JP4382473B2 - Latch release device for automotive door latch - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a latch release device for an automobile door latch that can be operated to move a locking plate in a door latch to a restraint release position of a latch by two operation systems of an automatic operation system by an actuator and a manual operation system by an operation handle. .

  The present applicant has previously proposed an automotive door latch provided with a latch release mechanism (see Patent Document 1). The latch release mechanism moves the locking plate to the latch release position by an automatic operation system using an actuator and a manual operation system using an operation handle.

  The latch release mechanism includes an open lever and an actuator that are attached to a main body of the door latch (in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151867, “door lock main body”). The locking plate is pivotally supported at a fixed position of the main body of the door latch, and moves the locking plate ("Paul" in Patent Document 1) to the latch release position when rotated in one direction. . The actuator is attached to a fixed position of the door latch body, and is driven and controlled based on the operation of the operation switch, thereby rotating the open lever in one direction. In addition, an operation handle is connected to a long hole formed in the open lever via a connecting rod. In the event of an electrical failure due to the battery running out of the vehicle, the open lever is rotated in one direction by operating this operation handle. As described above, the operation force from the actuator and the operation force from the operation handle are input to the locking plate.

JP-A-60-168883 Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 6-81966

  However, the door latch in which the latch release mechanism is incorporated as described above requires a significant design change of the entire door latch in order to correspond to the two operation systems of the automatic operation system by the actuator and the manual operation system by the handle. The door latch could not be used as it was. In addition, it is necessary to provide the door latch with an actuator and to input the operating force from the actuator and the handle to the locking plate so as not to interfere with each other. There was a possibility that the layout performance would deteriorate.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a latch release device for an automobile door latch that enables application of two operation systems of an automatic operation system using an actuator and a manual operation system using an operation handle to an existing door latch. .

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automotive door latch unlatching device including a latch that can be engaged with a striker, and a locking plate that is capable of restraining the latch at an engagement position with the striker. An automotive door latch unlatching device coupled to a door latch and operable to move the locking plate to a restraint releasing position for releasing the restraint of the latch. A plane L-shape that forms an allowable space at a predetermined angle between one end and the other end of the latch release device main body mounted at the position of the operation handle for release or the position of the operation handle . A lever having an intermediate portion pivotally supported by the latch release device main body and pivotally supported by the one end portion through the first transmission member; Connection portion that is connected to the locking plate Ji is formed, the a first lever operation portion at the other end portion is formed, and an actuator mounted to the latch releasing device body proximal end the latch releasing device body A lever rotatably supported on the same axis as the intermediate portion of the first lever, and a connecting portion connected to the operation handle via a second transmission member at a tip portion; a working portion which is located on the lever of the allowable space facing the operating portion of the first lever and a second lever is formed, wherein the actuator at least the body or the operation switch provided on one of the door operation based on such is rotated when driven, a lever pivotably attached to the latch release device main body, the located allowable space of the first lever Comprising a third lever acting portion facing the operating portion of the first lever is formed, the said first lever, said locking plate is moved to the binding release position when moved in one direction, the third When the third lever is rotated by the driving force of the actuator, the lever operating portion does not interfere with the second lever and contacts the operation portion to move the first lever in one direction. The operating portion of the second lever abuts on the operating portion without interfering with the third lever when the second lever is moved by the operating force of the operating handle, and makes contact with the operating lever. Is moved in one direction .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an unlatching device for an automotive door latch according to the first aspect , wherein the main body of the unlatching device is disposed on a vehicle compartment side of an inner panel of the door.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vehicle door latch unlatching device according to the first or second aspect , wherein the door latch is unlocked by the latch releasing device and the latch is released by the locking plate. And an overriding mechanism for performing the continuous operation.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle door latch unlatching apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein a clutch mechanism and a speed reduction mechanism are provided in a power transmission system between the actuator and the third lever. It is characterized by that.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vehicle door latch unlatching device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the operation switch is operated according to an operation position of the operation handle. To do.

  The latch release device of the present invention has a main body separately from the door latch, and includes a first moving member connected to the door latch in the main body, and an actuator for moving the first moving member, By providing the second moving member connected to the operation handle, two operation systems of an automatic operation system by an actuator and a manual operation system by an operation handle can be applied to an existing door latch. As a result, application to various types of vehicles is possible without changing the design of the door latch.

