Door latch device

Abstract

To electrically operate a child lock mechanism of a door latch device while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and the resulting structural complication of the structure.SOLUTION: A control unit 20 of a door latch device 1, in a child lock state which is entered upon receipt of a child lock signal from a child lock switching switch 17, upon receipt of a lock switching signal from a lock state detection switch 18 indicating that a lock plate 31 has moved from a lock position to an unlock position, drives a lock mechanism motor 10 to move the lock plate 31 from the unlock position to the lock position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The vehicle door latch device described in Patent Document 1 includes a locking mechanism that can switch between a state in which handle operation for opening the door is enabled (unlocked state) and a state in which it is disabled (locked state). This door latch device also includes an override mechanism that switches the locking mechanism from a locked state to an unlocked state by operating only the inner handle. Specifically, the locking state can be transitioned from a locked state to an unlocked state by operating the inner handle a first time, and the latching mechanism can be released by operating the inner handle a second time. This door latch device also includes a child lock mechanism. When the child lock mechanism is active, i.e., in the child lock state, operating the inner handle does not function as the override mechanism, and the locking mechanism remains locked, the latching mechanism is not released, and the door cannot be opened. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2009-052229 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, there has been a growing demand for motorized child lock mechanisms. However, motorizing a child lock mechanism requires a dedicated motor separate from the lock mechanism motor, which increases the number of parts and makes the structure more complex.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to electrically operate the child lock mechanism of a door latch device while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and the resulting complication of the structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a locking mechanism that includes a fork that detachably holds a striker, a claw that is detachable from the fork and that can engage with the fork to maintain an engaged state between the fork and the striker, an inner open lever that can rotate in conjunction with the operation of an inner handle, a locking member that can move between an unlocked position and a locked position, a motor for a locking mechanism that can switch the locking member between the unlocked position and the locked position, a locking member position detection unit that directly or indirectly detects movement of the locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position and outputs a lock switching signal, a link that operates in conjunction with the locking member, and that, when the locking member is in the unlocked position, is capable of transmitting a rotational force of the inner open lever to the claw to release the engagement between the claw and the fork, and that, when the locking member is in the locked position, is unable to transmit the rotational force of the inner open lever to the claw, and a child lock operation receiving unit that receives a selection operation of whether or not to use the child lock mechanism and outputs a child lock signal if the received selection operation is to use the child lock mechanism and outputs a child unlock signal if the received selection operation is to not use the child lock mechanism; and a control unit that is capable of receiving the child lock signal and the child unlock signal from the child lock operation receiving unit and is capable of receiving the lock switch signal from the lock member position detection unit, wherein, in a child lock state in which the child lock signal has been received from the child lock operation receiving unit, the control unit drives the lock mechanism motor to move the lock member from the lock position to the unlock position.

[0007] The inner open lever rotates in conjunction with the operation of the inner handle, causing the override mechanism to move the locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position. However, if the child lock state is activated by receiving a child lock signal from the child lock operation receiving unit, the control unit receives a lock switching signal from the locking member position detecting unit when the override mechanism has moved the locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position, and then drives the locking mechanism motor to move the locking member from the unlocked position to the locked position. In this way, because the child lock mechanism is realized by the control unit's control of the locking mechanism motor, a dedicated motor for the child lock mechanism is not required. Therefore, the child lock mechanism of the door latch device can be electrified while suppressing costs associated with an increased number of parts and a more complex structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the door latch device of the present invention, the child lock mechanism of the door latch device can be electrically operated while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and the resulting complication of the structure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a door latch device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] A schematic diagram showing the lock mechanism, which also functions as a child lock mechanism, along with the override mechanism (locked state when child is unlocked). [Figure 3] A schematic diagram showing the lock mechanism, which also functions as a child lock mechanism, along with the override mechanism (first inner lever operation when unlocking the child). [Figure 4] A schematic diagram showing the lock mechanism, which also functions as a child lock mechanism, along with the override mechanism (after the first inner lever operation to unlock the child door). [Figure 5]A schematic diagram showing the lock mechanism, which also functions as a child lock mechanism, along with the override mechanism (second inner lever operation when unlocking the child). [Figure 6] Schematic diagram showing the lock mechanism that also functions as a child lock mechanism, along with the override mechanism (operation starts when the control unit receives an unlocked state detection signal while the child lock is in place) [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a lock mechanism that also functions as a child lock mechanism, along with an override mechanism (operation ends when the control unit receives an unlocked state detection signal during child lock). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Referring to FIG. 1, a door latch device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided for locking and unlocking the door of an automobile, which is an example of a vehicle. The door is provided with a latch mechanism 2. The latch mechanism 2 includes a fork 4 that releasably holds a striker 3 provided on the vehicle body. The fork 4 is rotatable about an axis 4a and is elastically biased clockwise in the drawing. The latch mechanism 2 also includes a claw 5 that can be engaged with and disengaged from the fork 4 and can engage with the fork 4 to maintain an engaged state between the fork 4 and the striker 3. The claw 5 is rotatable about an axis 5a and is elastically biased counterclockwise in the drawing. The engagement of the claw 5 with the fork 4 can be released by moving an operating portion 5b of the claw 5 clockwise (upward in FIGS. 2 to 7, which will be described later).

