Double lock latch structure of vehicle

Abstract

A double lock latch structure of a vehicle includes: a claw rotating to engage with or disengage from a striker provided on a door; a door pawl operated to rotate the pawl by rotating in contact with or releasing contact with the pawl; a release lever engaged to the door pawl and operated to rotate the door pawl by vertical movement of the release lever; a guide rod assembly engaged to the release rod and moving the release rod in an up-down direction; the motor provides driving force for the guide rod assembly to move up and down; and a gear assembly engaged between the motor and the guide rod assembly and transmitting a driving force provided by the motor to the guide rod assembly, in which the pawl, the door pawl, and the release lever are respectively disposed in pairs on a first side and a second side of the guide rod assembly and operate simultaneously.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0184653, filed on December 18, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a double-lock door latch structure for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a double-lock door latch structure for a vehicle mounted on a vehicle body and including a cinching function, corresponding to a sliding door that slides forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to open or close a door opening of the vehicle body. Background Art

[0004] Generally, a vehicle has a passenger compartment of a predetermined size in which a driver or his or her accompanying passengers can ride, and a passenger compartment opening / closing door is provided on the vehicle body to open or close the passenger compartment.

[0005] In the case of a passenger car, the passenger compartment opening / closing door includes a front door provided at the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a rear door provided at the rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the front door and the rear door are generally hinged to the vehicle body.

[0006] For a van that can accommodate multiple people, the passenger compartment opening / closing door is configured to open or close the passenger compartment by sliding forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0007] Since the passenger compartment opening / closing door is configured to move backward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to open the passenger compartment, but move forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to close the passenger compartment, the passenger compartment opening / closing door has the following advantages: the space required to open or close the door is smaller than that of a hinged passenger compartment opening / closing door, and even in a narrow space required for opening and closing, the door opening formed in the vehicle body can be fully opened.

[0008] As Figure 1 shown, in this sliding passenger compartment door, main latches P1 and P2 are respectively formed at the central portions of the front door and the rear door. In addition, latch structures are also required at the upper and lower ends of the door to ensure door release strength, ceiling strength, etc., and a cinching function is also required to respond to an automatic opening / closing structure.

[0009] As Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the existing latch has a structure in which one latch can only tighten and release one door, and has the following structure: The tightening rod 14 and the tightening cable 12 are operated by a motor connected to the tightening motor connection part 10 together, the release rod 24 is operated by a motor connected to the release motor connection part 20 through the release cable 22, and the pawl 26 and the claw 16 are rotated by these rods to engage with the striker of the door.

[0010] In addition, the existing latch may have the following structure: in which the pawl 39 and the claw 36 are operated by a single tightening motor 30 and a gear 32 through a rod 34 and a cable 38.

[0011] In the above existing latch structure, only one latch is installed on each door, and thus a large number of latch parts are required, so there is a problem of excessive size, and when applied to a bi-directional opening door, there is a problem that the latch invades the interior space. Therefore, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, an attempt is made to install the latch structure 7 on the vehicle body between the door drive units 3 and 5 in the regions "A" and "B" of the vehicle body 1. However, the problem is that due to the latch structure 7, the space between the door drive units 3 and 5 is narrow, the weight and thickness of the door increase, and the access ability is poor.

[0012] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a latch structure that provides a tightening function with a minimum size in the vehicle body between the door drive units 3 and 5.

[0013] The information included in this background art section of the present disclosure is only for enhancing the understanding of the general background of the present disclosure, and is not to be regarded as an admission or any form of suggestion that this information constitutes the prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0014] Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to providing a bi-directional double-lock door latch structure integrated with a tightening actuator, which is installed on a vehicle body to lock and release a bi-directional sliding door.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle is provided on a vehicle body to open or close a door configured to open or close a door opening of the vehicle and is configured to engage or disengage with the door. The double-lock door latch structure includes: a pawl that rotates to engage or disengage with a striker provided on the door; a door pawl that operates to rotate the pawl by rotating to contact or release contact with the pawl; a release lever that is engaged with the door pawl and operates to rotate the door pawl by moving the release lever up and down; a guide rod assembly that is engaged with the release lever and moves the release lever in the up and down direction; a motor that provides driving force to the guide rod assembly for the up and down movement of the guide rod assembly; and a gear assembly that is engaged between the motor and the guide rod assembly and transmits the driving force provided by the motor to the guide rod assembly, wherein the pawl, the door pawl, and the release lever are respectively provided in pairs on the first side and the second side of the guide rod assembly and operate simultaneously.