  Further, since the main body of the latch release device can be mounted at a position between the door latch and the operation handle in the vehicle body or the door, or at the position of the operation handle, it can be easily applied to more types of vehicles.

  In addition, as the first moving member connected to the locking plate of the door latch, a flat L-shaped first lever whose intermediate portion is pivotally supported is used, and the second moving member is moved by the operating force of the operating handle. As the moving member, a second lever that is pivotally supported on the same axis as the first lever is used, and within an allowable space of a predetermined angle formed between one end and the other end of the first lever. In addition, the second lever and the third lever are efficiently moved into the permissible space formed by the first lever by positioning the action portion of the second lever and the action portion of the third lever rotated by the actuator. It is possible to reduce the size of the entire latch release device by arranging it well.

  In addition, by disposing the main body of the latch release device on the vehicle interior side of the door inner panel, it is possible to set a position that does not require any special waterproof structure as the position of the actuator. This waterproof structure is unnecessary, so that the entire apparatus can be further reduced in size and price.

  In addition, the door latch has an override mechanism, and the door latch is unlocked and the latch is released by the locking plate, and the operation is continuously performed only by the operation of the actuator without complicated control. Can be executed.

  Further, by providing the clutch mechanism and the speed reduction mechanism in the actuator and driving force transmission system, a small rotating motor that can be driven to rotate in one direction can be used as the actuator. As a result, the entire apparatus can be further reduced in size and noise.

  In addition, by using a switch that operates according to the operation position of the operation handle as an operation switch, depending on the degree of operation of the operation handle, an automatic operation system using an actuator and a manual operation system using an operation handle are used. The door latch can be actuated.

(First embodiment)
1 to 8 are diagrams for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a left automobile door 1 equipped with a latch release device 10 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the passenger compartment side. The latch release device 10 is provided between a door latch 2 and an inside handle 3. It is attached to the vehicle interior side (inner panel) of the door 1 so as to be positioned at the door. The door latch 2 is a general one provided with a latch that engages with a striker provided on the vehicle body side, and a locking plate that can restrain the latch at an engagement position with the striker. Latch release device 10 includes a first wire via a (first transmission member) 4, which is directly or indirectly connected to the locking plate door latch 2, binding release for releasing the restraint of the latch and the Lock King plate Move to position. In other words, the latch release device 10 has an automatic operation force from an electric rotary motor (actuator) 21 provided therein and a manual operation force input from the inside handle 3 via the second wire (second transmission member) 5. The locking plate of the door latch 2 is moved to the restraint release position.

  A manual operating force of the outside handle 7 is input to the door latch 2 via the third wire 6, and the locking plate is moved to the restraint releasing position also by the manual operating force. Furthermore, the door latch 2 unlocks the door 1 when a manual operation force of the lock knob 9 is input via the fourth wire 8. When the door latch 2 receives an automatic operation force or a manual operation force from the latch release device 10 via the first wire 4, the door latch 2 continuously performs the unlocking operation of the door latch 2 and the latch releasing operation by the locking plate. An override mechanism may be provided.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the latch release device 10, and the body of the latch release device 10 is configured by sequentially attaching a case 12 and a cover 13 onto the base member 11. The base member 11 is mounted inside the door 1, and the mounting position is a fixed position of the vehicle inner panel of the door 1 such as a surface of the inner panel of the door 1 on the side of the passenger compartment.

  FIG. 3 is a front view when the cover 13 is removed to explain the drive mechanism 20 provided inside the case 12. An electric rotary motor (actuator) 21 is attached inside the case 12. A controller (not shown) is connected to the motor 21, and the controller rotates the motor 21 in one direction based on the switch operation of the operation switch. As the operation switch, a switch that operates when the inside handle 3 and the outside handle 7 are operated can be used. The rotational force in one direction of the motor 21 is transmitted to the worm wheel 23 via the worm 22. Due to the rotational force of the worm wheel 23, the output drum 24 is rotated in the direction of arrow A about the axis O1 through a clutch mechanism described later. The rotation of the output drum 24 is transmitted to the fan-shaped output gear 27 through a speed reduction mechanism comprising a small gear 24A and gears 25 and 26 formed on the output drum 24, and the output gear 27 is centered on the axis O2. Is rotated in the direction of arrow B1. The output gear 27 is urged by the spring 28 in the direction of arrow B2.

