Patent ID: 12196253

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle including an opening and closing device will be explained.

Configuration of Present Embodiment

As illustrated inFIG.1, a vehicle10includes a vehicle body20, a back door30, and two opening and closing devices50.

<Vehicle Body20>

The vehicle body20includes a door opening21that opens rearward and two ball studs41(40) provided on opposite sides of the door opening21. The door opening21has, for example, a rectangular shape whose longer direction coincides with a width direction of the vehicle10and whose shorter direction coincides with a vertical direction of the vehicle10. The door opening21corresponds to an “opening”. The ball studs41are located closer to an upper end than to a lower end of the door opening21.

As illustrated inFIG.2, each of the ball studs41includes a ball43, a shaft portion44that extends from the ball43, and a bracket45that supports the shaft portion44. The ball43has a spherical shape. The shaft portion44has a columnar shape. When an end portion of the shaft portion44connected to the ball43is defined as a distal end and an end portion of the shaft portion44connected to the bracket45is defined as a proximal end, a diameter of the shaft portion44gradually decreases from the proximal end toward the distal end. The bracket45is fixed to the vehicle body20by, for example, a fastening member such as a screw.

<Back Door30>

As illustrated inFIG.1, the back door30has a shape corresponding to the door opening21. The back door30is supported by the vehicle body20via a hinge or the like so as to be rotatable about a swing axis extending in the width direction of the vehicle10. The back door30rotates about the swing axis to be displaced between a fully opened position where the door opening21is fully opened and a fully closed position where the door opening21is fully closed. The fully opened position of the back door30is a position indicated by a two-dot chain line inFIG.1, and the fully closed position of the back door30is a position indicated by a solid line inFIG.1. The back door30corresponds to an “opening and closing body”.

In the following description, in side view of the vehicle10, an end portion of the back door30supported by the vehicle body20is referred to as a “proximal end portion”, and an end portion opposite to the proximal end portion is referred to as a “distal end portion”. In addition, a direction in which the back door30moves from the fully closed position to the fully opened position is referred to as an “opening direction”, and a direction in which the back door30moves from the fully opened position to the fully closed position is referred to as a “closing direction”.

The back door30includes two ball studs42(40) provided on the opposite sides of the door opening21. Each of the ball studs42is fixed at a position closer to the proximal end than to the distal end of the back door30. As illustrated inFIG.2, each ball stud42has the same configuration as the ball stud41provided on the vehicle body20.

<Opening and Closing Device50>

As illustrated inFIGS.1and2, each opening and closing device50is an elongated shaft-shaped member.FIG.1illustrates only the opening and closing device50on one side in the width direction of the vehicle10. The opening and closing device50on one side couples together the ball stud41of the vehicle body20and the ball stud42of the back door30on the right side in the width direction of the vehicle10. The opening and closing device50on the other side couples together the ball stud41of the vehicle body20and the ball stud42of the back door30on the left side in the width direction of the vehicle10. In the following description, an axial direction of the opening and closing device50is simply referred to as an “axial direction”. As illustrated inFIG.2, the opening and closing device50includes a linear motion actuator60and two coupling portions70(71,72).

<Linear Motion Actuator60>

The linear motion actuator60is a portion excluding opposite end portions of the opening and closing device50. The linear motion actuator60corresponds to a shaft-shaped telescopic “shaft member”. The linear motion actuator60includes an inner tube61, an outer tube62, a motor case63, an electric motor64, and a transmission mechanism65.

The inner tube61and the outer tube62have a tubular shape. An outer diameter of the inner tube61is smaller than an inner diameter of the outer tube62. A first end of the inner tube61is inserted into a second end of the outer tube62. The inner tube61is movable in the axial direction with respect to the outer tube62. The motor case63has a tubular shape similarly to the outer tube62. A second end of the motor case63is coupled to a first end of the outer tube62.

The electric motor64is housed in the motor case63together with a drive circuit (not illustrated). The electric motor64is driven on the basis of, for example, electric power supplied from a battery of the vehicle10. InFIG.2, power supply lines and signal lines extending from the electric motor64and the drive circuit are omitted.

The transmission mechanism65is housed over the inner tube61, the outer tube62, and the motor case63. The transmission mechanism65converts rotational motion of an output shaft of the electric motor64into linear motion in the axial direction of the inner tube61. For example, the transmission mechanism65can include a speed reducer and a feed screw mechanism.

The linear motion actuator60extends by rotating the output shaft of the electric motor64in a first rotation direction. At this time, a protrusion amount of the inner tube61with respect to the outer tube62increases. In this way, the linear motion actuator60applies a load in the opening direction to the back door30to perform an opening operation of the back door30. On the other hand, the linear motion actuator60contracts by rotating the output shaft of the electric motor64in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction. At this time, the protrusion amount of the inner tube61with respect to the outer tube62decreases. In this way, the linear motion actuator60applies a load in the closing direction to the back door30to perform a closing operation of the back door30.

<Coupling Portion70>

As illustrated inFIG.2, the coupling portions70include the coupling portion71fixed to a first end in the axial direction of the linear motion actuator60and the coupling portion72fixed to a second end in the axial direction of the linear motion actuator60. As illustrated inFIG.1, when the opening and closing device50is attached to the vehicle10, the coupling portion71is coupled to the ball stud41of the vehicle body20, and the coupling portion72is coupled to the ball stud42of the back door30. In the linear motion actuator60, the two coupling portions70have the same configuration.

