EP0255417A1 - Actuating device for a sliding window of a motor vehicle door - Google Patents

Abstract

1. An actuating device for a window (4) slidably mounted in the structure (2) of a door of a motor vehicle, allowing three stable positions (4a, 4b, 4c) to be obtained as the window (4) is lowered or raised, these three positions being respectively a top closed position (4a), an intermediate slightly opened position (4b) for ventilation of the vehicle and a bottom, completely opened position (4c), characterized in that it comprises : - a plate (23) fixed to the door structure (2) in a substantially vertical position and traversed by an oblong opening (25) whose major axis is vertical, carrying a sprocket (27) and roller (28) mounted for rotation on the plate (23), each one by means of a pin perpendicular to the plate, - a slide (7) fixed to the lower portion of the window (4) and disposed in a horizontal direction ; - an arm (20) mounted for rotation on the plate (23) and parallel to the latter by means of a pin (26) fixed to the arm and engaged in the oblong opening (25) of the plate, the arm (20) comprising, moreover, at one of its ends an articulation pin (21, 22) engaged in the slide (7), - a cam (31) fixed to the arm (20) and comprising successively on its actuating surface outside the arm (20) a zone (33) comprising teeth arranged along a circular portion of the cam, a ramp (34) in the form of a flat, and a smooth circular zone (35) ending in a portion (36) returning towards the arm (20), forming with this arm an angle at most equal to approximately 90 degrees, the circular portions (33, 35) of the cam having the axis of rotation of the arm (20) as their axis, - a spiral spring (40) fixed at one of its ends to the pin (26) of the arm (20) and at its other end to the plate (23), ensuring the re-straining of the arm (20) in the direction of closing the window (4), - and an actuating handle (30) joined to the pin of the sprocket (27) that can be operated from the interior of the vehicle, - the engagement of the sprocket (27) with the set of teeth (33) of the cam (31) ensuring the locking of the window (4) in the closed position, and the actuating handle (30) allowing the cam (31) to be turned in contact with the roller (28) by means of the ramp (34) whose direction between the set of teeth (33) and the smooth circular zone (35) is diverging from the axis of rotation of the arm (20), so as to ensure the disengagement of the sprocket (27) in relation to the set of teeth (33) of the cam (31).

Description

The invention relates to a device for operating a window slidingly mounted in the structure of a motor vehicle door, making it possible to obtain three stable positions when the window is lowered or raised.

The sliding windows of the side doors of a motor vehicle are designed to be operated from inside the vehicle, in order to obtain different opening positions as well as a position for completely closing the window.

In reality, the user is only led to use the window opening system in a routine manner in two cases, namely to occasionally compensate for a lack of ventilation in the passenger compartment of the vehicle and to ensure practical and efficient communication with the outside of the vehicle, for example to make payment at a motorway toll or to request information.

In the first case, it suffices to ensure a very small opening of the window, the upper edge of which remains in the upper part of the opening or where this window is mounted to obtain sufficient ventilation of the vehicle. Beyond this short opening stroke, the turbulence generated, especially at high speed, becomes very unpleasant or even unbearable for the passengers.

In the second case, it is necessary to obtain a larger opening of the window which must then be closed at least until the ventilation position, with as little intervention as possible from the user.

Finally there is. it is necessary to obtain, in certain cases, a blocking of the window in the fully open position.

The devices currently used on motor vehicles require tedious or imprecise handling of the commands on the part of the user.

A manual control by crank requires eight to twelve turns to obtain a complete opening and closing cycle of the sliding window; such a device therefore requires a tedious _{, time-} consuming maneuver which can be dangerous if the driver wishes to perform it while running, to raise the window from a large open position, necessary for example at a motorway toll, to a fully closed or almost completely closed position.

An electrical control of the window does not allow precise adjustment of the opening position for ventilation of the vehicle and still requires intervention of a certain duration to raise the window from a large opening position.

Finally, an automatic and sequential control device has a high cost price, so that such a device cannot be used on low-end vehicles; in addition, such a device also does not make it possible to limit the intervention of the driver to a minimum to raise the window from a large open position necessary to put the driving position in communication with the outside.

