Sliding door roller assembly for vehicle

Abstract

Provided is a sliding door spool assembly for a vehicle, which can be easily assembled by elastically supporting a cable, and which can maintain an appropriate tension after assembly. The sliding door spool assembly includes: a cable pulling a sliding door slidably mounted on a vehicle to slide the sliding door; a reel on which the cable is wound; a reel adapter connected to the output shaft of the driving unit, the reel being mounted on the reel adapter; and an elastic member elastically supporting the spool on the spool adapter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sliding door roller assembly for a vehicle capable of opening and closing the vehicle sliding door by using a cable. Background Art

[0002] Doors for passengers to get on and off the vehicle are installed on the side of the vehicle.

[0003] like Figure 1 As shown, a sliding door 2 that slides to open and close is installed on a vehicle 1 such as a van. A track 1a along which the sliding door 2 slides is installed on the body of the vehicle 1. Rollers (not shown) that run along the track 1a are installed on the sliding door 2. A door lock for locking the sliding door 2 when the sliding door 2 is closed is provided on the sliding door 2.

[0004] In recent years, an increasing number of vehicles have adopted electric sliding doors that are opened and closed using the driving force of a drive motor to improve the convenience of passengers.

[0005] A driving unit 10 is installed inside the sliding door 2. The driving unit 10 includes a driving motor 11, a first cable 12 and a second cable 13, a first pulley unit 14 and a second pulley unit 15, etc. The first cable 12 and the second cable 13 are wound on a drum (not shown) or unwound from a drum, and push or pull the sliding door 2. The first pulley unit 14 and the second pulley unit 15 include respective pulleys (not shown) for switching the winding direction of the first cable 12 and the second cable 13. The driving unit 10 is connected to the drum. The driving unit 10 rotates the drum wound with the first cable 12 and the second cable 13, thereby pulling the first cable 12 or the second cable 13, respectively. Therefore, the sliding door 2 slides toward the front or rear of the vehicle 1, thereby opening or closing.

[0006] One end of the first cable 12 and one end of the second cable 13 are respectively fixed to the drum around which the first cable 12 and the second cable 13 are wound. The other end of the first cable 12 and the other end of the second cable 13 are each connected to a roller arm 2a fixed to one side of the sliding door 2. The track 1a is installed on the vehicle 1 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1, and the roller running on the track 1a is installed on the roller arm 2a. When the driving motor rotates the drum, the first cable 12 and the second cable 13 pull the roller arm 2a toward the front or rear of the vehicle 1 as the drum rotates, thereby sliding the sliding door 2.

[0007] When the first cable 12 and the second cable 13 are connected to the roller arm 2a, the first cable 12 and the second cable 13 must be pulled into a tensioned state to be connected to the roller arm 2a. However, since the first cable 12 and the second cable 13 have no elasticity, the first cable 12 and the second cable 13 are not easily connected to the roller arm 2a. Summary of the invention

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention provides a sliding door reel assembly for a vehicle, which can pull a cable to a predetermined length so as to fix the end of the cable to the reel during assembly. Another embodiment of the present invention provides elasticity to the cable so as to maintain appropriate tension after assembly.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, a sliding door reel assembly for a vehicle is provided. The sliding door reel assembly includes: a cable configured to pull a sliding door slidably mounted on a vehicle to slide the sliding door; a reel on which the cable is wound; and a reel adapter connected to an output shaft of a driving unit. The reel is mounted on the reel adapter. In one embodiment, the sliding door reel assembly includes an elastic member that elastically supports the reel on the reel adapter.

[0010] In another embodiment, the cable may include: a first cable that pulls the sliding door toward a first direction of the vehicle; and a second cable that pulls the sliding door toward a second direction of the vehicle. The drum may include: an upper drum on which the first cable or the second cable is wound; and a lower drum on which the other of the first cable and the second cable is wound. The lower drum is coaxially mounted below the upper drum.

[0011] In the sliding door reel assembly, one end of the first cable can be fixed on the upper reel, and the first cable can be wound to a predetermined length. In addition, in the sliding door reel assembly, one end of the second cable can be fixed on the lower reel, and the second cable can be wound to a predetermined length.

[0012] In the sliding door roller assembly, the roller adapter can be positioned between the upper roller and the lower roller. The upper roller can be installed above the roller adapter, and the lower roller can be installed below the roller adapter.

[0013] In the sliding door roller assembly, the elastic member may include an upper spring. Two ends of the upper spring may be fixed to the upper roller and the roller adapter, respectively. The elastic member may also include a lower spring. Two ends of the lower spring may be fixed to the lower roller and the roller adapter, respectively.

