Vehicle with ramp device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle with a ramp device. A vehicle includes: a vehicle body including a floor panel; a vehicle door assembled to the vehicle body; a door locking mechanism including an outer hook and an inner hook, the door locking mechanism being assembled to the lower portion of the vehicle door to lock the vehicle door to the floor panel; and a ramp device assembled to the lower side of the floor panel, wherein when the vehicle door is locked, the top ends of the outer hook and the inner hook penetrate downward through the floor panel at a position outside the vehicle relative to the outer end of the ramp on the vehicle side, and the outer hook and the inner hook restrict the outward deployment of the ramp on the vehicle side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure of a vehicle provided with a ramp device for deploying a ramp toward the outer side of the vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in order to improve the ease of getting on and off public buses for wheelchair users, a configuration has been proposed in which a ramp device is installed at the lower portion of the boarding and alighting entrance of a public bus (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-116112).

[0003] In addition, a vehicle is proposed that can move an auxiliary pedal that accommodates a ramp plate to a use position in conjunction with the opening rotation of a side door that is rotatably supported on the side of the vehicle body, and pull out the ramp plate from the auxiliary pedal to use the ramp to get on and off the vehicle (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-18767).

[0004] Furthermore, in the ramp device, the control unit often controls the rotation of the drive motor to deploy and retract the ramp. In this case, the ramp may be deployed when it is not necessary to deploy the ramp due to an erroneous operation of the control unit. Summary of the invention

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to inhibit unintended ramp deployment.

[0006] The vehicle of the present invention comprises: a vehicle body, including a floor panel, which constitutes the bottom plate of a vehicle compartment for passengers; a door mounted on the vehicle body; a door locking mechanism, including a hook engaged with the vehicle body, the door locking mechanism being mounted on the lower portion of the door to lock the door to the vehicle body; and a ramp device, which is mounted on the lower side of the floor panel and performs the deployment of the ramp toward the outer side of the vehicle and the storage of the ramp, wherein the vehicle is characterized in that, when the door locking mechanism locks the door to the vehicle body, the top end of the hook of the door locking mechanism downwardly penetrates the floor panel at a position closer to the outer side of the vehicle than the outer side end of the ramp in the storage position, and the hook of the door locking mechanism restricts the deployment of the ramp in the storage position toward the outer side of the vehicle.

[0007] When the ramp is stored and the door is locked, the tip of the hook of the locking mechanism mechanically suppresses the deployment of the ramp in the stored position, so that the ramp can be suppressed from being deployed even in a case where the control unit of the ramp device malfunctions.

[0008] In the vehicle of the present invention, the tip of the hook may penetrate downward through the floor panel and reach a position lower than an upper surface of the ramp in the storage position.

[0009] Thus, the tip of the hook blocks the deployment path of the ramp in the stored position. Therefore, the outer-vehicle-side end of the ramp hits the tip of the hook, mechanically suppressing the outward deployment of the ramp from the vehicle. Thus, even when the control unit of the ramp device malfunctions, the outward deployment of the ramp can be suppressed.

[0010] In the vehicle of the present invention, the door locking mechanism may include a striker for engaging with the hook, and the striker may be assembled to the floor panel outside the vehicle with respect to the outer-vehicle-side end of the ramp in the stored position.

[0011] With this configuration, the hook engages with the striker outside the vehicle with respect to the outer-vehicle-side end of the ramp, and the tip of the hook reaches a position below the upper surface of the ramp outside the vehicle with respect to the outer-vehicle-side end of the ramp in the stored position. Thus, even when the control unit of the ramp device malfunctions, the outward deployment of the ramp can be suppressed.

[0012] In the vehicle of the present invention, the door locking mechanism may include a striker for engaging with the hook, and the striker may be assembled to the vehicle body on the lower side of the ramp outside the vehicle with respect to the outer-vehicle-side end of the ramp in the stored position.

