JP7341857B2 - door latch device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a door latch device.

A door latch device that releasably locks a vehicle door includes a latch mechanism that includes a fork that releasably holds a striker on a vehicle body and a claw that locks the fork in a fully latched position. Patent Document 1 discloses an electric release type door latch device in which a release mechanism including an electric motor releases the locking of a fork by a claw (door opening operation) during normal operation.

The electric release mechanism may become inoperable due to lack of battery power or the like. Therefore, the door latch device of Patent Document 1 is provided with an emergency manual release mechanism. The manual release mechanism includes an inner lever connected to an inner handle located on the inside of the door. During normal operation, the inner handle is hidden and is not used.

International publication number WO2016/174753

In the door latch device of Patent Document 1, a mechanical locking mechanism using a lever and a link member is not necessary in some cases, so the overall shape can be reduced in size. However, the door latch device of Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in reducing the overall size.

An object of the present invention is to provide a door latch device whose overall shape can be reduced in size.

One aspect of the present invention includes a fork that is rotatable between an open position in which a striker can be released and a full latch position that holds the striker, a locking position that locks the fork in the full latch position, and a claw that can be rotated to an unlocked non-latching position; an operation receiving member for rotating the claw; a release mechanism having an opening operation member for rotating the opening operation member; and an electric motor for driving the opening operation member ; an inner lever that rotates the claw to the non-latching position; and an outer lever that is rotated by operation of an operating member on the outside of the vehicle and rotates the claw from the locking position to the non-latching position via the operation receiving member. a fence block in which the fork, the claw, the operation receiving member, the inner lever, and the outer lever are arranged; a first rotating shaft that pivotally supports the claw and the operation receiving member on the fence block; The operation receiving member includes a second rotation shaft that is provided to extend parallel to the first rotation shaft at an interval and that pivotally supports the inner lever and the outer lever on the fence block. The fence block is disposed on an inner side opposite to the outer side where the claw is disposed, and the inner lever and the outer lever are disposed adjacent to the operation receiving member on the inner side, and The operation receiving member includes a plate-shaped base that is arranged along the inner side and rotates together with the claw, and a plate-shaped base that is arranged along the inner side and rotates together with the claw, and a third plate that projects away from the base with respect to the inner side and is operated by the opening operation member. A door latch device is provided, which has a second protrusion that protrudes from the base in a direction away from the inner side and is operated by the inner lever and the outer lever.

According to this door latch device, the fork, the claw, the inner lever, and the outer lever are collectively arranged on the fence block, and the inner lever and the outer lever are arranged so as to be rotatable about one second rotating shaft. Therefore, the number of rotating shafts for supporting the inner lever and the outer lever can be reduced by one. As a result, the space for arranging one rotary shaft, inner lever, and outer lever can be reduced, so that the overall shape of the door latch device can be reduced in size.

In the door latch device of the present invention, the overall shape of the device can be reduced in size.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a state in which a door latch device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a vehicle. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the door latch device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the door latch device shown in FIG. 1; A front view of the outer part of the fence block. Front view of the inside part of the fence block. The front view of the 2nd arrangement part of a housing main body. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the latch mechanism in an open state. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a first state of operation of the closure lever. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a second state of operation of the closure lever. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the opening operation state of the electric release mechanism. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the opening operation state by the inner lever. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the opening operation state by the outer lever. A partially enlarged view of FIG. 5. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the arrangement of an operation receiving member, an opening operation member, an inner lever, and an outer lever. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an exposed portion. The exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the connection part of an inner lever, the connection part of an outer lever, and the connection member of a cable. FIG. 4B is a front view showing a state in which the inner handle is operated from the state shown in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4B is a front view showing a state where the key cylinder is operated from the state shown in FIG. 4A. The perspective view which shows the modification of an inner lever and an outer lever. FIG. 16 is a front view showing how the cable is connected to the lever in FIG. 15; FIG. 16 is a front view showing a state in which the inner handle is operated from the state shown in FIG. 15; FIG. 16 is a front view showing a state in which the key cylinder has been operated from the state shown in FIG. 15;

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 show a door latch device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the door latch device 10 is arranged inside a door 3 that can be opened and closed with respect to the vehicle body 1. The door latch device 10 maintains the door 3 in the closed state by holding the striker 2 of the vehicle body 1 when the door 3 in the open state is closed. The door 3 may be any of a general-purpose door supported on a hinge shaft extending in the vertical direction, a gull-wing door supported on a hinge shaft extending in the horizontal direction, and a sliding door that moves along the side panel 1a of the vehicle body 1. It may be a format.

Referring to FIG. 2, the door latch device 10 includes an L-shaped housing 15 when viewed from above in the Z direction, and a fence block 20 disposed in the housing 15. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4B, the door latch device 10 includes a latch mechanism 25, an electric release mechanism 35, a manual release mechanism 45, and a closure mechanism 55. Referring to FIG. 1, a connector 16 for electrical connection to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 4 of a vehicle is arranged in the housing 15. The electric release mechanism 35 and the closure mechanism 55 are controlled by the ECU 4.

The latch mechanism 25 holds the striker 2 in a detachable manner. The electric release mechanism 35 electrically releases the striker 2 from being held by the latch mechanism 25, allowing the door 3 to be opened. The manual release mechanism 45 is used when the electric release mechanism 35 is inoperable, and manually releases the striker 2 from being held by the latch mechanism 25, allowing the door 3 to be opened. The closure mechanism 55 electrically operates the latch mechanism 25 to fully lock the half-locked door 3 (so-called "half-door").

The manual release mechanism 45 is for emergency use and is not used during normal operation. The manual release mechanism 45 is connected to an inner handle (first operating member) 6 located on the inside of the vehicle and a key cylinder (second operating member) 7 located on the outside of the vehicle, but these are connected to a cover etc. hidden by.

