Vehicle door structure and key cylinder

Abstract

To improve production efficiency of a vehicle door structure.SOLUTION: A vehicle door structure 1 includes a vehicle door 2 having an internal space 7, a key cylinder 13 having a paddle 16, and a latch mechanism 20 having a key rotor 24 connected to a tip end portion of the paddle 16. A casing 21 of the latch mechanism 20 has a vertical wall portion 36 closely opposed to an inner surface of the vehicle door 2, and the key rotor 24 is arranged closely to the vertical wall portion 36. The paddle 16 has a shaft portion 41 extending along the inner surface of the vehicle door 2, and an extending portion 43 extending in an extending direction intersecting the axial direction from the shaft portion 41 on the axially base end side of the vertical wall portion 36 in an assembled state in which the paddle is connected to the key rotor 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle door structure and a key cylinder. [Background technology]

[0002] A vehicle door lock device and a vehicle door constitute a vehicle door structure. A vehicle door is composed of multiple panel members such as an inner panel and an outer panel. The vehicle door lock device is housed in a closed space defined by these panel members. The vehicle door lock device includes a key cylinder into which a key is inserted and a latch mechanism that switches between a locked state and an unlocked state in response to the rotation of the key (locking / unlocking operation). A paddle in the key cylinder transmits the rotation of the key to the latch mechanism, which then links the latch mechanism to the locking / unlocking operation.

[0003] In one example of a method for assembling a vehicle door lock device to a vehicle door, a key cylinder is attached to an outer panel and housed inside the vehicle door, and then a latch mechanism is attached to the inner surface of an inner panel. In this case, an assembly worker must insert a paddle into the key rotor of the latch mechanism and connect the tip of the paddle to the key rotor so that it can rotate integrally with the key rotor while moving the latch mechanism to a predetermined installation position inside the vehicle door.

[0004] The closed space of a vehicle door is narrow in the direction in which the inner panel and outer panel face each other, which can make it difficult to see the latch mechanism and key cylinder during the installation work of the latch mechanism. Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, the paddle is configured to be swingable, and the position of the paddle can be changed from a standard position. This facilitates insertion. The "standard position" of the paddle refers to the position of the paddle relative to the vehicle door when the paddle is properly assembled to the key rotor and the latch mechanism is properly installed in the installation position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-108733 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] If the latch mechanism is installed while the paddle is angularly displaced from the reference position, there is a risk that the paddle may be accidentally pinched between the latch mechanism and the inner surface of the vehicle door when the latch mechanism is moved within the closed space to insert the paddle into the key rotor. In this document, a state in which the paddle is not properly connected to the key rotor of the latch mechanism may be referred to as an "incorrect assembly state."

[0007] If the paddle is too short, it will get caught on the surface of the latch mechanism before it reaches the installation position, making it difficult to move the latch mechanism. The assembly worker will be able to recognize the incorrect assembly state by feeling the resistance to movement with their hand. However, if the paddle is too long, the latch mechanism will be able to reach the installation position without the paddle getting caught on the latch mechanism. The assembly worker may mistakenly believe that the paddle is inserted into the key rotor and end up installing the latch mechanism to the inner panel in an incorrect assembly state.

[0008] In an incorrect assembly state, the latch mechanism will not operate even if the key inserted in the key cylinder is turned (locking / unlocking operation). This incorrect assembly state can be discovered during the latch mechanism operation inspection stage. However, the disassembly and reassembly work required to correct the incorrect assembly state reduces the production efficiency of vehicle door structures.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to improve the production efficiency of a vehicle door structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A first aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle door having an internal space; a key cylinder provided in the vehicle door, the key cylinder having a paddle extending in an axial direction along an inner surface of the vehicle door within the internal space; a casing attached to the inner surface; and a latch mechanism provided in the vehicle door, the latch mechanism having a key rotor connected to a tip end of the paddle, the casing having a vertical wall portion extending in the axial direction in close proximity to the inner surface, the key rotor being disposed in close proximity to the vertical wall portion, the paddle having a shaft portion extending along the inner surface, and an extension portion connected to the key rotor and extending from the shaft portion in an extension direction intersecting the axial direction, on a base end side of the vertical wall portion in the axial direction. The tip of the extension portion is closer to the inner surface than the vertical wall portion. , a vehicle door structure is provided.