[0013] With this configuration, the tip of the hook attached to the door engages with the striker assembled to the vehicle body on the lower side of the ramp. Therefore, outside the vehicle with respect to the outer-vehicle-side end of the ramp, the hook is connected to the door and the vehicle body on the upper and lower sides of the ramp, respectively, blocking the deployment path of the ramp. Thus, the connection strength of the hook to the vehicle body increases, and the unexpected deployment of the ramp can be more reliably suppressed.

[0014] The present invention can suppress the unexpected deployment of the ramp. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described, where like reference numerals denote like elements, and:

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the door of the vehicle according to the embodiment is closed and the ramp is stored.

[0017] Figure 2 is showing Figure 1 a perspective view showing a state in which the door of the vehicle shown is opened and the ramp is deployed.

[0018] Figure 3 is showing from Figure 1 a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the floor panel, the ramp device, and the door locking mechanism of the vehicle observed along A-A shown.

[0019] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the floor panel, ramp device, and door locking mechanism of the vehicle observed from A-A shown in Figure 1 and is a view showing the unlocked state of the door locking mechanism.

[0020] Figure 5 shows Figure 4 a cross-sectional view of the locked state of the door locking mechanism shown in

[0021] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the door locking mechanism, floor panel, and ramp device of other embodiments and is a view showing the unlocked state of the door locking mechanism.

[0022] Figure 7 shows Figure 6 a cross-sectional view of the locked state of the door locking mechanism of other embodiments shown in Detailed Embodiment

[0023] Hereinafter, the vehicle 100 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the arrows FR, UP, and RH shown in each figure respectively represent the front direction (travel direction), upward direction, and right direction of the vehicle 100. In addition, the opposite directions of the arrows FR, UP, and RH represent the rear direction, downward direction, and left direction of the vehicle. Hereinafter, when only the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions are used for description, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed to represent the front-rear in the vehicle's front-rear direction, the left-right in the vehicle's left-right direction (vehicle width direction), and the up-down in the vehicle's up-down direction.

[0024] In the following description, the vehicle 100 is described as an electric vehicle capable of autonomous driving through autonomous driving, but is not limited thereto. As Figure 1 shown, the vehicle 100 includes a vehicle body 101, a door device 10, a ramp device 20, a vehicle control device 31, a communication device 32, a position detection device 33, a sensor 34, a driving motor 35, a battery 36, and wheels 37. It should be noted that Figure 1 shows a state where the door 12 of the vehicle 100 is closed and the ramp 22 is stored.

[0025] The vehicle body 101 is symmetric in the front-rear direction and has a passenger compartment 102 for passengers to ride inside and a floor panel 103 that forms the bottom plate of the passenger compartment 102. The floor panel 103 of the passenger compartment 102 is flat, and seats (not shown) for passengers to sit are arranged in the passenger compartment 102.

[0026] The door device 10 is composed of a double-opening door 12 that is provided on the side of the vehicle body 101 and slides along the side of the vehicle body 101, a motor 13 that opens and closes the door 12, and a control unit 14 that controls the operation of the motor 13. In addition, a door locking mechanism 40 that locks each door 12 to the floor panel 103 of the vehicle body 101 is assembled to the lower part of each door 12. The door locking mechanism 40 is switched between a locked state and an unlocked state by the control unit 14.

[0027] The ramp device 20 is provided on the lower side of the floor panel 103. The ramp device 20 is composed of a plate-shaped ramp 22 that expands toward the outside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 101, a housing 21 that houses the ramp 22, a motor 23 that expands and houses the ramp 22, and a control unit 24 that controls the motor 23.

