Vehicle door latch device

Abstract

To provide a door latch device for a vehicle that allows common use of an actuator mechanism part by changing only a housing of an actuator assembly.SOLUTION: Housings 51, 510 comprise: body cover parts 52a, 520a that cover rear face sides of bodies 31, 310; and actuator storage parts 52b, 520b approximately perpendicular to rear faces of the bodies 31, 310, and having placement faces 52c, 520c on which the actuator mechanism part is placed. An output lever 56 is pivoted on the actuator storage parts 52b, 520b by a shaft 56a, and includes an output part 56c that moves vertically based on a release operation of the lever itself. Input levers 36, 360 are pivoted on the bodies 31, 310 by shafts 45, 450, have input parts 36c, 360c in end parts extending so as to intersect with the output part 56c of the output lever 56, and carry out the release operation when the output part 56c abuts against the input parts 36c, 360c based on the release operation of the output lever 56.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle door latch device that is attached to a vehicle door. [Background technology]

[0002] Typically, a vehicle door latch device with an electric release system that uses the power of a motor to release the door includes a latch that can engage with a striker on the vehicle body when the door is closed, an engagement mechanism including a ratchet that engages with the latch to prevent the latch from rotating in the open direction and hold the door in the closed position, an engagement assembly having a body that houses the engagement mechanism, a housing attached to the body, and an actuator assembly that is housed in the housing and has an actuator mechanism including a motor. When the door is released electrically, the output part of the actuator mechanism is operated by the power of the motor of the actuator mechanism. When the output part is operated, it abuts against the input part on the engagement assembly side, thereby releasing the ratchet and releasing the door.

[0003] Furthermore, in a vehicle door latch device, the engagement mechanism in the engagement assembly can be either a front tooth engagement type or a back tooth engagement type. Each car manufacturer selects either a front tooth engagement type or a back tooth engagement type according to the mounting position of the door latch device relative to the door. Oku Either of the tooth meshing methods is adopted.

[0004] The front tooth engagement method, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, is a method in which, when the latch (in Patent Document 1, the latch member 10) is in a full latch position (also the position shown in Figure 3(b)), the ratchet (also the ratchet 20) engages with a full latch engagement portion (also the hook portion 12) provided on the open direction side (also the clockwise direction in Figure 3(b)) of the striker engagement groove (also no symbol) of the latch.

[0005] The molar engagement method, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, is a method in which, when the latch (ratchet 15 in Patent Document 2) is in the full latch position (the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 5), the ratchet (primary pawl 25) engages with the full latch engagement portion (shoulder 22) provided on the closing direction (counterclockwise) side of the striker engagement groove (seat 18) of the latch. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-075942 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 9476230B2 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, when comparing the front teeth engagement system and the back teeth engagement system described above, the center of rotation of the ratchet in the front teeth engagement system is located further forward (in the direction in which the striker enters) than the center of rotation of the ratchet in the back teeth engagement system. Therefore, the center of rotation of the input lever for releasing the ratchet must also be located further forward in the front teeth engagement system than in the back teeth engagement system. Therefore, the position of the output section on the actuator assembly side for transmitting the motor's power to the input lever also differs between the front teeth engagement system and the back teeth engagement system. As a result, it is difficult to use the same actuator assembly, including the actuator mechanism, for both the front teeth engagement system and the back teeth engagement system.

[0008] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle door latch device that enables the actuator mechanism to be shared even for engagement assemblies that use engagement methods in which the ratchets have different rotation centers, such as a front tooth engagement method and a back tooth engagement method, by simply changing the housing in the actuator assembly to suit each engagement method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a vehicle door latch device comprising: a body; a latch pivotally supported on the body by a latch shaft facing in the left-right direction and having a striker engagement groove capable of engaging with a striker entering from the front; a ratchet pivotally supported on the body by a ratchet shaft facing in the left-right direction and engageable with a front teeth full latch engagement portion provided on the open direction side of the striker engagement groove of the latch or a rear teeth full latch engagement portion provided on the close direction side of the striker engagement groove of the latch; an engagement assembly having an input lever pivotally supported on the body and capable of transmitting its own release operation to the ratchet; a housing attached to the body; and an actuator assembly disposed on the housing and having an actuator mechanism portion including a motor and an output lever capable of transmitting power of the motor to the input lever, The housing is selectively attachable to the engagement assembly of a front tooth engagement type in which the ratchet engages with the front tooth full latch engagement portion of the latch, and the engagement assembly of a back tooth engagement type in which the ratchet engages with the back tooth full latch engagement portion of the latch, and has a body cover portion that covers the body, and an actuator accommodating portion in which the actuator mechanism portion is arranged on an arrangement surface that is approximately perpendicular to the back surface of the body and faces the front, the output lever is pivoted to the actuator accommodating portion by a first shaft facing in the front-to-back direction, and has an output portion that moves up and down based on its own release operation, and the input lever is pivoted to the back side of the body by a second shaft facing in the left-to-right direction, and has an input portion at an end that extends so as to intersect with the output portion of the output lever, and a release operation is performed when the output portion abuts on the input portion based on the release operation of the output lever.

[0010] Preferably, the output portion of the output lever is provided at a position displaced downward from the input portion of the input lever.

[0011] Preferably, the output portion of the output lever is bent rearward, and the input portion of the input lever is bent toward the output portion so as to intersect with the output portion.

