DOOR LATCH DEVICE AND ACTUATOR

A door latch device includes: a rotating body; first and second levers; a lock mechanism on which an unlocking operation is performed and an open link is disposed in an unlocked position; and a latch mechanism. Further, the lock mechanism includes a lock lever which causes the open link to rotate when being operated by rotation of the rotating body, the rotating body is provided with two tilted walls so as to move the open link to the unlocked position when being rotated in one side from a reference position. while the open link is disposed in a locked position, keep the open link in the unlocked position when being rotated in another side to the reference position while the open link is disposed in the unlocked position, and move the open link to the locked position when being further rotated in the another side.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a door latch device and an actuator.

A latch mechanism and a lock mechanism are normally disposed on a door latch device mounted on a vehicle. The latch mechanism is configured to maintain a closed state of a door with respect to a vehicle main body by engaging with a striker disposed on the vehicle main body, for example. The lock mechanism is configured to be switched between an unlocked state for releasing an engaging state of the latch mechanism in a case in which an operation of opening the door is performed with a door handle, and a locked state for maintaining the engaging state of the latch mechanism by invalidating the operation for the door handle. As such a type of door latch device, there has been developed a door latch device configured to perform an operation of releasing the engaging state of the latch mechanism and an operation of switching the locked state to the unlocked state by driving of a single actuator. More specifically, a rotating body, is rotated by a motor, the rotating body including a projecting part for causing the latch mechanism to operate disposed on one end face and a projecting part for causing the lock mechanism to operate disposed on an outer peripheral surface, and the projecting parts are respectively caused to work on the latch mechanism and the lock mechanism to successively perform an engagement release operation for the latch mechanism and an unlocking operation for the lock mechanism (for example, refer to Japanese Patent No. 6213927).

SUMMARY

There is a need for providing a door latch device and an actuator by which an increase of the size thereof can be prevented.

Accord in to an embodiment, a door latch device includes: a rotating body to be rotated and driven with respect to a case; a first lever and a second lever disposed to be rotatable with respect to the case, being configured to be operated by a cam part disposed on the rotating body; a lock mechanism on which an unlocking operation is performed so that an open link is arranged at an unlocked position in a case in which the first lever rotates; and a latch mechanism on which a release operation is performed in a case in which the second lever rotates. Further, the cam part is disposed only on one end face of the rotating body, and a first cam to operate the first lever and a second cam to operate the second lever are individually disposed in the cam part, the lock mechanism includes a lock lever to be operated in accordance with rotation of the rotating body to rotate the open link, and the rotating body includes two tilted walls to cause the open link to move to the unlocked position via the lock lever in a case in which the rotating body rotates in one direction from a reference position in a state in which the open link is arranged at a locked position, maintain the open link at the unlocked position in a case in which the rotating body rotates in another direction to return to the reference position from a state in which the open link is arranged at the unlocked position, and cause the open link to move to the locked position in a case in which the rotating body further rotates in the another direction from the reference position.

According to an embodiment, an actuator includes: a rotating body configured to be rotated and driven with respect to a case; and a first lever and a second lever that are disposed to be able to rotate with respect to the case, and configured to be operated by a cam part disposed on the rotating body. Further, the cam part is disposed only on one end face of the rotating body, and a first cam configured to operate the first lever and a second cam configured to operate the second lever are individually disposed in the cam part, and a starting end of a cam surface of the second cam is disposed to be closer to an outer peripheral side than a starting end of a cam surface of the first cam is, and an increasing ratio of an outer diameter of the cam surface of the second cam is set to be smaller than an increasing ratio of an outer diameter of the cam surface of the first cam.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With the door latch device in the related art, the release operation for the latch mechanism and the unlocking operation for the lock mechanism can be performed by a single motor, so that there are advantages such that the number of components can be reduced, for example. However, components such as a lever to be engaged with the projecting part to be operated are required to be disposed in a region opposed to the end face of the rotating body and a region opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, so that the size of the device may be increased.

