JP7798679B2 - Lower guide rail and sliding door device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a lower guide rail and a sliding door device.

Sliding door devices are known that open and close passageways by sliding a sliding door in a direction perpendicular to the vertical. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a sliding door device in which a lower frame is fixed to the lower end of the door section, and a guide section fixed to the underside of this lower frame is inserted into a guide rail groove in the rail main body to prevent the door section from swinging.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-203252

In sliding door devices like the one described above, the lower frame is exposed to the outside, making it easily visible to passersby and potentially damaging the aesthetic appearance of the sliding door device.

In view of the above circumstances, one aspect of the present invention aims to provide a lower guide rail that prevents the lower frame from being exposed to the outside, thereby preventing the aesthetic appearance of the sliding door device from being marred, and a sliding door device equipped with such a lower guide rail.

One aspect of the lower guide rail of the present invention is a lower guide rail that supports a sliding door, which has a door section, a lower frame fixed to the vertically lower end of the door section, and a vibration-prevention member fixed to the vertically lower end of the lower frame, so that the door can move in an opening/closing direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The lower guide rail includes a guide rail main body extending along the opening/closing direction and a lid member attached to the guide rail main body. The guide rail main body has an opening that opens vertically upward and has a first housing section that houses the lower frame therein, and a second housing section that is positioned vertically below the first housing section and houses at least a portion of the vibration-prevention member therein. In a first direction that is perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the opening/closing direction, the internal dimensions of the first housing section are larger than the internal dimensions of the second housing section, and the lid member extends in the opening/closing direction to block a portion of the opening.

The inner surfaces of the first housing section on both sides in the first direction may be arranged with a gap between them and the lower frame, and the second housing section may be configured to support the anti-vibration member so that it can slide in the opening and closing direction.

The lid member may have a first lid member that extends along the opening/closing direction, the first lid member being detachably attached to the guide rail main body, and the first lid member may have a pair of lid portions that are arranged opposite each other with a gap in the first direction.

The lid member may have a second lid member, the second lid member extending along the opening/closing direction, the first lid member and the second lid member arranged side by side in the opening/closing direction, the second lid member fixed to the guide rail main body, and the second lid member may have a pair of lid portions arranged opposite each other with a gap in the first direction.

One aspect of the sliding door device of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned lower guide rail, a fixed wall extending along a plane perpendicular to the first direction, and a sliding door supported by the lower guide rail so as to be movable in the opening and closing direction and movable relative to the fixed wall in the opening and closing direction, wherein the first cover member overlaps the fixed wall when viewed in the first direction.

One aspect of the present invention prevents the lower frame from being exposed to the outside, thereby preventing the aesthetic appearance of the sliding door device from being marred.

1 is a front view showing a sliding door device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a left side view showing a sliding door device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the lower guide rail according to the embodiment, taken along line III-III in FIG. 1 . 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the lower guide rail according to the embodiment, taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1 . FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a lower guide rail of a first modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a lower guide rail of a second modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a lower guide rail of a third modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a lower guide rail of a fourth modified example of the embodiment.

The following describes a sliding door device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings. Note that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and can be modified as desired within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. In addition, in the following drawings, the scale and number of components may differ from the actual structure to make each component easier to understand.

In the following explanation, the figures will appropriately show the XYZ coordinate system as a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. In the XYZ coordinate system, the Z axis direction is the vertical direction. The +Z side is the upper vertical side, and the -Z side is the lower vertical side. In the following explanation, the upper vertical side will simply be referred to as the "upper side," and the lower vertical side will simply be referred to as the "lower side."

The X-axis direction is perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and is the opening/closing direction in which the door section 20 of the sliding door device 1 opens and closes. In the following embodiments, the +X side is the right side of the sliding door device 1, and the -X side is the left side of the sliding door device 1. In the following description, the right side of the sliding door device 1 will be simply referred to as the "right side," and the left side of the sliding door device 1 will be simply referred to as the "left side."

The Y-axis direction is perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and is the front-to-rear direction of the sliding door device 1. In the following embodiments, the +Y side is the front side of the sliding door device 1, and the -Y side is the rear side of the sliding door device 1. In the following description, the front side of the sliding door device 1 will be simply referred to as the "front side," and the rear side of the sliding door device 1 will be simply referred to as the "rear side." The opening/closing direction and the front-to-rear direction are horizontal directions perpendicular to the vertical direction. Note that the terms upper side, lower side, right side, left side, front side, and rear side are simply names used to describe the relative positional relationships of each part, and the actual positional relationships may be other than those indicated by these names.

In the following description, the first direction D1 will be shown in each figure where appropriate. In this embodiment, the first direction D1 is parallel to the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). In the following description, the first direction D1 may also be referred to as the front-to-rear direction.

Figure 1 is a front view showing the sliding door device 1 of this embodiment. Note that Figure 1 shows the sliding door device 1 in a closed state, where the double-opening sliding door 6 is closed. Figure 2 is a left side view showing the sliding door device 1 of this embodiment.

The sliding door device 1 of this embodiment is installed inside a building or at the boundary between the interior and exterior of a building. The sliding door device 1 is a double-door sliding door device in which the sliding door 6 opens and closes in an opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). In this embodiment, the sliding door device 1 is an electric sliding door device that moves the sliding door 6 in the opening/closing direction by supplying power to the door drive unit 10 (described below). Note that the sliding door device 1 may also be a manual sliding door device in which the sliding door 6 is manually moved in the opening/closing direction. The sliding door device 1 opens and closes a passageway 80 that opens in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction) by moving the sliding door 6 in the opening/closing direction. The sliding door device 1 is fixed to a ceiling surface 81, a right wall surface 82, a left wall surface 83, and a floor surface 84. The sliding door device 1 includes a door frame 5, an upper guide rail 7, a storage unit 9, a control unit 70, a door drive unit 10, a sliding door 6, and a fixed wall 30.

As shown in Figure 1, the door frame 5 is a frame body that is approximately rectangular when viewed in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The interior of the door frame 5 is open in the front-to-rear direction. The door frame 5 holds an upper guide rail 7, a storage section 9, a fixed wall 30, and a sliding door 6. The door frame 5 has a right side portion 5a, a left side portion 5b, an upper side portion 5c, and a lower guide rail 8.

The right side portion 5a is columnar and extends vertically (in the Z-axis direction). It is fixed to the right wall surface 82. The lower end of the right side portion 5a is embedded in the floor surface 84. The left side portion 5b is columnar and extends vertically (in the Z-axis direction). It is fixed to the left wall surface 83. The lower end of the left side portion 5b is embedded in the floor surface 84. The upper side portion 5c is columnar and extends in the opening/closing direction (in the X-axis direction). It is fixed to the top surface 81. The right side (+X side) end of the upper side portion 5c is connected to the upper end of the right side portion 5a. The left side (-X side) end of the upper side portion 5c is connected to the upper end of the left side portion 5b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lower guide rail 8 is a rail that extends in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). The lower guide rail 8 supports the sliding door 6 so that it can move in the opening/closing direction. The lower guide rail 8 is embedded inside the floor surface 84. The right side (+X side) end of the lower guide rail 8 is connected to the lower end of the right side portion 5a. The left side (-X side) end of the lower guide rail 8 is connected to the lower end of the left side portion 5b. The detailed configuration of the lower guide rail 8 will be explained later.

The upper guide rail 7 is a rail that extends in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). The upper guide rail 7 opens upward and has a groove-shaped recess (not shown) that extends in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). In the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), the upper guide rail is positioned above the door section 20 and below the upper section 5c. The right side (+X side) end of the upper guide rail 7 is connected to the right side section 5a. The left side (-X side) end of the upper guide rail is connected to the left side section 5b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the storage unit 9 is a roughly rectangular box-like structure extending in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). The storage unit 9 is positioned above the upper guide rail 7. The storage unit 9 is fixed to the front surface (+Y side) of a cross beam (not shown) provided on the top surface 81. The control unit 70 and door drive unit 10 are housed inside the storage unit 9.

The control unit 70 is a control device that controls the door drive unit 10. The control unit 70 is a rectangular box that houses a CPU, ROM, and other components (not shown). The CPU, ROM, and other components are configured as a computer system. The control unit 70 is electrically connected to an external power source (not shown).

The door drive unit 10 moves the sliding door 6 in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). As shown in FIG. 1, the door drive unit 10 is housed inside the housing 9. The door drive unit 10 has a drive unit 11, a drive pulley 12, a driven pulley 13, and a drive member 14.

