Locking device

Abstract

To provide a lock device capable of manually releasing a locked state and having a simplified structure.SOLUTION: A lock device 40 includes a lock pin 41, an electric drive mechanism 50 having an input cam 52 for moving the lock pin 41 from a lock position to an unlock position, a lever 70 attached to the input cam 52 for rotation therewith and having a projection 70b, a manually operated transmission member 80 connected to the projection 70b, and a cover 28 having a guide section 28k for routing the transmission member 80 in a curved manner. The lever 70 can rotate from a first rotation angular position to a second rotation angular position when the transmission member 80 is operated. In the first rotation angular position, the projection 70b is positioned at an interval around a rotation axis A relative to a reference line S. In the second rotation angular position, the projection 70b is positioned on the reference line S.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 26

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a locking device for a lid that closes an electric vehicle's power supply port in an openable manner. This locking device includes a locking member movable between a locking position for locking the lid and an unlocking position for unlocking the lid, and an electric operating mechanism including a motor for moving the locking member. Further, the locking device includes a manual unlocking mechanism for moving the locking member at the locking position to the unlocking position when the locking member cannot be moved by the operating mechanism due to a failure of the motor or the like. The unlocking mechanism includes a wire having an operation portion disposed inside the vehicle (e.g., in the trunk), and a flat portion having an elongated hole for connecting to the locking member is provided at the tip of the wire. A claw-like protrusion inserted into the elongated hole is formed on the locking member. Even when the locking member normally moves between the locking position and the unlocking position, the claw-like protrusion only moves inside the elongated hole, so the movement of the wire accompanying the movement of the locking member can be suppressed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the locking device described in Patent Document 1, the man-hours for manufacturing the unlocking mechanism may increase due to the processing of the flat portion. Further, the locking member requires additional configurations such as a claw-like protrusion inserted into the elongated hole. Therefore, the configuration of the unlocking mechanism including the locking member may become complicated.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a locking device that can be manually unlocked and has a simplified configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention includes a lock member that is movable between a lock position for locking a movable object and an unlock position for unlocking the object, an electric drive mechanism having a rotatable cam member that moves the lock member from the lock position to the unlock position and allows the lock member to move from the unlock position to the lock position, a lever that is integrally rotatably attached to the cam member and has a connecting portion that protrudes radially outward with respect to the rotation axis of the cam member, a wire that is connected to the connecting portion and is manually operated, and a guide member that has a guide portion where the lever and the wire are disposed and that curves and routes the wire. The lever is rotatable from a first rotation angle position to a second rotation angle position by operation of the wire. At the first rotation angle position, the lock member is located at the lock position, and the connecting portion is spaced apart from the reference line connecting the guide portion and the rotation axis of the cam member around the rotation axis. At the second rotation angle position, the lock member is located at the unlock position, and the connecting portion is located on the reference line. The present invention provides a locking device.

[0007] According to the present invention, when the wire is operated, the lever is rotated from the first rotation angle position to the second rotation angle position, and the cam member is also rotated integrally with the lever. Here, at the first rotation angle position, the lock member is in the lock position, and at the second rotation angle position, the lock member is in the unlock position. Therefore, the object can be manually rotated by operating the wire. Further, in the present invention, the unlocking mechanism can be configured only by attaching the lever to which the wire is connected to the cam member, and the object can be manually unlocked. Therefore, the configuration can be simplified.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the locking device of the present invention, unlocking can be performed manually, and the configuration can be simplified.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, a lid opening / closing device 10 including a locking device 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a side panel (panel) 1 of an automobile. The side panel 1 is provided with a receiving port 2 penetrating in the vehicle width direction Y.

[0012] In the drawings, the X direction is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the Y direction is the width direction of the vehicle, and the Z direction is the height direction of the vehicle. In each individual figure, the direction indicated by the arrow in the X direction is the front side, and the direction opposite to the arrow is the rear side. The direction indicated by the arrow in the Y direction is the inner side (inside) of the vehicle, and the direction opposite to the arrow is the outer side (outside) of the vehicle. The direction indicated by the arrow in the Z direction is the upper side, and the direction opposite to the arrow is the lower side.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, the lid opening and closing device 10 includes a power supply connector (reception and supply part) 15 to which a charging plug (not shown) is connected. However, the reception and supply part may be for supplying any one of liquid fuels such as gasoline and light oil, and gaseous fuels such as hydrogen and LP gas.

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the lid opening and closing device 10 includes a base 20 attached to the inner side in the vehicle width direction Y with respect to the side panel 1 (see FIG. 1), and a movable lid (object) 30 that closably closes the receiving port 2 (see FIG. 1). The lid 30 includes an arm 32 whose pivot portion 36 at one end is pivotally supported by the base 20, and is rotatable between the closed position shown in FIG. 3 and the open position shown in FIG. 2. The arm 32 includes an arm body 33 constituted by a first arm portion 34 and a second arm portion 35, and a spindle 37 that constitutes a part of the pivot portion 36.

[0015] The locking device 40 locks the arm 32 so as not to be movable when the lid 30 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 3. The locking device 40 includes a locking pin (locking member) 41, a torsion spring 46, a cover (guide member) 28, an electric drive mechanism 50, and a manually operated unlocking member 65. The unlocking member 65 includes a lever 70 and a transmission member 80. The transmission member 80 includes a wire 81 and a connected member 82.

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the drive mechanism 50 includes a motor (drive source) 51 and an input cam (cam member) 52 having a cam surface 53a. A cover 28 is disposed between the motor 51 and the input cam 52. Also, a lever 70 and a part of a transmission member 80 are disposed between the motor 51 and the cover 28. The drive mechanism 50 of the present embodiment includes a differential mechanism 60 that transmits a driving force to the spindle 37 to open and close the lid 30. The differential mechanism 60 includes a recess 39 provided in the spindle 37 and a protrusion 54 provided in the input cam 52. When rotating the lid 30 in the closed position to the open position, the differential mechanism 60 delays the rotation of the spindle 37 with respect to the start of rotation of the lock pin 41.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 13 to 16, the lock pin 41 is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by the drive mechanism 50 or the unlocking member 65, and is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position by the torsion spring 46. When the lock pin 41 is in the locked position, the lid 30 is locked so as not to be movable. When the lock pin 41 is in the unlocked position, the lock of the lid 30 is released, and the lid 30 is unlocked so as to be movable.

[0018] When the drive mechanism 50 is actuated to open and the lock pin 41 is rotated to the unlocked position, the driving force of the motor 51 is transmitted to the spindle 37 via the input cam 52 and the differential mechanism 60 (see FIG. 5), so that the arm 32 rotates to the advanced position protruding outside the side panel 1 shown in FIG. 2. As a result, the lid 30 assumes the posture (open position) in which the receiving port 2 is opened as shown in FIG. 2. Also, when the drive mechanism 50 is actuated to close, the arm 32 rotates to the retracted position retracted into the side panel 1 shown in FIG. 3. As a result, the lid 30 assumes the posture (closed position) in which the receiving port 2 is closed as shown in FIG. 3, and the lock pin 41 is rotated to the locked position by the biasing force of the torsion spring 46.

[0019] The unlocking member 65 is used in an emergency when the locking pin 41 cannot be actuated by the drive mechanism 50 due to a failure of the motor 51 or the like. That is, in normal operation when the drive mechanism 50 is not faulty, the unlocking member 65 is not used. Referring to FIG. 4, the unlocking member 65 is attached to rotate the input cam 52, similar to the motor 51. Specifically, a lever 70 to which a wire 81 is connected via a connected member 82 is attached to the input cam 52, and the input cam 52 is rotated by pulling the wire 81. That is, by using the lever 70 and the wire 81, a driving force is manually generated in place of the motor 51, and the locking pin 41 is rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position. As a result, the lid 30 can be manually rotated from the closed position shown in FIG. 3 to the open position shown in FIG. 2.

