Vehicle door lock apparatus

A closing mechanism of a vehicle door lock apparatus includes a drive, a pivoting body, a close lever, a transmitting member, and a cancel lever. The pivoting body is driven by the drive to pivot when a fork is disposed in a half latched position. The transmitting member is displaceable between an engaging position, where the transmitting member regulates relative displacement of the close lever and the pivoting body, and a releasing position where the transmitting member allows relative displacement. The cancel lever pivots independently of an open lever and displaces the transmitting member to the releasing position. The close lever displaces the fork to a latched position through the pivoting of the pivoting body when the transmitting member is in the engaging position. The close lever does not contact the fork irrespective of the pivoting of the pivoting body when the transmitting member is in the releasing position.

The present patent application claims priority to Japanese patent application no. 2013-090823, filed on Apr. 24, 2013, the contents of which are entirely incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vehicle door lock apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Japanese Patent No. 5107170 discloses a known vehicle door lock apparatus that includes a base member, a fork, a pawl, an open lever, and a closing mechanism.

The base member is provided in a door and includes an entry opening configured to receive a striker fixed to a vehicle body. The fork is provided in the base member. The fork is displaceable to a latched position, where the fork locks the striker on the depth side of the entry opening, to a half latched position, where the fork locks the striker halfway in the entry opening, and to an unlatched position where the fork does not lock the striker in the entry opening. The pawl is provided in the base member. The pawl is capable of fixing or allowing the displacement of the fork. The open lever is pivotably supported about a first axis by the base member. The open lever acts on the pawl in connection with an opening operation of a door handle and allows the displacement of the fork. The closing mechanism acts on the fork when the fork is disposed in the half latched position and displaces the fork to the latched position.

More specifically, the locking mechanism includes a driving source, a pivoting body, a close lever, a transmitting member, and a cancel lever. The driving source generates a driving force. The pivoting body is pivotably supported by the base member about a second axis parallel to the first axis. When the fork is disposed in the half latched position, the pivoting body is driven by the driving source to pivot. The close lever is pivotably supported by the pivoting body about a third axis that is coaxial with the second axis. The transmitting member is provided in the pivoting body. The transmitting member is displaceable between an engaging position, where the transmitting member engages with the close lever and regulates relative displacement of the close lever and the pivoting body, and a releasing position where the close lever stops engaging with the close lever and allows the relative displacement of the close lever and the pivoting body. The cancel lever and the open lever are one (integral) member. The cancel lever pivots integrally with the open lever in connection with the opening operation of the door handle and displaces the transmitting member from the engaging position to the releasing position.

In this known vehicle door lock apparatus, when the fork is displaced from the unlatched position to the half latched position while the door is closed, the closing mechanism operates and the pivoting body is driven by the driving source to pivot. At that point, if the opening operation for the door handle is not performed, the cancel lever does not pivot and the transmitting member is disposed in the engaging position. Therefore, since the transmitting member regulates the relative displacement of the close lever and the pivoting body, the close lever comes into contact with the fork disposed in the half latched position through the pivoting of the pivoting body and displaces the fork to the latched position. In this way, it is possible to automatically close the door by using the known vehicle door lock apparatus.

On the other hand, when the opening operation for the door handle is performed while the closing mechanism operates to close the door and displaces the fork from the half latched position to the latched position, the cancel lever pivots in connection with the opening operation and displaces the transmitting member to the releasing position. Therefore, since the transmitting member allows the relative displacement of the close lever and the pivoting body, the close lever stops coming into contact with the fork irrespective of the pivoting of the pivoting body. As a result, the known vehicle door lock apparatus makes it possible to stop the operation for closing the door by the closing mechanism.

SUMMARY

It is further noted that some vehicle doors include a disabling mechanism, such as a child lock mechanism and/or a lock/unlock mechanism, provided between the door handle and the open lever. The disabling mechanism selectively prohibits operation (connection) of the open lever with the opening operation of the door handle. It is conceivable to selectively prohibit, in the above-described known vehicle door lock apparatus, the operation (connection) of the open lever with the opening operation of the door handle by using such a disabling mechanism.

However, in such a hypothetical modification of the known vehicle door lock apparatus, since the open lever and the cancel lever are a single (integral) member, when the operation (connection) of the open lever with the opening operation of the door handle is prohibited by the disabling mechanism, the cancel lever also would stop pivoting in connection with the opening operation. Therefore, in case the operation (connection) of the open lever is prohibited by the disabling mechanism and the opening operation of the door handle is performed while the closing mechanism operates to close the door and displaces the fork from the half latched position to the latched position, then the cancel lever cannot displace the transmitting member from the engaging position to the releasing position, and the operation for closing the door by the closing mechanism continues. Therefore, such a vehicle door lock apparatus would require additional safety improvements during the operation of the closing mechanism.

