Sliding door supporting device

Abstract

The sliding door support device (100C) has a guide rail (150C) extending in the front-rear direction and a roller unit (180C) moving along the guide rail (150C). The roller unit (180C) is configured so as to maintain a state in which the hinge axis (Axh) is positioned in the opening direction relative to the rotation axis of the guide roller (181) without being related to the position of the sliding door when the sliding door moves between the fully closed position and the fully open position. The guide rail (150C) has: a first curved section (151C) that bends inward in the width direction of the vehicle as the guide rail (150C) advances in the closing direction; and a second curved section (152C) that is curved from an end of the first curved section (151C) in the closing direction so as to be outward in the width direction as the second curved section advances in the closing direction.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a vehicle including: a vehicle body having a door opening; a sliding door for opening and closing the door opening; and a sliding door support device for supporting the sliding door relative to the vehicle body. The sliding door support device includes: a long guide rail fixed to the vehicle body; and a roller unit that moves along the guide rail while being fixed to the sliding door.

[0003] When the roller unit moves to the front end of the guide rail, the sliding door is configured to be in the fully closed position in which the door opening is fully closed. On the other hand, when the roller unit moves to the rear end of the guide rail, the sliding door is configured to be in the fully open position in which the door opening is fully opened. Thus, the sliding door moves between the fully closed position and the fully open position by the movement of the roller unit along the guide rail.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-38815

[0007] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0008] In the above-described vehicle, when the sliding door is arranged at the fully open position, if the sliding door and the door opening overlap greatly in the front-rear direction, there is a concern that the convenience for users getting on and off the vehicle through the door opening may be reduced. Summary of the invention

[0009] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0010] A sliding door support device according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied to a vehicle, the vehicle comprising: a vehicle body having a door opening portion opened at a side; and a sliding door configured to move between a fully closed position in which the door opening portion is fully closed and a fully open position in which the door opening portion is fully opened, the sliding door support device being configured to support the sliding door on the vehicle body. In the direction along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the direction of the sliding door toward the fully closed position is a closing direction, and the direction of the sliding door toward the fully open position is an opening direction. The sliding door support device comprises: a guide rail extending in the front-rear direction; and a roller unit configured to move the sliding door between the fully closed position and the fully open position by moving along the guide rail. The roller unit includes two guide rollers configured to roll relative to the guide rail in a state of being arranged in the front-rear direction; a door bracket fixed to the sliding door; and a connecting portion configured to be connected to the door bracket so as to be relatively rotatable relative to the door bracket about a hinge axis extending in the vertical direction and to rotatably support the two guide rollers, wherein the roller unit is configured to maintain a state in which the hinge axis is located in the opening direction relative to the rotation axis of at least one of the two guide rollers regardless of the position of the sliding door when the sliding door moves between the fully closed position and the fully opened position. The guide rail includes a first curved portion curved inward in the width direction of the vehicle as the sliding door moves in the closing direction; and a second curved portion curved from an end portion of the first curved portion in the closing direction so as to be outward in the width direction as the sliding door moves in the closing direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 It is a side view of a vehicle including the sliding door support device according to the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of an upper rail and upper roller unit (center rail and center roller unit) of a sliding door support device is shown.

[0013] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A top view of the lower rail and lower roller unit of the sliding door support is shown.

[0014] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the lower rail and lower roller unit of the sliding door support device is shown.

[0015] Figure 5 yes Figure 1A top view of the lower rail and lower roller unit of the sliding door support is shown.

[0016] Figure 6 It is a plan view of a lower rail and a lower roller unit of a sliding door support device according to a second embodiment.

[0017] Figure 7 It is a plan view of a lower rail and a lower roller unit of a sliding door support device according to a third embodiment.

[0018] Figure 8 It is a plan view of a lower rail and a lower roller unit of a sliding door support device according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] (First Embodiment)

[0020] A first embodiment of a vehicle including a sliding door support device (hereinafter referred to as a “door support device”) will be described.

[0021] <Structure of the First Embodiment>

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 20, a sliding door 30, a door driving device 40, and a door supporting device 100. 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. The width direction is the extending direction of the X-axis, the front-rear direction is the extending direction of the Y-axis, and the up-down direction is the extending direction of the Z-axis. In addition, in the width direction, the direction toward the center of the vehicle 10 is referred to as the inner direction, and the direction away from the center of the vehicle 10 is referred to as the outer direction.

[0023] <Body 20>

[0024] The vehicle body 20 has a door opening 21 opened at the side. The door opening 21 is a portion for users to pass through when getting on and off the rear seat. When viewed from the width direction, the door opening 21 is rectangular. The short side direction of the door opening 21 is the front-to-back direction, and the long side direction of the door opening 21 is the up-down direction. In the first embodiment, the front end of the door opening 21 is divided by the B-pillar of the vehicle body 20.

[0025] <Sliding door 30>

[0026] The sliding door 30 is formed in 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 closing direction and the opening direction of the sliding door 30 are directions along the front-rear direction. In detail, the closing direction of the sliding door 30 is the front, and the closing direction of the sliding door 30 is the rear. When the sliding door 30 is opened, in order to avoid interference with the vehicle body 20, the sliding door 30 moves backward while moving outward in the width direction from the fully closed position. Therefore, the sliding door 30 configured in the fully open position is located rearward and outward in the width direction compared to the sliding door 30 configured in the fully closed position.

[0027] <Door Support Device 100>

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the door support device 100 includes an upper rail 110 , an upper roller unit 120 , a center rail 130 , a center roller unit 140 , a lower rail 150 , and a lower roller unit 180 .

[0029] In the first embodiment, the upper rail 110 and the center rail 130 have the same structure, and the upper roller unit 120 and the center roller unit 140 have the same structure. Therefore, the upper rail 110, the center rail 130, the upper roller unit 120, and the center roller unit 140 are collectively described. The lower rail 150 corresponding to the "guide rail" and the lower roller unit 180 corresponding to the "roller unit" are described separately.

[0030] <Upper Rail 110 and Center Rail 130>

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the upper rail 110 is fixed above the door opening 21 on the side of the vehicle body 20. On the other hand, the center rail 130 is fixed to the side of the vehicle body 20 at a position extending backward from the center of the door opening 21 in the vertical direction.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the upper rail 110 and the center rail 130 are in the shape of long strips that are longer in the front-to-back direction. The upper rail 110 and the center rail 130 have a straight portion 111 and a curved portion 112. The straight portion 111 extends linearly along the front-to-back direction. The curved portion 112 bends toward the inside in the width direction as it moves forward from the front end of the straight portion 111. In addition, the long side direction of the straight portion 111 may also be slightly inclined relative to the front-to-back direction, and the straight portion 111 may also be slightly curved. In addition, the shapes of the straight portion 111 and the curved portion 112 of the upper rail 110 do not have to be the same as the shapes of the straight portion 111 and the curved portion 112 of the center rail 130. For example, it is preferred that the amount of curvature of the curved portion 112 of the center rail 130 toward the inside in the width direction is less than the amount of curvature of the curved portion 112 of the upper rail 110 toward the inside in the width direction.

[0033] <Upper Roller Unit 120 and Center Roller Unit 140>

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the upper roller unit 120 is fixed to an upper portion in the front end of the sliding door 30. The center roller unit 140 is fixed to a central portion in the upper and lower directions in the rear end of the sliding door 30.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the upper roller unit 120 and the center roller unit 140 include two guide rollers 121 , 122 , a support roller 123 , a roller support portion 124 , and a door bracket 125 .

[0036] The guide rollers 121 and 122 are rollers that define the moving direction of the sliding door 30. The support roller 123 is a roller that supports the weight of the sliding door 30. The roller support portion 124 supports the two guide rollers 121 and 122 and the support roller 123 so that they can rotate. At this time, the rotation axis of the two guide rollers 121 and 122 extends in the up-down direction, and the rotation axis of the support roller 123 is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the two guide rollers 121 and 122. In addition, the support roller 123 is located between the two guide rollers 121 and 122. The roller support portion 124 is connected to the door bracket 125 in a relatively rotatable manner. The roller support portion 124 can rotate relative to the door bracket 125 around the axis extending in the up-down direction. The door bracket 125 is a portion fixed to the sliding door 30. In detail, the door bracket 125 of the upper roller unit 120 is fixed to the upper part of the front end of the sliding door 30. The door bracket 125 of the center roller unit 140 is fixed to a center portion in the up-down direction of the rear end of the sliding door 30 .

