JP6514083B2 - Vehicle door lock device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a door lock device for a vehicle.

  Conventionally, as a door lock device for vehicles, what was indicated, for example in patent documents 1 is known. This device comprises an active lever which is rotationally driven by an electric motor, and a release lever linked to a latch mechanism and capable of releasing the holding of the vehicle door by the latch mechanism. Then, when the active lever rotates, the pressing portion presses the curved contact portion of the release input plate, whereby the release input plate rotates with the slide rotary plate. Along with this, the release lever is rotated by pressing the projection contact portion of the release lever through the fixed free running section of the connection turning protrusion of the slide rotating disc. The holding lever of the vehicle door by the latch mechanism is released by rotating the release lever.

JP 2008-115615 A (paragraphs [0049]-[0054], FIGS. 9-11)

  By the way, in patent document 1, the enlargement as the whole apparatus is forced by having the structure which transmits rotation of an active lever to a release lever via a release input board and a slide rotation board. Therefore, a configuration has been studied by the applicant for directly transmitting the rotation of the active lever to the release lever while omitting the release input board and the slide rotary board. In this case, for example, a curved contact portion similar to that of the release input board may be formed on the release lever and pressed by the pressing portion of the active lever.

However, the demand for the mountability to vehicles is becoming severer, and further downsizing of the entire device is required.
An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle door lock device which can be miniaturized as a whole.

  A vehicle door lock device that solves the above problems includes a latch mechanism capable of holding the door of the vehicle in a closed state, a support portion rotatable around a first support shaft, and a diameter centered on the first support shaft. The supporting portion and the connecting portion are connected such that a connecting portion which is disposed outside the supporting portion in the direction and which is drivingly connected to the electric motor at the outer peripheral portion, the concave portion is formed between the supporting portion and the connecting portion An active lever having a connecting portion, and a first engaging portion formed on any one of the outer peripheral portion of the supporting portion and the inner peripheral portion of the connecting portion, and disposed parallel to the first supporting shaft in the recess A second engagement portion pivotable about the second support shaft, coupled to the latch mechanism, and engageable with the first engagement portion so as to integrally pivot with the active lever And a release lever.

  According to this configuration, the release lever is rotatably supported around the second support shaft disposed in the recess, and the first forming the recess in the second engaging portion The engagement portion is engageable. Therefore, the release levers can be arranged intensively in the vicinity of the first support shaft, and as a result, the overall size of the device can be further reduced.

It is preferable that the said 1st engaging part and the said 2nd engaging part can be engaged in the range of the overlapping plate thickness about the said door lock device for vehicles.
In the vehicle door lock device, the first engagement portion is an internal gear formed on an inner peripheral portion of the connection portion, and the second engagement portion is an external gear capable of meshing with the internal gear. Is preferred.

  According to this configuration, the internal gear as the first engaging portion is formed on the inner peripheral portion of the connecting portion which can easily ensure the dimension in the circumferential direction centering on the first support shaft. Accordingly, the module (the size of the teeth) of the internal teeth constituting the internal gear can be increased accordingly, and the meshing strength of the internal gear and the external gear can be increased.

  In the vehicle door lock device, the second support shaft is non-rotatably fixed to a base plate fixed to the door, and the first engagement is in engagement with the second support shaft. Preferably, a flange is formed which sandwiches the engagement position of the portion and the second engagement portion in the thickness direction in cooperation with the base plate.

  According to this configuration, by the cooperation of the base plate and the flange, the displacement of the first engaging portion of the active lever in engagement and the second engaging portion of the release lever in the thickness direction of the plate can be obtained. It can be suppressed. Moreover, the said flange can suppress the increase in a number of parts by being integrally provided in the said 2nd support shaft.

  In the vehicle door lock device, the release lever is pivotable around the second support shaft at the lever support portion, and the active lever pivots in one direction from the neutral position toward the full latch completion position And the latch mechanism is operated to hold the door in the half door state in the fully closed state, and the first engaging portion is rotated in the other direction from the neutral position toward the release position. The latch mechanism is operated to release the holding of the door in the fully closed state via the release lever by the engagement of the second engagement portion, and the connection portion is at least the full latch completion position. In the above, it is preferable to have an opposing portion that abuts or approaches the lever support portion.

  According to this configuration, the opposing portion abuts or approaches the lever support portion at least at the full latch completion position. Therefore, when the active lever rotates in one direction from the neutral position toward the full latch completion position, the opposing portion abuts on the lever support portion or the elastic displacement of the connecting portion causes the opposing portion to move. When the part abuts on the lever support part, the load applied from the electric motor to the active lever can be received in a supported state.

Preferably, in the vehicle door lock device, the facing portion approaches the lever support portion at least at the full latch completion position.
According to this configuration, when the active lever is pivoted in one direction from the neutral position toward the full latch completion position, the opposing portion approaches at least the lever support portion at the full latch completion position. It is possible to suppress the possibility of a sliding noise occurring between the lever support and the lever support.

