JP5824767B2 - Vehicle locking device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle locking device provided with an electric actuator that releases a meshing state of a latch and a ratchet of a meshing mechanism.

  For example, for a back door such as a one-box car, the engagement mechanism is engaged with a striker on the vehicle body side to lock the door, and the electric actuator is operated to release the engagement state between the engagement mechanism and the striker. A vehicle locking device that can unlock the door may be used.

  In such a vehicle locking device, Patent Literature 1 discloses an electrically-released locking device for a back door of a vehicle that can release the engagement state between the meshing mechanism and the striker by the driving force of the motor. . The lock device includes a worm that rotates integrally with an output shaft of an electric motor (motor unit), a worm wheel (intermediate gear) that is rotated by the worm, and an open lever (release lever) that is operated by the worm wheel. Is provided. Then, the engagement state between the latch (hook) and the ratchet constituting the meshing mechanism is released by the operation of the open lever, thereby releasing the engagement state between the meshing mechanism and the striker.

Japanese Patent No. 45239595

  By the way, in the structure of the said patent document 1, although an electric motor, a worm | warm, and an open lever are provided in one surface side of the plate-shaped unit fixing | fixed part (upper base plate), an open lever is provided below the lowest part of the external shape of a worm wheel. The rotation shaft (support shaft) is arranged. That is, since the worm wheel and the open lever are arranged in series in the vertical direction, there is a problem that the vertical dimension increases and the apparatus becomes large. In addition, because the vertical dimension is large, the inertia at the time of opening and closing the door increases, so it is necessary to increase the strength of the unit fixing part that supports the electric motor, etc., and the size of the device is further increased and the weight is also increased. is there.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locking device that can reduce the size of an electric actuator and reduce the size and weight of the device.

  A vehicle locking device according to the present invention includes a cover plate in which a housing portion that houses a meshing mechanism is formed, a cover portion that covers a part of the housing portion, and a fixed portion that is bent and rises from the cover portion. The vehicle locking device includes a back plate that is fixed to the cover plate, and an electric actuator that is held by the fixing portion and that releases the meshing state of the latch and the ratchet of the meshing mechanism, An open lever that is supported rotatably about the first rotation axis and operates the engagement mechanism in a direction to release the engagement state, and is supported rotatably about the second rotation axis, and a driving force from a drive source A worm wheel that operates the open lever by being rotated by the open lever and the worm wheel, Serial and the cover portion side of the fixed part arranged on the opposite side of the first axis of rotation, characterized in that it is disposed above the lowest part of the outer shape of the worm wheel.

  According to such a configuration, by installing the first rotating shaft that supports the open lever in the vehicle locking device above the lowermost part of the outer shape of the worm wheel, a relatively large shape among the components of the electric actuator. The worm wheel having the position can be disposed as downward as possible on the back surface of the fixed portion of the back plate while avoiding the first rotation shaft that supports the open lever. That is, since the position of the worm wheel can be reduced to the maximum while avoiding the first rotating shaft, the electric actuator can be reduced in size. In particular, when the position of the worm wheel is lowered, the vertical dimension of the electric actuator is reduced, so that, for example, the inertia when the back door is opened and closed can be reduced, and the fixed portion can be reduced in size and weight. The lock device can be reduced in size and weight.

  In this case, when the first rotating shaft is installed at a position deviated from the outer shape of the worm wheel, the worm wheel can be brought as close as possible to the back surface of the fixed portion, and the electric actuator can be reduced in the front-rear direction. Since it can be made thinner (thinner), for example, the attachment to the back door is further improved, and the inertia reduction effect is further improved.

A space portion is formed from the rear end of the housing portion to the rear end of the cover portion, and the lowermost portion of the worm wheel is included in the space portion so as to intersect a straight line extending the cover portion. it may be placed in that position. Thus, by lowering the lowermost part of the worm wheel to the space, the electric actuator can be more easily downsized.

