Vehicle door lock device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle door lock device capable of preventing unlatching due to the deformation of an outer panel by the input of a collision load.SOLUTION: A rod 30 that transmits the operation of an outer handle 12 to an open lever 25 of a latch mechanism 20 includes a first part 30b extending in the vehicle width direction, and a second part 30c extending in the vehicle length direction. A protrusion 22 of the latch mechanism 20 includes a locking part 40 extending in the vehicle width direction. When an outer panel 4 starts deforming due to the input of a collision load, a second portion 30c of the rod 30 comes into contact and is locked, and the movement of the rod 30 downward in the vehicle length direction is restricted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A vehicle door lock device is provided on a vehicle door. The vehicle door lock device comprises a handle mechanism including an outer handle and a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism comprises a fork that engages and disengages with a striker on the vehicle body, and a claw lever. The latch mechanism is switched from a latched state to an unlatched state by an occupant operating the outer handle. In the latched state, the claw lever holds the fork in a position where it is engaged with the striker. In the unlatched state, the claw lever releases the hold of the fork, and the fork disengages from the striker. Unlatching allows the door to be opened.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes that in the event of a collision, the inertia acting on the vehicle can cause the outer handle to move in the same way as when an occupant operates the door, that is, move outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the door. This movement can cause the latch to be released.

[0004] The vehicle door lock device described in Patent Document 1 includes a stopper member that prevents the movement of the rod that transmits the movement of the outer handle to the latch mechanism when inertia acts on the vehicle during a collision. This stopper member is intended to prevent the latch from being released due to the movement of the outer handle caused by inertia during a collision. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2009-243102 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In a collision, particularly a side collision, the door is deformed by the input of a collision load. The vehicle door lock device described in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of preventing the latch from being released due to such door deformation.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle door lock device that can prevent the latch from being released due to deformation of the door caused by the input of a collision load. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a handle mechanism including a handle base arranged inside an outer panel of a vehicle door and an outer handle movably held on the handle base; a latch mechanism including a lever for releasing the latch; a rod having a connection part connected to an upper part of the handle base at one end and an engagement part engageable with the lever at the other end, the rod transmitting the movement of the outer handle to the lever; and an opposing part opposing the handle base in a first direction in which the outer panel and an inner panel of the door face each other, the rod including a first part extending from the connection part toward the opposing part along the first direction, and a second part extending from the first part in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The facing portion extends along the first direction and is provided below the second portion of the rod. When the outer panel is deformed downward toward the inner panel, the second portion abuts against and is locked, restricting downward displacement of the rod relative to the latch mechanism. A vehicle door lock device is provided that includes a locking portion.

[0009] During a collision, particularly a side collision, the outer panel of the door is deformed by the collision load. Depending on the door design, such as the length of the door in the vehicle longitudinal direction, or the vehicle weight, the collision load may cause the outer panel to deform so that the upper part of the handle base approaches the inner panel and rotates downward. When the outer panel begins to deform due to the collision load, the second part of the rod abuts against and engages the engaging portion provided on the opposing portion, thereby restricting the rod's downward movement relative to the opposing portion. As a result, the latch release caused by the deformation of the outer panel due to the collision load can be prevented.

[0010] For example, the first direction is the width direction of the vehicle, and the second direction is the length direction of the vehicle.

[0011] The second portion of the rod and the engaging portion of the opposing portion may overlap each other when viewed from the vehicle height direction of the vehicle.

[0012] With this configuration, when a collision load is applied, the second portion of the rod reliably contacts and is locked to the locking portion on the opposing surface. As a result, the downward movement of the rod relative to the opposing portion is more reliably restricted. In other words, with this configuration, the robustness of the restriction of the downward movement of the rod relative to the opposing portion when a collision load is applied is improved.

[0013] A gap may be provided between the second portion of the rod and the engaging portion of the opposing portion, allowing movement of the rod in conjunction with the operation of the outer handle.

[0014] This configuration ensures normal movement of the rod in conjunction with operation of the outer handle, i.e., normal operation of the vehicle door lock device, while restricting the relative downward movement of the rod with respect to the opposing part when a collision load is input.

