Vehicle with tail gate

A vehicle with a tail gate wherein the movement distance around the vehicle is reduced. In a vehicle with a tail gate, a tail gate is supported on a vehicle body such that a rear opening formed on the rear part of the vehicle body opens and closes. The tail gate has a sub opening formed on the tail gate, and a sub door for opening and closing the sub opening in the vehicle width direction. The width of the sub opening in the vehicle width direction is shorter than the width of the rear opening. One side border of the sub opening in the vehicle width direction is located in the vicinity of one edge of the tail gate in the vehicle width direction. The sub door is supported on the tail gate so as to begin to open from the side border of the opening.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vehicle having a tail gate supported on a vehicle body for opening and closing a rear opening formed in a rear part of the vehicle body.

BACKGROUND ART

A well-known vehicle has a tail gate attached to a vehicle body for opening and closing a rear opening formed in a rear part of the vehicle body in order that luggage can be loaded into or unloaded from a luggage compartment behind a seat (e.g., see Patent Literature 1).

A vehicle as disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is comprised of a rear opening formed in a rear part of a vehicle body, a pivot axis extending in a widthwise direction of the vehicle and above the rear opening, a tail gate attached to swing on the pivot axis to open and close the rear opening, a sub opening formed in the tail gate, and a sub door for opening and closing the sub opening.

The sub door is so-called “double-leaf door”. That is, the sub door has two door panels supported on the tail gate through a link mechanism in such a manner that the two panels are opened by turning away from each other in a direction from a widthwise center of the vehicle to an outside of the vehicle.

There is an occasion where luggage inside the vehicle is to be unloaded while the vehicle is stopping on the sidewalk side of a roadway. On this occasion, a vehicle passenger moves to a rear end of the vehicle and takes the necessary luggage out from the vehicle. In the case of the vehicle with a tail gate disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a vehicle passenger first moves to a rear end corner of the vehicle. Next, the passenger moves from the rear end corner to a rear end center of the vehicle and then opens the sub door for unloading the necessary luggage from the vehicle. When achieving such work, the passenger's moving distance around the vehicle should desirably be as short as possible.

PRIOR ART LITERATURE

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

It is an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle with a tail gate, which is capable of reducing a moving distance of a vehicle passenger around the vehicle.

Solution to Problem

According to the present invention defined in claim1, there is provided a vehicle with a tail gate, the tail gate being supported on a vehicle body for opening and closing a rear opening formed in a rear part of the vehicle body, the vehicle comprising: a sub opening formed in the tail gate; and a sub door for opening and closing the sub opening in a widthwise direction of the vehicle, wherein the sub opening has a width in the widthwise direction of the vehicle set to be smaller than a width of the rear opening; wherein the sub opening has one lateral edge in the widthwise direction of the vehicle located in the vicinity of one end of the tail gate in the widthwise direction of the vehicle; and wherein the sub door is supported on the tail gate so as to begin to open the sub opening at the one lateral edge thereof.

In the invention defined in claim2, preferably, the sub opening is formed to open only a generally left half or a right half of the tail gate.

In the invention defined in claim3, preferably, the vehicle body has a driver's seat disposed therein, the driver's seat being offset toward one lateral side of the vehicle relative to a widthwise center of the vehicle body. The one lateral edge of the sub opening is located oppositely from the driver's seat relative to the widthwise center of the vehicle body.

In the invention defined in claim4, preferably, the rear opening is formed to open over the generally entire region of the rear part of the vehicle body in a height direction of the rear part of the vehicle body, and the sub opening is formed to open over the generally entire range of the rear opening in a height direction of the tail gate.

In the invention defined in claim5, preferably, the rear opening is formed to open over the generally entire range of the rear part of the vehicle body in the widthwise direction of the vehicle.

In the invention defined in claim6, preferably, the sub door is attached to the tail gate by hinges to allow the sub door to swing in the widthwise direction of the vehicle.

