Vehicle door latch system

In a vehicle, a striker engages with a latch which engages with a ratchet. A door of the vehicle is closed. A motion-transmitting path for transmitting power to the ratchet from an electric drive mechanism is provided. A release-canceling mechanism connects or cuts off the motion-transmitting path. When the ratchet is released from the latch, the door-cooperating lever cuts off the release-canceling mechanism to enable the ratchet to engage with the latch again. Hence the door is closed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vehicle door latch system in which a latch mechanism is released by an electric drive mechanism to enable a door to open.

In JP2004-293038A, a vehicle door latch system comprises a latch mechanism which engages with a striker of a vehicle to hold a door closed; and an electric drive mechanism including a motor to provide a closing function for moving the latch mechanism from a half-latch state to a full-latch state by turning a rotary member by the electric drive mechanism and a releasing function for releasing the latch mechanism by turning the rotary member in another direction by the motor.

However, in the vehicle door latch system, during releasing motion in which the rotary member turns by the motor, electrical failures occurs and the rotary member is held by the releasing motion. Specifically, in the release-holding state, the latch mechanism is also held by the releasing motion. By operating a handle, the connection between the rotary member and the releasing function is canceled thereby enabling the latch mechanism to engage with the striker, so that the door can be closed. But the releasing function is likely to be invalidated by operating the handle, which is disadvantageous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the disadvantages in the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle door latch system enabling a release-holding state to be canceled without special operation by a passenger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

One embodiment of the present invention will be described with respect to drawings. In the following description, the left and right inFIGS. 1, 2, 8-15are deemed as a rear and a front of a vehicle respectively.

InFIGS. 1 and 2, D denotes a sliding door which opens and closes back and forth along an upper guide rail UR, a waist guide rail WR and a lower guide rail LR at the side of a vehicle body. OH denotes an outside handle positioned on the outer panel of the door D and operated from the outside of the vehicle to get the door D to open and close; IH denotes an inside handle positioned on the door D inside the vehicle to get the door D to open and close; KN denotes a locking knob positioned on the door D inside the vehicle and operated to change a locking mechanism101(later described) into a locking state and an unlocking state; FD denotes a front door latch positioned at the front end of the door D to hold the door D closed; OD denotes a fully-open door latch positioned at the lower end of the door D to hold the door D in a fully-open position; 1 denotes a door latch positioned at the lower part of the door D to hold the door D closed with the front door latch;100denotes a motion-connecting section positioned inside the door D to connect and control a motion of the outside handle OH and inside handle IH to transmit the motion to the door latch1, front door latch FD and fully-open door latch OD; and80denotes a door-cooperating lever at the lower end of the door D.

In this embodiment, the door latch1, the door-cooperating lever80and motion-connecting section100are disposed in the door D, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The door latch1, door-cooperating lever80and motion-connecting section100may be disposed in the vehicle body. In this case, a striker S (later described) which engages with the door latch1and a contact pin84which can make in contact with the door-cooperating lever80are disposed in the door D.

The motion-connecting section100comprises the locking mechanism101comprising a plurality of levers which can change between an unlocking state for enabling the door D to open by validating the outside handle OH and inside handle IH based on electric operation of a locking/unlocking electric actuator (not shown) and unlocking/locking operation of the locking knob KN manually operated by a passenger; a handle-connecting lever102always moving by the outside handle OH and inside handle IH regardless of the state of the locking mechanism101; and an output lever103operated by the outside handle OH and inside handle IH only when the locking mechanism101is in the unlocking state.

The handle-connecting lever102is connected to the fully-open door latch OD and door latch1respectively via motion-transmitting members501and502,503such as a rod or a Bowden cable. The output lever103is connected to the front door latch FD and door latch1respectively via motion-transmitting members504and505such as a rod or a Bowden cable.

InFIGS. 3-5, the door latch1comprises the latch unit2which engages with the striker (inFIG. 6) fixed to the vehicle body to hold the door D closed; and a closer-release unit3having closing function for moving the latch unit2from a half-latch state to a full-latch state to forcedly close the door D from a half-latch state (not-shut properly state) to a full-latch state (fully closed state); and a closer-release unit3having a releasing function for disengaging the latch unit2from the striker S.

The door latch1is defined to effect at least the releasing function of the closing function and releasing function in addition the latch mechanism comprising a latch7and a ratchet9.

The top of the latch unit2and closer-release unit3is covered with a synthetic-resin top cover60for preventing rain water and dust. The bottom of the closer-release unit3is covered with a synthetic-resin bottom cover61for preventing rain water and dust. The side of a planetary gear mechanism33of the closer-release unit3which faces the outside of the vehicle is covered with a side wall601of the top cover60and a side wall611of the bottom cover61.

