Vehicle entry and exit assistance device

Abstract

To provide a getting-on and getting-off assist device for a vehicle capable of achieving both suppression of a bottoming feeling when a board is expanded and operability for a vehicle occupant.SOLUTION: A getting-on and getting-off assist device for a vehicle includes: a board 22 rotatable between an expanded first posture P1 and a folded second posture P2; a support frame 24 for supporting the board 22 rotatably; an attaching part 26; a rotation shaft part 30 for rotating the support frame 24 in a back and forth direction of the vehicle; and a first shock absorber 52 and a second shock absorber 54 configured so as to make reaction force act on the rotation of the support frame 24 by the rotation shaft part 30. The first and second shock absorbers 52 and 54 are configured so that the reaction force of only the first shock absorber 52 acts in less than a predetermined first stroke of all strokes when the board 22 is expanded from the second posture to the first posture, and the reaction force of both the first shock absorber 52 and the second shock absorber 54 acts in the predetermined first stroke or more.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle entry / exit assist device, and more particularly to a vehicle entry / exit assist device that is provided on the outer side of a seat adjacent to a door opening of a vehicle in the vehicle width direction and that assists an occupant in getting in and out of the vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, transfer boards have been provided on the sides of vehicle seats to assist occupants with disabilities in their lower limbs, such as wheelchair users, when they transfer into and out of the vehicle. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a gas damper-type transfer board on the side of a rear seat. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-079307 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The inventors have found that, in a boarding / exiting assistance device equipped with a foldable, deployable transfer board, if an occupant quickly deploys the board and reaches the most deployed state (used state), the occupant may feel a sensation of hitting the bottom. There is also concern about the generation of abnormal noise. To address this, increasing the operational reaction force during deployment could be considered to reduce the feeling of hitting the bottom, but this would require a large force to deploy, impairing operability for the occupant.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention was made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a vehicle boarding and disembarking assistance device that can suppress the feeling of bottoming out when the board is unfolded and also ensure operability for the occupant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a vehicle ingress / egress assist device that is provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of a seat adjacent to a door opening of a vehicle and assists an occupant in getting in and out of the vehicle, the device comprising: a board that is rotatable between a first position when unfolded and a second position when folded, and on which an occupant can temporarily sit when in the first position; a support frame that supports the board so that the board can rotatably move between the first position and the second position; a support base that supports the support frame from below and is used to attach the support frame to the vehicle body; a pivot shaft that is provided on the support base and rotates the support frame in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle; and a first shock absorber and a second shock absorber that are configured to apply a reaction force to the rotation of the support frame by the pivot shaft, the first shock absorber and the second shock absorber being configured so that, within a total stroke when the board is unfolded from the second position to the first position, the reaction force of only the first shock absorber acts when the stroke is less than a predetermined first stroke, and the reaction forces of both the first shock absorber and the second shock absorber act when the stroke is equal to or greater than the predetermined first stroke. The first shock absorber has a spring and a shaft extending inward, and a reaction force is generated by the spring. The second shock absorber has a damper, and a reaction force is generated by the damper. When the board is deployed and a predetermined first stroke is reached, the shaft of the first shock absorber abuts against the damper of the second shock absorber. , and is characterized by the following.

[0007] According to the present invention configured in this manner, the board is rotatable between a first position when unfolded and a second position when folded, and when the board is unfolded, the reaction force of only the first shock absorber acts for less than a predetermined first stroke of the entire stroke when unfolding from the second position to the first position, thereby reducing the initial operation reaction force up to the first stroke when unfolding the board and improving operability for the rider. Also, when the stroke is equal to or greater than the predetermined first stroke, the reaction forces of both the first shock absorber and the second shock absorber act, thereby reducing the feeling of the rider hitting the bottom when the board is in the first position after the entire stroke is completed. As a result, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve both reduced feeling of hitting the bottom when the board is unfolded and improved operability for the rider. Furthermore, according to the present invention configured in this manner, it is possible to more effectively reduce the reaction force during the initial stage of board deployment, ensuring a good operational feel, while suppressing the feeling of bottoming out at the end of the board deployment.

[0008] In addition, in the present invention, it is preferable that the board further includes an arm member connected to the support frame for transmitting the operation of the support frame to the first shock absorber and / or the second shock absorber, the first shock absorber and the second shock absorber being spaced apart when the board is in the second folded position, and when the board is unfolded, the arm member strokes the first shock absorber as the support frame rotates, and further, at or above the above-mentioned specified first stroke, the arm member strokes the second shock absorber together with the first shock absorber. According to the present invention configured in this manner, the first shock absorber and the second shock absorber are spaced apart when the board is in the second folded position, and when the board is unfolded, the arm member strokes the first shock absorber as the support frame rotates, and further, when the first stroke is reached, the arm member strokes the second shock absorber together with the first shock absorber.Therefore, below the specified first stroke, the reaction force of only the first shock absorber acts on the support frame, and above the specified first stroke, the reaction forces of both the first shock absorber and the second shock absorber act on the support frame, reducing the operating reaction force at the beginning of board unfolding to ensure a feeling of operation while suppressing the feeling of bottoming out at the end of board unfolding.

