Vehicle door key cylinder device

Abstract

To improve the waterproofing of the key cylinder device on vehicle doors. [Solution] The key cylinder device 20 includes a key cylinder 32 that switches the door lock device 10 to an unlocked or locked state, a transmission member 27 that transmits the operating force of the key cylinder 32 to the door lock device 10, and a holding member 35 that covers at least the connecting portion 32b of the key cylinder 32 and holds the transmission member 27. The holding member 35 is provided with a cylindrical holding cylinder portion 35d that is in close contact with the entire circumference of a part of the transmission member 27 on the connecting end 28 side and holds the connecting end 28 side. A drainage groove 35i is formed at the tip 35e of the holding cylinder portion 35d, cut out from the inner circumference to the outer circumference.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] The door opening / closing device of a vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a door lock device that can be switched between an unlocked state in which the door can be opened and a locked state in which the door cannot be opened, and a key cylinder device that switches the door lock device between the unlocked state and the locked state. The key cylinder device includes a key cylinder into which a regular mechanical key can be inserted, and a base that holds the key cylinder rotatably. The operating force of the key cylinder by the regular mechanical key is transmitted to the door lock device by a transmission member such as a cable mechanically connected thereto.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, depending on the internal structure of the door, a part of the transmission member may be arranged to extend horizontally or upward. In this case, in the key cylinder device of Patent Document 1, water that has entered the door can penetrate between the key cylinder and the base along the transmission member. When water penetrates between them, deterioration or malfunction may occur in the key cylinder, so there is room for improvement in the waterproof property of the key cylinder device of Patent Document 1.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to improve the waterproof property of a key cylinder device for a vehicle door.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention provides a key cylinder device for a vehicle door, comprising: a key cylinder having a keyhole provided at one end in the axial direction and a connecting portion provided at the other end in the axial direction, which is rotatable by operation of a key inserted into the keyhole and which switches the door lock device to an unlocked state in which the vehicle door can be opened or a locked state in which the vehicle door cannot be opened; a transmission member having a connecting end connected to the connecting portion and which transmits the operating force of the key cylinder by the key to the door lock device; and a retaining member that covers at least the connecting portion of the key cylinder and holds the transmission member, wherein the retaining member is provided with a cylindrical retaining cylinder portion that is in close contact with the entire circumference of a part of the transmission member on the connecting end side and holds the connecting end side, and a drainage groove cut out from the inner circumference to the outer circumference of the tip of the retaining cylinder portion furthest from the key cylinder is formed.

[0007] The retaining member of the key cylinder, which covers at least the connecting portion and holds the transmission member, is provided with a cylindrical retaining cylinder portion that tightly adheres to the entire circumference of a portion of the connecting end side of the transmission member. This improves watertightness between the transmission member and the retaining cylinder portion. In addition, a drainage groove is formed at the tip of the retaining cylinder portion, cut out from the inner circumference to the outer circumference. This allows water that has traveled along the transmission member to the tip of the retaining cylinder portion to be drained to the outside of the retaining cylinder portion by its own weight. In this way, the retaining cylinder portion with a drainage groove improves watertightness and drainage, thereby improving the waterproofness of the key cylinder device. As a result, deterioration and malfunction of the key cylinder can be effectively suppressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This invention can improve the waterproofness of the key cylinder device of a vehicle door. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A front view of a vehicle door using a key cylinder device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]A block diagram showing the relationship between the door lock device, handle, and key cylinder device in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Rear perspective view of the key cylinder device. [Figure 4] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the key cylinder device. [Figure 6] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the key cylinder device, seen from the front. [Figure 7] Enlarged cross-sectional view of section VII in Figure 4. [Figure 8] Front view of the drainage ditch. [Figure 9] Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the line IX-IX. [Figure 10] A perspective view showing the assembly process of the key cylinder device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the key cylinder device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to the door 1 of a vehicle and switches the door lock device 10, which is also attached to the same door 1, from a locked state to an unlocked state, making the door 1 open by operating the handle 5.

[0012] The key cylinder device 20 of this embodiment is used in the left side door, where the hinge axis extends in the vehicle height direction. However, the key cylinder device 20 may also be used in the right side door, a sliding door, or a back door.

