Door support device

Abstract

The invention provides a door support device capable of suppressing narrowing of a space in a width direction of a vehicle due to the door support device. A door support device (40) is provided with a striker unit (70) provided to a vehicle body, a door bracket (110) extending from a sliding door (30) to the inside in the width direction, and a lock mechanism (120) supported by the door bracket (110). The striker unit (70) has a striker (210) that is displaced between a stowed position and a deployed position. When the sliding door is in the fully open position, the lock mechanism (120) restrains the sliding door (30) to the vehicle body by being engaged with the striker (210) in the deployed position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a door supporting device. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a vehicle comprising: a vehicle body having a door opening; and a sliding door that opens and closes the door opening. The vehicle body has a striker shaft disposed near the lower end and near the rear end of the door opening. The sliding door has: a door body; a lower arm extending from near the lower end and near the front end of the door body toward the inner side in the width direction; and a locking mechanism disposed at the top end of the lower arm. When the sliding door is disposed in a fully open position in which the door opening is fully opened, the locking mechanism is locked to the striker shaft. In this way, the sliding door is constrained relative to the vehicle body at the fully open position.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-102862

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] In the above-mentioned vehicle, the vehicle body has a space for avoiding interference with the lower arm and the locking mechanism when the sliding door opens and closes the door opening. Therefore, in order to provide the above-mentioned space, the interior space of the vehicle and the space under the floor of the vehicle may be narrowed in the width direction. Summary of the invention

[0008] Technical solutions to solve problems

[0009] A door support device for solving the above-mentioned problems is applied to a vehicle, the vehicle comprising: a vehicle body having a door opening on a side surface in a width direction; and a sliding door, the sliding door opening and closing the door opening, wherein the sliding door opens and closes the door opening by moving between a fully closed position and a fully open position, the fully closed position being a position in which the door opening is fully closed, and the fully open position being a position in which the door opening is fully opened by being offset to the outside in the width direction and in a front-rear direction relative to the fully closed position, the door support device comprising: a striker unit, the striker unit being arranged on the vehicle body; a door bracket, the door bracket extending from the sliding door The door bracket is provided with a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism is supported by the door bracket, the striking pin unit having a striking pin which is displaced between a storage position stored relative to the vehicle body and an extended position extended toward the outside in the width direction compared to the storage position, wherein the striking pin is arranged at the storage position when the sliding door is in the fully closed position, and the striking pin is arranged at the extended position when the sliding door is in the fully open position, and wherein the locking mechanism restrains the sliding door to the vehicle body by engaging with the striking pin at the extended position when the sliding door is in the fully open position.

[0010] Effects of the Invention

[0011] The door support device can suppress the narrowing of the space in the width direction of the vehicle due to the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with the door support device according to the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 It is a plan view showing the lower rail, the lower hinge unit, and the striker unit according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 3 It is an exploded perspective view of the lower rail and the lower hinge unit of the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view of the lower hinge unit of the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a plan view of the lock mechanism in the first embodiment in which some components are omitted.

[0017] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of the striker unit according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the striker unit according to the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8It is a plan view for explaining the operation of the door support device according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Fig. 9 It is a plan view for explaining the operation of the door support device according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Fig.10 It is a plan view for explaining the operation of the door support device according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Fig.11 It is a plan view for explaining the operation of the door support device according to the first embodiment.

[0023] Fig.12 It is a plan view for explaining the operation of the door support device according to the first embodiment.

[0024] Fig.13 It is a plan view showing a lower rail, a lower hinge unit, and a striker unit according to a second embodiment.

[0025] Fig.14 It is an exploded perspective view of a lower hinge unit according to the second embodiment.

[0026] Fig.15 It is a perspective view of a striker unit according to a second embodiment.

[0027] Fig.16 It is a perspective view of a striker unit according to a second embodiment.

[0028] Fig.17 It is a plan view for explaining the operation of the door support device according to the second embodiment.

[0029] Fig.18 It is a plan view for explaining the operation of the door support device according to the second embodiment.

[0030] Fig.19 It is a plan view for explaining the operation of the door support device according to the second embodiment.

[0031] Fig. 20 It is a plan view for explaining the operation of the door support device according to the second embodiment.

[0032] Fig.21 It is a plan view for explaining the operation of the door support device according to the second embodiment.

[0033] Fig. 22 It is a plan view for explaining the operation of the door support device according to the second embodiment.

[0034] Description of Reference Numerals

[0035] 10…Vehicle, 20…Vehicle body, 21…Door opening, 30…Sliding door, 40, 40A…Door support device, 51, 51A…Lower rail (guide rail), 61, 61A…Lower hinge unit, 70, 70A…Strike unit, 80…Door drive device, 110…Door bracket, 113…Rotation limiting portion, 120…Locking mechanism, 130…Guiding mechanism, 139…Pressing portion, 210…Strike, 212…Strike shaft, 214…Receiving portion, 220, 260…Strike support portion, 234…Restriction wall (restriction portion), 241, 261…Support shaft, 242, 262…Force application member, 242a…Coil portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] (First Embodiment)

[0037] A first embodiment of a vehicle including a door support device will be described below. The vehicle according to the first embodiment is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) including a large battery under a floor.

[0038] <Structure of the First Embodiment>

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 20 , a sliding door 30 , a door support device 40 , and a door driving device 80 .

[0040] In the following description, the width direction of the vehicle 10, the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10, and the up-down direction of the vehicle 10 are referred to as the width direction, the front-rear direction, and the up-down direction, respectively. In the figure, the front-rear direction is the direction in which the X-axis extends, the width direction is the direction in which the Y-axis extends, and the up-down direction is the direction in which the Z-axis extends. In the width direction, the direction toward the center of the vehicle 10 is referred to as the inside, and the direction away from the center of the vehicle 10 is referred to as the outside.

[0041] <Body 20>

[0042] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle body 20 has a door opening 21 and a storage space 22. Figure 1 As shown, the door opening 21 is open on the side in the width direction of the vehicle body 20. The door opening 21 is rectangular in shape with the front-to-rear direction as the short side direction and the up-down direction as the long side direction when viewed from the side in the width direction. The door opening 21 is a portion for users to pass through when getting on or off the rear seat. Figure 2 As shown, the storage space 22 is open on the side in the width direction of the vehicle body 20. The storage space 22 is located below the door opening 21. The storage space 22 is a space for storing a lower rail 51 and a lower hinge unit 61 to be described later.

[0043] <Sliding door 30>

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the sliding door 30 has a door body 31 and a door handle 32. The door body 31 is formed into a shape corresponding to the door opening 21. The sliding door 30 moves between a fully closed position in which the door opening 21 is fully closed and a fully open position in which the door opening 21 is fully opened. The door handle 32 is provided on the door body 31. The door handle 32 is operated by the user when opening and closing the sliding door 30. The door handle 32 includes an inner door handle 33 provided on the inner side of the door body 31 and an outer door handle 34 provided on the outer side of the door body 31.

[0045] <Door Support Device 40>

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, the door support device 40 includes a lower rail 51 , a center rail 52 , an upper rail 53 , a lower hinge unit 61 , a center hinge unit 62 , an upper hinge unit 63 , and a striker unit 70 .

[0047] <Lower Track 51>

[0048] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the lower rail 51 is fixed to the vehicle body 20 at a position below the door opening 21. Although not shown in the figure, the lower rail 51 is fixed to the vehicle body 20 using a fastening member such as a bolt. Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the lower rail 51 has a first rail 54, a second rail 55 and a support plate 56. The lower rail 51 is equivalent to a "guide rail".