  You may provide the actuator case which accommodates the said electric actuator, covers and covers from the back surface of the said fixing | fixed part to the back of the said accommodating part. That is, since the actuator case is attached to the fixed portion so as to cover the opening of the housing portion that is not covered by the back plate, there is no need to separately attach a cover that covers the opening of the housing portion, and the actuator case that houses the electric actuator. Therefore, the thickness direction dimension and weight can be suppressed. In addition, since the back plate that covers the front side of the housing portion and the actuator case that covers the rear side of the housing portion are installed in a positional relationship that does not interfere with each other, the actuator case is placed as close as possible to the cover plate for the vehicle. The lock device can be further downsized.

  According to the present invention, the first rotating shaft that supports the open lever in the vehicle locking device is installed above the lowermost part of the outer shape of the worm wheel. As a result, the position of the worm wheel can be lowered to the maximum while avoiding the first rotating shaft, so that the electric actuator can be reduced in size, and the vehicle locking device can be reduced in size and weight.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a vehicle locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a back door. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle locking device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view of the vehicle locking device shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view of the vehicle locking device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the vehicle locking device shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on the back door of a four-wheeled vehicle. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cover plate. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing the engagement state between the striker and the latch provided in the vehicle main body and the engagement state between the latch and the ratchet at that time. FIG. 7A shows the latch in the unlatched position. FIG. 7B shows a state where the latch is in the half latch position, and FIG. 7C shows a state where the latch is in the full latch position. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the main body. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the back plate. FIG. 10 is a rear view of the vehicle locking device with the actuator case removed. FIG. 11 is a side view of the vehicle locking device shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a front view showing the configuration of the actuator unit.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the vehicle locking device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle locking device (latch device) LA according to the present embodiment engages a meshing mechanism LM with a striker S provided on a vehicle body (vehicle body) B of a four-wheeled vehicle. A back door D called a tailgate is kept closed with respect to the main body B. This vehicle locking device LA is an electric release type locking device that can release the locked state (engaged state with the striker S) in the meshing mechanism LM by driving the electric actuator. The back door D is supported on the upper edge of the rear end of the vehicle main body B, and opens and closes the opening of the rear end of the vehicle main body B by rotating around the axial center along the left-right direction (see FIG. 5). .

  In the following, the vehicle inner side (vehicle front side) in the mounting direction of the vehicle locking device LA shown in FIG. 1 to the back door D is the front, the vehicle outer side (vehicle rear side) is the rear, and the height direction is the vertical direction ( (Upper and lower) will be described. The definitions of these directions are for convenience of explanation, and the direction of the vehicle locking device LA in the vehicle main body B naturally changes depending on the mounting position thereof.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the vehicle locking device LA of the present embodiment includes a cover plate 10, a main body 40, and a back plate 50.

  The cover plate 10 serves as a base of the vehicle locking device LA and is formed of a metal plate having a relatively large thickness. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6, the cover plate 10 is provided with a striker entry groove 11 and an arch 15 in a plate base portion 10 a that forms a rectangular concave housing portion 14 that gradually becomes shallower from the front end toward the rear end. As shown in FIG. 7, the latch shaft 12 and the ratchet shaft 13 are provided on both sides of the striker entry groove 11.

  The accommodating portion 14 is a recess whose both side walls gradually become lower from the front end toward the rear end and the depth gradually decreases (see FIG. 6), and the latch 20 and the ratchet 30 constituting the meshing mechanism LM therein. (See FIGS. 1 and 7). The striker entry groove 11 is a notch formed from the center of the front end of the plate base portion 10a toward the back, and has a width that allows the striker S to be inserted. The arch 15 is a gate wall that stands upward so as to bridge the striker entry groove 11 at the front end of the plate base 10a, and improves the strength of the cover plate 10 by connecting the vicinity of the front end opening of the striker entry groove 11. Is. The latch shaft 12 and the ratchet shaft 13 protrude from the inner surface of the plate base portion 10a and are arranged in parallel to each other. A latch 20 is rotatably supported on the latch shaft 12, and a ratchet 30 is rotatably supported on the ratchet shaft 13 (see FIG. 7).

