JP7854343B2 - Ramp device - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a ramp device that deploys from a storage compartment.

Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle ramp equipped with an opening/closing section that functions as a lid when the ramp is removed. The opening/closing section is supported by a hinge and is configured to open by rotation.

When the ramp is retracted, a cover such as the opening/closing mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1 may be stepped on by a vehicle occupant. If the cover opens due to being stepped on, there is a risk that, for example, the occupant may lose their footing.

Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle ramp that includes a structure for closing and locking the opening/closing mechanism when the ramp is not in use.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-46211

According to a vehicle ramp such as the one disclosed in Patent Document 1, which employs a structure to lock the opening and closing mechanism, it is possible to prevent the lid from opening unintentionally. However, because the lid is locked, there is a problem in that the ramp cannot be used unless the lock on the lid is released.

The following describes various forms of ramp devices for solving the above problems.
[Aspect 1] A ramp device configured such that a ramp panel stored in a storage section can be deployed by passing it through an opening in the storage section, comprising a lid member that closes the opening, and a link mechanism that moves the lid member between a closed position and an open position, wherein the link mechanism is a four-bar link mechanism and comprises a first link member fixed to the storage section, a second link member fixed to the lid member, two connecting link members connecting the first link member and the second link member, an axis connecting each link member, and a biasing member that applies a biasing force in the direction of moving the lid member to the closed position, wherein the axis of rotation defined by the axis is in the width direction of the ramp panel A ramp device having a connecting link member in an inclined position such that, with respect to one of the connecting link members, the movable shaft connecting the connecting link member and the second link member is positioned closer to the storage unit in the storage direction of the ramp panel than the base shaft connecting the connecting link member and the first link member.

In the above configuration, when the lid is in the closed position, the connecting link member is inclined such that the movable axis is located closer to the storage section than the base axis. Therefore, if a force such as stepping on the lid is applied to it from above, the link mechanism transmits this force as a force moving the lid to the closed position. In other words, when a force such as stepping on the lid is applied to it from above, the movement of the lid towards the open position can be suppressed.

Thus, with the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the lid from opening unintentionally without a mechanism to lock the lid. Therefore, the operation of unlocking the lid naturally does not occur.

[Aspect 2] The ramp device according to [Aspect 1], wherein the lid member has an inner surface that faces the opening when in the closed position, and the link mechanism moves the lid member between the closed position and the open position without turning the inner surface upward during the process of moving the lid member.

According to the above configuration, the lid member can be moved between the closed and open positions without exposing its inner surface. This prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the lid member when it is moved from the closed position.

[Aspect 3] The ramp device according to [Aspect 1] or [Aspect 2], wherein the link mechanism includes a contact portion that contacts the ramp panel when the ramp panel is deployed from the storage unit, and the contact portion is pushed by the ramp panel deployed from the storage unit, thereby transmitting the force of movement of the ramp panel as a force resisting the biasing force.

In the above configuration, the contact point is pushed by the ramp panel deployed from the storage compartment, transmitting the force to move the lid member from the closed position to the open position. Therefore, the lid member can be moved without requiring a separate mechanism to generate the power to move it.

[Aspect 4] The ramp device according to [Aspect 3], wherein the contact portion is integrally molded with one of the connecting link members.
With the above configuration, the lid member can be moved by pushing one connecting link member with the slope panel.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle equipped with one embodiment of a ramp device. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the ramp device. Figure 3 is a side view showing the lid member of the ramp device in the closed position. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the link mechanism for moving the cover member of the ramp device. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement of the link mechanism in the ramp device. Figure 6 is a side view showing the lid member of the ramp device in a state between the closed and open positions. Figure 7 is a side view showing the lid member of the ramp device in the open position.

