Vehicle door lock device

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle door lock device that can invalidate the operation of an operating mechanism for a latch mechanism by an emergency operation, suppress water from entering the housing through an entry groove, and further reduce the number of components. 【Solution means】In a vehicle door lock device 1, housings 7, 9 are formed so as to penetrate a first wall 91 forming a bottom surface 97D of an entry groove 97, and have an operation hole 92 through which an operation member J1, which is separate from the vehicle door lock device 1, can be inserted. A lock lever 40 has a second wall 42 having an opposing surface 42A that opposes the operation hole 92 within a linear movement range from an unlock position to a lock position of the lock lever 40, and an operated portion 45 having a bottomed hole shape recessed in the opposing surface 42A, the operated portion 45 being exposed to the outside of the housings 7, 9 through the operation hole 92 within the linear movement range and being engageable with one end J1A of the operation member J1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle door lock device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional vehicle door lock device. This vehicle door lock device includes a housing, a latch mechanism, an operating mechanism, and a locking mechanism.

[0003] The housing is formed by combining a body, a casing, and a cover member. The housing is fixed to a door that can be opened and closed with respect to the vehicle body. An access groove is recessed in the body. A striker fixed to the vehicle body can enter the access groove.

[0004] The latch mechanism is provided inside the housing. The latch mechanism includes a latch and a pole. The latch mechanism can hold the door in a closed state with respect to the vehicle body by engaging with a striker that has entered the access groove.

[0005] The operating mechanism is provided inside the housing. The operating mechanism includes a release lever, an outside lever, etc. The operating mechanism can operate the latch mechanism.

[0006] The locking mechanism is provided inside the housing. The locking mechanism includes a lock lever and a slide lever. The lock lever is rotatable between an unlock position that enables the operation of the operating mechanism on the latch mechanism and a lock position that disables the operation of the operating mechanism on the latch mechanism. The slide lever switches the lock lever between the unlock position and the lock position by linear motion.

[0007] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, this vehicle door lock device further includes an emergency lever. The emergency lever is rotatably supported by the body and has an exposed portion that is exposed on the bottom surface of the access groove. The emergency lever has a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are located within the housing and engage with the slide lever.

[0008] In a vehicle equipped with this vehicle door lock device, when an abnormality occurs in the electrical system, security can be ensured by the following emergency operation. That is, with the vehicle door open, an operation jig is inserted into the exposed portion of the emergency lever to rotate the emergency lever. As a result, the slide lever moves linearly and the lock lever switches to the locked position, invalidating the operation of the operating mechanism on the latch mechanism. Then, by closing the door, the latch mechanism holds the door in a closed state with respect to the vehicle body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0009]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional vehicle door lock device, a rotational gap is formed between the emergency lever and the body, and there is a risk that water such as rainwater or washing water may enter the housing through the rotational gap.

[0011] Also, in this vehicle door lock device, since the operation jig acts on the lock lever via the emergency lever and the slide lever in the emergency operation, the number of parts is large.

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional situation, and while making it possible to invalidate the operation of the operating mechanism for the latch mechanism by an emergency operation, it suppresses water from entering the housing through the entry groove, and further aims to solve the problem of providing a vehicle door lock device that can reduce the number of parts.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0013] The vehicle door lock device of the present invention includes a housing fixed to a door that can be opened and closed with respect to a vehicle body, the housing having a recessed entry groove into which a striker fixed to the vehicle body can enter, a latch mechanism provided in the housing and engageable with the striker that has entered the entry groove to hold the door in a closed state with respect to the vehicle body, an operating mechanism provided in the housing and capable of operating the latch mechanism, a lock lever provided in the housing and linearly movable between an unlock position for enabling the operation of the operating mechanism with respect to the latch mechanism and a lock position for invalidating the operation of the operating mechanism with respect to the latch mechanism, A vehicle door lock device comprising: The housing is formed so as to penetrate a first wall forming the bottom surface of the entry groove, and has an operation hole through which an operation member separate from the vehicle door lock device can be inserted. The lock lever has a second wall having an opposing surface that opposes the operation hole within a linear movement range from the unlock position to the lock position of the lock lever, and a bottomed hole-shaped operated portion recessed in the opposing surface, the operated portion being exposed to the outside of the housing through the operation hole within the linear movement range and engageable with one end of the operation member.

[0014] In a vehicle equipped with the vehicle door lock device of the present invention, when an abnormality occurs in the electrical system, security can be ensured by the following emergency operation. That is, with the vehicle door open, the operating member is inserted into the operation hole of the housing, and one end of the operating member is engaged with the operated portion of the lock lever to linearly move the lock lever. As a result, the lock lever switches to the locked position, and the operation of the operating mechanism for the latch mechanism is invalidated. Then, by closing the door, the latch mechanism holds the door in a closed state with respect to the vehicle body.

[0015] Further, in this vehicle door lock device, even if water such as rainwater or washing water tries to pass through the operation hole, the opposing surface blocks the water inside the housing and can return it to the outside of the housing.

[0016] Furthermore, in this vehicle door lock device, it is only necessary to directly actuate the operating member on the lock lever in the emergency operation, and the emergency lever and slide lever according to the conventional vehicle door lock device are unnecessary.

[0017] Therefore, the vehicle door lock device of the present invention can invalidate the operation of the operating mechanism for the latch mechanism by an emergency operation, suppress water from entering the housing through the inlet groove, and further reduce the number of parts.

[0018] It is desirable that the linear movement direction in which the lock lever moves linearly is substantially orthogonal to the advancing and retracting direction in which the striker advances and retracts with respect to the insertion groove. One of the linear movement directions is desirably the side closer to the operated portion of the lock lever in the unlocked position than the operated portion of the lock lever in the locked position. The insertion groove desirably has a first side surface located on one of the linear movement directions with respect to the bottom surface. The housing desirably has a ridge line portion formed on the edge side far from the bottom surface on the first side surface and extending along the advancing and retracting direction. And it is desirable that the operating member can act as a lever by engaging one end of the operating member with the operated portion of the lock lever in the unlocked position to become the acting point, the other end of the operating member becoming the force point, and the intermediate portion of the operating member abutting on the ridge line portion to become the fulcrum.

