Background of the Invention
Technical Field
[mlj The present invention ~latetso a door edge prokctor device.
Related art
[0002] A dwr edg protector device for a vehicle &scIosed in USP 8,826,5% includes:
a movable prokctor; a driving mechanism which drives the protector, and an input unit
which bansmits an opm/closed status of a door to the driving
mechanism. The prokctor is C Oto move~ dong a p redetermined tmjecbry in an
interlocking manner with an open/clme operation of a vehicle door so as to protect a
door edge only at the time of opening the vehicle door. The dmr edge is an edge of an
end portion on a side opposite to a hinge side end portion (a distal end side end portion)
out of both end portions of a tuning Qqx vehicle door in a longitudinal dhxtion.
flunmaxy
[OOW] Tfiae is a case where a protector cannot be moved due to a reason that the
pmktor is caught by some obstacle at the time of oping a door or the k. In this
mse, even when closing of the door is tranmitted to the driving mechanism hrn an
input unit, the protector is not movable and hence, there is a possibiliiy that an
excessively @ load is applied to the driving mechanism so that the dnwng
r n ~ h m k mis bmken.
[m] It is an object of the present invention to provide a door edge pmbtor device
which can prevent an amsively large load from being applied to a drnting mechanism
even in a status where a protector cannot be moved due to a reason that the prokctm is
mught by an obstacle or the like.
[WHS'J An aspect of the present invention provides a door edge prukbr device,
comprising an output unit inc1tldir-g a pmtector for covering to protect a door edge
which is an edge of a vehicle door, and a drrving mechanism a3nfgu-d to move the
prote&r, an input wit C Oto detec~t an open /closed status of the door; and a
transmission element mnfigmd to mechanically transmit the open/closed status of the
door detmted by the input unit to the %g mechanism, wherein the input unit
comprises: an input element confgued to move to a k t position when the dmr is in an
open status, and to move to a second position when the door is in a closed status; a k t
lever mniigud to rotated interlocking with the input element; a second lever confgud
to transmit the mtation of first Iever to the transmission efemenc a k t biasing member
connecting the first and second levem with each other so as to integdy rotate; and a
m n d basing member urges the h t and socond levers to an initial position thereof
arrespnding to the first position of the input element, and when the pmkcfor is
immovable, the first Ieves can mtak with respect to the second lever against a biaskg
force of the fust biasing memk by a movement of the input unit h m the k t position
bwad the m n d position.
[0006] When the dm is brought into a closed status so that the input element is
moved to the second position h m the fmt position in a status where the protector is not
movable, the k t lever is rotated relative to the m n d lever against a biasing force of the
h t biasing member. Due to this relative mtation, the mechanical transmission of an
o p / c l d status of the door b the dmmg mechanism from the input unit thrum
the transmission element is not performed and hence, it is possible to prevent an
excessively large load fmm being applied to the driving mechanism That is, amrding b
the door edgz protector device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent an
excessively large lad hrn bekg applied to the dming rnechmkm even in a status
where the protector cannot be moved due to a reason that the protector is caught by an
obstacle or the like.
Brief Desxiption of the I)rawiqp
[m The foregphg and the other fea- of the present invention will beoome
apparent h m the followkg description and drawings of an illustrative ernkdbment of
the invention in which:
Fig. i is a hnt view da door edge proA~bdi~r vke;
Fig. 2 2s a plan view of an output unit;
Fig. 3 is a h t view of an input unit whm a housing is brou&tt into an open
status;
Fg. 4 is a perspecthe view of the input unit where the housing is brought into an
open status;
Fig. 5 is a papedrive view of the input unit where the housing is brought into an
open status;
Q, 6 is an exploded perspective view ofthe input unit
Fig. 7 is an exploded pe~spxtkevi ew of the input unit in a status where a lever
assanbly is remod?
Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing an operation status of an actuator
mechanism;
Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing an opaattion status of the actuator
mechanism;
Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing an opaation status of the actuator
mechanism; and
Fig. 11 is a schematic view showing an option stabs of the actuabr
m-sm.
