Locking device

Abstract

To provide a locking device that achieves miniaturization while ensuring accuracy in detecting the position of the latch. [Solution] The door lock device 10 includes an engagement mechanism 20 having a latch 21 and a pole 22, a latch detector 71 that can detect the position of the latch 21 by contacting a detected part 30 that rotates integrally with the latch 21, and an electric drive mechanism 50 that can perform a closing operation that electrically transitions the engagement mechanism 20 to an engaged state based on the detection result of the latch detector 71. The engagement mechanism 20 is provided with a latch retraction part 21d that receives the driving force of the motor 51 when performing a closing operation, and the latch retraction part 21d and the latch detector 71 are arranged at different positions in the axial direction of the latch 21, and are arranged so that at least a part of them overlaps when viewed from the axial direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking device that engages with a striker provided on a vehicle and holds an opening / closing body of the vehicle in a closed state.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a vehicle door locking device having a closer function that moves a latch in a half-latch position to a full-latch position by a driving force from a motor (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] The electric lock (door locking device) described in Patent Document 1 includes a tongue piece (latch), a pawl (pole), an operating member fixed to the tongue piece, a drive lever that engages with the operating member by the operation of an actuator to drive the tongue piece from the half-latch position to the full-latch position, and a first position sensor that contacts the drive lever to detect the position of the tongue piece.

[0004] The door locking device described in Patent Document 2 includes a lock hook (latch), a ratchet pawl (pole), a trigger lever having one end rotatably installed on the ratchet pawl and the other end contacting a guide arc surface provided on the lock hook, and a first micro switch that can contact the trigger lever. The first micro switch turns ON when contacting the trigger lever when the lock hook is not engaged with the striker, and turns OFF when not contacting the trigger lever when the lock hook is engaged with the striker.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the door lock device described in Patent Document 1, the tongue, chock, operating member, drive lever, and first position sensor are arranged on the same plane. With this configuration, the electric lock becomes large when viewed from the axial direction of the tongue, and there was room for improvement in miniaturization from the standpoint of component arrangement.

[0007] Furthermore, in the door lock device described in Patent Document 2, the first microswitch detects the position of the lock hook via a trigger lever whose other end slides along the guide arc surface of the lock hook. Therefore, variations in the dimensions and mounting of the trigger lever could potentially worsen the accuracy of lock hook position detection.

[0008] This invention provides a locking device for an opening / closing body that achieves miniaturization while ensuring accuracy in detecting the position of the latch. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention A door lock device that engages with a striker provided on the vehicle and holds the opening / closing body of the vehicle in a closed state, A meshing mechanism having a latch that engages with the striker, and a pole that maintains the engaged state between the striker and the latch, A latch detector capable of detecting the position of the latch by contacting a part to be detected that rotates integrally with the latch, The electric drive mechanism comprises a motor and a drive force transmission unit that transmits the driving force of the motor, and is capable of performing a closing operation that electrically transitions the meshing mechanism to the engaged state based on the detection result of the latch detector, The meshing mechanism is provided with a latch retraction section that is linked to the latch and receives the driving force of the motor transmitted from the driving force transmission section when the electric drive mechanism performs the closing operation. The latch retraction portion and the latch detector are positioned at different locations relative to each other in the axial direction of the latch, and at least a portion of them overlap when viewed from the axial direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, miniaturization can be achieved while ensuring the accuracy of detecting the position of the latch. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of a vehicle 1 with a door lock device 10 installed. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the door lock device 10. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the door lock device 10. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the internal structure of the door lock device 10, viewed from both the +Y and +Z sides. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the internal structure of the door lock device 10 as viewed from the -Z side. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the latch 21 and the resin part 21B. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the latch 21, the detected part 30, and the latch shaft 24. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a side view of the latch 21, the detected unit 30, and the latch detector 71 as seen from the -X side. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the control system of the door lock device 10. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of the operation of the meshing mechanism 20 and the electric drive mechanism 50 when the closing operation is performed. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of the operation of the meshing mechanism 20 and the electric drive mechanism 50 when the closing operation is performed. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram (part 3) of the operation of the meshing mechanism 20 and the electric drive mechanism 50 when the closing operation is performed. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram (part 4) of the operation of the meshing mechanism 20 and the electric drive mechanism 50 when the closing operation is performed. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory diagram (Part 5) of the meshing mechanism 20 and the electric drive mechanism 50 when the closing operation is performed. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an operation explanatory diagram (Part 1) of the meshing mechanism 20 and the electric drive mechanism 50 when the opening operation is performed. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an operation explanatory diagram (Part 2) of the meshing mechanism 20 and the electric drive mechanism 50 when the opening operation is performed. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an operation explanatory diagram (Part 3) of the meshing mechanism 20 and the electric drive mechanism 50 when the opening operation is performed. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an operation explanatory diagram (Part 4) of the meshing mechanism 20 and the electric drive mechanism 50 when the opening operation is performed. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the contact surface 34 of the detected portion 30 disposed on the rotation locus (thick arrow) of the pole contact portion 21e with the latch detector 71.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, a lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiment described below, a configuration in which the lock device is attached to a back door (an example of an opening / closing body) of a vehicle and holds the back door in a closed state will be described as an example.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows an example of a vehicle 1 to which a door lock device 10 (an example of a lock device) is attached. The door lock device 10 is attached to a back door 4 that rotates in the vertical direction with respect to the body 2. The door lock device 10 holds the back door 4 in a fully closed state by engaging with a striker 3 provided on the body 2. Hereinafter, for convenience, the directions of the arrows shown in the figure will be described as the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction, respectively. Specifically, the Z direction is the direction in which a latch shaft 24 and a pole shaft 26, which will be described later, extend, the Y direction is orthogonal to the Z direction and is the direction in which a striker entry groove 14, which will be described later, extends, and the X direction is orthogonal to the Y direction and the Z direction.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the door lock device 10 comprises a meshing mechanism 20, an electric drive mechanism 50 having a motor 51, a latch detector 71, a pole detector 72, a gear detector 73, and a cover plate 11 that covers these from the -Z side.