  In the vehicle door lock device, the first engagement portion is an internal gear formed on an inner peripheral portion of the connection portion, and the second engagement portion is formed on an outer peripheral portion of the lever support portion. The external gear is engageable with the internal gear, the opposing portion is a first arc surface forming a root circle of the internal gear, and the lever support portion forms a tip circle of the external gear. It is preferable that the second arc surface be close to the first arc surface.

  According to this configuration, by providing the first arc surface and the second arc surface on the connection portion and the lever support portion, respectively, they are naturally brought close to each other, so that the formability can be further improved.

  The present invention is advantageous in that the overall size of the device can be further reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The conceptual diagram of the sliding door to which this invention is applied. The front view which shows the latch mechanism of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The side view showing the embodiment. The side view which shows the state in which an active lever is in a neutral position. The side view which shows the state which the active lever rotated from the neutral position. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5; The side view showing the modification of the present invention. The side view which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

First Embodiment
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the vehicle door lock device will be described. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle will be referred to as "longitudinal direction", and the upper side and lower side of the vehicle in the height direction will be referred to as "upper side" and "lower side", respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the slide door 10 as a door supported on the side portion of the vehicle body via an appropriate support member (not shown) is formed on the body in accordance with the movement in the longitudinal direction. Open and close the opening for Inside the slide door 10, the fully closed door lock device 11 for holding the slide door 10 in a fully closed state by engaging with the body side and the slide door 10 in a fully closed state or a half door state (closed state) A close release mechanism 12 is installed, and a fully open door lock device 13 which holds the slide door 10 in a fully open state by being engaged with the body side is installed.

  The closer and release device 12 electrically closes the slide door 10 in the half door state to the fully closed state. Further, the closer release device 12 is mechanically linked to a known remote controller (remote controller) 14 installed in the slide door 10 via a release cable C1, and to the remote controller 14 via an open cable C2. It is mechanically linked. The closer release device 12 releases the holding of the slide door 10 in the fully closed state by transmitting the electric release operation force via the release cable C1, the remote control 14 and the open cable C2.

  The remote control 14 is connected to the operation handle 15 exposed on the outer surface or the inner surface of the slide door 10, and the close release device 12 transmits the manual release operation force of the operation handle 15 through the open cable C2. By doing this, the holding of the slide door 10 in the fully closed state is similarly released.

  Further, the remote control 14 is mechanically linked to the fully closed door lock device 11 and the fully open door lock device 13 through the open cables C3 and C4, respectively, and the electric release operation force or operation handle of the closer release device 12 The manual release operation force of 15 is transmitted to the fully closed door lock device 11 and the fully open door lock device 13. At this time, the fully closed door lock device 11 releases the hold of the slide door 10 in the fully closed state, or the fully open door lock device 13 releases the hold of the slide door 10 in the fully open state.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the closer and release device 12 has a base plate 21 made of, for example, a metal plate and extends along and is fastened to the rear end face of the slide door 10. A mechanism 22 is provided. The latch mechanism 22 has a latch 25 and a pole 26 connected so as to integrally rotate with a pair of mutually parallel rotating shafts 23 and 24 pivotally supported by the base plate 21.

  The latch 25 is formed with a substantially U-shaped engagement recess 25 a. And the latch 25 forms the 1st nail | claw part 25b and the 2nd nail | claw part 25c in the one side and the other side (side of counterclockwise rotation direction and clockwise rotation side in FIG. 2) on both sides of the engaging recessed part 25a, respectively. . Further, the latch 25 forms a third hook 25d that protrudes from the longitudinal middle portion of the first hook 25b. In the circumferential direction, the end surface facing the second claw portion 25c of the tip end portion of the first claw portion 25b and the end surface facing the first claw portion 25b of the third claw portion 25d are full latch engagement surface 25e and half latch engagement The surfaces 25f are respectively formed. The latch 25 is biased to rotate in the clockwise direction as shown in the figure by latching the other end of a latch biasing spring (not shown) of which one end is latched to the base plate 21, and By coming into contact with a latch stopper (not shown) installed at 21, the rotation in the direction is restricted and held at a predetermined initial rotation position (hereinafter referred to as “unlatch position”). The latch 25 projects an arm-shaped pressed projecting piece 25g on the opposite side of the third claw portion 25d with the rotary shaft 23 interposed therebetween.

  On the other hand, the pole 26 forms a substantially hook-like engagement end 26a extending from the rotation shaft 24 to one side in the radial direction (left side in FIG. 2). The pole 26 is biased by a pole biasing spring (not shown) so as to rotate in the counterclockwise direction as shown in the drawing, that is, biased to move the engaging end 26a downward in the figure, and has a predetermined initial pivoting position. Will be held by

Here, the basic operation of the latch mechanism 22 will be described.
When the slide door 10 is open, the latch 25 held at the unlatched position causes the striker 29 secured to the body to face the engagement recess 25a. That is, the engagement recess 25 a opens the entry path of the striker 29 accompanying the closing operation of the slide door 10. Further, the pole 26 held at the predetermined initial rotation position arranges the engagement end 26a above the third claw 25d. The state of the latch mechanism 22 at this time is referred to as an unlatched state (released state).