The following describes one embodiment of the ramp device.
As shown in Figure 1, the ramp device 10 is mounted on, for example, a vehicle 90. Figure 1 shows, as an example, a vehicle 90 having a roughly rectangular, box-shaped body 91 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Door openings 92 are provided on the sides of the body 91, which serve as entry and exit points for passengers of the vehicle 90. The door openings 92 are provided with a pair of sliding doors 93f and 93r that open and close in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle 90 with the sliding doors 93f and 93r in the open position.

The front sliding door 93f opens by moving forward and closes by moving backward. Conversely, the rear sliding door 93r opens by moving backward and closes by moving forward. Furthermore, each sliding door 93f and 93r are configured as power sliding door devices, opening and closing based on the driving force of a door actuator (not shown). The vehicle 90 is configured so that the door opening 92 opens and closes in conjunction with the operation of each sliding door 93f and 93r.

The vehicle 90 may also be equipped with a rocker panel 95 located at the lower end of the door opening 92.
The ramp device 10 includes a storage compartment 13 for storing the ramp panel 11. The storage compartment 13 is located below the door opening 92 in the vehicle body 91 of the vehicle 90. More specifically, the storage compartment 13 is positioned below the door opening 92, and the rocker panel 95 is positioned below the storage compartment 13. The ramp device 10 can deploy the ramp panel 11 extending out of the vehicle from the door opening 92 when the door opening 92 of the vehicle 90 is open. Figure 1 shows the ramp panel 11 deployed from the storage compartment 13. Passengers of the vehicle 90 can use the ramp formed by the ramp panel 11. For example, even if a passenger is carrying a wheelchair, stroller, or suitcase, they can easily get in and out of the vehicle through the door opening 92.

Figure 2 shows the ramp device 10 with the ramp panel 11 stored in the storage compartment 13. Figure 2 shows an arrow indicating the deployment direction D1, which is the direction in which the ramp panel 11 moves when it is deployed from the storage compartment 13. For example, the deployment direction D1 is one direction in the horizontal direction. Figure 2 also shows an arrow indicating the storage direction D2, which is the direction in which the ramp panel 11 moves when it is stored in the storage compartment 13. The storage direction D2 is the opposite direction to the deployment direction D1. Figure 2 also shows an arrow indicating the width direction D3 of the ramp panel 11. For example, the width direction D3 coincides with the direction from the rear of the vehicle to the front of the vehicle. For example, the width direction D3 is perpendicular to the deployment direction D1.

The storage compartment 13 has an opening 13a. For example, the storage compartment 13 is positioned so that the opening 13a faces in the same direction as the door opening 92 of the vehicle 90.
The ramp device 10 is configured to allow the ramp panel 11, which is stored in the storage compartment 13, to pass through the opening 13a of the storage compartment 13 and be deployed outside the vehicle. The ramp device 10 is also configured to allow the deployed ramp panel 11, which has passed through the opening 13a, to be stored back inside the storage compartment 13.

The ramp device 10 may include a configuration that supports the ramp panel 11 deployed outside the storage unit 13. For example, the ramp device 10 may include a roller 19 as shown in Figure 7. The roller 19 is rotatably supported by a shaft member extending along the width direction D3.

The ramp panel 11 of the ramp device 10 may have a protruding portion 12 attached to the panel tip 11f, which is the end in the deployment direction D1, as shown in Figure 3. The protruding portion 12 is attached so as to protrude from the panel tip 11f in the deployment direction D1.

<Configuration for deploying and retracting the slope panel>
Regarding the ramp device 10, an example of a configuration in which the ramp panel 11 can be moved will be described.

As shown in Figure 2, the ramp device 10 includes a pair of guide rails 14 extending in the deployment direction D1 and the storage direction D2 of the ramp panel 11. In other words, the pair of guide rails 14 are arranged to extend in the depth direction of the storage section 13. The guide rails 14 are arranged substantially parallel to each other, sandwiching one end and the other end of the ramp panel 11 in the width direction D3 of the storage section 13.

The ramp device 10 comprises a pair of movable bodies 24. Each movable body 24 is slidably mounted along the extending direction of each guide rail 14, while engaging with the respective guide rail 14.