[0015] The cover plate 11 is provided with fixing portions 12 at both ends in the X direction for attaching the door lock device 10 to the back door 4. The door lock device 10 is attached by inserting bolts through holes provided in the panel of the back door 4 and fastening the bolts to the bolt holes (threaded portions) of the fixing portions 12 of the cover plate 11.

[0016] The meshing mechanism 20 is positioned to the +Y side of the electric drive mechanism 50 in the Y direction and to the -Z side of the fixed part 12 in the Z direction. The meshing mechanism 20 includes a latch 21 that engages with the striker 3, a pole 22 that maintains the engaged state of the striker 3 and the latch 21, and a housing 23 that houses the latch 21 and the pole 22. The latch 21 and pole 22 shown in Figures 3 to 5 represent the state when the back door 4 is fully closed. However, the striker 3 is not shown.

[0017] The housing 23 and cover plate 11 are provided with a striker entry groove 14 into which the striker 3 enters when the back door 4 is closed. The striker entry groove 14 extends in the Y direction and opens on the +Y side. The latch 21 and pole 22 are positioned so as to sandwich the striker entry groove 14; specifically, the latch 21 is positioned on the -X side relative to the striker entry groove 14, and the pole 22 is positioned on the +X side relative to the striker entry groove 14.

[0018] The latch 21 is rotatably mounted around a latch shaft 24 that extends in the Z direction. The latch 21 is constantly biased in the direction that releases the striker 3 by a latch spring 25. The latch spring 25 is a torsion spring and is wound around the latch shaft 24. The Z direction is the direction in which the latch shaft 24 extends, and can also be the axial direction of the latch 21.

[0019] As shown in Figure 6, the latch 21 has a metal part 21A made of a metal plate-like member and a resin part 21B that covers a part of the metal part 21A. The resin part 21B is provided around the metal part 21A by molding the metal part 21A with a synthetic resin material. The synthetic resin material forming the resin part 21B is selected, for example, a material with high sound absorption. Note that for the sake of explanation, Figure 6 shows the metal part 21A and the resin part 21B separately.

[0020] The latch 21 has a housing groove 21a capable of accommodating the striker 3, a full latch engagement portion 21b, a half latch engagement portion 21c, a pole contact portion 21e, and a through hole 21s through which the latch shaft 24 is inserted. These are provided on the metal portion 21A and are arranged on the same plane in the Z direction in which the latch shaft 24 extends. The housing groove 21a, the full latch engagement portion 21b, the half latch engagement portion 21c, and the pole contact portion 21e are arranged in this order in the circumferential direction of the latch 21.

[0021] The accommodating groove 21a is formed by recessing radially inward from the outer circumferential surface of the latch 21 (towards the through hole 21s). The accommodating groove 21a has a striker contact portion 21a1 and a hook portion 21a2, and the accommodating groove 21a is formed when the striker contact portion 21a1 and the hook portion 21a2 face each other.

[0022] The pole contact portion 21e is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the latch 21 adjacent to the half-latch engagement portion 21c. The pole contact portion 21e has an arc shape centered on the latch axis 24. The pole 22 contacts the pole contact portion 21e when the latch 21 is in the unlatched position and not engaged with the striker 3 (see Figure 10).

[0023] Furthermore, the latch 21 has a latch retraction portion 21d that is pressed by the latch operating portion 58 of the electric drive mechanism 50 (described later) and receives the driving force of the motor 51. When the latch retraction portion 21d receives the driving force of the motor 51, the latch 21 rotates in the direction that retracts the striker 3 (close direction).

[0024] The latch retraction portion 21d is formed by bending a part of the metal portion 21A of the latch 21. Specifically, the metal portion 21A of the latch 21 has an extended portion 21d1 that extends outward. The latch retraction portion 21d is formed in a stepped shape by bending the extended portion 21d1 toward the +Z side and then bending the bent extended portion 21d1 further toward the -Y side. This stepped portion is also called the stepped portion 21d2. With this configuration, the latch retraction portion 21d is positioned in a different location in the Z direction from the housing groove 21a, the full latch engagement portion 21b, the half latch engagement portion 21c, and the through hole 21s.

[0025] The extension direction of the latch retraction portion 21d is approximately parallel to the direction in which the striker entry groove 14 extends when the meshing mechanism 20 is engaged with the striker 3 (full latch position, described later) (see Figures 3 to 5).

[0026] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, a separate detection unit 30 is attached to the latch 21, which rotates integrally with the latch 21 and is capable of contacting the latch detector 71. The detection unit 30 is made of, for example, resin. The latch detector 71 is positioned on the -Y side of the latch axis 24, and the detection unit 30 is positioned to be in contact with the latch detector 71. The latch detector 71 and the detection unit 30 are positioned on the same plane in the Z direction, along which the latch axis 24 extends.

[0027] The contact surface 34 of the detected portion 30 with the latch detector 71 is located on the same plane in the Z direction as the portion of the latch 21 excluding the latch retraction portion 21d. The contact surface 34 is located adjacent to the pole contact portion 21e of the latch 21.

