Sliding door brake

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a sliding door braking device having a simple structure and capable of automatically bringing, at a predetermined speed, a door board of a sliding door to a gentle stop at a predetermined position, such as full-open or full-close. [Solution] This sliding door braking device comprises a fixed rail 11A provided on an upper surface of an opening in which a door board 12 of a sliding door is installed, a movable rail 11B capable of moving integrally with the door board 12 along the fixed rail 11A, and a damper mechanism 13 installed between the fixed rail 11A and the movable rail 11B to apply braking force to the movable rail 11B moving relative to the fixed rail 11A.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a braking device for a sliding door that automatically returns an opened sliding door panel to a closed position. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, sliding doors have been used as a means for opening and closing doorways in rooms of houses and the like. Such sliding doors are supported by a runner structure including guide rollers that run along a guide rail provided along the upper edge of the opening, for example. The sliding door opens or closes the opening as the guide rollers run along the guide rail and move toward one or both sides of the opening. Furthermore, in order to improve operability when opening or closing the sliding door, self-closing sliding doors are known that are equipped with a self-closing means that automatically moves the door panel of an open sliding door to a closed position (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-76579 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6172836 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 has a complex structure for returning the sliding door panel to the closed position, and requires electrical parts such as limit switches, timers, solenoids, and relay switches, as well as electricity, etc. Therefore, there are problems with the large number of parts, the complex structure, and the high cost.

[0005] On the other hand, the invention described in Patent Document 2 also has the problem that the structure for returning the sliding door panel to the closed position is complicated, the number of parts is large, and the cost is high.

[0006] Therefore, a technical problem arises that must be solved in order to provide a braking device for a sliding door that has a simple structure and can automatically stop the sliding door panel at a predetermined position such as fully open or fully closed at a predetermined speed, and the present invention aims to solve this problem. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention has been proposed to achieve the above object, and the invention described in claim 1 is a braking device for a sliding door, comprising: a fixed rail provided on the upper surface of an opening where a door panel of the sliding door is installed; a movable rail provided on the door panel and movable along the fixed rail together with the door panel; and a damper mechanism installed between the fixed rail and the movable rail to apply a braking force to the movable rail which moves relative to the fixed rail, wherein the damper mechanism has a rotation output shaft, and a damper which applies rotation resistance to the rotation output shaft when the rotation output shaft rotates in the opening direction or the closing direction of the door panel; Provided is a braking device for a sliding door comprising: a rack member provided on the fixed rail side with a plurality of rack teeth arranged along the moving direction; a main gear disposed integrally with the rotation output shaft and rotatable in mesh with the rack teeth; a support gear disposed alongside the main gear, rotatable on the rotation output shaft so as to be able to rotate idly in mesh with the rack teeth; and friction means, disposed between the main gear and the support gear, for generating a frictional force that transmits the rotation of the support gear to the main gear, wherein the main gear has a first tooth-notched portion that releases meshing with the rack teeth while the door panel is opening.

[0008] With this configuration, when the door panel closes by itself, the movable rail that moves integrally with the door panel moves toward the closed position at a substantially predetermined speed due to the braking of the damper mechanism. Therefore, the door panel that moves integrally with the movable rail also moves from the open position toward the closed position at a substantially predetermined speed. As a result, the opened door panel can always automatically return to the closed position at a constant speed, regardless of at what position the door panel is stopped from opening and its opening is stopped and its hand is released. Furthermore, when the door panel is moved toward the closed or open position, the main gear and the rack teeth of the rack member mesh, causing the rotary output shaft to rotate in the open or closed direction. When the door panel is opened, the rotary output shaft rotates in the direction in which the damper's rotational resistance is small, so the door panel can be opened with less force. Furthermore, when the first tooth-notched portion corresponds to the rack teeth of the rack member, the meshing between the rack member and the main gear is eliminated. This stops the rotation of the main gear, and so does the rotation of the damper's rotary output shaft. This also cuts off the transmission between the damper and the movable rail, allowing the door panel to be moved in the open direction with even less force. Conversely, when the door panel is released while it is moving or when it is fully open, it moves in the closing direction due to its own weight. At the same time, the support gear rotates (idles) on the rotary output shaft. When the support gear rotates, the frictional force generated between the support gear and the main gear transmits the rotation of the support gear to the main gear, which is then guided in the closing direction and rotates slightly, causing the main gear to mesh with the rack teeth of the rack member. The main gear then rotates in the closing direction together with the rotary output shaft of the damper, i.e., in the direction in which the damper applies a large rotational resistance to the rotary output shaft to rotate the rotary output shaft at a constant speed. This causes the damper to apply a braking force to the movable rail, causing the door panel to move slowly in the closing direction at approximately the specified speed. Furthermore, when the door panel is released while it is moving or when it is fully open, the frictional force generated by the friction means provided between the main gear and support gear reliably transmits the rotation of the support gear to the main gear. This causes the main gear to rotate in the closing direction, causing it to reliably mesh with the rack teeth of the rack member.

