Driving power transmission device

Abstract

To provide a driving power transmission device for allowing smooth operation of a specified gear while suppressing backlash of the specified gear with high reliability.SOLUTION: A driving power transmission device 6 includes a housing 60 having a support part 61S, a first face 61P, and a second face 69P. A specified gear 52 has a supported part 52H supported by the support part 61S, a body part 56 formed on a whole periphery of the supported part 52H and having a plurality of gear teeth 52G on an outer periphery, arranged side by side in a peripheral direction of a rotation axis X52, a slide contact face 56P formed on the body part 56 and having a circular ring shape around the rotation axis X52 for slide contact with the first face 61P, and a plurality of energizing slide contact parts 57 formed on the body part 56 and protruded in a cantilevered beam shape while being isolated from one another in the peripheral direction, each energizing slide contact part 57 having energizing force F1 to be applied to the second face 69P for slide contact with the second face 69P.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a driving force transmission device. [Background technology]

[0002] A motor device with a reduction mechanism, which is an example of a conventional driving force transmission device, is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This motor device with a reduction mechanism includes a gear case, a gear cover, and a reduction mechanism.

[0003] The reduction mechanism has a plurality of gears. The gears are housed in a gear case and a gear cover and mesh with each other. Specifically, the gears are a worm, a worm wheel on which a large-diameter gear and a small-diameter gear are formed, and an output wheel on which an output gear is formed. The reduction mechanism transmits the driving force generated by the electric motor to a driven object, i.e., a vehicle electric seat device, via a specific gear, i.e., the output wheel, which is one of the gears.

[0004] The output take-off holes formed in the gear case and the gear cover respectively support the output wheel so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis.

[0005] An end face of the case-side rib formed on the gear case faces the output wheel from one side in the rotation axis direction. The end face of the case-side rib is in sliding contact with a flat portion of the output wheel.

[0006] The end face of the cover-side rib formed on the gear cover has an annular shape centered on the rotation axis and faces the output wheel from the other side of the rotation axis. The end face of the cover-side rib is in sliding contact with the bottom surface of the sliding contact recess of the output wheel. The height of the cover-side rib is set to a height that can bias the output wheel toward one side of the rotation axis.

[0007] In this way, the case side ribs and the cover side ribs support the output wheel in a state in which they sandwich the output wheel in the direction of the rotation axis and press the output wheel, thereby suppressing rattling of the output wheel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5697932 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, in the above-mentioned conventional motor device with reduction gear mechanism, the output wheel is in sliding contact with the case-side ribs and the cover-side ribs while the case-side ribs and the cover-side ribs are sandwiching the output wheel in the direction of the rotation axis and pressing the output wheel. Therefore, due to the variation in dimensions of at least one of the parts of the gear case, the gear cover, and the output wheel, there is a risk that the gear cover will not be properly assembled to the gear case, or that the sliding resistance acting on the output wheel will become excessive, resulting in poor rotation.

[0010] As a result, in this motor device with a reduction gear mechanism, it may become difficult to operate the output wheel smoothly.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and has as its object to provide a driving force transmission device that can reliably suppress rattling of a specific gear and enable the specific gear to operate smoothly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The driving force transmission device of the present invention comprises a housing and a transmission mechanism having a plurality of gears accommodated in the housing and meshing with each other, the transmission mechanism transmitting a driving force generated by the drive motor to a driven object via at least one specific gear among the gears; A driving force transmission device comprising: The housing includes a support portion that supports the specific gear rotatably around a rotation axis; a first surface facing the specific gear from one side in the rotation axis direction; a second surface facing the specific gear from the other side in the rotation axis direction, The specific gear has a supported portion supported by the supporting portion, a main body portion having a plurality of gear teeth formed on an entire circumference of the supported portion and arranged in a circumferential direction of the rotation axis on an outer periphery thereof; a sliding surface formed on the main body portion, the sliding surface being in an annular shape centered on the rotation axis and in sliding contact with the first surface; The present invention is characterized in that it has a plurality of biasing sliding contact portions formed in the main body portion and protruding in a cantilever shape while being spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, each of the biasing sliding contact portions having a biasing force toward the second surface and in sliding contact with the second surface.

[0013] In the driving force transmission device of the present invention, the sliding surface of the specific gear is in sliding contact with the first surface of the housing. Each biasing sliding portion of the specific gear is in sliding contact with the second surface of the housing with a biasing force toward the second surface of the housing. Thus, the specific gear is sandwiched between the first surface and the second surface of the housing in the direction of the rotation axis.

[0014] When a force acts to tilt a particular gear relative to the rotation axis, the biased sliding contact portion that is pressed against the second surface of each biased sliding contact portion further accumulates biasing force and pushes back to eliminate the force attempting to tilt the gear, while the biased sliding contact portion that moves away from the second surface exerts biasing force to maintain a state in which no gap is created between the gear and the second surface.

[0015] Furthermore, if the specific gear is biased to one side in the direction of the rotation axis, each biasing sliding contact portion moving away from the second surface exerts a biasing force, maintaining a state in which no gap is generated between the specific gear and the second surface.

[0016] Furthermore, if the specific gear is biased to the other side in the direction of the rotation axis, each biasing sliding contact portion further accumulates the biasing force and pushes back so as to eliminate the bias.

[0017] Therefore, the driving force transmission device of the present invention can reliably suppress rattling of the specific gear, thereby enabling the specific gear to operate smoothly.

[0018] It is preferable that three or more biasing sliding contact portions are evenly arranged on an imaginary circle centered on the rotation axis.

[0019] In this case, the three or more biased sliding contact portions are in sliding contact with the second surface without bias around the rotation axis. As a result, the driving force transmission device can more reliably suppress rattling of the specific gear and operate the specific gear more smoothly.

[0020] It is preferable that each of the biasing sliding contact portions protrude radially inwardly from the rotation axis, and that each of the biasing sliding contact portions has a tip portion that is tapered so that the circumferential length of the tip portion is smaller than the circumferential length of the base portion.

[0021] In this case, each of the biasing sliding contact parts can be reinforced without increasing the thickness of the specific gear in the direction of the rotation axis, and deformation or damage of each of the biasing sliding contact parts when they are bent can be suppressed. In addition, by providing each of the biasing sliding contact parts toward the inside in the radial direction of the rotation axis where the circumferential speed is slow, the sliding resistance can be reduced, the sliding loss can be suppressed, and the operation can be made smoother. Furthermore, if each of the biasing sliding contact parts protrudes toward the circumferential direction of the rotation axis, there is a risk that each of the biasing sliding contact parts that slide against the second surface will easily vibrate self-excited (chatter vibration) when the specific gear rotates in the direction opposite to the direction in which it protrudes. In this regard, with the above-mentioned configuration in which each of the biasing sliding contact parts protrudes toward the inside in the radial direction of the rotation axis, each of the biasing sliding contact parts can slide against the second surface stably regardless of the rotation direction of the specific gear.

[0022] It is preferable that the specific gear has a regulated surface that is formed on the main body, is located on one side of the rotation axis direction from the sliding surface, is cylindrical about the rotation axis, and faces radially outward. It is preferable that the housing has a regulating surface that is located on one side of the rotation axis direction from the first surface, and surrounds the regulated surface so as to be in sliding contact with the regulated surface. It is preferable that the regulating surface has a range exceeding 180° around the rotation axis on the cylindrical surface that is cylindrical about the rotation axis and faces radially inward.

[0023] In this case, when a force acts to tilt the specific gear with respect to the rotation axis, the regulating surface comes into sliding contact with the regulated surface, so that the specific gear can be reliably prevented from tilting with respect to the rotation axis. Also, even if a restraining torque of the drive motor or the like is input to the specific gear, the support part and the supported part can be prevented from being deformed or damaged. As a result, this driving force transmission device can prevent the biasing sliding part pressed against the second surface of each biasing sliding part from being excessively bent, deforming or damaging the part.

