Middle door assembly for vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a middle door assembly for a vehicle, the middle door assembly comprising: a module frame mounted between a passenger compartment and a cargo compartment of the vehicle and spaced apart from a floor of the vehicle; a middle door rotatably mounted on the floor and configured to close the lower side of the module frame by being rotated by the middle door regulator or to open the lower side of the module frame by being folded toward the floor; and a rear glass mounted on the module frame and the middle door and configured to be movable up and down by a rear glass adjuster.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a middle door assembly for a vehicle, and more particularly to a middle door assembly for a vehicle capable of automatically operating a rear glass and a middle door respectively. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles such as pickup trucks include a passenger compartment in which passengers can sit and a cargo compartment in which cargo can be loaded. The passenger compartment and the cargo compartment are separated by a center door. In other words, the passenger compartment is provided in front of the center door, and the cargo compartment for loading cargo is provided behind the center door.

[0003] The middle door has a rear glass generally mounted on its upper side to ensure rear visibility, and the middle door is provided on the lower side of the rear glass.

[0004] The rear glass and the middle door are installed in a fixed manner and therefore cannot be changed to fully reflect user needs. In other words, since the rear glass is fixed, there are limitations in terms of expanding the opening, etc. When loading cargo, the cargo length is limited by the length of the cargo compartment. Summary of the invention

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a middle door assembly for a vehicle, wherein a rear glass and a middle door are independently operable, such that either one of the rear glass and the middle door is operable, or the rear glass and the middle door are operable in conjunction with each other, depending on an operation mode.

[0006] As an embodiment, a middle door assembly for a vehicle includes: a module frame installed between a passenger compartment and a cargo compartment of the vehicle and spaced apart from a floor of the vehicle. The middle door assembly also includes a middle door rotatably installed on the floor and configured to selectively close the lower side of the module frame by rotating by a middle door regulator, or to open the lower side of the module frame by folding toward the floor. The middle door assembly also includes a rear glass installed on the module frame and the middle door and configured to be selectively moved upward or downward by a rear glass regulator.

[0007] A rear glass track is mounted on the module frame, the rear glass track receives opposite ends of the rear glass and guides the rear glass to move up and down. A rear glass channel is mounted on the middle door, the rear glass channel receives opposite ends of the rear glass and guides the rear glass to move up and down when the rear glass is received in the middle door. When the middle door closes the lower side of the module frame, the rear glass track and the rear glass channel are connected to each other.

[0008] Racks are provided at opposite ends of the rear glass, the racks having teeth formed in the vertical (height) direction of the vehicle. The racks are respectively accommodated in at least one of the rear glass rail and the rear glass channel.

[0009] The rear glass regulator is mounted on the module frame. The middle door assembly further includes: a driving cable configured to be moved by the rear glass regulator; a first glass gear rotatably mounted on the module frame and configured to be rotated by movement of the driving cable and to be respectively engaged with the rack; and a second glass gear rotatably mounted on the middle door and configured to be respectively engaged with the rack and to be linked with the first glass gear.

[0010] The middle door assembly further includes a linkage gear mounted on the module frame and configured to mesh with the corresponding first glass gear so that the first glass gear and the corresponding second glass gear rotate in the same direction. The middle door assembly further includes a mating gear mounted on the module frame and configured to be rotated by the corresponding linkage gear. The mating gear is configured to mesh with the corresponding second glass gear when the middle door is closed.

[0011] A matching portion may be formed on any one of each second glass gear and each mating gear, and the matching portion has a tapered cross section and teeth formed along its periphery. An accommodating portion may be formed in the remaining one of each second glass gear and each mating gear, and may accommodate the corresponding matching portion and mesh with the matching portion.

[0012] When the middle door is closed, the second glass gear is meshed with the matching gear. When the middle door begins to fold, the second glass gear is separated from the corresponding matching gear.

[0013] Each of the first glass gears includes an input gear portion configured to mesh with the driving cable, an output gear portion configured to mesh with the rack, and a linkage gear configured to mesh with the corresponding linkage gear.

[0014] The driving cable may be formed in a spiral shape along a circumference thereof. The driving cable is configured to be engaged with a driving gear of the rear glass regulator and then engaged with a corresponding input gear portion to operate the first glass gear.

[0015] The input gear portion may be provided in the form of a helical gear.