No exposed door handle is provided inside or outside of the door 3 on which the door latch device 10 is mounted, for manual opening operation during normal operation. When opening the door 3 from inside the car, the user operates a switch 5 provided inside the car (for example, the door 3) instead of the door handle. When opening the door 3 from outside the vehicle, the user operates, for example, an electronic key (not shown).

As described above, since the door 3 does not have a door handle that is used during normal operation, the door latch mechanism 25 of this embodiment includes a transmission mechanism for transmitting the operating force of the door handle used during normal operation to the latch mechanism, and A locking mechanism is not provided for switching between a state in which transmission of the operating force by the transmission mechanism is possible and a state in which it is not possible. Therefore, compared to door latch devices having these mechanisms, the electric door latch device 10 is smaller.

The configuration of the door latch device 10 of this embodiment will be specifically described below.

As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 15 is made of resin and includes a housing main body 17 that integrally includes a first placement portion 17a and a second placement portion 17b, and a cover 18. A fence block 20 in which a latch mechanism 25 and a manual release mechanism 45 are arranged is arranged in the first arrangement part 17a, and an electric release mechanism 35 is arranged in the second arrangement part 17b. The second arrangement portion 17b is covered by a cover 18. The cover 18 constitutes an outer surface that is integrated with the vehicle inner side end surface 20a of the fence block 20 by being attached to the second arrangement portion 17b.

Referring to FIG. 1, the first arrangement portion 17a in which the fence block 20 including the latch mechanism 25 is arranged is arranged to face the end panel 3a of the door 3. The second arrangement portion 17b in which the electric release mechanism 35 is arranged is arranged along an inner panel (not shown) facing the outer panel 3b.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fence block 20 is made of resin, and has an outer part 20b facing the striker 2 (see FIG. 1) and the end panel 3a, and an inner part located on the opposite side of the outer part 20b. 20c (see FIG. 4B). The outer portion 20b extends in the vertical direction along the YZ plane. The fence block 20 is arranged in the first arrangement part 17a so that the inner part 20c faces the first arrangement part 17a. A part of the fence block 20 projects from the first arrangement part 17a toward the inside of the vehicle, and this projecting part is located in the arrangement space between the second arrangement part 17b and the cover 18. The fence block 20 is provided with an attachment portion 20d for attaching the latch mechanism 25, and an exposed portion 20f for exposing a portion of the manual release mechanism 45 to the outside.

The attachment portion 20d is a recessed portion provided such that the outer side portion 20b is open. An insertion groove 20e through which the striker 2 is inserted when the door 3 is opened or closed is formed in the attachment portion 20d. The insertion groove 20e extends from the inside of the vehicle located on the left side in the Y direction in FIG. 2 to the outside of the vehicle located on the right side in the Y direction in FIG. 2, and is recessed from the outside portion 20b toward the inside portion 20c.

The exposed portion 20f is provided to improve the ease of assembling the cables 47 and 49 to the manual release mechanism 45. The exposed portion 20f is a recess provided so that the outer portion 20b is open. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the exposed portion 20f is provided with two through holes 20g and 20h that penetrate from the outer portion 20b to the inner portion 20c. The first through hole 20g exposes a connecting portion 46a of an inner lever 46, which will be described later, to the outside. The second through hole 20h exposes a connecting portion 48a of an outer lever 48, which will be described later, to the outside.

The outside (outside part 20b) of the attachment part 20d is covered by a metal cover plate (support plate) 21 having an insertion groove 21a corresponding to the insertion groove 20e. Referring to FIG. 4B, a metal back plate 22 is disposed on the inner side 20c of the fence block 20 at a position corresponding to the mounting portion 20d. The outside of the exposed portion 20f is covered with a cable cover 23 made of resin.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper part of the housing 15 is covered with a waterproof cover 19. Moreover, a sealing member 24 is arranged above the cover plate 21 to seal between the housing 15 and the end panel 3a and between the housing 15 and the inner panel.

The waterproof cover 19 includes a first portion 19a that covers the upper side of the first placement portion 17a, and a second portion 19b that covers the upper side of the second placement portion 17b that includes the cover 18.

The sealing member 24 includes a first portion 24 a disposed across the outer surface of the fence block 20 , the outer surface of the cover plate 21 , and the outer surface of the waterproof cover 19 . Further, the sealing member 24 includes a second portion 24b disposed across the outer surface of the cover 18 and the outer surface of the waterproof cover 19.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, the latch mechanism 25 includes a fork 26 that releasably holds the striker 2, a claw 28 that locks the fork 26 in the fully latched position, and an operation that rotates the claw 28 together. A receiving member 29 is provided.

The fork 26 is disposed within the mounting portion 20d so as to be located between the fence block 20 and the cover plate 21, and is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft 27 provided above the insertion groove 20e. The rotating shaft 27 is installed between the cover plate 21 and the back plate 22, and extends in a direction perpendicular to these. The fork 26 includes a holding groove 26a for holding the striker 2, and is rotatable between an open position shown in FIG. 6 and a full latch position shown in FIG. 7B. The fork 26 is urged toward the open position by a spring (not shown).

The claw 28 is arranged within the mounting portion 20d so as to be located between the fence block 20 and the cover plate 21. The claw 28 is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft 30 provided below the insertion groove 20e, and is disposed adjacent to the fork 26. The rotating shaft 30 is installed between the cover plate 21 and the back plate 22 and extends in parallel along the rotating shaft 27 of the fork 26 . The claw 28 includes a locking portion 28a that locks onto the fork 26, and is rotatable between a locking position shown in FIG. 7A and a non-locking position shown in FIG. The claw 28 is urged toward the locking position by a spring 31.

