Patent Description:
A door latch device of a vehicle includes a latch mechanism that latches and unlatches a striker disposed on a main body side of the vehicle, and closes and opens a door by the latch mechanism.

Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a door latch device including an electric release mechanism that can release engagement between a latch mechanism and a striker by power of a motor, a manual release mechanism that can release engagement of the latch mechanism by manual operation force, and a lock mechanism that can switch between a locked state that disables a release function of the manual release mechanism and an unlocked state that enables the same.

In this door latch device, engagement of the latch mechanism is released exclusively by the electric release mechanism, and the manual release mechanism is disposed as a complement for a case in which the function of the electric release mechanism is disabled due to an accident, a fault in an electrical system, a voltage drop of a battery, and the like. Thus, the lock mechanism is used only for the function of the manual release mechanism, and is always used in the locked state and switched to the unlocked state for a predetermined situation.

In this door latch device, the locked state and the unlocked state of the lock mechanism are switched by normal rotation and reverse rotation of a cam wheel rotated by power of the motor. The cam wheel is held at a reference position by energizing force of a neutral return spring, and has a configuration for switching the lock mechanism to the locked state when normally rotated from the reference position, and switching the lock mechanism to the unlocked state when reversely rotated from the reference position.

Additionally, the cam wheel also releases engagement of the latch mechanism when normally rotated from the reference position. Due to this, the lock mechanism can be switched, and the engagement of the latch mechanism can be released by a single motor.

On the other hand, some door latch devices for closing and opening the vehicle door include electric components such as a motor and a position switch (refer to Patent Literature <NUM>). The position switch is set to detect an operation of a predetermined object to be detected, and detects whether a component of the lock mechanism is at a position indicating the locked state or a position indicating the unlocked state, for example. A detection signal of the position switch is supplied to a predetermined circuit board, and control based thereon is performed.

In the door latch device disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM> of what is called a knob-less type not including a locking/unlocking knob for manually switching the lock mechanism, manual switching to an unlocked state using a key and switching to the unlocked state by power of the motor are not required to be used unless a predetermined situation is caused. Thus, the lock mechanism does not work by a normal operation, and is maintained in the locked state for a long time. As a result, there is the concern that grease is hardened due to long-term deterioration, or a spring, a lever, and the like made of steel material rust, and the lock mechanism does not smoothly function in a predetermined situation. Thus, there is a demand for a door latch device in which the lock mechanism smoothly functions in a predetermined situation.

In the door latch device disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM>, the lock mechanism is switched from the unlocked state to the locked state on the condition that engagement of the latch mechanism is released, so that the lock mechanism cannot be singly switched from the unlocked state to the locked state without releasing engagement of the latch mechanism by a single motor. Thus, there is a demand for a door latch device that can release engagement of the latch mechanism and switch the lock mechanism to the locked state and the unlocked state by a single motor. At this point, it is preferable that unnecessary sound that bothers a user is not generated.

On the other hand, an operation of the object to be detected is detected by the position switch, the detection signal is read by a CPU, and control based on the detection signal is performed. If the position switch breaks down, the operation of the object to be detected cannot be detected, so that there is the inconvenience that control related thereto is not performed.

The present invention is made in view of the problem described above, and provides a door latch device that can detect an operation of an object to be detected more securely.

To solve the above-described problem and achieve the object, a door latch device according to the present invention includes: a first position switch and a second position switch, each of the first position switch and the second position switch including a first contact hole connected to one of a normally open contact or a normally closed contact, a second contact hole connected to a contact having a reverse format of the first contact hole, and a common contact hole connected to a common contact, wherein the first contact hole, the second contact hole and the common contact hole are arranged on a straight line, the first position switch and the second position switch are disposed at positions shifted from each other along the straight line and stacked in a piercing direction of the first contact hole, the second contact hole, and the common contact; a common pin configured to be electrically conducted to the common contact hole of the first position switch and the first contact hole of the second position switch by being inserted therein; a first signal pin configured to be electrically conducted to the first contact hole of the first position switch by being inserted therein; and a second signal pin configured to be electrically conducted to the common contact of the second position switch by being inserted therein, wherein the first position switch and the second position switch are configured to perform a switch operation at a same timing of an operation of a predetermined operation detection target.

The door latch device may include a circuit board, and each of the common pin, the first signal pin and the second signal pin may be erected from the circuit board.

A space in which the circuit board may be disposed and a space in which the first position switch and the second position switch are disposed are partitioned with a partition plate, and the first signal pin, the second signal pin and the common pin may be configured to pierce pin holes formed on the partition plate and project from one of the spaces to another one of the spaces.

In the space in which the circuit board is disposed, waterproof treatment may be applied to the space in which the first position switch and the second position switch are disposed, around the pin holes.

The operation detection target may include a first cam configured to act on an actuator of the first position switch, and a second cam configured to act on an actuator of the second position switch, and the first cam and the second cam may be shifted from each other in a stacking direction of the first position switch and the second position switch, and be disposed at positions shifted from each other along the straight line.

The door latch device may includes a latch mechanism configured to hold a door of a vehicle in a closed state; an electric release unit configured to release the latch mechanism by power of a motor; a manual release unit configured to release the latch mechanism by manual operation force; and a lock mechanism configured to switch between a locked state for disabling a function of the manual release unit and an unlocked state for enabling the same, and the operation detection target may be a component whose position is switched depending on whether the lock mechanism is in the locked state or the unlocked state, and the first position switch and the second position switch may be configured to detect whether the operation detection target is in the locked state or the Advantageous Effects of Invention.

With the door latch device according to the present invention, the operation of the object to be detected is read twice by a stacked first position switch and second position switch, and the operation thereof can be detected more securely.

The following describes an embodiment of a door latch device according to the present invention in detail based on the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

In the following description, representation of directions in the description of a door latch device <NUM> is based on the vehicle. As the directions based on the vehicle, upward and downward, inward and outward (that is, an indoor side and an outdoor side), and forward and rearward are indicated by arrows when appropriate in the drawings. Representation of a rotation direction (a clockwise direction, a counterclockwise direction) of a rotary component basically corresponds to the drawing that is referred to at the present point. The door latch device <NUM> exemplified in each of the drawings is a door latch device applied to a right side door of the vehicle, but a door latch device applied to a left side door may have a symmetrical structure.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the door latch device <NUM> according to the present embodiment viewed from obliquely rearward, and <FIG> is a perspective view of the door latch device <NUM> viewed from obliquely forward on the outside of the vehicle.

The door latch device <NUM> is attached to an inner part of the door of the vehicle, and closes and opens the door by latching and unlatching a striker disposed on a main body side of the vehicle. For example, the door latch device <NUM> is disposed to latch the striker on a side door of the vehicle, but the "door" has a broad sense, and may be applied to a hood, a trunk lid, a tail gate, and the like. First, the following describes a schematic entire configuration of the door latch device <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the door latch device <NUM>, a latch <NUM> that latches the striker is disposed at the back of a striker entry groove <NUM>. The latch <NUM> is part of a latch mechanism <NUM> described later. The striker entry groove <NUM> is formed as part of a cover plate <NUM>. A body <NUM> is disposed around the cover plate <NUM>. An inner side and a rear side of the latch mechanism <NUM> are covered by the cover plate <NUM> and the body <NUM>.