[0011] Here, we assume that the vehicle door structure is assembled in such a manner that the key cylinder is first attached to the vehicle door, and then the latch mechanism casing is attached to the inner surface of the vehicle door. When attaching the casing, the assembly worker positions the latch mechanism within the interior space of the vehicle door, and with the vertical wall portion close to the inner surface of the vehicle door, moves the casing closer to the key cylinder and connects the tip of the paddle with the key rotor.

[0012] According to the above configuration, if the paddle is accidentally pinched between the vertical wall portion and the inner surface, the shaft portion catches on the vertical wall portion and the extension portion catches on the inner surface. The assembler can then feel the resistance caused by the extension portion being caught before moving the casing toward the key cylinder the distance required for the paddle to properly connect with the key rotor. This allows the assembler to easily recognize an incorrect assembly before installing the latch mechanism in the vehicle door. Furthermore, since the tip of the extension portion is closer to the inner surface than the vertical wall portion, the extension portion can be more easily brought into contact with the inner surface when the paddle is caught in the clearance, which makes it easier for the assembly worker to recognize an incorrect assembly state of the paddle.

[0013] The extending direction may be a direction in which the inner surface and the vertical wall portion face each other.

[0014] With this configuration, when the paddle is caught in the clearance between the inner surface and the vertical wall portion, the extension portion can be easily brought into contact with the inner surface, which makes it easier for the assembly worker to recognize the incorrect assembly state.

[0015] The extending position may be located closer to the tip end in the axial direction than a central position in the axial direction of the shaft portion.

[0016] With this configuration, if the paddle is caught in the clearance, the extension portion can be easily brought into contact with the inner surface before the casing reaches the correct mounting position, making it easier for the assembly worker to recognize the incorrect assembly state.

[0018] The paddle may have a reinforcing portion connecting the shaft portion and the extension portion.

[0019] With this configuration, even if a force is applied to move the casing while the extension portion is caught on the inner surface, it is possible to prevent the paddle from breaking.

[0020] The reinforcing portion may include a triangular first rib that bridges between the shaft portion and the surface of the extension portion and extends in the extension direction.

[0021] The reinforcing portion may include a second rib that spans between the shaft portion and a central portion in the extension direction of the extension portion.

[0022] The paddle may extend in the vehicle width direction, the casing may be attached to the inner surface of the vehicle door, the vertical wall portion may be closely opposed to the inner surface in the vehicle length direction, and the extension portion may extend from the shaft portion in the vehicle length direction.

[0023] According to this configuration, when a latch is provided at the rear of the vehicle door structure, it becomes easier for an assembly worker to recognize an incorrect assembly state.

[0024] A second aspect of the present invention is a key cylinder provided in a vehicle door, the key cylinder including a paddle extending in an axial direction along an inner surface of the vehicle door within an internal space of the vehicle door, the paddle being provided in a casing of a latch mechanism and connected to a key rotor disposed adjacent to a vertical wall portion extending in the axial direction and facing closely to the inner surface, the paddle having a shaft portion extending along the inner surface and an extension portion extending from the shaft portion in an extension direction intersecting with the axial direction, the shaft portion being located closer to a base end in the axial direction than the vertical wall portion when the paddle is connected to the key rotor. The tip of the extension portion is closer to the inner surface than the vertical wall portion. , providing a key cylinder. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the production efficiency of vehicle door structures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing the inside of a vehicle door structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] Enlarged view of Figure 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the key cylinder in an assembled state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the latch and the key cylinder in an assembled state. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the latch and the key cylinder in an assembled state. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a side view of the latch and the key cylinder in an assembled state. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an incorrect assembly state of the paddle. [Figure 8] 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an incorrect assembly state of a paddle of a vehicle door structure according to a comparative example. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a key cylinder according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the X, Y, and Z directions respectively indicate the vehicle length, width, and height directions.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a right front side door structure of a vehicle as an example of a vehicle door structure 1 according to this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 1. The left side of the paper is the rear side in the vehicle length direction, and the far side in the direction perpendicular to the paper is the center side in the vehicle width direction.

[0029] 1 and 2, a vehicle door structure 1 includes a vehicle door 2 and a vehicle door lock device 3 provided in the vehicle door 2. The vehicle door 2 includes a plurality of panel members including an outer panel (not shown), an inner panel 5, and an end panel 6. The outer panel covers the outer side of the inner panel 5 in the vehicle width direction and faces the inner panel 5 in the vehicle width direction. The end panel 6 is provided at the rear edge of the inner panel 5 and the outer panel, and may be integrated with the inner panel 5. The vehicle door 2 itself has a closed space 7 defined by the panel members.

