JP4139993B2 - Door coupling device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a door connecting device for connecting doors for a vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional door connecting device of this type, one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-147090 is known. This device is provided on a swing door disposed on the side of the vehicle, a slide door coupled to the vehicle rear position of the swing door, a receiving seat disposed on the slide door, and the swing door. The two lock tongues that become the pliers that can be tightened to the receiving seat and the two lock tongues are arranged, and the two lock tongues are tightened by sliding against the two lock tongues. And a slider to let it go.
[0003]
In this device, when one of the swing door or the slide door is in the closed state with respect to the vehicle and the other is in the open state, when the other moves from the open state to the closed state, the slider engages with the receiving seat and receives the receiving seat. It is pressed in one direction by the seat. Then, the slider slides with this pressing force, thereby causing the two locking tongues to be tightened. At this time, since the receiving seat is located between the two lock tongues, the receiving seat is tightened between the two lock tongues. Thereby, a swing door and a slide door are connected in a closed state.
[0004]
In this device, when the slider is engaged with the receiving seat and pressed, the two locking tongues are tightened, that is, the connecting operation between both doors is performed. Therefore, the relative positional accuracy between the slider and the receiving seat is inevitably increased. It becomes important. However, since the slider and the receiving seat are provided on different doors, it is understood that it is difficult to accurately arrange the relative positions of both members in consideration of the door assembly accuracy. Further, in this apparatus, two portions that engage with the receiving seat are set so that the closing order of the swing door and the slide door does not matter. That is, as the two locations, a location that is engaged when the sliding door is closed and the swing door is closed and a location that is engaged when the swing door is closed and the slide door is closed are set. . As described above, since the structure of the connecting device for the swing door and the slide door is complicated, the assembly position accuracy of the device is required to be higher. Therefore, there is a problem that the assembly is difficult.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
This invention makes it a technical subject to make the structure of the connection device which connects between doors simple.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Technical means are taken in the present invention, while being disposed in swing door disposed on the vehicle side, the vehicle front or vehicle rear position of the swing door by turning in order to solve the above problems A latch that engages with and disengages from a striker that is disposed on the slide door, and an open / closed state detecting means that detects an open / closed state of the swing door and the slide door with respect to the vehicle. The closed state of the swing door and the slide door And a latch operating means for rotating the latch in one direction to engage with the striker, wherein the door connecting device is rotatably disposed on a rotation center axis of the latch. a latch lever to rotate the latch by operation force from the latch actuation means is input, one end fixed to said latch and said A connecting shaft extending substantially parallel to the moving center shaft, and an elastic member disposed on the connecting shaft and biasing the connecting shaft and the latch in a direction opposite to the one direction, the latch lever The latch is rotated in the one direction by pushing the connecting shaft from the side opposite to being biased by the elastic member .
[0007]
In this configuration, when the open / close state detection means detects the closed state of the swing door and the slide door, the latch actuating means rotates the latch and engages the latch with the striker, thereby connecting the doors. In other words, for example, the latch and the striker disposed on each door are engaged, and the striker does not have a configuration for connecting the doors (swing door and sliding door) by rotating the latch. It is not necessary to ensure the relative positional accuracy between strikers higher than necessary. That is, the configuration of the connecting device is simple, and its assembling property is also easy. In addition, in this structure, it is also a structure which does not ask | require the opening / closing order of both doors by using an opening / closing state detection means.
[0008]
Further, in this configuration, the latch operating means operates the latch via the latch lever, but the latch lever and the latch are configured to rotate coaxially. Therefore, the number of parts is small compared to a configuration in which another shaft is provided, and the configuration is simple.
[0010]
In addition , rotational torque in one direction of the latch is input from the latch lever to the latch via the connecting shaft. Furthermore, the rotational torque in the other direction of the latch is input from the elastic member to the latch through the connecting shaft. In other words, since the connecting shaft has a function of transmitting torque from the latch lever to the latch and a function of transmitting torque from the elastic member to the latch, the number of parts of the entire structure is small and the structure is simple.
[0011]
Preferably, the latch pivot includes a rotor that is pivotable on the pivot center axis and is coupled to the other end of the coupling shaft and pivots integrally with the coupling shaft and the latch. A position detecting member may be provided.
[0012]
In this configuration, the rotor is coupled to the other end of the connecting shaft. In other words, since the connecting shaft has a function of rotating the rotor of the latch rotation detecting member, the entire structure is simplified.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of a door connecting device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the figure, the arrow FR indicates the vehicle front direction, the arrow UP indicates the vehicle upward direction, and the arrow IN indicates the vehicle width inside direction.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 is a so-called center pillar-less vehicle having no center pillar. That is, a swing opening / closing type swing door 12 is disposed on the front side of the side portion of the vehicle 10, and a slide opening / closing type slide door 14 is connected to the swing door 12 on the rear side. It is installed.
[0015]
The swing door 12 has a front end 12 a attached to the front pillar 18 by a pair of upper and lower hinges 15 and 16. The swing door 12 can swing with respect to the front pillar 18 around the hinges 15 and 16. In other words, when the swing door 12 is opened from the closed position shown in FIG. 2, the swing door 12 rotates around the hinges 15 and 16 outward in the vehicle width direction (in the direction of arrow R in FIG. 2).
[0016]
The swing door 12 includes an upper lock 20 and a lower lock 26. And by both locks, the swing door 12 is held closed with respect to the vehicle body 10a. The upper lock 20 is disposed in the vicinity of the vehicle rear side upper end portion of the swing door 12, and the lower lock 26 is disposed in the vicinity of the vehicle rear side lower end portion of the swing door 12. And the striker (not shown) connected with each lock | rock 20 and 26 is arrange | positioned by the door frame part facing each lock | rock 20 and 26 of the vehicle body 10a.
[0017]
The upper lock 20 and the lower lock 26 are respectively connected to a front outside handle 27 disposed on the outside of the vehicle compartment of the swing door 12 and a front inside handle disposed on the indoor side via a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as remote controller) 24. (Not shown). The remote controller 24 is composed of a plurality of levers and links, and transmits the operation force of the front outside handle 27 and the like to the upper lock 20, the lower lock 26, the CTR and the like mechanically. In addition, the remote controller 24 includes a lock mechanism that switches between a locked state and an unlocked state by a lever or the like. This locking mechanism is switched to each state by a lock knob (not shown) of the swing door 12 or the like. In the unlocked state, the upper lock 20 or the like can be operated by operating the front outside door handle 27 or the like, but it is not activated in the locked state.
[0018]
The slide door 14 is provided with a roller (not shown) as a known slide mechanism. These rollers and a rail (not shown) as a known slide mechanism disposed on the vehicle body 10a side can slide in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the vehicle body 10a. When the sliding door 14 is opened from the closed position shown in FIG. 2, first, the sliding door 14 is configured to move diagonally rearward and outward (in the direction of arrow S).
[0019]
The slide door 14 includes a rear lock 28, and the slide door 14 is held closed with respect to the vehicle body 10 via the rear lock 28. The rear lock 28 is disposed in the vicinity of the vehicle rear end portion of the slide door 14. A striker (not shown) connected to the rear lock 28 is disposed on the door frame portion facing the rear lock 28 of the vehicle body 10a.
[0020]
The rear lock 28 is connected to a rear outside handle 32 disposed outside the vehicle compartment of the slide door 14 and a rear inside handle (not shown) disposed indoors via a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as remote controller) 30. It is linked. Similarly to the remote control 24, the remote control 30 is also composed of a plurality of levers and links, and mechanically transmits the operating force of the rear outside handle 32 and the like to the rear lock 28 and the like. The remote controller 30 also includes a lock mechanism that switches between a locked state and an unlocked state by a lever or the like. The lock mechanism is switched to each state by a lock knob (not shown) of the slide door 14 or the like. In the unlocked state, the rear lock 28 and the like can be operated by operating the rear outside door handle 32 and the like, but in the locked state, the rear lock 28 is not activated.
[0021]
Next, the center lock 40 (door connecting device) for connecting the swing door 12 and the slide door 14 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the center lock 40 is disposed on the swing door 12. First, the latch mechanism of the center lock 40 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 2, a base plate 43 is fixed to the vehicle rear side end of the swing door 12. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base plate 43 is provided with a latch 41, a pole 42, etc., which are latch mechanisms for the center lock 40. An opening 43a is formed in the base plate 43 along the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the striker 44 fixed to the slide door 14 enters the opening 43a.
[0023]
On the lower side of the opening 43a of the base plate 43 shown in FIG. 3, a latch 41 is disposed so as to be rotatable about a shaft 45 (rotation center axis). When the swing door 12 and the slide door 14 are not connected, the latch 41 is located at the position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The state of the latch 41 at this position is referred to as an unlatched state. When the swing door 12 and the slide door 14 are connected, the latch 41 is located at a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 3 rotated about a shaft 45 by a predetermined amount in the X direction (one direction). At this position, the latch 41 is in a latch state in which the striker 44 is locked. That is, the latch 41 is engaged with and disengaged from the striker 44 by rotating about the shaft 45. On the other hand, on the upper side of the opening 43a of the base plate 43 shown in FIG. In the latched state, the contact portion 42 a of the pole 42 contacts the latch 41, thereby restricting the rotation of the latch 41 in the illustrated Y direction (reverse direction). The latch 41 is urged in the Y direction in the drawing by a spring 47 (elastic member). That is, the spring 47 is disposed in the case, and one end 47a thereof is fixed to the stopper of the case. The other end 47b is engaged with one end 56a (one end) of a connection pin 56 (connection shaft) described later. An urging force is applied to the latch 41 via the connecting pin 56. With the above configuration, in the latched state, when the pole 42 rotates by a predetermined amount about the shaft 46 in the Y direction shown in the figure, the latch 41 and the contact portion 42a come out of contact, and the latch 41 moves in the Y direction shown in the figure. (Turns to an unlatched state).
[0024]
Next, the closer mechanism of the center lock 40 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 4, the center lock 40 includes a close actuator 50 (latch actuating means). The close actuator 50 includes a motor (not shown), a speed reduction mechanism (not shown), an output arm 51, and the like. The output arm 51 is configured to rotate around the pin 52 by the operation of the close actuator 50. Further, a spring 53 is disposed on the output arm 51, and urges the output arm 51 about the pin 52 in the T direction shown in FIG.
[0026]
The close actuator 50 is electrically connected to an ECU 33 (shown in FIG. 1) disposed in the instrument panel of the vehicle. Further, the ECU 33 includes a courtesy switch 19 (open / closed state detecting means) (shown in FIG. 1) disposed on the door frame of the swing door 12 and a courtesy switch disposed on the door frame of the slide door 14 of the vehicle body 10a. 29 (open / closed state detecting means) (shown in FIG. 1) is also electrically connected. When the courtesy switches 19 and 29 detect the closed state of the swing door 12 and the slide door 14, the ECU 33 receives the signal and energizes the close actuator 50. As a result, the output arm 51 operates.
[0027]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rod 54 is connected to the tip of the output arm 51 via a connecting member. Further, the end of the rod 54 opposite to the output arm 51 side is connected to the end of the output arm 51. A latch lever 55 (latch lever) is connected via a connecting member. The latch lever 55 is pivotally supported on a shaft 45 that is a rotation center axis of the latch 41. The latch lever 55 includes an arm portion 55a extending in a radial direction with respect to the shaft 45 from a portion pivotally supported by the shaft 45, and further bends and extends in a stepped manner from the arm portion 55a. The rod 54 described above is connected.
[0028]
A connecting pin 56 is disposed on the latch 41. That is, one end 56 a (one end) (the right end in FIG. 5) of the connecting pin 56 is fixed to the latch 41 and extends substantially parallel to the shaft 45. Further, the arm portion 55a of the latch lever 55 is engaged with the other end 56b (the left end in FIG. 5) side. That is, when the latch lever 55 is rotated in the X direction (one direction) in the drawing, the arm portion 55a is engaged with the connecting pin 56, and the connecting pin 56 and the latch 41 are integrally rotated in the X direction.
