Locking lever and opening and closing device

Abstract

The locking lever comprises: a base (20) having an operating part (28); a rotating shaft (22) supported on the cover (12) to allow the base (20) to rotate; a locking part (24) that rotates together with the base (20) and locks or releases relative to the fixed body (14) depending on the rotation; and an elastic piece (26) extending from the base (20), elastically contacting the cover (12) at its top end, and applying force in the direction that locks the locking part (24). When viewed in the direction of the rotating shaft, the elastic piece (26) extends from the base (20) close to the rotating shaft (22) and extends from the middle toward the top away from the rotating shaft (22).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a locking lever for locking a cover. Background Technology

[0002] For example, the lid of a fixed structure such as a storage compartment is equipped with a locking lever to keep the lid closed. The user unlocks and opens the storage compartment by operating the locking lever.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a locking device for a seat storage box lid with a locking body provided on the lid. The locking body has: a rotating shaft portion mounted on the lid; an elastic piece protruding from the rotating shaft portion as its base end; an operating portion protruding outward from the lid; and a locking piece that engages / disengages with respect to the main body of the seat storage box.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 62-141865 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] By placing the rotating shaft of the locking body disclosed in Patent Document 1 on the end side of the cover, the design freedom of the cover can be improved. However, the closer the rotating shaft is to the end side of the cover, the shorter the elastic sheet becomes, and the operability deteriorates.

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide a locking lever technique that increases the design freedom of the cover and suppresses the reduction in operability.

[0010] Solution for solving the problem

[0011] To address the aforementioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a locking lever provided on a cover that closes the opening of a fixed body, capable of locking the cover to the fixed body in a closed state. The locking lever comprises: a base portion having an operating portion; a rotation shaft portion supported on the cover portion, allowing the base portion to rotate; a locking portion that rotates with the base portion, locking or unlocking relative to the fixed body depending on the rotation; and an elastic sheet extending from the base portion, elastically contacting the cover portion at its tip, and applying force in the rotational direction that locks the locking portion. When viewed in the rotational axis direction, the elastic sheet extends from the base portion close to the rotation shaft portion and extends from the middle towards its tip away from the rotation shaft portion.

[0012] Another aspect of the invention is an opening and closing device. This device includes: a cover capable of opening and closing an opening of a fixed body; and a locking lever disposed on the cover. The locking lever includes: a base portion having an operating portion; a rotating shaft portion supported on the cover, allowing the base portion to rotate; a locking portion rotating with the base portion, locking or unlocking relative to the fixed body depending on the rotation; and an elastic sheet extending from the base portion, elastically contacting the cover portion at its tip, and applying force in the direction that locks the locking portion. When viewed in the direction of the rotating axis, the elastic sheet extends from the base portion close to the rotating axis portion and extends from the middle towards its tip away from the rotating axis portion.

[0013] Invention Effects

[0014] According to the present invention, a locking lever technique is provided that increases the design freedom of the cover and suppresses the reduction in operability. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a partial perspective view of the opening and closing device in the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a 3D view of the locking lever.

[0017] Figure 3 (a) is a side view of the locking lever. Figure 3 (b) is a top view of the locking lever.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a partial perspective view of the lower component of the cover on which the locking lever is assembled.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of an opening and closing device with a locking rod mounted on the lower component.

[0020] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view of the opening and closing device assembled on the fixed body.

[0021] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The opening and closing device shown is a sectional view along line segment A-A.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a diagram used to illustrate the operation of the locking lever. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Figure 1 This is a partial perspective view of the opening and closing device 1 according to the embodiment. The opening and closing device 1 has a locking lever 10 and a cover 12. The opening and closing device 1 is, for example, a storage device provided in a vehicle's interseat storage compartment or the like. The storage part of the storage device is formed in the shape of a box as a fixing body 14, and the cover 12 is supported so that it can rotate.

[0024] The cover 12 can open and close the opening of the fixed body 14 by rotation. The cover 12 is in an open state where the opening of the fixed body 14 is open and in a closed state where the opening of the fixed body 14 is closed.