The door latch device <NUM> is covered by a case <NUM>, a first cover <NUM>, and a second cover <NUM> in addition to the cover plate <NUM> and the body <NUM> described above. The case <NUM> mainly covers an outer side, the first cover <NUM> mainly covers an inner side, and the second cover <NUM> further covers a forward upper part of the inner side of the case <NUM>. The cover plate <NUM>, the body <NUM>, the case <NUM>, the first cover <NUM>, and the second cover <NUM> form a housing of the door latch device <NUM>.

The door latch device <NUM> further includes a waterproof cover <NUM> that covers an upper surface, a cable cover <NUM> on an inner lower side, a coupler <NUM> disposed on an inner upper part, and a key cylinder coupling part <NUM> disposed on an outer upper part. The waterproof cover <NUM> covers a boundary part between the case <NUM> and the first cover <NUM>, and the second cover <NUM> from above to prevent entry of waterdrops. The cable cover <NUM> covers a connecting portion for a cable <NUM>. The cable <NUM> is connected to an inner handle (not illustrated). A harness connector (not illustrated) is connected to the coupler <NUM>. A sponge may be disposed around the coupler <NUM>. The key cylinder coupling part <NUM> is a portion into which a key is inserted to be operated. An end part of an outer lever <NUM> connected to an outer handle (not illustrated) is exposed to an outer surface of the door latch device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view illustrating an inner part of the door latch device <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the door latch device <NUM> in a state in which the body <NUM>, the first cover <NUM>, the waterproof cover <NUM>, and the cable cover <NUM> are removed.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a first housing space <NUM> is formed inside the door latch device <NUM>. The first housing space <NUM> is a region the outer side of which is covered by the case <NUM>, and the inner side thereof is mainly covered by the first cover <NUM>. The inner side of the first housing space <NUM> is covered by the cover plate <NUM>, the body <NUM>, and the cable cover <NUM> in addition to the first cover <NUM>.

The first housing space <NUM> can be briefly partitioned into a mechanism region <NUM> in which a machine mechanism <NUM> is disposed, and an electric component region <NUM> in which electric components are disposed. The electric component region <NUM> occupies a forward upper part, and the mechanism region <NUM> occupies a remaining portion. The machine mechanism <NUM> includes a latch mechanism <NUM> that latches and unlatches the striker with the latch <NUM>, and a lock mechanism <NUM> that causes the latch mechanism <NUM> to be in a locked state and an unlocked state. The latch mechanism <NUM> is disposed rearward in the first housing space <NUM>, and covered by the cover plate <NUM> and the body <NUM>. In the door latch device <NUM>, a second housing space <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) is formed in addition to the first housing space <NUM>. The second housing space <NUM> will be described later.

The machine mechanism <NUM> also includes an electric release unit that can release the latch mechanism <NUM> by power of a motor <NUM>, and a manual release unit that can release the latch mechanism <NUM> by manual operation force. The electric release unit is a unit that includes the motor <NUM>, a cam wheel <NUM>, and the like (described later), and unlatches the striker. The manual release unit is a unit that unlatches the striker via the outer lever <NUM> that mechanically interlocks with a manual operation and an inner lever <NUM> (described later).

<FIG> is a perspective view of the latch mechanism <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the latch mechanism <NUM> includes a base bracket <NUM>, a ratchet <NUM>, a ratchet holder <NUM>, a ratchet lever <NUM>, an anti-panic lever <NUM>, and the inner lever <NUM> in addition to the latch <NUM> and the outer lever <NUM> described above. Each element of the latch mechanism <NUM> is supported or pivotally supported by the base bracket <NUM>.

The latch <NUM> is pivotally supported by a shaft part <NUM>, and includes a striker engagement groove 12a and a ratchet engagement part 12b. The latch <NUM> rotates against a spring (not illustrated) when the striker enters the striker engagement groove 12a from a door-opened state, latches the striker at a full-latch position when the ratchet <NUM> engages with the ratchet engagement part 12b, and closes the door.

The ratchet <NUM> includes a base lever <NUM> pivotally supported by a shaft part <NUM>, and a pole lever <NUM> including a base shaft part 66a pivotally supported by the base lever <NUM>. The base lever <NUM> is elastically energized by a spring <NUM>. The pole lever <NUM> bends within a predetermined angle range with respect to the base lever <NUM>. The ratchet <NUM> is supported by the ratchet holder <NUM> from a side to hold a substantially linear attitude of the ratchet <NUM>, and a distal end of the pole lever <NUM> engages with the ratchet engagement part 12b to hold the latch <NUM> at the full-latch position.

The ratchet holder <NUM> is pivotally supported by a shaft part <NUM>, and elastically energized by a spring <NUM> to laterally support the base lever <NUM>. The ratchet holder <NUM> rotates against elastic force of the spring <NUM> based on an operation of the ratchet lever <NUM>, and is separated from the base lever <NUM>. The base lever <NUM> and the pole lever <NUM> of the ratchet <NUM> are then caused to be in a buckling state with respect to the base shaft part 66a, and the pole lever <NUM> is detached from the ratchet engagement part 12b to open the latch <NUM>. The latch <NUM> rotates by elastic force to unlatch the striker, and opens the door. By operating the ratchet <NUM> via the ratchet holder <NUM>, the operation is enabled to be performed by lighter force as compared with a case of directly operating the ratchet <NUM>.

The ratchet lever <NUM> is pivotally supported by the base bracket <NUM>, and includes a passive part 56a projecting inward from a rotor shaft, and an action part 56b projecting outward from the rotor shaft. In the ratchet lever <NUM>, the action part 56b rotates the ratchet holder <NUM> when the passive part 56a moves upward.

The outer lever <NUM> is pivotally supported by a shaft part <NUM>, and includes a handle operating part 34a projecting outward from the shaft part <NUM>, and an action part 34b and a lever passive piece 34c projecting inward from the shaft part <NUM>. The handle operating part 34a is a portion operated by the outer handle. The action part 34b is inserted into a hole 58a of the anti-panic lever <NUM>, and acts on the anti-panic lever <NUM>. The action part 34b is also inserted into a deformed hole 80b of an open link <NUM> (described later). The lever passive piece 34c is disposed below the action part 34b, and operated by the inner lever <NUM>. The outer lever <NUM> is rotated by an operation of the handle operating part 34a or the lever passive piece 34c, and pushes up the anti-panic lever <NUM>.

The inner lever <NUM> is pivotally supported by a shaft part <NUM>, and is swung when the cable <NUM> is operated, whereby an operation piece 59a pushes up the lever passive piece 34c.

The anti-panic lever <NUM> includes the hole 58a into which the action part 34b is inserted, and an action piece 58b bent at an upper part. The anti-panic lever <NUM> is pushed up by the action part 34b due to rotation of the outer lever <NUM> when the open link <NUM> (described later) is at an unlocked position, and the action piece 58b pushes up the passive part 56a of the ratchet lever <NUM>. Due to this, the ratchet holder <NUM> and the ratchet <NUM> perform an unlatch operation. The anti-panic lever <NUM> has a structure separated from the open link <NUM> for an anti-panic mechanism.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the lock mechanism <NUM> viewed from obliquely inside rearward, and <FIG> is a perspective view of the lock mechanism <NUM> viewed from obliquely outside forward. In <FIG>, the case <NUM> is also briefly illustrated so that arrangement of the lock mechanism <NUM> can be understood. In <FIG> and <FIG>, the lock mechanism <NUM> is in the locked state.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the lock mechanism <NUM> includes a cam wheel <NUM> pivotally supported by a shaft part 76a, a cam lever <NUM> that is pivotally supported by a shaft part 78a and driven by the cam wheel <NUM>, the open link (position switching member) <NUM> driven by the cam lever <NUM>, a sub-lock lever <NUM> interlocking with the open link <NUM>, and an open lever <NUM> that is pivotally supported by a shaft part 84a and driven by the cam wheel <NUM>. The lock mechanism <NUM> further includes a lock lever <NUM> and an auxiliary lever <NUM> interlocking with the sub-lock lever <NUM>, and a key lever <NUM> and a sub-key lever <NUM> that interlock with a key operation to drive the sub-lock lever <NUM>. For facilitating identification of components in each drawing, the lock lever <NUM> is represented by a dark dot pattern, and the open link <NUM> is represented by a light dot pattern.