[0037] The two guide rollers 121, 122 and the support roller 123 of the upper roller unit 120 are engaged with the upper rail 110. In this way, the two guide rollers 121, 122 and the support roller 123 of the upper roller unit 120 can roll relative to the upper rail 110. Similarly, the two guide rollers 121, 122 and the support roller 123 of the center roller unit 140 are engaged with the center rail 130. In this way, the two guide rollers 121, 122 and the support roller 123 of the center roller unit 140 can roll relative to the center rail 130.

[0038] <Lower track 150>

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the lower rail 150 is fixed below the door opening 21 on the side of the vehicle body 20. Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the lower rail 150 has a first rail 160 and a second rail 170. The first rail 160 and the second rail 170 are in the shape of long strips that are longer in the front-to-back direction. The long sides of the first rail 160 and the second rail 170 are in the front-to-back direction. The first rail 160 and the second rail 170 are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction. The first rail 160 is located inward in the width direction compared to the second rail 170. The rear end of the first rail 160 is consistent with the rear end of the second rail 170, but the front end of the first rail 160 is located behind the front end of the second rail 170.

[0040] The first rail 160 has a first straight portion 161 extending in the front-to-back direction and a first curved portion 162 that curves inwardly in the width direction as it advances forward from the front end of the first straight portion 161. Similarly, the second rail 170 has a second straight portion 171 extending in the front-to-back direction and a second curved portion 172 that curves inwardly in the width direction as it advances forward from the front end of the second straight portion 171. In addition, the first curved portion 162 and the second curved portion 172 may extend continuously from the front ends of the first straight portion 161 and the second straight portion 171, respectively, and may extend inwardly in the width direction relative to the front ends of the first straight portion 161 and the second straight portion 171. Therefore, for example, as shown in the figure, the first curved portion 162 may not have a portion extending in a straight line, and the second curved portion 172 may have a portion extending in a straight line.

[0041] The first straight portion 161 extends in the same direction as the second straight portion 171. On the other hand, the first curved portion 162 extends in a direction different from that of the second curved portion 172. In detail, the first curved portion 162 extends inward in the width direction compared to the second curved portion 172. In other words, the first curved portion 162 is bent more greatly inward in the width direction as it moves in the closing direction than the second curved portion 172. In addition, the first straight portion 161 and the second straight portion 171 are in close contact with each other in the width direction, while the first curved portion 162 and the second curved portion 172 are separated from each other in the width direction. In addition, the interval in the width direction between the first curved portion 162 and the second curved portion 172 increases as it moves forward. Therefore, the interval in the width direction between the first rail 160 and the second rail 170 is different at the end in the opening direction and the end in the closing direction.

[0042] However, the first rail 160 and the second rail 170 are bent inwardly in the width direction to a lesser extent than the upper rail 110 and the center rail 130. Thus, the length of the lower rail 150 in the width direction is shorter than the length of the upper rail 110 and the center rail 130 in the width direction.

[0043] like Figure 4As shown, the first straight portion 161 and the first curved portion 162 constituting the first rail 160 have two side walls 163 facing each other in the width direction, an upper wall 164 connecting the upper ends of the two side walls 163, and a bottom wall 165 located below the upper wall 164. In the first embodiment, the bottom wall 165 is formed separately from the two side walls 163 and the upper wall 164, but in other embodiments, the bottom wall 165 may be connected to the lower end of one side wall 163. The second straight portion 171 and the second curved portion 172 constituting the second rail 170 have two side walls 173 facing each other in the width direction and an upper wall 174 connecting the upper ends of the two side walls 173.

[0044] <Lower Roller Unit 180>

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the lower roller unit 180 is fixed to the lower portion of the front end of the sliding door 30. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the lower roller unit 180 includes two first guide rollers 181 and 182, a support roller 183, a second guide roller 184, a roller support portion 185, a door bracket 186, a connecting arm 187, and two connecting pins 188 and 189. In the first embodiment, the roller support portion 185 and the connecting arm 187 constitute a "connecting portion".

[0046] The roller support portion 185 is plate-shaped. The roller support portion 185 has a base portion 185a and three extension portions 185b to 185d extending from the base portion 185a. The three extension portions 185b to 185d extend from one side of the base portion 185a with intervals between the extension portions 185b to 185d. Thus, the three extension portions 185b to 185d are arranged in a row. The two extension portions 185b and 185d located at both ends of the three extension portions 185b to 185d respectively support the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 so that they can rotate. The rotation axis of the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 extends in the up-down direction. The top end of the extension portion 185c located in the center of the three extension portions 185b to 185d is bent upward. The top end of the extension portion 185c located in the center supports the support roller 183 so that it can rotate. That is, the support roller 183 is located between the two first guide rollers 181 and 182. The rotation axis of the support roller 183 is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the two first guide rollers 181 and 182.

[0047] The door bracket 186 is a plate-like member bent into an L-shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. The door bracket 186 is fixed to the lower portion of the front end of the sliding door 30 .

[0048] The connecting arm 187 is a connecting rod member in the shape of a long plate. The base end portion of the connecting arm 187 in the long side direction is connected to the roller support portion 185 by a connecting pin 188 extending in the up-down direction. In this way, the connecting arm 187 can rotate relative to the roller support portion 185 around the rotation axis extending in the up-down direction. On the other hand, the top end portion of the connecting arm 187 in the long side direction is connected to the door bracket 186 by a connecting pin 189 extending in the up-down direction. In this way, the connecting arm 187 can rotate relative to the door bracket 186 around the rotation axis extending in the up-down direction. In this way, the connecting arm 187 connects the roller support portion 185 and the door bracket 186 to each other. In the following description, the rotation axis of the connecting arm 187 and the roller support portion 185 is referred to as the "arm axis Axa", and the rotation axis of the connecting arm 187 and the door bracket 186 is referred to as the "hinge axis Axh". The arm axis Axa and the hinge axis Axh both extend in the up-down direction, so they are in a parallel positional relationship with each other. In addition, when the lower roller unit 180 is viewed from above, the direction in which the connecting arm 187 rotates clockwise relative to the roller support portion 185 is referred to as the first rotation direction R1, and the direction in which the connecting arm 187 rotates counterclockwise relative to the roller support portion 185 is referred to as the second rotation direction R2.

[0049] The connecting arm 187 supports the second guide roller 184 rotatably at a position close to the base end. The rotation axis of the second guide roller 184 extends in the up-down direction. The rotation axis of the second guide roller 184 deviates from the arm axis Axa. In detail, in the long side direction of the connecting arm 187, the arm axis Axa is located between the hinge axis Axh and the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184. In other words, in the long side direction of the connecting arm 187, the hinge axis Axh and the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184 are located on both sides of the arm axis Axa. Here, the arm axis Axa is located between the hinge axis Axh and the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184, and when viewed from the up-down direction, includes a situation where the arm axis Axa is located at a position deviated from the line segment connecting the hinge axis Axh and the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184.

[0050] Therefore, when the connecting arm 187 rotates around the arm axis Axa, the movement direction of the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184 and the movement direction of the hinge axis Axh are opposite to each other. In addition, the distance from the arm axis Axa to the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184 is shorter than the distance from the arm axis Axa to the hinge axis Axh. Therefore, when the connecting arm 187 rotates around the arm axis Axa, the movement amount of the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184 is less than the movement amount of the hinge axis Axh.

