Latch release device

Abstract

Improve the visibility of the operating lever for the latch release device. [Solution] The latch release device 20 includes an operating lever 30 for mechanically switching the latch mechanism 12 from a latched state to a released state by rotating it to an emergency operating position, and a switch unit 40 for electrically switching the latch mechanism 12 from a latched state to a released state by rotating the operating lever 30 to a normal operating position. The switch unit 40 has a movable part 43 that moves forward and backward by the rotation of the operating lever 30 to the normal operating position, while the lever body 30a moves away by the rotation of the operating lever 30 to the emergency operating position, and a switch 45 that switches between an on state and an off state by the movement of the movable part 43 to a retracted position. The switch unit 40 has a light source 46, and the lever body 30a has an optical display part 32 that can transmit light from the light source 46.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a unlatching device. Background Art

[0002] An electric door latch device is known, which is configured to switch a latch mechanism from a latched state to an unlatched state by an actuator through operation of a switch. In this door latch device, for example, when the capacity of a vehicle battery is insufficient, the latch mechanism cannot be electrically switched to the unlatched state.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a unlatching device that enables switching of a latch mechanism from a latched state to an unlatched state electrically in normal circumstances and mechanically in an emergency. This unlatching device includes an operation lever rotatable by a shaft extending in a direction orthogonal to a door, a switch that electrically transmits the operation of the operation lever to the latch mechanism, and a rod that mechanically transmits the operation of the operation lever to the latch mechanism.

[0004] When the operation lever is rotated from a neutral position to a first operation position, the switch is switched from an off state to an on state, thereby driving the actuator. When the operation lever is rotated from the neutral position to a second operation position opposite to the first operation position, an operation force is transmitted to the latch mechanism via the rod, so that the latch mechanism is switched from the latched state to the unlatched state. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-241765 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the latch release device described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to confirm the position of the operating lever when the surroundings are dark. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the latch release device described in Patent Document 1 to improve the visibility of the operating lever.

[0007] The present invention aims to improve the visibility of the operating lever of a latch release device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention comprises an operating lever having a lever body exposed from a door, which is capable of rotating between a neutral position and a first operating position, and between the neutral position and a second operating position opposite to the first operating position, and which mechanically switches the latch mechanism from a latched state to an unlocked state by rotation to the second operating position; a movable part which is pressed by the lever body when the operating lever is rotated to the first operating position and moves from an extended position to a retracted position, while the lever body moves away when the operating lever is rotated to the second operating position; and a switch which switches between an on state and an off state when the movable part moves to the retracted position, and which electrically switches the latch mechanism from a latched state to an unlocked state. One aspect of the present invention further provides a latch release device in which the switch unit has a light source and the lever body has an optical display section that can transmit light from the light source. Another aspect of the present invention provides a latch release device comprising: a switch unit having a light source and a light guide member that guides the light from the light source to the outside of the movable part; the lever body having a through hole that penetrates in the direction from the neutral position toward the first operating position; the light guide member having a projection that protrudes from the movable part and whose tip portion is located inside the through hole when the operating lever is in the neutral position; and the tip surface of the projection constituting an optical display portion that can transmit light from the light source.

[0009] A switch unit electrically connected to the latch mechanism is equipped with a light source, and the lever body of the operating lever mechanically connected to the latch mechanism is equipped with an optical display section that can transmit light from the light source. Therefore, the position of the operating lever can be easily confirmed even in dark surroundings, thereby improving the visibility and operability of the operating lever. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] This invention improves the visibility of the operating lever of the latch release device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] A plan view showing the latch release device of the first embodiment of the present invention attached to a door. [Figure 2] A perspective view of the latch release mechanism and door latch mechanism as seen from inside the vehicle. [Figure 3] A perspective view of the latch release mechanism and door latch mechanism as seen from the outside of the vehicle. [Figure 4] An exploded perspective view of the latch release mechanism as seen from inside the vehicle. [Figure 5] An exploded perspective view of the latch release mechanism as seen from the outside of the vehicle. [Figure 6] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view along the line VI-VI. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view of the latch release device in its non-operated state, cut along the line VII-VII in Figure 2. [Figure 8] A cross-sectional view similar to Figure 7 of the latch release device in normal operation. [Figure 9] A cross-sectional view similar to Figure 7 of the latch release device in emergency operation state. [Figure 10] A perspective view of the latch release device of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view along line XI-XI. [Figure 12] A cross-sectional view similar to Figure 6 of the modified latch release device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] (First Embodiment) Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a latch releasing device 20 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is arranged in a door 3 openably and closably attached to a vehicle body 1, and switches a latch mechanism 12 of a door latch device 10, which is also arranged in the same door 3, from a latched state to an unlatched state.