[0011] The invention of claim 3 is a sliding door according to the configuration of claim 1, wherein the main gear has a second tooth-missing portion that releases meshing with the rack teeth during closing of the door panel. The present invention provides a braking device.

[0012] With this configuration, when the door panel is moved in the closing direction and, for example, on its way to the closing end, the second notched portion reaches the rack member, the rotation of the main gear stops, and the rotation of the damper's rotation output shaft also stops. This cuts off the transmission between the movable rail and the damper, and the door panel moves to the fully closed position by its own weight, etc., and closes naturally. Furthermore, when the door panel is moved in the opening direction and, for example, on its way to the opening end, the second notched portion reaches the rack member, the rotation of the main gear stops, and the rotation of the damper's rotation output shaft also stops. This cuts off the transmission between the movable rail and the damper, and the door panel can be opened with less force. Furthermore, by, for example, setting the positions of the first notched portion and the second notched portion, it is possible to change the operation timing of the door panel in the opening direction and the closing direction, respectively.

[0013] The invention described in claim 4 provides a braking device for a sliding door, in the configuration described in claim 1 or 3, wherein the main gear has a second tooth-missing portion that releases meshing with the rack teeth while the door panel is closing.

[0014] With this configuration, the transmission of frictional force that transmits the rotation of the support gear to the main gear is increased by the contact resistance generated by the O-ring made of an elastic material, thereby assisting the rotation of the main gear in the closing and opening directions. The invention described in claim 5 provides a braking device for a sliding door, in the configuration described in claim 1, wherein the main gear has a through mounting hole that is inserted into the main gear mounting portion of the rotation output shaft, and the through mounting hole is formed with a diameter larger than the cross section of the main gear mounting portion so that the main gear can rotate by one tooth relative to the rack teeth. According to this configuration, when the main gear is attached to the main gear attachment portion and rotated, the main gear is set to have a loose fit that allows it to rotate by one tooth. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, no matter at what position the sliding door panel is released, it will not close forcefully, but can be stopped slowly and automatically at a predetermined position over a certain period of time, thereby improving safety. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the overall configuration of a self-closing sliding door incorporating a braking device for a sliding door according to the present invention, with the door panel in a closed state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of part A in FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic top view showing the configuration of the braking portion on the sliding door side in the braking device for the sliding door. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the braking portion on the sliding door side shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 4 is a schematic front view showing the main internal structure of a part of the braking part on the sliding door side shown in FIG. 3, taken along the line BB. FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the control unit on the sliding door side shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the braking device for the sliding door, showing the state before the main gear meshes with the rack teeth of the rack member. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the braking device for the sliding door, showing the state in which the main gear begins to mesh with the rack teeth of the rack member. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the braking device for the sliding door, showing a state in which the rack teeth of the rack member and the main gear are in the middle of meshing. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the braking device for the sliding door, showing the state in which the rack teeth of the rack member and the main gear have finished meshing. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] In order to achieve the object of providing a braking device for a sliding door that has a simple structure and can automatically stop a door panel of a sliding door at a predetermined position such as fully open or fully closed at a predetermined speed, the braking device for a sliding door comprises: a fixed rail provided on the upper surface of an opening where the door panel of the sliding door is installed; a movable rail provided on the door panel and movable along the fixed rail together with the door panel; and a damper mechanism installed between the fixed rail and the movable rail to apply a braking force to the movable rail which moves relatively to the fixed rail, the damper mechanism having a rotation output shaft that rotates when the rotation output shaft rotates in the opening direction or the closing direction of the door panel. This is achieved by the configuration comprising: a damper that applies rotational resistance to the force shaft; a rack member that is provided on the fixed rail side and has a plurality of rack teeth arranged along the moving direction of the door panel; a main gear that is arranged integrally with the rotation output shaft and is rotatable by meshing with the rack teeth; a support gear that is arranged alongside the main gear and is rotatable on the rotation output shaft so as to be able to rotate idly and is rotatable by meshing with the rack teeth; and friction means that is provided between the main gear and the support gear and generates a friction force that transmits the rotation of the support gear to the main gear, and the main gear has a first tooth-missing portion that releases meshing with the rack teeth while the door panel is opening. [Example]