InFIGS. 3-7, the latch unit2comprises a synthetic-resin housing5in which a surface mounted to the door D is closed by an L-shaped metal cover plate4. The housing5includes the latch mechanism comprising the latch7which is pivotally mounted via a latch shaft6extending longitudinally of the vehicle to engage with the striker S, and the ratchet9which is pivotally mounted via a ratchet shaft8extending longitudinally of the vehicle to selectively engage with a full-latch engagement portion71or a half-latch engagement portion72on the outer circumference of the latch7. The cover plate4is omitted inFIG. 5to clearly show the internal structure of the latch unit2.

In the cover plate4and housing5of the latch unit2, there are respectively formed striker-fitting grooves41,51which are open at the inner side so that the striker S may fit in the striker-fitting grooves41,51when the door D is closed.

The latch7turns in a closing direction or counterclockwise inFIG. 8against a force by a spring16(inFIG. 4) wound on the latch shaft6, from an open position inFIG. 8in which the latch7disengages from the striker S to hold the door D open to a full-latch position inFIGS. 6, 10, 11in which the latch7fully engages with the striker S via a half-latch position inFIG. 9in which the latch7slightly engages with the striker S. In the following description, “open position”, “half-latch position” and “full-latch position” of the latch7will be mentioned as “open state”, “half-latch state” and “full-latch state” of the latch mechanism if required.

InFIG. 7, on the front surface of the housing5, there are a detecting lever10and a latch lever11which turns with the latch7via the latch shaft6, and an opening lever12which turns with the ratchet9via the ratchet shaft8.

The latch lever11which turns with the latch7is directed downward inFIG. 8when the latch7is in the open position; is directed forward and obliquely downward when the latch7is in the half-latch position; and is directed forward inFIG. 10when the latch7is in the full-latch position. An actuating portion111at the end of the latch lever11goes out of a moving path of a closing portion381of a closing lever38which is a part of a planetary gear mechanism33when the latch7is in the open position, and comes into the moving path of the closing portion381when the latch7turns to the half-latch position.

A connecting shaft13which is directed backward is fixed on a rotary surface of the detecting lever10and the latch lever11. The connecting shaft13passes through an arcuate hole52around the latch shaft6of the housing5and is fixed to an arm73of the latch7enabling the detecting lever10to turn with the latch lever11and latch7.

A first arm121directed rearward in the opening lever12passes through an acuate hole53around the ratchet shaft5of the housing5and engages with the ratchet9. The operating lever12turns together with the ratchet9.

InFIG. 7, the half-latch position and full-latch position are detected by a half-latch detecting switch14and a full-latch detecting switch15on the front surface of the housing5. A detected signal is transmitted to a control circuit (not shown) to trigger stop and drive of a motor321as a power source of the closer-release unit3.

The ratchet9is forced with the opening lever12in an engagement direction or counterclockwise inFIGS. 6 and 8-15anytime by a spring17on the front surface of the housing5; is in contact with the outer circumference of the latch7when the latch7is in the open position inFIG. 8; and is in contact with the half-latch engagement portion72of the latch7when the latch7is in the half-latch position inFIG. 9thereby preventing the latch7from turning in an opening direction from the half-latch position in an opening direction or clockwise inFIGS. 9 and 10. When the latch7is in the full-latch position inFIG. 10, the ratchet9is in contact with the full-latch engagement portion71of the latch7thereby preventing the latch7from turning in the opening direction from the full-latch position.

When the ratchet9engages with the full-latch engagement portion71or half-latch engagement portion72of the latch7, the locking mechanism101of the motion-connecting section100is unlocked. The outside handle OH or inside handle IH is operated to open the door D, and the ratchet9turns in the releasing direction or clockwise inFIGS. 6 and 8-15against the force of the spring17via various elements and moves to the releasing position inFIGS. 12 and 13to leave the full-latch engagement portion71or half-latch engagement portion72, so that the door D can be opened.

A release-input lever19, a blocking lever20and an emergency lever21are pivotally mounted to a support surface of the cover plate4via a shaft18extending transversely of the vehicle.

To a connecting portion191at the lower part of the release input lever19is connected the rear end of the motion-transmitting member505which extends longitudinally of the vehicle in the door D. Hence, the outside handle OH or inside handle IH is operated to open the door D, so that the release input lever19swings against a force of a spring23from a neutral position inFIGS. 8-11or counterclockwise inFIGS. 8-11and turns to the release position inFIGS. 12 and 13only when the locking mechanism101of the motion-connecting section100is in the unlocking state. When the release-input lever19turns to the release position, a releasing portion192at the rear end of the release-input lever19pushes down the upper end of a second arm122of the opening lever12to make the ratchet9turn in a releasing direction via the opening lever12thereby releasing the ratchet9from the full-latch engagement portion71or full-latch engagement portion72, so that the door D can be opened.

The release input lever19is connected to the output lever103of the motion-connecting section100. Thus, when the locking mechanism101is in the unlocking state, the release input lever swings in the releasing direction by door-opening motion of the outside handle OH or inside handle IH, but when the locking mechanism101is in the locking state, the release input lever19still stays in the neutral position and does move in the releasing direction even if the outside handle OH or inside handle IH is operated to open the door D.

