Door stop device

Abstract

The stopping device (40) includes: a drum (210) that rotates in a first rotation direction when the rear door is opened and rotates in a second rotation direction when the rear door is closed; a locking member (420) that has a locking position that limits the rotation of the drum (210) in the first rotation direction and an unlocking position that allows the rotation of the drum (210) in the first rotation direction to be displaced; and a switching mechanism (500) that switches the position of the locking member (420) from the unlocking position to the locking position when a switching operation is performed with the locking member (420) in the unlocking position, and maintains the position of the locking member (420) in the locking position when a switching operation is performed with the locking member (420) in the locking position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle door stopping device. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle comprising: a body having an opening at the rear of the vehicle; a rear door that moves between a fully open position (fully open) and a fully closed position (fully closed); and an opening / closing adjustment device that stops the rear door at any intermediate position between the fully closed and fully open positions. The opening / closing adjustment device includes an operating member for performing a stop operation and a stop release operation, and an adjustment section for holding the rear door in an openable / closable state. The adjustment section is locked upon stopping the operating member, preventing the rear door from moving in the opening direction from any intermediate position, and the adjustment section is released from the lock upon stopping the operating member.

[0003] In this way, if the rear door cannot be fully opened due to obstacles or other reasons behind the vehicle, the user can stop the rear door in front of the obstacle.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-172902

[0007] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] The aforementioned opening and closing adjustment device is configured to connect one end of the rear door in the vehicle width direction to one end of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the operating components of the opening and closing adjustment device may not be in an easily accessible position for the user operating the rear door. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide a vehicle door stopping device that allows users to conveniently stop the vehicle door at any position.

[0010] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0011] To achieve the aforementioned objective, a door stopping device is configured to stop a door that selectively opens and closes between a fully closed position and a fully open position, wherein the fully closed position is a position in which the door opening on the vehicle body is fully closed, and the fully open position is a position in which the door opening is fully open. The door stopping device includes: a drum configured to rotate in a first rotation direction when the door is opened, and to rotate in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction when the door is closed; and a locking member displaced to a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position restricts rotation of the drum in the first rotation direction while allowing... The drum's rotation position in the second rotation direction, the unlocking position being a position that allows rotation of the drum in both the first and second rotation directions; and a switching mechanism, configured such that when the action of rotating the drum in the second rotation direction and then in the first rotation direction is defined as a switching action, the switching mechanism switches the position of the locking member from the unlocking position to the locking position when the switching action is performed with the locking member in the unlocking position, and on the other hand, when the switching action is performed with the locking member in the locking position, the switching mechanism maintains the position of the locking member in the locking position. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a side view showing the schematic structure of a vehicle equipped with the stopping device of the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the aforementioned stopping device viewed from the front.

[0014] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the aforementioned stopping device viewed from the rear.

[0015] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the aforementioned stopping device viewed from the front.

[0016] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of the aforementioned stopping device viewed from the rear.

[0017] Figure 6 This is an exploded perspective view of the switching mechanism in the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 This is an exploded perspective view of the aforementioned switching mechanism.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram used to illustrate the function of the switching mechanism described above.

[0020] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram used to illustrate the function of the switching mechanism described above.

[0021] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram used to illustrate the function of the switching mechanism described above.

[0022] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram used to illustrate the function of the switching mechanism described above.

[0023] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram used to illustrate the function of the switching mechanism described above.

[0024] Figure 13 This is a rear view of the aforementioned stopping device when the rear door is in the fully closed position.

[0025] Figure 14 It's a backdoor from Figure 13 Rear view of the aforementioned stopping device when the starting action is slightly performed.

[0026] Figure 15 It's a backdoor from Figure 14 Rear view of the aforementioned stopping device when the starting action is slightly performed.

[0027] Figure 16 This is a rear view of the aforementioned stopping device when the rear door is in the middle position.

[0028] Figure 17 It's a backdoor from Figure 16 Rear view of the aforementioned stopping device when it is slightly closed.

[0029] Figure 18 It's a backdoor from Figure 17 Rear view of the above-mentioned stop position when the start-up action is slightly performed.

[0030] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the function of the aforementioned switching mechanism when the rear door is near the fully closed position.

[0031] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the function of the aforementioned switching mechanism when the rear door is near the fully closed position.

[0032] Figure 21 This is an exploded perspective view of the switching mechanism in the second embodiment.

[0033] Figure 22 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the function of the switching mechanism in the second embodiment.

[0034] Figure 23 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the function of the switching mechanism in the second embodiment.

[0035] Figure 24This is a schematic diagram illustrating the function of the switching mechanism in the second embodiment.

[0036] Figure 25 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the function of the switching mechanism in the second embodiment.

[0037] Figure 26 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the function of the switching mechanism in the second embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0038] (First Implementation)

[0039] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a vehicle equipped with a door stopping device (hereinafter also referred to as "stopping device") will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle 10 includes: a body 12 with a door opening 11 at the rear; a rear door 20 as an example of a "door" that selectively opens and closes the door opening 11; a gas spring 30 disposed between the body 12 and the rear door 20; and a stopping device 40 that stops the rear door 20 at any position.

[0041] The door opening 11 is generally rectangular in shape and opens at the rear of the vehicle. The door opening 11 is an opening for the user to take luggage out of the trunk of the vehicle 10 or for the user to load luggage into the trunk of the vehicle 10.

[0042] The rear door 20 has a shape corresponding to the door opening 11. The rear door 20 is rotatably supported on the upper part of the door opening 11 via a rotation shaft 21 extending in the vehicle width direction. The rear door 20 can selectively open and close between a "fully open position" where the door opening 11 is fully open and a "fully closed position" where the door opening 11 is fully closed by rotating about the axis of the rotation shaft 21. In addition, the rear door 20 has a door handle 22 for the user to operate when the user is about to open the rear door 20.

[0043] The gas spring 30 has a cylindrical cylinder 31 and a rod-shaped piston rod 32. The gas spring 30 applies force to the rear door 20 by the reaction force of the high-pressure gas sealed between the cylinder 31 and the piston rod 32. The gas spring 30 applies force to the rear door 20 in the opening direction when the rear door 20 is in the fully closed position and when the rear door 20 is in the fully open position. One end of the gas spring 30 is connected to the vehicle body 12 in a manner that allows it to rotate about an axis extending in the vehicle width direction, and the other end of the gas spring 30 is connected to the rear door 20 in a manner that allows it to rotate about an axis extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0044] The weight of the rear door 20, the reaction force of the gas spring 30, and the user's operating force on the door handle 22 can all act on the rear door 20. That is, a first torque corresponding to the weight of the rear door 20, a second torque corresponding to the reaction force of the gas spring 30, and a third torque corresponding to the user's operating force can all act on the rear door 20.

[0045] Here, the first torque is expressed as the product of the weight of the rear door 20 and the distance from the rotation axis 21 of the rear door 20 to the center of gravity of the rear door 20. The second torque is expressed as the product of the reaction force of the gas spring 30 and the distance from the rotation axis 21 of the rear door 20 to the connection point between the rear door 20 and the gas spring 30. The third torque is expressed as the product of the user's operating force and the distance from the rotation axis 21 of the rear door 20 to the door handle 22.

[0046] The operating force of the door handle 22 is positive when applied to the opening direction of the rear door 20, and negative when applied to the closing direction of the rear door 20. Furthermore, in the following description, "M1" represents the first torque, "M2" represents the second torque, and "M3" represents the third torque.

[0047] In the rear door 20, if "M1 > M2 + M3" holds true, in other words, the torque acting on the rear door 20 in the closing direction is greater than the torque acting on the rear door 20 in the opening direction, the rear door 20 closes. Conversely, if "M1 < M2 + M3" holds true, in other words, the torque acting on the rear door 20 in the opening direction is greater than the torque acting on the rear door 20 in the closing direction, the rear door 20 opens. Furthermore, if "M1 = M2 + M3" holds true, in other words, the torque acting on the rear door 20 in the closing direction is equal to the torque acting on the rear door 20 in the opening direction, the rear door 20 stops.

[0048] In the following description, the position of the back door 20 when "M1 = M2" is true is referred to as the "neutral position" if the user does not operate the back door 20. In the first embodiment, when the back door 20 is located closer to the fully closed position than the neutral position, in other words, when the back door 20 is located between the neutral position and the fully closed position, the back door 20 will close. On the other hand, when the back door 20 is located closer to the fully open position than the neutral position, in other words, when the back door 20 is located between the neutral position and the fully open position, the back door 20 will open.

[0049] Next, the stopping device 40 will be described.

[0050] The stopping device 40 is a device that stops the rear door 20 at any position between the fully open and fully closed positions, specifically, between the fully open and neutral positions, based on the user's opening and closing operation of the rear door 20. In other words, the stopping device 40 is a device that stops the rear door 20 within the range where "M1 < M2" is true.

