Door opening and closing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a door opening and closing device that simplifies the structure for opening and closing a back door having a first door that rotates relative to the vehicle body and a second door that rotates relative to the first door. [Solution] The door opening and closing device 60 includes a first pulley 140 that rotates with the upper door 31, a second pulley 150 that rotates with the lower door 32, and an open cable 131 and a close cable 132 that are wrapped around both the first pulley 140 and the second pulley 150, and are unwound from the second pulley 150 when wound onto the first pulley 140, thereby transmitting torque from the first pulley 140 to the second pulley 150.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , ,

[0005] , ,

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle having a vehicle body with a door opening, a back door for opening and closing the door opening, and a door opening and closing device for driving the back door is known. For example, the back door described in Patent Document 1 has an upper door that rotates around an axis extending in the width direction with respect to the vehicle body, and a lower door that rotates around an axis extending in the width direction with respect to the upper door. The door opening and closing device has a driving unit for driving the upper door and a driving unit for driving the lower door. And when the door opening and closing device opens the back door, that is, when it opens the upper door, it bends the lower door with respect to the upper door. Thus, the door opening and closing device suppresses the back door from contacting an obstacle even when there is an obstacle behind the vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above-described door opening and closing device has room for improvement in terms of simplifying the structure of the device. <6000026>

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A door opening and closing device for solving the above problems is a vehicle door for opening and closing a door opening of a vehicle body, the vehicle door having a first door that rotates around a first door axis with respect to the vehicle body and a second door that rotates around a second door axis extending in the same direction as the first door axis with respect to the first door, the door opening and closing device for opening and closing a vehicle door, the vehicle door having a first door that rotates together with the first door, a second door that rotates together with the second door, and a transmission member that is wrapped around both the first door and the second door and is unwound from the other door when it is wound onto one of the two door bodies, thereby transmitting torque from one of the two door bodies to the other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The door opening and closing device simplifies the structure for opening and closing a back door which has a first door that rotates relative to the vehicle body and a second door that rotates relative to the first door. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a rear view showing the schematic configuration of the vehicle. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a side view showing the schematic configuration of the vehicle in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the door opening and closing mechanism of the vehicle shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the door opening and closing mechanism of the vehicle shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the door opening and closing mechanism of the vehicle shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the door opening and closing mechanism of the vehicle shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the door opening and closing mechanism of the vehicle shown in Figure 1. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a side view of the main part of the door opening and closing mechanism of the vehicle shown in Figure 1. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a rear view of the main part of the door opening and closing mechanism of the vehicle shown in Figure 1. [Figure 10]Figure 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the four-bar linkage mechanism of the door opening and closing device of the vehicle shown in Figure 1. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a side view of the vehicle shown in Figure 1 when the back door is in the fully closed position. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a side view of the vehicle in Figure 1 when the back door is in the first intermediate position. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a side view of the vehicle in Figure 1 when the back door is in the second intermediate position. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a side view of the vehicle shown in Figure 1 when the back door is in the fully open position. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a rear view showing the schematic configuration of the vehicle in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes one embodiment of a vehicle equipped with a door opening and closing device. <Configuration of this embodiment> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle 10 comprises a body 20, a back door 30, two first hinges 50, a door opening / closing device 60, and a door control device 200. Hereafter, the width direction of the vehicle 10 will be referred to as the width direction, the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10 as the front-rear direction, and the up-down direction of the vehicle 10 as the up-down direction. In the width direction, the direction toward the center of the vehicle 10 will be referred to as the inward direction, and the direction away from the center of the vehicle 10 will be referred to as the outward direction. In the drawings, the front-rear direction is the direction in which the X axis extends, the width direction is the direction in which the Y axis extends, and the up-down direction is the direction in which the Z axis extends.

[0009] <Body 20> The vehicle body 20 includes a roof 21, two rear pillars 22, a rear cross member 23, two strikers 24, two support brackets 25, a weatherstrip 26, and two stoppers 27. The vehicle body 20 also has door openings 28.

[0010] The roof 21, the two rear pillars 22, and the rear cross member 23 constitute the frame or monocoque of the vehicle body 20. The roof 21 constitutes the upper part of the vehicle body 20. The two rear pillars 22 and the rear cross member 23 are located at the rear of the vehicle body 20. The two rear pillars 22 extend vertically with a spacing in the width direction. Specifically, when the vehicle 10 is viewed from the rear, the two rear pillars 22 extend outward in the width direction as they proceed downward. The rear cross member 23 connects the two rear pillars 22 in the width direction. The rear cross member 23 is located below the roof 21.

[0011] The door opening 28 opens at the rear of the vehicle 10. When the door opening 28 is viewed from the rear, the door opening 28 has a rectangular shape. The door opening 28 is partitioned by the two rear pillars 22 in the width direction. The door opening 28 is partitioned by the roof 21 and the rear cross member 23 in the vertical direction.

[0012] The two strikers 24 are, for example, U-shaped. The two strikers 24 are respectively fixed to the two rear pillars 22. The two strikers 24 respectively protrude inward in the width direction from the two rear pillars 22. The two strikers 24 restrain the back door 30 when the back door 30 is in the fully closed position where it fully closes the door opening 28. The two support brackets 25 have ball studs 25a. The two support brackets 25 are respectively fixed to the two rear pillars 22. At this time, the ball studs 25a protrude inward in the width direction. The two support brackets 25 are respectively located above the two strikers 24.

[0013] The weatherstrip 26 is in a frame shape. The weatherstrip 26 is composed of an elastomer such as rubber or resin having appropriate elasticity. The weatherstrip 26 is arranged to surround the periphery of the door opening 28. When the back door 30 is in the fully closed position, the weatherstrip 26 is elastically compressed by the back door 30. Thus, the weatherstrip 26 suppresses the entry of liquids such as rainwater into the vehicle interior from the gap with the back door 30. In other embodiments, the weatherstrip 26 may be fixed to the back door 30 instead of the vehicle body 20.

[0014] The two stoppers 27 are composed of an elastomer such as rubber or resin having appropriate elasticity. The two stoppers 27 are arranged near the lower end of the door opening 28 in the vehicle body 20. When the back door 30 is in the fully closed position, the two stoppers 27 are elastically compressed between the vehicle body 20 and the back door 30. Thus, the two stoppers 27 regulate the posture of the back door 30. In other embodiments, the two stoppers 27 may be fixed to the back door 30 instead of the vehicle body 20. Also, the number of stoppers 27 can be appropriately changed. Furthermore, it is preferable that the height of the stopper 27 is adjustable.

