JP7573504B2 - Connection mechanism and door drive device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connection mechanism and a door drive device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a drive device that drives the back door of a vehicle. The device in Patent Document 1 includes a ball and socket joint that is connected to a mounting member provided at the rear of the vehicle. The ball and socket joint includes a spherical ball portion, a shaft that is connected to the ball portion, a flange provided around the shaft, and a housing into which the ball portion fits.

The ball portion is rotatably fitted into a recess formed in the housing. The flange also serves to limit the angle of the shaft relative to the outer circumferential surface of the flange from exceeding a predetermined value as the shaft swings.

Patent No. 6242355

However, in the device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the inclination of the housing relative to the shaft increases and the flange comes into contact with the housing, a force acts on the housing that causes the housing to incline even more, causing the recess formed in the housing to rotate relative to the ball portion connected to the shaft, with the contact point between the flange and the housing as a fulcrum. At this time, the contact point between the flange and the housing slides on the housing, and when the position of the contact point moves along the surface of the housing, the housing moves in a direction that causes it to come out of the ball portion. For this reason, there is a demand to prevent the housing from coming out of the ball portion even when the inclination of the housing relative to the shaft increases.

The object of the present invention is to provide a connection mechanism and door drive device that can prevent the ball portion from coming out of the housing.

The connection mechanism of the present invention comprises a spherical ball portion, a shaft connected to the ball portion, a flange provided at a position a certain distance from the ball portion of the shaft, a housing having a recess into which the ball portion fits, and an annular groove portion formed in the housing to surround the opening of the recess and support the radially outer surface of the flange.
Another connection mechanism of the present invention comprises a spherical ball portion, a shaft connected to the ball portion, a flange provided at a position a certain distance from the ball portion of the shaft, a housing having a recess into which the ball portion fits, and a protrusion provided around the recess and supporting the radially outer surface of the flange, wherein the recess has an opening larger than the diameter of the ball portion, and the protrusion has a portion extending in a direction approximately parallel to the extension direction of an axis passing through the center of the recess, and when the flange moves in a direction away from the axis on an imaginary plane perpendicular to the extension direction of the axis passing through the center of the recess, the radially outer surface of the flange is supported by the portion.

The door drive device of the present invention is equipped with the above-mentioned connection mechanism.

The present invention provides a connection mechanism and door drive device that can prevent the ball portion from coming out of the housing.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle 100 to which a door driving device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle 100 to which a door driving device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mounting member 50 and a connection mechanism 40. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mounting member 50 and a connection mechanism 40. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connection mechanism 40; Cross-sectional view of the connection mechanism 40 FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the groove portion 42a2. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a connection mechanism 40A according to a comparative example; 1 is a cross-sectional view of a connection mechanism 40A according to a comparative example; FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the connection mechanism 40.

The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle 100 to which a door driving device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and Figure 2 is a side view of the vehicle 100 to which a door driving device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

(Vehicle 100)
The vehicle 100 includes a door 1 that opens or closes an opening formed in the rear of the vehicle 100, and one or more door drive devices 10 that drive the door 1. The open state is a state in which the opening of the vehicle 100 is opened by the door 1, and luggage and the like can be loaded and unloaded from the vehicle 100 through the opening. The closed state is a state in which the opening of the vehicle 100 is closed by the door 1.

(Door 1)
The door 1 is, for example, a tailgate of the vehicle 100. Note that the door 1 is not limited to the tailgate of the vehicle 100, and may be a front hood for the vehicle 100, a flip-up door for getting in and out, or the like. The door 1 is rotatably attached to the vehicle body 101 via a hinge (not shown).

(Door driving device 10)
The door drive device 10 includes a motor that is driven by a door drive control device (not shown), and drives the door 1 by converting the rotational motion of the motor into linear motion.

As shown in FIG. 2, the door drive device 10 includes a cylindrical drive body 20, a moving part 30 housed in the drive body 20 and moving forward and backward in the extension direction of the drive body 20, and a connection mechanism 40 provided on each of the drive body 20 and the moving part 30.

