Position holding device for vehicle door

Abstract

The present invention is characterized by comprising a rotatable drum, a cable that is unwound from or wound onto the drum in conjunction with the rotation of the drum, and a position holding mechanism that can hold a vehicle door at a midway position in an opening / closing direction, wherein: the position holding mechanism includes a cover member that covers the drum, and a pawl member and a pressing member that are each rotatably disposed on the drum; the cover member has an inner peripheral surface surrounding the pawl member and the pressing member, and a plurality of teeth disposed on the inner peripheral surface at intervals in the circumferential direction; and in the position holding mechanism, when the pawl member is positioned at an unlock position, and the drum rotates in the winding direction in a state in which a protrusion of the pressing member protrudes outward, the protrusion is pressed by the teeth and the pressing member rotates to push the pawl member, thereby rotating the pawl member to a lock position. With such a structure, it is possible to provide a vehicle door holding device that suppresses ratchet noise when a vehicle door is opened and closed.

Description

Vehicle door position maintaining device

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle door position holding device that holds a vehicle door at an intermediate position in the opening / closing direction.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle door position maintaining device (hereinafter simply referred to as a "position maintaining device") that maintains a vehicle door, such as a vehicle back door, at an intermediate position in an opening / closing direction has been known (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] 34A to 34D, the position-maintaining device 100 includes a cable winding drum (pulley) 101, a first ratchet wheel 102 for position maintenance, and a second ratchet wheel 103 for a lock activation mechanism, which are arranged rotatably as a single unit. The position-maintaining device 100 also includes a first ratchet pawl 104 arranged around the first ratchet wheel 102, an over-center spring 105 that biases the first ratchet pawl 104, and a second ratchet pawl 106 arranged around the second ratchet wheel 103. The position-maintaining device 100 is arranged near a vehicle back door (vehicle door) 107 that is biased in an opening direction by a gas spring or the like, and one end of an inner cable 108 wound around the drum 101 is engaged with the back door 107.

[0004] In a vehicle equipped with such a position-maintaining device 100, when the back door 107 opens, the inner cable 108 is pulled out from the drum 101, causing the drum 101 to rotate clockwise in FIG. 34. At this time, the biasing force of the over-center spring 105 keeps the first ratchet pawl 104 in an outwardly moved state, and keeps it out of mesh with the ratchet teeth on the periphery of the first ratchet wheel 102. In addition, the second ratchet wheel 103 rotates in a sliding direction relative to the second ratchet pawl 106.

[0005] If it is desired to hold the back door 107 at a position midway in the opening / closing direction, such as when there is a risk that the back door 107 may interfere with an adjacent vehicle or a wall, the back door 107 is rotated somewhat in the closing direction (counterclockwise) at that position. This causes the inner cable 108 to be wound onto the drum 101.

[0006] At this time, the second ratchet wheel 103 rotates in the meshing direction (counterclockwise) relative to the second ratchet pawl 106, so that the ratchet teeth on the periphery of the second ratchet wheel 103 mesh with the tip of the second ratchet pawl 106, and the second ratchet pawl 106 is pushed up in the counterclockwise direction.

[0007] Subsequently, the support protrusion 104a of the first ratchet pawl 104 is also pushed up, causing the first ratchet pawl 104 to rotate counterclockwise, and the tip of the first ratchet pawl 104 engages with the first ratchet wheel 102, preventing the first ratchet wheel 102 from rotating clockwise, and the back door 107 is locked via the inner cable 108. As a result, even if the back door 107 is released, the back door 107 will not open any further and will maintain the opening angle at that time.

[0008] JP 2011-46280 A

[0009] In the position holding device 100 described above, the tip of the second ratchet pawl 106 is biased toward the second ratchet wheel 103, so that when the vehicle door 107 is opened (i.e., when the second ratchet wheel 103 rotates clockwise), a noise is generated each time the tip of the second ratchet pawl 106 passes over the ratchet teeth of the second ratchet wheel 103, i.e., a ratchet sound is generated.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle door position maintaining device that suppresses ratchet noise when the vehicle door is opened or closed.

[0011] The vehicle door position maintaining device of the present invention comprises: a columnar drum that is disposed on a vehicle body or vehicle door and is rotatable around a central axis; a cable that has one end that is engaged with the vehicle door or the vehicle body and that is wound or unwound from the drum as the drum rotates; and a position maintaining mechanism that is capable of maintaining the vehicle door at an intermediate position in an opening / closing direction, wherein the position maintaining mechanism comprises: a cover member that covers the drum and is rotatable relative to the drum; a pawl member that is disposed on the drum and is rotatable around a first rotation axis that extends in the same direction as the central axis; and a pressing member that is disposed on the drum and is rotatable around a second rotation axis that extends in the same direction as the central axis, wherein the pressing member has a convex portion that extends in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the second rotation axis, and the cover member has: an inner circumferential surface that follows the outer periphery of the drum and surrounds the pawl member and the pressing member; and a plurality of teeth that are disposed on the inner circumferential surface at intervals in the circumferential direction. and a guide portion that, when the drum rotates in the cable winding direction and the pressing member is at a position corresponding to the tooth, guides the pressing member as the drum rotates, thereby rotating the pressing member so that the convex portion protrudes outward; the pawl member is capable of changing its position by rotating about the first rotating shaft between a locked position where it can engage with the tooth when the drum rotates in the cable unwinding direction and a released position where it does not engage with the tooth even when the drum rotates in the cable unwinding direction; and the position holding mechanism is such that, when the pawl member is located at the released position and the drum rotates in the winding direction with the convex portion of the pressing member protruding outward, the convex portion is pressed by the tooth to rotate the pressing member, and the pressing member presses the pawl member as it rotates, causing the pawl member to rotate to the locked position.

[0012] With this configuration, the pawl member that engages with the teeth of the cover member when in a locked state that stops the cable from being unwound is positioned in the released position when the cable is being unwound continuously, so that even when the drum rotates the pawl member does not come into contact with the teeth of the cover member, thereby suppressing ratchet noise (the noise generated when the member that engages with the teeth passes over the teeth).

[0013] The vehicle door position holding device may include a rotation restriction portion that, when the pressing member rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction in which the convex portion protrudes, abuts against the pressing member to restrict further rotation in the opposite direction, the pressing member having a main body that extends on the side opposite to the side in which the convex portion extends relative to the second rotation axis, and the rotation restriction portion may abut against the pressing member at a rotation position of the pressing member where the main body and the convex portion do not engage with the teeth when the drum rotates in the unwinding direction.

[0014] According to this configuration, even if the pressing member rotates around the second rotation axis when the drum rotates in the unwinding direction, the rotation is restricted to a range where the pressing member (main body and convex portion) does not engage with the teeth, thereby preventing the pressing member from getting caught (engaging) with the teeth when the drum rotates in the unwinding direction.

[0015] In the vehicle door position maintaining device, the guide portions and the rotation restricting portions may be arranged alternately in a circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface.

[0016] With this configuration, multiple guide portions are arranged circumferentially, thereby ensuring multiple holding positions for the vehicle door in the opening and closing direction, making it easier to hold the vehicle door at or near the desired position in the opening and closing direction.

[0017] In the vehicle door position maintaining device, the cover member may have the rotation restricting portion, and the guide portion and the rotation restricting portion adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction may be connected to each other.

[0018] With this configuration, the cover member has a guide portion and a rotation regulating portion, which reduces the number of parts, and the guide portion and the rotation regulating portion are connected to each other, which prevents the pressing member from getting stuck or caught between the guide portion and the rotation regulating portion when the drum rotates.

[0019] Furthermore, the vehicle door position maintaining device may include a sliding contact portion arranged at a position overlapping with the pawl member when viewed from the direction in which the first pivot shaft extends, and the sliding contact portion may have an abutting portion that abuts against the pawl member and a biasing portion that biases the abutting portion toward the pawl member.

[0020] According to this configuration, the abutment portion abuts against the pawl member while being biased toward the pawl member, thereby applying resistance to the rotation of the pawl member around the first rotation axis, thereby suppressing changes in the position of the pawl member relative to the drum (for example, deviation from the release position) when the drum rotates, etc.

[0021] Furthermore, in the vehicle door position holding device, the cover member may have a holding guide portion, and the holding guide portion may hold the convex portion in an outwardly protruding state during the period from when the pressing member rotates on the guide portion and the convex portion protrudes outward until the convex portion is pressed by the teeth when the drum rotates in the cable winding direction.

[0022] With this configuration, when the drum rotates in the cable winding direction, the guide portion rotates the pressing member so that the convex portion protrudes outward, and then the holding guide portion maintains the convex portion in an outward protruding state, so that the convex portion is reliably pressed by the teeth (i.e., the pawl member rotates more reliably to the locked position).

[0023] In addition, in the vehicle door position holding device, the guide portions may be arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface, and the holding guide portions may be arranged between the guide portions arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0024] According to this configuration, since a plurality of guide portions and corresponding holding guide portions are arranged in the circumferential direction, the vehicle door can be more reliably held in position at or near the desired position in the opening / closing direction.