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown, the first track 54 extends in a straight line when viewed from above. The first track 54 has a front-to-rear direction as its long side direction. Figure 3 As shown, the first rail 54 has an upper wall 541 and two side walls 542, 543. The upper wall 541 has a plate thickness direction in the up-down direction. The two side walls 542, 543 extend downward from both ends of the upper wall 541 in the width direction. The two side walls 542, 543 have a plate thickness direction in the width direction. The two side walls 542, 543 extend in parallel.

[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, the second rail 55 includes a straight portion 55S that is straight when viewed from above and a curved portion 55C that is curved in an arc shape. The straight portion 55S has a longitudinal direction in the front-to-rear direction. The curved portion 55C is gently curved toward the inside in the width direction as it moves forward from the front end of the straight portion 55S. Figure 3As shown, the straight portion 55S and the curved portion 55C have an upper wall 551 and two side walls 552 and 553. The upper wall 551 has a plate thickness direction in the up-down direction. The two side walls 552 and 553 extend downward from both ends of the upper wall 551 in the width direction. The two side walls 552 and 553 intersect the width direction. The two side walls 552 and 553 extend in parallel. The support plate 56 is plate-shaped. The support plate 56 has the same shape as the upper wall 551 of the second rail 55 when viewed from above. That is, the support plate 56 has a shape in which the upper wall 551 of the second rail 55 is projected in the up-down direction.

[0051] The first rail 54, the second rail 55, and the support plate 56 are accommodated in the accommodation space 22 of the vehicle body 20. In the accommodation space 22, the first rail 54 is located at a position on the outside of the second rail 55 in the width direction. Therefore, the interval between the side wall 543 of the first rail 54 and the side wall 552 of the curved portion 55C of the second rail 55 becomes shorter as it goes backward. In addition, the front end of the first rail 54 is located in front of the front end of the second rail 55. On the other hand, the rear end of the first rail 54 is located in front of the rear end of the second rail 55. The support plate 56 is located below the second rail 55.

[0052] <Lower Hinge Unit 61>

[0053] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the lower hinge unit 61 includes a door bracket 110 , a locking mechanism 120 , and a guide mechanism 130 .

[0054] <Door bracket 110>

[0055] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the door bracket 110 is formed, for example, by stamping a metal plate. The door bracket 110 has a first portion 111 whose plate thickness direction is the width direction and a second portion 112 whose plate thickness direction is the up-down direction. The first portion 111 is bent relative to the second portion 112. At this point, the door bracket 110 is L-shaped when viewed from the front in the front-to-back direction. The first portion 111 is a portion fixed to the inner surface of the sliding door 30. The second portion 112 is a portion that supports the locking mechanism 120 and the guide mechanism 130. The second portion 112 has a rotation limiting portion 113 that can engage with the striker unit 70. The rotation limiting portion 113 is a surface facing rearward in the second portion 112.

[0056] In the first embodiment, the door bracket 110 is composed of two components, but may be composed of one component. In addition, when the first portion 111 is fixed to the sliding door 30, the second portion 112 extends toward the inner side in the width direction. In this regard, it can be said that the door bracket 110 extends from the sliding door 30 toward the inner side in the width direction.

[0057] <Locking Mechanism 120>

[0058] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the locking mechanism 120 has a housing 121 , a latch 122 , a pawl 123 , a latch support shaft 124 , a pawl support shaft 125 , a latch spring 126 , a pawl spring 127 , and a release cable 128 .

[0059] The housing 121 is formed by, for example, stamping a metal plate. The housing 121 is a portion fixed to the door bracket 110 and is a portion where components of the locking mechanism 120 are mounted. In the first embodiment, the housing 121 is fixed to the lower surface of the second portion 112 of the door bracket 110 via a fastening member such as a bolt.

[0060] The latch 122 is in the shape of a circular plate. The latch 122 has an engagement groove 122a extending in a direction perpendicular to the plate thickness direction. The latch 122 is supported on the housing 121 via a latch support shaft 124. In this way, the latch 122 can rotate around an axis extending in the vertical direction between a fully latched position capable of being engaged with the striker unit 70 and an unlatched position in which the striker unit 70 cannot be engaged. In addition, the latch 122 is urged by a latch spring 126. The urging direction of the latch spring 126 is the direction in which the latch 122 moves from the fully latched position toward the unlatched position.

[0061] The ratchet 123 is hook-shaped. The ratchet 123 is supported by the housing 121 via a ratchet support shaft 125. In this way, the ratchet 123 can rotate around an axis extending in the up-down direction. In addition, the ratchet 123 is urged by a latch spring 126. In detail, the ratchet 123 is urged in a direction in which the top end of the ratchet 123 contacts the latch 122. The ratchet 123 is locked with the latch 122 in the fully latched position, thereby restricting the latch 122 from rotating from the fully latched position toward the unlatched position.

[0062] One end of the release cable 128 is connected to the pawl 123, and the other end of the release cable 128 is connected to the door handle 32. When the door handle 32 is operated, the release cable 128 is pulled by the door handle 32. Therefore, when the door handle 32 is operated, the pawl 123 rotates in the direction opposite to the direction of force applied by the pawl spring 127. In other words, the pawl 123 rotates in the direction away from the latch 122. In addition, the vehicle 10 may also be provided with a remote control device capable of relaying power between a cable connected to the door handle 32 and a cable connected to the pawl 123.

[0063] <Guide mechanism 130>

[0064] like Figure 4 As shown, the guide mechanism 130 includes a connecting arm 131 , a roller support portion 132 , a first guide roller 133 , two second guide rollers 134 , 135 , a support roller 136 , and two connecting shafts 137 , 138 .

[0065] The connecting arm 131 is a connecting rod connecting the door bracket 110 and the roller support portion 132. The base end portion of the connecting arm 131 supports the first guide roller 133 so that it can rotate. The first guide roller 133 can rotate around an axis extending in the up-down direction. The top end portion of the connecting arm 131 is connected to the door bracket 110 through a connecting shaft 137 with the up-down direction as an axial direction. In this way, the connecting arm 131 can rotate relative to the door bracket 110 around the axis extending in the up-down direction.

[0066] The roller support portion 132 is formed, for example, by stamping a metal plate. The roller support portion 132 has a pressing portion 139 that presses the striker unit 70. In the first embodiment, the pressing portion 139 is a surface located at the rear end of the roller support portion 132. In addition, the roller support portion 132 supports the two second guide rollers 134, 135 and the support roller 136 so as to be rotatable. The two second guide rollers 134, 135 are rotatable around an axis extending in the up-down direction. The support roller 136 is rotatable around an axis extending in a direction orthogonal to the up-down direction. When viewed in a plane in the up-down direction, the support roller 136 is located between the two second guide rollers 134, 135.

[0067] The roller support portion 132 is connected to the connecting arm 131 via a connecting shaft 138 whose axial direction is the vertical direction. In this way, the roller support portion 132 can rotate relative to the connecting arm 131 around an axis extending in the vertical direction. The connecting portion of the connecting arm 131 that is connected to the roller support portion 132 is a portion closer to the base end than the top end of the connecting arm 131.

[0068] like Figure 1 As shown, the lower hinge unit 61 is fixed to the front lower portion of the sliding door 30. In detail, the first portion 111 of the door bracket 110 of the lower hinge unit 61 is fixed to the front lower portion of the sliding door 30.

[0069] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the lower hinge unit 61 is engaged with the first track 54, the second track 55 and the support plate 56. Specifically, the first guide roller 133 is connected to the first track 54. In this way, the first guide roller 133 can roll relative to the first track 54 of the lower track 51. In addition, the two second guide rollers 134 and 135 are connected to the second track 55, and the support roller 136 is connected to the support plate 56. In this way, the two second guide rollers 134 and 135 and the support roller 136 can roll relative to the second track 55 of the lower track 51. As a result, the lower hinge unit 61, that is, the guide mechanism 130 can move along the lower track 51.