The blocking lever20is held by the spring23in a blocking position in which a blocking portion203at the front end is directed forward inFIGS. 8-11. When the release-input lever19moves in the releasing direction to the release position inFIG. 14, a bent portion193of the release-input lever19comes in contact with a contact portion201upward. Hence, the blocking lever20turns to a canceling position inFIGS. 12-14to which the blocking lever20turns at a certain angle counterclockwise from the blocking position.

When the blocking lever20is held in the blocking position inFIGS. 8-11, the blocking portion203prevents a sun gear35(later described) of the planetary gear mechanism33from turning counterclockwise. The blocking portion203moves to a canceling position inFIGS. 12-14to get the sun gear35to turn free counterclockwise. Thus, when the blocking lever20is in the blocking position, reduced rotation of the planetary gear mechanism33can be transmitted to the latch7, and when the blocking lever20is in the canceling position, reduced rotation of the planetary gear mechanism33is cut off and cannot be transmitted to the latch7.

A connecting portion211at the lower end of the emergency lever21is connected to the rear end of the motion-transmitting member502extending longitudinally of the vehicle in the door D. The front end of the motion-transmitting member502is connected to the handle-connecting lever102of the motion-connecting section100. The motion of the handle-connecting lever102is transmitted to the emergency lever21via the motion-transmitting member502. Hence, the emergency lever21turns in the releasing direction or counterclockwise inFIGS. 8-11from the neutral position inFIGS. 8-11with door-opening operation of the outside handle OH or inside handle IH whether the locking mechanism101is in the unlocking state or locking state.

When the emergency lever21turns in the releasing direction, a contact portion212at the upper end of the emergency lever21comes in contact with a bent portion202of the blocking lever20upward, and the blocking lever20turns in the releasing direction against the spring23. In this case, the release-input lever19is still held in the neutral position, and the ratchet9does not swing in the releasing direction. Thus, regardless of the state of the locking mechanism101, the outside handle OH or inside handle IH is operated to open the door D, the blocking lever20moves to the canceling position thereby enabling closing action of the closer-release unit3to stop as described later.

InFIGS. 3-5, the closer-release unit3comprises a metal base member31fixed to a support surface42of the cover plate4of the latch unit2with two upper and lower rivets25; a drive unit32disposed at the front part of the base member facing the outside of the vehicle and including an electric motor321and a reduction gear for reducing rotation of the motor321, the planetary gear mechanism33disposed in the middle (between the latch7of the latch unit2and the drive unit32) of the base member31at the front part facing the outside of the vehicle and meshing with an output gear322rotatable around a shaft transversely of the vehicle to supply a rotational force of the motor321to reduce rotation of the output gear322; and a release-canceling mechanism including a first release-output lever301pivotally mounted to the base member31, a second release-output lever302and a canceling lever303.

The release-canceling mechanism is variable between a connecting state for transmitting releasing action (later described) of the planetary gear mechanism33by normal rotation of the motor321to the ratchet9and a disconnecting state for cutting off a motion-transmitting path between the planetary gear mechanism33and the ratchet9.

The first release-output lever301is pivotally mounted to a base member31via a shaft304transversely extending of the vehicle, and comprises a releasing portion301aextending downward and a vertical elongate hole301bthrough which a floating pin308slides vertically. The first release-output lever301is forced clockwise inFIG. 5by a spring306; held in a neutral position in FIG.5when not actuated; and can turn in a releasing direction or counterclockwise inFIG. 5from the neutral position against a force of the spring306based on releasing action of the planetary gear mechanism33. (later described)

The second release-output lever302is pivotally mounted to the base member31via the same shaft with the first release-output lever30, and a bent portion302aat the upper end comes in contact with the first release-output lever301in a turning direction to move with the action of the first release-output lever301in the neutral direction.

To the upper end of the second release-output lever302is connected the rear end of a motion-transmitting member503extending longitudinally of the vehicle for transmitting to the handle-connecting lever102of the motion-connecting section100a releasing action or counterclockwise inFIG. 5of the second release-output lever302from the neutral position inFIG. 5. In the second release-output lever302is formed an inverted L-shaped elongate hole302bthrough which the floating pin308slides.

The canceling lever303is pivotally mounted to the base member31via a shaft303cextending transversely of the vehicle and is held in a connecting position inFIG. 5by a force of a spring307. In an arm303awhich extends rearward of the canceling lever303is formed an elongate hole303bthrough which the floating pin308slides. The elongate hole303boverlaps an elongate hole302bof the second release-output lever302.

To an upper part of the canceling lever303is connected one end of a motion transmitting member506for transmitting motion of the door-cooperating lever80to the canceling lever303. Thus, the canceling lever303is normally held in a connecting position for making the release-canceling mechanism connected, but when the door-cooperating lever80moves from the neutral position in a canceling direction, the canceling lever303turns with the movement of the door-cooperating lever80at a certain angle against a force of the spring306in a cutting-off direction or clockwise inFIG. 5and moves t+o a cut-off position inFIG. 15for making the release-canceling mechanism cut off. The motion of the door-cooperating lever80will be described later.

