Door actuating apparatus

• US 9,322,204 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2013
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: Suzuki, Shintaro
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Kristina
• Assistant Examiner(s): AHMAD, FARIA F
• Application Number:
  US14/067,217
• Publication Number:
  US 20140137474A1
• Time in Patent Office: 909 Days
• Field of Search: 292/DIG.15, 292/201, 292/210, 292/216, 292/200, 292/198, 292/DIG.23, 16/82, 16/85, 16/86.A, 16/86.C, 493/24, 493/45, 493/56, 493/58, 296/146.4, 296/146.8
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/004 Lost motion connections
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/06 using rotary motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/13 a single actuator for driving a lock and additional vehicle components, e.g. window wipers or window lifters
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/14 operating on bolt detents, e.g. for unlatching the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/16 operating on locking elements for locking or unlocking action
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/20 for assisting final closing or for initiating opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/36 Geared sectors, e.g. fan-shaped gears
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/66 the bolt position, i.e. the latching status
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/70 the wing position
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/36 Locks for passenger or like doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/02 Lock casings
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/243 with a bifurcated bolt
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 17/203 concealed, e.g. for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/611 for swinging wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/616 operated by push-pull mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/686 Rods, links
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/15 Door, checks, floor

Abstract

A door actuating apparatus includes an engagement mechanism configured to retain a door at a full close position, an operating portion configured to output a signal to open the door, a control unit actuating an actuator by receiving the signal, an engagement member advancing and retracting relative to the door in accordance with rotation of the door, and a door opening mechanism operating by actuation of the actuator, positioning the door at a full close position to a predetermined rotational position by rotating the door in a vehicle exterior direction by biasing the engagement member by engaging with the engagement member when the door is released from an engaged state by the door opening mechanism engaging with the engagement mechanism, and releasing engagement with the engagement member when an external force rotating the door in the vehicle exterior direction is exerted on the door at the predetermined rotational position.

Claims

1. A door actuating apparatus comprising:

an engagement mechanism selectively achieving an engaged state and a disengaged state, the engagement mechanism configured to achieve the engaged state where a door that is rotatably supported by a vehicle body is retained at a full close position, the engagement mechanism configured to achieve the disengaged state where the door is not retained at the full close position;

an operating portion configured to be operated for rotating the door that is at the full close position outward relative to a vehicle interior, the operating portion outputting a signal for rotating the door;

a control unit receiving the signal from the operating portion, the control unit actuating an actuator in response to the signal;

an engagement member configured to be retained by the vehicle body and configured to engage with the door, the engagement member advancing and retracting relative to the door in accordance with rotation of the door; and

a lever mechanism operated by actuation of the actuator,

the lever mechanism shifting a state of the engagement mechanism from the engaged state to the disengaged state by virtue of the lever mechanism engaging the engagement mechanism while the engagement mechanism is in the engaged state,

the lever mechanism engaging the engagement member to apply a force from the actuator to the door that rotates the door from the full close position to a predetermined rotational position positioned between the full close position and a full open position,

the lever mechanism being separable from the engagement member to allow the door, when the door is in the predetermined rotational position, to rotate in a vehicle exterior direction when an external force rotating the door in the vehicle exterior direction is exerted on the door.

2. The door actuating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lever mechanism engages with the engagement member after the lever mechanism shifts the state of the engagement mechanism from the engaged state to the disengaged state by engaging with the engagement mechanism in the engaged state and is configured to rotate the door from the full close position to the predetermined rotational position.

3. The door actuating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lever mechanism includes a first driven member moving in accordance with an actuated position of the actuator, a second driven member driven by the first driven member, the second driven member engaging with the engagement mechanism, and a third driven member driven by the first driven member, the third driven member engaging with the engagement member, and wherein the lever mechanism, in a process where the actuated position of the actuator shifts in one direction from a position corresponding to the full close position of the door, shifts the state of the engagement mechanism in the engaged state to the disengaged state by the second driven member pushing an engaging portion of the engagement mechanism in a state where the actuated position of the actuator shifts from a first position to a second position positioned at a position in the one direction relative to the first position, moves position of the engagement member relative to the door from a position corresponding to the full close position of the door to a position corresponding to the predetermined rotational position by the third driven member pushing an engagement portion of the engagement member in a state where the actuated position of the actuator is at the second position or in a state where the actuated position of the actuator shifts from a third position positioned at a position in the one direction relative to the second position to a fourth position positioned at a position in the one direction relative to the third position, retains a state of the engagement mechanism in the disengaged state in a state where the actuated position of the actuator is at a position in the one direction relative to the second position, and configured to allow the door to rotate in the vehicle exterior direction relative to the predetermined rotational position of the door corresponding to the actuated position of the actuator by the engagement portion of the engagement member separating from the third driven member in a state where the external force rotating the door in the vehicle exterior direction is exerted on the door in a case where the engagement mechanism is in the disengaged state.

4. The door actuating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a limiter mechanism blocking a force in accordance with an external force from the engagement member to the lever mechanism in a state where an external force rotating the door in a vehicle interior direction is exerted on the door in a case where the engagement mechanism is in the disengaged state.

5. The door actuating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a retaining mechanism retaining the engagement member, the retaining mechanism configured to retain the engagement member on the door at a position corresponding to the predetermined rotational position of the door.

