Patent Publication Number: US-7210713-B2

Title: Door member opener apparatus for vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-360819, filed Oct. 21, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a door member opener apparatus for a vehicle which engages a door member in a closed state with a car body. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     An automobile as an example of a vehicle comprises a door member opener apparatus for a vehicle. The door member opener apparatus for a vehicle engages a tailgate with a car body while the tailgate is closed. The tailgate is an example of a door member. The door member opener apparatus for a vehicle disengages the tailgate from the car body when, for example, an electric door handle apparatus is operated. 
     The door member opener apparatus for a vehicle comprises a striker and a latch mechanism. The striker is fixed to, for example, the car body. The latch mechanism is fixed to the tailgate to engage with the striker. When the striker and the latch mechanism are engaged with each other to close the tailgate, the tailgate engages with the car body. 
     The latch mechanism comprises a claw member and a housing. The claw member engages with the striker. The housing accommodates the claw member. A notch is formed in the housing so that the striker can enter the notch. 
     The claw member is rotatively movably supported by the housing so as to be pushed and rotatively moved by the striker entering the housing. The claw member is formed with a concave portion in which the striker is fitted. As the claw member rotatively moves, the striker is fitted into the concave portion. Moreover, the claw member is urged so as to rotatively move in a direction in which the engagement with the striker is cleared. 
     Thus, the latch mechanism comprises a pawl member to regulate the rotative movement of the claw member. When the claw member engages with the striker, the pawl member mates with a mating portion provided in the claw member. This allows the pawl member to regulate the rotative movement of the claw member to maintain the engagement between the claw member and the striker. The pawl member is supported opposite the claw member across the notch into which the striker advances. The pawl member thus rotatively moves on the same plane as that on which the claw member rotatively moves. The pawl member is urged so as to rotatively move toward the claw member. 
     The door member opener apparatus for a vehicle also comprises an open actuator. When a handle switch provided in a door handle apparatus is turned on, the open actuator rotatively moves the pawl member in a direction in which the mating with the claw member is cleared. 
     When opening the tailgate, a passenger operates a handle portion of the door handle apparatus. The passenger operates the handle member to turn on the handle switch. Then, the open actuator rotatively moves the pawl member in the direction in which the mating with the claw member is cleared. 
     Thus, the mating between the pawl member and the claw member is cleared. Then, the striker and the pawl member are disengaged from each other by an urging force acting on the claw member or the passenger&#39;s pulling of the door. 
     The open actuator stops its driving after starting its driving and the predetermine time being over. Once the driving of the open actuator is stopped, the pawl member is returned toward the claw member by the urging force. In this state, the pawl member is not mated with the mating portion of the claw member. However, closing the tailgate causes the striker to enter the housing of the latch mechanism. The entering striker abuts against the claw member. Then, the striker rotatively moves the claw member. Consequently, the pawl member mates with the claw member again. 
     On the other hand, the tailgate is adapted to engage with the car body in a half open state so as not to fully open at a time even if the striker and the claw member are disengaged from each other during traveling. The engagement between the striker and the claw member includes a regular engaged state and a half open state corresponding to the regular closed state and half open state of the tailgate. In the regular closed state, the tailgate is fully closed. 
     Further, the claw member and the pawl member mate with each other in association with the regular engaged state and half open state of the striker and claw member. 
     Depending on the magnitude of a force exerted by the passenger when closing the door, the tailgate may be half opened rather than being brought into the regular closed state, under the elastic force of a weatherstrip installed between the tailgate and the car body. In this state, the passenger must re-close the tailgate. 
     When re-closing the tailgate, the passenger first opens the tailgate. Then, in most cases, the passenger closes the tailgate immediately after the opening. Thus, the time for which the tailgate is open is short. On this occasion, the claw member remains free even though the tailgate is closed to a position corresponding to the regular closed state before the released pawl member returns toward the claw member under the urging force. 
     Consequently, the tailgate returns to a position corresponding to the half open state under the elastic force of the weatherstrip. Then, in this state, the pawl member returns toward the claw member. The pawl member and the claw member mate with each other. In other words, the tailgate engages with the car body in the half open state. Thus, it has been desirable to effectively prevent the half open state of the door. 
     Thus, it has been proposed that the time for which the open actuator is kept driven when re-closing the tailgate be set shorter than the duration from after the operation of the handle portion until the tailgate is closed to the position corresponding to the regular closed state. 
     This setting is made in order to mate the claw member with the pawl member when the handle switch is turned off before the tailgate returns from the position for the regular closed state to the position for the half open state. 
     Alternatively, in connection with a door member opener apparatus for a vehicle disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2001-123722, it has been proposed that the handle switch be turned off to stop driving the open actuator even while the open actuator should be driven. This causes the pawl member to return toward the claw member before the tailgate is closed to the position for the regular closed state. 
