Vehicle door lock device

Abstract

To provide a door lock device for a vehicle capable of improving connection strength to a striker.SOLUTION: A center lock device 50 comprises: a latch 83 that rotates between a full-latch position capable of engaging with a center striker 100 and an unlatch position not capable of engaging with the center striker 100; a pole 84 that rotates between a restricted position that restricts a rotation of the latch 83 from the full-latch position to the unlatch position, and an allowable position that allows the rotation; a latch support shaft 91 that supports the latch 83 in a rotatable manner; a pole support shaft 92 that supports the pole 84 in a rotatable manner; a first base 60 to which a first end of the latch support shaft 91 and the first end of the pole support shaft 92 are fixed; a second base 70 on which a second end of the latch support shaft 91 and the second end of the pole support shaft 92 are fixed; and a connection shaft 94 that connects the first base 60 and the second base 70 in an extending direction of the latch support shaft 91 and the pole support shaft 92.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle having a vehicle body with a door opening and a door that opens and closes the door opening. The vehicle body is provided with a striker. Meanwhile, the door is provided with a door lock device. The door lock device includes a latch that rotates between a fully latched position where it can be engaged with the striker and an unlatched position where it cannot be engaged with the striker, a latch support shaft that supports the latch, and a first bracket and a second bracket that support both ends of the latch support shaft, respectively.

[0003] When the door is closed toward the fully closed position, which fully closes the door opening, the latch of the door lock device comes into contact with the striker and moves from the unlatched position to the fully latched position. In this way, the door lock device is connected to the striker, and the door is restrained against the vehicle body in the fully closed position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-168592 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The door lock device as described above may be required to have a higher connection strength with the striker depending on the type of vehicle in which the door lock device is installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The means for solving the above problems and their effects will be described below. A vehicle door lock device that solves the above problem includes a latch that rotates between a full latched position where it can be engaged with a striker and an unlatched position where it cannot be engaged with the striker, a pawl that rotates between a restricting position that restricts rotation of the latch from the full latched position to the unlatched position and an allowing position that allows rotation of the latch from the full latched position to the unlatched position, a latch support shaft that rotatably supports the latch, a pole support shaft that rotatably supports the pole, a first base to which a first end of the latch support shaft and a first end of the pole support shaft are fixed, a second base to which a second end of the latch support shaft and a second end of the pole support shaft are fixed, and a connecting member that connects the first base and the second base in the direction in which the latch support shaft and the pole support shaft extend.

[0007] When a vehicle is subjected to an impact, a load may act on the connection between the vehicle door lock device and the striker. In this case, for example, if the striker moves in the axial direction of the latch support shaft, the latch may be deformed in the same direction as the striker. Furthermore, the first base may be deformed in the same direction as the latch. Under such circumstances, the engagement state of the latch with the striker may change, which may reduce the connection strength of the latch with the striker.

[0008] In this regard, the vehicle door lock device configured as described above includes a connecting member that connects the first base and the second base. Therefore, even if the latch presses the first base, the force transmitted to the first base via the latch is dispersed to the second base via the connecting member. This allows the vehicle door lock device to suppress deformation of the first base. In this way, the vehicle door lock device can increase the connection strength of the latch to the striker.

[0009] In the vehicle door lock device, it is preferable that the connecting member is a connecting shaft extending along the latch support shaft and the pole support shaft, and that a first end of the connecting shaft is fixed to the first base and a second end of the connecting shaft is fixed to the second base.

[0010] In the vehicle door lock device, the connecting member can be configured as a connecting shaft equivalent to the latch support shaft and the pawl support shaft, which simplifies the structure of the vehicle door lock device. In the vehicle door lock device, the first base has a plate-like shape and includes a first main plate having a slit through which the striker passes when the door is opened or closed, the latch has a base supported by the latch support shaft and a locking portion extending from the base in a direction intersecting an axis of the latch support shaft, the locking portion locking with the striker when the latch is positioned at the fully latched position, the first main plate includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion positioned on either side of the slit, a first end of the latch support shaft is fixed to the first wall portion of the first main plate, and a first end of the connecting shaft is fixed to the second wall portion of the first main plate, and when the axial direction of the latch support shaft is defined as a first direction, it is preferable that when the latch is at the fully latched position and the latch is viewed from the first direction, a tip of the locking portion of the latch overlaps with the second wall portion of the first main plate.

[0011] When an impact is applied to the vehicle, the first base may be deformed by being pressed by the latch. Specifically, the second wall portion of the first main plate of the first base may be deformed by being pressed by the tip of the latch's engaging portion. In this regard, in the vehicle door lock device, the second wall portion of the first main plate is connected to the second base via a connecting shaft. Therefore, the vehicle door lock device can suppress deformation of the second wall portion of the first main plate, which is easily deformed at the point adjacent to the slit.

[0012] In a vehicle door lock device, when the width direction of the slit is defined as a second direction and the extension direction of the slit is defined as a third direction, the first base has two first fixed plates extending from both sides of the first main plate in the second direction, one of the two first fixed plates extending from the first wall portion and the other of the two first fixed plates extending from the second wall portion, and when the second wall portion of the first main plate is viewed from the first direction, it is preferable that the connecting shaft is located closer to the surface of the second wall portion facing the slit than the boundary between the second wall portion and the first fixed plate in the second direction, and is located closer to the opening of the slit than the bottom of the slit in the third direction.

[0013] The first end of the connecting shaft is fixed to a portion of the second wall of the first main plate that is subject to large deformation, thereby enabling the vehicle door lock device to effectively suppress deformation of the second wall of the first main plate.

