Opening / closing body support device

Abstract

To provide an opening / closing body support device that can inhibit a connection portion to a vehicle body and a connection portion to an opening / closing body from being subjected to a load.SOLUTION: A door support device 50 includes: a cylindrical body 60 extending and contracting when an inner cylinder 90 moves relative to a first outer cylinder 70 and a second outer cylinder 80; a coil spring 100 for biasing the second outer cylinder 80 and the inner cylinder 90 in a direction extending the cylindrical body 60; a first ball socket 120 and a second ball socket 130 respectively installed to both ends of the cylindrical body 60; and a bearing 150 allowing relative rotation about an axis extending in an axial direction and installed between the first outer cylinder 70 and the first ball socket 120.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an opening / closing body support device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle including a vehicle body having a door opening, a tailgate that opens and closes the door opening, and an opening / closing body support device that expands and contracts between the tailgate and the vehicle body. The opening / closing body support device includes a cylindrical body configured to expand and contract in the axial direction, a gas spring and a coil spring that bias the cylindrical body in a direction that extends it, and two ball sockets fixed to both ends of the cylindrical body. The cylindrical body includes an inner tube and an outer tube that houses the inner tube so that the inner tube can move in the axial direction. One ball socket is a connection site with the vehicle body, and the other ball socket is a connection site with the tailgate.

[0003] When the tailgate is in the fully closed position, which fully closes the door opening, the opening / closing body support device is fully contracted. Therefore, when the tailgate is opened, the opening / closing body support device expands due to the restoring forces of the gas spring and the coil spring. As a result, the opening / closing body support device can assist the vehicle user in opening the tailgate and hold the tailgate in the fully closed position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-94902 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is known that when a coil spring is compressed, deformed, or restored, torque is generated around the axis of the coil spring. Therefore, when the opening / closing body support device described above expands or contracts, one of the inner and outer cylinders tends to rotate around its axis relative to the other. As a result, depending on the magnitude of the torque generated in the coil spring, a load may be applied to the connection between the ball socket and the vehicle body, or to the connection between the ball socket and the tailgate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The opening / closing body support device that solves the above problem is an opening / closing body support device that supports an opening / closing body that opens and closes an opening in a vehicle body, and is equipped with a cylindrical body having an outer tube and an inner tube inserted into the outer tube, which expands and contracts as the inner tube moves axially relative to the outer tube, a coil spring housed in the cylindrical body and biasing the outer tube and inner tube in a direction that extends the cylindrical body, a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion provided respectively at both ends of the cylindrical body, and a bearing that allows relative rotation around an axis extending in the axial direction and is provided between the cylindrical body and the first connecting portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The opening / closing body support device can suppress loads being applied to the connection parts with the vehicle body and the connection parts with the opening / closing body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an opening / closing body support device mounted on a vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the opening / closing body support device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the opening / closing body support device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the opening / closing body support device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the opening / closing body support device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of the opening / closing body support device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the opening / closing body support device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the opening / closing body support device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the opening / closing body support device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a modified example of an opening / closing body support device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A vehicle having a door support device as an opening / closing body support device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, hatching lines showing cross sections of components are hatched to indicate metal material regardless of the material of the components.

[0010] <Configuration of this embodiment> As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 20, a back door 30, a door drive device 40, and a door support device 50.

[0011] <Body 20> The vehicle body 20 has a door opening 21. The door opening 21 opens to the rear of the vehicle body 20. The door opening 21 has, for example, a rectangular shape when viewed from behind. The door opening 21 is an area through which luggage passes when loading or unloading luggage into or from the luggage compartment of the vehicle 10. The vehicle body 20 also has two ball studs 22 that are connected to the door drive device 40 and the door support device 50, respectively. The two ball studs 22 are fixed to both sides of the door opening 21 in the width direction.

[0012] <Backdoor 30> The back door 30 corresponds to an "opening / closing body." The back door 30 has a shape corresponding to the door opening 21. A base end of the back door 30 is swingably supported above the door opening 21 via a door hinge or the like. The swing axis of the back door 30 extends in the width direction above the upper end of the door opening 21. The back door 30 swings about the base end, thereby displacing between a fully closed position where the door opening 21 is fully closed and a fully open position where the door opening 21 is fully opened. The back door 30 also has two ball studs 31 that are connected to the door drive device 40 and the door support device 50, respectively. The two ball studs 31 are fixed to both sides of the back door 30 in the width direction.