  The latch 20 constitutes the meshing mechanism LM, and as shown in FIG. 7, is a plate-like member into which the latch shaft 12 is inserted through a through-hole formed at substantially the center. The latch 20 includes an engagement groove 21 that opens to the outer peripheral surface, a hook portion 22 that is positioned on the right side of the engagement groove 21, a striker contact portion 23 that is positioned on the left side of the engagement groove 21, and a striker contact portion 23. On the upper surface on the opposite side of the engaging groove 21 with the latch shaft 12 interposed therebetween, a ridge 20b extending in the circumferential direction around the latch shaft 12 is formed. . The latch 20 rotates about the axis of the latch shaft 12 so that the engagement groove 21 intersects the striker entry groove 11. The latch 20 is biased counterclockwise in FIG. 7 about the latch shaft 12 by a latch spring (not shown) disposed between the main body 40 and the latch 20. When a detection unit (not shown) of a detection switch 120 (see FIG. 10) disposed in the housing unit 14 is brought into contact with the ridge 20b, a rotational position (full latch position) of a latch 20 described later is detected.

  The ratchet 30 constitutes a meshing mechanism LM and regulates the rotational position of the latch 20, and as shown in FIG. 7, a plate-like member into which the ratchet shaft 13 is inserted into a through hole formed substantially at the center. It is. The ratchet 30 includes a latch engagement portion 31 that extends radially outward on the outer periphery of the through hole through which the ratchet shaft 13 is inserted, a release operation portion 32, and a stop piece 34. The ratchet 30 rotates about the axis of the ratchet shaft 13 and is urged clockwise around the ratchet shaft 13 by a ratchet spring (not shown) disposed between the ratchet shaft 13 and the body body 40. . The latch meshing portion 31 extends radially outward from the ratchet shaft 13 and meshes with the striker abutting portion 23 or the outer peripheral claw portion 24 of the latch 20, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C. Thus, the counterclockwise rotation of the latch 20 is restricted. The stop piece 34 extends outward in the radial direction on the opposite side of the ratchet shaft 13 with respect to the latch engagement portion 31 and the release operation portion 32, and is formed of an elastic member or the like protruding from the upper surface of the plate base portion 10a. By contacting the stopper 16, rotation of the ratchet 30 in FIG. 7 in the clockwise direction is restricted.

  Here, the engaging operation between the meshing mechanism LM and the striker S will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing an engagement state between the striker S and the latch 20 provided in the vehicle main body B and a meshing state between the latch 20 and the ratchet 30 at that time, and FIG. FIG. 7B shows a state in which the latch 20 is in the half latch position, and FIG. 7C shows a state in which the latch 20 is in the full latch position.

  First, as shown in FIG. 7A, the opening of the engagement groove 21 matches the opening of the striker entry groove 11 formed in the plate base portion 10a, and the hook portion 22 is located on the right side of the engagement groove 21. Is in a state of being retracted from the striker entry groove 11, the latch 20 is not engaged with the striker S. Hereinafter, the case where the latch 20 is in the position shown in FIG. 7A where the striker S is not engaged is referred to as an “unlatched position” of the latch 20. When the latch 20 is in the unlatched position, the back door D can be opened and closed without operating an operation handle (not shown) or the like provided on the back door D.

  Next, when the back door D is closed, the vehicle locking device LA approaches so as to engage with the striker S provided in the vehicle main body B. As a result, the latch 20 rotates in the clockwise direction (hereinafter referred to as “engagement direction”) about the latch shaft 12 as it engages with the striker S, and as shown in FIG. 22 will be in the state which crosses this, moving gradually from the front-end side of the striker approach groove | channel 11 to the back | inner side. In this state, the latch 20 is engaged with the striker S in front of the full latch position, which will be described later. However, since the latch engagement portion 31 of the ratchet 30 is engaged with the outer peripheral claw portion 24, the counterclockwise direction ( Hereinafter, rotation in the “opening direction”) is restricted. Hereinafter, the case where the latch 20 is in the position shown in FIG. 7B is referred to as the “half latch position” of the latch 20. When the latch 20 is in the half latch position, the back door D cannot be opened unless the operation handle or the like is operated to switch the latch 20 to the unlatched position.

