Vehicle door structure

Abstract

In vehicle door structures, this design suppresses false detection of door open / closed states while ensuring user-friendliness. [Solution] The vehicle body 2 is provided with a hinged door 4L that is rotatably attached to the side edge 12 of an opening 3 via a hinge 6, a switch 10 attached to the upper end 14 of the door 4L on the inward-facing surface, on the other side 7L opposite to the side to which the hinge 6 is attached, and a push-in part 11 on the upper edge 13 of the opening 3 inside the body 2 for pushing in the switch 10 when the door 4L is closed, the push-in part 11 has a plate member 11A and a support mechanism 11B that rotatably supports the plate member 11A, the support mechanism 11B moves the plate member 11A to a first position that allows it to contact the switch 10 when the door 4L is closed, and moves the plate member 11A to a second position that does not overlap the opening 3 when the door 4L is open.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a door structure for vehicles.

Background Art

[0002] In commercial vehicles such as trucks and vans, in addition to the passenger entrance and exit, a structure is known in which an opening for loading and unloading luggage and the like is provided, for example, at the rear of the vehicle. For a door that closes the opening provided at the rear of the vehicle, for example, a structure in which double doors are provided symmetrically left and right (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below) is applied. The door of Patent Document 1 is rotatably attached to the vehicle body via a hinge, and has a stopper rod that holds the door in a fully open state where the door has rotated to a position along the side of the vehicle. When the stopper rod engages with a bracket (that is, in the fully open state), a warning lamp can be lit around it.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, generally, a vehicle door is equipped with a switch for detecting that the door is closed, and an alarm can be sounded or a warning lamp can be lit when the door is opened. Specifically, in the case of a double-door structure, a switch and a bracket (for example, a plate member having a hat-shaped cross-section) for pushing the switch are provided on the side of the door where the hinge is provided and the door frame on the opening side, so that the switch is pushed when the door is closed and the closing of the door can be detected. Such a switch may be configured to detect the opening of the door without detecting the closing of the door because it is not pushed when the door is in a half-open state, and to detect the closing of the door when the door is fully closed.

[0005] However, in the structure described above, where the switch is located on the hinge side, the gap between the door and the door frame is narrow when the door is ajar, making it difficult to secure sufficient stroke for pressing the switch. Therefore, there was a risk of false detection of door opening or closing due to vibrations, for example, while the vehicle was in motion. In other words, even when the door is completely closed, vibrations during vehicle operation can cause the door to shift slightly relative to the door frame, which can slightly change the amount the switch is pressed. In this case, with conventional technology, a switch with a small press depth may misdetect even a slight change in the press depth as the door being unpressed (i.e., as the door being open). Furthermore, when considering changing the location of the switch, it is necessary to consider the location and structure of the bracket used to push the switch in, so as not to impair the ease of use (usability) for users when getting in and out of the vehicle or loading and unloading luggage through the opening.

[0006] Therefore, conventional vehicle door structures had room for improvement in suppressing false detection of door open / closed states while ensuring user-friendliness. This invention was conceived in light of the above-mentioned challenges, and one of its objectives is to suppress false detection of the door open / closed state in a vehicle door structure while ensuring user-friendliness. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This project was undertaken to solve at least some of the above-mentioned problems and can be implemented in the following forms or applications.

[0008] The vehicle door structure according to this application example is rotatably mounted on the side edge of an opening provided in the body of a vehicle via a hinge, and comprises a hinged door for opening and closing the opening, a switch for detecting the opening and closing of the door, mounted on the inward-facing surface of the door on the side opposite to the side to which the hinge is attached, and at the upper end, and on the upper edge of the opening on the inside of the body, a push-in part for pushing the switch when the door is closed, the push-in part comprises a plate member that contacts the switch and pushes the switch when the door is closed, and a support mechanism that rotatably supports the plate member at the upper end of the opening, the support mechanism moves the plate member to a first position where it overlaps with the door and can contact the switch when the door is closed, and moves the plate member to a second position where it does not overlap with the opening when the door is open.

[0009] In this application example, the switch that detects the opening and closing of the door is mounted on the side of the door facing inward, on the opposite side from the side to which the hinge is attached, and at the upper end. This makes it easier to secure the switch's push stroke compared to a structure where the switch is located on the hinge side. Therefore, even if the door is displaced due to vibrations while the vehicle is in motion, for example, it becomes less likely to falsely detect the opening or closing of the door.