[0014] The vehicle door lock device includes a plate-shaped first reinforcing plate that reinforces the first base, and the first base has a plate-shaped first main plate to which the first end of the latch support shaft and the first end of the pole support shaft are fixed, and it is preferable that the first reinforcing plate is fixed to the first main plate in a stacked state on the first main plate.

[0015] In the vehicle door lock device, the first main plate is reinforced by the first reinforcing plate, which makes it possible to suppress deformation of the first base when an impact is applied to the vehicle.

[0016] The vehicle door lock device preferably includes a second reinforcing plate having a plate shape that reinforces the second base, the second base having a second main plate having a plate shape to which the second end of the latch support shaft and the second end of the pole support shaft are fixed, and the second reinforcing plate is preferably fixed to the second main plate in a stacked state on the second main plate.

[0017] In the vehicle door lock device, the second main plate is reinforced by the second reinforcing plate, which makes it possible to suppress deformation of the second base when an impact is applied to the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The vehicle door lock device can increase the connection strength with the striker. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the center locking device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the center locking device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of the center locking device with some components omitted. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the center locking device with some components omitted. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of the central locking device in the released state. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view of the center locking device in the locked state. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the positional relationship between the center lock device and the center striker when an impact is applied to the vehicle. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a deformation location of the center locking device when an impact is applied to the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle in which a vehicle door lock device is embodied as a central locking device will be described. In the drawings, the X axis is an axis extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the Y axis is an axis extending in the vehicle's transverse direction, and the Z axis is an axis extending in the vehicle's vertical direction. In the following description, the vehicle's longitudinal direction will also be referred to as the longitudinal direction, the vehicle's transverse direction will also be referred to as the width direction, and the vehicle's vertical direction will also be referred to as the vertical direction.

[0021] <Vehicle 10> As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 20, a sliding door 30, and a door drive unit 40.

[0022] <Body 20> As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle body 20 includes a door opening 21, upper rails 22F, 22R, center rails 23F, 23R, a front striker 24F, a rear striker 24R, and lower strikers 25F, 25R.

[0023] The upper rails 22F, 22R are disposed above the door opening 21, and the center rails 23F, 23R are disposed below the upper rails 22F, 22R. The upper rail 22F is disposed forward of the center of the door opening 21 in the front-to-rear direction, and the center rail 23F is disposed forward of the door opening 21. The upper rail 22R is disposed rearward of the center of the door opening 21 in the front-to-rear direction, and the center rail 23R is disposed rearward of the door opening 21. The longitudinal direction of the upper rails 22F, 22R and the center rails 23F, 23R is mainly the front-to-rear direction.

[0024] The front striker 24F is disposed forward of the door opening 21. The rear striker 24R is disposed rearward of the door opening 21. The lower strikers 25F, 25R are disposed at the lower end of the door opening 21, in the center in the front-to-rear direction of the door opening 21. The lower striker 25F and the lower striker 25R are positioned adjacent to each other in the front-to-rear direction.

[0025] <Sliding Door 30> As shown in FIG. 1, the sliding door 30 includes a front door 30F that opens and closes the front half of the door opening 21, and a rear door 30R that opens and closes the rear half of the door opening 21.

[0026] The front door 30F is opened by moving forward and closed by moving backward. On the other hand, the rear door 30R is opened by moving backward and closed by moving forward. In other words, the front door 30F and the rear door 30R are opened by moving away from each other and closed by moving toward each other. In this way, the front door 30F and the rear door 30R are opened and closed between a "fully open position" in which the door opening 21 is fully opened and a "fully closed position" in which the door opening 21 is fully closed.

[0027] <Front door 30F> 1 and 2, the front door 30F includes a door body 31, an upper guide unit 32F, a center guide unit 33F, and a door handle 34F. The front door 30F also includes a front locking device 35F, a center locking device 50, a lower locking device 36F, a front lock driving device 37F, a lower lock driving device 38F, and a remote control 39F.

[0028] In a side view, the door body 31 has a rectangular shape corresponding to the shape of the front half of the door opening 21. The door body 31 has an inner panel and an outer panel spaced apart in the width direction. Some of the components of the front door 30F are housed in the space between the inner panel and the outer panel.

[0029] The upper guide unit 32F is fixed to the upper end of the door body 31, at the rear end thereof. The upper guide unit 32F is engaged with the upper rail 22F so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the upper rail 22F. The center guide unit 33F is fixed to the front end of the door body 31, at the middle portion of the door body 31 in the up-down direction. The center guide unit 33F is engaged with the center rail 23F so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the center rail 23F. The upper guide unit 32F and the center guide unit 33F move along the upper rail 22F and the center rail 23F, respectively, so that the front door 30F can move in the longitudinal direction relative to the vehicle body 20.

[0030] The door handle 34F is an inside door handle provided on a surface of the door body 31 facing the inside of the vehicle 10. The door handle 34F may be an outside door handle provided on a surface of the door body 31 facing the outside of the vehicle 10.

[0031] The front locking device 35F is provided at the front end of the door body 31, in the vertical middle of the door body 31. The front locking device 35F is configured to be switchable between a locked state in which it is locked with the front striker 24F and a released state in which it is not locked with the front striker 24F. When the front locking device 35F is switched to the locked state, it restrains the front end of the front door 30F, which is in the fully closed position, from the vehicle body 20. When the front locking device 35F is switched to the released state, it releases the restraint of the front door 30F, which is in the fully closed position.