[0016] The release lever may be attached to a central portion of the guide rod assembly, extend to both sides of the guide rod assembly, and be connected to the door pawl.

[0017] The double-lock door latch structure of the vehicle may further include an emergency link assembly that is connected to the release lever and moves the release lever and the guide rod assembly upward by its rotation.

[0018] The emergency link assembly may be connected to an emergency cable and manually operated.

[0019] The emergency cable may be connected to an emergency rod separately provided outside the vehicle.

[0020] A REF switch and a pawl switch may be provided on one side of the door pawl. The REF switch is configured to detect a reference position of the door pawl, and the pawl switch is configured to detect a current position of the door pawl.

[0021] A pawl switch may be provided on one side of the pawl, and the pawl switch is configured to detect a current position of the pawl.

[0022] A home pose switch may be provided on one side of the guide rod assembly, and the home pose switch is configured to detect a current position of the guide rod assembly.

[0023] The pawl and the guide rod assembly may be movably fixed to a substrate.

[0024] When the door is closed, the striker may be engaged with the pawl to be in a first-level lock. The guide rod assembly may be lowered by the operation of the motor, the door pawl may be rotated by the release lever, and the door pawl may contact and operate the pawl so that the pawl rotates and tightens.

[0025] When the door is opened, if an unlock signal is received, the guide rod assembly may be moved upward by the operation of the motor, and the door pawl may be rotated by the release lever. If the door pawl releases contact with the pawl and the pawl rotates, the pawl may be disengaged from the striker.

[0026] When the claw releases its contact with the AND gate pawl, the claw can return to its original position by elastic force.

[0027] When the emergency cable is pulled upward, the emergency link assembly can rotate to move the guide rod assembly upward. The gate pawl rotates through the release rod, and the gate pawl releases its contact with the claw, and the claw rotates so that the claw disengages from the striker.

[0028] The double-lock door latch structure of the vehicle can be provided at the upper and lower parts of the vehicle body of the door opening, respectively engaging with or disengaging from the front door and the rear door of the vehicle, and the front door and the rear door can be opened or closed simultaneously or separately.

[0029] When the front door and the rear door of the vehicle are opened simultaneously, if an opening signal is received, the claw can disengage from the striker through the operation of the motor, and the front door and the rear door can be moved through the operation of the drive unit provided in each of them, so as to open the door opening.

[0030] When the front door and the rear door of the vehicle are closed simultaneously, if the closing signals of the front door and the rear door are received, the claw can rotate through the operation of the motor. The front door and the rear door can be moved through the operation of the drive unit provided in each of them, so as to close the door opening. The strikers respectively provided on the front door and the rear door can engage with the claw to be in a first-level locked state, and the claw can rotate through the operation of the motor and can be tightened simultaneously.

[0031] When only one of the front door and the rear door of the vehicle is opened in the state where the front door and the rear door are closed, if the opening signal of the one of the front door and the rear door is received, the claw can be disengaged from the striker through the operation of the motors provided on the front door and the rear door, and can be moved through the operation of the drive unit on one side of the one of the front door and the rear door to open the door, and the claw can be operated to rotate through the operation of the motor.

[0032] When the other of the front door and the rear door is to be opened while only one of the front door and the rear door of the vehicle is opened, if the opening signal of the other of the front door and the rear door is received, the claw can be disengaged from the striker through the operation of the motors provided on the front door and the rear door, and the door opening can be opened through the operation of the drive unit on one side of the other of the front door and the rear door.

