Door latch device for automobile

Abstract

To provide an operating force transmission mechanism capable of facilitating the rotation of a collar and quickly separating a transmission member from the collar by increasing a frictional force between the transmission member (cancel lever) and the collar in a door latch device of an automobile.SOLUTION: The operation mechanism includes an action part for operating the operated mechanism, and a transmission member movable between a transmittable position where power of the action part is transmittable to the operated mechanism and a non-transmittable position where the power is not transmittable to the operated mechanism, the transmission member being movable between the transmittable position and the non-transmittable position by operating an operation part provided at one end of the transmission member, in the operation force transmission mechanism, an outer peripheral surface of a collar rotatably supported on the operation portion and an abutment portion provided at the other end of the transmission member abut against each other at the transmittable position, the collar and the abutment portion are separated from each other at the non-transmittable position, and irregularities are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the collar.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a door latch device for an automobile that is attached to a sliding door of the automobile and that holds the door in a closed position by engaging with a striker on the vehicle body. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional door closer, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, includes a door latch device that engages with a striker to maintain the door closed, and an electric door closer that forcibly rotates the door latch device from a half-latched position to a fully-latched (fully closed) position. The closer mechanism includes a cancel lever as a transmission member that rotates from an initial position, in which power from the door closer device can be transmitted to the door latch operation, to a cancel position, in which power cannot be transmitted, by operating the outside or inside handle. This structure includes a sub-lever 33 rotatably supported on a shaft 38 on a second close lever 32 as an operating part that cooperates with the transmission member. The sub-lever 33 has a rotating roller 33a that abuts against a block portion 34a of a cancel lever 34 from below, thereby reaching the initial position in which power for closing the door can be transmitted. The cancel lever rotates counterclockwise and moves away from the initial position to reach the cancel position. When moving from the initial position to the cancel position, the cancel lever retracts while rotating the rotating roller, reducing resistance when the cancel lever rotates, thereby reducing the handle operating force connected to the cancel lever.

[0003] However, in order to rotate the rotating roller more effectively, it is necessary to select a rotating roller that is easier to rotate and to design the cancel lever so that it abuts against the rotating roller.The former may increase costs, and the latter may make it difficult to position all of the levers in appropriate positions when considering compactness.

[0004] Also, as shown in Patent Document 2, a seat reclining device for use in automobile seats is known that has a memory mechanism that allows a user to immediately sit in the seat with the seatback in an upright position. In this device, a lock lever 10 as an actuating member having a roller 8 rotatably supported on a base plate 1 by a shaft 11 is supported, and the lock lever 10 has a roller 8 rotatably supported on a shaft 11 so as to engage with and disengage from a tip 6a of a lock plate 6. An operating lever 12 is connected to the lock lever 10, and the lock lever 10 is urged to rotate counterclockwise around the shaft 11 by a return spring 13 made of a coil spring. When the tip 6a is engaged between the roller 8 and the shaft 11, the lock lever 10 always presses the teeth 5 of the lock lever 6 against the teeth 4 of the arm plate 3.

[0005] In this way, the lock plate 6 and the rotatable roller 8 slide against each other when folding and standing up, but when trying to rotate the roller 8 effectively when locked, it is necessary to consider the positioning of the lock plate 6 so that it abuts against the roller 8. As a result, the arm plate 3, lock plate 6, lock lever 10, return spring 13, swing lever 23 including pin 30, etc. must be positioned taking into account their respective functions, which can be a hindrance to designing a compact size, and when unlocking, there is a risk that the force acting in the axial direction of the roller will be strong, making the operation force heavy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-041641 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-238751 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide an operating force transmission mechanism in an automobile door latch device, in which the frictional force between a transmission member (cancel lever) and a rotating roller (hereinafter referred to as collar) is increased, making it easier for the collar to rotate, allowing the transmission member to quickly detach from the collar, leading to a reduction in the operating force of the operating part without optimizing the placement of the transmission member, and enabling comfortable operation without increasing the size of the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the present invention, the above problem is solved as follows. (1) The first invention is a door latch device for an automobile that is attached to the door side and holds the door in a closed position by engaging with a striker on the vehicle body side, and is an operating force transmission mechanism that rotates the door latch device from a half-latched position to a full-latched position, an operated mechanism; an operating mechanism; the operating mechanism includes an operating unit for operating the operated mechanism, and a transmission member that is movable between a transmission position where power of the operating unit can be transmitted to the operated mechanism and a transmission non-transmission position where power cannot be transmitted, the transmission member is movable between the transmittable position and the non-transmittable position by operating an operation portion provided at one end of the transmission member, At the transmitting position, an outer peripheral surface of a collar rotatably supported on the operating portion comes into contact with an abutment portion provided at the other end of the transmission member, and at the non-transmitting position, the collar and the abutment portion are spaced apart, The outer peripheral surface of the collar is provided with projections and recesses.

