Door holding device

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of for vehicle door holding device. For vehicle door holding device has rotating drum, gear and locking switch mechanism part, locking switch mechanism part has rotating gear, pawl, locking link and torque transmission switch part. Locking switch mechanism part is configured, when vehicle door opening operation, by cutting off the torque transmission from rotating gear to locking link, so as to keep pawl at unlock position, when vehicle door holding operation, by the torque transmission from rotating gear to locking link, so as to make pawl rotate to locking position, so as to set rotating drum to locking state, in the locking state, only allow movement in the direction of vehicle door closing.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Traditionally, in vehicles such as minivans, there have been situations where there isn't enough space to fully open the tailgate to the rear of the vehicle, or where the user's hand cannot easily reach the fully open tailgate. Therefore, to address these issues, a technology is desired that allows the user to keep the tailgate in any intermediate position between the fully open and fully closed positions.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-46280 discloses a retaining device associated with this technology. Generally, the retaining device includes a rotating roller for winding a cable, a cable with one end locked to the rotating roller and the other end locked to the tailgate, a coil spring that applies force to the rotating roller in the cable winding direction, and a rotation control mechanism for controlling the rotation of the rotating roller.

[0004] According to this retaining device, by slightly closing the tailgate at any intermediate position between the fully open and fully closed positions, the rotation control mechanism is set to a unidirectional rotation state. This constrains the rotation of the cable unwinding direction of the rotating roller, thus allowing the user to hold the tailgate in the intermediate position. Furthermore, by closing the tailgate from the intermediate position to the fully closed position, the rotation control mechanism switches from the unidirectional rotation state to the constraint-released state. This allows the user to open the tailgate from the fully closed position. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In the holding device described above, the rotation control mechanism includes a first ratchet for maintaining the opening degree, a first pawl that engages with the ratchet teeth of the first ratchet, a second ratchet for locking the actuation mechanism, and a second pawl that engages with the ratchet teeth of the second ratchet. This rotation control mechanism requires two ratchets and two pawls, resulting in a complex structure.

[0006] This invention was made in view of the following problem, and aims to provide a simplified and effective technique for realizing the structure of a door retaining device.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention relates to a door retaining device that holds a door in an intermediate position between a fully closed position and a fully open position, and includes: a rotating roller rotatably disposed on either the door or the vehicle body, and connected to either the door or the vehicle body via a cable component; a gear disposed on the rotating roller and having engaging teeth on its outer periphery; and a locking switching mechanism that switches the rotating roller to either a locked state where its rotation is locked or an unlocked state where its rotation is unlocked, the locking switching mechanism including: a rotating gear that rotates in conjunction with the gear; a pawl that is rotatable between an unlocked position where it is disengaged from the engaging teeth of the gear and a locked position where it is engaged with the engaging teeth; and a locking link that causes the pawl to... The mechanism operates by rotating from the unlocked position to the locked position; the torque transmission switching unit is capable of transmitting and interrupting the torque from the rotating gear to the locking link. The locking switching mechanism is configured such that, during a door opening operation from the fully closed position to the intermediate position, the torque transmitted from the rotating gear to the locking link is interrupted by the torque transmission switching unit, thereby holding the pawl in the unlocked position; during a door holding operation that temporarily moves the door from the intermediate position to the fully closed position, the torque is transmitted from the rotating gear to the locking link by the torque transmission switching unit, causing the pawl to rotate to the locked position, thereby setting the rotating roller to a locked state, in which only movement in the closing direction of the door is allowed.

[0008] In the door retaining device described above, the locking switching mechanism has the function of switching the rotating roller to either a locked state or an unlocked state. This locking switching mechanism includes a rotating gear that rotates in conjunction with a gear mounted on the rotating roller, a pawl that rotates to engage with the engagement teeth of the gear, a locking link that rotates the pawl to a locking position where it engages with the engagement teeth of the gear, and a torque transmission switching unit that transmits and interrupts torque from the rotating gear to the locking link.

[0009] According to the locking switching mechanism, when the user opens the door from the fully closed position to the intermediate position, the torque transmitted from the rotating gear to the locking link is interrupted by the torque transmission switching unit, thus preventing the operation of the locking link and keeping the pawl in the unlocked position. Therefore, the rotating roller can be kept in the unlocked state, allowing the user to continue opening the door. Furthermore, when it is desired to hold the door in any intermediate position between the fully closed and fully open positions, the door is temporarily closed from the intermediate position. This transmits torque from the rotating gear to the locking link via the torque transmission switching unit, causing the locking link to operate and the pawl to rotate to the locked position. Therefore, the rotating roller can be switched from the unlocked state to the locked state, allowing the user to temporarily hold the door in any intermediate position. Moreover, since only the door closing direction is allowed when the rotating roller is locked, door opening operations that would cause the door to move in the opposite direction are prevented.