(Connection mechanism 40)
The connection mechanism 40 is a ball joint that rotatably connects the drive main body 20 to the vehicle body 101 and rotatably connects the advance/retract part 30 to the door 1. The connection mechanism 40 is connected to the vehicle body 101 or an edge of the door 1 via an attachment member 50.

Next, referring to Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, and 4A, an example of the configuration of the mounting member 50 and the connection mechanism 40 will be described. Figures 3A and 3B are perspective views of the mounting member 50 and the connection mechanism 40, Figure 3C is a perspective view of the connection mechanism 40, and Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view of the connection mechanism 40. Note that in this embodiment, a case will be described in which the housing 42 is fixed to the mounting member 50 and the ball stud 41 is supported so as to be rotatable while sliding relative to the housing 42, but this embodiment also includes a case in which the ball stud 41 is fixed to the mounting member 50 and the housing 42 is supported so as to be rotatable while sliding relative to the ball stud 41.

The connection mechanism 40 includes a ball stud 41 and a housing 42 that is connected to the drive body 20 and the advance/retract unit 30 shown in FIG. 2. The connection mechanism 40 is an example of a ball joint. In the connection mechanism 40, the ball stud 41 is fitted into a socket 42a of the housing 42, so that the ball stud 41 is supported rotatably while sliding on the housing 42.

The ball stud 41 comprises a shaft 41a fixed to the mounting member 50, a fixing member 41b that fixes the shaft 41a to the mounting member 50, a spherical ball portion 41c provided at the end of the shaft 41a opposite the fixing member 41b side, and a flange 41d provided on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft 41a.

The mounting member 50 is a member made by processing a highly rigid metal plate into an L-shape. The mounting member 50 has a first fixing part 51 that is fixed to the vehicle body 101 or the door 1 shown in FIG. 1, and a second fixing part 52 to which the connection mechanism 40 is fixed.

The first fixing portion 51 has a plurality of holes 51a. Screws (not shown) are inserted into these holes 51a, and the mounting member 50 is screwed to the vehicle body 101 or the door 1.

(Shaft 41a)
The shaft 41a shown in Fig. 3A is a member made by processing a highly rigid metal into a columnar shape. A ball portion 41c is connected to a first end portion 41a1 of the shaft 41a. A fixing member 41b is connected to a second end portion 41a2 of the shaft 41a on the opposite side to the first end portion 41a1.

(Fixing member 41b)
The fixing member 41b fixes the shaft 41a to the mounting member 50. The fixing member 41b is a crimped portion of the second end 41a2 of the shaft 41a inserted into a hole (not shown) formed in the second fixing portion 52 of the mounting member 50. Note that the method of fixing the shaft 41a to the mounting member 50 is not limited to crimping, and may be, for example, screwing, welding, or the like.

(Ball portion 41c)
4A is connected to the first end 41a1 of the shaft 41a. The diameter of the ball portion 41c is larger than the diameter of the shaft 41a and is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the wall surface that defines the recess 42a1 of the socket 42a.

(Flange 41d)
The flange 41d is a member that comes into contact with the groove 42a2 of the housing 42 to limit, within a certain range, the angle of the shaft 41a with respect to the vertical direction of the upper surface 42b of the housing 42. The groove 42a2 will be described in detail later.

The flange 41d is formed in an annular shape so as to surround the outer circumferential surface of the shaft 41a.
The flange 41d is provided at a position spaced a certain distance from the ball portion 41c, for example, at an intermediate portion between the first end 41a1 and the second end 41a2 of the shaft 41a.

The shaft 41a, ball portion 41c, and flange 41d may be manufactured as a single unit by die-casting, cutting, or the like, or may be manufactured separately and then joined by welding or the like.

(Housing 42)
The housing 42 includes a socket 42a into which the ball stud 41 fits, a clip 42d, and a connection portion 42e that connects the connection mechanism 40 to the drive main body 20 or the advance/retract portion 30 shown in FIG.

