WO2018169258A1

WO2018169258A1 - Vehicle door latch system

Info

Publication number: WO2018169258A1
Application number: PCT/KR2018/002844
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hae Il Jeong
Original assignee: Woobo Tech Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2017-03-14
Filing date: 2018-03-09
Publication date: 2018-09-20

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle door latch system including a door opening member configured to lock or unlock a latch and including a main opening member slidable with respect to the latch and a driving unit configured to slide the main opening member. Thus, the vehicle door latch system is configured to automatically open a door without pulling out a lever, thereby having enhanced ease of use.

Description

VEHICLE DOOR LATCH SYSTEM

The present invention relates to an electronic vehicle door latch system capable of automatically performing functions related to operation of vehicle doors.

A vehicle door latch system has a case in which a latch and a link for locking the latch are installed, as proposed in Korea Patent No. 10-1091658.

However, such a conventional vehicle door latch system includes many links in order to perform various functions. Such a large number of components cause increases in production cost, assembly process complexity, and also volume.

In order to solve such a problem, a vehicle door latch system in which a locking member for locking a latch includes a sliding member slidably installed in a housing thereof has been proposed in Korea Patent No. 10-1577214. However, such a conventional vehicle door latch system has several problems in that it is not easy to use because a lever installed in a door has to be pulled out to open the door and also in that the changing quality of sensory experience of users should be considered.

[Prior-Art Documents]

[Patent Documents]

Patent Document 1: Korean Patent No. 10-1091658

Patent Document 2: Korean Patent No. 10-1577214

Patent Document 3: Korean Patent Publication No. 2016-0013621

Patent Document 4: Korean Patent Publication No. 2017-0001458

A technical objective of the present invention is to provide a vehicle door latch system capable of: keeping a door latch device compact by reducing the number of components of the door latch device; enhancing the ease of use by allowing a door to be opened or closed with one button at an inner side or an outer side; enhancing the quality of sensory experience because a lever is not used; and smoothly transferring a driving force of a driving unit.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a vehicle door latch system includes a housing; a latch pivotably installed in the housing; a door operating member configured to lock or unlock the latch, the door operating member including a main opening member slidable with respect to the latch; and a driving unit configured to slide the main opening member.

The driving unit may rotate the latch so that the door operating member locks the latch.

The driving unit may be operated by a driving input part disposed outside a vehicle.

The vehicle door latch system may further include a lever connection part configured to slide the main opening member, wherein a lever connected to the lever connection part is disposed inside the vehicle.

The driving unit may include a motor and a gear unit interoperating with the motor, and the gear unit may include a first worm, a first worm gear rotated by the first worm, a second worm installed in the first worm gear, and a second worm gear rotated by the second worm.

The door operating member may include an opening member, and the opening member may be slidably installed on a surface of the housing opposite to a surface on which the latch is installed.

The door operating member may include an open plate configured to slide the main opening member. The main opening member may be slidably installed on a surface of the housing on which the latch is installed. The open plate may be slidably installed on a surface of the housing opposite to the surface on which the latch is installed.

The driving unit may include a motor and a deceleration part interoperating with the motor, and a door operating member catching part by which the door operating member is to be caught may be formed in the deceleration part.

The driving unit may include a motor. A screw may be formed in any one of the door operating member and a shaft of the motor, and a nut part to be screwed onto the screw may be formed in the other.

The vehicle door latch system may further include a door locking input unit configured to receive a signal indicating whether a door is locked and a control unit configured to receive the signal from the door locking input unit and control the driving unit.

The driving unit may include a motor and a main gear rotated by the motor. The main gear may rotate the latch and slide the main opening member of the door operating member. The main opening member may be disposed at one side of the main gear, and the motor may be disposed at the other side of the main gear.

The vehicle door latch system may further include a stopper interoperating with a handle installed at the outside of a door and capable of being pulled into or out of the door, wherein when the door is locked, the stopper may block the door from being opened by the driving unit.

The driving unit may include a motor and a main gear rotated by the motor. The main gear may slide the main opening member of the door operating member. The stopper may be slidable with respect to the main gear. The main gear may be caught by the stopper.

The vehicle door latch system may further include a sensor configured to sense whether a handle installed at the outside of a door and capable of being pulled into or out of the door is pulled in and a control unit configured to receive a signal from the sensor and control power supplied to the driving unit.

The vehicle door latch system may further include a stopper interoperating with a handle installed at the outside of a door and capable of being pulled into or out of the door, wherein the stopper blocks the door from being opened by the driving unit when the door is locked; a sensor configured to sense a position of the stopper; and a control unit configured to receive a signal from the sensor and control power supplied to the driving unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle door latch system includes a housing; a latch pivotably installed in the housing; a door operating member configured to lock or unlock the latch, the door operating member including a main opening member slidable with respect to the latch; and a key connector configured to slide the main opening member.

According to the aforementioned vehicle door latch system of the present invention, the following effects are attained.

By including a main opening member slidable with respect to a latch, a door operating member configured to lock or unlock the latch, and a driving unit configured to slide the main opening member, a door may be automatically opened without a lever being pulled out, thereby enhancing ease of use and quality of sensory experience, and also the main opening member may be slid to unlock the latch without directly rotating a pivot member of the door operating member, thereby smoothly transferring a driving force.

The driving unit rotates the latch so that the door operating member locks the latch, and two functions may be performed through one driving unit. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number of components of the device and to make the device compact.

By further including a lever connection part configured to slide the main opening member and placing a lever connected to the lever connection part inside the vehicle, a door may be opened even in case of an emergency such as power failure or driving unit failure. Thus, it is possible to enhance safety of use.

The driving unit may include a motor and a gear unit interoperating with the motor, and the gear unit may include a first worm, a first worm gear rotated by the first worm, a second worm installed in the first worm gear, and a second worm gear rotated by the second worm. Thus, it is possible to keep the device compact.

The door operating member may include an opening member, and the opening member may be slidably installed on a surface of the housing opposite to a surface on which the latch is installed. Thus, it is possible to decrease the number of components of the device.

The driving unit may include a motor and a deceleration part interoperating with the motor, and a door operating member catching part by which the door operating member is to be caught may be formed in the deceleration part. Thus, the driving unit can smoothly perform both an automatic door closing function (cinching) and an automatic door opening function.

The driving unit may include a motor, a screw may be formed in any one of the door operating member and a shaft of the motor, and a nut part to be screwed onto the screw may be formed in the other, thereby simplifying the structure of the device.

By further including a door locking input unit configured to receive a signal indicating whether a door is locked and a control unit configured to receive the signal from the door locking input unit and control the driving unit, it is possible to decrease the number of components of the device while maintaining a locking function.

The driving unit may include a motor and a main gear rotated by the motor, the main gear may rotate the latch and slide the main opening member of the door operating member, the main opening member may be disposed at one side of the main gear, and the motor may be disposed at the other side of the main gear, thereby making the device further compact.

By including a stopper interoperating with a handle installed at the outside of a door and capable of being pulled into or out of the door, the stopper blocks the door from being opened by the driving unit when the door is locked. Even when a driving unit operates due to an error while the vehicle is running, due to the stopper, which is interoperable with the handle pulled into the door, the door cannot be opened.

The driving unit may include a motor and a main gear rotated by the motor, the main gear may slide the main opening member of the door operating member, the stopper may be slidable with respect to the main gear, and the main gear may be caught by the stopper, thereby simplifying the structure of the device.

By further including a sensor configured to sense whether a handle installed at the outside of a door and capable of being pulled into or out of the door is pulled in and a control unit configured to receive a signal from the sensor and control power supplied to the driving unit, it is possible to prevent the driving unit from operating even if an error occurs while the vehicle is running.

By including a stopper interoperating with a handle installed at the outside of a door and capable of being pulled into or out of the door, the stopper being configured to block the door from being opened by the driving unit when the door is locked; a sensor configured to sense a position of the stopper; and a control unit configured to receive a signal from the sensor and control power supplied to the driving unit, it is possible to simplify the structure, to mechanically and electrically prevent the door from being opened while the vehicle is running, thereby enhancing stability, and also to prevent a load from being applied to the motor.

By including a door operating member configured to lock or unlock a latch and having a main opening member slidable with respect to the latch; and a key connector configured to slide the main opening member, a door may be opened by a key even in case of an emergency such as power failure or driving unit failure, thereby enhancing safety of use.

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

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

FIG. 3 shows a front view (in an upper portion) and a rear view (in a lower portion) of a first housing in the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a front view (in an upper portion) and a rear view (in a lower portion) of a second housing in the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a front view (in an upper portion) and a rear view (in a lower portion) of a third housing in the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a latch and a first return spring in the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a front view (in an upper portion) of a main opening member and a key connector and a partial rear view (in a lower portion) of the main opening member in the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a catching lever part and a second return spring in the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a sub-opening member and a door lever connection part in 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 (the second housing is omitted therein).

FIG. 11 is a state diagram schematically showing a state in which the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is installed at a vehicle side door.

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view schematically showing a state in which the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is installed at a vehicle side door.

FIG. 13 shows a front view (in an upper portion) and a rear view (in a lower portion) of a first driving unit in the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a front view (in an upper portion) and a rear view (in a lower portion) of an open plate in the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a front view (in an upper portion) and a rear view (in a lower portion) of a locking member and a second driving unit in the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a partial rear view of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention from which the third housing and a terminal panel have been removed.

FIG. 17 shows a front view (in an upper portion) and a rear view (in a lower portion) of a terminal panel and a printed circuit board (PCB) in the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of part (a) and part (b) of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a partial front view of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention from which the first housing and the second housing have been removed.

FIG. 20 is a rear view of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention from which the third housing has been removed.

FIG. 21 is a front view showing the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention (the housing thereof is omitted therein) while a first step of a door closing operation is performed.

FIG. 22 is a front view showing the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention (the housing thereof is omitted therein) while a second step of the door closing operation is performed.

FIG. 23 is a front view showing the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention (the housing thereof is omitted therein) while a third step of the door closing operation is performed.

FIG. 24 is a front view showing the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention (the housing thereof is omitted therein) while a fourth step of the door closing operation is performed.

FIG. 25 shows a partial sectional view (in an upper portion) and a partial rear view (in a lower portion) of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention while a first step of a door locking operation is performed.

FIG. 26 shows a partial sectional view (in an upper portion) and a partial rear view (in a lower portion) of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention while a second step of the door locking operation is performed.

FIG. 27 shows a partial sectional view (in an upper portion) and a partial rear view (in a lower portion) of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention while a third step of the door locking operation is performed.

FIG. 28 shows a partial front view (in an upper portion) and a partial rear view (in a lower portion) of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention while a first step of a door opening operation is performed through the first driving unit thereof.

FIG. 29 shows a partial front view (in an upper portion) and a partial rear view (in a lower portion) of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention while a second step of the door opening operation is performed through the first driving unit thereof.

FIG. 30 shows a partial front view (in an upper portion) and a partial rear view (in a lower portion) of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention while a third step of the door opening operation is performed through the first driving unit thereof.

FIG. 31 shows a partial front view (in an upper portion) and a partial rear view (in a lower portion) of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention while the first step of the door opening operation is performed through a key thereof.

FIG. 32 shows a partial front view (in an upper portion) and a partial rear view (in a lower portion) of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention while the second step of the door opening operation is performed through the key thereof.

FIG. 33 shows a partial front view (in an upper portion) and a partial rear view (in a lower portion) of the vehicle door latch system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention while the third step of the door opening operation is performed through the key thereof.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a vehicle door latch system according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view (a front view) of the vehicle door latch system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is an exploded perspective view (a rear view) of the vehicle door latch system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a front view of the vehicle door latch system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention (the second housing is omitted therein).

FIG. 38 is a partial rear view of the vehicle door latch system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention (a door thereof is open).

FIG. 39 is a schematic diagram showing a front door control unit in the vehicle door latch system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a schematic diagram showing a rear door control unit in the vehicle door latch system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a vehicle door latch system according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the vehicle door latch system according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention (a second housing thereof is omitted therein).

FIG. 43 is a partial rear view of the vehicle door latch system according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 44 is a partial rear view of the vehicle door latch system according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention (a door thereof is open).

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

FIG. 46 is a rear view of the vehicle door latch system according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 47 is an exploded perspective view (a front view) of the vehicle door latch system according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 48 is an exploded perspective view (a rear view) of the vehicle door latch system according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 49 is a front view of the vehicle door latch system according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention (a second housing thereof is omitted therein).

FIG. 50 is a partial rear view of the vehicle door latch system according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 51 is a partial rear view of the vehicle door latch system according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention (a door thereof is open).

FIG. 52 is a schematic diagram showing a front door control unit in the vehicle door latch system according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 53 is a schematic diagram showing a rear door control unit in the vehicle door latch system according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of a vehicle door latch system according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 55 is a front view of the vehicle door latch system according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention (a second housing thereof is omitted therein).

FIG. 56 is a partial rear view of the vehicle door latch system according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 57 is a perspective view of the vehicle door latch system according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 58 is a front view of the vehicle door latch system according to the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention (a second housing thereof is omitted therein).

FIG. 59 is a partial rear view of the vehicle door latch system according to the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 60 is a view showing a state of the vehicle door latch system according to the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention while a handle thereof is pulled in.

FIG. 61 is a view showing a state of the vehicle door latch system according to the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention while a handle thereof is pulled out.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As reference, the same components among components of the present invention, which will be described hereinafter, as those of a related art will be referred to descriptions of the related art and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on another element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements therebetween.

The technical terms used herein are to simply mention a particular exemplary embodiment and are not meant to limit the present invention. An expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context. In the specification, it is to be understood that the terms such as "including" or "having" etc., are intended to indicate the existence of specific features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, and are not intended to preclude the possibility that one or more other specific features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof may exist or may be added.

Spatially relative terms, such as "below", "above", and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element's relationship to another element(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different meanings or operations of a device in use in addition to the meanings depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" other elements would then be oriented "above" the other elements. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Devices may be otherwise rotated 90 degrees or by other angles and the spatially relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.

When it is mentioned that a certain element is "coupled to" or "connected to" another element, it should be understood that the certain element may be directly coupled or connected to the other element or still another element may be located therebetween.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 33, a vehicle door latch system according to a first embodiment includes a housing 1100, a latch 1200 pivotably installed in the housing 1100, a door operating member configured to lock the latch 1200 and including a main opening member for the latch 1200, and a first driving unit 1600 configured to slide the main opening member.

Hereinafter, a vehicle door latch system applying a vehicle side door will be described.

The housing 1100 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the housing 1100, a front portion refers to a portion toward the second housing 1130, and a rear portion refers to a portion toward the third housing 1150. Also, a left portion and a right portion, which will be described below, refer to the left and the right when viewed from the front, respectively. Even when positions of members formed on a rear surface are described, a left portion and a right portion refer to the left and the right when viewed from the front, respectively. In addition, when viewed with respect to a vehicle, an upper portion refers to an inner direction of the vehicle, a lower portion refers to an outer direction of the vehicle, a front portion refers to a rear portion of the vehicle, and a rear portion refers to a front portion of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 1100 includes a first housing 1110, a second housing 1130 disposed in front of the first housing 1110, and a third housing 1150 disposed behind the first housing 1110.

A sealing member is disposed between a rear edge of the first housing 1110 and a front edge of the third housing 1150 to prevent first and

second driving units

1600 and 1650, a PCB 1920, and the like from being damaged by water.

As shown in FIG. 1, a striker insertion recess 1105 into which a striker 1101 connected to the vehicle's body is to be inserted is formed in an upper portion and a front portion of the housing 1100. The striker insertion recess 1105 is formed with an open upper portion, an open front portion, and a closed rear portion.

Accordingly, the striker insertion recess 1105 formed in the first housing 1110 is formed in a concave shape, and the striker insertion recess 1105 formed in the second housing 1130 is formed in the shape of a hole passing through the second housing 1130 in a front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first housing 1110 is formed in a plate shape.

A latch seating recess 1111 in which the latch 1200, which will be described below, is to be seated and an operating member seating recess 1112 in which the main opening member 1300 and the sub-opening member 1400, which will be described below, are to be seated are formed in a front portion of the first housing 1110.