[0028] The detected part 30 has a first mounting part 31 and a second mounting part 32, which are attachment points to the latch 21. The first mounting part 31 is located on the +Z side of the latch 21 and consists of a through hole through which the latch shaft 24 is inserted. The second mounting part 32 consists of a protrusion that is inserted into a through hole 21f provided in the resin part 21B of the latch 21. The through hole 21f is located in a position that does not overlap with the metal part 21A of the latch 21 when viewed from the Z direction and penetrates in the Z direction. The second mounting part 32 is located on the -Z side of the latch 21 and is inserted into the through hole 21f from the -Z side. In this way, the detected part 30 is attached to the latch 21 by inserting the latch shaft 24 into the through hole 21s and the first mounting part 31 of the latch 21, and by inserting the second mounting part 32 into the through hole 21f. Note that the detected part 30 may be provided with three or more mounting parts.

[0029] The detected portion 30 further has an insertion portion 33 through which the stepped portion 21d2 of the latch retraction portion 21d is inserted. The insertion portion 33 is provided between the first mounting portion 31 and the second mounting portion 32. The detected portion 30 is positioned differently from the latch retraction portion 21d in the Z direction in which the latch shaft 24 extends, and specifically, it is positioned on the -Z side of the latch retraction portion 21d.

[0030] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the pole 22 is rotatably mounted around a pole shaft 26 that extends in the Z direction. The pole 22 is biased by a pole spring 27 in a direction that allows it to engage with the latch 21. The pole spring 27 is a torsion spring and is wound around the pole shaft 26.

[0031] Like the latch 21, the pole 22 also has a metal portion 22A made of a metal plate-like member and a resin portion 22B that covers a part of the metal portion 22A (see Figure 5). The pole 22 engages with the latch 21 at the metal portion 22A exposed from the resin portion 22B.

[0032] The pole 22 has a detectable portion 22a that can contact the pole detector 72. The pole detector 72 is positioned on the -Y side of the pole axis 26, and the detectable portion 22a is positioned to be in contact with the pole detector 72. The pole detector 72 and the detectable portion 22a are positioned on the same plane in the Z direction, along which the pole axis 26 extends.

[0033] The pole 22 has a pressed portion 22d that is pressed by a pole operating portion 59 of the electric drive mechanism 50 (described later) and receives the driving force of the motor 51. When the pressed portion 22d receives the driving force of the motor 51, the pole 22 rotates in a direction that disengages from the latch 21 against the biasing force of the pole spring 27. The pressed portion 22d and the pole detector 72 are positioned at different locations in the Z direction, and are positioned so that at least a portion of them overlap when viewed from the Z direction.

[0034] The detection portion 22a and the pressing portion 22d are provided, for example, on the resin portion 22B and rotate integrally with the pole 22.

[0035] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the latch shaft 24 and the pole shaft 26 are fixed to a back plate 28 attached to the +Z side surface of the housing 23 and are supported by the cover plate 11 and the back plate 28.

[0036] When closing the back door 4, the striker 3 enters the striker entry groove 14 and engages with the latch 21, rotating the latch 21 in the closing direction against the biasing force of the latch spring 25. The pole 22 first engages with the half-latch engagement portion 21c of the latch 21. This position of the latch 21 is also called the half-latch position, and the back door 4 is in a partially closed state. As the striker 3 enters further, the pole 22 then engages with the full-latch engagement portion 21b. This position of the latch 21 is also called the full-latch position, and the back door 4 is in a fully closed state, completely locked by the engagement mechanism 20. In this way, the pole 22 engages with either the half-latch engagement portion 21c or the full-latch engagement portion 21b of the latch 21, maintaining the engaged state between the striker 3 and the latch 21. The position of the latch 21 when it is not engaged with the striker 3 is also called the unlatched position, and the back door 4 becomes in an openable state where it can move towards being fully open.

[0037] The electric drive mechanism 50 performs a closing operation to electrically close the back door 4, and an opening operation to electrically disengage the striker 3 from the latch 21.

[0038] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the electric drive mechanism 50 is positioned on the -Y side of the meshing mechanism 20 in the Y direction, and is mostly positioned on the +Z side of the fixed part 12. The electric drive mechanism 50 includes a motor 51, a drive force transmission unit 52 that transmits the driving force of the motor 51, and a housing 53 that houses the motor 51 and the drive force transmission unit 52.

[0039] The motor 51 is configured to rotate in both forward and reverse directions, with the direction of rotation being opposite to that during closed operation and during open operation. A worm gear 54 is provided on the output shaft 51a of the motor 51, and the worm gear 54 constitutes the connection between the motor 51 and the drive force transmission unit 52.

[0040] As shown in Figure 9, the motor 51 is controlled by the control device 100. The control device 100 includes a processor that performs calculations according to a program, and memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The control device 100 is configured to receive detection results from detectors 71, 72, and 73 via wired or wireless connection, and controls the motor 51 based on these detection results. The control device 100 is also configured to receive open operation commands, for example, when a user operates an FOB (Frequency Operated Button) key (not shown) or a switch located inside the vehicle (including, for example, a physical button or an icon displayed on a touch panel).

[0041] The control device 100 is located separately from the door lock device 10, but it may also be configured to be integrated into the door lock device 10. In other words, the control device 100 may be housed in the cover plate 11 and the housings 23 and 53.

[0042] Returning to Figures 3 to 5, the drive force transmission unit 52 transmits the drive force of the motor 51 to the latch 21 or pawl 22 of the meshing mechanism 20. The drive force transmission unit 52 also functions as a reduction mechanism to reduce the rotation of the motor 51.

[0043] To explain in more detail, the drive force transmission unit 52 includes a first gear 55, a second gear 56, a third gear 57, a latch operating unit 58, and a pole operating unit 59.

[0044] The first gear 55, the third gear 57, the latch operating part 58, and the pole operating part 59 rotate around a common first rotation axis 61 extending in the Z direction, and the second gear 56 rotates around a second rotation axis 62 extending in the Z direction. The first rotation axis 61 and the second rotation axis 62 are supported by the cover plate 11 and the housing 53.