The object of the invention is therefore to propose a device for operating a window mounted sliding in the structure of a motor vehicle door, making it possible to obtain three stable positions during the descent or ascent of the glass, these three positions respectively being a height position closing you. an intermediate position of low opening for ventilation of the vehicle and a low position of full opening, this device making it possible to put the window easily and very securely in the low opening position for ventilation and to ensure that the window in this position, from a larger open position, without user intervention, these advantages being obtained with a simple and robust mechanical type device.

• - une platine solidaire de la structure de la porte, en position sensiblement verticale, et traversée par une ouverture oblongue dont le grand axe est vertical, portant un pignon denté et un galet montés rotatifs sur la platine, chacun par l'intermédiaire d'un axe perpendiculaire à la platine.
• - une glissière solidaire de la partie inférieure de la vitre disposée dans une direction horizontale,
• - un bras monté rotatif sur la platine parallèlement à celle-ci, par l'intermédiaire d'un axe solidaire du bras et engagé dans l'ouverture oblongue de la platine, le bras comportant de plus, à l'une de ses extrémités, un axe d'articulation engagé dans la glissière.
• - une came solidaire du bras et comportant successivement, sur sa surface d'actionnement, à l'extérieur du bras, une zone comportant des dentures ménagées sur une partie circulaire de la came, une rampe en formé de méplat et une zone circulaire lisse terminée par une partie en retour vers le bras formant avec ce bras un angle au plus égal a 90 environ, les parties circulaires de la came ayant pour axe l'axe de rotation du bras,
• - un ressort spiral fixé à l'une de ses extrémités à l'axe du bras et a son autre extrémité à la platine assurant le rappel du bras dans le sens de la fermeture de la vitre,
• - et une poignée de manoeuvre solidaire de l'axe du pignon manoeuvrable depuis l'intérieur du véhicule, l'engrénement du pignon avec la denture de la came assurant le verrouillage de la vitre en position de fer- _meture et la poignée de manoeuvre permettant de faire tourner la came en contact avec le galet, par l'intermédiaire de la rampe dont la direction entre la denture et la zone circulaire lisse s'éloigne de l'axe de rotation du bras, de façon a assurer un désengagement du pignon de la denture de la came.

To this end, the device comprises:

• - a plate secured to the door structure, in a substantially vertical position, and traversed by an oblong opening, the major axis of which is vertical, carrying a toothed pinion and a roller mounted to rotate on the plate, each by means of a axis perpendicular to the plate.
• - a slide secured to the lower part of the glass arranged in a horizontal direction,
• an arm rotatably mounted on the plate parallel to the latter, by means of an axis integral with the arm and engaged in the oblong opening of the plate, the arm further comprising, at one of its ends, a hinge pin engaged in the slide.
• a cam secured to the arm and successively comprising, on its actuating surface, outside the arm, a zone comprising teeth formed on a circular part of the cam, a ramp formed in the form of a flat and a smooth circular zone terminated by a part returning towards the arm forming an angle with this arm at most equal to approximately 90, the circular parts of the cam having as their axis the axis of rotation of the arm,
• - a spiral spring fixed at one of its ends to the axis of the arm and at its other end to the plate ensuring the return of the arm in the direction of closing the window,
• - and a secure operating handle of the axis of the pinion operable from inside the vehicle, the meshing of the pinion with the teeth of the cam ensuring the locking of the pane in position iron- _m eture and the operating handle allowing the cam to rotate in contact with the roller, via the ramp whose direction between the toothing and the smooth circular zone moves away from the axis of rotation of the arm, so as to ensure disengagement of the pinion of the toothing of the cam.

In order to clearly understand the invention, a description will now be given, by way of nonlimiting example, of an embodiment of a device for operating a sliding vehicle window according to the invention.

