Sliding door device for vehicle

• US 9,334,684 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2013
• Issued: 05/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Nam, Kyunghyun
• Primary Examiner(s): Mitchell, Katherine
• Assistant Examiner(s): DENION, SCOTT T
• Application Number:
  US14/084,146
• Publication Number:
  US 20140157670A1
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 600/61.43, 200/61.43
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/40 Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/48 by transmission of mechanical forces, e.g. rigid or movable members
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/51 for railway cars or mass transit vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors

Abstract

A sliding door device for a vehicle is disclosed. The sliding door device for a vehicle includes a sliding door installed in a vehicle body to be slidingly moved to open and close a door opening formed in the vehicle body. A vehicle body weather strip is attached to the door opening. A sensing device is installed in the vehicle body weather strip to sense that an object or an occupant is jammed in a state where the sliding door is closed. An electronic control unit (ECU) for receives a sensing signal of the sensing device to control opening and closing of the sliding door. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent an object or an occupant from being jammed in a process of closing the sliding door.

Claims

1. A sliding door device for a vehicle, comprising:

a sliding door installed in a vehicle body to be slidingly moved to open and close a door opening formed in the vehicle body;

a vehicle body weather strip attached to the door opening;

a sensing device installed in the vehicle body weather strip to sense that an object or an occupant is jammed in a state before the sliding door is completely closed when the sliding door is closing,

wherein the sensing device comprises;

a door opening and closing sensor for sensing opening or closing of the sliding door; and

a jam sensor for sensing that the object or the occupant is jammed in a state where the sliding door is closed;

an electronic control unit (ECU) for receiving a sensing signal of the sensing device to control opening and closing of the sliding door,

wherein the sliding door comprises a door weather strip attached to the vehicle body weather strip to seal the door opening, and

wherein the door opening and closing sensor comprises;

an elastic contact protrusion pressed by the door weather strip in a state where the sliding door is closed and restored to an original shape when the elastic contact protrusion is separated from the sliding door;

a sensing rod integrated with the elastic contact protrusion to be elongated and contracted in line with elongation and contraction of the elastic contact protrusion;

an opening and closing sensing terminal fixedly mounted at one leading end of the sensing rod and connected to the ECU; and

a spring inserted into an external circumference of the sensing rod to elastically support the sensing rod.

2. The sliding door device of claim 1, wherein the elastic contact protrusion is mounted in and supported by a mounting bracket, and

wherein a narrow part is formed in an upper end of the door weather strip and cut inward in a thickness direction.

3. The sliding door device for a vehicle of claim 2, wherein a guide bracket is fixedly attached to the mounting bracket at a right angle joint, and

wherein a through hole is formed in the guide bracket so that the sensing rod is inserted into the through hole to be guided and moved.

4. The sliding door device for a vehicle of claim 2, wherein the jam sensor comprises:

a protruding fixing pin installed in the mounting bracket and connected to ground to the vehicle body;

a ground bracket, wherein the fixing pin is inserted into one side of the ground bracket;

a sensing wire having one end movably inserted into an other side of the ground bracket and an other end of the sensing wire extendedly fixed in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body weather strip;

a jam sensing terminal installed at one end of the sensing wire and connected to the ECU; and

a spring for elastically supporting the sensing wire.

5. The sliding door device for a vehicle of claim 4, wherein the sensing wire is inserted into a U-shaped supporting bracket in a longitudinal direction and fixedly mounted in the vehicle body,

wherein a stopper is provided at one end of the sensing wire, and

wherein the spring is installed between the stopper and the supporting bracket.

6. The sliding door device for a vehicle of claim 5, wherein the sensing wire penetrates both side surfaces of the U-shaped supporting bracket that face each other.

7. The sliding door device for a vehicle of claim 4, wherein the other end of the ground bracket is arranged between one end of the sensing wire and the stopper.

8. The sliding door device for a vehicle of claim 4, wherein the other end of the sensing wire is U-shaped and fixed by a clip,

wherein a hook is hooked at the other end of the sensing wire, and

wherein the hook is fixed to the vehicle body by a fixing bolt.

9. The sliding door device of claim 4, wherein an accommodating groove having a bottom surface grooved in a thickness direction is extendedly formed in the vehicle body weather strip in a longitudinal direction, and

wherein the sensing wire is accommodated in the accommodating groove and separated from the bottom surface.

10. The sliding door device of claim 1, wherein a pressure switch for sensing internal pressure of the door weather strip is connected to the door weather strip through a pneumatic line, and

wherein the ECU senses a change in the internal pressure of the door weather strip through the pressure switch and controls the sliding door to open when the internal pressure is not less than predetermined pressure.

11. The sliding door device of claim 1, further comprising:

a pneumatic cylinder as a power source for moving the sliding door; and

an operation link for connecting the pneumatic cylinder and the sliding door to each other so that an operating force of the pneumatic cylinder is transmitted to the sliding door.