Door latch for vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a door latch for vehicle capable of significantly reducing work processes while reducing a material loss by assembling a wire terminal module, in which wires and terminals are assembled, to an inner cover.

Description

DOOR LATCH FOR VEHICLE

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a door latch for vehicle capable of significantly reducing work processes while reducing a material loss by assembling a wire terminal module, in which wires and terminals are assembled, to an inner cover.

[0002] A door latch is provided inside a vehicle door to perform lock and unlock operations of the door and open and close operations of the door.

[0003] A door latch for mechanical vehicle is provided outside the vehicle door. When a user inserts a vehicle key into a key cylinder mechanically connected to the vehicle door latch and rotates the key, the lock and unlock operations of the door latch may be performed.

[0004] In an unlocked state of the door latch for mechanical vehicle, the user may open the vehicle door by operating an outside handle or an inside handle provided on the vehicle door.

[0005] In contrast, a door latch for electric vehicle may perform the lock and unlock operations of the vehicle door latch by operating a door button outside or inside the vehicle or controlling a vehicle system without using various mechanical devices required for the door latch for mechanical vehicle.

[0006] In addition, in an unlocked state of the door latch for electronic vehicle, the user may open the vehicle door by pressing an electronic button provided outside or inside the vehicle.

[0007] A conventional door latch for electric vehicle is disclosed in patent document (Korean Patent No. 10-2705529).

[0008] A conventional terminal 132 uses a copper alloy plated with tin and is formed as one body from a power supply terminal to an electrical contact terminal. As illustrated in FIG. 38, one terminal 132 is configured such that eight terminals including terminals 510’ for a safety motor 510, terminals 910’ for an open motor 910, terminals s1’ and s2’ for latch detection sensors S1 and S2, and terminals 430’ for a safety block detection sensor 430 are arrayed from a power supply terminal 133.

[0009] The eight array terminals may be obtained by cutting a material panel to obtain the single terminal 132. However, since one body from the power supply to the electrical contact is configured, a material loss due to cutting may be very large.

[0010] Further, sincethe shape of each terminal is complex, each terminal must be individually plated in a hanger (hanging) manner, which may result in excessive plating costs.

[0011] In addition, since each terminal has a complex shape and is highly susceptible to deformation, the terminals must be individually packaged or transported as much as possible to protect the product.

[0012] In the terminals 132 illustrated in FIG. 38, a terminal module 134 modularized into an injection molded product 135 formed by first insert-moldingan injection mold is then second insert-molded to produce an insert cover 200 as illustrated in FIGS. 40 and 41.

[0013] Since central positioning pins of the mold hold the terminals 132 up and down when performing the second insert injection and are positioned in the center of the injection mold, a hole 203 may be formed at a position of the central positioning pin.

[0014] In addition, a hole 201 may be formed in an assembly position pin position of the mold to accurately determine a position of an important part to be assembled with a counterpart (sensor or motor) when performing the second insert molding.

[0015] The hole 201 is relatively large compared to the hole 203, so it can be sealed with epoxy. However, since the hole 203 is a micropore, it is difficult to seal the hole 203, so there is a high risk of electric leakage during a liquid resistance test.

[0016] Since the conventional terminal is inserted into the injection-molded insert cover 200, the material loss is very large, and the work processes (e.g., cutting and bending press, individual plating, secondary injection) are many, which may be uneconomical.

[0017] [Prior Art Document]

[0018] [Patent Document]

[0019] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent No. 10-2705529

[0020] An object of the present disclosure is to address the above-described and other problems.

[0021] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a door latch for vehicle that can minimize a material loss and significantly reduce the number of work processes by assembling a wire terminal module to an inner cover, thereby improving cost reduction.

[0022] In order to achieve the above-described and other objects, in one aspect of the present disclosure, there may be provided a vehicle door latch comprisinga latch part including a ratchet and a pawl; an open lever; a driver which opens a closing of the latch part by pivoting the pawl by a rotation of the open lever; a main cover on which the latch part and the open lever are rotatably installed; a rear cover covering a rear surface of the main cover; an inner cover assembled inside the main cover and the rear cover, the driver being accommodated inside the inner cover; a wire terminal module including a power supply terminal, a wire, and a mounting part mounting the power supply terminal and the wire, one side of the wire being connected to the power supply terminal, and other side of the wire being in contact with a motor of the driver; and a coupling part coupling the wire terminal module to an outside of the inner cover.

[0023] Effects of a door latch for vehicle according to the present disclosure are described as follows.

[0024] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a material loss due to cutting of a material panel can be minimized compared to an existing integrated terminal by implementing a wire terminal module assembled by combining terminals and wires.

[0025] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, since terminals assembled on wires have a simple shape that does not cause tangles and a size that does not cause deformation, multiple terminals can be arranged in a container, such as a barrel, and plated, which reduces plating costs.

[0026] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, since terminals assembled on wires have a simple shape that does not cause tangles and a size that does not cause deformation, the terminals can be packaged or transported in bulk.

[0027] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, since a wire terminal module can be installed simply by assembling the wire terminal module to an inner cover, a process of inserting an existing integrated terminal to form a module through a first insertion molding and then inserting the module to mold the inner cover can be eliminated, thereby reducing the injection mold cost.