[0030] In the following description, the surface of the panel member of the vehicle door 2 facing the closed space 7 may be referred to as the "inside" and the surface opposite the closed space 7 as the "outside." In Figure 1, the outer panel is not shown, and only the inside of the closed space 7 (the inside of the inner panel 5) is shown.

[0031] The vehicle door lock device 3 includes a handle mechanism 10, a latch mechanism 20, and a rod 30. As shown in the illustrated example, in a front side door structure, the vehicle door lock device 3 is provided at the rear of the vehicle door 2. The handle mechanism 10 is attached to the outer panel, and the latch mechanism 20 is attached to the inner panel 5. Most of the handle mechanism 10 and the latch mechanism 20 are housed in the closed space 7.

[0032] The handle mechanism 10 includes a handle base 11, an outer handle (not shown), and a key cylinder 13. The handle base 11 is attached to the outer panel and disposed within the closed space 7 (inside the outer panel). The handle base 11 extends in the vehicle length direction at the rear inside of the outer panel. The outer handle is disposed outside the outer panel and is movably held by the handle base 11. The outer handle is disposed along the vehicle length direction and is rotatably supported by the handle base 11 while biased to a non-operating position.

[0033] 3, the key cylinder 13 includes a key casing 14, a cylinder lock 15, and a paddle 16. The key casing 14 is attached to the inside of the handle base 11. The cylinder lock 15 is accommodated in an accommodating hole 11a formed in the key casing 14. The key insertion opening 15a of the cylinder lock 15 faces outward in the vehicle width direction and is exposed to the outside of the vehicle through holes formed in the handle base 11 and the outer panel.

[0034] The paddle 16 is rotatably supported in the key casing 14, extends from the key casing 14 in its axial direction, and is housed in the closed space 7. When a proper key (not shown) is inserted into the cylinder lock 15 through the key insertion port 15a and rotated, the paddle 16 rotates around its central axis. The key casing 14 houses a transmission mechanism (not shown) that transmits the rotation of the cylinder lock 15 to the paddle 16.

[0035] 2, the latch mechanism 20 includes a casing 21. The casing 21 has a base portion 22 and a protruding portion 23. The base portion 22 is disposed along the inner side of the inner panel 5. The protruding portion 23 protrudes from the rear of the base portion 22 in the vehicle width direction and is disposed along the inner side of the end panel 6.

[0036] Although detailed illustration is omitted, the casing 21 houses a first mechanism that switches between a locked state and an unlocked state, and a second mechanism that switches between a latched state and an unlatched state. A key rotor 24 of the first mechanism and an open lever 25 of the second mechanism are provided on the outside of the casing 21. The key rotor 24 has a paddle insertion hole 24a that opens to the outer surface of the base portion 22 of the casing 21. The tip of the paddle 16 is inserted into the casing 21 through the paddle insertion hole 24a and is connected to the first mechanism.

[0037] When the latch mechanism 20 is in the latched and locked states, if the occupant inserts a key into the cylinder lock 15 and turns it (unlocks the door), the paddle 16 rotates, and the rotation of the cylinder lock 15 is transmitted to the first mechanism of the latch mechanism 20 via the paddle 16. This switches the latch mechanism 20 to the unlocked state. In the unlocked state, if the occupant turns the outer handle from the non-operating position against the biasing force (opens the door), the movement of the outer handle is transmitted to the open lever 25 via the rod 30. This switches the latch mechanism 20 to the unlatched state, and the vehicle door 2 can be opened. Even if an open operation is performed in the locked state, the latch mechanism 20 maintains the latched state. In the unlocked state, if the occupant inserts a key into the cylinder lock 15 and turns it (locks the door), the paddle 16 rotates, and the rotation of the cylinder lock 15 is transmitted to the first mechanism of the latch mechanism 20 via the paddle 16. This switches the latch mechanism 20 to the locked state.

[0038] When assembling the vehicle door structure 1 configured as described above, first, a group of parts including the handle base 11 and the key cylinder 13 are attached to the outer panel. This forms an "outer sub-assembly." At the same time, a group of parts is attached to the integrated inner panel 5 and end panel 6. This forms an "inner sub-assembly." The inner sub-assembly does not include the latch mechanism 20. Next, the outer sub-assembly and the inner sub-assembly are assembled together. This forms the general shape of the vehicle door 2.