The following describes a preferred embodiment of a door latch device according to the present disclosure in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1toFIG. 3are diagrams illustrating the door latch device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Although not illustrated in the drawings, the door latch device exemplified herein is mounted on a side door disposed on the right side of a four-wheeled automobile, and performs opening/closing control for the side door by changing an engaging state with a striker disposed on a vehicle main body in accordance with an opening/closing operation with a door handle or a locking/unlocking operation with a key.

As illustrated inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, in a door latch device10, a latch member12for latching the striker is disposed in the rear of a striker entry groove14. The latch member12is part of a latch mechanism44(described later). The striker entry groove14is formed as part of a cover plate16. A body18is disposed around the cover plate16. A vehicle inner side and a vehicle rear side of the latch mechanism44are covered by the cover plate16and the body18.

The door latch device10is covered by a case20, a first cover22, and a second. cover24in addition to the cover plate16and the body18. The case20mainly covers a vehicle outer side, the first cover22mainly covers the vehicle inner side, and the second cover24further covers a front upper part on the vehicle inner side of the case20. The cover plate16, the body18, the case20, the first cover22, and the second cover24constitute a housing of the door latch device10.

The door latch device10further includes a waterproof cover26that covers an upper part, a cable cover28on a lower part on. the vehicle inner side, a coupler30disposed on an upper part on the vehicle inner side, and a key cylinder coupling part32disposed on an upper part on the vehicle outer side. The waterproof cover26covers a boundary part between the case20and the first cover22, and prevents infiltration of water. The cable cover28covers a connecting portion for a cable35. The cable35links the door latch device10with an inner handle (not illustrated). The coupler30is connected to a harness connector (not illustrated). The key cylinder coupling part32is a portion to be operated when a key is inserted therein On. a portion positioned on the vehicle outer side of the door latch device10, an end part of art outer lever34connected to an outer handle (not illustrated) is disposed to project toward the outside.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, an accommodation space36is formed on the vehicle inner side of the door latch device10. The accommodation space36is a region in which the vehicle outer side is covered by the case20, and the vehicle inner side is mainly covered by the first cover22. The vehicle inner side of the accommodation space36is also covered by the cover plate16, the body18, and the cable cover28in addition to the first cover22.

The accommodation space36briefly includes a mechanism region40in which the machine mechanism38is disposed, and an electric component region42in which electric components are disposed. The electric component region42occupies an upper part on the vehicle front side, and the mechanism region40occupies a residual portion. The machine mechanism38houses the latch mechanism44that latches and unlatches the striker by the latch member12, and a lock mechanism.46that is switched between a locked state and an unlocked state. The latch mechanism44is disposed on the vehicle rear side in the accommodation space36, and covered by the cover plate16and the body18.

The machine mechanism38houses an electric release unit that can release, by power of a motor94, a latched state of the striker by the latch mechanism44, and a manual release unit that can release, by manual operation, the latched state of the striker by the latch mechanism44. The electric release unit includes the motor94, a cam wheel (rotating body)76, and the like (described later) to unlatch the striker. The manual release unit unlatches the striker via an inner lever59(described later) and the outer lever34mechanically linked with a manual operation.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the latch mechanism44includes a base bracket50, a ratchet52, a ratchet holder54, a ratchet lever56, an anti-panic lever58, and the inner lever59in addition to the latch member12and the outer lever34described above. The respective elements of the latch mechanism44are supported by the base bracket50.

The latch member12is supported by the housing via a latch shaft60in a rotatable manner, and includes a striker engagement groove12aand a ratchet engagement part12b.When the striker enters the striker engagement groove12ain accordance with a door-closing operation from a door-opened state, the latch member12rotates against elastic force of a spring (not illustrated), and the ratchet52engages with the ratchet engagement part12bto latch the striker at a full-latch position.

