Lock cylinder device of vehicle door

Abstract

The present invention suppresses an increase in size of a lock cylinder device of a vehicle door connected to a door lock device via a traction member. The lock cylinder device (20) is provided with: a lock cylinder (32) which can rotate between an operation position in which the door lock device (10) can be switched and a non-operation position in which the door lock device (10) cannot be switched; a rotating member (35) capable of rotating integrally with the lock cylinder (32); and a pulling member (27) for transmitting an operating force of the lock cylinder (32) generated by a key operation to the door lock device (10) via the rotating member (35). The rotating member (35) has a winding portion (35c) capable of winding the traction member (27) by rotation of the lock cylinder (32) from the non-operation position to the operation position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a lock core device for a vehicle door. Background Art

[0002] A lock cylinder device is known for switching a door lock device provided on a vehicle door from a locked state to an unlocked state. When the door lock device is in the unlocked state, the door can be opened by operating a handle provided on the door. When the door lock device is in the locked state, the door cannot be opened even by operating the handle.

[0003] The lock cylinder device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a cable for transmitting the operating force of the lock cylinder to the door lock device. One end of the wire (pulling member) of the cable is connected to a transmission rod provided on the lock cylinder. The other end of the wire is connected to the door lock device. As a result, the transmission rod and the lock cylinder rotate integrally, and the wire is pulled according to the amount of rotation of the transmission rod, thereby unlocking the door lock device. As a result, the door lock device switches from a locked state to an unlocked state.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-25965

[0007] In the lock cylinder device of Patent Document 1, the forward and backward stroke of the wire-type pulling member must be ensured to ensure the required travel for unlocking the door lock. Furthermore, to ensure the forward and backward stroke of the pulling member, the distance from the rotation axis of the transmission lever to the portion where the transmission lever connects to the pulling member must be ensured. This results in an undesirable increase in the overall length of the transmission lever, leading to an increase in the size of the lock cylinder device. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The technical problem of the present invention is to suppress the increase in size of a door lock cylinder device connected to a door lock device via a pulling member.

[0009] The present invention provides a lock core device for a vehicle door, which comprises: a lock core that can rotate between an operating position and a non-operating position, wherein in the operating position, the door lock device can be switched from a locked state to an unlocked state, and in the non-operating position, the door lock device cannot be switched; a rotating member that is installed on the lock core and can rotate integrally with the lock core; and a traction member, one end of which is connected to the rotating member, the traction member being used to transmit the operating force of the lock core generated by key operation to the door lock device via the rotating member, and in the lock core device of the vehicle door, the rotating member has a winding portion, and the winding portion can wind up the traction member when the lock core is rotated from the non-operating position to the operating position.

[0010] The rotating member, which rotates integrally with the lock cylinder, includes a winding portion that winds up the pulling member as the lock cylinder rotates from the non-operating position to the operating position. This allows the rotational operating force of the lock cylinder generated by key operation to be converted into a pulling force of the pulling member via the rotating member and transmitted to the door lock device through a simple structure without increasing the number of parts.

[0011] Furthermore, since the traction member is pulled by winding around the winding portion, the forward and backward stroke of the traction member can be ensured compared to a case where the traction member is pulled linearly by the transmission rod. Therefore, the stroke required for unlocking the door lock device can be ensured. Furthermore, compared to a case where the entire length of the transmission rod is extended, the size of the lock cylinder device can be suppressed, and the degree of freedom in the installation layout of the lock cylinder device on the vehicle door can be increased.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] In the present invention, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of a key cylinder device of a vehicle door connected to a door lock device via a pulling member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 This is a front view of a vehicle door using the key cylinder device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 Yes Figure 1 A block diagram showing the relationship between a door lock device, a handle, and a lock cylinder device.

[0016] Figure 3 It is a rear perspective view of the lock cylinder device.

[0017] Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view of the lock cylinder device.

[0018] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 VV line cross-sectional view.

[0019] Figure 6 It is an exploded perspective view of the housing, lock cylinder and rotating component.

[0020] Figure 7A It is a perspective view showing the state of the key cylinder unit when the key cylinder is rotated to the initial position.

[0021] Figure 7B This is a perspective view showing the state of the key cylinder unit when the key cylinder is rotated to the operation position.

[0022] Figure 8 yes Figure 3 Cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII.