As illustrated inFIGS.3to5, each of the coupling portions70includes a socket100, a plate spring200, and a cover300. In the following description, a direction perpendicular to the axial direction is referred to as a “width direction”, and a direction perpendicular to both the axial direction and the width direction is referred to as a “vertical direction”. Furthermore, in the axial direction, an end portion of the coupling portion70fixed to the linear motion actuator60is referred to as a proximal end, and an end portion on an opposite side to the proximal end of the coupling portion70is referred to as a distal end. The width direction and the vertical direction of the coupling portion70are independent of the width direction and the vertical direction of the vehicle10.

<Socket100>

As illustrated inFIGS.3to5, the socket100includes a housing portion110that houses the ball43of the ball stud40, a fixing portion140fixed to the linear motion actuator60, and a connecting portion150that connects the housing portion110and the fixing portion140. The socket100is preferably made of a resin material having high strength and capable of injection molding.

The housing portion110includes a first housing wall120constituting a lower side of the housing portion110and a second housing wall130constituting an upper side of the housing portion110. The housing portion110also includes a housing hole111having an upward depth direction and two guide grooves112extending in the axial direction.

The first housing wall120has a cylindrical shape whose height direction coincides with the vertical direction. The first housing wall120includes two sliding surfaces121and two retracted surfaces122intersecting the width direction and a first locking surface123and two second locking surfaces124intersecting the vertical direction. The first housing wall120also has a first recess125and a second recess126located on opposite sides in the axial direction of each of the two sliding surfaces121.

As illustrated inFIGS.3and6, the two sliding surfaces121are side surfaces in the width direction of the first housing wall120. Each of the sliding surfaces121includes a first sliding surface121a, a second sliding surface121b, and a third sliding surface121c. The first sliding surface121ais connected to the first recess125in the axial direction, and the third sliding surface121cis connected to the second recess126in the axial direction. The second sliding surface121bconnects the first sliding surface121aand the third sliding surface121cin the axial direction. In other words, the second sliding surface121bis connected to the first sliding surface121aand extends toward the second recess126in the axial direction. Each of the retracted surfaces122connects the first recess125and the second recess126in the axial direction. The retracted surface122is connected to the first sliding surface121a, the second sliding surface121b, and the third sliding surface121cin the vertical direction.

Among the first sliding surface121a, the second sliding surface121b, and the third sliding surface121c, the first sliding surface121ahas the shortest axial length, and the third sliding surface121chas the longest length in the axial direction. An length of the retracted surface122in the axial direction is equal to the sum of lengths in the axial direction of the first sliding surface121a, the second sliding surface121b, and the third sliding surface121c. Respective lengths of the first sliding surface121a, the second sliding surface121b, and the third sliding surface121care equal one another in the vertical direction. The vertical length of the first sliding surface121a, the second sliding surface121b, and the third sliding surface121cis equal to a length in the vertical direction of the retracted surface122.

The first sliding surface121ahas a larger inclination with respect to the axial direction than the second sliding surface121band the third sliding surface121c. The second sliding surface121bhas a larger inclination with respect to the axial direction than the third sliding surface121c. The third sliding surface121cextends along the axial direction. Therefore, the third sliding surface121chas the smallest inclination with respect to the axial direction. The inclination with respect to the axial direction is an angle formed between the surface and the axial direction. For example, the surface having a large inclination with respect to the axial direction is a surface that advances outward in the width direction from a distal end toward a proximal end of the socket100by a large amount. The retracted surface122is retracted inward in the width direction as compared with the first sliding surface121a, the second sliding surface121b, and the third sliding surface121c.

The first recess125is provided close to the distal end of the socket100. The second recess126is provided closer to the proximal end of the socket100than the first recess125is. The first recess125and the second recess126have a groove shape extending in the vertical direction. The vertical direction, which is a direction in which the first recess125and the second recess126extend, corresponds to an “extending direction”.

Cross-sectional shapes perpendicular to the vertical direction of the first recess125and the second recess126are semicircular shapes. An inner peripheral surface of the first recess125and the first sliding surface121aare continuous, whereas an inner peripheral surface of the second recess126, the third sliding surface121c, and the retracted surface122are discontinuous. In another embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the first recess125and the first sliding surface121amay be discontinuous.

In the vertical direction, the first recess125is shorter than the second recess126. Specifically, a length in the vertical direction of the second recess126is a total value of vertical lengths of the first sliding surface121aand the retracted surface122, whereas a vertical length of the first recess125is equal to the vertical length of the first sliding surface121a. The socket100corresponds to a “second member” in having the first recess125and the second recess126.

Here, lengths of edges extending in the vertical direction are equal on opposite sides in the axial direction of the second recess126, whereas lengths of edges extending in the vertical direction are different on opposite sides in the axial direction of the first recess125. Specifically, a length of an edge on the distal end side of the first recess125, a length of an edge on the distal end side of the second recess126, and a length of an edge on the proximal end side of the second recess126are equal to each other. Specifically, the length of these edges is equal to the lengths in the vertical direction of the sliding surface121and the retracted surface122. On the other hand, a length of an edge on the proximal end side of the first recess125is shorter than the length of the edge on the distal end side of the first recess125. Specifically, the length of the edge on the proximal end side of the first recess125is equal to the length in the vertical direction of the sliding surface121.

