Vehicle door lock device

Abstract

To provide a door lock device for a vehicle capable of restraining water from infiltrating into a housing via an approach groove, and capable of reducing the number of part items, while invalidating operation of an operation mechanism to a latch mechanism by emergency operation.SOLUTION: In a vehicular door lock device 1, housings 7, 9 are formed so as to penetrate a first wall 91 forming a bottom surface 97D of an approach groove 97, and have an operation hole 92 into which an operation member J1 separate from the vehicular door lock device 1 can be inserted. The lock lever 40 includes the second wall 42 having the facing surface 42A facing the operation hole 92 in the linear movement range from the unlock position to the lock position of the lock lever 40, and the operated portion 45 having a bottomed hole shape recessed in the facing surface 42A, the operated portion 45 being exposed to the outside of the housings 7 and 9 via the operation hole 92 in the linear movement range and being engageable with one end J1 of the operation member J1A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] An example of a conventional vehicle door lock device is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This vehicle door lock device includes a housing, a latch mechanism, an operating mechanism, and a lock mechanism.

[0003] The housing is formed by combining a body, a casing, and a cover member. The housing is fixed to a door that can be opened and closed relative to the vehicle body. An entrance groove is formed in the body. A striker fixed to the vehicle body can enter the entrance groove.

[0004] The latch mechanism is provided in the housing and includes a latch and a pawl. The latch mechanism can hold the door closed relative to the vehicle body by engaging with the striker that has entered the entrance groove.

[0005] The operating mechanism is provided in the housing and includes a release lever, an outside lever, etc. The operating mechanism is capable of operating the latch mechanism.

[0006] The locking mechanism is provided in the housing and includes a locking lever and a slide lever. The locking lever is rotatable between an unlocked position, which enables the operation of the operating mechanism with respect to the latching mechanism, and a locked position, which disables the operation of the operating mechanism with respect to the latching mechanism. The slide lever moves linearly to switch the locking lever between the unlocked position and the locked position.

[0007] As shown in Figures 9 and 12, this vehicle door lock device further includes an emergency lever. The emergency lever is rotatably supported on the body and has an exposed portion exposed at the bottom surface of the entrance groove. The emergency lever has a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are located within the housing and engage with the slide lever.

[0008] In a vehicle equipped with this vehicle door lock device, if an electrical system malfunction occurs, security can be ensured by the following emergency operation. With the vehicle door open, an operating tool is inserted into the exposed portion of the emergency lever to rotate the emergency lever. This causes the slide lever to move linearly, switching the lock lever to the locked position and disabling the operation of the operating mechanism for the latch mechanism. Then, by closing the door, the latch mechanism holds the door closed relative to the vehicle body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6450991 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] However, in the above-mentioned conventional vehicle door lock device, a rotation gap is formed between the emergency lever and the body, and there is a risk that water such as rainwater or cleaning water may enter the housing through this rotation gap.

[0011] Furthermore, in this vehicle door lock device, the operating tool acts on the lock lever via the emergency lever and the slide lever in an emergency operation, so the number of parts is large.

[0012] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and aims to solve the problem of providing a vehicle door lock device that can disable the operation of the operating mechanism for the latch mechanism by emergency operation, prevent water from entering the housing through the entry groove, and further reduce the number of parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The vehicle door lock device of the present invention includes a housing fixed to a door that can be opened and closed relative to a vehicle body, the housing having an entrance groove recessed therein into which a striker fixed to the vehicle body can enter; a latch mechanism provided in the housing, the latch mechanism engaging with the striker that has entered the entrance groove to hold the door closed relative to the vehicle body; an actuation mechanism provided within the housing and operable to actuate the latch mechanism; a lock lever provided within the housing and movable linearly between an unlocked position that enables operation of the operating mechanism relative to the latch mechanism and a locked position that disables operation of the operating mechanism relative to the latch mechanism; A vehicle door lock device comprising: the housing has an operation hole formed to penetrate a first wall that forms a bottom surface of the entrance groove and through which an operation member separate from the vehicle door lock device can be inserted, the lock lever includes a second wall having an opposing surface that faces the operation hole in a linear movement range of the lock lever from the unlock position to the lock position; The present invention is characterized in that it has an operated part in the shape of a bottomed hole recessed in the opposing surface, which is exposed to the outside of the housing through the operating hole in the linear motion range and is capable of engaging with one end of the operating member.

[0014] In a vehicle equipped with the vehicle door lock device of the present invention, if an abnormality occurs in the electrical system, security can be ensured by the following emergency operation. That is, with the vehicle door open, an operating member is inserted into the operating hole of the housing, and one end of the operating member is engaged with the operated portion of the lock lever, thereby directly moving the lock lever. This switches the lock lever to the locked position, disabling the operation of the operating mechanism with respect to the latch mechanism. Then, by closing the door, the latch mechanism holds the door closed relative to the vehicle body.

[0015] Furthermore, in this vehicle door lock device, even if water such as rainwater or washing water attempts to pass through the operation hole, the opposing surface blocks the water within the housing and allows it to return to the outside of the housing.

[0016] Furthermore, in this vehicle door lock device, in an emergency operation, the operating member only needs to be directly applied to the lock lever, and the emergency lever and slide lever associated with the above-mentioned conventional vehicle door lock device are not required.

[0017] Therefore, the vehicle door lock device of the present invention can disable the operation of the operating mechanism for the latch mechanism through an emergency operation, while preventing water from entering the housing through the entry groove, and further reducing the number of parts.

[0018] It is desirable that the linear movement direction of the lock lever is approximately perpendicular to the direction in which the striker advances and retreats relative to the entrance groove. One of the linear movement directions is closer to the operated portion of the lock lever in the unlocked position than to the operated portion of the lock lever in the locked position. It is desirable that the entrance groove has a first side surface located on one side of the linear movement direction relative to the bottom surface. It is desirable that the housing has a ridge portion formed on the first side surface at the edge farthest from the bottom surface and extending along the advance and retreat direction. It is also desirable that the operating member can act as a lever, with one end of the operating member engaging with the operated portion of the lock lever in the unlocked position to serve as a point of application, the other end of the operating member serving as a point of force, and an intermediate portion of the operating member abutting against the ridge portion to serve as a fulcrum.