The first housing 1110 may be made of a plastic material and formed through injection molding. This makes an apparatus be easily manufactured.

The latch seating recess 1111 is formed with an open front portion and a closed rear portion, thus facilitating assembly of components. The front portion of the latch seating recess 1111 is covered with the second housing 1130 during assembly.

The upper portion of the latch seating recess 1111 communicates with the striker insertion recess 1105.

Furthermore, a spring insertion recess 1113 is formed in the front portion of the first housing 1110.

The spring insertion recess 1113 is disposed behind the latch seating recess 1111 to communicate with the latch seating recess 1111. The spring insertion recess 1113 is formed in the shape of a circular sector, and a first return spring 1250, which will be described below, is inserted into the spring insertion recess 1113 such that one end of the first return spring 1250 may rotate together with the latch 1200.

A sensor transfer member insertion hole into which a first sensor transfer member and a second sensor transfer member, which will be described below, are to be inserted is formed in the first housing 1110 to pass through the first housing 1110 in the front-rear direction and thus communicate with the latch seating recess 1111. The sensor transfer member insertion hole is disposed under the striker insertion recess 1105.

A catching part guide recess 1115 is formed at a left side of the first housing 1110 to pass through the first housing 1110 in the front-rear direction and thus communicate with the spring insertion recess 1113 and the latch seating recess 1111.

The catching part guide recess 1115 is formed around the spring insertion recess 1113 and the latch seating recess 1111 in the shape of a circular arc.

The operating member seating recess 1112 serves to guide the main opening member 1300 and the sub-opening member 1400 to smoothly slide with respect to the housing 1100, the latch 1200, and a pivot member 1370 in a left-right direction.

The operating member seating recess 1112 is formed in the left-right direction to communicate with the latch seating recess 1111.

At least a portion of the operating member seating recess 1112 is more recessed than the latch seating recess 1111.

The operating member seating recess 1112 is formed in an upper right portion of the first housing 1110. In this case, the center of the operating member seating recess 1112 is disposed above the center of the latch seating recess 1111.

In the operating member seating recess 1112 of the first housing 1110, a part in which the sub-opening member 1400 is to be seated is formed with an open rear portion. A protrusion guide part 1507 and a first sense member 1350, which will be described below, are inserted into the part of the operating member seating recess 1112 having the open rear portion.

A load guide recess 1116 is formed in the front portion of the first housing 1110 in the left-right direction to communicate with the left side of the operating member seating recess 1112.

The load guide recess 1116 is disposed below the latch seating recess 1111 to communicate with the latch seating recess 1111.

A first spring seating recess 1117 and a second spring seating recess are formed in a front upper right portion of the first housing 1110. The first spring seating recess 1117 and the second spring seating recess are formed to the right of the operating member seating recess 1112 to communicate with the operating member seating recess 1112. A pull-out hole from which a wire of a lever connection part 1800 connected to a lever 10 is to be pulled out communicates with the right side of the first spring seating recess 1117. Accordingly, the lever connection part 1800 is pulled out to an upper right portion of the first housing 1110.

A driving catching part through-hole 1118 is formed in a right portion of the first housing 1110. The driving catching part through-hole 1118 is elongated in the left-right direction and is formed to pass through the first housing 1110 in the front-rear direction.

A key catching part through-hole 1119 is formed in the right portion of the first housing 1110. The key catching part through-hole 1119 is elongated in the left-right direction and is formed to pass through the first housing 1110 in the front-rear direction. The key catching part through-hole 1119 is disposed to the right of the driving catching part through-hole 1118.

Bumper member insertion recesses 1123 into which bumper members 1360 are to be inserted are formed in middle and upper portions of the first housing 1110 to communicate with the striker insertion recess 1105 or the latch seating recess 1111.

The bumper member insertion recess 1123 disposed in the middle portion has an open front portion and an open upper portion, and the upper portion of the bumper member insertion recess 1123 communicates with the striker insertion recess 1105.

The bumper member insertion recess 1123 disposed in the upper portion has an open front portion and a right portion communicating with the latch seating recess 1111.

The bumper member 1360 disposed in the middle portion can prevent shock or noise that is caused by contact with the first housing 1110 when the striker 1101 is inserted into the striker insertion recess 1105.

A support protrusion part 1103 for supporting a horizontal part or a vertical part of the second housing 1130 is elongated on a front surface of the first housing 1110. By using the support protrusion part 1103, it may be easy to preliminarily assemble the first housing 1110 and the second housing 1130. Accordingly, it is possible to facilitate an assembly process thereof.

An edge of the first housing 1110 protrudes rearward so that a space may be formed in the rear portion of the first housing 1110.

A key connector installation part 1127 is formed with an open upper portion, an open lower portion, and an open rear portion at the bottom of the right portion of the rear surface of the first housing 1110.

A main gear shaft 1114 to be inserted into an insertion hole 1636 of a main gear 1630, which will be described below, is formed in a left portion of the rear surface of the first housing 1110 to protrude rearward. A rib is formed around the main gear shaft 1114, thereby reducing the weight of the apparatus and reinforcing the strength of the apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 4, the second housing 1130 is divided into two parts. The two parts of the second housing 1130 are each formed as a plate member and made of different materials. The second housing 1130 may be provided as one member rather than being divided into two parts.

The second housing 1130 includes a second metal housing 1130a formed of a metal material and a second plastic housing 1130b formed of a plastic material.

Similarly, the second housing 1130 is formed of different materials according to position, and thus it is possible to maintain durability of the apparatus and also reduce the weight of the apparatus.

The second metal housing 1130a is disposed on the left of the apparatus, and the second plastic housing 1130b is disposed on the right of the apparatus.

A latch, a pivot member, and the like are installed in the second metal housing 1130a.

A shaft insertion hole into which a latch pivot shaft 1230 provided as a rivet is to be inserted is formed in the second metal housing 1130a to pass through the second metal housing 1130a in the front-rear direction.

A first protrusion part 1135 and a second protrusion part 1136 are formed by recessing the second metal housing 1130a from front to back around the shaft insertion hole. The first protrusion part 1135 and the second protrusion part 1136 protrude rearward relative to other parts of the rear surface of the second metal housing 1130a.

The first protrusion part 1135 is in contact with a front surface of the latch and a front surface of the pivot member 1370, which will be described below. Accordingly, during assembly, it is possible to minimize friction between the second housing 1130 and the latch 1200 and the pivot member 1370 while preventing the latch 1200 and the pivot member 1370 from moving in the front-rear direction. That is, a part protruding rearward is formed on the rear surface of the second housing 1130, and thus it is possible to minimize friction between the second housing 1130 and a rotating member. The first protrusion part 1135 is formed to have a shape similar to letter "λ".

The first protrusion part 1135 is bent in a rotational direction of the latch 1200 and the pivot member 1370.

The second protrusion part 1136 is formed around the shaft insertion hole in an arc shape and is in contact with the front surface of the latch 1200.

Furthermore, a protrusion part recessed from the front portion to the rear portion is formed in the second metal housing 1130a around a hole into which a shaft is to be inserted.

Furthermore, a rivet insertion hole into which a first return spring catching shaft 1251, a pivot shaft 1380, and a pivot spring catching shaft 1391, which are provided as rivets, are to be inserted is formed in the second metal housing 1130a of the second housing 1130 to pass through the second metal housing 1130a of the second housing 1130 in the front-rear direction.

A plurality of

door installation parts

1124 and 1134 are formed on the front surface of the first housing 1110 and the second metal housing 1130a of the second housing 1130 so that the vehicle door latch system 5 may be bolted to the door 1. The

door installation parts

1124 and 1134 are disposed in upper and lower left portions of the first housing 1110 and the second housing 1130 and in a right portion of the striker insertion recess 1105. The door installation part 1124 formed in the first housing 1110 is formed in the shape of a recess extending rearward, and the door installation part 1134 formed in the second housing 1130 is formed in the shape of a hole passing through the second housing 1130 in the front-rear direction.

Furthermore, an installation boss 1134a is formed on the rear surface of the second metal housing 1130a to protrude rearward. The installation boss 1134a is inserted into the door installation part 1124 of the first housing 1110. The installation boss 1134a is formed to surround the door installation part 1134 formed in the second housing 1130. A screw thread is formed on an inner wall of the installation boss 1134a.

This makes the vehicle door latch system 5 according to the present embodiment be easily and firmly installed in the door 1.

A cut part corresponding to the striker insertion recess 1105 is formed in the second metal housing 1130a so that the front portion of the striker insertion recess 1105 may be open.

A vertical support member 1138 that surrounds and supports a right surface of the first housing 1110 is formed in a right portion of the second plastic housing 1130b of the second housing 1130 to protrude rearward. Accordingly, the lever connection part 1800 is pulled out through the right surface of the first housing 1110. By using the vertical support member 1138, the strength of a part supporting the lever connection part 1800 in the housing 1100 is reinforced. A pull-out hole from which the lever connection part 1800 is to be pulled out is formed in the vertical support member 1138. By using the vertical support member 1138, the first housing 1110 and the lever connection part 1800 are prevented from falling out or being damaged even upon impact.

The second metal housing 1130a and the second plastic housing 1130b are installed on the front surface of the first housing 1110 through a plurality of bolts 1133 or the like.

Holes to which the bolts 1133 are to be coupled are disposed in upper and lower left portions and upper and lower right portions of the second metal housing 1130a with respect to the striker insertion recess 1105, and holes to which the bolts 1133 are to be coupled are disposed in a lower left portion and upper and lower right portions of the second plastic housing 1130b.

In particular, the hole disposed in the lower left portion of the second plastic housing 1130b is formed at a left side end of a coupling bar 1131 formed on the rear surface of the second plastic housing 1130b in the left-right direction. The coupling bar 1131 has a left portion formed to protrude leftward relative to its adjacent areas, a front surface formed rearward relative to the adjacent areas, and a rear surface formed to protrude rearward relative to the adjacent areas. The left portion of the coupling bar 1131 is disposed behind the second metal housing 1130a. The hole formed in the coupling bar 1131 and the hole disposed in the lower right portion of the second metal housing 1130a communicate with each other. This makes assembly easy.

In addition, a housing catching protrusion 1132 is formed in the upper left portion of the second plastic housing 1130b to protrude leftward. The housing catching protrusion 1132 is formed in a step shape to protrude rearward relative to its adjacent areas. A housing catching protrusion seating recess in which the housing catching protrusion 1132 is to be seated is formed on the front surface of the first housing 1110. Also, the second metal housing 1130a is disposed in front of the housing catching protrusion 1132. Accordingly, it is possible to stably fix the second plastic housing 1130b even if the upper left portion of the second plastic housing 1130b is not fixed by a bolt 1133.

A rib is formed in a grid shape on the front surface of the second plastic housing 1130b to protrude forward.

As shown in FIG. 5, the third housing 1150 is formed in the shape of a plate having an edge protruding forward to form a space on the front surface. The space of the third housing 1150 is formed with an open front portion.

The third housing 1150 covers the rear surface of the first housing 1110, which is a surface opposite to the surface on which the latch 1200 is installed. That is, the second housing 1130 is fastened to the front surface of the first housing 1110, and the third housing 1150 is fastened to the rear surface of the first housing 1110.

The third housing 1150 is bolted to the rear surface of the first housing 1110.

For the bolting, first and

second coupling parts

1121 and 1152 are formed on the rear surface of the first housing 1110 and the third housing 1150, respectively.

The first coupling part 1121 formed in the first housing 1110 has a boss shape to protrude rearward. A hole to which the bolt formed in the first coupling part 1121 is to be coupled has a closed front portion. A rear end of the first coupling part 1121 is formed to protrude rearward relative to an edge of the first housing 1110. A screw thread is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the first coupling part 1121. Such first coupling parts 1121 are formed in the upper left and right portions and lower left and right portions of the first housing 1110. A guide boss 1122 is formed in a middle portion between the first coupling parts 1121 formed in the upper and lower left portions to protrude rearward. The coupling part 1121 disposed in the upper left portion and the guide boss 1122 corresponds to the door installation part 1124 disposed on the left.

A second coupling part 1152 formed in the third housing 1150 has the shape of a through-hole passing through the third housing 1150 in the front-rear direction. The second coupling part 1152 is disposed to correspond to the first coupling part 1121.

Assembly hooks 1155 are formed in left and right portions and a lower portion of the third housing 1150 to protrude forward. The assembly hooks 1155 are disposed near an edge of the third housing 1150. The assembly hooks 1155 are disposed between the guide boss 1122 and the first coupling part 1121 disposed in the upper left portion, between the first coupling parts 1121 disposed in the lower left and right portions, and between the first coupling parts 1121 disposed in the upper and lower right portions.

A PCB insertion part 1154 into which a PCB 1920 is to be fit is formed in the third housing 1150. The PCB 1920 is installed inside the housing 1100 in which the latch 1200 is to be installed. Thus, the structure of the apparatus becomes compact, the apparatus is easily installable in the door 1, and also the number of components decreases.

The PCB insertion part 1154 is disposed in the upper right portion of the third housing 1150. Thus, an external electric wire connected to the PCB 1920 is pulled out to an upper right portion of the rear surface of the housing 1100. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the external electric wire from being in contact with water and from being interfered by a glass 30 when the vehicle door latch system 5 is installed in the vehicle side door 1.

Also, the PCB insertion part 1154 is formed to protrude toward the rear portion of the third housing 1150.

The PCB insertion part 1154 is formed with an open front portion and an open rear portion.

A PCB cover 1156 is hooked by and thus fit into the rear portion of the PCB insertion part 1154.

A PCB support part 1157 that supports at both sides of the PCB 1920 is formed on an inner wall of the PCB insertion part 1154 of the third housing 1150. A fitting recess into which the both sides of the PCB 1920 are to be inserted is formed in the PCB support part 1157 in the front-rear direction. Accordingly, the PCB 1920 is horizontally disposed. A PCB gap space is formed between upper and lower portions of the PCB 1920 and a surface of the third housing 1150 facing the upper and lower portions of the PCB 1920. Since wire connection solders, electric hardware components, or the like may be disposed in the gap space, the PCB 1920 can be more easily installed in the housing 1100.

A motor seating recess 1151 in which a rear portion of a motor 1610 is to be seated is formed in the third housing 1150. The motor seating recess 1151 is disposed in an upper left portion of the third housing 1150. That is, the motor seating recess 1151 is disposed behind the striker insertion recess 1105.

The motor seating recess 1151 is disposed to the left of the PCB insertion part 1154. Since the motor 1610 is disposed in an upper left portion of the housing 1100, it is possible to prevent the vehicle door latch system 5 from being interfered by a glass and interior door components when the vehicle door latch system 5 is installed in the vehicle side door.

A gap protrusion part in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the motor 1610 is formed on an inner wall of the third housing 1150 and disposed inside the motor seating recess 1151. The gap protrusion part forms a gap space between the inner wall of the third housing 1150 and the outer circumferential surface of the motor 1610. As a result, it is possible to facilitate cooling of the motor 1610. Also, by minimizing contact (linear contact) between the third housing 1150 and the motor 1610, it is possible to decrease noise caused by vibration. Additionally, it is possible to further decrease noise by placing a vibration damper such as a sponge between the inner wall of the third housing 1150 and the outer circumferential surface of the motor 1610.

A rib is formed in a grid shape on the rear surface of the third housing 1150. As a result, the third housing 1150 may have enhanced durability.

<Latch>

A latch 1200 is installed in the first housing 1110 and disposed inside the latch seating recess 1111.

The latch 1200 is pivotably installed in the first housing 1110 through a latch pivot shaft 1230 installed in the second housing 1130.

As shown in FIG. 6, the latch 1200 may be formed in a plate shape.

A locking recess 1201 is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the latch 1200.

The locking recess 1201 is formed with an open outer end to pass through the latch 1200 in the front-rear direction.

By using the locking recess 1201, a second locking catching part 1201a by which a locking part 1371, which will be described below, is to be caught is formed in the latch 1200.

The locking recess 1201 has a width increasing from an inner side to an outer side.

The locking recess 1201 is surrounded by a first surface 1203 formed to be flat, a second surface 1205 extending from the left side end of the first surface 1203 and formed to be inclined, and a third surface 1207 extending from the left side end of the second surface 1205 and formed in an arc shape to surround the striker 1101.