[0051] like Figures 2-5 As shown, the stopping device 40 includes a frame 100, a drum unit 200, a transmission mechanism 300, a locking mechanism 400, a switching mechanism 500, and a cancellation mechanism 600. Figure 2 The accompanying drawings, in a later part, show the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, which indicate direction. When the stop device 40 is mounted on the vehicle 10, the X-axis extends in the width direction of the vehicle, the Y-axis extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the Z-axis extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0052] The frame 100 is described below.

[0053] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the frame 100 includes: a flat substrate 110; a housing 120 disposed on one side of the substrate 110 in the thickness direction; and a cover 130 disposed on the other side of the substrate 110 in the thickness direction. In addition, the frame 100 includes a first support shaft 141, a second support shaft 142, and a third support shaft 143 supported on the substrate 110 and the housing 120.

[0054] The substrate 110 is made of, for example, a metal plate. The substrate 110 has multiple holes and protrusions for securing the housing 110 and the cover 130, or for supporting the first support shaft 141, the second support shaft 142, and the third support shaft 143. The housing 120 is formed to be the same size as the substrate 110, and the cover 130 is formed to be smaller than the housing 120. The housing 120 and the cover 130 may, for example, be mounted to the substrate 110 by snap-fit ​​or by fasteners such as bolts.

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, the housing 120 includes: a drum housing portion 121 for housing the drum 210 of the drum unit 200; a sector gear housing portion 122 for housing the sector gear 340 of the transmission mechanism 300; and a switching mechanism housing portion 123 for housing the switching mechanism 500. Furthermore, the wall of the dividing drum housing portion 121 has a fourth branch shaft 124 extending toward the substrate 110. The wall of the dividing sector gear housing portion 122 has a first wall portion 125 and a second wall portion 126 opposite to the first branch shaft 141. The wall of the dividing switching mechanism housing portion 123 has a third wall portion 127, a fourth wall portion 128, and a fifth wall portion 129 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing 120.

[0056] The drum unit 200 will be described.

[0057] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the drum unit 200 includes a drum 210 that rotates together with the first support shaft 141 and a cable 220 wound around the drum 210. Additionally, as... Figure 3 As shown, the drum unit 200 has a first spring 230 that applies force to the drum 210.

[0058] like Figure 4 As shown, drum 210 is generally circular. Drum 210 has: a peripheral groove 211 for guiding the winding of cable 220; an insertion hole 212 for inserting the first end of cable 220; and a connecting groove 213 connecting the peripheral groove 211 and the insertion hole 212. The peripheral groove 211 is spirally arranged on the outer peripheral surface of drum 210. The insertion hole 212 extends through drum 210 axially. The connecting groove 213 connects the base end of the peripheral groove 211 and the insertion hole 212.

[0059] like Figure 4 As shown, the first end of the cable 220 is fixed in a state where it is inserted into the insertion hole 212 of the drum 210. The cable 220 extending from the insertion hole 212 is wound into the peripheral groove 211 of the drum 210. Figure 1 As shown, the second end of the cable 220 extending from the drum 210 is fixed to the rear door 20. (As indicated...) Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the drum 210 is disposed between the base plate 110 and the housing 120. At this time, the drum 210 is housed in the drum housing portion 121 of the housing 120 and is supported by the first support shaft 141 so that it can rotate integrally with the first support shaft 141.

[0060] like Figure 3 As shown, the first spring 230 is a so-called helical spring. The first spring 230 is disposed on the opposite side of the drum 210 on the base plate 110. One end of the first spring 230 is engaged with the top end of a first support shaft 141 penetrating the base plate 110, and the other end of the first spring 230 is engaged with the base plate 110. At this time, the first spring 230 applies an initial load to the first support shaft 141, causing the drum 210 to rotate in the direction of winding the cable 220. Furthermore, the first spring 230 is covered by a cover 130.

[0061] Thus, when the rear door 20 is opened, the cable 200 is pulled out from the drum 210 because the opening of the rear door 20 pulls the cable 220. At this time, the first spring 230 elastically deforms according to the amount of rotation of the drum 210, specifically according to the amount of rotation of the first support shaft 141. On the other hand, when the rear door 20 is closed, the drum 210 rotates together with the first support shaft 141 due to the restoring force of the first spring 230, and the drum 210 winds up the cable 220. That is, even when the rear door 20 is closed, the cable 220 does not become slack.

[0062] In the following description, the direction of rotation of drum 210 when the rear door 20 is opened is defined as "first rotation direction R11", and the direction of rotation of drum 210 when the rear door 20 is closed is defined as "second rotation direction R12". First rotation direction R11 is the opposite of second rotation direction R12.

[0063] The transmission mechanism 300 is described below.

[0064] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the transmission mechanism 300 includes: a drive gear 310 disposed on the same axis as the drum 210; a freewheeling gear 320 meshing with the drive gear 310; and a driven gear 330 meshing with the freewheeling gear 320. Additionally, the transmission mechanism 300 includes: a sector gear 340 disposed on the same axis as the driven gear 330; and a rotational damper 350 disposed between the driven gear 330 and the sector gear 340.

[0065] The drive gear 310 is supported by the first shaft 141 and is able to rotate integrally with the first shaft 141. The idler gear 320 is supported by the second shaft 142 and is able to rotate relative to the second shaft 142. Figure 5 As shown, the idler gear 320 has an engaging protrusion 321 that protrudes axially toward the idler gear 320. The engaging protrusion 321 is generally cylindrical and protrudes from the side of the idler gear 320 facing the substrate 110. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the driven gear 330 and the sector gear 340 each have a fifth support shaft 331 rotatably supported on the base plate 110 and a fifth support shaft 341 rotatably supported on the housing 120, respectively. The sector gear 340 is housed in the sector gear housing portion 122 of the housing 120.

[0066] The drive gear 310, idler gear 320, and driven gear 330 are circular gears, and the sector gear 340 is a sector-shaped gear. Among the drive gear 310, idler gear 320, and driven gear 330, the driven gear 330 has the fewest teeth, and the idler gear 320 has the most teeth.

[0067] The rotary damper 350, located between the driven gear 330 and the sector gear 340, allows torque less than a specified value to be transmitted and limits torque exceeding a specified value to be transmitted. That is, the driven gear 330 and the sector gear 340 can rotate together or relative to each other. In this respect, the rotary damper 350 functions as a so-called torque limiter.

[0068] In the transmission mechanism 300, when the drum 210 rotates, the drive gear 310, idler gear 320, driven gear 330, and sector gear 340 rotate. In the following description, the rotation direction of the drive gear 310, which is arranged on the same axis as the drum 210, is defined as the first rotation direction R11 and the second rotation direction R12; the rotation direction of the idler gear 320 is defined as the first rotation direction R21 and the second rotation direction R22; and the rotation directions of the driven gear 330 and the sector gear 340 are defined as the first rotation direction R31 and the second rotation direction R32.

[0069] When drum 210 rotates in the first rotational direction R11, in the transmission mechanism 300, drive gear 310 rotates in the first rotational direction R11, idler gear 320 rotates in the second rotational direction R22, and driven gear 330 and sector gear 340 rotate in the first rotational direction R31. On the other hand, when drum 210 rotates in the second rotational direction R12, in the transmission mechanism 300, drive gear 310 rotates in the second rotational direction R12, idler gear 320 rotates in the first rotational direction R21, and driven gear 330 and sector gear 340 rotate in the second rotational direction R32.

[0070] In the first embodiment, when the rear door 20 selectively opens and closes between a fully closed position and a fully open position, the idler gear 320 rotates approximately one unit, while the drive gear 310 and driven gear 330 rotate much more than the idler gear 320. On the other hand, as... Figure 5 As shown, the range of rotation of the sector gear 340 is smaller than the angle between the first wall portion 125 and the second wall portion 126 of the sector gear receiving portion 122. Therefore, when the driven gear 330 is in a state where it can rotate and the sector gear 340 cannot rotate, the driven gear 330 and the sector gear 340 are rotated relative to each other by the rotation damper 350.

[0071] The locking mechanism 400 is explained.

[0072] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the locking mechanism 400 includes a ratchet 410 that rotates by a torque transmitted from the drum 210 and a locking member 420 that locks the rotation of the ratchet 410.

[0073] The teeth of the ratchet 410 are inclined in the circumferential direction compared to ordinary gears. The ratchet 410 is positioned between the drum 210 and the drive gear 310 with the first support shaft 141 inserted into it. That is, the ratchet 410, the drum 210, and the drive gear 310 are arranged on the same axis. Therefore, the ratchet 410 and the drum 210 rotate integrally in the first rotational direction R11 and the second rotational direction R12.