As illustrated inFIGS.4and7, the first locking surface123is a bottom surface of the first housing wall120. In the present embodiment, the first locking surface123and the two sliding surfaces121are perpendicular to each other. As illustrated inFIGS.3and7, the two second locking surfaces124are upper surfaces of the first housing wall120. The two second locking surfaces124are located on opposite sides in the width direction of the first housing wall120. In each of the two second locking surfaces124, the shorter direction coincides with the width direction and the longer direction coincides with the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the two second locking surfaces124and the two sliding surfaces121are perpendicular to each other. In other words, the two second locking surfaces124and the first locking surface123are parallel to each other.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the second housing wall130covers the first housing wall120from above. The second housing wall130includes a peripheral wall131having an arc shape as viewed from the axial direction, and a front wall132and a rear wall133adjacent to the peripheral wall131viewed in the axial direction. An outer diameter of the peripheral wall131is smaller than an outer diameter of the front wall132and an outer diameter of the rear wall133. Therefore, a step is formed between the peripheral wall131and the front wall132and between the peripheral wall131and the rear wall133in the axial direction. In addition, the centers in the width direction of the front wall132and the rear wall133are provided with recesses.

The two guide grooves112extend from a distal end toward a proximal end of the first housing wall120in the axial direction. The two guide grooves112are located at an interval in the width direction. In front view in the axial direction, the guide grooves112are inclined upward as going outward in the width direction. As illustrated inFIGS.5and7, the two guide grooves112communicate with the housing hole111. Here, a hole through which each of the two guide grooves112communicates with the housing hole111is referred to as a communication hole113. A position in the axial direction where the communication hole113is formed coincides with a position in the axial direction where the peripheral wall131is formed.

As illustrated inFIGS.3and4, the fixing portion140has a disk shape whose plate thickness direction coincides with the axial direction. The fixing portion140is fixed to the end portion of the linear motion actuator60. The connecting portion150has a columnar shape whose height direction coincides with the axial direction.

<Plate Spring200>

As illustrated inFIGS.3and4, the plate spring200has a C shape in front view in the axial direction. The plate spring200includes a base portion210having an arc shape and two clamping portions220that individually linearly extend from opposite end portions in a longitudinal direction of the base portion210. In a distal end portion of each of the clamping portions220, the center in the axial direction is recessed more than opposite end portions in the axial direction. In other words, the distal end portion of the clamping portion220has a shape corresponding to the ball43. The plate spring200corresponds to an “elastic body”. The plate spring200may be formed by, for example, bending a rectangular plate-shaped metal plate.

As illustrated inFIGS.5and7, the plate spring200is mounted on the socket100. The plate spring200is mounted on the socket100by being pushed toward the proximal end of the socket100through the two guide grooves112of the socket100. At this time, the base portion210of the plate spring200extends along an outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall131of the socket100. In addition, the two clamping portions220of the plate spring200are individually inserted into the two communication holes113of the socket100. As a result, the distal ends of the two clamping portions220of the plate spring200are located inside the housing hole111of the socket100. Furthermore, the two clamping portions220of the plate spring200face each other in the width direction.

<Cover300>

As illustrated inFIGS.3to5, the cover300includes an upper wall310, a regulating arm320, two side walls330, two first engaging portions340, and two second engaging portions350. The cover300is preferably made of a resin material having high strength and capable of injection molding.

The upper wall310has a size capable of covering the housing portion110and the connecting portion150of the socket100. The upper wall310has a pressing portion311that presses the plate spring200mounted on the socket100. The upper wall310also has a through hole312that passes through the upper wall310in the vertical direction.

The pressing portion311is a surface facing downward of the upper wall310and is a curved surface protruding upward. A curvature of the pressing portion311preferably corresponds to a curvature of the peripheral wall131of the socket100, that is, a curvature of the base portion210of the plate spring200. The pressing portion311is adjacent to the through hole312in the axial direction and is located at the center in the width direction. The through hole312has a rectangular shape whose shorter direction coincides with the width direction and whose longer direction coincides with the axial direction. The through hole312is located at the center in the width direction.

As illustrated inFIG.5, the regulating arm320extends along the axial direction from a surface located on the proximal end side out of two surfaces intersecting the axial direction of the through hole312. A proximal end of the regulating arm320is a fixed end, and a distal end of the regulating arm320is a free end. A lower surface of the distal end portion of the regulating arm320is inclined downward toward a distal end of the cover300. A distal end surface of the regulating arm320is perpendicular to the axial direction. An upper surface of the regulating arm320is located below an opening edge of the through hole312.

As illustrated inFIG.4, the two side walls330individually extend downward from opposite end portions in the width direction of the upper wall310. The two side walls330have a beam shape in which one end (upper end) in a longitudinal direction is a fixed end and the other end (lower end) in the longitudinal direction is a free end. Cross-sectional shapes perpendicular to the vertical direction of the two side walls330are rectangular shapes. The two side walls330have protrusions331protruding inward in the width direction. The protrusions331have a rib shape whose longitudinal direction coincides with the vertical direction. The protrusions331extend over the longitudinal direction of the side walls330. Cross-sectional shapes perpendicular to the vertical direction of the protrusions331are semicircular shapes. That is, the cross-sectional shapes perpendicular to the vertical direction of the protrusions331correspond to the cross-sectional shapes perpendicular to the vertical direction of the first recesses125and the second recesses126of the socket100. The cover300corresponds to a “first member” in having the protrusion331.

The two first engaging portions340individually extend inward in the width direction from lower end portions of the two side walls330. The first engaging portions340have a claw shape tapered toward their distal ends. Upper surfaces of the first engaging portions340are perpendicular to the side walls330. The two first engaging portions340correspond to an “engaging portion”.

The two second engaging portions350individually extend downward from opposite end portions in the width direction of the upper wall310. The two second engaging portions350are shifted in the axial direction from the two side walls330. In the present embodiment, the two second engaging portions350are located closer to the distal end of the cover300than to the two side walls330. The two second engaging portions350have a triangular shape whose height direction coincides with the vertical direction. Bottom surfaces of the two second engaging portions350are parallel to the upper surfaces of the two first engaging portions340. An interval between the two first engaging portions340and the two second engaging portions350is equal to a thickness in the vertical direction of the first housing wall120of the socket100. Specifically, the interval between the two first engaging portions340and the two second engaging portions350is equal to an interval between the first locking surface123and the two second locking surfaces124of the socket100. The two second engaging portions350correspond to the “engaging portion”.

