Door opening and closing device

Abstract

A door opening and closing device (1) is provided with an upper rail (10) that guides a guided member (29) linked to an upper end portion (9a) of a sliding door panel (9) and that slidably suspends the sliding door panel in a door width direction; the door opening and closing device (1) is provided with: a first driven rotary wheel (21) and a second driven rotary wheel (25) each of which has a rope-like transmission body (28) linked to the guided member wound thereon and which are disposed at positions apart from each other in the door width direction; a drive rotary wheel (31) disposed between the first driven rotary wheel and the second driven rotary wheel and on an upper side of the upper rail, which transmits a driving force to the rope-like transmission body; and a motor (35) that rotates the drive rotary wheel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a door opening and closing device for opening and closing a sliding door panel. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, door opening and closing devices were known to use a rotating drive of a motor to open and close sliding doors.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a door opening and closing device comprising: a drive pulley located at one end of the door opening and closing direction, with a rope component wound around it to transmit the rotational force of a motor to the rope component; and a driven pulley located at the other end of the door opening and closing direction, with a rope component wound around it.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-108678 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] However, the door opening and closing device described in Patent Document 1 is designed with a motor that rotates the drive pulley located outside the door width direction of the drive pulley. Therefore, space is required for the motor to be installed outside the door width direction of the drive pulley, which may require increasing the width of the door frame or embedding it into a wall or other structure.

[0009] This disclosure is made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the purpose is to provide a door opening and closing device that can achieve a compact size along the width direction of the door.

[0010] Methods used to solve problems

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, the first door opening and closing device disclosed herein is a door opening and closing device having an upper track, which guides a guided member connected to the upper end of a sliding door panel, allowing the sliding door panel to be slidably suspended and held in the door width direction. The door opening and closing device is characterized by comprising: a first driven rotating wheel and a second driven rotating wheel, each wound around a rope-like transmission body connected to the guided member, and positioned at opposite positions in the door width direction; a drive rotating wheel, positioned between the first and second driven rotating wheels and above the upper track, transmitting driving force to the rope-like transmission body; and a motor that rotates the drive rotating wheel.

[0012] The second disclosure may also serve as an alternative to the above purpose, providing a door opening and closing device that enables efficient use of a space equipped with a rope-like transmission element. In this case, the door opening and closing device disclosed in the second book can replace the above-mentioned mechanism. It can also be a door opening and closing device with an upper track, which guides the guided member connected to the upper end of the sliding door panel, so that the sliding door panel can be slidably suspended and held in the door width direction. The door opening and closing device is characterized by having: a first rotating wheel and a second rotating wheel, which are disposed at positions away from each other in the door width direction; a rope-like transmission body, which is wound around each of the first rotating wheel and the second rotating wheel in a parallel hanger shape and connected to the guided member; and a drive unit that transmits driving force to the rope-like transmission body. The axles of the first rotating wheel and the second rotating wheel, which are parallel to each other, are arranged in an inclined manner, such that the lower displacement part and the upper displacement part of the rope-like transmission body are at different positions in the door thickness direction of the upper track. The lower displacement part is connected to the guided member and moves in the door width direction, while the upper displacement part and the lower displacement part move in opposite directions in the door width direction. In this case, the first rotating wheel and the second rotating wheel may also be inclined to each other, such that the lower displacement part is located at approximately the center in the door thickness direction of the upper track, and the upper displacement part is located in a position biased to one side in the door thickness direction of the upper track.

[0013] The third disclosure can also serve the purpose of providing a door opening and closing device that improves the maintainability of the motor, instead of the aforementioned objective. In this case, the door opening and closing device of the third disclosure can replace the aforementioned mechanism and can be a door opening and closing device with an upper track that guides a guided member connected to the upper end of a sliding door panel, allowing the sliding door panel to be slidably suspended and held in the door width direction. The door opening and closing device is characterized by comprising: a drive rotating wheel that transmits driving force to a rope-like transmission body connected to the guided member; a driven rotating wheel that rotates passively around the rope-like transmission body; a motor that has a gear that transmits rotation to a gear provided on the drive rotating wheel, causing the drive rotating wheel to rotate; a first fixing member that fixes the drive rotating wheel to the upper track; and a second fixing member that is separate from the first fixing member and detachably fixes the motor relative to the upper track on which the drive rotating wheel is fixed. In this case, a fixing part may also be provided on the second fixing member, which is fixed relative to the fixed part provided on the first fixing member.

[0014] Invention Effects

[0015] The door opening and closing device disclosed in the first book, by having the structure described above, enables a compact size along the width direction of the door. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 (a) and (b) are schematic cross-sectional front views, with some parts omitted, illustrating an example of a door opening and closing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a partial sectional view of the door opening and closing device.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the door opening and closing device, with a portion omitted.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the door opening and closing device, with a portion omitted.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the door opening and closing device, with a portion omitted.

[0021] Figure 6 Figures (a) to (c) are schematic perspective views of the door opening and closing device with a portion omitted.

[0022] Figure 7 (a) and (b) are partial cross-sectional perspective views of the door opening and closing device with a portion omitted.

[0023] Figure 8 (a) is a schematic exploded perspective view of the door opening and closing device with a portion omitted, and (b) is a schematic front view of the door opening and closing device with a portion omitted.

[0024] Figure 9 (a) is a partial sectional view of the door opening and closing device with a portion omitted, and (b) to (d) are partial sectional views of the door opening and closing device with a portion omitted.

[0025] Figure 10 (a) and (b) are schematic cross-sectional views of a modified example of the door opening and closing device, with some parts omitted.

[0026] Figure 11 (a) to (c) are partial sectional schematic front views, with some parts omitted, schematically representing another variation of the door opening and closing device.

[0027] Figure 12 This is a schematic, partially exploded perspective view, showing another variation of the door opening and closing device, with a portion omitted.

[0028] Figure 13(a) and (b) are partial sectional schematic exploded plan views of this modified example.

[0029] Figure 14 (a) and (b) are partial cross-sectional schematic perspective views of this modified example. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Additionally, some of the detailed labels that have been assigned in other figures have been omitted from some of the figures.

[0032] Furthermore, in the following embodiments, directions such as the up and down directions will be explained based on the state after the door opening and closing device of this embodiment has been installed.

[0033] Figures 1 to 14 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example and a variation of the door opening and closing device according to this embodiment.

[0034] Regarding the door opening and closing device 1 of this embodiment, as follows: Figure 1 As shown in (a) and (b), the sliding door panel 9 includes an upper rail 10 that guides the guided component 29 connected to the upper end 9a of the sliding door panel 9, allowing the sliding door panel 9 to slide freely and be suspended in the door width direction. Furthermore, the door opening and closing device 1 includes a drive mechanism 20 connected to the guided component 29, allowing the guided component 29 to slide in the door width direction. With this structure, simply driving the drive mechanism 20 allows the guided component 29 to move in the door width direction, opening and closing (opening and locking) the sliding door panel 9. That is, the sliding door panel 9 can function as an automatic door.

[0035] Furthermore, the door opening and closing device 1 includes an upper frame 3, which serves as a fixed object to which the upper track 10 is fixed. The door opening and closing device 1 can also be a sliding door device consisting of a door frame 2 including the upper frame 3 and a sliding door panel 9. Moreover, the door opening and closing device 1 can be installed in various locations, including general residential buildings such as detached houses or apartment buildings, public facilities such as accommodation facilities, medical facilities, and welfare facilities, commercial facilities such as offices, and various shops.

[0036] In this embodiment, an example is shown where a single sliding door panel 9 is constructed as a single sliding door. The illustration shows an example where the sliding door panel 9 is constructed as a sleeve-like storage unit, but it can also be constructed in a suitable storage form such as door box storage or external storage.

[0037] A door frame 2 is installed at an opening in the wall of a building. This door frame 2 includes: an upper frame 3 (upper track 10) that demarcates the upper side of the entrance 8, which is opened and closed via a sliding door panel 9; a front side longitudinal frame 4, disposed on the front side of the sliding door panel 9; a rear side longitudinal frame 5, disposed on the rear side of the sliding door panel 9; and a middle mullion 6. The middle mullion 6 is arranged along the end of the entrance 8 (not shown in the illustration) of the sleeve wall, demarcating the two sides of the entrance 8 in the width direction of the opening, together with the front side longitudinal frame 4. Furthermore, the upper frame 3 can be attached to or embedded in the ceiling, or it can be installed along the lower end of the vertical wall. Additionally, the lower side of the entrance 8 can also be demarcated by the floor or a suitable lower frame.

[0038] 3 in the upper frame Figure 1 As shown in (a), it is elongated in the width direction of the door. The length dimension of the upper frame 3 is set as the door width (maximum door width described later) W1 of the sliding door panel 9 (refer to...). Figure 1 Approximately twice the size of (b)). Additionally, the upper frame 3, as... Figure 2 As shown, it is arranged with the thickness direction as the vertical direction. Furthermore, the depth dimension (dimension along the door thickness direction) of the upper frame 3 located on the sleeve wall side is set to be smaller than the depth dimension of the portion located on the entrance / exit 8 side (see also...). Figure 5 ).

[0039] Furthermore, the upper frame 3 is provided with a receiving groove 3a for receiving the upper portion of the drive mechanism 20, which will be described later. This structure facilitates easy alignment of the upper track 10, on which the drive mechanism 20 is mounted. The receiving groove 3a opens downwards and extends across the entire length of the upper frame 3. Alternatively, the upper frame 3 can be fixed to a suitable upper frame base, such as a lintel, using threaded fasteners or nails.

[0040] Door front side longitudinal frame 4, door rear side longitudinal frame 5 and central mullion 6 as shown Figure 1 As shown in (a), the door is elongated in the vertical direction (height-to-height). The lengths of these front side longitudinal frames 4, rear side longitudinal frames 5, and stiles 6 are approximately the same as the height of the sliding door panel 9 plus the vertical dimensions of the upper track 10 and upper frame 3, including the drive mechanism 20. Furthermore, these front side longitudinal frames 4, rear side longitudinal frames 5, and stiles 6 are arranged such that their thickness direction is the same as the door width direction. The depth of the rear side longitudinal frames 5 and stiles 6 is smaller than the depth of the front side longitudinal frames 4 (see reference). Figure 2 ).

[0041] Alternatively, the front side longitudinal frame 4 and the rear side longitudinal frame 5 can be fixed to a suitable longitudinal frame base such as a column using fasteners. Furthermore, these front side longitudinal frames 4 and the rear side longitudinal frames 5, along with the upper frame 3, can be fixed to the longitudinal frame base and the upper frame base in a triangular frame-like configuration. The illustration shows an example where the upper ends of these front side longitudinal frames 4 and the rear side longitudinal frames 5 are abutted (bearing) against the longitudinal end faces on both sides of the upper frame 3, and these front side longitudinal frames 4 and the rear side longitudinal frames 5, along with the upper frame 3, are assembled into a longitudinal frame extending through the frame.

[0042] Alternatively, a door embedding groove can be provided on the mutually facing depth surfaces of these front side longitudinal frames 4 and rear side longitudinal frames 5 to receive the sliding door panel 9 at each end (front side end and rear side end) in the door width direction.