[0019] In this case, by using the operating member as a lever, the lock lever can be easily moved directly from the unlocked position to the locked position, compared to when the operating member is moved linearly to move the lock lever directly from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0020] The operation hole preferably has a first inner circumferential surface located on the other side of the inner circumferential surface of the operation hole in the linear motion direction. The operated portion preferably has a second inner circumferential surface located on one side of the inner circumferential surface of the operated portion in the linear motion direction. The first inner circumferential surface preferably faces one of the linear motion directions and is inclined so as to shift toward the other linear motion direction as it approaches the opposing surface. The second inner circumferential surface preferably faces the other linear motion direction and is inclined so as to shift toward one of the linear motion directions as it approaches the opposing surface.

[0021] In this case, the inclined first and second inner circumferential surfaces make it easier to ensure a stroke for linearly moving the lock lever when the operating member acts as a lever, making it easier to reduce the length of the operating hole in the linear direction. As a result, this vehicle door lock device can further reduce the problem of water entering the housing through the operating hole and affecting the components inside the housing.

[0022] The direction in which the striker advances and retreats relative to the entrance groove is preferably approximately horizontal. The linear movement direction of the lock lever is preferably an up-and-down direction approximately perpendicular to the advance-and-retract direction. The entrance groove preferably has an upper limiting edge extending parallel to the advance-and-retract direction and determining an upper limit position of the striker that has advanced to the back of the entrance groove, and a lower limiting edge extending parallel to the advance-and-retract direction and determining a lower limit position of the striker that has advanced to the back of the entrance groove. When viewed along the direction in which the operation hole penetrates the first wall, the operation hole is preferably located above an imaginary line extending parallel to the advance-and-retract direction at a position where the distance from the upper limiting edge to the operation hole is equal to the distance from the lower limiting edge in the linear movement direction.

[0023] In this case, water that falls on the housing from above drips downward and is therefore unlikely to reach the bottom of the access groove, and even if it does flow toward the bottom of the access groove, it is unlikely to reach the operating hole formed above the bottom. As a result, this vehicle door lock device can further prevent water from entering the housing through the operating hole.

[0024] The housing preferably has a peripheral edge portion formed on the opposite side of the first wall from the bottom surface and surrounding the operation hole, and the opposing surface preferably faces the peripheral edge portion in the linear movement range.

[0025] In this case, even if some of the water that passes through the operating hole flows down the opposing surface and enters the housing when the opposing surface returns the water to the outside of the housing, the peripheral portion allows the water to quickly drip downward from the opposing surface. As a result, this vehicle door lock device can prevent problems such as water entering the housing through the inlet groove and affecting the components inside the housing.

[0026] The direction in which the striker advances and retreats relative to the entry groove is preferably approximately horizontal. The linear movement direction of the lock lever is preferably an up-and-down direction approximately perpendicular to the advance-and-retract direction. The peripheral edge portion preferably has two ribs extending in the up-and-down direction at positions sandwiching the operation hole on one side and the other in the advance-and-retract direction and protruding toward the opposing surface. Two inclined ribs connected to the lower ends of each rib located below the operation hole are preferably inclined so as to approach the entrance of the entry groove in the advance-and-retract direction as they extend downward. The housing preferably has an exhaust port communicating the inside and outside of the housing below the lower ends of each inclined rib.

[0027] In this case, even if some of the water that attempts to pass through the operating hole seeps into the housing along the opposing surface when the opposing surface returns the water to the outside of the housing, the ribs, inclined ribs and discharge port allow the water to be quickly discharged to the outside of the housing while keeping it away from the components inside the housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] According to the vehicle door lock device of the present invention, the operation of the operating mechanism for the latch mechanism can be disabled by emergency operation, while preventing water from entering the housing through the entry groove and further reducing the number of parts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the latch housing, the latch mechanism, and the like. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the first housing, the locking mechanism, and the like. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first housing, the locking mechanism, and the like. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the latch housing, the latch mechanism, the lock mechanism, and the like. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the latch housing and the second housing. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operations of the O / S open lever, the inertia lever, the fork, and the pawl. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operations of the O / S open lever, the inertia lever, the fork, and the pole. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operations of the O / S open lever, the inertia lever, the fork, and the pawl. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operations of the O / S open lever, the inertia lever, the fork, and the pole. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the latch housing. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a partial rear view of the vehicle door lock device according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of the lock lever. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a partial rear view of the lock lever, where (a) is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the lock lever at the unlocked position and the operation hole, etc., and (b) is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the lock lever at the locked position and the operation hole, etc. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of moving the lock lever from the unlock position to the lock position using the operating member. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of moving the lock lever from the unlock position to the lock position using the operating member. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of moving the lock lever from the unlock position to the lock position using the operating member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0031] (Example) As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle door locking device 1 of the embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as "door locking device 1") is one example of a specific aspect of the vehicle door locking device of the present invention. Although not shown, the door locking device 1 is fixed to an openable and closable door of a vehicle body such as an automobile, bus, or industrial vehicle. The door locking device 1 can hold the door closed relative to the vehicle body by holding a striker S1 (see Figs. 7 to 10) fixed to the vehicle body.

[0032] 1 shows the door lock device 1 disposed inside the rear end of a door provided on the left side of the vehicle body. If the door lock device 1 is fixed to the rear end of a door provided on the right side of the vehicle body, it will simply be installed in the wrong direction. Furthermore, the door lock device 1 can also be installed in a back door, etc.

[0033] The front-rear direction and up-down direction shown in Fig. 1 are based on the front-rear direction and up-down direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the inside-outside direction of the vehicle shown in Fig. 1 is based on the passengers inside the vehicle cabin, with the left side of the vehicle being the outside of the vehicle and the opposite side being the inside of the vehicle, i.e., the cabin side. The front-rear direction, up-down direction, and inside-outside direction of the vehicle shown in Fig. 2 and subsequent figures are shown corresponding to Fig. 1.

[0034] <Overall structure> 1, an outer door handle H1 is provided on the outer surface of a door (not shown) to which a door lock device 1 is fixed, and an inner door handle H2 is provided on the inner surface of the door that is exposed to the interior of the vehicle.

[0035] The upper end of a transmission rod C1 is connected to the outer door handle H1. The door lock device 1 is disposed inside the door below the outer door handle H1. The lower end of the transmission rod C1 is connected to one end 20A of an O / S open lever 20, which will be described later with reference to Figures 4, 5, 8, etc.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 1, one end of a transmission cable C2 is connected to the inner door handle H2. The other end of the transmission cable C2 is drawn into the door lock device 1 and is connected to one end 25A of an I / S open lever 25, which will be described later with reference to Figs. 3 and 4.

