EP0190976B1 - Vehicle door closer - Google Patents

Vehicle door closer Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0190976B1
EP0190976B1 EP19860400233 EP86400233A EP0190976B1 EP 0190976 B1 EP0190976 B1 EP 0190976B1 EP 19860400233 EP19860400233 EP 19860400233 EP 86400233 A EP86400233 A EP 86400233A EP 0190976 B1 EP0190976 B1 EP 0190976B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lever
cam
door
pawl
fork member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP19860400233
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0190976A1 (en
Inventor
Thierry Pebre
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rockwell-CIM
Original Assignee
Rockwell-CIM
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rockwell-CIM filed Critical Rockwell-CIM
Publication of EP0190976A1 publication Critical patent/EP0190976A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0190976B1 publication Critical patent/EP0190976B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B81/00—Power-actuated vehicle locks
    • E05B81/12—Power-actuated vehicle locks characterised by the function or purpose of the powered actuators
    • E05B81/20—Power-actuated vehicle locks characterised by the function or purpose of the powered actuators for assisting final closing or for initiating opening
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B81/00—Power-actuated vehicle locks
    • E05B81/12—Power-actuated vehicle locks characterised by the function or purpose of the powered actuators
    • E05B81/20—Power-actuated vehicle locks characterised by the function or purpose of the powered actuators for assisting final closing or for initiating opening
    • E05B81/21—Power-actuated vehicle locks characterised by the function or purpose of the powered actuators for assisting final closing or for initiating opening with means preventing or detecting pinching of objects or body parts
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S292/00—Closure fasteners
    • Y10S292/23—Vehicle door latches
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T292/00—Closure fasteners
    • Y10T292/08—Bolts
    • Y10T292/1043—Swinging
    • Y10T292/1044—Multiple head
    • Y10T292/1045—Operating means
    • Y10T292/1047—Closure
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T292/00—Closure fasteners
    • Y10T292/08—Bolts
    • Y10T292/1043—Swinging
    • Y10T292/1075—Operating means
    • Y10T292/1082—Motor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a mechanism for assisting in the closing of a door of a motor vehicle, adapted to be placed in this door.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to propose such a mechanism, the structure of which is not too complicated, of a relatively moderate cost and which, moreover, presents the security necessary in the event that a foreign body is introduced between the door and the frame, prevents complete closing of the door.
  • this mechanism comes into action from the moment when the fork, which includes an appropriate hook, engages against the fixed keeper of the middle leg, which triggers the locking of this fork and thereby the setting the cam drive motor, the rotation of which causes the lever to tilt.
  • the latter being engaged with the fixed strike by the fork, therefore causes the rotation of the door which ends its closing movement, until it has tilted by a predetermined angle corresponding to the complete closing of the door with overtravel to be sure that the lock is correctly locked.
  • the means for locking the fork on the keeper is a pawl articulated on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the fork and close to it, this pawl is equipped with a spring which requests it in one or other of two stable positions, in one of which the fork is unlocked relative to the pawl.
  • the first of these two stable positions is occupied by the pawl when the door is open, while the second is taken by the pawl at the end of the door closing movement.
  • the keeper When the door is to be opened, the keeper remains engaged in the fork while the latter and its support lever tilt until it comes into contact again with the cam. At this time, the fork pivots under the action of its elastic return member, and releases the keeper so that the door can be opened normally.
  • FIG. 1 a front door 1 of a motor vehicle in the open position, and a middle leg 2 of the vehicle body, corresponding to this door.
  • the foot 2 is equipped with a fixed keeper 3, which projects towards the front of the vehicle so as to be able to be inserted into a corresponding slot 4 formed at the top of a mechanism 5 for assisting in the closing of the door 1, housed in the edge thereof situated opposite the keeper 3 when the door 1 is closed.
  • the middle foot 2 contains, below the keeper 3, a stop 6 elastically urged by a spring 7 in a position where its head projects forward relative to the foot 2, this head being suitably rounded so as to delimit a curvilinear surface which allows, by a lateral thrust exerted on this projecting head, to retract it inside the foot 2 against the return force of the spring 7.
  • a stop 6 elastically urged by a spring 7 in a position where its head projects forward relative to the foot 2, this head being suitably rounded so as to delimit a curvilinear surface which allows, by a lateral thrust exerted on this projecting head, to retract it inside the foot 2 against the return force of the spring 7.
  • the fork 11 delimits a hook with two branches 11 a, 11 b separated by an opening 19 which can receive the keeper 3.
  • the branch 11 b is provided with a transverse tab 11 c adapted to slide on a guide ramp 21 formed on the upper edge of one 22 of two vertical flanges 22, 23, palallel between them and between which are arranged the lever 8, the cam 17, the fork 11 and the pawl 14.
  • the two flanges 22, 23 support the axes of rotation 9 of the lever 8 and 18 of the cam 17.
  • the axes 12 and 15 are supported, at their ends, by two parallel plates 8a, 8b pivotally mounted around the axis 9 and connected by transverse pieces, only one of which 24 is visible in the drawings.
  • the curve of the guide train 21 has a convex curvilinear contour, and is determined so as to allow the release of the keeper 3 in the event of a breakdown during operation, whatever the lever position 8 while limiting the tilting of the fork 11 to eliminate the risk of interference with the cam 17.
  • This curve is substantially an arc, the center of which is outside the mechanism.
  • the lever 8 is equipped with a rolling roller 25 carried by a pin 26 disposed between axes 9 and 15, and supported at its ends by the plates 8a, 8b.
  • An elastic member constituted by a helical spring 27 coaxial with the axis 9, and one end 27a of which is anchored in the bottom 28 connecting the flanges 22, 23 while its other end 27b is anchored in the plate 8a, constantly requests the lever 8 rotating in the direction which keeps its roller 25 in abutment against the profile of the cam 17 (position shown in solid lines in Figure 2).
  • the profile of the cam 17, produced in such a way that it provides work by constant degree, comprises four consecutive portions extending as follows in the direction opposite to its direction of rotation R (FIG. 2): a first portion AB, extending over 90 °, the radius of which increases regularly from A to B, a second portion BC, which extends over an angular sector of between 90 ° and 245 ° approximately, the radius of curvature of which increases only slightly from B at C, a portion CD between 245 ° and 320 °, and a terminal area DA from 320 ° to 360 °.
  • Point C corresponds to the normal closing position of the door, while point D corresponds to an additional stroke or "overtravel" beyond the closing point C.
  • the first three angular sectors are working zones: fast forward, low effort (AB), gradual increase in effort (BC), maximum effort (CD), the fourth sector DA forming the fall.
  • the cam 17 is pierced with a housing 29 adapted to receive the head of the retractable stop 6 when the cam 17 is in the angular position where its housing 29 is located opposite the stop 6.
  • the projecting part of the latter is rounded as already indicated, to allow either its withdrawal inside the center leg 2 when the cam comes to be placed in front of the foot 2, or its insertion in the housing 29 when the cam 17 is in the appropriate angular position relative to at stop 6.
  • the fork 11 is provided with a notch 20 for locking by a spout 14a corresponding to the pawl 14.
  • the return spring 13 of the fork 11 is anchored by one of its ends in the upper part of the plate 8a, and by its other end in the fork 11, as can be clearly seen in Figure 5.
  • the return spring 16 of the pawl 14 is anchored by one of its ends in the latter, and by its other end in the plate 8b.
  • the mechanism is also equipped, according to a feature of the invention, with a stop 31 fixed, in this example, to the flange 22, formed of an elastic tongue provided with an end tab 32 which projects internally between the flanges 22 and 23 ( Figures 2 and 3) at their upper parts and substantially facing the location of the pawl 14 at the end of closing of the door 1.
  • the terminal tab 32 is adapted to be elastically erased under the push of a tongue transverse 33 of the pawl 14 during the tilting of the latter during the closing stroke of the door 1 (position in phantom in Figure 3), then to form a non-return stop for the pawl 14 when the tongue 33 has exceeded said part projection 32. (Position 33a in Figure 3).
  • the mechanism 5 On the outside of door 1, the mechanism 5 is closed by a transverse wall 34, and on the inside of the door by a transverse wall 35, these two walls 34, 35 connecting the flanges 22, 23 to form, with the bottom 28, the housing is open at its upper end ( Figure 6).
  • the connection of the flange 22 with the housing is ensured by crimps S ⁇ , S 2 , S 3 ( Figure 8), three holes 30 being provided for attachment to the door 1.
  • the outer flange 23 is pierced with a light 20 by which we see the cam 17 and its housing 29 ( Figure 6), and the motor 10 for driving the cam 17 is fixed to the rear flange 22 by bolts and nuts 36 ( Figures 7 and 8).
  • the entire assistance mechanism 5 is dimensioned so as to be able to be housed in the door 1 by being flush with the outer edge thereof by the flange 23, the light 20 of the latter being open towards the interior of the vehicle so that the head of the retractable stop 6 can engage therein as well as in the housing 29.
  • the door 1 of the vehicle being supposed to be completely open, the user opens the door to close it (arrow F in Figure 1).
  • the mechanism 5 takes over the door 1 and completes the closure as follows.
  • This mechanism is, at the start of its operating cycle, in the position illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 2 and referenced 5.1: the roller 25 is kept applied against the profile of the cam 17 substantially at point A, by the spring return 27 of the lever 8, the cam 17 not being actuated by the geared motor 10; the fork 11 is in the release position of the strike 3, its hook 11 a being in the low position, while its branch 11 b comes into contact with the strike 3, the transverse tab 11 c being in abutment on the start of the ramp guide 21, the spring 13 holding the fork 11 in this position.
  • the pawl 14 has its spout 14a unlocked relative to the corresponding notch 20 of the fork 11, and is held in this first stable position by its return spring 16.
  • the keeper 3 is supported on the rear finger of the fork 11 constituted by its branch 11b, and causes it to tilt, as well as the whole of the fork 11, in its position referenced 11.2 in FIG. 4, while the lever 8 is retained in its initial angular position by its return spring 27. Therefore, the locking notch 20, arranged on the fork 11 on the other side of its axis 12 relative to the finger 11b, lowers, passes to below the spout 14a of the pawl 14, so that this spout is applied to the notch 20 and locks the fork in its position 11.2, that of the pawl 14 being referenced 14.2 ( Figure 4). The spring 16 maintains the pawl 14 in this locking position of the fork 11.2.
  • the cam 17 continues to rotate until it returns to its position illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 2, in which the housing 29 is placed opposite the stop 6, which is inserted therein automatically under the action of its spring. 7, the cam 17 then being locked in this angular position.
  • lever 8 therefore forces the pawl 14 to be tilted down around its axis 15, which releases the spout 14a from the notch 20 of the fork 11, as visible in FIG. 4.
  • the keeper 3 remains in the fork 11, and prevents the lever 8 from returning to its initial position under the action of its return spring 27.
  • the whole mechanism is then in its final position corresponding to the normal closing of the door 1, the geared motor 10 powered by a termi- porization, being stopped after a period of time sufficient to close the door.
  • the keeper 3 is moved by the pivoting of the door in the direction symbolized by the arrow G in Figure 4.
  • the fork 11 and the lever B accompany this angular movement of the keeper 3 towards the cam 17, until the roller 25 comes back into contact with the latter.
  • the fork 11 can then tilt around its axis 12 under the action of its spring 13 to return to its position shown in solid lines in Figure 2, in which the keeper 3 is released from the fork.
  • the pawl switches from its position 14.4 to its initial position 14, in which it is not locked by the fork 11.
  • the door 1 moves away from the keeper 3, and the mechanism 5 is ready for a new closure according to the cycle previously described.
  • FIG. 9 shows a diagram showing a numerical example of the forces developed (Newton on the ordinate) as a function of the length of the travel of the door (in mm on the abscissa), this diagram corresponding to the numerical values mentioned previously for the profile. of cam 17.
  • the three rectilinear segments AB, BC, CD shown in Figure 9 correspond to the maximum force values provided for the mechanism: this means that if the closing of the door encounters unexpected resistance, exceeding the value maximum provided according to successive sections AB ..., the closure stops automatically for safety.
  • a real curve A'B'C'D 'of a closing cycle has been shown, the line in dotted lines corresponding to the average forces developed from one end to the other of this real curve.
  • the profile of the cam 17 is determined so that it provides work by degree of rotation which is constant during the cycle, and therefore allows the use of a motor 10 of minimum power.
  • the cam 17 must reproduce the force-stroke diagram of FIG. 9, for a rotation of 300 0.
  • the work to be provided is represented by the area located between the axis X of the abscissae, and the maximum curve ABCD.
  • the calculations for determining the profile of the cam 17 corresponding to this example are provided below, the successive angles ⁇ , ⁇ 2 , and 0 3 corresponding to the successive angular sectors AB, BC, CD. 1 st phase: 2nd phase: 3rd phase:
  • the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and may include variant embodiments.
  • the above cam profile has been given only as an indicative example, and can be modified according to the mechanical characteristics desired for the mechanism.
  • the pawl 14, the lever 8 and the fork 11 can be produced in a manner different from that described, insofar as equivalent results are obtained.