[0010] Here, according to the locking switching mechanism of the above structure, the trigger for rotating the pawl during the door holding operation can be achieved using only a rotating gear, a locking link, and a torque transmission switching unit. Therefore, in a door holding device that temporarily holds the door in any intermediate position and only allows movement in the closing direction after holding, it is not necessary to use multiple pawls and multiple rotating gears, thus reducing the number of parts and preventing the structure from becoming too complex.

[0011] In the door retaining device described above, the following method can also be adopted: the locking switching mechanism has a stop member that engages the locking linkage when the door is opened.

[0012] In the door retaining device described above, the following method can also be adopted: the locking switching mechanism has a release lever, and during the door closing operation, when the door is closed to the fully closed position, the release lever causes the pawl to rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0013] In the door retaining device described above, the following method can also be adopted: a release part that can engage with a release lever is provided on the rotating gear, and an engagement part that can engage with the release lever is provided on the pawl.

[0014] The door retaining device involved in the above method can also be in the following manner, that is, it also includes a torsion spring, which is connected to a pawl. Depending on the positional relationship between the pawl and the torsion spring, the direction of the elastic force applied to the torsion spring is switched to either the direction of rotation of the pawl toward the locked position or the direction of rotation toward the unlocked position. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same symbols denote the same elements.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a side view of the rear of the vehicle body, showing the rear tailgate of Embodiment 1 in any intermediate position.

[0017] Figure 2 The diagram is schematically illustrating the door retaining device of Embodiment 1.

[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Sectional view along line III-III.

[0019] Figure 4 To indicate in Figure 1 A side view of the vehicle when the tailgate is being opened from the fully closed position to the fully open position.

[0020] Figure 5 In response to Figure 4 The car door uses a retaining device and Figure 3 The corresponding sectional view.

[0021] Figure 6 To indicate Figure 1 A side view of the rear tailgate in operation.

[0022] Figure 7 In response to Figure 6 The car door uses a retaining device and Figure 3 The corresponding sectional view.

[0023] Figure 8 To indicate Figure 1 A side view of the rear tailgate in its stopped position.

[0024] Figure 9 In response to Figure 8 The car door uses a retaining device and Figure 3 The corresponding sectional view.

[0025] Figure 10 To indicate in Figure 1 A side view showing the door closing operation from the middle position of the tailgate to the fully closed position.

[0026] Figure 11 In response to Figure 10 The car door uses a retaining device and Figure 3 The corresponding sectional view. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The preferred embodiments of the above-described method will be described below.

[0028] In the door retaining device, preferably, the locking switching mechanism has a stop that engages the locking linkage when the door is opened.

[0029] According to this retaining device, when the door is opened, the locking link is stopped by a stop, preventing its operation. As a result, the torque transmission switching unit becomes overloaded, the torque transmitted from the rotating gear to the locking link is interrupted, and the rotating gear can rotate independently of the locking link. Therefore, the torque transmission switching unit can be set to an overloaded state using a simple structure where the stop stops the locking link.

[0030] In the door retaining device, preferably, the locking switching mechanism has a release lever, which, during a door closing operation to close the door to the fully closed position, causes the pawl to rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0031] According to this retaining device, during a door closing operation where the door is closed to the fully closed position, the pawl can be rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position by the release lever, thus unlocking the rotating roller. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the door opening operation from being blocked when the rotating roller remains locked while the door is in the fully closed position.

[0032] In the door retaining device, preferably, the rotating gear is provided with a release part that can engage with the release lever, and the pawl is provided with an engagement part that can engage with the release lever.

[0033] According to this retaining device, the release lever, which engages with the release part along with the rotation of the rotating gear, can be engaged with the engagement part of the pawl, causing the pawl to rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0034] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a more specific embodiment of the door retaining device installed between the vehicle body and the rear tailgate at the rear of the vehicle will be described.

[0035] Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings used for illustration, unless otherwise specified, arrow FR is used to indicate the front of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, and arrow UP is used to indicate the top of the vehicle in the vertical direction. Additionally, arrow X is used to indicate a first direction corresponding to the width of the vehicle, arrow Y is used to indicate a second direction corresponding to the length of the vehicle, and arrow Z is used to indicate a third direction corresponding to the height of the vehicle.

[0036] (Implementation Method 1) as follows Figure 1As shown, a rear tailgate 6 serving as a door and a door retaining device (hereinafter also simply referred to as "retaining device") 10 of Embodiment 1 are provided at the rear part 2 of the vehicle body 1.

[0037] The tailgate 6 is a lift-up door that can be rotated via a pivot 7 from a fully closed position P1 through a middle position (also known as a "half-open position") P3 to a fully open position P2. This rotation of the tailgate 6 allows the opening and closing of the luggage compartment 4 behind the rear seats 3. The rear end of the luggage compartment 4 is defined by the tailgate 6, and its sides are defined by left and right pillar trim pieces 5.