[0070] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in the lower hinge unit 61, the first guide roller 133 and the two second guide rollers 134 and 135 are connected to the first rail 54 and the second rail 55 in the width direction. At this point, the first guide roller 133 and the two second guide rollers 134 and 135 are structures for positioning the lower end of the sliding door 30 in the width direction. On the other hand, in the lower hinge unit 61, the support roller 136 is connected to the support plate 56 from above. At this point, the support roller 136 is a structure for supporting the weight of the sliding door 30.

[0071] <Strike pin unit 70>

[0072] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the striker unit 70 includes a striker 210 and a striker support portion 220 .

[0073] The striker 210 includes two connecting rods 211 , a striker shaft 212 , a fixed shaft 213 and a receiving portion 214 .

[0074] The two connecting rods 211 have the same shape. The two connecting rods 211 are preferably made of a material with high rigidity such as a metal material. The connecting rod 211 has a base 211a and a first arm 211b and a second arm 211c extending from the base 211a in different directions. The first arm 211b and the second arm 211c have the same length. The striker shaft 212 and the fixed shaft 213 are cylindrical. The striker shaft 212 and the fixed shaft 213 are preferably made of a material with high rigidity such as a metal material. The striker shaft 212 and the fixed shaft 213 only need to have the same structure. The outer diameter of the striker shaft 212 is slightly smaller than the width of the engaging groove 122a of the latch 122 of the locking mechanism 120. The striker shaft 212 connects the top ends of the first arms 211b of the two connecting rods 211 to each other. The fixed shaft 213 connects the top ends of the second arms 211c of the two connecting rods 211 to each other. The receiving portion 214 is cylindrical. The receiving portion 214 is preferably made of a material having a lower elastic modulus than that of metal materials and a material that can easily absorb impacts. For example, the receiving portion 214 is preferably made of an elastomer such as rubber or resin having appropriate elasticity. The receiving portion 214 is supported on the fixed shaft 213. In the first embodiment, the receiving portion 214 is a roller that can rotate relative to the fixed shaft 213. In other embodiments, the receiving portion 214 can also be supported so as to be non-rotatable relative to the fixed shaft 213. In this case, it is preferred that the friction coefficient between the receiving portion 214 and the pressing portion 139 is small.

[0075] The striker support portion 220 includes a support bracket 230 , a support shaft 241 , and a biasing member 242 .

[0076] The support bracket 230 is formed, for example, by stamping a metal plate. The support bracket 230 includes a fixed wall 231, a lower wall 232, an upper wall 233, and a limiting wall 234. The fixed wall 231 is rectangular when viewed from the front in the plate thickness direction. The fixed wall 231 is a portion fixed to the vehicle body 20. The fixed wall 231 is fixed to the vehicle body 20 via a fastening member such as a bolt. The lower wall 232 extends from the lower end of the fixed wall 231 in the plate thickness direction of the fixed wall 231. On the other hand, the upper wall 233 extends from the upper end of the fixed wall 231 in the plate thickness direction of the fixed wall 231. In other words, the lower wall 232 and the upper wall 233 are bent from the fixed wall 231. In addition, the lower wall 232 and the upper wall 233 are in the same direction relative to the extension direction of the fixed wall 231. The limiting wall 234 extends from the side end of the fixed wall 231. The limiting wall 234 is bent from the fixed wall 231. The restriction wall 234 is curved in an L-shape when viewed from above in a plan view. The restriction wall 234 corresponds to a "restriction portion".

[0077] The support shaft 241 is cylindrical. The two ends of the support shaft 241 in the axial direction are fixed to the top end of the lower wall 232 and the top end of the upper wall 233, respectively. The support shaft 241 has an axial direction in the up-down direction. The support shaft 241 supports the striker 210 so that it can rotate. In detail, the support shaft 241 supports the striker 210 so that it can rotate through the base 211a of the two connecting rods 211 that penetrate the striker 210 in the plate thickness direction. Therefore, the axis of the support shaft 241 is the rotation axis of the striker 210. In the first embodiment, the distance from the rotation axis of the striker 210 to the axis of the striker shaft 212 is equal to the distance from the rotation axis of the striker 210 to the axis of the fixed shaft 213. In addition, the axis of the fixed shaft 213, which is the rotation center of the receiving portion 214, is located at a position closer to the inside in the width direction than the axis of the support shaft 241, which is the rotation center of the striker 210.

[0078] The urging member 242 is a torsion spring that urges the striker 210. The support shaft 241 is inserted through the coil portion 242a of the urging member 242. The first end 242b of the urging member 242 is locked to the striker 210, and the second end 242c of the urging member 242 is locked to the support bracket 230. In this way, the urging member 242 urges the striker 210 in the first rotation direction R11. The striker 210 urged in the first rotation direction R11 is positioned by the contact between the connecting rod 211 and the fixed wall 231 of the support bracket 230.

[0079] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the striker unit 70 is located at a position further back than the lower rail 51. At this time, the receiving portion 214 of the striker 210 is located at a position that advances backward from the rear end of the first rail 54 of the lower rail 51, and is located at a position that advances outward in the width direction from the rear end of the second rail 55 of the lower rail 51. In addition, in the striker 210, the first arm 211b of the link 211 extends toward the rear, and the second arm 211c of the link 211 extends toward the inside in the width direction as it advances forward. In addition, the striker unit 70 is located at the same height as the locking mechanism 120 of the lower hinge unit 61.

[0080] <Central track 52 and upper track 53>

[0081] like Figure 1 As shown, the central rail 52 is fixed to the vehicle body 20 at a position behind the rear end of the door opening 21. The central rail 52 is located below the upper rail 53 and above the lower rail 51. The upper rail 53 is fixed to the vehicle body 20 at a position above the upper end of the door opening 21. The central rail 52 and the upper rail 53 have the front-rear direction as the long side direction.

[0082] The central rail 52 and the upper rail 53 preferably have a portion extending linearly and a portion curved in an arc shape when viewed from above. For example, the central rail 52 and the upper rail 53 may be of the same shape as the second rail 55 of the lower rail 51 .

[0083] <Central hinge unit 62 and upper hinge unit 63>

[0084] like Figure 1 As shown, the central hinge unit 62 is fixed near the rear end of the sliding door 30 and near the center in the up-down direction. The upper hinge unit 63 is fixed near the front end and near the upper end of the sliding door 30. The central hinge unit 62 and the upper hinge unit 63 preferably have a structure equivalent to the door bracket 110 and the guide mechanism 130 in the lower hinge unit 61. Here, the structure equivalent to the guide mechanism 130 may not have a structure equivalent to the connecting arm 131. In addition, the central hinge unit 62 is engaged in a manner that allows it to move relative to the central rail 52. Similarly, the upper hinge unit 63 is engaged in a manner that allows it to move relative to the upper rail 53.

[0085] <Door drive device 80>

[0086] The door driving device 80 drives the sliding door 30. For example, the door driving device 80 drives the sliding door 30 by transmitting the power of the motor to the sliding door 30 via a power transmission member such as a cable and a wire. The door driving device 80 opens the sliding door 30 toward the fully open position or closes the sliding door 30 toward the fully closed position according to the operation of the door handle 32 by the user.

[0087] <Other structures>

[0088] The lock mechanism 120 of the door support device 40 is a fully open lock that locks the slide door 30 to the vehicle body 20 in the fully closed position. Although not described, the door support device 40 preferably includes a fully closed lock that locks the slide door 30 to the vehicle body 20 in the fully closed position.

[0089] <Function of the First Embodiment>

[0090] Reference Figure 8 to Figure 12 , the effect of opening the sliding door 30 from the fully closed position will be described. Figures 9 to 12 In the figure, for the convenience of description, a part of the firing pin 210 is cut away.

