Vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle (11) is provided with a vehicle body (14), a rear door (15), a drive section (16), and an operation switch (29). The vehicle body (14) has an opening portion (13) at a rear portion (12). The rear door (15) is provided to the vehicle body (14) and is capable of opening and closing the opening portion (13). The drive section (16) drives the rear door (15) to open and close. The operation switch (29) is disposed at a position other than a range of an opening and closing track (30) of the rear door (15) in an outer surface of the vehicle body (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure pertains to vehicles equipped with rear doors. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, vehicles like the one shown in Patent Document 1 are known as examples of such vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with an electrically operated rear door that opens and closes an opening formed at the rear. A hinge is provided at the upper part of the opening. The rear door opens and closes by rotating up and down using an electric motor and the hinge. An opening switch for opening the rear door and a closing switch for closing the rear door are provided at the top of the rear door.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-326729 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, in the case of the rear door described above, the user operates the switch manually to open the rear door from a position opposite the door. Therefore, especially in van-type vehicles with rear doors, the range of the rear door's opening and closing trajectory becomes larger, requiring the user to back away considerably to avoid the door opening after the switch is activated. Thus, the following problem arises: the ease of use of the rear door decreases, particularly when operating it in a confined space.

[0008] Solution for solving the problem

[0009] A vehicle for solving the above-mentioned problem includes: a body having an opening at the rear; a rear door disposed on the body and capable of opening and closing the opening; a drive unit for driving the rear door to open and close; and an operating switch for operating the rear door to open and close. The operating switch is disposed on the outer surface of the body at a position outside the range of the opening and closing trajectory of the rear door. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a vehicle according to one embodiment, viewed from the rear.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a side view diagram showing the portion of the vehicle from the center to the rear.

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of the main parts.

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the 4-4 line sectional view.

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the 5-5 line sectional view. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the vehicle will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, vehicle 11 is a so-called minivan, having a body 14. The body 14 has an opening 13 at its rear 12 that connects the inside and outside of vehicle 11. The opening 13 is provided over the entire rear 12 of the body 14. A hinged rear door 15 is provided at the rear (rear end) of the body 14, which allows the opening 13 to be opened and closed.

[0017] In detail, the vehicle body 14 has a hinge (not shown) on the upper side of the opening 13 at the rear (rear end). The rear door 15 is rockingly connected to the vehicle body 14 by means of this hinge (not shown). In this case, the rear door 15 can be in the fully closed position with the opening 13 fully closed. Figure 2 The position shown by the dotted line) and the fully open position (located above the fully closed position, where the opening 13 is fully open) Figure 2 The door 15 swings between the positions indicated by the double-dotted lines. A drive unit 16 for opening and closing the rear door 15 is provided on the upper part of the side rear end portion inside the vehicle body 14. The drive unit 16 is, for example, constructed by a motor.

[0018] A passenger / alighting opening 17 for boarding / alighting relative to the vehicle 11 is provided at the center of the side of the vehicle body 14 in the forward / backward direction X, and a sliding door 18 for opening and closing the passenger / alighting opening 17 is provided. The sliding door 18 is located in the fully closed position when the passenger / alighting opening 17 is fully closed by the motor of the vehicle 11 (not shown in the figure). Figure 2 The position indicated by the double-dotted line) and the fully open position located behind the fully closed position and fully opening the passenger / alighting gate 17 ( Figure 2 The drive opens and closes between the positions indicated by the solid lines.

[0019] like Figure 2 As shown, an upper sliding mechanism 19, a central sliding mechanism 20, and a lower sliding mechanism 21 are provided on the side of the vehicle body 14 to guide the sliding door 18 to slide between the fully open position and the fully closed position.

[0020] The upper sliding mechanism 19 includes an upper guide rail 22 and an upper guide roller 23. The upper guide rail 22 extends in the vehicle's longitudinal direction X, above the passenger opening 17 on the side of the vehicle 11. The upper guide roller 23 is disposed on the upper part of the inner surface of the sliding door 18. The upper guide roller 23 is configured to move while rotating inside the upper guide rail 22. The upper sliding mechanism 19 guides the upper guide roller 23 by using the upper guide rail 22, thereby guiding the upper part of the sliding door 18 to slide in the vehicle's longitudinal direction X.