[0051] The two first guide rollers 181, 182 and the support roller 183 of the lower roller unit 180 are engaged with the first rail 160 of the lower rail 150. Specifically, the two first guide rollers 181, 182 are in contact with any one of the two side walls 163 of the first rail 160, and the support roller 183 is in contact with the bottom wall 165 of the first rail 160. In this way, the two first guide rollers 181, 182 and the support roller 183 of the lower roller unit 180 can roll relative to the first rail 160 of the lower rail 150. The two first guide rollers 181, 182 are arranged in a state of being spaced apart in the long-side direction of the first rail 160. In other words, the two first guide rollers 181, 182 are arranged in a state of being spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The first guide roller 181 located in the closing direction of the two first guide rollers 181, 182 corresponds to the "closing side first guide roller", and the first guide roller 182 located in the opening direction corresponds to the "opening side first guide roller".

[0052] The second guide roller 184 of the lower roller unit 180 engages with the second rail 170 of the lower rail 150. Specifically, the second guide roller 184 contacts one of the two side walls 173 of the second rail 170. Thus, the second guide roller 184 of the lower roller unit 180 can roll relative to the second rail 170 of the lower rail 150.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, the lower roller unit 180 engages with the first rail 160 and the second rail 170 from below. Therefore, the installation positions of the roller support portion 185, the door bracket 186, and the connecting arm 187 are offset downward relative to the installation positions of the first rail 160 and the second rail 170. In other embodiments, the lower roller unit 180 may also engage with the first rail 160 and the second rail 170 from above. In this case, the installation positions of the roller support portion 185, the door bracket 186, and the connecting arm 187 are offset upward relative to the installation positions of the first rail 160 and the second rail 170.

[0054] <Function of the First Embodiment>

[0055] Hereinafter, the operation when the sliding door 30 is closed will be described. Specifically, the operation of the upper roller unit 120, the center roller unit 140, and the lower roller unit 180 when the sliding door 30 is closed will be described.

[0056] The operation of the upper roller unit 120 will be described.

[0057] like Figure 2 As shown by the solid line, when the sliding door 30 is in the fully open position, the upper roller unit 120 is located near the rear end of the upper rail 110. At this time, the door bracket 125 of the upper roller unit 120 is located at the rearmost and outermost in the width direction.

[0058] When the sliding door 30 is closed from the fully open position, the upper roller unit 120 moves from the rear end to the front end of the upper rail 110. At this time, the two guide rollers 121, 122 and the support roller 123 of the upper roller unit 120 roll relative to the upper rail 110. When the two guide rollers 121, 122 move along the straight portion 111 of the upper rail 110, the relative positional relationship between the roller support portion 124 and the door bracket 125 remains substantially unchanged. On the other hand, when the two guide rollers 121, 122 move along the curved portion 112 of the upper rail 110, the roller support portion 124 rotates relative to the door bracket 125.

[0059] In the above, the operation of the upper roller unit 120 when the slide door 30 is closed has been described. However, the operation of the center roller unit 140 when the slide door 30 is closed is substantially the same.

[0060] The operation of the lower roller unit 180 will be described.

[0061] like Figure 5 As shown by the solid line in the middle, when the sliding door 30 is configured in the fully open position, the lower roller unit 180 is located near the rear end of the lower rail 150. At this time, the arm axis Axa is located outside the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184 in the width direction. In addition, the hinge axis Axh is located outside the arm axis Axa in the width direction. Therefore, the hinge axis Axh is located outside the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184 in the width direction. Furthermore, the interval in the width direction between the rotation axis of the first guide roller 181 and the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184 (hereinafter referred to as "axis-to-axis distance Dr") becomes the shortest. That is, the connecting arm 187 is in a state of being rotated most in the first rotation direction R1 relative to the roller support portion 185. Therefore, the interval between the rotation axis of the first guide roller 181 and the hinge axis Axh becomes the largest. In addition, the connecting arm 187 is in a posture extending toward the rear as it moves toward the outside in the width direction, with the base end as the reference. As a result, the door bracket 186 of the lower roller unit 180 is located rearmost and outermost in the width direction.

[0062] When closing the sliding door 30 from the fully open position, the lower roller unit 180 moves from the rear end to the front end of the lower rail 150 . At this time, the two first guide rollers 181 , 182 and the support roller 183 roll relative to the first rail 160 , and the second guide roller 184 rolls relative to the second rail 170 .

[0063] First, the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 move along the first straight portion 161 of the first rail 160, and the second guide roller 184 moves along the second straight portion 171 of the second rail 170. In this case, the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 and the second guide roller 184 all move forward. Therefore, the position of the lower roller unit 180 in the width direction does not change substantially. In addition, since the distance Dr between the axes of the first guide roller 181 and the second guide roller 184 does not change substantially, the connecting arm 187 does not rotate relative to the roller support portion 185. Therefore, the relative positional relationship among the roller support portion 185, the door bracket 186, and the connecting arm 187 does not change substantially.

[0064] Next, the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 move along the first curved portion 162 of the first rail 160, and the second guide roller 184 moves along the second curved portion 172 of the second rail 170. In this case, the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 and the second guide roller 184 move inward in the width direction while moving forward. Therefore, the position of the lower roller unit 180 changes inward in the width direction. Furthermore, in this case, the moving direction of the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 is different from the moving direction of the second guide roller 184. In detail, the moving direction of the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 is toward the inside in the width direction compared to the moving direction of the second guide roller 184. Therefore, as the lower roller unit 180 approaches the front end of the lower rail 150, the distance Dr between the axes of the first guide roller 181 and the second guide roller 184 becomes longer. That is, as the connecting arm 187 rotates in the second rotation direction R2 relative to the roller support portion 185, the interval between the rotation axis of the first guide roller 181 and the hinge axis Axh gradually decreases. As a result, the door bracket 186 of the lower roller unit 180 moves inward in the width direction as it moves forward. Figure 5 The single-dot chain line in denoted the movement locus of the hinge axis Axh relative to the movement of the lower roller unit 180 .

[0065] When the lower roller unit 180 moves to the vicinity of the front end of the lower rail 150, the arm axis Axa moves to a position that is closer to the inside in the width direction than the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184. As a result, the distance Dr between the axes of the first guide roller 181 and the second guide roller 184 becomes the longest. That is, the connecting arm 187 becomes a state of being rotated most in the second rotation direction R2 relative to the roller support portion 185, and the interval between the rotation axis of the first guide roller 181 and the hinge axis Axh becomes the smallest. In addition, the connecting arm 187 is in a posture extending toward the rear with the base end as a reference. In other words, the connecting arm 187 is in a posture along the second curved portion 172 of the second rail 170. As a result, the door bracket 186 of the lower roller unit 180 is located at the front and the innermost in the width direction. Therefore, at least a portion of the door bracket 186 is arranged below the first rail 160 and the second rail 170. That is, when viewed from above, at least a portion of the door bracket 186 is hidden by the first rail 160 and the second rail 170 .

[0066] When the lower roller unit 180 moves to the vicinity of the front end of the lower rail 150, the door bracket 125 of the upper roller unit 120 moves to the vicinity of the front end of the upper rail 110. Similarly, the door bracket 125 of the center roller unit 140 moves to the vicinity of the front end of the center rail 130. Here, the postures of the door bracket 125 of the upper roller unit 120, the door bracket 125 of the center roller unit 140, and the door bracket 186 of the lower roller unit 180 are maintained substantially constant. Therefore, when the sliding door 30 is closed, the sliding door 30 moves to the fully closed position with the side facing the width direction.

[0067] In the above description, the case where the sliding door 30 is closed is described, but the case where the sliding door 30 is opened is substantially the same except that the moving directions of the components of the sliding door 30 and the door support device 100 are opposite.

[0068] <Effects of the First Embodiment>

[0069] (1-1) Figure 5 As shown, when the sliding door 30 moves between the fully closed position and the fully open position, the hinge axis Axh is maintained in the open direction relative to the rotation axis of the two first guide rollers 181, 182. In other words, when the sliding door 30 moves between the fully closed position and the fully open position, the positional relationship between the hinge axis Axh and the rotation axis of the two first guide rollers 181, 182 in the front-to-back direction does not change. In detail, the state in which the hinge axis Axh is located in front of the two first guide rollers 181, 182 and the state in which the hinge axis Axh is located behind the two first guide rollers 181, 182 do not switch to each other. Therefore, the door support device 100 can realize the smooth opening and closing action of the sliding door 30.