[0015] <Back door 30> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the back door 30 has a size corresponding to the door opening 28. The back door 30 operates between a fully closed position where it fully closes the door opening 28 and a fully open position where it fully opens the door opening 28. The back door 30 has an upper door 31, a lower door 32, two door lock mechanisms 33, a door lock drive unit 34, and a second hinge 40. The back door 30 corresponds to the "vehicle door", the upper door 31 corresponds to the "first door", and the lower door 32 corresponds to the "second door".

[0016] The upper door 31 is sized to correspond to the upper half of the door opening 28. The upper door 31 has, for example, a back door glass. The lower door 32 is sized to correspond to the lower half of the door opening 28. The lower door 32 is bag-shaped. The lower door 32 can accommodate multiple components of the back door 30. Hereafter, as shown in Figure 1, when the back door 30 is in the fully closed position, the upper end of the upper door 31 will be referred to as the base end of the upper door 31, and the lower end of the upper door 31 will be referred to as the tip end of the upper door 31. Furthermore, the upper end of the lower door 32 will be referred to as the base end of the lower door 32, and the lower end of the lower door 32 will be referred to as the tip end of the lower door 32.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the two door lock mechanisms 33 are configured as a pair in the width direction. The two door lock mechanisms 33 have latches 33a that can be displaced between a fully latched position that can engage with the striker 24 and an unlatched position that cannot engage with the striker 24. The two door lock mechanisms 33 are housed at both ends in the width direction of the lower door 32. In the lower door 32, the portion where the door lock mechanisms 33 are provided has a notch to expose the latches 33a.

[0018] The door lock drive unit 34 is an actuator driven by an electric motor. The door lock drive unit 34 is housed in the lower door 32. In this embodiment, the door lock drive unit 34 is integrated with one of the two door lock mechanisms 33 and is connected to the other door lock mechanism 33 via a wire cable or the like. By driving the two door lock mechanisms 33, the door lock drive unit 34 displaces the latch 33a to the unlatched position or to the fully latched position. Specifically, when the back door 30 is closed, the door lock drive unit 34 displaces the latch 33a to the fully latched position after the back door 30 has moved to near the fully closed position. In this way, the door lock drive unit 34 restrains the back door 30 to the vehicle body 20. On the other hand, when the back door 30 is opened, the door lock drive unit 34 displaces the latch 33a to the unlatched position. In this way, the door lock drive unit 34 releases the restraint of the back door 30 from the vehicle body 20. In other embodiments, the back door 30 may include two door lock drive units 34, each driving two door lock mechanisms 33.

[0019] The two second hinges 40 are configured to form a pair in the width direction on the back door 30. For this reason, one of the second hinges 40 will be described in detail below. As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 7, the second hinge 40 has an upper bracket 41, a lower bracket 42, and a second connecting shaft 43.

[0020] The upper bracket 41 and the lower bracket 42 are plate-shaped. The upper bracket 41 is fixed to one side of the upper door 31 near its tip, intersecting the width direction of the upper door 31. Similarly, the lower bracket 42 is fixed to one side of the lower door 32 near its base, intersecting the width direction of the lower door 32. The second connecting shaft 43 is columnar. The second connecting shaft 43 is inserted into the upper bracket 41 and the lower bracket 42. At this time, the circular portion of the second connecting shaft 43 is inserted into the circular hole of the upper bracket 41, while the non-circular portion of the second connecting shaft 43 is inserted into the non-circular hole of the lower bracket 42. In this way, the upper bracket 41 is rotatable relative to the second connecting shaft 43. On the other hand, the lower bracket 42 is not rotatable relative to the second connecting shaft 43. In other words, the lower bracket 42 is rotatable integrally with the second connecting shaft 43. In this embodiment, when viewed from the insertion direction of the second connecting shaft 43, the boundary between the lower bracket 42 and the second connecting shaft 43 is D-shaped.

[0021] Thus, the two second hinges 40 connect the upper door 31 and the lower door 32 so that they can rotate relative to each other. In this embodiment, there are two second hinges 40, but in other embodiments, there may be one or three or more second hinges 40. Hereafter, the axis of the second connecting shaft 43, that is, the axis of rotation of the upper door 31 and the lower door 32, will be referred to as the "second door axis X2". Also, the rotation directions of the lower door 32 relative to the upper door 31 around the second door axis X2 will be referred to as the "first rotation direction R21 and second rotation direction R22".

[0022] <First hinge 50> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the two first hinges 50 are configured as a pair in the width direction. Therefore, one of the first hinges 50 will be described in detail below. As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the first hinge 50 has a vehicle body side bracket 51, a door side bracket 52, and a first connecting shaft 53.

[0023] The vehicle body bracket 51 has a fixed wall 51a and two support walls 51b. The fixed wall 51a and the two support walls 51b are plate-shaped. The two support walls 51b extend from the fixed wall 51a in the direction of the plate thickness of the fixed wall 51a, spaced apart. The fixed wall 51a is fixed to the rear pillar 22 of the vehicle body 20. The vehicle body bracket 51 is positioned above the support bracket 25. In this case, the plate thickness direction of the two support walls 51b is the width direction. The vehicle body bracket 51 can also be considered a component of the vehicle body 20, as it is fixed to the vehicle body 20.

[0024] The door-side bracket 52 has a fixed wall 52a, a support wall 52b, and a ball stud 52c. The fixed wall 52a and the support wall 52b are plate-shaped. The support wall 52b extends from the fixed wall 52a in the direction of the plate thickness of the fixed wall 52a. The ball stud 52c protrudes from the support wall 52b in the direction of the plate thickness of the support wall 52b. The fixed wall 52a is fixed near the upper end of the upper door 31. In this case, the direction of the plate thickness of the support wall 52b is the width direction. The door-side bracket 52 can also be considered a component of the upper door 31, as it is fixed to the upper door 31.

[0025] The first connecting shaft 53 is cylindrical in shape. The first connecting shaft 53 connects the vehicle body side bracket 51 and the door side bracket 52 so that they can rotate relative to each other. At this time, the support wall 52b of the door side bracket 52 is located between the two support walls 51b of the vehicle body side bracket 51.

[0026] Thus, the two first hinges 50 rotatably connect the upper door 31 to the vehicle body 20. In this embodiment, there are two first hinges 50, but in other embodiments, there may be one or three or more first hinges 50. In the following description, the axis of the first connecting shaft 53, that is, the axis of rotation between the vehicle body 20 and the upper door 31, will be referred to as the "first door axis X1". The rotation directions of the upper door 31 around the first door axis X1 relative to the vehicle body 20 will be referred to as the "first rotation direction R11 and second rotation direction R12".

