Door edge protection device

Abstract

Door edge protection device (1) comprising the following: a dispensing unit (3), including a protective device (31) for covering to protect a door edge, which is an edge of a vehicle door, and a drive mechanism (32) configured to move the protective device (31); an input unit (2) configured to detect an open / closed state of the door; and a transmission element (4) configured to mechanically transmit the open / close state of the door detected by the input unit (2) to the drive mechanism (32), characterized in that the input unit (2) comprises the following: an input element (24) that is configured to move to a first position when the door is in an open state, and to move to a second position when the door is in a closed state; a first lever (25) configured to rotate into engagement with the input element (24); a second lever (26) configured to transmit the rotation of the first lever (25) to the transmission element (4); a first preload element (28) that connects the first and second levers (25, 26) to rotate integrally; and a second preloading element (29) that forces the first and second levers (25, 26) into a starting position corresponding to the first position of the input element (24), and if the protective device (31) is not movable, the second lever (26) is not rotated and is held in its initial position, and the first lever (25) is held against a preload force of the first preload element (28) with respect to the second lever (26) a movement of the input element (24) from the first position to the second position can rotate.

Description

Background of the invention Technical application area

[0001] The present invention relates to a door edge protection device. Related technology

[0002] A door edge protection device for a vehicle, disclosed in USP 8,826,596, comprises the following: a movable guard; a drive mechanism that drives the guard; and an input unit that mechanically transmits an open / close state of a door to the drive mechanism. The guard is configured to move along a predetermined path in a locking manner when a vehicle door is opened / closed, in order to protect a door edge only at the time the vehicle door is opened. The door edge is an edge of an end section, on one side, opposite a hinge-side end section (a distal end-side end section) of either end section of a pivot-type vehicle door, viewed in a longitudinal direction.

[0003] German patent application DE 10 2004 031 798 A1 describes a door edge protector for a swing door of a motor vehicle, which can be moved between an active and a storage function by pivoting about a pivot axis parallel to the door edge to be protected, in a manner coupled to the swinging movement of the door. The door edge protector is characterized by the following features of its displacement drive: A rocker arm redirects a tensile force into a compressive force. The rocker arm is located in a force path between the movable door edge protector and a fixed point on the vehicle body in the area of ​​a pivot bearing of the door within the door, wherein the tensile force area lies between the fixed point on the vehicle body and the rocker arm, and the compressive force area lies between the rocker arm and the door edge protector.When the door swings, the tensile and compressive forces are forced onto the ends of the rocker arm. The tensile force is transmitted via a tension spring, and the compressive force via a push rod, against the force of a compression spring. In the stowed position of the door edge protector, the force exerted by the compression spring exceeds that of the tension spring, while the force ratio is reversed when the door edge protector is extended.

[0004] German utility model DE 20 2008 005 885 U1 describes a door edge protector for a motor vehicle door with a protective strip that can be pivoted around the door edge between a rest position and an active position. The door edge protector is characterized by the fact that the protective strip is kinematically coupled to a drive wheel of a motor-driven mechanism via a coupling, the coupling being eccentrically mounted on the drive wheel. A sensor connected to the drive motor is provided for detecting when the motor vehicle door is opened or closed. When the motor vehicle door is opened, the protective strip pivots from its rest position to its active position to cover the door edge. When the motor vehicle door is closed, the protective strip pivots from its active position to its rest position to release the door edge.

[0005] German patent application DE 10 2006 053 275 A1 describes a protective device for edges on vehicles, preferably for the door edges of a motor vehicle. The protective device has at least one protective element. To design the protective device in such a way that the edges of the vehicle are optimally protected in a simple manner, the protective element is adjustable from a rest position to a protective position by means of at least one sliding element. In the rest position, the protective element lies protected within the vehicle, while in the protective position it covers the vehicle edge to be protected, thus providing optimal protection in the event of an unintentional impact. The protective device is preferably used on motor vehicles and serves as edge protection for the door edges. Summary

