KR100830620B1 - Apparatus and method for providing a modular sliding door mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The sliding door modular drive assembly 24 includes a guide track in which a hinge 28 is slidably received therein; A pair of pulleys (48, 50) arranged at both ends of the guide track; The motor drive unit includes a pair of cables 38 each having one end coupled to the hinge and the other end coupled to the cable drum 40 of the motor drive unit 42, And the cable drum can be freely rotated within the motor drive when the motor drive unit does not rotate the cable drum and when one of the cables is wound on the cable drum while one of the cables is unwound from the cable drum Rotation of the cable drum causes movement of the hinge assembly within the guide track.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a modular drive assembly for a sliding door,

The present invention relates to a vehicle door, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for providing a modular sliding door mechanism.

An ordinary automobile is manufactured to have a plurality of openable doors. Each door is generally coupled to a hinge provided within the door opening. Some large cars have a sliding door that slides from the closing point to the opening point, allowing the vehicle to exit without a large open space beside the vehicle for door rotation. This is particularly useful in a car park where the space between vehicles is not wide enough to allow full rotation of the open door. These sliding doors also allow the vehicle to have a large door opening.

Thus, the sliding doors provide access to the large door opening without the need for large space near the vehicle required for the door rotating about the hinge. In one aspect, the power sliding door is supported and guided by the top track, the middle track, and the bottom track. The upper roller is mounted on the power sliding door and transported in the upper track. The lower roller is mounted on the lower end of the sliding door and moves or traverses in the lower track. The hinge-roller assembly is mounted to the rear of the door (e.g., on the rear side of the vehicle) between the top and bottom of the door. The hinge-roller assembly is provided in the track to permit sliding or movement of the door.

In addition to the use of sliding doors of a vehicle, a power drive system has been implemented in which a sliding door is automatically opened, closed, locked, and opened through a drive system coupled to the sliding door. Recently, some of the sliding doors have been transported through holes in the sheet metal in front and rear of the stop roller hinge (e.g., a hinge coupled to the door stop with respect to the upper and lower ends of the door). While mounted on the vehicle, the cables are routed separately through holes in the seat metal (e.g., between the inner and outer surfaces of the vehicle body) into the interior of the vehicle housing, and the pulleys of the power sliding door transfer unit Are wrapped around. Such systems are complex, non-standardized, and inconvenient to install. Cables are also required that are wired and tensioned through the vehicle, system, and coupled to the hinge while the system is assembled to the vehicle (e.g., in an assembly line).

The output of the drive unit, which is essential for sealing the door with the front cable mounted to the stop roller hinge, is greater than the door sealing force (e.g., the actual sealing force applied normally from the outside of the door to the surface of the door or inside the vehicle). The above-mentioned sealing force refers to an essential force for closing the door when the door is disposed above or near the door opening where the door is provided. The above-mentioned difference in required sealing force is typically due to the inefficiency of force transmission from the cable to the door through the stop roller hinge / roller track / door middle.

In addition, non-standardized power drive systems include a number of configurations that must be installed together in an assembly line. Thus, non-standardized drive systems in combination with many power sliding doors require significant work for installation in a crowded line, such that a number of separate configurations must be installed and tested during the vehicle assembly process. In addition, such systems affect the actual space available inside the vehicle. These systems also utilize available package space, such as inside the door and the rear portion of the vehicle.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a power drive system for a vehicle sliding door that is effective in transmitting force to a sliding door and is easy to install. It is also desirable to provide a system that does not occupy a large amount of space inside the vehicle.

The present invention relates to a guide track comprising a hinge assembly provided to be slidable;

A pair of guide pulleys provided at both ends of the guide track and positioned inside the guide track so as to be adjacent to the conveyance path of the hinge assembly set by the door close limit point and the door open limit point; And

A pair of cables each having one end coupled to the hinge assembly and the other end coupled to a cable drum of a motor drive unit coupled to the guide track;

Including,

Wherein the motor drive unit is configured to rotate the cable drum and the cable drum is free to rotate within the motor drive when the motor drive unit does not rotate the cable drum, Such that when one of the cables is unwound from the cable drum, the hinge assembly moves in the guide track as the other cable of the cables is wound on the cable drum, and the hinge assembly is positioned at the door closure limit The hinge assembly passes through a portion of one of the pair of pulleys and when the hinge assembly is positioned at the door opening limit the assembly includes a sliding door module that passes through a portion of the other one of the pair of pulleys, Type drive assembly .

Further, the present invention provides a sliding door comprising: a guide track provided so as to be slidable and formed to provide an interrupted track for a sliding door;

A front pulley disposed toward the end of the guide track and coupled to the guide track so as to be rotatable and not protruding from the guide track at a door opening of the vehicle;

A pair of cables (38) each having one end coupled to the hinge assembly and the other end coupled to a single cable drum positioned at a rear end of the guide track; And

And a guide pulley (86) positioned adjacent the cable drum,

Rotation of the cable drum as the other of the cables is wound on the cable drum while one of the cables is unwound from the cable drum causes the hinge assembly movement within the transport path set by the guide track , The pulley (86) turns the direction of one of the paired cables when the cables are unwound from the cable drum, and the conveying path is set by a door opening limit point and a door closing limit point The present invention provides a modular drive assembly for a sliding door.