[0025] The locking lever 10 is rotatably mounted on the cover 12 and can be locked to the fixing body 14 when the cover 12 closes the opening of the fixing body 14. The locking lever 10 can be in a locked state locked to the fixing body 14 or in a locked-out state released from the lock depending on the rotation.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a 3D view of the locking lever 10. Figure 2 (a) is a diagram obtained by viewing the locking lever 10 from an obliquely upward angle. Figure 2 (b) is a diagram obtained by viewing the locking lever 10 from a slightly downward angle. Furthermore, Figure 3 (a) is a side view of the locking lever 10. Figure 3 (b) is a top view of the locking lever 10.

[0027] The locking lever 10 includes a base portion 20, a rotating shaft portion 22, a locking portion 24, an elastic plate 26, a rib 30, and a wall portion 32. The base portion 20 is plate-shaped and rotates around the rotating shaft portion 22. The base portion 20 has an operating portion 28 on the top end side and a rotating shaft portion 22 on the base end side.

[0028] A pair of wall portions 32 are erected on the upper surface of the base portion 20 on the base end side and are opposite to each other. The wall portions 32 support the rotating shaft portion 22. The pair of rotating shaft portions 22 are located on the base end side of the base portion 20, are formed coaxially, and protrude outward from the pair of wall portions 32 in the opposite direction.

[0029] The locking part 24 extends from the lower surface of the base part 20 and rotates together with the base part 20, locking or unlocking relative to the fixed body 14 according to the rotation. The locking part 24 has a locking claw 34 formed at the top end, which can lock onto the fixed body 14.

[0030] The elastic piece 26 is a flexible cantilever piece, formed to extend from the upper surface of the base portion 20, and stands obliquely upward from the base end side of the base portion 20 toward the top end side. The top end portion 26a of the elastic piece 26 elastically contacts the cover 12, applying force in the direction that locks the locking part 24. As a result, the locking part 24 can return to the locked state when it is unlocked by the user's operation. The elastic piece 26 is configured to face the base portion 20. With the elastic piece 26, it is not necessary to have a separate spring or the like to return the locking lever 10 to its original position, thus reducing the cost of the opening and closing device 1.

[0031] like Figure 3As shown in (b), the elastic sheet 26 is configured to pass through the space between a pair of wall portions 32, and a slit 38 is provided between the side surface of the elastic sheet 26 and the opposing surface of the wall portion 32. This allows the portion of the elastic sheet 26 that passes through the wall portions 32 to be lengthened, and makes the elastic sheet 26 more flexible.

[0032] The elastic piece 26 has a contact surface 36 at its base end that abuts against the opening edge of the cover 12. A portion of the contact surface 36 includes the base end of the base portion 20. The elastic piece 26 stands upright from the base end of the base portion 20 and bends towards the top end of the base portion 20. The contact surface 36 is formed in the portion that stands upright from the base portion 20. By abutting against the cover 12 through the contact surface 36, the force exerted by the elastic piece 26 is overcome, and rotation in the direction that locks the locking part 24 is stopped.

[0033] A pair of ribs 30 are erected on the upper surface of the base portion 20, extending from the wall portion 32 toward the top end of the base portion 20. The ribs 30 ensure the rigidity of the base portion 20. In addition, the ribs 30 can also function as guides for the elastic sheet 26.

[0034] Figure 4 This is a partial perspective view of the lower member 40 of the cover 12 to which the locking lever 10 is mounted. The cover 12 has multiple overlapping members, including at least a lower member 40 located on the lower (inner) side and an upper member located on the upper (outer) side in the closed state. The locking lever 10 is mounted to the lower member 40 of the cover 12.

