Lid opening and closing device for a vehicle

Abstract

A lid opening and closing device for a vehicle, comprising a rod (21) that can move forward and backward between a pressed-in position in response to the pressing in of an openable and closeable lid (17), and a protruding position when the lid (17) is in an open state, and which assumes a closed-lid position in which the rod (21) returns from the pressed-in position to the protruding position side only by a predetermined amount of movement when the lid (17) is in the closed state; a restraint element (28, 94) that can operate in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the forward and backward movement of the rod (21) between a restraint position where the movement of the rod (21) is restricted at the closed-lid position and a restraint release position where the restraint is released;an electric motor (29) that drives the restricting element (28, 94) between the restricting position and the restricting release position in response to a door switching between a locked state and an unlocked state; a housing (22, 92) that accommodates the restricting element (28, 94) and the electric motor (29);and an emergency actuating element (76, 100) that can move the limiting element (28, 94) to the limiting release position when the electric motor (29) malfunctions, characterized in that an actuating force-direction conversion mechanism (84, 103) is provided between the emergency actuating element (76, 100) and the limiting element (28, 94), wherein the actuating force-direction conversion mechanism (84, 103) converts the actuating force from the emergency actuating element (76, 100), which moves in a direction parallel to the direction of the forward and backward movement of the rod (21), into a force that causes actuating from the limiting position to the limiting release position;and a guide pre-tracking element (80, 111) having a guide hole (79, 110) is formed in the housing (22, 92), wherein the emergency actuating element (76, 100) is movably inserted into the guide hole (79, 110) and its movement is guided by the guide hole (79, 110).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a lid opening and closing device for a vehicle, comprising a rod that can move forwards and backwards between a pressed-in position in response to the insertion of an openable and closeable lid, and a protruding position when the lid is in an open state, and which assumes a closed-lid position in which the rod returns from the pressed-in position to the protruding position side only by a predetermined amount of movement when the lid is in the closed state; a restraint element that can operate in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the forward and backward movement of the rod between a restraint position in which the movement of the rod is restricted at the closed-lid position, and a restraint release position in which the restraint is released;an electric motor that drives the restrictor between the restrictor position and the restrictor release position in response to a door switching between a locked and an unlocked state; a housing that accommodates the restrictor and the electric motor; and an emergency actuation element that can move the restrictor to the restrictor release position if the electric motor malfunctions. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] From JP 2016-223 150 A, a lid opening and closing device for a vehicle is already known, in which a limiting element that limits a rod in a state in which a door is in the closed state is driven by an electric motor, and if the electric motor malfunctions, an emergency actuating element is actuated by pulling on a cable in a direction orthogonal to the direction of travel of the rod.

[0003] DE 10 2010 040 522 A1 discloses a lid closing device with an actuating force-direction conversion mechanism of an emergency actuating element. This includes a manually actuated internal lever for moving the rod from the restricted position to the restricted release position.

[0004] US patent 2019 / 0294 198 A1 discloses a lid closing device that moves a restricting element from one restricting position to the other by means of an electric motor. REVELATION OF THE INVENTION: PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0005] A lid opening and closing device is attached to a vehicle body in such a way that the direction of the forward and backward movement of the rod follows the vehicle width direction, but if, in the arrangement disclosed in JP 2016-223 150 A, one attempts to mount the lid opening and closing device, which contains the emergency actuating element to which, for example, a cable is coupled, to a vehicle body from the outside of the vehicle body, it becomes difficult to insert the lid opening and closing device into the insertion hole formed in the vehicle body in order to mount the lid opening and closing device, because the cable extends in one direction (vehicle longitudinal direction or vertical direction) orthogonal to the direction of the forward and backward bending of the rod (vehicle width direction), and the assembly becomes difficult.Enlarging the opening area of ​​the insertion hole, although it facilitates installation, is undesirable from the point of view of the strength of the vehicle body and water resistance.

[0006] The present invention has been achieved in light of these circumstances, and its object is to provide a lid opening and closing device for a vehicle which can facilitate assembly without enlarging an insertion hole provided in a vehicle body by making the actuation direction of an emergency actuation element parallel to the direction of the forward-backward movement of a rod. MEANS TO SOLVENT THE PROBLEMS

[0007] To solve the above problem, a lid opening and closing device for a vehicle according to claim 1 is specified. Advantageous embodiments are detailed in the dependent claims. EFFECTS OF INVENTION

[0008] If, according to the teaching of claim 1, the emergency actuating element is actuated in a direction parallel to the direction of the forward and backward movement of the rod, the actuating force-direction conversion mechanism causes the limiting element to be actuated from the limiting position to the limiting release position in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the forward and backward movement of the rod, and because the actuating direction of the emergency actuating element is made parallel to the direction of the forward and backward movement of the rod, it is possible to facilitate assembly without further widening an insertion opening provided in the vehicle body.

[0009] Furthermore, since, according to the teaching of claim 2, the actuating force-direction conversion mechanism is formed from the projection that is integrated onto the limiting element and the control track part that is formed on the emergency actuating element and is supported against the projection, it is possible to design the actuating force-direction conversion mechanism as a simple and small structure, while avoiding any increase in the number of components by eliminating the need to use a coupling mechanism, etc., thereby making it possible to achieve a small size for the lid opening and closing device.