[0028] The vehicle control device 31, the communication device 32, the position detection device 33, and the sensor 34 are arranged inside the vehicle body 101. The battery 36 is arranged beside the ramp device 20 under the floor panel 103. The drive motor 35 of the vehicle 100 is an in-wheel motor built inside the wheel 37. It should be noted that the drive motor 35 can also be arranged to drive the wheel 37 by being mounted on the vehicle body 101 instead of an in-wheel motor. The vehicle control device 31 performs drive control on the drive motor 35 based on the current position detected by the position detection device 33, the driving state detected by sensors 34 such as a speed sensor and an acceleration sensor, and operation information such as a destination from the communication device 32 to make the vehicle 100 autonomously drive. In addition, the vehicle control device 31 opens and closes the door 12 and expands and houses the ramp 22 through the door device 10 and the ramp device 20.

[0029] As Figure 2 shown, when the vehicle 100 stops and passengers get on and off, the door locking mechanism 40 is set to the unlocked state and the door 12 for passengers to get on and off is opened. When the door 12 is opened, a flat-floored passenger compartment 102 appears. In addition, when the vehicle 100 stops and the door 12 is opened, the ramp device 20 expands the ramp 22 toward the outside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 101. The top end of the expanded ramp 22 abuts on the sidewalk 82, forming a passage for passengers on the sidewalk 82 to get on and off the floor panel 103 of the vehicle 100.

[0030] Next, with reference to Figures 3 to 5 the door locking mechanism 40 assembled to the lower part of the door 12 will be described. As Figure 3 shown, the door locking mechanism 40 is composed of a base 41, an outer hook 42a, an inner hook 42b, an outer link 46a, an inner link 46b, an operating rod 49, and a striker 51.

[0031] AsFigure 3 , Figure 4 As shown in Figure 4 , the base 41 is a plate-like member assembled in such a manner that its surface extends in the vehicle width direction to a frame 15 composed of an outer panel 15a and an inner panel 15b (refer to Figure 4 ) of the vehicle door 12. The outer hook 42a and the inner hook 42b are assembled so as to be rotatable in a plane extending in the vehicle width direction about a lower shaft 45 assembled to the lower part of the base 41. Here, the lower shaft 45 is assembled to the base 41 in such a manner that it is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the outer end 22a in the vehicle width direction of the ramp 22 in the stored position. The outer hook 42a and the inner hook 42b are provided with recesses 44a, 44b that engage with the outer periphery of a striker 51 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, and tip portions 43a, 43b extending from the recesses 44a, 44b in a direction opposite to the lower shaft 45.

[0032] An operating rod 49 is fixed to an upper shaft 50, and the upper shaft 50 is assembled to a position on the upper side and closer to the vehicle interior side than the lower shaft 45 of the base 41. The upper shaft 50 is rotatably assembled to the base 41. In addition, the upper shaft 50 is connected to a drive mechanism (not shown) and is rotationally driven. An upper connecting pin 48 is assembled to one end of the operating rod 49, and the upper portions of the outer link 46a and the inner link 46b are assembled so as to be rotatable about the upper connecting pin 48. In addition, lower connecting pins 47a, 47b are respectively assembled to the sides of the outer hook 42a and the inner hook 42b opposite to the respective recesses 44a, 44b, and the lower portions of the outer link 46a and the inner link 46b are assembled so as to be rotatable about the lower connecting pins 47a, 47b in a plane extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0033] As Figure 3 , Figure 4 shown, an opening 103a is provided in a corresponding portion of the lower part of the vehicle door 12 of the floor panel 103. In addition, an opening 25 is also provided in the upper panel 21a of the housing 21 of the ramp device 20. In addition, the ramp 22 of the ramp device 20 is in a stored state.

[0034] As Figure 3 shown, the striker 51 is assembled in the opening 103a of the floor panel 103 so as to extend in the vehicle front-rear direction. In addition, as Figure 4 shown, the striker 51 is arranged at a position on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the outer end 22a in the vehicle width direction of the ramp 22 in the stored position, similarly to the lower shaft 45. It should be noted that in the vehicle 100 of the present embodiment, the positions in the vehicle width direction of the lower shaft 45 and the striker 51 are the same position, but as long as they are positions on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the outer end 22a in the vehicle width direction of the ramp 22 in the stored position, the positions in the vehicle width direction may also be different.