The present techniques have been devised in view of these circumstances. In particular, in one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle door lock apparatus is provided that can improve (increase) safety during the operation of a closing mechanism.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle door lock apparatus preferably includes: a base member configured to be provided in or on one of a door and a vehicle body, the base member including an entry opening configured to receive a striker fixed to the other of the door and the vehicle body. A fork is provided in or on the base member and is displaceable to a latched position, where the fork locks the striker on the depth (bottom) side of the entry opening, to a half latched position, where the fork locks the striker halfway in the entry opening, and to an unlatched position, where the fork does not lock the striker in the entry opening. A pawl is provided in or on the base member and is capable of fixing or allowing the displacement of the fork. An open lever is pivotably supported about a first axis by the base member. The open lever acts on the pawl in connection with an opening operation of a door handle and allows the displacement of the fork. A closing mechanism is configured to act on the fork when it is disposed in the half latched position and to displace the fork to the latched position. The operation (connection) of the open lever with the opening operation is selectively prohibited by a disabling mechanism provided between the door handle and the open lever. The closing mechanism preferably includes: a driving source configured to generate a driving force; a pivoting body pivotably supported by the base member about a second axis that is parallel to the first axis. The pivoting body can be driven by the driving source to pivot when the fork is disposed in the half latched position; a close lever pivotably supported by the pivoting body about a third axis that is parallel to or coaxial with the second axis; a transmitting member provided in or on one of the pivoting body and the close lever, the transmitting member being displaceable between an engaging position, where the transmitting member engages with the other of the pivoting body and the close lever and regulates relative displacement of the close lever and the pivoting body, and a releasing position, where the transmitting member stops engaging with the other of the pivoting body and the close lever and allows the relative displacement; and a cancel lever pivotably supported by the base member about a fourth axis parallel to or coaxial with the first axis, the cancel lever pivoting in connection with the opening operation independently of the open lever and displacing the transmitting member from the engaging position to the releasing position. The close lever is preferably configured to come into contact with the fork when it is disposed in the half latched position through the pivoting of the pivoting body and to displace the fork to the latched position when the transmitting member is disposed in the engaging position and, on the other hand, to not come into contact with the fork irrespective of the pivoting of the pivoting body when the transmitting member is disposed in the releasing position.

In such a vehicle door lock apparatus, the cancel lever may be pivotably supported about the fourth axis that is parallel to or coaxial with the first axis, it may pivot in connection with the opening operation of the door handle independently of the open lever, and it may displace the transmitting member from the engaging position to the releasing position. Preferably, the cancel lever is a member (structural element) separate from the open lever. Consequently, in such a vehicle door lock apparatus, when the operation (connection) of the open lever is prohibited by the disabling mechanism, even when the opening operation for the door handle is performed while the closing mechanism operates to close the door and displaces the fork from the half latched position to the latched position, the cancel lever pivots in connection with the opening operation of the door handle and displaces the transmitting member from the engaging position to the releasing position. Therefore, since the transmitting member allows the relative displacement of the close lever and the pivoting body, the close lever stops coming into contact with the fork irrespective of the pivoting of the pivoting body. As a result, by using such a vehicle door lock apparatus, even if the operation (connection) of the open lever with the opening operation for the door handle is prohibited, it is possible to stop the operation for closing the door by the closing mechanism.

Therefore, by using such a vehicle door lock apparatus, it is possible to improve safety during the operation of the closing mechanism.

Since the first axis of the open lever, the second axis of the pivoting body, the third axis of the close lever, and the fourth axis of the cancel lever extend in the same direction, such a vehicle door lock apparatus may have a reduced size as compared to embodiments in which these axes cross one another.

In a preferred embodiment, the fourth axis is coaxial with the first axis. In this case, it is possible to realize a further reduction of the size of the vehicle door lock apparatus as compared to an embodiment in which the fourth axis is spaced (separated) from the first axis. By using such a vehicle door lock apparatus, since the open lever and the cancel lever can share a support shaft, it is possible to realize a reduction in manufacturing costs due to a reduction in the number of components (i.e. due to a reduced part count).

In addition or in the alternative, the third axis is preferably farther spaced (separated) from the transmitting member than is the second axis. In such a vehicle door lock apparatus, it is possible to increase a lever ratio of the close lever with respect to the transmitting member as compared to an embodiment in which the third axis is coaxial with the second axis. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the pressing force of the close lever on the transmitting member. As a result, by using such a vehicle door lock apparatus, it is possible to reduce the operation force of the cancel lever that is required to displace the transmitting member from the engaging position to the releasing position.

In addition or in the alternative, the open lever is preferably adjacent to the cancel lever, which displaces the transmitting member to the releasing position, from the opposite side of the transmitting member and is pivotable in the same direction as the cancel lever in connection with the opening operation. Even if the cancel lever cannot pivot in connection with the opening operation because of breakage of a member (structural element) that couples the door handle and the cancel lever, if the open lever pivots in connection with the opening operation, the open lever can come into contact with the cancel lever and cause the cancel lever to pivot to displace the transmitting member to the releasing position. As a result, by using such a vehicle door lock apparatus, it is possible to further improve safety during the operation of the closing mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment representative of the present teachings will be explained below with reference to the drawings.