[0020] As described above, in the locking device 40 of the present embodiment, during normal operation, the unlocked state and the locked state are switched by the drive mechanism 50 and the torsion spring 46. Also, in an emergency, the locking device 40 is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state by manually rotating the input cam 52 by the unlocking member 65.

[0021] Hereinafter, the base 20, the cover 28, the arm 32, the locking pin 41, the torsion spring 46, the drive mechanism 50, the differential mechanism 60, and the unlocking member 65 will be specifically described.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the base 20 includes a base body 21 that closes the receiving port 2 and a bearing portion 24 that pivotally supports the arm 32.

[0023] An attachment portion 22 for attaching the power supply connector 15 is provided on the base body 21. A sealing member 23 that seals the space between the base body 21 and the lid 30 in a watertight manner is attached to the outer peripheral edge of the base body 21. The base body 21 is further provided with an insertion hole 21a through which the arm 32 is inserted so as to be able to advance and retract and an opening 21b for arranging a switch (not shown) so as to be located inside the receiving port 2 when viewed in the vehicle width direction Y.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the bearing portion 24 has an integral structure with the base body 21, is adjacent to the front side in the vehicle length direction X with respect to the mounting portion 22, and protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction Y. The bearing portion 24 includes an end wall portion 25 located on the upper side in FIG. 4, an end wall portion 26 located on the lower side in FIG. 4, and a side wall portion 27 connecting the end wall portions 25 and 26. The end wall portions 25 and 26 are provided at intervals in the vehicle height direction Z. The side wall portion 27 closes the space between the front ends of the end wall portions 25 and 26 in the vehicle length direction X and the space between the outer ends of the end wall portions 25 and 26 in the vehicle width direction Y. The space between the rear ends of the end wall portions 25 and 26 in the vehicle length direction X and the space between the inner ends of the end wall portions 25 and 26 in the vehicle width direction Y are open, and a gap 29 is formed between the end wall portions 25 and 26.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 5, the arm body 33 is inserted into the gap 29 between the end wall portions 25 and 26, and pivot portions 36 are rotatably supported on the end wall portions 25 and 26. On the upper surface side of the end wall portion 25, a first arrangement portion 25a for rotatably arranging the input cam 52, a second arrangement portion 25b for rotatably arranging the lock pin 41, and a third arrangement portion 25c for arranging the torsion spring 46 are provided. Further, a stopper 25i for restricting the rotation of the lock pin 41 is provided on the end wall portion 25.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper ends of the arrangement portions 25a to 25c are covered by the cover 28. Between the cover 28 and the upper surface side of the end wall portion 25, the lock pin 41, the torsion spring 46, and the input cam 52 are accommodated. On the upper surface side of the cover 28, a mounting piece 28a for mounting the motor 51 protrudes. Further, a through hole 28b for connecting the external motor 51 and the internal input cam 52 is provided in the cover 28. Further, the cover 28 is provided with an arrangement structure of the lever 70 and a wiring structure of the wire 81, and specific configurations thereof will be described in detail later.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the arm 32 provided on the lid 30 is disposed so as to straddle from the inside to the outside in the vehicle width direction Y of the base 20 through the insertion hole 21a. Referring to FIG. 5, the arm 32 includes a pivot portion 36 pivotally supported by the bearing portion 24 and rotates integrally with the pivot portion 36. More specifically, the arm 32 includes an arm body 33 constituted by a first arm portion 34 and a second arm portion 35, and a spindle 37 constituting the pivot portion 36.

[0028] The first arm portion 34 is arc-shaped extending in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis A of the pivot portion 36 and is inserted into the insertion hole 21a of the base body 21. The tip of the first arm portion 34 located on the outside in the vehicle width direction Y is continuous with the lid 30.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 12, the second arm portion 35 is plate-shaped, is inserted into the gap 29 between the end walls 25 and 26, and protrudes from the bearing portion 24 to the inside in the vehicle width direction Y. The first arm portion 34 is mechanically connected to the inner end of the second arm portion 35 in the vehicle width direction Y. A cylindrical portion 35a having an insertion hole 35b with a non-circular cross section is formed at the outer end of the second arm portion 35 inserted into the gap 29 in the vehicle width direction Y. The spindle 37 is attached to the cylindrical portion 35a through the insertion hole 35b. The cylindrical portion 35a and the spindle 37 constitute the pivot portion 36.

[0030] The spindle 37 includes a mounting rod 37a, a flange portion 37b, and a shaft portion 37c. The spindle 37 is inserted and attached from the upper side in the vehicle height direction Z into a first arrangement portion 25a which is a circular through hole in the bearing portion 24.

[0031] The mounting rod 37a is a rod body having a non-circular cross section corresponding to the shape of the insertion hole 35b, is inserted through the insertion hole 35b, and rotates integrally with the cylindrical portion 35a.

[0032] The flange portion 37b is continuous with the upper end of the mounting rod 37a and is located above the cylinder portion 35a in the vehicle height direction Z. The flange portion 37b has a circular shape with the same diameter as the diameter of the circular cylinder portion 35a when viewed from the direction in which the rotation axis A of the pivoting portion 36 extends. As most clearly shown in FIG. 12, the flange portion 37b is rotatably supported by the hole wall of the first arrangement portion 25a of the end wall portion 25. Referring to FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 12, a shaft portion 37d for pivotally supporting the input cam 52 projects from the center of the flange portion 37b. The flange portion 37b is further provided with an engagement groove 38 with which the lock pin 41 engages and a recess 39 that constitutes the differential mechanism 60. The engagement groove 38 and the recess 39 will be described in detail later.

[0033] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 5, 8B, and 12, the shaft portion 37c is provided at the lower end of the mounting rod 37a and projects downward from the cylinder portion 35a in the vehicle height direction Z. The shaft portion 37c is disposed in a shaft hole 26a formed in the end wall portion 26 that faces the first arrangement portion 25a in the vehicle height direction Z, and is rotatably supported by the hole wall of the shaft hole 26a.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 13, the lock pin 41 is disposed in the second arrangement portion 25b of the bearing portion 24. Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the lock pin 41 includes a cylinder portion 41a and a lock pin body 41b.

[0035] The lock pin 41 is rotatable between the lock position shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 and the unlock position shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 13, the cylinder portion 41a is fitted to a shaft portion 25d formed in the second arrangement portion 25b that is a recess with an upper end opening, and is rotatable about a rotation axis B parallel to the rotation axis A of the pivoting portion 36. The arrangement of the rotation axis A and the rotation axis B does not have to be geometrically strictly parallel as long as the rotation of the lock pin 41 and the engagement with the engagement groove 38 are not hindered.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the lock pin body 41b projects forward in the vehicle length direction X from the cylindrical portion 41a so as to be adjacent to the flange portion 37b of the spindle 37. The thickness of the lock pin body 41b in the vehicle height direction Z (the direction in which the rotation axis B extends) is greater than the thickness of the flange portion 37b of the spindle 37.

[0038] The lower portion of the lock pin body 41b in the vehicle height direction Z constitutes an engaging convex portion 42 that engages with the engaging groove 38. The upper portion of the lock pin body 41b in the vehicle height direction Z constitutes a cam follower 43 that can contact the cam surface 53a of the input cam 52. That is, the engaging convex portion 42 and the cam follower 43 are integrally provided adjacent to each other in the vehicle height direction Z. The lock pin body 41b is further provided with a mounting portion 44 for attaching the torsion spring 46.

[0039] Here, the engaging groove 38 of the spindle 37 and the engaging convex portion 42 of the lock pin 41 will be described.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 8B and 9, the engaging groove 38 of the spindle 37 is recessed inward from the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 37b. The engaging groove 38 is defined by a base surface 38a, a contact surface 38b, and a regulating surface 38c. A guide surface 38d is formed at the outer end of the contact surface 38b of the engaging groove 38.

[0041] The base surface 38a is a flat fan shape extending along the XY plane. In a state where the spindle 37 is disposed in the bearing portion 24 (see FIG. 5), the base surface 38a is located below the lock pin 41 in the vehicle height direction Z.