[0033] When only one of the front door and the rear door is closed in the state where the front door and the rear door of the vehicle are opened, if the closing signal of the one of the front door and the rear door is received, the claw can rotate through the operation of the motors provided on the front door and the rear door. The door can be moved through the operation of the drive unit on one side of the one of the front door and the rear door, so as to close the door opening. The striker provided on the one of the front door and the rear door can engage with the claw to be in a first-level locked state, and the claw can rotate through the operation of the motor and can be tightened simultaneously.

[0034] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, by providing a bidirectional double-lock door latch structure with minimized dimensions on the vehicle body between door drive units to tighten and release a bi-directional sliding door, compared with the existing eight door latches, the bidirectional double-lock door latch structure may include four door latches, so that the material cost can be reduced and the thickness and weight can be decreased.

[0035] In addition, since the size of each door latch is increased, but only two door latches are provided on one side of the vehicle body, the advantage of increasing the packaging space can be achieved.

[0036] The method and apparatus of the present disclosure have other features and advantages that will be apparent from or more particularly set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description, which are incorporated herein to explain certain principles of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a door latch of an existing vehicle is provided on a vehicle body.

[0038] Figure 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a door latch of a conventional vehicle is provided on the vehicle body between door drive units.

[0039] Figure 3 is a diagram showing a structure of a door tightening latch, in which an existing tightening motor is separately installed.

[0040] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a structure of an existing integrated tightening motor E latch.

[0041] Figure 5 is a diagram showing one surface of a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 6 is a view exemplarily showing another surface of a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a first-stage locking state when a door is closed in a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 8 is a diagram showing an operating state after the first-stage locking when a door is closed in a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 9 is a diagram showing a second-stage locking and tightening state when a door is closed in a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 10 It is a diagram showing the unlocking (release) start state when the door is opened in a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 11 It is a diagram showing the unlocking completion state when the door is opened in a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 12 It is a diagram showing the unlocking start state of a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure through an emergency cable in an emergency.

[0049] Figure 13 It is a diagram showing the unlocking completion state of a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure through an emergency cable in an emergency.

[0050] Figure 14 It is a diagram sequentially showing the double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle and the operating state of the door according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure when the front door and the rear door of the vehicle are opened simultaneously.

[0051] Figure 15 It is a diagram sequentially showing the double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle and the operating state of the door according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure when the front door and the rear door of the vehicle are closed simultaneously.

[0052] Figure 16 It is a diagram sequentially showing the double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle and the operating state of the door according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure when only the front door is opened in a state where the front door and the rear door of the vehicle are closed.

[0053] Figure 17 It is a diagram sequentially showing the double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle and the operating state of the door according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure when the rear door is opened in a state where only the front door of the vehicle is opened.

[0054] Figure 18 It is a diagram sequentially showing the double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle and the operating state of the door according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure when only the rear door is closed in a state where the front door and the rear door of the vehicle are opened.

[0055] It can be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and present a slightly simplified representation of various features illustrating the basic principles of the present disclosure. Specific design features of the present disclosure included herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and the use environment.

[0056] In the drawings, reference numerals refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present disclosure throughout several views of the drawings. Detailed Implementation Modes

[0057] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood that this description is not intended to limit the present disclosure to those exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present disclosure is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0058] Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can easily practice the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure can be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the exemplary embodiments provided herein.

[0059] In addition, in several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the same reference numerals will be used to representatively describe components including the same configuration in the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and only the components different from those in the exemplary embodiments will be described in other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0060] Note that the drawings are schematic and not drawn to scale. For clarity and convenience in the drawings, the relative sizes and proportions of the components in the drawings are shown enlarged or reduced, and any size is illustrative only and not restrictive. In addition, the same reference numeral is used to indicate similar features of the same structure, element, or component that appears in two or more drawings. When a component is referred to as being "on" another component, it can be directly on top of the other component or there can be other components between the two.