As shown inFIG. 1, a vehicle door lock apparatus1according to the representative embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as “door lock apparatus1”) may be used in an automobile. An opening9and a slide door8are provided on the left side surface of the automobile. A passenger gets on and off a rear seat in a vehicle interior via the opening9. The slide door8closes the opening9in the position shown inFIG. 1. The slide door8slides rearward from the position shown inFIG. 1to thereby open the opening9. The slide door8is an example of a “door” according to the present teachings.

In this embodiment, the slide door8is preferably an electronic automatic slide door. When the passenger performs an opening operation or a closing operation to open or close the slide door8, an electronic slide mechanism (not illustrated) operates, the slide door8slides, and the opening9is automatically opened or closed.

The front-rear direction and the up-down direction shown inFIG. 2as well as several of the subsequent Figures are displayed to correspond toFIG. 1. The in-out direction shown inFIG. 3and subsequent figures is shown to define the outer surface side of the slide door8as a vehicle outer side and to define the inner surface side of the slide door8exposed in the vehicle interior as a vehicle inner side. In this embodiment, the door lock apparatus1provided in the left-side slide door8is illustrated. However, in the case of a right side door, the door lock apparatus1may be symmetrically identical. The door lock apparatus1could also be provided in a vehicle door that pivotably opens and closes a tail gate, etc.

As shown inFIG. 2, the door lock apparatus1is disposed on the rear end side in the slide door8. A door lock apparatus1A is disposed on the front end side in the slide door8. When the slide door8is positioned as shown inFIG. 1, the door lock apparatus1engages with a striker99fixed to the rear edge of the opening9and the door lock apparatus1A engages with a striker99A fixed to the front edge of the opening9and act to maintain the slide door8in a closed state.

A remote controller unit3is disposed in front of the door lock apparatus1and above the door lock apparatus1A in the slide door8. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the remote controller unit3is coupled to an open lever20of the door lock apparatus1by a cable20C. The remote controller unit3is coupled to a cancel lever60of the door lock apparatus1by a cable60C. As shown inFIG. 2, the remote controller unit3is coupled to the door lock apparatus1A by a cable1C.

An exterior door handle81is disposed on the front outer surface of the slide door8. An interior door handle82is disposed in the vicinity of the exterior door handle81on the inner surface of the slide door8. The exterior door handle81and the interior door handle82are respectively coupled to the remote controller unit3by coupling members such as rods or cables. The exterior door handle81and the interior door handle82are respectively examples of a “door handle” according to the present teachings.

When a passenger operates the exterior door handle81or the interior door handle82to open the slide door8, the remote controller unit3acts on the door lock apparatus1and the door lock apparatus1A, releases engagement with the striker99by the door lock apparatus1, and releases engagement with the striker99A by the door lock apparatus1A. As a result, the slide door8changes to an openable state. When a control section (not illustrated) detects that the opening operation for the exterior door handle81or the interior door handle82is being performed, the engagement with the striker99by the door lock apparatus1is released, and the engagement with the striker99A by the door lock apparatus1A is released, and then the control section controls the electric slide mechanism, slides the slide door8rearward, and opens the opening9.

A lock/unlock mechanism87and a child lock mechanism85are preferably incorporated in the remote controller unit3. In this case, a door lock knob87A and a child lock knob85A may be disposed in the vicinity of the remote controller unit3on the inner surface of the slide door8. The door lock knob87A may be coupled to the lock/unlock mechanism87by a coupling member such as a rod or a cable or directly without using such a coupling member. The child lock knob85A may be coupled to the child lock mechanism85by a coupling member such as a rod or a cable or directly without using such a coupling member. The lock/unlock mechanism87and the child lock mechanism85are respectively examples of a “disabling mechanism” according to the present teachings.

When the passenger displaces the door lock knob87A from an unlocking position to a locking position, the lock/unlock mechanism87prohibits operation of the cable20C and the cable1C. As a result, the slide door8is switched from an unlocked state to a locked state. It is noted that the lock/unlock mechanism87may operate in the same manner when the passenger operates a central door lock key or a remote controller key to lock all doors of the vehicle. However, in this embodiment, explanation of the operation of the lock/unlock mechanism87is omitted.

When the passenger displaces the child lock knob85A from a child lock releasing position to a child lock position, the child lock mechanism85prohibits operation of the cable20C and the cable1C only when the interior door handle82is operated. As a result, the slide door8is switched from a child lock release state to a child lock state.

In short, the lock/unlock mechanism87and the child lock mechanism85are provided between the exterior door handle81or the interior door handle82and the open lever20. The lock/unlock mechanism87selectively prohibits the connection of the open lever20with the exterior door handle81or with the interior door handle82thereby switching the slide door8to the locked state. The child lock mechanism85selectively prohibits the connection of the open lever20with the interior door handle82thereby switching the slide door8to the child lock state.

Note that, in this embodiment, even when the operation of the cable20C is prohibited by the lock/unlock mechanism87or the child lock mechanism85, the operation of the cable60C is not prohibited. The cancel lever60is still caused to pivot by the cable60C when the exterior door handle81or the interior door handle82is operated.