In the invention defined in claim7, preferably, the sub door has a sub door window extending between opposite lateral ends of the sub door in the widthwise direction of the vehicle, and the tail gate has a tail gate window extending between opposite lateral ends of a portion of the tail gate in the widthwise direction of the vehicle, the tail gate portion being devoid of the sub opening. The tail gate window has the same vertical length as that of the sub door window and is located at the same level as the sub door window such that the tail gate window and the sub door window are continuous with each other in the widthwise direction of the vehicle.

In the invention defined in claim8, preferably, the tail gate window is provided with a tail gate window glass, and the sub door window is provided with a sub door window glass. The tail gate window glass has an edge and the tail gate window glass has an edge, the edge of the tail gate window glass and the edge of the sub door window glass being opposed directly to each other.

In the invention defined in claim9, preferably, the vehicle body has a driver's seat disposed therein, the driver's seat being offset toward one lateral side of the vehicle relative to a widthwise center of the vehicle body. A lateral edge of the sub opening located closer to a widthwise center of the vehicle body than to the one end of the tail gate is located on a side of the driver's seat relative to the widthwise center of the vehicle body.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In the invention defined in claim1, the sub door begins to open at the one lateral edge of the sub opening located in the vicinity of the one end of the tail gate in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body. That is, the sub door begins to open at a vicinity of a lateral end portion of the tail gate in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body. A knob for opening the sub door is normally attached to a vicinity of a region at which the sub door begins to be opened. In opening the sub door, a vehicle passenger first moves to a rear corner portion of the vehicle. Since the rear corner portion of the vehicle and the lateral end portion of the tail gate are close to each other, the knob for opening the sub door is attached to the vicinity of these portions. Thus, the passenger can open the sub door without moving to the widthwise center of the vehicle behind the vehicle. Since the passenger does not move to the widthwise center of the vehicle behind the vehicle, he or she can move the shorter distance around the vehicle.

Furthermore, the sub door begins to open at one lateral end of the tail gate and swings toward the widthwise center of the vehicle body. When an elongated article is to be loaded in the vehicle while the sub door is open, the elongated article will be put in the vehicle from a lateral outer side of the vehicle toward the back of the rear seat. For a sub door configured to start opening in a direction from the widthwise center of the vehicle toward a lateral end of the vehicle, the elongated article needs to be sufficiently inclined relative to a width of the vehicle so as not contact the sub door. However, when the inclined elongated article is put into the vehicle, it will interfere with the rear seat. According to the invention, because the sub door is configured to open toward the widthwise center of the vehicle, in putting an elongated article in the vehicle, the elongated article needs not to be inclined so as to avoid interference with the rear seat. Since the elongated article is not inclined, the elongated article does not interfere with the rear seat, and hence can be easily be put into the vehicle.

In the invention defined in claim2, the sub opening is formed to open only the generally left half or the generally right half of the tail gate. Luggage can be loaded into or unloaded from the vehicle through the sub opening when the sub door is opened. The tail gate has a portion where the sub opening is not formed, and parts or components are attached to this portion for supporting the sub door. The sub opening occupies the generally left half or the generally right half of the tail gate to thereby ensure an opening area necessary to load or unload the luggage as well as to ensure a space sufficient to attach the parts for supporting the sub door.

In the invention defined in claim3, the driver's seat is offset toward one lateral side relative to the widthwise center of the vehicle, and the one lateral edge of the sub opening is located oppositely from a side of the driver's seat. That is, the sub door begins to be opened at the lateral edge of the sub opening located on the side of a front passenger seat. In loading or unloading luggage in a vicinity of a street, it is preferable to do the work off the street. According to the invention, the sub door is configured to begin to be opened at the end portion on the side of the front passenger seat, thereby facilitating the loading or unloading of luggage off the street.

In the invention defined in claim4, the rear opening is formed to open over the entire range of the rear part of the vehicle body in a height direction of the rear part of the vehicle body, and the sub opening is formed to open over the entire range of the tail gate in the height direction of the tail gate. That is, the sub opening is formed over the generally entire range of the rear opening in a height direction of the rear opening. The sub opening having a large height allows a person to get in and out of the vehicle from the rear part of the vehicle.