     On the other hand, the passenger may not pull up the tailgate immediately after the operation of the handle portion or may open the tailgate slowly. If the tailgate is not pulled up immediately after the operation, the tailgate is pushed out by the urging force acting on the claw member but may return to the position for the half open state under the weight of the tailgate itself. 
     Thus, when the driving of the open actuator is stopped before the striker and the claw member are completely disengaged from each other, the claw member and the pawl member mate with each other. The tailgate thus engages with the car body in the half open state. 
     That is, for some passengers, the time from after the operation of the handle portion until the striker and the claw member are disengaged from each other exceeds the time for which the open actuator is driven. Then, the tailgate cannot be opened. When the driving time of the open actuator is set shorter than the duration of re-closing of the tailgate, this tendency is marked and the tailgate cannot be smoothly opened. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a door member opener apparatus for a vehicle which can effectively open and close a door member. 
     A door member opener apparatus for a vehicle according to the present invention comprises an engaging mechanism, a lock mechanism, a clearing mechanism, duration detecting means, and control means. 
     The engaging mechanism comprises a striker and a claw member. The striker is fixed to one of a car body and a door member provided in the car body. The claw member is rotatively movably supported by the other of the door member and the car body. The claw member can be engaged with the striker while the door member is in a regular closed state and in a half open state. The claw member is urged in a direction in which the engagement with the striker is cleared. 
     The lock mechanism regulates rotative movement of the claw member in a direction of an urging force while the door member is in the regular closed state or in the half open state. 
     The clearing mechanism clears the regulation, by the lock mechanism, of the rotative movement of the claw member upon a request for opening of the door member. After a first predetermined time has elapsed, the clearing mechanism allows the lock mechanism to regulate the rotative movement of the claw member. The first predetermined time is determined taking re-closing of the door member in the half open state into account. 
     The duration detecting means detects the duration of the closed state of the door member. 
     The control means determines that a next request for opening of the door member is not intended to re-close the door member when the duration of the closed state of the door member exceeds a second predetermined time. The control means then sets the amount of time before the lock mechanism can regulate the rotative movement of the claw member, longer than the first predetermined time. 
     Alternatively, the door member opener apparatus for a vehicle comprises an engaging mechanism, a lock mechanism, a clearing mechanism, half-open-state detecting means, and control means. 
     The engaging mechanism comprises a striker and a claw member. The striker is fixed to one of a car body and a door member provided in the car body. The claw member is rotatively movably supported by the other of the door member and the car body. The claw member can be engaged with the striker while the door member is in a regular closed state and in a half open state. The claw member is urged in a direction in which the engagement with the striker is cleared. 
     The lock mechanism regulates rotative movement of the claw member in a direction of an urging force while the door member is in the regular closed state or in the half open state. 
     The clearing mechanism clears the regulation, by the lock mechanism, of the rotative movement of the claw member upon a request for opening of the door member. After a first predetermined time has elapsed, the clearing mechanism allows the lock mechanism to regulate the rotative movement of the claw member. The first predetermined time is determined taking re-closing of the door member in the half open state into account. 
     The half-open-state detecting means detects the half open state of the door member. 
     The control means determines that a next request for opening of the door member is intended to re-close the door member if the door member is half open upon the request. The control means then sets the amount of time before the lock mechanism can regulate the rotative movement of the claw member again, equal to a first predetermined time. If the door member is not half open upon the request, the control means sets the amount of time before the lock mechanism can regulate the rotative movement of the claw member again, longer than the first predetermined time. 
     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view showing an opened state of a tailgate of an automobile comprising a door member opener apparatus for a vehicle according to a first and second embodiments of the present invention, as viewed from behind the automobile; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view showing a closed state of the tailgate of the automobile comprising the door member opener apparatus for a vehicle according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, as viewed from behind the automobile; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the tailgate taken along line F 2 —F 2  shown in  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of an engaging mechanism taken along line F 3 —F 3  shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view showing a striker and a claw member shown in  FIG. 3 , wherein the tailgate is half open; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view showing the claw member and a pawl member at the moment when the mating between the claw member and the pawl member is cleared in response to the driving of an open actuator; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view showing the claw member and the pawl member and in which the driving of the open actuator is stopped after the tailgate has been pulled up; 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view showing the claw member and the pawl member and in which the tailgate is not pulled up immediately after the open actuator has started driving; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of opening of the tailgate according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view showing the claw member and the pawl member and in which the driving of the open actuator is started with the tailgate pulled up; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of opening of the tailgate according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing an opened state of a tailgate of an automobile comprising a door member opener apparatus for a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from behind the automobile; and 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart of opening of the tailgate according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1A to 9 , description will be given of a door member opener apparatus  10  for a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a rear side of an automobile  11  comprising the door member opener apparatus  10  for a vehicle. Reference numeral  15  denotes a rear end of a car body  14  which is open. Reference numeral  12  denotes a tailgate as an example of a door member of the automobile  11 . An upper end  13  of the tailgate  12  is rotatably supported by, for example, a hinge at an upper end of an edge  20  of the rear open end  15 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , the tailgate  12  is opened by being pulled up.  FIG. 1B  shows a regular closed state of the tailgate  12 . In the regular closed state, the tailgate  12  is fully closed. 