[0013] <Door drive device 40> The door drive device 40 is rod-shaped. The door drive device 40 includes an electric motor 41 and an extension / retraction mechanism 42. The extension / retraction mechanism 42 extends and retracts in response to the rotation of the output shaft of the electric motor 41. In this respect, the door drive device 40 can be considered a so-called electric cylinder. A first longitudinal end of the door drive device 40 is connected to the ball stud 22 on the left side of the vehicle body 20, and a second longitudinal end of the door drive device 40 is connected to the ball stud 31 on the left side of the back door 30. In this way, the first longitudinal end of the door drive device 40 and the ball stud 22 on the left side of the vehicle body 20 form a ball joint. Similarly, the second longitudinal end of the door drive device 40 and the ball stud 31 on the left side of the back door 30 form a ball joint.

[0014] The door drive device 40 applies a force to the back door 30 in the opening direction of the back door 30 by extending, and applies a force to the back door 30 in the closing direction of the back door 30 by contracting. In this way, the door drive device 40 operates the back door 30 to open or close.

[0015] <Door support device 50> 1 and 2, the door support device 50 is rod-shaped. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the door support device 50 is referred to as the axial direction, and the direction perpendicular to the axial direction is referred to as the radial direction. One end of the door support device 50 in the axial direction is referred to as the first end, and the other end of the door support device 50 in the axial direction is referred to as the second end. With regard to components of the door support device 50 that are longitudinally aligned with the door support device 50, one end in the axial direction is also referred to as the first end, and the other end in the same direction is also referred to as the second end.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the door support device 50 includes a cylindrical body 60, a coil spring 100, a gas spring 110, two ball sockets 120 and 130, a washer 140, and a bearing 150.

[0017] <Cylinder 60> As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the cylindrical body 60 has a first outer cylinder 70, a second outer cylinder 80, and an inner cylinder 90. The first outer cylinder 70, the second outer cylinder 80, and the inner cylinder 90 are all cylindrical. The first outer cylinder 70, the second outer cylinder 80, and the inner cylinder 90 are molded from, for example, a resin material. The first outer cylinder 70 and the second outer cylinder 80 correspond to the "outer cylinder."

[0018] 3 to 5, the first outer cylinder 70 has a first side wall 71, a first bottom wall 72, a first engagement wall 73, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 74, and a plurality of positioning ribs 75, 76. The first side wall 71 corresponds to the "side wall," the first bottom wall 72 corresponds to the "bottom wall," and the first engagement wall 73 corresponds to the "engagement wall."

[0019] The first side wall 71 has a cylindrical shape with its height direction in the axial direction. The first bottom wall 72 has a disk shape with its thickness direction in the axial direction. The first bottom wall 72 has a first insertion hole 77 penetrating its center in the thickness direction. The first bottom wall 72 is connected to a first end of the first side wall 71 in the axial direction. The first engagement wall 73 has a cylindrical shape with its height direction in the axial direction. The first engagement wall 73 extends in the axial direction from the first bottom wall 72. The extension direction of the first engagement wall 73 relative to the first bottom wall 72 is opposite to the extension direction of the first side wall 71 relative to the first bottom wall 72. The outer diameter of the first engagement wall 73 is smaller than the outer diameter of the first side wall 71. The inner diameter of the first engagement wall 73 is larger than the inner diameter of the first insertion hole 77.

[0020] The multiple reinforcing ribs 74 extend from the inner surface of the first side wall 71 toward the axis of the first outer cylinder 70. The multiple reinforcing ribs 74 are arranged at equal intervals in the radial direction. The multiple positioning ribs 75 extend from the inner surface of the first engagement wall 73 toward the axis of the first outer cylinder 70. The multiple positioning ribs 75 are arranged at equal intervals in the radial direction. The multiple positioning ribs 76 are provided at a second axial end of the first side wall 71. The multiple positioning ribs 76 extend from the inner surface of the first side wall 71 toward the axis of the first side wall 71. The height of the multiple positioning ribs 76 is lower than the height of the multiple reinforcing ribs 74. The multiple positioning ribs 76 are arranged at equal intervals in the radial direction, similar to the multiple reinforcing ribs 74. The multiple positioning ribs 76 are each connected to the multiple reinforcing ribs 74 in the axial direction.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the second outer cylinder 80 has a second side wall 81, a second bottom wall 82, and a second engagement wall 83. The second side wall 81 has a cylindrical shape with its height direction aligned in the axial direction. The outer diameter of the second side wall 81 is equal to the outer diameter of the first side wall 71. The second bottom wall 82 has a disk shape with its thickness direction aligned in the axial direction. The second bottom wall 82 has a second insertion hole 84 penetrating its center in the thickness direction. The second bottom wall 82 is connected to a first end of the second side wall 81 in the axial direction. The second engagement wall 83 has a cylindrical shape with its height direction aligned in the axial direction. The second engagement wall 83 extends from the second bottom wall 82 in the axial direction. The extension direction of the second engagement wall 83 relative to the second bottom wall 82 is opposite to the extension direction of the second side wall 81 relative to the second bottom wall 82. The outer diameter of the second engagement wall 83 is smaller than the outer diameter of the first side wall 71. The inner diameter of the second engagement wall 83 is larger than the inner diameter of the second insertion hole 84.

