Vehicular door lock device

Abstract

To provide a vehicular door lock device which can be switched from a latched state to an unlatched state by causing a driving force source to operate with a single operation regardless of whether a door is locked or not.SOLUTION: A vehicular door lock device 10 includes an active lever 26 which can move between an unlocked position that allows switching to an unlatched state and a locked position that does not; a knock-type cam 25 with a pin 62 which can move between a retracted position that allows the active lever 26 to be in the locked position and a restricted position that does not allow it; and a rotating member 22 that switches to the unlatched state by moving to the unlatched position using the driving force of an electric motor 21, and switches the knock-type cam 25 to a state where the pin 62 is in the retracted position or the restricted position by moving to a cam operating position, which is a position rotated in the opposite direction from the unlatched position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The vehicle door lock device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to switch between a locked state, an unlocked state, and an unlatched state by the driving force of an electric motor. Specifically, the vehicle door lock device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a rotating member that rotates by the driving force of the electric motor. This rotating member is rotatable among a neutral position, an unlocked position which is a position rotated from the neutral position in a predetermined direction, a locking position which is a position rotated from the neutral position in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, and an unlatched position which is a position beyond the locking position from the neutral position, and is configured to be located in the neutral position while the electric motor is not operating.

[0003] When the vehicle door lock device is in a locked state, if the rotating member is rotated from the neutral position to the unlocked position by the driving force of the electric motor, the vehicle door lock device switches to the unlocked state, and when the vehicle door lock device is in an unlocked state, if the rotating member is moved from the neutral position to the locked position by the driving force of the electric motor, the vehicle door lock device switches to the locked state. Furthermore, when the rotating member is moved from the neutral position past the locked position to the unlatched position by the driving force of the electric motor, the vehicle door lock device switches to the unlatched state. In this way, the vehicle door lock device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to switch between the unlocked state, the locked state, and the unlatched state by switching the driving force of the electric motor between forward and reverse.

[0004] In the vehicle door lock device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the lock-corresponding position and the unlatch-corresponding position of the rotating member are located on the same side as viewed from the neutral position. With this configuration, when switching the vehicle door lock device from an unlocked state to a locked state, the vehicle door lock device switches to the unlatched state when the rotating member passes the lock-corresponding position and reaches the unlatch-corresponding position. Therefore, the vehicle door lock device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a blocking lever that restricts rotation of the rotating member in the unlocked state to prevent the rotating member from moving beyond the lock-corresponding position to the unlatch-corresponding position. This blocking lever reliably stops the rotating member at the lock-corresponding position when switching from the unlocked state to the locked state by rotating the rotating member, thereby preventing the vehicle door from opening unexpectedly. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-85292 Summary of the Invention

[0006] (Problem to be solved by the invention) In the vehicle door lock device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the door is in an unlocked state, the rotating member cannot move beyond the lock corresponding position to the unlatch corresponding position. Therefore, to switch from the latched state to the unlatched state when the door is in an unlocked state, the electric motor must first drive the rotating member to the lock corresponding position to switch to the locked state, and then the electric motor must again drive the rotating member to the unlatch corresponding position. In this way, the electric motor must be driven twice. To switch from the latched state to the unlatched state with a single operation of the electric motor, regardless of whether the door is in a locked or unlocked state, requires a switching mechanism and a driving force source that operate independently of the mechanism for switching between the locked and unlocked states and the driving force source for driving the switching mechanism.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a door lock device for a vehicle that can be switched from a latched state to an unlatched state with a single operation of a driving force source, regardless of whether the door is in a locked state or an unlocked state, and that does not require a driving force source for switching between the locked state and the unlocked state (a driving force source separate and independent from the driving force source for switching from the latched state to the unlatched state).

[0008] (Means for solving the problem) In order to solve the above problems, the door lock device for a vehicle according to the present invention comprises: a latch mechanism configured to be switchable between a latched state that does not allow the vehicle door to be opened and an unlatched state that allows the vehicle door to be opened; a first operating member configured to be movable between a first position that does not allow the latch mechanism to be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state by manual operation of an operating member provided on the vehicle door and a second position that allows the latch mechanism to be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state by manual operation of the operating member, and that is elastically biased toward the second position; a restriction mechanism including a second operating member that is movable between a retracted position and a restricting position, and that allows the first operating member to be positioned at the second position when positioned at the retracted position, and that is configured to hold the first operating member at the first position when positioned at the restricting position; A driving force source; The driving force source includes a rotating member that is rotatable to a third position, a fourth position that is rotated in one direction from the third position, and a fifth position that is rotated in the opposite direction from the third position, and that is rotatable from the third position to the fourth position and from the third position to the fifth position by a driving force output from the driving force source.

[0009] The rotating member is linked to the latch mechanism so as to switch the latch mechanism from the latched state to the unlatched state when it moves from the third position to the fourth position, and is linked to the regulating mechanism so as to switch the regulating mechanism from a state in which the second operating member is located at the retracted position to a state in which the second operating member is located at the regulating position when it moves from the third position to the fifth position, or to switch the regulating mechanism from a state in which the second operating member is located at the regulating position to a state in which the second operating member is located at the retracted position.

[0010] According to the present invention, when the door lock device is in an unlocked state, if the rotating member is moved from the third position to the fifth position by the driving force of the driving force source, the door lock device switches to a locked state. Also, when the door lock device is in a locked state, if the rotating member is moved from the third position to the fifth position by the driving force of the driving force source, the door lock device switches to an unlocked state. Furthermore, regardless of whether the door lock device is in a locked state or an unlocked state, if the rotating member is moved from the third position to the fourth position by the driving force of the driving force source, the door lock device switches from a latched state to an unlatched state.

[0011] In this way, the door lock device can be switched alternately between the locked state and the unlocked state and switched from the latched state to the unlatched state using a single driving force source. Furthermore, by moving the rotating member from the third position to the fourth position using the driving force of the driving force source, the door lock device can be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state regardless of whether it is in the locked state or the unlocked state. In other words, the door lock device can be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state with a single operation of the driving force source. Furthermore, since there is no need to provide separate driving force sources for switching between the locked state and the unlocked state and for switching from the latched state to the unlatched state, an increase in the number of parts in a vehicle door lock device can be prevented or suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle door. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IB-IB of FIG. 1A. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of a door lock device. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of the door lock device. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of the door lock device. [Figure 2D] FIG. 2D is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of the door lock device. [Figure 2E] FIG. 2E is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of the door lock device. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a knock-type cam. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the clicking cam. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the knock cam. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the knock cam. [Figure 4C]FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the knock cam. [Figure 4D] FIG. 4D is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the knock cam. [Figure 4E] FIG. 4E is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the knock cam. [Figure 4F] FIG. 4F is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the knock cam. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] A vehicle door lock device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the following description, the vehicle door lock device 10 may be abbreviated as "door lock device 10." In the following description, the directions of the door lock device 10 and its components are based on the directions of the vehicle. In each drawing, the front side of the door lock device 10 (and the vehicle) is indicated by an arrow Fr, the rear side by an arrow Rr, the outer side in the vehicle width direction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the vehicle exterior side) by an arrow Out, the inner side in the vehicle width direction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the vehicle interior side) by an arrow In, the upper side by an arrow Up, and the lower side by an arrow Dw.

[0014] <Vehicle door> FIG. 1A is a side view of a vehicle door 90 to which a door lock device 10 is applied, as seen from the vehicle exterior. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the rear end of the vehicle door 90 to which the door lock device 10 is applied, taken along the line IB-IB in FIG. 1A. The vehicle door 90 has a front end rotatably connected to the vehicle body and configured to be closed and opened by rotating relative to the vehicle body. The vehicle door 90 includes a door main body 91 that forms a lower half of the vehicle door 90, and a door sash 92 that is provided in an upper half of the door main body 91. The door main body 91 includes an outer panel 911 that forms the exterior surface of the vehicle door 90, an inner panel 912 that is fixed to the interior side of the outer panel 911, and a resin trim 913 that is fixed to the interior side of the inner panel 912 and forms the interior surface of the door main body 91.

[0015] A door handle device including an outside door handle 914 and a key cylinder 915 is attached to the outer panel 911. The outside door handle 914 and the key cylinder 915 are operating members that can be manually operated by a vehicle user from outside the vehicle. An inside door handle 916 is attached to the trim 913. The inside door handle 916 is an operating member that can be manually operated by a vehicle user from inside the vehicle. Both the outside door handle 914 and the inside door handle 916 can be moved between an initial position and an operating position by rotating relative to the vehicle door 90. The outside door handle 914 and the inside door handle 916 are constantly elastically biased toward their initial positions by biasing members (not shown). Therefore, when not manually operated, the outside door handle 914 and the inside door handle 916 are held in their initial positions by the biasing force of the biasing members. The vehicle user can manually operate the outside door handle 914 and the inside door handle 916 (manually move them from the initial position to the operating position).

[0016] 1B, the door lock device 10 is disposed in the interior space of the vehicle door 90 (i.e., the space surrounded by the outer panel 911 and the inner panel 912), and a portion of the door lock device 10 is exposed to the outside at the rear end of the vehicle door 90. The door lock device 10 is fixed to the inner panel 912 (i.e., the vehicle door 90).

[0017] The configuration of the vehicle door 90 is not particularly limited. The vehicle door 90 may be configured to be rotatably connected to the vehicle body and to be able to close and open by rotating relative to the vehicle body.

[0018] <Door lock device configuration> 2A to 2E are diagrams showing the configuration and operation of the door lock device 10. The door lock device 10 includes an interlocking body 11 and an actuator body 12. Note that the housing and cover that are the enclosure of the door lock device 10 are omitted from each diagram.

[0019] (Engaging body) The mating body 11 is provided with a latch mechanism 13. The latch mechanism 13 is configured to be switchable between a latched state and an unlatched state. The latched state is a state in which the vehicle door 90 is not permitted to be opened (it can also be said that the vehicle door 90 is held closed). The unlatched state is a state in which the vehicle door 90 is permitted to be opened.

[0020] In this embodiment, the latch mechanism 13 includes a base plate 131, a latch 132, and a lift lever 133. The latch 132 is rotatably supported on the base plate 131 and is movable between a latched position (a full-latched position and a half-latched position) and an unlatched position. The latch 132 is configured to restrict (not allow) the vehicle door 90 from opening when it is positioned at the latched position while the vehicle door 90 is in a closed state, and to allow the vehicle door 90 to open when it moves from the latched position to the unlatched position while the vehicle door 90 is in a closed state.