[0016] A guide is provided on the module frame, and the guide accommodates the drive cables and guides the movement of the corresponding drive cables.

[0017] The middle door may be hingedly connected to the floor of the vehicle. The middle door is folded by a middle door regulator mounted on the floor, and opens or closes the lower side of the module frame.

[0018] A rear glass holder is provided at a lower end of the middle door, and when the rear glass is moved downward maximally, the rear glass holder receives the lower end of the rear glass.

[0019] A slit is formed at an upper end of the middle door so that the rear glass can be inserted into the middle door via the slit.

[0020] The mid-door assembly also includes a controller configured to control operation of the mid-door regulator and the rear glass regulator.

[0021] The middle door assembly further includes a middle door sensor configured to detect a folding angle of the middle door; and a rear glass sensor configured to detect a height of the rear glass.

[0022] When the middle door is closed, the controller may be configured to move the rear glass up and down between a first position where the rear glass is maximally moved upward in the module frame and a second position where the rear glass is maximally moved downward in the middle door.

[0023] The controller may be configured to open the middle door when the entire rear glass is accommodated in the middle door or a lower end of the rear glass is disposed higher than an upper end of the middle door.

[0024] In the anti-shake mode, ie, the middle door is opened and the rear glass is moved downward only by a predetermined height, the controller may be configured to move the rear glass downward so that a lower end of the rear glass coincides with a lower end of the module frame.

[0025] According to the middle door assembly of the present invention configured as described above, the rear glass can be moved up and down by electricity, and the middle door can be folded by electricity. Therefore, the rear glass and the middle door can be conveniently operated.

[0026] In addition, the rear glass and the middle door can be operated independently of each other. Therefore, the rear glass and the middle door can be operated in various ways to meet the various needs of users. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle to which a middle door assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention is applied;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic front view showing a middle door assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a middle door assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 is a main part perspective view showing a connection relationship between a drive cable and a regulator motor of a center door assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 is along Figure 2 A stereogram taken along line II in FIG.

[0032] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 2 The front perspective view of detail A in Figure 7 is a rear perspective view showing detail A;

[0033] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 2 A perspective view of detail B in FIG.

[0034] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a closed state of a rear glass and a middle door of a middle door assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention;

[0035] Fig.10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a center door assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention operates in a glass full-down mode;

[0036] Fig.11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a center door assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention operates in a full-open mode;

[0037] Fig.12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a center door assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention operates in a half-open mode; and

[0038] Fig.13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a center door assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention operates in an anti-bounce mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Since these embodiments can be implemented in various forms by ordinary technicians in the field to which the present invention belongs as examples, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0040] Hereinafter, a mid-door assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 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 considered herein to be "configured to" meet the purpose or perform the operation or function.

[0041] The middle door assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention may include a module frame 40 installed between a passenger compartment 11 and a cargo compartment 12 of a vehicle 1. The module frame 40 may be spaced apart from a floor 14 of the vehicle 1. The middle door assembly may further include a middle door 20 rotatably installed on the floor 14 and configured to selectively close the lower side of the module frame 40 by rotating by a middle door regulator 30, and to open the lower side of the module frame 40 by folding toward the floor 14. The middle door assembly may further include a rear glass 50 installed on the module frame 40 and the middle door 20 and configured to selectively move up and down by a rear glass regulator 61.

[0042] The middle door 20 may be installed on the floor 14 of the vehicle 1. The middle door 20 may be installed between the passenger compartment 11 and the cargo compartment 12 of the vehicle 1, and is configured to separate the passenger compartment 11 and the cargo compartment 12.

[0043] The middle door 20 is rotatably mounted on the floor 14 of the vehicle 1. The lower end of the middle door 20 may be mounted on the floor 14 and configured to rotate by means of a hinge 31 or other type of suitable pivot joint.

[0044] The middle door 20 may be installed between the passenger cabin 11 and the cargo hold 12 and may be configured to be folded downward and inward toward the passenger cabin 11 .

[0045] The middle door 20 has a hollow portion therein for accommodating the rear glass 50 .

[0046] A slit 21 may be formed at an upper end of the middle door 20 in a lateral (width) direction of the vehicle so that the rear glass 50 may extend from or retract into an inner space of the middle door 20 .