[0021] The central sliding mechanism 20 includes a central guide rail 24 and a central guide roller 25. The central guide rail 24 extends in the vehicle's longitudinal direction X, located on the side of the vehicle 11, further rearward than the passenger / alighting opening 17. The central guide roller 25 is disposed at the center of the inner surface of the sliding door 18 in the vertical direction Z. The central guide roller 25 is configured to move while rotating within the central guide rail 24. The central sliding mechanism 20 guides the central guide roller 25 by using the central guide rail 24, thereby guiding the sliding door 18 to slide in the vehicle's longitudinal direction X at the center of the vertical direction Z.

[0022] The lower sliding mechanism 21 includes a lower guide rail 26 and a lower guide roller 27. The lower guide rail 26 extends in the vehicle's longitudinal direction X, located on the side of the vehicle 11 below the passenger / passenger opening 17. The lower guide roller 27 is disposed on the lower part of the inner surface of the sliding door 18. The lower guide roller 27 is configured to move while rotating inside the lower guide rail 26. The lower sliding mechanism 21 guides the lower guide roller 27 by using the lower guide rail 26, thereby guiding the lower part of the sliding door 18 to slide in the vehicle's longitudinal direction X.

[0023] like Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, a recess 28 is provided on the rear side of the passenger / alighting opening 17 on the side of the vehicle body 14. Within the recess 28 are a central guide rail 24, serving as an example of a guide rail for guiding the sliding movement of the sliding door 18, and an operation switch 29 for opening and closing the rear door 15. The operation switch 29 and the central guide rail 24 are arranged in a convergent state within the recess 28. The operation switch 29 is located on the outer surface of the vehicle body 14 (the outer exterior design surface of the vehicle body 14) outside the area of ​​the opening and closing trajectory 30 of the rear door 15.

[0024] The operating switch 29 is disposed adjacent to the central guide rail 24 on the extension line behind the central guide rail 24 within the recess 28. The operating switch 29 can be disposed on either the left or right rear side of the vehicle body 14, or on either the left or right rear side of the vehicle body 14. The operating switch 29 and the drive unit 16 are electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) on the vehicle 11. This control unit (not shown) controls the drive unit 16 based on the command signal for opening and closing the rear door 15 sent from the operating switch 29.

[0025] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the operating switch 29 is a push-button switch. The push-button switch has an open button 31 for opening the rear door 15 and a close button 32 for closing the rear door 15. The open button 31 and close button 32 are arranged adjacent to each other in the vehicle's longitudinal direction X. The operating switch 29 is covered by a cover 34 having a through hole 33. The open button 31 and close button 32 are inserted into the through hole 33. Therefore, the open button 31 and close button 32 are exposed at the through hole 33 of the cover 34.

[0026] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, a roughly rectangular plate-shaped rail cover 35 is provided on the rear side of the vehicle body 14, covering most of the recess 28. The central guide rail 24 and a portion of the cover 34 including the through hole 33 are not covered by the rail cover 35. The tops of the open button 31 and the close button 32 of the operating switch 29 are located on the outer side of the cover 34 in the vehicle width direction Y. Further, the tops of the open button 31 and the close button 32 are located on the inner side of the straight line L in the vehicle width direction Y, connecting the outer surface of the vehicle body 14 adjacent to the operating switch 29 on the lower side and the outer surface of the rail cover 35 adjacent to the operating switch 29 on the upper side. In other words, the operating switch 29 is located on the side of the vehicle body 11 in the vehicle width direction Y, on the inner side of the outer surface surrounding the operating switch 29 in the vehicle width direction Y.

