Door lock mechanism

Abstract

Door lock device, comprising the following: a latching mechanism comprising a fork piece (30) which engages in a locking bar (1) which is installed in a vehicle body to engage freely and to release from the locking bar (1), and a gripper (33) which engages with the fork piece (30) to maintain an engagement state of the fork piece (30) with the locking bar (1), and which comprises an operation receiving section (36) for terminating the engagement state; a connecting element (37) that is movable between a released position in which intervention with the operating receiving section (36) of the latch mechanism is possible, and a locked position in which intervention with the operating receiving section (36) is not possible; a locking lever (43) which moves the connecting element (37) into the released position and into the locked position; and an opening lever (68) which engages with a door handle - which is installed inside a vehicle or outside the vehicle of a door - wherein the opening lever (68) and the connecting member (37) engage to actuate the connecting member (37), and is designed such that the connecting member (37) engages with the operation receiving section (36) of the latch mechanism to terminate the locking of the locking bar (1) at a time when the connecting member (37) is in the released position, and the connecting member (37) cannot engage with the operation receiving section (36) of the latch mechanism to maintain the locking of the locking bar (1) at a time when the connecting member (37) is in the locked position. wherein the locking lever (43) or the connecting element (37) is equipped with a drive element (56) which couples the locking lever (43) and the connecting element (37) to each other in order to be movable in a direction relative to the released position and the locked position, and drives the connecting element (37) in relation to the locking lever (43) in the direction of the released position, the drive element (56) comprises: an annular threaded section (57) on a fastening section (44) which is formed coaxially with the center of rotation of the locking lever (43) in the locking lever (43); an arm section (59) which protrudes from one end of the annular threaded section (57), a coupling section (58) in a front end of the arm section (59), wherein the coupling section (58) is coupled to the connecting element (37); and an engagement end section (60) extending from the other end of the annular threaded section (57), wherein the engagement end section (60) engages with the locking lever (43), the locking lever (43) is equipped with a control section (48) in which the arm section (59) of the drive element (56) is movably inserted in the direction to the released position and the locked position, and which controls a movement in the direction of the connecting element (37), wherein the drive element (56) is a connecting link drive spring (56) which is installed in the locking lever (43) and which tensions the connecting link (37) in the direction of the released position with respect to the locking lever (43), and wherein the drive element (56) is installed in the locking lever (43), and the connecting link (37) and the drive element (56) are coupled by a sliding groove (42) which is installed in the connecting link (37) in such a way as to extend along the direction of a door opening actuation by the opening lever (68), and the coupling section (58) in the drive element (56) is oriented in such a way as to be inserted into the sliding groove (42).

Description

Background of the invention 1. Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a door lock device that is installed in a vehicle door. 2. Description of the state of the art

[0002] This type of door lock device is equipped with a latch mechanism comprising a fork that holds a locking bolt mounted on one side of the vehicle body, and a gripper that engages with the fork to maintain the locking bolt's engagement. Furthermore, the door lock device is equipped with a connecting link designed to move from a disengaged position, in which it engages with the gripper, to a disengaged position. When a locking lever is actuated by a key inserted into a cylinder lock, or by an actuator via a remote control, the connecting link is moved by the locking lever to the locked position and then to the disengaged position.

[0003] Furthermore, in a case where the door is open, a door handle inside or outside the vehicle is actuated, in a state where the connecting link is moved from the locked position via the locking lever to the unlocked position by the key operation or remote control operation. Consequently, the connecting link is actuated to open by an opening lever coupled to the door handle, in order to actuate the gripper, thereby releasing the engagement between the gripper and the fork piece and releasing the locking bolt from its held position by the fork piece.

[0004] Because the connecting link comes into contact with a side surface of an operation-receiving section of the gripper—in a case where the door handle has already been actuated at the time the locking termination (the release operation) is performed by the key operation or the remote control operation—the connecting link cannot be moved to the released position in this door lock device. Consequently, the locking lever cannot be moved to the released position. In this case, this condition is referred to below as the "panic state." The problem here is that the door cannot be opened until the release operation is performed again, after the door handle operation has been temporarily stopped and the door handle is subsequently actuated.

[0005] As a publication reference to the prior art of the door lock device, which is structured in this way to solve the aforementioned problem, there exists an unexamined Japanese patent publication JP 2004 - 44 360 A

[0006] DE 103 23 888 A1 relates to a door locking device which has a latching mechanism, a lifting lever, an opening lever, and a locking lever, which has a main lever and a secondary lever which is mounted on the main lever in such a way that it rotates relative to it, a preloading element which is arranged between the main lever and the secondary lever, and an opening element.

[0007] DE 10 2005 014 137 A1 relates to a housing that accommodates a locking mechanism which can be switched between an unlocked and a locked state; a handle which can be moved between an open position and a closed position, wherein the handle is connected to the locking mechanism via a drive mechanism for transmitting the movement of the handle to the locking mechanism, wherein, when the handle is in the open position, the locking mechanism is switched to the unlocked state by the drive mechanism and, when the handle is in the closed position, the locking mechanism is switched to the locked state by the drive mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism is arranged in a lower position in the housing.

[0008] A door locking device described in the unexamined Japanese patent publication JP 2004-44360A is structured such that a locking lever is formed by a main lever, and a sub-lever is provided to be movable relative to the main lever. Furthermore, a spring is provided to move the sub-lever into a resting position, in which it is under tension, before any relative movement between the main lever and the sub-lever.

[0009] According to the unexamined Japanese patent publication JP 2004-44360A, when a door handle is operated in a released position, a connecting link is actuated and comes into contact with a claw (a lifting lever) to rotate the claw, thereby releasing the held position of a locking bar and allowing the door to open. Furthermore, when the door handle is operated in a locked position, the connecting link is actuated. However, since the connecting link is rotated to a position where it cannot make contact with the claw, the held position of the locking bar can be maintained.

