Door structure
The door structure uses a bracket with an extended wall portion and groove to redirect rainwater, addressing leakage issues while preserving sensor accuracy and avoiding weight increase, thus effectively preventing interior wetting.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORP
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing flip-up doors in vehicles face challenges in preventing rainwater from leaking into the vehicle interior, especially when opened during rainfall, despite the use of water collecting grooves, which can also increase the door's weight if enlarged.
A door structure with a bracket and sensor system where the bracket's wall portion extends above the door's hem to guide rainwater away from the door edges, incorporating a groove to collect and direct water flow, ensuring minimal intrusion into the vehicle while maintaining aesthetic appeal and avoiding weight increase.
Effectively prevents rainwater from entering the vehicle interior by guiding it away from the door edges, maintaining sensor functionality and reducing the risk of water exposure, without enlarging the door structure.
Smart Images
Figure JP2024044622_25062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Door Structure
[0001] This case relates to a door structure applied to the door of a vehicle.
[0002] In vehicles, those equipped with flip-up doors are known. A flip-up door is a door in which the upper part of the door is supported by a hinge mechanism or a link mechanism with respect to the vehicle body, and the lower part of the door moves upward and outward of the vehicle to open. Among this type of doors, those provided at the rear of the vehicle are called rear gates, tail gates, hatchback doors, etc., and those provided on the side of the vehicle are called gullwing doors. One of the advantages of a flip-up door is that when it is opened, a wide space is secured around the opening, facilitating boarding and alighting operations and loading and unloading of luggage (see Patent Document 1).
[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-203071
[0004] When a flip-up door is opened during rainfall, there is a concern that rainwater will fall from the left and right edges of the door and drip inside the opening, wetting the interior. To address such problems, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a water collecting groove (drip channel) is formed inside the door. The water collecting groove functions to guide the outflow position of rainwater falling from the left and right edges of the door to a specific position.
[0005] However, even with the structure described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to guide all the rainwater into the water collecting groove, and the remaining rainwater may leak and fall from the left and right edges of the door. Therefore, there is a problem that the interior often gets wet. Note that such leakage of rainwater may be eliminated by enlarging the water collecting groove. On the other hand, enlarging the water collecting groove may cause an increase in the weight of the door.
[0006] One of the purposes of this case is to provide a door structure that was devised in view of the above problems and can suppress the infiltration of the vehicle interior by rainwater with a simple configuration. Note that not limited to this purpose, the operational effects derived from each configuration shown in the "Mode for Carrying Out the Invention" described later and not achievable by the conventional technology are also positioned as other purposes of this case.
[0007] The disclosure door structure can be realized in the following embodiments (examples of application), solving at least some of the above-mentioned problems. Each of the embodiments from Embodiment 2 onward is an additional embodiment that can be appropriately selected, and each of them is an embodiment that can be omitted. None of the embodiments from Embodiment 2 onward disclose any embodiments or configurations that are indispensable to this case.
[0008] Embodiment 1. The disclosed door structure is a hinged door structure installed in an opening of the vehicle body. The door structure comprises a panel to which an opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the door is attached, and which has a hem at its outer end in the width direction; sensors arranged along the left and right ends of the door for detecting when a foreign object is caught between the vehicle body and the panel; and brackets for fixing the sensors to the panel. The bracket has a wall portion located further outward in the width direction than the hem. Furthermore, in a cross-section obtained by cutting the open door with a vertical plane separating the inside and outside of the vehicle, the upper end of the wall portion is formed to extend above the upper surface of the hem.
[0009] Embodiment 2. With respect to embodiments including Embodiment 1 described above, it is preferable that the door structure includes an exterior member that is attached to cover a window opening drilled in the panel. It is also preferable that the position of the cross section is near the lower end edge of the exterior member in the closed state of the door. Embodiment 3. With respect to embodiments including Embodiment 2 described above, it is preferable that the gap dimension from the upper end of the wall portion to the exterior member is constant in the extending direction of the wall portion, and the step dimension from the upper end of the wall portion to the upper surface of the hem is maximum at the position of the cross section in the extending direction of the wall portion.