[0037] The door lock device 1 includes a latch housing 9 shown in Figures 1 and 2 and an actuation housing 7 shown in Figures 1 and 3. As shown in Figure 1, the actuation housing 7 is assembled to the latch housing 9. The latch housing 9 and the actuation housing 7 are examples of the "housing" of the present invention.

[0038] The actuation housing 7 has a first housing 70 shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, and a second housing 80 shown in Figures 1 and 6. The first housing 70 and the second housing 80 are each made of resin.

[0039] 3, the first housing 70 has a first base wall portion 71 and a first peripheral wall portion 73 that surrounds the first base wall portion 71. As shown in FIG. 6, the second housing 80 has a second base wall portion 81 and a second peripheral wall portion 83 that surrounds the second base wall portion 81.

[0040] The first base wall portion 71 and the second base wall portion 81 face each other, and the first circumferential wall portion 73 and the second circumferential wall portion 83 are welded together, thereby assembling the second housing 80 to the first housing 70. As a result, a storage chamber 7A shown in Figures 3 and 4 is formed inside the actuation housing 7.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the latch housing 9 has a third housing 90 made of resin, and a base plate 99 and a back plate 98, each made of a steel plate.

[0042] The fork pivot shaft 11S and the pole pivot shaft 12S are inserted into the third housing 90, a base plate 99 is disposed behind the third housing 90, and a back plate 98 is disposed in front of the third housing 90. Then, the rear ends of the fork pivot shaft 11S and the pole pivot shaft 12S are fixed to the base plate 99 by crimping, and the front ends of the fork pivot shaft 11S and the pole pivot shaft 12S are fixed to the back plate 98 by crimping, thereby forming a latch chamber 9A inside the latch housing 9.

[0043] After the third housing 90 is temporarily assembled to the first housing 70, the second housing 80 is assembled to the first housing 70, and the first peripheral wall portion 73 of the first housing 70 and the second peripheral wall portion 83 of the second housing 80 are welded together, thereby joining the third housing 90 to the first housing 70 and the second housing 80.

[0044] The door lock device 1 includes a latch mechanism 8 shown in Figures 1 and 2, and an operating mechanism 6 and a lock lever 40 shown in Figures 3 and 4. The latch mechanism 8 is housed in a latch chamber 9A of a latch housing 9. The operating mechanism 6 and the lock lever 40 are housed in a storage chamber 7A of an operating housing 7.

[0045] 1 and 2, an entrance groove 97 is recessed in the latch housing 9. The entrance groove 97 is composed of a housing groove 90M formed in the third housing 90 and a plate groove 99M formed in the base plate 99.

[0046] The bottom surface 97D of the entrance groove 97 is the bottom surface of the housing groove 90M. The bottom surface 97D of the entrance groove 97 is formed by the first wall 91 of the third housing 90. The first wall 91 extends in a generally flat plate shape in the up-down direction and in the vehicle interior-exterior direction at a position spaced forward from the base plate 99. The bottom surface 97D of the entrance groove 97 is the rear surface of the first wall 91 and extends elongatedly in the vehicle interior-exterior direction.

[0047] An entrance 97E of the entrance groove 97 is formed by a portion of the plate groove 99M that opens toward the inside of the vehicle and a portion of the housing groove 90M that opens toward the inside of the vehicle. The back of the entrance groove 97 is located away from the entrance 97E toward the outside of the vehicle.

[0048] A plurality of fixing holes 99H are formed in the base plate 99. A plurality of set screws (not shown) are inserted into the rear end surface of the door and further screwed into each of the fixing holes 99H of the base plate 99, thereby fixing the latch housing 9 and the actuation housing 7 to the door with the entrance groove 97 exposed at the rear end surface of the door.

[0049] 7 to 10, when the door lock device 1 moves toward the inside of the vehicle as the door is closed, the striker S1 fixed to the vehicle body relatively enters the entrance groove 97. On the other hand, when the door lock device 1 moves toward the outside of the vehicle as the door is opened, the striker S1 relatively leaves the entrance groove 97.

[0050] The direction in which the striker S1 advances and retreats relative to the entrance groove 97 is inward and outward of the vehicle and is substantially horizontal.

[0051] 2, the latch mechanism 8 has a fork 11 and a pawl 12. The fork 11 is swingably supported by a fork swing shaft 11S located above the entrance groove 97. The pawl 12 is swingably supported by a pawl swing shaft 12S located below the entrance groove 97.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the fork 11 is biased by a torsion coil spring (not shown) so as to swing around the fork swing shaft 11S in the direction D11.

[0053] The portion of the fork 11 located on the entrance groove 97 side is branched into an inner convex portion 11A and an outer convex portion 11B. The striker S1 that has entered the entrance groove 97 is accommodated in a cutout portion 11C formed between the inner convex portion 11A and the outer convex portion 11B.

[0054] 7, 9, and 10, the fork 11 holds the striker S1 that has advanced to the back of the entrance groove 97. A latch surface 11D that can come into contact with a stopper surface 12A (described later) is formed on the tip side of the inner protrusion 11A that faces the pole 12.

[0055] The pole 12 is biased by a torsion coil spring (not shown) to swing in the direction D12 around the pole swing shaft 12S, and maintains the position shown in FIG.

[0056] A stopper surface 12A is formed in a portion of the pole 12 located on the rear side of the entrance groove 97. The stopper surface 12A is formed to face the latch surface 11D described above. The arc constituting the stopper surface 12A ends on the fork 11 side, and a sliding surface 12C is formed therefrom, extending toward the pole swing shaft 12S side.

[0057] Meanwhile, an abutment portion 12B is formed on the pole 12 on the opposite side of the pole swing shaft 12S from the stopper surface 12A. As shown in Fig. 2, the abutment portion 12B protrudes forward in a columnar shape. As shown in Fig. 5, the front end of the abutment portion 12B protrudes forward from the latch chamber 9A, passes through the third housing 90, and enters the storage chamber 7A.

[0058] 7, when the fork 11 holds the striker S1 that has entered the entrance groove 97 to the back, the stopper surface 12A abuts against the latch surface 11D of the inner convex portion 11A, thereby fixing the fork 11 so that it does not swing in the D11 direction. The position of the fork 11 shown in FIG. 7 is the latch position where the striker S1 is held in the entrance groove 97.

