Vehicle door device

Abstract

To secure a large door opening amount while suppressing a displacement amount in an opening direction.SOLUTION: A vehicular door device 30 includes a first link mechanism 51 formed by first and second link arms 71, 72 having a first turn connection point X1 to a vehicle body 2 and a second turn connection point X2 to a door 10 of a vehicle 1, respectively. The vehicular door device 30 further includes a second link mechanism 52 formed by first and second link arms 81, 82 provided independently from the first and second link arms 71, 72. Besides, a first door 41 supported by the first link mechanism 51 and a second door 42 supported by the second link mechanism 52 have opening / closing operation independently in mutually different directions on the basis of the operation of the first and second link mechanisms 51, 52 corresponding thereto. In the second link arm 82, a connection length variable mechanism 100 is provided for making a connection length L between the first and second turn connection points X1, X2 changeable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, some vehicles have so-called double-swing doors that open and close in opposite directions. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle equipped with a front door having a pivot point at the front edge of the door opening and a rear door having a pivot point at the rear edge of the door opening. In this vehicle, a striker provided at the tip of the rear door engages with a latch provided at the tip of the front door, thereby restraining the front and rear doors in a fully closed position. The use of such double-swing doors ensures a large door opening amount, improving ease of entry and exit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-31907 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the swing door described above, which opens and closes around a pivot point located at the base end, has a characteristic that the tip of the door protrudes toward the door opening as the door opens wider. This can lead to situations where the swing door cannot be opened wide enough to avoid interference with obstacles located in the door opening direction, such as a wall located outside the vehicle width or an adjacent vehicle. This also limits the door opening in actual use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A vehicle door device that solves the above problem includes a first link mechanism formed by first and second link arms having a first rotation connection point relative to the vehicle body and a second rotation connection point relative to a vehicle door, and a second link mechanism formed by the first and second link arms that are provided independently of the first and second link arms that form the first link mechanism, wherein the first door supported by the first link mechanism and the second door supported by the second link mechanism are arranged side by side in a door opening provided in the vehicle, and thereby open and close independently in different directions based on the operation of the first and second link mechanisms, and at least one of the first and second link arms that form the first link mechanism and the first and second link arms that form the second link mechanism is provided with a connection length variable mechanism that can change the connection length between the first and second rotation connection points.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the first and second doors open and close along arc-shaped trajectories based on the operation of the first and second link mechanisms. That is, during the opening and closing operation, the first and second doors move in the width direction of the door opening at intermediate opening and closing positions. This reduces the amount of displacement of the first and second doors in the opening direction of the door opening. For example, in the case of a door opening provided on the side of a vehicle body, the "opening width direction" is the vehicle front-rear direction, and the "opening direction" is the vehicle width direction. As a result, interference with obstacles located in the opening direction of the door opening can be avoided, ensuring a larger door opening amount.

[0007] Furthermore, when the doors are near the fully closed position, the opening / closing movement trajectory of the doors can be changed from an arc-shaped trajectory based on the operation of a link length variable mechanism provided in the link mechanism supporting the doors, thereby avoiding mutual interference near the fully closed position and allowing the first and second doors to be opened and closed independently without order restrictions.

[0008] A vehicle door device that solves the above problem is desirably configured such that, when the door supported by the link mechanism having the variable connection length mechanism is near the fully closed position, the trajectory of the opening / closing movement of the door changes to a linear trajectory along the opening width direction of the door opening based on the operation of the variable connection length mechanism.

[0009] According to the above configuration, when the door is near the fully closed position, the door supported by the link mechanism having the variable connection length mechanism moves in a linear path along the width of the door opening in the opening direction, thereby allowing the first and second doors to be opened and closed independently of each other without any order restrictions.

[0010] In the vehicle door device that solves the above problem, it is preferable that the variable connection length mechanism is provided on the second link mechanism side, and the variable connection length mechanism is not provided on the first link mechanism side.

[0011] That is, by not changing the opening / closing movement trajectory of the first door, it is possible to easily identify the opening / closing movement trajectory of the second door that does not interfere with the first door, thereby ensuring high reliability with a simple configuration.

[0012] In a vehicle door device that solves the above problem, it is preferable that the first door is a front door that opens toward the front of the vehicle based on the operation of the first link mechanism, and the second door is a rear door that opens toward the rear of the vehicle based on the operation of the second link mechanism.

[0013] According to the above configuration, it is possible to arrange so-called double-hinged front and rear doors that open and close in opposite directions relative to a door opening provided on the side of the vehicle body. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the amount of displacement of the front and rear doors in the opening direction of the door opening, i.e., the amount of displacement of the front and rear doors that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction, during the opening and closing operation. This allows for a larger door opening distance to be secured by avoiding interference with obstacles located in the opening direction of the door opening, such as a wall located in the outward vehicle width direction or an adjacent vehicle. Furthermore, it is possible to open and close the front and rear doors independently of each other, without any order restrictions.

[0014] A vehicle door device that solves the above problem comprises a door-side engagement portion provided at the closing end of the door, and a vehicle-body-side engagement portion provided at the closing end of the door opening, to which the closing end of the door moves in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the door, wherein one side of the door-side engagement portion and the vehicle-body-side engagement portion comprises an axial engagement portion extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the other side of the door-side engagement portion and the vehicle-body-side engagement portion comprises a pair of side wall portions facing the opening direction of the door opening and a guide groove extending in the direction of the opening and closing operation of the door, and when the door, in which the door-side engagement portion and the vehicle-body-side engagement portion engage, is near the fully closed position, it is preferable that the axial engagement portion be positioned within the guide groove.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the shaft-shaped engaging portion is disposed in the guide groove, thereby restricting the displacement of the door on which the door-side engaging portion is provided in the opening direction of the door opening, and thus the door supported by the link mechanism can be stably supported even near the fully closed position where the first and second link arms forming the link mechanism tend to be close to each other and aligned linearly.

[0016] In the vehicle door device for solving the above-described problems, the door supported by the link mechanism having the variable connection length mechanism is preferably provided with the door-side engaging portion and the vehicle body-side engaging portion.

[0017] According to the above configuration, when the door-side engaging portion and the vehicle-body engaging portion are engaged, the opening / closing movement trajectory of the door on which the door-side engaging portion is provided changes from an arc-shaped trajectory to a linear trajectory based on the operation of the variable coupling length mechanism. As a result, even when the other door paired with the door on which the door-side engaging portion is provided is in a fully closed state, the one door can be smoothly closed to the fully closed position and opened from the fully closed position.

[0018] It is preferable that a vehicle door device that solves the above problem comprises a pair of vehicle body side engaging portions provided on the upper and lower edge portions of the door opening, and a pair of door side engaging portions that engage with each of the vehicle body side engaging portions.

[0019] The above-described configuration allows the door provided with the door-side engaging portion to be supported more stably near the fully closed position, and has the advantage of being applicable to a so-called pillarless structure in which the closed end of the door opening where the vehicle-body-side engaging portion is located does not have a vertically extending structure such as a "B-pillar."

[0020] In the vehicle door device that solves the above problem, it is preferable that a locking device that restrains the door in a fully closed position is not provided at the closing end of the door where the pair of door-side engaging portions are provided.

[0021] According to the above-mentioned configuration, even when the door is in a fully closed state, the closing end of the door on which the pair of upper and lower door-side engaging portions are provided can be stably held based on the engaging force of the pair of door-side engaging portions and the vehicle-side engaging portion provided on the closing end, thereby simplifying the configuration and stably supporting the door in the fully closed position.

[0022] A vehicle door device that solves the above problem preferably includes a pair of strikers provided at the upper and lower edges of the door opening, and a pair of locking devices provided at the closing end of the door that engage with the strikers to restrain the door in a fully closed position.

