Vehicle door opening and closing device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle door opening and closing device that allows for greater flexibility in the placement of door drive units. [Solution] The door opening and closing device includes a door drive device 50 that applies torque to the link arm to rotate the link arm relative to the vehicle body. The door drive device 50 includes a drive drum 90 driven by an electric motor, a driven drum 100 positioned away from the drive drum 90, cables 171 and 172 wrapped around the drive drum 90 and the driven drum 100 to transmit power from the drive drum 90 to the driven drum 100, and a transmission unit 190 that applies torque to the first link arm based on the power transmitted from the driven drum 100.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle door opening / closing device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle door opening / closing device that connects a vehicle and a door. The vehicle door opening / closing device includes a first link arm and a second link arm whose base ends are rotatably connected to the vehicle body and whose tip ends are rotatably connected to the door, and a door drive device that applies power for opening and closing the door to the first link arm.

[0003] The direction in which the rotation axes of the first link arm and the second link arm extend with respect to the vehicle body is the vertical direction, and the direction in which the rotation axes of the first link arm and the second link arm extend with respect to the door is the vertical direction. The vehicle body, the door, the first link arm, and the second link arm constitute a four-bar link mechanism. The door drive device applies torque for rotating the first link arm around its axis with respect to the vehicle body to the first link arm. Then, the door drive device opens and closes the door by rotating the first link arm.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the vehicle door opening / closing device as described above, the door drive device is mounted around the base end portion of the first link arm. Therefore, it is desired to increase the degree of freedom in arranging the door drive device in the vehicle door opening / closing device as described above.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A door opening and closing device for solving the above problems is a vehicle door opening and closing device applied to a vehicle comprising a vehicle body having a door opening and a door for opening and closing the door opening, comprising: a link arm whose base end is rotatably connected to the vehicle body and whose tip is rotatably connected to the door; and a door drive device that applies torque to the link arm to rotate the link arm relative to the vehicle body, wherein the door drive device comprises: a drive drum driven by an electric motor; a driven drum positioned away from the drive drum; a cable wound around the drive drum and the driven drum to transmit power from the drive drum to the driven drum; and a transmission unit that applies the torque to the link arm based on the power transmitted from the driven drum. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The vehicle door opening and closing mechanism allows for greater flexibility in the placement of the door drive mechanism. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of a vehicle equipped with a door opening and closing device. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the vehicle in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side view of the vehicle shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the door opening and closing device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the door opening and closing device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the door opening and closing mechanism shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the door opening and closing mechanism shown in Figure 1. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the door opening and closing mechanism shown in Figure 1. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the driven drum of the door opening and closing device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the driven drum of the door opening / closing device of FIG. 1. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow of line 11-11 in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow of line 12-12 in FIG. 10. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view when the configuration related to the power transmission of the door opening / closing device of FIG. 1 is extracted. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view when the configuration related to the power transmission of the door opening / closing device of FIG. 1 is extracted. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a partial plan view of the door opening / closing device of FIG. 1. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the door opening / closing device of the modified example. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a partially exploded perspective view of the door opening / closing device of FIG. 16. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a partial plan view of the door opening / closing device of FIG. 16.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle door opening / closing device (hereinafter referred to as "door opening / closing device") will be described. <Configuration of this Embodiment> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 20, a door 30, a door opening / closing device 40, and a control device 200.

[0010] In the following description, the width direction, the front-rear direction and the up-down direction of the vehicle 10 are referred to as the width direction, the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, respectively. In the figure, the width direction is the direction in which the X-axis extends, the front-rear direction is the direction in which the Y-axis extends, and the up-down direction is the direction in which the Z-axis extends. Also, in the width direction, the direction toward the center of the vehicle 10 is referred to as the inner direction, and the direction away from the center of the vehicle 10 is referred to as the outer direction.

[0011] <Vehicle Body 20> The vehicle body 20 has a door opening 21. The door opening 21 is open to the side surface in the width direction of the vehicle body 20. The door opening 21 is a part through which a user passes when getting on and off the rear seat of the vehicle 10. Although not shown, it is preferable that the vehicle body 20 has a striker for restraining the door 30.

[0012] <Door 30> The door 30 has a door body 31. The door body 31 has an inner panel 32 and an outer panel 33. The inner panel 32 and the outer panel 33 are panels corresponding to the shape of the door opening 21. The inner panel 32 is a part of the door body 31 facing the inside of the vehicle 10, and the outer panel 33 is a part of the door body 31 facing the outside of the vehicle 10. The inner panel 32 and the outer panel 33 are joined by welding or the like.

[0013] <Door opening / closing device 40> The door opening / closing device 40 includes a first link arm 41, a second link arm 42, a first vehicle body side bracket 43, a first door side bracket 44, a second vehicle body side bracket 45, and a second door side bracket 46. Further, the door opening / closing device 40 includes two first support shafts 471, 472, two second support shafts 481, 482, and a door drive device 50.

[0014] <First link arm 41 and first brackets 43, 44> The first link arm 41 is an arm that defines the opening / closing locus of the door 30 and supports the self-weight of the door 30. For this reason, the bending rigidity of the first link arm 41 is higher than that of the second link arm 42. The first link arm 41 has an arm body 411, a base end side connecting portion 412, a tip end side connecting portion 413, and an output gear 414.

[0015] The arm body 411 is rod-shaped. The arm body 411 constitutes the majority of the first link arm 41. The base end connecting portion 412 constitutes the base end of the first link arm 41. The tip end connecting portion 413 constitutes the tip of the first link arm 41. The base end connecting portion 412 and the tip end connecting portion 413 are columnar in shape. The height direction of both the base end connecting portion 412 and the tip end connecting portion 413 is vertical. The output gear 414 is a sector gear. The output gear 414 is fixed to the base end connecting portion 412. The axis of the output gear 414 extends vertically. When the output gear 414 rotates, the arm body 411 rotates together with the output gear 414.

[0016] The first vehicle body bracket 43 is constructed, for example, by joining multiple metal plates that are press-formed. The first vehicle body bracket 43 supports the first support shaft 471. The axis of the first support shaft 471 extends in the vertical direction. The first vehicle body bracket 43 rotatably supports the base end connecting portion 412 of the first link arm 41 via the first support shaft 471. At this time, the first support shaft 471 penetrates the base end connecting portion 412 of the first link arm 41 in the vertical direction. As a result, the first link arm 41 is rotatable around the axis of the first support shaft 471 relative to the first vehicle body bracket 43. Here, the axis of the first support shaft 471 coincides with the axis of the output gear 414. The first vehicle body bracket 43 is fixed to the vehicle body 20 by fastening members. In this embodiment, the fastening members may be screws, bolts and nuts, or rivets.

[0017] The first door-side bracket 44 is constructed, for example, by press-forming a metal plate. The first door-side bracket 44 supports the first support shaft 472. The axis of the first support shaft 472 extends in the vertical direction. The first door-side bracket 44 rotatably supports the tip-side connecting portion 413 of the first link arm 41 via the first support shaft 472. As a result, the first link arm 41 is rotatable around the axis of the first support shaft 472 relative to the first door-side bracket 44. The first door-side bracket 44 is fixed to the door 30 by fastening members.

[0018] <Second link arm 42 and second brackets 45, 46> The second link arm 42 is an arm that defines the opening and closing trajectory of the door 30. One end of the second link arm 42 in the longitudinal direction is the base end, and the other end of the second link arm 42 in the longitudinal direction is the tip end. The second link arm 42 may be configured to allow adjustment of its length in the longitudinal direction. In this case, it is preferable that the second link arm 42 is biased in the contracting direction by a coil spring or the like.

[0019] The second vehicle body bracket 45 is constructed, for example, by press-forming a metal plate. The second vehicle body bracket 45 supports the second support shaft 481. The axis of the second support shaft 481 extends in the vertical direction. The second vehicle body bracket 45 rotatably supports the base end of the second link arm 42 via the second support shaft 481. As a result, the second link arm 42 is rotatable around the axis of the second support shaft 481 relative to the second vehicle body bracket 45. The second vehicle body bracket 45 is fixed to the vehicle body 20 by fastening members.

[0020] The second door-side bracket 46 is constructed, for example, by press-forming a metal plate. The second door-side bracket 46 supports the second support shaft 482. The axis of the second support shaft 482 extends in the vertical direction. The second door-side bracket 46 rotatably supports the tip of the second link arm 42 via the second support shaft 482. As a result, the second link arm 42 is rotatable around the axis of the second support shaft 482 relative to the second door-side bracket 46. The second door-side bracket 46 is fixed to the door 30 by fastening members.

[0021] <Door drive device 50> As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the door drive unit 50 comprises an actuator 60, an actuator bracket 71, a base 72, a first cover 75, and a second cover 76. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the door drive unit 50 comprises a first support plate 73, a second support plate 74, two connecting shafts 77, a drive drum 90, a driven drum 100, two cables 171 and 172, a relay pulley 180, and a transmission unit 190.

[0022] <Actuator 60> The actuator 60 is a drive source for opening and closing the door 30. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the actuator 60 has an electric motor 61, an output shaft 62, and a case 63. Preferably, the actuator 60 has a transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the electric motor 61 to the output shaft 62. The case 63 is box-shaped. When viewed from the width direction, the case 63 is rectangular. The case 63 houses the electric motor 61. The actuator 60 switches the rotation direction of the output shaft 62 by switching the drive mode of the electric motor 61. In this way, the output shaft 62 of the actuator 60 rotates in a first drive direction R11 and a second drive direction R12 which is the opposite direction of the first drive direction R11.

[0023] <Actuator bracket 71 and base 72> The actuator bracket 71 (hereinafter also referred to as "ACT bracket 71") is configured to fix the actuator 60 to the vehicle body 20. The ACT bracket 71 is preferably made of a highly rigid material such as metal. The base 72 is the object to which the components of the door opening and closing device 40 are assembled. The base 72 is preferably made of a highly rigid material such as metal. The base 72 is fixed to the first vehicle body side bracket 43 by fastening members.

[0024] <Support plates 73, 74> As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the first support plate 73 and the second support plate 74 are constructed, for example, by press-forming a metal plate. The first support plate 73 and the second support plate 74 are positioned with a gap between them in the vertical direction. The first support plate 73 and the second support plate 74 are connected in the vertical direction by two connecting shafts 77. The first support plate 73 and the second support plate 74 are fastened to the base 72 by fastening members.

[0025] <Cover 75, 76> As shown in Figure 4, the first cover 75 is a component that covers the drive drum 90 and a portion of the cables 171 and 172. The first cover 75 is fixed to the ACT bracket 71 together with the actuator 60 by fastening members. The first cover 75 is also fixed to the base 72 by fastening members. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the second cover 76 is a component that covers the driven drum 100 and a portion of the cables 171 and 172. The second cover 76 is fixed to the first support plate 73 by fastening members.

[0026] <Drive Drum 90> As shown in Figure 6, the drive drum 90 is cylindrical. The drive drum 90 has a helical guide groove 91. The guide groove 91 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the drive drum 90. The drive drum 90 is fixed to the output shaft 62 of the actuator 60. In other words, the rotation axis of the drive drum 90 coincides with the rotation axis of the output shaft 62 of the actuator 60. The drive drum 90 is rotatable together with the output shaft 62 of the actuator 60 in a first drive direction R11 and a second drive direction R12.

[0027] <Components of the driven drum 100> As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the driven drum 100 comprises a main shaft 110, a first drum 120, a second drum 130, a first collar 140, a second collar 150, and a spring 160.

[0028] <Spindle 110> The main spindle 110 has two shaft portions 111 and 112, a first engaging shaft portion 113, a second engaging shaft portion 114, a large-diameter shaft portion 115, an extension shaft portion 116, and a gear portion 117. The two shaft portions 111 and 112 constitute both ends of the main spindle 110 in the axial direction. The outer diameters of the two shaft portions 111 and 112 are smaller than the outer diameters of the other parts of the main spindle 110. The first engaging shaft portion 113 is adjacent to shaft portion 111 in the axial direction. The cross-sectional shape of the first engaging shaft portion 113 perpendicular to the axial direction is non-circular. More specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the first engaging shaft portion 113 perpendicular to the axial direction is oval. The second engaging shaft portion 114 is adjacent to the first engaging shaft portion 113 in the axial direction. The cross-sectional shape of the second engaging shaft portion 114 perpendicular to the axial direction is non-circular. More specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the second engaging shaft portion 114 perpendicular to the axial direction is oval. The outer diameter of the second engaging shaft portion 114 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first engaging shaft portion 113. The large-diameter shaft portion 115 is disc-shaped. The large-diameter shaft portion 115 is adjacent to the second engaging shaft portion 114 in the axial direction. The outer diameter of the large-diameter shaft portion 115 is the largest outer diameter part of the main shaft 110. The extension shaft portion 116 is adjacent to the large-diameter shaft portion 115 in the axial direction. The gear portion 117 is located between the large-diameter shaft portion 115 and the shaft portion 112 in the axial direction.

[0029] <First drum 120 and second drum 130> The first drum 120 is cylindrical in shape. The first drum 120 has a guide groove 121 and an engagement hole 122. The guide groove 121 is helical in shape. The guide groove 121 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the first drum 120. The engagement hole 122 penetrates the first drum 120 in the axial direction. When viewed from the axial direction, the engagement hole 122 is non-circular. More specifically, the inner circumferential surface of the first drum 120 includes two first inner circumferential surfaces 123 and two second inner circumferential surfaces 124 perpendicular to the radial direction, and four regulating surfaces 125 perpendicular to the circumferential direction. The inner diameter of the first inner circumferential surface 123 is smaller than the inner diameter of the second inner circumferential surface 124. The two first inner circumferential surfaces 123 and the two second inner circumferential surfaces 124 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. The regulating surface 125 connects the first inner surface 123 and the second inner surface 124, which are adjacent in the circumferential direction, in the radial direction.

[0030] The second drum 130 has the same shape as the first drum 120. That is, the second drum 130 has a guide groove 131 corresponding to the guide groove 121 and an engagement hole 132 corresponding to the engagement hole 122. The engagement hole 132 is slightly larger than the engagement hole 122 of the first drum 120. The outer diameter of the first drum 120 and the outer diameter of the second drum 130 are equal. In addition, the inner surface of the second drum 130 includes two first inner surfaces 133 corresponding to the two first inner surfaces 123, two second inner surfaces 134 corresponding to the two second inner surfaces 124, and four restricting surfaces 135 corresponding to the four restricting surfaces 125.

[0031] The outer diameter of the driven drum 100, that is, the outer diameter of the first drum 120 and the outer diameter of the second drum 130, is larger than the outer diameter of the drive drum 90. More specifically, the distance from the axis of the first drum 120 to the bottom surface of the guide groove 121 of the first drum 120 is longer than the distance from the axis of the drive drum 90 to the bottom surface of the guide groove 91 of the drive drum 90. Similarly, the distance from the axis of the second drum 130 to the bottom surface of the guide groove 131 of the second drum 130 is longer than the distance from the axis of the drive drum 90 to the bottom surface of the guide groove 91 of the drive drum 90.

[0032] <First color 140 and second color 150> The first collar 140 has a cylindrical portion 141, two regulating ribs 142, and a flange 143. The cylindrical portion 141 is cylindrical in shape. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 141 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the portion where the two first inner circumferential surfaces 123 of the first drum 120 are formed. The cylindrical portion 141 has an insertion hole 144 that penetrates the cylindrical portion 141 in the axial direction. When viewed from the axial direction, the insertion hole 144 is non-circular. The shape of the insertion hole 144 corresponds to the shape of the first engaging shaft portion 113 of the main shaft 110. The two regulating ribs 142 project outward in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 141 from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 141. The outer surfaces of the two regulating ribs 142 in the projection direction are arcuate surfaces centered on the axis of the first collar 140. The two regulating ribs 142 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the first collar 140. The outer diameter of the portion where the two restricting ribs 142 are provided is larger than the inner diameter of the portion where the first inner circumferential surface 123 of the first drum 120 is formed, and slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the portion where the second inner circumferential surface 124 of the first drum 120 is formed. Furthermore, the circumferential length of the restricting ribs 142 is shorter than the circumferential length of the second inner circumferential surface 124 of the first drum 120. As an example, it is preferable that the length of the former is about half to one-third the length of the latter. In this respect, the outer shape of the first collar 140 can be said to correspond to the shape of the engagement hole 122 of the first drum 120. The flange 143 is flange-shaped. The flange 143 extends radially outward from one end of the cylindrical portion 141 in the axial direction.

[0033] The second collar 150 has the same configuration as the first collar 140. The second collar 150 has a cylindrical portion 151 corresponding to the cylindrical portion 141, two regulating ribs 152 corresponding to the two regulating ribs 142, and a flange 153 corresponding to the flange 143. However, the shape of the insertion hole 154 corresponding to the insertion hole 144 corresponds to the shape of the second engaging shaft portion 114 of the main shaft 110. In addition, the external shape of the second collar 150 corresponds to the shape of the engaging hole 132 of the second drum 130.

[0034] <Spring 160> The spring 160 is a torsion spring. The spring 160 has a first coil 161, a second coil 162, an intermediate section 163, a first locking section 164, and a second locking section 165. The spring 160 is made from a single wire. The first coil 161 and the second coil 162 are coil-shaped. The first locking section 164 extends from the first end of the first coil 161, and the second locking section 165 extends from the first end of the second coil 162. The first locking section 164 and the second locking section 165 extend in the axial direction of the spring 160. However, the direction in which the first locking section 164 extends is opposite to the direction in which the second locking section 165 extends. The intermediate section 163 connects the second end of the first coil 161 and the second end of the second coil 162. When viewed from the axial direction, the intermediate section 163 is wound in a rectangular shape. The spring 160 corresponds to the "biasing member".

[0035] <Engagement relationships of components of the driven drum 100> As shown in Figures 9 to 12, the first engaging shaft portion 113 and the second engaging shaft portion 114 of the spindle 110 are inserted into the insertion hole 144 of the first collar 140 and the insertion hole 154 of the second collar 150, respectively. The first collar 140 engages with the first engaging shaft portion 113 of the spindle 110, and the second collar 150 engages with the second engaging shaft portion 114 of the spindle 110. In this way, the first collar 140 and the second collar 150 are rotatable together with the spindle 110. In other words, the first collar 140 and the second collar 150 are not rotatable relative to the spindle 110. Furthermore, the flange 143 of the first collar 140 is in contact with the axial end face of the second engaging shaft portion 114 of the spindle 110. As a result, there is a gap between the first collar 140 and the second collar 150 in the axial direction.

[0036] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the first collar 140 is inserted into the engagement hole 122 of the first drum 120. At this time, in the radial direction, the two regulating ribs 142 of the first collar 140 face the two second inner circumferential surfaces 124 of the first drum 120, respectively. Also, in the circumferential direction, the regulating ribs 142 of the first collar 140 are located between the two regulating surfaces 125 of the first drum 120. In this way, the first drum 120 is rotatable relative to the first collar 140 within the range in which the regulating surfaces 125 of the first drum 120 do not come into contact with the regulating ribs 142 of the first collar 140. More specifically, the range in which the first drum 120 is rotatable relative to the first collar 140 is an angular range corresponding to the difference between the circumferential length of the second inner circumferential surface 124 of the first drum 120 and the circumferential length of the regulating ribs 142 of the first collar 140.

[0037] As shown in Figures 10 and 12, the second collar 150 is inserted into the engagement hole 132 of the second drum 130. At this time, in the radial direction, the two regulating ribs 152 of the second collar 150 face the two second inner circumferential surfaces 134 of the second drum 130, respectively. Also, in the circumferential direction, the regulating ribs 152 of the second collar 150 are located between the two regulating surfaces 135 of the second drum 130. In this way, the second drum 130 is rotatable relative to the second collar 150 within the range in which the regulating surfaces 135 of the second drum 130 do not come into contact with the regulating ribs 152 of the second collar 150. More specifically, the range in which the second drum 130 is rotatable relative to the second collar 150 is an angular range corresponding to the difference between the circumferential length of the second inner circumferential surface 134 of the second drum 130 and the circumferential length of the regulating ribs 152 of the second collar 150.

[0038] As shown in Figure 10, the spring 160 is positioned axially between the first collar 140 and the second collar 150, and between the first drum 120 and the second drum 130. Specifically, the first coil 161 of the spring 160 is housed inside the first drum 120. The first locking portion 164 of the spring 160 is locked to the first drum 120. The second coil 162 of the spring 160 is housed inside the second drum 130. The second locking portion 165 of the spring 160 is locked to the second drum 130. The second engaging shaft portion 114 of the main shaft 110 is inserted into the intermediate portion 163 of the spring 160. The intermediate portion 163 of the spring 160 is positioned axially between the flange 143 of the first collar 140 and the flange 153 of the second collar 150 of the main shaft 110.

[0039] The spring 160 is elastically deformed around the axis of the main shaft 110. As a result, the spring 160 biases the first drum 120 and the second drum 130 in the circumferential direction. The direction in which the spring 160 biases the first drum 120 is the opposite direction to the direction in which the spring 160 biases the second drum 130. Specifically, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the spring 160 biases the first drum 120 in the first driven direction R21 and the second drum 130 in the second driven direction R22. In this case, it is preferable that the regulating surface 125 of the first drum 120 does not come into contact with the regulating rib 142 of the first collar 140 in the circumferential direction. Similarly, it is preferable that the regulating surface 135 of the second drum 130 does not come into contact with the regulating rib 152 of the second collar 150 in the circumferential direction.

[0040] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the shaft portion 111 of the main shaft 110 is rotatably supported by the second cover 76, and the shaft portion 112 of the main shaft 110 is rotatably supported by the second support plate 74. Preferably, the shaft portions 111 and 112 of the main shaft 110 are supported by the second cover 76 and the second support plate 74, respectively, via bearings. In this way, the driven drum 100 is rotatable around an axis extending in the vertical direction. The rotation axis of the driven drum 100 is in a torsional positional relationship with respect to the rotation axis of the drive drum 90.

[0041] <First cable 171 and second cable 172> As shown in Figure 6, the first cable 171 and the second cable 172 are power transmission cables. Therefore, it is preferable that the first cable 171 and the second cable 172 are made of a material that has appropriate elasticity in the bending direction while having strength in the tensile direction. The first cable 171 is wound around the first drum 120 of the drive drum 90 and the driven drum 100. The second cable 172 is wound around the second drum 130 of the drive drum 90 and the driven drum 100. When the drive drum 90 rotates in the first drive direction R11, the first cable 171 is unwound from the driven drum 100 and wound around the drive drum 90. Similarly, the second cable 172 is unwound from the drive drum 90 and wound around the driven drum 100. The direction of rotation of the driven drum 100 at this time is the second driven direction R22. On the other hand, when the drive drum 90 rotates in the second drive direction R12, the first cable 171 is unwound from the drive drum 90 and wound onto the driven drum 100. Similarly, the second cable 172 is unwound from the driven drum 100 and wound onto the drive drum 90. In this case, the rotation direction of the driven drum 100 is the first driven direction R21.

[0042] As described above, the spring 160 of the driven drum 100 biases the first drum 120 in the first driven direction R21 and the second drum 130 in the second driven direction R22. In other words, the spring 160 biases the first drum 120 in the direction in which it winds the first cable 171, and the spring 160 biases the second drum 130 in the direction in which it winds the second cable 172.

[0043] <Relay Pulley 180> The intermediate pulley 180 includes a first pulley 181 and a second pulley 182, and a pulley support shaft 183. The first pulley 181 and the second pulley 182 are rotatably supported on the pulley support shaft 183. The first pulley 181 and the second pulley 182 are rotatable in different directions. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first cable 171 is wound around the first pulley 181, and the second cable 172 is wound around the second pulley 182. One end of the pulley support shaft 183 is rotatably supported on the base 72, and the other end of the pulley support shaft 183 is rotatably supported on the second cover 76. Preferably, both ends of the pulley support shaft 183 are supported on the base 72 and the second cover 76, respectively, via bearings. The axis of the pulley support shaft 183 extends in the width direction. In this respect, the axis of the pulley support shaft 183 is parallel to the axis of the drive drum 90. On the other hand, the axis of the pulley support shaft 183 is twisted relative to the axis of the driven drum 100.

[0044] <Transmission section 190> As shown in Figure 8, the transmission unit 190 has a first transmission gear 191 and a second transmission gear 192. The first transmission gear 191 and the second transmission gear 192 are configured to rotate together. The number of teeth of the first transmission gear 191 is greater than the number of teeth of the gear portion 117 of the main shaft 110. The upper end of the transmission unit 190 is rotatably supported by the first support plate 73, and the lower end of the transmission unit 190 is rotatably supported by the second support plate 74. Preferably, both ends of the transmission unit 190 are supported by the first support plate 73 and the second support plate 74 via bearings. As shown in Figure 13, the first transmission gear 191 meshes with the gear portion 117 of the main shaft 110 of the driven drum 100, and the second transmission gear 192 meshes with the output gear 414 of the first link arm 41. In this way, the transmission unit 190 transmits power between the driven drum 100 and the first link arm 41. In other words, the transmission unit 190 transmits power to the first link arm 41, thereby applying torque to the first link arm 41 that causes it to rotate around the axis of the first support shaft 471.

[0045] <Control device 200> The control device 200 is a processing circuit having a CPU and ROM. The control device 200 opens or closes the door 30 by controlling the door drive device 50. For example, the control device 200 receives a request to open or close the door 30 when the user operates a portable device or the door handle. When an open request is received, the control device 200 controls the door drive device 50 so that the door 30 opens. On the other hand, when a close request is received, the control device 200 controls the door drive device 50 so that the door 30 closes.

[0046] <Operation of this embodiment> The operation of opening and closing the door 30 will be explained below. As shown in Figures 1 and 13, when the door 30 is opened from the fully closed position, the actuator 60 drives the drive drum 90 in the first drive direction R11. As a result, the drive drum 90 winds up the first cable 171 and the second cable 172 is unwound from the drive drum 90. Meanwhile, the driven drum 100 winds up the second cable 172 and the first cable 171 is unwound from the driven drum 100. As a result, the driven drum 100 rotates in the second driven direction R22. Subsequently, when the driven drum 100 rotates in the second driven direction R22, power is transmitted from the gear section 117 of the driven drum 100 to the first transmission gear 191 of the transmission section 190. Subsequently, power is transmitted from the second transmission gear 192 of the transmission section 190 to the output gear 414 of the first link arm 41. In this way, the door drive device 50 applies torque to the first link arm 41 that causes it to rotate in a first rotational direction R31 around the axis of the first support shaft 471. As a result of the first link arm 41 rotating in the first rotational direction R31, the door 30 opens toward the fully open position. In other words, the door 30 moves from the fully closed position shown in Figures 1 and 13 toward the fully open position shown in Figures 2 and 14.

[0047] As shown in Figures 2 and 14, when the door 30 is closed from the fully open position, the actuator 60 drives the drive drum 90 in the second drive direction R12. As a result, the drive drum 90 winds up the second cable 172 and the first cable 171 is unwound from the drive drum 90. Meanwhile, the driven drum 100 winds up the first cable 171 and the second cable 172 is unwound from the driven drum 100. As a result, the driven drum 100 rotates in the first driven direction R21. Subsequently, when the driven drum 100 rotates in the first driven direction R21, power is transmitted from the gear section 117 of the driven drum 100 to the first transmission gear 191 of the transmission section 190. Subsequently, power is transmitted from the second transmission gear 192 of the transmission section 190 to the output gear 414 of the first link arm 41. In this way, the door drive device 50 applies torque to the first link arm 41 that causes it to rotate in the second rotational direction R32 around the axis of the first support shaft 471. As a result of the first link arm 41 rotating in the second rotational direction R32, the door 30 closes toward the fully closed position. In other words, the door 30 moves from the fully open position shown in Figures 2 and 14 toward the fully closed position shown in Figures 1 and 13.

[0048] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) For example, consider a comparative example in which the driven drum 100 is directly driven by the actuator 60. In this case, if the axis of the output shaft 62 of the actuator 60 is aligned with the axis of the driven drum 100, the actuator 60 will be positioned in the area shown by the dashed line in Figure 15. As a result, the space occupied in the width direction by the door opening and closing device of the comparative example will be larger. In other words, the amount of the actuator 60 protruding into the passenger compartment of the door opening and closing device of the comparative example will be larger.

[0049] In contrast, the door opening / closing device 40 transmits power from the actuator 60 to the output gear 414 of the first link arm 41 via the drive drum 90 and driven drum 100 and cables 171 and 172. Therefore, the door opening / closing device 40 can position the driven drum 100 and transmission unit 190 near the first link arm 41, while positioning the actuator 60 and drive drum 90 away from the first link arm 41. Thus, the door opening / closing device 40 can increase the degree of freedom in the placement of the door drive device 50. As a result, the door opening / closing device 40 can suppress the amount of protrusion into the passenger compartment when the door 30 is in the fully closed position. In other words, the door opening / closing device 40 can widen the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10 in the width direction, or widen the cargo compartment in the width direction.

[0050] (2) In the door opening / closing device 40, the outer diameter of the driven drum 100 is larger than the outer diameter of the drive drum 90. Therefore, the door opening / closing device 40 can reduce the rotational speed of the driven drum 100 relative to the rotational speed of the drive drum 90. As a result, when the door opening / closing device 40 has a reduction mechanism between the driven drum 100 and the transmission unit 190, the reduction mechanism can be made smaller. Specifically, the door opening / closing device 40 can reduce the number of gears that make up the gear section 117 of the main shaft 110 of the driven drum 100 and the transmission unit 190.

[0051] (3) For example, if the slack of cables 171 and 172 routed between the drive drum 90 and the driven drum 100 is to be adjusted by a tensioner, then space for the tensioner must be secured between the drive drum 90 and the driven drum 100. In this regard, in the door opening and closing device 40 of the above embodiment, the components of the "tensioner" are incorporated into the driven drum 100. Therefore, the door opening and closing device 40 does not require space for the tensioner to be secured between the drive drum 90 and the driven drum 100.

[0052] (4) The driven drum 100 includes a first drum 120 around which the first cable 171 is wound, a second drum 130 around which the second cable 172 is wound, and a spring 160 that biases the first drum 120 in the direction of winding the first cable 171 and the second drum 130 in the direction of winding the second cable 172. As a result, the door opening and closing device 40 can implement a tensioner to take up the slack in the first cable 171 and the second cable 172 with a simple configuration. In addition, the spring 160 is housed inside the first drum 120 and the second drum 130. In this respect, the door opening and closing device 40 can prevent the tensioner from interfering with the surrounding configuration of the driven drum 100.

[0053] (5) Consider a comparative example in which the "drive drum 90, intermediate pulley 180, driven drum 100 and cables 171, 172" of the door opening / closing device 40 are replaced with "drive pulley, intermediate pulley, driven pulley and belt". In this comparative example, because power is transmitted by a belt, the widthwise displacement of the positions of the drive pulley, intermediate pulley, and driven pulley tends to have a large impact on the power transmission efficiency. This tendency is more pronounced when toothed belts and toothed pulleys are used. In contrast, in this embodiment, because power is transmitted by cables 171, 172, the widthwise displacement of the positions of the drive drum 90, intermediate pulley 180, and driven drum 100 has a small impact on the power transmission efficiency. Therefore, the door opening / closing device 40 can increase the degree of freedom in the widthwise arrangement of the drive drum 90, intermediate pulley 180, and driven drum 100.

[0054] (6) The first vehicle body bracket 43 rotatably supports the base end connecting portion 412 of the first link arm 41 via the first support shaft 471. At this time, the first support shaft 471 passes through the base end connecting portion 412 of the first link arm 41 in the vertical direction. This increases the rigidity of the configuration that rotatably supports the base end connecting portion 412 of the first link arm 41.