[0012] Preferably, a stopper lever is provided on the back side of the body, which is pivotally supported by the second shaft so as to be rotatable independently of the input lever, and which has a stopper portion that can be released based on the release operation of the input lever to move from a standby position where a third latch engagement portion provided on the latch can abut to a retracted position where it cannot abut.

[0013] Preferably, the ratchet includes a first ratchet rotatably supported on the body around an axis facing left and right, and a second ratchet rotatably supported on the first ratchet around an axis facing left and right and engageable with the full latch engagement portion of the latch. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, by arranging the input portion of the interlocking assembly and the output portion of the actuator assembly so that they intersect with each other, it is possible to share the actuator mechanism portion housed within the housing between interlocking assemblies with different interlocking methods simply by changing the housing, thereby reducing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle door latch device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle door latch device; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mating assembly; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a mating assembly; [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the interlocking assembly as seen from the rear side. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the meshing assembly as seen from the rear side. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a front view of the meshing assembly from the right side. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the meshing assembly as seen from the left side. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a front view of the main part in an open state. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view of the main part in a half-latched state. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a front view of the main parts in a fully latched state. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a front view of the main parts in the third latch state. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the main part in a fully latched state. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the main part in the release operation state. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the actuator assembly. [Figure 16]FIG. 2 is a side view showing the inside of the actuator assembly as seen from the front. [Figure 17] 1 is a schematic bottom view of a vehicle door latch device according to an embodiment; [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a vehicle door latch device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the actuator assembly. [Figure 20] FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a front view of the main part in an open state. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a front view of the main part in the half state. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a front view of the main parts in a fully latched state. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a front view of the main parts in the third latch state. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a front view of the main part in a release operating state. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a schematic bottom view of a vehicle door latch device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, the present embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle door latch device of this embodiment is based on a configuration comprising an engaging assembly including an engaging mechanism for holding the door closed by engaging with a striker on the vehicle body side, and an actuator assembly in which an actuator mechanism including a motor is disposed in a housing assembled to the engaging assembly, and makes it possible to share the actuator mechanism in the actuator assembly regardless of whether the engaging assembly is of a front tooth engaging type or a back tooth engaging type.

[0017] First, in order to clarify the difference in configuration between the front tooth meshing system and the back tooth meshing system, we will first explain one embodiment of a vehicle door latch device 1 that uses the back tooth meshing system based on Figures 1 to 17, and then we will explain another embodiment of a vehicle door latch device 100 that uses the front tooth meshing system based on Figures 18 to 26.

[0018] The orientation of the vehicle door latch device 1, 100 used in the following description is based on the device itself. Therefore, when the vehicle door latch device 1, 100 is attached to a door and the vehicle is used as the reference, the front corresponds to the direction facing the inside of the vehicle, the rear corresponds to the direction facing the outside of the vehicle, the right corresponds to the rear of the vehicle, and the left corresponds to the front of the vehicle.

[0019] (Vehicle door latch device using molar engagement method 1) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle door latch device 1 includes a mating assembly 3 employing a molar mating system, and an actuator assembly 5 assembled to the mating assembly 3.

[0020] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the interlocking assembly 3 includes a body main body 31 made of synthetic resin that is fixed to the inner surface of the door with a plurality of bolts (not shown), a metal cover plate 32 that closes the front (right side) side of the body main body 31, interlocking elements that include a latch 33, a ratchet 34, and a hold-down lever 35 that are arranged between the body main body 31 and the cover plate 32, and first and second input levers 36, 37 that are arranged on the back (left side) side of the body main body 31.

[0021] The main body 31 is provided with a striker entrance groove 31a located approximately in the center in the up-down direction, into which the striker S on the vehicle body side can enter from the front when the door is closed. The cover plate 32 is also provided with a striker entrance cutout 32a overlapping the right side of the striker entrance groove 31a of the main body 31, into which the striker S can enter from the front when the door is closed.

[0022] The latch 33 is supported between the main body 31 and the cover plate 32 by a shaft 38 facing in the left-right direction so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle, and is urged in the open direction (clockwise in FIG. 7) by a spring (not shown). As the door is closed, the striker S enters the striker entrance groove 31a in the main body 31 and the striker entrance notch 32a in the cover plate 32 from the front, causing the latch 33 to rotate against the urging force of the spring from the open position shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 which corresponds to the open position of the door in the close direction (counterclockwise in FIGS. 7 and 9), and then rotates through a half-latched position shown in FIG. 10 which corresponds to the half-open position of the door, to a fully-latched position shown in FIG. 11 which corresponds to the fully-closed position of the door. The latch 33 also rotates in the opposite direction as the door is opened.

[0023] The latch 33 is provided with a striker engagement groove 33a with which the striker S can engage when the door is closed, a full latch engagement portion 33b which is located on the closing direction side of the striker engagement groove 33a (counterclockwise side in Figures 7 and 9) and with which a second ratchet 34B (described later) of the ratchet 34 can engage when the latch 33 is in the full latch position shown in Figure 11, a half latch engagement portion 33c which is located on the closing direction side of the full latch engagement portion 33b and with which the second ratchet 34B can engage when the latch 33 is in the half latch position shown in Figure 10, and a third latch engagement portion 33d which is located further on the closing direction side of the half latch engagement portion 33c and which can come into contact with a stopper portion 37a provided on the end of the stopper lever 37 when the latch 33 is in the third latch position (a position between the open position and the half latch position) shown in Figure 12.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, the ratchet 34 includes a first ratchet 34A supported between the main body 31 and the cover plate 32 by a shaft 40 facing left and right so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle, and a second ratchet 34B supported at the tip of the first ratchet 34A by a shaft portion 34c facing left and right so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle.