     A lower end of the tailgate  12  is engaged with the car body  14  by the door member opener apparatus  10  for a vehicle while the tailgate  12  is closed. A weatherstrip  22  is installed between an edge  21  of the tailgate  12  and an edge  20  of the rear open end  15  of the car body  14 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a cross section taken along a longitudinal direction and in the substantially center of a car width direction and in which the tailgate  12  is closed. The tailgate  12  has an inner panel  23 . The inner panel  23  is located inside the car body  14  while the tailgate  12  is closed. A bottom wall portion  23   a  of the inner panel has, for example, a predetermined width. The width of the bottom wall portion  23   a  extends along the longitudinal direction of the car body  14  while the tailgate  12  is closed. 
     The door member opener apparatus  10  for a vehicle comprises an engaging mechanism  30 . The engaging mechanism  30  comprises a striker  24  and a latch mechanism  25 . The striker  24  is fixed to, for example, the lower end of the edge  20  of the rear open end  15  of the car body  14 . The striker  24  is substantially U-shaped. Both ends of the striker  24  are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the car body  14 . The both ends of the striker  24  are fixed to the lower end of the edge  20 . 
     The latch mechanism  25  is provided on a bottom surface of the bottom wall portion  23   a  of the inner panel  23 . The latch mechanism  25  engages releasably with the striker  24 . The latch mechanism  25  engages with the striker  24  when the tailgate  12  is closed. 
       FIG. 3  shows how the latch member  25  and the striker  24  are engaged with each other while the tailgate  12  is in the regular closed state. The latch mechanism  25  comprises a housing  31 . The housing  31  has a base plate  32 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the base plate  32  is in contact with, for example, the bottom wall portion  23   a  of the inner panel  23  of the tailgate  12 . A notch  33  is formed in the base plate  32 . 
     The notch  33  is formed so that when the tailgate  12  is closed, a rear post portion  24   a  of the striker  24  can advance into the latch mechanism  25 . The notch  33  is formed so that, for example, the post portion  24   a  of the striker  24  can advance slightly deeper than in the regular closed state of the tailgate  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the latch mechanism  25  comprises a claw member  34 . The claw member  34  engages with the striker  24 . The claw member  34  is like, for example, a plate. The claw member  34  is supported on and along the base plate  32  and substantially parallel to the base plate  32  using a first support shaft  35 . A part of the claw member  34  covers the notch  33 . A concave portion  34   a  into which the post portion  24   a  of the striker  24  is fitted is formed in an area covering the notch  33 . 
     The claw member  34  is urged in a clockwise direction A in  FIGS. 3 to 7  using, for example, a spring. Accordingly, the engagement between the claw member  34  and the striker  24  is not maintained simply by fitting the striker  24  into the concave portion  34   a.    
     In  FIGS. 3 to 7 , in the clockwise direction A, the claw member  34  is urged so as to disengage from the striker  24 . 
     Thus, the latch mechanism  25  comprises a lock mechanism  40 . When the claw member  34  engages with the striker  24 , the lock mechanism  40  regulates the rotative movement of the claw member  34  in the clockwise direction A. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the lock mechanism  40  comprises a pawl member  41 . The pawl member  41  is, for example, substantially Y-shaped. The pawl member  41  is supported on the base plate  32  and opposite the first support shaft  35  across the notch  33 . 
     Specifically, a substantial center of the pawl member  41  is rotatively movably supported by a second support shaft  42  on the base plate  32  so that, for example, the pawl member  41  is substantially parallel to the base plate  32 . The pawl member  41  is urged using, for example, a spring, so as to rotatively move in a counterclockwise direction in  FIGS. 3 to 7 . 
     A first mating convex portion  34   b  is formed on the claw member  34 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first mating convex portion  34   b  is formed to lie closer to a rear end of the vehicle than the concave portion  34   a  while the tailgate  12  is in the regular closed state. 
     The pawl member  41  has a mating convex portion  41   a  formed in one of two branching portions which is closer to the claw member  34 . The mating convex portion  41   a  mates with the first mating convex portion  34   b  to regulate the rotative movement of the claw member  34 , which is caused by an urging force. Thus, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the pawl member  41  regulates the rotative movement of the claw member  34 . The engagement between the claw member  34  and the striker  24  is thereby maintained while the tailgate  12  is in the regular closed state. 