[0010] According to the teaching of claim 3, it is possible to guide the movement of the emergency actuating element and to limit the end of the movement of the emergency actuating element with a simple arrangement in which the guide projection extending from the housing extends into the guide hole provided in the emergency actuating element. Furthermore, since, according to the teaching of claim 4, the actuating force-direction conversion mechanism is formed from the pressure-receiving projection, which is integrated with the limiting element, and from the coupling mechanism formed from the first and second coupling elements, it is possible to simplify the shape of the actuating force-direction conversion mechanism by reducing the number of components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a first version in which a vehicle body outer panel has been cut away and a state in which the lid opening and closing device is fitted (first version). Fig. Figure 2 is a top view of the lid opening and closing device from the direction of arrow 2 in Fig. 1, if a rod is in a closed lid position (first version). Fig. 3 is a section view along line 3-3 in Fig. 2, if the door is locked (first version). Fig. 4 is a section view accordingly Fig. 3 in a state in which an electric motor and a limiting element are removed (first embodiment). Fig. 5 is a section view along line 5-5 in Fig. 3 (first version). Fig. 6 is a section view along line 6-6 in Fig. 3. (first version). Fig. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating a change in the position of a pin in an axial position constraint groove (first version). Fig. 8 is a section view accordingly Fig. 3 of the lid opening and closing device in a state in which the rod is in a pressed-in position (first embodiment). Fig. 9 is a section view accordingly Fig. 3 of the lid opening and closing device in a state in which the rod is in a protruding position (first embodiment). Fig. 10 is a section view along line 10-10 in Fig. 9 (first version). [ Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a section view accordingly Fig. 10, when the door is in a locked state in a state in which the rod is in the protruding position (first version). Fig. 12 is a view in the direction of arrow 12 in Fig. 5 (first version). Fig. 13 is a diagram accordingly Fig. 12 in a state in which an emergency actuating element is actuated (first version). Fig. 14 is a perspective view accordingly Fig. 1 of a second version (second version). Fig. 15 is a view accordingly Fig. 12, if an emergency actuating element is in a non-actuated state (second version). Fig. 16 is a sectional view along line 16-16 in Fig. 15 (second version). Fig. Figure 17 is an exploded view of part of an actuating force-direction conversion mechanism (second version). Fig. 18 is a sectional view along line 18-18 in Fig. 17 (second version). Fig. 19 is an enlarged view of one in Fig. 15 with arrow 19 shown part, when the emergency actuating element is in the unactuated state (second version). Fig. 20 is a view accordingly Fig. 19, when the emergency release element is actuated (second version). EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMBERS AND SYMBOLS 17 lids 21 poles 22, 92 cases 28, 94 Restriction element 29 Electric motor 76 Emergency actuation element 82 lead 84, 103 Actuating force-direction of action-conversion mechanism 85 Control track section 87 guide hole 88 lead 104 Pressure absorption projection 105 first coupling element 106 second coupling element WAYS TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION

[0011] The embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIRST VERSION

[0012] A first embodiment of the present invention is described in relation to Fig. 1 to Fig. 13 explains; firstly, in Fig. 1. A recessed section 16 is formed in an outer body panel 15 of a vehicle. A fuel filling section (not shown) is attached to the recessed section 16, and a base end section of a cover 17 is pivotably mounted on the outer body panel of the vehicle, the cover 17 opening and closing the recessed section 16. A locking element 18 is provided on an inner surface at a free end of the cover 17, and a housing 22 of a cover opening and closing device 20 is attached to a bottom wall 16a of the recessed section 16. The cover opening and closing device 20 has a rod 21 with an engagement section 21a at its outermost part, which releasably engages with the locking element 18.

[0013] Additionally, regarding Fig. 2 to Fig. 6 the housing 22 is formed from a housing main body 23, which is formed into a rectangular box shape, and a cover 24, which is connected to the housing body 23 to close an open end of the housing main body 23.

[0014] The main housing body 23 has an integrated upper side wall 23a and a lower side wall 23b, which extend in the vehicle width direction with a gap between them in the vertical direction; an outer side wall 23c, which extends in the vertical direction while connecting end parts on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the upper and lower side walls 23a and 23b; an inner side wall 23d, which extends in the vertical direction while connecting end parts on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the upper and lower side walls 23a and 23b; and a flat, plate-shaped end wall 23e, which is connected together with end parts on one side in the vehicle length direction of the upper side wall 23a, the lower side wall 23b, the outer side wall 23c, and the inner side wall 23d.The cover 24 is connected to the main housing body 23 from the opposite side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in such a way that it is opposite the end wall 23e.

[0015] A rectangular insertion hole 25 (see Fig. 1) is formed in the bottom wall 16a of the recessed part 16, and the housing 22 is inserted into the insertion hole 25 from the outer side in the direction of the vehicle width. In addition, a rectangular collar section 23f is integrally connected to the outer side wall 23c of the main housing body 23, so that it projects outwards from its outer circumference, and the housing 22 is inserted into the insertion hole 25 from the outer side in the direction of the vehicle width, such that a rectangular inner sealing element 26, which surrounds an end part of the housing 22 located on a collar section 23f side, is arranged between the collar section 23f and an outer side of the bottom wall 16a at the circumferential edge of the insertion hole 25.A base end portion of an elastic claw 27 is connected to the upper side wall 23a and the lower side wall 23b of the main housing body 23, the elastic claw 27 passing through the insertion hole 25 due to its bending when the housing 22 is inserted into the insertion hole 25 and an end portion of the elastic claw 27 bears against an inner surface of the bottom wall 16a. That is, the inner sealing element 26 and the bottom wall 16a are held between the collar section 23f and the elastic claw 27, thereby attaching the housing 22 to the bottom wall 16a.

[0016] The lid opening and closing device 20 includes the rod 21, a limiting element 28 which can limit a movement of the rod 21, and an electric motor 29 which drives the limiting element 28, wherein the limiting element 28 and the electric motor 29 are housed in the casing 22.