[0010] On the other hand, in a case where the door handle is operated in the locked position and the unlocking operation is performed, the connecting link continues to be actuated for the unlocking process, in a state where the connecting link is actuated to be opened by the operation of the door handle, thus making contact with the claw. However, since the locking lever is constructed by the main lever and the sub-lever, which are relatively movable, the main lever rotates into a normal unlocked position. On the other hand, since the connecting link is prevented from rotating, the sub-lever cannot rotate into a normal unlocked position and is moved relative to the main lever against a driving force of the spring. Furthermore, when the operation of the door handle is terminated, the door opening drive with respect to the connecting link is terminated.Consequently, the connecting link is moved into a non-open actuating position. At this point, the lower lever – prior to the relative movement – ​​is moved by the driving force of the spring to its initial position, in which it is under tension. As a result, the connecting link is securely moved into the non-open actuating position and the released position.

[0011] As noted above, the unexamined Japanese patent publication No. 2004-44360 is structured in such a way that the released state can be safely established by terminating the operation of the door handle, even if the releasing actuation is performed by actuating the key or remote control, in a state in which the door handle is actuated in the locked state (an anti-panic mechanism).

[0012] However, since in the door lock device of the unexamined Japanese patent publication JP 2004 - 44 360 A the locking lever is constructed by a pair of a main lever and a sub-lever, and the spring is arranged to put these under tension - before the relative movement - in the basic positions in which they are under tension, a disadvantage is that the number of components is increased and the manufacturing costs rise. Disclosure of the invention

[0013] The present invention was developed by taking into account the conventional problem, and it is an object of the present invention to present a door lock which can limit the increase in components to a minimum and prevent a state of panic through a simple structure.

[0014] To solve the aforementioned problems, a door lock device of the present invention includes the following: a latch mechanism comprising a fork (30) which engages in a locking bar (1) installed in a vehicle body to engage and disengage freely from the locking bar (1), and a gripper (33) which engages with the fork (30) to maintain an engagement state of the fork (30) with the locking bar (1), and which has an operation receiving section (36) for terminating the engagement state; a connecting element which is movable between a released position in which engagement with the operation receiving section of the latch mechanism is possible, and a locked position in which engagement with the operation receiving section is not possible; a locking lever,which moves the connecting element into the released position and into the locked position; and an opening lever which engages with a door handle - which is installed inside a vehicle or outside the vehicle of a door - wherein the opening lever and the connecting element engage to actuate the connecting element, and is designed such that the connecting element engages with the operation-receiving section of the latch mechanism to terminate the locking of the locking bar at a time when the connecting element is in the released position, and the connecting element cannot engage with the operation-receiving section of the latch mechanism to maintain the locking of the locking bar at a time when the connecting element is in the locked position, wherein the locking lever or the connecting element is equipped with a drive element,which couples the locking lever and the connecting link to each other in order to be relatively movable in one direction to the released position and the locked position, and the connecting link in,

[0015] with respect to the locking lever, driving in the direction of the released position, the driving element comprising an annular threaded section on a mounting section which is formed coaxially with the center of rotation of the locking lever; an arm section which projects from one end of the annular threaded section, a coupling section in a front end of the arm section, wherein the coupling section is coupled to the connecting member; and an engagement end section which extends from the other end of the annular threaded section, wherein the engagement end section engages with the locking lever, the locking lever being equipped with a control section into which the arm section of the driving element is movably inserted in the direction of the released and locked positions, and which controls a movement in the direction of the connecting member.wherein the drive element is a connecting link drive spring which is arranged in the locking lever, and which tensions the connecting link in the direction of the released position with respect to the locking lever, and wherein the drive element is arranged in the locking lever, and the connecting link and the drive element are coupled by a sliding groove which is arranged in the connecting link in such a way as to extend along the direction of a door opening actuation by the opening lever, and the coupling section in the drive element is arranged in such a way as to be inserted in the sliding groove.

[0016] Since the connecting element cannot engage with the operation-receiving section of the latch mechanism when it is actuated to open the door via the opening lever (in a state where the connecting element is moved to the locked position via the locking lever), the door cannot be opened with this door lock. Furthermore, when the releasing operation is performed with the opening handle in the actuated state and the connecting element is moved to the released position via the locking lever, the connecting element does come into contact with the operation-receiving section in accordance with the prior art.

[0017] However, since in the present invention the locking lever and the connecting element are held in such a way as to be relatively movable by the drive element, the locking lever can be moved into the released position by the elastic contraction of the drive element when the connecting element comes into contact with the operating receiving section. Furthermore, when the door opening operation is completed in this state, the connecting element is moved back to the non-open operating position before the door is opened by the opening lever. Consequently, the connecting element is moved into the released position by the driving force of the drive element. As a result, the door can be opened by operating the door handle without having to repeat the releasing operation.

[0018] As described above, the door lock device, in accordance with the present invention, can form the anti-panic mechanism simply by being engaged and secured in a state where the connecting element is driven by the drive element towards the released position relative to the locking lever. In other words, since the anti-panic mechanism can be constructed by a simple structure in which the drive element is additionally provided, without the need to design the locking lever separately, it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing costs.

[0019] In the door lock device, it is preferable that the drive element be located in the locking lever, and that the connecting element and the drive element be coupled by a sliding groove provided in the connecting element, in such a way as to extend along the direction of a door opening operation by the opening lever, and that a coupling section be provided in the drive element in such a way as to be inserted into the sliding groove. In accordance with this structure, the coupling mechanism can be formed by a simple design.

[0020] Furthermore, it is preferable for the locking lever to be equipped with a stop section that positions the connecting link in a resting position, where it is under tension, on the side of the released position. In accordance with this design, it is possible to prevent displacement of the connecting link and to hold it securely in its initial position.