[0028] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, since a wire terminal module can be installed simply by assembling the wire terminal module to an inner cover, there are no unnecessary mold pin hole in the inner cover unlike the existing insert injection, thereby preventingelectrical leakage through excellent water-tight performance.

[0029] Additional scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given blow. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples such as embodiments of the present disclosure are given merely by way of example, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description.

[0030] FIGS. 1 and 2 are front and rear perspective views illustrating an appearance of a vehicle door latch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating that a vehicle door latch of FIG. 1 is separated into a main cover, an inner cover, and a rear cover.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view separately illustrating an inner cover, a motor, a push part, a safety block, and an oven block of FIG. 3.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a push part of FIG. 4 when viewed from the right.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a left side view illustrating that a push part is assembled on an inner cover of FIG. 3.

[0035] FIG. 6a is a left side view illustrating that a motor is assembled on an inner cover of FIG. 6.

[0036] FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views illustrating a safety block of FIG. 4 from the left and right.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a left side view illustrating that a safety block is assembled on an inner cover of FIG. 6.

[0038] FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views illustrating an oven block of FIG. 4 from the left and right.

[0039] FIG. 12 is a left side view illustrating that an oven block is assembled on an inner cover of FIG. 9.

[0040] FIGS. 13 to 15 illustrate a locking of a safety block and a closed position of a door latch part.

[0041] FIG. 16 illustrates a position of a push in FIG. 15.

[0042] FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate a state of moving to an unlocked position of a safety block in a state of FIGS. 13 and 15.

[0043] FIG. 19 illustrates a position of a push in FIG. 18.

[0044] FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate an open state of adoor latch part by an operation of a motor and a push part in a state of FIG. 18.

[0045] FIG. 22 illustrates a position of a push in FIG. 20.

[0046] FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate an open state of a door latch part by pulling of an outside door connector in a state of FIGS. 17 and 18.

[0047] FIGS. 25 and 26 are perspective views illustrating that a push part according to another embodiment is separated and coupled.

[0048] FIG. 27 illustrates a push position of another push part with respect to a safety block and an open block.

[0049] FIG. 28 illustrates that another push part of FIG. 26 operates from an unlocked state to a locked state.

[0050] FIG. 29 illustrates that another push part of FIG. 28 operates from a locked state to an unlocked state.

[0051] FIG. 30 illustrates that another push part of FIG. 29 operates from an unlocked state to an open state.

[0052] FIGS. 31 and 32 are perspective views illustrating an insert server to which a wire terminal module according to another embodiment is assembled when viewed from the left and right sides.

[0053] FIGS. 33 and 34 are perspective views illustrating that a wire terminal module is separated and coupled.

[0054] FIGS. 35 and 36 are perspective views illustrating before and after assembling a wire terminal module to an inner cover.

[0055] FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coupling part of FIG. 36.

[0056] FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a conventional integrated terminal.

[0057] FIG. 39 is a perspective view illustrating an integrated terminal module in which an integrated terminal of FIG. 38 is first insert-molded.

[0058] FIGS. 40 and 41 are perspective views illustrating an inner cover in which an integrated terminal module is second insert-molded when viewed from the left and right sides.

[0059] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In general, a suffix such as "module" and "unit" may be used to refer to elements or components. Use of such a suffix herein is merely intended to facilitate description of the present disclosure, and the suffix itself is not intended to give any special meaning or function. It will be noted that a detailed description of known arts will be omitted if it is determined that the detailed description of the known arts can obscure the embodiments of the disclosure. The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand various technical features and it should be understood that embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the present disclosureshould be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawings.

[0060] The terms including an ordinal number such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by such terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing an component from another components.

[0061] When any component is described as "being connected" or "being coupled" to other component, this should be understood to mean that another component may exist between them, although any component may be directly connected or coupled to the other component. In contrast, when any component is described as "being directly connected" or "being directly coupled" to other component, this should be understood to mean that no component exists between them.

[0062] A singular expression can include a plural expression as long as it does not have an apparently different meaning in context.

[0063] In the present disclosure, terms "include" and "have" should be understood to be intended to designate that illustrated features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof are present and not to preclude the existence of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof, or the possibility of the addition thereof.

[0064] In the drawings, sizes of the components may be exaggerated or reduced for convenience of explanation. For example, the size and the thickness of each component illustrated in the drawings are arbitrarily illustrated for convenience of explanation, and thus the present disclosure is not limited thereto unless specified as such.

[0065] If any embodiment is implementable differently, a specific order of processes may be performed differently from the order described. For example, two consecutively described processes may be performed substantially at the same time, or performed in the order opposite to the described order.

[0066] In the following embodiments, when layers, areas, components, etc. are connected, the following embodiments include both the case where layers, areas, and components are directly connected, and the case where layers, areas, and components are indirectly connected with other layers, areas, and components intervening between them. For example, when layers, areas, components, etc. are electrically connected, the present disclosure includes both the case where layers, areas, and components are directly electrically connected, and the case where layers, areas, and components are indirectly electrically connected with other layers, areas, and components intervening between them.