[0015] The second portion of the rod includes a first inclined portion extending obliquely downward from the first portion to the rear side in the vehicle length direction, and a second inclined portion extending obliquely upward from the first inclined portion to the rear side in the vehicle length direction, When the outer panel is deformed toward the inner panel and downward, abutting on the locking portion possible A second inclined portion may be provided.

[0016] With this configuration, the second portion of the rod has a V-shape when viewed in the vehicle width direction, ensuring the strength of the second portion, which in turn more reliably restricts downward movement of the rod relative to the opposing portion when a collision load is applied.

[0017] The locking portion of the opposing portion includes a first step portion extending in the vehicle width direction, and DepartmentThe vehicle may further include a second step portion located below and extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0018] With this configuration, when a collision load is applied, the second inclined portion of the second portion of the rod abuts against and is locked to at least one of the first and second step portions of the locking portion of the opposing portion, thereby more reliably restricting downward movement of the rod relative to the opposing portion when a collision load is applied.

[0019] When viewed from the vehicle width direction, the second inclined portion of the second portion of the rod is The aforementioned The first stage and The aforementioned It may extend along the inclined line formed by the outer contour of the second step portion.

[0020] With this configuration, when a collision load is applied, the second inclined portion of the second portion of the rod can abut and be locked against two points, the first step and the second step, of the locking portion of the opposing portion. The rod abuts and is locked against the locking portion at two points, improving the strength with which the rod is locked by the locking portion. As a result, downward movement of the rod relative to the opposing portion when a collision load is applied can be more reliably restricted.

[0021] The rod may include a third portion extending downward in a vehicle height direction from the second portion, and a lower end of the third portion of the rod may be connected to the engagement portion.

[0022] According to this configuration, the majority of the rod is located on the rear side of the door in the vehicle length direction, so that the vehicle door lock device can be easily assembled.

[0023] The latch mechanism may include the opposing portion.

[0024] According to this configuration, the latch mechanism also serves as the opposing portion, thereby making it possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts.

[0025] For example, the latch mechanism may include a base portion arranged inside the inner panel and a protruding portion protruding from a rear portion of the base portion in the vehicle length direction toward the outer panel in the vehicle width direction, and the protruding portion may include the opposing portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to the vehicle door lock device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the latch from being released due to deformation of the door caused by the input of a collision load. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a view of a rear side door of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction; [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a side door of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3 . [Figure 5] A view of the steering mechanism and rod from the inside of the vehicle width direction. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle door lock device. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle door lock device. [Figure 10] 2 is a view of the vehicle door lock device as seen from above in the vehicle height direction. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a view of a vehicle door lock device as seen from the front side in the vehicle length direction; [Figure 12] A view of the latch mechanism and rod from above the vehicle height. [Figure 13] A view of the latch mechanism and rod from the front in the vehicle length direction. [Figure 14] 12. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. [Figure 15]FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction indicate the vehicle length direction, vehicle width direction, and vehicle height direction, respectively.

[0029] 1 and 2, a vehicle door lock device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with a vehicle door 2, constitutes a door structure 3. In this embodiment, the door 2 is a rear side door. The present invention can also be applied to vehicle doors other than rear side doors.

[0030] The door 2 includes an outer panel 4, an inner panel 5, and an end panel 6. The outer panel 4 and the inner panel 5 face each other in the vehicle width direction (first direction). The outer panel 4, the inner panel 5, and the end panel 6 of the door 2 define a closed space 7 (see also Figures 3 and 4). In the following description, the terms "inside" and "outside" may be used to refer to the surfaces of the outer panel 4, the inner panel 5, and the end panel 6 that face the closed space 7, and "outside" to refer to the surfaces opposite the closed space 7.

[0031] 2 to 4, the vehicle door lock device 1 includes a handle mechanism 10, a latch mechanism 20, and a rod 30, and is disposed on the rear side of the door 2 in the vehicle length direction.

