EP0681080B1 - Check device for wings - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a stop device for an opening, by example for a door.

It is particularly applicable in the automotive field, for equip the vehicle doors.

We already know mechanical systems to stop the door both in its maximum opening position and in one or more positions intermediate (half-open positions).

These systems generally use a pivoting lever which is articulated to the fixed part of the vehicle, in an area of the door frame located on the side of the hinges, and commonly called "door leg". The lever has a surface profiled, playing the role of a cam, against which come a set of rollers followers, in solidarity with the door.

The cam has notches which allow the door to be retained in a or several intermediate positions, one of the notches forming the end stop which corresponds to its maximum opening.

These known systems are not fully satisfactory because they are subject to significant wear, which is the cause of malfunction and requires frequent parts changes. In addition, the passage of the notches requires that the user develops a relatively high effort, which is not well accepted by some people. Finally, keeping the door in a half-open position is only possible in one or several well-defined opening positions, which correspond to the position of the notches; it is not possible to keep the door ajar at any angle.

The invention aims to solve these difficulties by proposing a device door stop (or any other opening) which is not very sensitive to wear, while being very convenient to use both in the direction of opening and in the direction of closing, the pivoting of the door being smooth and smooth, the device also allowing the door to be held in a stable manner throughout intermediate position, regardless of the value of the opening angle.

The device according to the invention, which makes it possible to achieve these objectives, is intended for an opening, such as a door, which is pivotally mounted about an axis of hinge slightly inclined with respect to the vertical so that it tends to close naturally under the effect of gravity.

This type of oblique joint of an opening is well known in itself.

• un premier piston creux mobile en translation dans un cylindre suivant ledit axe de charnière, mais immobilisé en rotation, ce piston supportant en service le poids de l'ouvrant et délimitant avec le fond du cylindre une première chambre de compression occupée par un fluide incompressible ;
• un second piston présentant une portion filetée vissée dans un trou taraudé formé dans le piston creux et dont l'axe correspond avec l'axe de charnière, ce second piston étant en service solidaire en rotation de l'ouvrant et le sens du filetage étant tel qu'il descend en tournant à l'intérieur du piston creux lorsque l'ouvrant se ferme, la base du second piston délimitant avec le fond du premier piston une seconde chambre de compression, également occupée par ledit fluide incompressible, et communiquant avec ladite première chambre de compression par une ouverture.

The device according to the invention is remarkable in that it comprises:

• a first hollow piston movable in translation in a cylinder along said hinge axis, but immobilized in rotation, this piston supporting in service the weight of the leaf and delimiting with the bottom of the cylinder a first compression chamber occupied by an incompressible fluid;
• a second piston having a threaded portion screwed into a threaded hole formed in the hollow piston and the axis of which corresponds to the hinge axis, this second piston being in service integral in rotation with the leaf and the direction of the thread being such that it descends by turning inside the hollow piston when the leaf closes, the base of the second piston delimiting with the bottom of the first piston a second compression chamber, also occupied by said incompressible fluid, and communicating with said first compression chamber through an opening.

L est la valeur de la distance séparant le centre de gravité de la porte de l'axe de charnière ;

r est la valeur du rayon nominal de la portion filetée du second piston ;

γ est l'angle d'inclinaison du filet de cette portion filetée ;

ϕ est le coefficient de frottement du filetage dans le trou taraudé ;

α est la valeur de l'angle que forme l'axe de charnière avec la verticale.

According to a possible additional characteristic of the invention, the ratio of the cross sections of the second piston and of the first piston is given during the cooperation of the device with a door by the following formula: S 2 S 1 = L r tg (γ + ϕ) tg α, in which :

L is the value of the distance between the center of gravity of the door and the hinge axis;

r is the value of the nominal radius of the threaded portion of the second piston;

γ is the angle of inclination of the thread of this threaded portion;

ϕ is the coefficient of friction of the thread in the tapped hole;

α is the value of the angle formed by the hinge axis with the vertical.

• l'angle que forme l'axe de la charnière avec la verticale a une valeur de l'ordre de 1 à 2°, ce qui correspond à l'orientation des pistons.
• le dispositif comprend des moyens permettant de faire varier la section de passage du fluide à travers ladite ouverture au cours du pivotement de l'ouvrant ;
• ces moyens réalisent la fermeture progressive de l'ouverture lorsque l'ouvrant se rapproche de son ouverture maximale ;
• ces moyens consistent en une tige pointeau à extrémité conique s'engageant dans l'ouverture de forme correspondante ;
• la tige pointeau est montée au fond du cylindre, suivant l'axe de charnière, tandis que l'ouverture est située au centre du fond du premier piston.

