JP4168732B2 - Tailgate door opening prevention mechanism - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tailgate door opening prevention mechanism suitable for use in vehicles such as automobiles, particularly one-box and hatchback type vehicles.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a one-box or hatchback type automobile, a tailgate is provided on the rear side of the vehicle body, and the cargo compartment of the vehicle can be accessed by opening and closing the tailgate door.
Here, a general opening / closing mechanism of the tailgate door will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view thereof, FIG. 6 is a view taken along arrow VA in FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 5, the tailgate door 2 is provided with a door handle 4, and the user lifts the door handle 4 to release the lock between the latch mechanism 6 of the door 2 and the striker 8 on the vehicle body side. It can be done. More specifically, the door handle 4 is pivotally attached to the tailgate door 2, and when the door handle 4 is pulled up, one end portion 4a of the door handle 4 inside the door 2 is counterclockwise in FIG. While rotating in the direction of arrow A), the rod 10 connected to the one end 4a is pushed down in the direction of arrow B.
[0004]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lower end portion of the rod 10 is connected to the release operation plate 12. Here, the release operation plate 12 is attached to the bracket 14 fixed to the inner panel 2a (see FIG. 5) of the tailgate door 2 so as to be able to swing around the point 12a. In response to this, the release operation plate 12 swings. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the tailgate door 2 and the inner panel 2a are omitted.
[0005]
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a release operation lever 16 is disposed on the release operation plate 12. The release operation lever 16 has a rotation center 16a at its upper end, and the rotation center 16a is rotatably attached to a lock plate 18 described later. A long hole 16b is formed below the rotation center 16a, and a claw portion 16c is formed further below the long hole 16b.
[0006]
A projection 12b formed on the release operation plate 12 is inserted through the elongated hole 16b, and the release operation plate 12 is urged in the direction E in the figure between the tip of the projection 12b and the bracket 14. A return spring 20 is provided.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, a main bracket 22 is provided in a portion of the latch mechanism 6 facing the striker 8, and the main bracket 22 has a claw 24 and a pole 26 as shown in FIG. It is pivotally attached. Among these, the claw 24 is formed with an engaging groove 24 a that engages with the striker 8, and step portions 24 b and 24 c that can come into contact with the pole 26 are formed at portions facing the pole 26. Further, a return spring (not shown) that urges the claw 24 counterclockwise in FIG. 6 (in the direction of the arrow S1) is provided between the main bracket 22 and the claw 24.
[0007]
Further, the pole 26 is opposed to a rotation restricting portion 26 a that abuts one of the two step portions 24 b and 24 c formed on the claw 24 to restrict the rotation of the claw 24, and a claw portion 16 c of the release operation lever 16. The arm part 26b formed in the position to be formed is formed. Further, a return spring (not shown) that biases the pole 26 clockwise (in the direction of arrow S2) in FIG. 6 is provided between the main bracket 22 and the pole 26.
[0008]
Therefore, when the door handle 4 is pulled up and the rod 10 is pushed down in the direction of the arrow B, the release operation plate 12 swings around the point 12a, and the protrusion 12b of the release operation plate 12 acts as a biasing force of the return spring 20. Against this, it moves to the right in FIG. As a result, the release operation lever 16 engaged with the protrusion 12b swings around the point 16a, the claw portion 16c moves in the right direction in FIG. 7 (left direction in FIG. 6), and the claw portion 16c becomes the pole. It abuts on the arm part 26b of 26.
[0009]
As shown in FIG. 6, when the operating force is transmitted from the release operation lever 16 to the pole 26 and the pole 26 rotates counterclockwise, the rotation of the first step 24b of the claw 24 and the pole 26 until then is performed. The engagement state with the restricting portion 26a is released, and the claw 24 rotates counterclockwise by the biasing force of a return spring (not shown).
At this time, if the door handle 4 is sufficiently lifted, the amount of movement (or the amount of rotation) of the rod 10, the release operation plate 12, the release operation lever 16, and the pole 26 also increases. The claw 24 rotates greatly without the portion 26a and the second step portion 24c of the claw 24 engaging. As a result, the striker 8 is disengaged from the engagement groove 24a, and the tailgate door 2 is opened as shown in FIG.
[0010]
When the operation amount of the door handle 4 is not sufficient, the rotation restricting portion 26a is engaged with the second step portion 24c, and the rotation of the claw 24 is restricted. In this case, although the door handle 4 is operated, the engagement between the claw 24 and the striker 8 is not completely released, and a so-called half latch state (half door state) is established.