The operation receiving member 29 is disposed on the inner side 20c side of the mounting portion 20d, is supported by the same rotating shaft 30 as the claw 28, and rotates together with the claw 28. The operation receiving member 29 includes a plate-shaped base 29a extending along the inner side 20c, a first protrusion 29b that is operated by the electric release mechanism 35, and a second protrusion 29c that is operated by the manual release mechanism 45. Be prepared. Referring to FIG. 5, the protrusions 29b and 29c protrude away from the base 29a with respect to the inner part 20c.

When the door 3 in the open state is closed, the striker 2 enters the holding groove 26a of the fork 26 in the open position shown in FIG. Subsequently, the fork 26 is rotated by the pressure of the striker 2 from the half-latched position shown in FIG. 7A to the full-latched position shown in FIG. 7B. In the half-latched position shown in FIG. 7A, the claw 28 locks on one side (temporary locking portion) of the holding groove 26a, thereby holding the door 3 in a half-locked state. In the fully latched position shown in FIG. 7B, the claw 28 locks with the locking step 26b, thereby holding the door 3 in the fully locked state.

When the operation receiving member 29 is operated by the electric release mechanism 35 or the manual release mechanism 45, the claw 28 rotates from the locking position shown in FIG. 7B to the non-locking position shown in FIG. 6. The fork 26 released from the claw 28 rotates from the fully latched position shown in FIG. 7B to the open position shown in FIG. 6 by the bias of the spring. Thereby, the door 3 becomes openable. When the operation of the operation receiving member 29 is released, the operation receiving member 29 and the claw 28 are rotated from the non-locking position shown in FIG. 6 to the locking position shown in FIG. 7B by the bias of the spring 31.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the electric release mechanism 35 is arranged in the second arrangement part 17b, and includes an electric motor 36, a worm 37, and an opening operation member 38.

The electric motor 36 is a DC motor capable of forward and reverse rotation. The worm 37 is attached to the output shaft of the electric motor 36 and has spiral teeth on its outer periphery.

The opening operation member 38 is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft 39 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotating shaft 30 . The opening operation member 38 has a fan shape, and a gear portion 38a that engages with the worm 37 is formed on the outer periphery. The opening operation member 38 is provided with an operation section 38b that rotates the claw 28 by contacting the first protrusion 29b.

The electric motor 36 is rotated forward by a signal from the ECU 4, and the opening operation member 38 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 5 via the worm 37. As a result, the operation receiving member 29 is rotated counterclockwise by the operation portion 38b from the angular position (locked position) shown in FIG. 4B to the angular position (unlocked position) shown in FIG. 8A. As a result, the claw 28 rotates from the locking position shown in FIG. 7B to the non-locking position shown in FIG. 6, and the fork 26 rotates to the open position. When this opening operation is completed, the electric motor 36 is reversed and the opening operation member 38 is returned to its initial position. As a result, the operation receiving member 29 and the claw 28 rotate integrally from the non-locking position to the locking position by the urging force of the spring 31.

Referring to FIG. 5, two switches 40A and 40B are arranged above the opening operation member 38 to output the state of the electric release mechanism 35 to the ECU 4. When the opening operation member 38 is rotated to the initial position shown in FIG. 5, the switch 40A outputs an on signal, and the switch 40B outputs an off signal. When the opening operation member 38 rotates counterclockwise to the opening operation completion position, the switch 40A outputs an OFF signal, and the switch 40B outputs an ON signal. Based on these signals, the ECU 4 controls the electric release mechanism 35.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4B, the manual release mechanism 45 includes an inner lever 46 and an outer lever 48. The inner lever 46 is connected to the inner handle 6 on the inside of the vehicle by a cable 47. The outer lever 48 is connected to the key cylinder 7 on the outside of the vehicle by a cable 49.

The inner lever 46 is made of metal, is disposed on the inner side 20c of the fence block 20 so as to be located below the operation receiving member 29, and is pivotally supported by the rotating shaft 50. The rotating shaft 50 is provided integrally with the fence block 20 and extends in parallel along the rotating shaft 27 of the fork 26 and the rotating shaft 30 of the claw 28. The inner lever 46 is provided with a connecting portion 46a to which a cable 47 is connected. The connecting portion 46a is arranged in the exposed portion 20f, and is exposed to the outside when the cable cover 23 is removed. The inner lever 46 is provided with an engaging portion 46b that engages with the outer lever 48 and rotates the outer lever 48 integrally by operating the inner handle 6.

The outer lever 48 is made of metal, is placed on the inner side 20c of the fence block 20, and is supported by the same rotating shaft 50 as the inner lever 46. The outer lever 48 is provided with a connecting portion 48a to which a cable 49 is connected. The connecting portion 48a is arranged in the exposed portion 20f, and is exposed to the outside when the cable cover 23 is removed. The outer lever 48 is provided with a stepped portion 48b that protrudes outward about the rotating shaft 50 and is engaged with the engaging portion 46b. The outer lever 48 is also provided with an operating portion 48c that abuts the second protrusion 29c and rotates the claw 28 via the operating member 29.

When the inner handle 6 is operated, the inner lever 46 rotates clockwise from the non-operating position shown in FIG. 4B to the operating position shown in FIG. 8B. When the engaging portion 46b engages with the outer lever 48, the outer lever 48 rotates clockwise together with the inner lever 46. As a result, the operation receiving member 29 is rotated counterclockwise by the operation portion 48c of the outer lever 48, and the claw 28 is rotated together from the locking position to the non-locking position. This causes the fork 26 to rotate from the fully latched position to the open position. That is, the outer lever 48 and the operating portion 48c operate the opening operating member 38 as part of the inner lever 46.