     On the other hand, the tailgate  12  engages with the car body  14  even in a half open state. This is to prevent the tailgate  12  from being opened at a time even if the striker  24  and the claw member  34  are disengaged from each other while the automobile  11  is traveling. That is, the closed state of the tailgate  12  includes the regular closed state and the half open state. 
     A second mating convex portion  34   c  is formed on the claw member  34  to engage the tailgate  12  in the half open state with the car body  14 . The second mating convex portion  34   c  is formed on the claw member  34  and opposite the concave portion  34   a  across the first mating convex portion  34   b  along a periphery of the claw member  34 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the second mating convex portion  34   c  mates with the mating convex portion  41   a  of the pawl member  41  while the tailgate  12  is half open. This serves to maintain the engagement between the striker  24  and the claw member  34  while the tailgate  12  is half open. That is, the tailgate  12  engages with the car body  14  while half open. 
     Further, when the passenger requests that the tailgate  12  be opened, it is necessary that the striker  24  and the claw member  34  must be disengaged from each other. To achieve this, the door member opener apparatus  10  for a vehicle comprises a clearing mechanism  44 . 
     The clearing mechanism  44  clears the mating between the claw member  34  and the pawl member  41  in unison with the passenger&#39;s operation of a handle member  50  of a tailgate opener handle apparatus  43 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the tailgate opener handle apparatus  43  is provided in the tailgate  12 . 
     A recess portion  45  is formed in an outer panel  47  of the tailgate  12  so as to extend downward from a substantially central position. The outer panel  47  is located outside. For example, a number plate is attached to the recess portion  45 . A door garnish  46  is provided at an upper edge  45   a  of the recess portion  45  along the car width direction. 
     The tailgate opener handle apparatus  43  is an electric door handle apparatus. The tailgate opener handle apparatus  43  is provided in an area covered with the door garnish  46  of the outer panel  47 . 
     The tailgate opener handle apparatus  43  comprises a base member  48 , a handle member  50 , a handle switch  52 , and a transmission member  51 . The base member  48  is assembled, from the inside of the outer panel  47 , in an opening  47   a  formed in the outer panel  47 . The base member  48  comprises wall portions  48   a  at both ends in the car width direction. The base member  48  is shaped to open backward. Thus, the opening in the base member  48  passes through the opening  47   a  of the outer panel  47  and opens backward. 
     The handle member  50  is supported on a shaft member  49  provided between the wall portions  48   a  of the base member  48 ; the handle member  50  can be rotatively moved upward. When the passenger grasps the handle member  50  in order to open the tailgate  12 , the handle member  50  is rotatively moved upward. 
     A side end  51   a  of the transmission member  51  is supported, for example, by the shaft member  49  outside the wall portions  48   a  of the base member  48 . The transmission member  51  rotatively moves in unison with the rotative movement of the handle member  50 . 
     The handle switch  52  is a switch which detects an operation of the handle member  50 . The handle switch  52  is fixed, for example, to an outer surface of the wall portion  48   a  of the base member  48  below the transmission member  51 . 
     The handle switch  52  comprises a switching lever  53  between itself and the transmission member  51 . The switching lever  53  is pressed by the transmission member  51 . Specifically, the switching lever  53  is pressed in unison with the rotative movement of the handle member  50 . When the switching lever  53  is pressed, the handle switch  52  is turned on to detect an operation of the handle member  50 . 
     The clearing mechanism  44  comprises an open actuator  55  and an open lever  60 . The open lever  60  is driven by the open actuator  55 . The open actuator  55  is mounted, for example, on a top surface of the bottom wall portion  23   a  of the inner panel  23  of the tailgate  12 . The open lever  60  extends from the open actuator  55  toward the latch mechanism  25 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 7 , a part of the open lever  60  projects through one end of a groove portion  32   a  formed in the base plate  32  to the claw member  34  and pawl member  41 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the pawl member  41  has a clearing convex portion  41   b  formed in one of the two branching portions which is opposite the mating convex portion  41   a . The groove portion  32   a  is formed substantially along a rotative movement track of the clearing convex portion  41   b . When the open actuator  55  is driven, the open lever  60  moves the groove portion  32   a  toward the clearing convex portion  41   b . Then, the open lever  60  abuts against the clearing convex portion  41   b . The open lever  60  abuts against the clearing convex portion  41   b  to rotatively move the pawl member  41  in the clockwise direction A in  FIGS. 3 to 7 . Then, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the open lever  60  clears the mating between the claw member  34  and the pawl member  41 . 