  When the latch 20 further rotates in the clockwise direction from the half latch position, the hook portion 22 crosses the inner portion of the striker entry groove 11, thereby closing the opening of the striker entry groove 11. In this state, the latch 20 is completely engaged with the striker S, and the latch engagement portion 31 is in contact with the striker contact portion 23, so that rotation in the opening direction is restricted. Hereinafter, the case where the latch 20 is in the position shown in FIG. 7C is referred to as the “full latch position” of the latch 20. When the latch 20 is in the full latch position, the back door D cannot be opened unless an operation handle or the like is operated to drive an actuator unit 100 described later and the latch 20 is switched to the unlatched position.

  The release operation part 32 of the ratchet 30 releases the meshing state with the latch 20 by rotating the ratchet 30 away from the latch 20 which is the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 7 and returning the latch 20 to the unlatched position. Functions as an operation unit. That is, by operating the release operation unit 32, the engagement state between the engagement mechanism LM and the striker S shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C (the engagement state between the latch 20 and the ratchet 30) is released. can do. The release operation portion 32 extends radially outward from the outer periphery of the through hole through which the ratchet shaft 13 is inserted, and is adjacent to the latch engagement portion 31.

  The main body 40 is fitted and fixed in the accommodating portion 14 from above the latch 20 and the ratchet 30 disposed on the upper surface of the plate base portion 10a. As shown in FIGS. The shaft insertion holes 41 and 42 formed at positions corresponding to the latch shaft 12 and the ratchet shaft 13, the buffer grooves 43 formed at positions corresponding to the striker entry grooves 11, and the arch 15 of the cover plate 10 are fitted. And a shallow arch-shaped recess 48 formed on the front surface.

  The shaft insertion holes 41 and 42 are through holes having an inner diameter in which the latch shaft 12 and the ratchet shaft 13 are fitted, and the length along the axial direction is set shorter than the latch shaft 12 and the ratchet shaft 13. . The buffer groove 43 is a notch provided from the center of the front end of the main body 40 toward the base end, and is formed to have a slightly narrower width than the striker entry groove 11. The buffer groove 43 has a size that allows the end of the opening to pass through the striker S, and is formed so that the width gradually decreases toward the back. In the innermost part of the buffer groove 43, an elastic part 44 for cushioning is installed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 9, the back plate 50 is a latch cover portion (cover portion) that covers the back side surface of the main body 40 to cover the front end portion of the housing portion 14 to the center portion and slightly rearward. ) A plate-like member having 50A and a unit fixing portion (fixing portion) 50B which is bent and stands up in a direction away from the main body 40 from the back portion (rear end) of the latch cover portion 50A. It is formed of a metal plate thinner than the plate 10.

  The latch cover portion 50 </ b> A has shaft attachment holes 51 and 52 formed at positions corresponding to the shaft insertion holes 41 and 42 of the main body 40, and a bulging portion 53 at a position corresponding to the striker entry groove 11 of the cover plate 10. Is formed. The latch cover portion 50A is attached to the cover plate 10 by caulking the tip end portion of the latch shaft 12 and the tip end portion of the ratchet shaft 13 in the shaft attachment holes 51 and 52, respectively. Cover). The bulging portion 53 is a flat dome-shaped bulge extending from the front end of the latch cover portion 50A to the lower portion of the unit fixing portion 50B, and functions as a relief portion from the upper surface of the buffer groove 43 of the main body 40. It has a function of improving the strength of the latch cover portion 50A (back plate 50).

  The unit fixing part 50B is a part for fixing the actuator unit (electric actuator) 100 (see FIGS. 1, 10, and 11). As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 9, the unit fixing portion 50B has an open lever shaft (first rotation shaft) 101 and a worm wheel shaft (second rotation shaft) on the surface (front surface) on the latch cover portion 50A side. ) 102, and a substantially fan-shaped opening 57 through which the auxiliary input portion 136 a of the open lever 130 is inserted.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 10, and 11, the back plate 50 has a bent portion from the latch cover portion 50 </ b> A to the unit fixing portion 50 </ b> B disposed at a position ahead of the rear end of the housing portion 14 of the cover plate 10. Yes. For this reason, the rear lower part of the bent part from the latch cover part 50A to the unit fixing part 50B, that is, the rear end of the receiving part 14 of the cover plate 10 to the rear end of the latch cover part 50A of the back plate 50 (the lower end of the unit fixing part 50B). ) Is formed with a space S that is a space in which almost no components are arranged.