[0010] Also, in the present invention, preferably, the first shock absorber and the second shock absorber are attached to a support base, the first shock absorber has a first end that can abut against the second shock absorber and a second end that can abut against one end of the arm member, the second shock absorber has a first end that can abut against the first shock absorber, the first end of the first shock absorber and the first end of the second shock absorber are spaced apart when the board is in the second folded position, and when the board is unfolded, as the support frame rotates, one end of the arm member abuts against the second end of the first shock absorber, thereby stroking the first shock absorber, and further, the first shock absorber and the second shock absorber are arranged so that when a predetermined first stroke is reached, the first end of the first shock absorber abuts against the first end of the second shock absorber. According to the present invention configured in this manner, it is possible to more effectively reduce the reaction force during the initial stage of board deployment, ensuring a good feeling of operation, while suppressing the feeling of bottoming out at the end of the board deployment.

[0011] In the present invention, the reaction force generated by the second shock absorber is preferably greater than the reaction force generated by the first shock absorber. According to the present invention configured in this manner, it is possible to more effectively reduce the reaction force during the initial stage of board deployment, ensuring a good feeling of operation, while suppressing the feeling of bottoming out at the end of the board deployment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the feeling of bottoming out when the board is deployed, while also improving operability for the rider. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle entry / exit assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention and its placement within a vehicle cabin, in which the unfolded state of the board is shown by a solid line and the folded state of the board is shown by a dashed line. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle entry / exit assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention and its arrangement in a vehicle cabin, and showing a state in which a board is folded. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of the boarding / exiting assistance device of the present embodiment, seen obliquely from behind, showing the board in an unfolded state. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of the boarding / exiting assistance device of the present embodiment, seen from diagonally behind, showing the board in a folded state. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a side view showing the boarding / exiting assistance device of the present embodiment and its fixing structure to the vehicle body, showing the board in an unfolded state. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a side view showing the boarding / exiting assistance device of the present embodiment and its fixing structure to the vehicle body, showing the board in a folded state. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of the boarding / exiting assistance device of the present embodiment as seen from the rear, showing the board in an unfolded state. FIG. [Figure 8] 5 for explaining the fixing structure of the getting-on / off assistance device of the present embodiment to the vehicle body. [Figure 9] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of a boarding / exiting assistance device, a fixing device, and a vehicle body, for illustrating a fixing structure of the boarding / exiting assistance device to a vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the support bracket of the fixing device shown in FIG. 9. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Next, a boarding / exiting assistance device and a device for fixing the device to a vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] First, the schematic configuration of a vehicle boarding / exiting assist device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a side view showing the schematic configuration of a vehicle boarding / exiting assist device according to an embodiment of the present invention and its arrangement within a vehicle cabin, with the unfolded state of the board indicated by a solid line and the folded state of the board indicated by a dashed line, and Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of a vehicle boarding / exiting assist device according to an embodiment of the present invention and its arrangement within the vehicle cabin, with the folded state of the board indicated. In Figures 1 and 2, arrow F indicates the front in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and arrow U indicates the upward direction in the up-and-down direction of the vehicle.

[0016] First, as shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle V equipped with an ingress / egress assist device 1 of this embodiment has a door opening 12 surrounded by a roof side rail 2, a center pillar (rear pillar) 4, a side sill 6, a hinge pillar 8, and a front pillar 10. Figs. 1 and 2 show a vehicle V equipped with so-called double doors. The ingress / egress assist device 1 of this embodiment can be applied to two-door vehicles, four-door vehicles, vehicles equipped with sliding doors, and the like.

[0017] A driver's seat 14 and a passenger seat (not shown) are provided at the front of the vehicle compartment, aligned in the vehicle width direction. This embodiment shows an example of a so-called right-hand drive vehicle, and Fig. 1 shows the driver's seat 14 and door opening 12 on the right side in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle V. Note that the ingress / egress assist device 1 of the present invention can also be applied to the left side in the vehicle width direction of a left-hand drive vehicle if each of the components described below is formed symmetrically with respect to the center plane of the vehicle.

[0018] The door opening 12 is an entrance / exit opening for occupants to get in and out of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. 1, the entry / exit assist device 1 of this embodiment is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the driver's seat 14 adjacent to the door opening 12 on the right side in the vehicle width direction. 2, a side door 16 (see FIG. 2) is provided in the door opening 12 so as to be able to open and close via a door hinge on the front side of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 2, when the boarding / exiting assist device 1 is in the folded position, a board 22 and a support frame 24 (described later) are located in front of and to the side of the driver's seat.