       FIG. 5  shows the moment when the mating between the claw member  34  and the pawl member  41  is cleared while the tailgate  12  is in the regular closed state. Even while the tailgate  12  is half open, the open lever  60  clears the mating between the claw member  34  and the pawl member  41  as previously described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the handle switch  52  and the open actuator  55  are connected an ECU  54 . When turned on, the handle switch  52  outputs an electric signal for driving the open actuator  55 , to the ECU  54  (electronic control unit). 
     When the electric signal for driving the open actuator  55  is input the ECU  54 , the ECU  54  determines that a request for opening of the tailgate  12  has been made. Then, the ECU  54  starts driving the open actuator  55 . Once a predetermined time has passed since the start of the driving of the open actuator  55 , the ECU  54  stops driving the open actuator  55 . When the driving of the open actuator  55  is stopped, the pawl member  41  is rotatively moved by an urging force in the counterclockwise direction in  FIGS. 3 to 7 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the claw member  34  and the pawl member  41  in the state after the tailgate  12  has been pulled up with the driving of the open actuator stopped. In this state, both the claw member  34  and the pawl member  41  are free. The first mating convex portion  34   b  covers the notch  33 . 
     Thus, when the striker  24  advances into the notch  33  in order to, for example, close the tailgate  12 , the post portion  24   a  abuts against the first mating convex portion  34   b  of the claw member  34 . Then, the claw member  34  rotatively moves in the counterclockwise direction in  FIGS. 3 to 7 . The post portion  24   a  of the striker  24  is fitted into the concave portion  34   a  of the claw member  34 . 
     Moreover, when the claw member  34  rotatively moves as the striker  24  advances, the mating convex portion  41   a  of the pawl member  41  climbs over the second mating convex portion  34   c  and first mating convex portion  34   b  of the claw member  34 . When the mating convex portion  41   a  of the pawl member  41  climbs over the second mating convex portion  34   c , the mating convex portion  41   a  can mate with the second mating convex portion  34   c . When the mating convex portion  41   a  climbs over the first mating convex portion  34   b , the mating convex portion  41   a  can mate with the first mating convex portion  34   b.    
     Thus, while the driving of the open actuator  55  is stopped, the striker  24  and the claw member  34  naturally engage with each other when the tailgate  12  is closed. Then, this engagement is maintained. That is, the striker  24  and the pawl member  34  can be disengaged from each other while the open actuator  55  is carrying out driving. The engagement between the striker  24  and the claw member  34  is maintained while the driving of the open actuator  55  is stopped. 
     Detailed description will be given of the time for which the open actuator  55  carries out driving. The open actuator  55  comprises a re-closing driving time and a normal driving time. The re-closing driving time is a first predetermined time. The re-closing driving time is used to re-close the tailgate  12  in the half open state. The normal driving time is used to open the tailgate  12  in a normal case. The normal case refers to all cases other than the re-closing of the tailgate  12 . 
     The re-closing driving time will be described. An operation of re-closing the tailgate  12  comprises opening and then closing the tailgate  12 . The re-closing does not involve the passenger getting in or out. Consequently, the amount of time after an operation of the handle member  50  and before the tailgate  12  is closed is relatively small. 
     When the tailgate  12  is closed, the engagement between the striker  24  and the claw member  34  is not maintained even when the tailgate  12  is closed to a position corresponding to the regular closed state while the open actuator  55  is carrying out driving, that is, while the claw member  34  is free. Accordingly, the tailgate  12  may return to a position corresponding to the half open state under the elastic force of the weatherstrip  22 . In this state, when the driving of the open actuator  55  is stopped, the second mating convex portion  34   c  of the claw member  34  and the mating convex portion  41   a  of the pawl member  41  mate with each other. The tailgate  12  is thus half opened again. 
     Thus, desirably, the pawl member  41  returns toward the claw member  34  before the tailgate  12  is closed to the position for the regular closed state. In other words, the first mating convex portion  34   b  of the claw member  34  needs to mate with the mating convex portion  41   a  of the pawl member  41  before the tailgate  12  returns from the regular closed state to the half open state. Consequently, the re-closing driving time is relatively short. 
     The normal driving time will be described. When the mating between the claw member  34  and the pawl member  41  is cleared, the tailgate  12  is opened by an urging force acting on the claw member  34  and a pull-up force exerted by the passenger. On this occasion, the passenger may pull up the tailgate  12  slowly or may not pull up the tailgate  12  immediately after an operation of the handle member  50 . 
     If the tailgate  12  is pulled up slowly, the tailgate  12  may engage with the car body  14  in the half open state when the driving of the open actuator  55  is stopped before the engagement between the striker  24  and the claw member  34  is completely cleared. 
     If the tailgate  12  is not pulled up immediately after the operation of the handle member  50 , the tailgate  12  is pushed out by the urging force of the claw member  34 . Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the tailgate  12  sinks under its own weight and returns to the position for the half open state. When the driving of the open actuator  55  is stopped in this state, the tailgate  12  engages with the car body  14  in the half open state. 