The floating pin308follows the canceling lever303. When the canceling lever303is in the connecting position, the floating pin308is positioned at the lower part of the elongate hole302bof the second release-output lever302inFIG. 8and held in the connecting position in which the release-canceling mechanism is connected. When the canceling lever303moves to the cut-off position, the floating pin308is positioned in the upper part of the elongate hole302binFIG. 15to make the release-canceling mechanism cut off.

When the canceling lever303and floating pin308are in the connecting position and when the release-canceling mechanism is in the connecting state, the motion-transmitting path is connected between the first release-output lever301and the second release-output lever302. Thus, releasing motion of the first release-output lever301by releasing the planetary gear mechanism33(described later) is transmitted to the ratchet9via the floating pin308, second release-output lever302, motion-transmitting member503, handle lever102, output lever103, motion-transmitting member505, release-input lever19and opening lever12. So, the ratchet9moves to the releasing position, so that the door D is opened.

When the canceling lever303and floating pin308move to the canceling position to put the release-canceling mechanism into the canceling state, the motion-transmitting path is cut off between the first release lever301and the second release lever302. When the planetary gear mechanism33is released owing to electrical failures or other accidents, the first release-output lever301is held in the releasing position, so that the first release-output lever301and second release-output lever302cannot return to the neutral position. The ratchet9is held in the releasing position, so that the door D cannot be closed in the release-holding condition. However, the motion-transmitting path between the first release-output lever301and the second release-output lever302is cut off to make the release-holding condition canceled. By enabling the second release output lever30and release-input lever19to return to the neutral position and enabling the ratchet9to return to the engagement position while the release-output lever301still remains in the release position, the latch unit2can be engaged with the striker S to allow the door D to close.

When the canceling lever303is in the connecting position, the first and second release-output levers301,302are released, which is transmitted to the handle-connecting lever102of the motion-connecting section100via the motion-transmitting lever503to actuate the handle-connecting lever102. When the locking mechanism101of the motion-connecting section100is in the unlocking state, the motion of the handle-connecting lever102is transmitted to the release-input lever19and front door latch FD via the output lever103and motion-transmitting members504,504.

The planetary gear mechanism33provides a closing function for moving the latch mechanism of the latch unit2from the half-latch state to the full-latch state or moving the latch7from the half-latch position to the full-latch position and releasing function for releasing the ratchet9to enable the door to open.

InFIGS. 4 and 5, the planetary gear mechanism33comprises the sun gear35pivotally mounted to the base member31via a pivot shaft34; a single planetary gear36which meshes with the sun gear35to revolve while it turns on its own axis: the closing lever38pivotally mounted via the pivot shaft34and pivotally mounted via a pivot shaft37with the planetary gear36; and a sector gear39pivotally mounted via the pivot shaft34and having external teeth391which mesh with an output gear322and internal teeth392which mesh with the planetary gear36.

InFIG. 8, the sun gear35has external teeth351which mesh with the planetary gear36on an outer circumference over approximately 170 degrees as a central angle θ1, and a cylindrical contact portion352is provided on a rotary surface on which the external teeth351are not formed.

In order to prevent the sun gear35from turning counterclockwise, the contact portion352can come in contact with the blocking portion203of the blocking lever20. The sun gear35turns clockwise to enable the contact portion352to come in contact with a releasing portion301aof the first release-output lever301to actuate the first release-output lever301in a releasing direction. That is to say, normally (where the blocking lever20is in a neutral state) the sun gear35can turn clockwise from a sun-gear neutral position inFIG. 5, but cannot turn counterclockwise from the sun-gear neutral position.

When the blocking lever20is in a blocking position inFIGS. 8-11, the blocking portion203of the blocking lever20is within a moving path of the contact portion352and comes in contact with the contact portion352when the sun gear35turns counterclockwise slightly fromFIG. 8to block counterclockwise turning of the sun gear35. When the blocking lever20is in a canceling position inFIGS. 12 and 13, the blocking portion203of the blocking lever20goes out of the moving path of the contact portion352to make the sun gear35turn freely counterclockwise.

When the planetary gear mechanism33does not work in the neutral state inFIG. 8, the sun gear35is set in a neutral position where the external teeth351is the lowest and the contact portion352is the highest.

In this embodiment, the external teeth351is formed on the outer circumference over 170 degrees as the central angle θ1. The present invention is not limited thereto, but may be 90 to 180 degrees as the central angle of the sun gear35.

InFIG. 8, the closing lever38comprises a closing portion381at one end of an arm closer to the latch7of the latch unit2than the pivot shaft34, and a pivot portion382at the other end closer to the pivot shaft34than the latch7. The closing portion381is capable of coming in contact with an actuating portion111of the latch lever11, and the pivot portion382for pivotally mounting the planetary gear36via the pivot shaft37.