[0019] In this case, by causing the operating member to act as a lever, the lock lever can be more easily linearly moved from the unlocked position to the locked position as compared with the case where the operating member is linearly moved to linearly move the lock lever from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0020] The operation hole desirably has a first inner peripheral surface located on the other of the linear movement directions of the inner peripheral surface of the operation hole. The operated portion desirably has a second inner peripheral surface located on one of the linear movement directions of the inner peripheral surface of the operated portion. The first inner peripheral surface desirably inclines so as to shift toward the other of the linear movement directions as it approaches the opposing surface while facing one of the linear movement directions. And the second inner peripheral surface desirably inclines so as to shift toward one of the linear movement directions as it approaches the opposing surface while facing the other of the linear movement directions.

[0021] In this case, due to the inclined first inner peripheral surface and second inner peripheral surface, it becomes easier to secure the stroke for linearly moving the lock lever when the operating member acts as a lever, so it is easy to reduce the length of the operation hole in the linear movement direction. As a result, this vehicle door lock device can further suppress the problem that water enters the housing through the operation hole and affects the components inside the housing.

[0022] It is desirable that the advancing and retracting direction in which the striker advances and retracts with respect to the entry groove is substantially horizontal. It is desirable that the linear motion direction in which the lock lever linearly moves is the vertical direction substantially orthogonal to the advancing and retracting direction. The entry groove desirably has an upper regulating edge that extends parallel to the advancing and retracting direction and determines the upper limit position of the striker that has entered to the depth of the entry groove, and a lower regulating edge that extends parallel to the advancing and retracting direction and determines the lower limit position of the striker that has entered to the depth of the entry groove. And, when viewed along the direction in which the operation hole penetrates the first wall, it is desirable that the operation hole is located above the virtual line that extends parallel to the advancing and retracting direction at a position where the distance from the upper regulating edge and the distance from the lower regulating edge in the linear motion direction are equal.

[0023] In this case, the water that has fallen on the housing from above drips downward and thus it is difficult to reach the bottom surface of the entry groove. Even if it flows toward the bottom surface of the entry groove, it is difficult to reach the operation hole formed above the bottom surface. As a result, this vehicle door lock device can further suppress water from entering the housing through the operation hole.

[0024] It is desirable that the housing is formed on the side opposite to the bottom surface of the first wall and has a peripheral portion that surrounds the operation hole. And, it is desirable that the opposing surface also opposes the peripheral portion within the linear motion range.

[0025] In this case, even if a part of the water enters the housing along the opposing surface when the opposing surface returns the water trying to pass through the operation hole to the outside of the housing, the peripheral portion can quickly drip the water downward from the opposing surface. As a result, this vehicle door lock device can suppress the problem that water enters the housing through the entry groove and affects the components inside the housing.

[0026] It is desirable that the advancing and retreating direction in which the striker advances and retreats with respect to the entry groove is substantially horizontal. It is desirable that the linear motion direction in which the lock lever linearly moves is the vertical direction substantially orthogonal to the advancing and retreating direction. It is desirable that the peripheral portion is located at a position sandwiching the operation hole from one side and the other side in the advancing and retreating direction, extends in the vertical direction, and has two ribs protruding toward the opposing surface. It is desirable that two inclined ribs connected to the lower ends of each rib, which are located below the operation hole in each rib, are inclined so as to approach the entrance of the entry groove in the advancing and retreating direction as they go downward. And it is desirable that the housing has a discharge port that communicates the inside and the outside of the housing below the lower end of each inclined rib.

[0027] In this case, even if a part of the water trying to pass through the operation hole enters the housing along the opposing surface when the opposing surface returns the water to the outside of the housing, each rib, each inclined rib, and the discharge port can quickly discharge the water to the outside of the housing while keeping it away from the components inside the housing.

Advantages of the Invention

[0028] According to the vehicle door lock device of the present invention, while making it possible to invalidate the operation of the operating mechanism for the latch mechanism by an emergency operation, it is possible to suppress water from entering the housing through the entry groove, and further reduce the number of parts.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

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Figure 17

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0031] (Example) As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle door lock device 1 of the example (hereinafter simply referred to as "door lock device 1") is an example of a specific embodiment of the vehicle door lock device of the present invention. Although not shown in the figure, the door lock device 1 is fixed to a door that can be opened and closed with respect to the vehicle body of a vehicle such as an automobile, a bus, or an industrial vehicle. And the door lock device 1 can hold the door in a closed state with respect to the vehicle body by holding a striker S1 (see Figs. 7 to 10) fixed to the vehicle body.

[0032] In Fig. 1, the door lock device 1 disposed inside the rear end side of the door provided on the left side surface of the vehicle body is shown. In addition, when the door lock device 1 is fixed to the rear end side of the door provided on the right side surface of the vehicle body, it will only be the wrong way around. Furthermore, the door lock device 1 can also be provided on a back door or the like.

[0033] The front-rear direction and the up-down direction shown in Fig. 1 are based on the front-rear direction and the up-down direction of the vehicle. Also, the inside-outside direction of the vehicle shown in Fig. 1 is based on a person boarding the vehicle interior of the vehicle. The left side surface side of the vehicle is the outside of the vehicle, and the opposite side is the inside of the vehicle, that is, the vehicle interior side. The front-rear direction, the up-down direction, and the inside-outside direction of the vehicle shown in Fig. 2 and later are shown corresponding to Fig. 1.

[0034] <Overall configuration> As shown in Fig. 1, an outer door handle H1 is disposed on the outer surface of a door (not shown) to which the door lock device 1 is fixed. An inner door handle H2 is disposed on the inner surface of the door exposed in the vehicle interior.

[0035] The upper end portion of a transmission rod C1 is connected to the outer door handle H1. The door lock device 1 is disposed below the outer door handle H1 inside the door. The lower end portion of the transmission rod C1 is connected to one end portion 20A of an O / S open lever 20, which will be described later with reference to Figs. 4, 5, 8, etc.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, one end of a transmission cable C2 is connected to the inner door handle H2. The other end of the transmission cable C2 is drawn into the door lock device 1 and is connected to one end 25A of an I / S open lever 25, which will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 and the like.

[0037] The door lock device 1 includes a latch housing 9 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and an operation housing 7 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation housing 7 is assembled to the latch housing 9. The latch housing 9 and the operation housing 7 are an example of the "housing" of the present invention.