[0043] The mullion 6 can also have its upper end fixed to the upper frame 3 and its lower end fixed to the floor. Alternatively, it can have a structure in which a gap-shielding member, such as mohair, is provided at the end of the mullion 6 on the side of the sliding door panel 9, and is in frictional contact with one side of the sliding door panel 9. Furthermore, the door frame 2 is not limited to the structure described above, and can have various other structures.

[0044] The sliding door panel 9 is made into a roughly rectangular flat plate that is elongated in one direction (vertical direction). The height (length) dimension of the sliding door panel 9 only needs to correspond to the opening height of the entrance 8 that is opened and closed by the sliding door panel 9, and can also be a standard door height dimension, such as about 1800mm to 2100mm. In addition, the sliding door panel 9 can also be configured as a high door with a door height approximately the same as the ceiling height, such as about 2300mm to 3000mm. Furthermore, the door thickness dimension of the sliding door panel 9 can also be about 20mm to 40mm.

[0045] Furthermore, the door width of the sliding door panel 9 is a pre-set maximum door width W1. This maximum door width W1 can be, for example, around 1200mm to 1800mm, to accommodate various installation locations as described above. When installed indoors, the sliding door panel 9 can also be a relatively lightweight panel, such as a glossy panel, which has a surface element attached to a panel core consisting of a frame-shaped core made of a material commonly used for interior sliding doors, such as wood or metal. The sliding door panel 9 is not limited to such a glossy panel; appropriate structures can be made depending on the installation location.

[0046] At the upper end 9a of the door head side, which is one side of the sliding door panel 9 in the door width direction, a first guided member 29A constituting a guided member 29 is connected. At the upper end 9a of the door tail side, which is the other side in the door width direction, a second guided member 29B constituting a guided member 29 is connected. These first guided members 29A and second guided members 29B have substantially the same structure. In these first guided members 29A and second guided members 29B, such as Figure 2 The mounting portion 29a shown is provided with a mounting part that is installed onto the sliding door panel 9. The mounting portion of the sliding door panel 9 is configured to open outward and upward on the upper ends 9a on both sides of the sliding door panel 9 in the door width direction, and is made into a recessed cup-shaped portion for the mounting portion 29a to be inserted.

[0047] Furthermore, these first guided member 29A and second guided member 29B include: a support shaft 29b, which is provided to protrude upward from the mounting portion 29a; and a guide body 29c, which is fixed to the upper end of the support shaft 29b. A rotating body 29d is provided on the guide body 29c, which moves on the guide plate portion 13a of the upper track 10 (described later). In the illustration, an example is shown where rotating bodies 29d that rotate about axes along the door thickness direction are respectively provided on both sides of the guide body 29c in the door thickness direction. Alternatively, a structure could be used in which the rotating bodies 29d on both sides in the door thickness direction are spaced apart at multiple locations in the door width direction of the guide body 29c.

[0048] Furthermore, the first guided member 29A, which is on one side of the door width direction, is connected to the drive mechanism 20, as will be described in detail later. That is, the first guided member 29A slides in the door width direction via the drive mechanism 20, and the second guided member 29B on the other side, which is not connected to the drive mechanism 20, can also be said to slide passively in the door width direction.

[0049] Furthermore, these first guided components 29A and second guided components 29B are not limited to the structure described above, and can also be made into appropriate structures according to the upper track 10 described later.

[0050] Furthermore, a guide groove may be provided at the lower end of the sliding door panel 9 for inserting a lower guide component such as a guide pin located on the floor side.

[0051] Upper orbit 10 Figure 1As shown in (b), the longest length L1 is approximately twice the maximum door width W1 of the sliding door panel 9. In this embodiment, the upper track 10 is configured as the longest upper track 10 with the longest length L1, and the drive mechanism 20 is fixed to the first half 10A on its longer side. With such a configuration, when the sliding door panel 9 is at its maximum door width W1 as in this embodiment, the sliding door panel 9 can be opened and closed by sliding the first guided member 29A in the first half 10A of the longest upper track 10 and the second guided member 29B in the second half 10B side of the longest upper track 10. Furthermore, when the door width of the sliding door panel 9 is smaller than the maximum door width W1, the length of the upper track 10 can be adjusted to approximately twice the door width by, for example, cutting off the second half 10B side or shortening it beforehand, so that the shared drive mechanism 20 can be used.

[0052] That is, even if the length of the second half 10B side of the longest upper track 10 is shortened, it will not affect the first half 10A side that fixes the drive mechanism 20. Furthermore, there is no need to change the installation position of the drive mechanism 20. Therefore, the shared drive mechanism 20 can be applied to sliding door panels 9 from the maximum door width W1 to approximately half of that door width (minimum door width) W2 (see reference). Figure 10 This improves versatility. In other words, the dimension of the drive mechanism 20 along the longer direction of the track (door width direction) can be set to approximately twice or less the minimum door width W2, so that the sliding door panel 9A with a minimum door width W2 can be opened and closed.

[0053] That is, in Figure 10 In the modified examples shown in (a) and (b), the door opening and closing device 1A is a structure for opening and closing a sliding door panel 9A, the door width W2 of which is approximately half of the maximum door width W1 of the aforementioned sliding door panel 9A. The length L2 of the upper track 10C of the door opening and closing device 1A is approximately twice the door width W2 of the sliding door panel 9A and approximately half of the length L1 of the longest upper track 10. In other words, the length L2 of the upper track 10C is approximately the same as the length of the first half 10A of the aforementioned longest upper track 10.

[0054] Furthermore, the other structures in the door opening and closing device 1A of the modified example are related to... Figure 1 The door opening and closing device 1 shown has the same structure, so it is given the same reference numerals and the description is omitted.

[0055] Furthermore, in each example, the lengths L1 and L2 of the upper tracks 10 and 10C are set to be smaller than twice the door widths W1 and W2. The lengths L1 and L2 of the upper tracks 10 and 10C can be appropriately determined based on the overlap dimension between the rear end of the sliding door panels 9 and 9A in the locked state and the mullion 6 (sleeve wall), or the remaining dimension of the fully opened sliding door panels 9 and 9A. In other words, the lengths L1 and L2 of the upper tracks 10 and 10C can also be approximately the same as the dimensions obtained by subtracting twice the aforementioned overlap dimension from twice the door widths W1 and W2 of the sliding door panels 9 and 9A.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second half 10B on the other side of the longest upper track 10 in the longer direction can be cut off. With this structure, when the door width W2 of the sliding door panel 9A is smaller than the maximum door width W1, by cutting the second half 10B side to a length approximately twice the door width W2, an upper track 10C of length L2 capable of guiding the sliding door panel 9A can be made. Thus, for example, even with the drive mechanism 20 installed in the first half 10A, the second half 10B side can be cut off, making it easy to handle even after factory shipment. The upper track 10 can also be made of metal with at least the second half 10B having the same cross-sectional shape across its entire length, and capable of being cut by a suitable cutting tool.

[0057] Furthermore, in upper orbit 10, such as Figure 2 As shown, the guide groove 11 that receives the guided components 29 (the first guided component 29A and the second guided component 29B) is provided with a downward opening. The guide groove 11 is configured to extend across the entire length of the upper track 10. The guide body 29c of the guided component 29 is inserted into the guide groove 11 and guided.

[0058] The upper track 10 includes: a bottom plate-like portion 12 that divides the bottom of the guide groove 11; side plate-like portions 13, 13 on both sides that divide the two sides of the guide groove 11 in the groove width direction; and guide plate portions 13a, 13a that extend from the lower ends of these side plate-like portions 13, 13 in a direction facing each other. In addition, the upper track 10 includes protruding portions 14, 14 on both sides that protrude upward from the two side edges in the groove width direction on the upper surface side of the bottom plate-like portion 12.

[0059] At the leading ends of the guide plates 13a, 13a on both sides, protruding strips extending upwards are provided to span the entire length of the upper track 10. Annular grooves on the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotating bodies 29d, 29d of the guided member 29 engage with these protruding strips of the guide plates 13a, 13a, allowing the rotating bodies 29d, 29d to move along these protruding strips. Furthermore, the upper track 10 is not limited to a structure having guide plates 13a, 13a that allow movement of the rotating bodies 29d, 29d spaced apart on both sides in the door thickness direction. For example, the upper track 10 may have a structure in which a single guide plate holds the rotating body 29d located only on one side of the guided member 29 in the door thickness direction by a snap-fit ​​configuration; various other structures are also possible.

[0060] Drive mechanism 20 Figures 2-5 As shown, the groove bottom plate-like portion 12 is fixed to the upper track 10. With this structure, the upper track 10 can be fixed relative to a fixed object such as the upper frame 3 of the door frame 2 on which the sliding door panel 9 is mounted, while the drive mechanism 20 and the upper track 10 are integrated. Furthermore, compared to structures such as fixing the drive mechanism 20 to the side plate-like portion 13 of the upper track 10, a more compact dimension along the door thickness direction can be achieved.

[0061] The drive mechanism 20, as shown Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the device includes a first driven rotating wheel 21 and a second driven rotating wheel 25 positioned at opposite locations in the door width direction. The first driven rotating wheel 21 constitutes the first rotating wheel, and the second driven rotating wheel 25 constitutes the second rotating wheel. Furthermore, the drive mechanism 20 includes a rope-like transmission body 28 wound around each of the first driven rotating wheel 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25 and connected to the first guided member 29A; and a drive unit 30 transmitting driving force to the rope-like transmission body 28. With this structure, when the drive unit 30 is driven, the first guided member 29A connected to the rope-like transmission body 28 moves in the door width direction, enabling the sliding door panel 9 to be opened and closed.

[0062] The first driven rotating wheel 21 is positioned at the first end 10a on the longer side of the first half 10A of the longest upper track 10. The second driven rotating wheel 25 is positioned at the second end 10b on the other side of the longer side of the first half 10A of the longest upper track 10. With this configuration, the first guided member 29A can slide across approximately the entire length of the first half 10A of the longest upper track 10 via the rope-like transmission body 28 wound around them. Furthermore, even when applied to different door widths W1 and W2, the application can be performed without changing the positions of the first driven rotating wheel 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25, or the length of the rope-like transmission body 28.

[0063] The drive unit 30 includes a drive rotating wheel 31 and a motor 35 that rotates the drive rotating wheel 31. The drive rotating wheel 31 is positioned between the first driven rotating wheels 21 and the second driven rotating wheels 25 and above the upper track 10, transmitting driving force to the rope-like transmission body 28. With this structure, when the drive rotating wheel 31 is rotated by the motor 35, the first guided member 29A connected to the rope-like transmission body 28 moves in the door width direction, enabling the sliding door panel 9 to open and close. Furthermore, compared to a structure where the drive rotating wheel 31 and the motor 35 are located at one end in the door width direction, a more compact size along the door width direction can be achieved. Furthermore, compared to a structure where the drive rotating wheel 31 is located on one side of the upper track 10 in the door thickness direction, a more compact size along the door thickness direction can be achieved. Through these features, a door frame 2 of the same size as the door frame of a sliding door device installed in a typical building such as a residence can also be provided. Furthermore, it can be installed on existing door frames 2, applicable not only to new construction but also to renovations or modifications. Thus, it can be appropriately used as a door opening / closing device 1 for opening and closing sliding door panels 9, which are installed in the interiors of existing detached houses, apartment buildings, public facilities such as accommodation, medical facilities, and welfare facilities, commercial facilities such as offices, and various shops. Moreover, because the door opening / closing device 1 is compact, it allows the sliding door panel 9 to function as an automatic door while minimizing visual incongruity (noise) even when used as an interior sliding door, making it suitable for interior use.

