WO2018034440A1 - Vehicle door latch system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle door latch system, more particularly, relates to a vehicle door latch system wherein a driving unit comprises a screw, and wherein a nut part which is thread coupled to the screw is formed in a locking member, thereby reducing the size and the number of components of the device.

Description

VEHICLE DOOR LATCH SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a vehicle door latch system, more particularly, relates to a vehicle door latch system wherein a driving unit comprises a screw, and wherein a nut part which is thread coupled to the screw is formed in a locking member.

In a door latch system a latch and a link for locking the latch is installed in a case as suggested in Korea Patent No. 10-1091658.

However, such door latch system of the prior art includes numerous links to perform various functions. Since the number of components is increased there is a problem in that the manufacturing cost is increased and the assembling process becomes complicated.

In order to solve such problem, a door latch system wherein a locking member that locks the latch includes a sliding member slidingly installed in the housing is suggested in Korea Patent No. 10-1577214. However, such door latch system of the prior art has a problem in that the volume of the device becomes bulky since the door is locked as a first safety device is rotated by a first safety device driving unit which prevents a locking member from unlocking even when the door lever is being pulled.

[Leading Technical Literature]

[Patent Literature]

[Patent Literature 1] Korea Patent No. 10-1091658

[Patent Literature 2] Korea Patent No. 10-1577214

[Patent Literature 3] Korea Patent Publication No. 2016-0013621

An objective of the present invention devised for solving the above mentioned problems, is to provide a vehicle door latch system wherein the number of components is reduced and the volume of the device is small.

To achieve above described objective, the vehicle door latch system of the present invention is characterized in that and comprises: a housing; a latch rotatably installed in the housing; a door closing member locking the latch and connected to a door opening device; a locking member slidingly installed in the housing, preventing the door from opening even when the door opening device is operated; and a driving unit moving the locking member, wherein the driving unit comprises a screw, and wherein a nut part thread coupled to the screw is formed in the locking member.

The door closing member may be slidingly installed in the housing.

The door closing member may comprise a main locking member locking the latch, and a sub-locking member connected to the main locking member through a connecting means.

In the upper side of the housing, a striker insertion slot wherein a striker is inserted is formed; a door opening device connecting unit connecting the door opening device and the door closing member is provided; and the door opening device connecting unit can be withdrawn from the upper side of the housing.

According to a vehicle door latch system of the present invention as described above, there are advantageous effects as follows.

The driving unit comprises a screw, and a nut part thread coupled to the screw is formed in the locking member, thereby reducing the size and the number of components of the device.

The door closing member is slidingly installed in the housing so that the structure is further simplified.

In the upper side of the housing, a striker insertion slot wherein a striker is inserted is formed; a door opening device connecting unit connecting the door opening device and the door closing member; and the door opening device connecting unit is withdrawn from the upper side of the housing, so that the up-down length of the device that is related to the width of the door can be reduced.

In addition, the interference between the glass of the door and the door opening device connecting unit is prevented, and the bending of the door opening device connecting unit is prevented when connecting the door opening device connecting unit to the door opening device of the door, thereby improving the assemblability.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a front view illustrating the state wherein the second housing is removed from the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a front perspective view (shown above) and a rear perspective view (shown below) of the first housing of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a front perspective view (shown above) and a rear perspective view (shown below) of the second housing of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a front perspective view (shown above) and a rear perspective view (shown below) of the third housing and the PCB of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the latch and the first return spring of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a front perspective view of the main locking member and the rotating member spring (shown above) and a rear perspective view of the main locking member (shown below) of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the stopping lever unit and the second return spring of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a front view of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention (second housing and main locking member are not shown).

Fig. 11 is a front perspective view (shown above) and a rear perspective view (shown below) of the sub-locking member and the door opening device connecting unit of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a front perspective view (shown above) and a rear perspective view (shown below) of the first locking member, the first driving unit, the key connect and the unlocking part of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a front view illustrating the state wherein the third housing is removed from the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view approximately illustrating the vehicle door latch system installed in a vehicle door according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view approximately illustrating the vehicle door latch system installed in a vehicle door according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a front perspective view (shown above) and a rear perspective view (shown below) of the second locking member of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 17 is a front perspective view of the second driving unit of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 18 is a rear perspective view of the main gear of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the main gear of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 20 is a front view illustrating the first step of the door closing operation of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention (housing is not shown).

Fig. 21 is a front view illustrating the second step of the door closing operation of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention (housing is not shown).

Fig. 22 is a front view illustrating the third step of the door closing operation of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention (housing is not shown).

Fig. 23 is a front view illustrating the fourth step of the door closing operation of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention (housing is not shown).

Fig. 24 is a partial front view (shown above) and a partial cross-sectional view (shown below) when the door is unlocked according to the vehicle door latch system of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 25 is a partial perspective view when the door is unlocked according to the vehicle door latch system of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 26 is a partial front view (shown above) and a partial cross-sectional view (shown below) when the door is locked according to the vehicle door latch system of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 27 is a partial perspective view illustrating the state wherein the stopping lever unit is moved to the rear direction by the first protrusion guide part during the door locking operation of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 28 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the first step of the door unlocking operation using the first door opening device of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 29 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the second step of the door unlocking operation using the first door opening device of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 30 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the third step of the door unlocking operation using the first door opening device of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 31 is a rear view and a plan view of the cam-part illustrating the state of the door locking through the second locking member of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 32 is a partial plan view of the door locking through the second locking member of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 33 is a rear view and a plan view of the cam-part illustrating the state of the door unlocking through the second locking member of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 34 is a partial plan view of the door unlocking through the second locking member of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 35 is a partial front view illustrating the first step of door opening operation when the motor fails in the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 36 is a partial front view illustrating the second step of door opening operation when the motor fails in the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 37 is a partial front view illustrating the third step of door opening operation when the motor fails in the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 38 is a partial front view illustrating the state when the door opening device is operated at normal times in the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 39 is a rear perspective view of the child locking member of the vehicle door latch system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention (third housing is not shown).

Fig. 40 is a rear perspective view of the child locking member of the vehicle door latch system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 41 is a rear perspective view of the child locking member of the vehicle door latch system according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention (third housing is not shown).

Fig. 42 is a rear perspective view of the child locking member of the vehicle door latch system according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 43 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle door latch system according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention (third housing is not shown and second locking member is separated).

Fig. 44 is the front view of the vehicle door latch system according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 45 is the rear perspective view of the vehicle door latch system according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 46 is the rear perspective view of the vehicle door latch system according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 47 is the rear perspective view of the vehicle door latch system according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention (third housing and motor are not shown).

Hereinafter, a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows.

For reference, for the components of the present invention which will be described hereinafter and identical to those of the prior art, separate detailed descriptions will be omitted, but instead will be referred the prior art described above.

<Embodiment 1>

As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 45, a vehicle door latch system according to the exemplary embodiment is characterized in that and comprises: a housing 1100; a latch 1200 rotatably installed in the housing 1100; a door closing member locking the latch 1200, connected to a door opening device; a locking member slidingly installed in the housing 1100, preventing the door 1 from opening even when the door opening device is operated; and a driving unit moving the locking member, wherein the driving unit comprises a screw 1652, and a nut part 1502a being thread coupled to the screw 1652 is formed in the locking member.

<Housing>

As illustrated in Fig. 1, in the housing 1100, the front means the direction towards the second housing 1130, and the rear side means direction towards the third housing 1150. In addition, the left side and the right side described hereinafter mean the left side and the right side when viewing from the front. The left side and the right side, used when describing the members formed in the rear side surface, also mean the left side and the right side when viewing from the front of the members.

As illustrated in Figs. 2, the housing 1100 comprises: a first housing 1110, a second housing 1130 disposed in front of the first housing 1110, and a third housing 1150 disposed in the rear side of the first housing 1110.

A sealing member is disposed between the circumference of the rear surface of the first housing 1110 and the circumference of the front surface of the third housing 1150, the first driving unit 1650, the second driving unit 1600, the PCB 1900, and the like are prevented from being damaged by the water.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, a striker insertion slot 1105 wherein a striker 1101 connected to the vehicle body is inserted is formed in the upper front side of the housing 1100. The upper side and the front side of the striker insertion slot 1105 are formed to be open.

Therefore, the striker insertion slot 1105 is formed in the first housing 1110 and the second housing 1130.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, the first housing 1110 is formed in the shape of a block.

In the front surface of the first housing 1110, a latch receiving slot 1111 for receiving the latch 1200, which will be described hereinafter, and a closing member receiving slot 1112 for receiving the main locking member 1300 and the sub-locking member 1400, which will be described later, are formed.

The first housing 1110 is made of a plastic material and can be formed by injection molding. Due to this, the manufacturing of the device becomes facilitated.

The front side of the latch receiving slot 1111 is formed to be open so that assembling of the components becomes easy. The front side of the latch receiving slot 1111 is covered by the second housing 1130 when assembling.

The upper portion of the latch receiving slot 1111 is communicating with the striker insertion slot 1105.

Further, a spring insertion slot 1113 is formed in the front side of the first housing 1110.

The spring insertion slot 1113 is disposed in the rear side of the latch receiving slot 1111 and communicating with the latch receiving slot 1111. The spring insertion slot 1113 is formed to be the shape of an arc, and a first return spring 1250, which will be described later, is inserted in the spring insertion slot 1113, and thus the other end of the first return spring 1250 can be rotated with the latch 1200.

A sixth sensor insertion hole 1129 is formed in the first housing 1110 penetrating through the front-to-rear side direction wherein a sixth sensor 1910, which will be described later, is inserted so as to communicate with the latch receiving slot 1111. The sixth sensor insertion hole 1129 is disposed in the lower portion of the striker insertion slot 1105.

A stopping unit guiding slot 1115 is formed in the left side of the first housing 1110 penetrating through the front-to-rear side direction so as to communicate with the spring insertion slot 1113 and the latch receiving slot 1111.

The stopping unit guiding slot 1115 is formed in the shape of an arc.

The closing member receiving slot 1112 plays the role of guiding so that the main locking member 1300 and the sub-locking member 1400 are being slided smoothly along the left-to-right direction with respect to the first housing 1100.

The closing member receiving slot 1112 is formed along the left-to-right direction so as to communicate with the latch receiving slot 1111.

The closing member receiving slot 1112 is formed deeper towards the rear side direction than the latch receiving slot 1111.

The closing member receiving slot 1112 is formed at the right upper side of the first housing 1110 so as to be disposed further upper side than the center of the latch receiving slot 1111.

In the closing member receiving slot 1112 of the first housing 1110, the rear side of the part wherein the sub-locking member 1400 is received is formed to be open. A first protrusion guide part 1507 and a second protrusion guide part 1720, which will be described later, are inserted into the open rear side of the closing member receiving slot 1112.

A rod guide slot 1116 is formed along the left-to-right direction in front of the first housing 1110 so as to communicate with the closing member receiving slot 1112.

The rod guide slot 1116 is disposed in the lower portion of the latch receiving slot 1111 and communicating with the latch receiving slot 1111.

A first sensing member insertion slot 1128 is formed along the left-to-right direction in front of the first housing 1110 so as to communicate with the locking member receiving slot 1112.

The first sensing member insertion slot 1128 is disposed in the lower portion of the locking member receiving slot 1112.

A first spring receiving slot 1117 and a second spring receiving slot 1119 are formed in the front right side of the first housing 1110. The first spring receiving slot 1117 and the second spring receiving slot 1119 are disposed in the right side of the closing member receiving slot 1112, and communicate with the closing member receiving slot 1112. The withdrawing holes, through which the wires of a door opening device connecting unit 1800 connected to a first door opening device 10 or to a second door opening device (not shown) are being withdrawn, are communicating with the right side of the first spring receiving slot 1117 and the second spring receiving slot 1119 respectively. Therefore, the door opening device connecting unit 1800 is withdrawn from the upper side of the first housing 1110.

The above mentioned door opening device may be a manual type which is directly operated by a user such as a lever rotatably installed in the inside and/or the outside of the door as the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, or unlike this, it may be an automatic type such as an actuator (motor etc.) connected to a button and the like that are installed in the vehicle, or it may be provided with a type wherein an automatic type and a manual type are mixed. The button may be installed in various locations such as a door handle or other areas of the vehicle.

An unlocking part insertion hole 1118 wherein an unlocking part 1560 is inserted is penetratingly formed along the front-to-rear direction between the first spring receiving slot 1117 and the second spring receiving slot 1119. The unlocking part insertion hole 1118 is communicating with the closing member receiving slot 1112.

Bumper member insertion slots 1123, wherein bumper members 1360 are inserted respectively, are formed in the middle and the upper portions of the first housing 1110 so as to communicate with the striker insertion slot 1105 or the latch receiving slot 1111.

The front and the upper sides of the bumper member insertion slot 1123 disposed in the middle portion are open, and the upper side of the bumper member insertion slot 1123 is communicating with the striker insertion slot 1105.

The front side of the bumper member insertion slot 1123 disposed in the upper portion is open, and the right side is communicating with the latch receiving slot 1111.

The bumper member 1360 disposed in the middle portion prevents the impact or the noise due to the contact with the first housing 1110 when the striker 1101 is inserted into the striker insertion slot 1105.

In the front surface of the first housing 1110, a supporting protrusion 1103 which supports the horizontal portion or the vertical portion of the lower portion of the second housing 1130 is formed in length. Due to such supporting protrusion 1103, the pre-assembly of the first housing 1110 and the second housing 1130 is facilitated. Therefore, the assembling process becomes easy.

An unlocking part shaft receiving slot 1125 is formed in the right lower side of the rear surface of the first housing 1110. The unlocking part shaft receiving slot 1125 is communicating with the unlocking part insertion hole 1118.

An unlocking part shaft 1561, which will be described later, is inserted into the unlocking part shaft receiving slot 1125.

A key connect mounting portion 1127 is formed in the lower portion of right rear surface of the first housing 1110 in a way that the upper, lower, and rear sides thereof are open.

In the lower left side of the back surface of the first housing 1110, a main gear shaft 1114 being inserted into an insertion hole 1636 of the main gear 1630, which will be described later, is protrudedly formed towards the rear side direction. A rib is formed in the circumference of the main gear shaft 1114 so that the weight of the device can be reduced and at the same time the strength can be reinforced.

Meanwhile, a fifth sensor receiving slot 1106, wherein the fifth sensor 1911 is being received, is formed in the rear surface of the first housing 1110. Due to such fifth sensor receiving slot 1106, damages in the fifth sensor 1911 are prevented during assembly.

The fifth sensor receiving slot 1106 is disposed in the outer side of the stopping unit guide slot 1115.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the second housing 1130 is provided with two divided portions. The divided portions of the second housing 1130 are formed with plate members respectively, and they are formed of different materials from each other.

The second housing 1130 comprises a metallic second housing 1130a formed of a metallic material, and a plastic second housing 1130b formed of a plastic material.

In this way, the second housing 1130 is formed of different materials depending on the location so that the durability can be maintained and at the same time the weight of the device can be reduced.

The metallic second housing 1130a is disposed in the left side of the device, and the plastic second housing 1130b is disposed in the left side of the device.

The latch, the rotating member, and the like are installed in the metallic second housing 1130a.

A shaft insertion hole wherein a latch rotating shaft 1230 provided as a rivet is penetratingly formed along the front-to-rear direction in the metallic second housing 1130a.

A first protruded portion 1135 and a second protruded portion 1136 are formed in the metallic second housing 1130a in a way that they are dented from the front towards the rear in the circumference of the shaft insertion hole. The first protruded portion 1135 and the second protruded portion 1136 are protruded further towards the rear side than any other part of the metallic second housing 1130a.

The first protruded portion 1135 is in contact with the front surface of the latch 1200 and the rotating member 1370. Thus, the latch 1200 and the rotating member 1370 are not floating along the front-to-rear direction and at the same time the friction between the latch 1200 and the rotating member 1370 and the second housing 1130 when assembling thereof can be minimized. That is, since a backwardly protruded portion is formed in the rear side surface of the second housing 1130, the friction with the rotating member with respect to the second housing 1130 can be minimized. The fist protruded portion 1135 is formed to have a shape similar to letter "l". The fist protruded portion 1135 is curvedly formed along the direction of rotation of the latch 1200 and the rotating member 1370.

The second protruded portion 1136 is formed in the shape of an arc in the peripheral area of the shaft insertion hole, and contacted to the front surface of the latch 1200.

Further, in the metallic second housing 1130a of the second housing 1130, a first return spring holding shaft 1251 provided in the form of a rivet, a rotating shaft 1380, and a rivet insertion hole wherein a rotating spring stopping shaft 1391 is inserted are penetratingly formed along the front-to-rear direction. One end of the first return spring 1250 is held in the first return spring holding shaft 1251.

A plurality of mounting holes is formed in the first housing 1110 and in the metallic second housing 1130a of the second housing 1130 for bolt coupling to the door 1. The mounting holes are disposed in the upper and the lower portions of the left side of the first housing 1110 and the second housing 1130, and in the right side of the striker insertion slot 1105 respectively. Further, mounting hole protrusions are formed in the rear surface of the metallic second housing 1130a so as to surround the mounting holes. Threads are formed in the inner walls of the mounting hole protrusions. In addition, protrusion insertion slots wherein the mounting hole protrusions are inserted are formed in the front surface of the first housing 1110.

