Vehicle door device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle door device that minimizes swing of a door supported by a link mechanism.SOLUTION: A vehicle door device 30 comprises first and second link arms that each have a first rotation connection point X1 for a car body 2 and a second rotation connection point X2 for a front door 31 of a vehicle 1. Also, in this vehicle door device 30, the front door 31 opens and closes on the basis of operation of a first link mechanism 51 formed by the first and second link arms. Moreover, the vehicle door device 30 comprises a biasing force applying device 151 that applies, to the front door 31, biasing force F in a direction that minimizes a rotational moment around the second rotation connection point X2 based on inertia generated in the front door 31 according to the operation of the first link mechanism 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is a vehicle door device that includes 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. In such a vehicle door device, the door provided in the door opening opens and closes based on the operation of a link mechanism formed by the first and second link arms. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which, when the door is closed, the link arms that form the link mechanism are stored outside a door opening attached to a terminal portion of the side of the vehicle body and inside a weatherstrip attached to the interior side of the door. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-90097 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a configuration in which the vehicle door is opened and closed using the above-described link mechanism, the door is allowed to rotate about the second rotation connection point, which may cause the door to swing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A vehicle door device that solves the above problem includes first and second link arms having a first rotation connection point relative to the vehicle body and a second rotation connection point relative to the vehicle door, the door opens and closes based on the operation of a link mechanism formed by the first and second link arms, and a force applying device that applies a force to the door in a direction that suppresses a rotational moment around the second rotation connection point that is generated in the door due to the inertia of the door as a result of the operation of the link mechanism.

[0006] That is, when the door moves based on the operation of the link mechanism, an inertial force acts on the door. This delays the start of movement of the door on the center of gravity side from the second pivot point, causing a rotational moment around the second pivot point in the door. However, with the above configuration, the rotational moment around the second pivot point based on the inertia generated in the door due to the operation of the link mechanism can be suppressed. This effectively suppresses the swinging of the door supported by the link mechanism.

[0007] The vehicle door device for solving the above problem preferably includes an actuator that applies a driving force to the link mechanism to open and close the door. The above configuration improves the convenience of passengers getting in and out of the vehicle through the door opening where the door is provided. Furthermore, in a configuration in which a driving force is applied to the link mechanism, the link mechanism operates before the door. This generates a rotational moment around the second pivot point based on the inertia of the door. However, even in this configuration, by providing a biasing force applying device, the rotational moment around the second pivot point based on the inertia of the door can be suppressed. This more effectively suppresses the swing of the door supported by the link mechanism.

[0008] In the vehicle door apparatus for solving the above-described problems, it is preferable that the biasing force imparting device imparts the biasing force to a position closer to the center of gravity of the door than the second rotation connection point. According to the above configuration, it is possible to efficiently apply a biasing force to the door supported by the link mechanism in a direction that suppresses the rotational moment around the second rotational connection point based on the inertia of the door.

[0009] In the vehicle door device for solving the above problem, the door is preferably a front door of the vehicle. That is, the front door supported by the link mechanism formed by the first and second link arms opens in the direction of movement of occupants entering and exiting the vehicle through the door opening where the front door is provided, i.e., toward the front of the vehicle. Therefore, to ensure a larger door opening amount, the second pivot connection point for the front door is often set at a position toward its rear end. In other words, the second pivot connection point for the front door is likely to be configured away from the center of gravity of the front door. This tends to generate a rotational moment around the second pivot connection point due to its inertia. Therefore, providing a biasing force imparting device to such a front door that opens toward the front of the vehicle can provide a more significant effect.

[0010] In the vehicle door apparatus for solving the above problem, it is preferable that the biasing force applying device applies the biasing force when the door performs an opening operation from a fully closed position. That is, when the door starts to open from the fully closed position, a rotational moment is likely to occur around the second pivot point due to the door's inertia, which tends to cause the door to swing. Therefore, the above-mentioned configuration can achieve a more significant effect.

[0011] In the vehicle door apparatus for solving the above-described problems, it is preferable that the biasing force applying device applies the biasing force based on the elastic force of an elastic member that elastically deforms in accordance with the operation of the link mechanism. According to the above configuration, with a simple configuration, it is possible to apply a biasing force in a direction that reduces the rotational moment about the second rotational connection point based on the inertia that occurs in the door as a result of the operation of the link mechanism.