[0042] The contact surface 38b projects in a direction orthogonal to the base surface 38a and is a flat surface extending in the radial direction of the flange portion 37b. The direction in which the contact surface 38b extends does not have to be the radial direction of the flange portion 37b in a geometrically strict sense as long as it does not inhibit the engagement and disengagement of the lock pin 41. Also, the contact surface 38b does not have to be a flat surface in a geometrically strict sense as long as it does not inhibit the engagement and disengagement of the lock pin 41.

[0043] The restricting surface 38c is a flat surface that protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the base surface 38a and extends in a direction intersecting the contact surface 38b. Referring to FIG. 14, the restricting surface 38c extends along the engaging convex portion 42 in the locked position and restricts the rotation of the locking pin 41 directed toward the rotation axis A of the pivoting portion 36. The angle formed by the restricting surface 38c and the contact surface 38b is set to 90 degrees or more, preferably an angle greater than 90 degrees and close to 90 degrees (for example, 92 degrees).

[0044] The guide surface 38d is provided at the outer end of the contact surface 38b in the radial direction of the flange portion 37b and is a flat surface inclined on the side opposite to the restricting surface 38c. More specifically, the guide surface 38d is inclined in the direction d2 in which the spindle 37 rotates in the closing direction when the lid 30 in the open position shown in FIG. 2 is rotated to the closed position shown in FIG. 3 from the inner side to the outer side in the radial direction of the flange portion 37b.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 10, the engaging convex portion 42 of the locking pin 41 protrudes on the side of the rotation axis A of the pivoting portion 36 rather than the cam follower 43. That is, the lateral width of the engaging convex portion 42 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis B of the locking pin 41 is larger than the lateral width of the cam follower 43. Referring to FIG. 14, the tip portion 42a of the engaging convex portion 42 on the side opposite to the cylindrical portion 41a is chamfered in an arc shape in cross section. In a state where the arm 32 is rotated to the retracted position shown in FIG. 14, the contact surface 38b of the engaging groove 38 can contact the tip portion 42a by the opening rotation of the spindle 37 in the direction d1 for rotating the lid 30 in the closed position shown in FIG. 3 to the open position shown in FIG. 2.

[0046] The locking pin 41 is set to the locked position shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 and the unlocked position shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. In the locked position shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the lid 30 in the closed position shown in FIG. 3 is locked so as not to be movable via the spindle 37. In the unlocked position shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the locking of the lid 30 is released via the spindle 37, and the lid 30 can be opened and closed. The rotational angular position of the locking pin 41 is defined as the direction in which the center line of the lateral width of the engaging convex portion 42 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis B extends.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 14, the locking position of the lock pin 41 is set to a second rotation angle position rotated toward the rotation axis A side of the pivot portion 36 from a first rotation angle position where the engaging convex portion 42 extends in a direction orthogonal to the contact surface 38b. As shown in FIG. 16, the unlocking position of the lock pin 41 is set to a rotation angle position where the engaging convex portion 42 abuts against the outer periphery of the flange portion 37b of the spindle 37.

[0048] The first rotation angle position where the engaging convex portion 42 extends in a direction orthogonal to the contact surface 38b is a limit position where, when the lid 30 is operated for unauthorized opening, the rotation of the lock pin 41 toward the unlocking position can be prevented by the contact (pressing) of the contact surface 38b against the engaging convex portion 42. The side of the rotation axis A of the pivot portion 36 that is closer to the rotation axis A than the first rotation angle position including the aforementioned second rotation angle position is a release prevention region where unauthorized opening of the lid 30 can be prevented. When the contact surface 38b presses the engaging convex portion 42 rotated to this region, the lock pin 41 rotates toward the locking position. However, the rotation of the lock pin 41 is restricted by contact with the restricting surface 38c of the engaging groove 38. As a result, the forward rotation of the spindle 37 in the direction d1 is prevented by the contact of the contact surface 38b against the engaging convex portion 42. As a result, the lid 30 cannot rotate to the open position shown in FIG. 2 and remains in the closed position shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, the second rotation angle position rotated toward the rotation axis A side of the pivot portion 36 from the first rotation angle position where the engaging convex portion 42 extends in a direction orthogonal to the contact surface 38b is set as the locking position of the lock pin 41. However, the posture in which the engaging convex portion 42 is located at the first rotation angle position may be set as the locking position of the lock pin 41.

[0049] On one hand, the side of the engaging convex portion 42 that extends in a direction orthogonal to the contact surface 38b and is farther from the rotation axis A than the first rotation angle position is a region where it is impossible to prevent unauthorized opening of the lid 30. When the contact surface 38b presses the rotated engaging convex portion 42 in this region, a force that rotates the lock pin 41 away from the rotation axis A of the pivoting portion 36 acts on the lock pin 41. As a result, the lock pin 41 rotates toward the unlock position shown in FIG. 16, and the engaging convex portion 42 disengages from the engaging groove 38. Consequently, the spindle 37 can rotate in the direction d1. Therefore, the rotation angle position where the engaging convex portion 42 is farther from the rotation axis A of the pivoting portion 36 than the first rotation angle position where the engaging convex portion 42 extends in a direction orthogonal to the contact surface 38b and the engaging convex portion 42 contacts the outer periphery of the flange portion 37b of the spindle 37 is set as the unlock position of the lock pin 41.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the cam follower 43 is constituted by a portion of the lock pin body 41b that is above the engaging convex portion 42. The cam follower 43 protrudes forward in the vehicle length direction X from the engaging convex portion 42. An arcuate chamfered portion 43a that slidably contacts the cam surface 53a is provided at a corner located on the rotation axis A side (outer side in the vehicle width direction Y) of the tip of the cam follower 43 on the side opposite to the cylindrical portion 41a. When the lock pin 41 is in the lock position shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the gap between the cam follower 43 and the cam surface 53a of the input cam 52 is larger than the gap between the engaging convex portion 42 and the contact surface 38b of the spindle 37. Therefore, when the lock pin 41 is in the lock position and the lid 30 is opened, as the spindle 37 rotates, the contact surface 38b contacts the engaging convex portion 42, and the cam surface 53a does not contact the cam follower 43. This prevents the lock pin 41 from rotating toward the unlock position via the input cam 52 due to unauthorized operation of the lid 30.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 8B and 10, the mounting portion 44 is provided on the lock pin body 41b on the side opposite to the chamfered portion 43a of the cam follower 43. The mounting portion 44 is composed of a frame body that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction Y, and the torsion spring 46 is hooked and attached thereto.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 13, the torsion spring 46 is disposed in a third arrangement portion 25c which is a recess in the upper end opening of the bearing portion 24. The torsion spring 46 biases the lock pin 41 to rotate toward the rotation axis A of the pivot portion 36.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the drive mechanism 50 includes one motor 51 and an input cam 52.