[0035] As​​​Figure 5 As shown, when the upper shaft 50 rotates counterclockwise as indicated by arrow 91 by a drive mechanism (not shown), the operating lever 49 rotates counterclockwise as indicated by arrow 91. Then, the operating lever 49 moves the upper connecting pin 48 downward, and the upper connecting pin 48 moves the upper portions of the outer link 46a and the inner link 46b downward, causing the lower portions of the outer link 46a and the inner link 46b to move outward in the vehicle width direction and inward in the compartment, respectively. As a result, the lower connecting pins 47a and 47b also move outward in the vehicle width direction and inward in the compartment, respectively. Therefore, the outer hook 42a rotates counterclockwise about the lower shaft 45 as indicated by arrow 92a, so that the concave portion 44a engages with the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the striker 51. In addition, the inner hook 42b rotates clockwise about the lower shaft 45 as indicated by arrow 92b, so that the concave portion 44b engages with the inner side in the compartment of the striker 51.

[0036] In addition, when the outer hook 42a rotates counterclockwise as indicated by arrow 92a, the tip portion 43a passes through the opening 103a provided in the floor panel 103 and the opening 25 in the upper panel 21a of the housing 21 of the ramp device 20 and protrudes downward from the upper panel 21a. Similarly, when the inner hook 42b rotates clockwise as indicated by arrow 92b, the tip portion 43b passes through the opening 103a and the opening 25 and protrudes downward from the upper panel 21a. Thus, the tip portions 43a and 43b of the outer hook 42a and the inner hook 42b pass through the openings 103a and 25, penetrate the floor panel 103 downward, and reach a position below the upper surface of the ramp 22 in the stored position.

[0037] As Figure 5 shown, the ramp device 20 is in a state where the ramp 22 is stored. The striker 51 is disposed outside the vehicle width direction of the outer end 22a in the vehicle width direction of the ramp 22 in the stored position at a position where the tip portion 43b does not interfere with the ramp 22 when the inner hook 42b rotates as indicated by arrow 92b. Therefore, the tip portions 43a and 43b of the outer hook 42a and the inner hook 42b penetrate the floor panel 103 downward outside the vehicle width direction of the outer end 22a in the vehicle width direction of the ramp 22 in the stored position and reach a position below the upper surface of the ramp 22. Therefore, the tip portions 43a and 43b block a part of the deployment path 29 of the ramp 22 outward in the vehicle width direction, thereby suppressing the ramp 22 from being deployed outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] In addition, the concave portions 44a and 44b of the outer hook 42a and the inner hook 42b of the door locking mechanism 40 engage with the striker 51 of the floor panel 103, and the outer hook 42a and the inner hook 42b of the door locking mechanism 40 enter the opening 103a of the floor panel 103 and engage with the floor panel 103. Thus, the door locking mechanism 40 locks the door 12 to the vehicle body 101, thereby preventing the door 12 from being opened in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0039] As described above, when the storage ramp 22 is stored and the vehicle door 12 is locked, the tip portions 43a and 43b of the outer hook 42a and the inner hook 42b of the door locking mechanism 40 block a part of the deployment passage 29 of the ramp 22 in the storage position. Thereby, the outer end 22a in the vehicle width direction of the ramp 22 contacts the tip portions 43a and 43b, thereby suppressing the ramp 22 from being deployed outward in the vehicle width direction. In this way, the tip portions 43a and 43b mechanically suppress the deployment of the ramp 22 in the storage position, and even when a malfunction occurs in the control unit 24 of the ramp device 20, the ramp 22 can be prevented from being deployed.