• Figure 1 is an elevational view of a vehicle door and the operating device of its sliding window, some elements of this door having been removed, to facilitate the representation.
• Figure 2 is a sectional view along II-II of Figure 1.
• Figure 3 is an elevational view on a larger scale of the operating device, in its functional position shown in Figure 1 and corresponding to the complete closing of the window.
• Figure 4 is an elevational view of the operating device according to the invention in a second functional position corresponding to the opening for ventilation of the window.
• Figure 5 is an elevational view of the operating device according to the invention in a third functional position corresponding to the complete opening of the window,

In FIG. 1, a door of a motor vehicle is shown schematically and seen from inside the vehicle where a user 1 has taken place. The door has a structure 2 made up in part of steel sheets and profiles associated with plastic panels. This structure 2 comprises a lower part 2a constituting a box and an opening 3 in its upper part. The opening 3 is surrounded on all its sides, except for its horizontal bottom side. by a frame 5 serving as a guide for the sliding window 4 during its movements inside the structure 2 of the door. The frame 5 is extended by two vertical uprights parallel to the interior of the box 2a of the door.

In FIG. 1, the window 4 is shown in three positions 4a, 4b and 4c (each of the corresponding markings indicating the position of the upper edge of the sliding window); position 4a is the fully closed position of the window, position 4b is the low open position for ventilation and position 4c is the fully open position.

In position 4a, the window 4 completely closes the opening 3 and its edge is engaged in the frame 5, over its entire part surrounding the opening 3, so as to produce an effective and practically hermetic closure. The lower edge 6 of the window is then in position 6a, at a level slightly lower than the bottom of the opening 3. Along the edge 6 of the window 4 is fixed a slide or slide 7 forming part of the operating device 8 of the glass disposed inside the box 2a. On the face 1, the operating device is shown in the position it occupies, when the window is in its position 4a.

In its position 4c, the window 4 is practically entirely engaged inside the box 2a.

In Figure 2, we see in more detail the structure 2 of the door which comprises a frame 10 of steel profile, a cross member 12 defining the opening 3 at its lower part, the frame 10 being completed by an entourage 11 in transparent plastic material in its upper part, up to the cross member 12. The surround 11 defines, with the cross member 12, the opening 3 and carries on its inner edge the guide frame 5 of the window 4.

The box 2a is constituted by a panel 13 of convex shape towards the outside of the door, of plastic material fixed on the frame 10 and by a plane panel 14 fixed on the one hand on the frame 10 and on the other hand on the cross member 12. The panel 13 and the inner panel 14 carry at their upper part seals 15 and 16 between which the window 4 slides during its movements.

The window 4 of slightly curved shape is integral, in the vicinity of its upper edge, with a button 18 allowing its operation by manual pushing down or up.

In Figure 2, there is shown the window 4 in its closed position 4a in which the button occupies the position 18 and in its fully open position 4c in which the button occupies the position 18 '.

As has ^pp Arait by comparing Figures 1 and 2, the door has been shown in Figure 1 without the interior trim panel 14 and without the cross member 12, to show the mechanism of the operating device 8 located inside the box 2a.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, we will now describe the structure of the operating device 8 comprising a slide 7 secured to the window 4, arranged in a horizontal direction and for ensuring the kinematic connection of the window 4 with an arm maneuver 20 comprising a hinge pin 21 on which is mounted a roller 22 engaged in the slide 7 to move by rolling inside this slide.

The device 8 also comprises a plate 23 rigidly fixed, in a practically vertical position, to the structure of the door by means of rivets or screws 24 engaged on parts of the frame 10 and of its connection to the lower part 2a.

The plate 23 is crossed by an oblong opening 25 whose axis is vertical. The arm 20 is integral with an axis .26 engaged in the oblong opening 25.

On the plate 23 are also rotatably mounted, by means of axes perpendicular to the plate, a pinion 27 and a roller 28. The pinion 27 and its axis are rotatably mounted inside the plate 23, in the lower part thereof constituting a casing 23a.

The axis of the pinion 27 is extended outside the casing 23a, on the side corresponding to the interior of the vehicle where this axis is made integral with an operating handle 30.

The arm 20 is secured, by welding after centering on pin 32, to a cam 31 comprising a actuating part 3 1 located outside the arm 20.