In addition, according to a certain number of possible additional characteristics:

• the angle formed by the axis of the hinge with the vertical has a value of the order of 1 to 2 °, which corresponds to the orientation of the pistons.
• the device comprises means making it possible to vary the cross section of the fluid passing through said opening during the pivoting of the opening;
• these means carry out the progressive closing of the opening when the opening approaches its maximum opening;
• these means consist of a needle rod with a conical end engaging the opening of corresponding shape;
• the needle rod is mounted at the bottom of the cylinder, along the hinge axis, while the opening is located in the center of the bottom of the first piston.

Such a device is particularly suitable for equipping the door with a motor vehicle, this application however not being limitative of the field technique to which the invention relates.

Other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description and attached drawings which show a preferred embodiment.

• la figure 1 est une vue générale d'un ouvrant articulé sur un dormant autour d'un axe de charnière incliné par rapport à la verticale et équipé d'un dispositif d'arrêt conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de côté schématique de l'ensemble illustré à la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une représentation schématique, en coupe axiale, du dispositif selon l'invention, cette vue étant destinée à en illustrer le principe de fonctionnement ;
• la figure 4 est une coupe axiale du dispositif selon l'invention ;
• la figure 5 est une vue de dessus partielle de la figure 4, destinée à montrer la liaison en rotation de l'ouvrant avec le dispositif.

In these drawings:

• Figure 1 is a general view of a leaf articulated on a frame around a hinge axis inclined relative to the vertical and equipped with a stop device according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the assembly illustrated in Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a schematic representation, in axial section, of the device according to the invention, this view being intended to illustrate the principle of operation;
• Figure 4 is an axial section of the device according to the invention;
• Figure 5 is a partial top view of Figure 4, intended to show the rotational connection of the opening with the device.

In Figures 1 and 2 we have designated by the references 1 and 2 respectively a opening - for example a door - and the door leg of the frame.

The opening 1 is provided, on one of its edges, with a pair of yokes 11 engaging on legs 21 integral with the frame 2 and connected to them so classic by articulation axes, so as to constitute hinges. According to one important characteristic of the use of the device according to the invention, the axis XX 'of the hinges forms an acute angle α with respect to the vertical ZZ '.

The angle α has a small value, of the order of 1 to 2 °. Its inclination is such that the opening tends to close naturally by its own weight, as is good known per se.

In FIG. 2, the center of gravity of the opening 1 has been designated by G, and by P its weight.

The weight P is broken down into an axial force T parallel to XX 'and a transverse force F. It is the latter which ensures the closing movement of opening it.

The relationship between these two forces is  F / T = tg α.

The device according to the invention, designated by the reference 3, has the form general of a small cylindrical case, coaxial to XX ', and fixed to a console 20 integral of the frame 2.

At its upper part, the opening 1 has an overhanging part 10 which comes in taken with the upper part of the device 3, as will be explained with reference in Figures 4 and 5.

The device 3 comprises a cylinder 30, of axis XX 'which has a bottom 31 supported by the console 20. This bottom 31 has an extension of section not circular (anti-rotation) 32 directed downwards and inserted into a section hole additional provided in the console 20. The fixing of the cylinder on the console is ensured by a screw 6 engaging in a threaded hole of the appendage 32, via a washer 60.

This bottom 31 is integral with a needle rod with a tip-shaped end conical 33 directed upwards, along XX ', inside the cylinder 30. Its function will be explained later.

Inside the cylinder 30 is guided in axial translation, along XX ', a piston 4 of generally cylindrical shape, which will be designated hereinafter "first piston".

The outer wall of this piston has a circular groove occupied by an annular seal 44, of known type.

This first piston 4 is hollow. It has a tapped hole 40 which extends downwards through a smooth hole of smaller diameter 41, which is closed by a bottom 42 pierced with a central opening 43. The tapped hole 40, the bore 41 and the opening 43 are coaxial, of axis XX '. The opening 43, of small diameter, has a wall frustoconical flaring downwards, whose taper corresponds to that of point 33 of the needle rod.

The device comprises a second piston 5 which comprises a portion threaded 50 screwed inside the tapped hole 40 and extending downward by a smooth portion 52 whose diameter corresponds, apart from the engagement clearance, to that of the bore 41. The portion 52 carries an annular seal 53, housed in a groove.

A hole 54 allows the evacuation of air during the descent of the piston 5.

Upwards, the threaded portion 50 is extended by a rod 51 of section square right (see Figure 5).