[0067] Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are given to parts identical to the prior art of the patent document and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0068] In embodimentsof the present disclosure, a front-rear direction refers to a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, an up-down direction refers to a height direction of the vehicle, and a left-right direction refer to a width direction of the vehicle.

[0069] A vehicle door latch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be connected to a vehicle door handle 1 of FIG. 1 as in the prior art. The vehicle door latch can open a vehicle door using a touch sensor or a switch, etc. without installing the vehicle door handle 1 in the same manner as the prior art. This embodiment mainly describes a structure in which the door handle is not installed. Therefore, the vehicle door latch can be applied regardless of the presence or absence of thedoor handle.

[0070] <Open connector 30>

[0071] FIGS. 1 and 2 are front and rear perspective views illustrating an appearance of a vehicle door latch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an open connector 30 may include an inner door connector 50. The inner door connector 50 may include an emergency lever cable that is pulled by pulling a lever inside an inside door of the vehicle.As illustrated in FIG. 13, a return spring 55 may be fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the emergency lever cable. The return spring 55 may elastically return an open block 1600 that is pulled against an inner cover 1200.

[0073] The open connector 30 may accessorily include an outside door connector 40. The outside door connector 40 may include an outside rod 41 that is pulled by the pulling of the vehicle door handle 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 as in the prior art. That is, an end of the outside rod 41 may be coupled to an outside open rod 43 connected to the open block 1600, and another end of the outside rod 41 may be connected to the vehicle door handle 1. As illustrated in FIG. 13, a return spring 45 may be fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the outside open rod 43. The return spring 45 may also elastically return the open block 1600 that is pulled against the inner cover 1200.

[0074] <Housing 100>

[0075] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating that a vehicle door latch of FIG. 1 is separated into a main cover, an inner cover, and a rear cover.

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicle door latch according to the present embodiment may include a housing 100 forming an external appearance in the same manner as the prior art. The housing 100 may include a main cover 110, a front plate 120, and a rear cover 130.

[0077] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a first striker insertion groove 111 into which a striker (not shown) is inserted may be formed in a front surface of the main cover 110.

[0078] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 14, a latch part 300 including a ratchet 310 and a pawl 330 may be installed in the front surface of the main cover 110.

[0079] As illustrated in FIG. 18, an open lever 700 and a cinching lever 2530 may be installed on a rear surface of the main cover 110. A cinching actuator connection cable 2520 may be installed on the cinching lever 2530.

[0080] The front plate 120 may cover a front surface of the latch part 300. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a second striker insertion groove 121 corresponding to the first striker insertion groove 111 may also be formed in the front plate 120.

[0081] The rear cover 130 may be fastened to the rear surface of the main cover 110. A connector 131 may be formed on a rear side of the rear cover 130.

[0082] <Inner cover 1200>

[0083] FIG. 4 is a perspective view separately illustrating an inner cover, a motor, a push part, a safety block, and an oven block of FIG. 3.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 4, the vehicle door latch according to the present embodiment may include the inner cover 1200. The inner cover 1200 may temporarily assemble and modularize respective parts. The modularized inner cover 1200 may be accommodated inside by fastening the main cover 110 and the rear cover 130 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0085] In the inner cover 1200, a first accommodation portion 211 and a third accommodation portion 213 may be arranged in parallel at the rear and front of a base 210,as in the prior art. As illustrated in FIG. 9¸a safety block 1400 may be inserted into the first accommodation portion 211 so as to be able to slide up and down. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the open block 1600 may be assembled into the third accommodation portion 213 so as to be able to slide up and down. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a second accommodation portion 1212 into which a push lock cam cover 1530 of a push lock 1500 is assembled may be formed on an upper side of the first accommodation portion 211. A fourth accommodation portion 214 into which an open motor 1910 is assembled may be formed on an upper side of the third accommodation portion 213. A fifth accommodation portion 1215 may be formed on a rear side of the fourth accommodation portion 214. An upper side 401 of the safety block 1400 and a guide protrusion 1603 of the open block 1600 described below may be inserted together into the fifth accommodation portion 1215.

[0086] As illustrated in FIG. 4, a support shaft hole 1218 may be formed in the base 210.As illustrated in FIG. 5, a support shaft 1931a of a worm wheel 1931 may be rotatably inserted into the support shaft hole 1218.

[0087] A guide arc protrusion1219 may be formed in the base 210. The guide arc protrusion 1219 may be formed around the support shaft hole 1218. The guide arc protrusion 1219 may be arranged in a space between an arc protrusion 2100 and a cam 1933. More specifically, referring to FIG. 5, the guide arc protrusion 1219 may be arranged in a space between the arc protrusion 2100 and a cam extension arc protrusion1934 extending from the cam 1933. The guide arc protrusion 1219 may bring a surface of the worm wheel 1931 into line contact with the base 210 without touching the base 210 and may guide the rotation of the worm wheel 1931.

[0088] A leg bracket 217 that is fastened and supported to the main cover 110 and detects the ratchet 310 mat be formed at afront lower side of the base 210.