This actuating part 31a of the cam has an edge of generally circular shape directed towards the outside and successively comprising, from the end of the arm opposite the articulation 21, a toothed part 33, a ramp 34 in the form of a flat , a smooth circular part 35 and a smooth and straight part 36 intersecting the arm 20, in a direction practically perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of this arm.

The teeth of the part 33 of the cam 31 have a shape and a module corresponding to those of the pinion 27, these teeth coming to mesh one in the other in the position of the mechanism 8 shown in FIG. 3. This teeth are machined on a part of the edge of the cam constituting a circle centered on the axis of rotation 26 of the arm 20.

Similarly, the smooth circular part 35 of the cam has the shape of a circle centered on the axis 26 of the arm. The ramp 34 joining the base of the toothing 33 to the smooth and circular part 35 has a direction such that this ramp 34 progressively moves away from the axis 26 of the arm 20. The roller 28 is mounted on the plate 23 in a position such that it is in contact with the initial part of the ramp 34, when the mechanism 8 is in its position shown in FIG. 3, corresponding to the complete closing of the window.

A spiral spring 40 is mounted inside a flat casing 41 integral with the plate 23. This spiral spring 40 is fixed by its inner end, rigidly to the axis 26 of the arm 20 and engaged and locked by its outer end in slots 23c crossing a tab 23b which is folded horizontally and constitutes the upper part of the plate 23. The mounting of the spring, its direction of winding and its preload are such that it ensures the return of the arm 20 in its position shown in Figure 3 corresponding to the complete closing of the window. The plurality of slots 23c allows adjustment of the spring bandage.

In this position, the weight of the window and the action of the spring 40 maintain the axis 26 of the arm, in the low position, at the bottom of the oblong opening 25.

In addition, the meshing of the pinion 27 integral with the handle 30 and the toothed part 33 of the cam ensures a rotation blocking of the arm and therefore a locking of the window 4 in the high closed position, by action of the conventional self-locking device located inside the casing 23a.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the elements of the device are placed one after the other, in the transverse direction, from the outside to the inside, in the following order: first the arm 20, then the cam 31, then the plate 23 and finally the spring 40, the axis 26 of the arm passing through the cam then the plate and being. fixed to the spring 4 ₀ inwards relative to the plate. This secures the arm and the cam on the plate 23, while leaving them free in rotation and in translation inside the oblong opening 25 and ensuring their suspension from the spring 40.

To move from the closed position 4a of the window to the open position to vent _4b as shown in Figure 4, simply pushing the handle 30 forwardly and upwardly, from inside the vehicle, this movement being accompanied by a rotation of the pinion 27 and by means of the cam 31 and the arm 20. During this movement, the roller 28 remains in contact with the ramp 34, this which produces a gradual upward movement of the cam and of the arm relative to the plate 23, and therefore an upward movement of the axis 26 in the oblong opening 25. This upward movement of the cam 31 s 'accompanied by a disengaging of the teeth of the pinion 27 and of the toothed part 33 of the cam. When the handle 30 has reached its end position forwards, as shown in FIG. 4, the rotation of the cam 31 is such that the roller 28 is in contact with the initial part of the smooth circular area 35 of the cam. The pinion 27 and the toothed zone 33 of the cam are then completely disengaged and the axis 26 is in a position halfway upwards inside the oblong opening 25. The weight of the window is then compensated by the spring 40 and the cam 31 rests on the roller 28.

From this position shown in Figure 4 and corresponding to the position 4b of the window, it is possible to lower the window into a position of greatest opening by pushing or manual traction on this window, for example using the button of maneuver 18. The force which it is necessary to exert on the pane is increasing during the opening of this pane, because of the increasing bandage of the spring 40.

If the force exerted on the window 4 is interrupted, it goes up by itself under the effect of the spring 40, to its point of equilibrium corresponding to the position 4b.

It is therefore possible to lower the window manually to communicate with the outside of the vehicle, for example at a motorway toll, the simple re-release of the window allowing it to be raised to a position allowing circulation without excessive ventilation of the vehicle. cabin.

From this position which is that shown in FIG. 4, it is obviously possible to again obtain the locking of the window in the closed position by bringing the handle 30 backwards and downwards, until its position shown in Figure 3.