[0091] When the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position, the upper hinge unit 63 is located near the front end of the upper rail 53 , the central hinge unit 62 is located near the front end of the central rail 52 , and the lower hinge unit 61 is located near the front end of the lower rail 51 . Figure 8 The lower hinge unit 61 when the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position is indicated by a solid line. Figure 8 As shown by the solid line, in the lower hinge unit 61, the connecting arm 131 rotates most in the first rotation direction R21 relative to the roller support portion 132. In other words, in the width direction, the top end of the connecting arm 131 moves most inwardly relative to the base end of the connecting arm 131. Figure 2 As shown, in the striker unit 70, the striker 210 is located at the storage position rotated most in the first rotation direction R11 relative to the striker support portion 220. In other words, the striker shaft 212 is located at a position closer to the inside of the door opening 21 in the width direction. In addition, the striker 210 located at the storage position is away from the sliding door 30 located at the fully closed position.

[0092] When the door driving device 80 opens the sliding door 30 from the fully closed position, the lower hinge unit 61, the central hinge unit 62, and the upper hinge unit 63 move backward. Figure 8 As shown by the double-dashed line, when the lower hinge unit 61 moves backward, the first guide roller 133 moves backward along the first rail 54, and the two second guide rollers 134 and 135 move backward along the second rail 55. Therefore, as the two second guide rollers 134 and 135 move outward in the width direction, the two second guide rollers 134 and 135 gradually approach the first guide roller 133. Therefore, when the lower hinge unit 61 moves backward, the connecting arm 131 rotates in the second rotation direction R22 relative to the roller support portion 132. As a result, the door bracket 110 moves outward in the width direction while moving backward.

[0093] When the two second guide rollers 134 and 135 move along the curved portion 55C of the second rail 55, the connecting arm 131 rotates relative to the roller support portion 132. On the other hand, when the two second guide rollers 134 and 135 move along the straight portion 55S of the second rail 55, the connecting arm 131 does not rotate relative to the roller support portion 132. Therefore, when the second guide roller 134 located at the front side reaches the boundary between the curved portion 55C and the straight portion 55S of the second rail 55 during the opening operation of the sliding door 30, the connecting arm 131 does not rotate. That is, the position of the door bracket 110 in the width direction does not change.

[0094] like Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the lower hinge unit 61 moves to the vicinity of the rear end of the lower rail 51, the pressing portion 139 of the roller support portion 132 of the lower hinge unit 61 contacts the striker 210 located at the storage position. When the lower hinge unit 61 continues to move backward, the pressing portion 139 of the roller support portion 132 presses the receiving portion 214 of the striker 210 backward. As a result, the striker 210 rotates from the storage position to the second rotation direction R12.

[0095] like Fig.10As shown, when the lower hinge unit 61 moves further rearward, the locking mechanism 120 moving rearward contacts the striker 210 rotating in the second rotation direction R12. In detail, the latch 122 moving rearward contacts the striker shaft 212 rotating in the second rotation direction R12. Then, as the lower hinge unit 61 moves rearward, the striker 210 rotates toward the deployed position, and the latch 122 rotates toward the fully latched position. When the latch 122 rotates toward the fully latched position, the latch spring 126 elastically deforms. In addition, the rotating latch 122 and the pawl 123 slide. Moreover, the striker shaft 212 enters the engaging groove 122a of the latch 122 and moves toward the bottom of the engaging groove 122a of the latch 122.

[0096] like Fig.11 As shown, when the lower hinge unit 61 moves further rearward, the striker 210 rotates to the deployed position. Moreover, the latch 122 rotates to the fully latched position, and the pawl 123 is engaged with the latch 122 in the fully latched position. Therefore, the latch 122 maintains a state of being engaged with the striker 210. Therefore, even if the door drive device 80 no longer applies a load in the opening direction to the sliding door 30, the sliding door 30 is constrained in the fully open position. Here, when the striker 210 is in the deployed position, the striker shaft 212 is displaced outward in the width direction compared to when the striker 210 is in the retracted position. In this regard, it can be said that the striker 210 is deployed outward in the width direction in the deployed position than in the retracted position.

[0097] When the latch 122 rotates to the fully latched position and the sliding door 30 continues to move, the rotation limiting portion 113 of the door bracket 110 contacts the striker shaft 212. At this time, the striker 210 intends to rotate in the second rotation direction R12 due to the force of the pressing portion 139 of the roller support portion 132 pressing the receiving portion 214 backward. Therefore, the forward force acts on the contact point with the striker shaft 212 in the rotation limiting portion 113 of the door bracket 110. In other words, the forward force acts on the lower hinge unit 61 moving backward. In this way, the movement of the lower hinge unit 61 backward is restricted.

[0098] In the first embodiment, even when the vehicle 10 stops on a horizontal road, the sliding door 30 is set to move in the closing direction by the weight of the sliding door 30. Such a setting can be achieved, for example, by inclining the lower rail 51, the center rail 52, and the upper rail 53. Therefore, when the door driving device 80 no longer transmits power to the sliding door 30, the sliding door 30 tends to move from the fully open position to the closing direction.

[0099] In this case, if Fig.12As shown, the latch 122 presses the striker shaft 212 of the striker 210 forward, so that the striker 210 is intended to rotate in the second rotation direction R12. However, the receiving portion 214 of the striker 210 contacts the limiting wall 234 of the striker support portion 220, so that the striker 210 can only slightly rotate in the second rotation direction R12. In other words, when the vehicle 10 stops on a horizontal road or when the vehicle 10 stops on a downhill road, the receiving portion 214 of the striker 210 contacts the limiting wall 234 of the striker support portion 220. That is, the sliding door 30 is positioned.

[0100] The operation of the sliding door 30 during the closing operation will be briefly described.

[0101] When the sliding door 30 is opened from the fully open position, the door handle 32 of the sliding door 30 is operated. As a result, the release cable 128 is pulled, and the ratchet 123 rotates in a direction away from the latch 122. As a result, the latch 122 can rotate in the force direction of the latch spring 126. In other words, the constraint of the sliding door 30 is released by the latch 122 rotating from the fully latched position to the unlatched position. In this way, the sliding door 30 can move in the closing direction.

[0102] When the sliding door 30 is closed from the fully open position, the lower hinge unit 61, the central hinge unit 62, and the upper hinge unit 63 move forward. As the lower hinge unit 61 moves forward, when the pressing portion 139 of the lower hinge unit 61 is separated from the receiving portion 214 of the striker unit 70, the striker 210 can rotate in the first rotation direction R11. In other words, as the lower hinge unit 61 moves forward, the striker 210 rotates in the first rotation direction R11 toward the storage position.

[0103] When the lower hinge unit 61 moves forward, the position of the door bracket 110 in the width direction does not change when the two second guide rollers 134 and 135 move along the straight portion 55S of the second rail 55. On the other hand, when the two second guide rollers 134 and 135 move along the curved portion 55C of the second rail 55, the connecting arm 131 gradually rotates in the first rotation direction R21 relative to the roller support portion 132. In other words, the position of the door bracket 110 in the width direction gradually moves inward. When the lower hinge unit 61 moves to the vicinity of the front end of the lower rail 51, the closing action of the sliding door 30 is completed.