[0059] 8, when the inertia lever 29 (described later) abuts against the abutted portion 12B of the pawl 12 and pushes it up, the pawl 12 swings around the pawl swing shaft 12S in the direction opposite to direction D12 while resisting the biasing force of a torsion coil spring (not shown). At this time, the stopper surface 12A moves away from the latch surface 11D, so the pawl 12 releases the swing of the fork 11. Then, the fork 11 swings around the fork swing shaft 11S in the D11 direction due to the biasing force of the torsion coil spring (not shown), and is displaced to an unlatched position that allows the striker S1 to leave the entrance groove 97.

[0060] Conversely, when the striker S1 enters the entrance groove 97, the striker S1 pushes the outer convex portion 11B, causing the fork 11 to swing in the direction opposite to direction D11 and return from the unlatched position shown in FIG. 8 to the latched position shown in FIG. 7. At this time, the tips of the outer convex portion 11B and the inner convex portion 11A sequentially slide against the sliding surface 12C. Then, when the inner convex portion 11A separates from the sliding surface 12C, the pawl 12 swings in the direction D12 and returns to its original position shown in FIG. 7. As a result, the stopper surface 12A abuts against the latch surface 11D, preventing the fork 11 from swinging in the latched position. In this way, the latch mechanism 8 engages with the striker S1 that has entered the entrance groove 97, thereby holding the door closed relative to the vehicle body.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the operating mechanism 6 includes an O / S open lever 20, an I / S open lever 25, an inertia lever 29, an intermediate lock lever 35, an electric motor M1, a worm wheel 39, and a switch SW1.

[0062] In the first housing 70, an O / S open lever pivot shaft 20S is provided so as to protrude rearward from a rearward and lower portion of the first base wall portion 71. The O / S open lever 20 is pivotally supported by the O / S open lever pivot shaft 20S.

[0063] 7, the O / S open lever 20 is biased by a torsion coil spring (not shown) so as to swing in the direction D20 around the O / S open lever swing shaft 20S. One end 20A of the O / S open lever 20, to which the lower end of the transmission rod C1 is connected, protrudes outside the actuation housing 7, although this is not shown.

[0064] 3 to 5, the inertia lever 29 is supported by the other end 20B of the O / S open lever 20 so as to be swingable about a swing axis X29 extending in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 7, the inertia lever 29 is biased by a torsion coil spring (not shown) so as to swing in the direction D29 about the swing axis X29.

[0065] When the outer door handle H1 is operated to open and the transmission rod C1 descends, one end 20A of the O / S open lever 20 is pushed down, as shown in Figure 8, causing the O / S open lever 20 to swing in the direction opposite to the D20 direction, raising the inertia lever 29.

[0066] 3 and 4, a first shaft 75P is formed in a rearward and lower portion of the first base wall 71 of the first housing 70. A second shaft 75Q is formed in a portion of the first base wall 71 forward of the first shaft 75P. A third shaft 75R and a fourth shaft 75S are formed in a portion located approximately in the center of the first base wall 71. The first shaft 75P, the second shaft 75Q, the third shaft 75R, and the fourth shaft 75S each extend toward the second base wall 81 of the second housing 80.

[0067] The I / S open lever 25 is swingably supported on the first shaft 75P. The other end of the transmission cable C2 is connected to one end 25A of the I / S open lever 25 that is spaced downward from the first shaft 75P. In other words, the I / S open lever 25 is connected to the inner door handle H2 via the transmission cable C2.

[0068] An acting portion 25B is formed at a position above one end 25A of the I / S open lever 25. The I / S open lever 25 swings counterclockwise toward the paper surface of FIG. 3 when the inner door handle H2 is opened. This causes the acting portion 25B to push up the other end 20B of the O / S open lever 20, raising the inertia lever 29. Although the explanation will be brief, the I / S open lever 25 also has a function (so-called override function) that, when the door is in a locked state, acts on the relay lock lever 35 to set the door in an unlocked state by an opening operation of only the inner door handle H2, thereby enabling the door to be opened.

[0069] 3 and 4, the intermediate lock lever 35 is supported to be able to swing on the second shaft portion 75Q. As shown in Fig. 4, a cam 35C is formed on the upper portion of the intermediate lock lever 35. An action portion 35B is provided on the surface of the intermediate lock lever 35 facing the outside of the vehicle so as to protrude toward the outside of the vehicle.

[0070] 3 and 4, the worm wheel 39 is rotatably supported on the third shaft portion 75R. A cam portion (not shown) that can engage with the cam 35C of the relay lock lever 35 is formed on the surface of the worm wheel 39 that faces the outside of the vehicle.

[0071] The electric motor M1 is disposed in the storage chamber 7A at a position above and in front of the worm wheel 39. The worm wheel 39 meshes with a worm fixed to the rotation shaft of the electric motor M1.

[0072] A terminal holder 78 that holds multiple connection terminals T1 is provided above the electric motor M1 in the storage compartment 7A. Two of the connection terminals T1 are connected to the electric motor M1. When controlling the door locking / unlocking, power is supplied to the electric motor M1 from a power source (not shown) provided on the vehicle body via an external connector E1 (shown in FIG. 1) and the two connection terminals T1.

[0073] When the electric motor M1 is operated by a locking or unlocking operation using a remote control key or the like, the worm wheel 39 is rotationally driven by the electric motor M1 and rotates clockwise or counterclockwise on the paper surface of Fig. 3. Then, the worm wheel 39 displaces the relay lock lever 35 between the position shown in Fig. 3 and a position (not shown) swung clockwise on the paper surface from the position shown in Fig. 3 due to engagement between a cam portion (not shown) and the cam 35C.

[0074] 3 and 4, the lock lever 40 has a main body portion 40M and an extension portion 40N. The main body portion 40M extends in the vertical direction. The lower end of the extension portion 40N is connected to the upper end of the main body portion 40M. The extension portion 40N extends from its lower end at an angle upward and backward, then bends and extends upward again.

[0075] A vertically extending elongated hole 40H is formed in the main body 40M. A recess 40B is formed in the lower end of the main body 40M. A switch operating portion 40F is formed above the elongated hole 40H in the main body 40M.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 4, a linear motion protrusion 40E is provided on the lower end side of the upwardly extending portion of the extension 40N so as to protrude toward the outside of the vehicle.

[0077] A linear motion groove 71E is formed in a portion of the first base wall portion 71 of the first housing 70 rearward and above the fourth shaft portion 75S. The linear motion convex portion 40E is disposed within the linear motion groove 71E. The linear motion convex portion 40E is guided in the vertical direction by the linear motion groove 71E. As shown in FIG. 3, the fourth shaft portion 75S is inserted into the elongated hole 40H. The elongated hole 40H is guided in the vertical direction by the fourth shaft portion 75S.