[0024] The supporting portion is preferably a supporting shaft formed in the resin housing, and the supported portion is preferably a shaft hole into which the supporting shaft is inserted.

[0025] In this case, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a case in which the housing has a separate support shaft made of metal or resin as a support portion.

[0026] It is preferable that one of the gears different from the specific gear is a drive gear fixed to the drive shaft of the drive motor, and that the specific gear is directly meshed with the drive gear.

[0027] In this case, a force that tends to tilt the specific gear with respect to the direction of the rotation axis or a force that tends to bias the specific gear to one side or the other in the direction of the rotation axis is likely to act on the specific gear from the drive gear. Therefore, the driving force transmission device can enjoy the effects of the present invention with a high degree of certainty.

[0028] The driven object is preferably a fork provided together with a base member in a locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body provided on one of the vehicle body and the opening / closing body provided so as to be openable and closable on the vehicle body. The base member preferably has an entrance through which a striker fixed to the other of the vehicle body and the opening / closing body enters. The fork is preferably provided on the base member, and is preferably swung between a latched position where the striker can be engaged at the back of the entrance, a half-latch position where the striker can be engaged halfway through the entrance, and an unlatch position where the striker is not engaged within the entrance. The drive motor preferably generates a driving force at least to move the fork to the latched position.

[0029] In this case, since the drive motor is for a closer applied to a locking device of a vehicle opening / closing body and has a large torque, the force tending to tilt the specific gear with respect to the rotation axis direction or the force tending to bias the specific gear to one side or the other of the rotation axis direction is likely to be large. Therefore, this drive force transmission device can enjoy the effects of the present invention with high certainty. Effect of the Invention

[0030] According to the driving force transmission device of the present invention, rattling of the specific gear can be suppressed with high reliability, and the specific gear can be operated smoothly. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body including a driving force transmission device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a lock device for a vehicle opening / closing body. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a locking device for an opening / closing body for a vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top view showing the driving force transmission device and the lock device main body with the actuator cover removed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an output gear of the driving force transmission device and a lock device main body with the back plate removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing the locking device main body with the base member removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the worm wheel. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the worm wheel. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of the actuator case. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the actuator cover. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the open-close mechanism. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the open / close mechanism. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the open-close mechanism. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the open-close mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0033] (Example) As shown in Fig. 1, a driving force transmission device 6 of the embodiment is an example of a specific aspect of the driving force transmission device of the present invention. The driving force transmission device 6 is provided in a locking device 1 of an opening / closing body for a vehicle (hereinafter simply referred to as "locking device 1") together with a locking device main body 5. The locking device 1 is provided in a tailgate 8 of a vehicle such as a passenger car. The tailgate 8 is provided on a vehicle body 9 of the vehicle so as to be able to be opened and closed. The tailgate 8 is an example of an "opening / closing body" of the present invention.

[0034] The front-rear and up-down directions of the vehicle are as shown in Fig. 1. The left-right direction of the vehicle is a direction perpendicular to the front-rear and up-down directions, with the front side of the paper in Fig. 1 being the right side of the vehicle and the back side of the paper in Fig. 1 being the left side of the vehicle. All directions shown in Fig. 3 and subsequent figures are shown corresponding to Fig. 1.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 1, the tailgate 8 closes a rear opening 9H of a vehicle body 9. Although not shown, the upper end of the tailgate 8 is swingably supported on the upper edge of the rear opening 9H. The tailgate 8 opens the rear opening 9H by swinging its lower end toward the rear and upward of the vehicle.

[0036] The locking device 1 is provided at the lower end of the tailgate 8, and when the tailgate 8 closes the rear opening 9H, it takes the position shown in Fig. 1. A striker 7 is fixed to the lower edge of the rear opening 9H of the vehicle body 9.

[0037] In the following description of the configuration of the locking device 1, the posture of the locking device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used as a reference for the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions.

[0038] 2, the locking device 1 is electrically connected to a control unit C1 provided in a vehicle body 9. A power source B1, a tailgate opening operation detection unit S1, and the like are connected to the control unit C1. The tailgate opening operation detection unit S1 detects an opening operation of a door knob or a remote control switch performed by a user to enable opening of the tailgate 8, and transmits a detection signal to the control unit C1.

[0039] The locking device main body 5 has a base member 90 shown in Figures 1 and 3 to 5, a back plate 95 shown in Figures 3 and 4, a guide base 93 shown in Figures 1 and 3 to 6, and a first support shaft 11 and a second support shaft 22 shown in Figures 3 to 5.

[0040] Moreover, the locking device main body 5 has a fork 10 shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, a pole 20 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, and an operating lever 30 shown in FIGS.

[0041] Furthermore, the lock device main body 5 has a first microswitch SW1 and a second microswitch SW2 shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a first detection lever 71 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and a second detection lever 72 shown in FIG.

[0042] The driving force transmission device 6 has a housing 60 shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, 7, 10 and 11, a connector 65 shown in Figures 3 and 4, a driving motor M1 shown in Figures 2 and 4, and a transmission mechanism 50 shown in Figures 4, 5 and 7 to 10.

[0043] The locking device 1 includes an open / close mechanism 3 that includes an operating lever 30 of a locking device main body 5 and a driving force transmission device 6 .

[0044] <Base member, back plate, guide base, first support shaft and second support shaft> As shown in FIG. 3, the base member 90 and the back plate 95 are each formed by stamping and bending a steel plate.

[0045] The base member 90 has a flat plate portion 90A shown in Figures 1, 3, and 12 to 15. The flat plate portion 90A has a generally rectangular flat plate shape that extends generally horizontally in the left-right direction and also extends with a downward inclination toward the front. As shown in Figures 3 and 12, the flat plate portion 90A has an entrance 97 that is deeply recessed rearward from its front end edge.

[0046] 1, the base member 90 is fastened to the lower end of the tailgate 8. When the locking device 1 moves in conjunction with the closing or opening of the tailgate 8, the striker 7 fixed to the vehicle body 9 enters or leaves the entrance 97 relatively.

[0047] 3 and 4, the back plate 95 is a substantially flat plate located above the flat plate portion 90A of the base member 90. The back plate 95 is formed with a notch that matches the entrance 97, an opening for avoiding interference with other components, fastening holes, and the like.

[0048] 5 and 6, the guide base 93 is a resin molded product manufactured by injection molding of thermoplastic resin or the like. The guide base 93 is formed with a notch that matches the entrance 97, an opening for avoiding interference with other components, a recess for holding other components, fastening holes, etc. As shown in FIG. 3, the guide base 93 is sandwiched between the flat plate portion 90A of the base member 90 and a back plate 95.

[0049] 4 and 6, a damper 94C is held by the guide base 93. The striker 7 entering the back side of the entrance 97 can come into contact with the damper 94C.

[0050] 3 and 5, the first support shaft 11 is a multi-stage steel cylinder centered on a first axis X1 perpendicular to the flat plate portion 90A of the base member 90. The second support shaft 22 is a multi-stage steel cylinder centered on a second axis X2 perpendicular to the flat plate portion 90A of the base member 90.

[0051] 3, the upper ends of the first support shaft 11 and the second support shaft 22 are fixed by crimping to a back plate 95. Although not shown in the drawings, the lower ends of the first support shaft 11 and the second support shaft 22 are fixed by crimping to a flat plate portion 90A of a base member 90. As a result, the base member 90, the back plate 95, and the guide base 93 are integrated together.

[0052] 12, the first axis X1 is located to the left of a portion of the flat plate portion 90A of the base member 90 that is located on the rear side of the entrance 97. The second axis X2 is located to the right of a portion of the flat plate portion 90A of the base member 90 that is located midway through the entrance 97.