When the key cylinder 7 is operated, the outer lever 48 independently rotates clockwise as shown in FIG. 8C. In other words, the inner lever 46 does not rotate when the key cylinder 7 is operated. When the outer lever 48 rotates, the operation portion 48c rotates the operation receiving member 29 counterclockwise, and the claw 28 rotates together from the locking position to the non-locking position. This causes the fork 26 to rotate from the fully latched position to the open position.

The closure mechanism 55 includes a closure lever 56 for rotating the fork 26 from the half-latched position shown in FIG. 7A to the full-latched position shown in FIG. 7B. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, closure lever 56 is connected to actuator 62 by cable 58. As shown in FIGS. The actuator 62 is arranged inside the door 3 separately from the door latch device 10.

Closure lever 56 is located adjacent to the upper side of fork 26 . The closure lever 56 is installed between the cover plate 21 and the back plate 22 and is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft 57 extending along the rotating shaft 27 of the fork 26 . Closure lever 56 is biased toward the inoperative position shown in FIG. 4A by a spring 59 shown in FIG. 4B.

The closure lever 56 has a generally semicircular shape, and a connecting portion 56a for connecting the cable 58 is provided at one end in the circumferential direction located on the upper side in FIG. 4A. Referring to FIG. 3, a guide groove 56b is provided in the outer peripheral portion of the closure lever 56 so as to be recessed radially inward, through which the wire 58b of the cable 58 is inserted. The tube 58a of the cable 58 is routed along the outer surface of the fence block 20.

The other end of the closure lever 56 in the circumferential direction located on the lower side in FIG. 4A is provided with an operating portion 56c that rotates the fork 26 from the half latch position to the full latch position. The fork 26 is provided with an operation receiving section 26c that protrudes within the rotation range of the operating section 56c and receives an operation (pressure) from the operating section 56c.

Referring to FIG. 4B, on the inner side 20c of the fence block 20, a switch lever 60 that is pivotally supported by the rotating shaft 27 and rotates together with the fork 26, and two switches 61A and 61B are arranged. When the fork 26 is rotated to the open position shown in FIG. 6, the switch lever 60 interferes with both the switches 61A and 61B, so the switches 61A and 61B both output ON signals. When the fork 26 is rotated to the half-latched position shown in FIG. 7A, the switch lever 60 interferes only with the switch 61A, so the switch 61A outputs an on signal and the switch 61B outputs an off signal. When the fork 26 is rotated to the fully latched position shown in FIG. 7B, the switch lever 60 does not interfere with both the switches 61A and 61B, so both the switches 61A and 61B output an off signal.

ECU 4 controls actuator 62 based on input signals from switches 61A and 61B. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A, when the fork 26 in the open position rotates to the half-latched position, the actuator 62 is driven and the wire 58b of the cable 58 is pulled. As a result, the closure lever 56 rotates clockwise, and the operating portion 56c comes into contact with the operating receiving portion 26c.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7B, the operating section 56c presses the operating receiving section 26c, thereby rotating the fork 26 to the full latch position. When the ECU 4 detects that the fully locked state is reached by the signals from the switches 61A and 61B, the drive of the actuator 62 is stopped. The closure lever 56 is thereby returned to the inoperative position shown in FIG. 4A by the bias of the spring 59.

In the door latch device 10 configured as described above, during normal operation, the electric release mechanism 35 is driven by operation of the switch 5 or the electronic key, and the holding of the striker 2 by the latch mechanism 25 is released. Thereby, the door 3 can be opened to the vehicle body 1.

When the electric release mechanism 35 is inoperable due to lack of battery power or the like, the holding of the striker 2 by the latch mechanism 25 is released by operating the manual release mechanism 45. Specifically, if the user is inside the vehicle, the user removes the cover and operates the inner handle. As a result, the inner lever 46 rotates, thereby releasing the hold on the striker 2 by the latch mechanism 25, and the door 3 can be opened with respect to the vehicle body 1. When the user is outside the vehicle, a special mechanical key is inserted into the key cylinder 7 and rotated. As a result, the outer lever 48 rotates, thereby releasing the hold on the striker 2 by the latch mechanism 25, and the door 3 can be opened with respect to the vehicle body 1.

To close the door 3 during normal operation, it is sufficient to push the door 3 with enough force to rotate the fork 26 from the open position to the half-latched position. When the fork 26 rotates from the open position to the half-latch position, the closure mechanism 55 is driven, and the fork 26 from the half-latch position is rotated to the full-latch position. Thereby, the latch mechanism 25 holds the door 3 with respect to the vehicle body 1 so that it cannot be opened.

Next, the arrangement of the operation receiving member 29, the opening operation member 38, the inner lever 46, and the outer lever 48 will be explained in more detail.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the operation receiving member 29, the inner lever 46, and the outer lever 48 are arranged on the inner side 20c of the fence block 20, and the opening operation member 38 is arranged on the second arrangement part 17b. ing.

The operation receiving member 29 is pivotally supported by the same rotating shaft 30 as the claw 28, and the inner lever 46 and the outer lever 48 are pivotally supported by one rotating shaft 50 extending parallel to the rotating shaft 30, and the opening operating member 38 is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft 39 extending perpendicularly to the rotating shafts 30 and 50. That is, the operation receiving member 29 is arranged to rotate along the YZ plane. The inner lever 46 and the outer lever 48 are arranged to rotate along the same YZ plane as the operation receiving member 29. The opening operation member 38 is arranged to rotate along the XZ plane intersecting the operation receiving member 29.

As described above, the operation receiving member 29 includes a plate-shaped base portion 29a arranged along the inner side portion 20c. The base 29a is arranged on the fence block 20 so as to face the corner of the first arrangement part 17a and the second arrangement part 17b. In other words, the base 29a is arranged so that a part of the base 29a is located between the fence block 20 and the first arrangement part 17a, and the rest is located in a part that communicates with the arrangement space between the second arrangement part 17b and the cover 18. It is located in block 20. The base portion 29a is provided with a regulating piece 29d that penetrates through the fence block 20 and engages with the claw 28 on the outside portion 20b side to regulate rotation relative to the claw 28. That is, the operation receiving member 29 and the claw 28 rotate integrally.