The drive unit 11 rotates the drive pulley 12. In this embodiment, the drive unit 11 is located on the left side (-X side) of the housing 9. The drive unit 11 has a drive motor and a speed reduction mechanism (not shown). The drive motor is electrically connected to the control unit 70, and the operation of the drive motor is controlled by the control unit 70. The rotational torque of the drive motor is transmitted to the drive pulley 12 via the speed reduction mechanism. The configuration of the drive motor and the speed reduction mechanism are not particularly limited, and known motors and speed reduction mechanisms can be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the drive pulley 12 is rotatable about a drive axis J1 that is parallel to the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). In this embodiment, the drive axis J1 is an imaginary axis. The drive pulley 12 is generally disk-shaped and centered on the drive axis J1. The outer peripheral surface of the drive pulley 12 is provided with a first groove portion (not shown) that is recessed inward. Multiple first groove portions are provided at equal intervals along the outer peripheral surface of the drive pulley 12.

The driven pulley 13 is located on the right side (+X side) of the housing 9. The driven pulley 13 is rotatable about a driven axis J2 that is parallel to the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). In this embodiment, the driven axis J2 is an imaginary axis. The driven pulley 13 is generally disk-shaped and centered on the driven axis J2. The outer peripheral surface of the driven pulley 13 is provided with a second groove portion (not shown) that is recessed inward. Multiple second groove portions are provided at equal intervals along the outer peripheral surface of the driven pulley 13.

The drive member 14 is a circular timing belt. Alternatively, the drive member 14 may be a circular chain-like member. As shown in FIG. 1 , the drive member 14 is wrapped around the drive pulley 12 and the driven pulley 13. The inner peripheral surface of the drive member 14 is provided with protrusions (not shown) that protrude inward. Multiple protrusions are provided at equal intervals along the inner peripheral surface of the drive member 14. Some of the multiple protrusions engage with the first groove of the drive pulley 12, and when the drive pulley 12 rotates around the drive axis J1, the drive member 14 is driven in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). Another portion of the multiple protrusions engages with the second groove of the driven pulley 13, and the driven pulley 13 rotates in response to the drive pulley 12 via the drive member 14. This allows the drive member 14 to move in the opening/closing direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sliding door 6 is a double-door that opens and closes in the opening and closing direction (X-axis direction). The sliding door 6 has a door section 20, an upper frame 21, a first door hanger 22a, a second door hanger 22b, a first door roller 23a, a second door roller 23b, a lower frame 25, and a vibration prevention member 26.

The door section 20 is movable in the opening and closing direction (X-axis direction). As shown in FIG. 2, the upper end of the door section 20 is located below the upper guide rail 7. The lower end of the door section 20 is located below the floor surface 84 and is housed inside the lower guide rail 8. In this embodiment, the door section 20 is made of glass. The door section 20 may also be made of other materials such as resin and metal. As shown in FIG. 1, the door section 20 has a first door 20a and a second door 20b.

The first door 20a and the second door 20b are each shaped like a roughly rectangular plate. In this embodiment, the first door 20a and the second door 20b have the same shape. The first door 20a and the second door 20b may have different shapes. The plate surfaces of the first door 20a and the second door 20b each face in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The first door 20a is positioned to the left (-X side) of the second door 20b. The first door 20a and the second door 20b are positioned side by side in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction).

When the first door 20a moves to the left (-X side) and the second door 20b moves to the right (+X side), the sliding door 6 opens. Although not shown, when the sliding door 6 is in the open state, where it is in its openest position, the left end of the first door 20a faces closely to the left side portion 5b in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction), and the right end of the second door 20b faces closely to the right side portion 5a in the opening/closing direction. When the first door 20a moves to the right and the second door 20b moves to the left, the sliding door 6 closes. When the sliding door 6 is in the closed state, where it is in its closed position, the right end of the first door 20a faces closely to the left end of the second door 20b in the opening/closing direction. When the sliding door 6 is in the closed state, the first door 20a and the second door 20b may come into contact.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper frame 21 is fixed to the upper end of the door section 20. The upper frame 21 has a first upper frame 21a and a second upper frame 21b.

The first upper frame 21a is fixed to the upper end of the first door 20a. The first upper frame 21a has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). The dimensions of the first upper frame 21a in the opening/closing direction are generally the same as the dimensions of the first door 20a in the opening/closing direction. In the opening/closing direction, the position of the right (+X side) end of the first upper frame 21a is generally the same as the right end of the first door 20a. As shown in FIG. 2, a first recess 21a1 recessed upward is provided on the downward-facing surface of the first upper frame 21a. The first recess 21a1 extends in the opening/closing direction from the left (-X side) end to the right end of the first upper frame 21a. The upper end of the first door 20a is inserted into the first recess 21a1. The two inner surfaces of the first recess 21a1 facing the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction) are fixed to both side surfaces of the first door 20a facing the front-to-rear direction by adhesive.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second upper frame 21b is fixed to the upper end of the second door 20b. In this embodiment, the shape of the second upper frame 21b is the same as the shape of the first upper frame 21a. In the opening and closing direction (X-axis direction), the position of the left (-X side) end of the second upper frame 21b is approximately the same as the left end of the second door 20b. Although not shown, a second recess recessed upward is provided on the downward-facing surface of the second upper frame 21b, and the upper end of the second door 20b is inserted into the second recess. The two inner surfaces of the second recess facing the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction) are fixed to both side surfaces facing the front-to-rear direction of the second door 20b by adhesive.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first door hanger 22a is fixed to the upper end of the first upper frame 21a. As shown in FIG. 2, when viewed in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction), the first door hanger 22a is an L-shaped plate. The first door hanger 22a protrudes upward from the first upper frame 21a. Although not shown, the first door hanger 22a is connected to a portion of the drive member 14 that is located above the drive pulley 12 and driven pulley 13. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, two first door hangers 22a are provided. The first door hangers 22a are arranged at intervals from each other in the opening/closing direction.

The second door hanger 22b is fixed to the upper end of the second upper frame 21b. In this embodiment, the second door hanger 22b has the same shape as the first door hanger 22a. The second door hanger 22b protrudes upward from the second upper frame 21b. Although not shown, the second door hanger 22b is connected to a portion of the drive member 14 that is located below the drive pulley 12 and driven pulley 13. In this embodiment, two second door hangers 22b are provided. The second door hangers 22b are spaced apart from each other in the opening and closing direction.

The first door roller 23a is supported by the first door hanger 22a so as to be rotatable around a first door roller axis J3 that is parallel to the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). In this embodiment, the first door roller axis J3 is an imaginary axis. In this embodiment, two first door rollers 23a are provided. Each first door roller 23a is approximately circular and centered on the first door roller axis J3. Each first door roller 23a is inserted into a recess (not shown) in the upper guide rail 7. When the drive member 14 is driven by the drive unit 11, each first door roller 23a travels in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction) while rotating around the first door roller axis J3 via the first door hanger 22a. This causes the first door 20a to move in the opening/closing direction.

The second door roller 23b is supported by the second door hanger 22b so as to be rotatable around a second door roller axis J4 that is parallel to the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). In this embodiment, the second door roller axis J4 is an imaginary axis. In this embodiment, two second door rollers 23b are provided. Each second door roller 23b is approximately circular and centered on the second door roller axis J4. Each second door roller 23b is inserted into a recess in the upper guide rail 7. When the drive unit 11 drives the drive member 14, each second door roller 23b moves in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction) while rotating around the second door roller axis J4. This causes the second door 20b to move in the opening/closing direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lower frame 25 is fixed to the vertically lower end of the door section 20. The lower frame 25 has a first lower frame 25a and a second lower frame 25b.