[0064] The first driven wheel shaft 22 and the second driven wheel shaft 26, which serve as the shafts of the first driven rotating wheel 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25, are arranged parallel to each other. Furthermore, these first driven wheel shafts 22 and 26 are arranged to intersect the axial direction of the drive wheel shaft 32 of the drive rotating wheel 31, which is arranged with its axial direction aligned with the door height. With this structure, compared to a structure where the axial direction of the drive rotating wheel 31 is aligned with the door thickness and the motor 35 is arranged adjacent to it in the door thickness direction, a more compact dimension along the door thickness direction can be achieved. Furthermore, the portion of the rope-like transmission body 28 connected to the first guided member 29A and the portion transmitting driving force to the drive rotating wheel 31 can be arranged vertically. Therefore, compared to a structure where the axial directions of the first driven rotating wheel 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25 are aligned with the door height direction, a more efficient compact dimension along the door thickness direction can be achieved.

[0065] In addition, such as Figure 7 As shown, the motor 35 is positioned on the door width side of the drive rotating wheel 31 with the axis of the output shaft 36 in the door width direction, and the drive rotating wheel 31 is rotated via gears 33 and 37. This configuration allows for a more compact dimension along the door height direction compared to a configuration where the motor 35 is positioned with the axis of the output shaft 36 in the door height direction. The specific structure of the drive unit 30, including the drive rotating wheels 31 and the motor 35, will be described later.

[0066] On the first driven rotating wheel 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25, a rope-like transmission body 28 is wound in a parallel hanger-like manner (see reference). Figure 4 The lower displacement portion 28b of the rope-like transmission body 28 is connected to the first guided member 29A and moves in the door width direction, while the upper displacement portion 28a moves in the door width direction to the opposite side to the lower displacement portion 28b (see reference). Figure 2 The first driven rotating wheel 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25 have their first driven wheel shaft 22 and second driven wheel shaft 26 set in an inclined position so that the lower displacement portion 28b and the upper displacement portion 28a of the rope-like transmission body 28 are located at different positions in the thickness direction of the upper track 10. With such a structure, the lower displacement portion 28b and the upper displacement portion 28a of the rope-like transmission body 28 are arranged in a staggered position in the thickness direction, and various devices or components can be arranged using the space on the side of the lower displacement portion 28b and the upper displacement portion 28a in the thickness direction.

[0067] The first driven rotating wheel 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25 have their first driven wheel axle 22 and second driven wheel axle 26 set in an inclined position, so that the lower displacement portion 28b is located approximately at the center in the door thickness direction of the upper track 10, and the upper displacement portion 28a is located at a position biased to one side in the door thickness direction of the upper track 10. With this structure, the lower displacement portion 28b located approximately at the center in the door thickness direction of the upper track 10 can be connected to the first guided member 29A. Thus, compared with a structure in which the lower displacement portion 28b is connected to the first guided member 29A or the upper end 9a of the sliding door panel 9 in the door thickness direction by a connecting member, the first guided member 29A can move stably in the door width direction. In addition, various devices or components can be arranged in the space on the side of the upper displacement portion 28a, which is displaced at a position biased to one side in the door thickness direction of the upper track 10.

[0068] Furthermore, a structure was constructed in which the drive rotating wheel 31 and the motor 35, described later, are located on the side of the upper displacement portion 28a in the door thickness direction. With such a structure, the drive rotating wheel 31 and the motor 35 constituting the drive portion 30 can be arranged using the space on the side of the upper displacement portion 28a in the door thickness direction.

[0069] Furthermore, the lower displacement portion 28b is disposed within the guide groove 11, and the upper displacement portion 28a is disposed above the bottom plate-like portion 12. With this structure, the bottom plate-like portion 12 is sandwiched between the lower displacement portion 28b and the upper displacement portion 28a, which are displaced to opposite sides in the door width direction, thus suppressing mutual interference. Furthermore, if the upper displacement portion 28a is positioned at a location offset to one side in the door thickness direction of the upper track 10, as in this embodiment, the space above the bottom plate-like portion 12 can be effectively utilized.

[0070] The first driven rotating wheel 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25 are of the same size and shape. Furthermore, these first driven rotating wheels 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25 are made into thin, circular plates with relatively small axial dimensions compared to the first driven wheel shaft 22 and the second driven wheel shaft 26. Additionally, these first driven rotating wheels 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25 are made with annular grooves 21a and 25a on their respective outer peripheral surfaces for engaging with rope-like transmission elements 28 that are designed as rope-like components (see reference). Figure 6 The pulleys. Furthermore, these first driven rotating wheels 21 and second driven rotating wheels 25 are configured to be in a consistent position when viewed in the door width direction. Additionally, these first driven rotating wheels 21 and second driven rotating wheels 25 are configured such that their lower end portions are located approximately at the center of the groove width direction within the guide groove 11, and their upper end portions are located above the groove bottom plate-like portion 12, offset towards the groove width direction (see reference). Figure 2 The first driven wheel shaft 22 and the second driven wheel shaft 26 of the first driven rotating wheel 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25 are arranged orthogonally to the longer direction of the upper track 10, and are arranged inclined relative to the horizontal plane (the upper surface of the groove bottom plate 12). The inclination angle of these first driven wheel shafts 22 and the second driven wheel shafts 26 relative to the horizontal plane (the upper surface of the groove bottom plate 12) can also be about 10 degrees to 60 degrees. An example of about 30 degrees is shown in the figure.

[0071] Furthermore, the configuration is such that at least one of the first driven rotating wheel 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25 is held on the upper track 10 in a position adjustable in the door width direction. With this configuration, the tension of the rope-like transmission body 28 can be adjusted. In this embodiment, the position of the first driven rotating wheel 21 can be adjusted in the door width direction.

[0072] The first driven rotating wheel 21, as shown Figure 6 As shown in (a) and (b), the retaining member 23 is rotatably held relative to the retaining member 24 which is fixed to the bottom plate-shaped part 12 in a manner that allows for positional adjustment in the door width direction.

[0073] The fixing member 24 includes a fixing piece 24a, which is fixed along the upper surface of the bottom plate-like portion 12; and a retaining piece 24b, which is provided to stand upright from one side edge of the fixing piece 24a in the track width direction (door thickness direction). The retaining member 23 includes a retaining piece 23a, which is arranged along the side surface of the retaining piece 24b in the door thickness direction.

[0074] A threaded insertion hole 24c is provided on the retaining portion 24b of the fixing member 24, extending through in the door thickness direction, for the shaft portion of the fixing tool 7 to be inserted. The fixing tool 7 engages with a female threaded hole provided on the retained portion 23a of the retaining member 23, extending through in the door thickness direction. The threaded insertion hole 24c is made into an elongated hole with a long diameter in the door width direction, so that the position of the retaining member 23 relative to the fixing member 24 in the door width direction can be adjusted. Furthermore, an example is shown in which multiple (two in the example) female threaded holes are provided at intervals in the door width direction on the retained portion 23a of the retaining member 23, and multiple threaded insertion holes 24c, 24c are provided on the retaining portion 24b of the fixing member 24 for the shaft portion of the fixing tool 7, which engages with these female threaded holes, to be inserted.

[0075] Furthermore, a threaded insertion hole is provided on the fixing member 24 in a through-direction in the door width direction for the shaft portion of the fixing tool 7 to be inserted. The fixing tool 7 engages with a female threaded hole provided on the retaining member 23 in a through-direction in the door width direction. With such a structure, the retaining member 23 can be moved relative to the fixing member 24 in the door width direction by rotating the fixing tool 7 about its axis. In the illustration, an example is shown where a shaft receiving portion 23c with a female threaded hole protruding in the door thickness direction is provided at one end of the retained portion 23a of the retaining member 23 in the door width direction. Similarly, an example is shown where a head receiving portion 24d with a threaded insertion hole protruding in the door thickness direction is provided at one end of the retaining portion 24b of the fixing member 24 in the door width direction. Furthermore, the illustration shows an example in which a protruding piece is provided at the upper edge of the retaining piece 24b of the fixing member 24, protruding in the door thickness direction, and a protruding piece is provided at the upper edge of the retained piece 23a of the retaining member 23, extending along the lower surface of the protruding piece of the retaining piece 24b.

[0076] Furthermore, in the held portion 23a of the retaining member 23, a wheel bearing bracket portion 23b is provided, extending downward from the lower edge of one end in the door width direction. A first driven wheel axle 22 is provided in this wheel bearing bracket portion 23b. The illustration shows an example where the wheel bearing bracket portion 23b is inclined relative to the held portion 23a, so that the thickness direction is the axial direction of the first driven wheel axle 22. Alternatively, the first driven rotating wheel 21 can be freely rotated relative to the first driven wheel axle 22 fixedly mounted in the wheel bearing bracket portion 23b, or the first driven rotating wheel 21 can be fixedly mounted relative to the first driven wheel axle 22 rotatably held in the wheel bearing bracket portion 23b.

[0077] The first driven rotating wheel unit, including the fixing component 24, the retaining component 23, and the first driven rotating wheel 21, is mounted relative to the upper track 10 by fixing the fixing component 24 to the groove bottom plate-like portion 12 of the first end 10a of the first half 10A using a fastening tool such as a threaded piece (see also...). Figure 3 and Figure 4 ).

[0078] Furthermore, when adjusting the position of the first driven rotating wheel 21 in the door width direction, the fastening tools 7 and 7, which are inserted into the threaded insertion holes 24c and 24c of the retaining plate portion 24b of the fixing member 24, can be loosened, and the fastening tools 7, which are inserted into the threaded insertion holes of the head receiving plate portion 24d of the fixing member 24, can be tightened. Since this can be done while the rope-like transmission body 28 is wound around the wheel, workability is improved. Furthermore, if the position of the first driven rotating wheel 21 in the door width direction is adjusted, the fastening tools 7 and 7, which are inserted into the threaded insertion holes 24c and 24c of the retaining plate portion 24b of the fixing member 24, can be tightened. Moreover, the form in which the position of the first driven rotating wheel 21 can be adjusted in the door width direction is not limited to the form described above, and various other forms are also possible. Furthermore, the fixing component 24 that fixes the first driven rotating wheel 21 to the upper track 10 is not limited to the structure described above, but can also be various other structures.

[0079] The second driven rotating wheel 25 Figure 6 As shown in (c), the fixing member 27, which is fixed to the bottom plate-shaped part 12 of the groove, is rotatably held about the second driven wheel shaft 26.

[0080] The fixing member 27 includes: a fixing plate portion 27a, which is fixed along the upper surface of the groove bottom plate-like portion 12; and a retaining plate portion 27b, which is provided to stand upright from one side edge of the fixing plate portion 27a in the door thickness direction. A wheel bearing receiving plate portion 27c is provided on the retaining plate portion 27b, which extends downward from the lower end edge on one end side in the door width direction. The second driven wheel shaft 26 is provided on the wheel bearing receiving plate portion 27c. In the illustration, the following example is shown as described above: the wheel bearing receiving plate portion 27c is inclined relative to the retaining plate portion 27b, such that the thickness direction is the axial direction of the second driven wheel shaft 26. Alternatively, the second driven rotating wheel 25 can be rotatable relative to the second driven wheel shaft 26, which is fixedly mounted relative to the wheel bearing plate portion 27c. Or, the second driven rotating wheel 25 can be fixedly mounted relative to the second driven wheel shaft 26, which is rotatably held relative to the wheel bearing plate portion 27c. Furthermore, the illustration shows an example where a protruding piece protruding in the door thickness direction is provided at the upper edge of the holding piece portion 27b.