[0027] <Door opening and closing device 60> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the door opening and closing device 60 comprises two door drive units 70 and a power transmission mechanism 100. In this embodiment, the door drive units 70 are arranged on both sides in the width direction of the door opening 28, while the power transmission mechanism 100 is arranged on only one side in the width direction of the door opening 28. In other embodiments, the door drive units 70 may be arranged on only one side in the width direction of the door opening 28. Also, the power transmission mechanism 100 may be arranged on both sides in the width direction of the door opening 28.

[0028] <Door drive unit 70> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the two door drive units 70 are configured as a pair in the width direction. Therefore, one of the door drive units 70 will be described in detail below. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the door drive unit 70 is rod-shaped. The door drive unit 70 is an electric actuator that extends and retracts in the axial direction. For example, the door drive unit 70 may be a linear actuator comprising an electric motor and a lead screw mechanism. The door drive unit 70 has two ball sockets 71 and 72. The two ball sockets 71 and 72 constitute the axial ends of the door drive unit 70, respectively.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, on one side in the width direction of the door opening 28, the ball stud 25a of the support bracket 25 is inserted into the ball socket 71 of the door drive unit 70. In this way, the ball socket 71 of the door drive unit 70 and the ball stud 25a of the support bracket 25 constitute a ball joint. As shown in Figure 3, on one side in the width direction of the door opening 28, the ball stud 52c of the door-side bracket 52 is inserted into the ball socket 72 of the door drive unit 70. In this way, the ball socket 72 of the door drive unit 70 and the ball stud 52c of the door-side bracket 52 constitute a ball joint.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, when the door drive unit 70 extends, a torque around the first door axis X1 in the first rotational direction R11 acts on the upper door 31. In other words, when the door drive unit 70 extends, the upper door 31 rotates relative to the vehicle body 20 in the first rotational direction R11. On the other hand, regardless of the position of the back door 30, when the door drive unit 70 retracts, a torque around the first door axis X1 in the second rotational direction R12 acts on the upper door 31. In other words, when the door drive unit 70 retracts, the upper door 31 rotates relative to the vehicle body 20 in the second rotational direction R12. The first rotational direction R11 corresponds to the opening direction of the upper door 31, and the second rotational direction R12 corresponds to the closing direction of the upper door 31.

[0031] <Power transmission mechanism 100> As shown in Figures 3 to 7, the power transmission mechanism 100 comprises a base 110, a cover 120, two cables 131 and 132, two pulleys 140 and 150, two intermediate pulleys 161 and 162, and a transmission link 170. The power transmission mechanism 100 also comprises a plurality of pulley support shafts 181 and 182, and a plurality of link support shafts 183 to 185.

[0032] The base 110 is a long member. The base 110 is constructed, for example, by press-forming a metal plate. The cover 120 is a long member. The cover 120 may be constructed, for example, by press-forming a metal plate, or by injection molding a resin material. The cover 120 has the same shape as the base 110. Together with the base 110, the cover 120 covers the components of the door opening and closing device 60. In other words, together with the base 110, the cover 120 constitutes a housing.

[0033] The open cable 131 and the closed cable 132 are metal wires with appropriate elasticity. The open cable 131 and the closed cable 132 are separate cables. Preferably, the open cable 131 and the closed cable 132 have fixing structures at both ends. The open cable 131 and the closed cable 132 correspond to "transmission members".

[0034] The first pulley 140 includes a pulley body 141 and a connecting member 142. The pulley body 141 has the first end of the open cable 131 and the first end of the closed cable 132 fixed to it. When the pulley body 141 rotates in the first rotational direction R31, the pulley body 141 winds up the closed cable 132 and unwinds out the open cable 131. On the other hand, when the pulley body 141 rotates in the second rotational direction R32, the pulley body 141 winds up the open cable 131 and unwinds out the closed cable 132. In this respect, it can be said that the open cable 131 and the closed cable 132 are wound around the pulley body 141. The pulley body 141 has an engagement shaft 141a that protrudes in the axial direction of the pulley body 141. The engagement shaft 141a is annular in shape. The inner circumferential surface of the engagement shaft 141a is non-circular when viewed from the axial direction. The first pulley 140 corresponds to the "first rotating body".

[0035] The connecting member 142 has an annular portion 142a and a connecting portion 142b. The annular portion 142a is ring-shaped. The connecting portion 142b is the part to which the transmission link 170 is connected. When the connecting member 142 is viewed from the axial direction, the connecting portion 142b is positioned offset from the central axis of the annular portion 142a. The engagement shaft 141a of the pulley body 141 is inserted into the annular portion 142a of the connecting member 142. At this time, the non-circular portion of the cross-section of the engagement shaft 141a of the pulley body 141 is inserted into the non-circular hole in the annular portion 142a of the connecting member 142. In this way, the connecting member 142 is unable to rotate relative to the pulley body 141. In other words, the connecting member 142 is rotatable integrally with the pulley body 141. In this embodiment, when viewed from the insertion direction of the engaging shaft 141a of the pulley body 141, the boundary between the connecting member 142 and the engaging shaft 141a of the pulley body 141 is serrated. In other embodiments, the connecting member 142 and the pulley body 141 may be integrated using, for example, a keyway and a key. Also, when the first pulley 140 is molded from resin, the connecting member 142 and the pulley body 141 may be molded as a single unit.

[0036] The outer diameter of the second pulley 150 is smaller than the outer diameter of the pulley body 141 of the first pulley 140. Here, the outer diameter of the pulley refers to the outer diameter of the portion of the pulley around which the cable is wound. The second pulley 150 is fixed to the second end of the open cable 131 and the second end of the closed cable 132. In this embodiment, the second pulley 150 is a driven pulley. When the first pulley 140 winds up the closed cable 132, the second pulley 150 rotates in the first rotational direction R21 and winds up the open cable 131 unwound from the first pulley 140. On the other hand, when the first pulley 140 winds up the open cable 131, the second pulley 150 rotates in the second rotational direction R22 and winds up the closed cable 132 unwound from the first pulley 140. In this respect, it can be said that the open cable 131 and the closed cable 132 are wound around the second pulley 150. The second pulley 150 corresponds to the "second rotating body".

