Vehicle door latch device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle door latch device that can be made smaller and easier to assemble while ensuring waterproofing.SOLUTION: A door latch device 1 includes a body 4, a latch 7 that is rotatably supported on the body 4 on a first surface, a detection switch SW that detects the open or closed state of the door, and a detection lever 11 that is rotatably supported on the body 4 on a second surface and rotates together with rotation of the latch 7 to switch on or off the detection switch SW. The detection lever 11 has a latch abutment part 112 that passes through a through-hole 43 provided on the body 4, and a switch pressing part 113. The latch abutment part 112 and the switch pressing part 113 are disposed on one side of a shaft part 111 that serves as the rotation center of the detection lever 11 in the direction in which a striker S approaches, and at least a portion of the latch abutment part 112 overlaps with the body 4 when viewed in the axial direction in which the shaft part 111 extends.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a door latch device for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Door latch devices equipped with a detection switch for detecting the open / closed state of a vehicle door are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a door lock device in which a latch unit and an actuator unit are integrated. A through-hole is formed in a first housing of the latch unit, and a switch lever provided on the actuator unit passes through the through-hole of the latch unit. The open / closed state of the door is detected when the tip of the switch lever comes into contact with the latch.

[0003] In addition, in the door latch device described in Patent Document 2, the detection lever is pivotally supported on the back side of the base of the engaging unit, and the detection part of the detection lever passes through a through hole provided in the base and protrudes into the front side of the base, sliding on the cam part of the latch as the latch rotates, and the detection switch detects the open / closed state of the door as the detection lever rotates. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6352889 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6149280 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, liquid may seep in through the hole through which the lever is inserted, so it is necessary to ensure waterproofing of the switch. Patent Document 1 attempts to ensure waterproofing by configuring the latch to overlap with the through-hole when the door is open, and by providing a hole blocking portion in the switch lever. However, because the switch lever is provided in the actuator unit, the through-hole must be elongated in order to easily insert the switch lever into the through-hole of the latch unit when assembling the latch unit and actuator unit, which means that the opening for liquid to seep in is large.

[0006] In Patent Document 2, the detection lever is supported on a base of the meshing unit that has a through hole formed therein, which allows the size of the through hole to be smaller than in Patent Document 1. However, the cam surface of the detection lever that contacts the detection switch is located on the opposite side of the through hole from the axis of the detection lever in the vehicle width direction, which means the detection lever is larger in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 does not have a holding structure for the detection lever (a structure for preventing it from falling off, etc.), and no consideration is given to preventing rattle of the detection lever. Therefore, when assembling the meshing unit and the operation unit, there is a risk that the detection lever will rattle in the axial direction, leaving room for improvement in terms of ease of assembly.

[0007] The present invention provides a vehicle door latch device that can be made smaller and easier to assemble while ensuring waterproofing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides A vehicle door latch device that is attached to a vehicle door, Body and a latch that is rotatably supported on the body on a first surface side of the body and that can engage with a striker provided on a vehicle body; a detection switch for detecting the open / closed state of the door; a lever that is rotatably supported by the body on a second surface side that is the reverse side of the first surface of the body, and that rotates in conjunction with rotation of the latch to switch on / off the detection switch, The lever is a latch abutment portion that passes through a through hole provided in the body and protrudes from the second surface side of the body to the first surface side, and abuts against the latch as the latch rotates to rotate the lever; a switch pressing portion that presses the detection switch in response to the rotation of the lever and switches the detection switch on and off, the latch abutment portion and the switch pressing portion are disposed on one side of a shaft portion that serves as a rotation center of the lever in the direction in which the striker advances, At least a portion of the latch abutment portion overlaps with the body when viewed in the axial direction in which the shaft portion of the lever extends. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve miniaturization and improved assembly while ensuring waterproofing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a door latch device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the assembly of the latch unit 2 to the operation unit 3. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the latch unit 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a view of the latch unit 2 as seen from the second surface side (front) of the body 4. [Figure 5] 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the attachment of a latch 7, a ratchet 9, and a detection lever 11 to a body 4. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a transition diagram of the latch unit 2 as seen from the first surface side (rear) when the latch 7 transitions between the open position and the fully latched position. FIG. [Figure 7]10 is a transition diagram of the vicinity of the detection lever 11 of the latch unit 2 as viewed from the second surface side (front) when the latch 7 transitions between the open position and the fully latched position. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the latch unit 2 and the detection switch SW when viewed from the second surface side (front). FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram showing the transition of operation of the latch contact portion 112 of the detection lever 11 when the latch 7 transitions between the open position and the fully latched position. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 6. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a side view of the vicinity of a detection switch SW disposed in a housing 13 of an operation unit 3 (however, a body 4 is not shown). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A vehicle door latch device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, front / rear, left / right, and up / down are described according to the direction as seen from the driver of the vehicle, and in the drawings, the front of the vehicle is indicated as Fr, the rear as Rr, the top as U, and the bottom as D. Furthermore, the inside of the vehicle in the left / right direction (the direction in which the striker enters; in the embodiments described below, this corresponds to the vehicle width direction) is indicated as IN, and the outside of the vehicle as OUT. Note that the front / rear and left / right directions (inside / outside of the vehicle) in the description are directions based on a fully closed state in which the door is completely closed.