[0014] In the sliding door reel assembly, a spring receiving portion may be formed in the reel adapter in the radial direction of the reel adapter to receive one end of the upper spring or one end of the lower spring. The spring receiving portion may face from the periphery of the reel adapter to the center of the reel adapter.

[0015] In the sliding door roller assembly, one end of the upper spring and one end of the lower spring may be formed to be bent toward the center of the roller adapter.

[0016] In the sliding door reel assembly, a reinforcing rib protruding in the circumferential direction and radial direction of the reel adapter may be formed on the reel adapter. The spring accommodation portion may pass through the reinforcing rib formed in the circumferential direction of the reel adapter and be formed in the radial direction of the reel adapter.

[0017] In the sliding door reel assembly, an upper coupling protrusion inserted into the bottom surface of the upper reel may be formed on the reel adapter. In addition, an upper stopper may be formed on the inner side of the upper reel to block the upper coupling protrusion when the upper reel rotates a first predetermined angle relative to the reel adapter.

[0018] In the sliding door reel assembly, a lower coupling protrusion inserted into the upper surface of the lower reel may be formed on the reel adapter. A lower stopper may be formed on the inner side of the lower reel to block the lower coupling protrusion when the lower reel rotates a second predetermined angle relative to the reel adapter.

[0019] In the sliding door roller assembly, the other end of the first or second cable may be connected to a roller arm mounted on one side of the sliding door.

[0020] In the sliding door roller assembly, when the roller is rotated in a state of being elastically supported by pulling one end of the first or second cable, the other end of the first or second cable may be connected to the roller arm.

[0021] In the sliding door roller assembly, the inner surface of the roller adapter may be splined to form a spline portion.

[0022] The sliding door reel assembly according to the present invention is constructed as described above, and during the sliding door assembly, the end of the first or second cable can be elastically pulled to a predetermined length. This can facilitate the process of fixing the end of the first or second cable to the upper reel or the lower reel.

[0023] Furthermore, in a state where the cables are assembled, the first or second cable can maintain tension at an appropriate level by the spring, which helps to make the opening or closing operation of the sliding door easy and smooth. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] These drawings are only used for reference in describing the embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the technical concept of the present invention should not be limited to the drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 is a side view showing a state in which a typical sliding door is installed in the related art.

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration in which a driving unit for opening and closing a sliding door is installed inside a typical sliding door in the prior art.

[0027] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cable is fixed in a typical sliding door in the prior art.

[0028] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a sliding door roller assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 1 is a top view showing an upper drum when a first cable wound around the upper drum is pulled in a sliding door drum assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention.

[0030] Figure 6 1 is a top view showing an upper drum in a state where a first cable is completely installed in a sliding door drum assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 7 1 is a top view showing a roller adapter of a sliding door roller assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention.

[0032] Figure 8 1 is a perspective view showing an upper roller and a lower roller of a sliding door roller assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention in a normally assembled state.

[0033] Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing a state in which a roller adapter and an upper roller are coupled to each other in a roller assembly for a sliding door for a vehicle according to the present invention.

[0034] Fig.10 is a sectional view showing a state in which a roller adapter and a lower roller are coupled to each other in a roller assembly for a sliding door for a vehicle according to the present invention.

[0035] Fig.11 1 is a top view showing a reel adapter in a state where a cable is normally assembled to the reel adapter in a reel assembly for a sliding door for a vehicle according to the present invention.

[0036] Fig.12 1 is a perspective view showing an upper reel and a lower reel in an abnormally assembled state of a sliding door reel assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention.

[0037] Fig.13 1 is a top view showing a reel adapter in an abnormally assembled state of a sliding door reel assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Hereinafter, a sliding door roller assembly 20 for a vehicle according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] When one component is referred to as being "connected" or "engaged" to another component, the one component may be directly connected or engaged to the other component, but it should be understood that other components may exist between the two. On the other hand, when one component is referred to as being "directly connected to" or "directly in contact with" another component, it should be understood that no other components exist between the two. Other expressions used to describe the relationship between components, such as "between" and "directly between" or "adjacent" and "directly adjacent", should be interpreted in the same manner.

[0040] When a component, device, element, etc. of the present invention is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, etc., the component, device or element should be understood herein as being “configured to” satisfy the purpose or perform the operation or function.