[0074] The locking member 420 is rod-shaped. The locking member 420 has a locking claw 421 at its top end. Additionally, the locking member 420 has a first through hole 422 penetrating the base end and a second through hole 423 penetrating the top end. The cross-sectional shape of the first through hole 422 is approximately circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the second through hole 423 is approximately elliptical. The locking member 420 is supported by a third support shaft 143 by inserting it into the first through hole 422, allowing it to rotate relative to the third support shaft 143.

[0075] The locking member 420 rotates about the axis of the third support shaft 143 between a locked position engaged with the ratchet 410 and an unlocked position not engaged with the ratchet 410. When the locking member 420 is in the locked position, rotation of the ratchet 410 in the first rotation direction R11 is restricted, while rotation of the ratchet 410 in the second rotation direction R12 is permitted. Conversely, when the locking member 420 is in the unlocked position, rotation of the ratchet 410 in both the first and second rotation directions R11 and R12 is permitted.

[0076] The switching mechanism 500 is described below.

[0077] In the following explanation, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the direction in which the constituent parts of the switching mechanism 500 are connected is designated as "axial direction A". One direction in axial direction A of the switching mechanism 500 is designated as "first direction A1" and the opposite direction of first direction A1 is designated as "second direction A2". In addition, one direction in circumferential direction C of the switching mechanism 500 is designated as "first circumferential direction C1" and the opposite direction of first circumferential direction C1 is designated as "second circumferential direction C2".

[0078] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the switching mechanism 500 includes: a cylindrical body 510; a movable body 520 that moves relative to the cylindrical body 510 in an axial direction A; a pushing body 530 that moves relative to the cylindrical body 510 in an axial direction A; and a rotor 540 that rotates relative to the cylindrical body 510 in a circumferential direction C. Additionally, the switching mechanism 500 includes a third spring 550 that applies force to the rotor 540 in a second direction A2, and a connecting body 560 that connects the locking member 420 to the rotor 540.

[0079] The axial direction of the cylinder 510 is aligned with axial direction A, and the circumferential direction of the cylinder 510 is aligned with circumferential direction C. The cylinder 510 has a first guide groove 511 for guiding the movement of the movable body 520 along axial direction A and a second guide groove 512 for guiding the movement of the pusher body 530 along axial direction A. The first guide groove 511 and the second guide groove 512 extend from the end of the cylinder 510 in the second direction A2 toward the first direction A1.

[0080] The cylinder 510 has a first guide surface 513 and a second guide surface 514 that are inclined toward a second direction A2 as it moves toward a first circumferential direction C1; and a first limiting surface 515 and a second limiting surface 516 extending in the axial direction A. Additionally, the cylinder 510 has a first engaging portion 517 located at the end of the first limiting surface 515 in the second direction A2 and a second engaging portion 518 located at the end of the second limiting surface 516 in the second direction A2.

[0081] The first guide surface 513 and the second guide surface 514 have equal inclinations with respect to the axial direction A, and the first limiting surface 515 and the second limiting surface 516 extend in the same direction. On the other hand, in the circumferential direction C, the first guide surface 513 is longer than the second guide surface 514, and in the axial direction A, the first limiting surface 515 is shorter than the second limiting surface 516. In addition, in the first direction A1, the top formed by the first guide surface 513 and the second limiting surface 516 is at the same height as the top formed by the second guide surface 514 and the first limiting surface 515.

[0082] Multiple first guide surfaces 513 and multiple second guide surfaces 514 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction C, and multiple first restricting surfaces 515 and multiple second restricting surfaces 516 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction C. In the first embodiment, the number of each of the first guide surfaces 513, second guide surfaces 514, first restricting surfaces 515 and second restricting surfaces 516 is "3".

[0083] The first guide surface 513, the first limiting surface 515, the second guide surface 514, and the second limiting surface 516 are arranged in the first circumferential direction C1 in the order described. The first engaging portion 517 is the boundary portion between the first guide surface 513 and the first limiting surface 515, and the second engaging portion 518 is a groove extending in the second direction A2 between the second guide surface 514 and the second limiting surface 516 in the circumferential direction C. The first guide surface 513 and the second guide surface 514 extend toward the first engaging portion 517 and the second engaging portion 518, respectively, and the first limiting surface 515 and the second limiting surface 516 extend from the first engaging portion 517 and the second engaging portion 518, respectively. The bottom surface of the second engaging portion 518 has the same degree of inclination as the second guide surface 514.

[0084] The movable body 520 includes: a rack 521 that meshes with a sector gear 340 of the transmission mechanism 300; a generally cylindrical cylindrical portion 522; and a connecting portion 523 that connects the rack 521 and the cylindrical portion 522. The cylindrical portion 522 includes: a first guide shaft 524 extending radially outward from an end in the second direction A2; and a first pressing surface 525 and a second pressing surface 526 serving as end faces in the first direction A1 of the cylindrical portion 522. The first pressing surface 525 is inclined toward the second direction A2 as it advances toward the first circumferential direction C1, and the second pressing surface 526 is inclined toward the first direction A1 as it advances toward the first circumferential direction C1. A plurality of first pressing surfaces 525 and a plurality of second pressing surfaces 526 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction C. In the circumferential direction C, the length of the first pressing surface 525 is equal to the length of the second pressing surface 526. In the first embodiment, the number of first pressing surfaces 525 and second pressing surfaces 526 formed is "3".

[0085] The pusher body 530 is generally cylindrical. The pusher body 530 has a third guide groove 531 extending from its end in the second direction A2 toward the first direction A1. Furthermore, the pusher body 530 has: a second guide shaft 532 extending radially outward from its middle portion in the axial direction A; a cam shaft 533 extending from the top end of the second guide shaft 532; and a third pressing surface 534 serving as an end face of the pusher body 530 in the first direction A1. The second guide shaft 532 is generally prismatic, and the cam shaft 533 is generally cylindrical. The third pressing surface 534 is inclined toward the second direction A2 as it advances toward the first circumferential direction C1. A plurality of third pressing surfaces 534 are arranged in the circumferential direction C. In the first embodiment, the number of third pressing surfaces 534 is "3".

[0086] The rotor 540 has a shaft 541 extending in the axial direction A and a plurality of engaging tabs 542 extending radially from the shaft 541. The shaft 541 has an engaging hole 543 extending from an end in the first direction A1 to the second direction A2. The top surface of the engaging tab 542 in the second direction A2 is a cam surface 544 that faces the second direction A2 as it advances in the first circumferential direction C1. The cam surface 544 is a surface that slides on the first guide surface 513 and the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510, on the first pressing surface 525 and the second pressing surface 526 of the moving body 520, and on the third pressing surface 534 of the pushing body 530.

[0087] The connector 560 includes: a circular flange 561; a bending shaft 562 extending from the flange 561 in a first direction A1; and a locking shaft 563 extending from the flange 571 in a second direction A2. The flange 561 is, for example, a portion supporting the end of a third spring 550, which is a helical spring. The bending shaft 562 is bent in a generally L-shape. The third spring 550 is an example of a "force-applying component".

[0088] Then, by inserting the movable body 520 and the pushing body 530 into the cylinder 510 in the first direction A1, and inserting the rotor 540, the third spring 550, and the connecting body 560 into the cylinder 510 in the second direction A2, the switching mechanism 500 is configured. With the movable body 520 and the pushing body 530 inserted into the cylinder 510, the first guide shaft 524 of the movable body 520 is received in the first guide groove 511 of the cylinder 510 and the third guide groove 531 of the pushing body 530, and the second guide shaft 532 of the pushing body 530 is received in the second guide groove 512 of the cylinder 510. Thus, the movable body 520 cannot rotate in the circumferential direction C relative to the cylinder 510 and the pushing body 530, but can move in the axial direction A. Similarly, the pushing body 530 cannot rotate in the circumferential direction C relative to the cylinder 510, but can move in the axial direction A.

[0089] With the rotor 540 inserted into the cylinder 510, the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 is axially opposite to any one of the first guide surface 513, the second guide surface 514, and the bottom surface of the second engaging portion 518 of the cylinder 510. The cam surface 544 is axially opposite to any one of the first pressing surface 525 and the second pressing surface 526 of the moving body 520, and the cam surface 544 is axially opposite to the third pressing surface 534 of the pushing body 530.

[0090] Furthermore, the rotor 540 is engaged with the cylinder 510 by the force exerted by the third spring 550. Specifically, the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 engages with one of the first engaging portion 517 and the second engaging portion 518 of the cylinder 510. When the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 is engaged with one of the first engaging portion 517 and the second engaging portion 518 of the cylinder 510, rotation of the rotor 540 in the first circumferential direction C1 is restricted by bringing the engaging piece 542 into contact with either the first limiting surface 515 or the second limiting surface 516 of the cylinder 510. On the other hand, when the rotor 540 is not engaged with the cylinder 510, in other words, when the rotor 540 has been displaced relative to the cylinder 510 in the first direction A1, rotation of the rotor 540 in the circumferential direction C is permitted.