[0081] The second driven rotating wheel unit, including these fixing parts 27 and the second driven rotating wheel 25, is mounted relative to the upper track 10 by fixing the fixing parts 27 to the groove bottom plate-like part 12 of the second end 10b of the first half 10A with a fastening tool such as a threaded part (see also...). Figure 3 and Figure 4 ).

[0082] Furthermore, the fixing component 27 that fixes the second driven rotating wheel 25 to the upper track 10 is not limited to the structure described above, but can also be various other structures.

[0083] The bottom plate-like portion 12 of the upper track 10 is provided with a notch-shaped recess or through hole for receiving the lower part of the first driven rotating wheel 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25 (see reference). Figure 4 In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown, the guide bodies 29c and 29c of the first guided member 29A and the second guided member 29B are provided with recesses that open upwards and to both sides in the door width direction when viewed from the door width direction, to receive the lower ends of the first driven rotating wheel 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25. With this structure, interference with the first driven rotating wheel 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25 can be suppressed while achieving a compact size in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the guide body 29c of the first guided member 29A is provided with a connecting portion 29e that connects to the lower displacement portion 28b of the rope-like transmission body 28. This connecting portion 29e is located within the recess of the guide body 29c.

[0084] like Figure 2 As shown, the upper displacement portion 28a of the rope-like drive body 28, which moves on the upper surface of the bottom circumferential surface of the annular grooves 21a and 25a of the first driven rotating wheel 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25, is positioned above the bottom plate-like portion 12 and biased towards the door thickness direction. Furthermore, the lower displacement portion 28b of the rope-like drive body 28, which moves on the lower surface of the bottom circumferential surface of the annular grooves 21a and 25a of the first driven rotating wheel 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25, is positioned at the center of the groove width direction within the guide groove 11. This rope-like drive body 28 can be a structure in which the connecting portion 29e of the first guided member 29A is fixed to a ring-shaped portion, or it can be a structure in which the two ends in the longer direction are connected to both sides of the connecting portion 29e in the door width direction, forming a generally ring-shaped structure. In addition, the rope-like transmission body 28 can be any structure that is not easily stretched, such as metal wire, twisted rope made by twisting suitable fibers, or rope made by combining fibers.

[0085] like Figure 7 As shown, the rope-like transmission element 28, which is made into a rope-like component, is wound around the drive rotating wheel 31 more than once. With this structure, compared to making the rope-like transmission element 28 into a belt or chain, the drive rotating wheel 31 can be made more compact in the axial direction. In addition, noise generation can be suppressed, and slippage of the rope-like transmission element 28 relative to the drive rotating wheel 31 can be prevented.

[0086] The drive wheel 31 is made into a thin, circular plate with a relatively small dimension along the axial direction of the drive wheel shaft 32. Furthermore, the drive wheel 31 is a pulley with an annular groove 31a on its outer circumferential surface for engaging the rope-like transmission element 28. The drive wheel 31 is configured such that the thickness-direction side of the annular groove 31a is positioned corresponding to the upper displacement portion 28a of the rope-like transmission element 28 disposed on the thickness-direction side. The upper displacement portion 28a of the rope-like transmission element 28 is wound approximately one turn around the drive wheel 31. When viewed from the width direction, the intersection of the upper displacement portion 28a wound around the drive wheel 31 is positioned approximately aligned with the upper surfaces of the first driven wheel 21 and the second driven wheel 25. In addition, the outer peripheral surfaces (bottom peripheral surfaces of the annular grooves 21a, 25a, and 31a) of the drive rotating wheel 31, the first driven rotating wheel 21, and the second driven rotating wheel 25 that are wrapped around the rope-like transmission body 28 can also be made of a soft material with anti-slip properties through two-color molding or the like.

[0087] The drive rotating wheel 31 is provided with a gear (rotating wheel side gear) 33 that transmits rotation to a gear (motor side gear) 37 mounted on a motor 35 that rotates the drive rotating wheel 31. In this embodiment, as an example, these rotating wheel side gears 33 and motor side gears 37 are made into meshing bevel gears (straight bevel gears in the illustration) corresponding to the drive wheel shaft 32 of the drive rotating wheel 31 and the output shaft 36 of the motor 35, which are arranged in an intersecting manner. The rotating wheel side gear 33 is mounted in a non-rotatable manner relative to one end (the upper end in the illustration) of the drive wheel shaft 32 of the drive rotating wheel 31. The motor side gear 37 is mounted in a non-rotatable manner relative to the output shaft 36 of the motor 35. In addition, these rotating wheel side gears 33 and motor side gears 37 can be made with appropriate structures depending on the configuration of the drive rotating wheel 31 and the motor 35. Furthermore, these rotating wheel side gears 33 and motor side gears 37 are not limited to a direct meshing structure, but can also be a structure that transmits rotation via appropriate intermediate gears or the like.

[0088] Furthermore, the drive mechanism 20 is provided with a first fixing member 34 and a second fixing member 38. The first fixing member 34 fixes the drive rotating wheel 31 to the upper rail 10. The second fixing member 38 is separate from the first fixing member 34, and detachably fixes the motor 35 relative to the upper rail 10 where the drive rotating wheel 31 is fixed. With this structure, when the motor 35 is disengaged, the rotational transmission state (engaged in this embodiment) of the gears 33 and 37 is released while the drive rotating wheel 31 is fixed to the upper rail 10. Furthermore, by removing the second fixing member 38 from the upper rail 10, the motor 35 can be disengaged from the upper rail 10. Moreover, when the motor 35 is fixed, with the drive rotating wheel 31 fixed to the upper rail 10, the gears 33 and 37 are in a rotational transmission state (engaged in this embodiment), and the motor 35 is fixed to the upper rail 10 via the second fixing member 38. Therefore, when assembling or disassembling the motor 35 relative to the upper rail 10, it is not necessary to disassemble or wind up the rope-like transmission element 28, or adjust the tension, thus improving maintainability. In other words, as long as the drive wheel 31 can transmit drive to the rope-like transmission element 28, it can be said that only the motor 35 needs to be assembled or disassembled relative to the upper rail 10. The drive wheel 31 and the motor 35 are fixed to the bottom plate-like portion 12 via these first fixing parts 34 and second fixing parts 38.

[0089] Furthermore, the second fixing member 38 is provided with fixing portions 38d and 38e that are fixed relative to the fixing portions 34d and 34e provided in the first fixing member 34. With this structure, by fixing the fixing portions 38d and 38e of the second fixing member 38 relative to the fixing portions 34d and 34e of the first fixing member 34, the alignment of the motor 35 with the drive rotating wheel 31 can be performed more reliably. Thus, the rotating wheel-side gear 33 of the drive rotating wheel 31 and the motor-side gear 37 of the motor 35 can be made into a rotational transmission state (engaged in this embodiment) with greater reliability.

[0090] Furthermore, one of the first fixing member 34 and the second fixing member 38 is provided with a positioning protrusion 34c that is embedded in the positioning recess 38c provided in the other. With such a structure, it is easy to align the second fixing member 38 relative to the first fixing member 34.

[0091] The first fixing member 34 includes a fixing plate portion 34a and a wheel bearing receiving plate portion 34b. The fixing plate portion 34a is fixed along the upper surface of the groove bottom plate-like portion 12, and rotatably holds one end (the lower end in the illustration) of the drive wheel shaft 32 of the drive rotating wheel 31. The wheel bearing receiving plate portion 34b rotatably holds the upper end of the drive wheel shaft 32. The fixing plate portion 34a can also be fixed to the groove bottom plate-like portion 12 by a suitable fastening tool such as a threaded part. The wheel bearing receiving plate portion 34b is arranged opposite to the fixing plate portion 34a above it, separated from the mounting space of the drive rotating wheel 31. The rotating wheel side gear 33 is provided to protrude from the upper surface of the wheel bearing receiving plate portion 34b.

[0092] The fixed portions 34d and 34e of the first fixing member 34 include a first fixed portion 34d on one side in the door thickness direction and a second fixed portion 34e on the other side in the door thickness direction. These first fixed portions 34d and second fixed portions 34e are generally flat in the thickness direction of the door thickness direction and are spaced apart from each other in the door thickness direction. In the illustration, the first fixed portion 34d is provided to hang down from the side edge of the wheel bearing plate portion 34b in the door thickness direction. In addition, the second fixed portion 34e is provided to stand up from the side edge of the wheel bearing plate portion 34b in the door thickness direction.

[0093] In addition, a positioning protrusion 34c is provided so as to protrude from one end of the wheel bearing plate portion 34b of the first fixing member 34 in the door width direction.

[0094] The second fixing member 38 includes a fixing plate 38a that is fixed along the upper surface of the bottom plate-shaped portion 12. In the illustration, an example is shown where the fixing plate 38a is located at the lower end of the plate-shaped portion, which is fixed to the end of the motor 35 on the side opposite to the output shaft 36 in the axial direction. The fixing plate 38a can be fixed to the bottom plate-shaped portion 12 using a suitable fastening tool such as a threaded fitting.

[0095] Furthermore, the second fixing member 38 includes a plate-shaped retaining plate portion 38b, which is fixed to the axially upward output shaft 36 side end of the motor 35. The retaining plate portion 38b has a through hole for the output shaft 36 to pass through. Furthermore, the retaining plate portion 38b is fixed to the motor 35 (motor housing) by a suitable fastening tool such as a threaded member. Additionally, the retaining plate portion 38b has a positioning recess 38c for the positioning protrusion 34c to be inserted into.

[0096] The fixing portions 38d and 38e of the second fixing member 38 and the fixed portions 34d and 34e of the first fixing member 34 respectively have a first fixing portion 38d on one side of the door thickness direction and a second fixing portion 38e on the other side of the door thickness direction. These first fixing portions 38d and second fixing portions 38e are generally flat in the thickness direction of the door thickness direction and are spaced apart from each other in the door thickness direction. In the illustration, the first fixing portion 38d is provided to protrude from one side edge of the retaining piece portion 38b in the door thickness direction in the door width direction. Furthermore, the second fixing portion 38e is provided to extend from the other side edge of the retaining piece portion 38b in the door thickness direction in the door width direction. These first fixing portions 38d and second fixing portions 38e are fixed along the respective door thickness direction side of the first fixed portion 34d and the second fixed portion 34e of the first fixing member 34 by a suitable fastening tool such as a threaded member. Furthermore, these first fixing parts 38d and second fixing parts 38e are provided with through holes for inserting the shaft portion of the fixing tool, in a manner that communicates with the female threaded holes provided on the first fixed part 34d and the second fixed part 34e of the first fixing member 34.

[0097] Furthermore, the structure includes an abutment portion 38f at the lower end of the second fixing portion 38e, the lower end face of which abuts against the upper surface of the wheel bearing plate portion 34b of the first fixing member 34 in a surface contact manner. With this structure, by fitting the positioning protrusion 34c and the positioning recess 38c, the abutment portion 38f abuts against the upper surface of the wheel bearing plate portion 34b, thereby facilitating the alignment of the second fixing member 38 relative to the first fixing member 34.

