Locking device for vehicle opening / closing body

Abstract

To provide a vehicle opening / closing body locking device which can realize reduction in a manufacturing cost.SOLUTION: In a locking device 1, an opening / closing mechanism 3 includes a drive source M1, an operating lever 30 supported by a base member 90 coaxially with a fork 10 and capable of swinging in a first direction R1 and a second direction R2 independently of the fork 10, and a drive train 50 which transmits a drive force from the drive source M1 rotating in the forward direction to the operating lever 30 to swing the operating lever 30 in the first direction R1 and transmits the drive force from the drive source M1 rotating in the reverse direction to the operating lever 30 to swing the operating lever 30 in the second direction R2. The operating lever 30 has a first acting section 39 which abuts on the fork 10 when swinging in the first direction R1 and swings the fork 10 to a latch position, and a second acting section 49 which abuts on a pawl 20 when swinging in the second direction R2 and displaces the pawl 20 to an unblocked position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body. [Background technology]

[0002] A vehicle door locking device, which is an example of a conventional locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body, is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This locking device includes a base plate, a latch, a pole, and a closer device.

[0003] The base plate is provided on a back door that is openable and closable on the vehicle body, and has an entrance opening through which a striker fixed to the vehicle body can enter.

[0004] The latch is provided on the base plate and swings between a latched position where the striker can be latched at the back of the entrance, a half-latched position where the striker can be latched partway through the entrance, and an unlatched position where the striker is not latched within the entrance.

[0005] The pole is mounted on the base plate and is pivotable between a blocking position that blocks the latch from pivoting to the unlatched position and an unblocking position that allows the latch to pivot to the unlatched position.

[0006] The closer device includes a motor, a latch lever, a first drive train, and a second drive train.

[0007] The motor rotates forward and backward to generate a driving force. The latch lever is supported on the base plate coaxially with the latch. The latch lever can swing independently of the latch in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction. The latch lever has a sector gear.

[0008] The first drive train includes a first reduction gear, a pinion gear that rotates integrally with the first reduction gear, a second reduction gear that meshes with the pinion gear, and a first drive gear that rotates integrally with the second reduction gear. The first drive gear is capable of meshing with the sector gear.

[0009] The second drive train branches off from the second reduction gear in the first drive train and includes a pressing pin that rotates integrally with the second reduction gear, an open lever that is coaxial with the second reduction gear and swingably supported on the base plate, and a lift lever that is connected to the pole via a support shaft.

[0010] The first drive train transmits the driving force from the motor rotating in the forward direction to the latch lever, causing it to swing in the first direction. The lever portion of the latch lever then abuts against the latch engagement portion, causing the latch to swing to the latched position. The pawl then swings to the blocking position. As a result, the back door is held closed.

[0011] Meanwhile, the first drive train transmits the driving force from the reverse-rotating motor to the second drive train. The second drive train then swings the pawl to the unlock position, causing the open lever to be pressed by the pressure pin and the lift lever to be pressed by the open lever and swing. As a result, the back door is released from its locked state and can be opened. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6350182 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] However, in the above conventional locking device, the closer device has a configuration with a second drive train, making it difficult to reduce the number of parts and assembly steps, and as a result, it is difficult to reduce manufacturing costs.

[0014] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and an object to be achieved is to provide a locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body that can realize low manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body of the present invention comprises: a base member provided on one of a vehicle body and an opening / closing body that is openably and closably provided on the vehicle body, the base member having an entrance through which a striker fixed to the other of the vehicle body and the opening / closing body can enter; a fork provided on the base member, the fork swinging between a latched position where the striker can be latched at the back side of the entrance, a half-latched position where the striker can be latched midway through the entrance, and an unlatched position where the striker is not latched within the entrance; a pawl provided on the base member, the pawl being displaceable between a blocking position that blocks the fork from swinging to the unlatched position and an unblocking position that allows the fork to swing to the unlatched position; an open-close mechanism configured to displace the pole to the unlock position when acting on the pole, and to swing the fork to the latch position when acting on the fork, The open / close mechanism includes a drive source that rotates forward and backward to generate a drive force; an operating lever that is coaxial with the fork and supported by the base member, and that is swingable independently of the fork in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction; a drive train that transmits the driving force from the drive source that rotates in the forward direction to the actuating lever to swing the actuating lever in the first direction, and transmits the driving force from the drive source that rotates in the reverse direction to the actuating lever to swing the actuating lever in the second direction, a first action portion that contacts the fork when the actuating lever pivots in the first direction and causes the fork to pivot to the latch position; a second acting portion that comes into contact with the pole when swinging in the second direction and displaces the pole to the unblock position; 、 a first support shaft that is provided in a protruding manner on the base member and that supports the fork and the operating lever so that they can swing; a second support shaft that is protruding from the base member and supports the pole so that it can swing; the actuating lever has a sector gear that meshes with an output gear to which the driving force is finally transmitted in the drive train, The sector gear is configured to enter between the first support shaft and the second support shaft at least when the operating lever swings in the second direction. It is characterized by the following.

[0016] In the locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body of the present invention, the drive train of the open / close mechanism transmits a driving force from a forward-rotating drive source to the operating lever, causing the operating lever to swing in a first direction. The first operating portion of the operating lever then contacts the fork, causing the fork to swing to the latch position. Accordingly, the pawl is displaced to the blocking position. As a result, the opening / closing body is held in the closed state.

[0017] Meanwhile, the drive train transmits the driving force from the reverse-rotating drive source to the actuating lever, causing it to swing in the second direction. The second operating portion of the actuating lever then contacts the pawl, displacing the pawl to the unlocked position. As a result, the opening / closing body is released from the locked state and can be opened.

[0018] In this locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body, the open / close mechanism does not have the second drive train, i.e., the pressing pin, open lever, and lift lever, which are required in the conventional locking device. Therefore, this locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body can reduce the number of parts and the assembly process.

[0019] Therefore, the locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body of the present invention can achieve low manufacturing costs.

[0020] Furthermore, because the open-close mechanism of this locking device for a vehicle opening-closing body does not have anything equivalent to the second drive train of the conventional locking device, the degree of freedom in design layout of the drive source and drive train can be improved, and as a result, the locking device for a vehicle opening-closing body can be made more compact.

[0021] The locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body of the present invention further includes a first support shaft that is provided in a protruding manner on the base member and that supports the fork and the operating lever in a swingable manner, and a second support shaft that is provided in a protruding manner on the base member and that supports the pawl in a swingable manner. do. The operating lever has a sector gear that meshes with the output gear to which the driving force in the drive train is finally transmitted. do. The sector gear is inserted between the first support shaft and the second support shaft at least when the operating lever swings in the second direction. do.

[0022] this By configuration By positioning the second acting portion near the sector gear, the second acting portion can easily displace the pawl to the unblocking position when the operating lever swings in the second direction.

[0023] It is desirable that the operating lever be formed with a recess recessed in the first direction between the sector gear and the first support shaft so as to escape from the striker entering the entrance.

[0024] In this case, even if the operating lever is positioned in a position that overlaps with the striker entering the entrance in the direction in which the first support shaft extends, the relief portion prevents the operating lever from interfering with the striker, thereby enabling the locking device to be made more compact in the direction in which the first support shaft extends.

[0025] The locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body of the present invention preferably further includes a first support shaft that is provided in a protruding manner on the base member and that swingably supports the fork and the operating lever, and a back plate that faces the base member and to which an end of the first support shaft opposite the base member is fixed.The operating lever, together with the fork and pawl, is preferably located between the base member and the back plate.

[0026] In this case, compared to a configuration in which the actuating lever is not located between the base member and the back plate, it is possible to achieve a more compact size in the direction in which the first support shaft extends. Also, in this case, the actuating lever is firmly supported by the first support shaft, both ends of which are fixed to the base member and the back plate. As a result, the actuating lever is less likely to be twisted even when a large force is applied, which stabilizes the action of the first acting part on the fork and the action of the second acting part on the pole.