[0037] The first intermediate pulley 161 and the second intermediate pulley 162 are smaller pulleys than the first pulley 140 and the second pulley 150. In this respect, the outer diameter of the first intermediate pulley 161 is smaller than the outer diameters of both the first pulley 140 and the second pulley 150, and the outer diameter of the second intermediate pulley 162 is smaller than the outer diameters of both the first pulley 140 and the second pulley 150. On the other hand, the groove width of the first intermediate pulley 161 is preferably wider than the groove widths of both the first pulley 140 and the second pulley 150, and the groove width of the second intermediate pulley 162 is preferably wider than the groove widths of both the first pulley 140 and the second pulley 150. An open cable 131 is wound around the first intermediate pulley 161 near the first pulley 140. An open cable 131 is wound around the second intermediate pulley 162 near the second pulley 150. The first intermediate pulley 161 and the second intermediate pulley 162 correspond to the "intermediate rotating body".

[0038] The rotational axes of the first pulley 140, the second pulley 150, the first intermediate pulley 161, and the second intermediate pulley 162 all extend in the width direction. In other words, the rotational axes of these pulleys are parallel to the first door axis X1 and also parallel to the second door axis X2.

[0039] The transmission link 170 is a long, plate-like shape. The transmission link 170 is slightly curved in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the transmission link 170 is made of a highly rigid material such as metal. The transmission link 170 corresponds to the "transmission body".

[0040] <Engagement relationship of the door opening / closing device 60> As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the base end of the base 110 is fixed to the door-side bracket 52 of the first hinge 50 via a link support shaft 183. As shown in Figure 7, the tip of the base 110 is fixed to the upper bracket 41 of the second hinge 40 via a second connecting shaft 43. In this respect, the base 110 can be said to be fixed to the upper door 31.

[0041] As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 8, the first pulley 140 is supported by the door-side bracket 52 of the first hinge 50 via a link support shaft 183. In this respect, the axis of the link support shaft 183, which is the rotation axis of the first pulley 140, is offset from the first door axis X1, which is the rotation axis of the upper door 31. The first pulley 140 is rotatable around the axis of the link support shaft 183. The first intermediate pulley 161 is supported by the door-side bracket 52 via a pulley support shaft 181. The first intermediate pulley 161 is rotatable around the axis of the pulley support shaft 181. In the door-side bracket 52, the position where the pulley support shaft 181 passes through is close to the position where the link support shaft 183 passes through. As a result, the first intermediate pulley 161 is located close to the first pulley 140. Furthermore, the first rotational direction R31 and the second rotational direction R32 of the first pulley 140 are the rotational directions around the axis of the link support shaft 183.

[0042] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the second pulley 150 is integrated with the lower bracket 42 via the second connecting shaft 43. More specifically, the portion of the second connecting shaft 43 that penetrates the base 110 is inserted into the second pulley 150. At this time, the portion of the second connecting shaft 43 with a non-circular cross-section is inserted into the non-circular hole of the second pulley 150. In this way, the second pulley 150 is immobile relative to the second connecting shaft 43. In other words, the second pulley 150 is rotatable integrally with the second connecting shaft 43. In this embodiment, when viewed from the axial direction of the second connecting shaft 43, the boundary between the second pulley 150 and the second connecting shaft 43 is serrated. In this way, the second pulley 150 rotates together with the second connecting shaft 43 and the lower bracket 42 of the second hinge 40. The second intermediate pulley 162 is supported by the upper bracket 41 via a pulley support shaft 182. The second intermediate pulley 162 is rotatable about the axis of the pulley support shaft 182. In the upper bracket 41, the position where the pulley support shaft 182 passes through is close to the position where the second connecting shaft 43 passes through. As a result, the second intermediate pulley 162 is positioned close to the second pulley 150.

[0043] As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 8, the base end of the transmission link 170 is supported by the vehicle body bracket 51 via a link support shaft 184. The base end of the transmission link 170 is rotatable around the axis of the link support shaft 184 relative to the vehicle body bracket 51. On the other hand, the tip of the transmission link 170 is connected to the connecting portion 142b of the first pulley 140 via a link support shaft 185. The transmission link 170 and the first pulley 140 are rotatable relative to each other around the axis of the link support shaft 185. In this respect, the transmission link 170 connects the vehicle body 20 and the first pulley 140.

[0044] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the open cable 131 is wound around the first pulley 140 and the second pulley 150, as well as the first intermediate pulley 161 and the second intermediate pulley 162. On the other hand, the closed cable 132 is wound only around the first pulley 140 and the second pulley 150. As shown in Figure 8, by winding the open cable 131 around the first intermediate pulley 161 and the second intermediate pulley 162, the routing path of the open cable 131 is brought closer to the routing path of the closed cable 132. If the routing path of the open cable 131 can be brought closer to the routing path of the closed cable 132, the number and position of the intermediate pulleys in the power transmission mechanism 100 can be changed as appropriate.

[0045] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cover 120 is fixed to the base 110 in such a way that it covers the first pulley 140 and the second pulley 150, the first intermediate pulley 161 and the second intermediate pulley 162, and the open cable 131 and the closed cable 132. In this way, the operating components of the power transmission mechanism 100 are not exposed to the outside.

[0046] As shown in Figure 8, the vehicle body bracket 51, the door side bracket 52, the first pulley 140, and the transmission link 170 constitute a four-bar linkage mechanism. In this embodiment, the four distances between the four links that constitute the four-bar linkage mechanism have the following relationship: Of the four distances between the axes, the longest is the distance between the first connecting shaft 53 and the link support shaft 183, and the shortest is the distance between the link support shaft 183 and the link support shaft 185. Of the remaining two distances between the axes, the distance between the link support shaft 184 and the link support shaft 185 is longer than the distance between the first connecting shaft 53 and the link support shaft 184. Therefore, when the vehicle body bracket 51 rotates around the first door axis X1 as the upper door 31 is turned to close, the first pulley 140 rotates around the axis of the link support shaft 183 while moving in the front-rear and up-down directions in an arc.

[0047] As shown in Figure 9, when the vehicle 10 is viewed from the rear, the rear pillar 22 extends outward in the width direction as it moves downward. When the back door 30 is in the fully closed position, the door drive unit 70 and the power transmission mechanism 100 are positioned along the rear pillar 22. More specifically, the door drive unit 70 and the power transmission mechanism 100 are positioned in a space corresponding to the width of the rear pillar 22 in the width direction and the gap between the rear pillar 22 and the back door 30 in the front-rear direction.