[0089] <Latch part 300>

[0090] Referring to FIG. 14, the vehicle door latch according to the present embodiment may include the latch part 300 including the ratchet 310 and the pawl 330 in the same manner as the prior art. The structure and function of the ratchet 310 and the pawl 330 refer to the prior art and a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0091] <Safety block 1400>

[0092] FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views illustrating a safety block of FIG. 4 from the left and right.

[0093] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the vehicle door latch according to the present embodiment may include the rod-shaped safety block 1400. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the safety block 1400 may be accommodated in the first accommodation portion 211 and the fifth accommodation portion 1215. A stepped portion 402 pressing a safety block position sensor 430 of FIG. 4 may be formed on the safety block 1400. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the stepped portion 402 may be formed on the right side of the safety block 1400. Therefore, if a concave portion 402a of the stepped portion 402 is positioned on the safety block position sensor 430, the safety block 1400 may be in a locked state (see FIGS. 13 and 15), and if a convex portion 402b of the stepped portion 402 is positioned on the safety block position sensor 430, the safety block 1400 may be in an unlocked state (see FIGS. 17 and 18).

[0094] <Push lock 1500>

[0095] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the vehicle door latch according to the present embodiment may include the push lock 1500. The push lock 1500 may maintain the safety block 1400 in a locked position or an unlocked position.

[0096] The push lock 1500 may include a push lock button 1510 formed on the safety block 1400.

[0097] The push lock 1500 may include a push lock cam cover 1530. The push lock cam cover 1530 may be accommodated in the second accommodation portion 1212 of the inner cover 1200. A cam portion1540 may be formed on one side of the push lock cam cover 1530.

[0098] The push lock 1500 may include a locking guide part 1550 as illustrated in FIG. 13. The locking guide part 1550 may push the push lock button 1510 against the push lock cam cover 1530 to lock or unlock the cam portion1540 and maintain a locked position or an unlocked position.

[0099] The push lock 1500 may include a spring 1560. The spring 1560 may be installed between the locking guide part 1550 and the push lock cam cover 1530.Therefore, the spring 1560 may elastically press the push lock button 1510 against the push lock cam cover 1530.

[0100] The structure and function of the push lock 1500 refer to FIGS. 17 and 34 to 37 related to a description of a second locking member 1700 disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-1781531, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0101] <Door handle key connector 550>

[0102] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 15, the vehicle door latch according to the present embodiment may include a door handle key connector 550 in the same manner as the prior art. The door handle key connector 550 may be locked or unlocked by manually sliding the safety block 1400 in a state in which the vehicle is closed. That is, the door handle key connector 550 may operate in one direction by pushing the push lock button 1510 against the push lock cam cover 1530 when locking or unlocking the safety block 1400.

[0103] A key cylinder pin 557 of the door handle key connection 550 may be inserted into and pass through a long hole 558 formed in the base 210 illustrated in FIG. 6 in a sliding direction.

[0104] A key cylinder 551, a key lever 553, and an operating groove 555 of the door handle key connector 550 refer to the prior art, and a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0105] <Emergency lever connector 1570>

[0106] Referring to FIGS. 1, 15 and 18, the vehicle door latch according to the present embodiment may include an emergency lever connector 1570 in the same manner as the prior art. The emergency lever connector 1570 may arrange the safety block 1400 in a locked or unlocked position by manually sliding the safety block 1400 in a state in which the vehicle door is open.

[0107] The emergency lever connector 1570 may include a key circular plate 1571, an emergency lever pin 1575 formed on thesafety block 1400, and a key arm 1573 connecting the key circular plate 1571 and the emergency lever pin 1575. Therefore, in the same manner as the door handle key connector 550, when the key plate 1751 is turned in adirection in which the push lock 1500 is pushed, the emergency lever pin 575 may be pulled or pushed by the pivot of the key arm 1573.

[0108] <Open block 1600>

[0109] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the vehicle door latch according to the present embodiment may include the open block 1600 arranged parallel to the safety block 1400.

[0110] The open block 1600 may be slidably accommodated in the third accommodation portion 213 as illustrated FIG. 12. Guide protrusions 1603 and 601 may be formed at upper and lower ends of the open block 1600. The guide protrusions 1603 and 601 may be accommodated in the fifth accommodation portion 1215 and a sixth accommodation portion 216. Therefore, the open block 1600 may stably slide along avertical length direction.

[0111] The lock or unlock of the open block 1600 may be determined by an interaction between a push part 1930 and a push part rotation blocking part 2000 described below.

[0112] The open block 1600 may be pulled by the open connector 30 connected to the vehicle door handle 1. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the open block 1600 may be pulled by an auxiliary outside door connector 40 together with a lifting link 840 described below only in the unlocked position of the safety block 1400. As illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 18, the open block 1600 may be always pulled by the inner door connector 50 that is free from the lifting link 840 regardless of the locked state or the unlocked state of the safety block 1400.

[0113] <Open level 700>

[0114] The vehicle door latch according to the present embodiment may include the open level 700 in the same manner as the prior art. The open lever 700 may pivot the pawl 330 by the pulling of the open block 1600 to open the closing of the ratchet 310.