[0013] In the attached drawing, the X direction is the vehicle length direction, with the arrow pointing towards the front and the opposite direction towards the rear. The Y direction is the vehicle width direction, with the arrow pointing towards the inside of the vehicle and the opposite direction towards the outside. The Z direction is the vehicle height direction, with the arrow pointing towards the top and the opposite direction towards the bottom.

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the key cylinder device 20 is mechanically connected to the door lock device 10. The door lock device 10 is communicably connected to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 6 mounted on the vehicle. An antenna 7 for performing wireless communication with an electronic key (not shown) carried by the user and an authentication unit 8 for performing key authentication are connected to the ECU 6.

[0015] The ECU 6 has a calculation unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit (all not shown), reads out a program pre-stored in the storage unit, and executes information processing according to the steps instructed by the program. When the key authentication by the authentication unit 8 is successful, the ECU 6 electrically operates the door lock device 10 based on an input signal from the handle 5. On the other hand, when the key authentication by the authentication unit 8 fails, the ECU 6 does not operate the door lock device 10 even if a signal is input from the handle 5.

[0016] To explain the outline of the door lock device 10, the door lock device 10 is arranged along the end panel 4 in a space defined by the outer panel 2, the inner panel 3, and the end panel 4 of the door 1. The door lock device 10 includes a latch mechanism 11, an actuator 12, a latch switching mechanism 13, a lock mechanism 14, an actuator 15, and a lock switching mechanism 16.

[0017] The latch mechanism 11 includes a fork and a claw and can be switched between a latched state and an unlatched state. In the latched state, the fork holds the striker of the vehicle body and keeps the door 1 in the closed state. In the unlatched state, the fork releases the striker and the door 1 can be opened.

[0018] The lock mechanism 14 is composed of a plurality of levers and the like, and can be switched between an unlocked state and a locked state. In the unlocked state, the switching of the latch mechanism 11 from the latched state to the unlatched state via the latch switching mechanism 13 is permitted, and the door 1 can be opened. In the locked state, the switching of the latch mechanism 11 from the latched state to the unlatched state via the latch switching mechanism 13 is blocked, and the door 1 cannot be opened.

[0019] The switching of the latch mechanism 11 from the unlatched state to the latched state is performed by the striker entering the fork when the open door 1 is closed. The switching of the latch mechanism 11 from the latched state to the unlatched state from outside the vehicle is electrically performed by the ECU 6 via the latch switching mechanism 13 based on the signal input from the switch 5a that detects the normal open operation of the handle 5 during normal times when the actuator 12 can be operated. On the other hand, during an emergency when the actuator 12 cannot be operated, the switching of the latch mechanism 11 from the latched state to the unlatched state from outside the vehicle is manually performed by the user's emergency open operation of the handle 5 via the lock mechanism 14 and the latch switching mechanism 13.

[0020] The switching (locking) of the lock mechanism 14 from the unlocked state to the locked state from outside the vehicle is electrically performed by the ECU 6 based on the signal input from the switch 5b that detects the lock operation of the handle 5 during normal times when the actuator 15 can be operated. The switching (unlocking) of the lock mechanism 14 from the locked state to the unlocked state from outside the vehicle is electrically performed by the ECU 6 based on the signal input from the switch 5a that detects the normal open operation of the handle 5 during normal times. On the other hand, during an emergency when the actuator 15 cannot be operated, the switching of the lock mechanism 14 from the locked state to the unlocked state from outside the vehicle is manually performed by the user's emergency operation (unlock operation) of the key cylinder device 20 via the lock switching mechanism 16.

[0021] As described above, the key cylinder device 20 is not used under normal conditions when the actuator 15 is operational. Therefore, the key cylinder 32 of the key cylinder device 20 is positioned at the lower end 2a of the outer panel 2, below the user's line of sight, so as not to detract from the design of the door 1. The lower end 2a is the area of ​​the outer panel 2 that is below the halfway point in the overall height direction and slopes inward in the vehicle width direction as it goes downwards.

[0022] The key cylinder device 20 of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0023] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the key cylinder device 20 comprises a cylinder unit 30 attached to the outer panel 2, a connection unit 40 connected to the door lock device 10, and a cable 25 that mechanically connects the cylinder unit 30 and the connection unit 40. By transmitting the operating force of the cylinder unit 30 to the connection unit 40 via the cable 25, the lock switching mechanism 16 is operated, and the door lock device 10 is switched to the unlocked state.

