Locking device

Abstract

To provide a lock device for a storage device, which is configured such that a key cylinder receiver is provided in a knob and a sense of moderation is produced in the operation of a key cylinder.SOLUTION: A locking device 4 includes a base 15, a latch 16 supported by the base for displacement between a first position in which the latch engages with a box and a second position in which the latch is separated from the box, a knob 17 supported by the base and rotates to causes the latch to displace from the first position to the second position, a key cylinder 52, and a cam 60 supported by the knob for displacement between a third position in which the cam engages with the base to restrict rotation of the knob and a fourth position in which the cam is separated from the base to allow rotation of the knob.The key cylinder has a case 53 fixed to the knob and a rotor 54 rotatably supported by the case, the rotor and the cam are engaged with each other, the cam is displaced between the third position and the fourth position according to the rotation of the rotor, one of the knob and the cam has an uneven structure 48, and the other has a flexible abutting part 62 abutting on the uneven structure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking device for a storage device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a locking device for a glove box. The locking device has a base provided on a lid of the glove box, a knob rotatably provided on the base, and a key cylinder provided on the knob. The key cylinder has a case coupled to the knob, a rotor rotatably provided in the case, and a plate extending radially from the rotor. When a user inserts a key into the rotor and rotates the key, the rotor rotates to a locked position. In the locked position, the plate provided on the rotor engages with the base, and rotation of the knob with respect to the base is prohibited. In the locking device according to Patent Document 1, since the key cylinder is provided on the knob, it is easy for the user to understand that the object locked by the key cylinder is the knob, and there is an advantage of good space efficiency.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the locking device according to Patent Document 1 does not have a configuration that generates a sense of moderation with respect to the rotational operation of the user's key. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to recognize whether the operation has been properly performed.

[0005] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a locking device for a storage device, in which a key cylinder is provided on a knob and a sense of moderation is generated with respect to the operation of the key cylinder.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is a locking device (4) of a storage device (1) including a box (2) having an opening and a lid (3) for closing the opening of the box, the locking device (4) including a base (15) attached to the lid, and a first position where the lid is engaged with the box to restrict displacement of the lid with respect to the box, and a second position where the lid is separated from the box to enable displacement of the lid with respect to the box. A latch (16) supported by the base so as to be displaceable between the two positions, a knob (17) rotatably supported by the base, and the knob rotates to displace the latch from the first position to the second position. A key cylinder (52) provided on the knob, a third position where the knob is engaged with the base to restrict rotation of the knob with respect to the base, and a fourth position where the knob is separated from the base to enable rotation of the knob with respect to the base. A cam (60) supported by the knob so as to be displaceable between the two positions, the key cylinder having a case (53) fixed to the knob and a rotor (54) rotatably supported by the case, the rotor and the cam being engaged with each other, and the cam being displaced between the third position and the fourth position in response to rotation of the rotor. One of the knob and the cam has a concavo-convex structure (48), and the other of the knob and the cam has a flexible contact portion (62) that contacts the concavo-convex structure to generate a sense of moderation when the cam is in a predetermined position with respect to the knob.

[0007] According to this aspect, in the locking device of the storage device, a key cylinder can be provided on the knob, and a sense of moderation can be generated with respect to the operation of the key cylinder.

[0008] In the above aspect, the rotor may have a connecting piece (59) extending offset with respect to the rotation axis of the rotor, the cam may have a cam groove (65) for receiving the connecting piece, and the cam may move with respect to the knob when the connecting piece presses the cam groove.

[0009] According to this aspect, the connection structure between the rotor and the cam of the key cylinder can be simplified.

[0010] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the cam has a locking piece (69) protruding from the knob toward the base side at the third position.

[0011] According to this aspect, the engagement structure between the cam and the base can be simplified.

[0012] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the cam is disposed at a position intersecting the rotation axis of the rotor and is supported by the knob so as to be slidable in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rotor.

[0013] According to this aspect, the cam can be disposed on the knob with good space efficiency.

[0014] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the cam is supported by the knob so as to be slidable in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the knob.

[0015] According to this aspect, the cam can be disposed on the knob with good space efficiency.

[0016] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the contact portion has a flexible arm portion (70) extending in the sliding direction of the cam and a protrusion (73) provided on the arm portion and contacting the concavo-convex structure.