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiment, when the number, value, amount, range, etc. of components is mentioned, the number is not limited to the specific number, and may be more or less than the specific number, unless otherwise specified or when it is clearly limited to a specific number in principle.

[0019] Furthermore, when referring to the shape or positional relationship of components, etc., it includes things that are substantially similar or approximate to those shapes, etc., unless otherwise specified or when it is clearly considered otherwise in principle.

[0020] In addition, the drawings may exaggerate characteristic parts to make the features easier to understand, and the dimensional proportions of the components may not be the same as in reality. In addition, in cross-sectional views, hatching of some components may be omitted to make the cross-sectional structure of the components easier to understand.

[0021] In the following description, expressions indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right are not absolute, but are appropriate when each part of the braking device for a sliding door of the present invention is in the position shown in the drawing, but if the position changes, they should be interpreted accordingly. Furthermore, the same elements are given the same symbols throughout the description of the embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the overall configuration of a self-closing sliding door 100 incorporating one embodiment of a sliding door braking device 10 according to the present invention, with the door panel 12 in an open state, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of part A in FIG. 1.

[0023] 1 and 2, a self-closing sliding door 100 is configured to support a door panel (sliding door) 12 so that it can move longitudinally (in the opening-closing direction) along a guide rail 11 provided on the upper edge of a door frame (not shown) of an opening provided in a building or the like. The guide rail 11 constitutes a part of a braking device 10 for the sliding door (hereinafter simply referred to as "brake device 10") that controls the movement of the door panel 12 that runs along the guide rail 11. The braking device 10 comprises the guide rail 11, a damper mechanism 13, and the like. The door panel 12 of the self-closing sliding door 100 in this embodiment is installed so that it always closes by itself under its own weight when the door frame and guide rail 11 are tilted, for example, and the like, and the door panel 12 is released from the hand, etc.

[0024] The guide rail 11 is made of an aluminum alloy or the like, and is composed of a fixed rail 11A fixed to the upper edge of the door frame (top surface of the opening), and a movable rail 11B attached to the fixed rail 11A via a guide roller or the like and movable together with the door panel 12 in the longitudinal direction of the fixed rail 11A.

[0025] A rack member 14 of a damper mechanism 13 (described later) is disposed on the front surface of the fixed rail 11A over substantially the entire length of the fixed rail 11A. Rack teeth 14a are formed on the front surface of the rack member 14 at a predetermined pitch.

[0026] A braking part 16 of a damper mechanism 13 is attached to the front surface of the movable rail 11B via a mounting bracket 15. The upper edge of the door panel 12 is attached to the lower edge of the movable rail 11B, suspended so that the vertical height position can be adjusted.

[0027] Figures 3 to 7 show the braking unit 16 of the damper mechanism 13. The configuration of the braking unit 16 in the damper mechanism 13 will be further explained using Figures 3 to 7 in addition to Figures 1 and 2. The braking unit 16 of the damper mechanism 13 is disposed between the fixed rail 11A and the movable rail 11B, and includes the rack member 14, the damper 17, rotary gear means 18, an O-ring 19 as friction means, and the like.