[0054] The motor 51 is a drive source capable of forward and reverse rotation by an electric drive circuit (not shown) being controlled by an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). By forward rotation, the motor 51 rotates the input cam 52 and the spindle 37, rotates the lock pin 41 from the locked position to the unlocked position, and rotates the arm 32 in the retracted position shown in FIG. 3 to the advanced position shown in FIG. 2 via the input cam 52 and the differential mechanism 60. By reverse rotation, the motor 51 rotates the arm 32 in the advanced position shown in FIG. 2 to the retracted position shown in FIG. 3 via the input cam 52 and the differential mechanism 60. Thereby, the rotation of the lock pin 41 from the unlocked position shown in FIG. 15 to the locked position shown in FIG. 13 due to the biasing force of the torsion spring 46 is allowed.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 12, the input cam 52 is disposed on the flange portion 37b of the spindle 37 disposed in the first arrangement portion 25a, and is a cam member that rotates by the driving force received from the motor 51. The input cam 52 includes a cam surface 53a that transmits the driving force received from the motor 51 to the lock pin 41 and moves the lock pin 41 in the locked position toward the unlocked position. Further, the input cam 52 integrally includes a convex portion 54 that constitutes a differential mechanism 60 for transmitting the driving force received from the motor 51 to the spindle 37. The convex portion 54 will be described in detail later.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the input cam 52 includes a fan-shaped plate-like main body 52a as viewed from the direction in which the rotation axis A of the pivot portion 36 extends, and a mounting portion 52b protruding from the center of the main body 52a. Referring to FIG. 4, the mounting portion 52b passes through the through hole 28b and protrudes outside the cover 28 to be connected to the motor 51. The mounting portion 52b protrudes so as to extend along the rotation axis A, and has a non-circular cross section with a plurality of ridges protruding radially on the outer peripheral surface. However, the mounting portion 52b may be provided on the motor 51 side and connected to the input cam 52.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 12, a shaft hole 52c is provided at the center of the input cam 52. The input cam 52 is pivotally supported on the flange portion 37b by fitting the shaft hole 52c to the shaft portion 37d of the spindle 37, and rotates around the rotation axis A of the pivot portion 36. That is, the rotation axis A of the pivot portion 36 coincides with the rotation axis of the input cam 52.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 8B and 11, a notch 53 is formed in the main body 52a to allow the engagement convex portion 42 to engage with the engagement groove 38. The notch 53 is recessed inward from the outer peripheral surface of the input cam 52 and penetrates in the vehicle height direction Z. The input cam 52 is disposed adjacent to the spindle 37 along the rotation axis A of the pivot portion 36 so that the notch 53 is located above the engagement groove 38.

[0059] As viewed from the direction in which the rotation axis A of the pivot portion 36 extends, the angular range α of the notch 53 around the rotation axis A of the pivot portion 36 is formed with a width capable of exposing the engagement groove 38. More specifically, during the opening rotation that moves the arm 32 in the retracted position shown in FIG. 3 to the advanced position shown in FIG. 2, and during the closing rotation that moves the arm 32 in the advanced position shown in FIG. 2 to the retracted position shown in FIG. 3, the notch 53 is formed in the angular range α where the engagement groove 38 of the spindle 37 is exposed.

[0060] One of the wall surfaces that define the notch 53 constitutes a cam surface 53a that transmits the rotational force of the input cam 52 and rotates the lock pin 41 in the lock position shown in FIG. 14 toward the unlock position shown in FIG. 16. Specifically, the notch 53 is defined by a cam surface 53a and an opposing surface 53b that face each other in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis A of the pivot portion 36, and an inner circumferential surface 53c that extends in the circumferential direction. The cam surface 53a is located on the rear side in the direction d1 in which the input cam 52 rotates in the opening direction. The cam surface 53a bulges in an arc shape toward the opposing surface 53b.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 8A, the differential mechanism 60 is composed of a concave portion 39 of the spindle 37 and a convex portion 54 of the input cam 52. However, the concave portion 39 may be provided on the input cam 52 and the convex portion 54 may be provided on the spindle 37.

[0062] The convex portion 54 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the lower surface of the input cam 52 that faces the spindle 37. When viewed from the direction in which the rotation axis A of the pivot portion 36 extends, the convex portion 54 has a fan shape and protrudes from the input cam 52 toward the spindle 37.

[0063] The concave portion 39 is provided on the flange portion 37b of the spindle 37. The concave portion 39 is a fan-shaped groove that depresses inward from the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 37b and opens the upper surface facing the input cam 52, and the convex portion 54 is disposed inside (see FIG. 14).

[0064] Referring to FIG. 14, in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis A of the pivot portion 36, the angular range β that forms the convex portion 54 is smaller than the angular range γ that forms the concave portion 39. As a result, a gap 61 with a difference in the angular ranges β and γ is formed between the convex portion 54 and the concave portion 39 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis A. The angular range (γ - β) of this gap 61 is the differential angular range for rotating the pivot portion 36 with a delay with respect to the start of rotation of the input cam 52.

[0065] The differential angle range (γ-β) is larger than the rotation angle of the input cam 52 when the lock pin 41 at the lock position is rotated toward the unlock position beyond the first rotation angle position. As a result, after the lock pin 41 at the lock position shown in FIG. 14 rotates toward the unlock position beyond the first rotation angle position, the opposing surfaces of the convex portion 54 and the concave portion 39 come into contact with each other, and the spindle 37 begins to rotate. Consequently, while rotating the lock pin 41 to the unlock position shown in FIG. 16, the arm 32 at the retracted position shown in FIG. 3 can be rotated to the advanced position shown in FIG. 2.

[0066] Hereinafter, the unlocking member 65 will be described.

[0067] The unlocking member 65 includes a lever 70 and a transmission member 80. The transmission member 80 includes a wire 81 and a connected member 82. The lever 70, a part of the wire 81, and the connected member 82 are disposed on the upper surface of the cover 28.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 6, the cover 28 includes a base portion 28c, a recessed portion 28d, and raised portions 28e and 28f. In FIG. 6, for the sake of explanation, only the outer shape of the lever 70 located at the initial position is shown by a dotted line.

[0069] The base portion 28c extends along the vehicle length direction X and the vehicle width direction Y. On the upper surface of the base portion 28c, a holding groove 28m and an allowable space 28n are defined by the raised portions 28e and 28f. The held portion 81a (see FIG. 7) of the wire 81 is routed in the holding groove 28m, and the movable portion 81b (see FIG. 7) of the wire 81 is routed in the allowable space 28n.

[0070] The recessed portion 28d is provided outside the base portion 28c in the vehicle width direction Y and is recessed circularly downward in the vehicle height direction Z with respect to the base portion 28c. The lever 70 is disposed on the upper surface of the recessed portion 28d.

[0071] The raised portion 28e is provided on the rear side of the base portion 28c in the vehicle length direction X and protrudes upward in the vehicle height direction Z with respect to the base portion 28c. The raised portion 28e has side wall portions 28g and 28h and a protruding portion 28i.

[0072] The side wall portion 28g is constituted by a portion located inside the vehicle width direction Y of the raised portion 28e and extends along the vehicle length direction X.

[0073] The side wall portion 28h is constituted by a portion located on the rear side in the vehicle length direction X of the raised portion 28e and extends along the vehicle width direction Y.

[0074] The protruding portion 28i is constituted by a portion located outside the vehicle width direction Y of the raised portion 28e and protrudes toward the inside of the allowable space 28n. When the arm 32 is rotated to the advanced position by the drive mechanism 50, the connected member 82 (see FIG. 7) and the wire 81 (see FIG. 7) that move by the interlocking rotation of the lever 70 can abut on the protruding portion 28i.

[0075] The raised portion 28f is provided on the front side in the vehicle length direction X of the base portion 28c and protrudes upward in the vehicle height direction Z with respect to the base portion 28c. The raised portion 28f has a guide portion 28k and a guide wall 28l.

[0076] The side surface 28j of the raised portion 28f extends in parallel to the inner surface of the side wall portion 28g so as to face the side wall portion 28g.

[0077] The holding groove 28m is defined by the base portion 28c, a part of the side wall portion 28g, and the side surface 28j of the raised portion 28f.

[0078] The guide portion 28k is provided adjacent to the rear side in the vehicle length direction X of the side surface 28j that defines the holding groove 28m and protrudes in an arc shape toward the inside of the allowable space 28n.

[0079] The guide wall 28l is provided adjacent to the outside in the vehicle width direction Y of the guide portion 28k, and extends obliquely forward in the vehicle length direction X from the inside to the outside in the vehicle width direction Y. More specifically, the guide wall 28l extends from the guide portion 28k toward a protruding portion (connecting portion) 70b, which will be described later, when the lever 70 is in the initial position. That is, as it goes from the guide portion 28k toward the recess 28d, it is inclined in a direction away from the front side in the vehicle length direction X from the recess 28d.

[0080] The allowable space 28n is defined by the base portion 28c, a part of the side wall portion 28g, the side wall portion 28h, the protruding portion 28i, a part of the guide portion 28k, and the guide wall 28l. The allowable space 28n allows the movement of the movable portion 81b (see FIG. 7) of the wire 81 accompanying the rotation of the lever 70.