[0027] The locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body of the present invention preferably further includes a first microswitch and a second microswitch. The first microswitch and the second microswitch are preferably two-circuit microswitches each having a pushable movable protrusion, a first circuit that switches between connection and disconnection when the movable protrusion is pushed in a first stroke amount, and a second circuit that switches between connection and disconnection when the movable protrusion is pushed further from the first stroke amount. The first microswitch is preferably configured to detect whether the fork is in one of the latched position, half-latched position, and unlatched position. The operating lever preferably swings between an origin position, a first operating end position that is a limit position when swinging from the origin position in a first direction, a second operating end position that is a limit position when swinging from the origin position in a second direction, a first intermediate position that is a position between the origin position and the first operating end position, and a second intermediate position that is a position between the origin position and the second operating end position. Furthermore, if the first operating end position and the second operating end position are defined as operating end positions, and the first intermediate position and the second intermediate position are defined as intermediate positions, it is desirable that the second microswitch be configured to detect that the operating lever is in one of the origin position, the operating end position, and the intermediate position.

[0028] In this case, the control unit of the vehicle to which this locking device is applied can accurately determine the state of the fork and the state of the operating lever based on the information transmitted from the first microswitch and the second microswitch. Furthermore, in this case, compared to a case in which two single-circuit microswitches are provided corresponding to the fork and two single-circuit microswitches are provided corresponding to the operating lever, the number of parts and the assembly process can be reduced. As a result, this locking device can further reduce manufacturing costs.

[0029] It is desirable that the locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body of the present invention further comprises a first detection lever that is swingably arranged between the movable protrusion of the first microswitch and the fork, and that transmits the swinging of the fork to the movable protrusion of the first microswitch, and a second detection lever that is swingably arranged between the movable protrusion of the second microswitch and the operating lever, and that transmits the swinging of the operating lever to the movable protrusion of the second microswitch.

[0030] In this case, the degree of freedom in design layout of the first microswitch and the second microswitch can be improved, and as a result, the locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body can be made smaller. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] According to the locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body of the present invention, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top view showing the actuator and the locking device main body with the actuator cover removed. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an output gear of the actuator and a locking device main body. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the output gear of the actuator and the locking device main body with the back plate removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the main components of the locking device body. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a bottom view showing the locking device main body with the base member removed. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the relative relationships of the main components of the locking device body. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the first stroke amount by which the movable protrusion is pressed in and the second stroke amount by which the movable protrusion is further pressed in from the first stroke amount for each of the first and second microswitches. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the open / close mechanism. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the open / close mechanism. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the open / close mechanism. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the open / close mechanism. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the open / close mechanism. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the open / close mechanism. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the open / close mechanism. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the open / close mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0034] (Example) As shown in Fig. 1, a locking device 1 of the embodiment is an example of a specific aspect of a locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body of the present invention. The locking device 1 is used in a tailgate 8 that is openably and closably provided on a vehicle body 9 of a vehicle such as a passenger car. The tailgate 8 is an example of the "vehicle opening / closing body" of the present invention.

[0035] The front-rear and up-down directions of the vehicle are as shown in Fig. 1. The left-right direction of the vehicle is a direction perpendicular to the front-rear and up-down directions, with the front side of the paper in Fig. 1 being the right side of the vehicle and the back side of the paper in Fig. 1 being the left side of the vehicle. All directions shown in Fig. 3 and subsequent figures are shown corresponding to Fig. 1.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 1, the tailgate 8 closes a rear opening 9H of a vehicle body 9. Although not shown, the upper end of the tailgate 8 is swingably supported on the upper edge of the rear opening 9H. The tailgate 8 opens the rear opening 9H by swinging its lower end toward the rear and upward of the vehicle.

[0037] The locking device 1 is provided at the lower end of the tailgate 8, and assumes the position shown in Figure 1 when the tailgate 8 closes the rear opening 9H. A striker 7 is fixed to the lower edge of the rear opening 9H of the vehicle body 9.

[0038] In the following description of the configuration of the locking device 1, the posture of the locking device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used as a reference for the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions.

[0039] 2, the locking device 1 is electrically connected to a control unit C1 provided in the vehicle body 9. A power source B1, a tailgate opening operation detection unit S1, etc. are connected to the control unit C1. The tailgate opening operation detection unit S1 detects an opening operation of the door handle or a remote control switch performed by the user to enable opening of the tailgate 8, and transmits a detection signal to the control unit C1.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the locking device 1 includes a locking device main body 5 and an actuator 6.

[0041] The locking device main body 5 has a base member 90 shown in Figures 1 and 3 to 7, a back plate 95 shown in Figures 3 to 5 and 7, a guide base 93 shown in Figures 1, 3 to 6 and 8, and a first support shaft 11 and a second support shaft 22 shown in Figures 3 to 7.

[0042] The locking device main body 5 also has a fork 10 shown in FIGS. 3 to 9, a pole 20 shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, and an operating lever 30 shown in FIGS.

[0043] Furthermore, the locking device main body 5 has a first microswitch SW1 and a second microswitch SW2 shown in Figures 2, 5, 6 and 10, a first detection lever 71 shown in Figures 5 to 9, and a second detection lever 72 shown in Figures 5 to 7 and 9.

[0044] The actuator 6 has an actuator case 61 shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, an actuator cover 69 shown in Figures 1 and 3, a connector 65 shown in Figures 3 and 4, a drive source M1 shown in Figures 2 and 4, and a drive train 50 shown in Figures 4 to 6.

[0045] The locking device 1 includes an open / close mechanism 3 that includes an operating lever 30 of a locking device main body 5, a drive source M1 of an actuator 6, and a drive train 50.

[0046] The specific configuration of each component will be described below.

[0047] <Base member, back plate, guide base, first support shaft, and second support shaft> As shown in FIG. 7, the base member 90 and the back plate 95 are each made by stamping and bending a steel plate.

[0048] The base member 90 has a flat plate portion 90A, a pair of wall portions 90B, and a pair of mounting portions 90C.

[0049] The flat plate portion 90A has a generally rectangular flat plate shape that extends horizontally in the left-right direction and slopes downward toward the front. An entrance 97 is formed in the flat plate portion 90A and is deeply recessed rearward from its front end edge.

[0050] One of the walls 90B located on the left side has a left wall that bends upward and extends from the left edge of the flat plate portion 90A and extends in the front-to-back direction, and a left front wall that bends upward and extends from a portion located to the left of the entrance 97 at the front edge of the flat plate portion 90A and extends in the left-to-right direction to connect with the front end of the left wall.

[0051] The other wall portion 90B located on the right has a right wall that bends upward and extends from the right edge of the flat plate portion 90A and extends in the front-to-back direction, and a right front wall that bends upward and extends from a portion located to the right of the entrance 97 at the front edge of the flat plate portion 90A and extends in the left-to-right direction to connect with the front end of the right wall.

[0052] The pair of mounting portions 90C are bent and extend from the rear upper ends of the pair of wall portions 90B in the left-right direction so as to move away from each other.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1 , the pair of mounting portions 90C are used to fasten the locking device 1 to the lower end of the tailgate 8. When the locking device 1 moves in conjunction with the closing or opening of the tailgate 8, the striker 7 fixed to the vehicle body 9 moves in or out of the entrance 97 relative to the entrance 97.

[0054] 5 and 7, the back plate 95 faces the flat plate portion 90A of the base member 90 from above and has a generally flat plate shape extending parallel to the flat plate portion 90A. The back plate 95 is formed with a notch that aligns with the entrance 97, an opening to avoid interference with other components, fastening holes, etc.

[0055] 6 and 8, the guide base 93 is a resin molded part manufactured by injection molding of thermoplastic resin or the like. The guide base 93 is formed with a notch that aligns with the entrance 97, an opening for avoiding interference with other components, a recess for holding other components, fastening holes, etc. As shown in FIG. 5, the guide base 93 is sandwiched between the flat plate portion 90A of the base member 90 and the back plate 95.

[0056] 5 and 8, a damper 94C is held by the guide base 93. The striker 7 entering the back side of the entrance 97 can come into contact with the damper 94C.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 7, the first support shaft 11 is a multi-stage steel cylinder centered on a first axis X1 that is perpendicular to the flat plate portion 90A of the base member 90.