  A clutch mechanism is configured between the worm wheel 23 and the output drum 24 as shown in FIGS. That is, between the worm wheel 23 and the output drum 24, there is provided a rotating conductor 31 that is rotatable about the same axis O1 as those. An engagement pin 32 slidable in the directions of arrows C1 and C2 and a spring 33 that urges the engagement pin 32 in the direction of arrow C2 are attached to the rotating conductor 31. A protrusion 34 is provided on the inner side of the worm wheel 23 so as to face the operation end portion 32A of the engagement pin 32, and the inner peripheral surface of the output drum 24 faces the action end portion 32B of the engagement pin 32. A protrusion 24B (see FIG. 5) is formed. A friction member 36 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface 31 </ b> A of the rotating conductor 31 by a spring 35, whereby a predetermined rotational resistance is applied to the rotating conductor 31.

  When the motor 21 rotates in one direction and the worm wheel 23 rotates in the direction of arrow A, the protrusion 34 of the worm wheel 23 comes into contact with the operation end 32A of the engagement pin 32, and the engagement pin 32 is moved. Slide in the direction of arrow C1 against the spring 33. Thereby, the action end portion 32B of the engagement pin 32 is engaged with the protrusion 24B (see FIG. 5) of the output drum 24. As a result, the rotational force of the worm wheel 23 is transmitted to the output drum 24 via the rotating conductor 31, and the output drum 24 rotates in the direction of arrow A. When the motor 21 stops rotating, due to the restoring force of the spring 33, the engagement pin 32 returns to the arrow C2 direction with a slight rotation in the direction opposite to the arrow A direction of the worm hole 23, and the engagement pin The engagement between the working end 32B of 32 and the protrusion 24B of the output drum 24 is released. As a result, the power transmission system between the worm wheel 23 and the output drum 24 is interrupted.

  Thus, only when the motor 21 rotates in one direction, the rotation of the worm wheel 23 in the direction of arrow A is transmitted to the output drum 24, and the motor 21 stops rotating, whereby the worm wheel 23 and the output drum 24 are rotated. Is interrupted. As such a clutch mechanism, for example, a mechanism described in Patent Document 2 can be used.

  FIG. 4 is a front view when the case 12 is removed from the base member 11. At a fixed position of the base member 11, an intermediate portion of a substantially lever-shaped first lever (first moving member) 41 is pivotally supported in the directions of arrows D1 and D2 about the axis O3. A connecting portion 41A connected to the first wire 4 is formed at one end of the first lever 41, and an operating portion 41B that bends upward in FIG. 5 is formed at the other end. Between the one end part and the other end part of the first lever 41, an allowable space S having a predetermined angle is formed. Reference numeral 44 denotes a spring that biases the first lever 41 in the direction of the arrow D2, and reference numerals 45 and 46 denote stoppers that restrict the rotation range of the first lever 41.

  Further, the base end portion of the second lever (second moving member) 42 is pivotally supported on the base member 11 so as to be rotatable about the axis O3 as in the first lever 41. At the distal end portion of the second lever 42, there are formed a connecting portion 42A connected to the second wire 5 and an action portion 42B located in the allowable space S and facing the operating portion 41B of the first lever 41. . In the case of this example, the entire tip of the second lever 42 is located in the allowable space S as shown in FIG.

  A base end portion of the third lever 43 is attached to the central axis of the output gear 27 as shown in FIG. At the tip of the third lever 43, an action part 43A that is located in the allowable space S and faces the operation part 41B of the first lever 41 is formed.

Next, the operation will be described.
When the door 1 is held closed, that is, when the latch is restrained by the locking plate of the door latch 2 in the engagement position with the striker, as shown in FIG. It rotates to the movement limit position in the D2 direction.