The cam wheel <NUM> has a disk shape, and rotates when teeth disposed on an outer peripheral surface are driven by a worm 94a of a rotor shaft of the motor <NUM>. The teeth are not illustrated. The motor <NUM> is disposed in the electric component region <NUM> (refer to <FIG>). A rotation direction of the cam wheel <NUM> is represented such that a clockwise direction indicates normal rotation, and a counterclockwise direction indicates reverse rotation based on <FIG>.

The cam wheel <NUM> includes a cam 76b. The cam 76b has a shape having a diameter that gradually increases, from immediately below the shaft part 76a in the counterclockwise direction across about <NUM>°, when the cam wheel <NUM> is at a reference position. The diameter thereof is close to a radius of the cam wheel <NUM> at a position of about <NUM>°, and the diameter is maintained in the counterclockwise direction to a position of about <NUM>°.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an auxiliary component <NUM> is disposed on an inner surface of the cam wheel <NUM>. The cam wheel <NUM> and the auxiliary component <NUM> are fixed to be substantially one component. A spring 76c is disposed inside a sleeve 77a formed of the auxiliary component <NUM>. The spring 76c energizes the cam wheel <NUM> to be at a neutral reference position. The cam wheel <NUM> can normally rotate and reversely rotate against the spring 76c from the reference position due to action of the motor <NUM>.

The auxiliary component <NUM> includes a projection 77b projecting inward from an outer circumference vicinity part, and a first inclined wall 77c disposed on substantially the opposite side of the projection 77b. The projection 77b abuts on an elastic stopper <NUM> disposed in the case <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) when the cam wheel <NUM> reversely rotates, and restricts rotation of the cam wheel <NUM>. The first inclined wall 77c is formed such that the width thereof is increased in the counterclockwise direction from a sleeve surface of the sleeve 77a in a radial direction.

The cam wheel <NUM> further includes a second inclined wall 76d and a holding wall 76e. The second inclined wall 76d is formed such that the width thereof is increased in the clockwise direction from the sleeve surface of the sleeve 77a in the radial direction. The first inclined wall 77c and the second inclined wall 76d are formed to be opposed to each other at close positions, and are inclined in reverse directions. The first inclined wall 77c is disposed on an outer side as compared with the second inclined wall 76d. The holding wall 76e is a wall having a circular arc shape that is disposed on a side slightly closer to the counterclockwise direction than the second inclined wall 76d, and projects outward along a peripheral surface of the cam wheel <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, a clockwise direction side of the holding wall 76e is closed, and a counterclockwise direction side thereof is opened.

Returning to <FIG>, a lower surface 78d of the cam lever <NUM> abuts on the cam 76b, and when the cam wheel <NUM> rotates, the cam lever <NUM> is driven by the cam 76b to swing against a spring 78b in the counterclockwise direction. A knob 78c at a distal end of the cam lever <NUM> is fitted into a side surface guide groove 80a of the open link <NUM>, and erects the inclined open link <NUM> when the cam lever <NUM> swings in the clockwise direction.

The deformed hole 80b is formed at a lower end of the open link <NUM>. The action part 34b of the outer lever <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) is inserted into the deformed hole 80b, and the open link <NUM> is lifted up by an operation of the outer lever <NUM>. The anti-panic lever <NUM> is assembled to a lower end of the open link <NUM>, and moves up and down, and is inclined integrally with the open link <NUM>.

The open link <NUM> is a component to be switched to a locked position of an inclined attitude (an attitude in <FIG>) and an unlocked position of an erected attitude (refer to <FIG>) by the cam lever <NUM>. The lock mechanism <NUM> is caused to be in a locked state when the open link <NUM> is at the locked position, and the lock mechanism <NUM> is caused to be in an unlocked state when the open link <NUM> is at the unlocked position. A position of the open link <NUM> is switched by the lock lever <NUM>.

That is, when the open link <NUM> is at the locked position, the anti-panic lever <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) does not abut on the ratchet lever <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) even in a case of being lifted up by the outer lever <NUM> because the anti-panic lever <NUM> is inclined together with the open link <NUM>, that is, an attempt fails. Thus, the ratchet lever <NUM> does not operate, and the door is kept being closed as the locked state.

On the other hand, when the open link <NUM> is at the unlocked position and lifted up by the outer lever <NUM>, the anti-panic lever <NUM> is erected together with the open link <NUM>, so that the anti-panic lever <NUM> abuts on and pushes up the ratchet lever <NUM>. Thus, the ratchet lever <NUM> operates to cause the unlocked state in which the door may be opened.

The sub-lock lever <NUM> is pivotally supported by a shaft part 82a to be able to swing, and is swung and driven by the key lever <NUM> and the sub-key lever <NUM> to switch between the locked position and the unlocked position of the open link <NUM>. That is, the sub-lock lever <NUM> can switch between the locked state and the unlocked state. When the sub-lock lever <NUM> swings in the counterclockwise direction under action of the key lever <NUM> and the sub-key lever <NUM>, an upper portion of the open link <NUM> is pushed out from the sub-lock lever <NUM> via an inner knob 86i (refer to <FIG>) of the lock lever <NUM>, and swings in the clockwise direction to be at the unlocked position. When the sub-lock lever <NUM> swings in the clockwise direction to return to a previous position, elastic force of the spring 78b is transmitted to the open link <NUM> via the cam lever <NUM>, and the open link <NUM> swings in the counterclockwise direction to be at the locked position. An arm <NUM> projecting forward from the shaft part 82a is disposed at an upper part of the sub-lock lever <NUM>. The arm <NUM> is used as a unit for identifying whether the lock mechanism <NUM> is in the locked state or the unlocked state, and performs switching operation between a first lock position switch <NUM> and a second lock position switch <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) described later.

The open lever <NUM> is a component used for opening the door based on electric release, that is, a switch operation and the like performed by a driver. The open lever <NUM> includes a cam passive part 84b projecting forward and a ratchet operation part 84c projecting rearward, and is energized in the clockwise direction by a spring 84d. When the cam wheel <NUM> normally rotates, the cam 76b pushes down the cam passive part 84b, the open lever <NUM> rotates against the spring 84d in the counterclockwise direction about the shaft part 84a, and the ratchet operation part 84c moves upward. When the ratchet operation part 84c moves upward, the passive part 56a of the ratchet lever <NUM> is pushed up, and the latch mechanism <NUM> is unlatched to open the door. When the cam wheel <NUM> returns to the reference position, the open lever <NUM> is also returned to a reference attitude by the spring 84d.

The open lever <NUM> can operate the ratchet lever <NUM> independently of the open link <NUM>. Thus, with the open lever <NUM>, the door can be opened based on the electric release unit even when the lock mechanism <NUM> is in the locked state (that is, the open link <NUM> is at the locked position).