[0022] 7, a first axial end of the second outer cylinder 80 is press-fitted into a second axial end of the first outer cylinder 70. In order to more firmly integrate the first outer cylinder 70 and the second outer cylinder 80, they may be glued or welded together.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the inner cylinder 90 has a third side wall 91, a third bottom wall 92, and a support wall 93. The third side wall 91 has a cylindrical shape with its height direction aligned in the axial direction. The outer diameter of the third side wall 91 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the second side wall 81. The third bottom wall 92 has a disk shape with its thickness direction aligned in the axial direction. The third bottom wall 92 has a third insertion hole 94 penetrating its center in the thickness direction. The third bottom wall 92 is connected to a second axial end of the first side wall 71. The support wall 93 has a cylindrical shape with its height direction aligned in the axial direction. The support wall 93 extends from the third bottom wall 92 in the axial direction. The extension direction of the support wall 93 relative to the third bottom wall 92 is opposite to the extension direction of the third side wall 91 relative to the third bottom wall 92. The outer diameter of the support wall 93 is smaller than the outer diameter of the third side wall 91. The inner diameter of the support wall 93 is larger than the inner diameter of the third insertion hole 94.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 7, a first end of the inner cylinder 90 is inserted into the second outer cylinder 80. Because the outer diameter of the inner cylinder 90 is smaller than the inner diameter of the second outer cylinder 80, the inner cylinder 90 is movable in the axial direction relative to the second outer cylinder 80. In the following description, the cylindrical space between the second outer cylinder 80 and the inner cylinder 90 is referred to as a storage chamber SP. A washer 140 is fitted into the support wall 93 of the inner cylinder 90. That is, the washer 140 contacts the third bottom wall 92 of the inner cylinder 90 in the axial direction and contacts the support wall 93 of the inner cylinder 90 in the radial direction.

[0025] <Spring> As shown in FIG. 3 , the gas spring 110 includes a cylinder 111, a piston rod 112, a first shaft portion 113, and a second shaft portion 114. The cylinder 111 is cylindrical. Compressed gas is sealed inside the cylinder 111. The piston rod 112 is cylindrical. The piston rod 112 is inserted into the cylinder 111. The piston rod 112 is movable axially relative to the cylinder 111. The piston rod 112 is biased in a direction extending relative to the cylinder 111 by a force corresponding to the internal pressure of the cylinder 111. The first shaft portion 113 constitutes a first axial end of the gas spring 110. In this embodiment, the first shaft portion 113 is joined to the first axial end of the cylinder 111. The second shaft portion 114 constitutes a second axial end of the gas spring 110. In this embodiment, the second shaft portion 114 is integrated with the piston rod 112. The outer surface of the first shaft portion 113 and the outer surface of the second shaft portion 114 are provided with a screw groove.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 7 , the coil spring 100 is accommodated in the accommodation chamber SP in a compressed state. That is, the coil spring 100 is compressed and deformed in the axial direction between the second bottom wall 82 of the second outer cylinder 80 and the third bottom wall 92 of the inner cylinder 90. The gas spring 110 axially penetrates the cylindrical body 60 and the coil spring 100. That is, the gas spring 110 axially penetrates the first insertion hole 77 of the first outer cylinder 70, the second insertion hole 84 of the second outer cylinder 80, and the third insertion hole 94 of the inner cylinder 90. In this respect, the coil spring 100 is disposed radially between the cylindrical body 60 and the gas spring 110. That is, the gas spring 110 also functions as a spring guide for the coil spring 100.

[0027] <Ball socket 120, 130> As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first ball socket 120 has a socket body 121, a fixing portion 122, a flange portion 123, a covering portion 124, a leaf spring 125, and a nut 126.

[0028] The socket body 121 forms the tip of the first ball socket 120. The socket body 121 has a recess 127 in which the ball of the ball stud 22 fits. A leaf spring 125 that is C-shaped when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate thickness direction is attached to the socket body 121. Both ends of the leaf spring 125 protrude into the recess 127. The leaf spring 125 pinches the ball of the ball stud 22, preventing the first ball socket 120 from falling off the ball stud 22. The fixing portion 122 extends from the socket body 121. A nut 126 is embedded in the fixing portion 122. The nut 126 may be, for example, an insert nut that is inserted into the fixing portion 122. The axis of the nut 126 is perpendicular to the depth direction of the recess 127. The nut 126 has a thread groove that corresponds to the first shaft portion 113 of the gas spring 110. The flange portion 123 is flange-shaped. The flange portion 123 extends radially from the fixing portion 122. The covering portion 124 is cylindrical with its height direction aligned with the axis of the nut 126. The covering portion 124 extends from the outer edge of the flange portion 123. The inner diameter of the covering portion 124 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first engagement wall 73 of the first outer cylinder 70. The outer diameter of the covering portion 124 is smaller than the outer diameter of the first side wall 71 of the first outer cylinder 70.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 7 , the first ball socket 120 is fixed to the first shaft portion 113 of the gas spring 110. In this embodiment, the first shaft portion 113 of the gas spring 110 is threadedly engaged with the nut 126 of the first ball socket 120. The first ball socket 120 and the first outer cylinder 70 partially overlap in the axial direction. Specifically, the covering portion 124 of the first ball socket 120 covers the first engagement wall 73 of the first outer cylinder 70 from the outside in the radial direction. At this time, there is a small gap between the tip of the covering portion 124 of the first ball socket 120 and the first bottom wall 72 of the first outer cylinder 70. There is also a small gap between the inner surface of the covering portion 124 of the first ball socket 120 and the outer surface of the first engagement wall 73 of the first outer cylinder 70. There is also a small gap between the flange portion 123 of the first ball socket 120 and the tip of the first engagement wall 73 of the first outer cylinder 70. In this respect, there is no contact between the first ball socket 120 and the first outer cylinder 70. Furthermore, there is a step between the first ball socket 120 and the first outer cylinder 70 in the axial direction.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the second ball socket 130 has a socket body 131, a fixing portion 132, a leaf spring 133, and a nut 134. The socket body 131 forms the tip of the second ball socket 130. The socket body 131 has a recess 135 in which the ball of the ball stud 31 fits. A leaf spring 133 that is C-shaped when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate thickness direction is attached to the socket body 131. Both ends of the leaf spring 133 protrude into the recess 135. The leaf spring 133 pinches the ball of the ball stud 31, preventing the second ball socket 130 from falling off the ball stud 31. The fixing portion 132 extends from the socket body 131. A nut 134 is embedded in the fixing portion 132. The nut 134 may be, for example, an insert nut that is inserted into the fixing portion 132. The axis of the nut 134 is perpendicular to the depth direction of the recess 135. The nut 134 has a thread groove that corresponds to the second shaft portion 114 of the gas spring 110. It should be noted that second ball socket 130 does not have a configuration equivalent to flange portion 123 and covering portion 124 of first ball socket 120.

[0031] 7, the second ball socket 130 is fixed to the second shaft portion 114 of the gas spring 110. In this embodiment, the second shaft portion 114 of the gas spring 110 is screwed onto the nut 134 of the second ball socket 130. The second ball socket 130 also contacts the washer 140 in the axial direction. Therefore, the second ball socket 130, together with the coil spring 100, axially sandwiches the third bottom wall 92 of the inner cylinder 90 and the washer 140.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 7 , the first ball socket 120 constitutes one axial end of the door support device 50, and the second ball socket 130 constitutes the other axial end of the door support device 50. As shown in FIGS. 1 , 4 , and 6 , when the door support device 50 is mounted on the vehicle 10, a ball stud 22 fixed to the right side of the vehicle body 20 fits into the first ball socket 120, and a ball stud 31 fixed to the right side of the tailgate 30 fits into the second ball socket 130. In this way, the first ball socket 120 and the ball stud 22 form a ball joint, and the second ball socket 130 and the ball stud 31 form a ball joint. In this respect, the first ball socket 120 corresponds to a “first connecting portion” that is connected to the vehicle body 20, and the second ball socket 130 corresponds to a “second connecting portion” that is connected to the tailgate 30.

[0033] <Bearing 150> 3, the bearing 150 is a radial ball bearing. The inner diameter of the inner ring of the bearing 150 is equal to the outer diameter of the first shaft portion 113 of the gas spring 110, and the outer diameter of the outer ring of the bearing 150 is equal to the inner diameter of the first engagement wall 73 of the first outer cylinder 70. The width of the bearing 150 is equal to the height of the first engagement wall 73 of the first outer cylinder 70. In another embodiment, the bearing 150 may be a sliding bearing made of a resin material.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7 , the first shaft portion 113 of the gas spring 110 is press-fitted into the inner ring of the bearing 150. The outer ring of the bearing 150 is press-fitted into the first engagement wall 73 of the first outer cylinder 70. The bearing 150 is located between the first outer cylinder 70 and the first ball socket 120 in the axial direction. The bearing 150 allows rotation about an axis extending in the axial direction between the first shaft portion 113 of the gas spring 110 and the first outer cylinder 70. In other words, the bearing 150 allows rotation about an axis extending in the axial direction between the first ball socket 120 and the first outer cylinder 70. The inner ring of the bearing 150 may be sandwiched between the nut 126 of the first ball socket 120 and the cylinder 111 of the gas spring 110 in the axial direction, thereby being integrated with the first ball socket 120 and the gas spring 110.

[0035] <Operation of this embodiment> The operation of opening and closing the back door 30 will now be described. 1, when the back door 30 is operated to open, the door drive device 40 extends. Then, a force in the opening direction acts on the back door 30, causing the back door 30 to open. At this time, the door support device 50 extends in the same manner as the door drive device 40 due to the restoring forces of the coil spring 100 and the gas spring 110. In other words, a force in the opening direction acts on both the left and right sides of the back door 30, causing the back door 30 to open smoothly.

[0036] When the opening operation of the back door 30 is completed, the door drive device 40 is stopped. That is, the power supply to the electric motor 41 of the door drive device 40 is stopped. In this case, the door drive device 40 no longer applies a force in the opening direction to the back door 30, but the door support device 50 continues to apply a force in the opening direction to the back door 30. As a result, the back door 30 is held in the fully open position.

[0037] When the back door 30 is operated to close, the door drive device 40 contracts. Then, a force in the closing direction acts on the back door 30, causing the back door 30 to close. At this time, the coil spring 100 and the gas spring 110 in the door support device 50 are compressed. As a result, the door support device 50 contracts in the same manner as the door drive device 40.

[0038] As described above, when the back door 30 is opened or closed, the coil spring 100 of the door support device 50 expands and contracts. Therefore, torques in opposite directions act on the second bottom wall 82 of the second outer cylinder 80, with which the first end of the coil spring 100 contacts, and the third bottom wall 92 of the inner cylinder 90, with which the second end of the coil spring 100 contacts. In other words, a torque that twists the cylindrical body 60 acts on the cylindrical body 60. In this regard, the door support device 50 of this embodiment includes a bearing 150 that allows rotation of the first ball socket 120 and the first and second outer cylinders 70 and 80 about an axis extending in the axial direction. Therefore, when the torque acts on the cylindrical body 60, the first and second outer cylinders 70 and 80 of the door support device 50 rotate about an axis extending in the axial direction relative to the portions of the door support device 50 other than the first and second outer cylinders 70 and 80.

[0039] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) The door support device 50 includes a bearing 150 that allows relative rotation between the first ball socket 120 and the first outer cylinder 70 and the second outer cylinder 80. Therefore, the door support device 50 can prevent torque acting in conjunction with the expansion and contraction of the coil spring 100 from being transmitted to the first ball socket 120 and the second ball socket 130. In other words, the door support device 50 can prevent loads from being applied to the connection portion between the first ball socket 120 and the vehicle body 20 and the connection portion between the second ball socket 130 and the back door 30.

[0040] Here, a comparative example is considered in which a thrust bearing is disposed between the first end of the coil spring 100 and the second bottom wall 82 of the second outer cylinder 80 or between the second end of the coil spring 100 and the third bottom wall 92 of the inner cylinder 90. This comparative example can obtain the same effects as the above embodiment, but the thrust bearing may become wet if liquid enters the accommodation chamber SP of the cylindrical body 60. In contrast, the door support device 50 of this embodiment is provided with a bearing 150 outside the accommodation chamber SP of the cylindrical body 60. Therefore, the door support device 50 can prevent the bearing 150 from becoming wet due to liquid that has entered the accommodation chamber SP.

[0041] (2) The door support device 50 includes a coil spring 100 and a gas spring 110. Therefore, the door support device 50 can increase the force acting in the opening direction of the back door 30 by the restoring force of the coil spring 100 and the restoring force of the gas spring 110. In addition, instead of disposing the bearing 150 between the cylindrical body 60 and the first ball socket 120, disposing the bearing 150 between the cylindrical body 60 and the first shaft portion 113 of the gas spring 110 increases the degree of freedom in the shape of the first ball socket 120.

[0042] (3) The first ball socket 120 has a covering portion 124 that covers the first engagement wall 73 of the first outer cylinder 70. This makes it difficult for foreign matter such as liquid to reach the bearing 150 that engages with the first engagement wall 73. Therefore, the door support device 50 can reduce the risk of foreign matter such as liquid adhering to the bearing 150.

[0043] (4) As shown in Figures 8 and 9, when washing a car or during rainfall, liquid may splash onto the door support device 50. Note that the downward direction in Figures 8 and 9 is the direction of gravity. As shown in Fig. 8, when the back door 30 is positioned in the fully closed position, the first ball socket 120 is positioned higher than the second ball socket 130, and the axial direction of the door support device 50 is tilted with respect to the vertical direction. Therefore, in this case, as shown by the dashed-dotted arrow in Fig. 8, liquid that falls on the first ball socket 120 tends to flow downward along the surface of the first ball socket 120. Furthermore, liquid that falls on the first outer cylinder 70 tends to flow along the surface of the first outer cylinder 70.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 9 , when the back door 30 is positioned in the fully open position, the first ball socket 120 is positioned lower than the second ball socket 130, and the axial direction of the door support device 50 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Therefore, in this case, as indicated by the dashed-dotted arrow in FIG. 9 , liquid that falls on the first ball socket 120 tends to flow downward along the surface of the first ball socket 120. Furthermore, liquid that falls on the first outer cylinder 70 tends to flow downward along the surface of the first outer cylinder 70. Here, the outer diameter of the first side wall 71 of the first outer cylinder 70 is larger than the outer diameter of the covering portion 124 of the first ball socket 120. Therefore, liquid that flows along the underside of the first outer cylinder 70 tends to flow downward from the portion where the outer diameter of the first outer cylinder 70 changes, in other words, from the boundary portion between the first side wall 71 and the first bottom wall 72. In other words, the liquid flowing along the lower surface of the first outer cylinder 70 is unlikely to enter the inside of the first ball socket 120.

[0045] As described above, the door support device 50 can prevent liquid from entering the inside of the covering portion 124 of the first ball socket 120, regardless of the arrangement of the back door 30. As a result, the door support device 50 can reduce the risk of liquid reaching the bearing 150.

[0046] (5) In the radial direction, a gap exists between the first engagement wall 73 of the first outer cylinder 70 and the covering portion 124 of the first ball socket 120. In the axial direction, a gap exists between the first bottom wall 72 of the first outer cylinder 70 and the covering portion 124 of the first ball socket 120. Therefore, when the first outer cylinder 70 and the first ball socket 120 rotate relative to each other, the door support device 50 can prevent the first outer cylinder 70 and the first ball socket 120 from sliding against each other. In other words, the door support device 50 can smoothly rotate the first outer cylinder 70 and the first ball socket 120 relative to each other.

[0047] However, in the radial direction, the gap between the first engagement wall 73 of the first outer cylinder 70 and the covering portion 124 of the first ball socket 120 is very narrow, and in the axial direction, the gap between the first bottom wall 72 of the first outer cylinder 70 and the covering portion 124 of the first ball socket 120 is very narrow. Therefore, the door support device 50 can prevent foreign matter such as liquid from entering the inside of the covering portion 124 of the first ball socket 120 through such gaps.

[0048] Furthermore, for the liquid to reach the bearing 150, the liquid must pass through the gap between the first bottom wall 72 of the first outer cylinder 70 and the tip of the covering portion 124 of the first ball socket 120, the gap between the first engaging wall 73 of the first outer cylinder 70 and the covering portion 124 of the first ball socket 120, and the gap between the tip of the first engaging wall 73 of the first outer cylinder 70 and the flange portion 123 of the first ball socket 120. In other words, the liquid cannot reach the bearing 150 unless it passes through these labyrinth gaps. In this respect, the door support device 50 can also prevent foreign matter such as liquid from entering the interior of the covering portion 124 of the first ball socket 120.

[0049] (6) The overall length of the door support device 50 can be changed by replacing the first outer cylinder 70 with another first outer cylinder 70 of a different length. In this case, the door support device 50 can be easily applied to different vehicle models because there is no need to change the specifications of the coil spring 100 or the like.

[0050] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 10 , the door support device 50 may include a seal ring 160 between the first engagement wall 73 of the first outer cylinder 70 and the covering portion 124 of the first ball socket 120. The seal ring 160 may be an O-ring made of an elastomer with appropriate elasticity, such as rubber or resin. The door support device 50 according to this modification can prevent foreign matter, such as liquid, from entering the interior of the covering portion 124 of the first ball socket 120 through the gap between the first engagement wall 73 of the first outer cylinder 70 and the covering portion 124 of the first ball socket 120. In the modification shown in FIG. 10 , at least one of the first engagement wall 73 of the first outer cylinder 70 and the covering portion 124 of the first ball socket 120 preferably has a retaining groove for retaining the seal ring 160.