[0045] The first rotation axis 61 is positioned between the latch axis 24 and the pole axis 26 when viewed from the Y direction in which the striker entry groove 14 extends (see Figure 4). The second rotation axis is positioned to the +X side of the first rotation axis 61 when viewed from the Y direction.

[0046] The first gear 55 and the second gear 56 mesh with each other, and the second gear 56 and the third gear 57 mesh with each other. More specifically, the first gear 55 has a large diameter portion 55L and a small diameter portion 55S, and similarly, the second gear 56 has a large diameter portion 56L and a small diameter portion 56S. The large diameter portion 55L of the first gear 55 meshes with the worm gear 54. The small diameter portion 55S of the first gear 55 meshes with the large diameter portion 56L of the second gear 56. The small diameter portion 56S of the second gear 56 meshes with the third gear 57.

[0047] As shown in Figure 5, the third gear 57 has an arc-shaped detection portion 57a ​​that can contact the gear detector 73, and a recess 57b provided adjacent to the detection portion 57a ​​in the circumferential direction and recessed radially inward of the third gear 57. The detection portion 57a ​​and the recess 57b are provided on the -Z side of the teeth of the third gear 57. The gear detector 73, the detection portion 57a, and the recess 57b are arranged on the same plane in the Z direction in which the first rotation axis 61 extends. When the gear detector 73 and the recess 57b face each other, the gear detector 73 does not contact the recess 57b and is OFF. When the third gear 57 rotates and the gear detector 73 and the detection portion 57a ​​face each other, the gear detector 73 contacts the detection portion 57a ​​and is ON.

[0048] The latch operating section 58 is configured as a lever spline-connected to the third gear 57 and rotates integrally with the third gear 57. The latch operating section 58 extends radially outward from the first rotation shaft 61. When a closing operation is performed on the back door 4 in a half-open state, the motor 51 is driven in the closing direction. The latch operating section 58 presses the latch retraction section 21d of the latch 21, rotating the latch 21 against the biasing force of the latch spring 25, and transitioning the latch 21 from the half-latch position to the full-latch position. As a result, the striker 3 is retracted into the striker entry groove 14, and the back door 4 is closed.

[0049] The pole operating unit 59 is integrally mounted on the third gear 57 and extends radially outward from the first rotating shaft 61. For example, when the back door 4 is opened by operating the FOB key or a switch inside the vehicle, the motor 51 is driven in the opening direction. The pole operating unit 59 presses the pressed portion 22d of the pole 22, rotating the pole 22 against the biasing force of the pole spring 27, and disengaging the latch 21 from the pole 22. The latch 21 rotates in the opening direction due to the biasing force of the latch spring 25 and transitions to the unlatched position. As a result, the engagement between the striker 3 and the latch 21 is released, and the back door 4 transitions to a state where it can be opened.

[0050] In this embodiment, the latch operating section 58 is provided separately from the third gear 57, and the pole operating section 59 is provided integrally with the third gear 57, but this is not limited to this. For example, the latch operating section 58 may be provided integrally with the third gear 57, and the pole operating section 59 may be provided separately from the third gear 57.

[0051] The latch detector 71 detects the position of the latch 21. The pole detector 72 detects the position of the pole 22. The gear detector 73 detects the position of the third gear 57. The latch detector 71, pole detector 72, and gear detector 73 are configured as switches that can be turned ON / OFF by contacting the detected parts 30, 22a, and 57a, respectively.

[0052] Next, the closed and open operations by the electric drive mechanism 50 will be explained with reference to Figures 10 to 14 (closed operation) and Figures 15 to 18 (open operation).

[0053] First, let's explain the closing operation. When the latch 21 is in the half-latch position, the electric drive mechanism 50 uses the driving force of the motor 51 to move the latch 21 from the half-latch position to the full-latch position based on the detection results from the detectors 71, 72, and 73. As a result, the electric drive mechanism 50 electrically moves the meshing mechanism 20 into an engaged state with the striker 3, closing the back door 4, which was in a half-door state, to the fully closed position.

[0054] As shown in Figure 10, when the back door 4 is in an openable state, the latch 21 is biased in the open direction (clockwise) by the latch spring 25 and is in the unlatched position, not engaged with the striker 3. The striker contact portion 21a1 of the latch 21 is positioned so as to cross the striker entry groove 14, and the hook portion 21a2 is positioned retracted from the striker entry groove 14. The pole 22 is in contact with the pole contact portion 21e of the latch 21 without engaging with the full latch engagement portion 21b and half latch engagement portion 21c of the latch 21, and is biased in the direction that allows it to engage with the latch 21 (counterclockwise) by the pole spring 27.

[0055] When the back door 4 is in an openable state, the latch detector 71 is not in contact with the detected part 30 attached to the latch 21 and is therefore OFF. The pole detector 72 is in contact with the detected part 22a of the pole 22 and is therefore ON. The gear detector 73 is not in contact with the detected part 57a of the third gear 57 and is therefore OFF.

[0056] As shown in Figure 11, when the back door 4 is closed and the striker 3 enters the striker entry groove 14, the back door 4 is left partially closed. Specifically, the striker 3, having entered the striker entry groove 14, contacts the striker contact portion 21a1 of the latch 21 and presses against it. The striker 3 then rotates the latch 21 in the closing direction against the biasing force of the latch spring 25, and the pole 22 slides along the pole contact portion 21e and engages with the half-latch engagement portion 21c of the latch 21. As a result, the latch 21 transitions from the unlatched position to the half-latched position. At this time, the striker 3 is housed in the accommodating groove 21a formed between the striker contact portion 21a1 and the hook portion 21a2.