The vehicle door latch system 5 of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be easily and durably mounted to the door 1 due to such mounting holes and the mounting hole protrusions.

A cut-off portion is formed corresponding to the striker insertion slot 1105 across the metallic second housing 1130a so that the front side of the striker insertion slot 1105 is to be open.

In the right side of the plastic second housing 1130b of the second housing 1130, a vertical support member 1138, which surrounds and supports the right side of the first housing 1110 from where the door opening device connecting unit 1800 is being withdrawn, is protrudedly formed towards the rear side direction. Due to such vertical support member 1138, the strength of the portion supporting the door opening device connecting unit 1800 is reinforced. In the vertical support member 1138, the withdrawing holes from which the door opening device connecting unit 1800 is withdrawn are formed respectively. Due to such vertical support member 1138, the first housing 1110 and the door opening device connecting unit 1800 are prevented from the damage when an impact is applied thereto.

The metallic second housing 1130a and the plastic second housing 1130b are mounted in the front surface of the first housing 1110 through a plurality of bolts 1133 and the like.

As illustrated in Fig. 6, the third housing 1150 has a box-like shape formed with a space therein. The third housing 1150 is formed to have an open front.

Inside the third housing 1150, a PCB insertion slot 1154 wherein the PCB 1900 is inserted is formed.

The PCB insertion slot 1154 is disposed in the right upper portion of the third housing 1150. Due to this, the wires connected to the PCB 1900 are withdrawn from the right rear upper side of the housing 1100, therefore, the electrical wires are prevented from contacting the water and also from being interfered with the glass 30.

In addition, the PCB insertion slot 1154 is protrudedly formed towards the rear side of the third housing 1150.

The PCB insertion slot 1154 is formed so that a portion of the front side and the rear side thereof are to be open.

In the rear side of the PCB insertion slot 1154, a PCB cover is inserted through coupling of hooks.

In the inner wall of the PCB insertion slot 1154 of the third housing 1150, a PCB support portion supporting the both sides of the PCB 1900 is formed. In the PCB support portion, an insertion slot wherein the both sides of the PCB 1900 are inserted is formed along the front-to-rear direction. Thus, a PCB separation space is formed between the upper and lower sides of the PCB 1900 and the surface facing the upper and lower sides of the PCB 1900 in the third housing 1150. A solder and the like for connecting the electrical wires can be disposed in the separation space, therefore the PCB 1900 can be installed in the housing 1100 more easily.

In the rear side of the third housing 1150, a motor receiving slot 1151 wherein the front side of the motor 1610 is received is formed. The motor receiving slot 1151 is disposed in the center upper portion of the third housing 1150. That is, motor receiving slot 1151 is disposed in the right side of the striker insertion slot 1105. In addition, a worm through-hole wherein a first worm 1613 connected to the motor 1610 is penetrating is formed in the third housing 1150. A motor cover which fixes the motor 1610 to the rear side of the third housing 1150 is installed in the third housing 1150 through bolt coupling.

Further, in the third housing 1150, electrical wires for connecting the PCB 1900 and the sensors (fifth sensor 1911 and sixth sensor 1910) and the motor of a driving unit, which will be described later, are insertingly installed. In this way, the lengths of the electrical wires can be reduced.

The electrical wires are installed in a way that the portions being connected to the driving unit and the PCB 1900 are formed protruded outside of the third housing 1150. Thus, the sensors, the driving unit, or the PCB 1900 can be connected to the electrical wires if the sensor and the driving unit are disposed at the location of each member formed in the third housing 1150. Thus, assembling becomes more facilitated.

A rib is formed in the rear surface of the third housing 1150 in the shape of a grid. Due to this, the durability of the device can be enhanced.

The PCB 1900 is inserted into the PCB insertion slot 1154 and installed in the housing 1100. The PCB 1900 is horizontally disposed inside the housing 1100.

The PCB 1900 is installed as described above so that the electrical products such as the PCB 1900 can be directing towards the upper side of the vehicle when installing the vehicle door latch system 5 in the door 1, therefore the flooding of the PCB 1900 is prevented.

As illustrated in Fig. 6, a second sensor 1903, a third sensor 1905, a fourth sensor 1907, a seventh sensor 1904 and an eighth sensor 1905 are installed in the PCB 1900. The second sensor 1903, the third sensor 1905, the fourth sensor 1907, the seventh sensor 1904 and the eighth sensor 1905 are provided with sensors capable of detecting magnets.

The third sensor 1905 and the fourth sensor 1907 are disposed on a same line along the left-to-right direction. When viewing from the front side, the third sensor 1905 is disposed in the left side of the fourth sensor 1907.

The third sensor 1905, the fourth sensor 1907, the seventh sensor 1904 and the eighth sensor 1905 are disposed in the upper side of the PCB 1900, and the second sensor 1903 is disposed in the lower side of the PCB 1900.

The second sensor 1903 detects the operation (pulling) of the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device of the door 1 by detecting the movement of the first sensing unit 1351 formed in the main locking member 1300.

The third sensor 1905 and the fourth sensor 1907 are the sensors associated with the locking and the unlocking operations of the door 1 by detecting the movement of a second sensing unit 1521 formed in the first locking member 1500.

The seventh sensor 1904 and the eighth sensor 1905 detect the movement of the third sensing unit 1741 installed in the second locking member 1700. Such signals are transferred to the vehicle ECU and the like and inform the driver of whether the rear seat door 1 is child locked or unlocked through the indicating light and the like.

In addition, a fifth sensor 1911 and the sixth sensor 1910 are connected to the PCB 1900. Limit switches may be provided as the fifth sensor 1911 and the sixth sensor 1910.

The fifth sensor 1911 is disposed between the first housing 1110 and the third housing 1150. More specifically, the fifth sensor 1911 is disposed close to a stopping unit guiding slot 1115.

The fifth sensor 1911 checks whether the main gear 1630 has returned to the original position (basic position) thereof.

The sixth sensor 1910 detects the opening and closing of the door 1 as the latch 1200 is pressed by the striker 1101. The sixth sensor 1910 may further comprise a sensor pressing member. The sensor pressing member is inserted into the sixth sensor insertion hole 1129 and slided along the front-to-rear direction. The sixth sensor 1910 is installed in the rear surface of the first housing 1110. The sensor pressing member is pushed towards the rear side by the latch 1200 and presses the sixth sensor 1910. The front surface of the sensor pressing member contacted with the rear surface of the latch 1200 is slantly formed to be protruded further frontward as it travels towards the downward direction, therefore, the sensor pressing member can be smoothly slided towards the rear direction when the latch 1200 is rotated.

It further comprises a control unit (not shown) which controls a first driving unit 1650 and a second driving unit 1600, which will be described later, by receiving signals from the second sensor 1903, the third sensor 1905, the fourth sensor 1907, the fifth sensor 1911, the sixth sensor 1910, the seventh sensor 1904 and the eighth sensor 1902.

In addition, the control unit (not shown) communicates with the vehicle ECU and receives signals that operate key, unlocking button, sensors, and the like, thereby controlling the first driving unit 1650 and the second driving unit 1600 according to the required functions.

<Latch>

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the latch 1200 is installed in the first housing 1110 so as to be disposed inside the latch receiving slot 1111.

The latch 1200 is rotatably installed in the first housing 1110 through the latch rotating shaft 1230 which is installed in the second housing 1130.

As illustrated in Fig. 7, the latch 1200 is formed in the shape of a plate.

A locking slot 1201 is formed in the outer circumferential surface of the latch 1200.

The locking slot 1201 is formed to be penetrating along the front-to-rear direction, and the outer end portion thereof is open.

Due to such locking slot 1201, a second locking stopping portion 1201a, wherein a locking portion 1371 which will be described later is being stopped, is formed in the latch 1200.

The width of the locking slot 1201 is getting wider as it travels from the inside towards the outside thereof.

The locking slot 1201 is surrounded by a first surface 1203 which is formed to be flat, a second surface 1205 inclinedly formed and extended from the left end of the first surface 1203, and a third surface 1207 extended from the left end of the second surface 1205, forming an arc and surrounding the striker 1101.

The first surface 1203 forms the upper surface of the second locking stopping portion 1201a.

A striker stopping protrusion 1204 wherein the striker 1101 is being stopped is formed in the latch 1200.

Since the striker stopping protrusion 1204 is disposed inside the locking slot 1201, the separation of the striker 1101 after insertion into the locking slot 1201 is effectively prevented.

The stopping protrusion 1204 is formed in the surface facing the surface (surface wherein the locking portion 1371 is stopped by) wherein the first surface 1203 is formed.

In the striker stopping protrusion 1204, the surface which is facing the striker 1101 when inserted into the locking slot 1201, and the surface facing the striker 1101 when separated from the locking slot 1201 are inclinedly formed so that the striker 1101 can be smoothly inserted into and separated from the locking slot 1201.

An auxiliary locking slot 1202 is formed in the lower side of the locking slot in the latch 1200.

The auxiliary locking slot 1202 is formed in the shape similar to the locking slot 1201 but instead formed to have a shallower depth than that of the locking slot 1201.

When closing the door 1, the locking portion 1371 is firstly inserted into the auxiliary locking slot 1202 and then secondly inserted into the locking slot 1201.

As illustrated in Fig. 23, the locking slot 1201 and the auxiliary locking slot 1202 are disposed spaced apart along the circumferential direction in a way that the up-down traveling distance d of the striker 1101 between the time when the locking portion 1371 is inserted into the auxiliary locking slot 1201 and the time when the locking portion 1371 is inserted into the locking slot 1201 equals or greater than 12 mm.

Due to this, the traveling distance becomes longer than the 7 mm, which is the traveling distance of the existing striker 1101 therefore the passenger can easily recognize the process of automatic closing of the door 1 by the motor 1610. Also, there is an advantage of enhancing the safety due to the increase in the clearance space for pinch-protection.

Meanwhile, due to such auxiliary locking slot 1202 a first locking stopping portion 1202a wherein the locking portion 1371 which will be described later is being stopped is formed in the latch 1200.

Further, the latch 1200 is surrounded by an elastic cover 1206. The elastic cover 1206 is formed of materials having elasticity such as a rubber so that it absorbs the impact applied to the latch 1200 and prevents from the noise. The elastic cover 1206 is formed to surround the remaining portion except the portion wherein the locking portion 1371 is being stopped. That is, the elastic cover 1206 surrounds the remaining portion of the latch 1200 except the first locking stopping portion 1202a and the second locking stopping portion 1201a.

A spring insertion slot 1213 is formed in the outer circumferential surface of the latch 1200.

The spring insertion slot 1213 is formed to have the shape of a slot or a hole. In this exemplary embodiment, the spring insertion slot 1213 is formed to have the shape of a slot.

A protrusion 1215 is formed outwardly protruded in the left side of outer circumferential surface of the latch 1200.

The protrusion 1215 is disposed in front of the stopping portion guide slot 1115.

The locking slot 1201, the auxiliary locking slot 1202, the spring insertion slot 1213, and the protrusion 1215 are sequentially disposed along the rotating (clockwise) direction of the latch 1200 when closing the door 1.

A first return spring 1250 is provided so that the latch 1200 can be returned automatically when the locking is released.

In the one end and the other end of the first return spring 1250, a first bend region 1252 and a second bend region 1253 whose bended angle is larger than 90° is formed. The first bend region 1252 is bended upward at a right angle, and the second bend region 1253 is bended forward at a right angle.

The first bend region 1252 of the first return spring 1250 is stopped by the first return spring stopping shaft 1251, and the coil portion is wound around the latch rotating shaft, and the second bend region 1253 is inserted into the spring insertion portion 1213 of the latch 1200. In this way the first bend region 1252 and the second bend region 1253 are formed in the first return spring 1250 so that the assemblability is further enhanced.

Thus, when the latch 1200 is rotated, the other end of the first return spring 1250 can be rotated with the latch 1200.

The above mentioned door closing member locks the latch 1200 and keeps the door 1 in the closed state. Also, the door closing member is connected to the above mentioned door opening device so that it enables the door 1 to be opened as necessary.

Meanwhile, in the door 1 disposed in the side of the vehicle, a first door opening device 10 disposed inside the door 1, and a second door opening device (not shown) disposed outside of the door 1 are provided. Thus, the door opening device comprises the first door opening device 10 and the second door opening device (not shown).

Due to this, the door closing member is connected to the first door opening device 10 and/or the second door opening device (not shown).

The door closing member is slidingly installed in the front surface of the first housing 1110 of the housing 1100.

The door closing member comprises: a main locking member 1300 locking the latch 1200; and a sub-locking member 1400 connected to the main locking member 1300 through a connecting means.

Hereinafter, each member of the door closing member will be described.

<Main locking member>

The main locking member 1300 is slidingly installed inside the closing member receiving slot 1112 formed in the first housing 1110. That is, the main locking member 1300 is installed on the same surface wherein the latch 1200 is installed in the housing 1100.

As illustrated in Fig. 8, the main locking member 1300 comprises a body 1310 being slided, a horizontal bar 1340, a stopping unit pressing part 1330, and a first sensing member 1350. The main locking member 1300 is integrally formed of the body 1310, the horizontal bar 1340, the stopping unit pressing part 1330, and the first sensing member 1350.

Further, the main locking member 1300 further includes a rotating member 1370 being rotated by the latch 1200 and interlocked with the main locking member 1300. That is, the main locking member 1300 comprises the body 1310 being slided and the rotating member 1370 separately provided from the body 1310. Unlike this, without separately providing a rotating member, a locking part which is being stopped by the latch may be directly formed in the main locking member that is being slided.

A rotating member insertion slot 1317 wherein a portion of the rotating member 1370 is inserted is formed in the left lower portion of the body 1310.

The width of the rotating member insertion slot 1317 is formed to be wider than the width along the left-to-right direction of the inserting protrusion 1373 of the rotating member 1370. Therefore, the rotating member 1370 is rotatable with respect to the locking member 1300 within a certain angle.

More specifically, the left-to-right width of the rotating member insertion slot 1317 is formed to be wider than the inserting protrusion 1373 so that the locking member 1300 is not moved towards the right side when the inserting protrusion 1373 is moved towards the right side as it is pressed by the latch 1200. That is, the width along the rotating direction of the rotating member insertion slot 1317 is formed to be wider than the inserting protrusion 1373. However, when the main locking member 1300 is moving towards the right side, the rotating member 1370, which is interlocked thereto, is also rotated towards the right.

Due to this, even when the rotating member 1370 is pressed by the latch 1200 and rotated towards the right side, the main locking member 1300 is not moved, thereby preventing the pressing of the stopping unit 1631 by the stopping unit pressing part 1330, and the interference with the unlocking of the door 1. Therefore, the misoperation is prevented when the side door 1 is closed through the driving unit.

The upper portion and the front side of the rotating member insertion slot 1317 are formed to be open.

The front side of the rotating member insertion slot 1317 is closed as the second housing 1130 is installed.

The left and right side surfaces forming the rotating member insertion slot 1317 are inclinedly formed to be disposed further towards the right side as they travel towards the upper side. The insertion protrusion 1373 of the rotating member 1370 is stopped by the right side surface forming the rotating member insertion slot 1317.

The lower side surface forming the rotating member insertion slot 1317 is formed horizontally.

The rotating member 1370 is disposed in the front side of the first housing 1110, and rotatably installed in the second housing 1130 through the rotating shaft 1380 disposed along the front-to-rear direction.

That is, the rotating member 1370 is disposed on the same surface of the main locking member 1300 in the housing 1100.

The rotating shaft 1380 is installed penetrating through the upper portion of the rotating member 1370.

The rotating shaft 1380 is provided as a rivet and riveted to the second housing 1130.

The rotating member 1370 is rotatable along the clockwise or counterclockwise centered on the rotating shaft 1380.

In addition, a rotating member return spring 1390 which returns the rotating member 1370 may be provided.

Also, the rotating member return spring 1390 may be provided as a coil spring as same as the first return spring 1250, and a first and a second bended portions whose bended angles are larger than 90° may be formed in the both ends.

One end of the rotating member return spring 1390 is supported by the rotating spring stopping shaft 1391 riveted to the second housing 1130 and fixed thereto, and the other end is stopped by the right side of the rotating member 1370 and connected thereby.

The rotating spring 1390 performs a function of returning the rotating member 1370 to its original position by granting an elastic force capable of rotating the rotating member 1370 in clockwise direction when the rotating member 1370 is forcibly pushed towards the counterclockwise direction and then released.

The rotating member 1370 comprises a locking portion 1371 and an insertion protrusion 1373.

The locking portion 1371 is formed as the left lower portion of the rotating member 1370 is protruded towards the left.

The locking portion 1371 performs the role of locking the location of the latch 1200, thereby maintaining the close state of the door 1.