[0053] <Fork> As shown in Figures 5 and 6, fork 10 is made of a thick steel plate with notches, irregularities, etc. formed on the outer periphery, a shaft hole that passes through the center in the thickness direction, and most of the steel plate is covered with resin.

[0054] The fork 10 is supported by the base member 90 so as to be swingable about a first axis X1 with a lower portion of a first support shaft 11 inserted into a shaft hole of the fork 10.

[0055] The first direction R1 is the counterclockwise direction around the first axis X1 when facing the paper surface of Fig. 6. When facing the paper surface of Figs. 12 to 15, the first direction R1 is the clockwise direction around the first axis X1. A torsion coil spring (not shown) biases the fork 10 to swing around the first axis X1 in a second direction R2 that is opposite to the first direction R1.

[0056] 6, a portion of the fork 10 located on the entrance 97 side branches into a rear convex portion 10A and a front convex portion 10B. The striker 7 that enters the entrance 97 is accommodated in a recess 10C formed between the rear convex portion 10A and the front convex portion 10B.

[0057] A latch surface 12A, a half latch surface 12B, and a passive surface 13 are formed on the outer periphery of the fork 10. The latch surface 12A, the half latch surface 12B, and the passive surface 13 are each a steel plate portion of the fork 10 that is not covered with resin.

[0058] The latch surface 12A is located at the tip of the rear convex portion 10A and faces downstream in the second direction R2. The latch surface 12A is capable of coming into contact with a stopper surface 20A of the pole 20, which will be described later.

[0059] The half latch surface 12B is a surface facing downstream in the second direction R2 at a portion that protrudes radially outward from the first axis X1 in a stepped shape at a position away from the latch surface 12A in the first direction R1. The half latch surface 12B can also abut against the stopper surface 20A.

[0060] The passive surface 13 is a surface facing upstream in the first direction R1 at a portion that protrudes in a stepped manner radially outward from the first axis X1 at a position opposite to the latch surface 12A across the first axis X1. The passive surface 13 is capable of abutting against a first acting portion 39 of the actuating lever 30, which will be described later.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, the fork 10 swings about a first axis X1 in a first direction R1 and a second direction R2 to a latched position, a half-latched position, and an unlatched position.

[0062] 13 and 14, the latch position of the fork 10 is a position where the striker 7 can be engaged at the back side of the entrance 97 and where the stopper surface 20A can abut against the latch surface 12A of the fork 10. In FIG. 13, the fork 10 has reached the latch position and is in an overrun state.

[0063] 12 and 15, the unlatched position of the fork 10 is a position where the striker 7 is not engaged within the entrance 97 and where the stopper surface 20A cannot contact the latch surface 12A and the half latch surface 12B of the fork 10. The position of the fork 10 shown in FIG. 6 is also the unlatched position.

[0064] Although not shown in the drawings, the half-latched position of the fork 10 is a position between the latched position and the unlatched position. The half-latched position of the fork 10 is a position where the striker 7 can be engaged in the middle of the entrance 97 and where the stopper surface 20A can come into contact with the half-latch surface 12B of the fork 10.

[0065] 6, an extension portion 17 is formed on the outer periphery of the fork 10. The extension portion 17 extends in a substantially arc shape in the first direction R1 at a position spaced apart from the half latch surface 12B in the first direction R1.

[0066] A damper 94A is held on the underside of the guide base 93. The extension 17 can come into contact with the damper 94A when the fork 10 swings in the first direction R1 from the unlatched position shown in Fig. 6 to reach the latched position. The extension 17 can also come into contact with a first contact portion 71A of a first detection lever 71, which will be described later.

[0067] <Paul> The pole 20 is made of a thick steel plate having projections and recesses formed on the outer periphery thereof, a shaft hole penetrating through the center in the thickness direction thereof, and most of the steel plate is further covered with resin.

[0068] The pole 20 is supported by the base member 90 so as to be swingable about the second axis X2 with the second support shaft 22 inserted through the shaft hole of the pole 20. A torsion coil spring (not shown) biases the pole 20 to swing about the second axis X2 in the pole biasing direction D2.

[0069] A stopper surface 20A is formed in a portion of the pole 20 that is spaced rearward from the second axis X2 and located near the back side of the entrance 97. The stopper surface 20A protrudes toward the rear convex portion 10A of the fork 10 and faces upstream in the second direction R2. The stopper surface 20A is a steel plate portion of the pole 20 that is not covered with resin.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, the pole 20 swings about the second axis X2 in the pole biasing direction D2 and in the direction opposite to the pole biasing direction D2, thereby swinging between a blocking position and an unblocking position.

[0071] The blocking position of the pole 20 is a position in which the stopper surface 20A abuts against the latch surface 12A of the fork 10, or faces the latch surface 12A from downstream in the second direction R2 in a manner that allows it to abut against the latch surface 12A, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, thereby blocking the fork 10 from swinging to the unlatched position shown in Figure 12, etc.

[0072] The position where the stopper surface 20A of the pole 20 abuts against the half latch surface 12B of the fork 10 or faces the half latch surface 12B from downstream in the second direction R2 so as to be able to abut against the half latch surface 12B is also the blocking position of the pole 20.

[0073] 13 and 14, with the forks 10 in the latched position and the pawl 20 in the blocking position, the tailgate 8 is held in a fully closed state. With the forks 10 in the half-latched position and the pawl 20 in the blocking position, the tailgate 8 is held in a nearly closed state.

[0074] 12 and 15, the unblocked position of the pawl 20 is a position where the stopper surface 20A is separated from the latch surface 12A and the half latch surface 12B of the fork 10 in the radially outward direction of the first axis X1 and cannot abut against the latch surface 12A and the half latch surface 12B, thereby allowing the fork 10 to swing to the unlatched position shown in Fig. 12 etc. The position of the pawl 20 shown in Fig. 6 is also the unblocked position.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 6, a passive part 23 is formed in the resin part of the pole 20. The passive part 23 is a tip of a protruding part that protrudes rearward and leftward from a part of the pole 20 that is located to the right and in front of the stopper surface 20A. As shown in Fig. 13, the passive part 23 is located above the stopper surface 20A and the fork 10. The passive part 23 is capable of coming into contact with a second acting part 49 of the actuating lever 30, which will be described later.

[0076] <Operating lever> The operating lever 30, together with the fork 10 and the pawl 20, is located between the base member 90 and the back plate 95. As shown in Figures 5 and 12, the operating lever 30 is formed by integrally joining an operating lever body 31 made of a steel plate and a cam 40 made of resin.

[0077] The operating lever body 31 is located above the fork 10. The operating lever body 31 is supported on an upper portion of the first support shaft 11 so as to be swingable around a first axis X1. In other words, the operating lever 30 is swingably supported on the base member 90 by the first support shaft 11 coaxially with the fork 10. The operating lever 30 can swing in a first direction R1 and a second direction R2 independently of the fork 10.

[0078] The operating lever body 31 has a first action portion 39 and a sector gear 35 .

[0079] The first acting portion 39 is a portion that bends and protrudes downward from a portion located to the left and rear of the first axis X1 in the actuating lever body 31. The first acting portion 39 faces the passive surface 13 of the fork 10 from upstream in the first direction R1 so as to be able to abut against the passive surface 13.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 13, the first acting portion 39 abuts against the passive surface 13 of the fork 10 when the operating lever 30 swings in the first direction R1, causing the fork 10 to swing from the half-latch position or a position slightly before the half-latch position to the latched position.

[0081] As shown in Figures 5 and 12, the sector gear 35 is a plurality of gear teeth arranged in a circumferential direction of the first axis X1 from a position located to the right of the entrance 97 on the operating lever body 31 to a position located behind the entrance 97.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 5, the sector gear 35 meshes with an output gear 55 of the transmission mechanism 50, which will be described later. As shown in Figs. 5, 12, 14, and 15, the sector gear 35 enters between the first support shaft 11 and the second support shaft 22 at least when the operating lever 30 swings in the second direction R2.