  The actuator unit 100 held by the unit fixing portion 50B is an electric actuator for releasing the engagement state between the latch 20 and the ratchet 30 by the driving force of the electric motor 110 and releasing the engagement state between the engagement mechanism LM and the striker S. is there. With this actuator unit 100, the vehicle locking device LA is configured as an electric release type locking device.

  10 is a rear view of the vehicle locking device LA with the actuator case 150 removed, FIG. 11 is a side view of the vehicle locking device LA shown in FIG. 10, and FIG. It is a front view which shows the structure.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the actuator unit 100 includes an electric motor (drive source) 110, an open lever (release lever) 130, a worm wheel (cam gear, helical gear) 170, and a return spring 180. Is provided. The electric motor 110, the open lever 130, the worm wheel 170, and the return spring 180 are attached to the back side of the unit fixing portion 50B and accommodated in the actuator case (unit cover) 150. 10 and 12 show initial positions of the open lever 130 and the worm wheel 170 before the latching state of the latch 20 and the ratchet 30 is released.

  The actuator case 150 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin material, and has a size that covers from the back surface of the unit fixing portion 50B to the rear side of the housing portion 14, that is, a size that covers substantially the entire back surface side of the vehicle locking device LA. The entire actuator unit 100 is accommodated except for a part of the open lever 130 extending into the accommodation part 14, and is attached to the unit fixing part 50B by fastening means such as screws. At this time, the lower end of the actuator case 150 covers the both sides and the upper edge of the arc-shaped portion 17 that is bent upward and rolls at the rear end of the cover plate 10 (accommodating portion 14), thereby rearward of the accommodating portion 14. (See FIGS. 1 and 4). As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the actuator case 150 is integrally formed with the open lever shaft 101, and the tip thereof is fitted into the support hole 55 of the unit fixing portion 50B. Since the open lever 130 that is rotatably supported by the open lever shaft 101 is sandwiched between the actuator case 150 and the unit fixing portion 50B, the open lever shaft 101 requires a flange portion or a caulking portion. Without downsizing, it is possible to reduce the size (thinning) of the actuator case 150 in the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the electric motor 110 is disposed at a position farthest from the open lever shaft 101 of the actuator case 150, and a worm (screw gear) 112 is provided on the output shaft (drive shaft) 111. The output shaft 111 is inclined downward in the vertical direction. The worm 112 meshes with a gear portion 171 formed on the peripheral surface of the worm wheel 170 and rotates the worm wheel 170 around the axis of the worm wheel shaft 102 by driving the electric motor 110. The worm wheel shaft 102 is installed so as to protrude from the inner surface of the actuator case 150, and the tip thereof is inserted into the support hole 56 of the unit fixing portion 50B. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, the terminals 110a and 110b for energizing the electric motor 110 are disposed on a connection connector 152 formed at the upper end of the actuator case 150 together with the terminals 120a and 120b of the detection switch 120 described above. And connected to a vehicle harness (not shown).

  The open lever 130 constitutes release means for releasing the engagement between the latch 20 and the ratchet 30, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, an open lever shaft provided below the opening 57 of the unit fixing portion 50B. 101 is rotatably supported.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the open lever 130 is disposed between the unit fixing portion 50 </ b> B and the worm wheel 170, and includes an output arm 131, an input arm 132, an auxiliary input arm 136, and an open lever. And a shaft hole 134 through which the shaft 101 is inserted. The hook-shaped hooking portion 139 formed at the base end portion of the output arm 131 is a tension string (manually operating the open lever 130 during assembly of the vehicle locking device LA to the back door D). This is a portion where the wire 140 (see FIG. 4) is hooked. Of course, the pull string 140 is removed after the assembly of the vehicle locking device LA is completed.