The present invention also provides a method of installing in a vehicle a drive assembly for providing a closing force for moving an opening and a sliding door,

Providing a modular drive assembly as described above; And

First sliding the modular drive assembly into the fastener and moving the modular drive assembly upwardly to accommodate a plurality of fastening bolts of the modular drive assembly within the preferred opening defined in the structural panel of the vehicle, A step of installing the ball into the ball;

And a drive assembly mounting method.

1 is a right side perspective view of a vehicle having a sliding door installed therein.

2 is a perspective view of a modular sliding door drive assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows a shape along line 3-3 shown in Fig.

4 is an exploded view of a modular power sliding door assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an inner perspective view of a modular power sliding door assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of the modular power sliding door assembly shown in Figure 5;

7A is a side view of the motor drive unit of the modular power sliding door assembly shown in FIG.

7B is a side view showing the internal components of the motor drive unit of the modular power sliding door assembly shown in Fig.

8 is an external perspective view of a modular power sliding door assembly that is retracted into a flow panel in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a bottom perspective view of a modular power sliding door assembly that is retracted into a flow panel in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10A shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10B is another view of another preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 10A.

11 is a plan view showing another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

12A is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig.

12B is a partial enlarged view of the embodiment of FIG.

Figure 13 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

14 is a perspective view of a modular power sliding door drive assembly constructed in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

15 is a plan view showing a cross section of part of Fig.

16 is a plan view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 17 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 16 with the door closed position changed.

18 is a plan view of another preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

Fig. 19 shows a shape along line 19-19 shown in Fig.

20 is a plan view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

21 is a plan view of a hinge assembly of another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention relating to an apparatus and method for providing a modular drive unit is an apparatus and a method for providing a modular drive unit in which an essential component for installing and opening a power sliding door is easily provided, .

Conventional apparatus and methods for providing and / or realizing sliding door movement of a vehicle are proposed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,046,283, 5,313,795, 5,319,881, and 5,323,570, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The modular system of the preferred embodiment provides a method for efficient sealing power transmission while simplifying the installation process and reduces the associated manufacturing costs. In one embodiment, the proposed drive unit is driven without a lower roller hinge and is located above the lower sliding door track. The system is modular and all components required for the power sliding door drive unit are coupled to the bottom track. This enables easy slippage in the assembly sequence for the vehicle assembly line. The system also provides space and tail space inside the door as available space for other items in the vehicle. Thus, the modular unit is installed in a single process and the remaining process is to connect the door to the hinge and connect the power supply to the drive unit.

1, there is shown a vehicle 10 provided with a front swing door 12 and a power sliding door 14. As shown in Fig. At this time, the power sliding door 14 is guided by the rollers provided so as to be slidable on the upper track 16 and the lower track 18. The rollers 20 are formed to be provided in the upper track 16 and the lower track 18. In addition to the upper track 16 and the lower track 18, according to a preferred embodiment, an interrupted track 22 is also provided. The interruption track 22 is provided to engage with the roller 20 connected to the sliding door 14.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, a modular power sliding door system of a preferred embodiment is shown. As shown, the preferred embodiment has a modular system 24 in which all the drive components are coupled to the bottom sliding door track, and the system is easily installed as a single unit. The modular system 24 according to the preferred embodiment includes a door track 26 for setting the transport path for the sliding doors. The transport path sets the opening and closing points of the door. The system 24 according to the preferred embodiment is a cable drive system, in which the cable is manipulated to move the hinge coupled to the sliding door.

The door track 26 forms a channel 30 for providing a portion 32 or the bottom roller 28 slidably. Since the door track 26 can be made of steel extrusion of all equivalent materials, the curvature of the track as well as the formation of the channel is also easily set. The door track is configured to be installed in the vehicle as a complete unit and is installed within the hole in the vehicle lower end set by the vehicle flow panel in one preferred embodiment.

One method or means for allowing a portion 32 to be provided slidably within the channel 30 is to provide rollers 34 that allow the hinge 28 to slide. In addition, part 32 is rotatably coupled to part 35 of hinge 28. [ The rotatable engagement of portions 32, 36 allows for better movement of the sliding door as it moves along the perimeter of track 26, which matches the contours of the vehicle. Needless to say, the hinge 28 must include a single unit in which one end is coupled to the door and the other end is coupled to the track, thereby facilitating the pivoting (or rotating) operation.

In a preferred embodiment, a pair of cables 38 are coupled to the hinge 28. One cable 38 is coupled to the front end of the hinge and the other is coupled to the rear end of the hinge and the other ends of the cables are respectively coupled to the single drum 40 of the motor drive unit 42. The cables are connected to both sides of the drum so that one cable is unwound from the drum while the other is wound onto the drum. Alternatively, the drum 40 may include two drums that are coupled together by spring biasing means to provide tension to the cable 38 when the hinge assembly is transported within the guide track. However, in yet another embodiment, the drum 40 is formed with drums of varying dimensions or diameters. The smaller diameter portion usually provides greater torque to the cable. A smaller diameter is considered to be utilized such that a greater force is selected during the closing or latching of the door.

The cables also pass through the conduits 44, 46. The conduits 44, 46 extend outwardly from the housing of the opposite motor drive unit 42. The conduits 44, 46 provide a means for protecting the cable from shock or interference when it is wound or unwound on the cable drum 40. A pair of cable pulleys 48 and 50 are disposed at both ends of the track 26, respectively. The pulleys 48 and 50 are rotatably fastened to the ends of the track 26. The pulleys 48, 50 transition the cable from the conduit to the channel of the track 26 and finally to the tensioning means, or the cables are connected directly to a portion of the hinge 28. Alternatively, in place of the spring tensioning means 56, 58, one or more of the pulleys 48, 50 may be coupled to the guide track by means of a member which is movably connected to the guide track, Or to a member to which the pulley is coupled through a guide track, such as a hinge assembly transition. The cables extend through both ends of the lower roller hinge, which is the portion to be coupled through the spring tension means 56, 58. The original purpose of the tensioning means 56, 58 is to take account of the required travel of the cable through the transfer of the sliding door, in particular through the curved portion of the track (e.g. the curved portion of the track, which is necessary for transferring the sliding door to the full closure point) will be. The purpose of the tensioning means is to take into account the length of the cable over the entire curvature of the track, particularly over the entire transport of the sliding door, where increased force is required to drag the door to the locking point. The pulleys 48, 50 are preferably disposed between the pulley housings 52, 54. The housings 52, 54 protect the pulleys and cables from debris and contamination that can affect their operation (e.g., increase resistance or induce undesirable noise or vibration).

Thus, the cable pulleys provide a means for guiding and completing a cable loop that generates an ideal movement of the hinge. As mentioned above, the movement of the hinge is facilitated by the other cable being threaded in the cable drum while one of the cables is unwound from the cable drum, allowing the hinge to slide within the track.

The motor drive unit 42 provides the necessary driving force for the modular system 24. More specifically, the motor drive unit 42 provides a force to rotate the cable drum 40 to effect the ideal movement of the hinge 28 and ultimately the sliding door 14. [ According to a preferred embodiment, the motor drive unit 42 is formed to have a side height that is not higher than the modular drive unit or track 26. Thus, the preferred embodiment has been shown to not require additional vehicle space that may be required for the track 26 and hinges disposed therein. Moreover, when the height of the system is the same as providing a hole intended for use of the track 26, the modular drive unit 24 is easily installed in the working space. This is accomplished by providing a small motor drive unit that can generate the torque or force required to rotate the cable drum 40. However, this is contemplated in the presence of additional space for the installation of the modular unit, and the motor drive unit housing may be slightly larger than the guide track.

The unit shown in Fig. 2 is configured for use on the left or the side vehicle door openings of the driver, and of course, the shape of the unit 24 can be changed to be used for the left opening shown in Fig.

As shown in Fig. 3, some of the components of the designed motor drive unit are shown. Of course, the shape shown in FIG. 3 is one embodiment of a designed drive unit and the present invention is not intended to be limited by any other shape that may provide a side height of the required length while providing the required drive force. As shown in FIG. 3, the motor drive unit includes a motor 60 for driving a shaft having a worm gear 62. The worm gear 62 is formed to engage with the gear 64. The gear 64 is coupled to one end of the shaft 68 which is proposed to be rotatable in the internal space set by the housing of the motor drive unit.

The motor drive unit further includes an electromagnetic clutch having a stationary coil 70 for generating an electromagnetic field for connecting or disconnecting the first friction surface or the rotor 72 to another frictional surface or an electric or other identical component 73, The rotation of the shaft 68 by the motor 60 determines whether the output gear 40 is driven by the motor 60 or not. In this embodiment, the friction plate is formed to rotate the cable drum 40, that is, the rotation of the friction plate 73 causes rotation of the cable drum 40. Thus, the motor 60 drives the first friction surface or rotor 72, and the cable drum is not rotated until a voltage is applied to the coil and both friction plates are snapped together, thereby causing the rotation of the cable drum 40 and ultimately the rotation of the hinge 28 Movement occurs. As is known in the art, the attractive forces of the two friction surfaces are caused by the magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic field or coil 70.

When the electromagnetic clutch is interlocked, the power is applied so that the door is opened or closed. When the clutch is disengaged or the electromagnetic clutch is not engaged, the cable drum can be freely moved so that the door can freely move when there is no frictional engagement between the two friction plates. Of course, other clutch means may be applied to the present invention as long as the required performance criteria are met.