As illustrated in <FIG>, the lock lever <NUM> is pivotally supported by a shaft part 86a, and includes an arm 86b extending upward, an outer knob 86c projecting outward from a distal end of the arm 86b, a first projection 86e projecting forward from a downward extending part 86d, a second projection 86f projecting forward from the vicinity of the shaft part 86a, a spring reception part <NUM> projecting outward from the downward extending part 86d, and two push-out parts <NUM>. The outer knob 86c is fitted into a guide hole 82b formed at a lower end of the sub-lock lever <NUM>. When the sub-lock lever <NUM> swings, the lock lever <NUM> is swung by the outer knob 86c. The lock lever <NUM> can be displaced to an acting position for switching the open link <NUM> from the locked position to the unlocked position, and a non-acting position at which switching action is not performed on the open link <NUM>. The lock lever <NUM> is driven by the cam wheel <NUM> or the sub-lock lever <NUM>.

The spring reception part <NUM> abuts on a bending part 100a of a spring <NUM>. When the sub-lock lever <NUM> swings, the spring reception part <NUM> gets over the bending part 100a while elastically deforming the bending part 100a to be disposed at any one of the locked position and the unlocked position. Accordingly, the sub-lock lever <NUM> may take any one of the locked attitude illustrated in <FIG> and the unlocked attitude (refer to <FIG>).

The first projection 86e is pushed out by the first inclined wall 77c. Due to this, the lock lever <NUM> rotates in the clockwise direction. The second projection 86f is pushed out by the second inclined wall 76d. Due to this, the lock lever <NUM> rotates in the counterclockwise direction. The second projection 86f can enter a gap between a side surface of the cam wheel <NUM> and the first inclined wall 77c. The two push-out parts <NUM> supports the auxiliary lever <NUM> from below.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the auxiliary lever <NUM> is pivotally supported by the shaft part 86a similarly to the lock lever <NUM>, and includes an arm 88a projecting forward and a circular arc projection 88b disposed on an upper part of a distal end of the arm 88a. The circular arc projection 88b has a shape that can engage with the holding wall 76e (refer to <FIG>). The auxiliary lever <NUM> is energized against the lock lever <NUM> in the counterclockwise direction by a spring 88c, and a lower surface thereof abuts on the push-out part <NUM> to be supported.

Next, the following describes action of the lock mechanism <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram for explaining an operation of the lock mechanism <NUM> at the time when the cam wheel <NUM> normally rotates, (a) is a diagram illustrating a basic state in which the cam wheel <NUM> is at a reference position, (b) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the cam wheel <NUM> normally and slightly rotates from the reference position, (c) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the cam wheel <NUM> normally rotates from the reference position by about <NUM>°, (d) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the cam wheel <NUM> normally rotates from the reference position by about <NUM>°, (e) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the cam wheel <NUM> normally rotates from the reference position by about <NUM>°, and (f) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the cam wheel <NUM> normally rotates from the reference position by about <NUM>°. <FIG> is a diagram of the lock mechanism <NUM> viewed from the inside, and normal rotation of the cam wheel <NUM> is the clockwise direction.

The cam wheel <NUM> normally rotates from the basic state illustrated in <FIG> due to action of the motor <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the cam wheel <NUM> slightly rotates, the cam 76b abuts on the lower surface 78d of the cam lever <NUM> and starts to drive the cam lever <NUM> in the counterclockwise direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the cam wheel <NUM> rotates by about <NUM>°, a radius expansion starting part 76ba of the cam 76b abuts on the cam passive part 84b of the open lever <NUM>, and starts to drive the open lever <NUM> in the counterclockwise direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the cam wheel <NUM> rotates by about <NUM>°, a maximum diameter circular arc part 76bb of the cam 76b reaches the lower surface 78d of the cam lever <NUM>, the cam lever <NUM> is maximally displaced in the counterclockwise direction, and the maximum displacement is maintained thereafter until the state illustrated in <FIG> is caused. When the cam lever <NUM> is maximally displaced, the open link <NUM> is pushed out by the knob 78c, and swings to be at the unlatched position. However, at this point, the sub-lock lever <NUM>, the lock lever <NUM>, and the auxiliary lever <NUM> do not operate and maintain attitudes in <FIG>.

When the open lever <NUM> rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the ratchet operation part 84c abuts on and pushes up the passive part 56a of the ratchet lever <NUM>. When the passive part 56a is pushed up, the ratchet lever <NUM> starts to rotate about an axis.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the cam wheel <NUM> rotates by about <NUM>°, the open lever <NUM> is driven in the counterclockwise direction, and the ratchet operation part 84c pushes up the passive part 56a of the ratchet lever <NUM>. Substantially at this point, the open lever <NUM> starts to act on the ratchet holder <NUM> (refer to <FIG>), and an unlatch operation is started.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the cam wheel <NUM> rotates by about <NUM>°, the maximum diameter circular arc part 76bb of the cam 76b reaches the cam passive part 84b, the open lever <NUM> is maximally displaced in the counterclockwise direction, the passive part 56a of the ratchet lever <NUM> is sufficiently pushed up, the latch mechanism <NUM> unlatches the striker, and the door is opened. Thereafter, by stopping electric supply to the motor <NUM>, the cam wheel <NUM> rotates in the counterclockwise direction due to action of the spring 76c (refer to <FIG>), and the lock mechanism <NUM> returns to the basic state illustrated in <FIG>.

At the time of such electric release, as illustrated in <FIG>, the open lever <NUM> rotates under the action of the motor <NUM> to work on the latch mechanism <NUM>, and the striker can be unlatched accordingly. At this point, the open link <NUM> reciprocates between the locked position and the unlocked position. The open link <NUM> does not act on the other components, but operates at appropriate time intervals in synchronization with the time of auto-release, so that it is possible to prevent grease from being hardened due to long-term deterioration, or prevent a spring, a lever, and the like made of steel material from rusting. Due to this, the lock mechanism <NUM> is enabled to smoothly operate in a predetermined situation.

Only the open link <NUM> operates in synchronization with auto-release, and the lock lever <NUM> does not operate. Thus, the spring reception part <NUM> of the lock lever <NUM> does not get over a bending part <NUM>, and sound is not generated, so that a sense of incongruity is not given to a user.

<FIG> is a diagram for explaining the operation of the lock mechanism <NUM> at the time when the cam wheel <NUM> reversely rotates and normally rotates, (a) is a diagram illustrating a basic state in which the cam wheel <NUM> is at the reference position, (b) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the cam wheel <NUM> reversely rotates from the reference position by about <NUM>°, (c) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the cam wheel <NUM> normally rotates from the state of (b) by about <NUM>°, and (d) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the cam wheel <NUM> normally rotates from the state of (c) by about <NUM>°. <FIG> is a diagram of the lock mechanism <NUM> viewed from the outside, and reverse rotation of the cam wheel <NUM> is the clockwise direction.