[0047] The rear glass channels 22 may be formed at opposite ends, i.e., lateral sides, inside the middle door 20. The glass channels 22 may be formed (one each) to surround the corresponding lateral ends or side edges of the rear glass 50 in the height direction of the vehicle 1. Therefore, when the rear glass 50 moves upward or downward in the middle door 20, the glass channels 22 guide the lateral ends of the rear glass 50.

[0048] The glass holder 23 may be provided at the lower end of the middle door 20 (see Figure 8 ). When the rear glass 50 moves downward to the maximum, the glass holder 23 may hold the lower end of the rear glass 50. The upper portion or the receiving opening of the glass holder 23 may have a width that increases downward so that the rear glass 50 can be easily inserted. Except for the upper portion of the glass holder 23, the rest of the glass holder 23 may contact the front and rear surfaces of the rear glass 50 to prevent unintentional movement of the rear glass 50. In addition, the glass holder 23 may be made of a buffer material to absorb impact when the glass holder 23 holds the lower end of the rear glass 50.

[0049] The middle door regulator 30 may be installed between the middle door 20 and the floor 14, and may be configured to rotate the middle door 20. The middle door regulator 30 may include a power transmission member, such as a drive motor and a gear or a connecting rod, so that the drive motor operates to rotate the middle door 20. When the middle door 20 closes a portion between the passenger cabin 11 and the cargo hold 12, the middle door 20 may serve as a partition wall separating the passenger cabin 11 and the cargo hold 12. The middle door 20 achieves this by standing substantially vertically relative to the floor 14.

[0050] When the middle door 20 is rotated and folded down to overlap with the floor 14, the portion between the passenger cabin 11 and the cargo hold 12 can be opened. Therefore, the spaces of the passenger cabin 11 and the cargo hold 12 are communicated with each other. Therefore, the space of the cargo hold 12 can be extended, making it possible to load cargo whose length is greater than that of the cargo hold 12. Hereinafter, the closed state of the middle door 20 may refer to a state in which the middle door 20 is upright, and the open state of the middle door 20 may refer to a state in which the middle door 20 is partially rotated, that is, folded down or completely folded.

[0051] The module frame 40 may be installed between the passenger cabin 11 and the cargo cabin 12 .

[0052] When the rear glass 50 moves upward to the maximum extent, the module frame 40 can accommodate opposite ends or opposite sides and the lower end of the rear glass 50. When the middle door 20 is upright, the lower portion of the module frame 40 can abut against the upper end of the middle door 20 to close the portion between the passenger cabin 11 and the cargo hold 12.

[0053] Rear glass rails 41 may be provided (one each) at opposite sides of the module frame 40. The rear glass rails 41 may extend in the height direction of the vehicle 1. The rear glass rails 41 may hold corresponding lateral ends or sides of the rear glass 50, and may guide upward or downward movement of the rear glass 50. When the middle door 20 is closed, the rear glass rails 41 may be connected to the rear glass channel 22.

[0054] In addition, the module frame 40 may have guide members 42 (one each) configured to accommodate the corresponding drive cables 62, and may guide the drive cables 62 when the drive cables 62 move. Each guide member 42 may support a lateral surface of the corresponding drive cable 62, and may guide the drive cable 62 so that the drive cable 62 moves in the length direction of the drive cable 62 without bending.

[0055] The first glass gear 63 , the linkage gear 65 , and the mating gear 66 are rotatably mounted at opposite ends (one each) of the module frame 40 , respectively, and are operated by corresponding driving cables 62 .

[0056] In addition, a middle door seat 43 may be provided at the lower end of each side of the module frame 40. When the middle door 20 is closed, the upper end of the middle door 20 may contact the middle door seat 43, and the middle door 20 may be seated on the module frame 40.

[0057] The rear glass 50 may be mounted on the module frame 40 and the middle door 20, and may be configured to move upward or downward. In a state where the rear glass 50 is moved upward to the maximum extent, the lower portion of the rear glass 50 may be arranged in the module frame 40. In a state where the rear glass 50 is moved downward to the maximum extent, the entire rear glass 50 may be located in the middle door 20. Meanwhile, in a state where the rear glass 50 is partially moved downward from the maximum raised state or partially moved upward from the maximum lowered state, the upper portion of the rear glass 50 may be accommodated in the module frame 40, and the lower portion of the rear glass may be accommodated in the middle door 20.