[0055] <Example of changes> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0056] Referring to Figures 16 to 18, the modified door opening / closing device 40X will be described. The modified door opening / closing device 40X is generally the same as the door opening / closing device 40 according to the above embodiment, except that it does not have an intermediate pulley 180 and the positional relationship between the drive drum 90 and the driven drum 100 is different. For this reason, in the following description, components that have the same function as the above embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0057] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the door opening / closing device 40X includes a door drive device 50X. The door drive device 50X includes an actuator 60, an actuator bracket 71, a base 72, a first cover 75, a second cover 76, a first support plate 73, a second support plate 74, a plurality of connecting shafts 77, a drive drum 90, a driven drum 100, two cables 171 and 172, and a transmission unit 190. In other words, the door drive device 50X does not include a relay pulley 180.

[0058] In the modified example, the actuator 60 is positioned lower than in the above embodiment. In this respect, the vertical distance between the rotation axis of the drive drum 90 and the rotation axis of the driven drum 100 is shorter than in the above embodiment. Similar to the above embodiment, the rotation axis of the drive drum 90 and the rotation axis of the driven drum 100 are in a torsional positional relationship. Here, as shown in Figure 18, the reference plane RP of the drive drum 90 is defined as a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drive drum 90, and passing through the center of the drive drum 90 in the axial direction within the formation range of the guide groove 91 on the drive drum 90. In the width direction, the reference plane RP of the drive drum 90 is offset from the rotation axis of the driven drum 100. In the modified example, the reference plane RP of the drive drum 90 is offset inward in the width direction from the rotation axis of the driven drum 100. In another modified example, the reference plane RP of the drive drum 90 may be offset outward in the width direction from the rotation axis of the driven drum 100. In this respect, it can be said that, in the width direction, the drive drum 90 is positioned offset from the rotation axis of the driven drum 100.

[0059] The first cable 171 is wound around the first drum 120 of the drive drum 90 and the driven drum 100. The second cable 172 is wound around the second drum 130 of the drive drum 90 and the driven drum 100. The first cable 171 and the second cable 172 are wound around the drive drum 90 and the driven drum 100 without passing through the intermediate pulley 180. In other words, the first cable 171 and the second cable 172 extend linearly between the drive drum 90 and the driven drum 100.

[0060] The modified examples shown in Figures 16 to 18 can achieve the same effects as the above embodiment. Furthermore, the modified examples do not include the intermediate pulley 180, allowing the drive drum 90 and the driven drum 100 to be placed in close proximity. As a result, the modified examples can suppress an increase in the vertical size of the device and shorten the lengths of the first cable 171 and the second cable 172. In addition, depending on the vehicle 10 on which the door opening / closing device 40X is mounted, the mounting space for the door opening / closing device 40X in the vehicle 10 can be effectively utilized by shifting the positions of the drive drum 90 and the driven drum 100 in the width direction.

[0061] In the above modified example, the reference plane RP of the drive drum 90 may coincide with the rotation axis of the driven drum 100 in the width direction. In other words, the drive drum 90 does not have to be positioned offset from the rotation axis of the driven drum 100 in the width direction.

[0062] The door drive device 50 may apply torque to the base end of the first link arm 41, or it may apply torque to the tip end of the first link arm 41. The component equivalent to the "tensioner" may be incorporated into the drive drum 90 instead of the driven drum 100. The component equivalent to the "tensioner" may be incorporated into both the drive drum 90 and the driven drum 100.

[0063] The door drive unit 50 does not necessarily have to include a component equivalent to a "tensioner". In this case, it is preferable that the driven drum 100 is made from a single component, similar to the drive drum 90.

[0064] The diameter of the drive drum 90 may be equal to the diameter of the driven drum 100, or it may be smaller than the diameter of the driven drum 100. In the driven drum 100, the spring 160 may be divided into a spring that biases the first drum 120 and a spring that biases the second drum 130.

[0065] In the driven drum 100, the spring 160 only needs to be configured to bias the first drum 120 and the second drum 130. For example, the spring 160 may be replaced with an elastic material such as rubber.

[0066] The first cable 171 and the second cable 172 may be a single cable. For example, the ends of the first cable 171 and the second cable 172 that are locked to the drive drum 90 may be connected.

[0067] The door opening and closing device 40 may include a plurality of intermediate pulleys 180 in the routing path of the first cable 171 and the second cable 172 between the drive drum 90 and the driven drum 100.

[0068] The drive drum 90 may or may not be offset from the rotation axis of the driven drum 100. It is preferable that this offset be appropriately set according to the mounting space for the door opening / closing device 40 on the vehicle 10.

[0069] The door opening / closing device 40 may include a tensioner that eliminates slack in the first cable 171, which is routed between the drive drum 90 and the driven drum 100, by pushing the first cable 171 in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first cable 171 extends. The door opening / closing device 40 may also include a tensioner that eliminates slack in the second cable 172 in a similar manner.

[0070] The transmission unit 190 can be configured to transmit power from the driven drum 100 to the first link arm 41. For example, the transmission unit 190 may be a drive arm that rotates based on the power transmitted from the driven drum 100. In this case, it is preferable that the drive arm rotates to apply torque to the first link arm 41, causing it to rotate around the axis of the first support shaft 471.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the door opening / closing device 40 is applied to the rear door of the vehicle 10, but in a modified example, the door opening / closing device 40 may be applied to the front door of the vehicle 10.