[0070] (1-2) Figure 5 As shown by the solid line, in the door support device 100, when the sliding door 30 is in the fully open position, the hinge axis Axh is located in the opening direction relative to the rotation axes of the two first guide rollers 181 and 182. Therefore, the door support device 100 can widely open the door opening 21 when the sliding door 30 is in the fully open position.

[0071] (1-3) The length of the space occupied by the lower rail 150 in the width direction is shorter than the space occupied by the upper rail 110 and the center rail 130. Therefore, it is possible to effectively handle the space below the cabin of the vehicle 10 while avoiding interference with the lower rail 150. For example, a slope and a pedal can be arranged in the above space, or a large battery can be arranged.

[0072] (1-4) Figure 5 As shown, when the lower roller unit 180 moves along the lower rail 150, the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 move along the first rail 160, and the second guide roller 184 moves along the second rail 170. That is, when the lower roller unit 180 moves along the lower rail 150, the distance Dr between the axes of the first guide roller 181 and the second guide roller 184 changes according to the position of the lower roller unit 180 relative to the lower rail 150. As a result, the position of the door bracket 186 in the width direction changes by the rotation of the connecting arm 187 relative to the roller support portion 185. In this way, the door support device 100 can adjust the position of the door bracket 186 in the width direction by using three rollers and two rails.

[0073] (1-5) Both the first rail 160 and the second rail 170 are bent inward in the width direction as they move forward. Therefore, when there is a structure such as a B-pillar of the vehicle body 20 at a position moving in the closing direction from the end of the second straight portion 171 of the second rail 170, the door support device 100 can avoid interference between the structure and the second rail 170.

[0074] (1-6) When the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position, in the lower roller unit 180, the arm axis Axa is located inward in the width direction relative to the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184. Therefore, when the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position, the door support device 100 can easily store the connecting arm 187 inward in the width direction. As a result, the door support device 100 can easily arrange the door bracket 186 inward in the width direction. In this way, when the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position, the door support device 100 can reduce the space occupied by the device in the width direction.

[0075] (1-7) When the sliding door 30 is configured in the fully open position, in the lower roller unit 180, the arm axis Axa is located outside the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184 in the width direction. Furthermore, when the sliding door 30 is configured in the fully open position, the hinge axis Axh is located outside the arm axis Axa in the width direction. Therefore, when the sliding door 30 is configured in the fully open position, the door support device 100 can easily unfold the connecting arm 187 outward in the width direction. As a result, the door support device 100 can easily configure the door bracket 186 outward in the width direction. In this way, the door support device 100 can expand the width direction interval between the sliding door 30 configured in the fully open position and the vehicle body 20.

[0076] (1-8) When the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position, at least a portion of the door bracket 186 of the lower roller unit 180 is disposed below the first rail 160 and the second rail 170 of the lower rail 150. Therefore, when the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position, the door support device 100 can position the door bracket 186 in the width direction at a more inner position. As a result, the door support device 100 can reduce the space occupied by the device in the width direction.

[0077] (Second Embodiment)

[0078] Hereinafter, the door support device 100A according to the second embodiment will be described mainly with respect to portions different from the door support device 100 according to the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar component configurations as those of the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0079] <Structure of Second Embodiment>

[0080] like Figure 6 As shown, the door supporting device 100A has a lower rail 150A and a lower roller unit 180A.

[0081] <Lower track 150A>

[0082] The lower rail 150A has a first rail 160 and a second rail 170A. The first rail 160 and the second rail 170A are in the shape of long strips that are long in the front-to-back direction. The long side direction of the first rail 160 and the second rail 170A is the front-to-back direction. The first rail 160 and the second rail 170A are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction. The first rail 160 is located inward in the width direction compared to the second rail 170A. The rear end of the first rail 160 is consistent with the rear end of the second rail 170A, but the front end of the first rail 160 is located behind the front end of the second rail 170A. The first rail 160 has a first straight portion 161 and a first curved portion 162. The second rail 170A has only a second straight portion 171A extending in the front-to-back direction. In other words, the second rail 170A extends linearly throughout the entire front-to-back direction. That is, in the second embodiment, the second rail 170A does not have a second curved portion 172.

[0083] <Lower Roller Unit 180A>

[0084] The lower roller unit 180A in the second embodiment has substantially the same structure as the lower roller unit 180A in the first embodiment. That is, the lower roller unit 180A includes two first guide rollers 181 and 182, a support roller 183, a second guide roller 184, a roller support portion 185, a door bracket 186, a connecting arm 187, and two connecting pins 188 and 189. In the second embodiment, the roller support portion 185 and the connecting arm 187 constitute a "connecting portion".

[0085] When the lower roller unit 180A is viewed from above, the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184, the arm axis Axa, and the hinge axis Axh are arranged in a straight line. The arm axis Axa is located between the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184 and the hinge axis Axh. The distance from the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184 to the arm axis Axa is shorter than the distance from the arm axis Axa to the hinge axis Axh.

[0086] <Function of the Second Embodiment>

[0087] Hereinafter, the operation when the slide door 30 is closed will be described with attention paid to the operation of the lower roller unit 180A.

[0088] When the sliding door 30 is configured in the fully open position, the lower roller unit 180A is located near the rear end of the lower rail 150A. At this time, the arm axis Axa is located outside the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184 in the width direction. In addition, the hinge axis Axh is located outside the arm axis Axa in the width direction. Therefore, the hinge axis Axh is located outside the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184 in the width direction. Furthermore, the inter-axial distance Dr between the first guide roller 181 and the second guide roller 184 becomes the shortest. That is, the connecting arm 187 is in a state of being rotated most in the first rotation direction R1 relative to the roller support portion 185. As a result, the door bracket 186 of the lower roller unit 180A is located at the rear and outermost in the width direction.

[0089] When the sliding door 30 is closed from the fully open position, the lower roller unit 180A moves from the rear end to the front end of the lower rail 150A. At this time, the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 and the support roller 183 roll relative to the first rail 160, and the second guide roller 184 rolls relative to the second rail 170A.

[0090] First, the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 move along the first straight portion 161 of the first rail 160, and the second guide roller 184 moves along the second straight portion 171A of the second rail 170A. In this case, both the first guide rollers 181 and 182 and the second guide roller 184 move forward. Therefore, the position of the lower roller unit 180A in the width direction remains substantially unchanged. In addition, since the distance Dr between the axes of the first guide roller 181 and the second guide roller 184 remains substantially unchanged, the connecting arm 187 does not rotate relative to the roller support portion 185. Therefore, the relative positional relationship among the roller support portion 185, the door bracket 186, and the connecting arm 187 remains substantially unchanged.

[0091] Next, the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 move along the first curved portion 162 of the first rail 160, and the second guide roller 184 moves along the second straight portion 171A of the second rail 170A. In this case, the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 move inward in the width direction while moving forward, and the second guide roller 184 moves forward. That is, in this case, the moving directions of the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 are more inward in the width direction than the moving direction of the second guide roller 184. Therefore, as the lower roller unit 180A approaches the front end of the lower rail 150A, the distance Dr between the axes of the first guide roller 181 and the second guide roller 184 becomes longer. That is, as the connecting arm 187 rotates in the second rotation direction R2 relative to the roller support portion 185, the interval between the rotation axis of the first guide roller 181 and the hinge axis Axh gradually becomes smaller. As a result, the door bracket 186 of the lower roller unit 180A moves inward in the width direction as it moves forward. Here, Figure 6 The single-dot chain line in shows the movement locus of the hinge axis Axh relative to the movement of the lower roller unit 180A.