[0039] After the general shape is formed, the latch mechanism 20 is attached to the inside of the inner panel 5. An opening 5a is formed in the rear of the inner panel 5. An assembly worker grasps the latch mechanism 20, reaches into the closed space 7 through the opening 5a, and moves the latch mechanism 20 to a predetermined attachment position within the closed space 7. At the attachment position, the latch mechanism 20 is attached to the vehicle door 2 using fasteners such as bolts. The paddle 16, which constitutes the outer sub-assembly, is already housed within the closed space 7. In the process of moving the latch mechanism 20 to the attachment position within the closed space 7, the assembly worker inserts the tip of the paddle 16 into the paddle insertion hole 24a of the key rotor 24, connecting the paddle 16 to the first mechanism. Once the latch mechanism 20 is attached, other components are sequentially attached, and the vehicle door structure 1 is completed.

[0040] The paddle insertion hole 24a is located at the rear of the base portion 22 and is close to the end panel 6. Therefore, when the latch mechanism 20 is moved to the mounting position, there is a risk that the paddle 16 may be mistakenly caught between the base portion 22 and the end panel 6, rather than caught in the paddle insertion hole 24a. Below, the configuration of the vehicle door structure 1 (particularly the paddle 16 and the casing 21) will be described in relation to this incorrect assembly state.

[0041] 4 and 5, the base portion 22 of the casing 21 has a top wall 31 and a peripheral wall 32 protruding from an edge of the top wall 31. The peripheral wall 32 stands outward in the vehicle width direction from the inner panel 5, and the top wall 31 is spaced apart outward in the vehicle width direction from the inner surface of the inner panel 5. The base portion 22 is located at the rear end of the closed space 7. The peripheral wall 32 has a rear wall portion 32a that extends in the vehicle height direction and faces the inner surface of the end panel 6 in the vehicle length direction, and an upper wall portion 32b that extends forward in the vehicle length direction while sloping downward from the upper end of the rear wall portion 32a.

[0042] The paddle insertion hole 24a is located at the upper end of the base portion 22, i.e., at the corner where the rear wall portion 32a and the upper wall portion 32b intersect. Therefore, the paddle insertion hole 24a is also located close to the end panel 6 in the vehicle length direction. The paddle insertion hole 24a opens in the top wall 31 and is formed in a funnel shape that widens as it approaches the opening end. In order to form such a paddle insertion hole 24a, a conical insertion hole forming portion 35 is provided at the corner of the top wall 31.

[0043] The casing 21 further has a vertical wall portion 36. The vertical wall portion 36 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the top wall 31 and extends in the vehicle height direction. The vertical wall portion 36 is a thin plate extending in the vehicle length direction, and its rear end surface is substantially continuous with the outer surface of the rear wall portion 32a. In other words, the vertical wall portion 36 is a portion of the rear wall portion 32a that extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and similar to the rear wall portion 32a, the vertical wall portion 36 faces the inner surface of the end panel 6 with a small clearance therebetween. The vertical wall portion 36 is also disposed close to the paddle insertion hole 24a. As an example, the vertical wall portion 36 extends downward from the outer surface of the conical insertion hole forming portion 35 and is integrated with the insertion hole forming portion 35.

[0044] As described above, in this embodiment, the direction in which the casing 21 and the inner surface of the vehicle door 2 face each other is the vehicle length direction, and the casing 21 is positioned forward relative to the inner surface of the vehicle door 2. In the reference position of the paddle 16 in which the paddle 16 is properly assembled to the latch mechanism 20, the central axis of the paddle insertion hole 24a is coaxial with the central axis of the paddle 16. The axial direction of the paddle insertion hole 24a (the axial direction of the paddle 16 in the reference position) is along the vehicle width direction, and the vertical wall portion extends along this direction. More specifically, the axial direction of the paddle insertion hole 24a is inclined downward as it moves inward in the vehicle width direction (i.e., from the handle mechanism 10 toward the latch mechanism 20), and is hardly inclined in the vehicle length direction.

[0045] 3 to 5, paddle 16 has a shaft portion 41 extending in the axial direction, an engagement portion 42 provided at the tip of shaft portion 41, and an extension portion 43 extending from shaft portion 41. Paddle 16 is manufactured by casting an aluminum-based metal or the like, and shaft portion 41, engagement portion 42, and extension portion 43 are integrated with one another.

