Door opening/closing apparatus

• US 8,944,487 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2011
• Issued: 02/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation (Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation (Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Yuge, Masaaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHENEVERT, PAUL A
• Application Number:
  US13/182,968
• Publication Number:
  US 20120042572A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,300 Days
• Field of Search: 16/50, 16/64, 16/76, 16/79, 16/80, 162/39, 162/40, 162/41, 162/42, 162/45, 162/46, 162/85, 162/86, 163/39, 163/40, 163/41, 163/42, 163/43, 163/45, 163/54, 16D/IG.7, 491/39, 493/24, 493/34, 493/39, 493/40, 493/41, 493/43, 493/45, 493/48, 493/49, 493/50, 493/58, 493/59, 296/50, 296/76, 296/106, 296/146.1, 296/146.4, 296/146.8, 296/56
• US Class Current: 296/146.4
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/63 operated by swinging arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/22 Locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/422 for opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/484 Torsion springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/72 Planetary gearing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/326 of the angular type
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/11 Manual wing operation
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailgates

Abstract

A door opening/closing apparatus automatically opens and closes a door, and the door is supported by a vehicle body such that the door can open and close in a vertical direction. A plurality of link members connect the door and the vehicle body, and at least one of the link members is driven by the drive motor. A drive motor is provided integrally on or within at least one of the link members, and a connection shaft connects the link member having the drive motor and another link member that is adjacent to the former link member. The connection shaft is rotated by the drive motor.

Claims

1. A door opening/closing apparatus comprising:

a plurality of link members configured to connect a vehicle body and a door supported by the vehicle body such that the door can open and close in a vertical direction; and

an electric actuator configured to automatically open and close the door,

wherein the plurality of link members include a first link member, a second link member, and a third link member,

wherein a first end of the second link member is connected, through a first connection shaft, to a second end of the first link member, the first link member having a first end that is connected to the vehicle body,

wherein a second end of the second link member is connected, through a second connection shaft, to a first end of the third link member, the third link member having a second end that is connected to the door, and

wherein the electric actuator is provided on the second link member, and a driving force of the electric actuator is output to the first connection shaft so as to rotate the first link member and is output to the second connection shaft so as to rotate the third link member.