  Next, with the closing operation of the slide door 10, it is assumed that the striker 29 has entered into the engagement recess 25a. At this time, the inner wall surface of the engagement recess 25a is pressed by the striker 29, so that the latch 25 rotates in the counterclockwise direction against the latch biasing spring and engages with the half latch engagement surface 25f. The locking end 26a is locked by locking. At this time, the slide door 10 is in a half door state in which it engages with the striker 29 at the engagement recess 25 a to prevent it from coming off. The state of the latch mechanism 22 at this time is referred to as a half latch state, and the rotational position of the latch 25 is referred to as a half latch position.

  Subsequently, with the further closing operation of the slide door 10, it is assumed that the striker 29 further enters the engagement recess 25a. At this time, when the inner wall surface of the engagement recess 25a is pressed by the striker 29, the latch 25 further rotates in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing against the latch biasing spring, as shown in FIG. The engagement end 26a is locked by being locked to the full latch engagement surface 25e. At this time, the slide door 10 is in a fully closed state where it engages with the striker 29 at the engagement recess 25a to prevent it from coming off. The state of the latch mechanism 22 at this time is referred to as a full latch state (engagement state), and the rotational position of the latch 25 is referred to as a full latch position.

  Also, in the half latch state or the full latch state, when the pole 26 rotates in the clockwise direction in the figure against the pole biasing spring, engagement of the half latch engagement surface 25f or the full latch engagement surface 25e by the engagement end 26a Stop is released. At this time, the inner wall surface of the engagement recess 25a is pressed by the striker 29 which withdraws from the inside of the engagement recess 25a as the slide door 10 starts opening operation due to, for example, the repulsive force of the seal member. And rotate in the clockwise direction as shown. Then, the slide door 10 can be released by releasing the engagement with the striker 29 in the engagement recess 25a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the closer and release unit 12 has a latch switch 80 which is, for example, a rotary switch. The latch switch 80 is for detecting a rotational position (unlatched position or the like) of the latch 25. Also, the closer and release device 12 has a pole drive lever 27 connected to the rotary shaft 24 so as to rotate integrally. The tip of the pole drive lever 27 is curved to be convex upward to form a pressed portion 27a. The rotational direction of the pole drive lever 27 in which the pressed portion 27a moves downward coincides with the rotational direction of the pole 26 which releases the engagement with the latch 25 described above.

  On the base plate 21, a base plate 30 which is, for example, a metal plate and spreads toward the front of the vehicle is fastened. The base plate 30 is fastened to the slide door 10 separately from the base plate 21. An actuator 31 driven and controlled by an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown) is installed at the lower front of the base plate 30. The actuator 31 has an electric motor 32 and a speed reduction mechanism 33 for decelerating the rotation of the rotation shaft of the electric motor 32. A pinion 33 a is fixed to the output shaft of the reduction mechanism 33.

  In addition, a substantially cylindrical first support pin 34 as a first support shaft having a center line extending substantially parallel to the axial center of the pinion 33a is fixed to the base plate 30 diagonally above and behind the pinion 33a. An active lever 35 made of, for example, a metal plate is pivotally supported by the first support pin 34. That is, the active lever 35 has a substantially circular support portion 36 through which the first support pin 34 passes and is pivotally supported. Further, the active lever 35 has a substantially arc-shaped connecting portion 37 disposed on the outer side of the support portion 36 in the radial direction centering on the first support pin 34, and the first support pin 34 of the connecting portion 37 A connecting portion 38 is provided which connects the end portion on one circumferential side (the side in the clockwise direction in the drawing) and the support portions 36 in the center with the first support pin 34 as a center. The other side of the active lever 35 in the circumferential direction centering on the first support pin 34 (the side in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing) by the outer circumferential portion of the support portion 36, the inner circumferential portion of the connection portion 37 and the side wall A substantially fan-shaped groove portion 35a is formed as a concave portion opened to the

  A gear portion 37a formed of a plurality of external teeth is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the connecting portion 37, and meshes with the pinion 33a of the actuator 31 at the gear portion 37a. Therefore, as the pinion 33a rotates, the active lever 35 pivots around the first support pin 34 in the direction corresponding to the rotation direction. The rotational position of the active lever 35 shown in FIG. 3 which meshes with the pinion 33a at the circumferentially intermediate portion of the gear portion 37a is referred to as a "neutral position".

  A first engaging portion formed of a plurality of internal teeth and an internal gear portion 37b as an internal gear are formed on an inner peripheral portion of the connecting portion 37 closer to the connecting portion 38 side. The inner peripheral portion of the connecting portion 37 basically has an inner diameter equal to the diameter of the base circle of the internal gear portion 37b (inner gear), and the first support pin 34 is centered on the internal gear portion 37b. A release portion 37c is formed extending to the other side in the circumferential direction (the side in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing). Furthermore, the active lever 35 extends the extension piece 39 in the diagonally lower lower radial direction centering on the first support pin 34 from the support portion 36. The tip of the extension piece 39 separated from the first support pin 34 is turned forward and connected to the connecting portion 37 in the vicinity of the connecting portion 38.