Operation of Present Embodiment

An operation in a case where the opening and closing device50is attached to the vehicle will be explained with reference toFIGS.8to13.

As illustrated inFIGS.8and9, in the opening and closing device50before being attached to the vehicle10, the cover300is mounted on the socket100. A mounting position of the cover300on the socket100at this time is referred to as an “allowing position”.

When the mounting position of the cover300is the allowing position, the side walls330of the cover300are in contact with the sliding surfaces121of the socket100on opposite sides in the width direction of the coupling portion70. In other words, the two side walls330of the cover300sandwich the first housing wall120of the socket100in the width direction. In this way, the cover300is positioned with respect to the socket100in the width direction. Furthermore, the protrusions331of the cover300are fitted into the first recesses125of the socket100on the opposite sides in the width direction of the coupling portion70. In this way, the cover300is positioned with respect to the socket100in the axial direction.

As illustrated inFIG.9, the distal end portion of the regulating arm320of the cover300pushes downward the base portion210of the plate spring200mounted on the socket100. On the other hand, as illustrated inFIG.8, the two first engaging portions340of the cover300are locked to the first locking surface123of the socket100. In other words, the two first engaging portions340of the cover300are in contact with the first locking surface123of the socket100from below. In this way, the cover300uses the regulating arm320and the two first engaging portions340to sandwich the socket100and the plate spring200in the vertical direction. As a result, the cover300is positioned with respect to the socket100in the vertical direction.

The cover300is not separated from the socket100at the allowing position. In this respect, the allowing position is not a proper mounting position of the cover300on the socket100, but a temporary mounting position for integrally handling the cover300with the socket100.

When the opening and closing device50is attached to the vehicle10, the coupling portion71of the opening and closing device50is coupled to the ball stud41of the vehicle body20. The coupling portion72of the opening and closing device50is also coupled to the ball stud42of the back door30. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG.9, the coupling portion70of the opening and closing device50is pressed against the ball stud40, so that the ball43is inserted into the housing hole111of the socket100.

As indicated by a solid line and a two-dot chain line inFIG.9, the ball43enters the housing hole111while spreading the two clamping portions220of the plate spring200apart. At this time, the plate spring200is displaced upward in an insertion direction of the ball43by a reaction force received from the ball43. Since the distal end of the regulating arm320is in contact with the plate spring200, the plate spring200is displaced upward together with the regulating arm320by the reaction force received from the ball43. As described above, when the cover300is located at the allowing position, the displacement of the plate spring200with respect to the socket100is allowed. This enables the ball43to be inserted into the socket100while deforming the plate spring200. When a portion having the largest diameter of the ball43passes between the two clamping portions220of the plate spring200in the vertical direction, the plate spring200starts to be restored. When the ball43reaches the bottom of the housing hole111as indicated by the two-dot chain line inFIG.9, the ball43is sandwiched in the width direction between the two clamping portions220of the plate spring200. In this way, the ball43is held by the socket100and the plate spring200, and a ball joint is formed.

Thereafter, as illustrated inFIGS.9and10, the cover300is moved toward the proximal end in the axial direction of the socket100from the allowing position. At this time, on the opposite sides in the width direction of the coupling portion70, the protrusions331of the side walls330of the cover300slide on the sliding surfaces121of the socket100. In addition, the first engaging portions340of the cover300slide on the first locking surface123of the socket100, and the regulating arm320of the cover300slides on the base portion210of the plate spring200.

As illustrated inFIG.11, when the cover300starts moving from the allowing position, the protrusion331of the cover300is disengaged from the first recess125of the socket100on each of the opposite sides in the width direction of the coupling portion70. The protrusion331sequentially slides on the first sliding surface121a, the second sliding surface121b, and the third sliding surface121cof the socket100. At this time, the protrusion331of the cover300does not slide on the retracted surface122of the socket100. That is, a portion of the protrusion331closer to the free end of the side wall330than to the fixed end of the side wall330slides on the sliding surface121. In other words, the lower half of the protrusion331slides on the sliding surface121in a state where the upper half of the protrusion331is spaced apart from the retracted surface122. Finally, the protrusion331is fitted into the second recess126of the socket100. Hereinafter, the sliding movement between the protrusion331and the sliding surface121will be explained in detail.

The first sliding surface121ais continuous with the inner peripheral surface of the first recess125in the axial direction. Therefore, the protrusion331is easily moved toward the second recess126from the state of being fitted in the first recess125. However, the first sliding surface121ahas the largest angle with respect to the axial direction. Therefore, sliding resistance when the protrusion331slides on the first sliding surface121ais large. In this respect, the protrusion331is easily disengaged from the first recess125but is difficult to move toward the second recess126.

The second sliding surface121bhas a smaller angle with respect to the axial direction than the first sliding surface121a. Therefore, sliding resistance when the protrusion331slides on the second sliding surface121bis smaller than the sliding resistance when the protrusion331slides on the first sliding surface121a. Hence, when an object on which the protrusion331slides is switched from the first sliding surface121ato the second sliding surface121b, the sliding resistance decreases stepwise. Consequently, when performing the work of attaching the opening and closing device50to the vehicle10, an operator feels a click feeling.

