Abstract:
A linking structure enables a metal lever and a metal link to be linked via a metal pin. The metal lever has a circular linking hole. The metal pin has a support shaft part that can rotate in the linking hole while being insertable in the linking hole and can move a set amount in the axial direction, a head part formed at one end of the support shaft part, and a linking shaft part at the other end of the support shaft part. The metal link has a joining hole in which the support shaft part is engaged, and the metal link is linked integrally with the metal pin. At least one end part in the axial direction of the support shaft part of the metal pin is provided with a permitting part for maximizing the amount of axial oscillation of the metal lever relative to the metal pin.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a structure for connecting a metal lever and a metal link via a metal pin, and can be used, for example, as a component of a vehicle door locking device (such as a vehicle door lock device, a vehicle closer device, a vehicle remote control device, or a vehicle door handle device). 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    A structure for connecting a metal lever and a metal link to each other is used in, for example, a connecting region between an outside open lever (metal plate lever) and an open link (metal plate link) disclosed in WO 2011/118356 A1. In this connecting structure, as illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a connecting leg portion (hook)  12   a  formed on an open link  12  is inserted and engaged into a noncircular connecting hole portion  11   a  formed in an outside open lever  11 , thereby connecting the outside open lever  11  and the open link  12  to each other. The open link  12  is connected to the outside open lever  11  so as to be rotatable by a necessary amount along a plate surface of the outside open lever  11  (along a surface of the drawing sheet of  FIG. 2 ) under a state in which the open link  12  is capable of swinging about a connecting region between the noncircular connecting hole portion  11   a  and the connecting leg portion  12   a  by a predetermined amount in a thickness direction of the outside open lever  11  (direction orthogonal to the surface of the drawing sheet of  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0003]    Note that, the outside open lever  11  is pivotably mounted, at a circular support hole  11   b  formed in an intermediate portion thereof, to a support shaft  91   a  formed on a housing body  91 . In the outside open lever  11 , a right end portion  11   c  illustrated in  FIG. 2  serves as an input portion, whereas the above-mentioned noncircular connecting hole portion  11   a  serves as an output portion. Further, the noncircular connecting hole portion  11   a  is formed by punching using a press. On the other hand, in the open link  12 , the above-mentioned connecting leg portion  12   a  serves as an input portion, whereas an upper end portion  12   b  illustrated in  FIG. 2  serves as an output portion. Further, the connecting leg portion  12   a  is formed by a bending process after using a press. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Problem to be Solved by the Invention 
       [0004]    Incidentally, in the structure for connecting the metal lever (outside open lever  11 ) and the metal link (open link  12 ) to each other disclosed in WO 2011/118356 A1, the connecting leg portion (hook)  12   a  formed on the metal link ( 12 ) is inserted and engaged into the noncircular connecting hole portion  11   a  formed in the metal lever ( 11 ), thereby mounting the metal link to the metal lever. Accordingly, this structure is advantageous in that the structure is simple and can be manufactured at low cost. However, the connecting leg portion (hook)  12   a  comes off the noncircular connecting hole portion  11   a  easily at the time of assembly, and hence improvement in mountability is desired. 
       Means for Solving the Problem 
       [0005]    In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to the present invention, there is provided a structure for connecting a metal lever and a metal link via a metal pin, the structure including: 
         [0006]    a metal lever having a circular connecting hole; 
         [0007]    a metal pin comprising a support shaft portion, a head portion and a connecting shaft portion; and 
         [0008]    a metal link having a coupling hole and being integrally connected to the metal pin, the coupling hole being fitted to the connecting shaft portion. 
         [0009]    The support shaft portion is insertable through the connecting hole, and is pivotable and movable in an axial direction of the metal pin by a preset amount with respect to the connecting hole, 
         [0010]    the head portion is formed at one end portion of the support shaft portion and has a diameter larger than a diameter of the support shaft portion, 
         [0011]    the connecting shaft portion is formed at the other end portion of the support shaft portion and has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the support shaft portion, and 
         [0012]    the metal pin comprises an allowable portion formed on at least one axial end portion of the support shaft portion of the metal pin, and the allowable portion is configured to increase an amount of swing of the metal lever on the metal pin in the axial direction of the metal pin. Note that, the above-mentioned amount of swing of the metal lever on the metal pin in the axial direction of the metal pin is a relative amount of swing. When the metal lever is incapable of swinging on the metal pin in the axial direction of the metal pin, the metal pin and the metal link swing with respect to the metal lever. 