[0028] The damper 17 has a rotary output shaft 17A, and is an infinite angle one-way rotary damper in which the rotational resistance is high when the rotary output shaft 17A is rotated in one direction (closing direction), and the rotational resistance is low when the rotary output shaft 17A is rotated in the opposite direction (opening direction). As shown in Figure 2, the damper 17 is fixed to the mounting bracket 15 with the rotary output shaft 17A facing upward (towards the ceiling) using mounting screws 20. The damper 17 in this embodiment is set and arranged so that the rotational resistance is low when the rotary output shaft 17A rotates in conjunction with the movement of the door panel 12 in the opening direction (opening direction in Figure 1), and conversely, the rotational resistance is high when the rotary output shaft 17A rotates in the closing direction (closing direction in Figure 1).

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6, the rotary output shaft 17A is formed, in order from the damper main body 17B side, with a support gear mounting portion 17a having a circular cross section, a main gear mounting portion 17b having a generally oval cross section (non-circular cross section) formed by cutting a portion of each of the opposing surfaces, and an E-ring mounting portion 17c formed by an engagement groove provided on the outer periphery of the main gear mounting portion 17b.

[0030] The rotary gear means 18 includes a main gear 21 and a support gear 22 mounted on the rotary output shaft 17A of the damper 17.

[0031] The support gear 22 is a spur gear. A through-hole mounting hole 22a having an inner diameter substantially equal to that of the support gear mounting portion 17a of the rotation output shaft 17A is formed in the center of the support gear 22, and a plurality of teeth 22b (30 teeth in this embodiment) that mesh with the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14 are provided at equal intervals on the outer circumferential surface. The support gear 22 is rotatably disposed on the support gear mounting portion 17a of the rotation output shaft 17A. An annular recess 22d is formed on each of both side surfaces 22c of the support gear 22, with the through-hole mounting hole 22a at its center.

[0032] The main gear 21 is also a spur gear. A through-hole 21a is formed in the center of the main gear 21. The through-hole 21a is slightly larger than the generally oval, non-circular cross section of the main gear mounting portion 17b of the rotary output shaft 17A. This is configured so that when the main gear 21 is mounted on the main gear mounting portion 17b and rotated, the main gear 21 can rotate by one tooth. The outer circumferential surface is provided with a plurality of equally spaced teeth 21b that mesh with the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14, a first tooth-missing portion 21e, and a second tooth-missing portion 21f. More specifically, in this embodiment, the first tooth-missing portion 21e and the second tooth-missing portion 21f are each missing six and five teeth, respectively. Between the first tooth-missing portion 21e and the second tooth-missing portion 21f on one side, a first toothed portion 21A consisting of 13 teeth 21b and a second toothed portion 21B consisting of seven teeth 21b are formed. Further, on both side surfaces 21c of the main gear 21, an annular recess 21d is formed with the through-mounting hole 21a at its center.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the main gear 21 and the support gear 22 are sandwiched between an O-ring 19, which serves as friction means and is made of an elastic material such as rubber, with the side surface 21c of the main gear 21 and the side surface 22c of the support gear 22 facing each other, and the support gear 22 is attached to the support gear attachment portion 17a on the rotation output shaft 17A, and the main gear 21 is attached to the main gear attachment portion 17b. After that, an E-ring 23 is fitted into the E-ring attachment portion 17c to prevent it from coming off, and the main gear 21 and the support gear 22 can be attached and fixed onto the rotation output shaft 17A.

[0034] The thickness of the O-ring 19 in this embodiment is set to be slightly larger than the combined depth of the recess 21d provided in the side surface 21c of the main gear 21 and the depth of the recess 22d provided in the side surface 22c of the support gear 22, which face each other. Therefore, the O-ring 19 disposed between the main gear 21 and the support gear 22, whose side surfaces 21c and 22c face each other, is crushed by the main gear 21 and the support gear 22, and is disposed in a compressed and deformed sandwiched state. Therefore, frictional resistance due to the O-ring 19 is generated between the side surface 21c of the main gear 21 and the side surface 22c of the support gear 22 when either one tries to rotate.