[0058] The first support shaft 11 is provided in a position to the left of the area located at the back of the entrance 97 of the flat plate portion 90A of the base member 90, and its lower end is fixed to the flat plate portion 90A by crimping, so that it protrudes upward from the flat plate portion 90A. The upper end of the first support shaft 11 is the end of the first support shaft 11 opposite the base member 90.

[0059] The first support shaft 11 has a fork support portion 11A and an operating lever support portion 11B. The fork support portion 11A is located on the lower end side of the first support shaft 11. The operating lever support portion 11B is located on the upper end side of the first support shaft 11 and has a smaller diameter than the fork support portion 11A.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 7, the second support shaft 22 is a multi-stage steel cylinder centered on a second axis X2 that is perpendicular to the flat plate portion 90A of the base member 90.

[0061] The second support shaft 22 is provided in an upwardly protruding manner on the flat plate portion 90A at a position to the right of the portion located midway through the entrance 97 in the flat plate portion 90A of the base member 90, with its lower end portion being crimped and fixed to the flat plate portion 90A.

[0062] The second support shaft 22 has a pole support portion 22 A. The pole support portion 22 A is located on the lower end side of the second support shaft 22.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 5, the upper end of the first support shaft 11 and the upper end of the second support shaft 22 are fixed to the back plate 95 by crimping, thereby integrating the base member 90, the back plate 95 and the guide base 93.

[0064] <Fork> As shown in Figure 7, the fork 10 is made of a thick steel plate with notches, bumps, etc. formed on the outer periphery, and a shaft hole 10H that penetrates through in the thickness direction, and most of the steel plate is covered with resin.

[0065] The fork 10 is mounted on the base member 90 adjacent to the flat plate portion 90A of the base member 90 from above. The fork 10 is supported by the first support shaft 11 so as to be swingable around the first axis X1, with the fork support portion 11A of the first support shaft 11 being inserted into the shaft hole 10H.

[0066] The fork support portion 11A of the first support shaft 11 is also inserted through the coil portion of a torsion coil spring (not shown). As shown in Figure 8, the counterclockwise direction around the first axis X1 is defined as a first direction R1. The torsion coil spring (not shown) biases the fork 10 to swing around the first axis X1 in a second direction R2 that is opposite to the first direction R1.

[0067] 7 to 9, the portion of the fork 10 located on the entrance 97 side is branched into a rear convex portion 10A and a front convex portion 10B. The striker 7 that enters the entrance 97 is accommodated in a recess 10C formed between the rear convex portion 10A and the front convex portion 10B.

[0068] The fork 10 has a latch surface 12A, a half latch surface 12B, and a passive surface 13 formed on its outer periphery.

[0069] The latch surface 12A is located at the tip of the rear convex portion 10A and faces downstream in the second direction R2. The latch surface 12A can come into contact with a stopper surface 20A of the pole 20, which will be described later.

[0070] The half latch surface 12B is a surface facing downstream in the second direction R2 at a portion that protrudes radially outward from the first axis X1 at a position away from the latch surface 12A in the first direction R1. The half latch surface 12B can also abut against the stopper surface 20A.

[0071] The passive surface 13 is a surface facing upstream in the first direction R1 at a portion that protrudes in a stepped manner radially outward from the first axis X1 at a position on the opposite side of the first axis X1 from the latch surface 12A. The passive surface 13 is capable of abutting against a first acting portion 39 of the actuating lever 30, which will be described later.

[0072] The latch surface 12A, the half latch surface 12B, and the passive surface 13 are each a steel plate portion of the fork 10 that is not coated with resin.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 11 to 18, the fork 10 swings around the first axis X1 in a first direction R1 and a second direction R2, thereby swinging between a latched position, a half-latched position, and an unlatched position.

[0074] The latch position of the fork 10 is a position where the striker 7 can be latched on the far side of the entrance 97, as shown in FIGS.

[0075] The half-latched position of the fork 10 is a position where the striker 7 can be latched midway through the entrance 97, as shown in FIGS.

[0076] The unlatched position of the fork 10 is the position in which the striker 7 is not locked within the entrance 97, as shown in Figures 11, 12 and 18.

[0077] 7 to 9, an extension 17 is formed on the outer periphery of the fork 10. The extension 17 extends in a substantially arc shape in the first direction R1 at a position spaced apart from the half latch surface 12B in the first direction R1.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 8, a damper 94A is held on the underside of the guide base 93. The extension 17 can come into contact with the damper 94A when the fork 10 swings from the unlatched position to the latched position shown in Fig. 8. The extension 17 can also come into contact with a first contact portion 71A of a first detection lever 71, which will be described later. Note that the locking device 1 may also be designed without the damper 94A.

[0079] <Paul> As shown in FIG. 7, the pole 20 is made of a thick steel plate with irregularities formed on the outer periphery, a shaft hole 20H penetrating through in the thickness direction, and most of the steel plate is covered with resin.

[0080] The pole 20 is mounted on the base member 90 adjacent to the flat plate portion 90A of the base member 90 from above. The pole 20 is supported by the second support shaft 22 so as to be swingable around the second axis X2, with the pole support portion 22A of the second support shaft 22 being inserted into the shaft hole 20H.

[0081] The pole support portion 22A of the second support shaft 22 is also inserted through the coil portion of a torsion coil spring (not shown). The torsion coil spring (not shown) biases the pole 20 so as to swing in the pole biasing direction D2 around the second axis X2.

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, a stopper surface 20A is formed in the pole 20 at a location spaced rearward from the shaft hole 20H and located near the inner side of the entrance 97. As shown in FIGS.

[0083] The stopper surface 20A protrudes toward the rear convex portion 10A of the fork 10 and faces upstream in the second direction R2. The stopper surface 20A is a steel plate portion of the pole 20 that is not covered with resin.

[0084] As shown in FIGS. 11 to 18, the pole 20 swings around the second axis X2 in the pole biasing direction D2 and in the direction opposite to the pole biasing direction D2, thereby swinging between the blocking position and the unblocking position.

[0085] The blocking position of the pole 20 is a position where the stopper surface 20A abuts against the latch surface 12A or half latch surface 12B of the fork 10, or faces them in an abutting manner from downstream in the second direction R2, as shown in Figures 13, 15 and 16, thereby blocking the fork 10 from swinging to the unlatched position shown in Figure 11, etc.

[0086] As shown in Figure 13, with the forks 10 in the half-latched position and the pawl 20 in the blocking position, the tailgate 8 is held in a nearly closed state. As shown in Figures 15 and 16, with the forks 10 in the latched position and the pawl 20 in the blocking position, the tailgate 8 is held in a fully closed state.

[0087] As shown in Figures 11, 12, 14, 17 and 18, the unblocked position of the pawl 20 is a position where the stopper surface 20A is separated radially outward from the latch surface 12A and half latch surface 12B of the fork 10 about the first axis X1 and is unable to abut against the latch surface 12A and half latch surface 12B, thereby allowing the fork 10 to swing to the unlatched position shown in Figure 11, etc.

[0088] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the resin portion of the pole 20 is formed with a rectangular pillar protrusion 24, a passive portion 23, a release operation protrusion 28, and a working protrusion 29.

[0089] The rectangular pillar projection 24 is a projection in the shape of a square pillar that projects upward from a portion of the pole 20 located forward of the shaft hole 20H.

[0090] As shown in Fig. 8, a damper 94B is held on the underside of the guide base 93. The rectangular column protrusion 24 can come into contact with the damper 94B when the pole 20 swings from the unblocking position to the blocking position shown in Fig. 8.

[0091] 7 and 9, the passive portion 23 is the tip of a protruding portion that protrudes rearward and leftward from a portion of the pole 20 that is located to the right and in front of the stopper surface 20A. As shown in Fig. 9, the passive portion 23 is located above the stopper surface 20A. The passive portion 23 can come into contact with a second acting portion 49 of the actuating lever 30, which will be described later.

[0092] 7 and 9, the release operation convex portion 28 is a cylinder that protrudes upward from a portion of the pole 20 that is located to the right and forward of the stopper surface 20A. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the release operation convex portion 28 passes through an elongated hole that penetrates the guide base 93 and protrudes slightly above the top surface of the locking device main body 5.