In the lower side of the locking portion 1371, a latch insertion slot 1372, wherein a portion of the end (first surface 1203) of the latch 1200 is inserted when closing the door, is formed. The latch insertion slot is formed to have an open lower portion and disposed between the locking portion 1371 and the insertion protrusion 1373. Due to such latch insertion slot 1372, the state wherein the latch 1200 is locked to the rotating member 1370 when closing the door 1 is stably maintained.

The insertion protrusion 1373 which is downwardly protruded is formed in the right side of the lower surface of the locking portion 1371.

The insertion protrusion 1373 is located inside the rotating member insertion slot 1317.

That is, at least a portion (insertion protrusion) of the rotating member 1370 is disposed in the front side of the main locking member 1300.

Thus, the rotating member 1370 is interlocked and rotated when the main locking member 1300 is moved along the left-to-right direction.

The insertion protrusion 1373 performs the role of rotating the rotating member 1370 depending on the sliding of the main locking member 1300.

The inserting protrusion 1373 performs the role of sliding the main locking member 1300 along the left-to-right direction according to the rotation of the rotating member 1370.

In addition, an elastic cover 1374 is also provided in the rotating member 1370 like the previously described latch 1200.

The elastic cover 1374 of the rotating member 1370 is formed to surround the remaining portion except the portion wherein the locking portion 1371 and the rotating member return spring 1390 are being stopped. That is, the elastic cover 1374 of the rotating member 1370 is formed to surround the insertion protrusion 1373. Due to this, the elastic cover 1374 of the rotating member 1370 absorbs the impact occurring between the insertion protrusion 1373 and the main locking member 1300 so that the noise can be reduced. Further, an elastic member insertion hole is penetratingly formed along the front-to-rear direction in the rotating member 1370, and the elastic cover 1374 of the rotating member 1370 is inserted into the elastic member insertion hole, thereby stably maintaining the state wherein the elastic cover 1374 of the rotating member 1370 is installed in the rotating member 1370.

The main locking member 1300 is installed in the first housing 1110 and locks the latch 1200 through the rotating member 1370.

A stopping lever receiving slot 1314 wherein a stopping lever unit 1450 which will be described later is received is formed in the left side of the rear surface of the body 1310. The stopping lever receiving slot 1314 is formed to have an open rear side. The stopping lever receiving slot 1314 is formed respectively in the upper side and the lower side.

The stopping lever receiving slot 1314 is disposed further on the upper side than the rotating member insertion slot 1317 and disposed in the right side.

In addition, a stopping lever shaft insertion hole 1316 wherein a stopping lever shaft 1470 is inserted along the up-down direction is formed in the left rear direction of the body 1310 along the up-down direction. The stopping lever shaft insertion hole 1316 is formed to have an open upper side and a closed lower side, and the stopping lever shaft 1470 is inserted into the stopping lever shaft insertion hole 1316 from the above. The stopping lever shaft insertion hole 1316 is formed to be communicating with the stopping lever receiving slot 1314 disposed in the upper side and the lower side.

A second return spring receiving slot 1318, wherein a second return spring 1460 is received, is formed in the left side of the rear side surface of the body 1310. The second return spring receiving slot 1318 is formed to have an open rear side. The second return spring receiving slot 1318 is disposed between the stopping lever receiving slot 1314 disposed in the upper side and the lower side.

A spacing protrusion 1312 is formed in the middle of the left rear surface of the body 1310.

The spacing protrusion 1312 is disposed in the middle of the second return spring receiving slot 1318, and provides a gap between a first spring portion 1460a and a second spring portion 1460b of the second return spring 1460.

A sub-locking member insertion slot 1315 wherein the sub-locking member 1400 is inserted is formed in the right rear surface of the body 1310. The sub-locking member insertion slot 1315 is formed along the left-to-right direction, and its right side is formed to be open. Due to such sub-locking member insertion slot 1315 the sub-locking member 1400 can be guided when moving along the left-to-right direction.

The sub-locking member insertion slot 1315 is disposed further on the upper side than the rotating member insertion slot 1317 and disposed in the right side.

A sub-locking member guide slot 1315a is formed in the right upper side and the right lower side of the body 1310 along the left-to-right direction.

The sub-locking member guide slot 1315a is disposed in the front side of the sub-locking member insertion slot 1315 and communicating with the sub-locking member insertion slot 1315.

In addition, a stopping protrusion insertion hole 1319 wherein a stopping protrusion 1455 is inserted is formed in the right rear surface of the body 1310. The stopping protrusion insertion hole 1319 is communicating with the sub-locking member insertion slot 1315.

In this way, the body 1310 is formed thus the sub-locking member 1400 is disposed inside the main locking member 1300.

Therefore, since the vehicle door latch system 5 can be enhanced in its strength and at the same time can be compactized, it can be commonly used in the door 1 of various designs.

The horizontal bar 1340 is formed long in length towards the left direction in the left lower side of the body 1310.

The horizontal bar 1340 is being slided inside the rod guide slot 1116 so that the sliding of the main locking member 1300 can be performed more stably.

The stopping unit pressing part 1330 is integrally formed to the horizontal bar 1340, and formed by being bended upwardly from the left end of the horizontal bar 1340.

The stopping unit pressing part 1330 is formed to be the shape of a bar curved like an arc.

The stopping unit pressing part 1330 is disposed in the outer side of the latch 1200; therefore, they are not interfered with each other when the latch 1200 is rotated.

Further, a slot is formed in the front surface of the stopping unit pressing part 1330 and the horizontal bar 1340, and a rib 1331 is formed inside the slot, therefore, the weight can be reduced and the strength can be maintained at the same time.

Also, a bended portion 1332 is formed in the stopping unit pressing part 1330, so that a stopping unit 1631 of a main gear 1630, which will be described later, is not pressed by the stopping unit pressing part 1330 when the stopping unit 1631 is in its basic position

The basic position of the stopping unit 1631 is a position wherein the protrusion 1215 of the latch 1200 is not interfered with the stopping unit 1631 when the latch 1200 is rotated for the opening of the door 1.

The basic position of the stopping unit 1631 corresponds to the position of the fifth sensor 1911.

The bended portion 1332 is curvedly formed more outwardly protruded than the other portions so that the stopping unit 1631 is not pressed by the stopping unit pressing part 1330 when the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown) is pulled by a user to open the door 1 at normal times not in a state of emergency. And thus, the stopping unit 1631 is not pressed by the stopping unit pressing part 1330 is not pressed by the stopping unit pressing part 1330 at normal times when there is no need to press the stopping unit 1631, therefore, the increase in the operational force for moving the main locking member 1300 at normal times is prevented.

Further, a connecting portion 1332a covering the entire surface of the bended portion 1332 is formed in the stopping unit pressing part 1330. Owing to such connecting portion 1332a, the strength of the stopping unit pressing part 1330 is further enhanced.

A first sensing member 1350 is protrudedly formed towards the rear side in the lower end portion of the body 1310. The first sensing member 1350 is disposed between the stopping protrusion insertion hole 1319 and the stopping lever receiving slot 1314.

A first sensing unit 1351 such as a magnet is installed in the upper surface of the first sensing member 1350.

The first sensing unit 1351 is inserted into the first sensing member insertion slot 1128 and detected by the second sensor 1903 which is disposed in a position corresponding to the first sensing unit 1351 on the PCB 1900. The control unit (not shown) receives such detected signal and controls the motor 1610.

<Connecting means>

The connecting means is rotatably installed in either one of the main locking member 1300 and the sub-locking member 1400 and comprises: a stopping lever unit 1450 formed with a stopping protrusion 1455; and a stopping threshold 1405 formed in the other one of the main locking member 1300 and the sub-locking member 1400 wherein the stopping protrusion is being stopped, so that the main locking member 1300 and the sub-locking member 1400 are slided together, or only the sub-locking member 1400 is slided when the user pulls out the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown). That is, the connecting means functions as a clutch that may transfer the force pulling the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown) to the main locking member 1300, or not.

The stopping lever unit 1450 is rotatably formed in the rear surface of the body 1310 of the main locking member 1300. Unlike the previous description, the stopping lever unit 1450 may be formed in the sub-locking member 1400.

As illustrated in Fig. 9, the stopping lever unit 1450 includes: a first stopping lever part 1450a and a second stopping lever part 1450b which is disposed in the lower side of the first stopping lever part 1450a.

The first stopping lever part 1450a and the second stopping lever part 1450b are formed to be the shape of a bar, and a stopping protrusions 1455, which are forwardly protruded, are formed at the right ends.

Holes 1451, through which the stopping lever shaft 1470 is penetrating, are respectively formed along the up-down direction in the left ends of the first stopping lever part 1450a and the second stopping lever part 1450b.

The first stopping lever part 1450a and the second stopping lever part 1450b are rotatably installed in the body 1310 through the stopping lever shaft 1470 installed along the up-down direction in the body 1310.

A protrusion guide portion is formed in the locking member such as a first locking member 1500 or the second locking member 1700 which will be described later, and a protrusion is formed in the stopping lever unit 1450, and thus the rotation of the stopping lever part 1450 is accomplished as the protrusion guide portion guides the protrusion.

The protrusion comprises a locking protrusion 1457 and a child protrusion 1453, and the protrusion guide portion comprises a first protrusion guide part 1507 and a second protrusion guide part 1720.

The locking protrusion 1457 is formed in the right side of the first stopping lever part 1450a and the second stopping lever part 1450b. The locking protrusion 1457 is formed for the interlocking between the first locking member 1500 and the right side of the first stopping lever part 1450a and the second stopping lever part 1450b.

The locking protrusion 1457 comprises a first locking protrusion 1457a and a second locking protrusion 1457b.

The first locking protrusion 1457a formed in the first stopping lever part 1450a is formed to be downwardly protruded, and a second locking protrusion 1457b formed in the second stopping lever part 1450b is formed to be upwardly protruded.

The first locking protrusion 1457a and the second locking protrusion 1457b enable the first stopping lever part 1450a and the second stopping lever part 1450b to be rotated individually guided by the inclined surface 1511 formed in the first locking member 1500 which will be described later.

The child protrusion 1453 is formed upwardly protruded in the upper right side of the first stopping lever part 1450a. The child protrusion 1453 is formed in the shape of a cylinder. The child protrusion 1453 is disposed on the same line with the locking protrusion 1457.

The child protrusion 1453 is formed for interlocking between the second locking member 1700 and the first stopping lever part 1450a, which will be described later.

The second return spring 1460 is installed in the first stopping lever part 1450a and the second stopping lever part 1450b for returning of the first stopping lever part 1450a and the second stopping lever part 1450b to their original positions

The second return spring 1460 comprises a first spring portion 1460a, a second spring portion 1460b, and a spring connecting portion 1465 for connecting the first spring portion 1460a and the second spring portion 1460b.

The first spring portion 1460a is disposed in the upper side of the second spring portion 1460b.

The first spring portion 1460a and the second spring portion 1460b include coil portions 1461 having the shape of a coil and free end portions having the shape of a straight line respectively.

The coil portions 1461 are inserted into the stopping lever shaft 1470 and being fixed thereby. The coil portions 1461 are disposed in the lower side of the first stopping lever part 1450a and the upper side of the second stopping lever part 1450b, respectively.

The coil portions 1461 and the spring connecting portion 1465 are received in the second return spring receiving slot 1318.

The free ends of the first spring portion 1460a and the second spring portion 1460b comprise a first bended portions 1462 bent backward, a second bended portions 1463 disposed along the left-to-right direction, and a third bended portions 1464 bent forward, respectively.

The third bended portion 1464 is being held by the first locking protrusion 1457a and the second locking protrusion 1457b respectively, so that the first spring portion 1460a and the second spring portion 1460b are connected to the first stopping lever part 1450a and the upper side of the second stopping lever part 1450b, respectively.

The spring connecting portion 1465 is formed to have the shape of Korean alphabet letter 'ㄷ' (a rectangle without one side).

The spring connecting portion 1465 is connected to the end of the opposite side of the free end portion in the coil portion 1461, thereby connecting the coil portion 1461 of the first spring portion 1460a and the second spring portion 1460b.

The spring connecting portion 1465 is received in the second return spring receiving slot 1318 and supported at the main locking member 1300. Due to this, an elastic force can be applied to the first stopping lever part 1450a and the upper side of the second stopping lever part 1450b respectively even when the first spring portion 1460a and the second spring portion 1460b are connected to each other. Since the first spring portion 1460a and the second spring portion 1460b are integrally formed so that the assembling process becomes easy.

In this way, one ends of the first spring portion 1460a and the second spring portion 1460b are held by the first stopping lever part 1450a and the second stopping lever part 1450b respectively, and the other ends thereof are supported by the main locking member 1300.

Accordingly, the first stopping lever part 1450a and the second stopping lever part 1450b are rotated by the force applied thereto, then the stopping protrusion 1455 is being moved to the back side, and the force being applied to the first stopping lever part 1450a and the second stopping lever part 1450b is removed, then the first stopping lever part 1450a and the second stopping lever part 1450b are reversely rotated by the elastic restoring force of the second return spring 1460, then the stopping protrusion 1455 is returned to its original state (move forward).

That is, the elastic restoring force of the second return spring 1460 is exerting towards the front direction.

<Sub-locking member>

The sub-locking member 1400 is disposed in the right rear side of the main locking member 1300.

The sub-locking member 1400 is inserted into the sub-locking member insertion slot 1315 of the main locking member 1300. Thus, the sub-locking member 1400 is installed in the main locking member 1300 so that it can be slided along the left-to-right direction.

The center of the sub-locking member 1400 is disposed further above the center of the latch 1200.

The sub-locking member 1400 is slidingly installed inside the locking member receiving slot 1112 formed in the first housing 1110 same as the main locking member 1300.

The sub-locking member 1400 comprises a first sub-locking member 1400a being moved by the first door opening device 10, and a second sub-locking member 1400b being moved by the second door opening device (not shown).

The corners of the upper and lower sides of the left side of the first sub-locking member 1400a and a second sub-locking member 1400b are rounded so as to be slided smoothly along the left-to-right direction with respect to the main locking member 1300.

As illustrated in Figs. 10 and ll, a door opening device connecting unit 1800 is directly connected to the sub-locking member 1400, thus the sub-locking member 1400 is moved by the first door opening device 10 and the second door opening device.

Unlike this, other member may be provided between the sub-locking member 1400 and the door opening device connecting unit 1800 so that the sub-locking member 1400 and the door opening device connecting unit 1800 may be connected indirectly.

The door lever connecting unit 1800 comprises a first door opening device connecting part 1800a connected to the first door opening device 10 disposed in the inner side of the door 1, and a second door opening device connecting part 1800b connected to the second door opening device (not shown) disposed in the outer side of the door 1. The first door opening device connecting part 1800a and the second door opening device connecting part 1800b are provided as electrical wires. A first stopping member 1801a and a second stopping member 1801b are formed at the ends of the first door opening device connecting part 1800a and the second door opening device connecting part 1800b.

The first sub-locking member 1400a is disposed in the upper portion of the second sub-locking member 1400b.

The first door opening device connecting part 1800a is connected to the first sub-locking member 1400a.

The first sub-locking member 1400a comprises a first stopping member receiving slot 1401a, a first spring insertion protrusion 1402a, a first stopping threshold 1405a, and an unlocking part pressing portion 1407.

The second sub-locking member 1400b includes a second stopping member receiving slot 1401b, a second spring insertion protrusion 1402b, and a second stopping threshold 1405b.

The front sides of the first stopping member receiving slot 1401a and the second stopping member receiving slot 1401b are open. The first stopping member 1801a and the second stopping member 1801b are received in the first stopping member receiving slot 1401a and the second stopping member receiving slot 1401b respectively.

The first stopping member receiving slot 1401a and the second stopping member receiving slot 1401b are formed to be corresponding to the first stopping member 1801a and the second stopping member 1801b having the shape of a long cylinder along the up-down direction. Therefore, the separation of the first stopping member 1801a and the second stopping member 1801b from the sub-locking member 1400 is prevented even when the first door opening device 10 and the second door opening device (not shown) are pulled and operated.

The first stopping member 1801a and the second stopping member 1801b located inside the first stopping member receiving slot 1401a and the second stopping member receiving slot 1401b will not be separated towards the front side due to the body 1310 of the main locking member 1300.

A first withdrawing hole 1403a wherein the first door opening device connecting part 1800a is being withdrawn is communicatingly formed at the right end portion of the first stopping member receiving slot 1401a, and since the diameter of the first withdrawing hole 1403a is formed to be smaller than the first stopping member 1801a, the first stopping member 1801a will not be pulled out through the first withdrawing hole 1403a even when the first door opening device connecting part 1800a is pulled towards the right side.

Thus, the first sub-locking member 1400a is slided towards the right when the first door opening device connecting part 1800a is pulled towards the right. That is, if the first door opening device 10 is pulled out towards the user and operated, the first sub-locking member 1400a is slided towards the right.

A second withdrawing hole 1403b wherein the second door opening device connecting part 1800b is being withdrawn is communicatingly formed at the right end portion of the second stopping member receiving slot 1401b, and since the diameter of the second withdrawing hole 1403b is formed to be smaller than the second stopping member 1801b, the second stopping member 1801b will not be pulled out through the second withdrawing hole 1403b even when the second door opening device connecting part 1800b is pulled towards the right side.