The ratchet52includes a base lever64supported by the housing via a ratchet shaft62in a rotatable manner, and a pole lever66supported by the base lever64via a base shaft part66ain a rotatable manner. The base lever64is elastically energized by a base spring65. The pole lever66is bent in a predetermined angle range with respect to the base lever64. A substantially straight attitude or the ratchet52is held by being supported by the ratchet holder54from a lateral side, and a distal end of the pole lever66engages with the ratchet engagement part12bto hold the latch member12at the full latch position.

The ratchet holder54is supported by the housing via a shaft part68in a rotatable manner, and elastically energized by a holder spring70to support a lateral side of the base lever64. The ratchet holder54rotates against elastic force of the holder spring70when the ratchet lever56rotates, and is separated from the base lever64. When the ratchet holder54is separated from the base lever64, the base lever64and the pole lever66of the ratchet52are caused to be in a buckling state centered on the base shaft part66a,and the pole lever66leaves the ratchet engagement part12bto open the latch member12. As a result, the latch member12is rotated by elastic force of a spring (not illustrated), and the striker is unlatched. In a case of operating the ratchet52via the ratchet holder54, the operation can be performed with smaller force as compared with a case of directly operating the ratchet52.

The ratchet lever56is supported by the base bracket50in a rotatable manner, and includes a passive part56aprojecting toward the vehicle inner side with respect to a rotation axis and a rotation working part56bprojecting toward the vehicle outer side with respect to the rotation axis. In the ratchet lever56, the rotation working part56bcauses the ratchet holder54to rotate when the passive part56amoves toward the upper side.

The outer lever34is supported by the housing via a shaft part72in a rotatable manner, and includes a handle operation part34aprojecting toward the vehicle outer side with respect to the shaft part72, and a working part34band a lever passive piece34cprojecting toward the vehicle inner side with respect to the shaft part72. The handle operation part34ais a portion operated by the outer handle. The working part34bis inserted into a hole58aof the anti-panic lever58and an odd-form hole80bof an open link80(described later). The lever passive piece34cis disposed on a lower side of the working part34b, and operated by the inner lever59. The outer lever34is rotated by an operation of the handle operation part34aor the lever passive piece34c,and pushes up the anti-panic lever58.

The inner lever59is supported by the housing via the shaft part74in a rotatable manner, and is rotated by an operation of the cable35. Accordingly, an operation piece59apushes up the lever passive piece34c.

The anti-panic lever58includes the hole58ainto which the working part34bis inserted, and a working piece56bthat is bent at an upper part. The anti-panic lever58is pushed up by the working part34bwhen the open link80(described later) is at an unlocked position and the outer lever34rotates, and the working piece56bpushes up the passive part56aof the ratchet lever56. Accordingly, the ratchet holder54and the ratchet52perform an unlatch operation. The anti-panic lever58has a structure separated from the open link80due to an anti-panic mechanism.

As illustrated inFIG. 5andFIG. 6, the lock mechanism46includes a cam wheel76supported by the housing via a shaft part76ain a rotatable manner, a knob lever (first lever)78that is supported by the housing via a shaft part78ain a rotatable manner and driven by the cam wheel76, the open link80that is driven by the knob lever78, a sub-lock lever82linked with the open link80, and an open lever (second lever)84that is supported by the housing via a shaft part84ain a rotatable manner and driven by the cam wheel76. The lock mechanism46further includes a lock lever86and an auxiliary lever88linked with the sub-lock lever82, and a key lever90and a sub-key lever92that are linked with a key operation and drive the sub-lock lever82. To easily identify components in the respective drawings, the lock lever86is represented by fine dots, and the open link80is represented by coarse dots.

The cam wheel76has a disk shape having teeth (not illustrated) on an outer peripheral surface, meshes with a worm94adisposed on a drive shaft of the motor94via the teeth on the outer peripheral surface, and can rotate in a case in which the motor94is driven. In the following description, for convenience' sake, a case in which the cam wheel76rotates clockwise inFIG. 5is assumed to be normal rotation, and a case in which the cam wheel76rotates counterclockwise is assumed to be reverse rotation.