[0048] The first pulley 140 and the first intermediate pulley 161 are positioned inward in the width direction relative to the second pulley 150 and the second intermediate pulley 162. In other words, when the back door 30 is in the fully closed position, the portion of the open cable 131 between the first intermediate pulley 161 and the second intermediate pulley 162 extends outward in the width direction as it goes downward. Similarly, the portion of the close cable 132 between the first pulley 140 and the second pulley 150 extends outward in the width direction as it goes downward. Furthermore, the portions of the open cable 131 and the close cable 132 between the first intermediate pulley 161 and the second intermediate pulley 162 overlap with the door drive unit 70. In other words, most of the open cable 131 and the close cable 132 are aligned with the door drive unit 70 in the front-to-back direction, but not in the width direction.

[0049] The door-side bracket 52 and the transmission link 170 are both rotatably supported by the vehicle body-side bracket 51. Therefore, the position of the door-side bracket 52 in the width direction and the position of the transmission link 170 in the width direction are approximately the same. Thus, as shown in Figure 9, when the vehicle 10 is viewed from the rear, most of the transmission link 170 is hidden by the door-side bracket 52.

[0050] <Door control device 200> The door control device 200 is a processing circuit having a CPU and memory. The door control device 200 controls the door lock drive unit 34 and the door drive unit 70 based on the operation request of the back door 30.

[0051] A request to operate the back door 30 occurs when the driver operates a switch on a portable device, when the driver operates a switch located around the driver's seat, or when a user of the vehicle 10 operates the back door 30 or a switch located around the back door 30.

[0052] When a request to open the back door 30 is received, the door control device 200 controls the door lock drive unit 34 to displace the latch 33a of the door lock mechanism 33. Specifically, by displacing the latch 33a of the door lock mechanism 33 to the unlatched position, the restraint of the back door 30 from the vehicle body 20 is released. Subsequently, the door control device 200 controls the door lock drive unit 34 to open the back door 30 to the fully open position. On the other hand, when a request to close the back door 30 is received, the door control device 200 controls the door drive unit 70 to close the back door 30. When the back door 30 has closed to near the fully closed position, the door control device 200 controls the door lock drive unit 34 to displace the latch 33a of the door lock mechanism 33. Specifically, by displacing the latch 33a of the door lock mechanism 33 to the fully latched position, the restraint of the back door 30 from the vehicle body 20 is re-established.

[0053] <Operation of this embodiment> The operation of the back door 30 when it is opened will be explained with reference to Figures 10 to 15. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing some of the components of the power transmission mechanism 100 corresponding to Figures 11, 12 and 14. In Figure 10, the initial position P0 is a point set on the outer shape of the first pulley 140, and the solid arrow pointing to the initial position P0 indicates the amount of movement of the initial position P0 accompanying the opening of the back door 30, that is, the amount of rotation of the first pulley 140.

[0054] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, when the back door 30 is in the fully closed position, the upper door 31 is rotated most in the second rotational direction R12 relative to the vehicle body 20, and the lower door 32 is rotated most in the first rotational direction R21 relative to the upper door 31. Also, the first pulley 140 is rotated most in the first rotational direction R31, and the second pulley 150 is rotated most in the first rotational direction R31. In other words, the first pulley 140 is winding the closing cable 132 the most, and the second pulley 150 is unwinding the closing cable 132 the most. Furthermore, the axis of rotation of the first pulley 140 is located at the lowest point within the range of movement associated with the opening and closing operation of the back door 30. For this reason, the first pulley 140 is located below the roof 21 of the vehicle body 20. In addition, the weatherstrip 26 and the two stoppers 27 are elastically compressed by contact with the back door 30.

[0055] When the back door 30 is opened from the fully closed position, first, the door lock drive unit 34 releases the restraint of the back door 30 from the vehicle body 20. Subsequently, the door drive unit 70 extends, causing the upper door 31 to rotate in the first rotational direction R11 relative to the vehicle body 20. When the upper door 31 rotates in the first rotational direction R11 relative to the vehicle body 20, the door-side bracket 52 also rotates in the same first rotational direction R11. Then, the first pulley 140 is activated by the action of the four-bar linkage mechanism, which consists of the vehicle body-side bracket 51, the door-side bracket 52, the first pulley 140, and the transmission link 170. Specifically, as shown in Figures 10 and 12, the first pulley 140 rotates in the first rotational direction R11 together with the door-side bracket 52, while also rotating in the second rotational direction R32. In other words, the first pulley 140 performs two rotational movements with different rotational axis positions. Next, the first pulley 140 winds up the open cable 131, causing the second pulley 150 to rotate in the second rotational direction R22. As a result, the lower door 32 rotates relative to the upper door 31 in the second rotational direction R22. In other words, the back door 30 is folded. Note that the position of the back door 30 shown in Figure 12 is the first intermediate position, which is a greater door opening than the fully closed position.

[0056] As shown in Figure 13, as the door drive unit 70 extends, the amount of rotation of the upper door 31 relative to the first rotational direction R11 increases, and the amount of rotation of the lower door 32 relative to the first rotational direction R21 also increases. Here, the reason why the increase in rotation of the lower door 32 is greater than the increase in rotation of the upper door 31 is because the outer diameter of the first pulley 140 is larger than the outer diameter of the second pulley 150. Note that the position of the back door 30 shown in Figure 13 is the second intermediate position, which has a greater door opening angle than the first intermediate position.

[0057] As shown in Figures 10, 14, and 15, when the door drive unit 70 is fully extended, the opening operation of the back door 30 is completed. In other words, the back door 30 is positioned in the fully open position. When the back door 30 is in the fully open position, the upper door 31 is rotated most in the first rotational direction R11 relative to the vehicle body 20, and the lower door 32 is rotated most in the second rotational direction R22 relative to the upper door 31. Also, the first pulley 140 is rotated most in the second rotational direction R32, and the second pulley 150 is rotated most in the second rotational direction R32. In other words, the first pulley 140 has wound the open cable 131 the most, and the second pulley 150 has unwound the open cable 131 the most. Therefore, the back door 30 is folded to its most foldable position. Furthermore, the axis of rotation of the first pulley 140 is located at the highest position within the range of movement associated with the rotational closing operation of the back door 30. As a result, the first pulley 140 is positioned above the roof 21 of the vehicle body 20. Also, comparing the case where the back door 30 is in the fully closed position with the case where it is in the fully open position, the lower door 32 is rotated by about 180 degrees relative to the upper door 31. In this respect, when the back door 30 is in the fully open position, the upper door 31 and the lower door 32 overlap in the vertical direction.