In the neutral state of the planetary gear mechanism33inFIG. 8, the closing lever38is forced counterclockwise by a spring40which is mounted at one end to the closing lever38and at the other end to the base member31and is held in the neutral position where the closing portion381is directed rearward and obliquely downward and the pivot portion382is directed forward and obliquely downward or toward the output gear322. Hence, when the closing lever38is in the neutral position, the planetary gear36faces the output gear322while they hold the external teeth391and internal teeth392of the sector gear39therebetween. When the planetary gear mechanism33is in the neutral state, the external teeth391and internal teeth392of the sector gear39are held between the planetary gear36and the output gear322facing each other, thereby preventing the sector gear39from loosening.

InFIG. 8, the external teeth391and internal teeth392of the sector gear39are formed on the outer and inner circumferences of a sector over 80 degrees as a central angle respectively. The sector gear39has a support portion394having an axial hole393in which the pivot shaft34fits, and an opening395in which the planetary gear36meshes with the internal teeth392inFIGS. 4 and 16. The planetary gear36revolves in the opening395while turning on its own axis.

In the neutral state of the planetary gear mechanism33, the sector gear39is set in the ring-gear neutral position where the external teeth391is directed forward or in a direction opposite the latch7. The ring-gear neutral position of the sector gear39is detected by a detecting switch62under the sector gear39inFIG. 5.

On upper and lower bridges396between the support portion394and the circumferential portion having the external and internal teeth391,392of the sector gear39, a step397is formed such that the circumferential portion is closer to the surface of the base member31than the support portion394. Hence, inFIG. 16, the closing lever38, the sun gear35and the sector gear39overlap axially of the pivot shaft34on the base member31. Thus, the external teeth351of the sun gear35, the planetary gear36, the external teeth391and internal teeth392of the sector gear39and the output gear322are positioned side by side approximately in the same surface thereby making the planetary gear mechanism33thinner along an axis of the pivot shaft34and achieving more smooth operation.

InFIG. 8, when the blocking lever20and planetary gear mechanism33are in the blocking position and in the neutral state respectively, the sector gear39turns in a closing direction or clockwise around the pivot shaft34with rotation of the motor321, and counterclockwise rotation of the sun gear35is blocked by the blocking portion203of the blocking lever20, so that the planetary gear36revolves clockwise while turning on its own axis. Hence, the closing lever38follows orbiting of the planetary gear36and swings in a closing direction or clockwise around the pivot shaft34slower than the sector gear39, so that the closing lever38turns to the closing position where the closing portion381faces the top inFIG. 10.

InFIG. 8, when the blocking lever20and planetary gear mechanism33are in the blocking position and neutral state respectively, the sector gear39turns in a releasing direction or counterclockwise around the pivot shaft34with reverse rotation of the motor321, so that the closing lever38is forced counterclockwise by the spring40and held in the neutral position. The planetary gear36pivotally connected to the closing lever38turns on its own axis counterclockwise without orbiting. Hence, the sun gear35turns clockwise or in a releasing direction based on turning of the planetary gear36, so that the contact portion352comes in contact with the releasing portion301aof the first release-output lever301to actuate the first release-output lever301in a releasing direction.

When the canceling lever303is in the connecting position, the releasing action of the first release-output lever301is transmitted to the handle-connecting lever102of the motion-connecting section100via the floating pin308, second release-output lever302, and motion-transmitting member503. Furthermore, when the locking mechanism101of the motion-connecting section100is in the unlocking state, the releasing action of the handle-connecting lever102is transmitted to the ratchet7via the output lever103, motion-transmitting member505, release input lever19and opening lever12. Hence, the ratchet9disengages from the latch7to enable the door D to open. After the releasing action of the latch mechanism finishes, the motor321is reversely controlled and the planetary gear mechanism33returns to the neutral state.

As mentioned above, in the planetary gear mechanism33in this embodiment, the external teeth91and internal teeth392are formed on the sector gear39, and the single planetary gear36which meshes with the internal teeth392is disposed within the opening395of the sector gear39. The single planetary gear36revolves and turns on its own axis in the opening395inner than the circumference of the sector gear39, thereby making the planetary gear mechanism33smaller circumferentially.

The external teeth391and internal teeth392are formed on the outer and inner circumferences of the sector respectively over less than 180 degrees as a central angle, and the external teeth351are formed on the outer circumference of the sector over less than 180 degrees as a central angle, thereby making the sector gear39and sun gear35smaller and making the planetary gear mechanism33smaller.

The single planetary gear36is pivotally mounted directly on the pivot portion382of the closing lever38, thereby reducing the number of parts and actuating the closing lever38more smoothly.

When the sector gear39is in the neutral position, the external teeth391and internal teeth392are more distant than the pivot shaft34from the latch7, so that the external teeth391and internal teeth392of the sector gear39do not exist between the latch7and the pivot shaft34of the planetary gear mechanism33thereby enabling the pivot shaft34of the planetary gear mechanism33to come closer to the latch7and making the door latch system1smaller.