A cam part110is disposed on the cam wheel76. The cam part110is disposed only on an end face76bpositioned on the vehicle inner side of the cam wheel76(hereinafter, simply referred to as an inner end face76b), and projects toward the vehicle inner side. A first cam111and a second cam112are disposed on the cam part110. Cam surfaces111and112ahaving different shapes are disposed on respective outer circumferences of the first cam111and the second cam112. Each of the cam surfaces111aand112ais formed so that a distance from the center of the cam wheel76is increased when the cam wheel76rotates counterclockwise.

More specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 5andFIGS. 7A and 7B, regarding the cam surface111aof the first cam111positioned on a side close to the inner end face76bof the cam wheel76in the cam part110, a minimum outer diameter portion close to a center part of the cam wheel76is assumed to be a starting end111a1, and the cam surface111aextends in a direction of rotating counterclockwise inFIGS. 7A and 7B. In the example illustrated inFIGS. 7A and 7B, the cam surface111aof the first cam111is disposed in a range of substantially 270 degrees from the starting end111a1. As is clear fromFIGS. 7A and 7B, the cam surface111aof the first cam111is configured to have a distance from the center that is gradually increased in a range of substantially 100 degrees from the starting end111a1, and to be a circular arc having a fixed cuter diameter after the range of 100 degrees. A maximum outer diameter of the cam surface111aof the first cam111is set at a distance with which the open lever84(described later) can rotate counterclockwise to the maximum inFIG. 5to perform an unlatch operation on the ratchet holder54and the ratchet52via the ratchet lever56.

On the other hand, regarding the cam surface112aof the second cam112positioned on a side separated from the inner end face76bof the cam wheel76in the cam part110, a position rotated counterclockwise from the starting end111a1of the first cam111by substantially 120 degrees is assumed to be a starting end112a1, and the cam surface112aextends in a direction of rotating counterclockwise inFIGS. 7A and 7B. In the example illustrated inFIGS. 7A and 7B, the cam surface112aof the second cam112is configured to have a distance from the center that is gradually increased in a range of substantially 100 degrees from the starting end112a1, and to be a circular arc having a fixed outer diameter that is the same as that of the cam surface111aof the first cam all after the range of 100 degrees. A maximum outer diameter of the cam surface112aof the second cam112is set at a distance with which the knob lever78(described later) can rotate counterclockwise to the maximum inFIG. 5and the open link80is caused to have an erect attitude.

The starting end112a1of the cam surface112aof the second cam112is disposed to be closer to an outer peripheral side than the starting end111a1of the cam surface111aof the first cam111is, and an increasing ratio of the outer diameter of the cam surface112aof the second cam112is smaller than an increasing ratio of the outer diameter of the cam surface111aof the first cam111.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the cam wheel76includes an auxiliary component77on an end face76cpositioned on the vehicle cuter side (hereinafter, simply referred to as an outer end face76c). The auxiliary component77is integrally attached to the cam wheel76in a state of being prevented from relatively rotating. A torsion coil spring (elastic member)75is disposed inside a cylindrical part77aformed by the auxiliary component77. The torsion coil spring75is configured to have a cylindrical coil part by winding a metal fine wire, one spring end part is engaged with the cam wheel76, and the other spring end part is engaged with the case20. The torsion coil spring75allows the cam wheel76to normally rotate and reversely rotate with respect to the case20in a case in which external force is applied to the cam wheel76, while energizing the cam wheel76to be maintained at a neutral reference position in a case in which external force is removed.

The auxiliary component77includes a regulating projection77bprojecting toward the vehicle inner side in the vicinity of an outer circumference, and a first tilted wall77cthat is disposed on a substantially opposite side of the regulating projection77b.The regulating projection77babuts on an elastic member96aof a rotation stopper96disposed in the case20to regulate rotation of the cam wheel76when the cam wheel76reversely rotates. The first tilted wall77cis tilted from an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical part77atoward an outer peripheral side to be gradually positioned on a clockwise direction side inFIG. 6. The first tilted wall77cis disposed to secure a gap between itself and the outer end face76cof the cam wheel76.