In order to operate the power sliding door of the vehicle 10, it can be proposed that a detection system is installed in the vehicle 10 so that a signal is detected, which causes the drive unit 42 to open and close the door. The sensing system provides the necessary signals to a microprocessor having an algorithm for command execution according to signals transmitted from the control module or sensors. Examples of sensor and controller arrangements are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,263,762; 5,396,158, 5,434,387, and 6,247,373, and combinations thereof. ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 > The above-mentioned U.S. patents are merely examples of a sensor and controller arrangement that can be used in the present invention.

According to another preferred embodiment, the guide track 26 is formed to set a hole or a hole part for application of the motor drive unit housing, and in this embodiment the modular drive unit is provided with a guide And has an external shape or external dimension not greater than the dimension required for the track.

By virtue of all of the above-described components coupled to the lower roller hinge, it is possible to grasp all the units passing through the fasteners previously provided on the guide track for operation in the vehicle assembly line and to slide it into the lower track and secure it with the fastener . The modular drive unit thus enables the same installation with significantly fewer processes than many other current power sliding doors without the need for other mechanical components. Assembly 24 is seated in its proper position and engaged in a drill hole pre-positioned by through bolts or other engagement means.

Also, since the modular unit is self-contained, the operation of the drive unit in the track 26 and the movement of the hinge can be manufactured-tested and assembled in a position away from the position where the unit is installed in the vehicle. Thus, an efficient implementation (e.g., drive unit tests) for manufacturing the modular system 24 can be performed before the same installation and installation in the vehicle. Furthermore, a single unit is installed in the case of the lower guide track where only the remaining process of joining the door to the hinge assembly and into the vehicle remains. In the case of the interrupted guide track, a modular unit consisting of all the components previously assembled, except for the motor drive unit, is installed outside the vehicle, and the only external assembly process is to install the motor drive unit from the inside of the vehicle, Wherein the conveying member of the motor drive unit is provided in a conveyance port of the cable drum coupled to the interrupt guide track.

An example of a preferred embodiment for illustrating the modular unit as well as the lower guide track inside the vehicle body is shown in Figures 4 to 10B. As shown in Figure 4, the modular system 24 is shown in exploded view. As shown, the guide track 26 has a plurality of fastening bolts 27 disposed along the top or engagement surface of the guide track 26. The fastening bolts 27 are formed to be coupled to a plurality of fasteners inside the flow panel of the vehicle (see Figs. 8 and 9). 4, a fastening flange 29 is shown. The fastening flange 29 provides fastening means for coupling the motor drive unit 42 to the guide track 26. The fastening flange 29 has a plurality of openings to which the bolts 27 are coupled as well as openings to which a plurality of fastening bolts 31 for fastening the upper housing 33 of the motor drive unit 42 to the fastening flange 29 are provided. Thus, the motor drive unit 42 is coupled to the fastening flange 29, and the fastening flange 29 is coupled to the guide track 26. Of course, fastening arrangements for coupling the motor drive unit 42 to the guide track 26 are proposed within the scope of the present invention, and the above-described embodiments are illustrative rather than limiting. 4 is a portion of hinge assembly 28, and portion 32 includes a lower portion 35, tensioning means, a spring, and fastening members that are fastened to portion 32 by arranging device 37. 4 are housings 52, 54 for pulleys 48, 50, which have fastening flanges for engagement with the guide track 26.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate modular system 24 in an assembled state. Figs. 7A and 7B show enlarged shapes of the motor drive unit 42. Fig. Fig. 7A shows the motor drive unit to which the housing 33 is coupled, Fig. 7B shows the motor drive unit 42 to which the housing 33 is not coupled, and thus the position of the cable drum 40 is shown. 7B shows the dimension "Y" corresponding to the height of the guide track 26, and the height of the track 26 is 68.3 mm in the unrestricted embodiment. Of course, the dimensions are suggested to be greater than or equal to 68.3 mm within the scope of the present invention.

Figures 4-6 illustrate a system configured to utilize the right opening (e.g., with respect to the frontward driver or passenger). Of course, the system may be configured to use the left door opening.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the shape of the system 24 and door opening 41 within the space defined by a portion of the vehicle flow panel 39 is shown. As shown in Fig. 9, the usable space set by the flow panel 39 and located within the zone 43 is extremely limited. Thus, the only modular configuration of the system 24 is that the complete system (e.g., cable, motor drive unit, guide track, pulley, hinge assembly, etc.) 45, it is first slid into or inserted into the opening set by the flow panel 39. [ The bolts 27 are inserted into the hole 45 by upward movement or downward movement or side movement according to the shape of the flow panel 39. When the bolts are positioned straight inside the bore 45, the coupling is facilitated through a nut towards the bolt 27 or other equivalent means. A fixing component (e.g., a nut) provides a means for coupling the bolts 27 to the flow panel 39. It is also proposed that other fastening means be used to quickly fasten the system 24 to a previously proposed point (for example welding the bolts 27 inside the hole 45 of the flow panel 39). Once the system 24 is installed on the flow panel 39, the hinge assembly 28 is projected outwardly to facilitate engagement of the power sliding door system with the door. Thus, a preferred embodiment of the present invention follows an apparatus and method of modular installation depicted.