[0010] Embodiment 4. With respect to embodiments including Embodiment 2 described above, it is preferable that the outer end of the exterior member in the width direction is positioned further outward in the width direction than the wall portion. Furthermore, it is preferable that the wall portion has an upper slope portion formed in the cross section with a downward slope from the upper end on the outer side in the width direction toward the inner side of the door in the width direction. Embodiment 5. With respect to embodiments including Embodiment 4 described above, it is preferable that the bracket is provided adjacent to the upper slope portion on the inner side in the width direction and has a groove portion formed in the cross section with a downward recessed shape.
[0011] According to the disclosed door structure, the upper end of the wall section is formed to extend above the upper surface of the hem, thereby blocking the flow of rainwater along the panel surface and suppressing rainwater leakage from the left and right edges of the door. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the infiltration of rainwater into the vehicle interior with a simple configuration.
[0012] This is a perspective view showing the rear of a vehicle to which the disclosed door structure is applied. This is a side view showing the vehicle's rear gate in an open state. This is a cross-sectional view of the left end of the open rear gate (section A-A in Figure 2). This is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the main part of the rear gate. This is a cross-sectional view of the left end of a rear gate as a comparative example.
[0013] The door structure according to the present invention is a lift-up door structure that is installed in an opening of the vehicle body. The upper part of the lift-up door is provided with an opening and closing mechanism (such as a hinge mechanism or link mechanism) for supporting the door so that it can be opened and closed relative to the vehicle body. When the door is opened, the lower part of the door moves outward and upward (roughly speaking, it rotates). Lift-up doors are installed, for example, on the rear, side, or front of the vehicle.
[0014] Examples of upward-opening doors located on the rear of a vehicle include rear gates, tailgates, and hatchback doors. Examples of upward-opening doors located on the sides of a vehicle include gullwing doors. Examples of upward-opening doors located on the front of a vehicle include bonnets, hoods, and lids.
[0015] Regarding the definition of direction in the embodiments, the vehicle length direction refers to the forward and backward direction of the vehicle (the front-to-back direction of the vehicle), and the vehicle width direction (the left-to-right direction of the vehicle) is determined based on this forward and backward direction. The vertical direction is determined based on the state in which the vehicle is stopped on a flat road surface. The inward and outward direction of the vehicle around the doors (the door opening or the vicinity of a closed door) refers to the thickness direction of the closed door. For example, the inward and outward direction around the rear gate is the vehicle length direction, the inward and outward direction around the gullwing doors is the vehicle width direction, and the inward and outward direction around the hood is the vehicle length direction and the vertical direction.
[0016] The width direction of a door refers to the left-right direction from the perspective of an observer facing the door from outside the vehicle. For example, the width direction of a rear gate is the vehicle width direction, the width direction of a gullwing door is the vehicle length direction, and the width direction of a hood is the vehicle width direction. Here, from the perspective of an observer facing the rear gate from outside the vehicle, the rear gate is divided into a left half and a right half. In the left half of the rear gate, the outer width direction is to the left of the vehicle, and the inner width direction is to the right of the vehicle. Similarly, in the right half of the rear gate, the outer width direction is to the right of the vehicle, and the inner width direction is to the left of the vehicle.
[0017] From the perspective of an observer facing the gullwing door from outside the vehicle, the gullwing door is divided into a left half and a right half. For the left half of a gullwing door on the left side of the vehicle, the outer width is towards the front of the vehicle, and the inner width is towards the rear. Similarly, for the right half of a gullwing door on the left side of the vehicle, the outer width is towards the rear, and the inner width is towards the front. On the other hand, for the left half of a gullwing door on the right side of the vehicle, the outer width is towards the rear, and the inner width is towards the front. Similarly, for the right half of a gullwing door on the right side of the vehicle, the outer width is towards the front, and the inner width is towards the rear.
[0018] From the perspective of an observer facing the hood from outside the vehicle, the hood is divided into a left half and a right half. In the left half of the hood, the outer width is towards the right of the vehicle, and the inner width is towards the left of the vehicle. Similarly, in the right half of the hood, the outer width is towards the left of the vehicle, and the inner width is towards the right of the vehicle.
[0019] [1. Vehicle] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the rear of a vehicle 1 including a rear gate 2 to which the door structure according to the present invention is applied. Figure 2 is a side view showing the rear gate 2 of the vehicle 1 in an open state. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the left end of the open rear gate 2 (cross-sectional view along A-A in Figure 2). The cross-section shown in Figure 3 is a cross-section obtained by cutting the open rear gate 2 with a vertical plane separating the vehicle 1 in the inward and outward directions.
