Patent Abstract:
According to one embodiment, there is provided a lock apparatus, including: a stationary member; a handle rotatably connected to the stationary member via a handle rotating shaft, the handle having a first member; and a damper having a rotor rotatably connected to the stationary member and a second member fixed to the rotor, wherein the first member and the second member are interlocked with each other through a slit and a projection, the slit being provided in either of the first and second members, the projection being provided on the other of the first and second members so as to loosely fit in the slit.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priorities from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-139764 filed on Jun. 18, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a lock apparatus which includes a handle and a damper. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Generally, an automobile has a glove box covered with a lid. A lock apparatus is attached to the lid of the glove box for locking the lid. For example, such lock apparatus has a handle, and the user can open the lid by operating the handle. When the user releases his or her hand from the handle, the handle returns to its original position. Here, it is not preferable to generate striking noise with the returning movement of the handle returns to the original position. 
     For example, JP-UM-H01-148467-A discloses a technique for suppressing such striking noise. In this technique, a rack is provided on an arm which extends from a handle, a resistance damper having a gearwheel is provided on a rotating shaft, and the rack is meshed with the gearwheel of the resistance damper, so that resistance torque is generated by the resistance damper in accordance with an operation of the handle. 
     In JP-UM-H01-148467-A, since the resistance torque is generated through the meshing engagement between the rack and the gearwheel of the resistance damper, vibrations will be generated in accordance with the movement of the handle. Therefore, when the user grips the handle to operate it, the generated vibrations will be transmitted to the user&#39;s hand. 
     SUMMARY 
     One object of the present invention is to provide a lock apparatus capable of suppressing striking noise of a handle while keeping a smooth operation feeling. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lock apparatus, including: a stationary member; a handle rotatably connected to the stationary member via a handle rotating shaft, the handle having a first member; and a damper having a rotor rotatably connected to the stationary member and a second member fixed to the rotor, wherein the first member and the second member are interlocked with each other through a slit and a projection, the slit being provided in either of the first and second members, the projection being provided on the other of the first and second members so as to loosely fit in the slit. 
     According to the above configuration, the striking noise of the handle can be suppressed while keeping a smooth operation feeling. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front side of a lock apparatus according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a handle main body according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  partially illustrates a stationary member and a handle according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a rotor and a second member according to the embodiment. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate the handle, the stationary member and a damper according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the handle, the stationary member and the damper according to the embodiment, from a side. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a front side of a lock apparatus  10  according to an embodiment. The lock apparatus  10  is attached to a lid, for example, of a glove box of an automobile, and has a function to lock the lid. The lock apparatus  10  may be formed of a resin material, and includes a handle  20 , a stationary member  30 , a damper  40  and a lock mechanism  50 . 
     The handle  20  has a top cover  22  and a handle main body  24 . The top cover  22  is attached to an outer surface of the handle main body  24  so as to be exposed outward. The damper  40  is to be provided on a side surface of the handle main body  24 . A lock portion  26  is embedded inside the handle  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the stationary member  30  is formed into a rod shape and is attached horizontally to a lid so that the lid vertically openable. The handle  20  is attached to one end portion of the stationary member  30  such that a rotating shaft of the handle  20  is positioned outside, and the lock mechanism  50  is attached to the other end portion of the stationary member  30 . The handle  20  and the lock mechanism  50  are connected together by a not-shown connecting member. A portion of the stationary member  30  at a rear side of the handle  20  is formed into a recess portion  32  so that the user can insert the fingers into a space between the handle  20  and the stationary member  30 . A vertical width W of the recess portion  32  may be set so that two fingers of the user can be inserted. A vertical width of the handle  20  may also be set similarly. 
     When the user pulls the handle  20  in a direction indicated by an arrow  14 , the rotational operation of the handle  20  is transmitted to the lock mechanism  50  via the not-shown connecting member. Thus, by pulling the handle  20 , locking by the lock mechanism  50  is released, and the lid of the glove box opens by its own weight. After the handle  20  has been pulled, the handle  20  returns to its original position by a biasing force of a not-shown elastic member, when the user releases his or her hand from the handle  20 . If the handle  20  strongly returns to the original position, striking noise is generated. To suppress such striking noise, the damper  40  is provided in the lock apparatus  10  so as to apply resistance torque in accordance with movement of the handle  20 . On a vertically-openable lid, a handle may be dispose to be horizontally opened or to be vertically opened. In the former case (in the embodiment), a rotating shaft of the handle (the handle  20 ) is provided at right angles with an opening/closing direction of the lid. In the latter case, a rotating shaft of the handle is provided parallel to the opening/closing direction of the lid. Generally, an operation angle of the former-case handle (the handle  20 ) is set smaller than an operation angle of the latter-case handle. The former-case operation angle is about half the latter-case operation angle. Configurations of the respective components of the lock apparatus  10  will specifically be described. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the handle main body  24  according to the embodiment. In the drawings, like reference numerals will be given to similar or like components. And, the repetition of similar descriptions will be omitted. A surface  23   a  of an operation portion  23  is referred to as a front surface, while the not-shown opposite surface is referred to as a rear surface. 