[0038] The operation housing 7 has a first housing 70 shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, and a second housing 80 shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. The first housing 70 and the second housing 80 are each made of resin.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the first housing 70 has a first base wall portion 71 and a first peripheral wall portion 73 surrounding the first base wall portion 71. As shown in FIG. 6, the second housing 80 has a second base wall portion 81 and a second peripheral wall portion 83 surrounding the second base wall portion 81.

[0040] The second housing 80 is assembled to the first housing 70 by the first base wall portion 71 and the second base wall portion 81 facing each other and the first peripheral wall portion 73 and the second peripheral wall portion 83 being welded. Thereby, a storage chamber 7A shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is formed inside the operation housing 7.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the latch housing 9 has a third housing 90 made of resin, a base plate 99 made of a steel plate, and a back plate 98 made of a steel plate.

[0042] Insert the fork swing shaft 11S and the pole swing shaft 12S into the third housing 90, place the base plate 99 behind the third housing 90, and place the back plate 98 in front of the third housing 90. Then, clamp and fix the rear end portions of the fork swing shaft 11S and the pole swing shaft 12S to the base plate 99, and clamp and fix the front end portions of the fork swing shaft 11S and the pole swing shaft 12S to the back plate 98, whereby a latch chamber 9A is formed inside the latch housing 9.

[0043] After temporarily assembling the third housing 90 to the first housing 70, assemble the second housing 80 to the first housing 70, and weld the first peripheral wall portion 73 of the first housing 70 and the second peripheral wall portion 83 of the second housing 80, whereby the third housing 90 is joined to the first housing 70 and the second housing 80.

[0044] The door lock device 1 includes a latch mechanism 8 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and an operating mechanism 6 and a lock lever 40 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The latch mechanism 8 is housed in the latch chamber 9A of the latch housing 9. The operating mechanism 6 and the lock lever 40 are housed in the storage chamber 7A of the operating housing 7.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an entry groove 97 is recessed in the latch housing 9. The entry groove 97 is constituted by a housing groove 90M formed in the third housing 90 and a plate groove 99M formed in the base plate 99.

[0046] The bottom surface 97D of the entry groove 97 is the bottom surface of the housing groove 90M. The bottom surface 97D of the entry groove 97 is formed by the first wall 91 of the third housing 90. The first wall 91 extends substantially flat in the vertical direction and the vehicle interior / exterior direction at a position away from the base plate 99 forward. The bottom surface 97D of the entry groove 97 is the rear surface of the first wall 91 and extends longitudinally in the vehicle interior / exterior direction.

[0047] The entrance 97E of the entry groove 97 is formed by a portion opened toward the vehicle interior in the plate groove 99M and a portion opened toward the vehicle interior in the housing groove 90M. The depth of the entry groove 97 is located at a position away from the vehicle exterior from the entrance 97E.

[0048] A plurality of fixing holes 99H are formed in the base plate 99. A plurality of set screws (not shown) are inserted through the rear end face of the door, and further screwed into the respective fixing holes 99H of the base plate 99, whereby the latch housing 9 and the operating housing 7 are fixed to the door with the entry groove 97 exposed on the rear end face of the door.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, when the door lock device 1 moves inward of the vehicle as the door is closed, the striker S1 fixed to the vehicle body enters the entry groove 97 relatively. On the other hand, when the door lock device 1 moves outward of the vehicle as the door is opened, the striker S1 relatively disengages from the entry groove 97.

[0050] The advancing and retreating direction in which the striker S1 advances and retreats with respect to the entry groove 97 is the vehicle interior and exterior direction and is substantially horizontal.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, the latch mechanism 8 has a fork 11 and a pole 12. The fork 11 is swingably supported by a fork swing shaft 11S positioned above the entry groove 97. The pole 12 is swingably supported by a pole swing shaft 12S positioned below the entry groove 97.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the fork 11 is biased by a torsion coil spring (not shown) to swing in the D11 direction around the fork swing shaft 11S.

[0053] The portion of the fork 11 located on the entry groove 97 side branches into an inner convex portion 11A and an outer convex portion 11B. And the striker S1 that has entered the entry groove 97 fits into the notch portion 11C formed between the inner convex portion 11A and the outer convex portion 11B.

[0054] In the states shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 10, the fork 11 holds the striker S1 that has entered to the depth of the entry groove 97. A latch surface 11D capable of abutting against a stopper surface 12A described later is formed on the tip side facing the pole 12 of the inner convex portion 11A.

[0055] The pole 12 is biased by a torsion coil spring (not shown) to swing in the D12 direction around the pole swing shaft 12S and holds the posture shown in FIG. 7.

[0056] A stopper surface 12A is formed at a portion of the pole 12 located on the back side of the entry groove 97. The stopper surface 12A is formed so as to face the latch surface 11D described above. The arc forming the stopper surface 12A is interrupted on the fork 11 side, and a sliding surface 12C extending from there toward the pole swing shaft 12S is formed.

[0057] On the other hand, an abutting portion 12B is formed on the pole 12 on the side opposite to the stopper surface 12A with the pole swing shaft 12S interposed therebetween. As shown in FIG. 2, the abutting portion 12B projects forward in a columnar shape. As shown in FIG. 5, the front end of the abutting portion 12B projects forward through the third housing 90 from the latch chamber 9A and enters the storage chamber 7A.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7, with the pole 12 holding the striker S1 that has entered to the depth of the entry groove 97 by the fork 11, the stopper surface 12A abuts against the latch surface 11D of the inner convex portion 11A, thereby fixing the fork 11 so as not to swing in the D11 direction. The position of the fork 11 shown in FIG. 7 is a latch position for holding the striker S1 in the entry groove 97.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8, when an inertia lever 29, which will be described later, abuts against and pushes up the abutted portion 12B of the pole 12, the pole 12 swings in a direction opposite to the D12 direction around the pole swing axis 12S while resisting the biasing force of a torsion coil spring (not shown). At this time, since the stopper surface 12A separates from the latch surface 11D, the pole 12 releases the swing of the fork 11. Then, the fork 11 swings in the D11 direction around the fork swing axis 11S due to the biasing force of a torsion coil spring (not shown), and is displaced to an unlatch position that allows the striker S1 to disengage from within the entry groove 97.