The configuration of the door lock apparatus1will now be explained in further detail. As shown inFIGS. 3 to 6, the door lock apparatus1includes a base member90, a fork11, a pawl12, the open lever20, and a closing mechanism5.

The base member90includes a base plate91, an intermediate housing92, a back plate93, and a support plate94.

As shown inFIGS. 3,4, and6, the base plate91is made of a bent steel plate. The base plate91includes a fixable portion91A and a coupling portion91B. The fixable portion91A is affixed to the rear end face of the slide door8by screws, bolts, etc. The fixable portion91A extends in the up-down direction and in the vehicle in-out direction. The coupling portion91B is bent from the end edge on the vehicle inner side of the fixed portion91A and extends forward. An entry opening (FIG. 6) is formed in the fixable portion91A. The entry opening97is deeply cut out in a groove shape from the vehicle inner side toward the vehicle outer side. The entry opening97is exposed from the rear end face of the slide door8. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 6, connecting holes91M and91N extend or pass through the coupling portion91B.

As shown inFIGS. 3,4, and6, the intermediate housing92is preferably a resin molded product in which a plurality of recesses, holes, etc. are formed. The intermediate housing92is adjacent to and frontward of the fixable portion91A of the base plate91; the fork11, a fork support shaft11S, the pawl12, a pawl support shaft12S, etc. are housed in the intermediate housing92.

The back plate93is adjacent to and frontward of the intermediate housing92. The front and rear ends of the fork support shaft11S and the pawl support shaft12S are caulked by (secured to, e.g., by bending or upsetting the ends thereof) the fixable portion91A of the base plate91and the back plate93, whereby the base plate91, the intermediate housing92, and the back plate93are integrally assembled.

As shown inFIGS. 3 to 5, the support plate94is preferably made of a bent steel plate and extends in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. As shown inFIG. 5, connecting holes94M and94N extend or pass through the support plate94. An open lever support shaft20S is inserted through the connecting hole91M of the coupling portion91B and the connecting hole94M of the support plate94and is caulked (e.g., secured or affixed by bending or upsetting the end). A pivoting body support shaft30S is inserted through the connecting hole91N of the coupling portion91B and the connecting hole94N of the support plate94and is caulked (e.g., secured or affixed by bending or upsetting the end). In this way, the coupling portion91B and the support plate94are connected.

As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the fork support shaft11S is located below the entry opening97. The pawl support shaft12S is located above the entry opening97. The fork11is pivotably supported by the fork support shaft11S. The pawl12is pivotably supported by the pawl support shaft12S. As shown inFIG. 6, a first torsion coil spring11T is attached to the fork support shaft11S. A second torsion coil spring12T is attached to the pawl support shaft12S.

As shown inFIG. 7A, the fork11is biased by the first torsion coil spring11T to pivot in a direction D1around the fork support shaft11S. A part of the fork11located on the entry opening97side of the fork support shaft11S is divided into an inner projection11A and an outer projection11B. A cutout portion11C is formed between the inner projection11A and the outer projection11B. When the striker99advances into the entry opening97, it enters into and fits in the cutout portion11C. When the fork11is located in the position shown inFIG. 7A, the fork11holds the striker99in the bottom of the entry opening97. A latch surface11D capable of coming into contact with a stopper surface12A (explained below) is formed on the distal end side of the inner projection11A facing the pawl12. When the fork11is located in the position shown inFIG. 7B, the fork11holds the striker99halfway in the entry opening97. A half latch surface11E capable of coming into contact with the stopper surface12A is formed on the distal end side of the outer projection11B facing the pawl12.

As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, a contactable portion11G is provided on the distal end side of a part of the fork11that extends from the fork support shaft11S to the vehicle inner side and downward. The contactable portion11G is a columnar shaft body that projects forward.

As shown inFIG. 7A, the pawl12is biased to pivot in a direction D2around the pawl support shaft12S by the second torsion coil spring12T. The stopper surface12A is formed on a part of the pawl12located on the bottom side of the pawl12near the entry opening97. The stopper surface12A is formed to face the latch surface11D when the fork11is in the position shown inFIG. 7Aand to face the half latch surface11E when the fork11is in the position shown inFIG. 7B. An arc forming the stopper surface12A is broken off (terminates at a location) on the fork11side. A sliding surface12C extending to the pawl support shaft12S side is formed from the location where the arc is broken off.

The pawl12includes an input section13shown, for example, inFIGS. 3,6, and7. The input section13is pivotably supported by the pawl support shaft12S between the intermediate housing92and the back plate93. The input section13is made of a bent steel plate and includes a coupling portion13A and a contactable portion13G.

As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the coupling portion13A is bent at a location spaced from the pawl support shaft12S, extends rearward, and fits in a coupling hole12H of the pawl12. The contactable portion13G is located on the opposite side of the stopper surface12A of the pawl12across the pawl support shaft12S and projects to the vehicle inner side and upward. The pawl12and the input section13integrally pivot around the pawl support shaft12S due to the mating of the coupling portion13A and the coupling hole12H.

