Key cylinder device for vehicle door

Abstract

To provide a key cylinder device for a vehicle door connected via a traction member to a door lock device, for suppressing an increase in its size.SOLUTION: A key cylinder device 20 includes a key cylinder 32 turnable between an operation position to enable the switching of a door lock device 10 and a non-operation position to disable the switching, a turning member 35 turnable integrally with the key cylinder 32, and a traction member 27 for transmitting the operation force of the key cylinder 32 with key operation, via the turning member 35 to the door lock device 10, the turning member 35 having a winding part 35c capable of winding the traction member 27 with the turn of the key cylinder 32 from the non-operation position to the operation position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

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

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-25965 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the key cylinder device of Patent Document 1, in order to ensure the stroke required to unlock the door lock device, it is necessary to ensure the advancement and retreat stroke of the pulling member made of a wire. Furthermore, to ensure the advancement and retreat stroke of the pulling member, it is necessary to ensure the distance from the rotation axis of the transmission lever to the connecting portion of the transmission lever to the pulling member. As a result, the overall length of the transmission lever becomes longer, which is an inconvenience as it increases the size of the key cylinder device.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to prevent an increase in the size of a key cylinder device of a vehicle door connected to a door lock device via a traction member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a key cylinder device for a vehicle door that includes a key cylinder that can rotate between an operating position where a door lock device can be switched from a locked state to an unlocked state and a non-operating position where the door lock device cannot be switched, a rotating member attached to the key cylinder and rotatable integrally with the key cylinder, and a pulling member that has one end connected to the rotating member and transmits the operating force of the key cylinder due to key operation to the door lock device via the rotating member, wherein the rotating member has a winding portion that can wrap around the pulling member when the key cylinder is rotated from the non-operating position to the operating position.

[0008] The rotating member, which rotates integrally with the key cylinder, has a winding portion around which the pulling member can be wound when the key cylinder rotates from the non-operating position to the operating position. This allows the rotational force of the key cylinder, generated by key operation, to be converted into a pulling force of the pulling member via the rotating member and transmitted to the door lock device with a simple structure without increasing the number of parts.

[0009] Furthermore, because the pulling member is pulled by being wound around the winding portion, the forward / backward stroke of the pulling member can be secured compared to when the pulling member is pulled linearly by the transmission lever. This ensures the stroke required for unlocking the door lock device. Furthermore, compared to when the overall length of the transmission lever is increased, the key cylinder device can be kept small in size, improving the flexibility of the installation layout on the vehicle door. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an increase in size of a key cylinder device of a vehicle door connected to a door lock device via a traction member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a vehicle door using a key cylinder device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the door lock device, the handle, and the key cylinder device in FIG. 1; [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of line VV in Figure 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a casing, a key cylinder, and a rotating member. [Figure 7A] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state of the cylinder unit when the key cylinder is rotated to an initial position. [Figure 7B] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state of the cylinder unit when the key cylinder is rotated to an operating position. [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Figure 3. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a rod is connected to the door lock device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a key cylinder device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a vehicle door 1, and switches a door lock device 10 attached to the same door 1 from a locked state to an unlocked state, allowing the door 1 to be opened by operating a handle 5.

[0014] The key cylinder device 20 of this embodiment is used in a left side door whose hinge axis extends in the vehicle height direction. However, the key cylinder device 20 may also be used in a right side door, a sliding door, or a back door.

[0015] In the accompanying drawings, the X direction is the vehicle length direction, with the arrow pointing in the direction of the front side and the opposite direction of the arrow pointing in the direction of the rear side. The Y direction is the vehicle width direction, with the arrow pointing in the direction of the inside (inside the vehicle) and the opposite direction of the arrow pointing in the direction of the outside (outside the vehicle). The Z direction is the vehicle height direction, with the arrow pointing in the direction of the top side and the opposite direction of the arrow pointing in the direction of the bottom side.