(Socket 42a)
The socket 42a has a recess 42a1 into which the ball portion 41c fits, and a groove 42a2.

(Recess 42a1)
The recess 42a1 is a depression shaped to be rotatably fitted with the ball portion 41c by sliding of the housing 42. The wall surface forming the recess 42a1 is curved in the same manner as the outer circumferential surface of the ball portion 41c, and the inner diameter of the recess 42a1 is approximately equal to the diameter of the ball portion 41c.

(Clip 42d)
The clip 42d is a U-shaped elastic member that holds the ball portion 41c fitted in the recess 42a1. By providing the clip 42d, it is possible to prevent the ball portion 41c fitted in the recess 42a1 from coming out of the housing 42 in a direction parallel to the axis passing through the center of the recess 42a1 from the outside of the housing 42.

The bending strength of the clip 42d is, for example, 700N to 800N. The compressive strength of the housing 42 is, for example, 5000N to 6000N.

In addition, the connection mechanism 40 according to this embodiment is equipped with a U-shaped clip 42d, but instead of the clip 42d, a mechanism for preventing the ball portion 41c from coming out of the housing 42 may be provided.

(Groove portion 42a2)
The groove 42a2 is an annular groove surrounding the opening (entrance portion) of the recess 42a1. The groove 42a2 supports the outer peripheral surface of the flange 41d. Specifically, an axial end surface 41d2 in the extension direction of the shaft 41a contacts the bottom surface 2 (see FIG. 3C) of the groove 42a2. A radial outer surface 41d1 in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the shaft 41a contacts the side surface 3 (see FIG. 3C) of the groove 42a2. The groove 42a2 can increase the swingable angle of the shaft 41a.

(Side surface 3 of groove portion 42a2)
The side surface 3 of the groove portion 42a2 is a wall that is provided perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the bottom surface 2 and prevents the flange 41d from sliding along the top surface 42b of the housing 42. The side surface 3 of the groove portion 42a2 is a support surface that has a shape that matches the shape of the radial outer surface 41d1 of the flange 41d, and the radial outer surface 41d1 of the flange 41d is supported by the support surface.

(Gap 4)
Even when the radial outer surface 41d1 of the flange 41d is in contact with the groove 42a2, a gap 4 is formed between the shaft 41a and the wall surface that defines the opening of the recess 42a1 (see FIG. 4A). As a result, when the ball stud 41 rotates counterclockwise relative to the housing 42, the radial outer surface 41d1 of the flange 41d comes into contact with the side surface 3 of the groove 42a2 while the shaft 41a is not in contact with the wall surface of the recess 42a1.

(Effect of the groove portion 42a2)
The effect of the groove 42a2 will be described with reference to Fig. 4B. Fig. 4B is a diagram for explaining the effect of the groove 42a2.

As described above, when the ball stud 41 rotates counterclockwise relative to the housing 42, the angle of the shaft 41a relative to the vertical direction of the upper surface 42b of the housing 42 increases, and the flange 41d comes into contact with the groove portion 42a2.

In this state, with the fulcrum P1 being the contact point between the flange 41d and the groove 42a2 and the point of application P2 being the contact point between the ball portion 41c and the wall surface of the recess 42a1, when a force F1 acts on the shaft 41a at a force point P3 located a certain distance away from the fulcrum P1, such that the angle of the shaft 41a relative to the top surface 42b of the housing 42 further increases, a rotational force F2 centered on the fulcrum P1 acts on the ball portion 41c. The rotational force F2 is a force that acts on the housing 42 and the ball portion 41c as the ball stud 41 tries to rotate counterclockwise relative to the top surface 42b of the housing 42.

At this time, the housing 42 receives a vector in the opposite direction to direction D1, causing the ball portion 41c to try to come out of the housing 42 in direction D1. Direction D1 is the direction in which the ball portion 41c comes out of the housing 42, and is equal to the extension direction of the axis that passes through the center of the recess 42a1. As a result, a force that slides in direction D2 acts on the flange 41d at the application point P2. Direction D2 is the direction away from the axis on an imaginary plane perpendicular to the axis that passes through the center of the recess 42a1.