[0006] There is a situation where a safety device cannot be moved because it is caught by an obstruction or similar object when a door is opened. In this case, even if the closing command is transmitted from an input unit to the drive mechanism, the safety device cannot be moved, and therefore there is a possibility that an excessive load will be exerted on the drive mechanism, potentially damaging it.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a door edge protection device that can prevent an excessively large load from being exerted on a drive mechanism, even in a state in which a protective device cannot be moved because the protective device is caught by an obstacle or the like.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention presents a door edge protection device comprising: an output unit, including a protective covering to protect a door edge, which is an edge of a vehicle door, and a drive mechanism configured to move the protective covering; an input unit configured to detect an open / closed state of the door; and a transmission element configured to mechanically transmit the open / closed state of the door detected by the input unit to the drive mechanism, wherein the input unit comprises: an input element configured to move to a first position when the door is in an open state and to move to a second position when the door is in a closed state; a first lever configured to rotate in engagement with the input element;a second lever configured to transmit the rotation of the first lever to the transmission element; a first preload element connecting the first and second levers to rotate integrally; and a second preload element forcing the first and second levers into a home position corresponding to the first position of the input element, and, if the guard is not movable, allowing the first lever to rotate against a preload force of the first preload element relative to the second lever by moving the input unit from the first position to the second position.

[0009] When the door is brought into a closed position, such that the input element moves from the first position to the second position, in a state where the guard is immobile, the first lever is rotated relative to the second lever against a preload force of the first preload element. Due to this relative rotation, the mechanical transmission of an open / closed state of the door from the input unit through the transmission element to the drive mechanism is prevented, thus preventing excessive load from being exerted on the drive mechanism. That is to say, according to the door edge protection device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent excessive load from being exerted on the drive mechanism, even in a state where the guard cannot be moved because it is jammed by an obstruction or the like. Brief description of the characters

[0010] The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the figures of an illustrative embodiment of the invention. They show: Fig. 1. A front view of a door edge protection device; Fig. 2 a top view of an output unit; Fig. 3 a front view of an input unit in which a housing is opened; Fig. 4 a perspective view of the input unit with the housing in an open state; Fig. 5 a perspective view of the input unit with the housing in an open state; Fig. 6 a perspective exploded view of the input unit; Fig. 7 a perspective exploded view of the input unit in a state in which a lever assembly is removed; Fig. 8 a schematic view showing an operating state of a drive mechanism; Fig. 9 a schematic view showing an operating state of the drive mechanism; Fig. 10 a schematic view showing an operating state of the drive mechanism; and Fig. 11 a schematic view showing an operating state of the drive mechanism. Detailed description of the embodiments

[0011] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0012] In the following description, a case may arise in which, of both ends in a longitudinal direction of a hinged vehicle door, the side closer to a hinge is referred to as a hinge-side end section, and an end section on the side opposite the hinge-side end section is referred to as a distal end section. There may also be a case in which an edge of the distal end section is referred to as a door edge.

[0013] An orthogonal coordinate system (XYZ coordinate system), as shown in the figure, is set up in a fixed way with respect to a vehicle door. That is, when the vehicle door rotates, the orthogonal coordinate system also rotates.

[0014] An X-axis indicates a longitudinal direction of the vehicle door. An arrow on the X-axis indicates a direction directed towards the distal end section (including a door edge). In the following, a direction indicated by the X-axis arrow may be referred to as a +X direction, and a direction opposite to the +X direction is referred to as a -X direction. That is, the -X direction indicates a direction directed towards the hinge-side end section.

[0015] Furthermore, a case may occur in which the + X direction and the - X direction are combined and simply referred to as the X direction.

[0016] A Y-axis indicates the lateral direction of the vehicle door. An arrow on the Y-axis indicates a direction that points outwards along the width of the vehicle door. In the following, a direction indicated by the Y-axis arrow may be referred to as the +Y direction, and a direction opposite to the +Y direction may be referred to as the -Y direction. That is, the -Y direction indicates a direction that points inwards along the width of the vehicle door. Furthermore, a case may arise where the +Y direction and the -Y direction are combined and simply referred to as a single Y direction.

[0017] A Z-axis indicates the vertical direction of the vehicle door. An arrow on the Z-axis indicates a direction pointing vertically towards the upper side of the vehicle door. In some cases, a direction indicated by the Z-axis arrow is referred to as the +Z direction, and a direction opposite to the +Z direction is referred to as the -Z direction. That is, the -Z direction indicates a direction pointing vertically towards the lower side of the vehicle door. Furthermore, it is possible for the +Z and -Z directions to be referred to together simply as the Z direction.

[0018] In a state where the vehicle door is in a closed position, the X direction indicates the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the Y direction the vehicle's width direction, and the Z direction the vehicle's height direction.