     Accordingly, the normal driving time is set on the basis of the duration until the engagement between the striker  24  and the claw member  34  is completely cleared if the tailgate  12  is opened slowly or is not immediately pulled up. Thus, the normal driving time is set longer than the re-closing driving time. 
     The door member opener apparatus  10  for a vehicle comprises an ajar switch  61 . The ajar switch  61  detects the closed state of the tailgate  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 7 , the ajar switch  61  is attached to the base plate  32  of the latch mechanism  25 . 
     The ajar switch  61  comprises a main body portion  62  and a detection lever  63 . One end  63   a  of the detection lever  63  is rotatively movably supported by the main body portion  62 . The other end  63   b  of the detection lever  63  is adapted to contact with the periphery of the claw member  34 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the detection lever  63  has its position varied between the regular closed state and half open state of the tailgate  12 . The ajar switch  61  thus detects the regular closed state and half open state of the tailgate  12 . The ajar switch  61  is connected to the ECU  54 . The ajar switch  61  outputs, to the ECU  54 , electric signals corresponding to the regular close state and half open state of the tailgate  12 . The ECU  54  determines the closed state of the tailgate  12  and detects the duration of the each closed state. 
     The ajar switch  61  and the ECU  54  function as duration detecting means for detecting the duration of the closed state of the tailgate  12 . The ajar switch  61  and the ECU  54  also function as half-open-state detecting means for detecting the half open state of the tailgate  12 . 
     Now, operations of the door member opener apparatus  10  for a vehicle will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 8 . To open the tailgate  12 , the passenger operates the handle member  50  of the tailgate opener handle apparatus  43 . When the handle switch  52  is turned on, it inputs the electric signal for driving the open actuator  55 , to the ECU  54 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , when the handle switch  52  inputs the electric signal for driving the open actuator  55 , to the ECU  54  in step ST 1 , the process proceeds to step ST 2 . 
     In step ST 2 , the ECU  54  determines whether or not the duration of the closed state of the tailgate  12  until the handle member  50  is operated exceeds a re-closing determination time. The re-closing determination time is a second predetermined time. 
     The re-closing determination time is set on the basis of the duration from the time when the tailgate  12  is half opened until the passenger subsequently operates the handle member  50  in order to re-close the tailgate  12 . 
     That is, when the duration of the closed state of the tailgate  12  until the handle member  50  is operated exceeds the re-closing determination time, the ECU  54  determines that the operation of the handle member  50  is one in the normal case. In other words, the ECU  54  determines that this operation is not the re-closing of the tailgate  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , if the passenger opens the tailgate  12  in the closed state, when the duration of the closed state of the tailgate  12  exceeds the re-closing determination time, the process proceeds to step ST 3 . In step ST 3 , the ECU  54  starts driving the open actuator  55 . When the driving of the open actuator  55  is started, the open lever  60  moves toward the pawl member  41 . 
     The open lever  60  moves toward the pawl member  41  and abuts against the clearing convex portion  41   b  of the pawl member  41 . Then, the open lever  60  rotatively moves the pawl member  41  in the clockwise direction A in  FIGS. 3 to 7 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , when the pawl member  41  rotatively moves in the clockwise direction A, the mating between the claw member  34  and the pawl member  41  is cleared. Consequently, the engagement between the claw member  34  and the striker  24  is cleared. 
     As a result, the claw member  34  becomes free. Consequently, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the claw member  34  rotationally moves under the urging force. Further, when the passenger pulls up the tailgate  12 , the claw member  34  abuts against the striker  24  and then rotatively moves. 
     Then, the process proceeds to step ST 4 . In step ST 4 , it is determined whether or not the driving time of the open actuator  55  exceeds the normal driving time. When the driving time of the open actuator  55  exceeds the normal driving time, the process proceeds to step ST 5 . 
     In step ST 5 , the ECU  54  stops driving the open actuator  55 . Accordingly, the passenger can pull up the tailgate  12  within the normal driving time. The ECU  54  functions as control means for switching the driving time of the open actuator  55  to the normal driving time once the duration of the closed state of the tailgate  12  exceeds the re-closing determination time. 
     In this state, the tailgate  12  has been pulled up as shown in  FIG. 6 . The pawl member  41  has returned toward the claw member under the urging force. 
     Then, to close the tailgate  12 , the passenger pulls down the tailgate  12 . Then, the post portion  24   a  of the striker  24  advances into the notch  33 . On this occasion, the first mating convex portion  34   b  of the claw member  34  is positioned so as to cover the notch  33 . Thus, the post portion  24   a  of the striker  24  abuts against the first mating convex portion  34   b  of the claw member  34 . 