       Actions and Effects 
       [0013]    In the above-mentioned connecting structure according to the present invention, the allowable portion is formed on the at least one axial end portion of the support shaft portion of the metal pin, and is configured to increase the amount of swing of the metal lever on the metal pin in the axial direction of the metal pin. Accordingly, the amount of swing of the metal lever on the metal pin in the axial direction of the metal pin can be ensured in a necessary and sufficient manner while minimizing a radial gap between the support shaft portion of the metal pin and the connecting hole of the metal lever at an axial intermediate portion of the support shaft portion of the metal pin. 
         [0014]    Incidentally, in the connecting structure according to the present invention, the metal lever and the metal link are connected to each other via the metal pin, and the metal pin includes the support shaft portion pivotable and movable in the axial direction of the metal pin by the preset amount with respect to the connecting hole of the metal lever, the head portion (portion capable of preventing the metal lever from coming off the support shaft portion) being formed at one end portion of the support shaft portion and having the diameter larger than the diameter of the support shaft portion, and the connecting shaft portion (to which the metal link is integrally connected at the coupling hole after the metal lever is mounted onto the support shaft portion) being formed at the other end portion of the support shaft portion and having the diameter smaller than the diameter of the support shaft portion. 
         [0015]    Accordingly, under a state in which the metal lever and the metal link are connected to each other via the metal pin, the metal lever is sandwiched and retained between the metal link (connected to the connecting shaft portion of the metal pin) and the head portion of the metal pin. Therefore, under a state in which the metal lever and the metal link are connected to each other via the metal pin, the metal lever and the metal link do not easily come off the metal pin, and mountability at the time of assembly can be improved. 
         [0016]    When embodying the present invention, a second allowable portion (chamfered portion such as a C beveled portion or a R beveled portion (a rounded portion)) for increasing the amount of swing of the metal lever on the metal pin in the axial direction of the metal pin can be formed on at least one axial end portion of the connecting hole of the metal lever. In this case, the above-mentioned second allowable portion (chamfered portion such as a C beveled portion or a R beveled portion (a rounded portion)) can also increase the amount of swing of the metal lever on the metal pin in the axial direction of the metal pin. 
         [0017]    Further, when embodying the present invention, the allowable portion can be formed so that only the one axial end portion of the support shaft portion of the metal pin has a diameter smaller than that of a center portion of the support shaft portion and only the one axial end portion has a curved surface shape in radial cross-section. In this case, the amount of swing of the metal lever to the one axial end portion side can be larger than the amount of swing to the other axial end portion side. Accordingly, a large amount of swing can be set only for a direction requiring swing. 
         [0018]    Further, when embodying the present invention, the allowable portion can be formed so that the entire support shaft portion has a curved surface shape and a center portion of the support shaft portion of the metal pin has a maximum diameter in the support shaft portion. In this case, the amount of swing of the metal lever can be further larger than the above-mentioned case. Further, in this case, the amount of swing to the one axial end portion side and the amount of swing to the other axial end portion side can be increased equally. In this case, the allowable portion can be formed so that the support shaft portion of the metal pin has an arc shape in radial cross-section. In this case, the above-mentioned arc shape (spherical outer shape) enables the metal lever to swing more smoothly. 
         [0019]    Further, when embodying the present invention, the metal link or the metal lever can include a protrusion regulating a swinging direction of the metal lever to a specific direction when the metal lever swings on the metal pin in the axial direction of the metal pin. In this case, an abutment portion between the metal lever and the protrusion formed on the metal link, or an abutment portion between the metal link and the protrusion formed on the metal lever can serve as a swinging fulcrum. Accordingly, the swinging direction of the metal lever on the metal pin can be stabilized. Note that, it is desired that the above-mentioned protrusion be formed as a straight protrusion extending in a radial direction of the metal pin, and the present invention can be embodied even when the above-mentioned protrusion is formed of a point-like protrusion. 
