[WI] The present invention ~Iatetso a door edge protecbr device.
Related art
[0002] A door odge pmtector device for a vehicle disclosed in USP 8,826,5% includes:
a movable protector; a driving mechanism which drives the protector; and an input unit
which m0cMcally transmits an open/closd status of a door to the driving
mechanism, The protecbr is anfigured to move along a predetemhed trajectory in an
interlocw manner with an open/close o p t i o n of a vehicle door so as to protect a
door edge only at the time of opening the vehicle door. The door 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 hmmg type vehicle door in a lorgitudhd W o n .
Summary
[0003] WSP 8,826,5% fails to disclose how the protector is fixed to the drhmg
mechanism. For emmple, assuming that the protector is fixed to a distal end of a
movable member fa hk, for example) which the driving mechanism includes by a bolt,
when a load is applied to the protector, there is a possibility that the distal end of the
movable member is broken. When the distal end of the movable member is broken, an
exchange of the movable member b m e s necessary and such an operation is
cumbasome and m o t be perfomed easdy.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a door edge protector device
which can prevent b- of a movable member of a driving mechanism even when
an overload is applied to a pmtmtor.
A k t aspect of the present invention provides a door edgz p b b r device,
mrnprising a pmtector for covering to protrxt a door edge which is an edgz- of a vehicle
door; a drivulg mechanism configured tr, achieve a movement of the protector along a
locus incIuding a retracted position and a set position, the retracted position
correspond! to a clod status of the vehicle door, and a set position corresponding to
an open position of the vehicle door with the pmkctor mering the door edge; and a
connection mechanism for connecting the protector to a movable member of the driving
met-, wherein the connection mechanism comprises: a holding parS for holding
the protector to the movable member so as to be rotatable with respect to the movable
member mund a mtational azis; a first stop part conhgured to stop the rotation of the
protector in a first rotational direction around the rotational axis when a predehmined
load in the k t rotatiod direction is applied to the pmkctor, the k t mtational dimtion
being a direction where the protector moves away h m the dmr edgz; and a first fi-agile
part con5gud to break the fmt stop part by an over1oad exceding the pndetmnined
load so as to allow rotation of the protector in the h t rotational direction.
When an overload which 1~tate-tsh e prokctor in the k tr otational direction is
applied to the protector, the first hgde part is broken so h t the further rotation of the
protector in the first rotational direction is dowed. As a dt,it i s possible to pment
breaking of the movable member caused due to applying of an overload which rotates
the pmkctor in the first mtational &tion to the prokctor.
Brief Ihmiption of the Drawings
[0007J The foregoing and the other features of the present invention will become
apparent h m the following description and drawings of an ihstrative embodiment of
the invention in which:
l3g. 1 is a h n t view of a door edge pmtecbr device;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of an output unit;
Fig. 3 is a pempective view of a connection portion where a prokctor is mnneckd
to a movable member as viewed brn a b e ;
Fg. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line IV-N in Fig 3;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a connection mechanism for connecting the
protector to the movable member as viewed h m above;
Fig. 6 is a p e w view of the connecthn mechamism for annecting the
protector to the movable member as v i d fmm below,
Fi. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a connection mechanism for oonnectmg
the protector to a rod-like member as viewed h m above;
Fig. 8 is an exploded pe~s-e view of the mnnection mechanism for
connecting the prntectm b the movable memk as viewed fiom below;
Fig. 9 is a paqedve view of the onnection mechamsm as viewed from above in
a shk where the protecbr is moved;
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the mnnection mechanism as viewed hrn below
in a shte where a clip is removed,
Fig. 1 1 is a perspective view of the clip as viewed h m above; and
Fk. 12 is a pasptive view of the clip as viewed fmm Mow.
Detailed Description of Emments
[0008] N q an embodiment of the present invention is described with reference b
attached drawings.
[0009I In the description made hereinafter, here may be a case where, out of bth
ends in a lon@tuM direction of a turmng type vehicle door, a side closer to a hinge is
referred to as a --side end portion, and an end portion on a side opposite to the
hinge-side end portion is referred to as a distalend-side end portion. the^ may be aIso
a case where an edge of the distalend-side end portion is ~fto asd a door edge.