[0019] With reference to Fig. 1 comprises a door edge protection device 1, an input unit 2, an output unit 3, and a cable (transmission element) 4. The input unit 2 is located in a section of a vehicle door near a hinge-side end section of the vehicle door, and the output unit 3 is located in a section of the vehicle door near a distal end section of the vehicle door. The entire cable 4 is located within the vehicle door and is designed to mechanically connect the input unit 2 and the output unit 3. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the cable 4 is formed from an outer cable 4 a and an inner cable 4 b, the latter of which passes movably through the outer cable 4 a.

[0020] Input unit 2 detects the open / closed state of the vehicle door. This open / closed state is mechanically transmitted to output unit 3 via cable 4. More precisely, when the vehicle door is in a closed state, as indicated by arrow A1, a distal end 24a of a piston (input element) 24 of input unit 2 is pressed through the vehicle body into the interior of a housing 21. When the piston 24 reaches the depressed position (second position), input unit 2 pulls the inner cable 4b from output unit 3. Conversely, when the vehicle door is in an open state, the piston 24 moves linearly in a direction in which it protrudes from the housing 21, as indicated by arrow A2.When the piston 24 assumes a protruding position (first position), the input unit 2 guides the inner cable 4b towards the output unit 3.

[0021] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 The output unit 3 comprises the following: a protective device 31 that protects a door edge by covering the door edge; a drive mechanism 32 that holds and moves the protective device 31; and a housing 33 that accommodates the drive mechanism 32 therein.

[0022] As only in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the drive mechanism 32 comprises a movable rod-like element 34 (for example, a connector) projecting from the housing 33. The guard 31 is held at a distal end of the rod-like element 34. The drive mechanism 32 is configured to move the guard 31 in response to the retraction or insertion of the inner cable 4b by the input unit 2, i.e., in response to an open / closed state of the vehicle door detected by the input unit 2. In particular, as indicated by a double-dashed line T in Figure 1, the guard 31 is moved by the input unit 2. Fig. As indicated in Figure 2, the rod-like element 34 moves in both the X and Y directions, causing the protective device 31 to move along a path, including a rest position P1, corresponding to a closed state of the vehicle door, and an adjustment position P2, in which the protective device 31 covers the door edge corresponding to an open state of the vehicle door. The drive mechanism 32 can be formed by combining elements such as a cam, a cam plunger, a pinion, a rack, and a spring. However, the configuration of the drive mechanism 32 is not specifically limited.

[0023] Next, input unit 2 will be described in detail.

[0024] With reference to Fig. The housing 21 of the input unit 2 is formed from bodies 21 A and 21 B. The bodies 21 A and 21 B are fastened to each other by four small-diameter bolts 22 and five large-diameter bolts 23.

[0025] In the following description, input unit 2 will be referred to primarily in relation to the Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. 7 described. In these figures, to facilitate understanding of the configuration of input unit 2, the representation of body 21 A and bolts 22, 23 has been omitted.

[0026] The housing 21 of the input unit 2 contains a drive mechanism 30 that detects the open / closed state of the vehicle door and retracts and extends the inner cable 4b in response to the detected open / closed state of the vehicle door. In this embodiment, the drive mechanism 30 comprises the piston 24, a first lever 25, a second lever 26, a pin 27, a first spring (first preload element) 28, and a second spring (second preload element) 29. In this embodiment, the first and second levers 25 and 26 are formed from stamped metal sheets. Furthermore, in this embodiment, both the first and second springs 28 and 29 are each formed from a torsion coil spring.Accordingly, each of the first and second springs 28, 29 contains a coil section 28 a, 29 a formed by repeatedly winding a linear spring element and a pair of end sections 28 b, 28 c or 29 b, 29 c formed from a linear spring element extending from the coil sections 28 a, 29 a.

[0027] The drive mechanism 30 has the following overall configuration. As is most clearly seen in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the first lever 25 and the second lever 26 are connected to each other by the first spring 28 in a state in which the first lever 25 and the second lever 26 are arranged coaxially to each other, forming a lever assembly 20. The lever assembly 20 is rotatably mounted on the body 21A of the housing 21 in an XZ plane. That is, the first lever 25 and the second lever 26 are integrally rotatably connected to each other by the first spring 28. The lever assembly 20 is spring-loaded by the second spring 29 in a direction indicated by arrow B1. One end of the lever assembly 20, more precisely an end section of the first lever 25, is connected to the proximal end 24b of the piston 24 by the pin 27 and is rotatable in an interlocking manner with the extension and retraction of the piston.The inner cable 4b is connected to the other end of the lever assembly 20, more precisely, to an end section of the second lever 26. The inner cable 4b is retracted or extended in response to the rotation of the lever assembly 20.