[0035] The braking unit 16 configured as above is attached to the movable rail 11B via the mounting bracket 15 with the main gear 21 and the support gear 22 respectively meshing with the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14. When attaching the braking unit 16 to the movable rail 11B, the relationship between the main gear 21 and the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14 is such that, when the door panel 12 is located in the fully closed position, the first tooth-missing portion 21e corresponds to the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14 and the teeth 21b of the main gear 21 do not mesh with the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14 (see Figure 7). The braking unit 16 is also set so that when the rotation output shaft 17A rotates in the opening direction, the rotation resistance is small and the door panel 12 can be opened with a light force, but conversely, when the rotation output shaft 17A rotates in the closing direction, the rotation resistance is large and the braking force of the damper 17 acts on the door panel 12, causing the door panel 12 to close slowly.

[0036] 7 to 10 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the braking device 10. Next, the operation of the braking device 10 will be explained using Figures 7 to 10 in addition to Figures 1 to 6.

[0037] The braking device 10 shown in FIG. 7 shows a state in which the door panel 12 closes the opening, and the main gear 21 of the rotary gear means 18 has a first tooth-missing portion 21e that corresponds to the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14.

[0038] [Opens door panel 12] When the door panel 12 is moved from the closed position toward the open position (the open direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 1), the movable rail 11B, which moves integrally with the door panel 12, moves toward the open position together with the brake device 10 while rotating the support gear 22 in the direction of arrow O in Figure 8 (clockwise direction).

[0039] As the support gear 22 rotates, the main gear 21 rotates clockwise together with the support gear 22 due to the frictional force generated by the O-ring 19, which is a friction means interposed between the support gear 22 and the main gear 21. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the first tooth portion (13 teeth) 21A of the main gear 21 meshes with the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14, and the main gear 21 rotates clockwise together with the support gear 22. At the same time, the rotation output shaft 17A of the damper 17, which fixes the main gear 21, also rotates clockwise together with the main gear 21. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9, the support gear 22 and the first tooth portion 21A of the main gear 21 continue to rotate while remaining meshed with the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14. Note that the rotation of the support gear 22 at this point is in an idling state. Furthermore, the main gear 21 and the rotation output shaft 17A rotate in a direction that minimizes the rotational resistance of the damper 17. Therefore, the door panel 12 can be opened with little force.

[0040] 10, when the second tooth-missing portion 21f of the main gear 21 reaches the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14, the first tooth portion 21A of the main gear 21 and the rack teeth 14a are no longer engaged, and the rotation of the main gear 21 stops. At the same time, the rotation of the rotation output shaft 17A also stops. This makes it possible to open the door panel 12 with even less force.

[0041] [Let go of door panel 12 while it is opening (stop the opening)] If you let go of the door panel 12 while it is opening, the door panel 12 will move together with the movable rail 11B toward the closed position (the closing direction of the arrow in Figure 1) due to its own weight. At this time, the support gear 22 will also rotate (idle) in the direction of arrow C in Figure 10 (counterclockwise direction).

[0042] When the support gear 22 rotates, the main gear 21 rotates counterclockwise together with the support gear 22 due to the frictional force generated by the O-ring 19, which is a friction means interposed between the support gear 22 and the main gear 21, and the first tooth portion (13 teeth) 21A of the main gear 21 meshes with the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14 and rotates. At the same time, the rotation output shaft 17A of the damper 17, which fixes the main gear 21, also rotates counterclockwise. After that, both the support gear 22 and the main gear 21 continue to rotate while meshing with the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14. Note that the rotation of the support gear 22 at this point is in an idling state. Furthermore, the main gear 21 and the rotation output shaft 17A rotate in a direction in which the rotational resistance of the damper 17 is large, and a damping force acts on the door panel 12, causing the door panel 12 to slowly move toward the closed position together with the movable rail 118 and close.

[0043] Furthermore, when the second tooth missing portion 21f of the main gear 21 reaches the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14, the main gear 21 and the rack member 14 no longer mesh, and the rotation of the main gear 21 stops. At the same time, the rotation of the rotation output shaft 17A of the damper 17 also stops. As a result, the door panel 12 moves by its own weight together with the movable rail 11B toward the closed position at a speed faster than the speed before the second tooth missing portion 21f of the main gear 21 reached the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14, and closes naturally. In other words, when the door panel 12 starts to close (in the region of 13 teeth where the first tooth portion 21A of the main gear 21 meshes), it closes slowly, and then closes at a fast speed once it has passed the middle point (in the region of the second tooth missing portion 21f of the main gear 21).