[OOlO] An orthogpnal mr&nate system QCYZ coordinate system) shown in the
drawing is set in a &xed manner with respect to a vehicle dmr. That is, when the vehicle
door turns, the orthagml COO*^ system also turns.
[CXlll] An X axis indi~teas l o ~ tk tui o~n o f the vehicle door. An armw of the
X axis indicates a direction directed toward the distalend-side end portion (including a
door edge). Hen&x&r, there may be a case where a dhction indicated by the armw of
the X axis is r e f d to as a +X W o n , and a direction opposite to the +X direction is
referred to as a -X direction. That is, the -X directon indicates a dimtion directed
toward the hingeside end portion. F'uther, there may be a case where the +X direction
and the -X direction are oolleciively and merely ref& to as an X b t i o n .
[0012] A Y axis indicates a width chction of the vehicle door. An arrow of the Y axis
indicates a direction chxted toward the outside of the vehicle door in the width direction.
Herehafk, there may be a case where a W o n indicated by the m w of the Y axis is
referred to as a +Y direction, and a dkdion op@k to the +Y direction is ref& to as
a -Y M o n . That is, the -Y direction indicates a direction directed toward the inside of
the vehicle door in the width directon. Further, thae may be a GEE w h e ~the +Y
k t i o n and the -Y M o n are collectively and merely referred to as a Y &tion.
[0013] A Z axis indicaks a height M o n of the vehicle door. An arrow of the Z axis
indicates a k t i o n k k d t o d an upper side of the vehicle door in a height
direction. H-, there may be a mse where a. direction indicated by the m w of
the Z axis is ref- to as a +Z dktion, and a direction opposite to the +Z direction is
referred to as a -2 direction. That is, the -2 k t i o n indicates a dktion directed
toward a lower side of the vehicle door in the heght k t i o n . M e r , the= may be a
case where the +Z dkction and the -Z direction are collectively and merely referred to as
a Z direction.
[0014] In a stak where the vehicle door assumes a closed position, the X dkdion
indicates the vehicle length dkdion, the Y direction indicates the vehicle width direction,
and the Z &tion indicates the vehicle heat direction.
[Wlq W1th refmce to a. 1, a door eds protector device 1 includes an input unit 2,
an output unit 3, and a mble @wa transmission element) 4. The input unit 2 is
housed in a portion of a vehicIe door in the vicinity of a lungeside end portion of the
vehicle door, and the output unit 3 is housed in a portion of the vehicle door in the
vicinity of a distalend-side end portion ofthe vehicle door. The whole mble 4 is housed
in the vehicle door, and is provided for mechanimlly connecting the input unit 2 and the
output unit 3 to each other.
[OOlq The input unit 2 detects an open/closed status of the vehicle door. An
open/closed status of the vehicle door wfiich is detmted by the input unit 2 is
mechanically transmitted b the output unit 3 through the cable 4. Spxifically, when
the vehicle door assumes a clod status, as indicated by an m w Al, a distal end of a
p1un~2r2 of the input unit 2 is pushed inb the inside of a housing 21 by avehicle body.
When the plunger 22 asunes the pushed-in psition, the input unit 2 pulls the inner
cable of the mble 4 h m the output unit 3. On the other hand, when the vehicle door
assumes an open status, the plunger 22 linearly moves in a dimtion that the plunge
22 projects h m the housing 2 1 as indicated by an armw A2. When the plunger 22
assumes a projecting position, the input unit 2 feeds the inner cable of the cable 4
toward the output unit 3.
With l-efe~ei~tcoe Ii'lgs. 1 and 2, the output unit 3 includes: a prokctor 31
which ptmts 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 dmmg
mechanism 32 therein.
[0018] The protector 31 inchdes: a protector bocty 34 for covering the door dg; and a
holder 35 to which the pmtecbr kcdy 34 is ked. The holder 35 includes: a holder bdy
36 extending in the Z k t i o n along the pmtector bocty 34; and a connection portion 37
for connecting the holder 35 to a movable member 39 of the driving mechanism 32.
