EP0493147B1 - Hinge, especially for wings or hood of vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention essentially relates to a hinge allowing in particular the articulation of a flap or tailgate on the body of a motor vehicle.

During the construction of a vehicle, the body, the tailgate and the doors are first produced separately, then all these elements are assembled for painting operations. Then, the doors and the tailgate are again separated from the vehicle body to mount on these different elements the equipment which they must include before putting them back in place definitively.

It is desirable that all these manipulations can be done by simple movements, such as that consisting in carrying out a translation of the tailgate perpendicular to the axis of the hinge to disassemble said tailgate from the body, in order to be able to automate the process. It is also desirable that the axis of the hinge remains on the tailgate during these assembly and disassembly operations, always for the purpose of simplification.

Furthermore, there are vehicles in which certain body parts such as the tailgate are made of plastic or a synthetic material, while the hinge axis of the hinge is made of metal. In this case, the friction between the axis and the tailgate may damage the plastic and cause fibers to appear which, in turn, can damage the metal.

Finally, for aesthetic reasons, it is desirable that the parts where the paint is removed due to friction with the axis remain invisible.

Furthermore, according to document EP-A-0 340 456, a hinge corresponding to the preamble of claim 1 is known.

The present invention provides a hinge which is very simple to assemble and disassemble, the hinge axis of which remains positively retained on one of the hinge elements after disassembly, and in which the friction between the hinge axis and the elements of the hinge are minimized and do not risk seriously damaging the paint, it being understood that, in any event, the areas where the paint would be removed or damaged remain invisible, that is to say hidden by the hinge -even.

To this end, the invention relates to a hinge ensuring the articulated connection between a fixed element such as for example a body of a motor vehicle and a movable element such as for example a flap or tailgate of this vehicle and of the type comprising a first knuckle capable of being secured to the movable element, a second knuckle capable of being secured to the fixed element, and a hinge pin insertable in the two knuckles to allow the articulated connection of the fixed and movable elements, the first at least two knuckles comprising means for immobilizing in translation said axis in an active axis position and mounted on the second knuckle and in an inactive and disassembled axis position of the second knuckle, but for which the axis remains integral with the first knuckle, characterized in that the articulation axis and the first knuckle comprise cooperating means for immobilizing in rotation said axis in the first knuckle, for r the active and inactive positions of the axis.

According to a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned means for immobilizing in translation the articulation axis consist of a spring capable of being clipped into one or the other of two spaced annular grooves provided on said axis and this by axial displacement of the articulation axis in one direction or another in the knuckle which is preferably the knuckle secured to the aforementioned movable element or flap.

According to another characteristic of this hinge, the aforementioned spring is sandwiched between two walls integral with the aforementioned knuckle.

This spring has substantially the shape of an open loop with free ends folded towards the inside of the loop and capable of elastically penetrating one or the other of the annular grooves of the articulation axis.

These means for immobilizing in rotation may be constituted by a flat provided at one end of the hinge pin, and cooperating with a notch of corresponding dimensions, provided on the knuckle.

According to another embodiment, the aforementioned means for immobilizing the articulation axis in rotation consist of a head provided at one of the ends of said axis and having a rim capable of resting on a bearing surface belonging to the knuckle.

In this case, a ramp belonging to the above knuckle is provided and allows access from the head of the hinge pin to the aforementioned bearing surface. The head of the hinge pin has, according to an exemplary embodiment, the shape of a hexagon having two parallel opposite sides or edges of length greater than that of the other sides or edges of the head.

According to yet another characteristic, the knuckle carrying the articulation axis has means for orienting the aforementioned head of the articulation axis so that one of the two parallel and opposite edges mentioned above is automatically positioned parallel to the bearing surface during the establishment of the axis, and this whatever the initial orientation thereof.

The means for orienting the head of the articulation axis comprise at least one helical groove formed in a hollow cylindrical part of the knuckle and whose axis is parallel to the direction of introduction of the articulation axis, this groove being able to receive an angle of the hexagonal head.