[0019] The boarding / exiting assistance device 1 of this embodiment is positioned outside the driver's seat 14 in the vehicle width direction, and is a device that assists an occupant with a disabled lower limb to move between the driver's seat 14 and the wheelchair outside the vehicle when getting in or out of the vehicle by temporarily placing the occupant's buttocks, etc. on the board 22 described below when moving between the driver's seat 14 and the wheelchair outside the vehicle.

[0020] Next, the basic configuration of the boarding and alighting assistance device 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the boarding and alighting assistance device of this embodiment seen from diagonally behind, showing the board in an unfolded state, and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the boarding and alighting assistance device of this embodiment seen from diagonally behind, showing the board in a folded state. First, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the boarding / exiting assistance device 1 includes a board 22, a support frame 24, a support base (mounting portion) 26, and a link mechanism .

[0021] First, the configurations of the board 22, the support frame 24, the support base 26, and the link mechanism 28 will be described. First, the board 22 is formed in a plate shape having a size and strength that allows the occupant's buttocks to be temporarily placed thereon in the horizontal position (P1) and for the occupant's hands to be placed thereon to support the upper half of the body with their arms. Here, as shown in Fig. 2, the board 22 has a front portion 22A in its fore-and-aft direction (corresponding to the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle when the board 22 is in the unfolded position (Figs. 1 and 3)) that is a narrower front portion 22A, and a rear portion 22B in the fore-and-aft direction that is wider. The front portion 22A is large enough to provide a handholding area for an occupant (e.g., a person with a lower limb disability) to place his or her hands on and support his or her body when transferring between a wheelchair (not shown) and the driver's seat 14 via the board 22. The rear portion 22B has a size that allows the buttocks (the area between the pair of right and left ischial bones and the surrounding area) of the occupant to be temporarily placed (supported).

[0022] Next, the support frame 24 is attached to the support base 26 so as to be rotatable about an axis (rotation shafts 30, described later) extending in the vehicle width direction in a side view. The upper edge of the support frame 24 extends to face an area spanning the front portion 22A and rear portion 22B of the board 22, and supports the inner edge portion of the board 22, which is in the horizontal position (P1), on the vehicle widthwise inner side, via two board rotation shafts 32.

[0023] Next, the support base (mounting portion) 26 rotatably supports the support frame 24 from below, and also functions as a mounting portion for mounting the boarding / exiting assistance device 1 to the vehicle body (side sill 6 in this embodiment). This support base 26 is provided with a support frame pivot shaft 30 that pivotally supports the support frame 24 relative to the vehicle body so that it can pivot in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and also with a board pivot shaft 32 that pivotally supports the board 22 relative to the support frame 24 so that it can pivot. In this embodiment, the support frame rotation shaft 30 is attached to the front portion 26b of the support base (attachment portion) 26 in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 8).

[0024] Next, the link mechanism 28 has a link member 34, and a first joint 36 is provided on the support base 26 at a position adjacent to the support frame pivot shaft 30 and further forward of the support frame pivot shaft 30 in the vehicle, to which one end of the link member 34 is connected. Meanwhile, a second joint 38 is provided on the underside of the front portion 22A of the board 22, to which the other end of the link member 34 is connected. The link member 34 is longer than the distance in the vertical direction of the vehicle between the board 22 and the support base 26 when in the horizontal position (P1). The link mechanism 28 is mainly composed of the link member 34, the first joint 36, and the second joint 38.

[0025] Next, the board 22 can be unfolded or folded between a horizontal posture (first posture, unfolded position) P1 when unfolded at a position outside the driver's seat 14 in the vehicle width direction by the above-mentioned pivot shaft portions 30, 32 and link mechanism 28, and a vertical posture (second posture, folded position) P2 when flipped forward from this seat side position (P1) and folded.

[0026] For example, when unfolding from the folded position as shown in FIG. 4, the support frame 24 rotates toward the rear of the vehicle around the support frame pivot shaft 30, and at the same time, the link member 34 of the link mechanism 28 pulls the board 22 toward the unfolded side, causing the pulled board 22 to rotate around the board pivot shaft 32. When unfolding is complete, the board 22 and support frame 24 are in the unfolded state as shown in FIG. 3. On the other hand, when folding from the unfolded position as shown in Figure 5, the support frame 24 rotates toward the front of the vehicle around the support frame pivot shaft 30, and at the same time, the link member 34 of the link mechanism 28 pushes up the board 22, which then rotates around the board pivot shaft 32. When folding is complete, the board 22 and support frame 24 are in the folded state as shown in Figure 4.