[0093] 1 and 3, when the user is using the vehicle, a cover member 68 fastened to the locking device body 5 together with the actuator 6 covers the release convex portion 28. When manually releasing the locking device 1 due to a dead vehicle battery or other reason, the user or maintenance worker can remove the cover member 68 and operate the exposed release convex portion 28 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to swing the pole 20 to the unblock position and swing the fork 10 to the unlatched position. Note that the locking device 1 may also be designed without the cover member 68.

[0094] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the working protrusion 29 protrudes rearward from a portion of the pole 20 located to the right of the stopper surface 20A, and its tip is bent slightly to the left.

[0095] Although not shown in the drawings, during the vehicle manufacturing process, when assembling the locking device 1 to the lower end of the tailgate 8, a worker hooks a string bent into a U-shape onto the working protrusion 29 and pulls both ends of the string out of the tailgate 8. As a result, in a subsequent process, when opening the tailgate 8 without power being supplied to the locking device 1 (before the battery is connected), the worker can pull both ends of the string to swing the pole 20 to the unblock position and swing the fork 10 to the unlatch position. The worker can remove the string by pulling only one end of the string.

[0096] <Operating lever> As shown in FIG. 7, the actuating lever 30, together with the fork 10 and the pole 20, is located between the base member 90 and the back plate 95.

[0097] 6, 7 and 9, the operating lever 30 has an operating lever body 31 and a cam 40. As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the operating lever body 31 and the cam 40 are fastened together by a screw 30B.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 7, the operating lever body 31 is made by punching and bending a steel plate, and has a shaft hole 31H that penetrates through in the thickness direction.

[0099] The actuating lever body 31 is located above the fork 10 and the coil portion of the torsion coil spring (not shown) that biases the fork 10. The actuating lever body 31 is supported by the first support shaft 11 so as to be swingable around the first axis X1 by inserting the actuating lever support portion 11B of the first support shaft 11 into the shaft hole 31H.

[0100] That is, the operating lever 30 is supported by the first support shaft 11 so as to be able to swing on the base member 90 coaxially with the fork 10. The operating lever 30 can swing in a first direction R1 and a second direction R2 independently of the fork 10.

[0101] The operating lever body 31 has a first acting portion 39 and a sector gear 35 .

[0102] The first acting portion 39 is a portion that bends and protrudes downward from a portion located to the left and rear of the shaft hole 31H in the actuating lever body 31. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the first acting portion 39 faces the passive surface 13 of the fork 10 from upstream in the first direction R1 so as to be able to abut against the passive surface 13.

[0103] As shown in Figures 13 to 15, the first acting portion 39 abuts against the passive surface 13 of the fork 10 when the operating lever 30 swings in the first direction R1, causing the fork 10 to swing from the half-latched position or a position slightly before the half-latched position to the latched position.

[0104] As shown in Figures 6, 7 and 9, the sector gear 35 is a plurality of gear teeth formed in a circumferential direction of the first axis X1, extending from a position located to the right of the entrance 97 on the actuating lever body 31 to a position located behind the entrance 97.

[0105] As shown in Fig. 6, the sector gear 35 meshes with an output gear 55 of the drive train 50, which will be described later. As shown in Figs. 6, 11, 12, and 16 to 18, the sector gear 35 enters between the first support shaft 11 and the second support shaft 22 at least when the operating lever 30 swings in the second direction R2.

[0106] In Figures 11 to 18, to make the drawings easier to see, the part of the operating lever body 31 that is located closer to the front of the paper than the fork 10, the pole 20, and the cam 40 is shown with a virtual line (dotted line), and part of the sector gear 35 is not shown.

[0107] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a recess 37 is formed in the actuating lever body 31. The recess 37 is recessed rearward between the sector gear 35 and the first support shaft 11. As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the recess 37 is recessed in the first direction R1 so as to escape from the striker 7 entering the entrance 97.

[0108] As shown in Figure 7, the cam 40 is a resin molded product manufactured by injection molding or the like of a thermoplastic resin. The cam 40 has a positioning protrusion 40D and an insertion hole 40E. The actuating lever body 31 has a positioning hole 31D and a screw hole 31E. The screw hole 31E is formed by burring a portion of the actuating lever body 31 near the positioning hole 31D, and forming a female thread on its inner peripheral surface.

[0109] As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the cam 40 is positioned adjacent to the operating lever main body 31 from below, with the positioning protrusion 40D fitting into the positioning hole 31D, and the screw 30B passing through the insertion hole 40E from below and screwed into the screw hole 31E, so that the cam 40 is fastened together with high precision to the operating lever main body 31.

[0110] The cam 40 has a second acting portion 49 and a sliding contact surface 42 .

[0111] The second acting portion 49 is a generally trapezoidal cam located below a rear portion of the sector gear 35 and protruding radially outward from the first axis X1. As shown in Fig. 9, the second acting portion 49 faces the passive portion 23 of the pole 20 from upstream in the second direction R2 so as to be able to abut against the passive portion 23.

[0112] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, when the actuating lever 30 swings in the second direction R2, the second acting portion 49 comes into contact with the passive portion 23 of the pole 20, causing the pole 20 to swing from the blocking position to the unblocking position.

[0113] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the sliding contact surface 42 is located below the sector gear 35 and the second acting portion 49, and has a first sliding contact surface 42A and a second sliding contact surface 42B.

[0114] 9 and 11, the first sliding contact surface 42A is a curved surface that extends in an arc shape in the circumferential direction of the first axis X1 while facing radially outward from the first axis X1. The first sliding contact surface 42A extends rearward a shorter distance than the second acting portion 49. In addition, the first sliding contact surface 42A extends forward a longer distance than the second acting portion 49.

[0115] The second sliding contact surface 42B is connected to the rear end of the first sliding contact surface 42A. The second sliding contact surface 42B is made up of a pair of inclined surfaces and an apex of a substantially triangular convex portion that protrudes radially outward from the first axis X1.

[0116] The first sliding contact surface 42A and the second sliding contact surface 42B come into sliding contact with a second sliding contact portion 72A of a second detection lever 72, which will be described later.

[0117] <First micro switch and second micro switch> 5, the first microswitch SW1 is held by a holder recessed in a corner located at the rear and right of the guide base 93. The second microswitch SW2 is held by a holder recessed in a corner located at the rear and left of the guide base 93.

[0118] The three terminals of the first microswitch SW1 and the three terminals of the second microswitch SW2 are connected to a wire harness WH1, which has five connector terminals WH1A for transmitting detection signals at the end opposite to the first microswitch SW1 and the second microswitch SW2.

[0119] One of the connector terminals WH1A is a ground terminal shared by the first microswitch SW1 and the second microswitch SW2. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, each connector terminal WH1A is disposed within a connector 65, which will be described later.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 10, the first microswitch SW1 and the second microswitch SW2 are two-circuit type microswitches each having a movable protrusion 83, a first circuit 81, and a second circuit .

[0121] The movable protrusion 83 is supported by the switch housing so as to be able to move linearly. The movable protrusion 83 is biased by a biasing spring (not shown) so as to protrude from the switch housing, and can be pushed in against the biasing spring.

[0122] When nothing is in contact with the movable protrusion 83, or when something is in contact with the movable protrusion 83 but is not exerting a pushing force strong enough to push it against the spring, the movable protrusion 83 is in the position shown in Figure 10(a).

[0123] 10(b), the first circuit 81 switches between connected and disconnected states depending on the first stroke amount L1 by which the movable protrusion 83 is pushed in. That is, the first circuit 81 is in a disconnected state when the stroke amount by which the movable protrusion 83 is pushed in is less than the first stroke amount L1. On the other hand, the first circuit 81 is in a connected state when the stroke amount by which the movable protrusion 83 is pushed in is equal to or greater than the first stroke amount L1.