[0040] In the above description, although it has been described as follows, it is not limited thereto: the base 41 is a plate-like member assembled to the frame 15 of the vehicle door 12 in such a manner that its surface extends in the vehicle width direction, the outer hook 42a, the inner hook 42b, the outer link 46a, the inner link 46b, and the operating rod 49 can rotate in a plane extending in the vehicle width direction, and the striker 51 is assembled to the floor panel 103 in such a manner that it extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. For example, it may be configured such that the base 41 is assembled to the frame 15 in such a manner that its surface extends in the vehicle front-rear direction, the outer hook 42a, the inner hook 42b, the outer link 46a, the inner link 46b, and the operating rod 49 are configured to be rotatable in a plane extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the striker 51 is assembled to the floor panel 103 in such a manner that it extends in the vehicle width direction. In the case of such a configuration, it is configured such that the rotation planes of the outer hook 42a and the inner hook 42b are located outside the vehicle width direction with respect to the outer end 22a in the vehicle width direction of the ramp 22 in the storage position, and when the outer hook 42a and the inner hook 42b contact the striker 51, the tip portions 43a and 43b penetrate to a position below the upper surface of the ramp 22 at the position of the outer end 22a in the vehicle width direction of the ramp 22.

[0041] Next, with reference to Figure 6 、 Figure 7 Another door locking mechanism 140 mounted on a vehicle 110 of another embodiment will be described. The same parts as those of the vehicle 100 and the door locking mechanism 40 described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0042] The vehicle 110 of another embodiment has an opening 103b in the floor panel 103 that is larger than the opening 103a provided in the floor panel 103 of the Figure 5 vehicle 100. In addition, on the upper panel 21a of the ramp device 20, there is provided a portion larger than Figure 5The opening 25a of the upper panel 21a of the ramp device 20 provided on the vehicle 100 is larger than the opening 25, and an opening 26 is provided in the lower panel 21b. As will be described later, the ramp 22 is stored in a position where the tip 143 does not interfere with the ramp 22 when the hook 142 rotates as shown by the arrow 94. In addition, the vehicle body 101 includes a cross member 104 disposed below the ramp device 20 and extending in the vehicle width direction. Figure 7 As shown, when the hook 142 rotates as shown by the arrow 94, the tip 143 does not interfere with the position of the ramp 22. In addition, the vehicle body 101 includes a cross member 104 disposed below the ramp device 20 and extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0043] As Figure 6 shown, the door locking mechanism 140 of another embodiment includes a base 141, a hook 142, a shaft 145, and a striker 151. The base 141 is assembled to the frame 15 of the door 12 with its surface extending in the vehicle width direction. The shaft 145 is assembled to the lower part of the base 141, and the striker 151 is assembled to the cross member 104 of the vehicle body 101 of the vehicle 110 so as to extend in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the striker 151 is located outside the vehicle width direction of the outer end 22a in the vehicle width direction of the ramp 22 in the stored position on the lower side of the ramp device 20. One end of the hook 142 is fixed to the shaft 145. The shaft 145 is rotatably assembled to the base 141. In addition, the shaft 145 is connected to a drive mechanism (not shown) and is rotationally driven. A recess 144 that engages with the outer periphery of the striker 151 is provided at the other end of the hook 142. For the hook 142, the distance between the shaft 145 and the striker 151 is longer than the distance of the inner hook 42b of the door locking mechanism 40 described above, so the length from the shaft 145 to the recess 144 is longer than the distance of the inner hook 42b described above. In addition, the hook 142 is different from the inner hook 42b in that the tip 143 does not protrude from the recess 144 in the direction opposite to the shaft 145.

[0044] As Figure 7 shown, when the shaft 145 rotates clockwise as shown by the arrow 93 by a drive device (not shown), the hook 142 rotates clockwise as shown by the arrow 94, and the recess 144 and the tip 143 pass through the opening 103a provided in the floor panel 103, the opening 25 provided in the upper panel 21a of the housing 21 of the ramp device 20, and the opening 26 provided in the lower panel 21b and protrude downward from the lower panel 21b. And the recess 144 engages with the inner side of the striker 151 disposed below the lower panel 21b.

