Sliding door structure of vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a sliding door structure of a vehicle. The sliding door structure of the vehicle includes: a sliding door configured to slide so as to open and close a door opening of the vehicle; a rail portion configured to guide a guided portion of a sliding portion provided in the sliding door during sliding; a rail mechanism configured to cause the rail portion to follow a movement of the sliding door in a vehicle width direction; and a lock mechanism configured to hold the rail portion at a position at which the rail portion can guide the guided portion that has moved toward an outer side in the vehicle width direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a sliding door structure of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] A vehicle including a sliding door of this type is described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-80819. In this vehicle, its door opening is constructed to be opened and closed by a sliding door. The sliding door has a door arm extending toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the door arm is arranged so as to constitute a sliding portion. In the sliding door, each roller (guided portion) arranged at the leading end of the door arm can be slidably connected to a guide rail, which extends in the vehicle front-rear direction on the door opening side. The guide rail has a straight portion and a curved portion, the straight portion extends straightly in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the curved portion is inclinedly bent from the front end of the straight portion toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Since the guided portion of the sliding door slides while being guided by the curved portion and the straight portion of the guide rail, the sliding door provided with these guided portions slides in the vehicle front-rear direction while moving a certain distance in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the sliding door moves toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction when its guided portion is guided by the curved portion of the guide rail. Summary of the invention

[0003] In the field of vehicles, it is desirable to simplify the construction of the vehicle by making the construction compact or in some other way. For example, making the construction of the door opening compact in the vehicle width direction makes it easy to ensure space for placing components installed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction (for example, a battery unit installed under a floor panel). However, in the above-mentioned construction, due to the necessity of moving the sliding door in the vehicle width direction during sliding, the guide rail on the door opening side is bent toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the above-mentioned construction requires a large space for arranging the sliding portion and the guide rail in the vehicle width direction, which makes the construction difficult to simplify. In some vehicles of this type, a track portion is provided in a step plate on the lower side of the vehicle, and the step plate is made to follow the movement of the sliding door in the vehicle width direction through the track portion. In this case, a plurality of tracks are placed on the lower side of the door opening, and this is disadvantageous in simplifying the vehicle construction. The present invention has been created in view of the foregoing, and the challenge that the present invention is intended to solve is to enable it to properly guide the sliding door during sliding while simplifying the construction of the vehicle as much as possible.

[0004] One aspect of the present invention is a sliding door structure of a vehicle. The sliding door structure of the vehicle includes: a sliding door configured to slide so as to open and close a door opening of the vehicle; a rail portion configured to guide a guided portion of a sliding portion provided in the sliding door during sliding; a rail mechanism configured to make the rail portion follow the movement of the sliding door in the vehicle width direction; and a locking mechanism configured to keep the rail portion in a position where the rail portion can guide the guided portion that has moved toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. The sliding door is configured to move a certain distance in the vehicle width direction during sliding. The rail portion is provided on the door opening side so as to extend in the sliding direction. In this configuration, the rail portion can move in the vehicle width direction by the action of the rail mechanism, so that the sliding door that slides while moving a certain distance in the vehicle width direction can be more appropriately guided. The rail portion is maintained at a position outside in the vehicle width direction by the action of the locking mechanism, so that the sliding portion that has moved toward the outside in the vehicle width direction can be more appropriately guided by the rail portion. In the present invention, since the rail portion moves in the vehicle width direction, the rail portion can be made compact in the vehicle width direction.

[0005] In the sliding door structure of the vehicle, the track mechanism may have a four-link mechanism, which is installed so as to rotate in the vehicle width direction relative to the door opening. In this configuration, the track portion can be moved more reliably in the vehicle width direction through the action of the four-link mechanism that constitutes a part of the track mechanism.

[0006] In the sliding door structure of the vehicle, the link arm constituting a part of the four-section link mechanism may be constructed so as to rotate by being pressed by the sliding part that is sliding, and the contact part connected to the link arm may be arranged at a position where the contact part contacts the sliding part that is moving in the vehicle width direction. In this construction, when the contact part is pressed by the sliding part that is moving in the vehicle width direction while in contact with it, the link arm (four-section link mechanism) provided with the contact part can rotate.

[0007] In the sliding door structure of the vehicle, the locking mechanism may have a latch portion engaged with the four-section link mechanism that has been rotated toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the latch portion may be configured to be disengaged from the four-section link mechanism by being pressed by the sliding portion of the sliding door in a closing action. In this configuration, the position of the rail portion in the vehicle width direction can be more appropriately maintained by the action of the latch portion constituting a part of the locking mechanism. The disengagement (cancellation of engagement) of the four-section link mechanism and the latch portion can be performed by pressing the sliding portion during sliding.

[0008] In a sliding door structure of a vehicle, a step plate may be provided at a lower edge portion of the door opening so as to be movable between a retracted position and a use position in the vehicle width direction, and the track portion, the track mechanism, and the locking mechanism may be provided in the step plate. In this configuration, since the track portion and the mechanisms are provided in the step plate, there is no need to provide a separate track on the lower side of the vehicle. Therefore, this configuration helps to simplify the vehicle configuration.