[0014] In the accompanying drawings, the X direction is the vehicle length direction, the direction indicated by the arrow is the front side, and the direction opposite to the arrow is the rear side. The Y direction is the vehicle width direction, the direction indicated by the arrow is the vehicle interior side, and the direction opposite to the arrow is the vehicle exterior side. The Z direction is the vehicle height direction, the direction indicated by the arrow is the upper side, and the direction opposite to the arrow is the lower side. Hereinafter, the description will be given based on the state where the door 3 is closed.

[0015] Referring to Figure 1, the door 3 includes an outer panel 4, an inner panel 5, and an end panel 6. The outer panel 4 and the inner panel 5 face each other in the vehicle width direction and each extend along an XZ plane. The end panel 6 is connected to the rear ends in the vehicle length direction of the outer panel 4 and the inner panel 5, respectively, and extends along a YZ plane. The door 3 is a general-purpose door that is rotatable via a hinge shaft extending in the vehicle height direction. However, the door 3 may also be of a type such as a gull-wing door rotatable via a hinge shaft extending in the vehicle length direction, or a sliding door moving in the vehicle length direction along the vehicle body 1.

[0016] First, with reference to Figures 1 to 3, an outline of the door latch device 10 to which the latch releasing device 20 is connected will be described.

[0017] The door latch device 10 is positioned inside the door 3 so that a portion of it is exposed from the end panel 6, and holds the striker 2 on the vehicle body 1, thereby keeping the door 3 closed relative to the vehicle body 1. The door latch device 10 is electrically operated, and under normal circumstances, the actuator 17 releases the hold on the striker 2. In an emergency when the battery capacity is insufficient, the hold on the striker 2 can be manually released by operating the emergency operating lever 30 on the latch release device 20. The door latch device 10 comprises a latch mechanism 12 and a release mechanism 16 within an L-shaped housing 11 when viewed from the vehicle height direction.

[0018] The latch mechanism 12 comprises a fork 13, a claw 14, and an open lever 15. When the open lever 15 is rotated by the release mechanism 16 in the direction indicated by arrow A, the claw 14 rotates integrally with it in the same direction A (clockwise in Figure 2) from the locked position shown in Figure 2 to the unlocked position. As a result, the fork 13 rotates from the latched position shown in Figure 2 to the open position in the direction indicated by arrow B (clockwise in Figure 2), and the latch mechanism 12 switches from the latched state to the unlocked state. As a result, the striker 2 shown in Figure 1 becomes detachable from the fork 13, and the door 3 can be opened relative to the vehicle body 1. When the open door 3 is closed, the entry of the striker 2 shown in Figure 1 causes the fork 13 to rotate from the open position to the latched position shown in Figure 2 in the opposite direction to direction B (counterclockwise in Figure 2). As a result, the claw 14 locks the fork 13, which is holding the striker 2, and holds the door 3 in the closed state.

[0019] The release mechanism 16 comprises an actuator 17, an operating member 18, and an operating lever 19. The actuator 17 is controlled by an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 7 and rotates the operating member 18 in the direction indicated by arrow C (counterclockwise in Figure 2). The operating lever 19 does not rotate when the operating member 18 is operated by the actuator 17. The operating lever 19 is operated by manual operation of a mechanically connected latch release device 20 and rotates the operating member 18 in the same direction C as the actuator 17. The rotation of the operating member 18 to direction C causes the open lever 15 and the claw 14 to rotate to direction A, and the latch mechanism 12 switches from the latched state to the latched state.

[0020] Next, the latch release device 20 will be described in detail.

[0021] Referring to Figure 1, the latch release device 20 is mounted on the inner panel 5 of the door 3 so as to be located on the front side in the vehicle length direction of the door latch device 10. Referring to Figures 2 to 5, the latch release device 20 comprises a base member 25, an operating lever 30, and a switch unit 40. The operating lever 30 is mechanically connected to the operating lever 19 via a cable (transmission member) 8, and the switch unit 40 is electrically connected to the ECU 7.