• La figure 1 est une vue partielle et en perspective d'un hayon de véhicule, et illustre, en vue éclatée, un charnon solidaire de ce hayon, un autre charnon solidaire de la caisse du véhicule, et un ressort destiné à être monté dans le charnon solidaire du hayon.
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne II-II de la figure 1 illustrant le début du montage ou de l'insertion en oblique d'un axe d'articulation dans le charnon solidaire du hayon.
• La figure 3 est une vue similaire à la figure 2, mais illustrant l'axe d'articulation en position horizontale inactive et immobilisé en rotation et en translation dans le charnon du hayon.
• La figure 4 est une vue similaire aux figures 2 et 3, mais illustre l'axe d'articulation après qu'une poussée ait été effectuée sur celui-ci, ce qui permet sa coopération avec le charnon de la caisse du véhicule.
• La figure 5 est une vue analogue à la figure 1, et illustre un autre mode de réalisation de charnière selon cette invention.
• La figure 6 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne VI-VI de la figure 5, et montre l'axe d'articulation de la charnière en position de coopération avec le charnon solidaire de la caisse du véhicule.
• Les figures 7 à 10 sont des vues en coupe suivant respectivement les lignes VII-VII, VIII-VIII, IX-IX et X-X illustrant, de façon décomposée, la rotation de la tête de l'axe d'articulation jusqu'à ce qu'il parvienne à la position immobile en rotation visible sur la figure 6.

However, other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear better in the detailed description which follows and refers to the appended drawings, given solely by way of example, and in which:

• FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a vehicle tailgate, and illustrates, in exploded view, a knuckle secured to this tailgate, another knuckle secured to the body of the vehicle, and a spring intended to be mounted in the knuckle secured to the tailgate.
• Figure 2 is a sectional view along line II-II of Figure 1 illustrating the start of mounting or oblique insertion of a hinge pin in the knuckle integral with the tailgate.
• Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but illustrating the axis of articulation in an inactive horizontal position and immobilized in rotation and in translation in the knuckle of the tailgate.
• Figure 4 is a view similar to Figures 2 and 3, but illustrates the axis of articulation after a push has been made on it, which allows its cooperation with the knuckle of the vehicle body.
• Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1, and illustrates another embodiment of the hinge according to this invention.
• Figure 6 is a sectional view along line VI-VI of Figure 5, and shows the hinge axis of the hinge in the cooperation position with the knuckle secured to the vehicle body.
• Figures 7 to 10 are sectional views along lines VII-VII, VIII-VIII, IX-IX and XX respectively, illustrating, in a decomposed manner, the rotation from the head of the hinge pin until it reaches the stationary position in rotation visible in FIG. 6.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 5, we see in H a movable element, namely a portion of a flap or tailgate H of vehicle, and in C a fixed element constituted by the body of this vehicle.

We have shown in 1 a knuckle integral with the tailgate H and which actually consists of two half-knuckles 1a and 1b between which can be embedded a knuckle 2 integral with the body C of the vehicle. Of course, and although this is not shown, there is preferably symmetrically, the group of knuckles 1 and 2 on the opposite and not shown part of the tailgate H and the body C.

As can be seen in the figures, a hinge pin A can be inserted into orifices 3 made in the two knuckles 1 and 2 to allow the articulated connection between the movable element or tailgate H and the fixed element or body C of the vehicle.

According to the invention, the articulation axis A can be immobilized in translation by a spring R which can be clipped into one or the other of two spaced annular grooves 4 and 5 provided on said axis A and which are clearly visible in Figures 2 to 4 and 6. Thus, as will be described in detail below with regard to the operation, the hinge pin A, one of whose ends 6 is tapered to facilitate its insertion into the knuckle 1, can be immobilized in translation in its active position, that is to say in the articulated position of the tailgate H on the body of the vehicle C, or else immobilized in translation in its inactive position, that is to say in the disassembled position of knuckle 2 and for which said axis A will remain integral with knuckle 1.

The spring R is sandwiched and permanently held between two walls 7, 8 integral with the knuckle 1 and more precisely with the half knuckle 1b, the wall 8 being possibly reinforced by a reinforcing wall 8a.

According to the embodiment shown, this spring has substantially the shape of an open loop with free ends R1 which are folded towards the inside of the loop. Consequently, these free and folded ends will be able to penetrate elastically into one 4 or the other 5 of the annular grooves of the articulation axis A after translation of the latter in one direction or the other.