[0021] Furthermore, it is preferable that the drive element be equipped with an arm section projecting from an annular threaded section and with the coupling section at the front end of the arm section, and that the locking lever be equipped with a control section in which the arm section of the drive element is movably inserted in the direction of the released and locked positions, and which controls movement towards the connecting element. In accordance with this design, it is possible to reliably guide the movement (displacement) of the drive element through the control section. Furthermore, even if the connecting element is activated via the opening lever by the operation of the door handle, it is possible to prevent the connecting element and the drive element from interfering with each other through the control section.Consequently, it is possible to reliably prevent a malfunction of the connecting link.

[0022] Furthermore, it is preferable for the locking lever to be equipped with a fastening section that fits and holds the threaded section of the drive element outwards, and for the fastening section to be equipped with a retaining section that prevents the threaded section of the drive element from loosening. In accordance with this design, it is possible to maintain the assembled state without the drive element falling off the locking lever, and it is possible to improve the ease of assembly and machining of the door lock.

[0023] In the door lock device according to the present invention, the locking lever and the connecting element can be engaged and secured so that they are relatively movable only by the additional installation of the drive element in the locking lever or the connecting element, thereby forming the anti-panic mechanism. Consequently, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of components and to suppress an increase in manufacturing costs. Brief description of the characters

[0024] They show: Fig. 1 a front view showing a locking mechanism of a door lock device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 A and Fig. 2 B a latch mechanism of the door lock, wherein Fig. 2 A is a side view showing the state of an open door, and Fig. 2 B a side view showing the state of a closed door; Fig. 3 a perspective exploded view showing a construction of the door lock device; Fig. 4 a front view showing a locking mechanism section of a main housing; Fig. 5 a perspective exploded view of a connecting link, a locking lever, a snap-button lever and an inner opening lever; Fig. 6 A and Fig. 6 B the locking lever and a connecting link tension spring, wherein Fig. 6 A a front supervisor and Fig. 6 B is a cross-sectional view of a main section; Fig. 7 a front view showing a door opening operation stage of the door lock; Fig. 8 a front view showing the door lock in a closed state; Fig. 9 a front view showing a released actuation state during a door opening actuation stage of the door lock device; Fig. 10 A and Fig. 10 B Schematic process views showing a released actuation state during a door opening actuation stage of the door lock device; and Fig. 11 A, Fig. 11 B and Fig. 11 C Schematic process views showing the released actuation state during the door opening actuation stage of the door lock device and which the Fig. 10 A and Fig. Follow 10 B. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0025] An embodiment in accordance with the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0026] The Fig. Figures 1 to 3 show a door lock device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The door lock device is installed in an opening door of a vehicle and engages with and disengages from a locking bar 1, which is installed in a vehicle body. The door lock device comprises a latch mechanism, which engages with the locking bar 1, and a locking mechanism, which disengages to allow the latch mechanism to release the locking bar 1, or which locks to prevent this release. These components are housed in a casing 10.

[0027] The housing 10 is equipped with a main housing 11, which houses each of the parts that form the locking mechanism, a sub-housing 20, which houses each of the parts that form the latching mechanism, and a cover 25, which covers a locking mechanism assembly surface in the main housing 11.

[0028] The main housing 11 according to the present invention has an L-shaped form in the view, which is equipped with a locking mechanism device section 12 and a latch mechanism cover section 17, as shown in Fig. 3 shown. The locking mechanism assembly section 12 is equipped with mounting shaft sections 13a and 13b which rotatably mount a locking lever 43 and an inner opening lever 68, as described above, as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 4 shows that a shaft hole 14 is provided in the figure to rotatably mount a latching button lever 61 in a left side section of the mounting shaft section 13b from the inner opening lever 68. A drive motor mounting section 15 and a cam element mounting section 16 are also provided in an upper left side of the shaft hole 14. The latch mechanism cover section 17 covers an opening section of the lower housing 20, which houses the latch mechanism. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the latch mechanism cover section 17 is equipped with a first mounting hole section 18 for rotatably installing a first toggle switch 74 and a key shaft 76. Furthermore, a second mounting hole section 19 is provided for rotatably installing an external opening lever 82 by upsetting a rivet or similar fastener.

[0029] The lower housing 20 is installed on the latch mechanism cover section 17 of the main housing 11, is equipped with a metallic reinforcement plate 21 on a surface opposite the latch mechanism cover section 17, and is equipped with a surface plate 22 on a surface on an opposite side, as shown in the Fig. 2 A and Fig. 2 B and Fig. Figure 3 shows that the surface plate 22 is equipped with an insertion groove (not shown) into which the locking bar 1 is inserted, and with a mounting hole section (not shown) for rotatably installing a fork piece 30 and a gripper 33, which form the latching mechanism by drop forging. Furthermore, the lower housing 20 is equipped with an insertion hole 23 through which an operating receiving section 36 of the gripper 33 passes to project into the locking mechanism assembly section 12. A concave insertion section 24, which is concave towards the latching mechanism cover section 17, is also formed at a position corresponding to the insertion groove of the surface plate 22.

[0030] The cover 25 is installed on the locking mechanism assembly section 12 of the main housing 11 and is equipped with a first insertion section 26 through which a snap-button connecting section 63 of a snap-button lever 61 passes to protrude on an outer side, and a second insertion section 27 through which a coupling section of an inner door handle 70 of an inner opening lever 68 passes to protrude on an outer side, as shown in Fig. 3 shown. Furthermore, they are equipped with a concave-shaped section 28 to secure a rotation range of the latching button lever 61, and a connection section 29 through which a connection (not shown) passes for the electrical connection of a signal line of a locking state or similar, a power line and the like.