[0032] The center locking device 50 is provided at the rear end of the door main body 31, in the vertical middle of the door main body 31. The center locking device 50 is configured to be switchable between a locked state in which it is locked with a center striker 100 of the rear door 30R (described later) and a released state in which it is not locked with the center striker 100. When switched to the locked state, the center locking device 50 connects the rear end of the front door 30F, which is in the fully closed position, with the front end of the rear door 30R. On the other hand, when switched to the released state, the center locking device 50 releases the connection between the front door 30F, which is in the fully closed position, and the rear door 30R.

[0033] The lower locking device 36F is provided at the rear end, or lower end, of the door body 31. The lower locking device 36F is configured to be switchable between a locked state in which it is locked with the lower striker 25F and a released state in which it is not locked with the lower striker 25F. When the lower locking device 36F is switched to the locked state, it restrains the lower end of the front door 30F, which is in the fully closed position, from the vehicle body 20. When the lower locking device 36F is switched to the released state, it releases the restraint of the front door 30F, which is in the fully closed position.

[0034] The front lock drive device 37F transitions the front lock device 35F from an unlocked state to an locked state, and transitions the front lock device 35F from a locked state to an unlocked state. The front lock drive device 37F transitions the front lock device 35F from an unlocked state to an unlocked state after the front door 30F has been closed to a near-fully closed position. On the other hand, the front lock drive device 37F transitions the front lock device 35F from the locked state to the unlocked state when the front door 30F is opened from the fully closed position.

[0035] The lower lock drive unit 38F transitions the lower lock device 36F from the released state to the locked state. More specifically, the lower lock drive unit 38F transitions the lower lock device 36F to the locked state after the front lock drive unit 37F transitions the front lock device 35F to the locked state, that is, after the front door 30F has been closed to the fully closed position.

[0036] The remote control 39F relays power transmitted between the door handle 34F, the front lock drive device 37F, the center locking device 50, and the lower lock device 36F. Specifically, the remote control 39F transmits power to the center locking device 50 and the lower lock device 36F when the front lock drive device 37F transitions the front locking device 35F to the released state. The remote control 39F then transitions the center locking device 50 and the lower lock device 36F from the locked state to the released state. The remote control 39F also transmits power to the front locking device 35F, the center locking device 50, and the lower lock device 36F when the user operates the door handle 34F. The remote control 39F then transitions the front locking device 35F, the center locking device 50, and the lower lock device 36F from the locked state to the released state.

[0037] <Rear door 30R> 1 and 2, the rear door 30R includes a door body 31, an upper guide unit 32R, a center guide unit 33R, and a door handle 34R. The rear door 30R also includes a rear locking device 35R, a lower locking device 36R, a rear lock driving device 37R, a lower lock driving device 38R, a remote control 39R, and a center striker 100.

[0038] The rear door 30R is configured substantially similarly to the front door 30F. The difference from the front door 30F is that the rear door 30R is equipped with a rear locking device 35R and a rear locking drive device 37R instead of the front locking device 35F and the front locking drive device 37F, and with a center striker 100 instead of the center locking device 50. Therefore, a description of the configuration of the rear door 30R other than the center striker 100 will be omitted.

[0039] 1 and 2, the center striker 100 is installed at the front end of the rear door 30R, in the vertical middle. In other words, the center striker 100 is installed in a position facing the center locking device 50 of the front door 30F in the front-rear direction. The center striker 100 is the object to be locked by the center locking device 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the center striker 100 is U-shaped in a plan view in the vertical direction.

[0040] <Door drive unit 40> As shown in FIG. 1 , the door drive unit 40 includes a front door drive unit 40F that drives the front door 30F in the opening / closing direction, and a rear door drive unit 40R that drives the rear door 30R in the opening / closing direction. The front door drive unit 40F and the rear door drive unit 40R are configured to include, for example, a motor and a transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the motor to the sliding door 30. The transmission mechanism of the front door drive unit 40F and the rear door drive unit 40R may be configured to include a pulley and a belt, or may be configured to include a drum and a cable. The front door drive unit 40F and the rear door drive unit 40R may also be built into the sliding door 30. The front door 30F and the rear door 30R are considered to be so-called power sliding doors in that they are opened and closed by the front door drive unit 40F and the rear door drive unit 40R, respectively.

[0041] <Center lock device 50> Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of the central locking device 50. In this embodiment, the central locking device 50 corresponds to the "door locking device", and the center striker 100 that is the object to be locked by the central locking device 50 corresponds to the "striker".

[0042] 3 and 4, the central locking device 50 includes a first base 60, a second base 70, a first reinforcing plate 81, a second reinforcing plate 82, a latch 83, a pole 84, and a release lever 85. The central locking device 50 also includes a latch support shaft 91, a pole support shaft 92, a lever support shaft 93, a connecting shaft 94, a latch spring 95, a pole spring 96, and a lever spring 97. In the following description, the direction in which the latch support shaft 91 extends is referred to as a first direction d1, the direction perpendicular to the first direction d1 is referred to as a second direction d2, and the direction perpendicular to both the first direction d1 and the second direction d2 is referred to as a third direction d3. As shown in FIG. 2, the second direction d2 is the same as the up-down direction.

[0043] <First base 60 and first reinforcing plate 81> 3 and 4, the first base 60 includes a first main plate 61, two first fixed plates 62 and 63, and a first support plate 64. The first base 60 is formed by, for example, pressing a metal plate. Therefore, in this embodiment, the plate thicknesses of the first main plate 61, the first fixed plates 62 and 63, and the first support plate 64 are uniform.