[0032] (handle mechanism) 1 to 3, the handle mechanism 10 includes a handle base 11 disposed inside the outer panel 4 (inside the closed space 7) and an outer handle 12 disposed outside the outer panel 4. Both the handle base 11 and the outer handle 12 are disposed along the vehicle length direction.

[0033] 5, the outer handle 12 is movably held by the handle base 11. That is, a first end 12a of the outer handle 12 protruding from the front side in the vehicle length direction (second direction) penetrates the outer panel 4 and is rotatably supported by the handle base 11, and a second end 12b of the outer handle 12 protruding from the rear side in the vehicle length direction also penetrates the outer panel 4 and is supported by the handle base 11 so as to be movable forward and backward in the vehicle width direction. Normally, when the occupant rotates the outer handle 12 outward in the vehicle width direction (door opening operation), the latch mechanism 20 switches from a latched state to an unlatched state, and the door 2 can be opened.

[0034] 5 and 8, the handle base 11 is provided with a support shaft 16 on the rear side in the vehicle length direction and on the upper side in the vehicle height direction. A lever arm 14 equipped with a counterweight 13 is rotatably supported on this support shaft 16. A held portion (connection portion) 30a of a rod 30 is inserted into a rod holding portion 14a at the upper end of the lever arm 14 and is held in a rotatable state.

[0035] The lever arm 14 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A1 in FIG. 8 in response to movement of the second end 12b of the outer handle 12 during the door-opening operation. This rotation causes the rod holding portion 14a to move downward in the vehicle height direction, which in turn causes the rod 30 to descend downward in the vehicle height direction. When the rod 30 descends, an engagement portion 30j (described below) provided on the rod 30 pushes down an open lever 25 (described below) provided on the latch mechanism 20, causing it to rotate downward. As a result, the latch mechanism 20 switches from a latched state to an unlatched state. A coil spring 15 that elastically biases the lever arm 14 is attached to the support shaft 16. As shown in FIG. 8, the counterweight 13 and the coil spring 15 bias the lever arm 14 so as to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow A2 (opposite to the aforementioned arrow A1), i.e., in the direction opposite to the direction in which the latch mechanism 20 switches from the latched state to the unlatched state.

[0036] (latch mechanism) 3, 4, and 8 to 11, the latch mechanism 20 is disposed inside the inner panel 5 (inside the closed space 7). The latch mechanism 20 includes a base portion 21 and a protruding portion 22. The base portion 21 is disposed so as to extend in the vehicle length direction along the inside of the inner panel 5. The protruding portion 22 protrudes in the vehicle width direction from a rear portion of the base portion 21 in the vehicle length direction toward the outer panel 4. The protruding portion 21 is disposed along the inside of the end panel 6. The base portion 21 and the protruding portion 22 are formed by a casing 23 having a split structure.

[0037] The protruding portion 22 accommodates a fork 24 (shown only in FIG. 8) that engages with and disengages from a striker (not shown) on the vehicle body, and a claw lever (not shown).

[0038] The base portion 21 is provided with an open lever 25 for releasing the latch. The base portion 21 also houses a mechanism (not shown) including elements such as a link and a motor for switching the latch mechanism 20 between an unlocked state and a locked state. Normally, when the latch mechanism 20 is in the unlocked state, pressing down the open lever 25 by operating the outer handle 12 switches the latch mechanism 20 from the latched state (a state in which the claw lever holds the fork 24 in a position where it engages with the striker) to the unlatched state (a state in which the claw lever releases the hold of the fork 24 and the fork 24 disengages from the striker). On the other hand, when the latch mechanism 20 is in the locked state, pressing down the open lever 25 by operating the outer handle 12 does not switch the latch mechanism from the latched state to the unlatched state.

[0039] 12 to 15, a locking portion 40 is provided on the inner surface 22a of the protrusion 22, i.e., the surface facing the closed space 7. As will be described in detail later, when a collision load is input to the door 4, the rod 30 abuts against and is locked by the locking portion 40, thereby restricting the downward movement of the rod 30 relative to the latch mechanism 20. In other words, the locking portion 40 is an example of a facing portion of the present invention.

