Vehicle door device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle door device that facilitates avoiding interference between a support shaft forming a second pivot axis and a vehicle body side link, even without dividing the support shaft axially.SOLUTION: A door device 20 comprises first and second link arms having a first pivot axis X1 relative to a vehicle body 2 and a second pivot axis X2 relative to a door 5. The door device 20 operates the door 5 to open and close on the basis of the operation of a link mechanism 15 consisting of these first and second link arms. Furthermore, the second link arm is configured as an articulated link 110 that pivotally connects a vehicle body side link 101 having the first pivot axis X1 and a door side link 102 having the second pivot axis X2. Furthermore, when the door 5 is arranged in the fully closed position in the door device 20, an intermediate axis X3 between the vehicle body side link 101 and the door side link 102 is arranged closer to the vehicle body 2 than the second pivot axis X2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is a vehicle door device including first and second link arms having a first rotation axis relative to the vehicle body and a second rotation axis relative to the vehicle door. In such a vehicle door device, a door provided in a door opening thereof opens and closes based on the operation of a link mechanism formed by the first and second link arms. Furthermore, the vehicle door device described in Patent Document 1 employs a joint link on one link arm, the joint link having a vehicle body-side link that rotates about the first rotation axis relative to the vehicle body and a door-side link that rotates about the second rotation axis relative to the door. In the joint link, the vehicle body-side link and the door-side link are connected to be rotatable about an intermediate axis. In this way, the above vehicle door device makes it possible to change the connection length between the first and second rotation axes. This increases the degree of freedom of the opening and closing operation of the door, which opens and closes based on the operation of the link mechanism. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-68618 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the vehicle door device described above, when the door opens or closes, the vehicle body-side link crosses the second rotation axis, so the support shaft that connects the door and the door-side link to be rotatable about the second rotation axis is split in the direction of the second rotation axis to avoid interference with the vehicle body-side link. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A vehicle door device according to the present invention includes first and second link arms having a first rotation axis relative to a vehicle body and a second rotation axis relative to a vehicle door, and the door opens and closes based on the operation of a link mechanism formed by the first and second link arms. At least one of the first and second link arms is an articulated link that rotatably connects a vehicle-body-side link having the first rotation axis with a door-side link having the second rotation axis, thereby enabling a connection length between the first and second rotation axes to be changed based on relative rotation of the vehicle-body-side link and the door-side link. When the door-side link rotates around the second rotation axis based on the opening and closing operation of the door, the intermediate axis between the vehicle-body-side link and the door-side link is located closer to the vehicle body than the second rotation axis. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] In the vehicle door device, interference between the support shaft that forms the second rotation axis and the vehicle body side link can be easily avoided even if the support shaft is not divided in the axial direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a door device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the door device of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the first and second link arms that constitute the link mechanism of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the first and second link arms that constitute the link mechanism of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the first and second link arms that constitute the link mechanism of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the first and second link arms that constitute the link mechanism of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the door-side engaging portion and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the door-side engaging portion, the vehicle-body-side engaging portion, the door, and the door opening of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram of the door device of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a door provided with the door device of the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the joint link of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the joint link of the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a variable connection length mechanism using the joint link of the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the variable connection length mechanism using the joint link of the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the variable connection length mechanism using the joint link of the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the vehicle body side link and the door side link that constitute the joint link of the first embodiment, and the vehicle body bracket. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a side view of the vehicle body side link, the door side link, and the vehicle body bracket of the first embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a side view of the door-side link, the door bracket, and the biasing member of the first embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the door-side link, the door bracket, and the biasing member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a side view of the door-side link, the door bracket, and the biasing member of the first embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a side view of the variable connection length mechanism using the joint link of the first embodiment, in the vicinity of the door. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the variable connection length mechanism using the joint link of the first embodiment. [Figure 23]FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the variable connection length mechanism using the joint link of the first embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the variable connection length mechanism using the joint link of the first embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the variable connection length mechanism using the joint link of the first embodiment in the vicinity of the door. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a partial cross-sectional view of the door bracket of the first embodiment, showing an engagement state between a cam groove provided on the lower wall of the door bracket and an engagement member provided on the vehicle body side link. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a partial cross-sectional view of the door bracket showing an engagement state between the cam groove and the engagement member in the first embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a partial cross-sectional view of the door bracket showing an engagement state between the cam groove and the engagement member in the first embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a plan view of a variable connection length mechanism using the joint link of the second embodiment. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of a variable connection length mechanism using a joint link according to the second embodiment. [Figure 31] FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of a variable connection length mechanism using a joint link according to the second embodiment. [Figure 32] FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the variable connection length mechanism using the joint link of the second embodiment. [Figure 33] FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the variable connection length mechanism using the joint link of the second embodiment. [Figure 34] FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the variable connection length mechanism using the joint link of the second embodiment. [Figure 35] FIG. 35 is a plan view showing the shape of a vehicle body side link in another example. [Figure 36] FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram of a cylinder member according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of a vehicle door device will be described below with reference to the drawings. <Link mechanism> 1 and 2, a vehicle 1 of this embodiment has a door opening 3 provided in a side surface 2s of a vehicle body 2. A first link arm 11 and a second link arm 12 that support a door 5 of the vehicle 1 at the door opening 3 are provided in the door opening 3.

[0009] More specifically, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the first and second link arms 11, 12 each have a first rotation axis X1 relative to the vehicle body 2 and a second rotation axis X2 relative to the door 5. Specifically, the first link arm 11 is connected to the vehicle body 2 while being journaled on a spindle N1a extending in the vertical direction (vertical direction in each drawing), and is connected to the door 5 while being journaled on a spindle N1b extending in the vertical direction. The second link arm 12 is also connected to the vehicle body 2 while being journaled on a spindle N2a extending in the vertical direction, and is connected to the door 5 while being journaled on a spindle N2b extending in the vertical direction.

[0010] 3 to 6, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the first and second link arms 11, 12 form a link mechanism 15 configured as a four-bar link. The vehicle 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the door 5 supported in the door opening 3 opens and closes based on the operation of the link mechanism 15.

[0011] 1 and 2, the vehicle 1 of this embodiment uses these first and second link arms 11, 12 to support the door 5 at the door opening 3 on the rear side of the vehicle (left side in FIG. 1, right side in FIG. 2). In the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, these first and second link arms 11, 12 each have a first rotation axis X1 that is rotatably connected to the vehicle body 2 near a rear edge 3r of the door opening 3. In the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, these first and second link arms 11, 12 are arranged spaced apart in the vertical direction.

[0012] In the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the first link arm 11 is provided higher than the second link arm 12. The first link arm 11 has a second rotation axis X2 rotatably connected to the door 5 at approximately the center of the door 5 in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, the second link arm 12 has a second rotation axis X2 connected to the door 5 near a front end 5f of the door 5. As a result, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, a door device 20 is formed in which the door 5 opens and closes based on the operation of the link mechanism 15 formed by the first and second link arms 11, 12.

[0013] <Operation of the link mechanism> 3 to 6, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the first and second link arms 11 and 12 each rotate counterclockwise in the drawings about the first rotation axis X1 during an opening operation of the door 5. As a result, the door 5 of the vehicle 1 supported by the first and second link arms 11 and 12 opens toward the rear of the vehicle (to the left in the drawings).

[0014] In the door device 20 of this embodiment, when the door 5 is closed, the first and second link arms 11 and 12 each rotate clockwise in the drawings about the first rotation axis X1, thereby causing the door 5 of the vehicle 1 supported by the first and second link arms 11 and 12 to close toward the front of the vehicle (to the right in the drawings).

[0015] Furthermore, in the door apparatus 20 of this embodiment, the opening / closing movement locus R of the door 5 is defined so as to describe an arc-shaped glide locus Rg based on the movement of the link mechanism 15 formed by the first and second link arms 11 and 12. That is, as shown in Fig. 5, at an intermediate position where the first and second link arms 11 and 12 extend in the vehicle width direction (the up-down direction in Figs. 3 to 6), the movement component in the vehicle front-rear direction becomes large. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the opening / closing movement position of the door 5 approaches the fully closed position P0, where the first and second link arms 11 and 12 extend in the vehicle front-rear direction (the left-right direction in Figs. 3 to 6), and thus the movement component in the vehicle width direction becomes large.

[0016] In the door device 20 of this embodiment, the first link arm 11 has a second rotation axis X2 relative to the door 5 at a position closer to the center of gravity G than the second link arm 12. That is, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the first link arm 11 is therefore positioned as the main link 21 that supports a larger door load. The second link arm 12 is positioned as the sub-link 22 that receives a relatively small door load.

[0017] In the door device 20 of this embodiment, the first link arm 11 has a larger outer shape than the second link arm 12. As a result, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured to impart high support rigidity to the first link arm 11 positioned on the main link 21.

[0018] <Door-side engagement portion and vehicle-body-side engagement portion> 3 to 7, the door device 20 of this embodiment includes a door-side engaging portion 31 provided at the front end 5f of the door 5 and a vehicle-body-side engaging portion 32 provided at the front edge 3f of the door opening 3. That is, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the door-side engaging portion 31 is provided at a closing-side end 33 located on the closing operation side of the door 5, which opens and closes the door opening 3 of the vehicle 1 based on the operation of the link mechanism 15 formed by the first and second link arms 11 and 12. Furthermore, the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 32 is provided at a closing-side end 34 of the door opening 3 to which the closing-side end 33 of the door 5 moves toward or away from the door 5 based on the opening and closing operation of the door 5 moving in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. The door device 20 of this embodiment is configured so that the door-side engaging portion 31 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 32 engage with each other when the door 5 is in the vicinity of the fully closed position P0.

[0019] More specifically, the door-side engaging portion 31 of this embodiment includes, as its guide engaging portion, a shaft-shaped engaging portion 41 extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1 (a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 7). In the door device 20 of this embodiment, the shaft-shaped engaging portion 41 serving as the guide engaging portion is configured as a roller 41x rotatably supported around a support shaft (not shown) extending in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 32 includes a guide groove 42 having a pair of side walls 42a, 42b facing each other in the vehicle width direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 7) and extending in the opening and closing direction of the door 5. When the door device 20 of this embodiment is located near the fully closed position P0, the shaft-shaped engaging portion 41 constituting the guide engaging portion is disposed in the guide groove 42, and the door-side engaging portion 31 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 32 engage with each other.

[0020] That is, the shaft-shaped engaging portion 41 of the door-side engaging portion 31 is disposed in the guide groove 42 of the vehicle body-side engaging portion 32 while being sandwiched between a pair of side wall portions 42a, 42b facing each other in the vehicle width direction, thereby restricting displacement of the door 5 in the vehicle width direction. This enables the door device 20 of this embodiment to stably support the door 5 even near the fully closed position P0 where the first and second link arms 11, 12 forming the link mechanism 15 tend to be aligned.

[0021] 8 and 9, the door device 20 of this embodiment has door-side engaging portions 31, 31 provided at the front end portion 5f of the door 5 at two positions spaced apart in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the door device 20 has vehicle-body-side engaging portions 32, 32 provided at the front edge portion 3f of the door opening 3 at two positions similarly spaced apart in the vertical direction. The door device 20 of this embodiment is configured to hold the door 5 in the fully closed position P0 with the door-side engaging portions 31, 31 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portions 32, 32 engaged with each other.

[0022] Specifically, the door 5 supported by this link mechanism 15 is configured as a rear door. Furthermore, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, a door opening 3F at the front of the vehicle and a door opening 3R at the rear of the vehicle are separated by a B-pillar 44. In the door device 20 of this embodiment, the B-pillar 44 is provided with the vehicle body side engaging portions 32, 32.