10A shows a motor drive unit 42 in which the body is angled so that the outer dimension of the housing of the housing or motor drive unit can be located within an area set by the dimension "X" shown in Fig. 10A . The dimension "X" is set by the distance between the surface of guide track 26 and the surface of flow panel 39. Thus, when application is required, the modular system 24 has the shape of a motor drive unit to allow entry into the space provided between a portion of the flow panel 39 and the guide track 26. In an unrestricted example, the dimension "X" is close to 91.3, and other dimensions of greater than or equal to 91.3 mm are, of course, considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 11 to 12B, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The motor drive unit 42 is coupled at a point where the axis of rotation of the cable drum 40 (not shown) is positioned horizontally relative to the track 26 so as to face the vertical position of the rotational axis shown in Figs. 4 - 10B. Thus, in this embodiment, the shape constraint of the motor drive unit 42 is governed not only by the area defined by the flow panel 39 and the guide track 26, but also by the height of the guide track 26. As mentioned, the horizontal and vertical positions of the rotational axis with respect to the guide track 26 are such that the rotational plane of the cable drum 40 relative to the plane of the guide track 26 Quot;

Referring to Fig. 13, a replacement shape of the motor drive unit 42 is shown. The gears 47 of the plurality of gear trains are provided rotatably in the housing of the motor drive unit 42. By using multiple gears, the rotational axis of one of the worm gear 62 or the worm wheel 64 (Fig. 3) is relocated so that all dimensions of the motor drive unit 42 are within a limited size hole set by the flow panel 39 and the guide track 26 Lt; / RTI > For the use of a flow panel of a different size than the guide track of different curvature or size, as well as all impact reduction of the modular system 24 with respect to the interior space of the vehicle (e.g., the internal compartment space) and / or the desired weight reduction, May be set by OEMs (trademarks). Through the use of a multiple gear system, the rotational axis of the rotor 72 or the cable drum 40 is relocated in many drive units 42 to adjust the size limitation.

In addition, through the use of a multiple gear system, a large motor unit can be used with the motor drive unit 42 to provide large driving forces (e.g., open and close forces) to the cable drum 40.

14-17, a preferred alternative embodiment of the invention is shown. Where the modular system 24 is configured to engage the position of the stop roller hinge assembly as opposed to the bottom hinge assembly. The drive unit applied to this embodiment sends a stop roller hinge and is located in the interrupted sliding door track. The system is modularized and all mechanical components for the power sliding door drive, except for the motor and the clutch (for example a motor smaller than the cable drum), are coupled to the stop track. This facilitates sliding in the assembling process for the vehicle assembly line in that it is a motor drive unit that must be installed from inside the vehicle. In this embodiment, all of the cables are engaged and the pre-tensioned interrupt guide track is coupled to the outside of the vehicle. Thus, a complicated assembly process is not required in an assembly line in which a modular unit with a stop roller hinge already attached to the installation cables or at the time of installation is coupled to the outside of the vehicle, and the motor drive unit (smaller than the cable drum) And assembled into the cable drum through an assembly process that takes place inside the vehicle. As shown, this embodiment shows a configuration in which the motor drive unit is coupled to the rear end of the guide track. This makes it possible after the guide track is assembled in the vehicle, since the space required by the motor of the vehicle's future is very small, the system ensures the available space of the rear suspension and door, OEMs) are often made available for other items they wish to include in the vehicle.

In this embodiment, the motor drive unit includes a separate motor / clutch having an output member 76 that is configured to engage and provide a portion of the cable drum 76 of the modular drive unit. Thus, the output member 76 is driven by the motor only when the electromagnetic clutch or other equivalent device is engaged. Accordingly, the output member is formed so as to be rotatably driven when the clutch of the motor drive unit is not engaged, so that the sliding door can be freely moved.

As shown in Figure 14, the replaceable power sliding door of the presently preferred embodiment is a modular system in that all drive components, except for the components for the motor drive unit, are coupled to the interrupted sliding door track. The system becomes a cable system, in which all the cables are driven by a single drum, complete with a modular unit. Moreover, all cables are pre-coupled to the hinges prior to mounting to the vehicle. Thus, the other external attachment becomes a coupling of the door to the hinge assembly. In this embodiment, the cable drum is rotatably provided in the housing 80 located at the end of the guide track. Two cables, namely a front cable 82 and a rear cable 84, are provided that allow hinge movement within the guide track by winding one cable around the drum when the cable is unwound from the drum. Each cable projects from the drum toward the front of the vehicle. The front cable first encases the small pulley 86 and travels through the front cable conduit 88 toward the front pulley along the longitudinal direction of the stop roller track.

The small pulley 86 is positioned and formed so that the cable can change the direction of the cable as it is unwound from the cable drum (see Figure 15). The cable inside the pulley housing 92 at the front of the rack encloses the front pulley 90. As a result, the front cable is coupled to the stop roller hinge 94 by tensioning means 96. According to a preferred embodiment, the tensile means 96 provides a force of about 3 to 4 lbs. Of course, the force of the tensioning means can be changed. The rear cable extends between the cable drum and the tensioning means 96 of the stop roller hinge. According to a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the front pulley is 30 to 33 mm. Of course, such dimensions may be varied and the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific dimensions described herein.

Referring to Fig. 15, the shapes of the drum housing 80 and the cable drum 78 are shown. As shown, the cable drum 80 is provided to be rotatable within the housing 80 and the small pulley 86 is positioned such that the front cable can be transferred from the cable drum 78 to the front cable conduit or from the front cable conduit to the cable drum 78. According to a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the cable drum 78 is about 50 to 60 mm and the diameter of the small pulley is about 25 to 30 mm. Of course, these dimensions are changeable. In the preferred embodiment, the housing 80 is formed to separate and is coupled to the interrupt guide track by a coupling method such as welding or equivalent means. The cable drum 78 and the housing 80 are formed on the back side thereof so as to be able to interlock with the output member of the drive unit 74 so as to drive the drive cable drum 78 when the output member of the drive unit 74 is coupled to the modular drive unit.

16 and 17 show a part of the front end of the modular discontinuous track drive unit. Figure 16 also shows the delivery end of the stop roller hinge. When compared to the lower guide track, the curvature of the interrupted guide track is larger and the overall length of the curved portion of the interrupted track is shorter (e.g., longer curves and smaller curvatures). This is because when the lower guide track is positioned below the door opening, the lower guide track is bent around the "C" column at the front end of the door opening side and bent at the front or rear of the "B" Whereby the angle of curvature of the lower guide track can be made smaller to form a longer curved portion.

As shown, the stop roller hinge includes a fastening portion 98 coupled to the roller assembly 100. The roller assembly 100 is formed to be slidable in the channel set by the guide track. 16 and 17, the roller assembly 100 includes a pair of rollers 102 that are rotatably coupled to a roller assembly. Another roller 104 is also pivotally coupled to the roller assembly. The roller 104 has a rotation axis spaced apart from the rotation axis of the rollers 102 by a predetermined distance. The rollers allow the assembly 100 and the hinge 94 to slide within the guide track when the cables are wound and unwound on the cable drum. It should be noted that a similar roller assembly 100 may be considered for use with the embodiment of Figures 2-13. Also, the above-mentioned roller assemblies should be considered within the scope of the present invention and alternative embodiments for facilitating the slideable movement of the hinge.

16, in addition to the roller assembly 100, the trailer and roller assembly 106 are rotatably coupled to one end of the roller assembly 100. As shown in FIG. The trailer and roller assembly 106 further includes rollers 108 that engage the interrupt guide track when the assembly is slid accordingly. The engagement of the trailer with the roller assembly 106 to the roller assembly is such that when the rotational movement of the assembly 106 with respect to the assembly 100 causes effective transfer along the curved portion of the track corresponding to the hinge transfer zone when the door is closed, So that it can be transported along the curved portion of the guide track without requiring a large sealing force. This is facilitated by the direct pulling of the pulleys around the pulley 90 and by the pulleys of the cables coupled to the trailer and roller assembly 106. Thus, the closing force is applied to the hinge assembly 94 and fastener 98 at one location. As such, the pulley 90 may be positioned at the end of the guide track to facilitate such direct tensioning. Moreover, through the use of the trailer and pulley assembly 106, when the hinge assembly is transported along the curves of the track before it reaches the end of the track or the final transfer limit of the hinge assembly 94 (e.g., the door detachment point) The cable becomes tensionable at the rear end of the hinge assembly. For example, referring to FIG. 17, the hinge assembly is located at the curved portion of the guide track, and the cable portion 110 pulling the door closed through the hinge assembly 94 can engage the trailer 106 without interference from the guide tracks. Moreover, the rotational movement of the trailer 106 towards the member 98 allows the cable portion 110 to be rearranged as it is transported through the curved portion of the track. In addition, the rotational movement of the trailer 106 relative to the fastening member 98 causes the cables 84 to be rearranged to cause the assembly to move along the curved portion of the guide track.

Another preferred embodiment according to the present invention is shown in Fig. The trailer portion 106 is replaced by a protrusion 112 extending from a portion of the fastening member 98. According to a preferred embodiment, the protrusions 112 are completely formed by the fastening members 98 or are instead engaged through fastening means such as clamping or welding means, such as welding. 18, the protrusions 112 provide a length sufficient to fasten the cables, and so that the pulley 90 is positioned at the end of the guide track, and the hinge assembly is positioned at the end of the guide track corresponding to the door closure point . The transfer limit of this hinge assembly is shown by line 114.

