IP Library Granted Patent US 7,627,986
Granted Patent B2
US 7,627,986 · App. 10/521,573 · Granted Dec 8, 2009

Driving device and door closer

Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,627,986
App. No.
10/521,573
Granted
Dec 8, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A driving apparatus for driving an assisting mechanism serving as an assistant for opening operation or closing operation of a door includes a plurality of driving sources, a plurality of driving gears that is individually provided at the driving sources, and a driven gear that is engaged with each of the driving gears. The assisting mechanism is activated through rotation of the driven gear by driving of the driving sources.

Claims (36)

1. A driving apparatus in combination with an assisting mechanism, for opening operation or closing operation of a door, comprising:

a plurality of driving sources;

a plurality of driving gears, each provided at one of the driving sources, respectively;

a driven gear that is engaged with each of the driving gears;

an idle gear that is driven by the driven gear; and

an output gear that driven by the idle gear, wherein

each of the plurality of the driving gears has a first rotational shaft,

the driven gear has a second rotational shaft which is orthogonal to the first rotational shaft,

the idle gear has a third rotational shaft which is parallel to the second rotational shaft and is placed a predetermined distance from the second rotational shaft,

the output gear has a fourth rotational shaft which is parallel to the third rotational shaft and is placed a predetermined distance from the third rotational shaft, and

the assisting mechanism is activated through rotation of the output gear by driving of the driving sources.

2. The driving apparatus in combination with the assisting mechanism, according to claim 1 , wherein

the driving gears are worms, and

the driven gear is a worm wheel.

3. A door closer comprising:

a striker that is provided on one of a body and a door of a vehicle in such a manner that the striker is engageable with a latch provided on other of the body and the door of the vehicle;

an assisting mechanism that pulls in the striker in a state of engagement with the latch to close the door; and

a driving apparatus that drives the assisting mechanism, wherein

the driving apparatus includes

a plurality of driving sources;

a plurality of driving gears that is individually provided at the driving sources;

a driven gear that is engaged with each of the driving gears;

an idle gear that is driven by the driven gear; and

an output gear that driven by the idle gear, wherein

each of the plurality of the driving gears has a first rotational shaft,

the driven gear has a second rotational shaft which is orthogonal to the first rotational shaft,

the idle gear has a third rotational shaft which is parallel to the second rotational shaft and is placed a predetermined distance from the second rotational shaft,

the output gear has a fourth rotational shaft which is parallel to the third rotational shaft and is placed a predetermined distance from the third rotational shaft, and

the assisting mechanism is activated through rotation of the output gear by driving of the driving sources.

4. The door closer according to claim 3 , wherein

the driving gears are worms, and

the driven gear is a worm wheel.

5. The door closer according to claim 3 , further comprising a switching unit that is provided between the driving sources and a power source that supplies a current to the driving sources to switch a current flow to the driving sources on and off, wherein

when the striker drawn in through the rotation of the driven gear has reached a predetermined drawing-in termination position, the switching unit cuts off the current flow to the driving sources to stop driving of the driving sources.

6. The door closer according to claim 5 , further comprising a detector that detects whether the latch and the striker is in engagement with each other, wherein

when a state of the latch and the striker is switched from disengagement to engagement, based on a result of detection by the detector, the switching unit starts the current flow to the driving sources.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 25, 2011
From: MITSUI MINING & SMELTING CO., LTD.
To: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 026336/0406 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 18, 2005
From: HIRAI, MAKOTO; HOSHIKAWA, TSUGUO
To: MITSUI MINING & SMELTING CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 016817/0129 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2002-268573 · Sep 13, 2002 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20050241237A1 · Nov 3, 2005