[0091] With the connector 560 inserted into the cylinder 510, the engaging shaft 563 of the connector 560 is inserted into the engaging hole 543 of the rotor 540. Because the third spring 550 applies force to the connector 560 in the second direction A2, the connector 560 is always pressing against the rotor 540 in the second direction A2. Therefore, when the rotor 540 moves in the first direction A1 and the second direction A2, the connector 560 remains in contact with the rotor 540 and moves together with the rotor 540.

[0092] like Figure 5 As shown, the switching mechanism 500 is housed in the switching mechanism receiving portion 123 of the housing 120. At this time, the cylinder 510 is positioned between the third wall portion 127 and the fourth wall portion 128, and cannot move in the first direction A1 and the second direction A2. Furthermore, the third spring 550 is compressed between the flange 561 of the connecting body 560 and the third wall portion 127. Thus, the third spring 550 exerts force on the rotor 540 and the connecting body 560 in the second direction A2. Additionally, the bending shaft 562 of the connecting body 560 is inserted into the second through hole 423 of the locking member 420. That is, by moving the bending shaft 562 of the connecting body 560 forward and backward in the axial direction A, the locking member 420 is displaced between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0093] like Figure 2 As shown, the rack 521 of the movable body 520 and the sector gear 340 of the transmission mechanism 300 together constitute a rack and pinion mechanism. Therefore, the movable body 520 moves in the first direction A1 or in the second direction A2 depending on the rotation direction of the sector gear 340 of the transmission mechanism 300. Specifically, when the rear door 20 is opened and the drum 210 rotates in the first rotation direction R11, the movable body 520 moves in the second direction A2; when the rear door 20 is closed and the drum 210 rotates in the second rotation direction R12, the movable body 520 moves in the first direction A1.

[0094] Next, refer to Figures 8-12 The function of switching mechanism 500 is explained.

[0095] Figures 8-12 The schematic diagram illustrates a portion of the structure of the cylinder 510, a portion of the structure of the moving body 520, and a portion of the structure of the rotor 540.

[0096] Figure 8 This indicates the positional relationship between the cylinder 510, the moving body 520, and the rotor 540 when the moving body 520 moves in the second direction A2. For example... Figure 8As shown, because the third spring 550 applies force to the rotor 540 in the second direction A2, the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 presses against the first guide surface 513 of the cylinder 510 in the second direction A2. Since the first guide surface 513 of the cylinder 510 is inclined toward the second direction A2 as it advances toward the first circumferential direction C1, the engaging tab 542 of the rotor 540 moves along the first guide surface 513 of the cylinder 510. As a result, the engaging tab 542 of the rotor 540 contacts the first limiting surface 515 of the cylinder 510. Thus, the engaging tab 542 of the rotor 540 engages with the first engaging portion 517 of the cylinder 510 by being guided by the first guide surface 513.

[0097] In the following explanation, Figure 8 The position of the rotor 540 shown is called the "forward position". The forward position is one of the positions in which the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 engages with the first engaging part 517, thereby stabilizing the attitude of the rotor 540. When the rotor 540 is in the forward position, the locking member 420 is in the unlocked position.

[0098] like Figure 9 As shown by the solid line, when the moving body 520 moves from... Figure 8 When the moving body 520 moves in the first direction A1, its first pressing surface 525 presses against the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 in the first direction A1. When the first pressing surface 525 of the moving body 520 moves in the first direction A1 relative to the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510, the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 does not engage with the first guide surface 513 and the first limiting surface 515 of the cylinder 510. Because the first pressing surface 525 of the moving body 520 is inclined toward the second direction A2 as it moves in the first circumferential direction C1, the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 moves along the first pressing surface 525 of the moving body 520. Specifically, as... Figure 9 As shown by the double-dotted line, the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 slides on the first pressing surface 525 of the moving body 520, so that the rotor 540 rotates relative to the moving body 520 in the first circumferential direction C1.

[0099] On the other hand, since the second pressing surface 526, which is adjacent to the first pressing surface 525 of the moving body 520 in the first circumferential direction C1, is inclined toward the first direction A1 as it moves toward the first circumferential direction C1, the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 does not slide on the second pressing surface 526 of the moving body 520. As a result, the tip of the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 rests at the boundary between the first pressing surface 525 of the moving body 520 and the second pressing surface 526, which is adjacent to the first pressing surface 525 in the first circumferential direction C1.

[0100] In the following explanation, Figure 9The position of the rotor 540 in the circumferential direction C, indicated by the double-dotted line, is referred to as the "first position". When the rotor 540 is in the first position, the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 is axially opposite the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510 in the axial direction A. At this point, when the rotor 540 is in the forward position, as the moving body 520 moves in the first direction A1, the first pressing surface 525 of the moving body 520 causes the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 to be axially opposite the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510.

[0101] like Figure 10 As shown by the solid line, when the moving body 520 moves from... Figure 9 When the rotor 540 moves in the second direction A2 as shown, the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 is not in contact with the first pressing surface 525 of the moving body 520. That is, the state in which the first pressing surface 525 of the moving body 520 presses the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 in the first direction A1 is released, and the state in which the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 presses the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510 is changed. In other words, the rotor 540, which was pressed in the first direction A1, is to be restored in the second direction A2. Since the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510 is inclined toward the second direction A2 as it moves toward the first circumferential direction C1, the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 will move along the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510. In detail, the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 slides on the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510 so that the rotor 540 rotates relative to the moving body 520 in the first circumferential direction C1.

[0102] The second engaging portion 518 is located between the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510 and the first guide surface 513 adjacent to the first circumferential C1 of the second guide surface 514. Therefore, when the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 continues to slide on the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510, as Figure 10 As shown by the double-dotted line, the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 engages with the second engaging portion 518 of the cylinder 510. That is, the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 is guided towards the second engaging portion 518 by the second guide surface 514.

[0103] In the following explanation, Figure 10 The position of the rotor 540 shown, that is, the position where the rotor 540 has moved in the second direction A2 compared to the forward position, is called the "reverse position". The reverse position is one of the positions where the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 engages with the second engaging part 518, thereby stabilizing the attitude of the rotor 540. When the rotor 540 is in the reverse position, the locking member 420 is in the locked position.

[0104] like Figure 11 As shown by the solid line, when the moving body 520 moves from... Figure 10When the moving body 520 moves in the first direction A1, its second pressing surface 526 presses against the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 in the first direction A1. When the second pressing surface 526 of the moving body 520 moves in the first direction A1 relative to the first guide surface 513 of the cylinder 510, the rotor 540 does not engage with the cylinder 510. Because the second pressing surface 526 of the moving body 520 is inclined toward the second direction A2 as it moves toward the second circumferential direction C2, the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 moves along the second pressing surface 526 of the moving body 520. Specifically, as... Figure 11 As shown by the solid line, the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 slides on the second pressing surface 526 of the moving body 520, so that the rotor 540 rotates relative to the moving body 520 in the second circumferential direction C2.

[0105] On the other hand, since the first pressing surface 525 adjacent to the second pressing surface 526 of the moving body 520 in the second circumferential direction C2 is inclined toward the second direction A2 as it moves toward the first circumferential direction C1, the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 does not slide on the first pressing surface 525 of the moving body 520. As a result, the tip of the engaging tab 542 of the rotor 540 rests at the boundary between the second pressing surface 526 of the moving body 520 and the first pressing surface 525 adjacent to the second pressing surface 526 in the second circumferential direction C2. In other words, the rotor 540 is located at the boundary between the second pressing surface 526 of the moving body 520 and the first pressing surface 525 adjacent to the second pressing surface 526 in the second circumferential direction C2. Figure 9 The same first position. At this point, with the rotor 540 configured in the retracted position, when the moving body 520 moves in the first direction A1, the second pressing surface 526 causes the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 to be axially opposite to the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510 in the axial direction A.

[0106] like Figure 12 As shown by the solid line, when the moving body 520 moves from... Figure 11 When the rotor 540 moves in the second direction A2 as shown, the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 does not engage with the first pressing surface 525 of the moving body 520. That is, the state in which the first pressing surface 525 of the moving body 520 presses the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 in the first direction A1 is released, and the state in which the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 presses the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510 is changed. In other words, the rotor 540, which was pressed in the first direction A1, is to be restored in the second direction A2.

[0107] Thus, as Figure 12 As shown by the double-dotted line, the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 slides on the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510, causing the rotor 540 to rotate relative to the moving body 520 in the first circumferential direction C1. Therefore, when the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 continues to slide on the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510, the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 engages with the second engaging portion 518 of the cylinder 510. That is, with... Figure 10 Similarly, as shown, rotor 540 is in the reverse position.