The cam wheel76further includes a second tilted wall76dand a holding wall76e.The second tilted wall76dis tilted from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical part.77aof the auxiliary component77toward the outer peripheral side to be gradually positioned on a counterclockwise direction side inFIG. 6. The first tilted wall77cand the second tilted wall76dextend to be gradually separated from each other from a position close to the cylindrical part77atoward the outer peripheral side. The first tilted wall77cof the auxiliary component77is disposed to be closer to the vehicle outer side than the second tilted wall76dis. The holding wall76eis a circular arc wall extending from a portion positioned on the outer peripheral side of the second tilted wail76dtoward. the counterclockwise direction inFIG. 6. As illustrated inFIG. 6, an end part on the clockwise direction side of the holding wall76eis closed by a portion constituting the second. tilted wall.76d,while an end part on the counterclockwise direction side thereof is adjacent to a notch76fopening on the outer peripheral surface of the cam wheel76.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, a follower surface78dthat abuts on the cam surface112aof the second cam112in the cam part110is disposed on. the knob lever78. The follower surface78dis driven by the second cam112when the cam wheel76normally rotates, and functions to cause the knob lever78to rotate counterclockwise against a lever spring78b.A knob78cis disposed at a distal end part of the knob lever78. The knob78cengages with a side surface guide groove80adisposed on the open link80. The knob lever78functions such that, when being rotated counterclockwise inFIG. 5, the knob78cmoves toward the upper side along the side surface guide groove80ato erect the tilted open link80, and when being rotated clockwise inFIG. 5, the knob78cmoves toward a lower side along the side surface guide groove80ato cause the erect open link80to be tilted toward the vehicle front side.

The open link80includes the odd-form hole80bat a lower end, and rotates about the lower end as a center to be switched between an erect attitude (unlocked position) and a tilted attitude (locked position) as described above. The lock mechanism46is caused to be in the locked state in a case in which the open link80is arranged at the locked position illustrated inFIG. 5, and the lock mechanism46is caused to be in the unlocked state in a case in which the open link80is arranged at the unlocked position. That is, when the open link80is at the locked position, the anti-panic lever58is tilted together with the open link80, so that the anti-panic lever58does not abut on the ratchet lever56even in a case of being lifted up by the outer lever34. Thus, the ratchet lever56does not operate, and the door is kept closed in the locked state. On the other hand, when the open link80is at the unlocked position, the anti-panic lever58erects together with the open link80, so that the anti-panic lever58abuts on and pushes up the ratchet lever56when being lifted up by the outer lever34. Accordingly, the ratchet lever56operates, and the unlocked state in which the door can be opened is caused.

The working part34bof the outer lever34is inserted into the odd-form hole80bof the open link80. In a case in which the outer lever34operates, the open link80moves along an upper and lower direction. The anti-panic lever58is assembled to the lower end part of the open link80. The anti-panic lever58moves integrally with the open link80.

The sub-lock lever82is supported by the housing via a shaft part82ain a rotatable manner, engaged with the lock lever86via an outer knob86cof the lock lever86, and engaged with the open link80arranged at the locked position via an inner knob86i.That is, when the sub-lock lever82rotates counterclockwise inFIG. 5due to rotation of the key lever90and the sub-key lever92, the lock lever86rotates clockwise inFIG. 5via the outer knob86c,and the lock lever86is pushed out by the inner knob86ito cause the open link80to be at the unlocked position. In a case in which the sub-lock lever82rotates clockwise and returns to an original position, the open link80is returned to the locked position by the knob lever78that rotates clockwise inFIG. 5by elastic force of the lever spring78b.