[0044] The first main plate 61 has a rectangular plate shape. The first main plate 61 has a latch support wall 611 that supports the latch 83, a pole support wall 612 that supports the pole 84, and a connecting wall 613 that connects the latch support wall 611 and the pole support wall 612. The first main plate 61 also has a latch stopper 614 that limits the operating range of the latch 83, and a pole stopper 615 that limits the operating range of the pole 84. The first main plate 61 also has a slit SL that extends between the latch support wall 611 and the pole support wall 612.

[0045] When viewed from the first direction d1, the latch support wall 611 has a rectangular shape with its short side extending in the second direction d2 and its long side extending in the third direction d3. When viewed from the first direction d1, the pole support wall 612 has a rectangular shape with its short side extending in the second direction d2 and its long side extending in the third direction d3. However, the pole support wall 612 includes a first extension wall 616 extending in the third direction d3 near the opening of the slit SL. The first extension wall 616 is a portion of the pole support wall 612 that does not face the latch support wall 611 across the slit SL. The connecting wall 613 is located between the latch support wall 611 and the pole support wall 612 in the second direction d2 and adjacent to the slit SL in the third direction d3. In this respect, the side surface of the connecting wall 613 can be said to be the bottom surface of the slit SL. In this embodiment, the latch support wall 611 corresponds to the "first wall portion," and the pole support wall 612 corresponds to the "second wall portion." The latch stopper 614 is provided on the latch support wall 611. The latch stopper 614 is bent from the latch support wall 611 in the first direction d1. The pole stopper 615 is provided on the pole support wall 612. The pole stopper 615 is bent from the pole support wall 612 in the first direction d1. The slit SL has the first direction d1 as its width direction and extends in the third direction d3. The slit SL is a portion through which the center striker 100 of the rear door 30R passes when the front door 30F is opened or closed. For this reason, the width of the slit SL is larger than the shaft diameter of the center striker 100.

[0046] The two first fixing plates 62, 63 extend from both end portions of the first main plate 61 in the second direction d2. More specifically, the first fixing plate 62 extends and bends from the end portion of the latch support wall 611 in the second direction d2. The first fixing plate 63 extends and bends from the end portion of the pole support wall 612 in the second direction d2. The two first fixing plates 62, 63 are used when fixing the central locking device 50 to the door body 31. The first support plate 64 extends and bends from the end portion of the first main plate 61 in the third direction d3.

[0047] 3, the first reinforcing plate 81 has a rectangular plate shape. More specifically, the first reinforcing plate 81 has the same shape as the first main plate 61 of the first base 60. That is, the first reinforcing plate 81 has configurations corresponding to the latch support wall 611, the pole support wall 612, the connecting wall 613, and the slit SL of the first main plate 61. The plate thickness of the first reinforcing plate 81 may be the same as or different from the plate thickness of the first main plate 61.

[0048] <Second Base 70 and Second Reinforcing Plate 82> 3 and 4, the second base 70 includes a second main plate 71, two second fixed plates 72 and 73, and a second support plate 74. The second base 70 is formed by, for example, pressing a metal plate. Therefore, in this embodiment, the plate thicknesses of the second main plate 71, the second fixed plates 72 and 73, and the second support plate 74 are uniform.

[0049] When viewed from the first direction d1, the second main plate 71 has a rectangular shape with the second direction d2 as the longitudinal direction and the third direction d3 as the lateral direction. The second main plate 71 has a second extended wall 711 that protrudes in the third direction d3 at a position shifted from the center in the second direction d2. The second extended wall 711 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the first direction d1. The second extended wall 711 of the second main plate 71 corresponds to the first extended wall 616 of the first main plate 61.

[0050] The two second fixing plates 72, 73 extend in a curved manner from both end portions in the second direction d2 of the second main plate 71. The two second fixing plates 72, 73 are used when fixing the central locking device 50 to the door body 31 of the front door 30F. The second support plate 74 extends in a curved manner from the end portion in the third direction d3 of the second main plate 71.

[0051] 4, the second reinforcing plate 82 has a rectangular plate shape. More specifically, the second reinforcing plate 82 has the same shape as the second main plate 71 of the second base 70. That is, the second reinforcing plate 82 includes a second extension wall 711. The thickness of the second reinforcing plate 82 may be the same as or different from the thickness of the second main plate 71.

[0052] <Latch 83, latch support shaft 91, and latch spring 95> As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the latch 83 has a base 831 and a first protrusion 832, a second protrusion 833, and a third protrusion 834 protruding from the base 831. The first protrusion 832, the second protrusion 833, and the third protrusion 834 extend in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base 831. The first protrusion 832, the second protrusion 833, and the third protrusion 834 are positioned side by side in the circumferential direction of the base 831. The space between the first protrusion 832 and the second protrusion 833 forms a striker entrance groove 835 into which the center striker 100 enters. The width of the striker entrance groove 835 is slightly larger than the shaft diameter of the center striker 100. The first protrusion 832 corresponds to the "locking portion."

[0053] The latch support shaft 91 has a cylindrical shape. The latch support shaft 91 penetrates the base 831 of the latch 83 in the plate thickness direction. In this way, the latch support shaft 91 rotatably supports the latch 83. The latch spring 95 is a so-called torsion coil spring. The latch spring 95 is supported by the latch support shaft 91 with the latch support shaft 91 inserted into the coil portion. The latch spring 95 is a component for biasing the latch 83 around the axis of the latch support shaft 91. The latch spring 95 may be any other type of spring as long as it can bias the latch 83.