[0021] The lift lever 133 is rotatably supported on the base plate 131 and configured to be movable between an initial position and an operating position. When the lift lever 133 is located in the initial position, it restricts the movement of the latch 132 from the latched position to the unlatched position, and when the lift lever 133 is located in the operating position, it allows the latch 132 to move from the latched position to the unlatched position.

[0022] In this way, when the vehicle door 90 is closed and the lift lever 133 is in the initial position, the latch mechanism 13 is maintained in a latched state that does not allow the vehicle door 90 to be opened, and when the lift lever 133 moves from the initial position to the operating position, the latch mechanism 13 switches from the latched state to an unlatched state that allows the vehicle door 90 to be opened. Note that the specific configuration of the mating body 11, including the latch mechanism 13, is not particularly limited, and various known configurations can be applied.

[0023] (actuator body) The actuator body 12 includes a manual operation mechanism 14 , an electric unlatch mechanism 19 , and a lock mechanism 20 .

[0024] The manual operation mechanism 14 is configured to be able to switch the latch mechanism 13 from a latched state to an unlatched state in conjunction with manual operation of the outside door handle 914 or the inside door handle 916. The manual operation mechanism 14 includes an outside open lever 15, an open link 16, an inside open lever 17, and an inside lever 18.

[0025] The outside open lever 15 includes an open link support portion 151 that rotatably supports the open link 16, and an inside lever engagement portion 152 that can be engaged with and disengaged from the inside lever 18. The outside open lever 15 is rotatably supported relative to the housing. The outside open lever 15 is configured to be movable between an initial position and an operating position by rotating relative to the housing. The operating position of the outside open lever 15 is a position where the open link support portion 151 is moved upward compared to the initial position. The outside open lever 15 is constantly elastically biased toward the initial position by an outside open lever biasing spring (not shown). The outside open lever 15 is connected to an outside door handle 914 of the vehicle door 90 via a wire or the like. When the outside door handle 914 is manually operated (moved from the initial position to the operating position), the outside open lever 15 is configured to move from the initial position to the operating position in conjunction with the movement of the outside door handle 914.

[0026] The open link 16 is supported rotatably around an axis substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction relative to the outside open lever 15. Therefore, the open link 16 is rotatable relative to the outside open lever 15 and is rotatable integrally with the outside open lever 15 relative to the housing. The open link 16 is movable between an unlocked position (see FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2D, 2E, and 2F) and a locked position (see FIG. 2C) by rotating relative to the outside open lever 15. Furthermore, when the open link 16 is positioned at the unlocked position or the locked position, it moves together with the outside open lever 15, thereby being movable between an initial position and an operating position.

[0027] The open link 16 includes a supported portion 161 provided at the lower end thereof, and a release lever engaging portion 162 and a spring engaging portion 163 provided above the supported portion 161. The supported portion 161 is provided with a through-hole that penetrates in the vehicle width direction. The open link support portion 151 of the outside open lever 15 is inserted into the supported portion 161. This allows the open link 16 to rotate relative to the outside open lever 15 so that the portion of the open link 16 above the supported portion 161 (in other words, the release lever engaging portion 162 and the spring engaging portion 163) moves back and forth in the approximately front-to-rear direction relative to the outside open lever 15 (so as to swing like a pendulum in the approximately front-to-rear direction around the supported portion 161). In this case, the unlocked position of the open link 16 is the rear end of its movable range or a position nearby it, and the locked position of the open link 16 is the front end of its movable range or a position nearby it.

[0028] The release lever engaging portion 162 of the open link 16 is configured to push the release lever 24 to move it from its initial position to its operating position when the outside open lever 15 moves from its initial position to its operating position while the open link 16 is in the unlocked position. When the release lever 24 is pushed by the open link 16 to move it from its initial position to its operating position, the lift lever 133 is pushed up by the release lever 24 and moves from its initial position to its operating position. Furthermore, when the outside open lever 15 moves from its initial position to its operating position while the open link 16 is in the locked position, the release lever engaging portion 162 of the open link 16 is configured not to come into contact with the release lever 24 (i.e., not to move the lift lever 133 from its initial position to its operating position via the release lever 24). The spring engaging portion 163 is a portion that engages with the open link biasing spring 27, which will be described later. The spring engaging portion 163 has a protruding structure that protrudes in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation center line of the open link 16 relative to the lift lever 133.

[0029] The inside open lever 17 has an inside lever engaging portion 171 and a second cam arm engaging portion 172. The inside lever engaging portion 171 is configured to be able to engage and disengage from the front side with an inside open lever engaging portion 181 of the inside lever 18, which will be described later. The second cam arm engaging portion 172 is configured to be able to engage and disengage from the front side with a second cam arm 613 of the knock type cam 25.

[0030] The inside open lever 17 is supported relative to the housing so as to be rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction. The inside open lever 17 is configured to be movable between an initial position and an operating position by rotating relative to the housing. Note that FIGS. 2A to 2E show a state in which the inside open lever 17 is located in the initial position. The operating position of the inside open lever 17 is a position rotated a predetermined angle clockwise from the initial position in each of FIGS. 2A to 2E. Specifically, the operating position of the inside open lever 17 is a position in which the inside lever engaging portion 171 and the second cam arm engaging portion 172 are located further rearward than when they are located in the initial position.

[0031] When the inside open lever 17 moves from the initial position to the operating position, the inside lever engaging portion 171 of the inside open lever 17 engages (comes into contact with) the inside open lever engaging portion 181 of the inside lever 18, pushing the inside lever 18 rearward. Also, when the inside open lever 17 moves from the initial position to the operating position, the second cam arm engaging portion 172 of the inside open lever 17 engages (comes into contact with) the second cam arm 613 of the inner cylinder 61 of the knock type cam 25, moving the inner cylinder 61 rearward (specifically, from the non-switching position to the second switching position, which will be described later).

[0032] The inside open lever 17 is linked to the inside door handle 916 and is configured to move from an initial position to an operating position in conjunction with the manual operation of the inside door handle 916. For example, the inside open lever 17 and inside door handle 916 are connected by a wire (not shown). The inside open lever 17 is constantly elastically biased toward the initial position by an inside open lever biasing member (not shown). Therefore, when the inside door handle 916 is not manually operated, the inside open lever 17 is held in the initial position by the biasing force of the inside open lever biasing member.

[0033] The inside lever 18 has an inside open lever engaging portion 181 and an outside open lever engaging portion 182. The inside open lever engaging portion 181 is configured to be able to engage and disengage freely with the inside lever engaging portion 171 of the inside open lever 17. The outside open lever engaging portion 182 is configured to be able to engage and disengage freely with the inside lever engaging portion 152 of the outside open lever 15.

[0034] The inside lever 18 is supported relative to the housing so as to be rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction. The inside lever 18 can be moved between an initial position and an operating position by rotating relative to the housing. FIGS. 2A to 2E show the inside lever 18 in its initial position. The operating position of the inside lever 18 in each of FIGS. 2A to 2E is a position rotated a predetermined angle counterclockwise from the initial position, where the outside open lever engaging portion 182 is positioned higher than when the inside lever 18 is in the initial position. When the inside lever 18 moves from the initial position to the operating position, the outside open lever engaging portion 182 of the inside lever 18 presses the inside lever engaging portion 152 of the outside open lever 15. This causes the outside open lever 15 to move from the initial position to the operating position. In this way, the inside lever 18 is configured to move the outside open lever 15 from the initial position to the operating position when it moves from the initial position to the operating position.

[0035] The electric unlatch mechanism 19 is configured to be able to switch the latch mechanism 13 from a latched state to an unlatched state by the driving force of the electric motor 21. The lock mechanism 20 is configured to be able to switch from an unlocked state to a locked state and from a locked state to an unlocked state by the driving force of the electric motor 21. The lock mechanism 20 is also configured to be able to switch from an unlocked state to a locked state and from a locked state to an unlocked state by manual operation of the key cylinder 915. The unlocked state of the lock mechanism 20 is a state in which the latch mechanism 13 is allowed to be switched from a latched state to an unlatched state by manual operation of the outside door handle 914 or the inside door handle 916. The unlocked state of the lock mechanism 20 is a state in which the latch mechanism 13 is not allowed to be switched from a latched state to an unlatched state by manual operation of the outside door handle 914 or the inside door handle 916.

[0036] The electric unlatch mechanism 19 includes an electric motor 21, a rotating member 22, a rotating member biasing spring 23, and a release lever 24. The lock mechanism 20 includes an electric motor 21, a rotating member 22, a knock-type cam 25, an active lever 26, an open link biasing spring 27, a key lever 28, a key switch lever 29, a locking link 30, and a detent spring 31. In this way, the electric unlatch mechanism 19 and the lock mechanism 20 include the electric motor 21, which is a common driving force source, and the rotating member 22 that rotates by the driving force of this electric motor 21.

[0037] The electric motor 21 is a driving force source for the rotating member 22, and is configured to be able to output driving force (rotational power) in both forward and reverse directions when energized. A worm 211 is provided on the rotating shaft of the electric motor 21, and the electric motor 21 drives the rotating member 22 to rotate via this worm 211.

[0038] The rotating member 22 is supported relative to the housing so as to be rotatable about an axis that is substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction. The rotating member 22 is configured to rotate by a driving force (rotational power) transmitted from the electric motor 21. In this embodiment, a worm wheel (helical gear) is applied to the rotating member 22, and the rotating member 22 meshes with a worm 211 provided on a rotation shaft of the electric motor 21. The worm 211 of the electric motor 21 and the rotating member 22 are configured to be capable of driving in opposite directions. Therefore, when the electric motor 21 is not energized (when the electric motor 21 is not outputting driving force), the rotating member 22 can rotate by the biasing force of a rotating member biasing spring 23, which will be described later.

[0039] The rotating member 22 has a release lever engaging portion 221, a first cam arm engaging portion 222, and a locking link engaging portion 223. The release lever engaging portion 221 is a portion configured to be able to engage and disengage with the rotating member engaging portion 241 of the release lever 24, and has a protruding configuration that protrudes from one side in a direction parallel to the rotation center line of the rotating member 22 (toward the back of the paper in FIGS. 2A to 2E). The first cam arm engaging portion 222 is a portion configured to be able to engage and disengage with the first cam arm 612 of the knock-type cam 25 from approximately the front side. The locking link engaging portion 223 is a portion configured to be able to engage and disengage with the rotating member engaging portion 302 of the locking link 30 from approximately the rear side. The first cam arm engaging portion 222 and the locking link engaging portion 223 have protruding configurations that protrude from the opposite side to the release lever engaging portion 221 (toward the front of the paper in FIGS. 2A to 2E).