[0060] Conversely, when the striker S1 enters the entry groove 97, since the striker S1 pushes the outer convex portion 11B, the fork 11 swings in a direction opposite to the D11 direction and returns from the unlatch position shown in FIG. 8 to the latch position shown in FIG. 7. At this time, the tips of the outer convex portion 11B and the inner convex portion 11A sequentially slide in contact with the sliding surface 12C. Then, when the inner convex portion 11A separates from the sliding surface 12C, the pole 12 swings in the D12 direction and returns to its original posture shown in FIG. 7. For this reason, the stopper surface 12A abuts against the latch surface 11D, fixing the swing of the fork 11 in the latch position. In this way, the latch mechanism 8 holds the door in a closed state with respect to the vehicle body by engaging with the striker S1 that has entered the entry groove 97.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the operating mechanism 6 includes an O / S open lever 20, an I / S open lever 25, an inertia lever 29, a relay lock lever 35, an electric motor M1, a worm wheel 39, and a switch SW1.

[0062] In the first housing 70, an O / S open lever swing axis 20S protrudes rearwardly from a rear and lower portion of the first base wall portion 71. The O / S open lever 20 is swingably supported by the O / S open lever swing axis 20S.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 7, the O / S open lever 20 is biased by a torsion coil spring (not shown) to swing in the D20 direction around the O / S open lever swing axis 20S. One end 20A of the O / S open lever 20 to which the lower end of the transmission rod C1 is connected projects outside the operation housing 7, although illustration thereof is omitted.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the inertia lever 29 is supported by the other end 20B of the O / S open lever 20 so as to be swingable around the swing axis X29 extending in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the inertia lever 29 is biased by a torsion coil spring (not shown) to swing in the D29 direction around the swing axis X29.

[0065] When the outer door handle H1 is operated to open and the transmission rod C1 descends, as shown in FIG. 8, one end 20A of the O / S open lever 20 is pushed down, causing the O / S open lever 20 to swing in a direction opposite to the D20 direction and raising the inertia lever 29.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a first shaft portion 75P is formed at a rear and lower portion of the first base wall portion 71 of the first housing 70. A second shaft portion 75Q is formed at a portion of the first base wall portion 71 that is forward of the first shaft portion 75P. Third and fourth shaft portions 75R and 75S are formed at a portion located substantially at the center of the first base wall portion 71. The first shaft portion 75P, the second shaft portion 75Q, the third shaft portion 75R, and the fourth shaft portion 75S each extend toward the second base wall portion 81 of the second housing 80.

[0067] The I / S open lever 25 is swingably supported by the first shaft portion 75P. The other end of the transmission cable C2 is connected to one end 25A of the I / S open lever 25 that is spaced downward from the first shaft portion 75P. That is, the I / S open lever 25 is connected to the inner door handle H2 via the transmission cable C2.

[0068] At a position above one end portion 25A of the I / S open lever 25, an operating portion 25B is formed. The I / S open lever 25 swings counterclockwise toward the plane of FIG. 3 by an opening operation with respect to the inner door handle H2. As a result, the operating portion 25B pushes up the other end portion 20B of the O / S open lever 20 and raises the inertia lever 29. Although the description is simplified, the I / S open lever 25 also has a function (so-called override function) of acting on the relay lock lever 35 by an opening operation of only the inner door handle H2 in a locked (latched) state of the door to unlock (unlatch) the door and enable the door to be opened.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the relay lock lever 35 is swingably supported by the second shaft portion 75Q. As shown in FIG. 4, a cam 35C is formed on the upper portion of the relay lock lever 35. An operating portion 35B is protruded convexly toward the outside of the vehicle on the surface of the relay lock lever 35 facing the outside of the vehicle.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the worm wheel 39 is rotatably supported by the third shaft portion 75R. A cam portion (not shown) engageable with the cam 35C of the relay lock lever 35 is formed on the surface of the worm wheel 39 facing the outside of the vehicle.

[0071] The electric motor M1 is disposed at a position above and in front of the worm wheel 39 in the storage chamber 7A. The worm wheel 39 meshes with a worm fixed to the rotating shaft of the electric motor M1.

[0072] Above the electric motor M1 in the storage chamber 7A, a terminal holding portion 78 for holding a plurality of connection terminals T1 is provided. Two of each connection terminal T1 are connected to the electric motor M1. When controlling the locking (latching) / unlocking (unlatching) of the door, electric power is supplied to the electric motor M1 via an external connector E1 shown in FIG. 1 and those two connection terminals T1 from a power source (not shown) provided on the vehicle body.

[0073] When the electric motor M1 is activated by a lock operation or an unlock operation on a remote control button or the like, the worm wheel 39 is rotationally driven by the electric motor M1 and rotates clockwise or counterclockwise toward the plane of FIG. 3. Then, the worm wheel 39 is displaced between the position of the relay lock lever 35 shown in FIG. 3 and a position where the relay lock lever 35 swings clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 3 (not shown) by the engagement between a cam portion (not shown) and the cam 35C.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lock lever 40 has a main body portion 40M and an extension portion 40N. The main body portion 40M extends in the vertical direction. The lower end of the extension portion 40N is connected to the upper end of the main body portion 40M. The extension portion 40N extends upward and backward from its lower end and then bends and extends upward.

[0075] A long hole 40H extending in the vertical direction is formed in the main body portion 40M. A concave portion 40B is recessed in the lower end portion of the main body portion 40M. Above the long hole 40H in the main body portion 40M, a switch operation portion 40F is formed.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 4, a linear motion convex portion 40E is protruded toward the outside of the vehicle on the lower end side of the portion of the extension portion 40N that extends upward.

[0077] A linear motion groove portion 71E is formed in a portion of the first base wall portion 71 of the first housing 70 that is behind and above the fourth shaft portion 75S. The linear motion convex portion 40E is disposed in the linear motion groove portion 71E. The linear motion convex portion 40E is guided in the vertical direction by the linear motion groove portion 71E. As shown in FIG. 3, the fourth shaft portion 75S is inserted into the long hole 40H. The long hole 40H is guided in the vertical direction by the fourth shaft portion 75S.

[0078] In this way, the lock lever 40 is vertically linearly movable between the unlock position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 and the lock position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 in the storage chamber 7A.

[0079] The linear movement direction (vertical direction) in which the lock lever 40 moves linearly is substantially orthogonal to the advancing and retracting direction (direction between the inside and outside of the vehicle) in which the striker S1 advances and retracts with respect to the entry groove 97.