[0025] a position maintaining device for a vehicle door of the present invention, the position maintaining device comprising: a columnar drum that is arranged on a vehicle body or the vehicle door and that is rotatable around a central axis; a cable that has one end that is engaged with the vehicle door or the vehicle body and that is wound or unwound from the drum as the drum rotates; and a position maintaining mechanism that is capable of maintaining the vehicle door at an intermediate position in an opening / closing direction, the position maintaining mechanism comprising: a cover member that covers the drum and is rotatable relative to the drum; a pawl member that is arranged on the drum and is rotatable around a first rotation axis that extends in the same direction as the central axis; and a pressing member that is arranged on the drum and is rotatable around a second rotation axis that extends in the same direction as the central axis, the pressing member having a convex portion that extends in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the second rotation axis, the cover member having an inner peripheral surface that follows the outer periphery of the drum and that surrounds the pawl member and the pressing member; and a plurality of teeth that are arranged on the inner peripheral surface at intervals in the circumferential direction. and a guide portion that, when the drum rotates in the cable unwinding direction and the pressing member is in a position corresponding to the tooth, guides the pressing member as the drum rotates, thereby rotating the pressing member so that the convex portion protrudes outward; the pawl member is capable of changing its position by rotating about the first rotating shaft between a locked position where it can engage with the tooth when the drum rotates in the cable winding direction, and a released position where it does not engage with the tooth even when the drum rotates in the cable winding direction; and the position holding mechanism is such that, when the pawl member is located in the released position, and the drum rotates in the unwinding direction with the convex portion of the pressing member protruding outward, the convex portion is pressed by the tooth to rotate the pressing member, and the pressing member presses the pawl member as it rotates, causing the pawl member to rotate to the locked position.

[0026] With this configuration, the pawl member that engages with the teeth of the cover member when in a locked state that stops the winding of the cable is positioned in the released position when the cable is continuously wound, so that the pawl member does not come into contact with the teeth of the cover member even when the drum rotates, thereby suppressing ratchet noise (the noise generated when the member that engages with the teeth passes over the teeth).

[0027] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle door position maintaining device that suppresses ratchet noise when the vehicle door is opened or closed.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a view of the rear of the vehicle body as seen from the vehicle width direction, showing a state when the vehicle door is in an intermediate position. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle door position maintaining device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view of the vehicle door position maintaining device as seen from the central axis direction. FIG. 4 is a view of the vehicle door position maintaining device as seen from a direction perpendicular to the central axis. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle door position maintaining device. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pawl member included in the vehicle door position maintaining device. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pressing member included in the vehicle door position maintaining device. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cover member included in the vehicle door position maintaining device. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in FIG. 4, for explaining the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in FIG. 4, for explaining the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the X-X position shown in FIG. 4, illustrating the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the X-X position shown in FIG. 4, illustrating the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the X-X position shown in FIG. 4, illustrating the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the X-X position shown in FIG. 4, illustrating the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the X-X position shown in FIG. 4, illustrating the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the X-X position shown in FIG. 4, illustrating the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the X-X position shown in FIG. 4, illustrating the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the X-X position shown in FIG. 4, illustrating the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device. Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X in Fig. 4, illustrating the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device. Fig. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle door position maintaining device according to the second embodiment.FIG. 22 is a view of the vehicle door position maintaining device as seen from a direction perpendicular to the central axis. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 22 , illustrating the positional relationship and movement between the restricting recess of the drum body, the restricting protrusion of the pawl member, and the sliding contact portion. FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a cover member provided in the vehicle door position maintaining device. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV in FIG. 22 , illustrating the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device of the second embodiment. FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV in FIG. 22 , illustrating the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device of the second embodiment. FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV in FIG. 22 , illustrating the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device of the second embodiment. FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV in FIG. 22 , illustrating the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device of the second embodiment. FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along the XXV-XXV line shown in FIG. 22 , illustrating the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device of the second embodiment. FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along the XXV-XXV line shown in FIG. 22 , illustrating the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device of the second embodiment. FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view taken along the XXV-XXV line shown in FIG. 22 , illustrating the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device of the second embodiment. FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view taken along the XXV-XXV line shown in FIG. 22 , illustrating the operation of each component of the vehicle door position maintaining device of the second embodiment. FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view showing each component of a vehicle door position maintaining device according to another embodiment. FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of a conventional vehicle door position maintaining device.

[0029] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 20. First, a vehicle to which a vehicle door position maintaining device (hereinafter also simply referred to as a "position maintaining device") is attached will be described, and then the position maintaining device will be described.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 900 includes a vehicle body 901 and a vehicle door (hereinafter also simply referred to as "door") 902 attached to the rear of the vehicle body 901 in an openable and closable manner.

[0031] The door 902 is a so-called hatchback door (back door), and is attached to the vehicle body 901 via a pivot shaft 903 extending in the vehicle width direction at the upper end of the door 902, and is a flip-up door that can rotate around the pivot shaft 903 between a fully closed position P1 and a fully open position P2.

[0032] Both ends of the door 902 in the vehicle width direction are connected to the rear of the vehicle body 901 by gas springs 904. The gas springs 904 urge the door 902 in the opening direction (from the fully closed position P1 toward the fully open position P2), thereby assisting the user in operating the door 902 in the opening direction.

[0033] The position-keeping device 1 of this embodiment can maintain the position of the door 902 at any position between the fully closed position P1 and the fully open position P2 or at a nearby position (hereinafter also referred to as an "intermediate position") P3. The position-keeping device 1 is attached to the rear of the vehicle body 901, and one end (the tip in the unwinding direction) of the cable 3 that is unwound and wound by the position-keeping device 1 is engaged with the door 902.

[0034] 2 to 6, the position-keeping device 1 includes a columnar drum 2 that is rotatable about a central axis C, a cable 3 that has one end engaged with the door 902 and is wound up or unwound from the drum 2 as the drum 2 rotates, and a position-keeping mechanism 4 that can hold the door 902 at an intermediate position P3 in the opening / closing direction. The position-keeping device 1 also includes a drum accommodating section 5 that rotatably accommodates the drum 2, a spring S that biases the drum 2 in the rotational direction, and a sliding contact section 9 that is arranged on the drum 2.

[0035] The drum accommodating section 5 is a member that constitutes part of the housing H of the position maintaining device 1, and has an accommodating section main body 50 having a disk-shaped bottom 51 of a size corresponding to the drum 2 and a peripheral wall 52 extending from the periphery of the bottom 51 to one side in the direction of the central axis C (upward in FIG. 6 ), and a shaft 53 that extends cylindrically from the center of the bottom 51 along the central axis C. The drum accommodating section 5 also has a pair of extensions 54 that extend radially outward from one end of the peripheral wall 52 in the direction of the central axis C. The housing H of the position maintaining device 1 of this embodiment has the drum accommodating section 5, a cover member 6, and a fixing member 10 that removably fixes the cover member 6 to the drum accommodating section 5, and the fixing member 10 has a bolt 11 and a nut 12.

[0036] The peripheral wall 52 of the housing body 50 has a notch 52a at a predetermined circumferential position that extends toward the other side in the direction of the central axis C (the downward side in FIG. 5 ) toward the bottom 51. This notch 52a is the portion through which the cable 3 enters and exits the housing H (is unwound and wound).

[0037] The pair of extension portions 54 are plate-like portions that extend away from each other in a direction perpendicular to the central axis C. Specifically, each extension portion 54 is a plate-like portion that extends in a planar direction perpendicular to the central axis C, and has a through hole 541 that penetrates in the direction of the central axis C.

[0038] The drum 2 has a cylindrical drum body 21 and a damper 22 that suppresses rotation of the drum body 21. In this embodiment, the drum body 21 is cylindrical. In the following description, one surface of the drum body 21 in the direction of the central axis C (the surface opposite the bottom 51 of the drum accommodating portion 5) will be referred to as a first surface 21a, and the other surface in the direction of the central axis C will be referred to as a second surface 21b (see FIG. 6 ).

[0039] The drum body 21 has a cable guide groove 211 on its circumferential surface 21c that guides the cable 3. The drum body 21 also has a restricting protrusion 212 that protrudes from the first surface 21a toward one side along the central axis C (upward in FIG. 5 ) and a restricting recess 213 that is recessed from the first surface 21a toward the other side along the central axis C (downward in FIG. 5 ) at a position adjacent to the restricting protrusion 212. The drum body 21 also has a sliding contact portion recess 214 that is recessed from the first surface 21a toward the other side along the central axis C and in which the sliding contact portion 9 is disposed, and a damper mounting portion 215 that is recessed from the first surface 21a toward the other side along the central axis C and in which the damper 22 is disposed. The sliding contact portion recess 214 is disposed at a position that overlaps the pawl member 7 when viewed along the central axis C (see FIG. 6 ).

[0040] The drum body 21 also has a spring recess 216 recessed from the second surface 21b to one side in the direction of the central axis C, in which the spring S is disposed, and a shaft insertion portion 217 extending along the central axis C to the damper arrangement portion 215 at a position corresponding to the central axis C within the spring recess 216, in which the shaft 53 of the drum accommodating portion 5 is inserted (see Figure 6).