[0040] The rotating member 22 can be moved relative to the housing to a neutral position (see FIGS. 2A, 2C, and 2D), an unlatch corresponding position (see FIG. 2E), and a cam operating position (see FIG. 2B). The neutral position is the middle position of the rotational range of the rotating member 22. The unlatch corresponding position is one end of the rotational range of the rotating member 22, and specifically, it is a position where the release lever engagement portion 221 is positioned lower than in the neutral position. The cam operating position is the other end of the rotational range of the rotating member 22, and specifically, it is a position where the first cam arm engagement portion 222 is positioned further rearward and the locking link engagement portion 223 is positioned further forward than in the neutral position. In this way, the rotating member 22 can be moved to the unlatch corresponding position by rotating in a predetermined direction from the neutral position, and can be moved to the cam operating position by rotating in the opposite direction from the neutral position.

[0041] The rotating member biasing spring 23 is configured to constantly elastically bias the rotating member 22 toward the neutral position. For example, a torsion coil spring having an arm at each end can be used as the rotating member biasing spring 23. In this case, a configuration can be used in which one arm engages with the rotating member 22 and the other arm engages with the housing. The rotating member biasing spring 23 is housed inside the rotating member 22 coaxially with the rotating member 22.

[0042] The release lever 24 includes a rotating member engaging portion 241 and a lift lever engaging portion 242. The rotating member engaging portion 241 is configured to be freely engaged with and disengaged from the release lever engaging portion 221 of the rotating member 22. The lift lever engaging portion 242 is configured to be freely engaged with and disengaged from the lift lever 133 and the open link 16. The release lever 24 is supported rotatably about an axis that is substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction relative to the housing. The release lever 24 can be moved between an initial position (see FIGS. 2A to 2D) and an operating position (FIG. 2E) by rotating relative to the housing.

[0043] The initial position of the release lever 24 is a position where the rotating member engaging portion 241 is separated from the release lever engaging portion 221 of the rotating member 22, which is positioned in the neutral position, and where the lift lever 133 of the latch mechanism 13 is allowed to be positioned at the initial position. The operating position of the release lever 24 is a position where the rotating member engaging portion 241 is positioned lower than when the release lever 244 is positioned in the initial position, and the lift lever engaging portion 242 is positioned higher. When the release lever 24 moves from the initial position to the operating position, the lift lever engaging portion 242 of the release lever 24 pushes the lift lever 133 of the latch mechanism 13. This causes the lift lever 133 to move from the initial position to the operating position. In this way, the release lever 24 is configured to move the lift lever 133 from the initial position to the operating position (i.e., switch the latch mechanism 13 from the latched state to the unlatched state) by moving from the initial position to the operating position.

[0044] The active lever 26 is supported rotatably and coaxially with the inside lever 18 relative to the housing. However, the active lever 26 and the inside lever 18 are not fixed to each other and can rotate independently of each other relative to the housing. The active lever 26 is provided with a cam pin engagement portion 261, a locking link engagement portion 262, and a spring attachment portion 263. The cam pin engagement portion 261 is configured to be engageable and disengageable with the pin 62 of the knock-type cam 25. The locking link engagement portion 262 is configured to be engageable and disengageable with the active lever engagement portion 301 of the locking link 30. Both the cam pin engagement portion 261 and the locking link engagement portion 262 are located above the center of rotation of the active lever 26 relative to the housing and have a flat plate-like configuration extending approximately in the vertical direction and approximately in the vehicle width direction. The spring attachment portion 263 is configured to be able to attach the open link biasing spring 27. The spring attachment portion 263 is located rearward of the center of rotation of the active lever 26 relative to the housing, and has a protruding configuration that protrudes in a direction substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction.

[0045] The active lever 26 is configured so that, when rotated relative to the housing, the cam pin engagement portion 261 and the locking link engagement portion 262 move substantially in the front-to-rear direction (swinging like a pendulum substantially in the front-to-rear direction around the center of rotation). The active lever 26 can move between an unlock-compatible position and a lock-compatible position by rotating relative to the housing. The unlock-compatible position of the active lever 26 is a position where the cam pin engagement portion 261 and the locking link engagement portion 262 are located at the rear ends of their respective movable ranges (movement loci). The lock-compatible position of the active lever 26 is a position where the cam pin engagement portion 261 and the locking link engagement portion 262 are located at the front ends of their respective movable ranges. The active lever 26 is constantly elastically biased toward the lock-compatible position by an active lever biasing spring (not shown).

[0046] The open link biasing spring 27 is attached to the spring attachment portion 263 of the active lever 26. The open link biasing spring 27 is configured to elastically bias the open link 16 toward the locked position when the active lever 26 is positioned at the lock corresponding position, and to elastically bias the open link 16 toward the unlocked position when the active lever 26 is positioned at the unlock corresponding position. Note that even when the active lever 26 is positioned at the unlock corresponding position, the open link biasing spring 27 is elastically deformed, allowing the open link 16 to be positioned at the locked position.

[0047] The open link biasing spring 27 may be, for example, a torsion coil spring having an arm at each end. The two arms of the open link biasing spring 27 are substantially parallel, and the open link biasing spring 27 can elastically deform so as to widen the gap between these two arms. In this case, the spring engaging portion 163 of the open link 16 may have a protruding configuration that protrudes in a direction parallel to the axis of the open link 16 (the center line of rotation relative to the outside open lever 15). The spring engaging portion 163 of the open link 16 is located between the two arms of the open link biasing spring 27 (sandwiched between the two arms).

[0048] The knock cam 25 includes an outer cylinder 60, an inner cylinder 61 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B), and a pin 62. The knock cam 25 has a long rod-like shape overall. The knock cam 25 is disposed between the rotating member 22 and the inside open lever 17 in the up-down direction, and disposed in front of the cam pin engaging portion 261 of the active lever 26 in the front-rear direction. The knock cam 25 is disposed such that its longitudinal direction (the direction of movement of the inner cylinder 61 and pin 62 relative to the outer cylinder 60) is approximately parallel to the front-rear direction.

[0049] The inner tube 61 and the pin 62 are configured to be movable relative to the outer tube 60 in the longitudinal direction (i.e., approximately the front-rear direction; more specifically, in a direction approximately parallel to the movement direction of the cam pin engagement portion 261 of the active lever 26). The pin 62 can be moved between a retracted position and a restricted position by moving in the longitudinal direction relative to the outer tube 60. Specifically, the pin 62 is configured such that the protrusion dimension of the "end of the pin 62 on the side closer to the active lever 26 in the longitudinal direction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "restriction side")" from the outer tube 60 changes by moving in the longitudinal direction relative to the outer tube 60. The retracted position of the pin 62 is the position where the protrusion dimension of the restriction side end of the pin 62 from the outer tube 60 is smallest, and a position nearby this position. The restricted position of the pin 62 is the position where the protrusion dimension of the restriction side end of the pin 62 from the outer tube 60 is largest, and a position nearby this position. In other words, the protrusion dimension when the pin 62 is in the restricted position is larger than the protrusion dimension when the pin 62 is in the retracted position.

[0050] The inner cylinder 61 includes a first cam arm 612 that protrudes from the upper side (toward the rotating member 22) of the outer cylinder 60, and a second cam arm 613 that protrudes from the lower side (toward the inside open lever 17). The inner cylinder 61 is configured to be movable relative to the outer cylinder 60 among a non-switching position, a first switching position, and a second switching position. The non-switching position of the inner cylinder 61 is one end of the movable range of the inner cylinder 61, and is located at or near the end far from the active lever 26 (the same side as the retracted position of the movable range of the pin 62). Note that the non-switching position is not a specific position, but rather a position that spans a certain range. The first switching position of the inner cylinder 61 is the other end of the movable range of the inner cylinder 61, and is located at or near the end close to the active lever 26 (the same side as the restricted position of the movable range of the pin 62). The second switching position of the inner cylinder 61 is a position near the first switching position, and is an intermediate position between the non-switching position and the first switching position. The knock-type cam 25 is configured to alternately switch between a state in which the pin 62 is positioned at the retracted position and a state in which the pin 62 is positioned at the restricting position each time the operation of "the inner cylinder 61 moving from the non-switching position to the first switching position and then returning to the non-switching position" is performed (the specific configuration will be described later).

[0051] The knock cam 25 (more specifically, the outer cylinder 60 of the knock cam 25) is attached to the housing. The knock cam 25 is arranged so that when the pin 62 is in the retracted position, the active lever 26 is allowed to be in the lock corresponding position, and when the pin 62 is in the restricting position, the active lever 26 is held in the unlock corresponding position (not allowed to move to the lock corresponding position). Specifically, when the pin 62 is in the retracted position, the knock cam 25 is arranged so that the entire knock cam 25 including the pin 62 is located outside the movement locus of the active lever 26 when it moves from the unlock corresponding position to the lock corresponding position (more specifically, forward of the front end of the movement locus). Furthermore, when the pin 62 is in the restricting position, the knock cam 25 is arranged so that the pin 62 is located on the movement locus of the active lever 26 when it moves from the unlock corresponding position to the lock corresponding position (more specifically, near the rear end of the movement locus).

[0052] Furthermore, the knock-type cam 25 is positioned so that the first cam arm 612 is located "on the movement trajectory of the first cam arm engagement portion 222 when the rotating member 22 moves from the neutral position to the cam operating position," and the second cam arm 613 is located "on the movement trajectory of the second cam arm engagement portion 172 when the inside open lever 17 moves from the initial position to the operating position."

[0053] With the knock cam 25 configured and arranged in this manner, when the pin 62 is in the retracted position, the active lever 26 can move to the lock corresponding position without being hindered by the pin 62 of the knock cam 25 due to the biasing force of the active lever biasing spring, and is held in the lock corresponding position by the biasing force of the active lever biasing spring. On the other hand, when the pin 62 is in the restricting position, one end of the pin 62 comes into contact with the cam pin engaging portion 261 of the active lever 26, so the active lever 26 cannot move to the lock corresponding position and is held in the unlock corresponding position. In other words, the active lever 26 is held in the unlock corresponding position by the pin 62 which is in the restricting position.

[0054] The locking link 30 is a long, rod-shaped member made of a metal plate. The locking link 30 is oriented such that its longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the vertical direction. The locking link 30 includes an active lever engagement portion 301, a rotating member engagement portion 302, and a key switch lever engagement portion 303. The active lever engagement portion 301 is located at one end (lower end) in the longitudinal direction and is configured to be engageable and disengageable with the locking link engagement portion 262 of the active lever 26 from the front side. The rotating member engagement portion 302 extends obliquely downward and forward from the middle portion in the longitudinal direction and is configured to be engageable and disengageable with the locking link engagement portion 223 of the rotating member 22 from the front side. The key switch lever engagement portion 303 is located at the other end (upper end) in the longitudinal direction and is configured to be engageable and disengageable with the key switch lever 29.