The holder bdy 36 and the connection portion 37 are m n n d to each other by the
arm portion 38. In this emment, the holder 35 is made of a resin.
[0019] The drrving m- 32 includes a movable memk3 9 (a Iink, for example)
projecting from the housing 33. In this emkdiment, the movable member 39 is made
of a resin. The comection portion 37 of the p k b r 3 1 is connected to a distal end of
the movable member 39. The driving mechanism 32 is confgured to move the
prokctor 31 in response to pdlmg or f-g of the inner cable by the input unit 2, that
is, in response to an open/closed status of the vehicle door detected by the input unit 2.
Spedcally, as indicated by a double-dashed chain line T in Fig. 2, the movable member
39 is moved in the X Wtion as well as in the Y diredon such that the protector 31
moves along a tmjectory including a retmcted position P1 mrrespondmg b a closed
status of the vehicle door and a set position P2 where the protector 31 mvers the door
edge corresponding to an open status of the vehicle door. The driving mechanism 32
may be formed by combining elements such as a mm, a cam folower, a ppinn, a rack
and a spring. However, the confjguration of the d h h g mechanism 32 is not spafically
limited.
[OOU)] Next, with reference to Rgs. 3 to 10, a cunnection mechanism 41 which
connects the protector 31 to the movable member 39 is described. As most clmly
shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the connection mechanism 4 1 in this embodkrient includes: the
connection porlion 37 of the protector 3 1; a pedestal portion 42 mounted on a distal end
of the movable member 39; a clip 43; and a torsion coil spring 44. In tkHs embodiment,
the clip 43 is made of a resin.
[0021] The connection mechanism 41 includes a holding part: 45 which rotatably
supports the protector 31 relative to the movable member 39 about a rotational axis a
extending in the Z direction. The holm part 45 is formed of the connection portion 37
of the proktor 31 and the pedestal portion 42 of the movable member 39. H m h f k ,
the tion on of the holding part 45 is described.
[0022] With reference b FIgs. 4, 7, and 9, the pedestal portion 42 of the movable
member 39 has an oukr cylindrical portion @st projectmg shaft prlion) 42a pmjecbng
in the +Z direction (upwad ktion)). A proximal end of the outer cylindrical portion
4% is clod, and a distal end of the outer cyhdrical portion 42a is opened. The
pedestal portion 42 of the movable member 39 is dis@ inside the outer cyMcal
portion 42% and has an inner cyhndriml portion (second projecting shaft portion) 42b
projecting in the +Z &tion (upward dimtion) in the same rnamer as the outer
cyhdrical portion 4% Both uppa and lower ends of the h e r cylindrical portion 42b
are opened.
[0023] On the other hand, with refmce t'o Figs. 4,8, and 10, an apprordmately
circuk concave portion 37a which opens in the -2 dimtion (downward direction) is
formed in the connection portion 37 of the protector 31. A circular annular rib portion
37c is formed on a top wall 37b of the ancave portion 37a. With reference to Fk. 3 to
Figs. 6 and 10, the outer cylindrical portion 4% and the inner cylindrical portion 42b are
inserted into the c o m e portion 37a h m below. M a , the inner cylindrical portion
42 is inserted to the rib portion 37c.
[0024] As most clearly shown in Fgs. 3 to 5, the connection portion 37 of the pmtecbr
3 1 is supported on the pedestal portion 42 in a state where the mnnection portion 37 of
the pmkbr 31 covers the pedestal portion 42 of the movable member 39 fbm above.
With reference to Fig. 4, the top wall 3% of the concave portion 37a is supported on a
distal end surfaoe of the outer cylindrical portion 42a A pipheral wall of the oncave
portion 37a is brought into slide contact with a side peripheral surface of the outa
cyhdri.cal portion 4 2 . and an inner peripheral d c e of the rib portion 37c is brought
into slide contact with a side peripheral sukce of the inner cylindrical portion 42b. With
such a configmation, the connection portion 37 of the protector 31 is supported or held
on the pedestal portion 42 of the movable member 39 as indicated by symbo1s Rl, R2 in
a state where the oonnection portion 37 is rotatable relative to the pedestal portion 42
about fhe rotational axis a exten* in the Z k t i o n .