[0080] The acting portion 35B of the relay lock lever 35 is engaged with the recess 40B of the lock lever 40. The lever of the switch SW1 is engaged with the switch operating portion 40F of the lock lever 40.

[0081] Three of the connection terminals T1, which are different from the two connected to the electric motor M1, are connected to the switch SW1. When the lock lever 40 is in the unlocked position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3, one contact in the switch SW1 is turned ON. When the lock lever 40 moves linearly upward from the unlocked position and is displaced to the locked position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, another contact in the switch SW1 is turned ON. The ON / OFF signals of the two contacts in the switch SW1 are transmitted to a control unit (not shown) provided on the vehicle body via those three connection terminals T1 and the external connector E1, and are used for controlling the locking / unlocking of the door and grasping the state of the door lock device 1.

[0082] As will be described below, the lock lever 40 moves linearly by a lock operation and an unlock operation on a remote control key or the like.

[0083] When the electric motor M1 rotates by a lock operation on a remote control key or the like and the relay lock lever 35 swings in the clockwise direction on the paper surface from the position shown in FIG. 3, the displacement is transmitted to the lock lever 40 via the recess 40B and the acting portion 35B, and the lock lever 40 is pushed up from the unlocked position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 to the locked position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3.

[0084] On the other hand, when the electric motor M1 rotates reversely by an unlock operation on a remote control key or the like and the relay lock lever 35 returns to the position shown in FIG. 3, the displacement is transmitted to the lock lever 40 via the recess 40B and the acting portion 35B, and the lock lever 40 is pulled down from the locked position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 to the unlocked position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3.

[0085] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, between the long hole 40H and the recess 40B in the main body portion 40M, a first surface 44A, a second surface 44B, and a third surface 44C are formed. The first surface 44A, the second surface 44B, and the third surface 44C are formed on the surface of the lock lever 40 facing the outside of the vehicle.

[0086] The first surface 44A and the third surface 44C are each flat surfaces extending in the vertical direction, and the first surface 44A is offset more toward the inside of the vehicle than the third surface 44C. The second surface 44B is an inclined surface connecting the lower end of the first surface 44A and the upper end of the third surface 44C.

[0087] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 and 7, on the front surface of the inertia lever 29, a protrusion 29A protrudes forward. The protrusion 29A is in sliding contact with the first surface 44A, the second surface 44B, and the third surface 44C according to the operation of the lock lever 40.

[0088] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, on the side of the storage chamber 7A of the third housing 90, an inertia lever guide surface 90G is formed. The inertia lever guide surface 90G is a downward flat surface located more outside the vehicle than the contact portion 12B of the pole 12. The inertia lever guide surface 90G extends outward of the vehicle so as to be separated from the contact portion 12B.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 7, the inertia lever guide surface 90G is located slightly below the lower end of the contact portion 12B. The inertia lever guide surface 90G is located above the upper end of the inertia lever 29 in a state where the O / S open lever 20 is not swinging.

[0090] The position of the lock lever 40 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is the same unlock position as the lock lever 40 shown by the solid line in FIG. 3. The position of the lock lever 40 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is the same lock position as the lock lever 40 shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3.

[0091] As shown in Fig. 7, when the lock lever 40 is in the unlocked position, the protruding portion 29A of the inertia lever 29 abuts against the first surface 44A of the lock lever 40, thereby holding the inertia lever 29 in an upright state facing upward. In this case, as shown in Fig. 8, if the inertia lever 29 is lifted by an opening operation of the outer door handle H1 or an opening operation on the inner door handle H2, the inertia lever 29 abuts against the abutted portion 12B, releasing the fork 11 from the pole 12.

[0092] That is, the actuating mechanism 6 can operate the latch mechanism 8. The unlocked position of the lock lever 40 is a position that enables the operation of the actuating mechanism 6 with respect to the latch mechanism 8.

[0093] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 9, when the lock lever 40 is displaced to the locked position, the protruding portion 29A of the inertia lever 29 is in sliding contact with the second surface 44B of the lock lever 40, and further abuts against the third surface 44C, thereby holding the inertia lever 29 in a state inclined toward the outside of the vehicle. In this case, as shown in Fig. 10, if the inertia lever 29 is lifted by an opening operation of the outer door handle H1, the inertia lever 29 abuts against the inertia lever guide surface 90G and separates from the abutted portion 12B, so that the pole 12 remains fixing the fork 11.

[0094] That is, the locked position of the lock lever 40 is a position that invalidates the operation of the actuating mechanism 6 with respect to the latch mechanism 8.

[0095] In this way, the door lock device 1 can hold the door in a closed state with respect to the vehicle body, release the door, or lock or unlock the door in a closed state according to various operations of the vehicle occupants.

[0096] <Configuration of the operation hole of the latch housing and the operated portion of the lock lever, etc.> The door lock device 1 has the following configuration in order to perform an emergency operation for ensuring security when an abnormality occurs in the electrical system in the vehicle.

[0097] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6, 11, 12, and 14 to 17, the third housing 90 of the latch housing 9 has an operation hole 92. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 12 to 17, the lock lever 40 has a second wall 42 and an operated portion 45.

[0098] <Operation hole> As shown in FIGS. 2, 11, and 12, the operation hole 92 is formed in the first wall 91 of the third housing 90. The operation hole 92 penetrates the first wall 91 in the front-rear direction on the entrance 97E side of the entry groove 97. The operation hole 92 is a rectangular hole with rounded corners.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 1, the third housing 90 has a third wall 90W. The third wall 90W has a substantially flat plate shape that surrounds the entrance 97E of the entry groove 97 from the front, above, and below. The third wall 90W extends in the vertical and front-rear directions and is combined with the second housing 80. The operation hole 92 is located in the vicinity of the third wall 90W.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 12, the entry groove 97 has an upper regulating edge 99L1 and a lower regulating edge 99L2. The upper regulating edge 99L1 and the lower regulating edge 99L2 are formed in the base plate 99 plate groove 99M.

[0101] The upper regulating edge 99L1 is located at the back of the entry groove 97 and extends substantially horizontally, that is, parallel to the advancing and retracting direction of the striker S1. The upper regulating edge 99L1 determines the upper limit position of the striker S1 that has entered to the back of the entry groove 97.