[0098] The motor unit, including the second fixing member 38 and the motor 35 with the structure described above, can be detached from the upper rail 10 when the rotating wheel unit, including the first fixing member 34 and the drive rotating wheel 31, is mounted on the upper rail 10. That is, the motor unit can be easily detached from the upper rail 10 by removing the fixing plate 38a from the bottom plate 12 and removing the first fixing part 38d and the second fixing part 38e from the first fixed part 34d and the second fixed part 34e of the first fixing member 34. Furthermore, the structure of the first fixing member 34 for fixing the drive rotating wheel 31 to the upper rail 10 and the second fixing member 38 for fixing the motor 35 to the upper rail 10 is not limited to the structure described above and can be various other structures.

[0099] Furthermore, the motor 35 can be a servo motor or the like, capable of rotating in both directions and having its speed controlled.

[0100] Furthermore, in the example described above, the drive wheel shaft 32 of the drive rotating wheel 31 is positioned in the door height direction, but it could also be positioned in the door thickness direction. With such a structure, the rotation of the motor 35, located on one side of the door width direction, can be transmitted to the drive rotating wheel 31 via gears 33 and 37. Compared to the case where the motor 35 is positioned with its axial direction in the door height direction, a more compact dimension along the door height direction can be achieved. Moreover, in this case, only the first fixing member 34 or the second fixing member 38 needs to be appropriately modified.

[0101] Furthermore, in this embodiment, such as Figures 3-5 As shown, a control block 39 for controlling the rotation of the motor 35 is positioned on one side of the motor 35 in the door width direction. The control block 39 includes a power supply unit that supplies drive power to the motor 35, and a control circuit connected to the motor 35 via appropriate signal lines. The control block 39 controls the motor 35 to rotate forward or backward, moving the sliding door panel 9 to the fully open or locked position. In the illustration, an example is shown where the control block 39 is a roughly rectangular prism-shaped strip in the door width direction. Furthermore, an upper displacement portion 28a of the rope-like transmission body 28 is arranged along the lower end of the control block 39 in the door thickness direction (see reference). Figure 4 Alternatively, the control block 39 may be configured such that a notch-shaped recess for receiving the upper displacement portion 28a is provided on the lower end of the control block 39 on the side of the door thickness direction, extending across the entire length.

[0102] Furthermore, in this embodiment, such as Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 8 As shown, a position detection unit 40 is provided to detect the position of the sliding door panel 9. This position detection unit 40 includes a variable resistor 44 that rotates with the displacement of the rope-like transmission body 28. With such a structure, the position (absolute position) of the sliding door panel 9 can be detected based on the resistance value (voltage) of the variable resistor 44.

[0103] Furthermore, in this embodiment, such as Figure 8 As shown, the position detection unit 40 includes a detection rotating wheel 41 and a force application member 48. The detection rotating wheel 41 is rotated by the rope-like transmission body 28, causing the variable resistor 44 to rotate. The force application member 48 applies force by pressing the detection rotating wheel 41 against the rope-like transmission body 28. With such a structure, loosening of the rope-like transmission body 28 can be suppressed, and the position detection unit 40 can function as a tensioning auxiliary mechanism that increases the tension (tensioning) of the rope-like transmission body 28.

[0104] The position detection unit 40 is disposed on one side of the control block 39 in the door width direction. The control block 39 is positioned between the position detection unit 40 and the drive unit 30. Furthermore, the drive unit 30, the control block 39, and the position detection unit 40 are positioned between the first driven rotating wheel 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25.

[0105] like Figure 8 As shown in (a) and (b), the position detection unit 40 includes a pair of holding members 46, 46, which hold the detection rotating wheel 41 in a manner that clamps it from both sides along the door thickness direction in the axial direction. In addition, the position detection unit 40 includes a detection fixing member 49 fixed to the upper track 10, which holds the holding members 46, 46 so that they can rotate freely about an axis (the holding axis) 47 along the door thickness direction.

[0106] The detection rotating wheel 41 is a thin, circular plate with a relatively small axial dimension, and is a pulley-like structure with an annular groove on its outer circumferential surface for engaging with the rope-like transmission element 28. The detection rotating wheel 41 is held so that its axle can rotate freely relative to the retaining members 46, 46 on both sides. In this embodiment, the structure is such that the first gear 42 and the second gear 43 are configured to transmit the rotation of the variable resistor 44 by means of the rotation of the gear portion 41a, which is coaxially fixed to the detection rotating wheel 41.

[0107] The gear portion 41a of the detection rotating wheel 41 is made with a smaller diameter and is disposed on one axial side of the detection rotating wheel 41. The first gear 42 is made with a larger diameter than the gear portion 41a and is disposed to mesh with the gear portion 41a. The axle of the first gear 42 is held by a holding member 46. The second gear 43 is made with a larger diameter than the gear portion 41a and a smaller diameter than the first gear 42 and is disposed to mesh with the first gear 42. One end of the axle of the second gear 43 is held by a holding member 46, and the other end of the axle of the second gear 43 is connected to the rotor 44a to rotate the rotor 44a of the variable resistor 44.

[0108] These gears 41a, the first gear 42, and the second gear 43 constitute a speed reduction mechanism that reduces the rotation of the detection rotating wheel 41 and transmits it to the variable resistor 44. These gears 41a, the first gear 42, and the second gear 43 can also be configured such that when the sliding door panel 9 (the sliding door panel 9 with the maximum door width W1) is moved from the locked position to the fully open position, the rotor 44a of the variable resistor 44 rotates within a detectable range (less than one revolution).

[0109] The variable resistor 44 can also be a so-called rotational orientation sensor that outputs a voltage (resistance value) proportional to the rotation angle of the rotor 44a.

[0110] Furthermore, a detection substrate 45 is provided in the position detection unit 40, which fixes the variable resistor 44 and sends the output voltage of the variable resistor 44 to the control block 39. The detection substrate 45 is fixed to the holding member 46 on the other side by a suitable fastening tool.

[0111] In the position detection unit 40, which has the above-described structure, the rotating wheel 41 is detected to rotate as the upper displacement part 28a of the rope-like transmission body 28 moves in the door width direction. This rotation is transmitted by the first gear 42 and the second gear 43, causing the rotor 44a of the variable resistor 44 to rotate. The motor 35 is controlled based on the position information and movement direction (locked side or open side) information of the sliding door panel 9 calculated based on the voltage (resistance value) output corresponding to the rotation angle of the rotor 44a, and the sliding door panel 9 is opened and closed.

[0112] Alternatively, a variable resistor 44 can be set to detect the position of the sliding door panel 9 with the maximum door width W1. When building sliding door panels 9A with different door widths W2, the detection range of the rotation angle of the rotor 44a can be appropriately set according to the movement range of the sliding door panel 9A.

[0113] A pair of retaining members 46, 46 are generally flat plates arranged in the thickness direction of the door and elongated in the width direction of the door. One retaining member 46 is provided with an insertion hole for the shaft portion of a fastening tool 7 to be inserted, and the fastening tool 7 is screwed into a female threaded hole provided in a boss-shaped protrusion of the other retaining member 46.

[0114] On the longer side of these retaining members 46, 46, the detection rotating wheel 41 is rotatably held, and the boss-shaped protrusion provided on the lower end side of the other end in the longer direction constitutes the retaining shaft 47 on which the detection fixing member 49 is rotatably held.

[0115] The detection fixing member 49 includes: a fixing plate portion fixed along the upper surface of the groove bottom plate-like portion 12; and two support plates on both sides, which are provided to stand upright from the two side edges of the fixing plate portion in the thickness direction. The detection fixing member 49 is open on both sides in the upward and width direction. Holding members 46, 46, which hold the detection rotating wheel 41, etc., are inserted between the two support plates on both sides of the detection fixing member 49 to hold the holding shaft 47. Alternatively, the holding shaft 47 of the holding members 46, 46 can be held by a fixing tool 7 whose shaft portion is inserted into a shaft insertion hole provided on one of the support plates of the detection fixing member 49. Furthermore, a shaft portion coaxial with the holding shaft 47, which is rotatably inserted into the insertion hole provided on the other support plate of the detection fixing member 49, can be provided on the outer side of the other holding member 46 in the thickness direction. Furthermore, the form in which the holding members 46, 46 holding the detection rotating wheel 41, etc., are held rotatably around the holding axis 47 is not limited to this form, but can be modified in various other ways.

[0116] The force-applying component 48 is a torsion coil spring (torsion spring) through which the retaining shaft 47 is inserted into the coil section. One arm end 48a of the force-applying component 48 abuts against the upper end of the other side of the retaining member 46 holding the detection rotating wheel 41 in the longer direction, and the other arm end 48b of the force-applying component 48 abuts against the upper surface of the fixing plate of the detection fixing member 49. With this structure, the force-applying component 48 is configured to apply force to the upper displacement portion 28a of the rope-like transmission body 28 facing downward by pushing. In addition, the force-applying component 48 is not limited to a torsion coil spring, but can also be other spring components such as leaf springs, compression coil springs, and tension coil springs. Furthermore, it is not limited to spring components, but can also be a rubber component, etc.

[0117] Furthermore, the position detection unit 40 is not limited to a structure that functions as a tension-adding mechanism to increase the tension of the rope-like transmission body 28. For example, it could be a structure that includes a variable resistor 44 that rotates in conjunction with one of the first driven rotating wheel 21, the second driven rotating wheel 25, and the drive rotating wheel 31. Alternatively, instead of such a variable resistor 44, it could be configured to have multiple appropriate position sensors installed to detect the position of the sliding door panel 9, or it could be configured to be a limit switch operated in the locked and fully open positions, respectively.

[0118] like Figure 5 and Figure 9As shown, on one of the upper track 10 and the upper frame 3, multiple latching portions 17 are provided at intervals along the door width direction, and these latching portions 17 are held in a horizontally movable manner. Furthermore, on the other of the upper track 10 and the upper frame 3, multiple horizontally opening receiving recesses 16 are provided at intervals along the door width direction, and these receiving recesses 16 respectively receive these latching portions 17. With this structure, the upper track 10 can be fixed relative to the upper frame 3 (temporarily fixed) by inserting the latching portions 17 provided on one side into the receiving recesses 16 provided on the other side. Furthermore, since multiple points along the longitudinal direction of the upper track 10 can be fixed relative to multiple points along the longitudinal direction of the upper frame 3, the situation where the upper track 10 is fixed at an angle relative to the upper frame 3 is less likely to occur, improving workability. Moreover, the latching portions 17 that are displaced in the horizontal direction can be inserted into the horizontally opening receiving recesses 16 for fixation. Therefore, compared to a structure in which an elastic claw portion is provided on the upper frame 3 side and inserted into a through hole provided in the upper rail 10 in a vertically extending manner as it elastically deforms, a more secure fixation can be achieved. Furthermore, even if there is a slight positional deviation between them in the horizontal direction, the positional deviation can be absorbed, that is, the hook portion 17 can be inserted into the receiving recess 16.