Thus, the second sub-locking member 1400b is slided towards the right when the second door opening device connecting part 1800b is pulled towards the right. That is, if the second door opening device (not shown) is pulled out towards the user and operated, the second sub-locking member 1400b is slided towards the right.

A first locking member guide protrusion 1404a and a second locking member guide protrusion 1404b are formed forwardly protruded in the upper side or in the lower side of the first sub-locking member 1400a and a second sub-locking member 1400b. The first locking member guide protrusion 1404a and the second locking member guide protrusion 1404b are formed in length along the left-to-right direction. The first locking member guide protrusion 1404a and the second locking member guide protrusion 1404b are formed in the shape of a plate disposed horizontally. The first locking member guide protrusion 1404a and the second locking member guide protrusion 1404b are inserted into the sub-locking member guide slot 1315a and guided thereby. Due to this, the first sub-locking member 1400a and a second sub-locking member 1400b will not be interswitched during assembling so that it can be operated smoothly.

A first spring 1803a is inserted into the first door opening device connecting part 1800a close to the first stopping member 1801a.

A first spring insertion protrusion 1402a and a second spring insertion protrusion 1402b are protrudedly formed towards the right in the right side ends of the first sub-locking member 1400a and the second sub-locking member 1400b, and in the upper and lower sides of the first outlet hole 1403a and the second outlet hole 1403b. The left side ends of the first spring 1803a and the second spring 1803b are inserted into the first spring insertion protrusion 1402a and the second spring insertion protrusion 1402b respectively.

The first spring 1803a is disposed between the right side end of the first sub-locking member 1400a and the first spring receiving slot 1117 of the first housing 1110. The first spring 1803a returns the first sub-locking member 1400a which had been slided towards the right by an external force to its original position by sliding it towards the left using the elastic restoring force of the first spring 1803a when the external force is removed.

The second spring 1803b is inserted into the second door opening device connecting part 1800b.

The second spring 1803b is disposed between the right side end of the second sub-locking member 1400b and the second spring receiving slot 1119 of the first housing 1110. The second spring 1803b returns the second sub-locking member 1400b which had been slided towards the right by an external force to its original position by sliding it towards the left using the elastic restoring force of the second spring 1803b when the external force is removed.

A stopping threshold 1405, where the stopping protrusion 1455 of the stopping lever unit 1450 is being held (stopped), is formed in the sub-locking member 1400. The stopping threshold 1405 includes a first stopping threshold 1405a and a second stopping threshold 1405b.

The first stopping threshold 1405a is formed in the rear side of the first sub-locking member 1400a, and the second stopping threshold 1405b is formed in the rear side of the second sub-locking member 1400b.

The first stopping threshold 1405a and the second stopping threshold 1405b are formed in a way that the left sides of the rear sides of the first sub-locking member 1400a and the second sub-locking member 1400b are more rearwardly protruded than the right sides thereof.

The right side surfaces of the first stopping threshold 1405a and the second stopping threshold 1405b are inclinedly formed so that the stopping protrusion 1455 is not easily separated once it is being stopped.

The stopping protrusion 1455 of the first stopping lever part 1450a can be stopped by or separated from the first stopping threshold 1405a, and the protrusion 1455 of the second stopping lever part 1450b can be stopped by or separated from the second stopping threshold 1405b.

While the first stopping lever part 1450a is stopped by the first stopping threshold 1405a, and the second stopping lever part 1450b is stopped by the second stopping threshold 1405b, and if the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown) is being pulled and operated, then the main locking member 1300 and the sub-locking member 1400 are being slided together towards the right.

That is, such state is a lock released state of the door 1.

On the contrary, while the first stopping lever part 1450a is separated from the first stopping threshold 1405a, and the second stopping lever part 1450b is separated from the second stopping threshold 1405b, and if the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown) is being pulled, then the main locking member 1300 is staying as it is, and only the sub-locking member 1400 is being slided towards the right.

That is, such state is a locked state of the door 1.

The unlocking part pressing portion 1407 is protrudedly formed towards the right side in the lower right side surface of the first sub-locking member 1400a. Thus, the unlocking part pressing portion 1407 is slided simultaneously with the first sub-locking member 1400a along the left-to-right direction.

The unlocking part pressing portion 1407 is provided in the shape of a horizontal plate and its front surface is protruded further than the front surface of the first sub-locking member 1400a.

The unlocking part pressing portion 1407 is located between the first spring receiving slot 1117 of the first housing 1110 and the second spring receiving slot 1119.

The unlocking part pressing portion 1407 presses the unlocking part 1560 by contacting with the first stopping portion 1563 of the unlocking part 1560 which will be described later. Therefore, the unlocking part 1560 is rotated by the unlocking part pressing portion 1407.

In addition, a guide tube 1805 is inserted into the portion withdrawn from the first door opening device connecting part 1800a towards the outside of the housing 1100. The guide tube 1805 is formed to be bended so as to guide the electrical wires of the first door opening device connecting part 1800a towards the rear side. The left end of the guide tube 1805 is installed in the upper side of the first housing 1110. As illustrated in Fig. 14, due to such guide tube 1805, the electrical wires of the first door opening device connecting part 1800a will not be twisted but complied with the direction of the first door opening device 10 so that it may be smoothly connected to the first door opening device 10.

As illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15, the door latch system 5 is installed in a way that: the front surface of the door latch system 5 is installed in the rear surface of the door 1 with respect to the vehicle body; the right side of the door latch system 5 is facing the upper portion of the door 1; the left side of the door latch system 5 is facing the lower portion of the door 1; and the rear surface of the door latch system 5 is facing the front direction of the door 1. The first door opening device connecting part 1800a and the second door opening device connecting part 1800b and the electrical wires installed in the door 1 in this way are disposed close to the inner side surface of the door 1, thereby preventing the interference with the glass 30 disposed between the inner side surface and the outer side surface of the door 1.

<Unlocking part>

In the center area of the unlocking part 1560, a shaft through-hole, where the unlocking part shaft 1561 is passing through, is penetratingly formed along the up-down direction.

The unlocking part shaft 1561 is received in the unlocking part shaft receiving slot 1125.

A first stopping portion 1563 which is stopped by the unlocking part pressing portion 1407 of the first sub-locking member 1400a is formed in the front side of the unlocking part 1560, and a second stopping portion 1562 which is stopped by the first locking member 1500 is formed in the rear side thereof. Thus, when the first sub-locking member 1400a is moved, the unlocking part 1560 moves the first locking member 1500 which will be described later so as to release the locking. That is, at normal times, the unlocking part 1560 interlocks the first sub-locking member 1400a and the first locking member 1500, and releases the locking of the first locking member 1500 by operating the first door opening device 10 with a pulling action and the like.

The first stopping portion 1563 of the unlocking part 1560 is inserted into the unlocking part insertion hole 1118. Thus, the unlocking part 1560 is rotatably installed in the first housing 1110.

The length from the first stopping portion 1563 to the unlocking part shaft 1561 is shorter than the length from the second stopping portion 1562 to the unlocking part shaft 1561.

In this way, the first stopping portion 1563 and the second stopping portion 1562 are disposed spaced apart along the circumferential direction. That is, the unlocking part 1560 delivers the force by using "the principle of the lever."

The corners of the end portions of the first stopping portion 1563 and the second stopping portion 1562 are rounded.

The up-down thickness of the second stopping portion 1562 is formed to be thicker than the up-down thickness of the first stopping portion 1561 so that the contact with the unlocking part contact portion 1515 of the first locking member 1500 and the unlocking interlocking part 1770 of the second locking member 1700 which will be described later can be performed smoothly.

Due to such unlocking part 1560 the structure becomes simple, and at the same time, the locking of door 1 is released when the user pulls out once and operates the first door opening device 10 at the locked state of the door 1, and the door 1 is opened when the first door opening device 10 is pulled out one more time and operated.

The above mentioned locking member prevents the door 1 from opening even when the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown) is pulled out and operated. The locking member comprises a first locking member 1500 preventing the door 1 from opening even when the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown) is pulled out and operated, and a second locking member 1700 preventing the door 1 from opening even when the first door opening device 10 is pulled out and operated.

The driving unit comprises a first driving unit 1650 moving the first locking member 1500, and a second driving unit 1600 moving the second locking member 1700. In the above driving unit, the first driving unit 1650 comprises a screw 1652, and a nut part 1502a thread coupled to the screw 1652 is formed in the first locking member 1500.

Hereinafter, the first locking member 1500 and the first driving unit 1650, and the second locking member 1700 and the second driving unit 1600 will be described.

<First locking member>

The first locking member 1500 moves (rotates) the stopping protrusion 1455 of the stopping lever unit 1450 of the connecting means towards the rear side so as to separate the main locking member 1300 from the first sub-locking member 1400a and the second sub-locking member 1400b.

The first locking member 1500 is formed in the shape of a plate and formed long in length along the left-to-right direction.

The first locking member 1500 is slidingly installed in the right rear surface of the first housing 1110.

In the first locking member 1500, a nut part 1502a, a first protrusion guide part 1507, a second sensing member 1519, an unlocking part contact portion 1515, and locking stopping portion 1502 are sequentially formed from the left side to the right side.

The nut part 1502a is formed along the left-to-right direction in the left lower end of the first locking member 1500.

Threads are formed in the inner circumferential surface of the nut part 1502a, and a guide protrusion 1503 is formed long in length along the left-to-right direction in the outer circumferential surface of the nut part 1502a. The guide protrusion 1503 is disposed in the front side of the nut part 1502a. The guide protrusion 1503 is inserted between the two guide protruded portions formed in the rear surface of the first housing 1110. Due to this, the nut part 1502a and the first locking member 1500 can be moved smoothly along the left-to-right direction with respect to the first housing 1110.

The first driving unit 1650 drives the first locking member 1500.

In this exemplary embodiment, a second driving unit 1600 for rotating the latch 1200 and for moving the second locking member 1700, and a first driving unit 1650 for moving the first locking member 1500 are provided separately.

The first driving unit 1650 is installed in the lower side of the right rear surface of the first housing 1110.

The first driving unit 1650 is disposed in the lower side of first locking member 1500.

The first driving unit 1650 comprises a motor 1651 and a screw 1652 connected to the motor 1651.

The shaft of the motor 1651 is disposed along the left-to-right direction so that the interference with the other members of the door 1 can be minimized.

The motor 1651 of the first driving unit 1650 is provided as a smaller one than the motor 1610 of the second driving unit 1600. Due to this, the reverse rotation of the screw 1652 becomes possible even when the motor 1651 of the first driving unit 1650 fails. Therefore, when the motor 1651 fails or the vehicle is out of power, the user can manually release the first locking member 1500 through the key and the like, thereby enhancing the safety.

The motor 1651 is installed in a locking motor support portion formed in the right rear lower side of the first housing 1110.

The motor 1651 is disposed in the right side of the screw 1652. Thus, flooding of the motor 1651 can be minimized even when the water is flowing into the housing 1100.

The screw 1652 is provided as a worm.

The screw 1652 is disposed along the left-to-right direction.

The screw 1652 is connected to the shaft of the motor 1651.

The screw 1652 is thread coupled to the nut part 1502a.

Due to this, the first locking member 1500 is slided towards left or right as the motor 1651 of the first driving unit 1650 is operating.

A first protrusion guide part 1507 is formed at the right side of the screw 1652 in the first locking member 1500.

The first protrusion guide part 1507 is frontwardly and protrudedly formed in the front surface of the first locking member 1500. That is, the first protrusion guide part 1507 is protrudedly formed towards the stopping lever unit 1450.

The first protrusion guide part 1507 is formed in the shape of a strip, and formed in a way that first, it is forwardly protruded and then bended towards the right side and then the end is bended again towards the front side. Thus, an insertion space 1509, wherein the locking protrusion 1457 is inserted, is formed between the first protrusion guide part 1507 and the front surface of the first locking member 1500. The insertion space 1509 is formed in a way that the upper, lower, and right sides thereof are open.

An inclined surface 1511 is formed in the inner side surface (surface being contacted with the locking protrusion 1457) of the first protrusion guide part 1507, and thus, the front-to-rear gap of the insertion space 1509 is formed to be getting narrower as it travels towards the left. Due to this, the first protrusion guide part 1507 can smoothly guide the locking protrusion 1457 towards the rear direction.

The upper portion of the first protrusion guide part 1507 guides the first locking protrusion 1457a of the first stopping lever part 1450a, and the lower portion of the first protrusion guide part 1507 guides the second locking protrusion 1457b of the second stopping lever part 1450b.

The rotation of the stopping lever unit 1450 is occurring as the first protrusion guide part 1507 guides the locking protrusion 1457 towards either the front direction or the rear direction; if the stopping lever unit 1450 is stopped by the stopping threshold 1405 due to the sliding of the first locking member 1500, then both of the main locking member 1300 and the sub-locking member 1400 are sliding together (door lock is released); and if the stopping lever unit 1450 is separated from the stopping threshold 1405 due to the sliding of the first locking member 1500, then only the sub-locking member 1400 is sliding (door is locked).

More specifically, when the first locking protrusion 1457a and the second locking protrusion 1457b are disposed in the insertion space 1509 by the first protrusion guide part 1507, the first stopping lever part 1450a and the second stopping lever part 1450b are being separated from the first stopping threshold 1405a of the first sub-locking member 1400a and the second stopping threshold 1405b of the second sub-locking member 1400b respectively, and thus this is the state wherein the door 1 is locked.

When the first locking protrusion 1457a and the second locking protrusion 1457b are separated from the insertion space 1509, the first stopping lever part 1450a and the second stopping lever part 1450b are being stopped by the first stopping threshold 1405a of the first sub-locking member 1400a and the second stopping threshold 1405b of the second sub-locking member 1400b respectively, and thus this is the state wherein the locking of the door 1 is released.

In this way, the first protrusion guide part 1507 plays the role of locking the door 1 or releasing the locking of the door 1 by rotating the first stopping lever part 1450a and the second stopping lever part 1450b according to the sliding of the first locking member 1500 along the left-to-right direction.

A second sensing member 1519 is formed rearwardly protruded in the upper rear surface of the first locking member 1500.

A second sensing unit 1521 such as a magnet is installed in the lower surface of the second sensing member 1519.

The second sensing unit 1521 is detected by the third sensor 1905 and the fourth sensor 1907 which are installed in a position corresponding to the second sensing unit 1521 on the PCB 1900. Such signals detected by the third sensor 1905 and the fourth sensor 1907 are transferred to the information device of the vehicle, thus the driver can recognize the locking and unlocking states of the door 1.

In addition, a first sensing member through-hole 1504 wherein a first sensing member 1350 is penetrating through is formed along the front-to-rear direction in the first locking member 1500. The first sensing member through-hole 1504 is disposed in the lower side of the first protrusion guide part 1507 and the second sensing member 1519.

In the first locking member 1500, an unlocking part contact portion 1515 where the second stopping portion 1562 of the unlocking part 1560 is contacted to is formed in the shape of a slot. The unlocking part contact portion 1515 is formed in a way that the upper, front, and rear sides thereof are open.

A locking stopping portion 1502 is formed downwardly protruded in the right lower side of the first locking member 1500. The locking stopping portion 1502 is formed in a way that the shape of its horizontal cross-section is a long ellipse along the front-to-rear direction. The locking stopping portion 1502 is formed in the shape of a cylindrical protrusion protruded downwardly.

The locking stopping portion 1502 is formed in the lower portion of a rearwardly protruded plate in the right lower end of the first locking member 1500.

The vehicle door latch system 5 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is rotatably installed in the first housing 1110 of the housing 1100, and further includes a key connect 1550 wherein a key insertion slot is formed in the one side thereof.

The key connect 1550 comprises: a head 1551 wherein a cross-shaped slot is formed; a wing portion 1553 having a key connect cut-off portion 1555 wherein a portion of a disk having a larger diameter than that of the head 1551 has been cut-off.

The head 1551 is formed in the lower side of the key connect 1550.

The head 1551 is formed in the shape of a cylinder.

The wing portion 1553 is formed in the upper side of the key connect 1550, and integrally formed into the head 1551.

The surface of the cut-off portion from the wing portion 1553 is formed in the shape of an arc.

The center angle of the key connect cut-off portion 1555 is smaller than 180°.

The depth of the key connect cut-off portion 1555 is formed to be deeper than the up-down height of the wing portion 1553.

The locking stopping portion 1502 is positioned within the key connect cut-off portion 1555.

Thus, in the wing portion 1553, two key stopping portions wherein the locking stopping portion 1502 is being stopped (held) are formed spaced apart along the circumferential direction at both sides of the wing portion 1553.

The key stopping portion comprises a first key stopping portion 1554 and a second key stopping portion 1552.

Due to such key stopping portions, the locking plate 1500 is slided towards the left or right as the key connect 1550 is being rotated.

In this way, when the head 1551 of the key connect 1550 is rotated interlocked with the key module mounted in the vehicle, the wing portion 1553 is also rotated, therefore the first locking member 1500 can be slided in the left-to-right direction without operating the first driving unit 1650.