  In such a state of FIG. 4, when the operation switch performs a switch operation, a controller (not shown) rotates the motor 21 in one direction. As the operation switch, a switch that operates when the inside handle 3 is operated small can be used. As a result, the third lever 43 is rotated in the arrow B1 direction together with the output gear 27 via the clutch mechanism and the speed reduction mechanism described above. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the action portion 43A of the third lever 43 comes into contact with the operation portion 41B of the first lever 41 and rotates the first lever 41 in the direction of the arrow D1. As a result, the first wire 4 is pulled in the direction of arrow E1, and the locking plate of the door latch 2 releases the latch restraint. Thereafter, when the motor 21 is stopped by the controller, the first lever 41 is rotated back to the position of FIG. 4 by the restoring force of the spring 44, and the third lever 43 is restored by the restoring force of the spring 28 (see FIG. 3). To return to the position of FIG. At this time, the first and third levers 41 and 43 operate without interfering with the second lever 42, and the second lever 42 remains in the state shown in FIG. When the door latch 2 includes an override mechanism, the unlocking operation of the door latch 2 and the latch releasing operation by the locking plate are continuously performed. Further, as an operation switch from the outside of the vehicle, a switch that operates when the outside handle 7 is operated small can be used. In this case, since the outside handle 7 is operated in the opening direction of the door 1, the opening operation can be performed with a light operating force without a sense of incongruity.

  On the other hand, the second wire 5 is pulled in the direction of the arrow F1 by operating the inside handle 3 greatly at the time of an electrical failure due to the battery running out of the vehicle. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the action portion 42B of the second lever 42 comes into contact with the operation portion 41B of the first lever 41 and rotates the first lever 41 in the direction of the arrow D1. As a result, the first wire 4 is pulled in the direction of arrow E1, and the locking plate of the door latch 2 releases the latch restraint. Thereafter, when the opening operation of the inside handle 3 is released, the first lever 41 returns to the position of FIG. 4 by the restoring force of the spring 44, and the second lever 42 also returns to the position of FIG. . At this time, the first and second levers 41 and 42 operate without interfering with the third lever 43, and the third lever 43 remains in the state shown in FIG. When the door latch 2 includes an override mechanism, the unlocking operation of the door latch 2 and the latch releasing operation by the locking plate are continuously performed.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention, and an operation switch 51 and a knob switch 52 are provided on the vehicle compartment side of the inner panel of the door 1. The operation switch 51 is operated when the locking plate of the door latch 2 is rotated to the latch release position, and the knob switch 52 is operated like a lock knob when the door latch 2 is unlocked. The outside handle 7 is provided with an operation switch 53 that switches when the outside handle 7 is operated. These switches 51, 52, 53 are electrically connected to the controller 56 via wirings 54, 55. The controller 56 controls the motor 21 of the latch release device 10 via the wiring 57 in accordance with the switch operation of the switches 51, 52, and 53. That is, the controller 56 releases the unlocking of the door 1 by the door latch 2 when the knob switch 52 is operated or when the operation switch 53 is operated and it is verified by the intelligent key or the like that the user is an authorized owner (unlocked). The motor 21 (not shown) in the door latch 2 is driven and controlled so as to be locked, and then the motor 21 is driven and controlled so that the latch restraint by the locking plate of the door latch 2 is released when the operation switch 51 is operated. In the operation of the operation switch 53, the motor 21 is driven and controlled at the stage of shifting from locking to unlocking.

  Further, the controller 56 and the door latch 2 are electrically connected via a wiring 58, and detection signals from various sensors provided in the door latch 2 are input to the controller 56 as control parameters for the motor 21. A control signal such as a closure provided can be output from the controller 56.

  An emergency handle 59 is connected to the second wire 5, and is pulled when an electrical failure occurs due to, for example, battery exhaust in the automobile. By pulling the handle 59 in the direction of the arrow F1, the first wire 4 is pulled in the direction of the arrow E1 via the latch / unlocking device 10 and the locking plate of the door latch 2 is latched as in the above-described embodiment. Release the restraint. In this case, if the door latch 2 is an override mechanism, it is possible to release the latch and unlock the door latch 2 by operating the emergency handle 59, so that the emergency door can be opened with one operation. Is possible.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention. The latch release device 60 of this example is mounted at the position of the inside handle 3. That is, a link 61 is pivotally supported on the main body of the latch release device 60 about the axis O 4, and one end of the link 61 is connected to the inside handle 3 via the rod 62. The inside handle 3 is rotated around the axis O5. The other end of the link 61 is connected to the plunger 64 via a rod 63 and is connected to the door latch 2 described above via a rod 65.