[0031] Furthermore, the latching mechanism, in accordance with the present embodiment, which is assembled in the lower housing 20, is equipped with the fork piece 30, which engages with and disengages from the locking bar 1, and the gripper 33, which engages with the fork 30 to maintain the state in which the fork piece 30 holds the locking bar 1, as shown in the Fig. 2 A and Fig. 2 B shown.

[0032] The fork 30 is approximately U-shaped and rotatably attached to the surface plate 22. An engagement groove 31, capable of inserting the locking lever 1, is formed in the fork 30 and is held under tension towards an open position, corresponding to a state shown, by a spring (not shown). Furthermore, the fork 30 is equipped in a front end section with an engagement section 32, extending clockwise from the open ends of the engagement groove 31.

[0033] The gripper 33 is rotatably attached to the surface plate 22 in the same manner as the fork piece 30. The gripper 33 is equipped with an engagement receiving section 34, with which the engagement section 32 of the fork piece 30 engages, and is driven into an engagement position – according to a state shown – by a spring 35. Furthermore, the gripper 33 is equipped with an operation receiving section 36, which extends through the insertion hole 23 of the lower housing 20 to be positioned within the locking mechanism assembly section 12.The operation receiving section 36 is provided in such a way as to protrude on an opposite side in relation to the engagement receiving section 34, and is structured in such a way as to terminate the engagement state of the locking bar 1 when it is pressed upwards within the locking mechanism device section 12 by a connecting element 37, which will be discussed below, as shown in the figure.

[0034] When the locking bar 1 moves into the engagement groove 31 of the fork piece 30 by closing the door, so that the locking bar 1 is pressed by the actuating force of a door closing, the latch mechanism in the figure is rotated in one direction counterclockwise. Furthermore, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 2B, the engagement groove 31 is positioned to extend approximately perpendicularly to the concave insertion section 24, and the engagement section 32 engages with the engagement receiving section 34 of the gripper 33 in this state, thereby maintaining the engagement state of the locking lever 1 by the fork piece 30. When the operation receiving section 36 of the gripper 33 is activated upwards in this state, the gripper 33 is rotated clockwise, thus terminating the engagement between the engagement receiving section 34 and the engagement section 32 of the fork piece 30. Consequently, the fork piece 30 is rotated into an open position, as shown in Figure 2B. Fig. 2 A shown, by a driving force of a spring (not shown) and ends the engagement of the locking lever 1. Furthermore, when the upward actuating force of the operation receiving section 36 is terminated, the gripper 33 is returned to the engagement position by the driving force of the spring 35.

[0035] Furthermore, the locking mechanism, in accordance with the present embodiment and assembled in the main housing 11, is equipped with a connecting element 37 to activate the gripper 33 in a direction in which an engagement is terminated, and a locking lever 43 to enable or prevent the actuation of the gripper 33 by the connecting element 37, as shown in Fig. Figure 1 shows. Furthermore, a latching button lever 61, which activates the locking and unlocking of the connecting element 37 via the locking lever 43, is configured as an internal locking operating system, and an internal opening lever 68, which is activated to open the latch mechanism via the connecting element 37, is configured as an operating system of the internal door handle. Furthermore, first and second rocker switches 74, 79, as well as a key shaft 76, which are activated to lock and unlock the connecting element 37 via the locking lever 43, are configured as an external locking operating system, and an external opening lever 82, which is activated to open the latch mechanism via the connecting element 37, is configured as an operating system of the external door handle. Furthermore, a drive motor 86 and a cam element 88 are configured as a motor-driven locking operating system.

[0036] The connecting element 37 is structured to be moved in an upward direction by receiving an actuating force from the inner opening lever 68 or the outer opening lever 82, as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 5 shows that the connecting element 37 comes into contact with the operating receiving section 36 of the gripper 33 in this way, in order to rotate the gripper 33 and terminate the engagement of the fork piece 30. One end of the connecting element 37 is coupled to the locking lever 43 and the other end is coupled to the outer opening lever 82, and is moved (oscillated) between a released position, in which it is able to engage with the operating receiving section 36 of the gripper 33, and a locked position, in which it is unable to engage with it, by the rotation of the locking lever 43. More precisely, the connecting element 37 is equipped with a receiving section 38, which receives the rotation of the inner opening lever 68 at a lower end.The receiving section 38 is equipped with a coupling hole 39 and is structured to receive the rotation of the outer opening lever 82, which is coupled to the coupling hole 39. An upper section of the receiving section 38 is equipped with an operating section 40, which comes into contact with the operating receiving section 36 of the gripper 33. Furthermore, a closing lever coupling section 41 is continuously provided next to the operating section 40, in such a way as to extend approximately in a J-shape. The closing lever coupling section 41 is equipped with a sliding groove 42, in such a way as to be movable relative to the closing lever 43 at the time the actuating force of the inner opening lever 68 or the outer opening lever 82 is received, in order to slide upwards.In other words, the locking lever coupling section 41 and the sliding groove 42 are provided in such a way as to extend in a door opening actuation direction of the connecting member 37.

[0037] A connecting link drive spring 56, described below, is provided on the locking lever 43, such that the locking lever 43 is designed to engage with the connecting link 37 via the connecting link drive spring 56, moving the connecting link 37 into the unlocked and locked positions. More precisely, the locking lever 43 is equipped with a tubular mounting section 44, which is rotatably attached to the mounting shaft section 13a of the main housing 11, and is formed approximately in a fan shape, with the mounting section 44 being the uppermost section. The locking lever 43 is equipped with a spring-receiving section 46, which receives a drive spring 45, for positioning and holding a state when it is moved into the locked and unlocked positions.