Detailed Description of l3rnbdiments
[OOOS] Next, an embcdiment of the p m t invention is d d M with reference to
attached drawings.
[0009] In the description d e hereimfk) there may be a case where, out of both
ends in a longitudinal direction of a turning type vehicle door, a side closer to a bulge is
referred to as a hinge-side end portion, and an end portion on a side opposite to the
--side end portion is referred b as a distalend-side end portion. There my be also
a case where an edge of the distalend-side end portion is refenad to as a door edge.
[X)10] An orthogonal c o o ~ tseys tem (XYZ ooodnate syskm) shown in the
drawing is set in a M manner with respect to a vehicle door. That is, when the vehicle
door tums, the orthogonal midinate system also kuns.
[(I01 11 An X axis indicates a longitudhl direction of the vehicle d m An arrow of the
X axis indicates a direction k t e d toward the distalend-side end portion (including a
dmr edge). H~~~ there may be a case where a -tion indicated by the arrow of
the X axis is ref& to as a +X dkction, and a M o n opposite to the +X h t i o n is
ref& to as a -X direction. That is, the -X k t i o n indicates a direction dkcted
towad the hmge-side end portion. F'urther) there my be a case where the +X dimtion
and the-X k t i o na re mllective~an d simpb r e f dt o as anX -tion.
[MI121 A Y axis indicates a width direction of the vehicle door. An atrow of the Y axis
indicates a direction dkc5xd toward the outside of the vekicle dmr ki "Jr~-ew idth dii-wtio~i.
H w , there may be a mse where a direction indicated by the arrow of the Y axis is
=fenad to as a +Y k t i o n , and a dktion opposite to the +Y direction is r e f d to as
a -Y direction. That is, the -Y direction indicates a dkction d i d bward the inside of
the vehicle door in the width direction. F'urther, there my be a case where the +Y
direction and the -Y direction are coUectively and simply referred to as a Y direction.
[MI131 A Z axis indicates a h a t dhztion of the vehicle dmr. An anow of the Z axis
indicates a direction dkcted toward an uppr side of the vehicle d m in a height
direction. Herehfkr) there may be a case where a k t i o n indicated by the arrow of
.the Z axis is = f e d to as a +Z diredon, and a direction opposite to the +Z direction is
~ferredto as a -2 b t i o n . That is, the -2 direction indicates a dimtion M
toward a lower side of the vehicle door in the. height W o n . Further, there may be a
case where the +Z direction and the -2 -on are mllectively and simply referred to as
a Z dimtion.
[(XI141 In a status whm the vehicle door assumes a closed position, the X direction
indicates the vehicle length dkdion, the Y direction indicates the vehicle width direction,
and the Z dktion indicates the vehicle height k t i o n .
[(XIlsJ With reference to Fig. 1, a door e dp~rote ctor devim 1 includes an input unit 2,
an output unit 3, and a cable (transmission element) 4. The input unit 2 is housed in a
por!ion of a vehicle door in the vicinity of a hinge-side end prfion of the vehicle door, and
the output unit 3 is housed in a portion of the vehicle dmr in the vicinity of a distalendside
end portion of the vehicle door. The whole &le 4 is housed in the vehicle door, and
is provided for mechanically connectmg the input unit 2 and the output unit 3 b each
other. As shown in Fig. 3, the cable 4 is formed of an outer cable 4a and an inner cable
4b which movably passes through the outer cable 4a
[Olq The input unit 2 detects an open/closed status of the vehicle door. An
open/closed status of the vehcle door which is detected by the input unit 2 is
mechanically transmitted to the output unit 3 through the cable 4. S ~when ~ ,
the vehicle door assumes a c I d status, as indicated by an m w Al, a distal end 24a
of a plunger (input element) 24 of the input unit 2 is pushed into the inside of a housing
21 by a vehicle bcdy. When the plunger 24 assumes the pushed-in pition (second
position), the input unit 2 pulls the inner cable 4b hrn the output unit 3. On the other
hand, when the vehicle door assumes an open status, the plunger 24 linearly moves in
a &tion that the plunger 24 pmjects from the housing 21 as indicated by an m w
A2. When the plunger 24 assumes a projecting position ( h t position), the input unit 2
feeds the inner cable 4b toward the output unit 3.