[0011] The door latch device 1 includes an electric release lever 6 that operates an operating portion 5b of the claw 5 to release the engagement of the claw 5 with the fork 4, and an electric release motor 7 that drives the electric release lever 6. The door latch device 1 also includes a locking mechanism 9 that switches between an unlocked state, in which the engagement of the claw 5 with the fork 4 can be released, and a locked state, in which the engagement cannot be released, in response to operation (pulling in this embodiment) of an inner handle 8. In addition to the inner handle 8, the door latch device 1 also includes a locking mechanism motor 10, an override mechanism 11, and an emergency lever 12 as elements that can operate the locking mechanism 9. The door latch device 1 also includes switches and sensors, such as an unlatch switch 15, a locking state selector switch 16, a child lock selector switch 17 (child lock operation receiver), a locking state detection switch (lock member position detector) 18, and an emergency sensor 19. Signals output by these components are input to a control unit 20, which controls the electric release motor 7 and the locking mechanism motor 10 based on the input signals. The door latch device 1 also includes an alarm generating unit 21.

[0012] The door latch device 1 has an electric release function, an electric lock function, an override function, and a child lock function.

[0013] Regarding the electric release function, referring to FIG. 1 , the rotational drive force of the electric release motor 7 is transmitted to the electric release lever 6, which rotates to operate the operating portion 5b of the claw 5, thereby disengaging the claw 5 from the fork 4. Specifically, the electric release lever 6 is rotatably supported on a shaft 6a. The electric release lever 6 is provided with a gear portion 6b. A worm gear 7a attached to the output shaft of the electric release motor 7 is engaged with the gear portion 6b. The rotational output of the electric release motor 7 is transmitted to the electric release lever 6 via the worm gear 7a and gear portion 6b, which rotates the electric release lever 6 and operates to move the operating portion 5b of the claw 5 upward in FIG. 1. The unlatch switch 15 receives an unlatch instruction operation from the occupant and outputs an unlatch signal. Upon receiving the unlatch signal, the control unit 20 drives the electric release motor 7 to rotate the electric release lever 6, thereby disengaging the claw 5 from the fork 4.

[0014] Regarding the electric locking function, the lock mechanism 9 can be switched between an unlocked state and a locked state by operating the lock mechanism 9 through driving by the lock mechanism motor 10. The lock state changeover switch 16 receives a lock instruction operation or an unlock instruction operation by the occupant and outputs a lock signal or an unlock signal. Upon receiving the lock signal or the unlock signal, the control unit 20 rotates the lock mechanism motor 10 so that it rotates in the direction corresponding to which signal was received. As a result, the lock mechanism 9 is switched between a locked state and an unlocked state, as will be described later.

[0015] The override function is realized by cooperation between the override mechanism 11 and the lock mechanism 9. With the override function, when the lock mechanism 9 is in a locked state, the lock mechanism 9 can be switched from a locked state to an unlocked state by operating the inner handle 8. As will be described later, the override function in this embodiment is a two-motion override mechanism that switches the lock mechanism 9 from a locked state to an unlocked state and releases the engagement of the claw 5 with the fork 4 by operating the inner handle 8 twice. The override function is disabled when the child lock function is active, i.e., in the child lock state.