[0041] The drum body 21 of this embodiment also has a conical first rotation engagement portion 218 that protrudes from the first surface 21 a to one side in the direction of the central axis C, and a second rotation engagement portion 219 that is a cylindrical hole that extends from the first surface 21 a to the other side in the direction of the central axis C. The first rotation engagement portion 218 and the second rotation engagement portion 219 are portions at which a pawl member 7 and a pressing member 8 of a position holding mechanism 4, which will be described later, are rotatably disposed. In the drum body 21 of this embodiment, the apex of the conical first rotation engagement portion 218 coincides with the first rotation axis C1, which is the rotation center of the pawl member 7, and the center of the second rotation engagement portion 219 coincides with the second rotation axis C2, which is the rotation center of the pressing member 8 (see FIG. 3 ).

[0042] The above-mentioned drum body 21 is accommodated in the drum accommodating section 5 with the shaft 53 of the drum accommodating section 5 inserted into the shaft insertion section 217, and can thereby rotate relative to the drum accommodating section 5 around the central axis C (shaft 53).

[0043] The spring S disposed in the spring recess 216 of the drum 2 (drum main body 21) is a so-called spiral spring, and its central end engages with the shaft 53 of the drum accommodating portion 5, while its outer peripheral end engages with the drum main body 21. When the cable 3 is unwound from the drum 2, that is, when the drum 2 rotates in the unwinding direction A2 of the cable 3 (see arrow A2 in FIG. 3 ) relative to the drum accommodating portion 5, the spring S in this embodiment biases the drum 2 so that the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1 of the cable 3 (see arrow A1 in FIG. 3 ) relative to the drum accommodating portion 5.

[0044] The damper 22 is a member that engages with both the drum body 21 and the drum housing portion 5, and suppresses rotation of the drum body 21 when the drum body 21 attempts to rotate at a high speed relative to the drum housing portion 5. The damper 22 in this embodiment is a so-called rotary damper, and the braking torque generated increases as the rotation speed increases.

[0045] The position holding mechanism 4 has a cover member 6 that covers the drum 2 and is rotatable relative to the drum 2 , a pawl member 7 that is arranged on the drum 2 , and a pressing member 8 that is arranged on the drum 2 .

[0046] The pawl member 7 is a member disposed on the drum 2 so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis C1 that extends in the same direction as the central axis C. In this embodiment, the pawl member 7 can be rotated about the first rotation axis C1 to change its position between a locked position P11 and an unlocked position P12 (see FIG. 17 ). The locked position P11 of the pawl member 7 is a position where the pawl member 7 engages with the cover member 6 (for more details, see FIG. 9 ) when the drum 2 rotates in the unwinding direction A2 of the cable 3. The unlocked position P12 is a position where the pawl member 7 does not engage with the cover member 6 even when the drum 2 rotates in the unwinding direction A2.

[0047] Specifically, as also shown in Figure 7, the pawl member 7 has a pawl member main body 71 that extends in a planar direction perpendicular to the first pivot axis C1 direction (direction of the central axis C), a claw portion 72 that extends from the pawl member main body 71 in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the first pivot axis C1 direction, a regulating protrusion 73 that extends from the boundary between the pawl member main body 71 and the claw portion 72 to the other side in the first pivot axis C1 direction (the downward side in Figure 7), and an extension portion 74 that extends from the pawl member main body 71 in a direction perpendicular to the first pivot axis C1 direction and intersects the extension direction of the claw portion 72.

[0048] The pawl member main body 71 is in the form of an approximately fan-shaped plate when viewed from the direction of the first rotation axis C1, and has a rotation recess 711 that is recessed to one side in the direction of the first rotation axis C1 on the drum 2 side surface of the central corner portion (the end opposite the arc-shaped edge 71b) 71a, and a groove portion 712 that is recessed to one side in the direction of the first rotation axis C1 on the drum 2 side surface and extends along the arc-shaped edge 71b of the pawl member main body 71.

[0049] The rotation recess 711 is a portion that engages with the first rotation engagement portion 218 of the drum 2 so as to be rotatable around the first rotation axis C1. The rotation recess 711 in this embodiment is a recess having a conical surface, and engages with the first rotation engagement portion 218 by fitting into the first rotation engagement portion 218.

[0050] The groove portion 712 is an arc-shaped groove against which the sliding contact portion 9 slides when the pawl member 7 rotates around the first rotation axis C1, and has a convex portion 713 that protrudes to the other side in the direction of the first rotation axis C1 at a midpoint in the extension direction of the groove portion 712.

[0051] The claw portion 72 extends from the pawl member main body 71 toward the restricting protrusion 212 of the drum body 21 and is a portion that engages with the cover member 6 (teeth 63) when the drum 2 rotates in the unwinding direction A2 when the pawl member 7 is in the locked position P11. When the pawl member 7 rotates from the locked position P11 toward the released position P12, the claw portion 72 abuts against the restricting protrusion 212 of the drum body 21, thereby stopping the rotation of the pawl member 7 at the released position P12.

[0052] The regulating protrusion 73 is inserted (fits) into the regulating recess 213 of the drum main body 21, and when the pawl member 7 rotates from the release position P12 toward the lock position P11, it abuts against the inner surface of the regulating recess 213, thereby stopping the rotation of the pawl member 7 at the lock position P11.

[0053] The extension portion 74 extends from the pawl member main body 71 toward the pressing member 8, and is a portion that is pressed by the pressing member 8 when the pressing member 8 rotates about the second rotation axis C2. When the extension portion 74 is pressed by the pressing member 8, the pawl member 7 rotates about the first rotation axis C1 from the release position P12 toward the lock position P11.

[0054] The pressing member 8 is a member disposed on the drum 2 so as to be rotatable about a second rotation axis C2 extending in the same direction as the central axis C. The pressing member 8 has a first convex portion (convex portion) 82 extending in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the second rotation axis C2.

[0055] 8, the pressing member 8 has a pressing member main body (main body) 81 extending on the side opposite to the side on which the first convex portion 82 extends with respect to the second rotation axis C2. The pressing member 8 also has a rotation shaft portion 83 extending from the pressing member main body 81 along the second rotation axis C2 toward the drum 2, and a second convex portion 84 extending to one side in the direction of the second rotation axis C2 (upward in FIG. 8) at the end of the pressing member main body 81 opposite to the rotation shaft portion 83.

[0056] The rotation shaft 83 is a portion that engages with the second rotation engagement portion 219 of the drum 2 so as to be rotatable around the second rotation axis C2. The rotation shaft 83 in this embodiment is a cylindrical portion that extends in the direction of the second rotation axis C2, and is inserted into the second rotation engagement portion 219 of the drum 2 to engage with the second rotation engagement portion 219.

[0057] The second protrusion 84 is a portion that comes into contact with a part of the cover member 6 (annular portion 65, described later; see FIGS. 6 and 9 ) when the drum 2 rotates. The second protrusion 84 in this embodiment has a cylindrical shape that extends in the direction of the second rotation axis C2.

[0058] As described above, the cover member 6, together with the drum accommodating portion 5, constitutes the housing H of the position holding device 1. As also shown in Figures 9 and 10 , the cover member 6 has an inner circumferential surface 62a that follows the outer periphery of the drum 2 and surrounds the pawl member 7 and the pressing member 8, a plurality of teeth 63 that are circumferentially spaced apart on the inner circumferential surface 62a, and a guide portion 651 that guides the pressing member 8 as the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1 and the pressing member 8 is positioned corresponding to the teeth 63, thereby rotating the pressing member 8 so that the first convex portion 82 protrudes outward. The cover member 6 also has a rotation restricting portion 655 that, when the pressing member 8 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction in which the first convex portion 82 protrudes, comes into contact with the pressing member 8 to restrict further rotation in the opposite direction.

[0059] Specifically, the cover member 6 has a cover member main body 60 having a disk-shaped top plate portion 61 of a size corresponding to the drum 2 and a peripheral wall portion 62 extending from the periphery of the top plate portion 61 to the other side in the direction of the central axis C, a plurality of teeth 63 arranged on the peripheral wall portion 62, and an annular portion 65 extending from the top plate portion 61 to the other side (the drum 2 side) in the direction of the central axis C. The cover member 6 also has a protruding portion 66 that protrudes from the center of the top plate portion 61 toward the drum 2 along the central axis C, and a pair of extension portions 67 that extend radially outward from the end of the peripheral wall portion 62 on the other side in the direction of the central axis C.

[0060] The peripheral wall portion 62 is cylindrical and has the inner peripheral surface 62a described above. A plurality of (eight in this embodiment) teeth 63 are arranged on the inner peripheral surface 62a of the peripheral wall portion 62 at intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0061] Each of the multiple teeth 63 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface 62a toward the central axis C, i.e., protrudes inward in the inner radial direction α of the peripheral wall portion 62. When viewed from the direction of the central axis C, each tooth 63 has a triangular shape with an arc-shaped tip (end portion on the central axis C side). More specifically, a surface (first surface) 63a of each tooth 63 on the winding direction A1 side extends substantially in the inner radial direction α. ​​Furthermore, an angle of a surface (second surface) 63b of each tooth 63 on the unwinding direction A2 side with respect to the inner radial direction α is larger than the angle of the first surface 63a with respect to the inner radial direction α (see FIG. 10 ).