WWith reference to Rgs. 1 and 2, the output unit 3 includes: a protector 31
which pmtecfs a door edge by covering the door edge; a driving mechanism 32 which
holds and moves the protector 31; and a housing 33 which houses the dnvmg
m m s m 32 therein.
[001Sj As shown onIy in @. 1, the dnving mechanism 32 includes a movable rod-like
memba 34 (for example, link) which projects h m h e housing 33. The protector 31 is
held on a distal end of the rod-like member 34. The driving mechanism 32 is coto
mow the protector 31 in response b pulling or fzedmg of the h e r cable 4b by the
input unit 2, that is, in mponse to an open/closed status of the vehicle door dekckd by
the input unit 2. SpecEmUy, as indicated by a doubledashed chain line T in F&. 2, the
rod-like member 34 is moved in the X k t i o n as well as in the Y direction such that
the protector 3 1 moves along a tqectory including a storing position P1 comporrding
to a closed status of the vehicle door and a set position P2 where the pmtecbr 3 1 covers
the door edge comsponding to an open status of the vehicle dmr. The driving
mecharurn 32 may lx formed by combining elments such as a cam, a mm follower, a
pinion, a rack and a spring. However, the conftgumtion of the driving mechanism 32 is
not specif* limited.
[00l9] Next, the input unit 2 is described in detail.
[0020] With reference to Fig. 1, the housing 2 1 of the input unit 2 is formed of bodies
21A, 21B. The bodies 21A, 21B are fixed to each other by four s d d b m e k r bolts 22
and he lxgxhneter bolts 23.
[0021] In the desxiption made hereinafter, the input unit 2 is dmbed mar@ with
reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 7. In these drawings, to tocilitaf~ the understanding of the
cor@umtion of the input unit 2, the ihstmtion of the bocty 21A and the bolts 22,23 is
omitted.
[ME221 In the housing 2 1 of the input unit 2, an actuator mecMsm 30 which detects
an open/closed sbbs of the vehicle door, and performs pulhg and feedtng of the inner
cable 4b in response to the detected open/closed status of the vehicle door is housed.
In this embodiment, the actuator mechanism 30 includes the plunger 24, a h t lever 25,
a m n d lever 26, a ppi 27, a first spring (bt biasing memberf 28, and a second s p a
(second b ' i member) 29. h this embdmenf k t and second levers 25,26 are
parts formed by bhking sheet metal. M e r , in this embdhnent, both the h t and
second spxings 28,29 m formed of a torsion mil spring respectively. Amrdingly, each
of the k t and smnd springs 28,29 includes a coil podion 28% 2% which is formed by
winding a linear spring member p l d times and a pair of end portions 28b, 2& or 29b,
2% formed of one linear spring member which extends from the coil portions 28% 29a
[0023] The actuator mecfisrn 30 has the following o d conljgwation. As most
clmly shown in Fig. 8, the h t lever 25 and the seoond lever 26 are connected to each
other by the k t spring 28 in a status whese the first lever 25 and the second lever 26
are disposed ax&& with each other, and form a lever assembly 20. The lever
assembb 20 is mounted on the body 2 1A of the housing 2 1 in a mbtable manner in an
XZ plane. That is, tke first lever 25 and the second lever 26 are connected t~ each other
in an integrtdy rutatable mnmrler by the k t sp~lirig 28. The lever -bly 20 is
resiliently bkmd in a direction indicated by an m w B1 by the second spring 29. One
end of the lever assembly 20, to be more s m c , an end portion of the k t lever 25 is
connected t~ the p m M end 24b of the plunger 24 by the pin 27, and is rotatable in
an interlockjng manner with advancing and retracting of the plunger 24. The inner
able 4b is connec& to lhe other end of the lever assembly 20, to be more specific, to an
end portion of the second lever 26. The inner able 4b is pded or fed in respnsz to the
rotation of the lever assembly 20.