[0058] A rack 51 may be provided at opposite ends or both sides of the rear glass 50. The rack 51 may be accommodated in the corresponding rear glass rail 41 and the corresponding rear glass channel 22, and may be configured to move upward or downward. The rack 51 may be engaged with the first glass gear 63 and the second glass gear 64, respectively, as described below, and move the rear glass 50 upward or downward. In addition, the rack 51 may be accommodated in at least one of the corresponding rear glass rail 41 and the rear glass channel 22, and may be guided by the rear glass rail 41 and the rear glass channel 22, thereby guiding the up and down movement of the rear glass 50.

[0059] Constituent elements for moving the rear glass 50 up and down may be mounted on the module frame 40 .

[0060] The rear glass regulator 61 may be mounted on the module frame 40. The rear glass regulator 61 may be operated to rotate a driving gear 61a mounted on an output shaft of the rear glass regulator 61 when powered.

[0061] The driving cables 62 coupled to the driving gear 61a may transmit the driving force of the rear glass regulator 61 to the first glass gear 63. A portion of each driving cable 62 may be located between the rear glass regulator 61 and the corresponding first glass gear 63, and the remaining portion of the driving cable 62 may be located in the corresponding guide 42.

[0062] The driving cable 62 may be made of a flexible material having elasticity in a direction perpendicular to the length direction but substantially no elasticity in the length direction. In addition, a spiral may be formed on the outer surface of the driving cable 62, and may be engaged with the driving gear 61a and the corresponding first glass gear 63. When the driving gear 61a rotates, the driving cable 62 may move to move the rear glass 50 upward or downward.

[0063] The driving cables 62 may be provided as a pair of driving cables 62 to operate the corresponding racks 51 installed at opposite ends or both sides of the rear glass 50. In other words, the two driving cables 62 may independently operate the racks 51 located at the two opposite left and right sides, respectively. However, since the two driving cables 62 need to move the racks 51 upward or downward at the same time, the two driving cables 62 may be engaged with the periphery of the driving gear 61a and may be spaced apart from each other at a certain interval, such as Figure 4 shown.

[0064] A portion of each drive cable 62 connected to the rear glass regulator 61 may be disposed in the width direction of the vehicle 1. A portion of each drive cable 62 adjacent to the guide 42 of the module frame 40 may be disposed in the height or vertical direction of the vehicle 1. At a position where the corresponding first glass gear 63 is located, the arrangement direction of a portion of each drive cable 62 may be changed from the width direction of the vehicle 1 to the height direction of the vehicle 1. Therefore, the drive cable 62 contacts the corresponding first glass gear 63 while surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the first glass gear 63.

[0065] The first glass gears 63 may be respectively installed at opposite sides of the module frame 40. The first glass gear 63 may be rotatably installed in the module frame 40.

[0066] The first glass gears 63 each have an input gear portion 63a configured to mesh with the corresponding drive cable 62, an output gear portion 63b configured to mesh with the corresponding rack 51, and a linkage gear portion 63c configured to cooperate with the corresponding second glass gear 64. The input gear portion 63a, the output gear portion 63b, and the linkage gear portion 63c may be integrated in a single gear or member.

[0067] The first glass gear 63 may be meshed with the drive cable 62 by means of a corresponding input gear portion 63a. Therefore, when the drive cable 62 moves, the first glass gear 63 may rotate. Since a spiral is formed on the outside of the drive cable 62, the input gear portion 63a may be provided in the form of a helical gear so as to be properly meshed with the drive cable 62. The input gear portion 63a may be provided in the form of a helical gear, which may maintain the position of the rear glass 50 while preventing the first glass gear 63 from being reversely rotated due to the weight of the rear glass 50.

[0068] The output gear portion 63b may be engaged with the corresponding rack gear 51. Therefore, when the first glass gear 63 rotates, the rear glass 50 may move upward or downward in the module frame 40.

[0069] The linkage gear 65 is rotatably mounted in the module frame 40. The linkage gear 65 can mesh with the matching or corresponding gear portion 63c of the first glass gear 63. Therefore, the first glass gear 63 and the second glass gear 64 on each side of the middle door assembly rotate in the same direction.

[0070] The mating gear 66 is rotatably installed in the module frame 40, and meshes with the corresponding mating gear 65. The mating gear 66 is used to transmit the driving force to the middle door 20 when the middle door 20 is closed.