Landscapes

  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
  • Seal Device For Vehicle (AREA)

Description

La présente invention a pour objet un mécanisme d'assistance à la fermeture d'une porte d'un véhicule automobile, adapté pour être disposé dans cette porte.The present invention relates to a mechanism for assisting in the closing of a door of a motor vehicle, adapted to be placed in this door.

Depuis quelque temps en effet, se fait sentir le souhait d'une partie des conducteurs de véhicules automobiles, de voir équiper les portes des véhicules de mécanismes d'assistance à la fermeture de celle-ci, dans la phase finale de la fermeture. Un tel mécanisme présente l'avantage d'éviter à l'usager de devoir faire «claquer» sa portière pour la fermer convenablement.For some time now, there has been a desire on the part of some drivers of motor vehicles to see the doors of vehicles fitted with assistance mechanisms for closing the latter, in the final phase of the closure. Such a mechanism has the advantage of avoiding the user having to "slam" his door to close it properly.

L'invention a donc pour but de proposer un tel mécanisme, dont la structure ne soit pas trop compliquée, d'un coût relativement modéré et qui de plus présente la sécurité nécessaire au cas où un corps étranger introduit entre la porte et le châssis, empêche la fermeture complète de la porte.The object of the invention is therefore to propose such a mechanism, the structure of which is not too complicated, of a relatively moderate cost and which, moreover, presents the security necessary in the event that a foreign body is introduced between the door and the frame, prevents complete closing of the door.