[0010] Furthermore, the plate member for pressing the switch is rotatably supported by a support mechanism. It moves to a first position where it overlaps with the door and can contact the switch when the door is closed, and to a second position where it does not overlap with the opening when the door is open. If the switch is installed on the other side of the door and at the upper end, the plate member used to press the switch may overlap with the opening and protrude downward from the upper edge of the opening. In contrast, in the present invention, when the door is opened, the plate member moves to a second position where it does not overlap with the opening, so there is no part that protrudes from the upper edge of the opening towards the opening. Therefore, the user can get in and out of the vehicle and load and unload luggage through the opening without feeling any danger. Thus, ease of use (usability) can be ensured. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this invention, it is possible to suppress false detection of the door open / closed state in a vehicle door structure while ensuring usability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a vehicle door structure according to one embodiment, as seen from inside the vehicle. [Figure 2] Figure 1, line AA, shows a cross-sectional view of the main part of the vehicle door structure, with (A) showing the door in the closed position and (B) showing the door in the open position. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing a magnified view of the key part of the push-in mechanism. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view along line BB to illustrate the open and closed states of the door, where (A) shows the fully closed state, (B) shows the partially closed state, and (C) shows the open state. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the difference in stroke length between the hinge side and the opposite side of the door. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The embodiments (appearances, examples of application) of this invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are merely illustrative, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly shown in these embodiments. Each configuration of the embodiments described below can be modified in various ways without departing from their spirit. Furthermore, they can be selected or combined as needed.

[0014] In the following explanation, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions are defined relative to the vehicle. That is, the vehicle length direction corresponds to the "front-rear direction." The vehicle width direction corresponds to the "left-right direction," and left and right are determined relative to the vehicle's forward-facing orientation. The vehicle height direction corresponds to the "up-down direction." In Figures 1 to 5, the "front-rear direction" is indicated by symbol D1, the "left-right direction" by symbol D2, and the "up-down direction" by symbol D3, while "FR" is written forward, "LH" to the left, and "UP" to the top.

[0015] [1. Structure] Figure 1 is a plan view of a vehicle door structure 1 according to one embodiment, as seen from inside the vehicle. The door structure 1 shown in Figure 1 includes a hinged door 4 (hereinafter also referred to as "door 4") for opening and closing an opening 3 formed in the vehicle body 2. The opening 3 shown in Figure 1 is formed in the rear surface 2A of the body 2, located at the rear of the vehicle, and connects the inside of the vehicle to the outside (rear of the vehicle). Note that Figure 1 shows the opening 3 closed by the door 4. The door structure 1 shown in Figure 1 is applicable to a van-type vehicle, for example, which has a large storage space for loading luggage at the rear of the vehicle, and allows access to the storage space from outside the vehicle (rear of the vehicle) through the opening 3.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the opening 3 is formed over substantially the entire surface of the rear surface 2A in both the vertical and horizontal directions and has a roughly rectangular outline. The perimeter of the opening 3 is surrounded by a door frame 3A (shown by a dashed line in Figure 1). The door frame 3A is a rectangular frame for supporting the door 4 and forms part of the body 2. The door frame 3A includes a side edge portion 12 (which can also be called the side edge portion 12 of the opening 3) positioned laterally to the opening 3, and an upper edge portion 13 (which can also be called the upper edge portion 13 of the opening 3) positioned above the opening 3.

[0017] The door 4 includes a left door 4L disposed on the left side of the opening 3 and a right door 4R disposed on the right side. Each of the doors 4L and 4R is rotatably supported at a side edge portion 12 of the door frame 3A via a hinge 6 (shown by a broken line in FIG. 1) at one side portion 5L, 5R on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, respectively. Specifically, the left door 4L is attached to the door frame 3A via the hinge 6 at the left one side portion 5L, and the right door 4R is attached to the side edge portion 12 of the door frame 3A via the hinge 6 at the right one side portion 5R.

[0018] Further, each of the doors 4L and 4R is arranged such that, in a state where the doors 4L and 4R are completely closed (referred to as a fully closed state) as shown in FIG. 1, the other side portions 7L, 7R on the inner side in the vehicle width direction are abutted against each other at the center in the left - right direction of the opening 3. Each of the doors 4L and 4R rotates and opens rearward and outward in the width direction of the vehicle from a complete closed state where the doors are arranged to close the opening 3 with the hinge 6 as the rotation center. That is, the doors 4L and 4R are configured as double - opening butterfly doors.

[0019] One side portions 5L, 5R where the hinge 6 is attached to each of the doors 4L, 4R are also referred to as "hanging points". Further, the other side portions 7L, 7R of each of the doors 4L, 4R are on the opposite side of the one side portions 5L, 5R (hanging points) where the hinge 6 is attached, and are also referred to as "door ends". Each of the doors 4L, 4R may be provided with a handle 8, a window 9, etc. used when opening and closing the door.

[0020] A switch 10 (shown by a broken line in FIG. 1) for detecting the opening and closing of the door 4 is provided on the door 4 (here, the left door 4L) shown in FIG. 1. The switch 10 is configured to be pushed in when the door 4L is closed and output a detection signal. When closing the door 4L, since the door 4L is pushed in from the rear to the front of the vehicle, the pushing direction of the switch 10 in FIG. 1 is set to the direction toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0021] The switch 10 is mounted on the inner side of door 4L, on the other side 7L and the upper end 14. The mounting position of the switch 10 shown in Figure 1 is the upper end 14 on the door edge side of door 4L, in other words, it is set near the upper left of door 4L when viewed from the inside of the vehicle. As will be explained in more detail later, the switch 10 is located on the other side 7L, which makes it easier to ensure sufficient pressure when the door 4 is closed compared to when it is located on the one side 5L. Also, the switch 10 is mounted on the upper end 14 side so that the push-in part 11, which will be explained later, is less likely to interfere with the opening 3.

[0022] On the inside of the body 2, the upper edge 13 of the opening 3 is provided with a push-in portion 11 for pressing in the switch 10 when the door 4L is closed. The push-in section 11 includes a plate member 11A that contacts the switch 10 and pushes the switch 10 when the door 4L is closed, and a support mechanism 11B that rotatably supports the plate member 11A on the upper edge 13 of the opening 3.

[0023] The plate member 11A is formed of a plate-like member including a first surface 15 (see Figure 2) for pressing the switch 10, and is positioned so that when the door 4L is closed, the first surface 15 (see Figure 2) overlaps the switch 10 when viewed from the inside of the vehicle. Specifically, when the door 4L is closed, the plate member 11A is positioned such that, when viewed from inside the vehicle, its first surface 15 (see Figure 2) overlaps the upper end 14 on the door edge side of the door 4L, or in other words, near the upper left of the door 4L when viewed from inside the vehicle. The plate member 11A positioned in this manner protrudes downward from the upper edge 13 of the door frame 3A and overlaps the opening 3.

[0024] The support mechanism 11B rotatably supports the plate member 11A on the upper edge 13 of the door frame 3A, around an axis 17 (see Figures 2 and 3 below) that runs in the left-right direction. When the door 4L is closed, the plate member 11A is moved to a first position (see Figure 2(A)) where it overlaps with the door 4L and can contact the switch 10. When the door 4L is opened, the plate member 11A is moved to a second position (see Figure 2(B)) where it does not overlap with the opening 3.

[0025] Figures 2(A) and 2(B) are cross-sectional views along line AA of Figure 1, where (A) shows the door 4L in the closed state (fully closed) and (B) shows the door 4L in the open state. Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the main part of the push-in section 11. A detailed example of the configuration of the push-in section 11 will be explained with reference to Figures 2(A), (B) and 3. The plate member 11A includes a first surface 15 for pressing the switch 10. The first surface 15 is formed as a flat surface for pressing the switch 10. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a second surface 16 is integrally attached to the first surface 15, positioned intersecting the first surface 15. The plate member 11A has a roughly L-shaped cross-section due to the first surface 15 and the second surface 16. This second surface 16 is part of the support mechanism 11B, which will be described later, and is the part that is pushed when the plate member 11A is moved from the first position [see Figure 2(A)] to the second position [see Figure 2(B)].

[0026] In the first position shown in Figure 2(A), the first surface 15 is positioned along a surface extending in the vertical and horizontal directions, in other words, it is positioned approximately parallel to the inner surface of the door 4L. At this time, the second surface 16 is positioned along a surface extending in the front-rear and horizontal directions, in other words, it is positioned intersecting the inner surface of the door 4L. In the second position shown in Figure 2(B), the first surface 15 is positioned along a surface extending in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions; in other words, it is positioned in a position that is bent upward and forward around the axis 17 relative to the first position. At this time, the second surface 16 is positioned along a surface extending in the up-down and left-to-right directions; in other words, it is positioned in a position that is substantially parallel to the inner surface of the upper edge portion 13 of the door frame 3A.