[0016] 1 and 2, the key cylinder device 20 is mechanically connected to a door lock device 10. The door lock device 10 is communicatively connected to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 6 mounted on the vehicle. The ECU 6 is connected to an antenna 7 for wireless communication with an electronic key (not shown) carried by a user, and an authentication unit 8 for key authentication.

[0017] The ECU 6 has a calculation unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit, none of which are shown, and reads out a program pre-stored in the storage unit and executes information processing according to the steps instructed by the program. When key authentication by the authentication unit 8 is successful, the ECU 6 electrically activates the door lock device 10 based on an input signal from the handle 5. On the other hand, when key authentication by the authentication unit 8 is unsuccessful, the ECU 6 does not activate the door lock device 10 even if a signal is input from the handle 5.

[0018] To provide an overview of the door latch device 10, the door lock device 10 is disposed along the end panel 4 in a space defined by the outer panel 2, inner panel 3, and end panel 4 of the door 1. The door lock device 10 includes a latch mechanism 11, an actuator 12, a latch switching mechanism 13, a lock mechanism 14, an actuator 15, and a lock switching mechanism 16.

[0019] The latch mechanism 11 includes a fork and a claw, and can be switched between a latched state and an unlatched state. In the latched state, the fork holds the striker on the vehicle body, keeping the door 1 closed. In the unlatched state, the fork releases the striker, allowing the door 1 to be opened.

[0020] The locking mechanism 14 is composed of multiple levers and can be switched between an unlocked state and a locked state. In the unlocked state, the latching mechanism 11 can be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state via the latch switching mechanism 13. In the locked state, the latching mechanism 11 cannot be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state via the latch switching mechanism 13.

[0021] The latch mechanism 11 is switched from the unlatched state to the latched state by the striker entering the fork when the open door 1 is closed. The latch mechanism 11 is switched from the latched state to the unlatched state from outside the vehicle by the ECU 6 electrically operating the latch switching mechanism 13 in response to a signal input from the switch 5a that detects the normal open operation of the handle 5 during normal operation when the actuator 12 is operable. On the other hand, during an emergency when the actuator 12 is inoperable, the latch mechanism 11 is switched from the latched state to the unlatched state from outside the vehicle manually by the user operating the handle 5 for emergency opening via the lock mechanism 14 and the latch switching mechanism 13.

[0022] Switching (locking) of the lock mechanism 14 from the unlocked state to the locked state from outside the vehicle is performed electrically by the ECU 6 in response to a signal input from the switch 5b that detects the locking operation of the handle 5 under normal circumstances when the actuator 15 is operable. Switching (unlocking) of the lock mechanism 14 from the locked state to the unlocked state from outside the vehicle is performed electrically by the ECU 6 in response to a signal input from the switch 5a that detects the normal opening operation of the handle 5 under normal circumstances. On the other hand, in an emergency when the actuator 15 is inoperable, switching of the lock mechanism 14 from the locked state to the unlocked state from outside the vehicle is performed manually via the lock switching mechanism 16 by the user performing an emergency operation (unlocking operation) of the key cylinder device 20.

[0023] As described above, the key cylinder device 20 is not used during normal operation when the actuator 15 is operable. Therefore, the key cylinder 32 included in the key cylinder device 20 is disposed at the lower end 2a of the outer panel 2, which is below the user's eye level, so as not to impair the design of the door 1. The lower end 2a is an area below half of the overall height of the outer panel 2, and is a portion that slopes inward in the vehicle width direction as it approaches the bottom.

[0024] The key cylinder device 20 of this embodiment will now be described in detail.

[0025] 1, 3, and 4, the key cylinder device 20 includes a cylinder unit (cylinder mechanism) 30, a connection unit (connection mechanism) 40, and a cable 25 that mechanically connects the cylinder unit 30 and the connection unit 40.

[0026] The rest of the key cylinder device 20, other than the tip of the key cylinder 32 provided in the cylinder unit 30, is disposed in the space between the outer panel 2 and inner panel 3 of the door 1 and is not visible from outside the door 1. Only the tip of the key cylinder 32 of the key cylinder device 20 can be exposed to the outside of the vehicle. Normally, the tip of the key cylinder 32 is preferably covered by a decorative member of the door 1 and is exposed by operation by the user.