[0124] 10(c), the second circuit 82 switches between connected and disconnected states when the movable protrusion 83 is further pushed in by a second stroke amount L2 from the first stroke amount L1. That is, the second circuit 82 is in a disconnected state when the stroke amount by which the movable protrusion 83 is pushed in is less than the second stroke amount L2. On the other hand, the second circuit 82 is in a connected state when the stroke amount by which the movable protrusion 83 is pushed in is equal to or greater than the second stroke amount L2.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 10(a), the state in which the stroke amount by which the movable protrusion 83 is pressed is less than the first stroke amount L1 and the first circuit 81 and the second circuit 82 are in an interrupted state is defined as the "OFF" state.

[0126] As shown in Figure 10(b), the state in which the stroke amount by which the movable protrusion 83 is pressed is equal to or greater than the first stroke amount L1 and less than the second stroke amount L2, and the first circuit 81 is in a connected state but the second circuit 82 is in a disconnected state is defined as the "ON1" state.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 10(c), the state in which the stroke amount by which the movable protrusion 83 is pushed is equal to or greater than the second stroke amount L2 and the first circuit 81 and the second circuit 82 are connected is defined as the "ON2" state.

[0128] <First detection lever> 7, the first detection lever 71 is a resin molded part manufactured by injection molding of thermoplastic resin, etc. As shown in Fig. 8, the first detection lever 71 is located on the lower surface side and rear end side of the guide base 93.

[0129] The first detection lever 71 is supported by the guide base 93 and is capable of swinging about the third axis X3 between the movable protrusion 83 of the first microswitch SW1 and the extension 17 of the fork 10. The first detection lever 71 is biased by a compression coil spring 71S so as to swing counterclockwise in FIG.

[0130] The first detection lever 71 has a first contact portion 71A shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, and a first sliding contact portion 71B shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 and 9.

[0131] 7 and 9, the first contact portion 71A is a tip end of a protrusion that is located forward of the third axis X3 and protrudes forward. The first contact portion 71A faces the extension portion 17 of the fork 10 from downstream in the first direction R1 so as to be able to contact the extension portion 17.

[0132] The first sliding contact portion 71B is a curved surface facing radially outward from the third axis X3 at the top of a generally plate-shaped piece that is located rearward of the third axis X3 and protrudes upward. As shown in Fig. 6, the first sliding contact portion 71B is located on the upper surface side of the guide base 93 and comes into sliding contact with the movable protrusion 83 of the first microswitch SW1.

[0133] As shown in FIGS. 11 to 18, the first detection lever 71 transmits the swing of the fork 10 to the movable protrusion 83 of the first microswitch SW1 by means of the first contact portion 71A and the first sliding contact portion 71B.

[0134] The first microswitch SW1 is configured to detect, via the first detection lever 71, whether the fork 10 is in one of the latched positions shown in Figures 15 to 17, the half-latched position shown in Figures 13 and 14, and the unlatched position shown in Figures 11, 12 and 18.

[0135] The first microswitch SW1 is in the "ON2" state when the fork 10 is in the latched position shown in FIG.

[0136] The first microswitch SW1 is in the "ON1" state when the fork 10 is in the half-latched position shown in FIG.

[0137] The first microswitch SW1 is in the "OFF" state when the fork 10 is in the unlatched position shown in FIG.

[0138] In this embodiment, in order to prevent a malfunction in which the fork 10 is determined not to have reached the half-latched position even though it has actually reached the half-latched position due to an assembly error in the relative positional relationship between the first microswitch SW1, the first detection lever 71, and the fork 10, the first microswitch SW1 is set to be in the "ON1" state when the fork 10 reaches a position slightly before the half-latched position.

[0139] In addition, in this embodiment, in order to prevent a malfunction in which it is determined that the fork 10 has not reached the latch position even though it has actually reached the latch position due to an assembly error in the relative positional relationship between the first microswitch SW1, the first detection lever 71, and the fork 10, the first microswitch SW1 is set to be in the "ON2" state when the fork 10 reaches a position slightly before the latch position.

[0140] <Second detection lever> 7, the second detection lever 72 is a resin molded part manufactured by injection molding of thermoplastic resin, etc. As shown in Fig. 6, the second detection lever 72 is located on the upper surface side and rear end side of the guide base 93.

[0141] The second detection lever 72 is supported by a guide base 93 and is swingable between the movable protrusion 83 of the second microswitch SW2 and the sliding contact surface 42 of the cam 40 of the actuation lever 30 around a fourth axis X4.

[0142] The second detection lever 72 has a second sliding contact portion 72A shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, and a second abutting portion 72B shown in FIGS.

[0143] 7, the second sliding contact portion 72A is the tip of a protrusion that protrudes forward and is located forward and to the right of the fourth axis X4. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the second sliding contact portion 72A comes into sliding contact with the sliding contact surface 42 of the cam 40 of the actuating lever 30.

[0144] 7, the second contact portion 72B is a flat surface facing left at a position rearward of the fourth axis X4. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the second contact portion 72B comes into contact with the movable protrusion 83 of the second microswitch SW2.

[0145] An urging spring (not shown) that urges the movable protrusion 83 pushes the second contact portion 72B rightward, thereby causing the second sliding contact portion 72A to always be in contact with the sliding contact surface .

[0146] As shown in FIGS. 11 to 18, the second detection lever 72 transmits the swing of the operating lever 30 to the movable protrusion 83 of the second microswitch SW2 by the second sliding contact portion 72A and the second abutting portion 72B.

[0147] As shown in Figures 11 to 18, the actuating lever 30 swings around the first axis X1 in a first direction R1 and a second direction R2, thereby swinging between an origin position, a first actuating end position, a second actuating end position, a first intermediate position, and a second intermediate position.

[0148] As shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 16, the original position of the operating lever 30 is a position where only the front end of the sector gear 35 is inserted between the first support shaft 11 and the second support shaft 22.

[0149] When the actuating lever 30 is in the origin position, the first acting portion 39 is spaced upstream in the first direction R1 from the passive surface 13 of the fork 10, and the second acting portion 49 is spaced upstream in the second direction R2 from the passive portion 23 of the pole 20. Furthermore, when the actuating lever 30 is in the origin position, the second sliding contact portion 72A of the second detection lever 72 abuts against the apex of the second sliding contact surface 42B.

[0150] As shown in FIG. 15, the first actuation end position of the actuation lever 30 is a limit position when the actuation lever 30 swings from the original position in the first direction R1.

[0151] When the operating lever 30 is in the first operating end position, the first acting portion 39 abuts against the passive surface 13 of the fork 10, the fork 10 is in the latch position, and the latch surface 12A is slightly spaced downstream in the first direction R1 from the stopper surface 20A of the pawl 20, which is in the blocking position. Also, when the operating lever 30 is in the first operating end position, the second sliding contact portion 72A of the second detection lever 72 is caught on the upstream end of the first sliding contact surface 42A in the first direction R1.

[0152] As shown in FIG. 18, the second actuation end position of the actuation lever 30 is a limit position when the actuation lever 30 swings from the original position in the second direction R2.

[0153] When the actuating lever 30 is in the second actuation end position, the second acting portion 49 abuts against the passive portion 23 of the pole 20, and the pole 20 is in the unlocked position. Furthermore, when the actuating lever 30 is in the second actuation end position, the second sliding contact portion 72A of the second detection lever 72 abuts against the downstream end of the second sliding contact surface 42B in the first direction R1.

[0154] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the first intermediate position of the actuating lever 30 is a position between the original position and the first actuating end position.

[0155] When the actuating lever 30 swings in the first intermediate position, the second sliding contact portion 72A of the second detection lever 72 slides against the inclined surface located on the first sliding contact surface 42A side of the apex of the second sliding contact surface 42B, or against the first sliding contact surface 42A.

[0156] As shown in FIG. 17, the second intermediate position of the actuating lever 30 is a position between the original position and the second actuating end position.

[0157] When the actuating lever 30 swings in the second intermediate position, the second sliding contact portion 72A of the second detection lever 72 slides against the slope located on the opposite side of the apex of the second sliding contact surface 42B from the first sliding contact surface 42A.

[0158] The first and second operating end positions are defined as operating end positions, and the first and second intermediate positions are defined as intermediate positions.

[0159] The second microswitch SW2 is configured to detect, via the second detection lever 72, whether the operating lever 30 is in one of the origin position shown in Figures 11, 12 and 16, the operating end position shown in Figures 15 and 18, and the intermediate position shown in Figures 13, 14 and 17.