In the invention defined in claim5, the rear opening is formed to open over the generally entire range of the rear part of the vehicle body in the widthwise direction of the vehicle. This arrangement ensures that a maximum opening width of the rear opening in the widthwise direction of the vehicle can be maintained and large luggage can be easily loaded in or unloaded from the vehicle while the tail gate is opened.

In the invention defined in claim6, the sub door is attached to the tail gate by the hinges to allow the sub door to swing in the widthwise direction of the vehicle. Since the sub door is swingably supported by the hinges, the simple structure supporting the sub door can be achieved.

In the invention defined in claim7, the sub door has a sub door window extending between opposite lateral ends of the sub door in the widthwise direction of the vehicle, and the tail gate has a tail gate door extending between opposite lateral end of a portion of the tail gate in the widthwise direction of the vehicle, the tail gate portion being devoid of the sub opening. That is, a window is formed over the generally entire region of the tail gate in the widthwise direction of the vehicle, thereby securing a wide field of view.

In the invention defined in claim8, the tail gate window is provided with the tail gate window glass, and the sub door window is provided with the sub door window glass. The tail gate window glass has an edge, and the sub door window glass has an edge, the edge of the tail gate window glass and the edge of the sub door window glass being opposed directly to each other. Since the edges of the window glasses are opposed directly to each other, the window glasses appear to be integral with each other when the vehicle is viewed from behind, such that the vehicle has its improved design.

In the invention defined in claim9, the lateral edge of the sub opening located closer to the widthwise center of the vehicle than to the one end of the tail gate is located on the side of the driver's seat, such that a boundary between the sub door window and the tail gate window is located on the side of the driver's seat. Since the boundary between the sub door window and the tail gate window is located in the difficult-to-view region behind the driver's seat, the driver's field of vision can be ensured.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

A vehicle10with a tail gate (hereinafter referred to as “vehicle10”) according to a first embodiment shown inFIG. 1is a van with a steering wheel on a right side of the van. In a passenger compartment25of the vehicle10, three rows of seats are arranged in a direction from a front side of a vehicle body11to a rear side of the vehicle body11.

In a first or front row, a driver's seat12and a front passenger seat13are provided. A longitudinal centerline C1extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle through a widthwise center of the vehicle is disposed between the driver's seat12and the front passenger seat13. That is, the driver's seat12and the front passenger seat13are offset relative to the longitudinal centerline C1passing through the vehicle width center. In the vehicle with the steering wheel on the right side, the driver's seat12is provided on a right side of the longitudinal centerline C1and the front passenger seat13is provided on a left side of the longitudinal centerline C1. In the second and third row, there are provided second and third row seats14,15each of which is capable of seating three people and extends in a widthwise direction of the vehicle. The rearmost or third row seat15is hereinafter referred as “rear seat15”. A luggage compartment16for loading luggage is formed rearwardly of the rear seat15. A swingable tail gate40is attached to allow for loading luggage into the luggage compartment16or unloading luggage from the luggage compartment16. The luggage compartment16is part of the passenger compartment25.

A rearview mirror18for a driver Mn to view rearwardly is mounted on a laterally central position of a windshield17in the widthwise direction of the vehicle. Side mirrors19,19for the driver Mn to view laterally or rearwardly are attached to left and right end portions of a front part of the vehicle body11.

As shown inFIGS. 2 to 4, the vehicle10has a rear opening30formed throughout a rear part thereof in the widthwise direction and in a vertical direction. The tail gate40is attached to open and close the rear opening30. The tail gate40has a sub opening50formed therein in a height direction of the tail gate40. A sub door60is attached to the sub opening50for opening and closing the sub opening50.