[0023] The above-described configuration can stably restrain a door equipped with the pair of upper and lower locking devices in the fully closed position. Another advantage is that it can be applied to a so-called pillarless structure, which does not have a vertically extending structure such as a "B pillar" at the closing end of the door opening where the striker should be located.

[0024] A vehicle door device that solves the above problem preferably includes a striker provided at one of the closing side ends of the first and second doors, and a locking device provided at the other closing side end of the first and second doors that engages with the striker to restrain the first and second doors in a fully closed position.

[0025] According to the above configuration, even if the door opening has a so-called pillarless structure in which there is no structure extending in the vertical direction, such as a "B pillar," at its closed end, the first and second doors arranged side by side in the opening width direction of the door opening can be stably restrained in the fully closed position.

[0026] A vehicle door device that solves the above problem preferably includes a first actuator that applies a driving force to the first link mechanism to open and close the first door, and a second actuator that applies a driving force to the second link mechanism to open and close the second door. According to the above configuration, convenience can be improved.

[0027] In the vehicle door device that solves the above problem, it is preferable that the first door and the second door are arranged in a fully closed position with the tips of their closed side ends overlapping in the opening direction of the door opening. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] According to the present invention, the amount of displacement of the door opening portion in the opening direction due to the opening / closing operation can be suppressed, and a larger door opening amount can be ensured. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of a front door and a rear door provided in a door opening of a vehicle. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a front view of a front door and a rear door provided in a door opening of a vehicle. [Figure 3] 1 is a top view of a door device that opens and closes the front and rear doors of a vehicle; [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a door device that opens and closes a front door and a rear door of a vehicle. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a joint link mechanism that constitutes the variable connection length mechanism. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a joint link mechanism that constitutes the variable connection length mechanism. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the trajectories of the opening and closing operations of the front door and the rear door near the fully closed position. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a door-side engaging portion and a vehicle-body-side engaging portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a door lock system that locks the front and rear doors in a fully closed position. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an external view of the interior of the vehicle near a front door supported by a link mechanism formed by first and second link arms and a dash panel disposed at the front of the vehicle. [Figure 12] An external view of the front door and dash panel area. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is an external view of the vicinity of the front door and dash panel, with a partial cross section showing the arrangement of the first and second link arms. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is an exterior view of the interior of the vehicle, showing the relative positions of the front door, link cover, and dash panel when they are in a fully closed state. [Figure 15] An external view of the foot space provided below the dash panel. [Figure 16] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the ease of getting in and out of a front door that opens toward the front of the vehicle. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is an external view of the vicinity of a recessed portion for accommodating a second link arm provided in a front door and a cover member that covers the opening of the recessed portion. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle door device will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a vehicle 1 of this embodiment has a door opening 3 provided in a side surface 2s of a vehicle body 2. In the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the door opening 3 does not have a pillar structure in the center portion in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (the left-right direction in each drawing), and has a so-called pillarless structure in which a front opening 4 and a rear opening 5 are integrated. The vehicle 1 of this embodiment also has a pair of doors 10, 10 provided in the door opening 3. In the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the doors 10, 10 are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, i.e., in the opening width direction of the door opening 3. Furthermore, the doors 10, 10 are supported by the vehicle body 2 via link mechanisms 20, 20 provided independently. Thus, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, a vehicle door apparatus 30 is formed that can independently open and close the pair of doors 10, 10 provided in the door opening 3 in opposite directions based on the operation of the link mechanisms 20, 20.

[0031] That is, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the door 10 arranged in the front opening 4 that constitutes the front portion (left side in each drawing) of the door opening 3 constitutes the front door 31 of the vehicle 1. Also, the door 10 arranged in the rear opening 5 that constitutes the rear portion (right side in each drawing) of the door opening 3 constitutes the front door 31 of the vehicle 1. Furthermore, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the front door 31 is the first door 41, and the link mechanism 20 that supports this first door 41 constitutes the first link mechanism 51. And the rear door 32 is the second door 42, and the link mechanism 20 that supports this second door 42 constitutes the second link mechanism 52.

[0032] More specifically, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, each link mechanism 20 includes a first and second link arm 61, 62 that are independent of each other. Furthermore, each of the first and second link arms 61, 62 has a first rotation connection point X1 with respect to the vehicle body 2 and a second rotation connection point X2 with respect to the door 10 of the vehicle 1. As a result, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the link mechanisms 20, 20 that constitute the first and second link mechanisms 51, 52 are configured as four-bar link mechanisms that are independent of each other.

[0033] Specifically, the first and second link arms 71 and 72 forming the first link mechanism 51 each have a first pivot connection point X1 pivotally connected to the vehicle body 2 near a front edge 3f of the door opening 3. Furthermore, the first and second link arms 71 and 72 each have a second pivot connection point X2 pivotally connected to the first door 41 constituting the front door 31 of the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the first and second link arms 81 and 82 forming the second link mechanism 52 each have a first pivot connection point X1 pivotally connected to the vehicle body 2 near a rear edge 3r of the door opening 3. Furthermore, the first and second link arms 81 and 82 each have a second pivot connection point X2 pivotally connected to the second door 42 constituting the rear door 32 of the vehicle 1.

[0034] In the first and second link mechanisms 51, 52, each first link arm 71, 81 is disposed above its corresponding second link arm 72, 82. Specifically, each first link arm 71, 81 is disposed below the window portions 91, 92 of the vehicle 1 formed by the front door 31 and the rear door 32, respectively, at a height near the so-called belt line. Each second link arm 72, 82 is disposed at a height near the lower end portions 31b, 32b of the front door 31 and the rear door 32, respectively.

[0035] That is, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the first link arms 71, 81 have the second rotation connection point X2 at a position closer to the center of gravity of the front door 31 and the rear door 32 than the second link arms 72, 82. As a result, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, in both the first and second link mechanisms 51, 52, the first link arms 71, 81 are configured to support a greater door load than the second link arms 72, 82.

[0036] Specifically, in the vehicle door apparatus 30 of this embodiment, each of the second link arms 72, 82 positioned as the sub-links 94 is formed using a single shaft-shaped member. In contrast, each of the first link arms 71, 81 positioned as the main link 95 is formed by connecting two parallel shaft-shaped members. Thus, the vehicle door apparatus 30 of this embodiment is configured to impart high support rigidity to each of the first link arms 71, 81.

[0037] 3, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, when the front door 31 is opened, the first and second link arms 71, 72 of the first link mechanism 51 each rotate clockwise in FIG. 3 around the first rotation connection point X1. As a result, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the front door 31 supported by the first and second link arms 71, 72 opens toward the front of the vehicle.

[0038] In addition, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, when the front door 31 is closed, the first and second link arms 71, 72 each rotate counterclockwise in Fig. 3 around the first rotation connection point X1, and as a result, the front door 31 supported by the first and second link arms 71, 72 in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment closes toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0039] Meanwhile, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, when the rear door 32 is opened, the first and second link arms 81, 82 of the second link mechanism 52 each rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 3 around the first rotation connection point X1. As a result, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the rear door 32 supported by the first and second link arms 81, 82 opens toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0040] Furthermore, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, when the rear door 32 is opened, the first and second link arms 81, 82 each rotate clockwise in Fig. 3 around the first rotation connection point X1. As a result, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured so that the rear door 32 supported by the first and second link arms 81, 82 closes toward the front of the vehicle.

[0041] That is, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the opening / closing movement locus R1 of the front door 31 is defined so as to describe an arc-shaped locus Rg based on the movement of the first link mechanism 51 formed by the first and second link arms 71, 72. Similarly, the opening / closing movement locus R2 of the rear door 32 is defined so as to describe an arc-shaped locus Rg based on the movement of the second link mechanism 52 formed by the first and second link arms 81, 82.