As shown inFIG. 7A, when the fork11holds the striker99in the bottom of the entry opening97, the stopper surface12A comes into contact with the latch surface11D of the inner projection11A, and thus the pawl12fixes the fork11against pivoting in the D1direction. The position of the fork11shown inFIG. 7Ais a latched position that locks the striker99at the depth (bottom) side of the entry opening97.

As shown inFIG. 7B, when the fork11holds the striker99halfway in the entry opening97, the stopper surface12A comes into contact with the half latch surface11E of the outer projection11B and thus the pawl12fixes the fork11against pivoting in the D1direction. The position of the fork11shown inFIG. 7Bis a half latched position that locks the striker99halfway in the entry opening97.

As shown inFIGS. 3 to 5andFIGS. 8 to 10, the open lever20is preferably an elongated metal member generally extending in the up-down direction. The upper end side of the open lever20is pivotably supported by the open lever support shaft20S. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 8, the open lever support shaft20S defines a first axis X1extending in the vehicle in-out direction. That is, the open lever20is pivotably supported about the first axis X1by the base member90.

The open lever20includes a contactable portion20G spaced rearwardly from the open lever support shaft20S. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 7, the contactable portion20G opposes the contactable portion13G of the input section13from above.

As shown inFIGS. 3,4, and8, the cable20C is coupled to the lower end side of the open lever20. When the remote controller unit3selectively causes the cable20C to operate in response to an opening operation of the exterior door handle81or the interior door handle82, the lower end side of the open lever20is pulled forward. Consequently, the open lever20pivots from the position shown inFIG. 8to the position shown inFIG. 9. As a result, as shown inFIG. 7C, the contactable portion20G comes into contact with the contactable portion13G of the input section13and pushes down the contactable portion13G.

When the contactable portion13G is pushed down, the pawl12pivots in the opposite direction of the D2direction around the pawl support shaft12S while resisting (overcoming) the biasing force of the second torsion coil spring12T. At this point, since the stopper surface12A separates from the latch surface11D or the half latch surface11E, the pawl12allows pivoting of the fork11. The fork11pivots in the D1direction around the fork support shaft11S because of the biasing force of the first torsion coil spring11T. The striker99is allowed to be displaced in a direction in which the striker99separates from the entry opening97. The position of the fork11shown inFIG. 7Cis an unlatched position in which the striker99is not locked in the entry opening97.

As shown inFIGS. 3,6, etc., a fork position sensor11P and a pawl position sensor12P are assembled onto the intermediate housing92. The fork position sensor11P detects whether the fork11is located in the latched position, the half latched position, or the unlatched position and informs the not-shown control section of the position. The pawl position sensor12P detects whether the fork11pivots and informs the not-shown control section to that effect.

On the other hand, when the striker99advances into the entry opening97, since the striker99pushes the outer projection11B to the position shown inFIG. 7C, the fork11pivots in the opposite direction of the D1direction following the outer projection11B and is displaced to the half latched position shown inFIG. 7B. At this point, the distal end of the outer projection11B comes into sliding contact with the sliding surface12C. When the distal end of the outer projection11B separates from the sliding surface12C, the pawl12pivots in the D2direction and is displaced to the posture (position) shown inFIG. 7B. Therefore, the stopper surface12A comes into contact with the half latch surface11E and fixes f the fork11in the half latched position.

When the fork position sensor11P detects that the fork11has been displaced to the half latched position, the control section causes the closing mechanism5to operate. Then, a close lever40operates as explained below. A contactable portion40G of the close lever40comes into contact with the contactable portion11G of the fork11that is located in the half latched position shown inFIG. 7B. The contactable portion40G pushes up the contactable portion11G to thereby displace the fork11to the latched position shown inFIG. 7A. At this point, the distal end of the inner projection11A comes into sliding contact with the sliding surface12C. When the distal end of the inner projection11A separates from the sliding surface12C, the pawl12pivots in the D2direction and returns to the original posture (position) shown inFIG. 7A. Therefore, the stopper surface12A comes into contact with the latch surface11D and fixes the fork11in the latched position.

As shown inFIGS. 3 to 5, the closing mechanism5includes a driving source (actuator or motor) M1, a pivoting body30, the close lever40, a transmitting member50, and the cancel lever60.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the driving source M1is screwed to the front end side of the support plate94. The driving source M1is a motor unit that includes a not-shown electric motor and a not-shown transmission gear group (gear set) housed on the inside and an output gear M1G exposed to the outside as shown inFIG. 8, etc. The electric motor is controlled by the not-shown control section to rotate, whereby the driving source M1generates a driving force and rotates the output gear M1G.

The pivoting body30is a sector gear made of a steel plate. As shown inFIGS. 5,11, and the like, the pivoting body30is pivotably supported by the pivoting body support shaft30S. The pivoting body support shaft30S defines a second axis X2extending in a vehicle in-out direction. That is, the pivoting body30is pivotably supported about the second axis X2parallel to the first axis X1with respect to the support plate94of the base member90.

