Tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle

Abstract

A tension device for door latches in a vehicle, which performs tension control of a plurality of latches, includes: a tension actuator; a lead screw coupled to the tension actuator and rotated by the tension actuator; a lead screw nut assembly movably engaged to the lead screw; and a plurality of cable rods engaged to the screw nut assembly and connected to the plurality of latches by respective tension cables wherein tension control is performed by absorbing differences in tension strokes of the plurality of latches using a spring structure.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2024 - 0006067, filed on January 15, 2024, the entire content of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference. Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a cinching device for a door latch in a vehicle, and more particularly, to a cinching device for a door latch in a vehicle that can synchronously tighten and operate multiple latches by using a single cinching actuator. Background art

[0004] Generally, vehicle doors, hoods, trunks, tailgates, etc. can separate the inside and outside of the vehicle, block external noise, rain, dust, wind, etc., and together with the body structure, perform an important function of absorbing impacts, thereby safely protecting passengers in the event of a collision.

[0005] Vehicle doors come in various types, including special - purpose doors, and hinged swing doors are most commonly applied to passenger vehicles.

[0006] Generally, a swing door refers to a door that opens outward from the body around a hinge axis provided through a hinge bracket between the door and the body. This swing door can be easily opened and closed and has a simple structure, making it easy to maintain and repair.

[0007] Meanwhile, some vehicles use double - swing doors, which provide a large sense of openness when the doors are opened and are beneficial for passengers to enter or leave the vehicle.

[0008] Double - swing doors can be divided into a type without a B - pillar and a type with a B - pillar.

[0009] Figure 1 is a side view of a vehicle using a conventional double - swing door.

[0010] Refer to Figure 1 , in particular, a double - swing door applied to a vehicle without a B - pillar may include a front door 2 and a rear door 3. The front door 2 has a hinge axis installed at the front end of the body 1 and the front door 2, and the rear door 3 has a hinge axis installed at the rear end of the body 1 and the rear door 3.

[0011] The double - swing door may include a door latch 4 to maintain the locked state of the front door 2 or the rear door 3.

[0012] The door latches 4 can be respectively arranged at the lower and upper ends of the front door 2, and can be arranged in the middle of the rear end of the rear door 3. The door latch 4 is a device for adjusting the opening and closing of the vehicle's doors, trunk, and tailgate. However, in recent years, with the emphasis on vehicle convenience and the introduction of intelligent components, the door latch 4 has been replaced by a forced opening and closing method using an actuator (such as a motor).

[0013] In a vehicle without a B-pillar, at least one door needs to include two door latches 4, so two tension actuators are also required to control the operation of the two door latches 4.

[0014] Figure 2 It shows an application to Figure 1 the front door of a vehicle of an example of a conventional tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle.

[0015] In Figure 2 the example shown, the upper and lower door latches 4 are applied to Figure 1 the front door 2 in, and the door can respectively have upper and lower tension actuators 6 to control the operation of the upper and lower door latches 4. The upper and lower tension actuators 6 can be respectively connected to the upper and lower door latches 4 through cables.

[0016] However, in a vehicle without a B-pillar, a door with two door latches 4 requires two tensioning devices 6, which is disadvantageous in terms of its weight and cost.

[0017] To overcome these disadvantages, research and development have been carried out to control the operation of two door latches by using one tensioning device. However, the two door latches 4 spaced apart from each other may cause different stroke distributions of their respective cables or their position tolerances in the door panel, etc., which may result in different tensioning strokes for the door latches 4 respectively.

[0018] Such different tensioning strokes may cause the door not to close completely because one door latch is fastened to the striker while the other door latch is not fastened to the striker.

[0019] The information included in the background art section of the present invention is only intended to deepen the understanding of the general background art of the present invention, and should not be regarded as an admission or any form of implication that this information constitutes the prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0020] Aspects of the present invention are directed to providing a cinching device for a door latch in a vehicle, which can perform synchronous tightening control by engaging a cable rod with a lead screw nut assembly that moves along a lead screw by the driving force of a single tightening actuator, and by connecting the cable rod to a plurality of latches using a plurality of tightening cables, while absorbing differences in the tightening strokes of the respective latches.

