Door hinge device for a vehicle

Abstract

A door hinge apparatus of a vehicle can include a sliding unit including a sliding main body and a main slider, wherein the sliding main body is disposed on a side corresponding to an end of a door in the vehicle of a vehicle body, and the main slider is movable in a width direction of the vehicle with respect to the sliding main body; and a door hinge bracket engaged with the end of the door and operatively coupled to the main slider.

Description

[0001] Citations of relevant applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0084065, filed on June 28, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to door hinge devices for vehicles. More specifically, this invention relates to a door hinge device for a vehicle without a B-pillar, which achieves independent opening and closing operations of the rear door, separate from the front door, by shifting the rear door rearward to perform opening and closing operations, thereby ensuring the rotation trajectory of the rear door to avoid interference with the front door. Background Technology

[0004] Typically, car doors separate the interior and exterior of a vehicle. They block external noise, rain, dust, wind, and in the event of a side collision, work with the side structure to absorb impact, thus providing crucial protection for passengers.

[0005] There are various types of doors, including dedicated doors, but hinged revolving doors are most commonly used in buses.

[0006] Generally, a revolving door refers to a door that opens outwards around a hinge axis. This hinge axis is set between the door and the vehicle body via a hinge bracket. Revolving doors have the advantages of being easy to open and close, as well as having a simple structure and being easy to maintain and repair.

[0007] On the other hand, some vehicles use relatively large revolving doors, which provide a great sense of openness when opened and are advantageous for passengers getting on or off the vehicle.

[0008] These revolving doors include types without B-pillars and types with B-pillars.

[0009] Figure 1 This is a side view of a vehicle with a revolving door, based on an example of the application of existing technology. Figure 2 It is exemplarily shown in Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the part of a vehicle where the front and rear doors meet.

[0010] First, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 An example of opposing revolving doors applied to a vehicle 100 without a B-pillar is shown. The front door 110 has a hinge axis located at the front end of the front door 110, and the rear door 120 has a hinge axis located at the rear end of the rear door 120.

[0011] A latch L for maintaining the locked state is provided on one side of the front door 110 or the rear door 120 of the opposite revolving door.

[0012] In addition, an airtight seal S is provided between the rear end of the front door 110 and the front end of the rear door 120.

[0013] As described above, although the opposing revolving doors of vehicle 100 are as described above, the opposing revolving doors of vehicle 100, which has no B-pillar, provide a good sense of openness when passengers are getting on / off or during leisure activities. However, there is a drawback that the opening / closing sequence is preset. Due to the overlapping interference of the rotation trajectories of the front door 110 and the rear door 120 when opening and closing, the front door 110 must be opened before the rear door 120 is opened or closed after the rear door 120 is closed.

[0014] Therefore, since the opening / closing sequence of the front door 110 and the rear door 120 is preset, there is a problem that the rear door 120 cannot be opened or closed independently.

[0015] Figure 3 This is another example of the application of existing technology, showing a side view of a vehicle with a relative revolving door, and Figure 4 It is shown as an example Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the part of a vehicle where the front and rear doors meet.

[0016] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 An example of a revolving door applied to a vehicle 200 having a B-pillar 230 is shown. In this case, the front door 210 has a hinge axis located at the front end of the front door 210, and the rear door 220 has a hinge axis located at the rear end of the rear door 220.

[0017] In the existing revolving door, a latch L for maintaining the locked state is provided between the B pillar 230 and the front door 210 and rear door 220 on each side.

[0018] In addition, an airtight seal S is provided between the rear end of the B-pillar 230 and the front door 210 and between the front end of the rear door 220 corresponding to the B-pillar 230.

[0019] Therefore, in the opposing revolving doors of a vehicle 200 with a B-pillar, it is advantageous that the front door 210 and the rear door 220 are configured to open and close independently, and thus the operating sequence is unrestricted. However, due to the application of the B-pillar 230, the sense of openness is degraded when passengers are getting on / off or engaging in leisure activities.

[0020] Therefore, depending on the presence or absence of the B-pillar, the revolving door has a different sense of openness, and there are also differences in the opening and closing operations of the front and rear doors.

[0021] Meanwhile, as mentioned above, in order to maintain the openness of the vehicle 100 without a B-pillar while resolving the issue of the restricted operating sequence of the front door 110 and rear door 120, there are existing examples of door hinge devices using gooseneck-type hinges as the hinges for the opposing revolving doors. However, due to the characteristics of its shape, such a gooseneck-type hinge requires a large amount of free space in the width direction of the vehicle body, making it difficult to effectively construct the vehicle body layout.