[0038] Furthermore, the locking lever 43 is equipped with a stopper section 47 on one side in which the connecting element 37 is arranged, as shown in the Fig. 5 and in the Fig. 6 A and Fig. Figure 6B shows the stopper section 47 coming into contact with a connecting link drive spring 56, so that the connecting link 37 is set in a resting position, in which it is under tension, on the side of the released position by the connecting link drive spring 56. The stopper section 47 is formed by a wall surface that projects from a side edge in the locking lever 43, shaped in a rounded arc, in an upward direction with respect to the side on which the connecting link 37 is located. Furthermore, the locking lever 43 is equipped with an adjusting section 48, which projects from the stopper section 47 towards a locking rotation side.The adjusting section 48 is designed such that an arm section 59 of the connecting link drive spring 56 is inserted to allow movement in one direction between the released and locked positions, and adjusts the movement towards the connecting link 37. Consequently, the adjusting section 48 projects from a protruding end of the stopper section 47 and is designed to form an insertion section 49, which has a predetermined width, relative to the locking lever 43. An upper surface of the adjusting section 48 is provided with a convexly shaped section 50 that projects further upwards, and the convexly shaped section 50 prevents the connecting link 37, which is located above it, and the connecting link drive spring 56 from interfering with each other.

[0039] Furthermore, the locking lever 43 is equipped with retaining sections to prevent the connecting link drive spring 56 from disengaging. The first retaining section is formed by a retaining claw section 51, which is provided in an outer circumferential section of the fastening section 44. The second retaining section is formed by the adjusting section 48, which adjusts one end of the connecting link drive spring 56. The third retaining section is formed by a spring engagement section 52, which engages with the other end of the connecting link drive spring 56. The spring engagement section 52 is formed by a claw that projects from a convex section 53, which is located near the fastening section 44 and faces one side of the releasing rotation.Furthermore, the curved section 53 serves as an engagement wall with which an end section of the connecting link drive spring 56 engages in order to be positioned.

[0040] Furthermore, the locking lever 43 is equipped with a section for releasing and locking the latching button lever 54, which is formed approximately in a U-shape, on one side in which a latching button lever 61 is arranged opposite to the stopper section 47. Furthermore, the fastening section 44 is provided in a projecting manner with a release operation receiving section 55, which receives a release operation from a second rocker switch 79. In this case, an edge on one side in which the stopper section 47 is formed in the strike plate 43 forms a locking operation receiving section, which receives a locking actuation from the second rocker switch 79.

[0041] The connecting link drive spring 56 is located in the locking lever 43 and is a drive element that tensions the connecting link 37 in the direction of the released position relative to the locking lever 43. The connecting link drive spring 56 is equipped with a threaded section 57 wound to have an annular shape, with an inner diameter that fits externally with the mounting section 44. A coupling section 58 for coupling with the connecting link 37 is provided in the connecting link drive spring 56 to project beyond the arm section 59. In other words, one end of a wire rod projecting from the threaded section 57 extends onto the locking lever 43 and is formed as the arm section 59, which extends to an outer end edge of the adjusting section 48 while passing through the insertion section 49.Furthermore, a coupling section 58 is formed at the front end of the arm section 59. This coupling section is bent to form approximately a horizontal U-shape and is inserted into the sliding groove 42 of the connecting link 37, while protruding from the convexly shaped section 50 to be positioned in an upper position. The arm section 59, designed as described above, is movable in the direction of the released and locked positions within the insertion section 49, that is, in the lower section of the adjusting section 48. Consequently, the connecting link 37 and the locking lever 43, which are engaged with each other and secured by the connecting link drive spring 56, are coupled to be relatively movable in the direction of the released and locked positions.Furthermore, in the connecting link drive spring 56, the other end of the rolled wire protruding from the threaded section 57 is formed as an engagement end section 60, which engages with the spring engagement section 52 of the locking lever 43. It should be noted that, in accordance with the present embodiment, the connecting link drive spring 56 is designed such that the driving force that drives the connecting link 37 towards its rest position, in which it is under tension, is less than the driving force that holds the locking lever 43 in the released position by the actuating spring 45.

[0042] The latching button lever 61 is coupled to a latching button (not shown), which is provided inside the vehicle door by a wire or similar, and engages with the locking lever 43, as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 5 shows. Furthermore, the latching button lever 61 is designed to actuate the locking lever 43, which engages with the operation of the latching button, and it moves the connecting element 37 into the locked or unlocked position. The latching button lever 61 is equipped with a pivot shaft section 62 for attaching the shaft hole 14 to the main housing 11. The latching button lever 61 is also equipped with a latching button connecting section 63, which projects diametrically from the pivot shaft section 62 and protrudes on an outer side of the housing 10 from the first insertion section 26 of the cover 25.Furthermore, the locking button lever 61 is equipped with a coupling arm section 64, which extends in an approximately L-shape towards the engagement and fastening section of the locking button lever 54 of the locking lever 43, projecting from the pivot shaft section 62. A front end of the coupling arm section 64 is equipped with a projecting engagement section 65, which is inserted into the groove of the engagement and fastening section of the locking button lever 54 and engages with it. The coupling arm section 64 is also equipped with a cam-receiving section 66, which engages with a cam groove 90 of a cam element 88, positioned in a rear section in a projecting manner.Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the locking button lever 61 is equipped with an engagement receiving section 67 which receives a rotary movement of the inner opening lever 68 only in a state in which the locking button lever 61 is moved into the locked position.

[0043] The inner opening lever 68 is coupled to an inner door handle (not shown), which is provided inside the vehicle door. It engages (comes into contact with) the receiving section 38 of the connecting element 37 and is designed to actuate (slide) the connecting element 37 towards the side of the operating receiving section 36 of the gripper 33. This inner opening lever 68 is equipped with a mounting section 69, which is rotatably attached to the mounting shaft section 13b of the main housing 11. The inner opening lever 68 is equipped with a coupling section for the inner door handle 70, which extends from the second insertion section 27 of the cover 25 to an outer side of the housing 10 and is coupled to the inner door handle.Furthermore, the inner opening lever 68 is equipped with an approximately J-shaped connecting element actuating section 71, such that the receiving section 38 of the connecting element 37 is positioned at a pivot point around the fastening section 69 in an assembled state. A front end of the connecting element actuating section 71 is formed as a contact surface section 72, which has a curved shape to ensure sufficient contact area with respect to the receiving section 38. The inner opening lever 68 is also equipped with an engagement section 73, which engages with the engagement receiving section 67 of the latching lever 61 to move the connecting element 37 into the released position via the latching lever 61 and the locking lever 43, in a state where the latching lever 61 is in the locked position.