The rear opening30formed in a rear part of the vehicle body11has a generally rectangular shape (including a generally square shape). The rear opening30is defined by an upper edge30aformed in the widthwise direction in a vicinity of a roof22of the vehicle body11, lateral edges30b,30c(reference sign “b” is a suffix representing a right side edge, and reference sign “c” is a suffix representing a left side edge) extending downwardly from opposite ends of the upper edge30aalong widthwise end portions of the vehicle body, and a lower edge30dinterconnecting lower ends of the lateral edges30b,30c.

The tail gate40is attached to an upper part of the vehicle body11in such a manner as to vertically swing on a first pivot axis21extending horizontally.

A vertically extending pillar43is formed in a vicinity of the sub opening50formed in the tail gate40. The pillar43is integrally attached to the tail gate40. Since the pillar43is formed in the tail gate40, the tail gate40has an increased rigidity against an external force applied from a rear side of the vehicle10.

Since the sub opening50is formed in the tail gate40in the vertical direction, the tail gate50has a lower strength, as compared to the case where the tail gate50has no sub opening50. If the strength of the tail gate is low, the tail gate may be elastically deformed at a peripheral edge of the sub opening50due to vibration from a road when the vehicle is running To address this, the pillar43is provided along a lateral edge of the sub opening50. Since the pillar43is provided along the lateral edge of the sub opening50in the vertical direction, the strength of the tail gate40is increased to thereby reduce occurrence of the elastic deformation.

The tail gate40has a tail gate window44which is an opening formed in an upper part of the tail gate40to view an outside of the vehicle from the passenger compartment. The tail gate window44is covered by a tail gate window panel45made of glass. The tail gate window panel45covers not only the tail gate window44but also a pillar's outer side facing the outside of the vehicle.

It is understood that the tail gate window panel45can be made of any material other than glass provided that the panel is a transparent panel such as a resinous panel. The tail gate window panel45is hereinafter referred to as “tail gate window glass45”.

The sub opening50has a generally rectangular shape and is defined by an upper edge50aformed along the upper edge30aof the rear opening30, a lateral edge50bextending downwardly from one end of the upper edge50aalong the pillar43, a lateral edge50cextending downwardly from an opposite end of the upper edge50aalong the lateral edge30cof the rear opening30, and a lower edge50dinterconnecting lower ends of the lateral edges50b,50c.

A vertically extending centerline C2passing through the widthwise center of the vehicle is located between the lateral edges50b,50cof the sub opening50. That is, the lateral edges50b,50cof the sub opening50are located in a region avoiding the widthwise center of the vehicle. The sub opening50formed in the tail gate40has a width extending in the widthwise direction of the vehicle and the width is, off course, smaller than a width of the rear opening30. The vertically extending centerline C2is orthogonal to the first pivot axis21.

The sub door60is supported by the pillar43through two hinges80. The sub door60can swing on a second pivot axis47extending vertically through centers of the two hinges80. The sub door60can horizontally swing in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

In a vicinity of a lateral end of the sub door60in the widthwise direction of the vehicle, a sub door knob61for unlocking the sub door60is attached to the sub door60. By pulling the sub door knob61, an operator can unlock the sub door60to swing the sub door60. The sub door60can swing from the lateral end of the sub door60toward the widthwise center of the vehicle.

The sub door60has a sub door window64which is an opening formed in an upper part of the sub door60for viewing the outside of the vehicle from the passenger compartment, and the sub door window64is continuous with the tail gate window44. The sub door window64is covered by a sub door window panel65made of glass.

It is understood that the sub door window panel65can be made of any material other than glass provided that the panel is a transparent panel such as a resinous panel. The sub door panel65is hereinafter referred to as “sub door window glass65”.

The tail gate window44has the same height as that of the sub door window64(the window44has the same vertical length as that of the sub door window64), and is located at the same level as the sub door window64, such that the tail gate window44and the sub door window64are integral and continuous with each other. The tail gate window44and the sub door window64are collectively referred to as “window70”. The window70extends throughout the vehicle width and hence, off course, is formed at least in the widthwise center of the vehicle. The pillar43vertically continuously extends between the tail gate window44and the lateral edge50bof the sub opening50located in a vicinity of the tail gate window44.