[0083] In addition, in Figures 12 to 15, in order to make the drawings easier to see, the portion of the operating lever body 31 that is located on the front side of the paper relative to the fork 10, the pole 20, and the cam 40 is shown by a virtual line (dash line), and part of the sector gear 35 is not shown.

[0084] 5, the cam 40 is located below the operating lever body 31. As shown in FIG.

[0085] The second acting portion 49 is a generally trapezoidal cam located below a rear portion of the sector gear 35 and protruding radially outward from the first axis X1. The second acting portion 49 faces the passive portion 23 of the pole 20 from upstream in the second direction R2 so as to be able to abut against the passive portion 23.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 15, when the operating lever 30 swings in the second direction R2, the second acting portion 49 comes into contact with the passive portion 23 of the pole 20, causing the pole 20 to swing from the blocking position to the unblocking position.

[0087] <First and second micro switches and first and second detection levers> 5, the first microswitch SW1 is held by a holder recessed in a corner located to the rear and right of the guide base 93. The second microswitch SW2 is held by a holder recessed in a corner located to the rear and left of the guide base 93.

[0088] The first microswitch SW1 and the second microswitch SW2 are each a two-circuit type microswitch having a movable protrusion, a first circuit that is switched on and off when the movable protrusion is pushed in with a first stroke, and a second circuit that is switched on and off when the movable protrusion is pushed in with a second stroke that is longer than the first stroke.

[0089] The first microswitch SW1 and the second microswitch SW2 are connected to a plurality of connection terminals of a connector 65, which will be described later, via a wire harness WH1 shown in FIG.

[0090] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first detection lever 71 is a resin molded product, and is supported by a guide base 93 so as to be able to swing.

[0091] As shown in Fig. 6, most of the first detection lever 71 is located on the lower surface side and rear end side of the guide base 93, and a part of it serves as a first abutment portion 71A. The first abutment portion 71A faces the extension portion 17 of the fork 10 so as to be able to abut against the extension portion 17 from downstream in the first direction R1. As shown in Fig. 5, the remaining portion of the first detection lever 71 protrudes toward the upper surface side of the guide base 93 and abuts against a movable protrusion of the first microswitch SW1.

[0092] The first detection lever 71 transmits the rocking movement of the fork 10 to the movable protrusion of the first microswitch SW1 as the first contact portion 71A is pressed by the extension portion 17 of the fork 10. The first microswitch SW1 detects via the first detection lever 71 that the fork 10 is in one of the latched position, the half-latched position, and the unlatched position.

[0093] 5, the second detection lever 72 is a resin molded product, and is supported so as to be able to swing on a guide base 93. The second detection lever 72 is located on the upper surface side and rear end side of the guide base 93.

[0094] The second detection lever 72 is located on the upper surface side and rear end side of the guide base 93, and a part of it serves as a second abutment portion 72A. The second abutment portion 72A is in sliding contact with the cam 40 of the actuation lever 30. The end of the second detection lever 72 opposite to the second abutment portion 72A is in contact with a movable protrusion of the second microswitch SW2.

[0095] The second detection lever 72 swings as a result of the second contact portion 72A coming into sliding contact with the cam 40, and transmits the swing of the operating lever 30 to the movable protrusion of the second microswitch SW2.

[0096] As shown in Figures 12 to 15, the operating lever 30 swings in a first direction R1 and a second direction R2 around a first axis X1 to an origin position shown in Figures 12 and 14, a first operating end position shown in Figure 13, and a second operating end position shown in Figure 15.

[0097] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the original position of the operating lever 30 is a position where only the front end of the sector gear 35 is inserted between the first support shaft 11 and the second support shaft 22.

[0098] When the operating lever 30 is in the original position, the first acting portion 39 is spaced upstream from the passive surface 13 of the fork 10 in the first direction R1, and the second acting portion 49 is spaced upstream from the passive portion 23 of the pole 20 in the second direction R2.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 13, the first actuation end position of the actuating lever 30 is a limit position when the actuating lever 30 swings from the original position in the first direction R1.

[0100] When the operating lever 30 is in the first operating end position, the first acting portion 39 abuts against the passive surface 13 of the fork 10, the fork 10 reaches the latch position and is in an overrun state, and the latch surface 12A is slightly spaced downstream in the first direction R1 from the stopper surface 20A of the pole 20 in the blocking position.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 15, the second actuation end position of the actuation lever 30 is a limit position when the actuation lever 30 swings from the original position in the second direction R2.

[0102] When the operating lever 30 is in the second operating end position, the second acting portion 49 abuts against the passive portion 23 of the pole 20, and the pole 20 is in the unblocking position.

[0103] The second microswitch SW2 detects, via the second detection lever 72, whether or not the operating lever 30 is in the origin position, whether or not the operating lever 30 is in one of the first operating end position and the second operating end position, or whether or not the operating lever 30 is in one of a position between the origin position and the first operating end position and a position between the origin position and the second operating end position.

[0104] <Housing, connector and drive motor> The housing 60 has an actuator case 61 shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, 7, and 10, and an actuator cover 69 shown in Figures 1, 3, 7, and 11. The actuator case 61 and the actuator cover 69 are each a resin molded product manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin or the like.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 3, the actuator cover 69 is attached to the actuator case 61 from above, and is fastened integrally to the actuator case 61 by a plurality of screws 69B.

[0106] The actuator case 61 and the actuator cover 69 are fastened integrally to the locking device body 5 by a plurality of screws 61B with their front portions overlapping the rear portion of the locking device body 5 from above.

[0107] The rear portions of the actuator case 61 and the actuator cover 69 are located rearward of the rear end of the locking device main body 5, extend leftward beyond the locking device main body 5, and hold the connector 65 therebetween.

[0108] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the actuator case 61 and the actuator cover 69 define an internal space 61A.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 4, the wire harness WH1 is led into an internal space 61A defined by the actuator case 61 and the actuator cover 69 and is connected to each connection terminal in the connector 65.

[0110] The drive motor M1 is housed in the internal space 61 A. Two terminals of the drive motor M1 are connected to two power supply terminals in the connector 65.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 2, each connection terminal and each power supply terminal in the connector 65 are electrically connected to the control unit C1 by a wire harness (not shown).

[0112] The drive motor M1 is supplied with power under the control of the control unit C1, and the polarity of the power supply is appropriately switched to rotate forward and backward to generate a drive force.

[0113] The first microswitch SW1 transmits a detection signal relating to the position of the fork 10 to the control unit C1. The second microswitch SW2 transmits a detection signal relating to the operating lever 30 to the control unit C1.

[0114] The control unit C1 determines whether the fork 10 is in any one of the latched position, the half-latched position, and the unlatched position based on the detection signal of the first microswitch SW1.

[0115] Based on the detection signal of the second microswitch SW2 and by referring to the detection signal of the first microswitch SW1 and the control history of the drive motor M1, the control unit C1 determines that the operating lever 30 is in one of the following positions: the origin position, the first operating end position, the second operating end position, a position between the origin position and the first operating end position, and a position between the origin position and the second operating end position.

[0116] <Support shaft, first surface, and restriction surface formed on the actuator case> As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the actuator case 61 has a first inner wall surface 61D and a second inner wall surface 61E which are parts of the inner wall surfaces that define the internal space 61A.

[0117] The first inner wall surface 61D is a flat surface having a circular shape in a top view, located in front of and below the drive shaft M1S of the drive motor M1. An axis that passes through the center of the circle of the first inner wall surface 61D and extends in the vertical direction is a rotation axis X52. As shown in FIG. 4, the rotation axis X52 is parallel to the first axis X1 and the second axis X2.