[0025] The first ratchet 34A is biased in the engagement direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 7) by the biasing force of the spring 41, and is rotatable in the release direction (clockwise in FIGS. 10 and 11) from the engagement position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 against the biasing force of the spring 41. The first ratchet 34A is provided with a cylindrical abutment portion 34a that protrudes toward the left. Note that, because the meshing assembly 3 employs a molar meshing system, the shaft 40 for rotatably supporting the first ratchet 34A is disposed below the striker entrance groove 31a and the back side (rear side) of the striker entrance notch groove 31a, as can be seen in FIG. 7.

[0026] The second ratchet 34B is biased in the engagement direction (counterclockwise in Figures 10 and 11) in which its tip engages with the full latch engagement portion 33b or half latch engagement portion 33c of the latch 33 by the biasing force of a spring 42, one end of which is hooked to itself and the other end of which is hooked to the first ratchet 34A.

[0027] As described above, as shown in Fig. 11, the ratchet 34 holds the latch 33 in the fully latched position when the first ratchet 34A is in the engaged position and the second ratchet 34B engages with the full-latch engagement portion 33b of the latch 33, and as shown in Fig. 10, the ratchet 34 holds the latch 33 in the half-latch position when the first ratchet 34A is in the engaged position and the second ratchet 34B engages with the half-latch engagement portion 33c of the latch 33. Furthermore, when the first ratchet 34A rotates a predetermined angle in the release direction (clockwise in Figs. 10 and 11), the second ratchet 34B disengages from the full-latch engagement portion 33b or half-latch engagement portion 33c of the latch 33, thereby permitting the latch 33 to rotate in the open direction and allowing the door to open.

[0028] The hold-down lever 35 is located behind the ratchet 34 and is supported between the main body 31 and the cover plate 32 by a shaft 43 facing left and right so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle. One end of the hold-down lever 35 is hooked to the main body 31, and the other end is urged in the holding direction (counterclockwise in Figure 7) by a spring 44 hooked to the main body 31. As shown in Figures 7, 9, 10, and 11, for example, a hold-down portion 35a provided at the end of the hold-down lever 35 abuts from below against a held portion 34b provided at the bottom of the first ratchet 34A, thereby preventing the first ratchet 34A from rotating in the release direction from the engagement position. Also, by rotating in the release direction (clockwise in Figures 7, 9, 10, and 11) against the urging force of the spring 44 by a predetermined angle, the hold-down portion 35a comes off the held portion 34b of the first ratchet 34A, allowing the first ratchet 34A to rotate in the release direction.

[0029] The input lever 36 and the stopper lever 37 are supported on the back (left surface) side of the main body 31 by a shaft 45 facing left and right so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle, and can be rotated by a predetermined angle in the release direction (counterclockwise in FIGS. 8 and 13) from the standby position shown in FIGS. 8 and 13, for example.

[0030] The input lever 36 is provided with a first abutment portion 36a that, when rotated in the release direction from the standby position, abuts against abutment portion 35b provided on the holddown lever 35 from above, thereby rotating the holddown lever 35 in the release direction, a second abutment portion 36b that abuts against abutment portion 34a of the first ratchet 34A from below, thereby operating the first ratchet 34A in the release direction, a first input portion 36c to which power from a motor 54 described below in the actuator assembly 5 can be input, a second input portion 36d to which manual operating force can be input, and a third abutment portion 36e that can transmit the release operation of the input lever 36 to the stopper lever 37. As a result, the input lever 36 rotates in the release direction from the standby position based on the power of the motor 54 and manual operation.

[0031] The first input portion 36c is located at the front end of an arm extending forward of the input lever 36, is bent toward the left (toward an output portion 56c of an output lever 56 described below), and is positioned above an output portion 56c of the output lever 56 described below in the actuator assembly 5, and is provided at a position where the output portion 56c can abut against it from below when the output lever 56 is released. As a result, the output lever 56 is released by the power of the motor 54, and the output portion 56c abuts against the first input portion 36c from below, causing the input lever 36 to rotate from the standby position in the release direction.

[0032] The second input portion 36d is connected to a manual operating handle (not shown) provided on the outside of the door. As a result, the input lever 36 rotates from the standby position to the release direction based on the operation of the manual operating handle. The manual operating handle is an emergency release means that is operated when the motor 54 in the actuator assembly 5 cannot be driven due to a failure in the electrical system or the like.

[0033] 14, when the input lever 36 rotates in the release direction from the standby position, the first contact portion 36a abuts against the abutted portion 35b of the holddown lever 35, causing the holddown lever 35 to rotate in the release direction (clockwise in FIGS. 10 to 12) from the block position (for example, the position shown in FIGS. 10 to 12), and the second contact portion 36b abuts against the abutted portion 34a of the first ratchet 34A from below, causing the first ratchet 34A to rotate in the release direction from the engagement position. Note that the first ratchet 34A starts to rotate in the release direction from the engagement position after the holddown lever 35 rotates in the release direction from the block position.