[0081] A reference line S is set on the cover 28. The reference line S is a straight line that passes through the rotation axis A of the lever 70 and contacts the rear side in the vehicle length direction X of the guide portion 28k in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis A.

[0082] Regarding the positional relationship between the guide wall 28l and the protruding portion 28i with respect to the reference line S, the guide wall 28l is located on the front side in the vehicle length direction X with respect to the reference line S, and the protruding portion 28i is located on the rear side in the vehicle length direction X with respect to the reference line S. That is, the protruding portion 28i is provided on the side opposite to the guide wall 28l with respect to the reference line S.

[0083] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, the lever 70 disposed on the upper surface of the cover 28 has a lever main body 70a and a protruding portion 70b, and rotates integrally with the input cam 52 about a rotation axis that coincides with the rotation axis A of the pivot portion 36. The rotation angle of the lever 70 is different depending on the operation by the drive mechanism 50 and the operation by the transmission member 80. Specifically, the rotation angle of the lever 70 by the drive mechanism 50 is relatively larger than the rotation angle of the lever 70 by the transmission member 80.

[0084] In the operation of the lid opening / closing device 10 by the drive mechanism 50 during normal times, when the arm 32 rotates from the retracted position to the advanced position, the lever 70 rotates from the initial position (first rotation angle position) shown in FIG. 21 through the unlocking position (second rotation angle position) shown in FIG. 22 to the maximum rotation position (third rotation angle position) shown in FIG. 24. Further, when the arm 32 rotates from the advanced position to the retracted position, the lever 70 rotates from the maximum rotation position through the unlocking position to the initial position.

[0085] In the operation of the lid opening / closing device 10 by the transmission member 80 during abnormal times, by operating the wire 81, the lever 70 rotates from the initial position shown in FIG. 25 to the unlocking position shown in FIG. 26. As will be described in detail later, when the lever 70 rotates from the initial position to the unlocking position, the lock pin 41 rotates from the locked position to the unlocked position, and the lid 30 can be manually opened and closed.

[0086] The lever body 70a is substantially circular when viewed from the vehicle height direction Z and has a predetermined thickness in the vehicle height direction Z. Further, a mounting hole 70c is provided at the center of the lever body 70a so as to penetrate the lever body 70a in the vehicle height direction Z. In the present embodiment, the mounting hole 70c is circular centered on the rotation axis A when viewed from the vehicle height direction Z, and is mounted by press-fitting into the mounting portion 52b so that the lever 70 does not rotate relative to the input cam 52. However, the mounting hole 70c may be formed in a non-circular cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the mounting portion 52b of the input cam 52.

[0087] The protruding portion 70b protrudes radially outward from a part of the outer periphery of the lever body 70a. That is, the protruding portion 70b protrudes radially outward with respect to the rotation axis A. The protruding portion 70b has plate-shaped support plates 70d and 70e. The support plate 70d is provided flush with the upper surface 70f which is the upper surface of the lever body 70a. A support hole 70h penetrating in the vehicle height direction Z is provided at approximately the center of the support plate 70d. The support plate 70e is provided flush with the lower surface 70g which is the lower surface of the lever body 70a. A support hole 70i penetrating in the vehicle height direction Z is provided at approximately the center of the support plate 70e. A connected member 82 is rotatably connected to the hole walls of the support holes 70h and 70i. A gap is formed between the support plates 70d and 70e, and rotational movement of the connection portion 82a of the connected member 82 about the axes of the support holes 70h and 70i is allowed.

[0088] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 21, 22, and 24, the setting of the initial position (first rotation angle position), the unlocking position (second rotation angle position), and the maximum rotation position (third rotation angle position) of the lever 70 will be specifically described.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 21, in the initial position, the protruding portion 70b is positioned at an interval of an angle θ1 on the side of the direction d2 around the rotation axis A with respect to the reference line S. When the lever 70 is in the initial position, the arm 32 shown in FIG. 3 is in the retracted position, and the lock pin 41 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is in the locked position. In the initial position, the protruding portion 70b is positioned in front of the guide portion 28k in the vehicle length direction X.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 22, the unlock position is set to the rotational angle position of the lever 70 when the protrusion 70b, more specifically the centers of the support holes 70h and 70i, are located on the reference line S. Here, the rotational angle of the lever 70 between the initial position and the unlock position is θ1. The angle θ1 is larger than the rotational angle of the input cam 52 when moving the lock pin 41 at the lock position shown in FIG. 13 to the unlock position shown in FIG. 15. Also, the angle θ1 is smaller than the rotational angle of the input cam 52 when moving the lid 30 to the open position shown in FIG. 2. In the present embodiment, the angle θ1 is equal to the rotational angle of the input cam 52 when the lid 30 is rotated to such an extent that a user's finger can be inserted between the lid 30 and the side panel 1. When the lever 70 at the initial position is rotated to the unlock position, the lock pin 41 at the lock position can be rotated to the unlock position via the input cam 52 and the spindle 37.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 24, the maximum rotation position is set to the rotational angle position of the lever 70 when the input cam 52 rotates by an angle θ2 in the opening rotation direction d1 from the unlock position. That is, at the maximum rotation position, the protrusion 70b is positioned at an interval of the angle θ2 on the opposite side of the initial position around the rotation axis A with respect to the reference line S, and is located outside the protrusion 28i in the vehicle width direction Y. The rotational angle (θ1 + θ2) obtained by adding the angle θ1 between the initial position and the unlock position and the angle θ2 between the unlock position and the maximum rotation position is equal to the rotational angle of the input cam 52 by the motor 51. Therefore, when the lever 70 is located at the maximum rotation position, the arm 32 shown in FIG. 2 is in the extended position.

[0092] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 21, one end of the wire 81 is disposed within the cover 28 and is connected to the lever 70 via the connected member 82, and the other end of the wire 81 protrudes from the cover 28 to the outside and is connected to an operation lever (not shown). The operation lever is disposed within the bonnet or the trunk of the automobile, and the operating force of the operation lever is transmitted to the lever 70 via the wire 81 and the connected member 82. Specifically, when the operation lever is pulled, the lever 70 rotates.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 21, in the present embodiment, the wire 81 has a held portion 81a and a movable portion 81b. The held portion 81a is a portion whose movement is suppressed by being held in the holding groove 28m when the input cam 52 is rotated by the motor 51, that is, when the lid 30 is opened and closed during normal operation. The movable portion 81b is a portion that is continuous with the held portion 81a and moves in the allowable space 28n as the lever 70 rotates when the lid 30 is opened and closed during normal operation.

[0094] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the motor 51 is disposed above the cover 28 in the vehicle height direction Z, and the allowable space 28n (see FIG. 6) is covered by the motor 51. Therefore, the movement of the movable portion 81b (see FIG. 21) in the vehicle height direction Z is restricted by the upper surface of the base portion 28c (see FIG. 21) and the bottom surface of the motor 51.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 7, the wire 81 is made of a flexible synthetic resin, such as nylon. The shape of the cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the wire 81 can be any shape such as a circular shape or an H shape.

[0096] The connected member 82 has a connection portion (base end portion) 82a and a connected portion 82b, and is formed of a material harder than the wire 81.

[0097] The connection portion 82a is cylindrical, and one end 81c on the lever 70 side of the wire 81 is connected thereto. Referring to FIG. 23, the connection portion 82a is provided with a length that protrudes from the protruding portion 70b of the lever 70 and abuts against the protruding portion 28i (see FIG. 6) of the cover 28. However, the wire 81 may be directly connected to the connected portion 82b without providing the connection portion 82a.