[0041] The sliding door reel assembly 20 according to the present invention may include cables 12 and 13, reels 23 and 24, a reel adapter 25, and elastic members 26 and 27. The cables 12 and 13 slide the sliding door 2 slidably mounted on the vehicle 1 by pulling the sliding door 2. The cables 12 and 13 are wound around the reels 23 and 24, respectively. The reel adapter 25 may be connected to the output shaft 10a of the driving unit 10. The reels 23 and 24 are mounted on the reel adapter 25. The elastic members 26 and 27 elastically support the reels 23 and 24 on the reel adapter 25.

[0042] The cables 12 and 13 may be installed in a state of being wound around the reel assembly 20 , and move the sliding door 2 slidably installed on the vehicle 1 toward the front or rear of the vehicle 1 .

[0043] The track 1a may be installed at one side of the vehicle 1 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1. The roller arm 2a may be installed at one side of the sliding door 2. A roller (not shown) may slide along the track 1a. When the cables 12 and 13 pull the roller arm 2a forward or backward, the sliding door 2 may slide in the direction in which the cables 12 and 13 pull the sliding door 2.

[0044] The cables 12 and 13 may respectively correspond to a first cable 12 and a second cable 13. The first cable 12 may pull the roller arm 2a toward the front or rear of the vehicle 1. The second cable 13 may pull the roller arm 2a in the opposite direction.

[0045] The drums 23 and 24 are rotatably mounted inside the housing 21. The cables 12 and 13 may be wound around the drums 23 and 24, respectively. Winding the cables 12 and 13 enables the cables 12 and 13 to pull the sliding door 2. The drums 23 and 24 may have the same structure, preferably a symmetrical configuration, and may correspond to the upper drum 23 and the lower drum 24, respectively. The first cable 12 may be wound around the upper drum 23, and the second cable 13 may be wound around the lower drum 24.

[0046] The ends of the first cable 12 and the second cable 13 may be fixed to the upper drum 23 and the lower drum 24, respectively. The first cable 12 and the second cable 13 may be wound around the upper drum 23 and the lower drum 24, respectively, to a predetermined length. Figure 8 As shown, the end of the first cable 12 may be fixed to a cable fixing portion 23a formed on the upper drum 23. Similarly, the end of the second cable 13 may be fixed to a cable fixing portion 24a formed on the lower drum 24. The first cable 12 and the second cable 13 may be wound around the upper drum 23 and the lower drum 24 in opposite directions, respectively.

[0047] Winding the first cable 12 on the upper drum 23 allows the first cable 12 to pull the sliding door 2, so that the sliding door 2 can move toward the front or rear of the vehicle 1. Winding the second cable 13 on the lower drum 24 allows the second cable 13 to pull the sliding door 2, so that the sliding door 2 can slide in the opposite direction.

[0048] The reel adapter 25 may be installed between the upper reel 23 and the lower reel 24. The upper reel 23 may be arranged above the lower reel 24 in the up-down direction. The upper portion of the reel adapter 25 may be connected to the upper reel 23, and the lower portion of the reel adapter 25 may be connected to the lower reel 24. The reel adapter 25 may be formed to have the same shape as a disc through which a pipe passes. The upper reel 23 may be installed above the reel adapter 25, and the lower reel 24 may be installed below the reel adapter 25.

[0049] In addition, an upper coupling protrusion 25 a and a lower coupling protrusion 25 b respectively coupled to the upper reel 23 and the lower reel 24 may be formed on the reel adapter 25 .

[0050] The upper coupling protrusion 25a may be inserted into the bottom surface of the upper reel 23. Inside the upper reel 23, a space may be formed in such a manner that the upper coupling protrusion 25a can be inserted. The space may also facilitate the upper coupling protrusion 25a to rotate by a predetermined angle α. An upper stopper 23b may be formed on the inner surface of the upper reel 23. When the upper reel 23 rotates by a predetermined angle α relative to the reel adapter 25, the upper stopper 23b may limit the rotation of the upper reel 23. Therefore, the upper reel 23 may rotate by a predetermined angle α relative to the reel adapter 25.

[0051] Likewise, a lower stopper 24b may be formed on the lower reel 24. When the lower engaging protrusion 25b is also inserted into the lower reel 24 and the lower reel 24 is rotated by a predetermined angle β relative to the reel adapter 25, the lower stopper 24b may limit the rotation of the lower reel 24. The lower reel 24 may also be rotated by a predetermined angle β relative to the reel adapter 25.

[0052] A reinforcing rib 25c may be formed on the reel adapter 25. The reinforcing rib 25c may increase the rigidity of the intermediate disk portion of the reel adapter 25 in the circumferential and radial directions.