[0044] The first rocker switch 74 is coupled to a cylinder lock, which is arranged to be exposed to the outside of a vehicle door, and is rotatably attached, together with the key shaft 76, to the first mounting hole section 18 of the latch mechanism cover section 17 of the main housing 11, as shown in Fig. 3 shown. The first toggle switch 74 is equipped with a coupling hole in square form 75, in such a way as to prevent the relative rotation with respect to the key shaft 76.

[0045] The key shaft 76 is arranged in an inner section side, while holding a wall surface of the latch mechanism assembly section between it and the first toggle switch 74, and has an L-shape formed at one end with a first coupling section 77 which is coupled to the coupling hole 75. A second coupling section 78, which is coupled to a second toggle switch 79, is provided at the other end of the key shaft 76 and is designed to transmit a rotational force from the first toggle switch 74 to the second toggle switch 79, one direction of rotation being a perpendicular direction.

[0046] The second toggle switch 79 is attached to the mounting shaft section 13a, which secures the locking lever 43, as shown in Fig. Figure 1 shows the second coupling section 78 of the key shaft 76. The coupled section 80 forms a locking actuation section which comes into contact with a side edge of the locking lever 43 and causes the locking lever 43 to be actuated. Furthermore, the second rocker switch 79 is equipped with a contact point section 81 to detect a rotational position of the second rocker switch 79, and a lower position of this forms a release actuation section which comes into contact with the release actuation receiving section 55 of the locking lever 43 and causes the locking lever 43 to be actuated.

[0047] The outer opening lever 82 is designed to pass through the locking mechanism assembly section 12 on the inside and outside, and is rotatably attached to the second mounting hole section 19 of the latch mechanism cover section 17, as shown in Fig. Figure 3 shows that the outer opening lever 82 is equipped with a connecting section for the outer door handle 83, which connects to an outer door handle (not shown) provided outside the vehicle door, in a section projecting to an outer section of the locking mechanism assembly section 12. Furthermore, the outer opening lever 82 is equipped with a connecting element coupling section 84, which is coupled (engaged) with the coupling hole 39 of the connecting element 37, in an end section located within the locking mechanism assembly section 12. According to the present embodiment, the outer opening lever 82 is also driven by a drive spring 85 in a direction in which the connecting element 37 moves away from the operation receiving section 36 of the gripper 33.

[0048] The drive motor 86 is designed to rotate towards the cam element 88 and back, and a screw thread 87 is attached to a main shaft of this, as shown in Fig. 1 shown.

[0049] The cam element 88 is rotatably arranged to be positioned in a lower section of the cam receiving section 66 opposite the locking button lever 61, and an outer circumferential section of this cam element is equipped with a worm gear section 89 that engages with the screw thread 87. This cam element 88 has a cam groove 90 in a concave shape on an upper surface opposite the side of the locking button lever 61, such that the distance from the center point of the cam groove increases successively towards the outer circumferential section.Furthermore, the cam element 88 is positioned (driven) in a neutral position by a drive spring (not shown) and is structured to activate the locking of the connecting member 37 via the locking button lever 61 and the locking lever 43 by rotating the cam receiving section 66 to move towards the center side, and consequently to activate the release of the connecting member 37 via the locking button lever 61 and the locking lever 43 by rotating the cam element receiving section 66 to move towards an outer circumferential side.

[0050] Next, a movement of the locking mechanism in the door lock device is described.

[0051] When in the dissolved state, which is in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, when the outer door handle is operated, the outer opening lever 82 is first turned, as shown in Figure 1. Fig. Figure 7 shows this. Consequently, the connecting element 37 is moved in the vertical direction along the sliding groove 42, which extends in the vertical direction, whereby the operating section 40 of the connecting element 37 engages (comes into contact) with the operating receiving section 36 of the gripper 33. As a result, the movement of the connecting element 37 causes the operating receiving section 36 to be pressed, and allows the grippers to rotate, thereby ending the engagement state of the locking bar 1 by the fork piece 30.

[0052] Furthermore, when the inner door handle is actuated, the inner opening lever 68 is rotated counterclockwise, thereby coming into contact with the receiving section 38 of the connecting element 37. Furthermore, in the same manner as described above, the connecting element 37 is moved in the vertical direction, and the operating section 40 engages with the operating receiving section 36 of the gripper 33 to rotate the gripper 33, thereby disengaging the locking bar 1 from the fork piece 30.

[0053] On the other hand, when the cylinder lock is operated outside the vehicle in this unlocked state, the locking lever 43 is rotated clockwise by the first rocker switch 74, the key shaft 76 and the second rocker switch 79, and the connecting link 37 rotates counterclockwise while engaging with the locking lever 43 to assume the locked state, as shown in Fig. Figure 8 shows that when the locking mechanism inside the vehicle is actuated, the locking button lever 61 is rotated counterclockwise, which rotates the locking lever 43 clockwise and turns the connecting element 37 into the locked position, engaging with the locking lever 43. Furthermore, when the locking state is activated by remote control or similar device, the cam element 88 is rotated by the drive motor 86, which rotates the locking button lever 61 and the locking lever 43 in the same direction, and turns the connecting element 37 into the locked position, engaging with the locking lever 43.