19, the angular shape? And the rotational coupling of the front pulley 90 toward the interrupted track are shown. This angular shape conforms to the angular shape of the portion of the vehicle body disposed near the periphery of the door opening, and a stop of the door is provided here (see Fig. 14). It is also shown here that the roller assemblies 100, 102 are disposed at right angles to the travel path set by the interrupted track and the pulley 90 is slightly inclined relative to the assemblies 100, The orthogonal arrangement of the assemblies allows the rollers to be effectively transported within the guide track, the angular shape of the pulley corresponding to the shape around the door, and a portion of the guide track being disposed therein. In addition, the angular shape of the pulley 90 allows the pulley 90 to be rotatably coupled to an area having a dimension less than the diameter of the pulley. The unit constraint is thus achieved through the angular shape of the pulley 90. In addition, the dimension 118 may be varied by an angle a that may affect other unit constraints. Also, in a preferred embodiment, the pulley 90 does not project into the interior of the vehicle space more than the width of the interrupted guide track (e.g., width 118 equal to the width of the track set by the interrupted guide track). Thus, as mentioned in FIG. 19, this allows the dimension 118 to be as wide as the guide track to provide an angle greater than? Relative to the guide track. Of course, the angle relationships described above may be varied and the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particular shape described herein.

(For example a modular unit) coupled to the interrupt guide track, it is possible to take all the units to the operator of the vehicle assembly line without requiring other mechanical components, It is easy to slide it with the fastening means and to fasten it with the tightening means. The operator engages the motor / clutch assembly through the inside of the vehicle, slides the motor shaft into the cable drum, and engages the motor with tightening means. Moreover, the shape of the hinge assembly for use with either the interrupted guide track or the lower guide track allows efficient transmission of force to the cable driving the system.

When assembled for either the interrupted or lower guide track embodiments as noted above, no cable coupling is required.

As shown in FIG. 20, a hinge assembly 94 with a lower guide track 20 is shown. As shown, the cable 38 is coupled to the trailer and roller assembly 106. The cable 38 feed path from cable drum 40 to pulley 30 is shown in Figure 20 without any additional guiding elements or means. Of course, the cable 38 is provided inside the cable conduit, as shown in Fig. 4, to hold the cable 38 inside the guide track 26 or any other shape. As shown, the dimension "D" opposed to the center guide track is smaller than the length of the center guide track curved portion while the curved portion length "L " of the track is longer than the length of the center guide track curved portion. This is because a portion of the lower guide track can be installed along the flow panel under the door opening, so that the curvature or curvature of the guide track can be formed to the length shown in Fig. In other words, the interrupted guide track is bent around the column "C" at the end closest to the door opening, the lower guide track is positioned below the door opening and bent at the front or rear of the column "B & Can be significantly reduced. In addition, the length and angle or arc of the curved portion may be changed depending on the vehicle type, the design, and the position of the guide track. For example, there is an interrupted or lower guide track, for example, some vehicle body types may have a shorter length for the center guide track opposite the lower guide track (longer length, smaller angle arc or curvature) Angle of arc or curvature is required.

21, another cable coupling arrangement on the hinge assembly 120 is shown. The front cable 122 is positioned so that it can advance from the rear portion of the hinge assembly 120 when the sliding door is closed and the rear cable 124 is positioned so that it can be advanced from the front portion of the hinge assembly or toward the front portion of the hinge assembly when the sliding door is opened . Thus, the position of these cables 122,124 can be adjusted so that the hinge assembly can be transported to the ends of the guide track (e.g., similar to the arrangement shown in Figure 16) As shown in FIG. Also, the trailer and roller assemblies or protrusions can be used with the cable arrangement shown in Fig.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be understood that the invention may be varied and varied without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, a number of modifications can be obtained that are modified to the teachings of the present invention without departing from the essential scope of the present invention in a particular state or material. Accordingly, the present invention should not be construed as including all elements falling within the scope of the present application, and not limited to the specific embodiments best contemplated for the implementation of the invention.

Claims (31)