The ramp device 10 is equipped with a pair of support arms 15. The support arms 15 are rotatably connected to the rear end 11r of the ramp panel 11 and also rotatably connected to the movable body 24. This allows the ramp panel 11 to move in the deployment direction D1 and the storage direction D2 in conjunction with each movable body 24.

The ramp device 10 includes an actuator 20 that applies driving force to the ramp panel 11. The actuator 20 is driven, for example, by a motor 21. The actuator 20 is located within the storage compartment 13, behind the rear end 14r of each guide rail 14. The ramp device 10 includes a pair of drive cables 22 routed along the extension direction of the guide rail 14. The ramp device 10 is configured such that each moving body 24 moves along the extension direction of each guide rail 14 based on the driving force of the actuator 20 transmitted via each drive cable 22.

Specifically, the actuator 20 has a drive gear 23 that rotates based on the driving force generated by the motor 21. The actuator 20 is configured such that each drive cable 22 meshes with the drive gear 23 at two positions radially surrounding it. That is, the actuator 20 causes each drive cable 22 to slide along the extension direction of each guide rail 14 as the drive gear 23 rotates. In the ramp device 10, a movable body 24 is connected to the end of each drive cable 22. Therefore, the ramp device 10 is configured so that each movable body 24 slides in the deployment direction D1 and the storage direction D2 of the ramp panel 11, with each movable body 24 guided along the guide rail 14 in conjunction with each drive cable 22.

In the ramp device 10, the ramp panel 11 is housed in the storage section 13 while maintaining a substantially horizontal position based on the engagement force of the movable body 24 and support arm 15 with respect to the guide rail 14. The ramp device 10 is configured such that, while maintaining a substantially horizontal position, the ramp panel 11 moves integrally with the movable body 24 and support arm 15 in the deployment direction D1 and the storage direction D2 along the extension direction of the guide rail 14.

The ramp device 10 extends the ramp panel 11 outside the vehicle in a manner that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the side edge of the vehicle 90 where the storage section 13 is provided. Furthermore, in this state, the ramp device 10 may be configured such that, in this state, a support arm 15 interposed between the movable body 24 and the ramp panel 11 rotates, causing the rear end 11r of the ramp panel 11 to lift. In this case, the ramp device 10 is configured such that the ramp panel 11 forms an incline, bringing the rear end 11r of the panel closer to the vehicle floor 94. Figure 1 illustrates the ramp panel 11 in this state where the rear end 11r of the panel is lifted.

<Lid part>
As shown in Figure 2, the ramp device 10 includes a cover portion 30. The cover portion 30 is composed of a cover member 31 and a link mechanism 40. For example, the cover portion 30 includes two link mechanisms 40. The two link mechanisms 40 are arranged side by side in the width direction D3. The two link mechanisms 40 have a symmetrical configuration. In the following, one link mechanism 40 will be described, and the description of the other link mechanism 40 will be omitted.

The lid member 31 can close the opening 13a of the storage section 13. An example of the lid member 31, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, consists of a lid panel 32 and a frame 33. The frame 33 is connected to a link mechanism 40. The lid panel 32 is attached to the frame 33 so as to cover it. The surface of the lid panel 32 facing the opening 13a is referred to as the inner surface 32a.

The link mechanism 40 can move the lid member 31 between a closed position, where the opening 13a is closed, and an open position, where the opening 13a is open. The open position is, for example, the position where the lid member 31 is opened to its maximum degree. Figures 3 and 4 show the link mechanism 40 in the closed position of the lid member 31.

As shown in Figure 3, the lid portion 30 is configured such that the rocker panel 95 and the lid panel 32 are flush when the lid member 31 is in the closed position.
One example of the link mechanism 40 is to move the lid member 31 between the closed position and the open position without turning the inner surface 32a upward. Specifically, the lid member 31 is moved without rotating it to an angle such that the inner surface 32a faces upward.

<Link mechanism>
The link mechanism 40 will be explained in detail.
The link mechanism 40 is a closed-loop four-bar link mechanism.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the link mechanism 40 comprises a first link member 41, a second link member 42, a third link member 43, and a fourth link member 44.
The first link member 41 is fixed to the storage section 13. The second link member 42 is fixed to the lid member 31. For example, the second link member 42 is fixed to the frame 33 of the lid member 31. The link mechanism 40 is configured such that when the lid member 31 is in the closed position, the second link member 42 is positioned vertically above the first link member 41. Figure 3 shows an arrow indicating vertically upward D4. Figure 3 also shows an arrow indicating vertically downward D5.

The third link member 43 and the fourth link member 44 correspond to connecting link members that connect the first link member 41 and the second link member 42. The third link member 43 connects one end of the first link member 41 to one end of the second link member 42. The fourth link member 44 connects the other end of the first link member 41 to the other end of the second link member 42.

The link mechanism 40 includes shafts that connect each link member. The link mechanism 40 includes a first base shaft 51 that connects the first link member 41 and the third link member 43. The link mechanism 40 includes a second base shaft 52 that connects the first link member 41 and the fourth link member 44. The link mechanism 40 includes a first movable shaft 53 that connects the second link member 42 and the third link member 43. The link mechanism 40 includes a second movable shaft 54 that connects the second link member 42 and the fourth link member 44. In the link mechanism 40, the first base shaft 51 is mounted closer to the storage unit 13 than the second base shaft 52. In the link mechanism 40, the first movable shaft 53 is mounted closer to the storage unit 13 than the second movable shaft 54. As shown in Figure 3, the first base shaft 51, the second base shaft 52, the first movable shaft 53, and the second movable shaft 54 are arranged such that the rotation axis defined by each shaft extends in the width direction D3 of the slope panel 11.

In the link mechanism 40, when the lid member 31 is in the closed position, the third link member 43 is inclined such that the first movable shaft 53 is positioned closer to the storage section 13 in the storage direction D2 than the first base shaft 51. That is, the third link member 43 is tilted with respect to the vertical direction so that the first movable shaft 53 is closer to the storage section 13. Similarly, when the lid member 31 is in the closed position, the fourth link member 44 is inclined such that the second movable shaft 54 is positioned closer to the storage section 13 in the storage direction D2 than the second base shaft 52.

An example of the third link member 43 will be explained using Figure 4.
The third link member 43 comprises a first arm 43a connected to the first link member 41 and the second link member 42, and a second arm 43b paired with the first arm 43a. The second arm 43b is positioned alongside the first arm 43a at a distance from it in the direction in which the axis of rotation extends.

The first shaft 45, which connects the first arm 43a and the second arm 43b, is provided by the link mechanism 40 and is coaxial with the first base shaft 51. The second shaft 47, which connects the first arm 43a and the second arm 43b, is also provided by the link mechanism 40 and is coaxial with the first movable shaft 53.

The link mechanism 40 includes a biasing member 46. The biasing member 46 applies a biasing force that moves the lid member 31 to the closed position. For example, the biasing member 46 is mounted to apply a biasing force to the third link member 43 that moves the lid member 31 to the closed position. For instance, the biasing member 46 is a coil spring. A first shaft 45 is inserted as the core of the coil spring. One end of the biasing member 46 (coil spring) is attached to the third link member 43. The other end of the biasing member 46 (coil spring) is attached to the first link member 41. In this way, a hinge structure is formed by the third link member 43, the biasing member 46, and the first link member 41.

The third link member 43 includes a contact portion 43c that is integrally molded with the first arm 43a and the second arm 43b. The contact portion 43c is connected between the connection portion of the first arm 43a with the first link member 41 and the connection portion of the first arm 43a with the second link member 42. The contact portion 43c is also connected between the connection portion of the second arm 43b with the first link member 41 and the connection portion of the second arm 43b with the second link member 42.

As shown in Figure 3, the contact portion 43c is positioned opposite the panel tip 11f of the slope panel 11 when the lid member 31 is in the closed position. The contact portion 43c is configured to contact the slope panel 11 when the slope panel 11 is deployed from the storage unit 13. By being pushed by the slope panel 11 deployed from the storage unit 13, the contact portion 43c can transmit the force that causes the slope panel 11 to move in the deployment direction D1 as a force that resists the biasing force of the biasing member 46. In this embodiment of the slope device 10, a protruding portion 12, which extends from the panel tip 11f, is interposed between the slope panel 11 and the contact portion 43c.

An example of the contact portion 43c, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, is formed so as to protrude in the storage direction D2 with the portion connected to the first arm 43a and the second arm 43b as its base end when the lid member 31 is in the closed position. The contact portion 43c has a shape in which its tip approaches the first movable axis 53 in an arc directed vertically upward D4. In other words, the contact portion 43c is a curved arc that protrudes in the storage direction D2.

A cover 49 may be attached to the contact portion 43c, covering the portion of the slope panel 11 facing the panel tip portion 11f. That is, the slope panel 11 may be brought into contact with the cover 49. More specifically, the protruding portion 12 may be brought into contact with the cover 49.

An example of the first link member 41 will be explained using Figure 4.
The first link member 41 includes a first fixing portion 41a connected to the third link member 43 and the fourth link member 44, and a second fixing portion 41b paired with the first fixing portion 41a. The first shaft 45 is attached to the first fixing portion 41a and the second fixing portion 41b. The first link member 41 includes a base portion 41c that is integrally molded with the first fixing portion 41a and the second fixing portion 41b. The base portion 41c connects the tip of the first fixing portion 41a in the storage direction D2 and the tip of the second fixing portion 41b in the storage direction D2. The base portion 41c is fixed to the storage portion 13.

An example of the second link member 42 will be explained using Figure 4.
The second link member 42 includes a first side wall portion 42a connected to the third link member 43 and the fourth link member 44, and a second side wall portion 42b paired with the first side wall portion 42a. The second shaft 47 is attached to the first side wall portion 42a and the second side wall portion 42b. The second link member 42 includes a mounting portion 42c that is integrally molded with the first side wall portion 42a and the second side wall portion 42b. The mounting portion 42c connects the tip of the first side wall portion 42a in the deployment direction D1 and the tip of the second side wall portion 42b in the deployment direction D1. The frame 33 of the lid member 31 is attached to the mounting portion 42c.

An example of the fourth link member 44 will be described.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the fourth link member 44 is rod-shaped, with one end connected to the second base shaft 52 and the other end connected to the second movable shaft 54.

<Operation of the link mechanism>
The operation of the link mechanism 40 in moving the lid member 31 between the closed position and the open position will be explained using Figure 5. In Figure 5, the link mechanism 40 in the closed position of the lid member 31 is shown by a solid line. In Figure 5, the link mechanism 40 in the open position of the lid member 31 is shown by a dashed line. In Figure 5, arrows are shown indicating the direction of rotational movement of the first movable shaft 53 and the second movable shaft 54 when the lid member 31 moves from the closed position to the open position.

Figure 5 schematically shows the link mechanism 40 as follows.
The first link L1 is shown as a line segment connecting the first base shaft 51 and the second base shaft 52 on the first link member 41. The second link L2 is shown as a line segment connecting the first movable shaft 53 and the second movable shaft 54 on the second link member 42.

The third link L3 is shown as the line segment connecting the first base shaft 51 and the first movable shaft 53. The third link L3 corresponds schematically to the third link member 43. The fourth link L4 is shown as the line segment connecting the second base shaft 52 and the second movable shaft 54. The fourth link L4 corresponds schematically to the fourth link member 44.

For example, the link mechanism 40 is a parallel link mechanism. That is, the length of the first link L1 is equal to the length of the second link L2, and the length of the third link L3 is equal to the length of the fourth link L4.