The first surface 1203 forms an upper surface of the second locking catching part 1201a.

A striker catching protrusion 1204 by which the striker 1101 is to be caught is formed in the latch 1200.

The striker catching protrusion 1204 is disposed inside the locking recess 1201, and the striker 1101 is effectively prevented from falling out of the locking recess 1201 after being inserted into the locking recess 1201.

The striker catching protrusion 1204 is formed on a surface facing a surface on which the first surface 1203 is formed (a surface by which the locking part 1371 is to be caught).

In the striker catching protrusion 1203, a surface faced when the striker 1101 is inserted into the locking recess 1201 and a surface faced when the striker 1101 is withdrawn from the locking recess 1201 are inclined. Thus, it is possible to smoothly insert the striker 1101 into the locking recess 1201.

In the latch 1200, an auxiliary locking recess 1202 is formed below the locking recess 1201. The auxiliary locking recess 1202 is formed in a shape similar to that of the locking recess 1201, but has less depth than the locking recess 1201. That is, a distance between the auxiliary locking recess 1202 and the center of rotation of the latch 1200 is longer than a distance between the locking recess 1201 and the center of rotation of the latch 1200.

When the door 1 is closed, the locking part 1371 is first inserted into the auxiliary locking recess 1202 and then inserted into the locking recess 1201.

The locking recess 1201 and the auxiliary locking recess 1202 are spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction so that the striker 1101 has a vertical movement distance of 12 mm or more until the locking part 1371 is inserted into the locking recess 1201 after the locking part 1371 is inserted into the auxiliary locking recess 1202. Thus, the movement distance is longer than 7 mm, which is a conventional movement distance of the striker 1101, and a passenger can easily recognize a process in which the door 1 is being automatically closed by the motor 1610. Also, advantageously, safety is improved as a space for preventing objects from becoming struck increases.

By using the auxiliary locking recess 1202, a first locking catching part 1202a by which the locking part 1371, which will be described below, is to be caught is formed in the latch 1200.

Furthermore, the latch 1200 is surrounded by an elastic cover 1206. The elastic cover 1206 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber to absorb an impact applied to the latch 1200 and prevent generation of noise. The elastic cover 1206 is formed to surround the remaining portion other than a portion by which the locking part 1371 is to be caught. That is, the elastic cover 1206 surrounds the remaining portion of the latch 1200 other than the first locking catching part 1202a and the second locking catching part 1201a.

A spring fitting part 1213 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the latch 1200.

The spring fitting part 1213 may be formed in a recess shape or a hole shape. In this embodiment, the spring fitting part 1213 is formed in a recess shape.

A protrusion 1215 is formed at the left side of the outer circumferential surface of the latch 1200 to protrude outward.

The protrusion 1215 is disposed in front of the catching part guide recess 1115.

The locking recess 1201, the auxiliary locking recess 1202, the spring fitting part 1213, and the protrusion 1215 are sequentially disposed in a direction in which the latch 1200 rotates (clockwise) when the door 1 is closed.

A first return spring 1250 is provided so that the latch 1200 automatically returns to its original state when unlocked.

First and second

bent parts

1252 and 1253 that are bent according to the shape of an assembly part are formed at one end and the other end of the first return spring 1250, respectively. For example, the first bent part 1252 is bent upward at right angles, and the second bent part 1253 is bent forward at right angles.

The first bent part 1252 of the first return spring 1250 is caught by the first return spring catching shaft 1251, a coil portion is wound around the latch pivot shaft 1230, and the second bent part 1253 is fit into the spring fitting part 1213 of the latch 1200. Similarly, the first and second

bent parts

1252 and 1253 are formed in the first return spring 1250, thereby improving assemblability.

When the latch 1200 rotates, the other end of the first return spring 1250 rotates along with the latch 1200.

The door operating member will be described below.

The door operating member locks the latch 1200 so that the door 1 is kept closed. Also, the door operating member may interoperate with a driving input unit (not shown) provided as a lever 10, a button, a sensor (a sensor for detecting an approach of a car key), or the like to open the door 1 if necessary.

In this embodiment, the lever 10 is disposed inside the door 1, and a driving input unit (not shown) is disposed inside and/or outside the door 1. More particularly, the lever 10 may be pivotably installed on an inner surface of the door 1, and the driving input unit may be freely installed at a location such as the inside of a door handle installed on an outer surface of the door 1 or a door trim armrest installed on the inner surface of the door 1. Similarly, the driving input unit may be installed without being limited by location, and thus the appearance of the door 1 can be made more aesthetically pleasing.

The door operating member includes a pivot member 1370 configured to lock the latch 1200, an opening member, and an open plate 1700 configured to slide the opening member.

The opening member includes a main opening member 1300 and a sub-opening member 1400 connected to the main opening member 1300 through connection means.

At least a portion of the main opening member 1300 and the sub-opening member 1400 are slidably installed on a front surface of the first housing 1110.

Each member of the door operating member will be described below.

The pivot member 1370 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 7, the pivot member 1370 interoperates with the main opening member 1300.

The pivot member 1370 is disposed in front of the first housing 1110, and pivotably installed in the second housing 1130 by a pivot shaft 1380 disposed in the front-rear direction. That is, the pivot member 1370 is disposed on a surface of the housing 1100 on which the body 1310 of the main opening member 1300 is disposed.

The pivot shaft 1380 is installed to pass through an upper portion of the pivot member 1370.

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

The pivot member 1370 is pivotable clockwise or counterclockwise about the pivot shaft 1380.

Also, a pivot member spring 1390 for returning the pivot member 1370 may be provided.

The pivot member spring 1390 is also provided as a coil spring such as the first return spring 1250, and first and second bent parts that are bent to correspond to the shape of the assembly may be formed at both ends of the pivot member spring 1390.

One end of the pivot member spring 1390 is supported and fixed by a pivot spring catching shaft 1391 riveted to the second housing 1130, and the other end is caught by and connected to the right of the pivot member 1370. A middle part of the pivot member spring 1390 is fit into the pivot shaft 1380.

The pivot member spring 1390 serves to return the pivot member 1370 to its original orientation by applying an elastic force for enabling the pivot member 1370 to pivot clockwise when the pivot member 1370 is pushed counterclockwise and then released.

The pivot member 1370 includes a locking part 1371 and an insertion protrusion 1373.

The locking part 1371 is formed by a lower left portion of the pivot member 1370 protruding leftward.

The locking part 1371 serves to bind (lock) the position of the latch 1200 so that the door 1 is kept closed.

A latch insertion recess 1372 into which a portion of an end (a first surface) of the latch 1200 is to be inserted when the door 1 is closed is formed in a lower portion of the locking part 1371. The latch insertion recess 1372 is formed with an open lower portion and disposed between the locking part 1371 and the insertion protrusion 1373. By using the latch insertion recess 1372, the latch 1200 is stably kept locked to the pivot member 1370 when the door 1 is closed.

An insertion protrusion 1373 protruding downward is formed in a lower right portion of the locking part 1371.

The insertion protrusion 1373 is placed within the pivot member insertion recess 1317. That is, at least a portion (an insertion protrusion) of the pivot member 1370 is disposed in front of the body 1310 of the main opening member 1300. Accordingly, when the body 1310 of the main opening member 1300 moves in the left-right direction, the pivot member 1370 interoperates with main opening member 1300 and rotates.

The insertion protrusion 1373 serves to enable the pivot member 1370 to pivot as the body 1310 of the main opening member 1300 slides.

Also, like the latch 1200, the pivot member 1370 also has an elastic cover 1374.

The elastic cover 1374 of the pivot member 1370 is formed to surround the remaining portion other than parts by which the locking part 1371 and the pivot member spring 1390 are to be caught. That is, the elastic cover 1374 of the pivot member 1370 is formed to surround the insertion protrusion 1373. Thus, the elastic cover 1374 of the pivot member 1370 can absorb an impact generated between the body 1310 of the main opening member 1300 and the insertion protrusion 1373 to decrease noise. Furthermore, an elastic member insertion hole is formed in the pivot member 1370 to pass through the pivot member 1370 in the front-rear direction, and the elastic cover 1374 of the pivot member 1370 is inserted into the elastic member insertion hole so that the elastic cover 1374 of the pivot member 1370 may be firmly kept installed in the pivot member 1370.

The main opening member 1300 will be described below.

The main opening member 1300 is slidably installed in the operating member seating recess 1112 formed in the first housing 1110. That is, the main opening member 1300 is installed on the surface of the housing 1100 on which the latch 1200 is installed.

The main opening member 1300 includes a slidable body 1310, a horizontal bar 1340, a driving catching part 1330, a key catching part 1320, and a first sense member 1350. The body 1310, the horizontal bar 1340, the driving catching part 1330, the key catching part 1320, and the first sense member 1350 of the main opening member 1300 are formed as one body.

A pivot member insertion recess 1317 into which a portion of the pivot member 1370 is to be fit is formed in a lower left portion of the body 1310.

The pivot member insertion recess 1317 has a greater lateral width than the insertion protrusion 1373 of the pivot member 1370. Accordingly, the pivot member 1370 is pivotable about the main opening member 1300 within a certain angle.

More particularly, the pivot member insertion recess 1317 has a greater lateral width than the insertion protrusion 1373 so that the main opening member 1300 does not move rightward when the insertion protrusion 1373 is moved rightward by the pivot member 1370 being pressed by the latch. That is, the pivot member insertion recess 1317 has a greater width than the insertion protrusion 1373 in a pivotal direction of the pivot member 1370. However, when the main opening member 1300 moves rightward, the pivot member 1370 interoperates with the main opening member 1300 and rotates rightward.

The pivot member insertion recess 1317 is formed with an open upper portion and an open front portion.

The front portion of the pivot member insertion recess 1317 is closed since the second housing 1130 is installed.

Left and right surfaces forming the pivot member insertion recess 1317 are inclined so that the surfaces are disposed further to the right toward the tops. The insertion protrusion 1373 of the pivot member 1370 is caught by the left surface forming the pivot member insertion recess 1317.

A lower surface forming the pivot member insertion recess 1317 is horizontally formed.

A catching lever seating recess 1314 in which a catching lever part 1450, which will be described below, is to be seated is formed in a left portion of the rear surface of the body 1310. The catching lever seating recess 1314 is formed with an open rear portion. The catching lever seating recess 1314 is formed more proximate to an upper portion of the body 1310 than to a lower portion of the body 1310.

The catching lever seating recess 1314 is disposed above and to the right of the pivot member insertion recess 1317.

Also, a catching lever shaft insertion hole 1316 into which a catching lever shaft 1470 is to be fit in an up-down direction is formed behind and to the left of the body 1310 in the up-down direction. The catching lever shaft insertion hole 1316 is formed with an open upper portion and a closed lower portion, and the catching lever shaft 1470 is fit into the upper portion of the catching lever shaft insertion hole 1316 during assembly. The catching lever shaft insertion hole 1316 is formed to communicate with the catching lever seating recess 1314.

A second return spring catching part 1318 in which a second return spring 1460 is to be seated is formed in a left portion of the rear surface of the body 1310. The second return spring catching part 1318 is formed with an open rear portion. The second return spring catching part 1318 communicates with a lower portion of the catching lever seating recess 1314.

A sub-opening member insertion recess 1315 into which the sub-opening member 1400 is to be inserted is formed in a right portion of the rear surface of the body 1310. The sub-opening member insertion recess 1315 is formed with an open right portion in the left-right direction. By using the sub-opening member insertion recess 1315, the sub-opening member 1400 may be guided when moving in the left-right direction.

The sub-opening member insertion recess 1315 is disposed above and to the right of the pivot member insertion recess 1317.

A sub-opening member guide recess 1315a is formed in an upper right portion of the body 1310 in the left-right direction. The sub-opening member guide recess 1315a is disposed in front of the sub-opening member insertion recess 1315 to communicate with the sub-opening member insertion recess 1315.

Also, a catching protrusion insertion hole 1319 into which a catching protrusion 1455 is to be inserted is formed in a right portion of the rear surface of the body 1310. The catching protrusion insertion hole 1319 communicates with the sub-opening member insertion recess 1315.

The body 1310 is formed as described above, and the sub-opening member 1400 is disposed inside the main opening member 1300.

A second spring fitting protrusion 1311 is formed to the right of the body 1310 to protrude rightward. A second spring 1313 is fit into the second spring fitting protrusion 1311.

The second spring 1313 is disposed between a right portion of the body 1310 and a second spring seating recess of the first housing 1110.

The second spring 1313 and a first spring 1803, which will be described below, serve to slide the body 1310, which has been slid right by external force, leftward by using elastic restoring force of the springs when the external force is removed, in order to return the body 1310 to its original orientation.

A first sense member 1350 is formed in an upper left portion of the body 1310 to protrude rearward. The first sense member 1350 is disposed to the left of the catching lever seating recess 1314.

A first sense part 1351 such as a magnet is installed on an upper surface of the first sense member 1350.

The first sense part 1351 is sensed by a fifth sensor 1905 disposed at a position corresponding to the first sense part 1351 on a PCB 1920 through an open rear portion of the operating member seating recess 1112. A control unit (not shown), which will be described below, receives such a sensed signal and controls the motor 1610.

The horizontal bar 1340 is elongated leftward from a lower left portion of the body 1310.

The horizontal bar 1340 slides in a load guide recess 1116 so that the body 1310 of the main opening member 1300 may slide stably.

A driving catching part 1330 is disposed behind the pivot member insertion recess 1317 and formed to protrude rearward. The driving catching part 1330 is formed in a bar shape. The driving catching part 1330 is installed to pass through a driving catching part through-hole 1118. The driving catching part 1330 has a rear end disposed between the rear surface of the first housing 1110 and the front surface of the third housing 1150.

The key catching part 1320 is disposed to the right of the driving catching part 1330. The key catching part 1320 is installed to pass through a key catching part through-hole 1119. The key catching part 1320 has a rear end disposed between the rear surface of the first housing 1110 and the front surface of the third housing 1150. The key catching part 1320 is formed integrally with the body 1310 and formed on a horizontal plate. The plate is guided by a guide recess formed on the front surface of the first housing 1110.

The connection means will be described below.

The connection means includes a catching lever part 1450 pivotably installed in any one of the main opening member 1300 and the sub-opening member 1400 wherein a catching protrusion 1455 is formed in the catching lever part 1450; and a catching bump 1405 formed in the other one of the main opening member 1300 and the sub-opening member 1400 wherein the catching protrusion 1455 is caught by the catching bump 1405. When a user pulls out the lever 10, the connection means moves both the main opening member 1300 and the sub-opening member 1400 or only the sub-opening member 1400. That is, the connection means serves as a clutch that may or may not transfer a force for pulling out the lever 10 to the main opening member 1300.

The connection means may be in the form as shown in Korean Patent Publication No. 2016-0082671, different from the above description.

The catching lever part 1450 is pivotably installed on the rear surface of the body 1310 of the main opening member 1300. Unlike the above description, the catching lever part 1450 may be formed in the sub-opening member 1400.

The catching lever part 1450 is formed in a bar shape, and the catching protrusion 1455 protruding forward is formed at a right side end of the catching lever part 1450.

A hole 1451 through which the catching lever shaft 1470 is to pass is formed at a left side end of the catching lever part 1450 in the up-down direction.

The catching lever part 1450 is pivotably installed in the body 1310 through the catching lever shaft 1470 installed in the body 1310 in the up-down direction.

A protrusion guide part 1507 is formed in a locking member 1500, which will be described below, and a locking protrusion 1453 is formed in the catching lever part 1450. The catching lever part 1450 moves (or pivots) as the protrusion guide part 1507 guides the locking protrusion 1453.

The locking protrusion 1453 is formed to the right of the catching lever part 1450. The locking protrusion 1453 is formed to interoperate between the locking member 1500 and the catching lever part 1450.

The locking protrusion 1453 formed in the catching lever part 1450 is formed to protrude downward.

The locking protrusion 1453 is guided by an inclined surface 1511 formed in the locking member 1500, which will be described below, to make the catching lever part 1450 pivot.

A second return spring 1460 for returning the catching lever part 1450 to its original orientation is installed in the catching lever part 1450.