[0012] [1. Overall structure of the door latch device] 1 and 2, the door latch device 1 is attached to the rear end of the inside of, for example, the front door of an automobile (hereinafter referred to as the door). The door latch device 1 includes a latch unit 2 for holding the door closed, and an operation unit 3 having a mechanism for operating the opening and locking of the door and to which the latch unit 2 is attached.

[0013] (1-1. Latch unit) As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the latch unit 2 includes a body 4 made of synthetic resin or the like, a metal cover plate 5 fixed inside the door with bolts (not shown) and arranged on the rear side of the body 4, a metal back plate 10 arranged on the front side of the body 4, a latch shaft 6 and a ratchet shaft 8 supported between the back plate 10 and the cover plate 5 so as to face in the front-to-rear direction, a latch 7 supported by the latch shaft 6 between the body 4 and the cover plate 5 and capable of engaging with a striker S (see Figure 6) provided on the vehicle body side when closing the door, a ratchet 9 supported by the ratchet shaft 8 between the body 4 and the cover plate 5 and capable of engaging and disengaging with the latch 7, and a detection lever 11 that switches on and off a detection switch SW (see Figure 2) that detects the open / closed state of the door. The cover plate 5, latch 7, and ratchet 9 are arranged on a surface of the body 4 facing the rear (hereinafter also referred to as the first surface), and the back plate 10 and detection lever 11 are arranged on a surface of the body 4 facing the front (hereinafter also referred to as the second surface). The detection switch SW is arranged on the opposite side of the body 4 from the latch 7 (in other words, on the second surface side of the body 4), and is arranged in the operation unit 3 in this embodiment.

[0014] A striker entrance groove 41 is provided in the body 4 and the cover plate 5 at approximately the center in the up-down direction. The striker entrance groove 41 is a portion into which the striker S enters when the door is closed, and extends in the vehicle width direction and opens toward the inside of the vehicle. In the following description, the direction in which the striker S enters the door latch device 1 is also referred to as the striker entrance direction (in this embodiment, the vehicle width direction).

[0015] The body 4 has a recessed housing portion 42 on the first surface side that houses the latch 7 and ratchet 9. The housing portion 42 is open on the first surface side and is covered by a cover plate 5. The latch 7 is housed so as to be rotatable around a latch shaft 6 provided above the striker entrance groove 41, and the ratchet 9 is housed so as to be rotatable around a ratchet shaft 8 provided below the striker entrance groove 41.

[0016] The body 4 is formed with a through-hole 43 above the latch 7, penetrating in the front-to-rear direction and through which part of the detection lever 11 is inserted. The body 4 also has a recess 48 recessed from part of the periphery of the through-hole 43 toward the second surface. The recess 48 covers part of the through-hole 43 and part of the detection lever 11 from the second surface side.

[0017] The latch 7 has an accommodating groove 70 that is recessed from the outer circumferential surface toward the rotation center (i.e., the latch shaft 6) and is capable of accommodating the striker S. A latch spring 7s, which is a torsion coil spring, is provided between the latch 7 and the body 4 in the front-to-rear direction. The latch 7 is urged by the biasing force of the latch spring 7s in a disengagement direction that disengages the latch 7 from the striker S, specifically in the clockwise direction as viewed from the first face side (rear). When the latch 7 is not engaged with the striker S, that is, when the door is in the open state, the opening direction of the accommodating groove 70 of the latch 7 coincides with the opening direction of the striker entrance groove 41 due to the biasing force of the latch spring 7s. The position of the latch 7 at this time is also referred to as the open position.

[0018] The ratchet 9 engages with the latch 7, thereby preventing the latch 7 from rotating against the biasing force of the latch spring 7s, and stopping the latch 7 at a desired position.

[0019] Specifically, the body 4 is provided with a ratchet spring 9s, which is a torsion coil spring, and the ratchet 9 is biased by the biasing force of the ratchet spring 9s in an engagement direction in which it engages with the latch 7, specifically in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the first surface side (rear). As will be described in detail later, when the door is in a fully closed state, the ratchet 9 engages with a full latch engagement portion 71 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the latch 7. This prevents the latch 7 from rotating in the release direction, and the latch 7 is maintained in a full latch position (also referred to as a closed position) in which it fully engages with the striker S. Furthermore, when the door is ajar, the ratchet 9 engages with a half latch engagement portion 72 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the latch 7. This prevents the latch 7 from rotating in the release direction, and the latch 7 is maintained in a half latch position, which is a position between the full latch position and the open position. The body 4 is provided with a stopper 90 that limits the rotation of the ratchet 9 in the engagement direction, and when the ratchet 9 abuts against the stopper 90, further rotation of the ratchet 9 in the engagement direction is limited.