The hinge according to this invention and as shown in the figures also comprises means for immobilizing in rotation the hinge pin A in the knuckle 1, as will be described below.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, these means for immobilizing in rotation essentially consist of a notch 9 formed in a partition 9a adjacent to the knuckle 1, and in the axis of the orifices 3, this notch being able to receiving a flat 10 of corresponding dimensions provided on the axis A at its end opposite the tapered end 6 mentioned above. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the flat 10 can end, although this does not is not compulsory, by a push button 11 allowing the operation of the articulation axis A, as will be explained now.

The axis A, as can be seen in FIG. 2, is first of all introduced obliquely by its end 6 into the half-knuckle 1b of the knuckle 1 secured to the movable element or tailgate H of the vehicle.

Then, as can be seen in FIG. 3, by pushing along arrow F on the previously oriented articulation axis A, the flat 10 of the axis A engages in the notch 9, so that said axis is locked in rotation, and the annular groove 4 of the axis, under the effect of the thrust thereon, necessarily reaches between the walls 7 and 8, so that the spring R trapped between these two walls clips into the groove 4, which causes the axis A to immobilize in translation in the knuckle 1, that is to say ultimately on the flap or tailgate H. In other words, the axis A remains positively retained on the movable element or tailgate H in all manipulations thereof.

If one continues the following push F on the button 11 of the articulation axis A, the annular groove 4 escapes the spring R, and the axis A will take the position visible in FIG. 4, position for which it can pass through the knuckle 2 belonging to the fixed element or body C so as to produce the articulated connection between said body and the tailgate H. In this active position of the hinge pin A, the annular groove 5 will be positioned between walls 7 and 8, so that the spring R will clip into said groove to immobilize in translation the articulation axis A, this time in the active articulation position.

To separate the tailgate H from the body C, it suffices to exert traction on the articulation axis A in a direction opposite to that of arrow F, that is to say along arrow G, so that we will return to the position of Figure 3 where the annular groove 5 has escaped the spring R, which will clip into the annular groove 4 to immobilize in translation the axis A which will therefore always be retained on the tailgate H after disassembly thereof; and this without risk of rotation and therefore without risk of deterioration of the paint of the tailgate H, thanks to the notch 9 cooperating with the flat 10 and prohibiting the rotation of the axis A without thereby preventing its translation.

In the variant illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 10, the means for immobilizing the articulation axis A in rotation consist of a hexagonal head 12 provided at the end of the axis A opposite the end of introduction 6, and this head can cooperate with a bearing surface 13 belonging to knuckle 1 and preceded by an inclined ramp 14 for access from the head 12 to the bearing surface 13.

More precisely, and as best seen in FIGS. 7 to 10, the hexagonal head 12 has two parallel and opposite sides or edges 12a of length greater than that of the other sides or edges of the hexagon constituting the head 12.

In this variant, means are also provided so that the long sides 12a of the hexagonal head 12 arrive, at the end of the thrust stroke, in the correct position on the bearing surface 13, regardless of the orientation. hinge axis A.

These means for orienting the head 12 of the axis A comprise several helical grooves 15, for example three in number, which are formed in a hollow cylindrical part in the form of a cylindrical trough 16 of the knuckle secured to the tailgate H, l 'axis of these grooves being substantially parallel to the direction of introduction of the hinge axis A in said knuckle.

It is therefore understandable that if, at the start, the long sides 12a of the hexagonal head 12 of the axis A are presented substantially horizontally, the head 12 of the axis A will somehow straddle the hollow part in the form of a trough 16 and will be positioned on the support surface 13 after passing over the access ramp 14, so that the axis A will be immobilized in rotation.

On the other hand, if the hexagonal head 12 is initially oriented differently, one of the points of the hexagon will enter a helical groove 15, as can be seen in FIGS. 7 to 10, and the translation by pushing of the axis A along its longitudinal axis will cause this axis to rotate until the long sides 12a are horizontal and are automatically placed on the bearing surface 13 via the access ramp 14, this being clearly illustrated in the figures 7 to 10.

As for the immobilization in translation of the hinge pin A in the variant illustrated in Figures 5 to 10, it is carried out exactly as for the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 described above.