[0052] The door support device 50 does not necessarily have to include the gas spring 110. In this case, it is preferable that the door support device 50 includes a spring guide that guides the expansion and contraction of the coil spring 100 instead of the gas spring 110.

[0053] In the door support device 50, the first ball socket 120 may be a connecting part that is rotatable relative to the vehicle body 20. Similarly, the second ball socket 130 may be a connecting part that is rotatable relative to the back door 30. For example, the door support device 50 may be rotatable about an axis that extends in a specific direction relative to the vehicle body 20, and may be rotatable about an axis that extends in a specific direction relative to the back door 30.

[0054] In the door support device 50, the bearing 150 can also be disposed between the second ball socket 130 and the inner cylinder 90. In this case, the bearing 150 allows rotation about an axis extending in the axial direction of the second ball socket 130 and the inner cylinder 90.

[0055] In the door support device 50, the first outer cylinder 70 and the second outer cylinder 80 may be an outer cylinder formed integrally. In the above embodiment, the first ball socket 120 extends along the axial direction of the door support device 50, but in a modified example, the socket body 121 of the first ball socket 120 may extend at an angle to the axial direction of the door support device 50. The same applies to the second ball socket 130.

[0056] The dimensions of the components of the door support device 50 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the outer diameter of the outer ring of the bearing 150 may be larger than the inner diameter of the first engagement wall 73 of the first outer cylinder 70. The outer diameter of the second side wall 81 of the second outer cylinder 80 may be larger or smaller than the outer diameter of the first side wall 71 of the first outer cylinder 70. In the inner cylinder 90, the outer diameter of the support wall 93 may be equal to the outer diameter of the third side wall 91.

[0057] In the above embodiment, when the door opening 21 is viewed from behind, the door drive device 40 is disposed on the left side of the door opening 21 and the door support device 50 is disposed on the right side of the door opening 21. In a modified example, when the door opening 21 is viewed from behind, the door drive device 40 may be disposed on the right side of the door opening 21 and the door support device 50 may be disposed on the left side of the door opening 21.

[0058] The door support device 50 may be an opening / closing body support device that supports an opening / closing body of the vehicle 10 other than the back door 30. For example, the opening / closing body support device may be attached to the vehicle body 20 and a bonnet panel so as to support the bonnet panel, which is an example of an opening / closing body. Also, the opening / closing body support device may be attached to the vehicle body 20 and a fuel lid so as to support the fuel lid, which is an example of an opening / closing body.

[0059] The vehicle 10 does not need to include the door drive device 40. In other words, the back door 30 may be a back door 30 that is opened and closed manually by the user, rather than a power back door that is opened and closed electrically. In this case, the vehicle 10 preferably includes two door support devices 50 that connect the vehicle body 20 and the back door 30 on both sides in the width direction.

[0060] <Summary of this embodiment> The opening / closing body support device is an opening / closing body support device that supports an opening / closing body that opens and closes an opening in a vehicle body, and is equipped with a cylindrical body having an outer tube and an inner tube inserted into the outer tube, which expands and contracts as the inner tube moves axially relative to the outer tube, a coil spring housed in the cylindrical body and biasing the outer tube and inner tube in a direction that extends the cylindrical body, a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion provided respectively at both ends of the cylindrical body, and a bearing that allows relative rotation around an axis extending in the axial direction and is provided between the cylindrical body and the first connecting portion.

[0061] In the opening / closing body support device, the first connecting part is connected to one of the vehicle body and the opening / closing body, and the second connecting part is connected to the other of the vehicle body and the opening / closing body. The opening / closing body support device can support the opening / closing body in a fully open position where the opening is fully open by expanding based on the restoring force of the coil spring.

[0062] When the opening / closing body support device expands or contracts, i.e., when the coil spring expands or contracts, a torque acts on the cylindrical body about an axis extending in the axial direction. In this regard, the opening / closing body support device is provided with a bearing that allows relative rotation between the cylindrical body and the first connecting part about the axis. Therefore, the opening / closing body support device can prevent the torque about the axis from acting on the first connecting part and the second connecting part. As a result, the opening / closing body support device can prevent loads from being applied to the first connecting part and the second connecting part.

[0063] The opening / closing body support device includes a gas spring that penetrates the cylindrical body and the coil spring in the axial direction, the gas spring having a first shaft portion that forms one end of the gas spring in the axial direction and is fixed to the first connecting portion, and a second shaft portion that forms the other end of the gas spring in the axial direction and is fixed to the second connecting portion, and biases the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion in a direction in which the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion move away from each other, and the bearing is arranged between the first shaft portion and the cylindrical body in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0064] The opening / closing body support device allows the restoring force of the gas spring, as well as the restoring force of the coil spring, to act on the opening / closing body. Also, since a bearing is placed between the cylindrical body and the first shaft of the gas spring, rather than between the cylindrical body and the first connecting part, the degree of freedom in the shape of the first connecting part is increased.