[0022] Therefore, in order to apply the revolving door to vehicles without a B-pillar, it is advantageous to configure the door hinge device to achieve a new opening / closing structure.

[0023] The information included in the background section of this invention is intended only to enhance the understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be construed as an admission or suggestion in any way that this information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0024] Various aspects of the present invention aim to provide a door hinge device for a vehicle without a B-pillar, which enables the rear door to open and close independently of the front door by shifting the rear door rearward for opening and closing operations, thereby ensuring that the rotation trajectory of the rear door avoids interference with the front door.

[0025] A vehicle door hinge device according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes: a sliding unit comprising a sliding body and a main slider, wherein the sliding body is disposed on one side of the vehicle body corresponding to the end of a door in the vehicle, and the main slider is movable relative to the sliding body in the width direction of the vehicle; and a door hinge bracket engaging with the end of the door and operatively coupled to the main slider.

[0026] The vehicle door hinge device according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention may further include a second-stage hinge slider configured to move along the width direction of the vehicle and simultaneously toward the rear of the vehicle via a corresponding bridging member according to a preset radius. The bridging member is rotatable in an upper and lower groove formed in a main slider. A door hinge bracket may be connected to the second-stage hinge slider via a hinge shaft.

[0027] The door hinge device for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention may further include a drive unit configured to provide drive torque to the main slider and the bridging member, such that after the main slider moves relative to the sliding body in the width direction of the vehicle, the second-stage hinge slider moves relative to the main slider in the width direction of the vehicle and also toward the rear of the vehicle within a preset range according to a preset radius.

[0028] The sliding body may include a rear plate, an upper plate, and a lower plate, wherein the inner surfaces of the upper plate and the lower plate facing each other are formed as inclined guide rail surfaces, and a first gear groove and a second gear groove are formed in the lower part of the rear plate. The main slider may include a central guide rail, an upper guide rail, and a lower guide rail, which are formed on the rear surface of the main slider to protrude toward the front of the vehicle. The main slider is configured to move along the guide rail surfaces of the sliding body in the width direction of the vehicle. The main slider has an upper sliding groove between the upper guide rail and the central guide rail and a lower sliding groove between the lower guide rail and the central guide rail. The main slider includes a rack portion and a gear hole, which are located in the lower part of the rear surface corresponding to the first gear groove and the second gear groove.

[0029] The end of the door can be the rear end of the rear door in a vehicle.

[0030] The sliding body may be located on the side outer panel corresponding to the rear end of the rear door, such that the guide rail surface is set from the front inner side of the vehicle body toward the rear outer side of the vehicle body.

[0031] The first gear slot can be formed below the second gear slot.

[0032] A central guide rail may be centrally formed on the rear surface to protrude toward the front of the vehicle. An upper guide rail may be formed on the rear surface above the central guide rail to protrude toward the front of the vehicle. The upper guide rail may include an upper surface that is formed as a sliding surface in the guide rail surface that contacts the guide rail surface of the upper plate of the sliding body, and the upper guide rail has an upper sliding groove between the upper guide rail and the central guide rail. A lower guide rail may be formed on the rear surface below the central guide rail to protrude toward the front of the vehicle. The lower guide rail may include a lower surface that is formed as a sliding surface in the guide rail surface that contacts the guide rail surface of the lower plate of the sliding body, and the lower guide rail includes a lower sliding groove between the lower guide rail and the central guide rail.

[0033] In the main slider, the upper guide groove can be formed on the lower surface of the upper guide rail and the upper surface of the central guide rail, respectively, depending on the radius of the upper bridging component. The lower guide groove can be formed on the upper surface of the lower guide rail and the lower surface of the central guide rail, respectively, depending on the radius of the lower bridging component.

[0034] The level 2 hinge slider can include an upper hinge slider and a lower hinge slider. The upper hinge slider and the lower hinge slider are respectively set in the upper slide groove and the lower slide groove of the main slider through upper bridge members and lower bridge members that can rotate around the corresponding bridge axis, so that the upper hinge slider and the lower hinge slider can move in the width direction of the vehicle and simultaneously towards the rear of the vehicle according to a preset radius.

[0035] In a two-stage hinge slider, the upper hinge slider is movably disposed in the upper slide groove. The upper bridging member is disposed in the upper slide groove to rotate about the upper bridging axis, and is connected to the upper hinge slider via an upper rotation guide rod. The lower hinge slider is movably disposed in the lower slide groove. The lower bridging member is disposed in the lower slide groove to rotate about the lower bridging axis, and is connected to the lower hinge slider via a lower rotation guide rod.