[0025J W~thre ferene to F@+. 4 and 9, the torsion coil spring 44 inchdes: a coil portion
44a formed by winding a linear spring member p M times; and a pair of end portions
44b, 44c each of which is formed of a piece of hear spring member extending from the
coil portion 44a The mil portion #a is mounted on the inner cylindrical prtion 42b of
the pedestal portion 42 of the movable member 39, and is disposed in a qlindncal
space defined by the inner cyhdrical portion 42b and the outer cylindrical portion 4%
One end portion 44b of the torsion mil s p a 44 is formed into a linear shape extending
in a radiat -tion of the coil portion 44% and is kked to the pedestal portion 42 of the
movable memba 39. SpedcaTly, the end portion 44b of the torsion coil spring 44 is
locked to a notch 42c having a m w width which is formed on the outer cylindrical
portion 4% of the pedestal portion 42. The other end portion 44c of the torsion coil
spring 44 has: a linear portion 44d extending in the radial k t i o n of the mil portion
44a; and a bent portion 44e formed by bendmg the hear portion 44d in the -2 -tion.
The end portion 44c is locked to the connection portion 37 of the protector 31.
S@cally, the portion 44d of the end portion 44c pmjects to the outside from the outer
cylindrical portion 4% bugh a slit 4!2d having a hge width which is hmed on the
outer cylindrical portion 42a of the pedestal portion 42. As shown in m. 8 and 10, a
recess 37d is partially formed on a peripheral wall 37x1 of the a n m e portion 37a
formed on the connectian portion 37 of the protector 31. The portion 44e of the end
portion 44c ofthe torsion mil spring 44 is housed in the rams 37d, and is brought into
antact with one end wall. of the recess 37d due t~ resiliency of the torsion coil spm 44
per se.
[m As described above, one end portion 44b of the torsion mil spring 44 is lock&
to the movable member 39, and the o&er end portion 44c of the torson coil spring 44 is
locked to the protector 31 so that the protector 31 is d e n t @ biased in a rotational
k t i o n ( m n d rotational direction) inclicaed by an m w R1 about the mtational axis
a. The rotational direction R1 is a direction that the pratxxbr body 34 approaches the
door edge. A rutational k t i o n Ei2 opposite to the mtatiod Man R1 (first
rotational direction) is a dkction that the prokctor bcdy 34 is moved away from the
door edge.
[m With refmce. to FM. 7,8,11, and 12, the clip 43 includes: a base portion 4%
having an approximately disk shape; and a pMty of (four in this emkdimenq
engaging shafts 43b projecting in the upward direction (+Z W o n ) hrn the center of
the base portion 4%
[OOZS] A rigid stop part (second stop part) 43c and a breakable stop part (fast stop
part) 43d are formed on the base portion 4% of the clip 43. The rigid stop part 4%
mtricts the rotation of the protecbr 31 relative to the movable member 39 in the
rotational k t i o n R1 (the biasing direction of the brsion mil spring 44 as described
above) about the mtational axis a. The breakable stop pat 43d restricts the rotation of
the protector 31 relalive to the movable memk 39 in the rotational h t i o n R2 about
the rotational axis a:.
[CKlZ9] The rigid sbp part 43c is an amlate wall portion which projeds jn the upward
direction (a dkctiion) from a peripheral edge of the base portion 43a. The rigid stop
part 43c has a pair of side s ~ c e4s3e , 43f each of which extends approximately
perpendiculark (in the Z k t i o n ) h m the base portion. As desaibed later, the side
&ce 43e hks the connection portion 37 of the prowtor 3 1, and the side surhtce 43f
is locked by the movabIe member 39.