[0098] The connected part 82b is provided at the end of the connecting part 82a so as to be located at the tip of the wire 81. The connected part 82b extends along a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the connecting part 82a. The shape of the cross-section perpendicular to the extending direction of the connected part 82b is circular. By inserting the end 82c of the connected part 82b into the support hole 70h of the protruding part 70b and inserting the end 82d on the side opposite to the end 82c of the connected part 82b into the support hole 70i, the connected member 82 is rotatably connected to the lever 70. That is, the wire 81 is rotatably connected to the protruding part 70b via the connected member 82. Note that the connected member 82 may not be provided, and the wire 81 may be directly connected to the protruding part 70b.

[0099] Here, referring to FIG. 21, when the lever 70 is in the initial position, that is, when the lock pin 41 is in the locked position, the linear distance between the guide part 28k and the protruding part 70b in the cross-section perpendicular to the rotation axis A is the distance (first distance) L1. More specifically, when the lever 70 is in the initial position, the linear distance between the guide part 28k and the center of the support hole 70h in the cross-section perpendicular to the rotation axis A is the distance L1.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 24, when the lever 70 is in the maximum rotation position, that is, when the arm 32 is in the extended position, the linear distance between the guide part 28k and the protruding part 70b in the cross-section perpendicular to the rotation axis A is the distance (second distance) L2. More specifically, when the lever 70 is in the maximum rotation position, the linear distance between the guide part 28k and the center of the support hole 70h in the cross-section perpendicular to the rotation axis A is the distance L2.

[0101] The length of the movable part 81b of the wire 81 is equal to or greater than the distance L1 and equal to or greater than the distance L2. Also, the distances L1 and L2 are each longer than the linear distance L0 (see FIG. 22) between the guide part 28k and the protruding part 70b in a cross-section perpendicular to the rotation axis A when the lever 70 is in the unlocking position (second rotation angle position). In other words, the distances L1 and L2 are each longer than the linear distance L0 between the guide part 28k and the protruding part 70b in a cross-section perpendicular to the rotation axis A when the support holes 70h and 70i of the lever 70 to which the cable 80 is connected are located on the reference line S.

[0102] Next, the normal operation of the lid opening / closing device 10 by the drive mechanism 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20.

[0103] FIGS. 19 and 20 are graphs showing the movements of the input cam 52, the arm 32, the lock pin 41, the lever 70, and the wire 81 with respect to the rotation angle position of the motor 51. Among them, FIG. 19 shows the lid opening operation of rotating the lid 30 in the closed position to the open position by the drive mechanism 50, and FIG. 20 shows the lid closing operation of rotating the lid 30 in the open position to the closed position by the drive mechanism 50.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 19, when rotating the lid 30 in the closed position to the open position, the motor 51 rotates forward from the initial rotation angle position (0) to the maximum rotation angle position (max). As a result, the input cam 52 rotates open in the direction d1 from the closed rotation angle position shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 to the open rotation angle position shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. During this time, the arm 32, the lock pin 41, the lever 70, and the wire 81 operate as follows.

[0105] As the cam surface 53a rotates integrally due to the forward rotation of the input cam 52, the lock pin 41 at the lock position starts to move toward the unlock position after a delay time corresponding to the clearance between the cam surface 53a and the cam follower 43 (see Sa1 in Fig. 19). On the other hand, due to the clearance 61 of the differential mechanism 60, the rotational force of the input cam 52 is not transmitted to the spindle 37. Therefore, as shown by Sb1 in Fig. 19, the arm 32 stops at the retracted position. The lever 70 starts to move from the initial position toward the unlock position as the input cam 52 rotates (see Sd1 in Fig. 19).

[0106] When the input cam 52 rotates by the amount of the clearance 61 of the differential mechanism 60 (differential angle range γ - β), the opposing surfaces of the recess 39 and the protrusion 54 come into contact (see Sb2 in Fig. 19). Thereafter, since the rotational force of the input cam 52 is transmitted and the spindle 37 rotates, the arm 32 at the retracted position starts to rotate toward the advanced position (see Sb3 in Fig. 19). The lock pin 41 continues to rotate toward the unlock position due to the sliding contact between the cam surface 53a and the cam follower 43.

[0107] Due to the rotation of the spindle 37, the engaging protrusion 42 continues to slide contact with the guide surface 38d due to the sliding contact between the cam surface 53a and the cam follower 43 (see Sa2 in Fig. 19). As a result, the lock pin 41 continues to rotate toward the unlock position.

[0108] Thereafter, when the spindle 37 rotates until the outer end of the guide surface 38d slides into contact with the engaging protrusion 42, the lock pin 41 rotates to the unlock position (see Sa3 in Fig. 19). As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the lock pin 41 is pressed against the outer periphery of the flange portion 37b of the spindle 37 by the biasing force of the torsion spring 46 and is held at the unlock position (see Sa4 in Fig. 19). Thereafter, as the input cam 52 rotates, the lever 70 rotates to the unlock position (see Sd2 in Fig. 19).

[0109] Subsequently, when the input cam 52 rotates to the open rotation angle position, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the arm 32 rotates to the extended position via the spindle 37. As a result, the lid 30 rotates to the open position. In this state, the lock pin 41 is pressed against the outer periphery of the flange portion 37b by the biasing force of the torsion spring 46 and is maintained in the unlocked position. Further, as the input cam 52 rotates, the lever 70 rotates to the maximum rotation position (see Sd3 in FIG. 19).

[0110] While the lever 70 rotates from the initial position to the maximum rotation position, the movable portion 81b moves within the allowable space 28n. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 21 to 23 in order, the movable portion 81b moves so as to bulge toward the side wall portion 28h, and then, as shown in FIG. 24, abuts against the protruding portion 28i and is drawn outward in the vehicle width direction Y. Note that while the lever 70 rotates from the initial position to the maximum rotation position, only the movable portion 81b of the wire 81 moves, and the held portion 81a does not move. That is, the wire 81 is held at the maximum retracted position without being pulled in the extending direction (see Se1 in FIG. 19).

[0111] Referring to FIG. 20, when rotating the lid 30 in the open position to the closed position, the motor 51 reverses from the maximum rotation angle position (max) to the initial rotation angle position (0). As a result, the input cam 52 rotates in the closing direction d2 from the open rotation angle position shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 to the closed rotation angle position shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. During this time, the arm 32, the lock pin 41, the lever 70, and the wire 81 operate as follows.

[0112] As the input cam 52 rotates in the closing direction, the lever 70 begins to rotate from the maximum rotation position toward the initial position.

[0113] Also, as the input cam 52 rotates in the closed direction, the cam surface 53a rotates integrally. However, since the cam surface 53a rotates to a rotational angle position away from the cam follower 43, the lock pin 41 is held at the unlock position without rotating (see Sa5 in FIG. 20). Also, due to the gap 61 of the differential mechanism 60, the rotational force of the input cam 52 is not transmitted to the spindle 37. Therefore, as shown by Sb4 in FIG. 20, the arm 32 also does not rotate.

[0114] When the input cam 52 rotates by the amount of the gap 61 (differential angle range γ - β) of the differential mechanism 60, the opposing surfaces of the recess 39 and the protrusion 54 come into contact (see Sb5 in FIG. 20). Therefore, after that, since the rotational force of the input cam 52 is transmitted and the spindle 37 rotates, the arm 32 at the advanced position starts to rotate toward the retracted position (see Sb6 in FIG. 20). Also, at this time, the lock pin 41 does not move.

[0115] After the arm 32 starts to rotate toward the retracted position due to the closed rotation of the input cam 52, the lever 70 passes through the unlock position (see Sd4 in FIG. 20).

[0116] When the engaging protrusion 42 is positioned on the guide surface 38d due to the rotation of the spindle 37 (see Sa6 in FIG. 20), thereafter, due to the biasing force of the torsion spring 46, the lock pin 41 at the unlock position starts to rotate toward the lock position (see Sa7 in FIG. 20).

[0117] Subsequently, when the spindle 37 is rotated to an angular position where the engaging protrusion 42 contacts the outer end of the contact surface 38b (see Sb7 in FIG. 20), as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, due to the biasing force of the torsion spring 46, the lock pin 41 rotates to the lock position and contacts the stopper 25i formed on the bearing portion 24 and stops (see Sa8 in FIG. 20).