[0036] Compared to the lower bridge connector, the upper bridge connector can be formed on the outer side of the vehicle facing the body.

[0037] While the end of the upper rotary guide rod is inserted into the upper guide groove, the upper rotary guide rod can move in the upper sliding groove. While the end of the lower rotary guide rod is inserted into the lower guide groove, the lower rotary guide rod can move in the lower sliding groove.

[0038] The door hinge bracket can engage with the end of the door, and the door hinge bracket is connected to the end of the second-stage hinge slider on the outside of the vehicle via a hinge shaft.

[0039] The drive unit can be configured such that, while multiple gears are operated by drive torque, after the main slider moves along the guide surface of the sliding body in the width direction of the vehicle, the second-stage hinge slider in the upper and lower grooves of the main slider moves within a preset range in the width direction of the vehicle and also toward the rear of the vehicle according to a preset radius.

[0040] The drive unit may include: a motor mounted on a motor bracket to provide drive torque, the motor bracket being formed on a sliding body; a first motor gear disposed on the motor shaft of the motor and continuously engaging with the rack portion of the main slider through a first gear slot; a second motor gear disposed on the motor shaft of the motor and configured to correspond to a second gear slot; a bridging drive gear mounted on a gear bracket formed on the rear plate of the sliding body and continuously engaging with the second motor gear; and a bridging gear cooperating with a lower bridging member and capable of engaging with the bridging drive gear within a predetermined range through a gear hole and a second gear slot.

[0041] The second motor gear and the bridge drive gear can have a transmission ratio to transmit the motor's drive torque to the bridge gear in a speed reduction manner.

[0042] The second gear slot can be formed to span the rear plate of the sliding body in the width direction of the vehicle, so that the bridging gear moves to engage with the bridging drive gear after it has moved.

[0043] According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, during the opening of the rear door, the rear end of the rear door is pushed toward the rear outer side of the vehicle in advance to ensure that the rotation trajectory of the rear door does not interfere with other component parts, and in the current state, the opening and closing operations of the rear door can be performed independently.

[0044] Therefore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in the opposite revolving door of a vehicle without a B-pillar, the advantage of maintaining a good sense of openness when passengers get on / off or during leisure activities is not limited to the order of door opening and closing.

[0045] Furthermore, the door hinge device of the vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is thinner than a conventional gooseneck hinge device and also has advantages in vehicle body layout configuration because it does not require additional free space for rear door operation.

[0046] The methods and apparatus of the present invention have other features and advantages, which will become apparent from their more detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0047] Figure 1 This is a side view of a vehicle with a relative revolving door, based on an example of the application of existing technology.

[0048] Figure 2 It is exemplarily shown in Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the part of a vehicle where the front and rear doors meet.

[0049] Figure 3 This is another example of the application of related technology, showing a side view of a vehicle with a relative revolving door.

[0050] Figure 4 It is shown as an example Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the part of a vehicle where the front and rear doors meet.

[0051] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a vehicle door hinge device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 6 This is another perspective view of a vehicle door hinge device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 7This is another perspective view of a vehicle door hinge device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 The cross-sectional view taken from line AA.

[0055] Figure 9 It is along Figure 7 The cross-sectional view of line BB.

[0056] Figure 10 It is along Figure 7 The cross-sectional view taken from line CC.

[0057] Figure 11 The door hinge device of the vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention operates along the... Figure 7 The cross-sectional view taken from line AA.

[0058] Figure 12 In the operating state of the main slider in the door hinge device of the vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, along... Figure 7 The cross-sectional view of line BB.

[0059] Figure 13 In the operating state of the second-stage hinge slider in the door hinge device of the vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, along... Figure 7 The cross-sectional view of line BB.

[0060] Figure 14 In the door open state of the vehicle door hinge device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, along... Figure 7 The cross-sectional view of line BB.

[0061] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and present slightly simplified representations of different features illustrating the basic principles of the invention. Specific design features of the invention as included herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and environment of use.

[0062] In the accompanying drawings, reference numerals throughout the drawings refer to the same or equivalent parts of the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0063] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood that this description is not intended to limit the invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments thereof, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0064] In the following description, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0065] The dimensions and thicknesses of each element are shown arbitrarily in the accompanying drawings, but the invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and the thicknesses of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., are exaggerated in the drawings for clarity. Furthermore, the drawings and description are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive in nature.