The third sliding surface121chas a smaller angle with respect to the axial direction than the second sliding surface121b. Therefore, sliding resistance when the protrusion331slides on the third sliding surface121cis smaller than the sliding resistance when the protrusion331slides on the second sliding surface121b. Hence, when the object on which the protrusion331slides is switched from the second sliding surface121bto the third sliding surface121c, the sliding resistance decreases stepwise. However, since the angle of the third sliding surface121cwith respect to the axial direction is not greatly different from the angle of the second sliding surface121bwith respect to the axial direction, the click feeling felt by the operator is also reduced.

When the protrusion331finishes sliding on the third sliding surface121c, the protrusion331is fitted into the second recess126. In this way, the cover300is positioned with respect to the socket100in the axial direction. In the following description, a position of the cover300when the protrusion331is fitted into the second recess126, that is, the mounting position of the cover300on the socket100illustrated inFIG.10is referred to as a “restricting position”. In this respect, it can be said that the cover300can be mounted on the socket100at one of the allowing position or the restricting position.

As described above, the second recess126extends to a position higher than the first recess125in the vertical direction does. Therefore, in a case where the cover300tries to move in the axial direction when the protrusion331is fitted into the second recess126, the side wall330of the cover300needs to be deformed such that the whole portion in the vertical direction of the protrusion331can climb over the edge of the second recess126. On the other hand, in a case where the cover300tries to move in the axial direction toward the restricting position when the protrusion331is fitted into the first recess125, the side wall330of the cover300only needs to be deformed such that the lower half of the protrusion331can climb over the edge of the first recess125. That is, in the case where the protrusion331is fitted into the second recess126, the cover300cannot move in the axial direction unless the side wall330of the cover300is greatly deformed as a whole. On the other hand, in the case where the protrusion331is fitted into the first recess125, the cover300can move in the axial direction toward the restricting position even when the side wall330of the cover300is not greatly deformed as a whole. In this respect, a load required to move the cover300in the axial direction from the restricting position is greater than a load required to move the cover300from the allowing position to the restricting position. In the present embodiment, the first recess125is continuously connected to the first sliding surface121a. Therefore, a load required to start moving the cover300from the allowing position toward the proximal end of the socket100is smaller than a load required to start moving the cover300from the allowing position toward the distal end of the socket100.

When the cover300is located at the restricting position as illustrated inFIG.10, the distal end of the regulating arm320of the cover300and the plate spring200face each other in the axial direction. Furthermore, as illustrated inFIG.12, the plate spring200is disposed between the pressing portion311of the cover300and the peripheral wall131of the socket100in the vertical direction. Here, the pressing portion311of the cover300has a curved surface shape corresponding to the base portion210of the plate spring200. Therefore, the pressing portion311of the cover300faces the base portion210of the plate spring200in the vertical direction in a larger area.

The regulating arm320and the plate spring200may be in contact with each other to an extent not generating a contact load, or a slight gap may be formed between the regulating arm320and the plate spring200. Similarly, the pressing portion311and the plate spring200may be in contact with each other to an extent not generating a contact load, or a slight gap may be formed between the pressing portion311and the plate spring200. As described above, when the cover300is located at the restricting position, the displacement of the plate spring200with respect to the socket100is restricted. Therefore, even when a load acts in a direction in which the ball43is pulled out from the socket100, the ball43is less likely to fall off from the socket100.

As illustrated inFIG.13, when the cover300is located at the restricting position, the first engaging portions340and the second engaging portions350of the cover300sandwich the first housing wall120of the socket100in the vertical direction on the opposite sides in the width direction of the coupling portion70. Specifically, the first engaging portions340of the cover300push the first locking surface123of the socket100upward, and the second engaging portions350of the cover300push the second locking surfaces124of the socket100downward. In this way, when the cover300is located at the restricting position, the cover300is positioned with respect to the socket100in the vertical direction by the engagement between the socket100and the cover300.

Effects of Present Embodiment

(1) An opening and closing device that couples together a vehicle body having an opening and an opening and closing body that opens and closes the opening, and extends to perform an opening operation of the opening and closing body, at least one of the vehicle body and the opening and closing body including a ball stud including a ball, the opening and closing device including: a shaft member having a shaft shape and being telescopic in an axial direction; a socket fixed to at least one end portion of the shaft member, including a housing portion configured to house the ball, and constituting a ball joint together with the ball; an elastic body supported by the socket and configured to hold the ball together with the socket; and a cover mounted at a restricting position where displacement of the elastic body with respect to the socket is restricted, wherein when a direction in which the ball is inserted into the socket is defined as an insertion direction, the cover includes two side walls that sandwich the housing portion in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, one of the housing portion and the side walls has a recess, and the other of the housing portion and the side walls has a protrusion that is fitted into the recess when the cover is located at the restricting position.

With the above configuration, the work of attaching the opening and closing device to the vehicle is performed in a state where the cover is not mounted at the restricting position. In this case, the elastic body is easily displaced with respect to the socket, so that the ball is more easily inserted into the socket while deforming the elastic body. After the ball is inserted into the socket, the cover is mounted on the socket at the restricting position. At this time, the two side walls of the cover sandwich the housing portion of the socket, and the protrusion is also fitted into the recess. The elastic body thereby becomes less likely to be displaced with respect to the socket, so that the ball is less likely to fall off from the socket. In this way, the opening and closing device can increase the coupling strength to the vehicle by firmly mounting the cover on the socket.

In other words, the work of attaching the opening and closing device50to the vehicle10is performed in a state where the cover300is not mounted at the restricting position. In this case, the plate spring200is easily displaced with respect to the socket100, so that the ball43is more easily inserted into the socket100while elastically deforming the plate spring200. After the ball43is inserted into the socket100, the cover300is moved to the restricting position with respect to the socket100. The plate spring200thereby becomes less likely to be displaced with respect to the socket100, so that the ball43is less likely to fall off from the socket100. In this way, the opening and closing device50can increase the coupling strength to the vehicle10.

The opening and closing device can increase the coupling strength to the vehicle.

Furthermore, since the plate spring200is less likely to be displaced with respect to the socket100, the socket100and the cover300, which are resin parts, and the plate spring200, which is a metal part, are less likely to slide on each other during the opening and closing operations of the back door30. That is, the opening and closing device50can inhibit the socket100and the cover300from being scraped.

(2) In the opening and closing device, the cover is mounted on the socket at one of an allowing position where the displacement of the elastic body with respect to the socket is allowed and the restricting position, when the recess is defined as a second recess, one of the housing portion and the side walls has a first recess in addition to the second recess, and the protrusion is fitted into the first recess when the cover is located at the allowing position.

With the above configuration, when the cover is located at the allowing position, the two side walls of the cover sandwich the housing portion of the socket, and the protrusion is also fitted into the first recess. Therefore, the opening and closing device can increase the mounting strength of the cover located at the allowing position with respect to the socket.

In other words, when the ball43is housed in the socket100or taken out from the socket100, the ball43passes between the two clamping portions220of the plate spring200while widening the interval between the two clamping portions220. At this time, the base portion210of the plate spring200tries to lift upward from the peripheral wall131by the load acting on the two clamping portions220. In this respect, the pressing portion311of the cover300restricts the displacement of the plate spring200by sandwiching the base portion210of the plate spring200in the insertion direction together with the peripheral wall131of the socket100at the restricting position. Therefore, the opening and closing device50can further inhibit the ball43from falling off from the socket100after the cover300is mounted at the restricting position.

(3) In the opening and closing device, the first recess and the second recess have a groove shape extending in a direction intersecting the axial direction, and when the direction in which the first recess and the second recess extend is defined as an extending direction, the cover includes an engaging portion that engages with the socket to restrict movement in the extending direction with respect to the socket.

With the above configuration, the opening and closing device can restrict the movement of the cover in the axial direction with respect to the socket by the protrusion being fitted into the first recess or the second recess. In addition, the opening and closing device can restrict the movement of the cover in the extending direction with respect to the socket by the engaging portion engaging with the socket. In this way, the opening and closing device can increase the mounting strength of the cover with respect to the socket at the restricting position and the allowing position.

In other words, when the cover300is located at the restricting position, the two side walls330of the cover300sandwich the housing portion110of the socket100, and the protrusions331of the cover300are also fitted into the second recesses126of the socket100. Therefore, the opening and closing device50can increase the mounting strength of the cover300located at the restricting position with respect to the socket100.

(4) In the opening and closing device, the first recess has a shorter length than the second recess in the extending direction.

With the above configuration, in the opening and closing device, a force applied to the cover to release a state where the protrusion is fitted into the first recess is smaller than a force applied to the cover to release a state where the protrusion is fitted into the second recess. That is, the opening and closing device can inhibit the cover from being easily detached from the socket at the restricting position. The opening and closing device can also inhibit the cover from being difficult to detach from the socket at the allowing position.

In other words, when the cover300is located at the allowing position, the two side walls330of the cover300sandwich the housing portion110of the socket100, and the protrusions331of the cover300are also fitted into the first recesses125. Therefore, the opening and closing device50can increase the mounting strength of the cover300located at the allowing position with respect to the socket100.

(5) In the opening and closing device, each of the side walls has a beam shape in which one end in a longitudinal direction of the side wall is a fixed end and the other end is a free end, and includes the protrusion extending over the longitudinal direction of the side wall, the housing portion has the first recess and the second recess, and a sliding surface on which the protrusion slides between the first recess and the second recess in the axial direction, and the cover moves from the allowing position to the restricting position by a portion of the protrusion closer to the free end of the side wall than to the fixed end of the side wall sliding on the sliding surface.

With the above configuration, for example, a comparative example will be considered in which a portion of the protrusion closer to the fixed end than to the free end of the side wall slides on the sliding surface. In this case, when the protrusion slides on the sliding surface, the portion close to the fixed end of the side wall needs to be greatly deformed, so that sliding resistance when the cover is moved from the allowing position to the restricting position tends to increase. On the other hand, in the opening and closing device having the above configuration, the portion of the protrusion closer to the free end than to the fixed end of the side wall slides on the sliding surface. Therefore, when the protrusion slides on the sliding surface, it is not necessary to greatly deform the portion close to the fixed end of the side wall, so that the sliding resistance when the cover is moved from the allowing position to the restricting position tends to decrease.

In other words, the first recesses125have a shorter length than the second recesses126in the vertical direction. Therefore, a force applied to the cover300to release a state where the protrusions331are fitted into the first recesses125is smaller than a force applied to the cover300to release a state in which the protrusions331are fitted into the second recesses126. That is, the opening and closing device50can inhibit the cover300from being easily detached from the socket100at the restricting position. The opening and closing device50can also inhibit the cover300from being difficult to detach from the socket100at the allowing position.

On the other hand, the edges on the distal end side of the first recesses125have a longer length than the edges on the proximal end side of the first recesses125in the vertical direction. Therefore, the cover300easily moves in a direction from the allowing position to the restricting position with a relatively small force, whereas the cover300is less likely to move in a direction opposite to this direction from the allowing position with a relatively small force. As a result, the opening and closing device50can reduce the possibility that the cover300is unexpectedly detached from the allowing position.