[0028] The drive mechanism 30 is described in more detail below.

[0029] The piston 24 is held linearly movable in the X-direction by a guide section 21a, which is attached to the body 21A and whose two ends are open, as indicated by arrows A1 and A2. The distal end 24a of the piston 24 projects outwards from the outside of the housing 21 through the guide section 21a. An elongated slot 24c, which is a through-hole, is formed in the proximal end 24b of the piston 24. The elongated slot 24c is designed such that a longitudinal direction of the elongated slot 24c intersects a linear direction of movement of the piston 24.

[0030] As most clearly seen in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, a pivotable support section 21a is formed on an inner surface of the body 21A as described above. The pivotable support section 21a comprises: a cylindrical section 21b with a short circular cylindrical shape; and a shaft-like section 21c, which has an approximately circular column shape and is arranged coaxially to the cylindrical section 21b within the cylindrical section 21b. The projection of the shaft-like section 21c from the inner surface of the body 21A is greater than the projection of the cylindrical section 21b from the inner surface of the body 21A. An internally threaded section 21d, with which the bolt 23 engages, is formed in the shaft-like section 21c. A groove 21 e is formed on the inner surface of the body 21 A such that the groove 21 e surrounds the cylindrical section 21 b of the pivotable support section 21 a.

[0031] As most clearly seen in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the second spring 29 is attached to the pivotable support section 21a. In particular, the coil section 29a of the second helical spring 29 is adapted to the cylindrical section 21b. An end section 29b of the second spring 29 is housed in the groove 21e. A curved tip end of the end section 29 is inserted into an engagement hole (not shown) formed in the groove 21e, and thus the second spring 29 engages with the body 21a. The other end section 29c of the second spring 29 engages with both the first lever 25 and the second lever 26, as will be described in detail later.

[0032] With reference to Fig. 6. The first lever 25 comprises the following: a bearing section 25b in which a bearing hole 25a is formed; and an arm section 25c extending from the bearing section 25b. The bearing hole 25a is a circular through-hole. A ridge section 25d is formed around the bearing hole 25a. A recess 25e, serving as a spring receptacle, is formed in the bearing section 25b. The arm section 25c comprises the following: a first section 25f extending from the bearing section 25b in a radially outward direction of the bearing hole 25a; and a second section 25g extending in a curved manner from a distal end of the first section 25f. A pin hole 25h, which is a circular through-hole, is formed in a distal end section of the second section 25g. A projecting spring receptacle 25 i is formed on a proximal end section of the second section 25 g.

[0033] The first lever 25 is attached to the pivotable support section 21a in a state where the first lever 25 overlaps the second spring 29. Specifically, the shaft-like section 21c of the pivotable support section 21a is inserted into the bearing hole 25a of the first lever 25. Due to this insertion of the shaft-like section 21c, the first lever 25 is rotatably mounted by the pivotable support section 21a—more precisely, by the shaft-like section 21c. The ridge section 25d of the first lever 25 is arranged in an annular gap formed between the cylindrical section 21b and the shaft-like section 21c.

[0034] The second section 25 g of the arm section 25 c of the first lever 25 is positioned in a slot 24 b formed in the proximal end 24 b of the piston 24 (see Fig. 6) The proximal end 24b of the piston 24 and the second section 25g of the arm section 25c are connected to each other by the pin 27. The pin 27 comprises: a pin body 27a with a circular column shape of small diameter; and a head section 27b formed at one end of the pin body 27a to prevent removal of the pin 27. The pin body 27a is inserted into the elongated hole 24c formed in the proximal end 24b of the piston 24, and the pin hole 25h is formed in the second section 25g of the arm section 25c of the first lever 25. Due to this connection by the pin 27, the first lever 25 is rotatable about the pivotable support section 21a in an interlocking manner with the linear movement of the piston 24.The other end of the pin body 17 a, which is opposite the head section 27 b, is inserted into the elongated hole 24 c and then enlarged, thus preventing the pin 27 from falling out of the elongated hole 24.