[0027] (Cable configuration) 1, 3, and 4, cable 25 includes a flexible tube 26 and a wire (pulling member) 27. Wire 27 is a transmission member for transmitting the operating force of key cylinder 32 to door lock device 10 via connection unit 40. Wire 27 is movably inserted into tube 26 and can move forward and backward in conjunction with the rotation of key cylinder 32. Cylindrical wire ends 28 are fixed to both ends of wire 27. Of the pair of wire ends 28, the one located at the lower end is connected to cylinder unit 30, and the one located at the upper end is connected to connection unit 40.

[0028] (Cylinder unit configuration) 3 to 5, the cylinder unit 30 is configured to operate the door lock device 10 to unlock the door from outside the door 1 shown in Fig. 1. The cylinder unit 30 includes a casing 31, a key cylinder 32, a rotating member 35, an anti-theft cover 37, a waterproof cover 38, and a waterproof cap 39.

[0029] The casing 31 is configured to mount the cylinder unit 30 to the outer panel 2 shown in FIG. 1. The casing 31 includes a main body 31a and a mounting portion 31b. The main body 31a is cylindrical and rotatably supports the key cylinder 32 therein. The axis A of the main body 31a is inclined outward in the vehicle width direction as it extends downward, but extends in the vehicle height direction as a whole. The mounting portion 31b is configured to mount the cylinder unit 30 to the outer panel 2 shown in FIG. 1 and protrudes from the main body 31a on both sides in the vehicle length direction.

[0030] The key cylinder 32 has a key hole 32a into which a regular mechanical key (not shown) can be inserted. The key cylinder 32 is attached to the main body 31a of the casing 31 so that the key hole 32a faces downward (toward the road surface), and is disposed at the lower end 2a of the outer panel 2 shown in FIG. 1. By attaching the key cylinder 32 to the casing 31, the rotation axis of the key cylinder 32 coincides with the axis A of the main body 31a. In the following description, the axis A of the main body 31a may be referred to as the rotation axis A of the key cylinder 32.

[0031] By operating the mechanical key, the key cylinder 32 can be rotated between an initial position (non-operated position) shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 and an unlocked position (operated position) rotated a set angle in direction C1 (counterclockwise in FIG. 1) from the initial position, as shown in FIG. 4. When the key cylinder 32 is rotated to the initial position, the lock mechanism 14 shown in FIG. 2 cannot be switched. When the key cylinder 32 is rotated from the initial position to the unlocked position, the lock mechanism 14 is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state via the lock switching mechanism 16 shown in FIG. 2. The transmission of the operating force of the key cylinder 32 to the lock mechanism 14 shown in FIG. 2 will be described in detail later.

[0032] 4 to 6, the key cylinder 32 is biased from the unlocked position to the initial position by a spring (first biasing member) 33. The spring 33 is attached to a holding member 34 and is disposed together with the holding member 34 within the main body portion 31a of the casing 31.

[0033] The holding member 34 has a holding portion 34a that is C-shaped when viewed from the direction in which the rotation axis A extends, and an annular flange portion 34b provided at one end of the holding portion 34a. The holding member 34 is disposed so as to surround the key cylinder 32. The flange portion 34b has a positioning notch and is attached to the main body portion 31a so as to be unable to move relative to the main body portion 31a in either the direction in which the rotation axis A extends or the circumferential direction around the rotation axis A.

[0034] Both ends of the spring 33 are engaged with the key cylinder 32 and the holding portion 34a, respectively. When the key cylinder 32 is rotated around the rotation axis A relative to the holding portion 34a by key operation, the spring 33 is compressed. When the key operation is stopped, the biasing force of the spring 33 rotates the key cylinder 32 relative to the holding portion 34a to its initial position.