[0023] Figure 9 It is a perspective view showing the connection state of the rod to the door lock device.

[0024] Description of Reference Numerals

[0025] 1: Door; 2: Outer panel; 2a: Lower end; 3: Inner panel; 3a: Mounting plate; 4: End plate; 5: Handle; 5a, 5b: Switch; 6: ECU; 7: Antenna; 8: Authentication unit; 10: Door lock device; 11: Latch mechanism; 12: Actuator; 13: Latch switching mechanism; 14: Lock mechanism; 15: Actuator; 16: Lock switching mechanism; 16a: Connector receiving portion; 20: Lock cylinder device; 25: Cable; 26: Tube; 27: Wire (pulling member); 28: Wire end; 29: Tube end; 30: Lock cylinder unit; 31: Housing; 31a: Main body; 31b: Mounting portion; 32: Lock cylinder; 32a: Keyhole; 32b: Upper end; 33: Spring; 34: Retaining member; 34a : Holding portion; 34b: Flange portion; 35: Rotating member; 35a: Base; 35b: Mounting hole; 35c: Winding portion; 35d: Groove; 35e: Connecting hole; 35f: Insertion slot; 36: Stop member; 37: Anti-theft cover; 37a: Holding portion; 38: Waterproof cover; 39: Waterproof cover; 40: Connecting unit; 41: Supporting member; 41a: Main body; 41b: Mounting piece; 41c: Holding portion; 42: Rod; 42a: Connecting portion; 42b: Mounting portion; 44: Connecting rod; 44a: Mounting hole; 44b: Connecting portion; 44c: Connecting hole; 44d: Insertion slot; 46: Spring; A: Axis of the main body of the shell (rotational axis of the lock cylinder); B: Axis of the main body of the supporting member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The lock cylinder device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed on the door 1 of the vehicle, and switches the door lock device 10 installed on the same door 1 from a locked state to an unlocked state, so that the door 1 can be opened by operating the handle 5.

[0028] The lock cylinder device 20 of this embodiment is used for the left side door whose hinge axis extends in the vehicle height direction. However, the lock cylinder device 20 can be used for the right side door, the sliding door, or the rear door.

[0029] In the figures, the X direction is the vehicle length, with the direction indicated by the arrow pointing forward and the direction opposite the arrow pointing rearward. The Y direction is the vehicle width, with the direction indicated by the arrow pointing inward (inside the vehicle) and the direction opposite the arrow pointing outward (outside the vehicle). The Z direction is the vehicle height, with the direction indicated by the arrow pointing upward and the direction opposite the arrow pointing downward.

[0030] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The lock cylinder device 20 is mechanically connected to the door lock device 10. The door lock device 10 is communicatively connected to the vehicle's ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 6. The ECU 6 is connected to an antenna 7 for wireless communication with the user's electronic key (not shown), and an authentication unit 8 for key authentication.

[0031] The ECU 6 includes a computing unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit (all not shown). The ECU 6 reads a program pre-stored in the storage unit and executes information processing according to the steps specified by the program. If key authentication by the authentication unit 8 is successful, the ECU 6 electrically activates the door lock device 10 based on an input signal from the handle 5. On the other hand, if key authentication by the authentication unit 8 is unsuccessful, the ECU 6 does not activate the door lock device 10 even if a signal is input from the handle 5.

[0032] The door lock device 10 is briefly described. The door lock device 10 is arranged along the end plate 4 in a space defined by the outer plate 2, inner plate 3, and end plate 4 of the door 1. The door lock device 10 includes a latch mechanism 11, an actuator 12, a latch switching mechanism 13, a lock mechanism 14, an actuator 15, and a lock switching mechanism 16.

[0033] The latch mechanism 11 includes a fork and a claw, and can be switched between a latched state and an unlatched state. In the latched state, the fork holds the striker of the vehicle body, keeping the door 1 closed. In the unlatched state, the fork releases the striker, allowing the door 1 to open.

[0034] The locking mechanism 14 is composed of a plurality of levers and is switchable between an unlocked state and a locked state. In the unlocked state, the latch mechanism 11 can be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state via the latch switching mechanism 13. In the locked state, the latch mechanism 11 cannot be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state via the latch switching mechanism 13.