[0017] The rod 21 is arranged such that it extends in the vehicle width direction in an upper part of the housing 22 and is movably mounted on the main housing body 23 of the housing 22. A support rib 31 extends in the longitudinal direction of the rod 21 and projects integrally from an inner surface of the end wall 23e of the main housing body 23, the support rib 31 having a sliding contact support surface 30 at its projecting end, which is arcuately recessed so that it is in sliding contact with a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the rod 21, which has a circular cross-section.A through-hole 32 is formed in an upper end part of the outer side wall 23c of the main housing body 23, wherein the rod 21 is inserted axially movably through the through-hole 32, wherein a short cylindrical section 23g, which projects from the outer side wall 23c to the recess part 16 side to form part of the through-hole 32, is integrally formed on the upper part of the outer side wall 23c, and an annular outer sealing element 33 is placed on the short cylindrical section 23g, wherein the outer sealing element 33 is in elastic sliding contact with the outer circumference of the rod 21.

[0018] A holder 35 is mounted on the rod 21 in the housing 22. The holder 35 is designed to have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional form that opens at the end wall 23e, and an engagement collar 35a is formed integrally with the holder 35, the engagement collar 35a engaging with an annular groove 36 formed on the outer circumference of the rod 21. The holder 35 is thus positioned on the rod 21 in such a way that it can pivot around the axis of the rod 21 within a limited range relative to the rod 21, while it is unable to move axially relative to the rod 21.

[0019] An annular spring receiving recess part 37 is formed in the rod 21 at a location adjacent to the inner side wall 23d of the main housing body 23, such that it is coaxial to the axis of the rod 21 and open on the outer side wall 23c side, and a coil spring, which is partially received in the spring receiving recess part 37, is provided between the rod 21 and the outer side wall 23c.

[0020] The rod 21 is tensioned by the spring force of the coil spring 38 in a direction in which the engagement section 21a protrudes from the vehicle body outer plate 15 at its end part, and in order to limit the axial position of the rod 21, a Fig. 7 Axial position limiting groove 40 shown in an outer surface of the holder 35 on the side opposite the upper side wall 23a of the main housing body 23, wherein a pin 41 is inserted into the axial position limiting groove 40.

[0021] An arm plate 42 formed from a leaf spring is designed between the holder 35 and the electric motor 29 such that it extends longitudinally along the longitudinal direction of the rod 21, wherein a shaft which is inserted into a base end part of the arm plate 42 is held between the main housing body 23 and the cover 24, and the arm plate 42 is mounted on the shaft 43 in such a way that it can pivot within a permissible range within the housing 22.

[0022] The pin 41 is fixed near the free end portion of the armplate 42, and a projecting part 44 extends from the main body of the housing 23, bearing against a point near the base end portion of the armplate 42 from the side opposite the rod 21. The armplate 42 thereby generates a spring force that tensions the pin 41 towards the holder 35 side.

[0023] The rod 21 is capable of forward and backward movement, between a retracted position in which it is pressed against the spring force of the coil spring 38, as shown in Fig. 8 shown, in response to the fact that the cover 17 is pressed inwards in the closed state and an open state, and in a projecting position in which it protrudes far from the housing 22 by means of the spring force of the spring 38, as in Fig. Figure 9 shows when the lid 17 is in the open state, and furthermore, when the lid 17 is in the closed state, the rod 21 takes place, as shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 6 shows a closed-lid position in which it returns from the pressed-in position to the protruding position side by only a predetermined amount of movement.

[0024] A round, rod-shaped stopper 21b projects coaxially and integrally from the rod 21 into an end part on the inner side wall 23d of the main housing body 23, and when, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, when the rod 21 is in the pressed-in position, the stopper 21b bears against the inner side wall 23d of the main housing body 23 and limits the end of the rod's movement in the inward direction. The holder 35 has the function of limiting the protruding position of the rod 21, and the holder 35 is attached to the rod 21 such that, in a state where the rod 21 is in the protruding position, as shown in Figure 8, the stopper 21b rests against the inner side wall 23d of the main housing body 23 and limits the movement of the rod 21 in the inward direction. The holder 35 has the function of limiting the protruding position of the rod 21, and the holder 35 is attached to the rod 21 such that, in a state where the rod 21 is in the protruding position, as shown in Figure 8, the stopper 21b rests against the inner side wall 23d of the main Fig. Figure 9 shows that the holder 35 is supported against the outer side wall 23c of the main housing body 23 and limits the movement end of the rod 21 in the forward direction.

[0025] In relation to Fig. 7 The axial position limiting groove 40 is formed with a pin receiving section 40a, which is supported against the pin 41 along a preload direction shown by arrow 45, while movement of the rod 21 to the protruding position is prevented by the pin 41 receiving the holder 35, which is tensioned together with the rod 21 in the preload direction by means of the coil spring 38 when the cover 21 is in the closed-cover position; first and second pressed-in position receiving sections 40b and 40c, which receive the pin 41 when the rod 21 and the holder 35 are in the pressed-in position, and a protruding position receiving section 40d, which receives the pin 41 when the rod 21 and the holder 35 are in the protruding position.

[0026] When the lid 17 is pressed in to the closed position, the pin 41 is moved, as shown by arrow 46, by the movement of the rod 21 and the holder 35 to the pressed-in position, from the pin receiving section 40a to the first pressed-in position receiving section 40b, and when the rod 21 and the holder 35 are moved to the protruding position by releasing a force pressing the lid 17 in, the pin 41 is moved, as shown by arrow 47, from the first pressed-in position receiving section 48b to the protruding position receiving section 40d.When the rod 21 is pressed in together with the lid 17 in a state in which the lid is in the open position, the pin 41 is displaced, as shown by arrow 48, to the second pressed-in position receiving section 40c due to the movement of the rod 21 and the holder 35 to the pressed-in position, and when the rod 21 and the holder 35 are moved towards the closed-lid position by releasing a force pressing the lid 17 in, the pin 41 is displaced, as shown by arrow 49, from the second pressed-in position receiving section 40c to the pin receiving section 40a and rests against the pin receiving section 40a.