[0042] That is, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, when the doors 10, 10 supported by the link mechanisms 20, 20 approach the fully closed position P0, the first and second link arms 61, 62 extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As a result, the movement component of each of the doors 10, 10 constituting the front door 31 and the rear door 32 of the vehicle 1 in the vehicle width direction becomes large.

[0043] Furthermore, at an intermediate opening / closing operation position where the first and second link arms 61, 62 forming each link mechanism 20, 20 extend in the vehicle width direction, the movement component of each door 10, 10 in the vehicle longitudinal direction becomes large. As a result, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured to suppress the amount of displacement in the vehicle width direction during opening / closing operations of the front door 31 and the rear door 32 of the vehicle 1, thereby avoiding interference with obstacles and ensuring a larger door opening amount.

[0044] 4 to 6, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment includes a variable connection length mechanism 100 provided on the second link arm 82 of the second link mechanism 52 that supports the rear door 32. In the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the operation of the variable connection length mechanism 100 makes it possible to change the connection length L between the first and second rotation connection points X1, X2 of the second link arm 82 on the second link mechanism 52 side.

[0045] 5 and 6, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the second link arm 82 on the second link mechanism 52 side is configured to include a vehicle body side link 101 and a door side link 102. That is, the vehicle body side link 101 has a first rotation connection point X1 with respect to the vehicle body 2. Furthermore, the door side link 102 has a second rotation connection point X2 with respect to the rear door 32 of the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the second link arm 82 on the second link mechanism 52 side is configured such that the vehicle body side link 101 and the door side link 102 are rotatably connected to each other. The vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured such that a joint link mechanism 110 formed thereby functions as the variable connection length mechanism 100.

[0046] Specifically, the door-side link 102 of this embodiment has a so-called mini-arm configuration with a shorter axial length than the vehicle-body-side link 101. The vehicle-body-side link 101 has a vehicle-body-side coupling portion 111 for the vehicle body 2 at one end in the longitudinal direction. The door-side link 102 also has a door-side coupling portion 112 for the door 10 at one end in the longitudinal direction. The vehicle-body-side link 101 and the door-side link 102 each have intermediate coupling portions 113, 114 at the other end in the longitudinal direction, which couple them to each other.

[0047] That is, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, these intermediate connectors 113, 114 form an intermediate connection point X3 of the articulated link mechanism 110 provided on the second link arm 82 on the second link mechanism 52 side. In addition, the second link arm 82 forms a triangle with the vehicle body-side link 101 and the door-side link 102, with the intermediate connection point X3 as the apex. As a result, when the vehicle body-side link 101 and the door-side link 102 rotate relative to each other, the length of the straight line connecting the first and second rotation connection points X1, X2, which form the base of the triangle, i.e., the connection length L, changes.

[0048] In the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, a biasing force is applied to the joint link mechanism 110 constituting the variable connection length mechanism 100 by a biasing member (not shown) so as to rotate the vehicle body-side link 101 and the door-side link 102 relative to each other about the intermediate connection point X3. That is, the variable connection length mechanism 100 of this embodiment is biased in a direction to shorten the connection length L of the rear door 32 by the second link arm 82 on the side of the second link mechanism 52 to which the variable connection length mechanism 100 is provided. As a result, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured so that the rear door 32 opens and closes with the connection length L by the second link arm 82 shortened except when the rear door 32 is in the vicinity of the fully closed position P0, which will be described in detail below.

[0049] 4 to 7, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the opening / closing movement locus R2 of the rear door 32 changes based on the operation of the variable connection length mechanism 100 provided on the second link arm 82 on the second link mechanism 52 side. Specifically, when the rear door 32 is near the fully closed position P0, the opening / closing movement locus R2 of the rear door 32 changes to a linear locus Rs. Thus, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured so that the front door 31 and the rear door 32, which independently open and close based on the operations of the first and second link mechanisms 51, 52, do not interfere with each other.

[0050] More specifically, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the front door 31 closes toward the rear of the vehicle with its rear end 31r acting as a closing end 131. The rear door 32 closes toward the front of the vehicle with its front end 32f acting as a closing end 132. The front door 31 and the rear door 32 are disposed at a fully closed position P0 with the closing end tips 131x, 132x of the front and rear doors overlapping in the vehicle width direction.

[0051] Specifically, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the closing-side end tip 132x of the rear door 32 located at the front end 32f of the rear door 32 is positioned on the inner side in the vehicle width direction (upper side in FIG. 7). Also, the closing-side end tip 131x of the front door 31 located at the rear end 31r of the front door 31 is positioned on the outer side in the vehicle width direction (lower side in FIG. 7) with respect to the closing-side end tip 132x of the rear door 32. Therefore, assuming that both the front door 31 and the rear door 32 perform opening and closing operations along an arc-shaped locus Rg based on the rotation of the first and second link arms 61, 62, even near the fully closed position P0, these doors 10, 10 will interfere with each other.

[0052] That is, under this assumption, when the rear door 32 in the fully closed position P0 is opened, the front door 31, which has a closing-side end tip 131x that is positioned further outward in the vehicle width direction than the closing-side end tip 132x of the rear door 32, must first be opened from the fully closed position P0. Also, when the front door 31 is fully closed, the rear door 32 must be fully closed before the front door 31.

[0053] In consideration of this, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, when the rear door 32 is located near the fully closed position P0, as described above, the opening / closing movement locus R2 of the rear door 32 changes based on the operation of the variable connection length mechanism 100. Specifically, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, during a fully closing movement of the rear door 32, the rear door 32 moves to the fully closed position P0 in a manner such that the front end 132x of the closing side of the rear door 32 describes a linear locus Rs from the rear side of the vehicle to the front side (from right to left in FIG. 7 ). Furthermore, during an opening movement from the fully closed state, the rear door 32 moves from the fully closed position P0 in a manner such that the front end 132x of the closing side of the rear door 32 describes a linear locus Rs from the front side of the vehicle to the rear side (from left to right in FIG. 7 ). The vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is thus able to open and close the front door 31 and rear door 32 of the vehicle 1 independently of each other, without the order constraints that would arise if both doors were assumed to open and close along the arc-shaped trajectory Rg as described above.

[0054] 4, 8, and 9, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment includes a door-side engaging portion 133 provided at a closing-side end portion 132 of the rear door 32. The vehicle door device 30 also includes a vehicle-body-side engaging portion 134 provided at a position that corresponds to the front end 5f of the rear opening 5 that constitutes the door opening 3 of the vehicle 1, that is, at a substantially central position in the opening width direction of the door opening 3 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured so that the door-side engaging portion 133 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 134 engage with each other when the rear door 32 is in the vicinity of the fully closed position P0.

[0055] 4 and 9, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment includes a pair of door-side engaging portions 133, 133 provided at an upper end 32fa and a lower end 32fb of the front end 32f of the rear door 32, which is the closing-side end 132 of the rear door 32. The vehicle door device 30 also includes a pair of vehicle-body-side engaging portions 134, 134 provided at an upper edge 3a and a lower edge 3b of the door opening 3 at approximately the center in the opening width direction.

[0056] That is, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the approximate center position in the opening width direction of the door opening 3 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction is the rear end 4r of the front opening 4 and the front end 5f of the rear opening 5. The vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured so that this position is the closed-side end portions 135, 136 of the door opening 3 in which the front door 31 and the rear door 32 are arranged side by side in the opening width direction.

[0057] That is, the door opening 3 of this embodiment has the so-called pillarless structure as described above. Therefore, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured to have vehicle body side engaging portions 134, 134 on the upper edge portion 3a and the lower edge portion 3b of the door opening 3.