[0118] 10, the second inner wall surface 61E is a plane that is spaced forward from the drive shaft M1S of the drive motor M1 and is generally C-shaped in top view at a position between the drive shaft M1S and the first inner wall surface 61D in the vertical direction. The rotation axis X52 passes through the center of the generally C-shaped second inner wall surface 61E. The inner diameter of the second inner wall surface 61E is generally the same as the outer diameter of the first inner wall surface 61D.

[0119] The actuator case 61 has a support shaft 61S, a restriction surface 61Q, and a first surface 61P.

[0120] The support shaft 61S is a cylinder formed integrally with the resin actuator case 61. The support shaft 61S is an example of the "support portion" of the present invention. The support shaft 61S protrudes upward from the center of the first inner wall surface 61D about the rotation axis X52. A fitting protrusion 61T, which is a cylinder with a smaller diameter than the other portions, is formed at the upper end of the support shaft 61S.

[0121] One side of the direction of the rotation axis X52 is a downward direction along the rotation axis X52. The other side of the direction of the rotation axis X52 is an upward direction along the rotation axis X52. The support shaft 61S protrudes toward the other side of the rotation axis X52.

[0122] The lower edge of the restriction surface 61Q is connected to the outer periphery of the first inner wall surface 61D, and the upper edge of the restriction surface 61Q is connected to the inner periphery of the second inner wall surface 61E. The restriction surface 61Q has a cylindrical shape centered on the rotation axis X52 and has a range of more than 180° around the rotation axis X52 on the cylindrical surface facing inward in the radial direction of the rotation axis X52. In this embodiment, the restriction surface 61Q has a range of about 220° around the rotation axis X52 on the cylindrical surface.

[0123] The second inner wall surface 61E has a rib that is generally C-shaped when viewed from above and is centered on the rotation axis X52, and the first surface 61P is a flat upper end surface of the rib. That is, the first surface 61P has a generally C-shaped shape centered on the rotation axis X52. The restriction surface 61Q is located to one side of the first surface 61P in the direction of the rotation axis X52.

[0124] <Fitting recess formed in actuator cover, second surface, and third surface> As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the actuator cover 69 has a third inner wall surface 69D which is a part of the inner wall surface that defines the internal space 61A.

[0125] The third inner wall surface 69D is a flat surface having a circular shape as viewed from below, located at a position spaced apart from the first inner wall surface 61D and the second inner wall surface 61E on the other side in the direction of the rotation axis X52. As shown in Fig. 11, the rotation axis X52 passes through the center of the circle of the third inner wall surface 69D.

[0126] The actuator cover 69 has a fitting recess 69T, a second surface 69P, and a third surface 69R.

[0127] The fitting recess 69T is recessed into a boss formed at the center of the third inner wall surface 69D. The fitting recess 69T is a bottomed circular hole recessed toward the other side of the rotation axis X52. As shown in Fig. 7, the fitting protrusion 61T and the fitting recess 69T fit together, making it difficult for the support shaft 61S to bend and tilt with respect to the rotation axis X52.

[0128] The third inner wall surface 69D is formed with a rib having a circular ring shape when viewed from below, the rib being centered on the rotation axis X52 and surrounding the fitting recess 69T, and the second surface 69P is a flat lower end surface of the rib. In other words, the second surface 69P has a circular ring shape centered on the rotation axis X52.

[0129] The third inner wall surface 69D has a rib that is annular when viewed from below and that surrounds the second surface 69P around the rotation axis X52, and the third surface 69R is a flat lower end surface of the rib. In other words, the third surface 69R has an annular shape that is centered on the rotation axis X52.

[0130] <Transmission mechanism> The transmission mechanism 50 has a worm gear 51 shown in Figures 4, 7 and 10, a worm wheel 52 shown in Figures 4 and 7 to 9, a transmission gear 54 shown in Figures 4, 7 and 10, and an output gear 55 shown in Figures 4, 5 and 10.

[0131] The worm gear 51, the worm wheel 52, and the transmission gear 54 are an example of the "plurality of gears" of the present invention. The worm wheel 52 is an example of the "specific gear" of the present invention. The worm gear 51 is an example of the "drive gear" of the present invention.

[0132] In this embodiment, the worm gear 51 is a metal part or a resin molded part manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin, etc. The worm wheel 52 and the transmission gear 54 are each a resin molded part manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin, etc. The output gear 55 is a metal part.

[0133] As shown in Fig. 4, the worm gear 51, the worm wheel 52, the transmission gear 54, and the upper portion of the output gear 55 are housed in an internal space 61A. The lower portion of the output gear 55 passes through an opening (not shown) formed through the actuator case 61, protrudes downward from the housing 60, and enters the locking device main body 5 as shown in Fig. 5.

[0134] The worm gear 51 is fixed to the drive shaft M1S of the drive motor M1, and rotates integrally with the drive shaft M1S.

[0135] 7 to 9, the worm wheel 52 has a shaft hole 52H and a main body portion 56. The shaft hole 52H is an example of the "supported portion" in the present invention.

[0136] Shaft hole 52H is a through hole centered on rotation axis X52. Main body 56 is formed around the entire circumference of shaft hole 52H. Main body 56 has an upper stage portion, a middle stage portion located on one side of the rotation axis X52 direction from the upper stage portion and having a smaller diameter than the upper stage portion, and a lower stage portion located on one side of the rotation axis X52 direction from the middle stage portion and having a smaller diameter than the middle stage portion.

[0137] The main body 56 has a large diameter gear 52A formed on the outer periphery of the upper stage. The large diameter gear 52A has a plurality of gear teeth 52G. The gear teeth 52G are aligned in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis X52 on the outer periphery of the upper stage of the main body 56.

[0138] The main body 56 has a small diameter gear 52B formed on the outer periphery of the lower stage. The small diameter gear 52B has a number of gear teeth that is fewer than each of the gear teeth 52G, and these gear teeth are aligned on the outer periphery of the lower stage of the main body 56 in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis X52.

[0139] The main body 56 has a regulated surface 52Q formed on the outer periphery of a middle section. The regulated surface 52Q has a cylindrical shape centered on the rotation axis X52 and faces outward in the radial direction of the rotation axis X52.

[0140] 7, the support shaft 61S is inserted into the shaft hole 52H, and is supported by the support shaft 61S. In this manner, the support shaft 61S supports the worm wheel 52 rotatably about the rotation axis X52.

[0141] The outer diameter of the regulated surface 52Q is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the regulated surface 61Q. The regulated surface 61Q surrounds the regulated surface 52Q so as to be in sliding contact with the regulated surface 52Q.

[0142] The worm wheel 52 has a sliding contact surface 56P shown in Figures 7 and 9, a plurality of biasing sliding contact portions 57 shown in Figures 4 and 7 to 9, and an opposing surface 56R shown in Figures 4, 7 and 8.

[0143] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a plurality of hollow recesses are formed between each of the biasing sliding contact portions 57 and the regulated surface 52Q of the main body portion 56 and the shaft hole 52H. However, in Figure 4, the hollow recesses are not shown in order to make the drawing easier to see.

[0144] 9, a rib having a circular ring shape as viewed from below and centered on the rotation axis X52 is formed on the lower surface of the upper part of the main body 56, and the sliding surface 56P is a flat lower end surface of the rib. In other words, the sliding surface 56P has a circular ring shape centered on the rotation axis X52.

[0145] 7, the sliding surface 56P is located radially outward of the biasing sliding portions 57 and the regulated surface 52Q from the rotation axis X52, and is located radially inward of the gear teeth 52G from the rotation axis X52. The regulated surface 52Q is located to one side in the direction of the rotation axis X52 from the sliding surface 56P.