[0024] Of the key cylinder device 20, all but the tip of the key cylinder 32 of the cylinder unit 30 are located in the space between the outer panel 2 and the inner panel 3 of the door 1 and are not visible from the outside of the door 1. Only the tip of the key cylinder 32 of the key cylinder device 20 is exposed to the outside of the door 1. Normally, the tip of the key cylinder 32 is covered by a decorative member of the door 1 and is preferably exposed by user operation.

[0025] (Cable configuration) Referring to Figures 1, 3, and 4, the cable 25 comprises a flexible tube 26 and a wire (inner cable) 27, respectively. The wire 27 is a transmission member for transmitting the operating force of the key cylinder 32 to the door lock device 10 via the connection unit 40. The wire 27 is rotatably inserted into the tube 26 and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the key cylinder 32. In other words, a rotating cable is used for the cable 25 in this embodiment. A connecting rod (connecting end) 28 with a universal joint structure is fixed to the end of the wire 27 that connects to the key cylinder 32. The end of the wire 27 that connects to the connection unit 40 is fixed to a connecting rod 42, which will be described in detail later.

[0026] The cable 25 may be something other than a rotating cable. For example, rotating levers may be attached to the cylinder unit 30 and the connecting unit 40, respectively, and the cable 25 may be a push-pull cable in which the wire 27 can move back and forth relative to the tube 26. Also, the transmission member may be a rod that does not have flexibility, as long as it can transmit the operating force of the key cylinder 32 to the door lock device 10.

[0027] (Cylinder unit configuration) Referring to Figures 3 to 6, the cylinder unit 30 is configured to unlock the door lock device 10 (see Figure 1) from outside the door 1 (see Figure 1). The cylinder unit 30 comprises a base (main body) 31, a key cylinder 32, a cylinder cover (holding member) 35, and a protector 36.

[0028] The base 31 is configured to rotatably mount the key cylinder 32 to the door 1 (see Figure 1). The base 31 comprises a cylinder holding portion 31a, a mounting portion 31b, and a crimped portion 31c, and is positioned within the door 1 below the door lock device 10 at a distance (see Figure 1).

[0029] The cylinder holder portion 31a is cylindrical and rotatably supports the key cylinder 32 inside. The axis A of the cylinder holder portion 31a is inclined outward in the vehicle width direction as it goes downward, but extends overall in the vehicle height direction. The mounting portion 31b is configured for mounting the protector 36 and protrudes from the cylinder holder portion 31a on both sides in the vehicle length direction. The crimped portion 31c is configured for mounting the cylinder cover 35 in a liquid-tight crimped state. The crimped portion 31c is provided at the upper end of the cylinder holder portion 31a adjacent to the mounting portion 31b and bulges radially outward relative to the cylinder holder portion 31a.

[0030] Referring to Figures 1, 3, and 4, the key cylinder 32 is configured to be operated by a standard mechanical key (not shown). The key cylinder 32 is cylindrical and is mounted on the cylinder holder portion 31a of the base 31 so as to be rotatable around axis A. As a result, the key cylinder 32 is positioned below the door lock device 10 at a distance, and the cable 25 extends upward from the key cylinder 32. The key cylinder 32 may have a polygonal cross-section as long as it is rotatable around axis A.

[0031] The key cylinder 32 has a keyhole 32a at its axial lower end (one end) and a connecting portion 32b at its axial upper end (the other end). The axis of the key cylinder 32 coincides with the axis A of the cylinder holder 31a when mounted to the base 31. The keyhole 32a is configured for inserting a standard mechanical key. The keyhole 32a is exposed to the outside from the lower end of the cylinder holder 31a and is positioned on the lower end 2a of the outer panel 2 via the base 31 and protector 36, facing downwards (towards the road surface). The connecting portion 32b is configured for connecting the connecting rod 28 of the cable 25 via a connecting pin 33. The connecting portion 32b protrudes from the upper end of the cylinder holder 31a and allows rotation of the connecting rod 28 around the connecting pin 33.