[0115] As illustrated in FIG. 15, the open lever 700 may include an open lever plate 710, a first catching pin 720 and a second catchingpin 730 protruding toward the rear of one side of the open lever plate 710 and the front of the other side of the open lever plate 710, and a caught jaw 1725 extending from one side of the open lever plate 710.

[0116] As illustrated in FIG. 20, the first catching pin 720 may rotate the open lever 700 by a pushing force based on a rotation diameter of the cam 1933 of the push part 1930.

[0117] As illustrated in FIG. 24, the caught jaw 1725 may rotate the open lever 700 by a pulling force of a catching jaw 725 while the open block 1600 is also pulled by the pulling of the auxiliary outside door connector 40.

[0118] <Open block pull blocking part 800>

[0119] The vehicle door latch according to the present embodiment may further include an open block pull blocking part 800 in the same manner as the prior art. The open block pull blocking part 800 may block the pulling of the outside door connector 40. The open block pull blocking part 800 may block or allow the pulling of the open block 1600 depending on the locked position (see FIGS. 13 and 15) or the unlocked position (see FIGS. 17 and 18) of the safety block 1400.

[0120] As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the open block pull blocking part 800 may include a cam groove 810 formed in the safety block 1400. The cam groove 810 may include a horizontal long hole 811 and an inclined long hole 813.

[0121] The open block pull blocking part 800 may include a movable link part 830 connecting the cam groove 810 and the open block 1600. The movable link part 830 may include the lifting link 840, which moves up and down along the cam groove 810, and a fixed link 850 formed on the open block 1600.

[0122] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the lifting link 840 may include a lifting link plate 841. An open block pull blocking groove 820 and a stopper 842 that are caught on the outside of the safety block 1400 may be formed on the lifting link plate 841. As illustrated in FIG. 15, if a ball 44 installed on a cable of the outside open rod 43 is in a locked position at which it is not caught on the open block pull blocking groove 820, the open block 1600 will not be pulled even if the outside open connector 40 is pulled. Conversely, if the ball 44installed on the cable of the outside open rod 43 is in an unlocked position at which it is caught on the open block pull blocking groove 820 as illustrated in FIG. 18, the open block 1600 may be pulled as illustrated in FIG. 24 when the outside open connector 40 is pulled.

[0123] The lifting link 840 may include a first pin 845 that moves along the cam groove 810.

[0124] The lifting link 840 may include a second pin 843 in the shape of a plate. The second pin 843 may be formed side by side.

[0125] The movable link part 830 may include the fixed link 850 that guides the lifting link 840.

[0126] The fixed link 850 may include a fixed link plate 851 formed on the open block 1600 and a long hole 853 formed to penetrate forward and backward. The long hole 853 may guide the lifting of the second pin 843.

[0127] As illustrated in FIG. 11, a lifting guide groove 860, that guides the lifting link plate 841 to move up and down, may be formed in the open block 1600.

[0128] The structure and function of the open block pull blocking part 800 also refer to the prior art, and a detailed description is omitted.

[0129] <Diver 1900>

[0130] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6a, the vehicle door latch according to the present embodiment may include a driving unit 1900. The driving unit 1900 may push the safety block 1400 to perform the lock (see FIG. 16) / unlock (see FIG. 19) or may pivot the pawl 330 to open the closing of the latch part 300 (see FIG. 20).

[0131] The driving unit 1900 may include the motor 1910 assembled to the fourth accommodation portion 214.

[0132] The driving unit 1900 may include a worm 1920. The worm 1920 may be formed on a rotational shaft of the motor 1910.

[0133] The driving unit 1900 may include the push part 1930.

[0134] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the push part 1930 may include the worm wheel 1931. The worm wheel 1931 may be engaged with the worm 1920 as illustrated in FIG. 6a. One side of the worm wheel 1931 may be rotatably supported by the support shaft hole 1218 of the inner cover 1200 via the support shaft 1931a. In addition, the other shaft 1931b of the worm wheel 1931 may be supported while in contact with the safety block 1400 and the open block 1600.

[0135] The push part 1930 may include a pusher 1932. The pusher 1932 may protrude outwardly from the other side of the worm wheel 1931. The pusher 1932 may push the safety block 1400 in only one direction by the one-direction rotation of the worm wheel 1931. The one-directionpushing of the safety block 1400 may lock (see FIG. 16) or unlock (see FIG. 19) the push lock 1500.

[0136] The push part 1930 may include the cam 1933. The cam 1933 may be formed on one side of the worm wheel 1931, that is, on a surface where the support shaft 1931a is formed. The cam 1933 may rotate the open lever 700 by pushing the first catching pin 720 as its rotation radius increases based on the rotation of the worm wheel 1931.

[0137] The pusher1932 may move within a motion trajectory allowing groove 1940 formed in the safety block 1400 and the open block 1600. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 16, the motion trajectory allowing groove 1940 may include a first motion trajectory allowing groove 1941 formed in the safety block 1400. The first motion trajectory allowing groove 1941 may be a rectangular groove, in which a right side and a front side are open, so as to have a space where the pusher 1932 can move up and down. As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and22, the motion trajectory allowing groove 1940 may include a second motion trajectory allowing groove 1943 formed in the open block 1600. The second motion trajectory allowing groove 1943 may communicate with the front of the first motion trajectory allowing groove 1941. The second motion trajectory allowing groove 1943 may be a shelter space where the cam 1933 and the first catching pin 720 can operate, as illustrated in FIG. 22.