[0078] In this way, the lock lever 40 can move linearly up and down within the storage chamber 7A between an unlocked position shown by a solid line in FIG. 3 and a locked position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

[0079] The linear movement direction (vertical direction) of the lock lever 40 is approximately perpendicular to the advancing and retreating direction (inside and outside the vehicle) of the striker S1 relative to the entrance groove 97.

[0080] The recess 40B of the lock lever 40 is engaged with the action portion 35B of the relay lock lever 35. The switch operation portion 40F of the lock lever 40 is engaged with the lever of the switch SW1.

[0081] Three of the connection terminals T1, other than the two connected to the electric motor M1, are connected to a switch SW1. When the lock lever 40 is in the unlocked position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3, it turns on one contact in the switch SW1. When the lock lever 40 moves linearly upward from the unlocked position to the locked position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, it turns on another contact in the switch SW1. The ON / OFF signals of the two contacts in the switch SW1 are transmitted to a control unit (not shown) provided in the vehicle body via the three connection terminals T1 and the external connector E1, and are used to control the locking / unlocking of the doors and to monitor the status of the door lock device 1.

[0082] As will be described below, the lock lever 40 moves linearly in response to a locking operation or an unlocking operation using a remote control key or the like.

[0083] When the electric motor M1 rotates and the relay lock lever 35 swings clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 3 by operating the remote control key or the like, the displacement is transmitted to the lock lever 40 via the recess 40B and the acting portion 35B, and the lock lever 40 is pushed up from the unlocked position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 to the locked position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3.

[0084] On the other hand, when an unlock operation is performed using a remote control key or the like, the electric motor M1 rotates in the reverse direction and the relay lock lever 35 returns to the position shown in FIG. 3, the displacement is transmitted to the lock lever 40 via the recess 40B and the acting portion 35B, and the lock lever 40 is pulled down from the locked position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 to the unlocked position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3.

[0085] 3, 4, and 7, a first surface 44A, a second surface 44B, and a third surface 44C are formed between the elongated hole 40H and the recess 40B in the main body 40M. The first surface 44A, the second surface 44B, and the third surface 44C are formed on the surface of the lock lever 40 facing outward from the vehicle.

[0086] The first surface 44A and the third surface 44C are each flat surfaces extending in the vertical direction, with the first surface 44A being shifted more inwardly than the third surface 44C. The second surface 44B is an inclined surface connecting the lower end of the first surface 44A and the upper end of the third surface 44C.

[0087] 3 to 5 and 7, a protrusion 29A is provided in a forward-facing protrusion on the front surface of the inertia lever 29. In response to the operation of the lock lever 40, the protrusion 29A comes into sliding contact with the first surface 44A, the second surface 44B, and the third surface 44C.

[0088] 5 and 7, an inertia lever guide surface 90G is formed on the storage chamber 7A side of the third housing 90. The inertia lever guide surface 90G is a downward-facing flat surface located closer to the vehicle outer side than the abutted portion 12B of the pole 12. The inertia lever guide surface 90G extends toward the vehicle outer side so as to be spaced away from the abutted portion 12B.

[0089] 7, the inertia lever guide surface 90G is located slightly below the lower end of the abutted portion 12B. When the O / S open lever 20 is not swinging, the inertia lever guide surface 90G is located above the upper end of the inertia lever 29.

[0090] The position of the lock lever 40 shown in Figures 7 and 8 is the same unlocked position as the lock lever 40 shown by the solid line in Figure 3. The position of the lock lever 40 shown in Figures 9 and 10 is the same locked position as the lock lever 40 shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 3.

[0091] As shown in Fig. 7, when the lock lever 40 is in the unlock position, the protrusion 29A of the inertia lever 29 abuts against the first surface 44A of the lock lever 40, thereby holding the inertia lever 29 in an upward standing position. In this case, as shown in Fig. 8, if the inertia lever 29 rises due to an opening operation of the outer door handle H1 or an opening operation of the inner door handle H2, the inertia lever 29 abuts against the abutment portion 12B, causing the pole 12 to open the forks 11.

[0092] That is, the operating mechanism 6 can operate the latch mechanism 8. The unlocked position of the lock lever 40 is a position that enables the operation of the operating mechanism 6 on the latch mechanism 8.

[0093] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 9, when the lock lever 40 is displaced to the locked position, the protrusion 29A of the inertia lever 29 comes into sliding contact with the second surface 44B of the lock lever 40 and then abuts against the third surface 44C, thereby maintaining the inertia lever 29 in a state inclined toward the outside of the vehicle. In this case, as shown in Fig. 10, if the outer door handle H1 is operated to open, the inertia lever 29 rises, and the inertia lever 29 abuts against the inertia lever guide surface 90G and moves away from the abutted portion 12B, so that the pole 12 keeps the fork 11 fixed.

[0094] That is, the lock position of the lock lever 40 is a position where the operation of the operating mechanism 6 with respect to the latch mechanism 8 is disabled.

[0095] Thus, the door lock device 1 can hold the door closed relative to the vehicle body, open the door, and lock or unlock the door in a closed state, in response to various operations by the vehicle occupant.

[0096] <Configuration of the operation hole of the latch housing and the operated portion of the lock lever> The door lock device 1 has the following configuration to perform emergency operations to ensure security when an abnormality occurs in the electrical system of the vehicle.

[0097] 1, 2, 5, 6, 11, 12, and 14 to 17, the third housing 90 of the latch housing 9 has an operation hole 92. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 12 to 17, the lock lever 40 has a second wall 42 and an operated portion 45.

[0098] <Operation hole> 2, 11, and 12, the operation hole 92 is formed in the first wall 91 of the third housing 90. The operation hole 92 penetrates the first wall 91 in the front-to-rear direction on the entrance 97E side of the entrance groove 97. The operation hole 92 is a rectangular hole with four rounded corners.

[0099] As shown in Fig. 1, the third housing 90 has a third wall 90W. The third wall 90W has a generally flat plate shape that surrounds the entrance 97E of the entrance groove 97 from the front, above, and below. The third wall 90W extends in the up-down and front-rear directions and is combined with the second housing 80. The operation hole 92 is located near the third wall 90W.

[0100] 12, the entrance groove 97 has an upper regulating edge 99L1 and a lower regulating edge 99L2. The upper regulating edge 99L1 and the lower regulating edge 99L2 are formed in the plate groove 99M of the base plate 99.