[0020] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the main part of the rear gate 2 (the outer end in the width direction). In Figures 3 and 4, "outer in the width direction" means the outer side near the left end of the rear gate 2 (outer in the vehicle width direction and towards the left of the vehicle). In Figures 3 and 4, "inner in the width direction" means the inner side near the left end of the rear gate 2 (inner in the vehicle width direction and towards the right of the vehicle). Note that the structure applied to the right end of the rear gate 2 is the same as that of Figures 3 and 4, but reversed horizontally. Also, the dashed line in Figures 3 and 4 is a projection of the contour of the lower edge of the glass 4 in the closed state of the rear gate 2.
[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a rear gate 2 (door), which is a liftgate, is provided on the rear of the vehicle 1. The rear gate 2 is a door that is attached to an opening 7 provided at the rear end of the vehicle body 6 so as to be able to be opened and closed. The rear gate 2 is attached to the vehicle body 6 so as to be able to be opened and closed via an opening and closing mechanism (such as a hinge mechanism or link mechanism) not shown. The rear gate 2 is preferably an electric door. An electric door means a door that has an actuator or motor built in to drive the opening and closing of the rear gate 2. Typical electric doors can be easily opened and closed with a remote control or one-touch operation.
[0022] The rear gate 2 comprises a gate panel 3 (panel) and glass 4 (exterior member). The gate panel 3 is the member to which the opening and closing mechanism (such as a hinge mechanism or link mechanism, not shown) for opening and closing the rear gate 2 is fixed. The gate panel 3 has the rigidity and strength to maintain the shape of the rear gate 2. The gate panel 3 shown in Figure 3 is formed into a hollow, thin plate shape by bonding the ends of an outer gate panel 31 and an inner gate panel 32 together. This configuration realizes a lightweight and strong gate panel 3 structure. However, the outer gate panel 31 and inner gate panel 32 are not essential elements.
[0023] The outer gate panel 31 is a plate member that forms the outer surface of the gate panel 3. The inner gate panel 32 is a plate member that is attached to the inside of the outer gate panel 31 at a predetermined distance. The outer gate panel 31 and the inner gate panel 32 are fixed together with their respective ends overlapping. The outer end in the width direction of the gate panel 3 is called the hem 33. There are no restrictions on the composition of the outer gate panel 31 and the inner gate panel 32. For example, the outer gate panel 31 and the inner gate panel 32 may each be made of metal or resin (reinforced plastic, engineering plastic, etc.).
[0024] The outer gate panel 31 and the inner gate panel 32 are provided with window openings, for example, to ensure rearward visibility, and the glass 4 is mounted on the outside of these window openings. The position of the A-A section in Figure 2 shown in Figure 3 is near the lower edge of the glass 4 (slightly below the lower edge) in the closed rear gate 2, and near the rear edge of the glass 4 (slightly behind the rear edge) in the open rear gate 2. In Figure 3, the outer gate panel 31 represents the part located below the glass 4 in the closed rear gate 2.
[0025] The outer edge of the glass 4 in the width direction is located further out than the outer edge of the gate panel 3 in the width direction, as shown by the dashed line in Figures 3 and 4. Furthermore, the outer edge of the glass 4 in the width direction is located further out than the outer edge of the bracket 10, which will be described later. As a result, when the closed rear gate 2 is viewed from outside the vehicle 1, the glass 4 appears to reach the left and right edges of the rear gate 2, thus improving the aesthetic appearance.
[0026] Note that the window opening and glass 4 are optional. Glass 4 may be replaced with a metal plate (perforated metal panel, mesh panel, etc.) or a resin plate (reinforced plastic plate, engineering plastic plate, etc.). The shape of the outer gate panel 31 may be modified so that a portion of the outer gate panel 31 is positioned where the glass 4 is in Figure 3. In addition, decorative trims or garnishes (not shown) may be attached to the inner surface of the gate panel 3 (the inner surface of the inner gate panel 32 facing the vehicle interior).
[0027] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a weatherstrip 8 is attached to the edge of the opening 7 provided in the vehicle body 6. The weatherstrip 8 is a string-like airtight material that is routed along the edge of the opening 7 to surround the entire outer circumference and is fixed to the vehicle body 6. The weatherstrip 8 is attached so as to be in contact with the closed rear gate 2 (for example, the inner gate panel 32 of the gate panel 3 or the planar portion 11 of the bracket 10, which will be described later). The weatherstrip 8 is made of a material such as rubber or resin and elastically supports the closed rear gate 2. The weatherstrip 8 has the function of sealing the gap between the rear gate 2 and the vehicle body 6.