[0071] The second glass gear 64 is rotatably mounted on the middle door 20. The first glass gear 63, the linkage gear 65, and the mating gear 66 may be mounted on the module frame 40, and the second glass gear 64 may be mounted on the middle door 20. When the middle door 20 is closed, the second glass gear 64 may be used to move the rear glass 50 upward or downward in a state where the rear glass 50 is accommodated in the middle door 20.

[0072] When the middle door 20 is closed, the second glass gear 64 can rotate together with the middle door 20 and mesh with the corresponding matching gear 66 (see Figure 6 ). In addition, when the middle door 20 is opened, the second glass gear 64 can be separated from the matching gear 66.

[0073] To this end, the matching portion 64a may be formed on any one of the second glass gear 64 and the mating gear 66, and may have a tapered cross section and teeth formed along its periphery. The accommodation portion 66a may be formed in the other of the second glass gear 64 and the mating gear 66, and may accommodate the matching portion 64a and mesh with the matching portion 64a. For example, the matching portion 64a may be formed on the second glass gear 64, and the accommodation portion 66a may be formed on the mating gear 66. With the above configuration, the second glass gear 64 may be easily separated from the mating gear 66 when the middle door 20 is opened, and the second glass gear 64 may be easily meshed with the mating gear 66 when the middle door 20 is closed.

[0074] Gear teeth may be formed in the matching portion 64 a or the receiving portion 66 a of the second glass gear 64 and the mating gear 66 so as to mesh with each other. Therefore, the rotational force is transmitted from each mating gear 66 to the corresponding second glass gear 64 .

[0075] The controller 70 may be configured to operate the middle door regulator 30 and the rear glass regulator 61 to open or close the middle door 20 or to move the rear glass 50 up and down.

[0076] When a user request is inputted by an operation switch (not shown) installed at one side of the vehicle 1, the controller 70 may be configured to selectively operate only one of the center door regulator 30 and the rear glass regulator 61, or sequentially operate the center door regulator 30 and the rear glass regulator 61 to meet the user's request or demand. Thus, the center door 20 and the rear glass 50 may be operated to implement a state expected by the user. The operation switch may be installed to operate the center door 20 and the rear glass 50 individually, or to select the center door 20 and the rear glass 50 for each operation mode.

[0077] Meanwhile, the middle door sensor 72 and the rear glass sensor 71 may be provided in the middle door regulator 30 and the rear glass regulator 61, respectively, and may detect the opening / closing angle of the middle door 20 and the height of the rear glass 50. Output values ​​of the middle door sensor 72 and the rear glass sensor 71 may be input to the controller 70.

[0078] The operation of the center door assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention configured as described above is described below.

[0079] Fig. 9 The state in which the rear glass 50 is moved upward to the maximum and the middle door 20 is closed is shown. From this state, any one of the rear glass 50 and the middle door 20 can be selectively opened independently, or both the rear glass 50 and the middle door 20 can be operated according to the needs of the user. The rear glass 50 can be operated independently of the middle door 20. Therefore, according to the operation mode, the rear glass 50 and the middle door 20 can be operated independently or in conjunction with each other.

[0080] Fig.10 1 and 2. In the rear glass full down mode, the rear glass 50 is moved downward to the maximum extent and the middle door 20 is closed. In the glass full down mode, only the rear glass 50 can be operated and moved downward.

[0081] When the user intends to open the rear glass 50 and manipulates an operation switch installed in the vehicle, the controller 70 may be configured to operate the rear glass regulator 61 and move the rear glass 50 downward.

[0082] In other words, when the rear glass regulator 61 is operated, the driving cable 62 may be moved by the driving gear 61a. When the driving cable 62 is moved, the first glass gear 63 may be rotated, and the first glass gear 63 may move the rear glass 50 downward. In a state where the middle door 20 is closed, the rear glass 50 may be inserted into the slit 21 of the middle door 20.

[0083] Next, when the lower end of the rear glass 50 is inserted into the middle door 20 by a predetermined distance, the lower end of the rack 51 may be engaged with the second glass gear 64. Thereafter, the rack 51 may be moved downward by the first glass gear 63 and the second glass gear 64. The rear glass 50 may be moved up and down between a first position where the rear glass 50 is maximally moved upward in the module frame 40 and a second position where the rear glass 50 is maximally moved downward in the middle door 20.