The first lower frame 25a is fixed to the lower end of the first door 20a. The first lower frame 25a has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). The dimensions of the first lower frame 25a in the opening/closing direction are generally the same as the dimensions of the first door 20a in the opening/closing direction. In the opening/closing direction, the position of the right (+X side) end of the first lower frame 25a is generally the same as the right end of the first door 20a. As shown in FIG. 2, a third recess 25a1 recessed downward is provided on the surface facing upward of the first lower frame 25a. The third recess 25a1 extends in the opening/closing direction from the left (-X side) end to the right end of the first lower frame 25a. The lower end of the first door 20a is inserted into the third recess 25a1. The two inner surfaces of the third recess 25a1 facing the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction) are fixed to both side surfaces of the first door 20a facing the front-to-rear direction by adhesive.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second lower frame 25b is fixed to the lower end of the second door 20b. In this embodiment, the shape of the second lower frame 25b is the same as the shape of the first lower frame 25a. In the opening and closing direction, the position of the left (-X side) end of the second lower frame 25b is approximately the same as the left end of the second door 20b. Although not shown, a fourth recess recessed downward is provided on the surface facing upward of the second lower frame 25b, and the lower portion of the second door 20b is inserted into the fourth recess. The two inner surfaces facing the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction) of the fourth recess are fixed to both side surfaces facing the front-to-rear direction of the second door 20b by adhesive.

As shown in FIG. 1, the anti-vibration member 26 is fixed to the lower vertical end of the lower frame 25 with a screw 91. The anti-vibration member 26 protrudes downward from the lower frame 25. In this embodiment, the anti-vibration member 26 is made of resin. The anti-vibration member 26 has a pair of first anti-vibration members 26a and a pair of second anti-vibration members 26b.

A pair of first anti-vibration members 26a are each fixed to the lower end of the first lower frame 25a. Each first anti-vibration member 26a protrudes downward from the first lower frame 25a. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each first anti-vibration member 26a is approximately rectangular. As shown in Figure 1, each first anti-vibration member 26a is arranged at a distance from each other along the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction).

A pair of second anti-vibration members 26b are fixed to the lower end of the second lower frame 25b. Each second anti-vibration member 26b protrudes downward from the second lower frame 25b. Each second anti-vibration member 26b has the same shape as the first anti-vibration member 26a. Each second anti-vibration member 26b is arranged at a distance from each other along the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction).

The fixed wall 30 blocks a portion of the interior of the door frame 5 in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). As shown in FIG. 1 , the fixed wall 30 extends in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction), i.e., along a plane perpendicular to the first direction D1. The fixed wall 30 is fixed to the door frame 5. Therefore, the sliding door 6 can move in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction) relative to the fixed wall 30. The fixed wall 30 has a first fixed wall 31 and a second fixed wall 32.

The first fixed wall 31 blocks a portion of the left side (-X side) of the interior of the door frame 5. The first fixed wall 31 is a roughly rectangular plate. The plate surface of the first fixed wall 31 faces the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The left end of the first fixed wall 31 is fixed to the left side portion 5b. The upper end of the first fixed wall 31 is fixed to the upper guide rail 7. The lower end of the first fixed wall 31 is embedded in the floor surface 84. The right end (+X side) of the first fixed wall 31 is located to the right of the left end of the first door 20a when the sliding door 6 is in the closed state. Therefore, when the sliding door 6 is in the closed state, the left side of the interior of the door frame 5 is blocked in the front-to-rear direction by the first door 20a and the first fixed wall 31. The dimension of the first fixed wall 31 in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction) is greater than the dimension of the first door 20a in the opening/closing direction. Although not shown in the figure, when the sliding door 6 is in the open position, the right end of the first fixed wall 31 is located to the right of the right end of the first door 20a.

The second fixed wall 32 blocks a portion of the right side (+X side) of the interior of the door frame 5. The second fixed wall 32 is a roughly rectangular plate. The plate surface of the second fixed wall 32 faces the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The right end of the second fixed wall 32 is fixed to the right side portion 5a. The upper end of the second fixed wall 32 is fixed to the upper guide rail 7. The lower end of the second fixed wall 32 is embedded in the floor surface 84. The left end (-X side) of the second fixed wall 32 is located to the left of the right end of the second door 20b when the sliding door 6 is closed. Therefore, when the sliding door 6 is closed, the right side of the interior of the door frame 5 is blocked in the front-to-rear direction by the second door 20b and the second fixed wall 32. The dimension of the second fixed wall 32 in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction) is greater than the dimension of the second door 20b in the opening/closing direction. Although not shown in the figure, when the sliding door 6 is in the open position, the left end of the second fixed wall 32 is located to the left of the left end of the second door 20b.

The passageway 80 is a passageway through which pedestrians can pass in the forward and backward directions through the sliding door device 1 when the sliding door 6 is in the open state. The passageway 80 is surrounded by the upper guide rail 7, the floor surface 84, the right-hand (+X side) end of the first fixed wall 31, and the left-hand (-X side) end of the second fixed wall 32. When the sliding door 6 is in the closed state, the passageway 80 is blocked by the sliding door 6, preventing pedestrians from passing through in the forward and backward directions.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the sliding door device 1 when the sliding door 6 is in an open state, taken along the line III-III in Figure 1. Although not shown, when the sliding door 6 is in an open state, the configuration of the sliding door device 1 in the line III'-III' in Figure 1 is the same as the configuration of the sliding door device 1 shown in Figure 3. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the sliding door device 1 when the sliding door 6 is in a closed state, taken along the line IV-IV in Figure 1. Although not shown, when the sliding door 6 is in a closed state, the configuration of the sliding door device 1 in the line IV'-IV' in Figure 1 is the same as the configuration of the sliding door device 1 shown in Figure 4.

The lower guide rail 8 supports the lower portion of the sliding door 6 so that it can move in the opening and closing direction (X-axis direction). As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lower guide rail 8 accommodates the lower end of the door section 20, a lower frame 25, and a vibration prevention member 26. The lower guide rail 8 includes a guide rail main body 40 and a cover member 50.

The guide rail main body 40 is embedded and fixed within the floor surface 84. As shown in FIG. 1, the guide rail main body 40 extends along the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). The right (+X side) end of the guide rail main body 40 is fixed to the right side portion 5a. The left (-X side) end of the guide rail main body 40 is fixed to the left side portion 5b. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the guide rail main body 40 is composed of a first rail member 43, a second rail member 44, and a third rail member 45. In this embodiment, the first rail member 43, the second rail member 44, and the third rail member 45 are separate from one another. The first rail member 43 and the third rail member 45 are fixed to one another. The second rail member 44 and the third rail member 45 are fixed to one another. Note that the first rail member 43 and the second rail member 44 may be an integrated member. Additionally, the first rail member 43, the second rail member 44, and the third rail member 45 may be an integrated member.

The first rail member 43 is the front (+D1 side) portion of the upper portion of the guide rail main body 40. The first rail member 43 has a first side wall portion 43a, a first upper wall portion 43b, a first hanging portion 43c, and a first bottom wall portion 43d.

The first side wall portion 43a is a plate-like member that protrudes in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The plate surface of the first side wall portion 43a faces the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The first side wall portion 43a is disposed on the front side (+D1 side) of the lower frame 25. In the vertical direction, the upper end of the first side wall portion 43a is located above the upper end of the lower frame 25. The lower end of the first side wall portion 43a is located below the lower end of the lower frame 25. As shown in FIG. 4 , a first through hole 43a1 that penetrates in the front-rear direction is provided in the center of the first side wall portion 43a in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). When viewed in the front-rear direction, the first through hole 43a1 is circular. Although not shown, multiple first through holes 43a1 are provided at intervals along the opening/closing direction.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first upper wall portion 43b is a plate-like member that protrudes forward (toward the +D1 side) from the upper end of the first side wall portion 43a. The plate surface of the first upper wall portion 43b faces the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). As shown in Figure 3, the first upper wall portion 43b is provided with a first female screw hole 43b1 that penetrates in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Although not shown, multiple first female screw holes 43b1 are provided at intervals along the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction) on both the left side (-X side) of the first upper wall portion 43b and the right side (+X side) of the first upper wall portion 43b.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first hanging portion 43c is a plate-like member that protrudes downward from the front (+D1 side) end of the first upper wall portion 43b. The plate surface of the first hanging portion 43c faces the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). As shown in Figure 4, a second through hole 43c1 that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction is provided in the center of the first hanging portion 43c in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). When viewed in the front-to-rear direction, the second through hole 43c1 is circular. Although not shown, multiple second through holes 43c1 are provided at intervals along the opening/closing direction. When viewed in the front-to-rear direction, each second through hole 43c1 overlaps with a first through hole 43a1.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first bottom wall portion 43d is a plate-like member that protrudes rearward (toward the -D1 side) from the lower end of the first side wall portion 43a. The plate surface of the first bottom wall portion 43d faces vertically (in the Z-axis direction). The rear end of the first bottom wall portion 43d is spaced apart from the anti-vibration member 26 in the front-to-rear direction (in the Y-axis direction).