[0027] Next, the configuration for supporting the load applied to the board 22 and the operability of the board 22 will be described. First, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, a load support member 40 having a double structure that is axially expandable and contractible is attached to the board 22 and the support frame 24 by hinges 42, 44, respectively, so as to connect them to each other. When the board 22 is unfolded as shown in FIG. 3 , i.e., when the board 22 is in a horizontal position, the load support member 40 extends obliquely upward from the support frame 24 toward the underside of the board 22 to support the weight of the occupant (see FIG. 7 ). In particular, the load support member 40 is attached (via hinges 42) to the underside of the rear portion 22B of the board 22. As described above, the rear portion 22B of the board 22 is the portion on which the occupant's buttocks and the like are temporarily placed and to which most of the occupant's weight is applied. Therefore, the load support member 40 effectively supports the board 22. The load applied to the board 22 is mainly transmitted to the load support member 40 and the support frame pivot shaft 30, which pivotally supports the support frame 24. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the load support member 40 is provided at a position toward the rear of the vehicle, spaced apart from the support frame pivot shaft 30, to distribute the transmitted load.

[0028] Next, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the support frame 24 is provided with an operating unit (grip) 46 through which the occupant operates the boarding / disembarking assistance device 1. The operating unit 46 is mainly gripped and operated by the occupant when unfolding the boarding / disembarking assistance device 1 from the folded position P2 to the unfolded position P1. When the occupant operates the operating unit 46 by pulling it toward themselves at the folded position P2, the support frame 24 rotates, and the boarding / disembarking assistance device 1 is unfolded as described above. The operating unit 46 is located rearward of the load support member 40 so that the load support member 40 does not impede the operability of the occupant. The grip 46 is located outside the rotation range of the board 22 relative to the support frame 24 and is located rearward of the rear end of the board 22 when in the vertical position P2.

[0029] 2, in the folding position P2, the load support member 40, the operating unit 46, and the like are accommodated in a bulge 20 formed in the door trim 18 of the side door 16 so as not to interfere with the side door 16. The bulge 20 is formed from below the armrest (including the assist grip) 19 to the front. Furthermore, when the board 22 in the upright position is inadvertently moved rearward of the vehicle while the vehicle is moving or starting, the upper part of the board 22 comes into contact with the armrest 19 or the assist grip, thereby restricting the board 22 from moving rearward.

[0030] Next, a shock absorber for ensuring operability when unfolding the board 22 in the boarding / alighting assistance device 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a side view showing the boarding / alighting assistance device of this embodiment and its fixing structure to the vehicle body, showing the board in an unfolded state, and Figure 6 is a side view showing the boarding / alighting assistance device of this embodiment and its fixing structure to the vehicle body, showing the board in a folded state. 5 and 6, the support base 26 is provided with a cushioning device 50 for ensuring operability for the occupant when unfolding the board 22. The cushioning device 50 has a first cushioning device 52 and a second cushioning device 54 attached to the support base 26.

[0031] The first shock absorber 52 mainly comprises a first fixed portion 56 extending upward from the support base 26, a spring member 58 having one end attached to the first fixed portion 56 and generating a reaction force by expanding and contracting with the first fixed portion 56 as a base point, an axial member 60 extending in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the spring member 58 inside the spring member 58 and movable in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle relative to the first fixed portion 56, a movable member 62 configured to abut the end of the axial member 60 (spring member 58) on the front side of the vehicle, a guide member 64 for guiding the sliding of the movable member 62 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, an arm member 66 having one end connected to the movable member 62 and the other end connected to the support frame 24 and capable of swinging in accordance with the rotation of the support frame 24, and a noise prevention member 68 provided at the tip (68) on the rear side of the vehicle of the axial member 60.

[0032] The second shock absorber 54 mainly comprises a second fixed portion 70 extending upward from the support base 26, and a damper member 72 fixed to the second fixed portion 70, which generates a reaction force when the tip end 60a of the shaft member 60 (the tip end of the noise prevention member 68) comes into contact with and expands and contracts.

[0033] 6, the spring member 58 of the first shock absorber 52 has a free length. Also, the tip end 60a of the shaft member 60 of the first shock absorber 52 and the tip end 72a of the damper member 72 of the second shock absorber 54 are spaced apart by a distance S as shown in FIG.

[0034] When the boarding / exiting assistance device 1 begins to be deployed from this state, the arm member 66 swings as the support frame 24 rotates toward the rear of the vehicle, causing the movable member 62 to stroke toward the rear of the vehicle, and this movable member 62 pushes the front end of the shaft member 60 and spring member 58 of the first shock absorber 52, causing the shaft member 60 to move toward the rear of the vehicle and starting compression of the spring member 58 (start of stroke).