[0058] Let me briefly explain the operation of the back door 30 when it is closed. As shown in Figures 10 to 14, when the back door 30 is closed from the fully open position, the door drive unit 70 contracts. As a result, the upper door 31 and the door-side bracket 52 rotate in the second rotational direction R12 relative to the vehicle body 20. Therefore, the first pulley 140 rotates in the second rotational direction R12 together with the door-side bracket 52, and also rotates in the first rotational direction R31. In other words, as the first pulley 140 winds up the closing cable 132, the second pulley 150 rotates in the first rotational direction R21. As a result, the lower door 32 rotates in the first rotational direction R21 relative to the upper door 31. In other words, the folded state of the back door 30 is eliminated. Note that, as with the opening operation of the back door 30, the amount of rotational reduction of the lower door 32 is greater than the amount of rotational reduction of the upper door 31 when the back door 30 is closed. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, when the door drive unit 70 is fully retracted, the closing operation of the back door 30 is completed. That is, the back door 30 is positioned in the fully closed position. Subsequently, the back door 30 is restrained to the vehicle body 20 by the door lock drive unit 34.

[0059] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) The door opening and closing device 60 can convert the rotational motion of the upper door 31 relative to the vehicle body 20 into rotational motion of the lower door 32 relative to the upper door 31 by a power transmission mechanism 100 having a first pulley 140 and a second pulley 150 and an open cable 131 and a closed cable 132. Therefore, the door opening and closing device 60 can drive both the upper door 31 and the lower door 32 by driving only the upper door 31. For this reason, the door opening and closing device 60 does not need to have both a drive unit for driving the upper door 31 and a drive unit for driving the lower door 32. In this way, the structure for opening and closing the folding back door 30 of the door opening and closing device 60 can be simplified.

[0060] (2) As shown in Figure 8, in the door opening and closing device 60, the outer diameter of the first pulley 140 is larger than the outer diameter of the second pulley 150. Therefore, when the back door 30 is opened and closed, the door opening and closing device 60 can make the amount of rotation of the lower door 32 relative to the upper door 31 greater than the amount of rotation of the upper door 31 relative to the vehicle body 20. In this embodiment, when the back door 30 is opened, even if the amount of rotation of the upper door 31 is less than 90 degrees, the lower door 32 rotates to such an extent that the tip of the lower door 32 approaches the base end of the upper door 31. Therefore, as shown in Figure 15, the door opening and closing device 60 can prevent the door opening 28 from being hidden by the lower door 32 when the back door 30 is in the fully open position.

[0061] (3) The door opening and closing device 60 can transmit power from the upper door 31 to the lower door 32 via the first pulley 140 and the second pulley 150 and the open cable 131 and the close cable 132. Therefore, the door opening and closing device 60 can reduce the weight of the device compared to cases where a sprocket and chain are used instead of pulleys and cables, or a belt is used instead of cables.

[0062] (4) The upper door 31 is configured to rotate relative to the vehicle body 20, while the lower door 32 is configured to rotate even further relative to the upper door 31. In this regard, the door opening and closing device 60 includes a door drive unit 70 that applies torque to the upper door 31, which has a simpler movement than the lower door 32, when the back door 30 is opened and closed. Therefore, the door opening and closing device 60 can increase the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the door drive unit 70 and the degree of freedom in the selection of the door drive unit 70.

[0063] (5) When the rotation axis of the upper door 31, which is the first door axis X1, coincides with the rotation axis of the first pulley 140, the first pulley 140 must be positioned on the first door axis X1, which can easily impose constraints on the position and size of the first pulley 140. For example, when the first pulley 140 is positioned on the first door axis X1, the roof 21 must be curved upward to avoid interference with the first pulley 140. Also, the outer diameter of the first pulley 140 becomes smaller, which may result in the outer diameter of the first pulley 140 being smaller than the outer diameter of the second pulley 150. In contrast, the door opening and closing device 60 can position the first pulley 140 at a distance from the first door axis X1 by means of the transmission link 170. Therefore, the door opening and closing device 60 can suppress constraints on the position and size of the first pulley 140.

[0064] (6) In the vehicle 10, the first pulley 140, the transmission link 170, the vehicle body side bracket 51, and the door side bracket 52 constitute a four-bar linkage mechanism. In this respect, the door opening and closing device 60 can shift the rotation axis of the first pulley 140 from the first door axis X1 by a simple mechanism.

[0065] Furthermore, the door opening / closing device 60, through the action of the four-bar linkage mechanism described above, can increase the amount of rotation of the first pulley 140 associated with the opening and closing operation of the back door 30. Specifically, as shown in Figure 10, when the back door 30 opens from the fully closed position to the fully open position, the amount of rotation of the first pulley 140 in the second rotation direction R32 is greater than the amount of rotation of the door-side bracket 52 in the first rotation direction R11. Therefore, even if the outer diameter of the first pulley 140 is reduced, the door opening / closing device 60 can still ensure sufficient rotation of the second pulley 150 associated with the opening and closing operation of the back door 30. In other words, the door opening / closing device 60 can avoid increasing the size of the device.

[0066] (7) In the door opening and closing device 60, the first pulley 140 and the second pulley 150 are positioned so as to be parallel to each other in terms of their rotational axes, but offset from the direction in which the rotational axes extend. This makes it possible to position the door opening and closing device 60 along the silhouette of the vehicle 10. Specifically, the door opening and closing device 60 can be positioned along the rear pillar 22, which extends outward in the width direction as it goes downward when viewed from the rear.

[0067] (8) The power transmission mechanism 100 transmits power by pulleys and cables, and is capable of stably transmitting power even if the driving rotating body and the driven rotating body are offset in the width direction. More specifically, the power transmission mechanism 100 is capable of stably transmitting power even if the first pulley 140 and the first intermediate pulley 161, which are the driving rotating bodies, and the second pulley 150 and the second intermediate pulley 162, which are the driven rotating bodies, are offset in the width direction. In other words, the power transmission mechanism 100 can tolerate the first pulley 140 and the first intermediate pulley 161, which are the driving rotating bodies, and the second pulley 150 and the second intermediate pulley 162, which are the driven rotating bodies, being offset in the width direction.

[0068] (9) The door opening and closing device 60 can change the routing paths of the open cable 131 and the close cable 132 between the first pulley 140 and the second pulley 150 using the first intermediate pulley 161 and the second intermediate pulley 162. Therefore, the door opening and closing device 60 can secure space for other components by changing the routing paths of the open cable 131 and the close cable 132 using the first intermediate pulley 161 and the second intermediate pulley 162. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the routing path of the open cable 131 is brought close to the close cable 132 by the first intermediate pulley 161 and the second intermediate pulley 162. For this reason, in a side view when the back door 30 is in the fully closed position, there is space to place the door drive unit 70 between the rear pillar 22 of the vehicle body 20 and the open cable 131. In other words, even if the gap between the rear pillar 22 and the back door 30 in the fully closed position is small, it is possible to house the power transmission mechanism 100 in that gap.