The first protrusion 29b has a rod shape and is arranged in a portion of the base 29a facing the arrangement space between the second arrangement part 17b and the cover 18. The first protrusion 29b protrudes toward the opening operation member 38 such that a portion thereof is located within the rotation range of the operation portion 38b. The second protrusion 29c has a rod shape and is arranged at a portion of the base 29a sandwiched between the fence block 20 and the first arrangement part 17a. The second protruding portion 29c protrudes toward the first arrangement portion 17a such that a portion thereof is located within the rotation range of the outer lever 48.

The opening operation member 38 includes a base portion 38c through which the rotating shaft 39 passes. The thickness of the base portion 38c corresponding to the Y direction in which the rotating shaft 39 extends is larger than the diameter of the rod-shaped first protrusion portion 29b. The gear portion 38a protrudes from the outer periphery of the base portion 38c in a fan shape. The operating portion 38b is provided on the opposite side of the gear portion 38a with respect to the base portion 38c, and protrudes toward the fence block 20.

More specifically, the operating portion 38b protrudes in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first protrusion 29b protrudes (the direction of the arrow in the X direction) so as to be located below the first protrusion 29b. . The width of the operating portion 38b in the Y direction in which the rotating shaft 39 extends is set to a size that allows movement of the first protrusion 29b in the Y direction as the operation receiving member 29 rotates. That is, when viewed from above in the Z direction, the operating portion 38b is formed with a width that does not allow the first protruding portion 29b to separate in the Y direction even if the first protruding portion 29b moves in the Y direction due to rotation of the operation receiving member 29. has been done. Thereby, when the opening operation member 38 is rotated by the drive of the electric motor 36, the first protrusion 29b can be pressed upward by the operation part 38b, and the claw 28 can be rotated via the operation receiving member 29.

As described above, when the inner lever 46 is rotated by operating the inner handle 6, the engaging portion 46b engages with the stepped portion 48b, causing the outer lever 48 to rotate together. When the outer lever 48 is rotated by operating the inner handle 6 or the key cylinder 7, the operating portion 48c presses the second protruding portion 29c laterally, and rotates the claw 28 via the operating member 29. These are arranged adjacent to the lower side of the operation receiving member 29. The operating portion 48c is disposed on the rear side of the second protruding portion 29c in the direction in which the operation receiving member 29 operates to open the claw 28 (counterclockwise in FIG. 9).

The opening operation member 38, inner lever 46, and outer lever 48 arranged in this manner can reliably rotate one operation receiving member 29 and rotate the claw 28 from the locking position to the non-locking position. In other words, one operation receiving member 29 can be operated by the three types of operation members 38, 46, and 48 to release the locking of the fork 26 by the claw 28, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the entire device can be made smaller.

Next, the connection structure of the cables 47 and 49 to the inner lever 46 and the outer lever 48 will be explained.

Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 11, the connecting portion 46a of the inner lever 46 is located at the end of the exposed portion 20f in the Y direction located on the inside of the vehicle. The connecting portion 48a of the outer lever 48 is located at the center of the exposed portion 20f in the Y direction. The first through hole 20g that exposes the connecting portion 46a to the outside is provided at the end of the exposed portion 20f in the Y direction located on the inside of the vehicle, and extends in the Z direction. The second through hole 20h, which exposes the connecting portion 48a to the outside, is formed in a generally fan shape centered on the rotating shaft 50.

Referring to FIG. 12, the cables 47 and 49 include tubes 47a and 49a, wires 47b and 49b that can move forward and backward within the tubes 47a and 49a, and connection members 47c and 49c provided at the ends of the wires 47b and 49b. Referring to FIG. 11, the exposed portion 20f includes a first holding portion 20i that holds the end of the tube 47a of the cable 47 connected to the inner handle 6, and an end of the tube 49a of the cable 49 connected to the key cylinder 7. A second holding portion 20j is formed to hold the second holding portion 20j.

As shown in FIG. 12, the connecting portion 46a of the inner lever 46 protrudes toward the rotating shaft 50 opposite to the engaging portion 46b. An attachment hole 46c for attaching a connecting member 47c of the cable 47 is formed in the connecting portion 46a. The attachment hole 46c consists of a circular penetrating hole.

The connecting member 47c of the cable 47 includes a cylindrical base 47d fixed to the end of the wire 47b, a cylindrical attachment portion 47e provided at the tip of the base 47d, and a retaining portion provided at the tip of the attachment portion 47e. 47f. The attachment portion 47e protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the base portion 47d. The diameter of the attachment portion 47e is formed to be as large as possible within a range that allows attachment to the attachment hole 46c. The retaining portion 47f protrudes from the mounting portion 47e toward the side opposite to the base portion 47d. When the connecting member 47c is attached to the connecting portion 46a, the retaining portion 47f is provided in a portion of the attaching portion 47e located on the opposite side of the connecting portion 46a from the base portion 47d.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 12, the connecting portion 48a of the outer lever 48 projects toward the opposite side of the operating portion 48c with respect to the rotating shaft 50. The connecting portion 48a includes a holding portion 48d that is L-shaped when viewed from the direction in which the rotating shaft 50 extends. The holding portion 48d includes a plate-shaped first portion 48e extending in a direction crossing the direction in which the wire 49b extends, and a second portion 48f protruding from the lower end of the first portion 48e to the side opposite to the wire 49b side. have The holding portion 48d passes through the through hole 20h and is disposed on the outside portion 20b side. The holding portion 48d is provided with an insertion portion 48g through which the wire 49b can be inserted. The insertion portion 48g is a groove that extends in a curved manner from the outer edge of the second portion 48f to the first portion 48e.