[0028] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, sensors 20 are routed to the left and right side edges 5 of the rear gate 2. The sensors 20 are devices for detecting when a foreign object is caught between the vehicle body 6 and the gate panel 3, and are, for example, tactile sensors, pressure sensors, electrostatic sensors, proximity sensors, etc. The sensors 20 are arranged at least along the left and right edges of the rear gate 2. If the sensors 20 detect a foreign object being caught when closing the rear gate 2, an electronic control device (not shown) automatically opens the rear gate 2 (or prevents further closing) and issues a warning to the occupants and the surrounding area.
[0029] As shown in Figure 3, brackets 10 are provided on the left and right side ends 5 of the rear gate 2 for fixing the sensor 20 to the gate panel 3. The brackets 10 are interposed between the sensor 20 and the gate panel 3 and are fixed to the gate panel 3 while supporting the sensor 20. The brackets 10 are positioned along at least the left and right ends of the rear gate 2, similar to the sensor 20.
[0030] The outer end of the bracket 10 in the width direction is located outside the outer end of the gate panel 3 in the width direction, and inside the outer end of the glass 4 in the width direction, as shown in Figure 3, for example. The composition of the bracket 10 is not particularly limited. For example, it may be made of metal or resin (reinforced plastic, engineering plastic, etc.).
[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the sensor 20 has a sensor body 21 and a sensor fixing part 22. The sensor body 21 is a part formed in an axial shape (cable shape, shaft shape, solid shape) or a cylindrical shape (tube shape, hollow shape). The sensor body 21 may be formed in a solid shape or a hollow shape. The sensing element for detecting pinching between the vehicle body 6 and the gate panel 3 is included in the sensor body 21. Note that the internal structure of the sensor body 21 is omitted in Figure 3.
[0032] The sensor fixing portion 22 is a part for attaching the sensor body portion 21 to the bracket 10. The sensor fixing portion 22 is provided with a covering portion (sensor body side portion) that is fixed to the sensor body portion 21 and a fitting portion (bracket side portion) that is fixed to the bracket 10. The covering portion is formed in a shape that covers the outer circumference of the sensor body portion 21, for example. The fitting portion is fixed by being fitted into a mounting hole formed in the bracket 10, for example. The means of fixing the sensor fixing portion 22 to the bracket 10 can be changed as appropriate. The sensor fixing portion 22 may also be attached to the bracket 10 by fasteners (bolts and nuts, rivets, etc.) or binding devices (cable ties, etc.) which are not shown.
[0033] [2. Bracket] As shown in Figure 3, the bracket 10 has a planar portion 11, a support surface portion 12, a wall portion 13, and a groove portion 17. The wall portion 13 has an outer surface portion 14, a lower inclined portion 15, and an upper inclined portion 16. These elements are a convenient classification of the parts of the bracket 10 based on their location (in other words, function or role).
[0034] The planar portion 11 is the part of the bracket 10 located on the inside in the width direction of the rear gate 2. The planar portion 11 is formed in a planar shape along the outer edge in the width direction of the gate panel 3. The planar portion 11 is fixed to the inner gate panel 32 via bolts, rivets, locking pins, etc. (not shown). In the cross-section shown in Figure 3, the planar portion 11 appears to be formed in a planar shape, but there is no intention to limit the shape of the planar portion 11 to a planar shape. The planar portion 11 can also be formed in a curved shape depending on the shape of the gate panel 3.
[0035] The support surface portion 12 is the part that supports the sensor 20. The support surface portion 12 is positioned further outward in the width direction than the planar portion 11. In the cross-sections shown in Figures 3 and 4, the support surface portion 12 has a shape inclined so that its surface faces outward and downward in the width direction of the rear gate 2. This makes it easier to position the sensor 20 further outward in the width direction compared to a case where the surface of the support surface portion 12 is formed to face vertically downward, thereby improving the accuracy of pinching detection.