[0023] <Locking device> 9, the door apparatus 20 of this embodiment is equipped with a locking device 45 that holds the door 5 in a fully closed state. Specifically, the door apparatus 20 is equipped with a rear lock 45R provided at the rear end 5r of the door 5 and a front lock 45F provided at the front end 5f of the door 5 as the locking devices 45. Furthermore, each of these locking devices 45 is equipped with a latch mechanism 47 that engages with a striker 46 provided on the vehicle body 2 when the door 5 moves to the fully closed position P0. Each locking device 45 restrains the door 5 in the fully closed position P0 based on the engaging force of each latch mechanism 47 and each striker 46.

[0024] That is, the front latch 47F constituting the latch mechanism 47 of the front lock 45F restrains the front end 5f of the door 5 on which the front latch 47F is provided, i.e., the closing side end 33 of the door 5, to the front edge 3f of the door opening 3, which corresponds to the closing side end 34 of the door opening 3. In the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the striker 46 that engages with the front latch 47F is also provided on the B-pillar 44. Furthermore, the rear latch 47R constituting the latch mechanism 47 of the rear lock 45R restrains the rear end 5r of the door 5 on which the rear latch 47R is provided, i.e., the opening side end 48 of the door 5, to the rear edge 3r of the door opening 3, which corresponds to the opening side end 49 of the door opening 3. Thus, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured to stably maintain the door 5, which has been moved to the fully closed position P0, in the fully closed state.

[0025] <Variable connection length mechanism> 3 to 6, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the second link arm 12 positioned as the sub-link 22 is provided with a variable connection length mechanism 50 that can change the connection length L between the first and second rotation axes X1, X2. Furthermore, the variable connection length mechanism 50 is biased in a direction that shortens the length between the first and second rotation axes X1, X2, that is, the connection length L of the door 5 by the second link arm 12 to which the variable connection length mechanism 50 is provided. Thus, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured so that the door 5 opens and closes with the connection length L by the second link arm 12 shortened.

[0026] 3, 4, and 7, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the door 5 is allowed to open and close with the door-side engaging portion 31 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 32 engaged based on the operation of the variable coupling length mechanism 50 provided on the second link arm 12. Specifically, when the door 5 opens and closes with the door-side engaging portion 31 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 32 engaged, the shaft-shaped engaging portion 41 is relatively displaced along the extending direction of the guide groove 42 while the coupling length L is changed based on the operation of the variable coupling length mechanism 50. As a result, the opening and closing movement locus R of the door 5 changes in the door device 20 of this embodiment.

[0027] That is, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, when the door 5 moves to the fully closed position P0, the door-side engaging portion 31 engages with the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 32, and the opening and closing operation of the door 5 is guided with the shaft-shaped engaging portion 41 disposed within the guide groove 42. As a result, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured so that the glide locus Rg based on the operation of the link mechanism 15 changes into a linear slide locus Rs along the opening width direction of the door opening 3.

[0028] In the case of the door opening 3 provided on the side surface 2s of the vehicle body 2, as in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the "opening width direction" is the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In this case, the "opening direction" of the door opening 3 that connects the interior of the vehicle (not shown) with the outside of the vehicle is the vehicle width direction.

[0029] Specifically, in the door apparatus 20 of this embodiment, when the door 5 is fully closed, an operating force in the closing direction is applied to the door 5 with the door-side engaging portion 31 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 32 engaged. In the door apparatus 20 of this embodiment, the operating force for opening or closing the door 5 is assumed to be a driving force of a drive device (described later) or a manual operation by a user. Furthermore, in this case, the operating force in the closing direction operates the variable connection length mechanism 50 provided on the second link arm 12, thereby extending the connection length L of the door 5 by the second link arm 12 based on the engagement state between the door-side engaging portion 31 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 32. Thus, the door apparatus 20 of this embodiment is configured such that the door 5 supported by the link mechanism 15 performs a closing operation toward the fully closed position P0 in a manner that describes the linear sliding path Rs as described above.

[0030] Furthermore, when the door 5 is opened from the fully closed position P0, an operating force in the opening direction is applied to the door 5 with the door-side engaging portion 31 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 32 engaged. Furthermore, in this case, the variable connection length mechanism 50 operates based on the operating force in the opening direction, thereby shortening the connection length L of the door 5 by the second link arm 12 based on the engagement state between the door-side engaging portion 31 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 32. Thus, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured so that the door 5 supported by the link mechanism 15 performs an opening operation from the fully closed position P0 in a manner that also describes a linear sliding path Rs.

[0031] <Drive unit> As shown in Fig. 10, the door apparatus 20 of this embodiment includes a drive unit 51 that drives to open and close the door 5 of the vehicle 1 supported by the link mechanism 15 formed by the first and second link arms 11 and 12. In the door apparatus 20 of this embodiment, the drive unit 51 applies drive torque to the first link arm 11, which is positioned on the main link 21, using the first link arm 11 as a drive link 55. The drive unit 51 of this embodiment thereby rotates the first link arm 11 about a first rotation axis X1 relative to the vehicle body 2, thereby opening and closing the door 5 supported by the first link arm 11.

[0032] More specifically, in the door apparatus 20 of this embodiment, the first link arm 11 includes an arm body 60 having a long, generally rod-shaped outer shape. The first link arm 11 of this embodiment also includes a base end bracket 61 and a tip end bracket 62 connected to longitudinal ends of the arm body 60. The door apparatus 20 of this embodiment also includes a vehicle body bracket 63 to which the base end bracket 61 of the first link arm 11 is rotatably connected while being fixed near the rear edge 3r of the door opening 3. The door apparatus 20 of this embodiment also includes a door bracket 64 to which the tip end bracket 62 of the first link arm 11 is rotatably connected while being fixed to the inner surface 5s of the door 5.

[0033] That is, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the base end bracket 61 and the vehicle body bracket 63, which are connected so as to be rotatable relative to each other, form a first rotation axis X1 of the first link arm 11. Furthermore, the tip end bracket 62 and the door bracket 64, which are also connected so as to be rotatable relative to each other, form a second rotation axis X2 of the first link arm 11. The drive unit 51 of this embodiment is configured to input its drive torque to the base end portion 11b of the first link arm 11, which is rotatably supported relative to the vehicle body 2.

[0034] More specifically, the drive unit 51 of this embodiment includes an actuator 65 that outputs drive torque, and a transmission mechanism 70 that transmits the drive torque to a position spaced apart from the actuator 65. The door apparatus 20 of this embodiment is thus configured so that the actuator 65 of the drive unit 51 can be disposed at a position spaced apart from the base end 11b of the first link arm 11 that receives the drive torque.

[0035] Specifically, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the base end bracket 61 constituting the base end portion 11b of the first link arm 11 and the vehicle body bracket 63 are connected at two positions spaced apart in the vertical direction by using a pair of connecting pins 76, 76. As a result, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured such that the rotation axis 11x of the first link arm 11 relative to the vehicle body 2, i.e., the first rotation axis X1, is formed at a position passing through the axes of the connecting pins 76, 76.

[0036] The drive unit 51 of this embodiment also includes, as the transmission mechanism 70, a torque input unit 80 that inputs drive torque to the base end bracket 61 that constitutes the base end 11b of the first link arm 11. In the door apparatus 20 of this embodiment, the torque input unit 80 is provided axially between the pair of connecting pins 76. The actuator 65 of this embodiment is supported by the upper end 63a of the vehicle body bracket 63 and is disposed at a position spaced apart from the torque input unit 80. The drive unit 51 of this embodiment also includes a plurality of rotatably supported pulleys 81. The transmission mechanism 70 of this embodiment is configured to transmit drive torque from the actuator 65, which is provided at the spaced apart position, to the torque input unit 80 via a drive belt 82 wound around each of the pulleys 81.

[0037] <System configuration> 3 to 6 and 9, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the operation of the drive device 51 configured as described above is controlled by a control device 90. Specifically, the control device 90 of this embodiment supplies drive power to the actuator 65 of the drive device 51, more specifically, to the motor 65m that serves as the drive source thereof. The control device 90 of this embodiment controls the operation of the drive device 51 based on the rotation of the motor 65m through the supply of drive power to the motor 65m. In other words, the control device 90 is configured to control the opening and closing operation of the door 5 supported by the link mechanism 15 formed by the first link arm 11 and the second link arm 12 that serve as the drive link 55.

[0038] More specifically, a user's operation input to an operation input unit 91 provided on a door 5 of the vehicle 1, in the vehicle interior, or on a portable device or the like is input as an operation input signal S1 to the control device 90 of this embodiment. Specifically, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, a door switch 93 is provided near the rear of the window frame of the door 5 on which the door device 20 is provided as the operation input unit 91. Note that this door switch 93 is sometimes referred to as a "C-pillar switch," etc. Furthermore, a capacitance sensor 94 capable of contactlessly detecting a user's operation input is provided near the front of the window frame. The control device 90 of this embodiment detects a user's request to operate the door 5 based on the operation input signal S1 output by the operation input unit 91.

[0039] Furthermore, various control signals S2 indicating the operation state of the door 5 and the vehicle state are input to the control device 90 of this embodiment. For example, the opening / closing operation position and speed of the door 5 are input to the control device 90 of this embodiment as the control signals S2. The control device 90 of this embodiment controls the opening / closing operation of the door 5 based on the driving force of the drive device 51 based on these control signals S2 in addition to the operation input signal S1.

[0040] In the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, a touch sensor 95 is provided at the front end 5f of the door 5 to detect the occurrence of pinching when the door 5 is closing. The touch sensor 95 may be a contact-type or capacitance-type pressure-sensitive sensor, or a non-contact sensor. When the control device 90 of this embodiment detects the occurrence of pinching based on the output signal of the touch sensor 95, the control device 90 executes control to eliminate the pinching, such as by driving the door 5 in the reverse direction during the closing operation.

[0041] In the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the operation input signals S1 output by each of the operation input units 91 and the control signals S2 output by the various sensor devices 96 are input to the control device 90 via an in-vehicle network 97 such as a CAN (Control Area Network). Alternatively, a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like can be used as the in-vehicle network 97. The in-vehicle network 97 can be configured using a wired system using a signal line or wireless communication.

[0042] In addition, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the control device 90 controls the operation of a closer device 98 provided in the door 5. That is, the closer device 98 has a closing function that drives the latch mechanism 47 of each locking device 45 to transition to a fully latched state when the latch mechanism 47 is in a half-latched state. The closer device 98 also has a release function that drives the latch mechanism 47 to transition to an unlatched state. The control device 90 of this embodiment controls the engaged and disengaged states of the latch mechanisms 47 constituting each locking device 45 through the operation of the closer device 98, that is, it restrains the door 5 at the fully closed position P0 and releases the restraint.

[0043] Specifically, the closer device 98 of this embodiment is provided integrally with the rear lock 45R. Furthermore, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the driving force of this closer device 98 is transmitted to the front lock 45F via a drive cable (not shown). This allows the control device 90 of this embodiment to control the operation of the rear lock 45R and the front lock 45F while the rear latch 47R and the front latch 47F are interlocked.

[0044] The type and location of the closer device 98 can be changed as desired. For example, the closer device 98 can be configured to be integrated with the front lock 45F. Alternatively, an independent closer device 98 can be provided for each of the locking devices 45. Furthermore, the closer device 98 can be located away from each of the locking devices 45. A release device for releasing each of the locking devices 45 can be provided separately from the closer device 98 for closing each of the locking devices 45.