That is, the first locking member 1500 performs linear movement by the rotational movement of the key connect 1550.

Thus, the door 1 can be manually locked or lock-released by using the key connect 1550.

An inclined surface 1556 is formed in the lower portion of a first key stopping portion 1554 and a second key stopping portion 1552.

The inclined surface 1556 is formed in a way that the up-down thicknesses of the first key stopping portion 1554 and the second key stopping portion 1552 are getting thinner as they travel towards the end portions thereof. Since the first key stopping portion 1554 and the second key stopping portion 1552 are formed in this way, the key connect 1550 is prevented from the interference with the other members during rotation, thereby more enhancing the drivability.

A stopper protrusion 1107 is protrudedly formed in one of the first locking member 1500 and the first housing 1110 of the housing 1100, and a stopper elongated hole 1571 wherein the stopper protrusion 1107 is inserted is formed in the remaining one.

In this exemplary embodiment, the stopper protrusion 1107 is formed rearwardly protruded in the rear side surface of the first housing 1110, and the stopper elongated hole 1571 is formed at the right side surface of the first locking member 1500.

The stopper elongated hole 1571 is formed along the left-to-right direction at the right lower portion of the first locking member 1500. The stopper elongated hole 1571 is penetratingly formed front-to-rear direction.

The up-down widths of the both sides of the stopper elongated hole 1571 are formed to be larger than the up-down width of the middle portion. That is, a thinner portion 1576 is formed in the middle portion of the stopper elongated hole 1571.

Due to the stopper elongated hole 1571 and the stopper protrusion 1107, the first locking member 1500 is stably located in the locking position or the unlocking position. Therefore, the first locking member 1500 is prevented from misoperation caused by the external impact.

In addition, a slit 1578 penetratingly formed along the front-to-rear direction is formed along the left-to-right direction in the upper side and the lower side of the stopper elongated hole 1571.

Due to such slit 1578, the first locking member 1500 can be elastically deformed smoothly when the stopper protrusion 1107 is passing through the thinner portion 1576 of the stopper elongated hole 1571.

<Second locking member>

The second locking member 1700 moves (rotates) the connecting means and separates the first sub-locking member 1400a and the main locking member 1300.

The second locking member 1700 is movably installed in the housing 1100.

The second locking member 1700 is installed in the rear surface of the first housing 1110 in a way that it is slidable (movable) along the left-to-right direction.

The second locking member 1700 is disposed in the rear side of the first locking member 1500.

The second locking member 1700 is formed to have the shape of a plate just like the first locking member 1500.

In the left side of the second locking member 1700, a driving unit stopping protrusion 1710 being stopped by a second locking member stopping part 1635 is protrudedly formed towards the left side.

In the second locking member 1700, a shaft through-hole 1701 wherein the main gear shaft 1114 is penetrating through is penetratingly formed along the front-to-rear direction. The shaft through-hole 1701 is formed long in length along the left-to-right direction. Due to such shaft through-hole 1701, the second locking member 1700 is guided when moving along the left-to-right direction.

A third sensing member 1740 is formed in the rear side of the center area of the second locking member 1700. The third sensing member 1740 is disposed in the right side of the driving unit stopping protrusion 1710.

The third sensing member 1740 is formed in the shape of a bar rearwardly protruded, and a third sensing unit 1741 is installed in the lower end thereof. A magnet may be provided as the third sensing unit 1741. The third sensing unit 1741 is detected by the seventh sensor 1904 and the eighth sensor 1902 of the PCB 1900.

A second protrusion guide part 1720 is formed in the front surface of the second locking member 1700.

The second protrusion guide part 1720 is frontwardly and protrudedly formed. That is, the second protrusion guide part 1720 is protrudedly formed towards the first stopping lever part 1450a.

The second protrusion guide part 1720 is formed in a way that it is forwardly protruded first and then bended towards the right side. Thus, an insertion space, wherein the child protrusion 1453 is inserted, is formed between the second protrusion guide part 1720 and the front surface of the second locking member 1700. The insertion space is formed in a way that the upper side is closed, but the lower and the right sides are open.

Since the shape of the horizontal cross-section of the second protrusion guide part 1720 is formed in an identical or a similar way to the first protrusion guide part 1507, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The movement (rotation) of the first stopping lever part 1450a of the stopping lever unit 1450 is accomplished as the second protrusion guide part 1720 guides the child protrusion 1453.

Further, the vehicle door latch system 5 according to the present exemplary embodiment may comprise: a locking member spring 1760 applying an elastic force to the second locking member 1700 in the opposite direction of an external force when the second locking member 1700 is moved by the external force; a locking guide member 1790 rotatably installed in any one of the housing 1100 and the second locking member 1700; and a cam-part 1780 formed in the remaining one for guiding the locking guide member 1790 and formed with a stopping slot 1786.

The external force is formed by the main gear 1630 of the second driving unit 1600 which will be described later so that the door 1 can be closed automatically through a single driving unit, that is, the second driving unit 1600, and the door 1 can be locked automatically through the second locking member 1700.

The second locking member 1700 is slided (moved) towards the right side by the main gear 1630.

The locking member spring 1760 is provided as a coil spring, and horizontally disposed along the left-to-right direction.

The locking member spring 1760 is disposed between the cam cover 3730 fixedly installed in the housing 1100 and the second locking member 1700.

A first spring insertion portion 1753 is upwardly and protrudedly formed in the right upper surface of the second locking member 1700. In the first spring insertion portion 1753, a hole wherein the left side of the locking member spring 1760 is inserted is penetratingly formed along the left-to-right direction.

A second spring insertion portion 1733 wherein the right side of the locking member spring 1760 is received is formed along the left-to-right direction in the inner side of the cam cover 1730. The front and left side of the second spring insertion portion 1733 is formed to be open. The first spring insertion portion 1753 is also received in the second spring insertion portion 1733 so that the second spring insertion portion 1733 also performs the role of guiding the first spring insertion portion 1753.

Thus, the right end of the locking member spring 1760 is supported at the cam cover 1730, that is, the first housing 1110, and the left end is supported at the second locking member 1700.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the locking guide member 1790 is rotatably installed in the second locking member 1700, and the cam-part 1780 is integrally formed in the inner lower side of the cam cover 1730 installed in the rear surface of the first housing 1110 of the housing 1100. Unlike the above description, the locking guide member 1790 may be formed in the housing 1100 and the cam-part 1780 may be formed in the second locking member 1700.

The locking guide member 1790 is formed in the shape of a bar, and rotatably installed in the right lower side of the second locking member 1700.

A guide member moving slot 1751 is formed in the right lower side of the second locking member 1700 so that the locking guide member 1790 is received and being moved therein. The front side and the lower side of the guide member moving slot 1751 are formed to be open.

In the locking guide member 1790, a cam guide part 1793 which is guided by the cam-part 1780, and a spring pressing portion 1794 which receives the elastic force of the locking member spring 1760 are formed.

The cam guide part 1793 is formed in the shape of a cylinder, and formed upwardly protruded in the left end of the locking guide member 1790. When the locking guide member 1790 is installed in the second locking member 1700 the cam guide part 1793 is further downwardly protruded than the other surfaces of the adjacent second locking member 1700.

In the locking guide member 1790, the portion adjacent to cam guide part 1793 is formed to have a taper whose up-down width is getting narrower as it travels towards the cam guide part 1793.

A hinge is formed rearwardly protruded in the left rear side of the locking guide member 1790.

In the second locking member 1700, a hinge hole wherein the hinge of the locking guide member 1790 is penetrating through is formed so as to be penetrated along the front-to-right direction. The hinge hole is formed to be the shape of a half-circle whose right side is curved and the left side is flat. The hinge hole is formed to have a larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the hinge of the locking guide member 1790. Thus, even the hinge hole is formed to be the shape of a half-circle, the locking guide member 1790 can be smoothly rotated with respect to the second locking member 1700.

In this way, the locking guide member 1790 is rotatably installed in the second locking member 1700. The lower side of the hinge hole is communicating with the guide member moving slot 1751. The upper side of the hinge hole is communicating with the hole formed in the first spring insertion portion 1753.

The spring pressing portion 1794 is integrally formed to the rear end of the hinge of the locking guide member 1790. The spring pressing portion 1794 is disposed in the left rear of the locking guide member 1790. Due to this, the number of component of the locking guide member 1790 is reduced and the structure becomes simple as well.

The shape of the cross-section of the spring pressing portion 1794 is formed to be a half-circle, and in the spring pressing portion 1794, a first flat portion 1794a is formed in the opposite surface of the surface which receives the elastic force of the locking member spring 1760. In the spring pressing portion 1794, the edge portion where the first flat portion 1794a and the curved portion meet is formed to be rounded.

In the second locking member 1700, a second flat portion 1752 facing the first flat portion 1794a is formed.

The spring pressing portion 1794 of the locking guide member 1790 is disposed between the second flat portion 1752 of the second locking member 1700 and the left end of the locking member spring 1760.

The left end of the locking member spring 1760 is supported at the spring pressing portion 1794 and the second flat portion 1752 of the locking guide member 1790. Thus, the elastic force of the locking member spring 1760 is delivered not only to the second locking member 1700 but also to the locking guide member 1790.

In addition, the horizontal center of the cam guide part 1793 and the horizontal center of the spring pressing portion 1794 are disposed spaced apart along the front-to-rear direction. That is, the center of the cam guide part 1793 and the center of the spring pressing portion 1794 are crossly disposed.

In this exemplary embodiment, the center of the cam guide part 1793 is disposed in the further front side than the center of the spring pressing portion 1794.

Therefore, when the external force is removed, the first flat portion 1794a and the second flat portion 1752 are contacted by the locking member spring 1760 so that the cam guide part 1793 of the locking guide member 1790 is facing forward. Thus, the second locking member 1700 can be smoothly returned.

In the cam cover 1730, a sliding slot 1731 wherein the second locking member 1700 and the locking guide member 1790 are being slided is formed along the left-to-right direction. The sliding slot 1731 is formed to have an open left side and a closed right side. The sliding slot 1731 is communicating with the second spring insertion portion 1733. Thus, the right side of the second locking member 1700 is inserted into the cam cover 1730.

Due to this, the cam cover 1730 can protect the components by surrounding the locking member spring 1760, the locking guide member 1790, and the second locking member 1700, and at the same time, it can be modularized so that the assemblability is further enhanced.

The assembling hooks 1754 are formed respectively in the front and the rear sides of the second locking member 1700. Also, assembling hook coupling holes 1735 wherein the assembling hooks 1754 are inserted are formed respectively in the front and the rear sides of the cam cover 1730. The assembling hook coupling holes 1735 are formed long in length along the left-to-right direction, and the second locking member 1700 can be slided along the left-to-right direction with respect to the cam cover 1730 while the assembling state of the second locking member 1700 and the cam cover 1730 is maintained.

Due to such assembling hooks 1754 and assembling hook coupling holes 1735, the modularization becomes more facilitated.

A cam cover coupling protrusions 1732 which are inserted into the cam cover insertion slots formed in the rear surface of the first housing 1110 and the front surface of the third housing 1150 are formed rearwardly protruded in the front and the rear surfaces of the cam cover 1730.

The cam cover coupling protrusions 1732 are disposed in the right side of the assembling hook coupling holes 1735. The cam cover coupling protrusions 1732 are formed in the shape of a cylinder.

The cam-part 1780 is formed in the shape of a slot. The cam-part 1780 is formed to be communicating with the sliding slot 1731.

The cam-part 1780 is formed of: a first inclined surface 1781 getting closer to the third housing 1150 as it travels towards the right; a second inclined surface 1782 formed continuously from the rear end of the first inclined surface 1781 and getting closer to the first housing 1110 as it travels towards the right; a third inclined surface 1783 formed continuously from the second inclined surface 3782 and getting closer to the first housing 1110 as it travels towards the left; a first bended portion formed continuously from the third inclined surface 1783, having an arc-like curvature concave towards the left, forming a stopping slot 1786; a fourth inclined surface formed continuously from the first bended portion and getting closer to the first housing 1110 as it travels towards the right; and a second bended portion 1787 formed continuously from the fourth inclined surface and having a curvature upwardly convex so that it is getting closer to the first housing 1110 as it travels towards the left. The second bended portion 1787 is connected to the front end of the first inclined surface 1781. The cam-part 1780 is formed in the shape of a closed curve having an inclined surface and a stopping slot 1786, and may be formed in the front side or in the rear side of the cam cover 1730 depending on the situation.

Since the cam-part 1780 is formed in this way, the cam guide part 1793 will not be easily separated from the stopping slot 1786 when an external force is not applied.

The first inclined surface 1781, the second inclined surface 1782, the third inclined surface 1783, the first bended portion, the fourth inclined surface, and the second bended portion 1787 are formed by (in) the cam protruded portion protruded from the inner wall of the cam cover 1730 towards the lower direction. Therefore, the cam-part 1780 is disposed in the lower side of the locking guide member 1790 and the second locking member 1700.

The first inclined surface 1781, the second inclined surface 1782, and the third inclined surface 1783 form the first pathway, and the fourth inclined surface and the second bended portion 1787 form the second pathway.

The cam-part 1780 is formed in a way that the lower portion formed by the third inclined surface 1783, the first bended portion, the fourth inclined surface, and the second bended portion 1787 is to be open. Due to this, the cam cover 1730 can be easily manufactured through injection molding.

An unlocking interlocking part 1770 which rotates or moves the unlocking part 1560 is formed in the second locking member 1700. In this exemplary embodiment, the unlocking interlocking part 1770 rotates the unlocking part 1560 around the center of the unlocking part shaft 1561.

The second locking member 1700 enables the interlocking between the first sub-locking member 1400a and the unlocking part 1560 or disables the interlocking between the first sub-locking member 1400a and the unlocking part 1560.

The unlocking interlocking part 1770 is protrudedly formed towards the right side in the right lower side of the second locking member 1700.

The unlocking interlocking part 1770 is disposed in the lower side of the locking guide member 1790.

The unlocking interlocking part 1770 is disposed spaced apart towards the lower side away from the portion that is inserted into the cam cover 1730.

The unlocking interlocking part 1770 is disposed in the upper side of the unlocking part contact portion 1515 of the first locking member 1500. Thus, at normal times (first door opening device 10 is not locked) the upper portion of the second stopping portion 1562 of the unlocking part 1560 is contacted to the unlocking interlocking part 1770, and the lower portion thereof is contacted to the first locking member 1500.

The unlocking interlocking part 1770 is formed in the shape of a plate disposed horizontally.

A guide slot 1771 which guides the unlocking part 1560 is formed in the lower side of the unlocking interlocking part 1770.

The guide slot 1771 is formed in a way that the front and the lower side thereof are open.

The guide slot 1771 is formed of a curvedly formed bended guided portion 1773 and a flat guide surface 1774 horizontally formed in the shape of a straight line.

The flat guide surface 1774 is contacted to the area of the unlocking part shaft 1561 and let the unlocking part 1560 be disposed along the left-to-right direction. In this state, the unlocking part 1560 is stopped by the flat guide surface 1774 and not being rotated, thereby stably maintaining the disposed state along the left-to-right.

When the unlocking part 1560 is disposed in this way along the left-to-right direction, the first stopping portion 1563 is disposed in the rear side of the unlocking part pressing portion 1407 so that the first stopping portion 1563 is not stopped by the unlocking part pressing portion 1407 even when the first sub-locking member 1400a is slided towards the right side. That is, the interlocking between the first sub-locking member 1400a and the unlocking part 1560 is released.

The bended guided surface 1773 is disposed in the right side of the flat guide surface 1774.

The right end of the bended guided surface 1773 is disposed in the further front side than the flat guide surface 1774.

The second stopping portion 1562 is contacted to the bended guided surface 1773. The bended guided surface 1773 plays the role of restoring the state of interlocking of the unlocking part 1560 that had been released from the interlocking. That is, the bended guided surface 1773 rotates the unlocking part 1560 and enables the first stopping portion 1563 to be contacted to the unlocking part pressing portion 1407 thereby.

In addition, it plays the role of a cover that prevents the unlocking part 1560 from separating towards the rear side since the bended guided surface 1773 surrounds the second stopping portion 1562 when the unlocking part 1560 is in the state of interlocking.

<Second driving unit>

The second driving unit 1600 rotates the latch 1200 or slides the second locking member 1700. That is the second driving unit 1600 drives the second locking member 1700.

As illustrated in Fig. 17, the second driving unit 1600 comprises: a motor 1610; a reduction gear 1620 being rotated by the motor 1610; and a main gear 1630 engaged with the reduction gear 1620 and rotated thereby.

The second driving unit 1600 is installed in the rear surface of the first housing 1110 and in the rear surface of the third housing 1150.

The second driving unit 1600 is disposed in the upper side of the housing 1100. Thus, when the vehicle door latch system 5 is being installed in the door 1, the second driving unit 1600 is disposed above the striker insertion slot 1105. And thus, the flooding of the motor 1610 is prevented even when the water is flowed into the striker insertion slot 1105.