[0053] The drum adapter 25 may be fixed to the output shaft 10a of the drive unit 10. With the drum adapter 25, when the drive unit 10 is operated, winding the first cable 12 around the upper drum 23 in the rotation direction of the output shaft 10a may cause the first cable 12 to pull the sliding door 2, thereby enabling the sliding door 2 to slide in one direction. Alternatively, winding the second cable 13 around the lower drum 24 may cause the second cable 13 to pull the sliding door 2, thereby enabling the sliding door 2 to slide in the opposite direction.

[0054] The reel adapter 25 can be connected to the output shaft 10a of the drive unit 10, thereby transmitting the driving force of the drive unit 10 to the reel assembly 20. In a state where the output shaft 10a passes through the reel adapter 25, the upper end portion of the reel adapter 25 and the output shaft 10a can be fastened to each other using a self-tapping bolt 28 for assembly. At this time, a portion of the inner surface of the reel adapter 25 can be splined to form a spline portion 25e. In addition, a portion of the outer surface of the output shaft 10a can also be splined (not shown) to prevent slippage between the reel adapter 25 and the output shaft 10a.

[0055] Elastic members 26 and 27 may be installed between the reel adapter 25 and the upper reel 23 and between the reel adapter 25 and the lower reel 24 , respectively, so as to elastically support the upper reel 23 and the lower reel 24 on the reel adapter 25 , respectively.

[0056] The elastic members 26 and 27 may correspond to an upper spring 26 and a lower spring 27, respectively. The upper spring 26 may be installed between the reel adapter 25 and the upper reel 23, and the lower spring 27 may be installed between the reel adapter 25 and the lower reel 24. The upper spring 26 and the lower spring 27 may each be formed in the form of a coil spring.

[0057] The upper spring 26 can elastically support the upper drum 23 on the drum adapter 25 in the rotation direction of the upper drum 23. When the first cable 12 is connected to the roller arm 2a, the first cable 12 can be pulled to a predetermined length, thereby facilitating the connection of the first cable 12 to the roller arm 2a. When the first cable 12 is connected to the roller arm 2a, the first cable 12 can maintain appropriate tension.

[0058] Likewise, the lower spring 27 can also elastically support the lower drum 24 in the rotational direction on the drum adapter 25. The lower spring 27 can also facilitate the connection between the second cable 13 and the roller arm 2a while enabling the second cable 13 to maintain appropriate tension.

[0059] The upper spring 26 and the lower spring 27 can elastically support the upper reel 23 and the lower reel 24 on the reel adapter 25, respectively. Therefore, when the first cable 12 and the second cable 13 are connected to the roller arm 2a, pulling the first cable 12 and the second cable 13 can move the first cable 12 and the second cable 13 to a predetermined length, thereby facilitating the connection of the first cable 12 and the second cable 13 to the roller arm 2a. For example, when the first cable 12 is pulled, the connection ring 12a installed at the end of the first cable 12 can be connected to the cable connection portion 2b of the roller arm 2a. Therefore, the first cable 12 can be connected to the roller arm 2a.

[0060] The first cable 12 and the second cable 13 may be connected to the roller arm 2a. Thereafter, by using the upper spring 26 and the lower spring 27, the first cable 12 and the second cable 13 may maintain appropriate tension, respectively.

[0061] Both ends of the upper spring 26 may be fixed to the reel adapter 25 and the upper reel 23, respectively. In particular, a spring accommodation portion 25d may be formed in the reel adapter 25. One end of the upper spring 26 may be placed in the spring accommodation portion 25d. The spring accommodation portion 25d may be formed in the reel adapter 25 by recessing the periphery of the reel adapter 25 in the radial direction thereof. The reinforcing rib 25c may not be formed in the portion of the reel adapter 25 where the spring accommodation portion 25d is to be formed. Instead, the spring accommodation portion 25d may be formed in the portion so as to accommodate one end of the upper spring 26. In other words, the spring accommodation portion 25d may be formed in the radial direction of the reel adapter 25 in such a manner as to pass through the reinforcing rib 25c formed in the circumferential direction of the reel adapter 25. The spring accommodation portion 25d may be formed to have the same height as the reinforcing rib 25c and to face from the periphery of the reel adapter 25 to the center of the reel adapter 25 so that one end of the upper spring 26 is accommodated in the spring accommodation portion 25d. In particular, the upper spring 26 itself can be used to guide the position where the upper spring 26 is installed. When the upper drum 23 and the upper spring 26 are assembled, the coupling portion 26a bent from one end of the upper spring 26 in a manner facing the center of the drum adapter 25 can be positioned at the spring accommodation portion 25d. Only by this position of the coupling portion 26a can the upper drum 23 and the upper spring 26 be assembled at their respective normal positions relative to the drum adapter 25.