In this embodiment, the electric drive mechanism according to the present invention comprises the motor321, output gear322and planetary gear mechanism33as reduction device, but is not limited thereto. As far as a motor is provided, the reduction mechanism may be omitted or the reduction device may comprise a worm gear and a spur gear.

The door-cooperating lever80is pivotally mounted via a vertical pivot shaft82to a base bracket81inFIG. 17fixed to the front lower part of the door D, specifically, to a lower roller bracket (not shown) fixed to the front lower part of the door D and supported on the lower guide rail LR to move longitudinally of the vehicle, and is held in a neutral position inFIG. 17anytime by a spring83wound on the pivot shaft82. The door-cooperating lever80is capable of turning in a canceling direction or clockwise inFIG. 17and in a non-canceling direction or counterclockwise inFIG. 17. InFIGS. 1 and 2, for easier understanding of the arrangement of the door-cooperating lever80, the door-cooperating lever80is shown to turn around a shaft extending transversely of the vehicle.

InFIG. 17, a coil831of the spring83is wound on the pivot shaft82and a bent portion801of the door-cooperating lever80is held between ends832and832. The ends832,832engage with an engagement portion811of the base bracket81. Hence, the door-cooperating lever80is elastically held in the neutral position.

The door-cooperating lever80comprises an arm802and an elongate hole803. The arm802extends toward the vehicle body or toward the lower part inFIG. 17, and is capable of coming in contact with the contact pin84fixed to the vehicle body or lower guide rail LR from an opening direction of the door D. The elongate hole803is coupled to the other end506aof the motion-transmitting member506one end of which is coupled to the canceling lever303. The other end506aof the motion-transmitting member506pulls the motion-transmitting member506by contacting the edge of an elongate hole803when the door-cooperating lever80turns from the neutral position in a canceling direction, but when the door-cooperating lever80turns from the neutral position in an non-canceling direction, the other end506arelatively moves or merely slides in an arc of the elongate hole803. Hence, non-canceling turning of the door-cooperating lever80is not transmitted to the motion-transmitting member506.

When the door D is in the fully-closed position, inFIG. 18(c), the contact pin84is positioned at the back of the door-cooperating lever80or in opening direction side. In this situation, the ratchet9is actuated in a releasing direction by the drive unit32to allow the latch unit2to disengage from the striker S. The door D moves from the fully-closed position in an opening direction and reaches to a certain position prior to the fully-closed position. InFIG. 18(b), the arm802of the door-cooperating lever80comes in contact with the contact pin84. Thus, inFIG. 18(a), the door-cooperating lever80turns at a certain angle from the neutral position counterclockwise against the spring83. The door D further moves in an opening direction and passes a certain position. The arm802goes over the contact pin84and the door-cooperating lever80returns to the neutral position again by the spring83. In this case, even if the door-cooperating lever80turns in the non-canceling direction, the rotation is not transmitted to the motion-transmitting member506or canceling lever303.

When the door D is in the fully-open position, inFIG. 19(a), the contact pin84is positioned in front of the door-cooperating lever80or in a closing-direction side. In this situation, the door D moves in a closing direction from the fully-open position, and reaches to a certain position before the closed position. InFIG. 19(b), the arm802of the door-cooperating lever80comes in contact with the contact pin84. Thus, inFIG. 19(c), the door-cooperating lever80turns at a certain angle clockwise or in a canceling direction from the neutral position against the spring83. The door D further moves in a closing direction and passes a certain position. The arm802goes over the contact pin84and the door-cooperating lever80returns to the neutral position again by the spring83.

The door-cooperating lever80turns in the canceling direction, and the rotation is transmitted to the canceling lever303via the motion-transmitting member506. The canceling lever303and floating pin308are moved to the canceling position to change the release-canceling mechanism to the canceling state. Thus, when the door D is opened, the door D moves in a closing direction to cancel the release-holding state without special operation by the passenger, so that the door D can be closed.

The motion of the door latch system will be described with respect toFIGS. 8-19.

Closing Motion

InFIG. 8, when the door D is open or when all elements of the closer-release unit3is in the neutral state while the latch unit2is in the open state, the door D is closed to an ajar position and the striker S engages with the latch7.

The latch7turns from the open position to the half-latch position, and the ratchet9engages with the half-latch engagement portion72of the latch7. The actuating portion111of the latch lever11comes into the moving path of the closing portion381of the closing lever38by turning the latch7to the half-latch position.

The half-latch detecting switch14detects that the latch7turns to the half-latch position, and the motor321is normally controlled by the control circuit. Thus, in a half-latch state inFIG. 9, the output gear322turns counterclockwise as shown by an arrow, and the sector gear39swings around the pivot shaft34in a closing direction as shown by an arrow. In this case, the blocking lever20is in the blocking position where the blocking portion203can come in contact with the contact portion352of the sun gear35. Hence, after the sun gear35swings slightly counterclockwise, the contact portion352comes in contact with the blocking portion203, and the counterclockwise swinging of the sun gear35is blocked. Thus, the planetary gear36within the opening395of the sector gear39revolves while turning on its own axis clockwise.