[0054] <Pole 84, pole support shaft 92, and pole spring 96> 3 and 4, the pole 84 has a base 841, an extension 842 extending radially from the base 841, and a locking claw 843 extending from the extension 842 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the extension 842. The pole support shaft 92 is cylindrical. The pole support shaft 92 penetrates the base 841 of the pole 84 in the plate thickness direction. In this way, the pole support shaft 92 rotatably supports the pole 84.

[0055] The pole spring 96 is a so-called torsion coil spring. The pole spring 96 is supported by the pole support shaft 92 by inserting the pole support shaft 92 into the coil portion of the pole spring 96. The pole spring 96 is a component for biasing the pole 84 around the axis of the pole support shaft 92. The pole spring 96 may be any other type of spring as long as it can bias the pole 84.

[0056] <Connection shaft 94> 3 and 4, the connecting shaft 94 is rod-shaped. The connecting shaft 94 has a configuration substantially similar to that of the latch support shaft 91 and the pole support shaft 92. In this embodiment, the connecting shaft 94 corresponds to an example of a "connecting member." In this embodiment, the connecting shaft 94 has a disk-shaped flange, but it may also be simply cylindrical.

[0057] <Release lever 85, lever support shaft 93, and lever spring 97> 3 and 4, the release lever 85 has a base 851, and a first lever 852 and a second lever 853 extending from the base 851. The first lever 852 is a portion that operates the extension portion 842 of the pole 84, and the second lever 853 is a portion to which power is transmitted from the remote control 39F. The lever support shaft 93 is cylindrical. The lever support shaft 93 penetrates the base 851 of the release lever 85 in the plate thickness direction. In this way, the lever support shaft 93 rotatably supports the release lever 85.

[0058] The lever spring 97 is a so-called torsion coil spring. The lever spring 97 is supported by the lever support shaft 93 by inserting the lever support shaft 93 into the coil portion of the lever spring 97. The lever spring 97 is a component for biasing the release lever 85 around the axis of the lever support shaft 93. The lever spring 97 may be of another type as long as it can bias the release lever 85.

[0059] <Overall configuration of the center lock device 50> 3 to 6, a first end of a latch support shaft 91, a first end of a pole support shaft 92, and a first end of a connecting shaft 94 are fixed to the first main plate 61 of the first base 60. More specifically, a first end of the latch support shaft 91 is fixed to a latch support wall 611 of the first main plate 61, and a first end of the pole support shaft 92 and a first end of the connecting shaft 94 are fixed to a pole support wall 612 of the first main plate 61. Meanwhile, a second end of the latch support shaft 91, a second end of the pole support shaft 92, and a second end of the connecting shaft 94 are fixed to the second main plate 71 of the second base 70.

[0060] 5 and 6, a first end of the connecting shaft 94 is fixed to the first extension wall 616 of the first main plate 61, and a second end of the connecting shaft 94 is fixed to the second extension wall 711 of the second main plate 71. Therefore, when the center locking device 50 is viewed from the first direction d1, the connecting shaft 94 is located closer to the slit SL in the second direction d2 than to the boundary between the pole support wall 612 and the first fixed plate 63. In other words, the connecting shaft 94 is located closer to the end face of the pole support wall 612 facing the slit SL in the second direction d2. Furthermore, when the center locking device 50 is viewed from the first direction d1, the connecting shaft 94 is located closer to the opening of the slit SL than to the bottom of the slit SL in the third direction d3.

[0061] Note that crimping may be used to fix the latch support shaft 91, the pole support shaft 92, and the connecting shaft 94 to the first main plate 61 and the second main plate 71. In this embodiment, the axial directions of the latch support shaft 91, the pole support shaft 92, and the connecting shaft 94 all face the first direction d1. In other words, the connecting shaft 94 extends along the latch support shaft 91 and the pole support shaft 92.

[0062] The first base 60 and the second base 70 are integrated by fixing both ends of the latch support shaft 91, the pole support shaft 92, and the connecting shaft 94 to the first base 60 and the second base 70, respectively. At this time, the first main plate 61 and the second main plate 71 face each other with a gap between them. A latch 83 and a latch spring 95 supported by the latch support shaft 91, and a pole 84 and a pole spring 96 supported by the pole support shaft 92 are housed between the first main plate 61 and the second main plate 71.

[0063] 5 and 6, between the first main plate 61 and the second main plate 71, one end of the latch spring 95 engages with the third protrusion 834 of the latch 83, and the other end of the latch spring 95 engages with the second main plate 71 of the second base 70. Thus, as shown in Fig. 6, the latch spring 95 biases the latch 83 in the first rotation direction R1. The latch 83 is positioned by the third protrusion 834 coming into contact with the latch stopper 614 of the first base 60.

[0064] 5 and 6, between the first main plate 61 and the second main plate 71, one end of the pole spring 96 is engaged with the pole 84, and the other end of the pole spring 96 is engaged with the connecting shaft 94. In this way, the pole spring 96 urges the pole 84 in the second rotation direction R2. As shown in FIG. 6, the pole 84 is positioned by the extension portion 842 coming into contact with the pole stopper 615 of the first base 60. At this time, the locking claw 843 of the pole 84 faces the circumferential surface of the second protrusion 833 of the latch 83.

[0065] 5 and 6, when the first base 60 and the second base 70 are integrated, the first fixing plates 62, 63 of the first base 60 and the second fixing plates 72, 73 of the second base 70 are stacked. Therefore, when the central locking device 50 is fixed to the door body 31, the stacked first fixing plates 62, 63 and second fixing plates 72, 73 are fixed to the door body 31 using fastening members.