[0009] One of the above-mentioned constructions enables the sliding door to be properly guided during sliding while simplifying the construction of the vehicle as much as possible. Another of the above-mentioned constructions enables the sliding door to be guided more reliably. Still another of the above-mentioned constructions enables the sliding door to be guided even more reliably. Still another of the above-mentioned constructions enables the sliding door to be guided more properly. The fifth invention enables the construction of the vehicle to be further simplified. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements, and in which:

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle when viewed from the left side;

[0012] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a lower portion of a vehicle in a state where a sliding door is closed;

[0013] Figure 3 is a bottom view of the step plate in the retracted position;

[0014] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an upper portion of a vehicle;

[0015] Figure 5 is a bottom view of the step board in the use position;

[0016] Figure 6 An enlarged bottom view of the tread showing the track mechanism and the locking mechanism;

[0017] Figure 7 For along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII;

[0018] Figure 8 For along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of ;

[0019] Fig. 9 For along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of ;

[0020] Fig.10 For along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view taken along line XX;

[0021] Fig.11 An enlarged bottom view showing the track mechanism and the locking mechanism in the early stages of the opening action;

[0022] Fig.12 is an enlarged bottom view showing the track mechanism and the locking mechanism in the middle stage of the opening action;

[0023] Fig.13 An enlarged bottom view showing the track mechanism and the locking mechanism in a later stage of the opening action; and

[0024] Fig.14 An enlarged bottom view showing the track mechanism and locking mechanism in the closing action. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Will refer to below Figures 1 to 14 A mode for carrying out the present invention is described. In each figure, arrow lines indicating the front-rear direction, left-right direction (vehicle width direction), and up-down direction (vehicle height direction) of the vehicle are marked as needed. In each figure, only the left side of the vehicle is shown, and the left side of the vehicle corresponds to the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the right side of the vehicle corresponds to the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In each figure, the main components of the sliding door structure of the vehicle are depicted with solid lines, and other components may be depicted with dotted lines or omitted.

[0026] Vehicle Overview

[0027] Before describing the sliding door structure of the vehicle, first, Figure 1 2. In the vehicle body 3 of the vehicle 2, a rear door opening 10 corresponding to the rear seat is formed. The rear door opening 10 is configured to be opened and closed by a sliding door 20 that slides in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a rocker 30 as a frame having a hollow cross section is provided at the lower edge portion of the rear door opening 10 so as to extend in the vehicle front-rear direction. On the vehicle lower side of the rocker 30, a pedal device 40 including a step plate 41 is placed.

[0028] Here, refer to Figure 2, at the upper end of the door sill 30, the fixed pedal 11 is provided so as to extend in the vehicle width direction and be continuous to the floor panel 4 of the vehicle 2. On the vehicle lower side of the floor panel 4, a battery unit 5 is mounted. Under the battery unit 5, the impact absorbing member 6 is placed so as to protrude toward the outer side (left side) in the vehicle width direction. The impact absorbing member 6 is a member capable of absorbing an impact load applied from the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and is arranged between the door sill 30 and the step board 41 in the vehicle height direction.

[0029] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated vehicle 2, a plurality of rails (7, 8, 9) are provided so as to extend in the sliding direction of the sliding door 20. Specifically, in the vehicle 2, the upper rail 7 is provided on the vehicle upper side of the rear door opening 10. At the center position in the height direction, the center rail 8 is provided on the rear side of the rear door opening 10. On the vehicle lower side of the door sill 30, the step board 41 is placed as described above, and the lower rail portion 9 is provided on the lower surface of the step board 41.

[0030] Next, in Figure 1 In the sliding door 20 shown, sliding parts (21, 22, 23) are provided at its upper end position, middle position and lower end position. The sliding door 20 is constructed so as to be able to slide by being guided by the guide rails 7, 8, etc. when the sliding parts move (slide, etc.) along the corresponding guide rails 7, 8, etc. Here, the upper guide rail 7 and the center guide rail 8 extend substantially straight in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the parts around the front ends of these guide rails are bent obliquely toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when the sliding door 20 moves substantially in the vehicle front-rear direction between the fully open position and the fully closed position, the sliding door 20 moves obliquely in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction near the fully closed position (in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction). Figure 1 In the figure, for convenience, a sliding door sliding in a closing direction is depicted with a dotted line).

[0031] Sliding door structure of vehicle

[0032] exist Figure 1 In the sliding door structure of the vehicle shown, the lower sliding portion 23 provided at the lower end position of the sliding door 20 corresponds to the sliding portion of the present invention, and the lower rail portion 9 provided in the step plate 41 corresponds to the rail portion of the present invention. This structure is a structure for guiding the lower sliding portion 23 by the lower rail portion 9. In this type of structure, it is desirable to be able to properly guide the sliding door 20 during sliding while simplifying the structure of the vehicle 2 as much as possible. Therefore, in this embodiment, a simple structure that will be described later is adopted to allow the sliding door 20 to be properly guided during sliding. Hereinafter, the structure on the sliding door 20 side, the structure on the rear door opening 10 side, the pedal device 40, the lower rail portion 9 and its related mechanisms (such as Figure 3 The sliding door structure of the vehicle is described in detail with reference to the sequence of the track mechanism 50, the locking mechanism 60, etc. shown in FIG.

[0033] Sliding part of sliding door

[0034] first, Figure 1 The sliding door 20 shown has sliding parts (21, 22, 23) at its upper position, central position and lower end position. Here, the upper sliding part 21 at the upper position and the central sliding part 22 at the middle position have substantially the same basic structure, and therefore, the upper sliding part 21 will be described in detail as an example. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the upper sliding portion 21, an upper door arm portion 21a fixed to the sliding door 20 is arranged so as to extend toward the inner side (right side) in the vehicle width direction. At the top end of the upper door arm portion 21a, a pair of front and rear upper guide rollers 21c and a load roller 21d (at the top of the upper door arm portion 21a) are arranged via a bracket 21b. Figure 4 In the figure, for the sake of convenience, only one upper guide roller is shown). Here, in the bracket 21b, a front and rear vertical shaft portion A1 extending in the up-down direction of the vehicle is provided, and the upper guide roller 21c is pivotally supported on the front and rear vertical shaft portion A1 so as to be rotatable. At the center of the bracket 21b in the front-to-back direction, a horizontal shaft portion A2 extending in the width direction of the vehicle is provided. The load roller 21d is pivotally supported so as to be able to rotate on the horizontal shaft portion A2 in a state of protruding toward the lower side of the vehicle relative to the front and rear upper guide rollers 21c. Therefore, in the upper sliding portion 21, front and rear upper guide rollers 21c and a load roller 21d, that is, two types of sliding members, are provided, which serve as guided portions thereof, respectively. Figure 1 The central slide portion 22 shown also has a pair of front and rear upper guide rollers and a load roller (reference numerals omitted).