The cam wheel <NUM> reversely rotates from the basic state illustrated in <FIG> due to action of the motor <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the cam wheel <NUM> reversely rotates by about <NUM>°, the second inclined wall 76d of the cam wheel <NUM> presses the second projection 86f. Due to this, the lock lever <NUM> rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the spring reception part <NUM> gets over the bending part 100a of the spring <NUM> to be displaced to a predetermined inclined position. Following the rotation of the lock lever <NUM>, the sub-lock lever <NUM> is driven by the outer knob 86c to rotate in the clockwise direction, the open link <NUM> is driven by the inner knob 86i to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, and the auxiliary lever <NUM> is driven by the push-out part <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) to rotate in the counterclockwise direction. Due to this, the sub-lock lever <NUM> and the open link <NUM> are caused to be at unlocked positions, and the circular arc projection 88b of the auxiliary lever <NUM> is displaced to a position close to the sleeve 77a.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the cam wheel <NUM> normally rotates by about <NUM>° from the state of <FIG>, the cam wheel <NUM> returns to the position illustrated in <FIG>. However, the spring reception part <NUM> is held by the bending part 100a, so that the lock lever <NUM>, the sub-lock lever <NUM>, and the open link <NUM> maintain the attitudes illustrated in <FIG>. Due to this, the lock mechanism <NUM> is caused to be in the unlocked state.

At this point, the circular arc projection 88b starts to engage with an inner diameter side surface of the holding wall 76e of the cam wheel <NUM>, and the auxiliary lever <NUM> maintains the attitude illustrated in <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the cam wheel <NUM> further normally rotates by about <NUM>° from the state of <FIG>, the first inclined wall 77c presses the first projection 86e. Due to this, the lock lever <NUM> rotates in the clockwise direction, and the spring reception part <NUM> gets over the bending part 100a of the spring <NUM> to return to the position illustrated in <FIG>. Following the rotation of the lock lever <NUM>, the sub-lock lever <NUM> is driven by the outer knob 86c to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, the open link <NUM> is driven by the cam lever <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) to rotate in the clockwise direction, and both of the sub-lock lever <NUM> and the open link <NUM> return to the state illustrated in <FIG>.

On the other hand, the circular arc projection 88b engages with the inner diameter side surface of the holding wall 76e of the cam wheel <NUM>, so that the auxiliary lever <NUM> maintains the attitude illustrated in (d). When the cam wheel <NUM> further normally rotates, an end part on a counterclockwise side of the circular arc projection 88b abuts on a closed surface on the counterclockwise side of the holding wall 76e to restrict rotation. Due to this, the cam wheel <NUM> can be prevented from excessively rotating. Thereafter, when the cam wheel <NUM> reversely rotates to the position illustrated in <FIG>, engagement between the circular arc projection 88b and the holding wall 76e is released, so that the auxiliary lever <NUM> rotates in the clockwise direction by elastic force of the spring 88c to return to the position illustrated in <FIG>. In this way, the lock mechanism <NUM> returns to a basic attitude illustrated in <FIG> as a whole. As described above, in the door latch device <NUM>, engagement of the latch mechanism <NUM> can be released, and the locked state and the unlocked state of the lock mechanism <NUM> can be switched by the single motor <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, the electric components of the door latch device <NUM> include a latch position switch <NUM> that detects a rotation state of the latch <NUM>, a key lever position switch <NUM> that detects a rotation state of the sub-key lever <NUM>, and a first lock position switch <NUM> and a second lock position switch <NUM> that detect a rotation state of the sub-lock lever <NUM> via the arm <NUM> in addition to the motor <NUM> described above.

The motor <NUM>, the key lever position switch <NUM>, the first lock position switch <NUM>, and the second lock position switch <NUM> are collectively disposed in the electric component region <NUM>, but the latch position switch <NUM> is connected to two terminals 110a and 110b extending from the electric component region <NUM> so as to be disposed in the vicinity of the latch <NUM>. The terminals 110a and 110b are held by a plate <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the electric components, components that house the electric components, and the like viewed from obliquely forward outside, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the electric components, the components that house the electric components, and the like viewed from obliquely forward inside.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the door latch device <NUM> includes a circuit board <NUM> that controls the motor <NUM>. The number of motors controlled by the circuit board <NUM> may be plural. At an upper part of an outer surface of the case <NUM>, a recessed part <NUM> is formed in a region corresponding to a back side of the electric component region <NUM>. An outer surface of the recessed part <NUM> is covered by the second cover <NUM> described above to form a second housing space <NUM>. The circuit board <NUM> is housed in the second housing space <NUM>. As described above, the first housing space <NUM> is partitioned into the mechanism region <NUM> in which the machine mechanism <NUM> is disposed, and the electric component region <NUM> as a remaining region thereof. Thus, the second housing space <NUM> is disposed on the back side of the electric component region <NUM> across the case <NUM>. Due to this, the electric components and the like are disposed in a concentrated manner, and a conductive material can be shortened. The electric component region <NUM> occupies the forward upper part as described above, so that the circuit board <NUM> disposed on the recessed part <NUM> of the second housing space <NUM> is also disposed on the forward upper part based on orientation of the vehicle. The striker entry groove <NUM> into which waterdrops may penetrate is disposed rearward, so that waterdrops are prevented from reaching the second housing space <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM> therein. An external waterproof seal <NUM> is disposed between an edge of the recessed part <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> in the case <NUM>, and the second housing space <NUM> is waterproofed against the outside. The external waterproof seal <NUM> is obtained by cutting a string-like sealing material by a predetermined length, and a dedicated molding is not required. The external waterproof seal <NUM> is disposed such that lower ends thereof are slightly overlapped with each other.

The circuit board <NUM> includes pins <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (hereinafter, also representatively referred to as pins P) erected toward the outside, pin holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (hereinafter, also representatively referred to as pin holders H) supporting the pins with respect to the circuit board <NUM> by covering the periphery of bases of the pins P, and two positioning holes 147a and 147b. The pin holder H has appropriate strength, and can presses an internal waterproof seal B (described later). The pin holder H has appropriate elasticity, and exhibits sealing action for the pin P to be inserted. The pin holder H is made of resin, for example, a molding made of polyacetal.

The two pins <NUM> are connected to the motor <NUM>. The three pins <NUM> are connected to the first lock position switch <NUM> and the second lock position switch <NUM>. The three pins <NUM> are connected to the key lever position switch <NUM>. The two pins <NUM> are connected to the latch position switch <NUM> via the terminals 110a and 110b. The several pins <NUM> project inward from a hole of a terminal wall 30a of the first cover <NUM> to be part of the coupler <NUM>. In other words, the coupler <NUM> includes the terminal wall 30a disposed on the first cover <NUM>, and the pins <NUM> that are erected from the circuit board <NUM>, pass through a pin hole <NUM> (described later), and project from the hole of the terminal wall 30a. The pin P is soldered on a back surface of the circuit board <NUM>.

The pin holder <NUM> holds the two pins <NUM>, the pin holder <NUM> holds the three pins <NUM> in series, the pin holder <NUM> holds the three pins <NUM> in series, the pin holder <NUM> holds the two pins <NUM>, and the pin holder <NUM> holds the several pins <NUM> in two columns.

The positioning hole 147a and the positioning hole 147b are disposed at positions distant from each other. The positioning hole 147a is a round hole, the positioning hole 147b is a long hole directed to the positioning hole 147a, and a manufacturing error of positioning pins 167a and 167b (described later) is allowed. The circuit board <NUM> further includes a CPU, a memory, resistance, a capacitor, and the like (not illustrated). The circuit board <NUM> has an irregular shape substantially along the second housing space <NUM>.