[0066] 5 and 6, a first end of the lever support shaft 93 is fixed to the first support plate 64 of the first base 60. In this way, the release lever 85 is rotatably supported with respect to the first base 60. In the rotation direction of the release lever 85, the first lever 852 of the release lever 85 faces the extension portion 842 of the pole 84. One end of the lever spring 97 is engaged with the release lever 85, and the other end of the lever spring 97 is engaged with the second support plate 74 of the second base 70. In this way, the lever spring 97 biases the release lever 85 in the third rotation direction R3. More specifically, the release lever 85 is biased in a direction in which the first lever 852 moves away from the extension portion 842 of the pole 84.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first reinforcing plate 81 is stacked on the first main plate 61 of the first base 60. The first reinforcing plate 81 and the first main plate 61 are integrated by crimping a first end of the latch support shaft 91, a first end of the pole support shaft 92, and a first end of the connecting shaft 94. In this manner, the first reinforcing plate 81 is fixed to the first main plate 61. Similarly, the second reinforcing plate 82 is stacked on the second main plate 71 of the second base 70. The second reinforcing plate 82 and the second main plate 71 are integrated by crimping a second end of the latch support shaft 91, a second end of the pole support shaft 92, and a second end of the connecting shaft 94. In this manner, the second reinforcing plate 82 is fixed to the second main plate 71.

[0068] <Operation of this embodiment> 1, 7 and 8, the operation of the sliding door 30 when it is closed will be described.

[0069] 1, when the sliding door 30 is closed, the front door 30F is closed to a position close to the fully closed position by the front door drive unit 40F, and the rear door 30R is closed to a position close to the fully closed position by the rear door drive unit 40R. Here, the position close to the fully closed position is a position slightly shifted in the opening direction from the fully closed position.

[0070] When the front door 30F and the rear door 30R reach positions close to the fully closed position, the rear lock drive device 37R shifts the rear lock device 35R to a locked state. That is, the rear door 30R is closed from the position close to the fully closed position to the fully closed position. Once the rear lock device 35R has finished shifting to the locked state, the front lock drive device 37F shifts the front lock device 35F to a locked state. That is, the front door 30F is closed from the position close to the fully closed position to the fully closed position.

[0071] When the front door 30F is closed to the fully closed position while the rear door 30R is in the fully closed position, the rear end of the front door 30F approaches the front end of the rear door 30R. In other words, the center locking device 50 of the front door 30F approaches the center striker 100 of the rear door 30R. As a result, the center locking device 50 transitions to the locked state. The operation of the center locking device 50 when transitioning to the locked state will be described in detail below.

[0072] Even when the rear door 30R is in the fully closed position, if the front door 30F is in the fully proximal position, the latch 83 of the center locking device 50 does not come into contact with the center striker 100, as shown in Fig. 7. Therefore, the latch 83 is in an unlatched position where it cannot be engaged with the center striker 100. Furthermore, when the latch 83 is in the unlatched position, the locking claw 843 of the pole 84 comes into contact with the circumferential surface of the second protrusion 833 of the latch 83.

[0073] When the front door 30F is operated to close from a position close to the fully closed position to the fully closed position, the center striker 100 relatively enters the slit SL of the first base 60 and the striker entrance groove 835 of the latch 83, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. At this time, the second protrusion 833 of the latch 83 is pressed by the center striker 100, causing the latch 83 to rotate in the direction opposite to the biasing direction of the latch spring 95. In addition, the locking claw 843 of the pole 84 slides against the second protrusion 833 of the latch 83 as it rotates.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 8 , when the locking claw 843 of the pawl 84 no longer slides against the second protrusion 833 of the latch 83, the locking claw 843 of the pawl 84 rotates in response to the biasing force of the pole spring 96. The locking claw 843 of the pawl 84 then locks with the second protrusion 833 of the latch 83. That is, the pawl 84 is displaced to the restricted position. When the pawl 84 is displaced to the restricted position, the latch 83 can no longer rotate in response to the biasing force of the latch spring 95. That is, even if the center striker 100 no longer presses the second protrusion 833 of the latch 83, the latch 83 remains locked with the center striker 100. The position of the latch 83 shown in FIG. 8 is the fully latched position where it can be locked with the center striker 100. In this regard, when the pawl 84 is in the restricted position, rotation of the latch 83 from the fully latched position to the unlatched position is restricted. When the latch 83 rotates due to being pushed by the center striker 100, the latch 83 may temporarily rotate beyond the locking position.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 8, when the latch 83 of the center locking device 50 is in the fully latched position, the tip of the first protrusion 832 of the latch 83 overlaps the pole support wall 612 of the first base 60 when viewed from a plane in the first direction d1.

[0076] After the center locking device 50 is shifted to the locked state, the lower locking devices 36F, 36R are shifted to the locked state by the lower lock drive devices 38F, 38R. In this way, the front door 30F and the rear door 30R are restrained to the vehicle body 20, and the front door 30F and the rear door 30R are connected to each other. In other words, the closing operation of the sliding door 30 is completed.

[0077] Next, the operation when the sliding door 30 is opened will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, when the sliding door 30 is opened, the front lock driving device 37F and the rear lock driving device 37R are driven. As a result, the front locking device 35F and the rear locking device 35R are shifted to the released state. At this time, the remote control 39F transmits the power transmitted from the front locking device 35F to the lower locking device 36F. As a result, the lower locking device 36F is shifted to the released state. Similarly, the remote control 39R transmits the power transmitted from the rear locking device 35R to the lower locking device 36R. As a result, the lower locking device 36R is shifted to the released state.