[0035] Lower sliding part

[0036] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The lower sliding portion 23 is provided on the lower end side of the sliding door 20, and is thus arranged on the lower side of the vehicle relative to the upper sliding portion 21 and the central sliding portion 22. Figure 2 As shown, in the lower sliding portion 23, its lower door arm portion 23a is arranged so as to extend from the sliding door 20 toward the inner side (right side) in the vehicle width direction. At the top end of the lower door arm portion 23a, only the lower guide roller 23c (that is, only one kind of sliding member as a guided portion) is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable by a lower vertical shaft portion 23b extending toward the upper side of the vehicle.

[0037] Rear door opening structure (guide rail)

[0038] Next, we will describe Figure 1 The upper guide rail 7 and the central guide rail 8 are shown. Here, the guide rails 7 and 8 have the same basic structure, and therefore the upper guide rail 7 will be described in detail as an example. Figure 4 As shown, the upper guide rail 7 is formed into a hollow column shape opened on the outside (left side) in the vehicle width direction and is arranged so as to extend in the sliding direction of the sliding door 20. The opening of the upper guide rail 7 communicating with the outside on the outside in the vehicle width direction is formed at the same height position as the above-mentioned upper side sliding portion 21. The upper portion 70 of the upper guide rail 7 is formed in a substantially inverted U shape so that the movement of the front and rear upper guide rollers 21c of the upper side sliding portion 21 can be adjusted from the vehicle width direction. In the upper guide rail 7, the vertical plate portion 71 on the inside (right side) in the vehicle width direction is arranged so as to extend toward the lower side of the vehicle, and further, the lower end of the vertical plate portion 71 is bent substantially at a right angle so as to form a lower plate portion 72 protruding toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. The load roller 21d of the upper side sliding portion 21 slides on the support plate portion 73 while contacting with the support plate portion 73, which has a substantially L-shaped cross section and is arranged on the lower plate portion 72 of the upper guide rail 7.

[0039] Figure 4 The upper rail 7 shown can be fixed along the roof side rail 100 that forms the upper end of the rear door opening 10. On the outer side (left side) in the vehicle width direction of the roof side rail 100, the side outer panel 101 is fixed so as to extend in the vehicle front-rear direction. The upper rail 7 can be fastened and fixed at an appropriate position in the side outer panel 101 by the fastener BM. In this case, the upper rail 7 can be fastened to the side outer panel 101 and the reinforcement 102 laid on the back side of the side outer panel 101. The upper side of the reinforcement 102 is formed into a plate shape that extends toward the inner side (right side) in the vehicle width direction and is fixed to the roof side rail 100 side.

[0040] Therefore, since the lower plate portion 72 bears the load roller 21d, Figure 4 The upper rail 7 shown is constructed so as to be able to bear the load of the sliding door 20 provided with the load roller 21d. Figure 1 The central rail 8 shown has substantially the same construction as the upper rail 7. Therefore, the central rail 8 is also constructed to be able to bear the load of the sliding door 20, and the front and rear guide rollers and load rollers (not shown) of the central sliding portion 22 slide thereon. According to the above construction, the load of the sliding door 20 is borne by the rails 7, 8 (on the vehicle upper side of the lower sliding portion 23). Therefore, as Figure 2 As shown, the lower sliding portion 23 is arranged at a predetermined height position by being supported by the sliding door 20 .

[0041] threshold

[0042] Next, in Figure 2 In the door sill 30 provided at the lower end of the rear door opening 10, a hollow cross section (in the Figure 2 In the figure, for convenience, the hollow cross-section portion is indicated by reference numeral 35). The rocker outer panel 31 is formed by an upper panel surface 311, a lower panel surface 312, and a left side panel surface 313 so as to have a cross-section in the shape of a substantially letter U (the letter U is substantially lying on its side) and is open on the inner side (right side) in the vehicle width direction. At the upper end position of the upper panel surface 311, an upper flange portion 31a is formed that is bent toward the upper side of the vehicle, and at the lower end position of the lower panel surface 312, a lower flange portion 31b is formed that is bent toward the lower side of the vehicle. The rocker inner panel 32 is formed by an upper panel surface 321, a lower panel surface 322, and a right side panel surface 323 so as to have a cross-section in the shape of a substantially letter U (the letter U is substantially lying on its side) and is open on the outer side (left side) in the vehicle width direction. Similarly, at the upper and lower end positions of the rocker inner panel 32, upper and lower flange portions 32a, 32b that are bent in the vehicle height direction are formed.

[0043] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated door sill 30, upper flange portions 31a, 32a and lower flange portions 31b, 32b are joined together by welding or the like. Therefore, the door sill outer panel 31 and the door sill inner panel 32 are aligned with each other and joined together from the vehicle width direction, and thus the door sill 30 is formed into a substantially rectangular tubular shape. On each of the upper flange portions 31a, 32a, a sealing strip WS is mounted to fill the gap between the flange portion and the sliding door 20. Therefore, the door sill 30 is formed into a rectangular tubular shape, the recessed portion of the rail is omitted, and has a hollow cross-sectional shape (35) suitable for ensuring rigidity. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the height position of the door sill 30 by reducing the size in the vehicle height direction to make it compact or otherwise. This configuration helps to ensure superior convenience for getting on and off the vehicle. Omitting the guide rail from the door sill 30 can make it compact in the vehicle width direction. This in turn makes it easy to ensure space for arranging components (e.g., the battery unit 5 installed under the floor panel 4) arranged on the inner side (right side) of the door sill 30 in the vehicle width direction.