Suivant l'invention, le mécanisme d'assistance à la fermeture d'une porte comprend:

  • un levier monté basculant autour d'un axe fixe à l'une de ses extrémités,
  • une fourchette montée rotativement autour d'un axe solidaire de l'extrémité opposée du levier et agencée pour pouvoir recevoir une gâche fixée à un pied-milieu faisant partie de la carrosserie du véhicule, cette fourchette étant munie d'un organe élastique la rappelant dans sa position de dégagement de la gâche,
  • un moyen de verrouillage de la fourchette sur la gâche durant le basculement du levier le verrouillage s'effectuant avant basculement du levier;
  • et une came montée rotative autour d'un axe fixe parallèle aux axes de basculement du levier et de la fourchette, susceptible d'être entraînée en rotation par un moteur automatiquement déclenché par le verrouillage précité de la fourchette au début de la course de fermeture de la porte, cette came étant profilée pour pouvoir coopérer avec le levier afin de la faire basculer contre la sollicitation antagoniste d'un organ élastique de rappel tendant à maintenir le levier en appui sur la came.
According to the invention, the mechanism for assisting in the closing of a door comprises:
  • a lever mounted rocking about a fixed axis at one of its ends,
  • a fork rotatably mounted around an axis integral with the opposite end of the lever and arranged to be able to receive a keeper fixed to a center leg forming part of the vehicle body, this fork being provided with an elastic member recalling it in its strike release position,
  • means for locking the fork on the keeper during the tilting of the lever, the locking being effected before the lever is tilted;
  • and a cam rotatably mounted around a fixed axis parallel to the axes of tilting of the lever and the fork, capable of being rotated by a motor automatically triggered by the aforementioned locking of the fork at the start of the closing stroke of the door, this cam being profiled in order to be able to cooperate with the lever in order to make it tilt against the opposing stress of an elastic return organ tending to keep the lever in abutment on the cam.

On comprend donc que ce mécanisme entre en action à partir du moment où la fourchette, qui comprend un crochet approprié, vient s'engager contre la gâche fixe du pied-milieu, ce qui déclenche le verrouillage de cette fourchette et par là même la mise en route du moteur d'entraînement de la came, dont la rotation fait basculer le levier. Ce dernier étant en prise avec la gâche fixe par la fourchette, entraîne donc la rotation de la porte qui termine son mouvement de fermeture, jusqu'à ce qu'il ait basculé d'un angle prédéterminé correspondant à la fermeture complète de la porte avec surcourse pour être sûr du bon verrouillage de la serrure.It is therefore understandable that this mechanism comes into action from the moment when the fork, which includes an appropriate hook, engages against the fixed keeper of the middle leg, which triggers the locking of this fork and thereby the setting the cam drive motor, the rotation of which causes the lever to tilt. The latter being engaged with the fixed strike by the fork, therefore causes the rotation of the door which ends its closing movement, until it has tilted by a predetermined angle corresponding to the complete closing of the door with overtravel to be sure that the lock is correctly locked.

Suivant une particularité de l'invention, le moyen de verrouillage de la fourchette sur la gâche est un cliquet articulé sur un axe parallèle à l'axe de rotation de la fourchette et voisin de celui-ci, ce cliquet est équipé d'un ressort qui le sollicite dans l'une ou l'autre de deux positions stables, dans l'une des quelles la fourchette est déverrouillée par rapport au cliquet.According to a feature of the invention, the means for locking the fork on the keeper is a pawl articulated on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the fork and close to it, this pawl is equipped with a spring which requests it in one or other of two stable positions, in one of which the fork is unlocked relative to the pawl.

La première de ces deux positions stables est occupée par le cliquet lorsque la porte est ouverte, tandis que la deuxième est prise par le cliquet à la fin du mouvement de fermeture de la porte.The first of these two stable positions is occupied by the pawl when the door is open, while the second is taken by the pawl at the end of the door closing movement.

Lorsque l'on veut ouvrir la porte, la gâche reste engagée dans la fourchette tandis que celle-ci et son, levier de support basculent jusqu'à venir en contact à nouveau avec la came. A ce moment, la fourchette pivote sous l'action de son organe élastique de rappel, et libère la gâche de sorte que la porte peut être ouverte normalement.When the door is to be opened, the keeper remains engaged in the fork while the latter and its support lever tilt until it comes into contact again with the cam. At this time, the fork pivots under the action of its elastic return member, and releases the keeper so that the door can be opened normally.

D'autres particularités et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront au cours de la description qui va suivre, faite en référence aux dessins annexés qui en illustrent une forme de réalisation à titre d'exemple non limitatif:

  • la Figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'une porte de véhicule automobile susceptible d'être équipée d'un mécanisme d'assistance à la fermeture selon l'invention, et de la partie correspondant de la carrosserie du véhicule, la porte étant ouverte;
  • la Figure 2 est une vue mi-coupe, mi-élévation dans un plan vertical médian d'une forme de réalisation du mécanisme d'assistance selon l'invention, deux positions différentes possibles de ce mécanisme étant représentées, l'une en traits continus et l'autre en traits interrompus;
  • la Figure 3 est une vue de dessus partielle du mécanisme de la Figure 2;
  • la Figure 4 est une vue analogue à la Figure 2 montrant deux autres positions possibles des différentes pièces du mécanisme durant un cycle de fermeture de la porte équipée d'un tel mécanisme;
  • la Figure 5 est une vue en élévation latérale du mécanisme, prise suivant la flèche K de la Figure 2, la came n'étant pas représentée;
  • la Figure 6 est une vue en élévation extérieure de l'ensemble du mécanisme des Figures 2 à 5, la Figure 7 est une vue en élévation de côté suivant la flèche L de la figure 6 de ce même mécanisme, tandis que la Figure 8 est une vue en élévation arrière du mécanisme des Figures 6 et 7, prise du côté intérieur de la porte;
  • la Figure 9 est un diagramme illustrant les efforts développés par le mécanisme durant un cycle de fermeture de la porte, les efforts étant représentés en ordonnées et la longueur de la course en abscisses.
Other features and advantages of the invention will appear during the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings which illustrate an embodiment thereof by way of non-limiting example:
  • Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle door capable of being fitted with a closing assistance mechanism according to the invention, and of the corresponding part of the vehicle body, the door being opened;
  • Figure 2 is a half-sectional, mid-elevation view in a median vertical plane of an embodiment of the assistance mechanism according to the invention, two possible different positions of this mechanism being shown, one in solid lines and the other in broken lines;
  • Figure 3 is a partial top view of the mechanism of Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing two other possible positions of the different parts of the mechanism during a closing cycle of the door equipped with such a mechanism;
  • Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the mechanism, taken along the arrow K in Figure 2, the cam not being shown;
  • Figure 6 is an exterior elevational view of the entire mechanism of Figures 2 to 5, Figure 7 is a side elevational view along arrow L of Figure 6 of the same mechanism, while Figure 8 is a rear elevation view of the mechanism of Figures 6 and 7, taken from the inside of the door;
  • Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the forces developed by the mechanism during a closing cycle of the door, the forces being represented on the ordinate and the length of the stroke on the abscissa.

Les objectifs de l'invention, atteints par la mise ein oeuvre du mécanisme d'assistance qui sera décrit ci-après, sont les suivants:

  • a) Assister la fermeture d'ouvrants de véhicules (sur 40 mm) par un système électromécanique le plus petit et le plus simple possible, monté en plus d'une serrure classique et sans aucune liaison avec celle-ci;
  • b) Ne pas entraver le fonctionnement de la porte en cas d'usage classique (claquement) ou panne de mécanisme;
  • c) Assurer par lui-même mécaniquement la sécurité nécessaire. Ce dernier point peut être ainsi explicité:
The objectives of the invention, achieved by the implementation of the assistance mechanism which will be described below, are the following:
  • a) Assist the closing of vehicle openings (over 40 mm) by the smallest and simplest electromechanical system possible, mounted in addition to a conventional lock and without any connection to it;
  • b) Do not interfere with the operation of the door in the event of conventional use (slamming) or breakdown of the mechanism;
  • c) Ensure by itself mechanically the necessary security. This last point can be explained as follows:

il faut un effort important pour comprimer le joint de porte;

  • pour que le mécanisme soit sans danger, il ne faut pas qu'un corps étranger se trouvant dans la feuillure de porte ou introduit en cours de fermeture soint soumis à un effort trop important;
  • or, l'effort important n'est nécessaire que dans les derniers millimètres de la course alors qu'il n'est plus possible que subsiste ou s'introduise un corps étranger dans la feuillure;
  • d'où le diagramme effort-course recherché, illustré à la Figure 9.
significant effort is required to compress the door seal;
  • for the mechanism to be safe, a foreign body in the door rabbet or introduced during closing must not be subjected to too great a force;
  • however, the significant effort is only necessary in the last millimeters of the race when it is no longer possible for a foreign body to remain or be introduced into the rebate;
  • hence the effort-race diagram sought, illustrated in Figure 9.

