Sliding door assist device

Abstract

The present invention provides a sliding door assist device that facilitates adjustment work during installation and long-term use. [Solution] A sliding door assist device comprising a cam unit provided on a sliding door and a trigger unit for the cam unit provided on a door frame (F) that supports the sliding door so as to be able to reciprocate in the left-right direction, wherein the trigger unit comprises a trigger hook (110) that engages with the cam unit, the trigger hook (110) comprises a collision portion (114) that collides with the cam unit, a spring body portion (111) that extends from the collision portion (114) in an elastically deformable manner, an arm portion (115) that extends from the collision portion (114), and the trigger hook (110) is characterized in that at least the collision portion (114) and the spring body portion (111) are integrally molded.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an assist device for a sliding door that assists the final part of the closing operation of the sliding door. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a sliding door assist device that assists the final part of the closing operation of a sliding door is the technology shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-156851 (Patent Document 1). This sliding door assist device is equipped with a catch body 5a and a hook body 80. The catch body 5a protrudes from the main body 2 embedded in the upper end surface of the sliding door 50 and has parallel engagement bars 151 and 152 at its upper end, and the engagement bars 151 and 152 hold and engage with the rectangular column-shaped engagement portion of the hook body 80 provided on the door frame 40 between them. With the catch body 5a engaged with the hook body 80, when the sliding door is opened, the sliding block 15 holding the catch body 5a slides toward the tip of the main body 2, thereby extending the pull spring 14 and causing the catch body 5a to roll at the sliding end, causing one of the engagement bars 152 to fall into the recess 121 at the tip of the slit 120 and come off the hook body 80. When the sliding door is closed and the catch body 5a comes into contact with the engagement bar 151, the catch body 5a that had fallen into the recess 121 rises up, the catch body 5a engages with the hook body 80, and the force of the extended tension spring 14 is released, which automatically moves the sliding door to the closed position.

[0003] Hook body 80 is configured so that slide plate 8b slides up and down by rotating built-in screw 8c, and rod 81 extends from the underside of slide plate 8b to move hook body 80 up and down. Therefore, by turning the head of screw 8c exposed on the underside from below with a screwdriver or the like, the amount of downward protrusion of hook body 80 can be adjusted. Because the conventional technology has such an adjustment mechanism, even if the location where the sliding door assist device is installed has a structure in which the distance between the sliding door 50 and the door frame 40 is different, the sliding door assist device can be made to function by adjusting the amount of downward protrusion of the hook body 80. In addition, another patent document 2 discloses the use of a hook body 1 equipped with a base plate 1a, an arm 1b, and a clamping spring 1d so that the distance between a sliding door 50 and a door frame 40 can be automatically adjusted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-156851 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-264073 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the hook body of this prior art in Patent Document 1 has a complicated structure, using screws as an adjustment mechanism, and has the problem that the assist device needs to be adjusted when installed or after long-term use. Furthermore, although the hook body 1 of Patent Document 2 can automatically perform the adjustment as in Patent Document 1, the hook body 1 has a complex structure made up of a base plate 1a, an arm 1b, and a clamping spring 1d.

[0006] The present invention has been proposed in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide an assist device for sliding doors that assists in the final part of the closing operation of a sliding door, which makes it easy to adjust the assist device during installation and long-term use, and which is advantageous in terms of strength and durability, as well as parts manufacturing and installation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention has the following features.

[0008] (Feature 1) A cam unit provided in the sliding door (D), It consists of a trigger unit for the cam unit provided on a door frame (F) that supports the sliding door (D) so that it can reciprocate in the left-right direction, In the assist device for a sliding door, the cam unit is engaged with the trigger unit at a predetermined movement position of the sliding door (D), thereby releasing the force of the urged cam unit and moving the sliding door (D) to a closed position by the force, The trigger unit comprises: The system includes a trigger hook (110) that engages with the cam unit, The trigger hook (110) The collision portion (114) that collides with the cam unit, A spring body portion (111) extends from the collision portion (114) in an elastically deformable manner, It comprises an arm portion (115) extending from the collision portion (114), The trigger hook (110) is formed such that at least the impact portion (114) and the spring main body portion (111) are integrally molded.

[0009] (Feature 2) The spring body portion (111) extends from the collision portion (114) toward the closing direction of the sliding door (D).