[0034] The stopper lever 37 is pivotally supported by a shaft 45 so as to be rotatable independently of the input lever 36. When the input lever 36 rotates from the standby position in the release direction, the third abutment portion 36e of the input lever 36 abuts against the arm portion 37b provided on the input lever 36 itself, and the stopper lever 37 rotates together with the input lever 36 from the standby position (for example, the position shown in Figures 8 and 13) in the release direction (counterclockwise in Figures 8 and 13) against the biasing force of a spring (not shown).

[0035] The stopper lever 37 is provided with a stopper portion 37a that extends diagonally upward and, when the stopper lever 37 is in the standby position, enters the movement trajectory of the third latch engagement portion 33d of the latch 33 and abuts against the third latch engagement portion 33d as shown in Figure 12, thereby preventing the latch 33 from rotating further in the open direction.

[0036] When the stopper lever 37 is in the standby position and the latch 33 rotates in the open direction from the full latch position or the half latch position, the stopper portion 37a comes into contact with the third latch 33d of the latch 33, thereby stopping the latch 33 at the third latch position shown in Figure 12, which is between the open position and the half latch position.Furthermore, when the stopper lever 37 is released, the stopper portion 37a retreats from the movement trajectory of the third latch engaging portion 33d of the latch 33, allowing the latch 33 to rotate in the open direction.

[0037] As described above, by providing the stopper portion 37a on the stopper lever 37, it is not necessary to form the stopper portion 37a on the input lever 36, which has the function of transmitting the release operation to the ratchet 34. As a result, the input lever 36 can be made smaller and its mass reduced, so that even if a large inertial force acts on the vehicle door latch device 1 due to a vehicle accident or the like, the inertial force acting on the input lever 36 in the release direction can be reduced, thereby improving safety.

[0038] Next, the actuator assembly 5 and a method for assembling the meshing assembly 3 to the actuator assembly 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. (Actuator Assembly 5) The actuator assembly 5 comprises a housing 51 made of synthetic resin that forms an outer shell and is fixed to the back side of the main body 31, and an actuator mechanism part (no reference number) that is arranged within the housing 51 and includes a motor 54.

[0039] 17, the housing 51 includes a synthetic resin housing main body 52 that is generally L-shaped when viewed from the bottom, and a synthetic resin cover 53 that closes the front side of the housing main body 52. ​​The housing main body 52 forms a body covering portion 52a that covers the back side of the body 31, and an actuator accommodating portion 52b that is generally perpendicular to the body covering portion 52a and the back side of the body main body 31 and parallel to the inner panel of the door. The front side of the actuator accommodating portion 52b is closed by the cover 53.

[0040] Inside the actuator accommodating portion 52b, there is formed an arrangement surface 52c having a surface that is approximately perpendicular to the body cover portion 52a and the rear surface of the main body 31. An actuator mechanism portion (no reference numeral) is arranged on the arrangement surface 52c.

[0041] The actuator accommodating portion 52b is set so that the arrangement surface 52c corresponds to the position of the input portion 36c of the input lever 36 in the meshing assembly 3. In other words, the input portion 36c of the input lever 36 of the meshing assembly 3 employing the molar meshing system is set rearward of the position of the input portion 360c of the meshing assembly 300 employing the anterior teeth meshing system described below. Therefore, if the thickness in the front-rear direction of the actuator accommodating portion 520b of the housing 510 attached to the meshing assembly 300 is L4 (see FIG. 26), then, as shown in FIG. 17, the thickness L3 in the front-rear direction of the actuator accommodating portion 52b of the housing 51 attached to the meshing assembly 3 is set to be smaller than the thickness L4 so that the arrangement surface 52c is located rearward of the position of the arrangement surface 520c of the actuator accommodating portion 520b.

[0042] The actuator mechanism includes, as its main elements, a motor 54, a worm wheel 55 that meshes with a worm 54a fixed to the rotary shaft of the motor 54 and rotates at a reduced speed, and an output lever 56 that can rotate a predetermined angle in a predetermined direction in conjunction with the rotation of the worm wheel 55. Note that the actuator housing portion 52b also houses elements other than the actuator mechanism, but as these are not directly related to the present invention, they are only shown in the drawings and their description will be omitted.

[0043] The motor 54 rotates in a predetermined direction based on the operation of a remote control switch carried by the user. The worm wheel 55 is pivotally supported on the actuator housing 52b by a shaft 55a facing in the front-rear direction, and rotates a predetermined angle in the release direction (clockwise in FIG. 16) from the standby position shown in FIG. 16 in response to the rotation of the motor 54. The output lever 56 is pivotally supported by a shaft 56a facing in the front-rear direction between the mounting surface 52c of the actuator housing 52b and the cover 53 so as to be rotatable a predetermined angle on a plane parallel to the mounting surface 52c, and rotates a predetermined angle in the release direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 16) from the standby position shown in FIG. 16 in response to the rotation of the worm wheel 55. In one embodiment, when the worm wheel 55 rotates in the release direction, the input portion 56b provided at one end of the output lever 56 slides against the cam portion 55b provided on the worm wheel 55, causing the output lever 56 to rotate in the release direction around the axis 56a against the biasing force of the spring 57.

[0044] The output lever 56 is provided with an output portion 56c that can transmit its own release operation to the input lever 36. The output portion 56c is located at the tip of an arm that extends so as to intersect with the first input portion 36c of the input lever 36, is bent backward, and is provided at a position that is displaced downward relative to the first input portion 36c of the input lever 36, so that when the output lever 56 is actuated in the release direction by the power of the motor 54, it moves upward and abuts against the first input portion 36c from below, thereby rotating the input lever 36 from the standby position in the release direction.