On voit à la Figure 1, un porte avant 1 d'un véhicule automobile en position ouverte, ainsi qu'un pied milieu 2 de la carrosserie du véhicule, correspondant à cette porte. Le pied 2 est équipé d'une gâche fixe 3, qui fait saillie vers l'avant du véhicule de manière à pouvoir être introduite dans une fente correspondante 4 ménagée à la partie supérieure d'un mécanisme 5 d'assistance à la fermeture de la porte 1, logé dans la tranche de celle-ci située en regard de la gâche 3 lorsque la porte 1 est fermée.We see in Figure 1, a front door 1 of a motor vehicle in the open position, and a middle leg 2 of the vehicle body, corresponding to this door. The foot 2 is equipped with a fixed keeper 3, which projects towards the front of the vehicle so as to be able to be inserted into a corresponding slot 4 formed at the top of a mechanism 5 for assisting in the closing of the door 1, housed in the edge thereof situated opposite the keeper 3 when the door 1 is closed.

Le pied-milieu 2 contient, au-dessous de la gâche 3, une butée 6 sollicitée élastiquement par un ressort 7 dans une position où sa tête fait saillie vers l'avant par rapport au pied 2, cette tête étant convenablement arrondie de façon à délmiter une surface curviligne qui permet, par une poussée latérale exercée sur cette tête saillante, d'escamoter celle-ci à l'intérieur du pied 2 contre la force de rappel du ressort 7. Le rôle de la butée escamotable 6 sera explicité ci-après.The middle foot 2 contains, below the keeper 3, a stop 6 elastically urged by a spring 7 in a position where its head projects forward relative to the foot 2, this head being suitably rounded so as to delimit a curvilinear surface which allows, by a lateral thrust exerted on this projecting head, to retract it inside the foot 2 against the return force of the spring 7. The role of the retractable stop 6 will be explained below after.

Le mécanisme 5 sera maintenant décrit en se référant aux Figures 2 à 8.The mechanism 5 will now be described with reference to Figures 2 to 8.

Ce mécanisme comprend:

  • un levier 8 monté basculant autour d'un axe fixe 9 traversant l'une de ses extrémités, son extrémité inférieure dans l'exemple décrit;
  • une fourchette 11 montée rotativement autour d'un axe 12 solidaire de l'extrémité opposée du levier 8, donc l'extrémité supérieure dans cet exemple, et qui est agencée pour pouvoir recevoir la gâche 3, cette fourchette 11 étant munie d'un organe élastique constitué d'un ressort 13 qui la rappelle constamment dans sa position de dégagement de la gâche 3;
  • un moyen de verrouillage de la fourchette 11 sur la gâche 3 durant le basculement du levier 8 au début de la courses de fermeture de la porte 1, ce moyen étant dans l'exemple décrit un cliquet 14 articulé sur un axe 15 parallèle à l'axe 12 et à l'axe 9, et voisine de l'axe 12 de rotation de la fourchette. Le cliquet 14 est équipé d'un ressort 16 qui le sollicite dans l'une ou l'autre de deux positions stables dans l'une desquelles la fourchette 11 est déverroillée par rapport au cliquet 14, tandis qu'elle est verrouillée ou en attente de verrouillage dans la seconde position stable;
  • et une came 17 montée rotative autour d'un axe fixe 18 parallèle aux axes 9, 12 et 15, et susceptible d'être entraînée en rotation par un moteur électrique 10, (visible aux Figures 6 à 8), dans le sens anti-horaire symbolisé par la flèche R aux Figures 2 et 4.
This mechanism includes:
  • a lever 8 mounted tilting about a fixed axis 9 passing through one of its ends, its lower end in the example described;
  • a fork 11 rotatably mounted around an axis 12 integral with the opposite end of the lever 8, therefore the upper end in this example, and which is arranged to be able to receive the keeper 3, this fork 11 being provided with a member elastic consisting of a spring 13 which constantly recalls it in its release position from the keeper 3;
  • a means for locking the fork 11 on the keeper 3 during the tilting of the lever 8 at the start of the closing stroke of the door 1, this means being in the example described a pawl 14 articulated on an axis 15 parallel to the axis 12 and axis 9, and close to the axis 12 of rotation of the fork. The pawl 14 is equipped with a spring 16 which biases it in one or the other of two stable positions in one of which the fork 11 is unlocked relative to the pawl 14, while it is locked or waiting locking in the second stable position;
  • and a cam 17 rotatably mounted about a fixed axis 18 parallel to the axes 9, 12 and 15, and capable of being rotated by an electric motor 10, (visible in FIGS. 6 to 8), in the anti-direction timetable symbolized by arrow R in Figures 2 and 4.

La fourchette 11 délimite un crochet à deux branches 11 a, 11 b séparées par une ouverture 19 qui peut recevoir la gâche 3. La branche 11 b est pourvue d'une patte transversale 11 c adaptée pour glisser sur une rampe de guidage 21 formée sur le bord supérieur de l'un 22 de deux flasques verticaux 22, 23, palallèles entre eux et entre lesquels sont disposés le levier 8, la came 17, la fourchette 11 et le cliquet 14. Les deux flasques 22, 23 supportent les axes de rotation 9 du levier 8 et 18 de la came 17. Les axes 12 et 15 sont supportés, à leurs extrémités, par deux plaques parallèles 8a, 8b montées basculantes autour de l'axe 9 et reliées par des pièces transversales dont l'une seulement 24 est visible aux dessins.The fork 11 delimits a hook with two branches 11 a, 11 b separated by an opening 19 which can receive the keeper 3. The branch 11 b is provided with a transverse tab 11 c adapted to slide on a guide ramp 21 formed on the upper edge of one 22 of two vertical flanges 22, 23, palallel between them and between which are arranged the lever 8, the cam 17, the fork 11 and the pawl 14. The two flanges 22, 23 support the axes of rotation 9 of the lever 8 and 18 of the cam 17. The axes 12 and 15 are supported, at their ends, by two parallel plates 8a, 8b pivotally mounted around the axis 9 and connected by transverse pieces, only one of which 24 is visible in the drawings.