[0061] The exemplary embodiments represent exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, many variations are expected in the description. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific forms of the regions shown and include, for example, deformations of the form by manufacturing.

[0062] Hereinafter, a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0063] Figure 5 is a diagram showing one surface of a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 is a view exemplarily showing another surface of a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6, the structure of the double - lock door latch 100 of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be as follows: In a vehicle in which the front and rear doors are slid forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to open or close the door opening, the double - lock door latches 100 may be provided one by one on the vehicle body at the upper and lower portions of the door opening between the front door and the rear door. That is, in the entire vehicle, the double - lock door latches 100 may be composed of a total of four, with two provided on each of the left and right sides of the vehicle.

[0065] The structure of the double - lock door latch 100 of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pawl 150, a door pawl 160, a release lever 140, a guide rod assembly 130, a motor 110, and a gear assembly 120.

[0066] The pawl 150 rotates to engage or disengage with the striker 50 provided on the sliding door. The pawl 150 has a slit opening with a predetermined thickness into which the striker 50 is inserted, and is symmetrically provided as a pair on both sides of the door latch 100.

[0067] The door pawl 160 operates to rotate the pawl 150 by contacting or releasing contact with the pawl 150 through its rotation. A step is formed in the pawl 150 such that the door pawl 160 is contacted and supported, and the end of the door pawl 160 contacts the step portion, so that when the door pawl 160 rotates, the door pawl 160 causes the pawl 150 to rotate. Like the pawl 150, the door pawl 160 is also provided as a pair, which is symmetrically provided on both sides of the door latch 100.

[0068] The release lever 140 is engaged with the door pawl 160 and operates to rotate the door pawl 160 when moving in the vertical direction of the door latch 100. The release lever 140 may symmetrically extend to both sides of the door latch 100. One end of the door pawl 160 is rotatably connected to both sides of the release lever 140, and when the release lever 140 moves in the vertical direction, the door pawl 160 with a fixed central axis can rotate.

[0069] The guide rod assembly 130 is engaged with the central portion of the release lever 140 and moves the release lever 140 in the vertical direction when moving in the vertical direction of the door latch 100 in the central portion of the door latch 100.

[0070] The motor 110 provides a driving force such that the guide rod assembly 130 moves in its vertical direction. For this purpose, the motor 110 is connected to the gear assembly 120, the rotational force of the motor 110 is transmitted to the gear assembly 120, and when the gear assembly 120 rotates, the guide rod assembly 130 can move in its vertical direction.

[0071] In this way, the pawl 150, the door pawl 160, and the release lever 140 are symmetrically provided as a pair on both sides of the door latch 100 with the guide rod assembly 130 as the center, and can be simultaneously operated by moving in the up - and - down direction.

[0072] Meanwhile, the release lever 140 may be further provided with an emergency link assembly 170. The emergency link assembly 170 is connected to an emergency cable 180, and the emergency cable 180 may be manually pulled in a direction away from the latch 100.

[0073] The emergency cable 180 may be connected to an emergency lever separately provided on the outside of the vehicle. The user may pull the emergency cable 180 by manipulating the emergency lever, and the emergency cable 180 may rotate the emergency link assembly 170 to move the guide lever assembly 130 above the latch 100.

[0074] The emergency link assembly 170 may be connected to the release lever 140, and may rotate to move the release lever 140 and the guide lever assembly 130 connected thereto upward. When the emergency cable 180 is pulled, the emergency link assembly 170 rotates to move the release lever 140 upward, which causes the release lever 140 to be released from contact with the door pawl 160. The door pawl 160 returns to its original position by elastic force, and the pawl 150 is released.

[0075] Meanwhile, on one side of the door pawl 160, a REF switch 167 configured to detect a reference position of the door pawl 160 and a pawl switch 165 configured to detect a current position of the door pawl 160 may be provided.