[0045] (Method of assembling the meshing assembly 3 to the actuator assembly 5) 2, the interlocking assembly 3 is assembled to the actuator assembly 3 by inserting the body (main body 31 and cover plate 32) to which the interlocking mechanism has been pre-assembled from the front (the direction of arrow X shown in FIG. 2) into the body cover portion 52a of the housing 51 in the actuator assembly 5. The body of the interlocking assembly 3 inserted into the body cover portion 52a is fixed to the body cover portion 52a by fixing means (not shown).

[0046] In one embodiment, a configuration is employed in which the output portion 56c of the output lever 56 is positioned offset below the input portion 36c of the input lever 36, so that when the meshing assembly 3 is assembled to the actuator assembly 5 as described above, the output portion 56c does not interfere with the input portion 36c. As a result, the meshing assembly 3 can be easily assembled to the actuator assembly 5 from the front.

[0047] Next, the operation of the vehicle door latch device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. When the door is open, the latch 33 is in the open position, as shown in Figure 9. When the door is closed from this state, the striker S enters the striker entrance groove 31a of the main body 31 and the striker entrance notch 32a of the cover plate 32 from the front, and the striker S engages with the striker engagement groove 33a of the latch 33. This causes the latch 33 to rotate from the open position in the closing direction (counterclockwise in Figure 9) around the shaft 38. In this case, the tip of the third latch engagement portion 33d slides on the upper edge of the stopper lever 37 as the latch 33 rotates in the closing direction, and the tip of the half latch engagement portion 33c comes into contact with the upper surface of the second ratchet 34B, thereby rotating only the second ratchet 34B in the release direction against the biasing force of the spring 42, while the first ratchet 34A is held in the engaged position.

[0048] Next, as shown in FIG. 10, when the latch 33 reaches the half-latch position, the second ratchet 34B engages with the half-latch engaging portion 33c of the latch 33 due to the biasing force of the spring 42.

[0049] Furthermore, as the door is closed, as shown in FIG. 11, when the latch 33 reaches the full latch position, the second ratchet 34B engages with the full latch engagement portion 33b due to the biasing force of the spring 42, thereby holding the door in the fully closed position.

[0050] As described above, in the vehicle door latch device 1, when the latch 33 rotates in the closing direction, the first ratchet 34A, which is a relatively large element, does not rotate in the release direction in response to the rotation of the latch 33 in the closing direction, and only the second ratchet 34B, which is a relatively small element, rotates in the release direction, thereby achieving a quieter door closing sound when the door is closed and producing a pleasant door closing sound. Furthermore, when the latch 33 is in the full latch position and the second ratchet 34B is engaged with the full latch engagement portion 33b of the latch 33, the pressing portion 35a of the presser lever 35 abuts against the pressed portion 34b of the first ratchet 34A to prevent the first ratchet 34A from rotating in the release direction, thereby ensuring the engagement of the second ratchet 34B with the full latch engagement portion 33b.

[0051] Next, the door unlocking operation will be described. When the door is held in a fully closed state, as shown in Figures 11 and 13, the latch 33 is in a full latch position, the ratchet 34 is in an engaged state with the second ratchet 34B engaged with the full latch engagement portion 33b of the latch 33, the restraining lever 35 is in a blocking position with the restraining portion 35a abutting against the restrained portion 34b of the first ratchet 34A, and the stopper lever 37 is in a standby position with the stopper portion 37a entering the movement trajectory of the third latch engagement portion 33d of the latch 33.

[0052] In this state, when the remote control switch is operated to release and the motor 54 is driven, the output lever 56 performs a release operation based on the power of the motor 54. As a result, the output portion 56c of the output lever 56 moves upward and abuts against the input portion 36c of the input lever 36 from below. With the output portion 56c abutting against the input portion 36c, the input lever 36 rotates from the standby position in the release direction.

[0053] When the input lever 36 is released, as shown in FIG. 14 , the third contact portion 36e of the input lever 36 abuts against the arm portion 37b of the stopper lever 37, causing the stopper lever 37 to rotate a predetermined angle from the standby position in the release direction. The first contact portion 36a of the input lever 36 abuts against the abutted portion 35b of the holddown lever 35, causing the holddown lever 35 to rotate a predetermined angle from the block position in the release direction. Next, after the holddown portion 35a is completely disengaged from the abutted portion 34b of the first ratchet 34A due to the release operation of the holddown lever 35, the second contact portion 36b of the input lever 36 abuts against the abutted portion 34a of the first ratchet 34A from below. As a result, the first ratchet 34A rotates in the release direction from the engagement position, and the second ratchet 34B disengages from the full latch engagement portion 33b of the latch 33, allowing the latch 33 to rotate in the open direction from the full latch position.

[0054] Normally, when the second ratchet 34B disengages from the full latch engagement portion 33b of the latch 33, the door is pushed in the opening direction by the reaction force of the weatherstrip provided around the periphery of the door opening, and the latch 33 rotates to the open position, causing the striker S to come out of the striker engagement groove 33a of the latch 33, allowing the door to open.

[0055] When the door opens and the latch 33 rotates to the open position, the motor 54 stops driving and the output lever 56 returns to the standby position, causing the input lever 36, stopper lever 37, hold-down lever 35, and first and second ratchets 34A and 34B to rotate back to the positions shown in Figure 9.