[0020] The detection lever 11 is provided on the second surface side of the body 4. An axle 44 configured as a shaft is provided on the upper part of the second surface of the body 4, and the detection lever 11 has an axle 111 having a hole into which the axle 44 is fitted. The detection lever 11 is supported by the body 4 so as to be rotatable around the axle 111. More specifically, the body 4 is provided with a lever spring 11s which is a torsion coil spring, and the detection lever 11 is biased by the biasing force of the lever spring 11s in an engagement direction in which a latch abutment portion 112 (described later) engages with the latch 7, specifically in a clockwise direction as viewed from the second surface side (front). Note that the axle 111 of the detection lever 11 may be configured as a shaft, and the axle 44 of the body 4 may have a hole into which the axle 111 of the detection lever 11 is fitted.

[0021] The detection lever 11 has a latch abutment portion 112 that protrudes from the second surface side to the first surface side through a through-hole 43 provided in the body 4 and can abut against the latch 7, and a switch pressing portion 113 that presses a detection switch SW provided in the operation unit 3 as the detection lever 11 rotates, switching the detection switch SW on and off. The latch abutment portion 112 abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the latch 7 as the latch 7 rotates, causing the detection lever 11 to rotate about the shaft portion 111. When the switch pressing portion 113 presses the detection switch SW, the detection switch SW is turned on, thereby detecting that the door is open. On the other hand, when the switch pressing portion 113 is not pressing the detection switch SW, the detection switch SW is turned off, thereby detecting that the door is closed.

[0022] The latch abutment portion 112 and the switch pressing portion 113 are disposed on one side of the shaft portion 111 in the striker entry direction, specifically on the vehicle interior side. The detection switch SW is disposed above the detection lever 11, and the switch pressing portion 113 is provided above the latch abutment portion 112 and is configured to be able to press the detection switch SW as the detection lever 11 rotates.

[0023] The detection lever 11 also has a detection lever-side waterproof wall 114 provided on its front surface. The detection lever-side waterproof wall 114 is provided between the latch abutment portion 112 and the switch pressing portion 113 in the vertical direction, and extends horizontally. At least a portion of the detection lever-side waterproof wall 114 overlaps with the detection switch SW in its extension direction when viewed in the vertical direction. The detection lever-side waterproof wall 114 prevents the detection switch SW from being wet with liquid that has entered through the through-hole 43.

[0024] Here, the operation of the latch unit 2 in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door will be described in detail, starting with the latch 7 and then the detection lever 11.

[0025] First, the operation of the latch 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The state before the striker S enters the striker entrance groove 41 corresponds to the fully open state of the door, and the position of the latch 7 at this time is the open position.

[0026] When the door is closed, the striker S enters the striker entrance groove 41 from the vehicle interior, and the latch 7 begins to engage with the striker S. As the striker S enters, the latch 7 rotates about the latch shaft 6 against the biasing force of the latch spring 7s. As the striker S continues to enter, the ratchet 9 engages with the half-latch engaging portion 72 of the latch 7. This state corresponds to a half-open door state in which the door is slightly engaged with the striker S, and the position of the latch 7 at this time is the half-latched position.

[0027] As the striker S advances further, the ratchet 9 engages with the full latch engagement portion 71 of the latch 7. This state corresponds to a fully closed state in which the door is fully engaged with the striker S, and the position of the latch 7 at this time is the full latch position (closed position).

[0028] When the door is held in a fully closed state, when the outside handle OH located on the outside of the door or the inside handle IH located on the inside of the door is operated to open, the ratchet 9 rotates in a direction to release the engagement with the latch 7, specifically in a clockwise direction when viewed from the first side (rear), via a mechanism provided in the operation unit 3, and the door opens.

[0029] Next, the operation of the detection lever 11 will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 9. The detection lever 11 is biased by the biasing force of the lever spring 11s in a direction in which the latch abutment portion 112 abuts against the latch 7. When the latch 7 is in the open position, the latch abutment portion 112 abuts against the uniform diameter portion 73 on the outer peripheral surface of the latch 7. The uniform diameter portion 73 is formed along the circumferential direction on part of the outer peripheral surface of the latch 7, and has approximately the same diameter in any position. Furthermore, when the latch 7 is in the open position, the switch pressing portion 113 presses the detection switch SW, which turns on and detects the open state of the door.

[0030] When the latch 7 moves from the open position to the half-latched position, the latch abutment portion 112 slides relatively on the constant diameter portion 73 of the latch 7. The constant diameter portion 73 is formed on a part of the outer circumferential surface of the latch 7 and has approximately the same diameter from the latch shaft 6 in any position. Therefore, when the latch abutment portion 112 slides relatively on the constant diameter portion 73, the detection lever 11 hardly rotates, and the switch pressing portion 113 maintains its state of pressing the detection switch SW.

[0031] When the latch 7 moves from the half-latched position to the full-latched position, the latch abutment portion 112 moves from the uniform diameter portion 73 to the cam portion 74 of the latch 7 and slides relatively on the cam portion 74. The cam portion 74 is formed along the circumferential direction on part of the outer circumferential surface of the latch 7 and is continuous with the uniform diameter portion 73. Since the cam portion 74 is formed at a position closer to the latch shaft 6 in the radial direction than the uniform diameter portion 73, when the latch abutment portion 112 passes the uniform diameter portion 73 and comes into contact with the cam portion 74, the biasing force of the lever spring 11s causes the detection lever 11 to rotate and drop along the cam portion 74, and the latch abutment portion 112 and the switch pressing portion 113 move downward.