[0027] In the axial position limiting groove 40, a first step part 50 is formed, which prevents the pin 41 from being displaced backwards from the pin receiving section 40a to the second pressed-in position receiving section 40c, a second step part 51, which prevents the pin 41 from being displaced backwards from the first pressed-in position receiving section 40b to the pin receiving section 40a, a third step part 52, which prevents the pin 41 from being displaced backwards from the protruding position receiving section 40d to the first pressed-in position receiving section 40b, and a fourth step part 53, which prevents the pin 41 from being displaced backwards from the second pressed-in position receiving section 40c to the protruding position receiving section 40d.

[0028] The engagement section 21a in the end part of the rod 21 is essentially T-shaped; in a state where the cover 17 is in the closed position, the engagement section 21a engages with the locking part 18, and when the cover 17 is opened, the engagement with the locking part 18 is released, and by rotating the rod 21 about its own axis by 90°, the engagement section 21a is switched between engagement with the locking part 18 and release of the engagement.

[0029] In relation to Fig. 6 A helical groove 54 is formed in an outer circumference of the rod 21, which points towards the end wall 23e of the main housing body 23, and a projection 55 extends integrally into the guide groove 54 and projects from the end wall 23e. The guide groove 54 is designed such that it rotates the rod 21 about its axis by 90° while the rod 21 moves in the axial direction between the pressed-in position and the projecting position.

[0030] The electric motor 29 has an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of the rod 21 and is mounted in the housing 22 such that it is positioned facing the inside of the main housing body 23, below the rod 21 and the holder 35. A substantially L-shaped partition 57 projects integrally from the main housing body 23 and, in conjunction with the inner side wall 23d and the lower side wall 23b, forms a motor mounting recess 56 that accommodates the electric motor 29. Furthermore, a cutout 58 is formed in the partition 47, which accommodates part of the pin 41 fixed to the arm plate 42. A connector section 23h is integrally connected to the inner side wall 23d, with a pair of connector terminals 59, connected to the electric motor 29, facing the interior of the connector section 23h.

[0031] The limiting element 28 is received in the housing 22 such that it is located further outwards than the electric motor 29 in the vehicle width direction, below the rod 21 and the holder 35, and is received in the housing 22 such that it operates in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the forward and backward movement of the rod 21, i.e., in this embodiment, in the vertical direction, between a Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 shown constraint position, in which it engages with the rod 21 in the closed-lid position and restricts movement of the rod 21, and a constraint release position, as in Fig. 8, Fig. 9 and Fig. Figure 10 shows that it releases the engagement with the rod 21, moves to the side away from the rod 21 and releases the constraint of the rod 21.

[0032] A locking recess 61, which points towards the side of the restraint element 28 when the rod 21 is in the closed-lid position, is formed in the outer circumference of the rod 21, and an engagement projection 62, which is inserted into and thus engaged with the locking recess 61 when the rod 21 is in the closed-lid position, projects from the rod 21 side at an end part of the restraint element 28. A stop 63 is integrally formed at the end part on the rod 21 side of the restraint element 28, the stop 63 determining the restraint position of the restraint element 28 by bearing against the support rib 31, which projects from the inside of the end wall 23e, as shown in Fig. 5 shown when the constraint element 28 moves to the constraint position into a state in which the rod 21 is in the closed-lid position.

[0033] An output shaft 64 of the electric motor 29 has an axis parallel to the axis of the rod 21, i.e., orthogonal to the working direction of the limiting element 28, and extends rotatably through the partition 57 and projects from the side of the limiting element 28. A toothing 65 on the limiting element 28 is formed such that it extends along its direction of movement, and a pinion 66 provided on the output shaft 64 meshes with the toothing 65. The limiting element 28 is therefore driven by the operation of the electric motor 29 so that it operates between the limiting position and the limiting release position.

[0034] The electric motor 29 operates only for a predetermined time (e.g. 0.6 seconds) in response to the vehicle door being switched between the locked and unlocked states by a keyless button operation of a vehicle user or an intelligent entry system; the electric motor 29 drives the restrictor 28 to the restrictor position when the door is in the locked state, and the electric motor 29 drives the restrictor 28 to a restrictor release position when the door is in the unlocked state.

[0035] In a state where the rod 21 is in the protruding position, i.e., a state where the cover 17 is open, if a vehicle user mistakenly puts the door into a locked position, even though the restraint element 28 is driven in the restraint release position to the restraint position side by means of the electric motor 29, the restraint element 28 is unable to engage with the rod 21 in the protruding position; as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the engagement projection 62 and the stopper 63 of the restraint element 28 are supported against the holder 35 before they assume the restraint position, thus preventing the movement of the restraint element 28 towards the restraint position. Therefore, when the operation of the electric motor 29 is stopped, there is a possibility that the restraint element 28 will stop halfway before reaching the restraint position, but the restraint element 28 will return to the restraint release position through the action of a holding mechanism 68.

[0036] The holding mechanism 68 elastically holds at least the restriction release position of the restriction element 28 and is formed from a support part 69, which is integral with the cover 24 as part of the housing 22 forming the housing element, and an elastic element 70, which is attached to the restriction element 28 while bearing against the support part 69 in order to tension the restriction element 28 towards the restriction release position side when the restriction element 28 is in a position halfway through the movement from the restriction release position to the restriction position side.

[0037] A groove 71 is formed in the restraint element 28 over its entire length along the longitudinal direction of the restraint element 28, the groove 71 opening at the outer side wall 23c of the main housing body 23, and a bearing shaft 72 arranged within the groove 71 integrally projecting from the restraint element 28. The elastic element 70 has a coiled section 70a that surrounds the bearing shaft 72, as well as first and second arm sections 70b and 70c that extend from opposite sides of the coiled section 70a.

[0038] The first arm section 70b of the elastic element 70 is supported against and mounted on the side wall 71a, which, beneath the side walls 71a and 71b, is located further away from the cover 24 on opposite sides of the groove 71. An end section of the second arm section 70c is supported against and mounted on the side wall 71b on the cover 24 side, beneath the side walls 71a and 71b, on opposite sides of the groove 71. An angled elastic part 73, curved towards the cover 24 side, is formed on an intermediate part of the second arm section 70c. A slot 74, through which the elastic part 73 is inserted, is provided in the restraint element 28, with the elastic part 73 projecting from the slot 74 towards the cover 24 side.

[0039] On the other hand, the support part 69 projecting from the cover 24 is always supported against the elastic part 73; in a state in which the restraint element 28 is in the restraint release position, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the elastic part 73 is supported against the support part 69 over a section further towards the end-part side of the second arm section 70c than an angled vertex section 73c, and the elastic part 73 generates a spring force that tensions the restraint element 28 towards the restraint release position side. In a state where the restraint element 28 is in the restraint position, as shown in Figure 10, the elastic part 73 is supported against the support part 69 over a section further towards the end-part side of the second arm section 70c than an angled vertex section 73c. Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the elastic part 73 is supported against the support part 69 over a section further towards the side opposite the end part of the second arm section 70c than the angled vertex section 73a, and the elastic part 73 generates a spring force that tensions the restraint element 28 towards the restraint position side. When the restraint element 28, as shown in Figure 5, Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the elastic part 73 is in an intermediate position between the restraint position and the restraint release position, without the support part 69 passing over the apex section 73a of the elastic part 73. In this position, the elastic part 73 bears against the support part 69 over a section further along the end-section side of the second arm section 70c than the apex section 73a, and the elastic part 73 generates a spring force that tensions the restraint element 28 towards the restraint release position side. If the restraint element 28 is driven towards the restraint position side by the electric motor 29, and the restraint element 28 assumes a position halfway before reaching the restraint position, the restraint element 28 is returned to the restraint release position by the action of the holding mechanism 28, and the operation of the electric motor 29 is stopped.

[0040] If the electric motor 29 malfunctions because the cover 17 cannot be opened until the restricting element 28, which restricts the rod 21 in the closed door state, is returned to the restriction release position by manual actuation, the cover opening and closing device 20 is provided with an emergency actuation element 76 which is able to move the restricting element 28 to the restriction release position when the electric motor 29 malfunctions.

[0041] In Fig. 12 The emergency actuating element 76 is movable in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the rod 21 along an outer side of the end wall 23e of the housing main body 23 of the housing 22, and has a one-piece, flat, plate-shaped actuating element main section 76a, which is in sliding contact with the outer side of the end wall 23e, a rod-shaped section 76b, which is integrally connected to an operating main part and extends inwards in the vehicle width direction parallel to the direction of movement of the rod 21, and an actuating section 76c, which has a circular hole and is provided on an end part of the rod-shaped section 76b.

[0042] An upper guide rib 77 projects integrally from an outer surface of the end wall 23e. This upper guide rib can slide into contact with an upper edge portion of the actuating element main section 76a. A lower guide rib 78 also projects integrally from an outer surface of the end wall 23e. The upper guide rib 77 and the lower guide rib 78 extend parallel to the forward and backward direction of movement of the rod 21 at positions that are spaced apart vertically. A guide projection 80 projects integrally from the outer surface of the end wall 23e. The rod-shaped projection 76b is movably seated within this projection.

[0043] A rod-shaped projection 82 is integrally formed on the restraint element 28, which extends through a rectangular opening 81 (see Fig. 4) extends, which is provided in the end wall 23e and extends upwards, wherein the opening 81 is formed longitudinally along the direction of movement of the restraint element 28 to allow movement of the projection 82 when the restraint element 28 moves between the restraint release position and the restraint position. Furthermore, a rubber seal 83 with a rectangular pocket section 83a, which covers the projection 82 from the outside, is located in the opening 81.

[0044] An actuating force-direction conversion mechanism 84 is provided between the limiting element 28 and the emergency actuating element 76. When the emergency actuating element 76 is actuated in a direction parallel to the forward and backward direction of movement of the rod 21 in order to move the emergency actuating element 76, the actuating force-direction conversion mechanism 84 converts the actuating force from the emergency actuating element 76 into a force that actuates the limiting element 28 from the limiting position to the limiting release position in a direction orthogonal to the forward and backward direction of movement of the rod 21.

[0045] This actuating force-direction conversion mechanism 84 is formed from the projection 82, which is integrally formed on the limiting element 28, and a control track section 85, which is inclined on the emergency actuating element 76, so that it obliquely intersects the actuating direction of the limiting element 28 and is supported against the projection 82. A side edge of a window 86, which is formed in the main actuating element section 76a, such that the pocket section 83a of the rubber seal 83 is inserted through it, is inclined like the control track section 85, so that it obliquely intersects the actuating direction of the limiting element 28.

[0046] The main actuating element section 76a of the emergency actuating element 76 includes a guide hole 87 that extends longitudinally in its direction of movement. A guide section 88 projects from the outside of the end wall 23e of the housing main body 23 of the housing 22 and projects into the guide hole 87 to guide the movement of the emergency actuating element 76 and to limit one end of its movement.