[0009] When the transmission member moves to the non-transmission position, the friction between the transmission member and the collar increases, making it easier to rotate the collar, allowing the transmission member to quickly detach from the collar. This reduces the operating force of the operating unit without optimizing the positioning of the transmission member, allowing for comfortable operation without increasing the size of the device. The above effects allow for the freedom of positioning of levers to be maintained.

[0010] (2) The second invention is an operating force transmission mechanism described in (1) above, in which, when the transmission member moves to the non-transmittable position, the transmission member operates by abutting obliquely against a convex portion among the concave and convex portions provided on the outer surface of the collar.

[0011] The transmission member contacts the convex portion of the collar at an angle, which further increases the frictional force and makes it easier to rotate the collar, allowing the transmission member to be released from the collar more quickly.

[0012] (3) A third invention is the operating force transmission mechanism according to (1) above, wherein the unevenness on the outer peripheral surface of the collar is provided in a twill pattern.

[0013] The cancel lever bites into the collar more reliably, allowing the collar to rotate more reliably in accordance with the rotation of the cancel lever, and the axial twist of the cancel lever is suppressed, allowing it to rotate smoothly, which reduces the operating force of the handle and allows for comfortable operation.

[0014] (4) The fourth invention is an operating force transmission mechanism described in (1) above, in which when the transmission member moves to the non-transmittable position, the direction in which the transmission member abuts the outer surface of the collar is a direction in which the force acting on the collar deviates from the axis of the collar shaft.

[0015] By contacting the collar at a position offset from the axis of the shaft, the collar can be rotated more easily, leading to a reduction in the operating force.

[0016] (5) A fifth invention is an operating force transmission mechanism according to any one of (1) to (4), the operated mechanism is an engagement mechanism including a latch that engages with the striker when the door is closed and a ratchet that engages with the latch, the operating mechanism is a closer mechanism that rotates the latch from a half-latched position to a full-latched position, The closer mechanism is pivotally supported on a base plate so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle, and the operating unit is a close lever that is connected to an electric closer device disposed at a predetermined position on the door and rotates, and a sub-lever that is connected to the close lever and rotates integrally with the close lever to rotate the latch from the half-latched position to the full-latched position, the transmission member is a cancel lever that is movable between a transmission position where the rotation of the sub-lever caused by the close lever can be transmitted to the latch and a non-transmission position where the rotation of the sub-lever cannot be transmitted, The door latch device for an automobile is characterized in that the operating portion is an operating handle.

[0017] To provide a door latch device for an automobile that can be easily operated without increasing the size of the device, by allowing the cancel lever to quickly separate from the collar because the cancel lever catches on the convex part of the collar and the collar can be easily rotated when the transmission member moves to a non-transmission position, leading to a reduction in the operating force of the handle without changing the arrangement of the cancel lever. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, when the transmission member moves to the non-transmittable position, the transmission member contacts the protrusion on the outer peripheral surface of the collar at an angle, increasing the friction between the transmission member and the collar and making it easier for the collar to rotate. This allows the transmission member to quickly disengage from the collar, reducing the operating force of the operating unit without optimizing the positioning of the transmission member, and achieving comfortable operation without increasing the size of the device. The above effects allow for the freedom of positioning of the levers to be maintained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a door to which a door latch device according to the present invention is attached; [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of the door latch device as seen from diagonally rearward inside the vehicle. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the door latch device as seen from diagonally rearward inside the vehicle. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the door latch device as seen from the outside rear of the vehicle. [Figure 5] 1 is a side view of the engagement mechanism and the closer mechanism in the door latch device as seen from outside the vehicle when the engagement mechanism is in a fully latched state and the closer mechanism is in an initial state. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a side view of the engagement mechanism and the closer mechanism in the door latch device as seen from outside the vehicle when the engagement mechanism is in a half-latched state and the closer mechanism is in an initial state. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a side view of the engaging mechanism and the closer mechanism in the door latch device as seen from outside the vehicle while the closer mechanism is operating. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a side view of the engagement mechanism and the closer mechanism in the door latch device as seen from outside the vehicle when a cancel operation is performed while the closer mechanism is closing. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a side view of the engaging mechanism and the closer mechanism in the door latch device as seen from outside the vehicle when the closing operation of the closer mechanism is cut off. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the transmission member and the unevenness of the outer peripheral surface of the collar are in contact with each other as seen from the vehicle exterior when a cancel operation is performed. FIG. [Figure 11] The unevenness on the outer surface of the collar is a fleur-de-lis knurling. Figure 12a is a front view of the collar as seen from inside the vehicle, and Figure 12b is a side view. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram showing the direction of a force acting on an outer peripheral surface of a collar from a transmission member as viewed from the vehicle exterior. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a sliding door (hereinafter referred to as "door") D supported on the side of the body of an automobile so as to be openable and closable in the longitudinal direction.