[0108] like Figures 8-12 As shown, when the rotor 540 is in the forward position, the switching mechanism 500 switches the position of the rotor 540 from the forward position to the backward position when the moving body 520 moves from the first direction A1 to the second direction A2. That is, the switching mechanism 500 switches the position of the locking member 420 from the unlocked position to the locked position. On the other hand, when the rotor 540 is in the backward position, even if the moving body 520 moves from the first direction A1 to the second direction A2, the position of the rotor 540 will not switch from the backward position to the forward position. That is, the switching mechanism 500 does not switch the position of the locking member 420 from the locked position to the unlocked position. In other words, the switching mechanism 500 maintains the position of the locking member 420 in the locked position.

[0109] Furthermore, in the switching mechanism 500, the movable body 520 moves in the first direction A1 when the drum 210 rotates in the second rotation direction R12, and moves in the second direction A2 when the drum 210 rotates in the first rotation direction R11. Therefore, when the user performs a closing operation on the rear door 20 and then an opening operation, the movable body 520 of the switching mechanism 500 moves in the first direction A1 and then in the second direction A2. Thus, the switching mechanism 500 can switch the position of the locking member 420 from the unlocked position to the locked position based on the user's closing and opening operations on the rear door 20.

[0110] In the following description, the user operation required for the switching mechanism 500 to switch the position of the locking component 420 will be referred to as the "switching operation," and the action of the drum 210 required for the switching mechanism 500 to switch the position of the locking component 420 will be referred to as the "switching action." The switching operation is the operation of closing the rear door 20 by a predetermined amount and then opening the rear door 20 by a predetermined amount. The switching action is the operation of rotating the drum 210 by a predetermined amount in the second rotation direction R12 and then rotating the drum 210 by a predetermined amount in the first rotation direction R11.

[0111] Explanation regarding the cancellation of agency 600.

[0112] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the cancellation mechanism 600 has a cancellation lever 610 that is generally L-shaped in the front view and a fourth spring 620 that applies force to the cancellation lever 610.

[0113] The cancelling rod 610 has: a base 612 through which a support hole 611 passes; a first rod 613 and a second rod 614 extending radially from the base 612 toward the support hole 611. The first rod 613 and the second rod 614 extend in opposite directions, and the angle between the first rod 613 and the second rod 614 is approximately 120°. The second rod 614 has a locking hole 615 and an elongated hole 616 that pass through the support hole 611 in the same direction. The fourth spring 620 is a so-called tension coil spring.

[0114] like Figure 5 As shown, the cancel lever 610 is inserted through the support hole 611 of the base 612 via the fourth support shaft 124 of the housing 120 and is supported by the fourth support shaft 124 to be rotatable. With the cancel lever 610 supported by the fourth support shaft 124, the first lever 613 can contact the engagement protrusion 321 of the idler gear 320, and the camshaft 533 of the pusher 530 of the switching mechanism 500 is inserted through the elongated hole 616 of the second lever 614. Furthermore, in the extended state, one end of the fourth spring 620 is locked in the locking hole 615 of the cancel lever 610, and the other end of the fourth spring 620 is locked in the fourth wall portion 128 of the housing 120.

[0115] Next, refer to Figures 13-20 The function of the stopping device 40 will be explained.

[0116] First, the function of the stop device 40 when the user switches the back door 20 to any position will be explained.

[0117] Figure 13 This indicates the state of the stop device 40 when the rear door 20 is in the fully closed position. When the rear door 20 is in the fully closed position, the drum 210 rotates to the second rotation direction R12, the idler gear 320 rotates to the first rotation direction R21, and the driven gear 330 and the sector gear 340 rotate to the second rotation direction R32.

[0118] Additionally, the cancel lever 610, which engages with the engagement protrusion 321 of the idler gear 320, is located at the position most rotated in the second rotation direction R42. When the cancel lever 610 rotates most in the second rotation direction R42, the pusher 530 of the switching mechanism 500 is lifted most in the first direction A1 via the camshaft 533. Thus, the rotor 540 of the switching mechanism 500 moves most in the first direction A1 within its range of motion, and the locking pawl 421 of the locking part 420 moves most away from the ratchet 410.

[0119] Figure 14 This indicates the state of the stop device 40 when the user operates the rear door 20 to open it slightly from the fully closed position. For example... Figure 14As shown, when the rear door 20 is opened from the fully closed position, the cable 220 is pulled out from the drum 210 because the rear door 20 pulls the cable 220. That is, because the drum 210 rotates in the first rotation direction R11, the idler gear 320 rotates in the second rotation direction R22, and the driven gear 330 and the sector gear 340 rotate in the first rotation direction R31.

[0120] When the idler gear 320 rotates in the second rotation direction R22, the engagement relationship between the engagement protrusion 321 of the idler gear 320 and the cancelling lever 610 changes. However, only the engagement position of the cancelling lever 610 with the engagement protrusion 321 of the idler gear 320 changes slightly, while the posture of the cancelling lever 610 remains largely unchanged.

[0121] Furthermore, when the sector gear 340 rotates in the first rotation direction R31, the moving body 520 of the switching mechanism 500 with rack 521 moves as follows: Figure 8 As shown, it moves in the second direction A2. However, since the attitude of the cancel lever 610 does not change, the pusher 530 and rotor 540 of the switching mechanism 500 remain at the position most towards the first direction A1 within their range of motion.

[0122] Furthermore, the sector gear 340 rotates in the first rotation direction R31 until the moving body 520 contacts the fifth wall portion 129 of the housing 120. After the moving body 520 contacts the fifth wall portion 129 of the housing 120, it can no longer rotate in the first rotation direction R31. Therefore, as Figure 14 As shown, when the moving body 520 comes into contact with the fifth wall portion 129 of the housing 120, and the driven gear 330 is to rotate in the first rotation direction R31, the driven gear 330 rotates relative to the sector gear 340.

[0123] Figure 15 This indicates that the user opens the backdoor 20, and the backdoor 20 is accessed from... Figure 14 The state shown is the state of the stop device 40 when it is slightly activated. For example... Figure 15 As shown, when the rear door 20 is further opened, the engagement relationship between the engagement protrusion 321 of the idler gear 320 and the cancel lever 610 changes. Specifically, the cancel lever 610 rotates in the first rotational direction R41 based on the restoring force of the fourth spring 620. This pushes the actuator 530 of the switching mechanism 500 down in the second direction A2 via the camshaft 533. Therefore, the actuator 530 moves in the second direction A2.

[0124] like Figure 15As shown, when the cancel lever 610 is at its position furthest from the first rotation direction R41, the pusher 530 moves furthest from the second direction A2 within its range of motion. When the cancel lever 610 is furthest from the first rotation direction R41, the pusher 530 cannot contact the rotor 540 of the switching mechanism 500. Therefore, the rotor 540 of the switching mechanism 500... Figure 8 It is in the forward position as shown. Furthermore, the cancel lever 610 cannot be moved from... Figure 15 The state shown indicates rotation in the first rotational direction R41 because the pusher 530 contacts the fourth wall portion 128 of the housing 120, thus preventing the pusher 530 from moving in the second direction A2. Meanwhile, the driven gear 330 rotates in the first rotational direction R31, while the sector gear 340 and the pusher 530 remain stationary.

[0125] Figure 16 This indicates the state when the user operates the rear door 20 to open it to any position between the neutral position and the fully open position (hereinafter also referred to as the "mid-way position"). For example... Figure 16 As shown, when the rear door 20 is opened to the middle position, it is in conjunction with... Figure 15 Compared to the situation shown, drum 210 rotates further in the first rotational direction R11, causing idler gear 320 to rotate further in the second rotational direction R22. That is, in the rotational direction of idler gear 320, the engagement protrusion 321 of idler gear 320 disengages from the release lever 610. Meanwhile, driven gear 330 rotates in the first rotational direction R31, while sector gear 340 and pusher 530 remain stationary. Subsequently, when the user performs a stop operation, the user slightly closes the rear door 20 from the intermediate position.

[0126] Figure 17 This indicates the state of the stopping device 40 when the user initiates the stop operation and the rear door 20 slightly closes from its intermediate position. For example... Figure 17 As shown, due to the back door 20 from Figure 16 When the state shown is slightly closed, the cable 220 becomes slack, so the drum 210 winds into the cable 220. That is, since the drum 210 rotates in the second rotation direction R12, the idler gear 320 rotates in the first rotation direction R21, and the driven gear 330 and the sector gear 340 rotate in the second rotation direction R32.

[0127] When the sector gear 340 rotates in the second rotation direction R32, the moving body 520 of the switching mechanism 500 with rack 521 moves in the first direction A1. Thus, as... Figure 9 As shown by the solid line and the double-dotted line, the moving body 520 presses the rotor 540 in the first direction A1, causing the rotor 540 to move in the first direction A1 relative to its previous position. The result is as follows: Figure 17 As shown, the locking component 420 is displaced in the first direction A1 compared to the unlocked position.