[0146] With the support shaft 61S supporting the worm wheel 52 rotatably about the rotation axis X52, the first surface 61P of the actuator case 61 faces a sliding contact surface 56P of the worm wheel 52 from one side in the direction of the rotation axis X52. The sliding contact surface 56P is in sliding contact with the first surface 61P.

[0147] 8 and 9, each of the biasing sliding contact portions 57 is integrally formed with the upper stage portion of the main body portion 56. Each of the biasing sliding contact portions 57 is located on the upper surface side of the upper stage portion of the main body portion 56.

[0148] The biasing sliding contact portions 57 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis X52 and protrude in a cantilever shape toward the inside in the radial direction of the rotation axis X52. Each biasing sliding contact portion 57 is inclined so as to be shifted toward the other side of the rotation axis X52 as it moves toward the inside in the radial direction of the rotation axis X52.

[0149] 4, three or more biasing sliding contact portions 57 are evenly arranged on a virtual circle KC1 centered on the rotation axis X52. In this embodiment, the worm wheel 52 has nine biasing sliding contact portions 57. The biasing sliding contact portions 57 are evenly arranged at an angle of 40° around the rotation axis X52.

[0150] 9, each of the biasing sliding contact portions 57 has a tip portion 57A. The tip portion 57A is tapered so that the circumferential length L1 is smaller than the circumferential length L2 of the base. In this embodiment, each of the biasing sliding contact portions 57 has a substantially trapezoidal shape with the base being the long side and the tip portion 57A being the short side.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 8, a curved convex portion that is curved and protrudes toward the other side of the rotation axis X52 is formed on the surface of each tip portion 57A that faces the other side of the rotation axis X52.

[0152] As shown in FIG. 7, each biasing sliding contact portion 57 is located radially outward of the rotation axis X52 relative to the regulated surface 52Q, and is located radially inward of the rotation axis X52 relative to the gear teeth 52G and the sliding contact surface 56P.

[0153] With the support shaft 61S supporting the worm wheel 52 rotatably about the rotation axis X52, the second surface 69P faces the tip portions 57A of the biasing sliding contact portions 57 of the worm wheel 52 from the other side in the direction of the rotation axis X52.

[0154] Each biasing sliding portion 57 stores a restoring force F1 that attempts to return each tip portion 57A to the other side in the direction of the rotation axis X52, i.e., a biasing force F1 toward the second surface 69P, as a result of the curved convex portion of each tip portion 57A being pressed against the second surface 69P and each tip portion 57A being deflected so as to be displaced in one direction in the direction of the rotation axis X52.

[0155] Each biasing sliding contact portion 57 has a biasing force F1 directed toward the second surface 69P, and is in sliding contact with the second surface 69P by the curved convex portion of each tip portion 57A. That is, each biasing sliding contact portion 57 is in sliding contact with the second surface 69P with the tip portion 57A bent toward one side in the direction of the rotation axis X52.

[0156] 8, a rib having a circular ring shape in top view and centered on the rotation axis X52 is formed on the top surface of the upper part of the main body 56, and the opposing surface 56R is a flat upper end surface of the rib. In other words, the opposing surface 56R has a circular ring shape centered on the rotation axis X52.

[0157] As shown in FIG. 7, the opposing surface 56R is located radially outward of the biasing sliding contact portions 57 and the regulated surface 52Q from the rotation axis X52, and is located radially inward of the gear teeth 52G from the rotation axis X52.

[0158] With the support shaft 61S supporting the worm wheel 52 rotatably about the rotation axis X52, the third surface 69R of the actuator cover 69 faces the opposing surface 56R of the worm wheel 52 from the other side in the direction of the rotation axis X52. A predetermined gap is provided between the third surface 69R and the opposing surface 56R.

[0159] The design size of the specified gap is set so that when the worm wheel 52 is excessively inclined with respect to the rotation axis X52 or when the worm wheel 52 is excessively biased in the other direction of the rotation axis X52, the third surface 69R and the opposing surface 56R abut against each other to suppress excessive deformation of each biasing sliding contact portion 57.

[0160] 4 and 7, the large diameter gear 52A of the worm wheel 52 directly meshes with the worm gear 51. The transmission gear 54 is located forward and to the left of the small diameter gear 52B of the worm wheel 52, and directly meshes with the small diameter gear 52B.

[0161] Thus, the worm gear 51, the large diameter gear 52A and the small diameter gear 52B of the worm wheel 52, and the transmission gear 54 are housed in the internal space 61A of the housing 60 and mesh with one another.

[0162] 4, an upper portion of the output gear 55 is fitted and fixed to the center portion of the transmission gear 54. As a result, the output gear 55 rotates integrally with the transmission gear 54.

[0163] 5, a lower portion of the output gear 55 meshes with the sector gear 35 of the operating lever 30. The output gear 55 is the gear to which the driving force in the transmission mechanism 50 is finally transmitted.

[0164] The transmission mechanism 50 transmits the driving force generated by the drive motor M1 rotating in the forward direction to the sector gear 35 of the operating lever 30 via the worm gear 51, the large diameter gear 52A and the small diameter gear 52B of the worm wheel 52, the transmission gear 54, and the output gear 55, causing the operating lever 30 to swing in the first direction R1. The operating lever 30 transmits the driving force to the fork 10 by the first acting portion 39.

[0165] The fork 10 is an example of a "driven object" in the present invention. The drive motor M1 generates a drive force for moving the fork 10 to the latch position by rotating in the forward direction.

[0166] The transmission mechanism 50 transmits the driving force generated by the drive motor M1 rotating in the reverse direction to the sector gear 35 of the operating lever 30 via the worm gear 51, the large diameter gear 52A and the small diameter gear 52B of the worm wheel 52, the transmission gear 54, and the output gear 55, causing the operating lever 30 to swing in the second direction R2. The operating lever 30 transmits the driving force to the pole 20 by the second action portion 49.

[0167] The pole 20 is also an example of a "driven object" of the present invention. The drive motor M1 generates a drive force for moving the pole 20 to the unblock position by rotating in the reverse direction.

[0168] <Open / close mechanism operation> The open-close mechanism 3 configured as described above is configured to swing the fork 10 from the half-latched position or a position slightly before the half-latched position to the latched position when the first acting portion 39 acts on the passive surface 13 of the fork 10. The open-close mechanism 3 is also configured to swing the pawl 20 to the unblocked position when the second acting portion 49 acts on the passive portion 23 of the pawl 20.

[0169] Then, when the user performs an operation to close the tailgate 8 that is in an open state, the control unit C1 controls the open / close mechanism 3 to cause the lock device 1 to perform an operation to completely close the tailgate 8, as will be described below.

[0170] On the other hand, when the user, for example, performs an opening operation on a door knob (not shown) provided on the tailgate 8 or performs an opening operation on a remote control switch, the tailgate opening operation detection unit S1 transmits that information to the control unit C1, as described below, the control unit C1 controls the open-close mechanism 3 to cause the locking device 1 to perform an operation that enables the tailgate 8 to be opened.

[0171] At this time, the control unit C1 judges the state of the locking device 1 based on the detection signal of the first microswitch SW1, the detection signal of the second microswitch SW2, the control history of the drive motor M1, and the like.

[0172] <Locking device status when the tailgate is open> 12, when the tailgate 8 is in the open state, the fork 10 is in the unlatched position, the pawl 20 is in the unblocked position, and the operating lever 30 is in the home position in the locking device 1. The control unit C1 determines that the tailgate 8 is in the open state.

[0173] <Operation to completely close the tailgate> When the user performs an operation to close the open tailgate 8, the striker 7 enters the entrance 97. The striker 7 then pushes the rear convex portion 10A of the fork 10, causing the fork 10 to swing in the first direction R1. The control unit C1 then determines that the tailgate 8 is almost closed, and causes the drive motor M1 to rotate in the forward direction.