[0084] at the same time, Fig.10 The state in which the rear glass 50 is moved downward to the maximum is shown. However, when the rear glass 50 is partially moved downward to the desired position, the user can move the rear glass 50 downward only to the desired position by stopping the manipulation of the operation switch.

[0085] When the rear glass 50 is moved downward to the maximum extent (see Fig.10 ), the rear glass 50 may be accommodated in the middle door 20. In addition, the lower end of the rear glass 50 may be accommodated in the rear glass holder 23. As described above, when the rear glass 50 is moved downward to the maximum, the rear glass sensor 71 may detect the position of the rear glass 50, and the operation of the rear glass regulator 61 may be stopped regardless of the user's operation.

[0086] Fig.11 A state in which the middle door 20 is folded downward in the full-open mode is shown, wherein the rear glass 50 is accommodated in the middle door 20. In the full-open mode, the rear glass 50 is first moved downward, and then the middle door 20 may be opened.

[0087] First, before operating in the full-open mode, the second row seats 13 in the passenger compartment can be folded (see arrow ①) to ensure space for accommodating the middle door 20. The seat backs and seat cushions of the second row seats 13 can overlap each other and can be folded forward to ensure space for accommodating the middle door 20.

[0088] The user may manipulate the operation switch to move the rear glass 50 downward, and then manipulate the operation switch to fold the middle door 20. Alternatively, in the case where the operation switch is configured for each mode, the controller 70 may be configured to move the rear glass 50 downward and fold the middle door 20 only by a single manipulation.

[0089] Since the rear glass 50 needs to be accommodated in the middle door 20, the rear glass 50 can be moved downward to the maximum extent, as shown in FIG. Fig.10 described.

[0090] Thereafter, the controller 70 may be configured to fold the middle door 20 accommodated in the rear glass 50 (see arrow ②). In other words, the middle door regulator 30 may be operated to fold the middle door 20. The controller 70 may be configured to detect the folding angle of the middle door 20 by means of the middle door sensor 72. Therefore, the controller 70 may be configured to operate the middle door regulator 30 until the middle door 20 contacts the floor 14.

[0091] Since the rear glass 50 is in a state of being accommodated in the middle door 20 , when the middle door 20 is folded, both the upper and lower sides of the module frame 40 may be opened.

[0092] Since the upper side of the module frame 40 is open, the user can feel the openness between the cargo hold and the passenger cabin to the greatest extent.

[0093] In particular, since the lower side of the module frame 40 is open, a portion of the cargo can be accommodated in the passenger cabin 11 , so that cargo having a length greater than that of the cargo hold 12 can be loaded in the cargo hold 12 .

[0094] Fig.12 A state in which an operation is performed in the half-open mode is shown. In the half-open mode, the rear glass 50 may not be operated, and only the middle door 20 may be folded.

[0095] First, in the fully open mode, the second row seats 13 can be folded (see arrow ①) to ensure space for accommodating the middle door 20.

[0096] First, to operate the middle door assembly in the half-open mode, the user can identify whether the lower end of the rear glass 50 is located higher than the upper end of the middle door 20. Next, when the user manipulates the operation switch, the controller 70 is configured to operate the middle door regulator 30 so that only the middle door 20 is folded (see arrow ②).

[0097] Since the middle door 20 has been folded in the passenger compartment 11, cargo whose length is greater than that of the cargo compartment 12 can be loaded in the cargo compartment 12. In this mode, the rear glass 50 covers a portion of the opening between the cargo compartment and the passenger compartment.

[0098] Fig.13 1 and 2 show a state of operating in the anti-shake mode. In the anti-shake mode, the middle door 20 may be folded first, and the rear glass 50 may be moved downward sequentially.

[0099] When the vehicle 1 is traveling with the second row seats 13 folded (see arrow ①) and only the middle door 20 open (see arrow ②), as shown in FIG. Fig.11In the half-open mode shown, a flutter phenomenon may occur in which the rear glass 50 vibrates due to airflow flowing inside and outside the vehicle 1. Alternatively, the flutter phenomenon may occur even when the vehicle 1 is traveling with the first and second rows of glass 11a and 11b of the passenger compartment partially opened together with the middle door 20.

[0100] The buffeting phenomenon may cause the glass of the vehicle 1 to vibrate and cause noise and discomfort to the user.

[0101] In order to eliminate the buffeting phenomenon, when the middle door 20 is opened, only a portion of the rear glass 50 moves downward, so that air also flows through the opening above the upper end of the rear glass 50 .