[0021] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a cinching device for a door latch in a vehicle, which performs tightening control on a plurality of latches. The device includes: a tightening actuator; a lead screw coupled to the tightening actuator and rotated by the tightening actuator; a lead screw nut assembly movably engaged with the lead screw; and a plurality of cable rods engaged with the lead screw nut assembly and connected to a plurality of latches by respective tightening cables, wherein tightening control is performed by absorbing differences in the tightening strokes of the plurality of latches using a spring structure for absorbing travel.

[0022] The tightening actuator may be a motor configured to control its rotation direction and rotation count.

[0023] The lead screw nut assembly may include: a lead screw nut body coupled to the lead screw; and an upper lead screw nut and a lower lead screw nut, each of the upper lead screw nut and the lower lead screw nut extending from one end of the lead screw nut body, arranged parallel to each other, and respectively inserted and connected to a plurality of cable rods.

[0024] Threads may be formed in the lead screw nut body to engage with the lead screw and be coupled thereto, so as to move in the longitudinal direction of the lead screw in response to rotation of the lead screw.

[0025] Each of the lead screw nut body, the upper lead screw nut, and the lower lead screw nut may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0026] A spring and a ball may be provided in each of the upper lead screw nut and the lower lead screw nut. The spring is configured to reciprocate by elastic force in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the upper lead screw nut or the lower lead screw nut, and the ball is fixedly engaged with the spring.

[0027] The plurality of cable rods may include an upper cable rod and a lower cable rod. The upper lead screw nut is movably inserted into the upper cable rod, and the lower lead screw nut is movably inserted into the lower cable rod. A placement groove may be formed at a position on a surface of the upper cable rod or the lower cable rod corresponding to the ball for inserting and accommodating the ball in the placement groove or releasing the ball from the placement groove.

[0028] Cable pins may be provided in a plurality of cable poles, and a plurality of tension cables may be respectively fixed to the cable pins, and the plurality of tension cables may be respectively guided by a plurality of end caps to be connected to the cable pins.

[0029] When tension control starts, the tension actuator may operate, and the lead screw may rotate to move the lead screw nut assembly, and a plurality of cable poles may be fixed to the lead screw nut assembly and operated to pull a plurality of tension cables.

[0030] When any one of the plurality of tension cables is fully locked, the tension actuator may continue to operate to move the lead screw nut assembly, and the lead screw nut and the cable pole connected to the tension cable that has completed locking may be disengaged from each other, and the cable pole connected to another tension cable may be fixed to the lead screw nut and operated to pull the tension cable until the other tension cable is fully locked.

[0031] The lead screw nut and the cable pole may be disengaged from each other by the balls in the lead screw nut being separated from the placement grooves in the cable pole and the spring being compressed.

[0032] The tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may perform tension control by operating two latches using one tension actuator. By including a lead screw nut that moves along the lead screw by the driving force of one tension actuator, and by connecting the cable poles engaged with the lead screw nut to each of the two latches using tension cables, the tensioning device may perform synchronous tension control while absorbing the difference in the tensioning stroke of the corresponding latches.

[0033] The tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may control the double latches required for a pair of opposed doors without a B-pillar by using only one tension actuator, eliminating the need for another tension actuator, and may absorb the difference in the tensioning stroke due to tolerances of surrounding components, tension cables, etc., thereby reducing its cost and weight and enabling it to be universal.

[0034] The method and apparatus of the present invention 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 and together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 is a side view showing a vehicle using a conventional pair of swinging doors.

[0036] Figure 2 is showing an application to Figure 1 an example of a conventional tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle for a front door of a vehicle.

[0037] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a front door using a tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 4 is an overall perspective view of a tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 5 is a plan view showing a general state of a tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle before performing its tensioning function according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 6 1 is a plan view illustrating a state of a tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a tensioning function is performed and then two-stage locking of a lower latch is completed.

[0041] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Magnified view of section "A".

[0042] Figure 8 is a plan view showing the state of a tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a tensioning function is performed, two-stage locking of a lower latch is performed first, and then two-stage locking of an upper latch is completed, thereby completely locking the door.

[0043] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 Magnified view of part "B".

[0044] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a stepwise operation state of a tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 11 2 is a plan view showing the state of a tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a tensioning function is performed, two-stage locking of an upper latch is performed first, and then two-stage locking of a lower latch is completed, thereby completely locking the door.

[0046] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather show a slightly simplified depiction of various features that illustrate the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention as included herein (including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes) will be determined in part by the specific target application and use environment.