[0036] The wall portion 13 is a part that is provided beyond the hem 33, which is the outer edge in the width direction of the gate panel 3, when the rear gate 2 is in the open state. Preferably, the wall portion 13 is provided on the outermost side in the width direction of the bracket 10. The wall portion 13 has the function of preventing rainwater flowing down the surface of the gate panel 3 from leaking and falling from the left and right edges of the rear gate 2 when it rains with the rear gate 2 in the open state. In other words, the wall portion 13 has the function of guiding the flow of rainwater on the upper side of the bracket 10 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.
[0037] In the cross-section shown in Figure 4, the upper end C of the wall portion 13 is formed to extend above the upper surface of the hem 33. The dimension K in Figure 4 is the step dimension (vertical dimension) from the upper end C to the upper surface of the hem 33, and represents how far below the position of the upper end C the hem 33 is located. The step dimension K is set to a positive value (K > 0). The step dimension K is set to a length of, for example, a few millimeters to a dozen millimeters.
[0038] It is preferable that the gap dimension from the upper end C of the wall portion 13 to the glass 4 is constant in the direction of extension of the wall portion 13 (the front-to-back direction when the rear gate 2 is open, and the up-and-down direction when the rear gate 2 is closed). This improves the appearance of the outer side in the width direction when the rear gate 2 is open. Furthermore, it is preferable that the step dimension K from the upper end C of the wall portion 13 to the upper surface of the hem 33 is maximum at the position of the cross section shown in Figures 3 and 4 (or a position near the cross section shown in Figure 4) in the direction of extension of the wall portion 13. In other words, it is preferable that the step dimension K is set to be larger near the rear end edge of the glass 4 in the rear gate 2 when it is open than at other positions.
[0039] In the cross-section shown in Figure 4, the lower end B of the wall portion 13 is the outer end P in the width direction of the sensor 20. １ It is located further out than the end P. Dimension D in Figure 4 is at the end P. １ This indicates how far the lower end B is located outward in the width direction relative to the reference point. Dimension D is set to a positive value (D > 0). Dimension D is set to a length of, for example, a few millimeters to a dozen millimeters.
[0040] In the cross-section shown in FIG. 4, the lower end B of the wall portion 13 is located above the upper end P of the sensor main body portion 21. ２ In FIG. 4, the dimension E represents the vertical distance between the upper end P of the sensor main body portion 21 and the lower end B of the wall portion 13. The dimension E is set to a positive value (E > 0). Incidentally, the wall portion 13 may be formed in a shape in which its lower end B extends to a position lower than the upper end P of the sensor main body portion 21. In other words, the dimension E may be set to a negative value (E < 0). ２ ２
[0041] In the cross-section shown in FIG. 4, the upper end C of the wall portion 13 is located inside the end portion P on the outer side in the width direction of the glass 4. In FIG. 4, the dimension J represents how far the end portion P is located on the outer side in the width direction with reference to the position of the upper end C. The dimension J is set to a positive value (J > 0). The dimension J is set to a length of, for example, several millimeters to about a dozen millimeters. ３ ３
[0042] When it rains with the rear gate 2 open, the rainwater that has fallen on the outer gate panel 31 may move in the vehicle width direction along the boundary portion between the glass 4 and the outer gate panel 31. As shown by the white arrow in FIG. 4, this rainwater flows along the surface of the outer gate panel 31 to the outer side in the width direction and collides with the wall portion 13 and is introduced into the groove portion 17. At this time, since the upper end C of the wall portion 13 extends above the upper surface of the hem 33, the rainwater does not leak beyond the wall portion 13 to the outer surface portion 14.
[0043] On the other hand, the rainwater that has fallen on the glass 4 falls from the outer side in the width direction of the glass 4. A part of this rainwater falls from the outside of the wall portion 13, and another part is introduced into the groove portion 17 inside the wall portion 13. The broken line in FIG. 3 represents the trajectory of the water droplets falling vertically from the lower end B of the wall portion 13. The opening 7 and the weather strip 8 are arranged on the inner side in the width direction from this trajectory of the water droplets. Since the rainwater falling from the lower end B of the wall portion 13 falls outside the opening 7, the interior of the vehicle 1 does not get wet.
[0044] Next, the outer surface portion 14, the lower inclined surface portion 15, and the upper inclined surface portion 16 of the wall portion 13 will be described. The outer surface portion 14 is a portion that forms the end surface on the outer side in the width direction of the wall portion 13. The broken line in FIG. 4 is a line (extension line) corresponding to the surface obtained by extending the outer surface portion 14 below the lower end B. The sensor 20 of the present embodiment is positioned at a location that does not contact this broken line and is arranged on the inner side in the width direction from this broken line.