[0044] [Closes door panel 12] Closing the door panel 12 that has been opened to the fully open position is the same as letting go of the door panel 12 while it is still open (stopping the opening operation). In other words, when you let go of the door panel 12 after opening it, the door panel 12 moves together with the movable rail 11B toward the closed position (the closing direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 1) due to its own weight. At this time, the support gear 22 also rotates (idles) in the direction of arrow C in Figure 10 (counterclockwise).

[0045] When the support gear 22 rotates, the main gear 21 rotates counterclockwise together with the support gear 22 due to the frictional force generated by the O-ring 19, which is friction means interposed between the support gear 22 and the main gear 21, and the other tooth portion (13 teeth) 21A of the main gear 21 rotates as it meshes with the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14. At the same time, the rotation output shaft 17A of the damper 17, which fixes the main gear 21, also rotates counterclockwise. After that, both the support gear 22 and the main gear 21 continue to rotate while meshing with the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14. Then, the main gear 21 and the rotation output shaft 17A rotate in the direction in which the rotational resistance of the damper 17 is large, and a damping force acts on the door panel 12, causing the door panel 12 to slowly move toward the closed position together with the movable rail 11B and close.

[0046] Furthermore, when the second missing tooth portion 21f of the main gear 21 reaches the rack tooth 14a of the rack member 14, the main gear 21 and the rack member 14 no longer mesh, and the rotation of the main gear 21 stops. At the same time, the rotation of the rotation output shaft 17A of the damper 17 also stops. As a result, the door panel 12 moves towards the closed position together with the movable rail 11B under its own weight and closes naturally. In other words, when the door panel 12 starts to close (in the region of 13 teeth where one tooth portion of the main gear 21 meshes), it closes slowly, and then closes at a fast speed once it has passed the middle point (in the region of the second missing tooth portion 21f of the main gear 21).

[0047] Therefore, with the braking device 10 configured in this embodiment, when the door panel 12 closes by itself, the movable rail 11B, which moves integrally with the door panel 12, can move toward the closed position at an approximately predetermined speed due to the braking of the braking portion 16 of the damper mechanism 13. In other words, since the door panel 12, which moves integrally with the movable rail 11B, also moves slowly from the open position toward the closed position at an approximately predetermined speed, the opened door panel 12 can always move toward the closed position at a constant speed to automatically close the opening, no matter at what position the door panel is stopped from opening and its opening is released.

[0048] Furthermore, the guide rail 11 is installed at an incline relative to the top of the opening so that it slopes downward toward the side where the door panel 12 is closed, so when the force moving the door panel 12 in the opening direction is released, the inclination of the guide rail 11 causes the gravity of the movable rail 11B and the door panel 12 to move the movable rail 11B toward the closed position together with the door panel 12. As a result, the mechanism for self-closing the door panel 12 only requires the inclination of the guide rail 11, which simplifies the mechanism for self-closing the door panel 12.

[0049] Furthermore, by providing the damper mechanism 13, rotary gear means 18, and O-ring 19 as friction means between the fixed rail 11A and the movable rail 11B, the door panel 12 can be opened with a light force, and when closing (in the area of ​​the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14 where the first toothed portion 21A of the main gear 21 meshes), the damper 17 applies a braking force to the door panel 12, causing the door panel 12 to close slowly at an approximately predetermined speed, and then close at a faster speed around the middle (in the area where the second toothed portion 21f of the main gear 21 corresponds to the rack member 14). This timing can be changed by changing the settings of the first toothed portion 21A of the main gear 21, and the first toothed portion 21e and second toothed portion 21f. Furthermore, when the main gear 21 is assembled to the rotary output shaft 17A, the timing at which the speed of the opening or closing movement of the door panel 12 increases can be adjusted by appropriately interchanging the first toothed portion 21A and the second toothed portion 21B, which have different numbers of teeth.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the case of a self-closing type has been described, but the same can be applied to a self-opening type.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the tooth profile of the main gear 21, the tooth profile of the support gear 22, and the tooth profile of the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14 are each formed by a spur gear. However, in Fig. 4, the surface area of ​​the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14 that meshes with the main gear 21 is designated as the first surface 14A, and the surface area of ​​the rack teeth 14a of the rack member 14 that meshes with the support gear 22 is designated as the second surface 14B, and the tooth profile of either the combination of the main gear 21 and the first surface 14A of the rack member 14 or the combination of the support gear 22 and the second surface 14B of the rack member 14 may be formed by a helical gear. In this case, the meshing characteristics of the helical teeth can reduce the operating noise of the gears and rack when opening and closing the door panel.