[0062] The annular portion 65 is annular in shape, surrounding the central axis C and extending along the peripheral wall portion 62 (inner peripheral surface 62a) when viewed from the direction of the central axis C, and is wavy alternately on the inside (toward the central axis C) and the outside (toward the peripheral wall portion 62). The annular portion 65 has a plurality of guide portions 651 and a plurality of rotation restricting portions 655. In the annular portion 65 of this embodiment, the guide portions 651 and the rotation restricting portions 655 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 62a, and the guide portions 651 and the rotation restricting portions 655 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are connected to each other. The number of guide portions 651 corresponds to the number of teeth 63 of the cover member 6 (they are the same number in the example of this embodiment).

[0063] The guide portion 651 is a portion that, when the drum 2 rotates, comes into contact with the second convex portion 84 of the pressing member 8, thereby guiding the pressing member 8 and rotating the pressing member 8 so that the first convex portion 82 protrudes outward. In this embodiment, the guide portion 651 rotates the pressing member 8 clockwise around the second rotation axis C2 when the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1 in FIG. 10 .

[0064] The rotation regulating portion 655 is a portion that regulates further rotation of the pressing member 8 by abutting the second convex portion 84 of the pressing member 8 when the first convex portion 82 of the pressing member 8 abuts against the first surface 63a of the tooth 63 and rotates (rotates counterclockwise in Figure 10) as the drum 2 rotates in the unwinding direction A2.

[0065] The inclination of the inclined portion 652 from the top (the innermost portion in the inner diameter direction α) to the bottom (the outermost portion in the inner diameter direction α) of this annular portion 65 with respect to the inner diameter direction α is set to an extent that the second convex portion 84 of the pressing member 8 does not get caught when sliding against the inclined portion 652 from the bottom to the top.

[0066] The protrusion 66 is a cylindrical portion extending along the central axis C, and extends in the direction of the central axis C to a position where it lightly contacts the pawl member 7 or where there is a slight gap therebetween.

[0067] The pair of extension portions 67 are plate-shaped portions that extend in a direction perpendicular to the central axis C and away from each other. Specifically, each extension portion 67 is a plate-shaped portion that extends in a planar direction perpendicular to the central axis C, and has a through hole 671 that penetrates in the direction of the central axis C. When viewed from the direction of the central axis C, the through hole 671 of each extension portion 67 overlaps with the through hole 541 of the corresponding extension portion 54 of the drum accommodating portion 5. The bolt 11 of the fixing member 10 is inserted into the through hole 671 of the extension portion 67 of the cover member 6 and the through hole 541 of the extension portion 54 of the drum accommodating portion 5, and a nut 12 is screwed onto the bolt 11, thereby fixing the cover member 6 to the drum accommodating portion 5.

[0068] The sliding contact portion 9 is disposed in the sliding contact portion recess 214 of the drum 2 and abuts against the groove portion 712 of the pawl member 7 (see FIG. 6 ). Specifically, the sliding contact portion 9 has a sliding contact portion main body 91 having an abutting portion 92 that abuts against the pawl member 7, and a biasing portion 95 that biases the abutting portion 92 toward the pawl member 7. The sliding contact portion main body 91 of this embodiment has a shaft portion 93 that extends from the abutting portion 92 to the other side in the direction of the central axis C.

[0069] The portion of the abutting portion 92 that abuts against the pawl member 7 is spherical, and the shaft portion 93 is cylindrical. The biasing portion 95 is a spiral spring, and the shaft portion 93 is inserted into the spring (see FIG. 6).

[0070] Next, the operation of the position-keeping device 1 to hold the door 902 at the intermediate position P3 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 10 to 20.

[0071] When the door 902 opens from the fully closed position P1 to the fully open position P2, the cable 3 is pulled by the door 902 and is pulled out of the housing H, causing the drum 2 to rotate in the unwinding direction A2 (see FIGS. 10 and 11). At this time, the pawl member 7 is located at the release position P12 (in other words, the position where the pawl portion 72 abuts against the regulating protrusion 212 of the drum 2; see FIG. 17). Furthermore, the rotation of the drum 2 in the unwinding direction A2 elastically deforms the spring S, generating or increasing a biasing force on the drum 2 in the winding direction A1.

[0072] When the drum 2 rotates in the unwinding direction A2 in this manner, if the first convex portion 82 of the pressing member 8 abuts against the first surface 63a of the tooth 63 of the cover member 6, the pressing member 8 is pushed by the first surface 63a of the tooth 63 and rotates about the second rotation axis C2. In the example shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 , the pressing member 8 rotates counterclockwise around the second rotation axis C2, whereby the first convex portion 82 passes the position of the tooth 63 and the drum 2 can continue to rotate in the unwinding direction A2. At this time, the second convex portion 84 of the pressing member 8 abuts against the rotation restricting portion 655 of the annular portion 65, thereby restricting the counterclockwise rotation of the pressing member 8. This prevents the pressing member 8 from rotating too far counterclockwise, causing the end of the pressing member 8 on the side of the second convex portion 84 to get caught on the tooth 63, for example.

[0073] In this way, when the drum 2 continues to rotate in the unwinding direction A2, even if the first convex portion 82 of the pressing member 8 abuts against the tooth 63, the pressing member 8 can pass the position of the tooth 63 (the tooth 63 against which the first convex portion abuts) by rotating counterclockwise around the second rotation axis C2 as the center of rotation, and therefore the drum 2 can continue to rotate in the unwinding direction A2, i.e., the door 902 can continue to be opened.

[0074] When the door 902 opens to the desired position (intermediate position) P3, the door 902 is slightly closed (see FIGS. 13 to 17). At this time, the spring S applies a biasing force to the drum 2 in the winding direction A1, causing the drum 2 to rotate in the winding direction A1 and winding the cable 3 onto the drum 2.

[0075] In this way, when the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1 and the first convex portion 82 of the pressing member 8 approaches the tooth 63, the second convex portion 84 slides against the guide portion 651 as a result of this approach, causing the pressing member 8 to rotate clockwise around the second rotation axis C2 as the center of rotation, and the first convex portion 82 moves outward (outward in the inner diameter direction α) (see Figures 13 and 14).

[0076] In this state, when the drum 2 continues to rotate in the winding direction A1, the first convex portion 82 of the pressing member 8 comes into contact with the second surface 63b of the tooth 63 (see Figure 15). As the drum 2 continues to rotate further in the winding direction A1, the first convex portion 82 is pressed against the second surface 63b of the tooth 63, and the pressing member 8 rotates clockwise around the second rotation axis C2 (see Figures 15 and 16).

[0077] Furthermore, as the drum 2 continues to rotate in the winding direction A1, the first convex portion 82 is pressed by the tooth 63, causing the pressing member 8 to continue to rotate clockwise, and the pressing member 8 comes into contact with and presses the extension portion 74 of the pawl member 7. This pressing of the extension portion 74 by the pressing member 8 causes the pawl member 7 to rotate counterclockwise around the first rotation axis C1 and move to the lock position P11 (see FIGS. 16 and 17 ).

[0078] When the pawl member 7 rotates from the release position P12 to the lock position P11, the pawl member 7 rotates with the sliding contact portion 9 (contact portion 92) in contact with the groove portion 712, and just before reaching the lock position P11, the sliding contact portion 9 passes the position of the convex portion 713 in the groove portion 712. During this passage, the contact portion 92 is pressed into the sliding contact portion recess 214 of the drum 2 by the convex portion 713, and as the convex portion 713 passes, the contact portion 92 returns to its original position by the biasing force of the biasing portion 95 and is pressed against the groove portion 712. This prevents the pawl member 7 from shifting clockwise from the lock position P11. At this time, the sliding contact portion 9 prevents the clockwise rotation of the pawl member 7 from the lock position P11, and the regulating protrusion 73 abuts against the inner wall of the regulating recess 213 of the drum 2, thereby restricting the counterclockwise rotation of the pawl member 7 from the lock position P11, thereby holding the pawl member 7 at the lock position P11.

[0079] In this way, when the pawl member 7 has rotated to the lock position P11, if the door 902 moves in the opening direction, the cable 3 is pulled out of the housing H, causing the drum 2 to rotate in the unwinding direction A2, and the claw portion 72 of the pawl member 7 engages with the tooth 63 (see FIGS. 17 and 18 ). More specifically, the claw portion 72 abuts against the first surface 63 a of the tooth 63.

[0080] At this time, the regulating protrusion 73 (see Figure 5) of the pawl member 7 abuts against the inner surface of the regulating recess 213 of the drum 2, and counterclockwise rotation of the pawl member 7 about the first pivot axis C1 at or above the lock position P11 is restricted.

[0081] When the claw portion 72 of the pawl member 7 abuts against the first surface 63a of the tooth 63, rotation of the drum 2 in the unwinding direction A2 is restricted, the cable 3 cannot be pulled out from the housing H, and movement of the door 902 in the opening direction is restricted. At this time, the door 902 is biased in the opening direction by the gas spring 904, so even if a user or the like releases the door 902, the door 902 is held at the position (intermediate position) P3 at which rotation of the drum 2 was restricted.

[0082] Next, when the door 902 is released from the state where it is held at this intermediate position P3, the door 902 is first slightly closed. At this time, the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1 due to the biasing force of the spring S, and the cable 3 is wound onto the drum 2 and accommodated in the housing H. This rotation of the drum 2 in the winding direction A1 causes the claw portion 72 of the pawl member 7 to abut against the second surface 63b of the tooth 63 adjacent in the winding direction A1 to the engaged tooth 63 (see FIGS. 18 and 19 ).