[0119] The latching portion 17 is held in a position to move freely relative to one side in the door width direction, and the receiving recess 16 is open in the door width direction. With this structure, the latching portion 17, which has moved in the door width direction, can be inserted into the receiving recess 16, which is open in the door width direction, and fixed in place. Therefore, compared to a structure where the latching portion 17 is moved along the track width (door thickness) direction of the upper track 10, which is set to be relatively narrow, the latching amount of the latching portion 17 can be effectively increased.

[0120] Furthermore, the latching portion 17 is forced in a protruding direction by the force-applying member 19 relative to the retaining portion 18 provided on one side. Additionally, an inclined guide surface 17a is provided on either or both of the protruding front end of the latching portion 17 and the recessed area 15 that abuts against the receiving recess 16, guiding the latching portion 17 backward through the mutual abutment. With this structure, as long as the upper rail 10 is moved upward relative to the upper frame 3, which is fixed to the frame base, the latching portion 17 will resist the force of the force-applying member 19 and backward by the inclined guide surface 17a provided on either or both of the front end of the latching portion 17 and the recessed area 15. Furthermore, as long as the upper rail 10 is moved further upward and the latching portion 17 is located within the opening of the receiving recess 16, the latching portion 17 will protrude under the force of the force-applying member 19 and be inserted into the receiving recess 16. Therefore, compared with the form that requires the use of fingers or the like to slide the hook part 17, the workability can be further improved.

[0121] The structure features a receiving recess 16 located on the upper track 10, and an insertion hole 15d for a fixing tool 7, which is fixed to the upper frame 3, provided in the recessed area 15 that divides the receiving recess 16. With this structure, the fixing tool 7 can be permanently fixed to the upper frame 3 via the insertion hole 15d in the recessed area 15 while the latching part 17 is temporarily fixed by inserting it into the receiving recess 16. Furthermore, the recessed area 15 functions as the insertion point for the fixing tool 7, simplifying the structure compared to structures where insertion holes for the fixing tool 7 are provided in other locations.

[0122] That is, the recessed area 15 receiving the recessed area 16 functions as a fixing tool 7 to be fixed to the upper frame 3, which is the fixing object of the upper track 10. The recessed area 15 is set to be larger than the drive mechanism 20 in the vertical direction, and is installed at multiple intervals along the longitudinal direction on the groove bottom plate 12 of the upper track 10. With such a structure, the fixing tool 7 can be fixed to the upper frame 3 via multiple recessed areas 15, thereby fixing the upper track 10 to the upper frame 3. In addition, when the size of the upper track 10 is adjusted according to the door widths W1 and W2, the installation position of these recessed areas 15 can also be changed. Furthermore, since the vertical dimension of these recessed areas 15 is set to be larger than the drive mechanism 20, the upper track 10 can be fixed to the upper frame 3 without interfering with the drive mechanism 20 and the upper frame 3. In other words, the upper track 10 can be fixed to the upper frame 3 without providing a recess for receiving the drive mechanism 20 on the side of the upper frame 3.

[0123] Furthermore, the receiving recess 16 provided on the upper track 10 is located in a space where no component of the aforementioned drive mechanism 20 is provided (see reference). Figure 3 and Figure 4 If such a structure is adopted, the receiving recess 16 can be provided in the free space other than the component where the drive mechanism 20 is provided, and the dimensions of the upper track 10 in the vertical direction can be made compact. In the illustration, a recess dividing portion 15 that divides the receiving recess 16 is provided between the first driven rotating wheel unit and the position detection unit 40, and between the drive unit 30 and the second driven rotating wheel unit, respectively. Alternatively, the structure may be that an appropriate number of recess dividing portions 15 are provided at intervals in the door width direction corresponding to the length of the upper track 10. Figure 1The example illustrates that each of the first half 10A and the second half 10B of the longest upper track 10 described above has two recessed areas 15, 15. That is, it illustrates an example where four recessed areas 15, 15, 15, 15 are spaced apart along the longer direction of the upper track 10. Figure 10 For example, an upper track 10C, which is set to be approximately the same length as the first half 10A of the longest upper track 10, has two recessed partitions 15, 15 spaced apart in the longer direction.

[0124] The recessed area portion 15 includes: a fixing piece 15a, which is fixed along the upper surface of the groove bottom plate-like portion 12; and a recessed area portion 15b, which is erected from the fixing piece 15a and has a receiving recess 16. In this embodiment, the recessed area portions 15b, 15b are arranged in pairs at intervals in the door width direction, and the fixing pieces 15a, 15a are provided at their respective lower ends. Furthermore, the receiving recess 16 is provided on each of the recessed area portions 15b, 15b in a manner that extends through in the door width direction. In the illustration, an example is shown where the receiving recess 16 is made into a generally square hole shape when viewed in the door width direction.

[0125] Furthermore, the recessed area 15 includes a fixing piece 15c, which is provided between the upper ends of the recessed area pieces 15b, 15b, and has a through hole 15d that extends through in the vertical direction. The recessed area 15 can be a structure in which the fixing pieces 15a, 15a on both sides are fixed to the bottom plate-like portion 12 by suitable fastening tools such as threaded parts. Moreover, the recessed area 15 is not limited to a generally U-shaped structure with fixing pieces 15a, 15a, recessed area pieces 15b, 15b, and fixing piece 15c; it can also be various other structures.

[0126] Card holder 17 Figure 5 As shown, the retaining part 18 is fixed to the upper frame 3, which is one side. In this embodiment, an example is shown where the retaining part 18 is fixed to the bottom of the receiving groove 3a provided in the upper frame 3. The hooking units, including these hooking parts 17 and retaining parts 18, are provided at multiple intervals in the longitudinal direction of the upper frame 3 so that the hooking parts 17 can be inserted into the receiving recesses 16 provided in the recessed area 15. In the illustration, an example is shown where adjacent hooking units in the longitudinal direction of the upper frame 3 are arranged such that the protruding directions of each hooking part 17, 17 are opposite to those of the retaining parts 18, 18 in the door width direction.

[0127] In addition, the card holder 17, as Figure 9As shown, it is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated in the door width direction. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which an inclined guide surface 17a is provided at the front end of the protruding direction of the latching portion 17, which is one end in the door width direction. The inclined guide surface 17a is formed in a manner facing the door width direction and obliquely downward, and is provided across the entire front end face of the protruding direction of the latching portion 17.

[0128] Furthermore, the latching portion 17 is provided with an anti-loosening protrusion 17b that is inserted into the guide groove 18b provided in the retaining portion 18. The anti-loosening protrusion 17b is omitted in the figure, and it is provided on both sides of the latching portion 17 in the door thickness direction.

[0129] Furthermore, at the base end of the latching portion 17, which is the other end in the door width direction, a receiving recess 17c is provided on one end side of receiving the force-applying member 19, which opens outward in the door width direction.

[0130] The retaining portion 18 is formed in such a way that it opens in the door width direction to receive the receiving recess of the hook portion 17. In the illustration, an example is shown where the retaining portion 18 has a lower surface piece along the lower surface side of the hook portion 17, two side pieces along both sides in the door thickness direction of the hook portion 17, and a base end piece opposing the base end of the hook portion 17. The other end of the force-applying member 19 abuts against the base end piece of the retaining portion 18.

[0131] Furthermore, for example, fixing plates 18a are provided on each of the two side plates and the base plate of the retaining portion 18, and are fixed along the bottom of the receiving groove 3a of the upper frame 3. These fixing plates 18a are provided with through holes for inserting the shaft of a fastening tool such as a threaded member that is fixed to the upper frame 3.

[0132] Furthermore, as an example, guide grooves 18b, 18b are provided on both sides of the retaining portion 18 to accommodate the anti-loosening protrusion 17b of the latching portion 17, allowing it to move freely in the door width direction. These guide grooves 18b, 18b are configured to extend in the door width direction. Furthermore, as an example, upper surface portions 18c, 18c are provided on both sides of the retaining portion 18, extending along the upper surface side of the latching portion 17.

[0133] The force-applying component 19 is configured to apply force to the latching portion 17 in a manner that pushes it out relative to the retaining portion 18. This force-applying component 19 may, for example, be a compression coil spring.

[0134] When the upper track 10, which is fixed to the recessed area 15, is temporarily fixed relative to the upper frame 3, which is fixed to the hook unit with the structure described above, as follows: Figure 9 As shown in (b), the upper track 10 is moved upward relative to the upper frame 3. If the upper track 10 is moved upward, then as shown in (b), the upper track 10 is moved upward. Figure 9 As shown in (c), the corner of one of the recessed areas 15, the recessed area plate 15b, and the fixed plate 15c abut against the inclined guide surface 17a of the latching part 17, causing the latching part 17 to be displaced into the holding part 18 by the guiding action. Next, if the upper track 10 is moved further upwards, then... Figure 9 As shown in (d), the latching part 17 is inserted into the receiving recess 16 of the recessed area 15, and the upper rail 10 is temporarily fixed (temporarily held) relative to the upper frame 3. With the upper rail 10 temporarily fixed relative to the upper frame 3, the fixing tool 7 can be fixed to the upper frame 3 via the insertion hole 15d of the recessed area 15, thus permanently fixing the upper rail 10 relative to the upper frame 3. Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, the groove bottom plate-like part 12 of the upper rail 10 is provided with an insertion hole that is larger in diameter than the head of the fixing tool 7.

[0135] Furthermore, the structure of the hook portion 17, the retaining portion 18 that holds it, and the force-applying member 19 that applies force to the hook portion 17 relative to the retaining portion 18 in the protruding direction are not limited to the structure described above, and various other structures are also possible. In the example described above, an inclined guide surface 17a is provided at the front end of the hook portion 17, but this configuration is not always possible, or the inclined guide surface may be provided at the portion of the recessed area 15 where the front end of the hook portion 17 abuts. Furthermore, in the example described above, the hook portion 17 is provided on the upper frame 3 and the receiving recess 16 is provided on the upper track 10, but they may also be provided on opposite sides. That is, a structure may be formed where the receiving recess 16 is provided on the upper frame 3 and the hook portion 17 is provided on the upper track 10.

[0136] In addition, the door opening and closing device 1, such as Figure 2 As shown, covers 50, 50 can also be provided on both sides of the upper track 10 in the door thickness direction to cover the space between the upper frame 3 and the upper track 10. These covers 50, 50 can be fixed to the upper track 10 by means of appropriate adhesives or fastening tools, or they can be structures with locking parts that lock with the locking parts provided on the upper track 10. In addition, when it is configured as sleeve wall storage as described above, the cover 50 on the sleeve wall side can also be configured to cover from the door head side longitudinal frame 4 to the middle mullion 6.

[0137] Next, while referring to Figure 11 A modified example of the door opening and closing device will be described.

[0138] In addition, the main focus will be on explaining the differences from the examples above. Explanations of structures using the same labels will be omitted or simplified. Furthermore, explanations of effects that are similar to those in the examples above will also be omitted or simplified.

[0139] Regarding the door opening and closing device 1B of this modification, as follows: Figure 11 As shown in (a) to (c), the main difference is that the structure of the hook part 17A and the receiving recess 16A is different from the example above.

[0140] In this modified example, the structure is as follows: a fixing threaded member 19A is provided on one of the recessed area 15A that divides the receiving recess 16A and the hooking part 17A, which can be fixed in the receiving recess 16A by a screwing operation. With such a structure, the hooking part 17A can be fixed in the receiving recess 16A by screwing the fixing threaded member 19A while the hooking part 17A is inserted into the receiving recess 16A.