[0058] 8 and 10, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the door-side engaging portion 133 includes a shaft-shaped engaging portion 151 extending in the up-down direction of the vehicle 1 (a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 8). Furthermore, the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 134 includes a guide groove 152 having a pair of side walls 152a, 152b facing each other in the vehicle width direction (the up-down direction in FIG. 8) and extending in the opening / closing direction of the rear door 32. The vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured so that, when the rear door 32 is in the vicinity of the fully closed position P0, the door-side engaging portion 133 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 134 engage with each other with the shaft-shaped engaging portion 151 disposed in the guide groove 152.

[0059] That is, the shaft-shaped engaging portion 151 of the door-side engaging portion 133 is disposed in the guide groove 152 of the vehicle body-side engaging portion 134 while being sandwiched between a pair of side wall portions 152a, 152b facing each other in the vehicle width direction, thereby restricting displacement of the rear door 32 in the vehicle width direction. This enables the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment to stably support the rear door 32 even near the fully closed position P0 where the first and second link arms 81, 82 forming the second link mechanism 52 are likely to be aligned.

[0060] Furthermore, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the rear door 32 is permitted to open and close in a state in which the door-side engaging portion 133 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 134 are engaged with each other based on the operation of the connecting length variable mechanism 100 provided on the second link arm 82. Specifically, when the rear door 32 opens and closes in a state in which the door-side engaging portion 133 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 134 are engaged with each other, the shaft-shaped engaging portion 151 is relatively displaced along the extending direction of the guide groove 152 while the connecting length L is changed based on the operation of the connecting length variable mechanism 100. As a result, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment changes the opening and closing operation locus R2 of the rear door 32. In other words, the arc-shaped locus Rg based on the operation of the second link mechanism 52 is changed into a linear locus Rs along the opening width direction of the door opening 3.

[0061] Furthermore, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the first link mechanism 51 supporting the front door 31 of the vehicle 1 is not provided with the variable connection length mechanism 100 on either the first or second link arm 71, 72. That is, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured so that even when the front door 31 is located near the fully closed position P0, the front door 31 opens and closes along an arc-shaped locus Rg based on the rotation of the first and second link arms 71, 72. As a result, the vehicle 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the front door 31 located near the fully closed position P0 opens and closes by displacing in the vehicle width direction.

[0062] That is, when the front door 31 is opened from the fully closed position P0, the rear end 31r, which is the closing side end 131, is displaced outward in the vehicle width direction while being displaced toward the front of the vehicle. Conversely, when the front door 31 is closed to the fully closed position P0, the rear end 31r, which is the closing side end 131, is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction while being displaced toward the rear of the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment can open the front door 31 of the vehicle 1 from the fully closed position P0 and close it to the fully closed position P0 with an operation feel similar to that of a typical swing door.

[0063] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment has a configuration as a so-called power door device that can open and close the front door 31 and the rear door 32 of the vehicle 1 based on the driving force of the actuator 160.

[0064] Specifically, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment includes a first actuator 161 that applies a driving force to a first link mechanism 51 to open or close the first door 41 supported by the first link mechanism 51. Furthermore, the vehicle door device 30 includes a second actuator 162 that applies a driving force to a second link mechanism 52 to open or close the second door 42 supported by the second link mechanism 52. The vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured so that the front door 31 serving as the first door 41 and the rear door 32 serving as the second door 42 are opened or closed independently by the operation of the first and second actuators 161, 162.

[0065] More specifically, the first and second actuators 161 and 162 each have a motor as a drive source, and are provided at the first rotation connection points X1 and X1 of the first link arms 71 and 81 of the corresponding first and second link mechanisms 51 and 52, respectively.

[0066] Specifically, the first actuator 161 is fixed to the vehicle body 2 and is provided at a base end 71x of a first link arm 71 having a first rotation connection point X1 with respect to the vehicle body 2. More specifically, the first actuator 161 is provided at a position where the base end 71x of the first link arm 71 is connected to a connecting bracket 163 that allows the base end 71x to be rotatable with respect to the vehicle body 2. The first actuator 161 is configured to apply a driving force that rotates the first link arm 71 on the first link mechanism 51 side around the first rotation connection point X1 with respect to the vehicle body 2.

[0067] Similarly, the second actuator 162 is also fixed to the vehicle body 2 and provided at the base end 81x of the first link arm 81, which has a first rotation connection point X1 with respect to the vehicle body 2. More specifically, the second actuator 162 is provided at a position where the base end 81x of the first link arm 81 is connected to a connecting bracket 164 that enables the base end 81x to be rotatable with respect to the vehicle body 2. The second actuator 162 is configured to apply a driving force that rotates the first link arm 81 on the second link mechanism 52 side around the first rotation connection point X1 with respect to the vehicle body 2.

[0068] Furthermore, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, independent control signals are input to the first and second actuators 161, 162. As a result, the vehicle 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the front door 31 supported by the first link mechanism 51 and the rear door 32 serving as the second door 42 supported by the second link mechanism 52 open and close independently of each other.

[0069] (Door lock system) Next, a door lock system for the vehicle 1 formed by the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment will be described.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 4, 9, and 10, the vehicle door apparatus 30 of this embodiment includes strikers 171, 172 provided at the front edge 3f and rear edge 3r of the door opening 3. The vehicle door apparatus 30 also includes a pair of upper and lower strikers 173, 174 provided at the upper edge 3a and lower edge 3b of the door opening 3 at approximately the center in the width direction of the door opening 3. More specifically, each of these strikers 173, 174 is provided at the closing end 135 of the door opening 3 where the front door 31 is located. The vehicle door apparatus 30 also includes a striker 175 provided at the front end 32f of the rear door 32. The vehicle door apparatus 30 of this embodiment also includes a plurality of locking devices 180 that engage with the strikers 171 to 175 to restrain the front door 31 and the rear door 32 provided in the door opening 3 at the fully closed position P0.

[0071] 9, the vehicle door apparatus 30 of this embodiment includes a front lock 181 provided at the front end 31f of the front door 31 as its locking device 180. The vehicle door apparatus 30 also includes a rear lock 182 provided at the rear end 32r of the rear door 32 as its locking device 180. The vehicle door apparatus 30 also includes an upper lock 183 provided at the upper end 31ra of the rear end 31r of the front door 31 and a lower lock 184 provided at the lower end 31rb of the rear end 31r of the front door 31 as its locking device 180. The vehicle door apparatus 30 of this embodiment also includes a center lock 185 provided at the rear end 31r of the front door 31 at a vertical position between the upper lock 183 and the lower lock 184.

[0072] That is, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, when the front door 31 closes to the fully closed position P0, each locking device 180 provided on the front door 31 engages with its corresponding striker 171, 173, 174. More specifically, a front lock 181 provided on a front end 31f of the front door 31 engages with a striker 171 provided at a position that corresponds to the front edge 3f of the door opening 3, that is, the front end 4f of the front opening 4. Furthermore, an upper lock 183 and a lower lock 184 provided on a rear end 31r of the front door 31 engage with upper and lower strikers 173, 174 provided on the upper edge 3a and lower edge 3b of the door opening 3, respectively, at positions that correspond to the rear end 4r of the front opening 4. In the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, these strikers 173, 174 are similarly disposed on the vehicle front side of the vehicle body side engaging portions 134, 134 provided on the upper edge portion 3a and the lower edge portion 3b of the door opening 3. The vehicle 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the front door 31 is held in a fully closed state based on the engaging forces between the strikers 171, 173, 174 and the front lock 181, upper lock 183, and lower lock 184.