The second rail member 44 is the rear (-D1 side) portion of the upper portion of the guide rail main body 40. The second rail member 44 has a second side wall portion 44a, a second upper wall portion 44b, a second hanging portion 44c, and a second bottom wall portion 44d. The shape of the second rail member 44 is plane-symmetrical to the shape of the first rail member 43, with the door center plane S1, which is a plane passing through the center of the door section 20 in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction), as the plane of symmetry. Therefore, descriptions of parts of the shape of the second rail member 44 that overlap with the shape of the first rail member 43, other than those that are plane-symmetrical, may be omitted. In this embodiment, the door center plane S1 is perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction.

The second side wall portion 44a is disposed on the rear side (-D1 side) of the lower frame 25. As shown in FIG. 4, a third through-hole 44a1 that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction) is provided in the center of the second side wall portion 44a in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). Although not shown in the figure, multiple third through-holes 44a1 are provided at intervals along the opening/closing direction.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the second upper wall portion 44b is plate-shaped and protrudes rearward (toward the -D1 side) from the upper end of the second side wall portion 44a. As shown in Figure 3, the second upper wall portion 44b is provided with a second female screw hole 44b1 that penetrates vertically. Although not shown, multiple second female screw holes 44b1 are provided at intervals along the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction) on each of the left (-X side) and right (+X side) portions of the second upper wall portion 44b.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the second hanging portion 44c is plate-shaped and protrudes downward from the rear (-D1 side) end of the second upper wall portion 44b. As shown in Figure 4, a fourth through hole 44c1 that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction) is provided in the center of the second hanging portion 44c in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). Although not shown, multiple fourth through holes 44c1 are provided at intervals along the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). When viewed in the front-to-rear direction, each fourth through hole 44c1 overlaps with a third through hole 44a1.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the second bottom wall portion 44d is a plate-like member that protrudes forward (toward +D1) from the lower end of the second side wall portion 44a. The front end of the second bottom wall portion 44d is spaced apart from the anti-vibration member 26 in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction).

The third rail member 45 is the lower portion of the guide rail main body 40. The third rail member 45 has a third upper wall portion 45a, a third side wall portion 45b, a fourth upper wall portion 45c, a fourth side wall portion 45d, and a third bottom wall portion 45e.

The third upper wall portion 45a is plate-shaped and protrudes in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The plate surface of the third upper wall portion 45a faces vertically (Z-axis direction). The third upper wall portion 45a is positioned in front of the anti-vibration member 26 (+D1 side). The surface facing downward of the third upper wall portion 45a is fixed to the surface facing upward of the first bottom wall portion 43d. This fixes the first rail member 43 and the third rail member 45.

The third side wall portion 45b is plate-shaped and protrudes downward from the rear (-D1 side) end of the third upper wall portion 45a. The plate surface of the third side wall portion 45b faces the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The lower end of the third side wall portion 45b is located lower than the lower end of the anti-vibration member 26. The surface of the third side wall portion 45b facing rearward faces the surface of the anti-vibration member 26 facing frontward (+D1 side) in the front-to-rear direction. The surface of the third side wall portion 45b facing rearward may come into contact with the surface of the anti-vibration member 26 facing frontward.

The fourth upper wall portion 45c is plate-shaped and protrudes in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The plate surface of the fourth upper wall portion 45c faces vertically (Z-axis direction). The fourth upper wall portion 45c is positioned behind the anti-vibration member 26 (-D1 side). The surface facing downward of the fourth upper wall portion 45c is fixed to the surface facing upward of the second bottom wall portion 44d. This fixes the second rail member 44 and the third rail member 45.

The fourth side wall portion 45d is plate-shaped and protrudes downward from the front (+D1 side) end of the fourth upper wall portion 45c. The plate surface of the fourth side wall portion 45d faces the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The lower end of the fourth side wall portion 45d is located lower than the lower end of the anti-vibration member 26. The surface of the fourth side wall portion 45d facing the front faces the surface of the anti-vibration member 26 facing the rear (-D1 side) in the front-to-rear direction. The surface of the fourth side wall portion 45d facing the front faces may come into contact with the surface of the anti-vibration member 26 facing the rear.

The third bottom wall portion 45e is plate-shaped and protrudes in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The plate surface of the third bottom wall portion 45e faces vertically (Z-axis direction). The front end (+D1 side) of the third bottom wall portion 45e connects to the lower end of the third side wall portion 45b. The rear end (-D1 side) of the third bottom wall portion 45e connects to the lower end of the fourth side wall portion 45d.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the guide rail main body 40 has a first storage section 41 and a second storage section 42. The first storage section 41 is the upper portion of the guide rail main body 40. The first storage section 41 is a rectangular tube extending in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). When viewed in the opening/closing direction, the first storage section 41 is approximately rectangular. The first storage section 41 is composed of a first side wall section 43a, a first bottom wall section 43d, a third upper wall section 45a, a second side wall section 44a, a second bottom wall section 44d, and a fourth upper wall section 45c. The lower end of the door section 20, the lower frame 25, and the upper portion of the anti-vibration member 26 are housed inside the first storage section 41. The first storage section 41 has an opening 40a that opens vertically upward. The door section 20 passes through the opening 40a in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The inner surfaces of the first storage section 41 on both sides in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction), i.e., in the first direction D1, are positioned with a gap between them and the lower frame 25. Therefore, according to this embodiment, contact between the lower frame 25 and the first storage section 41 can be prevented when the sliding door 6 moves in the opening and closing directions. This allows the sliding door 6 to move smoothly in the opening and closing directions.

The second storage section 42 is the lower portion of the guide rail main body 40. The second storage section 42 is positioned vertically below the first storage section 41. The second storage section 42 has a rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). When viewed in the opening/closing direction, the second storage section 42 has a generally rectangular shape that opens upward. The interior of the second storage section 42 is connected to the interior of the first storage section 41. The second storage section 42 is composed of a third side wall portion 45b, a fourth side wall portion 45d, and a third bottom wall portion 45e. In the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction), i.e., the first direction D1, the interior dimension L3 of the first storage section 41 is greater than the interior dimension L4 of the second storage section 42. The interior of the second storage section 42 accommodates the lower portion of the anti-vibration member 26. In other words, the second storage section 42 accommodates at least a portion of the anti-vibration member 26 therein. Therefore, according to this embodiment, a portion of the anti-vibration member 26 is housed inside the second housing portion 42, which has a smaller dimension in the front-to-rear direction, so that the sliding door 6 is prevented from shaking in the front-to-rear direction when it moves in the opening and closing direction. This allows the sliding door 6 to move smoothly in the opening and closing direction.

In the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction), the internal dimension L4 of the second accommodating portion 42 is larger than the dimension L5 of the anti-vibration member 26. Also, in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the surface of the anti-vibration member 26 facing the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction) and the surface of the inner surface of the second accommodating portion 42 facing the front-to-rear direction are separated in the front-to-rear direction. However, when the door section 20 moves in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction), one of the pair of inner surfaces of the second accommodating portion 42 facing the front-to-rear direction comes into contact with the anti-vibration member 26. This allows the second accommodating portion 42 to support the anti-vibration member 26 so that it can slide in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the sliding door 6 moves in the opening/closing direction, the inner surface of the second accommodating portion 42 can guide the sliding door 6 in the opening/closing direction. Therefore, when the sliding door 6 moves in the opening/closing direction, the sliding door 6 can be more effectively prevented from swaying in the front-to-rear direction, allowing the sliding door 6 to move more smoothly in the opening/closing direction.

Furthermore, as described above, in this embodiment, the anti-vibration member 26 is made of resin. This reduces the friction between the anti-vibration member 26 and the inner surface of the second storage section 42, allowing the sliding door 6 to move more smoothly in the opening and closing direction (X-axis direction).

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cover member 50 is attached to the guide rail main body 40. The cover member 50 covers a portion of the opening 40a of the guide rail main body 40. As shown in Figure 1, the cover member 50 extends in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). In the opening/closing direction, the left end (-X side) of the cover member 50 is located at approximately the same position as the left end of the guide rail main body 40. In the opening/closing direction, the right end (+X side) of the cover member 50 is located at approximately the same position as the right end of the guide rail main body 40. The cover member 50 includes a first cover member 51 and a second cover member 55. Note that the second cover member 55 does not necessarily have to be provided. In that case, a configuration can be adopted in which only the first cover member 51 covers the entire opening/closing direction of the opening 40a of the guide rail main body 40. Note that in this case, only one first cover member 51 may be provided, or two or more first cover members 51 may be provided side by side along the opening/closing direction.