[0035] The rotating member 35 rotates integrally with the key cylinder 32 and pulls the wire 27 so as to wrap around it during the unlocking operation, thereby converting the rotational force of the key cylinder 32 into a pulling force of the wire 27 and transmitting the force to the lock switching mechanism 16 shown in Fig. 2. The rotating member 35 includes a base 35a and a winding portion 35c formed integrally with the base 35a.

[0036] Base 35a is cylindrical and centered on rotation axis A, and is attached to upper end 32b of key cylinder 32 so as to be immovable relative to it in either the direction of extension of rotation axis A or the circumferential direction around rotation axis A. Specifically, mounting hole 35b with an engagement groove is provided in the center of base 35a, and an engagement protrusion is provided on upper end 32b of key cylinder 32. Engagement between the engagement protrusion and the engagement groove attaches pivot member 35 to key cylinder 32 so as to be immovable relative to it. A C-shaped washer and locking member 36 prevent base 35a from falling off key cylinder 32.

[0037] The winding portion 35c is configured to wind the wire 27 when the key cylinder 32 rotates from the initial position shown in Fig. 7A to the unlocked position shown in Fig. 7B. The winding portion 35c has a fan shape concentric with the base portion 35a and protrudes radially outward from the base portion 35a. The angle between a pair of radially extending side edges of the winding portion 35c is equal to or greater than the rotation angle of the key cylinder 32 from the initial position shown in Fig. 7A to the unlocked position shown in Fig. 7B.

[0038] The winding portion 35c is formed with an arc-shaped recessed groove 35d that is recessed from the outside in the radial direction to the inside and extends circumferentially around the rotation axis A. The tip of the winding portion 35c in the direction C1 in which the key cylinder 32 rotates is provided with a connection hole 35e to which the wire end 28 is rotatably connected, and an insertion groove 35f through which the wire 27 is inserted. The groove bottom of the recessed groove 35d is formed with a radius R that passes through the center of the connection hole 35e.

[0039] 7A and 7B, when the key cylinder 32 rotates in the direction C1, the rotating member 35 rotates integrally in the direction C1. As a result, the wire 27 is pulled in the same direction C1 and wound in an arc around the bottom of the recessed groove 35d. In the case of a conventional transmission lever, the wire 27 is pulled linearly between the tube end 29 attached to the end of the tube 26 and the wire end 28. Therefore, when the radius R from the rotation axis A to the connection hole 35e of the wire end 28 is the same, the rotating member 35 of this embodiment can pull the wire 27 by a larger amount than the conventional transmission lever. This ensures a sufficient stroke for the wire 27 to be moved back and forth. On the other hand, when the stroke for the wire 27 to be moved back and forth by the rotating member 35 of this embodiment is the same as the stroke for the wire 27 to be moved back and forth by the conventional transmission lever, the rotating member 35 of this embodiment can be made smaller.

[0040] 3 to 5, the anti-theft cover 37 is configured to prevent unauthorized manipulation of the rotating member 35 and wire 27 by a third party. The anti-theft cover 37 is attached to the outer side of the casing 31 in the vehicle width direction, and covers the casing 31 including the key cylinder 32, the rotating member 35, and the lower end of the wire 27. This prevents the rotating member 35 and wire 27 from being directly manipulated by a tool intended for lock picking. The anti-theft cover 37 is provided with a holding portion 37a that positions and holds the tube end 29.

[0041] The waterproof cover 38 is provided to prevent water from entering the casing 31. The waterproof cover 38 covers the main body 31a of the casing 31 including the key cylinder 32, the rotating member 35, and the lower end of the wire 27. This prevents water that has entered the door 1 between the outer panel 2 and the inner panel 3 from adhering to the rotating member 35 and the lower end of the wire 27.

[0042] Waterproof cap 39 is configured to prevent water from entering key cylinder 32 through key hole 32a. Waterproof cap 39 is a cylindrical body with one end open and the other end closed, and is detachably attached to the outer end of main body 31a of casing 31 that includes key cylinder 32.