  The output arm 131 has an output portion 131 a that is provided outward in the radial direction with the shaft hole 134 as a center and is disposed in the housing portion 14 at an end portion. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 12, the output portion 131 a is disposed close to the right side of the release operation portion 32 of the ratchet 30, and the open lever 130 rotates around the axis of the open lever shaft 101 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 12. Is rotated to the left (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 12), and the latch 20 is switched to the unlatched position shown in FIG. An open lever spring 138 that rotates the open lever 130 counterclockwise in FIG. 12 is interposed between the open lever 130 and the unit fixing portion 50B (see FIG. 11).

  The input arm 132 extends in a direction perpendicular to the output arm 131 with respect to the shaft hole 134, and has an input portion 132a at the end. As shown in FIGS. 1, 11, and 12, the input unit 132 a is disposed so as to overlap with the rotation surface of the worm wheel 170 centered on the worm wheel shaft 102.

  The auxiliary input arm 136 extends in the opposite direction of the output arm 131 with respect to the shaft hole 134 and has an auxiliary input portion 136a at the end. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the auxiliary input portion 136a is formed by bending the tip of the auxiliary input arm 136 forward, and is inserted through the opening 57 of the unit fixing portion 50B. Projecting to the front surface side (latch cover portion 50A side) (see also FIGS. 2 and 3). The opening 57 is set to a size that does not interfere with the auxiliary input portion 136a when the open lever 130 rotates about the open lever shaft 101. As shown in FIG. 2, a dome-shaped lid 137 that covers the protruding auxiliary input portion 136 a is disposed on the front side of the opening 57. The lid 137 is fixed to the front surface of the unit fixing portion 50B with a screw 137a.

  By providing such an auxiliary input unit 136a, for example, in the event of an emergency in which power cannot be supplied to the actuator unit 100 due to an electrical system failure or battery consumption, etc., and the vehicle locking device LA cannot be unlocked. By removing the lid 137 from the vehicle interior side of the door D and exposing the auxiliary input portion 136a, the open lever 130 can be manually rotated to release the meshed state of the latch 20 and the ratchet 30.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the worm wheel 170 is formed with a gear portion 171 serving as a gear meshing with the worm 112 on the outer peripheral wall of the disk-shaped member, and a shaft hole 172 a is formed at the center. Boss 172 is provided on both sides. A cam wall 173 is formed on one surface of the worm wheel 170 (the front surface on the open lever 130 side). The cam wall 173 is formed in a spiral shape from the outer periphery of the boss 172 so that the distance from the center of the shaft hole 172a gradually increases as the worm wheel 170 rotates. When the worm wheel 170 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 12, the cam wall 173 slidably contacts the input portion 132 a and presses the input portion 132 a, and the open lever 130 is rotated clockwise about the axis of the open lever shaft 101. Rotate to turn. As shown in FIG. 10, a wall 174 that concentrically surrounds the boss 172 is formed on the other surface of the worm wheel 170. The worm wheel 170 is supported with respect to the worm wheel shaft 102 with the surface on which the cam wall 173 is formed facing the back surface of the unit fixing portion 50B.

  The return spring 180 is a coil spring that returns the worm wheel 170 rotated about the axis of the worm wheel shaft 102 to the position before the rotation by driving the electric motor 110. One end of the return spring 180 is hooked on a notch formed on the wall 174 of the worm wheel 170 (see FIG. 10), and the other end is hooked on a hooking portion (not shown) formed on the actuator case 150.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, in the vehicle locking device LA, the open lever shaft 101 that is the rotation shaft of the open lever 130 in the rear view (or front view) of the unit fixing portion 50 </ b> B is the outer shape of the worm wheel 170. It is arranged above the lowermost portion 170b of 170a (in this embodiment, the outer peripheral end surface of the gear portion 171). That is, in FIG. 10 and FIG. 12, when the height position at the unit fixing portion 50B of the lowermost portion 170b is H1, the height position H2 at the axial center of the open lever shaft 101 is set upward. Further, as can be understood from FIGS. 10 and 12, the open lever shaft 101 is in a position deviated from the outer shape 170a of the worm wheel 170, in other words, a rear view (front view) shown in FIG. 10 (FIG. 12). The open lever shaft 101 is set to a position that does not overlap the outer shape 170a.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the meshing position of the worm 112 and the gear portion 171 of the worm wheel 170 is the outer shape on the opposite side of the lowermost portion 170b with respect to the worm wheel shaft 102 (shaft hole 172a). Near the top 170t of 170a. Note that the vicinity of the uppermost portion 170t means, for example, that the uppermost portion 170t is vertically above the shaft hole 172a, and a predetermined angular range including the uppermost portion 170t in the outer shape 170a (for example, a range of about ± 30 °). It is good to do.