[0040] The locking portion 40 has a first step portion 41 and a second step portion 42. Both the first step portion 41 and the second step portion 42 extend in the vehicle width direction from the base portion 21 side of the latch mechanism 20 toward the handle base 11. The second step portion 42 is located below the first step portion 41 in the vehicle height direction.

[0041] The first step 41 has a flat horizontal surface 41a facing upward in the vehicle height direction, a flat vertical surface 41b facing forward in the vehicle length direction, and a curved connecting surface 41c provided between the horizontal surface 41a and the vertical surface 41b. The horizontal surface 41a is not inclined in the vehicle length direction, but in the vehicle width direction, it is inclined downward in the vehicle height direction as it approaches the handle base 11.

[0042] The second section 42 has a flat lateral surface 42a facing upward in the vehicle height direction, a flat vertical surface 42b facing forward in the vehicle length direction, and a curved connecting surface 42c provided between the lateral surface 42a and the vertical surface 42b. The lateral surface 42a is not inclined in either the vehicle length direction or the vehicle width direction.

[0043] (rod) The rod 30 in this embodiment is a steel round bar having a diameter of 4.0 to 6.0 mm that is bent into a shape that will be described later.

[0044] 8, the rod 30 transmits the operation of the outer handle 12 of the handle mechanism 10 to the open lever 25 of the latch mechanism 20. Specifically, under normal circumstances, when the outer handle 12 is operated to open the door, the rod 30 moves downward in the vehicle width direction as the lever arm 14 of the handle mechanism 10 rotates in the direction of arrow A1, and the engaging portion 30j presses down the open lever 25.

[0045] 5 and 8, as already explained in relation to the handle mechanism 10 and the latch mechanism 20, the lever arm 14 is rotatably supported on the upper side of the handle base 11 in the vehicle height direction, and the held portion (connection portion) 30a of the rod 30 is held by the rod holding portion 14a provided at the upper end of the lever arm 14. That is, in this embodiment, one end of the rod 30 is connected to the upper part of the handle base 11 in the vehicle height direction via the lever arm 14.

[0046] The rod 30 will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0047] The rod 30 includes a held portion (connection portion) 30a, a first portion 30b, a second portion 30d, a third portion 30f, an engaging portion 30j, and an inserting portion 30k. The held portion 30a is located at one end of the rod 30, and the engaging portion 30j and the inserting portion 30k are located at the other end.

[0048] 8 to 13, the held portion 30a extends linearly in the vehicle length direction and is inserted into the rod holding portion 14a of the lever arm 14 from the front side in the vehicle length direction. The held portion 30a is rotatably held by the rod holding portion 14a.

[0049] The first portion 30b is connected to the front end of the held portion 30a in the vehicle length direction. The first portion 30b extends linearly in the vehicle width direction from the held portion 30a toward the base portion 21 of the latch mechanism 20.

[0050] The second portion 30c is connected to an inner end of the first portion 30b in the vehicle width direction, and extends rearward in the vehicle length direction from the first portion 30b.

[0051] In this embodiment, the second portion 30c has a V-shape when viewed in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the second portion 30c includes a linear first inclined portion 30d extending obliquely downward from the first portion 30b toward the rear in the vehicle length direction, and a second inclined portion 30e extending obliquely upward from the first inclined portion 30d toward the rear in the vehicle length direction. As will be described in detail later, when a collision load is input, the second inclined portion 30e abuts against and is locked by a locking portion 40 provided on the protrusion 22 of the latch mechanism 20. The second portion 30c may be linear and not include a bent portion.

[0052] A gap G is provided between the second portion 30c of the rod 30 and the latch mechanism 20, more specifically, between the inner surface 21a of the base portion 21 and the inner surface 22a of the protrusion portion 22. This gap G ensures the operation required of the rod 30 under normal circumstances. The gap G is set to 5 to 15 mm, for example, 10 mm.