[0076] In addition, a pawl switch 155 may be provided on one side of the pawl 150 to detect the current position of the pawl 150, and a home position switch 135 may be provided on one side of the guide lever assembly 130 to detect the current position of the guide lever assembly 130.

[0077] The pawl 150 and the guide lever assembly 130 may be movably fixed to a substrate 190, and the substrate 190 may be fixed to the vehicle body.

[0078] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a first-stage locking state when the door is closed in a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an operating state after the first-stage locking when the door is closed in a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 9 is a diagram showing a second-stage locking and tightening state when the door is closed in a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0079] As Figure 7 shown, when the door is opened and a door closing signal is applied, the door slides through the door drive unit and moves toward the latch 100, and the striker 50 provided on the door engages with the pawl 150 to complete the first-stage locking.

[0080] Therefore, asFigure 8 As shown, the motor 110 operates to lower the guide rod assembly 130 through the rotation of the gear assembly 120 connected to the motor 110, and as the release rod 140 connected to the guide rod assembly 130 lowers, the door pawl 160 rotates.

[0081] Therefore, as Figure 9 shown, while rotating, the door pawl 160 contacts the pawl 150, causing the pawl 150 to rotate, and the pawl 150 rotates to the second-stage locking position to be tightened. When it is detected that the second-stage locking is completed, the tightening stops, and the door closing is completed.

[0082] Figure 10 is a diagram showing the unlocking (release) start state when the door is opened in a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the unlocking completed state when the door is opened in a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0083] As Figure 10 shown, when the door is closed and a door opening signal (unlocking signal) is received, the motor 110 operates, and through the rotation of the gear assembly 120 connected to the motor 110, the guide rod assembly 130 rises, and the release rod 140 connected to the guide rod assembly 130 rises.

[0084] Thereafter, as Figure 11 shown, as the release rod 140 rises, the door pawl 160 rotates. Therefore, the door pawl 160 releases the contact with the pawl 150, and the pawl 150 rotates to disengage from the striker 50. In the current case, when the contact with the door pawl 160 is released, the pawl 150 can return to its original position by elastic force.

[0085] Therefore, the door disengages from the door latch 100 and moves to both sides in the open state through the door driving unit, so that the opening of the door is completed.

[0086] Figure 12 is a diagram showing the start state of unlocking through an emergency cable in a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in an emergency. Figure 13 is a diagram showing the completed state of unlocking through an emergency cable in a double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in an emergency.

[0087] As Figure 12 shown, in the door closed state, when the user manually pulls the emergency cable 180 in a direction away from the door latch 100 in a vehicle emergency, the emergency link assembly 170 rotates, and the guide rod assembly 130 can move upward.

[0088] Thereafter, as Figure 13As shown, the release lever 140 moves upward, and the door pawl 160 rotates due to the movement of the release lever 140. The door pawl 160 releases the contact with the pawl 150, and as the pawl 150 rotates, the engagement between the pawl 150 and the striker 50 is released. Accordingly, the door disengages from the door latch 100 and is manually moved to both sides in the open state, thereby completing the opening of the door.

[0089] Figure 14 FIGS. are sequential diagrams showing the dual-lock door latch structure of a vehicle and the operating state of the door according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure when the front and rear doors of the vehicle are opened simultaneously.

[0090] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 14 the operating state of the door in FIGS. may be executed by a controller operably connected to the motor 110 and including a processor.

[0091] Referring to Figure 14 , when the front and rear doors of the vehicle are opened simultaneously, if an opening signal is received, the motor 110 operates, and as the gear assembly 120 connected to the motor 110 rotates, the guide rod assembly 130 rises, and the release lever 140 connected to the guide rod assembly 130 rises. As the release lever 140 rises, the door pawl 160 rotates. Accordingly, the door pawl 160 releases the contact with the pawl 150, and the pawl 150 rotates to disengage from the striker 50 (latch release).

[0092] Thereafter, by operating the drive units provided in each of the front and rear doors, the front and rear doors move, and the door opens. In the current case, since the front and rear doors are opened, the tightening process is not performed.