The second return spring 1460 includes a coil unit 1461 with a coil shape and one end with a straight-line shape.

The coil unit 1461 is fit into the catching lever shaft 1470 and fixed in location. The coil unit 1461 is disposed below the catching lever part 1450.

The coil unit 1461 is seated in the catching lever seating recess 1314.

One end of the second return spring 1460 includes a first bent part 1462 bent rearward, a second bent part 1463 disposed in the left-right direction, and a third bent part 1464 bent forward.

The third bent part 1464 is caught by the locking protrusion 1453, and the second return spring 1460 is connected to the catching lever part 1450.

The other end of the second return spring 1460 is bent downward and supported by second return spring catching part 1318 of the main opening member 1300.

As described above, the one end of the second return spring 1460 is caught by the catching lever part 1450, and the other end of the second return spring 1460 is supported by the main opening member 1300.

Thus, the catching lever part 1450 pivots by a force applied to the catching lever part 1450 to move the catching protrusion 1455 rearward. Then, when the applied force is removed, the catching lever part 1450 pivots in the opposite direction due to an elastic restoring force of the second return spring 1460, and thus the catching protrusion 1455 returns to its original state (moves forward).

That is, the elastic restoring force of the second return spring 1460 acts forward.

<Sub-opening member>

The sub-opening member 1400 will be described below.

The sub-opening member 1400 is disposed behind and to the right of the main opening member 1300.

The sub-opening member 1400 is inserted into the sub-opening member insertion recess 1315 of the main opening member 1300. Accordingly, the sub-opening member 1400 is slidably installed with respect to the main opening member 1300 in the left-right direction.

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

Like the main opening member 1300, the sub-opening member 1400 is slidably installed in the operating member seating recess 1112 formed in the first housing 1110.

The sub-opening member 1400 is moved by the lever 10.

The sub-opening member 1400 may have rounded upper and lower left corners and thus may smoothly slide with respect to the main opening member 1300 in the left-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 9, a lever connection part 1800 is directly connected to the sub-opening member 1400. Unlike this, another member is provided between the sub-opening member 1400 and the lever connection part 1800, and the sub-opening member 1400 and the lever connection part 1800 may be indirectly connected to each other.

The lever connection part 1800 is connected to the lever 10, which is disposed inside the door 1. The lever connection part 1800 is provided by using wires. A catching member 1801 is formed at one end of the lever connection part 1800.

The sub-opening member 1400 includes a catching member seating recess 1401, an opening member guide protrusion 1404, a first spring fitting protrusion 1402, and a catching bump 1405.

The catching member seating recess 1401 has an open front portion. The catching member 1801 is seated in the catching member seating recess 1401.

The catching member seating recess 1401 is formed to correspond to the shape of the catching member 1801, which is a vertically long cylindrical shape. Accordingly, even when the lever 10 is pulled out, the catching member 1801 is prevented from falling out of the sub-opening member 1400.

Due to the body 1310 of the main opening member 1300, the catching member 1801 placed in the catching member seating recess 1401 does not fall out forward.

A pull-out hole 1403 from which the lever connection part 1800 is to be pulled out is communicably formed at the right side end of the catching member seating recess 1401, and the pull-out hole 1403 has a smaller diameter than the catching member 1801. Thus, even when the lever connection part 1800 is pulled rightward, the catching member 1801 does not fall out of the pull-out hole 1403.

Accordingly, the sub-opening member 1400 slides rightward by the lever connection part 1800 being pulled out rightward. That is, when the lever is pulled toward a user, the sub-opening member 1400 slides rightward.

An opening member guide protrusion 1404 is formed in an upper or lower portion of the sub-opening member 1400 to protrude forward. The opening member guide protrusion 1404 is elongated in the left-right direction. The opening member guide protrusion 1404 is formed in the shape of a horizontal plate. The opening member guide protrusion 1404 is inserted into the sub-opening member guide recess 1315a and then guided. Also, the opening member guide protrusion 1404 prevents failures by serving to prevent misassembly.

The first spring 1803 is fit into the lever connection part 1800 in proximity to the catching member 1801.

The first spring fitting protrusion 1402 is formed in upper and lower portions of the pull-out hole 1403 disposed at a right side end of the sub-opening member 1400 to protrude rightward. A left side end of the first spring 1803 is fit into the first spring fitting protrusion 1402.

The first spring 1803 is disposed between the right side end of the sub-opening member 1400 and the first spring seating recess 1117 of the first housing 1110.

The catching bump 1405 by which the catching protrusion 1455 of the catching lever part 1450 is to be caught is formed in the sub-opening member 1400.

The catching bump 1405 is formed on the rear surface of the sub-opening member 1400.

The catching bump 1405 is formed by a rear left portion of the sub-opening member 1400 protruding further rearward than rightward.

The catching bump 1405 has an inclined right surface, and thus the catching protrusion 1455 does not easily fall out after being caught by the catching bump 1405.

The catching protrusion 1455 of the catching lever part 1450 may be caught by or fall out of the catching bump 1405.

When the lever 10 is pulled while the catching lever part 1450 is caught by the catching bump 1405, the main opening member 1300 and the sub-opening member 1400 slide rightward together.

That is, this state indicates a state in which the door 1 is unlocked.

On the other hand, when the lever 10 is pulled while the catching lever part 1450 falls out of the catching bump 1405, only the sub-opening member 1400 slides rightward while the main opening member 1300 remains in place.

That is, this state indicates a state in which the door 1 is locked.

A guide tube 1805 is fit into a part of the lever connection part 1800 pulled out of the housing 1100. The guide tube 1805 is bent to guide a wire of the lever connection part 1800 rearward. The guide tube 1805 has a left side end installed in an upper right portion of the first housing 1110. As shown in FIG. 11, by using the guide tube 1805, the wire of the lever connection part 1800 is not twisted but smoothly connected to the lever 10 along a direction of the lever 10.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, with respect to a vehicle body, the vehicle door latch system 5 has a front surface installed in a rear surface of the door, a right surface installed to face an upper portion of the door 1, a left surface installed to face a lower portion of the door 1, and a rear surface installed to face a front surface of the door 1. In this way, the lever connection part 1800 and electric wires of the vehicle door latch system 5 installed in the door 1 are disposed more proximate to an inner surface of the door 1 than to an outer surface of the door 1, and thus interference by a glass 30 disposed between the inner surface and the outer surface of the door 1 is prevented.

The open plate 1700 is slidable with respect to the main opening member 1300.

The open plate 1700 is formed in a plate shape and disposed in the left-right direction.

A driving unit catching part 1707 is formed in a lower left portion of the open plate 1700.

A guide hole 1704 is formed in the open plate 1700 and disposed above the driving unit catching part 1707. The guide hole 1704 is elongated in the left-right direction and formed to pass through the open plate 1700 in the front-rear direction. Also, the guide hole 1704 is formed with an open left portion. By using the guide hole 1704, the open plate 1700 is smoothly slidable in the left-right direction.

An interference avoiding hole 1703 is formed in the open plate 1700 and disposed above the guide hole 1704. The interference avoiding hole 1703 is formed to pass through the open plate 1700 in the front-rear direction and elongated in the left-right direction. The main gear shaft 1114 passes through the interference avoiding hole 1703. By using the interference avoiding hole 1703, interference between the main gear shaft 1114 and the open plate 1700 is prevented. Also, the interference avoiding hole 1703 may serve as a guide during sliding.

A bent part 1705 is formed to the right of the interference avoiding hole 1703 of the open plate 1700. The bent part 1705 is bent to protrude rearward relative to its adjacent areas.

In the open plate 1700, a second sense part 1702 is formed to the right of the bent part 1705. The second sense part 1702 is formed to protrude rearward relative to its adjacent areas.

In the open plate 1700, a locking member contact part 1706 is formed in front of the second sense part 1702. Such two locking member contact parts 1706 are formed to protrude forward. Each of the locking member contact parts 1706 is formed in the shape of a horizontal plate elongated in the left-right direction. The two locking member contact parts 1706 are spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction.

The main opening member catching part 1701 to be caught by the driving catching part 1330 of the main opening member 1300 is formed in the open plate 1700. The main opening member catching part 1701 is disposed to the right of the driving unit catching part 1707 and formed to protrude forward relative to its adjacent areas. Due to the main opening member catching part 1701, the main opening member 1300 moves rightward when the open plate 1700 moves rightward.

The driving unit will be described below.

The driving unit moves or rotates at least one member.

The driving unit includes a first driving unit 1600 configured to slide a slidably installed component among the components of the main opening member 1300 and a second driving unit 1650 configured to move the locking member 1500.

The first driving unit 1600 includes a motor 1610 and a gear unit interoperating with the motor 1610.

The first driving unit 1600 may rotate the latch 1200 to lock the latch 1200 so that the door operating member is caught by the latch 1200 or may slide the main opening member 1300 to unlock the latch 1200. That is, the first driving unit 1600 may perform two roles such that the number of components of an apparatus is reduced and the apparatus becomes compact.

The first driving unit 1600 is disposed between the rear surface of the first housing 1110 and the front surface of the third housing 1150.

The motor 1610 is electrically connected to the PCB 1920.

The motor 1610 of the first driving unit 1600 is operated by a driving input unit disposed inside and/or outside the vehicle.

The motor 1610 is installed in an upper left portion of the housing 1100 to have a shaft disposed in the left-right direction. According to the disposition of the motor 1610, it is possible to assign various functions to an apparatus and also prevent the apparatus from being interfered by components disposed inside the door 1.

The gear unit is a deceleration part that decelerates and transfers a rotational force of the motor 1610.

The gear unit includes a first worm 1613, a first worm gear 1621 rotated by the first worm 1613, a second worm 1622 installed in the first worm gear 1621, and a second worm gear rotated by the second worm 1622.

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

An intermediate worm gear 1614 is disposed between the first worm 1613 and the first worm gear 1621. That is, the first worm 1613 is interlocked with the intermediate worm gear 1614, and the first worm gear 1621 is interlocked with the intermediate worm gear 1614. Due to the intermediate worm gear 1614, the motor 1610 may be disposed at various locations. The intermediate worm gear 1614 has a shaft disposed in the up-down direction.

Hereinafter, the first worm gear 1621 and the second worm 1622 formed integrally with the first worm gear 1621 are each referred to as a deceleration gear 1620.

The deceleration gear 1620 has a shaft disposed in the up-down direction. The first worm gear 1621 is disposed above the second worm 1622. The first worm gear 1621 and the second worm 1622 have the same or similar maximum outer diameters.

Accordingly, when the motor 1610 operates, the first worm 1613 rotates. As the first worm 1613 rotates, the first worm gear 1621 rotates. As the first worm gear 1621 rotates, the second worm 1622, which is formed integrally with the first worm gear 1621, rotates. As the second worm 1622 rotates, a main gear 1630, which is the second worm gear, rotates.

The shaft of the deceleration gear 1620 is pivotably installed in a deceleration gear shaft support plate 1623. That is, a shaft through-hole into which the shaft of the deceleration gear 1620 is to be fit is formed in the deceleration gear shaft support plate 1623 in the up-down direction.

Such deceleration gear shaft support plates 1623 are disposed in upper and lower portions of the deceleration gear 1620.

A support plate insertion recess into which the deceleration gear shaft support plate 1623 is to be inserted is formed on the rear surface of the first housing 1110 and a front surface of a terminal panel 1900, which will be described below. Thus, the deceleration gear 1620 may be easily installed in the housing 1100.

The deceleration gear shaft support plate 1623 is formed in a rectangular shape, and the shaft through-hole is tilted to a rear portion of the deceleration gear shaft support plate 1623. Since the deceleration gear shaft support plate 1623 is formed in this way, the deceleration gear shaft support plate 1623 may be stably inserted into the support plate insertion recess. Thus, it is possible to facilitate installation of the deceleration gear shaft support plate 1623 in the housing 1100 and also to increase a coupling force of the deceleration gear shaft support plate 1623.

When such a deceleration gear 1620 is provided, the speed of the motor 1610 is greatly decelerated while the volume of the apparatus is kept small. Thus, the motor 1610 is smoothly driven when the door 1 is closed or opened, and also a driving torque is secured.

The main gear 1630 receives a driving force of the motor 1610 via the deceleration gear 1620.

An insertion hole 1636 into which the main gear shaft 1114 is to be inserted is formed at the center of the main gear 1630, and the main gear 1630 rotates around the main gear shaft 1114 disposed in the front-rear direction.

On front and rear surfaces of the main gear 1630, a circular protrusion 1637 is formed around the insertion hole 1636. Several such protrusions 1637 are formed in a concentric shape. By using the protrusions 1637, it is possible to minimize friction with other members adjacent to the main gear 1630 and also to increase the strength of the main gear 1630.

As shown in FIG. 13, a non-gear unit 1643 in which no gear teeth are formed is formed in a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the main gear 1630.

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

A catching part 1631 configured to rotate the latch 1200 is formed in the non-gear unit 1643 of the main gear 1630. The catching part 1631 is formed in a bar shape to protrude forward.

Normally, the catching part 1631 serves to automatically rotate the latch 1200 by a driving force of the motor 1610 to bind the latch 1200 to the pivot member 1370 even when a user closes the door 1 to some extent but not completely.

Also, a first main gear sense part 1632 and a second main gear sense part 1633 that are sensed by a third sensor 1903 are provided on an outer circumferential surface of the main gear 1630.

The first main gear sense part 1632 is formed integrally with a rear portion of the catching part 1631.

The first main gear sense part 1632 and the second main gear sense part 1633 are spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction.

More particularly, the second main gear sense part 1633 is disposed to the right of the first main gear sense part 1632.

The first main gear sense part 1632 and the second main gear sense part 1633 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main gear 1630 to protrude outward. Thus, the first main gear sense part 1632 and the second main gear sense part 1633 may be formed with a simple structure.

The first main gear sense part 1632 and the second main gear sense part 1633 are formed in the non-gear unit 1643 of the main gear 1630.

Each of the first main gear sense part 1632 and the second main gear sense part 1633 may have an outer circumferential surface that is inclined to protrude more outward toward the center, thereby smoothly pressing the third sensor 1903, which is provided as a limit switch.

The main gear 1630 is disposed between the open plate 1700 and the rear surface of the first housing 1110. That is, the open plate 1700 is disposed behind the main gear 1630.

A door operating member catching part 1635 by which the driving unit catching part 1707 of the open plate 1700 is to be caught is formed on the rear surface of the main gear 1630 to protrude rearward. The door operating member catching part 1635 is disposed between the first main gear sense part 1632 and the second main gear sense part 1633 and disposed closer to the first main gear sense part 1632 than to the second main gear sense part 1633.

The first driving unit 1600 moves the open plate 1700 through the door operating member catching part 1635.

The second main gear sense part 1633 is disposed in front of the open plate 1700, and thus is not caught by the open plate 1700 when the main gear 1630 rotates.

A key connector 1550 will be described below.

The main opening member 1300 may be slid through the key connector 1550.

The key connector 1550 is pivotably installed in the housing 1100. The key connector 1550 is disposed between the rear surface of the first housing 1110 and the front surface of the third housing 1150. The key connector 1550 is seated and installed in the key

connector installation parts

1127 and 1936 formed between the rear surface of the first housing 1110 and the front surface of the terminal panel 1900.

As shown in FIG. 7, the key connector 1550 includes a head 1551 in which a key insertion recess with a cross shape or a straight shape is formed and a wing part 1553 having a key connector cut part 1555 obtained by cutting a portion of a circular plate with a greater diameter than the head 1551.

The head 1551 is formed behind the key connector 1550.

The head 1551 is formed in a cylindrical shape.

A bunch of keys separately installed in the door 1 are connected to the key insertion recess.

Catching bumps are formed around an outer circumferential surface of the head 1551.

The wing part 1553 is formed in an upper portion of the key connector 1550 and formed integrally with the head 1551.

A surface cut in the wing part 1553 has an arc shape.

The key connector cut part 1555 may have a central angle of about 180 degrees and may be changed according to a customer's requirements.

The key connector cut part 1555 has a depth greater than a vertical height of the wing part 1553.

The key catching part 1320 of the main opening member 1300 is positioned in the key connector cut part 1555.