[0056] However, even though the second ratchet 34B has been disengaged from the full latch engagement portion 33b of the latch 33 by the power of the motor 54, the repulsive force of the weatherstrip may decrease due to factors such as deterioration over time, or in winter environments, the door may not be fully pushed out by the reaction force of the weatherstrip, causing the latch 33 to stop just short of the open position, or the movement of each element may become sluggish due to freezing of moving parts, etc.

[0057] In particular, if the movement of the first and second ratchets 34A, 34B among the various elements becomes sluggish, when the first and second ratchets 34A, 34B rotate in the engagement direction from the release state due to the biasing force of the springs 41, 42, the second ratchet 34B may not engage with the full latch engagement portion 33b of the latch 33, which is stopped in the full latch position (or a position slightly moved in the open direction), until it reaches the normal engagement position, a so-called uncertain engagement state may occur.

[0058] When an uncertain engagement state occurs, the first ratchet 34A cannot rotate to the correct engagement position, and the pressing portion 35a of the presser lever 35 cannot abut the pressed portion 34a of the first ratchet 34A. Therefore, the first ratchet 34A is free to rotate in the release direction without being blocked by the presser lever 35.

[0059] Therefore, when the latch 33 is in an uncertainly engaged state, if a large force acts on the latch 33 due to a vehicle accident or the like, causing it to rotate from the full latch position in the open direction, the first ratchet 34A will be rotated in the release direction together with the second ratchet 34B, which is uncertainly engaged with the full latch engagement portion 33b, and the second ratchet 34B will come off the full latch engagement portion 33b.In the worst case scenario, the second ratchet 34B may not even be able to engage with the half latch engagement portion 33c, causing the latch 33 to rotate to the open position.

[0060] However, in the vehicle door latch device 1 according to one embodiment, when the latch 33 rotates in the open direction and reaches the third latch position, which is slightly past the half latch position, while the uncertain engagement state is occurring, the third latch engaging portion 33d of the latch 33 abuts against the stopper portion 37a of the stopper lever 37, as shown in Figure 12. This prevents the latch 33 from rotating further in the open direction, and the latch 33 stops at the third latch position, maintaining its engagement with the striker S.

[0061] (Vehicle door latch device 100 employing a front tooth meshing system) Next, a vehicle door latch device 100 employing a front tooth engagement system will be described with reference to Figures 18 to 26. In the following description, the vehicle door latch device 100 employing a front tooth engagement system will be referred to as "other embodiments" as necessary.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the vehicle door latch device 100 includes a mating assembly 300 and an actuator assembly 500 assembled to the mating assembly 300, similar to the first embodiment.

[0063] In the meshing assembly 300 of this embodiment, elements having the same functions as elements of the meshing assembly 3 of the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those used in the above embodiment with a suffix "0" added, and the reference numerals are simply added to the drawings, and explanations thereof are omitted as appropriate. Also, in the actuator assembly 500 of this embodiment, since the elements are the same as those of the above embodiment except for the housing main body 510, the same reference numerals as those used in the above embodiment are used, and explanations thereof are omitted as appropriate.

[0064] The meshing assembly 300 has a body including a main body 310 and a cover plate 320, a latch 330, a ratchet 340, a hold-down lever 350, and an input lever 360 arranged on the back side of the main body 310. Note that while the stopper lever 37 is provided with a stopper portion 37a in the above embodiment, the other embodiment omits the stopper lever 36 and provides a stopper portion 370a (corresponding to the stopper portion 37a in the above embodiment) in the input lever 360, but a stopper lever may be provided as in the above embodiment.

[0065] The latch 330 is provided with a striker engagement groove 330a with which the striker S can engage, a full latch engagement portion 330b which is located on the open direction side of the striker engagement groove 330a (for example, the clockwise side in FIG. 21) and with which the second ratchet 340B of the ratchet 340 can engage when the latch 330 is in the full latch position shown in FIG. 23, a half latch engagement portion 330c which is located on the close direction side of the striker engagement groove 330a (for example, the counterclockwise side in FIG. 21) and with which the second ratchet 340B can engage when the latch 330 is in the half latch position shown in FIG. 22, and a third latch engagement portion 330d which is located further on the close direction side of the half latch engagement portion 330c and which can engage with a stopper portion 370a provided on the input lever 360 when the latch 330 is in the third latch position shown in FIG. 24.

[0066] The ratchet 340 is composed of a first ratchet 340A supported between the body main body 310 and the cover plate 320 by a shaft 400 facing left and right so as to be rotatable at a predetermined angle, and a second ratchet 340B supported on the first ratchet 340A so as to be rotatable at a predetermined angle.

[0067] The first ratchet 340A is rotatable in the release direction (clockwise in FIGS. 22 and 23) around the shaft 400 from the engagement position shown in Figures 22 and 23. Note that, because the meshing assembly 300 employs a front teeth meshing system, the shaft 400 for rotatably supporting the first ratchet 340A is located forward of the shaft 40 of the embodiment employing a back teeth meshing system, and is disposed below and near the entrance sides (front sides) of the striker entrance groove 310a and the striker entrance notched groove 320a.

[0068] The second ratchet 340B is biased by the biasing force of the spring 420 in an engagement direction in which the tip portion engages with the full latch engagement portion 330b or the half latch engagement portion 330c of the latch 330.