[0057] When the back door 4 is in a partially closed state, the latch detector 71 is in contact with the detected part 30 attached to the latch 21 and is ON. The pole detector 72 is not in contact with the detected part 22a of the pole 22 and is OFF. In this embodiment, during the transition of the back door 4 from a fully open state to a partially closed state, the latch detector 71 switches from OFF to ON first, followed by the pole detector 72 switching from ON to OFF.

[0058] When the control device 100 detects that the latch detector 71 has been switched ON and the pole detector 72 has been switched OFF, it determines that the latch 21 has transitioned from the unlatched position to the half-latched position. The control device 100 then drives the motor 51 in the closing direction to rotate the latch operating part 58, which is in a predetermined neutral position.

[0059] As shown in Figure 12, when the motor 51 is driven in the closing direction, the latch 21 rotates from the half-latch position to the full-latch position. Specifically, the latch operating part 58 rotates toward the latch retraction part 21d and presses against the latch retraction part 21d. As a result, the latch 21 rotates in the closing direction against the biasing force of the latch spring 25, and the striker 3 is retracted by the latch 21 and enters further into the striker entry groove 14. At the same time, the engagement between the pole 22 and the half-latch engagement part 21c of the latch 21 is released.

[0060] When the motor 51 is driven in the closing direction, the rotation of the third gear 57 causes the gear detector 73 to contact the detected portion 57a ​​of the third gear 57, switching it from OFF to ON. The pole detector 72 remains temporarily ON from the time the pole 22 disengages from the half-latch engagement portion 21c until it engages with the full-latch engagement portion 21b. As the rotation of the latch 21 progresses, the latch detector 71 ceases to contact the detected portion 30 and switches from ON to OFF.

[0061] As shown in Figure 13, as the latch 21 rotates, the pole 22 engages with the full latch engagement portion 21b. This state corresponds to the fully closed state where the back door 4 is completely engaged with the striker 3. When the pole 22 engages with the full latch engagement portion 21b, the pole detector 72 no longer contacts the detected portion 22a and switches from ON to OFF. At this time, the latch detector 71 is OFF and the gear detector 73 is ON.

[0062] When the control device 100 detects that the pole detector 72 has switched from ON to OFF while the latch detector 71 is OFF and the gear detector 73 is ON, it determines that the latch 21 has transitioned from the half-latch position to the full-latch position. The control device 100 then stops driving the motor 51.

[0063] As shown in Figure 14, after the latch 21 transitions to the fully latched position, the control device 100 drives the motor 51 in the opposite direction to the closing direction, returning the latch operating unit 58 to the neutral position. When the control device 100 detects that the gear detector 73 has switched from ON to OFF, it determines that the latch operating unit 58 has returned to the neutral position and stops driving the motor 51. Thus, when the back door 4 is in the fully closed state, detectors 71, 72, and 73 are all OFF.

[0064] Next, the opening operation will be described. When the meshing mechanism 20 is engaged with the striker 3, the electric drive mechanism 50 rotates the motor 51 in the opening direction, opposite to the closing direction, based on the detection results from the detectors 71, 72, and 73, thereby disengaging the latch 21 from the pole 22. As a result, the electric drive mechanism 50 disengages the meshing mechanism 20, making the back door 4 ready to be opened.

[0065] As shown in Figure 15, when the back door 4 is fully closed, the pole 22 engages with the full latch engagement portion 21b of the latch 21, and the latch 21 is in the full latch position. At this time, detectors 71, 72, and 73 are all OFF.

[0066] When the control device 100 receives a command to perform an open operation, it drives the motor 51 in the open direction and rotates the pole operating unit 59, which is in the neutral position.

[0067] As shown in Figure 16, when the motor 51 is driven in the opening direction, the pole operating part 59 rotates toward the pressed portion 22d of the pole 22 and presses the pressed portion 22d. Due to the pressing by the pole operating part 59, the pole 22 rotates against the biasing force of the pole spring 27, and the engagement between the pole 22 and the full latch engagement portion 21b of the latch 21 is released. Then, the latch 21 rotates in the opening direction due to the biasing force of the latch spring 25.

[0068] When the motor 51 is driven in the open direction, the gear detector 73 contacts the detected portion 57a ​​of the third gear 57 due to the rotation of the third gear 57 and switches from OFF to ON. When the engagement between the pole 22 and the full latch engagement portion 21b of the latch 21 is released, the pole detector 72 contacts the detected portion 22a of the pole 22 and switches from OFF to ON. The pole detector 72 remains ON while the detected portion 22a of the pole 22 is pressed by the pole operating portion 59. When the pole detector 72 switches from OFF to ON while the gear detector 73 is ON, the control device 100 determines that the pole 22 has moved to a position where it is released from engagement with the latch 21 and stops driving the motor 51. Immediately after the engagement between the latch 21 and the pole 22 is released, the latch detector 71 temporarily contacts the detected portion 30 and switches from OFF to ON.

[0069] As shown in Figure 17, as the latch 21 rotates in the open direction, the engagement between the latch 21 and the striker 3 is released. The latch detector 71 no longer contacts the detected part 30 and switches from ON to OFF. As a result, the control device 100 determines that the latch 21 has transitioned from the fully latched position to the unlatched position.

[0070] As shown in Figure 18, after the latch 21 transitions to the unlatched position, the control device 100 drives the motor 51 in the opposite direction to the open direction, returning the pole operating unit 59 to the neutral position. The pole 22 contacts the pole contact portion 21e of the latch 21 due to the biasing force of the pole spring 27. When the control device 100 detects that the gear detector 73 has switched from ON to OFF, it determines that the pole operating unit 59 has returned to the neutral position and stops driving the motor 51. Thus, when the back door 4 is in a state where it can be opened, the latch detector 71 and gear detector 73 are OFF, and the pole detector 72 is ON.