[0045] The striker 151 is located outside the vehicle width direction end 22a of the ramp 22 in the stowed position, on the outside in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the recess 144 at the tip of the hook 142 engages with the striker 151 below the ramp 22 and outside the vehicle width direction end 22a in the vehicle width direction. Thus, the hook 142 is connected to the door 12 and the cross member 104 of the vehicle body 101 on the upper and lower sides of the ramp 22, outside the vehicle width direction end 22a of the ramp 22, blocking the deployment passage 29 of the ramp 22. As a result, the strength of the hook 142 in the sliding direction increases. When the ramp 22 attempts to deploy outward in the vehicle width direction, the vehicle width direction end 22a will hit the hook 142, thereby inhibiting the ramp 22 from being deployed outward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, even when there is a malfunction in the control unit 24 of the ramp device 20, the deployment of the ramp 22 can be effectively inhibited.

[0046] In addition, the door locking mechanism 140 is composed of one hook 142, one striker 151, and one shaft 145, and has a simpler structure than the door locking mechanism 40 described above. It can effectively inhibit the deployment of the ramp 22 with a simple structure.

[0047] In the above description, although the case where the door locking mechanism 140 is composed of one hook 142, one striker 151, and one shaft 145 has been described, the door locking mechanism 140 can also be configured to be composed of an inner hook, an outer hook, an outer link, an inner link, and an operating rod, in the same way as the door locking mechanism 40 described above. The recess of the outer hook and the recess of the inner hook are respectively engaged with the outside in the vehicle width direction and the inside of the vehicle compartment of the striker 151.

[0048] In addition, it can also be configured such that the striker 151 is assembled to a structural member of the vehicle body 101 so as to extend in the vehicle width direction, the base 141 is assembled to the frame 15 of the door 12 with its surface in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the hook 142 can rotate within the plane in the vehicle front-rear direction. In this case, it is configured such that the rotation plane of the hook 142 is outside the vehicle width direction end 22a of the ramp 22 in the stowed position in the vehicle width direction, and when the hook 142 engages with the striker 151, the tip portion 143 is at a position outside the vehicle width direction end 22a of the ramp 22 in the vehicle width direction.

[0049] In addition, although the case where the striker 151 is assembled to the cross member 104 of the vehicle body 101 has been described, as long as the striker 151 is structurally connected to the vehicle body 101, it does not have to be directly assembled to the vehicle body 101. For example, it can also be configured to be assembled to the lower panel 21b of the ramp device 20 assembled to the vehicle body 101.

[0050] In the above description, the case where the doors 12 of the vehicles 100 and 110 are double-opening sliding doors provided on the side of the vehicle body 101 has been described. However, it is not limited thereto, and the doors 12 may also be rotary opening / closing doors assembled on the side of the vehicle body 101.

[0051] In addition, it may be configured such that the doors 12 are disposed in front of or behind the vehicles 100 and 110, and the ramp device 20 unfolds the ramp 22 outward in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising: A vehicle body including a floor panel that forms the bottom plate of a passenger compartment for passengers to ride in; Doors assembled to the vehicle body; A door locking mechanism including a hook that engages with the vehicle body, the door locking mechanism being assembled to the lower part of the door to lock the door to the vehicle body; And A ramp device assembled to the lower side of the floor panel and performing deployment of the ramp toward the outside of the vehicle and storage of the ramp, The vehicle is characterized in that When the door locking mechanism locks the door to the vehicle body, the tip of the hook of the door locking mechanism penetrates downward through the floor panel at a position outside the vehicle relative to the outer end of the ramp in the storage position, and the hook of the door locking mechanism restricts the deployment of the ramp in the storage position toward the outside of the vehicle, The door locking mechanism includes a striker for the hook to engage with, The striker is assembled to the vehicle body on the lower side of the ramp at a position outside the vehicle relative to the outer end of the ramp in the storage position.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The tip of the hook penetrates downward through the floor panel and reaches a position below the upper surface of the ramp in the storage position.

Images