CLOSING SUPPORT DEVICE OF SLIDING DOOR

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a closing support device of a sliding door which can reduce overall costs as compared with a switching structure using adsorption action of a magnet, and which can open and close a door panel lightly by a smaller force. SOLUTION: The closing support device of the sliding door includes a closure structure and the switching structure. The closure structure performs closing operation of the door panel 1 by the tension of a closing spring 30. The switching structure retains the closing spring 30 in an energized attitude, or releases the energized attitude of the closing spring 30. The closure structure consists of the closing spring 30, a fixed spring retainer 15, and a movable spring retainer 17. The switching structure consists of a movable block 33 moving with the spring retainer 17, a lock arm 34 supported by the movable block 33, an arm engagement body 35, and a switching instrument 37 for releasing the lock arm 34 in synchronization with the closing operation of the door panel 1. Since the retention of the energized state of the closing spring 30 and its release of an energized retention state are formed by mechanical operation of the switching structure, an expensive magnet can be omitted, which results in cost reduction, and operation resistance at the time of opening and closing is also small. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT