Door support device

Abstract

To provide a door support device that is able to prevent a door from largely protruding from a vehicle body when the door opens and closes a door opening.SOLUTION: A door support device 40 includes: a main link 100 having a basal end rotatably connected to a vehicle body 20 and a distal end rotatably connected to a back door 30; a sub-link having a basal end rotatably connected to the vehicle body 20 and a distal end rotatably connected to the back door 30 at a position different from a position of the main link 100; and a door driving unit 160 configured to drive the back door 30. The main link 100 and the sub-link form a four-joint link mechanism together with the vehicle body 20 and the back door 30. The main link 100 has an adjusting mechanism 140 configured to adjust an interval between a connecting portion relative to the vehicle body 20 and a connecting portion relative to the back door 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a door support device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle that includes a vehicle body having a door opening, a tailgate that opens and closes the door opening, and a four-bar link mechanism that connects the vehicle body and the tailgate. The four-bar link mechanism has a vehicle body bracket that is fixed to the vehicle body, a door bracket that is fixed to the tailgate, and two swing arms that connect the vehicle body bracket and the door bracket. In the above vehicle, the amount of rearward projection when the tailgate is opened and closed is reduced compared to when the tailgate is connected to the vehicle body via a hinge. In other words, even if there is only a narrow space behind the vehicle, it is possible to open and close the tailgate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-195091 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned vehicle, it is desirable to further reduce the amount of rearward protrusion when the back door is opened or closed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The door support device that solves the above-mentioned problems is a door support device that supports a door for opening and closing a door opening on a vehicle body having a door opening, and includes: a main link having a base end rotatably connected to the vehicle body and a tip end rotatably connected to the door, a sub-link at a position different from the main link, having a base end rotatably connected to the vehicle body and a tip end rotatably connected to the door, and a door drive unit that applies a load to the door in at least the opening direction of the door, of a direction in which the door is opened and a direction in which the door is closed, the main link and the sub-link together with the vehicle body and the door form a four-bar link mechanism, and the main link has an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the distance between a connection part to the vehicle body and a connection part to the door. Effect of the Invention

[0006] The door support device can prevent the door from protruding significantly from the vehicle body when the door opens or closes the door opening. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rear part of the vehicle when the back door is in a fully closed position. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear part of the vehicle when the back door is in a fully open position. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the door support device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the door support device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the main link. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the main link. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view of the rear part of the vehicle when the back door is in the fully closed position. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view of the rear part of the vehicle when the back door is located at the intermediate position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view of the rear part of the vehicle when the back door is in the fully open position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view of the door support device when the back door is in the fully closed position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view of the door support device when the back door is located at the intermediate position. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side view of the door support device when the back door is in the fully open position. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a side view of the rear part of the vehicle in the modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle equipped with a door support device will be described. <Configuration of this embodiment> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 20, a back door 30, two door support devices 40, an operation unit 50, and a door control device 60.

[0009] In this embodiment, the vehicle 10 is a so-called SUV type vehicle. In other embodiments, the vehicle 10 may be a minivan type vehicle, a sedan type vehicle, or another type of vehicle, as long as it is equipped with a back door 30. In addition, in the following description, the width direction of the vehicle 10 is simply referred to as the width direction, the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10 is simply referred to as the front-rear direction, and the up-down direction of the vehicle 10 is simply referred to as the up-down direction.

[0010] <Vehicle 20> 1 and 2, the vehicle body 20 includes a roof 21, two rear pillars 22, a trough 23, an upper striker 24, a lower striker 25, and two elastic members 26. The vehicle body 20 also includes a door opening 27.

[0011] The roof 21 constitutes the ceiling portion of the vehicle body 20. The roof 21 has two grooves 21a extending in the front-rear direction. The two grooves 21a are located on both sides in the width direction of the roof 21. The grooves 21a have a depth direction facing downward. A roof molding is usually placed in the grooves 21a. A roof 21 having such grooves 21a is sometimes called a Mohawk roof.

[0012] The two rear pillars 22 are part of a frame that constitutes the vehicle body 20. The two rear pillars 22 extend upward on both sides in the width direction toward the front. The two rear pillars 22 are connected to both ends of the roof 21 in the width direction, respectively, at positions toward the rear end.

[0013] The trough 23 is positioned so as to surround the upper end and both ends in the width direction of the door opening 27. In other words, the trough 23 defines the door opening 27 in the width direction and from above. The trough 23 is a portion through which rainwater and the like flows, so it is preferable that the trough 23 is moderately inclined in the vertical direction. The trough 23 may be molded integrally with the rear pillar 22, etc.

[0014] The upper striker 24 is located near the upper end of the door opening 27 and at the center in the width direction. The lower striker 25 is located near the lower end of the door opening 27 and at the center in the width direction. The upper striker 24 and the lower striker 25 are connection parts between the vehicle body 20 and the back door 30. The upper striker 24 and the lower striker 25 are made of a metal material, for example, in a U-shape.

[0015] The two elastic members 26 are located on both sides of the trough 23 in the width direction. The elastic members 26 are made of an elastomer such as rubber or resin. The elastic members 26 close the gap between the vehicle body 20 and the back door 30 by being elastically compressed and deformed between the back door 30. The elastic members 26 may have any shape and be installed at any location as long as they can be elastically compressed between the back door 30. The elastic members 26 may be configured integrally with the weather strip or may be configured separately from the weather strip.

[0016] <Backdoor 30> As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the back door 30 opens and closes the door opening 27. More specifically, the back door 30 moves between a fully closed position shown in FIG. 1 where the door opening 27 is fully closed and a fully open position shown in FIG. 2 where the door opening 27 is fully opened. In the following description, when the back door 30 is located at the fully closed position, a portion covering the upper end of the door opening 27 is referred to as a base end of the back door 30, and a portion covering the lower end of the door opening 27 is referred to as a tip end of the back door 30. In addition, the direction in which the back door 30 moves from the fully closed position to the fully open position is referred to as an opening direction, and the direction in which the back door 30 moves from the fully open position to the fully closed position is referred to as a closing direction. Furthermore, the degree of opening of the back door 30 is referred to as the opening degree of the back door 30. When the back door 30 is located at the fully closed position, the opening degree of the back door 30 is minimum, and when the back door 30 is located at the fully open position, the opening degree of the back door 30 is maximum.

[0017] The back door 30 includes a door body 31, an upper locking device 32, a lower locking device 33, and a door lock driving unit 34. The door body 31 has a shape corresponding to the door opening 27.

[0018] The upper locking device 32 is located near the base end of the door body 31 and at the center in the width direction. The lower locking device 33 is located near the tip end of the door body 31 and at the center in the width direction. The upper locking device 32 and the lower locking device 33 are connecting portions of the door body 31 to the vehicle body 20. When the back door 30 is in the fully closed position, the upper locking device 32 contacts the upper striker 24, and the lower locking device 33 contacts the lower striker 25. For example, the upper locking device 32 is configured to include a latch that rotates between a fully latched position where it can be engaged with the upper striker 24 and an unlatched position where it cannot be engaged with the upper striker 24. Similarly, the lower locking device 33 is configured to include a latch that can be engaged with the lower striker 25.

[0019] The door lock drive unit 34 drives the upper locking device 32 and the lower locking device 33. More specifically, when the back door 30 is located near the fully closed position, the door lock drive unit 34 performs a closing operation to rotate the latch of the upper locking device 32 and the latch of the lower locking device 33 toward the fully latched position. In this way, the door lock drive unit 34 engages the latch of the upper locking device 32 and the latch of the lower locking device 33 with the upper striker 24 and the lower striker 25, respectively. When the closing operation is completed, the back door 30 is restrained to the vehicle body 20 in the fully closed position.

[0020] On the other hand, when the back door 30 is opened from the fully closed position, the door lock drive unit 34 performs a release operation to rotate the latch of the upper locking device 32 and the latch of the lower locking device 33 toward the unlatched position. In this way, the door lock drive unit 34 releases the latch of the upper locking device 32 from the upper striker 24, and releases the latch of the lower locking device 33 from the lower striker 25. When the release operation is completed, the back door 30 becomes openable toward the fully open position.

[0021] The back door 30 may be provided with two door lock drive units 34 that individually drive the upper locking device 32 and the lower locking device 33, or may be provided with one door lock drive unit 34 that drives both the upper locking device 32 and the lower locking device 33. In the latter case, it is preferable that the door lock drive unit 34 is configured integrally with one of the upper locking device 32 and the lower locking device 33, and is connected to the other of the upper locking device 32 and the lower locking device 33 via a power transmission member such as a cable.

[0022] <Door support device 40> 1 and 2, the two door support devices 40 connect the vehicle body 20 and the back door 30 on both sides in the width direction. In other words, the two door support devices 40 support the back door 30 on the vehicle body 20. The two door support devices 40 have symmetrical shapes in the width direction. In the following explanation, the door support device 40 on the left side in the width direction will be explained, and the explanation of the door support device 40 on the right side in the width direction will be omitted.

[0023] 3 and 4, the door support device 40 includes a main link 100, a sub-link 150, and a door drive unit 160. The door support device 40 also includes a vehicle body side main bracket 210, a door side main bracket 220, a vehicle body side sub-bracket 230, a door side sub-bracket 240, a first ACT bracket 250, and a second ACT bracket 260.

[0024] In the following description, in the main link 100 and the sub-link 150, the end connected to the vehicle body 20 is referred to as a base end, and the end connected to the back door 30 is referred to as a tip end. In addition, in the door drive unit 160, the end connected to the vehicle body 20 is referred to as a base end, and the end opposite to the base end is referred to as a tip end.

[0025] <Main Link 100> As shown in FIG. 4, the main link 100 includes a base link 110, a slide link 120, a guide pin 130, and an adjustment mechanism 140.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the base link 110 is formed, for example, by pressing a metal plate. The base link 110 has an upper wall 111, a first side wall 112, and a second side wall 113. The upper wall 111, the first side wall 112, and the second side wall 113 are plate-shaped. The first side wall 112 extends from a first end in the width direction of the upper wall 111, and the second side wall 113 extends from a second end in the width direction of the upper wall 111. In the longitudinal direction of the base link 110, the length of the first side wall 112 is equal to the length of the upper wall 111. On the other hand, in the longitudinal direction of the base link 110, the length of the second side wall 113 is much shorter than the length of the upper wall 111. In this respect, it can be said that the second side wall 113 extends from the base end of the upper wall 111. The width direction of the first side wall 112 and the second side wall 113 is the plate thickness direction, and therefore the first side wall 112 and the second side wall 113 face each other in the width direction.

[0027] 4 and 6, the slide link 120 has a long plate shape. The length of the slide link 120 in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length of the base link 110 in the longitudinal direction. The slide link 120 has a guide hole 121 penetrating in the plate thickness direction. The guide hole 121 is an elongated hole extending in the longitudinal direction of the slide link 120. The guide hole 121 is provided at a position closer to the tip end of the slide link 120 than to the base end.

[0028] The guide pin 130 has a shaft portion 131 and a top portion 132. The shaft portion 131 is cylindrical. The outer diameter of the shaft portion 131 is slightly smaller than the width of the guide hole 121 of the slide link 120. The top portion 132 is disk-shaped. The outer diameter of the top portion 132 is larger than the width of the guide hole 121 of the slide link 120. The guide pin 130 is fixed to the tip portion of the base link 110 in a state where it is inserted into the guide hole 121 of the slide link 120. In this way, the slide link 120 is movable in the longitudinal direction of the guide hole 121 relative to the base link 110 and the guide pin 130 and is rotatable around the axis of the guide pin 130. When the slide link 120 moves or rotates relative to the base link 110, the outer surface of the guide pin 130 slides against the inner surface of the guide hole 121 of the slide link 120.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5, the adjustment mechanism 140 includes a driven link 141, a driving gear 142, and a driven gear 143. The driven link 141 is plate-shaped. The length of the driven link 141 in the longitudinal direction is much shorter than the lengths of the base link 110 and the slide link 120 in the longitudinal direction. The tip end of the driven link 141 is connected to the base end of the slide link 120. In this way, the driven link 141 and the slide link 120 are relatively rotatable around an axis extending in the width direction.

[0030] The driving gear 142 is fixed to the second side wall 113 of the base link 110. That is, the driving gear 142 is integrated with the base link 110. As an example, a spline hole may be provided in the second side wall 113 of the base link 110, and a spline shaft corresponding to the spline hole may be provided in the driving gear 142. In this way, the base link 110 and the driving gear 142 can be integrated by inserting the spline shaft of the driving gear 142 into the spline hole of the second side wall 113 of the base link 110. The number of teeth of the driven gear 143 is smaller than the number of teeth of the driving gear 142. The reference circle diameter of the driven gear 143 is smaller than the reference circle diameter of the driving gear 142. The driven gear 143 is fixed to the base end of the driven link 141. That is, the driven gear 143 is integrated with the driven link 141. The manner in which the driven gear 143 is fixed to the driven link 141 may be the same as the manner in which the drive gear 142 is fixed to the base link 110 described above.

[0031] When the driven link 141 rotates, the base end of the slide link 120 moves together with the tip end of the driven link 141. At this time, the movement direction of the slide link 120 is restricted by the guide pin 130 passing through the guide hole 121. More specifically, the slide link 120 slides in the longitudinal direction of the base link 110 while swinging around the axis of the guide pin 130. In this respect, it can be said that the driven link 141 slides the slide link 120 relative to the base link 110.

[0032] <Main bracket 210, 220> As shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle body side main bracket 210 is formed, for example, by pressing a metal plate. The vehicle body side main bracket 210 has a bottom wall 211, a first side wall 212, and a second side wall 213. When viewed from the plate thickness direction, the bottom wall 211 has a rectangular shape. The bottom wall 211 has a retreat hole 214 penetrating in the plate thickness direction. When viewed from the plate thickness direction of the bottom wall 211, the retreat hole 214 has a rectangular shape that is one size smaller than the bottom wall 211. The first side wall 212 extends from a first end in the width direction of the bottom wall 211, and the second side wall 213 extends from a second end in the width direction of the bottom wall 211. The first side wall 212 and the second side wall 213 have the width direction as the plate thickness direction. Therefore, the first side wall 212 and the second side wall 213 face each other in the width direction.

[0033] A first side wall 212 of the vehicle body side main bracket 210 is connected to the first side wall 112 of the base link 110 via a connecting member such as a rivet. Similarly, a second side wall 213 of the vehicle body side main bracket 210 is connected to the second side wall 213 of the base link 110 and the drive gear 142 via a connecting member such as a rivet. In this way, the base link 110 is rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction relative to the vehicle body side main bracket 210. The rotation axis of the base link 110 coincides with the rotation axis of the drive gear 142. Therefore, when the base link 110 rotates, the drive gear 142 rotates about the same rotation axis as the base link 110.

[0034] The second side wall 213 of the vehicle body side main bracket 210 is connected to the base end of the driven link 141 and the driven gear 143 via a connecting member such as a rivet. In this way, the driven link 141 is rotatable around an axis extending in the width direction relative to the vehicle body side main bracket 210. The rotation axis of the driven link 141 coincides with the rotation axis of the driven gear 143. Therefore, when the driven link 141 rotates, the driven gear 143 rotates around the same rotation axis as the driven link 141. The drive gear 142 and the driven gear 143 are engaged with each other. Therefore, when the drive gear 142 rotates, the driven gear 143 also rotates.

[0035] 2, the vehicle body side main bracket 210 is fixed near the upper end of a portion extending in the vertical direction of the roof 23 of the vehicle body 20. As described above, the base end of the main link 100 is rotatably connected to the roof 23 of the vehicle body 20.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 3, the door-side main bracket 220 is connected to the tip of the slide link 120 via a connecting member such as a rivet. Thus, the slide link 120 is rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction relative to the door-side main bracket 220. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the door-side main bracket 220 is fixed to the intermediate portion between the base end and the tip of the back door 30. As described above, the tip of the main link 100 is rotatably connected to the back door 30.

[0037] <Sublink 150> As shown in FIG. 3, the sub-link 150 is rod-shaped. The cross-sectional shape of the sub-link 150 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is T-shaped. The sub-link 150 has a main body 151 and a covering portion 152. The main body 151 is plate-shaped with the plate thickness direction being the width direction. The covering portion 152 is plate-shaped with the plate thickness direction being a direction perpendicular to the width direction. The width of the covering portion 152 is slightly shorter than the width of the recessed groove 21a of the roof 21.

[0038] <Sub bracket 230, 240> The vehicle body side sub-bracket 230 is connected to the base end of the sub-link 150 via a connecting member such as a rivet. Thus, the sub-link 150 is rotatable around an axis extending in the width direction relative to the vehicle body side sub-bracket 230. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle body side sub-bracket 230 is fixed near the rear end of the roof 21 of the vehicle body 20. More specifically, the vehicle body side sub-bracket 230 is fixed to the bottom surface constituting the recessed groove 21a of the roof 21. Therefore, the vehicle body side sub-bracket 230 is not easily noticeable in the appearance of the roof 21. In addition, the vehicle body side sub-bracket 230 is located forward and above the vehicle body side main bracket 210. As described above, the base end of the sub-link 150 is rotatably connected to the roof 21 of the vehicle body 20.

[0039] 1 and 2, the door-side sub-bracket 240 is connected to the tip of the sub-link 150 via a connecting member such as a rivet. Thus, the sub-link 150 is rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction relative to the door-side sub-bracket 240. The door-side sub-bracket 240 is fixed near the base end of the back door 30. As described above, the tip of the sub-link 150 is rotatably connected to the back door 30 at a position different from the tip of the main link 100.

[0040] <Door drive unit 160> 4, the door drive unit 160 is rod-shaped. The door drive unit 160 includes an outer cylinder 161, an inner cylinder 162, an electric motor 163, a conversion mechanism 164, a first ball socket 165, and a second ball socket 166.

[0041] The outer cylinder 161 and the inner cylinder 162 are cylindrical. The inner diameter of the outer cylinder 161 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the outer cylinder 161. The inner cylinder 162 is inserted into the outer cylinder 161 with the axial direction aligned. The inner cylinder 162 is axially movable relative to the outer cylinder 161. The electric motor 163 is accommodated in the outer cylinder 161. Electric power is supplied to the electric motor 163 via a harness (not shown). The conversion mechanism 164 is accommodated across the inner cylinder 162 and the outer cylinder 161. The conversion mechanism 164 is a mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the output shaft of the electric motor 163 into the linear motion of the inner cylinder 162 relative to the outer cylinder 161. As an example, the conversion mechanism 164 may be a feed screw mechanism.

[0042] The first ball socket 165 is fixed to one of both longitudinal ends of the outer cylinder 161, which end has not been inserted into the inner cylinder 162. The second ball socket 166 is fixed to one of both longitudinal ends of the inner cylinder 162, which end has not been inserted into the outer cylinder 161. In other words, the first ball socket 165 and the second ball socket 166 respectively constitute both longitudinal ends of the door drive unit 160.

[0043] <ACTブラケット250,260> As shown in Fig. 4, the first ACT bracket 250 includes a first ball stud 251. As shown in Fig. 2, the first ACT bracket 250 is fixed near the lower end of a portion extending in the vertical direction of the trough 23 of the vehicle body 20. The first ball stud 251 fits into a first ball socket 165 of the door drive unit 160. The first ball stud 251 of the first ACT bracket 250 and the first ball socket 165 of the door drive unit 160 form a ball joint. In this way, the base end of the door drive unit 160 is rotatably connected to the vehicle body 20.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, the second ACT bracket 260 includes a second ball stud 261. The second ACT bracket 260 is fixed to the main link 100. More specifically, the second ACT bracket 260 is fixed to the base end of the upper wall 111 of the base link 110. The second ball stud 261 fits into the second ball socket 166 of the door driver 160. The second ball stud 261 of the second ACT bracket 260 and the second ball socket 166 of the door driver 160 form a ball joint. In this way, the tip of the door driver 160 is rotatably connected to the base link 110 of the main link 100.

[0045] <Link mechanism> As described above, in this embodiment, the vehicle body 20, the back door 30, the main link 100, and the sub-link 150 form a so-called four-bar link mechanism. In addition, the base link 110, the slide link 120, the driven link 141, the drive gear 142, the driven gear 143, and the guide pin 130 form a slide mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the base link 110 into the forward and backward motion of the slide link 120.

[0046] <Operation unit 50> The operation unit 50 is a part operated by a user when operating the back door 30. The operation unit 50 may be provided around the driver's seat of the vehicle 10, may be provided on the back door 30, or may be provided on a portable device such as an electronic key or a smartphone. The operation unit 50 outputs a signal to the door control device 60 when operated by a user. The signal output by the operation unit 50 to the door control device 60 includes, for example, an opening operation command signal for opening the back door 30, a closing operation command signal for closing the back door 30, and a stop command signal for stopping the back door 30 in operation.

[0047] <Door control device 60> The door control device 60 is an electronic control device equipped with a CPU and a memory. In the door control device 60, the CPU executes a program stored in the memory to control the operation of the back door 30. The door control device 60 is connected to the operation unit 50 by wire or wirelessly. In addition, the door control device 60 is connected to the door lock drive unit 34 and the door drive unit 160 via an in-vehicle network.