[0038] The right and left ends of the tailgate 6 are connected to the rear part 2 of the vehicle body 1 via known hydraulic damper struts 8. Therefore, the user's opening and closing operation of the tailgate 6 is assisted by the damper struts 8. For example, when the user removes their hand from the tailgate 6 in the intermediate position P3, the damper struts 8 prevent the tailgate 6 from moving towards the fully closed position P1 due to its own weight. Furthermore, the damper struts 8 reduce the force required for the user to lift the tailgate 6 from the intermediate position P3 to the fully open position P2.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the retaining device 10 is mounted on the vehicle body 1. This retaining device 10 has the function of retaining the tailgate 6 at any intermediate position P3 between the fully closed position P1 and the fully open position P2 via a cable component 25. The intermediate position P3 can be any position between the fully closed position P1 and the fully open position P2. The cable component 25 is configured as a steel wire rope composed of multiple single metal wires. If necessary, the steel wire rope can also be changed to a component such as a belt or a measuring tape. Furthermore, the retaining device 10 can be directly fixed to the frame of the vehicle body 1, or indirectly fixed to the frame of the vehicle body 1 via interior trim materials.

[0040] (The structure of the retaining device) is as follows: Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the retaining device 10 includes a housing 10a fixed to the vehicle body 1 and a cover 10b that closes the opening of the housing 10a (see reference). Figure 3 The housing 10a houses multiple structural elements, including the rotating roller 20 and the locking switching mechanism 30.

[0041] (Structure of the rotating drum) as follows Figure 2As shown, the rotating drum 20 is configured as a rotating body capable of rotating about a shaft 20a in either a first rotation direction A1 or a second rotation direction A2. The shaft 20a is disposed in the housing 10a extending in the first direction X. The rotating drum 20 is connected to the tailgate 6 via a retractable cable member 25. The rotating drum 20 has a coaxial and integrated spool 21, a first gear 22, and a second gear 23. Therefore, the spool 21 of the rotating drum 20 will rotate integrally with the first gear 22 and the second gear 23.

[0042] The spool portion 21 has a winding surface for the cable component 25 on its outer periphery, and is rotated by the rotating roller 20 about the shaft portion 20a in rotational directions A1 and A2, thereby enabling the winding and unwinding of the cable component 25. Regarding this spool portion 21, the first rotational direction A1 is the unwinding direction of the cable component 25, and the second rotational direction A2 is the winding direction of the cable component 25. The spool portion 21 is elastically stressed by the spring member 24 in the winding direction of the cable component 25, i.e., the second rotational direction A2.

[0043] The first gear 22 is a gear for the pawl, corresponding to the pawl 51 of the latching mechanism 50. Multiple engaging teeth 22a are provided on this first gear 22, spanning its entire circumference. Each of the multiple engaging teeth 22a has an inclined shape extending in a direction inclined relative to an imaginary radial line. Figure 2 For convenience, part of the description of the engaging tooth 22a has been omitted.

[0044] On the second gear 23, multiple engaging teeth 23a are provided across its entire circumference. Figure 2 For convenience, some details of the engaging teeth 23a have been omitted. In this embodiment, an example is given where the diameter of the second gear 23 is smaller than that of the first gear 22.

[0045] (The structure of the locking switching mechanism) is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the locking switching mechanism 30 includes a triggering mechanism 40 and a latching mechanism 50. This locking switching mechanism 30 performs the function of switching the rotating roller 20 to either a locked state where its rotation is locked or an unlocked state where its rotation is unlocked.

[0046] (Structure of the triggering mechanism) The triggering mechanism 40 is configured to transmit the torque of the rotating drum 20 to the latching mechanism 50, thereby triggering the latching mechanism 50 to lock the rotating drum 20. The triggering mechanism 40 includes a rotating gear 41, a locking link 43, and a torque limiter 45.

[0047] The rotating gear 41 is configured as a rotating body capable of rotating about its shaft 41a in either a first rotation direction B1 or a second rotation direction B2. Regarding this rotating gear 41, the first rotation direction B1 is the unwinding direction of the cable component 25, and the second rotation direction B2 is the winding direction of the cable component 25. The shaft 41a of the rotating gear 41 extends from the housing 10a in the first direction X (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0048] On the rotating gear 41, a plurality of engaging teeth 41b are provided across its entire circumference. Figure 2 For convenience, a portion of the engagement teeth 41b is omitted from the description. Multiple engagement teeth 41b mesh with multiple engagement teeth 23a of the second gear 23 of the rotating drum 20. Therefore, when the second gear 23 is configured as the driving gear, the rotating gear 41 becomes a driven gear driven by the second gear 23. Thus, the rotating gear 41 rotates in conjunction with the first gear 22, which rotates integrally with the rotating drum 20 when the drum 20 rotates.