[0118] Finally, the input cam 52, the lever 70, and the spindle 37 rotate by the clearance between the engagement groove 38 of the spindle 37 and the engagement convex portion 42 of the lock pin 41. As a result, the input cam 52 rotates to the closing rotation angle position, and the lever 70 rotates to the initial position. Further, the arm 32 rotates to the retracted position via the spindle 37, and the lid 30 rotates to the closed position.

[0119] While the lever 70 rotates from the maximum rotation position to the initial position, the movable portion 81b of the wire 81 moves within the allowable space 28n. Specifically, as shown in order from FIG. 24 to FIG. 22, the movable portion 81b moves toward the inside in the vehicle width direction Y, and then moves so as to approach the guide wall 28l. Thereafter, the movable portion 81b moves until it extends along the guide portion 28k and the guide wall 28l as shown in FIG. 21. While the lever 70 rotates from the maximum rotation position to the initial position, only the movable portion 81b of the wire 81 moves, and the held portion 81a does not move. That is, the wire 81 is held at the maximum retracted position without being pulled in the extending direction (see Se2 in FIG. 20).

[0120] As described above, in the locking device 40 of the present embodiment, by one motor 51, the locking state and the unlocking state of the lid 30 by the lock pin 41 can be switched without inhibiting the rotation of the arm 32 between the advanced position shown in FIG. 2 and the retracted position shown in FIG. 3. Further, since only the movable portion 81b of the wire 81 moves in the allowable space 28n, the movement of the entire wire 81 can be suppressed.

[0121] Next, the unlocking operation of the lid opening / closing device 10 by the unlocking member 65 will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 27.

[0122] FIGS. 25 and 26 are diagrams showing the positions of the lever 70, the wire 81, and the connected member 82 with respect to the operation stroke when the user operates the unlocking member 65. FIG. 25 is a diagram when the operation stroke is at the initial position (0). FIG. 26 is a diagram when the operation stroke is at the maximum operation position (max).

[0123] When the operation lever (not shown) is operated from the initial position (0) to the maximum operation position (max), the wire 81 is pulled from the maximum retracted position to the advanced position (see Se1 in Fig. 27). As a result, the lever 70 rotates from the initial position shown in Fig. 25 to the unlock position shown in Fig. 26 by the wire 81 pulled with the guide portion 28k as a fulcrum (see Sd1 in Fig. 27).

[0124] The input cam 52 rotates integrally with the lever 70 (see Sc1 in Fig. 27), and the lock pin 41 at the lock position starts to rotate toward the unlock position by the cam surface 53a (see Sa1 in Fig. 27). Also, the spindle 37 starts to rotate when the input cam 52 rotates by the clearance 61 of the differential mechanism 60 (differential angle range γ-β) (see Sb1 in Fig. 27) (see Sb2 in Fig. 27).

[0125] When the lock pin 41 moves to the unlock position due to the rotation of the input cam 52 and the spindle 37, the lock pin 41 is pressed against the outer periphery of the flange portion 37b of the spindle 37 by the biasing force of the torsion spring 46 and is held in the unlock position as shown in Figs. 15 and 16 (see Sa2 in Fig. 27). Also, when the lever 70 rotates to the unlock position, the arm 32 rotates to the position shown by Sb3 in Fig. 27. At this time, in the present embodiment, the lid 30 is opened from the side panel 1 to such an extent that the user can grip the lid 30.

[0126] When the user who has finished operating the operation lever (not shown) grips the lid 30 from outside the vehicle and manually rotates it toward the open position shown in Fig. 2, the arm 32 further rotates toward the advanced position (see Sb4 in Fig. 27). At this time, due to the clearance 61 of the differential mechanism 60, the rotational force of the spindle 37 is not transmitted to the input cam 52, so the input cam 52 does not rotate as shown in Sc2 in Fig. 27, and the lever 70 also does not rotate as shown in Sd2 in Fig. 27. During this period, the wire 81 is held in the advanced position (see Se2 in Fig. 27).

[0127] When the opposing surfaces of the concave portion 39 and the convex portion 54 come into contact, thereafter, the rotational force of the spindle 37 is transmitted, and the input cam 52 rotates to near the open rotation angle position as shown in Sc3 of FIG. 27, and the lever 70 rotates to near the maximum rotation position as shown in Sd3 of FIG. 27. When the arm 32 is in the advanced position, the input cam 52 is positioned with a gap 61 in the direction d2 from the open rotation angle position, and the lever 70 is positioned with a gap 61 in the direction d2 from the maximum rotation position. Further, the wire 81 is pulled by the lever 70 from the advanced position toward the maximum retracted position, but is not pulled to the maximum retracted position (see Se3 of FIG. 27).

[0128] Next, referring to FIG. 28, the operation of the lid opening / closing device 10 when manually closing the lid 30 manually opened will be described.

[0129] When the lid 30 in the open state is closed, the lid 30 rotates from the open position (max) to the closed position (0). As a result, the arm 32 rotates from the advanced position to the retracted position (see Sb5 of FIG. 28). At the start of rotation of the arm 32, due to the gap 61 of the differential mechanism 60, the rotational force of the spindle 37 is not transmitted to the input cam 52, so the input cam 52 does not rotate as shown in Sc4 of FIG. 28, and the lever 70 also does not rotate as shown in Sd4 of FIG. 28. When the opposing surfaces of the concave portion 39 and the convex portion 54 come into contact, thereafter, the rotational force of the spindle 37 is transmitted, and the input cam 52 rotates toward the closed rotation angle position as shown in Sc5 of FIG. 28, and the lever 70 rotates toward the initial position as shown in Sd5 of FIG. 28.

[0130] When the spindle 37 is rotated by the operation of the lid 30 until the guide surface 38d comes into sliding contact with the engaging convex portion 42 (see Sb6 of FIG. 28), the urging force of the torsion spring 46 causes the lock pin 41 in the unlocked position to start rotating toward the locked position (see Sa3 of FIG. 28).

[0131] Subsequently, when the spindle 37 rotates to the angular position where the engaging convex portion 42 abuts against the outer end of the abutting surface 38b (see Sb7 in Fig. 28), the lock pin 41 rotates to the locked position by the biasing force of the torsion spring 46 (see Sa4 in Fig. 28) and stops in a state of abutting against the stopper 25i. The input cam 52 rotates toward the closing rotation angular position by the sliding contact between the cam surface 53a and the cam follower 43 (see Sc6 in Fig. 28). The lever 70 rotates integrally with the input cam 52 toward the initial position (see Sd6 in Fig. 28). Then, the input cam 52 and the lever 70 stop at a position separated by the clearance between the cam surface 53a and the cam follower 43 in the direction d1 from the initial position (see Sc7, Sd7 in Fig. 28).

[0132] While the arm 32 rotates from the advanced position to the retracted position, the movable portion 81b of the wire 81 moves in the allowable space 28n so as to approach the guide wall 28l while leaving a part in the holding groove 28m (see Se4 in Fig. 28). When the lock pin 41 rotates to the locked position by the biasing force of the torsion spring 46, the movable portion 81b is pulled outward in the vehicle width direction Y by the lever 70 and moves toward the maximum retracted position (see Se5 in Fig. 28). Thereafter, the wire 81 stops without being pulled to the maximum retracted position (see Se6 in Fig. 28).

[0133] As described above, in the locking device 40 of the present embodiment, even when the rotation of the lock pin 41 by the drive mechanism 50 is impossible, the lid 30 can be opened and closed by the operation of the unlocking member 65 and the operation of the lid 30.

[0134] According to the lid opening / closing device 10 according to this embodiment, when an operation lever (not shown) is operated and the wire 81 is operated, the lever 70 is rotated from the initial position to the unlocked position, and the input cam 52 is also rotated integrally with the lever 70. Here, at the initial position, the lock pin 41 is in the locked position, and at the unlocked position, the lock pin 41 is in the unlocked position. Therefore, by operating the operation lever (not shown), the lid 30 can be manually rotated. Further, in this embodiment, the unlocking mechanism can be configured only by attaching the lever 70 to which the wire 81 is connected via the connected member 82 to the input cam 52, and the lid 30 can be manually unlocked. Therefore, the configuration can be simplified.

