Automatic opening/closing device for vehicle

• US 7,174,674 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2003
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company), Mitsuba Corporation
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company), Mitsuba Corporation
• Inventors: Yoshida, Yasushi, Hattori, Takeshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Redman; Jerry
• Application Number:
  US10/742,331
• Publication Number:
  US 20040134129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• Field of Search: 493/39, 493/40, 493/41, 493/42, 493/44, 296/56
• US Class Current: 49/344
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/619 using flexible or rigid rack-and-pinion arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/63 operated by swinging arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailboards, tailgates or sideboards opening upwards

Abstract

The invention improves accuracy of engagement of a pinion and a rack with each other in an automatic opening/closing device for a vehicle. In the automatic opening/closing device for the vehicle and for automatically opening and closing an opening/closing member provided to a vehicle body, the device includes a motor for generating a driving force for driving a pinion for rotation, a sliding member having a rack engaged with the pinion, and a rail member for positioning the sliding member and for guiding the sliding member in a predetermined direction. The sliding member and the opening/closing member are connected through a connecting rod. A base member is integrally formed with a motor fixing portion and a rail fixing portion. The motor and the rail member are fixed to the base member. As a result, it is easy to improve accuracy of positioning of the pinion and the rack and to improve accuracy of engagement of the pinion and the rack with each other.

Claims

1. An automatic opening/closing device for a vehicle, comprising:

an opening/closing member provided to a vehicle body so as to be automatically opened and closed;

a motor for generating a driving force for driving a pinion for rotation;

a rail member having a rail member length and a rail member width, the rail member length being substantially greater than the rail member width;

a sliding member having a sliding member width and sliding member length, the sliding member including a rack engaged with the pinion and being connected to the opening/closing member through a connecting member, the sliding member slidably mounted on the rail member such that the sliding member length and width are aligned respectively with the rail member length and width, the sliding member length being less than the rail member length, the sliding member width being greater than the rail member width, and the sliding member sharing a bearing surface with the rail member along substantially all of the sliding member length; and

a base member to which the motor and the rail member are fixed respectively.

2. The automatic opening/closing device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the pinion is rotatably supported on the base member.

3. The automatic opening/closing device for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the base member includes a motor fixing portion, a rail fixing portion, and a pinion support portion.

4. The automatic opening/closing device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the base member includes a motor fixing portion and a rail fixing portion which are formed integrally.

5. The automatic opening/closing device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the bearing surface is formed by an angular protrusion formed on a side of the rail member and a complementary angular recess formed on a side of the sliding member.

6. The automatic opening/dosing device for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the bearing surface further includes another angular protrusion formed on another side of the rail member and another complementary angular recess formed on another side of the sliding member.

7. An automatic opening/closing device for a vehicle, comprising:

an opening/closing member provided to a vehicle body so as to be automatically opened and closed;

a motor for generating a driving force for driving a pinion for rotation;

a sliding member which includes a rack engaged with the pinion and which is connected to the opening/closing member through a connecting member;

a rail member which positions the sliding member driven forward and rearward through the pinion and which positions in a width direction and guides in a straight moving direction the sliding member and which is formed longer than the sliding member; and

a base member to which the motor and the rail member are fixed respectively;

wherein the base member includes a motor fixing portion and a rail fixing portion which are formed integrally; and

wherein the rail fixing portion includes a plurality of ribs oriented perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the rail fixing portion, and a wall portion formed so as to surround the sliding member except where the rack engages the pinion and where the sliding member and the connecting member extend beyond the base member while being driven forward and rearward.

8. An automatic opening/closing device for a vehicle comprising:

an opening/closing member provided to a vehicle body so as to be automatically opened and closed;

a motor for generating a driving force for driving a pinion for rotation;

a rail member having a rail member length and a rail member width, the rail member length being substantially greater than the rail member width;

a sliding member having a sliding member width and sliding member length, the sliding member including a rack engaged with the pinion and being connected to the opening/closing member through a connecting member, the sliding member slidably mounted on the rail member such that the sliding member length and width are aligned respectively with the rail member length and width, the sliding member length being less than the rail member length, the sliding member sharing a bearing surface with the rail member along substantially all of the sliding member length; and

a base member to which the motor and the rail member are fixed respectively;

wherein the sliding member substantially surrounds the rail member along the length of the sliding member, except where the rail member is fixed to the base member.