[0160] The second microswitch SW2 is in the "ON2" state when the operating lever 30 is in the home position shown in FIG.

[0161] The second microswitch SW2 is in the "ON1" state when the operating lever 30 is in the intermediate position shown in FIG.

[0162] The second microswitch SW2 is in the "OFF" state when the operating lever 30 is in the operating end position shown in FIG.

[0163] <Actuator case, actuator cover, connector, drive source and drive train> As shown in FIG. 3, the actuator case 61 and the actuator cover 69 are each a resin molded product manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin or the like.

[0164] The actuator cover 69 is attached to the actuator case 61 from above and fastened integrally to the actuator case 61 with a plurality of screws 69B.

[0165] The actuator case 61 and the actuator cover 69 are fastened together to the locking device main body 5 by a plurality of screws 61B, with their front portions overlapping from above a portion of the locking device main body 5 located rearward of the entrance 97.

[0166] The rear portions of the actuator case 61 and the actuator cover 69 are located rearward of the rear end of the locking device main body 5, extend leftward beyond the locking device main body 5, and hold the connector 65 therebetween.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 4, the wire harness WH1 is led into an internal space 61A defined by the actuator case 61 and the actuator cover 69, and each connector terminal WH1A is disposed in a connector 65.

[0168] The internal space 61A accommodates a driving source M1. The driving source M1 is an electric motor. Two terminals of the driving source M1 are connected to two power supply connector terminals WH1B. Each connector terminal WH1B is located above each connector terminal WH1A within the connector 65.

[0169] As shown in FIG. 2, the connector terminals WH1A and WH1B in the connector 65 are electrically connected to the control unit C1 by a wire harness (not shown).

[0170] The drive source M1 is supplied with power under the control of the control unit C1, and the polarity of the power supply is appropriately switched, thereby rotating forward and backward to generate a drive force.

[0171] The first microswitch SW1 transmits a detection signal corresponding to "OFF," "ON1," or "ON2" to the control unit C1. Based on the detection signal, the control unit C1 can appropriately determine whether the fork 10 is in one of the latched position, half-latched position, and unlatched position.

[0172] The second microswitch SW2 also transmits a detection signal corresponding to "OFF," "ON1," or "ON2" to the control unit C1. Based on the detection signal, the control unit C1 can appropriately determine whether the operating lever 30 is in the home position, the operating end position, or the intermediate position.

[0173] Furthermore, the control unit C1 can appropriately determine the state of the locking device 1 based on a combination of the determination result regarding the position of the fork 10 and the determination result regarding the position of the actuating lever 30.

[0174] For example, when the control unit C1 determines that the actuating lever 30 is in the actuating end position, it can appropriately determine that the actuating lever 30 is in either the first actuating end position or the second actuating end position by referring to the determination result regarding the position of the fork 10.

[0175] Furthermore, when the control unit C1 determines that the actuating lever 30 is in the intermediate position, it can appropriately determine that the actuating lever 30 is in the first intermediate position based on the control history that the drive source M1 rotated forward from a state in which the actuating lever 30 was in the home position, or the control history that the drive source M1 rotated forward from a state in which the actuating lever 30 was in the home position and then rotated reversely. Furthermore, when the control unit C1 determines that the actuating lever 30 is in the intermediate position, it can appropriately determine that the actuating lever 30 is in the second intermediate position based on the control history that the drive source M1 rotated reverse from a state in which the actuating lever 30 was in the home position, or the control history that the drive source M1 rotated reverse from a state in which the actuating lever 30 was in the home position and then rotated forward.

[0176] Furthermore, when the control unit C1 determines that the actuating lever 30 is in an intermediate position, the drive source M1 rotates forward, and then determines that the actuating lever 30 is in the actuating end position, the control unit C1 can appropriately determine that the actuating lever 30 is in the first actuating end position.

[0177] As shown in FIG. 4, the drive train 50 has a worm gear 51, a worm wheel 52, and transmission gears 53 and 54 housed in the internal space 61A, and an output gear 55 whose upper portion is housed in the internal space 61A as shown in FIG. 4 and whose lower portion enters the locking device main body 5 as shown in FIG.

[0178] 4, the worm gear 51 is fixed to a drive shaft that protrudes rightward from the drive source M1 and rotates integrally with the drive shaft. The worm wheel 52 is located forward of the worm gear 51 and is in mesh with the worm gear 51.

[0179] The transmission gear 53 is a small-diameter gear formed integrally on the lower surface side of the worm wheel 52, and rotates integrally with the worm wheel 52. The transmission gear 54 is located forward and to the left of the transmission gear 53, and is in mesh with the transmission gear 53.

[0180] An upper portion of the output gear 55 is fitted and fixed to the center portion of the transmission gear 54. Although not shown, a lower portion of the output gear 55 passes through an opening formed in the bottom wall of the actuator case 61 and protrudes downward.

[0181] 5, the lower portion of the output gear 55 passes through an opening formed in the back plate 95 and meshes with the sector gear 35 of the operating lever 30. The output gear 55 is the last gear in the drive train 50 to which the driving force is transmitted.

[0182] The drive train 50 transmits the driving force from the forward rotating drive source M1 to the sector gear 35 of the operating lever 30 via the worm gear 51, the worm wheel 52, the transmission gears 53 and 54, and the output gear 55, causing the operating lever 30 to swing in the first direction R1.

[0183] Meanwhile, the drive train 50 transmits the driving force from the reverse-rotating drive source M1 to the sector gear 35 of the operating lever 30 via the worm gear 51, the worm wheel 52, the transmission gears 53 and 54, and the output gear 55, causing the operating lever 30 to swing in the second direction R2.

[0184] If the battery dies or the like while the operating lever 30 is in the first operating end position or the first intermediate position and the first acting portion 39 is abutting against the passive surface 13 of the fork 10, even if a user or maintenance worker operates the release operation protrusion 28 in the above-described procedure to swing the pawl 20 to the unblock position, the sector gear 35 will encounter resistance from the drive train 50 and the fork 10 will not be able to swing to the unlatch position. In this case, the user or maintenance worker can remove the multiple screws 61B shown in Figure 3 and move the actuator 6 including the output gear 55 away from the locking device main body 5, and then operate the release operation protrusion 28 to swing the pawl 20 to the unblock position, thereby swinging the fork 10 to the unlatch position.

[0185] If the battery dies or the like occurs while the operating lever 30 is in the second operating end position or the second intermediate position and the second acting portion 49 is in contact with the passive portion 23 of the pawl 20, the pawl 20 will receive resistance from the operating lever 30 and will not be able to swing to the block position, making it impossible to hold the tailgate 8 in a closed position. In this case, too, a user or maintenance worker can move the actuator 6 away from the locking device main body 5 in the same manner, so that the pawl 20 will no longer receive resistance from the operating lever 30 and will be able to swing to the block position.

[0186] <Open-close mechanism operation> The open-close mechanism 3 configured as described above is configured so that when the second acting part 49 acts on the passive part 23 of the pole 20, the pole 20 is swung to the unblocked position, and when the first acting part 39 acts on the passive surface 13 of the fork 10, the fork 10 is swung to the half-latched position or from a position slightly before the half-latched position to the latched position.

[0187] When the user performs an operation to close the open tailgate 8, the first microswitch SW1 transmits the information to the control unit C1, and the control unit C1 controls the open-close mechanism 3 to cause the locking device 1 to operate to completely close the tailgate 8, as described in detail below.

[0188] On the other hand, when the user performs an opening operation on a door handle (not shown) provided on the tailgate 8 or an opening operation on a remote control switch, as described in detail below, the tailgate opening operation detection unit S1 transmits the information to the control unit C1, and the control unit C1 controls the open / close mechanism 3 to cause the locking device 1 to perform an operation that enables the tailgate 8 to be opened.