As shown by the dashed line in Figure 5, the second link L2 in the open position moves in the unfolding direction D1 and vertically downward D5 relative to the second link L2 in the closed position. As shown in Figure 5, the link mechanism 40 can move the second link L2 parallel to the second link L2. That is, the link mechanism 40 can move the lid member 31, which is fixed to the second link member 42, parallel to the closed position between the open position and the closed position.

The movement of the lid member 31 will be explained more specifically using the first movable shaft 53 and the second movable shaft 54, which are the ends of the second link L2. In the link mechanism 40, the first movable shaft 53 can rotate in a circle with the first base shaft 51 as the center of rotation. When the lid member 31 moves from the closed position to the open position, the first movable shaft 53 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 5, as indicated by the arrow. In the link mechanism 40, the second movable shaft 54 can rotate in a circle with the second base shaft 52 as the center of rotation. When the lid member 31 moves from the closed position to the open position, the second movable shaft 54 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 5, as indicated by the arrow. Furthermore, when moving the lid member 31 from the open position to the closed position, the first movable shaft 53 and the second movable shaft 54 can rotate clockwise in Figure 5 to return to the open position.

The link mechanism 40 operates by pushing the third link member 43 in the deployment direction D1 by the slope panel 11 deployed from the storage section 13, thereby moving the lid member 31 to the open position against the biasing force of the biasing member 46. In other words, the third link L3 corresponds to the so-called drive link. Furthermore, the following correspondences can be said: The first link L1 corresponds to the fixed link. The second link L2 corresponds to the intermediate link. The fourth link L4 corresponds to the driven link.

<Function of this embodiment>
The operation of this embodiment will now be explained.
The movement of the link member when the lid member 31 moves to the open position will be explained using Figures 5, 6, and 7.

Figure 6 shows the state in which the third link member 43 begins to be pushed in the deployment direction D1 by the slope panel 11, that is, the state in which the lid member 31 begins to move from the closed position. As the second link member 42 rotates as explained using Figure 5, the lid member 31 moves in the deployment direction D1 so as to move away from the rocker panel 95. The lid member 31, beginning to move from the closed position, is lifted vertically upward D4 before moving in the deployment direction D1.

Figure 7 shows the state in which the slope panel 11 is deployed outside the storage unit 13. That is, it shows the state in which the lid member 31 has moved to the open position. The third link member 43 rotates so as to tilt in the deployment direction D1 and vertically downward D5, as described using the third link L3 in Figure 5. The contact portion 43c of the tilting third link member 43 is formed in an arc, so that it contacts the lower surface of the slope panel 11 during the deployment process. In this way, the slope panel 11 is deployed from the storage unit 13, gradually shifting the point of contact between the slope panel 11 and the contact portion 43c. When the lid member 31 is in the open position, the contact portion 43c can support the slope panel 11, as shown in Figure 7. In the example shown in Figure 7, the deployed slope panel 11 is supported by the contact portion 43c and the roller 19.

In the ramp device 10, when the ramp panel 11 is retracted, the load that was on the third link member 43 from the extended ramp panel 11 is released. Therefore, the biasing force of the biasing member 46 causes the lid member 31 to move back to the closed position.

<Effects of this embodiment>
The effects of this embodiment will now be explained.
(1) In the ramp device 10, when the lid member 31 is in the closed position, the third link member 43 is inclined such that the first movable shaft 53 is located on the storage unit 13 side of the first base shaft 51. That is, the third link L3 is inclined toward the storage unit 13 side. In order to move the lid member 31 from the closed position to the open position using the link mechanism 40 configured in this way, it is necessary to pass through a state in which the third link L3 is vertical. That is, it is necessary to lift the lid member 31 upward in the vertical direction.