[0047] In the figures, like reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing. Detailed Embodiments

[0048] Hereinafter, various specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. Examples of these specific embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings and described as follows. Although the present invention will be described in combination with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that this specification is not intended to limit the present invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but also various alternative forms, modifications, equivalent forms, and other embodiments that may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0049] Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement the present invention. The present invention can be modified in various different forms and is not limited to the exemplary embodiments provided in the specification.

[0050] In addition, in various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the same reference numerals are used to representatively describe components including the same configuration in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, while only the components different from the exemplary embodiments are described in other embodiments.

[0051] It should be understood that the drawings are schematic and not drawn to scale. For clarity and convenience in the drawings, the dimensions and ratios of the components in the drawings are relatively enlarged or reduced. This arbitrary dimension is merely illustrative and not restrictive. In addition, the same reference numerals are used to indicate similar features of the same structure, element, or component shown in two or more drawings. When an element is referred to as being on or above another element, it should be understood that the element can be directly on the other element or can be above the other element with a third element interposed therebetween.

[0052] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention specifically represent the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the schematic diagrams can be modified in various ways. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the specific shapes of the shown parts and can include, for example, shapes modified during production.

[0053] Hereinafter, a tightening device for a door latch in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0054] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a front door using a tightening device for a door latch in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is an overall perspective view of a tightening device for a door latch in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] The cinching device 100 for a vehicle door latch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be applied not only to door latches 7 and 9 in a vehicle, but also to configurations including a double-latch structure, such as a hood, a trunk, a tailgate, and a rear door of a pickup truck. However, in a vehicle without a B-pillar, the cinching device 100 in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a door including two door latches, a front door or a rear door, and the cinching device 100 in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described as an example applied to a front door.

[0056] Referring Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the cinching device 100 for a vehicle door latch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can include a cinching actuator 10, a lead screw 20, a lead screw nut assembly, and a plurality of cable rods 42 and 44.

[0057] In a vehicle without a B-pillar, the cinching device 100 for a vehicle door latch can be disposed in a door panel including door latches 7 and 9 respectively arranged at its upper end and lower end. The cinching device 100 can move the lead screw nut assembly along the lead screw 20 by the driving force of one cinching actuator 10, and connect the cable rods 42 and 44 engaged with the lead screw nut assembly to the two door latches 7 and 9 by using two cinching cables 70 and 90, thereby performing synchronous cinching control while absorbing the difference in the cinching stroke of the corresponding door latches 7 and 9.

[0058] The cinching actuator 10 can include a worm 12 provided on its rotating shaft. The cinching actuator 10 can be a motor configured to control its rotation direction and the number of rotations.

[0059] The lead screw 20 can be disposed at a right angle to the rotating shaft of the cinching actuator 10 and include a worm gear 22 mounted on its end and meshing with the worm 12, thereby receiving the rotational driving force of the cinching actuator 10 through the gear transmission of the worm 12 and the worm gear 22.

[0060] The lead screw nut assembly can be movably fastened to the lead screw 20. The lead screw nut assembly can include a lead screw nut body 30 fastened to the lead screw 20, and an upper lead screw nut 31 and a lower lead screw nut 33 respectively extending from one end of the lead screw nut body 30 and arranged parallel to each other. The upper lead screw nut 31 and the lower lead screw nut 33 can be respectively inserted and connected to a plurality of cable rods 44 and 42.

[0061] Each of the lead screw nut body 30, the upper lead screw nut 31, and the lower lead screw nut 33 can have a cuboid shape and can move back and forth by the rotation of the lead screw 20 without using a separate guide or the like.

[0062] A plurality of cable rods 44 and 42 can be provided, and the upper lead screw nut 31 and the lower lead screw nut 33 of the lead screw nut assembly can be respectively inserted into and connected to the cable rods 44 and 42. The plurality of cable rods 44 and 42 can be connected to the plurality of door latches 7 and 9 through corresponding tension cables.

[0063] Each of the cable pins 46 and 48 can be connected to the front end portion of the corresponding tension cable. The cable pins 46 and 48 can be respectively provided in the cable rods 44 and 42, and the tension cables can be respectively guided by the end caps 52 and 54 so as to be connected to the cable pins 46 and 48.