[0017] According to this aspect, a sense of moderation can be generated when the contact portion is in sliding contact with the concavo-convex structure.

[0018] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the concavo-convex structure has a recess (49) recessed in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the cam and into which the protrusion can enter.

[0019] According to this aspect, a sense of moderation can be generated when the protrusion enters the recess.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to the above configuration, in the locking device of the storage device, a key cylinder is provided on the knob, and a sense of moderation can be generated with respect to the operation of the key cylinder.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a locking device of an automobile glove box will be described in detail. In the following description, each azimuth is defined based on the traveling direction of the automobile.

[0023] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a glove box 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the glove box 1, which is a storage device, includes a box 2 that constitutes an instrument panel, a lid 3, and a locking device 4. An opening 5 is formed in the box 2 facing forward. The lid 3 is rotatably supported by the box 2 and opens and closes the opening 5. The locking device 4 maintains the lid 3 in a closed position where it closes the opening 5 with respect to the box 2.

[0024] The lid 3 has a front member 7 and a back member 8 joined to each other. The back member 8 has a plate-like portion 8A formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and an upper side wall 8B, left and right side walls 8C, and a lower side wall (not shown) erected on the front side along the periphery of the plate-like portion 8A, and is formed in a shallow dish shape. A lock device 4 described later is attached to the back member 8.

[0025] The front member 7 is in the form of a plate formed in a substantially quadrilateral shape. A through hole penetrating through the front and back is formed in the front member 7. It is joined to the protruding ends of the side walls 8B and 8C of the back member 8. Thereby, the lid 3 forms an internal space between the front member 7 and the back member 8. Support shafts 9 protruding in the left-right direction are coaxially formed in the lower portions of the left and right side walls 8C of the back member 8, respectively. By each support shaft 9 being supported by a bearing hole (not shown) formed in the box 2, the lid 3 is rotatably supported by the box 2.

[0026] The opening 5 of the box 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape so as to be able to receive the lid 3 in the closed position. An upper wall 11A facing the upper side wall 8B of the lid 3 in the closed position with a predetermined gap and transverse walls 11B facing the left and right side walls 8B with a predetermined gap are formed at the edge 11 of the opening 5. Regulation walls 11C protruding toward the center side of the opening 5 and extending vertically are provided at portions displaced a predetermined distance from the open ends of the left and right transverse walls 11B toward the back side. The regulation walls 11C have side surfaces facing the outside of the opening 5. Lock holes 12 recessed outward to the left and right are formed at the upper end portions of the left and right transverse walls 11B. The lock holes 12 may be either through holes or bottomed holes.

[0027] The lock device 4 has a base 15 attached to the lid 3, a latch 16 engaging with the lock hole 12 of the box 2, and a knob 17. The base 15 is provided at the upper part of the front side surface of the back member 8 within the internal space of the lid 3. The latch 16 is provided at the upper part of the front side surface of the back member 8 within the internal space of the lid 3. The knob 17 is provided at the upper part of the front side surface of the back member 8 within the internal space of the lid 3 and at the left end portion in the left-right direction.

[0028] In the following description, the up-down and front-back directions of each member are defined based on the state where the lid 3 is in the closed position. Also, the positions of the members when the lid 3 is in the closed position and the locking device 4 is in the locked state are defined as the initial positions.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 15 has a surface facing the front-back direction. The base 15 has a first support portion 20, a knob support portion 21, and a second support portion 22. The first support portion 20 is attached to the central portion in the left-right direction of the back member 8. The knob support portion 21 is attached to the left side portion in the left-right direction of the back member 8. The second support portion 22 extends in the left-right direction between the first support portion 20 and the knob support portion 21.

[0030] The first support portion 20 supports a latch 16 and a rotating member 18. The first support portion 20 supports the latch 16 so as to be displaceable in the left-right direction.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the latch 16 has a first latch 23 extending left and right and a second latch 33. The first latch 23 is connected to the rotating member 18 at the left end portion. The second latch 33 is connected to the rotating member 18 at the right end portion.

[0032] The latch 16 is supported by the base 15 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. The latch 16 is displaceable between a first position and a second position which is the initial position. In the first position, the first latch 23 is displaced rightward with respect to the base 15 as compared with the second position. The second latch 33 is displaced leftward with respect to the base 15.