La courbe de la rame de guidage 21 a un contour curviligne convexe, et est déterminée de façon à permettre le dégagement de la gâche 3 en cas de panne en cours de fonctionnement, quelle que soit la positon de levier 8 tout en limitant le basculement de la fourchette 11 pour écarter le risque d'interférence avec la came 17. Cette courbe est sensiblement un arc de cercle dont le centre se trouve à l'extérieur du mécanisme. Le levier 8 est équipé d'un galet 25 de roulement porté par un tourillon 26 disposé entre des axes 9 et 15, et supporté à ses extrémités par les plaques 8a, 8b. Un organe élastique constitué par un ressort hélicoïdal 27 coaxial à l'axe 9, et dont une extrémité 27a est ancrée dans le fond 28 reliant les flasques 22, 23 tandis que son autre extrémité 27b est ancrée dans la plaque 8a, sollicite constamment le levier 8 en rotation dans le sens qui maintient son galet 25 en appui contre le profil de la came 17 (position représentée en traits pleins à la Figure 2).The curve of the guide train 21 has a convex curvilinear contour, and is determined so as to allow the release of the keeper 3 in the event of a breakdown during operation, whatever the lever position 8 while limiting the tilting of the fork 11 to eliminate the risk of interference with the cam 17. This curve is substantially an arc, the center of which is outside the mechanism. The lever 8 is equipped with a rolling roller 25 carried by a pin 26 disposed between axes 9 and 15, and supported at its ends by the plates 8a, 8b. An elastic member constituted by a helical spring 27 coaxial with the axis 9, and one end 27a of which is anchored in the bottom 28 connecting the flanges 22, 23 while its other end 27b is anchored in the plate 8a, constantly requests the lever 8 rotating in the direction which keeps its roller 25 in abutment against the profile of the cam 17 (position shown in solid lines in Figure 2).

Le profil de la came 17, réalisé de façon que celle-ci fournisse un travail par degré constant, comporte quatre portions consécutives s'étendant comme suit dans le sens contraire à son sens de rotation R (Figure 2): une première portion AB, s'étendant sur 90°, dont le rayon croît régulièrement de A à B, une seconde portion BC, qui s'étend sur un secteur angulaire compris entre 90° et 245° environ, dont le rayon de courbure ne croît que légèrement de B à C, une portion CD comprise entre 245° et 320°, et une zone terminale DA de 320° à 360°. Le point C correspond à la position de fermeture normale de la porte, tandis le point D correspond à une course supplémentaire ou «surcourse» au-delà du point de fermeture C. Les trois premiers secteurs angulaires sont des zones de travail: avance rapide, effort faible (AB), montée progressive de l'effort (BC), effort maximum (CD), le quatrième secteur DA formant la chute.The profile of the cam 17, produced in such a way that it provides work by constant degree, comprises four consecutive portions extending as follows in the direction opposite to its direction of rotation R (FIG. 2): a first portion AB, extending over 90 °, the radius of which increases regularly from A to B, a second portion BC, which extends over an angular sector of between 90 ° and 245 ° approximately, the radius of curvature of which increases only slightly from B at C, a portion CD between 245 ° and 320 °, and a terminal area DA from 320 ° to 360 °. Point C corresponds to the normal closing position of the door, while point D corresponds to an additional stroke or "overtravel" beyond the closing point C. The first three angular sectors are working zones: fast forward, low effort (AB), gradual increase in effort (BC), maximum effort (CD), the fourth sector DA forming the fall.

La came 17 est percée d'un logement 29 adapté pour recevoir la tête de la butée escamotable 6 lorsque la came 17 se trouve dans la position angulaire où son logement 29 est situé en regard de la butée 6. La partie saillante de celle-ci est arrondie comme déjà indiqué, pour permettre soit son retrait à l'intérieur du pied-milieu 2 lorsque la came vient se placer devant le pied 2, soit son insertion dans le logement 29 lorsque la came 17 est dans la position angulaire appropriée par rapport à la butée 6.The cam 17 is pierced with a housing 29 adapted to receive the head of the retractable stop 6 when the cam 17 is in the angular position where its housing 29 is located opposite the stop 6. The projecting part of the latter is rounded as already indicated, to allow either its withdrawal inside the center leg 2 when the cam comes to be placed in front of the foot 2, or its insertion in the housing 29 when the cam 17 is in the appropriate angular position relative to at stop 6.

La fourchette 11 est pourvue d'un cran 20 de verrouillage par un bec 14a correpondant du cliquet 14.The fork 11 is provided with a notch 20 for locking by a spout 14a corresponding to the pawl 14.

Le ressort 13 de rappel de la fourchette 11 est ancré par l'une de ses extrémités dans la partie supérieure de la plaque 8a, et par son autre extrémité dans la fourchette 11, comme on le voit clairement à la Figure 5. De son côté, le ressort 16 de rappel du cliquet 14 est ancré par l'une de ses extrémités dans ce dernier, et par son autre extrémité dans la plaque 8b.The return spring 13 of the fork 11 is anchored by one of its ends in the upper part of the plate 8a, and by its other end in the fork 11, as can be clearly seen in Figure 5. On its side , the return spring 16 of the pawl 14 is anchored by one of its ends in the latter, and by its other end in the plate 8b.

Le mécanisme est également équipé, suivant une particularité de l'invention, d'une butée 31 fixée, dans cet exemple, au flasque 22, formée d'une languette élastique munie d'une patte terminale 32 qui fait saillie intérieurement entre les flasques 22 et 23 (Figures 2 et 3) à leurs parties supérieures et sensiblement en regard de l'emplacemetn du cliquet 14 en fin de fermeture de la porte 1. La patte terminale 32 est adaptée pour s'effacer élastiquement sous la poussée d'une languette transversale 33 du cliquet 14 lors du basculement de ce dernier pendant la course de fermeture de la porte 1 (position en traits mixtes sur la Figure 3), puis pour former butée anti-retour pour le cliquet 14 lorsque la languette 33 à dépassé ladite partie saillante 32. (Position 33a sur la Figure 3).The mechanism is also equipped, according to a feature of the invention, with a stop 31 fixed, in this example, to the flange 22, formed of an elastic tongue provided with an end tab 32 which projects internally between the flanges 22 and 23 (Figures 2 and 3) at their upper parts and substantially facing the location of the pawl 14 at the end of closing of the door 1. The terminal tab 32 is adapted to be elastically erased under the push of a tongue transverse 33 of the pawl 14 during the tilting of the latter during the closing stroke of the door 1 (position in phantom in Figure 3), then to form a non-return stop for the pawl 14 when the tongue 33 has exceeded said part projection 32. (Position 33a in Figure 3).

Du côté extérieur de la porte 1, le mécanisme 5 est fermé par une paroi transversale 34, et du côté intérieur de la porte par une paroi transversale 35, ces deux parois 34, 35 reliant les flasques 22, 23 pour former, avec le fond 28, on boîtier ouvert à son extrémité supérieure (Figure 6). La liaison du flasque 22 avec le boîtier est assurée par des sertissages Sι, S2, S3 (Figure 8), trois trous 30 étant prévus pour la fixation sur la porte 1. Le flasque extérieur 23 est percé d'une lumière 20 par laquelle on voit la came 17 et son logement 29 (Figure 6), et le moteur 10 d'entraînement de la came 17 est fixé au flasque arrière 22 par des boulons et des écrous 36 (Figures 7 et 8).On the outside of door 1, the mechanism 5 is closed by a transverse wall 34, and on the inside of the door by a transverse wall 35, these two walls 34, 35 connecting the flanges 22, 23 to form, with the bottom 28, the housing is open at its upper end (Figure 6). The connection of the flange 22 with the housing is ensured by crimps Sι, S 2 , S 3 (Figure 8), three holes 30 being provided for attachment to the door 1. The outer flange 23 is pierced with a light 20 by which we see the cam 17 and its housing 29 (Figure 6), and the motor 10 for driving the cam 17 is fixed to the rear flange 22 by bolts and nuts 36 (Figures 7 and 8).

L'ensemble du mécanisme d'assistance 5 est dimensionné pour pouvoir être logé dans la portière 1 en affleurant le bord extérieur de celle-ci par le fiasque 23, la lumière 20 de celui-ci étant ouverte vers l'intérieur du véhicule afin que la tête de la butée escamotable 6 puisse s'y engager ainsi que dans le logement 29.The entire assistance mechanism 5 is dimensioned so as to be able to be housed in the door 1 by being flush with the outer edge thereof by the flange 23, the light 20 of the latter being open towards the interior of the vehicle so that the head of the retractable stop 6 can engage therein as well as in the housing 29.