The motor 1610 is electrically connected to the PCB 1900.

The motor 1610 may be disposed in a way that the angle between the shaft 1611 of the motor 1610 and the front surface of the housing 1100 becomes 90 degrees (vertical) or zero degree (horizontal) or a preferred angle (slope).

The shaft 1611 of the motor 1610 is disposed along the front-to-rear direction.

A first worm 1613 is installed in the shaft 1611 of the motor 1610.

The reduction gear 1620 comprises a first worm gear 1621 gearing with the first worm 1613 and a second worm 1622 installed in the first worm gear 1621.

The shaft of the reduction gear 1620 is disposed along the up-down direction. The first worm gear 1621 is disposed in the upper side of the second worm 1622, and integrally formed. The maximum outer diameters of the first worm gear 1621 and the second worm 1622 are equal or similar.

Thus, when the motor 1610 is operated the first worm 1613 is rotated; and as the first worm 1613 is rotated the first worm gear 1621 is rotated; and when the first worm gear 1621 is rotated the second worm 1622 which is integrally formed in the first worm gear 1621 is rotated; and as the second worm 1622 is rotated the main gear 1630 is rotated.

The shaft of the reduction gear 1620 is rotatably installed in a reduction gear shaft supporting plate 1623. That is, in the reduction gear shaft supporting plate 1623, a shaft through hole wherein the shaft of the reduction gear 1620 is inserted is formed along the up-down direction.

The reduction gear shaft supporting plate 1623 is disposed in the upper and lower portions of the reduction gear 1620 respectively.

A supporting plate insertion slot for inserting the reduction gear shaft supporting plate 1623 is formed in the rear surface of the first housing 1110 and the front surface of the third housing 1150 so that the reduction gear 1620 can be easily installed in the housing 1100.

The reduction gear shaft supporting plate 1623 is formed in the shape of a rectangle, and the shaft through hole is disposed close to the rear side of the reduction gear shaft supporting plate 1623. The reduction gear shaft supporting plate 1623 is formed in this way, and thus, the reduction gear shaft supporting plate 1623 can be stably inserted into the supporting plate insertion slot. Owing to this, the reduction gear shaft supporting plate 1623 can be easily installed in the housing 1100, and at the same time, the coupling strength of the reduction gear shaft supporting plate 1623 is further enhanced as well.

When such reduction gear 1620 is provided, the speed of the motor 1610 is greatly reduced so that the closing of the door 1 through the motor 1610 is smoothly performed and the driving torque is obtained thereby. Also, the speed is reduced when the door 1 is closed so that the door 1 can be urgently opened when a safety accident like jamming of a part of human body or clothing between the door 1 and the door-frame occurs.

The main gear 1630 is driven by the second worm gear, and receives the driving force of the motor 1610 via the reduction gear 1620.

An insertion hole 1636 wherein the main gear shaft 1114 is inserted is formed in the center portion of the main gear 1630 so that the main gear 1630 is rotated centered around the main gear shaft 1114 disposed along the front-to-rear direction.

Protrusions 1637 of a circular shape is formed in the circumference of the insertion hole 1636 in the front surface and the rear surface of the main gear 1630. The protrusions 1637 are multiply formed in the shape of a concentric circle. Due to such protrusions 1637, the friction force with the other members adjacent to the main gear 1630 can be minimized, and the strength of the main gear 1630 can be enhanced as well.

As illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19, a geared portion 1632 wherein gear teeth 1638 are formed is formed in a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the main gear 1630, and a non-geared portion 1643 wherein no gear teeth 1638 are formed is formed in the remaining portion of the outer circumferential surface thereof.

The geared portion 1632 is formed only in a portion of the right side of the main gear 1630.

The non-geared portion 1643 is formed in the remaining portion of the main gear 1630 not in the geared portion 1632. The non-geared portion 1643 is formed to be flat or curved.

That is, the gear teeth 1638 are not formed around the entire circumference of the main gear 1630 but formed only in a portion thereof.

A stopping unit 1631 which rotates the latch 1200 is formed in the main gear 1630. The stopping unit 1631 is formed in the shape of a bar, and protrudedly formed towards the front direction.

The stopping unit 1631 comprises a fixing unit 1649 being fixed to the main gear 1630 and a sliding unit slidingly installed along the front-to-rear direction in the fixing unit 1649.

The fixing unit 1649 is forwardly and protrudedly formed in the front surface of the main gear 1630.

The fixing unit 1649 is formed in a way that the front side thereof is open and the inside thereof is hollow. A sliding guide elongated hole 1649a is formed in the left and the right sides of the fixing unit 1649. The guide elongated hole 1649a is formed long in length along the front-to-rear direction. The guide elongated hole 1649a is penetratingly formed along the left-to-right direction.

The sliding unit includes a head portion 1631a and an inner container portion 1631b formed in the rear side of the head portion 1631a.

An inclined surface (not shown) is formed in the left front surface of the head portion 1631a. Due to such inclined surface (not shown), the stopping unit pressing part 1330 can press the head portion 1631a smoothly.

The outer end of the head portion 1631a is protrudedly formed further towards the outer side than the latch 1200. Thus, even when the head portion 1631a is pressed by the stopping unit pressing part 1330, the interference between the rotating latch 1200 and the stopping unit pressing part 1330 is prevented.

The inner container portion 1631b is inserted into the fixing unit 1649.

An outer container stopping protrusion 1631c is formed outwardly protruded at both sides of the outer circumference of the inner container 1631b. The outer container stopping protrusion 1631c is inserted into the guide elongated hole 1649a.

The inner container portion 1631b is formed in a way that the rear side thereof is open and the inside thereof is hollow.

A stopping unit return spring 1648 which returns the stopping unit 1631 to its original position is disposed between the inner container portion 1631b and the fixing unit 1649.

A coil spring is provided as the return spring 1648. The front end of the return spring 1648 is inserted into the inner container 1631b.

Due to such stopping unit 1631 the door 1 can be manually opened by pulling out and operating the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown) even if the second driving unit 1600 fails during or after closing the door 1 using the second driving unit 1600 or after it has been closed.

At normal times, the stopping unit 1631 plays the role of holding the latch 1200 to the rotating member 1370 and the main locking member 1300 by automatically rotating the latch 1200 using the driving force of the motor 1610 if the door 1 is closed to some degree even if the door 1 is not closed completely when the user closes the door 1.

In addition, a first main gear sensing unit 1649b and a second main gear sensing unit 1633 detected by the fifth sensor 1911 are provided in the outer circumferential surface of the main gear 1630.

The first main gear sensing unit 1649b is integrally formed in the rear side of the fixing unit 1649 of the stopping unit 1631.

The first main gear sensing unit 1649b and the second main gear sensing unit 1633 are disposed spaced apart along the circumferential direction.

More specifically, the second main gear sensing unit 1633 is disposed further towards the right side than the first main gear sensing unit 1649b.

The first main gear sensing unit 1649b and the second main gear sensing unit 1633 are outwardly and protrudedly formed in the outer circumferential surface of the main gear 1630. Due to this, the first main gear sensing unit 1649b and the second main gear sensing unit 1633 can be formed in a simple structure.

The first main gear sensing unit 1649b and the second main gear sensing unit 1633 are formed in the non-geared portion of the main gear 1630.

The outer circumferential surfaces of the first main gear sensing unit 1649b and the second main gear sensing unit 1633 are slantly formed so as to be further outwardly protruded as they travel towards the center portion, so that the fifth sensor 1911 provided as a limit switch can be smoothly pressed.

The main gear 1630 is disposed between the rear surface of the first housing 1110 and the second locking member 1700. That is, the second locking member 1700 is disposed in the rear side of the main gear 1630.

A second locking member stopping part 1635 wherein the driving unit stopping protrusion 1710 of the second locking member 1700 is stopped is rearwardly and protrudedly formed in the rear surface of the main gear 1630. A second locking member stopping part 1635 is disposed between the first main gear sensing unit 1649b and the second main gear sensing unit 1633, and disposed more close to the first main gear sensing unit 1649b.

Through such second locking member stopping part 1635 the second driving unit 1600 moves the second locking member 1700.

The second main gear sensing unit 1633 is disposed in the front side of the second locking member 1700 so that it will not be stopped by the second locking member 1700 when the main gear 1630 is rotated.

Opening and closing of the door 1 using the latch 1200, and locking and unlocking of the door 1 using the second locking member 1700 become possible through a single driving unit, that is, the second driving unit 1600, therefore, the structure can be configured to be simple and compact, and the manufacturing cost can be saved.

The vehicle door latch system 5 of the present invention can perform unlocking operation without any functional jamming even unlocking operation is performed while the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown) is being pulled out and operated under the locking state of the door 1.

This will be described in sequence as follows.

The first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown) of the door 1 under the locking state is pulled out and operated.

At this time, since the stopping lever unit 1450 is not stopped by the sub-locking member 1400, the sub-locking member 1400 is being slided towards the opposite side of the main locking member 1300, without affecting the main locking member 1300, along the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown) which is being pulled out.

If unlocking operation is performed using a key, a remocon, and the like during performing such operation, the stopping lever unit 1450 rotates forwardly in order to be connected to the sub-locking member 1400.

However, since the stopping lever unit 1450 is rotated while the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown) is being pulled out, the stopping lever unit 1450 is not connected to the sub-locking member 1400 which is spaced apart from the main locking member 1300, but instead, the stopping lever unit 1450 is entered into the space separated between the main locking member 1300 and the sub-locking member 1400.

At this time, if the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown) which is being pulled out is released and the operation is stopped, the sub-locking member 1400 is moved towards the main locking member 1300 due to the elastic restoring force of the first spring 1803a and the second spring 1803b.

The sub-locking member 1400 enters the inside of the stopping lever unit 1450, and thus the coupling of the stopping lever unit 1450 to the sub-locking member 1400 is completed.

The sensors installed in the PCB 1900 of the vehicle door latch system 5 of the present invention are connected to a room lamp (not shown), an instrument panel (not shown), and the like, a user can easily recognize the opening and closing states of the door 1.

Hereinafter, an operation process of the vehicle door latch system 5 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention having the aforementioned configuration will be described.

<Door closing>

In the Figs. 20 to 23, closing processes of a door 1 located in the side of a vehicle are shown.

As illustrated in Fig. 21, when the user closes the door 1, the striker 1101 presses the latch 1200 then the latch 1200 is rotated in a clockwise direction thereby.

The latch 1200 presses the sixth sensor 1910 while being rotated along the clockwise direction, and then the locking portion 1371 of the rotating member 1370 is inserted into the auxiliary locking slot 1202.

The control unit receives the signal from the sixth sensor 1910 and operates the motor 1610 of the second driving unit 1600 so that the stopping unit 1631 is rotated clockwise. The latch 1200 is stopped by the stopping unit 1631, thus, the latch 1200 is also rotated clockwise.

At this time, as illustrated in Fig. 21, the outer circumferential surface (between the auxiliary locking slot and the locking slot) of the latch 1200 pushes the locking portion 1371 of the rotating member 1370. However, in the rotating member insertion slot 1317, a space is formed wherein the insertion protrusion 1373 of the rotating member 1370 can be escaped so that the main locking member 1300 maintains its original position without being pushed towards the right.

Next, as illustrated in Fig. 23, when the stopping unit 1631 moves to the door 1 closing position as it is being rotated by the motor 1610, the locking portion 1371 is inserted into the locking slot 1201, and the second main gear sensing unit 1633 is detected by the fifth sensor 1911. The control unit (not shown) receives the signal from the fifth sensor 1911 and reversely rotates the motor 1610. The control unit (not shown) reversely rotates the main gear 1630 until the first main gear sensing unit 1649b is detected by the fifth sensor 1911. The control unit (not shown) stops the operation of the motor 1610 when the first main gear sensing unit 1649b presses the fifth sensor 1911.

Thus, the main gear 1630 returns to the basic position. In this way, the main gear 1630 returns to the basic position after the operation of closing the door 1 or locking the door 1, and therefore, the driver can release the locking of the door 1 and closing of the door 1 manually.

In this way, the vehicle door latch system 5 of the present exemplary embodiment can rotate the latch 1200 to the closing position of the door 1 with a single sensor, and can return the main gear 1630 to its basic position as well.

If an emergency situation occurs such that fingers or clothes of a child are trapped between the door 1 and the vehicle body while the door 1 is being closed by operating the motor 1610, the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown) is being pulled out and operated, and then the stopping unit pressing part 1330 of the main locking member 1300 that had been moved towards the right side presses the stopping unit 1631 towards the rear direction so as to release the stopping of the latch 1200 and the main gear 1630 manually, and at the same time, as the second sensor 1903 detects the first sensing unit 1351, the control unit (not shown) rotates the motor 1610 reversely and returns the stopping unit 1631 to the basic position, and the door 1 can be opened thereby.

<Door locking through first locking member>

In Figs. 24 to 27, the unlocked state and the locked state of the door 1 in the side of a vehicle are shown.

As illustrated in the Figs. 24 and 25, the operation wherein the unlocked state of the door 1 becomes a locked state by a key, a remocon, a locking button, a preset critical value of vehicle speed and the like will be described.

When a locking (signal) of the door 1 is entered through the motor 1651 of the first driving unit 1650, the motor 1651 is operated and rotates the screw 1652.

When the screw 1652 rotates, the nut part 1502a is moved thereby.

Due to this, the first locking member 1500 is being moved to the right side, as illustrated in Fig. 26, the first stopping lever part 1450a and the second stopping lever part 1450b are inserted into the insertion space 1509 along the inclined surface 1511 of the first protrusion guide part 1507, and the stopping protrusion 1455 is moved towards the rear direction thereby, and the stopping protrusion 1455 is separated from the first sub-locking member 1400a and the second sub-locking member 1400b respectively. Due to this action, the door 1 becomes locked; therefore, the force will not be transferred to the main locking member 1300 when the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown) is being pulled out and operated.

The motor 1651 pushes the first locking member 1500 until the second sensing unit 1521 of the first locking member 1500 is detected by the fourth sensor 1907.

If the door 1 is to be locked through the key, the key is inserted into the key insertion slot and rotates the key connect 1550 which is interlocked with the key.

When the key connect 1550 is rotated clockwise, the first key stopping portion 1554 pushes the locking stopping portion 1502 of the first locking member 1500 and slides the first locking member 1500.

At this time, the first locking member 1500 is moved towards right side, and the stopping protrusion 1455 is separated from the first sub-locking member 1400a and the second sub-locking member 1400b respectively. Due to this action, the door 1 is locked.

The locking is informed to the user when the control unit (not shown) receives the signal from the fourth sensor 1907. The user takes out the key which has been automatically returned to the central position by the key module. Due to this, the key connect 1550 is returned to its original position.

<Unlocking of first locking member>

As illustrated in Figs. 26 and 27, the operation wherein a locked state of a door 1 becomes an unlocked state by a key, a remocon, a locking button, and a preset critical value of vehicle speed, and the like will be described.

When an unlocking (signal) of the door 1 is entered through the motor 1651 of the first driving unit 1650, the motor 1651 is operated in the opposite direction of the locking case and rotates the screw 1652.

When the screw 1652 rotates, the nut part 1502a is moved thereby.

At this time, the first locking member 1500 is being moved to the left side, as illustrated in Figs. 24 and 25, the first stopping lever part 1450a and the second stopping lever part 1450b are separated from the insertion space 1509, and the stopping protrusion 1455 is moved towards the front direction thereby, and the stopping protrusion 1455 is stopped by the first sub-locking member 1400a and the second sub-locking member 1400b respectively. Due to this action, the door 1 becomes unlocked; therefore, the force will be transferred to the main locking member 1300 when the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown) is being pulled out and operated.

The motor 1651 pushes the first locking member 1500 until the second sensing unit 1521 of the first locking member 1500 is detected by the third sensor 1905.

If the door 1 is to be unlocked through the key, the key is inserted into the key insertion slot and rotates the key connect 1550 which is interlocked with the key.

When the key connect 1550 is rotated counterclockwise, the second key stopping portion 1552 pushes the locking stopping portion 1502 of the first locking member 1500 and slides the first locking member 1500.

At this time, the first locking member 1500 is moved towards left side, and the stopping protrusion 1455 is stopped by the first sub-locking member 1400a and the second sub-locking member 1400b respectively. Due to this action, the door 1 is unlocked.

The locking is informed to the user when the control unit (not shown) receives the signal from the third sensor 1905. The user takes out the key which has been automatically returned to the central position by the key module. Due to this, the key connect 1550 is returned to its original position.

<Unlocking of first locking member using first door opening device>

As illustrated in Fig. 28, when the door 1 is in a locked state, as illustrated in Fig. 29, if the first door opening device 10 is being pulled once, the first sub-locking member 1400a is being slided to the right side.

At this time, the unlocking part pressing portion 1407 of the first sub-locking member 1400a is slided towards the right, and at the same time the first stopping portion 1563 of the unlocking part 1560 is pushed towards the right. Due to this action, the second stopping portion 1562 of the unlocking part 1560 is moved towards the left according to "the principle of the lever." In addition, the second stopping portion 1562 moves first locking member 1500 towards the left.