[0102] The lower regulating edge 99L2 is located at the back of the entry groove 97 and is spaced downward from the upper regulating edge 99L1, and extends substantially horizontally, that is, parallel to the advancing and retracting direction of the striker S1. The lower regulating edge 99L2 determines the lower limit position of the striker S1 that has entered to the back of the entry groove 97.

[0103] In the linear movement direction (vertical direction) of the lock lever 40, a straight line that extends parallel to the advancing and retracting direction (vehicle interior and exterior direction) of the striker S1 at a position where the distance from the upper regulating edge 99L1 and the distance from the lower regulating edge 99L2 are equal is defined as the virtual line K1.

[0104] When viewed along the front - rear direction in which the operation hole 92 penetrates the first wall 91, the operation hole 92 is located above the virtual line K1.

[0105] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 15, the operation hole 92 has a first inner peripheral surface 92S. The first inner peripheral surface 92S is an inner peripheral surface that is located above among the inner peripheral surfaces of the operation hole 92 and extends in the vehicle interior - exterior direction. The first inner peripheral surface 92S is inclined so as to shift upward as it advances forward while facing downward and approaching the opposing surface 42A described later.

[0106] As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the operation hole 92 can insert an operation member J1 that is separate from the door lock device 1. The operation member J1 can be, for example, carried by a vehicle user or housed in the vehicle, and can be any object as long as it has one end J1A that can be inserted into the operation hole 92 and the other end J1B that can be gripped by the user. The operation member J1 preferably has an elongated shape like a rod, and for example, is a vehicle key, an in - vehicle tool, or the like.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 11, the third housing 90 has a peripheral edge portion 93. The peripheral edge portion 93 is formed on the side opposite to the bottom surface 97D in the first wall 91, that is, on the front side of the first wall 91. The peripheral edge portion 93 surrounds the four sides of the operation hole 92. The peripheral edge portion 93 has two ribs 93A, 93B.

[0108] The rib 93A extends vertically adjacent to one side that extends vertically on the vehicle - inner side in the operation hole 92 and protrudes forward so as to face the opposing surface 42A described later.

[0109] The rib 93B extends vertically adjacent to another side that extends vertically on the outside of the vehicle at the operation hole 92, and protrudes forward so as to face the opposing surface 42A described later.

[0110] Each of the ribs 93A and 93B is positioned to sandwich the operation hole 92 from one side and the other side in the advancing and retracting direction of the striker S1.

[0111] An inclined rib 93A1 is connected to the lower end of the rib 93A that is located below the operation hole 92. The inclined rib 93A1 is inclined so as to approach the entrance 97E of the entry groove 97 in the vehicle interior and exterior direction as it advances downward, that is, so as to approach the third wall 90W. The lower end of the inclined rib 93A1 is connected to the third wall 90W.

[0112] An inclined rib 93B1 is connected to the lower end of the rib 93B that is located below the operation hole 92. The inclined rib 93B1 is inclined so as to approach the entrance 97E of the entry groove 97 in the vehicle interior and exterior direction as it advances downward, that is, so as to approach the third wall 90W. The lower end of the inclined rib 93B1 is located below the lower end of the inclined rib 93A1 and has a small gap with the third wall 90W.

[0113] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 6, the operating housing 7 has a discharge port 7H. The discharge port 7H is formed by a notch formed at the lower end of the first peripheral wall portion 73 of the first housing 70 and a notch formed at the lower end of the second peripheral wall portion 83 of the second housing 80.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 6, the discharge port 7H communicates the inside and the outside of the operating housing 7 below the lower ends of the inclined ribs 93A1 and 93B1.

[0115] <Second Wall and Operated Portion> As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the second wall 42 is formed on the rear end side of the upwardly extending portion of the extending portion 40N of the lock lever 40. The second wall 42 has a substantially flat plate shape extending in the vertical direction and the vehicle interior and exterior direction.

[0116] The second wall 42 has an opposing surface 42A. The opposing surface 42A is the rear surface of the second wall 42. The opposing surface 42A is a flat surface extending in the vertical direction and the vehicle interior-exterior direction, and the upper end 42A1 side is curved rearward.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 14, the length of the opposing surface 42A in the vehicle interior-exterior direction is larger than the opening width of the operation hole 92 in the vehicle interior-exterior direction, and is larger than the outer width of the peripheral portion 93 and each rib 93A, 93B in the vehicle interior-exterior direction.

[0118] FIGS. 14(a) and 15 show the lower limit of the linear movement range from the unlock position to the lock position of the lock lever 40. In this state, the upper end 42A1 of the opposing surface 42A is located above the operation hole 92, the peripheral portion 93, and each rib 93A, 93B, and the lower end of the opposing surface 42A is located below the operation hole 92, the peripheral portion 93, and each rib 93A, 93B.

[0119] FIGS. 14(b) and 17 show the upper limit of the linear movement range from the unlock position to the lock position of the lock lever 40. Even in this state, the upper end 42A1 of the opposing surface 42A is located above the operation hole 92, the peripheral portion 93, and each rib 93A, 93B, and the lower end of the opposing surface 42A is located below the operation hole 92, the peripheral portion 93, and each rib 93A, 93B.

[0120] That is, the opposing surface 42A faces the operation hole 92, the peripheral portion 93, and each rib 93A, 93B in the linear movement range from the unlock position to the lock position of the lock lever 40.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 15, the front-rear direction gap G1 between the opposing surface 42A and each rib 93A, 93B is set to be as small as possible within a range that does not affect the linear movement of the lock lever 40. In this embodiment, as an example, the gap G1 is set to about 0.something mm.

[0122] The operated part 45 is recessed in the opposing surface 42A. The operated part 45 has a bottomed hole shape and is located at approximately the center of the opposing surface 42A, recessed forward. The operated part 45 is substantially rectangular when viewed along the front-rear direction.

[0123] As shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, the operated part 45 can be exposed to the outside of the latch housing 9 and the operation housing 7 through the operation hole 92 within the linear movement range from the unlock position to the lock position of the lock lever 40 and can engage with one end J1A of the operation member J1.

[0124] One of the linear movement directions of the lock lever 40 is the side closer to the operated part 45 of the lock lever 40 in the unlock position than the operated part 45 of the lock lever 40 in the lock position, that is, the lower side. The other of the linear movement directions of the lock lever 40 is the upper side.