[0102] In the anti-shake mode, the controller 70 may be configured to move the rear glass 50 downward to a predetermined height when the middle door 20 is open. In this case, the controller 70 may be configured to detect the position of the rear glass 50 so that the rear glass 50 moves downward until the lower end of the rear glass 50 coincides with the lower end of the module frame 40.

Claims

1. A middle door assembly for a vehicle, the middle door assembly comprising: a module frame mounted between a passenger compartment and a cargo compartment of a vehicle and spaced apart from a floor of said vehicle; a middle door rotatably mounted on the floor and configured to close the lower side of the module frame by rotating by a middle door adjuster or to open the lower side of the module frame by folding toward the floor; as well as A rear glass is mounted on the module frame and the middle door and is configured to be able to move up and down through a rear glass regulator.

2. The middle door assembly according to claim 1, wherein: A rear glass track is mounted on the module frame, the rear glass track accommodates opposite ends of the rear glass and guides the rear glass to move up and down; A rear glass channel is mounted on the middle door, the rear glass channel receiving opposite ends of the rear glass and guiding the up and down movement of the rear glass when the rear glass is received in the middle door; and When the middle door closes the lower side of the module frame, the corresponding rear glass rails and rear glass channels are connected to each other at opposite ends of the rear glass.

3. The middle door assembly according to claim 2, wherein: Racks having teeth formed in a height direction of the vehicle are provided at opposite ends of the rear glass, and wherein the racks are respectively accommodated in at least one of the rear glass rail and the rear glass channel.

4. The middle door assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The rear glass regulator is mounted on the module frame, and wherein the mid-door assembly further comprises: a drive cable configured to be moved by the rear glass regulator; first glass gears rotatably mounted on the module frame and configured to be rotated by movement of the drive cables and to be engaged with the racks, respectively; and The second glass gear is rotatably mounted on the middle door and is configured to mesh with the rack and to be linked with the first glass gear.

5. The middle door assembly according to claim 4, further comprising: Linkage gears, mounted on the module frame and configured to mesh with the first glass gears, respectively, so that the first glass gears and corresponding second glass gears rotate in the same direction; as well as A matching gear is mounted on the module frame and is configured to be rotated by a corresponding linkage gear, wherein the matching gear is configured to mesh with the second glass gears respectively when the middle door is closed.

6. The middle door assembly according to claim 5, further comprising: a matching portion located on any one of each second glass gear and each mating gear, wherein each matching portion has a conical shape and teeth along a periphery thereof; and An accommodating portion is located in each of the second glass gears and the remaining one of each of the mating gears, wherein each accommodating portion accommodates and meshes with a corresponding matching portion.

7. The middle door assembly according to claim 6, wherein: When the middle door is closed, the second glass gear is engaged with the corresponding mating gear, and when the middle door begins to fold, the second glass gear is separated from the corresponding mating gear.

8. The middle door assembly according to claim 5, wherein: Each first glass gear comprises: an input gear portion configured to mesh with a drive cable; an output gear portion configured to mesh with a corresponding one of the racks; and The linkage gear is configured to mesh with a corresponding one of the linkage gears.

9. The middle door assembly according to claim 8, wherein: The driving cable is formed in a spiral shape along a circumference thereof, and wherein the driving cable is configured to be engaged with a driving gear of the rear glass regulator and then engaged with a corresponding input gear portion to operate the first glass gear.

10. The middle door assembly according to claim 4, wherein: Guide members are provided on the module frame, and the guide members respectively accommodate the driving cables and guide the movement of the driving cables.

11. The middle door assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The middle door is connected to a floor of the vehicle by a hinge, and wherein the middle door is folded by the middle door regulator installed on the floor, and opens or closes a lower side of the module frame.

12. The middle door assembly according to claim 1, wherein: A rear glass holder is provided at a lower end of the middle door, and when the rear glass is moved downward maximally, the rear glass holder receives a lower end of the rear glass.

13. The middle door assembly according to claim 1, wherein: A slit is formed at an upper end of the middle door so that the rear glass can be inserted into the middle door via the slit.

14. The mid-door assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a controller configured to control operations of the center door regulator and the rear glass regulator; a middle door sensor configured to detect a folding angle of the middle door; as well as The rear glass sensor is configured to detect the height of the rear glass.

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