[0035] Subsequently, as the spring member 58 compresses and the shaft member 60 moves to a predetermined first stroke, i.e., until the tip end 60a of the shaft member 60, which has moved rearward by the distance S, reaches a stroke position where it abuts against the tip end 72a of the damper member 72, the spring member 58 is compressed by a predetermined displacement amount (essentially corresponding to the distance S), generating an initial reaction force of a predetermined magnitude (a reaction force generated from the start of the stroke to the first stroke). The generated reaction force is transmitted to the support frame 24 via the arm member 66 and serves as a feedback when the occupant operates the operating unit 46. In this embodiment, the elastic force of the spring member 58 is set to a reaction force (initial reaction force up to the first stroke) that allows the occupant to easily operate the operating unit while feeling a feedback of the operation. At this time, no reaction force is generated by the second shock absorber 54.

[0036] Subsequently, when the shaft member 60 further pushes the damper member 72 from the first stroke position where the tip 60a of the shaft member 60 abuts against the tip 72a of the damper member 72, a reaction force is generated according to the displacement speed of the damper member 72. Note that the reaction force of the damper member 72 is small at very slow speeds, but in this embodiment, the damping force of the damper member 72 is adjusted so as to generate a reaction force appropriate for the displacement speed generated in the damper member 72 by normal operation of the boarding / disembarking assistance device 1 (a speed equivalent to one to several seconds required for the boarding / disembarking assistance device 1 to deploy).

[0037] Next, in the stroke range from the first stroke to the deployed position (end of stroke) shown in Fig. 5, both the reaction force of the spring member 58 of the first shock absorber 52 and the reaction force of the damper member 72 of the second shock absorber 54 are transmitted to the support frame 24 via the arm member 66, and provide a sense of operation force when the occupant operates the operating unit 46. In this embodiment, the elastic force of the spring member 58 and the damping force of the damper member 72 are set so as to prevent the occupant from feeling a bottoming out, as if the reaction force suddenly increases, at the end of the operation by the occupant, that is, when the deployed position shown in Fig. 5 is reached.

[0038] In this embodiment, in order to more effectively obtain the above-described operational reaction force, the reaction force generated by the damper member 72 of the second shock absorber 54 is set to be greater than the reaction force generated by the spring member 58 of the first shock absorber 52.

[0039] 5, the reaction force generated by the spring member 58 is set to balance the load generated by the weight of the board 22, which keeps the board 22 in that position. This prevents the reaction force of the spring member 58 from returning the boarding / disembarking assistance device 1 to the folded position without the rider's operation. Also, when the rider wishes to return the board 22 to the folded position (by operating the board 22), the device can be easily returned with a small force. Note that the reaction force of the spring member 58 may be set to be smaller than the load caused by the weight of the board 22 (the load that keeps the board 22 in the deployed position).

[0040] 7, in the unfolded position, the load of the board 22 itself is applied to the support frame 24 via the load support member 40, and this load tries to hold the support frame 24 in that position. In this embodiment, the reaction force of the spring member 58 is set to be equal to or smaller than this holding load.

[0041] Next, the configuration of the support base 26 that serves as the mounting portion of the boarding / disembarking assistance device 1 to the vehicle body, the fixing structure of the boarding / disembarking assistance device 1 to the vehicle body, and the fixing device will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10. Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the boarding / disembarking assistance device of this embodiment seen from the rear at the position of the load support member 40 in Figure 5, showing the unfolded state of the board, Figure 8 is an enlarged side view of a portion of Figure 5 for explaining the fixing structure of the boarding / disembarking assistance device of this embodiment to the vehicle body, Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the boarding / disembarking assistance device, the fixing device, and part of the vehicle body for explaining the fixing structure of the boarding / disembarking assistance device of this embodiment to the vehicle body, and Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the support bracket of the fixing device shown in Figure 9. 7, the support base 26 (hereinafter referred to as the mounting portion 26) is attached to the upper surface 6a of the side sill inner 6. The mounting portion 26 extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the mounting portion to the side sill inner 6.

[0042] A vertical wall portion 26a is formed in a portion of the mounting portion 26 that is inward in the vehicle width direction of the support frame 24 and adjacent to the support frame 24. The connecting portion (hinge 44) of the load support member 40 to the support frame 24 is adjacent to the vertical wall portion 26a of the mounting portion 26, as shown in Fig. 7. In this embodiment, due to this arrangement, when the load support member 40 extending diagonally upward receives the load of the board 22, the load is also received by the adjacent vertical wall portion 26a on the inner side in the vehicle width direction via the connecting portion (hinge 44).