  In the vehicle locking device LA configured as described above, when the back door D is closed as described above, the latch 20 is latched by the striker S as shown in order from FIG. 7 (a) to FIG. 7 (c). The shaft 12 rotates around the shaft 12 in the engaging direction, and from the unlatched position to the full latched position via the half latched position, the back door D is locked.

  On the other hand, in order to release the meshing state of the latch 20 and the ratchet 30 of the closed back door D, the electric motor 110 is driven with the back door D closed, and the worm wheel shaft 102 in FIG. The wheel 170 is rotated in the clockwise direction. Then, with the rotation of the worm wheel 170, the cam wall 173 slides against the input portion 132a and presses the input portion 132a, and the open lever 130 rotates clockwise around the axis of the open lever shaft 101. As a result, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 12, the output portion 131a of the open lever 130 presses the release operation portion 32 of the ratchet 30 leftward in FIG. 12, and the engagement between the latch 20 and the ratchet 30 is released. Is done. As a result, the latch 20 is switched to the unlatched position shown in FIG. 7A, so that the back door D can be opened.

  As the worm wheel 170 rotates, the return spring 180 stores an urging force that urges the worm wheel 170 in the reverse rotation direction. For this reason, when the meshing between the latch 20 and the ratchet 30 is released and the driving of the electric motor 110 is stopped, the worm wheel 170 and the worm 112 are moved by the urging force stored in the return spring 180 so that the open lever 130 becomes open lever spring. 138 returns to the initial position shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, respectively.

  In this case, according to the vehicle locking device LA according to the present embodiment, the open lever shaft 101 that is the rotation shaft of the open lever 130 is installed above the lowermost portion 170b of the outer shape 170a of the worm wheel 170 ( 10 and 12).

  Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the worm wheel 170 having a relatively large shape among the constituent parts of the actuator unit 100 is placed on the back surface of the unit fixing portion 50 </ b> B while avoiding the open lever shaft 101 of the open lever 130. It is possible to arrange it as downward as possible. That is, since the position of the worm wheel 170 can be lowered to the maximum while avoiding the open lever shaft 101, the actuator unit 100 can be downsized, and the vehicle locking device LA can be downsized. In particular, when the position of the worm wheel 170 is lowered to the maximum, downsizing in the vertical direction can be realized. Therefore, the mounting property on the back door D that is gradually narrowed upward in the vertical direction is usually achieved. improves. Further, since the vertical dimension of the actuator unit 100 is reduced, the inertia when the back door D is opened and closed can be reduced, and the unit fixing portion 50B can be reduced in size and weight. Further, the open lever shaft 101 is set at a position deviated from the outer shape 170a of the worm wheel 170 (see FIGS. 10 and 12), thereby bringing the worm wheel 170 as close as possible to the back surface of the unit fixing portion 50B. Thus, the actuator unit 100 can be reduced in size in the front-rear direction (thinner), the attachment to the back door D is further improved, and the inertia reduction effect is further improved.

  In the vehicle locking device LA, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the lowermost portion 170b of the outer shape 170a of the worm wheel 170 is formed from the rear end of the housing portion 14 to the rear end of the latch cover portion 50A. It is installed at a position included in the space S. When the space portion S is formed in this way, the lowermost portion 170b can be easily lowered to the space portion S, and the actuator unit 100 can be further reduced in size. Note that the lowermost portion 170b of the worm wheel 170 may not be completely included in the space portion S, and may be set to be close to the upper portion of the space portion S, for example. As shown in FIG. 11, the outer shape 170a of the worm wheel 170 may be set so as to intersect with a straight line Z obtained by extending the latch cover portion 50A in a side view. 100 can be easily downsized.