However, because the radial outer surface 41d1 of the flange 41d is supported by the groove 42a2, the flange 41d can be prevented from moving in the direction D2. As a result, the position of the contact point (fulcrum P1) between the flange 41d and the groove 42a2 does not change, and the surface of the ball portion 41c is pressed strongly against the wall surface of the recess 42a1 at the point of application P2, suppressing the movement of the ball portion 41c in the direction D1.

In this way, the flange 41d is supported by the groove portion 42a2, which prevents the shaft 41a from moving relative to the flange 41d, thereby preventing the ball portion 41c from coming out of the housing 42.

In addition, by suppressing the movement of the ball portion 41c in the direction D1, the increase in bending stress occurring in the clip 42d can be suppressed. This prevents the clip 42d from undergoing plastic deformation. In addition, the life of the clip 42d can be extended, so the maintenance costs of the connection mechanism 40 can be significantly reduced.

In addition, since the strength of the housing 42 is greater than the strength of the clip 42d, there is no need to worry about the housing 42 undergoing plastic deformation even if the ball portion 41c is pressed strongly against the wall surface of the recess 42a1 at the point of application P2.

Figures 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of a connection mechanism 40A according to a comparative example. In the connection mechanism 40A according to the comparative example, the upper surface 42b of the housing 42 is formed flat, and does not have the groove portion 42a2 shown in Figure 4A.

In the connection mechanism 40A, when the ball stud 41 rotates counterclockwise relative to the housing 42, the flange 41d comes into contact with the upper surface 42b of the housing 42. In this state, when a force F1 that further increases the angle of the shaft 41a acts on the force point P3, a rotational force F2 about the fulcrum P1 acts on the ball portion 41c.

At this time, the ball portion 41c tries to escape in the direction D1, and the surface of the ball portion 41c slides along the wall of the recess 42a1, changing the position of the point of action P2. This is because the flange 41d, which is not supported by the housing 42, moves along the upper surface 42b of the housing 42, causing the ball stud 41 to float up from the bottom surface of the recess 42a1.

In this way, when the force F1 acts to lift the ball stud 41 from the recess 42a1, the bending stress generated in the clip 42d increases, and the burden on the clip 42d becomes greater. As a result, if the clip 42d deforms and can no longer hold the ball portion 41c, the ball portion 41c may come out of the housing 42.

The connection mechanism 40 shown in FIG. 4A includes a groove portion 42a2, which is an example of a support portion that supports the radial outer surface 41d1 of the flange 41d, but may be configured as follows. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the connection mechanism 40.

(Protrusion 43)
The connection mechanism 40-1 according to the modified example includes a protrusion 43 that protrudes from the upper surface 42b of the socket 42a and supports a radially outer side surface 41d1 of the flange 41d. The protrusion 43 is an example of a support portion of the present disclosure.

The protrusion 43 is a member formed in a ring shape so as to surround the recess 42a1. The height of the protrusion 43 is, for example, greater than the height (thickness) of the ring-shaped flange 41d in the central axial direction. The protrusion 43 and the housing 42 may be integrally manufactured by die-cast molding, cutting processing, or the like, or may be manufactured separately and then joined by welding or the like.

Note that the protrusion 43 is not limited to a member formed in a ring shape, but may be composed of multiple protrusions arranged in a ring shape at a predetermined distance apart.

In this way, the connection mechanism 40-1 according to the modified example can achieve the above-mentioned effects by including the protrusion 43. In addition, since the protrusion 43 can be retrofitted to the existing housing 42, a support structure for the flange 41d can be provided without machining the housing 42.