[0043] Next, a fixing device applied to the boarding / exiting assistance device (vehicle-mounted device) 1 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the mounting portion 26 of the boarding / exiting assist device 1 is fixed to the upper surface 6a of the side sill 6 using a fixing device 74. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the fixing device 74 of this embodiment includes a support plate 76, two support brackets 78, two fastening bolts 80, and two nuts 81. The support plate 76 has a main body 76a that is sandwiched between the mounting portion 26 and the support bracket 78, and two abutment legs 76b that extend downward from both ends of the main body 76a.

[0044] In addition, each of the two support brackets 78 has an engagement portion 78a formed to engage with the hole portion 6b of the side sill 6, and an attachment leg portion 78b formed to extend from this engagement portion 78a toward the main body portion 76a of the support plate 76. In the illustrated state, the engaging portion 78a extends so as to protrude in the vehicle width direction relative to the mounting leg portion 78b, and this protrusion is of a size that allows it to pass through the hole portion 6b of the side sill 6 (in this example, it is a long hole 6b, and the orientation of the engaging portion 78a is changed so that it can pass through from above) and engage with the underside of the side sill 6. The fastening bolt 80 is used to fasten together the support bracket 78, the support plate 76, and the mounting portion 26 in this order from the bottom.

[0045] Next, a structure for fixing the mounting portion 26 of the boarding / exiting assistance device 1 to the vehicle body will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the above-mentioned support plate 76, support bracket 78, and fastening bolt 80 (and nut 81) are used to fix the side sill upper surface 6a, using holes (fixing holes) 6b (for example, holes originally formed for the side garnish) formed during the manufacture of the vehicle V.

[0046] 8, the engaging portions 78a of each of the two support brackets 78 engage with the underside of the side sill 6. The mounting legs 78b of each of the two support brackets 78 extend upward away from the hole 6b in the side sill 6, with upper portions thereof abutting against the main body 76a of the support plate 76. Furthermore, the abutting portions of the mounting legs 78b of each of the support brackets 78 and the main body 76a of the support plate 76 are fastened to the mounting portion 26 by fastening bolts 80 at two locations spaced apart in the vehicle longitudinal direction. At this time, the lower ends of the two contact legs 76b of the support plate 76 are in contact with the upper surface 6a of the side sill 6 on the sides of the hole 6b. The main body 76a of the support plate 76 is configured to be fastened to the attachment portion 26 together with the support bracket 78 at a position spaced apart from the hole 6b of the side sill 6 or the upper surface 6a of the side sill.

[0047] 8, the contact leg portion 76b of the support plate 76 has a predetermined vertical length L1, which is the vertical length from the lower end of the contact leg portion 76b to the lower surface of the main body portion 76a. The mounting leg portion 78b of each support bracket 78 has a predetermined vertical length L2, which is the vertical length from the same height as the side sill upper surface 6a to the contact surface of the support plate 76 with the main body portion 76a.

[0048] In this embodiment, the predetermined length L1 of the abutment leg portion 76b is formed to be longer than the predetermined length L2 of the mounting leg portion 78b, for example, by approximately 1 mm, so that the fastening force applied to the main body portion 76a by the fastening bolt 80 is transmitted to the side sill 6 via the abutment leg portion 76b. As a result, in this embodiment, the mounting portion 26 is fixed to the hole portion 6b of the side sill 6 by the support bracket 78, and the mounting portion 26 is fixed to the upper surface 6a of the side sill 6 by the abutment leg portion 76b of the support plate 76. At this time, the engaging portion 78a of the support bracket 78 engages with the lower surface of the side sill 6. In addition, the support plate 78 supports the getting-in / out assist device 1 from below via the abutment leg portion 78b, the main body portion 78a, and the mounting portion 26.

[0049] Note that, for example, if the predetermined length L1 of the contact leg portion 76b is set shorter than the predetermined length L2 of the mounting leg portion 78b, the lower end of the contact leg portion 76b will be raised above the upper surface 6a of the side sill 6, and the fastening force will not be transmitted from the support plate to the vehicle body via the abutment leg portion. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to reliably fix the contact leg portion 76b in a state of abutting against the side sill (vehicle body) 6, the predetermined length L1 of the contact leg portion 76b is set longer than the predetermined length L2 of the mounting leg portion 78b. Note that due to this difference in length, the main body portion 76a of the support plate 76 will bend slightly downward when the fastening bolt 80 is fastened.

[0050] The support plate 76 and the support bracket 78 are formed from plate-shaped members made of steel, and the support plate 76 has a thickness of 3.2 mm in this example, and the support bracket 78 has a thickness of 4.5 mm in this example, meaning that the thickness of the support bracket 78 is greater than the thickness of the support plate 76. In addition, in the support bracket 79 according to the modified example shown in Fig. 10, the thickness of each of the mounting legs 79b is particularly 4.5 mm.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 10, a modification of the support bracket 78 may be such that only one support bracket 79 is used, in which two mounting legs 79b extend bifurcated from one engaging portion 79a.