Referring particularly toFIG. 3, the sub opening50is formed to open throughout the range of a generally left half of the tail gate40. The term “generally half” used herein means that a width W2of the sub opening50is 0.3 to 0.7 relative to a width W1of the tail gate40. That is, W2=0.3.about.0.7.times.W1. In the present invention, the value of the ratio of W2to W1is in the range of 0.3 to 0.7 including 0.5 which means a half value of the width of the tail gate40. The same goes for the sub opening50if the sub opening50is formed in a right half of the tail gate40, as shown inFIG. 3A. The width of the sub opening50ofFIG. 3andFIG. 3Ahas a value of 0.7.times.W1relative to the width W1of the tail gate40. That is, inFIG. 3, W2=0.7.times.W1.

If the width W2of the sub opening50is less than a value of 0.3×W1, the width of the sub opening50is so small that luggage cannot be loaded or unloaded or a passenger cannot get in or out of the vehicle. On the other hand, if the width W2exceeds a value of 0.7×W1, the sub door60protrudes too much in the front-rear direction of the vehicle when the sub door60is opened.

The width W2of the sub opening50is set to be a value of 0.3˜0.7×W1. That is, the width of the sub opening50is set to be generally half of the width W1of the tail gate to ensure a sufficient space for loading or unloading of luggage or boarding or alighting of a passenger. In addition, the sub door60can protrude a reduced amount when the sub door60is opened, thereby reducing occurrence of interference of the sub door60with goods or articles set around the vehicle10.

As shown particularly inFIG. 4, a vertical plane extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body11such that the vertically extending centerline C2passing through a lateral center of the tail gate40lies in this vertical plane is defined as a central vertical plane CP. The window70crosses the central vertical plane CP.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 3, the lateral edge50cof the sub opening50extending along a widthwise end of the vehicle is located oppositely from the driver's seat12relative to the longitudinal centerline C1extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body through the vehicle width center and the vertically extending centerline C2extending through the widthwise center of the tail gate. The lateral edge50bof the sub opening50closer to the widthwise center of the vehicle than to the widthwise end of the vehicle is located on a side of the driver's seat12relative to the vehicle widthwise center C1extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and the vehicle widthwise center C2extending vertically.

The pillar43and the second pivot axis47are attached to a location overlapping the driver's seat12when the vehicle body11is viewed from behind. The second pivot axis47extends alongside the lateral edge50bof the sub opening50. The lateral edge50bof the sub opening50can be interpreted as a lateral edge of the driver's seat side.

As shown inFIG. 5, the sub door60is supported by the pillar43of closed cross-sectional shape through the hinges80. Attached to the pillar43are the hinges80and a seal member85sealing against the sub door60and the passenger compartment. The closed cross-sectional shape of the pillar43increases the rigidity of the pillar43.

The hinge80is generally L-shaped and is comprised of a bottom portion81attached to the pillar43, an arm portion82extending from the bottom portion81in a rearward direction of the vehicle body, a pin83attached to a distal end of the arm portion82and supporting the sub door60in such a manner as to allow the swing movement of the sub door60, and a reinforcement portion84extending between the bottom portion81and the arm portion82and reinforcing the portions81,82. An attachment member67is fastened to the sub door60and the pin83passes through the attachment member67.

The sub door60is attached to the tail gate40by the hinges80to allow the sub door60to swing in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. Since the sub door60is swingably supported by the hinges80, the simple structure supporting the sub door60can be achieved.

Since the pillar43of high rigidity supports the sub door60through the hinges80, further, the rigidity to support the sub door60can be enhanced.

Next, detailed discussions of the tail gate window glass45and the sub door window glass65are made with reference toFIG. 6.

As shown inFIG. 6, respective edges45a,65aof the window glasses45,65are opposed to each other. Since the edges45a,65aof the window glasses45,65are opposed directly to each other, the window glasses45,65appear to be integral with each other when the vehicle10is viewed from behind, such that the vehicle has its improved design.