[0027] Figure 3 shows the plate member 11A in the second position. As shown in Figure 3, the plate member 11A is fixed to the upper edge 13 of the door frame 3A at the fixing surface 18, for example, by bolts. The shaft 17 is disposed between the first surface 15 and the second surface 16. A torsion spring 19 is attached to this shaft 17, and the torsion spring 19 biases the plate member 11A to rotate upward and forward at all times. The second surface 16, shaft 17, fixed surface 18, and torsion spring 19 described above are part of a support mechanism 11B that rotatably supports the first surface 15 (plate member 11A).

[0028] In addition to the second surface 16, shaft 17, fixed surface 18, and torsion spring 19 mentioned above, the support mechanism 11B also includes a push rod 20 built into the upper edge 13 of the door frame 3A, a guide cylinder 21, and a compression coil spring 22 (hereinafter also referred to as "spring 22"). The push rod 20 is a crank-shaped rod member and is provided to push the second surface 16, which is integrally formed with the plate member 11A, in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door 4L. The push rod 20 includes a front end portion 20A that is slidable back and forth within the upper edge portion 13 of the door frame 3A, and a rear end portion 20B that extends downward from a sliding hole 23 provided on the lower surface of the upper edge portion 13 of the door frame 3A. The front end 20A of the push rod 20 protrudes inward from a hole 24 provided on the inner surface of the upper edge 13 of the door frame 3A, and is positioned to be in contact with the rear surface 16A of the second surface 16. The rear end 20B of the push rod 20 is positioned to contact the upper flange 4LU of the door 4L when the door 4L is closed, as shown in Figure 2(A).

[0029] The guide cylinder 21 is a cylindrical member that supports the push rod 20 so that it can slide back and forth within the upper edge portion 13 of the door frame 3A. The guide cylinder 21 is positioned to extend in the front-rear direction and has a spring 22 built inside. The front end portion 20A of the push rod 20 is inserted into the spring 22 within the guide cylinder 21.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2(A), when the door 4L is closed, the upper flange 4LU of the door 4L pushes the rear end 20B of the push rod 20 forward (white arrow Y1), causing the spring 22 to compress and deform, and the front end 20A of the push rod 20 protrudes from the hole 24 toward the inside of the vehicle, pushing the rear surface 16A of the second surface 16 forward (white arrow Y2). As a result, the plate member 11A moves from the second position [see Figure 2(B)] to the first position (white arrow Y3), and the first surface 15 pushes the switch 10 backward (white arrow Y4). This allows the switch 10 to detect that the door 4L has been closed.

[0031] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2(B), when the door 4L is opened, the push rod 20 is released from being pushed in by the upper flange 4LU of the door 4L, and the push rod 20 slides backward (white arrow Y5) due to the biasing force of the spring 22. Consequently, the push rod 20 is released from being pushed in by the front end 20A of the push rod 20. As a result, the plate member 11A moves from the first position to the second position (white arrow Y6) due to the biasing force of the torsion spring 19. This causes the first surface 15 to become non-contact with the switch 10, and the switch 10 can detect that the door 4L has opened.

[0032] In addition, on the first surface 15, a light fixture 25 can be attached to the back surface 15A that faces downward in the second orientation. For example, a wireless type LED light fixture 25 can be used and can be fixed to the back surface 15A of the first surface 15 with screws or adhesive tape. The light fixture 25 is positioned so as not to interfere with the area on the back surface 15A of the first surface 15 that comes into contact with the switch 10. By configuring the lighting fixture 25 to automatically turn on in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door 4L, when the door 4L is opened, light can be automatically projected downwards from the upper edge 13 of the opening 3. This improves work efficiency, for example, at night or in dark places.

[0033] [2. Action and Effects] Figure 4(A) shows door 4L in the fully closed position, (B) shows door 4L in the partially closed position, and (C) shows door 4L in the open position. For the sake of explanation, in Figures 4(A) to (C), the right-hand door 4R is assumed to be fixed in the closed position. Switch 10 is configured to detect when door 4L is fully closed, as shown in Figure 4(A), and to detect when door 4L is open, including the partially closed state shown in Figures 4(B) and (C). Therefore, the push stroke amount of switch 10 is set based on the displacement distance of door 4L from the partially closed state shown in Figure 4(B) to the fully closed state shown in Figure 4(A).