[0071] The effects of the door lock device 10 of this embodiment, as described above, will now be explained.

[0072] The latch detector 71 detects the position of the latch 21 by contacting the detected part 30, which rotates integrally with the latch 21. If the detected part 30 were not to rotate integrally with the latch 21, but rather configured as a lever with one end in contact with the latch 21 and linked to it, variations in the dimensions of the detected part 30 or variations in its mounting to the latch 21 could cause discrepancies in the movement of the detected part 30 and the latch 21. In this embodiment, since the detected part 30 rotates integrally with the latch 21, the movement of the detected part 30 becomes equal to the movement of the latch 21, and the latch detector 71 can accurately detect the position of the latch 21.

[0073] As shown in Figures 5 and 8, the latch retraction section 21d and the latch detector 71 are positioned at different locations in the axial direction (Z direction) of the latch 21, and at least a portion of them overlap when viewed from the axial direction. With this configuration, the space in the Z direction of the door lock device 10 can be used efficiently. Therefore, the door lock device 10 can be made smaller.

[0074] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the latch retraction portion 21d is formed by bending the extended portion 21d1 of the metal part 21A of the latch 21. In other words, in this embodiment, the configuration in which the latch 21 and the latch retraction portion 21d are positioned at different locations in the Z direction is achieved by this bending process.

[0075] Since the latch retraction portion 21d is formed by bending the metal portion 21A of the latch 21, the latch retraction portion 21d is formed integrally with the metal portion 21A of the latch 21. If the latch retraction portion 21d were provided separately from the latch 21, variations in the dimensions of the latch retraction portion 21d or variations in its mounting to the latch 21 may cause discrepancies in the movement of the latch retraction portion 21d and the latch 21. In this embodiment, since the latch 21 and the latch retraction portion 21d are formed integrally, the movement of the latch retraction portion 21d becomes equal to the movement of the latch 21, enabling stable closing operation.

[0076] Furthermore, since the latch retraction portion 21d is formed from the metal portion 21A of the latch 21, the latch retraction portion 21d has the same strength as the metal portion 21A of the latch 21, thus ensuring the strength of the latch retraction portion 21d. Moreover, because the latch retraction portion 21d is formed integrally with the latch 21, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0077] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the extension direction of the latch retraction portion 21d is approximately parallel to the direction in which the striker entry groove 14 extends when the latch 21 is engaged with the striker 3. With this configuration, the rotational trajectory of the latch retraction portion 21d when the back door 4 transitions between the openable state and the fully closed state is contained within the operating region A1 (see Figure 5) of the latch 21 and pole 22 in the X direction. Therefore, since the latch retraction portion 21d does not extend beyond the operating region A1 in the X direction, the dimensions of the door lock device 10 in the X direction are reduced, and the door lock device 10 can be miniaturized.

[0078] As shown in Figure 7, the detected part 30 is provided separately from the latch 21 and is mounted so as to rotate integrally with the latch 21. This configuration allows for greater design freedom regarding the material, shape, and placement of the detected part 30. For example, the detected part 30 can be made of a different material from the resin part 21B of the latch 21, or the placement of the latch detector 71 can be changed by modifying the shape of the detected part 30.

[0079] Since the first mounting portion 31 of the detected portion 30 is composed of a through hole through which the latch shaft 24 is inserted, the detected portion 30 can be prevented from falling off. Furthermore, by inserting the latch shaft 24 through the first mounting portion 31 and the through hole 21s of the latch 21, the detected portion 30 is positioned relative to the latch 21, so variations when mounting the detected portion 30 to the latch 21 only affect the second mounting portion 32. In other words, the elements of variation when mounting the detected portion 30 can be reduced.

[0080] As shown in Figure 19, the contact surface 34 of the detected portion 30 with the latch detector 71 is positioned on the rotational trajectory (thick arrow in the figure) of the pole contact portion 21e adjacent to the detected portion 30 on the outer circumferential surface of the latch 21. With this configuration, the detected portion 30 does not protrude radially outward from the latch 21, thus enabling miniaturization of the door lock device 10. The contact surface 34 may also be positioned radially inward from the rotational trajectory of the pole contact portion 21e.

[0081] As described above, the electric drive mechanism 50 has a motor 51 that can rotate in both forward and reverse directions, and is configured to perform a closing operation, which electrically closes the back door 4 by rotating the motor 51 to one side, and an opening operation, which electrically disengages the striker 3 and the latch 21 by rotating the motor 51 to the other side. In this way, since the opening and closing operations can be performed with a single motor 51, there is no need to provide two motors 51 for the opening and closing operations, and the manufacturing cost of the door lock device 10 can be reduced.

[0082] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first and second rotating shafts 61 and 62 of the electric drive mechanism 50 extend in the same Z-direction as the latch shaft 24 and pawl shaft 26 of the meshing mechanism 20. Because the direction in which each shaft extends is the same, the components of the meshing mechanism 20 and the electric drive mechanism 50 can be assembled by stacking them from the same direction (one direction), making it easier to assemble the components of the meshing mechanism 20 and the electric drive mechanism 50. As a result, the door lock device 10 can be made smaller.

[0083] The first rotating shaft 61 is positioned between the latch shaft 24 and the pole shaft 26 when viewed from the Y direction in which the striker entry groove 14 extends. With this configuration, the latch operating part 58 and the pole operating part 59 that rotate around the first rotating shaft 61 are contained within the operating region A1 of the latch 21 and pole 22 in the X direction. Therefore, since the latch operating part 58 and the pole operating part 59 do not extend beyond the operating region A1 in the X direction, the dimensions of the door lock device 10 in the X direction are reduced, and the door lock device 10 can be made more compact.