[0083] Furthermore, as the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1 due to the biasing force of the spring S, the tooth 63 abutting against the claw portion 72 presses the pawl member 7 (claw portion 72), causing the pawl member 7 to rotate clockwise around the first rotation axis C1 (see FIGS. 19 and 20 ). At this time, the contact portion 92 of the sliding contact portion 9 is pushed into the sliding contact portion recess 214 of the drum 2 by the convex portion 713 of the groove 712 of the pawl member 7, causing the pawl member 7 to continue rotating clockwise until it reaches the release position P12, where the convex portion 713 passes the position of the contact portion 92, causing the contact portion 92 to advance from the sliding contact portion recess 214 into the groove 712. This holds the pawl member 7 in the release position P12.

[0084] When the door 902 is opened from this state, the latch member 7 is held in the release position P12, so that the latch member 7 does not contact the second surface 63b of the tooth 63, and the drum 2 becomes rotatable in the unwinding direction A2, thereby pulling the cable 3 out of the housing H and opening the door 902 toward the fully open position P2.

[0085] On the other hand, when the door 902 is closed with the pawl member 7 held in the release position P12, the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1 due to the biasing force of the spring S, and as the door 902 closes, the cable 3 is wound onto the drum 2 in the housing H. At this time, the first convex portion 82 of the pressing member 8 may come into contact with the tooth 63 as it passes the position of the tooth 63 as the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1, but as described above, the first convex portion 82 can pass the position of the tooth 63 by rotating the pressing member 8 counterclockwise about the second rotation axis C2.

[0086] The position maintaining device 1 described above includes a columnar drum 2 disposed on the vehicle body 901 and rotatable about a central axis C, a cable 3 having one end engaged with the door 902 and wound or unwound from the drum 2 as the drum 2 rotates, and a position maintaining mechanism 4 capable of maintaining the door 902 at an intermediate position P3 in the opening / closing direction. The position maintaining mechanism 4 includes a cover member 6 that covers the drum 2 and is rotatable relative to the drum 2, a pawl member 7 that is disposed on the drum 2 and is rotatable about a first rotation axis C1 extending in the same direction as the central axis C, and a pressing member 8 that is disposed on the drum 2 and is rotatable about a second rotation axis C2 extending in the same direction as the central axis C. The pressing member 8 also has a first convex portion (convex portion) 82 that extends in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the second rotation axis C2. The cover member 6 has an inner circumferential surface 62a that follows the outer periphery of the drum 2 and surrounds the pawl member 7 and the pressing member 8, a plurality of teeth 63 that are circumferentially spaced apart on the inner circumferential surface 62a, and a guide portion 651 that guides the pressing member 8 as the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1 of the cable 3 and the pressing member 8 is at a position corresponding to the teeth 63, thereby rotating the pressing member 8 so that the first protrusion 82 protrudes outward. The position of the pawl member 7 can be changed by rotation about the first rotation axis C1 between a locked position P11 where the pawl member 7 can engage with the teeth 63 when the drum 2 rotates in the unwinding direction A2 of the cable 3, and a released position P12 where the pawl member 7 does not engage with the teeth 63 even when the drum 2 rotates in the unwinding direction A2. In the position holding mechanism 4, when the pawl member 7 is positioned at the release position P12 and the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1 with the first convex portion 82 of the pressing member 8 protruding outward, the first convex portion 82 is pressed by the tooth 63, causing the pressing member 8 to rotate, and as the pressing member 8 rotates, the pawl member 7 is pressed by the pressing member 8, causing the pawl member 7 to rotate to the lock position P11.

[0087] According to this configuration, the pawl member 7, which engages with the teeth 63 of the cover member 6 when the cable 3 is in a locked state that stops the unwinding of the cable 3, is positioned in the release position P12 when the cable 3 is continuously unwound, so that the pawl member 7 does not come into contact with the teeth 63 of the cover member 6 even when the drum 2 rotates, thereby suppressing ratchet noise (the sound generated when a member that engages with the teeth passes over the teeth: a hitting sound).

[0088] Furthermore, the position holding device 1 of the first embodiment includes a rotation restricting portion 655 that, when the pressing member 8 rotates in the direction opposite (counterclockwise in the example of this embodiment) to the rotation direction in which the first convex portion 82 protrudes, abuts against the pressing member 8 to restrict further rotation in the opposite direction. The pressing member 8 has a pressing member main body (main body) 81 that extends on the side opposite to the side in which the first convex portion 82 extends with respect to the second rotation axis C2, and the rotation restricting portion 655 abuts against the pressing member 8 at a rotation position of the pressing member 8 where the pressing member main body 81 and the first convex portion 82 do not engage with the teeth 63 when the drum 2 rotates in the unwinding direction A2.

[0089] According to this configuration, even if the pressing member 8 rotates around the second rotation axis C2 when the drum 2 rotates in the unwinding direction A2, the rotation is restricted to the extent that the pressing member 8 (pressing member main body 81 and first convex portion 82) does not engage with the teeth 63, and therefore, the pressing member 8 is prevented from getting caught (engaged) with the teeth 63 when the drum 2 rotates in the unwinding direction A2.

[0090] Furthermore, in the position holding device 1 of the first embodiment, the guide portions 651 and the rotation restricting portions 655 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface 62a.

[0091] According to this configuration, since a plurality of guide portions 651 are arranged in the circumferential direction, a plurality of holding positions (intermediate positions) P3 for the door 902 in the opening / closing direction are secured, which makes it easier to hold the door 902 at or near a desired position in the opening / closing direction. Moreover, since the rotation restriction portions 655 are respectively arranged between adjacent guide portions 651 in the circumferential direction, it is also possible to prevent the pressing member 8 from getting caught on the guide portions 651 when the drum 2 rotates in the unwinding direction A2.

[0092] Furthermore, in the position holding device 1 of the first embodiment, the cover member 6 has the rotation restricting portion 655, and the guide portions 651 and the rotation restricting portions 655 that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are connected to each other.

[0093] In this way, the cover member 6 has the guide portion 651 and the rotation restricting portion 655, which reduces the number of parts, and the connection between the guide portion 651 and the rotation restricting portion 655 prevents the pressing member 8 from getting stuck or caught between the guide portion 651 and the rotation restricting portion 655 when the drum 2 rotates. Furthermore, compared to when a biasing member or the like is used to maintain the position of the pressing member 8, it is possible to prevent a strong external force such as a biasing force from acting on the pressing member 8. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of hitting noise caused by the pressing member 8 coming into contact with the pawl member 7.

[0094] In addition, the position holding device 1 of the first embodiment has a sliding contact portion 9 that is arranged at a position that overlaps with the pawl member 7 when viewed from the direction in which the first rotation axis C1 extends, and the sliding contact portion 9 has an abutment portion 92 that abuts against the pawl member 7 and a biasing portion 95 that biases the abutment portion 92 toward the pawl member 7.

[0095] According to this configuration, the abutment portion 92 abuts against the pawl member 7 while being biased toward the pawl member 7, thereby applying resistance to the rotation of the pawl member 7 around the first rotation axis C1, thereby suppressing changes in the position of the pawl member 7 relative to the drum 2 (for example, deviation from the release position P12) when the drum 2 rotates, etc.

[0096] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 32. The same components as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions will be omitted, and only the different components will be described in detail.

[0097] 21 and 22, a vehicle door position-maintaining device 1A according to this embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as a "position-maintaining device") includes a drum 2, a cable 3, and a position-maintaining mechanism 4A. The position-maintaining device 1A also includes a drum housing portion 5, a spring S, and a sliding contact portion 9A.

[0098] The drum accommodating section 5 has an accommodating section main body 50 having a bottom 51 and a peripheral wall 52, a shaft 53, and a pair of extensions 54. The drum accommodating section 5 of this embodiment also has a plurality of (three in this embodiment) fixing extensions 55 extending radially outward from the end of the peripheral wall 52 on the other side in the direction of the central axis C (the lower side in FIG. 21 ).

[0099] These multiple fixing extensions 55 are used to attach the position-holding device 1A to a vehicle, etc. Specifically, the multiple fixing extensions 55 are arranged in the circumferential direction according to the attachment location on the vehicle, etc. Each fixing extension 55 is a plate-shaped portion that extends in a plane direction perpendicular to the direction of the central axis C, and has a through-hole 551 that penetrates in the direction of the central axis C.

[0100] The drum 2 includes a drum main body 21, a torque limiter 22A that suppresses rotation of the drum main body 21, and a shaft 23 that connects the torque limiter 22A to a shaft portion 53. As in the first embodiment, the surface of the drum main body 21 on one side in the direction of the central axis C (the upper side in FIG. 21 ) is referred to as a first surface 21 a.

[0101] The drum body 21 has a cable guide groove 211 on its peripheral surface 21c. The drum body 21 also has a restriction recess 213A, a sliding contact recess 214A, and a limiter mounting portion 215A that is recessed from the first surface 21a toward the other side along the central axis C and in which the torque limiter 22A is mounted. The drum body 21 also has a spring recess on its surface (second surface) opposite the first surface 21a, into which the spring S fits.

[0102] 23, the restricting recess 213A is a recess into which a portion 73 of the pawl member 7A is inserted, and a portion of the inner circumferential surface is formed by the circumferential surface 221 of the torque limiter 22A. In other words, when the torque limiter 22A is not disposed in the limiter disposing portion 215A, the restricting recess 213A and the limiter disposing portion 215A are in communication (see FIG. 21).