[0049] A release pin 42, which extends from one side in the first direction X, is provided on the rotating gear 41 as a release part. The release pin 42 changes its circumferential position as the rotating gear 41 rotates, thereby engaging with the release lever 57 described later.

[0050] The locking link 43 is a component used to set the rotating roller 20 to a locked state, and operates in such a way that the pawl 51 (described later) rotates from the unlocked position to the locked position. The locking link 43 has a shaft portion 41a concentric with the shaft portion 45a of the rotating gear 41, and is configured as a link component capable of rotating about the shaft portion 45a in a first rotational direction B1 or a second rotational direction B2. The locking link 43 has an extension shape extending radially outward from the shaft portion 45a toward the rotating gear 41, and has a locking pin 44 at its extended tip. Furthermore, the locking link 43 is connected to the rotating gear 41 via a torque limiter 45.

[0051] The torque limiter 45 is configured as a torque transmission switching unit capable of transmitting and interrupting the torque from the rotating gear 41 to the locking link 43. Through this torque limiter 45, torque is transmitted from the rotating gear 41 to the locking link 43 under low load conditions; conversely, under overload conditions, the torque transmitted from the rotating gear 41 to the locking link 43 is interrupted. That is, when the torque acting in the rotating gear 41 in the first rotation direction B1 or the second rotation direction B2 is lower than a reference value, the rotating gear 41 and the locking link 43 rotate together. Conversely, when the torque exceeds the reference value, according to the function of the torque limiter 45, the rotating gear 41 and the locking link 43 become rotatable relative to each other.

[0052] Furthermore, although the structure of the torque limiter 45 is not particularly limited, as an example, a rotary oil damper with a known structure that has a rotor as a rotating body and a stator that houses the rotor in a manner that allows it to rotate freely through oil can be used. Regarding the specific structure of this oil damper, for example, the structure of the rotary oil damper disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-234962 can be referred to.

[0053] Furthermore, as alternatives to the aforementioned rotary oil damper, the torque limiter 45 can also utilize known overload protection structures, such as a spring-type structure using a helical spring, a structure in which the ball bearing between the first gear and the second gear disengages under overload, or a structure in which the first gear and the second gear are isolated under overload by control of an electromagnetic clutch.

[0054] The rotation of the locking link 43 in the first rotation direction B1 will be prevented by the stop 10c. The stop 10c extends from the cover 10b in the first direction X (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0055] (The structure of the latching mechanism) is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the latching mechanism 50 has the function of either a locked state that locks the rotation of the rotating drum 20 or an unlocked state that allows the rotation of the rotating drum 20. The latching mechanism 50 includes a pawl 51, a torsion spring 56 connected to the pawl 51, and a release lever 57.

[0056] The pawl 51 is disposed adjacent to the rotating roller 20 at a position opposite to the rotating roller 20 in the second direction Y. The pawl 51 is configured to rotate about its shaft 51a between an unlocked position (corresponding to the "unlocked position R1" described later) and a locked position (corresponding to the "locked position R2" described later) engaging the engaging teeth 22a, in either the locking direction C1 or the unlocking direction C2. The shaft 51a of the pawl 51 extends from the housing 10a in the first direction X (see reference...). Figure 3 ).

[0057] The pawl 51 is equipped with a locking pawl 52, a first locking arm 53, and a second locking arm 54.

[0058] The locking pawl 52 is disposed on the pawl 51 in such a way that it can engage with the multiple engaging teeth 22a of the first gear 22 of the rotating roller 20. When the locking pawl 52 engages with the engaging teeth 22a, the rotation of the rotating roller 20 is locked. Conversely, when the locking pawl 52 is not engaged with the engaging teeth 22a, the rotation of the rotating roller 20 is unlocked.

[0059] The locking pawl 52 is configured to elastically apply force in either the locking direction C1 or the unlocking direction C2 via the torsion spring 56. At this time, the direction of the elastic force applied to the locking pawl 52 by the torsion spring 56 is switched by the positional relationship between the other end 56b of the torsion spring 56 and the imaginary line L extending in the third direction Z.

[0060] Here, the torsion spring 56 is a spring component whose one end 56a is mounted on the housing 10a and its other end 56b is mounted on the locking pawl 52. When one end 56a of the torsion spring 56 is set as a fixed point, the line connecting the fixed end 56a and the shaft portion 51a of the pawl 51 in a straight line is called the imaginary line L.

[0061] The pawl 51 is positioned in the middle when one end 56a of the torsion spring 56 is on the imaginary line L. When the other end 56b of the torsion spring 56 is positioned relative to the imaginary line L... Figure 2 When the pawl 51 is in the locking region D2 on the right side, the locking pawl 52 of the pawl 51 receives an elastic load in the locking direction C1 from the torsion spring 56. As a result, the locking pawl 52 engages with the engaging tooth 22a, thereby locking the rotating roller 20. Conversely, at the other end 56b of the torsion spring 56, which is located closer to the imaginary line L... Figure 2 When the pawl 51 is in the unlocked area D1 on the left, the locking pawl 52 of the pawl 51 receives an elastic load in the unlocking direction C2 from the torsion spring 56. Therefore, when the locking pawl 52 is not engaged with the engaging tooth 22a, the rotating roller 20 is in the unlocked state.