[0043] (Connection unit configuration) 3, 4, and 8, the connection unit 40 is configured to connect the cylinder unit 30 to the door lock device 10 via the wire 27. The connection unit 40 is disposed above the cylinder unit 30 in the door 1 shown in FIG. 1 with a gap therebetween, and is attached at the same height as the door lock device 10. The connection unit 40 includes a support member 41, a rod (connection member) 42, and a connection lever 44.

[0044] The support member 41 is configured to rotatably support the rod 42 and to attach the connection lever 44 including the rod 42 to the attachment panel 3a (see FIG. 9) joined to the inner panel 3 shown in FIG. 1. The support member 41 includes a main body portion 41a, an attachment piece 41b, and a holding portion 41c.

[0045] The main body 41a is cylindrical and rotatably supports the rod 42 therein. The axis B of the main body 41a slopes downward toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, but extends in the vehicle width direction as a whole. A cover portion 41d is provided at the outer end of the main body 41a in the vehicle width direction. The mounting pieces 41b are configured to be attached to the mounting panel 3a shown in FIG. 9, and multiple mounting pieces 41b are provided at the inner end of the main body 41a in the vehicle width direction, spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The holding portions 41c are configured to position and hold the tube end 29, and protrude downward from the main body 41a toward the connection unit 40.

[0046] 3, 4, and 9, the rod 42 is configured to be connected to the same connection receiving portion 16a as the conventional one provided in the door lock device 10. The rod 42 is rod-shaped and attached to the main body 41a of the support member 41 so as to be able to rotate about the axis B. The axis of the rod 42 is aligned with the axis B of the main body 41a by being attached to the support member 41. The overall length of the rod 42 is longer than the overall length of the main body 41a. Both ends of the rod 42 protrude from both ends of the main body 41a.

[0047] A connection portion 42a is provided at the inner end of the rod 42 in the vehicle width direction. The connection portion 42a is connectable to a connection receiving portion 16a of the lock switching mechanism 16 shown in Fig. 2. The connection portion 42a has a plurality of protrusions that protrude radially outward from the rod 42 and can transmit the rotational force of the rod 42 to the lock switching mechanism 16. With reference to Figs. 3, 4, and 8, an attachment portion 42b to which a connection lever 44 is attached is provided at the outer end of the rod 42 in the vehicle width direction.

[0048] The connection lever 44 is a conversion member for converting the movement of the wire 27 in the forward and backward directions into the rotation of the rod 42. The connection lever 44 is provided with an attachment hole 44a into which the attachment portion 42b can be inserted. The rotation of the lever 44 relative to the attachment portion 42b is restricted by an engagement between an engagement groove provided in the attachment hole 44a and an engagement protrusion provided on the rod 42. This allows the connection lever 44 to rotate integrally with the rod 42.

[0049] The connection lever 44 has a connection portion 44b for connecting the wire 27. The connection portion 44b protrudes radially outward from the rod 42, which is a direction perpendicular to the axis B. In this embodiment, the connection portion 44b is configured by a pair of plate portions spaced apart in the direction in which the axis B extends. The connection portion 44b is provided with a connection hole 44c for rotatably connecting the wire end 28 and an insertion groove 44d for inserting the wire 27.

[0050] The connection lever 44 configured in this manner can be rotated between the initial position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and an operating position rotated by a predetermined angle in direction C2 (clockwise in FIG. 4) by unlocking the locking mechanism 14 shown in FIG. 2.

[0051] A spring (second biasing member) 46 that biases the connection lever 44 from the operating position to the initial position is disposed between the connection lever 44 and the support member 41. The spring 46 is disposed at the outer end of the main body 41a of the support member 41 in the vehicle width direction, and is covered by a cover portion 41d. One end of the spring 46 is engaged with the cover portion 41d, and the other end of the spring 46 is engaged with the connection lever 44.

[0052] Next, the operation of the key cylinder device 20 will be described.