[0128] Figure 18 This indicates the state of the stop device 40 when the user completes the stop operation; the back door 20... Figure 17 The state shown is the state of the stop device 40 when the opening action is slightly performed. At this time, the user can open the rear door 20 by operating it in the opening direction or by releasing the rear door 20. The rear door 20 opens simply by releasing the hand because the rear door 20 is closer to the fully open position compared to the neutral position.

[0129] like Figure 18 As shown, due to the back door 20 from Figure 17 When the rear door 20 is slightly opened as shown, the cable 220 is pulled out from the drum 210. That is, since the drum 210 rotates in the first rotational direction R11, the idler gear 320 rotates in the second rotational direction R22, and the driven gear 330 and the sector gear 340 rotate in the first rotational direction R31. When the sector gear 340 rotates in the first rotational direction R31, the moving body 520 of the switching mechanism 500 with the rack 521 moves in the second direction A2. Thus, as... Figure 10 As shown, the rotor 540 switches to the reverse position. The result is as follows: Figure 18 As shown, the position of the locking component 420 is switched to the locked position.

[0130] When the locking component 420 is in the locked position, the drum 210 cannot rotate in the first rotation direction R11. That is, the rear door 20 cannot pull the cable 220 out from the drum 210, and the rear door 20 cannot be opened. Thus, the stopping device 40 stops the rear door 20.

[0131] In the user's Figure 18 When the stopping device 40 in the shown state is performing a switching operation, since the drum 210 rotates in the second rotation direction R12 and then in the first rotation direction R11, the moving body 520 moves in the first direction A1 and then in the second direction A2. Thus, as shown... Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, although the moving body 520 moves in the second direction A2 after pressing the rotor 540 in the first direction A1, the position of the rotor 540 does not change from the backward position to the forward position. That is, since the position of the locking position 420 does not change from the locked position to the unlocked position, the drum 210 remains in a state where it cannot rotate in the first rotation direction R11. Therefore, the rear door 20 remains in a state where it cannot be opened. Thus, once the user performs a switching operation, the rear door 20 cannot be opened unless it is closed to near the fully closed position.

[0132] Next, the function of the stopping device 40 when the rear door 20 is closed will be explained.

[0133] During the closing action of the rear door 20, the drum 210 rotates in the second rotation direction R12, therefore the idler gear 320 rotates in the first rotation direction R21, and the sector gear 340 rotates in the second rotation direction R32. Figure 15 As shown, when the rear door 20 is closed to near the fully closed position, the engaging protrusion 321 of the idler gear 320 contacts the cancel lever 610. Subsequently, as... Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, when the rear door 20 further closes, by pressing the engagement protrusion 321 of the idler gear 320, the release lever 610 rotates in the second rotation direction R42 while extending the fourth spring 620.

[0134] When the cancellation lever 610 rotates in the second rotation direction R42, the pusher 530 of the switching mechanism 500 is lifted in the first direction A1 via the camshaft 533. That is, the pusher 530 of the switching mechanism 500 moves in the first direction A1. Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, when the cancel lever 610 rotates to the second rotation direction R42, the pusher 530 of the switching mechanism 500 moves to the first direction A1. As a result, the pusher 530 of the switching mechanism 500 presses the rotor 540 of the switching mechanism 500 in the first direction A1.

[0135] Here, Figure 19 This indicates the state of the switching mechanism 500 when the rear door 20 is in the fully closed position. For example... Figure 19 As shown by the double-dotted line, when the rear door 20 closes to near the fully closed position, the third pressing surface 534 of the push body 530 moves relative to the first pressing surface 525 of the moving body 520 in the first direction A1, thus pressing the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 in the first direction A1 against the third pressing surface 534 of the push body 530. Figure 19 As shown by the double-dotted line, the cam 544 of the rotor 540 slides on the third pressing surface 534 of the pusher 530 to make the rotor 540 rotate relative to the pusher 530 in the first circumferential direction C1.

[0136] As a result, rotor 540 moves from circumferential direction C... Figure 19 The first position indicated by the solid line is towards Figure 19 The "second position" movement is indicated by the double-dotted line. In detail, the rotor 540 moves along the axial direction A from a first position where the cam surface 544 is opposite to the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510 to a second position where the cam surface 544 is opposite to the first guide surface 513 of the cylinder 510.

[0137] In such Figure 19 When the rotor 540 is in the second position as shown by the double-dotted line, and the rear door 20 is opened, the moving body 520 and the pushing body 530 move in the second direction A2. Thus, as... Figure 20 As shown, the rotor 540, pressed in the first direction A1, returns to its original position in the second direction A2, resulting in the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 pressing against the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510. As a result, the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 slides on the first guide surface 513 of the cylinder 510, causing the rotor 540 to rotate relative to the moving body 520 in the first circumferential direction C1. Figure 20 As shown by the double-dotted line, when the engaging tab 542 of the rotor 540 contacts the first limiting surface 515, the engaging tab 542 of the rotor 540 engages with the first engaging portion 517 of the cylinder 510. In this way, the rotor 540 moves to... Figure 20 The forward position is indicated by the double-dotted line. In other words, the rotor 540 does not move to the backward position, therefore the stopping device 40 does not stop the opening of the rear door 20.

[0138] Thus, when the actuating body 530 is near the fully closed position of the rear door 20 during the closing action, it initializes the position of the rotor 540 by moving the rotor 540 to the second position. In the following description, the function of the actuating body 530 in initializing the position of the rotor 540 will also be referred to as the "initialization function".

[0139] In addition, such as Figure 19 As shown by the double-dotted line, when the pusher 530 moves the rotor 540 in the first direction A1 relative to the retracted position, that is, when the third pressing surface 534 of the pusher 530 is located in the first direction A1 relative to the second limiting surface 516 of the cylinder 510, the rotor 540 cannot move to the retracted position. In other words, in this case, the stopping device 40 cannot stop the opening action of the rear door 20.

[0140] In this way, by having the rear door 20 in the vicinity of the fully closed position, the pusher 530 prevents the rotor 540 from moving to the rearward position, thereby invalidating the locking mechanism 420's locking of the rotation of the drum 210. In the following description, the function of the pusher 530 in invalidating the locking of the rotation of the drum 210 will also be referred to as the "invalidation function".

[0141] Here, when the rear door 20 is in the closing position, the position of the rear door 20 when the actuator 530 starts to disable the rotation of the drum 210 is locked is set as the "disabling position", and the position of the rear door 20 when the actuator 530 initializes the position of the rotor 540 of the switching mechanism 500 is set as the "initialization position". In this case, the disabling position and the initialization position are preferably positions between the neutral position and the fully closed position.

[0142] The effects of the first embodiment will be explained.

[0143] (1) The stopping device 40 can stop the rear door 20 at any position by switching the position of the locking member 420 from the unlocked position to the locked position when the user performs a switching operation. That is, the user can stop the rear door 20 at any position by closing the rear door 20 and then opening the rear door 20. In this way, the stopping device 40 allows the user to conveniently stop the rear door 20 at any position.

[0144] Furthermore, once the stopping device 40 switches the locking member 420 to the locked position, even if the user performs another switching operation, the locking member 420 cannot be switched to the unlocked position. In other words, once the stopping device 40 switches the locking member 420 to the locked position, even if the user performs another switching operation, the locking member 420 will remain in the locked position. Therefore, even if the back door 20 is subjected to an external force such as wind, causing the back door 20 to perform an action equivalent to a switching operation, the back door 20 is unlikely to open unrelated to the user's intention. Therefore, the stopping device 40 also improves user convenience.

[0145] (2) When the rotor 540 is positioned in either the forward or backward position, as long as the moving body 520 moves in the first direction A1 with the switching operation, the cam surface 544 of the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 is axially opposite to the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510. Therefore, when the rotor 540 returns to the second direction A2 with the switching operation, the engaging piece 542 is guided to the second engaging portion 518. That is, the rotor 540 is positioned in the backward position, which keeps the locking member 420 in the locked position. In this way, by limiting the movement of the rotor 540, the stop device 420 can prevent the rear door 20 from opening unintentionally after it has been stopped.

[0146] (Second Implementation)

[0147] The stopping device of the second embodiment will be described below. The main difference between the "stopping device" of the second embodiment and the first embodiment lies in the structure of the "switching mechanism".

[0148] like Figure 21 As shown, the switching mechanism 500A of the stopping device 40A includes a cylinder 510A, a moving body 520A, a pushing body 530, a rotor 540, a third spring 550, and a connecting body 560.

[0149] The cylinder 510A has: a first guide surface 513A and a second guide surface 514 that are inclined toward a second direction A2 as it moves toward a first circumferential direction C1; and a first limiting surface 515 and a second limiting surface 516A that extend in the axial direction A.