[0066] In describing various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, for ease of description, Figure 5 The lower left direction in the middle is called the outer side of the vehicle. Figure 5 The upper right direction is referred to as the inner side of the vehicle. Figure 5 The upper left direction in the middle is called the rear side of the vehicle, and Figure 5 The lower right direction is referred to as the front side of the vehicle. Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the door hinge device of the vehicle can be simultaneously provided at the rear doors on both the driver's side and the passenger side. For the sake of description, the following uses an example of a door hinge device applied to the passenger-side rear door.

[0067] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a vehicle door hinge device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 This is another perspective view of a vehicle door hinge device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 7 This is another perspective view of a vehicle door hinge device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] also, Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 They are along Figure 7 The cross-sectional views of lines AA, BB, and CC, and Figure 11 The door hinge device of the vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention operates along the... Figure 7 The cross-sectional view taken from line AA.

[0069] The vehicle door hinge device according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be applied to the rear door of a vehicle without a B-pillar (e.g., a bus). That is, by moving the rear door rearward to perform opening and closing operations, the rotation trajectory of the rear door is ensured to avoid interference with the front door, thereby enabling the independent opening and closing operation of the rear door.

[0070] Reference Figures 5 to 11 According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a vehicle door hinge device 1 includes: a sliding unit 5, including a sliding body 10 and a main slider 20; a second-stage hinge slider 30; a door hinge bracket 40; and a drive unit 50.

[0071] First, the sliding body 10 is disposed on one side of the vehicle body 3 corresponding to the end of the rear door, and the main slider 20 of the sliding unit 5 can move relative to the sliding body 10 in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0072] In detail, the sliding body 10 includes a rear plate 15, an upper plate 11, and a lower plate 13. The upper plate 11 and the lower plate 13 are integrally formed on the upper and lower ends of the rear plate 15, respectively. The sliding body 10 is disposed on one side of the vehicle body 3 corresponding to the rear end portion of the rear door DR.

[0073] The inner surfaces of the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 13 facing each other are respectively formed as inclined guide rail surfaces RF. In addition, a first gear groove GS1 and a second gear groove GS2 are formed in the lower part of the rear plate 15.

[0074] The guide rail surface RF of the sliding body 10 is configured to extend from the inner front side of the vehicle body 3 toward the outer rear side of the vehicle body 3, and the sliding body 10 is disposed on one side of the outer side panel PL corresponding to the rear end of the rear door DR via the rear plate 15.

[0075] Furthermore, in the sliding body 10, the first gear groove GS1 on the rear plate 15 is formed below the second gear groove GS2.

[0076] The main slider 20 is configured to slide slidably along the guide rail surface RF of the sliding body 10 in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0077] In detail, the main slider 20 includes a central guide rail 21, an upper guide rail 23, and a lower guide rail 25 formed on the rear surface 29.

[0078] First, the central guide rail 21 is centered on the rear surface 29 of the main slider 20 and protrudes toward the front of the vehicle.

[0079] The upper guide rail 23 is formed on the rear surface 29 above the central guide rail 21 of the main slider 20 to protrude toward the front of the vehicle, and the upper guide rail includes an upper surface that is formed as a sliding surface SF that contacts the guide rail surface RF of the upper plate 11 of the sliding body 10.

[0080] Furthermore, the lower guide rail 25 is formed below the central guide rail 21 of the main slider 20 and is formed on the rear surface 29 to protrude toward the front of the vehicle. The lower guide rail includes a lower surface that is formed as a sliding surface SF that contacts the guide rail surface RF of the lower plate 13 of the sliding body 10.

[0081] Here, the upper guide rail 23 forms an upper sliding groove SG1 between the upper guide rail 23 and the central guide rail 21, and the lower guide rail 25 forms a lower sliding groove SG2 between the lower guide rail 25 and the central guide rail 21.

[0082] Furthermore, the rack portion 27 and the gear hole GH are formed in the lower part of the rear surface 29 of the main slider 20, which corresponds to the first gear groove GS1 and the second gear groove GS2 of the sliding body 10.

[0083] Specifically, the rack portion 27 is formed in the lower part of the rear surface 29 of the main slider 20 corresponding to the first gear groove GS1, and the gear hole GH is formed in the preset range of the rear surface 29 of the main slider 20 corresponding to the second gear groove GS2.

[0084] In addition, the second-stage hinge slider 30 includes an upper hinge slider 31, an upper bridging member 35, a lower hinge slider 33, and a lower bridging member 37.

[0085] The upper hinge slider 31 is movably disposed in the upper slide groove SG1 of the main slider 20, and the lower hinge slider 33 is movably disposed in the lower slide groove SG2 of the main slider 20.