[0016] The child lock function is intended to prevent a passenger, such as a child, from opening the door by operating the inner handle 8. When the child lock function is not active, i.e., in the child unlock state, the override function can switch the lock mechanism 9 from the locked state to the unlocked state. However, in the child lock state, the override function is disabled as described above, and the lock mechanism 9 cannot be switched from the locked state to the unlocked state by operating the inner handle 8.

[0017] The child lock mechanism 22 that realizes the child lock function is composed of the lock mechanism 9, the lock mechanism motor 10, the child lock changeover switch 17, and the lock state detection switch 18. The child lock mechanism 22 is an electric type that uses the lock mechanism motor 10 as its power source. As mentioned above, the lock mechanism motor 10 is used to operate the lock mechanism 9, and the child lock mechanism 22 does not include any other motor dedicated to realizing the child lock function other than the lock mechanism motor 10.

[0018] The locking mechanism 9 and the override mechanism 11 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0019] The lock mechanism 9 includes the lock mechanism motor 10 described above, as well as a lock plate (lock member) 31, a link 32, a joint 33, and an inner open lever .

[0020] The inner open lever 34 is rotatable around a shaft 34a. The inner open lever 34 rotates clockwise in the drawing in conjunction with the pulling operation of the inner handle 8. The inner open lever 34 is elastically biased counterclockwise by a spring (not shown). One arm 34b of the inner open lever 34 is provided with an operating part 34c that operates the override mechanism 11. The other arm 34d of the inner open lever 34 is rotatably connected to one end (the lower end in the drawing) of the link 32 via a rotary joint 34e.

[0021] Lock plate 31 is rotatable around axis 31a. Lock plate 31 includes arm 31b that overlaps the other end (upper end in the figure) of link 32, and arm 31c that overlaps one end (upper end in the figure) of joint 33. Arm 31b is connected to the other end of the link via spring 35. Specifically, one end of spring 35 is engaged with lock plate 31, and the other end of spring 35 extends beyond the tip of arm 31b and is inserted into elongated slot 32b provided at the other end of link 32, and is held movably along elongated slot 32b.

[0022] The link 32 is provided with an output portion 32a for operating the operating portion 5b of the claw 5. When the link 32 moves upward in the drawing, the output portion 32a pushes up the operating portion 5b, thereby releasing the engagement of the claw 5 with the fork 4.

[0023] The joint 33 is held so that it can only move linearly (up and down in the figure). One end (the upper end in the figure) of the joint 33 is provided with a slot 33a extending laterally. A cylindrical pin 31d provided on an arm 31c of the lock plate 31 is inserted into this slot 33a, thereby connecting one end of the joint 33 to the lock plate 31. When the joint 33 rises, the lock plate 31 rotates counterclockwise, and when the joint 33 descends, the lock plate 31 rotates clockwise. The other end (the lower end in the figure) of the joint 33 is also provided with a slot 33b extending laterally. An override lever 36 provided in the override mechanism 11, which will be described later, is connected to this slot 33b.

[0024] The locking mechanism motor 10 can raise and lower the joint 33. Specifically, a gear 10a attached to the output shaft of the locking mechanism motor 10 engages with a gear portion (not shown) provided on the joint 33. The rotational output of the locking mechanism motor 10 is transmitted to the joint 33 via the gear 10a and the gear portion, and the joint 33 rises and falls depending on the rotation direction of the locking mechanism motor 10.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows the locking mechanism 9 in a locked state, i.e., when the lock plate 31 is in the locked position, and FIG. 4 shows the locking mechanism 9 in an unlocked state, i.e., when the lock plate 31 is in the unlocked position. In the locked state, the link 32 and the operating portion 5b of the claw 5 are misaligned laterally in the figure, whereas in the unlocked state, the link 32 and the operating portion 5b of the claw 5 are aligned laterally in the figure. As described above, the joint 33 moves up and down depending on the direction of rotation of the locking mechanism motor 10, which places the lock plate 31 in the locked or unlocked position, thereby switching the locking mechanism 9 between the locked and unlocked states. In this embodiment, the lock plate 31 of the locking mechanism 9 can be switched from the locked position to the unlocked position from outside the vehicle by operating the emergency lever 12 described above.