[0021] Inside the door D are provided a door latch device 1 for holding the door D in a fully closed position, and an electric closer CL for forcibly closing the door D from a half-open position (a position immediately before the fully closed position, corresponding to the half-latched state of the door latch device 1) to a fully closed position (corresponding to the fully latched state of the door latch device 1) by operating the door latch device 1. Also provided on the outer side (outer panel) of the door D is an outside handle (a manual opener device on the exterior side of the vehicle) OH that is operated to open and close the door D from outside the vehicle. Also provided on the inner side (inner panel) of the door D is an inside handle (a manual opener device on the interior side of the vehicle) IH that is operated to open and close the door D from inside the vehicle, and a lock operation knob LK that is operated to manually switch the locking mechanism of the door latch device 1 between an unlocked state and a locked state. Also provided below the IH and LK is a full-open latch device OL for holding the door D in a fully open position. In addition, the vehicle body is provided with an electric opening / closing device (not shown) for electrically moving the door D to open and close as necessary.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the door latch device 1 comprises a metal base plate 2 that is approximately L-shaped in a plan view, a synthetic resin body 3 fixed to the rear of the base plate 2, a synthetic resin casing 4 fixed to the base plate 2 so that one side faces the side of the base plate 2 facing the outside of the vehicle, a synthetic resin side cover 5A that closes the other side of the casing 4 facing the outside of the vehicle opposite to the one side, and a synthetic resin top cover 5B that covers the upper mating surfaces of the casing 4 and the side cover 5A.

[0023] The base plate 2 has an element placement portion 2a facing the inside surface of the inner panel of the door D, and a cover portion 2b bent into a substantially L-shape at the rear of the element placement portion 2a, and a striker entrance groove 2d is provided at the corner of the bent portion into which a striker S enters to engage with a latch 7 of an engagement mechanism, which will be described later, when the door D is closed. The body 3 is fixed to the inside surface of the rear part of the inner panel of the door D together with the cover portion 2b of the base plate 2. The side cover 5A and the top cover 5B have the function of preventing rainwater from entering the casing 4.

[0024] An engagement mechanism is provided inside the body 3 for holding the door D in a closed position by engaging with a striker S on the vehicle body side. The engagement mechanism includes a latch 7 that is pivoted by a latch shaft 6 that faces approximately in the front-to-rear direction and that engages with the striker S when the door D is closed, and a ratchet 9 that is pivoted by a ratchet shaft 8 that faces approximately in the front-to-rear direction and that can selectively engage with a full latch engagement portion 7a or a half latch engagement portion 7b that is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the latch 7.

[0025] As the door D is closed, the latch 7 engages with the striker S, and rotates approximately 45 degrees in the closing direction (clockwise) from the open position (for example, a position rotated approximately 90 degrees counterclockwise from the full latch position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) against the biasing force of the spring 10 (see, for example, FIG. 5) wound around the latch shaft 6, to a half latch position where it barely engages with the striker S, and then to a full latch position (for example, the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) where it completely engages with the striker S, and as the door D is opened, it rotates in the open direction (counterclockwise) from the full latch position to an open position where the striker S disengages.