[0062] The first engaging arm 53 of the pawl 51 is configured to engage with the engaging pin 44 of the locking link 43. By rotating the locking link 43 about the shaft 45a in the first rotational direction B1, the engaging pin 44 of the locking link 43 engages with the first engaging arm 53, thereby enabling the pawl 51 to rotate about the shaft 51a in the locking direction C1.

[0063] On the second engaging arm 54 of the pawl 51, there is an engaging part, namely an engaging pin 55, which can engage with the release lever 57 described later. By engaging the release lever 57 with the engaging pin 55 of the second engaging arm 54, the pawl 51 can rotate in the unlocking direction C2 about the shaft portion 51a. Therefore, the release lever 57 has the function of rotating the pawl 51 from the locked position R2 to the unlocked position R1 when the tailgate 6 is closed to the fully closed position P1.

[0064] Thus, both the first engaging arm 53 and the second engaging arm 54 are used to drive the pawl 51. At this time, both the locking link 43 and the releasing lever 57 become triggers for driving the pawl 51.

[0065] like Figure 2As shown, the release lever 57 is positioned in the third direction Z between the locking link 43 and the pawl 51. The release lever 57 has a first engaging arm 58 and a second engaging arm 59, and is configured to rotate about a shaft 57a. The shaft 57a of the release lever 57 extends from the housing 10a in the first direction X (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0066] The first engaging arm 58 is configured such that, with the disengaging lever 57 centered on the shaft portion 57a, it engages... Figure 2 When the first engaging arm 58 rotates to the right, it can engage with the engaging pin 55 on the second engaging arm 54 of the pawl 51. At this time, the right-hand rotation of the first engaging arm 58 is generated by the second engaging arm 59 of the release lever 57 being subjected to a pressing load from the release pin 42 on the rotating gear 41 when the rotating gear 41 rotates in the second rotation direction B2.

[0067] In addition, although Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The image shows the specific shapes and configurations of the multiple elements constituting the holding device 10, but these shapes or configurations are merely illustrative and can be appropriately changed as needed.

[0068] Next, refer to Figure 2 , Figures 4 to 11 The operation of the retaining device 10 of the above structure during the opening and closing of the tailgate 6 will be explained.

[0069] (Car door opening operation) in Figure 4 The image shows a user holding the tailgate 6 with their fingers and opening it from the fully closed position P1 to the middle position P3 (see reference). Figure 1 This refers to the situation during the opening operation of the rear tailgate 6. At this time, the opening operation of the rear tailgate 6 is assisted by the damper strut 8, and the cable component 25 is pulled out from the rotating roller 20 of the retaining device 10 as the rear tailgate 6 moves.

[0070] like Figure 5 As shown, the rotating roller 20 of the retaining device 10 is linked to the door opening operation of the tailgate 6, overcoming the elastic force of the spring component 24 to unwind the cable component 25, and simultaneously rotates in the first rotation direction A1 about the shaft 20a. In addition, linked to the movement of the rotating roller 20 at this time, the rotating gear 41 rotates in the first rotation direction B1 about the shaft 41a.

[0071] At this time, although the locking link 43 intends to rotate as a unit with the rotating gear 41, it is stopped by engaging with the stop member 10c, thus preventing rotation. That is, the stop member 10c performs the function of engaging with the locking link 43 along with the rotation of the rotating gear 41 during the opening operation of the tailgate 6, thereby preventing the locking link 43 from operating. Furthermore, since the rotating gear 41 intends to rotate in the first rotation direction B1 relative to the stopped locking link 43, thus becoming overloaded, the torque transmission from the rotating gear 41 to the locking link 43 is interrupted by the torque limiter 45. Therefore, the linkage between the locking link 43 and the rotating roller 20 is released.

[0072] Thus, during the door opening operation of the tailgate 6 from the fully closed position P1 to the intermediate position P3, the torque limiter 45 interrupts the torque transmitted from the rotating gear 41 to the locking link 43, thereby preventing the locking link 43 from operating and keeping the pawl 51 in the unlocked position. As a result, the user can continue to open the tailgate 6 to any intermediate position P3.

[0073] (Door holding operation) in Figure 6 The diagram illustrates a door-holding operation where the user stops the movement of the tailgate 6 midway through its opening operation. When performing this door-holding operation, the user first temporarily stops the tailgate 6 opening operation at any intermediate position P3. Then, the user performs a door-closing operation, pushing the tailgate 6 back slightly towards intermediate position P3', a position closer to the door closing side compared to intermediate position P3, overcoming the assistance of the damper strut 8. At this time, the cable assembly 25 is slightly pulled back from the rotating roller 20 of the holding device 10 as the tailgate 6 moves.