[0033] In the first position, the latch 16 engages with the box 2. Thereby, the latch 16 restricts the displacement of the lid 3 with respect to the box 2. In the second position, the latch 16 separates from the box 2. Thereby, the latch 16 enables the displacement of the lid 3 with respect to the box 2. The latch 16 is displaced between the first position and the second position by the knob 17.

[0034] The first latch 23 extends horizontally. The first latch 23 is supported by the first support portion 20. The first latch 23 is provided so as to be slidable in the left - right direction with respect to the first support portion 20. A first engaging portion 24 is connected to the right end portion of the first latch 23.

[0035] The first engaging portion 24 is supported by a mounting member 25 attached to the back member 8 of the lid 3. The first engaging portion 24 is supported by the mounting member 25 so as to be slidable in the left - right direction. The first engaging portion 24 engages with the locking hole 12 and is formed so as to be detachable with respect to the box 2. A latch biasing member 26 is interposed between the first latch 23 and the mounting member 25. The latch biasing member 26 is preferably a torsion coil spring. By the latch biasing member 26, the first latch 23 is biased so that the first engaging portion 24 approaches the lateral wall 11B of the lid 3.

[0036] The second latch 33 extends horizontally. The second latch 33 is supported by the second support portion 22. The second latch 33 is provided so as to be slidable in the left - right direction with respect to the second support portion 22. A second engaging portion 34 is connected to the left end portion of the second latch 33. The second engaging portion 34 engages with the locking hole 12 and is formed so as to be detachable with respect to the box 2.

[0037] The rotating member 18 is rotatably supported by the first support portion 20. The rotating member 18 has a rotation axis extending in the front - rear direction. The rotating member 18 has a first protruding portion 30 and a second protruding portion 31 that protrude outward from the axis of the rotation axis. The first protruding portion 30 and the second protruding portion 31 are arranged at positions rotationally symmetric about the rotation axis in a front view. The rotating member 18 is connected to the left end portion of the first latch 23 at the first protruding portion 30. The rotating member 18 is connected to the right end portion of the second latch 33 at the second protruding portion 31.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, the knob support portion 21 has a first recess 37 and a second recess 38. The first recess 37 is formed in the lower part of the knob support portion 21. The first recess 37 is recessed forward. The first recess 37 has left and right side walls 37A, an upper wall 37B connecting the upper ends of the left and right side walls 37A, and a lower wall 37C connecting the lower ends of the left and right side walls 37A. The front ends of the left and right side walls 37A, the upper wall 37B, and the lower wall 37C are connected by a bottom wall 37D. An opening 39 is formed in the upper wall 37B.

[0039] The opening 39 is formed in at least the left side portion of the upper wall 37B in the left - right direction. The opening 39 may be formed across the upper wall 37B and the bottom wall 37D of the first recess 37. The upper wall 37B is disposed at a position corresponding to the contact claw 35 in the front - rear and left - right directions. The second recess 38 is formed below the first recess 37. The second recess 38 is recessed downward from the lower wall 37C of the first recess 37. The knob support portion 21 supports the knob 17.

[0040] The knob 17 is rotatably supported by the base 15. The knob 17 has a knob body 40 and an extension piece 41 connected to the knob body 40. The knob 17 may be covered by a cover 42 attached to its rear portion. The knob body 40 is formed in a box shape and is disposed within the first recess 37. An extrusion portion 45 is formed at the front left side of the knob body 40. The extrusion portion 45 projects upward from the upper surface of the knob body 40. The extrusion portion 45 is received in the opening 39. The extrusion portion 45 is in contact with the contact surface 36 of the contact claw 35. As shown in FIG. 7, an uneven structure 48 is formed on the right side surface of the left side portion of the knob body 40. The uneven structure 48 has a recess 49 that is recessed leftward. The knob body 40 supports a cam 60 (see FIG. 10) described later inside it.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the extension piece 41 extends leftward from the left rear end of the knob body 40. The extension piece 41 is formed in a plate shape. The knob 17 has a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction at the rear part thereof and on the base end side of the extension piece 41. The knob 17 rotates around the rotation axis so that the extension piece 41 moves forward and the knob body 40 moves backward. A knob biasing member 50 is interposed between the extension piece 41 and the base 15. The knob biasing member 50 is preferably a torsion coil spring. By the knob biasing member 50, the knob 17 is biased so that the main surface of the extension piece 41 faces forward and backward. A key cylinder 52 is provided on the knob 17.