[0022] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the base member 25 includes a base plate 25a whose length in the vehicle direction is longer than its height in the vehicle direction. The base plate 25a is provided with a recess 26 for positioning the operating lever 30, a bearing portion 27 for pivotally supporting the operating lever 30, and a mounting portion 28 for attaching the switch unit 40.

[0023] The recess 26 is recessed outward in the vehicle width direction from the base plate 25a and has an elliptical cylindrical peripheral wall 26a extending in the vehicle length direction. Of the outer ends of the peripheral wall 26a in the vehicle width direction, the front side in the vehicle length direction is closed by the bottom wall 26b, and the rear side in the vehicle length direction is open. A bearing portion 27 is provided in this open portion, and a mounting portion 28 is provided on the bottom wall 26b.

[0024] The bearing portion 27 comprises an upper wall 27a and a lower wall 27b, which are spatially connected within the recess 26. The upper wall 27a and the lower wall 27b are connected to the circumferential wall 26a, respectively, protruding outward in the vehicle width direction and facing each other in the vehicle height direction. The upper wall 27a and the lower wall 27b are provided with a pair of mounting holes 27c for attaching the rotating shaft 33 of the operating lever 30. The lower wall 27b is further provided with a locking portion 27d for locking the second arm portion 34c of the kick spring (biasing member) 34, which will be described in detail later. On the rear side in the vehicle length direction of the upper wall 27a and the lower wall 27b, there is a holding portion 27e for holding the outer end 8b of the tube 8a of the cable 8.

[0025] The mounting portion 28 is rectangular and protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the bottom wall 26b. A communication opening 26c is provided at the inner end of the mounting portion 28 in the vehicle width direction, that is, the part of the bottom wall 26b corresponding to the mounting portion 28, and the inside of the mounting portion 28 and the inside of the recess 26 are spatially connected through this communication opening 26c. Bosses 28a for screwing the switch unit 40 are provided at the opposing upper and lower parts of the mounting portion 28.

[0026] Referring to Figures 2, 4, and 5, the operating lever 30 is positioned in the recess 26 of the base member 25 from the inside in the vehicle width direction. The operating lever 30 comprises a lever body 30a and a pivot portion 31, and is rotatable around a rotation axis 33 that extends in the vehicle height direction. The lever body 30a is also provided with an optical display section 32 that can transmit light from the LED (light source) 46 (see Figure 6) of the switch unit 40, which will be described in detail later. By positioning the base member 25 in the inner panel 5 shown in Figure 1 from the inside in the vehicle width direction, the base plate 25a, recess 26, lever body 30a, and optical display section 32 are exposed inside the vehicle.

[0027] The lever body 30a is a plate made of opaque resin with light-shielding properties and is equipped with reinforcing ribs 30b that protrude outward in the vehicle width direction on its outer circumference. The length of the lever body 30a in the vehicle length direction is shorter than the length of the recess 26 in the vehicle length direction, and an operating space 35 into which a finger can be inserted is provided between the front end of the lever body 30a in the vehicle length direction and the front end of the recess 26 in the vehicle length direction. An oval-shaped through hole 30c that exposes the optical display unit 32 is provided in the front portion of the lever body 30a in the vehicle length direction and extends through in the vehicle width direction. Below the through hole 30c, a rib 30d that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle height direction is provided.

[0028] Referring to Figure 5, the pivot mounting portion 31 is provided on the rear portion of the lever body 30a in the vehicle length direction, that is, on the opposite side of the vehicle length direction from the through hole 30c, so as to correspond to the bearing portion 27 of the base member 25. The pivot mounting portion 31 comprises an upper wall 31a, a lower wall 31b, and a side wall 31c. The upper wall 31a and the lower wall 31b are connected to the reinforcing rib 30b, respectively, and protrude outward in the vehicle width direction, facing the vehicle height direction. The side wall 31c is connected to the front side of the upper wall 31a and the lower wall 31b in the vehicle length direction and to the lever body 30a. The upper wall 31a and the lower wall 31b are each provided with a pivot hole 31d that corresponds to the mounting hole 27c of the bearing portion 27.

[0029] The upper wall 31a is further provided with a retaining portion 31e for holding the inner end 8d of the wire 8c of the cable 8. The retaining portion 31e comprises a C-shaped upper frame 31f, which is open on the outside in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the vehicle height direction, and an annular lower frame 31g provided at a distance below the upper frame 31f. The gap between the upper frame 31f and the lower frame 31g forms an insertion groove through which the wire 8c is inserted.