[0035] The latch mechanism 11 switches from the unlatched state to the latched state by closing the open door 1 and causing the striker to extend toward the fork. Under normal circumstances, when the actuator 12 is operable, the latch mechanism 11 switches from the latched state to the unlatched state from the outside of the vehicle. This switching is electrically performed by the ECU 6 via the latch switching mechanism 13 based on a signal input from the switch 5a that detects the normal opening of the handle 5. On the other hand, in an emergency situation, when the actuator 12 is inoperative, the latch mechanism 11 switches from the latched state to the unlatched state from the outside of the vehicle manually via the locking mechanism 14 and the latch switching mechanism 13, based on the user's emergency opening operation of the handle 5.

[0036] Under normal circumstances, when the actuator 15 is enabled, the lock mechanism 14 switches from the unlocked state to the locked state (locking) from the outside of the vehicle. This is done electrically by the ECU 6, based on a signal input from the switch 5b that detects the locking operation of the handle 5. Under normal circumstances, the lock mechanism 14 switches from the locked state to the unlocked state (unlocking) from the outside of the vehicle. This is done electrically by the ECU 6, based on a signal input from the switch 5a that detects the normal opening operation of the handle 5. On the other hand, in an emergency situation where the actuator 15 cannot be enabled, the lock mechanism 14 switches from the locked state to the unlocked state from the outside of the vehicle manually, based on an emergency operation (unlocking operation) of the lock cylinder device 20 by the user, via the lock switching mechanism 16.

[0037] As described above, the lock cylinder device 20 is not used under normal circumstances in which the actuator 15 can be operated. Therefore, the lock cylinder 32 included in the lock cylinder device 20 is located at the lower end 2a of the outer panel 2, below the user's line of sight, in a manner that does not impair the design of the door 1. The lower end 2a refers to the area below half the total height of the outer panel 2 and is inclined inward in the vehicle width direction as it approaches the lower side.

[0038] Hereinafter, the key cylinder device 20 of this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0039] Reference Figure 1 、 Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 The cylinder device 20 includes a cylinder unit (cylinder mechanism) 30 , a connecting unit (connecting mechanism) 40 , and a cable 25 that mechanically connects the cylinder unit 30 and the connecting unit 40 .

[0040] The portion of the lock cylinder 32 of the lock cylinder unit 30 in the lock cylinder device 20, other than the top end, is located in the space between the outer panel 2 and the inner panel 3 in the door 1 and cannot be visually identified from the outside of the door 1. Only the top end of the lock cylinder 32 in the lock cylinder device 20 is visible outside the vehicle. Preferably, under normal circumstances, the top end of the lock cylinder 32 is covered and hidden by a decorative member of the door 1 and is exposed by an operation performed by the user.

[0041] (Cable Structure)

[0042] Reference Figure 1 、 Figure 3 as well as Figure 4The cable 25 includes a tube 26 and a wire (pulling member) 27, each of which is flexible. The wire 27 is a transmission member for transmitting the operating force of the lock core 32 to the door lock device 10 via the connecting unit 40. The wire 27 is inserted into the tube 26 in a manner that allows it to move relative to the tube 26, and can move forward and backward in conjunction with the rotation of the lock core 32. Cylindrical wire ends 28 are fixedly connected to both ends of the wire 27. Of the pair of wire ends 28, the one at the lower end is connected to the lock core unit 30, and the one at the upper end is connected to the connecting unit 40.

[0043] (Composition of the lock cylinder unit)

[0044] Reference Figures 3 to 5 The lock core unit 30 is used to Figure 1 The door 1 is shown as an external part of the door 1, and the door lock device 10 is unlocked. The key cylinder unit 30 includes a housing 31, a key cylinder 32, a rotating member 35, an anti-theft cover 37, a waterproof cover 38, and a waterproof cap 39.

[0045] The housing 31 is used to install the lock core unit 30 Figure 1 The structure of the outer panel 2 shown in FIG. The housing 31 includes a main body 31a and a mounting portion 31b. The main body 31a is cylindrical and supports the lock cylinder 32 in a manner that allows the lock cylinder 32 to rotate. The axis A of the main body 31a is inclined toward the outside in the vehicle width direction as it goes downward, but extends in the vehicle height direction as a whole. The mounting portion 31b is used to mount on Figure 1 The outer panel 2 shown is configured to protrude from the main body portion 31a to both sides in the vehicle length direction.