[0045] By arranging the sensor 20 on the inner side in the width direction from the broken line, even if rainwater flows down vigorously along the surface of the wall portion 13, the possibility of the water flow adhering to the sensor 20 is reduced, and water exposure to the sensor 20 is more reliably suppressed. Therefore, the movement of the water flow along the surface of the sensor 20 and inward in the width direction is suppressed. Note that the shape of the outer surface portion 14 in the horizontal direction (the direction orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 4) in the open state of the rear gate 2 may be a bent shape. For example, the surface of the wall portion 13 may be formed into a curved surface that is warped so that the lower end of the wall portion 13 protrudes outward (left side) in the width direction. Thereby, the water droplets adhering to the surface of the wall portion 13 are more likely to bounce outward (left side) in the width direction, and water exposure to the sensor 20 is more reliably suppressed.
[0046] The outer surface portion 14 may be formed vertically in the cross sections shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the surface thereof may be inclined so as to face the outer side and the lower side in the width direction. In other words, in the cross sections shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a gradient may be set such that the lower end B of the outer surface portion 14 is located on the inner side in the width direction from the upper end C of the outer surface portion 14.
[0047] The angle 90 - F in FIG. 4 represents the angle formed by the outer surface portion 14 with respect to the horizontal plane in FIG. 4. In other words, the angle F in FIG. 4 represents the rotation angle when the outer surface portion 14 is rotated counterclockwise from the vertical plane in FIG. 4. The inclination of the outer surface portion 14 is preferably set such that the angle F exceeds 0 degrees and, for example, is less than 45 degrees (0° < F < 45°).
[0048] The lower slope portion 15 is the part that forms the lower surface of the wall portion 13. In the cross-sections shown in Figures 3 and 4, it is preferable that the lower slope portion 15 is connected at an acute angle to the lower end B of the outer surface portion 14. The angle G in Figure 4 represents the angle made between the outer surface portion 14 and the lower slope portion 15 in Figure 4. The slope of the lower slope portion 15 is set, for example, so that this angle G is less than 90 degrees (0° < G < 90°). This improves water drainage at the lower end B of the outer surface portion 14 and more reliably suppresses water from reaching the sensor 20.
[0049] The upper inclined surface portion 16 is the upper surface of the wall portion 13. It is preferable that the upper inclined surface portion 16 is connected at an acute angle to the upper end C of the outer surface portion 14. Furthermore, in the cross-sections shown in Figures 3 and 4, it is preferable that the upper inclined surface portion 16 is formed with a downward slope toward the inside in the width direction from the upper end C of the outer surface portion 14. The angle H in Figure 4 represents the angle between the outer surface portion 14 and the upper inclined surface portion 16 in Figure 4. It is preferable that the downward slope of the upper inclined surface portion 16 (the angle between the horizontal plane and the upper inclined surface portion 16) is set to be greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees [0° < (F + H) < 90°].
[0050] By forming the upper sloping portion 16 with a downward slope toward the inside in the width direction, it becomes easier to direct some of the rainwater that falls from the surface of the glass 4 to the upper surface of the bracket 10. As a result, the amount of rainwater that flows down the outer surface portion 14 of the wall portion 13 and falls from the lower end B is reduced. Therefore, water exposure to the sensor 20 is more reliably suppressed. The rainwater that flows to the upper surface of the bracket 10 is supplied into the groove portion 17, which will be described below.
[0051] The groove 17 is a portion located adjacent to the upper slope 16 and on the inner side in the width direction. In the cross-section shown in Figures 3 and 4, the groove 17 is formed in a shape that is recessed downwards. Rainwater flowing down from the upper slope 16 flows through the groove 17 and falls from a position where there is no risk of wetting the interior of the vehicle 1. In this embodiment, the groove 17 is formed with a downward slope toward the front of the vehicle 1.
[0052] Rainwater flowing through the groove 17 falls near the upper left and upper right portions of the periphery of the opening 7, and flows down the surface of the vehicle body 6 outside the weatherstrip 8. The groove 17 guides the flow of water on the upper surface of the bracket 10 toward the base end of the rear gate 2 (the front side of the vehicle 1), and prevents the water from spilling out from the outside of the bracket 10 in the width direction.