[0069] (10) As shown in Figure 2, when the back door 30 is in the fully closed position, the back door 30 is restrained to the vehicle body 20 via two door locking mechanisms 33. However, since the door locking mechanisms 33 do not restrain the back door 30 to the vehicle body 20 in such a way that it restricts all displacement of the back door 30, the lower door 32 may rotate slightly relative to the upper door 31 in the second rotational direction R22 around the second door axis X2. In this regard, the vehicle 10 is equipped with a weatherstrip 26 and two stoppers 27 to restrict the rotation of the lower door 32 in the second rotational direction R22. Thus, the vehicle 10 can restrict the relative rotation of the upper door 31 and the lower door 32 around the second door axis X2 when the back door 30 is in the fully closed position. As a result, the vehicle 10 can suppress vibrations and noises from occurring at the rear of the vehicle 10 while driving, for example.

[0070] <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.

[0071] When the back door 30 is in the fully open position, a gap is created between the lower end of the upper door 31 and the upper end of the lower door 32. Therefore, it is preferable that liquids such as rainwater or other objects do not enter between the upper door 31 and the lower door 32 through the gap. For this reason, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 14, the back door 30 may be equipped with a door cover 35 that closes the gap. The door cover 35 is preferably made of a material that has appropriate elasticity and water resistance. Furthermore, it is preferable that the door cover 35 connects the gap between the lower end of the upper door 31 and the upper end of the lower door 32 in the width direction. Alternatively, the back door 30 may be equipped with an overhang extending from the lower end of the upper door 31.

[0072] When the back door 30 is in the fully closed position, if a gap is created between the lower end of the upper door 31 and the upper end of the lower door 32, there is a risk that liquids such as rainwater may enter the passenger compartment while the vehicle 10 is parked or driving. Therefore, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 15, it is preferable that the back door 30 has a seal 36 that closes the gap between the tip of the upper door 31 and the base end of the lower door 32. The seal 36, like the weatherstrip 26, is preferably elastically compressed between the tip of the upper door 31 and the base end of the lower door 32 when the back door 30 is in the fully closed position.

[0073] The door drive unit 70 does not have to be a linear actuator. For example, the door drive unit 70 may be an actuator that drives the upper door 31 using multiple links. The door drive unit 70 may be a gas spring that applies torque in the opening direction to the upper door 31. In this case, the back door 30 is opened and closed by manual operation by the user.

[0074] The door drive unit 70 may be configured to apply torque to the lower door 32 around the second door axis X2. In this case, the door drive unit 70 drives the lower door 32, transmitting torque from the second pulley 150 to the first pulley 140. Subsequently, the upper door 31 rotates around the first door axis X1 based on the torque transmitted to the first pulley 140.

[0075] The power transmission mechanism 100 may include a speed-increasing mechanism that transmits power from the second pulley 150 to the lower door 32 while increasing the rotational speed of the second pulley 150. The power transmission mechanism 100 may also include a reduction mechanism that transmits power from the second pulley 150 to the lower door 32 while reducing the rotational speed of the second pulley 150.

[0076] The power transmission mechanism 100 does not need to have a closed cable 132 if it has an open cable 131. In this case, when the back door 30 is closed, the lower door 32 rotates in the first rotational direction R21 due to a torque acting on the second door axis X2 corresponding to the weight of the lower door 32. Then, the second pulley 150 winds up the open cable 131 in accordance with the rotation of the lower door 32 in the first rotational direction R21.

[0077] The power transmission mechanism 100 may include two sprockets instead of the first pulley 140 and the second pulley 150, and a chain wrapped around the two sprockets instead of the open cable 131 and the closed cable 132. The power transmission mechanism 100 may also include a belt instead of the open cable 131 and the closed cable 132.

[0078] In the power transmission mechanism 100, the outer diameter of the first pulley 140 may be less than or equal to the outer diameter of the second pulley 150. In the power transmission mechanism 100, the rotation axis of the first pulley 140 may coincide with the first door axis X1, which is the rotation axis of the upper door 31. In this case, it is preferable that the first pulley 140 is connected so that it can rotate integrally with the upper door 31.

[0079] In the power transmission mechanism 100, the first pulley 140 may be positioned in the same location as the second pulley 150 in the width direction. That is, when the power transmission mechanism 100 is viewed from the rear, the second pulley 150 may be positioned directly below the first pulley 140.

[0080] In the power transmission mechanism 100, the mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the door-side bracket 52 around the first door axis X1 into the rotational motion of the first pulley 140 does not have to be a four-bar linkage mechanism. For example, the power transmission mechanism 100 may include an input pulley that rotates integrally with the door-side bracket 52, an output pulley that rotates integrally with the first pulley 140, and a cable wrapped around the input pulley and the output pulley. In this modified example, the rotational motion of the door-side bracket 52 can be transmitted to the first pulley 140 via the input pulley, the output pulley, and the cable, which correspond to the "transmitter". The power transmission mechanism 100 may also include an input gear that rotates integrally with the door-side bracket 52, and an output gear that meshes with the input gear and rotates integrally with the first pulley 140. In this modified example, the rotational motion of the door-side bracket 52 can be transmitted to the first pulley 140 via the input gear and the output gear, which correspond to the "transmitter".

[0081] The back door 30 may be configured such that the first door axis X1 and the second door axis X2 extend vertically, like a folding door on a bus. In other words, the modified vehicle 10 may be configured such that the back door 30, the two first hinges 50, and the door opening / closing device 60 are rotated 90 degrees around an axis extending in the front-rear direction, in the vehicle 10 of the above embodiment.

[0082] The "vehicle door" may be a side door that opens and closes a door opening that opens on the side of the vehicle body 20. In this case, the side door may be configured such that the first door axis X1 and the second door axis X2 extend in the longitudinal direction, or the first door axis X1 and the second door axis X2 extend in the vertical direction.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the vehicle 10 has a plurality of rotating members extending around an axis that extends in the width direction. Here, the axes of rotation of the plurality of rotating members may be slightly inclined with respect to the width direction, as long as the plurality of rotating members can rotate without difficulty.