[0189] <Locking device status when the tailgate is open> 11, when the tailgate 8 is in the open state, in the locking device 1, the fork 10 is in the unlatched position, the pawl 20 is in the unlocked position, and the operating lever 30 is in the home position. The first microswitch SW1 is in the "OFF" state, and the second microswitch SW2 is in the "ON2" state. The control unit C1 determines that the tailgate 8 is in the open state based on the detection signals transmitted from the first microswitch SW1 and the second microswitch SW2.

[0190] <Operation to completely close the tailgate> When the user performs an operation to close the tailgate 8 that is in an open state, the striker 7 enters the entrance 97 as shown in Fig. 12. Then, the striker 7 presses the rear convex portion 10A of the fork 10, causing the fork 10 to swing in the first direction R1.

[0191] When the fork 10 swings to a position slightly before the half-latched position, the first microswitch SW1 turns to the "ON1" state and transmits a detection signal to the control unit C1. The control unit C1 determines that the tailgate 8 is almost closed and rotates the drive source M1 forward.

[0192] As shown in FIG. 13, the drive train 50 transmits the driving force from the driving source M1, which rotates in the forward direction, to the sector gear 35, causing the operating lever 30 to swing in the first direction R1 from the origin position.

[0193] The first acting portion 39 abuts against the passive surface 13 of the fork 10 when the operating lever 30 swings in the first direction R1 at the first intermediate position, causing the fork 10 to swing from the half-latched position or a position slightly before the half-latched position to the latched position.

[0194] The second microswitch SW2 is in the "ON1" state when the actuating lever 30 is moving from the first intermediate position and transmits a detection signal to the control unit C1. The control unit C1 determines that the actuating lever 30 has started to move from the home position toward the first actuating end position and that the fork 10 has started to swing toward the latched position from the half-latched position or a position slightly before the half-latched position.

[0195] When the fork 10 reaches the half-latch position, the pawl 20 swings to the blocking position, and the stopper surface 20A faces the half-latch surface 12B of the fork 10 from downstream in the second direction R2 so as to be able to abut against it. When the fork 10 further swings in the first direction R1 at the half-latch position, the pawl 20 slides against the outer peripheral surface of the fork 10 that curves between the half-latch surface 12B and the latch surface 12A, and swings to the unblocking position.

[0196] As shown in Figure 14, when the actuating lever 30 further swings in the first direction R1 from the first intermediate position and the fork 10 passes a position slightly before the latched position, the first microswitch SW1 enters the "ON2" state and transmits a detection signal to the control unit C1. The control unit C1 determines that the fork 10 has almost reached the latched position. The control unit C1 can also use the switching signal of the first microswitch SW1 from "ON1" to "ON2" to control the turning on and off of the interior lamp.

[0197] As shown in Figure 15, when the operating lever 30 further swings in the first direction R1 and reaches the first operating end position, the pole 20 swings to the blocking position, and the stopper surface 20A of the pole 20 faces the latch surface 12A of the fork 10 in the latch position so as to be able to abut against it from downstream in the second direction R2.

[0198] The second microswitch SW2 is turned "OFF" and transmits a detection signal to the control unit C1. The control unit C1 determines that the fork 10 has reached the latch position and overrun. The control unit C1 then reverses the rotation of the drive source M1.

[0199] As shown in FIG. 16, the drive train 50 transmits the driving force from the reversely rotating drive source M1 to the sector gear 35, causing the operating lever 30 to swing from the first operating end position in the second direction R2.

[0200] Then, the second microswitch SW2 is in the "ON1" state when the operating lever 30 passes through the first intermediate position, and in the "ON2" state when it further swings to the home position, transmitting a detection signal to the control unit C1. The control unit C1 determines that the tailgate 8 has been completely closed and stops the drive source M1. In this way, the tailgate 8 is held in a completely closed state by the operation of the open / close mechanism 3.

[0201] <Action to enable tailgate opening> When a user performs an opening operation on the tailgate 8, the tailgate opening operation detection unit S1 transmits the information to the control unit C1. The control unit C1 determines that an opening operation on the tailgate 8 has been performed and causes the driving source M1 to rotate in the reverse direction.

[0202] As shown in FIG. 17, the drive train 50 transmits the driving force from the reversely rotating drive source M1 to the sector gear 35, causing the operating lever 30 to swing in the second direction R2 from the original position.

[0203] When the actuating lever 30 is in the second intermediate position, the second microswitch SW2 is turned on and transmits a detection signal to the control unit C1, which determines that the actuating lever 30 has started to move from the home position toward the second actuation end position.

[0204] When the operating lever 30 is in the second intermediate position and swings in the second direction R2, the second acting portion 49 of the operating lever 30 comes into contact with the passive portion 23 of the pawl 20, causing the pawl 20 to swing from the blocking position to the unlocking position. The stopper surface 20A is spaced apart from the latch surface 12A of the fork 10 in the radially outward direction of the first axis X1 and is unable to come into contact with the latch surface 12A.

[0205] As a result, as shown in FIG. 18, the fork 10 swings from the latched position to the unlatched position, and the striker 7 is no longer locked within the entrance 97.

[0206] The first microswitch SW1 is turned OFF and transmits a detection signal to the control unit C1, which determines that the fork 10 has reached the unlatched position and is no longer latching the striker 7 within the entrance 97.

[0207] When the operating lever 30 further swings in the second direction R2 and reaches the second operating end position, the second microswitch SW2 turns OFF and transmits a detection signal to the control unit C1, which then rotates the drive source M1 in the forward direction.

[0208] The drive train 50 transmits the driving force from the driving source M1, which rotates in the forward direction, to the sector gear 35, causing the operating lever 30 to swing in the first direction R1 from the second operating end position.

[0209] Then, the second microswitch SW2 is in the "ON1" state when the operating lever 30 passes through the second intermediate position, and in the "ON2" state when it further swings to the home position, transmitting a detection signal to the control unit C1. The control unit C1 determines that the tailgate 8 can be opened and stops the drive source M1. In this way, the tailgate 8 is released from the held state by the operation of the open / close mechanism 3, and can be opened.

[0210] <Action and effect> In the locking device 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, the drive train 50 of the open / close mechanism 3 transmits drive force from the forward-rotating drive source M1 to the sector gear 35 of the actuating lever 30, causing the actuating lever 30 to swing in the first direction R1. The first acting portion 39 of the actuating lever 30 then abuts against the passive surface 13 of the fork 10, causing the fork 10 to swing from the half-latched position or a position slightly before the half-latched position to the latched position. Accordingly, the pawl 20 swings to the blocking position. As a result, the tailgate 8 is held in a completely closed state.

[0211] 16 to 18, the drive train 50 transmits the driving force from the reverse-rotating drive source M1 to the sector gear 35 of the operating lever 30, causing the operating lever 30 to swing in the second direction R2. As a result, the second acting portion 49 of the operating lever 30 comes into contact with the passive portion 23 of the pawl 20, causing the pawl 20 to swing to the unblock position. As a result, the tailgate 8 is released from the held state and can be opened.

[0212] In this locking device 1, the open / close mechanism 3 does not have the second drive train of the conventional locking device, i.e., the pressing pin, open lever, and lift lever, which reduces the number of parts and assembly steps required for this locking device 1.

[0213] Therefore, the lock device 1 of the embodiment can achieve low manufacturing costs.

[0214] Furthermore, since the open-close mechanism 3 of this locking device 1 does not have anything equivalent to the second drive train of the conventional locking device, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in the design layout of the drive source M1 and the drive train 50. As a result, this locking device 1 can be made smaller.

[0215] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 7, the locking device 1 further includes a first support shaft 11 and a second support shaft 22. As shown in Fig. 6, the operating lever 30 has a sector gear 35 that meshes with an output gear 55 to which the driving force of the drive train 50 is finally transmitted. As shown in Figs. 6, 11, 12, and 16 to 18, the sector gear 35 enters between the first support shaft 11 and the second support shaft 22 at least when the operating lever 30 pivots in the second direction R2. By positioning the second acting portion 49 near the sector gear 35 in this way, the second acting portion 49 can more easily pivot the pawl 20 to the unlock position when the operating lever 30 pivots in the second direction R2.