Here, if a force is applied to the lid member 31 from above in a vertical direction, such that it is being stepped on, the third link member 43 in the link mechanism 40 is inclined, and this force is transmitted as a force that moves the lid member 31 to the closed position. In other words, when a force is applied to the lid member 31 from above, such that it is being stepped on, a force is applied in the opposite direction to the force that moves the lid member 31 from the closed position to the open position. This prevents the lid member 31 from moving towards the open position even if it is stepped on.

The ramp device 10 prevents the lid member 31 from opening unintentionally without requiring a separate locking mechanism. Since the ramp device 10 achieves this unintentional opening prevention without a locking mechanism, there is no need to perform an operation to unlock the lid member 31.

(2) If, when the lid member 31 moves to the open position, the inside of the lid member 31 faces upward in the vertical direction, there is a risk that foreign matter may enter the inside of the lid member 31. If foreign matter enters the inside of the lid member 31, there is a risk that the link mechanism 40 may become jammed with the foreign matter.

In this regard, the ramp device 10 allows the lid member 31 to move parallel to the ground. That is, the lid member 31 can be moved between the closed and open positions without exposing the inner surface 32a of the lid panel 32. This prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the lid member 31 when it has moved from the closed position. The ramp device 10 also prevents foreign matter from becoming jammed into the link mechanism 40.

(3) In the ramp device 10, the contact portion 43c is pushed by the ramp panel 11 deployed from the storage section 13, thereby transmitting a force that moves the lid member 31 from the closed position to the open position. Therefore, the lid member 31 can be moved without requiring a separate mechanism to generate the power to move it.

(4) With the ramp device 10, the lid member 31 can be moved by pushing the third link member 43 with the ramp panel 11. Therefore, the third link member 43 can function as a drive link.

(5) With the ramp device 10, even if the lid member 31 is stepped on, the lid member 31 will not open. Therefore, the occurrence of slipping due to the lid member 31 unintentionally opening can be suppressed. By suppressing slipping, it is possible to prevent unintended excessive load from being placed on the lid portion 30, which is composed of the lid member 31 and the link mechanism 40.

(6) The ramp device 10 makes it possible to prevent the lid member 31 from interfering with the rocker panel 95 when moving the lid member 31 between the closed position and the open position.
(7) In the ramp device 10 having a contact portion 43c, the ramp panel 11 moving in the unfolding direction D1 is configured not to come into contact with the lid member 31. If the ramp panel 11 were to come into contact with the lid member 31, the aesthetic appearance of the lid member 31 may be reduced due to the impact and friction at the time of contact. In this respect, the ramp device 10 can suppress the reduction in the aesthetic appearance of the lid member 31.

(Example of change)
This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

• In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the third link member 43 has a contact portion 43c. Alternatively, the fourth link member 44 may have a contact portion with the slope panel 11. In this case, the fourth link L4 corresponds to the drive link, and the third link L3 corresponds to the driven link.

In the above embodiment, the slope panel 11 is configured to transmit the force that moves the slope panel 11 in the unfolding direction D1 to the link mechanism 40 by pushing the contact portion 43c in the unfolding direction D1. Direct contact between the slope panel 11 and the link mechanism 40 is not a necessary configuration.

For example, the ramp device may include a transmission mechanism that mechanically transmits the power that moves the ramp panel 11 in the deployment direction D1 to the link mechanism 40. For instance, the transmission mechanism can consist of a member pushed by the ramp panel 11 and a gear that moves in conjunction with that member. With such a transmission mechanism, the lid member 31 can be moved to the open position in conjunction with the deployment of the ramp panel 11 without the ramp panel 11 coming into contact with the link mechanism 40.

In the above embodiment, a link mechanism 40 configured to move the lid member 31 parallel to the closed position when moving the lid member 31 between the closed and open positions was illustrated. However, parallel movement of the lid member 31 is not a mandatory configuration. For example, the angle of the lid member 31 may change between the closed and open positions, as long as the inner side of the lid member 31 does not face upwards.