[0092] When the lower roller unit 180A moves to the vicinity of the front end of the lower rail 150A, the arm axis Axa moves inward in the width direction relative to the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184. In addition, the hinge axis Axh moves inward in the width direction relative to the arm axis Axa. Therefore, the hinge axis Axh moves inward in the width direction relative to the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184. Furthermore, the axis-to-axis distance Dr between the first guide roller 181 and the second guide roller 184 becomes the longest. That is, the connecting arm 187 becomes a state in which it rotates most in the second rotation direction R2 relative to the roller support portion 185, and the interval between the rotation axis of the first guide roller 181 and the hinge axis Axh becomes the smallest. As a result, the door bracket 186 of the lower roller unit 180A is located at the front and the innermost in the width direction. Therefore, at least a portion of the door bracket 186 is arranged below the first rail 160 and the second rail 170A. That is, when viewed from above, at least a portion of the door bracket 186 is hidden by the first rail 160 and the second rail 170A.

[0093] <Effects of the Second Embodiment>

[0094] The second embodiment can obtain the effects (1-1) to (1-4), (1-7), and (1-8) of the first embodiment. In addition, the second embodiment can obtain the following effects.

[0095] (2-1) The second rail 170A extends linearly. Therefore, compared with a case where curved portions are provided on both the first rail 160 and the second rail 170A, the door support device 100A can simplify the shape of the second rail 170A.

[0096] (2-2) When the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position, in the lower roller unit 180A, the arm axis Axa is located inward in the width direction relative to the rotation axis of the second guide roller 184. Furthermore, in the lower roller unit 180A, the hinge axis Axh is located inward in the width direction relative to the arm axis Axa. Therefore, when the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position, the door support device 100 can easily accommodate the connecting arm 187 inward in the width direction. As a result, the door support device 100A can easily arrange the door bracket 186 inward in the width direction. In this way, when the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position, the door support device 100A can reduce the space occupied by the device in the width direction.

[0097] (Third Embodiment)

[0098] Hereinafter, the door support device 100B according to the third embodiment will be described mainly with respect to the parts different from the door support device 100 according to the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar component configurations as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0099] <Structure of the Third Embodiment>

[0100] like Figure 7 As shown, the door support device 100B includes a lower rail 150B and a lower roller unit 180B.

[0101] <Lower track 150B>

[0102] The lower rail 150B is in the shape of a long strip that is long in the front-to-back direction. The long side direction of the lower rail 150B is the front-to-back direction. The lower rail 150B is in an S-shape when viewed from above. The lower rail 150B has a first curved portion 151B and a second curved portion 152B. The first curved portion 151B is curved inward in the width direction as it moves forward. The second curved portion 152B is curved in outward in the width direction as it moves forward from the front end of the first curved portion 151B.

[0103] The rear end of the first curved portion 151B is located outward in the width direction compared to the front end of the second curved portion 152B. When the lower rail 150B is observed from above, the rear end of the first curved portion 151B is inclined relative to the front-rear direction. In detail, the rear end of the first curved portion 151B extends outward in the width direction as it moves toward the rear as the opening direction. The boundary portion between the first curved portion 151B and the second curved portion 152B is curved in a convex manner toward the inside in the width direction. In other words, the boundary portion between the first curved portion 151B and the second curved portion 152B is in an arc shape that is convex toward the inside in the width direction. The curvature radius of the second curved portion 152B is smaller than the curvature radius of the first curved portion 151B. In addition, it is preferred that the width Wd near the rear end and the width Wd near the front end of the lower rail 150B are narrower than the width Wd of the middle portion in the long side direction of the lower rail 150B. Here, the width Wd of the lower rail 150B refers to the distance between two side walls intersecting the width direction of the lower rail 150B.

[0104] <Lower Roller Unit 180B>

[0105] The lower roller unit 180B includes two guide rollers 181 and 182 , a support roller 183 , a door bracket 186 , a connecting pin 189 , and a connecting portion 190 .

[0106] The connecting portion 190 is plate-shaped. The connecting portion 190 is strip-shaped when viewed from above. The connecting portion 190 supports the two guide rollers 181, 182 and the support roller 183 at the base end so that they can rotate. At this time, the rotation axis of the two guide rollers 181, 182 extends in the up-down direction. The rotation axis of the support roller 183 is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the two guide rollers 181, 182. The top end of the connecting portion 190 is connected to the door bracket 186 by a connecting pin 189 extending in the up-down direction. The connecting portion 190 can rotate relative to the door bracket 186 around the rotation axis extending in the up-down direction. In the following description, the rotation axis of the connecting portion 190 and the door bracket 186 is referred to as the "hinge axis Axh".

[0107] The two guide rollers 181, 182 and the support roller 183 of the lower roller unit 180B are engaged with the lower rail 150B. Specifically, the two guide rollers 181, 182 and the support roller 183 are arranged in the long side direction of the lower rail 150B. In this way, the two guide rollers 181, 182 and the support roller 183 of the lower roller unit 180B can roll relative to the lower rail 150B. Of the two guide rollers 181, 182, the guide roller 181 located in the opening direction is equivalent to the "opening side guide roller", and the guide roller 182 located in the closing direction is equivalent to the "closing side guide roller".

[0108] <Function of the Third Embodiment>

[0109] Hereinafter, the operation when the slide door 30 is closed will be described with attention paid to the operation of the lower roller unit 180B.

[0110] When the sliding door 30 is configured in the fully open position, the lower roller unit 180B is located near the rear end of the lower rail 150B. At this time, the hinge axis Axh is located behind the rotation axes of both guide rollers 181 and 182. In addition, the door bracket 186 of the lower roller unit 180B is located at the rearmost position and the outermost position in the width direction in its moving range. In the following description, the angle formed by the rotation axis of the support roller 183 and the front-to-back direction is referred to as "the angle θ of the connecting portion 190". When the lower roller unit 180B is located near the rear end of the lower rail 150B, the angle θ of the connecting portion 190 is an angle close to a right angle.

[0111] When the sliding door 30 is closed from the fully open position, the lower roller unit 180B moves from the rear end to the front end of the lower rail 150B. At this time, the two guide rollers 181 and 182 and the support roller 183 roll relative to the lower rail 150B.

[0112] Here, when the two guide rollers 181 and 182 are moved in the front-rear direction while the angle θ of the connection portion 190 is maintained constant, the position of the hinge axis Axh in the width direction does not change. In contrast, when the two guide rollers 181 and 182 are moved inward in the width direction as the connection portion 190 moves forward while the angle θ of the connection portion 190 is maintained constant, the position of the hinge axis Axh changes inward in the width direction. On the other hand, when the two guide rollers 181 and 182 are moved outward in the width direction as the connection portion 190 moves forward while the angle θ of the connection portion 190 is maintained constant, the position of the hinge axis Axh changes inward in the width direction.

[0113] In addition, when the sliding door 30 is closed, when the moving directions of the two guide rollers 181 and 182 gradually change inward in the width direction, the angle θ of the connecting portion 190 becomes larger. In this case, the position of the hinge axis Axh tends to change outward in the width direction. On the other hand, when the moving directions of the two guide rollers 181 and 182 gradually change outward in the width direction, the angle θ of the connecting portion 190 becomes smaller. In this case, the position of the hinge axis Axh tends to change inward in the width direction.

[0114] Thus, in the third embodiment, the position of the hinge axis Axh in the width direction is determined by both the movement of the two guide rollers 181 and 182 in the forward and backward directions and the displacement of the two guide rollers 181 and 182 in the width direction accompanying the movement. Therefore, when the two guide rollers 181 and 182 move along the first curved portion 151B and the second curved portion 152B of the lower rail 150B, the hinge axis Axh is as follows: Figure 7 The following will describe in detail.

[0115] When the two guide rollers 181 and 182 move along the first curved portion 151B, first, the two guide rollers 181 and 182 move inward in the width direction as they move forward. At this time, the angle θ of the connecting portion 190 gradually increases. Therefore, the hinge axis Axh moves toward the front. Thereafter, the two guide rollers 181 and 182 continue to move inward in the width direction as they move forward, but the angle θ of the connecting portion 190 gradually decreases. Therefore, the hinge axis Axh moves inward in the width direction as it moves toward the front. Next, when the two guide rollers 181 and 182 move along the second curved portion 152B, the two guide rollers 181 and 182 move outward in the width direction as they move forward. However, in this case, the angle θ of the connecting portion 190 decreases sharply. Therefore, the hinge axis Axh continues to move inward in the width direction as it moves toward the front.