[0035] The lower member 40 has a shaft support portion 42, a first bearing surface 44, a second bearing surface 46, a third bearing surface 45, and an opening 48. The opening 48 is provided through the lower member 40 for the locking rod 10 to be inserted. The opening 48 communicates the outside of the cover 12 with the internal space of the cover 12. The shaft support portion 42 is formed on the inner surface of the lower member 40, and a pair is provided on both sides of the opening 48. The shaft support portion 42 is formed in a concave shape to support the rotation shaft portion 22 of the locking rod 10. The movement of the rotation shaft portion 22 disengaging from the shaft support portion 42 is restricted by the upper member of the cover 12.

[0036] The first bearing surface 44 and the third bearing surface 45 are located on the outer surface of the rib 30. The first bearing surface 44 blocks the top end 26a of the elastic piece 26, and the third bearing surface 45 blocks the operating part 28. The first bearing surface 44 is formed on the raised portion of the lower member 40. The second bearing surface 46 is formed on the edge of the opening 48 and blocks the contact surface 36 of the locking rod 10. The second bearing surface 46 is formed by setting the edge of the opening 48 to protrude downward.

[0037] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of an opening and closing device 1 on the lower component 40, which is equipped with a locking rod 10. Figure 5(a) is a diagram obtained by observing the inner surface of the lower member 40. Figure 5 (b) is a view obtained by observing the outer surface of the lower member 40. The inner surface of the lower member 40 is blocked by the upper member of the cover 12.

[0038] Figure 5 (a) shows the case where the rotating shaft portion 22 is supported on the inner surface side of the lower member 40 by the shaft support portion 42. That is, in the assembled state, the rotating shaft portion 22 is located on the inner surface side of the lower member 40. On the other hand, the base portion 20, the locking portion 24, and the elastic piece 26 are located on the outer surface side of the lower member 40.

[0039] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the opening and closing device 1 assembled on the fixed body 14, obtained by viewing the opening and closing device 1 in the direction of the rotation axis. The cover 12 has: a lower member 40, a support locking rod 10; and a first upper member 50a and a second upper member 50b, covering the inner surface of the lower member 40. Figure 6 With the cover 12 closed as shown, the first upper member 50a is exposed, while the lower member 40 is almost completely covered.

[0040] Figure 6 The locking lever 10 shown is in the locked state, and the locking part 24 is engaged with the locking hole 14a of the fixing body 14. In the locked state, the elastic piece 26 elastically contacts the first bearing surface 44 of the lower member 40, applying force in the rotational direction that locks the locking part 24. Therefore, the locking part 24 is not easily unlocked. It should be noted that in Figure 6 In the figure, the elastic sheet 26 in a free state, i.e., a state unaffected by external forces, is shown with a double-dotted line.

[0041] When viewed along the rotation axis, the elastic piece 26 extends from the base portion 20 close to the rotation axis portion 22 and extends towards the top of the rotation axis portion 22 away from it. That is, the rotation axis portion 22 is located opposite the upper surface of the elastic piece 26. Since the locking lever 10 is positioned at the end of the cover 12, it is inconvenient to extend the elastic piece 26 towards the end of the cover 12, but the elastic piece 26 can be formed to a length independent of the position of the rotation axis portion 22. Furthermore, since the rotation axis portion 22 can be positioned away from the elastic piece 26, it can be positioned at the end of the cover 12. By bringing the locking lever 10 close to the end of the cover 12, the cover 12 can be reduced in size, increasing the storage volume of the fixing body 14.

[0042] When viewed in the direction of rotation axis, the elastic piece 26 is positioned to pass between the base portion 20 and the rotation axis portion 22. This allows the elastic piece 26 to be positioned close to the base portion 20, enabling miniaturization of the locking lever 10 in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the base portion 20 (vertical direction). Consequently, the cover 12 can also be designed to be thin.

[0043] In the locked state, the contact surface 36 abuts against the second bearing surface 46. This allows the base end of the elastic piece 26 to be used for anti-rotation in the locking direction. Furthermore, by using the edge of the opening 48 of the lower member 40, i.e., the second bearing surface 46, for anti-rotation, the thickening of the lower member 40 in the vertical direction can be suppressed compared to providing an additional anti-rotation portion on the lower member 40.