[0045] That is, the control device 90 of this embodiment controls the operation of the closer device 98 together with the drive device 51 based on the input of an operation input signal S1 indicating an operation request from a user. For example, the control device 90 executes release control of each lock device 45 by operation of the closer device 98 prior to controlling the opening drive of the door 5 by operation of the drive device 51. Furthermore, after controlling the closing drive of the door 5 by operation of the drive device 51, the control device 90 subsequently executes close control of each lock device 45 by operation of the closer device 98. Thus, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured so that the opening operation of the door 5 supported by the link mechanism 15 formed by the first and second link arms 11, 12 from a fully closed state and the closing operation of the door 5 to the fully closed state can be smoothly performed.

[0046] In addition, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the door 5 is provided with an emergency release lever 99. Furthermore, this emergency release lever 99 is connected to each locking device 45 via a drive cable (not shown). Thus, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, in the event of an emergency such as a power loss, for example, the emergency release lever 99 can be operated to release the restraint of the door 5 by each locking device 45.

[0047] <Joint link> 11 and 12, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the second link arm 12 is configured to include a vehicle body side link 101 and a door side link 102 that are connected to each other so as to be able to rotate relative to each other. That is, the vehicle body side link 101 configures the base end portion 12b side of the second link arm 12, which has a first rotation axis X1 relative to the vehicle body 2. Furthermore, the door side link 102 configures the tip end portion 12a side of the second link arm 12, which has a second rotation axis X2 relative to the door 5 of the vehicle 1. In the door device 20 of this embodiment, the variable connection length mechanism 50 is formed based on the bent shape of the joint link 110 formed thereby.

[0048] More specifically, the door-side link 102 of this embodiment has a so-called mini-arm configuration with a shorter axial length than the vehicle-body-side link 101. The vehicle-body-side link 101 has a vehicle-body-side coupling portion 111 for the vehicle body 2 at one end in the longitudinal direction. The door-side link 102 also has a door-side coupling portion 112 for the door 5 at one end in the longitudinal direction. The vehicle-body-side link 101 and the door-side link 102 each have intermediate coupling portions 113, 114 at the other end in the longitudinal direction, which couple them to each other.

[0049] That is, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, these intermediate connecting portions 113, 114 form the intermediate axis X3 of the joint link 110 provided on the second link arm 12. In addition, the second link arm 12 forms a triangle with the vehicle-side link 101 and the door-side link 102, with the intermediate axis X3 as the apex. As a result, when the vehicle-side link 101 and the door-side link 102 rotate relative to each other, the length of the straight line connecting the first and second rotation axes X1, X2, which form the base of the triangle, that is, the connection length L, changes.

[0050] 11 and 12, the door-side link 102 rotates relative to the vehicle-body-side link 101 about the intermediate axis X3 in the clockwise direction in each drawing, thereby increasing the connection length L of the joint link 110. On the other hand, the door-side link 102 rotates relative to the vehicle-body-side link 101 about the intermediate axis X3 in the counterclockwise direction in each drawing, thereby decreasing the connection length L.

[0051] <Joint link connection structure> 13 to 15, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the vehicle body side link 101 constituting the base end portion 12b of the second link arm 12 is connected to the vehicle body 2 via a vehicle body bracket 121. The door side link 102 constituting the tip end portion 12a of the second link arm 12 is also connected to the door 5 via a door bracket 122 fixed to the inner surface 5s of the door 5.

[0052] 15 to 17, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the vehicle-body link 101 has an outer shape that is approximately C-shaped in cross section, with one side of a long, approximately rectangular tube cut out in the longitudinal direction. The vehicle-body bracket 121 includes a fixed wall 121c that is attached to the vehicle body 2, and an upper wall 121a and a lower wall 121b that extend in a flange-like shape from the upper and lower ends of the fixed wall 121c. The vehicle-body bracket 121 also includes a support shaft 125 that spans between the upper wall 121a and the lower wall 121b and extends vertically along the fixed wall 121c. The vehicle-body link 101 of this embodiment is configured so that the vehicle-body connecting portion 111 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 125 of the vehicle-body bracket 121.

[0053] 15 to 21, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the door-side link 102 has an outer shape with a substantially U-shaped cross section. Furthermore, in the door-side link 102, the gap between the upper wall 102a and the lower wall 102b that form the substantially U-shaped cross section is larger at the other end of the door-side link 102 that forms the intermediate connection portion 114 with the vehicle-body-side link 101 than at the one end that forms the door-side connection portion 112. The door device 20 of this embodiment is configured so that the intermediate connection portion 114 of the door-side link 102 and the intermediate connection portion 113 of the vehicle-body-side link 101 are rotatably connected around a connecting shaft 127 that penetrates the upper wall 102a and the lower wall 102b.

[0054] 15 to 17 and 21, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the vehicle-body-side link 101 is disposed with its side wall 101c, which forms a substantially C-shaped cross section, facing the fixed wall 121c of the vehicle-body bracket 121. Moreover, the door-side link 102 is disposed so that its substantially U-shaped cross section faces the substantially C-shaped cross section of the vehicle-body-side link 101 when the joint link 110 is bent due to relative rotation about the connecting shaft 127 that forms the middle axis X3. Furthermore, in the joint link 110 of this embodiment, the gap between the upper wall 102a and the lower wall 102b at the intermediate connecting portion 114 of the door-side link 102 is larger than the gap between the upper wall 101a and the lower wall 101b at the intermediate connecting portion 113 of the vehicle-body-side link 101. The joint link 110 of this embodiment is configured so that the approximately C-shaped cross section of the vehicle body side link 101 is placed within the approximately U-shaped cross section of the door side link 102, and these intermediate connecting portions 113, 114 are rotatably connected around the connecting shaft 127.

[0055] 15 and 18 to 21, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the door bracket 122 also has an outer shape with a generally U-shaped cross section. Specifically, the door bracket 122 of this embodiment includes a fixed wall 122c that is fixed to the inner surface 5s of the door 5, and an upper wall 122a and a lower wall 122b that extend in a flange-like shape from the upper and lower ends of the fixed wall 122c. Furthermore, the door bracket 122 includes a support shaft 130 that spans between the upper wall 122a and the lower wall 122b and extends vertically along the fixed wall 122c. The door-side link 102 of this embodiment is configured so that its door-side connecting portion 112 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 130 of the door bracket 122.

[0056] More specifically, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the door-side link 102 is disposed with the side wall 102c forming the approximately U-shaped cross section facing the fixed wall 122c of the door bracket 122. In addition, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the gap between the upper wall 122a and the lower wall 122b of the door bracket 122 is larger than the gap between the upper wall 102a and the lower wall 102b of the door-side connecting portion 112 of the door-side link 102. Thus, the articulated link 110 of this embodiment is configured so that the door-side link 102 is rotatably connected around the support shaft 130 with the door-side connecting portion 112 of the door-side link 102 disposed within the approximately U-shaped cross section of the door bracket 122.

[0057] The door device 20 of this embodiment has a collar 130x that is inserted onto the support shaft 130 of the door bracket 122 and supported together with the door-side connecting portion 112 of the door-side link 102. This allows the door device 20 of this embodiment to maintain the relative position of the door-side link 102 with respect to the door bracket 122 in the axial direction of the support shaft 130.

[0058] More specifically, the door bracket 122 of this embodiment is fixed to the inner surface 5s of the door 5 with its fixed wall 122c extending in the vehicle front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 20), which is the opening width direction of the door opening 3. Specifically, when the door bracket 122 is fixed to the door 5, a first end 131 in the longitudinal direction is disposed on the front side of the vehicle (right side in FIG. 20), and a second end 132 is disposed on the rear side of the vehicle (left side in FIG. 20). In other words, the door bracket 122 of this embodiment is configured so that the first end 131 in the longitudinal direction is disposed at a position on the closing side of the opening width direction of the door opening 3, and the second end 132 is disposed at a position on the opening side of the opening width direction of the door opening 3.

[0059] Furthermore, in the door bracket 122 of this embodiment, the spindle 130 of the door-side link 102 is provided near the first end 131, at a position spaced from the first end 131 toward the second end 132 in the longitudinal direction of the door bracket 122. Furthermore, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the door-side link 102 supported by the spindle 130 extends toward the first end 131 in the longitudinal direction of the door bracket 122. As a result, in the door-side link 102 of this embodiment, the intermediate connecting portion 114 having the connecting shaft 127 to the vehicle-body-side link 101 is positioned closer to the front of the vehicle than the door-side connecting portion 112 to the door 5. In other words, the intermediate axis X3 with the vehicle-body-side link 101 is positioned closer to the closing side in the opening width direction of the door opening 3 than the second rotation axis X2 to the door 5.

[0060] <Door-side link energizing structure> 15 and 18 to 24, the door device 20 of this embodiment includes a biasing member 135 that biases the door-side link 102 to rotate around a support shaft 130 provided on the door bracket 122. Furthermore, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the biasing force of the biasing member 135 causes the door-side link 102 to rotate counterclockwise in FIGS. 22 to 24. That is, in the door-side link 102 of this embodiment, the intermediate connecting portion 114 that forms the intermediate axis X3 with the vehicle-body link 101 in the longitudinal direction of the door bracket 122 and near the first end 131 rotates toward the fixed wall 122c relative to the door 5. The door device 20 of this embodiment is configured such that the rotation of the door-side link 102 biased by the biasing member 135 shortens the connection length L of the joint link 110 formed by the door-side link 102.

[0061] 14 and 22, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the joint link 110 constituting the second link arm 12 is in a state in which its connection length L is extended when the door 5 supported by the link mechanism 15 is in the fully closed position P0 (see FIG. 12). Furthermore, at this time, the door-side link 102 pivoted about the spindle 130 of the door bracket 122 constituting the second rotation axis X2 with respect to the door 5 is in a state in which it has rotated clockwise in FIG. 22 against the biasing force of the biasing member 135. As a result, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the side of the intermediate connecting portion 114 of the door-side link 102 constituting the intermediate axis X3 of the joint link 110 is positioned at a position spaced apart from the fixed wall 122c of the door bracket 122. In other words, the door device 20 is configured to be spaced apart from the inner surface 5s of the door 5 to which the door bracket 122 is fixed.

[0062] In the door device 20 of this embodiment, when the door 5 performs an opening operation from the fully closed position P0, the joint link 110 constituting the second link arm 12 is allowed to change in a direction that shortens its connection length L. As a result, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the door-side link 102 journaled about the spindle 130 of the door bracket 122 rotates counterclockwise in FIGS. 22 to 24 based on the biasing force of the biasing member 135. In other words, the intermediate connecting portion 114 side of the door-side link 102 constituting the intermediate axis X3 of the joint link 110 rotates about the spindle 130 constituting the second rotation axis X2 toward the direction approaching the fixed wall 122c of the door bracket 122.

[0063] 22 and 23, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, when the door 5 opens from the fully closed position P0, the door-side link 102 biased by the biasing member 135 abuts against the fixed wall 122c of the door bracket 122 in the vicinity of the first end 131 of the door bracket 122. As a result, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured so that the rotation of the door-side link 102 based on the biasing force of the biasing member 135 around the spindle 130 that forms the second rotation axis X2 is restricted.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 21 , the door device 20 of this embodiment includes a buffer member 133 fixed to a fixed wall 122c at a first end 131 of the door bracket 122. That is, when the door-side link 102 close to the inner surface 5s of the door 5 rotates, the door-side link 102 abuts against the first end 131 of the door bracket 122, which serves as a rotation restricting portion 136 provided on the door 5, via the buffer member 133. Note that the buffer member 133 can also be fixed to the intermediate connecting portion 114 of the door-side link 102. Thus, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured to ensure a stable opening / closing operating posture of the door 5 supported by the link mechanism 15 having the door-side link 102 by pressing the door-side link 102, biased by the biasing member 135, against the door 5.