[0053] As shown most clearly in Figure 10, in this embodiment, the second portion 30c of the rod 30, more specifically the second inclined portion 30e, and the engaging portion 40 of the protrusion 22 of the latch mechanism 20 overlap each other when viewed from above in the vehicle height direction.

[0054] Referring to Figure 14, when viewed from the vehicle width direction, the second inclined portion 30e of the second part 30c of the rod 30 extends along the inclined line L formed by the outer contours of the first step portion 41 and the second step portion 42 of the engaging portion 40 of the protrusion 22 of the latch mechanism 20.

[0055] The third portion 30f is connected to the rear end of the second portion 30c in the vehicle length direction. The third portion 30f as a whole extends downward in the vehicle height direction from the second portion 30c. The lower end of the third portion 30f is connected to one end of the engaging portion 30j. The other end of the engaging portion 30j is connected to the insertion portion 30k.

[0056] The third portion 30f includes an offset portion 30g, an oblique portion 30h, and a hanging portion 30i.

[0057] One end of the offset portion 30g is connected to the second inclined portion 30e of the second portion 30c, and the other end is connected to the oblique portion 30h. The offset portion 30g extends linearly from the rear end of the second inclined portion 30e in the vehicle length direction toward the steering base 11, and is inclined downward in the vehicle height direction as it approaches the steering base 11.

[0058] One end of the oblique portion 30h is connected to the offset portion 30g, and the other end is connected to the hanging portion 30i. The oblique portion 30h extends linearly downward in the vehicle height direction from the offset portion 30g, inclined in the vehicle length direction and the vehicle width direction.

[0059] One end of hanging portion 30i is connected to inclined portion 30h, and the other end is connected to engagement portion 30j. Hanging portion 30i extends linearly downward in the oblique direction from inclined portion 30h.

[0060] Engagement portion 30j has one end connected to hanging portion 30i and the other end connected to insertion portion 30k. In plan view, engagement portion 30j is slightly inclined toward base portion 21 of latch mechanism 20 and extends linearly with a slight inclination toward the vehicle height direction.

[0061] For example, as can be seen from FIG. 8, when the rod 30 descends downward in the vehicle length direction, the engaging portion 30j pushes down the open lever 25 of the latch mechanism 20 to rotate it.

[0062] The insertion portion 30k extends linearly downward in the vehicle length direction from the engagement portion 30j. The insertion portion 30k is inserted into the open lever 25 so that the rod 30 is allowed to move up and down relative to the open lever 25.

[0063] (Behavior of vehicle door locking devices during collisions) If the rod 30 does not have the above-described shape, the vehicle door lock device 1 will behave as follows in the event of a collision, particularly a side collision.

[0064] The input of a collision load deforms the outer panel 4 of the door 2. Depending on the design of the door 2, such as the length of the door 2 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, or the vehicle weight, the input of the collision load may deform the outer panel 4 so that the upper part of the handle base 11 rotates downward while approaching the inner panel 5, as conceptually shown by arrow B in FIG. 3. When the upper part of the handle base 11 rotates as indicated by arrow B in FIG. 3, the rod 30 moves downward and the open lever 25 is pushed down. As a result, the latch mechanism 20 may switch from a latched state to an unlatched state, potentially opening the door 2.

[0065] In contrast, in the vehicle door lock device 1 of this embodiment, when the outer panel 4 begins to deform due to the input of a collision load, the rod 30 tilts toward the inner surface 21a of the base portion 21 and attempts to move further downward. At this time, the gap G is eliminated, so the second portion 30c of the rod 30 abuts and is locked against the protrusion 22 of the latch mechanism 20, more specifically, the locking portion 40 (comprising a first step portion 41 and a second step portion 42) provided on the inner surface 22a of the protrusion 22. This locking restricts downward displacement of the rod 30 relative to the latch mechanism 20, and the open lever 25 is not pressed down by the rod 30. As a result, it is possible to prevent the latch from being released due to deformation of the outer panel 4 caused by the input of a collision load.