[0010] (Feature 3) The trigger unit comprises: The trigger hook (110) is pivotally supported and the mounting base (120) is fixed to the door frame (F), The trigger hook (110) The arm portion (115) is provided with a pivot portion (116) that is pivotally supported by the mounting base (120).

[0011] (Feature 4) A spring curved surface portion (112) is provided between the collision portion (114) and the spring main portion (111).

[0012] (Feature 5) The tip of the collision portion (114) is a collision surface (113), and the back surface of the collision surface (113) constitutes the spring curved surface portion (112).

[0013] (Feature 6) The trigger hook (110) is integrally molded as a single piece.

[0014] (Feature 7) The mounting base (120) is provided with an opening (123), The free end of the spring main body (111) of the trigger hook (110) can directly abut against the door frame (F) to which the mounting base (120) is fixed, through the opening (123). (Feature 8) The cam unit is equipped with an oil damper (170) and a shutter 180 that covers the rod (172) of the oil damper (170). [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The assist device for a sliding door of the present invention has the configuration as described above, and with this configuration, an assist device for a sliding door is provided that can facilitate adjustment work at the time of installation and after long-term use. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the sliding door assist device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the trigger unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] (a) is a plan view of the trigger unit of the first embodiment, (b) is a front view, (c) is a bottom view, and (d) is a cross-sectional view of (c) along line AA. [Figure 4] (a) and (b) are perspective views of the trigger hook of the first embodiment, and (c) is a front view. [Figure 5] (a) is a plan view of the cam unit, (b) is a front view, (c) is a bottom view, and (d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in (c). [Figure 6] (a) and (b) are perspective views of the cam, and (c) is a front view. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the assist device for the sliding door according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an assist device for a sliding door according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view of a trigger hook according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Each embodiment is not independent from the others, and those skilled in the art can appropriately combine them without needing to explain them in detail, and can also understand the synergistic effects of such combinations. In principle, overlapping explanations between embodiments will be omitted.

[0018] In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, each direction is defined as follows. The up-down direction is defined as the direction opposite to the direction of gravity acting on the sliding door D (see FIG. 8) when the assist device 100 is installed on the sliding door D. In other words, the up-down direction is the direction in which the groove 121a of the mounting base 120 extends (specifically, the up-down direction in the state shown in FIG. 8), and is defined as the direction from the bearing 121b toward the open end of the groove 121a. Regarding the left-right direction, when the assist device 100 for the sliding door D is installed, the direction in which the sliding door D closes is defined as the right direction. In other words, the direction in which the rod 172 of the oil damper 170 extends (specifically, the left-right direction in the state shown in FIG. 8), and the direction in which the rod 172 of the oil damper 170 exists is defined as the right direction. The front-rear direction is defined as a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the left-right direction. In other words, when the assist device 100 for the sliding door D is installed, the direction in which the first engagement portion 143 of the cam 140 extends is defined as the front-rear direction. Also, the views shown in Figures 3(b), 4(c), 5(b), 6(c), and 10 are defined as front views. It should be noted that each direction, etc. may be redefined in a different way based on the disclosure of the entire present application.

[0019] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The assist device 100 for a sliding door includes a trigger unit and a cam unit. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the trigger unit includes a trigger hook 110 and a mounting base 120. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the cam unit includes a case 130, a cam 140, a slider 150, a spring 160, an oil damper 170, and a shutter 180.

[0020] The size of the assist device 100 for the sliding door D is changed depending on the size and use of the sliding door D. When the sliding door D is used for home use, The trigger unit is approximately 70 mm long in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction) and 18 mm long in the up-down direction. The cam unit's length in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction) is approximately 248 mm, and its length in the up-down direction is approximately 23 mm. It is preferable to set the following.

[0021] The material of the assist device 100 for the sliding door D is changed depending on the size and use of the sliding door D. In the case of a home use, The trigger unit, the case 130, the cam 140, the slider 150, and the shutter 180 are made of POM (polyacetal) material. Spring 160 is made of SUS (Steel Use Stainless) material, It is preferable to set the following. Oil damper 170 can use a general-purpose oil damper.

[0022] (Trigger unit) (Trigger hook 110) The trigger hook 110 engages with the cam 140 of the cam unit and is mounted on the mounting base 120, as shown in Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 8.

[0023] The trigger hook 110 is mainly, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. A pivot portion 116 is attached to the bearing 121b of the mounting base 120 and rotatably supports the trigger hook 110. An arm portion 115 extending to the left from the pivot portion 116, Of the arm portion 115, an impact portion 114 is provided at the left end and has an impact surface 113 that contacts the cam 140 of the trigger unit. The spring main body 111 has a free end (tip) that extends from the upper end of the collision surface 113 toward the upper right (towards the closing direction of the sliding door D from the collision part 114), A spring curved surface portion 112 is provided between the spring main body portion 111 and the collision portion 114. A recess 117 is provided on the upper surface near the connection point between the collision part 114 and the arm part 115, and when the spring main body 111 is bent downward to its maximum extent, the recess 117 receives the tip of the spring main body 111. A reinforcing part 118 for reinforcing the trigger hook 110 is located on the lower surface near the connection point between the impact part 114 and the arm part 115, and at the center in the front-rear direction. It is equipped with.

[0024] The spring body 111 is configured to be thicker at the base (the side with the impact portion 114) and gradually tapering towards the free end. This allows the entire spring body 111 to flex almost evenly and uniformly, preventing stress from concentrating only at the base.

[0025] Since the spring curved surface portion 112 is provided between the spring main body portion 111 and the collision portion 114, the curvature of the spring curved surface portion 112 can be designed to a desired size, and this allows the spring main body portion 111 and the spring curved surface portion 112 to deform within a range lower than the yield point due to flexural deformation. Therefore, the strength against deformation of the spring portion of the trigger hook 110 can be improved to a desired size. Furthermore, because spring curved surface portion 112 is provided on the back (right side) of collision surface 113, both collision surface 113 and the entire spring (the entire spring including spring curved surface portion 112 and spring main body portion 111) can be made large. Furthermore, because the connecting portion between arm portion 115 and collision portion 114 is located behind collision surface 113, bending moment that would damage the connecting portion is unlikely to occur during a collision. Furthermore, the free end of the spring main body portion 111 extends from the upper end of the collision surface 113 toward the upper right side (from the collision portion 114 toward the closing direction of the sliding door D), and the upper surface of the collision portion 114 facing the spring main body portion 111 is an inclined surface facing upward to the right side, just like the free end of the spring main body portion 111. Therefore, the spring main body portion 111 is prevented from being excessively deformed due to the distance between the spring main body portion 111 and the upper surface of the collision portion 114 facing the spring main body portion 111 being too great. This structure allows the spring main body portion 111 and the spring curved surface portion 112 to deform within a range lower than the yield point due to flexural deformation.

[0026] The trigger hook 110 is formed by integrally molding at least the collision portion 114 and the spring main body 111 by resin injection molding. Because the collision portion 114 and the spring main body 111 are integrally molded rather than being assembled and processed as separate parts later, the number of parts in the trigger hook 110 can be reduced. More preferably, the entire trigger hook 110 can be molded as a single unit. Since the entire trigger hook 110 is molded as a single unit rather than being assembled and processed afterwards as separate parts, the number of parts of the trigger hook 110 can be further reduced. In this embodiment, the aforementioned morphological features of the trigger hook 110 enable the automatic vertical adjustment mechanism of the sliding door assist device 100, which will be explained in detail later.

[0027] (Mounting base 120) The mounting base 120 rotatably supports the trigger hook 110 and is attached to the upper inner surface of the door frame F, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 8.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mounting base 120 mainly includes: a base body 124 whose upper surface abuts against the door frame F; Holes 122 are provided near both ends of the base body 124 in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction), and are for inserting screws to fix the mounting base 120 to the door frame F. A pivot housing 121 is provided to the right of the center position of the base body 124 and has a groove 121a that guides the pivot portion 116 of the trigger hook 110, and a bearing 121b for the pivot portion 116. an opening 123 provided between the pivot portion accommodating portion 121 and a hole 122 provided at the left end of the base body 124, for receiving the spring main body 111 of the trigger hook 110; It is equipped with.

[0029] (Cam unit) (Case 130) Case 130 houses the cam 140, slider 150, spring 160, oil damper 170, and shutter 180, and is mounted on the upper and right end of the sliding door D, as shown in Figure 8. In Figure 8, the right end of case 130 is shown to coincide with the right end of the sliding door D, but this is not necessarily required, and case 130 may be positioned with a small portion of the right-hand side of the sliding door D remaining exposed.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, the case 130 mainly includes: A case body 133 attached to the inside of the sliding door D; Holes 134 are provided at both left and right ends of the case body 133 for inserting screws to fix the case body 133 to the upper end of the sliding door D. A first guide groove 131 is provided on both sides of the front-rear side surface of the case body 133, and has a horizontal portion 131a and a engaged portion 131b that guide the first engaging portion 143 of the cam 140. A second guide groove 132 is provided on the front-to-rear side of the case body 133 and guides the protrusion 183 of the shutter 180. A spring retaining part 135 is provided at the left end of the case body 133 and holds the left end of the spring 160. An oil damper holding part 136 is provided at the left end of the case body 133 and holds the left end of the oil damper 170. It is equipped with.

[0031] (Cam 140) The cam 140 engages with the trigger hook 110 of the trigger unit, and is connected to the slider 150 and the first guide groove 131 of the case 130 as shown in FIG.

[0032] Cam 140 is mainly, as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 8. A guide portion 141 is provided at a position that contacts the trigger hook 110 of the trigger unit, and has an inclined surface 141a that contacts the trigger hook 110. A recess 142 is provided at the upper end and center in the front-rear direction of the guide portion 141, which receives the reinforcing portion 118 of the trigger hook 110. First engaging portions 143 are provided on both sides of the guide portion 141 in the front-rear direction and are guided by the first guide groove 131 of the case 130. A second engaging portion 144 is provided at the left end of the guide portion 141 and is capable of engaging with the right end of the collision portion 114 of the trigger hook 110. a third engagement portion 146 that is provided at a position opposite to the second engagement portion 144, collides with the collision surface 113 of the trigger hook 110 when the sliding door D is closed, and is then capable of engaging with the collision surface 113 of the trigger hook 110; A connecting portion 145 that connects the second engaging portion 144 and the third engaging portion 146, a pivot portion 147 provided below the third engagement portion 146 and accommodated in a bearing 151 of the slider 150; It is equipped with.

[0033] (Slider 150) The slider 150 supports the cam 140 so that it can slide and rotate, and is connected to the right end of the spring 160, the rod 172 of the oil damper 170, and the pivot portion 147 of the cam 140, as shown in FIG.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 5(a), (d) and 8, the slider 150 mainly includes: a connecting portion 152 provided at the left end of the slider 150 and connected to the spring 160 and the rod 172 of the oil damper 170; a bearing 151 provided on the right side of the connecting portion 152 and holding the pivot portion 147 of the cam 140; A protrusion 153 is provided on the upper end of the connecting portion 152 and engages with an opening 182 of the shutter 180. It consists of:

[0035] (Spring 160) The spring 160 is intended to apply the elastic force of the spring 160 to the cam 140 and the slider 150, and is connected to the spring holding portion 135 of the case 130 and the connecting portion 152 of the slider 150, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0036] (Oil damper 170) The oil damper 170 suppresses sudden movements of the cam 140 and the slider 150, and is connected to the oil damper holding portion 136 of the case 130 and the connecting portion 152 of the slider 150 as shown in FIG.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the oil damper 170 mainly includes: an oil damper body 171 provided on the left side of the oil damper 170; a rod 172 provided at the right end of the oil damper body 171, the right end of which is connected to the connecting portion 152 of the slider 150; It consists of:

[0038] (Shutter 180) The shutter 180 covers the rod 172 portion of the oil damper 170 to prevent dust and other debris from adhering to the rod 172, and is connected to the second guide groove 132 of the case 130 and the projection 153 of the slider 150, as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the shutter 180 mainly The shutter body 181 is long in the left-right direction. an opening 182 provided near the right end of the shutter body 181 and in the center in the front-rear direction, and connected to the protrusion 153 of the slider 150; A protrusion 183 provided on the left end of the shutter body 181 and on the side surface in the front-rear direction. As a result, the shutter 180 moves in accordance with the extension and contraction of the rod 172 of the oil damper 170.

[0040] (Method of assembling the assist device 100 for the sliding door) A method for assembling the assist device 100 for a sliding door will now be described. The method for assembling the sliding door assist device 100 is as follows: The first step is to assemble the trigger unit and the cam unit. The second step is to attach the trigger unit to the door frame F and the cam unit to the sliding door D. It has.

[0041] In the first step, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the trigger unit is first assembled. Specifically, the pivot portion 116 of the trigger hook 110 is inserted into the groove 121a of the mounting base 120 so that the collision portion 114 of the trigger hook 110 is positioned in the opening 123 of the mounting base 120 (so that the spring main body portion 111 is positioned on the opposite side of the opening 123). Then, after being guided into the groove 121a of the mounting base 120, the pivot portion 116 of the trigger hook 110 is attached to the bearing 121b, completing the assembly of the trigger unit.

[0042] Here, when comparing the trigger hook 110 in this embodiment with the corresponding configuration of Patent Document 2, which has been presented as a prior art document, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2, one end of the component (arm 1b and pinching spring 1d described in Patent Document 2) having the same function as the trigger hook 110 in this embodiment is not a free end but a fixed end (fixed to the substrate 1a described in Patent Document 2). In the case of the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2, there was a problem in that the space available for the spring was small, and the shape of the spring was limited. The assist device 100 for the sliding door D of the present invention has an opening 123 in the mounting base 120, so that the free end of the spring main body 111 of the trigger hook 110 can directly abut against the upper inner surface of the door frame F to which the mounting base 120 is fixed. This increases the space available for the spring main body 111, and increases the degree of freedom in the shape of the spring main body 111.

[0043] Next, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the cam unit is assembled. First, the rod 172 of the oil damper 170 and the right end of the spring 160 are attached to the connecting portion 152 of the slider 150. The pivot portion 147 of the cam 140 is attached to the bearing 151 of the slider 150 . Next, the left end of the oil damper body 171 and the left end of the spring 160 are attached to the spring holding portion 135 and the oil damper holding portion 136 of the case 130, respectively. The bearing 151 of the slider 150, to which the pivot portion 147 of the cam 140 is attached, is attached to the first guide groove 131 of the case 130. At the same time, the first engagement portion 143 of the cam 140 is also attached to the first guide groove 131 of the case 130. Next, the opening 182 of the shutter 180 is fitted to the protrusion 153 of the slider 150, and the ridge 183 of the shutter 180 is fitted to the second guide groove 132 of the case 130, thereby completing the assembly of the cam unit. The order in which the trigger unit and the cam unit are assembled is not particularly limited.

[0044] In the second step, as shown in Figure 8, the trigger unit is attached to the upper inner surface of the door frame F at a position a predetermined length to the left of the right end of the door frame F, through holes 122 provided at both left and right ends of the mounting base 120. Furthermore, a cam unit is attached to the upper interior of the sliding door D through holes 134 provided at both left and right ends of the case 130. The extent to which the trigger unit is positioned to the left of the right end of the door frame F can be set appropriately taking into consideration the degree of elastic force of the spring 160 accumulated when the first engaging portion 143 of the cam 140 engages with the engaged portion 131b of the first guide groove 131.

[0045] The method for assembling the assist device 100 for sliding door includes the above steps, and therefore the assist device 100 for sliding door can be assembled through simpler steps.

[0046] (Operation of the sliding door assist device 100) (Opening operation of the sliding door) The opening operation of the sliding door will now be described. The opening operation of the sliding door mainly includes an operation in a first period from the closed position of the sliding door D shown in FIG. 8(a) until the first engaging portion 143 of the cam 140 shown in FIG. 8(b) engages with the engaged portion 131b of the first guide groove 131, This includes the operation during the second period after the first engaging portion 143 of the cam 140, shown in Figure 8(c), engages with the engaged portion 131b of the first guide groove 131.

[0047] We will now explain the operation during the first period. 8(a), when the sliding door D is opened from the closed position of the sliding door D, the cam 140 and the trigger hook 110 are engaged with each other, so the first engaging portion 143 of the cam 140 remains guided by the horizontal portion 131a of the first guide groove 131, and the engaged portion 131b moves toward the first engaging portion 143 of the cam 140. At this time, because the cam 140 and the trigger hook 110 are engaged with each other, the spring 160 and the rod 172 of the oil damper 170 are extended, and the elastic force of the spring 160 is stored in the cam 140. Then, when the sliding door D opens to the position shown in Figure 8(b), the first engaging portion 143 of the cam 140 is in a state just before engaging with the engaged portion 131b of the first guide groove 131.

[0048] We will now explain the operation during the second period. When the sliding door D is further opened from the position shown in FIG. 8(b), the first engaging portion 143 of the cam 140 is guided to enter the engaged portion 131b of the first guide groove 131, and as a result, the entire cam 140 rotates downward around the pivot portion 147. As a result of the rotation of the cam 140, the engagement between the cam 140 and the trigger hook 110 is released. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8(c), the sliding door D can be further opened in a state in which the first engaging portion 143 of the cam 140 enters and is fixed in the engaged portion 131b of the first guide groove 131.

[0049] In this way, the opening operation of the sliding door assist device 100 is carried out while the elastic force of the spring 160 is accumulated in the cam 140 and the rod 172 of the oil damper 170 is kept extended, until the sliding door D reaches the desired open position.

[0050] (Sliding door closing operation) The closing operation of the assist device 100 for the sliding door will now be described. The closing operation of the assist device 100 for the sliding door mainly includes the operation in a third period from when the sliding door D is opened from the open position of the sliding door D shown in FIG. 8(c) to the target open position, to when the closing operation of the sliding door D is started, to when the sliding door D is closed again to the position shown in FIG. 8(c), 8(c) to 8(d), in which the third engaging portion 146 of the cam 140 collides with the collision surface 113 of the trigger hook 110, and the engagement between the first engaging portion 143 of the cam 140 and the engaged portion 131b of the first guide groove 131 is released. This includes an operation in a fifth period from the state of FIG. 8(d) until the sliding door D returns to the closed position shown in FIG. 8(a). In the operation in the third period, the state of the assist device 100 for the sliding door does not change, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0051] The operation in the fourth period will be described. As the sliding door D is moved further in the closing direction from the state shown in Figure 8(c), the third engaging portion 146 of the cam 140 collides with the collision surface 113 of the trigger hook 110, as shown in Figure 8(d). As a result, the first engaging portion 143 of the cam 140 rotates upward on the pivot portion 147. As a result of the rotation of the cam 140, the collision portion 114 of the trigger hook 110 is accommodated in the space formed by the second engaging portion 144, the third engaging portion 146, and the connecting portion 145 of the cam 140, the engagement between the first engaging portion 143 of the cam 140 and the engaged portion 131b of the first guide groove 131 is released, and the cam 140 and the trigger hook 110 engage.

[0052] The operation in the fifth period will be described. When the engagement between the first engaging portion 143 of the cam 140 and the engaged portion 131b of the first guide groove 131 is released, the accumulated elastic force of the spring 160 is released, and a force acts to move the cam 140 in the direction in which the spring 160 contracts (to the left). However, because the cam 140 is engaged with the trigger hook 110 fixed to the door frame F, the cam 140 cannot move in the direction in which the spring 160 compresses (to the left), and as a result, the released elastic force is used as a force to close the sliding door D. When the sliding door D is closed by this spring 160, the rod 172 of the oil damper 170 contracts from an extended state in conjunction with the contraction of the spring 160. Therefore, the speed at which the spring 160 contracts is buffered by the oil damper 170. Due to the action of this oil damper 170, the closing operation of the sliding door D is not performed suddenly, but is performed at a desired speed adjusted by the oil damper 170. Therefore, during operation in the fifth period, the sliding door D can be closed using the elastic force accumulated in the spring 160 and the speed adjusted by the oil damper 170, without the need for a human to apply force to close the sliding door D.

[0053] Because the closing operation of the sliding door assist device 100 has this type of operation, the sliding door D can be closed using the elastic force accumulated in the spring 160 and the speed adjusted by the oil damper 170, without the need for a human to apply force to close the sliding door D.

[0054] (Automatic vertical adjustment mechanism for the assist device 100 for the sliding door) The automatic vertical adjustment mechanism of the assist device 100 for the sliding door will now be described. The automatic vertical adjustment mechanism of the assist device 100 for the sliding door D is a mechanism that automatically adjusts within a certain range so that the assist device for the sliding door can function even if the distance between the sliding door D and the door frame F has changed since the initial installation while the assist device 100 for the sliding door D is being used, or if an error has occurred in the relative position between the sliding door D and the door frame F that differs from the design dimension.

[0055] As shown in Figure 4(c), the trigger hook 110 has a first stroke width S1 (the range in which the spring body 111 elastically deforms) which is the length between the tip of the spring body 111 and the upper end of the arm 115 of the trigger hook 110. This first stroke width S1 allows for automatic vertical adjustment of the sliding door assist device 100. In order for the sliding door assist device 100 to function, when the sliding door D is moved from the open position in the closing direction, the third engagement portion 146 of the cam 140 must collide with the collision surface 113 of the trigger hook 110, and the first engagement portion 143 of the cam 140 must be rotated upward around the pivot portion 147 (to enable operation in the fourth period).