As illustrated in Figs. 29 and 30, as the first locking member 1500 is being moved to the left side, and the first stopping lever part 1450a and the second stopping lever part 1450b are separated from the insertion space 1509 of the lever guide portion 1507, and the stopping protrusion 1455 is moved towards the front direction by the second return spring 1460, and the stopping protrusion 1455 is stopped by the first sub-locking member 1400a and the second sub-locking member 1400b respectively. Due to this action, the door 1 becomes unlocked.

At this time, if the first door opening device 10 is pulled out one more time and operated, the first sub-locking member 1400a is slided to the right side, and the main locking member 1300 is also slided together with the first sub-locking member 1400a.

When the main locking member 1300 is slided towards the right side, the insertion protrusion 1373 of the rotating member 1370 is stopped by the main locking member 1300 therefore the rotating member 1370 is rotated counterclockwise.

When the rotating member 1370 is rotated, the locking portion 1371 is separated from the locking slot 1201 of the latch 1200 therefore the side door 1 of the vehicle becomes ready to be opened.

<Door locking through second locking member>

When the driver inputs a door lock signal from inside the vehicle through button and the like using the second locking member 1700, the motor 1610 of the second driving unit 1600 is operated. As illustrated in Fig. 36, when the motor 1610 is operated the main gear 1630 is rotated. When the main gear 1630 rotates counterclockwise the driving unit stopping protrusion 1710 is stopped by the second locking member stopping part 1635, and the second locking member 1700 is also slided towards the right. That is, the main gear 1630 pushes the second locking member 1700 towards the right.

In this way, when a first external force is applied to the second locking member 1700, the locking member spring 1760 is contracted, and the cam guide part 1793 of the locking guide member 1790 that has been located in the first inclined portion 1781 of the cam-part 1780 is moved along the first pathway and inserted into the stopping slot 1786. At this state, the second locking member 1700 receives elastic force of the locking member spring 1760 towards the left; therefore, the position of the second locking member 1700 is stably maintained. That is, the state wherein the second locking member 1700 is moved towards the right is maintained.

In this way, when the second locking member 1700 is slided towards the right, as illustrated in Fig. 32, the child protrusion 1453 of the first stopping lever part 1450a is stopped by the second protrusion guide part 1720 and guided towards the rear side. Due to this action, the first stopping lever part 1450a is separated from the first stopping threshold 1405a of the first sub-locking member 1400a. The first sub-locking member 1400a and the main locking member 1300 are separated, and thus the first sub-locking member 1400a and the main locking member 1300 are not slided together.

Meanwhile, the motor 1610 is operating until the third sensing unit 1741 is detected by the eighth sensor 1902.

In this way, after the locking is enforced automatically through the second locking member 1700 by the driving unit 1600, the motor 1610 is rotated reversely and moved towards its basic position. When the main gear 1630 is rotated clockwise, it is not stopped by the second locking member 1700.

In this way, when the second locking member 1700 is slided towards the right, as illustrated in Fig. 32, the unlocking interlocking part 1770 is also slided towards the right. Due to this action, the flat guide surface 1774 is contacted to the rear surface of the unlocking part 1560. Thus, the unlocking part 1560 is rotated in a horizontal state along the left-to-right direction. Due to this, the first stopping portion 1563 is moved towards the rear direction so that the first stopping portion 1563 is not stopped by the unlocking part pressing portion 1407 even when the first sub-locking member 1400a is moved towards the right side by pulling out and operating the first door opening device 10. Thus, if the door is locked through the second locking member 1700, unlocking of the first locking member 1500 through the first door opening device 10 becomes impossible.

When the door locking of the second locking member 1700 is completed, the right end of the bended guide surface 1773 is disposed in the right side of the second stopping portion 1562.

<Unlocking of second locking member>

When the driver inputs a door unlocking signal from inside the vehicle through button and the like using the second locking member 1700, the control unit (not shown) receives the signal and operates the motor 1610 of the second driving unit 1600. When the motor 1610 is operated the main gear 1630 is also rotated counterclockwise same as the door locking case. When the main gear 1630 is rotated counterclockwise for unlocking of the locked state, the main gear 1630 is rotated counterclockwise for a certain amount of time, and then rotated clockwise so that it is returned to its basic position.

When the main gear 1630 rotates counterclockwise, the driving unit stopping protrusion 1710 is stopped by the second locking member stopping part 1635, and the second locking member 1700 is also slightly slided towards the right. That is, the main gear 1630 pushes the second locking member 1700 towards the right. In this way, when an external force is applied to the second locking member 1700 for the second time (again), as illustrated in Fig. 33, the cam guide part 1793 of the locking guide member 1790 is facing upward by the elastic force of the locking member spring 1760 and is separated from the stopping slot 1786.

Later, when the main gear 1630 is rotated clockwise, the second locking member 1700 is not stopped by the main gear 1630 so that it receives only the elastic force of the locking member spring 1760 toward the left side. Therefore, the second locking member 1700 is slided towards the left by the elastic force of the locking member spring 1760.

The locking guide member 1790 wherein the second locking member 1700 is to be slided towards the left is moved along the second pathway and returned to the left side of the cam-part 1780.

In this way, when the second locking member 1700 is slided towards the left, as illustrated in Fig. 41, the child protrusion 1453 of the first stopping lever part 1450a is separated from the second protrusion guide part 1720, and the right side of first stopping lever part 1450a is moved towards the front side due to the elastic force of the second return spring 1460. Due to this action, the first stopping lever part 1450a is stopped by the first stopping threshold 1405a of the first sub-locking member 1400a. Thus, the first sub-locking member 1400a and the main locking member 1300 are connected, and therefore the first sub-locking member 1400a and the main locking member 1300 are slided together.

Meanwhile, when the third sensing unit 1741 is detected by the seventh sensor 1904 the control unit (not shown) informs that the second locking member 1700 is unlocked.

In this way, in the second locking member 1700 of the present exemplary embodiment, when an external force is applied first time, the end of the locking guide member 1790 is moved along the first pathway so as to be stopped by the stopping slot 1786, and when an external force is applied second time, the end of the locking guide member 1790 is separated from the stopping slot 1786 and being moved along the second pathway.

Due to this, the second locking member 1700 is moved when an external force is applied first time, and the moved position after the movement is maintained, and when an external force is successively applied second time towards the same direction, it is returned to its original position.

Thus, the vehicle door latch system 5 is maintained in a simple form, and at the same time, the releasing of the locking of the second locking member 1700 is prevented when the latch 1200 is rotated by the main gear 1630 even the second locking member 1700 and the latch 1200 are moved by the same main gear 1630.

In this way, when the second locking member 1700 is slided towards the left, the unlocking interlocking part 1770 is also slided towards the left. Due to this action, the contact between the flat guide surface 1774 and the rear surface of the unlocking part 1560 is released. Besides, the upper portion of the second stopping portion 1562 of the unlocking part 1560 so that the unlocking part 1560 is rotated and disposed along the front-to-rear direction. Thus, the first stopping portion 1563 of the unlocking part 1560 is disposed in the right side of the unlocking part pressing portion 1407 of the first sub-locking member 1400a.

Due to this action, the first locking member 1500 is in a locked state, and when the first sub-locking member 1400a is moved towards the right side by pulling out and operating the first door opening device 10, the first stopping portion 1563 is stopped by the unlocking part pressing portion 1407, and thus the unlocking part 1560 is rotated so that the lower portion of the second stopping portion 1562 is contacted to the unlocking part contact portion 1515, thereby pushing the first locking member 1500 towards the left side.

Thus, when the door locking of the second locking member 1700 is released, unlocking of the first locking member 1500 through the first door opening device 10 may become possible.

When the door locking of the second locking member 1700 is completed, the upper portion of the second stopping portion 1562 is disposed inside the guide slot 1771 formed surrounded by the bended guided surface 1773.

<Door deadlock>

When a deadlock (signal) is entered through a car key or a remocon and the like, the control unit (not shown) operates the first locking member 1500 and the second locking member 1700 simultaneously and locks the door 1.

The control unit (not shown) operates the first driving unit 1650 and locks the door 1 through the first locking member 1500 through the process as described above. Also, the control unit (not shown) operates the second driving unit 1600 and locks the door 1 through the second locking member 1700 through the process as described above.

As described above, when the second locking member 1700 is operated the interlocking between the first door opening device 10 and the first locking member 1500 through the unlocking part 1560 is disabled so that the opening of the door 1 through the first door opening device 10 becomes impossible.

Also, when the first locking member 1500 is operated the opening of the door 1 through the second door opening device (not shown) becomes impossible.

In this way, in deadlock state, the door 1 cannot be opened through the first door opening device 10 located inside the vehicle, and also the door 1 cannot be opened through the second door opening device (not shown) located outside the vehicle.

Thus, the door 1 cannot be opened even a person breaks into the vehicle by breaking the window.

If the first locking member 1500 or the second locking member 1700 has been operating before the deadlock, the control unit (not shown) will operate only the locking member that is not operating.

In addition, even the locking of the first locking member 1500 or the second locking member 1700 is electrically released, the control unit (not shown) returns the first locking member 1500 or the second locking member 1700, whose locking has been released, to the deadlock state unless the unlocking signal is received from a car key or a remocon.

That is, if the unlock signal is received from a car key or a remocon, the control unit (not shown) releases the deadlock.

In addition, when the control unit (not shown) releases the deadlock, if the locking of the second locking member 1700 was enforced before the input of the deadlock signal, then the locking of the second locking member 1700 is maintained but only the locking of the first locking member 1500 is released. Due to this, the convenience of usage is enhanced since the child lock function can be maintained without a separate instruction.

Further, when the deadlock signal is inputted, the control unit (not shown) informs this information through the notification devices installed in a car key or a remocon so that the misoperation can be prevented. In addition, through such notification, the user can check one more time whether there is a person inside the vehicle or not so that the occurrence of casualties can be prevented thereby.

<Door opening when motor fails>

As illustrated in Fig. 35, the motor 1610 may fail under the situations like when the stopping unit 1631 is moved to closing position of the door 1 for automatically closing the door 1 using the motor 1610, or during moving, or during the time of returning to its basic position.

In such a case, when the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown) is being pulled out and operated, the main locking member 1300 is moved to the right, as illustrated in Fig. 36, and the stopping unit pressing part 1330 is also moved to the right.

Due to this operation, the stopping unit pressing part 1330 presses the head portion 1631a of the stopping unit 1631. When the head portion 1631a is being pressed the head portion 1631a is moved towards the rear side direction further than the protrusion 1215 of the latch 1200, and so the coupling between the stopping unit 1631 and the latch 1200 is released thereby.

Also, the rotating member 1370 is rotated counterclockwise, and the locking portion 1371 is separated from the latch 1200.

Later, as illustrated in Fig. 37, when the user pulls out the door 1, the striker 1101 rotates the latch 1200 counterclockwise, and the door 1 is opened thereby.

In this way, even the second driving unit 1600 fails during the time of closing the door 1 through the second driving unit 1600 or after the door is closed, the door 1 can be manually opened by pulling out the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown).

When the user releases the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown) and stops the operation, the stopping unit 1631 is being slided towards the front direction by the return spring 1648 and returned to its original position.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in Fig. 38, at normal times not in a state of emergency when the stopping unit 1631 is in its basic position, even when the first door opening device 10 or the second door opening device (not shown) is pulled out and operated by a user to open the door 1 or to release the door locking, the stopping unit 1631 is not pressed by the stopping unit pressing part 1330 due to the bended portion 1332. Therefore, the increase in the operational force for moving the main locking member 1300 is prevented at normal times.

<Assembling method of vehicle door latch system>

Assembling method of the above described vehicle door latch system 5 according to the first exemplary embodiment is as follows.

The main locking member 1300, the sub-locking member 1400, and the like are installed in the front surface of the first housing 1110. The latch 1200, the first return spring 1250, the rotating member 1370, and the rotating spring 1390 are installed in the rear side surface of the second housing 1130 by the first return spring stopping shaft 1251, the rotating shaft 1380, and the return spring stopping shaft 1391. Next, the first housing 1110 and the second housing 1130 are coupled to each other with bolts or rivets, and the assembling is completed thereby.

Members (second locking member 1700, etc.) which are being installed in the rear side surface of the first housing 1110 are installed. Then, the third housing 1150 is coupled to the rear side surface of the first housing 1110 with bolts or rivets.

Through such assembling processes, the assembling processes of the vehicle door latch system 5 may become more facilitated.

<Embodiment 2>

In describing the vehicle door latch system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, same symbols will be used for the same or similar elements as those of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and the detailed description and illustration will be omitted.

As illustrated in Figs. 39 and 40, the vehicle door latch system according to the second exemplary embodiment is such that: a first driving unit 2650 and a second driving unit 2600 comprise a first screw 2652 and a second screw 2613 respectively; and a first nut part 2502a and a second nut part 2710 which are thread coupled to the first screw 2652 and the second screw 2613 respectively are formed in a first locking member 2500 and a second locking member 2700 respectively.

In this way, the first driving unit 2650 and the second driving unit 2600 are respectively provided only with a motor 2651 and a motor 2610 and the first screw 2652 and the second screw 2613 so that the number of components are reduced significantly. Due to this, the volume of the device can be reduced significantly.

Hereinafter, the first locking member 2500 and the second locking member 2700, and the first driving unit 2650 and the second driving unit 2600, which drive the first locking member 2500 and the second locking member 2700 respectively, will be described.

The first locking member 2500 is slidingly installed in the rear surface of a first housing 2110.

The first locking member 2500 is disposed in the middle of the first housing 2110 along the left-to-right direction.

The first locking member 2500 is such that the first nut part 2502a, a first protrusion guide part (not shown), an unlocking part contact portion 2515, and a locking stopping portion 2502 are sequentially formed from the left side to the right side.

A first sensor contact portion is rearwardly and protrudedly formed in the rear side of the first nut part 2502a. The first sensor contact portion is contacted to a fourth sensor 2907 when the first locking member 2500 is moved to the locking position. The fourth sensor 2907 is provided as a limit switch and the like.

The unlocking part contact portion 2515 wherein an unlocking part 2560 is contacted is formed in the right upper end of the first locking member 2500.

The locking stopping portion 2502 stopped by a key connect 2550 is formed in the right lower end of the first locking member 2500.

A stopper elongated hole wherein the stopper protrusion is inserted is formed between the unlocking part contact portion 2515 and the locking stopping portion 2502 in the first locking member 2500. Due to such stopper elongated hole, the first locking member 2500 is stably located in the locking position or the unlocking position.

The first driving unit 2650 comprises the motor 2651 and the first screw 2652 connected to the motor 2651.

The motor 2651 is disposed in the right rear side of the first housing 2110. The motor 2651 is disposed in the left side of the first nut part 2502a so that the shaft is disposed along the left-to-right direction.

Further, the motor 2651 is disposed spaced apart from the lower end of the first housing 2110 towards the upper side.

The first screw 2652 is inserted into the first nut part 2502a and rotated by the motor 2651.

The second locking member 2700 is slidingly installed in the rear surface of the first housing 2110.

The second locking member 2700 is disposed along the left-to-right direction in the upper side of the first housing 2110.

Thus, the second locking member 2700 is disposed further upper side than the first locking member 2500.

The second locking member 2700 is disposed further rear side than the first locking member 2500.

The second locking member 2700 is such that the second nut part 2710, a second protrusion guide part (not shown), a stopper elongated hole wherein the stopper protrusion is inserted, and an unlocking interlocking part 2770 are sequentially formed from the left side towards the right side.

Due to such stopper elongated hole, the second locking member 2700 is stably located in the locking position or the unlocking position.

Further, a second sensor contact portion is rearwardly and protrudedly formed in the rear surface of the second unlocking member 2700. The second sensor contact portion is disposed between the second nut part 2710 and the stopper elongated hole.

The second sensor contact portion is contacted to a seventh sensor 2904 when the second locking member 2700 is moved to the unlocking position. The seventh sensor 2904 is provided as a limit switch and the like.

The second driving unit 2600 comprises the motor 2610 and the second screw 2613 connected to the motor 2610.

The motor 2610 is disposed in the left rear side of the first housing 2110. The motor 2651 is disposed in the left side of the second nut part 2710 so that the shaft is disposed along the left-to-right direction.

Further, the motor 2610 is disposed in the upper side of the first housing 2110.

The second screw 2613 is inserted into the second nut part 2710 and rotated by the motor 2610.

In addition, a sixth sensor 2910 which is pressed by the latch (not shown) when the door is closed is installed in the rear surface of the first housing 2110. Due to such sixth sensor 2910 the user can easily recognize whether the door is closed or not.

The rear side of the first housing 2110 is covered by a third housing 2150.

An electrical wire withdrawing part 2154 is formed in the middle of rear upper side of the third housing 2150. The electrical wires connected to the motors or the sensors and the like are withdrawn through the electrical wire withdrawing part 2154.

<Embodiment 3>

In describing the vehicle door latch system according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, same symbols will be used for the same or similar elements as those of the vehicle door latch system according to the first and second exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and the detailed description and illustration will be omitted.

