EP0418783B1 - Vehicle door check mechanism - Google Patents

Vehicle door check mechanism Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0418783B1
EP0418783B1 EP19900117861 EP90117861A EP0418783B1 EP 0418783 B1 EP0418783 B1 EP 0418783B1 EP 19900117861 EP19900117861 EP 19900117861 EP 90117861 A EP90117861 A EP 90117861A EP 0418783 B1 EP0418783 B1 EP 0418783B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
door
detent
roller
track
check mechanism
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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP19900117861
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0418783A1 (en
Inventor
Robert J. Gignac
Paul J. Dunbar
Ronald J. Cogo
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.)
Thunderline Corp
Original Assignee
Thunderline Corp
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US07/409,391 external-priority patent/US5074010A/en
Priority claimed from US07/580,565 external-priority patent/US5152030A/en
Application filed by Thunderline Corp filed Critical Thunderline Corp
Publication of EP0418783A1 publication Critical patent/EP0418783A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0418783B1 publication Critical patent/EP0418783B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05C—BOLTS OR FASTENING DEVICES FOR WINGS, SPECIALLY FOR DOORS OR WINDOWS
    • E05C17/00—Devices for holding wings open; Devices for limiting opening of wings or for holding wings open by a movable member extending between frame and wing; Braking devices, stops or buffers, combined therewith
    • E05C17/02—Devices for holding wings open; Devices for limiting opening of wings or for holding wings open by a movable member extending between frame and wing; Braking devices, stops or buffers, combined therewith by mechanical means
    • E05C17/04—Devices for holding wings open; Devices for limiting opening of wings or for holding wings open by a movable member extending between frame and wing; Braking devices, stops or buffers, combined therewith by mechanical means with a movable bar or equivalent member extending between frame and wing
    • E05C17/12—Devices for holding wings open; Devices for limiting opening of wings or for holding wings open by a movable member extending between frame and wing; Braking devices, stops or buffers, combined therewith by mechanical means with a movable bar or equivalent member extending between frame and wing consisting of a single rod
    • E05C17/20—Devices for holding wings open; Devices for limiting opening of wings or for holding wings open by a movable member extending between frame and wing; Braking devices, stops or buffers, combined therewith by mechanical means with a movable bar or equivalent member extending between frame and wing consisting of a single rod sliding through a guide
    • E05C17/203—Devices for holding wings open; Devices for limiting opening of wings or for holding wings open by a movable member extending between frame and wing; Braking devices, stops or buffers, combined therewith by mechanical means with a movable bar or equivalent member extending between frame and wing consisting of a single rod sliding through a guide concealed, e.g. for vehicles
    • E05C17/206—Devices for holding wings open; Devices for limiting opening of wings or for holding wings open by a movable member extending between frame and wing; Braking devices, stops or buffers, combined therewith by mechanical means with a movable bar or equivalent member extending between frame and wing consisting of a single rod sliding through a guide concealed, e.g. for vehicles with elastomeric springs to hold wing open