[0073] Furthermore, when the rear door 32 closes to the fully closed position P0, a rear lock 182 provided at the rear end 32r of the rear door 32 engages with a striker 172 provided at a position corresponding to the rear edge 3r of the door opening 3, i.e., the rear end 5r of the rear opening 5. The vehicle 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the rear door 32 is held in a fully closed state based on the engaging forces of the rear lock 182 and the striker 172, as well as the engaging forces of the door-side engaging portions 133, 133 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portions 134, 134.

[0074] Furthermore, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, when the front door 31 and the rear door 32 are both fully closed, the center lock 185 provided on the front door 31 engages with the striker 175 provided on the rear door 32. In other words, the locking device 180 provided on the closing end 131 of the front door 31 engages with the striker 175 provided on the closing end 132 of the rear door 32. As a result, the vehicle 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the front door 31 and the rear door 32 are restrained in the fully closed position P0 based on the engaging force of the center lock 185 and the striker 175.

[0075] More specifically, in the vehicle door system 30 of this embodiment, each of the locking devices 180 includes a latch mechanism (not shown) that has two engagement states: a half-latched state and a fully-latched state. Each of the locking devices 180, except for the upper lock 183, includes a motor 190 as a drive source. That is, each of the locking devices 180 has a function of transitioning its latch mechanism from the half-latched state to the fully-latched state and from the fully-latched state to the unlatched state, i.e., disengaged state, by driving the motor. Furthermore, the vehicle door system 30 of this embodiment is configured such that the lower lock 184 and the upper lock 183, each having a drive source, are linked together by a cable connection via a remote control 191f. The vehicle door system 30 of this embodiment is configured such that, when the front door 31 and the rear door 32 are opened from the fully-closed position P0, the front door 31 and the rear door 32 are released from the restraint by the operation of each of the locking devices 180 in response to the opening operation request.

[0076] Specifically, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, control signals for each lock device 180 having a motor 190 as a drive source are input individually via an in-vehicle network (not shown).

[0077] For example, when a request to open the rear door 32 is made based on an operation input to an operation switch provided on the vehicle 1 or a portable device held by the user, an unlock signal is input to the lock device 180 provided on the rear door 32, i.e., the rear lock 182. At this time, an unlock signal is also input to the lock device 180 provided on the rear end 31r of the front door 31 that engages with the striker 175 provided on the front end 32f of the rear door 32, i.e., the center lock 185. The vehicle door system 30 of this embodiment is configured so that the rear lock 182 and the center lock 185 perform an unlocking operation, thereby allowing the rear door 32, which is in a fully closed state, to be opened.

[0078] On the other hand, when there is a request to open the front door 31, an unlock signal is input to each lock device 180 with a drive source provided on the front door 31, that is, the front lock 181, the lower lock 184, and the center lock 185. In this way, the vehicle door system 30 of this embodiment is configured so that these three lock devices 180 perform an unlocking operation, and the upper lock 183 also performs an unlocking operation in conjunction with each other, thereby allowing the front door 31, which is in a fully closed state, to be opened.

[0079] Furthermore, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, in addition to the upper lock 183 and lower lock 184, the front lock 181 and the center lock 185 are also connected to a remote control 191f provided on the front door 31 via a transmission cable 193. Furthermore, the rear lock 182 on the rear door 32 side is also connected to a remote control 191r provided on the rear door 32 via the transmission cable 193. Thus, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, each of these lock devices 180 is configured to perform an unlocking operation based on the operation of the remote controls 191f, 191r connected via the transmission cable 193, without relying on motor drive.

[0080] Specifically, the vehicle 1 of this embodiment is equipped with emergency levers (not shown) provided on the front door 31 and the rear door 32. In the vehicle door system 30 of this embodiment, an operation input for each of these emergency levers is input to a remote control 191f on the front door 31 side and a remote control 191r on the rear door 32 side, on which the emergency lever is provided. That is, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, each of these emergency levers is operated upon a power loss, such as a dead battery. Furthermore, the operation input for each of these emergency levers is transmitted to each of the locking devices 180 provided on the front door 31 and the rear door 32 via the corresponding remote controls 191f, 191r. This allows the vehicle door system 30 of this embodiment to manually release the restraint of the front door 31 and the rear door 32, which are held in a fully closed state.

[0081] (Front door and first link mechanism) Next, the first link mechanism 51 that supports the front door 31 of the vehicle 1 will be described. 4 and 11 to 13, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, a first door 41 constituting a front door 31 of this vehicle 1 is disposed in the front opening 4 of the door opening 3 while being supported by a first link mechanism 51. The vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured so that the front door 31 opens and closes on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of a front seat 201 provided in a vehicle compartment 200 based on the operation of the first link mechanism 51.

[0082] That is, as described above, the first and second link arms 71, 72 forming the first link mechanism 51 each have a first pivot connection point X1 that is rotatably connected to the vehicle body 2 near the front edge 3f of the door opening 3.

[0083] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 , the vehicle 1 of this embodiment includes a dash panel 210 provided in a front portion 200f of the passenger compartment 200, in front of a front seat 201. Furthermore, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the first link arm 71 constituting the main link 95 of the first link mechanism 51 has a first rotation connection point X1 with respect to the vehicle body 2 inside the dash panel 210. More specifically, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the base end portion 71x of the first link arm 71 and the connection bracket 163, which form the first rotation connection point X1 with respect to the vehicle body 2, are disposed inside the dash panel 210. As a result, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the first link arm 71 rotates with the first rotation connection point X1 and the first actuator 161 provided at the first rotation connection point X1 hidden within the dash panel 210. In other words, the front door 31 of the vehicle 1 connected to the first link arm 71 is configured to open and close.

[0084] The vehicle door apparatus 30 of this embodiment also includes a link cover 220 that rotates integrally with the first link arm 71 while covering the first link arm 71 that constitutes the first link mechanism 51. In the vehicle door apparatus 30 of this embodiment, the link cover 220 is made of a soft material, such as resin or sponge, similar to the door trim that constitutes the inner surface 31s of the front door 31. The link cover 220 of this embodiment is configured to cover the outer periphery of the first link arm 71 over the entire length of the first link arm 71, from the first pivot connection point X1 with respect to the vehicle body 2 to the second pivot connection point X2 with respect to the front door 31. The vehicle door apparatus 30 of this embodiment is configured so that the link cover 220 is disposed integrally and continuously with the inner surface 31s of the front door 31 and the dash panel 210 when the front door 31 is in a fully closed state.

[0085] 13 and 14, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the first link mechanism 51 supporting the front door 31 is in a state in which the first and second link arms 71 extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle when the front door 31 is in a fully closed state. As a result, the link cover 220 covering the first link arm 71 is disposed along the inner surface 31s of the front door 31. The link cover 220 of this embodiment is designed to be integrated with the inner surface 31s of the front door 31 in this state.

[0086] Furthermore, the link cover 220 of this embodiment has a curved, substantially L-shaped portion that covers the base end portion 71x of the first link arm 71 that has the first rotation connection point X1 with respect to the vehicle body 2. As a result, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured such that, when the front door 31 is in a fully closed state, the base end portion 221 of the link cover 220 is disposed contiguous with the design surface 210s of the dash panel 210 that extends in the vehicle width direction.

[0087] As shown in Figures 12 and 14, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is provided with a cover member 240 provided in a gap 230 formed between the link cover 220 and the dash panel 210 when the front door 31 is opened.

[0088] That is, in the vehicle door apparatus 30 of this embodiment, when the front door 31 opens, the first and second link arms 71, 72 of the first link mechanism 51 extend in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the base end 221 of the link cover 220, which has a generally L-shaped curve and is continuous with the design surface 210s of the dash panel 210, faces toward the rear of the vehicle. As a result, the gap 230 between the link cover 220 and the dash panel 210 expands.