[0174] 13, the transmission mechanism 50 transmits the driving force from the driving motor M1 rotating in the forward direction to the sector gear 35, and swings the operating lever 30 in the first direction R1 from the home position. As a result, the first acting portion 39 comes into contact with the passive surface 13 of the fork 10, and swings the fork 10 from the half latch position or a position slightly before the half latch position to the latch position shown in FIG.

[0175] 13, the pawl 20 swings to the blocking position. The stopper surface 20A of the pawl 20 faces the latch surface 12A of the fork 10 in the latch position from downstream in the second direction R2 so as to be able to abut against the latch surface 12A of the fork 10 in the latch position.

[0176] When the control unit C1 determines that the actuating lever 30 has reached the first actuating end position and the fork 10 has reached the latch position and overrun, it causes the drive motor M1 to rotate in the reverse direction.

[0177] As shown in FIG. 14, the transmission mechanism 50 transmits the driving force from the driving motor M1, which rotates in the reverse direction, to the sector gear 35, causing the operating lever 30 to swing from the first operating end position in the second direction R2.

[0178] When the operating lever 30 swings from the first operating end position to the home position, the control unit C1 determines that the tailgate 8 has been completely closed, and stops the drive motor M1. In this way, the tailgate 8 is held in a completely closed state by the operation of the open-close mechanism 3.

[0179] <Action to enable opening of the tailgate> When a user performs an opening operation on the tailgate 8, the tailgate opening operation detection unit S1 transmits that information to the control unit C1, and the control unit C1 determines that an opening operation has been performed on the tailgate 8 and reverses the rotation of the drive motor M1.

[0180] As shown in FIG. 15, the transmission mechanism 50 transmits the driving force from the driving motor M1, which rotates in the reverse direction, to the sector gear 35, causing the operating lever 30 to swing in the second direction R2 from the original position.

[0181] The second acting portion 49 of the actuating lever 30 comes into contact with the passive portion 23 of the pawl 20, causing the pawl 20 to swing from the blocking position to the unblocking position. The stopper surface 20A is spaced radially outward from the latch surface 12A of the fork 10 about the first axis X1 and cannot come into contact with the latch surface 12A.

[0182] As a result, the fork 10 swings from the latched position to the unlatched position and does not engage the striker 7 within the entrance 97. The control unit C1 determines that the fork 10 has reached the unlatched position and is no longer engaging the striker 7 within the entrance 97.

[0183] 15, the control unit C1 rotates the drive motor M1 in the forward direction. The transmission mechanism 50 transmits the driving force from the drive motor M1, which is rotating in the forward direction, to the sector gear 35, and swings the actuating lever 30 from the second actuating end position in the first direction R1.

[0184] 12, the control unit C1 determines that the tailgate 8 can be opened, and stops the drive motor M1. Thus, the tailgate 8 is released from the held state by the operation of the open / close mechanism 3, and can be opened.

[0185] <Action and effect> In the driving force transmission device 6 of the embodiment, the sliding contact surface 56P of the worm wheel 52 is in sliding contact with the first surface 61P of the actuator case 61, as shown in FIG.

[0186] Each biasing sliding contact portion 57 of the worm wheel 52 stores a restoring force that returns each tip portion 57A to the other side in the direction of the rotation axis X52, that is, a biasing force F1 toward the second surface 69P of the actuator cover 69, as the curved convex portion of each tip portion 57A is pressed against the second surface 69P and each tip portion 57A is deflected so as to be displaced in one direction in the direction of the rotation axis X52. Each biasing sliding contact portion 57 has the biasing force F1 toward the second surface 69P and comes into sliding contact with the second surface 69P.

[0187] In this way, the worm wheel 52 is sandwiched between the first surface 61P and the second surface 69P of the housing 60 in the direction of the rotation axis X52.

[0188] The large diameter gear 52A of the worm wheel 52 directly meshes with the worm gear 51. For this reason, when the driving force from the driving motor M1, which rotates forward or backward, is transmitted from the worm gear 51 to the large diameter gear 52A, a force that tends to tilt the worm wheel 52 with respect to the rotation axis X52 or a force that tends to bias the worm wheel 52 to one side or the other in the direction of the rotation axis X52 is likely to act on the worm wheel 52.

[0189] When a force acts to tilt the worm wheel 52 relative to the rotation axis X52, the biasing sliding contact portion 57 pressed against the second surface 69P of each biasing sliding contact portion 57 further accumulates the biasing force F1 and pushes back to eliminate the tilting force, and the biasing sliding contact portion 57 moving away from the second surface 69P exerts the biasing force F1 to maintain a state in which no gap is created between the second surface 69P.

[0190] Furthermore, if the worm wheel 52 is biased to one side in the direction of the rotation axis X52, each biasing sliding contact portion 57 moving away from the second surface 69P exerts a biasing force F1, maintaining a state in which no gap is generated between the second surface 69P and the second surface 69P.

[0191] Furthermore, if the worm wheel 52 is biased to the other side in the direction of the rotation axis X52, each biasing sliding contact portion 57 further accumulates the biasing force F1 and pushes back so as to eliminate the bias.

[0192] Therefore, the driving force transmission device 6 of the embodiment can reliably suppress rattling of the worm wheel 52, and can operate the worm wheel 52 smoothly.

[0193] In addition, in this driving force transmission device 6, as shown in Fig. 4, three or more urging sliding contact portions 57 are evenly arranged on a virtual circle KC1 centered on the rotation axis X52. More specifically, nine urging sliding contact portions 57 are evenly arranged at an angle of 40° around the rotation axis X52. With this configuration, the three or more urging sliding contact portions 57 come into sliding contact with the second surface 69P without bias around the rotation axis X52. As a result, the driving force transmission device 6 can more reliably suppress rattling of the worm wheel 52 and operate the worm wheel 52 more smoothly.

[0194] Further, in this driving force transmission device 6, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, each of the biasing sliding contact parts 57 protrudes toward the inside in the radial direction of the rotation axis X52. Each of the biasing sliding contact parts 57 has a tapered tip part 57A such that the circumferential length L1 is smaller than the circumferential length L2 of the base. With this configuration, each of the biasing sliding contact parts 57 can be reinforced without increasing the thickness of the worm wheel 52 in the direction of the rotation axis X52, and deformation and damage of each of the biasing sliding contact parts 57 when they are bent can be suppressed. Also, by providing each of the biasing sliding contact parts 57 toward the inside in the radial direction of the rotation axis X52 where the circumferential speed is slow, the sliding resistance can be reduced, and the sliding loss can be suppressed, resulting in smoother operation. Furthermore, if each of the biasing sliding contact portions 57 protrudes in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis X52, there is a risk that each of the biasing sliding contact portions 57 in sliding contact with the second surface 69P may easily vibrate self-excited (chatter vibration) when the worm wheel 52 rotates in the direction opposite to the direction in which the biasing sliding contact portions 57 protrude. In this regard, with the above-described configuration in which each of the biasing sliding contact portions 57 protrudes radially inward from the rotation axis X52, each of the biasing sliding contact portions 57 can stably come into sliding contact with the second surface 69P regardless of the rotation direction of the worm wheel 52.

[0195] In addition, in the driving force transmission device 6, as shown in FIG. 7, the regulating surface 61Q of the actuator case 61 surrounds the regulated surface 52Q of the worm wheel 52 so as to be in sliding contact with the regulated surface 52Q. The regulating surface 61Q has a cylindrical shape centered on the rotation axis X52 and has a range exceeding 180° around the rotation axis X52 on a cylindrical surface facing inward in the radial direction of the rotation axis X52. With this configuration, when a force acts to tilt the worm wheel 52 with respect to the rotation axis X52, the regulating surface 61Q slides against the regulated surface 52Q, so that the worm wheel 52 can be reliably prevented from tilting with respect to the rotation axis X52. In addition, even if a restraining torque of the drive motor M1 or the like is input to the worm wheel 52, the support shaft 61S and the shaft hole 52H can be prevented from being deformed or damaged. As a result, the driving force transmission device 6 can prevent the biasing sliding contact portion 57, which is pressed against the second surface 69P, from being excessively bent and deformed or broken.