[0046] As described above, since the paddle insertion hole 24a is close to the inner surface of the end panel 6, the shaft portion 41 also extends in the vehicle width direction, closely facing the inner surface of the end panel 6 in the vehicle length direction. More specifically, in the standard position, the shaft portion 41 is hardly inclined in the vehicle length direction, but extends inward in the vehicle width direction while inclining downward from the key casing 14.

[0047] The shaft 41 is supported by the key casing 14 so as to be rotatable about its axial direction and swingable about a pivot 45 provided at the base end of the shaft 41. The pivot 45 extends along the vehicle height direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the axis. As the paddle 16 swings about the pivot, the tip of the paddle 16 can move in the vehicle length direction.

[0048] The engagement portion 42 is composed of multiple ribs that protrude from the outer circumferential surface at the tip of the shaft portion 41. These multiple ribs are arranged at equal intervals around the circumference of the shaft portion 41. The engagement portion 42 engages with the key rotor 24 inside the paddle insertion hole 24a, thereby transmitting the rotation of the paddle 41 to the latch mechanism 20.

[0049] The extension portion 43 extends in an extension direction that intersects with the axial direction from the shaft portion 31, closer to the axial base end than the vertical wall portion 36, when connected to the key rotor 24. This extension direction is the direction in which the vertical wall portion 36 and the inner surface of the end panel 6 face each other, and in this embodiment, it is the vehicle length direction. The position in the axial direction of the paddle 16 where the extension portion 43 is provided is referred to as the "extension position." The extension position is located closer to the axial tip side than the axial center position of the shaft portion 41. The tip of the extension portion 43 is closer to the inner surface than the vertical wall portion 36.

[0050] The paddle 16 further has a reinforcing portion 44 that connects the shaft portion 41 and the extension portion 43. The reinforcing portion 44 has a first rib 44a and a second rib 44b. The first rib 44a is formed in a triangular shape and spans between the shaft portion 41 and the surface of the extension portion 43. The extension portion 43 protrudes on both sides from the shaft portion 41, and the first rib 44a also forms a pair in the vehicle length direction accordingly. The second rib 44b is formed in a solid block shape and spans between the extension position of the shaft portion 41 and the center of the extension portion 43 in the extension direction.

[0051] In this regard, when casting a part having a rib, pressing the area around the rib with an ejector pin facilitates demolding. On the other hand, a trace (ejector pin receiver) remains on the product where the ejector pin pressed. In this paddle 16, the ejector pin presses the area adjacent to the first rib 44a, improving the production efficiency of the paddle 16 (facilitating demolding). Because the paddle 16 is housed in the closed space 7, the ejector pin receiver is not visible to occupants and does not detract from the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle. Therefore, the second rib 44b is realized by the ejector pin receiver. Eliminating the removal of the ejector pin receiver simplifies the manufacturing process of the paddle 16, and having the ejector pin receiver function as a reinforcing member together with the adjacent first rib 44a provides the paddle 16 with high rigidity.

[0052] When the casing 21 and paddle 16 are configured as described above, an incorrect assembly state that occurs when attaching the latch mechanism 20 to the vehicle door 2 while connecting the paddle 16 to the key rotor 24 will be described. FIG. 8 shows a first comparative example and a second comparative example. The paddle 86 of the first comparative example is shorter than the paddle 16 of this embodiment and does not have an extended portion. The paddle 96 of the second comparative example has the same structure as the paddle 16 of this embodiment, except that it does not have an extended portion. In the first comparative example, the second comparative example, and this embodiment, the base ends of the paddles 16, 86, and 96 are located at the same position in the vehicle width direction.

[0053] Furthermore, in the first comparative example, the second comparative example, and this embodiment, the latch mechanism 20 has the same structure, and FIG. 8 can be said to show a situation in which the latch mechanism 20 is shared among multiple vehicle models. In this regard, the shape and arrangement of the handle mechanism 10 are easily influenced by the design of each vehicle and vary depending on the vehicle model. The latch mechanism 20 is not required to function as a design component. Therefore, it is permissible to share the latch mechanism 20 among multiple vehicle models that have the same required functions (such as switching the state with a smart key).