As shown inFIGS. 5,8,11, etc., a teeth portion30A, a close lever support portion30B, and a transmitting member support portion30C are formed in the pivoting body30. In the teeth portion30A, a plurality of teeth are formed in an arc portion extending in the up-down direction at a location spaced forwardly of the pivoting body support shaft30S. The close lever support portion30B projects rearward and downward from the pivoting body support shaft30S. The transmitting member support portion30C projects upward from the pivoting body support shaft30S.

As shown inFIGS. 8,11, etc., the teeth portion30A meshes with the output gear M1G of the driving source M1. When the fork position sensor11P detects that the fork11is present in the half latched position, the not-shown control section controls (actuates) the driving source M1to normally rotate the output gear M1G (e.g. rotate clockwise). Therefore, a driving force is transmitted from the driving source M1to the pivoting body30via the teeth portion30A. The pivoting body30pivots in a direction D3. As a result, the pivoting body30pivots from the position shown inFIGS. 8 to 11to the position shown inFIG. 13in the process passing through the position shown inFIG. 12. Thereafter, the not-shown control section controls the driving source M1to rotate the output gear M1G in a reverse or opposite direction (e.g. rotate counterclockwise). Therefore, the pivoting body30pivots in the opposite direction of (counter to) the D3direction. As a result, the pivoting body30returns from the position shown inFIG. 13to the position shown inFIGS. 8 to 11by passing through the position shown inFIG. 12.

As shown inFIG. 5, a close lever support shaft40S is caulked (secured) on the distal end side of the close lever support portion30B. The close lever support shaft40S defines a third axis X3extending in the vehicle in-out direction.

As shown inFIGS. 3 to 5andFIGS. 8 to 14, the close lever40is an elongated metal member that inclines downwardly from the front to the rear. The close lever40is pivotably supported by the close lever support shaft40S. That is, the close lever40is pivotably supported around the third axis X3parallel to the second axis X2by the pivoting body30.

As shown inFIG. 5, a third torsion coil spring40T is attached to the close lever support shaft40S. As shown inFIGS. 8 and 11, the close lever40is biased by the third torsion coil spring40T to pivot in a direction D4about the close lever support shaft40S.

As shown in, e.g.,FIGS. 3 to 5, the close lever40includes the contactable portion40G spaced rearwardly from the close lever support shaft40S. On the other hand, the base plate91includes a regulating portion91K formed at the lower end edge of the coupling portion91B. The regulating portion91K is bent upward after being bent from the lower end edge of the coupling portion91B toward the vehicle outer side.

As shown inFIGS. 8 and 11, the contactable portion40G comes into contact with the regulating portion91K from above, whereby the posture (position) of the close lever40, biased by the third torsion coil spring40T, is set. As shown inFIG. 7, the contactable portion40G opposes the contactable portion11G of the fork11from below.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 11, the close lever40projects from the close lever support shaft40S forward and upward. The distal end of the close lever40is formed as an engaging portion40F.

As shown inFIG. 5, a transmitting member support shaft50S is caulked (secured) on the distal end side of the transmitting member support portion30C. The transmitting member support shaft50S extends in the vehicle in-out direction parallel to the first axis X1.

As shown inFIGS. 3 to 5andFIGS. 8 to 14, the transmitting member50is provided in the pivoting body30. The transmitting member50is a short metal member that inclines downwardly from the rear to the front. As shown inFIG. 5, a sub-plate50C is additionally provided in the transmitting member50. As shown inFIGS. 5,11, etc., the rear end side of the transmitting member50is pivotably supported by the transmitting member support shaft50S. A slide contact pin50A is caulked (secured) on the front end side of the transmitting member50. The slide contact pin50A is a columnar shaft body projecting in the vehicle outer side direction.

As shown inFIGS. 5,11, etc., an engaging surface50F is formed on the transmitting member50. The engaging surface50F is an arc surface located between the transmitting member support shaft50S and the slide contact pin50A and extends rearward, the arc centering on the transmitting member support shaft50S.

As shown inFIG. 5, a fourth torsion coil spring50T is attached to the transmitting member support shaft50S. As shown inFIGS. 8 and 11, the transmitting member50is biased by the fourth torsion coil spring50T to pivot in a direction D5about the transmitting member support shaft50S.

As shown in, e.g.,FIG. 11, the third axis X3is spaced further away from the transmitting member50than the second axis X2is spaced from the transmitting member50.

As shown inFIGS. 3 to 5andFIGS. 8 to 10, the cancel lever60is an elongated metal member extending in the up-down direction. The upper end side of the cancel lever60is pivotably supported by the open lever support shaft20S. That is, the cancel lever60is pivotably supported about a fourth axis X4coaxial with the first axis X1with respect to the support plate94of the base member90. The open lever20and the cancel lever60share the open lever support shaft20S.