[0116] When the upper roller unit 120 moves to the vicinity of the front end of the lower rail 150B, the sliding door 30 is disposed in the fully closed position. At this time, the hinge axis Axh is located behind the rotation axes of both guide rollers 181 and 182. In addition, the hinge axis Axh is closest to the lower rail 150B in the width direction.

[0117] The hinge axis Axh moves forward and inward in the width direction when the sliding door 30 is closed. As a result, when the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position, the door bracket 186 of the lower roller unit 180B is located forward and inward in the width direction in its moving range.

[0118] In addition, when the sliding door 30 is closed from the fully open position to the fully closed position, the positional relationship between the hinge axis Axh and the rotation axis of the guide rollers 181 and 182 in the front-to-rear direction does not change. That is, when the sliding door 30 moves between the fully open position and the fully closed position, the hinge axis Axh is maintained in a state where it is located rearward of the rotation axis of both guide rollers 181 and 182.

[0119] <Effects of the Third Embodiment>

[0120] The third embodiment can obtain the effects (1-1) to (1-3) of the first embodiment. In addition, the third embodiment can obtain the following effects.

[0121] (3-1) The door support device 100B can move the door bracket 186 inward in the width direction as the door bracket 186 moves in the closing direction by moving the lower roller unit 180B along the single lower rail 150B.

[0122] (3-2) The width Wd of the front end and the rear end of the lower rail 150B is narrower than the width of other parts. Therefore, when the lower roller unit 180B is located near the front end and the rear end of the lower rail 150B, the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 are difficult to move in the width direction compared to the case where the lower roller unit 180B is located in the middle of the lower rail 150B. That is, when the lower roller unit 180B is located near the front end and the rear end of the lower rail 150B, the posture of the lower roller unit 180B is easier to stabilize than the case where the lower roller unit 180B is located in the middle of the lower rail 150B. Therefore, the door support device 100B can stabilize the posture of the lower part of the front end of the sliding door 30 when the sliding door 30 is configured in the fully open position or the fully closed position.

[0123] (3-3) The magnitude of the radius of curvature of the first curved portion 151B and the second curved portion 152B of the lower rail 150C is related to the amount of change in the inclination of the connecting portion 190 when the sliding door 30 moves a unit length in the front-rear direction. For example, when the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 roll on a curved portion with a large radius of curvature, the inclination of the connecting portion 190 remains substantially unchanged. On the other hand, when the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 roll on a curved portion with a small radius of curvature, the inclination of the connecting portion 190 changes significantly. In this regard, in the door support device 100B, the radius of curvature of the second curved portion 152B located in the closing direction of the lower rail 150B is smaller than the radius of curvature of the first curved portion 151B located in the opening direction of the lower rail 150B. Therefore, when the sliding door 30 moves near the fully closed position, the inclination of the connecting portion 190 changes significantly. Therefore, the door support device 100B can move the door bracket 186 greatly in the width direction when the sliding door 30 moves near the fully closed position. Therefore, the door support device 100B can set the movement trajectory of the sliding door 30 moving between the fully closed position and the fully opened position to a trajectory that does not feel awkward.

[0124] (3-4) In the lower rail 150B, the boundary portion between the first curved portion 151B and the second curved portion 152B is curved in a convex manner toward the inside in the width direction. Therefore, the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 of the lower roller unit 180B can roll smoothly at the boundary portion between the first curved portion 151B and the second curved portion 152B. In other words, the two first guide rollers 181 and 182 of the lower roller unit 180B can roll smoothly at the portion where the long side direction of the lower rail 150B changes greatly. In this way, the door support device 100B can make the lower roller unit 180B move smoothly relative to the lower rail 150B.

[0125] (3-5) In the lower rail 150B, the end of the first curved portion 151B in the opening direction extends outward in the width direction as the door moves in the opening direction. Therefore, when the sliding door 30 moves in the opening direction near the fully opened position, the door support device 100B can prevent the sliding door 30 from approaching the vehicle body 20 in the width direction.

[0126] (Fourth Embodiment)

[0127] Hereinafter, a door support device 100C according to the fourth embodiment will be described mainly with respect to portions different from the door support device 100 according to the first embodiment. In the following description, component structures identical or similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

[0128] <Structure of the Fourth Embodiment>

[0129] like Figure 8 As shown, the door support device 100C includes a lower rail 150C and a lower roller unit 180C.

[0130] <Lower track 150C>

[0131] The lower rail 150C is in the shape of a long strip that is long in the front-to-back direction. The long side direction of the lower rail 150C is the front-to-back direction. The lower rail 150C is in an S-shape when viewed from above. The lower rail 150C has a first curved portion 151C and a second curved portion 152C. The first curved portion 151C is curved inward in the width direction as it moves forward. The second curved portion 152C is curved in outward in the width direction as it moves forward from the front end of the first curved portion 151C.

[0132] The rear end portion of the end portion in the opening direction of the first curved portion 151C is located inward in the width direction compared to the front end portion in the closing direction of the second curved portion 152C. In the fourth embodiment, the front end portion of the second curved portion 152C is the outermost portion in the width direction of the lower rail 150C. When the lower rail 150C is observed from above, the rear end portion of the first curved portion 151C is inclined relative to the front-rear direction. In detail, the rear end portion of the first curved portion 151C extends outward in the width direction as it moves toward the rear as the opening direction. The boundary portion between the first curved portion 151C and the second curved portion 152C is convex toward the inside in the width direction. The radius of curvature of the second curved portion 152C is smaller than the radius of curvature of the first curved portion 151C. Furthermore, the radius of curvature of the second curved portion 152C gradually decreases as it moves forward.

[0133] <Lower Roller Unit 180C>

[0134] The lower roller unit 180C includes two guide rollers 181 and 182 , a support roller 183 , a door bracket 186 , a connecting pin 189 , and a connecting portion 190 .

[0135] The connecting portion 190 is plate-shaped. The connecting portion 190 is strip-shaped when viewed from above. The connecting portion 190 supports the two guide rollers 181, 182 and the support roller 183 in the base end portion so that they can rotate. At this time, the rotation axis of the two guide rollers 181, 182 extends in the up-down direction. The rotation axis of the support roller 183 is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the two guide rollers 181, 182. The top end portion of the connecting portion 190 is connected to the door bracket 186 by a connecting pin 189 with the up-down direction as the axial direction. The connecting portion 190 can rotate relative to the door bracket 186 around the rotation axis extending in the up-down direction. In the following description, the rotation axis of the connecting portion 190 and the door bracket 186 is referred to as the "hinge axis Axh".

[0136] The two guide rollers 181, 182 and the support roller 183 of the lower roller unit 180C are engaged with the lower rail 150C. Specifically, the two guide rollers 181, 182 and the support roller 183 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the lower rail 150C. In this way, the two guide rollers 181, 182 and the support roller 183 of the lower roller unit 180C can roll relative to the lower rail 150C.

[0137] <Function of the Fourth Embodiment>

[0138] Hereinafter, the operation when the slide door 30 is closed will be described with attention paid to the operation of the lower roller unit 180C.

[0139] When the sliding door 30 is in the fully open position, the lower roller unit 180C is located near the rear end of the lower rail 150C. At this time, the hinge axis Axh is located behind the rotation axes of the two guide rollers 181 and 182, and is located outside the rotation axes of the two guide rollers 181 and 182 in the width direction. In addition, the door bracket 186 of the lower roller unit 180C is located at the rearmost position in the movement range and the outermost position in the width direction. When the lower roller unit 180C is located near the rear end of the lower rail 150C, the angle θ of the connecting portion 190 is close to a right angle.

[0140] When the sliding door 30 is closed from the fully open position, the lower roller unit 180C moves from the rear end to the front end of the lower rail 150C. At this time, the two guide rollers 181 and 182 and the support roller 183 roll relative to the lower rail 150C.