[0125] The operated part 45 has a second inner peripheral surface 45S. The second inner peripheral surface 45S is an inner peripheral surface located below among the inner peripheral surfaces of the operated part 45 and extending in the vehicle interior-exterior direction. The second inner peripheral surface 45S is inclined so as to shift downward as it advances backward while facing upward and approaching the opposing surface 42A and the operation hole 92.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 1, the entry groove 97 has a first side surface 97A. The first side surface 97A is formed by a side surface located below the bottom surface 97D in the housing groove 90M and a lower end surface including the lower regulating edge 99L2 in the plate groove 99M. That is, the first side surface 97A is located below the bottom surface 97D.

[0127] The latch housing 9 has a ridge line part 97A1. The ridge line part 97A1 is formed on the edge side far from the bottom surface 97D in the first side surface 97A. As shown in FIG. 12, the ridge line part 97A1 is located directly below the operation hole 92 and extends along the advancing and retracting direction of the striker S1, that is, the vehicle interior-exterior direction.

[0128] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, one end J1A of the operation member J1 engages with the operated portion 45 of the lock lever 40 whose one end is in the unlock position to become the acting point, the other end J1B becomes the force point, and the intermediate portion J1C abuts against the ridge line portion 97A1 to become the fulcrum, whereby it can act as a lever.

[0129] <Function and Effect> In a vehicle equipped with the door lock device 1 of the embodiment, when an abnormality occurs in the electrical system, security can be ensured by the following emergency operation.

[0130] That is, with the vehicle door open, as shown in FIG. 15, the user grips the other end J1B of the operation member J1, inserts the operation member J1 into the operation hole 92 of the latch housing 9, and engages one end J1A of the operation member J1 with the operated portion 45 of the lock lever 40.

[0131] Next, the user presses down the other end J1B of the operation member J1. As a result, one end J1A of the operation member J1 becomes the acting point, the other end J1B becomes the force point, and a portion near one end J1A abuts against the inner peripheral surface below the operation hole 92 to become the fulcrum. As shown in FIG. 16, it acts as a lever and linearly moves the lock lever 40 upward.

[0132] Furthermore, when the user presses down the other end J1B of the operation member J1, the intermediate portion J1C of the operation member J1 abuts against the ridge line portion 97A1 to become the fulcrum. As shown in FIG. 17, it acts as a lever and linearly moves the lock lever 40 further upward.

[0133] As a result, the lock lever 40 switches to the locked position, and the operation of the operating mechanism 6 with respect to the latch mechanism 8 is invalidated. After that, by closing the door, the latch mechanism 8 holds the door in a closed state with respect to the vehicle body.

[0134] Also, in this door lock device 1, even if water such as rainwater or wash water tries to pass through the operation hole 92, the opposing surface 42A blocks the water inside the operation housing 7 and can return it to the outside of the latch housing 9 and the operation housing 7.

[0135] Furthermore, in this door lock device 1, in the emergency operation, it is only necessary to directly act on the lock lever 40 by the operation member J1, and the emergency lever and the slide lever according to the conventional vehicle door lock device are unnecessary.

[0136] Therefore, the door lock device 1 of the embodiment can invalidate the operation of the operating mechanism 6 with respect to the latch mechanism 8 by an emergency operation, suppress water from entering the operation housing 7 through the entry groove 97, and further reduce the number of parts. And this door lock device 1 can reduce the manufacturing cost by reducing the number of parts.

[0137] Also, in this door lock device 1, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, one end J1A of the operation member J1 engages with the operated portion 45 to become an acting point, the other end J1B becomes a force point, and the intermediate portion J1C abuts against the ridge line portion 97A1 to become a fulcrum, whereby it can act like a lever. With this configuration, it is possible to more easily move the lock lever 40 linearly from the unlock position to the lock position as compared with the case where the operation member J1 is linearly moved to linearly move the lock lever 40 from the unlock position to the lock position.

[0138] Furthermore, in this door lock device 1, the first inner peripheral surface 92S of the operation hole 92 is inclined so as to shift upward as it advances forward while facing downward and approaching the opposing surface 42A. The second inner peripheral surface 45S of the operated portion 45 is inclined so as to shift downward as it advances backward while facing upward and approaching the opposing surface 42A and the operation hole 92. With this configuration, it becomes easier to secure a stroke for linearly moving the lock lever 40 when the operating member J1 acts as a lever, so the length of the operation hole 92 in the vertical direction can be easily reduced. As a result, this door lock device 1 can further suppress the problem that water enters the operating housing 7 through the operation hole 92 and affects the components inside the operating housing 7.

[0139] Also, in this door lock device 1, as shown in FIG. 12, the operation hole 92 is located above a virtual line K1 that extends parallel to the advancing and retreating direction of the striker S1 at a position where the distance from the upper regulation edge 99L1 and the distance from the lower regulation edge 99L2 are equal in the linear motion direction. With this configuration, water that has fallen onto the latch housing 9 and the operating housing 7 from above tends to drip downward and thus it is difficult to reach the bottom surface 97D of the entry groove 97. Even if it is assumed to flow toward the bottom surface 97D of the entry groove 97, it is difficult to reach the operation hole 92 formed above on the bottom surface 97D. As a result, this door lock device 1 can further suppress water from entering the operating housing 7 through the operation hole 92.

[0140] Furthermore, in this door lock device 1, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, the opposing surface 42A faces the operation hole 92, the peripheral edge portion 93, and each rib 93A, 93B within the linear motion range from the unlock position to the lock position of the lock lever 40. With this configuration, even if a part of the water that attempts to pass through the operation hole 92 enters the operating housing 7 along the opposing surface 42A when the opposing surface 42A returns the water to the outside of the latch housing 9 and the operating housing 7, the peripheral edge portion 93 and each rib 93A, 93B can quickly drip the water downward from the opposing surface 42A. As a result, this door lock device 1 can suppress the problem that water enters the operating housing 7 through the entry groove 97 and affects the components inside the operating housing 7.