[0030] Referring to Figures 2 and 4, the optical display unit 32 in this embodiment consists of the tip surface of the lens (light guide member) 47 provided in the switch unit 40 and is located within the through hole 30c of the lever body 30a. The lens 47 will be described in detail later.

[0031] Referring to Figures 3 and 5, the operating lever 30 is rotatably supported by the base member 25 by inserting the rotating shaft 33 into the mounting hole 27c from the upper side of the upper wall 27a, with the pivot portion 31 positioned inside the bearing portion 27, and inserting the tip of the rotating shaft 33, which has passed through the pair of pivot holes 31d of the pivot portion 31, into the mounting hole 27c of the lower wall 27b.

[0032] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the operating lever 30 is held in the neutral position shown in Figure 7 by a coil spring (biasing member) 44 provided in the switch unit 40 and a kick spring 34 located on the rotating shaft 33.

[0033] The coil spring 44 is located inside the casing 41, which will be described in detail later, and biases the operating lever 30 from the normal operating position (first operating position) shown in Figure 8 to the neutral position shown in Figure 7 via the movable cover (movable part) 43. The specific arrangement of the coil spring 44 will be described in detail later.

[0034] The kick spring 34 comprises a winding portion 34a, a first arm 34b, and a second arm 34c, and is positioned within the pivot portion 31 such that the winding portion 34a surrounds the rotating shaft 33. The first arm 34b abuts against the lever body 30a, and the second arm 34c is locked to the locking portion 27d of the bearing portion 27. As a result, the kick spring 34 biases the operating lever 30 from the emergency operating position (second operating position) shown in Figure 9 towards the neutral position shown in Figure 7. The biasing force of the kick spring 34 is weaker than that of the coil spring 44.

[0035] The operating lever 30 rotates outward in the vehicle width direction from the neutral position shown in Figure 7 to the normal operating position shown in Figure 8 by a push operation (normal operation) by the user. This activates the switch unit 40, and the output state of the signal from the switch unit 40 to the ECU 7 (see Figure 3) switches, causing the ECU 7 to electrically switch the latch mechanism 12 from the latched state to the unlocked state. When the user releases their hand from the operating lever 30, the operating lever 30 returns to the neutral position shown in Figure 7 from the normal operating position shown in Figure 8 by the biasing force of the coil spring 44.

[0036] The operating lever 30 rotates inward in the vehicle width direction from the neutral position shown in Figure 7 to the emergency operating position shown in Figure 9 by a pull operation (emergency operation) by the user. As a result, the latch mechanism 12 is mechanically switched from the latched state to the unlocked state via the wire 8c, whose inner end 8d is held by the holding part 31e, as shown in Figure 3. When the user releases their hand from the operating lever 30, the operating lever 30 returns from the emergency operating position shown in Figure 9 to the neutral position shown in Figure 7 by the biasing force of the kick spring 34.

[0037] Referring to Figures 3 to 5, the switch unit 40 is attached to the mounting portion 28 of the base member 25 from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The switch unit 40 comprises a casing 41 and a switch 45, and detects the operation of the operating lever 30 to the normal operating position shown in Figure 8, and outputs the detection result to the ECU 7. The switch unit 40 further comprises an LED 46 and a lens 47, and the light emitted by the LED 46 improves the visibility of the operating lever 30.

[0038] The casing 41 comprises a case body 42 and a movable cover 43 that is movable in the vehicle width direction relative to the case body 42. The movable cover 43 can be moved in the vehicle width direction between the extended position shown in Figure 7 and the retracted position shown in Figure 8 by pushing the operating lever 30, and is biased to the extended position by a coil spring 44.

[0039] The case body 42 is a rectangular tube with its outer end closed in the vehicle width direction and its inner end open in the vehicle width direction. The outer end wall 42a is provided with a screw fastening piece 42b having a through hole corresponding to the boss 28a. The opposing upper and lower walls of the case body 42 are each provided with a locking groove 42c that penetrates in the vehicle height direction and extends in the vehicle width direction. The total length of the locking groove 42c in the vehicle width direction is longer than the forward and backward stroke of the movable cover 43 from the extended position shown in Figure 7 to the retracted position shown in Figure 8.