On the other hand, when the tailgate door 2 is closed from the door open state shown in FIG. 8, the striker 8 enters the engagement groove 24a of the claw 24, and the contact between the engagement groove 24a and the striker 8 is input to the claw 24. A moment acts, and the claw 24 rotates clockwise (in the direction of arrow S1 ′) in FIG. 6 against the urging force of a return spring (not shown). At this time, the pole 26 is also urged clockwise (in the direction of the arrow S2) by a return spring (not shown), and the pole 26 is in sliding contact with the outer periphery of the claw 24. When the door 2 is in a fully closed position, the rotation restricting portion 26a engages with the first step portion 24b of the claw 24 to restrict the rotation of the claw 24 in the door opening direction. .
[0011]
Incidentally, reference numerals 28 and 30 in FIG. 5 denote a key cylinder and a locking actuator, respectively. Both the key cylinder 28 and the actuator 30 are attached to the lock plate 18 via a locking rod 34 as shown in FIG. It is connected. The lock plate 18 is supported by the bracket 14 so as to be swingable at a point 18a. When the key lock is executed by the key cylinder or the actuator, the rod 34 moves in the direction C in FIG. It rotates counterclockwise (arrow D direction).
[0012]
Further, as described above, the lock plate 18 and the release operation lever 16 are connected so as to be relatively rotatable. When the lock plate 18 rotates in the direction of arrow D, the release operation lever 16 is pulled up to engage the claw portion 16c. The contact with the arm portion 26 of the pole 26 is avoided. Therefore, even when the door handle 4 is operated when the key is locked, the claw portion 16c of the release operation lever 16 is swung, and the locked state of the striker is maintained without the pole 26 and the claw 24 rotating. Yes.
[0013]
In addition, the opening / closing mechanism of the tailgate door as described above is a general one. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the same configuration as described above.
[0014]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-138743
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional tailgate door opening / closing mechanism, there is a possibility that the engagement between the latch mechanism 6 and the striker 8 is released and the tailgate door is opened at the time of a collision from the rear. For example, a rear collision occurs, and a load as indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 5 is input, whereby the tailgate door 2 is crushed and the connection point 4a between the door handle 4 and the rod 10 moves downward. Then, the distance between the door handle 4 and the latch mechanism 6 decreases. When the difference between the reduced distance and the total length of the rod 10 exceeds the latch unlocking stroke (the stroke of the rod 10 for unlocking the latch mechanism 6), the latch mechanism 6 is disengaged. It is.
[0016]
More specifically, when the load indicated by the white arrow is input, the door handle 4 moves to the indoor side (forward), and the distance between the door handle 4 and the latch mechanism 6 is shortened. However, since the length of the rod 10 does not change, the rod 10 operates to release the latch mechanism 6, and when the amount of movement of the rod 10 exceeds the latch unlocking stroke, the latch mechanism 6 and the striker 8 are engaged. It will be released.
[0017]
The present invention was devised in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tailgate door opening prevention mechanism that can reliably prevent the tailgate door from being opened during a rear-end collision or the like. .
[0020]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
For this reason, the opening prevention mechanism for the tailgate door according to claim 1 includes a door main body provided to be able to open and close a rear opening of the vehicle, and a latch mechanism provided to the door main body and capable of engaging with a striker of the vehicle. An operating handle provided on the door body for releasing the engagement of the latch mechanism, the latch mechanism engaging the striker, and engaging the engagement member with the striker. In a tailgate door opening prevention mechanism having an engagement release member to be released and a release operation lever that operates the engagement release member in conjunction with the operation handle, the release operation is performed when the door body is deformed. engage simultaneously for the lever and the engagement releasing member is characterized by restriction member to inhibit any operation of the releasing lever and the engagement releasing member is provided.
[0022]
Also, the opening prevention mechanism of the tailgate door according to claim 2, wherein, in the structure of the first aspect Symbol mounting, the regulating member is provided substantially along the inner surface of the outer panel of the door body with a predetermined gap It is characterized by having a curved surface.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the restricting member engages with the disengagement member when the door body is deformed. It has the 1st engaging part and the 2nd engaging part engaged with a cancellation | release operation lever, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of the tailgate door according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow V1, FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow V2, and FIG. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to members overlapping with the above-described conventional technology, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in the present embodiment, an opening prevention bracket (regulation member) 40 for the tailgate door (door body) 2 is added to the conventional configuration. The bracket 40 is released by engaging the release operation lever 16 and the pole (disengagement member) 26 when a load is input from the rear due to a rear impact or the like and the tailgate door 2 is deformed. The operation of the operation lever 16 and the pole 26 is hindered to prevent the tailgate door 2 from being opened.
[0025]
As shown in the figure, the bracket 40 has a base portion 42, a receiving portion 44, a main body 46, and a restricting portion 48. As shown in FIG. 1, the inner panel (or latch phosphorus hose) 2a of the tailgate door 2 is provided. The base 42 is welded to the base.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the receiving portion 44 is formed as a surface having a substantially constant distance from the outer panel 2b of the tailgate door 2 and along the outer panel 2b. And as shown in FIG. 3, the main body 46 and the control part 48 are formed toward the front from this receiving part 44. As shown in FIG. In addition, the space | interval of said receiving part 44 and the outer panel 2b is set to the slight dimension (for example, about several mm).
[0026]
Further, the restricting portion 48 is formed so as to be positioned in the vicinity of the claw portion 16c of the release operation lever 16 and the arm portion 26b of the pole 26 in the latch mechanism 6, and is formed so as not to interfere with the latch mechanism 6 at normal times. ing. Therefore, during normal use, the latch mechanism 6 is operated in accordance with the lifting operation of the door handle (operation handle) 4 as in the prior art, so that the tailgate door 2 can be opened and closed.
[0027]
On the other hand, when an impact force is applied from behind the tailgate door 2 due to a collision or the like, the outer panel 2b of the door 2 is received by the receiving portion 44 of the bracket 40 in the process of deforming the tailgate door 2 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The entire bracket 40 is pushed forward and deformed.
As a result, the restricting portion 48 enters the latch mechanism 6 and engages with the claw portion 16c of the release operation lever 16 and the arm portion 26b of the pole 26, and the release operation lever 16 and the pole 26 in the latch release direction. The operation is regulated.
[0028]
Here, the regulation part 48 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the regulation part 48 is formed in a wedge shape (wedge shape) with an acute front. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the restricting portion 48 is formed on the front end side and bent downward so that the restricting portion 48 is more than the first engaging portion 48a. And a second engaging portion 48 b formed continuously from the main body 46, and when the bracket 40 is deformed, the first engaging portion 46 a is the arm portion 26 b of the pole 26. The second engaging portion 46 b is engaged with the claw portion 16 c of the release operation lever 16.
[0029]
Since the tailgate door opening prevention mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above, when the door handle 4 is lifted during normal operation, the latch mechanism 6 is provided in the same manner as described in the prior art. The door 2 can be opened.
On the other hand, when the tailgate door 2 is crushed by a rear impact or the like and the distance between the door handle 4 and the latch mechanism 6 is limited, the length of the rod 10 does not change, so the rod 10 releases the latch mechanism 6. As a result, the release operation lever 16 and the pole 26 try to operate as in the case where the door handle 4 is lifted. At this time, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4, with the deformation of the tailgate door 2, the outer panel 2 b of the door 2 comes into contact with the receiving portion 44 of the bracket 40 and the entire bracket 40 is pushed forward. Thereby, the restricting portion 48 enters the inside of the latch mechanism 6, and the restricting portion 48 is engaged with the claw portion 16 c of the release operation lever 16 and the arm portion 26 b of the pole 26.
[0030]
Therefore, even when the rod 10 moves downward in the case of a rear collision or the like, the restricting portion 48 of the bracket 40 is engaged with the release operation lever 16 and the pole 26, so that the release operation lever 16 and the pole 26 are engaged. Can be prevented and the latch mechanism 6 and the striker 8 can be prevented from being disengaged.
In particular, in the present embodiment, the first engaging portion 48a of the restricting portion 48 is engaged with the arm portion 26b of the pole 26, and the second engaging portion 48b is engaged with the claw portion 16c of the release operation lever 16. Therefore, the operations of both the release operation lever 16 and the pole 26 are reliably restricted, and the safety of preventing the door 2 from being opened can be doubled.
[0031]
Further, the receiving portion 44 of the bracket 40 is formed on a surface having a substantially constant distance from the outer panel 2b of the tailgate door 2 so as to follow the outer panel 2b. Since the bracket 40 is deformed forward and the restricting portion 48 can be engaged with the release operation lever 16 and the pole 26, the outer panel 2b and the bracket 40 are not in contact with each other in a normal state. It is possible to avoid a situation in which both members are slid in contact with each other due to vibrations and abnormal noise is generated. Furthermore, by forming the restricting portion 48 in a wedge shape, the restricting portion 48 surely enters the latch mechanism 6 at the time of a rear collision, and the operation of the release operation lever 16 and the pole 26 can be restricted.
[0032]
Further, by welding the base portion 42 of the bracket 40 to the latching hose 2a, an error in the relative mounting dimension between the bracket 40 and the latch mechanism 6 can be minimized. Therefore, also from such a viewpoint, when the bracket 40 is deformed, the restricting portion 48 can be engaged with the release operation lever 16 and the pole 26, and safety can be improved.
[0033]
In addition, the present invention has an advantage that almost no increase in cost and weight is caused because it is only necessary to add the bracket 40 as described above to the prior art.
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the bracket 40 is configured to be engaged with both the release operation lever 16 and the pole 26 at the time of a rear collision or the like has been described. The pole 26 may be configured to engage with at least one member. Further, by engaging with any member (for example, the claw 24 as the engaging member) constituting the latch mechanism 6 other than the release operation lever 16 or the pole 26, the release of the latch mechanism 6 may be restricted. Good.
[0034]
Further, the tailgate door 2 described above may be a so-called flip-up type door in which the rotation support shaft of the door is present in the horizontal direction, or a so-called lateral in which the rotation support shaft of the door is present in the vertical direction. It may be an open door.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the tailgate door opening prevention mechanism of the present invention, when the door body is deformed, a release operation lever and / or a disengagement member or a bracket that engages the latch mechanism is provided. With a simple configuration, there is an advantage that the tailgate door can be reliably prevented from opening at the time of a rear collision without causing an increase in cost and weight, and the safety of the vehicle can be greatly improved. .
[0036]
In addition, by forming a surface on the bracket that has a predetermined gap between the inner surface of the outer panel and approximately along the inner surface of the outer panel, the bracket can be reliably released at the time of a rear collision or the like. There is an advantage that the safety of the vehicle can be further enhanced by being able to be engaged with the release member or the latch mechanism.
In particular, since the restricting member engages with the disengagement member and the release operation lever at the same time, the operations of both the disengagement member and the release operation lever are simultaneously and reliably restricted to prevent the door from opening. Sex can be doubled. In other words, at the two locations of the latch mechanism, the operation of the two different members that release the engagement of the latch mechanism is inhibited at the same time. It can be surely prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a tailgate door opening prevention mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of a tailgate door opening prevention mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view taken in the direction of arrow V1 in FIG.
3 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of a tailgate door opening prevention mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view taken in the direction of arrow V2 in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the tailgate door opening prevention mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a general tailgate door opening / closing mechanism.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a general tailgate door opening / closing mechanism.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a general tailgate door opening / closing mechanism.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a general tailgate door opening / closing mechanism.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Tailgate door (door body)
4-door handle (control handle)
6 Latch mechanism 8 Striker 24 Claw (engaging member)
26 Pole (disengagement member)
16 Release operation lever 40 Bracket (regulating member)
44 Reception part (surface)

Claims (3)

A door body provided to be able to open and close the rear opening of the vehicle;
A latch mechanism provided on the door body and engageable with a striker of the vehicle;
An operation handle provided on the door body for releasing the engagement of the latch mechanism;
The latch mechanism operates an engagement member that engages with the striker, an engagement release member that releases engagement between the engagement member and the striker, and the engagement release member in conjunction with the operation handle. In the tailgate door opening prevention mechanism having a release operation lever
When deformed into the door body occurs regulating member both the operation of the releasing lever and the engagement release member engages simultaneously inhibit relative to the releasing lever and the engagement releasing member is provided A mechanism for preventing the tailgate door from opening. The prevention of opening of the tailgate door according to claim 1 , wherein the regulating member has a surface provided along the inner surface of the outer panel of the door body with a predetermined gap. mechanism. The restriction member has a first engagement portion that engages with the engagement release member and a second engagement portion that engages with the release operation lever when the door body is deformed.
The tailgate door opening prevention mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tailgate door opening prevention mechanism is provided.

Images