[0024] Hminafkr, the actuator rnacbanism 30 is described in more dew
[0025] The plunger 24 is held in a linearly movabIe manner in the X direction as
jndicatd by arrows Al, A2 by a guide portion 2 la which is mounted on the body 2 1A
and has both ends themf opened. The distal end 24a of the plunger 24 projects to &e
outside of the housing 21 through the guide portion 2 1st An elongpkd hole 24c which
is a thmu& hole is formed in the pmximal end 24b of the plunger 24. The elon@kd
hole 24c is fomd such that a lon~~dindaklt ion of the elongated hole 24c inksects
with a linearly moving k t i o n of &e phmger 24.
[0026j As most clearly shown in Fig. 6, a pivotally supportkg portion 2 la is formed on
an inner surfam of the body 21A in a projecting manner. The pivotally s u p p ~
portion 2 la includes: a cylindrical portion 2 1 b having a short circular cylindrical s h ~ ;
and a shaft-like portion 21c having an approximately ckcuh mhmmar shape and
&sped hide the cylindrical portion 21 b maxdy with the cylindrical portion 2 1b. A
projection amount of the M - l i k e portion 2 1c h m the inner &ce of the bccly 2 1A is
larger than a projection amount of the cylindrical portion 21 b from the inner surface of
the bcdy 21A. A female headed portion 21d with which the blt 23 is threaddly
engaged is forrned in the ddt-like portion 2 lc. On the inner surface of the body 21A, a
p v e 21e is f o d in such a manner that the groove 2143 surxoilllds the cylindrical
portion 2 lb of the pivotally supporting portion 2 la
[0027] As most clearly shown in Fig. 7, the second spring 29 is mounted on the
pivokdy s u p p op~or tion 21a Speddy, the mil portion 29a of the second coil
spring 29 is fitted on the cylindriml portion 21b. One end portion 29b of the second
spring 29 is housed in the p v e 2 le. A bent tip end of the end portion 29 is inserted a
engagement hole (not shown) formed in the p v e 21e, and thereby the second spring
29 is en& with the body 2 1A. The other end porfion 29c of the second spring 29 is
engaged with both the h t lever 25 and the second lmr 26 as described in detail later.
[0028] With reference to Fg. 6, the k t lever 25 includes: a bearing portion 25b in
which a bearing hole 25a is hrmed; and an arm portion 2% which aknds h m the
bearing portion 25b. The baring hole 2% is a circular thmugh hole. A burring prtion
2.513 is formed mund the bearing hole 2% A cutout 2% which functions as a spring
receiver is forrned in the bea~%p~ogrt ion 25b. The arm portion 2% inchdes: a ht
porlion 25fwhich exkr1& h ~~n~eb k gp ~01125hbi a m&dy oiitwai k " u o no f
the bearing hole 25a; and a m n d portion 25g which extends h m a distal end of the
k t poxZion 25f in a bent manner. A pin hole 25h which is a ckcdar through hole is
forrned in a distal end portion of the seoond portion 25g. A projecting spring receiver 25i
is formed on a proximal end portion of the second portion 25g.
[0029] The k t lever 25 is mounted on the pivotally supporting portion 2 la in a status
where the k t lever 25 overlaps with the seoond spring 29. SpcdicaJly, the shaft-like
portion 21c of the pivotdy s u p p op~ort ion 21a is inserted into the lxakg hole 2%
of the kst lever 25. Due ID such an insertion of the shaft-like portion 2 lc, the first lever
25 is mtatably supported by the pivotally supporting portion 2 1% to be more spedc, by
the &&-like portion 2 1c. The burring portion 256 of the first lever 25 is disposed in an
annular gap formed between the cyhdrid portion 2 lb and the shaft-like portion 2 lc.