[0138] <Push part rotation blocking part 2000>

[0139] Referring to FIGS. 5, 8 and 15, the vehicle door latch according to the embodiment may include the push part rotation blocking part 2000.

[0140] The push part rotation blocking part 2000 may block or allow a drive of the driving unit 1900 based on the locked position or the unlocked position of the safety block 1400.

[0141] The push part rotation blocking part 2000 may include the arc protrusion 2100 formed on the worm wheel 1931 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 15.

[0142] The push part rotation blocking part 2000 may include a blocking protrusion 2200 formed on the safety block 1400 as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 15.

[0143] Therefore, when the safety block 1400 is in the locked position as illustrated in FIG. 15, an upper surface of the blocking protrusion 2200 may be positioned below one end of the arc protrusion 2100 to block the open direction rotation of the worm wheel 1931.

[0144] An operational relationship of the above components is described below.

[0145] FIGS. 13 to 16 illustrate that it is impossible to open the door latch part 300 in the locked state of the safety block 1400. That is, the push lock 1500 may be locked so that the pusher 1932 pushes the safety block 1400 and allows the blocking protrusion 2200 to be positioned to block the arc protrusion 2100 formed on the worm wheel 1931 (see FIG. 13, FIG. 15 and FIG. 16), the ratchet 310 may be locked by the pawl 330 (see FIG. 14), and the blocking protrusion 2200 may be positioned below one end of the arc protrusion 2100 that blocks arotation space of the worm wheel 1931 (see FIG. 15).

[0146] When it is used without connecting it to the vehicle door handle 1 as described above, the safety block 1400 may be switched between the lock and the unlock using only the push lock 1500, regardless of the presence or absence of the open block pull blocking part 800.

[0147] In order to switch the safety block 1400 from the locked state to the unlocked state, the safety block 1400 may be pushed by the pusher 1932 by the rotation of the motor 1910 receiving signals, thereby unlocking the push lock 1500. As a result, the safety block 1400 and the blocking protrusion 2200 may be also pushed in opposite directions (see FIGS. 17, 18, and 19), and the blocking protrusion 2200 may be released from one end of the arc protrusion 2100 (see FIG. 18).

[0148] When the safety block 1400 rotates the motor 1910 in the opposite direction while the safety block 1400 is in the unlocked state, the cam 1933 that rotates together with the worm wheel 1931 through the worm 1920 as illustrated in FIG. 20 and FIG. 22 may rotate the open lever 700. When the open lever 700 rotates, the pawl 330 may pivot to open the ratchet 310 that has been closed, thereby achieving a door open state (see FIG. 21).

[0149] The open block 1600 may be always pulled by the inner door connector 50 in an emergencyregardless of the locked state or the unlocked state of the safety block 1400. This is because the inner door connector 50 is installed on the open block 1600 regardless of the position of the lifting link 840.

[0150] On the other hand, FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate an open state of the door latch part 300 using the outside door connector 40.

[0151] When the outside door connector 40 is pulled from a starting position of the unlocking as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, the lifting link 840 may move along the horizontal long hole 811 of the cam groove 810 while the open block 1600 is pulled (see FIGS. 23 and 24). Then, the catching jaw 725 of the open block 1600 may open the closing of the latch part 300 by rotating the open lever 700 as illustrated in FIG. 21.

[0152] FIGS. 25 and 26 are perspective views illustrating that a push part according to another embodiment is separated and coupled.

[0153] Referring to FIGS. 25 and 26, a push part 2930 according to another embodiment is different from the push part 1930 described above in that aworm wheel 1931 and a pusher 2932 are separated and a worm wheel rotation allowing groove 2935 is used.

[0154] A support shaft 1931a, a cam 1933, and a cam extension arc protrusion 1934 are formed on a surface of the worm wheel 1931 of the push part 2930 in the same manner as the push part 1930, and another shaft 1931b may be formed on another surface of the worm wheel 1931.

[0155] The push part 2930 may include a washer-shaped ring 2931. The ring 2931 may be rotatably fitted to the other shaft 1931b.

[0156] The push part 2930 may include a protruding plate 2933. The protruding plate 2933 may extend and protrude radially from an outer peripheral surface of the ring 2931.

[0157] The push part 2930 may include the pusher 2932. The pusher 2932 may extend and protrude from the protruding plate 2933 in a rotational axis direction of the other shaft 1931b. The pusher 2932 may be arranged in a push groove 2941 formed in the safety block 1400 as illustrated in FIG. 27. The push groove 2941 may have a square shape and may be sufficiently large enough to push the pusher 2932.

[0158] The push part 2930 may include the worm wheel rotation allowing groove 2935. The worm wheel rotation allowing groove 2935 may be formed on the other surface of the worm wheel 1931. The worm wheel rotation allowing groove 2935 may allow the worm wheel 1931 to rotate with respect to the pusher 2932. That is, the worm wheel rotation allowing groove 2935 may return the worm wheel 1931 to its original position through rotation without interference from the protruding plate 2933 in a locked position or an unlocked position of the pusher 2932.