[0055] The locking link 30 is supported on the housing so as to be rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction. The rotation center of the locking link 30 is located above the active lever engagement portion 301 and the rotating member engagement portion 302. Therefore, when the locking link 30 rotates relative to the housing, the active lever engagement portion 301 and the rotating member engagement portion 302 move substantially in the front-to-rear direction (they swing like a pendulum substantially in the front-to-rear direction around the rotation center). The locking link 30 can be moved between a lock-compatible position and an unlock-compatible position by rotating relative to the housing. The lock-compatible position of the locking link 30 is a position where the active lever engagement portion 301 and the rotating member engagement portion 302 are located at the front ends of their movable ranges. The unlock-compatible position of the locking link 30 is a position where the active lever engagement portion 301 and the rotating member engagement portion 302 are located at the rear ends of their movable ranges.

[0056] When the locking link 30 is located at the lock corresponding position, the locking link 30 is configured to allow the active lever 26 to be located at both the lock corresponding position and the unlock corresponding position. When the locking link 30 is located at the unlock corresponding position, the locking link 30 is configured to hold the active lever 26 at the unlock corresponding position (not allow the active lever 26 to be located at the lock corresponding position). Specifically, when the locking link 30 is located at the lock corresponding position, the active lever engaging portion 301 of the locking link 30 is located forward of the locking link engaging portion 262 of the active lever 26 located at the lock corresponding position. Therefore, the active lever 26 can be located at either the lock corresponding position or the unlock corresponding position without being hindered by the locking link 30. When the locking link 30 is located at the unlock corresponding position, the active lever engaging portion 301 of the locking link 30 comes into contact with the locking link engaging portion 262 of the active lever 26 located at the unlock corresponding position from the front. Therefore, the active lever 26 is held at the unlock corresponding position by the locking link 30.

[0057] The detent spring 31 is a member that elastically biases the locking link 30 toward the unlock-compatible position or the lock-compatible position. Specifically, the detent spring 31 elastically biases the locking link 30 toward the unlock-compatible position when the locking link 30 is located at a position closer to the unlock-compatible position than a predetermined intermediate position in its movable range. On the other hand, the detent spring 31 elastically biases the locking link 30 toward the lock-compatible position when the locking link 30 is located at a position closer to the lock-compatible position than a predetermined intermediate position in its movable range.

[0058] The key lever 28 is linked to the plug (inner cylinder) of the key cylinder 915, and is configured to rotate in conjunction with the movement of the plug due to manual operation of the key cylinder 915. The key switch lever 29 is a member that is supported on the housing so as to be rotatable coaxially with the locking link 30. The key switch lever 29 and the locking link 30 are not fixed to each other, and can rotate independently within a range that does not interfere with each other. The key switch lever 29 is linked to the key lever 28 and the locking link 30 so as to transmit the rotation of the key lever 28 to the locking link 30.

[0059] Specifically, when the plug of the key cylinder 915 rotates in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 2A) with the locking link 30 in the unlock corresponding position, the key switch lever 29 rotates in the predetermined direction (clockwise in FIG. 2A) and presses the key switch lever engaging portion 303 of the locking link 30. As a result, the locking link 30 rotates in the predetermined direction (clockwise in FIG. 2A) and moves from the unlock corresponding position to the lock corresponding position. On the other hand, when the plug of the key cylinder 915 rotates in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction (clockwise in FIG. 2A) with the locking link 30 in the lock corresponding position, the key switch lever 29 rotates in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 2A) and presses the key switch lever engaging portion 303 of the locking link 30. As a result, the locking link 30 rotates in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 2A), and moves from the lock corresponding position to the unlock corresponding position.

[0060] Next, the switching operation of the locking mechanism 20 from the unlocked state to the locked state will be described. FIG. 2A shows the unlocked state of the locking mechanism 20. The unlocked state of the locking mechanism 20 is a state in which the open link 16 is held in the unlocked position (it can also be said that the open link 16 is biased toward the unlocked position). Specifically, the unlocked state of the locking mechanism 20 is a state in which the pin 62 of the knock-type cam 25 is located in the restricting position and the active lever 26 is located in the unlock corresponding position. Note that while FIG. 2A shows a state in which the locking link 30 is located in the lock corresponding position, the locking link 30 may be located in either the lock corresponding position or the unlock corresponding position.

[0061] 2B is a diagram showing the operation of switching the locking mechanism 20 from the unlocked state to the locked state. When the locking mechanism 20 is in the unlocked state, the electric motor 21 operates to move the rotating member 22 from the neutral position to the cam operating position, and as shown in FIG. 2B, the first cam arm engaging portion 222 of the rotating member 22 pushes the first cam arm 612 rearward. This moves the inner cylinder 61 from the non-switching position to the first switching position.

[0062] When the locking link 30 is in the unlock corresponding position, as the rotating member 22 moves from the neutral position to the cam operating position, the locking link engaging portion 223 of the rotating member 22 contacts the rotating member engaging portion 302 of the locking link 30 and pushes it forward (i.e., toward the lock corresponding position of the locking link 30). As a result, the locking link 30 moves from the unlock corresponding position toward the lock corresponding position. Then, when the locking link 30 reaches a predetermined position intermediate between the unlock corresponding position and the lock corresponding position, the biasing direction of the detent spring 31 switches to a direction biasing the locking link 30 toward the lock corresponding position. As a result, the locking link 30 moves to the lock corresponding position by the biasing force of the detent spring 31, and is thereafter maintained in the lock corresponding position.

[0063] 2C shows the locked state of the lock mechanism 20. When the operation of the electric motor 21 stops, as shown in FIG. 2C, the rotating member 22 moves from the cam operating position to the neutral position due to the biasing force of the rotating member biasing spring 23. Then, the inner cylinder 61 moves from the first switching position to the non-switching position. Also, the knock-type cam 25 switches from a state in which the pin 62 is located in the restricting position to a state in which it is located in the retracted position. As a result, the active lever 26 moves from the unlock corresponding position to the lock corresponding position due to the biasing force of the active lever biasing spring.

[0064] When the active lever 26 moves from the unlock-compatible position to the lock-compatible position, the two arms of the open link biasing spring 27 move forward in conjunction with the movement of the active lever 26. As a result, the open link 16 moves from the unlock position to the lock position in conjunction with the movement of the open link biasing spring 27. The active lever 26 is constantly elastically biased toward the lock-compatible position by the biasing force of the active lever biasing spring, and is therefore located at the lock-compatible position when not being pressed by the pin 62 of the knock-type cam 25 or the active lever engaging portion 301 of the locking link 30. Therefore, the open link 16 is maintained at the locked position. In this way, the locked state of the locking mechanism 20 is a state in which the open link 16 is maintained at the lock-compatible position (a state in which the open link 16 is elastically biased toward the lock-compatible position). Specifically, the locked state of the locking mechanism 20 is a state in which the pin 62 of the knock-type cam 25 is located at the retracted position, and the locking link 30 and the active lever 26 are located at the lock-compatible position.

[0065] When the locking mechanism 20 is in the locked state, the electric motor 21 operates to move the rotating member 22 from the neutral position to the cam operating position. Then, when the operation of the electric motor 21 stops, the locking mechanism 20 switches from the locked state to the unlocked state. Specifically, the first cam arm engaging portion 222 of the rotating member 22 pushes the first cam arm 612 (rearward) to the first switching position. As a result, the inner cylinder 61 moves from the non-switching position to the first switching position, and the pin 62 moves from the retracted position to the restricting position. Then, the restricting end of the pin 62 contacts the cam pin engaging portion 261 of the active lever 26 and pushes the cam pin engaging portion 261 rearward. As a result, the active lever 26 moves from the lock corresponding position to the unlock corresponding position against the biasing force of the active lever biasing spring.

[0066] Thereafter, when the operation of the electric motor 21 stops, the rotating member 22 moves from the cam operating position to the neutral position due to the biasing force of the rotating member biasing spring 23. As a result, the inner cylinder 61 moves from the first switching position to the non-switching position. However, the pin 62 is maintained in a state where it is located in the restricting position. Therefore, the active lever 26 is maintained in a state where it is located in the unlock corresponding position by the cam pin engaging portion 261 contacting the pin 62.

[0067] In this way, when the rotating member 22 moves from the neutral position to the cam operating position, the rotating member 22 cooperates with the knocking cam 25 to switch the knocking cam 25 to a state in which the pin 62 is positioned from the retracted position to the restricting position, or to a state in which the pin 62 is positioned from the restricting position to the retracted position. Therefore, the locking mechanism 20 switches from the unlocked state to the locked state or from the locked state to the unlocked state each time the operation of "moving the rotating member 22 from the neutral position to the cam operating position by the rotational power of the electric motor 21, and then returning the rotating member 22 to the neutral position by the biasing force of the rotating member biasing spring 23" is performed. In other words, the locking mechanism 20 alternately switches between the unlocked state and the locked state each time the operation is performed.

[0068] Next, we will explain the manual unlatching operation of the door lock device 10. The manual unlatching operation is an operation in which, when the lock mechanism 20 of the door lock device 10 is in an unlocked state, the latch mechanism 13 is switched from a latched state to an unlatched state by manually operating the outside door handle 914 or the inside door handle 916.

[0069] When the inside door handle 916 is manually operated, the inside open lever 17 moves from the initial position to the operating position in conjunction with the movement of the inside door handle 916, against the biasing force of the inside open lever biasing spring. When the inside open lever 17 moves from the initial position to the operating position, it presses the inside open lever engaging portion 181 of the inside lever 18 of the inside open lever 17. As a result, the inside lever 18 moves from the initial position to the operating position. When the inside lever 18 moves from the initial position to the operating position, the outside open lever engaging portion 182 of the inside lever 18 presses the inside lever engaging portion 152 of the outside open lever 15. As a result, the outside open lever 15 moves from the initial position to the operating position. Furthermore, when the outside door handle 914 is manually operated, the outside open lever 15 moves from the initial position to the operating position in conjunction with the movement of the outside door handle 914.

[0070] When the locking mechanism 20 is in the unlocked state, i.e., when the open link 16 is held in the unlocked position, if the outside open lever 15 moves from the initial position to the operating position, the open link 16 pushes the lift lever 133 via the release lever 24, moving the lift lever 133 from the initial position to the operating position. This causes the latch 132 to move from the latched position to the unlatched position, and the latch mechanism 13 switches from the latched state to the unlatched state. In this way, if the outside door handle 914 or the inside door handle 916 is manually operated while the locking mechanism 20 is in the unlocked state, the latch mechanism 13 switches from the latched state to the unlatched state.