[0026] The override mechanism 11 includes an override lever 36. The override lever 36 is rotatable around an axis 36a. One arm 36b of the override lever 36 is operated by the operating part 34c of the inner open lever 34 described above. When the inner open lever 34 is rotated clockwise in the drawing, the operating part 34c presses the arm 36b, causing the override lever 36 to rotate counterclockwise. A cylindrical pin 36d is provided on the other arm 36c of the override lever 36. The pin 36d is inserted into a groove 33b in the other end (the lower end in the drawing) of the joint 33, connecting the arm 36c of the override lever 36 to the other end of the joint 33. When the override lever 36 rotates counterclockwise, the joint 33 rises.

[0027] 2 and 4, the lock state detection switch 18, which is an example of a lock member position detector, is in an OFF state when the lock mechanism 9 is in a locked state (FIG. 2), but is pressed by the joint 33 to an ON state when the lock mechanism 9 is in an unlocked state (FIG. 4), and outputs a lock switching signal indicating that the lock mechanism 9 has switched from the locked state to the unlocked state (movement of the lock plate 31 from the locked position to the unlocked position), and the output lock switching signal is received by the control unit 20. In this way, the lock state detection switch 18 of this embodiment indirectly detects that the lock plate 31 has moved from the locked position to the unlocked position based on the position of the joint 33. However, the lock state detection switch 18 may also directly detect the movement of the lock plate 31 from the locked position to the unlocked position based on the position of the lock plate 31, or may indirectly detect that the lock plate 31 has moved from the locked position to the unlocked position based on the position or posture of the link 32.

[0028] The child lock changeover switch 17 receives a selection operation by the occupant to use or not use the child lock mechanism 22, and outputs a child lock signal if the received selection operation is to use the child lock mechanism 22, and outputs a child unlock signal if the received selection operation is to not use the child lock mechanism 22. The output child lock signal or child unlock signal is received by the control unit 20.

[0029] The emergency sensor 19 detects an emergency situation that requires the disengagement of the claw 5 from the fork 4 by operating the inner handle 8, and outputs an emergency signal. The emergency signal is received by the control unit 20. Examples of emergency situations that can be detected by the emergency sensor 19 include a collision of the vehicle with another vehicle or an obstacle, the vehicle being submerged in water, and a low on-board battery.

[0030] The alarm generating unit 21 is controlled by the control unit 20 and generates an alarm such as a sound, an image, or a vibration that can be recognized by the occupant.

[0031] The operation of the door latch device 1 when the inner handle 8 is operated will now be described.

[0032] First, switching of the lock mechanism 9 by the override mechanism 11 in the child unlock state, that is, when the child lock changeover switch 17 outputs a child unlock signal to the control unit 20, will be described.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, when the locking mechanism 9 is in the locked state and the inner handle 8 is pulled for the first time, the inner open lever 34 rotates clockwise, and in conjunction with this, the link 32 moves diagonally upward. As the inner open lever 34 rotates clockwise, the operating part 34c of the inner open lever 34 pushes the arm 36b of the override lever 36, rotating it counterclockwise. This rotation of the override lever 36 also raises the joint 33. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the lock plate 31 is rotated counterclockwise by the joint 33, and the lock plate 31 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position. In addition, in the state shown in FIG. 3, the output part 32a of the link 32 interferes with the operating part 5b of the claw 5.

[0034] When the first pulling operation of the inner handle 8 is stopped in the state shown in Figure 3, the inner open lever 34 rotates counterclockwise due to the elastic biasing force, causing the link 32 to descend. Furthermore, as the link 32 descends, interference between the output part 32a and the operating part 5b of the claw 5 is eliminated, and the link 33 rotates clockwise around the rotary joint 34e. As a result, as shown in Figure 4, the lock plate 31 is in the unlocked position, and the output part 32a is aligned with the operating part 5b of the claw 5 laterally in the figure, i.e., the unlocked state is reached.