[0040] The movable cover 43 is sized to fit into the case body 42 and is a rectangular tube with its inner end in the vehicle width direction closed and its outer end in the vehicle width direction open. The rib 30d of the operating lever 30 makes line contact with the inner end wall 43a in the neutral position shown in Figure 7 and the normal operating position shown in Figure 8, and separates in the emergency operating position shown in Figure 9. The movable cover 43 is provided with a locking claw 43b that corresponds to the locking groove 42c of the case body 42. Inside the movable cover 43 is a rod-shaped operating part 43c for operating the switch 45.

[0041] Referring to Figure 6, the coil spring 44 is positioned within the casing 41 such that one end abuts against the outer end wall 42a of the case body 42 and the other end abuts against the inner end wall 43a of the movable cover 43. The movement of the movable cover 43 by the coil spring 44 is stopped by the locking claw 43b engaging with the inner edge of the locking groove 42c in the vehicle width direction. Since the biasing force of the coil spring 44 is stronger than that of the kick spring 34, the movable cover 43 will not move from the extended position shown in Figure 7 to the retracted position shown in Figure 8 due to the biasing force of the kick spring 34. In other words, the operating lever 30 will not move from the neutral position shown in Figure 7 to the normal operating position shown in Figure 8 due to the biasing force of the kick spring 34.

[0042] Switch 45 is a tact switch equipped with a movable operating receiver 45a in the vehicle width direction, and is located on a circuit board 48 and electrically connected to the ECU 7 shown in Figure 3. When the movable cover 43 moves to the retracted position shown in Figure 8, the operating receiver 45a is moved by the operating unit 43c, and the switch 45 switches from an off state (no signal output) to an on state (signal output). On the other hand, when the movable cover 43 moves from the retracted position shown in Figure 8 to the extended position shown in Figure 7, the pressure on the operating receiver 45a by the operating unit 43c is released, and the switch 45 switches from an on state to an off state. However, the switch 45 may also switch from an on state to an off state when the movable cover 43 moves to the retracted position shown in Figure 8.

[0043] LED 46 consists of a two-color LED capable of emitting light of different colors and is arranged on the circuit board 48 together with the switch 45. The positions of LED 46 in the vehicle length direction and vehicle height direction correspond to the positions of the through-hole 30c of the operating lever 30 in the vehicle length direction and vehicle height direction. When a user carrying the electronic key is within a predetermined range of the vehicle, LED 46 is illuminated in a predetermined color by the ECU 7 shown in Figure 3. However, LED 46 only needs to be configured to emit light of two or more different colors.

[0044] For example, the ECU7 shown in Figures 2 and 3 performs a locking process when the vehicle is in motion and an unlocking process when the vehicle is stopped. During the locking process, the LED 46 illuminates red, and even if the switch 45 is operated, the actuator 17 is not activated, and the latch mechanism 12 is not switched from the latched state to the unlocked state. During the unlocking process, the LED 46 illuminates green, and when the switch 45 is operated, the actuator 17 is activated, switching the latch mechanism 12 from the latched state to the unlocked state. The LED 46 remains lit even when the battery capacity is insufficient.

[0045] Referring to Figure 6, the lens 47 comprises a lens body 47a and a projection 47b, and is positioned on the inside of the LED 46 in the vehicle width direction, guiding the light from the LED 46 to the outside of the movable cover 43. The lens 47 is attached to the movable cover 43 and is movable together with the movement of the movable cover 43. In other words, the lens 47 is biased toward the lever body 30a by a coil spring 44 via the movable cover 43.

[0046] The lens body 47a is plate-shaped and is positioned inside the casing 41, spaced apart from the LED 46 in the vehicle width direction. This spacing is set to the smallest possible dimension without contacting the LED 46 when the movable cover 43 moves to the retracted position shown in Figure 8.

[0047] The protruding portion 47b is plate-shaped, with dimensions in the vehicle length direction and vehicle height direction smaller than the dimensions of the lens body 47a in the vehicle length direction and vehicle height direction, and it penetrates the inner end wall 43a and protrudes inward from the movable cover 43 in the vehicle width direction. When the operating lever 30 is in the neutral position shown in Figure 7, the tip of the protruding portion 47b is located in the through hole 30c that penetrates the lever body 30a in the vehicle width direction. The tip surface of this protruding portion 47b constitutes the optical display portion 32. The dimension of the protruding portion 47b in the vehicle length direction is shorter than the dimension of the through hole 30c in the vehicle length direction, within a range that allows for displacement of the protruding portion 47b within the through hole 30c due to the rotation of the operating lever 30.