[0086] The first end of the upper bridging member 35 is disposed in the upper slide groove SG1 so as to be rotatable about the upper bridging shaft 51, and the front end of the upper bridging member 35 is connected to the upper hinge slider 31 via the upper rotation guide rod 53.

[0087] Furthermore, the first end of the lower bridging member 37 is disposed in the lower sliding groove SG2 so as to be rotatable about the lower bridging shaft 55, and the front end of the lower bridging member 37 is connected to the lower hinge slider 33 via the lower rotation guide rod 57.

[0088] In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the upper bridge member 35 is shown to be formed toward the outer side of the vehicle compared to the lower bridge member 37; however, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. It will be understood that the positions of the upper bridge member and the lower bridge member 35 may be changed.

[0089] The upper hinge slider 31 and the lower hinge slider 33 of the second-stage hinge slider 30 are disposed in the upper slide groove SG1 and the lower slide groove SG2 of the main slider 20, and rotate around the bridging shafts 51 and 55 through the upper bridging member 35 and the lower bridging member 37.

[0090] That is, the upper hinge slider 31 and the lower hinge slider 33 can move in the width direction of the vehicle and simultaneously toward the rear of the vehicle according to the rotation radius of the upper bridge member 35 and the lower bridge member 37.

[0091] Here, in the main slider 20, an upper guide groove GG1 for guiding the rotation of the upper bridging member 35 is formed on the lower surface of the upper guide rail 23 and the upper surface of the central guide rail 21, respectively, according to the radius of the upper bridging member 35. Furthermore, a lower guide groove GG2 for guiding the rotation of the lower bridging member 37 is formed on the upper surface of the lower guide rail 25 and the lower surface of the central guide rail 21, respectively, according to the radius of the lower bridging member 37.

[0092] That is, the upper rotating guide rod 53 moves in the upper sliding groove SG1, and at the same time, the end of the upper rotating guide rod is inserted into the upper guide groove GG1, and the lower rotating guide rod 57 moves in the lower sliding groove SG2, and at the same time, the end of the lower rotating guide rod is inserted into the lower guide groove GG2.

[0093] The door hinge bracket 40 engages with the end of the door and is operatively connected to the main slider 20 of the sliding unit 5.

[0094] More specifically, the door hinge bracket 40 is connected to the outer end of the second-stage hinge slider 30 on the vehicle via a hinge shaft 41.

[0095] That is, the door hinge bracket 40 is fixed to the rear end of the rear door DR, and the door hinge bracket is connected to the outer vehicle ends of the upper hinge slider 31 and the lower hinge slider 33 via the hinge shaft 41.

[0096] When the rear door DR is opened and closed, the door hinge bracket 40 allows rotation while supporting the rear door DR relative to the second-stage hinge slider 30.

[0097] In addition, the drive unit 50 includes a motor M, a first motor gear MG1 and a second motor gear MG2, a bridging drive gear BG1 and a bridging gear BG2.

[0098] First, the motor M is mounted on the rear plate 15 of the sliding body 10. That is, the motor M is mounted upward on the motor bracket 17 integrally formed on the lower part of the rear plate 15 to provide torque.

[0099] Currently, motor M can be a stepper motor configured to control speed and direction of rotation.

[0100] The first motor gear MG1 is mounted on the motor shaft MS of the motor. At this time, the first motor gear MG1 continuously engages with the rack portion 27 of the main slider 20 through the first gear groove GS1.

[0101] The second motor gear MG2 is mounted on the motor shaft MS of the motor M. In this case, the second motor gear MG2 is configured to correspond to the second gear slot GS2.

[0102] The bridging drive gear BG1 is mounted on a gear bracket 19 formed on the rear plate 15 of the sliding body 10, and is rotatable about the gear shaft 43. At this time, the bridging drive gear BG1 continuously engages with the second motor gear MG2.

[0103] The bridging gear BG2 is mounted on the lower bridging shaft 55 to connect with the lower bridging member 37. At this time, the bridging gear BG2 is configured to engage with the bridging drive gear BG1 within a predetermined range through the gear hole GH and the second gear slot GS2.

[0104] Here, the bridging gear BG2 can be partially cut from the shape of a full circular gear to mate with the lower bridging member 37.

[0105] Meanwhile, the second gear groove GS2 formed on the sliding body 10 is formed to span the rear plate 15 in the width direction of the vehicle, so that the bridging gear BG2 can engage with the bridging drive gear BG1 after moving to the bridging drive gear BG1.

[0106] In addition, the second motor gear MG2 and the bridge drive gear BG1 can have a transmission ratio to transmit the driving torque of the motor M to the bridge gear BG2 in a speed reduction manner.