- It is not essential that the link mechanism 40 is a parallel link mechanism. The link mechanism only needs to have the intermediate link positioned above the fixed link when the lid member 31 is in the closed position, and the drive link being inclined, as exemplified by the third link L3 in Figure 5.

• In the above embodiment, a ramp device 10 equipped with two link mechanisms 40 was illustrated. The number of link mechanisms 40 is not particularly limited. The ramp device may have one link mechanism, or it may have three or more link mechanisms. It is preferable that the multiple link mechanisms each have a common configuration.

10...Slope device 11...Slope panel 11f...Panel tip 13...Storage section 13a...Opening 30...Lid section 31...Lid member 32...Lid panel 32a...Inner surface 40...Link mechanism 41...First link member 42...Second link member 43...Third link member 43c...Contact section 44...Fourth link member 46...Biasing member 51...First base shaft 52...Second base shaft 53...First movable shaft 54...Second movable shaft D1...Deployment direction D4...Vertically upward

Claims (4)

A ramp device is configured such that a ramp panel stored in a storage compartment can be deployed by passing it through an opening in the storage compartment, and comprises a lid member that closes the opening, and a link mechanism that moves the lid member between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening,
The aforementioned link mechanism is
It is a four-bar linkage mechanism comprising: a first link member fixed to the storage section; a second link member fixed to the lid member; a third link member and a fourth link member connecting the first link member and the second link member ; a shaft connecting each link member; and a biasing member that applies a biasing force in the direction of moving the lid member to the closed position.
The rotation axis defined by the aforementioned axis is arranged to extend in the width direction of the slope panel, and is pushed out by the slope panel deployed from the storage section, thereby moving the lid member to the open position against the biasing force.
When the lid member is in the closed position, the second link member is configured to be positioned above the first link member , and the third link member is configured to be positioned closer to the storage section in the storage direction of the slope panel than the fourth link member, and when the lid member is in the closed position, with respect to the third link member, the third link member is in an inclined position such that the first movable shaft connecting the third link member and the second link member is positioned closer to the storage section in the storage direction of the slope panel than the first base shaft connecting the third link member and the first link member, and when the lid member is in the closed position, the first movable shaft is positioned above the second movable shaft connecting the fourth link member and the second link member, and the first base shaft is positioned above the second base shaft connecting the fourth link member and the first link member.
Ramp device. In the lid member, the surface facing the opening when in the closed position is considered the inner surface.
The ramp device according to claim 1, wherein the link mechanism moves the lid member without turning its inner surface upward during the process of moving the lid member between the closed position and the open position. A ramp device is configured such that a ramp panel stored in a storage compartment can be deployed by passing it through an opening in the storage compartment, and comprises a lid member that closes the opening, and a link mechanism that moves the lid member between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening,
The aforementioned link mechanism is
It is a four-bar linkage mechanism comprising: a first link member fixed to the storage section; a second link member fixed to the lid member; two connecting link members connecting the first link member and the second link member; a shaft connecting each link member; and a biasing member that applies a biasing force in the direction of moving the lid member to the closed position.
The rotation axis defined by the aforementioned axis is arranged to extend in the width direction of the slope panel, and is pushed out by the slope panel deployed from the storage section, thereby moving the lid member to the open position against the biasing force.
When the lid member is in the closed position, the second link member is configured to be positioned above the first link member, and when the lid member is in the closed position, with respect to one of the connecting link members, the connecting link member is in an inclined position such that the movable shaft connecting the connecting link member and the second link member is positioned closer to the storage section in the storage direction of the slope panel than the base shaft connecting the connecting link member and the first link member.
The link mechanism includes a contact portion that contacts the slope panel when the slope panel is deployed from the storage section.
The contact portion is pressed by the slope panel deployed from the storage portion, thereby transmitting the force of movement of the slope panel as a force that opposes the biasing force. The ramp device according to claim 3, wherein the contact portion is integrally molded with one of the connecting link members.