     Then, the claw member  34  is pushed by the striker  24  and thus rotatively moved in the counterclockwise direction in  FIGS. 3 to 7 . At this time, the post portion  24   a  of the striker  24  is fitted into the concave portion  34   a  of the claw member  34 . Consequently, the striker  24  and the claw member  34  are engaged with each other. As the claw member  34  rotatively moves, the mating convex portion  41   a  of the pawl member  41  climbs over the second mating convex portion  34   c  and first mating convex portion  34   b  of the claw member  34 . 
     When the passenger fully closes the tailgate  12 , the first mating convex portion  34   b  of the claw member  34  and the mating convex portion  41   a  of the pawl member  41  mate with each other. Consequently, the tailgate  12  engages with the car body  14  in the regular closed state. 
     If the passenger re-closes the tailgate  12  within the re-closing determination time while the tailgate  12  is half open as shown in  FIG. 4 , the ECU  54  starts driving the open actuator  55  in step ST 6 . This operation is similar to that in step ST 3 . The passenger can re-close the tailgate  12  within the re-closing driving time. Then, once the re-closing driving time has elapsed since the start of driving of the open actuator  55 , the process proceeds to step ST 5 . In step ST 5 , the ECU  54  stops driving the open actuator  55 . 
     With the door member opener apparatus  10  for a vehicle configured as previously described, in the cases other than the re-closing of the tailgate  12 , even if the passenger opens the tailgate  12  slowly, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the engagement of the engaging mechanism  30  is fixed with the tailgate  12  half open. 
     That is, suitable driving times of the open actuator  55  are set for the re-closing of the tailgate  12  and for the normal case. Thus, the tailgate  12  is effectively opened and closed. 
     Of course, the re-closing determination time can be appropriately changed in accordance with the passenger or the automobile  11 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 10 , description will be given of operations of a door member opener apparatus  10  for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Arrangements and steps having functions similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, so that their description is omitted. 
     In the second embodiment, it is determined whether an operation of the handle member  50  corresponds to the re-closing or the normal case on the basis of the closed state of the tailgate  12  during the operation of the handle member  50 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , in step ST 1 , when the handle switch  52  is turned on, the process proceeds to step ST 2   a . In step ST 2   a , the ECU  54  determines whether or not the tailgate  12  is half open during the operation of the handle member  50 . If the tailgate  12  is half open, the ECU  54  determines that the operation of the handle member  50  corresponds to the re-closing of the tailgate  12 . Then, the process proceeds to step ST 6 . In ST 2   a , if the tailgate  12  is in the regular closed state, the ECU  54  determines that the operation of the handle member  50  corresponds to the normal case instead of the re-closing. In this case, the process proceeds to step ST 3 . 
     With the door member opener apparatus  10  for a vehicle according to the second embodiment, in the cases other than the re-closing of the tailgate  12 , even if the passenger opens the tailgate  12  slowly, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the engagement of the engaging mechanism  30  is fixed with the tailgate  12  half open. 
     That is, suitable driving times of the open actuator  55  are set for the re-closing of the tailgate  12  and for the normal case. Thus, the tailgate  12  is effectively opened and closed similar to those of the first embodiment. 
     Moreover, if the tailgate  12  is half open during an operation of the handle member  50 , it is determined that the operation corresponds to the re-closing. This allows the tailgate  12  in the half open state to be reliably closed. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , description will be given of a door member opener apparatus  10  for a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Arrangements and steps having functions similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, so that their description is omitted. 
     The door member opener apparatus  10  for a vehicle according to the third embodiment comprises an open state detecting sensor  64 . The open state detecting sensor  64  is a sensor which detects the spacing between the car body  14  and the tailgate  12  when the tailgate  12  is opened. The open state detecting sensor  64  is an example of means for open state detecting means. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the open state detecting sensor  64  is attached to a rear end of the car body  14 . 
     The open state detecting sensor  64  is connected to the ECU  54 . The open state detecting sensor  64  outputs an electric signal corresponding to the spacing between the car body  14  and the tailgate  12 , to the ECU  54 . 
     Now, with reference to  FIG. 12 , description will be given of operations of the door member opener apparatus  10  for a vehicle according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, as shown in the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not an operation of the handle member  50  is intended to re-close the tailgate  12  on the basis of the duration of the closed state of the tailgate  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , in step ST 2 , when the duration of the closed state of the tailgate  12  exceeds the re-closing determination time, the process proceeds to step ST 3 . In step ST 3 , the ECU  54  drives the open actuator  55 . Then, the process proceeds to step ST 3   a . In step ST 3   a , the ECU  54  determines whether or not the spacing between the car body  14  and the tailgate  12  reaches predetermined value. 