[0054] In this locked state, the connecting element 37 assumes a position in which it is moved—by the clockwise rotation of the locking lever 43—in a leftward upward direction. Consequently, when the outer door handle is operated and the outer opening lever 82 is rotated, the receiving section 38 of the connecting element 37 is pushed upward, and the connecting element 37 is moved diagonally upward along the sliding groove 42, which extends obliquely, to move away from the operating receiving section 36. As a result, the operating section 40 of the connecting element 37 cannot engage with the operating receiving section 36 of the gripper 33.Consequently - since it is impossible to push down the operation receiving section 36 to rotate the gripper 33 in the movement of the connecting link 37 in this state - it is not possible to end the engagement state of the locking lever 1 by the fork piece 30.

[0055] On the other hand, since the door locking device according to the present embodiment incorporates a free-running function through the engagement-receiving section 67, which is provided in the latching button lever 61, and the engagement section 73, which is provided in the inner opening lever 68, it is possible to open the door if the inner door handle is actuated in the locked position. In this case, the free-running function is applied in such a way that, for example, it is provided only in the driver's side door, and the other doors are not equipped with the engagement-receiving section 67 of the latching button lever 61 and the engagement section 73 of the inner opening lever 68 (are not equipped with the free-running function).

[0056] In the door lock device not equipped with the free-running function, when the inner door handle is operated in the locked position, the inner opening lever 68 is first rotated and the connecting element 37 is pushed upwards; however, the connecting element 37 is moved diagonally upwards in the same manner as described above. Since the operating section 40 of the connecting element 37 cannot engage with the operating receiving section 36 of the gripper 33 and cannot rotate the gripper 33, it is consequently impossible to disengage the locking bolt 1 by the fork 30.

[0057] In the door lock device according to the present embodiment, which is equipped with the free-running function, the inner opening lever 68 is furthermore rotated in a counterclockwise direction when the inner door handle is operated in the locked state, in a state which is Fig. Figure 8 shows the engagement section 73 of the inner opening lever 68 coming into contact (engaging) with the engagement receiving section 67 of the latching lever 61. Furthermore, as the inner opening lever 68 continues to rotate in this state, the latching lever 61 receives the rotational force and rotates clockwise. Consequently, the locking lever 43 and the connecting element 37 are rotated into the released position. As a result, it is possible—in the same way as if the inner door handle were operated in the released position—to release the locking of the locking bar 1 by the fork 30, by bringing the operating section 40 of the connecting element 37 into contact with the operating receiving section 36 of the gripper 33 and by activating the gripper 33.

[0058] Since the anti-panic mechanism is formed by the engagement and fastening of the connecting element 37 and the locking lever 43 by the connecting element drive spring 56 in order to be relatively movable, it is furthermore possible in the door lock device according to the present embodiment to reliably establish the released state even if the releasing operation is carried out in a case in which the outer door handle is actuated in the locked state, as in Fig. 9 shown. In this case - for the door lock device which is not equipped with the free-running function - the same applies to the releasing operation in the case where the inner door handle is operated in the locked state.

[0059] More precisely, in the locked state, a state is formed in which the connecting element 37 has a leftward upward tilted position, such that the connecting element 37 moves away from the operating receiving section 36 of the gripper 33 by the rotation of the locking lever 43, as shown in Fig. 10 A shown. When the outer door handle is operated in this state, the connecting element 37 is moved in the upward-to-left direction, based on the rotation of the outer opening lever 82, as shown in Fig. Figure 10B shows that in this state, the operating section 40 of the connecting element 37 is positioned above the operating receiving section 36 of the gripper 33.

[0060] Consequently, if, in this state, the cylinder lock is operated to open the vehicle from outside, or if the locking button inside the vehicle is operated to open the vehicle, or if it is operated to open the vehicle via the remote control, the locking lever 43 is rotated into the released position. As a result, as described in Fig. As shown in Figure 11A, the lower side surface of the operating section 40 of the connecting element 37 comes into contact with the side surface of the operating receiving section 36 of the gripper 33.

[0061] Furthermore, since the connecting element 37 comes into contact with the gripper 33 in this state, it cannot move further from this contact position to the released position. In the present embodiment, however, the driving force that holds the locking lever 43 in the locked position by means of the drive spring 45 is greater than the driving force that drives the connecting element 37 in its initial, tensioned position to the released position by means of the connecting element drive spring 56. Consequently, the locking lever 43 moves relative to the connecting element 37, while the connecting element drive spring 56 contracts elastically, and rotates into the released position.

[0062] In this state, when the user completes the opening operation of the outer door handle, the outer opening lever 82 is moved back to the non-open operating position prior to the door opening operation by the driving force of the drive spring 85. Consequently, the connecting element 37 moves downwards, coming into sliding contact with the operation receiving section 36 of the gripper 33, while locking with the downward movement of the outer opening lever 82, as shown in Fig. 11 B shown.

[0063] Furthermore, if the operating section 40 of the connecting element 37 moves downwards towards the lower side of the operating receiving section 36 of the gripper 33, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 11C, the connecting element 37 is rotated into the released position by the driving force of the connecting element drive spring 56 and is moved back into the closed operating position before the door is opened. Furthermore, this rotation stops in the home position, in which it is under tension, and in which the arm section 59 of the connecting element drive spring 56 comes into contact with the stopper section 47 of the locking lever 43.

[0064] This state is a normal locking state, shown in Fig. 8, in which neither the outer nor the inner door handle is operated, and does not differ from the released state described in Fig.Figure 1 shows the cylinder lock, the latch button, and the remote control being actuated to release the lock. Consequently, it is possible to open the door by actuating the door handles both inside and outside the vehicle without repeating the release operation.

[0065] As stated above, the door lock device according to the present embodiment can form the anti-panic mechanism simply by engaging and securing the connecting element 37 with respect to the locking lever 43, in a state where the connecting element 37 is under tension towards the released position by the connecting element drive spring 56. In other words, since it is not necessary to construct the locking lever 43 separately and the anti-panic mechanism can be constructed by a simple structure in which the connecting element drive spring 56 is additionally provided, it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing costs.