[0012] In the vehicle door apparatus that solves the above problem, it is preferable that the biasing force applying device includes the elastic member that is sandwiched between the door and the link mechanism when the door moves to the fully closed position.

[0013] According to the above configuration, when the door opens from the fully closed position, the elastic force of the elastic member sandwiched between the door and the second pivot point can press the door in the opening direction at a position closer to the center of gravity than the second pivot point, thereby effectively suppressing the rotational moment around the second pivot point due to inertia.

[0014] The vehicle door device for solving the above problem preferably includes the elastic member that is sandwiched between the door and the vehicle body when the door moves to the fully closed position. According to the above configuration, when the door moves from the fully closed position to the opening position, a biasing force can be applied to the door stably based on the elastic force of the elastic member sandwiched between the door and the door. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the swinging of the door supported by the link mechanism. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [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 side view of a linkage mechanism supporting the front door of a vehicle. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a front door supported in a door opening via a first link mechanism. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a rotational moment based on inertia generated in the front door in association with the operation of the first link mechanism. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a biasing force imparting device provided in a vehicle door device; [Figure 12] 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of another example of a biasing force imparting device provided in a vehicle door device; FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of another example of a biasing force imparting device provided in a vehicle door device; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An embodiment of a vehicle door device will be described below 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.

[0018] 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 rear door 32 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] Furthermore, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, when the rear door 32 is closed, 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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 of the second link mechanism 52. 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.

[0036] That is, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the front door 31 closes toward the rear of the vehicle with its rear end 31r as the closing end 131. The rear door 32 closes toward the front of the vehicle with its front end 32f as the closing end 132. Furthermore, the front door 31 and the rear door 32 are disposed at a fully closed position P0 with their closing end tips 131x, 132x overlapping in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured so that the closing end tip 132x of the rear door 32 and the closing end tip 131x of the front door 31 do not interfere with each other based on the change in the opening / closing operation locus R2 near the fully closed position P0 as described above.

[0037] 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 140.

[0038] Specifically, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment includes a first actuator 141 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 142 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 141, 142.

[0039] More specifically, the first and second actuators 141 and 142 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.

[0040] Specifically, the first actuator 141 is provided at a base end 71x of a first link arm 71, which is fixed to the vehicle body 2 and has a first rotation connection point X1 with respect to the vehicle body 2. More specifically, the first actuator 141 is provided at a position where the base end 71x of the first link arm 71 is connected to a connecting bracket 143 that allows the base end 71x to be rotatable with respect to the vehicle body 2. The first actuator 141 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.

[0041] Similarly, the second actuator 142 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 142 is provided at a position where the base end 81x of the first link arm 81 is connected to a connecting bracket 144 that enables the base end 81x to be rotatable with respect to the vehicle body 2. The second actuator 142 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.

[0042] Furthermore, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, independent control signals are input to the first and second actuators 141, 142. 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.

[0043] (Front door biasing structure) Next, a description will be given of the biasing structure of the front door 31 implemented in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the direction connecting the front end 31f and the rear end 31r of the front door 31, that is, the fore-and-aft direction of the front door 31 when the front door 31 of the vehicle 1 is in a fully closed state, will be referred to as the "door length direction."

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 8 , in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the first link arm 71 has a second pivot connection point X2 with respect to the front door 31 closer to the rear end 31r (left side in FIG. 8 ) than the center position of the front door 31 in the door length direction. That is, for the first link arm 71 forming the first link mechanism 51, the second pivot connection point X2 with respect to the front door 31 is set at a position closer to the closing end 131 of the front door 31. By adopting such a configuration, the front door 31, which moves forward of the vehicle based on the operation of the first link mechanism 51 during the opening operation of the front door 31, can be positioned further forward of the vehicle, that is, in the opening operation direction. Thus, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured to ensure a larger door opening amount for the door opening 3 of the vehicle 1 to which the front door 31 is provided.

[0045] 8, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the front door 31 has its center of gravity G at a substantially central position between the front end 31f and the rear end 31r, at a height near the belt line below the window portion 91. The vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured such that the second rotation connection point X2 of the first link arm 71 with respect to the front door 31 is set at a position closer to the rear end 31r than the center of gravity G in the door length direction of the front door 31.