[0044] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The opening and closing device 1 shown is a sectional view along line segment A-A. Figure 7 As shown, the first upper member 50a, the second upper member 50b, and the lower member 40 form the internal space of the cover 12. The rotating shaft portion 22 and the wall portion 32 of the locking lever 10 enter the internal space of the cover 12 through the opening 48. The elastic piece 26 passes between the pair of wall portions 32 and abuts against the first bearing surface 44, without entering the internal space of the cover 12.

[0045] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates the operation of the locking lever 10. Figure 8 The image shows the case where the locking lever 10 in the locked state is set to the unlocked state. The locking part 24 and the operating part 28 in the locked state are shown in solid lines, and the locking part 24 and the operating part 28 in the unlocked state are shown in dashed lines.

[0046] The cover 12, in its closed state, is locked by the locking lever 10. To open the cover 12, the lock needs to be released. The user moves their finger to the underside of the operating part 28 and lifts the operating part 28 upwards. The operating part 28 of the base part 20 is designed to rotate via the rotating shaft part 22. Through the user's operation, the base part 20 rotates, and the locking part 24 also rotates together with the base part 20 in the direction of releasing the lock. Then, when the locking claw 34 moves out of the locking hole 14a, the lock is released.

[0047] When the user lifts the operating part 28 and the operating part 28 abuts against the third bearing surface 45 of the lower member 40, the locking pawl 34 is reliably released, and rotation in the direction of lock release is restricted. This suppresses excessive deflection of the elastic sheet 26. Furthermore, in this unlocked state, the lower part of the contact surface 36 moves away from the second bearing surface 46.

[0048] When the user removes their finger from the operating part 28, the base part 20 and the locking part 24 rotate in the locking direction due to the force of the elastic piece 26. The locking claw 34 enters the locking hole 14a, and the contact surface 36 is pressed by the second bearing surface 46 to prevent rotation in the locking direction. By using the contact surface 36 to prevent rotation, the posture of the locking claw 34 can be stabilized, and even if the cover 12 is to be opened in the locked state, the locking claw 34 can be firmly hooked into the locking hole 14a.

[0049] The rotating shaft portion 22 is located inside (upper) of the lower member 40, while the base portion 20, locking portion 24, and elastic piece 26 are located outside (lower) of the lower member 40. The base portion 20, locking portion 24, and elastic piece 26 of the locking rod 10 are arranged on the outer side of the cover 12, thereby simplifying the structure of the inner side of the cover 12 and allowing the cover 12 to be designed to be thin.

[0050] The top end 26a of the elastic piece 26 abuts against the first bearing surface 44, the contact surface 36 abuts against the second bearing surface 46 in the locked state, and the operating part 28 of the base part 20 abuts against the third bearing surface 45 through a lock release operation. In other words, the top end 26a, contact surface 36, and operating part 28 of the elastic piece 26 can abut against the lower member 40 of the cover 12 from the outside of the cover 12. By ensuring that each part abuts against the lower member 40 in this way, the impact of manufacturing errors can be reduced. For example, when various parts of the locking lever 10 abut against multiple members, design management becomes difficult due to the installation errors of multiple members; however, by ensuring that various parts of the locking lever 10 abut against a single member, design management becomes easier.

[0051] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various design changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and embodiments with such modifications can also be included within the scope of this invention.

[0052] Industrial availability

[0053] This invention relates to a locking lever for locking a cover.

[0054] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0055] 1: Opening and closing device; 10: Locking rod; 12: Cover; 14: Fixing body; 14a: Locking hole; 20: Base part; 22: Rotating shaft part; 24: Locking part; 26: Elastic sheet; 26a: Top part; 28: Operating part; 30: Rib; 32: Wall part; 34: Locking claw; 36: Contact surface; 38: Slit; 40: Lower side member; 42: Shaft support part; 44: First bearing surface; 45: Third bearing surface; 46: Second bearing surface; 48: Opening; 50a: First upper side member; 50b: Second upper side member.