The closing lever38swings clockwise in the closing direction as shown by an arrow against the force of the spring40with clockwise orbiting of the planetary gear36. The closing lever381moves upward and pushes up the actuating portion111of the latch lever11to allow the latch lever11to swing counterclockwise. Thus, inFIG. 10, the latch7swings from the half-latch position to the full-latch position. The full-latch detecting switch15detects the full-latch position of the latch15. Immediately after the motor321stops by the control circuit, it reverses.

The motor321reverses, and the sector gear39reverses counterclockwise. The planetary gear36revolves while turning on its own axis counterclockwise. With orbiting of the planetary gear36, the closing lever38reverses by counterclockwise force of the spring40and returns to the neutral position inFIG. 11. When the detecting switch62detects the neutral position of the sector gear39, and the motor321stops. The planetary gear mechanism33returns to the neutral state before operation, and a series of closing actions are over.

Canceling Action for Breaking the Closing Action

On the way from the half-latch state inFIG. 9to the full-latch state inFIG. 10, for example, a foreign object is held between the door D and an entrance of the vehicle body. If it is necessary to stop the closing action, the outside handle OH or inside handle IH is operated to open the door D to prevent the foreign object to be held therebetween.

That is to say, when the locking mechanism101of the motion-connecting section100is in the unlocking state, the motor321stops by door-opening action of the outside handle OH or inside handle IH. Simultaneously, inFIG. 12, the release-input lever19acts in the releasing direction and pushes down the second arm122of the opening lever12. The ratchet9is released with the opening lever12. The bent portion193comes in contact with the contact portion201of the blocking lever20to allow the blocking lever20to swing to the canceling position against the spring23.

The blocking lever20moves to the canceling position, and the blocking portion203goes out of the moving path of the contact portion352of the sun gear35to make the sun gear35turn freely counterclockwise. InFIG. 13, the closing lever38reverses to the neutral position by the force of the spring40to enable the latch7to swing to the opening position, so that the door D can be opened thereby keeping the foreign object from being held between the door D and the entrance and enhancing security.

After keeping the foreign object from being held, door-opening action of the outside handle OH or inside handle IH stops, and the motor321reverses.

The sector gear39swings toward the ring-gear neutral position, and the planetary gear36revolves while turning on its own axis. The sun gear35returns to the sun-gear neutral position inFIGS. 8 and 9. A series of canceling actions are over.

When the locking mechanism101of the motion-connecting section100is in the locking state, door-opening action of the outside handle OH or inside handle IH is not transmitted to the release-input lever19, but transmitted to the emergency lever21. Hence, the releasing action of the emergency lever21swings the blocking lever20to the canceling position, and the closing action stops similar to the above.

Releasing Action

In the full-latch state inFIG. 11, when a switch in the vehicle or a wireless switch is operated to open the door D, the motor321reverses. Hence, the sector gear39turns around the pivot shaft34in the releasing direction or counterclockwise, but the planetary gear36is held in the neutral position and is pivotally mounted to the closing lever38and turns on its own axis counterclockwise without orbiting. According to rotation of the planetary gear36, the sun gear35turns at a certain angle in the releasing direction from the sun-gear neutral position. Hence, inFIG. 14, as the sun gear35turns, the contact portion352of the sun gear35comes in contact with the releasing portion301aof the first release-output lever301and moves the first release-output lever301in the releasing direction.

When the canceling lever303is in the connecting position, the releasing action of the first release-output lever301is transmitted to the second release-output lever302via the floating pin308, and the releasing action of the second release-output lever302is transmitted to the handle-connecting lever102of the motion-connecting section100via the motion-transmitting member503. The releasing action of the handle-connecting lever102is transmitted to the release-input lever19via the output lever103and motion-transmitting member505when the locking mechanism101of the motion-connecting section100is in the unlocking state. Hence, inFIG. 14, the ratchet9disengages from the latch to enable the door D to open.

Release-Canceling Action for Canceling the Release-Holding State

InFIG. 14, the sector gear39moves in the releasing direction from the ring-gear neutral position. The sector gear39stops in a releasing position by electrical failures or other causes to disable it to return to the ring-gear neutral position. The contact portion352of the sun gear35is still in contact with the releasing portion301aof the first release-output lever301to cause release-holding state where the first release-output lever301and second release-output lever302are held in the releasing position. Hence, even if one try to close the door D, the ratchet7still remains in the releasing state and does not engage with the latch7, so that the door D cannot be closed.

However, in this embodiment, even if the release-holding state occurs, the release-holding state is canceled by general operation for closing the door D in the fully-open position, so that the door D can be closed.