[0084] <Summary of this embodiment> The door opening and closing device is a vehicle door for opening and closing a door opening of a vehicle body, and the vehicle door has a first door that rotates around a first door axis relative to the vehicle body and a second door that rotates around a second door axis extending in the same direction as the first door axis relative to the first door, and comprises a first rotating body that rotates together with the first door, a second rotating body that rotates together with the second door, and a transmission member that is wrapped around both the first and second rotating bodies and is unwound from the other rotating body when it is wound onto one of the rotating bodies, thereby transmitting torque from one of the rotating bodies to the other.

[0085] The door opening and closing device, using a first rotating body, a second rotating body, and a transmission member, can convert one of the rotational motions of the first door relative to the vehicle body and the other of the second door relative to the first door. Therefore, the door opening and closing device can drive both the first and second doors by driving only one of the first and second rotating bodies, i.e., one of the first and second doors. In this way, the structure for opening and closing a back door having a first door and a second door can be simplified.

[0086] In the above-described door opening and closing device, it is preferable that the outer diameter of the first rotating body is larger than the outer diameter of the second rotating body. The door opening and closing device can make the rotational change of the second door relative to the first door greater than the rotational change of the first door relative to the vehicle body.

[0087] In the above-described door opening and closing device, the first rotating body is a first pulley, the second rotating body is a second pulley, and the transmission member has an open cable whose ends are fixed to the first pulley and the second pulley, respectively, and a closed cable whose ends are fixed to the first pulley and the second pulley, respectively. Preferably, when the first door operates in the opening direction, the first pulley winds up the open cable and the second pulley winds up the closed cable, and when the first door operates in the closing direction, the first pulley winds up the closed cable and the second pulley winds up the open cable.

[0088] The door opening and closing device can transmit power from one of the first and second doors to the other via a first pulley, a second pulley, and open and close cables. By using two cables as transmission members, the door opening and closing device can reduce the weight of the device compared to, for example, a case where a belt or chain is used as the transmission member.

[0089] The door opening and closing device preferably further includes a door drive unit that applies torque to the first door to operate the first door in the opening direction. The door opening and closing device includes a door drive unit that applies torque to the first door, which has a simpler movement than the second door, when the vehicle door is opened or closed. In this respect, the door opening and closing device can increase the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the door drive unit and the degree of freedom in the selection of the door drive unit.

[0090] The door opening and closing device further includes a transmission that connects the vehicle body and the first rotating body and rotates the first rotating body in accordance with the rotation of the first door, and it is preferable that the axis of rotation of the first rotating body is offset from the axis of the first door.

[0091] When the rotation axis of the first door, which is the rotation axis of the first door, coincides with the rotation axis of the first rotating body, the first rotating body must be positioned on the first door axis, which often imposes constraints on the position and size of the first rotating body. In contrast, the door opening and closing device with the above configuration allows the first rotating body to be positioned away from the first door axis by the transmission body. Therefore, the door opening and closing device can suppress constraints on the position and size of the first rotating body.

[0092] The vehicle door rotates around the first door axis relative to the vehicle body via a door hinge having a vehicle body-side bracket fixed to the vehicle body and a door-side bracket fixed to the vehicle door, the first rotating body is rotatably supported by the door-side bracket, and the transmission body is a transmission link with one end rotatably connected to the vehicle body-side bracket and the other end rotatably connected to the first rotating body, and preferably the first rotating body, the transmission link, the vehicle body-side bracket and the door-side bracket constitute a four-bar linkage mechanism.

[0093] The door opening and closing device can implement a mechanism that rotates the first rotating body in accordance with the rotation of the first door with a simple configuration. In a door opening and closing device, the first rotating body is a first pulley, the second rotating body is a second pulley, the transmission member is a cable, the rotation axis of the first rotating body and the rotation axis of the second rotating body extend parallel to each other, and it is preferable that the first rotating body is offset from the second rotating body in the direction in which the rotation axes of both the first and second rotating bodies extend.

[0094] In the door opening and closing device, the first rotating body and the second rotating body are positioned parallel to each other's axes of rotation, but offset from the direction in which the axes of rotation extend. Therefore, the door opening and closing device can be positioned, for example, along the silhouette of the vehicle and the door opening.

[0095] The door opening and closing device preferably further comprises an intermediate rotating body positioned between the first rotating body and the second rotating body, around which the transmission member is wrapped. The door opening and closing device can change the routing path of the transmission member between the first and second rotating bodies using an intermediate rotating body. For example, by changing the routing path of the transmission member using an intermediate rotating body, the door opening and closing device can secure space for arranging other components. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0096] 10...Vehicle, 20...Vehicle body, 28...Door opening, 30...Back door (vehicle door), 31...Upper door (first door), 32...Lower door (second door), 40...Second hinge, 41...Upper bracket, 42...Lower bracket, 50...First hinge, 51...Vehicle body side bracket, 52...Door side bracket, 60...Door opening / closing device, 70...Door drive unit, 100...Power transmission mechanism, 131...Open cable (transmission member), 132...Closed cable (transmission member), 140...First pulley (first rotating body), 150...Second pulley (second rotating body), 161...First intermediate pulley (intermediate rotating body), 162...Second intermediate pulley (intermediate rotating body), 170...Transmission link (transmission member), X1...First door axis, X2...Second door axis

Claims

1. A door opening and closing device for a vehicle door that opens and closes a door opening of a vehicle body, the device comprising a first door that rotates around a first door axis relative to the vehicle body and a second door that rotates around a second door axis extending in the same direction as the first door axis relative to the first door, A first rotating body that rotates together with the first door, A second rotating body that rotates together with the second door, The device comprises a transmission member that is wrapped around both the first and second rotating bodies and unwound from the other rotating body when it is wound onto one of the first and second rotating bodies, thereby transmitting torque from one of the first and second rotating bodies to the other rotating body. Door opening and closing device.

2. The outer diameter of the first rotating body is larger than the outer diameter of the second rotating body. The door opening and closing device according to claim 1.

3. The first rotating body is the first pulley, The aforementioned second rotating body is a second pulley, The transmission member comprises an open cable whose ends are fixed to the first pulley and the second pulley, respectively, and a closed cable whose ends are fixed to the first pulley and the second pulley, respectively. When the first door is operated in the opening direction, the first pulley winds up the open cable and the second pulley winds up the close cable. When the first door is operated in the closing direction, the first pulley winds up the closing cable and the second pulley winds up the opening cable. A door opening and closing device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The system further comprises a door drive unit that applies torque to the first door to operate it in the opening direction. A door opening and closing device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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