[0047] If the emergency actuating element 76 is actuated in the direction indicated in Fig. As shown in Figure 13 with arrow 89, in a state where the limiting element 28 is in the limiting position, the actuating force from the emergency actuating element 76 acts in a direction parallel to the forward and backward movement direction of the rod 21, as well as a force that actuates the limiting element 28 from the limiting position to the limiting release position in a direction orthogonal to the forward and backward movement direction of the rod 21, on the projection 82 of the limiting element 28 over the pocket section 83a of the rubber seal 83. In this arrangement, the pocket section 83a of the rubber seal 83 deforms and bends, as shown in Figure 13. Fig. 12 shown, and the reaction force of the pocket section 83a causes the emergency actuating element 76 to return to its starting position.

[0048] The operation of the first embodiment will now be explained; since the lid opening and closing device 20 contains the holding mechanism 68, which elastically holds at least the restriction release position of the restriction element 28, even if the door is mistakenly closed in a state in which the rod 21 is in the protruding position, because the restriction release position of the restriction element 28 is held elastically by the holding mechanism 68, the restriction element 28 will not remain in a position halfway before it assumes the restriction position, and the restriction element 28 will be held in the restriction release position.It is therefore not necessary to operate the door back from the locked state to the unlocked state, and the locking operation after the movement of the rod 21 to the closed-lid position allows the movement of the rod 21 to be smoothly restricted, thus improving comfort.

[0049] Furthermore, since the holding mechanism 68 is formed from the support part 69, which is integral with the cover 24 forming part of the housing 22, and the elastic element 70, which is attached to the restraint element 28 while bearing against the support part 69 in order to tension the restraint element 28 towards the restraint release position side when the restraint element 28 is in a position where it is on part of the movement from the restraint release position to the restraint position side, it is possible to form the holding mechanism 68 while avoiding any increase in the number of components.

[0050] Furthermore, because the actuating force-direction conversion mechanism 84, which converts the actuating force from the emergency actuating element 76 in a direction parallel to the forward and backward direction of movement of the rod 21 into the force for actuating the limiting element 28 from the limiting position to the limiting release position, is provided between the limiting element 28 and the emergency actuating element 76 of the cover opening and closing device 20, when the emergency actuating element 76 is actuated in a direction parallel to the forward and backward direction of movement of the rod 21, the limiting element 28 is actuated from the limiting position to the limiting release position in a direction orthogonal to the forward and backward direction of movement of the rod 21 by the action of the actuating force-direction conversion mechanism 84,and because the actuation direction of the emergency actuation element 76 is parallel to the forward and reverse movement direction of the rod 21, it is possible to simplify the assembly without enlarging the insertion hole 25 provided in the vehicle body outer plate 15.

[0051] Furthermore, since the actuating force-direction conversion mechanism 84 is formed from the projection 82, which is integrally formed on the limiting element 28, and the control track section 85, which is formed obliquely on the emergency actuating element 76, so that it obliquely intersects the actuating direction of the limiting element 28 and is supported against the projection 82, it is possible to design the actuating force-direction conversion mechanism 84 as a simple and small structure, while avoiding any increase in the number of components by dispensing with the use of a coupling mechanism, etc., which makes it possible to achieve a small size for the lid opening and closing device 20.

[0052] Furthermore, because the emergency actuating element 76 is provided with the guide hole 87, which extends longitudinally in its direction of movement, and the guide section 88 projects from the housing 22, with the guide section 88 projecting into the guide hole 87 to guide a movement of the emergency actuating element 76 and to limit the end of the movement of the emergency actuating element 76, it is possible to guide the movement of the emergency actuating element 76 and to limit the end of the movement of the emergency actuating element 76 with a simple arrangement in which the guide projection 88 on the housing 22 projects into the guide hole 87 which is provided in the emergency actuating element 76. SECOND VERSION

[0053] Now a second embodiment of the present invention is described with regard to Fig. 14 to Fig. 20 explained; parts that are those of the in Fig. 1 to Fig. The first version shown in 13 corresponds to the same reference numbers and symbols and is only shown, while its detailed explanation is omitted.

[0054] First, in Fig. 14 a base end part of a lid 17, which can open and close a recess part 16, which is formed in a vehicle body outer plate 15 of a vehicle, pivotably mounted on the vehicle body outer plate 15, and is a housing 92 of a lid opening and closing device 90, which has a rod 21 having at its outer end part an engagement section 21a which releasably engages with a locking device 18 provided on the lid 17, attached to a bottom wall 16a of the recess part 16.

[0055] Additionally, regarding Fig. 15 the housing 92 is formed from a housing main body 93, which is designed in a rectangular box shape, and a cover 24, which is connected to the housing main body 93 to close an open end of the housing main body 93.

[0056] The main housing body 93 integrally comprises an upper side wall 93a and a lower side wall 93b, which extend in the vehicle width direction with a gap between them in the vertical direction; an outer side wall 93c, which extends in the vertical direction while connecting end parts on the outer side of the upper and lower side walls 93a and 93b in the vehicle width direction; an inner side wall 93e, which extends in the vertical direction while connecting parts on the inner side of the upper and lower side walls 93a and 93b in the vehicle width direction; and a flat, plate-shaped end wall 93e, which is connected together with end parts on one side in the vehicle length direction to the upper side wall 93a, the lower side wall 93b, the outer side wall 93c, and the inner side wall 93d.The cover 24 is connected to the main housing body 93 from the opposite side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, so that it is opposite the end wall 93e.

[0057] The base end parts of elastic claws 27 are connected to the upper side wall 93a and the lower side wall 93b, the elastic claw 27 passing through a rectangular insertion hole 25 formed in the bottom wall 16a of the recessed part 16. This hole flexes when the housing 92 is inserted into the insertion hole 25 from the outer side (in the direction of the vehicle width), and the end parts of the elastic claws 27 bear against an inner surface of the bottom wall 16a. A rectangular inner sealing element 26 is arranged between an outer surface of the bottom wall 16a at the circumferential edge of the insertion hole 25 and a collar section 93f of the housing 92.