[0065] 23 , in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the rotation of the door-side link 102 about the second rotation axis X2 is restricted, and this changes the manner in which the connection length L is changed based on the operation of the joint link 110 that constitutes the connection length variable mechanism 50. That is, the door-side link 102 is pressed against the door bracket 122 based on the biasing force of the biasing member 135, and the door-side link 102 is integrated with the door 5. As a result, the door 5 opens and closes in a state in which the vehicle-body-side link 101 rotates relatively about the middle axis X3 of the joint link 110, that is, about the middle axis X3 between the door-side link 102 and the vehicle-body-side link 101.

[0066] 23 and 24, the intermediate axis X3 appears to be a new second rotation axis X2' for the door 5. In other words, the second rotation axis X2 for the door 5 shifts. As a result, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured so that the door 5 supported by the link mechanism 15 opens and closes while the connection length L between the first and second rotation axes X1, X2 is fixed to a constant value based on the length of the vehicle body side link 101.

[0067] Furthermore, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, when the door side link 102 abuts against the door bracket 122, the connecting shaft 127 on the intermediate connecting portion 114 side is positioned at a position farther away from the fixed wall 122c than the support shaft 130 on the door side connecting portion 112 side.

[0068] 21 , the distance δ2 between the second rotation axis X2 formed by the support shaft 130 of the door bracket 122 and the distance δ3 between the intermediate axis X3 formed by the connecting shaft 127 of the joint link 110 is compared with the distance δ2 between the second rotation axis X2 and the vehicle-body-side link 101, with reference to the inner surface 5s of the door 5 to which the door bracket 122 is fixed. In this case, at the fixed position of the door bracket 122, the distance δ3 between the intermediate axis X3 is greater than the distance δ2 between the second rotation axis X2 (δ2<δ3). As a result, when the door-side link 102 of this embodiment rotates around the second rotation axis X2 relative to the door 5, the intermediate axis X3 between the door-side link 102 and the vehicle-body-side link 101 is positioned closer to the vehicle body 2 than the second rotation axis X2. As a result, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured so that the bent shape of the joint link 110 formed by the door-side link 102 is less likely to interfere with the inner surface 5s of the door 5.

[0069] In this case, "a position closer to the vehicle body 2 than..." is "the vehicle body side" when the positional relationship in the opening direction of the door opening 3 is expressed as "the vehicle body side" or "the door side." Furthermore, if the opening direction of the door opening 3 is the vehicle width direction, it is "the inside in the vehicle width direction." If the direction in which the outer surface of the door 5 faces is the "outside of the vehicle" and the direction in which the inner surface 5s of the door 5 faces is the "inside of the vehicle," then "a position closer to the vehicle body 2 than..." in this case can be rephrased as "the inside of the vehicle" or "the passenger compartment side."

[0070] <Using member> More specifically, as shown in Figures 20 and 22 to 24, the biasing member 135 of this embodiment includes a cylinder member 137 configured to be expandable and contractible, and a coil-shaped compression spring 138 housed within this cylinder member 137.

[0071] Specifically, the cylinder member 137 of this embodiment includes first and second cylindrical members 141, 142 with different diameters. Furthermore, in the cylinder member 137 of this embodiment, the first and second cylindrical members 141, 142 are arranged coaxially with an overlapping section α where they overlap in the axial direction. This allows the cylinder member 137 of this embodiment to be able to expand and contract in the axial direction by allowing axial displacement of the first and second cylindrical members 141, 142.

[0072] In the cylinder member 137 of this embodiment, the first and second cylindrical members 141, 142 have connecting portions 143, 144 at their axial ends spaced apart from each other. Furthermore, the first and second cylindrical members 141, 142 have spring contact portions 145, 146 provided within their cylindrical shapes near the connecting portions 143, 144. The biasing member 135 of this embodiment is configured so that both ends of a coil-shaped compression spring 138 housed within the cylinder member 137 abut against the spring contact portions 145, 146.

[0073] That is, the biasing member 135 of this embodiment compresses the compression spring 138 housed in the cylinder member 137 against the elastic force of the compression spring 138, thereby shortening the axial length of the cylinder member 137. As a result, based on the elastic force of the compressed compression spring 138, the cylinder member 137 generates a biasing force in the direction of extension.

[0074] <Positioning structure of door-side link using biasing member> As shown in FIG. 15 and FIGS. 22 to 24 , in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the door-side link 102 has a connecting protrusion 151 provided on its door-side connecting portion 112 in a manner that protrudes in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the door-side link 102. The door bracket 122 also has a connecting shaft 152 provided in parallel to the support shaft 130 at a position spaced further toward the second end 132 in the longitudinal direction than the support shaft 130 that pivotally supports the door-side connecting portion 112 of the door-side link 102. Furthermore, in the biasing member 135 of this embodiment, the connecting portion 143 provided at the axial end position of the first tubular member 141 constitutes the first connecting portion 153. The connecting portion 144 provided at the axial end position of the second tubular member 142 constitutes the second connecting portion 154. The biasing member 135 of this embodiment is configured such that its first connecting portion 153 is rotatably connected to the connecting protrusion 151 of the door side link 102, and its second connecting portion 154 is rotatably connected to the connecting shaft 152 of the door bracket 122.

[0075] More specifically, as shown in Figures 15, 19, and 20, the door-side link 102 of this embodiment has a pair of connecting pieces 155, 155 provided on its door-side connecting portion 112. In the door-side link 102 of this embodiment, these connecting pieces 155, 155 are formed by extending the upper wall 102a and the lower wall 102b of the door-side link 102 toward the opening of the generally U-shaped cross section, respectively. Furthermore, in the door-side link 102 of this embodiment, these connecting pieces 155, 155 form its connecting protrusion 151. The door-side link 102 of this embodiment has a generally L-shaped bent shape in plan view, including the connecting protrusion 151.

[0076] In the door apparatus 20 of this embodiment, the first connecting portion 153 of the urging member 135 includes a substantially flat connecting piece 157 having a through hole 156. The door apparatus 20 of this embodiment also includes a connecting shaft 158 ​​that is inserted into the through hole 156 of the connecting piece 157 and bridges between the connecting pieces 155, 155 that constitute the connecting protrusion 151 of the door-side link 102. As a result, the door apparatus 20 of this embodiment is configured so that the first connecting portion 153 of the urging member 135 is rotatably connected to the connecting protrusion 151 of the door-side link 102 around the connecting shaft 158.

[0077] Specifically, in the door apparatus 20 of this embodiment, each of the connecting pieces 155, 155 constituting the connecting protrusion 151 of the door-side link 102 has a generally crank-like bent shape in a side view. Furthermore, based on the bent shape, the connecting pieces 155, 155 are arranged such that their tip ends are close to each other. Furthermore, in the door-side link 102 of this embodiment, a connecting shaft 158 ​​connecting the first connecting portion 153 of the urging member 135 to the two connecting pieces 155, 155 is provided at a position where the two connecting pieces 155, 155 are close to each other. Thus, the door apparatus 20 of this embodiment is configured to restrict relative displacement of the first connecting portion 153 along the connecting shaft 158 ​​by sandwiching the first connecting portion 153 of the urging member 135 between the two connecting pieces 155, 155.

[0078] In the door device 20 of this embodiment, the second connecting portion 154 of the urging member 135 includes a tubular portion 159 having a substantially cylindrical outer shape. Furthermore, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the tubular portion 159 of the second connecting portion 154 is fitted onto the connecting shaft 152 of the door bracket 122. As a result, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured so that the second connecting portion 154 of the urging member 135 is rotatably connected around the connecting shaft 152.

[0079] In the door device 20 of this embodiment, the axial length of the tubular portion 159 constituting the second connecting portion 154 of the urging member 135 is set to be approximately equal to the size of the gap between the upper wall 122a and the lower wall 122b that form the approximately U-shaped cross section of the door bracket 122. As a result, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured to restrict relative displacement of the second connecting portion 154 along the connecting shaft 152 by sandwiching the second connecting portion 154 of the urging member 135 between the upper wall 122a and the lower wall 122b of the door bracket 122.

[0080] Furthermore, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the urging member 135 is thereby disposed between the upper wall 122a and the lower wall 122b of the door bracket 122. In the door device 20 of this embodiment, the urging member 135 is thereby disposed at a height position overlapping with the door-side link 102 in the up-down direction along the support shaft 130 that pivotally supports the door-side link 102. More specifically, by disposing the urging member 135 at a height position substantially equal to that of the door-side link 102, foreign matter is unlikely to interfere with the urging member 135 regardless of the rotational position of the door-side link 102.

[0081] That is, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the urging member 135 is disposed closer to the second end 132 in the longitudinal direction of the door bracket 122 (on the left side in FIG. 20 ) than the connecting protrusion 151 provided on the door-side link 102. Furthermore, the urging member 135 is held by the door bracket 122 in a state along the fixed wall 122c of the door bracket 122 that faces the inner surface 5s of the door 5. As a result, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured to sandwich the spindle 130 provided on the door bracket 122 and press the connecting protrusion 151 of the door-side link 102 from the side opposite to the extension direction of the door-side link 102 journaled on the spindle 130.

[0082] 22 to 24, the connecting protrusion 151 of this embodiment extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the door-side link 102, that is, in a direction intersecting the direction connecting the second rotation axis X2 with respect to the door 5 and the middle axis X3 of the joint link 110. In this embodiment, the angle that the connecting protrusion 151 forms around the support shaft 130 with the extension direction of the door-side link 102 is approximately a right angle, more specifically, a slightly wide angle. Thus, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured to be able to efficiently press the connecting protrusion 151 of the door-side link 102 while it is aligned with the fixed wall 122c of the door bracket 122, that is, while it is aligned with the inner surface 5s of the door 5.

[0083] Furthermore, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the urging member 135 is rotatably connected to the connecting protrusion 151 of the door-side link 102, and is also rotatably connected to the connecting shaft 152 of the door bracket 122. As a result, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured to be able to efficiently urge the door-side link 102 to rotate while maintaining a state in which the door-side link 102 extends along the inner surface 5s of the door 5, regardless of the rotation position of the door-side link 102.

[0084] <Structure to prevent interference between connecting protrusions and vehicle body links> As shown in Figures 22 to 24, when the door-side link 102 of this embodiment rotates around the support shaft 130, the intermediate connecting portion 114 and the connecting protrusion 151 are displaced in opposite directions relative to the fixed wall 122c of the door bracket 122 based on its approximately L-shaped bent shape.

[0085] That is, when the door 5 performs an opening operation from the fully closed position P0, the door-side link 102 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 22. Furthermore, due to the rotation about the support shaft 130 that forms the second rotation axis X2 relative to the door 5, the door-side link 102 displaces in a direction in which the intermediate connecting portion 114 that forms the intermediate axis X3 with the vehicle-body-side link 101 approaches the fixed wall 122c of the door bracket 122. Then, the door-side link 102 displaces in a direction in which the connecting protrusion 151 provided on the door-side connecting portion 112 thereof moves away from the fixed wall 122c of the door bracket 122.

[0086] Also, at this time, due to the rotation of the door side link 102, the connecting protrusion 151 provided on the door side link 102 moves close to the vehicle body side link 101 based on the bending shape of the joint link 110 formed by the vehicle body side link 101 and the door side link 102.

[0087] 15, 16, and 21, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, a hole 160 is provided in the side wall 101c of the vehicle-body-side link 101 that is located in a direction toward which the connecting protrusion 151 of the door-side link 102 approaches. As a result, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured so that the connecting protrusion 151 for the urging member 135 provided on the door-side link 102 does not interfere with the vehicle-body-side link 101.

[0088] <Engagement protrusion on the vehicle body side link and cam groove on the door bracket> As shown in FIG. 19, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the door bracket 122 has an upper wall 122a and a lower wall 122b that form a generally U-shaped cross section, with the lower wall 122b having a larger flat plate shape than the upper wall 122a.

[0089] 15 and 25 to 28, the door bracket 122 of this embodiment has a cam groove 161 provided in its lower wall 122b. Furthermore, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, an engaging member 162 having an engaging portion 162x with this cam groove 161 is provided on the vehicle body side link 101. The door device 20 of this embodiment is configured to regulate the opening and closing operating postures of the door 5 supported by the second link arm 12 configured as the joint link 110 by a cam mechanism formed by the cam groove 161 and the engaging member 162.

[0090] 16 and 17, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the engaging member 162 on the vehicle-body-side link 101 side has a generally shaft-like outer shape that protrudes downward from the lower wall 101b near the intermediate connection portion 113 with the door-side link 102. In the vehicle-body-side link 101, the engaging member 162 is provided near a hole 160 provided in the side wall 101c of the vehicle-body-side link 101. Furthermore, the engaging member 162 has a roller 164 that is provided rotatably around the axis. The engaging member 162 of this embodiment is configured so that the roller 164 serves as an engaging portion 162x for engaging with a cam groove 161 provided in the lower wall 122b of the door bracket 122.

[0091] 26 to 28, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the door bracket 122 has a first arc-shaped groove 171 and a second arc-shaped groove 172 provided in a lower wall 122b constituting a cam member 170 on the door 5 side. Specifically, the first arc-shaped groove 171 and the second arc-shaped groove 172 each have an arc-shaped convex shape that is convex on the opposite side to the direction in which the fixed wall 122c of the door bracket 122 is positioned relative to the inner surface 5s of the door 5 (upward in each figure). Furthermore, the first arc-shaped groove 171 and the second arc-shaped groove 172 have centers of their arc-shaped shapes at mutually different positions. The door bracket 122 of this embodiment is configured so that the cam groove 161 extends along the fixed wall 122c of the door bracket 122 in a manner that connects the arc-shaped shapes of the first arc-shaped groove 171 and the second arc-shaped groove 172.

[0092] More specifically, in the door bracket 122 of this embodiment, the center of the first arc-shaped groove 171 is located closer to the second end 132 in the longitudinal direction of the door bracket 122 (left side in each drawing) than the support shaft 130 that pivotally supports the door-side connecting portion 112 of the door-side link 102. The second arc-shaped groove 172 is located closer to the first end 131 in the longitudinal direction of the door bracket 122 (right side in each drawing) than the support shaft 130 of the door-side link 102. Furthermore, the first arc-shaped groove 171 has a closed end 171a closer to the second end 132 than the support shaft 130 in the longitudinal direction of the door bracket 122, and an open end 171b closer to the first end 131. The cam groove 161 of this embodiment is formed by connecting the open end 171b of the first arc-shaped groove 171 to the closed end 172a of the second arc-shaped groove 172.

[0093] That is, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the vehicle-body-side link 101 constituting the joint link 110 rotates about a first rotation axis X1 relative to the vehicle body 2 while rotating relative to the door-side link 102 about its middle axis X3 based on the opening and closing operation of the door 5. Furthermore, at an opening and closing operation position near the fully closed position P0 where the door-side engaging portion 31 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 32 are engaged, the door-side link 102 rotates about a support shaft 130 constituting a second rotation axis X2 relative to the door 5. As a result, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured so that the engaging portion 162x of the engaging member 162 arranged in the cam groove 161 moves within the first arc-shaped groove 171 within a range in which the door 5 performs opening and closing operation while describing a linear sliding locus Rs.

[0094] Furthermore, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, as described above, the door-side link 102 is pressed against the door bracket 122, thereby restricting the rotation of the door-side link 102 about the second rotation axis X2 relative to the door 5. As a result, the door device 20 of this embodiment is configured so that the engaging portion 162x of the engaging member 162 arranged in the cam groove 161 moves within the second arc-shaped groove 172 within the range in which the door 5 performs opening and closing operations while describing the arc-shaped glide locus Rg.

[0095] In other words, the door device 20 of this embodiment has opening and closing operation positions of the door 5 where the opening and closing operation locus R of the door 5 transitions from the slide locus Rs to the glide locus Rg, or from the glide locus Rg to the slide locus Rs (see FIGS. 3 to 6). The door device 20 of this embodiment is configured so that, when the opening and closing operation locus R transitions, the engaging portion 162x of the engaging member 162 disposed in the cam groove 161 passes through the connection position of the first arc-shaped groove 171 and the second arc-shaped groove 172.

[0096] Furthermore, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the engagement member 162 provided on the vehicle body side link 101 engages with the cam groove 161 of the cam member 170 provided on the door 5, thereby restricting the movement of the joint link 110. As a result, the door device 20 of this embodiment is able to open and close the door 5 in a stable position that suppresses the occurrence of so-called door shaking.

[0097] <Operation of this embodiment> In the door device 20 of this embodiment, the door-side link 102, which constitutes the joint link 110 together with the vehicle-body-side link 101, rotates about a second rotation axis X2 relative to the door 5 based on the opening and closing operation of the door 5. Furthermore, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, when the door-side link 102 rotates about the second rotation axis X2, the intermediate axis X3 between the door-side link 102 and the vehicle-body-side link 101 is located at a position closer to the vehicle body 2 than the second rotation axis X2. As a result, in the door device 20 of this embodiment, the bent shape of the joint link 110 is less likely to interfere with the inner surface 5s of the door 5.

[0098] <Effects of this embodiment> Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) A door device 20 of a vehicle 1 includes first and second link arms 11 and 12 having a first rotation axis X1 relative to the vehicle body 2 and a second rotation axis X2 relative to the door 5. The door device 20 opens and closes the door 5 based on the operation of a link mechanism 15 formed by the first and second link arms 11 and 12. The second link arm 12 is configured as a joint link 110 that rotatably connects a vehicle-body-side link 101 having a first rotation axis X1 and a door-side link 102 having a second rotation axis X2. That is, the second link arm 12 is configured to change the connection length L between the first and second rotation axes X1 and X2 based on the relative rotation of the vehicle-body-side link 101 and the door-side link 102. Furthermore, not only when the door 5 is positioned at the fully closed position P0, but also when the door side link 102 rotates around the second rotation axis X2 based on the opening and closing operation of the door 5, the intermediate axis X3 between the vehicle body side link 101 and the door side link 102 is positioned closer to the vehicle body 2 than the second rotation axis X2.

[0099] According to the above configuration, the vehicle body side link 101 does not cross the second rotation axis X2 during the opening and closing operation of the door 5. Therefore, even if the support shaft 130 that forms the second rotation axis X2 is not divided in the direction in which the second rotation axis X2 extends, there is no interference between the vehicle body side link 101 and the support shaft 130.

[0100] Furthermore, when the door 5 is opened or closed, the bent shape of the joint link 110 is less likely to interfere with the inner surface 5s of the door 5. This improves the mountability to the vehicle 1. In other words, when the door 5 is opened or closed, the bent shape of the joint link 110 can be prevented from interfering with the door 5 without having to devise a shape for the inner surface 5s of the door 5.

[0101] (2) In the door device 20, the intermediate axis X3 between the vehicle-body-side link 101 and the door-side link 102 is disposed at a position closer to the closing side in the opening width direction of the door opening 3 provided in the vehicle body 2 than the second rotation axis X2. More specifically, the intermediate axis X3 is disposed at a position forward in the front-to-rear direction than the second rotation axis X2.

[0102] According to the above configuration, even when the door 5 rotates about the second rotation axis X2 in conjunction with the opening and closing operation, the intermediate axis X3 between the vehicle body-side link 101 and the door-side link 102 does not displace across the second rotation axis X2 in the opening width direction of the door opening 3. Therefore, the vehicle body-side link 101 is less likely to intersect with the support shaft 130 of the door-side link 102 that forms the second rotation axis X2. This makes it possible to ensure high support rigidity of the door-side link 102 with respect to the door 5 with a simple configuration that can be easily downsized.

[0103] Furthermore, even when the vehicle body-side link 101 and the door-side link 102 rotate relative to each other about the middle axis X3, their circumferential positions are unlikely to be interchanged. In other words, when the vehicle body-side link 101 and the door-side link 102 rotate relatively toward each other based on the opening and closing operation of the door 5, it is easy to configure the vehicle body-side link 101 and the door-side link 102 so that their circumferential positions do not swap. This reduces interference between the vehicle body-side link 101 and the door-side link 102, thereby ensuring high support rigidity for the vehicle body-side link 101 and the door-side link 102.

[0104] (3) When the door 5 performs an opening operation from the fully closed position P0, the door-side link 102 of the joint link 110 rotates around the second rotation axis X2 in a direction in which the intermediate axis X3 between the vehicle-side link 101 and the door-side link 102 approaches the inner surface 5s of the door 5. In the door device 20, the door-side link 102 comes into contact with the rotation restricting portion 136 provided on the door 5, thereby restricting the rotation of the door-side link 102 around the second rotation axis X2.

[0105] According to the above configuration, the intermediate axis X3 between the vehicle body side link 101 and the door side link 102 can be easily disposed at a position closer to the vehicle body 2 than the second rotation axis X2 with a simple configuration.

[0106] (4) The door device 20 includes a biasing member 135 that extends along the inner surface 5 s of the door 5 and presses the door-side link 102, thereby biasing the door-side link 102 to rotate in a direction in which the middle axis X3 approaches the inner surface 5 s of the door 5.

[0107] According to the above configuration, the door-side link 102 rotates based on the biasing force of the biasing member 135, thereby changing the connection length L between the first and second rotation axes X1, X2 of the second link arm 12 configured as the joint link 110. Furthermore, the biasing member 135 can be compactly disposed along the inner surface 5s of the door 5, and the biasing member 135 can bias the door-side link 102 to rotate without interfering with the door-side link 102. As a result, the biasing member 135 can be disposed at a height position overlapping with the door-side link 102 in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1. This reduces the size of the configuration in the vicinity of the second rotation axis X2 relative to the door 5, thereby improving mountability on the vehicle 1.

[0108] (5) The biasing member 135 includes a cylinder member 137 configured to be extendable and contractible, and a coil-shaped compression spring 138 that biases the cylinder member 137 in the extension direction while housed within the cylinder member 137.

[0109] According to the above configuration, the cylinder member 137 expands and contracts based on the elastic deformation of the compression spring 138, thereby generating a biasing force that presses the door-side link 102. In addition, the compression spring 138 is protected by the cylinder member 137, thereby ensuring high reliability.

[0110] (6) The door-side link 102 has a connecting protrusion 151 that protrudes in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the door-side link 102. The door device 20 is configured so that the biasing member 135 presses the connecting protrusion 151 of the door-side link 102.

[0111] According to the above-described configuration, the pressing force of the biasing member 135 can be efficiently converted into a force that biases the door-side link 102 to rotate about the second rotation axis X2 with a simple configuration. (7) In the door device 20, the first connecting portion 153 of the urging member 135 is rotatably connected to the connecting protrusion 151 of the door-side link 102. Then, the second connecting portion 154 of the urging member 135 is rotatably connected to the door 5.

[0112] According to the above configuration, even when the door-side link 102 rotates around the second rotation axis X2, the door-side link 102 can be efficiently biased to rotate based on the pressing force of the biasing member 135 arranged along the inner surface 5 s of the door 5, regardless of the rotation position.

[0113] (8) The cylinder member 137 includes first and second cylindrical members 141 and 142 that are arranged coaxially and have different diameters and have an overlapping section α in the axial direction. According to the above configuration, the first and second cylindrical members 141, 142 are displaced relative to each other in the axial direction, causing the cylinder member 137 to expand and contract. This allows the cylinder member 137 to be easily formed with a simple configuration. Another advantage is that it is easy to impart high strength to the cylinder member 137. This also makes it possible to suitably protect the compression spring 138 housed inside the cylinder member 137.

[0114] (Second embodiment) A second embodiment of the door device 200 will be described below with reference to the drawings. The door device 200 according to the second embodiment differs from the door device 20 according to the first embodiment mainly in the configuration of the second link arm 210. Therefore, in the following description, configurations that differ from the first embodiment will be described in detail, and configurations that share functions with the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0115] As shown in Figures 29 to 31, the second link arm 210 of the door device 200 includes a vehicle body side link 101, a door side link 220, and a transmission shaft 250. The vehicle body side link 101 and the door side link 220 form a joint link 110. In Figures 30 and 31, for ease of understanding, some of the bearings and washers are omitted from the illustration.

[0116] The door side link 220 has a first door side link 230, a second door side link 240, and a buffer member 133. The first and second door side links 230, 240 are separated in the axial direction of the transmission shaft 250. In other words, the first and second door side links 230, 240 are separate members.

[0117] The first door-side link 230 has an upper wall 231, a lower wall 232, and a side wall 233. The upper wall 231, the lower wall 232, and the side wall 233 are plate-shaped. The thickness direction of the upper wall 231 and the lower wall 232 is the axial direction of the transmission shaft 250. In this respect, the upper wall 231 and the lower wall 232 face each other in the axial direction of the transmission shaft 250. The upper wall 231 has a circular hole 231a and an engagement hole 231b penetrating the upper wall 231, and the lower wall 232 has a circular hole 232a and an engagement hole 232b penetrating the lower wall 232. When viewed in the thickness direction of the upper wall 231 and the lower wall 232, the circular holes 231a and 232a are circular, while the engagement holes 231b and 232b are non-circular. In this embodiment, the engagement holes 231b and 232b are oval in shape. The side wall 233 connects the upper wall 231 and the lower wall 232 in the axial direction of the transmission shaft 250.

[0118] The second door-side link 240 has an upper wall 241, a lower wall 242, and a side wall 243. The upper wall 241, the lower wall 242, and the side wall 243 are plate-shaped. The thickness direction of the upper wall 241 and the lower wall 242 is the axial direction of the transmission shaft 250. In this respect, the upper wall 241 and the lower wall 242 face each other in the axial direction of the transmission shaft 250. The upper wall 241 has a circular hole 241a and an engagement hole 241b penetrating the upper wall 241, and the lower wall 242 has a circular hole 242a and an engagement hole 242b penetrating the lower wall 242. When viewed in the thickness direction of the upper wall 241 and the lower wall 242, the circular holes 241a and 242a are circular, while the engagement holes 241b and 242b are non-circular. In this embodiment, the engagement holes 241b, 242b are oval in shape. Furthermore, the side wall 243 connects the upper wall 241 and the lower wall 242 in the axial direction of the transmission shaft 250. In this respect, in this embodiment, the second door-side link 240 has the same configuration as the first door-side link 230.

[0119] The buffer member 133 is an elastic body. The buffer member 133 is supported by the side wall 233 of the first door-side link 230. In this embodiment, the buffer member 133 is supported by the side wall 233 of the first door-side link 230 by being inserted into a hole provided in the side wall 233. In other embodiments, the support mode of the buffer member 133 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the buffer member 133 may be bonded to the first door-side link 230, or may be fastened with a screw or the like.

[0120] The transmission shaft 250 has a first shaft portion 251, a first engagement shaft portion 252, a second shaft portion 253, a flange 254, a second engagement shaft portion 255, and a third engagement shaft portion 256. The first engagement shaft portion 252, the second shaft portion 253, the flange 254, the second engagement shaft portion 255, and the third engagement shaft portion 256 are arranged in order from one end to the other in the axial direction of the transmission shaft 250. In other words, the first shaft portion 251 is one end portion of the transmission shaft 250 in the axial direction, and the third engagement shaft portion 256 is the other end portion of the transmission shaft 250 in the axial direction.

[0121] The first shaft portion 251 and the second shaft portion 253 are cylindrical. The outer diameter of the first shaft portion 251 is smaller than the outer diameter of the second shaft portion 253. The flange 254 is disk-shaped. The flange 254 is the portion of the transmission shaft 250 with the largest outer diameter. The first engagement shaft portion 252, the second engagement shaft portion 255, and the third engagement shaft portion 256 are columnar. The cross-sectional shapes perpendicular to the axial direction of the first engagement shaft portion 252, the second engagement shaft portion 255, and the third engagement shaft portion 256 are non-circular. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shapes perpendicular to the axial direction of the first engagement shaft portion 252, the second engagement shaft portion 255, and the third engagement shaft portion 256 are oval.

[0122] The door bracket 122 has the same configuration as the door bracket 122 according to the first embodiment. When compared with the first embodiment, the door bracket 122 differs in that the rotation restricting portion 136 protrudes from the first end 131 of the fixed wall 122c.

[0123] The biasing member 135 has the same configuration as the biasing member 135 according to the first embodiment. When compared with the first embodiment, the biasing member 135 differs in that the first connecting portion 153 of the biasing member 135 has a tubular portion 159 instead of the connecting piece 157.

[0124] <Engagement relationship of door device components> As shown in FIGS. 29 to 31 , the first door-side link 230 is connected to the vehicle-body-side link 101 by a connecting shaft 127. The first door-side link 230 and the vehicle-body-side link 101 are relatively rotatable about an intermediate axis X3, which is the axis of the connecting shaft 127. Here, the first engagement shaft portion 252 of the transmission shaft 250 is inserted into a circular hole 231a in the upper wall 231 and a circular hole 232a in the lower wall 232 of the first door-side link 230. In the direction in which the intermediate axis X3 extends, the first door-side link 230 is disposed between the upper wall 101a and the lower wall 101b of the vehicle-body-side link 101.

[0125] The first door-side link 230 is connected to the door bracket 122 by a transmission shaft 250. The first door-side link 230 and the door bracket 122 are relatively rotatable around a second rotation axis X2, which is the axis of the transmission shaft 250. Here, a first engagement shaft portion 252 of the transmission shaft 250 is inserted into an engagement hole 231b in the upper wall 231 and an engagement hole 232b in the lower wall 232 of the first door-side link 230. Therefore, the transmission shaft 250 and the first door-side link 230 are immovable relative to each other. In other words, when the first door-side link 230 rotates, the transmission shaft 250 rotates together with the first door-side link 230. In addition, in the direction in which the second rotation axis X2 extends, the first door-side link 230 is disposed between the upper wall 122a and the lower wall 122b of the door bracket 122.

[0126] The second door-side link 240 is connected to the door bracket 122 by a transmission shaft 250. The second door-side link 240 and the door bracket 122 are relatively rotatable about a second rotation axis X2, which is the axis of the transmission shaft 250. Here, the second engagement shaft portion 255 of the transmission shaft 250 is inserted into the engagement hole 241b in the upper wall 241 of the second door-side link 240, and the third engagement shaft portion 256 of the transmission shaft 250 is inserted into the engagement hole 242b in the lower wall 242 of the second door-side link 240. Therefore, the transmission shaft 250 and the second door-side link 240 are immovable relative to each other. In other words, when the second door-side link 240 rotates, the transmission shaft 250 rotates together with the second door-side link 240. In this regard, the transmission shaft 250 is engaged with the first and second door-side links 230, 240 so as to rotate integrally with both the first and second door-side links 230, 240.

[0127] A first end of the transmission shaft 250 is inserted between the first door-side link 230 and the door bracket 122, and a second end of the transmission shaft 250 is inserted into the second door-side link 240. A flange 254 of the transmission shaft 250 is located between the bottom wall 122b of the door bracket 122 and the top wall 241 of the second door-side link 240. That is, in the direction in which the second rotation axis X2 extends, the first and second door-side links 230, 240 are located on both sides of the bottom wall 122b of the door bracket 122. When the door device 200 is mounted on the vehicle 1, the first door-side link 230 is located above the bottom wall 122b of the door bracket 122, whereas the second door-side link 240 is located below the bottom wall 122b of the door bracket 122.

[0128] The second door-side link 240 is connected to the first connecting portion 153 of the urging member 135 by a connecting shaft 158. The second door-side link 240 and the urging member 135 are relatively rotatable around the axis of the connecting shaft 158. More specifically, the connecting shaft 158 ​​penetrates a circular hole 241a in the upper wall 241 and a circular hole 242a in the lower wall 242 of the second door-side link 240 and a tubular portion 159 of the first connecting portion 153 of the urging member 134. In addition, in the direction in which the axis of the connecting shaft 158 ​​extends, the first connecting portion 153 of the urging member 135 is disposed between the upper wall 241 and the lower wall 242 of the second door-side link 240. Meanwhile, the second connecting portion 154 of the urging member 135 is connected to the lower wall 122b of the door bracket 122 by the connecting shaft 152. More specifically, the connecting shaft 152 is fixed to the door bracket 122 in a state in which the connecting shaft 152 passes through the cylindrical portion 159 of the second connecting portion 154 of the biasing member 134. In this way, the biasing member 135 and the door bracket 122 are relatively rotatable around the axis of the connecting shaft 152.

[0129] In the second embodiment, the angle formed between the longitudinal direction of the first door side link 230 and the longitudinal direction of the second door side link 240 is slightly larger than 90 degrees. The longitudinal direction of the first door side link 230 is the extension direction of a straight line connecting the second rotation axis X2 and the intermediate axis X3 when viewed from the extension direction of the second rotation axis X2. On the other hand, the longitudinal direction of the second door side link 240 is the extension direction of a straight line connecting the second rotation axis X2 and the axis of the connecting shaft 158 ​​when viewed from the extension direction of the second rotation axis X2.

[0130] <Operation of the Second Embodiment> The operation of the door 5 during opening and closing will now be described. FIG. 32 shows the door device 200 when the door 5 is located at the fully closed position P0. As shown in FIG. 32, when the door 5 is located at the fully closed position P0, the middle axis X3 is located forward of the second rotation axis X2 in the front-rear direction and closer to the vehicle body 2 in the vehicle width direction than the second rotation axis X2. In addition, the biasing force of the biasing member 135 acts on the second door-side link 240, causing torque to be generated in the door-side link 220 about the second rotation axis X2. More specifically, in the plan view shown in FIG. 32, the axis of the connecting shaft 158 ​​is located outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to a line segment connecting the second rotation axis X2 and the axis of the connecting shaft 152. Therefore, the direction of the torque generated in the door-side link 220 is the first rotation direction R21. In this regard, the second door-side link 240 is biased by the biasing member 135 so that the intermediate axis X3 moves in a direction away from the inner surface 5s of the door 5. Furthermore, the connection length L between the first and second rotation axes X1, X2 is the longest.