[0026] The ratchet 9 is constantly biased in the engagement direction (clockwise in FIGS. 2 and 3) around the ratchet shaft 8 by the biasing force of a spring 11 (see, for example, FIG. 5) supported by the body 3, and abuts against the outer edge of the latch 7 when the latch 7 is in the open position, engages with the half latch engagement portion 7b when the latch 7 is in the half latch position, and engages with the full latch engagement portion 7a when the latch 7 is in the full latch position, thereby preventing the latch 7 from rotating in the open direction.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 4, various mechanisms composed of various elements are arranged on the other side of the casing 4 facing the exterior of the vehicle. The various mechanisms include a release mechanism that performs a release operation in a manner corresponding to the door opening operation using the outside handle OH and the inside handle IH, a locking / unlocking mechanism that can switch between enabling and disabling the release operation of the release mechanism, a childproof mechanism that disables the release operation of the release mechanism corresponding to the door opening operation using the inside handle IH, and an electric mechanism for electrically operating the various elements. As shown in Fig. 4, on one side of the casing 4 facing the interior of the vehicle, i.e., between the element arrangement portion 2a of the base plate 2 and one side of the casing 4, a closer mechanism is arranged that is connected to an electric closer device CL to forcibly close the door D from a half-open position to a fully closed position.

[0028] The rotation directions of the various elements of the closer mechanism used in the following description are based on a side view seen from outside the vehicle, as shown in FIGS.

[0029] Figure 5 shows the engagement mechanism and the closer mechanism as seen from outside the vehicle when the engagement mechanism is in the fully latched state and the closer mechanism is in the initial state. Here, the engagement mechanism, which includes the latch 7 that engages with the striker S when the door D is closed and the ratchet 9 that engages with the latch 7, is referred to as the operated mechanism, and the closer mechanism, which includes the first close lever 31, the second close lever 32, the sub-lever 33, and the cancel lever 34 and rotates the latch 7 from the half-latched position to the fully latched position, is referred to as the operating mechanism. The first close lever 31, the second close lever 32, and the sub-lever 33 are also referred to as the operating part, and the cancel lever 34 is also referred to as the transmission member. The initial state refers to a state in which the collar 33a of the sub-lever 33 abuts against the block portion 34a of the cancel lever 34 from below, thereby transmitting the closing operating force.

[0030] Here, the operating part has the function of operating the latch 7 of the operated mechanism; that is, by rotating the first close lever 31 connected to the electric closer device CL, the second close lever 32 and the sub-lever 33 rotate clockwise, and by lifting the arm part 7c of the latch 7 as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the latch 7 is forcibly rotated from the half latch position to the full latch position.

[0031] The transmission member (cancel lever 34) can be moved between a transmittable position, where the power of the operating unit can be transmitted to the operated mechanism, and a non-transmittable position, where the power cannot be transmitted. This movement of the transmission member is possible by operating an operating unit (operation handle 34b) provided at one end of the transmission member. That is, in the transmittable position, an outer peripheral surface 33c (see, for example, FIG. 11) of a collar 33a rotatably supported on the operating unit (sub-lever 33) abuts against an abutment portion (block portion 34a) provided at the other end of the transmission member. In the non-transmittable position, the outer peripheral surface 33c of the collar 33a and the abutment portion are separated. The operation and actuation of the operating unit (operation handle 34b) will be described later.

[0032] A feature of the present invention is that the outer peripheral surface 33c of the collar 33a is provided with projections and recesses. When the contact portion (block portion 34a) of the transmission member contacts the projections on the outer peripheral surface 33c of the collar 33a, the friction between the transmission member and the collar increases, making the collar easier to rotate and allowing the transmission member to quickly detach from the collar. This reduces the operating force of the operating unit without optimizing the placement of the transmission member, enabling comfortable operation without increasing the size of the device. The above effect maintains the flexibility of the placement of levers.

[0033] The operated mechanism including the latch 7 and ratchet 9 and the operating mechanism including the operating part and transmission member that transmits or disables the transmission of operating force to the operated mechanism are collectively referred to as the operating force transmission mechanism. The automobile door latch device of the present invention also includes an engaging mechanism including the latch 7 and ratchet 9 and a closer mechanism including a first close lever 31, a second close lever 32, a sub-lever 33, and a cancel lever 34.