Pin holes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (hereinafter, also representatively referred to as pin holes A) are formed on a bottom plate 122b of the recessed part <NUM> in the case <NUM>. The pin hole A establishes communication between the first housing space <NUM> and the second housing space <NUM>. The pins <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> respectively project from the pin holes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in order toward the first housing space <NUM>, and are inserted into pin connection holes disposed on the respective electric components to be electrically connected. Each of the electric components is held by a holding wall <NUM> disposed on the outer surface of the case <NUM>. Between outer peripheries of the pin holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and the pin holes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, rectangular internal waterproof seals <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> having a ring shape (hereinafter, also representatively referred to as internal waterproof seals B) are disposed in order. The internal waterproof seal B waterproofs a space between the first housing space <NUM> and the second housing space <NUM>. The second housing space <NUM> is waterproofed by the external waterproof seal <NUM> and the internal waterproof seal B, and suitable for housing the circuit board <NUM>. The internal waterproof seal B preferably has a rectangular ring shape corresponding to the corresponding pin hole A, but parts of a non-ringshaped body may be overlapped to be used like the external waterproof seal <NUM> depending on a condition. The circuit board <NUM> is disposed on an upper part than the striker entry groove <NUM> (refer to <FIG>). Specifically, a lower part of the circuit board <NUM> has a horizontal linear shape, and this portion is disposed on an upper part than an upper end of the striker entry groove <NUM>. Even if the external waterproof seal <NUM> and the internal waterproof seal B are not disposed, waterdrops entered through the striker entry groove <NUM> are prevented from reaching the circuit board <NUM>.

Two positioning pins 167a and 167b, and a plurality of inner circuit board supporters (first circuit board supporters) <NUM> are further formed on the bottom plate 122b. The positioning pins 167a and 167b are inserted into the positioning holes 147a and 147b, and the circuit board <NUM> is positioned. The inner circuit board supporter <NUM> is disposed at a position along the periphery of the circuit board <NUM>, and abuts on an inner surface of the circuit board <NUM>.

A seal groove <NUM> is formed along an outer circumference of a surrounding wall 122a surrounding the recessed part <NUM>. The external waterproof seal <NUM> is disposed on the seal groove <NUM>. An overlap groove 173a for causing lower ends of the external waterproof seal <NUM> to be overlapped and disposed is formed in the seal groove <NUM>. Projection pairs 173b projecting from both sides in an opposed manner are formed at a plurality of points including a bending point in the seal groove <NUM>. The projection pair 173b is a stopper for the external waterproof seal <NUM>. A space between the recessed part <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> are entirely waterproofed by the external waterproof seal <NUM>.

Pairs of support projections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (hereinafter, also representatively referred to as support projections C) are formed on an inner surface of the second cover <NUM>. The support projections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are disposed at positions opposed to the pin holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in order across the circuit board <NUM>. The support projection C supports a back side of an abutting part of the pin holder H in the circuit board <NUM>. The support projection C and a leg part Hd (described later) are disposed on both sides across the pin P in a longitudinal direction of the pin holder H.

On the inner surface of the second cover <NUM>, two positioning posts 177a and 177b, a plurality of outer circuit board supporters (second circuit board supporters) <NUM>, a seal pressing projection <NUM>, and an osmosis membrane holder <NUM> are further formed. A round hole is formed on the positioning post 177a, and a long hole directed to the positioning post 177a is formed on the positioning post 177b. The positioning pins 167a and 167b passed through the positioning holes 147a and 147b are inserted into respective holes of the positioning posts 177a and 177b, and the second cover <NUM> is positioned.

The outer circuit board supporter <NUM> is disposed at a position along the periphery of the circuit board <NUM> and a position opposed to the inner circuit board supporter <NUM> via the circuit board <NUM>, and sandwiches and holds the circuit board <NUM> between itself and the inner circuit board supporter <NUM>. The inner circuit board supporter <NUM> and the outer circuit board supporter <NUM> are disposed to be opposed to each other, and to have the same cross-sectional shape and the same orientation.

The seal pressing projection <NUM> is a narrow projection having a substantially ring shape along the seal groove <NUM>, and presses an outer surface of the external waterproof seal <NUM>. The external waterproof seal <NUM> exhibits sealing action by being pressed to be sealed by the seal pressing projection <NUM>.

The osmosis membrane holder <NUM> is a cylindrical body projecting outward, and has a hole 182a at a distal end thereof. An osmosis membrane filter <NUM> is attached to the osmosis membrane holder <NUM> from inside. The osmosis membrane filter <NUM> can prevent passage of waterdrops and cause water vapor to pass through the hole 182a, and prevents the second housing space <NUM> from being caused to be in a high humidity state. The osmosis membrane holder <NUM> and the osmosis membrane filter <NUM> are disposed in a space under the circuit board <NUM> in the second housing space <NUM>. The osmosis membrane holder <NUM> is disposed in a range surrounded by an abutting part of the external waterproof seal <NUM> on the second cover <NUM>.

A plurality of screw holes <NUM> are disposed on the periphery of the second cover <NUM>, and when a screw <NUM> passed through the screw hole <NUM> is screwed to a screw post <NUM> disposed on the case <NUM>, the second cover <NUM> is fixed to the case <NUM>.

A plurality of hooks <NUM> are disposed on the periphery of the first cover <NUM>, and when the hook <NUM> engages with a pawl <NUM> disposed on the case <NUM>, the first cover <NUM> is fixed to the case <NUM>. After the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> are attached to the case <NUM>, the waterproof cover <NUM> is attached thereto from above. With the waterproof cover <NUM>, even if the external waterproof seal <NUM> and the internal waterproof seal B are not disposed, waterdrops from above can be fairly prevented from reaching the circuit board <NUM> within the second housing space <NUM> covered by the second cover <NUM>.

The first housing space <NUM> formed between the case <NUM> and the first cover <NUM> is not completely waterproofed, and has what is called a dripproof structure. This is because that the dripproof structure is sufficient for each component housed in the first housing space <NUM>. On the other hand, as described above, the second housing space <NUM> has a waterproof structure due to the external waterproof seal <NUM> and the internal waterproof seal B because precision electronic component and the like are mounted on the circuit board <NUM>.

Next, the following further describes a structure for detecting a position of the sub-lock lever (operation detection target) <NUM> by the first lock position switch (first position switch) <NUM> and the second lock position switch (second position switch) <NUM>. The three pins <NUM> described above are distinguished from each other as a first signal pin 130a, a second signal pin 130b, and a common pin 130c (refer to <FIG>) hereinafter. As described above, each of the first signal pin 130a, the second signal pin 130b, and the common pin 130c is erected from the circuit board <NUM>. The first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> are stacked, so that the first signal pin 130a, the second signal pin 130b, and the common pin 130c are close to each other, and can be collectively disposed on the circuit board <NUM>, which is preferable on a print pattern layout. These pins may have a form such that, for example, an end part of a member such as the terminals 110a and 110b (refer to <FIG>) is erected from the plate <NUM> or the housing.

Hereinafter, the first lock position switch <NUM> and the second lock position switch <NUM> are simply referred to as the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM>. As described later, the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> are stacked and disposed at positions shifted from each other in the X-direction (refer to <FIG>).

<FIG> is a circuit diagram of the door latch device <NUM> to which the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> are applied. The first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> have the same structure, and each include a first contact hole 200a connected to a normally open contact, a second contact hole 200b connected to a normally closed contact (that is, a reverse format of the first contact hole 200a), and a common contact hole 200c connected to a common contact.

The first signal pin 130a is inserted into the first contact hole 200a of the first switch <NUM> to be electrically conducted (refer to <FIG>). The second signal pin 130b is inserted into the common contact hole 200c of the second switch <NUM> to be electrically conducted (refer to <FIG>). The common pin 130c is inserted into the common contact hole 200c of the first switch <NUM> and the first contact hole 200a of the second switch <NUM> to be electrically conducted (refer to <FIG>). Three pins, that is, the first signal pin 130a, the second signal pin 130b, and the common pin 130c are enough for the pins P related to the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM>. In this case, the second contact hole 200b is not used in any of the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM>.