[0035] With reference to Fig. The second lever 26 comprises the following: a bearing section 26b in which a bearing hole 26a is formed; and a lug-shaped section 26c projecting from the bearing section 26b. The bearing hole 26a is a circular through-hole. A circular cylindrical section 26d is formed around the bearing hole 26a. A cutout 26e, serving as a spring receptacle, is formed in the bearing section 26b. The size and shape of the cutout 26e are substantially the same as the size and shape of the aforementioned cutout 26e of the first lever 25. A fastening hole 26f, which is a circular through-hole, is formed in the lug-shaped section 26c. Furthermore, an insertion hole 26g, serving as a spring receptacle, is formed in a portion of the lug-shaped section 26c adjacent to the bearing section 26b.In this embodiment, the insertion hole 26 g in the tab-shaped section 26 c is designed such that the insertion hole 26 g penetrates the tab-shaped section 26 c in a thickness direction.

[0036] The second lever 26 is attached to the pivotable support section 21a in a state where it overlaps with the first lever 25. Specifically, the shaft-like section 21c of the pivotable support section 21a is inserted into the bearing hole 26a formed in the second lever 26. Due to this insertion of the shaft-like section 21c, the second lever 26 is rotatably mounted by the pivotable support section 21a, more precisely by the shaft-like section 21c. As previously described, the first lever 25 is also rotatably mounted by the pivotable support section 21a. Accordingly, the first lever 25 and the second lever 26 are coaxially and rotatably mounted by the pivotable support section 21a.Furthermore, the bearing section 25 b of the first lever 25 and the bearing section 26 b of the second lever 26 are designed such that they overlap each other in a state in which the bearing section 25 b of the first lever 25 and the bearing section 26 b of the second lever 26 are brought into contact with each other.

[0037] As most clearly seen in the Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, an end section of the inner cable 4b is connected to the insertion hole 26g, which is formed in the tab-shaped section 26c of the second lever 26 by means of an adapter 5. The insertion hole 26g and the adapter 5 form a rotatable connection. The outer cable 4a is attached to the body 21A by means of the cap 6. In particular, the cap 6 is fitted into a cutout 21f formed in the body 21A.

[0038] As most clearly seen in the Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the first lever 25 and the second lever 26 are mounted by the pivotable support section 21a such that the rotation angle of the cutout 25e about the pivotable support section 21a and the rotation angle of the cutout 26e about the pivotable support section 21a (as described above, the shapes and sizes of the cutouts 25e and 26e are essentially the same) are substantially aligned with each other. The end section 29c of the second spring 29 is arranged in the cutouts 25e and 26e, which are aligned with each other as described above. With such an arrangement, the end section 29c of the second spring 29 engages with the first lever 25 and the second lever 26.The end section 29c of the second spring 29 has the following: a first section 29d extending in a direction along which the pivotable support section 21a projects; and a second section 29e extending from the first section 29d in a curved manner. The first section 29d is located inside the cutouts 25e, 26e in such a way that the first section 29d projects from the inner surface of the body 21a and penetrates the bearing sections 25b, 26b of the first and second levers 25, 26. The second section 29e is positioned above the bearing section 26b of the second lever 26.

[0039] The second spring 29 engages with the body 21A at its end section 29b, as described above, and the second spring 29 engages with the first and second levers 25, 26 at its end section 29c. With this engagement, the first and second levers 25, 26 are rotated integrally with each other about the pivotable support section 21a in a direction indicated by arrow B1 in the figure, and are elastically pre-tensioned by the second spring 29 such that the first and second levers 25, 26 assume the initial positions shown in the figure. Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 8 shows that when the first and second levers 25, 26 assume their initial positions, the piston 24 assumes a protruding position in which the piston 24 protrudes from the housing 21, that is, the position in which the vehicle door is in an open state.

[0040] As most clearly seen in the Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the coil section 28a of the first spring 28 is arranged above the second lever 26. In particular, the circular cylindrical section 26d of the second lever 26 is inserted into the coil section 28a of the first spring 28 with clearance. An end section 28b of the first spring 28 engages with the first lever 25 by being held by the spring receptacle 25i. On the other hand, a pointed end, bent in the Y-direction of the other end section 28c of the first spring 28, engages with the second lever 26 by being inserted into the insertion hole 26g. Due to this engagement, the first spring 28 connects the first lever 25 and the second lever 26 such that the first lever 25 and the second lever 26 are integrally rotatable about the pivotable support section 21a.