[0065] In the opening / closing body support device, one of the outer tube and the inner tube is cylindrical and has a side wall extending in the axial direction, a bottom wall provided at one end of the side wall and with the axial direction as the plate thickness direction, and an engaging wall extending from the bottom wall in the opposite direction to the side wall and engaging with the bearing, and the first connecting portion has a covering portion that covers the engaging wall from the outside in the radial direction.

[0066] The first connecting portion has a covering portion that covers the engaging wall of the outer cylinder or the inner cylinder. This makes it difficult for foreign matter such as liquid to reach the bearing that engages with the engaging wall. As a result, the opening / closing body support device can reduce the risk of foreign matter such as liquid adhering to the bearing.

[0067] In the opening / closing body support device, the covering portion is cylindrical, and the outer diameter of the side wall of the cylindrical body in the radial direction is larger than the outer diameter of the covering portion of the first connecting portion. When an opening / closing body support device in which the first connecting portion is positioned lower than the second connecting portion is submerged in water, liquid running down the side wall of the cylindrical body may flow toward the first connecting portion. In this regard, because the outer diameter of the side wall of the cylindrical body is larger than the outer diameter of the covering portion of the first connecting portion, liquid running down the side wall of the cylindrical body is less likely to enter the interior of the covering portion of the first connecting portion. Therefore, the opening / closing body support device can reduce the risk of liquid reaching the bearing.

[0068] In the radial direction, a gap exists between the engagement wall of the cylindrical body and the covering portion of the first connecting portion, and in the axial direction, a gap exists between the bottom wall of the cylindrical body and the covering portion of the first connecting portion.

[0069] The opening / closing body support device can prevent sliding between the engagement wall of the cylindrical body and the covering portion of the first connecting portion when the cylindrical body and the first connecting portion rotate relatively about an axis extending in the axial direction. In other words, the opening / closing body support device can prevent frictional force caused by the sliding from acting on the cylindrical body or the first connecting portion when the cylindrical body and the first connecting portion rotate relatively about an axis extending in the axial direction.

[0070] The opening / closing body support device includes a seal ring disposed between the engagement wall of the cylindrical body and the covering portion of the first connecting portion. The opening / closing body support device can reduce the risk of foreign matter such as liquid reaching the bearing through the gap between the engagement wall of the cylindrical body and the covering portion of the first connecting portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10...vehicle, 20...vehicle body, 30...back door (opening / closing body), 50...door support device (opening / closing body support device), 70...first outer tube (outer tube), 71...first side wall (side wall), 72...first bottom wall (bottom wall), 73...first engaging wall (engaging wall), 80...second outer tube (outer tube), 90...inner tube, 100...coil spring, 110...gas spring, 113...first shaft portion, 114...second shaft portion, 120...first ball socket (first connecting portion), 124...covering portion, 130...second ball socket (first connecting portion), 150...bearing

Claims

1. An opening / closing body support device that supports an opening / closing body that opens and closes an opening in a vehicle body, a cylindrical body having an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder inserted into the outer cylinder, the inner cylinder moving axially relative to the outer cylinder to expand and contract; a coil spring housed in the cylindrical body and biasing the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder in a direction that extends the cylindrical body; a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion provided at both ends of the cylindrical body, a bearing that allows relative rotation about an axis extending in the axial direction and is provided between the cylindrical body and the first connecting portion. Opening and closing body support device.

2. a gas spring that penetrates the cylindrical body and the coil spring in the axial direction; the gas spring has a first shaft portion that constitutes one end of the gas spring in the axial direction and is fixed to the first connecting portion, and a second shaft portion that constitutes the other end of the gas spring in the axial direction and is fixed to the second connecting portion, and biases the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion in directions in which the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion move apart from each other; The bearing is disposed between the first shaft portion and the cylindrical body in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The opening / closing body support device according to claim 1 .

3. One of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder is a cylindrical sidewall extending in the axial direction; a bottom wall provided at one end of the side wall, the bottom wall having a thickness direction in the axial direction; an engagement wall extending from the bottom wall in a direction opposite to the side wall and engaging with the bearing, The first connecting portion has a covering portion that covers the engaging wall from the outside in the radial direction. The opening / closing body support device according to claim 2 .

4. The covering portion is cylindrical, In the radial direction, the outer diameter of the side wall of the cylindrical body is larger than the outer diameter of the covering portion of the first connecting portion. The opening / closing body support device according to claim 3 .

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