[0101] The upper regulating edge 99L1 is located deep inside the entrance groove 97 and extends parallel to the advancing and retreating direction of the striker S1, i.e., substantially horizontally. The upper regulating edge 99L1 determines the upper limit position of the striker S1 that has entered the entrance groove 97 to the deepest extent.

[0102] The lower regulating edge 99L2 is located deep inside the entrance groove 97, spaced downward from the upper regulating edge 99L1, and extends parallel to the direction of advancement and retreat of the striker S1, i.e., approximately horizontally. The lower regulating edge 99L2 determines the lowest position of the striker S1 that has advanced to the deepest part of the entrance groove 97.

[0103] A virtual line K1 is a straight line extending parallel to the forward and backward direction of the striker S1 (inside and outside the vehicle) at a position where the distance to the upper regulating edge 99L1 and the distance to the lower regulating edge 99L2 in the linear motion direction (up and down direction) of the lock lever 40 are equal.

[0104] When viewed along the front-rear direction in which the operation hole 92 penetrates the first wall 91, the operation hole 92 is located above the imaginary line K1.

[0105] 11 and 15, the operation hole 92 has a first inner circumferential surface 92S. The first inner circumferential surface 92S is an inner circumferential surface that is located at the upper part of the inner circumferential surfaces of the operation hole 92 and extends in the vehicle interior-exterior direction. The first inner circumferential surface 92S faces downward and is inclined so as to shift upward as it moves forward toward an opposing surface 42A (described later).

[0106] 15 to 17, the operation hole 92 can accommodate an operation member J1 that is separate from the door lock device 1. The operation member J1 can be anything that is carried by a vehicle user or stored in the vehicle, and has one end J1A that can be inserted into the operation hole 92 and the other end J1B that can be held by the user. The operation member J1 preferably has a long, thin rod-like shape, and is, for example, a vehicle key, an on-board tool, or the like.

[0107] 11, the third housing 90 has a peripheral edge portion 93. The peripheral edge portion 93 is formed on the side of the first wall 91 opposite the bottom surface 97D, i.e., on the front surface side of the first wall 91. The peripheral edge portion 93 surrounds four sides of the operation hole 92. The peripheral edge portion 93 has two ribs 93A and 93B.

[0108] The rib 93A extends in the vertical direction adjacent to one side of the operation hole 92 that extends in the vertical direction on the vehicle inner side, and protrudes forward toward an opposing surface 42A, which will be described later.

[0109] The rib 93B extends in the vertical direction adjacent to another side of the operation hole 92 that extends in the vertical direction on the vehicle outer side, and protrudes forward toward an opposing surface 42A, which will be described later.

[0110] The ribs 93A and 93B are positioned to sandwich the operation hole 92 from one side and the other side in the advancing and retreating direction of the striker S1.

[0111] An inclined rib 93A1 is connected to the lower end of the rib 93A, which is located below the operation hole 92. The inclined rib 93A1 is inclined so as to approach the entrance 97E of the access groove 97 in the vehicle interior / exterior direction as it extends downward, i.e., so as to approach the third wall 90W. The lower end of the inclined rib 93A1 is connected to the third wall 90W.

[0112] An inclined rib 93B1 is connected to the lower end of the rib 93B, which is located below the operation hole 92. The inclined rib 93B1 is inclined so as to approach the entrance 97E of the access groove 97 in the vehicle interior-exterior direction as it extends downward, i.e., so as to approach the third wall 90W. The lower end of the inclined rib 93B1 is located below the lower end of the inclined rib 93A1, and there is a small gap between the inclined rib 93B1 and the third wall 90W.

[0113] 1, 4, and 6, the actuation housing 7 has an outlet 7H. The outlet 7H is formed by a notch formed in the lower end of the first peripheral wall portion 73 of the first housing 70 and a notch formed in the lower end of the second peripheral wall portion 83 of the second housing 80.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 6, the outlet 7H connects the inside and outside of the actuation housing 7 below the lower ends of the inclined ribs 93A1 and 93B1.

[0115] <Second wall and operated part> 13 and 14, the second wall 42 is formed on the rear end side of the upwardly extending portion of the extension portion 40N of the lock lever 40. The second wall 42 has a generally flat plate shape that extends in the up-down direction and in the inside-outside direction of the vehicle.

[0116] The second wall 42 has an opposing surface 42A. The opposing surface 42A is the rear surface of the second wall 42. The opposing surface 42A is a flat surface that extends in the up-down direction and in the inside-outside direction of the vehicle, and an upper end 42A1 side thereof is curved rearward.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 14, the length of the opposing surface 42A in the vehicle interior / exterior direction is greater than the opening width of the operation hole 92 in the vehicle interior / exterior direction and greater than the outer width of the peripheral edge portion 93 and each of the ribs 93A, 93B in the vehicle interior / exterior direction.

[0118] 14(a) and 15 show the lower limit of the linear movement range from the unlocked position to the locked position of the lock lever 40. In this state, the upper end 42A1 of the opposing surface 42A is positioned above the operation hole 92, the peripheral edge 93, and the ribs 93A and 93B, and the lower end of the opposing surface 42A is positioned below the operation hole 92, the peripheral edge 93, and the ribs 93A and 93B.

[0119] 14(b) and 17 show the upper limit of the linear movement range from the unlocked position to the locked position of the lock lever 40. Even in this state, the upper end 42A1 of the opposing surface 42A is positioned above the operation hole 92, the peripheral edge 93, and the ribs 93A and 93B, and the lower end of the opposing surface 42A is positioned below the operation hole 92, the peripheral edge 93, and the ribs 93A and 93B.

[0120] That is, the opposing surface 42A faces the operation hole 92, the peripheral edge 93, and the ribs 93A and 93B in the linear movement range of the lock lever 40 from the unlock position to the lock position.

[0121] 15, a gap G1 in the front-to-rear direction between the opposing surface 42A and each of the ribs 93A, 93B is set as small as possible without affecting the linear movement of the lock lever 40. In this embodiment, as an example, the gap G1 is set to about a few tenths of a millimeter.

[0122] The operated portion 45 is recessed in the opposing surface 42A. The operated portion 45 has a bottomed hole shape, is positioned approximately in the center of the opposing surface 42A, and is recessed forward. The operated portion 45 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed along the front-to-rear direction.