  Further, in the vehicle locking device LA, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the meshing position of the worm 112 and the worm wheel 170 (gear portion 171) is opposite to the lowermost portion 170b with respect to the worm wheel shaft 102. Is set in the vicinity of the uppermost portion 170t. That is, by lowering the position of the worm wheel 170 as described above and providing the meshing position with the worm 112 at the upper part of the worm wheel 170, the components of the actuator unit 100 are arranged in a balanced manner in the vertical direction. The direction dimension can be more effectively suppressed, the unit fixing part 50B and the actuator unit 100 can be further reduced in size, and the attachment to the back door D and the inertia reduction effect are further improved.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the vehicle locking device LA includes an actuator case 150 that houses the actuator unit 100 and covers and closes the rear surface of the unit fixing portion 50 </ b> B to the rear of the housing portion 14. That is, since the actuator case 150 is attached to the unit fixing portion 50B so as to cover the opening of the housing portion 14 that is not covered by the back plate 50, there is no need to separately attach a cover that covers the opening of the housing portion 14. Since the actuator case 150 that accommodates 100 is also used, the thickness dimension and weight can be suppressed. Further, since the bent portion between the latch cover portion 50A and the unit fixing portion 50B constituting the back plate 50 is in the middle portion (slightly rearward) in the front-rear direction of the housing portion 14, the front side of the housing portion 14 is covered. The back plate 50 and the actuator case 150 that covers the rear side of the housing portion 14 can be installed in a positional relationship that does not interfere with each other, and the actuator case 150 is moved as close to the cover plate 10 as possible so that the vehicle locking device LA Further downsizing can be achieved.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be freely changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the open lever shaft 101 of the open lever 130 is provided integrally with the actuator case 150. However, the open lever shaft 101 may be configured separately from the actuator case 150. May be installed in a cantilevered support structure from only one of the actuator case 150 or the unit fixing portion 50B. In short, the open lever shaft 101 may be provided in a configuration that can support the open lever 130 stably. In a similar manner, the worm wheel shaft 102 of the worm wheel 170 may be provided integrally with the actuator case 150 or separately, and cantilevered from only one of the actuator case 150 or the unit fixing portion 50B. It may be installed in a structure.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Cover plate 14 Storage part 20 Latch 30 Ratchet 40 Main body body 50 Back plate 50A Latch cover part 50B Unit fixing part 100 Actuator unit 101 Open lever shaft 102 Worm wheel shaft 110 Electric motor 111 Output shaft 112 Worm 130 Open lever 150 Actuator case 170 Worm wheel 170a External shape 170b Lowermost part 170t Uppermost part 171 Gear part 173 Cam wall B Vehicle main body D Back door LA Vehicle locking device LM Engagement mechanism

Claims (3)

A cover plate formed with an accommodating portion for accommodating the meshing mechanism;
A back plate that has a cover portion that covers a part of the housing portion and a fixing portion that is bent and raised from the cover portion, and is fixed to the cover plate;
An electric actuator that is held by the fixing portion and releases the meshing state of the latch and the ratchet of the meshing mechanism;
A vehicle locking device comprising:
The electric actuator is supported so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis, and is supported and driven to be rotatable about the second rotation axis, and an open lever that operates the engagement mechanism in a direction to release the engagement state. A worm wheel that operates the open lever by being rotated by a driving force from a source;
The open lever and the worm wheel are arranged on the side opposite to the cover part side of the fixed part,
The first rotating shaft is installed above the lowermost part of the outer shape of the worm wheel ,
A space is formed between the rear end of the housing part and the rear end of the cover part,
The vehicle locking device according to claim 1, wherein a lowermost portion of the worm wheel is disposed at a position included in the space portion so as to intersect a straight line extending from the cover portion . The vehicle locking device according to claim 1,
The vehicle locking device according to claim 1, wherein the first rotating shaft is installed at a position deviating from an outer shape of the worm wheel. The vehicle locking device according to claim 1,
A vehicle locking device comprising: an actuator case that houses the electric actuator and covers and closes from the back surface of the fixed portion to the rear of the housing portion.

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