[0103] The sliding contact recess 214A is positioned adjacent to the regulating recess 213A and has a communicating portion 2140 that communicates with the regulating recess 213A, and the communicating portion 2140 is a slit-shaped portion that extends in the direction of the central axis C.

[0104] The drum body 21 of this embodiment has a first rotation engagement portion 218A, which is a cylindrical hole extending from the first surface 21a to the other side in the direction of the central axis C, and a second rotation engagement portion 219. In the drum body 21 of this embodiment as well, the center of the first rotation engagement portion 218 coincides with the first rotation axis C1, which is the rotation center of the pawl member 7A, and the center of the second rotation engagement portion 219 coincides with the second rotation axis C2, which is the rotation center of the pressing member 8 (see FIG. 23 ).

[0105] The torque limiter 22A is a member that engages with the drum body 21 and also engages with the drum accommodating portion 5 via the shaft 23, and that suppresses rotation of the drum body 21 when the drum body 21 attempts to rotate at a high speed relative to the drum accommodating portion 5. In this embodiment, the torque limiter 22A does not apply a load torque to the drum 2 when the drum 2 rotates in the unwinding direction A2 of the cable 3, but applies a load torque to the drum 2 when the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1 of the cable 3.

[0106] The position-retaining mechanism 4A includes a cover member 6A, a pawl member 7A, and a pressing member 8.

[0107] The pawl member 7A has a pawl member main body 71, a claw portion 72, a regulating protrusion portion 73, an extension portion 74, and a pawl member rotation shaft portion 75 extending from the pawl member main body 71 to the other side in the direction of the first rotation axis C1.

[0108] The pawl member rotation shaft 75 is a portion that engages with the first rotation engagement portion 218A of the drum 2 so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis C1. The pawl member rotation shaft 75 of this embodiment is a cylindrical portion that extends from the pawl member main body 71 to the other side in the direction of the central axis C, and is inserted into the first rotation engagement portion 218A of the drum 2 to engage with the first rotation engagement portion 218A.

[0109] The pressing member 8 has a pressing member body 81 , a first convex portion 82 , a rotation shaft portion 83 , and a second convex portion 84 .

[0110] As in the first embodiment, the cover member 6A, together with the drum accommodating portion 5, constitutes the housing H of the position holding device 1A. As shown in Figures 24 and 25, the cover member 6A has an inner circumferential surface 62a, a plurality of teeth 63A, a guide portion 651, and a rotation restricting portion 655. The cover member 6A of this embodiment also has a holding guide portion 615 that holds the pressing member 8 in a state in which the first convex portion 82 protrudes outward.

[0111] Specifically, the cover member 6A includes a cover member main body 60 having a top plate portion 61A and a peripheral wall portion 62, and a plurality of teeth 63A (five in this embodiment) arranged on the peripheral wall portion 62. The peripheral wall portion 62 has the inner peripheral surface 62a described above. The cover member 6A also has two extension portions 67.

[0112] Each tooth 63A has a first surface 63a facing the winding direction A1, a second surface 63b facing the unwinding direction A2, and a third surface 63c connecting the first surface 63a and the second surface 63b. The third surface 63c is parallel or substantially parallel to the peripheral wall portion 62 (specifically, the inner peripheral surface 62a).

[0113] The top plate portion 61A has a top plate recess 610 recessed from the inner surface 61a toward the outer surface 61b, and a plurality of holding guide portions 615 arranged within the top plate recess 610. In this embodiment, the outer surface 61b of the top plate portion 61A has a cylindrical protruding portion corresponding to the top plate recess 610. In addition, the top plate portion 61A of this embodiment has through holes 611 at positions corresponding to each of the teeth 63A on the outer periphery.

[0114] The top plate recess 610 has a flat recess bottom surface 612 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the central axis C, and a recess peripheral surface 65A that extends in the direction of the central axis C from the periphery of the recess bottom surface 612.

[0115] The recess circumferential surface 65A is annular, surrounding the central axis C and extending along the peripheral wall 62 (inner peripheral surface 62a) when viewed from the direction of the central axis C, and is undulating alternately inward (toward the central axis C) and outward (toward the peripheral wall 62). The recess circumferential surface 65A has a plurality of guide portions 651 and a plurality of rotation restricting portions 655. In the recess circumferential surface 65A of this embodiment, the guide portions 651 and the rotation restricting portions 655 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 62a, and adjacent guide portions 651 and rotation restricting portions 655 in the circumferential direction are connected to each other. The number of guide portions 651 corresponds to the number of teeth 63 of the cover member 6 (they are the same in this embodiment).

[0116] When the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1, the holding guide portion 615 maintains the first convex portion 82 in an outward protruding state from the time when the pressing member 8 rotates on the guide portion 651 and the first convex portion 82 protrudes outward until the first convex portion 82 is pressed by the tooth 63A (more specifically, the second surface 63b).

[0117] Specifically, each of the multiple holding guide portions 615 protrudes in the direction of the central axis C from the bottom surface 612 of the recess. Each holding guide portion 615 is a plate-shaped portion that is inclined relative to the circumferential direction so that its end portion 615b on the unwinding direction A2 side, as viewed from the direction of the central axis C, is positioned further outward in the inner diameter direction α than its end portion 615a on the winding direction A1 side. The surface 615c (inner surface) facing the central axis C of each holding guide portion 615 is the surface against which the second convex portion 84 of the pressing member 8 slides when the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1. The sliding contact of the second convex portion 84 maintains the first convex portion 82 of the pressing member 8 in an outward protruding state. The above-described holding guide portions 615 are arranged between the guide portions 651 that are lined up in the circumferential direction.

[0118] The sliding contact portion 9A has a sliding contact portion main body 91 having an abutting portion 92 that abuts against the restricting protrusion 73, and a biasing portion 95 that biases the abutting portion 92 toward the restricting protrusion 73. The sliding contact portion main body 91 also has a shaft portion 93 that extends from the abutting portion 92 in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the central axis C.

[0119] The abutting portion 92 is composed of a band-shaped portion extending in the direction of the central axis C and a ridge portion protruding from the band-shaped portion and extending in the direction of the central axis C. That is, the abutting portion 92 is T-shaped when viewed in the direction of the central axis C. The shaft portion 93 is cylindrical, and the biasing portion 95 is a spiral spring. The shaft portion 93 is inserted inside the biasing portion 95 (see FIG. 23 ).

[0120] The sliding contact portion 9A configured as described above is disposed in the sliding contact portion recess 214 with the ridge portion of the abutting portion 92 protruding into the restricting recess 213A through the communicating portion 2140.

[0121] Next, the operation of the position maintaining device 1A to maintain the vehicle door (hereinafter also simply referred to as "door") 902 at the intermediate position P3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0122] When the door 902 opens from the fully closed position P1 to the fully open position P2, the cable 3 is pulled by the door 902 and is pulled out of the housing H, causing the drum 2 to rotate in the unwinding direction A2 (see FIGS. 1 and 25-27). At this time, the restricting protrusion 73 of the pawl member 7A is positioned between the inner circumferential surface of the restricting recess 213A (more specifically, the circumferential surface of the torque limiter 22A) and the abutment portion (protruding portion) 92 of the sliding contact portion 9A protruding from the communicating portion 2140 in the rotational direction of the pawl member 7A, thereby maintaining the release position P12 of the pawl member 7A (position shown in FIG. 23). Furthermore, the rotation of the drum 2 in the unwinding direction A2 elastically deforms the spring S, generating or increasing a biasing force on the drum 2 in the winding direction A1.

[0123] As the drum 2 rotates in the unwinding direction A2 in this manner, if the first convex portion 82 of the pressing member 8 abuts against the first surface 63a of the tooth 63A of the cover member 6, the pressing member 8 is pushed by the first surface 63a of the tooth 63A and rotates about the second rotation axis C2. In the example shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 , the pressing member 8 rotates counterclockwise around the second rotation axis C2, causing the first convex portion 82 to pass the position of the tooth 63A and allowing the drum 2 to continue rotating in the unwinding direction A2. At this time, the second convex portion 84 of the pressing member 8 abuts against the rotation restriction portion 655 of the top plate recess 610 (recess circumferential surface 65A), thereby restricting the counterclockwise rotation of the pressing member 8. This prevents the pressing member 8 from rotating too far counterclockwise, causing the end of the pressing member 8 on the side of the second convex portion 84 to get caught on the tooth 63A (see FIG. 26 ). When the second protrusion 84 is in contact with the rotation restricting portion 655 , the second protrusion 84 passes between the rotation restricting portion 655 and the holding guide portion 615 .

[0124] In this way, when the drum 2 continues to rotate in the unwinding direction A2, even if the first convex portion 82 of the pressing member 8 abuts against the tooth 63A, the pressing member 8 can pass the position of the tooth 63A (the tooth 63A against which the first convex portion 82 abuts) by rotating counterclockwise around the second rotation axis C2 as the center of rotation, and therefore the drum 2 can continue to rotate in the unwinding direction A2, i.e., the door 902 can continue to be opened.