[CMBO] The second portion 25g of the arm portion 2.52 of the k t lever 25 is positioned
in a slit 24b formed in the p m d end 24b of the plunder 24 (refer to Fig. 61. The
p m d end 24b of the plunger 24 and the second portion 25g of the m portion 252
are connected to each other by the pin 27. The pin 27 includes a pin body 27a having a
smaUWeter circular o- shape; and a head portion 27b formed on one end of
the pin body 27a for preventing the removal of the pin 27. The pin body 27a is inserted
into the elongated hole 24c formed in the p r o d end 24b of the plunger 24 and the
pin hole 25h formed in the second portion 25g of the arm portion 2% of the list lever 25.
Due b such a connection by the pin 27, the first Iever 25 is rotatable about the pivotally
supprting portion 21a in an inlm-l&g manner with the hear movement of the
phmger 24. The other end of the pin bocty 17% opposed to the head porting 27b, is
inserted in the elongitd hole 24c, and then enlarged, thereby preventing fidlhg out of
the pin 27 h m the eIonga\ted hole 24.
[01)31J With reference to Fig. 6, the second lever 26 includes: a beating portion 26b in
which a bearing hole 2 h is formed.) and a tabsha@ portion 2Ec which projects h m
the tearing portion 26b. The bearing hole 26a is a cit.cular thmugh hole. A c-kdar
cyhdriml portion 2fd is formed around the baring hole 26a. A cutout 26e which
functions as a spring receiver is formed in the bearing portion 26b. A size and a shape of
the cutout 2Q are set substanfhlly equal to a size and a shape of the above-mentioned
cutout 2% of the k t lever 25. A mounting hole 26f which is a circular through hole is
formed in the tabshaped portion 26c. Fh-ther, an insertion hole 2% which functions
as a spring receiver is formed in a portion of the tabshaped portion 26c dispsed
adjacently to the tearing portion 26b. In this mlmdhent, the inserton hole 2% is
formed in the tabs- portion 262 such that the i n d o n hole 2% penetrates the
tabshaped portion 26c in a thickness dimtion
[OW21 The second lever 26 is mounted on the pivotally supporting portion 21a in a
status whm the m n d lever 26 overlaps with the first lever 25. Spedically, the shaftpr'd0li
pr'd0li 21o~f d lf3p b0w SUF@* whoif 2 18 is kS&d klb3 ~e h t gh ~le
26a formed in the second lever 26. Due t~ such an i n d o n of the shaft-like portion 21c,
the second lwer 26 is rotatably supported by the pivotally supporting portion 21% to be
more. specldc, by the shaft-ke portion 21c. As described previously, the k t lever 25 is
also rotatably supportd by the pivoWy supporting portion 21a AmrdingEST, the fmt
lever 25 and the m n d lever 26 are a a d y and rotatably supported by the pivotally
supporting portion 21a Further, the bearing portion 25b of the drst lever 25 and the
bearing portion 26b of the second lever 26 are made to overlap with each other in a
status where the bearing prtion 25b of the k t lever 25 and the bzing portion 26b of
the second lever 26 are brought into contact with each other.
[0033] As most clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5, an end portion of the inner cable 4b is
mnneckd to the insertion hole 2% formed in the tabshaped portion 26c of the second
lever 26 by way of an adaptor 5. The insertion hole 26g and the adaptor 5 form a
tuning pair. The outer cable 4a is fixed t~ the body 21A by way of the cap 6.
Specifically) the cap 6 is fitted in a cutout 21f formed in the body 21A.