Definitions

  • a door check mechanism for each vehicle door is usually considered a necessity.
  • the door check mechanism provides two open positions, one at which the door is partially open and thy other at which the door is fully open, though even the full pen position is usually appreciably less than ninety degrees.
  • the door check mechanism for a vehicle door provides only one open retention position.
  • Door check mechanisms of this sort are quite common and have been used for many years. However, they are far from uniform in construction or in application. In many vehicles the manufacturer provides a check mechanism that is separate from the door hinges. In this arrangement, particularly in small cars, each door is supported upon two simple hinges that do not establish any retained or detented open positions for the door. In other instances, particularly in larger automobiles, the manufacturer may prefer hinges that incorporate check mechanisms in the hinge structures. Thus, in a typical large car construction, each door is hung from two hinges,and one of those hinges includes a door check mechanism establishing two retention or detented positions for holding the door open.
  • Door check mechanisms as applied to vehicle doors, have exhibited some substantial difficulties.
  • the door check mechanisms used in automobiles and similar applications have frequently required lubrication, without which they tend to squeak and to make other undesirable noises.
  • Some of these door check devices only produce noises when opened to full detented open position or beyond that position.
  • Many of these door check mechanisms afford inadequate operating life; they do not last for the full life of the vehicle.
  • corrosion may be a substantial problem.
  • processing of the vehicle body after installation of the doors particularly in the curing of external finishes, may require temperatures well beyond the tolerance range of materials used in the door check mechanisms.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved door check mechanism for a vehicle door that affords an extended operating life without requiring lubrication, yet is simple and relatively inexpensive in construction and in operation.
  • EP-A-165693 discloses a door check mechanism according to the pre-characterizing part of claim 1 in which the track member is arranged between a pair of rollers each comprising an outer metal sleeve and an inner metal sleeve with an elastic rubber core therebetween, the inner metal sleeves being journalled on a fixed axis.
  • the distance between the two rollers are such that with their outer metal sleeves they are tightly in contact with the surfaces of the track member under deformation of the rubber core. The result may be that, after a relatively short time, the outer and inner metal sleeves may lose their concentric arrangement, resulting in an uneven motion when opening or closing the vehicle door.
  • FR-A-2284740 discloses a door check mechanism according to the pre-characterizing part of claim 1 in which a non-resilient roller detent member is provided opposite to another roller detent member.
  • DE-A-2406906 discloses another door check mechanism comprising a pair of non-roller detent members aligned with each other for engaging detent receptacles on opposite sides of a track member.
  • the non-roller detent members include bias means consisting of a resilient core supporting a rigid external plastic sheath that engages the track member. These sliding detent members tend to rapid wear.
  • the problem to be solved by the invention is to avoid uneven motion when opening or closing the door without the risk of considerable wear of the detent members.
  • Fig. 1 affords a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of the side of a vehicle, including a part of a door opening.
  • a portion of the right front side body of the vehicle is shown. This could be an automobile, a small or large truck, or virtually any other kind of vehicle.
  • the edge of the door opening, along the left-hand vertical side of body member 21, is identified by reference numeral 22. Closely adjacent to it there is a vertical frame member 24, a part of the vehicle frame.
  • the door arrangement shown in Fig. 1 includes an upper hinge 26 that includes appropriate provisions for mounting on the vertical frame member 24 at three mounting locations 27. Similarly, there is a second, lower hinge 29 that is fastened to the vertical frame member 24 at plural locations such as the locations 31.
  • a clevis 33 is shown mounted on the vertical frame member 24. Clevis 33 has a vertical axis 34.
  • the clevis is a part of a door check mechanism 40 comprising one embodiment of the present invention, described more fully in connection with Figs. 2-5.
  • the clevis affords a pivotal connection for an elongated track member 36 that projects outwardly from frame member 24 and clevis 33 toward a door 37. Track member 36 extends through a guide device 38 that is mounted on door 37.
  • Door 37 includes a vertical support member 39 that is an integral part of the door.
  • Guide device 38 is mounted on support member 39 by a plurality of appropriate fasteners 41.
  • Clevis 33, track member 36, and guide device 38 all are part of check mechanism 40.
  • upper hinge 26 is mounted on door 37, preferably as indicated at points 42 on support member 39.
  • lower hinge 29 is secured to the vertical support member 39 of door 37 at appropriate locations 43.
  • the two hinges 26 and 29, in an accurately installed door, should have a common pivotal axis 45, the axis for pivotal movement of the door.
  • an elongated track member 636 has two opposed track surfaces 646 and 647, both surfaces appearing in Fig.4. As best seen in Fig.4, there are two depressions or detent receptacles 648 and 649 in the one track surface 646. There are no detent receptacles in the other track surface 647.
  • the number and distribution of the detent receptacles in track surface 646 is determined by the number of retention positions desired for door 37 when opened away from body 21 (Fig. 1) and also by the number of detent rollers used in the mechanism.
  • the guide device 638 for door check 640 includes an external housing 655 preferably molded of a relatively strong resin such as glass-reinforced nylon.
  • Housing 655 is mounted upon door support element 39 by bolts or other fasteners 41; see Fig.4.
  • the configuration of housing 655 is not particularly critical.
  • the housing does provide a firm mounting for a detent roller member 656 and a non-roller detent member 657.
  • the detent roller member 656 engages one track surface 646 on track member 636.
  • the other detent member 657 engages the other track surface 647 of member 636.
  • Detent roller 656, as shown in detail in Fig. 5, may comprise a central shaft 661 on which the roller is journalled. Shaft 661 may be formed from ordinary steel rod stock.
  • Roller 656 may be of a molded plastic, such as a glass fiber reinforced resin (e.g., nylon).
  • the other detent member 657 is a generally cup-shaped retainer, preferably molded from a strong, rigid, durable plastic such as glass fiber reinforced nylon. Another appropriate material is an aramid fiber filled PTFE resin. It is supported on a resilient elastomer pad 664 that also urges member 657 toward surface 647 of track member 636.
  • the spring pad 664 is formed of a resilient elastomer material that is capable of retaining its resiliency over a broad range of temperatures, temperatures far beyond those likely to be encountered in any vehicle usage and, indeed, substantially beyond any that might be tolerated by human beings.
  • the elastomer used should retain its its elastic, resilient properties at temperatures well below 20°C (0°F). and at temperatures exceeding about 200°C (400°F)., the later requirement being based on temperatures used in curing vehicle finishes. Silicone polymer rubbers (polydimethylsiloxane) are preferred for the spring pad 664.
  • detent members 656 and 657 are shown engaged with track surfaces 646 and 647 of track member 636 (Fig. 4). However, this is not essential; for the closed position of door 37, the detent members could be spaced from the track surfaces.
  • the door latch (not shown) is released and the door is pivoted toward an open position with respect to car body 21 and particularly its frame member 24 (Fig. 1).
  • the direction of this movement is counterclockwise about hinge axis 45, viewed from above, as indicated by the arrow A in Fig. 2.
  • This pivotal movement of the door drives guide device 638 along track member 636, in the direction generally indicated by the arrows B in Figs. 2 and 4, and compels track member 636 to pivot, again in a counterclockwise direction, about axis 34 of clevis 33.
  • This movement continues, as the door proceeds in its pivotal opening movement, until the detent roller member 656 comes into alignment with the first receptacle 648 in track surface 646 of member 636.
  • Additional impetus can be applied to door 37 to swing it further open, as to the full open position shown in solid lines in Fig.3.
  • the door is pivoted further in the clockwise direction of arrow A; members 656 and 657 ride along track surfaces 646 and 647 of member 636 until roller 656 comes into engagement with the outer detent roller receptacle 649, reaching the position shown in solid lines in Fig.3.
  • the total pivotal movement of door 37, angle D, Fig.3, may be about 60°.
  • the vehicle door is held firmly in the desired open position, allowing egress and ingress of people and objects from and into the vehicle.
  • the door check mechanism should afford excellent performance characteristics over the full vehicle life.
  • These door check mechanisms provide quiet operation over the full range of door movement, require little or no lubrication and have a minimum of moving parts; they are light in weight and adaptable to use with bolts, butt welding, or virtually any other mounting arrangement. Corrosion is effectively avoided; adjustment of operational force requirements is readily achieved.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
  • Hinge Accessories (AREA)
  • Power-Operated Mechanisms For Wings (AREA)
EP19900117861 1989-09-18 1990-09-17 Vehicle door check mechanism Expired - Lifetime EP0418783B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US409391 1989-09-18
US07/409,391 US5074010A (en) 1989-09-18 1989-09-18 Vehicle door check mechanism
US580565 1990-09-11
US07/580,565 US5152030A (en) 1990-09-11 1990-09-11 Vehicle door check