[0123] As shown in Figures 14 to 17, the operated portion 45 is exposed to the outside of the latch housing 9 and the actuation housing 7 through the operation hole 92 in the linear movement range of the lock lever 40 from the unlock position to the lock position, and is engageable with one end J1A of the operating member J1.

[0124] One of the linear movement directions of the lock lever 40 is the side closer to the operated part 45 of the lock lever 40 in the unlocked position than to the operated part 45 of the lock lever 40 in the locked position, i.e., downward. The other linear movement direction of the lock lever 40 is upward.

[0125] The operated portion 45 has a second inner circumferential surface 45S. The second inner circumferential surface 45S is an inner circumferential surface that is located at the lower part of the inner circumferential surfaces of the operated portion 45 and extends in the vehicle interior-exterior direction. The second inner circumferential surface 45S faces upward and is inclined so as to shift downward as it moves rearward to approach the opposing surface 42A and the operation hole 92.

[0126] 1, the entrance groove 97 has a first side surface 97A. The first side surface 97A is formed by a side surface of the housing groove 90M located below the bottom surface 97D and a lower end surface of the plate groove 99M including the lower limiting edge 99L2. In other words, the first side surface 97A is located below the bottom surface 97D.

[0127] The latch housing 9 has a ridge portion 97A1. The ridge portion 97A1 is formed on the edge side of the first side surface 97A that is farther from the bottom surface 97D. As shown in Fig. 12, the ridge portion 97A1 is located directly below the operation hole 92 and extends along the direction in which the striker S1 advances and retreats, i.e., the inside-outside direction of the vehicle.

[0128] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the operating member J1 can act as a lever, with one end J1A engaging with the operated portion 45 of the lock lever 40 in the unlocked position to serve as the point of application, the other end J1B serving as the force point, and the middle portion J1C abutting against the ridge portion 97A1 to serve as the fulcrum.

[0129] <Action and effect> In a vehicle equipped with the door lock device 1 of the embodiment, if an abnormality occurs in the electrical system, security can be ensured by the following emergency operation.

[0130] That is, with the vehicle door open, as shown in FIG. 15, the user grasps the other end J1B of the operating member J1 and inserts the operating member J1 into the operating hole 92 of the latch housing 9, and engages one end J1A of the operating member J1 with the operated portion 45 of the lock lever 40.

[0131] Next, the user presses down the other end J1B of the operating member J1, causing the one end J1A of the operating member J1 to act as a point of application, the other end J1B to act as a point of force, and a portion of the operating member J1 close to the one end J1A to abut against the lower inner circumferential surface of the operating hole 92 to act as a fulcrum, thereby acting as a lever to move the lock lever 40 linearly upward as shown in FIG.

[0132] Furthermore, when the user presses down on the other end J1B of the operating member J1, the intermediate portion J1C of the operating member J1 abuts against the ridge portion 97A1, becoming a fulcrum, thereby acting as a lever and moving the lock lever 40 further upward in a straight line, as shown in FIG. 17.

[0133] This switches the lock lever 40 to the lock position, disabling the operation of the operating mechanism 6 on the latch mechanism 8. When the door is then closed, the latch mechanism 8 holds the door closed relative to the vehicle body.

[0134] Furthermore, in this door lock device 1, even if water such as rainwater or cleaning water attempts to pass through the operating hole 92, the opposing surface 42A blocks the water within the operating housing 7 and allows it to be returned to the outside of the latch housing 9 and the operating housing 7.

[0135] Furthermore, in this door lock device 1, in an emergency operation, the operating member J1 only needs to be directly acted on the lock lever 40, and the emergency lever and slide lever associated with the above-mentioned conventional vehicle door lock device are not required.

[0136] Therefore, the door lock device 1 of the embodiment can disable the operation of the operating mechanism 6 for the latch mechanism 8 by an emergency operation, while preventing water from entering the operating housing 7 through the ingress groove 97, and further reducing the number of parts. Furthermore, the door lock device 1 can reduce manufacturing costs by reducing the number of parts.

[0137] 16 and 17, in the door lock device 1, the operating member J1 can act as a lever, with one end J1A engaging with the operated portion 45 to serve as a point of application, the other end J1B serving as a point of force, and the middle portion J1C abutting against the ridge portion 97A1 to serve as a fulcrum. With this configuration, the lock lever 40 can be easily moved linearly from the unlock position to the lock position, compared to when the operating member J1 is moved linearly to move the lock lever 40 directly from the unlock position to the lock position.

[0138] Furthermore, in this door lock device 1, the first inner circumferential surface 92S of the operation hole 92 faces downward and is inclined so as to shift upward as it moves forward toward the opposing surface 42A. The second inner circumferential surface 45S of the operated portion 45 faces upward and is inclined so as to shift downward as it moves rearward toward the opposing surface 42A and the operation hole 92. This configuration makes it easier to ensure a stroke that linearly moves the lock lever 40 when the operating member J1 acts as a lever, and therefore makes it easier to reduce the vertical length of the operation hole 92. As a result, this door lock device 1 can further prevent water from entering the actuation housing 7 through the operation hole 92 and affecting the components inside the actuation housing 7.

[0139] 12, in the door lock device 1, the operation hole 92 is located above an imaginary line K1 extending parallel to the direction of advancement and retreat of the striker S1, at a position where the distance from the upper restricting edge 99L1 to the operation hole 92 is equal to the distance from the lower restricting edge 99L2 to the striker S1 in the linear motion direction. With this configuration, water splashed on the latch housing 9 and the actuation housing 7 from above drips downward and is therefore unlikely to reach the bottom surface 97D of the entry groove 97. Even if water flows toward the bottom surface 97D of the entry groove 97, it is unlikely to reach the operation hole 92 formed above the bottom surface 97D. As a result, the door lock device 1 can further prevent water from entering the actuation housing 7 through the operation hole 92.

[0140] 14 to 17, in this door lock device 1, the opposing surface 42A faces the operation hole 92, the peripheral edge 93, and the ribs 93A and 93B over the linear movement range of the lock lever 40 from the unlock position to the lock position. With this configuration, even if some of the water flows down the opposing surface 42A into the actuation housing 7 when the opposing surface 42A returns water passing through the operation hole 92 to the outside of the latch housing 9 and the actuation housing 7, the peripheral edge 93 and the ribs 93A and 93B can quickly direct the water downward from the opposing surface 42A. As a result, this door lock device 1 can prevent water from entering the actuation housing 7 through the ingress groove 97 and affecting the components inside the actuation housing 7.