[0046] The lock cylinder 32 has a key hole 32a into which a regular mechanical key (not shown) can be inserted. The lock cylinder 32 is mounted on the main body 31a of the housing 31 with the key hole 32a facing downward (toward the road surface). Figure 1 The lower end portion 2a of the outer panel 2 is shown. By mounting the lock cylinder 32 to the housing 31, the rotation axis of the lock cylinder 32 coincides with the axis A of the main body 31a. In the following description, the axis A of the main body 31a is sometimes referred to as the rotation axis A of the lock cylinder 32.

[0047] The lock cylinder 32 can be rotated between an initial position (non-operating position) and an unlocking position (operating position) by the operation of a mechanical key. Figure 1 and Figure 5 The unlocked position is from the initial position to Figure 4 Direction C1 ( Figure 1 When the lock cylinder 32 is rotated to the initial position, Figure 2 The locking mechanism 14 shown cannot be switched. When the lock cylinder 32 is rotated from the initial position to the unlocked position, the Figure 2The lock switching mechanism 16 shown in the figure switches the lock mechanism 14 from the locked state to the unlocked state. Figure 2 The transmission of the locking mechanism 14 shown will be described in detail later.

[0048] Reference Figures 4 to 6 The lock cylinder 32 is urged from the unlocked position to the initial position by a spring (first urging member) 33. The spring 33 is attached to a holding member 34 and is disposed together with the holding member 34 within the main body 31a of the housing 31.

[0049] The retaining member 34 includes a retaining portion 34a having a C-shape when viewed in the direction extending from the rotation axis A, and an annular flange portion 34b provided at one end of the retaining portion 34a. The retaining member 34 is arranged so as to surround the lock cylinder 32. The flange portion 34b has a positioning notch and is attached to the main body 31a so as to prevent relative movement thereof in either the direction extending from the rotation axis A or in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis A.

[0050] The ends of the spring 33 are respectively engaged with the lock cylinder 32 and the retaining portion 34a. When the key is operated to rotate the lock cylinder 32 relative to the retaining portion 34a about the rotation axis A, the spring 33 is compressed. When the key is no longer operated, the force of the spring 33 causes the lock cylinder 32 to rotate relative to the retaining portion 34a to its initial position.

[0051] The rotating member 35 is configured as follows: it rotates integrally with the lock cylinder 32 and is used to pull the wire 27 by winding the wire 27 during the unlocking operation, thereby converting the rotational operation force of the lock cylinder 32 into the pulling force of the wire 27 and transmitting it to the lock cylinder 32. Figure 2 The lock switching mechanism 16 is shown. The rotating member 35 includes a base portion 35a and a winding portion 35c provided integrally with the base portion 35a.

[0052] The base 35a is cylindrical, centered about the rotation axis A, and is mounted to the upper end portion 32b of the lock cylinder 32 in a manner that prevents relative movement, either in the direction extending from the rotation axis A or in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis A. Specifically, a mounting hole 35b having an engaging groove is provided at the center of the base 35a, and an engaging protrusion is provided at the upper end portion 32b of the lock cylinder 32. The engagement of the engaging protrusion with the engaging groove secures the rotating member 35 to the lock cylinder 32 in a manner that prevents relative rotation. Furthermore, a C-shaped washer and a stopper 36 prevent the base 35a from falling off the lock cylinder 32.

[0053] The winding portion 35c is used to pass through the lock cylinder 32 from Figure 7A The initial position shown is Figure 7BThe winding portion 35c is a fan-shaped portion concentric with the base portion 35a and protrudes radially outward from the base portion 35a. The angle between the pair of radially extending side edges of the winding portion 35c is greater than or equal to the angle between the lock cylinder 32 and the lock cylinder 32. Figure 7A The initial position shown to Figure 7B The rotation angle to the unlocked position is shown.

[0054] The winding portion 35c is formed with an arcuate groove 35d that is recessed from the radially outer side to the inner side and extends circumferentially around the rotation axis A. Furthermore, at the front end of the winding portion 35c in the direction C1 in which the lock cylinder 32 rotates, there are provided a connecting hole 35e for rotatably connecting the wire end 28 and an insertion groove 35f for inserting the wire 27. The bottom of the groove 35d is formed with a radius R that passes through the center of the connecting hole 35e.