  On the base plate 30, a substantially stepped cylindrical second support pin 40 as a second support shaft having a center line extending substantially parallel to the center line of the first support pin 34 in the groove 35a of the active lever 35 is fixed. At the same time, a release lever 41 made of, for example, a metal plate is pivotally supported by the second support pin 40. That is, the release lever 41 has a substantially circular lever support portion 42 through which the second support pin 40 passes and is pivotally supported. The lever support portion 42 is also located in the groove 35 a of the active lever 35. On the outer peripheral portion of the lever support portion 42, a second engaging portion consisting of a plurality of external teeth and an external gear gear portion 42a are formed at an angular position obliquely downward and forward in FIG. The internal gear portion 37b of the active lever 35 can be meshed. It is needless to say that the internal gear portion 37b and the gear portion 42a at least partially overlap in the range of the plate thickness.

  Further, the release lever 41 extends a substantially arcuate lever protrusion 43 in a diagonally upper rear radial direction centering on the second support pin 40 from the lever support portion 42. In the release lever 41, a substantially arc-shaped step 41 a is set at the boundary between the lever support portion 42 and the lever projection 43. The lever projecting piece 43 is displaced to the near side orthogonal to the drawing by the thickness of the active lever 35 with respect to the lever supporting portion 42 through the step 41a, and interferes with the connecting portion 37 at the longitudinal middle portion thereof. Not get over this.

  The release lever 41 is biased to the side rotating in the clockwise direction in the figure by the other end of the biasing member 90 which is hooked at one end to the base plate 30, for example, a coil spring. By contacting the stopper piece 30 a formed on the base plate 30, the rotation in the direction is restricted. At this time, the release lever 41 is held at a predetermined initial rotation position.

  As shown in FIG. 4 as well, when the release lever 41 is in the initial rotational position, the release lever 41 precedes the side in the counterclockwise direction of the internal gear portion 37b of the active lever 35 in the neutral position. The gear portion 42a is disposed. Then, as shown by the change to FIG. 5, when the active lever 35 pivots in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing, the internal gear portion 37b meshes with the gear portion 42a through a predetermined free running section. Thus, with the rotation of the active lever 35 in the counterclockwise direction, the release lever 41 starts rotating in the counterclockwise direction against the biasing force of the biasing member 90. Although the lever support portion 42 basically has an outer diameter equal to the diameter of the tip circle of the gear portion 42a (external teeth), the connection portion 37 is formed by the release portion 37c. There is no interference.

Here, the second support pin 40 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, a substantially circular attachment hole 30b concentric with the second support pin 40 is formed in the base plate 30, and the release lever 41 has an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the attachment hole 30b. A substantially circular support hole 41b is formed concentric with the lever. On the other hand, the second support pin 40 has a substantially columnar attachment portion 40a having an outer diameter equal to the inner diameter of the attachment hole 30b and press-fit and fixed to the attachment hole 30b. A substantially cylindrical support shaft portion 40b having the same outer diameter and rotatably inserted into the support hole 41b is provided. Further, the second support pin 40 has a substantially truncated cone-like retaining portion 40c connected to the tip of the attachment portion 40a penetrating the attachment hole 30b, and at the tip of the support shaft portion 40b penetrating the support hole 41b. It has a substantially disc-like retaining portion 40d whose diameter is larger than that of the support shaft portion 40b to be connected. Furthermore, the support pin 40 has a substantially disk-shaped flange 40 e that is larger in diameter than the retaining portion 40 d connected to the retaining portion 40 d.

  Therefore, the release lever 41 is prevented from coming off in the axial direction in a state where the peripheral edge portion of the support hole 41b is sandwiched by the base plate 30 and the retaining portion 40d. Further, the outer diameter of the flange 40e is set to overlap at least the tooth tips of the internal gear portion 37b in the radial direction of the flange 40e, and the meshing position (engagement of the gear portion 42a and the internal gear portion 37b) The engagement position of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion in the state) is pinched in the thickness direction in cooperation with the base plate 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the end of the release cable C1 is hooked on the tip of the release lever 41 (lever projection 43), and the release cable C1 is rotated by rotating the release lever 41 from the initial rotation position. Are configured to be pulled toward the closer release device 12 side. That is, the electric release operation force of the closer and release device 12 is generated when the release lever 41 rotates from the initial rotation position.

  A substantially cylindrical support pin 45 having a center line extending above and in parallel with the center line of the first support pin 34 is fixed to the base plate 30, and the support pin 45 is, for example, an open metal plate. A lever 46 is pivotally supported. The open lever 46 extends a substantially arch-shaped first lever projection 47 in the upper radial direction centering on the support pin 45, and an arm-shaped second lower arm portion around the support pin 45. The lever projecting piece 48 is extended. Then, the tip of the first lever projection 47 is curved to be convex downward above the pressed portion 27 a of the pole drive lever 27 to form a pressing portion 47 a.