         [0020]    Further, when embodying the present invention, a second allowable portion for increasing the amount of swing of the metal lever on the metal pin in the axial direction of the metal pin can be formed on the other axial end portion of the connecting hole of the metal lever. In this case, the amount of swing of the metal lever to the one axial end portion side (amount of swing in a case illustrated in  FIG. 12  described later) can be larger than the amount of swing to the other axial end portion side. Accordingly, a large amount of swing can be set only for a direction requiring swing of the metal lever. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a side view for illustrating a related-art structure for connecting a metal lever and a metal link to each other (an example applied to a vehicle door lock device). 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a back view for illustrating a relationship between the metal lever (outside open lever) and the metal link (open link) illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a front view for illustrating a connecting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken along the line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view for illustrating a state in which an outside open lever illustrated in  FIG. 4  is moved to a left end in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view for illustrating a state in which an open link and a connecting pin (metal pin) swings clockwise with respect to the outside open lever illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view for illustrating a state in which the open link and the connecting pin swings counterclockwise with respect to the outside open lever illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a front view for illustrating a connecting structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 4 , for illustrating the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 6 , for illustrating the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 7 , for illustrating the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    An embodiment of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 8  are illustrations of a connecting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is used as a component of a vehicle door lock device. In a connecting structure  20  according to this embodiment, an outside open lever (metal plate lever)  21  and an open link (metal plate link)  22  are connected to each other via (by) a metal connecting pin  23 . Further, in the connecting structure  20 , a torsion spring  24  is interposed between the outside open lever  21  and the open link  22 , and the open link  22  is biased so that the open link  22  rotates clockwise in  FIG. 3  and swings clockwise in  FIG. 4  with respect to the outside open lever  21 . 
         [0034]    The outside open lever  21  has a circular connecting hole  21   a  (see  FIG. 4 ) formed in a distal end portion thereof, and has a circular support hole  21   b  (see  FIG. 3 ) formed in an intermediate portion thereof. Similarly to the outside open lever of the related art, the outside open lever  21  is configured so as to be pivotably mounted at the circular support hole  21   b  to a support shaft (not shown) of a housing body (not shown). A left end portion  21   c  of the outside open lever  21  illustrated in  FIG. 3  serves as an input portion, whereas a region of the outside open lever  21 , in which the above-mentioned circular connecting hole  21   a  is formed, serves as an output portion. Note that, at least an operation force of an outside handle, which is arranged on an outer side of a door of a vehicle, is input to the left end portion  21   c . As a matter of course, an operation force of an inside handle, which is arranged on an inner side of the door of the vehicle, can be input to the left end portion  21   c.    
         [0035]    The open link  22  includes a region, which has a circular coupling hole  22   a  formed in a lower end portion thereof illustrated in  FIG. 3 , serves as an input portion, whereas an upper end portion  22   b  of the open link  22  illustrated in  FIG. 3  serves as an output portion. The coupling hole  22   a  of the open link  22  is fitted into the connecting pin  23 , and is integrally connected to the connecting pin  23 . Further, the open link  22  includes a pair of straight protrusions  22   c  extending in a radial direction (horizontal direction in  FIG. 3 ) of the connecting pin  23 . Each of the straight protrusions  22   c  is configured to regulate a swinging direction of the outside open lever  21  to a specific direction (lateral direction in illustrations of  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 ) when the outside open lever  21  swings on the connecting pin  23  in an axial direction (see  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 ). When the open link  22  and the connecting pin  23  swing with respect to the outside open lever  21  as illustrated in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , an abutment portion between the outside open lever  21  and each straight protrusion  22   c  formed on the open link  22  serves as a swinging fulcrum. Each straight protrusion  22   c  is formed by press working when the open link  22  is produced by press working. Note that, the upper end portion  22   b  outputs an input operation force to a latch mechanism which can retain the door on the vehicle body by engaging with a striker arranged on the door of the vehicle. 
         [0036]    A support shaft portion  23   a  is formed in an axial intermediate region of the connecting pin  23 . A head portion  23   b  is formed at one end portion (left end portion illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) of the support shaft portion  23   a , whereas a connecting shaft portion  23   c  and a swaging fixing portion  23   d  are formed at the other end portion (right end portion illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) of the support shaft portion  23   a . The support shaft portion  23   a  can be inserted through the connecting hole  21   a  of the outside open lever  21  (the support shaft portion  23   a  has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the connecting hole  21   a ). The support shaft portion  23   a  is pivotable and movable in the axial direction by a preset amount with respect to the connecting hole  21   a . A spherical curved surface  23   a   1  (a curvature of the spherical curved surface  23   a   1  can be set as appropriate) is formed on each axial end portion (each lateral end portion illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) of the support shaft portion  23   a . The spherical curved surface  23   a   1  serves as an allowable portion for increasing an amount of swing of the outside open lever  21  on the connecting pin  23  in the axial direction. 