[0044] Pedal device (step board)

[0045] Next, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The pedal device 40 is provided on the vehicle lower side of the door sill 30, and the pedal device 40 includes a step plate 41 serving as a surface for the passenger to step on and a four-section link mechanism 42. Figure 3As shown, the step plate 41 is formed so as to extend in the vehicle front-rear direction, and is supported substantially parallel to the door sill 30 by a four-joint link mechanism 42 described later. By the action of the four-joint link mechanism 42, the step plate 41 is configured to be able to extend in the vehicle width direction. Figure 3 The retracted position shown is Figure 5 Move between the indicated use positions.

[0046] Four-section connecting rod mechanism

[0047] Figure 3 The four-link mechanism 42 shown has a front link arm 43 and a rear link arm 44 as main components, and also includes a sub-arm 45 between the front and rear link arms. The front link arm 43 and the rear link arm 44 are plate-like members formed with substantially equal lengths, and as will be described later, are pivotally coupled to the step board 41 and the door sill 30 so as to be able to rotate. The sub-arm 45 has a base end side arm 451 pivotally coupled to the door sill 30, and a top end side arm 452 pivotally coupled to the step board 41. Here, the ends of the base end side arm 451 and the top end side arm 452 are pivotally coupled together so as to be able to rotate, so that the sub-arm 45 has a joint portion 453 at the pivot joint portion. With the joint portion 453 as a base point, the sub-arm 45 can be folded in the vehicle width direction so as to form a substantially V-shape as seen in a plan view.

[0048] Figure 3 The base end of the front link arm 43 shown is pivotally connected to the front portion of the front support frame 33 fixed to the lower surface of the door sill 30. That is, the base end of the front link arm 43 is pivotally connected in a horizontally rotatable state through a front rotation center shaft 43a provided in the front support frame 33. The top end of the front link arm 43 is pivotally connected to a front top connection shaft 43b provided near the front end position of the step board 41 through a front bracket 430. The base end of the rear link arm 44 is pivotally connected to a rear rotation center shaft 44a provided in the rear support frame 34. The top end of the rear link arm 44 is pivotally connected to a rear top connection shaft 44b provided at the rear portion of the step board 41 through a rear bracket 440. Furthermore, in the sub-arm 45 , the base end side arm 451 is pivotally coupled to an intermediate rotation center shaft 45 a provided at the rear of the front support frame 33 , and the top end side arm 452 is pivotally coupled to an intermediate top end coupling shaft 45 b provided in the step board 41 .

[0049] Position change of the step plate by a four-link mechanism

[0050] Here, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 5, the front link arm 43 and the rear link arm 44 are formed with equal size. Therefore, when the front link arm 43 and the rear link arm 44 of the four-link mechanism 42 rotate horizontally, the step plate 41 moves along the arc track (S) while remaining parallel to the door sill 30. The top ends of the two link arms rotate horizontally around the rotation center axis 43a, 44a to a position that is almost parallel to the door sill 30 (right turn limit position). Figure 2 and Figure 3 , when the top ends of the two link arms are rotated toward the inner side (right side) in the vehicle width direction with the rotation center axes 43a, 44a as the center, the step plate 41 is maintained in the retracted position located below the door sill 30. At the same time, as described above, the auxiliary arm 45 is folded into a substantially V-shape as seen in a plan view with the joint 453 as the base point. The top ends of the two link arms are rotated horizontally with the rotation center axes 43a, 44a as the center to a position (left turn limit position) that is almost at a right angle to the door sill 30. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the top ends of the two link arms are rotated toward the outer side (left side) in the vehicle width direction around the rotation center axes 43a and 44a, the step plate 41 protrudes toward the left side from the lower side of the door sill 30 and is maintained in the use position. At the same time, the auxiliary arm 45 is in a state where the base end side arm 451 and the top end side arm 452 are spread out in the vehicle width direction around the joint 453.

[0051] Lower rail part

[0052] Next, Figure 3 and Figure 6 The lower rail portion 9 shown is provided on the lower surface (on the door opening side) of the step board 41 together with the rail mechanism 50 and the locking mechanism 60 which will be described later. The lower rail portion 9 is composed of a front end curved portion 91 provided at its front end portion and a straight portion 92 which continues to the front end curved portion 91, and is arranged along the left edge portion of the step board 41. Here, the straight portion 92 is arranged along the left edge portion of the step board 41. Figure 3 The sliding door 20 shown extends along a movement trajectory Ds between a half-open position (to be described later) and a fully open position. The front end curved portion 91 is curved at a predetermined angle in the vehicle width direction relative to the straight portion 92, and thereby gradually inclines toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction while extending toward the vehicle front side. The front end curved portion 91 extends so as to be aligned with the front end of the vehicle. Figure 3 The sliding door 20 shown intersects the movement trajectory Do between the fully closed position and the half-open position. Although the front end curved portion 91 is curved obliquely in the vehicle width direction like the above-mentioned movement trajectory Do, its curved width W1 in the vehicle width direction is smaller than the curved width W2 of the movement trajectory Do.