[0048] Next, the operation of the latch release device 20 will be explained in detail.

[0049] As shown in Figure 7, when the operating lever 30 is in the neutral position without being operated, the switch 45 is in the off state, and the wire 8c of the cable 8 shown in Figure 3 is in its initial position, so the latch mechanism 12 is maintained in the latched state without being activated. The LED 46 is illuminated red by the ECU 7 shown in Figure 3 when the vehicle is moving and illuminated green when the vehicle is stopped. Therefore, the user can easily check the position of the operating lever 30 and whether or not the door latch device 10 can be electrically unlocked.

[0050] As shown in Figure 8, when the operating lever 30 is pushed to its normal operating position, the lever body 30a moves the movable cover 43 to the retracted position, and the operating part 43c switches the switch 45 from the off state to the on state. When the ECU 7 (see Figure 3) receives the ON signal, if the vehicle is stopped, it activates the actuator 17 to electrically switch the latch mechanism 12 from the latched state to the unlocked state.

[0051] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8, when the operating lever 30 is pushed, the wire 8c of the cable 8 is pushed into the tube 8a in the direction indicated by arrow D1 in Figure 3. As a result, the operating lever 19 of the door latch device 10 shown in Figure 3 rotates in the opposite direction to the direction C that rotates the claw 14 from the locked position to the unlocked position. Consequently, the latch mechanism 12 does not mechanically switch from the latched state to the unlocked state, nor is the operation of the operating member 18 by the actuator 17 interfered with.

[0052] When the user releases the operating lever 30, the biasing force of the coil spring 44 (see Figure 6) moves the movable cover 43 to the extended position shown in Figure 7, and the operating lever 30 also rotates to the neutral position. During normal operation of the operating lever 30, the lens 47 moves forward and backward in accordance with the movement of the movable cover 43, so the display position of the optical display unit 32 in the through hole 30c is maintained.

[0053] As shown in Figure 9, when the operating lever 30 is pulled to the emergency operating position, the wire 8c of the cable 8 is pulled out from the tube 8a in the direction indicated by arrow D2 in Figure 3. As a result, the operating lever 19 of the door latch device 10 shown in Figure 3 rotates in direction C via the operating member 18, which rotates the claw 14 from the locked position to the unlocked position, and the latch mechanism 12 is mechanically switched from the locked state to the unlocked state. Note that the mechanical switching of the latch mechanism 12 by pulling the operating lever 30 is possible regardless of the vehicle's operating state and battery capacity.

[0054] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 9, when the operating lever 30 is pulled, the lever body 30a separates from the movable cover 43, and the movable cover 43 maintains its extended position, so the switch 45 also remains in the off state. Since the ECU 7 (see Figure 3), which does not receive an ON signal, does not operate the actuator 17, the operating member 18 does not interfere with the switching of the latch mechanism 12 by the operating lever 19 of the door latch device 10.

[0055] When the user releases the operating lever 30, the operating lever 30 rotates due to the biasing force of the kick spring 34 and stops in the neutral position shown in Figure 7 by contacting the movable cover 43, which is biased by the coil spring 44 (see Figure 6). This emergency operation of the operating lever 30 exposes the protruding portion 47b of the lens 47 through the through hole 30c (see Figure 9), and then covers everything except the optical display unit 32 again (see Figure 7).

[0056] The latch release device 20 configured in this way has the following features.

[0057] A switch unit 40 electrically connected to the latch mechanism 12 is equipped with an LED 46, and the lever body 30a of the operating lever 30 mechanically connected to the latch mechanism 12 is equipped with an optical display section 32 that can transmit light from the LED 46. Therefore, even in dark surroundings, the position of the operating lever 30 can be easily confirmed, thereby improving the visibility and operability of the operating lever 30.

[0058] Furthermore, the latch release device 20 is located on the interior side of the door 3, and the color of the LED 46 changes depending on whether the door latch device 10, which includes the latch mechanism 12, is in the locked or unlocked state. Therefore, the user can easily determine the status of the door latch device 10, thereby improving convenience.