[0104] <Effects of the First Embodiment>

[0105] (1-1) In the case of the comparative example in which the striker 210 is not displaced relative to the vehicle body 20, in order to enable the latch 122 to be locked with the striker 210, it is necessary to set the support position of the latch 122 in the lower hinge unit 61 to the inner side in the width direction. In this case, in order to avoid the interference between the lower hinge unit 61 and the vehicle body 20, the storage space 22 is likely to be elongated in the width direction. That is, it is likely to become difficult to set a large battery under the floor of the vehicle 10. In this regard, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the striker 210 is displaced between the deployment position deployed from the vehicle body 20 and the storage position stored in the vehicle body 20. Therefore, compared with the comparative example, even if the support position of the latch 122 in the lower hinge unit 61 is not set to the inner side in the width direction, the latch 122 can be locked with the striker 210. Therefore, even if the door support device 40 does not make the storage space 22 longer in the width direction, it is possible to avoid the interference between the lower hinge unit 61 and the vehicle body 20. Therefore, the door support device 40 can easily ensure a space for installing a large battery or the like under the floor of the vehicle 10 .

[0106] (1-2) The striker 210 is displaced between the deployed position and the stored position by rotating around the axis of the support shaft 241. Therefore, compared with a structure in which the striker 210 is displaced between the deployed position and the stored position by sliding the striker 210, the sliding resistance when the striker 210 is displaced is easily reduced. Therefore, the door support device 40 can smoothly displace the striker 210 between the deployed position and the stored position.

[0107] (1-3) The striker unit 70 has a force applying member 242 that applies force to the striker 210 from the deployed position toward the stored position. Therefore, when no external force is applied to the striker 210, the striker 210 is arranged at the stored position. Therefore, when the door support device 40 closes the sliding door 30, it is possible to suppress interference between the sliding door 30 and the striker 210. In addition, the guide mechanism 130 of the lower hinge unit 61 has a pressing portion 139, and when the sliding door 30 moves in the opening direction, the pressing portion 139 presses the striker 210 backward, thereby rotating the striker 210 from the stored position to the deployed position. Therefore, the door support device 40 can arrange the striker 210 at the stored position in conjunction with the opening action of the sliding door 30.

[0108] (1-4) The striker 210 has a receiving portion 214 having a lower elastic modulus than metal material at a portion pressed by the pressing portion 139 of the lower hinge unit 61 when the sliding door 30 is opened. Therefore, the sound and impact when the pressing portion 139 of the lower hinge unit 61 contacts the striker 210 can be mitigated.

[0109] (1-5) When the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position, the latch 122 of the lower hinge unit 61 is locked to the striker shaft 212 of the striker 210. Therefore, when the sliding door 30 in the fully open position is to be moved in the closing direction, the striker shaft 212 is pressed forward by the latch 122, so that the striker 210 rotates. As a result, the receiving portion 214 of the striker 210 contacts the limiting wall 234 of the striker support portion 220, and the rotation of the striker 210 is limited. In this way, even when the sliding door 30 is set to move in the closing direction by its own weight, it is easy to maintain the posture of the sliding door 30.

[0110] (1-6) Consider a comparative example in which the receiving portion 214 of the striker 210 cannot rotate around the axis of the fixed shaft 213. In the case of this comparative example, when the pressing portion 139 of the lower hinge unit 61 presses the receiving portion 214 of the striker 210, sliding resistance may be generated between the pressing portion 139 and the receiving portion 214. In this regard, the receiving portion 214 of the striker 210 of the first embodiment is capable of rotating around the axis of the fixed shaft 213. When the pressing portion 139 of the lower hinge unit 61 presses the receiving portion 214 of the striker 210, the receiving portion 214 of the striker 210 rotates. Therefore, the sliding resistance that may be generated between the pressing portion 139 and the receiving portion 214 can be reduced.

[0111] (1-7) The support shaft 241 that rotatably supports the striker 210 is inserted through the coil portion 242a of the urging member 242. Therefore, the urging member 242 can efficiently urge the striker 210 in the first rotation direction R11.

[0112] (1-8) When the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position and the striker 210 is in the stored position, the striker 210 is separated from the sliding door 30. Furthermore, the striker 210 is urged in the direction away from the sliding door 30, that is, in the first rotation direction R11, by the urging member 242. Therefore, the door support device 40 can suppress the knocking sound generated by the contact between the striker 210 and the sliding door 30 due to the vibration generated during the running of the vehicle 10.

[0113] (Second Embodiment)

[0114] The door support device 40A of the second embodiment is described below. Most of the components of the door support device 40A of the second embodiment are the same as the components of the door support device 40 of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the description of the second embodiment, the components common to the first embodiment are marked with the same names or the same figure marks, and the description is omitted.

[0115] <Structure of Second Embodiment>

[0116] like Fig.13As shown, the door support device 40A includes a lower rail 51A, a lower hinge unit 61A, and a striker unit 70A. In addition, the door support device 40A includes a center rail 52 and an upper rail 53, and a center hinge unit 62 and an upper hinge unit 63.

[0117] <Lower track 51A>

[0118] The lower rail 51A is a long member. The longitudinal direction of the lower rail 51A is the front-rear direction. The lower rail 51A has a first curved portion 57 constituting a rear portion and a second curved portion 58 constituting a front portion.

[0119] The first curved portion 57 is curved so as to be directed inward in the width direction as it advances forward. The second curved portion 58 is curved so as to be directed outward in the width direction as it advances forward from the front end of the first curved portion 57. The long side direction of the rear end portion of the first curved portion 57 is a direction along the front-back direction. On the other hand, the long side direction of the front end portion of the second curved portion 58 is a direction intersecting the front-back direction. In the front-back direction, the length of the first curved portion 57 is longer than the length of the second curved portion 58. The radius of curvature of the first curved portion 57 is larger than the radius of curvature of the second curved portion 58. In addition, when a curve is drawn along the first curved portion 57, the middle portion of the curve in the front-back direction includes an inflection point. On the other hand, when a curve is drawn along the second curved portion 58, the middle portion of the curve in the front-back direction does not include an inflection point. In a state where the lower rail 51A is fixed to the vehicle body 20, the front end of the second curved portion 58 is located at a position that advances forward from the rear end of the first curved portion 57. Although not shown in the figure, the lower rail 51A has a structure equivalent to the support plate 56.

[0120] <Lower Hinge Unit 61A>

[0121] like Fig.13 and Fig.14 As shown, the lower hinge unit 61A includes a door bracket 110 , a locking mechanism 120 , and a guide mechanism 140 . The guide mechanism 140 includes a movable arm 150 , two guide rollers 141 , 142 , a support roller 143 , and a connecting shaft 144 .

[0122] like Fig.14 As shown, the movable arm 150 has a main wall 151, a support wall 152, a side wall 153 and a lower wall 154. The movable arm 150 is formed by, for example, stamping a metal plate. In this regard, the main wall 151, the support wall 152, the side wall 153 and the lower wall 154 are plate-shaped.

[0123] The plate thickness direction of the main wall 151 is the vertical direction. The main wall 151 is in the shape of a strip. The main wall 151 supports the two guide rollers 141 and 142 at the base end so that they can rotate. The support wall 152 is bent downward from the base end of the main wall 151. When viewed in a plane in the vertical direction, the support wall 152 is located between the parts of the main wall 151 that support the two guide rollers 141 and 142. The support wall 152 supports the support roller 143 so that it can rotate. The side wall 153 is bent downward from one of the two side ends of the main wall 151. The plate thickness direction of the side wall 153 is orthogonal to the plate thickness direction of the main wall 151. The lower wall 154 is bent from the lower end of the side wall 153. The plate thickness direction of the lower wall 154 is the same direction as the plate thickness direction of the main wall 151. The lower wall 154 is opposite to the top end of the main wall 151 in the vertical direction.

[0124] The connecting shaft 144 connects the main wall 151 and the lower wall 154 of the movable arm 150 to the door bracket 110. Here, the main wall 151 and the lower wall 154 of the movable arm 150 clamp the door bracket 110 from both sides in the upper and lower directions. In this way, the movable arm 150 can rotate relative to the door bracket 110 around the axis of the connecting shaft 144. The movable arm 150 and the door bracket 110 together form a hinge.