[0196] Furthermore, in the driving force transmission device 6, the support shaft 61S is formed integrally with the resin actuator case 61. The support shaft 61S is inserted into the shaft hole 52H. With this configuration, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a case in which the housing 60 has a separate metal or resin support shaft as a support portion.

[0197] In addition, in this driving force transmission device 6, the large diameter gear 52A of the worm wheel 52 directly meshes with the worm gear 51 fixed to the drive shaft M1S of the drive motor M1. With this configuration, a force tending to tilt the worm wheel 52 with respect to the direction of the rotation axis X52 or a force tending to bias the worm wheel 52 to one side or the other in the direction of the rotation axis X52 easily acts on the worm wheel 52 from the worm gear 51. Therefore, with this driving force transmission device 6, the effects of the present invention can be obtained with high certainty.

[0198] Furthermore, in the driving force transmission device 6, as shown in FIG. 12, the fork 10, which is the driving object, is provided in the lock device 1 together with the base member 90, and swings between a latched position, a half-latched position, and an unlatched position. The driving motor M1 generates a driving force to move at least the fork 10 to the latched position. With this configuration, the driving motor M1 is for a closer applied to the lock device 1 of a vehicle opening / closing body, and has a large torque. More specifically, since a large force (torque) is required to close the door against the door seal reaction force (such as the restoring force of a weather strip), the force that tends to tilt the worm wheel 52 with respect to the direction of the rotation axis X52 or the force that tends to bias the worm wheel 52 to one side or the other side of the direction of the rotation axis X52 tends to be large. Therefore, the driving force transmission device 6 can enjoy the effects of the present invention with high certainty.

[0199] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0200] In the embodiment, the first surface 61P of the housing 60 is formed on the second inner wall surface 61E, and the sliding surface 56P of the worm wheel 52, which is a specific gear, is formed on the lower surface of the upper stage part of the main body part 56 and comes into sliding contact with the first surface 61P, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, instead of the first surface 61P and the sliding surface 56P according to the embodiment, the present invention also includes a configuration including a first surface formed on the first inner wall surface 61D of the housing 60 and a sliding surface formed on the lower end surface of the lower stage part of the main body part 56 and coming into sliding contact with the first surface.

[0201] In the embodiment, the specific gear is only the worm wheel 52, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the specific gear may be multiple. For example, the transmission gear 54 in the embodiment may be changed to a configuration similar to that of the worm wheel 52.

[0202] In the embodiment, the driving force transmission device 6 includes the driving motor M1, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention also includes a configuration in which the driving force transmission device does not include a driving motor, and the driving force generated by the driving motor that is separate from the driving force transmission device is transmitted to the driven object via a transmission mechanism.

[0203] In the embodiment, the locking device 1 is provided on the tailgate 8, and the striker 7 is fixed to the vehicle body 9, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention also includes a configuration in which a locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body is provided on the vehicle body, and a striker is fixed to the opening / closing body.

[0204] In the embodiment, the supporting portion is the supporting shaft 61S and the supported portion is the shaft hole 52H, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention also includes a configuration in which the supporting portion is the shaft hole and the supported portion is the supporting shaft.

[0205] In the embodiment, the support shaft 61S is formed integrally with the actuator case 61, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention also includes a configuration in which a support shaft that is separate from the actuator case 61 is assembled to the actuator case 61 in place of the support shaft 61S.

[0206] In the embodiment, each of the biasing sliding contact portions 57 protrudes toward the inside in the radial direction of the rotation axis X52, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, each of the biasing sliding contact portions may protrude toward the outside in the radial direction of the rotation axis, or may protrude in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis. [Industrial Applicability]

[0207] The present invention can be used, for example, in various vehicle devices including a lock device for a vehicle opening / closing body, various industrial devices, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0208] 6...Drive force transmission device 60…Housing 51, 52, 54...Gears (51...worm gear, 52...worm wheel, 54...transmission gear) M1: Drive motor 52...Specific gear (worm wheel) 10, 20…Driven object (10…Fork, 20…Pole) 50...Transmission mechanism X52…Rotation axis center 61S…Support part (support shaft) 61P…Side 1 Page 69...Second page 52H…Supported part (shaft hole) 56…Main body 52G…Gear teeth 56P…Sliding surface 57...Biased sliding contact part F1: Force toward the second surface KC1: Virtual circle centered on the axis of rotation 57A: Tip of biased sliding contact part L1: Circumferential length of the tip of the biasing sliding contact part L2: Circumferential length of the base of the biasing sliding contact part 52Q…Regulated surface 61Q…Regulatory aspects M1S…Drive shaft 51...Drive gear (worm gear) 9…Body 8...Opening and closing body (tailgate) 1... Locking device for vehicle opening / closing body 90...Base material 7. Striker 97...Entrance

Claims

1. Housing and a transmission mechanism having a plurality of gears accommodated in the housing and meshing with each other, the transmission mechanism transmitting a driving force generated by the drive motor to a driven object via at least one specific gear among the gears; A driving force transmission device comprising: The housing includes a support portion that supports the specific gear rotatably around a rotation axis; a first surface facing the specific gear from one side in the rotation axis direction; a second surface facing the specific gear from the other side in the rotation axis direction, The specific gear has a supported portion supported by the supporting portion, a main body portion having a plurality of gear teeth formed on an entire circumference of the supported portion and arranged in a circumferential direction of the rotation axis on an outer periphery thereof; a sliding surface formed on the main body portion, the sliding surface being in an annular shape centered on the rotation axis and in sliding contact with the first surface; a plurality of biasing sliding contact portions formed on the main body portion and protruding in a cantilever shape while being spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, each of the biasing sliding contact portions having a biasing force toward the second surface and in sliding contact with the second surface.

2. 2. The driving force transmission device according to claim 1, wherein three or more of the biasing sliding contact portions are disposed evenly on an imaginary circle centered on the rotation axis.

3. Each of the biasing sliding contact portions protrudes radially inward from the rotation axis, 3. The driving force transmission device according to claim 1, wherein each of the biasing sliding contact portions has a tip portion that is tapered so that the length in the circumferential direction is smaller than the length in the circumferential direction of a base portion.

4. the specific gear is formed on the main body portion, is located on the one side in the direction of the rotation axis relative to the sliding surface, and has a regulated surface that is cylindrical about the rotation axis and faces outward in the radial direction, the housing has a regulating surface located on the one side in the rotation axis direction relative to the first surface and surrounding the regulated surface so as to be in sliding contact with the regulated surface, 3. A driving force transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the regulating surface has a cylindrical shape centered on the rotation axis and has a range exceeding 180° around the rotation axis on a cylindrical surface facing inward in the radial direction.

5. the support portion is a support shaft formed in the housing made of resin, 3. The driving force transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the supported portion is a shaft hole into which the support shaft is inserted.

6. one of the gears that is different from the specific gear is a drive gear fixed to a drive shaft of the drive motor, 3. The driving force transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the specific gear directly meshes with the drive gear.

7. the driven object is a vehicle body, and a fork provided together with a base member in a locking device of an opening / closing body for a vehicle provided on one of the opening / closing bodies provided to the vehicle body in an openable / closable manner, the base member has an entrance through which a striker fixed to the other of the vehicle body and the opening / closing body enters, The fork is provided on the base member and swings between a latched position where the striker can be engaged at the back side of the entrance, a half-latched position where the striker can be engaged halfway through the entrance, and an unlatched position where the striker is not engaged within the entrance, 3. The driving force transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the drive motor generates the driving force for at least moving the fork to the latched position.

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