     The predetermined spacing is set on the basis of, for example, the spacing between the car body  14  and the tailgate  12  which is required by the passenger to close the tailgate  12  to the position for the regular closed state without using an excessive force. Specifically, to close the tailgate  12 , the passenger urges the tailgate  12  in a direction in which it is closed. This urging force increases with the size of the spacing between the car body  14  and the tailgate  12 . That is, the predetermined spacing is such that the urging force acting on the tailgate  12  has a magnitude enough to allow the tailgate  12  to be closed to the position for the regular closed state without using an excessive force. 
     Once the tailgate  12  has opened to the position corresponding to the predetermined spacing, the process proceeds to step ST 5 . In step ST 5 , the ECU  54  stops driving the open actuator  55 . This allows the tailgate  12  to engage with the car body  14  in the regular closed state even if the tailgate  12  is closed within the normal driving time. 
     If the tailgate  12  has not been opened to the position corresponding to the predetermined spacing, the process proceeds to step ST 4 . In step ST 4 , it is determined whether or not the driving time of the open actuator  55  exceeds the normal driving time. 
     In step ST 4 , if the driving time of the open actuator  55  does not exceed the normal driving time, the process returns to step ST 3 . Even if the tailgate  12  is not opened until the spacing between the car body  14  and the tailgate has a predetermined value, when the driving time of the open actuator  55  exceeds the normal driving time, the process proceeds from step ST 4  to step ST 5 . 
     On the other hand, in step ST 2 , when the passenger operates the handle member  50  within the re-closing determination time, that operation is determined to be the re-closing of the tailgate  12 . If the tailgate  12  is to be re-closed, the process proceeds to step ST 6 . In step ST 6 , the ECU  54  starts driving the open actuator  55 . 
     Then, the process proceeds to step ST 6   a . In step ST 6   a , the ECU  54  determines whether or not the spacing between the car body  14  and the tailgate  12  has a predetermined value. The predetermined spacing is as described above. In this case, when the spacing between the car body  14  and the tailgate  12  has the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step ST 5 . 
     Thus, even if the tailgate  12  is closed within the re-closing driving time, it engages with the car body  14  in the regular closed state. That is, the half open state is prevented. 
     If the spacing between the tailgate  12  and the car body  14  does not have the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step ST 7 . In step ST 7 , it is determined whether or not the driving time of the open actuator  55  exceeds the re-closing driving time. In this case, when the driving time of the open actuator  55  does not exceed the re-closing driving time, the process returns to step ST 6 . Even if the spacing between the tailgate  12  and the car body  14  does not have the predetermined value, when the driving time of the open actuator  55  exceeds the re-closing driving time, the process proceeds from step ST 7  to step ST 5 . 
     With the door member opener apparatus  10  for a vehicle according to the third embodiment, when the tailgate  12  is to be re-closed, the driving time of the open actuator  55  is set equal to a time suitable for the re-closing of the tailgate  12 . For a normal operation of the tailgate  12 , the driving time of the open actuator  55  is set equal to a time suitable for the normal operation. 
     Further, with the door member opener apparatus  10  for a vehicle according to the third embodiment, when the spacing between the car body  14  and the tailgate  12  has the predetermined value, the driving of the open actuator  55  is stopped. Consequently, when the tailgate  12  is to be re-closed, it is pulled up from the car body  14  to the position corresponding to the predetermined spacing before being closed. This allows the tailgate  12  to engage with the car body  14  in the regular closed state even when the tailgate  12  is closed to the position for the regular closed state within the re-closing driving time. This also applies to the normal case. 
     That is, the tailgate  12  can be more effectively opened and closed. 
     The means for detecting the predetermined spacing between the tailgate  12  and the car body  14  is not limited to the open state detecting sensor  64 . Means different from the open state detecting sensor  64  may be used. 
     Further, of course, the predetermined spacing between the car body  14  and the tailgate  12  may be appropriately changed in accordance with the passenger or the automobile  11 . 
     Furthermore, determinations for the re-closing of the tailgate  12  are made on the basis of the duration of the closed state of the tailgate  12 . However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in the second embodiment, determinations for the re-closing of the tailgate  12  may be made on the basis of the closed state of the tailgate  12 . 
     In the first to third embodiments, the striker  24  is fixed to the car body  14 . The latch mechanism  25  and the clearing mechanism  44  are fixed to the tailgate  12 . However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the latch mechanism  25  and the clearing mechanism  44  may be fixed to the car body  14 . The striker may be fixed to the tailgate  12 . 
     The door member opener apparatus  10  for a vehicle is employed for the tailgate  12 . However, the present invention is not limited to this. The door member opener apparatus  10  for a vehicle may be employed, for example, for a driver&#39;s door or a passenger&#39;s door. 
     Of course, the re-closing driving time and the normal driving time may be appropriately changed in accordance with the passenger or the automobile  11 . 
     Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.