[0041] Next, the functionality of the door edge protection device of this embodiment will be described, in particular the mode of operation of the input unit 2. The following description will mainly refer to the Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10 to Fig. 11. Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10 to Fig. 11. The vehicle door and the vehicle body are each conceptually represented by symbols 100 and 101.

[0042] Fig. Figure 8 shows a state in which the lever assembly 20 is in an initial position. As previously described, the vehicle door 100 is open in such an initial state. It is assumed that when the vehicle door 100 is open, the guard 31 is in a normally movable state, that is, the guard is not immobilized because it is obstructed by an obstacle or the like. Under this assumption, when the vehicle door 100 is closed, as shown in Figure 8, the guard 31 is in a normally movable state, that is, the guard is not in a non-movable state because it is obstructed by an obstacle or the like. Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the piston 24 is pressed through the vehicle body 101, so that the piston 24 is moved linearly in the direction indicated by arrow A1. In a positive-locking manner, this linear movement of the piston 24 rotates the first lever 25 in a direction indicated by arrow B2 against a preload force of the second spring 29, and simultaneously the second lever 26, which is connected to the first lever 25 via the first spring 28, is also rotated in the direction indicated by arrow B2 against a preload force of the second spring 29. During this rotation, no relative rotation about the pivotable support section 21a is generated between the first lever 25 and the second lever 26.This means that the relative positions of the first lever 25 and the second lever 26 are maintained in the positions they occupy when the lever assembly 20 is in its initial position. In other words, the lever assembly 20 is rotated about the pivotable support section 21a without being bent. As a result of this rotation of the lever assembly 20, the inner cable 4b is pulled, and the guard 31 is moved along the track T by the drive mechanism 32 from an adjustment position P2 to a rest position P1. Fig. Figure 9 shows a state in which the lever assembly 20 is in a normal operating position and the vehicle door 100 is in a closed position. When the vehicle door 100 is reopened while the lever assembly 20 is in its normal operating position, the piston 24 is moved linearly in the direction indicated by arrow A2 due to an elastic preload force of the second spring 29, and at the same time the lever assembly 20 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow B1, thus moving the lever assembly 20 into the position shown. Fig. The starting position shown in Figure 8 is returned. Due to the rotation of the lever arrangement 20, the inner cable 4b is supplied and the protective device 31 is moved from the rest position P1 by the drive mechanism 32 along the path T in the direction of the setting position P2.

[0043] It is assumed that the lever arrangement 20 is located in the Fig. The initial position shown in Figure 8 is assumed, and the protective device 31 is not in a normally movable state, even though the vehicle door 100 is open. That is, it is to be assumed that the protective device 31 cannot be moved because it is blocked by an obstruction or the like. A state in which the protective device 31 cannot be moved means that the second lever 26, which is mechanically connected to the drive mechanism 32 via the inner cable 4b, cannot be rotated about the pivotable support section 21a. Under such an assumption, when the vehicle door 100 is closed, the piston 24 is moved linearly in the direction indicated by arrow A1 by being pushed through the vehicle body 101 and moved from the protruding position to the retracted position. As shown in Figure 8, the protective device 31 cannot be moved because it is blocked by an obstruction or the like. Fig. As shown in Figure 10, although the first lever 25 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow C1 in an interlocking manner with such a linear movement of the piston 24, the second lever 26 is not rotated and is held in its initial position. That is, due to the movement of the piston 24 from the extended position to the retracted position, the first lever 25 is rotated relative to the second lever 26 against a preload force of the first spring 28. In this way, only the first lever 25 is rotated about the pivotable support section 21a; therefore, the lever assembly 20 is in an abnormal operating position, in which the lever assembly 20, as shown in Figure 10, Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the lever assembly 20 is bent. When the lever assembly 20 is in an abnormal operating position, the first lever 25 assumes a state in which it is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow C1, against an elastic preload force of the first spring 28 and an elastic preload force of the second spring 29. Conversely, when the lever assembly 20 is in an abnormal operating state, the second lever 26 is held in a rotational position about the pivotable support section 21a in its initial position, without being rotated about the pivotable support section 21a.