It is possible, from the low opening position 4a of the window shown in FIG. 4, to obtain a complete opening of this window to put it in position 4c, by simple pushing or pulling of the window towards the low. The mechanism 8 is then in the position shown in FIG. 5. The roller 28 has come by rolling on the smooth surface of the cam, in a posit ₁ where it is embedded between the smooth back surface 36 and the arm 20, the surface 36 being substantially perpendicular to the arm 20. the spring 40 is then at its maximum Ban- _of age and the axis 26 is returned to low position in the oblong opening 25. This provides a locking of the window, the rotation in return from the arm 20, under the action of the spring 40, being prevented by the abutment of the smooth surface 36 of the cam on the roller 28,

To obtain the unlocking and raising of the window from this position, it suffices to lift it slightly, for example by using the operating button 18, until the roller 28 is in contact with the end of part 35 of the cam 31. The spring 40 ensures the rapid raising of the window to the position 4b.

The operating device according to the invention therefore has the advantage of being entirely mechanical, extremely simple and very robust and of allowing very easy and very simple operation in all cases of use of the sliding window by a passenger of the vehicle. .

The invention is not limited to the embodiment which has been described.

One can imagine a different mounting of the operating device in the structure of the door and use an operating arm, a cam and a plate of a shape different from those which have been described. Similarly, one can imagine a mounting of the arm, the cam and the spring different from that which has been described.

Finally, the operating device according to the invention applies to any sliding window of a side door of a motor vehicle.

Claims (4)

1.- Device for operating a window (4) slidingly mounted in the structure of a door (2) of a motor vehicle, making it possible to obtain three stable positions (4a, 4b, 4c) during the descent or the winding up of the window (4), these three positions respectively being an upper closed position (4a), an intermediate position of low opening (4b) for ventilation of the vehicle and a low position of full opening (4c), characterized by the fact that it includes: - a plate (23) integral with the structure (2) of the door, in a substantially vertical position and traversed by an oblong opening (25) whose major axis is vertical, carrying a toothed pinion (27) and a roller (28) rotatably mounted on the plate (23), each via an axis perpendicular to the plate. - a slide (7) integral with the lower part of the window (4) and arranged in a horizontal direction, - An arm (20) rotatably mounted on the plate (23) and parallel to it, by means of an axis (26) integral with the arm and engaged in the oblong opening (25) of the plate, the arm (20) further comprising, at one of its ends, a hinge pin (21, 22) engaged in the slide (7). - A cam (31) integral with the arm (20) and successively comprising on its actuation surface external to the arm (20), a zone (33) comprising teeth formed on a circular part of the cam a ramp (34) in flat shape and a smooth circular area (35) terminated by a part (36) back towards the arm (20) forming with this arm an angle at most equal to approximately 90 °. the circular parts (33, 35) of the cam having the axis of rotation of the arm (20) as their axis, - a spiral spring (40) fixed at one of its ends to the axis (26) of the arm (20), and at its other end to the plate (23), ensuring the return of the arm (20) in the direction of closing of the window (4), - And an operating handle (30) secured to the pinion axis (27) which can be operated from inside the vehicle,
the meshing of the pinion (27) with the toothing (33) of the cam (31) ensuring the locking of the window (4) in the closed position and the operating handle (30) making it possible to rotate the cam (31) in contact with the roller (28) via the ramp (34) whose direction between the toothing (33) and the smooth circular area (35) moves away from the axis of rotation of the arm (20), so as to ensure disengagement of the pinion (27) relative to the toothing (33) of the cam (31). 2. An operating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cam (31) has the general shape of a circular sector projecting laterally with respect to the arm (20), on one of its sides. 3.- operating device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the articulation (21, 22) of the arm (20) on the slide (7) is constituted by an axis (21) integral arm (20) and a roller (22) rotatably mounted on the axis (21) and movable by rolling inside the slide (7). 4.- operating device according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, in the case where the door (2) is formed as a box (2a) in its lower part, characterized in that the components of the operating device (8), with the exception of the handle (30) are arranged inside the box (2a).

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