     The handle main body  24  includes the flat-plate-shaped operation portion  23  to be operated by the user via the top cover  22 , a cylindrical accommodation portion  21  accommodating the lock portion  26 , and a first member  28  that is a part of an interlocking mechanism. These components are formed integrally with the handle main body  24 . 
     The operation portion  23  is formed into a substantially rectangular shape, and a rotating shaft hole  29  is formed along one side of the operation portion  23 . The operation portion  23  is pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow  14  for unlocking the lock. Connecting grooves  27  are provided in the operation portion  23  so as to extend through the rotating shaft hole  29 . The accommodation portion  21  is provided to project from a center of the operation portion  23 , at the rear surface side. 
     The first member  28  is fixed to a side surface of the accommodation portion, at the rear surface side of the operation portion  23 . The first member  28  may be fixed directly to the operation portion  23 . The first member  28  has an extension portion  60 , a first projecting portion  62  and a second projecting portion  64 . The extension portion  60  extends from the accommodation portion  21 , and the first and second projecting portions  62  and  64  further project downwards than a lower surface of the accommodation portion  21 . A side surface of the second projecting portion  64  is formed into an arc shape so as to avoid a contact with the stationary member  30  when the handle  20  is rotated with respect to the stationary member  30 . 
     A slit  25  is formed between the first projecting portion  62  and the second projecting portion  64 . The slit  25  is a U-shaped cutout opened at one end portion. The slit  25  extends vertically to the operation portion  23 . The slit  25  may not be opened, but may be closed at the one end portion. As shown in  FIG. 2 , when the operation portion  23  rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow  14 , the first member  28  moves with the operation portion  23  in an interlocked manner. 
       FIG. 3  partially illustrates the stationary member  30  and the handle  20  in a state where the handle  20  is assembled to the stationary member  30 . The stationary member  30  has an accommodation portion  38 , shaft connecting portions  36  each having a shaft hole, and a handle rotating shaft  31 . These components are all provided at one end of the stationary member  30 . 
     The accommodation portion  38  is formed into a substantially quadrangular cylindrical shape, and accommodates the accommodation portion  21 , the first member  28  and a part of a stopper  12  thereinside. From the accommodation portion  21 , the two shaft connecting portions  36  project upwards towards the front surface side so as to be respectively inserted into the connecting grooves  27 . The handle rotating shaft  31  is inserted into the shaft holes in the shaft connecting portions  36  and the rotating shaft hole  29 , so as to rotatably connect the handle  20  and the stationary member  30 . The stopper  12  is provided in the accommodation portion  38  so as to restrict the rotation of the handle  20 . A portion of the stopper  12  is projected into an inside of the accommodation portion  38  so as to be brought into contact with the handle  20 . The rotation of the handle  20  is restricted by an abutment between the accommodation portion  21  and the stopper  12 . By forming the stopper  12  with an impact absorbing material, striking noise which is generated by the abutment of the handle  20  and the stopper  12  can be mitigated. 
     A housing  34  is provided on a side surface of the accommodation portion  38  integrally with the stationary member  30 . The housing  34  is formed into a circular cylindrical shape. Inside the housing  34 , a damper rotating shaft  35  is provided at a center position, and a housing fitting portion  37  is provided around the damper rotating shaft  35 . The housing fitting portion  37  is formed into a circumferential wall to be fitted in the rotor  42  which will be described layer. 
     An interlocking hole  33  of a substantially arc shape is formed in the side surface of the accommodation portion  38 , at a position adjacent to the housing  34 . A part of an outer circumference of the housing  34  forms a part of the arc shape of the interlocking hole  33 . Although the slit  25  is disposed within the accommodation portion  38 , the slit  25  is exposed outward through the interlocking hole  33 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the rotor  42  and a second member  43  according to the embodiment.  FIG. 4  shows a side of the rotor  42  to be connected with the housing  34 . The rotor  42  is connected rotatably with the housing  34 . 