(6) In the opening and closing device, when between the socket and the cover, a member having the protrusion is defined as a first member and a member having the first recess and the second recess is defined as a second member, the second member includes a sliding surface on which the protrusion slides between the first recess and the second recess in the axial direction, the cover moves from the allowing position to the restricting position by the protrusion sliding on the sliding surface, the sliding surface includes a first sliding surface connected to the first recess and a second sliding surface connected to the first sliding surface and extending toward the second recess, and the second sliding surface has a different inclination with respect to the axial direction from the first sliding surface.

With the above configuration, when the cover moves from the allowing position to the restricting position, the protrusion slides on the first sliding surface, and then slides on the second sliding surface having a different inclination from the first sliding surface. Therefore, when moving the cover from the allowing position to the restricting position, an operator who attaches the opening and closing device to the vehicle can feel a click feeling with the protrusion passing through a boundary between the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface. This enables the opening and closing device to inform the operator that the cover is being correctly moved.

In other words, the movement of the cover300in the axial direction with respect to the socket100is restricted at the allowing position or the restricting position by the rib-shaped protrusions331being fitted into the groove-shaped first recesses125or second recesses126. In addition, the movement of the cover300in the vertical direction with respect to the socket100is restricted at the allowing position or the restricting position by the first engaging portions340engaging with the socket100. Furthermore, the movement of the cover300in the width direction with respect to the socket100is restricted at the allowing position or the restricting position by the two side walls330sandwiching the socket100in the width direction. In this way, the opening and closing device50can increase the mounting strength of the cover300with respect to the socket100at the restricting position and the allowing position.

(7) In the opening and closing device, the inclination of the first sliding surface with respect to the axial direction is larger than the inclination of the second sliding surface with respect to the axial direction.

With the above configuration, when the operator moves the cover from the allowing position toward the restricting position, the protrusion disengaged from the first recess first slides on the first sliding surface. Therefore, the operator needs to apply a relatively large force to the cover when starting to move the cover from the allowing position. In other words, it can be said that the cover located at the allowing position is difficult to move from the allowing position toward the restricting position. In this respect, the opening and closing device can inhibit the cover from unexpectedly moving from the allowing position toward the restricting position when being carried or the like.

In other words, for example, a comparative example will be considered in which the upper halves of the protrusions331of the cover300slide on the sliding surfaces121of the socket100. In this case, when the protrusions331slide on the sliding surfaces121, the portions close to the fixed ends of the side walls330of the cover300need to be greatly deformed, so that sliding resistance when the cover300is moved from the allowing position to the restricting position tends to increase. On the other hand, in the opening and closing device50, the lower halves of the protrusions331of the cover300slide on the sliding surfaces121of the socket100. Therefore, when the protrusions331slide on the sliding surfaces121, it is not necessary to greatly deform the portions close to the fixed ends of the side walls330, so that the sliding resistance when the cover300is moved from the allowing position to the restricting position tends to decrease.

(8) In the opening and closing device, the housing portion includes a peripheral wall having an arc shape as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, and houses the ball while covering the ball with the peripheral wall, the elastic body is a plate spring including a base portion that extends along an outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall and two clamping portions that individually extend from opposite ends of the base portion to sandwich the ball housed in the housing portion, the cover includes a pressing portion that restricts displacement of the plate spring by sandwiching the base portion of the plate spring in the insertion direction together with the peripheral wall at the restricting position, and the pressing portion has a curved surface shape along the base portion of the plate spring.

With the above configuration, when the ball is housed in the socket or taken out from the socket, the ball passes between the two clamping portions of the plate spring while widening the interval between the two clamping portions. At this time, the base portion of the plate spring tries to lift up from the peripheral wall by the load acting on the two clamping portions. In this respect, the pressing portion of the cover restricts the displacement of the plate spring by sandwiching the base portion of the plate spring in the insertion direction together with the peripheral wall of the socket at the restricting position. Therefore, the opening and closing device can further inhibit the ball from falling off from the socket after the cover is mounted at the restricting position.

Here, when the pressing portion has a planar shape, the contact area between the pressing portion and the plate spring tends to be small. In this case, when the ball moves relative to the socket, the effect of inhibiting the displacement of the plate spring by the pressing portion is reduced. On the other hand, in the opening and closing device, the pressing portion has the curved surface shape along the base portion of the plate spring. Therefore, the contact area between the pressing portion and the plate spring can be increased. As a result, the opening and closing device can enhance the effect of inhibiting the displacement of the plate spring by the pressing portion.

In other words, when the cover300is moved from the allowing position to the restricting position, the protrusions331slide on the first sliding surfaces121a, and then slide on the second sliding surfaces121bhaving a different inclination from the first sliding surfaces121a. Therefore, when moving the cover300from the allowing position to the restricting position, an operator who attaches the opening and closing device50to the vehicle10can feel a click feeling with the protrusions331passing through a boundary between the first sliding surfaces121aand the second sliding surfaces121b. This enables the opening and closing device50to inform the operator that the cover300is being correctly moved.

(9) In the opening and closing device, the cover includes a first engaging portion in contact with the housing portion from the insertion direction and a second engaging portion in contact with the housing portion from a direction opposite to the insertion direction, and when the cover is located at the restricting position, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion sandwich the housing portion in the insertion direction.

With the above configuration, in the opening and closing device, the cover is positioned with respect to the socket in the insertion direction by the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion sandwiching the housing portion. Therefore, the opening and closing device can inhibit the cover from moving with respect to the socket even when the plate spring is displaced along with movement of the ball stud with respect to the socket.

In other words, when the operator moves the cover300from the allowing position toward the restricting position, the protrusions331disengaged from the first recesses125first start sliding on the first sliding surfaces121a. Therefore, the operator needs to apply a relatively large force to the cover300when starting to move the cover300from the allowing position. In other words, it can be said that the cover300located at the allowing position is difficult to move from the allowing position toward the restricting position. In this respect, the opening and closing device50can inhibit the cover300from unexpectedly moving from the allowing position toward the restricting position during carriage or the like of the opening and closing device50.