  The end of the open cable C2 is hooked at the tip of the second lever projection 48 of the open lever 46. Therefore, when the open cable C2 is pulled toward the remote control 14 side, the open lever 46 pivots in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing about the support pin 45. At this time, when the open lever 46 presses the pressed portion 27a of the pole drive lever 27 downward at the pressing portion 47a, the pole drive lever 27 pivots so that the pressed portion 27a moves downward. Thereby, the pole 26 integrally pivoted with the pole drive lever 27 releases the engagement with the latch 25. That is, the electric release operation force of the closer release device 12 or the manual release operation force of the operation handle 15 is such that the open cable C2 is pulled toward the remote control 14 side and the open lever 46 rotates. Transmitted to

  A substantially cylindrical support pin 50 having a center line extending substantially parallel to the center line of the first support pin 34 is fixed to the tip end of the extension piece 39 of the active lever 35, and the support pin 50 For example, a closer lever 51 made of a metal plate is pivotally supported. The closer lever 51 has a lever projection 52 extending in the rear radial direction around the support pin 50. The tip end of the lever projection piece 52 is erected on the near side orthogonal to the paper surface to form a substantially L-shaped lifting wall 52a. The closer lever 51 is held so as to substantially rotate integrally with the active lever 35 by an appropriate holding member, and when the active lever 35 is in the neutral position, the closer lever 51 is in the half latch position. The push-up wall 52a is disposed below the projecting piece 25g. Therefore, when the closer lever 51 is pivoted in the clockwise direction in the drawing together with the active lever 35, the latch 25 pressed by the push-up piece 25g is pivoted from the half latch position to the full latch position. At this time, as described above, the slide door 10 in the half door state is fully closed. Incidentally, when the active lever 35 pivots in the clockwise direction in the figure from the neutral position, the release portion 37c moves the lever support portion 42, so that the release lever 41 remains at the initial pivot position. Absent.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
First, it is assumed that the latch mechanism 22 is in the full latch state or the half latch state, and as shown in FIG. 4, the active lever 35 and the release lever 41 are in the neutral position and the initial rotation position, respectively. In this state, when the actuator 31 is driven by the ECU to rotate the active lever 35 in the counterclockwise direction in the figure, the internal gear portion 37b meshes with the gear portion 42a of the release lever 41 through a certain free running section. Then, as shown by the change to FIG. 5, the release lever 41 starts to rotate in the counterclockwise direction shown.

  At this time, the release cable C1 is pulled toward the closer and release device 12, so that the open cable C2 is pulled toward the remote control 14 by the known function of the remote control 14. Along with this, the open lever 46 pivots around the support pin 45, and presses the pressed portion 27a of the pole drive lever 27 downward by the pressing portion 47a. As a result, when the pole 26 is rotated together with the pole drive lever 27, the detent of the latch 25 by the pole 26 is released, and the slide door 10 can be released. The drive of the actuator 31 is stopped by the ECU when, for example, the latch switch 80 detects that the latch 25 is in the unlatched position.

  In particular, the release lever 41 is rotatably supported around the second support pin 40 disposed in the groove 35a, and an internal gear portion 37b (connecting portion 37) that forms the groove 35a in the gear portion 42a. It can be meshed. Therefore, the release lever 41 is collectively disposed in the vicinity of the first support pin 34.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the present embodiment, the release lever 41 is rotatably supported around the second support pin 40 disposed in the groove 35a, and an internal gear 37b that forms the groove 35a in the gear 42a. And can be engaged. Therefore, the release lever 41 can be intensively disposed in the vicinity of the first support pin 34, and as a result, the overall size of the device can be further reduced.

  (2) In the present embodiment, the internal gear portion 37b is formed on the inner peripheral portion of the connecting portion 37 which can easily ensure the dimension in the circumferential direction centering on the first support pin 34. As a result, the module (the size of the teeth) of the internal teeth of the internal gear portion 37b can be increased, and the meshing strength of the internal gear portion 37b and the gear portion 42a can be increased.

  (3) In the present embodiment, the flange 40e engages the meshing position of the gear portion 42a and the internal gear portion 37b in the meshing state (the engagement position of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion in the engagement state). In cooperation with the base plate 30, they are sandwiched in their thickness direction. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the displacement (backlash) of the internal gear portion 37b (active lever 35) in the plate thickness direction with respect to the gear portion 42a (release lever 41), and the meshing of the internal gear portion 37b and the gear portion 42a It is possible to suppress the detachment. Thus, the meshing state of the internal gear portion 37b and the gear portion 42a can be held more stably by the cooperation of the base plate 30 and the flange 40e. Further, by using the integrally formed flange 40e for the second support pin 40, for example, it is possible to suppress the increase in the number of parts and the cost as compared to the case where the plate for suppressing displacement in the thickness direction is separately provided. Can.