[0062] Figure 8 and Fig.11 A normal position in which one end portion of the upper spring 26 is assembled in the spring accommodation portion 25d is shown. Fig.12 and Fig.13It is shown that one end of the upper spring 26 is not positioned in the normal position in the spring receiving portion 25d. One end of the upper spring 26 is not positioned in the spring receiving portion 25d, which can facilitate identification of whether incorrect assembly has occurred. When the upper drum 23 and the upper spring 26 are not assembled in their respective normal positions, as a result, the first cable 12 may be longer or shorter than in a normal state. When the first cable 12 is deployed to a longer length, even if the first cable 12 is connected to the roller arm 2a, the first cable 12 will be too long to maintain proper tension. When the first cable 12 is deployed to a shorter length, the first cable 12 cannot be connected to the roller arm 2a.

[0063] However, when one end of the upper spring 26 is positioned in the spring accommodation portion 25d, the upper drum 23 and the upper spring 26 can be positioned in their respective normal positions. This positioning enables the first cable 12 to be deployed to a desired length. Therefore, the connection of the first cable 12 to the roller arm 2a can be facilitated. In addition, after being connected to the roller arm 2a, the first cable 12 can maintain appropriate tension.

[0064] The spring receiving portion 25d may also be formed in the bottom surface of the disk portion of the reel adapter 25. As a result, it is possible to enable the lower reel 24 and the lower spring 27 to be assembled in their respective normal positions.

Claims

1. A sliding door roller assembly for a vehicle, comprising: at least one cable configured to pull a sliding door slidably mounted on a vehicle to slide the sliding door; a drum on which the at least one cable is wound; a reel adapter connected to an output shaft of a drive unit, wherein the reel is mounted on the reel adapter; and An elastic member is configured to elastically support the reel on the reel adapter.

2. The sliding door roller assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one cable comprises: a first cable configured to pull the sliding door toward a first direction of the vehicle; and a second cable configured to pull the sliding door in a second direction toward the vehicle, and Wherein, the reel comprises: an upper drum on which one of the first cable and the second cable is wound; and A lower drum on which the other of the first cable and the second cable is wound is coaxially installed below the upper drum.

3. The sliding door roller assembly according to claim 2, wherein: One end of the first cable is fixed to the upper drum, and the first cable is wound to a predetermined length, and One end of the second cable is fixed to the lower drum, and the second cable is wound to a predetermined length.

4. The sliding door roller assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The reel adapter is positioned between the upper reel and the lower reel, and Wherein, the upper reel is installed above the reel adapter, and the lower reel is installed below the reel adapter.

5. The sliding door roller assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The elastic member comprises: an upper spring, two ends of which are respectively fixed to the upper reel and the reel adapter; and A lower spring, two ends of which are respectively fixed on the lower reel and the reel adapter.

6. The sliding door roller assembly according to claim 5, wherein: A spring receiving portion is formed in the reel adapter in a radial direction of the reel adapter to receive one end of the upper spring or one end of the lower spring, and The spring accommodation portion is formed to face from the periphery of the reel adapter toward the center of the reel adapter.

7. The sliding door roller assembly according to claim 6, wherein: One end portion of the upper spring and one end portion of the lower spring are formed to be bent toward the center of the reel adapter.

8. The sliding door roller assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The reel adapter is provided with reinforcing ribs protruding in the circumferential direction and radial direction of the reel adapter, and The spring accommodation portion is formed in the radial direction of the reel adapter through a reinforcement rib formed in the circumferential direction of the reel adapter.

9. The sliding door roller assembly according to claim 6, wherein: An upper coupling protrusion is formed on the reel adapter and is inserted into the bottom surface of the upper reel, and An upper stopper is formed at an inner side of the upper reel, and the upper stopper is configured to block the upper coupling protrusion when the upper reel is rotated by a first predetermined angle relative to the reel adapter.

10. The sliding door roller assembly according to claim 6, wherein: A lower coupling protrusion is formed on the reel adapter, the lower coupling protrusion being configured to be inserted into the upper surface of the lower reel, and A lower stopper is formed at an inner side of the lower reel, and the lower stopper is configured to block the lower coupling protrusion when the lower reel is rotated by a second predetermined angle relative to the reel adapter.

11. The sliding door roller assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The other end of the first cable or the second cable is connected to a roller arm installed at one side of the sliding door.

12. The sliding door roller assembly according to claim 11, wherein: When the reel is rotated in a state of being elastically supported by pulling one end of the first cable or the second cable, the other end of the first cable or the second cable is connected to the roller arm.

13. The sliding door roller assembly of claim 1, wherein: The inner surface of the reel adapter is splined to form a spline portion.

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