[0052] Next, a deformation prevention structure for the mounting portion 26 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , a bolt 82 protruding from the mounting portion 26 toward the vehicle body is fixed to a portion 26b of the mounting portion 26 that is forward of the portion where the support plate 76 and the support bracket 78 are fastened. The lower end of the bolt 82 is in contact with or slightly spaced from the upper surface 6a of the side sill 6. With this configuration, for example, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle V, when the board 22 and the support frame 24 of the board ...

[0053] Next, the effects of the vehicle getting on and off assist device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, in this embodiment, the board 22 is rotatable between a first position P1 when unfolded and a second position P2 when folded, and a passenger can temporarily sit on it when in the first position P1; a support frame 24 that supports the board 22 so that the board 22 can rotate between the first position and the second position; a mounting portion 26 that supports the support frame 24 from below and is used to mount the support frame 24 to the vehicle body; a rotating shaft portion 30 that is provided on the mounting portion 26 and rotates the support frame 24 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle; The board 22 is provided with a first shock absorber 52 and a second shock absorber 54 configured to apply a reaction force to the rotation of the support frame 24 by 0, and the first shock absorber 52 and the second shock absorber 54 are configured so that, of the total stroke when the board 22 unfolds from the second position P2 to the first position P1, the reaction force of only the first shock absorber 52 acts for less than a predetermined first stroke (less than a distance S), and the reaction forces of both the first shock absorber 52 and the second shock absorber 54 act for the predetermined first stroke or more. According to this embodiment configured as described above, when the board 22 is unfolded, the reaction force of only the first shock absorber 52 acts for a predetermined first stroke or less of the entire stroke when the board 22 is unfolded from the second position P2 to the first position P1. This reduces the initial reaction force until the first stroke when the board 22 is unfolded, thereby improving operability for the occupant. Furthermore, when the stroke is equal to or greater than the predetermined first stroke, the reaction forces of both the first shock absorber 52 and the second shock absorber 54 act, thereby reducing the feeling of bottoming out that the occupant feels when the board 22 reaches the first position P1 after the entire stroke. As a result, this embodiment can achieve both reduced feeling of bottoming out when the board 22 is unfolded and improved operability for the occupant.

[0054] In addition, in this embodiment, an arm member 66 is provided which is connected to the support frame 24 and transmits the operation of the support frame 24 to the first shock absorber 52, or to both the first shock absorber 52 and the second shock absorber 54 via the first shock absorber 52. The first shock absorber 52 and the second shock absorber 54 are spaced apart (distance S) when the board 22 is in the second folded position P2. When the board 22 is unfolded, the arm member 66 strokes the first shock absorber 52 as the support frame 24 rotates, and further, when the first stroke is reached, the arm member 66 strokes the second shock absorber 54 together with the first shock absorber 52. According to this embodiment configured as described above, the first shock absorber 52 and the second shock absorber 54 are spaced apart (distance S) when the board 22 is in the second folded position P2, and when the board 22 is unfolded, the arm member 66 strokes the first shock absorber 52 as the support frame 24 rotates, and furthermore, when the first stroke is reached, the arm member 66 strokes the second shock absorber 54 together with the first shock absorber 52. Therefore, below the predetermined first stroke, the reaction force of only the first shock absorber 52 acts on the support frame 24, and above the predetermined first stroke, the reaction forces of both the first shock absorber 52 and the second shock absorber 54 act on the support frame 24, thereby reducing the operating reaction force at the beginning of unfolding the board 22 and ensuring a good operating feel while suppressing the feeling of bottoming out at the end of unfolding the board 22.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first shock absorber 52 has a spring member 58 and an axial member 60 extending inward therefrom, and a reaction force is generated by the spring member 58, and the second shock absorber 54 has a damper member 72, and a reaction force is generated by the damper member 72. When the board 22 is unfolded and reaches a predetermined first stroke, the axial member 60 of the first shock absorber 52 abuts against the damper member 72 of the second shock absorber 54. This more effectively reduces the operational reaction force at the beginning of unfolding the board 22, ensuring a sense of operation, while suppressing the feeling of bottoming out at the end of unfolding the board 22.