[0064] Meanwhile, a spring 34 or 38 and a ball 32 or 36 can be provided in a corresponding one of the upper lead screw nut 31 and the lower lead screw nut 33. The spring 34 or 38 can face the inner wall of the cable rod 44 or 42, that is, it can be compressed and decompressed by elastic force in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the upper lead screw nut 31 or the lower lead screw nut 33. The ball 32 or 36 can be fixed to the end portion of the spring 34 or 38 and contact the inner wall of the cable rod 44 or 42, thereby compressing or decompressing the spring 34 or 38.

[0065] The cable rods 44 and 42 can include an upper cable rod 44 and a lower cable rod 42. The upper lead screw nut 31 and the lower lead screw nut 33 can be respectively movably inserted into the upper cable rod 44 and the lower cable rod 42, and a placement groove 43 can be formed at a position corresponding to the position of the ball 32 or 36 on the inner surface of the cable rod 44 or 42 so that the ball 32 or 36 can be inserted and received therein or released therefrom. When the ball 32 or 36 is received in the placement groove 43, the spring 34 or 38 can be decompressed, and when the ball 32 or 36 is released from the placement groove 43, the spring 34 or 38 can be compressed.

[0066] Figure 5 is a plan view showing a normal state of a tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention before performing its tensioning function.

[0067] Referring to Figure 5 , the tension cable can maintain its tension through a spring provided in each of the two door latches 7 and 9. Therefore, the cable rod 44 or 42 can maintain balance and be parallel to the lead screw nut assembly through force balance.

[0068] Figure 6 is a plan view showing the state of a tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the tensioning function is performed and then the two-stage locking of the lower latch is completed; Figure 7 is Figure 6 an enlarged view of part "A" of

[0069] Referring to Figure 6 , when the tension actuator 10 rotates to perform the tensioning operation of the two door latches 7 and 9, the lead screw 20 can rotate through the gear transmission of the worm 12 and the worm wheel 22, and the lead screw nut assembly engaged with the lead screw 20 can move to pull the tension cable.

[0070] Threads can be formed in the lead screw nut body 30 of the lead screw nut assembly to engage and mate with the lead screw 20, so as to move in the longitudinal direction of the lead screw 20 as the lead screw 20 rotates. Therefore, the lead screw nut body 30 can move by the rotation of the lead screw 20, thereby moving the lead screw nut assembly.

[0071] Then, the cable rod 44 or 42 can move together with the lead screw nut assembly to pull the tension cable. The end of the tension cable can be fixed by the cable pin 46 or 48, so that the tension cable is pulled when the cable rod 44 or 42 moves.

[0072] Therefore, the door latches 7 and 9 can start their tensioning operations through the tensioning stroke of the tension cable, and one door latch can first complete the two-stage locking. This exemplary embodiment shows the case where the lower latch 9 first completes the two-stage locking.

[0073] Here, due to the difference in the tensioning stroke, the other door latch, that is, the upper latch 7, may not complete the two-stage locking, so the corresponding door may not be fully locked. As Figure 7 shown, the balls 32 of the lower lead screw nut 33 can be received in the placement groove 43 of the lower cable rod 42, and the spring 34 can be decompressed.

[0074] Figure 8 is a plan view showing the state of the tensioning device for the door latch in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where the tensioning function is performed, the two-stage locking of the lower latch is first performed, and then the two-stage locking of the upper latch is completed, so as to fully lock the door; Figure 9 is Figure 8 an enlarged view of part "B" of

[0075] Referring to Figure 8 , when the tension actuator 10 rotates continuously, the lead screw 20 can rotate through the gear transmission of the worm 12 and the worm wheel 22, and the lead screw nut assembly engaged with the lead screw 20 can move to pull the tension cable.

[0076] Then, the tension cable connected to the upper latch 7, which is another latch in addition to the lower latch 9 that accomplishes two-stage locking, can be pulled, so that the difference in the tension stroke can be absorbed. Therefore, through the tension operation, the upper latch 7 can also be in the two-stage locking state, thus completely locking the vehicle door.

[0077] Here, as Figure 9 shown, the tension cable connected to the lower cable rod 42 may not be pulled due to the resistance caused by the completion of the two-stage locking. Therefore, only the lower lead screw nut 33 can move. Accordingly, the balls 32 of the lower lead screw nut 33 accommodated in the placement groove 43 of the lower cable rod 42 can be released, and the spring 34 can be compressed, so that the balls 32 slide along the inner surface of the lower cable rod 42. That is, the tension cable connected to the lower cable rod 42 is not pulled by being fixed.