  (4) In the present embodiment, the rotation transmission between the active lever 35 and the release lever 41 is realized by the internal gear portion 37 b and the gear portion 42 a that can be engaged (engaged) within the overlapping plate thickness range. Therefore, for example, as in the case where the flange-like pressed portion is erected on the release lever in the thickness direction and the pressed portion is pressed by the active lever to transmit the rotation, bending the pressed portion against the release lever is performed. It does not have to be done. This can reduce the number of manufacturing steps and costs.

  Alternatively, for example, as in the case where a pin-shaped pressed portion projecting in the thickness direction is fixed to the release lever and the pressed portion is pressed by the active lever to transmit rotation, the pressed portion It may not be provided separately. Thereby, the number of parts and the cost can be reduced.

  Further, since it is not necessary to provide the release lever 41 with a flange-like or pin-like pressed portion, the release lever 41 can be made thinner. The release lever 41 is provided with a step 41a for extending the lever projection 43 to the outside of the active lever 35 (connecting portion 37). However, since the dimension required for the step 41a may be equivalent to the plate thickness of the active lever 35, it is still more than in the case of providing a flange-like or pin-like pressed portion requiring a dimension larger than the plate thickness of the active lever 35. It becomes a thin release lever 41.

Second Embodiment
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the vehicle door lock device will be described. The second embodiment has a configuration in which the active lever and the release lever of the first embodiment are modified, and therefore the detailed description of the same portions will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the active lever 70 of the present embodiment has a connecting portion 71 having a shape similar to that of the connecting portion 37. The inner peripheral portion of the connecting portion 71 has an inner diameter equal to the diameter of the root circle of the internal gear portion 37 b (inner gear), and the circumferential direction centering on the first support pin 34 from the internal gear portion 37 b A first arc surface 71a is formed as an opposing portion extending to the side (the side in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing). That is, the first arc surface 71a forms a root circle of the internal gear portion 37b.

  On the other hand, the release lever 75 of the present embodiment has a lever support portion 76 shaped similar to the lever support portion 42. The outer peripheral portion of the lever support portion 76 has an outer diameter equal to the diameter of the tip circle of the gear portion 42a (external teeth), and the other side in the circumferential direction centering on the second support pin 40 from the gear portion 42a. A second circular arc surface 76a extending in the counterclockwise direction of the drawing is formed. That is, the second arc surface 76a forms a tip circle of the gear portion 42a.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. As described above, the active lever 70 rotates in one direction from the neutral position (see FIG. 4) to hold the slide mechanism 10 in the half door state in a fully closed state so as to hold the slide door 10 in a fully closed state. Activate. The pivoting position shown in FIG. 8 of the active lever 70 at which the holding of the slide door 10 in the fully closed state by the latch mechanism 22 is completed is referred to as a "full latch completion position". Further, the active lever 70 operates the latch mechanism 22 so as to release the slide door 10 held in the fully closed state by pivoting in the other direction from the neutral position. The pivot position (see FIG. 5) of the active lever 70 at which the release of the slide door 10 by the latch mechanism 22 is completed is referred to as a "release position".

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the first arc surface 71a approaches the second arc surface 76a of the lever support 76 at least at the full latch completion position of the active lever 70. More specifically, the first circular arc surface 71a is close to the second circular arc surface 76a of the lever support 76 over the entire rotation range of the neutral position of the active lever 70 and the full latch completion position. The clearance Δ between the first and second circular arc surfaces 71a and 76a corresponds to the clearance between the tip circle of the gear portion 42a and the base circle of the internal gear portion 37b (so-called top clearance). Therefore, when the active lever 70 pivots in one direction from the neutral position toward the full latch completion position, the first circular arc surface 71a abuts on the second circular arc surface 76a with the elastic deformation of the connecting portion 71, thereby the pinion 33a. The load applied to the active lever 70 from its meshing position (electric motor 32) is received in a supported state.

As described above, according to this embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the present embodiment, the first circular arc surface 71 a approaches the second circular arc surface 76 a of the lever support 76 at least at the full latch completion position of the active lever 70. Therefore, when the active lever 70 pivots in one direction from the neutral position toward the full latch completion position, the first circular arc surface 71a abuts on the second circular arc surface 76a with the elastic deformation of the connecting portion 71, thereby the pinion 33a. The load applied to the active lever 70 from its meshing position (electric motor 32) can be received in a supported state.

  (2) In the present embodiment, the first circular arc surface 71a approaches the second circular arc surface 76a of the lever support 76 at least at the full latch completion position of the active lever 70. Therefore, when the active lever 70 pivots in one direction from the neutral position toward the full latch completion position, the possibility of a sliding noise occurring with the second arc surface 76 a can be suppressed. Alternatively, when the active lever 70 pivots in one direction from the neutral position toward the full latch completion position, the possibility that the release lever 75 will rotate together can be suppressed by the frictional force generated with the second arc surface 76a.