[0035] 4, when the inner handle 8 is pulled a second time, the inner open lever 34 rotates clockwise, and the link 32 moves upward in conjunction with this. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the output part 32a of the link 32 pushes up the operating part 5b of the claw 5, and the engagement of the claw 5 with the fork 4 is released.

[0036] Next, the operation in the child lock state, that is, when the child lock changeover switch 17 outputs a child lock signal to the control unit 20, will be described.

[0037] Referring again to Figure 2, when the locking mechanism 9 is in the locked state and the inner handle 8 is pulled for the first time, the inner open lever 34 rotates clockwise, which causes the link 32 to move diagonally upward, and this rotation of the override lever 36 causes the joint 33 to rise. As a result, as shown in Figure 3, the lock plate 31 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position. At this time, the output portion 32a of the link 32 abuts against the operating portion 5b of the claw 5 from the side, so the link 32 cannot move toward the operating portion 5b, and the spring 35 is held in a compressed state. In addition, the lock state detection switch 18 is pressed down by the raised joint 33, which switches it from an on state to an off state, and outputs a lock switching signal to the control unit 20.

[0038] When the first pulling operation of the inner handle 8 is stopped in the state shown in FIG. 3, the inner open lever 34 rotates counterclockwise due to the elastic biasing force, causing the link 32 to descend. Furthermore, when the link 33 descends, the lateral engagement between the output portion 32a of the link 32 and the operating portion 5b of the claw 5 is released, and the link 32 moves in the unlock direction due to the biasing force of the spring 35. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the lock plate 31 is in the unlock position, and the output portion 32a is aligned with the operating portion 5b of the claw 5 in the lateral direction in the figure, i.e., the unlocked state. In this state shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 20 drives the lock mechanism motor 10 to descend the joint 33. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the lock plate 31 moves from the unlock position to the locked position, and the lock mechanism 9 is switched from the unlocked state to the locked state.

[0039] The timing at which the control unit 20 performs the electric child safety switching operation, which drives the lock mechanism motor 10 to move the lock plate 31 from the unlocked position to the locked position after receiving the lock switching signal, is not limited to the above, and may be performed, for example, during the first pulling operation of the inner handle 8, or after the first pulling operation of the inner handle 8 is stopped. In other words, it is preferable that the electric child safety switching operation be performed immediately after the control unit 20 receives the lock switching signal, so that it is performed reliably before the second pulling operation of the inner handle 8.

[0040] As described above, when the child lock state is in effect, the override function is disabled, and the lock mechanism 9 cannot be switched from the locked state to the unlocked state by operating the inner handle 8.

[0041] If the child lock state is established and the control unit 20 receives a child lock signal from the child lock changeover switch 17, and then receives a lock changeover signal from the lock state detection switch 18 as a result of the override mechanism 11 moving the lock plate 31 from the locked position to the unlocked position, the control unit 20 drives the lock mechanism motor 10 to move the lock plate 31 from the unlocked position to the locked position. In this way, the child lock mechanism is realized by the control of the lock mechanism motor 9 by the control unit 20, so no dedicated motor for the child lock mechanism is required. Therefore, the child lock mechanism of the door latch device 1 can be electrically driven while suppressing costs that would otherwise be incurred due to an increase in the number of parts and a complex structure.

[0042] When the control unit 20 receives a lock switching signal from the lock state detection switch 18 while the child lock is in effect, it causes the alarm generating unit 21 to generate an alarm. By generating an alarm, the alarm generating unit 21 can notify an occupant who is attempting to use the override mechanism 11 by operating the inner handle 8 that the override is not possible because the child lock is in effect. In other words, it can notify an occupant who is attempting to use the override mechanism 11 by operating the inner handle 8 that the reason the override is not possible even when the inner handle 8 is operated is because the door is in the child lock state, and that the door latch device 1 is operating normally.

[0043] As described above, the override mechanism 11 is a two-motion override mechanism that, in the child unlock state, switches the lock plate 31 from the locked position (locked state) to the unlocked position (unlocked state) and releases the engagement of the claw 5 with the fork 4 by two operations of the inner handle 8. There is always a certain time interval between the first and second operations of the inner handle 8. Therefore, during child locking, when the override mechanism 11 moves the lock plate 31 from the locked position to the unlocked position by the first operation of the inner handle 8, the control unit 20, which has received a lock switching signal from the lock state detection switch 18, drives the lock mechanism motor 10 and moves the lock plate 31 from the unlocked position to the locked position before the second operation of the inner handle 8. In other words, because the override mechanism 11 is a two-motion override mechanism, the child lock can be reliably functioned by the lock mechanism drive motor 10.