[0078] On the other hand, the tension cable connected to the upper cable rod 44 can be pulled and moved together with the upper cable rod 44 until the tension cable cannot be pulled any further due to the completion of its two-stage locking. Therefore, the difference between the stroke of the tension cable connected to the lower latch 9 and the stroke of the tension cable connected to the upper latch 7 can be absorbed at a certain time interval.

[0079] For the tension operation of the present invention, the operation of the tension actuator 10 can be controlled by control logic to operate the tension actuator 10 until a locking signal is input from the locking switches of the two vehicle door latches 7 and 9.

[0080] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the control logic includes a controller having a processor.

[0081] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the step-by-step operation states of a tensioning device for a vehicle door latch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] Referring to Figure 10 , as referring to Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 described, in a tensioning device 100 for a vehicle door latch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in a normal state before performing the tensioning function, when the tension actuator 10 rotates to start the tensioning operation for the two vehicle door latches 7 and 9, the lead screw nut assembly can move along the lead screw 20 toward the tension actuator 10.

[0083] When the lower latch 9 first completes two - stage locking and the tension cable connected to the lower cable rod 42 is no longer pulled, the tension actuator 10 can continue to rotate, causing the lead screw nut assembly to move further along the lead screw 20 towards the tension actuator 10, and the balls 32 of the lower lead screw nut 33 can be released from the placement groove 43 in the lower cable rod 42 of the lower latch 9 where the two - stage locking is completed.

[0084] When the tension cable connected to the lower cable rod 42 is no longer pulled, the upper cable rod 44 can be continuously pulled by the upper lead screw nut 31, so that the tension cable connected to the upper cable rod 44 is pulled.

[0085] When the tension cable connected to the upper cable rod 44 is no longer pulled, the two - stage locking of the upper latch 7 can be completed, and the difference in the tension stroke can be absorbed during this process.

[0086] Figure 11 is a plan view showing the state of a tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where the tensioning function is performed. First, the two - stage locking of the upper latch is carried out, and then the two - stage locking of the lower latch is completed, thereby fully locking the door.

[0087] Figure 11 shows the situation in contrast to that Figure 10 described above (first performing the two - stage locking of the lower latch 9 and then completing the two - stage locking of the upper latch 7). Figure 11 shows that: the upper latch 7 first completes two - stage locking, and then the lower latch 9 completes two - stage locking, and its operating principle is the same as that Figure 10 shown in, so it will not be elaborated here.

[0088] As described above, the tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can perform tensioning control by operating two latches using one tension actuator. By including a lead screw nut that moves along the lead screw by the driving force of one tension actuator, and by connecting the cable rods engaged with the lead screw nut to the two latches using corresponding tension cables, the tensioning device can perform synchronous tensioning control while absorbing the difference in the tension stroke of the corresponding latches.

[0089] The tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be configured to control the double latches required for a coach door without a B - pillar by using only one tension actuator, eliminating the need for another tension actuator, and can absorb the difference in the tension stroke caused by tolerances of surrounding components, tension cables, etc., thereby reducing its cost and weight and enabling it to be universal.

[0090] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle may be referred to based on a concept including various means of transportation. In some cases, a vehicle may be interpreted based on such a concept that includes not only various land vehicles traveling on roads, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses, but also various means of transportation such as airplanes, drones, ships, etc.

[0091] For the convenience of explanation and to precisely define the appended claims, the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "above", "below", "upward", "downward", "front", "rear", "back", "inner side", "outer side", "inwardly", "outwardly", "interior", "exterior", "internal", "external", "forward", "backward" are used to describe the features of the exemplary specific embodiments with reference to the positions of these features shown in the drawings. It will be further understood that the term "connected" or its derivatives refer to both direct connection and indirect connection.

[0092] The term "and / or" may include a combination of multiple related listed items or any one of the multiple related listed items. For example, "A and / or B" includes all three cases, namely "A", "B", and "A and B".

[0093] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, "at least one of A and B" may refer to "at least one of A or B" or "at least one of a combination 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 a combination of one or more of A and B".