Coo303 The breakable stop part 43d has: a 1oAb.g portion 43g which is an muate
waJl portion pmj- in the upward direction (+Z Wtion) h m the peripheral edge of
the base portion 43% and a tablike rotation bloc- portion 43h extendmg fmm one
end of the locking prtion 43g. A side wall portion of the locking portion 43g on a side
opposite t~ the rotation blocking portion 43h is an inclined wall portion 43i which is
inclined with respect tr, the rotational axis a. A thin portion 43j ( h t &agile put) is
disposed between the 1- portion 43g and the mtation blmhg portion 43h. In this
e~rhdhnentt,h e thin p~tion4 3 is formed of a pair of gmoves fomd on jnner and
outer &ces of the tmakabfe stop part 43d nzspxtively. A thickness of the breakable
stap part 4% at the thin portion 43j is m£liciently 4 corn& to a tbiclmess of
other portions, that is, a thickness of the breakable sbp part 43d at the locking portion
43g and the rotation blocking portion 43h. For example, the thickness of the breakable
stop part 43d at the thin portion 43j is set to a vahre apprmimakIy 1 /4 times as large as
the thickness of the breakable stop part 43d at other portions.
[0031] Each en@@ shaft 43b of the clip 43 has: a shaft body 43k which is a rod-like
body projecting in the upward &tion h r n the base portion 43a and having flexibili@,
and an engaging portion 43m fom4 on a distal end of the shaft bocfy 43k and having a
ms-sectional shape sdliciently hger than a mss-sectional shape of the shaft bxiy
43k
[0032] An circular thin portion 43r is in formed on the base portion 43a of the clip 43
a m d y with the shaft body 43k The circular thin portion 43r has a diameter slghtly
wr than that of the shaft: body 43k Fwther, a p l d t y of (six in t-his embodiment)
thin portions 4311 (second fi@e parts) are formed on the base portion 43a of the clip 43.
Each of thin prtions 43 has a s-t configuration. The circuh thin portion 43r and
the thin portions 43n mnstitute a m n d fm@e part in the present invention. In this
embodiment, each of the thin portions 43n is formed from a periphery of the circular
thin portion 43r toward an outer periphery of the base portion 43a so as to be elongated
in a circular -on of the base portion 43a The circular thin portion 43r and the thin
prtians 43n are resptively formed of a pair of grooves formed on upper and lower
s mof the base portion 43a. A thickness of the base portion 4% at the circular thin
pition 431-an d the thin podon 43n is 6 e n t l ys mall corn& to a thichess of the
base portion 43a at other portions. For example, the thickness of the k phon 43a
at the din portion 431-is1 set to a value 114 times as large as the thickness of the base
portion 4% at other portions.
[0033] As most clearly shown in Fig. 4, trhe clip 43 is mounted on the connection
portion 37 of the protedor 31 which covers the pedestal portion 42 of the movable
member 39 in a state where the engaging shafts 43b are inserted intr, the connection
portion 37 fmm below. S@*, a a s s 37e is formed at a enter of an inner area
surrounded by the top wall 37b of the ancave prtion 37a of the ptecbr 31. A
pWty of (four in this em-ent) engagkg projections 37f are formed on a
periphd wall of the recess 37e. These engaging projections 37f projected toward a
center of the mss 37e. The shaft: bodies 43k of the respective engaging shafts 43b of
the clip 43 are made to penetrate the inner cylindrical portion 42b of the pedmtaf portion
42 of the movable member 39 fi-um below. The engaging portions 43m of the respective
erqpjrg shafts 43b enme with the engaging projections 37f such that the engagkg
portions 43m of the mpxtive engaging shafts 43b are rotatable relative to the engaghg
projections 37f about the mtational axis a and such that hear movement of the
engaging shafts 43m along the rotational axis a is limited. The base portion 4321 of the
clip 43 is disposed &low the pedestal portion 42. Thus, the mnnection portion 37 of the
prokcbr 3 1 is mounted to the pedestal portion 42 of the movable member 39 by the
clip 13 so as to be rotatable about the rotational axis a:.