[0046] That is, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, a virtual support axis 150 is formed in the front door 31, extending in a direction connecting second rotation connection points X2, X2 of the first and second link arms 71, 72 that form the first link mechanism 51 with the front door 31. The vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured such that the center of gravity G of the front door 31 is located closer to the front end portion 31f (right side in FIG. 8) than the door length direction position where the support axis 150 of the front door 31 formed by the first link mechanism 51 is formed.

[0047] However, as shown in Figures 8 to 10, by setting the second rotation connection point X2 at a position offset from the center of gravity G, when the door 10 opens or closes in accordance with the operation of the link mechanism 20, a rotation moment is generated around the second rotation connection point X2 due to the inertia of the door 10. For ease of explanation, in each of the figures from Figure 9 onwards, the position of the center of gravity G in the door length direction is shown regardless of the height position of the front door 31 shown in the figure.

[0048] For example, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the front door 31 supported by the first link mechanism 51 opens from the fully closed position P0 based on the driving force of the first actuator 141. At this time, the first and second link arms 71, 72 forming the first link mechanism 51 rotate about the first rotation connection points X1, X1, respectively, relative to the vehicle body 2. As a result, the second rotation connection points X2, X2, respectively, relative to the front door 31 move outward in the vehicle width direction (downward in FIGS. 9 and 10).

[0049] However, at this time, a force acts on the front door 31 due to its inertia, tending to keep it in place. As a result, the movement of the front door 31 at the approximate center in the door length direction where the center of gravity G is located, i.e., the movement of the front end 31f side, is delayed compared to the position on the rear end 31r side where the second rotation connection points X2, X2 between the first and second link arms 71, 72 and the front door 31 are set. This causes a problem in that the front door 31 appears to swing around the center of gravity G, generating a rotation moment around the second rotation connection point X2.

[0050] 11, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is provided with a biasing force applying device 151 that applies a biasing force F to the front door 31 in a direction that suppresses a rotational moment about the second rotational connection point X2 based on the inertia of the front door 31. Note that, as described above, the "rotational moment about the second rotational connection point X2" can also be rephrased as "rotational moment about a support axis," considering that a virtual support axis 150 is formed by the second rotational connection points X2, X2 for the front door 31. The vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment is configured to suppress the swing of the front door 31 caused by the rotational moment generated about the second rotational connection point X2, thereby improving the texture of the door.

[0051] More specifically, the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment includes an elastic member 152 that is sandwiched between the front door 31 and the first link mechanism 51 as the front door 31 moves to the fully closed position P0. In the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, the elastic member 152 is formed using an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer. Furthermore, when the front door 31 is fully closed, the elastic member 152 is sandwiched between the front door 31 and the second link arm 72 configured as the sub-link 94. That is, in the vehicle door device 30 of this embodiment, as the front door 31 moves to the fully closed position P0, the elastic member 152 that is sandwiched between the front door 31 and the second link arm 72 is elastically deformed. The force applying device 151 of this embodiment is configured to urge the front end portion 31f of the front door 31 outward in the vehicle width direction based on the elastic force of this elastic member 152 when the front door 31 opens from the fully closed position P0 based on the driving force of the first actuator 141.

[0052] Specifically, in the vehicle door apparatus 30 of this embodiment, the elastic member 152 constituting the biasing force imparting device 151 is fixed to the second link arm 72 near the base end 72x of the second link arm 72. That is, the elastic member 152 is provided separately from a weather strip (not shown) serving as a sealing member attached to each door 10. Furthermore, the elastic member 152 is sandwiched between the front door 31 that has moved to the fully closed position P0, and thereby presses the front end 31f side of the front door 31 outward in the vehicle width direction based on its elastic force. Thus, when the front door 31 opens from the fully closed position P0 in response to the operation of the first link mechanism 51, the biasing force imparting device 151 of this embodiment is configured to bias the side of the center of gravity G in the opening operation direction relative to the second pivot connection point X2, where the start of movement is delayed due to inertia.

[0053] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. That is, by biasing the front end portion 31f of the front door 31, which is closer to the center of gravity G than the second rotational connection point X2, outward in the vehicle width direction, the front end portion 31f starts moving faster. This reduces the rotational moment around the second rotational connection point X2 based on the inertia generated in the front door 31 as the first link mechanism 51 operates.