[0032] When the detection lever 11 continues to rotate and the latch 7 reaches the fully latched position, the switch pressing portion 113 separates from the detection switch SW and no longer presses the detection switch SW. In this state, the detection switch SW is turned off, and the fully closed state of the door is detected.

[0033] (1-2. Operation unit) 1 and 2, the operation unit 3 is made of synthetic resin or the like and includes a housing 13 fixed to the front of the body 4, and a mechanism housed in the housing 13 for operating the door opening and locking. Although details are omitted, the mechanism housed in the housing 13 is connected to an outside handle OH and an inside handle IH, which input the door opening operation, and a lock knob LK (locking / unlocking member) provided on the inside of the door, and performs the door opening and locking operations.

[0034] The operation unit 3 further includes a motor (not shown) that controls the locking and unlocking of the door. The motor is housed, for example, in a position within the housing 13 away from the latch unit 2 (i.e., a front position within the housing 13).

[0035] Furthermore, a detection switch SW is disposed in the housing 13 of the operation unit 3. The detection switch SW is disposed at the rear and upper end of the housing 13 in a position where it abuts against a switch pressing portion 113 of the detection lever 11 provided on the second surface side of the latch unit 2. Because the detection switch SW is disposed in the housing 13 of the operation unit 3, the latch unit 2 can be made smaller.

[0036] [2. Detailed structure of the latch unit] Next, the structure of the latch unit 2, particularly the structure in the vicinity of the detection lever 11 and the detection switch SW, will be described in detail.

[0037] As described above, the body 4 is provided with the through-hole 43 through which the latch abutment portion 112 of the detection lever 11 passes, and therefore, for example, when the door is fully open, liquid may enter the second surface side of the body 4 through the striker entrance groove 41 and the through-hole 43 during rainy weather or when the car is washed. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the detection switch SW arranged on the second surface side is waterproof.

[0038] As described above with reference to FIG. 5 and other figures, in this embodiment, the detection lever 11 is supported by the body 4 of the latch unit 2. If the detection lever were supported by the operation unit 3 instead of the latch unit 2, the through-hole would need to be larger to allow the latch contact portion of the detection lever to pass through the through-hole in the body with ease of assembly when assembling the latch unit 2 to the operation unit 3. In contrast, in the door latch device 1 of this embodiment, the detection lever 11 is supported by the body 4, so it is not necessary to determine the size of the through-hole 43 with consideration given to ease of assembly between the latch unit 2 and the operation unit 3. In other words, the through-hole 43 only needs to be large enough to allow the latch contact portion 112 of the detection lever 11 to pass through. Therefore, the through-hole 43, which serves as an entry point for liquid, can be smaller than when the detection lever 11 is provided on the operation unit 3. This ensures waterproofing of the detection switch SW.

[0039] Furthermore, the latch abutment portion 112 and the switch pressing portion 113 of the detection lever 11 are disposed on one side of the shaft portion 111 in the striker entry direction. If the latch abutment portion and the switch pressing portion were disposed on opposite sides of the shaft portion in the striker entry direction, the detection lever would become larger in size in the striker entry direction, but the configuration of this embodiment makes it possible to reduce the size of the detection lever 11 in the striker entry direction.

[0040] 9, the latch abutment portion 112 is configured so that at least a portion thereof overlaps with the body 4 when viewed from the axial direction in which the shaft portion 111 of the detection lever 11 extends. In other words, the latch abutment portion 112 is provided so that at least a portion thereof is located outside the through-hole 43 (indicated by the thick dashed line in FIG. 9) when viewed from the axial direction of the detection lever 11. In particular, in this embodiment, the latch abutment portion 112 is configured so that at least a portion thereof always overlaps with the body 4 when viewed from the axial direction of the detection lever 11 while the latch 7 transitions between the open position and the fully latched position.

[0041] In this way, at least a portion of the latch abutment portion 112 overlaps with the body 4 in the axial direction, thereby preventing the detection lever 11 from falling off in the axial direction or from rattling in the axial direction. This improves the ease of assembly when assembling the latch unit 2 supporting the detection lever 11 to the operation unit 3.

[0042] As described above, according to the door latch device 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to ensure the waterproofness of the detection switch SW while achieving miniaturization and improving assembly ease.

[0043] 9, the latch contact portion 112 of the detection lever 11 will be described in detail. The latch contact portion 112 has a first contact portion 112a and a second contact portion 112b. The first contact portion 112a has a surface that contacts the cam portion 74 of the latch 7, and the second contact portion 112b has a surface that contacts the same diameter portion 73 of the latch 7. The first contact portion 112a and the second contact portion 112b are provided continuously at a predetermined angle (an obtuse angle in the illustrated example).