[0032] The key cylinder 32 can rotate between the initial position (non-operated position) shown in Figure 1 and the unlocked position (operated position), which is rotated by a predetermined angle in direction C (clockwise in Figure 1) as shown in Figure 6, by operating a mechanical key inserted into the keyhole 32a. The key cylinder 32 cannot be rotated by operating an unauthorized mechanical key. When the key cylinder 32 is rotated to the initial position, the state of the lock mechanism 14 (see Figure 2) cannot be switched. When the key cylinder 32 is rotated from the initial position to the unlocked position, the lock mechanism 14 (see Figure 2) switches from the locked state to the unlocked state via the lock switching mechanism 16. The key cylinder 32 is biased from the unlocked position to the initial position by a spring 34. One end of the spring 34 is locked to the base 31, and the other end of the spring 34 is locked to the key cylinder 32.

[0033] Referring to Figures 3 to 6, the cylinder cover 35 is made of resin and is designed to prevent water from entering the base 31. By being attached to the top of the base 31, the cylinder cover 35 covers the connecting portion 32b of the key cylinder 32 and holds the lower end of the cable 25, which is on the connecting rod 28 side. Specifically, the cylinder cover 35 comprises a cover body 35a, a retaining cylinder portion 35d, and a regulating portion 35j.

[0034] The cover body 35a is generally conical in shape, widening outward from the top to the bottom. The lower part of the cover body 35a is provided with a crimping portion 35b that is pressed against the crimped portion 31c. The upper end of the cover body 35a is an inclined portion 35c that is connected to the retaining cylinder portion 35d. The inclined portion 35c is conical in shape and is inclined downwards, away from the axis B of the retaining cylinder portion 35d, on the opposite side from the tip 35e of the retaining cylinder portion 35d. As a result, the inclined portion 35c guides the water that has traveled down the retaining cylinder portion 35d downwards without accumulating it.

[0035] The retaining cylinder portion 35d is configured to hold the lower end of the cable 25. The retaining cylinder portion 35d is cylindrical, connected to the upper end of the inclined portion 35c, and protrudes upward. The axis B of the retaining cylinder portion 35d intersects the axis A of the cylinder retaining portion 31a and extends in the direction of vehicle height. As is most clearly shown in Figures 4 and 7, the inner diameter of the retaining cylinder portion 35d is larger than the outer diameter of the tube 26 of the cable 25.

[0036] The tip 35e of the retaining cylinder portion 35d, furthest from the key cylinder 32, is provided with a sealing portion 35f that seals the space between the cable 25 and the tube 26. The sealing portion 35f protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the retaining cylinder portion 35d and makes close contact with the entire circumference of a portion of the lower end of the cable 25. The inner diameter of the sealing portion 35f is smaller than the outer diameter of the tube 26, within a range that allows insertion of the cable 25 including the connecting rod 28. As a result, the sealing portion 35f is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the tube 26 in a liquid-tight and elastic manner.

[0037] A downward-facing recess 35g is formed at the tip 35e of the retaining cylinder portion 35d, which is the upper end of the sealing portion 35f. The recess 35g is configured to guide the connecting rod 28 along the axis B of the retaining cylinder portion 35d when the cable 25 is inserted into the retaining cylinder portion 35d. The recess 35g has an inverted conical inclined surface that slopes from the radially outer side of the retaining cylinder portion 35d inward toward the base end 35h. In other words, the tip 35e of the retaining cylinder portion 35d slopes from the radially outer side inward toward the base end 35h. The base end 35h is the part of the retaining cylinder portion 35d that is located on the opposite side from the tip 35e and is connected to the inclined portion 35c.

[0038] Referring to Figures 7 to 9, a drainage groove 35i is formed at the tip 35e of the retaining cylinder portion 35d. The drainage groove 35i is configured to drain water that has reached the depression 35g by its own weight. The drainage groove 35i is formed by cutting out a portion of the circumferential direction of the tip 35e of the retaining cylinder portion 35d from the inner circumference to the outer circumference.

[0039] As most clearly shown in Figure 7, the depth D of the drain groove 35i in the direction in which the axis B of the retaining cylinder portion 35d extends gradually increases from the inside to the outside in the radial direction of the retaining cylinder portion 35d. More specifically, in this embodiment, the depth D of the drain groove 35i gradually increases from the inside to the outside in the radial direction only on a portion of the radially outer side. However, the depth D of the drain groove 35i may gradually increase throughout from the inner end to the outer end in the radial direction. Also, although the drain groove 35i is curved in this embodiment, it may be composed of an inclined surface.