Claims

1. A lock lever provided in a lid that closes an opening of a fixed body, and capable of locking the lid to the fixed body in a closed state, the lock lever characterized by comprising: a base portion having an operation portion; a rotation shaft portion that is supported by the lid so as to allow the base portion to rotate; a lock portion that rotates together with the base portion and is locked or unlocked with respect to the fixed body in accordance with rotation; and an elastic piece that extends from the base portion, elastically contacts the lid at a tip end side, and exerts a force in a direction in which the lock portion is locked, wherein the elastic piece extends from the base portion in a manner close to the rotation shaft portion and extends in a manner rising obliquely upward from the midway to the tip end in a manner away from the rotation shaft portion toward the tip end when viewed in a direction of the rotation shaft.

2. The lock lever according to claim 1, wherein the elastic piece is provided to pass between the base portion and the rotation shaft portion when viewed in the direction of the rotation shaft.

3. The lock lever according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a pair of wall portions that stand from the base portion and support the rotation shaft portion are provided, and the elastic piece is provided to pass between the pair of wall portions.

4. The lock lever according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elastic piece has a contact surface at a base end portion that abuts against the lid to prevent rotation in the direction in which the lock portion is locked.

5. The lock lever according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lid has an opening that communicates with an internal space of the lid, the rotation shaft portion is located on an inner side of the lid, the base portion, the lock portion, and the elastic piece are located on an outer side of the lid, and a tip end portion of the elastic piece and the operation portion are capable of abutting against the lid from the outer side of the lid.

6. A lock lever provided in a lid that closes an opening of a fixed body, and capable of locking the lid to the fixed body in a closed state, the lock lever characterized by comprising: a base portion having an operation portion; a rotation shaft portion that is supported by the lid so as to allow the base portion to rotate; a lock portion that rotates together with the base portion and is locked or unlocked with respect to the fixed body in accordance with rotation; and an elastic piece that extends from the base portion, elastically contacts the lid at a tip end side, and exerts a force in a direction in which the lock portion is locked, wherein the elastic piece extends from the base portion in a manner close to the rotation shaft portion and extends in a manner rising obliquely upward from the midway to the tip end in a manner away from the rotation shaft portion toward the tip end when viewed in a direction of the rotation shaft.

7. A lock lever provided in a lid that closes an opening of a fixed body, and capable of locking the lid to the fixed body in a closed state, the lock lever characterized by comprising: a base portion having an operation portion; a rotation shaft portion that is supported by the lid so as to allow the base portion to rotate; a lock portion that rotates together with the base portion and is locked or unlocked with respect to the fixed body in accordance with rotation; and an elastic piece that extends from the base portion, elastically contacts the lid at a tip end side, and exerts a force in a direction in which the lock portion is locked, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 6. An opening and closing device characterized by comprising: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The elastic piece extends from the base portion in a manner close to the rotation shaft portion and extends from the middle in a manner away from the rotation shaft portion toward the tip end when viewed in the rotation shaft direction, The rotation shaft portion is located at a position opposite the upper side of the upper surface of the elastic piece.

8. An opening and closing device characterized by comprising: Possess: A cover body capable of opening and closing an opening of the fixed body; and A locking lever provided to the cover body, The locking lever has: A base portion having an operation portion; A rotation shaft portion having a shaft supported to the cover body, allowing the base portion to rotate, A locking portion rotating together with the base portion, locking or unlocking with respect to the fixed body according to rotation; And An elastic piece extending from the base portion, the tip end side being in elastic contact with the cover body, and applying force in a direction to lock the locking portion, The elastic piece extends from the base portion in a manner close to the rotation shaft portion and extends from the middle in a manner away from the rotation shaft portion toward the tip end when viewed in the rotation shaft direction, The rotation shaft portion is located at a position opposite the upper side of the upper surface of the elastic piece.

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