[0093] Figure 15 FIGS. are sequential diagrams showing the dual-lock door latch structure of a vehicle and the operating state of the door according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure when the front and rear doors of the vehicle are closed simultaneously.

[0094] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 15 the operating state of the door in FIGS. may be executed by a controller operably connected to the motor 110 and including a processor.

[0095] Referring to Figure 15 , when the front and rear doors of the vehicle are to be closed simultaneously in the open state, if closing signals for the front and rear doors are received, the guide rod assembly 130 rises by the operation of the motor 110, so that the pawl 150 rotates (latch release), and the door slides through the door drive unit and moves toward the door latch 100, and the striker 50 provided on the door engages with the pawl 150, thereby completing the first-stage locking.

[0096] Thereafter, the motor 110 operates to lower the guide rod assembly 130. As the release rod 140 connected to the guide rod assembly 130 is lowered, the door pawl 160 rotates, and as the pawl 150 rotates, the tightening of the door is completed.

[0097] Figure 16 FIG. is a diagram sequentially showing the double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle and the operating state of the door according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure when only the front door is opened in a state where the front and rear doors of the vehicle are closed.

[0098] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 16 the operating state of the door in can be executed by a controller operably connected to the motor 110 and including a processor.

[0099] Refer to Figure 16 , when an opening signal for the front door is received, the guide rod assembly 130 rises by the operation of the motors 110 provided on the front door side and the rear door side. As the release rod 140 connected to the guide rod assembly 130 rises, the pawl 150 rotates and disengages from the striker 50 (latch release).

[0100] Thereafter, the front door moves through a drive unit on the front door side to open the door opening, and the rear door side is fixed while maintaining the 1st stage locked state.

[0101] Thereafter, the motor 110 operates to lower the guide rod assembly 130. As the release rod 140 connected to the guide rod assembly 130 is lowered, the door pawl 160 rotates, and as the pawl 150 rotates, the tightening of the door is completed. In the current case, the rear door is in the 2nd stage locked state and the front door is in the open state.

[0102] Figure 16 The example in can be applied when only one door is opened in a state where both doors are closed, and can also be modified and applied even when only the rear door is opened in a state where the front and rear doors are closed.

[0103] Figure 17 FIG. is a diagram sequentially showing the double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle and the operating state of the door according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure when the rear door is opened in a state where only the front door of the vehicle is open.

[0104] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 17 the operating state of the door in can be executed by a controller operably connected to the motor 110 and including a processor.

[0105] As Figure 17As shown, when the rear door is to be opened while only the front door of the vehicle is open, if an open signal for the rear door is received, the guide rod assembly 130 rises through the operation of motors 110 provided on the front door side and the rear door side, and as the release rod 140 connected to the guide rod assembly 130 rises, the claw 150 rotates and disengages from the striker 50 (latch release).

[0106] Thereafter, the front door remains in the open state, and the rear door is moved to the open state by the drive unit, thus completing the opening of the door. In the current case, since both the front door and the rear door are open, the tightening process is not performed.

[0107] When another door is to be opened while one door is open, the example of Figure 17 can be applied, and this example can also be modified and applied even when only the rear door of the vehicle is open and the front door is to be opened.

[0108] Figure 18 is a diagram sequentially showing the dual-lock door latch structure of a vehicle and the operating state of the doors according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure when only the rear door is closed while the front door and the rear door of the vehicle are open.

[0109] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 18 the operating state of the doors in

[0110] can be executed by a controller operably connected to the motor 110 and including a processor. Figure 18 As

[0111] shown, when only the rear door is to be closed while the front door and the rear door of the vehicle are open, if a close signal for the rear door is received, the guide rod assembly 130 rises through the operation of motors 110 provided on the front door side and the rear door side, and as the release rod 140 connected to the guide rod assembly 130 rises, the claw 150 rotates (latch release).