Each of the first signal pin 130a, the second signal pin 130b, and the common pin 130c is soldered to the circuit board <NUM>. Signals related to the first signal pin 130a and the second signal pin 130b are independently read by a reading part <NUM> on the circuit board <NUM>. The signals read by the reading part <NUM> are supplied to a CPU (not illustrated), and used for control determination.

As described later, the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> perform a switch operation at the same timing due to an operation of the sub-lock lever <NUM> as the operation detection target. Thus, the reading part <NUM> can acquire an operation detection signal of the sub-lock lever <NUM> twice, and even in a case in which any one of the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> breaks down, control processing can be continued based on a detection signal obtained by the other of the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> in a normal state.

In this case, the CPU that performs control monitors the detection signal of the first switch <NUM> and the detection signal of the second switch <NUM>, and if any one of the detection signals is changed, control processing based on the detection signal may be performed. In a case in which the detection signal of the first switch <NUM> is not synchronized with the detection signal of the second switch <NUM>, it may be determined that one of the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> the detection signal of which is not changed breaks down, and some kind of warning processing may be performed.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the first switch <NUM>. As described above, the second switch <NUM> also has the same structure. As illustrated in <FIG>, the first switch <NUM> has a slightly flat box shape along the XY-plane formed by the X-direction and the Y-direction orthogonal to each other, and a dimension in the Z-direction orthogonal to the X- and Y-directions is slightly small. In this case, the Z-direction is an inward/outward direction. The first switch <NUM> includes the first contact hole 200a, the second contact hole 200b, and the common contact hole 200c described above, and further includes an actuator <NUM> and positioning holes 206a and 206b. The first contact hole 200a, the second contact hole 200b, and the common contact hole 200c are disposed side by side in the X-direction, pass through the first switch <NUM> in the Z-direction, and open on a bottom part of a recessed part <NUM>. A surface opposite to a surface on which the actuator <NUM> is disposed has a stepped shape in which an upper stage part 210a and a lower stage part 210b project. The positioning holes 206a and 206b pass through the upper stage part 210a and the lower stage part 210b in the Z-direction. The positioning holes 206a and 206b are disposed in the vicinity of both ends in the X-direction.

The actuator <NUM> is disposed on a surface of a main body part, and moves forward and backward in the Y-direction. At the time when the first switch <NUM> does not act, the actuator <NUM> is in a projecting state, the first contact hole 200a and the common contact hole 200c are opened, and the second contact hole 200b and the common contact hole 200c are closed. When the actuator <NUM> is pushed against elastic force by external force, the first switch <NUM> is caused to be in an acting state, the first contact hole 200a and the common contact hole 200c are closed, and the second contact hole 200b and the common contact hole 200c are opened.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the first switch <NUM>, the second switch <NUM>, and the case <NUM>. The case <NUM> in a range illustrated in <FIG> corresponds to the bottom plate 122b described above, that is, a portion at which the pin hole <NUM> is disposed and the periphery thereof. As illustrated in <FIG>, holding walls 165a, 165b, 165c, 165d, and 165e, mounts 212a, 212b, 212c, and 212d, and positioning pins 214a, 214b, and 214c are disposed in the case <NUM>.

The mounts 212a and 212b are low bulging parts on which the second switch <NUM> is placed. The mount 212a is disposed on one side in the Y-direction (Y1-direction in <FIG>), and the mount 212b is disposed on the other side (Y2-direction in <FIG>) across the pin hole <NUM>. The mount 212a is formed in the X-direction while being in contact with the pin hole <NUM>. The mount 212b has a "U" shape. The mount 212a and the mount 212b support substantially the entire circumference of a lower surface of the second switch <NUM>.

The mounts 212c and 212d are slightly high bulging parts on which the first switch <NUM> is placed. The mount 212c is disposed in the Y1-direction, and the mount 212d is disposed in the Y2-direction across the pin hole <NUM>. The mount 212c is formed to be in contact with the pin hole <NUM>. The mount 212d has a "U" shape. The mount 212c and the mount 212d support a substantially half of a lower surface of the first switch <NUM> in the X-direction (X1-direction in <FIG>). The mount 212c and the mount 212d are disposed on the Xl-direction side as compared with the mount 212a and the mount 212b, and a dimension in the X-direction is substantially half of the mount 212a and the mount 212b, respectively. Dimensional differences in the Z-direction between the mount 212c and the mount 212a, and between the mount 212d and the mount 212b are equal to a dimension in the Z-direction of the second switch <NUM>.

The holding wall 165a is a slightly high bulging part supporting part of Y1-direction surfaces of the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM>, and disposed on the Y1-direction side as compared with the mount 212a. The holding wall 165b is a bulging part supporting part of a Y2-direction surface of the second switch <NUM>, and connected with the mount 212d. The holding wall 165c is a bulging part supporting an Xl-direction surface of the second switch <NUM>. The holding wall 165c also serves as part of the mount 212d. The holding wall 165d is a bulging part supporting part of a Y2-direction surface of the first switch <NUM>, and erected from an inner side of the mount 212d. The holding wall 165d is integrated with the holding wall 165b. The holding wall 165e is a bulging part supporting an Xl-direction surface of the first switch <NUM>, and erected from an inner surface of the mount 212d.

The positioning pin 214a is inserted into the positioning hole 206a of the first switch <NUM>. The positioning pin 214a is erected from an inner surface of the mount 212c. The positioning pin 214b is inserted into the positioning hole 206a of the second switch <NUM>. The positioning pin 214c is inserted into the positioning hole 206b of the second switch <NUM>. The positioning pins 214b and 214c are erected from an inner surface of the mount 212a.

<FIG> is a partial cross-sectional side view of the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> in a state of being stacked and assembled, and the periphery thereof. <FIG> illustrates the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> viewed from the Y1-direction (refer to <FIG>), and the holding walls 165a to 165e and the like are not illustrated.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> are stacked in the Z-direction without a gap. The first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> are disposed to be shifted from each other in the X-direction. Specifically, the first switch <NUM> is shifted in the Xl-direction with respect to the second switch <NUM>, the common contact hole 200c of the first switch <NUM> is matched with the first contact hole 200a of the second switch <NUM> in the X-direction, and the common pin 130c is inserted through the common contact hole 200c and the first contact hole 200a to make continuity therebetween. A substantially half on a distal end side of the first signal pin 130a is inserted into the first contact hole 200a of the first switch <NUM>, and a substantially half on a base side thereof is exposed. A substantially half on a base side of the second signal pin 130b is inserted into the common contact hole 200c of the second switch <NUM>, and a substantially half on a distal end side thereof is exposed. The first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> are not shifted from each other in the Y-direction (refer to <FIG>).

Two slightly low projections 216a and 216b, and one slightly high projection 216c are disposed side by side in the X-direction on the first cover <NUM>. An inner surface of the first switch <NUM> is held by the projections 216a and 216b, and an outer surface thereof is held by the mounts 212c and 212d, and the second switch <NUM>. An inner surface of the second switch <NUM> is held by the first switch <NUM> and the projection 216c, and an outer surface thereof is held by the mounts 212a and 212b.