[0044] The first contact portion 112a is located on the rotation trajectory of the cam portion 74, and contacts the cam portion 74 when the latch 7 rotates in the open direction from the fully latched position (closed position) where it engages with the striker S. The first contact portion 112a slides relatively on the cam portion 74 as the cam portion 74 rotates, thereby moving upward against the biasing force of the lever spring 11s and rotating the detection lever 11. When the detection lever 11 rotates, the switch pressing portion 113 presses the detection switch SW (see FIG. 7).

[0045] When the latch 7 rotates further in the open direction, the second abutment portion 112b abuts against the uniform diameter portion 73 on the outer circumferential surface of the latch 7 and slides relatively on the uniform diameter portion 73. Since the uniform diameter portion 73 is a portion that has approximately the same diameter in the circumferential direction of the latch 7, further rotation of the detection lever 11 is suppressed, and it is possible to prevent the detection lever 11 from excessively pressing the detection switch SW.

[0046] Moreover, the second contact portion 112b is curved along the same diameter portion 73 with substantially the same diameter as the same diameter portion 73. With this configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent the detection lever 11 from rotating when the second contact portion 112b slides relatively on the same diameter portion 73.

[0047] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in Fig. 6. The first contact portion 112a extends in the axial direction of the detection lever 11 and has a length L1 that overlaps with the plate thickness center line (the dashed line in the figure) of the latch 7 in the axial direction. With this configuration, the first contact portion 112a reliably contacts the cam portion 74 of the latch 7, and the detection lever 11 can be rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the latch 7.

[0048] Furthermore, the first contact portion 112a of the detection lever 11 overlaps with the periphery of the through hole 43 as viewed in the axial direction when the latch 7 is in the open position. The periphery of the through hole 43 specifically refers to the portion of the body 4 on the periphery of the through hole 43. Because the first contact portion 112a extends in the axial direction and overlaps with the periphery of the through hole 43 as viewed in the axial direction, when liquid seeps from the striker entrance groove 41 toward the through hole 43 as shown by the black arrow in FIG. 10 , the first contact portion 112a can prevent the liquid from passing through the through hole 43 and entering the second surface of the body 4. In other words, the first contact portion 112a functions as a waterproof wall against the through hole 43 provided in the body 4.

[0049] In particular, the first contact portion 112a extends in the axial direction to the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the through hole 43, and the gap G between the peripheral edge and the first contact portion 112a in the axial direction is small. Therefore, the first contact portion 112a functions as a waterproof wall with high waterproofing properties.

[0050] Furthermore, the gap G is smaller than the axial length of the shaft portion 44 of the body 4, which is configured as a shaft portion. With this configuration, even if the shaft portion 111 of the detection lever 11 moves in a direction that causes it to fall off relative to the shaft portion 44 of the body 4, the movement of the first abutment portion 112a is restricted by the body 4, so that the detection lever 11 can be prevented from falling off when, for example, assembling the latch unit 2 to the operation unit 3.

[0051] 8, the body 4 is provided with a claw 45 that restricts axial movement of the detection lever 11 relative to the shaft 44 of the body 4 as a mechanism for preventing the detection lever 11 from falling off. Specifically, the claw 45 stands in the axial direction of the detection lever 11 from the second surface side of the body 4, and locks the shaft 111 of the detection lever 11 that is inserted into the shaft 44. By providing the claw 45 that locks the shaft 111 of the detection lever 11, there is no need to provide a new mechanism for preventing the detection lever 11 from falling off, and the door latch device 1 can be made smaller.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 5, the body 4 is provided with a bulging portion 46 that bulges toward the latch 7 between the striker entrance groove 41 and the through-hole 43. Specifically, the bulging portion 46 is provided on the side surface of the accommodation portion 42. Although the bulging portion 46 bulges toward the latch 7, it is provided at a position that does not interfere with the rotation of the latch 7.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 9 , the bulge 46 is located near the outer peripheral surface of the latch 7 when the latch 7 is in the open position. In other words, the gap between the bulge 46 and the outer peripheral surface of the latch 7, which corresponds to the path of liquid penetration from the striker entrance groove 41 to the through-hole 43, is small. With this configuration, even when liquid (bold arrow) penetrates from the striker entrance groove 41 toward the through-hole 43 while the door is open, the amount of liquid (dashed arrow) that passes through the gap between the bulge 46 and the outer peripheral surface of the latch 7 and reaches the through-hole 43 can be reduced. This improves the waterproofness of the detection switch SW.

[0054] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the detection lever 11 has a detection lever side waterproof wall 114 provided between the latch abutment portion 112 and the switch pressing portion 113. Therefore, even if liquid seeps in from the through hole 43 through the gap between the bulge portion 46 and the outer peripheral surface of the latch 7, the detection lever side waterproof wall 114 can prevent the detection switch SW from becoming wet, thereby improving the waterproofness of the detection switch SW.

[0055] 7, the body 4 is provided with a body-side waterproof wall 47 disposed between the detection switch SW and the through-hole 43 in the up-down direction. Specifically, the body-side waterproof wall 47 is disposed along the upper portion of a bolt hole through which a bolt for fixing the latch unit 2 inside the door is inserted. The body-side waterproof wall 47 is disposed so as to be adjacent to the detection lever-side waterproof wall 114 when the latch 7 is in the open position. In this way, the detection lever-side waterproof wall 114 and the body-side waterproof wall 47 can further improve the waterproofness of the detection switch SW.