[0042] The key cylinder 52 has a case 53 fixed to the knob body 40 and a rotor 54 rotatably supported by the case 53. The case 53 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. The case 53 is attached to the knob 17 on its outer peripheral surface.

[0043] The rotor 54 has a rotor body 55. The rotor body 55 is rotatably provided inside the case 53. The rotor body 55 has a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. A key hole 57 is formed at the rear part of the key cylinder 52.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 3-4 and FIGS. 8-9, the key hole 57 is formed so that an operation key can be inserted from the rear. The key hole 57 is preferably a long hole extending perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotor body 55. The key cylinder 52 is formed so that the rotor body 55 rotates by rotating the operation key inserted into the key hole 57. The key hole 57 preferably extends in the left-right direction in the locked state of the locking device 4. The key hole 57 preferably extends in the vertical direction in the unlocked state of the locking device 4. That is, the locking / unlocking of the locking device 4 may be performed by rotating the operation key inserted into the key hole 57 by 90 degrees. When a cover 42 is provided on the knob 17, the key hole 57 is preferably exposed rearward from the cover 42.

[0045] At the front of the rotor body 55, a connection piece 59 is provided which extends offset with respect to the rotation axis of the rotor body 55. The connection piece 59 extends forward from the rotor body 55. A cam 60 is disposed at a position in front of the rotor 54 and intersecting the rotation axis.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 10, the cam 60 has a cam body 61 and a contact portion 62. The cam body 61 is a plate-like member having front and rear facing surfaces. A cam groove 65 is formed at the central portion in the vertical direction and the central portion in the left-right direction of the cam body 61.

[0047] The cam groove 65 is formed in the cam body 61. The cam groove 65 may be a through hole or a blind hole. The cam groove 65 is capable of receiving the connection piece 59. The edge of the cam groove 65 is capable of contacting the connection piece 59. A lock piece 69 is connected to the lower right side of the cam body 61. The lock piece 69 has front and rear facing surfaces and extends downward.

[0048] The contact portion 62 is formed at the left end of the cam body 61. The contact portion 62 is formed of a flexible material. The contact portion 62 has an arm portion 70 extending in the vertical direction (i.e., the sliding direction of the cam 60). The arm portion 70 has a first arm portion 71 and a second arm portion 72.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 8 - 10, the first arm portion 71 connects the upper and lower portions of the cam body 61. The first arm portion 71 preferably has an arch shape in a front view. A protrusion 73 is formed at the central portion in the vertical direction of the first arm portion 71. The protrusion 73 protrudes leftward from the cam body 61. The protrusion 73 is in contact with the uneven structure 48.

[0050] The second arm portion 72 has an upper second arm portion 72A and a lower second arm portion 72B. The upper second arm portion 72A is provided above the first arm portion 71. The lower second arm portion 72B is provided below the first arm portion 71. The second arm portion 72 is in contact with the knob body 40 above and below the concavo-convex structure 48.

[0051] The cam 60 is supported so as to be slidable in the vertical direction with respect to the knob 17. The cam 60 is displaceable between a third position, which is the initial position, and a fourth position. In the third position, the cam 60 is displaced downward with respect to the knob 17 as compared with the fourth position.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 2, 8, and 9, in the third position, the lock piece 69 projects from the knob 17 toward the base 15 side and is inserted into the second recess 38. Thereby, the cam 60 engages with the base 15 to restrict the rotation of the knob 17. Also, in the third position, the projection 73 projects into the second recess 38.

[0053] In the fourth position, the lock piece 69 is removed from the second recess 38. Thereby, the cam 60 separates from the base 15 to enable the rotation of the knob 17 with respect to the base 15. Also, in the fourth position, the projection 73 is in contact with the concavo-convex structure 48. The cam 60 is displaced between the third position and the fourth position by the rotor 54.