[0054] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) That is, by suppressing the rotation moment around the second rotation connection point X2 based on the inertia of the front door 31, it is possible to suppress the swing of the front door 31 supported by the first link mechanism 51. This makes it possible to ensure a high quality feel, including the feeling of the door.

[0055] Furthermore, by suppressing the swinging of the front door 31, the front door 31 is less likely to interfere with the front edge 3f of the door opening 3 near the fully closed position P0. This makes it possible to narrow the gap set between the front door 31 and the front edge 3f of the door opening 3, ensuring high design quality.

[0056] (2) The vehicle door device 30 includes the first actuator 141 that applies a driving force to the first link arm 71 that constitutes the first link mechanism 51 to open or close the front door 31.

[0057] The above configuration improves the convenience of passengers getting in and out of the vehicle 1 through the front opening 4 of the door opening 3 in which the front door 31 is provided. Furthermore, in a configuration in which a driving force is applied to the first link mechanism 51, the first link mechanism 51 operates before the front door 31. This generates a rotational moment about the second pivotal connection point X2 based on the inertia of the front door 31. However, even in this configuration, by providing the biasing force applying device 151, it is possible to suppress the rotational moment about the second pivotal connection point X2 based on the inertia generated in the front door 31. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress the swinging of the front door 31 supported by the first link mechanism 51.

[0058] (3) The biasing force imparting device 151 imparts the biasing force F to a position closer to the center of gravity G of the front door 31 than the second rotation connection point X2. That is, when the front door 31 moves based on the operation of the first link mechanism 51, an inertial force acts on the front door 31. As a result, the start of movement of the front door 31 on the side of the center of gravity G relative to the second rotational connection point X2 is delayed, and a rotational moment is generated in the front door 31 about the second rotational connection point X2. Therefore, with the above configuration, it is possible to efficiently apply to the front door 31 a biasing force F in a direction that suppresses the rotational moment about the second rotational connection point X2 based on the inertia. This makes it possible to effectively suppress the swinging of the front door 31 supported by the first link mechanism 51.

[0059] (4) In particular, the front door 31 supported by the first link mechanism 51 formed by the first and second link arms 71, 72 opens in the direction of movement of an occupant getting in and out of the vehicle 1 through the front opening 4 of the door opening 3 in which the front door 31 is provided, that is, toward the front of the vehicle. Therefore, to ensure a larger door opening amount, the second pivot connection point X2 for the front door 31 is often set at a position toward the rear end 31r of the front door 31. As a result, the second pivot connection point X2 tends to be configured away from the center of gravity G of the front door 31. This tends to generate a rotational moment about the second pivot connection point X2 due to its inertia. Therefore, by providing the biasing force imparting device 151 to such a front door 31 that opens toward the front of the vehicle, a more significant effect can be obtained.

[0060] (5) The biasing force applying device 151 is configured to apply a biasing force F in a direction that reduces the rotational moment around the second pivot connection point X2 based on the inertia of the front door 31 when the front door 31 opens from the fully closed position P0.

[0061] That is, when the front door 31 starts to move from the fully closed position P0 to open the door, a rotation moment is likely to occur around the second rotation connection point X2 due to its inertia. This tends to make the swinging of the front door 31 more noticeable. Therefore, the above-described configuration can provide a more significant effect.

[0062] (6) The biasing force applying device 151 applies a biasing force F to the front door 31 based on the elastic force of the elastic member 152 which is elastically deformed in accordance with the operation of the first link mechanism 51 which supports the front door 31.

[0063] According to the above-described configuration, with a simple configuration, it is possible to apply a biasing force F in a direction that reduces the rotational moment around the second rotation connection point X2 based on the inertia generated in the front door 31 due to the operation of the first link mechanism 51.

[0064] (7) Furthermore, when the front door 31 moves to the fully closed position P0, the elastic member 152 is positioned so that it is sandwiched between the front door 31 and the second link arm 72 that constitutes the first link mechanism 51.

[0065] By employing such a configuration, during an opening operation from the fully closed position P0, a position on the front door 31 closer to the center of gravity G than the second rotational connection point X2 can be pressed in the opening direction based on the elastic force of the elastic member 152 sandwiched between the front door 31 and the second rotational connection point X2. This effectively suppresses the rotational moment around the second rotational connection point X2 based on the inertia.