[0059] Since the LED 46 is located on a switch unit 40 that is immovable relative to the door 3, rather than on a rotatable operating lever 30, the overall structure of the latch release device 20 can be simplified, and the wiring for electrical connection can also be simplified. When the latch mechanism 12 is mechanically switched from the latched state to the unlocked state by operating the operating lever 30 to the emergency operating position shown in Figure 9, the lever body 30a moves away from the movable cover 43. Therefore, the switch unit 40 does not act as a resistance, and the operability of the operating lever 30 can be improved.

[0060] The optical display unit 32 is formed by the tip surface of the protruding portion 47b of the lens 47, which is located within the through-hole 30c of the lever body 30a when the operating lever 30 is in the neutral position shown in Figure 7. In other words, there are no light-blocking members on the outside of the lens 47 that guides the light from the LED 46. Therefore, the amount of light in the optical display unit 32 can be ensured, and the visibility of the operating lever 30 can be reliably improved.

[0061] The switch unit 40 has a coil spring 44 that biases the lens 47 toward the lever body 30a. Therefore, when the operating lever 30 is rotated from the neutral position shown in Figure 7 toward the normal operating position shown in Figure 8, the lens 47 can move in accordance with the rotation of the operating lever 30. Thus, the distance between the lens 47 and the optical display unit 32 can be kept constant, and the display state of the optical display unit 32 can be maintained.

[0062] The coil spring 44 biases the lens 47 via the movable cover 43. As a result, the operating lever 30 can return from the normal operating position shown in Figure 8 to the neutral position shown in Figure 7 via the movable cover 43 of the switch unit 40. In other words, the operating lever 30 does not require a dedicated biasing member to return from the normal operating position to the neutral position. Therefore, the overall structure of the latch release device 20 can be simplified.

[0063] The optical display unit 32 is located on the opposite side of the lever body 30a from the rotation axis 33. This allows the user to easily operate the switch 45 or cable 8 with less force by operating near the optical display unit 32 of the lever body 30a compared to operating near the rotation axis 33. Thus, the operability of the operating lever 30 can be further improved.

[0064] Other embodiments and various modifications of the present invention will be described below, but unless otherwise specified, they will be the same as in the first embodiment. In the drawings referred to below, the same elements as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0065] (Second Embodiment) Referring to Figures 10 and 11, the latch release device 20 of the second embodiment differs from the latch release device 20 of the first embodiment in that the configuration of the optical display unit 32 has been changed. Specifically, the lever body 30a is provided with a light-shielding coating layer 50, such as paint, on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction.

[0066] The optical display section 32 is formed, for example, by peeling off a portion of the coating layer 50 with a laser. However, the coating layer 50 may be provided with masking tape attached to the tip of the lens 47, and the optical display section 32 may be provided by peeling off the masking tape. Alternatively, the coating layer 50 may be made of a light-transmitting resin film, and the optical display section 32 may be provided by printing a light-shielding oil-based ink on the parts other than those corresponding to the optical display section 32.

[0067] As most clearly shown in Figure 10, the shape of the optical display unit 32 is letter-shaped, relating to the function of the operating lever 30, and in this embodiment, it is the letter shape of "OPEN". However, the shape of the optical display unit 32 may be a graphic, relating to the function of the operating lever 30.

[0068] The latch release device 20 of the second embodiment, configured in this manner, can obtain the same operation and effects as the first embodiment. Moreover, since the optical display unit 32 is formed by the portion of the lever body 30a other than the light-shielding coating layer 50, the position of the optical display unit 32 relative to the operating lever 30 does not shift. Therefore, the appearance of the operating lever 30 can be improved. Furthermore, since the shape of the optical display unit 32 is formed in the shape of characters or a graphic related to the function of the operating lever 30, the usability of the latch release device 20 can be improved.

[0069] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0070] For example, as shown in Figure 12, the lens 47 may be configured such that its tip surface is located on the outer surface of the movable cover 43, and the lever body 30a may be formed by two-color molding to have a translucent optical display section 32 and a light-shielding section 30e facing the lens 47. In this case as well, the shape of the optical display section 32 may be formed in the shape of characters or a pattern, as in the second embodiment.

[0071] The operating lever 30 may be configured to be operated inward in the vehicle width direction during normal operation and outward in the vehicle width direction during an emergency. Alternatively, the operating lever 30 may be configured to be operated downward in the vehicle height direction during normal operation and upward in the vehicle height direction during an emergency. In other words, the operating direction of the operating lever 30 should be such that it can be operated from the neutral position to the normal operating position during normal operation and from the neutral position to the emergency operating position on the opposite side of the normal operating position during an emergency.