[0141] Here, when the two guide rollers 181 and 182 move in the direction along the front-rear direction while the angle θ of the connection portion 190 is maintained constant, the position of the hinge axis Axh in the width direction does not change. On the other hand, when the two guide rollers 181 and 182 move inward in the width direction as the connection portion 190 moves forward while the angle θ of the connection portion 190 is maintained constant, the position of the hinge axis Axh changes inward in the width direction. On the other hand, when the two guide rollers 181 and 182 move outward in the width direction as the connection portion 190 moves forward while the angle θ of the connection portion 190 is maintained constant, the position of the hinge axis Axh changes inward in the width direction.

[0142] In addition, when the sliding door 30 is closed, when the moving directions of the two guide rollers 181 and 182 gradually change inward in the width direction, the angle θ of the connecting portion 190 becomes larger. In this case, the position of the hinge axis Axh tends to change outward in the width direction. On the other hand, when the moving directions of the two guide rollers 181 and 182 gradually change outward in the width direction, the angle θ of the connecting portion 190 becomes smaller. In this case, the position of the hinge axis Axh tends to change inward in the width direction.

[0143] Thus, in the fourth embodiment, the position of the hinge axis Axh in the width direction is determined by both the forward and backward movement of the two guide rollers 181 and 182 and the displacement of the two guide rollers 181 and 182 in the width direction accompanying the movement. Therefore, when the two guide rollers 181 and 182 move along the first curved portion 151C and the second curved portion 152C of the lower rail 150C, the hinge axis Axh is as follows: Figure 8 The following will describe in detail.

[0144] When the two guide rollers 181 and 182 move along the first curved portion 151C, first, the two guide rollers 181 and 182 move inward in the width direction as they move forward. At this time, the angle θ of the connecting portion 190 gradually increases. Therefore, the hinge axis Axh moves toward the front. Subsequently, the two guide rollers 181 and 182 continue to move inward in the width direction as they move forward, but the angle θ of the connecting portion 190 gradually decreases. Therefore, the hinge axis Axh moves inward in the width direction as it moves toward the front. Next, when the two guide rollers 181 and 182 move along the second curved portion 152C, the two guide rollers 181 and 182 move outward in the width direction as they move forward. However, in this case, the angle θ of the connecting portion 190 decreases sharply. Therefore, the hinge axis Axh continues to move inward in the width direction as it moves toward the front.

[0145] When the upper roller unit 120 moves to the vicinity of the front end of the lower rail 150C, the sliding door 30 is arranged in the fully closed position. At this time, the hinge axis Axh is located behind the rotation axes of both guide rollers 181 and 182, and is located inward in the width direction compared to the rotation axis of the guide roller 181. That is, the hinge axis Axh is located inward in the width direction compared to the front end portion of the lower rail 150C, which is the outermost portion in the width direction in the lower rail 150C. Furthermore, consider a line segment connecting a point Pf representing the center portion in the width direction of the front end edge of the lower rail 150C and a point Pr representing the center portion in the width direction of the rear end edge of the lower rail 150C. In this case, the hinge axis Axh is located inward in the width direction compared to the line segment.

[0146] The hinge axis Axh moves forward and inward in the width direction when the sliding door 30 is closed. As a result, when the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position, the door bracket 186 of the lower roller unit 180C is located at the frontmost position in its movement range and the innermost position in the width direction.

[0147] In addition, when the sliding door 30 is closed from the fully open position to the fully closed position, the positional relationship in the width direction between the hinge axis Axh and the rotation axis of the guide roller 181 is changed. On the other hand, when the sliding door 30 is closed from the fully open position to the fully closed position, the positional relationship in the front-to-back direction between the hinge axis Axh and the rotation axis of the guide rollers 181 and 182 is not changed. That is, when the sliding door 30 moves between the fully open position and the fully closed position, the hinge axis Axh is maintained in a state of being located behind the rotation axis of both the guide rollers 181 and 182.

[0148] <Effects of the Fourth Embodiment>

[0149] The fourth embodiment can obtain the effects (1-1) to (1-3) of the first embodiment and the effects (3-1) to (3-5) of the third embodiment. In addition, the fourth embodiment can obtain the following effects.

[0150] (4-1) When the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position, the hinge axis Axh is located inward in the width direction relative to the front end of the lower rail 150C, which is the outermost portion in the width direction of the guide rail. Therefore, when the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position, the door support device 100C can be positioned further inward in the width direction of the door bracket 186. Therefore, the door support device 100C can be stored in a narrower space in the width direction.

[0151] (4-2) When the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position, the hinge axis Axh of the lower roller unit 180C is located inward in the width direction relative to the guide roller 182. Therefore, the door support device 100C can move the door bracket 186 largely outward in the width direction when moving the sliding door 30 toward the fully open position.

[0152] (4-3) When the sliding door 30 is in the fully open position, the hinge axis Axh of the lower roller unit 180C is located outside the guide roller 182 in the width direction. Therefore, when the door support device 100C moves the sliding door 30 toward the fully closed position, the door bracket 186 can be moved largely inward in the width direction. That is, when the sliding door 30 is in the fully closed position, the door support device 100C can suppress the door bracket 186 from flying largely outward in the width direction. As a result, the door support device 100C can be stored in a narrow space in the width direction.

[0153] <Change example>

[0154] The above-mentioned embodiments can be implemented by modification as follows. The above-mentioned embodiments and the following modification examples can be implemented by combining with each other within the range of no technical contradiction.

[0155] In the first embodiment, the first rail 160 may be arranged outward in the width direction relative to the second rail 170. In this case, it is preferable to appropriately select the curvature of the first rail 160 and the second rail 170. The same is true in the second embodiment.

[0156] In the first embodiment, a gap may be formed between the first straight portion 161 of the first rail 160 and the second straight portion 171 of the second rail 170. In this case, the gap between the first straight portion 161 and the second straight portion 171 may vary with respect to the front-rear direction. The same is true in the second embodiment.

[0157] In the first embodiment, the upper roller unit 120, the center roller unit 140, and the lower roller unit 180 may include three or more first guide rollers. The same is true in other embodiments.

[0158] In the first embodiment, the lower rail 150 and the lower roller unit 180 may also be applied to the upper rail 110 and the upper roller unit 120. Similarly, the lower rail 150 and the lower roller unit 180 may also be applied to the center rail 130 and the center roller unit 140. The same is true in other embodiments.

[0159] In the first embodiment, when the sliding door 30 moves between the fully closed position and the fully open position, it is sufficient to keep the hinge axis Axh in the open direction relative to the rotation axis of the first guide roller 181. That is, when the sliding door 30 moves between the fully closed position and the fully open position, the hinge axis Axh may be located in the closed direction relative to the first guide roller 182. The same is true in other embodiments.

[0160] The sliding door 30 may be a door manually operated by a user. That is, the vehicle 10 may not include the door driving device 40 .

[0161] The sliding door 30 may be opened by moving forward. That is, the sliding door 30 may be closed by moving backward.

[0162] The sliding door 30 may also include a front door that opens and closes the front half of the door opening 21 and a rear door that opens and closes the rear half of the door opening 21. In this case, the door opening 21 is fully closed by the front door and the rear door moving toward each other. On the other hand, the door opening 21 is fully opened by the front door and the rear door moving away from each other.

[0163] <Summary of this embodiment>

[0164] This embodiment has at least the following structures.

[0165] The sliding door support device 100B, 100C of the present embodiment is applied to a vehicle 10, which includes a vehicle body 20 having a door opening 21 opened at a side surface, and a sliding door 30 configured to move 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, and the sliding door support device is configured to support the sliding door 30 on the vehicle body 20. In the direction along the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10, the direction of the sliding door 30 toward the fully closed position is a closing direction, and the direction of the sliding door 30 toward the fully open position is an opening direction. The sliding door support device 100B, 100C includes guide rails 150B, 150C extending in the front-rear direction, and roller units 180B, 180C configured to move the sliding door 30 between the fully closed position and the fully open position by moving along the guide rails 150B, 150C. The roller units 180B and 180C include: two guide rollers 181 and 182, which are configured to roll relative to the guide rails 150B and 150C in a state of being arranged in the front-to-back direction; a door bracket 186, which is fixed to the sliding door 30; and a connecting portion 190, which is configured to be connected to the door bracket 186 in a manner of relative rotation relative to the door bracket 186 around a hinge axis Axh extending in the up-down direction, and supports the two guide rollers 181 and 182 to be rotatable, and the roller unit is configured to maintain the hinge axis Axh in the opening direction relative to the rotation axis of at least one of the two guide rollers 181 and 182 regardless of the position of the sliding door 30 when the sliding door 30 moves between the fully closed position and the fully open position. The guide rails 150B and 150C have: a first curved portion 151B and 151C, which is curved inward in the width direction of the vehicle 10 as it moves in the closing direction; and a second curved portion 152B and 152C, which is curved from the end of the first curved portion 151B and 151C in the closing direction in a manner toward the outward in the width direction as it moves in the closing direction.