[0074] like Figure 7 As shown, the rotating roller 20 of the retaining device 10 is linked to the door closing operation of the tailgate 6, causing the cable component 25 to rewind due to the elastic force of the spring component 24, and simultaneously rotating in the second rotation direction A2 about the shaft 20a. In addition, in conjunction with the movement of the rotating roller 20 at this time, the rotating gear 41 rotates in the second rotation direction B2 about the shaft 41a.

[0075] As the locking link 43 rotates integrally with the rotating gear 41 in the second rotational direction B2, its engagement with the stop 10c is released. Therefore, the transmission of torque from the rotating gear 41 to the locking link 43 is not interrupted by the torque limiter 45. At this time, the locking link 43, along with the rotation of the rotating gear 41 in the second rotational direction B2, moves from the first position Q1 (refer to...) Figure 7 Rotate to the second position Q2 (as indicated by the double-dotted line in the image). Figure 7(The positions indicated by solid lines in the text).

[0076] The first engaging arm 53 of the pawl 51 engages with the engaging pin 44 of the locking link 43 located in the first position Q1. Furthermore, the first engaging arm 53 is pressed against the elastic force of the torsion spring 56 as the locking link 43 rotates from the first position Q1 towards the second position Q2. Therefore, the rotation of the pawl 51 and the locking link 43 from the first position Q1 to the second position Q2 is linked, thereby moving the pawl 51 from the unlocked position R1 (see reference 51a) around the shaft portion 51a. Figure 7 The position indicated by the double-dotted line in the image) faces the locked position R2 (refer to...). Figure 7 (The position indicated by the solid line in the middle), and rotates in the locking direction C1.

[0077] Thus, when the tailgate 6 is temporarily moved from the middle position P3 to the fully closed position P1 (i.e., the tailgate 6 is slightly closed) during the door holding operation, the torque is transmitted from the rotating gear 41 to the locking link 43 by the torque limiter 45, which enables the pawl 51 to rotate toward the locking position R2, which is the locking position.

[0078] When the pawl 51 rotates toward the locking position R2 in the locking direction C1, the other end 56b of the torsion spring 56 exits from the unlocking area D1 (see reference). Figure 2 Crossing the imaginary line L and reaching the locking region D2 (refer to...) Figure 2 Thus, the pawl 51 is subjected to an elastic force in the locking direction C1 from the torsion spring 56. Therefore, the pawl 51 quickly rotates to the locking position R2 where the locking pawl 52 engages with the locking tooth 22a. As a result, the rotating roller 20 is locked, so the user can temporarily hold the tailgate 6 in the intermediate position P3' by simply pushing it from the intermediate position P3 to the intermediate position P3'.

[0079] Based on the above, both the first position Q1 of the locking link 43 and the unlocking position R1 of the pawl 51 are positions used to unlock the rotating drum 20. Conversely, both the second position Q2 of the locking link 43 and the locking position R2 of the pawl 51 are positions used to lock the rotating drum 20.

[0080] (Operation during intermediate stop) Figure 8 The image shows a situation where the tailgate 6 is temporarily held in a neutral position P3'. In this neutral position, closing the tailgate 6 is permitted, while opening the tailgate 6 is prohibited.

[0081] exist Figure 9In the retaining device 10 shown, when the rotating roller 20 rotates in the second rotation direction A2 around the shaft 20a in conjunction with the door closing operation of the tailgate 6, the locking pawl 52 of the pawl 51 moves in a manner that sequentially passes over multiple engaging teeth 22a on the side of the rotating roller 20, thereby allowing the rotating roller 20 to rotate in the second rotation direction A2. This is because, as mentioned above, the multiple engaging teeth 22a are all inclined.

[0082] When the locking pawl 51 overcomes the elastic force of the torsion spring 56 and passes over an engaging tooth 22a, it temporarily rotates slightly in the unlocking direction C2, and then rotates in the locking direction C1, thereby engaging with other engaging teeth 22a. Furthermore, the pawl 51 repeatedly performs this movement during the continued closing operation of the tailgate 6. Therefore, when the tailgate 6 stops midway, movement is only permitted in the closing direction. Additionally, if the user wishes to stop the tailgate 6 closing operation midway, they only need to perform the aforementioned door holding operation.

[0083] exist Figure 9 In the retaining device 10 shown, even if the rotating roller 20 is linked to the door opening operation of the tailgate 6 and attempts to rotate in the first rotation direction A1 around the shaft 20a, the engagement between the locking pawl 52 of the pawl 51 and the engaging teeth 22a on the rotating roller 20 side will not be disengaged. Furthermore, since the pawl 51 is in the locked position R2, the locking link 43 cannot engage with the pawl 51, remaining in a state where rotation will not interfere with the pawl 51—a so-called "free-swinging state." Therefore, the locked state of the rotating roller 20 will be maintained, and the tailgate 6 is prevented from moving in the door opening direction when it stops in this intermediate position.