[0034] As most clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the k t lever 25 and the second Iever
26 are supported by the pivotally supp0rtu-g portion 21a such that a rotational angle of
the cutout 2Se abut the pivotally supporting portion 2 la and a rotational angle of the
cubut 26e about the pivotally supporbng partion 21a (as d&ed above, shapes and
sizes of the cutouts 2-53) 26z being substanidly equal. to each otherf are substanbally
aligned with each other. The end portion 29c of the seoond spring 29 is disposed in the
cutouts 25e, 26e which are alipecl with each other as descrikd above. With such an
ammgement, the end portion 29c of the second spring 24 is engaged with the fist lever
25 and the second lever 26. The end portion 29c of the second spring 29 inchdes: a
k t portion 29d which extends in a direction along which the pivotally supporting
portion 21a projects; and a seand portion 29e which e n d s from the first portion 29d
in a bent manner. The first portion 29d is disposed in the inside of the abuts 25e, 26e
in a status where the srst portion 29d projects h m the inner swke of the body 21A
and penetrates the bearing portions 25b, 26b of the h t and second levers 25,26. The
second portion 29e is positioned above the bearing portion 26b of the second lever 26.
[0035] The second spring 29 is e& with the body 21A at the end portion 29b
thereof as described above, and the second sprjng 29 is engaged with the h t and
m n d levers 25,26 at the end portion 29c thereof. With such engagement, the k t
and seoond levers 25, 26 are rotated inkgdy with each other about the pivow
supporting portion 21a in a dinxtion indicated by an armw B1 in the drawing and art=
resiliently biased by the second spring 29 such that the fust and second levers 25,26
assume initial positions shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 8 mpdively. When the first and
seoond levers 25,26 assume the initial positions, the plunger 24 assumes a pmjecbng
position w h et~he pl-r 24 projects hrnt he housing 2 1, that is, the position where
the vehicle dm is ki sii om ststus.
As most clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the coil portion 2% of the drst spririg 28
is disposed above the second lever 26. Spedically, the & c u h cylindrical portion 26d of
the semnd lever 26 is inserted in@ the coil portion 28a of the fu-st spring 28 with a phy.
One end porkion 28b of the first spring 28 is e m with the fust lever 25 by being
supported by the spring miver 25. On the other hand, a tip end bent in the Y
k t i o n of the other end portion 2& of the first spring 28 is engaged with the second
lever 26 by being inserted into the i n d o n hole 26g. Due to such an engagement, the
k t spring 28 annects the b t lever 25 and the second lever 26 to each other in such a
manner that he first lwer 25 and the second lever 26 are inkgdy mtatable about the
pivotally supporting portion 2 la
[00i37l Next, the manner of operation of the door edge pmkcbr device of this
embdiment, parbcdarly, the manner of operation of the input unit 2 is described. In
the description made hereinafter, the description is made mainly with referencz to Fig. 8
to Fig. 1 1. In Fig. 8 to Fig. 1 1, the vehicle door and the vehicle body are respectively
conceptually indicated by symbols 100,101.
[tXBS] Fig. 8 shows a status where the lever assembly 20 is at an initial position. As
described previously, in such an initial status, the vehicle door 100 is in an open status.
Assume that when the vehicle door 100 is in an open status, the pmktor 31 is in a
normally movable status, that is, the pmktor is not in a non-movable status due to a
reason that the pmtaxbr is caught by an obstacle or the Eke. Under such an
assumption, when the vehicle door 100 is dosed, as shown jn l3g. 9, the plunger 24 is
pushed by the vehicle body 10 1 so h t the phmger 24 is moved linearly in the Wtion
indicated by the arrow Al. In an interI&g manner with this linear movement of the
phmger 24, the fitst lever 25 is rotated in the k t i o n indicated by the m w B2 against
a biasing force of the second spring 29 and, at the same h e , the second lever 26 which
is mmected to the h t lever 25 by way of the first spring 28 is also rotated in the
direction indicated by the armw B2 against a biasing form of the xmnd spring 29.