[0040] As is most clearly shown in Figure 8, when the retaining cylinder portion 35d is viewed from the radially outside, the groove width W of the drainage groove 35i in the circumferential direction of the retaining cylinder portion 35d gradually narrows from the tip 35e side to the base end 35h side. As is most clearly shown in Figure 9, in the radial direction of the retaining cylinder portion 35d, the inner end of the drainage groove 35i is adjacent to the inner circumference of the depression 35g (tip 35e). More specifically, the inner end of the drainage groove 35i is connected to the inner circumference located at the bottom of the depression 35g. This configuration ensures that water flowing along the slope of the depression 35g to the inner circumference (bottom) of the depression 35g flows out radially outside the retaining cylinder portion 35d through the drainage groove 35i. In addition, water also enters the drainage groove 35i from the circumferential direction of the depression 35g and flows out radially outside.

[0041] Referring to Figures 3 to 6, the restricting portion 35j is configured to restrict rotation relative to the base 31, which includes the key cylinder 32. The restricting portion 35j is generally semi-annular and protrudes downward from the cover body 35a, on the side opposite to the retaining cylinder portion 35d. Both circumferential ends of the restricting portion 35j abut against the in-vehicle surface of the mounting portion 31b of the base 31. This determines the position of the cylinder cover 35 relative to the base 31 and the key cylinder 32, and maintains the position of the retaining cylinder portion 35d, which includes the drain groove 35i, in a fixed position. As a result, a decrease in drainage performance due to the drain groove 35i is prevented, and unnecessary load is suppressed on the cable 25.

[0042] Continuing to refer to Figures 3 to 6, the protector 36 is made of metal and is configured to prevent unauthorized manipulation of the wire 27 by a third party. The protector 36 is also configured to attach the base 31, which includes the key cylinder 32, to the outer panel 2 (see Figure 1). The protector 36 is mounted on the outside in the vehicle width direction relative to the base 31 and cylinder cover 35, and covers the outside of the base 31 and cylinder cover 35.

[0043] The protector 36 is provided with a cable holding portion 36b at the upper end of the main body portion 36a to hold the lower end of the cable 25. The protector 36 is also provided with a base mounting portion 36c for attachment to the mounting portion 31b of the base 31 and a door mounting portion 36g for attachment to the door 1 (see Figure 1).

[0044] The base mounting portion 36c protrudes from the main body portion 36a on both sides in the vehicle length direction and is positioned overlapping the mounting portion 31b of the base 31. The base mounting portion 36c is provided with a pair of screw insertion holes 36d, a positioning groove 36e, and a positioning hole 36f. The screw insertion holes 36d are provided in each of the pair of base mounting portions 36c so as to correspond to the screw fastening portions 31d provided on the base 31. The positioning groove 36e is provided in one of the base mounting portions 36c and extends from the outer circumference toward the main body portion 36a. The positioning hole 36f is provided in the other base mounting portion 36c.

[0045] The door mounting portion 36g protrudes from the main body portion 36a on both sides in the vehicle length direction and is connected to the upper end of the base mounting portion 36c. Each of the pair of base mounting portions 36c is provided with a bolt insertion hole 36h.

[0046] As shown in Figures 5 and 10, when assembling the cylinder unit 30, first the key cylinder 32 is attached to the cylinder holding portion 31a of the base 31. Then, the cable 25 is inserted through the holding cylinder portion 35d of the cylinder cover 35. At this time, since the holding cylinder portion 35d is provided with an inverted conical recess 35g, when the connecting rod 28 of the cable 25 is pressed in, the connecting rod 28 can be guided to the axis B of the holding cylinder portion 35d. In addition, the inner diameter of the holding cylinder portion 35d, excluding the seal portion 35f, is larger than the outer diameter of the cable 25, and the part that presses the cable 25 is only the seal portion 35f at the tip 35e. Therefore, the resistance between the holding cylinder portion 35d and the tube 26 can be reduced, improving the ease of assembling the cable 25.

[0047] Once the cable 25 is passed through the cylinder cover 35 in this manner, the connecting rod 28 is connected to the connecting portion 32b of the key cylinder 32 by the connecting pin 33. After that, the cylinder cover 35, which has been moved along the cable 25, is fitted into the crimped portion 31c of the base 31.