[0084] As described above, the retaining device 10 of this embodiment has a structure that allows the tailgate 6 to move only in one direction, which is the door closing direction, after temporarily holding the tailgate 6 in any intermediate position P3'. Therefore, the retaining device 10 has the advantage of preventing situations where the tailgate 6, held in any intermediate position P3', is subjected to external forces such as wind, causing the rotating roller 20 to switch from a locked state to an unlocked state, thereby opening the tailgate 6 in the door opening direction.

[0085] (Door closing operation) in Figure 10 The image shows a user closing the tailgate 6 by holding it with their fingers, moving it from the middle position P3' to the fully closed position P1. At this time, the cable assembly 25 is pulled back to the rotating roller 20 of the retaining device 10 as the tailgate 6 moves.

[0086] like Figure 11As shown, the rotating roller 20 of the retaining device 10 rotates in the second rotation direction A2 about the shaft 20a, while the cable component 25 is wound back by the elastic force of the spring component 24, in conjunction with the closing operation of the tailgate 6. Furthermore, the rotating gear 41 rotates in the second rotation direction B2 about the shaft 41a, in conjunction with the movement of the rotating roller 20 at this time.

[0087] Here, the release pin 42 of the rotating gear 41 is configured to interfere with the second engaging arm 59 of the release lever 57 just before the tailgate 6 reaches the fully closed position P1. At this time, the first engaging arm 58 of the release lever 57 engages with the engaging pin 55 set on the second engaging arm 54 of the pawl 51. Then, the rotating gear 41 continues to rotate in the second rotation direction B2 until the tailgate 6 reaches the fully closed position P1, thereby causing the pawl 51 to rotate in the unlocking direction C2 via the release lever 57, thus returning to the unlocked position R1. As a result, the engagement between the locking pawl 52 of the pawl 51 and the engaging tooth 22a on the rotating roller 20 side is released, thereby the rotating roller 20 is in the unlocked state.

[0088] In this way, the pawl 51 rotates from the locked position R2 to the unlocked position R1 when the release lever 57, which engages with the release pin 42 as the rotating gear 41 rotates, engages with the engagement pin 55 of the pawl 51.

[0089] Furthermore, the pawl 51 is connected to the locking region D2 (see reference 56b) via the other end 56b of the torsion spring 56. Figure 2 Cross the imaginary line L to reach the unlocked area D1 (refer to...) Figure 2 The pawl 51 is held in the unlocked position R1 by an elastic force C2 applied to the torsion spring 56 in the unlocking direction. This keeps the rotating roller 20 in the unlocked state. As a result, the tailgate 6, which is in the fully closed position P1, can be opened again.

[0090] According to the above-described implementation method 1, the following effects can be obtained.

[0091] In the aforementioned holding device 10, the locking switching mechanism 30 has the function of switching the rotating drum 20 to either a locked state or an unlocked state. The locking switching mechanism 30 includes a rotating gear 41 that rotates in conjunction with a gear 22 mounted on the rotating drum 20; a pawl 51 that rotates to engage with the engaging teeth 22a of the gear 22; a locking link 43 that rotates the pawl 51 to a locking position where it engages with the engaging teeth 22a of the gear 22; and a torque limiter 45 that transmits and interrupts the torque from the rotating gear 41 to the locking link 43.

[0092] In the locking switching mechanism 30, when the user opens the tailgate 6 from the fully closed position P1 to the intermediate position P3, the torque transmitted from the rotating gear 41 to the locking link 43 is interrupted by the torque limiter 45, thereby preventing the locking link 43 from operating. Therefore, the pawl 51 is held in the unlocked position R1. Thus, the rotating roller 20 can be kept in the unlocked state, and the user can continue to open the tailgate 6.

[0093] Furthermore, in the locking switching mechanism 30, when it is desired to hold the tailgate 6 in any intermediate position P3' between the fully closed position P1 and the fully open position P2, the tailgate 6 is temporarily closed from the intermediate position P3. As a result, torque is transmitted from the rotating gear 41 to the locking link 43 via the torque limiter 45, causing the locking link 43 to operate, and thus the pawl 51 rotates towards the locked position R2. Therefore, the rotating roller 20 can be switched from the unlocked state to the locked state, allowing the user to temporarily hold the tailgate 6 in any intermediate position P3'. Moreover, since only the closing direction of the tailgate 6 is allowed when the rotating roller 20 is locked, door opening operations that would cause the tailgate 6 to move in the opposite direction are prevented.