[0027] like Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the cover 34 is fixed to the vehicle body 14 using screws (not shown). On the side of the cover 34 facing the vehicle body 14, at the front and rear sides of the operating switch 29, bottomed cylindrical boss ribs 36 are provided, protruding towards the vehicle body 14. That is, the boss ribs 36 extend in the vehicle width direction Y. A bracket 37 is fixed to the operating switch 29 on the side facing the vehicle body 14.

[0028] The bracket 37 has two tongue portions 38, each protruding from a position opposite to two ribs 36 in the vehicle width direction Y. A hole 39 is formed through each tongue portion 38. The two tongue portions 38 are respectively fixed to the corresponding ribs 36 at the holes 39 using screws 40. In other words, the operating switch 29 is fixed to the cover 34 by means of the bracket 37.

[0029] A strip-shaped protrusion 41 extending toward the body 14 is formed between two tongue portions 38 on the side surface of the bracket 37. An opposing surface 42 is formed at the top end of the protrusion 41. The opposing surface 42 is formed by bending the top end of the protrusion 41 vertically upwards. The opposing surface 42 is opposite to the body 14 in the vehicle width direction Y. The protrusion 41 contacts the body 14 in the opposing surface 42.

[0030] A strip-shaped guide plate 43 is disposed on the outer side of the central guide rail 24 within the recess 28 of the body 14. The guide plate 43 guides the central guide roller 25. The front end of the cover 34 partially overlaps with the guide plate 43 in the vehicle width direction Y. A small gap S is formed between the front end of the cover 34 and the guide plate 43.

[0031] Next, the function of opening and closing the rear door 15 of vehicle 11 will be explained.

[0032] The rear door 15 is opened and closed by the user standing outside the vehicle 11, opposite the operation switch 29 located on the side rear of the vehicle body 14, and pressing the open button 31 and the close button 32 of the operation switch 29. In this case, the user can operate the operation switch 29 while looking at the rear door 15 from outside the opening and closing trajectory 30 of the rear door 15, so there is no need to move away from the rear door 15 that is driven to open and close when the operation switch 29 is operated. Therefore, the user's convenience in using the rear door 15 is improved.

[0033] Furthermore, when the open and close buttons 32 of the operating switch 29 are pressed, most of the load is transmitted from the opposing surface 42 of the protrusion 41 to the vehicle body 14, and the remainder is transmitted to the cover 34 via the bracket 37. However, because the cover 34 is provided with ribs 36, the rigidity of the cover 34 can be ensured by the ribs 36. Therefore, the cover 34 hardly deforms.

[0034] Additionally, when vehicle 11 is in motion, such as Figure 5 As shown by the arrow, sometimes foreign objects such as water and snow can seep into the inside of the cover 34 through the gap S between the front end of the cover 34 and the guide plate 43. However, because a rib 36 is provided on the inside of the cover 34 at a position closer to the operating switch 29 than the operating switch 29, the rib 36 can prevent foreign objects such as water and snow that have seeped into the inside of the cover 34 from directly contacting the operating switch 29.

[0035] Furthermore, the tops of the open button 31 and close button 32 of the operating switch 29 are located inside the vehicle width direction Y, beyond the straight line L. The straight line L connects the outer surface of the vehicle body 14 adjacent to the operating switch 29 on the lower side and the outer surface of the rail cover 35 adjacent to the operating switch 29 on the upper side. Therefore, even if the user leans against the side and rear of the vehicle body 14 from the operating switch 29, it can prevent the user from accidentally pressing the open button 31 and close button 32 of the operating switch 29 with their back or the like.

[0036] The following effects can be achieved according to the implementation methods described above.

[0037] (1) The vehicle 11 includes: a body 14 having an opening 13 at the rear 12; a hinged rear door 15 disposed on the body 14, capable of opening and closing the opening 13; a drive unit 16 for driving the rear door 15 to open and close; and an operating switch 29 for operating the rear door 15 to open and close. The operating switch 29 is disposed on the outer surface of the body 14 at a position outside the range of the opening and closing trajectory 30 of the rear door 15. According to this structure, since the user can operate the operating switch 29 outside the range of the opening and closing trajectory 30 of the rear door 15, the user does not need to move away from the rear door 15 that is driven when the operating switch 29 is operated to open or close the rear door 15. Therefore, the user's convenience in using the rear door 15 is improved.

