch member 11 of the latch mechanism 8 described later is provided at a position corresponding to the striker 6 on the lid 5 side. An operation portion 7 is provided at a position of the lid 5 that is spaced from the latch member toward the left and right driver's seat.
[0011]
FIG. 2A is an enlarged plan view showing the latch mechanism 8 and the lock device 9 including the operation unit 7, and FIG. 2B is a partial cross-sectional rear view of FIG. As shown well in each figure, the latch mechanism 8 is engaged with the striker 6 on one end side (passenger seat side) of the base member 10 extending in the lateral direction within the lid 5 and the base member 10. A latch member 11 having a substantially disk shape supported rotatably with a rotating shaft 12 and a base for selectively rotating the latch member 11 with one end selectively engaged with the latch member 11. And a slider 13 supported by the member 10. The other end of the slider 13 is connected to an operation unit 7 provided on the other end side (driver's seat side) of the base member 10.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 5 as viewed along the line VV in FIG. 2B, a striker engagement groove 11a is formed in the peripheral edge portion of the latch member 11, and this striker engagement groove is formed when the lid 5 is closed. 11 a is adapted to engage with the striker 6. Further, a slider engaging groove 11b is formed at the peripheral edge of the latch member 11 on the side opposite to the striker engaging groove 11a so that it can be engaged with the one end of the slider 13. The latch member 11 is urged by a torsion coil spring 14 in a direction to release the engagement state with the striker 6. The slider 13 is slidable between a first position where the slider 13 is engaged with the latch member 11 to prohibit the rotation of the latch member 11 and a second position where the latch member 11 is rotatable. Yes.
[0013]
The other end of the slider 13 is engaged with an operation button 17 supported by the casing 16 of the operation unit 7 so as to be able to protrude and retract in the left-right direction. When the operation button 17 is immersed, that is, when operated, the slider 13 is in the second position. The operation button 17 and the slider 13 are urged by the compression coil spring 18 in the protruding direction of the operation button 17, that is, the direction in which the slider 13 is directed to the first position.
[0014]
On the other hand, the lock device 9 is a device for selectively prohibiting / permitting the operation of opening the lid 5, that is, a device for selectively fixing / unlocking the latch member 11 of the latch mechanism while being engaged with the striker 6, A lock member 20 rotatably supported by the annular boss 10a of the base member 10 and a rotary solenoid 21 that rotationally drives the lock member 20 are provided. Further, the rotary solenoid 21 transmits / receives a signal by inserting / removing a keyless entry system (not shown) and / or an ignition key into a key hole in the vicinity of the steering wheel of the driver's seat, thereby permitting / prohibiting the start of the vehicle. Based on a signal from the device, the control device 22 is connected to a controller 22 for recognizing that an authorized passenger has boarded, and is selectively energized.
[0015]
The lock member 20 has a substantially cylindrical shape having a cutout portion 20a on a part of the outer peripheral surface, and the cutout portion 20a aligns with the end face of the operation button 17 and allows the operation button 17 to be inserted with the rotation thereof. The first rotation position (FIGS. 3A and 2B) that enables the latch member 11 and the striker 6 to be disengaged and the notch 20a are not aligned with the end face of the operation button 17. In other words, the second rotation position (FIG. 3B, FIG. 4) for fixing the latch member 11 in a state in which the latch member 11 is engaged with the striker 6 by preventing the operation button 17 from being brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface can be taken. It has become. Normally, the lock member 20 is in the second rotation position, and is rotated to the first position only when the rotary solenoid 21 is energized by the control device 22. The balls and compression coil springs indicated by reference numerals 23 and 24 are provided to prevent the rattling of the lock member 20.
[0016]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the operation unit 7 is provided with a proximity sensor 25. When the operation button 17 approaches the operation button 17 while recognizing a regular passenger, the rotary solenoid 21 is energized only while it is detected and operated. As a result, the power consumption is suppressed as compared with the case where power is always supplied during the recognition of the authorized passenger. Needless to say, a touch sensor for detecting the start of an operation, a limit switch, or the like may be used instead of the proximity sensor.