[0053] like Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the lower rail portion 9 is formed by a left wall portion 9a, a right wall portion 9b, and an upper wall portion 9c so as to have a substantially U-shaped cross-section, and is fixed to the lower surface of the step plate 41 at the upper wall portion 9c. The vehicle lower side of the lower rail portion 9 is open to allow the lower guide roller 23c of the above-mentioned lower sliding portion 23 to be assembled into the lower rail portion 9 from the vehicle height direction. Therefore, during sliding, only the movement of the lower guide roller 23c in the vehicle width direction is regulated by the left wall portion 9a and the right wall portion 9b. In the above-mentioned construction, the lower rail portion 9 is constructed to be able to guide the lower sliding portion 23 by regulating the movement of the lower guide roller 23c only from the vehicle width direction. Therefore, by the amount of the omitted load roller, it is possible to Figure 7 The dimension S1 of the lower slide portion 23 and the lower rail portion 9 in the vehicle width direction is shown as compared to other guide rails and slide portions ( Figure 4 ) is smaller and more compact.

[0054] Track mechanism

[0055] Figure 6 The lower rail portion 9 shown is configured to follow the movement of the sliding door 20 in the vehicle width direction by the action of the rail mechanism 50. The rail mechanism 50 can be composed of the front link arm 43 of the above-mentioned four-section link mechanism 42 and the contact portion 51 connected to the top end portion of the front link arm 43. The rail mechanism 50 is configured so that when the contact portion 51 contacts the lower sliding portion 23 moving in the vehicle width direction, the front link arm 43 (four-section link mechanism 42) connected to the contact portion 51 can rotate.

[0056] Here, Figure 6 The contact portion 51 shown is coupled to the top end portion of the front link arm 43 by being pivotally supported (pinned) on the front top end coupling shaft 43b. That is, the contact portion 51 is pivotally coupled to the front link arm 43 so as to be rotatable via the front top end coupling shaft 43b. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The contact portion 51 is arranged on the vehicle lower side (directly below) of the front end curved portion 91 of the lower rail portion 9 in a state where it is pivotably supported by the front top end connecting shaft 43 b.

[0057] Figure 6 The contact portion 51 shown has front and rear contact projections 52, 53 provided at the left edge portion of the outer side thereof in the vehicle width direction. The front and rear contact projections 52, 53 protrude beyond the right wall portion 9b of the lower rail portion 9 toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and are arranged at positions where these contact projections contact the lower sliding portion 23 during sliding as will be described later. The right edge portion of the contact portion 51 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction is formed into a generally circular shape as seen in a plan view. Figure 6 and Fig. 9, a guide groove 54 having an arc shape corresponding to the outer circumference of the front top end coupling shaft 43b is formed at the right edge portion of the contact portion 51. An engaging protrusion 61 (a component of a locking mechanism 60 to be described later) protruding toward the lower side of the vehicle is provided at the top end portion of the front link arm 43. The engaging protrusion 61 is inserted into the guide groove 54 of the contact portion 51 in a state where it is arranged in a rear position relative to the front top end coupling shaft 43b.

[0058] Reference Figure 6 and Fig.11 In the above configuration, when the contact portion 51 is pressed in the vehicle front-rear direction, the front link arm 43 provided with the contact portion 51 rotates. Fig.11 , when the front link arm 43 is in the right turn limit position together with the contact portion 51, as the contact portion 51 is pressed toward the rear side of the vehicle, the front link arm 43 rotates to the left (rotates in the direction of the arrow line X1). As a result, the engagement protrusion 61 of the front link arm 43 is locked to the left end E2 of the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the guide groove 54. When the contact portion 51 is pressed toward the rear side of the vehicle in this state, the front link arm 43 locked by the contact portion 51 rotates to the left. As the front link arm 43 (four-section link mechanism 42) rotates to the left, the step plate 41 provided with the lower rail portion 9 follows the movement of the sliding door 20 to be described later toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

[0059] Reference Fig.11 and Fig.12 When the contact portion 51 rotates to the left together with the front link arm 43, the rear contact protrusion 53 of the contact portion 51 gradually moves toward the inner side (right side) in the vehicle width direction. At the time point when the front link arm 43 has rotated to the left turning limit position ( Fig.13 ), the rear contact projection 53 of the contact portion 51 deviates from the lower rail portion 9 toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when the front link arm 43 is in the left turn limit position, only the front contact projection 52 protrudes beyond the right wall portion 9b of the lower rail portion 9 toward the outer side (left side) in the vehicle width direction.

[0060] In the above construction, if Fig.14When the front link arm 43 shown together with the contact portion 51 is in the left turn limit position, as the contact portion 51 is pressed toward the front side of the vehicle, the front link arm 43 rotates to the right (rotates in the direction of the arrow line X2). As a result, the engagement protrusion 61 of the front link arm 43 is locked at the right end E1 of the inner side of the guide groove 54 in the vehicle width direction. When the contact portion 51 is pressed toward the front side of the vehicle in this state, the front link arm 43 locked by the contact portion 51 rotates to the right. As the front link arm 43 (four-section link mechanism 42) rotates to the right, the step plate 41 provided with the lower rail portion 9 follows the movement of the sliding door 20 to be described later toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. When the contact portion 51 rotates to the right, the rear contact protrusion 53 of the contact portion 51 gradually moves toward the outer side (left side) in the vehicle width direction. When the front link arm 43 has been rotated to the right turn limit position together with the contact portion 51 ( Figure 6 ), the front and rear contact protrusions 52 and 53 of the contact portion 51 protrude outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the right wall portion 9b of the lower rail portion 9.

[0061] Locking mechanism

[0062] also, Figure 6 The lower rail portion 9 shown is configured to be held at a predetermined position to which the lower rail portion 9 has moved toward the outer side (left side) in the vehicle width direction, that is, the left turn limit position ( Fig.13 ). The locking mechanism 60 may be composed of an engaging protrusion 61 of the front link arm 43, a latch portion 62 provided in the step plate 41, and a force applying portion 66 suspended between the contact portion 51 and the latch portion 62. The locking mechanism 60 is configured so that the latch portion 62 and the engaging protrusion 61 can be engaged or disengaged (the engagement between the two can be cancelled) by the rotation action of the above-mentioned contact portion 51.