The connecting member 49c of the cable 49 consists of a spherical body fixed to the end of the wire 49b. By arranging the connecting member 49c on the second portion 48f and inserting the wire 49b from the second portion 48f to the first portion 48e through the insertion portion 48g, the connecting member 49c is movably held by the holding portion 48d.

As described above, when the inner handle 6 is operated, the inner lever 46 is pulled via the wire 47b, and the inner lever 46 is rotated by the pressure of the connecting member 47c, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 13. . As a result, the engaging portion 46b engages with the stepped portion 48b, so that the outer lever 48 rotates together with the inner lever 46, and the claw 28 from the locking position is changed to the non-locking position via the operation receiving member 29. It can rotate.

At this time, the connecting portion 48a of the outer lever 48 includes an insertion portion 48g through which the wire 49b can be inserted, and since the key cylinder 7 is not operated, the wire 49b maintains a state advanced to the non-operating position. When the connecting member 49c is immovably attached to the connecting portion 48a, the connecting member 49c moves together with the rotation of the outer lever 48, and the interlocking movement of the wire 49b as it moves becomes a resistance to operation. In contrast, in this embodiment, the connecting member 49c is separated from the holding portion 48d as shown in FIG. Therefore, since the wire 49b does not move in conjunction with the rotation of the outer lever 48, it is possible to prevent the wire 49b from becoming a resistance to the operation of the inner handle 6.

On the other hand, when the key cylinder 7 is operated, the connecting member 49c is pulled via the wire 49b. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 8C and 14, the connecting member 49c held by the holding portion 48d comes into contact with the first portion 48e, and transmits the operating force of the key cylinder 7 to the connecting portion 48a. As a result, the outer lever 48 is rotated by the pressure of the connecting member 49c, and the claw 28 from the locking position can be rotated to the non-locking position via the operation receiving member 29. At this time, the inner handle 6 does not rotate and the wire 47b does not interlock, so that resistance to the operation of the key cylinder 7 can be prevented.

The door latch device 10 configured as described above has the following features.

The inner lever 46 and the operation receiving member 29 are arranged along the fence block 20 extending perpendicularly to the outer panel 3b. Therefore, when the door 3 on which the door latch device 10 is disposed is a general-purpose door, it is possible to ensure that the door 3 can be opened even if another vehicle collides with the side. Specifically, when another vehicle collides with the door 3, the impact and influence applied to the inner lever 46 and the operation receiving member 29 are smaller than the impact and influence applied to the electric release mechanism 35. This is arranged in the second arrangement part 17b (XZ plane) in which the electric release mechanism 35 extends across the Y direction where a load is applied due to a collision, and in the fence block 20 (in the YZ plane) in which the manual release mechanism 45 extends in parallel. ). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an error in the assembly position of the inner lever 46 and the operation receiving member 29 due to a collision, so that a state in which the door 3 can be opened by operating the inner handle 6 can be ensured. In other words, even if an unintended impact is applied, the door 3 can be opened and the occupant can be prevented from being trapped inside the vehicle, thereby improving the reliability of the door latch device 10.

A fork 26, a claw 28, an inner lever 46, and an outer lever 48 are collectively arranged on the fence block 20, and the inner lever 46 and the outer lever 48 are arranged rotatably around one rotating shaft 50. Therefore, the number of rotating shafts for pivotally supporting the inner lever 46 and the outer lever 48 can be reduced by one. As a result, the space for arranging one rotary shaft, inner lever, and outer lever can be reduced, so that the overall shape of the door latch device 10 can be reduced in size.

An operation receiving member 29 for rotating the claw 28 is provided on the inner side 20c of the fence block 20, and the inner lever 46 and the outer lever 48 are arranged adjacent to the operation receiving member 29. Therefore, the two levers 46 and 48 can reliably operate one operation receiving member 29 and rotate the claw 28 from the locking position to the non-locking position.

The operation receiving member 29 includes a plate-shaped base 29a that rotates together with the claw 28, a first protrusion 29b that is partially located within the rotation range of the opening operation member 38, and a rotation of the operation section 48c of the manual release mechanism. and a second protrusion 29c partially located within the range. Therefore, one operation receiving member 29 can be reliably operated by either the manual release mechanism 45 or the electric release mechanism 35.

When the inner lever 46 is rotated by operating the inner handle 6, it has an engaging portion 46b that engages with the outer lever 48 and rotates the outer lever 48 together. It has an operation part 48c that rotates 28. That is, by transmitting the rotation of the inner lever 46 and the outer lever 48 from one operation part 48c to one operation receiving member 29, the claw 28 can be rotated from the locking position to the non-locking position. Therefore, since the structure and arrangement of the outer lever 48 and the inner lever 46 can be simplified, size reduction can also be achieved in this respect. Furthermore, compared to the case where the inner lever 46 and the outer lever 48 are each provided with an operating section, since it is not necessary to arrange two operating sections side by side with respect to the operation receiving member 29, the thickness direction of the fence block 20 is Dimensions can be made thinner.

The connecting portion 48a of the outer lever 48 has a holding portion 48d including an insertion portion 48g through which a wire 49b can be inserted. Therefore, the connecting member 49c is separated from the holding part 48d by operating the inner handle 6, and is held by the holding part 48d by operating the key cylinder 7, thereby rotating the outer lever 48. In this way, by operating the inner handle 6 and the key cylinder 7, the inner lever 46 and the outer lever 48 can be rotated, and the claw 28 can be reliably operated. Further, since it is possible to prevent the cable 49 connected to the outer lever 48 from operating due to the operation of the inner handle 6, it is possible to prevent an increase in operating force and malfunction due to interlocking of other parts.