[0072] The biasing member that biases the movable cover 43 from the retracted position to the extended position may be a spring provided by the switch 45.

[0073] In addition to the kick spring 34 (see Figure 5) that biases the operating lever 30 from the emergency operating position shown in Figure 9 to the neutral position shown in Figure 7, the rotating shaft 33 may also be equipped with a kick spring that biases the operating lever 30 from the normal operating position shown in Figure 8 to the neutral position shown in Figure 7. In other words, instead of the coil spring 44, a biasing member that returns the operating lever 30 from the normal operating position to the neutral position may be placed on the pivot point 31 of the operating lever 30. Furthermore, as long as the operating lever 30 can be held in the neutral position shown in Figure 7, the type and number of biasing members can be changed as needed.

[0074] The operating lever 30 of the latch release device 20 and the operating lever 19 of the door latch device 10 may be mechanically connected by a rod. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 1. Vehicle body 2 Reflector 3-door 4 Outer Panels 5 Inner Panel 6 End Panels 7 ECU 8 Cables 8a Tube 8b Outer end 8c wire 8d Inner End 10 Door latch device 11 Housing 12. Latch mechanism 13 Forks 14 Claws 15 Open Lever 16 Release mechanism 17 Actuators 18 Operating member 19. Operating lever 20. Latch release device 25 Base member 25a Base plate 26 recesses 26a Peripheral wall 26b Bottom wall 26c communication port 27 Bearing section 27a Upper wall 27b Lower wall 27c mounting hole 27d Locking part 27e Holding part 28 Mounting part 28a Boss 30 Operating levers 30a Lever body 30b Reinforcement Rib 30c through hole 30d rib 30e Light shielding part 31 Shaft attachment part 31a Upper wall 31b Lower wall 31c side wall 31d shaft hole 31e Holding part 31f upper frame 31g bottom frame 32 Optical display section 33 Rotation axis 34. Kick spring (biasing member) 34a Winding section 34b First Arm 34c 2nd Arm 35 Operation space 40 Switch Units 41 Casing 42 Case body 42a Outer end wall 42b Screw fastening piece 42c Locking groove 43. Movable cover (movable part) 43a Inner end wall 43b Locking claw 43c Operation section 44. Coil spring (biasing member) 45 switches 45a Operation receiver 46 LED (light source) 47. Lens (light guide element) 47a Lens body 47b Protrusion 48 Circuit boards 50 Covering layer

Claims

1. An operating lever having a lever body exposed from the door, capable of rotation between a neutral position and a first operating position, and between the neutral position and a second operating position opposite to the first operating position, and for mechanically switching the latch mechanism from a latched state to a latched state by rotation to the second operating position, A switch unit having a movable part which is pressed against the lever body by the rotation of the operating lever to the first operating position and moves from the extended position to the retracted position, and a switch which switches between an on state and an off state when the operating lever is rotated to the second operating position and electrically switches the latch mechanism from a latched state to an unlocked state. Equipped with, The aforementioned switch unit has a light source, The lever body has an optical display section that can transmit light from the light source. Latch release device.

2. The switch unit has a light guide member that guides the light from the light source to the outside of the movable part. The lever body is provided with a through hole that extends in the direction from the neutral position toward the first operating position. The light guide member is provided with a projection that protrudes from the movable part, and whose tip is located inside the through hole when the operating lever is in the neutral position. The optical display unit is formed by the tip surface of the protruding portion. The latch release device according to claim 1.

3. The switch unit has a light guide member that guides the light from the light source to the outside of the movable part. The optical display unit is provided at a position opposite the light guide member, The lever body is provided with a light-shielding coating layer that covers the portion other than the optical display section. The latch release device according to claim 1.

4. The latch release device according to claim 3, wherein the shape of the optical display unit is character-shaped or graphic-shaped.

5. The latch release device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the switch unit has a biasing member that biases the light guide member toward the lever body.

6. The light guide member is provided so as to be movable integrally with the movable part, The biasing member biases the light guide member via the movable part. The latch release device according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned operating lever has a rotation axis on one end of the lever body, The optical display unit is provided on the other end of the lever body opposite to the rotation axis. A latch release device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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