[0056] 11 , the housing 13 of the operation unit 3 is provided with a housing-side waterproof wall 131 that covers the detection switch SW from below, between the detection switch SW and the through-hole 43 in the vertical direction. The housing-side waterproof wall 131 is located above the detection lever-side waterproof wall 114, and is provided so that at least a portion of the housing-side waterproof wall 131 overlaps with the detection lever-side waterproof wall 114 when viewed in the vertical direction. By providing the housing-side waterproof wall 131 below the detection switch SW in this manner, the waterproofness of the detection switch SW can be further improved. Furthermore, as described above, the door latch device 1 of this embodiment can ensure high waterproofness for the detection switch SW, so that a non-waterproof detection switch SW can be used, and the cost of the door latch device 1 can be reduced compared to when a waterproof detection switch is provided.

[0057] 4, 10, etc., the body 4 is provided with a recess 48 that recesses from the periphery of the through-hole 43 toward the second surface and covers the detection lever 11 from below and from the second surface side. This prevents the liquid from penetrating into the operation unit 3 even if liquid adheres to the detection lever 11 and flows down due to vibrations caused by opening and closing the door or while driving. Furthermore, because the recess 48 covers the detection lever 11 from the second surface side, rattling of the detection lever 11 is suppressed, and abnormal noise and falling off of the detection lever 11 while driving can be suppressed.

[0058] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above embodiment may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0059] For example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the door latch device 1 is attached to the front door of a vehicle, but this is not limiting. For example, the door latch device 1 may be attached to the back door of a vehicle.

[0060] This specification describes at least the following: In parentheses, components corresponding to those in the above-described embodiments are shown as examples, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0061] (1) A vehicle door latch device (door latch device 1) that is attached to a vehicle door, Body (Body 4) and a latch (latch 7) that is rotatably supported on the body on the first surface side of the body and that can engage with a striker (striker S) provided on the vehicle body; A detection switch (detection switch SW) that detects the open / close state of the door; a lever (detection lever 11) that is rotatably supported by the body on a second surface side that is the reverse side of the first surface of the body, and that rotates in conjunction with rotation of the latch to switch on / off the detection switch, The lever is a latch abutment portion (latch abutment portion 112) that passes through a through hole (through hole 43) provided in the body and protrudes from the second surface side of the body to the first surface side, and abuts against the latch as the latch rotates to rotate the lever; a switch pressing portion (switch pressing portion 113) that presses the detection switch in response to the rotation of the lever and switches the detection switch on and off, The latch abutment portion and the switch pressing portion are disposed on one side of a shaft portion (shaft portion 111) that is the rotation center of the lever in the direction in which the striker advances, At least a portion of the latch abutment portion overlaps with the body when viewed in the axial direction in which the shaft portion of the lever extends. A vehicle door latch device.

[0062] According to (1), because the lever is supported by a body having a through-hole, the size of the through-hole can be made smaller than when the lever is supported by another component (e.g., an operating unit) and the latch abutment of the lever is inserted through the through-hole in the body. This reduces the size of the through-hole, which serves as an entry point for liquid to enter the detection switch, ensuring waterproofing of the detection switch. Furthermore, because the latch abutment and the switch pressing portion are located on one side of the lever shaft in the striker insertion direction, the lever can be made smaller. Furthermore, because at least a portion of the latch abutment overlaps with the body when viewed from the axial direction of the lever, the likelihood of the lever falling off or rattling is reduced, improving the ease of assembly when assembling the body supporting the lever to another component.

[0063] (2) A vehicle door latch device according to (1), The outer circumferential surface of the latch is a cam portion (cam portion 74) that abuts against the latch abutment portion of the lever when the lever rotates in the open direction from the close position where it engages with the striker, thereby rotating the lever; a constant diameter portion (constant diameter portion 73) that is provided continuously with the cam portion and has approximately the same diameter along the circumferential direction of the latch; When the latch further rotates in the open direction after the latch contact portion contacts the cam portion, the latch contact portion slides relatively on the diameter portion of the latch. A vehicle door latch device.

[0064] According to (2), after the latch rotates in the open direction and the latch contact portion of the lever comes into contact with the same-diameter portion of the latch, the lever is prevented from rotating further, thereby preventing the switch pressing portion of the lever from excessively pressing the detection switch.

[0065] (3) The vehicle door latch device according to (2), The latch abutment portion of the lever is a first contact portion (first contact portion 112a) that is positioned on a rotation locus of the cam portion and that contacts the cam portion when the latch rotates from the closed position in the open direction to rotate the lever; a second abutment portion (second abutment portion 112b) that slides relatively on the same diameter portion when the latch further rotates in the open direction after the first abutment portion abuts on the cam portion, the second contact portion is curved along the uniform diameter portion with substantially the same diameter as the uniform diameter portion, A vehicle door latch device.

[0066] According to (3), the second abutment portion is formed curved along the same diameter portion of the latch with approximately the same diameter as the same diameter portion, so that the lever can be more reliably prevented from rotating when the second abutment portion slides relatively on the same diameter portion of the latch.