[0150] The inclination of the first guide surface 513A is steeper than that of the second guide surface 514, and the first guide surface 513A is longer than the second guide surface 514 in the circumferential direction C. Furthermore, the second limiting surface 516A extends longer in the first direction A1 than the first limiting surface 515. Therefore, the top formed by the first guide surface 513A and the second limiting surface 516A is located in the first direction A1 compared to the top formed by the second guide surface 514 and the first limiting surface 515.

[0151] Multiple first guide surfaces 513A and multiple second guide surfaces 514 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction C, and multiple first limiting surfaces 515 and multiple second limiting surfaces 516A are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction C. In the second embodiment, the number of each of the first guide surfaces 513A, second guide surfaces 514, first limiting surfaces 515 and second limiting surfaces 516A is "3".

[0152] The first guide surface 513A, the first limiting surface 515, the second guide surface 514, and the second limiting surface 516A are arranged in the first circumferential direction C1 in the order described. The first engaging portion 517 is the boundary portion between the first guide surface 513A and the first limiting surface 515, and the second engaging portion 518 is a groove extending in the second direction A2 between the second guide surface 514 and the second limiting surface 516A in the circumferential direction C. In other words, the first guide surface 513A and the second guide surface 514 extend toward the first engaging portion 517 and the second engaging portion 518, respectively, and the first limiting surface 515 and the second limiting surface 516A extend from the first engaging portion 517 and the second engaging portion 518, respectively.

[0153] The movable body 520A includes a rack 521, a cylindrical portion 522, a connecting portion 523, a first guide shaft 524, a first pressing surface 525A, and a second pressing surface 526A. The first pressing surface 525A is inclined toward a second direction A2 as it moves toward a first circumferential direction C1, and the second pressing surface 526A is inclined toward a first direction A1 as it moves toward the first circumferential direction C1. A plurality of first pressing surfaces 525A and a plurality of second pressing surfaces 526A are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction C. In the circumferential direction C, the length of the first pressing surface 525A is equal to the length of the second pressing surface 526A. In the second embodiment, the number of each of the first pressing surface 525A and the second pressing surface 526A is "6".

[0154] Then, by inserting the moving body 520A and the pushing body 530 into the cylinder 510A in the first direction A1, and inserting the rotor 540, the third spring 550 and the connecting body 560 into the cylinder 510A in the second direction A2, the switching mechanism 500A is configured.

[0155] With the movable body 520A and the pushing body 530 inserted into the cylindrical body 510A, the first guide shaft 524 of the movable body 520A is received in the first guide groove 511 of the cylindrical body 510A and the third guide groove 531 of the pushing body 530, and the second guide shaft 532 of the pushing body 530 is received in the second guide groove 512 of the cylindrical body 510A. Thus, the movable body 520A cannot rotate in the circumferential direction C relative to the cylindrical body 510A and the pushing body 530, but can move in the axial direction A. Similarly, the pushing body 530 cannot rotate in the circumferential direction C relative to the cylindrical body 510A, but can move in the axial direction A.

[0156] With the rotor 540 inserted into the cylinder 510A, the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 is axially opposite to any one of the first guide surface 513A, the second guide surface 514, and the bottom surface of the second engaging portion 518 of the cylinder 510A. The cam surface 544 is axially opposite to any one of the first pressing surface 525A and the second pressing surface 526A of the moving body 520A, and the cam surface 544 is axially opposite to the third pressing surface 534 of the pushing body 530.

[0157] Next, refer to Figures 22-26 The function of the switching mechanism 500A is explained.

[0158] Figures 22-26 The schematic diagram shows a portion of the structure of the cylinder 510A, a portion of the structure of the moving body 520A, and a portion of the structure of the rotor 540.

[0159] Figure 22 This indicates the positional relationship between the cylinder 510A, the moving body 520A, and the rotor 540 when the moving body 520A moves in the second direction A2. For example... Figure 22 As shown, because the third spring 550 applies force to the rotor 540 in the second direction A2, the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 presses the first guide surface 513A of the cylinder 510A in the second direction A2. Since the first guide surface 513A of the cylinder 510A is inclined toward the second direction A2 as it advances in the first circumferential direction C1, the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 moves along the first guide surface 513A of the cylinder 510A. As a result, the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 contacts the first limiting surface 515 of the cylinder 510A and engages with the first engaging portion 517 of the cylinder 510A. That is, the rotor 540 is in the forward position.

[0160] At this point, the first guide surface 513A of the cylinder 510A slides on the cam surface 544 as the rotor 540 returns to the second direction A2, causing the rotor 540 to rotate, thereby guiding the engaging piece 542 toward the first engaging portion 517. In addition, the first limiting surface 515 of the cylinder 510A limits the rotation of the rotor 540 in the first circumferential direction C1 when it is in the forward position.

[0161] like Figure 23 As shown by the solid line, when the moving body 520A moves from... Figure 22 When the moving body 520A moves in the first direction A1, its first pressing surface 525A presses against the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 in the first direction A1. When the first pressing surface 525A of the moving body 520 moves in the first direction A1 relative to the first guide surface 513A of the cylinder 510A, the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 does not engage with the first guide surface 513A and the first limiting surface 515 of the cylinder 510. Because the first pressing surface 525A of the moving body 520A is inclined towards the second direction A2 as it moves in the first circumferential direction C1, the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 moves along the first pressing surface 525A of the moving body 520A. Specifically, as... Figure 23 As shown by the double-dotted line, the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 slides on the first pressing surface 525A of the moving body 520A, so that the rotor 540 rotates relative to the moving body 520A in the first circumferential direction C1.

[0162] As a result, the top of the engaging tab 542 of the rotor 540 rests on the boundary between the first pressing surface 525A of the moving body 520A and the second pressing surface 526A adjacent to the first pressing surface 525A in the first circumferential direction C1. That is, the rotor 540 is in the first position.

[0163] At this point, when the rotor 540 moves in the first direction A1, in other words, when the rotor 540 is pressed in the first direction A1 by the moving body 520A, the first limiting surface 515 allows the rotor 540 to rotate until the cam surface 544 of the engaging piece 542 is opposite the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510A in the axial direction A.

[0164] like Figure 24 As shown by the solid line, when the moving body 520A moves from... Figure 23When the rotor 540 moves in the second direction A2 as shown, the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 does not contact the first pressing surface 525A of the moving body 520A. That is, the rotor 540, which was pressed in the first direction A1, returns to the second direction A2, and the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 presses against the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510A. Since the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510A is inclined toward the second direction A2 as it moves toward the first circumferential direction C1, the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 moves along the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510A. In detail, the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 slides on the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510A, so that the rotor 540 rotates relative to the moving body 520A in the first circumferential direction C1.

[0165] The second engaging portion 518 is located between the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510A and the first guide surface 513A adjacent to the second guide surface 514 in the first circumferential direction C1. Therefore, when the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 continues to slide on the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510A, as Figure 24 As shown by the double-dotted line, the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 engages with the second engaging part 518 of the cylinder 510A. That is, when the rotor 540 is in the retracted position, the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 is in contact with the second limiting surface 516A.

[0166] At this point, the second guide surface 514 of the cylinder 510A rotates the rotor 540 by sliding on the cam surface 522 when the rotor 540 returns to the second direction A2, thereby guiding the engaging piece 542 toward the second engaging portion 518. In addition, the second limiting surface 516A of the cylinder 510A limits the rotation of the rotor 540 in the first circumferential direction C1 when it is in the retracted position.

[0167] like Figure 25 As shown by the solid line, when the moving body 520A moves from... Figure 24 When the moving body 520A moves in the first direction A1, its first pressing surface 525A presses against the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 in the first direction A1. Even after the moving body 520A stops moving in the first direction A1, the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 remains in contact with the second limiting surface 516A of the cylinder 510A. That is, although the rotor 540 wants to rotate in the second circumferential direction C2 along the first pressing surface 525A of the moving body 520A, the rotation in the second circumferential direction C2 is restricted.

[0168] At this point, when the rotor 540 moves in the first direction A1, in other words, when the rotor 540 is pressed in the first direction A1 by the moving body 520A, the second limiting surface 516A restricts the rotation of the rotor 540.

[0169] like Figure 26As shown by the solid line, when the moving body 520A moves from... Figure 25 When the rotor 540 moves in the second direction A2 as shown, the cam surface 544 of the rotor 540 does not engage with the first pressing surface 525A of the moving body 520A. That is, the rotor 540, which was pressed in the first direction A1, returns to its original position in the second direction A2. However, since the rotation of the rotor 540 is restricted by the second limiting surface 516A of the cylinder 510, the rotor 540 does not rotate in the first circumferential direction C1 but moves in the second direction A2. That is, the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 engages with the second engaging part 518 of the cylinder 510A, and the rotor 540 is in the retracted position.