[0053] [3. Effects] (1) The door structure of this embodiment is a lift-up type rear gate 2 (door) structure that is attached to the opening 7 of the vehicle body 6 in the vehicle 1. This door structure comprises a gate panel 3 (panel), a sensor 20 and a bracket 10. An opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the rear gate 2 is attached to the gate panel 3. The gate panel 3 has a hem 33 at the outer end in the width direction. The sensor 20 is arranged along the left and right ends of the rear gate 2 and detects when a foreign object is caught between the vehicle body 6 and the gate panel 3.
[0054] The bracket 10 fixes the sensor 20 to the gate panel 3. The bracket 10 has a wall portion 13 that is located outside the width direction of the hem 33. In a cross section obtained by cutting the open rear gate 2 with a vertical plane separating the inside and outside of the vehicle 1 (for example, the cross section shown in Figures 3 and 4), the upper end C of the wall portion 13 is formed to extend above the upper surface of the hem 33. For example, the step dimension K shown in Figure 4 is set to a positive value (K > 0).
[0055] This configuration prevents rainwater flowing over the surface of the outer gate panel 31 from leaking out from the outside of the rear gate 2 in the width direction beyond the wall portion 13. As a result, the amount of rainwater falling from the lower end B of the wall portion 13 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water droplets from moving inward in the width direction along the surface of the sensor 20, thereby suppressing the infiltration of rainwater into the vehicle interior while maintaining the detection accuracy of the sensor 20. Furthermore, to increase the step dimension K, it is sufficient to bring the gate panel 3 closer to the bracket 10, and there is no need to enlarge the groove portion 17. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the infiltration of rainwater into the vehicle interior while suppressing an increase in the thickness and weight of the rear gate 2.
[0056] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a rear gate 2 as a comparative example to which the door structure according to the present invention is not applied. In this comparative example, the upper end corresponding to the upper end C (see Figure 4) of the wall portion 13 is located below the upper surface of the hem 33. As a result, rainwater flowing over the surface of the outer gate panel 31 easily leaks over the wall portion 13 from the outside in the width direction of the rear gate 2. In contrast, in this embodiment, as described above, the infiltration of rainwater into the vehicle interior can be suppressed with a simple configuration.
[0057] (2) The above door structure includes a glass panel 4 (exterior member) that is installed to cover a window opening drilled in the gate panel 3. The cross-sectional positions shown in Figures 3 and 4 are near the lower edge of the glass panel 4 in the closed rear gate 2. In these cross-sectional areas, when it rains with the rear gate 2 open, rainwater may collect at the boundary between the outer gate panel 31 and the glass panel 4, causing a powerful, flash flood-like water flow to occur on the hem 33.
[0058] Taking into account the possibility of such water flow occurring, the above door structure extends the upper end C of the wall portion 13 in the portion where the lower edge of the glass 4 is extended in the direction of its extension to a point above the upper surface of the hem 33. Alternatively, the upper surface of the hem 33 near the lower edge of the glass 4 is positioned below the upper end C of the wall portion 13. This effectively obstructs the flow of flash floodwaters, allowing the water flow to be directed, for example, toward the front of the vehicle, and more reliably suppressing leakage from the outside in the width direction of the rear gate 2.
[0059] (3) The gap dimension from the upper end C of the wall portion 13 to the glass 4 is kept constant, for example, in the direction of extension of the wall portion 13. Also, the step dimension K from the upper end C of the wall portion 13 to the upper surface of the hem 33 is maximized, for example, at the cross-sectional position shown in Figures 3 and 4 in the direction of extension of the wall portion 13. By maximizing the step dimension K at the position that receives a water flow such as a flash flood, leakage from the outside in the width direction of the rear gate 2 can be suppressed more reliably. On the other hand, by keeping the gap dimension from the upper end C of the wall portion 13 to the glass 4 constant, the appearance and aesthetics of the outside in the width direction of the rear gate 2 when it is open can be improved.
[0060] (4) The outer edge of the glass 4 in the width direction is positioned further outward than the wall portion 13 in the width direction. In the cross-section shown in Figures 3 and 4, the wall portion 13 has an upper slope portion 16 that is formed with a downward slope from the upper end C of the outer surface portion 14 toward the inside in the width direction of the rear gate 2. With this configuration, some of the rainwater that falls from the surface of the glass 4 flows into the upper surface of the bracket 10. In addition, the amount of rainwater that falls from the lower end B of the outer surface portion 14 is reduced, and water exposure to the surface of the sensor 20 is suppressed. Therefore, the infiltration of rainwater into the vehicle interior can be suppressed more reliably.