[0029]
As described above, the spring 47 (shown in FIG. 3) is disposed near the one end 56 a of the connecting pin 56. When the connecting pin 56 and the latch 41 are rotated in the X direction, the spring 47 is compressed. That is, as described above, the spring 47 integrally biases the connecting pin 56 and the latch 41 in the Y direction in the drawing. Further, a latch switch 57 (rotation position detecting member) is disposed at the left end of the shaft 45 in FIG. The latch switch 57 includes a switch 57a and a switch lever 57b (rotor). The switch lever 57 b is disposed so as to be rotatable about the shaft 45, and the tip 57 c of the switch lever 57 b is connected to the other end 56 b (the other end) of the connecting pin 56. With this configuration, the switch lever 57 b rotates integrally with the latch 41 via the connecting pin 56. The latch switch 57 detects the rotational position of the latch 41 by detecting the relative position of the switch lever 57b and the switch 57a via a rotor (not shown) in the switch 57a. This detection signal is transmitted to the ECU 33. As described above, since the latch 41 and the latch lever 55 can be rotated by the common shaft 45, the number of parts is small and simple compared to the configuration in which each member has a separate rotation shaft. It has become a structure. The connecting pin 56 having a function of transmitting torque from the latch lever 55 to the latch 41 has a function of transmitting torque from the spring 47 to the latch 41 and a function of connecting the latch 47 and the switch lever 57b. Therefore, compared with the case where separate members are provided to perform individual functions, the number of parts is small and the configuration is simple.
[0030]
Next, the opener mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 4, a lift lever 58 is disposed at the end of a shaft 46 on which the pole 42 is pivotally supported. The center lock 40 includes a release actuator 59. The release actuator 59 includes a motor (not shown), a speed reduction mechanism (not shown), an output arm 60, and the like. The output arm 60 is pivotally supported by the pin 61, and one end 60 a of the output arm 60 is located in the vicinity of the lift lever 58. The release actuator 59 is also electrically connected to the ECU 33 (shown in FIG. 1). The ECU 33 is also electrically connected to a handle switch 34 (shown in FIG. 1) disposed on the remote controller 30. The handle switch 34 is turned on by operation of a lever in the remote control 30 in accordance with the operation of the rear outside door handle 32. The ECU 33 is configured to energize the release actuator 59 in response to an ON signal of the handle switch 34.
[0031]
Further, the other end 60 b of the output arm 60 is linked to the front outside handle 27 of the swing door 12 via a rod and the remote controller 24 described above. When the front outside handle 27 is operated, the operating force is mechanically transmitted to the output arm 60.
[0032]
Here, the operation of the center lock 40 will be briefly described. When the swing door 12 or the slide door 14 is open with respect to the vehicle body 10a, when the doors 12 and 14 are closed with respect to the vehicle body 10a, the courtesy switches 19 and 29 are closed. Is detected and a signal is transmitted to the ECU 33. In response to the signal, the ECU 33 energizes the close actuator 50. As a result, the output arm 51 rotates in the U direction shown in FIG. By this rotation, the rod 54 is pulled downward in FIG. As a result, the latch lever 55 rotates about the shaft 45 in the X direction in the figure, and the latch 41 is also rotated in the X direction via the connecting pin 56. In this case, when the latch switch 57 detects that the latch 41 has rotated to a predetermined position, the ECU 33 stops energizing the close actuator 50 in response to the detection signal. With the above operation, the latch 41 is locked to the striker 44, and the swing door 12 and the slide door 14 are in a connected (latched) state. For this reason, even if the vehicle 10 collides sideways, the swing door 12 and the slide door 14 are hard to separate, and the connection performance at the time of a side collision is high.
[0033]
Since the center lock 40 of the present embodiment is not configured to rotate the latch 41 by directly engaging the latch 41 and the striker 44, the relative positional accuracy of the latch 41 and the striker 44 is more than necessary. Highly not required. That is, the ease of assembly is facilitated by a simple configuration in which the latch 41 is rotated based on the signals of the courtesy switches 19 and 29.