As shown inFIGS. 3,4, and8, the cable60C is coupled to the intermediate portion of the cancel lever60. A slide contact surface60A is formed on the cancel lever60. The slide contact surface60A is an end face on the upper side that extends from the intermediate portion to the distal end of the cancel lever60in an arc shape. The transmitting member50is biased by the fourth torsion coil spring50T so that the slide contact pin50A is pressed against the slide contact surface60A.

When the exterior door handle81is operated to open the door or when the interior door handle82is operated to open the door, the remote controller unit3causes the cable60C to operate irrespective of the positions of the door lock knob87A and the child lock knob85A. Therefore, the lower end side of the cancel lever60is pulled forward. Consequently, the cancel lever60pivots from a position shown inFIG. 8to a position shown inFIGS. 9 and 10.

InFIG. 9, the remote controller unit3causes the open lever20to pivot in connection with the opening operation for the exterior door handle81and the interior door handle82due to the fact that the door lock knob87A is in the unlocking position or the child lock knob85A is in the child lock releasing position. In this case, the open lever20is adjacent to the pivoted cancel lever60from the opposite side of the transmitting member50and pivots in the same direction as the cancel lever60in connection with the opening operation. The intermediate portion of the pivoted cancel lever60, to which the cable60C is coupled, and the pivoted open lever20are adjacent and separated from each other by a small space (gap).

On the other hand, inFIG. 10, the remote controller unit3selectively prohibits the connection of the open lever20with the opening operation due to the fact that the door lock knob87A is in the locking position or the child lock knob85A is in the child lock releasing position. That is, the cancel lever60pivots in connection with the opening operation independently from the open lever20.

As shown inFIG. 8, when the cancel lever60is not pivoted, pivoting the pivoting body30displaces the slide contact pin50A slidingly along the slide contact surface60A. As shown inFIGS. 11 to 13, the transmitting member50is close to the engaging portion40F of the close lever40. The position of the transmitting member50shown inFIGS. 8 and 11to13is an engaging position. As shown inFIG. 12, when the transmitting member50is in the engaging position, the transmitting member50is displaced by the pivoting of the pivoting body30in the direction D3. The engaging surface50F engages with the engaging portion40F of the close lever40. Consequently, since the transmitting member50regulates (controls) relative displacement of the close lever40and the pivoting body30, as shown inFIG. 13, the close lever40pivots integrally with the pivoting body30. The contactable portion40G of the close lever40comes into contact with the contactable portion11G of the fork11disposed in the half latched position shown inFIG. 7A. As shown inFIG. 7A, the close lever40pushes up the contactable portion11G. As a result, the fork11is displaced to the latched position.

On the other hand, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, when the cancel lever60pivots, the slide contact pin50A is slidingly displaced along the slide contact surface60A by the pivoting of the pivoting body30so that the slide contact pin50A is pushed up by the slide contact surface60A and pivots in the opposite direction of the direction D5. In this case, the transmitting member50is separated (spaced) from the engaging portion40F of the close lever40. The position of the transmitting member50shown inFIGS. 9,10, and14is the releasing position. As shown inFIG. 14, when the transmitting member50is located in the releasing position, the transmitting member50is displaced according to the pivoting of the pivoting body30in the direction D3. However, as shown inFIG. 14, the engaging surface50F stops coming into contact with the engaging portion40F of the close lever40. Consequently, the transmitting member50allows relative displacement of the close lever40and the pivoting body30. Therefore, the contactable portion40G of the close lever40maintains a posture (position) in contact with the regulating portion91K and does not come close to the contacted portion11G.

A representative method for operating the representative door lock apparatus1will now be described. When the passenger performs (initiates) the closing operation of the slide door8, the not-shown electronic slide mechanism operates and slides the slide door8forward to close the opening9. When the striker99advances into the entry opening97and the fork11is pushed by the striker99and is displaced from the unlatched position to the half latched position while the slide door8is closed, the not-shown control section detects the displacement by using the fork position sensor11P and causes the closing mechanism5to operate. Then, the pivoting body30is driven by the driving source M1and pivots in the direction D3. At this point, if the opening operation for the exterior door handle81or the interior door handle82is not performed, as shown inFIG. 8, the cancel lever60does not pivot and the transmitting member is present (disposed) in the engaging position. Therefore, the engaging surface50F engages with the engaging portion40F and the transmitting member50regulates (controls) relative displacement of the close lever40and the pivoting body30. Consequently, as shown inFIGS. 7A,12, and13, the close lever40comes into contact with the fork11present (disposed) in the half latched position, is moved by the pivoting of the pivoting body30, and displaces the fork11to the latched position. In this way, it is possible to automatically close the slide door8by using the door lock apparatus1.