[0066] In the present embodiment, the coupling mechanism can also be constructed by a simple structure, since the connecting member drive spring 56 is arranged in the locking lever 43, and the connecting member 37 and the connecting member drive spring 56 are formed only by inserting the coupling section 58, which is provided in the connecting member drive spring 56, into the sliding groove 42, which is formed in the connecting member 37.

[0067] Furthermore, since the locking lever 43 is designed with the stopper section 47, which positions the connecting link 37 in its released position (where it is under tension) via the connecting link drive spring 56, it is possible to prevent the connecting link 37 from shifting and thus to hold it securely in its initial position. Since the locking lever 43 is also equipped with the adjusting section 48, which adjusts the arm section 59 of the connecting link drive spring 56, it is possible to guide the movement (shifting) of the connecting link drive spring 56 reliably. Moreover, even when the connecting link 37 is actuated by the opening levers 68 and 82 via the operation of the door handle, the adjusting section 48 prevents the connecting link 37 and the connecting link drive spring 56 from interfering with each other.Consequently, it is possible to reliably prevent a malfunction of the connecting element 37.

[0068] Furthermore, the connecting link drive spring 56 is structured to hold the locking lever 43 by means of three retaining sections, including the retaining claw section 51, the adjusting section 48, and the spring engagement section 52. Consequently, it is possible to reliably prevent the connecting link drive spring 56 from detaching from the locking lever 43, and it is possible to improve machinability during assembly.

[0069] In this state, the door lock device according to the present invention is not limited to the structure according to the embodiment, but can be varied in many ways.

[0070] For example, in the embodiment described above, the coupling section 58 is formed by applying bending forming at one end of the connecting element drive spring 56; however, a coupling section that is inserted into the sliding groove of the connecting element 37 can be provided as a separate element and can be attached to one end of the connecting element drive spring 56.

[0071] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the connecting element drive spring 56 is provided with respect to the closing lever 43 by three retaining sections including the retaining claw section 51, the adjusting section 48 and the spring engagement section 52, but it can be held by at least one retaining section.

[0072] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the drive element that couples the locking lever 43 and the connecting member 37 to allow relative movement is formed by the connecting member drive spring 56, shaped by winding the wire rod; however, it can also be formed by a band-shaped leaf spring. In this case, one end of the leaf spring is equipped with the coupling section 58, which is inserted, integrally or separately, into the sliding groove 42 of the connecting member 37, and the other end of this section is attached to the locking lever 43 by a pin or similar device.

[0073] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the connecting link drive spring 56 is arranged in accordance with the drive element in the firing plate 43, but it can be arranged in relation to the connecting link 37.

Claims

[1] Door lock device comprising the following: a latching mechanism comprising a fork piece (30) which engages in a locking bar (1) which is installed in a vehicle body to engage freely and to release from the locking bar (1), and a gripper (33) which engages with the fork piece (30) to maintain an engagement state of the fork piece (30) with the locking bar (1), and which comprises an operation receiving section (36) for terminating the engagement state; a connecting element (37) that is movable between a released position in which intervention with the operating receiving section (36) of the latch mechanism is possible, and a locked position in which intervention with the operating receiving section (36) is not possible; a locking lever (43) which moves the connecting element (37) into the released position and into the locked position; and an opening lever (68) which engages with a door handle - which is installed inside a vehicle or outside the vehicle of a door - wherein the opening lever (68) and the connecting member (37) engage to actuate the connecting member (37), and is designed such that the connecting member (37) engages with the operation receiving section (36) of the latch mechanism to terminate the locking of the locking bar (1) at a time when the connecting member (37) is in the released position, and the connecting member (37) cannot engage with the operation receiving section (36) of the latch mechanism to maintain the locking of the locking bar (1) at a time when the connecting member (37) is in the locked position. wherein the locking lever (43) or the connecting element (37) is equipped with a drive element (56) which couples the locking lever (43) and the connecting element (37) to each other in order to be movable in a direction relative to the released position and the locked position, and drives the connecting element (37) in the direction of the released position with respect to the locking lever (43), the drive element (56) comprises: an annular threaded section (57) on a fastening section (44) which is formed coaxially with the center of rotation of the locking lever (43) in the locking lever (43); an arm section (59) which protrudes from one end of the annular threaded section (57), a coupling section (58) in a front end of the arm section (59), wherein the coupling section (58) is coupled to the connecting element (37); and an engagement end section (60) extending from the other end of the annular threaded section (57), wherein the engagement end section (60) engages with the locking lever (43), the locking lever (43) is equipped with a control section (48) in which the arm section (59) of the drive element (56) is movably inserted in the direction to the released position and the locked position, and which controls a movement in the direction of the connecting element (37), wherein the drive element (56) is a connecting link drive spring (56) which is installed in the locking lever (43) and which tensions the connecting link (37) in the direction of the released position with respect to the locking lever (43), and wherein the drive element (56) is installed in the locking lever (43), and the connecting link (37) and the drive element (56) are coupled by a sliding groove (42) which is installed in the connecting link (37) in such a way as to extend along the direction of a door opening actuation by the opening lever (68), and the coupling section (58) in the drive element (56) is oriented in such a way as to be inserted into the sliding groove (42). [2] Door lock device according to claim 1, wherein the locking lever (43) is equipped with a stopper section (47) which sets the connecting member (37) on the side of the released position in a home position in which it is under tension. [3] Door lock device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking lever (43) is equipped with a fastening section (44) which fits and holds the threaded section (57) of the drive element (56) outwards, and the fastening section (44) is equipped with a retaining section (51) which prevents the threaded section (57) of the drive element (56) from coming loose.

Images