[0034]
When the rear outside handle 32 or the like is operated in a state where the swing door 12 and the slide door 14 are connected, the handle switch 34 in the remote controller 30 is turned on, and an on signal is transmitted to the ECU 33. In response to this signal, the ECU 33 energizes the release actuator 59, and as a result, the output arm 60 operates. Then, one end 60a of the output arm 60 engages with the lift lever 58, and the lift lever 58 rotates about the shaft 46 in the Y direction shown in FIG. As a result, the pole 42 is also rotated in the Y direction shown in FIG. 4 and the contact between the pole 42 and the latch 41 is released. Then, the urging force of the spring 47 is transmitted to the latch 41 via the connecting pin 56, whereby the latch 41 is rotated in the Y direction shown in FIG. With the above operation, the swing door 12 and the slide door 14 are in a disconnected state (unlatched state).
[0035]
Further, when the front outside handle 27 or the like is operated while the swing door 12 and the slide door 14 are connected, the operation torque is mechanically transmitted to the output arm 60 via the remote control 24 or the like. Then, the output arm 60 is actuated. As a result, the latch 41 is rotated in the Y direction shown in FIG. 4 by the same operation as described above, and the swing door 12 and the slide door 14 are in the disconnected state (unlatched state).
[0036]
In the present embodiment, the operation of releasing the engagement of the latch 41 with the striker 44 by the swing door 12 is performed by a mechanical method, so that it can be released even if the electrical system fails.
[0037]
In the present embodiment, the front door of the vehicle 10 is a swing type and the rear door is a slide type, but the front door may be a slide type and the rear door may be a swing type.
[0038]
The handle switch 34 may be operated regardless of whether the slide door 14 is locked or unlocked, or may be operated only when the slide door 14 is unlocked.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when the open / close state detection means detects the closed state of the swing door and the slide door, the latch operating means rotates the latch and engages the latch with the striker, thereby connecting the doors. In other words, for example, the latch and the striker disposed on each door are engaged, and the striker does not have a configuration for connecting the doors (swing door and sliding door) by rotating the latch. It is not necessary to ensure the relative positional accuracy between strikers higher than necessary. That is, the configuration of the connecting device is simple, and its assembling property is also easy.
[0040]
In the present invention, the latch actuating means actuates the latch via the latch lever, and the latch lever and the latch are configured to rotate coaxially. Therefore, the number of parts is small compared to a configuration in which another shaft is provided, and the configuration is simple.
[0041]
In the present invention, the rotor is connected to the other end of the connecting shaft. In other words, since the connecting shaft has a function of rotating the rotor of the latch rotation detecting member, the entire structure is simplified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a vehicle to which a door coupling device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a latch mechanism of the door coupling device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a door connecting device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing structures of a latch and a latch lever of the door coupling device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle 12 Swing door 14 Sliding door 19 Courtesy switch (opening-closing state detection means)
29 Courtesy switch (open / closed state detection means)
40 Center lock (door connecting device)
41 Latch 42 Pole 44 Strike 45 Axis (Rotation Center Axis)
47 Spring (elastic member)
50 Close actuator (Latch actuating means)
55 Latch lever 56 Connection pin (connection shaft)
56a One end 56b The other end 57 Latch switch (rotation position detecting member)
57b Switch lever (rotor)

Claims (2)

While it is disposed in swing door disposed on the vehicle side, the striker and engaging disengaging latch disposed in the sliding door which is arranged at the vehicle front or vehicle rear position of the swing door by rotating When,
When the open / close state detecting means for detecting the open / close state of the swing door and the slide door with respect to the vehicle detects the closed state of the swing door and the slide door, the latch is rotated in one direction to engage with the striker. A door coupling device comprising a latch actuating means,
A latch lever that is pivotally disposed on a pivot center axis of the latch and that rotates the latch when an operation force is input from the latch actuating means ;
A connection shaft having one end fixed to the latch and extending substantially parallel to the rotation center axis;
An elastic member disposed on the connecting shaft and biasing the connecting shaft and the latch in a direction opposite to the one direction;
The door connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the latch lever rotates the latch in the one direction by pressing the connecting shaft from the side opposite to the side biased by the elastic member . A latch rotation position detection member comprising a rotor that is rotatable on the rotation center axis and is coupled to the other end of the connection shaft and that rotates integrally with the connection shaft and the latch. The door coupling device according to claim 1, further comprising:

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