[0054] When the rotor body 55 rotates, the connecting piece 59 moves within the cam groove 65. The connecting piece 59 abuts against the edge of the cam groove 65 and pushes the cam body 61. Thereby, the cam 60 is displaced upward or downward with respect to the knob 17. Due to the displacement of the cam 60, the lock piece 69 is inserted into and removed from the second recess 38. Therefore, the cam 60 is displaced between the third position and the fourth position in accordance with the rotation of the rotor 54.

[0055] Next, the operation of the locking device 4 when opening and closing the lid 3 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. When the lid 3 is changed from the closed state to the open state, the operator inserts the operation key into the keyhole 57 and rotates the rotor body 55 counterclockwise. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the connecting piece 59 moves upward within the cam groove 65. The connecting piece 59 abuts against the upper part of the edge of the cam groove 65 and pushes the cam body 61 upward. Thereby, the cam 60 slides upward and is displaced to the fourth position, and the knob 17 becomes rotatable with respect to the base 15. That is, the locked state of the locking device 4 is released. At this time, a sense of moderation is generated when the protrusion 73 is in sliding contact with the concavo-convex structure 48 provided on the knob body 40.

[0056] Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the operator pulls the right end of the knob 17 backward. As a result, the knob 17 rotates, and the left end of the knob 17 moves forward. Thereby, the extrusion part 45 moves rightward. The extrusion part 45 subsequently abuts against the contact claw 35 and pushes the contact claw 35 to the right. Further, the extrusion part 45 abuts against the edge of the opening 39. Thereby, the movement of the extrusion part 45 is restricted. Therefore, the rotation of the knob 17 is restricted.

[0057] When the contact claw 35 is pushed to the right, the second latch 33 slides rightward. As a result, the second protrusion 31 connected to the right end of the second latch 33 is displaced rightward. Thereby, the rotating member 18 rotates rightward, and the first protrusion 30 is displaced leftward. Therefore, the first latch 23 connected to the first protrusion 30 slides leftward. Thereby, the first latch 23 and the second latch 33 are displaced away from the box 2 shown in FIG. 1 to the second position. Thus, the lid 3 can be opened and closed.

[0058] When the lid 3 is changed from the closed state to the open state, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the operator releases the pulling force on the knob 17. When the pulling force is released, the knob 17 is biased by the biasing force of the knob biasing member 50 so that the main surface of the extending piece 41 faces forward and backward. Also, the first latch 23 moves leftward by the biasing force of the latch biasing member 26. As a result, the first protrusion 30 connected to the left end of the first latch 23 is displaced leftward. Thereby, the rotating member 18 rotates leftward, and the second protrusion 31 is displaced leftward. Therefore, the second latch 33 connected to the second protrusion 31 is displaced leftward and returns to the initial position.

[0059] The operator rotates the rotor main body 55 clockwise by the operation key inserted into the keyhole 57. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the connecting piece 59 moves downward within the cam groove 65. The connecting piece 59 abuts against the lower part of the edge of the cam groove 65 and pushes the cam main body 61 downward. Thereby, the cam 60 slides downward and is displaced to the third position, and the movement of the knob 17 with respect to the base 15 is restricted. That is, the locking device 4 is in the locked state. At this time, the protrusion 73 is in sliding contact with the concavo-convex structure 48 provided on the knob main body 40 and enters the recess 49, thereby generating a sense of moderation.

[0060] Next, the effects of the locking device 4 configured as described above will be described. The locking device 4 according to the present embodiment rotates the rotor main body 55 by operating the key cylinder 52 provided on the knob 17. By the rotation of the rotor main body 55, the cam 60 moves vertically between the third position and the fourth position with respect to the knob 17.

[0061] In addition, a concavo-convex structure 48 is formed on the knob 17, and a contact portion 62 is formed on the cam 60. Since the contact portion 62 has flexibility, when the cam 60 is displaced to the third position or the fourth position with respect to the knob 17, the contact portion 62 flexes and contacts the concavo-convex structure 48. Therefore, in the locking device 4 of the glove box 1, the key cylinder 52 is provided on the knob 17, and a sense of moderation can be generated with respect to the operation of the key cylinder 52. Further, since the cam 60 is locked to the knob 17 by the contact portion 62, the movement of the cam 60 is restricted when the key cylinder 52 is not being operated.