[0071] When the locking mechanism 20 is in the locked state, i.e., when the open link 16 is held in the locked position, the open link 16 does not come into contact with the release lever 24 even when the outside open lever 15 moves from the initial position to the operating position. In other words, the locked position of the open link 16 is the position where the open link 16 does not come into contact with the release lever 24 even when it moves from the initial position to the operating position together with the outside open lever 15. Therefore, when the locking mechanism 20 is in the locked state, the lift lever 133 does not move from the initial position to the operating position even if the outside door handle 914 or the inside door handle 916 is manually operated. Therefore, in this case, the latch mechanism 13 does not switch from the latched state to the unlatched state.

[0072] In this way, when the lock mechanism 20 is in the unlocked state, it allows the latch mechanism 13 to be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state by manual operation of the outside door handle 914 or the inside door handle 916. On the other hand, when the lock mechanism 20 is in the locked state, it does not allow the latch mechanism 13 to be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state by manual operation of the outside door handle 914 or the inside door handle 916.

[0073] Next, the operation of the electric unlatch mechanism 19 will be described. FIG. 2E is a diagram showing the operation of the electric unlatch mechanism 19. As shown in FIG. 2E, the electric motor 21 is operated to move the rotating member 22 from the neutral position to the unlatch corresponding position. When the rotating member 22 moves from the neutral position to the unlatch corresponding position, the release lever engaging portion 221 of the rotating member 22 presses the rotating member engaging portion 241 of the release lever 24. As a result, the release lever 24 moves from the initial position to the operating position. At this time, the lift lever engaging portion 242 of the release lever 24 presses the lift lever 133. As a result, the lift lever 133 moves from the initial position to the operating position. As a result, the latch mechanism 13 switches from the latched state to the unlatched state. In this way, the rotating member 22 interacts with the latch mechanism 13 to switch the latch mechanism 13 from the latched state to the unlatched state when the rotating member 22 moves from the neutral position to the unlatch corresponding position. In this embodiment, the rotating member 22 interacts with the lift lever 133 of the latch mechanism 13 via the release lever 24.

[0074] Note that the release lever 24 does not interfere with the open link 16 when moving from the initial position to the operating position (it moves in a direction away from the open link 16). Therefore, whether the open link 16 is in the locked position or the unlocked position, the latch mechanism 13 can be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state by moving the rotating member 22 from the neutral position to the unlatch corresponding position. In other words, the electric unlatch mechanism 19 can switch the latch mechanism 13 from the latched state to the unlatched state regardless of whether the lock mechanism 20 is in the locked state or the unlocked state.

[0075] As described above, according to this embodiment, the operation of switching the lock mechanism 20 from the unlocked state to the locked state or from the locked state to the unlocked state, and the operation of switching the latch mechanism 13 from the latched state to the unlatched state can be performed by switching the rotation direction of the driving force of the electric motor 21 between forward and reverse (the rotation direction of the rotating member 22). Therefore, it is not necessary to provide separate driving force sources for switching the state of the lock mechanism 20 and for switching the latch mechanism 13, which prevents or suppresses an increase in the number of parts of the door lock device 10.

[0076] Furthermore, regardless of whether the locking mechanism 20 is in the unlocked state or the locked state, the latch mechanism 13 can be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state by moving the rotating member 22 from the neutral position to the unlatched position using the driving force of the electric motor 21. In other words, regardless of the state of the locking mechanism 20, the latch mechanism 13 can be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state by simply operating the electric motor 21 once. Therefore, regardless of the state of the locking mechanism 20, the latch mechanism 13 can be quickly switched from the latched state to the unlatched state.

[0077] The lock mechanism 20 is configured so that it can be switched from a locked state (see FIG. 2C) to an unlocked state (see FIG. 2D) by the user manually operating the key cylinder 915. Specifically, when the lock mechanism 20 is in the locked state, if the key cylinder 915 is manually operated to move the locking link 30 from the lock corresponding position to the unlock corresponding position, the active lever engaging portion 301 of the locking link 30 pushes the locking link engaging portion 262 of the active lever 26 rearward. As a result, the active lever 26 moves from the lock corresponding position to the unlock corresponding position against the biasing force of the active lever biasing spring. Then, as the active lever 26 moves, the open link 16 moves to the unlock position.

[0078] When the locking link 30 is located at the unlock corresponding position, it is biased by the detent spring 31 so as to be held in the unlock corresponding position. Therefore, the active lever 26 is held in the unlock corresponding position by the biasing force of this detent spring 31. Therefore, the lock mechanism 20 is held in a state in which it holds the open link 16 in the unlock position, i.e., in a locked state.

[0079] Furthermore, when the locking mechanism 20 is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state by manual operation of the key cylinder 915, the locking mechanism 20 can be switched back to the locked state by the driving force of the electric motor 21. When the locking mechanism 20 is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state by manual operation of the key cylinder 915, the pin 62 of the knock-type cam 25 is located in the retracted position, and the locking link 30 is located in the unlocked position. In this state, when the driving force of the electric motor 21 rotates the rotating member 22 from the neutral position toward the cam operating position, the locking link engaging portion 223 of the rotating member 22 contacts and pushes the rotating member engaging portion 302 of the locking link 30 forward. As a result, the locking link 30 moves from the unlocked position toward the locked position against the biasing force of the detent spring 31. In this way, the rotating member 22 interacts with the locking link 30 so that when the rotating member 22 moves from the neutral position toward the cam operating position, the locking link 30 moves from the unlocked position to the locked position. When the direction of the biasing force of the detent spring 31 is switched, the locking link 30 is elastically biased toward the lock corresponding position by the detent spring 31. Therefore, the locking link 30 moves to the lock corresponding position by the biasing force of the detent spring 31, and thereafter is maintained in the state located at the lock corresponding position.

[0080] Note that the knock cam 25 is configured to switch to a state in which the pin 62 is positioned at the restricting position when the operation of "inner cylinder 61 moves from the non-switching position to the second switching position and then returns to the non-switching position" is performed while the pin 62 is positioned at the retracted position (details will be described later). Therefore, when the lock state is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state by manual operation of the key cylinder 915 and then switched to the locked state by the driving force of the electric motor 21, the rotation amount (rotation angle) of the rotating member 22 is made smaller than when switching the state of the knock cam 25 so that the inner cylinder 61 of the knock cam 25 does not move to the second switching position. As a result, the locking link 30 moves from the unlock corresponding position to the lock corresponding position, but the knock cam 25 does not switch from a state in which the pin 62 is positioned at the retracted position to a state in which the pin 62 is positioned at the restricting position. By this operation, the locking mechanism 20 switches from an unlocked state (a state in which the pin 62 of the knock-type cam 25 is in the retracted position and the locking link 30 is in the unlocked position) to a locked state (a state in which the pin 62 of the knock-type cam 25 is in the retracted position and the locking link 30 is in the locked position).

[0081] Furthermore, the lock mechanism 20 is configured to be switchable from a locked state to an unlocked state by manual operation of the inside door handle 916. However, the lock mechanism 20 is configured not to be switched from an unlocked state to a locked state by manual operation of the inside door handle 916. Specifically, this is as follows.

[0082] As described above, the knock-type cam 25 is configured to alternately switch between a state in which the pin 62 is positioned at the retracted position and a state in which the pin 62 is positioned at the restricting position each time the operation of "the inner cylinder 61 moves from the non-switching position to the first switching position and then returns to the non-switching position" is performed. However, when the operation of "the inner cylinder 61 moves from the non-switching position to the second switching position and then returns to the non-switching position" is performed with the pin 62 positioned at the retracted position, the knock-type cam 25 switches to a state in which the pin 62 is positioned at the restricting position, but is configured not to switch to a state in which the pin 62 is positioned at the retracted position even if the operation is performed with the pin 62 positioned at the restricting position (details will be described later).

[0083] When the inside door handle 916 is manually operated and moves from the initial position to the operating position, the inside open lever 17 moves from the initial position to the operating position in conjunction with the movement of the inside door handle 916. At this time, the second cam arm engaging portion 172 of the inside open lever 17 presses the second cam arm 613 of the knock type cam 25. However, the movable range (operating position) of the inside open lever 17 is limited to "a range in which the inner cylinder 61 can be moved from the non-switching position to the second switching position, but the inner cylinder 61 does not move beyond the second switching position to the first switching position." For example, the housing is provided with a restricting portion (more specifically, a protruding structure) (not shown) that restricts the movement of the inside open lever 17 by coming into contact with the inside open lever 17. The movable range of the inside open lever 17 is restricted (the operating position is defined) by this restricting portion. In this way, the inside open lever 17 cooperates with the knock type cam 25 so that when it moves from the initial position to the operating position, it moves the inner cylinder 61 of the knock type cam 25 from the non-switching position to the second switching position.

[0084] With this configuration, if the inside door handle 916 is manually operated when the lock mechanism 20 is in the locked state (when the pin 62 of the knock cam 25 is in the retracted position), the pin 62 of the knock cam 25 switches to the restricted position. However, even if the inside door handle 916 is manually operated when the lock mechanism 20 is in the unlocked state (when the pin 62 of the knock cam 25 is in the restricted position), the pin 62 of the knock cam 25 does not switch to the retracted position, and the lock mechanism 20 does not switch to the locked state.

[0085] When the lock mechanism 20 is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state by manually operating the inside door handle 916, the outside open lever 15 also moves from the initial position to the operating position in conjunction with the movement of the inside open lever 17 from the initial position to the operating position. However, if the movement of the open link 16 from the locked position to the unlocked position is not complete, the open link 16 will not come into contact with the release lever 24 (will not press the release lever 24) even if the outside open lever 15 moves from the initial position to the operating position. Therefore, the latch mechanism 13 will not switch from the latched state to the unlatched state.

[0086] <Configuration and operation of knock-type cam> Next, the configuration and operation of the knock cam 25 will be described. The knock cam 25 is an example of a restriction mechanism of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the knock cam 25. FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of the knock cam 25. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the knock cam 25 includes an outer tube 60 (sometimes referred to as a fixed tube), an inner tube 61 (sometimes referred to as a movable tube), a pin 62, and a pin-biasing spring 63. The knock cam 25 has an overall long rod-like configuration. For ease of explanation, one end of the knock cam 25 in the longitudinal direction, which is closer to the active lever 26, may be referred to as the "restriction side," and the opposite side may be referred to as the "retraction side." In each figure, the restriction side of the knock cam 25 is indicated by arrow R, and the retraction side is indicated by arrow E.