Le cycle de fonctionnement du mécansime qui vient d'être décrit est le suivant.The operating cycle of the mechanic who has just been described is as follows.

La porte 1 du véhicule étant supposée complètement ouverte, l'usagertire la porte pour la fermer (flèche F sur la Figure 1 ). A environ 40 mm de la pleine fermeture, le mécanisme 5 prend la porte 1 en charge et achève la fermeture de manière suivante.The door 1 of the vehicle being supposed to be completely open, the user opens the door to close it (arrow F in Figure 1). At about 40 mm from full closure, the mechanism 5 takes over the door 1 and completes the closure as follows.

Ce mécanisme est, au début de son cycle de fonctionnement, dans la position illustrée en traits continus à la Figure 2 et référencée 5.1: le galet 25 est maintenu appliqué contre le profil de la came 17 sensiblement au niveau du point A, par le ressort de rappel 27 du levier 8, la camme 17 n'étant pas actionnée par le motoréducteur 10; la fourchette 11 est en position de dégagement de la gâche 3, son crochet 11 a étant en position basse, tandis que sa branche 11 b arrive au contact de la gâche 3, la patte transversale 11 c étant en appui sur le début de la rampe de guidage 21, le ressort 13 maintenant la fourchette 11 dans cette position. Le cliquet 14 a son bec 14a déverrouillé par rapport au cran correspondant 20 de la fourchette 11, et est maintenu dans cette première position stable par son ressort de rappel 16.This mechanism is, at the start of its operating cycle, in the position illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 2 and referenced 5.1: the roller 25 is kept applied against the profile of the cam 17 substantially at point A, by the spring return 27 of the lever 8, the cam 17 not being actuated by the geared motor 10; the fork 11 is in the release position of the strike 3, its hook 11 a being in the low position, while its branch 11 b comes into contact with the strike 3, the transverse tab 11 c being in abutment on the start of the ramp guide 21, the spring 13 holding the fork 11 in this position. The pawl 14 has its spout 14a unlocked relative to the corresponding notch 20 of the fork 11, and is held in this first stable position by its return spring 16.

La gâche 3 prend appui sur le doigt arrière de la fourchette 11 constituée par sa branche 11 b, et la fait basculer, ainsi que l'ensemble de la fourchette 11, dans sa position référencée 11.2 à la Figure 4, tandis que le levier 8 est retenu dans sa position angulaire initiale par son ressort de rappel 27. De ce fait, le cran de verrouillage 20, agencé sur la fourchette 11 de l'autre côté de son axe 12 par rapport au doigt 11b, s'abaisse, passe au-dessous du bec 14a du cliquet 14, de sorte que ce bec vient s'appliquer sur le cran 20 et verrouille la fourchette dans sa position 11.2, celle du cliquet 14 étant reféréncée 14.2 (Figure 4). Le ressort 16 maintient le cliquet 14 dans cette position de verrouillage de la fourchette 11.2.The keeper 3 is supported on the rear finger of the fork 11 constituted by its branch 11b, and causes it to tilt, as well as the whole of the fork 11, in its position referenced 11.2 in FIG. 4, while the lever 8 is retained in its initial angular position by its return spring 27. Therefore, the locking notch 20, arranged on the fork 11 on the other side of its axis 12 relative to the finger 11b, lowers, passes to below the spout 14a of the pawl 14, so that this spout is applied to the notch 20 and locks the fork in its position 11.2, that of the pawl 14 being referenced 14.2 (Figure 4). The spring 16 maintains the pawl 14 in this locking position of the fork 11.2.

Ce verrouillage de la fourchette 11.2 par le cliquet 14.2 commande la mise sous tension du motoréducteur 10, qui entraîne en rotation la came 17, laquelle commence à tourner dans le sens anti-horaire R. De ce fait, le secteur AB du profil de la came 17 fait basculer le levier 8 vers la droite (Figure 2) par l'intermédiaire du galet de roulement 25, de sorte que ce basculement, qui se poursuit tandis que le profil de la came 17 repousse le galet 25 jusqu'à l'arrivée du point D au contact de celui-ci, tire la porte 1 jusqu'à une position située légèrement au-delà de sa position de pleine fermeture en exécutant donc une «surcourse». La position du levier 8, de la fourchette 11 et du cliquet 14 au terme de cette «surcourse» est illustrée en traits mixtes à la Figure 2 et référencée 5.3 (pour l'ensemble des pièces mobiles), 11.3, 8.3 et 14.3, la gâche 3 étant par commodité également représentée dans cette position, engagée à l'intérieur de l'ouverture 19 de la fourchette 11.3. La fermeture normale de la porte 1 correspond au passage du point C de la came 17 sur le galet 25, tandis que la «surcourse» au-delà de cette fermeture normale correspond au défilement du secteur CD sur le galet 25.This locking of the fork 11.2 by the pawl 14.2 controls the tensioning of the geared motor 10, which rotates the cam 17, which begins to rotate counterclockwise R. Therefore, the sector AB of the profile of the cam 17 causes lever 8 to tilt to the right (Figure 2) via the roller 25, so that this tilting, which continues while the profile of cam 17 pushes roller 25 up to the arrival of point D in contact with it, pulls door 1 to a position slightly beyond its fully closed position, therefore performing an "overtravel". The position of the lever 8, the fork 11 and the pawl 14 at the end of this "overtravel" is illustrated in phantom in Figure 2 and referenced 5.3 (for all moving parts), 11.3, 8.3 and 14.3, the keeper 3 being for convenience also shown in this position, engaged inside the opening 19 of the fork 11.3. The normal closing of the door 1 corresponds to the passage of point C of the cam 17 on the roller 25, while the "overtravel" beyond this normal closing corresponds to the movement of the sector CD on the roller 25.

Lorsque le point C arrive sur la galet 25, la patte transversale 33 du cliquet 14 se trouve dans sa position référencée 33b à la Figure 3, dans laquelle elle glisse sur la partie saillante 32 de la butée éclipsable 31, qu'elle repousse élastiquement vers l'extérieur. La languette 33 continuant à glisser sur la patte 32 pendant le défilement de secteur CD sur le galet 25, dépasse l'extrémité de la patte 32 derrière laquelle elle vient donc se deplacer en position 33a (Figure 3), tandis que la patte 32 revient élastiquement dans sa position représentée en traits continus à la Figure 3, où elle forme butée s'opposnat au retour en arrière de la languette 33a et du cliquet 14.3, dont le bec 14a est toujours appliqué sur le cran 20 de la fourchette 11 ainsi maintenue verrouillée.When point C arrives on the roller 25, the transverse tab 33 of the pawl 14 is in its position referenced 33b in FIG. 3, in which it slides on the projecting part 32 of the eclipsable stop 31, which it pushes elastically towards outside. The tongue 33 continuing to slide on the tab 32 during the scrolling of sector CD on the roller 25, exceeds the end of the tab 32 behind which it therefore comes to move to position 33a (Figure 3), while the tab 32 returns elastically in its position shown in solid lines in Figure 3, where it forms a stop opposes the backward movement of the tongue 33a and the pawl 14.3, the spout 14a of which is always applied to the notch 20 of the fork 11 thus maintained locked.

La came 17 poursuit sa rotation jusqu'au retour à sa position illustrée en traits continus à la Figure 2, dans laquelle le logement 29 vient se placer en regard de la butée 6, qui s'y introduit automatiquement sous l'action de son ressort de rappel 7, la came 17 étant alors bloquée dans cette position angulaire.The cam 17 continues to rotate until it returns to its position illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 2, in which the housing 29 is placed opposite the stop 6, which is inserted therein automatically under the action of its spring. 7, the cam 17 then being locked in this angular position.