[0141] Furthermore, in this modified example, the structure is as follows: the recessed area 15A is provided on the upper frame 3 side, and the hooking unit including the hooking part 17A is provided on the upper track 10D side. Additionally, in the illustration, a set of recessed areas 15A and hooking units is shown; similarly, the recessed areas 15A and hooking units are provided at multiple intervals along the longer direction of the upper track 10D.

[0142] The latching part 17A is held relative to the retaining part 18A provided on the upper track 10D, and is freely movable in the door width direction. The latching part 17A can be configured to extend in the door width direction and be approximately flat in the vertical direction configured in the thickness direction.

[0143] Furthermore, at the front end of the latching portion 17A on the door width direction side, which is inserted into the receiving recess 16A, a through-hole in the vertical direction is provided for engagement of the threaded member 19A. Additionally, at the base end of the latching portion 17A on the other end side in the door width direction, a handle portion 17Ab is provided to allow the latching portion 17A to move in the door width direction. In the illustration, the handle portion 17Ab is shown as a piece that hangs downwards from the base end of the latching portion 17A.

[0144] The retaining part 18A has the following structure: a groove bottom plate-like part 12 fixed to the upper track 10D (see reference). Figure 2 (etc.), is provided in a way that protrudes upward, and has a retaining hole that extends through the door width direction at its upper end to retain the hook part 17A so that it can be moved freely in the door width direction.

[0145] The threaded fixing member 19A has the following structure: the shaft portion (male threaded portion) is positioned facing upwards, and a head serving as an operating part is provided at the lower end. The head of the threaded fixing member 19A can be operated by fingers or by a suitable tool.

[0146] The recessed area 15A has the following structure: the receiving recess 16A opens towards the door width direction in such a way as to receive the front end of the hook portion 17A. The illustration shows an example in which the receiving recess 16A opens on one side in the door width direction and on both sides in the door thickness direction.

[0147] The recessed area 15A includes a fixing piece 15Aa fixed to the bottom of the receiving groove 3a of the upper frame 3, and a hanging piece 15Ab hanging down from the edge of the fixing piece 15Aa on the other side of the door width direction. Furthermore, the recessed area 15A includes a retaining piece 15Ac extending from the lower end of the hanging piece 15Ab toward the door width direction. The receiving recess 16A is defined by these fixing pieces 15Aa, hanging pieces 15Ab, and retaining pieces 15Ac. In addition, the retaining piece 15Ac has a notch-shaped recess for receiving the shaft portion of the fixing threaded member 19A, which opens toward the door width direction and extends vertically. Furthermore, in the illustration, an example is shown where a movement-restraining portion is provided at the front end of the retaining piece 15Ac, bending downwards to prevent the head of the fixing threaded member 19A from moving toward the door width direction. Alternatively, the recessed area 15A can also be a structure in which the fixed piece 15Aa is fixed to the upper frame 3 by a suitable fastening tool.

[0148] In this modified example, when the upper track 10D is fixed relative to the upper frame 3, as follows: Figure 11 As shown in (a), the upper track 10D is positioned such that the latching part 17A can be inserted into the receiving recess 16A of the recessed area 15A fixed to the upper frame 3. At this time, the fixing thread 19A can be loosened so that the retaining piece 15Ac can be received between the head of the fixing thread 19A and the front end of the latching part 17A. Next, as... Figure 11 As shown in (b), the latching part 17A is displaced in the door width direction, and its front end is inserted into the receiving recess 16A. Then, as... Figure 11 As shown in (c), the fixing threaded part 19A can also be tightened to hold the retaining piece 15Ac between the head of the fixing threaded part 19A and the front end of the hook part 17A, thereby fixing the upper rail 10D relative to the upper frame 3. Furthermore, after fixing in this way, appropriate portions of the upper rail 10D can be further fixed relative to the upper frame 3 using suitable fixing tools or threaded fasteners.

[0149] In addition, in this modified example, it may also be a structure that provides a force-applying component or an inclined guide surface as described above, which applies force to the latching part 17A in the protruding direction.

[0150] Furthermore, the examples described above illustrate how the latching portions 17 and 17A can be freely displaced in the door width direction and how the receiving recesses 16 and 16A are open in the door width direction, but this configuration is not limited to such a form. For example, it could also be a structure where the latching portions 17 and 17A can be freely displaced in the door thickness direction or in a horizontal direction relative to the door thickness direction, and how the receiving recesses 16 and 16A are open in a direction that can accommodate the latching portions 17 and 17A.

[0151] Alternatively, the door opening and closing devices 1, 1A, and 1B described in the above examples may not include a hook unit including hook portions 17 and 17A, or a receiving recess 16 and 16A. In this case, appropriate portions of the upper tracks 10, 10C, and 10D may be fixed relative to the upper frame 3 using suitable fastening tools or threaded fasteners.

[0152] Next, refer to Figures 12-14 This illustrates another variation of the door opening and closing device.

[0153] In addition, the differences from the examples above will be explained in detail. The same labels will be assigned to the same structures, and their explanations will be omitted or simplified. Furthermore, explanations of effects that are similar to those in the examples above will also be omitted or simplified.

[0154] In this modified example, the main difference from the above example lies in the structure of the first fixing component 34A and the second fixing component. The first fixing component 34A fixes the drive rotating wheel 31 to the upper rail 10; the second fixing component fixes the motor 35 to the upper rail 10.

[0155] like Figure 12 and Figure 14 As shown, the door opening and closing device 1C of this modified example includes a housing 50A, which covers the drive unit 30A containing the motor 35 in a concealed manner and is fixed to the upper track 10, forming a second fixing member. With this structure, during construction on the upper track 10 where the drive unit 30A and housing 50A are mounted, it is possible to prevent the worker from touching the drive unit 30A. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent foreign matter such as dust from adhering to the drive unit 30A.

[0156] The first fixing member 34A is substantially similar to the example described above, holding the drive wheel shaft 32A in a vertically axial direction. Also substantially similar to the example described above, the drive wheel shaft 32A is provided with a coaxially arranged drive rotating wheel 31 and a rotating wheel side gear 33 connected in the axial direction. These drive rotating wheels 31 and rotating wheel side gears 33 can be integrally formed resin molded products.

[0157] In this modified example, the first fixing member 34A is a structure that rotatably holds both ends of the drive wheel shaft 32A along its axial direction. With this structure, the drive wheel shaft 32A can be held more stably than in the example described above. That is, the drive rotating wheel 31 and the rotating wheel-side gear 33 disposed on the drive wheel shaft 32A can be held stably. In this first fixing member 34A, a fixing plate portion 34Aa is provided in approximately the same manner as described above. This fixing plate portion 34Aa holds one end of the drive wheel shaft 32A (the lower end in the example) and fixes it along the upper surface of the groove bottom plate-like portion 12 of the upper track 10.

[0158] The first fixing member 34A includes: an upright piece 34Ab that rises from one end of the fixing piece 34Aa in the door width direction; and a wheel bearing connecting piece 34Ad that extends from the upper end of the upright piece 34Ab to the other side in the door width direction and is disposed opposite to the fixing piece 34Aa. The other end of the drive axle 32A (the upper end in the illustration) is rotatably held in the wheel bearing connecting piece 34Ad, and a rotating wheel-side gear 33 and a drive rotating wheel 31 are disposed between the wheel bearing connecting piece 34Ad and the fixing piece 34Aa. Both axial ends of the drive axle 32A can also be held by the fixing piece 34Aa and the wheel bearing connecting piece 34Ad via appropriate bearing portions. Such bearing portions can be oilless sliding bearings that generally do not require lubrication. If the drive rotating wheel 31 is made of resin as described above, an appropriate clearance can be provided between it and the metal bearing portion to prevent wear.

[0159] like Figure 13 As shown, a positioning part 34Ac is provided on the first fixing member 34A. This positioning part 34Ac serves as a positioning part for fixing the housing 50A relative to the first fixing member 34A (rotating wheel side gear 33) when the housing 50A is fixed to the upper track 10. The positioning part 34Ac is provided in such a way that it protrudes outward in the door thickness direction from both sides of the lower end portion of the upright piece 34Ab (see also...). Figure 12 ).

[0160] like Figure 12 As shown, the housing 50A and the first fixing member 34A are separate, forming a second fixing member, which detachably fixes the motor 35 relative to the upper rail 10 on which the drive rotating wheel 31 is fixed. The housing 50A is a roughly rectangular prism shape that is elongated in the door width direction. The housing 50A integrally provides a control housing part 51 that houses the same control circuit and power supply as the control block 39. With such a structure, the control circuit and power supply connected to the motor 35 can be housed in the housing 50A that houses the motor 35, which improves assemblability and maintainability.

[0161] The control housing 51 is located on the longer side of the housing 50A. A main power switch is provided in this control housing 51, positioned corresponding to the switch opening 12a that is provided to pass through the bottom plate-like portion 12 of the upper track 10. A detection inlet / outlet 8 (see reference 8) is provided in the control housing 51. Figure 1 The object to be detected in (a) passes through the detection section and is positioned corresponding to the detection section opening 12b, which is provided in such a way that it passes through the bottom plate-like portion 12 of the upper track 10. The control housing 51 is provided with a control cover that can be easily installed and removed from the housing 50A, in such a way that it covers the upper opening of the housing containing the control circuit and the power supply.

[0162] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, a gear receiving part 52 and a motor receiving part 55 for receiving a motor 35 are provided on the other side of the housing 50A in the longer direction. The gear receiving part 52 receives the rotating wheel side gear 33 held by the first fixing member 34A and the motor side gear 37 meshing with it.

[0163] The motor housing 55 is positioned adjacent to the control housing 51. The motor housing 55 is configured to be divided by a base plate, side plates on both sides in the door thickness direction, and partition walls on both sides in the door width direction, and opens upwards. The motor housing 55 is provided with retaining portions 56, 56 that hold the end portion fixed to the output shaft 36 side of the motor 35 by retaining plates 38A. The retaining portions 56, 56 are retaining grooves that open facing each other on the side plates on both sides of the motor housing 55 in the door thickness direction and extend vertically.

[0164] Motor 35 Figure 13 As shown in (b), the motor-side gear 37, which is fixed to the output shaft 36, is housed and held in the motor housing 55 such that it is located within the gear housing 52. Protrusions 39A and 39A are provided on both sides of the holding portion 38A, which is fixed to the motor 35, in the thickness direction, protruding outwards in the thickness direction. These protrusions 39A and 39A are inserted into the holding portions 56 and 56 and held in place, suppressing movement of the motor 35 downwards and horizontally. The upward movement of the motor 35 is covered by the drive housing 58 (see reference 58) which covers the openings of the motor housing 55 and the rotating wheel housing 52. Figure 12 )inhibition.