[0135] When the input cam 52 is rotated by the motor 51, the length of the portion of the wire 81 extending from the portion in contact with the guide portion 28k to the protruding portion 70b, that is, the length of the movable portion 81b, is equal to or greater than the distance L1 and equal to or greater than the distance L2. Further, the lever 70 rotates between the initial position and the maximum rotation position via the unlocked position. Therefore, the movement of the held portion 81a can be suppressed during the opening / closing operation of the lid 30 by the motor 51. Accordingly, during the normal opening / closing of the lid 30, the range in which the wire 81 moves can be restricted, and the operating sound and malfunction can be prevented.

[0136] The protruding portion 70b protrudes radially outward from the lever main body 70a. Therefore, the moment required to manually open the lid 30 can be easily obtained.

[0137] Since the lever 70 is assembled by fitting into the attachment portion 52b of the input cam 52, the assembling workability can be improved.

[0138] The wire 81 is rotatably attached to the lever 70 via the connected member 82. Therefore, the lever 70 can rotate smoothly, and the automatic or manual opening / closing of the lid 30 can be facilitated.

[0139] The connected member 82 is provided with a connection portion 82a. By adjusting the length and the like of the connection portion 82a, the deflection of the wire 81 when the input cam 52 rotates can be restricted. In other words, it is possible to prevent the wire 81 from taking an unintended shape. Therefore, it is possible to prevent malfunction from occurring during the opening and closing operation of the lid 30.

[0140] Since the cover 28 is provided with the guide wall 28l, the position of the wire 81 in the state where the lid 30 is closed can be restricted. Therefore, when it is necessary to manually unlock the lid 30, the wire 81 can be easily pulled.

[0141] When the arm 32 moves to the advanced position, since the wire 81 and the connected member 82 abut against the protruding portion 28i, the deflection of the wire 81 can be restricted. In other words, it is possible to prevent the shape of the wire 81 from becoming an unintended shape. Therefore, it is possible to prevent malfunction from occurring during the opening and closing operation of the lid 30.

[0142] The distances L1 and L2 are each longer than the linear distance L0 between the protruding portion 70b and the guide portion 28k when the lever 70 is located at the second rotation angle position (unlock position). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the movement of the held portion 81a during the opening and closing operation of the lid 30 by the motor 51. Accordingly, during the normal opening and closing of the lid 30, the range in which the wire 81 moves can be restricted, and more operation noise and malfunction can be prevented.

[0143] Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0144] The drive mechanism 50 may be a dedicated mechanism that can only move the lock pin 41. That is, the lock pin 41 and the lid 30 may be actuated by different drive mechanisms. Also, a gear may be used for the cam member of the drive mechanism 50. The cam may be provided on a member different from the input cam 52 as long as it can move in conjunction with the input cam 52. That is, the cam member may be composed of an input cam 52 that does not have a cam surface 53a and another member provided with a cam surface 53a that interlocks with the input cam 52.

[0145] The object to be locked by the locking device 40 may be other than the lid 30 provided in the lid opening / closing device 10.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0146] 1 Side panel (panel) 2 Receiving port 10 Lid opening / closing device 15 Power supply connector 15a Connection part 20 Base 21 Base body 21a Insertion hole 21b Opening 22 Mounting part 23 Sealing member 24 Bearing part 25 End wall part 25a First arrangement part 25b Second arrangement part 25c Third arrangement part 25d Shaft part 25i Stopper 26 End wall part 26a Shaft hole 27 Side wall part 28 Cover (guide member) 28a Mounting piece 28b Through hole 28c Base part 28d Recess 28e, 28f Protrusion 28g, 28h Side wall part 28i Protruding part 28j Side surface 28k guide part 28l guide wall 28m retaining groove 28n allowable space 29 gap 30 lid (object) 32 arm 33 arm body 34 first arm part 35 second arm part 35a cylinder part 35b insertion hole 36 pivot part 37 spindle 37a mounting rod 37b flange part 37c shaft part 37d shaft part 38 engagement groove 38a base surface 38b contact surface 38c regulating surface 38d guide surface 39 recess 40 locking device 41 lock pin (locking member) 41a cylinder part 41b lock pin body 42 engagement convex part 42a tip part 43 cam follower 43a chamfered part 44 mounting part 46 torsion spring 50 drive mechanism 51 motor (drive source) 52 input cam (cam member) 52a body 52b mounting part 52c shaft hole 53 notch 53a cam surface 53b opposing surface 53c inner peripheral surface 54 convex part 60 differential mechanism 61 gap 65 lock release member 70 Lever 70a Lever body 70b Protrusion (connection part) 70c Mounting hole 70d, 70e Support plate 70f Upper surface 70g Lower surface 70h, 70i Support hole 80 Transmission member 81 Wire 81a Held part 81b Movable part 81c One end 82 Connected member 82a Connection part (base end part) 82b Connected part 82c, 82d End part 80h The other end α Angle range of the cam β Angle range of the convex part of the differential mechanism γ Angle range of the concave part of the differential mechanism L1 Distance (first distance) L2 Distance (second distance)

Claims

1. A locking member movable between a locking position for locking a movable object and an unlocking position for unlocking the object; An electric drive mechanism having a rotatable cam member that moves the locking member from the locking position to the unlocking position and allows the locking member to move from the unlocking position to the locking position; A lever integrally rotatably attached to the cam member and having a connecting portion protruding radially outward with respect to the rotation axis of the cam member; A wire connected to the connecting portion and manually operated; A guide member having a guide portion in which the lever and the wire are disposed and which curves and routes the wire. The locking device is provided with: The lever is rotatable from a first rotation angle position to a second rotation angle position by the operation of the wire. At the first rotation angle position, the locking member is located at the locking position, and the connecting portion is spaced apart around the rotation axis with respect to a reference line connecting the guide portion and the rotation axis of the cam member. At the second rotation angle position, the locking member is located at the unlocking position, and the connecting portion is located on the reference line.

2. The object is a lid provided in a lid opening and closing device that can open and close a receiving port of a panel. The lid has an arm movable by the rotation of the cam member between a retracted position in which the lid retracts into the panel and closes the receiving port and a protruding position in which the lid protrudes out of the panel and opens the receiving port. The wire has a held portion held by the guide member and a movable portion connected to the held portion and moving as the lever rotates. The lever is rotatable by the drive mechanism between the first rotation angle position and a third rotation angle position at which the arm is located at the protruding position via the second rotation angle position. The length of the movable portion is equal to or greater than a first distance that is the linear distance between the connecting portion and the guide portion when the lever is located at the first rotation angle position, and equal to or greater than a second distance that is the linear distance between the connecting portion and the guide portion when the lever is located at the third rotation angle position. The locking device according to Claim 1.

3. The lever includes a lever body attached to the cam member. The locking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting portion protrudes radially outward from the lever body.

4. One of the cam member and the lever has an attachment portion that protrudes along the rotation axis of the cam member. The locking device according to claim 3, wherein the other of the cam member and the lever has an attachment hole that penetrates the attachment portion and is attached to the cam member.

5. The locking device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the wire is provided with a connected portion that is rotatably connected to the connecting portion.

6. The locking device according to claim 5, wherein the connected portion is provided with a base end portion that is relatively harder than the wire.

7. The locking device according to claim 2, wherein the guide member has a guide wall that extends from the guide portion toward the connecting portion when the lever is in the first rotation angle position.

8. The locking device according to claim 7, wherein the guide member includes a protruding portion against which the wire can abut on a side opposite to the guide wall with respect to the reference line.

9. In the locking device according to claim 2, the first distance and the second distance are each longer than the linear distance between the connecting portion and the guide portion when the lever is in the second rotation angle position.

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