The first cover member 51 covers both sides of the opening 40a of the guide rail main body 40 in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). As shown in FIG. 1, the first cover member 51 extends in the opening/closing direction. In this embodiment, two first cover members 51 are provided, sandwiching the second cover member 55 in the opening/closing direction. One first cover member 51 is positioned on the left side (-X side) of the second cover member 55 in the opening/closing direction. The other first cover member 51 is positioned on the right side (+X side) of the second cover member 55 in the opening/closing direction. Therefore, the first cover member 51 and the second cover member 55 are arranged side by side in the opening/closing direction. In this embodiment, the two first cover members 51 are similar in configuration, such as their shape and the configuration for attachment to the guide rail main body 40, except for their positions in the opening/closing direction. Therefore, in the following description, the common configuration of the two first cover members 51 will be described only for one first cover member 51, and a description of the other first cover member 51 will be omitted.

In the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction), the left-side (-X side) end of one first cover member 51 is at approximately the same position as the left-side end of the guide rail main body 40. The right-side (+X side) end of one first cover member 51 is located between the right-side end of the first fixed wall 31 and the left-side end of the first door 20a when the sliding door 6 is in the closed state. When viewed in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction), one first cover member 51 overlaps with the first fixed wall 31. The dimension L2 in the opening/closing direction of one first cover member 51 is greater than the dimension L1 in the opening/closing direction of the first door 20a.

In the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction), the right-side (+X side) end of the other first cover member 51 is located at approximately the same position as the right-side end of the guide rail main body 40. The left-side (-X side) end of the other first cover member 51 is located between the left-side end of the second fixed wall 32 and the right-side end of the second door 20b when the sliding door 6 is in the closed state. When viewed in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction), the other first cover member 51 overlaps with the second fixed wall 32. Therefore, when viewed in the front-to-rear direction, i.e., the first direction D1, the first cover member 51 overlaps with the fixed wall 30. The dimension L2 in the opening/closing direction of the other first cover member 51 is greater than the dimension L1 in the opening/closing direction of the second door 20b.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the first cover member 51 is attached to the upper end of the guide rail main body 40. In the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), the upper end of the first cover member 51 is at approximately the same position as the floor surface 84. The first cover member 51 has a first cover portion 52 and a second cover portion 53. In this embodiment, the first cover portion 52 and the second cover portion 53 are separate from each other. The first cover portion 52 and the second cover portion 53 are arranged opposite each other with a gap in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). That is, the first cover member 51 has a pair of cover portions 52, 53 arranged opposite each other with a gap in the front-to-rear direction, i.e., the first direction D1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first cover portion 52 covers a portion of the front side (+D1 side) of the opening 40a. The first cover portion 52 is positioned forward of the door portion 20. The first cover portion 52 is attached to the first rail member 43 with screws 92. In other words, the first cover portion 52 is attached to the guide rail main body portion 40. The first cover portion 52 has a first top wall portion 52a, a first folded portion 52b, and a first inner wall portion 52c.

The first top wall portion 52a is plate-shaped and protrudes in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The plate surface of the first top wall portion 52a faces the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The downward-facing surface of the first top wall portion 52a contacts the upward-facing surface of the first upper wall portion 43b. The front end (+D1 side) of the first top wall portion 52a is positioned approximately in the same position as the front end of the first upper wall portion 43b. The rear end (-D1 side) of the first top wall portion 52a is positioned rearward of the first side wall portion 43a and faces the door portion 20 with a gap in the front-to-rear direction. As a result, the first cover portion 52 blocks a portion of the front portion of the opening 40a. A fifth through-hole 52a1 that penetrates in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) is provided in the front portion of the first top wall portion 52a. The inner circumferential surface of the fifth through hole 52a1 is tapered, with the inner diameter of the fifth through hole 52a1 decreasing downward. Although not shown, multiple fifth through holes 52a1 are provided at intervals along the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). When viewed vertically, each fifth through hole 52a1 overlaps with a first female screw hole 43b1.

The first folded portion 52b is a plate-like portion that bends from the rear end (-D1 side) of the first top wall portion 52a toward the front end (+D1 side) and protrudes forward. The plate surface of the first folded portion 52b faces the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The front end of the first folded portion 52b faces the first side wall portion 43a. Note that the front end of the first folded portion 52b may come into contact with the first side wall portion 43a.

The first inner wall portion 52c is a plate-like portion that protrudes downward from the front (+D1 side) end of the first folded portion 52b. The plate surface of the first inner wall portion 52c faces the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The first inner wall portion 52c faces the first side wall portion 43a in the front-rear direction. The first inner wall portion 52c may come into contact with the first side wall portion 43a.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the screw 92 is passed vertically from above through the fifth through hole 52a1 and tightened into the first female screw hole 43b1. The downward-facing surface of the head 92a of the screw 92 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the fifth through hole 52a1. This attaches the first cover portion 52 to the first rail member 43. The head 92a is exposed to the outside of the sliding door device 1 from the upward-facing surface of the first cover portion 52. This allows the screw 92 to be easily attached to and detached from the guide rail main body 40. This allows the first cover portion 52 to be easily attached to and detached from the guide rail main body 40.

The second lid portion 53 covers a portion of the rear (-D1 side) of the opening 40a. The second lid portion 53 is positioned rearward of the door portion 20. The second lid portion 53 is attached to the second rail member 44 with screws 93. In other words, the second lid portion 53 is attached to the guide rail main body 40. The second lid portion 53 has a second top wall portion 53a, a second folded portion 53b, and a second inner wall portion 53c. The shape of the second lid portion 53 is plane-symmetrical to the shape of the first lid portion 52, with the door portion center plane S1 as the plane of symmetry. Descriptions of parts of the shape of the second lid portion 53 that overlap with the shape of the first lid portion 52, other than those that are plane-symmetrical, may be omitted.

The second top wall portion 53a is plate-shaped and protrudes in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The front (+D1 side) end of the second top wall portion 53a is located forward of the second side wall portion 44a and faces the door portion 20 with a gap in the front-to-rear direction. This allows the second cover portion 53 to block part of the rear (-D1 side) portion of the opening 40a. A sixth through hole 53a1 that penetrates in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) is provided in the rear portion of the second top wall portion 53a. Although not shown, multiple sixth through holes 53a1 are provided at intervals along the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). When viewed vertically, each sixth through hole 53a1 overlaps with a second female screw hole 44b1.

The second folded portion 53b is a plate-like member that bends from the front end (+D1 side) of the second top wall portion 53a toward the rear end (-D1 side) and protrudes rearward. The rear end of the second folded portion 53b faces the second side wall portion 44a.

The second inner wall portion 53c is a plate-shaped portion that protrudes downward from the rear (-D1 side) end of the second folded portion 53b. The second inner wall portion 53c faces the second side wall portion 44a.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the screw 93 is passed vertically through the sixth through hole 53a1 from above and tightened into the second female screw hole 44b1. The downward-facing surface of the head 93a of the screw 93 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the sixth through hole 53a1. This attaches the second cover portion 53 to the second rail member 44. The head 93a is exposed to the outside of the sliding door device 1 from the upward-facing surface of the second cover portion 53. This allows the screw 93 to be easily attached and detached to the guide rail main body 40. Therefore, the second cover portion 53 can be easily attached and detached to the guide rail main body 40. Furthermore, as described above, the head 92a of the screw 92 is exposed to the outside of the sliding door device 1. Furthermore, as described above, the dimension L2 of the first cover member 51 in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction) is greater than the dimension L1 of the first door 20a and the second door 20b in the opening/closing direction. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the first cover member 51 can be removed from the guide rail main body 40, and the lower end of the sliding door 6 can be pulled from inside to outside the guide rail main body 40 through the portion of the opening 40a that was previously blocked by the first cover member 51. This allows the sliding door 6 to be removed from the lower sliding door device 1. Furthermore, the lower end of the sliding door 6 can be inserted from outside to inside the guide rail main body 40 through the portion of the opening 40a that was previously blocked by the first cover member 51. This allows the sliding door 6 to be attached to the sliding door device 1. This makes installation and maintenance of the sliding door 6 possible.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the heads 92a, 93a are exposed to the outside of the sliding door device 1, allowing the screws 92, 93 to be easily removed from the outside of the sliding door device 1. This allows the first cover member 51 to be easily removed from the guide rail main body 40. Furthermore, when reattaching the first cover member 51 to the guide rail main body 40, the screws 92, 93 can be easily tightened from the outside of the sliding door device 1, allowing the first cover member 51 to be easily attached to the guide rail main body 40. This simplifies the installation and maintenance work of the sliding door 6. Furthermore, if a foreign object enters the inside of the guide rail main body 40, the foreign object can be easily removed by removing the first cover member 51.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the sliding door 6 can be attached and detached to and from the sliding door device 1 by removing the first cover member 51 from the guide rail main body 40, so there is no need to remove the second cover member 55 when performing installation and maintenance work on the sliding door 6. This further simplifies installation and maintenance work on the sliding door 6.