The first piston 4 is immobilized in rotation relative to the cylinder 30 by means of a screw 46 secured to the cylinder, and extending inwards by a finger 460 which engages in an axial groove 45 formed in the outer wall of the piston 4. The bottom 42 of the first piston 4 delimits with the lower part of the cylinder 30 a first compression chamber 7.

Similarly, the base of the portion 52 of the second piston 5 delimits with the lower part of the bore 41 a second compression chamber 8.

The two compression chambers 7 and 8 are filled with a fluid incompressible, such as hydraulic fluid 9. These two chambers 7 and 8 communicate normally with each other via opening 43.

The overhang 10 of the opening 1 has a flat lower face 100 which rests against the upper face 400 of the first piston 4. This overhang 10 has a opening with a square outline 12 into which the rod 51 of the second piston 5 engages. The opening 1 and the second piston 5 are therefore integral with one another in rotation, around of the hinge axis XX ', it being understood that any shape other than the square, ensuring joining in rotation is possible.

The direction of the thread 50 is chosen so that when the opening 1 pivots around XX 'in the closing direction, the second piston 5 goes down to inside the first piston 4.

A simple observation of Figure 4, we understand that this movement tends to expel part of the liquid 9 located in the chamber 8 towards the chamber 7, at through the opening 43. This influx of liquid into the chamber 7 therefore tends to push up the first piston 4, and correspondingly the opening 1 which is supported by this piston.

There is of course a certain play in axial translation, along XX ', in the hinges 11 of the opening which allow movement in translation, upwards or down, opening it along XX '.

Referring to Figure 3, we will now consider how to balances the forces used in the device.

In the balance of forces, we will neglect the friction torque resulting from the support of the overhang 10 against the upper face 400 of the first piston 4, a torque which opposes pivoting of the sash.

Indeed, this torque is of low value, which can be further reduced by setting used in this support zone of anti-friction materials, with a low coefficient of friction, or even a rolling device such as a needle bearing.

P ₁ denotes the pressure of the incompressible fluid 9 inside the chamber 7, and P ₂ denotes the pressure of this same fluid in the chamber 8.

In normal operation, when the opening 43 is released, and the two chambers communicate with each other, we have P ₁ = P ₂ .

The torque exerted by the opening on the second piston 5 will be designated by C, via the square section rod 51. If we denote by F the component transverse of the weight of the opening P (as already defined above) and by L the distance separating the center of gravity G from the axis XX ', we have: C = F x L.

The application of the torque C to the second piston 5 will generate, at the level of the threaded portion 50, a transverse force (perpendicular to XX ') F' and an axial force (along XX ') T', which tends to lower the second piston 5.

F' = C / r, r étant la valeur du rayon nominal de la portion filetée 50 ;

T' = F' tg (γ + ϕ), où γ est l'angle d'inclinaison du filet de la portion filetée 50 et ϕ l'angle effectif correspondant au coefficient de frottement du filetage dans le trou taraudé 40.

These forces have the following values:

F '= C / r, r being the value of the nominal radius of the threaded portion 50;

T '= F' tg (γ + ϕ), where γ is the angle of inclination of the thread of the threaded portion 50 and ϕ the effective angle corresponding to the coefficient of friction of the thread in the tapped hole 40.

This is a well known formula in hardware.

The first piston 4 is subjected to an axial force T which corresponds - as already said above - to the component along XX 'of the weight P of the opening 1.

The active surface (surface projected in a plane perpendicular to XX ′) of the piston 4 has been designated by S _{1 and} the active surface of the portion 52 of the piston 5 by S ₂ .

If we consider that the device is in equilibrium, P ₁ = T / S ₁ and P ₂ = T '/ S ₂

We can also write: P ₂ = F '/ S ₂ tg (γ + ϕ), or P ₂ = C / S ₂ r tg (γ + ϕ)

When the opening 43 is released, P ₁ = P ₂ .

We therefore have T / S ₁ = C / S ₂ r tg (γ + ϕ). Let, as T = F / tg α: F / S ₁ tg α = FL / S ₂ r tg (γ + ϕ).

By simplifying, we get: S 2 S 1 = L r tg (γ + ϕ) tg α.

It can be seen that all of the parameters appearing in the above formula are constants, which do not depend on the opening angle of the opening.

Balance is thus permanently ensured, provided that the defined relationship by this formula between the different parameters is respected.

Consequently, whatever the opening angle of the opening, it stay in balance.