[0131] When the door 5 is opened from the fully closed position P0, the vehicle body link 101 rotates in a second rotation direction R12 about the first rotation axis X1, as shown in Fig. 29. Furthermore, the door link 220 rotates in a second rotation direction R22 about the second rotation axis X2, as shown in Fig. 32. As a result, as the door 5 is opened, the connection length L between the first and second rotation axes X1, X2 gradually shortens.

[0132] Furthermore, as the door-side link 220 rotates, the urging member 135 rotates in the first rotation direction R31 around the axis of the connecting shaft 152. That is, the connecting shaft 158 ​​moves in a direction intersecting a line segment connecting the second rotation axis X2 and the axis of the connecting shaft 152. In the plan view shown in FIG. 32 , the urging member 135 is compressed as the second door-side link 240 rotates until the axis of the connecting shaft 158 ​​crosses the line segment connecting the second rotation axis X2 and the axis of the connecting shaft 152. After the axis of the connecting shaft 158 ​​crosses the line segment connecting the second rotation axis X2 and the axis of the connecting shaft 152, the urging member 135 expands as the second door-side link 240 rotates. When the biasing member 135 is in an extended state, the axis of the connecting shaft 158 ​​is positioned inside, in the vehicle width direction, a line segment connecting the second rotation axis X2 and the axis of the connecting shaft 152. Therefore, the direction of the torque generated in the door-side link 220 changes from the first rotation direction R21 to the second rotation direction R22. In the second embodiment, even if the door 5 is only slightly opened from the fully closed position P0, the axis of the connecting shaft 158 ​​crosses the line segment connecting the second rotation axis X2 and the axis of the connecting shaft 152. In other words, the torque in the first rotation direction R21 acts on the door-side link 220 by the biasing member 135 only when the door 5 is located at the fully closed position P0 or near the fully closed position P0.

[0133] As shown in FIG. 33 , as the opening operation of the door 5 continues, the buffer member 133 fixed to the door-side link 220 comes into contact with the rotation restricting portion 136 of the door bracket 122, preventing the door-side link 220 from rotating in the second rotation direction R22. As a result, the intermediate axis X3 becomes the rotation axis between the second link arm 210 and the door bracket 122. Therefore, if the opening operation of the door 5 continues from the state shown in FIG. 33 , the vehicle-body-side link 101 and the door bracket 122 rotate relatively around the intermediate axis X3. Furthermore, when the buffer member 133 comes into contact with the rotation restricting portion 136, the connection length L between the first and second rotation axes X1, X2 becomes the shortest. Even if the opening operation of the door 5 continues from the state shown in FIG. 33 , the connection length L between the first and second rotation axes X1, X2 remains constant.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 34, when the door 5 is opened to the fully open position, the opening operation of the door 5 is completed. As shown in FIG. 34, when the door 5 is located at the fully closed position P0, the intermediate axis X3 is located forward of the second rotation axis X2 in the front-rear direction and closer to the inner surface 5s of the door 5 in the vehicle width direction than the second rotation axis X2. However, the intermediate axis X3 is located closer to the vehicle body than the inner surface 5s of the door 5 in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, when the door 5 is located at the fully closed position P0, the direction of the torque generated in the door-side link 220 by the biasing member 135 is the second rotation direction R22. In this regard, the second door-side link 240 is biased by the biasing member 135 so that the intermediate axis X3 moves closer to the inner surface 5s of the door 5.

[0135] <Effects of the second embodiment> The second embodiment can obtain the same effects as the effects (2), (3), (5), and (8) of the first embodiment in addition to the effect (1) of the first embodiment that "interference between the vehicle body link 101 and the transmission shaft 250 can be avoided." Furthermore, the second embodiment can obtain the following effects.

[0136] (9) The door-side link 220 has the first and second door-side links 230, 240 that are divided in the direction in which the second rotation axis X2 extends. Therefore, the vehicle-body-side link 101 and the first door-side link 230 can be disposed offset in the direction in which the second rotation axis X2 extends with respect to the urging member 135 and the second door-side link 240. As a result, when the door 5 is opened or closed, it is possible to prevent the vehicle-body-side link 101 from interfering with the urging member 135 and the second door-side link 240, and to prevent the urging member 135 from interfering with the vehicle-body-side link 101 and the first door-side link 230.

[0137] (10) The transmission shaft 250 is engaged with the first and second door-side links 230, 240 so as to rotate integrally with both the first and second door-side links 230, 240. In this respect, it is easy to configure a structure for transmitting torque from one of the first and second door-side links 230, 240 to the other. In other words, the door device 200 does not need to be provided with a separate structure for transmitting torque from one of the first and second door-side links 230, 240 to the other.

[0138] (11) As shown in FIG. 32 , when the door 5 is located at the fully closed position P0, torque in the first rotation direction R21 is generated in the second door-side link 240 about the second rotation axis X2. After the door 5 is slightly opened from the fully open position, torque in the second rotation direction R22 is generated in the second door-side link 240 about the second rotation axis X2. This stabilizes the posture of the door-side link 220, i.e., the posture of the door 5, during the opening and closing operation of the door 5. In particular, when the door 5 is located at the fully closed position P0, if torque in the first rotation direction R21 acts on the door-side link 220, the door 5 attempts to displace toward the fully closed position P0. This reduces the load on the drive unit 51 during the closing operation of the door 5 and stabilizes the posture of the door 5 located at the fully closed position P0.

[0139] The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0140] In the first embodiment, the first link arm 11 configured as the main link 21 is positioned above the second link arm 12 configured as the sub-link 22. The second link arm 12 is positioned closer to the closing end 33 of the door 5 than the first link arm 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the positions of the first and second link arms 11, 12 may be changed as desired.

[0141] In the first embodiment, the variable coupling length mechanism 50 is configured by using the joint link 110 for the second link arm 12, but the variable coupling length mechanism 50 may be configured by using the joint link 110 for the first link arm 11. Also, the variable coupling length mechanism 50 may be configured by using the joint link 110 for both the first and second link arms 11, 12, with each having its own variable coupling length mechanism 50.

[0142] In the first embodiment, the first link arm 11 is configured as the driving link 55, and the first link arm 11 is driven by the driving device 51. However, this is not limiting, and the second link arm 12 may be configured as the driving link 55. Furthermore, both the first and second link arms 11, 12 may be configured as driving links 55. The number and arrangement of the driving devices 51 may also be changed as desired.

[0143] In the first embodiment, the shapes of the vehicle-body-side link 101 and the door-side link 102 that constitute the joint link 110 may be changed as desired. For example, the vehicle-body-side link 101 may be a square tube or a circular tube. The structure of the vehicle-body-side link 101 that avoids interference with the door-side link 102 is also not necessarily limited to a configuration in which the hole 160 is formed in the side wall 101c, and may be changed as desired.

[0144] 35, the joint link 110B may be configured using a vehicle body-side link 101B having a curved portion 175 at a position where the connecting protrusion 151 approaches due to relative rotation with the door-side link 102. Even with this configuration, interference with the door-side link 102 can be avoided.

[0145] In the first embodiment, the door bracket 122 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, including a fixed wall 122c that is fixed to the inner surface 5s of the door 5, and an upper wall 122a and a lower wall 122b that extend in a flange-like shape from the upper and lower ends of the fixed wall 122c. However, the shape of the door bracket 122 is not limited to this, and may be changed as desired.

[0146] In the first embodiment, the first end 131 of the door bracket 122 functions as the rotation restricting portion 136. However, this is not limiting, and the rotation restricting portion 136 may be provided separately from the door bracket 122.

[0147] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the lower wall 122b of the door bracket 122 constitutes the cam member 170 on the door 5 side having the cam groove 161. However, this is not limiting, and the upper wall 122a of the door bracket 122 may function as the cam member 170. Furthermore, the cam member 170 may be provided separately from the door bracket 122.

[0148] The shape of the engaging member 162 on the vehicle body link 101 side that engages with the cam groove 161 may also be changed as desired. For example, the engaging portion 162x for the cam groove 161 does not necessarily have to be the roller 164.

[0149] In the first embodiment, the distance δ3 between the intermediate axis X3 of the joint link 110 and the inner surface 5s of the door 5 is greater than the distance δ2 between the second rotation axis X2 and the inner surface 5s of the door 5, relative to the fixed position of the door bracket 122 (δ2<δ3). However, this is not limiting. For example, in a case where the inner surface 5s of the door 5 is a complex curved surface with unevenness, etc., depending on the fixing structure of the door bracket 122, the inner surface 5s of the door 5 does not necessarily have to be used as the reference for setting the second rotation axis X2 and the intermediate axis X3. When the door-side link 102 rotates around the second rotation axis X2 based on the opening and closing operation of the door 5, it is sufficient that the intermediate axis X3 between the vehicle-body-side link 101 and the door-side link 102 is closer to the vehicle body 2 than the second rotation axis X2. Then, for example, in a state where rotation around the second rotation axis X2 is restricted, such as after the door side link 102 abuts against the rotation restriction portion 136, the second rotation axis X2 may be located closer to the vehicle body 2 than the second rotation axis X2 due to a change in the posture of the door 5, etc.

[0150] In the first embodiment, the intermediate axis X3 between the vehicle-body-side link 101 and the door-side link 102 is located closer to the closing side in the opening width direction of the door opening 3 provided in the vehicle body 2 than the second rotation axis X2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a configuration in which the intermediate axis X3 is located closer to the opening side in the opening width direction than the second rotation axis X2.

[0151] In the first embodiment, the biasing member 135 that biases the door-side link 102 to rotate includes a cylinder member 137 and a coil-shaped compression spring 138 housed in the cylinder member 137. The cylinder member 137 further includes first and second cylindrical members 141, 142 that are different in diameter and arranged coaxially with an axial overlap section α. ​​The biasing member 135 is configured such that the cylinder member 137 can expand and contract as the first and second cylindrical members 141, 142 are displaced relative to each other in the axial direction.

[0152] However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a seal member 181 may be disposed in a radial gap 180 between the first and second cylindrical members 141C, 142C in an overlapping section α of the first and second cylindrical members 141C, 142C, as in the biasing member 135C shown in Fig. 36. The seal member 181 may be configured to suppress abrupt air flow in and out of the cylinder member 137C via the radial gap 180.

[0153] That is, by adopting such a configuration, the cylinder member 137C functions as a so-called damper, which suppresses sudden rotation of the door-side link 102 connected to the cylinder member 137C around the second rotation axis X2 relative to the door 5, thereby suppressing the occurrence of so-called door shaking and ensuring a stable posture of the door 5.

[0154] The configuration of the cylinder member 137 is not limited to the above-described configuration in which the first and second cylindrical members 141, 142 are coaxially arranged, and may be changed as desired, for example, by using a so-called bellows-shaped cylinder. The biasing member 135 may also be configured without such a cylinder member 137.

[0155] Furthermore, the configuration of the biasing member 135 may be changed arbitrarily. It does not necessarily have to press the door-side link 102. For example, it may be configured to use a tension spring or the like to urge the door-side link 102 to rotate. It may also be configured to use a torsion coil spring or the like to directly urge the door-side link 102 to rotate. In addition to a spring member, it may also be configured to use a gas-type or electromagnetic-type biasing member.

[0156] The biasing member 135 may be disposed above or below the door bracket 122. Furthermore, when a torsion coil spring is used for the biasing member 135, the biasing member 135 may be disposed around the support shaft 130 of the door-side link 102 that defines the second rotation axis X2 relative to the door 5. When a tension spring is used, the biasing member 135 may be disposed closer to the intermediate axis X3 between the door-side link 102 and the vehicle-body-side link 101 than the second rotation axis X2 along which the door-side link 102 extends.