[0084] Furthermore, the latch operating section 58 and the pole operating section 59 are positioned between the latch shaft 24 and the pole shaft 26. That is, the latch operating section 58 and the pole operating section 59 are positioned to easily contact the latch retracting section 21d and the pressed section 22d of the pole 22, respectively, when the motor 51 is rotated in forward and reverse directions. Therefore, both closing and opening operations can be efficiently performed by rotating the motor 51 in forward and reverse directions.

[0085] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these are also understood to naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above embodiment may be combined in any way without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0086] For example, in the embodiment described above, the detected part 30 is provided separately from the latch 21, but the detected part 30 may be formed integrally with the latch 21.

[0087] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the latch retraction portion 21d was formed integrally with the latch 21, but the latch retraction portion 21d may be provided separately from the latch 21.

[0088] Furthermore, the locking device of the present invention is not limited to being applied to a tailgate as in the embodiments described above, but can be applied to other opening and closing parts of a vehicle. Specifically, the locking device of the present invention can also be applied to the side doors of a vehicle or the engine hood of a vehicle (both examples of opening and closing parts).

[0089] This specification includes at least the following: The components and other elements corresponding to those in the embodiments described above are shown in parentheses as examples, but are not limited thereto.

[0090] (1) A locking device (door locking device 10) that engages with a striker (striker 3) provided on a vehicle (vehicle 1) and holds the opening / closing body (back door 4) of the vehicle in a closed state, A meshing mechanism (mechanism 20) having a latch (latch 21) that engages with the striker, and a pole (pole 22) that maintains the engaged state of the striker and the latch, A latch detector (latch detector 71) that can detect the position of the latch by contacting a detected part (detected part 30) that rotates integrally with the latch, The device comprises a motor (motor 51), a drive force transmission unit (drive force transmission unit 52) ​​that transmits the driving force of the motor, and an electric drive mechanism (electric drive mechanism 50) capable of performing a closing operation that electrically transitions the meshing mechanism to the engaged state based on the detection result of the latch detector. The meshing mechanism is provided with a latch retraction section (latch retraction section 21d) which is provided in conjunction with the latch and receives the driving force of the motor transmitted from the driving force transmission section when the electric drive mechanism performs the closing operation. The latch retraction portion and the latch detector are positioned at different locations relative to each other in the axial direction of the latch, and at least a portion of them overlap when viewed from the axial direction. Locking device.

[0091] According to (1), the part to be detected that contacts the latch detector rotates integrally with the latch, so the movement of the part to be detected is equal to the movement of the latch, and the latch detector can accurately detect the position of the latch. Furthermore, the latch retraction part and the latch detector are positioned at different locations relative to each other in the axial direction of the latch, and at least a portion of them overlap when viewed from the axial direction, so the axial space can be used efficiently, and the locking device can be made smaller.

[0092] (2) The locking device described in (1), The electric drive mechanism is capable of performing an open operation to release the engagement of the meshing mechanism by rotating the motor in the opposite direction to the closed operation when the meshing mechanism is in the engaged state. Locking device.

[0093] According to (2), since both the open and close operations can be performed by a single motor, there is no need to provide two motors for the open and close operations, and the manufacturing cost of the locking device can be reduced.

[0094] (3) A locking device as described in (1) or (2), The latch retraction portion is formed by bending a part of the metal part (metal part 21A) of the latch. Locking device.

[0095] If the latch retraction part is provided separately from the latch, variations in the dimensions of the latch retraction part and variations in its mounting to the latch may cause misalignment between the movement of the latch retraction part and the latch. According to (3), since the latch retraction part is formed integrally with the metal part of the latch by bending, the latch retraction part rotates integrally with the latch, enabling stable closing operation. Furthermore, since the latch retraction part is formed integrally with the metal part of the latch, it has the same strength as the metal part of the latch, ensuring the strength of the latch retraction part. Moreover, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0096] (4) A locking device as described in any of (1) to (3), The latch and the pole are arranged so as to sandwich the striker entry groove (striker entry groove 14) into which the striker can enter. The latch retraction portion is provided extending outward from the outer circumference of the latch. The extension direction of the latch retraction portion is substantially parallel to the direction in which the striker entry groove extends when the meshing mechanism is in the engaged state. Locking device.

[0097] According to (4), when the meshing mechanism is engaged, the direction of entry of the latch retraction portion and the striker are approximately parallel, so the rotational trajectory of the latch retraction portion is within the operating range of the latch and the pole in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the striker entry groove extends. Therefore, the locking device can be made smaller.

[0098] (5) A locking device as described in any of (1) to (3), The latch and the pole are arranged so as to sandwich the striker entry groove (striker entry groove 14) into which the striker can enter. The latch retraction portion is provided extending outward from the outer circumference of the latch. The rotational trajectory of the latch retraction portion is contained within the operating region (operating region A1) of the latch and the pole in a direction perpendicular to the striker entry groove. Locking device.

[0099] According to (5), the rotational trajectory of the latch retraction part is within the operating range of the latch and pole in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the striker entry groove extends. Therefore, the locking device can be made smaller.

[0100] (6) A locking device according to any one of (1) to (5), The detected unit is provided separately from the latch. Locking device.

[0101] According to (6), since the detected part is provided separately from the latch, the degree of design freedom for the material, shape, and arrangement of the detected part can be increased.

[0102] (7) The locking device described in (6), The detected unit has at least two mounting parts (first mounting part 31, second mounting part 32) which are mounting points for the latch, One of the mounting portions (first mounting portion 31) is formed by a through hole through which a latch shaft (latch shaft 24), which serves as the rotation axis of the latch, is inserted. Locking device.

[0103] According to (7), the part to be detected is inserted through the latch shaft and attached to the latch, so it is possible to prevent the part to be detected, which is provided separately from the latch, from falling off. In addition, since the part to be detected is positioned relative to the latch by the latch shaft, the element of variation when installing the part to be detected can be reduced.