[0166] When the sliding door moves between the fully closed position and the fully open position, the hinge axis is maintained in the open direction relative to the rotation axis of the two guide rollers. In other words, when the sliding door moves between the fully closed position and the fully open position, the positional relationship between the hinge axis and the rotation axis of the two guide rollers in the front-to-back direction does not change. In addition, when the sliding door is configured in the fully open position, since the hinge axis is located in the open direction relative to the rotation axis of the two guide rollers, when the sliding door is configured in the fully open position, the door opening is opened more widely. That is, the sliding door support device can reduce the overlap in the front-to-back direction between the sliding door configured in the fully open position and the door opening.

[0167] In this embodiment, preferably, the roller units 180B and 180C are configured to maintain a state in which the hinge axis Axh is located in the opening direction relative to the rotation axes of both the two guide rollers 181 and 182 regardless of the position of the sliding door 30 when the sliding door 30 moves between the fully closed position and the fully open position.

[0168] The sliding door support device can further reduce the overlap in the front-rear direction between the sliding door arranged in the fully open position and the door opening.

[0169] In the present embodiment, it is preferable that, when the guide rails 150B and 150C are viewed from the up-down direction, the curvature radius of the second curved portions 152B and 152C is smaller than the curvature radius of the first curved portions 151B and 151C.

[0170] The size of the radius of curvature of the curved portion is related to the amount of change in the inclination of the connecting portion when the sliding door moves a unit length in the front-to-back direction. For example, when the two guide rollers roll in a curved portion with a large radius of curvature, the inclination of the connecting portion remains basically unchanged. On the other hand, when the two guide rollers roll in a curved portion with a small radius of curvature, the inclination of the connecting portion changes significantly. In this regard, in the above-mentioned sliding door support device, the radius of curvature of the second curved portion located in the closing direction of the guide rail is smaller than the radius of curvature of the first curved portion located in the opening direction of the guide rail. Therefore, when the sliding door moves near the fully closed position, the inclination of the connecting portion changes significantly compared to the case where the sliding door moves near the fully open position. Therefore, the sliding door support device can move the door bracket significantly in the width direction when the sliding door moves near the fully closed position. Therefore, the sliding door support device can set the movement trajectory of the sliding door moving between the fully closed position and the fully open position to a trajectory without a sense of incongruity.

[0171] In the guide rails 150B and 150C of the present embodiment, it is preferable that the boundary portions between the first curved portions 151B and 151C and the second curved portions 152B and 152C be curved in a convex shape toward the inside in the width direction.

[0172] The two guide rollers can roll smoothly at the boundary between the first curved portion and the second curved portion. In other words, the two guide rollers can roll smoothly at the portion where the long side direction of the guide rail changes greatly. In this way, the sliding door support device can make the roller unit move smoothly relative to the guide rail.

[0173] In the present embodiment, when the sliding door 30 is arranged in the fully closed position, it is preferable that the hinge axis Axh is located inward in the width direction relative to the outermost portion of the guide rail 150C in the width direction.

[0174] The sliding door support device can make the door bracket further inward in the width direction when the sliding door is in the fully closed position. Therefore, the sliding door support device can further reduce the space occupied by the device in the width direction when the sliding door is in the fully closed position.

[0175] In this embodiment, it is preferred that the guide roller 181 located in the closing direction among the two guide rollers 181 and 182 is a closing side guide roller, and when the sliding door 30 is configured in the fully open position, the hinge axis Axh is located outward in the width direction compared to the closing side guide roller 181, and when the sliding door 30 is configured in the fully closed position, the hinge axis Axh is located inward in the width direction compared to the closing side guide roller 181.

[0176] The sliding door support device can move the door bracket greatly outward in the width direction when the sliding door is moved toward the fully open position. On the other hand, the sliding door support device can move the door bracket greatly inward in the width direction when the sliding door is moved toward the fully closed position.

[0177] In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the end portions of the first curved portions 151B and 151C in the opening direction extend outward in the width direction as they advance in the opening direction.

[0178] When the slide door moves in the opening direction near the fully open position, the slide door support device can suppress the slide door from approaching the vehicle body in the width direction.

[0179] Explanation of symbols

[0180] 10 ... vehicle, 20 ... vehicle body, 21 ... door opening, 30 ... sliding door, 100, 100A, 100B, 100C ... sliding door support device, 150, 150A, 150B, 150C ... lower rail (guide rail), 151B, 151C ... first curved portion, 152B,

[0181] 152C ... second bending portion, 180, 180A, 180B, 180C ... lower roller unit (roller unit), 181, 182 ... guide rollers,

[0182] 183 ... support roller, 184 ... second guide roller, 185 ... roller support portion (constituent element of the connecting portion), 186 ... door bracket,

[0183] 187 ...connecting arm (constituent element of the connecting portion), 188, 189 ...connecting pin, 190 ...connecting portion, Axh ...hinge axis.

Claims

1. A sliding door support device, applied to a vehicle, the vehicle comprising: a vehicle body having a door opening portion opened at a side; and a sliding door configured to move between a fully closed position in which the door opening portion is fully closed and a fully open position in which the door opening portion is fully opened, the sliding door support device being configured to support the sliding door on the vehicle body, wherein: In the direction along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the direction of the sliding door toward the fully closed position is a closing direction, and the direction of the sliding door toward the fully open position is an opening direction. The sliding door support device comprises: A guide rail extending along the front-rear direction; as well as a roller unit configured to move the sliding door between the fully closed position and the fully open position by moving along the guide rail, The roller unit has: two guide rollers configured to roll relative to the guide rail in a state aligned in the front-rear direction; a door bracket fixed to the sliding door; as well as a connecting portion connected to the door bracket so as to be relatively rotatable about a hinge axis extending in the up-down direction with respect to the door bracket, and rotatably supporting the two guide rollers, The roller unit is configured to maintain a state in which the hinge axis is located in the opening direction relative to the rotation axis of at least one of the two guide rollers regardless of the position of the sliding door when the sliding door moves between the fully closed position and the fully open position. The guide rail has: a first curved portion that curves inward in the width direction of the vehicle as it advances in the closing direction; as well as A second curved portion is curved from an end portion of the first curved portion in the closing direction so as to be directed outward in the width direction as the second curved portion advances in the closing direction.

2. The sliding door support device according to claim 1, wherein: The roller unit is configured to maintain a state in which the hinge axis is located in the opening direction relative to the rotation axes of both the two guide rollers regardless of the position of the sliding door when the sliding door moves between the fully closed position and the fully opened position.

3. The sliding door support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: When the guide rail is viewed from the up-down direction, a curvature radius of the second curved portion is smaller than a curvature radius of the first curved portion.

4. The sliding door support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: In the guide rail, a boundary portion between the first curved portion and the second curved portion is curved so as to be convex inward in the width direction.

5. The sliding door support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: When the sliding door is arranged in the fully closed position, the hinge axis is located inward in the width direction relative to the outermost portion of the guide rail in the width direction.

6. The sliding door support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The guide roller located in the closing direction among the two guide rollers is a closing side guide roller, When the sliding door is arranged in the fully open position, the hinge axis is located outside the closing-side guide roller in the width direction. When the sliding door is arranged in the fully closed position, the hinge axis is located inward of the closing-side guide roller in the width direction.

7. The sliding door support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: An end portion of the first curved portion in the opening direction extends outward in the width direction as it advances in the opening direction.

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