L = 0,5 m    ϕ = 8°

r = 18 mm    α = 2°

γ = 5°3'

   pas de vis de la portion filetée 50 = 10 mmAs an indication, the following values can be chosen for these parameters:

L = 0.5 m ϕ = 8 °

r = 18 mm α = 2 °

γ = 5 ° 3 '

thread portion 50 = 10 mm

This device absolutely does not interfere with ordinary movements opening and closing of the door.

When the user opens the door, he turns the second piston 5 so that so that it lifts. The portion 52, which goes up inside the hollow piston 4, therefore causes the suction of the liquid from the chamber 7 to the chamber 8 (including the volume increases), through the opening 43. Consequently the piston 4 descends slightly in the cylinder 30, as a result of the reduction in volume of the chamber 7.

On the contrary, when the door is closed, the piston 5 descends and drives out the hydraulic fluid from chamber 8 to chamber 7, the volume of which increases, thus causing the piston 4 to rise in its cylinder and, correspondingly, a slight lifting of the sash.

The pivoting of the opening, both in the direction of its opening and in the direction of its closing, is done in a soft and not brutal way, due to the viscosity of the liquid which must flow from one compression chamber to another, via the opening 43. By playing on the diameter of the latter, one can brake more or less movement.

Furthermore, the length of the needle rod 33 is chosen so that the opening 43 is almost completely closed when the opening reaches its stroke maximum opening.

As already said, when the opening 1 pivots towards its open position, the piston 5 goes up while piston 4 goes down. After a certain downhill run, the frustoconical opening 43 will come close to the conical end 33 of the rod needle, and the section of passage of the liquid through the opening will gradually reduce. Thus, the movement of the door is damped when it arrives in the vicinity of the maximum angle, and the end of the opening is not violent (no shock).

In one possible embodiment, the position of the conical end 33 is adjustable relative to the cylinder, allowing the maximum opening angle to be adjusted of the opening.

Finally, it should be noted that we could very well remove the hinge 11, 21 upper (Figures 1 and 2), the device of the invention can itself play the role of hinge.

Claims (8)

1. Arresting device for a leaf (1), such as a door, that is mounted so as to pivot about a hinge axis (XX'), slightly inclined in relation to the vertical (ZZ') such that it tends to close naturally by the effect of gravity, characterised by the fact that it comprises:

   a first hollow piston (4) that is mobile in translation within a cylinder (30) along said hinge axis (XX'), but immobilised in rotation, this piston (4) supporting the weight of the leaf, when in service, and delimiting, together with the bottom (31) of the cylinder (30), a first compression chamber (7) occupied by a non-compressible fluid (9);

   a second piston (5) having a threaded portion (50) screwed into a threaded hole (40) formed inside the hollow piston (4) and the axis of which corresponds to the hinge axis (XX'), this second piston (5) being, when in service, integral in rotation with the leaf (1) and the direction of threading being such that it moves down, while revolving, inside the hollow piston when the leaf closes, the base (52) of the second piston delimiting, together with the bottom (42) of the first piston, a second compression chamber (8), also occupied by said non-compressible fluid (9), and communicating with said first compression chamber (9) by an opening (43).
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised by the fact that the ratio of the effective sections (S₂) of said second piston and (S₁) of said first piston is given, during the co-operation of the device with a door, by the following formula: S2 S1 = Lr tan (γ + ϕ) x tan α, in which:

   L is the value of the distance separating the centre of gravity of the door from the hinge axis XX';

   r is the value of the nominal radius of the threaded portion (50) of the second piston (5);

   γ is the angle of inclination of the thread of this threaded portion (50);

   ϕ is the coefficient of friction of the threading within the threaded hole (40);

   α is the value of the angle formed by the hinge axis (XX') with the vertical (ZZ').
3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised by the fact that the angle formed by the hinge axis (XX') with the vertical (ZZ') has a value (α) of the order of 1 to 2°, which corresponds to the orientation of the pistons (4, 5).
4. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised by the fact that it comprises means (33) making it possible to vary the section of passage of the fluid (9) through said opening (43) during the pivoting of the leaf (1).
5. Device according to Claim 4, characterised by the fact that said means (33) produce the progressive closing of the opening (33) when the leaf (1) comes close to its maximum opening.
6. Device according to Claim 5, characterised by the fact that said means (33) consist of a needle-type rod (33) with a conical end, engaging in the correspondingly shaped opening (43).
7. Device according to Claim 6, characterised by the fact that the needle-type rod (33) is mounted at the bottom (31) of the cylinder (30), along the hinge axis (XX'), while the opening (43) is located at the centre of the bottom (42) of the first piston (4).
8. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised by the fact that it is fitted to the door of a motor vehicle.

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