Dunng this rotation, the relative mtation about the pivotally supporting portion 21a is
not generated between the k t lever 25 and the m n d lever 26. That is, the relative
postures of the first lever 25 and the second lever 26 m maintained at postures which
the k t lever 25 and the seoond lever 26 assumes when the lever assembly 20 is at an
initial position. In other words, the lever assembly 20 is rotated about the pivotally
supporting portion 21a without being bent Due to such rotation of the lever assembly
20, the inner cable 4b is pulled, and the pmkctur 31 is moved along the trajectory T
toward a storing position P1 fEom a set position P2 by the cbivhg mechanism 32. Q. 9
shows a status where the lever assembly 20 is at a normal operation position, and the
vehicle door 100 is in a closed status. When the vehicle door 100 is opened again when
the lever imxmbly 20 is at the normal. operation position, the plunger 24 is linearly
moved in the k t i o n hdiczkd by the m ~ iA2r d ue i~ aii elastic biaskg f~md t l~c
second spring 29 and, at the same h e , the lver assembly 20 is rotated in the dimtion
indicated by the arrow El, and the lever assembly 20 returns to the initial position
shown in Fig. 8. Due to the mtation of the lever assembly 20, the inner cable 4b is fed,
and the pmtector 31 is moved along the trajectory T toward the set position P2 h m the
stom psition P1 by the driving mechanism 32.
E00391 Assume that the lever assembly 20 is at the initial position shown in Fig. 8, and
the pmtecbr 3 1 is not in a noxmdy movable status although the vehicle door 100 is in
an open status. That is, assume that the protector 31 cannot be moved due to a m n
that the protector 31 is caught by an obstacle or the like. A status that the protector 3 1
cannot be moved implies that the second lever 26 which is mechanically connected to
the drivmg mechanism 32 by way of the inner cable 4b cannot be mtated about the
pivotally supporfbg portion 21a Under such an assumpfion, when the vehicle door
100 is closed, the plunger 24 is linearly moved in the direction indicatsd by the arrow A1
by being push& by the vehicle body 10 1 and is moved to the pushed position h m the
projecting position. As shown in Fig. 10, although the h t lever 25 is rota& in the
-tion indicittd by an armw C1 in an interlocking rnanner with such hear
movement of the plunger 24, the second lever 26 is not rotated and is maintained at the
initial position. That is, due to the movement of the p m r 24 brn the projecting
position 1.o the pushed position, the k t lever 25 is rotated relative b the second lever 26
against a bias'hg force of the h t spring 28. In this manner, only the fist lever 25 is
rotatad about the pivotally supporting portion 21a and hence, the lever assembly 20 is
at an abnormal option position where the lever assembly 20 is bent as shown in Fg.
10. When the lever assembly 20 is at the abnormal operation position, the h t lever 25
assumes a status where the b t lever 25 is mhkd in the direction indicated by the
m w C 1 against an elastic biasing force of the first spring 28 and an elastic biasing force
of the mnd spring 29. On the other hand, when the lever assembly 20 is at the
abnormal operation position, the m n d lever 26 is maintained at a rotational angle
psition about the pivotaJly supporting portion 2 1 a in the initial position without being
mt;akd about the pivotally supporting portion 2 la
[0040] When the protector 3 f cannot be moved due to a rmson that the pmtector 31
is cawt by an obstacle or the like, the lever assembly 20 is at the abnormal option
position shown in Eg. 10 even when the vehicle door 100 is closed and the seoond lever
26 is maintained at the initial position without king rotated about the pivow
supporting port-ion 2 fa In this manner, when the vehicle door 100 is closed in a status
where the protector 31 cannot be moved, the m n d lever 26 is not rotated and hence,
pulling of the inner able 4b by the lever assembly 20 is not performed. As a result, the
driving mechanism 32 is not opemted and the pmtector 31 is not moved. Accordingly, it
is possible to prevent an arcessively large load from berg applid to he driving
I -3 m xit is, amdi7g b the dmr edge ptector device 1 of this
embodiment, even in a status where the prokctor 3 1 cannot k moved due to a reason
that the protector 31 is caught by an obstacle or the like, it is pssible b prevent an
excessively large load hrn being applied b the driving mechanism 32. In other words,
aooording to the door edge pmkcbr device 1 of this emlmchent, even in a status where
the prntmtor 31 cannot be moved, it is possible to prevent the clmjng mechanism 32
hrnbeingdamaged.