[0053] When the key cylinder 32 is rotated in the direction C1 by key operation, the rotating member 35 rotates integrally with the wire 27 in the direction C1 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B). This causes the rotation of the rotating member 35 to pull the wire 27 downward (first direction). As a result, the connecting lever 44 rotates in the direction C2, and the rod 42 rotates integrally with the connecting lever 44 in the direction C2. In this manner, the operating force of the key cylinder 32 is transmitted to the lock switching mechanism 16 shown in FIG. 2, switching the lock mechanism 14 from the locked state to the unlocked state. In this case, in this embodiment, the rotating member 35 ensures the forward / backward stroke of the wire 27, ensuring a sufficient stroke required to perform the unlock operation on the lock mechanism 14.

[0054] When the key operation is stopped, the key cylinder 32 rotates from the unlocked position to the initial position due to the biasing force of the spring 33. The rod 42 and the connecting lever 44 rotate from the operating position to the initial position due to the biasing force of the spring 46. As a result, the wire 27 is pulled upward (in the second direction) by the biasing forces of the springs 33 and 46.

[0055] Here, the movement of the wire 27 to the initial position and the rotation of the connection lever 44 are both upward, so a force is required to move against gravity. Also, the overall length of the cable 25 may be long, and the cable 25 may be routed in a curved manner to accommodate other components. As a result, the resistance between the tube 26 and the wire 27 increases, and a situation may arise in which the biasing force of the spring 33 disposed in the key cylinder 32 alone is not enough to return the key cylinder 32, the rotating member 35, the wire 27, and the connection lever 44 to their initial positions.

[0056] In contrast, in the key cylinder device 20 of this embodiment, the connection unit 40 is disposed above the key cylinder 32 at a distance, and the cylinder unit 30 includes a spring 33 that returns the key cylinder 32 to its initial position, and the connection unit 40 includes a spring 46 that returns the connection lever 44 to its initial position. This allows the wire 27 and connection lever 44 to move upward against the resistance between the tube 26 and the wire 27 and gravity. This allows the key cylinder 32, rotating member 35, wire 27, and connection lever 44 to be reliably returned to their initial positions.

[0057] The key cylinder device 20 configured as above has the following features.

[0058] Rotating member 35, which can rotate integrally with key cylinder 32, has winding portion 35c around which wire 27 can be wound as key cylinder 32 rotates from the initial position to the unlocked position. This allows the rotational operating force of key cylinder 32, generated by key operation, to be converted into a pulling force of wire 27 via rotating member 35 and transmitted to door lock device 10 with a simple structure without increasing the number of parts.

[0059] Moreover, because the wire 27 is wound around the winding portion 35c, a longer stroke of the wire 27 can be ensured compared to when the wire 27 is pulled linearly by the transmission lever. This ensures the stroke required for the unlocking operation of the door lock device 10. Furthermore, compared to when the overall length of the transmission lever is increased, the key cylinder device 20 can be prevented from becoming larger, and the degree of freedom in the layout of the installation on the vehicle door 1 can be improved.

[0060] An arc-shaped recessed groove 35d is formed in the winding portion 35c. This ensures the stroke required for the unlocking operation of the door lock device 10 with as little rotation of the rotating member 35 as possible. This effectively prevents the key cylinder device 20 from becoming larger. Furthermore, when the wire 27 is wound around the winding portion 35c, the wire 27 makes line contact with the winding portion 35c, so that the load acting on the wire 27 due to tension can be evenly distributed to the portion of the wire 27 that is wound around the winding portion 35c. This prevents localized loads on the wire 27, reducing the risk of breakage of the wire 27.

[0061] The wrapping portion 35c extends in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis A of the key cylinder 32. This improves the efficiency of transmitting the operating force of the key cylinder 32 to the door lock device 10, which is disposed away from the key cylinder 32.

[0062] The key cylinder 32 is disposed at the lower end of the vehicle door 1. This allows the key cylinder 32 to be positioned below the user's eye level and become less visible, thereby improving the design of the vehicle door 1.

[0063] The key cylinder 32 is disposed so that the key hole 32a faces downward, thereby enabling the key cylinder 32 to be reliably disposed within the door 1, which has a limited dimension in the thickness direction.