[0087] The outer cylinder 60 is a substantially cylindrical member that is open at both ends in the longitudinal direction (axial direction). An outer cylinder cam portion 601, which will be described later, is provided on the inner peripheral side of the outer cylinder 60. In addition, a slit 602 is provided near the end of the retracted side of the outer cylinder 60, into which the base ends of the first cam arm 612 and the second cam arm 613 of the inner cylinder 61 can be inserted. The slit 602 communicates between the outer peripheral side and the inner peripheral side of the outer cylinder 60 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 60.

[0088] The inner cylinder 61 is a member including an inner-cylinder cam portion 611, a first cam arm 612, and a second cam arm 613. The inner-cylinder cam portion 611 is a substantially cylindrical portion with both ends open in the longitudinal direction. The first cam arm 612 and the second cam arm 613 are tongue-like portions that protrude radially outward and in opposite directions from the outer peripheral surface of the inner-cylinder cam portion 611. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the inner cylinder 61 includes a protruding portion that extends radially outward and in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) from the outer peripheral surface of the inner-cylinder cam portion 611, and a flat plate-like portion that is integrally connected to the tip of the protruding portion and extends in the up-down and front-rear directions. The first cam arm 612 and the second cam arm 613 are integrally formed with this flat portion. The first cam arm 612 is a portion that can be engaged with and disengaged from the first cam arm engaging portion 222 of the rotating member 22. The second cam arm 613 is a part that can be engaged with and disengaged from the second cam arm engaging portion 172 of the inside open lever 17 .

[0089] The inner cylinder 61 is disposed so that the inner cylinder cam portion 611 is housed inside the outer cylinder 60, and the first cam arm 612 and the second cam arm 613 are located on the outer peripheral side of the outer cylinder 60 (through the slit 602 of the outer cylinder 60). The inner cylinder 61 cannot rotate relative to the outer cylinder 60. The inner cylinder 61 can be moved in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) relative to the outer cylinder 60 to move among a non-switching position, a first switching position, and a second switching position. The non-switching position is, for example, a position near the retracted end of the movable range of the inner cylinder 61 relative to the outer cylinder 60. The first switching position is a position closer to the restricting side than the non-switching position, for example, a position near the restricting end of the movable range of the inner cylinder 61. The second switching position is an intermediate position between the non-switching position and the first switching position.

[0090] The pin 62 is a long, approximately rod-shaped member. A pin cam portion 621 is provided in the middle portion of the pin 62 in the longitudinal direction. The middle portion of the pin 62 in the longitudinal direction is inserted into the outer tube 60 and the inner tube 61, and the end portion of the pin 62 on the regulating side protrudes from the end face of the outer tube 60 on the regulating side. The pin 62 is reciprocable in the longitudinal direction relative to the outer tube 60 and the inner tube 61, and is rotatable relative to the outer tube 60 and the inner tube 61.

[0091] The pin 62 is movable between a retracted position (see FIGS. 4C and 4D) and a restricted position (see FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4E) by linear movement relative to the housing. The retracted position is the position at the retracted end of the movable range of the pin 62, and the restricted position is a position near the restricted end of the movable range of the pin 62. For ease of explanation, the state in which the pin 62 is located at the retracted position may be referred to as the retracted state of the knock-type cam 25, and the state in which the pin 62 is located at the restricted position may be referred to as the restricted state of the knock-type cam 25. The protruding length of the "restricted end of the pin 62" from the "restricted end face of the outer cylinder 60" when the knock-type cam 25 is in the restricted state is longer than the protruding length when the knock-type cam 25 is in the retracted state.

[0092] The pin biasing spring 63 is housed inside the outer cylinder 60 and constantly elastically biases the pin 62 toward the retracted side. The pin biasing spring 63 is a coil spring that is elastically compressible and deformable in the axial direction.

[0093] When the knock cam 25 is in the retracted state, if the inner cylinder 61 moves from the non-switching position to the first switching position and then returns to the non-switching position, the knock cam 25 switches to the restricted state. Also, when the knock cam 25 is in the restricted state, if the inner cylinder 61 moves from the non-switching position to the first switching position and then returns to the non-switching position, the knock cam 25 switches to the retracted state. In other words, the knock cam 25 is configured to alternately switch between the retracted state and the restricted state each time a series of operations is performed in which "the inner cylinder 61 moves from the non-switching position to the first switching position and then returns to the non-switching position."

[0094] 4A to 4F are schematic diagrams showing outer barrel cam portion 601, inner barrel cam portion 611, and pin cam portion 621 developed on a plane. For ease of explanation, one circumferential side may be referred to as the operating side, and the opposite side as the counter-operating side. In each figure, the operating side is indicated by arrow A, and the counter-operating side is indicated by arrow C.

[0095] Outer barrel cam portion 601 has a protrusion-like structure that protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface of outer barrel 60. At the restriction side end of outer barrel cam portion 601, first cam surface 603, first locking surface 606, second cam surface 604, and cam groove 605 are provided so as to be aligned circumferentially in the above-described order from the counter-operation side to the operation side. Furthermore, multiple sets (three sets in this embodiment) of first cam surface 603, first locking surface 606, second cam surface 604, and cam groove 605 are provided so as to be aligned circumferentially.

[0096] The first cam surface 603 and the second cam surface 604 are both inclined surfaces inclined in the axial and circumferential directions. Specifically, they are surfaces extending from the restricting side and the counter-operating side to the retreating side and operating side (they can also be referred to as surfaces facing the restricting side and operating side). The restricting side and counter-operating side end P of the second cam surface 604 is located closer to the restricting side than the restricting side and counter-operating side end Q of the first cam surface 603. The first locking surface 606 is a surface that is approximately parallel to the axial direction and faces the counter-operating side. The first locking surface 606 can also be referred to as a step surface between the first cam surface 603 and the second cam surface 604. The cam groove 605 is a groove that is open on the restricting side and the inner peripheral side and closed on the retreating side. The cam groove 605 is a groove that extends in the axial direction and is configured to allow a protrusion 622 of a pin 62 (described later) to be inserted and removed from the restricting side. In addition, the end face (bottom face) of the cam groove 605 on the retraction side is located closer to the retraction side than the first cam surface 603 .

[0097] The restriction-side end of inner-tube cam portion 611 is provided with a plurality of (three in this embodiment) third cam surfaces 614, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) fourth cam surfaces 615, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) second locking surfaces 616, and a plurality of (three in this embodiment) third locking surfaces 617. Similar to first cam surface 603 and second cam surface 604, third cam surface 614 and fourth cam surface 615 are inclined surfaces inclined with respect to the axial and circumferential directions, and specifically, extend from the restriction side and reaction side to the retraction side and operation side. Second locking surface 616 is located on the operation side of third cam surface 614 and the reaction side of fourth cam surface 615, and third locking surface 617 is located on the reaction side of third cam surface 614 and the operation side of fourth cam surface 615. Second locking surface 616 and third locking surface 617 are inclined surfaces that are inclined with respect to the axial direction and the circumferential direction, and specifically, extend from the retraction side and operating side to the restriction side and counter-operation side. Third cam surface 614, second locking surface 616, fourth cam surface 615, and third locking surface 617 are arranged in this order circumferentially from the counter-operation side toward the operation side. Therefore, in inner cylinder cam portion 611, a substantially "V"-shaped notch that opens on the restriction side and is formed by third cam surface 614 and second locking surface 616 and a substantially "V"-shaped notch that opens on the restriction side and is formed by fourth cam surface 615 and third locking surface 617 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction.

[0098] 4A , when two straight lines L1 and L2 are assumed to pass through the operating side end and the reaction side end of third cam surface 614, respectively, and to be parallel to the axial direction, a portion of one first cam surface 603 closer to the operating side, one first locking surface 606 located on the operating side of that one first cam surface 603, and a portion of one second cam surface 604 located on the operating side of that one first locking surface 606, respectively, are included between these two straight lines L1 and L2. Furthermore, when two straight lines L3 and L4 are assumed to pass through the operating side end and the reaction side end of fourth cam surface 615, respectively, and to be parallel to the axial direction, a portion of one cam groove 605 closer to the operating side, and a portion of first cam surface 603 adjacent to the operating side of that one cam groove 605, closer to the reaction side, are included between these two straight lines L3 and L4.

[0099] The operation of the knock-type cam 25 is as follows. Fig. 4A shows the relationship between the outer barrel cam portion 601, the inner barrel cam portion 611, and the pin cam portion 621 when the knock-type cam 25 is in the restricted state. As shown in Fig. 4A, the state in which the retracted-side end face of the protrusion 622 of the pin 62 contacts the first cam surface 603 of the outer barrel 60 and the operating-side side face of the pin 62 contacts the first locking surface 606 is the restricted state of the knock-type cam 25 (i.e., the state in which the pin 62 is located at the restricted position). Note that the biasing force of the pin biasing spring 63 (specifically, the component of this biasing force in a direction parallel to the second cam surface 604) acts to press the pin 62 toward both the operating side and the retracted side, so that the knock-type cam 25 is maintained in the restricted state.

[0100] In this state, when the inner cylinder 61 moves toward the restriction side, the third cam surface 614 of the inner cylinder cam portion 611 comes into contact with the retraction-side end surface of the protrusion 622 and pushes the protrusion 622 toward the restriction side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B , the pin 62 moves from the restriction position toward the restriction side. Then, when the protrusion 622 is positioned further toward the restriction side than the restriction-side end P of the first locking surface 606, the pin 62 can rotate toward the operating side without being hindered by the first locking surface 606. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4C , the pin 62 rotates toward the operating side due to the biasing force of the pin biasing spring 63 (specifically, the component of the biasing force in a direction parallel to the third cam surface 614), and stops at a position where the tip end (the end on the retraction side) fits into the deepest part (the end on the retraction side) of a substantially "V"-shaped notch formed by the third cam surface 614 and the second locking surface 616. The pin 62 is maintained in this state by the biasing force of the pin biasing spring 63.

[0101] When the inner tube 61 moves to the retracted side in this state (or when the force applied to the inner tube 61 is released), the pin 62 moves to the retracted side while maintaining the state due to the biasing force of the pin biasing spring 63. Then, as shown in FIG. 4D , the end face of the protrusion 622 on the retracted side comes into contact with the second cam surface 604. When the inner tube 61 further moves to the retracted side, the tip of the pin 62 moves away from the third cam surface 614 (the deepest part of the substantially "V"-shaped notch formed by the third cam surface 614 and the second locking surface 616), allowing the pin 62 to rotate toward the operating side. Therefore, the pin 62 rotates toward the operating side due to the biasing force of the pin biasing spring 63, and fits into the cam groove 605 as shown in FIG. 4E . Then, the protrusion 622 is maintained in a state fitted into the cam groove 605 (a state in which the end face of the protrusion 622 on the retracted side comes into contact with the bottom surface of the cam groove 605) due to the biasing force of the pin biasing spring 63. The state shown in FIG. 4E is the retracted state of the knock-type cam 25 (the state in which the pin 62 is located at the retracted position).