In addition, the edges45a,65aof the respective window glasses45,65are both rounded or arc-shaped in cross section. The sub door window glass65swings together with the sub door60. The arc-shape of each of the edges45a,65aof the window glasses45,65prevents interference between the edges45a,65awhen the sub door glass65swings. The edges45a,65amay be disposed closer to each other to further improve the design so long as the interference therebetween is prevented.

A discussion as to the vehicle10is made with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8.

As shown inFIG. 7, when big luggage BC is to be loaded into the vehicle10, the tail gate40is swung upwardly. Since the rear opening30is formed to open in the entire range of the rear part of the vehicle body11, the big luggage BC can be loaded into the vehicle10.

As shown inFIG. 8, the rear opening30is formed to open over the entire range of the rear part of the vehicle body11in a height direction of the rear part of the vehicle body11. The sub opening50is formed to open over the entire range of the tail gate40in the height direction of the tail gate40. That is, the sub opening50is formed over the generally entire range of the rear opening30in a height direction of the rear opening30. The sub opening50having a large height allows a person to get in and out of the vehicle10from the rear part of the vehicle10.

When small luggage SC is to be loaded into the vehicle10, the sub door60is horizontally swung, such that the sub door60begins to be opened at the lateral edge50which is located on a lateral end side of the sub opening50in the widthwise direction of the vehicle. Since the sub door60is part of the tail gate40, the sub door60is lighter than the tail gate40. The sub door60lighter than the tail gate40is easy to open and close and thus provides a superior operability.

Referring also toFIG. 3, the sub opening50is formed to open over the entire range of the generally left half of the tail gate40. The small luggage SC can be loaded into or unloaded from the vehicle through the sub opening50when the sub door60is opened. The tail gate40has a portion where the sub opening50is not formed, and the hinges80are attached to this portion for supporting the sub door60. The sub opening50occupies the entire range of the generally left half of the tail gate40to thereby ensure an opening area necessary to load or unload the small luggage SC as well as to ensure a space sufficient to attach the hinges80for supporting the sub door60.

A discussion as to the traveling vehicle10is made with reference toFIGS. 9 and 10.

As shown in comparative examples ofFIG. 9(a)andFIG. 10(a), a vehicle110has a pillar143located at the widthwise center of the vehicle. The pillar143overlaps a most part of another vehicle OC running behind the vehicle110. It is thus difficult for a driver of the vehicle110to view the vehicle OC through a rearview mirror118. When a distance between the vehicle110and the vehicle OC running behind the vehicle110increases, the pillar143is completely aligned with the vehicle OC, in which case the driver of the vehicle110may not view the vehicle OC.

Shaded regions each located between lines extending from the rearview mirror118shown inFIG. 9(a)are regions which the driver can view through the rearview mirror118. In other words, a view of a region between the shaded regions is obstructed by the pillar143.

As shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 9(b)andFIG. 10(b), although the pillar43disposed on the right (driver's) side of the vehicle body11obstructs part of a view on the rearview mirror18, the vehicle OC running behind the vehicle10can be viewed through the rearview mirror18because the pillar43is offset rightward.

Additionally, as shown inFIG. 9(c), when another vehicle OC runs on a lane outside the driver's seat of the vehicle10, the vehicle OC running behind the vehicle10can be viewed through the side mirror19. As shown inFIG. 9(d), further, even when the vehicle10runs on a curved lane, the vehicle OC running behind the vehicle10can be sufficiently viewed.

A discussion as to the vehicle moving back is made with reference toFIG. 11.

The vehicle10may move back for parking in a parking lot P of premises, as shown inFIG. 11(a), or the vehicle10may move back to a location where another vehicle OC runs, such as a passageway of a service area of an express highway, as shown inFIG. 11(b).

Referring also toFIG. 11(c), when the vehicle10moves back, the driver can be given a wide view because the pillar43is disposed in a region overlapping the driver's seat.

Referring toFIG. 3as well as toFIGS. 9 and 10, the foregoing is summarized as follows.

The lateral edges50b,50cof the sub opening50are located in the regions avoiding the widthwise center C2of the vehicle body11, and the window70is provided in the lateral center C2of the tail gate40. Since the window70is provided at least in the center C2, the minimum necessary view can be ensured. Since the lateral edges50b,50cof the sub opening50are located in regions avoiding the window70, additionally, the lateral edges50b,50cdo not obstruct the field of vision. That is, the vehicle10according to the present invention ensures high visibility in spite of having the sub door60mounted thereto.

The sub door window64extends between opposite lateral ends of the sub door60in the widthwise direction of the vehicle while the tail gate window44extends between opposite lateral ends of the tail gate40in the widthwise direction of the vehicle. That is, the window70extends in the widthwise direction of the vehicle. The window70formed over the wide range, and the lateral edges50b,50cnot obstructing the field of vision can achieve high visibility.

The tail gate window44and the sub door window64are located at generally the same level relative to the tail gate40. That is, the tail gate window44and the sub door window64are continuous with each other, such that a continuous view can be provided in a height direction.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the foregoing is summarized as follows.

In the vehicle body11, the driver's seat12is disposed in an offset position relative to the longitudinal and vertical centerlines C1, C2and the pillar43(the second pivot axis47) is attached to the location overlapping the driver's seat12when the vehicle body11is viewed from behind. That is, the pillar43(the second pivot axis47) is provided at the location overlapping the driver's seat12. The location overlapping the driver's seat12in the front-rear direction of the vehicle10is difficult for the driver Mn to view. That is, the pillar43(the second pivot axis47) is provided avoiding a region which the driver Mn may easily bring into his/her field of vision, thereby ensuring a better driver's field of vision.

The lateral edge50bcloser to the widthwise center of the vehicle than the lateral edge50cis located on the side of the driver's seat12relative to the centerlines C1, C2, such that a boundary between the sub door window64and the tail gate window44is located on the side of the driver's seat12. Since the boundary between the sub door window64and the tail gate window44is located in the difficult-to-view region behind the driver′ seat12, the driver's field of vision can be ensured.

A discussion as to the sub door60is made with reference toFIGS. 12 to 14.

As shown in a comparative example ofFIG. 12(a), a vehicle200having a tail gate240without any sub door needs to be opened when luggage is to be loaded into or unloaded from the vehicle. When the tail gate240is opened, the tail gate240protrudes in the rearward direction of the vehicle by a distance equal to the height of the tail gate240.

As shown inFIG. 12(b), on the other hand, the vehicle10in the embodiment has the sub door60attached to part of the tail gate40. The sub door60has its generally half width of the width of the tail gate40. Because of the small width of the sub door60, an amount of protrusion of the sub door60in the rearward direction of the vehicle10is made smaller by a protrusion difference δ than an amount of protrusion of the tail gate240when the tail gate240is opened. The smaller amount of the protrusion of the sub door60in the rearward direction of the vehicle10reduces occurrence of interference of the sub door60with goods or articles around the vehicle10when the sub door60is opened or closed. That is, luggage can be loaded into or unloaded from the vehicle in a small space.

As shown inFIG. 13(a), a vehicle300in a comparative example has a sub door360pivotable from a widthwise center of the vehicle toward a widthwise end portion of the vehicle. That is, the sub door360begins to be opened at a lateral edge350blocated on a side of the widthwise center of the vehicle. In putting elongated luggage Ca such as a golf bag or a baby carriage into a luggage compartment316of the vehicle300, the luggage Ca needs to be sufficiently inclined relative to a width of the vehicle so as not to contact the sub door60. That is, an angle θ1of the inclination of the luggage Ca is large. However, when the inclined luggage Ca is brought close to the luggage compartment316, a tip of the luggage Ca may contact a rear seat315, and hence the luggage Ca may not be well put into the luggage compartment316.