[0125] like Fig.13 As shown, the two guide rollers 141, 142 and the support roller 143 of the guide mechanism 140 of the lower hinge unit 61A are engaged with the lower rail 51A. At this time, the two guide rollers 141, 142 and the support roller 143 of the guide mechanism 140 are arranged in the long side direction of the lower rail 51A. The lower hinge unit 61A can move along the lower rail 51A by rolling the two guide rollers 141, 142 and the support roller 143 relative to the lower rail 51A. In the following description, the angle formed by the rotation axis of the support roller 143 and the straight line extending in the front-rear direction is referred to as the "angle θa of the movable arm 150".

[0126] <Strike pin unit 70A>

[0127] like Fig.15 and Fig.16 As shown, the striker unit 70A includes a striker 250 and a striker support portion 260 .

[0128] The striker 250 includes a connecting rod 211 , a striker shaft 212 , a fixed shaft 213 , and a receiving portion 214 .

[0129] The striker shaft 212 is fixed to the top end of the first arm 211b of the connecting rod 211. The axial direction of the striker shaft 212 is the plate thickness direction of the first arm 211b. The base end of the striker shaft 212 is the fixed end, and the top end of the striker shaft 212 is the free end. The fixed shaft 213 is fixed to the top end of the second arm 211c of the connecting rod 211. The axial direction of the fixed shaft 213 is the plate thickness direction of the second arm 211c. The base end of the fixed shaft 213 is the fixed end, and the top end of the fixed shaft 213 is the free end. The receiving portion 214 is supported on the fixed shaft 213. The receiving portion 214 is preferably rotatable around the axis of the fixed shaft 213.

[0130] The striker support portion 260 includes a support bracket 270 , a support shaft 261 , a biasing member 262 , and a shock absorbing portion 263 .

[0131] The support bracket 270 has a lower wall 271, a fixed wall 272, a first limiting wall 273, a second limiting wall 274, and an upper wall 275. The lower wall 271, the fixed wall 272, the first limiting wall 273, the second limiting wall 274, and the upper wall 275 are all plate-shaped. In the second embodiment, the lower wall 271, the fixed wall 272, the first limiting wall 273, and the second limiting wall 274 are integrally formed, and the upper wall 275 is separately formed from the lower wall 271, the fixed wall 272, the first limiting wall 273, and the second limiting wall 274.

[0132] The plate thickness direction of the lower wall 271 is the up-down direction. The fixed wall 272, the first limiting wall 273 and the second limiting wall 274 extend upward from the side end of the lower wall 271. At this point, the plate thickness directions of the fixed wall 272, the first limiting wall 273 and the second limiting wall 274 are orthogonal to the up-down direction. There is a space between the fixed wall 272 and the first limiting wall 273, and there is a space between the fixed wall 272 and the second limiting wall 274. The plate thickness direction of the first limiting wall 273 and the plate thickness direction of the second limiting wall 274 are the same direction. In these plate thickness directions, the first limiting wall 273 and the second limiting wall 274 are located at staggered positions. The plate thickness direction of the upper wall 275 is the same direction as the plate thickness direction of the lower wall 271. The upper wall 275 is opposite to the lower wall 271 in the up-down direction. The upper wall 275 connects the upper end of the fixed wall 272, the upper end of the first limiting wall 273 and the upper end of the second limiting wall 274.

[0133] The support shaft 261 is cylindrical. The axial direction of the support shaft 261 is the up-down direction. The support shaft 261 connects the lower wall 271 of the support bracket 270 and the connecting rod 211 of the striker 250 in a relatively rotatable manner. In this way, the striker 250 can rotate around the axis of the support shaft 261 relative to the support bracket 270. In addition, the connecting rod 211 of the striker 250 is located at a position lower than the lower wall 271 of the support bracket 270.

[0134] The urging member 262 is a torsion spring. A support shaft 261 is inserted through the coil portion 242a of the urging member 262. In addition, the first end 242b of the urging member 262 is locked to the striker 250, and the second end 242c of the urging member 262 is locked to the support bracket 270. In this way, the urging member 262 urges the striker 250 in the first rotation direction R11. The striker 250 urged in the first rotation direction R11 is positioned by contacting with the lower wall 271 of the support bracket 270.

[0135] The impact absorbing portion 263 is composed of an elastic body having viscoelasticity such as rubber and resin. The impact absorbing portion 263 is in the shape of a rectangular plate. The impact absorbing portion 263 is fixed to the first limiting wall 273 of the striker support portion 260. The method for fixing the impact absorbing portion 263 relative to the first limiting wall 273 can be appropriately selected. For example, the impact absorbing portion 263 can also be fixed to the first limiting wall 273 by inserting an insertion portion provided in the impact absorbing portion 263 into a fixing hole provided in the first limiting wall 273. Alternatively, the impact absorbing portion 263 can also be fixed to the first limiting wall 273 using a fastening member such as a bolt.

[0136] like Fig.13 As shown, the striker unit 70A is fixed to the vehicle body 20 so as to be located at a position rearward of the lower rail 51A. At this time, in the striker 250, the first arm 211b of the link 211 extends toward the rear, and the second arm 211c of the link 211 extends toward the inner side in the width direction as it moves forward. In addition, the striker unit 70A is located at the same height as the locking mechanism 120 of the lower hinge unit 61A.

[0137] <Function of the Second Embodiment>

[0138] Reference Fig.13 , Figure 17 to Figure 22 , the function of opening the sliding door 30 from the fully closed position will be described with focus on the lower hinge unit 61A.

[0139] like Fig.13 As shown, when the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position, the lower hinge unit 61A is located near the front end of the lower rail 51A. At this time, the axis of the connecting shaft 144 is located at a position rearward of the rotation axis of both guide rollers 141 and 142, and is located at a position inward in the width direction than the rotation axis of the guide roller 141 located in the front. In addition, the door bracket 110 of the lower hinge unit 61A is located at the frontmost position and the innermost position in the width direction within its moving range. In addition, the angle θa of the movable arm 150 becomes the smallest angle in the desirable angle range.

[0140] In the striker unit 70A, the striker 250 is located at the storage position most rotated in the first rotation direction R11 relative to the striker support portion 260. In other words, the striker shaft 212 is located inward of the door opening 21 in the width direction. In addition, the striker 250 located at the storage position is away from the sliding door 30 located at the fully closed position.

[0141] When the door driving device 80 opens the sliding door 30 from the fully closed position, the lower hinge unit 61A moves rearward along the lower rail 51A. Fig.17 As shown by the single dotted line in the figure, when the two guide rollers 141 and 142 move along the second curved portion 58 of the lower rail 51A, the positional relationship of the two guide rollers 141 and 142 in the width direction changes. In detail, the rotation axis of the guide roller 141 located in the front moves inward in the width direction relative to the rotation axis of the guide roller 142 located in the rear. As a result, the angle θa of the movable arm 150 increases. Therefore, the two guide rollers 141 and 142 move inward in the width direction as they move backward along the second curved portion 58 of the lower rail 51A, and the door bracket 110 moves outward in the width direction while moving backward.

[0142] When the lower hinge unit 61A continues to move rearward, the two guide rollers 141 and 142 finish moving along the second curved portion 58 of the lower rail 51A, and start moving along the first curved portion 57 of the lower rail 51A.