[0017]
Hereinafter, the operation procedure of the glove box of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6 showing the latch released state, that is, the state where the lid 5 is opened, and FIG. 7 showing the latched state. First, the control device 22 recognizes that an authorized passenger has boarded, that is, the door is unlocked by the keyless entry system, or the ignition key inserted into the ignition switch is recognized as an authorized key. To do. As described above, the rotary solenoid 21 is not energized as it is, and the lock member 20 is in the second rotational position (FIG. 3B).
[0018]
When the lid 5 is closed in the direction of arrow A from the opened state (FIG. 6), the striker 6 comes into contact with the contact portion 11c provided above the striker engaging groove 11a of the latch member 11, and the latch member 11 is moved. The striker 6 is rotated clockwise in the drawing against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 14, and the striker 6 is engaged with the striker engaging groove 11a. Then, the slider 13 that has been in contact with the side surface of the latch member 11 by the urging force of the compression coil spring 15 is engaged with the slider engagement groove 11b as the latch member 11 rotates, and this latched state is maintained. Is kept closed (FIG. 7).
[0019]
When the passenger gets off in this state, the control device 22 recognizes that, that is, when the door is locked by the keyless entry system or the ignition key is removed from the ignition switch, the proximity sensor 25 detects the operation of the operation button 17. However, the energization of the rotary solenoid 21 remains cut off, that is, the lock member 20 is in the second rotational position (FIG. 3B) due to the urging force of the return spring (not shown) in the rotary solenoid 21. Will remain. Therefore, the notch 20a does not align with the end surface of the operation button 17, the end surface of the operation button 17 abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the lock member 20, and prevents the operation button 17 from being immersed, and the latch member 11 is engaged with the striker 6. It will be fixed in the state. Even if the operation button 17 is pressed in this state, the lid 5 cannot be opened. Here, there is a concern that an excessive load is applied to the rotary shaft 21a of the rotary solenoid 21 when the operation button 17 is forcibly pressed when the lock member 20 is in the second rotational position. However, the lock member 20 is provided with a long hole 20b extending in parallel with the sliding direction of the slider 13 when the lock member 20 is in the second rotation position, and the chamfered rotary shaft 21a is connected to the long hole 20b. The rotary solenoid 21 and the lock member 20 are engaged with each other, and the long hole 20b has a gap L in a state where the rotary shaft 21a is fitted. Further, the lock member 20 is supported by the annular boss 10 a of the base member 10. Therefore, the load is actually received by the base member 10 via the lock member 20, so there is no concern.
[0020]
Next, while the authorized passenger gets on again and the control device 22 recognizes it, when the proximity sensor 25 detects the start of the operation button 17, the rotary solenoid 21 is energized only at that time, The lock member 20 is held in a state of rotating from the second position to the first rotation position. Then, the notch 20a aligns with the end face of the operation button 17 to allow the operation button 17 to be immersed, and the latch member 11 and the striker 6 can be disengaged.
[0021]
When the lid 5 is opened in this state, the operation button 17 is retracted against the urging force of the compression coil spring 15, that is, the slider 13 is pulled out of the slider engaging groove 11b against the urging force of the compression coil spring 15. . Then, the latch member 11 rotates counterclockwise by the weight of the lid 5 and the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 14 engaged with the latch member 11, and the engagement state between the striker 6 and the striker engagement groove 11a is released. The lid 5 is movable in the direction of arrow B, that is, in the opening direction.
[0022]
In this embodiment, as the driving device of the lock device, a rotary solenoid that rotates by a predetermined angle when energized and returns to the original position by the biasing force of the return spring by interrupting energization is used. Alternatively, position control may be performed using an actuator having a structure such as a stepping motor.