[0089] In consideration of this, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the cover member 240 disposed in the gap 230 covers the base end portion 71x of the first link arm 71 and the first actuator 161 disposed in the dash panel 210. In other words, the cover member 240 is configured to hide the base end portion 71x of the first link arm 71 and the first actuator 161 facing the vehicle interior 200 through the gap 230 between the link cover 220 and the dash panel 210. This allows the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment to be configured to ensure high design quality.

[0090] 11 to 13 and 15, in vehicle 1 of this embodiment, a foot space 250 for an occupant seated in the front seat 201 is provided below dash panel 210. Furthermore, an interior member 251 that covers the inner surface (not shown) of vehicle body 2 that constitutes a wall surface of the passenger compartment 200 is provided to the side of foot space 250 provided below dash panel 210, at a position outside in the vehicle width direction. Note that this interior member 251 may be referred to as, for example, a "foot scuff." In vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, second link arm 72 that constitutes sub-link 94 of first link mechanism 51 has a first rotation connection point X1 with respect to vehicle body 2 inside interior member 251 arranged to the side of foot space 250. More specifically, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the base end portion 72x of the second link arm 72 and the connecting bracket 252, which form the first rotation connecting point X1, are disposed inside the dash panel 210.

[0091] That is, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, due to this arrangement, the base end portion 72x of the second link arm 72 having the first rotation connection point X1 with respect to the vehicle body 2 is difficult to see from the occupants of the vehicle 1. This allows the vehicle door device 30 to be configured to ensure high design quality.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 16, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the positioning of the first pivot connection point X1 relative to the vehicle body 2 makes it possible for the front door 31 supported by the second link arm 72 to be less likely to interfere with passengers getting in and out of the vehicle through the door opening 3.

[0093] That is, the second link arm 72 supporting the lower end 31b of the front door 31 operates at a height overlapping the foot movement path of an occupant in the front seat 201 when getting in and out of the vehicle. In FIG. 16 , the dashed-dotted line α indicates the foot movement path, specifically, the heel movement path, of an occupant seated in the front seat 201 when getting in and out of the vehicle. However, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, when the front door 31 is in the fully open position P1, the second link arm 72 supporting the front door 31 is positioned at a position outside the movement path of an occupant getting in and out of the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the door opening amount of the front door 31 in the fully open state is also ensured to be approximately the same as that of a typical swing door, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 16 . The vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment therefore ensures good ease of ingress and egress at the front opening 4 of the door opening 3 where the front door 31 is provided.

[0094] 13, 15, and 17, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, an accommodating recess 253 is provided on the inner surface 31s of the front door 31, which accommodates the second link arm 72 therein as the front door 31 closes. The vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment includes a cover member 254 that covers the opening 253x of the accommodating recess 253 when the second link arm 72 is accommodated in the accommodating recess 253.

[0095] Specifically, the accommodating recess 253 of this embodiment has a groove shape extending in the vehicle front-rear direction near the lower end 31b of the front door 31. Furthermore, the lid member 254 has a rotation shaft (not shown) located above the accommodating recess 253. That is, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, when the front door 31 is opened, the second link arm 72 pushes the lid member 254 upward and is released from the accommodating recess 253 (see FIG. 15 ). When the front door 31 is closed, the lid member 254 rotates under its own weight and returns to a position covering the opening 253x of the accommodating recess 253 that accommodates the second link arm 72 therein. Thus, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured so that when the front door 31 is in a fully closed state, it is difficult for an occupant in the vehicle compartment 200 to see the second link arm 72 that forms the first link mechanism 51.

[0096] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. That is, the front door 31 supported by the first link mechanism 51 not having the variable connection length mechanism 100 performs a closing operation to the fully closed position P0 and an opening operation from the fully closed position P0 along an arc-shaped locus Rg based on the rotation of the first and second link arms 71, 72. That is, the front door 31 performs a closing operation to the fully closed position P0 by the tip 131x of its closing side end moving inward in the vehicle width direction, and performs an opening operation from the fully closed position P0 by the tip 131x of its closing side end moving outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0097] In contrast, when the rear door 32 supported by the second link mechanism 52 is near the fully closed position P0, its opening / closing movement locus R2 changes based on the operation of the variable connection length mechanism 100 provided on the second link arm 82. Specifically, the opening / closing movement locus R2 changes from an arc-shaped locus Rg based on the rotation of the first and second link arms 81, 82 to a linear locus Rs based on the operation of the variable connection length mechanism 100. In other words, the rear door 32 closes to the fully closed position P0 as the closing-side end tip 132x moves from the rear side to the front side of the vehicle, and opens from the fully closed position P0 as the closing-side end tip 121x moves from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle. This allows the front door 31 and the rear door 32 to open and close independently of each other, without any order restrictions.

[0098] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The vehicle door device 30 includes a first link mechanism 51 formed by first and second link arms 71, 72 having a first rotation connection point X1 with respect to the vehicle body 2 and a second rotation connection point X2 with respect to the door 10 of the vehicle 1. The vehicle door device 30 also includes a second link mechanism 52 formed by first and second link arms 81, 82 provided independently of the first and second link arms 71, 72 that form the first link mechanism 51. The first door 41 supported by the first link mechanism 51 and the second door 42 supported by the second link mechanism 52 are arranged side by side in a door opening 3 provided in the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the first and second doors 41, 42 open and close independently in different directions based on the operation of the corresponding first and second link mechanisms 51, 52, respectively. The second link arm 82 constituting the second link mechanism 52 is provided with a variable connection length mechanism 100 that can change the connection length L between the first and second rotation connection points X1, X2.

[0099] According to the above configuration, the first and second doors 41, 42 open and close along an arc-shaped trajectory Rg based on the operation of the first and second link mechanisms 51, 52. That is, during the opening and closing operation, the first and second doors 41, 42 move in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at intermediate opening and closing positions. This reduces the amount of displacement in the vehicle width direction, i.e., the amount of displacement of the first and second doors 41, 42 during the opening and closing operation protruding toward the opening of the door opening 3. As a result, interference with obstacles positioned toward the opening of the door opening 3 can be avoided, ensuring a larger door opening amount.

[0100] Furthermore, when the second door 42 supported by the second link mechanism 52 is near the fully closed position P0, the opening / closing movement locus R2 can be changed from the arc-shaped locus Rg based on the operation of the variable connection length mechanism 100 provided on the second link arm 82. This makes it possible to avoid mutual interference near the fully closed position P0 and to open and close the first and second doors 41, 42 independently of each other without order restrictions.

[0101] (2) In particular, the first link mechanism 51 does not have the variable coupling length mechanism 100, and by maintaining the arc-shaped locus Rg of the opening / closing movement locus R1, it is possible to stably avoid interference between the first door 41 and the second door 42 near the fully closed position P0. That is, by not changing the opening / closing movement locus R1 of the first door 41, it is possible to easily identify the opening / closing movement locus of the second door 42 that does not interfere with the first door 41. This makes it possible to ensure high reliability while simplifying the configuration.

[0102] (3) Furthermore, when the second door 42 is near the fully closed position P0, the second link mechanism 52 is configured so that its opening / closing movement trajectory R2 changes to a linear trajectory Rs along the opening width direction of the door opening 3 based on the operation of the variable connection length mechanism 100.

[0103] That is, the first door 41 supported by the first link mechanism 51 that does not have the variable connection length mechanism 100 maintains the arc-shaped locus Rg based on the operation of the first link mechanism 51 even near the fully closed position P0. That is, the first door 41 closes to the fully closed position P0 by moving inward in the vehicle width direction, and opens from the fully closed position P0 by moving outward in the vehicle width direction. In contrast, the second door 42 closes to the fully closed position P0 by moving from the rear side to the front side of the vehicle, and opens from the fully closed position P0 by moving from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle. This allows the first and second doors 41, 42 to be opened and closed independently of each other, without any order restrictions.