[0107] That is, the driving torque of the motor M is transmitted in a deceleration manner. In other words, in order to increase the torque, the second motor gear MG2 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the bridge drive gear BG1.

[0108] Through the drive unit 50, and simultaneously through multiple gears configured to correspond to the first gear slot GS1 and the second gear slot GS2, the bridging drive gear BG1 and the bridging gear BG2 are operated by the operation of the motor M. After the main slider 20 moves along the guide rail surface RF of the sliding body 10 in the width direction of the vehicle, the second-stage hinge slider 30 in the upper slide slot SG1 and the lower slide slot SG2 of the main slider 20 moves within a preset range in the width direction of the vehicle according to a preset radius and also moves toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0109] Therefore, during the opening and closing operation of the rear door DR, the rear door DR is pushed toward the rear outer side of the vehicle body 3 to ensure the rotation trajectory of the rear door DR.

[0110] In the following text, refer to Figure 11 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 The operation of a vehicle door hinge device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in detail.

[0111] Figure 12 In the operating state of the main slider in the door hinge device of a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, along... Figure 7 A cross-sectional view taken from line BB. Figure 13 In the operating state of the second-stage hinge slider in the door hinge device of the vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, along... Figure 7 The cross-sectional view of line BB, and Figure 14 In the door open state of the vehicle door hinge device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, along... Figure 7 The cross-sectional view of line BB.

[0112] First, refer to Figure 11 The rear door DR is in the closed state.

[0113] Currently, the main slider 20, together with the second-stage hinge slider 30, the door hinge bracket 40, and the rear end of the rear door DR, is in a state where it has moved along the guide rail surface RF on the sliding body 10 toward the front inner side of the vehicle body 3, and the rear door DR remains in the closed state.

[0114] Reference Figure 12 In order to open the rear door DR independently, motor M first operates clockwise.

[0115] Therefore, while the first motor gear MG1 rotates clockwise, it engages with the rack portion 27 of the main slider 20, thereby causing the main slider 20 to move along the guide rail surface RF of the sliding body 10 toward the rear outer side of the vehicle body 3.

[0116] Currently, the rear door DR is also moving towards the rear outer side of the vehicle body 3 together with the main slider 20, and the bridging gear BG2 moves together with the main slider 20 until the bridging gear engages with the bridging drive gear BG1.

[0117] In the current state, the rear end of the rear door DR is in a state of moving towards the rear outer side of the vehicle body 3 together with the main slider 20, thus ensuring the rotation trajectory of opening the rear door DR independently.

[0118] That is, when the occupant opens the rear door DR, the rear door DR and the door hinge bracket 40 are opened together by rotating about the hinge axis 41 relative to the second-stage hinge slider 30.

[0119] In addition to the above, in various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the rotational trajectory of the rear door relative to the front door is further ensured as described below.

[0120] Reference Figure 13After the bridging gear BG2 moves until it engages with the bridging drive gear BG1, the motor M drives it further clockwise. In this case, the bridging drive gear BG1 is driven counterclockwise by the clockwise rotation of the second motor gear MG2.

[0121] Therefore, the bridging gear BG2, which engages with the bridging drive gear BG1, rotates clockwise to cause the lower bridging member 37 to rotate clockwise around the lower bridging shaft 55.

[0122] Therefore, the lower hinge slider 33 and the lower sliding groove SG2 of the main slider 20 move in the width direction of the vehicle and also toward the rear of the vehicle, thereby reducing the gap between the lower hinge slider 33 and the rear plate 15 of the sliding body 10.

[0123] At the same time, the upper hinge slider 31 in the upper groove SG1 of the main slider 20 moves together with the lower hinge slider 33, and thus moves in the width direction of the vehicle according to the radius of the upper bridge 35 and also toward the rear side of the vehicle body 3.

[0124] In different exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the radius of the upper bridging member 35 may be equal to the radius of the lower bridging member 33.

[0125] Currently, in the two-stage hinge slider 30, the outer vehicle ends of the upper hinge slider 31 and the lower hinge slider 33 are connected to the door hinge bracket 40 via hinge shaft 41, and the upper hinge slider 31 and the lower hinge slider 33 are connected to the upper bridging member 35 and the lower bridging member 37 at different connection positions in the upper slide groove SG1 and the lower slide groove SG2. Therefore, the upper hinge slider 31 and the lower hinge slider 33 can move stably according to the rotation of the upper bridging member 35 and the lower bridging member 37, thereby avoiding undesirable movements such as twisting.