[0064] The key cylinder 32 is covered with an anti-theft cover 37 to prevent external operation by a member intended for lock picking. This ensures anti-theft performance, and prevents the door lock device 10 from being switched from a locked state to an unlocked state by unauthorized operation of the rotating member 35 and the wire 27.

[0065] A waterproof cover 38 is provided to cover the key cylinder 32 and prevent water from entering. This ensures waterproofing, thereby preventing malfunctions of the key cylinder 32, the rotating member 35, and the wire 27.

[0066] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0067] For example, the rotation axis of the winding portion 35c including the recessed groove 35d may be positioned at a distance from the rotation axis A of the key cylinder 32, and the winding portion 35c does not have to be arc-shaped in the strict geometric sense as long as it is configured to extend circumferentially around the rotation axis A.

[0068] The cylinder unit 30 may be disposed above the connection unit 40, or may be disposed at the same height as the connection unit 40 but spaced apart in the vehicle length direction. The key cylinder 32 may be disposed so as to face outward in the vehicle width direction. The key cylinder 32 may be configured to switch the door lock device 10 from an unlocked state to a locked state by rotating it from an initial position (non-operating position) to a locking position (operating position).

[0069] The key cylinder device 20 may be configured not to include the connection unit 40, but to connect the upper end of the wire 27 directly to the lock switching mechanism 16 of the door lock device . [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 door 2 outer panels 2a Lower end 3 Inner Panel 3a Mounting panel 4 End Panels 5 Handle 5a,5b switch 6 ECU 7 Antenna 8 Authentication Section 10 Door lock device 11 Latch mechanism 12 Actuators 13 Latch switching mechanism 14 Locking mechanism 15 Actuators 16 Lock switching mechanism 16a Connection receptacle 20 Cylinder device 25 Cable 26 tubes 27 Wire (traction member) 28 Wire End 29 Tube End 30 Cylinder unit 31 Casing 31a Main body 31b Mounting part 32 Key cylinder 32a Keyhole 32b Upper end 33 Spring 34 Retaining member 34a Holding part 34b Flange part 35 Rotating member 35a base 35b Mounting hole 35c Winding part 35d groove 35e Connection hole 35f Insertion groove 36 Stop member 37 Anti-theft cover 37a Holding part 38 Waterproof cover 39 Waterproof Cap 40 Connection Unit 41 Support member 41a Main body 41b Mounting piece 41c Holding part 42 Rod 42a Connection 42b Mounting part 44 Connecting lever 44a Mounting hole 44b Connection 44c Connection hole 44d Insertion groove 46 Spring A Axis of the casing body (rotation axis of the key cylinder) B Axis of the main body of the support member

Claims

1. a key cylinder that can be rotated between an operating position where the door lock device can be switched between a locked state and an unlocked state and a non-operating position where the door lock device cannot be switched; a rotating member attached to the key cylinder and rotatable integrally with the key cylinder; a traction member having one end connected to the rotating member for transmitting the operating force of the key cylinder due to key operation to the door lock device via the rotating member; A key cylinder device for a vehicle door, comprising: The pivoting member has a winding portion around which the traction member can be wound by pivoting the key cylinder from the non-operating position to the operating position.

2. The key cylinder device for a vehicle door according to claim 1 , wherein the winding portion has an arc-shaped recessed groove formed therein.

3. 3. The key cylinder device for a vehicle door according to claim 1, wherein the wrapping portion extends in a circumferential direction around a rotation axis of the key cylinder.

4. 3. The vehicle door key cylinder device according to claim 1, wherein the key cylinder is disposed at a lower end of the vehicle door.

5. 4. The vehicle door key cylinder device according to claim 1, wherein the key cylinder is disposed so that a key hole faces downward.

6. 3. The vehicle door key cylinder device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover for covering at least the key cylinder and preventing it from being operated from outside.

7. 3. The vehicle door key cylinder device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover for covering at least the key cylinder and preventing water from entering.

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