[0044] If the guard 31 cannot be moved because it is blocked by an obstacle or the like, the lever arrangement 20 is in the Fig. The abnormal operating position shown in Figure 10 is established even when the vehicle door 100 is closed and the second lever 26 is held in its initial position without being rotated about the pivoting support section 21a. When the vehicle door 100 is closed in this way, preventing the guard 31 from moving, the second lever 26 is not rotated, and thus the inner cable 4b is not retracted by the lever arrangement 20. Consequently, the drive mechanism 32 is not actuated, and the guard 31 is not moved. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an excessive load from being exerted on the drive mechanism 32.This means that, according to the door edge protection device 1 of this embodiment, it is possible – even in a state where the protection device 31 cannot be moved for a reason, because the protection device 31 is caught by an obstacle or the like – to prevent an excessively large load from acting on the drive mechanism 32. In other words, according to the door edge protection device 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent damage to the drive mechanism 32 even in a state where the protection device 31 cannot be moved.

[0045] We will assume that if the lever arrangement 20 is in the Fig. When the device is in the abnormal operating position shown in section 10, the protective device 31 is returned to a movable state. Under such an assumption, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the second lever 26 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow C2 due to an elastic preload force of the first spring 28. This rotation of the second lever 26 supplies the inner cable 4b to the drive mechanism 32, thus returning the door edge protection device 1 to a normally operating state.

[0046] If the elastic preload force of the first spring 28 is greater than the elastic preload force of the second spring 29, even when the vehicle door 100 is moved from an open to a closed state—a state in which the protective device 31 cannot be moved—the first lever 25 cannot be rotated relative to the second lever 26. Accordingly, the lever assembly 20 does not assume an abnormal operating position, which in Fig. 10 is shown, but takes one in Fig. Figure 8 shows the normal operating position. Consequently, the inner cable 4b is retracted by the lever assembly 20, so that an excessively large load is exerted on the drive mechanism 32. In this embodiment, the elastic preload force of the first spring 28 is set to be less than the elastic preload force of the second spring 29. Accordingly, when the vehicle door 100 is moved from an open state to a closed state—a state in which the guard 31 cannot be moved—the first lever 25 is reliably moved relative to the second lever 26, and the lever assembly 20 assumes the position shown in Figure 8. Fig. 10 shows an abnormal operating position.

Claims

[1] Door edge protection device (1) comprising the following: a dispensing unit (3), including a protective device (31) for covering to protect a door edge, which is an edge of a vehicle door, and a drive mechanism (32) configured to move the protective device (31); an input unit (2) configured to detect an open / closed state of the door; and a transmission element (4) configured to mechanically transmit the open / close state of the door detected by the input unit (2) to the drive mechanism (32), characterized by , that the input unit (2) comprises the following: an input element (24) that is configured to move to a first position when the door is in an open state, and to move to a second position when the door is in a closed state; a first lever (25) configured to rotate into engagement with the input element (24); a second lever (26) configured to transmit the rotation of the first lever (25) to the transmission element (4); a first preload element (28) that connects the first and second levers (25, 26) to rotate integrally; and a second preloading element (29) that forces the first and second levers (25, 26) into a starting position corresponding to the first position of the input element (24), and if the protective device (31) is not movable, the second lever (26) is not rotated and is held in its initial position, and the first lever (25) is held against a preload force of the first preload element (28) with respect to the second lever (26) a movement of the input element (24) from the first position to the second position can rotate. [2] Door edge protection device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the preload force of the first preload element (28) is less than a preload force of the second preload element (29). [3] Door edge protection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the input unit (2) comprises a housing (21) which accommodates the input element (24), the first and second levers (25, 26) and the first and second preloading elements (28, 29), and the first and second levers (25, 26) are rotatably mounted coaxially by a support section (21a). [4] Door edge protection device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the first preloading element (28) is a torsion coil spring, a coil section (28a) of the first preload element (28) is arranged coaxially to the first and second levers (25, 26), and one of a pair of end sections (28b, 28c) of the first preload element (28) engages with the first lever (25) and the other of the end sections (28b, 28c) engages with the second lever (26). [5] Door edge protection device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second preloading element (29) is a torsion coil spring, a coil section (29a) of the second preloading element (29) is attached to the support section (21a) in such a way as to be arranged coaxially to the first and second levers (25, 26), and one of a pair of end sections (29b, 29c) of the second preloading element (29) engages with the housing (21) and the other of the end sections (29b, 29c) engages with the first and second levers (25, 26).

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