  When the rod 63 is moved in the arrow G1 direction by the plunger 64, the link 61 rotates in the arrow H1 direction as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 10, and the rod 65 moves in the arrow J1 direction. As a result, the locking plate of the door latch 2 releases the latch restraint. At this time, the rotation of the inside handle 3 is not forced because one end of the rod 62 is displaced in the elongated hole 3 </ b> A of the handle 3. On the other hand, when the inside handle 3 is operated in the direction of the arrow K1 as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 10, the link 61 is similarly rotated in the direction of the arrow H1, and the rod 65 is moved in the direction of the arrow J1, Two locking plates release the latch. At this time, the movement of the plunger 64 is not forced because one end of the rod 63 is displaced in the long hole 61 </ b> A of the link 61.

(Other embodiments)
As the moving member, various members such as a slide member that can be linearly moved are used, not limited to the members pivotally supported like the first, second, and third levers described above. it can. Further, the door latch and the latch release device may be mounted on either the door or the vehicle body.

It is the schematic side view which looked at the left door provided with the latch release apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention from the vehicle interior side. It is a front view of the latch release apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view when a cover is removed from the latch release apparatus in FIG. It is a front view when a case is further removed from the latch release apparatus in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the VV line of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the clutch mechanism part between the worm wheel and output drum in FIG. It is a front view of the principal part when the 1st lever in FIG. 4 is rotated by automatic operation force. It is a front view of the principal part when the 1st lever in FIG. 4 is rotated by manual operation force. It is a schematic side view of the door provided with the latch release apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the principal part of the latch release apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Door 2 Door latch 3 Inside handle 4 1st wire (1st transmission member)
5 Second wire (second transmission member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Latch release apparatus 11 Base member 12 Case 13 Cover 21 Motor (actuator)
41 First lever (first moving member)
41A connecting portion 41B operating portion 42 second lever (second moving member)
42A connecting portion 42B operating portion 43 third lever 43A operating portion

Claims (5)

A restraint that is coupled to an automobile door latch that includes a latch that can be engaged with the striker, and a locking plate that can restrain the latch at an engagement position with the striker, and that releases the restraint of the latch. A latch release device for an automobile door latch that can be moved to a release position,
Separately from the door latch, a position of the vehicle body or door between the door latch and the operation handle for releasing the latch, or a latch release device main body mounted at the position of the operation handle,
A plane L-shaped lever that forms an allowable space of a predetermined angle between one end and the other end, and an intermediate portion is pivotally supported by the latch release device main body, A connecting portion that is connected to the locking plate of the door latch via a first transmission member, and a first lever having an operation portion formed at the other end ;
An actuator attached to the main body of the latch release device;
A base end portion is a lever pivotally supported on the latch release device main body on the same axis as the intermediate portion of the first lever, and is connected to the operation handle via a second transmission member at the distal end portion A second lever formed with a connecting portion and an action portion that is located in an allowable space of the first lever and faces the operation portion of the first lever ;
As the actuator is rotated when driven at least the body or on the basis of the operation of the operation switch provided in one of the door, a lever pivotably attached to the latch release device body A third lever having an action portion that is located in an allowable space of the first lever and that opposes the operation portion of the first lever;
With
The first lever moves the locking plate to the restraint release position when moved in one direction;
When the third lever is rotated by the driving force of the actuator, the action portion of the third lever abuts on the operation portion without interfering with the second lever, and makes the first lever Move in the direction,
When the second lever is moved by the operating force of the operation handle, the action portion of the second lever abuts on the operation portion without interfering with the third lever and makes the first lever An unlatching device for an automobile door latch, characterized by being moved in a direction . The latch releasing device body unlatching device of a motor vehicle door latch according to claim 1, characterized in that disposed on the cabin side of the interior side panels of the door. 3. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the door latch includes an override mechanism that performs a continuous operation of unlocking the door latch by the latch releasing device and releasing the restraint of the latch by the locking plate. Latch release device for door latches. During power transmission system between the said actuator third lever, the unlatching device of a motor vehicle door latch according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a clutch mechanism and reduction mechanism 3. The operation switch, the unlatching device of a motor vehicle door latch according to any one of claims 1, characterized in that the switch operation 4 in accordance with the operation position of the operating handle.

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