[MW] With refe~nceb Fig. 5, as described previously, the connection portion 37 of
the prokctor 31 is resiliently biased by the Wrsion coil spring 44 in the rotational
direction R1 about the rotational axis a:. A k t stop wall portion 37g which projects in
the downward direction (-2 k t i o n ) approximately parallel l.t-0 the rotational axis 0 is
formed on an outer peripheral portion of the connection portion 37 of the protector 3 1 at
a position in the vicinity of a bunchy between the outer peripheral portion of the
annection portion 37 and the arm portion 38. A setx>nd stop wall portion 37h which
projects in the downward direction (-2d imtion) appximately p d e l t o the mtational
axis a is also formed on the outer peripheral portion of the connection portion 37 of the
prokcbr 31 at a position spaced apart h m the first stop wall portion 37g. Due t~ a
biaskg f oof ~the t orsion coil spring 44, the h ts top wall portion 37g of the oonnection
portion 37 of the protector 31 is pressed and locked to the side surface 43e of the rigid
stop p t 4% of the clip 43. As described pnxioudy, although the clip 43 is rotatable
about the rotational axis El, the other end portion 43f of the @d stop part 4% is pressed
and locked to the movable member 39 by a biasing fom of the tarsion coil spring 44. In
this manner? the rigid stop part 4% of the clip 43 stops the rotation of the connection
portion 37 of the protector 3 1 relative b the psdestal portion 42 of the movable member
39 about the mtational axis El -st a resilient biasing force of the torsion coil spring 44.
h other words, the rigid stop part 4% of the clip 43 performs the positioning of the
connection portion 37 of the protecbr 31 relative t~ the pedestal portion 42 of the
movable memba 39. The second stop wall portion 37h is p& and locked to the
movable memba 39 by a biasing fore of the torsion mil sprjng 44. Also due to such
10ckn-g the mtation of the connection portion 37 of the prokctor 31 relative to the
pedestaI portion 42 of the movable me* 39 about the mtational axis a! is stopped.
In other words, the positioning of the mnnection portion 37 of the protector 3 1 dative to
the pedestal portion 42 of the movable member 39 is performed.
[w With reference to Figs. 3,6, and 8, a third stop wall portion 37i which projects
in the downward k t i o n (-2 ckction) is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the
connection portion 37 of the protector 31 at a position approxhxtely o m t e to the h t
stop wall portion 37g. A side surface of the third stop wall portion 37i is an inclined
&ce 37j which is inclined with rew to the rotational axis a .
[m The description is made hemhafk with respect to a mse where a load whch
rotates the protector 31 in the mtational k t i o n R2 abut the rotational axis a W s t
a d e n t biasing force of the tomion d spring 44 is applied to the pmkctor 31. Such a
load can lx gmmted, fbr example, when a user inknds to rotate the pmktor 3 1 in the
rotational &tion R2 h u t the mtational axis a while holdmg the protector 31 in
his/her hand.
[003q When magnitude of such a laad in the rotational direction R2 falls within a
p m t range, the rotation of the connection portion 37 of the protector 31 is stopped by
the b-le stop part: 43d of the clip 43. S ~the inclin~ed su&m, 37j of the
third stop wall plfion 37i which the connection portion 37 of the pmtector 31 has is
locked by the bmhble stop part 4% of the clip 43. S@dy, the inched surfam 37
of the third stop wall portion 37i pushes the inclined wall portion 43i formed on the
lcchg portion 43g of the kkakable stop part 43d. As described previously, the clip 43
is rotatable relative b the connection portion 37 of the pmtecbr 31 and the pedestal
portion 42 of lhe movable member 39 about the rotational axis a. A C C O ~wh,en
the lochg portion 43g of the clip 43 is pushed, the robtion blockjng portion 43h is
pressed to the movable member 39. As a result, the mtation of the connection portion
37 of the protector 3 1 in the rotational direction RI is sbpped by the locking portion 43g
of the clip 43.
[0038] When the load which rotates the protector 31 in the rotational k t i o n R2
about the rotational axis a is applied, the inclined surface 37 of third stop wall porfion
37i, which the connection portion 37 of the prokctor 3 1 includes, moves in +Z dimtion
along a slope of the inclined wall portion 43i formed on the locking portion 43g of the
bmdcable stop part 436. Thus, due b that the conndion portion 37 is pushed up, the
e n m g projections 37 push up the en& portions 43m formed at the tip ends of
shaft bodies 43k of the engzghg sh& 43b. Then, when a load which mtates the
pmtecbr 31 in the rotational k t i o n R2 about the rotational axis a exceeds a preset
dowable range, that is, when an overload is applied to the protector 3 1, the third stop
wall portion 37i of the oomection portion 37 of the protector 31 pushes the inclined d
portion 43i of the clip 43 in the rotational directon R2. Pushing the inclined wall portion
43i causes that the mtation bloc- portion 43h is intensively pushed against the
movable member 39 of the driving mechanism 32 in the rotational direction R2. As a
result, the b-Ie stop part 4% is broken at a portion of the thin portion 43j.