[0048] Next, the protector 36 is assembled to the base 31. Specifically, the positioning groove 36e is fitted into the positioning projection 31e provided on the base 31, and the base mounting portion 36c is superimposed on the mounting portion 31b. This causes the positioning projection 31e to be inserted into the positioning hole 36f, and the screw insertion hole 36d and the screw fastening portion 31d to align. In this state, the protector 36 is fixed to the base 31 by tightening a screw through the screw insertion hole 36d into the screw fastening portion 31d. This completes the assembly of the cylinder unit 30, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0049] As shown in Figure 1, when assembling the cylinder unit 30 to the door 1, the bolts protruding from the door 1 are inserted into the bolt insertion holes 36h (see Figure 6) of the protector 36. In this state, the cylinder unit 30 is fixed to the door 1 by tightening the nuts.

[0050] (Connection unit configuration) Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the connection unit 40 is configured to connect the cylinder unit 30 to the door lock device 10 via a wire 27. The connection unit 40 is positioned above the cylinder unit 30 within the door 1 and is mounted at the same height as the door lock device 10. The connection unit 40 includes a support member 41 and a connecting rod 42.

[0051] The support member 41 supports the upper end of the cable 25, including the connecting rod 42, and is configured for attachment to a mounting panel (not shown) inside the door 1. The support member 41 comprises a main body portion 41a that is generally curved in an L-shape and a plurality of mounting pieces 41b. The mounting pieces 41b are provided at circumferential intervals from the main body portion 41a.

[0052] The connecting rod 42 is configured to connect to a conventional connection receiving part provided in the door lock device 10. The connecting rod 42 is rod-shaped and fixed to the upper end of the wire 27 of the cable 25. A connecting portion 42a is provided at the inner end of the connecting rod 42 in the vehicle width direction. The connecting portion 42a has a plurality of protrusions that project radially outward from the connecting rod 42 and is connected to the lock switching mechanism 16 shown in Figure 2.

[0053] Next, the operation of the key cylinder device 20 configured as described above will be explained.

[0054] First, by operating the key inserted into the keyhole 32a and rotating the key cylinder 32 toward direction C (see Figure 6), the wire 27 of the cable 25 connected to the connecting part 32b rotates toward direction C as a whole. This causes the connecting rod 42 fixed to the upper end of the wire 27 to rotate as a whole. As a result, the operating force of the key cylinder 32 is transmitted via the wire 27 and the connecting rod 42 to the lock switching mechanism 16 shown in Figure 2, and the door lock device 10 switches from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0055] When the key operation is stopped, the key cylinder 32 rotates from the unlocked position to the initial position due to the biasing force of the spring 34. As a result, the wire 27 and connecting rod 42 of the cable 25 rotate together and return to the initial position before the key operation.

[0056] For example, with the window (not shown) of door 1 shown in Figure 1 open, water may enter door 1 from between the outer panel 2 and the inner panel 3. If the water that enters adheres to the cable 25, it may travel along the outer surface of the tube 26 to the cylinder unit 30. In this case, the water will temporarily accumulate in the recess 35g of the cylinder cover 35 which is pressed against the cable 25. However, the cylinder cover 35 is provided with a retaining cylinder portion 35d, and the tip 35e of the retaining cylinder portion 35d has a sealing portion 35f that tightly adheres to the cable 25 and provides a liquid-tight seal. Therefore, water will not enter the base 31 and the key cylinder 32 from inside the retaining cylinder portion 35d.

[0057] Furthermore, since a drainage channel 35i is formed at the tip 35e of the cylinder cover 35, water accumulated in the recess 35g flows out of the retaining cylinder portion 35d through the drainage channel 35i due to its own weight. Moreover, since an inclined portion 35c is provided in the part of the cylinder cover 35 that is connected to the retaining cylinder portion 35d, water that travels along the outer surface of the retaining cylinder portion 35d to the cover body 35a does not accumulate between the cover body 35a and the retaining cylinder portion 35d (base end 35h), but falls downward due to its own weight.

[0058] The key cylinder device 20 configured as described above has the following features.