[0165] like Figure 13As shown, the gear receiving portion 52 is provided adjacent to the motor receiving portion 55 and located at the other end of the housing 50A in the longer direction. The gear receiving portion 52 is configured to be divided by a base plate, side plates on both sides in the door thickness direction, and partition walls on both sides in the door width direction, and opens upwards. The base plate of the gear receiving portion 52 is located above the drive rotating wheel 31. The base plate of the gear receiving portion 52 is positioned above the base plates of other parts of the housing 50A, including the base plate of the motor receiving portion 55, to accommodate the drive rotating wheel 31. The base plate of the gear receiving portion 52 has a gear opening 53 for inserting the wheel bearing receiving piece 34Ad and the upright piece 34Ab of the first fixing member 34A, as well as the rotating wheel side gear 33. The base plate of the gear receiving portion 52 has a contacting parts 54, 54 that abut against the positioning parts 34Ac, 34Ac provided on the first fixing member 34A. In the illustration, the abutting portions 54, 54 are provided such that they protrude from the inner periphery of the gear opening 53 in a mutually facing direction. The positioning portions 34Ac, 34Ac of the first fixing member 34A and the abutting portions 54, 54 of the housing 50A are moved and abutted in the door width direction so that the motor-side gear 37 held on the housing 50A is in a position of meshing with the rotating wheel-side gear 33 fixed on the upper rail 10.

[0166] The gear opening 53 is formed such that when the rotating wheel-side gear 33 and the motor-side gear 37, which are in an engaged / disengaged state, are moved in the door width direction within the housing 50A and engaged, they do not interfere with the upright plate portion 34Ab of the first fixed member 34A and the rotating wheel-side gear 33 (see reference). Figure 13 (The double-dotted line in (a)). That is, the gear opening 53 is formed to allow relative movement of the upright plate portion 34Ab and the rotating gear 33 in the door width direction within the gear opening 53. From the viewpoint of reducing the intrusion of foreign objects into the gear receiving portion 52, the gear opening 53 is shaped to correspond to their external shape in a way that allows relative movement of the upright plate portion 34Ab and the rotating gear 33 in the door width direction. In the illustration, the gear opening 53 is shaped to have abutment portions 54, 54, so that the boundary between the elliptical portion receiving the rotating gear 33 and the square portion receiving the upright plate portion 34Ab is narrowed.

[0167] The housing 50A is provided with insertion holes 51a, 51b, and 51c for fixing tools that secure the housing 50A to the upward track 10. In the illustration, a first insertion hole 51a, which is elongated in the door width direction, is provided at the end of the housing 50A in the longer direction. A second insertion hole 51b, which is elongated in the door width direction, is provided at the middle of the housing 50A in the longer direction. A third insertion hole 51c, which is circular in the door width direction, is provided at the other end of the housing 50A in the longer direction. The third insertion hole 51c can also be made into an elongated hole. At the lower end of the housing 50A in the door thickness direction, similar to the control block 39, a notch-shaped recess for receiving the upper displacement portion 28a of the rope-like transmission body 28 is provided, extending across the entire length.

[0168] The housing 50A is provided with a fixing part 57 for fixing a fixing tool to fix a drive cover 58 that covers the upper opening of the gear receiving part 52 and the motor receiving part 55. In the illustration, fixing parts 57 are provided at the four corners of the gear receiving part 52 and at the two corners of the control housing part 51 side of the motor receiving part 55.

[0169] The drive cover 58 is designed to continuously cover the upper openings of the gear housing 52 and the motor housing 55. The drive cover 58 is provided with a plurality of insertion holes 59 for fastening tools to pass through, positioned corresponding to the fastening portion 57.

[0170] In the door opening and closing device 1C with the above-described structure, such as Figure 12 As shown, the housing 50A can be fixed to the upper track 10 as long as the drive rotating wheel 31 and the rotating wheel side gear 33 of the drive mechanism 20A, which are wound around the rope-like transmission body 28, are fixed to the upper track 10. At this time, the housing 50A can also be placed on the groove bottom plate-like part 12 of the upper track 10 with the motor 35 housed and held in the motor housing part 55, and the fixing tool can be inserted into the first insertion hole 51a and the second insertion hole 51b, which are made into elongated holes, thereby temporarily fixing it relative to the upper track 10. Furthermore, the housing 50A is moved in the door width direction so that the abutting parts 54, 54 abut against the positioning parts 34Ac, 34Ac of the upright piece part 34Ab, so that the motor side gear 37 meshes with the rotating wheel side gear 33 arranged in the gear housing part 52 through the gear opening 53. Next, the fastening tool inserted into the first through hole 51a and the second through hole 51b can be formally fixed relative to the upper rail 10. In addition, the fastening tool can be inserted into the third through hole 51c and fixed to the upper rail 10. Furthermore, the drive cover 58 can be fixed to the housing 50A.

[0171] The housing 50A, which covers and fixes the drive unit 30A containing the motor 35 to the upper rail 10 in a housing manner, is not limited to the structure described above, but can also be various other structures.

[0172] Furthermore, in the examples described above, the first fixing member 34, 34A of the fixed drive rotating wheel 31 and the second fixing member 38 (housing 50A) of the fixed motor 35 are shown as separate parts, but this configuration is not limited to such a configuration.

[0173] Furthermore, in the above example, an example is shown in which the drive mechanism 20, 20A is arranged in such a way that it is accommodated within the length of the first half 10A of the longest upper track 10, but it is not limited to such a configuration.

[0174] Furthermore, in the above example, the first driven wheel shaft 22 and the second driven wheel shaft 26 of the first driven rotating wheel 21 and the second driven rotating wheel 25 are shown to be inclined, but they can also be made to be in the direction of door thickness or door height.

[0175] Furthermore, in the above example, a guide groove 11 with a downward opening is shown in the upper rails 10, 10C, and 10D. However, the guide groove 11 can also be designed to open towards the side facing the door thickness direction or the upper side. In this case, the guided component 29 or the drive mechanism 20, 20A can be appropriately modified.

[0176] Furthermore, the above example illustrates a scenario where the driving rotating wheel 31, the first driven rotating wheel 21, and the second driven rotating wheel 25 are made into pulleys, but they can also be made into gears (sprockets), etc. Furthermore, the rope-like transmission element 28 is not limited to being a rope-like component matched with the driving rotating wheel 31, the first driven rotating wheel 21, and the second driven rotating wheel 25; it can also be a belt, a ball chain, a chain, etc. The structures of the aforementioned devices, components, and parts of the door opening and closing devices 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C of this embodiment are merely one example, and various other modifications are possible.

[0177] Label Explanation

[0178] 1. Door opening and closing device (1A-1C); 10. Upper track (10C, 10D); 10A First half; 11. Guide groove; 12. Groove bottom plate; 20. Drive mechanism (20A); 21. First driven rotating wheel; 22. First driven wheel shaft (shaft); 25. Second driven rotating wheel; 26. Second driven wheel shaft (shaft); 28. Rope-like transmission body; 28a. Upper displacement part; 28b. Lower displacement part; 29. ​​Guided component; 29A. First guided component (guided component); 29B. Second guided component (guided component); 30A. Drive unit; 31. Drive rotating wheel; 32. Drive wheel shaft (shaft); 33. Rotating wheel side gear (gear); 34. 34A. First fixed component; 35. Motor; 36. Output shaft; 37. Motor side gear (gear); 38. Second fixed component; 40. Position detection unit; 41 Detection rotating wheel; 44 Variable resistor; 48 Force application component; 50A Housing (second fixed component); 9 Sliding door panel; 9a Upper end; W1 Maximum door width; L1 Length (length of the longest upper track).

Claims

1. A door opening and closing device comprising an upper rail for guiding a guided member connected to the upper end of a sliding door panel, thereby suspending and holding the sliding door panel slidably in the door width direction, characterized in that it comprises: a first driven rotating wheel and a second driven rotating wheel, each wound around a rope-like transmission body connected to the guided member, and positioned at a distance from each other in the door width direction; a drive rotating wheel, disposed between the first and second driven rotating wheels and above the upper rail, for transmitting a driving force to the rope-like transmission body; and a motor for rotating the drive rotating wheel, wherein the guided member comprises: a guide body fixed to a support shaft. At its upper end, the support shaft protrudes upward from the mounting portion installed on the sliding door panel; and a rotating body is provided on both sides of the guide body in the door thickness direction, moving on the guide plate portions provided on both sides of the upper track in the door thickness direction respectively. The guide body is provided with a connecting portion connected to the rope-like transmission body. The drive rotating wheel is a circular plate arranged with its axial direction in the door height direction, and a bevel gear is provided coaxially in a manner connected in this axial direction. The motor is arranged on one side of the drive rotating wheel in the door width direction with the axial direction of its output shaft, and is configured such that the bevel gear installed on the output shaft meshes with the bevel gear on the drive rotating wheel side to rotate the drive rotating wheel.

2. The door opening and closing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned rope-like transmission body is wound in a parallel hanger shape around each of the first driven rotating wheel and the second driven rotating wheel. The axles of the first driven rotating wheel and the second driven rotating wheel, which are parallel to each other, are set in an inclined position so that the lower displacement part of the rope-like transmission body that is connected to the guided component and moves in the door width direction, and the upper displacement part of the rope-like transmission body that moves in the opposite direction to the lower displacement part in the door width direction, are in different positions in the door thickness direction of the upper track.

3. The door opening and closing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned door opening and closing device includes: a first fixing member for fixing the aforementioned drive rotating wheel to the aforementioned upper track; and a second fixing member, separate from the first fixing member, for detachably fixing the aforementioned motor relative to the aforementioned upper track on which the aforementioned drive rotating wheel is fixed.

4. The door opening and closing device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The aforementioned door opening and closing device includes: a first fixing member for fixing the aforementioned drive rotating wheel to the aforementioned upper track; and a second fixing member, separate from the first fixing member, for detachably fixing the aforementioned motor relative to the aforementioned upper track on which the aforementioned drive rotating wheel is fixed.

5. The door opening and closing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It has a housing that covers the drive unit of the motor in a concealing manner and is fixed to the upper rail.

6. The door opening and closing device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, It has a housing that covers the drive unit of the motor in a concealing manner and is fixed to the upper rail.

7. The door opening and closing device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, It has a housing that covers the drive unit of the motor in a concealing manner and is fixed to the upper rail.

8. The door opening and closing device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, It has a housing that covers the drive unit of the motor in a concealing manner and is fixed to the upper rail.

9. The door opening and closing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The first driven rotating wheel and the second driven rotating wheel are arranged such that their axes are parallel to each other and intersect the axis of the driving rotating wheel.

10. The door opening and closing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, On the aforementioned drive rotating wheel, the aforementioned rope-shaped transmission body, which is made into a rope-like component, is wound around more than one turn.

11. The door opening and closing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The device includes a position detection unit that detects the position of the sliding door panel, and the position detection unit includes a variable resistor that rotates with the displacement of the rope-like transmission body.

12. The door opening and closing device as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The aforementioned position detection unit includes: a detection rotating wheel that is rotated by the aforementioned rope-like transmission body to rotate the aforementioned variable resistor; and a force application member that applies force by pushing the detection rotating wheel against the aforementioned rope-like transmission body.

13. The door opening and closing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The upper track is provided with a guide groove that receives the guided component in a downward opening manner. The first driven rotating wheel, the second driven rotating wheel, the drive rotating wheel and the motor are fixed on the bottom plate-like part that divides the bottom of the guide groove.

14. The door opening and closing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The configuration is as follows: a first guided component and a second guided component constituting the guided component are connected to the upper ends of both sides of the sliding door panel in the door width direction. The door opening and closing device has a drive mechanism, which includes a rope-like transmission body connected to the first guided component and causing the first guided component to slide in the door width direction. The upper track is the longest with a length that is twice the maximum door width preset by the sliding door panel. The drive mechanism is fixed to the first half of the longest upper track in the longer direction.

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