[0056] If, for some unforeseen reason, the distance between the sliding door D and the door frame F becomes shorter than the initially designed dimension, when the sliding door D is moved from the open position to the closed position, the collision surface 113 of the trigger hook 110 may collide with the guide portion 141 of the cam 140, etc., before colliding with the third engaging portion 146 of the cam 140. Even in such a case, with the assist device 100 of this embodiment, within a certain range, the spring main portion 111 of the trigger hook 110 elastically deforms, causing the collision surface 113 to rotate upward, so that the collision surface 113 of the trigger hook 110 can overcome the guide portion 141, etc., of the cam 140 and collide with the third engaging portion 146 of the cam 140.

[0057] As the distance between the sliding door D and the door frame F decreases, the spring main body 111 of the trigger hook 110 undergoes elastic deformation, and the amount by which the collision surface 113 rotates upward increases. Until the distance between the sliding door D and the door frame F, more specifically the distance D1 between the upper end of the third engaging portion 146 of the cam 140 and the door frame F (see Figure 8(c)), becomes shorter than the height of the collision surface 113 of the trigger hook 110, the collision surface 113 of the trigger hook 110 can collide with the third engaging portion 146 of the cam 140, and the automatic adjustment function of the sliding door assist device 100 can be performed.

[0058] As the distance between the sliding door D and the door frame F increases, the spring main body 111 of the trigger hook 110 elastically deforms, and the amount by which the collision surface 113 rotates upward decreases. As long as the distance between the sliding door D and the door frame F, more specifically, the distance D1 between the upper end of the third engagement portion 146 of the cam 140 and the door frame F, is not longer than the sum of the height H1 of the collision surface 113 of the trigger hook 110 and the first stroke width S1, the collision surface 113 of the trigger hook 110 can collide with the third engagement portion 146 of the cam 140, and the automatic adjustment function of the sliding door assist device 100 can be exhibited.

[0059] In addition, the trigger hook 110 has a recess 117 on its upper surface near the connection position between the collision portion 114 and the arm portion 115, which receives the tip of the spring main body portion 111 when the spring main body portion 111 is bent downward, so that the first stroke width S1 can be made longer by the amount of the recess 117.

[0060] Furthermore, when compared with Patent Document 2, which was presented as a prior document, the spring main body 111 in this embodiment extends from the collision portion 114 toward the closing direction of the sliding door D, whereas in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2, the spring deformation portion (arm 1b and pinch spring 1d in Patent Document 2) extends from the collision portion toward the opening direction of the sliding door. In the case of the arrangement as in Patent Document 2, when the sliding door D is moved from the open position to the closed position, the cam (catch body 3 in Patent Document 2) and the spring deformation portion (arm 1b and pinch spring 1d in Patent Document 2) interfere with each other. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a gap in the spring deformation portion (arm 1b and pinch spring 1d in Patent Document 2) so that a part of the cam (catch body 3 in Patent Document 2) can pass through (the gap between the pair of arms 1b in Figure 1(b) of Patent Document 2). In such a configuration, there is a problem in that the width of the spring in the front-rear direction is shortened, which weakens its strength. In the adjustment mechanism of the assist device 100 for the sliding door D of this embodiment, the spring main body 111 extends upward to the right from the upper end of the collision surface 113 (towards the closing direction of the sliding door D from the collision part 114). Therefore, when moving the sliding door D from the open position to the closed position, the spring main body 111 does not interfere with the cam 140, and the width of the spring main body 111 in the front-rear direction can be increased to increase its strength.

[0061] The adjustment mechanism of the assist device 100 for sliding doors has such a mechanism, which makes it possible to easily adjust the assist device at the time of installation or after long-term use.

[0062] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the sliding door assist device 200 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the trigger hook 210. Since the other configurations and functions are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same numbers are used and the description will be omitted.

[0063] (Trigger hook 210) 9 and 10, the trigger hook 210 differs from the first embodiment in that a protrusion 211a that is substantially circular in front view is provided at the tip of the spring main body 211. Other configurations and functions are the same as those of the first embodiment, so the same numbers are used and descriptions are omitted.