The second cover member 55 covers the center of the opening 40a of the guide rail main body 40 in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). As shown in FIG. 1, the second cover member 55 extends along the opening/closing direction. In the opening/closing direction, the left (-X side) end of the second cover member 55 is located between the right (+X side) end of the first fixed wall 31 and the left side end of the first door 20a when the sliding door 6 is in the closed state. In the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction), the right (+X side) end of the second cover member 55 is located between the left side end of the second fixed wall 32 and the right side end of the second door 20b when the sliding door 6 is in the closed state. The second cover member 55 covers the portion of the opening 40a of the guide rail main body 40 that overlaps with the passage 80. As shown in FIG. 4, the second cover member 55 is fixed to the upper end of the guide rail main body 40. In the vertical direction, the upper end of the second lid member 55 is at approximately the same position as the floor surface 84. The second lid member 55 has a third lid portion 56 and a fourth lid portion 57. The third lid portion 56 and the fourth lid portion 57 are arranged opposite each other with a gap in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). That is, the second lid member 55 has a pair of lid portions 56, 57 arranged opposite each other with a gap in the front-to-rear direction, i.e., in the first direction D1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the third lid portion 56 covers the front (+D1 side) portion of the opening 40a. The third lid portion 56 is positioned forward of the door portion 20. The third lid portion 56 has a third top wall portion 56a, a third folded portion 56b, a third inner wall portion 56c, and a third outer wall portion 56d.

The third top wall portion 56a is plate-shaped and protrudes in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The plate surface of the third top wall portion 56a faces vertically (Z-axis direction). The downward-facing surface of the third top wall portion 56a contacts the upward-facing surface of the first upper wall portion 43b. The rear (-D1 side) end of the third top wall portion 56a is located rearward of the first side wall portion 43a and faces the door portion 20 with a gap in the front-to-rear direction. As a result, the third cover portion 56 blocks the front portion of the opening 40a.

The third folded portion 56b is a plate-like member that bends from the rear (-D1 side) end of the third top wall portion 56a toward the front (+D1 side) and protrudes forward. The plate surface of the third folded portion 56b faces the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The front end of the third folded portion 56b faces the first side wall portion 43a. The front end of the third folded portion 56b may come into contact with the first side wall portion 43a.

The third inner wall portion 56c is a plate-like member that protrudes downward from the front (+D1 side) end of the third folded portion 56b. The plate surface of the third inner wall portion 56c faces the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The front-facing surface of the third inner wall portion 56c faces the rear (-D1 side) surface of the first side wall portion 43a. The third inner wall portion 56c may be in contact with the first side wall portion 43a. A seventh through hole 56c1 that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction is provided in the third inner wall portion 56c. Although not shown, multiple seventh through holes 56c1 are provided at intervals along the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). Each of the seventh through holes 56c1 overlaps with a first through hole 43a1.

The third outer wall portion 56d is a plate-like member that protrudes downward from the front (+D1 side) end of the third top wall portion 56a. The plate surface of the third outer wall portion 56d faces the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The rear (-D1 side) surface of the third outer wall portion 56d faces the front-to-rear surface of the first side wall portion 43a. The third outer wall portion 56d may be in contact with the first side wall portion 43a. An eighth through hole 56d1 that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction is provided in the third outer wall portion 56d. Although not shown, multiple eighth through holes 56d1 are provided at intervals along the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). Each eighth through hole 56d1 overlaps with a first through hole 43a1.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the fastening member 95 is passed through the first through hole 43a1, the second through hole 43c1, the seventh through hole 56c1, and the eighth through hole 56d1 in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The fastening member 95 is fitted into the first through hole 43a1, the second through hole 43c1, the seventh through hole 56c1, and the eighth through hole 56d1. In this embodiment, the fastening member 95 is a rivet. This secures the third cover portion 56 to the first rail member 43. The fastening member 95 is also disposed inside the floor surface 84. The third cover portion 56 and the first rail member 43 may be secured by other fastening members such as screws, or by welding. The third cover portion 56 and the first rail member 43 may also be secured by a combination of fastening members such as rivets and screws, and welding. In this case, the third cover portion 56 can be secured to the first rail member 43 more firmly.

As shown in FIG. 4, the fourth cover portion 57 covers the rear (-D1 side) portion of the opening 40a. The fourth cover portion 57 is positioned rearward of the door portion 20. The fourth cover portion 57 has a fourth top wall portion 57a, a fourth folded portion 57b, a fourth inner wall portion 57c, and a fourth outer wall portion 57d. The shape of the fourth cover portion 57 is plane-symmetrical to the shape of the third cover portion 56, with the door portion center plane S1 as the plane of symmetry. Therefore, descriptions of parts of the shape of the fourth cover portion 57 that overlap with the shape of the third cover portion 56, other than those that are plane-symmetrical, may be omitted.

The fourth top wall portion 57a is plate-shaped and protrudes in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The front end (+D1 side) of the fourth top wall portion 57a is located further forward than the second side wall portion 44a and faces the door portion 20 with a gap in the front-to-rear direction. As a result, the fourth cover portion 57 blocks the rear portion (-D1 side) of the opening 40a.

The fourth folded portion 57b is a plate-like member that bends from the front (+D1 side) end of the fourth top wall portion 57a to the rear (-D1 side) and protrudes rearward. The rear end of the fourth folded portion 57b faces the second side wall portion 44a.

The fourth inner wall portion 57c is plate-shaped and protrudes downward from the rear (-D1 side) end of the fourth folded portion 57b. The fourth inner wall portion 57c is provided with multiple ninth through holes 57c1 that penetrate in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). Each of the ninth through holes 57c1 overlaps with a third through hole 44a1.

The fourth outer wall portion 57d is a plate-like member that protrudes downward from the rear (-D1 side) end of the fourth top wall portion 57a. The fourth outer wall portion 57d is provided with a plurality of tenth through holes 57d1 that penetrate in the front-to-rear direction. Each tenth through hole 57d1 overlaps with a third through hole 44a1.

The fastening member 95 is fitted into the third through hole 44a1, the fourth through hole 44c1, the ninth through hole 57c1, and the tenth through hole 57d1. This secures the fourth cover portion 57 to the second rail member 44. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the second cover member 55 is secured to the guide rail main body 40. Furthermore, because the fastening member 95 is positioned inside the floor surface 84, the second cover member 55 cannot be removed from the guide rail main body 40 as long as the lower guide rail 8 is positioned inside the floor surface 84. This securely secures the second cover member 55 to the guide rail main body 40, allowing pedestrians to safely pass through the passageway 80 even if they step on the second cover member 55 while passing through the passageway 80.

According to this embodiment, the lower guide rail 8 includes a guide rail main body 40 extending in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction) and a cover member 50 attached to the guide rail main body 40. The guide rail main body 40 has an opening 40a opening upward. It includes a first housing 41 that houses the lower frame 25 therein, and a second housing 42 that is disposed below the first housing 41 and houses at least a portion of the anti-vibration member 26 therein. In the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction), i.e., the first direction D1, which is perpendicular to both the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and the opening/closing direction, the internal dimension L3 of the first housing 41 is greater than the internal dimension L4 of the second housing 42. The cover member 50 extends in the opening/closing direction and blocks a portion of the opening 40a. Therefore, the lower frame 25 can be housed within the guide rail main body 40, and the opening 40a can be blocked by the cover member 50, preventing the lower frame 25 from being exposed to the outside. This prevents the lower frame 25 from being visible from the outside, and prevents the aesthetic appearance of the sliding door 6 and sliding door device 1 from being marred.