Durant cette dernière partie de la course de la came 17, le levier 8 est sollicité en sens inverse par son ressort 27, et revient de la valeur de la «surcourse», plus le jeu entre la gâche 3 et son logement 19 dans la fourchette 11 pour occuper sa position finale 8.4 illustrée à la Figure 4, de même que la fourchette 11.4 et le cliquet 14.4. (La position de l'ensemble des pièces mobiles est référencée 5.4) Ce retour en arrière du levier 8 provoque le déverrouillage de la fourchette 11 par le cliquet 14, dont le bec 14a est en effet en butée contre la patte 32 de la butéd éclipsable 31. Le retour en arrière du levier 8 oblige donc le cliquet 14 à basculer vers le bas autour de son axe 15, ce qui dégage le bec 14a du cran 20 de la fourchette 11, comme visible à la Figure 4. Bien entendu pendant ce temps, la gâche 3 reste dans la fourchette 11, et empêche le levier 8 de revenir à sa position initiale sous l'action de son ressort de rapel 27. L'ensemble du mécanisme est alors dans sa position définitive correspondant à la fermeture normale de la porte 1, le motoréducteur 10 alimenté par une term- porisation, étant arrêté au bout d'un laps de temps suffisant pour fermer la porte.During this last part of the stroke of the cam 17, the lever 8 is biased in the opposite direction by its spring 27, and returns from the value of the "overtravel", plus the clearance between the keeper 3 and its housing 19 in the fork 11 to occupy its final position 8.4 illustrated in Figure 4, as well as the fork 11.4 and the pawl 14.4. (The position of all the moving parts is referenced 5.4) This backward movement of the lever 8 causes the fork 11 to be unlocked by the pawl 14, whose spout 14a is indeed in abutment against the tab 32 of the eclipsable stop 31. Going back lever 8 therefore forces the pawl 14 to be tilted down around its axis 15, which releases the spout 14a from the notch 20 of the fork 11, as visible in FIG. 4. Of course during this time, the keeper 3 remains in the fork 11, and prevents the lever 8 from returning to its initial position under the action of its return spring 27. The whole mechanism is then in its final position corresponding to the normal closing of the door 1, the geared motor 10 powered by a termi- porization, being stopped after a period of time sufficient to close the door.

Si maintenant l'usager veut ouvrir la porte 1, la gâche 3 est déplacée par le pivotement de la porte dans le sens symbolisé par la flèche G à la Figure 4. La fourchette 11 et le levier B accompagnet ce déplacement angulaire de la gâche 3 vers la came 17, jusqu'à ce que le galet 25 revienne au contact de celle-ci. La fourchette 11 peut alors basculer autour de son axe 12 sous l'action de son ressort 13 pour revenir jusqu'à sa position représentée en traits continus à la Figure 2, dans laquelles la gâche 3 est dégagée de la fourchette. Corrélativement, le cliquet bascule de sa position 14.4 à sa position initiale 14, dans laquelle in ne verrouille par la fourchette 11. La porte 1 s'éloigne de la gâche 3, et le mécanisme 5 est prêt pour une nouvelle fermeture suivant le cycle précédemment décrit.If the user now wants to open the door 1, the keeper 3 is moved by the pivoting of the door in the direction symbolized by the arrow G in Figure 4. The fork 11 and the lever B accompany this angular movement of the keeper 3 towards the cam 17, until the roller 25 comes back into contact with the latter. The fork 11 can then tilt around its axis 12 under the action of its spring 13 to return to its position shown in solid lines in Figure 2, in which the keeper 3 is released from the fork. Correlatively, the pawl switches from its position 14.4 to its initial position 14, in which it is not locked by the fork 11. The door 1 moves away from the keeper 3, and the mechanism 5 is ready for a new closure according to the cycle previously described.

En cas de panne de moteur 10 durant un cycle, il suffit de terminer manuellement la fermeture avec surcourse pour déverroiller le cliquet 14 et utiliser la porte de façon classique.In the event of an engine failure 10 during a cycle, it suffices to manually end the overtravel closure to unlock the pawl 14 and use the door in the conventional manner.

On a représenté à la Figure 9 un diagramme montrant un exemple numérique des efforts développés (Newton en ordonnées) en fonction de la longueur de la course de la porte (en mm en abscisses), ce diagramme correpondant aux valeurs numériques mentionnées précédemment pour le profil de la came 17. Cependant, les trois segments rectilignes AB, BC, CD portés sur la Figure 9 correpondent aux valeurs d'efforts maximum prévues pour le mécanisme: ceci signifie que si la fermeture de la porte rencontre une résistance inattendue, dépassant la valeur maximum prévue suivant les sections successives AB..., la fermeture s'arrête automatiquement par sécurité. Au-dessous de cette courbe maximum AD, a été représentée une courbe réelle A'B'C'D' d'un cycle de fermeture, la ligne en traits pointillés correpondant aux efforts moyens développés d'une extrémités à l'autre de cette courbe réelle. En cas de résistance inattendue pendant la première partie A'-B' de la course de fermeture, entraînant un pic P' qui dépasse la valeur maximum prévue de 60 N (par exemple si une personne a laissé son doigt entre la porte et le pied milieu 2), le mécanisme d'arrête automatiquement. Ceci est rendu possible par le fait que dans cette première partie du cycle, l'effort maximum développé est faible, c'est-à-dire dans l'exemple décrit, inférieur à 6 daN, ce qui évite de munir la porte d'un système de sécurité supplémentaire.FIG. 9 shows a diagram showing a numerical example of the forces developed (Newton on the ordinate) as a function of the length of the travel of the door (in mm on the abscissa), this diagram corresponding to the numerical values mentioned previously for the profile. of cam 17. However, the three rectilinear segments AB, BC, CD shown in Figure 9 correspond to the maximum force values provided for the mechanism: this means that if the closing of the door encounters unexpected resistance, exceeding the value maximum provided according to successive sections AB ..., the closure stops automatically for safety. Below this maximum curve AD, a real curve A'B'C'D 'of a closing cycle has been shown, the line in dotted lines corresponding to the average forces developed from one end to the other of this real curve. In case of unexpected resistance during the first part A'-B 'of the closing stroke, resulting in a peak P' which exceeds the maximum expected value of 60 N (for example if a person has left their finger between the door and the foot middle 2), the mechanism stops automatically. This is made possible by the fact that in this first part of the cycle, the maximum force developed is low, that is to say in the example described, less than 6 daN, which avoids providing the door with an additional security system.

Au-delà du point B, c'est-à-dire à partir de 30 mm de course, l'effort de fermeture augmente rapidement (section BC) jusqu'à une valeur importante (75 daN) d'un palier CD qui correspond à la «surcourse». Mais pendant cette fin de couse BD, il n'est plus possible d'introduire un corps étranger entre la porte 1 et le pied milieu 2, ou entre la caisse et le bord opposé de la porte, ce qui écarte tout risque d'accident.Beyond point B, i.e. from 30 mm of travel, the closing force increases rapidly (section BC) to a significant value (75 daN) of a CD bearing which corresponds to the "overtravel". But during this end of the BD couse, it is no longer possible to introduce a foreign body between door 1 and the center leg 2, or between the body and the opposite edge of the door, which eliminates any risk of accident. .