[0058] Additionally, regarding Fig. 16 the lid opening and closing device 90 includes the rod 21, a limiting element 94 which is able to limit the movement of the rod 21, and an electric motor 29 (see first embodiment) which drives the limiting element 94, wherein the limiting element 94 and the electric motor 29 are housed in the casing 92.

[0059] A plug section 93h is formed integrated with the inner side wall 93d of the main housing body 93, wherein a pair of connecting terminals 59 (see first embodiment) which are connected to the electric motor 29 point towards the interior of the plug section 93h.

[0060] The limiting element 94 is received in the housing 92, for actuation in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the forward and backward movement of the rod 21 between a limiting position, in which it engages with the rod 21 in the closed-lid position and limits the movement of the rod 21, and a limiting release position, in which it releases the engagement with the rod 21, moves away from the side of the rod 21 and releases the limiting of the rod 21.

[0061] A locking recess part 95, which points towards the side of the restraint element 94 when the rod 21 is in the closed-lid position, is formed in the outer circumference of the rod 21, and an engagement projection 96, which is inserted into the locking recess part 95 and thus engages when the rod 21 is in the closed-lid position, projects from an end part of the restraint element 94 on the side of the rod 21. A stopper 98 is integrated into the end part of the restraint element 94 on the rod 21 side, the stopper 98 determining the restraint position of the restraint element 94 by bearing against a restraint step part 97 formed on an inside of the end wall 93e when the restraint element 94 moves to the restraint position in a state in which the rod 21 is in the closed-lid position.

[0062] An output shaft 64 of the electric motor 29 has an axis parallel to the axis of the rod 21, i.e., orthogonal to the direction of actuation of the limiting element 94. A toothing 99 is provided on the limiting element 94 such that it extends along its direction of movement, and a pinion 66 provided on the output shaft 64 engages with the toothing 99. The limiting element 94 is therefore driven by the operation of the electric motor 29 such that it operates between the limiting position and the limiting release position.

[0063] If the electric motor 29 malfunctions, and the lid 17 cannot be opened until the restricting element 94 has returned to the restriction release position by manual actuation, the lid opening and closing device 90 is provided with an emergency actuating element 100 which is able to move the restricting element 94 to the restriction release position when the electric motor 29 malfunctions.

[0064] The emergency actuating element 100 can move along an outer side of the end wall 93e in the main housing body 93 of the housing 92 and includes an integrated coupling section 100a with an elongated first coupling hole 101, a rod-shaped section 100b which is integrated with the coupling section 100a, and an actuating section 100c which has a circular hole and is provided on an outer part of the rod-shaped section 100b. The rod-shaped section 100b is inclined so that it is positioned upwards from the coupling section 100a towards the inner side in the direction of the vehicle width. A guide projection part 111 with a guide hole 110, into which the rod-shaped section 100b is movably inserted, projects in an integrated manner on the outside of the end wall 93e, and the emergency actuating element 100 can move along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped section 100b.

[0065] An actuating force-direction conversion mechanism 103 is provided between the limiting element 94 and the emergency actuating element 100. When the emergency actuating element 100 is actuated in a direction parallel to the direction of the forward and backward movement of the rod 21 in order to move the emergency actuating element 100, the actuating force-direction conversion mechanism 103 converts the actuating force from the emergency actuating element 100 into a force that actuates the limiting element 94 from the limiting position to the limiting release position in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the forward and backward movement of the rod 21.

[0066] The actuating force-direction conversion mechanism 103 is formed from a pressure-receiving section 104, which is integrated and projects from the restraint element 94, a first coupling element 105, which pivots in response to actuation of the emergency actuating element 100, and a second coupling element 106, the outer part of which is supported against the pressure-receiving section 104 from the restraint position side and which pivots in response to the pivoting of the first coupling element 105 to push the restraint element 94 towards the restraint release position. The pressure-receiving projection 104 is integrated and projects from the restraint element 94, such that its outer part is in close proximity to the inside of the end wall 93e. Additionally, with respect to Fig. 17 and Fig. 18 The first coupling element 105 is designed to have an integrated first coupling element main section 105a, which is arranged along an outer side of the end wall 93e in the housing main body 93 of the housing 92, a pair of first elastic engagement claws 105b, which are integrated and project from an end part of the first coupling element main section 105a on the side opposite the end wall 93e in order to pivotably and elastically engage with the coupling section 100a when inserted into the first coupling hole 101 of the emergency actuating element 100, and a coupling tube section 105c, which is integrated with the other end part of the first coupling element main section 105a.

[0067] A second coupling hole 107 with a rectangular cross-section is formed in the coupling tube section 105c, and a locking step section 107a is formed in each opposing side surface of an end part of the second coupling hole 107a on the side opposite the end wall 93e.

[0068] A cutout 112 is formed in a part of the outer circumference of the first coupling element main body 105a around the coupling tube section 105c, wherein the cutout 112 has a pivot-limiting surface 113 at one end in the circumferential direction. On the other hand, a stopper 116 arranged in the cutout 112 projects from the end wall 93e of the housing main body 93, and a stopper surface 114 is formed on the stopper 116, which can bear against the pivot-limiting surface 113.

[0069] The second coupling element 106 is designed to include an integrated second coupling element main section 106a, which is arranged along the inside of the end wall 93e in the housing main body 93 of the housing 92, while its outer part can be supported against the pressure-receiving projection 94 from the confinement position side; a shaft section 106b, which is integrated with a base end section of the second coupling element main section 106a, so that it is pivotably inserted into a bearing hole 108 formed in the end wall 93e; and a pair of second elastic engagement claws 106c, which are integrated with the other end section of the shaft section 106b on the outside of the end wall 93e. An annular sealing element 109, which is in elastic contact with an inside of the bearing hole 108, is placed around the outer circumference of the shaft section 106b.