[0048] When an open operation command signal is input, the door control device 60 controls the door drive unit 160 to extend the door drive unit 160. In this way, the door control device 60 opens the back door 30 toward the fully open position. Furthermore, when an open operation command signal is input in a situation where the back door 30 is in the fully closed position, the door control device 60 controls the door lock drive unit 34 before controlling the door drive unit 160. More specifically, the door control device 60 controls the door lock drive unit 34 to cause the door lock drive unit 34 to perform a release operation. In this way, the door control device 60 releases the restraint of the back door 30 by the upper lock device 32 and the lower lock device 33.

[0049] On the other hand, when a close operation command signal is input, the door control device 60 controls the door drive unit 160 to contract the door drive unit 160. In this way, the door control device 60 closes the back door 30 toward the fully closed position. After the back door 30 has been closed close to the fully closed position, the door control device 60 controls the door lock drive unit 34 to cause the door lock drive unit 34 to perform a closing operation. In this way, the door control device 60 pulls the back door 30 to the fully closed position and restrains the back door 30 to the vehicle body 20.

[0050] Furthermore, when a stop command signal is input during the opening or closing operation of the back door 30, the door control device 60 stops the extension and contraction of the door drive unit 160. In this manner, the door control device 60 stops the back door 30.

[0051] The vehicle 10 may be provided with a touch sensor for determining whether or not an object has come into contact with the back door 30 during the opening / closing operation. In this case, the touch sensor is preferably installed along the edge of the back door 30. Then, when the touch sensor detects contact between the back door 30 and an object during the opening / closing operation of the back door 30, the door control device 60 preferably stops the back door 30 or reverses the operating direction of the back door 30.

[0052] <Action of this embodiment> Hereinafter, the action of the door support device 40 when the back door 30 is opened will be described with reference to Fig. 7 to Fig. 12. Fig. 7 to Fig. 9 show the change in the state of the rear part of the vehicle 10, and Fig. 10 to Fig. 12 show the change in the state of the door support device 40.

[0053] 7 and 10 show the state when the back door 30 is in the fully closed position. When the back door 30 is in the fully closed position, the door drive unit 160 is fully contracted. In addition, the main link 100 rotates the most in the second rotation direction R12 relative to the vehicle body side main bracket 210, and the sub-link 150 rotates the most in the second rotation direction R22 relative to the vehicle body side sub-bracket 230.

[0054] When the back door 30 is opened, the door drive unit 160 extends. As a result, as the door drive unit 160 extends, a torque that rotates the main link 100 in a first rotation direction R11 relative to the vehicle body side main bracket 210 acts on the main link 100. In other words, the door drive unit 160 applies a load in the opening direction to the back door 30 via the main link 100. When the main link 100 rotates in the first rotation direction R11 relative to the vehicle body side main bracket 210, the sub-link 150 rotates in the first rotation direction R21 relative to the vehicle body side sub-bracket 230. As a result, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the door side main bracket 220 moves forward and upward, and the door side sub-bracket 240 moves forward and upward. In this way, the back door 30 moves upward and forward.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, when the door drive unit 160 extends in a state where the back door 30 is in a fully closed position, the main link 100 rotates together with the drive gear 142 in the first rotation direction R11 relative to the vehicle body side main bracket 210. Therefore, the driven gear 143 meshing with the drive gear 142 rotates together with the driven link 141 in the second rotation direction R32. As a result, the base end of the slide link 120 connected to the driven link 141 is pulled toward the base end of the base link 110. However, the guide pin 130 fixed to the base link 110 is inserted into the guide hole 121 of the slide link 120. Therefore, the slide link 120 is displaced while being guided by the guide pin 130, and the amount of protrusion of the slide link 120 relative to the base link 110 is reduced.

[0056] In this way, the distance between the connecting portion of the base link 110 with the vehicle body 20 and the connecting portion of the slide link 120 with the back door 30 (hereinafter also referred to as "length L of the main link 100") becomes shorter than the first length L1. In other words, the length L of the main link 100 is adjusted by the adjustment mechanism 140 in accordance with the change in the opening degree of the back door 30.

[0057] Here, the vehicle body side main bracket 210, which is the connecting portion between the main link 100 and the vehicle body 20, is immovable, whereas the door side main bracket 220, which is the connecting portion between the main link 100 and the tailgate 30, is movable together with the tailgate 30. For this reason, when the length L of the main link 100 becomes shorter, the door side main bracket 220 tries to approach the vehicle body side main bracket 210. In other words, compared to the case where the length L of the main link 100 does not change, the tailgate 30 is opened so as not to move away from the door opening 27.

[0058] 8 and 11 show a state when the back door 30 is located at an intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position. When the back door 30 is located at an intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position, the length L of the main link 100 is the shortest second length L2. In other words, when the back door 30 operates between the fully closed position and the intermediate position, the greater the opening degree of the back door 30, the shorter the length L of the main link 100 becomes. Also, as shown in FIG. 11, in a side view in the width direction, the rotation center of the base link 110 relative to the vehicle body side main bracket 210, the rotation center of the slide link 120 relative to the vehicle body side main bracket 210, and the rotation center of the slide link 120 relative to the door side main bracket 220 are aligned on a straight line.