An inner lever 46 is arranged on the inner side 20c of the fence block 20, and an electric release mechanism 35 is arranged in a second arrangement part 17b that is different from the first arrangement part 17a in which the fence block 20 is arranged. In other words, the inner lever 46 and the opening operation member 38 are configured to operate the operation receiving member 29 that rotates the claw 28 from different directions. Therefore, since both the inner lever 46 and the opening operation member 38 can be arranged near the operation receiving member 29, the overall shape of the door latch device 10 can be reduced in size in this respect as well. Further, the electric release mechanism 35 directly transmits the rotation of the opening operation member 38 to the claw 28, and can rotate the claw 28 from the locking position to the non-locking position. Therefore, since a separate relay lever is not required, the structure of the door latch device 10 can be simplified and downsized.

15 and 16 show a modification of the manual release mechanism 45. FIG. This modification differs from the embodiment described above in that an open lever 65 having an integral structure of an inner lever and an outer lever is used. In other words, the open lever 65 is an inner lever and an outer lever that are integrally constructed.

The open lever 65 is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft 50 that projects from the fence block 20 shown in FIG. The open lever 65 includes a base portion 65a having a shaft hole. The base portion 65a includes a first connecting portion 65b for connecting the cable 47 connected to the inner handle, a second connecting portion 65c for connecting the cable 49 connected to the key cylinder, and a corresponding part to the operation receiving member 29. An operating portion 65d that contacts and rotates the claw 28 is provided in a protruding manner.

The first connecting portion 65b projects laterally from the base 65a in FIG. 16, and the second connecting portion 65c projects downward from the base 65a in FIG. Each of these includes a holding portion 65e having the same configuration as the holding portion 48d shown in FIG. 12. In other words, the holding portion 65e includes a plate-shaped first portion 65f, a second portion 65g protruding from the lower end of the first portion 65f, and an insertion hole that bends and extends from the edge of the second portion 65g to the first portion 65f. 65h.

The connecting members 47c, 49c of the cables 47, 49 are made of spherical bodies fixed to the ends of the wires 47b, 49b, respectively. By arranging the connecting members 47c, 49c on the second portion 65g and inserting the wires 47b, 49b from the second portion 65g to the first portion 65f through the insertion portion 65h, the connecting members 47c, 49c move to the holding portion 65e. Possibly retained.

The operating portion 65d projects upward from the base portion 65a in FIG. 16. When assembled to the fence block 20, the operating portion 65d is disposed adjacent to the side of the second protrusion 29c of the operation receiving member 29 shown in FIG.

When the inner handle is operated in the non-operating state shown in FIG. 16, the connecting member 47c of the cable 47 is pulled downward and held by the holding part 65e of the first connecting part 65b, as shown in FIG. The open lever 65 rotates counterclockwise by pressing the first connecting portion 65b by the connecting member 47c. At this time, since the connecting member 49c of the cable 49 is separated from the holding part 65e of the second connecting part 65c, the cable 49 on the key cylinder side does not move in conjunction with the operation of the inner handle.

When the key cylinder is operated in the non-operating state shown in FIG. 16, the connecting member 49c of the cable 49 is pulled sideways and held by the holding part 65e of the second connecting part 65c, as shown in FIG. The open lever 65 rotates counterclockwise due to the pressing of the second connecting portion 65c by the connecting member 49c. At this time, since the connecting member 47c of the cable 47 is separated from the holding part 65e of the first connecting part 65b, the cable 47 on the inner handle side does not move in conjunction with the operation of the key cylinder.

As described above, in the open lever 65 of this modification, the inner lever and the outer lever are integrally formed. Therefore, the configuration and arrangement of the door latch device 10 can be simplified, and thus miniaturization can be achieved. Moreover, the size of the fence block in the thickness direction can be made thinner compared to a case where the inner lever and the outer lever are configured separately.

The connecting portion 65b and the connecting portion 65c of the open lever 65 each include a holding portion 65e including an insertion portion 65h through which the wires 47b and 49b can be inserted. Therefore, the open lever 65 can be reliably operated by operating the inner handle and the key cylinder. Further, since it is possible to prevent the operation of one of the inner handle and the key cylinder from activating the cable of the other, it is possible to prevent an increase in operating force and malfunction caused by the interlocking of other parts.

Note that the door latch device 10 of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made.

Of the operation receiving member 29, only one protrusion may be operated. A protruding portion (operation receiving portion) may be provided directly protruding from the claw 28 without providing a base portion. The configuration of the operation receiving member 29 can be modified in other ways as necessary.

The connecting portion 46a of the inner lever 46 and the connecting portion 48a of the outer lever 48 may be exposed to the outside through one through hole. The inner lever 46 and the outer lever 48 may be supported by different rotating shafts. The inner lever 46 and the outer lever 48 may rotate independently without interlocking. In this case, the operating portion 48c is provided on the inner lever 46, and the operating portion 48c of the outer lever 48 and the operating portion 48c of the inner lever 46 are arranged side by side along the protruding direction of the second protruding portion 29c of the operation receiving member 29. , the second protrusion 29c may be operated using individual operating sections. The outer lever 48 may be provided with a connecting portion 46a and an engaging portion 46b, and the inner lever 46 may be provided with a connecting portion 48a, a stepped portion 48b, and an operating portion 48c.

The connection structure between the inner lever 46, the outer lever 48, and the open lever 65 and the cables 47, 49 can be changed as necessary.

The electric release mechanism 35 is not limited to the configuration including the opening operation member 38 having the worm 37 and the gear portion 38a, and can be modified as necessary. The door latch device 10 may be configured without the closure mechanism 55.