[0038] (2) In the vehicle 11, a recess 28 is formed on the side of the body 14, and the operating switch 29 is configured to converge within the recess 28. According to this structure, it is possible to suppress the user from accidentally contacting the operating switch 29, thus suppressing the user's misoperation of the operating switch 29.

[0039] (3) In the vehicle 11, a passenger / flight opening 17 and a sliding door 18 for opening and closing the passenger / flight opening 17 are provided on the side of the body 14. A recess 28 is provided on the rear side of the passenger / flight opening 17 on the side of the body 14. A central guide rail 24 for guiding the sliding movement of the sliding door 18 is provided in the recess 28, extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction X. An operating switch 29 is arranged adjacent to the central guide rail 24 on the extension line behind the central guide rail 24. According to this structure, the operating switch 29 is not easily noticed, thus suppressing the reduction in the aesthetics of the vehicle 11 caused by the arrangement of the operating switch 29.

[0040] (4) In vehicle 11, the operating switch 29 is covered by a cover 34 with a through hole 33, and the open button 31 and the close button 32 are inserted into the through hole 33. According to this structure, since only the open button 31 and the close button 32 in the operating switch 29 are exposed from the cover 34, the operability of the operating switch 29 by the user can be ensured, and the operating switch 29 can be protected.

[0041] (5) In the vehicle 11, a rib 36 is provided on the side of the cover 34 facing the body 14, at least forward of the operating switch 29, protruding toward the body 14. According to this structure, the rib 36 can prevent water, snow, or other foreign objects from entering the inside of the cover 34 through the gap S between the front end of the cover 34 and the guide plate 43, which is a member of the body 14, from directly contacting the operating switch 29, especially when the vehicle 11 is in motion.

[0042] (Modified Example)

[0043] The above-described embodiments can be implemented with the following modifications. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and the following variations can be combined and implemented within a technically compatible framework.

[0044] • In cover 34, at least one of the two ribs 36 may be omitted.

[0045] • Ribs other than the protruding ribs 36 can also be appropriately provided on the inner surface of the cover 34.

[0046] • Cover 34 can also be omitted.

[0047] • The operating switch 29 does not need to be arranged adjacent to the central guide rail 24 on the extension line behind the central guide rail 24.

[0048] • The operating switch 29 does not need to be configured to be recessed within the recess 28 of the body 14. That is, the operating switch 29 can also be configured to protrude from the outer surface of the body 14.

[0049] • The operating switch 29 can be located anywhere in the body 14, as long as it is outside the opening and closing trajectory 30 of the rear door 15. For example, it can be located in an area other than the opening 13 in the rear 12 of the body 14.

[0050] • The rear door 15 can also be changed to a linkage-type rear door, for example, using a four-bar linkage mechanism.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising: a vehicle body having an opening portion at a rear surface; a rear door provided to the vehicle body and capable of opening and closing the opening portion; a drive portion that drives the rear door to open and close; and an operation switch that performs opening and closing operation of the rear door, characterized in that the operation switch is disposed at a position other than a range of an opening and closing track of the rear door in an outer surface of the vehicle body, a recess is formed in a side surface of the vehicle body, a passenger door and a sliding door that opens and closes the passenger door are provided to a side portion of the vehicle body, the recess is disposed at a rear side of the passenger door in the side surface of the vehicle body, a guide rail that guides sliding movement of the sliding door is provided in the recess in a manner extending in a vehicle front-rear direction, the operation switch is disposed in a state of converging in the recess and is disposed adjacent to the guide rail on an extension line of a rear side of the guide rail. The operation switch is covered with a cover having a through hole, and a button is inserted into the through hole. A rib is provided in a manner protruding toward the vehicle body at a position at least on a front side of a surface of the cover on the vehicle body side. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein ​ 3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein ​

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