The open lever84is a constituent element of the electric release unit. That is, the open lever84operates to open the door in a case in which the motor94is driven by a switch. operation and the like performed by a driver, and includes a cam follower part84bextending from the shaft part84atoward the vehicle front side and a ratchet operation part84cextending toward the vehicle rear side. An open spring84dis disposed between the open lever84and the housing. The open spring84denergizes the cam follower part84bin the clockwise direction inFIG. 5to abut on the cam surface111aof the first cam111in the cam part110of the cam wheel76. In a case in which the cam wheel76normally rotates inFIG. 5, the first cam111pushes down the cam follower part84b,the open lever84rotates counterclockwise about the shaft part84aagainst the open spring84d,and the ratchet operation part84cmoves upward. When the ratchet operation part84cmoves upward, the passive part56aof the ratchet lever56is pushed up, the latch mechanism44is unlatched, and the door is opened. When the cars wheel76returns to the neutral reference position, the open lever84also returns to an original attitude by the open spring84d.

The open lever84can operate the ratchet lever56independently of the open link80. Thus, with the door latch device10including the open lever84, the door can be opened by the electric release unit even when the lock mechanism46is in the locked state (that is, the open link80is at the locked position).

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the lock lever86includes an arm86bthat is supported by the housing in a rotatable manner via a shaft part86aand extends toward the upper side, the outer knob86cprojecting from a distal end of the arm86btoward the vehicle outer side, a downward extending part86dextending toward the lower side, a first projection86eprojecting from the downward extending part86dtoward the vehicle front side, a second projection86fprojecting from the vicinity of the shaft part86aof the arm861toward the vehicle front side, a spring reception part86gprojecting from the downward extending part86dtoward. the vehicle outer side, and two push-out parts86hprojecting from a surface on the vehicle inner side of the downward extending part86dtoward the inner side of the vehicle. The outer knob86cis engaged with the sub-lock lever82by being fit into a guide hole82bformed at the lower end of the sub-lock lever82. The lock lever86is rotated via the outer knob86cwhen the sub-lock lever82rotates, and can be displaced between a working position for switching the open link80from the locked position to the unlocked position, and a non-working position not working on the open link80.

The spring reception part86gabuts on a bent part100aof a lock spring100. The lock spring100defines an attitude of the sub-lock lever82via the spring reception part86g.

The first projection86eabuts on the first tilted wall77cin a case in which the cam wheel76rotates counterclockwise inFIG. 6. When the cam wheel76continuously rotates counterclockwise in a state in which the first tilted wall77cabuts on the first projection86e,the lock lever86rotates clockwise inFIG. 6. The second projection86fabuts on the second tilted wall76din a case in which the cam wheel76rotates clockwise inFIG. 6. When the cam wheel76continuously rotates clockwise in a state in which the second tilted wall76dabuts on the second projection86f,the lock lever86rotates counterclockwise inFIG. 6. The second projection86fis disposed to be closer to the vehicle inner side than the first tilted wall77cis. The second projection86fenters a gap between the first tilted wall77cand the outer end face76cof the cam wheel76, and does not abut on the first tilted wall77c.The two push-out parts86habut on the auxiliary lever88in a case in which the lock lever86rotates clockwise inFIG. 5.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the auxiliary lever88is supported by the shaft part86aof the lock lever86in a rotatable manner, and includes an arm88aprojecting from the shaft part86atoward the vehicle front side, and a circular arc projection88bdisposed on an upper part of a distal end of the arm88a.The circular arc projection88babuts on the holding wall76eof the cam wheel76in a case of rotating counterclockwise inFIG. 6. An auxiliary lever spring88cis interposed. between the auxiliary lever88and the lock lever86, the auxiliary lever spring88cenergizing the auxiliary lever88in a direction of rotating counterclockwise inFIG. 5with respect to the lock lever86. A lower surface of the auxiliary lever88is kept abutting on the push-cut parts86hdue to elastic force of the auxiliary lever spring88c.

FIGS. 8A and 8Bare diagrams illustrating an operation of the lock mechanism46viewed from the vehicle inner side when the cam wheel76normally rotates (rotates clockwise inFIGS. 8A and 8B). The following describes the operation of the lock mechanism46with reference to these drawings as appropriate.