(10) For example, when the pressing portion311has a planar shape, the contact area between the pressing portion311and the plate spring200tends to be small. In this case, the effect of inhibiting the displacement of the plate spring200by the pressing portion311is reduced. On the other hand, in the opening and closing device50, the pressing portion311has the curved surface shape along the base portion210of the plate spring200. Therefore, the contact area between the pressing portion311and the plate spring200can be increased. As a result, the opening and closing device50can enhance the effect of inhibiting the displacement of the plate spring200by the pressing portion311.

(11) For example, a comparative example will be considered in which the socket100does not include the second engaging portions350. In the comparative example, the cover300is positioned with respect to the socket100in the vertical direction by sandwiching the base portion210of the plate spring200and the first locking surface123of the socket100in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the plate spring200is displaced by the ball43moving relative to the socket100, the cover300may move unexpectedly along with the displacement of the plate spring200. In this respect, in the opening and closing device50, the cover300is positioned with respect to the socket100in the insertion direction by the first engaging portions340and the second engaging portions350of the cover300sandwiching the socket100. In addition, the first engaging portions340and the second engaging portions350of the cover300extend in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the cover300is less likely to rotate about an axis extending in the width direction. Consequently, the opening and closing device50can inhibit the cover300from moving with respect to the socket100even when the plate spring200is displaced by the movement of the ball43relative to the socket100.

(12) In order to move the cover300from the restricting position toward the allowing position, the distal end of the regulating arm320of the cover300needs to be displaced to a position higher than the base portion210of the plate spring200. In this respect, as illustrated inFIG.3, the upper surface of the regulating arm320is recessed below the upper wall310of the cover300. Therefore, the opening and closing device50can avoid a situation in which the cover300moves from the restricting position toward the allowing position as a result of a user of the vehicle10erroneously touching the regulating arm320of the cover300.

Modification Examples

The present embodiment can be modified as follows. The present embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a range not technically contradictory.The pressing portion311of the cover300may have a planar shape.The cover300does not have to include the second engaging portions350. In this case, when the cover300is mounted at the restricting position, the pressing portion311is in contact with the base portion210of the plate spring200, and the first engaging portions340are in contact with the first locking surface123of the socket100.In the socket100, each sliding surface121may be a single flat surface or curved surface. In this case, the sliding surface121may extend along the axial direction or may be inclined with respect to the axial direction.In the socket100, the positional relationship between each sliding surface121and each retracted surface122in the vertical direction may be reversed. That is, the lower end of the sliding surface121and the upper end of the retracted surface122may be connected.In the socket100, the vertical length of the first recesses125may be equal to the vertical length of the second recesses126. In this case, the socket100does not have to include the retracted surfaces122.In the socket100, the second recesses126may have a greater depth than the first recesses125. As a result, the protrusions331of the cover300may be more firmly fitted into the second recesses126.In the socket100and the cover300, the shapes of the protrusions331, the first recesses125, and the second recesses126can be changed as appropriate. For example, the protrusions331, the first recesses125, and the second recesses126may have a male shape and a female shape constituting a so-called snap-fit.The socket100may include two protrusions instead of each first recess125and each second recess126. In this case, it is preferable that the cover300has one recess into which the two protrusions are fitted instead of each protrusion331. According to this modification example, when the cover300is located at the allowing position, one of the protrusions of the socket100is fitted into the recess of the cover300, and when the cover300is located at the restricting position, the other protrusion of the socket100is fitted into the recess of the cover300. In this modification example, the socket100corresponds to the “first member”, and the cover300corresponds to the “second member”.The cover300may be positioned at the allowing position or the restricting position by a frictional force with the socket100. That is, the cover300is not limited to one positioned on the socket100with the protrusions331fitted into the first recesses125or the second recesses126.The cover300does not have to include the regulating arm320. In this case, it is preferable that the cover300has a configuration of restricting the displacement of the plate spring200in the axial direction at the restricting position.The plate spring200may be an elastic body made of an elastomer such as rubber and resin. In this case, it is preferable that at least a part of the elastic body is located above the peripheral wall131of the socket100, and at least a part of the elastic body is located inside the housing hole111of the socket100.In the above embodiment, the depth direction of the housing hole111of the socket100fixed to the first end of the linear motion actuator60and the depth direction of the housing hole111of the socket100fixed to the second end of the linear motion actuator60face in the same direction. Depending on how the ball studs40are fixed to the vehicle body20and the back door30, the depth directions of the housing holes111of the two sockets100may be directed in different directions.One of the coupling portions70of the opening and closing device50does not have to constitute the ball joint together with the vehicle body20or the back door30. One of the coupling portions70of the opening and closing device50may constitute a universal joint such as a hook joint together with the vehicle body20or the back door30.The opening and closing device50may be a so-called gas spring or gas damper. In this case, a portion extended by a reaction force of gas corresponds to the “shaft member”. The opening and closing device according to this modification example can apply a load in the opening direction to the back door30, but cannot apply a load in the closing direction to the back door30. That is, the opening and closing device can open the back door30but cannot close the back door30.The opening and closing body provided with the opening and closing device50may be a door other than the back door30. For example, the opening and closing body may be a front door and a rear door as a swing door.The opening and closing body as the opening and closing target of the opening and closing device50is not necessarily a door. For example, the opening and closing body may be a hood panel or a fuel lid.

The principles, preferred embodiment and mode of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. However, the invention which is intended to be protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes and equivalents which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims, be embraced thereby.