[0034] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the open / closed state and displacement distance of door 4L. In Figure 5, the straight line indicated by the symbol 4L represents door 4L in the fully closed state. The straight line indicated by the symbol 4L' represents door 4L' in the fully closed state, which is opened by a certain angle relative to the fully closed state. As shown in Figure 5, the displacement distance from door 4L' in the open state to door 4L in the fully closed state is greater on the door edge side (the other side 7L opposite to hinge 6) (distance L1) than on the hinge 6 side (distance L2). Therefore, placing the switch 10 on the other side 7L, opposite to the hinge 6, allows for a larger push stroke than placing the switch 10 on the hinge 6 side.

[0035] Therefore, even if door 4L is slightly displaced due to vibration or other factors while driving with door 4L fully closed as shown in Figure 4(A), it is unlikely that the displacement will exceed the amount of the push stroke of switch 10. Consequently, even if door 4L is slightly displaced due to vibration or other factors while driving with door 4L fully closed, switch 10 can prevent misdetection of the door's open / closed state (specifically, misdetection of it being open when it is closed).

[0036] In other words, according to the vehicle door structure 1 of this embodiment, the switch 10 for detecting the opening and closing of the door 4L is attached to the side 7L opposite to the side to which the hinge 6 is attached, and to the upper end 14 on the side facing inward of the door 4L. Therefore, compared to the conventional structure in which the switch 10 is located on the hinge 6 side, it is easier to secure the amount of push stroke for the switch 10. As a result, even if the door 4L is displaced due to vibrations or other reasons while the vehicle is in motion, for example, it becomes less likely to falsely detect the opening and closing of the door 4L.

[0037] Furthermore, the plate member 11A for pressing the switch 10 is rotatably supported by the support mechanism 11B, and moves to a first position where it overlaps with the door 4L and can contact the switch 10 when the door 4L is closed, and moves to a second position where it does not overlap with the opening 3 when the door 4L is open. If the switch 10 is installed on the other side 7L of the door 4L and at the upper end 14, the plate member 11A that presses the switch 10 may protrude downward from the upper end 14 of the opening 3. In contrast, with the door structure 1, when the door 4L is opened, the plate member 11A moves to a second position where it does not overlap with the opening 3, so there is no part that protrudes downward from the upper end 14 of the opening 3. Therefore, the user can get in and out of the vehicle and load and unload luggage from the opening 3 without feeling any danger. Thus, ease of use (usability) can be ensured.

[0038] Therefore, according to the vehicle door structure 1 of this embodiment, false detection of the door open / closed state can be suppressed, and usability can be ensured.

[0039] [3. Others] The above configuration of the vehicle door structure 1 is just one example. For example, a switch 10 or a push-button 11 may be mounted on the right-hand door 4R. Door 4 is not limited to a double-hinged type with left and right doors 4L and 4R, but may also be a hinged door with only door 4L or 4R. Door 4 may be mounted on the side of the vehicle body 2, not just the rear. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1-door structure 2 Body 2A Rear 3 aperture 3A Door frame 4-door 4L Left-side door 4R Right side door 4LU upper flange 5L,5R One side 6 hinges 7L,7R Other side 8. Handle 9 windows 10 switches 11 Push-in section 11A Plate Member 11B Support mechanism 12 Side edge 13 Upper edge 14 Upper end 15 Front page 15A back side 16 Second side 16A Rear 17 axes 18 Fixed surface 19 Torsion spring 20 Push rods 20A front end 20B Rear end 21 Guide tube 22 Compression coil spring 23 slide holes 24 holes 25 Lighting

Claims

[Claim 1] A hinged door is rotatably mounted to the side edge of an opening in the vehicle body, and opens and closes the opening. On the inward-facing surface of the door, on the side opposite to the side to which the hinge is attached, and at the upper end, is a switch for detecting the opening and closing of the door, On the inside of the body, at the upper edge of the opening, there is a push-in portion for pressing the switch when the door is closed, It is equipped with, The aforementioned push-in portion is A plate member that contacts the switch and pushes the switch when the door is closed, The system includes a support mechanism that rotatably supports the plate member at the upper end of the opening, The support mechanism moves the plate member to a first position where it overlaps the door and can contact the switch when the door is closed, and moves the plate member to a second position where it does not overlap the opening when the door is opened. A vehicle door structure characterized by the following features.

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