[0070] The second elastic engagement claw 106c is inserted into the second coupling hole 107 of the first coupling hole 105, while it is bent and elastically engages with the locking step section 107a. This couples the second coupling element 106 to the first coupling element 105 in a non-pivotable manner.

[0071] A return spring 117 is arranged between the main housing body 93 and the first coupling element 105. The return spring 117 is a torsion spring with a coil section 117a; the coil section 117a is received in an annular receiving groove 118 formed in the end wall 93e, so that it is coaxial to the shaft section 106b of the second coupling element 106 and is open on the side of the first coupling element 105, with one end section 117b of the return spring 117 engaging with a locking groove 119 formed in the stopper 116, and the other end section 117c of the return spring 117 being inserted into and engaging with a locking hole 120 formed in the main section 105a of the first coupling element 105.

[0072] If, according to the actuating force-direction conversion mechanism 103 with the above arrangement, the limiting element 94 is in the limiting position and the emergency actuating element 100 is in the unactuated state, as shown in Fig. 15 and Fig. As shown in Figure 19, the first coupling element 105 is brought into a state in which the pivot limiting surface 113 is supported against the stopper surface 114 of the stopper 116 by means of the spring force exerted by the return spring 117 and is prevented from pivoting, and an outer part of the second coupling element main section 106a of the second coupling element 106 remains stationary in a state in which it is adjacent to the pressure receiving section 104 of the limiting element 94 from the limiting position side.

[0073] When the limiting element 94 is moved from the limiting position to the limiting release position side by actuation of the electric motor 29, the first coupling element 105 is brought into a state in which its pivoting is limited due to the spring force of the return spring 117, while the pivoting limiting surface 113 remains supported against the stopper surface 114 of the stopper 116, and the second coupling element 106 is also held stationary without pivoting by following the pressure receiving section 104.

[0074] If one pulls on the emergency actuating element 100 against the spring force of the return spring 117 in a state in which the limiting element 94 is in the limiting position, as in Fig.As shown in Figure 20, when the first and second coupling elements 105 and 106 pivot, the pressure-receiving section 104 is pressurized by the outer part of the second coupling element main section 106a, and the restraint element 94 moves to the restraint release position. In this arrangement, an end part of the cutout 112 of the first coupling element 105, on the side opposite the pivot restraint surface 113 in the circumferential direction, will not be supported against the stop 116, and the pivoting of the first coupling element 105 will not be restricted by the stop 116.

[0075] Since, according to the second embodiment, the actuating force-direction conversion mechanism 103 is formed from the pressure receiving section 104, which is integrated and projects from the restraint element 94, the first coupling element 105, which pivots in response to the actuation of the emergency actuating element 100, and the second coupling element 106, whose outer part supports itself against the pressure receiving section 104 from the restraint position side and pivots in response to the pivoting of the first coupling element 105 to push the restraint element 94 towards the restraint release position, the actuating force-direction conversion mechanism 103 can be simply designed with a coupling mechanism that has a minimal number of components.

[0076] Above, embodiments of the present invention have been explained, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified in numerous ways, as long as the modifications do not deviate from the subject matter of the invention.

Claims

[1] A lid opening and closing device for a vehicle, comprising a rod (21) that can move forward and backward between a pressed-in position in response to the pressing in of an opening and closing lid (17) and a protruding position when the lid (17) is in an open state, and which assumes a closed-lid position in which the rod (21) returns from the pressed-in position to the protruding position side only by a predetermined amount of movement when the lid (17) is in the closed state; a restraint element (28, 94) that can operate in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the forward and backward movement of the rod (21) between a restraint position where the movement of the rod (21) is restrained at the closed-lid position and a restraint release position where the restraint is released;an electric motor (29) that drives the restricting element (28, 94) between the restricting position and the restricting release position in response to a door switching between a locked and an unlocked state; a housing (22, 92) that accommodates the restricting element (28, 94) and the electric motor (29); and an emergency actuation element (76, 100) that can move the restricting element (28, 94) to the restricting release position if the electric motor (29) malfunctions; characterized by, that an actuating force-direction conversion mechanism (84, 103) is provided between the emergency actuating element (76, 100) and the limiting element (28, 94), wherein the actuating force-direction conversion mechanism (84, 103) converts the actuating force from the emergency actuating element (76, 100), which moves in a direction parallel to the direction of the forward and backward movement of the rod (21), into a force that causes actuation from the limiting position to the limiting release position; and a guide pre-tracking part (80, 111) having a guide hole (79, 110) is formed in the housing (22, 92), wherein the emergency actuating element (76, 100) is movably inserted into the guide hole (79, 110) and its movement is guided by the guide hole (79, 110). [2] The lid opening and closing device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the actuating force direction conversion mechanism (84) is formed from a projection (82) which is integrated onto the limiting element (28) and a control track part (85) which is formed obliquely on the emergency actuating element (76) in order to obliquely intersect an actuating direction of the limiting element (28) and which is supported against the projection (82). [3] The lid opening and closing device for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a guide hole (87) is provided in the emergency actuating element (76) such that it extends longitudinally in its direction of movement, and a guide projection (88) projects from the housing (22), wherein the guide projection (88) guides a movement of the emergency actuating element (76) and projects into the guide hole (87) to limit one end of the movement of the emergency actuating element (76). [4] The lid opening and closing device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the actuating force-direction conversion mechanism (103) is formed from a pressure receiving projection (104) which is integrated onto the restraint element (94), a first coupling element (105) which pivots in response to actuation of the emergency actuating element (100), and a second coupling element (106) whose outer part is supported against the pressure receiving section (104) from the restraint position side and pivots in response to the pivoting of the first coupling element (105) to push the restraint element (94) towards the restraint release position.

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