         [0037]    The head portion  23   b  has a diameter larger than that of the support shaft portion  23   a , and larger than the inner diameter of the connecting hole  21   a  of the outside open lever  21 . Each vertical end portion of the head portion  23   b  illustrated in  FIG. 4  is cut off by a predetermined amount so that a vertical length of the head portion  23   b  in  FIG. 4  is smaller than a lateral length thereof in  FIG. 5  by a predetermined amount. The connecting shaft portion  23   c  has a diameter smaller than that of the support shaft portion  23   a . The connecting shaft portion  23   c  can be inserted through the connecting hole  21   a  of the outside open lever  21 , and can be fitted into the coupling hole  22   a  of the open link  22 . The swaging fixing portion  23   d  has a diameter smaller than that of the connecting shaft portion  23   c  before the swaging fixing portion  23   d  is swaged. After the connecting shaft portion  23   c  and the support shaft portion  23   a  are inserted through the outside open lever  21  and the open link  22  is fitted to the connecting shaft portion  23   c , the swaging fixing portion  23   d  is swaged so as to have a diameter larger than that of the connecting shaft portion  23   c . In this manner, the open link  22  is prevented from coming off. 
         [0038]    In this embodiment configured as described above, each axial end portion of the support shaft portion  23   a  of the connecting pin  23  includes the allowable portion (spherical curved surfaces  23   a   1 ) for increasing the amount of swing of the outside open lever  21  on the connecting pin  23  in the axial direction. Accordingly, the amount of swing of the outside open lever  21  on the connecting pin  23  in the axial direction can be ensured in a necessary and sufficient manner while minimizing a radial gap between the support shaft portion  23   a  of the connecting pin  23  and the connecting hole  21   a  of the outside open lever  21  at an axial intermediate portion of the support shaft portion  23   a  of the connecting pin  23 . 
         [0039]    Incidentally, in the connecting structure  20  according to this embodiment, the outside open lever  21  and the open link  22  are connected to each other via the connecting pin  23 , and the connecting pin  23  includes the support shaft portion  23   a  pivotable and movable in the axial direction by the preset amount with respect to the connecting hole  21   a  of the outside open lever  21 , the head portion  23   b  (portion capable of preventing the outside open lever  21  from coming off the support shaft portion  23   a ) being formed at one end portion of the support shaft portion  23   a  and having a diameter larger than that of the support shaft portion  23   a , and the connecting shaft portion  23   c  and the swaging fixing portion  23   d  (to which the open link  22  is integrally connected at the coupling hole  22   a  after the outside open lever  21  is mounted to the support shaft portion  23   a ) formed at the other end portion of the support shaft portion  23   a.    
         [0040]    Accordingly, under a state in which the outside open lever  21  and the open link  22  are connected to each other via the connecting pin  23 , the outside open lever  21  is sandwiched and retained between the open link  22  and the head portion  23   b  of the connecting pin  23 . Therefore, under a state in which the outside open lever  21  and the open link  22  are connected to each other via the connecting pin  23 , the outside open lever  21  and the open link  22  do not easily come off the connecting pin  23 , and hence mountability at the time of assembly can be improved. 
         [0041]    Further, in the connecting structure  20  according to this embodiment, the support shaft portion  23   a  of the connecting pin  23  insertable through the connecting hole  21   a  of the outside open lever  21 , and the connecting shaft portion  23   c  of the connecting pin  23  fitted into the coupling hole  22   a  of the open link  22  to be connected to the open link  22  can be produced by machining with high accuracy. Thus, the radial gap between the support shaft portion  23   a  of the connecting pin  23  and the connecting hole  21   a  of the outside open lever  21  can be produced with high accuracy. Furthermore an axial gap between the outside open lever  21 , which is sandwiched and retained between the open link  22  and the head portion  23   b  of the connecting pin  23 , and the open link  22 , and an axial gap between the outside open lever  21  and the head portion  23   b  can be produced with high accuracy. As a result, improvement in accuracy can be achieved. 