[0094] Here, according to the locking switching mechanism 30 of the above structure, as the trigger for rotating the pawl 51 during the door holding operation of the tailgate 6, only the rotating gear 41, the locking link 43, and the torque limiter 45 are needed. Therefore, in the holding device 10 with a one-way structure that temporarily holds the tailgate 6 at any intermediate position P3' and only allows movement in the door closing direction after holding, it is not necessary to use multiple pawls and multiple rotating gears, thus reducing the number of parts and preventing the structure from becoming complicated.

[0095] Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment 1, the structure of the door retaining device 10 can be simplified.

[0096] According to the locking switching mechanism 30 with the above structure, when the tailgate 6 is opened, the locking link 43 is stopped by the stop 10c, thereby preventing the locking link 43 from operating. As a result, the torque limiter 45 is in an overload state, the torque transmitted from the rotating gear 41 to the locking link 43 is interrupted, and the rotating gear 41 can rotate independently of the locking link 43. Therefore, the torque limiter 45 can be set to an overload state using the simple structure of the stop 10c stopping the locking link 43.

[0097] According to the locking switching mechanism 30 with the above structure, during the door closing operation of closing the tailgate 6 to the fully closed position P1, the pawl 51 can be rotated from the locked position R2 to the unlocked position R1 by the release lever 57, and the rotating roller 20 can be set to the unlocked state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the situation where the rotating roller 20 remains locked when the tailgate 6 is in the fully closed position P1, thereby preventing the door opening operation of reopening the tailgate 6 from being blocked.

[0098] According to the locking switching mechanism 30 of the above structure, when the release lever 57, which engages with the release pin 42 as the rotating gear 41 rotates, engages with the engagement pin 55 of the pawl 51, the pawl 51 can be rotated from the locked position R2 to the unlocked position R1.

[0099] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various applications or modifications are contemplated without departing from the purpose of the invention. For example, various subsequent methods applying the embodiments described above can also be implemented.

[0100] Although the above embodiment exemplifies a release structure in which the release lever 57 is activated by the rotation of the rotating gear 41, thereby moving the pawl 51 from the locked position R2 to the unlocked position R1, alternatively, a release structure could be adopted such as one that moves the pawl 51 to the unlocked position R1 independently of the rotation of the rotating gear 41 using a user-operable mechanical release lever, or a release structure that moves the pawl 51 to the unlocked position R1 using an actuator that operates in conjunction with the user's operation.

[0101] Although the above embodiment illustrates a case where the retaining device 10 is mounted on the vehicle body 1 and one end of the cable component 25 is secured to the tailgate 6, it is also possible to use a structure in which the retaining device 10 is mounted on the tailgate 6 and one end of the cable component 25 is secured to the vehicle body 1.

[0102] Although the above embodiment exemplifies the tailgate retaining device 10, the structure of the retaining device 10 can also be applied to other doors of a vehicle, such as glass hatches that are installed on the tailgate in an openable and closable manner, sloping sunroofs that are installed on the roof of the vehicle body 1 in an openable and closable manner, and engine hoods that are installed at the front of the vehicle body 1 in an openable and closable manner.

Claims

1. A door retaining device that holds the door in an intermediate position between a fully closed position and a fully open position, characterized in that, have: A rotating roller is rotatably disposed on either side of the door and the body, and connected to the other side of the door and the body via a cable assembly. Gears, which are mounted on the rotating drum and have engaging teeth on their outer circumference; and The locking switching mechanism switches the rotating drum to either a locked state where its rotation is locked or an unlocked state where its rotation is unlocked. The locking switching mechanism includes: A rotating gear, which rotates in conjunction with the gear mentioned above; A pawl that can rotate between an unlocked position, disengaging from the engaging teeth of the gear, and a locked position, engaging the engaging teeth. A locking linkage that operates to rotate the pawl from the unlocked position to the locked position; A torque transmission switching unit is capable of transmitting and disconnecting the torque from the rotating gear to the locking link; The release lever, during the door closing operation (closing the door to the fully closed position), causes the pawl to rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position. The locking switching mechanism is configured such that... During the door opening operation, which involves opening the door from the fully closed position to the intermediate position, the torque transmitted from the rotating gear to the locking link is interrupted by the torque transmission switching unit, thereby keeping the pawl in the unlocked position. When the door is temporarily moved from the intermediate position to the fully closed position during the door holding operation, torque is transmitted from the rotating gear to the locking link using the torque transmission switching unit, causing the pawl to rotate to the locking position, thereby locking the rotating roller. In this locked state, only movement in the closing direction of the door is allowed. The rotating gear is provided with a release part that can engage with the release lever, and the pawl is provided with an engagement part that can engage with the release lever.

2. The door retaining device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The locking switching mechanism includes a stop that engages the locking linkage when the door is opened.

3. The door retaining device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It also includes a torsion spring, which is connected to the pawl. Based on the positional relationship between the pawl and the torsion spring, the pawl can switch from the direction of the elastic force applied to the torsion spring to either the direction in which the pawl rotates toward the locked position or the direction in which it rotates toward the unlocked position.

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