  (3) In the present embodiment, the connecting portion 71 and the lever supporting portion 76 form a first arc surface 71a forming a root circle of the internal gear portion 37b and a second arc surface 76a forming a tip circle of the gear portion 42a. In close proximity. That is, by providing the first arc surface 71a and the second arc surface 76a in the connecting portion 71 and the lever support portion 76, respectively, they naturally become close to each other, so that the formability can be further improved.

  (4) In this embodiment, the load applied to the active lever 70 from the meshing position (electric motor 32) with the pinion 33a for pulling in the slide door 10 by the latch mechanism 22 is a full latch completion position and its periphery , Can receive the load in a supportive state. Then, the connecting portion 71 is substantially supported by the connecting portion 38 and the lever supporting portion 76 in a double-supported beam shape, and, for example, strength equivalent to that of a normal sector gear is secured.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows.
As shown in FIG. 7, instead of the internal gear portion 37b, a substantially fan-shaped first fan has an inner peripheral portion closer to the connection portion 38 of the connection portion 37 and protrudes toward the first support pin 34 with respect to the release portion 37c. An active lever 60 having one engaging portion 61 may be employed. Then, instead of the gear portion 42 a, the outer peripheral portion of the lever support portion 42 closer to the connection portion 38 is recessed toward the second support pin 40, whereby the outer peripheral portion of the lever support portion 42 away from the connection portion 38 is Alternatively, a release lever 65 having a substantially fan-shaped second engagement portion 66 radially projecting about the second support pin 40 may be employed.

  When the release lever 65 is in the same initial pivot position as the release lever 41, the release lever 65 is an anti-clockwise illustration of the first engagement portion 61 of the active lever 60 in the neutral position similar to the active lever 35. The second engagement portion 66 is disposed prior to the rotational direction side. Therefore, when the active lever 60 pivots in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing, the first engagement portion 61 abuts the second engagement portion 66 through a predetermined free running section. The end surface of the first engaging portion 61 facing the second engaging portion 66 in the circumferential direction as the active lever 60 pivots in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing is the second engaging portion 66 in the circumferential direction. By pressing the end face opposed to the first engaging portion 61, the release lever 65 starts to rotate in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing against the biasing force of the biasing member 90. At this time, the release cable C1 is pulled toward the closer release device 12 as in the above embodiment. Even if it changes in this way, the effect similar to (1) and (3)-(4) of the said embodiment is acquired.

  In FIG. 8, the first engaging portion 61 is employed instead of the internal gear portion 37b of the connecting portion 71, and the second engaging portion 66 is employed instead of the gear portion 42a of the lever support portion 76. Good. Even if it changes in this way, the effect of the present invention is produced.

  In the first embodiment, instead of the connection portion 38, an end portion and a support portion on the other side in the circumferential direction centering on the first support pin 34 of the connection portion 37 (side in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3). A connection portion may be employed in which the first and second support pins 36 are connected in the radial direction about the first support pin 34.

  Further, in addition to the connecting portion 38, the end portion of the connecting portion 37 on the other side in the circumferential direction centering on the first support pin 34 (the side in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3) A connecting portion may be provided which connects in the radial direction centering on 34. That is, it may be an active lever in which a substantially fan-shaped concave portion is formed by the outer peripheral portion of the support portion 36, the inner peripheral portion of the connecting portion 37, and the side walls of both connecting portions.

  In the second embodiment, the gap (Δ) between the facing portion (first arc surface 71a) and the lever support portion 76 (second arc surface 76a) is arbitrary as long as it fits in the elastic deformation region of the connecting portion 71. It can be set to In other words, if the gap (Δ) between the facing portion (first arc surface 71a) and the lever support portion 76 (second arc surface 76a) is set such that they contact before plastic deformation of the connecting portion 71. Good.

  In the second embodiment, the facing portion (the first arc surface 71a) may be close to the lever support portion 76 (the second arc surface 76a) at least at the full latch completion position of the active lever 70. For example, the connecting portion 71 may be recessed toward the outer peripheral side of the first arc surface 71 a so as to approach the lever supporting portion 76 only at the full latch completion position of the active lever 70. Alternatively, the connecting portion 71 is formed to be close to the lever supporting portion 76 in a section from the rotation position of the active lever 70 to complete holding of the slide door 10 in the half door state by the latch mechanism 22 to the full latch completion position. It may be

  In the second embodiment, the facing portion (first arc surface 71a) may be in contact with the lever support portion 76 (second arc surface 76a) at least at the full latch completion position of the active lever 70. For example, the facing portion (first arc surface 71a) may be in contact with the lever support portion 76 (second arc surface 76a) over the entire rotation range of the neutral position of the active lever 70 and the full latch completion position. In these cases, when the active lever 70 pivots in one direction from the neutral position toward the full latch completion position, the release lever 75 is not rotated by the frictional force generated with the second arc surface 76a. For example, it is preferable to sufficiently secure the biasing force of the biasing member 90. By changing in this manner, the load applied to the active lever 70 from the meshing position (electric motor 32) with the pinion 33a can be received in a constantly supported state.