[0059] If the door drive unit 160 continues to be extended even after the back door 30 reaches the intermediate position, the main link 100 further rotates in the first rotation direction R11 relative to the vehicle body side main bracket 210. That is, the sub-link 150 also further rotates in the first rotation direction R21 relative to the vehicle body side sub-bracket 230. As a result, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the door side main bracket 220 moves forward and upward, and the door side sub-bracket 240 moves forward and downward. In this way, the back door 30 moves forward and upward.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, when the door drive unit 160 extends in a state where the back door 30 is located at the intermediate position, the main link 100 rotates together with the drive gear 142 in the first rotation direction R11 with respect to the vehicle body side main bracket 210. Therefore, the driven gear 143 meshing with the drive gear 142 rotates together with the driven link 141 in the second rotation direction R32. As a result, the base end of the slide link 120 connected to the driven link 141 is pushed toward the tip of the base link 110. However, the guide pin 130 fixed to the base link 110 is inserted into the guide hole 121 of the slide link 120. Therefore, the slide link 120 is displaced while being guided by the guide pin 130, and the amount of protrusion of the slide link 120 relative to the base link 110 increases. That is, the length L of the main link 100 becomes longer than the second length L2. When the length L of the main link 100 becomes longer, the door-side main bracket 220 tries to move away from the vehicle-body-side main bracket 210. In other words, the back door 30 is opened so as to move away from the door opening 27, compared to when the length L of the main link 100 does not change.

[0061] 9 and 12 show the state when the back door 30 is in the fully open position. When the back door 30 is in the fully open position, the door drive unit 160 is most extended. Furthermore, the length L of the main link 100 is the longest, similar to when the back door 30 is in the fully closed position. More specifically, the length L of the main link 100 is a third length L3 equal to the first length L1. In other words, when the back door 30 operates between the intermediate position and the fully open position, the greater the opening degree of the back door 30, the longer the length L of the main link 100.

[0062] Next, the operation of the door support device 40 when the back door 30 is closed will be briefly described. When the back door 30 is closed from the fully open position, the door drive unit 160 contracts. Therefore, as the door drive unit 160 contracts, a torque that rotates the main link 100 in the second rotation direction R12 acts on the main link 100. In other words, the door drive unit 160 applies a load in the closing direction to the back door 30 via the main link 100. When the main link 100 rotates in the second rotation direction R12 relative to the vehicle body side main bracket 210, the sub-link 150 rotates in the second rotation direction R22 relative to the vehicle body side sub-bracket 230. As a result, the door side main bracket 220 moves backward and downward, and the door side sub-bracket 240 moves backward and downward. In this way, the back door 30 moves backward and downward toward the fully closed position. Also, when the main link 100 rotates in the second rotation direction R12, the driven link 141 rotates in the first rotation direction R31. Therefore, the length L of the main link 100 becomes shorter when the back door 30 moves from the fully open position to the intermediate position, and becomes longer when the back door 30 moves from the intermediate position to the fully closed position.

[0063] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) The adjustment mechanism 140 of the door support device 40 can adjust the length L of the main link 100 in accordance with the opening degree of the back door 30. Therefore, the door support device 40 can prevent the back door 30 from significantly protruding from the vehicle body 20 when the back door 30 opens or closes the door opening 27.

[0064] (2) More specifically, when the back door 30 is opened from the fully closed position toward the intermediate position, the length L of the main link 100 is shortened. Therefore, compared to a case in which the length L of the main link 100 is not shortened, the amount of protrusion of the back door 30 toward the rear when the back door 30 is opened from the fully closed position is reduced.

[0065] (3) Furthermore, when the back door 30 is opened from the intermediate position toward the fully open position, the length L of the main link 100 becomes longer. Therefore, compared to a case in which the length L of the main link 100 is not longer, the tip of the back door 30 reaches a higher position when the back door 30 is located at the fully open position. Therefore, the door support device 40 can widely open the door opening 27 in the vertical direction when the back door 30 is located at the fully open position.

[0066] (4) The main link 100 includes a base link 110, a slide link 120, a drive gear 142, and a driven gear 143. Therefore, the main link 100 can adjust the amount of protrusion of the slide link 120 relative to the base link 110 in conjunction with the rotation of the base link 110 accompanying the opening and closing operation of the back door 30. Therefore, the door support device 40 can appropriately adjust the length L of the main link 100 in accordance with the opening degree of the back door 30 even without a drive source such as an electric motor.

[0067] (5) Consider a comparative example in which both ends of the door drive unit 160 are connected to the vehicle body 20 and the back door 30. In this comparative example, it is necessary to employ a door drive unit that can be extended very far because the back door 30 is significantly separated from the vehicle body 20 when the back door 30 is in the fully closed position. In contrast, in this embodiment, both ends of the door drive unit 160 are connected to the vehicle body 20 and the main link 100. For this reason, the door drive unit 160 employed in the door support device 40 does not need to be one that can be extended very far.

[0068] (6) The base end of the sub-link 150 is rotatably connected to the roof 21 of the vehicle body 20. Therefore, compared to a case in which the base end of the sub-link 150 is rotatably connected to the roof 23 of the vehicle body 20, the fully open position of the back door 30 is located further forward and higher.

[0069] (7) When the length L of the main link 100 changes, the outer surface of the guide pin 130 slides against the inner surface of the guide hole 121 of the slide link 120. Therefore, the door support device 40 can reduce the sliding resistance when the length L of the main link 100 changes.