[0034] The first close lever 31 is pivotally supported by a shaft 35 facing the inside and outside of the vehicle on the element arrangement portion 2a of the base plate 2 so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle, and a connecting portion 31b at the lower end is connected to an output lever (not shown) of the electric closing device CL via a sixth operation transmission member 57 constituted by a Bowden cable or a rod. As a result, when the output lever rotates based on the drive of a motor (not shown) of the electric closing device CL, the first close lever 31 rotates by a predetermined angle in the closing direction (counterclockwise) from the initial position shown in FIG. 5 against the biasing force of the spring 36, and transmits the rotation to the second close lever 32.

[0035] 2, the connecting portion 31b of the first close lever 31 to which the terminal portion 57a ​​of the sixth operation transmission member 57 is connected is preferably provided so as to be exposed to the outside from a notch 2c provided in the lower portion of the element arrangement portion 2a of the base plate 2. In this way, even after the casing 4 is fixed to the base plate 2 and the closer mechanism is arranged between the element arrangement portion 2a of the base plate 2 and the side surface of the casing 4, the terminal portion 57a ​​of the sixth operation transmission member 57 can be easily and reliably connected to the connecting portion 31b of the first close lever 31 by visual inspection.

[0036] The second close lever 32 is pivotally supported on the element arrangement section 2a of the base plate 2 by an axis 37 facing inward and outward from the vehicle so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle, and the teeth 32a on its outer periphery engage with the teeth 31a on the outer periphery of the first close lever 31, so that the second close lever 32 rotates by a predetermined angle in the close direction (clockwise) from the initial position shown in Figure 5 in conjunction with the rotation of the first close lever 31 in the close direction.

[0037] The sub-lever 33 is connected to the lower end of the second close lever 32 by a connecting shaft 38 whose longitudinal center faces the inside and outside of the vehicle so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle, and is biased in the rotational direction by a spring 39. Normally, a collar 33a provided at the front end abuts from below against a block portion 34a provided at the lower end of the cancel lever 34, and the sub-lever 33 is held in the initial position shown in Figure 5 with counterclockwise rotation around the connecting shaft 38 prevented.

[0038] The center of the collar 33a coincides with the center of the shaft 37, which is the rotation center of the second close lever 32. Therefore, if the second close lever 32 rotates while the cancel lever 34 prevents the sub-lever 33 from rotating counterclockwise around the connecting shaft 38, the sub-lever 33 also rotates integrally with the second close lever 32 around the shaft 37.

[0039] When the sub-lever 33 rotates in the closing direction around the axis 37 together with the second close lever 32, the output portion 33b provided at the rear end of the sub-lever 33 lifts the arm portion 7c provided on the latch 7 which is in the half latch position shown in Figure 6, thereby forcibly rotating the latch 7 from the half latch position to the full latch position as shown in Figure 7.

[0040] The cancel lever 34 is pivotally supported on the element arrangement portion 2a of the base plate 2 by a shaft 40 facing inward and outward of the vehicle so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle, and rotates by a predetermined angle from the initial position shown in FIG. 5 in the cancel direction (counterclockwise) shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 based on the release operation of the second release lever 14 (see FIG. 4, for example), i.e., the door opening operation using the outside handle OH or the inside handle IH (hereinafter, this rotation will be referred to as the "cancel operation").

[0041] The cancel operation of the cancel lever 34, which is based on the door opening operation using the outside handle OH or the inside handle IH, is achieved by forming an operating handle 34b on the top of the cancel lever 34 shown in Figure 4, passing the operating handle 34b through an opening 4a formed in the casing 4 and protruding from one side surface of the casing 4 to the other side surface, and by abutting a part 14c of the second release lever 14 against the operating handle 34b protruding from the other side surface of the casing 4. This abutment causes the cancel lever 34 to perform a cancel operation in the counterclockwise direction around the shaft 40.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, when the cancel lever 34 is in its initial position, the block portion 34a is in a position where it abuts directly above the collar 33a of the sub-lever 33, preventing the sub-lever 33 from rotating counterclockwise around the connecting shaft 38, thereby allowing the sub-lever 33 and the second close lever 32 to rotate together.Also, when the cancel lever 34 is rotated in the cancel direction, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the block portion 34a retreats to a position where it cannot abut against the collar 33a of the sub-lever 33, allowing the sub-lever 33 to rotate counterclockwise around the connecting shaft 38, thereby preventing the close operation of the second close lever 32 from being transmitted to the latch 7.