[0055] Reference Figure 7A and Figure 7B , the rotating member 35 rotates integrally in the direction C1 by the rotation of the lock core 32 in the direction C1. As a result, the wire 27 is pulled in the same direction C1 and is wound around the bottom of the groove 35d in an arc shape. Here, in the case of the conventional transmission lever, the wire 27 is pulled in a straight line between the tube end 29 installed at the end of the tube 26 and the wire end 28. Therefore, under the same condition that the radius R from the rotation axis A to the connecting hole 35e of the wire end 28 is the same, in the rotating member 35 of this embodiment, the pulling amount of the wire 27 can be increased compared to the conventional transmission lever. Therefore, the forward and backward stroke of the wire 27 can be ensured. On the other hand, in the case where the forward and backward stroke of the wire 27 based on the conventional transmission lever is the same as the forward and backward stroke of the wire 27 based on the rotating member 35 of this embodiment, the rotating member 35 of this embodiment can be miniaturized.

[0056] Reference Figures 3 to 5 The anti-theft cover 37 is designed to prevent third parties from improperly manipulating the rotating member 35 and wire 27. Mounted on the vehicle widthwise outboard side of the housing 31, the anti-theft cover 37 covers the housing 31 (including the lock cylinder 32), the rotating member 35, and the lower end of the wire 27. This prevents direct manipulation of the rotating member 35 and wire 27 by devices intended for lock picking. The anti-theft cover 37 is provided with a retaining portion 37a for positioning and holding the pipe end 29.

[0057] The waterproof cover 38 is provided to prevent water from entering the housing 31. It covers the main body 31a of the housing 31, which includes the lock cylinder 32, the rotating member 35, and the lower end of the wire 27. This prevents water from entering the door 1 from between the outer panel 2 and the inner panel 3 and from adhering to the lower end of the rotating member 35 and the wire 27.

[0058] The waterproof cover 39 is a cylindrical body with one end open and the other end closed, and is detachably attached to the outer end of the main body 31a of the housing 31 including the lock cylinder 32.

[0059] (Configuration of the connection unit)

[0060] Reference Figure 3 、 Figure 4 as well as Figure 8 The connecting unit 40 is used to connect the lock cylinder unit 30 to the door lock device 10 via the wire 27. Figure 1 In the door 1 shown, the connecting unit 40 is arranged above the lock cylinder unit 30 at a distance therefrom and is mounted at the same height as the door lock device 10. The connecting unit 40 includes a supporting member 41, a rod (connecting member) 42, and a connecting rod 44.

[0061] The supporting member 41 is used to support the rod 42 in a manner that allows the rod 42 to rotate, and to install the connecting rod 44 including the rod 42 on the connecting rod 44. Figure 1 The inner plate 3 shown is joined to the mounting plate 3a (see Figure 9 The supporting member 41 includes a main body portion 41a, an attachment piece 41b, and a holding portion 41c.

[0062] The main body 41a is cylindrical and supports the rod 42 in a manner that allows the rod 42 to rotate. The axis B of the main body 41a is inclined downward as it approaches the inner side in the vehicle width direction, but extends in the vehicle width direction as a whole. A cover portion 41d is provided at the end portion of the main body 41a on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The mounting piece 41b is used to mount on Figure 9 The mounting plate 3a shown is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart portions at the inner end of the body 41a in the vehicle width direction. The retaining portion 41c is used to position and retain the pipe end 29 and projects downward from the body 41a toward the connecting unit 40.

[0063] Reference Figure 3 、 Figure 4 as well as Figure 9 The rod 42 is configured to connect to the conventional connection receiving portion 16a of the door lock device 10. The rod 42 is rod-shaped and is attached to the main body 41a of the support member 41 so that it can rotate about the axis B. The axis of the rod 42 aligns with the axis B of the main body 41a due to its attachment to the support member 41. The overall length of the rod 42 is longer than that of the main body 41a. Both ends of the rod 42 protrude from the ends of the main body 41a.

[0064] A connecting portion 42a is provided at the inner end portion of the rod 42 in the vehicle width direction. Figure 2The connecting portion 42a is connected to the connection receiving portion 16a of the lock switching mechanism 16 shown. The connecting portion 42a has a plurality of protrusions that protrude radially outward from the rod 42 and can transmit the force of the rod 42 to the lock switching mechanism 16. Figure 3 、 Figure 4 as well as Figure 8 A mounting portion 42 b for mounting the connecting rod 44 is provided at the outer end portion of the rod 42 in the vehicle width direction.