[0067] (4) A vehicle door latch device according to any one of (1) to (3), At least a portion (first contact portion 112a) of the latch contact portion that overlaps with the body when viewed in the axial direction is extending in the axial direction, When the latch is in an open position where it is disengaged from the striker, the latch overlaps with a peripheral edge of the through hole as viewed in the axial direction. A vehicle door latch device.

[0068] According to (4), the latch contact portion can function as a waterproof wall for the through-hole of the body.

[0069] (5) A vehicle door latch device according to any one of (1) to (4), The lever and the body each have a shaft portion (shaft portion 111, shaft portion 44) that constitutes a rotation axis of the lever, one of the axial portion of the lever and the axial portion of the body is a hole portion, and the other is a shaft portion inserted into the hole portion, a gap (gap G) between the body and a portion of the latch abutment portion that overlaps with the body when viewed in the axial direction is smaller than the length of the shaft portion; A vehicle door latch device.

[0070] According to (5), the gap between the latch contact portion of the lever and the body is small, so that the lever can be prevented from falling off.

[0071] (6) A vehicle door latch device according to any one of (1) to (5), The lever and the body each have a shaft portion (shaft portion 111, shaft portion 44) that constitutes a rotation axis of the lever, one of the axial portion of the lever and the axial portion of the body is a hole portion, and the other is a shaft portion inserted into the hole portion, The body is provided with a claw portion (claw portion 45) that restricts the lever from moving in the axial direction relative to the shaft portion of the body. A vehicle door latch device.

[0072] According to (6), the claw portion can prevent the lever from falling off. Also, by providing the claw portion that restricts the movement of the lever shaft, it is not necessary to provide a new mechanism to prevent the lever from falling off, and the door latch device can be made smaller.

[0073] (7) A vehicle door latch device according to any one of (1) to (6), The body is provided with a bulge portion (bulge portion 46) that bulges toward the latch between the striker entrance groove (striker entrance groove 41) into which the striker enters and the through hole, When the latch is in an open position where it is disengaged from the striker, the bulge is located near the outer circumferential surface of the latch. A vehicle door latch device.

[0074] According to (7), when the latch is in the open position, the bulge portion is located near the outer surface of the latch, so that even if liquid seeps in through the striker entry groove, the amount of liquid reaching the through hole can be reduced, thereby improving the waterproofing of the detection switch.

[0075] (8) A vehicle door latch device according to any one of (1) to (7), the detection switch and the switch pressing portion of the lever are positioned above the latch abutment portion that is inserted through the through hole and positioned on the first surface side, The lever further has a vertical wall portion (detection lever side waterproof wall 114) provided between the switch pressing portion and the latch abutment portion in the vertical direction. A vehicle door latch device.

[0076] According to (8), even if liquid seeps in through the through-hole, the upright wall of the lever can prevent the detection switch from being wet.

[0077] (9) A vehicle door latch device according to (8), The body is provided with a vertical wall portion (body-side waterproof wall 47) that is adjacent to the vertical wall portion of the lever when the latch is in an open position where engagement with the striker is released, and that is provided between the detection switch and the through hole in the vertical direction. A vehicle door latch device.

[0078] According to (9), even if liquid seeps in through the through-hole, the upright wall portion of the lever and the upright wall portion of the body can more reliably prevent the detection switch from becoming wet.

[0079] (10) A vehicle door latch device according to any one of (1) to (9), The device further includes an operation unit (operation unit 3) including a mechanism for operating the door to open and a housing (housing 13) for accommodating the mechanism, a latch unit (latch unit 2) including the body, the latch, and the lever is assembled to the operation unit; The detection switch is disposed on the housing of the operation unit. A vehicle door latch device.

[0080] According to (10), since the detection switch is disposed in the housing of the operation unit, the latch unit including the latch can be made smaller. Furthermore, since at least a portion of the latch abutment portion of the lever overlaps with the body when viewed from the axial direction of the lever, the lever can be prevented from falling off when assembling the latch unit to the operation unit, improving assembly ease.

[0081] (11) A vehicle door latch device according to (10), the detection switch is located above the through hole, The housing is provided with a wall portion (housing-side waterproof wall 131) between the detection switch and the through hole in the vertical direction, the wall portion covering the detection switch from below. A vehicle door latch device.

[0082] According to (11), the wall portion provided below the detection switch can further improve the waterproofing of the detection switch. In addition, by further improving the waterproofing, a non-waterproof detection switch can be used, which can reduce the cost of the door latch device.

[0083] (12) A vehicle door latch device according to any one of (1) to (11), The body is provided with a recess (recess 48) that is recessed from the periphery of the through hole toward the second surface and covers the lever from below and from the second surface side. A vehicle door latch device.