[0044] When the control unit 20 receives an emergency signal from the emergency sensor 19, it does not drive the lock mechanism motor 9 even if it receives a lock switch signal from the lock state detection switch 18 in the child lock state, and keeps the lock mechanism 9 in the unlocked state. This ensures that the door can be opened by operating the inner handle 8 in an emergency, thereby improving safety.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 Door latch device 2 Latch mechanism 3 Striker 4 forks 4a axis 5 klaw 5a axis 5b Operation section 6 Electric release lever 6a axis 6b Gear section 7 Electric release motor 7a worm gear 8 Inner handle 9 Locking mechanism 10 Locking mechanism motor 10a gear 11 Override mechanism 12 Emergency lever 15 Unlatching switch 16 Lock status switch 17 Child lock switch (child lock operation reception part) 18 Lock state detection switch (lock member position detection part) 19 Emergency Sensor 20 Control Unit 21 Alarm generation unit 22 Child lock mechanism 31 Lock plate (locking member) 31a axis 31b Arm 31c Arm 31d Pin 32 Links 32a Output section 23b long groove 33 Joint 33a slot 33b Slot hole 34 Inner open lever 34a axis 34b Arm 34c Control unit 34d Arm 34e Rotational joint 35 Spring 36 Override lever 36a axis 36b Arm 36c arm 36d pin

Claims

1. a fork that releasably holds the striker; a claw that can be engaged with and disengaged from the fork and that can engage with the fork to maintain an engaged state between the fork and the striker; An inner open lever that can be rotated in conjunction with the operation of the inner handle, a locking member movable between an unlocked position and a locked position; a locking mechanism motor capable of switching the locking member between the unlocked position and the locked position; a lock member position detection unit that directly or indirectly detects movement of the lock member from the locked position to the unlocked position and outputs a lock switching signal; a link that operates in conjunction with the locking member, and that, when the locking member is at the unlock position, is capable of transmitting a rotational force of the inner open lever to the claw to release the engagement between the claw and the fork, and that, when the locking member is at the lock position, is unable to transmit the rotational force of the inner open lever to the claw; an override mechanism that can move the locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position by rotating the inner open lever; a child lock operation receiving unit that receives a selection operation for using or not using the child lock mechanism, and outputs a child lock signal if the received selection operation is for using the child lock mechanism, and outputs a child unlock signal if the received selection operation is for not using the child lock mechanism; a control unit capable of receiving the child lock signal and the child unlock signal from the child lock operation receiving unit and the lock switching signal from the lock member position detecting unit; Equipped with When the control unit receives the lock switching signal from the lock member position detection unit in a child lock state in which the child lock signal has been received from the child lock operation reception unit, the control unit drives the lock mechanism motor to move the lock member from the locked position to the unlocked position.

2. An alarm generating unit is provided, 2. The door latch device according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit receives the lock switching signal from the lock member position detection unit in the child lock state in which the child lock signal has been received from the child lock operation reception unit, the control unit causes the alarm generation unit to generate an alarm.

3. the override mechanism includes an override operation unit that can operate the lock member from the locked position to the unlocked position by rotating the inner open lever, When the locking member is in the locked position, a first operation of the inner handle causes the override operating portion to move the locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position, 2. The door latch device according to claim 1, wherein, after the first operation, if the control unit is in a child unlock state in which it receives the child unlock signal from the child lock operation receiving unit, a second operation of the inner handle transmits the rotational force of the inner open lever to the claw, thereby disengaging the claw from the fork.

4. an emergency sensor that detects an emergency situation that requires the release of the engagement of the claw with the fork by the operation of the inner handle and outputs an emergency signal; 2. The door latch device according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit receives the emergency signal, the control unit does not drive the lock mechanism motor even if the lock switch signal is received from the lock member position detection unit in the child lock state.

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