[0065] Connecting rod 44 is a conversion member used to convert the forward and backward movement of wire 27 into rotation of rod 42. Connecting rod 44 is provided with a mounting hole 44a into which mounting portion 42b is inserted. Rotation of rod 44 relative to mounting portion 42b is restricted by the engagement of an engaging groove in mounting hole 44a with an engaging protrusion on rod 42. This allows connecting rod 44 to rotate integrally with rod 42.

[0066] The connecting rod 44 includes a connecting portion 44b for connecting the wire 27. The connecting portion 44b protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the axis B, that is, radially outward from the rod 42. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 44b is composed of a pair of plate portions spaced apart and located in the direction extending along the axis B. The connecting portion 44b is provided with a connecting hole 44c for rotatably connecting the wire end 28 and an insertion groove 44d for inserting the wire 27.

[0067] The connecting rod 44 thus constructed can be Figure 2 The unlocking operation of the locking mechanism 14 is shown in FIG. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The initial position shown is in the direction C2 ( Figure 4 Rotate between the working positions after rotating the specified angle (clockwise).

[0068] A spring (second biasing member) 46 is disposed between the connecting rod 44 and the support member 41 to bias the connecting rod 44 from its operating position to its initial position. The spring 46 is disposed at the vehicle widthwise outer end of the main body 41a of the support member 41 and is covered by a cover 41d. One end of the spring 46 is engaged with the cover 41d, while the other end of the spring 46 is engaged with the connecting rod 44.

[0069] Next, the operation of the key cylinder device 20 will be described.

[0070] When the key is operated to rotate the lock cylinder 32 in the direction C1, the rotating member 35 rotates integrally in the direction C1 (see FIG. Figure 7A and Figure 7B). Thus, the wire 27 is pulled downward (in the first direction) by the rotation of the rotating member 35. As a result, the connecting rod 44 rotates in the direction C2, and the rod 42 and the connecting rod 44 rotate in the direction C2 integrally. In this way, the operating force of the lock cylinder 32 is transmitted to Figure 2 The lock switching mechanism 16 shown in FIG. 14 is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state. At this time, in this embodiment, the forward and backward stroke of the wire 27 can be ensured by the rotating member 35, so the stroke required for the unlocking operation of the lock mechanism 14 can be fully ensured.

[0071] When the key operation is stopped, the lock cylinder 32 rotates from the unlocked position to the initial position due to the force of the spring 33. The rod 42 and the connecting rod 44 rotate from the operating position to the initial position due to the force of the spring 46. As a result, the wire 27 is pulled upward (in the second direction) by the force of the springs 33 and 46.

[0072] Here, both the movement of wire 27 to its initial position and the rotation of connecting rod 44 to its initial position are upward, requiring a force that overcomes gravity. Furthermore, the long overall length of cable 25 may cause it to be routed in a curved manner to accommodate other components. This increases the resistance between tube 26 and wire 27, potentially preventing the lock cylinder 32, rotating member 35, wire 27, and connecting rod 44 from returning to their initial positions solely through the applied force of spring 33 attached to lock cylinder 32.

[0073] In contrast, in the lock cylinder device 20 of this embodiment, although the connecting unit 40 is spaced apart and positioned above the lock cylinder 32, the lock cylinder unit 30 includes a spring 33 for returning the lock cylinder 32 to its initial position, and the connecting unit 40 includes a spring 46 for returning the connecting rod 44 to its initial position. This allows the wire 27 and connecting rod 44 to move upward, overcoming the resistance between the tube 26 and the wire 27 and the force of gravity. This ensures that the lock cylinder 32, the rotating member 35, the wire 27, and the connecting rod 44 are reliably returned to their initial positions.

[0074] The lock cylinder device 20 constructed as described above has the following features.

[0075] The rotating member 35, which is rotatable integrally with the lock cylinder 32, includes a winding portion 35c that winds the wire 27 as the lock cylinder 32 rotates from the initial position to the unlocked position. Thus, without increasing the number of parts and with a simple structure, the rotational operating force of the lock cylinder 32 generated by key operation can be converted into a pulling force of the wire 27 via the rotating member 35 and transmitted to the door lock device 10.