As illustrated inFIG. 8A, in a basic state in which the cam wheel76is at the reference position, the cam surface112aof the second cam112is separated from the follower surface78dof the knob lever78, and the cam follower part84bis separated from the cam surface111aof the first cam111at a position where the open lever84rotates clockwise to the maximum. At this point, the open link80is arranged at the locked position, and the knob78cof the knob lever78is positioned on a lower side of the side surface guide groove80a.

When the cam wheel76starts to normally rotate by being driven by the motor94from the basic state, a portion in the vicinity of the starting end112a1of the cam surface112aof the second cam112abuts on the follower surface78dof the knob lever78, and the knob lever78starts to rotate counterclockwise inFIGS. 8A and 8B. Substantially at the same time, a portion in the vicinity of the starting end111a1of the cam surface111aof the first cam111abuts on the cam follower part84bof the open lever84, and the open lever84starts to rotate counterclockwise inFIGS. 8A and 8B.

As described above, the increasing ratio of the outer diameter of the cam surface111aof the first cam111is larger than that of the cam surface112aof the second cam112. Thus, in a case in which the cam wheel76normally rotates, as illustrated inFIG. 8B, the passive part56aof the ratchet lever56is sufficiently pushed up by the open lever84at an early stage, the latch mechanism44unlatches the striker, and the door is opened. On the other hand, the knob lever78is caused to be in a state of being rotated counterclockwise to the maximum by the cam surface of the second cam112, the open link80gradually rotates clockwise when the knob78cmoves toward the upper side along the side surface guide groove80a,and the open link80is caused to be at the unlocked position. The sub-lock lever82, the lock lever86, and the auxiliary lever88do not operate in this period, and are maintained in the basic state inFIG. 8A.

During the operation described above, the torsion coil spring75interposed between the case20and the cam wheel76is gradually bent. Thus, when electric supply to the motor94is stopped thereafter, the cam wheel76rotates counterclockwise to be at the reference position due to elastic force of the torsion coil spring75, and the lock mechanism46returns to the basic state illustrated inFIG. 8A.

At the time of such electric release, as illustrated inFIG. 8AandFIG. 8B, the open lever84can be rotated by being driven by the motor94to work on the latch mechanism44to unlatch the striker. At this point, the open link80also reciprocates between the locked position and the unlocked position. The open link80does not work on the other components, but synchronously operates at appropriate time intervals at the time of electric release, so that it is possible to prevent grease from being hardened due to long-term deterioration, or prevent a spring, a lever, and the like made of steel material from getting rusty. Accordingly, a smooth operation of the lock mechanism46can be secured at all times.

At the time of electric release, only the open link80synchronously operates, and the lock lever86does not operate. Thus, the spring reception part86gof the lock lever86does not get over the bent part100a,and sound is not generated, so that a user does not feel a sense of incongruity.

FIGS. 9A to 9Dare diagrams illustrating an operation of the lock mechanism46viewed from the vehicle outer side when the cam wheel76reversely rotates (rotates clockwise inFIGS. 9A to 9D) and normally rotates (rotates counterclockwise inFIGS. 9A to 9D). The following further describes the operation of the lock mechanism46with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

As illustrated inFIG. 9A, in the basic state in which the cam wheel76is arranged at the reference position, the lock lever86is at a position where the lock lever86rotates clockwise to the maximum, and the first projection86eand the second projection86fare in a non-abutting state with respect to the cam wheel76.

When the cam wheel76starts to reversely rotate by being driven by the motor94from the reference state, and rotation of the cam wheel76proceeds to substantially 40 degrees as illustrated inFIG. 9B, the second tilted wall76dof the cam wheel76abuts on the second projection86f. Accordingly, the lock lever86rotates counterclockwise, and the spring reception part86gis displaced to get over the bent part100aof the lock spring100.