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0418783A1 EP0418783A1 (en) 1991-03-27
EP0418783B1 true EP0418783B1 (en) 1993-09-01

Family

ID=27020625

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19900117861 Expired - Lifetime EP0418783B1 (en) 1989-09-18 1990-09-17 Vehicle door check mechanism

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0418783B1 (ja)
JP (1) JPH03166473A (ja)
CA (1) CA2025548A1 (ja)
DE (1) DE69003060T2 (ja)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7552953B2 (en) 2000-12-14 2009-06-30 Edscha Ag Door arrester

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9203601D0 (en) * 1992-02-20 1992-04-08 Bloxwich Eng Door checks for vehicles
DE4325550C2 (de) * 1993-03-29 2003-03-27 Scharwaechter Gmbh Co Kg Haltergehäuse für Kraftwagentürfeststeller
DE4439821C2 (de) * 1994-11-08 2002-07-11 Scharwaechter Gmbh Co Kg Kraftwagentürfeststeller
DE29611819U1 (de) * 1996-07-06 1996-09-05 Fingscheidt Gmbh Friedr Rastvorrichtung insbesondere für Fahrzeug-Türhalter
GB2355489B (en) * 1999-10-20 2003-08-20 Bloxwich Automotive Ltd Plastic link for door check
DE19951256C2 (de) * 1999-10-25 2002-11-28 Audi Ag Vorrichtung zum Feststellen einer Kraftfahrzeugtür in mindestens einer Offenstellung
DE10058432B4 (de) * 2000-11-24 2005-12-15 Audi Ag Türfeststeller einer Kraftfahrzeugtür
FR2914344A3 (fr) * 2007-04-02 2008-10-03 Renault Sas Vehicule muni d'un dispositif d'arret de porte
DE102008047475A1 (de) * 2008-09-17 2010-04-15 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Vorrichtung zur innenseitigen Türentriegelung einer Kraftfahrzeugtür
FR2973424B1 (fr) 2011-03-28 2014-02-14 Coutier Moulage Gen Ind Dispositif d'arret de porte pour vehicule automobile

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1915750A1 (de) * 1969-03-27 1970-10-01 Scharwaechter Kg Tuerhalter zum selbsttaetigen Festhalten,insbesondere von Kraftwagentueren in der OEffnungsendstellung
DE2123536A1 (de) * 1971-05-12 1972-12-28 Volkswagenwerk Ag, 3180 Wolfsburg Türfeststeller
DE2406906C3 (de) * 1974-02-14 1981-07-23 Volkswagenwerk Ag, 3180 Wolfsburg Feststellvorrichtung für Türen in der Offenstellung, insbesondere an Kraftfahrzeugen
FR2284740A1 (fr) * 1974-09-10 1976-04-09 Paumellerie Electrique Dispositif d'arret de porte pour vehicule automobile
EP0165693A3 (en) * 1984-06-12 1986-09-17 Ford Motor Company Limited Door check mechanism
FR2592913A1 (fr) * 1986-01-13 1987-07-17 Bonin Lucien Systeme destine a marquer la position relative d'un element mobile par rapport a un element fixe notamment pour portieres de vehicule.

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7552953B2 (en) 2000-12-14 2009-06-30 Edscha Ag Door arrester

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2025548A1 (en) 1991-03-19
JPH03166473A (ja) 1991-07-18
DE69003060D1 (de) 1993-10-07
DE69003060T2 (de) 1994-01-27
EP0418783A1 (en) 1991-03-27

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