  In the second embodiment, the internal gear portion 37b (first engaging portion) of the connecting portion 71 and the gear portion 42a (second engaging portion) of the lever support portion 76 may be omitted. Even if it changes in this way, the effect of the present invention is produced.

  In each of the embodiments, in place of the internal gear portion 37b formed on the inner peripheral portion of the connecting portion 37, a gear portion formed of a plurality of external teeth may be formed on the outer peripheral portion of the support portion 36. Then, the release lever 41 may be formed with a gear portion replacing the gear portion 42 a that can be engaged with the gear portion.

In each of the embodiments, the flange 40 e of the second support pin 40 may be omitted.
In each of the embodiments, the base plates 21 and 30 may be integrally formed.
In each of the embodiments, the plate thicknesses of the active levers 35 and 70 and the release levers 41 and 75 may be equal to or different from each other.

  In each of the embodiments, the transmission ratio of the rotational transmission between the active levers 35 and 70 and the release levers 41 and 75 may not be constant. For example, when the release lever is rotated to an amount equivalent to the amount of rotation of the pole 26 which can release the engagement with the latch 25, a first engagement portion engaged so that the rotational speed of the release lever relative to the active lever is reduced It may be a second engaging portion. Alternatively, when the release lever is rotated to an amount equivalent to the amount of rotation of the pole 26 which can release the engagement with the latch 25, the release lever is engaged so as to stop the rotation regardless of the rotation of the active lever. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion may be used.

  In each of the embodiments, the drive of the actuator 31 for releasing the latch mechanism in the engaged state is, for example, motor lock due to the pinion 33a reaching the end of the gear portion 37a and becoming non-rotatable (surge of motor current etc. ) May be stopped by the ECU.

  The present invention may be applied to, for example, a swing-type door or to a back door disposed at the rear of a vehicle.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Sliding door (door), 21,30 ... Base plate, 22 ... Latch mechanism, 32 ... Electric motor, 34 ... 1st support pin (1st support shaft), 35, 60 ... Active lever, 35a ... Groove part (recessed part) 36: support portion 37, 71: connection portion 37b: internal gear portion (first engagement portion, internal gear) 38: connection portion 40: second support pin (second support shaft) 40e: flange 41, 65: release lever, 42, 76: lever support portion, 42a: gear portion (second engagement portion, external gear) 61: first engagement portion 66: second engagement portion 71a: first portion 1 arc surface (opposite portion), 76a ... second arc surface.

Claims (7)

A latch mechanism capable of holding the door of the vehicle closed;
A support portion pivotable around a first support shaft, a connecting portion disposed outside the support portion in a radial direction centering on the first support shaft, and drivingly connected to an electric motor at an outer peripheral portion, the support portion And a connecting portion connecting the supporting portion and the connecting portion to each other such that a recess is formed between the connecting portions, and any one of the outer peripheral portion of the supporting portion and the inner peripheral portion of the connecting portion An active lever having a first engagement portion;
The first engagement is pivotable around a second support shaft disposed parallel to the first support shaft in the recess, linked to the latch mechanism, and integrally pivoted with the active lever And a release lever having a second engagement part engageable with the part. In the vehicle door lock device according to claim 1,
The vehicle door lock device, wherein the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are engageable within a range of overlapping plate thicknesses. In the vehicle door lock device according to claim 1 or 2,
The first engaging portion is an internal gear formed on an inner peripheral portion of the connecting portion,
The vehicle door lock device, wherein the second engagement portion is an external gear capable of meshing with the internal gear. In the vehicle door lock device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The second support shaft is non-rotatably fixed to a base plate fixed to the door, and the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are in engagement with the second support shaft. A door lock device for a vehicle, wherein a flange is formed which sandwiches the engagement position of the cover in cooperation with the base plate in the thickness direction thereof. In the vehicle door lock device according to claim 1 or 2,
The release lever is pivotable about the second support shaft at a lever support portion,
The active lever operates the latch mechanism so as to hold the door in the half door state in the fully closed state by rotating in one direction from the neutral position toward the full latch complete position, and releasing from the neutral position By rotating in the other direction toward the position, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are engaged to release the holding of the door in the fully closed state via the release lever. Operate the latch mechanism,
The vehicle door lock device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion has an opposing portion that contacts or approaches the lever support portion at least at the full latch completion position. In the vehicle door lock device according to claim 5,
The vehicle door lock device, wherein the opposing portion approaches the lever support portion at least at the full latch completion position. In the vehicle door lock device according to claim 6,
The first engaging portion is an internal gear formed on an inner peripheral portion of the connecting portion,
The second engagement portion is an external gear formed on an outer peripheral portion of the lever support portion and capable of meshing with the internal gear.
The opposing portion is a first arc surface forming a root circle of the internal gear,
The vehicle door lock device, wherein the lever support portion is close to the first arc surface on a second arc surface forming a tip circle of the external gear.