[0084] According to (12), even if liquid seeps in through the through-hole, the recess in the body can prevent the liquid from seeping in to the second surface side of the body. Moreover, since the recess covers the lever from the second surface side, rattle of the detection lever can be prevented. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1 Door latch device (vehicle door latch device) 2 Latch Unit 3 Operation Unit 4. Body 41 Striker entrance groove 43 Through hole 44 Shaft 45 Claw 46 Bulge 47 Body side waterproof wall (vertical wall) 48 recess 7 Latch 73 Same diameter part 74 Cam section 11 Detection lever (lever) 111 Shaft 112 Latch contact part 112a 1st contact part 112b Second contact part 113 Switch pressing part 114 Detection lever side waterproof wall (vertical wall) 13. Housing 131 Housing side waterproof wall (wall) S Striker SW detection switch

Claims

1. A vehicle door latch device that is attached to a vehicle door, Body and a latch that is rotatably supported by the body on a first surface side of the body and that can engage with a striker provided on a vehicle body; a detection switch for detecting the open / closed state of the door; a lever that is rotatably supported by the body on a second surface side that is the reverse side of the first surface of the body, and that rotates in conjunction with rotation of the latch to switch on and off the detection switch, The lever is a latch abutment portion that passes through a through hole formed in the body and protrudes from the second surface side of the body to the first surface side, and abuts against the latch as the latch rotates to rotate the lever; a switch pressing portion that presses the detection switch in response to the rotation of the lever and switches the detection switch on and off, the latch abutment portion and the switch pressing portion are disposed on one side of a shaft portion that serves as a rotation center of the lever in the direction in which the striker advances, At least a portion of the latch abutment portion overlaps with the body when viewed in the axial direction in which the shaft portion of the lever extends. A vehicle door latch device.

2. 2. The vehicle door latch device according to claim 1, The outer circumferential surface of the latch is a cam portion that abuts against the latch abutment portion of the lever when the lever rotates in an open direction from a closed position where the striker engages with the cam portion, thereby rotating the lever; a constant diameter portion that is provided continuously with the cam portion and has approximately the same diameter along the circumferential direction of the latch; When the latch further rotates in the open direction after the latch contact portion contacts the cam portion, the latch contact portion slides relatively on the diameter portion of the latch. A vehicle door latch device.

3. 3. The vehicle door latch device according to claim 2, The latch abutment portion of the lever is a first contact portion that is positioned on a rotation locus of the cam portion and that contacts the cam portion to rotate the lever when the latch rotates from the closed position in the open direction; a second contact portion that slides relatively on the same diameter portion when the latch further rotates in the open direction after the first contact portion contacts the cam portion, the second contact portion is curved along the uniform diameter portion with substantially the same diameter as the uniform diameter portion, A vehicle door latch device.

4. 4. A vehicle door latch device according to claim 1, At least a portion of the latch abutment portion overlapping with the body as viewed in the axial direction is extending in the axial direction, When the latch is in an open position where it is disengaged from the striker, the latch overlaps with a peripheral edge of the through hole as viewed in the axial direction. A vehicle door latch device.

5. 4. A vehicle door latch device according to claim 1, the lever and the body each have a shaft portion that forms a rotation axis of the lever, one of the axial portion of the lever and the axial portion of the body is a hole portion, and the other is a shaft portion inserted into the hole portion, a gap between the body and a portion of the latch abutment portion that overlaps with the body as viewed in the axial direction is smaller than a length of the shaft portion; A vehicle door latch device.

6. 4. A vehicle door latch device according to claim 1, the lever and the body each have a shaft portion that forms a rotation axis of the lever, one of the axial portion of the lever and the axial portion of the body is a hole portion, and the other is a shaft portion inserted into the hole portion, The body is provided with a claw portion that restricts the lever from moving in the axial direction relative to the shaft portion of the body. A vehicle door latch device.

7. 4. A vehicle door latch device according to claim 1, The body is provided with a bulging portion that bulges toward the latch between the striker entrance groove into which the striker enters and the through hole, When the latch is in an open position where it is disengaged from the striker, the bulge is located near the outer circumferential surface of the latch. A vehicle door latch device.

8. 4. A vehicle door latch device according to claim 1, the detection switch and the switch pressing portion of the lever are positioned above the latch abutment portion that is inserted through the through hole and positioned on the first surface side, The lever further includes a vertical wall portion provided between the switch pressing portion and the latch abutment portion in the vertical direction. A vehicle door latch device.

9. 9. The vehicle door latch device according to claim 8, the body is provided with a vertical wall portion that is adjacent to the vertical wall portion of the lever when the latch is in an open position where engagement with the striker is released, and that is provided between the detection switch and the through hole in the vertical direction; A vehicle door latch device.

10. 4. A vehicle door latch device according to claim 1, The door opening mechanism further includes an operation unit including a housing for accommodating the operation mechanism. a latch unit including the body, the latch, and the lever is assembled to the operation unit; The detection switch is disposed on the housing of the operation unit. A vehicle door latch device.

11. 11. The vehicle door latch device according to claim 10, the detection switch is located above the through hole, The housing is provided with a wall portion between the detection switch and the through hole in the up-down direction, the wall portion covering the detection switch from below. A vehicle door latch device.

12. 4. A vehicle door latch device according to claim 1, The body is provided with a recess that is recessed from a peripheral portion of the through hole toward the second surface and covers the lever from below and from the second surface side. A vehicle door latch device.

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