[0070] (8) Consider a comparative example in which the base end of the back door 30 is supported on the vehicle body 20 so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the width direction. Compared to such a comparative example, the door support device 40 of the present embodiment allows the back door 30 to move in a direction intersecting the width direction, so that the back door 30 is more likely to move relative to the vehicle body 20 when the back door 30 is located in the fully closed position. In this regard, in the door support device 40 of the present embodiment, when the back door 30 is located in the fully closed position, the upper lock device 32 and the lower lock device 33 of the back door 30 are locked to the upper striker 24 and the lower striker 25 of the vehicle body 20, respectively. That is, the two door lock devices of the back door 30 are locked to the two strikers of the vehicle body 20, respectively. Therefore, the door support device 40 can suppress the back door 30 from moving inadvertently relative to the vehicle body 20 even when vibrations during the travel of the vehicle 10 act on the back door 30 or strong winds act on the back door 30.

[0071] Furthermore, the vehicle 10 has an elastic member 26 that is elastically compressed and deformed between the vehicle body 20 and the back door 30 that is positioned in the fully closed position. Therefore, the back door 30 that is positioned in the fully closed position is less likely to move relative to the vehicle body 20. Therefore, the vehicle 10 can further suppress inadvertent movement of the back door 30 relative to the vehicle body 20 when the back door 30 is positioned in the fully closed position.

[0072] (9) The sub-link 150 has a covering portion 152 that is equal in width to the recessed groove 21a of the roof 21. Therefore, when the back door 30 is located in the fully closed position, the main body portion 151 of the sub-link 150 is accommodated in the recessed groove 21a of the roof 21, and the covering portion 152 of the sub-link 150 closes the opening of the recessed groove 21a of the roof 21. Therefore, the door support device 40 can prevent the appearance of the roof 21 from being deteriorated when the back door 30 is located in the fully closed position.

[0073] (10) The bottom wall 211 of the vehicle-body side main bracket 210 has an evacuation hole 214. This can prevent the slide link 120 and the driven link 141 from interfering with the bottom wall 211 of the vehicle-body side main bracket 210 when the back door 30 is opened or closed. In other words, the door support device 40 can configure the base end of the main link 100 compactly while avoiding interference between the slide link 120 and the driven link 141 and the vehicle-body side main bracket 210.

[0074] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction.

[0075] The door support device 40 can be modified to a door support device 40A shown in FIG. 13. The modified door support device 40A differs from the door support device 40 of the above embodiment in the configuration of the sub-link 150. For this reason, in the following description, the same reference numerals as in the above embodiment are used for the configurations common to the above embodiment, and the description will be omitted. Note that in FIG. 13, some components such as the door drive unit 160 are omitted in order to focus on the differences from the above embodiment.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 13, the door support device 40A includes a sub-link 150A as a configuration different from the above embodiment. The sub-link 150A has a straight portion 153 extending linearly and an arc portion 154 extending arc-shaped from the tip of the straight portion 153. The base end of the straight portion 153 of the sub-link 150A is rotatably connected to the vehicle body side sub-bracket 230A. The vehicle body side sub-bracket 230A is a surface of the roof 21 facing the passenger compartment and is fixed at a position close to the door opening 27. That is, the sub-link 150A is located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10. At this time, the straight portion 153 of the sub-link 150A has a longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, the tip of the arc portion 154 of the sub-link 150A is rotatably connected to the door side sub-bracket 240A.

[0077] When the back door 30 is opened from the fully closed position, the sub-link 150A protrudes to the outside of the vehicle 10 through the door opening 27. At this time, the door-side sub-bracket 240A moves forward and upward while drawing an arc in a side view in the width direction. Therefore, although the shape of the sub-link 150A is different, the back door 30 is opened along a trajectory similar to that of the above embodiment.

[0078] The main link 100 may be configured to continue to contract when the back door 30 is opened from the fully closed position to the fully open position. This modification can more significantly obtain the effect (2) of the above embodiment.

[0079] The main link 100 may be configured to continue to extend when the back door 30 is opened from the fully closed position to the fully open position. This modification can more significantly obtain the effect (3) of the above embodiment.

[0080] In the main link 100, the guide hole 121 and the guide pin 130 of the slide link 120 are configured to move the slide link 120 forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the base link 110 when the driven link 141 rotates. Therefore, as long as the above functions are satisfied, the guide hole 121 and the guide pin 130 of the slide link 120 can be omitted in the slide link 120. For example, the base link 110 may include a sheath-shaped member into which the slide link 120 is inserted.

[0081] The base link 110 may be rotatably connected to the back door 30. In this case, it is preferable that the slide link 120 is rotatably connected to the vehicle body 20.

[0082] The length L of the main link 100 may not be adjustable. This modification can reduce the amount of rearward projection of the back door 30 when the back door 30 is opened or closed. The positions of the upper striker 24 and the lower striker 25 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the upper striker 24 and the lower striker 25 can be replaced with two side strikers installed on both sides in the width direction of the trough 23. In this case, the arrangement of the upper locking device 32 and the lower locking device 33 in the back door 30 is also changed.

[0083] Both ends of the door drive unit 160 may be connected to the back door 30 and the main link 100, respectively. Both ends of the door drive unit 160 may be connected to the vehicle body 20 and the sub-link 150, respectively. Both ends of the door drive unit 160 may be connected to the back door 30 and the sub-link 150, respectively. Both ends of the door drive unit 160 may be connected to the vehicle body 20 and the back door 30, respectively.