[0054] Instead, the paddle 16 is designed for each vehicle model according to the relative positions of the handle mechanism 10 and the latch mechanism 20, and is designed to a length appropriate for the vehicle model. When the vehicle size is small, the distance between the latch mechanism 10 and the handle mechanism 20 tends to be short, and accordingly, the paddle 16 is relatively short as in the first comparative example. When the vehicle size is large, the paddle 16 is relatively long as in the second comparative example.

[0055] In the first and second comparative examples, too, in order for the paddle 86, 96 to be sandwiched between the casing 21 and the inner surface of the vehicle door 2, the tip of the paddle 86 needs to climb over the vertical wall portion 36 and be positioned rearward. The paddle 86 needs to be angularly displaced relative to the reference position by that amount. The shorter the paddle 86, the greater the amount of angular displacement relative to the reference position that is required to climb over the vertical wall portion 36, and the longer the paddle 86, the smaller the amount of angular displacement.

[0056] If the paddle 86 is short (due to a small vehicle size), as in the first comparative example, the casing 21 cannot undergo angular displacement sufficient to overcome the vertical wall portion 36 when attached to the predetermined mounting position. In other words, in the first comparative example, even if the paddle 16 is displaced significantly from the reference position and disengages from the paddle insertion hole 24a during the process of moving the casing 21 to the mounting position, the vertical wall portion 36 interferes with the paddle 86 before the casing 21 reaches the mounting position. The assembly worker experiences significant resistance to the movement of the casing 21, allowing the assembly worker to recognize the incorrect assembly state before fastening the casing 21 to the inner panel 5. In FIG. 8 , the vertical wall portion 36 is shown overlapping the paddle 86 when the casing 21 is positioned at the mounting position. This indicates that the paddle 86 cannot overcome the vertical wall portion 36 and become pinched when the casing 21 is positioned at the mounting position, and the paddle 86 becomes caught before reaching the mounting position.

[0057] If the paddle 96 is long (due to a large vehicle size), as in the second comparative example, the tip of the paddle 96 can be positioned rearward of the vertical wall portion 36 with a small angular displacement, even when the casing 21 is attached to the predetermined attachment position. Because the amount of angular displacement is small, the paddle 96 can maintain a state in which it extends along the vehicle width direction, and the tip of the vertical wall portion 36 moves away from the paddle 96 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, unlike the first comparative example, there is a risk that the latch mechanism 20 will reach the attachment position without significant resistance being transmitted to the assembly worker's hand, and the latch mechanism 20 will be attached to the inner panel 5 while an incorrect assembly state is overlooked.

[0058] In this situation, the latch mechanism 20 cannot respond to unlocking and locking operations. Although it is possible to easily detect an incorrect assembly state during inspection after the vehicle door structure 1 is completed, it would be necessary to disassemble and reassemble the vehicle door structure 1, which would reduce the productivity of the vehicle door structure 1. As shown in the first comparative example, the vertical wall portion 36 is an effective component for preventing an incorrect assembly state from being overlooked. However, even if the distance between the handle mechanism 10 and the latch mechanism 20 increases due to a change in vehicle class, the latch mechanism 20 is intended to be shared among multiple vehicle models as described above. Adjusting the height of the vertical wall portion 36 according to differences in vehicle class is difficult due to production constraints.

[0059] In contrast, as shown in FIG. 7 , in this embodiment, the paddle 16, which is designed according to the vehicle model, has an extension 43. By providing the extension 43, even if the angular displacement allowable for the paddle 16 is sufficiently large, the maximum angular displacement is substantially limited because the extension 43 abuts against the end panel 6. If the casing 21 is attached to the paddle 16 while the paddle 16 is angularly displaced rearward relative to the reference position, even if the tip of the paddle 16 comes out of the paddle insertion hole 24a, the extension 43 abuts against the inner surface of the end panel 6, causing the paddle 16 to return to the reference position. A portion of the shaft 41 of the paddle 16 that is distal to the extension 43 abuts against the tip of the vertical wall 36 that is moving toward the attachment position.