[0104] (4) The first door 41 is the front door 31 that opens toward the front of the vehicle based on the operation of the first link mechanism 51. The second door 42 is the rear door 32 that opens toward the rear of the vehicle based on the operation of the second link mechanism 52.

[0105] According to the above configuration, it is possible to arrange so-called double-hinged front doors 31 and rear doors 32 that open and close in opposite directions relative to the door opening 3 provided on the side surface 2s of the vehicle body 2. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the amount of displacement of the front doors 31 and rear doors 32 in the opening direction of the door opening 3, that is, the amount of displacement of the opening and closing movement that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction. This makes it possible to avoid interference with obstacles located in the opening direction of the door opening, such as a wall located in the outward vehicle width direction or a vehicle parked next to the vehicle, and ensure a larger door opening amount.

[0106] Additionally, the front door 31 and the rear door 32 can be opened and closed independently of each other without any order restrictions. Furthermore, near the fully closed position P0, the front door 31 supported by the first link mechanism 51, which does not have the variable connection length mechanism 100, opens and closes in a manner that displaces it in the vehicle width direction. This allows the front door 31 to be opened from the fully closed position P0 and closed to the fully closed position P0 with an operation feel similar to that of a typical swing door.

[0107] (5) The vehicle door device 30 includes a door-side engaging portion 133 provided at the closing-side end 132 of the rear door 32. The vehicle door device 30 defines a closing-side end 136 of the door opening 3 as a position that is approximately the center in the opening width direction of the door opening 3 to which the closing-side end 132 approaches or moves away based on the opening or closing operation of the rear door 32, that is, a position that is the front end 5f of the rear opening 5 in which the rear door 32 is provided. The vehicle door device 30 also includes a vehicle-body-side engaging portion 134 provided at the closing-side end 136 of the door opening 3. The door-side engaging portion 133 includes an axial engaging portion 151 that extends in the up-down direction of the vehicle 1. The vehicle-body-side engaging portion 134 includes a pair of side wall portions 152a, 152b that face each other in the vehicle width direction, which is the opening direction of the door opening 3, and includes a guide groove 152 that extends in the opening or closing direction of the rear door 32. In the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, when the rear door 32 is near the fully closed position P0 where the door side engaging portion 133 and the vehicle body side engaging portion 134 engage with each other, the axial engaging portion 151 is positioned within the guide groove 152.

[0108] According to the above configuration, the shaft-shaped engaging portion 151 is disposed in the guide groove 152, thereby restricting displacement of the rear door 32 in the vehicle width direction, that is, in the opening direction of the door opening 3. This makes it possible to stably support the rear door 32 even near the fully closed position P0, where the first and second link arms 81, 82 forming the second link mechanism 52 tend to be close to each other and aligned linearly.

[0109] (6) Furthermore, when the door-side engaging portion 133 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 134 are engaged with each other, the locus R2 of the opening / closing movement of the rear door 32 changes from the arc-shaped locus Rg to a linear locus Rs based on the operation of the variable connection length mechanism 100. As a result, even when the front door 31 is in the fully closed state, the rear door 32 can be smoothly closed to the fully closed position P0 and opened from the fully closed position P0.

[0110] (7) The vehicle door device 30 includes a pair of vehicle body side engaging portions 134, 134 provided on the upper edge portion 3a and the lower edge portion 3b of the door opening 3. The vehicle door device 30 also includes a pair of door side engaging portions 133, 133 provided on the closing side end portion 132 of the rear door 32 and engaging with the vehicle body side engaging portions 134, 134, respectively.

[0111] According to the above-described configuration, the rear door 32 can be supported more stably near the fully closed position P0. Another advantage is that it can be applied to a so-called pillarless structure in which the closing end 136 of the door opening 3 where the vehicle body side engaging portion 134 is disposed does not have a structure extending in the vertical direction, such as a "B pillar."

[0112] (8) Furthermore, the locking device 180 that restrains the closing end 132 of the rear door 32, on which the pair of door-side engaging portions 133, 133 is provided, can be eliminated. That is, even when the rear door 32 is in the fully closed state, the closing end 132 of the rear door 32 can be stably held based on the engaging force of the pair of door-side engaging portions 133, 133 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portions 134, 134 provided on the closing end 132. This allows the rear door 32 to be stably supported at the fully closed position P0 while simplifying the configuration.

[0113] (9) The vehicle door device 30 includes a pair of strikers 173, 174 provided at the upper edge 3a and the lower edge 3b of the door opening 3. The vehicle door device 30 also includes a pair of locking devices 180, namely, an upper lock 183 and a lower lock 184, which are provided at the closing-side end 131 of the front door 31 and engage with the strikers 173, 174.

[0114] According to the above-described configuration, the front door 31 can be stably restrained in the fully closed position P0. Another advantage is that it can be applied to a so-called pillarless structure in which the closing end 135 of the door opening 3, where the striker should be located, does not have a vertically extending structure such as a "B pillar."

[0115] (10) The vehicle door device 30 includes a striker 175 provided at the closing end 132 of the rear door 32 and a center lock 185 as a locking device 180 provided at the closing end 131 of the front door 31. The striker 175 and the center lock 185 are engaged with each other to restrain the front door 31 and the rear door 32 in the fully closed position.

[0116] According to the above configuration, even if the door opening 3 has a so-called pillarless structure in which the closed end portions 135, 136 do not have a structure extending in the vertical direction, such as a "B pillar," the front door 31 and the rear door 32 can be stably restrained in the fully closed position P0.

[0117] (11) The vehicle door device 30 includes a first actuator 161 that applies a driving force to the first link mechanism 51 to open and close the front door 31, and a second actuator 162 that applies a driving force to the second link mechanism 52 to open and close the rear door 32. This improves convenience.

[0118] The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the variable coupling length mechanism 100 is provided for the second link arm 82 that constitutes the sub-link 94 of the first and second link arms 81, 82 that form the second link mechanism 52. However, this is not limiting, and the variable coupling length mechanism 100 may be provided for the first link arm 81 that constitutes the main link 95, or a configuration in which the variable coupling length mechanism 100 is provided for both the first and second link arms 81, 82. Even with this configuration, the opening / closing movement trajectory R2 of the rear door 32 can be changed based on the operation of the variable coupling length mechanism 100. This prevents interference between the first and second doors 41, 42 near the fully closed position P0, allowing the first and second doors 41, 42 to be opened and closed independently of each other without any order restrictions.

[0120] The variable coupling length mechanism 100 may also be provided on the first link mechanism 51 side. In this case, too, the variable coupling length mechanism 100 may be provided on at least one of the first and second link arms 71, 72 that form the first link mechanism 51. This makes it possible to change the opening / closing movement locus R1 of the front door 31 based on the operation of the variable coupling length mechanism 100. The variable coupling length mechanism 100 may also be provided on both the first and second link mechanisms 51, 52.

[0121] That is, it is preferable to provide the variable connection length mechanism 100 to either the first and second link arms 71, 72 that form the first link mechanism 51 or the first and second link arms 81, 82 that form the second link mechanism 52. This prevents interference between the first and second doors near the fully closed position P0, and allows the first and second doors 41, 42 to be opened and closed independently of each other without any order restrictions.

[0122] In the above embodiment, the variable coupling length mechanism 100 is configured as a joint link mechanism 110 that rotatably connects the vehicle body-side link 101 having the first rotation connection point X1 and the door-side link 102 having the second rotation connection point X2. However, the configuration of the variable coupling length mechanism 100 is not limited to this, and may be changed as desired, for example, by using a direct-acting telescopic link mechanism.