When the lock lever86rotates, the sub-lock lever82is rotated clockwise via the outer knob86c,the open link80is rotated counterclockwise via the inner knob86i,and the auxiliary lever88is rotated counterclockwise by the push-out parts86h.Accordingly, each of the sub-lock lever82and the open link80is caused to be at the unlocked position, and the circular arc projection88bof the auxiliary lever86is displaced to a position close to the cylindrical part77avia the notch76f.

When the spring reception part86ggets over the bent part100aor the lock spring100, the cam wheel76starts to normally rotate by being driven by the motor94. As illustrated inFIG. 9C, when normal rotation of the cam wheel76proceeds to substantially 40 degrees from the state ofFIG. 9B, the cam wheel76returns to the reference position. illustrated inFIG. 9A. However, the spring reception part86gis held by the bent part100a,so that the lock lever86, the sub-lock lever82, and the open link80are kept in the attitude illustrated inFIG. 9B. Accordingly, the lock mechanism46is caused to be in the unlocked state. At this point, due to normal rotation of the cam wheel76, the holding wail76eis arranged on an outer peripheral side of the circular arc projection88b, and the circular arc projection88bis caused. to be in a state of engaging with an inner peripheral surface of the holding wall76e.

When normal rotation of the cam wheel76further proceeds by substantially 40 degrees from the state illustrated inFIG. 9C, the first tilted wall77cof the cam wheel76abuts on the first projection86e. Accordingly, the lock lever86rotates clockwise, and as illustrated inFIG. 9D, the spring reception part86ggets over the bent part100aof the lock spring100to return to the reference state illustrated inFIG. 9A.

When the lock lever86rotates clockwise, the sub-lock lever82is rotated counterclockwise via the outer knob86c,the open link80is rotated clockwise by the knob lever78that is rotated by elastic force of the lever spring78b,and each of the sub-lock lever82and the open link80returns to the reference state illustrated inFIG. 9A.

On the other hand, the circular arc projection88bengages with the holding wall76eof the cam wheel76, so that the auxiliary lever88is maintained in a state of rotating counterclockwise against elastic force of the auxiliary lever spring88c.When normal rotation of the cam wheel76further proceeds from this state, the regulating projection77babuts on the rotation stopper96of the case20via the elastic member96a,and rotation of the cam wheel76is stopped. Due to this, excessive rotation of the cam wheel76can be prevented.

After the regulating projection77babuts on the rotation stopper96and rotation of the cam wheel76is stopped, the cam wheel76starts to reversely rotate by being driven by the motor94. When reverse rotation of the cam wheel76proceeds to the position illustrated inFIG. 9A, engagement between circular arc projection.88band the holding wall76eis released. Due to this, the auxiliary lever88is rotated clockwise by elastic force of the auxiliary lever spring88c,and returns to the position illustrated inFIG. 9A. In this way, the entire lock mechanism46returns to the basic state illustrated inFIG. 9A.

In this way, with the door latch device10described above, the unlatch operation for the latch mechanism44and switching of the lock mechanism46between the locked state and the unlocked state can be performed by the single motor94. Furthermore the cam part110is disposed only on the one inner end face76bof the cam wheel76, so that the knob lever78and the open lever may be disposed only in a region opposed to the inner end face76bof the cam wheel76, and the levers78and84are not disposed in a region opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the cam wheel76. Thus, it possible to prevent a situation in which the size of the door latch device10is increased.

The individual cam surfaces111aand112aare caused to abut on the knob lever78and the open lever84, so that the levers78and84can be operated at a desired optional timing without influencing mutual operations by appropriately changing profiles of the cam surfaces111aand112a,and the door latch device10satisfying needs of the user can be applied.

In the embodiment described above, the first cam and the second cam are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the cam part, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Any one of the cam surfaces or both of the cam surfaces may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cam part.

In the embodiment described above, exemplified is the actuator applied to the door latch device, but the actuator can also be applied as an actuator for another device.

According to the present disclosure, the cam part is disposed only on the one end face of the rotating body, so that each of the first lever and the second lever may be disposed only in a region opposed to the one end face of the rotating body, and each lever is not disposed in a region opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the size of the device from being increased.