[0104] (8) A locking device as described in (6) or (7), The contact surface (contact surface 34) of the detected portion with the latch detector is positioned on the rotational trajectory of the portion of the outer circumferential surface of the latch adjacent to the detected portion (pole contact portion 21e), or positioned radially inward from the rotational trajectory. Locking device.

[0105] According to (8), the detected part does not protrude radially outward from the latch, so the locking device can be made smaller.

[0106] (9) The locking device described in (2), The latch and the pole are arranged so as to sandwich the striker entry groove (striker entry groove 14) into which the striker can enter. The aforementioned drive force transmission unit is A latch operating unit (latch operating unit 58) presses the latch retracting unit when the closing operation is performed, It has a pole operating unit (pole operating unit 59) that presses the pole when the open operation is performed, The rotation axis (first rotation axis 61) of the latch operating section and the pole operating section extends in the same direction as the rotation axes of the latch and the pole (latch axis 24, pole axis 26), and is positioned between the rotation axis of the latch and the rotation axis of the pole when viewed from the direction in which the striker entry groove extends. Locking device.

[0107] According to (9), the rotation axes of the latch operating section and the pole operating section extend in the same direction as the rotation axes of the latch and pole, which makes it easier to assemble the components of the electric drive mechanism to the meshing mechanism, and as a result the locking device can be made smaller. Furthermore, since the rotation axes of the latch operating section and the pole operating section are positioned between the rotation axis of the latch and the rotation axis of the pole when viewed from the direction in which the striker entry groove extends, the latch operating section and the pole operating section do not extend beyond the operating range of the latch and pole, making it possible to miniaturize the locking device. Furthermore, the latch operating section and the pole operating section are positioned to easily contact the latch retraction section and the pressed section of the pole, respectively, when the motor is rotated in forward and reverse directions. Therefore, both closing and opening operations can be efficiently performed by rotating the motor in forward and reverse directions. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0108] 1 vehicle 3 Striker 4. Back door (opening / closing mechanism) 10. Door locking device (locking device) 14. Striker entry groove 20 Meshing mechanism 21 Latch 21A Metal part 21d Latch retraction section 21e Pole contact area (the portion of the latch's outer surface adjacent to the detected area) 22 poles 24. Latch axis (axis of rotation of the latch) 26. Pole axis (axis of rotation of the pole) 30 Detected part 31. First mounting section (mounting section) 32 Second mounting section (mounting section) 34 Contact surface 50 Electric drive mechanism 51 Motor 52 Power transmission section 58 Latch operating section 59 Pole control unit 61. First rotation axis (rotation axis of the latch operating section and pole operating section) 71 Latch detector A1 Operating area

Claims

1. A locking device that engages with a striker provided on the vehicle and holds the vehicle's opening / closing body in a closed position, A meshing mechanism having a latch that engages with the striker, and a pole that maintains the engaged state between the striker and the latch, A latch detector capable of detecting the position of the latch by contacting a part to be detected that rotates integrally with the latch, The electric drive mechanism comprises a motor and a drive force transmission unit that transmits the driving force of the motor, and is capable of performing a closing operation that electrically transitions the meshing mechanism to the engaged state based on the detection result of the latch detector, The meshing mechanism is provided with a latch retraction section that is linked to the latch and receives the driving force of the motor transmitted from the driving force transmission section when the electric drive mechanism performs the closing operation. The latch retraction portion and the latch detector are positioned at different locations relative to each other in the axial direction of the latch, and at least a portion of them overlap when viewed from the axial direction. Locking device.

2. A locking device according to claim 1, The electric drive mechanism is capable of performing an open operation to release the engagement of the meshing mechanism by rotating the motor in the opposite direction to the closed operation when the meshing mechanism is in the engaged state. Locking device.

3. A locking device according to claim 1 or 2, The latch retraction portion is formed by bending a part of the metal portion of the latch. Locking device.

4. A locking device according to claim 1 or 2, The latch and the pole are arranged so as to straddle a striker entry groove into which the striker can enter. The latch retraction portion is provided extending outward from the outer circumference of the latch. The extension direction of the latch retraction portion is substantially parallel to the direction in which the striker entry groove extends when the meshing mechanism is in the engaged state. Locking device.

5. A locking device according to claim 1 or 2, The latch and the pole are arranged so as to straddle a striker entry groove into which the striker can enter. The latch retraction portion is provided extending outward from the outer circumference of the latch. The rotational trajectory of the latch retraction portion is contained within the operating region of the latch and the pole in a direction perpendicular to the striker entry groove. Locking device.

6. A locking device according to claim 1 or 2, The detected unit is provided separately from the latch. Locking device.

7. A locking device according to claim 6, The detected part has at least two mounting parts which are mounting points for the latch, One of the mounting portions is formed by a through hole through which the latch shaft, which serves as the rotation axis of the latch, is inserted. Locking device.

8. A locking device according to claim 6, The contact surface of the detected portion with the latch detector is positioned on the rotational trajectory of the portion adjacent to the detected portion on the outer circumferential surface of the latch, or positioned radially inward from the rotational trajectory. Locking device.

9. A locking device according to claim 2, The latch and the pole are arranged so as to straddle a striker entry groove into which the striker can enter. The aforementioned drive force transmission unit is A latch operating unit that presses the latch retraction unit when the closing operation is performed, It has a pole operating unit that presses the pole when the opening operation is performed, The rotation axes of the latch operating section and the pole operating section extend in the same direction as the rotation axes of the latch and the pole, and are positioned between the rotation axis of the latch and the rotation axis of the pole when viewed from the direction in which the striker entry groove extends. Locking device.

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