Waterproof treatment is performed on the second housing space <NUM> as a region in which the circuit board <NUM> is disposed with the internal waterproof seal <NUM> around the pin hole <NUM> with respect to the first housing space <NUM> as a region in which the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> are disposed. The circuit board <NUM> is sandwiched and held to be stable by the pin holder <NUM> and the support projection <NUM>. In this case, the bottom plate 122b serves as a partition plate that partitions between the first housing space <NUM> and the second housing space <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the first switch <NUM>, the second switch <NUM>, and the periphery thereof inside the door latch device <NUM>. <FIG> corresponds to an upper portion of <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, each actuator <NUM> of the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> projects from the main body part in the Y2-direction. The shaft part 82a of the sub-lock lever <NUM> is present at a position in the Y2-direction from a substantial center of two actuators <NUM>. The shaft part 82a is a shaft in the Z-direction.

As described above, the arm <NUM> projecting from the shaft part 82a is disposed on an upper part of the sub-lock lever <NUM>. A first cam 98a and a second cam 98b are disposed at a distal end of the arm <NUM>. The first cam 98a and the second cam 98b are shifted from each other in the Z-direction, the first cam 98a is disposed on an inner side, and the second cam 98b is disposed on an outer side. The first cam 98a and the actuator <NUM> of the first switch <NUM> are at the same position with respect to the Z-direction. The second cam 98b and the actuator <NUM> of the second switch <NUM> are at the same position with respect to the Z-direction.

The first cam 98a and the second cam 98b are disposed to be shifted from each other in a circumferential direction with respect to the shaft part 82a. The arm <NUM> is appropriately long, so that a shift between the first cam 98a and the second cam 98b in the circumferential direction can be regarded as a shift on a substantially straight line, and is equal to a shift between the two actuators <NUM> in the X-direction. The first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> are stacked, and a shift amount between the two actuators <NUM> in the X-direction is small, so that a shift amount between the first cam 98a and the second cam 98b is also small. Thus, the arm <NUM> can be set to be relatively narrow.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an operational relation among the first switch <NUM>, the second switch <NUM>, and a sub-lock lever <NUM>, (a) is a diagram illustrating the sub-lock lever <NUM> in a state of a locked attitude, and (b) is a diagram illustrating the sub-lock lever <NUM> in a state of an unlocked attitude.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the sub-lock lever <NUM> is in the locked attitude, the first cam 98a is disposed on a side slightly distant from the actuator <NUM> of the first switch <NUM> in the Xl-direction, and the second cam 98b is disposed on a side slightly distant from the actuator <NUM> of the second switch <NUM> in the Xl-direction. At this point, each of the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> is in a non-acting state, and is in the state illustrated in <FIG>. That is, each first contact hole 200a is opened with respect to the common contact hole 200c. The reading part <NUM> reads that each first contact hole 200a is opened with respect to the common contact hole 200c from the first signal pin 130a and the second signal pin 130b.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the sub-lock lever <NUM> is in the unlocked attitude, the first cam 98a and the second cam 98b are displaced from the state illustrated in <FIG> in a substantial X2-direction (reverse direction of X1) following the rotation of the sub-lock lever <NUM>. The first cam 98a pushes the actuator <NUM> of the first switch <NUM> in the Y2-direction, and the second cam 98b pushes the actuator <NUM> of the second switch <NUM> in the Y2-direction. Due to this, the first switch and the second switch perform a switch operation at the same timing due to the operation of the sub-lock lever <NUM>, and each of the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> is caused to be in the acting state. That is, each first contact hole 200a (refer to <FIG>) is closed with respect to the common contact hole 200c. The reading part <NUM> reads that each first contact hole 200a is closed with respect to the common contact hole 200c from the first signal pin 130a and the second signal pin 130b. Thus, the reading part <NUM> reads the attitude of the sub-lock lever <NUM> twice, so that the operation thereof can be detected more securely. Even if any one of the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> breaks down and does not perform the switch operation, predetermined control can be performed based on the switch operation of the other one thereof in a normal state. Additionally, the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> are stacked, so that an occupied area is small.

<FIG> is a circuit diagram according to a modification to which a second switch 106A and a first switch 108A are applied in place of the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> described above. As is clear from comparison between <FIG> and <FIG>, the former is a normally open circuit, and the latter is a normally closed circuit.

In the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> described above (refer to <FIG>), the first contact hole 200a is a normally open contact and the second contact hole 200b is a normally closed contact. In contrast, in the first switch 108A and the second switch 106A, the first contact hole 200a is the normally closed contact and the second contact hole 200b is the normally open contact. Although not illustrated herein, the other configurations of the first switch 108A and the second switch 106A are the same as those of the first switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM>. A first signal pin 130Aa in <FIG> is the same as the second signal pin 130b in <FIG>, a second signal pin 130Ab is the same as the first signal pin 130a in <FIG>, and only designations thereof are different.

In this case, the first signal pin 130Aa is inserted into the first contact hole 200a of the first switch 108A to be electrically conducted. The second signal pin 130Ab is inserted into the common contact hole 200c of the second switch 106A to be electrically conducted. The common pin 130c is inserted into the common contact hole 200c of the first switch 108A and the first contact hole 200a of the second switch 106A to be electrically conducted. In this case, the second contact hole 200b is not used in any of the first switch 108A and the second switch 106A.

In a case of using such a circuit, when the sub-lock lever <NUM> is in the locked attitude (refer to <FIG>), each of the first switch 108A and the second switch 106A is in the non-acting state, and each first contact hole 200a is closed with respect to the common contact hole 200c. The reading part <NUM> reads that each first contact hole 200a is closed with respect to the common contact hole 200c from the first signal pin 130Aa and the second signal pin 130Ab.

When the sub-lock lever <NUM> is in the unlocked attitude (refer to <FIG>), each of the first switch 108A and the second switch 106A is in the acting state. That is, each first contact hole 200a is opened with respect to the common contact hole 200c. The reading part <NUM> reads that each first contact hole 200a is open with respect to the common contact hole 200c from the first signal pin 130Aa and the second signal pin 130Ab. Thus, similarly to the case of the circuit illustrated in <FIG>, the reading part <NUM> can detect the attitude of the sub-lock lever <NUM> twice.

Claim 1:
A door latch device (<NUM>) comprising:
a first position switch (<NUM>) and a second position switch (<NUM>), each of the first position switch (<NUM>) and the second position switch (<NUM>) including
a first contact hole (200a) connected to one of a normally open contact or a normally closed contact,
a second contact hole (200b) connected to a contact having a reverse format of the first contact hole (200a), and
a common contact hole (200c) connected to a common contact, wherein
the first contact hole (200a), the second contact hole (200b) and the common contact hole (200c) are arranged on a straight line,
the first position switch (<NUM>) and the second position switch (<NUM>) are disposed at positions shifted from each other along the straight line and stacked in a piercing direction of the first contact hole (200a), the second contact hole (200b), and the common contact;
characterized in that the door latch device (<NUM>) further comprises:
a common pin (130c) configured to be electrically conducted to the common contact hole (200c) of the first position switch (<NUM>) and the first contact hole (200a) of the second position switch (<NUM>) by being inserted therein;
a first signal pin (130a) configured to be electrically conducted to the first contact hole (200a) of the first position switch (<NUM>) by being inserted therein; and
a second signal pin (130b) configured to be electrically conducted to the common contact of the second position switch (<NUM>) by being inserted therein, and
the first position switch (<NUM>) and the second position switch (<NUM>) are configured to perform a switch operation at a same timing of an operation of a predetermined operation detection target (<NUM>).