[0066] 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.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the elastic member 152 constituting the biasing force imparting device 151 is fixed to the second link arm 72. Furthermore, when the front door 31 moves to the fully closed position P0, the elastic member 152 is sandwiched between the front door 31 and the second link arm 72 configured as the sub-link 94. Then, when the front door 31 performs an opening operation from the fully closed position P0, the biasing force imparting device 151 biases the front end portion 31f of the front door 31 outward in the vehicle width direction based on the elastic force of the elastic member 152.

[0068] However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the elastic member 152 fixed to the front door 31 may be configured to be sandwiched between the front door 31 and the second link arm 72 when the front door 31 moves to the fully closed position P0.

[0069] 12, the elastic member 152 may be configured to be sandwiched between the front door 31 and the first link arm 71 configured as the main link 95. In this case as well, the elastic member 152 may be fixed to either the first link arm 71 side or the front door 31 side.

[0070] Even with this configuration, when the front door 31 opens from the fully closed position P0, the front end 31f of the front door 31 can be urged outward in the vehicle width direction based on the elastic force of the elastic member 152 sandwiched between the front door 31 and the front door 31. In other words, the front door 31 can be urged outward in the vehicle width direction at a position closer to the center of gravity G than the second rotational connection point X2. This effectively suppresses the rotational moment around the second rotational connection point X2 based on the inertia.

[0071] That is, when the elastic force of the elastic member 152 is used to apply the biasing force F to the front door 31, the elastic member 152 may be configured to be sandwiched between the front door 31 and the first link mechanism 51. Furthermore, in this case, the elastic member 152 may be configured to be sandwiched between the front door 31 and the first link arm 71, or may be configured to be sandwiched between the front door 31 and the second link arm 72. Furthermore, both the first and second link arms 71, 72 may be configured to have the elastic member 152 sandwiched between them and the front door 31.

[0072] 13, the elastic member 152 may be sandwiched between the front door 31 and the vehicle body 2. Even when such a configuration is adopted, the rotational moment around the second rotational connection point X2 based on the inertia can be effectively suppressed, as in the above embodiment.

[0073] Specifically, in this biasing force imparting device 151C, the elastic member 152 is provided at a position where it is sandwiched between the front door 31 and the lower edge 3b of the door opening 3 when the front door 31 moves to the fully closed position P0. As a result, when the front door 31 performs an opening operation from the fully closed position P0, based on the elastic force of the elastic member 152 sandwiched between the front door 31 and the lower edge 3b, the front end 31f side of the front door 31 is biased outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0074] In this case as well, the elastic member 152 may be fixed to the front door 31 side or to the vehicle body 2 side. The position and number of the elastic member 152 sandwiched between the front door 31 and the vehicle body 2 may be changed as desired. As described above, the elastic member 152 may be combined with the configuration in which it is sandwiched between the front door 31 and the first link mechanism 51.

[0075] The elastic force of the elastic member 152 may be changed as desired according to the magnitude of the biasing force F applied to the front door 31, which is required to suppress the rotational moment about the second rotation connection point X2 based on the inertia of the elastic member 152. Furthermore, when the front door 31 opens from the fully closed position P0, the first link mechanism 51 may press the front door 31 via the elastic member 152 sandwiched between the front door 31. At least one of the base ends 71x, 72x of the first and second link arms 71, 72 constituting the first link mechanism 51 may be provided with a pressing member that presses the front end 31f of the front door 31 outward in the vehicle width direction when the front door 31 opens from the fully closed position P0.

[0076] The shape and material of the elastic member 152 may be changed as desired. For example, a compression spring, a tension spring, a torsion coil spring, or the like may be used to apply the urging force F to the front door 31. The elastic member 152 does not necessarily have to be sandwiched between the front door 31 as long as it is possible to generate the urging force F in the direction of application to the front door 31 based on the elastic force of the elastic member 152 that is elastically deformed in accordance with the operation of the first link mechanism 51.

[0077] Furthermore, the position at which the biasing force F is applied may also be changed as desired, as long as it is possible to apply a biasing force F in a direction that suppresses the rotational moment about the second rotational connection point X2 that is based on the inertia generated in the front door 31 as a result of the operation of the first link mechanism 51. For example, when the front door 31 is opened, the biasing force applying device 151 presses the rear end 31r side of the front door 31 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the biasing force F may be applied in a manner that presses a position on the opposite side of the second rotational connection point X2 from the center of gravity G. Even when such a configuration is adopted, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0078] Furthermore, the biasing force imparting device 151 does not necessarily have to be configured to impart the biasing force F to the front door 31 based on the elastic force of the elastic member 152. For example, the biasing force imparting device 151 may be configured to use a motor, a solenoid, or the like as a drive source and to impart the biasing force F to the front door 31 in a direction that suppresses the rotational moment around the second rotation connection point X2 based on inertia.