[0112] Thereafter, the front door remains in the open state, and the rear door is moved to the closed state by the drive unit.

[0113] Thereafter, the striker 50 provided on the rear door engages with the claw 150 to be in a first-level locked state, the motor 110 operates to lower the guide rod assembly 130, as the release rod 140 connected to the guide rod assembly 130 lowers, the door pawl 160 rotates, and as the claw 150 rotates, the tightening of the door is completed. Thus, the front door remains in the open state, and the second-level locking of the rear door is completed. Figure 18 When only one door is to be closed while both doors are open, the example of

[0114] As described above, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, by providing a bidirectional double-lock door latch structure with minimized dimensions on the vehicle body between door drive units to tighten and release a bi-directional sliding door, compared with the existing eight door latches, the bidirectional double-lock door latch structure can be composed of four door latches, so that the material cost can be reduced and the thickness and weight can be decreased.

[0115] In addition, since the size of each door latch is increased, but only two door latches are provided on one side of the vehicle body, the advantage of increasing the packaging space can be achieved.

[0116] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle may be referred to based on the concept including various transportation means. In some cases, a vehicle may be interpreted based on the concept that not only includes various land transportation means traveling on roads, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses, but also includes various transportation means such as aircraft, drones, ships, etc.

[0117] For convenience of explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "above", "below", "upward", "downward", "front", "rear", "back", "inner side", "outer side", "inward", "outward", "inside", "outside", "internal", "external", "forward", and "backward" are used to describe such features with reference to the positions of the features of the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. It should be further understood that the term "connected" or its derivatives refer to both direct connection and indirect connection.

[0118] The term "and / or" may include combinations of multiple related listed items or any one of the multiple related listed items. For example, "A and / or B" includes all three cases, such as "A", "B", and "A and B".

[0119] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, "at least one of A and B" may refer to "at least one of A or B" or "at least one of the combinations of at least one of A and B". In addition, "one or more of A and B" may refer to "one or more of A or B" or "one or more of the combinations of one or more of A and B".

[0120] In this specification, unless otherwise stated, singular expressions include plural expressions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0121] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, it should be understood that terms such as "including" or "having" are intended to indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not exclude the possibility of adding or existing one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0122] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, components may be combined with each other to be implemented as one, or some components may be omitted.

[0123] For purposes of illustration and description, the foregoing description of specific exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and its practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as its various alternatives and modifications. The scope of the present disclosure is intended to be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A double-lock door latch structure of a vehicle, which is arranged on a vehicle body to open or close a door, the door being arranged to open or close a door opening of the vehicle, and the double-lock door latch structure being arranged to engage with or disengage from the door, the double-lock door latch structure comprising: a pawl that rotates to engage or disengage a striker disposed on the door; a door ratchet that operates to rotate the pawl by rotating into contact with or releasing contact with the pawl; a release lever engaged to the door pawl and operated by up and down movement of the release lever to rotate the door pawl; a guide rod assembly coupled to the release rod and moving the release rod in an up-and-down direction; a motor, which provides a driving force to the guide rod assembly for the up and down movement of the guide rod assembly; as well as a gear assembly, which is engaged between the motor and the guide rod assembly and transmits the driving force provided by the motor to the guide rod assembly, The claw, the door pawl and the release lever are respectively arranged in pairs on a first side and a second side of the guide rod assembly and are operated simultaneously.

2. The double lock door latch structure according to claim 1, wherein the release rod is attached to a central portion of the guide rod assembly, extends to a first side and a second side of the guide rod assembly, and is connected to the door pawl.

3. The double lock door latch structure according to claim 1, further comprising: The emergency link assembly is connected to the release rod and rotates to move the release rod and the guide rod assembly upward.

4. The double lock door latch structure according to claim 3, wherein the emergency link assembly is connected to an emergency cable for manual operation thereof. 5 . The double lock door latch structure according to claim 4 , wherein the emergency cable is connected to an emergency lever separately provided on the outside of the vehicle.