[0084] The door driving unit 160 may apply torque to the rotation shaft of the main link 100 relative to the vehicle body side main bracket 210. For example, the door driving unit 160 may drive the driving gear 142.

[0085] The door drive unit 160 may be any device that can apply a load to the back door 30 at least in the opening direction of the back door 30. Specifically, the door drive unit 160 may be replaced with a gas spring. In this case, the vehicle 10 can omit a configuration related to the control of the door drive unit 160.

[0086] The vehicle 10 may be an autonomous vehicle that does not have a driver's seat. In this case, the vehicle body 20 may have a front opening that opens forward and a rear opening that opens rearward. The vehicle 10 may also have a front door that opens and closes the front opening, and a rear door that opens and closes the rear opening. The door support device 40 may be applied to support such a front door and a rear door on the vehicle body 20.

[0087] <Technical philosophy> The technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described. [Mode 1] A door support device for supporting a door on a vehicle body having a door opening for opening and closing the door opening, the door support device comprising: a main link having a base end rotatably connected to the vehicle body and a tip end rotatably connected to the door, a sub-link at a position different from the main link, the base end rotatably connected to the vehicle body and the tip end rotatably connected to the door, and a door drive unit that applies a load to the door in at least the opening direction of the door, of the opening and closing directions of the door, the main link and the sub-link together with the vehicle body and the door form a four-bar link mechanism, and the main link has an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between the connection part to the vehicle body and the connection part to the door.

[0088] [Aspect 2] The main link has a base link rotatably connected to one of the vehicle body and the door, and a slide link rotatably connected to the other of the vehicle body and the door, and the adjustment mechanism has a drive gear that rotates integrally with the base link, a driven gear that meshes with the drive gear, and a driven link having a base end to which the driven gear is fixed and a tip end connected to the slide link for relative rotation, and the driven link rotates integrally with the driven gear, thereby sliding the slide link relative to the base link.

[0089] [Aspect 3] The door support device of aspect 1 or aspect 2, wherein the door drive unit is rod-shaped and extends to apply a load in the opening direction to the door, a base end of the door drive unit is rotatably connected to the vehicle body, and a tip end of the door drive unit is rotatably connected to the main link.

[0090] [Aspect 4] A door support device as described in any of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein a base end of the main link is rotatably connected to a trunk of the vehicle body which defines the door opening in the width direction, and a base end of the sub-link is rotatably connected to a roof of the vehicle body.

[0091] [Aspect 5] A door support device as described in aspect 2, wherein the slide link has a guide hole extending in the longitudinal direction of the slide link, the main link has a guide pin that passes through the guide hole and is fixed to the base link, and when the driven link rotates, the slide link slides against the guide pin via the guide hole.

[0092] [Aspect 6] A door support device as described in any of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein when the position of the door when the door opening is fully closed is defined as a fully closed position, and the position of the door when the door opening is fully opened is defined as a fully open position, the adjustment mechanism shortens the gap as the opening degree of the door increases when the door displaces from the fully closed position toward the fully open position.

[0093] [Aspect 7] A door support device as described in Aspect 6, wherein when the position of the door between the fully closed position and the fully open position is an intermediate position, the adjustment mechanism shortens the gap as the opening degree of the door increases when the door displaces between the fully closed position and the intermediate position, and lengthens the gap as the opening degree of the door increases when the door displaces between the intermediate position and the fully open position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 10...vehicle, 20...vehicle body, 21...roof, 23...trunk roof, 27...door opening, 30...back door (door), 40, 40A...door support device, 100...main link, 110...base link, 120...slide link, 121...guide hole, 130...guide pin, 140...adjustment mechanism, 141...driven link, 142...drive gear, 143...driven gear, 150, 150A...sub-link, 160...door drive unit.

Claims

1. A door support device for supporting a door for opening and closing a door opening on a vehicle body, comprising: a main link having a base end rotatably connected to the vehicle body and a tip end rotatably connected to the door; a sub-link having a base end rotatably connected to the vehicle body and a tip end rotatably connected to the door at a position different from that of the main link; a door driving unit that applies a load to the door in at least the opening direction of the door, the main link and the sub-link, together with the vehicle body and the door, constitute a four-bar link mechanism; The main link has an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between a connecting portion to the vehicle body and a connecting portion to the door. Door support device.

2. the main link includes a base link rotatably connected to one of the vehicle body and the door, and a slide link rotatably connected to the other of the vehicle body and the door, the adjustment mechanism includes a drive gear that rotates integrally with the base link, a driven gear that meshes with the drive gear, and a driven link having a base end to which the driven gear is fixed and a tip end connected to the slide link so as to be rotatable relative to the slide link, The driven link rotates together with the driven gear to slide the slide link relative to the base link.

2. The door support apparatus of claim 1.

3. the door drive unit is rod-shaped and extends to apply a load in the opening direction to the door, A base end of the door drive unit is rotatably connected to the vehicle body, and a tip end of the door drive unit is rotatably connected to the main link.

3. A door support device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When a position of the door when the door opening is fully closed is defined as a fully closed position, and a position of the door when the door opening is fully opened is defined as a fully open position, When the door is displaced from the fully closed position toward the fully open position, the adjustment mechanism shortens the interval as the opening degree of the door increases.

3. A door support device according to claim 1 or 2.

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