Le profil de la came 17 est déterminé de façon que celle-ci fournisse un travail par degré de rotation qui soit constant au cours du cycle, et permette donc l'utilisation d'un moteur 10 de puissance minimum.The profile of the cam 17 is determined so that it provides work by degree of rotation which is constant during the cycle, and therefore allows the use of a motor 10 of minimum power.

On donnera ci-après un exemple numérique de détermination du profil de la came 17 pour que celle-ci fournisse un travail constant par degré de rotation.A numerical example will be given below of determining the profile of the cam 17 so that it provides constant work per degree of rotation.

La came 17 doit reproduire le diagramme effort-course de la Figure 9, pour une rotation de 3000. Le travail à fournir est représenté par l'aire située entre l'axe Ox des abscisses, et la courbe maximum ABCD. Les calculs de détermination du profil de la came 17 correpondant à cet exemple sont fournis ci-dessous, les angles successif θι, θ2, et 03 correspondant aux secteurs angulaires successifs AB, BC, CD.

Figure imgb0001
1 ère phase:
Figure imgb0002
Figure imgb0003
2ème phase:
Figure imgb0004
Figure imgb0005
Figure imgb0006
3ème phase:
Figure imgb0007
Figure imgb0008
Figure imgb0009
 The cam 17 must reproduce the force-stroke diagram of FIG. 9, for a rotation of 300 0. The work to be provided is represented by the area located between the axis X of the abscissae, and the maximum curve ABCD. The calculations for determining the profile of the cam 17 corresponding to this example are provided below, the successive angles θι, θ 2 , and 0 3 corresponding to the successive angular sectors AB, BC, CD.
Figure imgb0001
 1 st phase:
Figure imgb0002
Figure imgb0003
 2nd phase:
Figure imgb0004
Figure imgb0005
Figure imgb0006
 3rd phase:
Figure imgb0007
Figure imgb0008
Figure imgb0009

L'invention n'est pas limitée au mode de réalisation décrit et peut comporter des variantes d'exécution. Ainsi il est évident que le profil de came ci- dessus n'a été donné qu'à titre d'exemple indicatif, et peut être modifié en fonction des caractéristiques mécaniques désirées pour le mécanisme. De même, le cliquet 14, le levier 8 et la fourchette 11 peuvent être réalisés de manière différente de celle décrite, dans la mesure où des résultats équivalents sont obtenus.The invention is not limited to the embodiment described and may include variant embodiments. Thus it is obvious that the above cam profile has been given only as an indicative example, and can be modified according to the mechanical characteristics desired for the mechanism. Likewise, the pawl 14, the lever 8 and the fork 11 can be produced in a manner different from that described, insofar as equivalent results are obtained.

Claims (6)

1. A mechanism for assisting the closing of a door (1) of a motor vehicle, adapted to be arranged in said door, characterised in that it comprises:
a lever (8) pivotally mounted on a fixed pin (9) at one of the ends of the lever,
a fork member (11) rotatably mounted on a pin (12) fixed to the opposite end of the lever (8) and adapted to be capable of receiving a keeper (3) fixed to a centre post (2) which is part of the body of the vehicle, said fork member (11) being provided with a resiliently yieldable element (13) for returning the fork member (11) to a position in which it is disengaged from the keeper (3),
means (14) for locking the fork member (11) to the keeper (3) during the pivoting of the lever (8), the locking being effected before the pivoting of the lever,
and a cam (17) rotatably mounted on a fixed pin (18) parallel to the pins (9, 22) of the lever (8) and fork member (11), said cam (17) being capable of being driven in rotation by a motor (10) which is automatically started up by said locking of said fork member (11) at the beginnig of the closing travel of the door (1), said cam (17) being shaped so as to cooperate with said lever (8) so as to pivot said lever against the opposing action of a resiliently yieldable return element (27) which biases said lever (8) against said cam (17).
2. A mechanism according to claim 1, characterised in that the fork member (11) pivotally mounted on said lever (8) comprises a finger member (11 b) provided with a transverse tab (11 c) adapted to slide on a guide ramp (21) formed on an upper edge of one (22) of two vertical side walls (22, 23) which are parallel to each other and between which are disposed said lever (8), said cam (17) and said fork member (11) and which support said pivot pins (9, 18) of said lever (8) and cam (17), the guide ramp (21) being curviliear and extending through an arc of a circle corresponding to the closing travel of said lever (8).
3. A mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said means for locking said fork member (11) to said keeper (3) is a pawl (14) pivotally mounted on a pin (15) parallel to said pin (12) on which said fork member (11) is rotatably mounted and in the vicinity of said pin (12), and said pawl (14) is provided with a spring (16) which biases it to either of two stable positions in which positions said fork member (11) is unlocked with respect to said pawl (14).
4. A mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said cam (17) cooperates with a rolling wheel (25) mounted on said lever (8) and applied against a profile of said cam (17), so arranged that its driving motor (10) does constant work for each degree of rotation, for example: a low force from 0 to 90° of rotation during the major part of the travel for closing the door, a high force from 90° to 250° for the force corresponding to the end of the closing of the door (1) to a final «overtravel» (CD) beyond the effective point of closure (C), said rotation being followed by a rearward movement of said lever (8) of a few degrees from its «overtravel» to its final position given by the latch relaying the door, while the end part (DA) of the profile of the cam (17) is such that this profile moves away from the rolling wheel (25).
5. A mechanism according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the cam (17) is provided with a recess (29) adapted to receive a retractable stop (6) monted in the centre post (2) corresponding to the door (1) and resiliently biased to a position in which it projects from the post (2) and shaped so as to retract first of all into the post at the beginnign of the closing of the door under the effect of the thrust of the cam (17) and then to be resiliently accommodated in the recess (29) of the cam (17) when the cam reaches its angular position corresponding to the closure of the door (1 ).
6. A mechanism according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that it comprises a stop (31) fixed to one (22) of said side walls and inwardly projecting between said side walls in their upper part substantially in alignment with the position of said pawl (14) at the end of the closing of said door and adapted to be resilienty retracted under the effect of the thrust of a transverse tongue (33) of said pawl (14) when the latter is pivoted, then to constitute an anti-return stop for said pawl (14) when said tongue (33) has moved beyond said stop (31), said anti-return stop causing the pivoting of said pawl (14) upon the rearward return of said lever (8) from its «overtravel» position (D), so that said pawl (14) then escapes from said stop (31), unlocks said fork member (11) and reaches its second stable position under the effect of its return spring (16).
EP19860400233 1985-02-07 1986-02-04 Vehicle door closer Expired EP0190976B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8501713A FR2576961B1 (en) 1985-02-07 1985-02-07 ASSISTANCE MECHANISM FOR CLOSING A DOOR OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
FR8501713 1985-02-07

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EP0190976A1 EP0190976A1 (en) 1986-08-13
EP0190976B1 true EP0190976B1 (en) 1988-06-01

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EP19860400233 Expired EP0190976B1 (en) 1985-02-07 1986-02-04 Vehicle door closer

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US (1) US4667991A (en)
EP (1) EP0190976B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS61183589A (en)
BR (1) BR8600510A (en)
CA (1) CA1259501A (en)
DE (1) DE3660263D1 (en)
ES (1) ES292247Y (en)
FR (1) FR2576961B1 (en)
MX (1) MX161478A (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2576961B1 (en) 1987-04-30
ES292247Y (en) 1987-02-16
CA1259501A (en) 1989-09-19
BR8600510A (en) 1986-12-30
MX161478A (en) 1990-09-28
JPS61183589A (en) 1986-08-16
DE3660263D1 (en) 1988-07-07
ES292247U (en) 1986-06-01
US4667991A (en) 1987-05-26
EP0190976A1 (en) 1986-08-13
FR2576961A1 (en) 1986-08-08

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