As shown inFIG. 13(b), on the other hand, the sub door60of the vehicle10is opened from the widthwise end portion of the vehicle toward the widthwise center of the vehicle. Since the sub door60is opened toward the widthwise center of the vehicle, slight inclination of the luggage Ca relative to the widthwise direction of the vehicle suffices to put the luggage Ca into the luggage compartment. That is, an angle θ2of the inclination of the luggage Ca is small. Since the luggage Ca is slightly inclined, the luggage Ca does not interfere with the rear seat15, and hence can be easily put into the luggage compartment.

As shown inFIG. 14(a), the sub door360of the vehicle300of the comparative example begins to be opened at a vicinity of a lateral center of a tail gate340in the widthwise direction of the vehicle. A knob for opening the sub door360is attached to a vicinity of a region at which the sub door360begins to be opened. That is, the knob is attached to the widthwise center of the vehicle. In opening the sub door360, a passenger first moves from a front passenger seat313to a rear corner portion of the vehicle300. Next, the passenger moves from the rear corner to a rear center of the vehicle300and then opens the sub door360.

As shown inFIG. 14(b), on the other hand, the sub door60of the vehicle10in the embodiment begins to be opened at a vicinity of a lateral end portion of the tail gate40in the widthwise direction of the vehicle. The knob61(FIG. 3) for opening the sub door60is attached to a vicinity of a region at which the sub door60begins to be opened. In opening the sub door60, a passenger first moves from the front passenger seat13to a rear corner portion of the vehicle10. Since the rear corner portion of the vehicle10and the lateral end portion of the tail gate40are close to each other, the knob for opening the sub door60is attached to the vicinity of these portions. Thus, the passenger can open the sub door60without moving to the widthwise center of the vehicle behind the vehicle. Since the passenger does not move to the widthwise center of the vehicle behind the vehicle, he/she can move the shorter distance around the vehicle.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 3, the driver's seat12is offset toward one lateral side of the vehicle relative to the longitudinal and vertical centerlines C1, C2of the vehicle while the one lateral edge50c(FIG. 4) of the sub opening50is located oppositely from the driver's seat12. That is, the sub door60begins to be opened at the lateral edge of the sub opening50located on the side of the front passenger seat13. In loading or unloading luggage in a vicinity of a street, it is preferable to do the work off the street. According to the present invention, the sub door60is configured to begin to be opened at the end portion on the side of the front passenger seat13, thereby facilitating the loading or unloading of luggage off the street.

Second Embodiment

A vehicle with a tail gate according to a second embodiment of the present invention is discussed with reference toFIG. 15.FIG. 15corresponds toFIG. 3.

As shown inFIG. 15, a vehicle10A includes a sub door60A having a width W2=0.3×W1where W1is a width of a tail gate40A. That is, a sub opening50A is formed to open over the entire range of a generally left half of the tail gate40A. The vehicle10A in the second embodiment configured as discussed above has predetermined advantages of the present invention.

Third Embodiment

Next, a vehicle with a tail gate according to a third embodiment of the present invention is discussed with reference toFIG. 16.FIG. 16corresponds toFIG. 3.

As shown inFIG. 16, a vehicle10B includes a sub door60B which is a sliding door in a widthwise direction of the vehicle. The vehicle10B in the third embodiment configured as discussed above has the predetermined advantages of the present invention. Since the sub door60B is the sliding door, the sub door60B protrudes a small amount in a rearward direction of the vehicle. The vehicle10B in the third embodiment does not have hinges80(FIG. 4) and the second pivot axis47(FIG. 3).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The vehicle with the tail gate according to the present invention is preferably applicable to a van-type vehicle.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

10,10A,10B: vehicle,11: vehicle body,12: driver's seat,30: rear opening,40,40A: tail gates,44: tail gate window,45: tail gate window glass,45a: edge of the tail gate window glass,50,50A: sub opening,50b,50c: lateral edge of the sub opening,60,60A,60B: sub door,64: sub door window,65: sub door window glass,65a: edge of the sub door window glass