[0126] Therefore, the rear end of the rear door DR can move further toward the rear outer side of the vehicle body 3 to further ensure the rotation trajectory of the rear door DR.

[0127] Reference Figure 14 Subsequently, when the occupant opens the rear door, the rear door DR rotates together with the door hinge bracket 40 about the hinge axis 41 relative to the second-stage hinge slider 30, and the rear door opens without interfering with the front door.

[0128] Meanwhile, the closing operation of the rear door DR is performed in the reverse manner of the opening operation, so that the opening and closing operations of the rear door DR can be performed independently of the front door, and this operation will not be described in further detail.

[0129] Therefore, the door hinge device 1 of the vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be applied to the rear end of the body 3 and the rear door DR in the opposite revolving door of a vehicle without a B-pillar, thereby facilitating the opening and closing operation of the rear door DR independently of the front door.

[0130] According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by operation of the motor M, the main slider 20 first slides along the guide rail surface RF on the sliding body 10 from the front inner side of the vehicle body 3 toward the rear outer side of the vehicle body 3. Thereafter, the upper hinge slider 31 and the lower hinge slider 33 in the second-stage hinge slider 30 move further in the width direction of the vehicle and also toward the rear side of the vehicle via the upper bridging member 35 and the lower bridging member 37.

[0131] Therefore, during the opening of the rear door DR, the rear end of the rear door DR is pushed towards the rear outer side of the vehicle body 3 in advance to ensure that the rotation trajectory of the rear door DR does not interfere with other parts, and in the current state, the rear door DR can be opened and closed independently.

[0132] Therefore, the door hinge device 1 of the vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in the opposite revolving door of a vehicle without a B-pillar, while maintaining a good sense of openness when passengers get on / off or during leisure activities, can ensure the rotation trajectory of the rear door DR when opening and closing, and thus does not restrict the door opening and closing sequence.

[0133] Furthermore, the door hinge device 1 of the vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is thinner than the conventional gooseneck hinge device and also has advantages in terms of vehicle body layout configuration because it does not require additional free space for rear door operation.

[0134] For ease of interpretation and precise definition of the appended claims, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “outer,” “up,” “lower,” “upward,” “downward,” “front,” “back,” “inside,” “external,” “inward,” “outward,” “inside,” “outside,” “forward,” and “backward” are used to describe features of exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of these features shown in the figures. It will be further understood that the term “connection” or its derivatives refer to both direct and indirect connections.

[0135] For purposes of illustration and description, the foregoing description of specific exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and it will be apparent that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the foregoing teachings. These exemplary embodiments were chosen and described to explain certain principles of the invention and its practical application, enabling those skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. The scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A door hinge device for a vehicle, the door hinge device comprising: A sliding unit, comprising a sliding body and a main slider, wherein the sliding body is disposed on one side of the vehicle body corresponding to the end of a door in the vehicle, and the main slider is movable relative to the sliding body in the width direction of the vehicle; and A door hinge bracket, which engages with the end of the door and is operatively connected to the main slider; and The two-stage hinge slider is configured to move along the width of the vehicle and simultaneously toward the rear of the vehicle via a corresponding bridging member according to a preset radius. The bridging member can rotate in the upper and lower sliding grooves formed in the main slider. The door hinge bracket is pivotally connected to the second-stage hinge slider via a hinge shaft.

2. The door hinge device according to claim 1, further comprising: The drive unit is configured to provide drive torque to the main slider and the bridging member, such that after the main slider moves relative to the sliding body in the width direction of the vehicle, the second-stage hinge slider moves relative to the main slider in the width direction of the vehicle and also toward the rear of the vehicle within a preset range according to a preset radius.

3. The door hinge device according to claim 2, in, The sliding body includes a rear plate, an upper plate, and a lower plate, wherein the inner surfaces of the upper plate and the lower plate facing each other are formed as inclined guide rail surfaces, and a first gear groove and a second gear groove are formed in the lower part of the rear plate. The main slider includes a central guide rail, an upper guide rail, and a lower guide rail. The central guide rail, the upper guide rail, and the lower guide rail are formed on the rear surface of the main slider to protrude toward the front of the vehicle. The main slider is configured to move along the guide rail surface of the sliding body in the width direction of the vehicle. The main slider includes an upper sliding groove between the upper guide rail and the central guide rail and a lower sliding groove between the lower guide rail and the central guide rail. The main slider also includes a rack portion and a gear hole, which are located in the lower part of the rear surface corresponding to the first gear groove and the second gear groove.