[0063] Here, Figure 6 The latch portion 62 shown is arranged on the vehicle rear side of the contact portion 51 by being pivotally supported (pinned) so as to be rotatable on a shaft member 410 extending from the lower surface of the step board 41 toward the vehicle lower side. Figure 6 and Fig. 9 , the latch portion 62 is arranged at substantially the same height position as the vehicle lower side of the contact portion 51 (ie, the lower end portion of the engagement protrusion 61) while being pivotally supported on the shaft member 410 of the step plate 41. Figure 6As shown in FIG. 1 , the latch portion 62 is a strip-shaped member extending in the vehicle width direction, and its top end portion 63 is bent into a substantially L-shape as seen in a plan view so as to protrude toward the vehicle front side. In the latch portion 62, an engagement recess 64 recessed toward the vehicle rear side is formed on the outer side (left side) in the vehicle width direction of the top end portion 63. The engagement recess 64 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape as seen in a plan view, and a left edge portion 642 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and a right edge portion 643 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction protrude toward the vehicle front side relative to a bottom edge portion 641.

[0064] exist Figure 6 In the locking mechanism 60 shown in the figure, the latch portion 62 and the contact portion 51 are pushed in the direction toward each other by the force applying portion 66, and in this state, the latch portion 62 is engaged on the rear side of the contact portion 51. That is, near the front portion of the contact portion 51, a front side boss 55 ( Figure 7 Near the rear of the latch portion 62, a rear boss 65 ( Fig.10 ). The force applying portion 66 is installed between the front side boss 55 and the rear side boss 65, and thereby the latch portion 62 and the contact portion 51 are pushed toward each other. Figure 6 When the front link arm 43 is in the right turning limit position together with the contact portion 51, the protrusion 56 of the contact portion 51 protruding toward the lower side of the vehicle is set at a position where the protrusion 56 is fitted into the engagement recess 64 of the latch portion 62 ( Fig. 9 ). Therefore, the latch portion 62 provided with the engagement recess 64 engages with the protrusion 56 of the contact portion 51 and is arranged on the vehicle rear side of the protrusion 56. In this state, as Figure 6 The engaging protrusion 61 inserted into the guide groove 54 of the contact portion 51 is arranged on the outer side (left side) in the vehicle width direction of the engaging recess 64 of the latch portion 62 .

[0065] In the above-described configuration, the latch portion 62 of the step plate 41 can be engaged with the front link arm 43 by the left-turning action of the contact portion 51. Figure 6 , when the front link arm 43 is in the right turning limit position together with the contact portion 51, the engagement protrusion 61 of the front link arm 43 is disengaged from the engagement recess 64 of the latch portion 62 and is arranged on the outer side (left side) in the vehicle width direction of the engagement recess 64. Therefore, the latch portion 62 of the step plate 41 and the front link arm 43 are disengaged (the engagement between the two is canceled).

[0066] like Fig.11 and Fig.12As shown, when the contact portion 51 is pressed toward the rear side of the vehicle, the front link arm 43 rotates to the left (rotates in the direction of the arrow line X1). As a result, the protrusion 56 of the contact portion 51 moves over the right edge portion 643 of the engagement recess 64 toward the top end portion 63 side of the latch portion 62. At the same time, the engagement protrusion 61 inserted into the guide groove 54 of the contact portion 51 moves toward the inner side (right side) in the vehicle width direction so as to approach the engagement recess 64 of the latch portion 62. Fig.13 As shown, due to the left turn of the contact portion 51, the protrusion 56 of the contact portion 51 moves toward the front side relative to the top end portion 63 of the latch portion 62, and the engaging protrusion 61 moves along the front edge of the latch portion 62. Fig.13 As shown, when the front link arm 43 reaches the left turn limit position together with the contact portion 51, the engagement projection 61 is fitted into the engagement recess 64. At the same time, the latch portion 62 gradually tilts toward the front side of the vehicle (tilts in the direction of the arrow line Y1) with the shaft member 410 as the center under the force of the force applying portion 66, and therefore, the engagement projection 61 passes the left edge portion 642 of the engagement recess 64 and reaches the bottom edge portion 641. As a result, the engagement projection 61 inserted into the guide groove 54 is fitted and engaged in the engagement recess 64 of the latch portion 62 that has tilted forward. Since the latch portion 62 is thus engaged with the front link arm 43, the step plate 41 provided with the latch portion 62 is held together with the lower rail portion 9 at a predetermined position to which the step plate 41 has moved toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. The engagement between the latch portion 62 and the front link arm 43 is maintained by the force of the force applying portion 66.

[0067] In the above-described configuration, the latch portion 62 can be disengaged from the front link arm 43 by the rightward turning action of the contact portion 51 (a part of the front link arm). Fig.14 When the front link arm 43 shown together with the contact portion 51 is in the left turn limit position, as the contact portion 51 is pressed toward the front side of the vehicle, the front link arm 43 rotates to the right (rotates in the direction of the arrow line X2). In the early stage of the right turn, only the contact portion 51 rotates to the right. The protrusion 56 of the contact portion 51 contacts the top end portion 63 of the latch portion 62 that has tilted forward. As the latch portion 62 is pressed by the protrusion 56 that rotates to the right, the latch portion 62 gradually tilts toward the rear side of the vehicle (tilts in the direction of the arrow line Y2) with the shaft member 410 as the center against the force applied by the force application portion 66. As the latch portion 62 tilts backward, the engagement protrusion 61 inserted into the guide groove 54 becomes able to move toward the outside (left side) in the vehicle width direction over the left edge portion 642 of the engagement recess 64. As a result, the latch portion 62 is disengaged from the front link arm 43 , and the step board 41 provided with the latch portion 62 becomes movable toward the inner side (right side) in the vehicle width direction together with the lower rail portion 9 .