[0079] In the above embodiment, when the front door 31 performs an opening operation from the fully closed position P0, the biasing force imparting device 151 applies the biasing force F to the front door 31 in a direction that suppresses the rotational moment about the second rotational connection point X2 based on inertia. However, this is not limited to this, and the biasing force imparting device 151 may be configured to apply the biasing force F to the front door 31 in a direction that suppresses the rotational moment about the second rotational connection point X2 based on inertia when the front door 31 performs a closing operation from the fully open position P1. Furthermore, the biasing force imparting device 151 may be configured to apply the above-mentioned biasing force F to the front door 31 that performs an opening / closing operation in conjunction with the operation of the first link mechanism 51 when the front door 31 is stopped at an intermediate position during opening / closing or during a reversing operation.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the first actuator 141 applies a driving force to the first link arm 71 configured as the main link 95, thereby opening and closing the front door 31 supported by the first link mechanism 51. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a configuration including an actuator 140 that applies a driving force to the second link arm 72 configured as the sub-link 94, thereby opening and closing the front door 31.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the biasing force imparting device 151 is provided for the front door 31 that opens toward the front of the vehicle based on the operation of the first link mechanism 51 formed by the first and second link arms 71, 72. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the biasing force imparting device 151 may be provided for the rear door 32 that opens toward the front of the vehicle based on the operation of the second link mechanism 52 formed by the first and second link arms 81, 82.

[0082] That is, the door 10 of the vehicle 1 opens and closes based on the operation of the link mechanism 20 formed by the first and second link arms 61, 62. Furthermore, in accordance with the operation of the link mechanism 20, a rotational moment about the second rotational connection point X2 based on the inertia of the door 10 of the vehicle 1 is generated in the door 10 of the vehicle 1 supported by the link mechanism 20. The door 10 may be configured to include a biasing force imparting device 151 that can impart a biasing force F to the door 10 in a direction that suppresses the rotational moment about the second rotational connection point X2.

[0083] The present invention may also be applied to a configuration in which the door 10 supported by the link mechanism 20 is manually opened and closed. Next, the technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described.

[0084] (A) When the door opens from the fully closed position, the link mechanism presses the door via the elastic member sandwiched between the door, thereby more effectively applying a biasing force to the door in a direction that suppresses the rotational moment around the support shaft based on the door's inertia.

[0085] (b) The elastic member is a separate member from a seal member provided on the door. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1...Vehicle 2...Body 10...Door 30...Vehicle door device 31...Front door 51...First link mechanism 61,71...First link arm 62,72...Second link arm 151... biasing force imparting device X1: First pivot point X2: Second pivot point F…biasing force

Claims

1. first and second link arms having a first pivot connection point to the vehicle body and a second pivot connection point to the vehicle door; The door opens and closes based on the operation of a link mechanism formed by the first and second link arms, A vehicle door apparatus comprising: a force applying device that applies a force to the door at a position closer to the center of gravity of the door than the second pivot connection point in a direction that suppresses a rotational moment around the second pivot connection point of the door based on the inertia of the door that occurs in the door as the link mechanism operates.

2. The vehicle door device according to claim 1, a drive mechanism for applying a driving force to the link mechanism to open and close the door;

3. The vehicle door device according to claim 1 or 2, The vehicle door device is characterized in that the door is a front door of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle door device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The vehicle door apparatus is characterized in that the biasing force applying device applies the biasing force when the door performs an opening operation from a fully closed position.

5. The vehicle door device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The vehicle door apparatus, wherein the biasing force applying device applies the biasing force based on an elastic force of an elastic member that elastically deforms in accordance with operation of the link mechanism.

6. The vehicle door device according to claim 5, the biasing force applying device includes the elastic member that is sandwiched between the door and the link mechanism when the door moves to a fully closed position; A vehicle door device comprising:

7. The vehicle door device according to claim 5 or 6, a spring member that is sandwiched between the door and the vehicle body when the door moves to a fully closed position;

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