[0141] In addition, in this door lock device 1, as shown in FIG. 11, each of the ribs 93A, 93B extends vertically at a position sandwiching the operation hole 92 from one side in the advancing / retracting direction of the striker S1 and protrudes toward the opposing surface 42A. The two inclined ribs 93A1, 93B1 are connected to the lower ends of the ribs 93A, 93B that are located below the operation hole 92. Each of the inclined ribs 93A1, 93B1 is inclined so as to approach the entrance 97E of the entrance groove 97 in the advancing / retracting direction of the striker S1 as it extends downward. As shown in FIG. 6, the discharge port 7H of the actuating housing 7 communicates the interior and exterior of the actuating housing 7 below the lower ends of the inclined ribs 93A1, 93B1. With this configuration, as shown by the dashed arrow Y1 in Figure 5 and the dashed arrow Y2 in Figure 6, even if some of the water that attempts to pass through the operating hole 92 flows along the opposing surface 42A into the operating housing 7 when the opposing surface 42A returns the water to the outside of the latch housing 9 and the operating housing 7, the ribs 93A, 93B, the inclined ribs 93A1, 93B1 and the outlet 7H can quickly discharge the water to the outside of the operating housing 7 while keeping it away from the components inside the operating housing 7.

[0142] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified and applied as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0143] In the embodiment, the direction of linear movement of the lock lever 40 is the up-down direction, which is approximately perpendicular to the forward / backward direction, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention also includes a configuration in which the forward / backward direction is the front-rear direction and the linear movement direction is the inside / outside direction of the vehicle or the up-down direction. [Industrial Applicability]

[0144] The present invention can be used in vehicles such as automobiles and industrial vehicles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0145] 1...Vehicle door lock device 7, 9...Housing (7...Actuation housing, 9...Latch housing) S1...Strike 97…Entry groove 8...Latch mechanism 6...Operating mechanism 40...Lock lever 97D...Bottom of entrance groove 91…1st wall J1...Operating member 92...Operation hole 42A…Opposite surface 42…Second wall 45...Operated part J1A...One end of the operating member 97A…1st side 97A1...Ridge J1B: Other end of the operating member J1C: Middle part of the operating member 92S…First inner circumferential surface 45S…Second inner peripheral surface 99L1...Upper regulation edge 99L2...Lower regulation edge K1: An imaginary line extending parallel to the forward / backward direction at a position where the distance to the upper regulating edge and the distance to the lower regulating edge are equal in the linear movement direction. 93...periphery 93A, 93B...Ribs 93A1, 93B1... Inclined rib 97E...Entrance to the access trench 7H…Discharge port

Claims

1. a housing fixed to a door that can be opened and closed relative to a vehicle body, the housing having an entrance groove recessed therein into which a striker fixed to the vehicle body can enter; a latch mechanism provided in the housing, the latch mechanism engaging with the striker that has entered the entrance groove to hold the door closed relative to the vehicle body; an actuation mechanism provided within the housing and operable to actuate the latch mechanism; a lock lever provided within the housing and movable linearly between an unlocked position that enables operation of the operating mechanism relative to the latch mechanism and a locked position that disables operation of the operating mechanism relative to the latch mechanism; A vehicle door lock device comprising: the housing has an operation hole formed to penetrate a first wall that forms a bottom surface of the entrance groove and through which an operation member separate from the vehicle door lock device can be inserted; the lock lever includes a second wall having an opposing surface that faces the operation hole in a linear movement range of the lock lever from the unlock position to the lock position; A vehicle door lock device characterized in that it has an operated portion in the shape of a bottomed hole recessed in the opposing surface, the operated portion being exposed to the outside of the housing through the operating hole in the linear motion range and capable of engaging with one end of the operating member.

2. a linear movement direction of the lock lever is substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the striker advances and retreats relative to the entrance groove, one of the linear movement directions is a side closer to the operated portion of the lock lever in the unlock position than to the operated portion of the lock lever in the lock position, the entrance groove has a first side surface located on the one side in the linear motion direction with respect to the bottom surface, the housing has a ridge portion formed on an edge side of the first side surface farther from the bottom surface and extending along the advance / retract direction, The vehicle door lock device according to claim 1, wherein the operating member is capable of acting as a lever, with one end of the operating member engaging with the operated portion of the lock lever in the unlocked position to serve as a point of application, the other end of the operating member serving as a point of force, and the middle portion of the operating member abutting against the ridge portion to serve as a fulcrum.

3. the operation hole has a first inner circumferential surface located on the other side of the inner circumferential surface of the operation hole in the linear motion direction, the operated portion has a second inner circumferential surface located on the one side of the inner circumferential surface of the operated portion in the linear motion direction, the first inner circumferential surface faces the one of the linear motion directions and is inclined so as to shift toward the other of the linear motion directions as it approaches the opposing surface, The vehicle door lock device according to claim 2, wherein the second inner peripheral surface faces the other of the linear motion directions and is inclined so as to shift toward the one of the linear motion directions as it approaches the opposing surface.

4. The direction in which the striker advances and retreats relative to the entrance groove is substantially horizontal, The lock lever moves linearly in an up-down direction substantially perpendicular to the forward / backward direction, the entrance groove has an upper limit edge that extends parallel to the advance / retract direction and determines an upper limit position of the striker that has entered the entrance groove to the depth thereof; a lower limit edge extending parallel to the advance / retract direction and determining a lower limit position of the striker that has advanced to the depth of the advancement groove, 4. A vehicle door lock device according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed along the direction in which the operating hole penetrates the first wall, the operating hole is located above an imaginary line extending parallel to the forward / backward direction at a position where the distance from the upper regulating edge to the operating hole is equal to the distance from the lower regulating edge in the linear direction.

5. the housing has a peripheral portion formed on the first wall on the opposite side to the bottom surface and surrounding the operation hole; The vehicle door lock device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opposing surface also faces the peripheral edge portion within the linear movement range.

6. The direction in which the striker advances and retreats relative to the entrance groove is substantially horizontal, The lock lever moves linearly in an up-down direction substantially perpendicular to the forward / backward direction, the peripheral edge portion has two ribs extending in the up-down direction at positions sandwiching the operation hole from one side and the other in the advance / retract direction and protruding toward the opposing surface, Two inclined ribs connected to lower ends of the ribs positioned below the operation holes are inclined so as to approach the entrances of the entry grooves in the advance / retract direction as they extend downward, 6. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 5, wherein the housing has a discharge port communicating the inside and outside of the housing below the lower ends of the inclined ribs.

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