[0043] As described above, when the cancel lever 34 is in the initial position shown in Figure 5, when the second close lever 32 is operated to close due to the rotation of the first close lever 31 based on the power of the electric closer device CL, the sub-lever 33 also operates to close together with the second close lever 32, centered on the axis 37.

[0044] However, if the cancel lever 34 is released (cancelled) based on the door opening operation using the outside handle OH or inside handle IH while the first close lever 31 and the second close lever 32 are performing the closing operation using the power of the electric closer device CL, the sub-lever 33 becomes free to rotate counterclockwise, and the sub-lever 33 that was in contact with the arm portion 7c of the latch 7 rotates counterclockwise, making it impossible to transmit the closing operation of the second close lever 32 to the latch 7. As a result, even while the latch 7 is being forcibly rotated toward the fully latched position, the power transmission path in the electric closer device CL can be cut off, making it impossible to transmit the power of the electric closer device CL.

[0045] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the contact state between the transmission member (cancel lever 34) and the unevenness of the outer peripheral surface 33c of the collar 33a when the cancel operation is performed. As shown in FIG. 5, when the cancel lever 34 is in the initial position, the block portion 34a is in a position where it contacts directly above the collar 33a of the sub-lever 33. As described above, the cancel operation is achieved when the part 14c of the second release lever 14 contacts the operating handle 34b of the cancel lever 34 based on the door opening operation using the outside handle OH or the inside handle IH. That is, the second release lever 14 rotates the cancel lever 34 counterclockwise around the shaft 40. Therefore, when the cancel operation is performed, the block portion 34a contacts the outer peripheral surface 33c of the collar 33a at an angle that intersects with the surface 33c.

[0046] The symbol 2h in Figure 10 indicates the height of the irregularities on the outer peripheral surface 33c, i.e., the height from the bottom of the recess to the top of the protrusion. If the shape of the irregularities is irregular, it is the height from the bottom of the deepest recess to the top of the highest protrusion. Note that in the initial position shown in Figure 5, where the block portion 34a abuts directly above the collar 33a of the sub-lever 33, strong pressure is applied from the cancel lever 34 to the collar 33a. For this reason, it is usually preferable that the collar 33a be made of metal.

[0047] Because the outer peripheral surface 33c is provided with unevenness, during the cancel operation, the block portion 34a of the cancel lever 34, which abuts against the outer peripheral surface 33c of the collar 33a at an angle, only abuts against the convex portion of the unevenness and operates. By having the block portion 34a abut only against the convex portion of the outer peripheral surface 33c at an angle, the frictional force between the block portion 34a and the outer peripheral surface 33c is further increased, making it easier to rotate the collar and allowing the cancel lever 34 as a transmission member to be released from the collar more quickly.

[0048] FIG. 11 shows a fleur-de-lis knurling pattern on the outer peripheral surface 33c of the collar 33a. FIG. 11a shows a front view of the collar 33a as seen from the vehicle interior, and FIG. 11b shows a side view. The knurling pattern on the outer peripheral surface 33c of the collar 33a is a regular, uneven pattern, and in particular, a twill pattern is used. The twill pattern is a series of diamond-shaped (◇) irregularities that are regularly spaced in the direction of rotation of the outer peripheral surface 33c. The height of the irregularities, i.e., the height (2h) from the bottom of the recess to the top of the protrusion, is 0.4 mm or more in accordance with JIS B 0951. Other irregularities, such as a grid pattern or a flat pattern, may also be used. However, a twill pattern is preferred to minimize the risk of the block portion 34a getting caught in the recesses of the irregularities when it moves in contact with the outer peripheral surface 33c.

[0049] By providing the unevenness on the outer surface 33c in a crisscross pattern, the regular uneven shape ensures smooth rotation of the cancel lever, and prevents the cancel lever 34 from getting caught in the groove of the recess on the outer surface 33c when it performs a cancel operation, thereby suppressing axial twisting of the cancel lever and leading to a reduction in the operating force required to operate the outside handle OH or inside handle IH.

[0050] Figure 12 shows the direction of force acting on the outer circumferential surface of the collar when the transmission member is in its initial position as viewed from outside the vehicle during a cancel operation. In other words, it shows that the direction of force acting on collar 33a from the transmission member during a cancel operation is offset from the axis of shaft 43. As described above, when the transmission member abuts at a position offset from the axis of the collar shaft, it becomes easier to rotate the collar, which leads to a reduction in the operating force.