[0069] As described above, as shown in Fig. 23, the second ratchet 340B engages with the full latch engagement portion 330b of the latch 330 to hold the latch 330 in the full latch position, and as shown in Fig. 22, the second ratchet 340B engages with the half latch engagement portion 330c of the latch 330 to hold the latch 330 in the half latch position. Also, as shown in Fig. 25, when the first ratchet 340A rotates a predetermined angle in the release direction from the standby position, the second ratchet 340B disengages from the full latch engagement portion 330b or the half latch engagement portion 330c of the latch 330, thereby permitting the latch 330 to rotate in the open direction and allowing the door to open.

[0070] The hold-down lever 350 is disposed rearward and below the first ratchet 340A, and is supported by a shaft 430 so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle.

[0071] The input lever 360 is supported on the back side of the main body 310 by a shaft 450 facing left and right so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle, and can be rotated by a predetermined angle in the release direction (clockwise in FIG. 23) from the standby position shown in FIG. 23, for example.

[0072] The shaft 450 for supporting the input lever 360 is disposed further forward than the shaft 45 for supporting the input lever 36 in the embodiment, since the shaft 400 for supporting the first ratchet 340A is disposed further forward than the shaft 40 in the embodiment. That is, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 26, the distance L2 from the front end of the main body 310 to the center O2 of the shaft 450 in this embodiment is shorter than the distance L1 from the front end of the main body 310 to the center O1 of the shaft 45 in the embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 17. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the input portion 360c of the input lever 360 is disposed further forward than the input portion 36c of the input lever 36 in the embodiment.

[0073] The input lever 360 is provided with a first abutment portion 360a that, when rotated in the release direction from the standby position, abuts against the abutted portion 350b of the holddown lever 350 from above, thereby rotating the holddown lever 350 in the release direction, a second abutment portion 360b that abuts against the abutted portion 340a of the first ratchet 340A from below, thereby operating the first ratchet 340A in the release direction, and a first input portion 360c that can input the power of the motor 54 in the actuator assembly 500. As a result, the input lever 360 rotates in the release direction from the standby position based on the power of the motor 54.

[0074] The first input portion 360c is located at the front end of the input lever 360 and is bent toward the left (toward the housing 510), and is located above the output portion 56c of the output lever 56 of the actuator assembly 500 so as to be able to come into contact with the output portion 56c when the output lever 56 is released. As a result, the output lever 56 is released by the power of the motor 54 and the output portion 56c comes into contact with the first input portion 360c from below, causing the input lever 360 to rotate from the standby position in the release direction.

[0075] When the input lever 360 rotates from the standby position in the release direction, the first abutment portion 360a abuts against the abutted portion 350b of the hold-down lever 350, causing the hold-down lever 350 to rotate from the blocking position in the release direction, and the second abutment portion 360b abuts against the abutted portion 340a of the first ratchet 340A from below, causing the first ratchet 340A to rotate from the engagement position in the release direction.

[0076] The housing 510 in the actuator assembly 500 includes a housing main body 520 made of synthetic resin and having a generally L-shape when viewed from the bottom, similar to the above embodiment, and a cover 53 made of synthetic resin that closes the front side of the housing main body 520. Similar to the above embodiment, the housing main body 520 forms a body cover portion 520a and an actuator accommodating portion 520b.

[0077] The actuator housing portion 520b houses an actuator mechanism portion. The actuator mechanism portion has the same configuration as that of the above-described embodiment, and includes a motor 54, a worm wheel 55, and an output lever 56. In other words, the actuator mechanism portion is shared between the above-described embodiment and other embodiments.

[0078] Similar to the above embodiment, the output portion 56c of the output lever 56 in this other embodiment is disposed at a position displaced downward from the first input portion 360c of the input lever 360. As a result, in this other embodiment, when the output lever 56 is actuated in the release direction by the power of the motor 54, the output portion 56c moves upward and abuts against the first input portion 360c. As a result, the input lever 360 rotates from the standby position in the release direction based on the release actuation of the output lever 56.

[0079] As described above, the input portion 360c of the input lever 360 in this embodiment is configured to be located further forward than the input portion 360c in the first embodiment. Therefore, the placement surface 520c of the actuator accommodating portion 520b in the housing main body 520 is configured to be further forward than the placement surface 52c of the actuator accommodating portion 52b in the housing main body 52 in the first embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 26 , the front-rear thickness L4 of the actuator accommodating portion 520b in this embodiment is configured to be smaller than the front-rear thickness L3 of the actuator accommodating portion 52b in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17 . By configuring in this manner, the entire actuator mechanism can be configured identically to the first embodiment, and the output portion 56c of the output lever 56 can be positioned to intersect with the input portion 360c of the input lever 360. As a result, by simply changing only the housing main bodies 52 and 520 in the housings 51 and 510, the entire actuator mechanism can be shared between engagement assemblies employing different engagement methods.

[0080] The basic operation of the vehicle door latch device 100 according to the other embodiment is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and therefore will be illustrated and not described further. Fig. 21, which illustrates the operation of the other embodiment, shows the open state (the state in which the latch 330 is in the open position), Fig. 22 shows the half-latched state (the state in which the ratchet 340 is engaged with the half-latch engagement portion 330c of the latch 330), Fig. 23 shows the full-latch state (the state in which the ratchet 330 is engaged with the full-latch engagement portion 330b of the latch 330), Fig. 24 shows the third-latch state (the state in which the stopper portion 370a of the input lever 360 is engaged with the third-latch engagement portion 330d of the latch 330), and Fig. 25 shows the release operation state (the state in which the ratchet 330 is actuated by the release operation of the output lever 56).