Accordingly, by using the key connector cut part 1555, two rotation catching parts by which the key catching part 1320 is to be caught are formed at both sides of the wing part 1553 and spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction.

The rotation catching part includes a first rotation catching part 1552 and a second rotation catching part 1554.

Due to the rotation catching part, the main opening member 1300 slides leftward or rightward according to the rotation of the key connector 1550.

As described above, when the head 1551 of the key connector 1550 is rotated by a key, the wing part 1553 also rotates. Accordingly, the main opening member 1300 may be slid in the left-right direction even when the first driving unit 1600 is not operated. Thus, the door 1 is allowed to be opened through the key even when a vehicle battery has been discharged or even when the first driving unit 1600 fails.

That is, the main opening member 1300 linearly moves due to the rotation of the key connector 1550.

An inclined surface 1556 is formed below the first and second

rotation catching parts

1552 and 1554.

The inclined surface 1556 is formed so that vertical thicknesses of the first and second

rotation catching parts

1552 and 1554 decrease toward ends thereof. Since the first and second

rotation catching parts

1552 and 1554 are formed in this way, the key connector 1550 is prevented from being caught by other members when rotating, and thus operability is improved.

The locking member 1500 will be described below.

The locking member 1500 does not allow the door 1 to be opened even when the lever 10 is pulled out.

The locking member 1500 moves (pivots) the catching protrusion 1455 of the catching lever part 1450 of the connection means rearward to separate the sub-opening member 1400 from the main opening member 1300.

The locking member 1500 is formed in a plate shape and elongated in the left-right direction.

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

A protrusion guide part 1507 and a locking catching part 1502 are formed in the locking member 1500.

The protrusion guide part 1507 is disposed in a left portion of the locking member 1500.

The protrusion guide part 1507 is disposed in a front surface of the locking member 1500 to protrude forward. That is, the protrusion guide part 1507 is formed to protrude toward the catching lever part 1450.

The protrusion guide part 1507 is formed in a strip shape and formed to protrude forward. An end of the protrusion guide part 1507 is bent right and then forward. Accordingly, an insertion space 1509 into which the locking protrusion 1453 is to be inserted is formed between the protrusion guide part 1507 and a front surface of the locking member 1500. The insertion space 1509 is formed with open upper, lower, and right portions.

An inclined surface 1511 is formed on an inner surface of the protrusion guide part 1507 (a surface in contact with the locking protrusion 1453), and a distance between the front surface and the rear surface of the insertion space 1509 decreases to the left. Thus, the protrusion guide part 1507 may smoothly guide the locking protrusion 1453 rearward.

The catching lever part 1450 pivots as the protrusion guide part 1507 guides the locking protrusion 1453 rearward. When the catching lever part 1450 falls out of the catching bump 1405 due to the sliding of the locking member 1500, only the sub-opening member 1400 slides (i.e., the door is locked) even if the lever 10 is pulled out.

The locking catching part 1502 is formed on a rear surface of the locking member 1500 to protrude rearward. The locking catching part 1502 is caught by the second driving unit 1650 and also is sensed by a fourth sensor 1904.

A stopper protrusion is formed in one of the first housing 1110 and the locking member 1500 to protrude outward, and a stopper slot 1571 into which the stopper protrusion is to be inserted is formed in the other thereof.

In this embodiment, the stopper protrusion is formed on the rear surface of the first housing 1110 to protrude rearward, and the stopper slot 1571 is formed at a right side of the locking member 1500.

The stopper slot 1571 is formed in a lower right portion of the locking member 1500 in the left-right direction. The stopper slot 1571 is formed to pass through the locking member 1500 in the front-rear direction.

Both ends of the stopper slot 1571 have greater vertical widths than the center thereof. That is, a slim part 1576 is formed at the center of the stopper slot 1571.

By using the stopper slot 1571 and the stopper protrusion, the locking member 1500 are stably placed at a locking position or an unlocking position unless a separate force is applied. Accordingly, the locking member 1500 is prevented from malfunctioning due to an external impact.

Also, slits 1578 passing through the locking member 1500 in the front-rear direction are formed above or below the slim part 1576 of the stopper slot 1571. By using the slits 1578, the locking member 1500 may be elastically deformed smoothly when the stopper protrusion passes through the slim part 1576 of the stopper slot 1571.

A guide piece is formed in upper and lower portions of the stopper slot 1571 to protrude forward and disposed on the front surface of the locking member 1500. The guide piece is horizontally formed in the left-right direction. By using the guide piece, it is possible to minimize friction between the locking member 1500 and the first housing 1110 while the locking member 1500 is guided.

A second driving unit 1650 for driving the locking member 1500 will be described below.

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

The second driving unit 1650 is disposed below the locking member 1500.

The second driving unit 1650 includes a motor 1651, a worm 1652 installed at a shaft of the motor 1651, and a screw gear 1653 rotated by the worm 1652.

The shaft of the motor 1651 is disposed in the left-right direction, and thus it is possible to minimize interference by other components of the door 1.

The motor 1651 of the second driving unit 1650 is smaller than the motor 1610 of the first driving unit 1600.

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

A shaft 1106 of the screw gear 1653 is disposed in the front-rear direction. The shaft 1106 is formed on the rear surface of the first housing 1110 to protrude rearward.

A locking catching part through-opening 1654 through which the locking catching part 1502 is to pass is formed above the screw gear 1653. The locking catching part through-opening 1654 is formed to pass through the screw gear 1653 in the front-rear direction and formed with an open upper portion. The locking catching part through-opening 1654 is formed by cutting a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the screw gear 1653.

By using the locking catching part through-opening 1654, a first catching part 1655 and a second catching part 1656 to be caught by the locking catching part 1502 are formed in the screw gear 1653.

Thus, as the motor 1651 of the second driving unit 1650 operates, the locking member 1500 slides leftward or rightward.

A PCB 1920 and sensors included in the vehicle door latch system 5 will be described below.

The control unit is installed in the PCB 1920.

As shown in FIG. 17, the PCB 1920 is inserted into a PCB insertion part 1154 and installed in the housing 1100. The PCB 1920 is horizontally disposed between the first housing 1110 and the third housing 1150. That is, the PCB 1920 is disposed inside the housing 1100 in which the latch 1200 is installed.

Since the PCB 1920 is installed as described above, the PCB 1920 is disposed above the striker insertion recess 1105 when the vehicle door latch system 5 is installed in the door 1. Thus, the PCB 1920 is prevented from becoming wet.

Each of the sensors senses movement or rotation of at least one component.

The sensors include a first sensor 1901, a second sensor 1902, a third sensor 1903, a fourth sensor 1904, a fifth sensor 1905, and a sixth sensor 1906.

The sensors are connected to the PCB 1920.

The first sensor 1901, the second sensor 1902, the third sensor 1903, and the fourth sensor 1904 may be provided as switches such as a limit switch.

The first sensor 1901, the second sensor 1902, the third sensor 1903, and the fourth sensor 1904 are disposed between the rear surface of the first housing 1110 and the front surface of the third housing 1150.

The first sensor 1901 senses whether the latch 1200 is pressed by the striker 1101 to rotate until the locking part 1371 is caught by the auxiliary locking recess 1202. That is, the first sensor 1901 senses whether the door 1 is incompletely closed.

The first sensor 1901 is disposed below the striker insertion recess 1105.

The second sensor 1902 senses whether the locking part 1371 is caught by the locking recess 1201 to completely close the door 1.

The first sensor 1901 and the second sensor 1902 may have respective sensor pressing members. The sensor pressing members are inserted into a sensor insertion hole 1129 formed to pass through the first housing 1110 in the front-rear direction and are slid in the front-rear direction. The sensor pressing members are pushed rearward by the latch 1200 to press the first sensor 1901 and the second sensor 1902. Due to the sensor pressing members, the latch 1200 disposed in front of the first housing 1110 may easily press the first sensor 1901 and the second sensor 1902 disposed behind the first housing 1110, thus decreasing the number of components and facilitating installation of an apparatus. A front surface of each of the sensor pressing members in contact with the rear surface of the latch 1200 is inclined to protrude further forward toward the bottom. Accordingly, when the latch 1200 rotates, the sensor pressing members may be smoothly slid rearward.

The sensor pressing member of the second sensor 1902 is disposed behind and to the left of the sensor pressing member of the first sensor 1901.

As described above, the first sensor 1901 and the second sensor 1902 are separately provided to have the following effects.

When an occupant incompletely closes the door 1, the first sensor 1901 senses this situation, and then the control unit activates an automatic door closing function (cinching) to completely close the door 1.

When an occupant completely closes the door 1, the second sensor 1902 senses this situation, and then the control unit does not activate the automatic door closing function. Accordingly, the motor 1610 need not be unnecessarily operated.

When the door 1 is not completely closed due to a malfunction (short-circuit or interference) while the automatic door closing function is activated (i.e., when this situation is not sensed by the second sensor 1902), the control unit re-operates the motor 1610 to completely close the door 1 until this situation is sensed by the second sensor 1902.

To prevent malfunction, the control unit may enable the door 1 to be closed only when the latch 1200 is detected by the second sensor 1902 (i.e., when the door is completely closed).

The third sensor 1903 is disposed near the catching part guide recess 1115.

The third sensor 1903 serves to check whether the main gear 1630 has returned to its original orientation (i.e., a default position).

The fourth sensor 1904 serves to check whether the locking member 1500 is operated. The fourth sensor 1904 is disposed behind the locking member 1500. The locking member 1500 is sensed by the fourth sensor 1904 when the locking member 1500 is at an unlocking position.

The fifth sensor 1905 and the sixth sensor 1906 are installed in the PCB 1920. The fifth sensor 1905 and the sixth sensor 1906 are provided as a sensor for sensing a magnet.

The fifth sensor 1905 and the sixth sensor 1906 are arranged on the same line in the front-rear direction.

The fifth sensor 1905 is disposed in front of the sixth sensor 1906.

The fifth sensor 1905 and the sixth sensor 1906 are installed on a rear surface of the PCB 1920.

The fifth sensor 1905 senses movement of the first sense part 1351 formed in the main opening member 1300. When the first sense part 1351 is sensed by the fifth sensor 1905, the door 1 is allowed to be opened.

The sixth sensor 1906 senses movement of the second sense part 1702 formed in the open plate 1700, which will be described below. When the second sense part 1702 is sensed by the sixth sensor 1906, this means that sliding of the open plate 1700 to open the door 1 is complete.

A signal of each sensor may be transferred to a vehicle ECU or the like and shown to a driver through lighting or the like.

The control unit for receiving signals from the first sensor 1901, the second sensor 1902, the third sensor 1903, the fourth sensor 1904, the fifth sensor 1905, and the sixth sensor 1906 and controlling the first driving unit 1600 and the second driving unit 1650, which will be described below, is further included.

Also, the control unit receives a signal in communication with the vehicle ECU and controls the first driving unit 1600 and the second driving unit 1650 according to a required function.

The terminal panel 1900 will be described below.

Electric wires 1911 connected to the first sensor 1901, the second sensor 1902, the third sensor 1903, and the fourth sensor 1904 for sensing movement or rotation of at least one member and the

motors

1610 and 1651 for moving and rotating at least one member are inserted into the terminal panel 1900.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18a, a plurality of position fixing holes passing through the electric wires 1911 are formed to pass through the terminal panel 1900 in the front-rear direction. The plurality of position fixing holes are formed on each of the electric wires 1911. Such a position fixing hole has a diameter smaller than a maximum width of the electric wires 1911, and thus, due to the position fixing hole, the electric wires 1911 are not disconnected. When insert injection is performed through such a position fixing hole, a support pin for supporting positions of the electric wires 1911 may be inserted into the position fixing hole, thus preventing the electric wires 1911 from being moved or bent by injection pressure.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18b, an electric-wire separation hole passing through a connection line connecting the electric wires 1911 is formed in the terminal panel 1900. The electric-wire separation hole has a diameter greater than a maximum width of the connection line, and two or three electric wires 1911 that were connected by the connection line are disconnected. By using the connection line, a distance between several electric wires 1911 disposed near one another may be maintained during injection. The electric-wire separation hole is punched after the injection is complete.

By providing the terminal panel 1900 separately from the housing 1100, it is possible to prevent the electric wires from being bent or short-circuited by injection pressure.

The terminal panel 1900 is disposed between the rear surface of the first housing 1110 and the front surface of the third housing 1150.

The terminal panel 1900 is formed in the shape of a plate corresponding to the rear surface of the first housing 1110 or the front surface of the third housing 1150.

A terminal boss 1951 corresponding to the first and

second coupling parts

1121 and 1152 is formed at an edge of the terminal panel 1900. The terminal boss 1951 is formed to protrude forward relative to its adjacent areas and protrude rearward. In the terminal boss 1951, a forward protruding part has greater inner and outer diameters than a rearward protruding part. The first coupling part 1121 is inserted into the forward protruding part of the terminal boss 1951. The rearward protruding part of the terminal boss 1951 is inserted in to the second coupling part 1152. This makes preliminary assembly and coupling operations easier.

The terminal boss 1951 may be firmly fixed by coupling bolts to the second coupling part 1152, the terminal boss 1951, and the first coupling part 1121. Also, when the first housing 1110 and the third housing 1150 are assembled, the terminal panel 1900 may also be assembled. This makes the assembly process simple.

Also, a guide boss seating part 1952 is formed at a position corresponding to the guide boss 1122 in the terminal panel 1900 to protrude forward. A recess with an open front portion is formed in the guide boss seating part 1952.

Furthermore, a cut part 1953 is formed at a position corresponding to the assembly hook 1155 of the edge of the terminal panel 1900 so that the terminal panel 1900 may be easily hooked.

A sensor seating part 1931 is formed on the front surface of the terminal panel 1900.

One such sensor seating part 1931 is formed in a left portion, two such sensor seating parts 1931 are formed in a lower portion, and one such sensor seating part 1931 is formed in a right portion.

A seating recess with an open front potion is formed in the sensor seating part 1931.

The third sensor 1903 is seated in the sensor seating part 1931 disposed in the left portion, the first and

second sensors

1901 and 1902 are seated in the sensor seating parts 1931 disposed in the lower portion, and the fourth sensor 1904 is seated in the sensor seating part 1931 disposed in the right portion.

One end of the electric wire 1911 connect to each sensor is pulled out inside the seating recess of each sensor seating part 1931. That is, one end of each electric wire is exposed to the outside. An electric wire fitting recess with an open front portion into which an electric connection wire formed in each sensor is to be fit is formed at the one end of the electric wire 1911 disposed in the sensor seating part 1931. Thus, by just seating each sensor in the sensor seating part 1931, it is possible to facilitate assembly of each sensor and the wires 1911 and make soldering easy.

A shaft support part 1932 to be inserted into a recess formed in the main gear shaft 1114 is formed on the front surface of the terminal panel 1900 to protrude forward.

Also, a main gear contact part 1939 in contact with the rear surface of the main gear 1630 is formed on the front surface of the terminal panel 1900 to protrude forward. The main gear contact part 1939 is formed in the shape of several arcs with different diameters.

A guide part 1933 for guiding sliding of the open plate 1700 in the left-right direction is formed on the front surface of the terminal panel 1900. The guide part 1933 may be formed in the shape of a plate formed in the left-right direction and also may be formed to protrude forward. Such guide parts 1933 are disposed in upper and lower portions of the shaft support part 1932 and spaced apart from each other. The guide part 1933 disposed in the lower portion is inserted into the guide hole 1704 of the open plate 1700.

A gear through-hole 1942 is formed in the terminal panel 1900 and disposed to the right of the guide part 1933. The intermediate worm gear 1614 of the gear unit passes through the gear through-hole 1942. By using the gear through-hole 1942, installation may be smoothly performed even when the motor 1610 and the gear unit are disposed in opposite surfaces.

A gear installation part 1938 in which the intermediate worm gear 1614 and the first worm 1613 are to be installed is formed on the rear surface of the terminal panel 1900. The gear installation part 1938 is formed to protrude rearward to surround the gear through-hole 1942.