[0056] In addition, in this embodiment, the first shock absorber 52 and the second shock absorber 54 are attached to the attachment portion 26, the first shock absorber 52 has a first end 68 that can abut against the second shock absorber 54 and a second end (the movable member 62 corresponds to the end) that can abut against one end of the arm member 66, the second shock absorber 54 has a first end 72a that can abut against the first shock absorber 52, and the first end 68 of the first shock absorber 52 and the first end 72a of the second shock absorber 54 are separated (by a distance S) when the board 22 is in the second folded position P2, and are supported when the board 22 is unfolded. As the support frame 24 rotates, one end of the arm member 66 abuts against the second end (movable member 62) of the first shock absorber 52, thereby stroking the first shock absorber 52.Furthermore, the first shock absorber 52 and the second shock absorber 54 are positioned so that when a predetermined first stroke is reached, the first end 68 of the first shock absorber 52 abuts against the first end 72a of the second shock absorber 54.This more effectively reduces the operational reaction force at the beginning of unfolding the board 22, ensuring a good operational feel, while suppressing the feeling of bottoming out at the end of unfolding the board 22.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reaction force generated by the second shock absorber 54 is greater than the reaction force generated by the first shock absorber 52, so that the reaction force during operation at the beginning of the deployment of the board 22 can be reduced more effectively, ensuring a sense of operation while suppressing the feeling of bottoming out at the end of the deployment of the board 22. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1. Boarding and alighting assistance devices (vehicle boarding and alighting assistance devices) 6 Side sill (side sill inner) 12 Door opening 18 Door trim 20 Bulge 22 Board 22A Front part of the board (front part in the front-to-back direction) 24B Rear part of the board (rear in the front-to-back direction) 24 Support frame 26 Support base, mounting part 26a Vertical wall section 26b Front part of the vehicle 28 Link mechanism 30 Rotating shaft for support frame 32 Board pivot shaft 34 Link member 40 Load-bearing member (supporting member) 44 Hinge, connection of load-bearing member to support frame 46 Operation part (grip part) 50 Shock absorber 52 1st shock absorber 54 Second shock absorber 58 Spring member 60 Shaft member 60a tip 62 Movable parts 64 Guide member 66 Arm member 72 Damper member 72a Tip 74 Fixation device 76 Support Plate 76a Main body 76b Contact leg 78, 79 Support bracket 78a Engagement part 78b Mounting leg 80 Fastening bolt (fixing bolt) 82 Mounting part deformation prevention bolt P1 Horizontal posture, 1st posture, deployment position P2 Vertical position, second position, folded position

Claims

1. A vehicle entry / exit assist device that is provided on the outer side of a seat adjacent to a door opening of a vehicle in a vehicle width direction and assists an occupant in getting in and out of the vehicle, a board that is rotatable between a first position when unfolded and a second position when folded, and on which a passenger can temporarily sit when in the first position; a support frame that supports the board so that the board can rotate between the first position and the second position; a support base for supporting the support frame from below and for attaching the support frame to a vehicle body; a rotation shaft portion provided on the support base portion and configured to rotate the support frame in the vehicle front-rear direction; a first shock absorber and a second shock absorber configured to apply a reaction force to the rotation of the support frame by the rotation shaft portion, the first shock absorber and the second shock absorber are configured so that, of the entire stroke when the board unfolds from the second position to the first position, a reaction force of only the first shock absorber acts when the stroke is less than a predetermined first stroke, and a reaction force of both the first shock absorber and the second shock absorber acts when the stroke is equal to or greater than the predetermined first stroke, The first shock absorber has a spring and a shaft portion extending inwardly of the spring, and a reaction force is generated by the spring; The second shock absorber has a damper, and a reaction force is generated by the damper. A vehicle entry / exit assist device, characterized in that when the board is unfolded and the predetermined first stroke is reached, the shaft portion of the first shock absorber abuts against the damper of the second shock absorber.

2. further comprising an arm member connected to the support frame for transmitting the movement of the support frame to the first shock absorber and / or the second shock absorber; the first shock absorber and the second shock absorber are spaced apart when the board is in a folded second position; 2. The vehicle boarding / exiting assistance device according to claim 1, wherein when the board is unfolded, the arm member strokes the first shock absorber in accordance with the rotation of the support frame, and further, when the predetermined first stroke is equal to or greater than the first stroke, the arm member strokes the second shock absorber together with the first shock absorber.

3. further comprising an arm member connected to the support frame for transmitting the movement of the support frame to the first shock absorber and / or the second shock absorber; the first shock absorber and the second shock absorber are attached to the support base, the first shock absorber has a first end capable of contacting the second shock absorber and a second end capable of contacting one end of the arm member, the second shock absorber has a first end that can come into contact with the first shock absorber, a first end of the first shock absorber and a first end of the second shock absorber are spaced apart when the board is in a folded second position; 2. The vehicle boarding / exiting assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the first shock absorber and the second shock absorber are arranged so that, when the board is unfolded, one end of the arm member abuts against the second end of the first shock absorber as the support frame rotates, thereby stroking the first shock absorber, and further, when the predetermined first stroke is reached, the first end of the first shock absorber abuts against the first end of the second shock absorber.

4. 4. The vehicle getting-in / out assist device according to claim 1, wherein the reaction force generated by the second shock absorber is greater than the reaction force generated by the first shock absorber.

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