[0123] In the above embodiment, when the rear door 32 is near the fully closed position P0, the opening / closing movement locus R2 of the rear door 32 changes to a linear locus Rs. However, this is not limiting, and the opening / closing movement locus R2 after the change does not necessarily have to be the same linear locus Rs as in the above embodiment. In other words, it is sufficient if interference between the first and second doors 41, 42 can be avoided near the fully closed position P0.

[0124] In the above embodiment, the first door 41 is the front door 31 that opens toward the front of the vehicle based on the operation of the first link mechanism 51, and the second door 42 is the rear door 32 that opens toward the rear of the vehicle based on the operation of the second link mechanism 52. However, this is not limiting, and the first door 41 may be the rear door 32, and the second door 42 may be the front door 31. The first and second doors 41, 42 may be back doors of the vehicle 1, for example, they may be provided at a location other than the door opening 3 that opens on the side surface 2s of the vehicle body 2, such as a rear hatch that opens toward the rear of the vehicle 1.

[0125] In the above embodiment, the door opening 3 does not have a pillar structure in the center in the vehicle longitudinal direction, but has a so-called pillarless structure in which the front opening 4 and the rear opening 5 are integrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a door opening 3 that has a pillar structure in the center in the opening width direction, for example, a door opening 3 in which the front opening 4 and the rear opening 5 are separated by a "B pillar."

[0126] In the above embodiment, the striker 175 is provided at the closing end 132 of the rear door 32, and the locking device 180 that engages with this striker 175 is provided at the closing end 131 of the front door 31. However, this is not limiting, and a configuration in which the striker 175 is provided at the closing end 131 of the front door 31, and the locking device 180 that engages with this striker 175 is provided at the closing end 132 of the rear door 32 may also be used.

[0127] In the above embodiment, a pair of strikers 173, 174 are provided on the upper edge 3a and the lower edge 3b of the door opening 3. An upper lock 183 and a lower lock 184 that engage with these strikers 173, 174 are provided on the closing end 131 of the front door 31. However, this is not limiting, and such a pair of upper and lower locking devices 180, 180 may be provided on the closing end 132 of the rear door 32.

[0128] In the above embodiment, the rear door 32 is provided with a pair of door-side engaging portions 133, 133 at the closing end 132, and a pair of vehicle-side engaging portions 134, 134 at the upper edge 3a and lower edge 3b of the door opening 3. However, the arrangement of the door-side engaging portions 133 and the vehicle-side engaging portions 134 may be changed as desired. For example, if the door opening 3 has a structure extending in the vertical direction, such as a "B-pillar," the vehicle-side engaging portion 134 may be provided there. The number of door-side engaging portions 133 and the vehicle-side engaging portions 134 may also be one, three, or more.

[0129] In the above embodiment, the door-side engaging portion 133 has the shaft-shaped engaging portion 151, and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 134 has the guide groove 152. However, this is not limiting, and the door-side engaging portion 133 may have the guide groove 152, and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 134 may have the shaft-shaped engaging portion 151.

[0130] Furthermore, the closing end 131 of the front door 31 may be provided with the door-side engaging portion 133 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 134 as described above. That is, the second door 42 supported by the second link mechanism 52, which is the link mechanism 20 that does not have the variable coupling length mechanism 100, may be provided with such door-side engaging portion 133 and vehicle-body-side engaging portion 134. However, by adopting a configuration in which the door-side engaging portion 133 and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion 134 are provided for the first door 41 supported by the first link mechanism 51, which is the link mechanism 20 that has the variable coupling length mechanism 100, a more significant effect can be obtained.

[0131] In the above embodiment, the first actuator 161 that opens and closes the first door 41 and the second actuator 162 that opens and closes the second door 42 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and may be applied to a configuration in which one or both of the first and second doors 41, 42 are manually opened and closed. The arrangement of each actuator 160 and the structure for transmitting the driving force may also be changed as desired. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 1...Vehicle 2...Body 3...Door opening 10...Door 30...Vehicle door device 41...First door 42...Second door 51...First link mechanism 52...Second link mechanism 71, 81...First link arm 72, 82...Second link arm 100... Variable connection length mechanism X1...first pivot point X2: Second pivot point L…Connection length

Claims

1. a first link mechanism formed by first and second link arms having a first pivot connection point relative to the vehicle body and a second pivot connection point relative to the vehicle door; a second link mechanism formed by the first and second link arms provided independently of the first and second link arms forming the first link mechanism, The first door supported by the first link mechanism and the second door supported by the second link mechanism are arranged side by side in a door opening provided in the vehicle, and are opened and closed independently in different directions based on the operations of the first and second link mechanisms, a variable connection length mechanism that can change a connection length between the first and second pivot connection points is provided on at least one of the first and second link arms that form the first link mechanism and the first and second link arms that form the second link mechanism, The variable connection length mechanism is a joint link mechanism that rotatably connects a vehicle body side link having the first rotation connection point and a door side link having the second rotation connection point. A vehicle door device.

2. The vehicle door device according to claim 1, When the door supported by the link mechanism having the variable connection length mechanism is in the vicinity of a fully closed position, the locus of the opening / closing movement of the door is changed to a linear locus along the opening width direction of the door opening based on the operation of the variable connection length mechanism. A vehicle door device comprising:

3. The vehicle door device according to claim 1 or 2, the variable coupling length mechanism is provided on the second link mechanism side, The first link mechanism is not provided with the variable coupling length mechanism. A vehicle door device comprising:

4. The vehicle door device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the first door is a front door that opens toward the front of the vehicle based on the operation of the first link mechanism, The vehicle door apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second door is a rear door that opens toward the rear of the vehicle based on the operation of the second link mechanism.

5. The vehicle door device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a door-side engaging portion provided at a closing end of the door; a vehicle body-side engaging portion provided at a closing-side end of the door opening, to which the closing-side end of the door comes into contact and separates based on opening and closing operations of the door, One side of the door-side engaging portion and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion includes a shaft-shaped engaging portion extending in the up-down direction of the vehicle, the other side of the door-side engaging portion and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion has a pair of side wall portions facing each other in the opening direction of the door opening, and is provided with a guide groove extending in the opening / closing direction of the door, When the door, in which the door-side engaging portion and the vehicle-body-side engaging portion are engaged, is in the vicinity of a fully closed position, the shaft-shaped engaging portion is disposed within the guide groove; A vehicle door device comprising:

6. The vehicle door device according to claim 5, a door-side engaging portion and a vehicle-body-side engaging portion provided for the door supported by the link mechanism having the variable connection length mechanism;

7. The vehicle door device according to claim 5 or 6, a pair of vehicle body side engaging portions provided at upper and lower edge portions of the door opening; a pair of the door-side engaging portions that engage with each of the vehicle-body-side engaging portions; A vehicle door device comprising:

8. The vehicle door device according to claim 7, a locking device for restraining the door in a fully closed position, the locking device being provided at the closing end of the door where the pair of door-side engaging portions are provided;

9. The vehicle door device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a pair of strikers provided at the upper and lower edges of the door opening; a pair of locking devices provided at a closing end of the door and engaging with the strikers to restrain the door in a fully closed position.

10. The vehicle door device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a striker provided at a closing end of one of the first and second doors; a locking device provided at the other closing end of the first and second doors and engaging with the striker to lock the first and second doors in a fully closed position; A vehicle door device comprising:

11. The vehicle door device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, a first actuator that applies a driving force to the first link mechanism to open or close the first door; a second actuator that applies a driving force to the second link mechanism to open or close the second door.

12. A vehicle door device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the first door and the second door are disposed in a fully closed position with their closed end tips overlapping each other in an opening direction of the door opening; A vehicle door device comprising:

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