[0141] Also, in this door lock device 1, as shown in FIG. 11, each of the ribs 93A and 93B is located at a position sandwiching the operation hole 92 from one side and the other side in the advancing and retreating direction of the striker S1, extends in the vertical direction, and protrudes toward the opposing surface 42A. The two inclined ribs 93A1 and 93B1 are connected to the lower ends of the respective ribs 93A and 93B, which are located below the operation hole 92. Each of the inclined ribs 93A1 and 93B1 is inclined so as to approach the entrance 97E of the entry groove 97 in the advancing and retreating direction of the striker S1 as it advances downward. And, as shown in FIG. 6, the discharge port 7H of the operation housing 7 communicates the inside and the outside of the operation housing 7 below the lower ends of the respective inclined ribs 93A1 and 93B1. With this configuration, as shown by the broken-line arrow Y1 for the water flow in FIG. 5 and the broken-line arrow Y2 for the water flow in FIG. 6, even if a part of the water trying to pass through the operation hole 92 enters the operation housing 7 along the opposing surface 42A when the opposing surface 42A returns the water to the outside of the latch housing 9 and the operation housing 7, the ribs 93A and 93B, the inclined ribs 93A1 and 93B1, and the discharge port 7H can quickly discharge the water to the outside of the operation housing 7 while keeping the water away from the components inside the operation housing 7.

[0142] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be appropriately modified and applied without departing from the gist thereof.

[0143] In the embodiment, the linear movement direction in which the lock lever 40 linearly moves is the vertical direction substantially orthogonal to the advancing and retreating direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a configuration in which the advancing and retreating direction is the front-rear direction and the linear movement direction is the vehicle interior-exterior direction or the vertical direction is also included in the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0144] The present invention can be used, for example, in vehicles such as automobiles and industrial vehicles.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0145] 1…Vehicle door lock device 7, 9…Housing (7…Actuating housing, 9…Latch housing) S1…Striker 97…Entry groove 8…Latch mechanism 6…Actuating mechanism 40…Lock lever 97D…Bottom surface of the entry groove 91…First wall J1…Operating member 92…Operation hole 42A…Opposing surface 42…Second wall 45…Operated part J1A…One end of the operating member 97A…First side surface 97A1…Ridge line part J1B…The other end of the operating member J1C…Middle part of the operating member 92S…First inner peripheral surface 45S…Second inner peripheral surface 99L1…Upper regulating edge 99L2…Lower regulating edge K1…Virtual line extending parallel to the advancing and retreating direction at a position where the distance from the upper regulating edge and the distance from the lower regulating edge are equal in the straight movement direction 93…Peripheral part 93A, 93B…Rib 93A1, 93B1…Inclined rib 97E…Entrance of the entry groove 7H…Outlet

Claims

1. A housing fixed to a door that can be opened and closed with respect to a vehicle body, the housing having a recessed entry groove into which a striker fixed to the vehicle body can enter, and a latch mechanism provided in the housing and engageable with the striker that has entered the entry groove to hold the door in a closed state with respect to the vehicle body, and an operating mechanism provided in the housing and capable of operating the latch mechanism, and a lock lever provided in the housing and linearly movable between an unlock position that enables the operation of the operating mechanism with respect to the latch mechanism and a lock position that disables the operation of the operating mechanism with respect to the latch mechanism, and a vehicle door lock device comprising: the housing is formed so as to penetrate a first wall forming the bottom surface of the entry groove, and has an operation hole through which an operation member separate from the vehicle door lock device can be inserted, the lock lever has a second wall having an opposing surface that opposes the operation hole within a linear movement range of the lock lever from the unlock position to the lock position, and a bottomed hole-shaped operated portion recessed in the opposing surface, the operated portion being exposed to the outside of the housing through the operation hole within the linear movement range and engageable with one end of the operation member, a vehicle door lock device characterized by comprising.

2. The linear movement direction in which the lock lever moves is substantially orthogonal to the advancing and retreating direction in which the striker advances and retreats with respect to the entry groove, one of the linear movement directions is a side closer to the operated portion of the lock lever in the unlock position than the operated portion of the lock lever in the lock position, the entry groove has a first side surface located on one of the linear movement directions with respect to the bottom surface, the housing is formed on an edge side far from the bottom surface on the first side surface and has a ridge line portion extending along the advancing and retreating direction, The vehicle door lock device according to claim 1, wherein one end of the operation member engages with the operated portion of the lock lever in the unlock position to become a point of action, the other end of the operation member becomes a point of force, and an intermediate portion of the operation member abuts against the ridge line portion to become a fulcrum, thereby enabling operation as a lever.

3. The operation hole has a first inner peripheral surface located on the other of the linear movement directions of the inner peripheral surface of the operation hole, The operated part has a second inner peripheral surface located on one side in the linear movement direction of the inner peripheral surface of the operated part. The first inner peripheral surface is inclined so as to shift in the other direction in the linear movement direction as it approaches the opposing surface while facing one side in the linear movement direction. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 2, wherein the second inner peripheral surface is inclined so as to shift in the one direction in the linear movement direction as it approaches the opposing surface while facing the other direction in the linear movement direction.

4. The advancing / retreating direction in which the striker advances / retreats with respect to the entry groove is substantially horizontal. The linear movement direction in which the lock lever linearly moves is a vertical direction substantially orthogonal to the advancing / retreating direction. The entry groove extends parallel to the advancing / retreating direction, and has an upper regulating edge that determines the upper limit position of the striker that has entered to the depth of the entry groove, and a lower regulating edge that extends parallel to the advancing / retreating direction and determines the lower limit position of the striker that has entered to the depth of the entry groove. When viewed along the direction in which the operation hole penetrates the first wall, the operation hole is located above a virtual line that extends parallel to the advancing / retreating direction at a position where the distance from the upper regulating edge and the distance from the lower regulating edge in the linear movement direction are equal. The vehicle door lock device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The housing is formed on the side of the first wall opposite to the bottom surface, and has a peripheral edge portion that surrounds the operation hole. The vehicle door lock device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opposing surface also opposes the peripheral edge portion within the linear movement range.

6. The advancing / retreating direction in which the striker advances / retreats with respect to the entry groove is substantially horizontal. The linear movement direction in which the lock lever linearly moves is a vertical direction substantially orthogonal to the advancing / retreating direction. The peripheral edge portion is located at a position that sandwiches the operation hole from one side and the other side in the advancing / retreating direction, extends in the vertical direction, and has two ribs that protrude toward the opposing surface. Two inclined ribs connected to the lower ends of each rib, which are located below the operation hole, are inclined so as to approach the entrance of the entry groove in the advancing / retreating direction as they go downward. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 5, wherein the housing has a discharge port that communicates the inside and the outside of the housing below the lower ends of each of the inclined ribs.

Images