[0066] As described above, the second inclined portion 30e of the second portion 30c of the rod 30 overlaps with the locking portion 40 of the protrusion 22 of the latch mechanism 20 when viewed from above in the vehicle height direction. Therefore, when a collision load is input, the second inclined portion 30e of the second portion 30c of the rod 30 reliably comes into contact with and is locked to the locking portion 40 of the protrusion 22 of the latch mechanism 20. As a result, downward movement of the rod 30 relative to the latch mechanism 20 is more reliably restricted. In other words, the robustness of the restriction of the downward movement of the rod 30 relative to the latch mechanism 20 when a collision load is input is improved. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, when the rod 30 tilts toward the inner surface 21a of the base portion 21, the offset portion 30g also abuts against the locking portion 40 (having a first step portion 41 and a second step portion 42) provided on the inner surface 22a of the protrusion portion 22, thereby cooperating with the second portion 30g of the rod 30 to restrict the relative downward displacement of the rod 30 with respect to the latch mechanism 20.

[0067] As described above, a gap G is provided between the second portion 30c of the rod 30 and the latch mechanism 20, more specifically, between the inner surface 21a of the base portion 21 and the inner surface 22a of the protrusion 22. Therefore, it is possible to restrict the downward movement of the rod 30 relative to the latch mechanism 20 when a collision load is input, while ensuring the movement of the rod 30 linked to the operation of the outer handle 12 under normal circumstances, i.e., the operation of the vehicle door lock device 1 under normal circumstances.

[0068] The first inclined portion 30d and the second inclined portion 30e of the second portion 30c of the rod 30 are V-shaped when viewed in the vehicle width direction, ensuring the strength of the second portion 30c. As a result, downward movement of the rod 30 relative to the latch mechanism 20 when a collision load is applied can be more reliably restricted.

[0069] As described above, the locking portion 40 provided on the protruding portion 22 of the latch mechanism 20 includes the first step 41 and the second step 42 located lower in the vehicle length direction than the first step 41. Therefore, when a collision load is input, the second inclined portion 30e of the second portion 30c of the rod 30 abuts against and is locked to at least one of the first step 41 and the second step 42 of the locking portion 40. As a result, downward movement of the rod 30 relative to the latch mechanism 20 when a collision load is input can be more reliably restricted.

[0070] As described above, the second inclined portion 30e of the second portion 30c of the rod 30 extends along the inclined line L formed by the outer contour of the first step portion 41 and the second step portion 42 of the locking portion 40 of the protrusion 22 of the latch mechanism 20. Therefore, when a collision load is applied, the second inclined portion 30e of the second portion 30c of the rod 30 can abut against and be locked to two points, the first step portion 41 and the second step portion 42 of the locking portion 40. The rod 30 abutting against and being locked to the locking portion 40 at two points improves the strength with which the rod 30 is locked by the locking portion 40. As a result, downward movement of the rod 30 relative to the latch mechanism 20 when a collision load is applied can be more reliably restricted.

[0071] The protrusion 22 of the latch mechanism 20 contacts the rod 30 when the outer panel 4 begins to deform due to a collision load, thereby restricting the rod 30 from moving downward in the vehicle height direction. This function also serves as the opposing portion of the present invention. Therefore, the number of components can be reduced compared to when a separate component functioning as the opposing portion is provided. However, an opposing portion may be provided other than the protrusion 22 of the latch mechanism 20, or a separate component functioning as the opposing portion may be provided. For example, when a collision load is applied, the rod 30 moves in the vehicle width direction, and the first inclined portion 30d and the second inclined portion 30e abut against the inner surface 21a of the base portion 21 of the latch mechanism 20 from the vehicle width direction. If the rod 30 then moves further downward in the vehicle height direction, a protrusion may be provided on the inner surface 21a of the base portion 21 of the latch mechanism 20 to restrict the rod 30 from moving downward in the vehicle height direction.