1 Vehicle body 1a Side panel 2 Striker 3 Door 3a End panel 3b Outer panel 4 ECU
5 Switch 6 Inner handle (operating member inside the vehicle)
7 Key cylinder (operating member on the outside of the vehicle)
10 Door latch device 15 Housing 16 Connector 17 Housing main body 17a First placement part 17b Second placement part 18 Cover 19 Waterproof cover 20 Fence block 19a First part 19b Second part 20a Inner side end surface 20b Outer part 20c Inner part 20d Mounting part 20e Insertion groove 20f Exposed part 20g First through hole 20h Second through hole 20i First holding part 20j Second holding part 21 Cover plate 21a Insertion groove 22 Back plate 23 Cable cover 24 Seal member 24a First part 24b Second part 25 Latch Mechanism 26 Fork 26a Holding groove 26b Locking step portion 26c Operation receiving portion 27 Rotating shaft 28 Claw 28a Locking portion 29 Operation receiving member (operation receiving portion)
29a Base 29b First protrusion 29c Second protrusion 29d Regulation piece 30 Rotating shaft (first rotating shaft)
31 Spring 35 Electric release mechanism 36 Electric motor 37 Worm 38 Opening operation member 38a Gear part 38b Operation part 38c Base 39 Rotating shaft 40A, 40B Switch 45 Manual release mechanism 46 Inner lever 46a Connection part 46b Engagement part 46c Mounting hole 47 Cable ( 1st cable)
47a Tube 47b Wire 47c Connecting member 47d Base 47e Mounting part 47f Retaining part 48 Outer lever 48a Connection part 48b Step part 48c Operating part 48d Holding part 48e First part 48f Second part 48g Passing part 49 Cable (second cable)
49a Tube 49b Wire 49c Connecting member 50 Rotating shaft (second rotating shaft)
55 Closure mechanism 56 Closure lever 56a Connection part 56b Guide groove 56c Operation part 57 Rotating shaft 58 Cable 58a Tube 58b Wire 59 Spring 60 Switch lever 61A, 61B Switch 62 Actuator 65 Open lever 65a Base 65b First connection part 65c Second connection part 65d Operation part 65e Holding part 65f First part 65g Second part 65h Insertion part

Claims (6)

a fork rotatable between an open position in which the striker can be released and a fully latched position in which the striker is held;
a claw that is rotatable between a locking position that locks the fork in the fully latched position and a non-locking position that releases the lock from the fork;
an operation receiving member for rotating the claw;
a release mechanism including an opening operation member for rotating the claw from the locking position to the non-locking position via the operation receiving member; and an electric motor driving the opening operation member;
an inner lever that is rotated by operation of an operating member inside the vehicle and rotates the claw from the locking position to the non-locking position via the operation receiving member ;
an outer lever that is rotated by operation of an operating member on the outside of the vehicle and rotates the claw from the locking position to the non-locking position via the operation receiving member;
a fence block in which the fork, the claw, the operation receiving member, the inner lever, and the outer lever are arranged;
a first rotating shaft that pivotally supports the claw and the operation receiving member on the fence block;
a second rotation shaft that is provided to extend parallel to and spaced apart from the first rotation shaft, and that pivotally supports the inner lever and the outer lever on the fence block ;
The operation receiving member is arranged on an inner side of the fence block opposite to an outer side where the claw is arranged,
The inner lever and the outer lever are arranged adjacent to the operation receiving member in the inner side,
The operation receiving member is
a plate-shaped base disposed along the inner part and rotating together with the claw;
a first protrusion that protrudes from the base in a direction away from the inner side and is operated by the opening operation member;
a second protrusion that protrudes from the base in a direction away from the inner side and is operated by the inner lever and the outer lever;
A door latch device with When one of the inner lever and the outer lever is rotated by operation of the corresponding operating member, the engagement engages with the other of the inner lever and the outer lever and rotates the other integrally. has a department;
The door latch device according to claim 1 , wherein the other of the inner lever and the outer lever has an operating portion that rotates the claw via the operation receiving member. The other of the inner lever and the outer lever has a connecting portion for connecting a cable connected to the corresponding operating member,
The cable includes a tube with one end held by the fence block, a wire that can move forward and backward within the tube, and a connecting member provided at the end of the wire,
The connecting portion has a holding portion including an insertion portion through which the wire can be inserted,
The connecting member is separated from the holding portion by operating the operating member corresponding to one of the inner lever and the outer lever, and is held in the holding portion by operating the operating member corresponding to the other. The door latch device according to claim 2 . The inner lever and the outer lever have an integral structure, and include a first connection portion for connecting a first cable connected to the operation member on the inside of the vehicle, and a second cable connected to the operation member on the outside of the vehicle. The door latch device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second connection portion for connecting the claw; and an operation portion that contacts the operation receiving member and rotates the claw. The first cable and the second cable each include a tube whose one end side is held by the fence block, a wire that can move forward and backward within the tube, and a connecting member provided at the end of the wire,
The first connection part and the second connection part each have a holding part including an insertion part through which the wire can be inserted,
By operating the operating member inside the vehicle, the connecting member of the first cable is held in the holding part of the first connecting part, and the connecting member of the second cable is held from the holding part of the second connecting part to the holding part of the first connecting part. The connecting members are separated,
By operating the operation member on the outside of the vehicle, the connecting member of the second cable is held in the holding part of the second connecting part, and the connecting member of the first cable is held from the holding part of the first connecting part to the holding part of the second connecting part. 5. The door latch device of claim 4 , wherein the connecting members are spaced apart. a housing main body having a first arrangement part in which the fence block is arranged; a second arrangement part extending in a direction crossing the first arrangement part and in which the release mechanism is arranged;
a third rotation shaft extending in a direction intersecting the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft, and rotatably supporting the opening operation member in the second arrangement portion;
The door latch device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the opening operation member has an operation section that contacts the operation receiving member and rotates the claw.

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