[0125] When the door 902 opens to the desired position (intermediate position) P3, the door 902 is slightly closed (see FIGS. 27 to 30). At this time, the spring S applies a biasing force to the drum 2 in the winding direction A1, causing the drum 2 to rotate in the winding direction A1 and winding the cable 3 onto the drum 2.

[0126] In this way, when the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1, the second convex portion 84 slides against the guide portion 651, causing the pressing member 8 to rotate clockwise around the second rotation axis C2 as the center of rotation, and the first convex portion 82 moves outward (outward in the inner diameter direction α) (see Figures 26 to 27).

[0127] In this state, when the drum 2 continues to rotate in the winding direction A1, the second convex portion 84 moves away from the guide portion 651, but as the drum 2 continues to rotate in the winding direction A1, the second convex portion 84 comes into contact with the holding guide portion 615 (see FIGS. 28 and 29). This contact of the second convex portion 84 with the holding guide portion 615 preferably holds (maintains) the state in which the first convex portion 82 of the pressing member 8 has been moved outward.

[0128] Furthermore, as the drum 2 continues to rotate in the winding direction A1, the first convex portion 82 of the pressing member 8 abuts against the second surface 63b of the tooth 63A, and then the first convex portion 82 is pressed against the second surface 63b of the tooth 63A, causing the pressing member 8 to rotate clockwise around the second rotation axis C2.

[0129] This clockwise rotation of the pressing member 8 causes the pressing member 8 to come into contact with the extension 74 of the pawl member 7A and press the extension 74. When the extension 74 is pressed by the pressing member 8, the pawl member 7A rotates counterclockwise around the first rotation axis C1 and moves to the lock position P11 (see FIG. 30 ).

[0130] During the rotation of the pawl member 7A from the release position P12 to the lock position P11, the restricting protrusion 73 presses the protruding portion of the abutment portion 92 that protrudes into the restricting recess 213A through the communicating portion 2140, causing the protruding portion to retract toward the sliding contact portion recess 214A. As a result, the restricting protrusion 73 passes the position of the protruding portion. That is, the pawl member 7A rotates clockwise around the first pivot axis C1. Then, once the restricting protrusion 73 passes the protruding portion, the biasing force of the biasing portion 95 again causes the protruding portion of the abutment portion 92 to protrude from the communicating portion 2140 into the restricting recess 213A, thereby holding the pawl member 7A at the lock position P11. The position of the restricting protrusion 73 at this time is to the left of the abutment portion 92 (protruding portion) within the restricting recess 213A in FIG. 23 .

[0131] In this way, when the pawl member 7 rotates to the lock position P11 and the door 902 moves in the opening direction, the cable 3 is pulled out of the housing H, causing the drum 2 to rotate in the unwinding direction A2, and the pawl portion 72 of the pawl member 7A engages with the tooth 63A (see Figures 30 and 31). More specifically, the pawl portion 72 abuts against the first surface 63a of the tooth 63A.

[0132] At this time, the regulating protrusion 73 of the pawl member 7A abuts against the inner surface of the regulating recess 213 of the drum 2, thereby restricting counterclockwise rotation of the pawl member 7A around the first pivot axis C1 at or above the lock position P11.

[0133] When the claw portion 72 of the pawl member 7A abuts against the first surface 63a of the tooth 63, rotation of the drum 2 in the unwinding direction A2 is restricted, the cable 3 cannot be pulled out from the housing H, and movement of the door 902 in the opening direction is restricted. At this time, the door 902 is biased in the opening direction by the gas spring 904, so even if a user or the like releases the door 902, the door 902 is held at the position (intermediate position) P3 at which rotation of the drum 2 was restricted.

[0134] Next, when the door 902 is released from the state where it is held at this intermediate position P3, the door 902 is first slightly closed. At this time, the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1 due to the biasing force of the spring S, and the cable 3 is wound onto the drum 2 and housed in the housing H. This rotation of the drum 2 in the winding direction A1 causes the claw portion 72 of the pawl member 7A to abut against the second surface 63b of the tooth 63A that is adjacent in the winding direction A1 to the engaged tooth 63A.

[0135] Furthermore, as the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1 due to the biasing force of the spring S, the tooth 63A abutting against the claw portion 72 presses the pawl member 7A (claw portion 72), causing the pawl member 7A to rotate clockwise around the first rotation axis C1 (see FIG. 32 ). At this time, the restricting protrusion 73 presses the protruding portion of the abutting portion 92 protruding into the restricting recess 213A through the communicating portion 2140, causing the protruding portion to retract toward the sliding contact portion recess 214A. As a result, the restricting protrusion 73 passes the position of the protruding portion, i.e., the pawl member 7A rotates counterclockwise around the first rotation axis C1. Then, when the regulating protrusion 73 passes through the protruding portion, the force of the urging portion 95 causes the protruding portion of the abutment portion 92 to protrude again from the communicating portion 2140 into the regulating recess 213A, and the latch member 7A is held in the release position P12.

[0136] When the door 902 is opened from this state, the latch member 7A is held in the release position P12, so that the latch member 7A does not contact the second surface 63b of the tooth 63A, and the drum 2 becomes rotatable in the unwinding direction A2, thereby pulling the cable 3 out of the housing H and opening the door 902 toward the fully open position P2.

[0137] On the other hand, when the door 902 is closed with the pawl member 7A held in the release position P12, the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1 due to the biasing force of the spring S, and as the door 902 closes, the cable 3 is wound onto the drum 2 in the housing H. At this time, as the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1, the first convex portion 82 of the pressing member 8 may come into contact with the tooth 63A when passing through the position of the tooth 63A, but as described above, the first convex portion 82 can pass through the position of the tooth 63A by rotating the pressing member 8 counterclockwise about the second rotation axis C2.

[0138] In the position-holding device 1A of the second embodiment described above, the cover member 6A has the holding guide portion 615. During rotation of the drum 2 in the winding direction A1 of the cable 3, the holding guide portion 615 maintains the first convex portion 82 in the outwardly protruding state from the time when the pressing member 8 rotates on the guide portion 651 and the first convex portion (convex portion) 82 protrudes outward until the first convex portion 82 is pressed by the teeth 63A.

[0139] As a result, when the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1 of the cable 3, the guide portion 651 rotates the pressing member 8 so that the first convex portion 82 protrudes outward, and then the holding guide portion 615 maintains the first convex portion 82 in an outward protruding state, so that the first convex portion 82 is reliably pressed by the tooth 63A (i.e., the pawl member 7A rotates more reliably to the locking position P11).

[0140] In addition, in the position holding device 1 of the second embodiment, multiple guide portions 651 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner surface 62a, and the holding guide portions 615 are arranged between the guide portions 651 arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0141] According to this configuration, multiple guide portions 651 and corresponding holding guide portions 615 are arranged in the circumferential direction, so that the door 902 can be more reliably held in position at or near the desired position in the opening / closing direction.

[0142] The vehicle door holding device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the configuration of one embodiment may be added to the configuration of another embodiment, or part of the configuration of one embodiment may be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, part of the configuration of one embodiment may be deleted.

[0143] The vehicle door position maintaining device 1, 1A in the first and second embodiments is attached to the rear of the vehicle body 901, and the tip of the cable 3 is anchored to the door 902, but is not limited to this configuration. The vehicle door position maintaining device 1, 1A may be attached to the door 902, and the tip of the cable 3 may be anchored to the rear of the vehicle body 901.

[0144] In the vehicle door position maintaining devices 1 and 1A of the first and second embodiments, the guide portion 651 and the rotation restricting portion 655 are arranged on the cover member 6, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the guide portion 651 may be arranged on the cover member 6, and the rotation restricting portion 655 may be arranged on the drum 2.

[0145] In the vehicle door position maintaining devices 1 and 1A of the first and second embodiments, the drum 2 (drum body 21) is cylindrical, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the drum 2 may be a polygonal prism. That is, the drum 2 may have any shape as long as it is cylindrical and rotatable about the central axis C and has a shape that allows the cable 3 to be wound and unwound around its circumferential surface.

[0146] In addition, the vehicle door position maintaining devices 1 and 1A of the first and second embodiments are configured to maintain the position of the vehicle door 902 at the intermediate position P3 when the vehicle door 902 is opened, but are not limited to this configuration. The vehicle door position maintaining devices 1 and 1A may also be configured to maintain the position of the vehicle door 902 at the intermediate position P3 when the vehicle door 902 is closed.