[CK)41] Assume that when the lever assembly 20 is at the abnormal operation position
shown in Fig. 10, the protector 31 is resbrd to a movable status. Under such an
assumption, as shown in Fig. 1 1, the second lever 26 is mtated in the direction indicakd
by the arrow C2 due to an elastic bamg fom of the k t spring 28. Due b the rotation
of the second lever 26, the inner cable 4b is fed to the driving mechanism 32 so that the
door edge pmtector devi~1 i s restored to a norndy-operated status.
[C#42] When an elastic biasing force of the k t spring 28 is set larger than an elastic
biasing force of the second spring 29, even when the vehicle dmr 100 is brought into a
closed status b m an open status in a status where the pmkbr 3 1 m o t ke moved,
the first lever 25 cannot be rotated relative to the second lever 26. am^, the lever
assembly 20 does not assume an abnonnal operation position shown in Fig. 10 but
assumes a normal operation position shown in Fig. 8. As a malt, pulling of the inner
cable. 4b is performed by the lever assembly 20 so that an excessively large load is
applied b the driving mechanism 32. In this embodiment, an elastic biasing form of the
k t spring 28 is set d e r than an elastic bkhg foroe of the second spring 29.
Accordin&, when the vehicle door 100 is brought into a closed status hrn an opn
status in a shtus where the prokctor 31 m o t be moved, the k t lever 25 is moved
relative to the second lever 26 with certainty, and the lever assembly 20 assumes the
abnormal operation position shown in Fig. 10.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A door edg protector devim, comprising
an output unit induding a protectar for avering td protect a door edg which is
an edge of avehicle door, and a driving mechanism configured to move the protector;
an input unit 00digu-d to dekct an open/closd status of the door; and
a transmission element cod@ to mechanically transmit the open/cIosed
status of the door detmtd by the input unit to the driving rnecMsm, wherein
the input unit comprises
an input element codgund to move to a h t position when the door is in an
open status) and to move to a m n d position when the door is in a closed status;
a first lever configwd b rotated interlcckhg with the input element;
a second lever codgurd to transmit the mtation of k t lever to the transmission
element
a k t biasing member connecting the k t and m n d levers with each other so
as to integral@ rotate; and
a second biasing member urges the k t and second levers to an initial position
thereof corresponding to the k t position of the input element, and
wherein, when the pmtector is jmmovabe, the k t lever can rotate with respect
b the second lever @st a bjasjng force of the hi biasing member by a movement of
the input unit from the h t position toward the second position.
2. The door edge pmtedor device according to cfaim 1, whrein the biasing fom of
the hi biasing member is smaller than a basing force of the second biasing member.
3. The door + protector device amding to cIairn 1 or 2, whesein the input unit
amprises a housing which accomcda~th e input element, the first and second
levers, the first and m n d biasing members) and
the k t and second levers are rotatably supported by a supporting poxtion in a
ax&l m e r .
4. The door edge protector device amrding to claim 3, whenin the first biasing
memk is a torsion ail spring,
a mil portion of the first biasjng member is axcud@ arranged with the first and
second levers, and
one of a pair of end portions of the first biasing member is engaged with the k t
lever, and the other of the end portions is engaged with the second lever.
5. The door edg protector device amrding to claim or 4, wherein the second biasing member is a torsion mil spring,
a coil portion of the xmnd biaskg member is attached to the supporhng portion
so as to k coaxially arranged with the h t and second levers, and
one of a pair of end portions of the first bjasing; member is engaged with the
housing, and the other of the end portions is engaged with the k t and second levers.