Spmficdy, the breakable stop part 43d is broken at the portion of the thin portion 43j
so that the rotation blockrng portion 43h fdls h m the clip 43. Due to falling of the
mtation blocking portion 43h hrn the clip 43, the restriction of mtation of the pm-r
31 in the rotational dimtion R2 relative to the cIip 43 is released and hen=, the
protector 31 further rotates in the rotational direction R2 abut the rotational axis 0
hrn a rotation an#e position which the protector 3 1 assumes before the thin portion
43j is broken. In this manner, when an overload is applied b the pmtecbr 31, the
breakable stop part 43d of the clip 43 is broken so that the fkther mtation of the
protector 3 1 is allowed. As a result, the breaking of the movable member 39 cad due
to applying of an overload to the prokctor 31 can be prevented. Since the bmdmg of
the bredable stop part 43 allows Wer rotation of the protector 31 in the rotational
dinsction F3, the user can visually mmpbz the breaking of the clip 43. F'urther, since
the bmddng of the brrakable stop part 43 peraks brealdng sounds mu& by impact,
the user mn aurally & the breahg of the clip 43.
100391 When further load which rob- the protector 3 1 in the rotational k t i o n R2
about the rotational axis a: is applied even afkr the breakable stop part 43d is broken,
the inclined surhce 37j of the third stopping wall 37i, which the connection portion 37 of
the protector inchdes, is fwther moved in +Z direction along the slope of the inclined
wall portion 43i formed in the loclang portion 43g of the brabble stop part 43d. This
causes that the enggbg projections 37f M e r pushes up the engaging portion 43m
formed at the tip ends of the shaft Wes 43k of the eqppjng shafts 43b, and thereby
the cin=ular thin portion 43r formed in the base portion 4% is broken. This results in
that the shaft bodies 43k leave away fkom the. base portion 4% and thereby the
protector 3 1 is qmated h m the movable member 39. Also in this mse, the bmhgz
of the base portion 4% of the clip 43 can prevent the movable member 39 from
bmkhg due the o v d d applied to the pmktor 3 1. The thin portions 43n continuing
to the cimdar thin portion 43r hcilitate the b e g of the cinsular thin portion 431-
when the overload which rotates the pmtecbr 3 1 in the rotational k t i o n R2 about the
rotational axis cl: is applied.
[00c10] By exchanging the clip 43 where the thin portion 43j is broken with a new clip
43, it is possible to easdy return the door edge prowtor device 1 to a stak before an
overload is applied to the protmtor 3 1. The bmken clip 43 is moved in accordance
with the followkg steps, for example. A tool is inserted into the comedon portion 37
through openings 3% formed in the oomection portion 37 of the protector 3 1, and the
engagement of the engaging prtims 43m of the engaging shafts 43b with the engaging
projections 37f of the connection portion 37 is r e l d . By pulling out the engaging
shafts 43b fmm the inner cylindrical portion 42b after the engggement between the
engaging portions 43m and the engaging projections 37f is ~leased-,th e clip 43 can be
removed. &en when the clip 43 is not broken, the clip 43 mn be removed in
accordance with the same steps. When the clip 43 is forcibly removed without following
these. normal steps, an overload is applied to h e base portion 43a of the clip 43. Due to
such an ovedd, the base portion 43a is bmken at the thin portion 43n. In other
words, when the dip 43 is forcibly removed without folowing these normal steps, the
clip 43 cannot be removed unless the clip 43 is bmken.