In this embodiment, the first cover member 51 has a pair of cover portions, namely the first cover portion 52 and the second cover portion 53, that are arranged opposite each other with a gap in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction), i.e., the first direction D1. Therefore, the first cover member 51 can close both front-to-rear sides of the opening 40a of the guide rail main body 40 in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). This more effectively prevents the lower frame 25 from being exposed to the outside, and more effectively prevents the aesthetic appearance of the sliding door 6 and the sliding door device 1 from being impaired.

In this embodiment, the second cover member 55 has a pair of cover portions, namely the third cover portion 56 and the fourth cover portion 57, that are arranged opposite each other with a gap in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction), i.e., the first direction D1. Therefore, the second cover member 55 can close both front-to-rear sides of the opening 40a of the guide rail main body 40 at the center in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). This more effectively prevents the lower frame 25 from being exposed to the outside, and more effectively prevents the aesthetic appearance of the sliding door 6 and sliding door device 1 from being impaired.

<Modification 1>
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the lower guide rail 108 of the sliding door device 101 of Modified Example 1 of this embodiment. Note that FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the sliding door 6 in an open state, taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1 . The configuration of Modified Example 1, which can be employed in the above-described embodiment, will be described below. Note that components identical to those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 5 , in the lower guide rail 108 of this modified example, the first cover portion 152 and the guide rail main body 140 are attached with screws 92 arranged along the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The second cover portion 153 and the guide rail main body 140 are attached with screws 93 arranged along the front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, in this modified example, the first upper wall portion 143b of the first rail member 143 is provided with a first female screw hole 143b1 and a third female screw hole 143b2 that penetrate in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The third female screw hole 143b2 is provided on the front side (+D1 side) of the first female screw hole 143b1. Although not shown, the first female screw hole 143b1 and the third female screw hole 143b2 are provided in multiples at intervals along the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction) on the left side (-X side) and right side (+X side) of the first upper wall portion 143b.

The second upper wall portion 144b of the second rail member 144 is provided with a second female screw hole 144b1 and a fourth female screw hole 144b2 that penetrate in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The fourth female screw hole 144b2 is provided on the rear side (-D1 side) of the second female screw hole 144b1. Although not shown, the second female screw hole 144b1 and the fourth female screw hole 144b2 are provided in multiples at intervals along the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction) on the left side (-X side) and right side (+X side) of the second upper wall portion 144b.

The first cover member 151 of the cover member 150 of this modified example has a first cover portion 152 and a second cover portion 153. As shown in FIG. 5 , the first top wall portion 152a of the first cover portion 152 is provided with a fifth through hole 152a1 and an eleventh through hole 152a2 that penetrate in the vertical direction (vertical direction). The eleventh through hole 152a2 is provided on the front side (+X side) of the fifth through hole 152a1. Although not shown, the fifth through holes 152a1 and the eleventh through holes 152a2 are provided in multiple locations spaced apart along the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). When viewed in the vertical direction, each fifth through hole 152a1 overlaps with a first female screw hole 143b1. When viewed in the vertical direction, each eleventh through hole 152a2 overlaps with a third female screw hole 143b2.

The screw 92 is passed vertically from above through the fifth through hole 152a1 and screwed into the first female screw hole 143b1. The screw 92 is also passed vertically from above through the eleventh through hole 152a2 and screwed into the third female screw hole 143b2. This attaches the first cover 152 to the first rail member 143. Compared to the above-described embodiment, in this modified example, the first cover 152 is attached to the first rail member 143 by screws 92 arranged in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction), allowing the first cover 152 to be attached to the first rail member 143 more firmly.

The second top wall portion 153a of the second lid portion 153 is provided with a sixth through hole 153a1 and a twelfth through hole 153a2 that penetrate in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The twelfth through hole 153a2 is provided on the rear side (-X side) of the sixth through hole 153a1. Although not shown, the sixth through holes 153a1 and the twelfth through holes 153a2 are provided in multiple locations spaced apart along the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). When viewed vertically, each sixth through hole 153a1 overlaps with a second female screw hole 144b1. When viewed vertically, each twelfth through hole 153a2 overlaps with a fourth female screw hole 144b2.

The screw 93 is passed vertically from above through the sixth through hole 153a1 and screwed into the second female screw hole 144b1. The screw 93 is also passed vertically from above through the twelfth through hole 153a2 and screwed into the fourth female screw hole 144b2. This allows the second cover portion 153 to be firmly attached to the second rail member 144.

<Modification 2>
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the lower guide rail 208 of the sliding door device 201 of Modified Example 2 of this embodiment. Note that FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the sliding door 6 in a closed state, taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1 . The configuration of Modified Example 2, which can be employed in the above-described embodiment, will be described below. Note that components identical to those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 6 , in the lower guide rail 208 of this modified example, the third cover portion 256 of the second cover member 255 is fixed to the guide rail main body 40 together with the first mounting member 258. The fourth cover portion 257 is fixed to the guide rail main body 40 together with the second mounting member 259.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the third cover portion 256 of this modified example has a generally L-shaped plate shape when viewed in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). The third cover portion 256 has a third top wall portion 56a and a third outer wall portion 56d. The first mounting member 258 has a generally L-shaped plate shape when viewed in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). The first mounting member 258 extends along the opening/closing direction. The first mounting member 258 has a fifth top wall portion 258a and a fifth inner wall portion 258b.

The fifth top wall portion 258a is plate-shaped and protrudes in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The plate surface of the fifth top wall portion 258a faces the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). In the vertical direction, the fifth top wall portion 258a is disposed between the third top wall portion 56a and the first upper wall portion 43b. The downward-facing surface of the fifth top wall portion 258a contacts the upward-facing surface of the first upper wall portion 43b. The upward-facing surface of the fifth top wall portion 258a contacts the downward-facing surface of the third top wall portion 56a. The rear (-D1 side) end of the fifth top wall portion 258a is located rearward of the first side wall portion 43a.

The fifth inner wall portion 258b is a plate-like portion that protrudes downward from the rear (-D1 side) end of the fifth top wall portion 258a. The plate surface of the fifth inner wall portion 258b faces the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The fifth inner wall portion 258b is provided with a thirteenth through hole 258b1 that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction. Although not shown in the figure, multiple thirteenth through holes 258b1 are provided at intervals along the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). Each thirteenth through hole 258b1 overlaps with a first through hole 43a1.

The fastening member 95 is fitted into the first through hole 43a1, the second through hole 43c1, the thirteenth through hole 258b1, and the eighth through hole 56d1. This secures the third cover portion 256 to the first rail member 43 together with the first mounting member 258.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the fourth cover portion 257 of this modified example has a generally L-shaped plate shape when viewed in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). The fourth cover portion 257 has a fourth top wall portion 57a and a fourth outer wall portion 57d. The second mounting member 259 has a generally L-shaped plate shape when viewed in the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). The second mounting member 259 extends along the opening/closing direction. The second mounting member 259 has a sixth top wall portion 259a and a sixth inner wall portion 259b.

The sixth top wall portion 259a is plate-shaped and protrudes in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). In the vertical direction, the sixth top wall portion 259a is positioned between the fourth top wall portion 57a and the second upper wall portion 44b. The front end (+D1 side) of the sixth top wall portion 259a is located further forward than the second side wall portion 44a.

The sixth inner wall portion 259b is plate-shaped and protrudes downward from the front (+D1 side) end of the sixth top wall portion 259a. The sixth inner wall portion 259b is provided with a fourteenth through hole 259b1 that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). Although not shown, multiple fourteenth through holes 259b1 are provided at intervals along the opening/closing direction (X-axis direction). Each fourteenth through hole 259b1 overlaps with a third through hole 44a1.

The fastening member 95 is fitted into the third through hole 44a1, the fourth through hole 44c1, the fourteenth through hole 259b1, and the tenth through hole 57d1. This secures the fourth cover portion 257 to the second rail member 44 together with the second mounting member 259.

As described above, in this modified example, the third lid portion 256, the fourth lid portion 257, the first mounting member 258, and the second mounting member 259 each have a simple L-shape, which helps prevent an increase in the number of steps required to manufacture the third lid portion 256, the fourth lid portion 257, the first mounting member 258, and the second mounting member 259. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of steps required to manufacture the second lid member 255 and the lid member 250.