6. The door actuating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a biasing mechanism exerting a force on the engagement member, the force being in a direction to restore a position of the engagement member relative to the door to a position corresponding to the predetermined rotational position of the door, in a state where the engagement member is at the position corresponding to the predetermined rotational position of the door and the engagement member is caused to move away from the position corresponding to the predetermined rotational position of the door.

7. The door actuating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lever mechanism pushes an end portion of the engagement member to rotate the door at the full close position to the predetermined rotational position.

8. The door actuating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the engagement mechanism comprises a latch and a pawl, the latch being rotatable and the pawl being configured to contact the latch to prevent the latch from rotating when the engagement mechanism is in the engaged state.

9. The door actuating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a retaining mechanism retaining the engagement member, the retaining mechanism configured to retain the engagement member on the door at a position corresponding to the predetermined rotational position of the door, and

wherein the retaining mechanism comprises a biasing mechanism exerting a force on the engagement member in a direction to restore a position of the engagement member relative to the door to a position corresponding to the predetermined rotational position of the door when the engagement member is at the position corresponding to the predetermined rotational position of the door and the engagement member is caused to move away from the position corresponding to the predetermined rotational position of the door.

10. A door actuating apparatus comprising:

an engagement mechanism selectively achieving an engaged state and a disengaged state, the engagement mechanism configured to achieve the engaged state where a door that is rotatably supported by a vehicle body is retained at a full close position, the engagement mechanism configured to achieve the disengaged state where the door is not retained at the full close position;

an operating portion configured to be operated for rotating the door that is at the full close position outward relative to a vehicle interior, the operating portion outputting a signal for rotating the door;

a control unit receiving the signal from the operating portion, the control unit actuating an actuator in response to the signal;

an engagement member configured to be retained by the vehicle body and configured to engage with the door, the engagement member advancing and retracting relative to the door in accordance with rotation of the door; and

a lever mechanism operating by actuation of the actuator,

the lever mechanism shifting a state of the engagement mechanism from the engaged state to the disengaged state by virtue of the lever mechanism engaging the engagement mechanism while the engagement mechanism is in the engaged state,

the lever mechanism engaging the engagement member to rotate the door from the full close position to a predetermined rotational position positioned between the full close position and a full open position,

the lever mechanism being separable from the engagement member to allow the door, when the door is in the predetermined rotational position, to rotate in a vehicle exterior direction when an external force rotating the door in the vehicle exterior direction is exerted on the door,

wherein the lever mechanism includes a first driven member moving in accordance with an actuated position of the actuator, a second driven member driven by the first driven member, the second driven member engaging with the engagement mechanism, and a third driven member driven by the first driven member, the third driven member engaging with the engagement member, and wherein the lever mechanism, in a process where the actuated position of the actuator shifts in one direction from a position corresponding to the full close position of the door, shifts the state of the engagement mechanism in the engaged state to the disengaged state by the second driven member pushing an engaging portion of the engagement mechanism in a state where the actuated position of the actuator shifts from a first position to a second position positioned at a position in the one direction relative to the first position, moves position of the engagement member relative to the door from a position corresponding to the full close position of the door to a position corresponding to the predetermined rotational position by the third driven member pushing an engagement portion of the engagement member in a state where the actuated position of the actuator is at the second position or in a state where the actuated position of the actuator shifts from a third position positioned at a position in the one direction relative to the second position to a fourth position positioned at a position in the one direction relative to the third position, retains a state of the engagement mechanism in the disengaged state in a state where the actuated position of the actuator is at a position in the one direction relative to the second position, and configured to allow the door to rotate in the vehicle exterior direction relative to the rotational position of the door corresponding to the actuated position of the actuator by the engagement portion of the engagement member separating from the third driven member in a state where the external force rotating the door in the vehicle exterior direction is exerted on the door in a case where the engagement mechanism is in the disengaged state.

11. A door actuating apparatus comprising:

an engagement mechanism selectively achieving an engaged state and a disengaged state, the engagement mechanism configured to achieve the engaged state where a door that is rotatably supported by a vehicle body is retained at a full close position, the engagement mechanism configured to achieve the disengaged state where the door is not retained at the full close position;

an operating portion configured to be operated for rotating the door that is at the full close position outward relative to a vehicle interior, the operating portion outputting a signal for rotating the door;

a control unit receiving the signal from the operating portion, the control unit actuating an actuator in response to the signal;

an engagement member configured to be retained by the vehicle body and configured to engage with the door, the engagement member advancing and retracting relative to the door in accordance with rotation of the door; and

a lever mechanism operating by actuation of the actuator,

the lever mechanism shifting a state of the engagement mechanism from the engaged state to the disengaged state by virtue of the lever mechanism engaging the engagement mechanism while the engagement mechanism is in the engaged state,

the lever mechanism engaging the engagement member to rotate the door from the full close position to a predetermined rotational position positioned between the full close position and a full open position,

the lever mechanism being separable from the engagement member to allow the door, when the door is in the predetermined rotational position, to rotate in a vehicle exterior direction when an external force rotating the door in the vehicle exterior direction is exerted on the door,

further comprising a limiter mechanism blocking a force in accordance with an external force from the engagement member to the lever mechanism in a state where an external force rotating the door in a vehicle interior direction is exerted on the door in a case where the engagement mechanism is in the disengaged state.