[0023]
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 2A showing another embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those in the above embodiment, and the detailed description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, a shaft member 30 as a lock member that is driven in a protruding and retracting direction by a solenoid 31 as a driving means is provided in the vicinity of the latch member 11 and selectively engages with a long hole 13 a formed in the slider 13. It is supposed to be. That is, the shaft member 30 is in an immersive position (dashed line in FIG. 8) that allows the latch member 11 and the striker 6 to be disengaged, and a protruding position (FIG. 8) in which the latch member 11 and the striker 6 are engaged. (Solid line) can be taken. Normally, the shaft member 30 protrudes by a return spring (not shown) in the solenoid 31, and only when the solenoid 31 is energized by the control device 22, the shaft member 30 can be immersed to disengage the latch member 11 from the striker 6. Here, the shaft member 30 is guided by a guide hole 32 provided in the base member 10, and even when the operation button 17 is forcibly pressed when the shaft member 30 protrudes, the load is applied to the side wall of the guide hole 32, that is, the base. There is no concern that an excessive force is applied to the solenoid 31 because the member 10 receives the force. Since the operation point of this embodiment is the same as that of the above embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
As apparent from the above description, according to the glove box locking device for a vehicle according to the present invention, it is recognized that a regular passenger has boarded in conjunction with, for example, a keyless entry or a vehicle antitheft device. By automatically performing the locking / unlocking of the glove box, it is possible to perform security of the glove box without the need for complicated operations such as locking / unlocking with the cylinder key, and without the passenger being conscious. Thus, the power consumption can be suppressed by operating the locking member driving device and allowing the lid opening operation only when the operator approaches the operation section or when the lid opening operation start is detected.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a main part of a dashboard on the front surface of a passenger compartment where a glove box to which the present invention is applied is installed.
2A is an enlarged partial cross-sectional plan view showing a latch mechanism 8 and a lock device 9 including an operation section 7, and FIG. 2B is a partial cross-sectional rear view of FIG.
3A is a view showing a state where the lock member 20 is in a first rotation position, and FIG. 3B is a view showing a state where the lock member 20 is in a second rotation position.
4 is a view similar to FIG. 2B, showing a state where the lock member 20 is in the second rotational position. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a front view of an essential part showing a modification of each embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the operating procedure in the embodiment of the present invention together with FIG.
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 2 (a) showing another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Dashboard 2 Handle 3 Center part 4 Glove box 5 Cover body 6 Striker 7 Operation part 8 Latch mechanism 9 Locking device 10 Base member 10a Annular boss 11 Latch member 11a Striker engagement groove 11b Slider engagement groove 11c Contact part 12 Rotation Shaft 13 Slider 13a Long hole 14 Coil spring 15 Compression coil spring 16 Casing 17 Operation button 20 Lock member 20a Notch portion 20b Long hole 21 Rotary solenoid 21a Rotating shaft 22 Controller 23 Ball 24 Compression coil spring 25 Proximity sensor 30 Shaft member 31 Solenoid 32 guide hole

Claims (2)

A main body having a storage chamber and opening in the vehicle compartment, a lid body capable of opening and closing the opening, a striker provided between an edge of the opening and the lid body, and engageable / detachable with the striker A latch mechanism composed of a latch member, a first position for maintaining the engagement state of the latch member with the striker, and a second position for releasing the engagement state of the latch member with the striker can be taken. And a locking device for a vehicle glove box having an operation portion spring-biased toward the first position,
Fixing for releasing the engagement between the latch member or the operation portion and the fixed position where the latch member is engaged with the latch member or the operation member to fix the engagement state of the latch member with the striker. A locking member provided so as to be displaceable between two positions with a release position;
A drive device for driving the lock member between the fixed position and the fixed release position;
A means of recognizing that an authorized passenger has boarded,
A sensor that detects that an operator has approached the operation unit, or an operation start of the operation unit;
The locking member is normally in the fixed position;
While the recognition means recognizes that an authorized passenger has boarded, the sensor detects that the operator has approached the operation unit or the operation unit has started to open the lid. Sometimes the drive device is operated to drive the lock member to the fixed release position, allowing the opening operation of the lid by the operation unit,
The operator on the operating unit by the sensor is approaching, or the driving device when the opening operation start of the lid by the operation unit is not detected and returning said locking member to said locked position Locking device for vehicle glove box.     Based on the operation of a keyless entry system that consists of a receiver provided on the vehicle side and a portable transmitter that remotely controls locking / unlocking of the door or a vehicle antitheft device that automatically recognizes an ignition key when the engine is started 2. The glove box locking device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein it recognizes that an authorized passenger has boarded.

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