         [0042]    Further, in the connecting structure  20  according to this embodiment, the open link  22  includes the straight protrusions  22   c  for regulating the swinging direction of the outside open lever  21  to the specific direction when the outside open lever  21  swings on the connecting pin  23  in the axial direction. Thus, the abutment portion between the outside open lever  21  and each of the straight protrusions  22   c  formed on the open link  22  can be set as the swinging fulcrum, and the swinging direction of the outside open lever  21  on the connecting pin  23  can be stabilized. Further, in the connecting structure  20  according to this embodiment, the support shaft portion  23   a  of the connecting pin  23  is formed into an arc shape in radial cross-section (spherical outer shape). Accordingly, the outside open lever  21  can be smoothly swung on the connecting pin  23 . 
         [0043]    Note that, the connecting structure  20  illustrated in  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 8  is obtained by adopting the straight protrusions  22   c  as a protrusion for regulating the swinging direction of the outside open lever  21  to the specific direction when the outside open lever  21  swings on the connecting pin  23  in the axial direction. However, the protrusion can be a point-like protrusion. Further, in the connecting structure  20  illustrated in  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 8 , the open link  22  includes the straight protrusions  22   c . However, when embodying the present invention, a protrusion (protrusion capable of abutting on the open link  22 ) corresponding to each of the straight protrusions  22   c  can be formed on the open link  22  side of the outside open lever  21 . 
         [0044]    In the above-mentioned embodiment, the connecting pin  23  includes the connecting shaft portion  23   c  and the swaging fixing portion  23   d . However, when the open link  22  can be firmly fitted and fixed onto the connecting shaft portion  23   c  of the connecting pin  23 , the swaging fixing portion  23   d  can be omitted. Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the spherical curved surfaces  23   a   1  serving as the allowable portion are formed on each axial end portion of the support shaft portion  23   a  of the connecting pin  23 . However, as in a case of another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 12 , the spherical curved surface  23   a   1  serving as the allowable portion can be formed on one axial end portion (right end portion illustrated in  FIG. 10 ) of the support shaft portion  23   a  of the connecting pin  23 , and a chamfered portion  21   a   1  (C beveled portion or R beveled portion (rounded portion)) serving as a second allowable portion for increasing the amount of swing of the outside open lever  21  on the connecting pin  23  in the axial direction can be formed on the other axial end portion (left end portion illustrated in  FIG. 10 ) of the connecting hole  21   a  of the outside open lever  21 . In the another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 12 , the amount of swing to the one axial end portion side (amount of swing in a case illustrated in  FIG. 12 ) can be larger than the amount of swing to the other axial end portion side. Accordingly, a large amount of swing can be set only for a direction requiring swing. 
         [0045]    Further, a configuration of the connecting structure  20  according to the another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 12  is obtained without forming the straight protrusions  22   c  on the open link  22 . The configuration of the connecting structure  20  illustrated in  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 12  excluding the above-mentioned matter is substantially the same as the configuration of the connecting structure  20  illustrated in  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 8 . Thus, the same configurations (components) are denoted by the same reference symbols, and description thereof is omitted. Note that, when obtaining the connecting structure  20  illustrated in  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 12 , the spherical curved surface  23   a   1  serving as the allowable portion can be formed on the other axial end portion (left end portion illustrated in  FIG. 10 ) of the support shaft portion  23   a  of the connecting pin  23 , and the chamfered portion  21   a   1  (C beveled portion or R beveled portion (rounded portion)) for increasing the amount of swing of the outside open lever  21  on the connecting pin  23  in the axial direction can be formed on one axial end portion (right end portion illustrated in  FIG. 10 ) of the connecting hole  21   a  of the outside open lever  21 . In this case, the amount of swing to the one axial end portion side and the amount of swing to the other axial end portion side can be increased equally. 
         [0046]    Further, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the spherical curved surface  23   a   1  serves as the allowable portion (allowable portion for increasing the amount of swing of the outside open lever  21  on the connecting pin  23  in the axial direction) formed on the connecting pin  23 . However, the above-mentioned allowable portion only needs to have the radial cross-section having a curved surface shape (a curvature of the curved surface can be set as appropriate), and is not limited to the shape according to the above-mentioned embodiments. 
         [0047]    Further, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the connecting structure  20  according to the present invention serves as a component of the vehicle door lock device. However, the connecting structure according to the present invention can be used as a component of vehicle door locking devices (such as a vehicle closer device, a vehicle remote control device, and a vehicle door handle device) except for the vehicle door lock device, and is not limited to the configuration according to the above-mentioned embodiments.