In short, the spring R trapped between the wall 7 and the wall 8 possibly reinforced by the wall 8a, cooperates with the annular groove 4 of the articulation axis A for a position of this axis inactive or withdrawn from the knuckle 2, position in which the axis A will remain maintained on the tailgate H. On the other hand, for an active position of the articulation axis A, visible in FIG. 6, that is to say for an engaged position of this axis on the knuckle 2 between the two half-knuckles 1a, 1b, the spring R will have escaped from the annular groove 4 and will be clipped into the annular groove 5 of the axis A.

A hinge has therefore been produced according to the invention, the hinge pin A of which will remain integral with the flap or tailgate H in all handling, painting and equipment maneuvers of this tailgate.

In addition, the assembly and disassembly of the tailgate H on the body C can be done by a simple mechanical action on the axis A, and using a robot for example, being sure to always get a correct assembly and disassembly, thanks to the cooperation of the spring R with the two annular grooves 4 and 5 of the hinge pin A.

Finally, the displacements of the axis, especially in the realization of Figures 1 to 4, will not leave any trace of deterioration of the paint, if however there are some, since these traces of deterioration will either be invisible given the shape of the housings of the axis which constitute the half-knuckles 1a and 1b, or be hidden by the axis itself passing between the walls 7 and 8 and in notch 9 in particular. In short, numerous maneuvers of the axis of rotation are possible as many times as necessary, by simple mechanical thrusts, and, in all these maneuvers, the maintenance in translation and in rotation of the articulation axis will be ensured without risk of error, and also without risk of visible traces on the coating of the movable element or H tailgate of the vehicle.

Claims (8)

1. Hinge ensuring the pivoting connection between a stationary element such for example as a body (C) of an automotive vehicle and a movable element such for example as a shutter flap or a tailgate (H) of this vehicle and of the type comprising a first knuckle (1) adapted to be made fast to the movable element, a second knuckle (2) adapted to be made fast to the stationary element and a pivot pin (A) insertable into both knuckles to permit the pivotal connection of the stationary and movable elements, at least the first one (1) of the two knuckles (1,2) comprising means for holding the said pin (A) against translatory motion in a pin position active and mounted onto the second knuckle (2) and in a pin position inactive and removed from the second knuckle (2) but for which the pin (A) remains made fast to the first knuckle (1), characterized in that the pivot pin (A) and of the first knuckle (1) comprise co-operating means for holding the said pin against rotation in the first knuckle for the active and inactive positions of the pin.
2. Hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforesaid means for holding against rotation are constituted by a flattening (10) provided at one of the ends of the pivot pin (A) and co-operating with a notch (9) with corresponding dimensions provided on the first knuckle (1).
3. Hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforesaid means for holding against rotation are constituted by a head (12) provided at one of the ends of the pivot pin (A) and comprising a flange adapted to rest upon a bearing surface (13) belonging to the first knuckle (1).
4. Hinge according to claim 3, characterized by a ramp (14) belonging to the first knuckle and permitting the access to the head (12) of the pivot pin (A) at the aforesaid bearing surface (13).
5. Hinge according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the head (12) of the pivot pin (A) exhibits the shape of a hexagon having two parallel and opposite sides or edges (12a) with a length greater than that of the other sides or edges of the head.
6. Hinge according to claim 5, characterized in that the first knuckle (1) carrying the pivot pin (A) has means for the orientation of the head of the pin in order that one of the two aforesaid parallel and opposite edges (12a) be automatically positioned in parallel relation to the bearing surface (13) upon putting in place of the pin and this whatever the initial orientation thereof may be.
7. Hinge according to claim 6, characterized in that the means for the orientation of the head (12) of the pin (A) comprise at least one helical groove (15) formed in a hollow cylindrical portion (16) of the first knuckle (1) and the axis of which is parallel to the direction of insertion of the pivot pin (A), this groove being adapted to receive one angle of the hexagonal head (12).
8. Hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for holding the pivot pin (A) against translatory motion are constituted by a spring (R) exhibiting substantially the shape of an open loop with free ends (R1) bent inwards of the loop and likely to elastically penetrate into either one of two spaced annular grooves (4,5) provided on the said pivot pin (A).

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