[0072] <Summary of this embodiment> The vehicle door opening and closing device is applied to a vehicle comprising a vehicle body having a door opening and a door for opening and closing the door opening, and comprises a link arm whose base end is rotatably connected to the vehicle body and whose tip is rotatably connected to the door, and a door drive device that applies torque to the link arm to rotate the link arm relative to the vehicle body, wherein the door drive device comprises a drive drum driven by an electric motor, a driven drum positioned away from the drive drum, a cable wound around the drive drum and the driven drum to transmit power from the drive drum to the driven drum, and a transmission unit that applies the torque to the link arm based on the power transmitted from the driven drum.

[0073] The vehicle door opening and closing device transmits power from the electric motor to the transmission unit via a drive drum, a driven drum, and a cable. Therefore, the vehicle door opening and closing device allows for the driven drum and transmission unit to be positioned close to the link arm, while the drive drum and electric motor can be positioned far from the link arm. Thus, the vehicle door opening and closing device offers greater flexibility in the arrangement of the components of the door drive system.

[0074] In a vehicle door opening and closing device, it is preferable that the diameter of the drive drum is smaller than the diameter of the driven drum. The vehicle door opening and closing device can reduce the rotational speed of the driven drum to less than the rotational speed of the drive drum when transmitting power from the drive drum to the driven drum. Therefore, when the vehicle door opening and closing device places a reduction mechanism between the driven drum and the transmission unit, the size of that mechanism can be reduced. Furthermore, if a sufficient reduction ratio can be ensured, the vehicle door opening and closing device does not need to include a reduction mechanism between the driven drum and the transmission unit.

[0075] In a vehicle door opening and closing device, the door drive device preferably has a tensioner for adjusting the slack of the cable, and the tensioner is preferably incorporated into at least one of the drive drum and the driven drum.

[0076] When adjusting the slack in the cable routed between the drive drum and the driven drum with a tensioner, it is necessary to secure space between the drive drum and the driven drum to install the tensioner. In this regard, in the vehicle door opening and closing device with the above configuration, the tensioner is incorporated into at least one of the drive drum and the driven drum, so it is not necessary to secure space between the drive drum and the driven drum to install the tensioner.

[0077] In a vehicle door opening and closing device, the driven drum preferably has a first drum and a second drum that are aligned in the direction in which the rotation axis of the driven drum extends and around which the cable is wound, and when the driven drum rotates in the first driven direction, the first drum winds up the cable and the cable is unwound from the second drum, while when the driven drum rotates in the second driven direction which is the opposite direction to the first driven direction, the cable is unwound from the first drum and the second drum winds up the cable, and the tensioner preferably has a biasing member that biases the first drum in the first driven direction and biases the second drum in the second driven direction.

[0078] The vehicle door opening and closing device can be implemented with a simple configuration, incorporating a tensioner into the driven drum. In a vehicle door opening and closing device, the rotation axis of the drive drum and the rotation axis of the driven drum are in a torsional positional relationship, and it is preferable that the drive drum is positioned offset from the rotation axis of the driven drum in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0079] Depending on the vehicle in which the vehicle door opening and closing device is installed, it is possible to effectively utilize the space available for installing the vehicle door opening and closing device by shifting the positions of the drive drum and the driven drum in the width direction. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 10...Vehicle, 20...Vehicle body, 21...Door opening, 30...Door, 40, 40X...Vehicle door opening / closing device, 41...First link arm (link arm), 42...Second link arm, 50, 50X...Door drive device, 60...Actuator, 61...Electric motor, 90...Drive drum, 100...Driven drum, 110...Main shaft, 120...First drum, 130...Second drum, 160...Spring (tensioner, biasing member), 171...First cable (cable), 172...Second cable (cable), 190...Transmission section, R11...First drive direction, R12...Second drive direction, R21...First driven direction, R22...Second driven direction

Claims

1. A vehicle door opening and closing device applicable to a vehicle comprising a vehicle body having a door opening and a door for opening and closing the door opening, A link arm whose base end is rotatably connected to the vehicle body and whose tip end is rotatably connected to the door, The system includes a door drive device that applies torque to the link arm to rotate the link arm relative to the vehicle body, The aforementioned door drive device, A drive drum driven by an electric motor, A driven drum positioned away from the aforementioned drive drum, A cable is wound around the drive drum and the driven drum, and transmits power from the drive drum to the driven drum. The transmission unit has a power transmission unit that applies torque to the link arm based on the power transmitted from the driven drum. Vehicle door opening and closing device.

2. The diameter of the drive drum is smaller than the diameter of the driven drum. The vehicle door opening and closing device according to claim 1.

3. The door drive device has a tensioner that adjusts the slack in the cable, The tensioner is incorporated into at least one of the drive drum and the driven drum. A vehicle door opening and closing device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The driven drum has a first drum and a second drum that are aligned in the direction in which the rotation axis of the driven drum extends, and around which the cable is wound. When the driven drum rotates in the first driven direction, the first drum winds up the cable and the cable is unwound from the second drum, while when the driven drum rotates in the second driven direction, which is the opposite direction to the first driven direction, the cable is unwound from the first drum and the second drum winds up the cable. The tensioner has a biasing member that biases the first drum in the first driven direction and biases the second drum in the second driven direction. The vehicle door opening and closing device according to claim 3.

5. The rotation axis of the drive drum and the rotation axis of the driven drum are in a torsional positional relationship. In the width direction of the vehicle, the drive drum is positioned offset from the rotation axis of the driven drum. The vehicle door opening and closing device according to claim 1.

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