6. The double lock door latch structure according to claim 1, wherein a REF switch and a pawl switch are provided on one side of the door pawl, the REF switch is configured to detect a reference position of the door pawl, and the pawl switch is configured to detect a current position of the door pawl. 7 . The double lock door latch structure according to claim 1 , wherein a claw switch is provided on one side of the claw, which is configured to detect a current position of the claw.

8. The double lock door latch structure according to claim 1, wherein a home switch is provided on one side of the guide rod assembly, which is configured to detect the current position of the guide rod assembly.

9. The double lock door latch structure according to claim 1, wherein the pawl and the guide rod assembly are movably fixed to a base plate.

10. The double lock latch structure of claim 1, wherein in response to the door closing, the striker engages the pawl to be in level 1 locking, the guide rod assembly is lowered by the operation of the motor, the door pawl is rotated by the release rod, and the door pawl contacts and operates the pawl so that the pawl rotates and tightens.

11. A double lock door latch structure according to claim 1, wherein in response to the door opening and receiving an unlocking signal, the guide rod assembly moves upward through the operation of the motor, and the door pawl is rotated by the release rod, and in response to the door pawl releasing contact with the claw and the claw rotating, the claw disengages from the striker.

12. The double lock door latch structure according to claim 11, wherein in response to the pawl releasing the contact with the door ratchet, the pawl returns to its original position by elastic force.

13. The double lock door latch structure according to claim 4, wherein in response to pulling the emergency cable upward, the emergency link assembly rotates to move the guide rod assembly upward, and the door pawl is rotated by the release rod, the door pawl releases contact with the claw, and the claw rotates so that the claw disengages from the striker.

14. The double lock latch structure according to claim 1, wherein the double lock latch structure of the vehicle is arranged at the upper and lower parts of the vehicle body of the door opening to engage or disengage with the front door and the rear door of the vehicle respectively, and the front door and the rear door are arranged to be opened or closed simultaneously or individually.

15. The double-lock door latch structure according to claim 14, wherein in response to the front door and the rear door of the vehicle being opened simultaneously and receiving an opening signal, the claw is disengaged from the striker by operation of the motor, and the front door and the rear door are moved by operation of a drive unit provided in each of them, so that the door opening is opened.

16. The double-lock door latch structure according to claim 14, wherein in response to the front door and the rear door of the vehicle being closed simultaneously and receiving closing signals of the front door and the rear door, the claw is rotated by the operation of the motor, the front door and the rear door are moved by the operation of a driving unit provided in each of them so that the door opening is closed, the strikers respectively provided on the front door and the rear door engage with the claw to be in level 1 locking, and the claw is rotated and tightened simultaneously by the operation of the motor.

17. The double-lock door latch structure according to claim 14, wherein in response to opening only one of the front door and the rear door when the front door and the rear door of the vehicle are closed, and receiving an opening signal of the one of the front door and the rear door, the claw is disengaged from the striker by operation of a motor provided on the front door and the rear door, the door opening is opened by movement by operation of the drive unit on one side of the one of the front door and the rear door, and the claw is operated to rotate by operation of the motor.

18. The double-lock door latch structure according to claim 14, wherein in response to opening the other of the front door and the rear door when only one of the front door and the rear door of the vehicle is opened, and receiving an opening signal of the other of the front door and the rear door, the claw is disengaged from the striker by operation of a motor provided on the front door and the rear door, and the door opening is opened by operation of the drive unit on one side of the other of the front door and the rear door.

19. The double-lock door latch structure according to claim 14, wherein in response to closing only one of the front door and the rear door when the front door and the rear door of the vehicle are open, and receiving a closing signal of the one of the front door and the rear door, the claw is rotated by operation of the motor provided on the front door and the rear door, and the door is moved by operation of the drive unit on one side of the one of the front door and the rear door so that the door opening is closed, the striker provided on the one of the front door and the rear door engages with the claw to be in level 1 locking, and the claw is rotated and tightened at the same time by operation of the motor.

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