[0159] The push part 2930 may include a worm wheel catching jaw 2934. The worm wheel catching jaw 2934 may be formed on the other surface of the worm wheel 1931. The worm wheel catching jaw 2934 may serve to push the protruding plate 2933. The worm wheel catching jaw 2934 may be configured as a protruding jaw with an arc shape. Accordingly, the other surface of the worm wheel 1931 may define the worm wheel rotation allowing groove 2935 and the worm wheel catching jaw 2934.

[0160] The operation of the push part 2930 having the above-described configuration is described with reference to FIGS. 28, 29, and 30.

[0161] FIG. 28 illustrates that the push part 2930 of FIG. 26 operates from an unlocked state to a locked state.

[0162] FIG. 28(a) illustrates that the safety block 1400 is in an unlocked state as in FIG. 27. In this state, when rotational power of the motor 1910 is transmitted to rotate the worm wheel 1931 clockwise, the worm wheel catching jaw 2934 may rotate the protruding plate 2933. After the safety block 1400 is pushed by the pusher 2932 and is locked as illustrated in FIG. 28(b), the rotational power of the motor 1910 may be transmitted to rotate the worm wheel 1931 counterclockwise while maintaining the locked state. Hence, the push part 2930 may return to the original position as illustrated in FIG. 28(c).

[0163] FIG. 29 illustrates that the push part 2930 of FIG. 28 operates from a locked state to an unlocked state.

[0164] FIG. 29(a) illustrates a locked state as illustrated in FIG. 28(c). In this state, when the rotational power of the motor 1910 is transmitted to rotate the worm wheel 1931 clockwise, the worm wheel catching jaw 2934 may rotate to the position of the protruding plate 2933. When the push lock button 1510 is slightlypushed by the pusher 2932 as illustrated in FIG. 29(b), as the push lock button 1510 is pushed out as illustrated in FIG. 27, the worm wheel 1931 may rotate counterclockwise while the pusher 2932 is pushed. Hence, the push part 2930 may return to the original position as illustrated in FIG. 29(c).

[0165] FIG. 30 illustrates that another push part of FIG. 29 operates from an unlocked state to an open state.

[0166] FIG. 30(a) illustrates anunlocked state as illustrated in FIG. 29(c). In this state, when the rotational power of the motor 1910 is transmitted to rotate the worm wheel 1931 counterclockwise while maintaining the unlocked state of the pusher 2932, only the cam 1933 of the worm wheel 1931 may be rotated separately from the pusher 2932 as illustrated in FIG. 30(b) to rotate the open lever 700 and to open the latch part 300. Then, the push part 2930 may return to the original position as illustrated in FIG. 30(c) by rotating the worm wheel 1931 clockwise.

[0167] According to the above-described configuration of the push part 2930, the accuracy and safety of component operation can be improved compared to the present embodiment(operation is possible freely without interference even in the event of an operating error occurring in the motor’s emergency situation), and smoother operation is possible during manual operation compared to the present embodiment (since the worm wheel is not forcibly rotated but only the ring component rotates autonomously, the resistance of the key or the emergency lever connector is less).

[0168] FIGS. 31 and 32 are perspective views illustrating an insert server to which a wire terminal module according to another embodiment is assembled when viewed from the left and right sides. FIGS. 33 and 34 are perspective views illustrating that a wire terminal module is separated and coupled.

[0169] Referring to FIGS. 33 and 34, a wire terminal module 60 according to another embodiment is an assembly of power supply terminals 61 and wires 62, which minimizes a material loss due to cutting of the power supply terminals 61, and reduces costs through mass plating, mass packaging, and mass transportation due to a simple shape and size of the power supply terminals 61.

[0170] The wire terminal module 60 may include the power supply terminal 61. The power supply terminal 61 may include a plurality of connection pins 61a in which only necessary portions are arranged side by side. The power supply terminal 61 may be arranged inside a connector 131.

[0171] The wire terminal module 60 may include the wires 62. The wire 62 is a copper wire covered with an insulating material, and one side of the wire 62 may be pressed and fixed to a terminal 61b of the power supply terminal 61. The other side of the wire 62 may be connected to sensorsS1, S1, and 430 and a motor terminal 1910’. A position of the wire 62 may be determined by being inserted into a C-groove 62a formed outside an inner cover 1200’.

[0172] The wire terminal module 60 may include a mounting part 63. The mounting part 63 may mount the power supply terminal 61 and one side of the wire 62. The mounting part 63 may include a mounting plate 63a. The terminal 61b and one side of the wire 62 may be fitted and mounted on a bottom surface of the mounting plate 63a. The mounting part 63 may include a support piece 63b that supports a plurality of connecting pins 61a so as to be exposed. The support piece 63b may protrude vertically from an upper surface of the mounting plate 63a.

[0173] FIGS. 35 and 36 are perspective views illustrating before and after assembling a wire terminal module to an inner cover. FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coupling part of FIG. 36.