4. The door hinge device according to claim 3, wherein, The end of the door is the rear end of the vehicle's rear door.

5. The door hinge device according to claim 4, wherein, The sliding body is disposed on the side outer panel corresponding to the rear end of the rear door, such that the guide rail surface is configured to extend from the front inner side of the vehicle body toward the rear outer side of the vehicle body.

6. The door hinge device according to claim 3, wherein, The first gear groove is formed below the second gear groove.

7. The door hinge device according to claim 3, in, The central guide rail is formed on the rear surface to protrude toward the front of the vehicle. The upper guide rail is formed on the rear surface above the central guide rail to protrude toward the front of the vehicle. The upper guide rail includes an upper surface that is formed as a sliding surface that contacts the guide rail surface of the upper plate of the sliding body. The upper guide rail also includes an upper groove between the upper guide rail and the central guide rail. The lower guide rail is formed on the rear surface below the central guide rail to protrude toward the front of the vehicle. The lower guide rail includes a lower surface that is formed as a sliding surface that contacts the guide rail surface of the lower plate of the sliding body in the guide rail surface. The lower guide rail also includes a sliding groove between the lower guide rail and the central guide rail.

8. The door hinge device according to claim 7, wherein, In the main slider, The upper guide grooves are formed on the lower surface of the upper guide rail and the upper surface of the central guide rail, respectively, according to the radius of the upper bridging component; as well as The lower guide grooves are formed on the upper surface of the lower guide rail and the lower surface of the central guide rail, respectively, according to the radius of the lower bridging component.

9. The door hinge device according to claim 3, wherein, The second-level hinge slider includes an upper hinge slider and a lower hinge slider. The upper hinge slider and the lower hinge slider are respectively disposed in the upper slide groove and the lower slide groove of the main slider through upper bridge members and lower bridge members that can rotate around the corresponding bridge axis, so that the upper hinge slider and the lower hinge slider can move in the width direction of the vehicle and simultaneously towards the rear of the vehicle according to a preset radius.

10. The door hinge device according to claim 9, wherein, In the second-stage hinge slider, The upper hinge slider is movably disposed in the upper slide groove; The upper bridging member is disposed in the upper slide groove so as to be able to rotate about the upper bridging axis, and the upper bridging member is connected to the upper hinge slider via an upper rotation guide rod; The lower hinge slider is movably disposed in the lower slide groove; and The lower bridging member is disposed in the lower sliding groove so as to be rotatable about the lower bridging axis, and the lower bridging member is connected to the lower hinge slider via a lower rotation guide rod.

11. The door hinge device according to claim 9, wherein, Compared to the lower bridge connector, the upper bridge connector is formed facing the vehicle's outer side of the vehicle body.

12. The door hinge device according to claim 10, in, As the end of the upper rotating guide rod is inserted into the upper guide groove, the upper rotating guide rod moves within the upper sliding groove; and While the end of the lower rotating guide rod is inserted into the lower guide groove, the lower rotating guide rod moves in the lower sliding groove.

13. The door hinge device according to claim 9, wherein, The door hinge bracket engages with the end of the door, and the door hinge bracket is connected to the vehicle exterior end of the second-stage hinge slider via the hinge shaft.

14. The door hinge device according to claim 9, wherein, The drive unit is configured such that, while multiple gears are operated by drive torque, after the main slider moves along the guide surface of the sliding body in the width direction of the vehicle, the second-stage hinge slider in the upper and lower grooves of the main slider moves within a preset range in the width direction of the vehicle and also toward the rear of the vehicle according to a preset radius.

15. The door hinge device according to claim 14, wherein, The driving unit includes: An electric motor, mounted on a motor bracket to provide driving torque, the motor bracket being formed on the sliding body; A first motor gear is disposed on the motor shaft of the motor, and the first motor gear continuously engages with the rack portion of the main slider through the first gear slot; A second motor gear is disposed on the motor shaft of the motor, and the second motor gear is configured to correspond to the second gear slot; A bridging drive gear is mounted on a gear bracket formed on the rear plate of the sliding body, and the bridging drive gear continuously engages with the second motor gear; and A bridging gear, which mates with the lower bridging member, and the bridging gear can engage with the bridging drive gear within a predetermined range through the gear hole and the second gear slot.

16. The door hinge device according to claim 15, wherein, The second motor gear and the bridge drive gear have a transmission ratio to transmit the driving torque of the motor to the bridge gear in a speed reduction manner.

17. The door hinge device according to claim 15, wherein, The second gear slot is formed to extend across the rear plate of the sliding body in the width direction of the vehicle, such that the bridging gear moves to engage with the bridging drive gear after it has moved.

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