[0068] The structure and function of the sliding door structure of the vehicle

[0069] exist Figure 1 In the vehicle 2 shown in FIG. 1 , it is desirable to be able to appropriately guide the sliding door 20 during sliding while simplifying the construction of the vehicle 2. Therefore, in the sliding door structure of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the lower rail portion 9 that guides the lower guide roller 23c (guided portion) provided in the sliding door 20 during sliding is provided on the rear door opening side so as to extend along the sliding direction. In the sliding door structure of the vehicle, the above-mentioned rail mechanism 50 and the locking mechanism 60 are provided. In the above-mentioned structure, the lower sliding portion 23 can be properly guided by the lower rail portion 9 through the action of the rail mechanism 50 and the locking mechanism 60. Since the lower rail portion 9 moves in the vehicle width direction, the lower rail portion 9 can be made compact in the vehicle width direction. Hereinafter, the action of the sliding door structure of the vehicle will be described in detail together with the opening and closing action of the sliding door 20.

[0070] Sliding door in fully closed position

[0071] First, if Figure 2 and Figure 3 The sliding door 20 is shown to be completely closed. Figure 3 The top ends of the front link arm 43 and the rear link arm 44 shown have been rotated to the right turning limit position around the corresponding rotation center axes 43a, 44a. Therefore, the step plate 41 is maintained in the retracted position on the vehicle lower side of the door sill 30. The lower side sliding portion 23 provided in the sliding door 20 is arranged at the front end position of the front end curved portion 91 of the lower side rail portion 9 so as to contact the front contact protrusion 52 of the contact portion 51. The front link arm 43 and the step plate 41 are disengaged from each other. That is, as Figure 6 As shown, the engagement protrusion 61 of the front link arm 43 is disengaged from the engagement recess 64 of the latch portion 62 of the step plate 41 , and is arranged on the outer side (left side) of the engagement recess 64 in the vehicle width direction.

[0072] Sliding door in the early stages of opening

[0073] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the sliding door 20 slides in the opening direction (toward the rear side in each figure). At the same time, the lower sliding portion 23 of the sliding door 20 moves incliningly toward the rear side of the vehicle and the outer side (left side) in the vehicle width direction together with the sliding door 20 in the front end curved portion 91 of the lower rail portion 9 (see the movement trajectory Do in each figure). Fig.11 As shown, in the front end curved portion 91 of the lower rail portion 9, the rear contact protrusion 53 of the contact portion 51 protrudes into the front end curved portion 91 of the lower rail portion 9. Therefore, the lower sliding portion 23 moves toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle rear side while being in contact with the rear contact protrusion 53.

[0074] The role of track mechanism

[0075] Reference Fig.11 and Fig.12 , when the rear contact protrusion 53 is pressed toward the rear side of the vehicle by the lower sliding portion 23, the front link arm 43 is locked by the contact portion 51 as described above and rotates to the left (in the direction of the arrow line X1). Therefore, by the left rotation of the front link arm 43 and the contact portion 51 (the effect of the track mechanism 50), the step plate 41 provided with the lower track portion 9 follows the movement of the sliding door 20 toward the outside (left side) in the vehicle width direction. At the same time, the movement of the lower sliding portion 23 in the vehicle width direction is regulated by the left wall portion 9a and the right wall portion 9b of the front end curved portion 91. Fig.13 As shown, the front link arm 43 locked by the contact portion 51 moves to the left turn limit position. Therefore, the step board 41 provided with the lower rail portion 9 moves to the use position while being supported by the front link arm 43 (four-node link mechanism 42).

[0076] Function of the locking mechanism

[0077] Then, the step plate 41 in the use position is held in the use position by the action of the locking mechanism 60 without following the sliding door 20. Fig.13 As shown, when the front link arm 43 locked by the contact portion 51 moves to the left turn limit position, the engagement protrusion 61 of the front link arm 43 engages with the latch portion 62 (engagement recess 64) of the step plate 41 which has been tilted toward the front side. Therefore, by the engagement between the engagement protrusion 61 and the engagement recess 64 (action of the locking mechanism), the step plate 41 provided with the latch portion 62 is held together with the lower rail portion 9 at a predetermined position to which the step plate 41 has moved toward the outer side (left side) in the vehicle width direction. The engagement between the latch portion 62 and the front link arm 43 is maintained by the force of the force applying portion 66. When the lower rail portion 9 is held at the predetermined position, the straight portion 92 thereof is arranged on the movement trajectory Ds of the sliding door 20 from the half-open position to the fully open position, that is, arranged at a position where the straight portion 92 can guide the lower guide roller 23c which has moved toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the straight portion 92 of the lower rail portion 9 becomes capable of allowing the lower guide roller 23c to slide while being regulated from the vehicle width direction by its left wall portion 9a and right wall portion 9b during sliding. Figure 3 Even when the front end curved portion 91 has a curved width W1 as shown, the front end curved portion 91 can be aligned with the movement trajectory Do by moving the front end curved portion 91 in the sliding direction. This makes it possible to make the lower rail portion 9 compact in the vehicle width direction.