[0041] In this embodiment, the concave portion 37a of the mnnection portion 37 of
the protecbr 31 is formed with a recess 37e with a top s d c e in which the openings
3% are formed. However, it cari be employed to omit the top smhe of the top &ce
so that the projections 37f formed in the smmm s d m of the concave
37e constitute the most upper portion of the comection portion 37, and so that the
engaging portions 43m of the en-g shafts 43b are exposed outwardly from the
connection portion 37.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A door eds protector device, amprising
a protector for mvehg to protect a dmr eds which is an edge of awhile door,
a driving mechanism mdipd to achieve a movement of the pmWr along a
lams includmg a retracted position and a set position, the retracted position
mmponding to a closed status of the vehicle door, and a set position corresponding to
an open position of the vehicle door with the pmkctor covering the door edge; and
a connection mechanzsm for annedng the protector to a mumble member of
the driving mechanism,
wherein the connection mechanism mmpris:
a holding part for holding the pmtector ia the movable member so as to be
rotatable with respect to the movable member around a mtational axiq
a k t stop part rnnfgured to stop the mtation of the pmtector in a k t mtationaI
dimtion around the mtational axis when a predekrmhed lmd in the k t rotational
direction is applied to the protector, the first rotational direction king a &tion where
the pmte&r moves away fiPm the door edge; and
a k t fragile part con&yd to break the first stop p u t by an overload exceeding
the predetermined load so as to allow mtation of the pmtector in the first rotational
dkction.
2. The door edge pmkcbr devim according to claim 1, whe~inth e holding part
comprises:
a k tp rojecting shaft provided to the movable member and projectin )ugand
a concave part which is fonned in the pmtector so as to open downwardly and to
which the k t projecting &aft is inserted, and
whenin the protector is rotatably supported around the rotational axis to the
movable member due to that a wall surface of concave part is supported by the k t
projecting shaft.
3. The door edge protector device amding to claim 2, wherein the connection
mechanism amprises a clip rutatably attached to the pmktor and the movable
member, and
wherein the fust stop part comprises:
a refakhg part provided to the clip and codgud to retain the pmtector in the
k t -tion; and
a rotation bloc- part provided to the clip and curdigwed to abut against the
movable member so as to block the rotation of the clip in the h-s rotational direction.
4. The door edge protecbr dwie according to claim 3, urherein the h t w e part
is a thin portion of the clip between the ~ k i n hpgar t: and the rutation blocking part
5. The door edge protector device acc01dmg to claim 3 or 4, wherein the connection
mechanism comprises:
a urgirig member for elastically urging the pratecbr in a second rotational
direction mund the mtational axis, the m n d direction being opposite to the h t
dkction, and
a second stop part for stopping the rotation of the pmktor m the second
rotational direction around the mtational axis against an urging fom by the urging
member.
6. The door edge pmtmtor device awrding to claim 5, wherein the second stop
part is formed in the clip.
7. The door edge pmtector device acoordng to chin 5 or 6, wherein the urging
member is a torsion coil spring engaged to the movable member at one end thereof, and
engaged to the protecbr at the other end thereof.
8. The door edge protector devie according to claim 7, whaein the clip comprises:
a base part ammgd below the movable member; and
an engagement shaft cxtmdmg h r n the case;
wherein the engagement shaft comprises:
a shaft body hs&d through a m n d projcdmg shaft formed in the movable
member, the second anand inwardly with respect to the h t projecting shfk part and
having o p e d ends; and
an engagyrnent portion formed at a tip end side of the shaft body and engaged
with the protector in a manner rotatable mmd the rotational axis.
9. The door edge pmtecbr device according to claim 8, wherein a mil portion of the
mion mil spring is attached to the second projecting shaft part
10. The door edge pmkcbr device amording to claim 8 or 9, wherein the base part
provided with a second fi-agile part c o uto b reak due to an overload.
1 1. The door edge protector device amrding to claim 10, wherein the second w e
part amprises a circuh- thin portion formed in the base part coax&@ with the shaft.
w.
12. The door edge pmtector device amrding to claim 11, wherein the m n d fragle
part IiMher comprises a plurality of thin partions elorqpted fhm the circular thin
portion bward an outer peripheral of the base part