[0147] In this case, for example, the vehicle door position holding device 1 comprises a cylindrical drum 2 that is arranged on the vehicle body 901 or the vehicle door 902 and is rotatable around a central axis C, a cable 3 that has one end engaged with the vehicle door 902 or the vehicle body 901 and is unwound or wound from the drum 2 as the drum 2 rotates, and a position holding mechanism 4 that can hold the vehicle door 902 at an intermediate position P3 in the opening / closing direction. The position holding mechanism 4 includes a cover member 6 that covers the drum 2 and is rotatable relative to the drum 2, a pawl member 7 that is arranged on the drum 2 and is rotatable about a first rotation axis C1 that extends in the same direction as the central axis C, and a pressing member 8 that is arranged on the drum 2 and is rotatable about a second rotation axis C2 that extends in the same direction as the central axis C, the pressing member 8 having a convex portion 82 that extends in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the second rotation axis C2, and the cover member 6 has an inner circumferential surface 62a that is along the outer periphery of the drum 2 and surrounds the pawl member 7 and the pressing member 8, and a plurality of teeth 63 that are arranged on the inner circumferential surface 62a at intervals in the circumferential direction, and when the drum 2 rotates in the unwinding direction A2 of the cable 3 and the pressing member 8 is at a position corresponding to the teeth 63, the cover member 6 guides the pressing member 8 as the drum 2 rotates. and a guide portion 651 that rotates the pressing member 8 so that the convex portion 82 protrudes outward. The position of the pawl member 7 can be changed by rotation about the first rotation axis C1 between a locked position P11 where it can engage with the teeth 63 when the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1 of the cable 3, and a released position P12 where it does not engage with the teeth 63 even when the drum 2 rotates in the winding direction A1. The position holding mechanism 4 may be configured so that the pawl member 7 is located at the released position P12, and when the drum 2 rotates in the unwinding direction A2 with the convex portion 82 of the pressing member 8 protruding outward, the convex portion 82 is pressed by the teeth 63 to rotate the pressing member 8, and as the pressing member 8 rotates, the pawl member 7 rotates to the locked position P11.

[0148] In addition, in the vehicle door position maintaining device 1 of the first embodiment, the cover member 6 has eight teeth 63, and in the vehicle door position maintaining device 1A of the second embodiment, the cover member 6A has five teeth 63A, but the number of teeth 63, 63A that the cover members 6, 6A have is not limited. The number of teeth 63, 63A that the cover members 6, 6A have may be four or less, six to seven, or nine or more.

[0149] Furthermore, the cover member 6 has guide portions 651 and rotation control portions 655 in numbers corresponding to the number of teeth 63, and the cover member 6A has guide portions 651, rotation control portions 655, and holding guide portions 615 in numbers corresponding to the number of teeth 63A.

[0150] For example, when there are three teeth 63A, as shown in Fig. 33, the cover member 6A has three guide portions 651, three rotation restricting portions 655, and three holding guide portions 615. In the example shown in Fig. 33, the same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0151] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A...Vehicle door position maintaining device, 2...Drum, 21...Drum body, 21a...First surface, 21b...Second surface, 21c...Circumferential surface, 211...Cable guide groove, 212...Regulating convex portion, 213, 213A...Regulating recess, 214, 214A...Sliding contact portion recess, 2140...Communicating portion, 215...Damper arrangement portion, 215A...Limiter arrangement portion, 216...Spring recess, 217...Shaft portion insertion portion, 218, 218A...First rotation engagement portion, 219...Second rotation engagement portion, 22...Damper, 22A...Torque limiter, 221...Circumferential surface, 23...Shaft, 3...Cable, 4, 4A...Position maintaining mechanism , 5...drum storage section, 50...storage section main body, 51...bottom, 52...circumferential wall section, 53...shaft section, 54...extension section, 541...through hole, 55...fixing extension section, 551...through hole, 6, 6A...cover member, 60...cover member main body, 61, 61A...top plate section, 61a...inner surface, 61b...outer surface, 610...top plate recess, 611...through hole, 612...recess bottom surface, 615...holding guide section, 615a...end section on the winding direction side, 615b...end section on the unwinding direction side, 615c...inner surface, 62...circumferential wall section, 62a...inner peripheral surface, 63, 63A...teeth, 63a...first surface, 63b...second surface, 63c...third surface, 65...ring shaped portion, 65A...recess peripheral surface, 651...guide portion, 652...inclined portion, 655...rotation restricting portion, 66...protrusion portion, 67...extension portion, 671...through hole, 7, 7A...pawl member, 71...pawl member main body, 71a...central corner portion, 71b...arcuate edge, 711...rotation recess, 712...groove portion, 713...convex portion, 72...claw portion, 73...restriction convex portion, 74...extension portion, 75...pawl member rotation shaft portion, 8...pressing member, 81...pressing member main body (main body), 82...first convex portion (convex portion), 83...rotation shaft portion, 84...second convex portion, 9, 9A...sliding contact portion, 91...sliding contact portion main body, 92...abutment portion, 93...shaft portion, 95... Urging portion, 10...fixing member, 11...bolt, 12...nut, 100...vehicle door position holding device, 101...drum, 102...first ratchet wheel, 103...second ratchet wheel, 104...first ratchet pawl, 104a...support protrusion, 105...over-center spring, 106...second ratchet pawl, 107...back door (vehicle door), 108...inner cable, 900...vehicle, 901...vehicle body, 902...vehicle door, 903...rotating shaft, 904...gas spring, A1...winding direction, A2...unwinding direction, C...center shaft, C1...first rotating shaft, C2...second rotating shaftH...housing, P1...fully closed position, P2...fully open position, P3...intermediate position, P11...locked position, P12...released position, S...spring, α...inner diameter direction,

Claims

1. A cylindrical drum disposed on a vehicle body or a vehicle door and rotatable around a central axis; a cable having one end engaged with the vehicle door or the vehicle body and wound or unwound from the drum as the drum rotates; and a position holding mechanism capable of holding the vehicle door at a midpoint in an opening / closing direction, the position holding mechanism comprising: a cover member covering the drum and rotatable relative to the drum; a pawl member disposed on the drum and rotatable around a first rotation axis extending in the same direction as the central axis; and a pressing member disposed on the drum and rotatable around a second rotation axis extending in the same direction as the central axis, the pressing member having a convex portion extending in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the second rotation axis, the cover member comprising: an inner circumferential surface along the outer periphery of the drum and surrounding the pawl member and the pressing member; and a plurality of teeth disposed on the inner circumferential surface at intervals in the circumferential direction. a guide portion that guides the pressing member as the drum rotates in the cable winding direction and when the pressing member is in a position corresponding to the tooth, rotates the pressing member so that the convex portion protrudes outward, and the pawl member is capable of changing its position by rotating about the first rotating shaft to a locked position where it can engage with the tooth when the drum rotates in the cable unwinding direction and a released position where it does not engage with the tooth even when the drum rotates in the cable unwinding direction, and the position maintaining mechanism is such that when the pawl member is positioned in the released position, and when the drum rotates in the cable winding direction with the convex portion of the pressing member protruding outward, the convex portion is pressed by the tooth to rotate the pressing member, and the pressing member presses the pawl member as the rotation rotates, so that the pawl member rotates to the locked position.

2. A vehicle door position retaining device as described in claim 1, further comprising a rotation regulating portion that, when the pressing member rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction in which the convex portion protrudes, abuts against the pressing member to regulate further rotation in the opposite direction, the pressing member having a main body extending in a direction opposite to the side along which the convex portion extends with respect to the second rotation axis, and the rotation regulating portion abuts against the pressing member at a rotation position of the pressing member where the main body and the convex portion do not engage with the teeth when the drum rotates in the unwinding direction.

3. The vehicle door position maintaining device according to claim 2, wherein the guide portions and the rotation restricting portions are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface.

4. A vehicle door position maintaining device as described in claim 3, wherein the cover member has the rotation restricting portion, and the guide portion and the rotation restricting portion adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are each connected to each other.

5. A vehicle door position maintaining device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a sliding contact portion arranged at a position overlapping with the pawl member when viewed from the extension direction of the first pivot shaft, the sliding contact portion having an abutment portion that abuts against the pawl member and a biasing portion that biases the abutment portion toward the pawl member.

6. A vehicle door position retaining device as described in claim 1, wherein the cover member has a retaining guide portion, and the retaining guide portion maintains the convex portion in an outwardly protruding state during the period from when the pressing member rotates on the guide portion and the convex portion protrudes outward until the convex portion is pressed by the teeth during rotation of the drum in the winding direction of the cable.

7. A vehicle door position retaining device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the guide portions are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface, and the retaining guide portions are arranged between the guide portions arranged in the circumferential direction.

8. A cylindrical drum disposed on a vehicle body or a vehicle door and rotatable around a central axis; a cable having one end engaged with the vehicle door or the vehicle body and wound or unwound from the drum as the drum rotates; and a position holding mechanism capable of holding the vehicle door at an intermediate position in an opening / closing direction, the position holding mechanism comprising: a cover member covering the drum and rotatable relative to the drum; a pawl member disposed on the drum and rotatable around a first rotation axis extending in the same direction as the central axis; and a pressing member disposed on the drum and rotatable around a second rotation axis extending in the same direction as the central axis, the pressing member having a convex portion extending in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the second rotation axis, the cover member comprising: an inner circumferential surface along the outer periphery of the drum and surrounding the pawl member and the pressing member; and a plurality of teeth disposed on the inner circumferential surface at intervals in the circumferential direction. a guide portion that guides the pressing member as the drum rotates in the cable unwinding direction and when the pressing member is in a position corresponding to the tooth, rotates the pressing member so that the convex portion protrudes outward, and the pawl member is capable of changing its position by rotating about the first rotating shaft to a locked position where it can engage with the tooth when the drum rotates in the cable winding direction and a released position where it does not engage with the tooth even when the drum rotates in the cable winding direction, and the position maintaining mechanism is such that when the pawl member is positioned in the released position, and when the drum rotates in the cable unwinding direction with the convex portion of the pressing member protruding outward, the convex portion is pressed by the tooth to rotate the pressing member, and the pressing member presses the pawl member as the rotation rotates, so that the pawl member rotates to the locked position.

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