A bent-part hole 1941 into which the bent part 1705 of the open plate 1700 is to be inserted is formed in the terminal panel 1900, and is disposed to the right of the guide part 1933. The bent-part hole 1941 is elongated in the left-right direction and formed to pass through the terminal panel 1900 in the front-rear direction. The bent-part hole 1941 is disposed below the gear through-hole 1942.

A support plate installation part 1935 is formed in the terminal panel 1900 to protrude forward and is disposed in an upper portion of the gear through-hole 1942 and a lower portion of the bent-part hole 1941. The deceleration gear shaft support plate 1623 of the gear unit is installed in the support plate installation part 1935. A support plate insertion recess into which the deceleration gear shaft support plate 1623 is to be inserted is formed with an open front potion in the support plate installation part 1935.

A PCB seating part 1914 is formed on the rear surface of the terminal panel 1900. Accordingly, the PCB 1920 is disposed behind the terminal panel 1900. The PCB 1920 is disposed between the rear surface of the first housing 1110 and the front surface of the third housing 1150.

The PCB seating part 1914 is formed to protrude forward and thus may serve to guide the locking catching part 1502 of the locking member 1500.

A seating recess formed in the PCB seating part 1914 has an open upper portion and an open rear portion.

A front side of the PCB 1920 and a connector 1921 installed in the PCB 1920 are seated in the PCB seating part 1914.

A first through-hole 1943 through which the first sense part 1351 of the main opening member 1300 and the second sense part 1702 of the open plate 1700 are to pass is formed in the terminal panel 1900. The first through-hole 1943 is formed to pass through the terminal panel 1900 in the front-rear direction and disposed to the right of the gear through-hole 1942. The first through-hole 1943 is formed to communicate with a left side of the seating recess formed in the PCB seating part 1914.

One end of an electric wire 1911 connected to the PCB 1920 is pulled out from one side of the terminal panel 1900.

A second through-hole 1915 is formed to pass through the terminal panel 1900 in the front-rear direction. The second through-hole 1915 communicates with the seating recess formed in the PCB seating part 1914. The second through-hole 1915 is disposed to the right of the first through-hole 1943.

One end of the wire 1911 is pulled out through the second through-hole 1915 in the up-down direction. The end of the wire 1911 pulled out through the second through-hole 1915 is bent rearward and disposed inside the PCB seating part 1914.

By using the second through-hole 1915, it is possible to prevent a short-circuit because a part pulled out from the electric wire 1911 can be held by a separate mold during injection molding and also to check whether the pulled part of the electric wire 1911 is smoothly connected to the connector 1921 because the pulled electric wire 1911 is exposed forward.

A motor installation part 1937 in which a front portion of the motor 1610 of the first driving unit 1600 is to be installed is formed on the rear surface of the terminal panel 1900. The motor installation part 1937 is disposed to the left of the gear installation part 1938. The other end of the electric wire 1911 is pulled out in the motor installation part 1937 and connected to the motor 1610.

A second driving unit motor connection part 1912 is formed on the front surface of the terminal panel 1900 by the other end of the electric wire 1911 connected to the motor 1651 of the second driving unit 1650 being pulled out forward.

A key connector installation part 1936 in which a rear portion of the key connector 1550 is to be installed is formed on the front surface of the terminal panel 1900.

An operating process of a vehicle door latch system 5 configured as described above according to the first exemplary embodiment will be described below.

FIGS. 21 to 24 show a process of closing a door 1 disposed on a side of a vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 22, when a user incompletely closes the door 1, which has been opened, a striker 1101 installed in the vehicle's body presses a latch 1200, and then the latch 1200 rotates clockwise.

The latch 1200 presses a first sensor 1901 as the latch 1200 rotates clockwise. In this case, a locking part 1371 of a pivot member 1370 is inserted into an auxiliary locking recess 1202. A control unit (not shown) receives a signal from the first sensor 1901 and operates a motor 1610 of a first driving unit 1600 to rotate a catching part 1631 clockwise. A protrusion 1215 of the latch 1200 is caught by the catching part 1631, and the latch 1200 also rotates clockwise.

In this case, an outer circumferential surface of the rotating latch 1200 (between the auxiliary locking recess and a locking recess) pushes the locking part 1371 of the pivot member 1370. Accordingly, the pivot member 1370 rotates counterclockwise. However, a space is formed in a pivot member insertion recess 1317 so that an insertion protrusion 1373 of the pivot member 1370 may move rightward. Accordingly, even when the pivot member 1370 rotates counterclockwise, a body 1310 of a main opening member 1300 is not pushed rightward but maintains its original location.

Next, as shown in FIG. 23, the catching part 1631 is rotated by the motor 1610 to reach a position for closing the door 1. In this case, the locking part 1371 is rotated clockwise by an elastic force of a pivot member spring 1390 and thus inserted into a locking recess 1201, and the second main gear sense part 1633 is sensed by a third sensor 1903. The control unit receives a signal from the third sensor 1903 and reversely rotates the motor 1610. The control unit reversely rotates a main gear 1630 until a first main gear sense part 1632 is sensed by the third sensor 1903. The control unit stops operating the motor 1610 when the first main gear sense part 1632 presses the third sensor 1903.

Accordingly, the main gear 1630 returns to a default orientation.

As described above, the vehicle door latch system 5 according to this embodiment may rotate the latch 1200 to the position for closing the door 1 and also may return the main gear 1630 to its default orientation.

When the locking part 1371 is caught by the locking recess 1201 to completely close the door 1, the latch 1200 presses a second sensor 1902, and the second sensor 1902 may check whether the door 1 is completely closed.

FIGS. 25 to 27 show an unlocked state and a locked state of a door 1 disposed on a side of a vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 25, an operation in which a door 1 which has been unlocked is locked by a key, a remote controller, a lock button, a vehicle speed threshold setting, or the like will be described below.

When a signal for locking the door 1 is input through a motor 1651 of a second driving unit 1650, the motor 1651 operates to rotate a worm 1652.

When the worm 1652 rotates, a screw gear 1653 rotates clockwise.

When the screw gear 1653 rotates, a first catching part 1655 presses a locking catching part 1502 of a locking member 1500 rightward.

Thus, the locking member 1500 moves rightward. As shown in FIG. 26, a locking protrusion 1453 of a catching lever part 1450 is inserted into an insertion space 1509 along an inclined surface 1511 of a protrusion guide part 1507, and a catching protrusion 1455 moves rearward and falls out of a sub-opening member 1400. Thus, the door 1 is locked, and force is not transferred to a main opening member 1300 even if a lever 10 is pulled out. As described above, the locking member 1500 functions as a child lock.

The motor 1651 pushes the locking member 1500 during a predetermined time.

Subsequently, the control unit reversely rotates the motor 1651 to return the screw gear 1653 to its original orientation.

In contrast to this, when a driver is moving away from the vehicle (when the vehicle is parked) or when a locking function is being used, the control unit may cut off power applied to a first driving unit 1600 to lock the door 1.

An operation in which a door 1 which has been locked is unlocked by a key, a remote controller, a lock button, a vehicle speed threshold setting, or the like will be described below.

When a signal for unlocking the door 1 is input through the motor 1651 of the second driving unit 1650, the motor 1651 operates in the direction opposite to that of when the door 1 is locked, in order to rotate the screw gear 1653.

When the screw gear 1653 rotates, a second catching part 1656 presses the locking catching part 1502 of the locking member 1500 leftward.

In this case, the locking member 1500 moves left, and the catching lever part 1450 falls out of the insertion space 1509 of the protrusion guide part 1507. Also, the catching protrusion 1455 is moved forward by a second return spring 1460 and is caught by the sub-opening member 1400. Thus, the door is unlocked, and force is transferred to the main opening member 1300 when the lever 10 is pulled out.

The motor 1651 pushes the locking member 1500 until the locking catching part 1502 of the locking member 1500 is sensed by a fourth sensor 1904.

Also, when a driver is approaching the vehicle or when an unlocking function is being used, the control unit may supply power to the first driving unit 1600 to allow the driver to open the door 1.

When a driver inputs a signal for opening the door 1 through a driving input unit, the control unit receives the signal and operates the motor 1610 of the first driving unit 1600. When the motor 1610 operates, the main gear 1630 rotates. When the main gear 1630 rotates counterclockwise, a driving unit catching part 1707 is caught by a door operating member catching part 1635, and an open plate 1700 slides rightward. That is, the main gear 1630 pushes the open plate 1700 rightward.

When the open plate 1700 slides rightward, a driving catching part 1330 of the main opening member 1300 is caught by a main opening member catching part 1701, and thus a body 1310 slides rightward, as shown in FIG. 29. As the body 1310 slides rightward, an insertion protrusion 1373 of the pivot member 1370 is caught by the body 1310, and thus the pivot member 1370 rotates counterclockwise.

Thus, the locking part 1371 of the pivot member 1370 falls out of the locking recess 1201 of the latch 1200. Accordingly, the latch 1200 is unlocked and rotated counterclockwise by a first return spring 1250. The door 1 is allowed to be opened.

The motor 1610 operates until a second sense part 1702 is sensed by a sixth sensor 1906 and a first sense part 1351 is sensed by a fifth sensor 1905. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 30, the motor 1610 returns to its original orientation by reversely rotating until the first main gear sense part 1632 is sensed by the third sensor 1903.

When the main gear 1630 returns to its original orientation, the main opening member 1300 and the open plate 1700 are slid leftward by first and second springs 1803 and 1313 to return to their original orientations.

As shown in FIG. 31, when a driver rotates a key connector 1550 through a key, a key catching part 1320 is caught by a first rotation catching part 1552, and thus the body 1310 of the main opening member 1300 slides rightward. That is, the key connector 1550 pushes the main opening member 1300 rightward.

As the body 1310 slides rightward, the insertion protrusion 1373 of the pivot member 1370 is caught by the body 1310, and thus the pivot member 1370 rotates counterclockwise.

This makes the locking part 1371 of the pivot member 1370 fall out of the locking recess 1201 of the latch 1200, as shown in FIG. 32. Accordingly, the latch 1200 is unlocked and rotated counterclockwise by the first return spring 1250. The door 1 is allowed to be opened.

As shown in FIG. 33, when the driver reversely rotates the key to return the key connector 1550 to its original orientation, the main opening member 1300 is slid leftward by the first and second springs 1803 and 1313 to return to its original orientation.

Detailed descriptions of the same components as those of the aforementioned embodiments will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 34 to 40, a vehicle door latch system according to a second embodiment includes a housing 2100, a latch 2200 pivotably installed in the housing 2100, a door operating member configured to lock the latch 2200 and including a main opening member for the latch 2200, and a first driving unit configured to slide the main opening member. The door operating member includes an opening member, and the opening member is slidably installed on a surface of the housing 2100 different from a surface on which the latch 2200 is installed.

The housing 2100 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 34, the housing 2100 includes a first housing 2110, a second housing 2130 disposed in front of the first housing 2110, and a third housing 2150 disposed behind the first housing 2110.

The latch 2200 is disposed on a front surface of the first housing 2110.

As shown in FIG. 38, an operating member seating recess 2112 is formed in a right portion of a rear surface of the first housing 2110 in the left-right direction so that the opening member may be slidably installed therein. The operating member seating recess 2112 is formed with a closed front portion and an open rear portion. The operating member seating recess 2112 has a side communicating with a latch seating recess 2111 in which the latch 2200 is to be seated. That is, the operating member seating recess 2112 has a side formed to pass through the first housing 2110 in the front-rear direction.

Also, a first spring seating recess in which a first spring 2803 is to be seated and a second spring seating recess in which a second spring 2313 is to be seated are formed in the right portion of the rear surface of the first housing 2110. The first spring seating recess and the second spring seating recess communicate with the operating member seating recess 2112.

A key connector 2550 is installed at the bottom of the right portion of the rear surface of the first housing 2110.

In this embodiment, the second housing 2130 is not divided into two parts but provided as one body.

A lever connection part 2800 is pulled out through the third housing 2150.

<Latch>

As shown in FIG. 37, a slit 2209 is formed in an elastic cover 2206 surrounding the outside of the latch 2200. In the latch 2200, such slits 2209 are formed in an area in contact with a bumper member 2360, an area in contact with a striker, an area in contact with a first return spring catching shaft 2251, and the like. When the latch 2200 comes into contact with other members, an impact may be absorbed by the slits 2209.

Furthermore, a friction protrusion 2208 is formed in the elastic cover 2206. The friction protrusion 2208 is disposed near a protrusion 2215 and a spring fitting part 2213. The friction protrusion 2208 is formed to protrude forward and come into contact with the second housing 2130. When the latch 2200 returns due to a first return spring, friction between the friction protrusion 2208 and the second housing 2130 causes the rotational speed of the latch 2200 to be adjusted. Thus, it is possible to smoothly open a door.

Also, a through-hole is formed in the latch 2200 and the elastic cover 2206 to pass through the latch 2200 and the elastic cover 2206 in the front-rear direction and is disposed between the protrusion 2215 and the locking recess 2201.

The door operating member includes a pivot member 2370 configured to lock the latch 2200, and includes an opening member. That is, in this embodiment, an open plate is not separately provided in the door operating member. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of components and save costs.

The opening member does not have a sub-opening member and a catching lever part, but has only the main opening member 2300.

Each member of the door operating member will be described below.

A slit 2375 is formed in an elastic cover of the pivot member 2370. The slit 2375 is formed in an area in contact with the main opening member 2300. Particularly, the slit 2375 is disposed between a locking part 2371 and an insertion protrusion 2373. When the pivot member 2370 returns due to a pivot member spring, the pivot member 2370 may come into contact with the main opening member 2300. Even in this case, the impact is absorbed by the slit 2375.

The main opening member 2300 will be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, the main opening member 2300 is slidably installed in an operating member seating recess 2112 formed in the first housing 2110. That is, the main opening member 2300 is installed on a surface of the housing 2100 opposite to a surface on which the latch 2200 is installed.

The main opening member 2300 includes a body 2310, a driving catching part 2330, a key catching part 2320, and a first sense member 2350.

A pivot member insertion recess 2317 into which a portion of the pivot member 2370 is to be fit is formed in a lower left portion of the body 2310. An area of the main opening member 2300 in which the pivot member insertion recess 2317 is formed is exposed forward through a through-opening of the operating member seating recess 2112.

A catching member seating recess in which a catching member 2801 of the lever connection part 2800 is to be seated is formed on a rear surface of the body 2310. When a lever connected to the lever connection part 2800 is pulled out in case of an emergency such as motor failure or power failure, the main opening member 2300 slides rightward to open the door. The lever may be disposed not in a passenger seat or back seats but only in a driver's seat.

A first spring fitting protrusion into which the first spring 2803 is to be fit and a second spring fitting protrusion into which the second spring 2313 is to be fit are formed in a right portion of the body 2310 to protrude rightward.

A first sense member 2350 is formed in an upper left portion of the body 2310 to protrude rearward.

The driving catching part 2330 is disposed to the left of the pivot member insertion recess 2317 and thus caught by a door operating member catching part 2635 of a main gear 2630 of the first driving unit. An interference avoiding hole 2331 into which a main gear shaft 2114 is to be inserted is formed in an upper portion of the driving catching part 2330 to pass through the driving catching part 2330 in the front-rear direction. The interference avoiding hole 2331 is elongated in the left-right direction.

The key catching part 2320 is disposed below the body 2310. The key catching part 2320 is disposed between the rear surface of the first housing 2110 and the front surface of the third housing 2150. The key catching part 2320 is formed integrally with the body 2310 and formed on a horizontal plate. The plate is guided by a guide recess formed on the rear surface of the first housing 2110.

As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, the vehicle door latch system according to this embodiment includes a door locking input unit configured to receive a signal indicating whether to lock a door; a driving input unit configured to receive a signal indicating whether to drive a first driving unit; sensors; and a control unit configured to receive signals from the door locking input unit, the driving input unit, and the sensors and control the first driving unit.

The door locking input unit may be disposed in a door or a car key (a remote controller) in a button shape or a switch shape.

When the door locking input unit is provided in a front door of a vehicle, the door locking input unit may include a central lock switch, a central unlock switch, a child lock switch, and a child unlock switch. The central lock switch is used when all the doors are set to be locked. The central unlock switch is used when all the doors are unlocked. The child lock switch is used when both rear doors cannot be opened from inside the vehicle. The child unlock switch is used when both rear doors can be opened from inside the vehicle.