[0157] Furthermore, if the variable coupling length mechanism 50 is configured to use the joint link 110, it does not necessarily have to include the biasing member 135. For example, the variable coupling length mechanism 50 may be applied to a configuration in which the vehicle body side link 101 and the door side link 102 are rotated relative to each other using a motor, a solenoid, or the like as a drive source, thereby changing the coupling length L between the first and second rotation axes X1, X2.

[0158] In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to a configuration in which the door 5 of the vehicle 1 opens toward the rear of the vehicle, but it may also be applied to a configuration in which the door 5 opens toward the front of the vehicle. Furthermore, it may also be applied to a manual vehicle door device that does not have a drive device 51.

[0159] In the first embodiment, the door-side engaging portion 31 has the shaft-shaped engaging portion 41, and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 32 has the guide groove 42. However, this is not limiting, and the door-side engaging portion 31 may have the guide groove 42, and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 32 may have the shaft-shaped engaging portion 41. Also, although the shaft-shaped engaging portion 41 is formed by a roller 41x that is rotatable around a support shaft, the shaft-shaped engaging portion 41 does not necessarily have to rotate. And, as long as it has a shape that functions as a guide engaging portion that guides the opening and closing operation of the door 5 when placed in the guide groove 42, it does not necessarily have to have a shaft shape.

[0160] The number and arrangement of the door-side engaging portions 31 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portions 32 may be changed as desired. The present invention may also be applied to a configuration that does not include such door-side engaging portions 31 and vehicle-body-side engaging portions 32.

[0161] In the second embodiment, the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction of the first engagement shaft portion 252, the second engagement shaft portion 255, and the third engagement shaft portion 256 may be D-shaped, and serrations may be provided on the outer circumferential surfaces of the first engagement shaft portion 252, the second engagement shaft portion 255, and the third engagement shaft portion 256. In this case, it is preferable that the engagement holes 231b, 232b of the first door-side link 230 and the engagement holes 241b, 242b of the second door-side link 240 have corresponding shapes.

[0162] In the second embodiment, the biasing member 135 may generate torque in the second rotation direction R22 on the second door-side link 240 regardless of the position of the door 5. In the second embodiment, the transmission shaft 250 does not have to be engaged with the first and second door-side links 230, 240 so as to rotate integrally with both the first and second door-side links 230, 240. In this case, it is preferable that the door device 200 further includes a power transmission member for synchronizing the rotation of the first and second door-side links 230, 240. For example, it is preferable that the first and second door-side links 230, 240 are connected by a pin or the like at a position offset from the second rotation axis X2.

[0163] <Additional Notes> Next, the technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described. The vehicle door device includes first and second link arms having a first rotation axis relative to a vehicle body and a second rotation axis relative to a vehicle door, and the door opens and closes based on the operation of a link mechanism formed by the first and second link arms, and at least one of the first and second link arms is an articulated link configured to rotatably connect a vehicle body-side link having the first rotation axis and a door-side link having the second rotation axis, thereby changing the connection length between the first and second rotation axes based on the relative rotation of the vehicle body-side link and the door-side link, and when the door is positioned in a fully closed position, the intermediate axis between the vehicle body-side link and the door-side link is located closer to the vehicle body than the second rotation axis.

[0164] According to the above configuration, the vehicle body link is less likely to cross the second rotation axis when the door is opened or closed. Therefore, the vehicle door device can more easily prevent interference between the vehicle body link and the support shaft that forms the second rotation axis, even if the support shaft is not divided in the direction in which the second rotation axis extends.

[0165] In the vehicle door device, when the door-side link rotates around the second rotation axis based on the opening and closing operation of the door, the intermediate axis is located closer to the vehicle body than the second rotation axis.

[0166] According to the above configuration, the bent shape of the joint link is less likely to interfere with the inner surface of the door when the door is opened or closed, which improves the ease of installation in the vehicle. In the vehicle door device, the middle axis is located closer to the closing side in the opening width direction of a door opening provided in the vehicle body than the second rotation axis.

[0167] According to the above configuration, even when the door rotates about the second pivot axis during opening and closing, the intermediate axis between the vehicle-body link and the door-side link does not move across the second pivot axis in the width direction of the door opening. Therefore, the vehicle-body link is less likely to cross the support shaft of the door-side link that forms the second pivot axis. This allows for a simple configuration, easy miniaturization, and high support rigidity of the door-side link for the door.

[0168] Furthermore, even when the vehicle-body link and the door-side link rotate relative to each other about the intermediate axis, their circumferential positions are unlikely to be interchanged. In other words, when the vehicle-body link and the door-side link rotate relative to each other in a direction approaching each other due to the door opening and closing operation, it is easy to configure the vehicle-body link and the door-side link so that their circumferential positions do not swap. This reduces interference between the vehicle-body link and the door-side link, thereby ensuring high support rigidity for the vehicle-body link and the door-side link.

[0169] In the vehicle door device, when the door opens from a fully closed position, the door-side link rotates around the second rotation axis in a direction in which the intermediate axis approaches the inner surface of the door, and the door-side link abuts against a rotation restriction portion provided on the door, thereby restricting the rotation of the door-side link around the second rotation axis.

[0170] According to the above configuration, the intermediate axis between the vehicle body side link and the door side link can be easily disposed at a position closer to the vehicle body than the second rotation axis, with a simple configuration. The vehicle door device includes a biasing member that extends along the inner surface of the door and presses the door-side link to rotate the door-side link around the second rotation axis in a direction in which the intermediate axis approaches the inner surface of the door.

[0171] According to the above configuration, the connection length between the first and second rotation axes of the joint link can be changed by rotating the door-side link based on the biasing force of the biasing member. Furthermore, the biasing member can be compactly arranged along the inner surface of the door, and the door-side link can be biased to rotate without interfering with the biasing member. This reduces the size of the configuration near the second rotation axis relative to the door, thereby improving mountability on the vehicle.

[0172] In the vehicle door apparatus, the biasing member includes a cylinder member configured to be extendable and contractible, and a compression spring that biases the cylinder member in an extension direction while being housed in the cylinder member.

[0173] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the cylinder member expands and contracts based on the elastic deformation of the compression spring, thereby generating a biasing force that presses the door-side link. The compression spring is protected by the cylinder member, thereby ensuring high reliability.

[0174] In the vehicle door apparatus, the door-side link includes a connecting projection that projects in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the door-side link, and the biasing member presses the connecting projection.

[0175] According to the above configuration, even when the door-side link rotates around the second rotation axis, the door-side link can be efficiently biased to rotate based on the pressing force of the biasing member arranged along the inner surface of the door, regardless of the rotation position.

[0176] In the vehicle door apparatus, a first connecting portion of the urging member is rotatably connected to the connecting protrusion, and a second connecting portion of the urging member is rotatably connected to the door.

[0177] According to the above configuration, even when the door-side link rotates around the second rotation axis, the door-side link can be efficiently biased to rotate based on the pressing force of the biasing member arranged along the inner surface of the door, regardless of the rotation position.

[0178] In the vehicle door apparatus, the biasing member is disposed at a height position where it overlaps with the door-side link in the vertical direction. According to the above configuration, the configuration in the vicinity of the second rotation axis relative to the door can be made compact, thereby improving the mountability in the vehicle.

[0179] In the vehicle door device, the cylinder member includes first and second tubular members having different diameters and arranged coaxially with an overlapping section in the axial direction. According to the above configuration, the cylinder member expands and contracts as the first and second cylindrical members are displaced relative to each other in the axial direction. This allows the cylinder member to be easily formed with a simple configuration. Another advantage is that it is easy to impart high strength to the cylinder member. This also allows the compression spring housed inside the cylinder member to be adequately protected.

[0180] In the vehicle door device, the cylinder member includes a seal member provided in the overlapping section in a radial gap between the first and second cylindrical members. According to the above configuration, the seal member prevents sudden air flow into and out of the cylinder member through the radial gap between the first and second cylindrical members, so that the cylinder member functions as a so-called damper. This prevents sudden rotation of the door-side link connected to the cylinder member about the second rotation axis relative to the door, thereby suppressing so-called door shaking and ensuring a stable door posture.

[0181] The vehicle door device includes a biasing member that presses the door side link to bias the door side link to rotate around the second rotation axis, the door side link including first and second door side links that are divided in the direction in which the second rotation axis extends and that rotate integrally around the second rotation axis, the first door side link being connected to the vehicle body side link to be rotatable around the intermediate axis, and the second door side link being biased by the biasing member.

[0182] According to the above configuration, the vehicle body link and the first door link can be disposed offset relative to the biasing member and the second door link in the direction in which the second rotation axis extends, thereby preventing the vehicle body link from interfering with the biasing member and the second door link, and preventing the biasing member from interfering with the vehicle body link and the first door link, when the door is opened or closed.

[0183] The vehicle door device includes a transmission shaft that defines the second rotation axis and connects the first and second door-side links, and the transmission shaft is engaged with the first and second door-side links so as to rotate integrally with both the first and second door-side links.

[0184] According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily configure a configuration for transmitting torque from one of the first and second door-side links to the other. In other words, the vehicle door device does not need to be provided with a separate configuration for transmitting torque from one of the first and second door-side links to the other.

[0185] In the vehicle door device, when the door is positioned in a fully open position, the biasing member biases the second door-side link so that the intermediate axis faces closer to the inner surface of the door, and when the door is positioned in a fully closed position, the biasing member biases the second door-side link so that the intermediate axis faces away from the inner surface of the door.

[0186] According to the above configuration, the torque generated by the biasing member can stabilize the posture of the joint link when the door is in the fully open position and the fully closed position, thereby stabilizing the posture of the door when the door is in the fully open position and the fully closed position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0187] 1...vehicle, 2...vehicle body, 5...door, 11...first link arm, 12,210...second link arm, 15...link mechanism, 20,200...door device, 101...vehicle body side link, 102,220...door side link, 110...articulation link, 135...urging member, 230...first door side link, 240...second door side link, 250...transmission shaft, X1...first rotation axis, X2...second rotation axis, X3...intermediate axis, L...connection length.

Claims

1. a first link arm and a second link arm having a first pivot axis relative to a vehicle body and a second pivot axis relative to a vehicle door; The door opens and closes based on the operation of a link mechanism formed by the first and second link arms, at least one of the first and second link arms is a joint link configured to rotatably connect a vehicle body side link having the first rotation axis and a door side link having the second rotation axis, thereby making it possible to change a connection length between the first and second rotation axes based on relative rotation of the vehicle body side link and the door side link, When the door is in the fully closed position, An intermediate axis between the vehicle body side link and the door side link is located closer to the vehicle body than the second rotation axis. A vehicle door device.

2. In a state in which the door-side link rotates around the second rotation axis based on the opening and closing operation of the door, The intermediate axis is located closer to the vehicle body than the second rotation axis. The vehicle door device according to claim 1 .

3. The intermediate axis is located closer to the closing side in the opening width direction of the door opening provided in the vehicle body than the second rotation axis. The vehicle door device according to claim 2.

4. When the door opens from a fully closed position, the door-side link rotates around the second rotation axis in a direction in which the intermediate axis approaches the inner surface of the door, and the door-side link abuts on a rotation restricting portion provided on the door, thereby restricting the rotation of the door-side link around the second rotation axis. The vehicle door device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. a biasing member that extends along the inner surface of the door and presses the door-side link to bias the door-side link to rotate about the second rotation axis in a direction in which the intermediate axis approaches the inner surface of the door; The vehicle door device according to claim 2 or 3.

Images