[0102] The bottom surface of the cam groove 605 is located on the retracted side of the first cam surface 603. Therefore, the protruding length of the "regulating side end of the pin 62" from the "regulating side end surface of the outer cylinder 60" when the knocking cam 25 is in the retracted state is shorter than the protruding length when the knocking cam 25 is in the restricted state.

[0103] In this state, when the inner cylinder 61 moves toward the restriction side, the fourth cam surface 615 of the inner cylinder 61 comes into contact with the end surface of the protrusion 622 on the retraction side and pushes the protrusion 622 toward the restriction side, so that the pin 62 moves toward the restriction side and comes out of the cam groove 605. Then, the pin 62 rotates toward the rotation side due to the biasing force of the pin biasing spring 63 (more specifically, the component of the biasing force in a direction parallel to the fourth cam surface 615), and then, as shown in FIG. 4F , the tip of the pin 62 fits into the deepest part (the end on the retraction side) of the approximately "V"-shaped notch formed by the fourth cam surface 615 and the third locking surface 617, thereby stopping the rotation. The pin 62 is then maintained in this state by the biasing force of the pin biasing spring 63.

[0104] Thereafter, when the inner cylinder 61 moves to the retraction side, the end face on the retraction side of the protrusion 622 of the pin 62 comes into contact with a portion of the first cam surface 603 closer to the reaction side. Then, the pin 62 rotates toward the operating side while moving toward the retraction side due to the biasing force of the pin biasing spring 63, and then stops when the side face on the operating side of the pin 62 comes into contact with the first locking surface 606. This returns the knock-type cam 25 to the state shown in FIG. 4A.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 4E, when the clicking cam 25 is in the retracted state, the position of the inner cylinder 61 when the inner cylinder cam portion 611 is separated from the pin cam portion 621 toward the retracted side is the non-switching position of the inner cylinder 61. The non-switching position is not a specific position, but a position that covers a certain range. The non-switching position can also be described as "a position that allows the pin 62 to be located at the retracted position." Therefore, when the inner cylinder 61 is located at the non-switching position, the pin 62 is maintained in a state where it is located at the retracted position or the restricting position.

[0106] In this way, when the clicking cam 25 is in the retracted state, the following operation is performed: "the inner cylinder 61 moves from the non-switching position to the regulating side, the inner cylinder 61 presses the convex portion 622, thereby moving the pin 62 to the regulating side until the convex portion 622 passes position P, and then the inner cylinder 61 returns to the non-switching position." Furthermore, the regulating side end P of the second cam surface 604 and the first locking surface 606 is positioned closer to the regulating side than the regulating side end Q of the first cam surface 603. For this reason, when the above operation is performed while the clicking cam 25 is in the retracted state, the convex portion 622 passes position Q, and the clicking cam 25 switches to the retracted state.

[0107] On the other hand, when the knock cam 25 is in the retracted state, if the operation of "the inner cylinder 61 moves from the non-switching position to the regulating side, thereby moving the convex portion 622 to a position that exceeds position Q but does not exceed position P, and then the inner cylinder 61 returns to the non-switching position" is performed, the knock cam 25 switches to the regulating state. However, when the knock cam 25 is in the regulated state, even if the operation of "the inner cylinder 61 moves from the non-switching position to the regulating side, thereby moving the convex portion 622 to a position that exceeds position Q but does not exceed position P, and then the inner cylinder 61 returns to the non-switching position" is performed, the knock cam 25 does not switch to the retracted state.

[0108] The position of the inner cylinder 61 at which the convex portion 622 can be held at a position closer to the restricting side than position P is the first switching position of the inner cylinder 61. It can also be said that the first switching position of the inner cylinder 61 is a position at which the third cam surface 614 is positioned closer to the restricting side than the second cam surface 604. The position of the inner cylinder 61 at which the convex portion 622 can be held at a position closer to the restricting side than position Q but closer to the retracting side than position P is the second switching position of the inner cylinder 61. It can also be said that the second switching position of the inner cylinder 61 is a position at which the fourth cam surface 615 is positioned closer to the restricting side than the first cam surface 603, but the third cam surface 614 is positioned closer to the retracting side than the second cam surface 604.

[0109] Next, the arrangement of the knock cam 25 will be described. The outer cylinder 60 of the knock cam 25 is attached to the housing. When in the restricted state, the knock cam 25 holds the active lever 26 at the unlock corresponding position (does not allow the active lever 26 to move from the unlock corresponding position to the lock corresponding position), and when in the retracted state, allows the active lever 26 to move from the unlock corresponding position to the lock corresponding position. Specifically, when the knock cam 25 is in the retracted state, the entire knock cam 25, including the pin 62, is located outside the movement trajectory of the active lever 26 when it moves from the lock corresponding position to the unlock corresponding position. On the other hand, when the knock cam 25 is in the restricted state, the restricted side end of the pin 62 is located inside the movement trajectory of the cam pin engagement portion 261 when the active lever 26 moves from the lock corresponding position to the unlock corresponding position.

[0110] With the knock cam 25 configured in this manner, when the knock cam 25 is in the retracted state, the active lever 26 can move from the unlock corresponding position to the lock corresponding position without being hindered by the knock cam 25. On the other hand, when the knock cam 25 is in the restricted state, the restricted side end of the pin 62 comes into contact with the cam pin engaging portion 261 of the active lever 26, and therefore the active lever 26 cannot move from the unlock corresponding position to the lock corresponding position.

[0111] The movement locus of the pin 62 when the knock cam 25 switches from the retracted state to the restricted state is included in (or overlaps with) the movement locus of the cam pin engaging portion 261 when the active lever 26 moves from the lock corresponding position to the unlock corresponding position. With this configuration, when the knock cam 25 switches from the retracted state to the restricted state, the restricting side end of the pin 62 presses the cam pin engaging portion 261 of the active lever 26 to move the active lever 26 from the lock corresponding position to the unlock corresponding position.

[0112] Furthermore, the knock-type cam 25 is configured so that when the rotating member 22 moves from the neutral position to the cam operating position, the first cam arm 612 of the inner cylinder 61 is pushed toward the restricting side by the first cam arm engaging portion 222 of the rotating member 22, thereby moving to the first changeover position. When the knock-type cam 25 is configured in this manner, the knock-type cam 25 alternates between the retracted state and the restricted state each time the operation of "the rotating member 22 moves from the neutral position to the cam operating position by the driving force of the electric motor 21, and then returns to the neutral position by the biasing force of the rotating member biasing spring 23" is performed.

[0113] <Summary of the embodiment> (1) The vehicle door lock device 10 according to this embodiment includes: a latch mechanism 13 that is switchable between a latched state that does not allow the vehicle door 90 to be opened and an unlatched state that allows the vehicle door 90 to be opened; a first operating member (active lever 26) configured to be movable between a first position (unlock-corresponding position) that does not allow the latch mechanism 13 to be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state by manual operation of an operating member provided on the vehicle door 90, and a second position (lock-corresponding position) that allows the latch mechanism 13 to be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state by manual operation of the operating member, and that is elastically biased toward the second position (lock-corresponding position); a restriction mechanism (knock-type cam 25) including a second operating member (pin 62) that is movable between a retracted position and a restricting position, and that allows the first operating member (active lever 26) to be positioned at the second position (lock-corresponding position) when positioned at the retracted position, and that holds the first operating member (active lever 26) at the first position (unlock-corresponding position) when positioned at the restricting position; A driving force source; a rotating member 22 that is rotatable to a third position (neutral position), a fourth position (unlatch corresponding position) that is a position rotated in one direction from the third position (neutral position), and a fifth position (cam operating position) that is a position rotated in the opposite direction from the third position (neutral position), and that is configured to be rotatable from the third position (neutral position) to the fourth position (unlatch corresponding position) and from the third position (neutral position) to the fifth position (cam operating position) by a driving force output by the driving force source; Equipped with When the rotating member 22 moves from the third position (neutral position) to the fourth position (unlatch corresponding position), it interacts with the latch mechanism 13 to switch the latch mechanism 13 from the latched state to the unlatched state, and when the rotating member 22 moves from the third position (neutral position) to the fifth position (cam operating position), it interacts with the regulating mechanism (knock type cam 25) to switch the regulating mechanism (knock type cam 25) from a state in which the second operating member (pin 62) is located in the retracted position to a state in which the second operating member (pin 62) is located in the regulating position, or to switch the regulating mechanism (knock type cam 25) from a state in which the second operating member (pin 62) is located in the regulating position to a state in which the second operating member (pin 62) is located in the retracted position.

[0114] According to this embodiment, when the door lock device 10 (lock mechanism 20) is in an unlocked state, if the rotating member 22 is moved from the third position (neutral position) to the fifth position (cam operating position) by the driving force of the driving force source (electric motor 21), the door lock device 10 (lock mechanism 20) switches to a locked state. Also, when the door lock device 10 (lock mechanism 20) is in a locked state, if the rotating member 22 is moved from the third position (neutral position) to the fifth position (cam operating position) by the driving force of the driving force source (electric motor 21), the door lock device 10 (lock mechanism 20) switches to an unlocked state. Furthermore, regardless of whether the door lock device 10 (lock mechanism 20) is in a locked state or an unlocked state, if the rotating member 22 is moved from the third position (neutral position) to the fifth position (unlatched position) by the driving force of the driving force source (electric motor 21), the door lock device 10 (latch mechanism 13) switches from a latched state to an unlatched state.

[0115] In this way, the door lock device 10 can be alternately switched between the locked state and the unlocked state, and switched from the latched state to the unlatched state, using a single driving force source (electric motor 21). Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide separate driving force sources for switching between the locked state and the unlocked state and for switching from the latched state to the unlatched state, which prevents or suppresses an increase in the number of parts in the vehicle door lock device 10.

[0116] (2) The restriction mechanism (knock-type cam 25) includes a main body (outer cylinder 60), the second operating member that is movable between the retracted position and the restricting position by moving relative to the main body (outer cylinder 60), and a third operating member (inner cylinder 61) that is movable between a sixth position (non-switching position) and a seventh position (first switching position) by moving relative to the main body (outer cylinder 60), and the knock-type cam 25 is configured so that the second operating member (pin 62) alternates between being positioned at the retracted position and being positioned at the restricting position each time the third operating member (inner cylinder 61) moves from the sixth position (non-switching position) to the seventh position (first switching position), The rotating member 22 is configured to engage with the third operating member (inner tube 61) when moved from the third position (neutral position) to the fifth position (cam operating position) to move the third operating member (inner tube 61) from the sixth position (non-switching position) to the seventh position (first switching position).