The support portion of the present disclosure may be a combination of the groove portion 42a2 and the protrusion portion 43. By combining the groove portion 42a2 and the protrusion portion 43, the stress received from the flange 41d is distributed to the groove portion 42a2 and the protrusion portion 43. Therefore, even if a force F1 is applied that further increases the angle of the shaft 41a, deformation of the protrusion portion 43 or the groove portion 42a2 is suppressed, and the durability of the connection mechanism 40 and the connection mechanism 40-1 can be increased.

In this embodiment, the connection mechanism 40 and the connection mechanism 40-1 are applied to the door 1, but the connection mechanism 40 and the connection mechanism 40-1 can also be applied to steering, suspension, and other devices other than the door 1.

It is understood that the following aspects, for example, also fall within the technical scope of this disclosure:

(1) The connection mechanism of the present disclosure includes a spherical ball portion, a shaft connected to the ball portion, a flange provided at a position on the shaft at a fixed distance from the ball portion, a socket having a recess into which the ball portion fits, and a support portion provided around the recess and supporting the radially outer surface of the flange.

(2) The support portion has a support surface that matches the shape of the radially outer surface, and supports the radially outer surface with the support surface.

(3) The support portion further includes a protrusion that is disposed adjacent to the support surface, protrudes from the surface of the socket, and supports the radially outer surface.

(4) The support portion further includes a protrusion that protrudes from the surface of the socket and supports the radially outer surface.

(5) The support portion has a support surface that is disposed adjacent to the protrusion and has a shape that matches the shape of the radially outer surface, and supports the radially outer surface with the support surface.

(6) The portion of the shaft between the ball portion and the flange is away from the surface of the socket.

(7) The door drive device of the present disclosure is equipped with the above-mentioned connection mechanism.

The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims, such as equivalents.

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the above description is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the description of the configuration of the device and the shape of each part is one example, and it is clear that various modifications and additions to these examples are possible within the scope of the present invention.

The connection mechanism and door drive device of the present invention are useful as a structure that can prevent the ball portion from coming out of the housing.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Door 2 Bottom surface 3 Side surface 4 Gap 10 Door drive device 20 Drive main body 30 Advance/retreat portion 40 Connection mechanism 40-1 Connection mechanism 40A Connection mechanism 41 Ball stud 41a Shaft 41a1 First end 41a2 Second end 41b Fixing member 41c Ball portion 41d Flange 41d1 Radial outer surface 41d2 Axial end surface 42 Housing 42a Socket 42a1 Recess 42a2 Groove 42b Top surface 42d Clip 42e Connection portion 43 Projection 50 Mounting member 51 First fixing portion 51a Hole 52 Second fixing portion 100 Vehicle 101 Vehicle main body D1 Direction D2 Direction F1 Force F2 Rotational force P1 Support P2 Point of action P3 Emphasis

Claims (7)

A spherical ball portion;
A shaft connected to the ball portion;
a flange provided at a position spaced a given distance from the ball portion of the shaft;
a housing having a recess into which the ball portion fits;
a ring-shaped groove formed in the housing to surround an opening of the recess and supporting a radially outer surface of the flange. The connection mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the groove has a support surface whose shape matches the shape of the radially outer surface when the shaft oscillates, and the support surface supports the radially outer surface. The connection mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the shaft, the ball portion, and the flange are integral. The housing further includes a protrusion protruding from a surface thereof and supporting the radially outer surface.
The connection mechanism of claim 1 . a portion of the shaft between the ball and the flange is spaced from a surface of the housing;
A connection mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A spherical ball portion;
A shaft connected to the ball portion;
a flange provided at a position spaced a given distance from the ball portion of the shaft;
a housing having a recess into which the ball portion fits;
a protrusion provided around the recess and supporting a radially outer surface of the flange,
The recess has an opening larger than a diameter of the ball portion,
the protrusion has a portion extending in a direction substantially parallel to an axis passing through a center of the recess,
A connection mechanism in which, on an imaginary plane perpendicular to the extension direction of an axis passing through the center of the recess, when the flange moves in a direction away from the axis, the radially outer surface of the flange is supported by the portion. The connection mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Door drive.

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