[0143] When the two guide rollers 141 and 142 move along the front end of the first curved portion 57 of the lower rail 51A, the positional relationship between the two guide rollers 141 and 142 in the width direction changes. Specifically, the rotation axis of the guide roller 141 located in the front moves inward in the width direction relative to the rotation axis of the guide roller 142 located in the rear. As a result, the angle θa of the movable arm 150 increases. Next, as Fig.17 As shown by the solid line in the middle, when the two guide rollers 141 and 142 move along the middle portion of the first curved portion 57 of the lower rail 51A, the positional relationship of the two guide rollers 141 and 142 in the width direction does not change much. Therefore, the angle θa of the movable arm 150 does not change much. On the other hand, when the two guide rollers 141 and 142 move along the front end and middle portion of the first curved portion 57 of the lower rail 51A, the two guide rollers 141 and 142 move outward in the width direction as they move backward. As a result, the door bracket 110 moves outward in the width direction while moving backward.

[0144] Next, when the two guide rollers 141 and 142 move along the rear end of the first curved portion 57 of the lower rail 51A, the positional relationship of the axes of the two guide rollers 141 and 142 in the width direction changes slightly. In detail, the rotation axis of the guide roller 141 located in the front moves slightly outward in the width direction relative to the rotation axis of the guide roller 142 located in the rear. As a result, the angle θa of the movable arm 150 becomes slightly smaller. On the other hand, the two guide rollers 141 and 142 move slightly outward in the width direction as they move backward. As a result, the door bracket 110 moves approximately backward.

[0145] like Fig.18 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the lower hinge unit 61A moves to the vicinity of the rear end of the lower rail 51A, the movable arm 150 of the lower hinge unit 61A contacts the striker 250 located at the storage position. When the lower hinge unit 61A continues to move backward, the movable arm 150 presses the receiving portion 214 of the striker 250 backward. As a result, the striker 250 rotates from the storage position to the second rotation direction R12. The striker 250 continues to rotate in the second rotation direction R12 while being pressed by the movable arm 150.

[0146] like Fig.19 As shown, when the lower hinge unit 61A moves further rearward, the locking mechanism 120 moving rearward contacts the striker 250 rotating in the second rotation direction R12. In detail, the latch 122 moving rearward contacts the striker shaft 212 rotating in the second rotation direction R12. And, as the lower hinge unit 61A moves rearward, the striker 250 rotates toward the deployed position, and the latch 122 rotates toward the fully latched position. When the latch 122 rotates toward the fully latched position, the latch spring 126 elastically deforms. In addition, the rotating latch 122 and the pawl 123 slide. And, the striker shaft 212 enters the engaging groove 122a of the latch 122 and moves toward the bottom of the engaging groove 122a of the latch 122.

[0147] like Fig. 20 As shown, when the lower hinge unit 61A moves further rearward, the striker 250 rotates to the deployed position. Moreover, the latch 122 rotates to the fully latched position, and the pawl 123 is engaged with the latch 122 in the fully latched position. Therefore, the latch 122 maintains a state of being engaged with the striker 250. Therefore, even if the door drive device 80 no longer applies a load in the opening direction to the sliding door 30, the sliding door 30 is constrained in the fully open position. Here, when the striker 250 is in the deployed position, the striker shaft 212 is displaced outward in the width direction compared to when the striker 250 is in the retracted position. In this regard, it can be said that the striker 250 is deployed outward in the width direction in the deployed position than in the retracted position.

[0148] like Fig.21 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the slide door 30 continues to move in the opening direction after the latch 122 rotates to the fully latched position, the movable arm 150 of the lower hinge unit 61A contacts the impact absorbing portion 263 of the striker unit 70A. Therefore, the impact generated by the contact between the lower hinge unit 61A and the striker unit 70A is absorbed by the impact absorbing portion 263. In addition, the rearward movement of the lower hinge unit 61A is restricted.

[0149] In the second embodiment, even when the vehicle 10 stops on a horizontal road, the sliding door 30 is set to move in the closing direction by the weight of the sliding door 30. Such a setting can be achieved, for example, by inclining the lower rail 51A, the center rail 52, and the upper rail 53. Therefore, when the door driving device 80 no longer transmits power to the sliding door 30, the sliding door 30 tends to move from the fully open position to the closing direction.

[0150] In this case, if Fig. 22 As shown, the striker shaft 212 of the striker 250 is pressed forward by the latch 122, so that the striker 250 is intended to rotate in the second rotation direction R12. However, the striker 250 cannot rotate in the second rotation direction R12 because the receiving portion 214 of the striker 250 contacts the second limiting wall 274 of the striker support portion 260. In this way, as long as the latch 122 is locked with the striker 250, the sliding door 30 will not move from the fully open position to the closing direction.

[0151] The operation of the sliding door 30 during the closing operation will be briefly described.

[0152] When the sliding door 30 is opened from the fully open position, the door handle 32 of the sliding door 30 is operated. As a result, the release cable 128 is pulled, and the ratchet 123 rotates in a direction away from the latch 122. As a result, the latch 122 can rotate in the direction of the force applied by the latch spring 126. In other words, the constraint of the sliding door 30 is released by the latch 122 rotating from the fully latched position to the unlatched position. In this way, the sliding door 30 can move in the closing direction.

[0153] When the sliding door 30 is closed from the fully open position, the lower hinge unit 61A moves forward. As the lower hinge unit 61A moves forward, when the movable arm 150 of the lower hinge unit 61A leaves the receiving portion 214 of the striker unit 70A, the striker 250 can rotate in the first rotation direction R11. That is, as the lower hinge unit 61A moves forward, the striker 250 rotates in the first rotation direction R11 toward the storage position. Furthermore, when the lower hinge unit 61A moves forward, the door bracket 110 moves forward and moves inward in the width direction, contrary to the case where the lower hinge unit 61A moves backward. When the lower hinge unit 61A moves to near the front end of the lower rail 51A, the closing action of the sliding door 30 is completed.

[0154] <Effects of the Second Embodiment>

[0155] The second embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment. In addition, the second embodiment can obtain the following effects.

[0156] (2-1) The striker unit 70A includes an impact absorbing portion 263 that absorbs impact caused by contact with the lower hinge unit 61A. Therefore, when the sliding door 30 is opened, the door support device 40A can suppress the generation of sound caused by contact between the lower hinge unit 61A and the striker unit 70A, or suppress excessive force from acting on the striker unit 70A.

[0157] (2-2) The door support device 40A can simplify the structure of the lower rail 51A because the lower rail 51A is constituted by one rail.

[0158] <Change example>

[0159] The above-mentioned embodiment can be implemented by modification as follows. The above-mentioned embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented by combining with each other within the range that there is no technical contradiction.

[0160] The first rail 54 of the lower rail 51 can be omitted. That is, the lower rail 51 can also be composed of a single rail. In this case, the structure of the lower hinge unit 61 can be changed to match the change in the structure of the lower rail 51. In addition, the curvature of the second rail 55 can be appropriately changed.

[0161] The upper hinge unit 63 may also include a locking mechanism 120. In this case, the striker unit 70 is preferably provided near the upper end and the rear end of the door opening 21. That is, the striker unit 70 is preferably provided at the same height as the locking mechanism 120 of the modified example. Thus, it is possible to suppress the narrowing of the space in the upper part of the vehicle compartment in the width direction.

[0162] In the striker unit 70, the force applying member 242 may also apply force to the striker 210 from the storage position toward the deployment position. In this case, the sliding door 30 preferably has a second pressing portion that presses the striker 210 in the deployment position during the closing operation to rotate the striker 210 to the storage position. In addition, the striker 210 can be rotated to the deployment position by the force of the force applying member 242, so the pressing portion 139 of the guide mechanism 130 of the lower hinge unit 61 can be omitted.