[0117] According to this configuration, by moving the rotating member 22 from the third position (neutral position) to the fifth position (cam operating position) using the driving force of the driving force source (electric motor 21), the regulating mechanism (knock-type cam 25) can be alternately switched between a state in which the second operating member (pin 62) is located in the regulating position and a state in which the second operating member (pin 62) is located in the retracted position.

[0118] (3) The retracted position of the second operating member (pin 62) is a position outside the movement trajectory of the first operating member (active lever 26) when the first operating member (active lever 26) moves from the first position (unlock corresponding position) to the second position (lock corresponding position), and the restricted position of the second operating member (pin 62) is a position inside the movement trajectory.

[0119] According to this configuration, when the second operating member (pin 62) is positioned in the retracted position, the first operating member (active lever 26) can move from the first position (unlock-corresponding position) to the second position (lock-corresponding position) without being obstructed by the second operating member (pin 62). The first operating member (active lever 26) is biased toward the second position (lock-corresponding position), so the first operating member (active lever 26) is held in the second position (lock-corresponding position). Therefore, the vehicle door lock device 10 (lock mechanism 20) is in a locked state. On the other hand, when the second operating member (pin 62) is positioned in the restricted position, the first operating member (active lever 26) cannot move from the first position (unlock-corresponding position) to the second position (lock-corresponding position) and is held in the first position (unlock-corresponding position). Therefore, the vehicle door lock device 10 (lock mechanism 20) is in an unlocked state. In this way, by switching the second operating member (pin 62) between a state in which it is in the retracted position and a state in which it is in the restricted position, the vehicle door lock device 10 (lock mechanism 20) can be switched between an unlocked state and a locked state.

[0120] (4) the rotating member 22 includes a first engaging portion (first cam arm engaging portion 222) that protrudes in the direction of the rotation center line of the rotating member 22 and is engageable with and disengageable from the third operating member (inner cylinder 61); The rotating member 22 is configured such that when it moves from the third position (neutral position) to the fifth position (cam operating position), the first engagement portion (first cam arm engagement portion 222) engages with the third operating member (inner tube 61) and pushes the third operating member (inner tube 61), thereby moving the third operating member (inner tube 61) from the sixth position (non-switching position) to the seventh position (first switching position).

[0121] According to this configuration, by rotating the rotating member 22 from the third position (neutral position) to the fifth position (cam operating position) using the driving force of the driving force source (electric motor 21), the restriction mechanism (knock-type cam 25) can be switched between a state in which the second operating member (pin 62) is in the retracted position and a state in which the second operating member (pin 62) is in the restricting position. In other words, the vehicle door lock device 10 (lock mechanism 20) can be switched between an unlocked state and a locked state.

[0122] (5) a fourth operating member (inside open lever 17) that is linked to a first operating member (inside door handle 916) that is provided on the vehicle door 90 and can be manually operated from inside the vehicle, and that is configured to move from an eighth position (initial position) to a ninth position (operating position) in conjunction with the operation of the first operating member (inside door handle 916); The restriction mechanism (knock-type cam 25) is configured such that, when the third operating member (inner cylinder 61) moves from the sixth position (non-switching position) to a tenth position (second switching position) that is closer to the sixth position (non-switching position) than the seventh position (first switching position) while the second operating member (pin 62) is located at the retracted position, the second operating member (pin 62) is switched to a state where it is located at the restriction position, but even if the third operating member (inner cylinder 61) moves from the sixth position (non-switching position) to the tenth position (second switching position) while the second operating member (pin 62) is located at the restriction position, the second operating member (pin 62) is not switched to a state where it is located at the retracted position, The fourth operating member (inside open lever 17) is linked to the regulating mechanism (knock-type cam 25) so that when it moves from the eighth position (initial position) to the ninth position (operating position), it moves the third operating member (inner cylinder 61) from the sixth position (non-switching position) to the tenth position (second switching position).

[0123] According to this configuration, when the vehicle door lock device 10 (lock mechanism 20) is in a locked state, manually operating the first operating member (inside door handle 916) switches the vehicle door lock device 10 (lock mechanism 20) to an unlocked state. On the other hand, when the vehicle door lock device 10 (lock mechanism 20) is in an unlocked state, manually operating the first operating member (inside door handle 916) does not switch the vehicle door lock device 10 (lock mechanism 20) from the unlocked state to the locked state.

[0124] (6) a fifth operating member (locking link 30) configured to move to an eleventh position (lock-corresponding position) that allows the first operating member (active lever 26) to be positioned at the second position (lock-corresponding position) or to a twelfth position (unlock-corresponding position) that holds the first operating member (active lever 26) at the first position (unlock-corresponding position) in conjunction with movement of a second operating member (key cylinder 915) that is provided on the vehicle door 90 and can be manually operated from outside the vehicle; When the rotating member 22 moves from the third position (neutral position) toward the fifth position (cam operating position) while the fifth operating member (locking link 30) is located at the twelfth position (unlock corresponding position), the rotating member 22 communicates with the fifth operating member (locking link 30) to move the fifth operating member (locking link 30) from the twelfth position (unlock corresponding position) toward the eleventh position (lock corresponding position).

[0125] According to this configuration, when the fifth operating member (locking link 30) is located at the twelfth position (unlock-corresponding position), the vehicle door lock device 10 (lock mechanism 20) is placed in an unlocked state. In this state, if the rotating member 22 is moved from the third position (neutral position) toward the fifth position (cam operating position) by the driving force of the driving force source (electric motor 21), the fifth operating member (locking link 30) moves from the twelfth position (unlock-corresponding position) to the eleventh position (lock-corresponding position). Therefore, when the vehicle door lock device 10 (lock mechanism 20) is in an unlocked state because the fifth operating member (locking link 30) is located at the twelfth position (unlock-corresponding position), the vehicle door lock device 10 (lock mechanism 20) can be switched to a locked state by rotating the rotating member 22 by the driving force of the driving force source (electric motor 21).

[0126] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and such modifications are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0127] For example, in each of the above embodiments, the open link 16 pushes the lift lever 133 via the release lever 24, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the open link 16 may directly push the lift lever 133. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 10...vehicle door lock device, 13...latch mechanism, 14...manual operation mechanism, 17...inside open lever (fourth operating member), 19...electric unlatch mechanism, 20...lock mechanism, 21...electric motor (driving force source), 22...rotating member, 24...release lever, 25...knock type cam (restriction mechanism), 26...active lever (first operating member), 30...locking link (fifth operating member), 60...outer cylinder of knock type cam (main body), 61...inner cylinder of knock type cam (third operating member), 62...pin of knock type cam (second operating member), 90...vehicle door, 917...key cylinder (second operating member), 918...inside door handle (first operating member)

Claims

1. a latch mechanism configured to be switchable between a latched state that does not allow the vehicle door to be opened and an unlatched state that allows the vehicle door to be opened; a first operating member configured to be movable between a first position that does not allow the latch mechanism to be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state by manual operation of an operating member provided on the vehicle door and a second position that allows the latch mechanism to be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state by manual operation of the operating member, and that is elastically biased toward the second position; a restriction mechanism including a second operating member that is movable between a retracted position and a restricting position, and that allows the first operating member to be positioned at the second position when positioned at the retracted position, and that is configured to hold the first operating member at the first position when positioned at the restricting position; A driving force source; a rotating member that is rotatable to a third position, a fourth position that is a position obtained by rotating in one direction from the third position, and a fifth position that is a position obtained by rotating in the opposite direction from the third position, and that is configured to be rotatable from the third position to the fourth position and from the third position to the fifth position by a driving force output by the driving force source; Equipped with The rotating member interacts with the latch mechanism to switch the latch mechanism from the latched state to the unlatched state when it moves from the third position to the fourth position, and interacts with the regulating mechanism to switch the regulating mechanism from a state in which the second operating member is in the retracted position to a state in which the second operating member is in the regulating position, or from a state in which the second operating member is in the regulating position to a state in which the second operating member is in the retracted position, when it moves from the third position to the fifth position.

2. 2. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 1, the restriction mechanism is a knock-type cam that includes a main body, the second operating member that is movable between the retracted position and the restriction position by moving relative to the main body, and a third operating member that is movable between a sixth position and a seventh position by moving relative to the main body, and is configured so that each time the third operating member moves from the sixth position to the seventh position, the second operating member alternates between being positioned at the retracted position and being positioned at the restriction position, A door lock device for a vehicle, wherein the rotating member is configured to engage with the third operating member and move the third operating member from the sixth position to the seventh position when the rotating member moves from the third position to the fifth position.

3. 3. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 2, A door lock device for a vehicle, wherein the retracted position of the second operating member is a position outside a movement trajectory of the first operating member when the first operating member moves from the first position to the second position, and the restricted position of the second operating member is a position inside the movement trajectory.

4. 3. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 2, the rotating member includes a first engaging portion that protrudes in a direction of a rotation center line of the rotating member and is capable of being engaged with and disengaged from the third operating member, A door lock device for a vehicle, wherein the rotating member is configured such that when the rotating member moves from the third position to the fifth position, the first engagement portion engages with the third operating member and pushes the third operating member, thereby moving the third operating member from the sixth position to the seventh position.

5. 3. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 2, a fourth operating member that is linked to a first operating member that is provided on the vehicle door and that is manually operable from inside the vehicle, and that is configured to move from an eighth position to a ninth position in response to operation of the first operating member; the regulating mechanism is configured so that, when the third operating member moves from the sixth position to a tenth position that is closer to the sixth position than the seventh position while the second operating member is located at the retracted position, the second operating member is switched to a state where it is located at the regulating position, but the second operating member is not switched to a state where it is located at the retracted position even if the third operating member moves from the sixth position to the tenth position while the second operating member is located at the regulating position, A door lock device for a vehicle, wherein the fourth operating member is linked with the restriction mechanism so as to move the third operating member from the sixth position to the tenth position when the fourth operating member moves from the eighth position to the ninth position.

6. 3. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 2, a fifth operating member configured to move to an eleventh position that allows the first operating member to be located at the second position or a twelfth position that holds the first operating member at the first position in response to movement of a second operating member that is provided on the vehicle door and can be manually operated from outside the vehicle; a door lock device for a vehicle, wherein the rotating member cooperates with the fifth operating member to move the fifth operating member from the twelfth position toward the eleventh position when the fifth operating member is located at the twelfth position and moves from the third position toward the fifth position;

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