[0078] Sliding door during closing action

[0079] Next, Figure 5 The sliding door 20 shown slides in the closing direction (towards the front side in each figure) so that Figure 3 is fully closed. Fig.13 and Fig.14 , the lower sliding portion 23 of the sliding door 20 moves from the straight portion 92 to the front end curved portion 91 while being guided by the lower rail portion 9. Fig.14 As shown, in the lower rail portion 9, only the front contact protrusion 52 of the contact portion 51 protrudes into the front end curved portion 91. Therefore, the lower slide portion 23 moves toward the inner side (right side) in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle front side in a state of contacting the front contact protrusion 52.

[0080] Reference Fig.14 , the contact portion 51 is pressed toward the front side of the vehicle by the lower sliding portion 23 and rotates to the right (rotates in the direction of the arrow line X2). At the beginning of the right turn, only the contact portion 51 rotates to the right. The latch portion 62 is pressed by the protrusion 56 of the contact portion 51, and thereby gradually tilts toward the rear side of the vehicle (tilts in the direction of the arrow line Y2) with the shaft member 410 as the center against the force of the force-applying portion 66. As the latch portion 62 tilts rearward, the engaging protrusion 61 inserted into the guide groove 54 moves over the left edge portion 642 of the engaging recess 64 toward the outside (left side) in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the latch portion 62 disengages from the front link arm 43, and the step plate 41 provided with the latch portion 62 becomes able to move toward the inside (right side) in the vehicle width direction together with the lower rail portion 9. As shown Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, the front link arm 43 (four-link mechanism 42) rotates to the right turning limit position. As a result, the sliding door 20 is completely closed, and the step plate 41 is maintained in the retracted position ( Figure 2 ).

[0081] As has been described above, in the sliding door structure of the vehicle, the lower rail portion 9 can be moved in the vehicle width direction by the action of the rail mechanism 50, so that the sliding door 20 that slides while moving a certain distance in the vehicle width direction can be properly guided. The lower rail portion 9 is held in the outer position in the vehicle width direction by the action of the locking mechanism 60, so that the lower sliding portion 23 that has moved toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction can be more properly guided by the lower rail portion 9. In the present invention, since the lower rail portion 9 moves in the vehicle width direction, the lower rail portion 9 can be made compact in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the above-mentioned configuration makes it possible to properly guide the sliding door 20 during sliding while simplifying the configuration of the vehicle 2 as much as possible.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lower rail portion 9 can be moved more reliably in the vehicle width direction by the action of the four-section link mechanism 42 constituting a part of the rail mechanism 50. In this embodiment, when the contact portion 51 is pressed by the lower sliding portion 23 moving in the vehicle width direction while in contact with it, the front link arm 43 (four-section link mechanism 42) provided with the contact portion 51 can be rotated. In this embodiment, the position of the lower rail portion 9 in the vehicle width direction can be more appropriately maintained by the action of the latch portion 62 constituting a part of the locking mechanism 60. The disengagement (cancellation of engagement) between the four-section link mechanism 42 and the latch portion 62 can be performed by pressing the lower sliding portion 23 during sliding. In this embodiment, since the lower rail portion 9 and the mechanism are provided in the step plate 41, it is not necessary to provide a separate rail on the lower side of the vehicle. This configuration helps to simplify the vehicle configuration.

[0083] The sliding door structure of the vehicle of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various other embodiments can be adopted. For example, in the sliding door structure of the vehicle of this embodiment, the lower rail portion is arranged in the step board below the door sill, but this is not intended to limit the position where the lower rail portion is arranged. The contact portion and the latch portion can be arranged at appropriate positions in the four-section linkage mechanism. The contact portion can be constructed to contact with an appropriate position in the lower rail portion. For example, the contact portion can contact at least the lower door arm portion (bracket) or the lower guide roller. As the rail portion, at least one of the lower rail portion, the upper guide rail and the central guide rail can be used. The size of the rail portion in the vehicle height direction is not particularly limited.

[0084] Although the construction of the lower portion of the vehicle (for example, the construction of the door sill) has been exemplified in this embodiment, this is not intended to limit the construction of the door sill. As a member installed in the width direction of the vehicle, for example, various internal members other than the battery unit, such as a fuel tank, can be assumed. The construction of the pedal device can also be changed as appropriate. The construction and movement trajectory of the sliding door can also be changed as appropriate, and the track mechanism and the locking mechanism can be constructed based on the movement trajectory, etc. The constructions of the third invention and the fourth invention described above can be combined as appropriate.

Claims

1. A sliding door structure of a vehicle, characterized in that include: a sliding door configured to slide so as to open and close a door opening of the vehicle, the sliding door being configured to move a certain distance in a vehicle width direction during sliding; a rail portion configured to guide a guided portion of a sliding portion provided in the sliding door during the sliding movement, the rail portion being provided on the door opening side so as to extend in a sliding direction; a rail mechanism configured to cause the rail portion to follow movement of the sliding door in the vehicle width direction; as well as A locking mechanism is configured to hold the rail portion at a position where the rail portion can guide the guided portion that has moved toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

2. The sliding door structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rail mechanism has a four-joint link mechanism mounted so as to rotate in the vehicle width direction relative to the door opening.

3. The sliding door structure of a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: A link arm constituting a part of the four-joint link mechanism is configured to rotate by being pressed by the sliding portion that is sliding, and a contact portion coupled to the link arm is arranged at a position where the contact portion contacts the sliding portion that is moving in the vehicle width direction.

4. The sliding door structure of a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The locking mechanism has a latch portion engaged with the four-section link mechanism that has been rotated toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the latch portion is configured to be disengaged from the four-section link mechanism by being pressed by the sliding portion of the sliding door in a closing action.

5. The sliding door structure of a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: A step panel is provided at a lower edge portion of the door opening so as to be movable between a retracted position and a use position in the vehicle width direction, and the rail portion, the rail mechanism, and the lock mechanism are provided in the step panel.

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