[0051] Here, a case where the closing operation by the electric closer device CL is cancelled will be explained with reference to Figures 8 and 9. If it becomes necessary to urgently cancel the closing operation while the electric closer device CL described above is performing a closing operation, for example, because some kind of pinching occurs between the door D and the entrance / exit, the door is opened using the outside handle OH or the inside handle IH.

[0052] Regardless of the locked or unlocked state, the door opening operation using the outside handle OH or inside handle IH is ultimately transmitted to the cancel lever 34 via the second release lever 14. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the cancel lever 34 rotates a predetermined angle counterclockwise from the initial position around the shaft 40, and performs a cancel operation in which the block portion 34a retreats to a position where it cannot come into contact with the collar 33a of the sub-lever 33.

[0053] As shown in Figure 8, when the cancel lever 34 performs the cancel operation, the sub-lever 33 becomes free to rotate counterclockwise around the connecting shaft 38. As a result, the sub-lever 33, which had been abutting against the arm portion 7c of the latch 7 to rotate the latch 7 toward the fully latched position, becomes free to rotate counterclockwise around the connecting shaft 38 and is therefore unable to transmit the closing operation to the latch 7. As a result, the closing operation of the electric closer device CL is cut off between the second close lever 32 and the latch 7 as shown in Figure 9. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 Door latch device 2 Base plate 2a Element arrangement section 2b Cover section 2c Notch 2d Striker entry groove 3. Body 4 Casing 4a Opening 5A Side cover 5B Top cover 6 Latch shaft 7 Latch 7a Full latch engagement part 7b Half latch engagement part 7c Arm part 8 Ratchet shaft 9. Ratchet 10 Spring 11 Spring 14 Second release lever 14c Part 31 First closing lever 31a Tooth portion 31b Connection part 32 Second closing lever 32a Tooth portion 33 Sublever 33a Color 33b Output section 33c Outer surface 34 Cancel lever 34a Block part 34b Operating handle 35 Axis 36 Spring 37 axis 38 connection axis 39 Spring 40 Axis 43 axis 45 axis center 57 sixth operation transmission member 57a terminal portion D Door CL Electric Closer Device IH inside handle (manual opener device inside the vehicle) LK Lock operation knob OL Full-open latch device OH Outside Handle (Manual opener device on the outside of the vehicle) S striker 2h unevenness height

Claims

1. an operated mechanism; an operating mechanism; the operating mechanism includes an operating unit for operating the operated mechanism, and a transmission member that is movable between a transmission position where power of the operating unit can be transmitted to the operated mechanism and a transmission non-transmission position where power cannot be transmitted, the transmission member is movable between the transmission enabled position and the transmission disabled position by operating an operation portion provided at one end of the transmission member, At the transmission-enabled position, an outer peripheral surface of a collar rotatably supported on the operating portion comes into contact with an abutment portion provided at the other end of the transmission member, and at the non-transmission position, the collar and the abutment portion are spaced apart, An operating force transmission mechanism, characterized in that the outer peripheral surface of the collar is provided with irregularities.

2. 2. The operating force transmission mechanism according to claim 1, wherein when the transmission member moves to the non-transmittable position, the transmission member operates by obliquely contacting a convex portion among the concave and convex portions provided on the outer peripheral surface of the collar.

3. 2. An operating force transmission mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the unevenness on the outer peripheral surface of the collar is provided in a twill pattern.

4. 2. The operating force transmission mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the direction in which the transmission member abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the collar is a direction in which the force acting on the collar is shifted from the axis of the shaft of the collar.

5. An operation force transmission mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the operated mechanism is an engagement mechanism including a latch that engages with the striker when the door is closed and a ratchet that engages with the latch, the operating mechanism is a closer mechanism that rotates the latch from a half-latched position to a full-latched position, The closer mechanism is pivotally supported on a base plate so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle, and the operating unit is a close lever that is connected to an electric closer device disposed at a predetermined position on the door and rotates, and a sub-lever that is connected to the close lever and rotates integrally with the close lever to rotate the latch from the half-latched position to the full-latched position, the transmission member is a cancel lever that is movable between a transmission position where the rotation of the sub-lever caused by the close lever can be transmitted to the latch and a non-transmission position where the rotation of the sub-lever cannot be transmitted, 10. A door latch device for an automobile, wherein the operating portion is an operating handle.

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