When the door locking input unit is provided in a rear door of a vehicle, the door locking input unit may include a door lock switch and a door unlock switch. The door lock switch is used when a corresponding door is set to be locked, and the door unlock switch is used when a corresponding door is set to be unlocked.

When the door locking input unit is provided in a car key, the door locking input unit includes a dead lock switch and a dead unlock switch. The dead lock switch is used when all the doors are set so that they cannot be opened from inside or outside the vehicle, and the dead unlock switch is used when all the doors are set so that they can be opened from inside or outside the vehicle.

The driving input unit and the sensors are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The control unit includes a first control unit (a main ECU) provided in the vehicle and a second control unit (an E-latch door ECU) provided in a PCB of the door latch system. The door lock input unit and the driving input unit are connected to the first control unit, and the first control unit is connected to the second control unit. Accordingly, a value input through the door lock input unit is input to the second control unit. The sensors and the first driving unit are connected to the second control unit. Among the sensors, a sensor for sensing whether the door is completely closed is connected to the first control unit.

When the central lock switch is operated, the control unit controls the motor of the first driving unit so that a door cannot be opened even if a signal for opening the door is input through the driving input unit of the door.

When the central unlock switch is operated, the control unit controls the motor of the first driving unit so that a door can be opened when a signal for opening the door is input through the driving input unit of the door.

When the child lock switch is operated, the control unit controls the motor of the first driving unit so that both rear doors cannot be opened even if a signal for opening the doors is input through the driving input unit of the doors.

When the child unlock switch is operated, the control unit controls the motor of the first driving unit so that both rear doors can be opened when a signal for opening the doors is input through the driving input unit of the doors.

When the door lock switch is operated, the control unit controls the motor of the first driving unit so that a corresponding door cannot be opened even if a signal for opening the door is input through the driving input unit of the door.

When the door unlock switch is operated, the control unit controls the motor of the first driving unit so that a corresponding door can be opened when a signal for opening the door is input through the driving input unit of the door.

When the dead lock switch is operated, the control unit controls the motor of the first driving unit so that a door cannot be opened even if a signal for opening the door is input through the driving input unit provided at the inside or outside with respect to the door.

When the dead unlock switch is operated, the control unit controls the motor of the first driving unit so that a door can be opened when a signal for opening the door is input through a driving input unit provided at the inside or outside with respect to the door.

An operating process of a vehicle door latch system configured as described above according to a second exemplary embodiment will be described below.

When a driver inputs a signal for opening a door through a driving input unit such as a door opening switch, the control unit receives the signal to operate the motor of the first driving unit. When the motor operates, the main gear 2630 rotates. When the main gear 2630 rotates counterclockwise, the driving catching part 2330 is caught by the door operating member catching part 2635, and thus the main opening member 2300 slides rightward. That is, the main gear 2630 pushes the main opening member 2300 rightward.

As the main opening member 2300 slides rightward, the insertion protrusion 2373 of the pivot member 2370 is caught by the body 2310, and thus the pivot member 2370 rotates counterclockwise.

This makes the locking part 2371 of the pivot member 2370 fall out of the locking recess 2201 of the latch 2200. Accordingly, the latch 2200 is unlocked and rotated counterclockwise by the first return spring. Through this process, the door is opened.

The motor 2610 operates until the fifth sensor senses a first sense part of the first sense member 2350. Subsequently, the motor 2610 reversely rotates to return to its original orientation.

When the main gear 2630 returns to its original orientation, the main opening member 2300 is slid leftward by the first spring 2803 and the second spring 2313 to return to its original orientation.

In this embodiment, a door closing process and a door opening process using a key are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Also, as described above, the door is locked or unlocked by the control unit.

As shown in FIGS. 41 to 44, a vehicle door latch system according to a third embodiment includes a housing 3100, a latch 3200 pivotably installed in the housing 3100, a door operating member configured to lock the latch 3200 and including a main opening member for the latch 3200, and a first driving unit configured to slide the main opening member.

As shown in FIG. 41, the housing 3100 includes a first housing 3110, a second housing 1130 disposed in front of the first housing 3110 and including a second metal housing 3130a and a second plastic housing 3130b, and a third housing 3150 disposed behind the first housing 3110, like in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 42, the latch 3200 is formed similar to that of the second embodiment, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The door operating member includes a pivot member 3370 configured to lock the latch 3200, an opening member, and an open plate 3700 configured to slide the opening member, like in the first embodiment.

The opening member does not have a sub-opening member or a catching lever part, but has only the main opening member 3300, like in the second embodiment.

The main opening member 3300 includes a body 3310, a horizontal bar 3340, a driving catching part 3330, a key catching part 3320, and a first sense member 3350. In this embodiment, the main opening member 3300 is similar to the main opening member of the first embodiment, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The main opening member 3300 is slidably installed on a front surface of the first housing 3110, which is a surface on which the latch 3200 is installed.

As shown in FIG. 43, the open plate 3700 is slidably installed on a rear surface of the first housing 3110, which is opposite to (different from) the surface on which the latch 3200 is installed.

The open plate 3700 is formed in a plate shape and disposed in the left-right direction.

A driving unit catching part 3707 to be caught by a main gear 3630 of the first driving unit is formed in a lower left portion of the open plate 3700.

A guide hole 3704 is formed in the open plate 3700 and disposed above the driving unit catching part 3707. Like in the first embodiment, a guide part of a terminal panel is inserted into the guide hole 3704, and the open plate 3700 is guided by the guide hole 3704.

An interference avoiding hole 3703 is formed in the open plate 3700 and disposed above the guide hole 3704. A main gear shaft is inserted into the interference avoiding hole 3703.

A guide protrusion 3706 is formed in a right portion of the open plate 3700 to protrude forward. The guide protrusion 3706 is guided by a guide plate that is formed on a rear surface of the first housing 3110 to protrude rearward.

The main opening member catching part 3701 to be caught by the driving catching part 3330 of the main opening member 3300 is formed in the open plate 3700. The main opening member catching part 3701 is disposed to the right of the driving unit catching part 3707 and formed to protrude forward relative to its adjacent areas. Due to the main opening member catching part 3701, the main opening member 3300 moves rightward when the open plate 3700 moves rightward.

The main opening member catching part 3701 is disposed in a lower right portion of the open plate 3700.

In this embodiment, a door closing process, a door opening process, and a door opening process using a key are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Also, in this embodiment, a door locking process and a door unlocking process are the same as those of the second embodiment, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 45 to 53, a vehicle door latch system according to a fourth embodiment includes a housing 4100, a latch 4200 pivotably installed in the housing 4100, a door operating member configured to lock the latch 4200 and including a main opening member for the latch 4200, and a driving unit configured to slide the main opening member. The driving unit includes a motor 4610, a screw 4613 is formed in one of the door operating member and a shaft of the motor 4610, and a nut part 4330 to be screwed onto the screw 4613 is formed in the other.

As shown in FIG. 45, the housing 4100 includes a first housing 4110, a second housing 4130 disposed in front of the first housing 4110, and a third housing 4150 disposed behind the first housing 4110.

The latch 2200 and a pivot member 4370 are disposed in a right portion of a front surface of the first housing 4110. The latch 4200 is pivotably installed by a latch pivot shaft 4230, and the pivot member 4370 is pivotably installed by a pivot shaft 4380. The latch pivot shaft 4230 and the pivot shaft 4380 are installed to pass through the second housing 4130 and the first housing 4110. As shown in FIG. 50, a fastening link 4125 into which rear ends of the latch pivot shaft 4230 and the pivot shaft 4380 are to be fit is disposed on a rear surface of the first housing 4110. The fastening link 4125 is formed of a metal material or the like and serves as a reinforcing member for preventing the latch pivot shaft 4230 and the pivot shaft 4380 from falling out after being riveted.

A bumper member insertion recess 4123 into which a bumper member 4360 is to be inserted to communicate to a striker insertion recess is formed on the first surface of the first housing 4110. The bumper member 4360 includes a horizontal part disposed in the left-right direction and a vertical part connected to an upper right portion of the horizontal part and disposed in the up-down direction. A first contact part to be in contact with a striker is formed in the horizontal part, and a second contact part to be in contact with the main opening member 4300 is formed at an outer side of an edge to which the horizontal part and the vertical part are connected. The second contact part is formed to protrude rightward and downward. A lower left portion of the bumper member insertion recess 4123 is formed with an open rear side, and the second contact part is exposed rearward.

A key connector 4550 is installed on top of a right portion of the rear surface of the first housing 4110.

In this embodiment, the second housing 4130 is not divided into two parts but provided as one body.

A lever connection part 4800 is pulled out through the third housing 4150.

<Latch>

As shown in FIG. 49, a slit 4209 is formed in an elastic cover 4206 surrounding the outside of the latch 4200. The slit 4209 is formed in an area of the latch 4200 in contact with the striker. When the latch 4200 comes into contact with other members, an impact may be absorbed by the slit 4209.

Furthermore, a friction protrusion 4208 is formed in the elastic cover 4206. The friction protrusion 4208 is disposed near a protrusion 4215 and a spring fitting part 4213. The friction protrusion 4208 is formed to protrude forward and rearward and come into contact with the first housing 4110 and the second housing 4130. When the latch 4200 returns due to a first return spring, friction between the friction protrusion 4208 and the first and

second housings

4110 and 4130 cause the rotational speed of the latch 4200 to be adjusted. This makes a door be smoothly opened.

Also, the elastic cover 4206 is formed to surround the remaining portion other than a portion to be caught by the locking part 4371. Accordingly, a second locking catching part 4201a is exposed to the outside.

Also, the elastic cover 4206 is formed not to surround at least a portion of the protrusion 4215.

A cut part may be formed on front and rear surfaces of the elastic cover 4206 in the front-rear direction. Accordingly, a portion of front and rear surfaces of the latch 4200 may be exposed through the cut part.

A first spring fitting hole 4206a into which the first return spring is to be fit is formed in the elastic cover 4206 to pass through the elastic cover 4206.

Also, a through-hole is formed in the latch 4200 and the elastic cover 4206 to pass through the latch 4200 and the elastic cover 4206 in the front-rear direction and is disposed between the protrusion 4215 and the locking recess 4201.

The door operating member includes a pivot member 4370 configured to lock the latch 4200, and includes an opening member. That is, in this embodiment, an open plate is not separately provided in the door operating member.

The opening member does not have a sub-opening member or a catching lever part, but has only the main opening member 4300.

Each member of the door operating member will be described below.

A catching protrusion 4373 is disposed in a lower right portion of the pivot member 4370 to protrude rearward. The catching protrusion 4373 is disposed to pass through a through-hole formed in a lower right portion of the first housing 4110. The through-hole is formed in the first housing 4110 to pass through the first housing 4110 in the front-rear direction.

The elastic cover 4374 of the pivot member 4370 is formed to surround the remaining portion other than the locking part 4371. A plurality of cut parts are formed in the elastic cover 4374 to expose a portion of the pivot member 4370 through the cut parts. A pivot member spring fitting hole 4374a into which a pivot member spring is to be fit is formed in the elastic cover 4374 to pass through the elastic cover 4374 in the front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 50, the main opening member 4300 is slidably installed on the rear surface of the first housing 4110. That is, the main opening member 4300 is installed on a surface of the housing 4100 opposite to a surface on which the latch 4200 is installed.

The main opening member 4300 includes a body 4310 formed in the shape of a rectangular plate, a nut part 4330, a key catching part 4320, a first sense member 4350, and a pivot member catching part 4317a. The body 4310, the nut part 4330, the key catching part 4320, the first sense member 4350, and the pivot member catching part 4317a are formed as one body.

The lever connection part 4800 is connected to a rear surface of the body 4310.

The nut part 4330 is disposed behind and to the left of the body 4310.

A through-hole is formed in the nut part 4330 in the left-right direction, and a screw thread is formed on an inner wall. The nut part 4330 is screwed onto a screw 4613 connected to a shaft of the motor 4610 of the driving unit. The motor 4610 is installed in an upper left portion of the rear surface of the first housing 4110. Unlike the above-description, the nut part may be formed in the shaft of the motor, and the screw may be formed in the main opening member.

The key catching part 4320 is disposed in an upper right portion of the body 4310 and caught by the key connector 4550.

The first sense member 4350 is disposed between the body 4310 and the key catching part 4320. The first sense member 4350 is bent downward to press a fifth sensor 4905. The fifth sensor 4905 may be provided as a limit switch.

The pivot member catching part 4317a is disposed in a lower right portion of the body 4310. The pivot member catching part 4317a is formed to protrude forward. The pivot member catching part 4317a is disposed to the left of the catching protrusion 4373.

A bumper member contact part which is to come into contact with the bumper member 4360 is formed in the main opening member 4300 to protrude forward and is disposed between the body 4310 and the pivot member catching part 4317a.

As shown in FIGS. 52 and 53, the vehicle door latch system according to this embodiment includes a door locking input unit configured to receive a signal indicating whether to lock a door; a driving input unit configured to receive a signal indicating whether to drive a driving unit; a sensor; and a control unit configured to receive signals from the door locking input unit, the driving input unit, and the sensor and control the driving unit. The control unit of this embodiment includes a first control unit (a main ECU) installed in the vehicle. The sensor includes a second sensor 4902 configured to sense whether the door is completely closed and a fifth sensor 4905 configured sense whether the main opening member 4300 has moved up to a position for opening the door.

An operating process of a vehicle door latch system configured as described above according to a fourth exemplary embodiment will be described below.

When a driver inputs a signal for opening a door through a driving input unit such as a door opening switch, the control unit receives the signal to operate the motor 4610 of the driving unit. When the motor 4610 operates, the screw 4613 rotates. As shown in FIG. 50, as the screw 4613 rotates, the nut part 4330 moves rightward. That is, the main opening member 4300 slides rightward.

When the main opening member 4300 slides rightward, the catching protrusion 4373 of the pivot member 4370 is caught by the pivot member catching part 4317a, and thus the pivot member 4370 rotates counterclockwise.

This makes the locking part 4371 of the pivot member 4370 fall out of the locking recess 4201 of the latch 4200. Accordingly, the latch 4200 is unlocked and rotated counterclockwise by the first return spring. Through this process, the door is opened.

The motor 4610 operates until the first sense member 4350 is sensed by the fifth sensor 4905. Subsequently, the motor 4610 reversely rotates, and the main opening member 4300 returns to its original orientation.

In this embodiment, the door is closed not automatically but manually.

In this embodiment, a door opening process using a key is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Also, in this embodiment, the door is locked or unlocked by the control unit.

As shown in FIGS. 54 to 56, a vehicle door latch system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a latch 5200 pivotably installed in the housing, a door operating member configured to lock the latch 5200 and including a main opening member for the latch 5200, and a first driving unit configured to slide the main opening member. The first driving unit includes a motor 5610 and a main gear 5630 rotated by the motor 5610. Then main gear 5630 rotates the latch 5200 and slides the main opening member of the door operating member. The main opening member is disposed at one side of the main gear 5630, and the motor 5610 is disposed at the other side of the main gear 5630.

As shown in FIG. 54, the housing includes a first housing 5110, a second housing 5130 disposed in front of the first housing 5110, and a third housing 5150 disposed behind the first housing 1110.

The latch 2200 and a pivot member 5370 are disposed in front of the first housing 5110. The latch 5200 and the pivot member 5370 are disposed between the first housing 5110 and the second housing 5130.

In this embodiment, the second housing 5130 is not divided into two parts but provided as one body.

An electric wire connected to a sensor and/or the motor 5610 is inserted into the third housing 5150. Also, a sensor seating part in which the sensor is to be installed is formed on a front surface of the third housing 5150. Accordingly, in this embodiment, a terminal panel is not provided separately.

A PCB insertion part 5154 into which a PCB 5920 is to be inserted is formed in an upper right portion of the third housing 5150. A PCB cover 5156 is hooked by and thus fit into a rear portion of the PCB insertion part 5154.

A motor insertion part 5151 into which the motor 5610, which will be described below, is to be inserted is formed in an upper left portion of the third housing 5150. A motor cover 5158 is hooked by and thus fit into a rear portion of the motor insertion part 5151.