[0059] The cylinder cover 35, which covers the connecting portion 32b of the key cylinder 32 and holds the cable 25 (wire 27), is provided with a cylindrical retaining cylinder portion 35d that tightly adheres to a portion of the entire circumference of the connecting rod 28 side of the cable 25. This improves watertightness between the cable 25 and the retaining cylinder portion 35d. In addition, a drainage groove 35i is formed at the tip 35e of the retaining cylinder portion 35d, cut out from the inner circumference to the outer circumference. This allows water that travels along the cable 25 to the tip 35e of the retaining cylinder portion 35d to be drained to the outside of the retaining cylinder portion 35d by its own weight. In this way, the retaining cylinder portion 35d with the drainage groove 35i improves watertightness and drainage, thereby improving the waterproofness of the key cylinder device 20. As a result, deterioration and malfunction of the key cylinder 32 can be effectively suppressed.

[0060] The depth D of the drainage groove 35i in the direction in which the axis B of the retaining cylinder portion 35d extends gradually increases from the inside to the outside in the radial direction of the retaining cylinder portion 35d. This allows water that has traveled along the cable 25 to the tip 35e of the retaining cylinder portion 35d to be efficiently drained to the outside of the retaining cylinder portion 35d by its own weight.

[0061] The groove width W of the drain channel 35i gradually narrows from the tip 35e side to the base end 35h side. As a result, the flow velocity of the discharged water is faster at the base end 35h side than at the tip 35e side, thus improving the drainage efficiency due to its own weight.

[0062] The tip 35e of the retaining cylinder portion 35d has an inverted conical recess 35g that slopes inward from the radially outer side of the retaining cylinder portion 35d towards the base end 35h. As a result, when inserting the cable 25 into the retaining cylinder portion 35d, the slope of the recess 35g (tip 35e) guides the cable 25 toward the axis B of the retaining cylinder portion 35d, thereby improving the ease of assembly of the cable 25.

[0063] The inner end of the drainage channel 35i is adjacent to the inner circumference of the recess 35g. This allows water that has reached the inclined tip 35e of the retaining cylinder portion 35d to be efficiently drained to the outside of the retaining cylinder portion 35d via the drainage channel 35i by its own weight.

[0064] The portion of the cylinder cover 35 connected to the retaining cylinder portion 35d is composed of an inclined portion 35c that slopes away from the axis B of the retaining cylinder portion 35d, on the opposite side from the tip 35e of the retaining cylinder portion 35d. This allows water discharged from the drainage channel 35i to be guided outward along the inclined portion 35c without accumulating at the base end 35h of the retaining cylinder portion 35d, thereby improving the waterproofness of the key cylinder device 20.

[0065] The cylinder cover 35 is equipped with a restricting portion 35j that restricts rotation relative to the key cylinder 32. This allows the position of the drain groove 35i of the cylinder cover 35 relative to the key cylinder 32 to be determined. Therefore, especially when the retaining cylinder portion 35d is inclined, a decrease in drainage performance due to the drain groove 35i being in an unintended position can be prevented. Furthermore, when the cylinder cover 35 rotates relative to the key cylinder 32, the direction in which the cable 25 protrudes from the key cylinder 32 changes, which may put a load on the cable 25. However, in this embodiment, the direction in which the cable 25 protrudes from the key cylinder 32 can be determined by the restricting portion 35j, thus suppressing unnecessary load on the cable 25. As a result, the operating force of the key cylinder 32 by the regular mechanical key can be smoothly transmitted to the door lock device 10 via the cable 25.

[0066] The key cylinder 32 is located below the door lock device 10, and the cable 25 extends upward from the key cylinder 32. In a key cylinder device 20 arranged in this manner, water that enters the door 1 can easily penetrate the interior via the cable 25. However, in this embodiment, the cylinder cover 35 that covers the connecting portion 32b of the key cylinder 32 is equipped with a retaining cylinder portion 35d that is in close contact with the cable 25. This improves the waterproofness of the key cylinder device 20 and effectively suppresses deterioration and malfunction of the key cylinder 32.

[0067] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0068] For example, the cylinder cover 35 may be configured to cover the entire cylinder holding portion 31a of the base 31, including the key cylinder 32, except for the keyhole 32a. In other words, the cylinder cover 35 can be modified as needed, as long as it covers at least the connecting portion 32b of the key cylinder 32 and holds the cable 25. Also, the holding cylindrical portion 35d that holds the cable 25 may be configured so that the entire portion, not just the sealing portion 35f, is in close contact with the cable 25. Furthermore, the holding cylindrical portion 35d may be provided on the base 31.