[0216] 6 and 17, the operating lever 30 is formed with a recess 37 recessed in the first direction R1 between the sector gear 35 and the first support shaft 11 so as to escape from the striker 7 entering the entrance 97. With this configuration, even if the operating lever 30 is positioned so as to overlap the striker 7 entering the entrance 97 in the direction in which the first support shaft 11 extends, the recess 37 prevents the operating lever 30 from interfering with the striker 7. As a result, the locking device 1 can be made more compact in the direction in which the first support shaft 11 extends.

[0217] Furthermore, in this locking device 1, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 , the first support shaft 11 is provided in a protruding position on the base member 90 and supports the fork 10 and the actuating lever 30 so that the fork 10 and the actuating lever 30 can swing. The upper end of the first support shaft 11 is fixed to the back plate 95. The actuating lever 30, together with the fork 10 and the pawl 20, is located between the base member 90 and the back plate 95. This configuration allows for a more compact design in the direction in which the first support shaft 11 extends, compared to a configuration in which the actuating lever 30 is not located between the base member 90 and the back plate 95. Furthermore, this configuration allows the actuating lever 30 to be firmly supported by the first support shaft 11, both ends of which are fixed to the base member 90 and the back plate 95. As a result, the actuating lever 30 is less likely to be twisted even when a large force is applied, thereby stabilizing the action of the first acting portion 39 on the fork 10 and the action of the second acting portion 49 on the pawl 20.

[0218] In addition, in this locking device 1, as shown in FIG. 10, the first microswitch SW1 and the second microswitch SW2 are each a dual-circuit microswitch. As shown in FIGS. 11 to 18, the first microswitch SW1 is configured to detect whether the fork 10 is in one of the latched position, half-latched position, and unlatched position. The second microswitch SW2 is configured to detect whether the actuating lever 30 is in one of the home position, actuated end position, and intermediate position. This configuration allows the control unit C1 to accurately determine the state of the fork 10 and the state of the actuating lever 30 based on information transmitted from the first microswitch SW1 and the second microswitch SW2. This configuration also reduces the number of parts and assembly steps compared to a case in which two single-circuit microswitches are provided corresponding to the fork 10 and two single-circuit microswitches are provided corresponding to the actuating lever 30. As a result, this locking device 1 can further reduce manufacturing costs.

[0219] 11 to 18, the locking device 1 further includes a first detection lever 71 that transmits the swing of the fork 10 to the movable protrusion 83 of the first microswitch SW1, and a second detection lever 72 that transmits the swing of the operating lever 30 to the movable protrusion 83 of the second microswitch SW2. This configuration improves the degree of freedom in the design layout of the first microswitch SW1 and the second microswitch SW2. As a result, the locking device 1 can be made more compact.

[0220] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified and applied as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0221] In the embodiment, the pole 20 swings between the blocking position and the unblocking position, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the pole may move linearly between the blocking position and the unblocking position.

[0222] In the embodiment, the operating lever 30 has an operating lever body 31 and a cam 40, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the operating lever may be a single member.

[0223] The first detection lever 71 and the second detection lever 72 according to the embodiment are not essential, and for example, the first microswitch may directly detect the position of the fork, or the second microswitch may directly detect the position of the operating lever.

[0224] In the embodiment, the present invention also includes a configuration in which an idle gear that meshes with the sector gear 35 is provided in the locking device main body 5, and the idle gear is modified to transmit driving force from the output gear 55 to the sector gear 35, and the idle gear becomes the output gear to which driving force is finally transmitted in the drive train 50, instead of the output gear 55.

[0225] In the embodiment, the base member 90 is provided on the tailgate 8 and the striker 7 is provided on the vehicle body 9, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention also includes a configuration in which the base member is provided on the vehicle body and the striker is provided on the opening / closing body.

[0226] In the embodiment, the locking device 1 is used in the tailgate 8, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the locking device of the present invention may be used in a swing or sliding side door, trunk lid, etc. provided on the side of a vehicle. [Industrial Applicability]

[0227] The present invention can be used in vehicles such as automobiles and industrial vehicles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0228] 1... Locking device 8...Vehicle opening and closing body (tailgate) 9...Body 7...Strika 97...Entrance 90...Base member 10...Fork 20...Paul 3...Open-close mechanism M1...Drive source R1…first direction R2…Second direction 30...Operating lever 50...Drivetrain 39...First action part 49…Second action part 11...1st support shaft 22…Second support shaft 55...Output gear 35...Sector gear 37...Escape area 95...Backplate SW1: First microswitch SW2: Second microswitch 83…Movable protrusion L1: First stroke amount 81…1st circuit L2: Second stroke amount 82…Second circuit 71...First detection lever 72...Second detection lever

Claims

1. a base member provided on one of a vehicle body and an opening / closing body that is openably and closably mounted on the vehicle body, the base member having an entrance opening through which a striker fixed to the other of the vehicle body and the opening / closing body enters; a fork provided on the base member, the fork swinging between a latched position where the striker can be latched at the back side of the entrance, a half-latched position where the striker can be latched midway through the entrance, and an unlatched position where the striker is not latched within the entrance; a pawl provided on the base member, the pawl being displaceable between a blocking position that blocks the fork from swinging to the unlatched position and an unblocking position that allows the fork to swing to the unlatched position; an open-close mechanism configured to displace the pole to the unlock position when acting on the pole, and to swing the fork to the latch position when acting on the fork, The open / close mechanism includes a drive source that rotates forward and backward to generate a drive force; an operating lever that is supported by the base member coaxially with the fork and that is swingable independently of the fork in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction; a drive train that transmits the driving force from the drive source that rotates in the forward direction to the operating lever to swing the operating lever in the first direction, and transmits the driving force from the drive source that rotates in the reverse direction to the operating lever to swing the operating lever in the second direction, a first action portion that contacts the fork when the actuating lever pivots in the first direction, causing the fork to pivot to the latch position; a second action portion that comes into contact with the pole when the locking mechanism swings in the second direction and displaces the pole to the unblock position, a first support shaft that is provided in a protruding manner on the base member and that supports the fork and the operating lever so that the fork and the operating lever can swing; a second support shaft provided in a protruding manner on the base member and supporting the pole so that the pole can swing; the actuating lever has a sector gear that meshes with an output gear to which the driving force is finally transmitted in the drive train, The locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body, wherein the sector gear enters between the first support shaft and the second support shaft at least when the operating lever swings in the second direction.

2. 2. The locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body according to claim 1, wherein the operating lever has a recess formed between the sector gear and the first support shaft, the recess being recessed in the first direction so as to escape from the striker entering the entrance.

3. a first support shaft that is provided in a protruding manner on the base member and that supports the fork and the operating lever so that the fork and the operating lever can swing; a back plate facing the base member and to which an end of the first support shaft opposite to the base member is fixed, 3. The locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body according to claim 1, wherein the actuating lever, together with the fork and the pawl, is located between the base member and the back plate.

4. Further comprising a first microswitch and a second microswitch, The first microswitch and the second microswitch each have a pushable movable protrusion; a first circuit that switches between connection and disconnection when the movable protrusion is pushed in by a first stroke amount; a second circuit that switches between connection and disconnection when the movable protrusion is further pushed in by a second stroke amount from the first stroke amount, the first microswitch is configured to detect whether the fork is in any one of the latched position, the half-latched position, and the unlatched position; The actuating lever has an original position and a first operating end position that is a limit position when swinging from the origin position in the first direction; a second operating end position that is a limit position when swinging from the origin position in the second direction; a first intermediate position that is a position between the origin position and the first actuation end position; a second intermediate position which is a position between the original position and the second operating end position, the first operating end position and the second operating end position are operating end positions, When the first intermediate position and the second intermediate position are defined as intermediate positions, 3. The locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body according to claim 1, wherein the second microswitch is configured to detect whether the operating lever is in one of the original position, the operating end position, and the intermediate position.

5. a first detection lever that is swingably provided between the movable protrusion of the first microswitch and the fork and that transmits the swing of the fork to the movable protrusion of the first microswitch; 5. The locking device for a vehicle opening / closing body according to claim 4, further comprising a second detection lever that is pivotably disposed between the movable protrusion of the second microswitch and the operating lever and transmits the pivoting of the operating lever to the movable protrusion of the second microswitch.

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