<Modification 3>
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a lower guide rail 308 of a sliding door device 301 according to a third modification of this embodiment. Note that FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the sliding door 6 in an open state, taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1 . The configuration of the third modification, which can be employed in the above-described embodiment, will be described below. Note that components identical to those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 7 , in the lower guide rail 308 according to this modification, the configuration of the guide rail main body 340 differs from the configuration of the guide rail main body 40 in the above-described embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the guide rail main body 340 of this modified example is composed of a first rail member 343, a second rail member 344, and a third rail member 345. The first rail member 343 has a first side wall portion 43a, a first upper wall portion 43b, and a first hanging portion 43c. The second rail member 344 has a second side wall portion 44a, a second upper wall portion 44b, and a second hanging portion 44c.

The third rail member 345 has a third upper wall portion 345a, a third side wall portion 45b, a fourth upper wall portion 345c, a fourth side wall portion 45d, a third bottom wall portion 45e, a fifth side wall portion 345f, and a sixth side wall portion 345g.

The third upper wall portion 345a and the fourth upper wall portion 345c are each plate-shaped and protrude in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The plate surfaces of the third upper wall portion 345a and the fourth upper wall portion 345c face vertically (Z-axis direction). The front (+X side) end of the third upper wall portion 345a is located forward of the first side wall portion 43a. The rear (-X side) end of the fourth upper wall portion 345c is located rearward of the second side wall portion 44a.

The fifth side wall portion 345f is a plate-like member that protrudes upward from the front (+D1 side) end of the third upper wall portion 345a. The plate surface of the fifth side wall portion 345f faces the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The surface of the fifth side wall portion 345f facing the rear (-D1 side) is fixed to the surface of the first side wall portion 43a facing the front. This fixes the first rail member 343 and the third rail member 345 together.

The sixth side wall portion 345g is a plate-like member that protrudes upward from the rear (-D1 side) end of the fourth upper wall portion 345c. The plate surface of the sixth side wall portion 345g faces the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The surface of the sixth side wall portion 345g facing the front (+D1 side) is fixed to the surface of the second side wall portion 44a facing the rear. This fixes the second rail member 344 and the third rail member 345 together.

As shown in FIG. 7, in this modified example, the first storage section 41 is composed of a first side wall section 43a, a third upper wall section 345a, a second side wall section 44a, and a fourth upper wall section 345c. The second storage section 42 is composed of a third side wall section 45b, a fourth side wall section 45d, and a third bottom wall section 45e.

<Modification 4>
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the lower guide rail 408 of a sliding door device 401 according to a fourth modification of this embodiment. Note that FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the sliding door 6 in an open state, taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1 . The configuration of the fourth modification that can be employed in the above-described embodiment will be described below. Note that components identical to those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 8 , in the lower guide rail 408 according to this modification, the guide rail main body 440 is formed from a single member. The guide rail main body 440 has a first side wall portion 443a, a first upper wall portion 443b, a first hanging portion 443c, a first bottom wall portion 443d, a second side wall portion 443e, a second upper wall portion 443f, a second hanging portion 443g, a second bottom wall portion 443h, a third side wall portion 443i, a fourth side wall portion 443j, and a third bottom wall portion 443k.

The shapes and arrangement of the first side wall portion 443a, first upper wall portion 443b, first hanging portion 443c, and first bottom wall portion 443d are similar to the shapes and arrangement of the first side wall portion 43a, first upper wall portion 43b, first hanging portion 43c, and first bottom wall portion 43d of this embodiment, respectively. The shapes and arrangement of the second side wall portion 443e, second upper wall portion 443f, second hanging portion 443g, and second bottom wall portion 443h are similar to the shapes and arrangement of the second side wall portion 44a, second upper wall portion 44b, second hanging portion 44c, and second bottom wall portion 44d of this embodiment, respectively.

The third side wall portion 443i is a plate-like portion that protrudes downward from the rear (-D1 side) end of the first bottom wall portion 443d. The plate surface of the third side wall portion 443i faces the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The fourth side wall portion 443j is a plate-like portion that protrudes downward from the front (+D1 side) end of the second bottom wall portion 443h. The plate surface of the fourth side wall portion 443j faces the front-to-rear direction. The third bottom wall portion 443k is a plate-like portion that protrudes in the front-to-rear direction. The plate surface of the third bottom wall portion 443k faces the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The front end of the third bottom wall portion 443k is connected to the lower end of the third side wall portion 443i. The rear end of the third bottom wall portion 443k is connected to the lower end of the fourth side wall portion 443j.

As shown in FIG. 8 , in this modified example, the first storage section 41 is formed by a first side wall 443a, a first bottom wall 443d, a second side wall 443e, and a second bottom wall 443h. The second storage section 42 is formed by a third side wall 443i, a fourth side wall 443j, and a third bottom wall 443k. As described above, in this modified example, the guide rail main body 440 is formed by a single member. This reduces the number of components and the manufacturing process of the guide rail main body 440 compared to the present embodiment, in which the guide rail main body 40 is formed by three members: the first rail member 43, the second rail member 44, and the third rail member 45. This reduces the number of components and the manufacturing process of the lower guide rail 408 and the sliding door device 401.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and other configurations and methods may be adopted within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. For example, as long as it is possible to prevent the lower frame from being exposed to the outside, the configuration of the cover member is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it may be composed of, for example, a single member, or three or more members. Furthermore, the second cover member may be attached to the guide rail main body portion using a configuration similar to that of the first cover member. Furthermore, the second cover member may be composed of a single member. Furthermore, the first cover member and the second cover member may be configured to have a cover portion on only one side in the first direction.

As long as the lower frame and anti-vibration member can be housed inside and the sliding door can be supported so that it can move in the opening and closing direction, the configuration of the guide rail main body is not limited to this embodiment; for example, the first hanging portion and the second hanging portion do not need to be provided. In this case, the configuration of the guide rail main body can be simplified.

The sliding door device to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to double-swing sliding door devices, but can also be applied to single-swing sliding door devices. Furthermore, the sliding door device to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to electric sliding door devices, but can also be applied to manual sliding door devices.

1, 101, 201, 301, 401...Sliding door device, 6...Sliding door, 8, 108, 208, 308, 408...Lower guide rail, 20...Door portion, 25...Lower frame, 26...Sway prevention member, 30...Fixed wall, 40, 140, 340, 440...Guide rail main body, 40a...Opening, 41...First storage portion, 42...Second storage portion, 50, 150, 250...Cover member, 51, 151...First cover member, 52, 152...First cover portion (cover portion), 53, 153...Second cover portion (cover portion), 55, 255...Second cover member, 56, 256...Third cover portion (cover portion), 57, 257...Fourth cover portion (cover portion), D1...First direction

Claims (4)

A lower guide rail supports a sliding door, which has a door section, a lower frame fixed to a vertically lower end of the door section, and a vibration prevention member fixed to a vertically lower end of the lower frame, so as to be movable in an opening/closing direction perpendicular to the vertical direction,
a guide rail main body portion extending along the opening and closing direction;
a cover member attached to the guide rail main body;
Equipped with
The guide rail main body is
a first housing portion having an opening that opens vertically upward and that houses the lower frame therein;
a second housing portion disposed vertically below the first housing portion and housing at least a portion of the vibration prevention member therein;
and
In a first direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the opening/closing direction, an internal dimension of the first accommodating portion is larger than an internal dimension of the second accommodating portion;
the cover member extends in the opening/closing direction and closes a portion of the opening,
The cover member has a first cover member,
The first cover member extends along the opening and closing direction,
the first cover member is detachably attached to the guide rail main body,
The first cover member has a pair of cover portions arranged opposite each other with a gap in the first direction . the first housing portion has an inner surface on both sides in the first direction, the inner surface being disposed with a gap between the first housing portion and the lower frame;
The lower guide rail according to claim 1 , wherein the second housing portion supports the anti-vibration member so as to be slidable in the opening and closing direction. The cover member has a second cover member,
The second cover member extends along the opening and closing direction,
the first cover member and the second cover member are arranged side by side in the opening and closing direction,
the second cover member is fixed to the guide rail main body,
The lower guide rail according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the second cover member has a pair of cover portions arranged opposite each other with a gap in the first direction. A lower guide rail according to claim 3 ;
a fixed wall extending along a plane perpendicular to the first direction;
a sliding door supported by the lower guide rail so as to be movable in the opening and closing direction and movable in the opening and closing direction relative to the fixed wall;
Equipped with
A sliding door device, wherein the first cover member overlaps with the fixed wall when viewed in the first direction.