[0069] The depth D and width W of the drain groove 35i may be uniform, as long as it allows water that has reached the retaining cylinder portion 35d to be discharged, and can be changed as needed. If the drain groove 35i is formed, the tip 35e of the retaining cylinder portion 35d may be made of a flat surface without providing an inclined recess 35g. The inner end of the drain groove 35i may be positioned at a distance from the inner circumference of the recess 35g, as long as it allows water that has reached the retaining cylinder portion 35d to be discharged.

[0070] The portion of the cylinder cover 35 to which the retaining cylinder portion 35d is connected may be configured not to be inclined with respect to the axis B, as long as water can be discharged from it.

[0071] The restricting portion 35j of the cylinder cover 35 can be modified as needed, provided that it allows for restriction of rotation relative to the base 31, which includes the key cylinder 32. Alternatively, the cylinder cover 35 may be configured without the restricting portion 35j.

[0072] The cylinder unit 30 of the key cylinder device 20 may be positioned above the door lock device 10, or it may be positioned at the same height as the door lock device 10, spaced apart in the vehicle length direction. The key cylinder 32 may be positioned facing outward in the vehicle width direction. The key cylinder 32 may also be configured to switch the door lock device 10 from the unlocked state to the locked state by rotating it from the initial position (non-operated position) to the locked position (operated position). The key cylinder 32 may also be rotatable in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions from the initial position, and may be configured to switch the door lock device 10 between the unlocked state and the locked state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1 door (vehicle door) 10 Door locking device 20 Key Cylinder Device 25 Cables 26 tubes 27 Wire (transmission member) 28 Connecting rod (connecting end) 32 key cylinders 32a Keyhole 32b Connection part 35 Cylinder cover (retaining member) 35c Inclined section (part connected to the retaining cylinder) 35d Holding cylinder part 35e tip 35g indentation 35h proximal end 35i drain 35j Regulatory Department B Axis of the retaining cylinder D. Depth of the drain W Drain groove width

Claims

1. A key cylinder having a keyhole at one end in the axial direction and a connecting portion at the other end in the axial direction, which is rotatable by operating a key inserted into the keyhole, and which switches the door lock device to an unlocked state that allows the vehicle door to be opened or a locked state that prevents the vehicle door from being opened, A transmission member having a connecting end connected to the aforementioned connecting portion, which transmits the operating force of the key cylinder by the key to the door lock device, A retaining member that covers at least the connecting portion of the key cylinder and holds the transmission member, In a vehicle door key cylinder device equipped with, The holding member is provided with a cylindrical holding portion that is in close contact with the entire circumference of a part of the connecting end of the transmission member and holds the connecting end. A key cylinder device for a vehicle door, wherein the tip of the retaining cylinder portion furthest from the key cylinder has a drainage groove cut out from the inner circumference to the outer circumference of the tip.

2. The vehicle door key cylinder device according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the drainage groove in the direction in which the axis of the retaining cylinder extends gradually increases from the inside to the outside in the radial direction of the retaining cylinder.

3. The vehicle door key cylinder device according to claim 1, wherein, when the retaining cylinder portion is viewed from the radially outer side, the groove width of the drainage groove gradually narrows from the tip side to the base end side opposite the tip.

4. The key cylinder device for a vehicle door according to claim 1, wherein a recess is formed at the tip of the retaining cylinder portion, inclined from the radially outer side of the retaining cylinder portion to the base end side opposite to the tip.

5. The vehicle door key cylinder device according to claim 4, wherein the inner end of the drainage groove is adjacent to the inner circumference of the recess.

6. The vehicle door key cylinder device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the portion of the retaining member connected to the retaining cylinder portion is inclined toward the opposite side from the tip of the retaining cylinder portion and toward the axis away from the retaining cylinder portion.

7. The vehicle door key cylinder device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the retaining member comprises a restricting portion that restricts rotation relative to the key cylinder.

8. The key cylinder is located below the door lock device. The transmission member extends upward from the key cylinder, as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, for a vehicle door key cylinder device.

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