[0078] Furthermore, the remote control 39F transmits the power transmitted from the front locking device 35F to the second lever 853 of the release lever 85 of the central locking device 50. As shown in FIG. 8 , the release lever 85 rotates in the direction opposite to the biasing direction of the lever spring 97 based on the power transmitted from the remote control 39F. Then, the first lever 852 of the release lever 85 presses down the extension portion 842 of the pawl 84, causing the pawl 84 to rotate from the restricting position toward the permitting position. As a result, the latch 83 is permitted to rotate from the fully latched position toward the unlatched position based on the biasing force of the latch spring 95. When the latch 83 rotates to the unlatched position, the latch 83 no longer engages with the center striker 100. As a result, the transition of the central locking device 50 to the released state is completed. Thereafter, the front door 30F is opened by the front door drive unit 40F, and the rear door 30R is opened by the rear door drive unit 40R.

[0079] 9 and 10, the operation of the center locking device 50 when an impact is applied to the vehicle 10 with the sliding door 30 in the fully closed position will be described. When an impact acts on the vehicle 10, such as when another vehicle collides with the side of the vehicle 10, the front door 30F and the rear door 30R may be displaced relative to each other, as shown by the white arrows in Fig. 9. In other words, the center striker 100 may be displaced relative to the center locking device 50, as shown by the white arrows in Fig. 7. In this case, the first protrusion 832 of the latch 83 is pressed by the center striker 100, and a load shown by the solid arrow acts on the first protrusion 832. As a result, the first main plate 61 and the first reinforcing plate 81 of the first base 60 may be deformed together with the latch 83 in the direction shown by the solid arrows when pressed by the first protrusion 832 of the latch 83.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 10, the first protrusion 832 of the latch 83 has a fixed base end and a free tip end, like a cantilever. As a result, when a load as indicated by the solid arrow in Fig. 9 acts on the first protrusion 832 of the latch 83, the latch 83 may deform as indicated by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 10. Furthermore, the latch 83 is adjacent to the pole support wall 612 of the first base 60 in the deformation direction of the first protrusion 832. Therefore, as indicated by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 10, when the latch 83 deforms, the pole support wall 612 may also deform similarly.

[0081] Here, the central locking device 50 of this embodiment includes a connecting shaft 94 that connects the pole support wall 612 of the first base 60 and the second main plate 71 of the second base 70. Therefore, the load acting on the pole support wall 612 is dispersed to the second main plate 71 via the connecting shaft 94. Therefore, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 10 , deformation of the first protrusion 832 of the latch 83 and deformation of the pole support wall 612 of the first base 60 are suppressed.

[0082] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) The central locking device 50 includes a connecting shaft 94 that connects the first base 60 and the second base 70. Therefore, even if the latch 83 presses the first base 60 when an impact is applied to the vehicle 10, the force transmitted to the first base 60 via the latch 83 is dispersed to the second base 70 via the connecting shaft 94. Therefore, the central locking device 50 can suppress deformation of the first base 60 as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 10. In this way, the central locking device 50 can increase the connection strength of the latch 83 to the center striker 100.

[0083] (2) In the center locking device 50, the connecting shaft 94 has the same configuration as the latch support shaft 91 and the pole support shaft 92. Therefore, the structure of the center locking device 50 is simplified compared to when a separate bracket is provided to connect the first base 60 and the second base 70.

[0084] (3) In the central locking device 50, the pole support wall 612 of the first main plate 61 is connected to the second base 70 via the connecting shaft 94. Therefore, when an impact is applied to the vehicle 10, the central locking device 50 can suppress deformation of the pole support wall 612 of the first main plate 61, which is prone to deformation at the point adjacent to the slit SL.

[0085] (4) In the center locking device 50, the connecting shaft 94 is fixed to a portion of the pole support wall 612 of the first main plate 61 that can be significantly deformed. Therefore, the center locking device 50 can effectively suppress deformation of the pole support wall 612 of the first main plate 61.

[0086] (5) In the central locking device 50, the first main plate 61 is reinforced by the first reinforcing plate 81. Therefore, the central locking device 50 can suppress deformation of the first base 60 when an impact is applied to the vehicle 10. Furthermore, the central locking device 50 can suppress deterioration of the press formability of the first base 60 by not increasing the plate thickness of the first main plate 61.

[0087] (6) In the central locking device 50, the second main plate 71 is reinforced by the second reinforcing plate 82. Therefore, the central locking device 50 can suppress deformation of the second base 70 when an impact is applied to the vehicle 10. Furthermore, the central locking device 50 can suppress deterioration of the press formability of the second base 70 by not increasing the plate thickness of the second main plate 71.

[0088] (7) One end of the pole spring 96 is engaged with the pole 84, and the other end of the pole spring 96 is engaged with the connecting shaft 94. Therefore, the center lock device 50 does not need to be provided with a structure for engaging the other end of the pole spring 96 with the first base 60 or the second base 70.

[0089] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0090] The connecting shaft 94 may be any connecting member that connects the first base 60 and the second base 70 in the first direction d1. For example, the connecting member may be a bracket that is L-shaped or C-shaped in a side view. In this case, the bracket is preferably fixed to the first base 60 and the second base 70 with fastening members such as bolts.

[0091] The connecting shaft 94 may have threaded portions onto which nuts are threadedly fitted at both axial ends thereof. In this case, both ends of the connecting shaft 94 can be fixed to the first base 60 and the second base 70 with nuts.

[0092] The first end of the connecting shaft 94 may be fixed to the latch support wall 611 of the first base 60. The first end of the connecting shaft 94 may be fixed to a portion of the pole support wall 612 of the first base 60 excluding the first extension wall 616.