[0060] Thus, the paddle 16 interferes with the vertical wall portion 36 and the inner surface of the end panel 6 before the casing 21 reaches the installation position. The large resistance to movement of the latch mechanism 20 is transmitted to the assembly worker, allowing the assembly worker to recognize the improper assembly state before fastening the latch mechanism 20 to the inner panel 5. FIG. 7 illustrates the paddle 16 overlapping the end panel 6 when the latch mechanism 20 is in the installation position. This indicates that when the latch mechanism 20 is in the installation position, the paddle 16 cannot climb over the vertical wall portion 36 and become pinched, and the paddle 16 gets caught before reaching the installation position. In other words, the length of the extension portion 43 in the extension direction is set to a length that will interfere with the end panel 6 in the improper assembly state in which the paddle 16 abuts against the vertical wall portion 36 in the installation position, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0061] If such a jam occurs and an assembly worker applies an overload to the vehicle door structure 1 in an attempt to move the latch mechanism 20 before realizing the incorrect assembly state, the load is input to the extension portion 43. The extension portion 43 is provided with the reinforcing portion 44, which prevents damage to the paddle 16.

[0062] According to this embodiment, the long paddle 16 has the extension 44. Therefore, the vertical wall 36, which would not function effectively without the extension 44, can function effectively, and the cooperation between the extension 43 and the vertical wall 36 makes it possible to prevent incorrect assembly from being overlooked. This reduces the frequency of disassembly work after completion, improving the production efficiency of the vehicle door structure 1 applied to large-class vehicles.

[0063] 9, extension portion 43 may be disk-shaped. In the case of the extension portion according to the above embodiment, if a long member is undesirably inserted into the closed space, a rotational force may be transmitted from the long member to shaft portion 41 via extension portion 43, which may cause undesired operation of latch mechanism 20. If the extension portion is disk-shaped, such undesired operation can be prevented.

[0064] Although the embodiment has been described using a front side door structure of a vehicle as an example, the vehicle door structure 1 according to the present invention can also be applied to a rear side door structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1 Vehicle door structure 2 vehicle doors 3. Vehicle door lock device 5 Inner panel 6 End Panel 7 Closed space (internal space) 10 Handle mechanism 11 Handle base 13 Key cylinder 16 Paddles 20 Latch mechanism 21 Casing 24 key rotor 24a Paddle insertion hole 32a Rear wall 36 Vertical wall section 41 Shaft 42 Engagement part 43 Extension section 44 Reinforcement 44a 1st Rib 44b 2nd Rib

Claims

1. a vehicle door having an interior space; a key cylinder provided in the vehicle door, the key cylinder having a paddle extending in the axial direction along the inner surface of the vehicle door within the interior space; a latch mechanism provided on the vehicle door, the latch mechanism having a casing attached to the inner surface and a key rotor connected to a tip end of the paddle; Equipped with the casing has a vertical wall portion extending in the axial direction and facing closely to the inner surface, the key rotor is disposed in close proximity to the vertical wall portion, the paddle has a shaft portion extending along the inner surface, and an extension portion extending from the shaft portion in an extension direction intersecting the axial direction on a base end side of the vertical wall portion in the axial direction when connected to the key rotor, The tip of the extension portion is closer to the inner surface than the vertical wall portion. Vehicle door structure.

2. The extending direction is a direction in which the inner surface and the vertical wall portion face each other. The vehicle door structure according to claim 1 .

3. The extension position is located closer to the axial tip side than the central position of the shaft portion in the axial direction. The vehicle door structure according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The paddle has a reinforcing portion connecting the shaft portion and the extension portion. The vehicle door structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The reinforcing portion includes a triangular first rib that is bridged between the shaft portion and a surface of the extension portion and extends in the extension direction. The vehicle door structure according to claim 4.

6. The reinforcing portion includes a second rib extending between the shaft portion and a central portion in the extension direction of the extension portion. The vehicle door structure according to claim 4 or 5.

7. the paddle extends in a vehicle width direction, the casing is attached to an inner surface of the vehicle door, the vertical wall portion faces closely to the inner surface in a vehicle length direction, and the extension portion extends from the shaft portion in the vehicle length direction. The vehicle door structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A key cylinder provided in a vehicle door, a paddle extending in an axial direction along an inner surface of the vehicle door within an interior space of the vehicle door, the paddle being provided on a casing of the latch mechanism and connected to a key rotor disposed adjacent to a vertical wall portion extending in the axial direction and closely facing the inner surface; a key cylinder in which the paddle has a shaft portion extending along the inner surface and an extension portion extending from the shaft portion in an extension direction intersecting the axial direction, closer to the axial base end than the vertical wall portion when connected to the key rotor and assembled, and a tip of the extension portion is closer to the inner surface than the vertical wall portion.

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