[0163] In the striker unit 70, the force applying member 242 for applying force to the striker 210 can be omitted. In this case, the sliding door 30 preferably has the pressing portion 139 of the above embodiment and the second pressing portion of the above modification. Thus, when the sliding door 30 is opened, the striker 210 is pressed by the pressing portion 139 and rotated to the extended position. On the other hand, when the sliding door 30 is closed, the striker 210 is pressed by the second pressing portion and rotated to the stored position.

[0164] The movement mode between the deployed position and the stored position of the striker 210 can be changed appropriately. For example, the striker unit 70 can also be configured so that the striker 210 is linearly displaced between the deployed position and the stored position. In this case, the striker unit 70 preferably has a mechanism for moving the striker shaft 212 outward in the width direction when the pressing portion 139 of the guide mechanism 130 is pressed backward.

[0165] In the striker unit 70, the shape and material of the receiving portion 214 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the receiving portion 214 may be made of a metal material or a resin material.

[0166] When the sliding door 30 is in the fully opened position, the pressing portion 139 of the lower hinge unit 61 and the restricting wall 234 of the striker support 220 may also sandwich the receiving portion 214 of the striker 210 in the front-rear direction. In this case, the sliding door 30 is more firmly restrained in the fully opened position.

[0167] In the striker unit 70 , the restriction wall 234 of the striker support portion 220 may be a restriction portion formed of rubber, resin, etc. In addition, in the striker unit 70 , the restriction wall 234 of the striker support portion 220 may be omitted.

[0168] In the above-described embodiment, when the sliding door 30 is opened, the moment when the latch 122 contacts the striker shaft 212 is earlier than the moment when the striker 210 reaches the deployed position. In a modified example, the moment when the latch 122 contacts the striker shaft 212 may be after the moment when the striker 210 reaches the deployed position. In other words, the latch 122 may contact the striker 210 positioned at the deployed position.

[0169] As long as the slide door 30 can be restrained to the vehicle body 20 by the locking mechanism 120 being locked to the striker 210 , the structure of the locking mechanism 120 and the structure of the striker 210 may be changed as appropriate.

[0170] <Technical Thoughts>

[0171] The technical ideas that can be grasped from the above-mentioned embodiments and modified examples are described.

[0172] [Method 1]

[0173] A door support device is applied to a vehicle, the vehicle comprising: a vehicle body, the side surface of the vehicle body having a door opening in a width direction; and a sliding door, the sliding door opening and closing the door opening, wherein the sliding door opens and closes the door opening by moving between a fully closed position and a fully open position, the fully closed position being a position in which the door opening is fully closed, and the fully open position being a position in which the door opening is fully opened by being offset to the outside in the width direction and in a front-rear direction relative to the fully closed position, the door support device comprising: a striker unit, the striker unit being provided on the vehicle body; a door bracket, the door bracket extending from the sliding door to the fully closed position The door bracket is supported by the door bracket, the striker unit having a striker that is displaced between a storage position relative to the vehicle body and an extended position that is extended outward in the width direction compared to the storage position, the striker being arranged at the storage position when the sliding door is in the fully closed position, and the striker being arranged at the extended position when the sliding door is in the fully open position, and the locking mechanism constrains the sliding door to the vehicle body by engaging with the striker at the extended position when the sliding door is in the fully open position.

[0174] [Method 2]

[0175] The door support device according to aspect 1, wherein the striker unit includes a striker support portion that rotatably supports the striker, and the striker rotates between the deployed position and the stored position.

[0176] [Method 3]

[0177] According to the door support device described in method 2, the door support device includes a guiding mechanism, which is supported by the door bracket, and when the sliding door opens and closes the door opening, the guiding mechanism moves along a guiding track provided on the vehicle body, the striker unit has a force-applying component, which applies a force to the striker from the deployed position toward the stowed position, and the guiding mechanism has a pressing portion, and when the sliding door moves in the opening direction of the sliding door, the pressing portion presses the striker in the opening direction to rotate the striker from the stowed position to the deployed position.

[0178] [Method 4]

[0179] According to the door support device described in method 3, the striker has a receiving portion, which is pressed by the pressing portion when the sliding door moves in the opening direction, and the receiving portion can rotate around an axis extending in the same direction as the rotation axis of the striker.

[0180] [Method 5]

[0181] The door support device according to aspect 3 or 4, wherein the striker support portion includes a support shaft that rotatably supports the striker, and the urging member is a torsion spring in which the support shaft is inserted through a coil portion.

[0182] [Method 6]

[0183] The door support device according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein when the sliding door is located at the fully closed position and the striker is located at the storage position, the striker is separated from the sliding door.

[0184] [Method 7]

[0185] The door support device according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the door bracket extends from a lower portion of the sliding door, and the striker unit is arranged at the same height as the locking mechanism in the vehicle body.

[0186] [Method 8]

[0187] The door support device according to any one of aspects 3 to 5, wherein the striker includes a striker shaft to be engaged by the locking mechanism and a receiving portion pressed by the pressing portion, and the receiving portion is made of a material having a lower elastic modulus than a metal material.

[0188] [Method 9]

[0189] A door support device according to aspect 8, wherein the striker support portion has a restriction portion that clamps the receiving portion together with the pressing portion in the front-rear direction when the sliding door is in the fully closed position.

[0190] [Method 10]

[0191] A door support device according to any one of methods 3 to 5, wherein the striker support portion has an impact absorbing portion, and when the sliding door continues to move in the opening direction after the striker rotates to the deployed position, the impact absorbing portion absorbs the impact at a portion in contact with the guide mechanism.

Claims

1. A door support device for a vehicle, the vehicle comprising: a vehicle body having a door opening on a side surface of the vehicle body in a width direction; and a sliding door for opening and closing the door opening, wherein: The sliding door opens and closes the door opening by moving between a fully closed position and a fully open position, wherein the fully closed position is a position in which the door opening is fully closed, and the fully open position is a position in which the door opening is fully opened by being offset outward in the width direction and in the front-rear direction relative to the fully closed position. The door support device comprises: a striker unit, the striker unit being arranged on the vehicle body; a door bracket extending from the sliding door toward the inner side in the width direction; as well as a locking mechanism supported on the door bracket, The striker unit includes a striker that is displaced between a storage position stored relative to the vehicle body and a deployment position deployed outward in the width direction relative to the storage position, the striker being disposed at the storage position when the sliding door is in the fully closed position, and the striker being disposed at the deployment position when the sliding door is in the fully open position. When the sliding door is located at the fully open position, the locking mechanism is engaged with the striker located at the extended position, thereby restraining the sliding door to the vehicle body.

2. The door support device according to claim 1, wherein: The striker unit includes a striker support portion that rotatably supports the striker. The striker rotates between the deployed position and the stowed position.

3. The door supporting device according to claim 2, wherein: The door support device includes a guide mechanism supported by the door bracket, and the guide mechanism moves along a guide rail provided on the vehicle body when the sliding door opens and closes the door opening. The striker unit includes a biasing member that biases the striker from the deployed position toward the stored position. The guide mechanism includes a pressing portion that rotates the striker from the storage position to the deployment position by pressing the striker in the opening direction when the slide door moves in the opening direction of the slide door.

4. The door supporting device according to claim 3, wherein: The striker has a receiving portion, and when the sliding door moves in the opening direction, the receiving portion is pressed by the pressing portion. The receiving portion is rotatable about an axis extending in the same direction as a rotation axis of the striker.

5. The door supporting device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The striker support portion includes a support shaft that rotatably supports the striker. The urging member is a torsion spring in which the support shaft is inserted through a coil portion.

6. The door supporting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: When the sliding door is located at the fully closed position and the striker is located at the storage position, the striker is separated from the sliding door.

7. The door supporting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The door bracket extends from a lower portion of the sliding door, The striker unit is arranged in the vehicle body at the same height as the locking mechanism.

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