[0061] (5) The bracket 10 has a groove 17 provided adjacent to the upper slope portion 16 and on the inside in the width direction. In the cross-section shown in Figures 3 and 4, the groove 17 is formed in a shape that is recessed downwards. With this configuration, rainwater introduced to the upper surface side of the bracket 10 via the upper slope portion 16 can be collected in the groove 17 and flow along the groove 17. Therefore, the infiltration of rainwater into the vehicle interior can be suppressed more reliably.
[0062] [4. Others] The above embodiments are merely illustrative examples, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly stated in these embodiments. Each configuration of these embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from their intended purpose. Furthermore, each configuration of these embodiments can be selected or combined as needed.
[0063] In the above embodiment, a rear gate 2 to which the door structure according to the present invention is applied is illustrated, but the application of the door structure according to the present invention is not limited to a rear gate 2. The door structure according to the present invention can also be applied to upward-opening doors (gullwing doors, hoods, etc.) provided on the side or front of a vehicle. In the above embodiment, a door structure comprising a gate panel 3, glass 4, sensor 20, and bracket 10 is illustrated, but the glass 4 is not an essential element. The window opening and glass 4 can be omitted as appropriate.
[0064] In the above embodiment, a sensor 20 comprising a sensor body portion 21 and a sensor fixing portion 22 was illustrated, but the sensor fixing portion 22 is not an essential element. For example, if the sensor 20 is fixed to the bracket 10 with adhesive or adhesive tape, the sensor 20 will substantially consist only of the sensor body portion 21. In the above embodiment, the bracket 10 comprises a planar portion 11, a support surface portion 12, a wall portion 13, and a groove portion 17. Of these elements, only the wall portion 13 is essential for the door structure according to the present invention.
[0065] This invention is applicable to the manufacturing industry of liftgates and hatchback doors installed on vehicles. For example, it is applicable to the manufacturing industry of rear gates, tailgates, and hatchback doors installed on the rear of vehicles, gullwing doors installed on the sides of vehicles, and bonnets, hoods, and lids installed on the front of vehicles. Furthermore, this invention is applicable to the manufacturing industry of vehicles equipped with liftgates and hatchback doors.
[0066] 1 Vehicle 2 Rear gate (door) 3 Gate panel (panel) 4 Glass (exterior component) 5 Side edge 6 Body 7 Opening 8 Weatherstrip 10 Bracket 11 Surface portion 12 Support surface portion 13 Wall portion 14 Outer surface portion 15 Lower slope portion 16 Upper slope portion 17 Groove portion 20 Sensor 21 Sensor body portion (sensor) 22 Sensor fixing portion 31 Outer gate panel 32 Inner gate panel 33 Hem
Claims
1. A door structure for a lift-up door to be installed in an opening of the vehicle body, comprising: a panel to which an opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the door is attached, and which has a hem at its outer end in the width direction; a sensor positioned along the left and right ends of the door for detecting when a foreign object is caught between the vehicle body and the panel; and a bracket for fixing the sensor to the panel, wherein the bracket has a wall portion located further outward in the width direction than the hem, and in a cross-section obtained by cutting the open door with a vertical plane separating the vehicle in the inward and outward directions, the upper end of the wall portion is formed to extend above the upper surface of the hem.
2. The door structure according to claim 1, comprising an exterior member attached so as to cover a window opening drilled in the panel, wherein the position of the cross-section is near the lower end edge of the exterior member in the closed state of the door.
3. The door structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the gap dimension from the upper end of the wall portion to the exterior member is constant in the extending direction of the wall portion, and the step dimension from the upper end of the wall portion to the upper surface of the hem is maximum at the position of the cross section in the extending direction of the wall portion.
4. The door structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer end of the exterior member in the width direction is positioned further outward in the width direction than the wall portion, and the wall portion has an upper inclined surface portion formed in the cross section with a downward slope from the upper end on the outer side in the width direction toward the inner side of the door in the width direction.
5. The door structure according to claim 4, characterized in that the bracket is provided adjacent to the upper inclined surface and on the inner side in the width direction, and has a groove formed in a downwardly recessed shape in the cross-section.