In the release-holding state inFIG. 14, the door D moves for closing from the fully-open position and reaches to a certain position. InFIG. 15andFIG. 19C, the arm802of the door-cooperating lever80comes in contact with the contact pin84from the closing direction, and the spring83turns in the canceling direction from the neutral position against the force of the spring83. The canceling action is transmitted to the canceling lever303via the motion-transmitting member506. Thus, inFIG. 15, the canceling lever303moves to a cut-off position against the force of the spring307. The floating pin308follows the motion of the canceling lever303and moves to an upper cut-off position of the elongate hole302aof the second release-output lever302. A motion-transmitting path between the first release-output lever301and second release-output lever302is cut off to enable the second release-output lever302to move to the neutral position. Thus, the second release-output lever302held in the releasing position returns to the neutral position while the first release-output lever301remains, enabling the release input lever10and opening lever12to return to the neutral position and enabling the ratchet9to return to the engagement position. In this state, when the door D is closed, the striker S engages with the latch7in the fully-closed position of the door D, and the ratchet9engages with the full-latch engagement portion71of the latch7, so that the door D can be held in the fully-closed position.

After the door D passes a certain position, the arm802of the door-cooperating lever80goes over the contact pin84and returns to the neutral position by the force of the spring83. When the sector gear39returns to the ring-gear neutral position with solution of the electrical failures, the canceling lever303returns to the connecting position from the cut-off position by the force of the spring307.

As mentioned above, ordinary operation in which the door D moves for closing enables the release-holding state to be canceled. Even if release-holding state occurs, the door D can be closed securely any time without special operation by the passenger.

Another Embodiment

FIGS. 20 to 23illustrate another embodiment of a release-canceling mechanism. In the embodiment, when a door-cooperating lever80turns from a neutral position in a releasing direction with closing motion of the door D, the releasing turning is transmitted to a floating pin308in the release-holding state, but is not transmitted to the floating pin308in a neutral state where the first and second release-output levers301,302are in a neutral position.

Specifically, the elongate hole303bof the canceling lever303in the foregoing embodiment is replaced with an elongate hole30dinFIGS. 20 to 23. In the elongate hole303d, a front width (right side inFIGS. 20-23) is larger than a rear width. InFIG. 20, when the first and second release-output levers301,302are in a neutral position and a canceling lever303is in a connecting position, the floating pin308is positioned in an upper part of wider portion303eto have a play with a lower edge of the wider portion303eat the front of the elongate hole303a.

InFIG. 20, with closing motion of the door D, a door-cooperating lever80turns in a releasing direction from the neutral position, and the canceling lever303moves from the connecting position to the cut-off position inFIG. 21. However, in this case, the lower edge of the wider portion303eof the elongate hole303dis not in contact with the floating pin308, which does not move even if the canceling lever303moves from the connected portion to the cut-off position.

InFIG. 22, in the release-holding state, the floating pin308is positioned at the rear side of the elongate hole303dof the canceling lever303. Thus, in this case, inFIG. 23, the canceling lever303moves to the canceling position and the floating pin308moves to the cut-off position together. Hence, a motion-transmitting path between the first release-output lever301and second release-output lever302is cut off to enable the ratchet9to return to an engagement position.

As mentioned above, in this embodiment, in a release-holding state, the canceling lever303moves to the cut-off position and the floating pin308moves to the cut-off position. When it is not release-holding state, the floating pin308does not follow the door-cooperating lever80, thereby reducing the number of operating points except the release-holding state and achieving smooth operation.

The foregoing relates to the embodiments of the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of claims, and any combination thereof is possible.a) The closing portion381of the closing lever38is directly coupled to the latch7without the latch lever11.b) The base member31of the closer-release unit3is not fixed to the cover plate4of the latch unit2, but is fixed to the housing5directly or via another element.c) The structure for preventing the sun gear35from turning in other direction (counterclockwise inFIG. 5) may be a stopper of the base member31instead of the blocking lever20.d) The second release-output lever302is connected to the ratchet9directly or indirectly without the motion-connecting section100.e) Without the first and second release-output levers301,302, with one-direction turning of the sun gear35(clockwise inFIG. 5), the contact portion352can come in contact with the ratchet9, opening lever12or release-input lever19enabling the ratchet9to release.f) The first release-output lever301and second release-output lever302may be a unitary structure. In this case, a point for cutting off the motion-transmitting path for transmitting power of the electric drive mechanism to the ratchet9is provided on the way between the release-output lever and ratchet9.g) The door-cooperating lever80may slide vertically or longitudinally of the vehicle with opening/closing of the door D.h) On the way from the fully-closed position to the open position or on the way from the fully-open position to the closed position, the door-cooperating lever80can move in a releasing direction from the neutral position by motion of the door D. In the former, the contact pin84is positioned at the back of the door-cooperating lever80or in an opening-direction side when the door D is in the fully-closed position. (preferably, positioned closer to the fully-closed position as well as the foregoing embodiments) In the latter, owing to both of the opening and closing motions of the door D, the release-canceling mechanism becomes the structure changeable to the cut-off state.