[0093] 10 , the portion of the first main plate 61 of the first base 60 that deforms the most is the portion indicated by point A. For this reason, it is preferable that the fixing portion of the first end of the connecting shaft 94 on the first main plate 61 be closer to the portion indicated by point A. For example, it is preferable that the fixing portion of the first end of the connecting shaft 94 on the first main plate 61 be closer to the portion indicated by point A than the fixing portion of the first end of the pole support shaft 92 on the first main plate 61.

[0094] 10, the first main plate 61 of the first base 60 is deformed so as to be valley folded along the line segment connecting points B and C. Therefore, the fixing portion of the first end of the connecting shaft 94 on the first main plate 61 may be located in one of the two regions obtained by dividing the first main plate 61 by the line segment connecting points B and C, the region including point A.

[0095] The center lock device 50 may include a plurality of connecting shafts 94. In the center lock device 50, at least one of the first reinforcing plate 81 and the second reinforcing plate 82 may be omitted.

[0096] The first reinforcing plate 81 does not need to cover the entire first main plate 61 of the first base 60. For example, the first reinforcing plate 81 only needs to cover at least the pole support wall 612 of the first main plate 61. The same applies to the second reinforcing plate 82.

[0097] The method for fixing the first main plate 61 and the first reinforcing plate 81 of the first base 60 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the first main plate 61 and the first reinforcing plate 81 may be fixed by spot welding or by using fastening members such as bolts. The same applies to the method for fixing the second main plate 71 and the second reinforcing plate 82 of the second base 70.

[0098] The front door 30F may be provided with a center striker 100 instead of the center locking device 50. In this case, it is preferable that the rear door 30R be provided with the center locking device 50 instead of the center striker 100.

[0099] The central locking device 50 of the above embodiment may also be a door locking device for restraining a single door that opens and closes the door opening 21 to the vehicle body 20. In this case, it is sufficient that one of the vehicle body 20 and the door is equipped with the central locking device 50, and the other of the vehicle body 20 and the door is equipped with the center striker 100.

[0100] The door to which the central locking device 50 is applied may be a swing door or a back door. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 10...Vehicle 20...Body 21...Door opening 30 (30F, 30R)...Sliding door 40 (40F, 40R)...Door drive unit 50...Central locking device (vehicle door locking device) 60...First base 61...First main plate 611...Latch support wall (first wall portion) 612... Pole support wall (second wall portion) 613...Connecting wall 62, 63...First fixing plate 70...Second base 71...Second main plate 72, 73...Second fixing plate 81...First reinforcing plate 82...Second reinforcing plate 83...Latch 831...Base 832...First protrusion (engagement portion) 84...Paul 85...Release lever 91...Latch support shaft 92...Pole support shaft 93...Lever support shaft 94...Connection shaft 100...Center striker (striker) SL...Slit

Claims

1. a latch that rotates between a fully latched position where it can be latched by the striker and an unlatched position where it cannot be latched by the striker; a pawl that rotates between a restricting position that restricts rotation of the latch from the fully latched position to the unlatched position and an allowing position that allows rotation of the latch from the fully latched position to the unlatched position; a latch support shaft that rotatably supports the latch; a pole support shaft that rotatably supports the pole; a first base to which a first end of the latch support shaft and a first end of the pole support shaft are fixed; a second base to which the second end of the latch support shaft and the second end of the pole support shaft are fixed; a connecting member that connects the first base and the second base, a first end of the connecting member is fixed to the first base, and a second end of the connecting member is fixed to the second base; A pole spring is provided which is engaged with the pole and the connecting member. A vehicle door lock device.

2. The pole spring is a coil spring, and the pole support shaft is inserted into and supported by the coil portion.

2. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 1.

3. The connecting member is a connecting shaft extending along the latch support shaft and the pole support shaft.

3. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the first base has a plate-like first main plate having a slit through which the striker passes when the door is opened or closed; the latch has a base supported by the latch support shaft and a locking portion extending from the base in a direction intersecting an axis of the latch support shaft, the locking portion locking with the striker when the latch is positioned at the fully latched position, the first main plate includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion positioned on either side of the slit, a first end of the latch support shaft is fixed to the first wall portion of the first main plate, and a first end of the connecting shaft is fixed to the second wall portion of the first main plate, When the axial direction of the latch support shaft is defined as a first direction, When the latch is in the fully latched position and the latch is viewed from the first direction, a tip of the engaging portion of the latch overlaps with the second wall portion of the first main plate.

4. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 3.

5. When the width direction of the slit is defined as a second direction and the extension direction of the slit is defined as a third direction, the first base includes two first fixing plates extending from both sides of the first main plate in the second direction, one of the two first fixing plates extends from the first wall portion, and the other of the two first fixing plates extends from the second wall portion; When the second wall portion of the first main plate is viewed from the first direction, The connecting shaft is located closer to a surface of the second wall portion facing the slit than a boundary between the second wall portion and the first fixing plate in the second direction, and is located closer to an opening of the slit than a bottom of the slit in the third direction.

5. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 4.

6. a first reinforcing plate having a plate shape that reinforces the first base; the first base has a plate-shaped first main plate to which the first end of the latch support shaft and the first end of the pole support shaft are fixed, The first reinforcing plate is fixed to the first main plate in a state where the first reinforcing plate is stacked on the first main plate. The vehicle door lock device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. a second reinforcing plate having a plate shape that reinforces the second base; the second base has a plate-shaped second main plate to which the second end of the latch support shaft and the second end of the pole support shaft are fixed, The second reinforcing plate is fixed to the second main plate in a state where the second reinforcing plate is stacked on the second main plate. The vehicle door lock device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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