[0094] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, singular expressions include plural expressions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0095] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it should be understood that terms such as "including" or "having" are intended to specify the existence of the features, numerical values, 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, numerical values, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0096] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, components may be combined with each other to be implemented as one, or some components may be omitted.

[0097] The foregoing description of the specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive, nor is it intended to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary specific embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain specific principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to implement and utilize the invention in its various exemplary specific embodiments and its various alternative forms and modifications. The scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle, which performs tensioning control on a plurality of latches, the tensioning device comprising: A tension actuator; A lead screw, which is coupled to the tension actuator and rotated by the tension actuator; A lead screw nut assembly, which is movably engaged with the lead screw; And A plurality of cable rods, which are coupled to the lead screw nut assembly and connected to a plurality of latches through corresponding tension cables, Wherein, a spring structure for absorbing stroke is used to perform tensioning control by absorbing the difference in the tensioning strokes of the plurality of latches.

2. The tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The tension actuator is a motor, and the motor is configured to control its rotation direction and rotation quantity.

3. The tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The lead screw nut assembly comprises: A lead screw nut body, which is coupled to the lead screw; and At least two lead screws nuts, which each extend from one end of the lead screw nut body, are arranged parallel to each other, and are respectively inserted into and connected to a plurality of cable rods.

4. The tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein: The spring structure comprises a spring and a ball, The spring and the ball are arranged in each of at least two lead screws nuts, the spring is configured to reciprocate by elastic force in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of at least two lead screws nuts, and the ball is fixedly engaged with the spring.

5. The tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein, At the position of the surface of at least one cable rod among the plurality of cable rods corresponding to the ball, a placement groove is formed for inserting and accommodating the ball in the placement groove or releasing the ball from the placement groove.

6. The tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein, At least two lead screws nuts include an upper lead screw nut and a lower lead screw nut, the upper lead screw nut and the lower lead screw nut each extend from one end of the lead screw nut body, are arranged parallel to each other, and are respectively inserted into and connected to a plurality of cable rods.

7. The tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein, Threads are formed in the lead screw nut body to be combined and engaged with the lead screw, so as to move in the longitudinal direction of the lead screw in response to the rotation of the lead screw.

8. The tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein, Each of the lead screw nut body, the upper lead screw nut and the lower lead screw nut has a cuboid shape.

9. The tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein, The spring structure comprises a spring and a ball, The spring and the ball are arranged in each of the upper lead screw nut and the lower lead screw nut, the spring is configured to reciprocate by elastic force in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the upper lead screw nut or the lower lead screw nut, and the ball is fixedly engaged with the spring.

10. The tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to claim 9, wherein, The plurality of cable rods include an upper cable rod and a lower cable rod, the upper lead screw nut is movably inserted into the upper cable rod, and the lower lead screw nut is movably inserted into the lower cable rod, At the position of the surface of the upper cable rod or the lower cable rod corresponding to the ball, a placement groove is formed for inserting and accommodating the ball in the placement groove or releasing the ball from the placement groove.

11. The tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, Cable pins are arranged in the plurality of cable rods, and the plurality of tension cables are respectively fixed to the cable pins.

12. The tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to claim 11, further comprising a plurality of end caps, Among them, Multiple tension cables are respectively guided by multiple end caps to be connected to cable pins.

13. The tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to claim 10, wherein, In response to the start of tension control, the tension actuator operates and the lead screw rotates to move the lead screw nut assembly. Multiple cable rods are fixed to the lead screw nut assembly and operate to pull multiple tension cables.

14. The tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to claim 13, wherein, In a state where any one of the multiple tension cables is fully locked, the tension actuator continues to operate to move the lead screw nut assembly. The lead screw nut and the cable rod connected to the tension cable that has been locked among the tension cables are disengaged from each other. The cable rod connected to another tension cable among the tension cables is fixed to the lead screw nut and operates to pull the tension cable until the other tension cable is fully locked.

15. The tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to claim 14, wherein, The lead screw nut and the cable rod are disengaged from each other by the balls in the lead screw nut separating from the placement grooves in the cable rod and the spring being compressed.

16. The tensioning device for a door latch in a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The lead screw is arranged at a right angle to the rotation axis of the tension actuator and includes a worm gear. The worm gear is installed at the end of the lead screw and meshes with a worm installed at the end of the rotation axis, so as to receive the rotational driving force of the tension actuator through the worm gear and the worm.

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