     The rotor  42  is formed into a cylindrical shape. Inside the rotor  42 , a rotating shaft hole  47  is provided at a center position, and a rotor fitting portion  45  is provided around the rotating shaft hole  47 . The rotor fitting portion  45  is formed into a circumferential wall to be fitted on the housing fitting portion  37 . A damper rotating shaft may be provided in the rotor  42 , and the rotating shaft hole may be provided in the housing  34 . 
     The second member  43  is fixed to an outer circumference of the rotor  42 . The second member  43  has an arm  46  and a projection  44 . The arm  46  extends from the outer circumference of the rotor  42  in a radial direction. The projection  44  projects from the arm  46  in an extending direction of the damper rotating shaft  35 . 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates the handle  20 , the stationary member  30  and the damper  40  according to the embodiment. In  FIG. 5A , the damper  40  is further assembled to the state of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 5B  is a sectional view showing the first member  28  and the second member  43  (the projection  44 ) according to the embodiment. 
     The rotor  42  is connected to the housing  34  as a part of the damper  40 . Between the rotor  42  and the housing  34 , a viscous fluid such as grease is filled to generate a resisting force (torque) in accordance with a relative rotation between the rotor  42  and the housing  34 . Since the rotor  42  is provided outside the accommodation portion  38 , the assemblage of the damper  40  is facilitated, whereby the degree of freedom in designing the handle  20  can be increased. 
     The projection  44  of the second member  43  is loosely fitted in the slit  25 . Thus, an interlocking mechanism between the first member  28  and the second member  43  is formed. A slit may be provided in either of the first member  28  and the second member  43  and a projection may be provided on the other. When the second member  43  moves with the first member  28  in an interlocked manner, the projection  44  moves within the slit  25 . By employing the slit  25  in the interlocking mechanism, a smooth operation feeling can be provided as compared with a case where a gearwheel is employed. By providing the slit  25  in the first member and providing the projection  44  on the second member  43 , the assemblage of the handle  20  can be facilitated. Further, since the interlocking mechanism and the damper  40  can be formed merely by the three parts of the handle  20 , the stationary member  30  and the second member  43 , not only the number of parts but also the number of assembling steps can be reduced. Thus, the fabrication costs can be reduced. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5B , an expanded portion  48  may be provided at a projecting end of the projection  44  to have a width larger than the slit  25 . By providing the expanded portion  48 , the interlocking mechanism can also have a function to prevent the dislodgement of the rotor  42 . This configuration facilitates the attachment of the rotor  42 , as compared with a case where such dislodgement mechanism is provided inside the rotor  42 , for example. Since it is not necessary to provide a dislodgement mechanism in the rotor  42  or in the housing  34 , the assemblage of the rotor  42  into the housing  34  is also facilitated. The second member  43  can be assembled into the first member  28  with a simple configuration in which the expanded portion  48  is provided at the projecting end of the projection  44  and the slit  25  is opened. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the handle  20 , the stationary member  30  and the damper  40  according to the embodiment, from a side.  FIG. 6  is a side view of  FIG. 5A . In  FIG. 6 , a state is indicated by dotted lines in which the handle  20  is rotated to its maximum extent. Positions of the slit  25  and the projection  44  are also indicated by dotted lines. 
     The handle rotating shaft  31  and a rotor rotating shaft  49  are disposed on different axes spaced apart from each other. As a result, the rotor  42  can obtain a larger rotating angle than a rotating angle of the handle  20 . Thus, as compared with a case where the damper is provided on a rotating axis of the handle rotating shaft  31 , the damper  40  can exhibit a sufficient viscous resistance even for a slight rotation of the handle  20  when it is operated to rotate, thereby effectively suppressing the striking noise of the handle  20 . 
     The rotor rotating shaft  49  is disposed so that it is always positioned closer to the handle rotating shaft  31  as compared with the projection  44 . Namely, the rotor rotating shaft  49  is provided in the position where it lies closer to the handle rotating shaft  31  than any positions that the projection  44  can take, and the rotor rotating shaft  49  always lies further radially inwards than the projection  44  about the handle rotating shaft  31 . According to the above arrangement, in the stationary member  30 , the size of the side surface of the accommodation portion  38  where the damper  40  is provided can be made small, thereby facilitating the assemblage of the lock apparatus  10  to the lid of the glove box. 
     The invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications such as design changes based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art can be made to the embodiment. The scope of the invention also such includes such modified embodiments.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4