[0081] As described above, the input lever 36, 360 is pivotally supported by the shaft 45, 450 facing in the left-right direction on the rear surface side of the main body 31, 310 of the engagement assembly 3, 300, and the actuator mechanism part is arranged in the actuator accommodating part 52b, 520b that is approximately perpendicular to the rear surface of the main body 31, 310 of the housing main body 51, 510 of the actuator assembly 5, 500, and the output lever 56 is pivotally supported by the shaft 56a facing in the front-rear direction on the arrangement surface 52c, 520c of the actuator accommodating part 52b, 520b. Furthermore, by setting the output portion 56c of the output lever 56 at a position displaced downward relative to the input portions 36c, 360c of the input levers 36, 360, even if the rotational position of the input lever and the position of the input portion differ depending on the type of engagement, by setting the arrangement surfaces 52c, 520c of the actuator accommodating portions 52b, 520b in the housing main bodies 52, 520 to match the positions of the input portions of the various types of engagement, the release action of the output lever 56 can be transmitted to the input levers 36, 360. This makes it possible to share the actuator mechanism between engagement assemblies with different types of engagement by simply changing the housing, and it is possible to accommodate the installation positions of each car manufacturer without increasing costs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1, 100 Vehicle door latch device 3, 300 Interlocking assembly 5,500 Actuator assembly 31,310 Body 31a, 310a Striker entry groove 32, 320 Cover plate 32a, 320a Striker entry notch 33, 330 Latch 33a, 330a Striker engagement groove 33b, 330b Full latch engagement portion 33c, 330c: Half latch engagement portion 33d, 330d: Third latch engagement portion 34, 340 Ratchet 34A, 340A 1st Ratchet 34B, 340B 2nd ratchet 34a, 340a Contacted part 34b, 340b Part to be held down 34c, 340c Shaft part 35, 350 Retaining lever 35a, 350a Retaining part 35b, 350b Contacted part 36, 360 Input lever 36a, 360a 1st contact part 36b, 360b 2nd contact part 36c, 360c First input section 36d Second input section 36e Third contact part 37 Stopper lever 37a, 370a Stopper part 37b Arm part 38, 380 axes 40, 400 axes 41, 410 spring 42 spring 43, 430 Axis 44, 440 Spring 45, 450 Axis (2nd axis) 51, 510 Housing 52, 520 Housing body 52a, 520a Body cover part 52b, 520b: actuator housing portion 52c, 520c: arrangement surface 53 Cover 54 Motor 54a Worm 55 Worm wheel 55a Shaft 55b Cam part 56 Output lever 56a Shaft (first shaft) 56b Input section 56c Output section 57 Spring

Claims

1. an engagement assembly including: a body; a latch pivotally supported on the body by a latch shaft facing left and right and having a striker engagement groove capable of engaging with a striker entering from the front; a ratchet pivotally supported on the body by a ratchet shaft facing left and right and engageable with a front teeth full latch engagement portion provided on the open direction side of the striker engagement groove of the latch or a back teeth full latch engagement portion provided on the close direction side of the striker engagement groove of the latch; and an input lever pivotally supported on the body and capable of transmitting its own release operation to the ratchet; an actuator assembly including a housing attached to the body and an actuator mechanism portion disposed in the housing and including a motor and an output lever capable of transmitting power of the motor to the input lever, the housing has a body cover portion that covers the body, and an actuator accommodating portion in which the actuator mechanism portion is disposed on an arrangement surface that is substantially perpendicular to the rear surface of the body and faces the front surface, the output lever is pivotally supported by a first shaft facing the arrangement surface of the actuator accommodating portion in the front-rear direction, and has an output portion that moves up and down based on a release operation of the output lever itself; the input lever is pivotally supported on a back surface side of the body by a second shaft facing in the left-right direction, and has an input portion at an end extending so as to intersect with the output portion of the output lever, and is configured to perform a release operation when the output portion abuts on the input portion based on a release operation of the output lever, The housing is selected depending on whether the mating assembly is a front tooth mating type in which the ratchet engages with the front tooth full latch engagement portion of the latch, or a rear tooth mating type in which the ratchet engages with the rear tooth full latch engagement portion of the latch.

2. 2. The vehicle door latch device according to claim 1, wherein the output portion of the output lever is disposed at a position displaced downward from the input portion of the input lever.

3. The output portion of the output lever is bent rearward, 3. The vehicle door latch device according to claim 1, wherein the input portion of the input lever is bent toward the output portion so as to intersect with the output portion.

4. 3. The vehicle door latch device according to claim 1, further comprising a stopper lever provided on the rear side of the body, the stopper lever being pivotally supported by the second shaft so as to be rotatable independently of the input lever, and the stopper lever having a stopper portion that can be released based on a release operation of the input lever to move from a standby position where a third latch engagement portion provided on the latch can abut to a retracted position where it cannot abut.

5. 3. The vehicle door latch device according to claim 1, wherein the ratchet includes a first ratchet rotatably supported on the body about an axis facing left and right, and a second ratchet rotatably supported on the first ratchet about an axis facing left and right and capable of engaging with the full latch engagement portion of the latch.

Images