[0062] The rotor 54 has a connecting piece 59 that extends offset with respect to the rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. The cam 60 has a cam groove 65 that receives the connecting piece 59. When the operator operates the key cylinder 52 to rotate the rotor main body 55, the connecting piece 59 moves and presses the cam groove 65, so that the cam 60 moves in the vertical direction with respect to the knob 17. According to this configuration, the connection structure between the rotor 54 of the key cylinder 52 and the cam 60 can be simplified.

[0063] The cam 60 has a locking piece 69 that protrudes from the knob 17 toward the base 15 side in the third position. In the third position, the locking piece 69 is inserted into the second recess 38. Thereby, the movement of the cam 60 in the front-rear direction with respect to the base 15 is restricted in the third position. Therefore, the engagement structure between the cam 60 and the base 15 can be simplified.

[0064] The rotation axis of the rotor 54 extends in the front-rear direction. The cam 60 is disposed in front of the rotor 54 and at a position intersecting the rotation axis of the rotor 54. Further, the cam 60 is supported by the knob 17 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. Thereby, the cam 60 can be disposed on the knob 17 with good space efficiency.

[0065] The knob 17 has a rotation axis extending vertically. The cam 60 is supported by the knob body 40 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. Therefore, the cam 60 is supported by the knob 17 so as to be slidable in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the knob 17. As a result, the cam 60 can be arranged on the knob 17 with good space efficiency.

[0066] The contact portion 62 has a flexible first arm portion 71 and a second arm portion 72 extending in the vertical direction. A protrusion 73 is provided on the first arm portion 71. The protrusion 73 contacts the uneven structure 48 of the knob 17. Thereby, a sense of moderation can be generated in the operation of the key cylinder 52.

[0067] The uneven structure 48 has a recess 49 recessed in the left-right direction (that is, a direction orthogonal to the slide direction of the cam 60). The protrusion 73 can enter the recess 49. Thereby, when the protrusion 73 enters the recess 49, a sense of moderation can be generated in the operation of the key cylinder 52.

[0068] Although the description of the specific embodiment is finished above, the present invention can be widely modified and implemented without being limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the lock device of the present invention is applied to the glove box 1 has been described. However, the lock device of the present invention can be applied to various storage devices that close an opening with a rotatable lid such as furniture like a system kitchen or a storage box.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0069] 1: Glove box (storage device) 2: Box 3: Lid 15: Base 16: Latch 17: Knob 48: Uneven structure 49: Recess 52: Key cylinder 53: Case 54: Rotor 59: Connecting piece 60: Cam 62: Contact part 65: Cam groove 69: Lock piece 70: Arm part 73: Protrusion

Claims

1. A locking device for a storage device including a box having an opening and a lid for closing the opening of the box, comprising: a base attached to the lid; a latch displaceably supported by the base between a first position engaging with the box to restrict displacement of the lid relative to the box and a second position away from the box to allow displacement of the lid relative to the box; a knob rotatably supported by the base and configured to displace the latch from the first position to the second position by rotation; a key cylinder provided on the knob; a cam displaceably supported by the knob between a third position engaging with the base to restrict rotation of the knob relative to the base and a fourth position away from the base to allow rotation of the knob relative to the base; the key cylinder having a case fixed to the knob and a rotor rotatably supported by the case; the rotor and the cam being engaged with each other, and the cam being displaced between the third position and the fourth position in response to rotation of the rotor; one of the knob and the cam having an uneven structure; the other of the knob and the cam having a flexible contact portion that contacts the uneven structure to generate a sense of moderation when the cam is in a predetermined position relative to the knob. A locking device.

2. The rotor has a connecting piece extending offset with respect to the rotation axis of the rotor. The cam has a cam groove for receiving the connecting piece. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein the cam moves relative to the knob when the connecting piece presses the cam groove.

3. The locking device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cam has a locking piece protruding from the knob toward the base side in the third position.

4. The locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cam is disposed at a position intersecting the rotation axis of the rotor and is supported by the knob so as to be slidable in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rotor.

5. The locking device according to claim 4, wherein the cam is supported by the knob so as to be slidable in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the knob.

6. The locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the contact portion has a flexible arm portion extending in the sliding direction of the cam and a protrusion provided on the arm portion and contacting the uneven structure.

7. The locking device according to claim 6, wherein the concavo-convex structure has a recess in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the cam and has a recess into which the protrusion can enter.

Images