[0170] like Figures 22-26 As shown, when the rotor 540 is in the forward position, the switching mechanism 500A switches the rotor 540 from the forward position to the backward position upon user operation. That is, the switching mechanism 500A switches the locking member 420 from the unlocked position to the locked position. On the other hand, when the rotor 540 is in the backward position, the switching mechanism 500A does not switch the rotor 540 from the backward position to the forward position upon user switching operation. That is, the switching mechanism 500A does not switch the locking member 420 from the locked position to the unlocked position. In other words, the switching mechanism 500A maintains the locking member 420 in the locked position.

[0171] The effects of the second embodiment will be explained. In addition to the effects (1) of the first embodiment, the second embodiment can also achieve the following effects.

[0172] (3) In the stopping device 40A, when the rotor 540 is positioned in the forward position, when the rotor 540 moves in the first direction A1 during a switching operation, the rotor 540 rotates such that the cam surface 544 of the engaging piece 542 and the second guide surface 514 are opposite each other in the axial direction A. Therefore, when the rotor 540 returns to the second direction A2 during a switching operation, the rotor 540 is in the retracted position. That is, the locking member 420 is positioned in the locked position.

[0173] On the other hand, when the rotor 540 is positioned in the retracted position, even if the rotor 540 moves in the first direction A1 during a switching operation, the rotor 540 cannot rotate. Therefore, when the rotor 540 returns to its original position in the second direction A2 during a switching operation, the rotor 540 is in the retracted position. That is, the locking member 420 remains in the locked position. In this way, by limiting the movement of the rotor 540, the stopping device 40A can prevent the rear door 20 from opening unintentionally after it has been stopped.

[0174] This embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented with each other within the scope of technical inconsistency.

[0175] The stopping devices 40 and 40A may be provided only on one side of the door opening 11 in the vehicle width direction, or one may be provided at each end of the door opening 11 in the vehicle width direction.

[0176] Stop devices 40 and 40A can also be installed on the rear door 20. In this case, it is preferable that the end of the cable 220 extending from the stop device 40 is installed on the vehicle body 12.

[0177] Although the mechanism for reciprocating motion of the moving bodies 520 and 520A in the axial direction A is constituted by the sector gear 340 of the transmission mechanism 300 and the rack 521 of the moving bodies 520 and 520A of the switching mechanisms 500 and 500A, the mechanism can also be constituted by, for example, a worm gear and a worm wheel.

[0178] The stopping devices 40 and 40A can also be applied to a side door, which is an example of a door that selectively opens and closes a door opening on the side of the vehicle body 12. In this case, it is preferable that the side door is supported on the vehicle body 12 in such a way that it can rotate about an axis extending about a direction that intersects the vertical direction of the vehicle 10.

[0179] The stopping devices 40 and 40A may also include a torque limiter between the drum 210 and the ratchet 410. In this case, the stopping device 40 cannot transmit torque exceeding a predetermined upper limit between the drum 210 and the ratchet 410. Therefore, the stopping device 40 can suppress the load acting on the components of the stopping device 40 when the load acts in the opening direction on the rear door 20 stopped at any position.

[0180] The construction of the switching mechanisms 500 and 500A can be appropriately modified within the scope of enabling the switching mechanisms 500 and 500A to perform their functions. For example, the inclination and length of the first guide surfaces 513 and 513A, the second guide surface 514, the first limiting surface 515, and the second limiting surfaces 516 and 516A relative to the axial direction A and circumferential direction C can be appropriately modified. In addition, the first engaging portion 517 can also be a groove extending in the axial direction A between the first guide surfaces 513 and 513A and the second guide surface 514 in the circumferential direction C, and the second engaging portion 518 can also be the location where the second guide surface 514 and the second limiting surfaces 516 and 516A intersect. However, the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 engaging with the first engaging portion 517 needs to be located in the second direction A2 more than the engaging piece 542 of the rotor 540 engaging with the second engaging piece 518.

[0181] In the switching mechanisms 500 and 500A, the first engaging portion 517 and the second engaging portion 518 may have at least a portion that supports the rotor 540 which is to be displaced in the second direction A2 and a portion that supports the rotor 540 which is to be displaced in the first circumferential direction C1.

[0182] The switching mechanisms 500 and 500A may also have a mechanism that, for example, allows the rotor 540 to be switched from a retracted position to a forward position by a user pressing a switch or pulling a lever. In this case, the switching mechanisms 500 and 500A may not have a pusher 530.

Claims

1. A door stopping device configured to stop a door that selectively opens and closes between a fully closed position and a fully open position, wherein the fully closed position is a position in which a door opening disposed on a vehicle body is fully closed, and the fully open position is a position in which the door opening is fully open, wherein... The door stopping device includes: The drum is configured to rotate in a first rotation direction when the door is opened, and to rotate in a second rotation direction that is the opposite of the first rotation direction when the door is closed. A locking component is configured to be displaced to a locked position and an unlocked position, the locked position being a position that restricts rotation of the drum in a first rotational direction while allowing rotation of the drum in a second rotational direction, and the unlocked position being a position that allows rotation of the drum in both the first and second rotational directions. as well as When the switching mechanism defines the action of rotating the drum in the second rotation direction and then in the first rotation direction as the switching action, The switching mechanism is configured such that, when the switching operation is performed with the locking member in the unlocked position, the switching mechanism switches the position of the locking member from the unlocked position to the locked position; conversely, when the switching operation is performed with the locking member in the locked position, the switching mechanism maintains the position of the locking member in the locked position. The switching mechanism has: The movable body is configured such that when the drum rotates in the second rotation direction along with the switching action, the movable body moves in the first direction, and when the drum rotates in the first rotation direction along with the switching action, the movable body moves in the second direction, which is the opposite direction to the first direction. A cylindrical body having a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion arranged in a circumferential direction, and the cylindrical body being arranged axially toward the moving direction of the moving body; The rotor has engaging tabs that engage with the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion of the cylinder, and the rotor is configured such that by moving relative to the cylinder in the axial direction and rotating in the circumferential direction, the engaging object of the engaging tabs changes from one of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion to the other. as well as A force-applying component configured to apply force to the rotor in the second direction. The rotor is configured such that, during the switching operation, when the moving body moves in the first direction, the rotor is pressed by the moving body and moves in the first direction; conversely, during the switching operation, when the moving body moves in the second direction, the rotor is forced by the force-applying member to return to its original position in the second direction. Furthermore, the rotor is configured such that, when the engaging tab engages with the first engaging portion of the cylinder while the rotor is returning to its original position in the second direction, the rotor is in a forward position that keeps the locking member in the unlocked position; and when the engaging tab engages with the second engaging portion of the cylinder while the rotor is returning to its original position in the second direction, the rotor is in a retracted position that keeps the locking member in the locked position. The switching mechanism is configured such that when the switching action is performed with the rotor in the forward position, the position of the rotor is switched from the forward position to the backward position, and when the switching action is performed with the rotor in the backward position, the position of the rotor is maintained in the backward position.

2. The door stopping device according to claim 1, wherein, The engaging plate of the rotor includes a cam surface at its top end in the second direction. The cylinder has a guide surface that, when the rotor returns to its original position in the second direction, causes the rotor to rotate by sliding on the cam surface of the engaging plate. The movable body has a pressing surface that, when the rotor is pressed in the first direction, causes the rotor to rotate by sliding on the cam surface of the engaging piece. The guide surface includes a first guide surface that guides the engagement piece toward the first engagement portion and a second guide surface that guides the engagement piece toward the second engagement portion. The pressing surface includes a first pressing surface and a second pressing surface. When the moving body moves in the first direction with the rotor in the forward position, the first pressing surface causes the cam surface of the engaging piece to face the second guide surface of the cylinder in the axial direction. When the moving body moves in the first direction with the rotor in the retracted position, the second pressing surface causes the cam surface of the engaging piece to face the second guide surface of the cylinder in the axial direction.

3. The door stopping device according to claim 1, wherein, The engaging plate of the rotor includes a cam surface at its top end in the second direction. The cylindrical body comprises: The guide surface, when the rotor returns to its original position in the second direction, causes the rotor to rotate by sliding on the cam surface of the engagement piece; A first limiting surface, extending from the first engaging portion in the first direction and limiting the rotation of the rotor engaged with the first engaging portion; and A second limiting surface extends from the second engaging portion in the first direction and limits the rotation of the rotor that engages with the second engaging portion. The guide surface includes a first guide surface that guides the engagement piece toward the first engagement portion and a second guide surface that guides the engagement piece toward the second engagement portion. The first limiting surface is configured such that, when the rotor moves in the first direction along with the switching action, the rotor is allowed to rotate with the cam surface of the engaging plate opposite the second guide surface in the axial direction. The second limiting surface extends longer in the first direction than the first limiting surface, and is configured to restrict the rotor from rotating when the rotor moves in the first direction along with the switching action.

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