A guide track in which the hinge assembly is slidably received therein; A pair of pulleys disposed at both ends of the guide track and disposed adjacent to the hinge assembly conveyance path in the guide track, the door limit being set by a door limit and a door open limit; And And a pair of cables secured to the cable drum of the motor drive unit, one end of which is fixed to the hinge structure and the other end of which is coupled to the guide track, Wherein the motor drive unit is configured to rotate the cable drum and wherein the cable drum can be freely rotated within the motor drive while another cable of the cables is unwound from the cable drum, Wherein rotation of the cable drum by rotation on the cable drum causes the movement of the hinge assembly within the guide track and when the hinge assembly is located at the door closure limit the hinge assembly is rotated by one of the pair of pulleys, The assembly passing through a portion of the other one of the pair of pulleys when the hinge assembly is at the door opening limit. The method according to claim 1, Characterized in that the guide track comprises a plurality of fastening bolts for receiving a plurality of openings of the structural panel (39) of the vehicle (10). 3. The method of claim 2, Characterized in that the structural panel is a lower flow panel (39) of the vehicle and the guide track is a lower guide track (18), the modular drive assembly providing an opening force and a closing force on the slide door Modular drive assembly. The method according to claim 1, Characterized in that the modular drive assembly is secured to the vehicle as a single unit and the guide track is a lower guide track (18), the modular drive assembly providing an opening force and closing force on the slide door Modular drive assembly. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the guide track has a curved portion, and the curved portion corresponds to an outer peripheral surface of a door opening of the vehicle. 6. The method of claim 5, Characterized in that the modular drive assembly is secured to the vehicle as a single unit and the guide track is a lower guide track (18), the modular drive assembly providing an opening force and closing force to the slide door Modular drive assembly. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the guide track is configured to provide a lower track of the sliding door. 8. The method of claim 7, Wherein the height of the motor drive unit is less than or equal to a height of the guide track. 9. The method of claim 8, Wherein the modular drive assembly is received in an empty space defined by the guide track. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the modular drive assembly is received in an empty space partially defined by the guide track. ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 > 11. < / RTI > The method according to claim 1, Wherein the guide track defines a channel boundary at one side and the motor drive unit is coupled to a side opposite the guide track. 12. The method of claim 11, Wherein the height of the motor drive unit is less than or equal to a height of the guide track. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the motor drive unit further comprises an electromagnetic clutch (74) for engaging the cable drum with the motor rotary shaft of the motor drive unit, Wherein the motor drive unit is a single cable drum. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the hinge assembly includes a coupling portion coupled to the roller portion so as to be rotatable with the path of the guide track, Wherein the fastening portion is adapted to be secured to the sliding door. ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 > 8. < / RTI > The method according to claim 1, A first conduit is disposed between the housing of the motor drive unit and one of the pulley housings of the pair of pulleys and a second conduit is located between the housing of the motor drive unit and the other one of the pair of pulleys Wherein the sliding door is disposed at a lower portion of the sliding door. 16. The method of claim 15, And tension means disposed between the hinge assembly and each end of the cables for adjusting the working distance of the cable when the hinge assembly is transported within the transport path. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the tensioning means is disposed at each end of the hinge assembly and the cables. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the guide track has a plurality of fastening holes for coupling the drive assembly to the vehicle. The method according to claim 1, A first roller assembly 94 coupled to the hinge assembly and configured to roll within the transport path; And A second roller assembly (106) coupled to the first roller assembly by a spindle, the second roller assembly being configured to be threaded within the conveyance path, the pair of cables being coupled; Wherein the sliding door further comprises: A guide track provided so as to be slidable and configured to provide an interrupted track for a sliding door; A front pulley (90) disposed toward an end of the guide track and coupled to the guide track so as to be rotatable, the front pulley (90) not protruding from the guide track at a door opening of the vehicle; A pair of cables (38) each having one end coupled to the hinge assembly and the other end coupled to a single cable drum positioned at a rear end of the guide track; And And a guide pulley (86) positioned adjacent the cable drum, Rotation of the cable drum as the other of the cables is wound on the cable drum while one of the cables is unwound from the cable drum causes the hinge assembly movement within the transport path set by the guide track , The pulley (86) converts the direction of one of the paired cables when the cables are unwound from the cable drum, the feed path is set by a door open limit and a door closing limit, The cable drum is formed to be provided with a transfer point of the motor drive unit, Wherein the drive assembly is installed outside the vehicle and the motor drive unit is installed inside the vehicle. delete 21. The method of claim 20, Wherein the guide track has a curved point and the curved point corresponds to an outer circumferential surface of a door opening of the vehicle. 21. The method of claim 20, Wherein the guide track forms a path on one side and the motor drive unit is coupled to the cable drum opposite the guide track. 21. The method of claim 20, The hinge assembly includes a roller portion 32 slidable in the path of the guide track and a coupling portion 36 rotatably coupled to the roller portion. The coupling portion is adjusted to be coupled to the sliding door Wherein the sliding door comprises a plurality of sliding doors. 21. The method of claim 20, Tensioning means is disposed between the hinge assembly and the respective ends of the cables and the tensioning means enables the working distance of the cable to be changed as the hinge assembly is transported in the transport path. Modular drive assembly for doors. 21. The method of claim 20, A first roller assembly (94) configured to be threadable within the transport path and coupled to the hinge assembly; And A second roller assembly rotatably coupled to the first roller assembly and configured to be able to roll within the transport path; Further comprising: Each of the pair of cables being coupled to the second roller assembly. ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 > A < / RTI > 27. The method of claim 26, Wherein tensioning means is disposed between said second roller assembly and each of said pair of cables. ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 > [0002] < / RTI > 27. The method of claim 26, Wherein the first roller assembly and the second roller assembly are formed to be positioned at right angles to the conveyance path set by the guide track and the forward pulley is configured not to be positioned at right angles to the conveyance path A modular drive assembly for a sliding door of a vehicle. 21. The method of claim 20, Wherein tensioning means is located between each end of the hinge assembly and the cables. ≪ Desc / Clms Page number 13 > 21. The method of claim 20, Wherein the guide track comprises a plurality of fastening bolts for coupling the drive assembly to the vehicle. delete

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