[0052] Furthermore, the tooth profile of the main gear 21 may be a helical gear, the tooth profile on the first surface 14A of the rack member 14 may be a helical rack tooth profile that meshes with the tooth profile of the main gear 21, and the tooth profile of the support gear 22 may be a helical gear with a reverse helix to the main gear 21, and the tooth profile on the second surface 14B of the rack member 14 may be a helical rack tooth profile that meshes with the tooth profile of the support gear 22. In this case, the meshing characteristics of the helical teeth can further reduce the operating noise of the gears and rack when opening and closing the door panel. Furthermore, when the door panel moves to the closed position, the thrust force generated by the meshing of the main gear 21 and the thrust force generated by the meshing of the support gear 22 oppose each other, further increasing the frictional resistance generated between the side surface 21c of the main gear 21 and the side surface 22c of the support gear 22. This improves the transmission response between the main gear 21 and the support gear 22.

[0053] Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it is natural that the present invention also covers such modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 10: Braking device 11: Guide rail 11A: Fixed rail 11B: Movable rail 12: Door 13: Damper mechanism 14: Rack component 14A: Side 1 14B: 2nd side 14a: Rack teeth 15: Mounting bracket 16: Braking part 17: Damper 17A: Rotating output shaft 17B: Damper body 17a: Support gear mounting part 17b: Main gear mounting part 17c: E-ring attachment part 18: Rotating gear means 19: O-ring 20: Mounting screw 21: Main gear 21A: First tooth portion 21B: Second tooth portion 21a: Through mounting hole 21b: teeth 21c: Side 21d: recess 21e: First missing tooth 21f: Second missing tooth 22: Support Gear 22a: Through mounting hole 22b: teeth 22c: Side 22d: recess 23: E-Ring 100: Self-closing sliding door

Claims

1. A braking device for a sliding door, a fixed rail provided on the upper surface of the opening where the door panel of the sliding door is installed, and a movable rail provided on the door panel that is movable integrally with the door panel along the fixed rail; a damper mechanism that is installed between the fixed rail and the movable rail and applies a braking force to the movable rail that moves relative to the fixed rail, The damper mechanism includes: a damper having a rotation output shaft and applying rotation resistance to the rotation output shaft when the rotation output shaft rotates in the opening or closing direction of the door panel; a rack member provided on the fixed rail with a plurality of rack teeth arranged along the moving direction of the door panel; a main gear disposed integrally with the rotary output shaft and rotatable in mesh with the rack teeth; a support gear disposed alongside the main gear and rotatably mounted on the rotary output shaft, the support gear meshing with the rack teeth and rotatable; a friction means for generating a friction force between the main gear and the support gear, the friction force transmitting the rotation of the support gear to the main gear; Equipped with The main gear is a first tooth-notched portion that disengages from the rack teeth during the door panel opening movement; A braking device for a sliding door.

2. (delete)

3. 2. The braking device for a sliding door according to claim 1, wherein the main gear has a second tooth-notched portion that disengages from the rack teeth while the door panel is closing.

4. 4. The braking device for a sliding door according to claim 1, wherein the friction means comprises an O-ring made of an elastic material and sandwiched between the main gear and the support gear.

5. The main gear is formed with a through-hole that is inserted into the main gear mounting portion of the rotation output shaft, 2. The sliding door brake device according to claim 1, wherein the through mounting hole is formed with a diameter larger than the cross section of the main gear mounting portion so that the main gear can rotate by one tooth relative to the rack teeth.

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