[0174] Referring to FIGS. 35 and 36,the wire terminal module 60 according to another embodiment may be assembled to the inner cover 1200’ that has been previously injection-molded without first and second injections. By this assembly method, a pin hole in the mold is not formed, as in the inner cover 1200’ of FIGS. 31, 32, 35, and 36.

[0175] The wire terminal module 60 maybe assembled and connected to an outer side of the inner cover 1200’ by a connection part 70.

[0176] The coupling part 70 may include a mounting groove 71 in which the mounting plate 63a of the mounting part 63 is mounted. The mounting groove 71 may be formed in the inner cover 1200’ as illustrated in FIG. 35.

[0177] The coupling part 70 may include a rail 72. The rail 72 may be formed on both sides of the mounting groove 71 along a sliding direction of the mounting groove 71.

[0178] The coupling part 70 may include a rail groove 73. The rail groove 73 may be formed in the mounting plate 63a of the mounting part 63. Therefore, the rail groove 73 may be fitted to the rail 72 and may be slid in a drawer-like manner.

[0179] The coupling part 70 may include a catching jaw 74 formed on the mounting groove 71.

[0180] The coupling part 70 may include a caught jaw 75 formed on a lower surface of the mounting plate 63a of the mounting part 63. The caught jaw 75 can prevent the catching jaw 74 from being caught and sliding in the opposite direction.

[0181] Some embodiments or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Configurations or functions of some embodiments or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above can be used together or combined with each other.

[0182] It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential features of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in all aspects and should be considered as illustrative. The scope of the present disclosure should be determined by rational interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within an equivalent scope of the present disclosure are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

[0183] [Description of Reference Numerals]

[0184] 30: open connector 40: outside door connector

[0185] 41: outside rod 43: outside open rod

[0186] 50: inner door connector 60: wire terminal module

[0187] 61: power supply terminal 62: wire

[0188] 63: mounting part 70: coupling part

[0189] 71: mounting groove 72: rail

[0190] 73: rail groove 74: catching jaw

[0191] 75: caught jaw 100: housing

[0192] 110: main cover 120: front plate

[0193] 130: rear cover 1200, 1200’: inner cover

[0194] 210: base 211: first accommodation portion

[0195] 1212: second accommodation portion

[0196] 213, 214: third and fourth accommodation portions

[0197] 1215: fifth accommodation portion 1218: support shaft hole

[0198] 1219: guide arc protrusion 300: latch part

[0199] 310: ratchet 330: pawl

[0200] 1400: safety block 402: stepped portion

[0201] 402a: concave portion 402b: convex portion

[0202] 430: safety block position sensor 1500: push lock

[0203] 1510: push lock button 1530: push lock cam cover

[0204] 1540: cam part 1550: locking guide part

[0205] 1560: spring 550: door handle key connector

[0206] 1570: emergency lever connector 1600: open block

[0207] 700: open lever 710: open lever plate

[0208] 720, 730: first and second catching pins 1725: caught jaw

[0209] 800: open block pull blocking part 810: cam groove

[0210] 811: horizontal long hole 813: inclined long hole

[0211] 820: open block pull blocking groove 830: movable link part

[0212] 1900: driving unit 1910: motor

[0213] 1920: worm 1930, 2930: push part

[0214] 1931: worm wheel 1931a: support shaft

[0215] 1932, 2932: pusher 1933: cam

[0216] 1934: cam extension arc protrusion 1940: motion trajectory allowing

[0217] roove

[0218] 1941, 1943: first and second motion trajectory allowing grooves

[0219] 2000: push part rotation blocking part 2100: arc protrusion

[0220] 2200: blocking protrusion 2931: ring

[0221] 2933: protruding plate 2934: worm wheel catching jaw

[0222] 2935: worm wheel rotation allowing groove

Claims

1.A vehicle door latch comprising:a latch part including a ratchet and a pawl;an open lever;a driver which opens a closing of the latch part by pivoting the pawl by a rotation of the open lever;a main cover on which the latch part and the open lever are rotatably installed;a rear cover covering a rear surface of the main cover;an inner cover assembled inside the main cover and the rear cover, the driver being accommodated inside the inner cover;a wire terminal module including a power supply terminal, a wire, and a mounting part mounting the power supply terminal and the wire, one side of the wire being connected to the power supply terminal, and other side of the wire being in contact with a motor of the driver; anda coupling part coupling the wire terminal module to an outside of the inner cover,wherein the power supply terminal is arranged inside a connector formed on a rear side of the rear cover, andwherein the wire is a cable covered with a copper wire as an insulating material.2.The vehicle door latch of claim 1, wherein the coupling part includes:a mounting groove formed in the inner cover, the mounting part being mounted in the mounting groove;a rail formed on each of two sliding sides of the mounting groove;a rail groove formed in the mounting part and inserted into the rail;a catching jaw formed in the mounting groove; anda caught jaw formed in the mounting part and caught on the catching jaw.3.The vehicle door latch of claim 2, wherein a position of the wire is determined by being inserted into a C-groove formed in the outside of the inner cover.4.The vehicle door latch of claim 3, wherein a sensor detecting the ratchet is connected to the other side of the wire.

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