A lever connection part 5800 is pulled out through the third housing 5150.

In this embodiment, the latch 5200 is the same as that of the second embodiment, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 55 and 56, the door operating member includes a pivot member 5370 configured to lock the latch 5200, and includes an opening member.

The opening member does not have a sub-opening member, but has only the main opening member 5300, like in the second embodiment.

The main opening member 5300 is disposed behind the first housing 5110.

The first driving unit is disposed behind the first housing 5110. The first driving unit and the main opening member 5300 are disposed between the first housing 5110 and the third housing 5150.

The first driving unit includes a motor 5610 and a gear unit rotated by the motor 5610. The gear unit includes a first worm, a first worm gear rotated by the first worm, a second worm installed in the first worm gear, and a second worm gear rotated by the second worm. The second worm gear is the main gear 5630.

The main opening member 5300 is disposed to the right (one side) of the main gear 5630, and the motor 5610 is disposed to the left (the other side) of the main gear 5630.

The motor 5610 has a shaft disposed in the front-rear direction.

A catching part 5631 which rotates the latch 5200 is formed on a front surface of the main gear 5630 to protrude forward.

A door operating member catching part 5635 which slides the main opening member 5300 is formed on a rear surface of the main gear 5630 to protrude rearward. The catching part 5631 and the door operating member catching part 5635 are formed in a gear unit of the main gear 5630.

Also, a first main gear sense part 5632 and a second main gear sense part 5633 that are sensed by a third sensor 5903 are provided on an outer circumferential surface of the main gear 5630. The first main gear sense part 5632 and the second main gear sense part 5633 are formed in a non-gear unit of the main gear 5630. The third sensor 5903 is disposed to the right of the main gear 5630.

The first main gear sense part 5632, the second main gear sense part 5633, the door operating member catching part 5635, and the catching part 5631 are arranged clockwise.

In this embodiment, the operating process is the same as that of the second embodiment, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 57 to 61, a vehicle door latch system according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a latch 6200 pivotably installed in the housing, a door operating member configured to lock the latch 6200 and including a main opening member for the latch 6200, and a first driving unit configured to slide the main opening member, and further includes a stopper 50 interoperating with a handle 20 capable of being pulled in or out and installed. While the door is locked, the stopper 50 does not allow the door to be opened by the first driving unit.

As shown in FIG. 57, the housing includes a first housing 6110, a second housing 6130 disposed in front of the first housing 6110, and a third housing 6150 disposed behind the first housing 1110.

A PCB insertion part 6154 into which a PCB 6920 is to be inserted is formed in an upper right portion of the third housing 6150. A PCB cover 6156 is hooked by and thus fit into a rear portion of the PCB insertion part 6154.

A motor insertion part 6151 into which the motor 6610, which will be described below, is to be inserted is formed in an upper left portion of the third housing 6150. A motor cover 6158 is hooked by and thus fit into a rear portion of the motor insertion part 6151.

A stopper installation part 6159 in which a stopper 50, which will be described below, is to be slidably installed is formed in an upper portion of the third housing 6150 to protrude rearward.

The stopper installation part 6159 is disposed between the PCB insertion part 6154 and the motor insertion part 6151.

A stopper sliding recess into which the stopper 50 is to be inserted is formed in the stopper installation part 6159. The stopper sliding recess is formed in the front-rear direction and formed with an open front portion and an open rear portion. A stopper cover 6159a is hooked by and thus fit into a rear portion of the stopper installation part 6159. The rear portion of the stopper sliding recess is blocked by the stopper cover 6159a. Also, a guide protrusion part for guiding a wire 40, which will be described below, is formed to the right of the stopper installation part 6159 to protrude rearward. Furthermore, a sensor seating part is formed in the stopper installation part 6159. The sensor seating part is formed to communicate with the stopper sliding recess. The sensor seating part is disposed in front of the guide protrusion part. The sensor seating part is formed with an open front portion and a closed rear portion.

In this embodiment, the latch 6200 is the same as that of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 58, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the door operating member is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A handle 20 is slidably installed at the outside of the door in a width direction of the vehicle. The handle 20 is pulled into the door or pulled out of the door by a handle driving unit (not shown). The handle driving unit may include a motor, a worm and a worm gear rotated by the motor, and a link rotated by the worn gear. Such handle driving units are disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0048005, Koran Patent Publication No. 10-1637820, U.S. Patent No. 9080352, and the like, and thus they are not shown herein and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The handle driving unit is controlled by a control unit, and the control unit controls the handle driving unit so that the handle 20 is pulled in while the vehicle is running.

The stopper 50 is connected to the handle 20 through a wire 40 to interoperate with the handle 20. Cylindrical catching members are formed at both ends of the wire 40. A wire installation part 21 into which the catching members are to be installed is formed at an end opposite to the pull-out direction in the handle 20. The wire installation part 21 is formed to protrude toward the door.

A catching protrusion seating recess in which a catching protrusion of the wire 40 is to be seated is formed on top of the stopper 50.

Thus, the stopper 50 slides rearward when the handle 20 is pulled out, and the stopper 50 slides forward when the handle 20 is pulled in.

A stopper spring 51 for returning the stopper 50 is disposed between the stopper 50 and the stopper cover 6159a. A coil spring is provided as the stopper spring 51, and the stopper spring 51 has a front end supported by a rear end of the stopper 50 and a rear end supported by the stopper cover 6159a. A spring fitting protrusion 52 into which the stopper spring 51 is to be fit is formed at the rear end of the stopper 50 to protrude rearward.

As shown in FIG. 59, the first driving unit includes a motor 6610 and a main gear 6630 rotated by the motor 6610.

The main gear 6630 is pivotably installed behind the first housing 6110, and thus the stopper 50 may slide with respect to the main gear 6630.

A first main gear sense part 6632, a second main gear sense part 6633, a door operating member catching part 6635, and a catching part 6631 are formed in the main gear 6630, like in the fifth embodiment.

The stopper 50 is disposed to the left of the first main gear sense part 6632. Accordingly, when the main gear 6630 rotates counterclockwise, the stopper 50 is caught by the first main gear sense part 6632. Unlike this, the stopper 50 may be caught by the latch 6200. A stopper catching part interoperable with the stopper 50 may be formed at one side of the latch 6200. Alternatively, the stopper 50 is elongated forward and thus caught by both the main gear 6630 and the latch 6200. In this way, the stopper 50 may be caught by the main gear 6630 and/or the latch 6200.

In this embodiment, a seventh sensor 6907 for sensing whether the handle 20 is pulled in or out is further included.

The seventh sensor 6907 senses the position of the stopper 50 to sense whether the handle 20 is pulled in.

The seventh sensor 6907 is installed and seated in the sensor seating part of the third housing 6150. The seventh sensor 6907 is provided as a limit switch. When the stopper 50 slides rearward, the seventh sensor 6907 is pressed.

The control unit receives a signal from the seventh sensor 6907 and controls power supplied to the first driving unit. When the seventh sensor 6907 is not pressed (when the handle is pulled in), the control unit does not supply power to the motor 6610. When the seventh sensor 6907 is pressed (when the handle is pulled out), the control unit supplies power to the motor 6610.

When the vehicle is running and the door is locked, the handle 20 is pulled into the door, as shown in FIG. 60a. Accordingly, the wire 40 is not pulled, and the stopper 50 protrudes forward, as shown in FIG. 60b. Thus, the latch 6200 and/or the first main gear sense part 6632 of the main gear 6630 is caught by the stopper 50. In this situation, even when the motor 6610 operates due to an error, the main gear 6630 is caught by the stopper 50 and thus cannot rotate counterclockwise. Accordingly, the first driving unit cannot slide the main opening member 6300 of the door operating member, and thus the door cannot be opened.

Also, while the stopper 50 protrudes forward, the seventh sensor 6907 is not pressed, and thus the control unit does not supply power to the motor 6610. By preventing the motor 6610 from operating, it is possible to prevent a load from being applied to the motor 6610.

Although the main gear 6630 is caught by the stopper 50, the door is opened when a lever connected to a door lever connection part 6800 is pulled out in case of an emergency.

When the vehicle is stopped and the door is unlocked, the handle 20 is pulled out of the door, as shown in FIG. 61a. Accordingly, the wire 40 is pulled, and the stopper 50 protrudes rearward, as shown in FIG. 60b. Thus, the first main gear sense part 6632 of the main gear 6630 does not catch the stopper 50. In this situation, when a signal for opening the door is input through a driving input unit, the first driving unit operates. Thus, the main gear 6630 rotates, and the main opening member 6300 slides to automatically open the door.

Also, while the stopper 50 is slid back, the seventh sensor 6907 is pressed, and the control unit supplies power to the motor 6610. Accordingly, the motor 6610 is ready to operate.

In this embodiment, an automatic door opening process, an automatic door closing process, a door locking process, and a door unlocking process are the same as those of the second embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

[Description of Symbols]

1: door, 5: vehicle door latch system

10: lever, 30: glass

1100: housing, 1101: striker

1103: support protrusion part, 1105: striker insertion recess

1106: shaft, 1110: first housing

1111: latch seating recess, 1112: operating member seating recess

1113: spring insertion recess, 1114: main gear shaft

1115: catching part guide recess, 1116: load guide recess

1117: first spring seating recess

1118: driving catching part through-hole

1119: key catching part through-hole

1121: first coupling unit, 1122: guide boss

1123: bumper member insertion recess, 1124: door installation part

1127: key connector installation part

1129: sensor insertion hole, 1130: second housing

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

1131: coupling bar, 1132: housing catching protrusion

1133: bolt

1135: first protrusion part, 1136: second protrusion part

1138: vertical support member, 1150: third housing

1151: motor seating recess, 1152: second coupling part

1154: PCB insertion part, 1155: assembly hook

1156: PCB cover, 1157: PCB support part

1200: latch

1201: locking recess, 1201a: second locking catching part

1202: auxiliary locking recess, 1202a: first locking catching part

1203: first surface, 1204: striker catching protrusion

1205: second surface, 1206: elastic cover

1207: third surface, 1213: spring fitting part

1215: protrusion, 1230: latch pivot shaft

1250: first return spring

1251: first return spring catching shaft

1252: first bent part, 1253: second bent part

1300: main opening member, 1310: body

1311: second spring fitting protrusion

1313: second spring, 1314: catching lever seating recess

1315: sub-opening member insertion recess

1315a: sub-opening member guide recess

1316: catching lever shaft insertion hole

1317: pivot member insertion recess

1318: second return spring catching part

1319: catching protrusion insertion hole

1320: key catching part, 1330: driving catching part

1340: horizontal bar

1350: first sense member, 1351: first sense part

1360: bumper member, 1370: pivot member

1371: locking part, 1372: latch insertion recess

1373: insertion protrusion, 1374: elastic cover

1380: pivot shaft, 1390: pivot member spring

1391: pivot spring catching shaft

1400: sub-opening member, 1401: catching member seating recess

1402: first spring fitting protrusion, 1403: pull-out hole

1404: opening member guide protrusion, 1405: catching bump

1450: catching lever part, 1451: hole

1453: locking protrusion, 1455: catching protrusion

1460: second return spring, 1461: coil unit

1462: first bent part, 1463: second bent part

1464: third bent part, 1470: catching lever shaft

1500: locking member, 1502: locking catching part

1507: protrusion guide part, 1509: insertion space

1511: inclined surface, 1571: stopper slot

1576: slim part, 1578: slit

1550: key connector, 1551: head

1552: first rotation catching part, 1553: wing part

1554: second rotation catching part, 1555: key connector cut part

1556: inclined surface, 1600: first driving unit

1610: motor, 1613: first worm

1614: intermediate worm gear, 1620: deceleration gear

1621: first worm gear, 1622: second worm

1623: deceleration gear shaft support plate

1630: main gear, 1631: catching part

1632: first main gear sense part, 1633: second main gear sense part

1635: door operating member catching part

1636: insertion hole, 1637: protrusion

1643: non-gear unit, 1650: second driving unit

1651: motor, 1652: screw

1653: screw gear, 1654: locking catching part through-hole

1655: first catching part, 1656: second catching part

1700: open plate, 1701: main opening member catching part

1702: second sense part, 1703: interference avoiding hole

1704: guide hole, 1705: bent part

1706: locking member contact part, 1707: driving unit catching part

1800: door lever connection part, 1801: catching member

1803: first spring, 1805: guide tube

1900: terminal panel

1901: first sensor, 1902: second sensor

1903: third sensor, 1904: fourth sensor

1905: fifth sensor, 1906: sixth sensor

1911: electric wire, 1912: second driving unit motor connection part

1914: PCB seating part, 1915: second through-hole

1920: PCB, 1921: connector

1931: sensor seating part, 1932: shaft support part

1933: guide part, 1935: support plate installation part

1936: key connector installation part, 1937: motor installation part

1938: gear installation part, 1939: main gear contact part

1941: bent part hole, 1942: gear through-hole

1943: first through-hole, 1951: terminal boss

1952: guide boss seating part, 1953: cut part

Claims

A vehicle door latch system comprising:

a housing;

a latch pivotably installed in the housing;

a door operating member configured to lock or unlock the latch, the door operating member including a main opening member slidable with respect to the latch; and

a driving unit configured to slide the main opening member.
The vehicle door latch system of claim 1, wherein the driving unit rotates the latch so that the door operating member locks the latch.
The vehicle door latch system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the driving unit is operated by a driving input part disposed outside a vehicle.
The vehicle door latch system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a lever connection part configured to slide the main opening member, wherein a lever connected to the lever connection part is disposed inside the vehicle.
The vehicle door latch system of claim 1 or 2,

wherein the driving unit comprises a motor and a gear unit interoperating with the motor, and

wherein the gear unit comprises a first worm, a first worm gear rotated by the first worm, a second worm installed in the first worm gear, and a second worm gear rotated by the second worm.
The vehicle door latch system of claim 1 or 2,

wherein the door operating member includes an open plate configured to slide the main opening member,

wherein the main opening member is slidably installed on a surface of the housing on which the latch is installed, and

wherein the open plate is slidably installed on a surface of the housing opposite to the surface on which the latch is installed.
The vehicle door latch system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the main opening member is slidably installed on a surface of the housing opposite to a surface on which the latch is installed.
The vehicle door latch system of claim 1 or 2,

wherein the driving unit comprises a motor and a deceleration part interoperating with the motor, and

wherein a door operating member catching part by which the door operating member is to be caught is formed in the deceleration part.
The vehicle door latch system of claim 1,

wherein the driving unit includes a motor, and

wherein a screw is formed in any one of the door operating member and a shaft of the motor, and a nut part to be screwed onto the screw is formed in the other.
The vehicle door latch system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a door locking input unit configured to receive a signal indicating whether a door is locked; and

a control unit configured to receive the signal from the door locking input unit and control the driving unit.
The vehicle door latch system of claim 2,

wherein the driving unit comprises a motor and a main gear rotated by the motor,

wherein the main gear rotates the latch and slides the main opening member, and

wherein the main opening member is disposed at one side of the main gear, and the motor is disposed at the other side of the main gear.
The vehicle door latch system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a stopper interoperating with a handle installed at the outside of a door and capable of being pulled into or out of the door, wherein the stopper blocks the door from being opened by the driving unit when the door is locked.
The vehicle door latch system of claim 12,

wherein the driving unit comprises a motor and a main gear rotated by the motor,

wherein the main gear slides the main opening member,

wherein the stopper is slidable with respect to the main gear, and

wherein the main gear is caught by the stopper.
The vehicle door latch system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a sensor configured to sense whether a handle installed at the outside of a door and capable of being pulled into or out of the door is pulled in; and

a control unit configured to receive a signal from the sensor and control power supplied to the driving unit.
The vehicle door latch system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a stopper interoperating with a handle installed at the outside of a door and capable of being pulled into or out of the door, wherein the stopper blocks the door from being opened by the driving unit when the door is locked;

a sensor configured to sense a position of the stopper; and

a control unit configured to receive a signal from the sensor and control power supplied to the driving unit.
A vehicle door latch system comprising:

a housing;

a latch pivotably installed in the housing;

a door operating member configured to lock or unlock the latch, the door operating member including a main opening member slidable with respect to the latch; and

a key connector configured to slide the main opening member.