In the door lock apparatus1as shown inFIGS. 5 and 8to10, the cancel lever60is pivotably supported about the fourth axis X4coaxial with the first axis X1. The cancel lever pivots in connection with the opening operation of the exterior door handle81or the interior door handle82independently from the open lever20and displaces the transmitting member50from the engaging position to the releasing position. That is, the cancel lever60is a member (structural element) that is separate from the open lever20. Consequently, in the door lock apparatus1as shown inFIG. 10, when the connection of the open lever20is prohibited by the lock/unlock mechanism87or the child lock mechanism85(i.e. one or both is (are) functioning as the disabling mechanism), even when the opening operation of the exterior door handle81or the interior door handle82is performed while the closing mechanism5operates to close the slide door8and displaces the fork11from the half latched position to the latched position, the cancel lever60pivots in connection with the opening operation by the cable60C and displaces the transmitting member50from the engaging position to the releasing position. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 14, the engaging surface50F stops engaging with the engaging portion40F, and thus the transmitting member50allows relative displacement of the close lever40and the pivoting body30. Therefore, the contactable portion40G of the close lever40stops coming into contact with the contactable portion11G of the fork11irrespective of the pivoting of the pivoting body30. As a result, in the door lock apparatus1, even if the connection of the open lever20with the opening operation of the exterior door handle81or the interior door handle82is prohibited, the cancel lever60can operate and stop the operation for closing the slide door8by the closing mechanism5.

Therefore, by utilizing the representative door lock apparatus1, it is possible to improve safety during operation of the closing mechanism5.

In the door lock apparatus1, the first axis X1of the open lever20, the second axis X2of the pivoting body30, the third axis X3of the close lever40, and the fourth axis X4of the cancel lever60extend in the same direction, i.e., the vehicle in-out direction. Therefore, the door lock apparatus1has a reduced size as compared to an embodiment, in which the axes cross (or are skewed with respect to) one another (i.e. the axes are not parallel).

Further, by using the representative door lock apparatus1, since the fourth axis X4is coaxial with the first axis X1, it is possible to realize a further reduction in size as compared to an embodiment in which the fourth axis X4is separated (spaced) from the first axis X1. In the representative door lock apparatus1, the open lever20and the cancel lever60share the open lever support shaft20S. Therefore, it is possible to realize a reduction in manufacturing costs due to the reduction in the number of components (i.e. a reduction of the part count).

In the representative door lock apparatus1as shown in, e.g.,FIG. 11, since the third axis X3is spaced farther away from the transmitting member50than is the second axis X2, the distance between the engaging portion40F and the third axis X3is larger than the distance between the engaging portion40F and the second axis X2. Therefore, by using the representative door lock apparatus1, it is possible to increase a lever ratio of the close lever40with respect to the transmitting member50as compared to an embodiment in which the close lever40is supported by the pivoting body support shaft30S together with the pivoting body30and the third axis X3is coaxial with the second axis X2. Consequently, by using the representative door lock apparatus1, it is possible to reduce the force of the engaging portion40F of the close lever40, which is biased by the third torsion coil spring40T that presses the engaging surface50F of the transmitting member50. As a result, by using the representative door lock apparatus1, when the cancel lever displaces the transmitting member50from the engaging position to the releasing position, it is possible to reduce the frictional force acting between the engaging surface50F and the engaging portion40F. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the operation force of the cancel lever60.

Further, in the representative door lock apparatus1as shown inFIG. 9, the open lever20is adjacent to the cancel lever60, which displaces the transmitting member50to the releasing position, from the opposite side of the transmitting member50a small space apart from the cancel lever60and is capable of pivoting in the same direction as the cancel lever60in connection with the opening operation. Consequently, in the representative door lock apparatus1, even if the cancel lever60cannot pivot in connection with the opening operation because of breakage of the cable60C, which couples the remote controller unit3to the cancel lever60, the open lever20pivots in connection with the opening operation only when the lock/unlock mechanism87or the child lock mechanism85do not prohibit the connection of the open lever20with the opening operation. The open lever20can come into contact with the intermediate portion of the cancel lever60, to which the cable60C is coupled, cause the cancel lever60to pivot, and displace the transmitting member50to the releasing position. As a result, by using the representative door lock apparatus1, it is possible to further improve safety during operation of the closing mechanism5.

A representative embodiment of the present teachings was explained above. However, the present invention is not limited by the described embodiment and various modifications of the present teachings are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

For example, in the representative embodiment, the pivoting body30is pivotably supported by the pivoting body support shaft30S and the close lever40is pivotably supported by the close lever support shaft40S. However, the present invention is not limited by this configuration. For example, the close lever support shaft40S may be removed. In this case, the close lever40may be pivotably supported by the pivoting body support shaft30S together with the pivoting body30.

In the representative embodiment, the cancel lever60is pivotably supported by the open lever support shaft20S together with the open lever20. However, the present invention is also not limited to this configuration. For example the cancel lever60may be pivotably supported by a support shaft different from the open lever support shaft20S.

In the representative embodiment, the transmitting member50is provided in the pivoting body30. However, the present invention is also not limited to this configuration. For example, the transmitting member50may be provided in the close lever40.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present teachings can be used in a variety of fields, but are particularly preferred in the field of vehicles such as automobiles, buses, and industrial vehicle, e.g., trucks, etc.

REFERENCE NUMBER LIST