[0076] Furthermore, since the wire 27 is wound around the winding portion 35c, the forward and backward stroke of the wire 27 can be ensured compared to a case where the wire 27 is pulled linearly via the transmission rod. Therefore, the stroke required for the unlocking operation of the door lock device 10 can be ensured. Furthermore, compared to a case where the entire length of the transmission rod is extended, the size of the lock cylinder device 20 can be suppressed, and the degree of freedom in the installation layout of the lock cylinder device 20 on the vehicle door 1 can be increased.

[0077] An arc-shaped groove 35d is formed in the winding portion 35c. This allows the required stroke for unlocking the door lock device 10 to be ensured with minimal rotation of the rotating member 35. This effectively prevents the lock cylinder device 20 from becoming larger. Furthermore, when the wire 27 is wound around the winding portion 35c, the wire 27 makes contact with the winding portion 35c, thus evenly distributing the load applied to the wire 27 due to pulling to the portion of the wire 27 wound around the winding portion 35c. This prevents partial load application to the wire 27, thereby reducing wire breakage.

[0078] The coiled portion 35c extends in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis A of the key cylinder 32. This can improve the efficiency of transmitting the operating force of the key cylinder 32 to the door lock device 10 disposed away from the key cylinder 32.

[0079] The key cylinder 32 is disposed at the lower end of the vehicle door 1. Thus, the key cylinder 32 is located below the user's line of sight and is difficult to visually recognize, thereby improving the design of the vehicle door 1.

[0080] The lock cylinder 32 is arranged so that the key hole 32a faces downward. This allows the lock cylinder 32 to be reliably arranged in the door 1 whose dimension in the thickness direction is limited.

[0081] An anti-theft cover 37 is provided to cover the lock cylinder 32 and to inhibit operation of a member for the purpose of picking the lock from the outside. This ensures anti-theft performance and prevents the door lock device 10 from switching from a locked state to an unlocked state due to improper operation of the rotating member 35 and the wire 27.

[0082] A waterproof cover 38 is provided to cover the key cylinder 32 and prevent water from entering. This ensures waterproofness, thereby preventing malfunctions of the key cylinder 32, the rotating member 35, and the wire 27.

[0083] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0084] For example, the rotation axis of the winding portion 35c including the groove 35d can also be located at a position spaced apart from the rotation axis A of the key cylinder 32. The winding portion 35c only needs to extend circumferentially around the rotation axis A and does not need to be an arc shape in a strict geometric sense.

[0085] The lock cylinder unit 30 can be positioned above the connecting unit 40 or spaced apart from the connecting unit 40 at the same height along the vehicle length. Furthermore, the lock cylinder 32 can be positioned so as to face outward in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the lock cylinder 32 can be configured so that the door lock device 10 switches from the unlocked state to the locked state by rotating it from an initial position (non-operated position) to a locked position (operated position).

[0086] The key cylinder device 20 may be configured not to include the connecting unit 40 but to directly connect the upper end of the wire 27 to the lock switching mechanism 16 of the door lock device 10 .

Claims

1. A door lock cylinder device, comprising: a lock cylinder rotatable between an operating position and a non-operating position, wherein the door lock device can be switched to a locked state or an unlocked state in the operating position and cannot be switched in the non-operating position; A rotating member, mounted on the lock core, capable of rotating integrally with the lock core; and a traction member, one end of which is connected to the rotating member, and the traction member is used to transmit the operating force of the lock cylinder generated by the key operation to the door lock device via the rotating member, In the lock cylinder device of the vehicle door, The rotating member has a winding portion capable of winding the traction member when the lock cylinder is rotated from the non-operating position to the operating position.

2. The door lock cylinder device according to claim 1, wherein: An arc-shaped groove is formed in the winding portion.

3. The vehicle door lock cylinder device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The winding portion extends in a circumferential direction around the rotation axis of the lock cylinder.

4. The vehicle door lock cylinder device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The lock core is arranged at the lower end portion of the vehicle door.

5. The vehicle door lock cylinder device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The lock cylinder is arranged with the key hole facing downward.

6. The vehicle door lock cylinder device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The door lock cylinder device includes a cover that covers at least the key cylinder and suppresses operation from the outside.

7. The vehicle door lock cylinder device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The door lock cylinder device includes a cover that covers at least the lock cylinder and prevents water ingress.

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