As illustrated in Figs. 41 and 42, the vehicle door latch system according to the third exemplary embodiment is such that a cable connecting part 3501 wherein a cable 3810 is connected is formed in a first locking member 3500.

A first driving unit and a second driving unit, for driving the first locking member 3500 and a second locking member 3700 respectively, comprise a first screw and a second screw; and a first nut part 3502a and a second nut part 3710, to be thread coupled to the first screw and the second screw respectively, are formed in the first locking member 3500 and the second locking member 3700.

The first locking member 3500 is slidingly installed in the rear surface of a first housing 3110 along the left-to-right direction.

The first locking member 3500 is disposed in the middle of the first housing 3110 along the left-to-right direction.

The first locking member 3500 is such that the first nut part 3502a, a first protrusion guide part (not shown), an unlocking part contact portion, a cable connecting part 3501, a stopper elongated hole, and a locking stopping portion 3502 are sequentially formed from the left side towards the right side.

A first sensor contact portion is rearwardly and protrudedly formed in the rear side of the first nut part 3502a. The first sensor contact portion is contacted to a fourth sensor 3907 when the first locking member 3500 is moved towards the locking position.

The unlocking part contact portion is formed in the right upper end of the first locking member 3500.

The locking stopping portion 3502 stopped by the key connect 3550 is formed in the right lower end of the first locking member 3500.

The cable connecting part 3501 is rearwardly and protrudedly formed in the right upper end of the rear surface of the first locking member 3500. The cable connecting part 3501 is disposed in the rear side of the unlocking part contact portion.

An elongated hole wherein a cable installation part 3811 installed with the cable 3810 is penetrating through is formed in the cable connecting part 3501. The elongated hole is penetratingly formed along the up-down direction, and inclinedly formed so that the right side is disposed further towards the rear direction that the left side.

A cable installation part guide 3121 is rearwardly and protrudedly formed in the upper portion of right rear surface of the first housing 3110.

Thus, when the cable 3810 is pressed, the cable 3810 and the cable installation part 3811 are moved towards the front direction as they are guided by the cable installation part guide 3121. In addition, the cable installation part 3811 is moved towards the front direction inside the elongated hole of the cable connecting part 3501 so that the first locking member 3500 is moved towards the right side. Through such processes, the first locking member 3500 is moved towards the locking state by the cable 3810.

A lever disposed inner side of the door or a separate button disposed inner side of the door and the like may be connected to the end of the cable 3810.

In the first locking member 3500, the stopper elongated hole wherein the stopper protrusion is inserted is formed between the unlocking part contact portion and the locking stopping portion 3502. Due to such stopper elongated hole, the first locking member 3500 is stably located in the locking position or the unlocking position.

A first driving unit comprises a motor 3651 and the first screw connected to the motor 3651.

The motor 3651 is disposed in the left rear side of the first housing 3110. The motor 3651 is disposed in the left side of the first nut part 3502a so that the shaft is disposed along the left-to-right direction.

Further, the motor 3651 is disposed spaced apart from the lower end of the first housing 3110 towards the upper side.

The second locking member 3700 is slidingly installed in the rear surface of the first housing 3110.

The second locking member 3700 is disposed in the upper side of the first housing 3110 along the left-to-right direction. Thus, the second locking member 3700 is disposed further upper side than the first locking member 3500.

The second locking member 3700 is disposed further rear side than the first locking member 3500.

The second locking member 3700 is such that the second nut part 3710, a second protrusion guide part (not shown), the stopper elongated hole wherein the stopper protrusion is inserted, and the unlocking interlocking part 3770 are sequentially formed from the left side to the right side.

Further, a second sensor contact portion is rearwardly and protrudedly formed in the rear surface of the second locking member 3700. The second sensor contact portion is disposed between the second nut part 3710 and the stopper elongated hole.

The second sensor contact portion is contacted to a seventh sensor 3904 when the second locking member 3700 is moved towards the unlocking position.

A second driving unit comprises a motor 3610 and the second screw connected to the motor 3610.

The motor 3610 is disposed in the left rear side of the first housing 3110. The motor 3610 is disposed in the left side of the second nut part 3710 so that the shaft is disposed along the left-to-right direction.

Further, the motor 3610 is disposed in the upper side of the first housing 3110.

The second screw is inserted into the second nut part 3710 and rotated by the motor 3610.

In addition, a sixth sensor 3910 which is pressed by the latch (not shown) when the door is closed is installed in the rear surface of the first housing 3110. Due to such sixth sensor 3910 the user can easily recognize whether the door is closed or not.

The rear side of the first housing 3110 is covered by a third housing 3150.

An electrical wire withdrawing part 3159 is formed in the middle of rear upper side of the third housing 3150. The electrical wires connected to the motors or the sensors and the like are withdrawn through the electrical wire withdrawing part 3159.

A cable withdrawing part 3158 from which the cable 3810 is withdrawing is rearwardly and protrudedly formed in the third housing 3150. The cable withdrawing part 3158 is disposed in the right side of the electrical wire withdrawing part 3159. The cable withdrawing part 3158 is disposed in the right upper portion of the third housing 3150. Thus, the cable 3810 is withdrawn towards the upper rear direction of the housing and can be connected to the inner side of the door smoothly.

<Embodiment 4>

In describing the vehicle door latch system according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, same symbols will be used for the same or similar elements as those of the vehicle door latch system according to the first, second, and third exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and the detailed description and illustration will be omitted.

As illustrated in Figs. 43 to 45, a vehicle door latch system according to the fourth exemplary embodiment is such that: a first driving unit comprises a screw; a nut part 4502a thread coupled to the screw is formed in a first locking member 4500; and a handle part 4701 is formed in a second locking member 4700 so as to be operated manually.

The first locking member 4500 is slidingly installed in the rear surface of a first housing 4110.

The first locking member 4500 is disposed in the middle of the first housing 4110 along the left-to-right direction.

The first locking member 4500 is such that a first nut part 4502a, a first protrusion guide part (not shown), an unlocking part contact portion 4515, and a locking stopping portion 4502 are sequentially formed from the left side towards the right side.

A first sensor contact portion is rearwardly and protrudedly formed in the right end of the first nut part 4502a. The first sensor contact portion is contacted to a fourth sensor 4907 when the first locking member 4500 is moved towards the locking position.

An unlocking part contact portion 4515 wherein an unlocking part 4560 is contacted is formed in the right upper end of the first locking member 4500.

The locking stopping portion 4502 stopped by a key connect 4550 is formed in the right lower end of the first locking member 4500.

A stopper elongated hole wherein the stopper protrusion is inserted is formed between the unlocking part contact portion 4515 and the locking stopping portion 4502 in the first locking member 2500. Due to such stopper elongated hole, the first locking member 4500 is stably located in the locking position or the unlocking position.

The first driving unit 4650 comprises a motor 4651 and a first screw connected to the motor 4651.

The motor 4651 is disposed in the left rear side of the first housing 4110. The motor 4651 is disposed in the left side of the first nut part 4502a so that the shaft is disposed along the left-to-right direction.

Further, the motor 4651 is disposed spaced apart from the lower end of the first housing 4110 towards the upper side.

The first screw is inserted into the first nut part 4502a and rotated by the motor 4651.

The second locking member 4700 is slidingly installed in the rear surface of the first housing 4110.

A handle part 4701 is protrudedly formed in the second locking member 4700.

The front side of the first housing 4110 is covered by the second housing 4130.

A handle part through-hole 4131 is formed long in length along the left-to-right direction in the right upper side of the second housing 4130. The handle part through-hole 4131 is penetratingly formed along the front-to-rear direction.

The handle part 4701 is inserted into the handle part through-hole 4131 and exposed to the outside. The second locking member 4700 can be moved by moving such handle part 4701 using a finger or a tool.

A stopper elongated hole wherein the stopper protrusion is inserted is formed in the rear side of the second locking member 4700.

A second protrusion guide part 4720 is formed between the stopper elongated hole and the handle part 4701 in the second locking member 4700.

The rear side of the first housing 4110 is covered by the third housing 4150.

An electrical wire withdrawing part 4154 is formed in the rear side of left upper side of the third housing 4150. The electrical wires connected to the motors or the sensors and the like are withdrawn through the electrical wire withdrawing part 4154.

<Embodiment 5>

In describing the vehicle door latch system according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, same symbols will be used for the same or similar elements as those of the vehicle door latch system according to the first, second, third, and fourth exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and the detailed description and illustration will be omitted.

As illustrated in Figs. 46 and 47, a vehicle door latch system according to the fifth exemplary embodiment is such that a motor receiving slot 5151 is formed in the rear surface of a third housing 5150 installed in the rear side of a first housing 5110.

In the rear surface of the third housing 5150, a PCB insertion slot 5154 and the motor receiving slot 5151 are rearwardly and protrudedly formed. The PCB insertion slot 5154 and the motor receiving slot 5151 are disposed further right side than the striker insertion slot.

A motor of the second driving unit driving a second locking member 5700 is received in the motor receiving slot 5151. The shaft of the motor, as that of the first exemplary embodiment, is disposed along the front-to-rear direction. The shaft of the motor is inserted inside the housing through a shaft through-hole formed in the front side of the motor receiving slot 5151.

The rear side of the motor receiving slot 5151 is formed to be open. The motor is inserted through the rear side of the motor receiving slot 5151 and assembled thereby.

A motor cap 5152 is installed in the rear side of the motor receiving slot 5151 so that the motor will not be exposed towards the outside. The motor cap 5152 is installed in the motor receiving slot 5151 through hook coupling and the like. In this way, the motor is not exposed to the outside of the housing, thereby preventing the water from entering the motor through the housing, therefore, motors without a self-waterproof function can also be used.

A second sensor detecting the movement of the main locking member, and a seventh sensor and an eighth sensor detecting the movement of the second locking member 5700 are, like the first exemplary embodiment, provided as the sensors detecting the magnets installed in the PCB. Thus, the motor of the second driving unit, that operates the second locking member 5700 and automatically closes the door, is controlled by the PCB.

A fourth sensor 5907 detecting the movement of a first locking member 5500 is provided as a limit switch. A sensor contact portion, where the fourth sensor 5907 is contacted to, is downwardly and protrudedly formed in the left end of the nut part of the first locking member 5500. The fourth sensor 5907 is disposed in the lower side of the nut part of the first locking member 5500. The fourth sensor 5907 is pressed when the first locking member 5500 is moved towards the locking position. Such signal detected by the fourth sensor 5907 is transferred to the vehicle's ECU so that the motor of the first driving unit driving the first locking member 5500 can be controlled by the ECU.

As described above, although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred exemplary embodiments, various changes and alterations of the present invention can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention written in the claims described herein below.

[Description of Symbols]

[Description of numerals for major elements in drawings]

1: door, 5: vehicle door latch system

10: first door opening device, 30: glass

1100: housing, 1103: supporting protrusion

1105: striker insertion slot, 1106: fifth sensor receiving slot

1107: stopper protrusion, 1110: first housing

1111: latch receiving slot, 1112: closing member receiving slot

1113: spring insertion slot, 1114: main gear shaft

1115: stopping unit guide slot, 1116: rod guide slot

1117: first spring receiving slot

1118: unlocking part insertion hole

1119: second spring receiving slot

1123: bumper member insertion slot

1125: shaft receiving slot, 1127: key connect mounting portion

1128: first sensing member insertion slot

1129: sixth sensor insertion hole, 1130: second housing

1130a: metallic second housing, 1130b: plastic second housing

1133: bolt

1135: first protruded portion, 1136: second protruded portion

1138: vertical support member, 1150: third housing

1151: motor receiving slot, 1154: PCB insertion slot

1200: latch

1201: locking slot, 1201a: second locking stopping portion

1202: auxiliary locking slot

1202a: first locking stopping portion

1203: first surface, 1204: striker stopping protrusion

1205: second surface, 1206: elastic cover

1207: third surface, 1213: spring insertion slot

1215: protrusion, 1230: latch rotating shaft

1250: first return spring

1251: first return spring stopping shaft

1252: first bended portion, 1253: second bended portion

1300: main locking member, 1310: body

1312: spacing protrusion

1314: stopping opening device receiving slot

1315: sub-locking member insertion slot

1315a: sub-locking member guide slot

1316: stopping lever shaft insertion hole

1317: rotating member insertion slot

1318: second return spring receiving slot

1319: stopping protrusion insertion hole

1330: stopping unit pressing part

1331: rib

1332: bended portion, 1332a: connecting portion

1340: horizontal bar, 1350: first sensing member

1351: first sensing unit, 1370: rotating member

1371: locking portion, 1372: latch insertion slot

1373: insertion protrusion, 1374: elastic cover

1380: rotating shaft, 1390: rotating member return spring

1391: rotating spring stopping shaft

1400: sub-locking member

1400a: first sub-locking member

1400b: second sub-locking member

1401a: first stopping member receiving slot

1401b: second stopping member receiving slot

1402a: first spring insertion protrusion

1402b: second spring insertion protrusion

1403a: first withdrawing hole

1403b: second withdrawing hole

1404a: first locking member guide protrusion

1404b: second locking member guide protrusion

1405: stopping threshold

1405a: first stopping threshold

1405b: second stopping threshold

1407: unlocking part pressing portion

1450: stopping lever unit

1450a: first stopping lever part

1450b: second stopping lever part

1451: holes, 1453: child protrusion

1455: stopping protrusion, 1457: locking protrusion

1457a: first locking protrusion

1457b: second locking protrusion

1460: second return spring

1460a: first spring portion, 1460b: second spring portion

1461: coil portion, 1462: first bended portion

1463: second bended portion, 1464: third bended portion

1465: spring connecting portion, 1470: stopping lever shaft

1500: first locking member

1502: locking stopping portion, 1502a: nut part

1503: guide protrusion, 1504: first sensing member through-hole

1507: first protrusion guide part, 1509: insertion space

1511: inclined surface, 1515: unlocking part contact portion

1519: second sensing member, 1521: second sensing unit

1571: stopper elongated hole, 1576: thinner portion

1578: slit, 1550: key connect

1551: head, 1552: second key stopping portion

1553: wing portion, 1554: first key stopping portion

1555: key connect cut-off portion, 1556: inclined surface

1560: unlocking part, 1561: unlocking part shaft

1562: second stopping portion, 1563: first stopping portion

1600: second driving unit, 1610: motor

1611: shaft, 1613: first worm

1620: reduction gear, 1621: first worm gear

1622: second worm, 1623: reduction gear shaft supporting plate

1630: main gear, 1631: stopping unit

1631a: head portion, 1631b: inner container portion

1631c: outer container stopping protrusion

1632: geared portion, 1633: second main gear sensing unit

1635: second locking member stopping part

1636: insertion hole, 1637: protrusion

1638: gear teeth, 1643: non-geared portion

1648: return spring, 1649: fixing unit

1649a: guide elongated hole, 1649b: first main gear sensing unit

1650: first driving unit, 1651: motor

1652: screw

1700: second locking member, 1701: shaft through-hole

1710: driving unit stopping protrusion

1720: second protrusion guide part

1730: cam cover, 1731: sliding slot

1732: cam cover coupling protrusion

1733: second spring insertion portion

1735: assembling hook coupling hole

1740: third sensing member, 1741: third sensing unit

1751: guide member moving slot, 1752: second flat portion

1753: first spring insertion portion, 1754: assembling hook

1760: locking member spring, 1770: unlocking interlocking part

1771: guide slot, 1773: bended guide surface

1774: flat guide surface, 1780: cam-part

1781: first inclined surface, 1782: second inclined surface

1783: third inclined surface, 1786: stopping slot

1787: second bended portion, 1790: locking guide member

1793: cam guide part

1794: spring pressing portion, 1794a: first flat portion

1800: door opening device connecting unit

1800a: first door opening device connecting unit

1800b: second door opening device connecting unit

1801a: first stopping member, 1801b: second stopping member

1803a: first spring, 1803b: second spring

1805: guide tube

1900: PCB

1902: eighth sensor, 1903: second sensor

1904: seventh sensor, 1905: third sensor

1907: fourth sensor, 1910: sixth sensor

1911: fifth sensor

Claims (4)

1. A vehicle door latch system comprising:

   a housing;

   a latch rotatably installed in the housing;

   a door closing member locking the latch and connected to a door opening device;

   a locking member slidingly installed in the housing, preventing the door from opening even when the door opening device is operated; and

   a driving unit moving the locking member, wherein the driving unit comprises a screw, and wherein a nut part thread coupled to the screw is formed in the locking member.
2. The vehicle door latch system according to claim 1, wherein the door closing member is slidingly installed in the housing.
3. The vehicle door latch system according to claim 2, wherein the door closing member comprises: a main locking member locking the latch; and a sub-locking member connected to the main locking member through a connecting means.
4. The vehicle door latch system according to claim 2, wherein a striker insertion slot wherein a striker is inserted is formed in the upper side of the housing, and a door opening device connecting unit connecting the door opening device and the door closing member is provided, and wherein the door opening device connecting unit is withdrawn from the upper side of the housing.

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