[0072] The rod 30 includes a third portion 30f that is connected to the rear end of the second portion 30e in the vehicle length direction and extends downward in the vehicle height direction as a whole, and an engaging portion 30j and an insertion portion 30k are provided at the lower end of the third portion 30f. Therefore, most of the rod 30 is disposed on the rear side of the door 2 in the vehicle length direction. This rearward arrangement of the rod 30 prevents the rod 30 from interfering with the latch mechanism 20 when the latch mechanism 20 is brought into the closed space 7 through the service hole 5a (see FIG. 2) of the inner panel 5 during assembly of the vehicle door lock device 1. Therefore, the ease of assembly of the vehicle door lock device 1 can be ensured. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1. Vehicle door lock device 2-door 3-door structure 4 Outer panel 5 Inner panel 5a Service Hall 6 End Panel 7 Closed space 10 Handle mechanism 11 Handle base 12 Outer handle 12a First end 12b Second end 13 Counterweight 14 Lever arm 14a Rod holding part 15 coil spring 16 Support shaft 20 Latch mechanism 21 Base 21a Inside surface 22 Protrusion 22a Inside surface 23 Casing 24 Fork 25 Open lever (lever) 30 rods 30a Holding part (connection part) 30b Part 1 30c 2nd part 30d 1st slope 30e 2nd slope 30f 3rd part 30g offset part 30h slanted section 30i hanging part 30j Engagement part 30k socket 40 Locking part 41 First Stage 41a Side view 41b vertical plane 41c Connection surface 42 Second Stage 42a Side view 42b vertical plane 42c connection surface A1 Lever arm rotation direction A2 The opposite direction to the rotation of the lever arm B Movement of the upper part of the steering wheel base during a collision G Gap L slope line

Claims

1. a handle mechanism including a handle base disposed inside an outer panel of a vehicle door and an outer handle movably held by the handle base; a latch mechanism having a lever for releasing the latch; a rod having a connection portion connected to an upper portion of the handle base at one end and an engagement portion engageable with the lever at the other end, the rod transmitting the movement of the outer handle to the lever; a facing portion facing a first direction, which is a direction in which the outer panel and the inner panel of the door face each other with respect to the handle base; Equipped with the rod includes a first portion extending from the connecting portion toward the opposing portion along the first direction, and a second portion extending from the first portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The opposing portion extends along the first direction, is provided below the second portion of the rod, and is equipped with a locking portion that abuts and locks the second portion when the outer panel deforms toward the inner panel and downward, thereby regulating the relative downward displacement of the rod with respect to the latch mechanism.

2. 2. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 1, wherein the first direction is a width direction of the vehicle, and the second direction is a length direction of the vehicle.

3. 3. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 2, wherein the second portion of the rod and the engaging portion of the opposing portion overlap each other when viewed in a vehicle height direction of the vehicle.

4. 4. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 2, wherein a gap is provided between the second portion of the rod and the engaging portion of the opposing portion to allow movement of the rod in conjunction with the operation of the outer handle.

5. The second portion of the rod a first inclined portion extending obliquely downward from the first portion toward the rear side in the vehicle length direction; a second inclined portion extending obliquely upward from the first inclined portion toward the rear side in the vehicle length direction and capable of contacting the locking portion when the outer panel is deformed toward the inner panel and deformed downward; The vehicle door lock device according to claim 2 , further comprising:

6. The locking portion of the opposing portion is a first step portion extending in the vehicle width direction; a second step portion located below the first step portion and extending in the vehicle width direction; The vehicle door lock device according to claim 5 , further comprising:

7. 7. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 6, wherein, when viewed from the vehicle width direction, the second inclined portion of the second part of the rod extends along an inclined line formed by the outer contours of the first step portion and the second step portion of the engaging portion of the opposing part.

8. the rod includes a third portion extending downward in a vehicle height direction from the second portion, The vehicle door lock device according to claim 2 , wherein a lower end of the third portion of the rod is connected to the engaging portion.

9. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 2 , wherein the latch mechanism includes the opposing portion.

10. The latch mechanism includes: a base portion disposed inside the inner panel; a protruding portion protruding from a rear portion of the base portion in the vehicle length direction toward the outer panel in the vehicle width direction; Equipped with The vehicle door lock device according to claim 9 , wherein the protruding portion includes the opposing portion.

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