[0064] For example, in order to increase the vertical adjustment range of the assist device 200 for the sliding door D, it is conceivable to make the spring main body 211 even longer in a linear manner than that of the first embodiment, thereby increasing the stroke amount when the spring main body 211 elastically deforms and making the entire spring more easily deformable, but with such a configuration, the recess 117 provided on the upper surface of the arm 115 must be made larger in order to accommodate the linear lengthening of the spring main body 211, which reduces the thickness of the arm 115 and causes a problem of reduced strength. Furthermore, because the entire spring is easily deformed, there is a risk that the entire spring may be easily damaged or that the operation of the assist device 200 for the sliding door D may become unstable. Therefore, the spring main body 211 of the second embodiment has a protrusion 211a that is substantially circular in front view at the tip of the spring main body 211. This embodiment is advantageous in expanding the range in which the distance between the sliding door D and the door frame F can be automatically adjusted in the event that the distance between the sliding door D and the door frame F becomes longer than the initially designed dimension due to some unforeseen circumstances.

[0065] Since the sliding door assist device of the present invention has the configuration described above, it is possible to provide a sliding door assist device that makes adjustment work easier during installation and long-term use. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 100: Assist device 110: Trigger hook 111: Spring main body 112: Spring curved surface 113: Collision surface 114: Collision part 115: Arm 116: Axis 117: Recess 118: Reinforcement 120: Mounting base 121: Pivot unit storage section 121a: Groove 121b: bearing 122: Hole 123: Opening 124: Base body 130: Case 131: First guide groove 131a:Horizontal part 131b: Engaged part 132: Second guide groove 133: Case body 134: Hole 135: Spring retaining part 136: Oil damper retaining part 140: Cam 141: Information Department 141a: Inclined surface 142: Recess 143: First engaging part 144: Second engagement part 145:Connection part 146: Third engagement portion 147: Axis section 150: Slider 151: Bearing 152:Connection part 153 : Protrusion 160: Spring 170: Oil damper 171: Oil damper body 172: Rod 180: Shutter 181: Shutter body 182 :Aperture 183: protrusion 200: Assist device 210: Trigger hook 211: Spring main body 211a: Projection D: Sliding door F: Door frame H1: Height H2: Height D1: Distance S1: First stroke width S2: Second stroke width

Claims

1. A cam unit provided on the sliding door (D); a trigger unit for the cam unit, the trigger unit being provided on a door frame (F) that supports the sliding door (D) so that the sliding door (D) can reciprocate in the left-right direction; In the assist device for a sliding door, the cam unit is engaged with the trigger unit at a predetermined movement position of the sliding door (D), thereby releasing the force of the urged cam unit and moving the sliding door (D) to a closed position by the force, The trigger unit comprises: a trigger hook (110) that engages with the cam unit; The trigger hook (110) a collision portion (114) that collides with the cam unit; a spring main body (111) extending from the collision portion (114) in an elastically deformable manner; and an arm portion (115) extending from the collision portion (114), The trigger hook (110) is formed by integrally molding at least the collision portion (114) and the spring main body portion (111). A sliding door assist device characterized by the above.

2. The spring main body (111) extends from the collision portion (114) toward the closing direction of the sliding door (D).

2. The assist device for a sliding door according to claim 1.

3. The trigger unit comprises: a mounting base (120) that pivotally supports the trigger hook (110) and is fixed to the door frame (F); The trigger hook (110) a pivot portion (116) provided on the arm portion (115) and pivotally supported on the mounting base (120); 3. The assist device for a sliding door according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A spring curved surface portion (112) is provided between the collision portion (114) and the spring main body portion (111).

3. The assist device for a sliding door according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The tip of the collision portion (114) is a collision surface (113), and the back surface of the collision surface (113) constitutes the spring curved surface portion (112).

5. The assist device for a sliding door according to claim 4.

6. The trigger hook (110) is integrally molded as a whole.

3. The assist device for a sliding door according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The mounting base (120) has an opening (123); The free end of the spring main body (111) of the trigger hook (110) can directly abut against the door frame (F) to which the mounting base (120) is fixed, through the opening (123).

4. The assist device for a sliding door according to claim 3.

8. The cam unit includes an oil damper (170) and a shutter (180) that covers a rod (172) of the oil damper (170).

3. The assist device for a sliding door according to claim 1 or 2.

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